BY

DR BADR ABDULHAMEED HUMAISAH

TRANSLATED BY

ABDULHAMEED SOLATE

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 INTRODUCTION

Allah praise is due to Allah the Most Honourable, the Provider, the Most Merciful, the Most
Forgiving. The Forgiver of sins, the Acceptor of repentance, and the Severe in Punishment. He
loves those who repents and purifies themselves and He accepts the excuse of those who
confess their sins. I testify that there is no god other than Allah, the Patron of the righteous. I
also testify that Muhammad is His servant, messenger, the best among His creatures, the seal
of prophethood, and leader of the chosen ones. May Allah’s blessings be upon him, his
household, his pious companions and those who follow their footsteps among the sincere
servants.

The Quran defined the lofty aim and goal behind the obligation of Saum (Fasting). Allah said:

“O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was
prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn” (Baqarah: 183)

Taqwa (Piety) is a directive from Allah to those forerunners and the later ones among His
creatures; and as defined by Ibn Mas’ud: it is to obey Allah without disobedience, to
remembrance of Allah without forgetfulness, and to show gratitude to Him without ingratitude.

Ibn Abass defined it as: the fear of the Mighty (Allah), working with the revealed book,
contentment with little and preparation for day of last journey (death).

According to Talaq bn Habeeb: Taqwa means to work with obedience to Allah, on the light of
Allah, hoping for reward from Allah. And to abandon disobedience to Allah, on the light of Allah,
with the fear of the punishment of Allah.

In a sound Hadith narrated by Thawban (RA), the messenger of Allah said: surely, I know of a
community of people among my Ummah who will come on the day of resurrection with good
deeds as huge as a mountain, but Allah will turn it into dust. Thawban said: describe them to us
O messenger of Allah so that we would not be among them. He said: they are your brothers
from amongst you, they wake up at night like you do, but when they are alone with what Allah
has forbidden, they engage in it (Ibn Majah).

Allah repeated injunction concerning Taqwa in the Qur'an:

“O you who believe! Fear Allâh (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from
all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. [Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and
remember Him always], and die not except in a state of Islâm [as Muslims (with
complete submission to Allâh)]”. (Al-Imran: 102)

“And to Allâh belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth. And verily,
We have recommended to the people of the Scripture before you, and to you (O
Muslims) that you (all) fear Allâh, and keep your duty to Him, But if you disbelieve, then
unto Allâh belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, and Allâh is Ever
Rich (Free of all wants), Worthy of all praise.” (Nisai: 131)

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 “O you who believe! Fear Allâh and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to
what he has sent forth for the tomorrow, and fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of
what you do” (Hashr: 18)

In the same way, the messenger of Allah (SAW) admonished us. It was narrated from Muaz
(RA) that he said: O messenger of Allah (SAW)! Admonish me. He (SAW) said: “Fear Allah
wherever you are. He said: give me more. He said: “Follow evil with goodness and it will erase
it”. He said: Give me more. He said: “And relate with people with good character”. (Ahmad and
Tirmidhi).

A poet said:

Make provisions of Taqwa for you are a traveler

And strive towards goodness along with those who strive
Wealth and family are nothing but deposits with us
And surely, one day, you shall return the deposits.

The pious (Muttaqoon) are people of honour and huge reward; they planted and harvest, and
the fruits of Taqwa that they harvest are blooming and ripe fruits that Allah mentioned in the
Qur'an.

These fruits include: knowledge and understanding. Allah said:

“And fear Allâh, and know that Allâh is with Al-Muttaqûn” (Baqarah: 194);

It also includes: love and closeness; Allah said:

“Yes, whoever fulfils his pledge and fears Allâh much; verily, then Allâh loves those who
are Al-Muttaqûn” (Al-Imran: 76);

Also include is: acceptance of deed and realization of hope. Allah said:

“"Verily, Allâh accepts only from those who are Al-Muttaqûn” (Ma’idah: 27)

Also: victory, establishment and good end. Allah said:

“Verily, the earth is Allah’s. He gives it as a heritage to whom He wills of His slaves, and
the (blessed) end is for the Muttaqûn” (A’raf: 128).

Also, a secure position and everlasting bliss. Allah said:

“Verily! The Muttaqûn, will be in place of Security (Paradise) (51) Among Gardens and
Springs; (52) Dressed in fine silk and (also) in thick silk, facing each other, (53) So (it
will be), and We shall marry them to Hur (fair females) with wide, lovely eyes. (54) They
will call therein for every kind of fruit in peace and security; (55) They will never taste
death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from the
torment of the blazing Fire, (56) As a Bounty from your Lord! That will be the supreme
success!” (Dukhaan: 51-57).

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Allah said:

“Verily, The Muttaqûn, will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers (Paradise). (54) In a
seat of truth (i.e. Paradise), near the Omnipotent King (Allâh the one, the All-Blessed,
the Most High, the Owner of Majesty and Honour).” (Qamar: 54-55)

And He said:

“Verily, for the Muttaqûn, there will be a success (Paradise); (31) Gardens and
vineyards, (32) And young full-breasted (mature) maidens of equal age, (33) And a full
cup (of wine). (34) No Laghw (dirty, false, evil talk) shall they hear therein, nor lying;
(35) A reward from your Lord, an ample calculated gift (according to the best of their
good deeds)” (Nabai: 31-36).

