The Miracle Of Al-Isra And Al-Miraj

The Miracle Of Al-Isra And Al-Miraj

Allah Ta'ala says,

"Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) Who took His slave (Muhammad ) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad ) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." (17:1)

DESCRIPTION:
• Israa: Was the prophet's trip from Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem
• Miraj: Was the Prophet's journey to Heaven.

It is one of the miraculous experiences that Allah has blessed and honored prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with. The Prophet (pbuh) and the small group of early Muslims in Makkah had been suffering extensively from the Arab pagans of the Quraish tribe. The distress further increased when the Prophet went to the city of Taif where he was humiliated by the people of Taif who pelted him with stones. In this state of anguish, and a feeling of helplessness in front of his enemies he turned to Allah and made a fervent supplication. He ended the supplication by saying that as long as Allah is not displeased with him, then he will always be satisfied. Right after this event, the Israa and Miraj took place to honor him and to renew his courage and strive to serve Allah.

The experience was also a sign that all prophets go through hardship and that Allah was not displeased with him. There are many lessons we can also learn from the experience such as the truth of Islam, the full confidence of Abu Bakr in the prophet's trustworthiness, the establishment of the prayers, the importance of Jerusalem and its holy sites, etc.

The Arabs of those days were mostly incapable of understanding the full significance and meaning of Al-Israa' and Al-Mi`raj. Therefore, as soon as the Prophet told them about his Night Journey, they could think only of the physical possibility of normal travel. They could never visualize a wondrous journey of the kind the Prophet was describing. Even good followers of the Prophet were confused. They were asking: 'Could the Prophet achieve such a journey in one night, i.e. a journey that would take normally a month?' Those who were troubled by doubt went to Abu Bakr and related to him about the Prophet's claim. Abu Bakr answered, "Surely you are telling me lies." They said, "There is Muhammad in the mosque telling the people of his trip." Then Abu Bakr answered, "By Allah, if Muhammad himself has said so, then it is true. He tells us that the word of Allah comes to him directly from heaven to earth in an hour of night or day and we believe him. Isn't this a greater miracle than what you are doubting today?" Abu Bakr came to the Prophet and listened to him describing Jerusalem and its mosque. When he finished, Abu Bakr said, "You said the truth, O Prophet of Allah." From that day on the Prophet called Abu Bakr al Siddiq (he who affirms the truth).

DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT OF MERAAJ FROM HADITH:

Narrated Malik bin Sasaa:

The Prophet said, "While I was at the House in a state midway between sleep and wakefulness, (an angel recognized me) as the man lying between two men. A golden tray full of wisdom and belief was brought to me and my body was cut open from the throat to the lower part of the abdomen and then my abdomen was washed with Zam-zam water and (my heart was) filled with wisdom and belief. Al-Buraq, a white animal, smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me and I set out with Jibreel.

When I reached the nearest heaven. Jibreel said to the heaven gate-keeper, 'Open the gate.' The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?' He said, 'Jibreel.' The gate-keeper, 'Who is accompanying you?' Jibreel said, 'Muhammad.' The gate-keeper said, 'Has he been called?' Jibreel said, 'Yes.' Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' Then I met Adam and greeted him and he said, 'You are welcomed O son and a Prophet.' Then we ascended to the second heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Jibreel said, 'Jibreel.' It was said, 'Who is with you?' He said, 'Muhammad' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' He said, 'Yes.' It was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!" Then I met Jesus and Yahya (John) who said, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet.'

Then we ascended to the third heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Jibreel said, 'Jibreel.' It was asked, 'Who is with you? Jibreel said, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' 'Yes,' said Jibreel. 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' (The Prophet added:). There I met Yusuf and greeted him, and he replied, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet!' Then we ascended to the 4th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met Idris and greeted him. He said, 'You are welcomed O brother and Prophet.'

