Most Unlucky Person in the World - Ramadaan

The most unlucky person in the world is the one who did not make it to have all his past sins forgiven in the month of Ramadhan.

How many people are lying in the graves, who had thought that they could make it to Ramadhan this year. They never made it !!

We are lucky to get a chance this year !!

The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadhan and does not have his sins forgiven, and so enters the Fire, then may ALLAH distance him." [Ahmad (2/246) and Bayhaqi (4/204)]

Its not too late, we have the 'Night of Power' (Lailat-ul-Qadr) in hand.

The Messenger (SAW) said: "Whoever prays the Night of Qadr with Iman (faith) and hoping for its reward, ALLAH will forgive him all his previous sins." [Bukhari and Muslim]

'Lailat-ul-Qadr' or 'Night of Power' a very important occasion in the history of Islam and in our personnel lives.


The Night Of Power is better for us than one thousand months of our personal lives in this world. Even if we were to live one thousand months (83.3 years) with sincerity, dedication, and sacrifices and with good intentions and deeds, the Night Of Power is still far better for us.
 

ALLAH (SWT)says in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Qadr:
"We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of Morn." (97:1-5)
The Night of Power is a very important occasion in Islam. Everyone is asked to enliven and enjoy it. This Night is a 'Night of Mercy', a 'Night of Blessing', a 'Night of Peace' and a 'Night of Guidance'. It is a 'Night of Unification' between the finite world of ours and the Infinite Universe of the Unseen. Therefore whosoever is interested in receiving the blessings of ALLAH SWT may look forward to the Night of Power.

Anyone who seeks the Night of Power and lives it, all his/her sin will be erased. It will be as if he/she is born again now, free from sins and errors.

Aa'isha (RA) said: "When the last ten days of Ramadhan arrived the Messenger (SAW) used to abstain (from contact a with his wives) and he would establish the nights. He would awaken (his family) to do the same also." [Bukhari and Muslim]

I am sure every one of us would like to live a life free of sins and free of errors. Everyone would like to meet ALLAH SWT on the Day of Judgment without sins.

Every one of us would like to feel that he/she is reborn today. All of us wish to rejuvenate ourselves, and to start a new year with a fresh outlook and a fresh life. Every one of us wants to live a pure life and everyone wants to purify himself/herself without anguish or torment.

The Night of Power is one of the best way in which a person is to achieve all these ideals. For this reason we must start looking for it, so that we will be able to observe it and enjoy it.

Imam Bukhari reports from 'Aishah that the Messenger of ALLAH (SAW) would tighten his waist-cloth (i.e. detach himself from his wives), spend the night in worship and awake his family, during the last ten nights of Ramadhan.

As far as determining the Night of Power (Lailat-ul-Qadr) is concerned, it has been reported to be during one of the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadhaan, i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. It has been emphasized that it is most likely to be the 27th night. But this doesn't mean we should stick to 27th night only.

The Signs of the Night of Qadr.
The Messenger of ALLAH (SWT) described the morning of the night of Qadr so that the Muslims can know which night it is.

Ubayy (RA) said : "On the morning of the night of Qadr the sun would rise without any beams; (it is like) a wash basin until it raises." [Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (RA) said : "We mentioned the night of Qadr to the Messenger of ALLAH (SWT) and he said: 'Which of you remembers when the moon rises and it is like half a bowl.'" [Muslim]

Ibn Abbas (RA) said that the Messenger of ALLAH (SWT) said : "The night of Qadr is a night of generosity and happiness, it is not hot and neither is it cold. The sun comes up in its morning weak, reddish." [Tabarani, Ibn Khuzaimah and Bazzaar]

It can be summarized into the followings:
1. The sun rises early in the morning without rays.
2. During night the sky will be lightly foggy.
3. The sky will be slightly lighted without reflections and without rays.
4. The angels and Gabriel all descend down onto earth for many purposes.

To enliven the Night of Power, below are some of the things that we might have to do:

a. Recitation of the Our'an.
b. Prayers-Nafl after Taraweeh.
c. Remembrance of ALLAH or Dhikr
d. Supplication or Du'a for you and for others.
e. Reading books of Hadith so as to enjoy the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

In Sahih Bukhari (6/521), there is an amazing piece of advice from the Prophet (SAW): "Recite the Quran as long as your hearts agree on it; if you disagree about it, stop reciting it (for the time being)" -- studying the Quran should bring people together!

And one must inspire, incite and persuade his family to perform acts of worship, especially in these great times in which no one neglects it except that he has been deprived. What is more incredible than this is that while the people are performing prayer and making Tahajjud, some individuals spend their time in forbidden gatherings and sinful events. This is indeed the greatest loss. We ask ALLAH SWT for his protection.

So we ask ALLAH SWT to grant us the ability to change ourselves for the better, during this blessed month, and not to be of those who are prevented from His Mercy and forgiveness. Indeed He is the One who Hears and He is the One to Respond.

May ALLAH SWT give us the strength, the power, the courage and the effort to do our best to obey ALLAH SWT and to follow His teachings. May ALLAH SWT guide us and may ALLAH SWT strengthen our Iman. May ALLAH SWT help us to live another year with sincerity and devotion. May ALLAH SWT make us realize that one year of our life is over and that we are one year closer to our graves.

Yaa ALLAH ! We are full of sins. We ignore you in our life, Please don't ignore us and guide us towards your path with the help of Prophet Mohammed (SAW). And open our hearts to understand our Deen... Ameen.

We must also not forget the right of the oppressed ummah and their defenders, the Mujahideen, upon us on the 'Night of Power'. Let's make Du'a for their deliverance and victory, and beseech ALLAH'S forgiveness for our shortcomings and inability to participate directly in the most noble cause. So, what else can we do other than pray to ALLAH, surely they feel and see the effects of our collective supplications for them, especially more on this special Night of the Holy month, which is full of power and blessings.

Take a vacation for ALLAH

We take a break from our jobs for almost everything in life. Why not this time to focus on worshiping and thanking our Creator.

If this is not possible at least take a few days off if we can. This can make it easier to stay awake at night to do extra Ibadah. Whatever we lose is very negligible compared to whatever we gain from this Night.

Brothers and sisters in Islam!

Fear ALLAH SWT and beware of wasting our lives away in futile activities. Make use of our time by being positive and constructive. This may well be our last Ramadhan, our last opportunity to benefit from the special blessings and forgiveness that accompanies this month. Know that Ramadhan is a manifestation of ALLAH's bountiful blessings on His slaves. Use it as a turning point in our life; a time for transformation towards a better way of life.

May ALLAH SWT weigh our prayers in gold, count our blessings with stars and ease our every effort like a gentle summer breeze-Ameen