Striving in Ramadan

https://www.khutbah.info/striving-in-ramadan/ Be conscious of Allah Almighty, for Allah safeguards and guides those conscious of Him to goodness in their religious and worldly affairs. And consciousness of Allah is to perform deeds in obedience to Him seeking His reward and abandoning disobeying Him fearing His punishment. We are now living in virtuous and noble days. Indeed, it is a great, honorable season full of bounties, with multiple gifts and bestowals. A season that Allah – Blessed and Exalted be He – has distinguished over the rest of the days and months. He preferred it with many virtues and characteristics. In this blessed season, the month of Ramadan, the gates of Heaven are opened and the doors of hell are closed. In this blessed and honorable season, Allah Almighty liberates people from the fire each of the nights of this month. The Prophet ﷺ said: O seeker of good, proceed, O seeker of evil, recede. [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 682]

إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ ,نَحْمَدُهُ  ,وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ  وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ ,  وَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا  ,مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللهُ  فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ ,  وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ ,  وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ   وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ    

Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evils of our selves. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. Whoever He misguides, none can guide. And I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.

 يَا أَيُّهَا الّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ – آل عمران:102 

Al Imran 102 : O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.

Oh people:

Be conscious of Allah Almighty, for Allah safeguards and guides those conscious of Him to goodness in their religious and worldly affairs. And consciousness of Allah is to perform deeds in obedience to Him seeking His reward and abandoning disobeying Him fearing His punishment. 

We are now living in virtuous and noble days. Indeed, it is a great, honorable season full of bounties, with multiple gifts and bestowals. A season that Allah – Blessed and Exalted be He – has distinguished over the rest of the days and months. He preferred it with many virtues and characteristics.

In this blessed season, the month of Ramadan, the gates of Heaven are opened and the doors of hell are closed. In this blessed and honorable season, Allah Almighty liberates people from the fire each of the nights of this month. The Prophet ﷺ said: 

 وَلِلَّهِ عُتَقَاءُ مِنَ النَّارِ وَذَلِكَ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ

And there are those whom Allah frees from the Fire. And that is every night. [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 682]

In this blessed noble month, the devils and the rebellious jinns are restrained. So they cannot attend to those dedicated to them before and after Ramadan. In this blessed noble month a caller calls out each night: 

يا باغيَ الخيرِ أقْبِلْ، ويا باغي الشَّرِّ أقْصِرْ

O seeker of good, proceed, O seeker of evil, recede. [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 682]

And this is an indication of the abundance of goodness in this month and the great eagerness of people. And confirmation that every Muslim should turn away from evil, its causes and precursors. And even though this matter is necessary at all times and in every moment, it is even more confirmed and necessary in Ramadan.

It is incumbent upon the one honored by Allah Almighty, by realizing and reaching this month, to capture its bounties, attain its blessings, to thoroughly strive to obtain pardoning, forgiveness, and salvation from the fire, and to be among the Allah-conscious whom Allah liberates from the fire in this honorable blessed month. 

This is the month of forgiving sins. The Prophet ﷺ said: 

مَن صام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا غُفِر له ما تقدم من ذنبه

Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and anticipation (of the reward from Allah), his previous sins will be forgiven. [Abu Dawood 1372]

What a great bounty and bestowal! Fasting Ramadan results in forgiveness of previous sins and misdeeds. 

And contemplate this great virtue. It is not attained except by two conditions that the Prophet ﷺ clarified in this great hadith. The first condition is that one who fasts Ramadan does so with faith in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ and believes in the obligation of fasting and the great reward that Allah Almighty has prepared for those who fast and the many bestowals in in this world and the next. And the second condition is that one fasts Ramadan out of anticipation of the reward from Allah Almighty. One fasts it seeking the pleasure of Allah, aspiring for the bounty from Allah and seeking to obtain the reward that Allah – Blessed and Exalted be He – has prepared for those who fast.