Then we ascended to the 5th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in previous heavens. there I met and greeted Aaron who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and a Prophet". Then we ascended to the 6th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Moosa who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and. a Prophet.' When I proceeded on, he started weeping and on being asked why he was weeping, he said, 'O Lord! Followers of this youth who was sent after me will enter Paradise in greater number than my followers.' Then we ascended to the seventh heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Ibrahim who said, 'You are welcomed o son and a Prophet.'

Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur (i.e. Allah's House). I asked Jibreel about it and he said, This is Al Bait-ul-Ma'mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes into it daily).' Then I was shown Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (i.e. a tree in the seventh heaven) and I saw its Nabk fruits which resembled the clay jugs of Hajr (i.e. a town in Arabia), and its leaves were like the ears of elephants, and four rivers originated at its root, two of them were apparent and two were hidden. I asked Jibreel about those rivers and he said, 'The two hidden rivers are in Paradise, and the apparent ones are the Nile and the Euphrates.'

Then fifty prayers were enjoined on me. I descended till I met Moosa who asked me, 'What have you done?' I said, 'Fifty prayers have been enjoined on me.' He said, 'I know the people better than you, because I had the hardest experience to bring Bani Israel to obedience. Your followers cannot put up with such obligation. So, return to your Lord and request Him (to reduce the number of prayers.' I returned and requested Allah (for reduction) and He made it forty. I returned and (met Moosa) and had a similar discussion, and then returned again to Allah for reduction and He made it thirty, then twenty, then ten, and then I came to Moosa who repeated the same advice. Ultimately Allah reduced it to five.

When I came to Moosa again, he said, 'What have you done?' I said, 'Allah has made it five only.' He repeated the same advice but I said that I surrendered (to Allah's Final Order)'" Allah's Apostle was addressed by Allah, "I have decreed My Obligation and have reduced the burden on My slaves, and I shall reward a single good deed as if it were ten good deeds."

(Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 429, and also see; Volume 5, Book 58, Number 227)

PRESCRIPTIONS FOR BARAKAH IN THE RIZQ

PRESCRIPTIONS FOR BARAKAH IN THE RIZQ

1) Adopt Taqwa: Taqwa is to Fear Allah when alone. obey Allah SWT when outwardly that might seem to cause harm (e.g. speaking the truth in a tough situation), also refrain from disobeying Allah SWT. A person who adopts taqwa, Allah SWT promises him that he will be provided a way out of every difficulty and he will be provided rizq from avenues he did not even imagine.

2) Seek Istighfaar (forgiveness from Allah SWT): Sayyidina `Abdullah bin `Abbas Radhiyallahu `Anhu narrates that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alayhi Wasallam said: "The one who (regularly) says Istighfaar, that is, frequently repent to Allah Ta'aala for sins committed, Allah `Azza Wa-Jalla will open a path from poverty and difficulties. All sorrow and hardship will be removed, and in its place prosperity and contentment granted. One will receive sustenance from unimagined and unexpected sources." - Musnad Ahmed; Sunan Abi Dawud; Sunan Ibn Maajah; Ma'aariful Hadith

3) Surah Waaqi'ah: The recital of Surah Waaqi'ah (Idha Waqa'atil Waaqi'ah. 27th Juz) keeps away starvation. Sayyidina `Abdullah bin Mas'ud Radhiyallahu `Anhu says that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alayhi Wasallam said: "The one who recites Surah Waaqi'ah every night will never encounter starvation." - Bayhaqi in Shu'abul Imaan; Jazaa-ul-Aa'maal, Page 32. In a narration it is stated that Surah Waaqi'ah is Suratul Ghina. Recite it and teach it to your children. It is very mean to recite it with the intention of gaining a few cents. It should be read with the intention that the heart becomes free from want and for the hereafter. The material world will itself clasp its hands and avail itself

4) Khidmah (serving) of parents: It is stated in the hadith that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alayhi Wasallam has said: "The one who desires great quantity in one's rizq and age, should treat relatives kindly, and make khidmah of (serve) one's parents." - Musnad Ahmed; Al-adabul Mufrad.