A poet said:

Whoever relates with Allah with piety

And he fears Him while alone in seclusion
He would give him to drink sweet drink from a cup
That would be sufficient for him away from the sweetness of this world

Another poet said:

Fear Allah in all your affairs

You will find His reward on the day of long accountability
And the fear of Allah is the best of reward
And best of provision for every traveler

This short piece discusses some of the attributes of the Muttaqoon that were mentioned in
Qur'an, and the connection of these attributes to the fasting in the month of Ramadan.

I beseech Allah to accept it our fasting, prayers and righteous deeds.

Dr. Badr Abdulhameed Humaisah

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 RAMADAN AND THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE PIOUS

Allah mentioned many of the attributes of the Muttaqoon in the Qur'an, but there are two
verses that combined some of these attributes. The first verse is in Suratul Baqarah when Allah
said:

“Alif-Lâm-Mîm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’an and none but Allâh
(Alone) knows their meanings] (1) This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no
doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqûn [the pious and righteous persons who
fear Allâh much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden)
and love Allâh much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. (2) Who
believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and spend out of what we
have provided for them [i.e. give Zakât, spend on themselves, their parents, their
children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also in Allah’s Cause -
Jihâd,]. (3) And who believe in (the Qurân and the Sunnah) which has been sent down
(revealed) to you (Muhammad Peace be upon him) and in that which we sent down
before [the Taurât (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), etc.] and they believe with certainty
in the Hereafter. (Resurrection, recompense of their good and bad deeds, Paradise and
Hell,) (4) They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.”
(Baqarah: 1-5)

And the second is in Surah Al-Imran when Allah said:

“And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for
Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqûn.
(133) Those who spend [in Allah’s Cause] in prosperity and in adversity, who repress
anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good - doers).
(134) And those who, when they have committed Fahishah (illegal sexual intercourse) or
wronged themselves with evil, remember Allâh and ask forgiveness for their sins; - and
none can forgive sins but Allâh - And do not persist in what (wrong) they have done,
while they know. (135) For such, the reward is Forgiveness from their Lord, and
Gardens with rivers flowing underneath (Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever.
How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds according to Allah’s
Orders).” (Al-Imran: 133-136).

From the two group of verses above, it is clear that the Muttaqoon attributes and the most
important among them are:

1. They are those who believe in the unseen (Al-Gayb):

Literarily in Arabic, Al-Gayb means: doubt and all that cannot be reached with the senses. While
technically, it refers to what Allah take exclusive knowledge of and is not known to anyone
except whoever He is pleased with among His prophets. Allah said:

“"(He Alone is) the All-Knower of the Ghâ'ib (unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghâ'ib
(unseen)." (26) Except to a Messenger (from mankind) whom He has chosen (He
informs him of unseen as much as He likes), and then He makes a band of watching

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 guards (angels) to march before him and behind him (27) [He (Allâh) protects them (the
Messengers)], till He sees that they (the Messengers) have conveyed the Messages of
their Lord (Allâh). And He (Allâh) surrounds all that which is with them, and He (Allâh)
keeps count of all things (i.e. He knows the exact number of everything)” (Jinn: 26-28).

Belief in the unseen: is to believe all that the messenger of Allah (SAW) brought from Allah. It
entails belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the last day and destiny (Qadar)
whether good or bad.

Umar bn Al-Khatab (RA) said: we were with the messenger of Allah (SAW) and there appeared
before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of
journeying were visible on him, and none of us knew him. He sat down close by the Prophet
(SAW) rested his knees against the knees of the Prophet (SAW) and placed his palms over his
thighs and said: "O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam." The Messenger of Allah (SAW)
replied: "Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah
and that Muhammad is His Messenger (SAW), that you should perform salah (ritual prayer), pay
the zakah, fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka`bah at
Makkah), if you can find a way to it (or find the means for making the journey to it)." He said:
"You have spoken the truth." We were astonished at his thus questioning him (SAW) and then
telling him that he was right, but he went on to say, "Inform me about Iman (faith)." He (the
Prophet) answered, "It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His
Messengers and in the Last Day, and in fate (Qadar), both in its good and in its evil aspects."
He said, "You have spoken the truth." Then he (the man) said, "Inform me about Ihsan." He
(the Prophet) answered, "It is that you should serve Allah as though you could see Him, for
though you cannot see Him yet He sees you." He said, "Inform me about the Hour." He (the
Prophet) said, "About that the one questioned knows no more than the questioner." So he said,
"Well, inform me about its signs." He said, "They are that the slave-girl will give birth to her
mistress and that you will see the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of
the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings." Thereupon the man went off.
I waited a while, and then he (the Prophet) said, "O `Umar, do you know who that questioner
was?" I replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better." He said, "That was Jibril. He came to
teach you your religion." (Ahmad, Bukhari, Muslim and Tirmidhi).

Belief in the unseen lives great impact on people’s life, it puts direction in the hearts and leads
to obedience; it moves life away from darkness and troubles to light and stability, it opens the
horizon once it is welcomed by the hearts, it creates tranquility in the hearts, open it to the
truth and pleasure fills all wings. Allah said:

“And Paradise will be brought near to the Muttaqûn not far off. (31) (It will be said):
"This is what you were promised, - (it is) for those oft-returning (to Allâh) in sincere
repentance, and those who preserve their covenant with Allâh (by obeying Him in all
what He has ordered, and worshipping none but Allâh Alone, i.e. follow Allah’s religion,
Islamic Monotheism). (32) "Who feared the Most Gracious (Allâh) in the Ghaib (unseen)
and brought a heart turned in repentance (to Him - and absolutely free from each and
every kind of polytheism). (33) "Enter you therein in peace and security — this is a Day
of eternal life!" (34) There they will have all that they desire — and We have more”
(Qaf: 31-35).

