In the name of Allah

The All Compassionate, the All Merciful

9 Ramadan 1444 (31 March  2023)

                                            Islamic Universal Association     

                                        20 Penzance Place, Holland Park

London, W11 4 PG

www.arafeh.co.uk

Jihad An-Nafs – Part 125

Purification of the heart-Part 67

Further to our earlier discussions on Surah Al-Waqiah, I would like to highlight the reward for the people of the right, that is the Ashab Al-Maymanah or the Ashab Al-Yamin as provided in Ayahs 27-40 of the said Surah, quoted hereunder:

 

“And the people of the right, Oh what happiness awaits the people of the right!

Amid thorn less lote-tree,

And banana-trees with fruits piled one above the other,

And spreading out.

And water flowing,

And abundant fruits,

Neither failing (by season) nor forbidden.

And on throne exalted.

Verily We have created them (maidens) a special creation

And made them pure virgins,

Loveable (by nature) of equal age,

For the people of the right,

Many of the first group

And many of the latter ones

 

The reward  for the people of the right and latter group in paradise

• There will be thorn less lote trees in paradise and its fruit will be much better than that found in the world.
• There will be flowing water with no shortages ever.
• Fruits will neither be seasonal nor will their production cease as it happens in a garden after fruits have been picked. But in paradise every kind of fruit will be available in abundance in every season and will continue to be produced and supplied no matter how much of it is consumed. There will be no prohibition or hindrance in obtaining fruits as it is in the world, nor will it be out of reach because of thorns or height.
• The Ayahs signifies that the virtuous women of the world will enter paradise on the basis of their faith and good works. Allah (s.w.t) will make them beautiful and young no matter how old they were in the world and will make them virgins whether they died virgin or after bearing children. If their husbands also entered paradise with them, they would be joined with them; otherwise Allah (s.w.t) will wed them to another dweller in paradise.

 

Second sermon

Virtues of the holy month of Ramadan – Part 3

After highlighting the merits of Ramadan, the Holy Prophet (s.a.) in his sermon enjoined fasting and recitation of the Holy Quran during Ramadan in order to keep the spirit of jihad alive in Muslims and to prepare them for the performance of their basic duty of establishing Islam as a system of life in this world. An extract from his sermon reads: “O People! It is the month of patience and the reward for patience is paradise. Remember the hunger and thirst of the Day of Judgement with your hunger and thirst. Give alms to the needy and the poor, honor the elderly, show kindness to the young, maintain relations with your relatives, guard your tongues, refrain from seeing or hearing that which are not permissible, show compassion to the orphans, sincerely seek Allah’s forgiveness for your sins and raise your hands in supplication during these times, for they are the best of times as Allah looks towards his creatures with kindness and answers their prayers and grants their needs if they invoke Him with sincerity.”

 

In view of the foregoing, the salient features of the Holy Prophet (s.a.)’s advice is as follows:

1. Ramadan is the month of patience, endurance and perseverance and the reward for these is paradise. It is also the month of kindness and compassion, helping the poor and the needy, the wayfarers, honoring the old and supporting the young, especially taking care of the orphans. Caring for orphans is a cause particularly dear to the Holy Prophet (s.a.)’s heart. He was himself an orphan and he has said: “The one who cares for an orphan will be together in paradise like this”, and he held his two fingers together to illustrate the proximity. (Safinat Al-Bihar V: 2 P: 731)
2. Good deeds are better during this month than other months. The Holy Prophet (s.a) has said: “One who has good morals (Akhlaq) especially during this month will pass through the ‘Bridge of Sirat’ on the Day of Judgement with ease.” This is so because Allah (s.w.t.) wishes to bestow His favors, provision, and blessings on His servants at this time.
3. Those who cover faults of others, curb their anger, spread kindness and treat their kindred well, Allah (s.w.t.) will bestow His mercy upon them. However, those who sever ties of kinship will be deprived of His mercy.
4. One should visualise the hunger and thirst on the Day of Resurrection and remind oneself of the sufferings of the deprived and sympathize with those who are hungry.
5. According to the Holy Prophet (s.a) whoever provides iftar to a fasting individual even if it is as little as half a date or a glass of water, will be compensated with forgiveness of his sins and salvation of his soul. He will also receive a reward equal to freeing a slave. When someone remarked that everyone is not in a position to provide iftar, the Holy Prophet (s.a) advised that even a glass of water would suffice in such cases and the doer would receive the reward.
6. During this month, Allah (s.w.t.) forgives His servants and obliterates sins, dismisses shortcomings/lapses, exalts stations, multiplies good deeds, answers prayers and liberates the soul from the fire of hell. Moreover, He engulfs those who fast with His bounties, pleasure and gifts. We should therefore supplicate Him with sincerity and perform long prostrations and seek forgiveness for our sins and transgressions. To be continued