During this blessed
month the reward of good deeds are increased significantly:
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
said:“Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan)
with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness,
he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever
performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy
obligatory acts in other times.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887)
So let us look at some of the heaviest good deeds we can all do in Ramadan to
maximize this blessed month:
1. Billions of Good deeds in seconds.
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:“Whoever seeks forgiveness for believing men and
believing woman, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man
and believing woman.”[Tabarani]
So each time we pray for every believer from the
first until the last we will gain a reward for each believer, which is billions
of rewards in just a few seconds! So lwet us make this a habit in EVERY DUA!
2. Hugely rewarding Dhikr to do each day:
2.1 Millions of Good
deeds in seconds:
“Whoever enters a market and says:
‘Laa ilaha illallah wahdahu la shareeka lah,
lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa yumeetu wa huwa hayyun laa yamoot, bi
yadihil khair, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shayin qadeer’
There is nothing
worthy of worship except Allah, alone without partner, to Him belongs dominion
and praise, He causes life and feath and He is the Living and does not die. In
His Hand is all the good, and He is over all things competent
… Allah will write for him/her a million good
deeds and erase a million bad deeds and raise him a million levels.” [Tirmidhi]
2.2 That Which Shall Have no Equal on the
Day of Resurrection:
Abu Huraira (Ra) narrated that the Prophet
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: ”Whoever says one hundred times in a day:
“La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu,
lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in qadir,”
None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the
Alone Who has no partners, to Him belongs Dominion and to Him belong all the
Praises, and He has power over all things (i.e. Omnipotent)
he will get the same reward as given for
manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his
accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his
saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody
will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he.” [Bukhari, Book #75,
Hadith #412]
2.3 Huge rewards for reciting dhikr after prayers:
Abu Hurayrah (Ra) narrated that a group of destitute
people came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and said, “O Messenger of Allah, the wealthy people will have higher
grades and will have permanent enjoyment in high levels in Paradise. They pray
like us and fast as we do, but they have more money by which they perform the
Hajj, ‘Umrah, participate in Jihaad and give in charity.”
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), replied:
“Shall I not tell you something upon which if you
acted you would catch up with those who have surpassed you? Nobody would
surpass you and you would be better than the people amongst whom you live
except those who would do the same.
Say: ‘Subhaan Allaah’, ‘Alhamdulillaah’ and‘Allaahu
Akbar’ thirty-three
times each after every (compulsory) prayer.’" [Al-Bukhari]
2.4 Guaranteed place in Paradise:
The Prophet
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:"Whoever
recites Aayatul Kursi after every Fard (Fard Salah). Only death is keeping
him/her from entering Jannah. (As soon as he/she dies, will enter Jannah) [Nisa'i, Ibne Habban]
2.5 Reciting 3 heavy phrases:
Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith (Ra) reported: The
Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came out from my apartment in the morning
as I was busy in performing the dawn prayer. He came back in the forenoon and
found me sitting there and said, “Are you still in the same position as I left
you.” I replied in the affirmative. Thereupon the
Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “I recited four phrases three times after I had
left you. If these are to be weighed against all you have recited since
morning, these will be heavier. These are:
Subhan-Allah wa bihamdihi, ‘adada khalqihi, wa
rida-a nafsihi, wa zinatah ‘arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi
Allah is free from imperfection and I begin with
His praise, as many times as the number of His creatures, in accordance with
His Good Pleasure, equal to the ink that may be used in recording the words
(for His Praise).” [Muslim]
2.6 The Virtues of reciting "Subhanallah":
The Prophet
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Is anyone of you incapable of earning one
thousand Hasanah (rewards) a day?" Someone from the gathering asked, "How can anyone of us earn a thousand
Hasanah?"
Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Glorify Allah a hundred times by just
saying“Subhanallah” and a
Good deeds will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away.”[Muslim 4:2073]
Another version says:
...a thousand good deeds are recorded for him and
a thousand bad deeds are wiped away. [Muslim]
When you go to bed, glorify Him and praise Him and magnify Him One hundred
times:
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Who among you does 2,500 bad deeds in one day?’They said: ‘How could we not count (our sins)?’ He said: ‘The
Shaytaan comes to any one of you whilst he is praying and says, Remember this,
remember that, until he finishes his prayer and does not do (this dhikr), or he
comes to him when he is lying down and makes him sleepy, until he falls asleep
(without doing this dhikr).’” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3332).
2.7 A tree in Paradise for each word:
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:“Whoever recites the folllowing words, a tree in
Paradise is planted for him for each word he says.”