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Allah also said:

“Verily, those who fear their Lord unseen (i.e. they do not see Him, nor His Punishment
in the Hereafter), theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).” (Mulk:
12)

Belief in the unseen frees the hearts from its sickness, and it is one of the greatest agent of
righteousness, piety and good training.

Ibn Al-Mu’taz said:

Leaving sins whether it is small

Or it is big, is piety
Do like a person walking
On a land filled with thorns and being careful of what he finds
Do belittle any small sin
For the mountain is a collection of small pebbles

Belief in the unseen distinguishes between an intelligent person and an animalistic person who
do not believe except in what he can see physically. This animalistic faith does not separate
between man and animal and it does not benefit its holder.

But, belief in the unseen is an evidence for the Taoheed (belief in the unity of Allah) of a
servant and his acceptance that the universe has a Lord the administer it, and a Creator that
moves it; and that the Creator will take every soul to account over what it earns and will reward
him for what he does.

It was narrated that the Caliph Al-Azeez Al-Faatimi used to claim knowledge of the unseen. He
climbs the pulpit on a Friday and he found a tag that has on it the following:

We can accept injustice and oppression

But not disbelief (kufr) and stupidity
If you are given knowledge of the unseen
Then explain the writer of this card

When he read it, it fell from his hands. Ibn Khillikaan said: this was because they claim
knowledge of the unseen (Siyar ‘A’laam An-Nubalaa 39/153).

Allah said:

“Verily, Allâh! With Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain,
and knows that which is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow,
and no person knows in what land he will die. Verily, Allâh is All¬Knower, All¬Aware (of
things).” (Luqman: 34)

And the fasting of a Muslim in the month of Ramadan is a clear evidence of his good faith and
his conviction about the unseen, and that he is expecting reward of the fasting from his Lord on
the day of resurrection, and that there is death, accountability, paradise and hellfire. And that

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paradise has a door known as Ar-Rayyaan that had been prepared by Allah for those who fast.
Sahl bn Sa’d narrated that the prophet said: “Paradise has eight doors and among them is a
door known as Ar-Rayyaan that would only be entered by those who fast”. (Bukhari, Muslim,
Tirmidhi, Nasai and Ahmad).

Also, in paradise, there is a room where outside can be seen from the inside and the inside
from the outside, that has been prepared for those who fast. Abu Maalik Al-Ash’ari said: the
messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “surely, in paradise, there a room, the outside can be seen
from the inside, and the inside can be seen from the outside, that Allah prepared for those who
feed people, talk gently with people, follow a fast with another fast, and observe prayers (at
night) when people are sleeping”. In another narration, “there is, in paradise a room where the
outside can be seen from the inside, and the inside can be seen from the outside, prepared by
Allah for those who feed the poor, spread the greetings of Salaam and pray at night when
people are sleeping” (Ahmad, Ibn Khuzaimah).

2. They are those who establish Prayers:

Islam pays attention to the issue of prayers (Solat) and is strong on it. It makes it obligatory to
observe them in the house of Allah in congregation whenever a call for it is made. It warned
greatly against abandoning it or neglecting it and make it the pillar of the religion, the key to
paradise, the best of deeds and the first affair for accountability on the day of resurrection. This
injunction of Solat was given to all prophets, messengers and their follows.

To delay Solat beyond its stipulated time without any justified reason recognised by the
Shariah, is regarded as one of the major sins. Allah has stipulated time for the five daily prayers
with each one having its particular time. Allah said:

“Perform As¬Salât (Iqamât-as-Salât) from mid-day till the darkness of the night (i.e. the
Zuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib, and 'Ishâ' prayers), and recite the Qur’an in the early dawn (i.e. the
morning prayer). Verily, the recitation of the Qur’an in the early dawn is ever witnessed”
(Israi: 78)

He also said:

“perform As-Salât (Iqâmat¬as¬ Salât). Verily, As-Salât (the prayer) is enjoined on the
believers at fixed hours” (Nisai: 103).

Abdullah narrated that: I asked the messenger of Allah (SAW): Which is the best deed? He
(SAW) said: “observing Solat at its stipulated time, goodness to parents and Jihad on the path
of Allah”. Abdullah said: if I had asked for more he would have added to it (Ahmad).

Narrated from Ash-sha’bi, who narrated from Ka’ab bn ‘Ujrah who said: while I was sitting in
the mosque of the messenger of Allah (SAW), and our back was turned towards the Qiblah of
the mosque of the messenger of Allah (SAW) – seven people, four of our people and three from
the Arabs – then the messenger of Allah (SAW) came out for Zuhr prayers and he came to us
and asked: “why are you sitting here?”. We said: O messenger of Allah (SAW), we are waiting
for the Solat. He said: He went down a little and then raised his head and said: “do you know
what your Lord said?”. We said: Allah and His messenger knows better. He said: “You Lord

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said: ‘whoever observe Solat at its stipulated time, and keeps to it without belittling its right, he
has a covenant on Me that I should put him in paradise. And whoever does not observe Solat at
its stipulated time and does not keep it and he wastes its right, he does not have any covenant
with Me; if I wish I will punish him and if I wish I will forgive him’” (Ahmad).

