In the name of Allah
The All Compassionate, the All-Merciful
2 Ramadan 1447 (20 February 2026)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 122
Further to my discussion of last week on Imam Ali (a.s)’s Sermon 88, I quote below a few more relevant Ayahs from the Holy Quran:
Ayahs 178 -180 of Surah Aale-Imran: “Do not let those who disbelieve think that Our giving them respite (delay in punishment) is good for them. We only give them respite so that they may increase their sins. And there is a disgraceful chastisement for them.
It is not for God to leave the believers in the state in which you are, but only until He has distinguished the wicked from the good…
Let not those who are niggardly in giving what God has granted them of His Grace reckon that it is good for them. Nay, it is bad for them; that which they have been niggardly of shall soon be a collar around their necks on the Day of Resurrection. God is the heritage of the heavens and the earth, and verily He is aware of what you do.”
Ayah 149 of Surah Al-An’am: “Then with God alone is the perfect proof and decisive argument (the Oneness of God, the sending of His messengers and His clear Books to mankind); had he willed He would indeed have guided you alright.”
Ayah 33 and 42 of Surah Al-Anfaal: “But God is not to chastise them while you were among them, nor is God to chastise them while they seek forgiveness.
….So that those who are to be destroyed might be destroyed after clear proof (for rejecting the faith), and those who live may live after clear proof; verily God is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
Ayah 117, Surah Hud: “Nor was your Lord to destroy communities unjustly while their people were righteous.”
Ayah 59 of Surah Al-Qasas: “Your Lord destroys no town until He raises in its metropolis a messenger rehearsing Our signs to them, and We destroyed no town except when its inhabitants were unjust people.” To be continued
Second Sermon
Virtues of the holy month of Ramadan – Part 2
The month of Ramadan has special merits for it is the month wherein Allah (s.w.t) grants clemency and reprieve to the believers who fast, pray and supplicate him with the greatest of fervor and sincerity. The Holy Prophet (s.a) regarded this month with great reverence and in his sermon on the holy month of Ramadan he gave extensive advice on gaining the best possible benefits during this month. The sermon itself is pretty lengthy and I quote below an extract from it:
“O’ Muslims! A month has approached you laden with blessings, mercy and forgiveness. It is a month which Allah regards it as the best of all months; its days, in the sight of Allah, are the best of all days, its nights are the best of all nights and its hours are the best of all hours. It is a month wherein you are invited to be the guest of Allah and to be near Him. You have been selected as a recipient of honor and Allah’s Grace. Every breath you take during this month has the reward of tasbih (glorification of Allah), your sleep is worship, your good deeds are accepted and so are your invocations. Your voluntary acts of worship are received favourably and your supplications are granted. So ask Allah, our Lord, with earnestness and with hearts that are free from sins to enable you to fast during this month and to recite His Book.
Those who are devoid of Allah’s forgiveness during this great month are the unfortunate. Give alms to the needy and the poor, honour the elderly, show kindness to the young, maintain relations with your relatives, guard your tongue, 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.…..”
The above extract comprehensively highlights the importance and virtues of this month. The ten key features are as follows:
- It is a month of blessings, mercy and forgiveness.
- It is the best month regarded by Allah (s.w.t); its days, nights and hours are the very best.
- It is a month of great honour, wherein we have been invited to be the guest of Allah (s.w.t) and to be near Him.
- Allah (s.w.t)’s blessings and mercy are bestowed on us constantly day and night.
- Every breath we take during this month has the reward of glorifying Allah (s.w.t).
- Our sleep is worship and our deeds are accepted favourably.
- It is the best of times and Allah (s.w.t) looks towards his creatures with kindness and answers their prayers and grants their needs if they invoke Him with earnestness.
- We should beseech Allah (s.w.t) to enable us to fast and recite the Holy Quran.
- We should seek forgiveness for our sins and omissions for this is best month for seeking Allah (s.w.t)’s forgiveness.
- Those who are devoid of Allah (s.w.t)’s forgiveness during this great month are the unfortunate.
Comments are closed