Subhāna-llāhi,
wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, Wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla Wa lā
quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-‘aliyyi-l-‘azīm
(Glory be to Allah. And praise be to Allah. And
there is no god except Allah. And Allah is the Greatest. And there is no power
and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, And Most Great)[Tirmidhi]
2.8 Forgiveness like foam of the Sea:
Abu Hurayrah (Ra)
narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: ‘Whoever says:Subhanallah wa bi hamdih (Praise and glory be to Allah) 100
times, morning and evening, his sins will be erased even if they are like the
foam on the sea.” [Bukhari]
2.9
Most pleased on the day of Judgement:
Allah has promised that anyone who says this three
times every morning or evening will be pleased on the Day of Resurrection:
Radheetu billaahi Rabban, wa bil-’Islaami deenan,
wa bi-Muhammadin (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallama) Nabiyyan.
I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as
my religion and with Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) as my Prophet. [Fortress of the Muslim]
Another version says:
Jannah becomes obligatory for him (to enter).[Abu-Dawud]
3. Reward for
Obligatory & Voluntary prayers increased significantly
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:“...And whoever performs an obligatory act during
it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.” [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887]
3.1 Pray 12 Raka'ahs of Sunnah daily: - 2 Sunnah of Fajr, 4 Sunnah & 2 Sunnah of Dhuhr and 2
Sunnah of Maghrib
Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan (RA) narrated
she heard the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying: “A house will be built in Paradise for every Muslim who
offers twelve units of Prayers other than the obligatory ones in day and night,
to seek pleasure of Allah.” [Muslim]
3.2.
Salaatul Duhaa (Can be prayed from 20 mins after sunrise up until 20 minutes
before Dhuhr begins)
So we should remain seated after Fajr prayer &
recite the Qur'an or do Dhikr up until 20 minutes after Sunrise and pray
Salaatul Duhaa. If not then we can pray it anytime before midday.
'Salat al-Dhuhaa consists of 2 - 12 Rakaats and
it is preferable to perform 8 Rakaats.' [Raddul Mukhtaar vol.1 pg.505]
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is
reported to have said: Whoever prayed twelve rakaats (before midday),
then Allah will, as a reward, prepare a palace of gold for him in Paradise.[Mishkat, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]
3.3.
4 Sunnah, 2 Sunnah & 2 Nafil of Dhuhr
Umm Habibah (RA) narrated that the Prophet
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Whoever sticks to the habit of offering four
rak`ahs before Noon Prayer and four rak`ahs after it, Allah will shield him
against the Hell-Fire.” [Abu Dawud &
At-Tirmidhi]
3.4. Raka'ahs Sunnah of Asr
The Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi wa sallam) said:"May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers
four (Raka'ahs) before 'Asr prayer." [Abu Dawud]
3.5. Two Raka'ahs Sunnah after entering Masjid
Abu Qatadah (RA) narrated the Prophet (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) as saying: “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should
pray two rak`ahs before sitting.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]
3.6. Tahiyyatul Wudu - 2 Raka'ahs Voluntary
prayer after doing Wudu (Ablution)
Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported the Prophet (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) saying to Bilal (RA): “Tell me about the best of your deeds (i.e. one
which you deem the most rewarding) since your embracing Islam because I heard
your footsteps in front of me in Paradise.” Bilal (RA) replied: “I do not consider any act of mine more rewarding than that
whenever I make ablution at any time of night or day, I perform Prayer for as
much as was destined for me to do.” [Al-Bukhari &
Muslim]
3.7 Tahajjud - The Night Vigil Prayer
The
MOST REWARDING Voluntary prayer after the Obligatory prayers is Tahajjud:
Abu Hurairah (Ra) reported that the Prophet
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The best fast after the fast of Ramadan is the
fast of Muharram and the best Salaah after the obligatory prayers is the prayer
performed at night.”[Muslim]
Allah
listens to the prayers at night:
Jaabir (RA) says that he heard the Prophet
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying,“Certainly in the night, there is a moment in
which, if coincided by a
submissive person asking Allah of the good of this world and the hereafter,
Allah gives him whatever he asks for, and that is the entire night. [Muslim]
Those
who had the habit of praying Tahajjud will enter Paradise:
Asmaa binte Yazeed (Ra)
narrates that The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “On
the day of resurrection, the people will be gathered upon one plain field
and an announcer will proclaim saying, “Where are those who separated their
sides from their beds? A little amount of people will stand up. They will enter
paradise without reckoning, and then it will be ordered that the remaining
people be taken to reckoning”. [Baihaqi]
The Tahajjud prayer can be prayed After Isha but
is best to pray it after sleeping and then awakening in the third part of the
night before Fajr begins. It is between 2 - 12 Raka'hs.
Then let us pray all of our Obligatory prayers on
time (congregation for men) and increase in doing volntary prayers especially
during this blessed month for every voluntary prayer is rewarded like that of
an Obligatory prayer!