Allah said:

“Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salât (the prayers)
[i.e. made their Salât (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering
them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed
lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell. (59) Except those who repent and believe (in the
Oneness of Allâh and His Messenger Muhammad SAW), and work righteousness. Such
will enter Paradise and they will not be wronged in aught.” (Maryam: 59-60)

Ibn Mas’ud said: giving up Solat does not mean: abandoning it completely but delaying it
beyond its stipulated time (Az-zawaajir ‘an iqtiraaful kaba’ir by Ibn Hajar pg 339).

Masruq (R) said: a person would not uphold observance of five daily prayers at the stipulated
times and be counted among the heedless. But delaying it beyond its time is destructive.

Some other scholars said: Whoever observes the five daily Solat in congregation, it is like filling
the land and the sea with worship.

It was narrated from one of the Salaf that: he buried one of his sister who died, and he
unknowingly dropped a purse full of money in the grave and was unaware till he had departed
from the grave. He returned to the grave and dug it up after the people had left. He discovered
that the grave was burning with fire and he poured back the soil on the grave and went to his
mother weeping and sad. He said: O mother, inform me about my sister and what she does.
She said: why do you ask about her? He said: O mother, I saw her grave burning of fire. He
said: she burst into tears and said: O my son, your sister used to neglect Solat and delay it
beyond its stipulated time (Az-zawaajir ‘an iqtiraaful kaba’ir by Ibn Hajar pg 339).

One of the virtues of the month of Ramadan is that it gets a Muslim accustomed to observing
Solat at the stipulated time and in congregation. It also gets him accustomed to observing
Qiyamul Layl (night prayers) to Allah the Lord of the world. Abu Hurairah narrated that the
messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever fast the month of Ramadan with faith and hope for
reward, will have his earlier sins forgiven. And whoever observes the night of Majesty (Laylatul
Qadr) with faith and hope for reward, will have his earlier sins forgiven (Ahmad, Bukhari and
Muslim).

It was narrated that Abu Zarr (RA) said: we fasted with the messenger of Allah (SAW) in
Ramadan and he did not lead us (in night prayers) until there were only seven days left, when
he led us in prayer until a third of the night had passed. He did not lead us when there were six
days left. When there were five days left, he led us in prayer until half the night had passed. I
said: O Messenger of Allah, what if you had led us for the remaining part of the night? He said:
“whoever prays with the Imaam till he departs, it would be written that he observed Qiyaam”.
Then he did not lead us till there were three nights left in the month, and he led us, and

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brought together his family and his wives, till we were afraid we were going to miss the Al-
Falaah. I said: what is Al-Falaah? He said: Sahur (Nasai and Tirmidhi).

A poet said:

Take advantage of your free time to observe more Ruku’

Perhaps your death may come suddenly
Many are the sound that you see without sickness
But their sound soul goes away unexpectedly

3. They are those who spend from what Allah had blessed them with:

Islam came with social solidarity and defines its framework, laid down its element, explain its
manner and prescribed what will encourage and protect it. This is because the Muslims in their
mutual love and affection are like a single body, when a part of the body complains, the other
parts will respond with sleepless night and fever.

There are groups of legislations in the aspects of morals, social dealings and worship that
emphasises this like Jumah prayer, congregational obligatory prayers and Eid prayers. Also, in
the ethics of discussion, family ties and good character.

One of the strong means of social solidarity in Islam is giving and spending. It is for this reason
that Islam makes it beloved to the Muslims to have their hearts filled with generosity and their
hands wet with giving, and for them to make extending goodness to people their pre-
occupation morning and evening. Allah says:

“Those who spend their wealth (in Allah’s Cause) by night and day, in secret and in
public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall
they grieve.” (Baqarah: 274)

When the human heart becomes afraid of poverty and spending, Allah guaranteed for them to
have replacement of whatever they spend on others. Allah says:

“and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it. And He is
the Best of providers.” (Sabai: 39).

Abu Hurairah narrated that the messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “There is not day the servants
wakes up except that two angels descends and one of them will say: O Allah, give a
replacement to he who spends; and the other said: O Allah, give destruction to the one who
withhold from spending” (Bukhari and Muslim).

The messenger of Allah (SAW) also said: “Allah said: ‘Spend, O son of Adam! And it shall be
spent on you’” (Bukhari and Muslim).

When a Muslim spend from the pure part of his wealth, and Allah does not accept anything
except what is Halal and pure, it is necessary for him to know that this is being stored for him
with his Lord. Aisha (RA) narrated that they slaughter an animal and the prophet said: “what is

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left of it?”. She said: nothing except the shoulder. The prophet (SAW) said: “everything is left
except the shoulder” (Tirmidhi).

The pious spends in secret and in the open to seek the pleasure of Allah. Abu Hurairah narrated
from the prophet (SAW) that he said: “Allah will put seven people under His shade on the day
when there would be no shade except His shade: A just Leader (Imaam), a youth that grow up
in the worship of his Lord, a man whose heart is tied to the mosques, two men who loved
themselves for the sake of Allah and they meet and depart on it, a man who was invited by a
woman with position and beauty (for immorality) and he said ‘I fear Allah’, a man who gives
charity secretly that the left hand does not know what the right gives, and a man that
remember Allah alone and his eyes are filled with tears” (Ahmad, Bukhari and Muslim).

Abu Talha Al-Ansari give his garden out in charity when Allah revealed:

“By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness - here it means Allah’s
Reward, i.e. Paradise), unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love” (Al-
Imran: 92).