5) Sadaqah: Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alayhi Wasallam has said: "Seek sustenance (from Allah) by the means of sadaqah, (i.e. by giving charity). By its barakah sustenance is increased." Bayhaqi.

6) Nikaah: Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alayhi Wasallam has said: "It is the right of Allah Ta'aala to assist three such people: (Among which he said one is): The one who makes nikaah (marries) with the intention of remaining chaste and modest." - Tirmidhi; Nasa-ee; Ibn Maajah; Khutubaatul Ahkaam, Page 45.

7) Salaam when entering the home: Sayyidina Anas Radhiyallahu `Anhu says that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alayhi Wasallam said: "Son, when you enter your home say the salaam. It is a source of barakah for you and your family." Sayyidina Abu Umaa-mah Radhiyallahu `Anhu says that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alayhi Wasallam said: There are three people to whom Allah Ta'aala has given surety. Allah Ta'aala is sufficient for them in this world, and Jannah is their abode in the hereafter:
a. The one who says salaam when entering his home, Allah is a surety for him.
b. The one who goes towards the masjid (to perform salaah). He is under Allah's surety.
c. The one who goes out in the Path of Allah for Jihaad. He is under the surety of Allah.

8) The five Salaats: A Sahaabi Radhiyallahu `Anhu says: "When the household of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alayhi Wasallam experienced difficulty in their expences he commanded the performing of salaah, and recited this aayah: `And enjoin upon thy people worship, and be constant therein. We ask not of thee a provision: We provide for thee. And the sequel is for righteousness." - Surah Ta Ha, 132. A hadith states: "Salaah is the cause of Allah's pleasure: It is a beloved act of the malaa-i-kah (angels); a sunnah of the Ambiyaa `Alayhimus Salaam; the nur (light) of ma'rifah is achieved by it; du'aas are accepted; and barakah in rizq is attained;" - Fadhaa-il Aa'maal, Page 315.

9) Spend with moderation and regulation: Sayyidina Anas Radhiyallahu `Anhu, Sayyidina Abu Umaa-mah Radhiyallahu `Anhu, Sayyidina Ibn `Abbas Radhiyallahu `Anhu and Sayyidina `Ali Radhiyallahu `Anhu reported: "Tread the path of moderation (i.e. Do not be miserly nor wasteful, but think, understand, sustain oneself with thriftiness, and spend with regulation and moderation when necessary. For this manner of spending) is half of one's spending. The one who treads this moderate path (when spending) will never become needy. In spending wastefully, wealth does not remain." - Hayatul Muslimeen, Page 245.

10) Qanaa'ah (Contentment and satisfaction): Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu `Alayhi Wasallam has said: "Whatever Allah Ta'aala gives His creation, He examines them in it. If they are pleased with their fate, they are granted barakah in their rizq (sustenance). If they are not pleased, their rizq is not made extensive." - Musnad Ahmed; Uswah Rasul Akram Sallallahu `Alayhi Wasallam, Page 478.

Also an important thing is that we have to clean our lives from Riba. Allah SWT says that He increases Sadaqah and decreases Riba. Outwardly we might feel that if we take Riba, our wealth increases and if we do sadaqah the wealth decreases. But there is always barakah in the wealth that remains after giving sadaqah and the barakah is taken away from the wealth obtained from Riba. If we look today, so many people indulged in Riba for buying houses and there are innumerable foreclosures today as a result of that. There is never any barakah in Riba. So stay away from it. Allah SWT will grant barakah in our wealth inshaAllah.

Maintaining Islamic Identity in USA

THINGS WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF WHILE LIVING HERE IN THE WEST

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficient, the most Merciful

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds and peace and blessings be on Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alaihi wasallam)

Most of us in this congregation have come here as immigrants. some of us have emigrated from muslim lands and the others have immigrated from non-muslim lands. wherever we have come from, we have to understand that most of us are going to settle down here, and our generations are going to grow up here. if we think deeply, it is Allah SWT who has sent us here. We may wonder what the purpose is. Allah knows best. In my humble opinion, Allah SWT has sent each nation warners to convey the message of Islam so that on the Day of Judgement, no one will say that i was not conveyed the message. So the promise of Allah SWT can be fulfilled.