4. Charity & Feeding a fasting person:
4.1 The best charity is given in Ramadan:
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam)
said,“The best charity is that given in Ramadan.”(At-Tirmithi).
4.2 Charity extinguishes sins, and expiates evil deeds
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam),
said:“Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes
fire.” [At-Tirmithi]
4.3 Charity increases wealth:
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), said: “Allah The Almighty Says, ‘O
son of Adam, spend and I will spend on you.” [Muslim]
Therefore let us give as much as we can in
the way of Allah and know that it is an expiation of sin and will cause a long
term increase in our wealth in this world and immense good deeds in the next
world!
4.4 Gaining the reward of a
fasting person:
“Whoever provides food for breaking of the fast
for a fasting person receives the reward of the fasting person, without the
reward of the fasting person being reduced in any way.” [Tirmidhi & Ibn
Majah]
Then let us feed as many people as we can, whether
it is our family, relatives and friends, people at the local Masjid and especially
the poor and destitute.
5. Rewards of Hajj & Umrah
5.1 Remaining seated, worshipping from Fajr until after Sunrise:
From `Abdullah bin `Aamir (Ra) that Abu Umaamah
and `Utbah Bin `Abd (Ra) who related that the Prophet, (Sallallahu `alayhi wa
sallam) said: “Whoever prays
as-Subh. (I.e. fajr prayer) in congregation then sits until he prays for Allah
the prayer of Dhuha (2x2 Raka'ah 20 mins after sunrise) has the reward like that of a Hajj (pilgrim
performing Hajj) and a mu`tamir (pilgrim peforming `Umrah), complete reward of
his Hajj and his `Umrah” [Tirmidhi, Tabarani].
5.2 Praying Fajr & Isha in congregation:
Abu Tharr (Ra) narrated that a group of the
Companions came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and said, “O
Messenger of Allah, the wealthy people will have higher grades and will have
permanent enjoyment and they pray like us and fast as we do. They have more
money, which they give in charity. “The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam),
replied: “Has Allah not rendered for you the ‘Isha’ prayer
in congregation equal to Hajj, and the Fajr prayer in congregation equal to
‘Umrah?”[Muslim]
5.3 Walking to the Masjid:
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:“Whoever walks to [perform] an obligatory prayer
in congregation, it is like Hajj [in terms of rewards], and whoever walks to
[perform] a voluntary prayer, it is like a voluntary ‘Umrah [in terms of rewards].” [Hasan]
5.4 Attending lectures in the Masjid:
“Whoever goes to the mosque not desiring except
to learn or teach what is good has the reward of a pilgrim who completed his
Hajj” [Tabarani]
5.5 Observing the 10 days of I'tikaf:
Ali Ibn Hussain (RA) narrates from his father that
Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “He who observes the ten days I’tikaf during
Ramadhan will obtain the reward of two Hajj & two Umrah.”(Bayhaqi)
Attending the ‘Eed prayers (both ‘Eed Al-Adh-ha and ‘Eed Al-Fitr):
Ibn Rajab (Ra) narrated that the Companion Mikhnaf
ibn Sulaym (Ra) said, “The
reward for attending ‘Eed Al-Fitr prayer is equal to the reward of performing
‘Umrah and the reward for attending ‘Eed Al-Adh-ha Prayer is equal to that of
performing Hajj.”
6. Treating Parents the best
Almighty Allah says in
the Qur'an: "And We have enjoined on man to be dutiful
and kind to his parents." (46:15),
Kindness to parents best deed:
It is narrated on the authority of Abdullah bin Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased
with him), who observed:”I asked Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him)
which deed was the best.” He (the Holy Prophet) replied: ‘The Prayer at it’s
appointed hour.’ I (again) asked: “Then what?” He (the Holy Prophet) replied:
‘Kindness to the parents.’ I (again) asked: “Then what?” He replied: ‘Earnest
struggle in the cause of Allah (Jihad).’ I refrained from asking any more
questions for fear of annoying him.(Sahih Muslim: 120)
Smiling at one's parents:
Ibne Abbas (Ra)
narrates that the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Allah will record an accepted Hajj in favor of a
pious child that casts an affectionate glance upon his parents, for every
glance he casts upon them." The companions asked: "Even if he casts a hundred glances every
day?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)
said: "Yes. Allah is much greater (than you
imagine) and pure (Of all defects such as miserliness)." [Muslim]
Therefore let us make this Ramadan the best
opportunity for us to be the best towards our parents and treat them with
kindness, love, compassion and affection
regardless of how they are towards us or whether
they do the same in return or not, as our reward is with Allah alone!
