Part One
Praise be to Allah, the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Forbearing, the
Most Appreciative of His servants’ good deeds. I praise my Lord and thank Him. I turn to
Him in repentance and ask Him for forgiveness. I bear witness that there is no god but
Allah, the All-Knowing of what the breasts conceal, and I bear witness that our master
and prophet, Muhammad, is His servant and messenger, the caller to every righteous
deed. O Allah! Bestow Your prayers, peace, and blessings upon Your servant and
messenger Muhammad and upon his family and all his Companions.
O Muslims!
Fear Allah as He should be feared, and grasp the trustworthy handhold of Islam,
for Allah protects whoever fears Him and safeguards whoever trusts in Him.
Servants of Allah!
Those who take admonition and learn lessons from others are successful, those
who fear Allah will be saved, but the heedless who turn away from the truth are the
losers. You can learn the greatest lessons and take the best admonitions from the lapse of
the blessed month of Ramadan. Its scrolls of deeds have been folded up and its days have
recorded whatever has been done in them. None of the past days will ever come back
again until the Day of Resurrection.
Whomever Allah has granted success in Ramadan should thank Allah for guiding
him to acts of obedience and keeping him away from forbidden acts, and should remain
steadfast in this, for steadfastness in goodness is the greatest honour ever, and whoever
maintains it will be protected by Allah from destructive sins and will be among the
foremost to Paradise in the hereafter. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
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Verily, those who say: “Our Lord is (only) Allah,” and
thereafter stand firm and straight on the Islamic Faith of
Monotheism, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they
grieve. Such shall be the dwellers of Paradise, abiding
therein (forever) – a reward for what they used to do. (Al-
Ahqaf: 13-14)
Allah, Exalted be He, also says:
Verily, those who say: “Our Lord is Allah (Alone),” and
then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at
the time of their death) (saying): “Fear not, nor grieve!
But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have
been promised! We have been your friends in the life of
this world and are (so) in the Hereafter. Therein you shall
have (all) that your inner-selves desire, and therein you
shall have (all) for which you ask for. An entertainment
from (Allah), the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Fussilat: 30-
32)
Scholars have said, “Steadfastness includes all aspects of the religion and
encompasses all its commands and prohibitions; it comprises doing all acts of obedience
and avoiding all the forbidden ones.” When Sufyan ibn Abdullah Ath-Thaqafi, may Allah
be pleased with him, once asked the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, about a
comprehensive piece of advice and an all-embracing statement on the religion, the
Prophet advised him to be steadfast. As reported by Muslim, Sufyan Ath-Thaqafi said, “I
once said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Tell me something concerning Islam about which I
will never ask anyone else.’ He said, ‘Say, “I have believed in Allah,” and then be
steadfast.’”
Due to the great position of steadfastness, Allah ordered His Messenger, peace
and blessings be upon him, to maintain it, so as to show gratitude to Allah for the
blessing of prophethood and to set a good example to all Muslims to follow. Allah,
Exalted be He, says:
So stand (ask Allah to make) you (Muhammad (peace and
blessings be upon him)) firm and straight (on the religion
of Islamic Monotheism) as you are commanded and those
(your companions) who turn in repentance (unto Allah)
with you, and transgress not (Allah’s legal limits). Verily,
He is All-Seer of what you do. (Hud: 112)
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The best state for a servant of Allah is to observe steadfastness by following up
one good deed with another and abstaining from evil deeds. This is the rank of those who
are foremost in doing good deeds. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
And the foremost ones [(in Islamic Faith of Monotheism
and in performing righteous deeds) in the life of this world
on the very first call for to embrace Islam,] will be the
foremost (in Paradise). These will be those nearest (to
Allah), in the Gardens of Delight (Paradise). A multitude of
those (foremost) will be from the first generations (who
embraced Islam). And a few of those (foremost) will be
from the later generations. (Al-Waqi‘ah: 10-14)
Allah, Exalted be He, also says:
While as for those who accept guidance, He increases
their guidance, and bestows on them their piety.
(Muhammad: 17)
Allah, Exalted be He, also says:
And those who give that (their charity) which they give
(and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of
fear (whether their alms and charities have been accepted
or not), because they are sure to return to their Lord (for
reckoning). It is these who hasten in the good deeds, and
they are foremost in them [e.g. offering the compulsory
Salat (prayers) in their (early) stated, fixed times and so
on]. (Al-Mu’minun: 60-61)
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, explained this verse to
Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, stating that it refers to those who do good deeds
but fear that such deeds may not be accepted from them.