Now comes the question, What are we supposed to do here as muslims? And what are the things we need to be aware of? we have come from background where we could hear the Adhan five times a day. There was a very strong family structure, and a society that was founded on moral values. We had muslim friends to play with, our grandparents to guide us, our parents used to spare time for us. We had an identity of muslims. The schools we used to go, though they had the British system of education, yet most of our teachers were Muslims. The classes in the schools used to be segregated for boys and girls. Even if a child was spoiled, the extent to which he could go was cut down by the discipline that was enforced by the parents. The moral fabric of the society was in place. Therefore though we were not educated that much in the teachings of Islam, most of us never read the Quran with understanding, nor did we know much about the life of the Prophet (sallalahu alaihiwasallam). Inspite of that, Islam has survived for generations and it was passed onto us by our predecessors. Islam was there in the culture. Brothers with kufis and Sisters sporting hijab was a common sight for us.

Then a phase came in our lives where we had this opportunity to migrate to America. Most of us had a common motive which was to earn dollars and to lead life in a better standard. We got excited, took the flight, left our parents, relatives everyone and came over here to realize our dream, the dream to succeed.

A person has great freedom here. He can do whatever he want. He can practice his religion to the fullest, or he can go to the extreme lows of the human behavior. Our families made some friends here and we started living here chasing wealth, buying houses, etc. If we have to take riba, we did not flinch from that. One thing we conveniently forgot or did not think about is the next generation. What will happen to our next generation? Will Islam be passed down to our generations or will they give it up and become secular? We send our children to public schools and they spend an average of 40 hours per week among non-muslims with their ideologies of evolution, atheism. The peer pressure on them is extremely great. Drugs, sex, alcohol, these are all the realities. We may try to ignore them saying my son or daughter is not going to be like that, but this is not a wise thing to do. There are innumerable incidents of the next generation going astray and foresaking Islam and its teachings. This is because the children did not see the practicing Islam in the society. they were brought up in a society which encourages evils. So how can we expect them to be practicing muslims if they never got the environment. Pop culture ,video games, TV etc are the in thing here.

Also the children watch the parents. the deepest secrets in the parents hearts come out openly in a child's behavior. The children are keen and easily make out the hypocrisy. if we do not practice deen ourselves, then they will not do it. when the time for salaat comes and we are in front of TV, then the kid is going to do the same. If the mother does not observe hijab, and she tries to lecture her daughter on modesty, she would detest that.

I do not want to scare anyone of you. I pray that Allah SWT makes our generation practice Islam in a much better way. But these are some of the realities that we have to understand.

so inshaAllah i will try to give some Naseeha to the brothers.

1) This is extremely crucial: Resolve to raise your family as Muslims. Don't be passive. Don't sit around and watch your spouse and children drift further and further away into disbelief and kufr. Would any of you like to be on their deathbed and then realize that they only left non-Muslims behind them? Imagine entering the great sleep with that realization on your heart!

Allah SWT says (the meaning)
o ye who believe! save yourselves and your family from a fire whose fuel is men and stones


2) Change ourselves first. Make an intention that we will practice Islam in a better way and make an effort on ourselves. If we start to change, that will start affecting our families inshaAllah.

3) Those parents who have children, send them to Islamic schools rather than public schools. There are many articles on the internet esp. by Br. Yahiya Emerick who is an educationist and has a good idea of the public school system and he lists out the evil effects of public schools on muslim children. if we cannot afford to send them to Islamic schools, homeschool the kids, and if we cannot even do that, atleast make an arrangement for them to learn Islam on a daily basis. If possible, go through some of the articles at http://www.islamicedfoundation.com/articles/articles.htm.