Abu Dahdah gave out his date palm in charity when Allah revealed:

“Who is he that will lend to Allâh a goodly loan” (Baqarah: 245)

Uthman bn Afaan (RA) equipped the Army of Hardship during the Battle of Tabuk.

A poet said:

I do not see happiness in gathering of wealth

But piety is the happiness
The fear of Allah is the best provision to store
And the pious will get more with Allah

Allah mentioned the reward of whoever spends on His path directly after the verses of fasting
and He said:

“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allâh, is as the likeness of a
grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allâh gives
manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allâh is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs,
All-Knower” (Baqarah: 261).

It is from here that Allah instituted Zakatul Fitri in Ramadan to train us on spending and
goodness. Ikrimah narrated from Ibn Abass who said: The messenger of Allah (SAW)
prescribed Zakatul Fitri as a purification for the one who fast from chatter talk and indecency,
and as a soul of feeding for the poor. Whoever gives it before Eid prayers, it is regarded as
acceptable Zakat; and whoever gives it after the Eid prayers, it is regarded as a Sadaqah. (Abu
Dawud and Ibn Majah).

The messenger of Allah (SAW) affirmed this practically. Ibn Abass narrated that: the messenger
of Allah was the most generous among people. And he was most generous in the month of

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Ramadan when Jibril meets him. He used to meet him every night in Ramadan to teach him the
Qur'an. The messenger of Allah (SAW) was more generous with goodness that a fast wind”
(Bukhari and Muslim).

4. They are those who control their anger:

Anger is a psychological state that agitates man in words and action. It is the key of all evils
and the peak of sins.

A wise and intelligent person is the one that controls his anger and rage and take control of
himself during anger. This is one of the signs of manliness and a pointer to strength of faith.
Abdullah bn Mas’ud narrated that the messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “who do you consider as
‘Raquub’ among you?”. He said: we said: the one who has no children (the children were born
to him but they did not survive). He said: “that is not a Raquub, but a Raquub is the one who
does not find his child as a forerunner (in paradise)”. He then said: “Who do you consider as a
wrestler among you?”. He said: we said: the one whom no man can wrestle with. He said: “No,
it is not him, but a wrestler is the one who controls himself during anger”.

In another narration: the messenger of Allah (SAW) said: Who do you say concerning a
wrestler?”. He said: I said: the one that no man can wrestle with. He said: “a wrestler is the
one that controls himself during anger” (Ahmad, Bukhari and Muslim).

For this reason, when a man went to the messenger of Allah (SAW) asking for admonition, he
repeated his admonition to him to avoid anger. Abu Hurairah narrated that a man went to the
messenger of Allah (SAW) and said: Command me on an affair. The messenger of Allah (SAW)
said: “Do not get angry”. The man repeats the question many times, and every time he comes
the messenger of Allah (SAW) responded: “Do not get angry” (Bukhari, Ahmad and Tirmidhi).

Control the rage and taking control of anger is a virtue that distinguishes the righteous servants
of Allah. Sahl bn Mu’az bn Anas narrated from his father, who narrated from the messenger of
Allah that he said: “the best of virtues is: for you to join with one who cut himself from you, to
give to those who deprive you, to forgive those who insults you (Ahmad).

There are some things that create anger. Al-Gazali said in his book ‘Ihya Uluum Din’: the causes
of anger are vanity, conceit, joke, jest, ridicule, stigmatization, argument, antagonism, betrayal,
lust for excessive wealth and position, and all of them together are bad characters that are
blameworthy in the Shariah. And there is not way out of anger when these causes are
remaining, therefore, it is necessary to remove them but imbibing their opposites.

Anger are of two types: the praiseworthy and the blameworthy. The praiseworthy anger is the
one that is for Allah the Lord of the world, when His sanctity is being desecrated. Aisha (RA)
said: the messenger of Allah (SAW) never hit his slave, nor a woman, and he never hit anyone
with his hands except when on Jihad. And he does not take revenge from anyone except if the
person desecrate what Allah had made sacred, then he takes revenge for Allah. And when two
issues are presented to him, one being easier than the other, he would choose the easiest of
them as long as it is not a sin. But if it is a sin, he is the first to distance from it” (Ahmad and
Muslim).

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There is also the blameworthy anger which is when it is on the path of falsehood and Shaytan
like protecting Jahiliyyah act, taking revenge for oneself or for a lowly worldly affair.

The following story make clear distinction between a praiseworthy anger that is only for Allah’s
sake and the blameworthy anger that is for the sake of this world. Abu Haamid Al-Gazali
mention in his book ‘Ihya Uluum Din’ that: a true worshiper of Allah got the news that some
people worship a tree, so he went out to cut it off. Then Iblis told him: if you cut it they will
worship another one, so go back to your worship. The worshiper said: I must cut the tree. So,
Iblis wrestled with him and the worshipper defeated him. Then Iblis said: You are a poor man,
go back to your worship. I will give you two Dinar under your pillow every night. If Allah will, he
will send a prophet to cut it, it is not your burden if they do not worship it. The worshipper said:
Yes, and he went back. When he woke up the following morning, he found two dinars, and on
the next day, he did not find any. So, he went out again to cut the tree and he met Iblis who
wrestled with him and defeated him. The worshiper said to Iblis: How was it that I defeated
you the first time and you defeat me this second time? Iblis said: It is because your initial anger
was because of Allah, but this second time, it is because of two Dinar.

