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The Appearance of the Rabbis before Rasulullah (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) – Part One
Written by user2When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) arrived in Madinah Munawwarah, the Ulama of the Jews (Rabbis) came specially to visit him and pose various questions to him in order to test him.
On account of the glad tidings which the previous Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) had given regarding Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the Ulama of the Jews were well aware that the final messenger would soon appear. Similarly, they knew well that the final Messenger, regarding whom Nabi Musa (‘alaihis salaam) had given glad tidings of his appearance, was soon going to appear from the land of Bat-haa (Makkah Mukarramah). Therefore, the Ulama of the Jews were all anticipating his arrival.
It is sunnah to fast on the occasion of Aashura i.e. 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th of Muharram. [1]
It is mustahab to fast on the following days:
1. The 13th, 14th and 15th of every Islamic month [2]
2. Six fasts during the month of Shawwaal [3]
3. Mondays and Thursdays [4]
4. The first nine days of Zul Hijjah. As far as the ninth of Zul – Hijjah is concerned, it is only mustahab for the one who is not performing hajj [5]
5. To fast every alternate day for the one who has the ability to do so. This fast is called Saum-e-Dawood, on account of Nabi Dawood (‘alaihis salaam) fasting in this manner [3]
21. On the Night of Qadr, recite the following dua:
اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّيْ
O Allah, Indeed You are most forgiving, You love to forgive, so please forgive me.
16. It is best to break one’s fast with dates and water.
Hazrat Salmaan bin Aamir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “At the time of iftaar, one should break his fast with dates as this is full of blessings, and if one does not have dates, then he should drink water as this is a means of purification.” [1]
11. There is abundant barakah (blessings) in waking up for sehri. Hence, one should fulfil the sunnah of sehri before commencing the fast. [1]
Hazrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Sehri contains abundant blessings. Hence, do not omit the sunnah of sehri, even if one is only able to have a sip of water at the time of sehri (one should do so in order to fulfil the sunnah of sehri). Certainly, Allah Ta‘ala showers His special grace upon those who wake up for sehri and the angels make special dua for them.” [2]
6. During the month of Ramadhaan, try to maximize in doing good deeds. It is reported in the Hadith that any nafl ibaadah (voluntary good deed) carried out in the month of Ramadhaan earns one the reward of doing a fardh act, and the reward of a fardh act carried out in Ramadhaan is multiplied seventy times.
Hazrat Salmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) delivered a khutbah on the last day of Sha’baan (wherein he mentioned), “The one who draws near to Allah Ta‘ala by performing any nafl deed, he will receive reward equivalent to the reward of the one who performs a fardh deed at any other time. The one who performs a fardh deed during this month shall be blessed with the reward of the one who performs seventy faraaidh at any other time.” [1]
1. When the month of Rajab commences, recite the following dua:
اَللّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيْ رَجَبٍ وَّشَعْبَان وَبَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَان
O Allah! Bless us in the months of Rajab and Sha’baan and take us forth to the month of Ramadhaan. [1]
In the Ahaadith, great rewards have been promised for the one who fasts. The fasting person has a very high status in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala.
The Smell Emanating from the Mouth of the Fasting Person is Beloved to Allah Ta‘ala
Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The smell which emanates from the mouth of a fasting person is more beloved in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala than the fragrance of musk.” [1]
Fasting is a Shield against Sins
Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said that Allah Ta‘ala says, “Fasting is for My sake and I will give the reward for it. He (the fasting person) leaves out his desires (i.e. eating and drinking and having relations) for My sake. Fasting is a shield (from sins). For the fasting person, there are two times of happiness; one is at the time of iftaar, and the other is at the time he meets his Rabb. The smell which emanates from the mouth of a fasting person is more beloved in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala than the fragrance of musk.” [2]
Fasting is a great pillar of Islam. The person who does not fast in the month of Ramadhaan without a valid excuse commits a major sin.
Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who misses a single fast in the month of Ramadhaan without a concession (from the side of Shari’ah) or illness, he will not be able to compensate for (the blessing of) that one day even if he fasts for the rest of his life.” [1]
The fast of Ramadhaan was made fardh (obligatory) upon the Ummah in the 2nd year after hijrah. [1] Allah Ta‘ala says in the Quraan Majeed:
يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُوْنَ
“Fasting has been ordained upon you as it was ordained upon those before you so that you may attain taqwa.” [2]