4) Keep islamic literature at home, translation of Quran, books of hadith, seerah, kufis, etc so that there is some kind of Islamic atmosphere at home

5) This point is very important. please try to move close to the masjid so that you can go to the masjid daily. Atleast that way, the children will see a community united on faith. If you cannot move close to the masjid, atleast get some families together and pray with jamaat in the house with your neighbors and make efforts to rent an office space for prayer.

6) Start doing taleem in your houses with your womenfolk and children, read from the books of Fazail, Riyad-us saliheen, atleast 10 mins daily. Spend time with the family, with the children. that will inshaAllah go a long way in making us a close knit family.

7) For those who can afford, perform Umrah every year or every two years. Instead of spending the vacation time visiting other places, go to the house of Allah. The kids can see an Islamic environment, enjoy Halal food and get the blessings of Allah SWT. This will be imprinted in their minds when they grow up.


I seek forgiveness from Allah SWT for my shortcomings and Allah is the source of all Strength. In Him we believe and in Him we put our trust.

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

Islamic Home

KHUTBAH ABOUT AN ISLAMIC HOME

I derived most of the content for this khutbah from islam-qa.com

inshaAllah the topic of the khutbah is “Islamic Home”. Alhamdulillah all of us are muslims, so naturally all our homes are Islamic homes. Then why do we have this discussion regarding an Islamic home. Its because there are certain injunctions in the shariah which need to be implemented in our homes for it to be qualified as a truly Islamic home. I tried to prepare a list of a few of these and may Allah SWT give us the ability to implement these in our homes. Then Allah SWTs mercy and barakah will descend onto our homes.

There are many motives for the believer to pay attention to putting his house in order.

Firstly: protecting himself and his family from the Fire of Hell, and keeping them safe from the burning punishment:

O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allaah, but do that which they are commanded.? [al-Tahreem 66:6 ? interpretation of the meaning].

Secondly: the great responsibility borne by the head of the household on the Day of Reckoning.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ?Allaah will ask every shepherd (or responsible person) about his flock (those for whom he was responsible), whether he took care of it or neglected it, until He asks a man about his household.?

Thirdly: the home is a place to protect oneself, to keep away from evil and to keep one's own evil away from people. It is the refuge prescribed by Islam at times of fitnah (strife, tribulation).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ?The safety of a man at times of fitnah is in his staying home.?

The Muslim can see the benefit of this advice when he is residing in a foreign land where he is unable to change much of the evil around him. Then he will have a refuge which, when he enters it, will protect him from doing haraam things or looking at haraam things, and will protect his wife from wanton display and unveiling, and will protect his children from bad company.

Fourthly: people usually spend most of their time at home, especially when it is very hot or very cold, when it is raining, early or late in the day, and after finishing work or school, so this time should be spent in worship and halaal pursuits, otherwise it will be spent in wrongdoing.

Fifthly and most importantly, paying attention to the home is the most important means of building a Muslim society, because the society is formed of the households and families that form its building blocks. Households form neighbourhoods, and neighbourhoods form societies. If the building blocks are sound, the society will be based on the laws of Allaah filled with goodness that evil cannot penetrate. Then Muslim homes will produce pillars of society who will reform and guide it aright, such as exemplary daiyahs, seekers of knowledge, righteous wives, caring mothers and all other types of reformers.

The following are a few suggestions to make our homes truly Islamic. May Allah SWT give us the ability to implement them.

1) Choosing the right spouse: Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: A woman may be married for four reasons: for her property, her status. her beauty and her religion, so try to get one who is religious, may your hand be besmeared with dust. – meaning may you prosper.

2) Guiding the spouse: It is important that the husband and wife know what are each other’s rights and try their best to fulfill them. They should treat each other with kindness and compassion. Also they should strive to guide each other in fulfilling the religious duties. These duties include the strengthening of Imaan, correcting the worship, encouraging each other to pray at night, read and understand the Quran, do zikr, give charity, helping to choose pious friends, enjoining good and forbidding evil.