Islam laid down effective solution for anger, among which is: seeking refuge in Allah against
Shaytan. Allah said:

“And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaitân (Satan) then seek refuge with Allâh.
Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower. (200) Verily, those who are Al-Muttaqûn, when an
evil thought comes to them from Shaitân (Satan), they remember (Allâh), and (indeed)
they then see (aright)” (A’raf: 200-201).

He also said:

“And if an evil whisper from Shaitân (Satan) tries to turn you away (O Muhammad SAW)
(from doing good), then seek refuge in Allâh. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-
Knower.” (Fusilat: 36).

The prophet (SAW) said: “When a man gets angry and says ‘a’uzu bi Llah’ (I seek refuge in
Allah), the anger will calm down (Sahih Jami Sagir).

Among them is keeping silent. The messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “when any one of you is
angry, he should keep quiet” (Ahmad).

Among them are ablution, Solat and changing one’s state. ‘Atiyyah narrated that the messenger
of Allah said: “Anger is from Shaytan, and Shaytan is created from fire; and water quenches
fire. So, if anyone of you is angry, let him make ablution (Ahmad and Abu Dawud).

It is necessary for a Muslim to be patient and persevering, taking control of himself during
anger. This is one of the attributes of the Mutaqqoon. A poet said:

If you are not traveling with a provision of piety

And you meet on the day of resurrection one who made provision
You will regret that you had not been like him
You were not keeping watch like he was keeping watch

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Fasting trains a Muslim on control of rage, perseverance, and self-control during anger. Abu
Hurairah narrated that the messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Fasting is a shield. If anyone of you
is fasting, he should not engage in indecency and he should not act ignorantly. If any person
should fight him or abuse him, he should say: I am fasting, I am fasting (Malik, Ahmad and
Bukhari).

5. They are those who imbibe the attributes of forgiveness and tolerance:

Forgiveness is on the attributes of righteous believers. Allah said:

“And those who avoid the greater sins, and Al-Fawâhish (illegal sexual intercourse), and
when they are angry, forgive” (Shurah: 37)

Forgiveness bring about great reward from Allah. Allah said:

“but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allâh. Verily, He likes
not the Zâlimûn (oppressors, polytheists, and wrong-doers)” (Shurah: 40).

The messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Allah will not increase a man who is forgiving in anything
other than honour” (Ahmad, Muslim, Tirmidhi and Ibn Khuzaimah).

As-Shafi’ (R) said:

When I forgive and do not habour ill-feeling toward anyone

My heart is free from the worries of enmities
I greet my enemy when I see him
To push away evil from me through the greetings
I show gladness towards the worst among men
As if I had filled my heart with love

It was narrated from Ali bn Hasan that he said that: on the day of resurrection, I caller would
make a call for the people of honour to rise. And some people would rise up and it would be
said to them: go on into paradise. Then the angels would accost them and would ask them:
where are you going? They would reply: to paradise. The angels would say: before
accountability? They would say: Yes. The angels would ask: who are you. They would reply:
people of honour. The angels would ask: and what is your honour? They would reply: we are
people that when people behave ignorantly towards us, we persevere, when we are being
oppressed, we are patient, and when people transgress against us, we forgive them. The
angels would say: go on and enter paradise, good is the reward of those who work
righteousness. Then a caller would make a call for the people of patience. And some people
would rise up and it would be said to them: go on into paradise. Then the angels would accost
them and would ask them similar questions. They would reply: we are people of patience. The
angels would ask: and what is your patience? They would reply: we are patient on obedience to
Allah, and we are patient on avoiding disobedience to Allah. The angels would say: go on and
enter paradise, good is the reward of those who work righteousness (Hilyatul Awliyaa’ by Abu
Na’eem 3/139).

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It was narrated from Maymuun bn Mahraan: that a maid of his came with a bouquet and she
tripped, and the bouquet poured on him. Maymuun intended to strike her when the maid said:
O my master, use the words of Allah (Surah Al-Imran: 134): “those who repress anger”. He
said: I have done that. She said: do what follows it: “those who pardon men”. He said: I have
forgiven you. She said: and do what follows: “Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good - doers)”.
Maymuun said: I will be good to you, you are now free for the sake of Allah.

It was related about the earlier Muslims that he had a horse that he is in love with. One day, he
found in on three lines, and he said to his slave: who did this to it? He replied: I; He said: why?
He replied: I wish to trouble you? He said: Surely, Shaytan would be disturbed by what you did
to me, go now, you are free, and the horse is for you.

A poet said:

Do not say: ‘my lineage and my honour’, O young man

The origin of a man is what he achieves
It is not the one that attack people on the road that is a hero
But the one that fears Allah is the hero.

A fasting Muslim, needs to imbibe the virtues of forgiveness and pardoning of people, because
fasting trains a Muslim on purity of the heart and peace of the mind. Amr bn Shurahbeel
narrated from a man among the companions of the prophet (SAW) who said: it was said to the
prophet (SAW): a man fast for a whole year. He (SAW) replied: How I love that he did not eat
for a year (i.e. so that he may die of hunger). They said: one third of the year. He said: He
could have increased it. They said: half of it. He said: More. Then he said: “should I inform you
of what will take away the burden of the chest – it is to fast three days in every month” (Nasai).

6. They are those who are constant on seeking forgiveness (Al-Istigfaar) and fear of
Allah (Al-Khashyaah):

Istigfar means to seek forgiveness and forgiveness is protection against the evil of sins in
addition to it being concealed. That is, Allah conceal the servant and does not expose him in
this world, and He conceal him in the hereafter and does not expose him in its sessions, and He
erases the punishment of the sins by His favour and mercy.