The state next in rank for the servant is to follow up a bad deed with a good one –
with repentance and with righteous deeds that wipe out sins. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), at the two ends
of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five
compulsory Salat (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds
remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder
(an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice).
(Hud: 114)
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Mu‘adh ibn Jabal, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah,
peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Fear Allah wherever you are. Follow up a
bad deed with a good deed and it will wipe it out. And deal with people in good
manners”.
The worst state for the servant is to abandon righteous deeds and to commit sins
and forbidden acts. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
Verily, those who have turned back (have apostatised) as
disbelievers after the guidance has been manifested to
them, Shaitan (Satan) has beautified for them (their false
hopes), and (Allah) prolonged their term (age).
(Muhammad: 25)
Allah orders us to maintain doing righteous deeds. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers)
especially the middle Salat (i.e. the best prayer – ‘Asr).
And stand before Allah with obedience [and do not speak
to others during the Salat (prayer)]. (Al-Baqarah: 238)
Allah, Exalted be He, also says:
And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the
certainty. (Al-Hijr: 99)
Commentators on the Qur’an have said, “This means, ‘Maintain worshipping your Lord
until death comes to you.’”
Our Lord, Blessed and Exalted be He, forbids invalidating good deeds by doing
whatever renders them unacceptable or at least reduces their reward. Allah, Exalted be
He, says:
O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger
(Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) and
render not vain your deeds. (Muhammad: 33)
Abul-‘Aliyah, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said, “The Companions of Allah’s
Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, used to believe that a sin would not
invalidate a good deed. However, when this verse was revealed, they feared that sins
could invalidate good deeds.”
During the month of Ramadan, our enemy, Iblis (Satan), and the rebellious devils
were chained up and they were unable to achieve their goals, but now that Ramadan has
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elapsed, they want to pursue their aim of misleading the members of the Ummah.
Therefore, drive them back, reject them, and defeat them by putting your trust in Allah,
by believing in His Oneness, and by maintaining your worship of Him.
Those who, in the month of Ramadan, missed doing some good deeds, committed
some forbidden acts, or were misled and went astray must remember that Allah has
opened the door for His servants to repent of their sins, not only in Ramadan but in any
other month as well. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
And verily, I am indeed Forgiving to him who repents,
believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship
with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then
remains constant in doing them, (till his death). (Ta Ha: 82)
Never lose your determination to increase your good deeds. Never take any sin
lightly, however small it may seem, for it will be recorded against you and you will be
held accountable for it and will be punished for it. Bishr Al-Hafi was once asked, “What
do you think of those people who strive hard to do good deeds in Ramadan, and when it
is over, they give them up?” He replied, “They are evil indeed, for they know Allah only
in Ramadan.”
Servants of Allah!
Do not be deceived by vain hopes and never rely on having a long life, for just as
the days of Ramadan and the days before it passed, the months and the years after it will
also pass. Therefore, strive hard for the hereafter, exert the effort due for it and you will
be admitted into Paradise, the Home of Peace. This worldly life is not an eternal abode,
but will soon come to an end, so constantly reflect upon the death of those who preceded
you, one generation after another. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true. So let not
this present life deceive you, and let not the chief deceiver
(Satan) deceive you about Allah. Surely, Shaitan (Satan) is
an enemy to you, so take (treat) him as an enemy. He
only invites his Hizb (followers) that they may become the
dwellers of the blazing Fire. (Fatir: 5-6)
May Allah bless you and me with the Great Qur’an and make us benefit from its
verses and wise words and benefit from the guidance and right sayings of the Imam of all
Messengers. I have said what you have heard and I ask forgiveness of Allah for myself,
for you, and for all Muslims for any sin we have committed. Ask Allah for forgiveness.
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Part Two
Praise be to Allah, Who guides whomever He wills to obey Him, and forsakes
whomever he wills in His infinite justice and wisdom. I praise my Lord and thank Him
for His countless favours. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, Who has no
partners, and to Whom belong the Most Beautiful Names, and I bear witness that our
prophet and master, Muhammad, is His servant and chosen messenger. O Allah! Bestow
Your prayers, peace, and blessings upon Your servant and messenger Muhammad and
upon his family and Companions, the people of knowledge and piety.