7. Standing in prayer on Laylatul Qadr.
Better
than 1000 months:
Almighty Allah tells us in the Qur'an: “Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand
months.” [Quran 97:3]
Forgiveness
of all sins on this special night:
Prophet (Sallallahu `Alayhi wa sallam) said:“Whosoever worshipped on Laylatul-Qadr, with
faith and with a sincere intention, all of his previous sins are forgiven.” [al-Bukhârî and Muslim]
Repenting
& asking for forgiveness on the night of power:
Aisha (RA) said: I asked the Messenger of Allah
(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is
the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ He said Say:
“Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu
‘annee
‘Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to
pardon, so pardon me.’ ” [Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and
Tirmidhi].
We cannot afford to miss out on this auspicious
night. It is a truly blessed night worth the equivalent to 83 years of worship.
Subhaanallah! Most of us do not even live for that long! The best way to find
this blessed night is to search for it in any of the last 10 nights. If we
cannot then the odd numbered nights. If we still cannot then at least the 27th
night.
8. Huge rewards for reciting each letter of Holy Qur’an.
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (Ra)
said: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:“Whoever reads a letter of the Book of Allah will
be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a tenfold reward. I do not
say that Alif-Laam-Meem is a letter, rather alif is a letter, laam is a letter
and meem is a letter.” [al-Tirmidhi, 2910]
The company of angels for the recitors and double reward for those who
struggle:
Aa’ishah (Ra), relates that the Prophet
(Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Verily the one who recites the Qur’an
beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble
and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering
or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward.”[Al-Bukhari, Muslim]
During Ramadan the reward for reciting each letter
of the Qur'an is increased significantly from upto 700 rewards for each letter
and double to 1400 rewards for those who struggle to recite the Qur'an!
Surah’s worth an entire Qur’an:Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas & Anas Ibn Malik (Ra)
reported that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Zilzilah (99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qur’an. Whoever
recitedSurah al
Kaafirun (109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qur’an. Whoever recitedSurah al Ikhlas (112) would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qur’an’. [At-Tirmidhi 2818/A]
As Ramadan is the
month of the Qur'an we should devote as much time as possible in reciting the
Qur'an and know that for each letter we recite we ill gain 700 rewards or more for
each letter and tose who struggle to recite the Qur'an will receive double the
rewards of 1400 good deeds or more.
9. Good
manners amongst the Heaviest on the scales
Good character heaviest on the scales:
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “There is none heavier in the scales of the Hereafter than
good character" [Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud]
The one with best manners will be nearest to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) on the day of judgement:
Rasulallah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) also said:“The best loved by me and the nearest to me on
the seats on the Day of Resurrection are those who have the best manners and
conduct amongst you, who are intimate, are on good terms with others and are
humble, and the most hated by me and who will be on the furthest seats from me
are those who are talkative and arrogant.” [Tirmidhi]
So by having good manners and being polite and
the best towards others regardless of how they are towards us, we will gain
unimaginable rewards on the day of judgement which will tip the scales in our
favour inshallah!
10. Magnifying intentions to gain
unimaginable rewards!
The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:"Deeds (their correctness and rewards)
depend upon intentions, and every person gets but what he has intended." [Agreed upon]
Ibn
Al-Mubarak (Ra) said: "May a small deed is magnified by the
sincere intention; and may a great deed be diminished by the insincere
intention"
So by taking our a few seconds to make even small
changes to our intentions we can gain even bigger rewards this Ramadan for even
the smallest acts. Even daily routines like eating, sleeping & going to the
toilet can all become acts of worship by having the right good intentions.
Conclusion:
Therefore we must try our utmost to maximise
the amount of good deeds we do during this blessed month so that we may take
advantage of this amazing opportunity to have our good deeds rewarded
significantly more than usual.
We should also realise that it may well be our last Ramadan just as previous
Ramadan was the last for many others who thought they would make it to this
Ramadan. So must act now otherwise we will be in eternal regret in the
Hereafter for missing such an opportunity!
Almighty Allah says in the Qur'an: “Surely Allah does not do injustice so much as an
atom’s weight, and in case it is a fair deed, He will double it and bring from
very close to Him a magnificent reward.” (4:40)
May Allah increase
us in good and give us the ability to do everything to please him and make him
the happiest & to achieve the highest ranks of Paradise. Ameen
] said: �ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT, A RAM WILL BE BROUGHT AND POSITIONED BETWEEN PARADISE AND HELL. IT WILL THEN BE SLAUGHTERED. THE DWELLERS OF PARADISE AND HELL WILL OBSERVE THIS SCENE [OF THE END OF DEATH]. IF IT WAS STILL POSSIBLE TO DIE, THE DWELLERS OF PARADISE WOULD HAVE DIED OF HAPPINESS AND JOY. IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO DIE, THE DWELLERS OF HELL WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO DIE OF GRIEF AND SORROW.� -(Tirmidhi) 