There are lots of mention of Istigfaar in the Qur'an, at times it is commanded to be done like in
the words of Allah:

“And seek Forgiveness of Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful” (Muzzamil:

20)

At times people who engages in it are praised, like in the words of Allah:

“those who pray and beg Allah’s Pardon in the last hours of the night” (Al-Imran: 17)

At times Allah mention that He forgives those who seek His forgiveness, like His words:

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 “And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah’s Forgiveness, he
will find Allâh Oft¬Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Nisai: 110)

The prophet (SAW) used to engage in seeking forgiveness many times. It was narrated from
Abu Burdah who narrated from Al-Agara Al-Muzni, who was his companion, that the messenger
of Allah said: “He would recite to my heart, and I seek the forgiveness of Allah one hundred
times every day” (Ahmad and Muslim).

Narrated from Bakr bn Abdullah Al-Muzni who said: we were informed by Anas bn Malik who
said: I heard the messenger of Allah (SAW) say: “Allah says: ‘O son of Adam! If you call on me
and place your hope in me, I will forgive you without hesitation. O son of Adam! If you sin
should reach to the heavens and you then seek my forgiveness, I will forgive you without
hesitation. O son of Adam! If you come to me with sins enough to fill the earth and you meet
me without associating any partner with me, I will meet you with equal forgiveness’” (Tirmidhi).

Muhammad bn Abdurrahman bn ‘Irq narrated that: I heard Abdullah bn Busri say: the prophet
(SA) said: “Glad tidings to the one who finds in his scroll many acts of seeking forgiveness” (Ibn
Majah, and Nasai).

Qatadah (R) said: this Qur'an guides you to your ailment and your cure. As for your ailment, it
is sins and your cure is seeking forgiveness.

And Arab was heard while hanging on the frame of the Ka’abah and saying: O Allah, my
seeking your forgiveness while continuing the sin is odious; and abandoning seeking your
forgiveness despite my knowledge about the vastness of your forgiveness is a weakness. Many
a times that you grant me your favour even though you are independent of me, and many a
times I annoy you with my sins despite my wretchedness and dependence on you. O who when
He makes a promise He fulfills it and when I make a promise I skip it, place my great sins
under you great forgiveness, O Lord the Most Merciful.

Engaging in a lot of Istifgar is a sign of fear of Allah. Allah said:

“Verily! those who live in awe for fear of their Lord; (57) And those who believe in the
Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord, (58) And
those who join not anyone (in worship) as partners with their Lord; (59) 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). (60) It is these who hasten in the
good deeds, and they are foremost in them [e.g. offering the compulsory Salât (prayers)
in their (early) stated, fixed times and so on]” (Mu’minoon: 57-61)

Thabit narrated from Anas (RA) that the prophet (SAW) entered unto a youth while he was at
the point of death, and he said: “How did death meet you?”. He said: By Allah, O messenger of
Allah! indeed I hope for Allah and I fear my sins. The messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “these
two will not combine in the heart of a servant, in this kind of situation, except that Allah will
grant him what he hopes for and grant him safety from what he fears” (Ibn Maja, Tirmidhi and
Nasai).

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Saalim bn Abdullah narrated that Abdullah bn Umar said: I heard the messenger of Allah (SAW)
say: “Three men from those before you went out and they sought refuge to rest in a cave and
entered into it. A big rock from the mountain came and blocked the entrance into the cave.
They said: nothing will save you from this rock except you supplicate to Allah with the most
righteous of your deeds. A man among them said: O Allah, I have two aged parents, and I
never give anyone nightly drink before them, whether family or possessions. I was out away
from them one day, and I did not return to them till they had slept. So, I milk their nightly drink
and found them sleeping, and I hate to give anyone their nightly drink before them. So, I
waited with the container in my hand waiting for them to wake up, till the next morning. They
woke up and drank their nightly drink. O Allah! If I had done this to seek your pleasure, create
a way out for us from this rock. Then, the rock moves a bit but large enough for them to go
out.”

The prophet (SAW) said: “Another man said: O Allah! I have a cousin that I love passionately,
and I wished to seduce her, but she refused, till a season of hardship she came to me and I
gave her one hundred and twenty Dinar on the condition that I will have intercourse with her.
She agreed, and I was about to have intercourse with her when she said: It is not right for you
to break the seal except by its right. I became ashamed to have intercourse with her and I left
her despite the passionate love I have for her. I let her have the money I gave to her. O Allah!
if I had done this to seek your pleasure, make a way from us. Then the rock moved, but it was
still not enough for them to get out”.

The prophet said: “The third man said: O Allah! I employed the service of labourers and I paid
them their wages except a man that abandoned what belongs to him. I invested his money till
it multiplied. The labourer came back to me after a while and said: O servant of Allah, pay my
wages. I said to him: All that you see are your wages – it includes camels, cows, goats and
slaves. He said: O servant of Allah, do not joke with me. I said: I am not joking with you. He
then collected everything with leaving anything behind. O Allah! if I had done this to seek your
pleasure, make a way for us. The rock moved, and they were all able to go out” (Ahmad,
Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawud).