Now then!
Fear Allah, Exalted be He, and obey Him. Nobody has ever suffered misery by
showing obedience to Allah and nobody has ever experienced happiness by disobeying
Him. Know well that one’s lifespan is made up of days that elapse one after the other
until one faces the predetermined moment and the inescapable fate, which can neither be
postponed nor advanced.
At the time of his death, a good-doer rejoices at meeting Allah because of the
good deeds he has done in his life. Therefore, Allah likes meeting him and gives him the
greatest reward for his deeds. As for those who have been neglectful, they dislike the
moment of meeting Allah because of the evil deeds that they have committed and the
duties that they have neglected. Therefore, Allah abhors meeting them and will He punish
them for their deeds. Allah, Exalted be He, says:
And the stupor of death will come in truth: “This is what
you have been avoiding!” And the Trumpet will be blown --
that will be the Day whereof warning (had been given)
(i.e. the Day of Resurrection). And every person will come
forth along with an (angel) to drive (him), and an (angel)
to bear witness. (It will be said to the sinners): “Indeed
you were heedless of this, now We have removed your
covering, and sharp is your sight this Day!” (Qaf: 19-22)
It is a sign of Allah’s mercy on us that He has shown us the deeds with which we
may attain His good pleasure. With every obligatory deed that He has prescribed, He has
also recommended similar deeds that we can do voluntarily in order to save ourselves
from an intensely hot fire that has a fathomless bottom and to attain a garden in Paradise
whose delights are infinite and never-ending. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon
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him, said, “Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan and then follows it with
six days of Shawwal will be (rewarded) as if he had fasted the entire year”
(Reported by Muslim).
Servants of Allah!
Allah sends His Salat (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy)
on the Prophet (Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon
him)) and also His angels (ask Allah to bless and forgive
him). O you who believe! Send your Salat on (ask Allah to
bless) him (Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon
him)), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islamic
way of greeting (salutation, i.e. As-Salamu ‘Alaikum). (Al-
Ahzab: 56)
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If a person asks Allah to send
blessings upon me once, Allah will send blessings upon him ten times over.”
Therefore, ask Allah to bestow His peace and blessings on the master of those who
preceded us and those who are yet to come, and the Imam of Messengers.
O Allah! Bestow Your peace upon Muhammad and his family, as You bestowed
Your peace upon Ibrahim and his family, You are All-Praiseworthy, All-Glorious. O
Allah! Bestow Your blessings upon Muhammad and his family, as You bestowed Your
blessings upon Ibrahim and his family, You are All-Praiseworthy, All-Glorious. O Allah!
Bestow Your bountiful peace and blessings upon Muhammad and his family.
O Allah! Be pleased with all the Companions. O Allah! Be pleased with the
Rightly-Guided Caliphs and Imams, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, along with all
Your Prophet’s Companions, with the Tabi‘un (the contemporaries of the Companions
who followed them after the death of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him), and
with those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment. O Allah! Be
pleased with us together with them, by Your grace, munificence, and mercy, O Most
Merciful of all the merciful!
O Allah! Grant power and glory to Islam and Muslims. O Allah! Grant power and
glory to Islam and Muslims. O Allah! Grant power and glory to Islam and Muslims. O
Allah! Subdue polytheism and the polytheists. O Allah! Subdue polytheism and subdue
the polytheists and atheists, O Lord of the Worlds!
O Allah! Grant victory to Your religion. O Allah! Grant victory to Your religion,
Your Book, and the Sunnah of Your prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon
him.
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O Allah! Let the guidance of Your prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be
upon him, reign supreme everywhere, O Lord of the Worlds! O Allah! Grant us and all
Muslims a sound understanding of Your religion.
O Allah! Protect us from the evil within ourselves and from our wrong deeds. O
Allah! Protect us from the evil of all evil-doers, O Lord of the Worlds!
O Allah! We ask You to take charge of the affairs of every Muslim, man or
woman, and to take charge of the affairs of every believer, man or woman, by Your
Mercy, O Most Merciful of all the merciful!