And the great rewards and generous gifts that Allah the Exalted has prepared for those fasting are beyond imagination as indicated in the Qudsi Hadeeth in which Allah Almighty said:

الصيام لي وأنا أجزي به

Fasting, it is for Me and I shall reward for it. [Bukhari 1894, Muslim 1151b]

Indeed, Allah Almighty has saved for those fasting great rewards and  generous gifts without measure or account. Allah Almighty said: 

إِنَّمَا يُوفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ-الزمر:10 

Az Zumar (39) 10: Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account [i.e., limit]

The fasting person should remember the words of the Prophet ﷺ:

الصلوات الخمس، والجمعة إلى الجمعة، ورمضان إلى رمضان، مكفِّراتٌ لما بينهنَّ، ما اجتُنِبَت الكبائر

The five (daily prescribed) prayers and the Friday Prayer to the Friday Prayer and Ramadan to Ramadan, expiate whatever (minor sins) may be committed in between, so long as major sins are avoided. [Muslim 233b]

So one must be conscious of Allah – the Exalted and Majestic – and avoid the major sins, and repent for all of the sins, big and small. 

And the expiation of Ramadan for the sins is for the minor sins. Likewise, for the five daily prayers, Friday prayer and other factors mentioned in the hadeeths, they are specific to minor sins. As for major sins and misdeeds there must be sincere and genuine repentance.

So we must live this month repentant to Allah, turning to Him, seeking His forgiveness from the sins and misdeeds. Such that we become among those granted salvation by Allah from the fire. So that we become among those whose burdens have been lifted and ranks elevated and sins expiated. 

The truly deprived is the one who reaches the seasons of goodness, meritorious stations and virtuous places, but does not attain their goodness or blessings. The Prophet  ﷺ said regarding Ramadan:

لله فيه ليلةٌ خيرٌ مِن ألف شهر، مَن حُرم خيرها فقد حُرم 

In it, Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months. He who is deprived its goodness is indeed deprived.   [Sunnan Nisai 2106]

This is the true deprivation. That one reaches the seasons of goodness and he has health, wellness, safety, security and a wealth and a blissful life but does not attain forgiveness for his sins. Nor does he attain salvation from the fire. 

Reflect upon the words of the Prophet ﷺ related by Imam Ahmad and others that Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: 

صَعِدَ رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- المنبر فقال: “آمين، آمين، آمين”، ثم قضى خطبته، فقال له الصحابة -رضي الله عنهم-: سمعناك يا رسول الله تقول شيئا لم تكن تقوله قبل ذلك، قال: “أتاني جبريل آنفا فقال: يا محمد، مَن أدرك من أمّتك رمضان وخرج فلم يغفر له فأبْعَدَهُ الله فأدخله النار، قل: آمين! فقلت: آمين، وقال: يا محمد، من ذُكرتَ عنده فلم يصلِّ عليك فأبعده الله فأدخله النار، قل: آمين، فقلت: آمين -صلى الله عليه وسلم-، ثم قال: يا محمد مَن أدرك عنده أبواه الكبر ولم يُدخِلاه الجنة فأبعده الله فأدخله النار، قل آمين فقلت آمين.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ascended the minbar (pulpit) and said ameen, ameen, ameen. Then he delivered his khutbah. Then the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) said: we have heard you say something, oh Messenger of Allah, that you have not said before. He responded: Jibreel came to me earlier and said, Oh Mohammad, whoever from your ummah (nation) reaches Ramadan and exits from it without being forgiven, then Allah expels him and commits him to the Fire, say: ameen! So I said ameen, and he said: oh Mohammad, whoever, when you are mentioned, does not send prayers of blessings and peace upon you then Allah expels him and commits him to the Fire, say: ameen! So I said ameen, Oh Mohammad, whoever’s parents reach an old age and they do not lead to his admission into paradise, then Allah expels him and commits him to the Fire, say: ameen! So I said ameen. [Sahih Al Mawared Albani 2024]

What a great and enormous calamity! Jibreel supplicated that whoever reaches Ramadan and exits from it without being forgiven, then Allah expels him and commits him to the Fire and the Messenger of Allah said Ameen. Such a person attends the season of goodness, liberation from the Fire, forgiveness of sins, but continues and persists in his transgression, foolishness and deviation.

أَقُولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ  لِي وَلَكُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ  إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

I say what you have heard and I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and you from every sin. So seek forgives from Him, Verily He is Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

Second Khutbah

الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ,  وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ  , وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَاْ إِلَهَ إِلَّاْ اَللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَاْشَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَاً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ

All praise is to Allah, and peace and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, and I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.