A poet said:

Make provision of piety because you do not know

Whether when night comes you will live till the morning
Many are young men that lives the evening and morning laughing
Whereas his Shroud (for burial) had been woven while he is unaware
And many are the brides beautified for their husband
But their souls had been taken during the night of majesty
Many are those who are sound but died without any illness
And many are those who are sick but will still live for a longer time

The messenger of Allah (SAW) gave us nice example of fear of Allah while he was being
addressed by his Lord. He was told:

“But you did hide in yourself (i.e. what Allâh has already made known to you that He will
give her to you in marriage) that which Allâh will make manifest, you did fear the people

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 (i.e., their saying that Muhammad SAW married the divorced wife of his manumitted
slave) whereas Allâh had a better right that you should fear Him.” (Ahzab: 37)

It was narrated from Aisha (RA) said: “The messenger of Allah (SAW) did something and he
later gave some leniency in it. This came to the notice of some people among his companions
and it was like they hated that and dissociated themselves from it. This came to the notice of
the messenger of Allah (SAW), and he rose to address the people and said: “What is wrong
with some men who got information of an issue I gave some leniency and they hated it and
dissociated themselves from it. By Allah! I know Allah better than them and I fear all most
among you” (Ahmad, Bukhari and Muslim).

Part of the fear of Allah in the prophet (SAW) is his recognition of the greatness of Allah and
the standing in awe of Allah. Mutorraf bn Abdullah narrated from his father that he said: I went
to the prophet (SAW) while he was praying and there was a wheezing from his chest like that
of a boiler (Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi).

The messenger of Allah (SAW) trained his companions on this type of purity. This was Sideeq of
this Ummah (Abubakr) who when he rose for prayers, it is like he is a tree out of the fear of
Allah.

And also, Umar (RA) who was given the glad tidings of paradise on earth; he was reciting
Suratul Tuur till he reached the verse: “Verily, the Torment of your Lord will surely come to
pass” (Tuur: 7); he cried profusely till he fell ill, and people visited him. He said to his son while
at the point of death: ‘what’s wrong with you, place my cheek on the floor, perhaps Allah will
show mercy on me’.

And this is Uthman (RA), whenever he stands by a grave, he would cry till his beard becomes
wet.

Abu Na’eem narrated in “Al-Hilyah (9/220)” that: Ahmad bn Yahya Tha’lab An-Nahwi said: I
love to see Ahmad bn Hanbal and I went to him. He said to me: what are you studying. I said:
Grammar, Arabic language and poetry. He said: then read me a poem. And I read a poem:

If you find yourself alone in a day

Do not say: I am alone, but say: there is a watcher over me
Do not consider that Allah is heedless for a moment
And that anything concealed from Him is hidden
We are heedless of our life, by Allah, till we have accumulation
Of sins one after the other
How I wish that Allah forgive what had past
And He permits us to repent and we repent

Ahmad bn Hanbal wept till his neighbours heard his weeping.

Al-Qaasim bn Muhammad said: ‘We were traveling with Ibn Al-Mubaarak, and often something
comes to my mind and I will say to myself: how is this man better than us till he becomes this
popular among people? If he observes Solat we also do, if he fasts we also fast, if he fights in
war we also fight and if it is hajj that he does we also did hajj. He said: one day in our journey

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on the way to Shaam, at the night we were about to eat our dinner in a house, when the light
went off. Some of us stood up to fix the lamp, and it was just a bit of a moment. Then the lamp
was brought back, and I looked into the face of Ibn Al-Mubaarak and I found his beard wet out
of tears. And I said to myself: it is out of this fear of Allah that he is better that us. Perhaps
when the light went off and everything became dark, he remembered the day of resurrection
and was touched till he wept.

The month of Ramadan is the moth of supplication, seeking forgiveness, fear of Allah and
confession of sins. In this month, the doors are opened (for paradise) and supplications are
answered. Abu Hurairah narrated that: I heard the messenger of Allah (SAW) say: “Three
people would not have their supplication rejected: A just Imaam (leader), a fasting Muslim till
he breaks his fast and the supplication of the oppressed that would be carried to the cloud and
the doors of the heavens would be opened for it; and the Lord would say: ‘By my Might I will
assist you even if it is after a while’” (Ahmad, Ad-Daarimi and Tirmidhi).

Sahl bn Abdullah At-Tasatari said: the conditions of supplication (Dua) are seven: the early ones
are humbleness, fear, hope, persistence, awesomeness, generalization and eating Halal. Ibn
‘Ata’ said: Supplication has pillars, wing, causes and periods. If the pillars are met, it becomes
strong, if the wing is met, it flies to the heavens, if the times are met, it becomes successful
and if the causes are met, it achieves its aim. Its pillars are presence of the mind, leniency,
persistence and fear. Its wing is truthfulness, its periods are periods of Sahoor (shortly before
dawn) and its causes are seeking benevolence on the prophet (SAW) (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi 2/311).

A poet said:

O Lord! My sins are great and many

But I know that your forgiveness is greater
I supplicate to you my Lord as You commanded, in humility
If you reject my hands, who will show mercy on me
I have no means to you except through hope
And the beauty of your forgiveness, so I submit myself

O Allah! we have wronged our souls, forgive us our sins. And grant us piety and
guide us through your guidance. Do not make us rely on anyone except you, and
grant us relief from all worries, and a way out from all hardship. O Allah! we seek
refuge in Your pardon from Your punishment, and in Your pleasure from your wrath.
Protect our limbs from disobeying for injunctions and forgive us, our parents and all
Muslims living or dead, by your mercy, O you Most Merciful. A shower your blessings
on Muhammad (SAW), his household and his companions.

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