Taraweeh - An introduction For the sake of the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) (Salla llahu

alaihi wa sallam), Allah Ta'ala has graced this Ummah with His boundless b enevolence, upon being thankful for which, the Lord Almighty has promised to inc rease His bounties even more. The blessed month of Ramadhan is also one among th ese priceless bounties of Allah Ta'ala. The doors of Allah s mercy are kept open thi s month and the worshippers of Allah Ta'ala freely benefit from it. Allah Ta ala has selected Ramadhan for the revelation of His Word, the Holy Quran. Accordingly, He has also shown His preference for this month over other months by mentioning its name in the Holy Quran. The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind, a nd clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). Surah A l Baqarah (2:185) With the coming of the month of Ramadhan, Allah Ta ala floods the world with His mer cy. The doors of the sky are opened. The doors of Jannah are opened. The devils are chained. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 2548). In this way, an atmosphere conduc ive to piety is created. Now every night, a special announcement is made for for those who resolve to perform virtuous acts: O you who desire good! Go ahead wit h good deeds. For those who desire transgressions, it is said: O you who desire evil! Refrain from evil. (Jame' Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 648). In spite of being self-sufficient, only as generosity for the worshippers, a cal l is given from the court of Allah Ta'ala: Is there anyone who supplicates that his supplication be accepted? Is there anyone who desires Maghfirah (forgiveness ) that he (or she) may be forgiven? Is there anyone who repents that his repenta nce be accepted? (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1810) With the coming of Ramadhan itself, there is a gush in Allah s mercy. Allah s mercy is m anifested everywhere. The Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is the mercy of Allah Ta'ala for the whole univers e and as such, every moment, Allah s mercy is expressed through Him. Granting the me rcy of the Lord to the Ummah, apart from the Fardh fasts of Ramadhan, the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) al so decreed other forms of worship like Taraweeh, Itikaaf and exhorted the Ummah to give charity. He instructed the Ummah to recite the Holy Quran and listen to it and gave glad tidings of great reward on the performance of all these acts. A ll these actually mirror the affection and generosity of the Noble Prophet (Sall a Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) on this Ummah. One among the blessed attributes of the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alay hi wa Sallam) (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is His generosity and benevolence. I n the month of Ramadhan, the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Salla m) (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) became even more generous. There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari: Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'al a 'alayhi wa Sallam) (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was the most generous of all and His generosity would be at its highest point in the month of Ramadhan, when Jibreel (peace be upon him) would come to Him. Each night of Ramadhan, Jibreel ( May peace be upon him) would come and recite the Holy Quran. Verily, the generos ity of the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) (Sallallahu ala ihi wa sallam) is more than the winds which benefit. (Sahih Bukhari, Vol 1, Pg N o: 3) Imam Baihaqi has recorded a Hadith in his Shu'ab Ul Iman:

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with him), he said: When the month of Ramadhan came, the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) released every prisoner and would give to everyone who asked. (Baihaqui , Shu ab Ul Iman, Hadith No: 3475) Allah Ta'ala has made the fasts of Ramadhan Fardh (obligatory). Its rules have b een briefly mentioned in the Holy Quran and left the details and interpretation of them to the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Allah Ta'ala has given full authority to the Noble Prophet ( Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) to specify the rules and decide their reward. As the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'al ayhi wa Sallam) (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is the most generous in Ramadhan, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) decreed special forms of worship in Ramadhan an d gave glad tidings of special reward on their performance. The reward of an optional (Nafl) is equal to that of an obligation (Fardh), the reward of a Fardh is increased seventy-fold; the reward for providing means to a fasting person to break the fast is a drink from the Houz e Kouthar. There is p romise to increase a Momin's sustenance (Rizq) (Shu abul Iman, Hadith No. 3455). Tho se who perform Itikaaf are rewarded for other virtuous acts, etc. (Zujajatul Mas abeeh, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 590) The special reward for these virtuous acts of Ramadhan has been mentioned in the Hadith only. No verse of the Holy Quran mentions this. This is only the generos ity of the Noble Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam) (Sallallahu ala ihi wa sallam) and the result of His benevolence. A special virtuous act in Rama dhan is Taraweeh.