3) The home should be a place for remembrance of Allah: "The example of a home in which Allah is remembered and the example of a home in which Allah is not remembered, is like comparing the living and the dead." (Muslim).

The home should be a place of worship: This means that salah is established within the home at its required time and that members of the family pray in congregation when several are present. The family may also designate a specific area for prayer and maintain its uniqueness and cleanliness. For women, it is better to pray each prayer within the home. For men, it is recommended to pray voluntary prayers at home after having prayed obligatory prayers in the masjid. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: "The voluntary prayer in the home is better than the voluntary prayer with the people. It is like the obligatory prayer of the man in congregation being better than praying the obligatory by himself." (Sahih al-Jaami). This is to ensure that homes are made places of worship just as the masajids. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ?May Allaah have mercy on a man who gets up at night and prays, then he wakes up his wife to pray, and if she refuses he throws water in her face.? (Reported by Ahmad and Abu Dawood. Saheeh al-Jaami?, 3488).

4) Reciting Surah Baqarah and Ayatul Kursi: The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: "Recite Surat Al-Baqarah in your houses, for the Satan does not enter a house in which Surat Al-Baqarah is recited." (Sahih al-Jaami). He also said: "When you go to your bed, recite Ayatul Kursi: 'Allah! There is no god but Him, the Ever-Living, the One Who Sustains and Protects all that exists', to the end, for then there will remain over you a guardian from Allah, and Satan will not come near you until morning." (Bukhari).

5) The home should be a place for teaching and learning: It is the responsibility of the head of the household to make sure his family members get the religious knowledge required and build the imaan. For this purpose, a fixed time can be set aside daily in which all the members of the household gather together and read from the tafsir of Quran or the books of hadith. The children will be very much benefited by these halaqahs as they build a strong foundation of Deen which will make them strong muslims inshaAllah in the future.

6) Having an Islamic Library at home: This may include having books, cassettes and CDs. Books may include, Quran, Tafsir of Quran, Books on the biography of Rasoolullah (SAS), Riyadh-us-Saliheen etc.

7) Inviting good and righteous people to the house: When righteous people enter the house, they bring many benefits in that their conversations are always filled with beneficial talks of Deen. We should always make dua that Allah Taala grant us righteous friends. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wasallam, said: "Keep company with a believer only, and let your food be eaten only by the righteous." (Abu Dawud, Tirmithi).

8) Keeping evils away from the home: Unfortunately today many evils have crept into the houses of muslims thereby corrupting our societies and leading to the fall of this Ummah. Some of them are Television (inshaAllah a separate khutbah is needed to highlight the evil effects of TV), where hours and hours are spent in front of it doing nothing. Music - The messenger of Allah said: "A people of my ummah will drink wine, calling it by other than its real name. Merriment will be made for them through the playing of musical instruments and the singing of lady singers. Allah will cleave the earth under them and turn others into apes and swine." There should be no statues or pictures of animate objects for angels do not enter such a home. The telephone should be used for beneficial purposes and not for backbiting. Also there should not intermixing of non mahram men and women in the houses and arrangement should be made so that the men and women sit separately.

10 Easy Sunnahs to follow

10 Sunnats for us to Bring Alive Source: talimiboardkzn. org

The rewards of practicing sunnah of Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] is so abundant, one just cannot imagine the rewards Allah Ta’ala has kept in store for the one who adheres strictly to the sunnah.

The greatest reward one will receive for adopting the sunnah practices of Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] is that we will acquire the love of Allah Ta’ala and He will forgive our sins.

Listed hereunder are 10 easy sunnats with the rewards mentioned in the Hadith for us to bring alive this year.

May Allah Ta’ala allow us all to live in accordance with the sunnah of our beloved Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam].

1. To recite Bismillah wal Hamdulillah before commencing wudhu.

• Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] has mentioned that a person who recites this dua before making wudhu, the Angels continue writing down rewards for him as long as he remains in the state of wudhu.