Oh Muslims:

Ramadan is Allah’s blessed month in which the Prophet ﷺ would congratulate the companions upon its arrival. 

He ﷺ would say:

هذا رمضان قد جاءكم

This is Ramadan it has come upon you. [Sunan an-Nasa’i 2103]

And he ﷺ said:

أَتَاكُمْ رَمَضَانُ شَهْرٌ مُبَارَكٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُعَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيْكُمْ صِيَامَهُ تُفْتَحُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَتُغْلَقُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ الْجَحِيمِ وَتُغَلُّ فِيهِ مَرَدَةُ الشَّيَاطِينِ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ مَنْ حُرِمَ خَيْرَهَا فَقَدْ حُرِمَ ‏”

There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has enjoined you to fast. In it the gates of heaven are opened and the doors of Hell are closed, and every rebellious devil is chained. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months, whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived. [Sunan an-Nasa’i 2106]

And the Prophet’s ﷺ words “There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month” is an indication of the glad tidings that the Prophet ﷺ gave his companions of the arrival of this great month. 

And this is the season of forgiveness. So let us seek forgiveness plentifully. For seeking forgiveness is a great matter. And especially in this noble season. And the Prophet ﷺ sought repentance the most. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 

ما رأَيْتُ أحَدًا أكثَرَ لِأنْ يقولَ : أستغفِرُ اللهَ وأتوبُ إليه مِن رسولِ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم 

I have not seen anyone say, I seek the forgiveness of Allah and repent to Him, more than the Messenger of Allah .   [Sahih Ibn Haban 928]

And Abu Hurairah saw the honorable companions, and the blessed generation who met the Prophet  ﷺ and did not see anyone who sought forgiveness more than the Prophet ﷺ.  Even though his former and latter sins were forgiven. 

Seeking forgiveness has great benefits and many dividends.  Allah Almighty said in what he mentioned of Noah (peace be upon him):  

فَقُلْتُ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ إِنَّهُ كَانَ غَفَّارًا * يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِدْرَارًا * وَيُمْدِدْكُمْ بِأَمْوَالٍ وَبَنِينَ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ جَنَّاتٍ وَيَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ أَنْهَارًا-نوح:10-12 

Noah 10-12: (10) And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver. (11) He will send [rain from] the sky upon you in [continuing] showers (12) And give you increase in wealth and children and provide for you gardens and provide for you rivers.

These are some of the benefits and blessings of seeking forgiveness in this world. As for the Hereafter, its bounties and blessings are limitless. 

The Prophet ﷺ said: 

 طوبى لِمَن وُجِدَ في صحيفته يوم القيامة استغفارا كثيرة

Glad tidings to those who find a lot of seeking forgiveness in the record of their deeds.[ Sunan Ibn Majah 3818]

So turn to Allah Almighty in repentance to Him, seeking forgiveness from every sin and misdeed. Such that Allah Almighty may cover us all with His mercy and increase upon us His favors, grace and giving. 

We ask Allah Almighty for wellbeing and forgiveness. And that He grants us all a genuine repentance. And that He liberates us all from the fire. And that He gives us success in taking advantage of the seasons of goodness. And that he guides us all to the straight path. Indeed Allah is All Hearing, Responding. 

هَذَا وَصَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى نَبِيِّكُم كَمَا أَمَرَكُمْ بِذلِكَ رَبُّكُمْ , فَقَالَ

I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon your Prophet as your Lord commanded:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

Al Ahzaab (33) 56: Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace.

اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنا فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنا فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنا فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لنا فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنا شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ

O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed.  For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا عَاذَ بِهِ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ كُلَّ قَضَاءٍ قَضَيْتَهُ لَنا خَيْرًا

O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good

 عِبَادَ اللّهِ  إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ  يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

Servants of Allah. Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded. 

اُذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ واشْكُرُوهُ يَزِدْكُمْ واسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لكُمْ واتّقُوهُ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِكُمْ مَخْرَجًا   وَأَقِمِ الصّلَاة

Remember Allah, the Great – He will remember you. Thank Him for His favors – He will increase you therein.  And seek forgiveness from Him – He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him – He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer.  

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