O Allah! We ask You to protect Muslims from the evil of oppressors, O Lord of
the Worlds! O Allah! The enemies of Islam have transgressed all bounds in their
oppression of Muslims, O Lord of the Worlds! O Allah! Foil the plots of the enemies of
Islam against Muslims, O Lord of the Worlds! O Allah! Foil the plots of the enemies of
Islam, O Lord of the Worlds! O Allah! Thwart the plans of the enemies of Islam with
which they intend harm against Islam and Muslims, O Lord of the Worlds!
O Allah! Provide food for the hungry among Muslims and provide clothes for the
naked among them. O Allah! Dispel their fears and conceal their weaknesses. O Allah!
Protect Islam and Muslims everywhere. O Allah! Protect Muslims’ lives and spare their
blood. O Allah! Safeguard their property and safeguard their religion, O Lord of the
Worlds! O Allah! Conceal our weaknesses and dispel our fears!
O Allah! We seek refuge in You from deluding trials. O Allah! Protect Muslims
from deluding trials and from mistaken ideas, O Lord of the Worlds!
O Allah! Protect our homelands from every evil and harm, O Lord of the Worlds!
O Allah! Grant us and grant all Muslims sound understanding of Your religion. O
Allah! Make us among those who follow and adhere to the guidance of Your Messenger,
peace and blessings be upon him.
O Allah! Protect us and our offspring from Satan, his soldiers, and his devils, O
Lord of the Worlds! O Allah! Protect Muslims and their offspring from Satan, his devils,
and his soldiers, O Lord of the Worlds!
O Allah! Guide the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to what You love and
accept. O Allah! Guide Your servant, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, to what
You love and accept. O Allah! Lead him to Your guidance, make all his deeds pleasing to
You, and help him in doing all that is good, O Lord of the Worlds! O Allah! Bless him
with good health; You are Powerful over all things! O Allah! Guide his two Deputies to
what You love and accept and to that which is good for Islam and Muslims, O Lord of
the Worlds!
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O Allah! We seek refuge in You from ill fate, from the malicious rejoicing of
enemies, from abject misery, and from hard affliction.
O Allah! Forgive the sins of our dead and the sins of all dead Muslims, O Lord of
the Worlds! O Allah! Forgive the sins of our dead and the sins of all dead Muslims, O
Lord of the Worlds!
O Allah! Facilitate for Muslims their affairs in the right way. O Allah! Guide us
and guide all Muslims to sincere repentance which will make You pleased with us, O
Lord of the Worlds!
O Allah! Relieve the distress of Muslims. O Allah! Relieve the distress of
Muslims. O Allah! Relieve the afflictions of Muslims. O Allah! O Allah! Remove the
punishments inflicted on them, O Lord of the Worlds! O Allah! Do not set any of Your
enemies against them, O Lord of the Worlds! O Allah! We ask You to make them
merciful and compassionate to one another. You are Powerful over all things! O Allah!
Free Muslims from whatever leads to inflicting punishments on them. O Allah! Free
Muslims from whatever leads to inflicting punishments on them, O Lord of the Worlds!
... Our Lord! Give us that which is good in this world and
that which is good in the Hereafter, and save us from the
torment of Hellfire! (Al-Baqarah: 201)
Servants of Allah!
Verily, Allah enjoins Al-‘Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping
none but Allah Alone – Islamic Monotheism) and Al-Ihsan
[i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allah,
totally for Allah’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah
(legal ways) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) in a perfect manner], and giving (help) to kith and
kin (i.e. all that Allah has ordered you to give them, e.g.,
wealth, visiting, looking after them, or any other kind of
help, etc.): and forbids Al-Fahsha’ (i.e. all evil deeds, e.g.
illegal sexual acts, disobedience of parents, polytheism, to
tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right,
etc.), and Al-Munkar (i.e. all that is prohibited by Islamic
law: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of
evil deeds, etc.), and Al-Baghy (i.e. all kinds of
oppression), He admonishes you, that you may take
heed.) And fulfil the Covenant of Allah (Bai’ah: pledge for
Islam) when you have covenanted, and break not the
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oaths after you have confirmed them, and indeed you have
appointed Allah your surety. Verily! Allah knows what you
do. (An-Nahl: 90-91)
Remember Allah, the Most Great, the Sublime, and He will remember you. Thank
Him for His favours and He will give you more. Verily, remembrance of Allah is greater
than all, and Allah knows what you do.