2. Using of the Miswaak before wudhu.

• Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] has said that the miswaak cleans the mouth and pleases our Rabb (Allah Ta’ala).
• Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] has said that a person who makes miswaak before making wudhu and performs two rakaats salaah is better than that person who performs 70 rakaats salaah without making miswaak.
• It will enable one to recite the Kalimah Shahaadah at the time of death.
• More than 70 benefits of using the miswaak have been listed.

3. To recite the following dua after wudhu:

اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لاَّ اِلهَ اِلاَّ اِلله ُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ

• The eight doors of Jannah are opened for the one who recites this dua and he will have the choice of entering from whichever door he wishes.

4. To sleep with wudhu.

• Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] has said that a person who makes wudhu before sleeping and passes away in this condition, is elevated to the rank of a martyr (Shaheed).
• Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] has said that a person who makes wudhu and then goes to sleep, his rooh ascends to the arsh (throne) of Allah Ta’ala and remains in sajdah for as long as he is asleep.

5. To go walking to the Masjid for salaah.

• Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] has mentioned that a person who makes wudhu at home and then goes walking to the musjid to fulfil a Fardh Salaah, for every step that he takes towards the musjid, one sin will be forgiven, and he will be raised up one stage higher in Jannah.
• When he performs his salaah, the Angels continue making dua for him as long as he is in the Musjid, “O Allah, have mercy upon him, O Allah send your special salutations upon him.”
• Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] has said that a person who goes walking to the musjid in the morning or evening, Allah Ta’ala prepares for him an abode in Jannah every time he goes out (for salaah).

6. Performing salaah in the first Saff.

• The first saff is like the saff of the malaaikah.
• Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] said, “If only you knew the reward of sitting in the first saff, you would have had to draw lots.”
• Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] said, “If only you knew the virtue of the first saff, you would race with one another in order to get there first.”

7. To recite Tasbeeh-e-Faatimi (33 times subhaan Allah, 33 times Al-hamdulillah and 34 times Allahu Akbar) after every Fardh salaah and at the time of going to bed.

• Once the poor Muhaajireen came to Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] and complained that they were unable to compete with the wealthy Sahaabah because the wealthy Sahaabah gave Sadaqah and freed slaves, both of which they could not do. Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] said to them, “Should I not teach you something which will allow you to reach those who have surpassed you and it will allow those who are behind you to surpass you. There will be no one who will be more virtuous than you except for those who practice upon this.” They said, “Yes, O Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam].” Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] then said, “Recite tasbeeh [subhaan Allah] 33 times, tahmeed [Al-hamdulillah] 33 times and takbeer [Allahu Akbar] 34 times after every salaah.”
• All ones sins are forgiven, even if they are equal to the foam of the ocean.
• For every subhanallah that one will recite, Allah Ta’ala will plant a tree in Jannah for that person.

8. To recite durood shareef 1000 times on a Friday.

• One who recites Durood Shareef one thousand times on a Friday, will most certainly see his abode in Jannah before death.

9. Reciting the Qur’aan Shareef daily in one’s home.

• Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] has said that the house wherein there is no tilaawat of the Qur’aan is like a desolate house.
• The virtue of the kalaam of Allah Ta’ala over all the other kalaam is like the virtue of Allah Ta’ala over all His creation.

10. Recite the following dua when in shopping centres:

لاَ اِلهَ اِلاَّ الله ُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيْكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِ

وَيُمِيْتُ وَهُوَ حَيٌّ لاَ يَمُوْتُ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ عَلى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ

• Whosoever recites the above dua will receive 1 million rewards, 1 million of his sins will be forgiven and his ranks will be raised a million times in Jannah. Furthermore a palace will be built for him in Jannah.

Note: Rasulullah [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam] has said: “The best of places in the sight of Allah Ta’ala are the masaajid and the worst of places in the sight of Allâh Ta’ala are the shopping centers.”