Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education

The Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education (NFIE) is a non-profit, tax exempt, religious and educational organization dedicated to serve Islam with a special focus on Tasawwuf(Sufism),

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Mian Muhammad Bakhsh , Rumi of Kashmir RA (1830-1907)


Mian Mohammad Bakhsh (1830 - 1907) is one of the great Punjabi Sufi poets in the Perso-Arabic tradition. He was born in a small village Chak Thakra, close to district Mirpur, Azad Kashmir. His forefathers belong to Chak Behram of Gujrat, Punjab. He wrote 18 books, all in the Punjabi language except one in Persian. His major work is Saif-ul-Malook which he wrote in the age of just 33 (Hijra years). The real name of the book is Safar-ul-Ishq (THE JOURNEY OF 'DIVINE' LOVE) but it is publicly known as Saif-ul-Malook. The book is equally popular in all parts of the world where Punjabi is understood
The prince Saif-ul-Malook, the main character of the story, is a symbol of bravery, courage, honesty and commitment. He left his royal life style and started his journey of the Divine Love from the land of Egypt. His principal aim was to reach Bagh-e-Irum, Sharistan and win the princess Badi-ul-Jamal.  It is a seeker’s journey to find the ultimate truth. The story tells us a lesson that one can find the truth but one has to sacrifice the excessive worldly desires by getting rid of impurities. One must purify ones in and outer worlds to find truth. Simply performing religious rituals are not sufficient to seek the Divine Love. He says in Saiful Malook:“When a droplet dissolves in the river, what will it be called? It becomes that for whom it has lost itself.” It is the journey of a seeker (Salik), who eliminates his existence as a separate self, and attains everlasting life by entering the River of Union.  One individual (juzv) is a part of the Whole (kul). Feeling the sufferings and pains of the whole humanity is a message hidden in the above lines. Punjab, the land of five rivers of sweet waters has a wonderful galaxy of large number of great spiritual poets, including Baba Farid Ganj-e-shakar, Baba Guru Nanak, Shah Hussain, Sultan Bahu, Bulhey Shah, Waris Shah, Hasham Shah, Mian Mohammad Bakhsh, Khawaja Ghulam Farid Mithankoti, Shah Murad, Hazrat Pir Mehr Ali Shah of Golra Sharif etc. This region is certainly a very unique place on the earth where huge number of Sufi Saints expressed their purified spiritual views in the form of poetry and it is also a great honor for the Punjabi language which got such blessed souls after regular intervals during last nine centuries. They came in different times but gave the same message of peace, tolerance, cosmic fraternity and Divine Love. Mian Mohammad Bakhsh parted from the worldly life on 22nd January, 1907 and his tomb is in the courtyard of Darbar Hazrat Pir Peera Shah Ghazi Qalandar, KhaRi Sharif, Mirpur. Source:

https://nation.com.pk/22-Jan-2017/mian-mohammed-bakhsh-a-great-sufi-poet ----

 Biography Wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mian_Muhammad_Bakhsh


Shrine Khari Sharif Azad Kashmir 3/28/2021 Youtube Video https://youtu.be/QN3pIo5yCUM

Saif-ul-Malook by Arieb Azhar | English Subtitle 3/9/2010 - Youtube Video

https://youtu.be/El_C9e5JcWc

Ahmad Hussain - Saif ul Malook سیف الملوک Part 1 | Official Video with English Subtitles -


“Saif-ul-Malook”

(Part 8 of 8 )

saif_ul_malook_142

Ehnaa galan theen keeh labhdaa eyb kisey da karnaa,
Aapna aap sanbhaal Muhammad jo karna so bharnaa.

What do we gain by back-biting?
Save yourself O Muhammad! for as you sow, so shall you reap.

saif_ul_malook_143

Wali Allah dey mardey nahi kardey parda poshi,
Kee hoya jey dunyaa uton tur gaye naal khamoshi.


The saints (favorites of Allah) do not die, they just hide behind the veil,
So what if they leave the world silently?


saif_ul_malook_144

Fazal kareyn tey bakhshey jaawan meyn jeay moonh kaley,
Adal kareyn tey thar thar kamban ucheyaan shaanaan waley.

God! if you show mercy, sinners like me will be absolved.
If you perform justice, even people of pomp and show will tremble in fear.

saif_ul_malook_145

Aai jaan shikanjey ander jeyon welan wich ganna,
Roh noo keh hun reh Muhammad jey rahwey tey mannaa.

Life is trapped n agonies like sugarcane in the crushing roller,
O Muhammad! in this condition it is impossible for the juice to withhold.

saif_ul_malook_146

Lakh hazar bahar husan dee khako wich samanee,
Laa paree ajehe Muhammad! jag wich rahey kahane.

A million springs of beauty will dissolve into dust,
O Muhammad! love in such a manner that you are remembered for ever.

https://sufipoetry.wordpress.com/category/mian-muhammad-baksh/

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Al-Qadir University of Sufism, Science, and Technology in Sohawa, Jhelum.Pakistan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday terming education vital for national development said Al-Qadir University would be made a hub of Islamic research and youth’s character-building based on the golden principles of Islam.

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/0D4677fQqYI




at an interactive session with educationists, Islamic bankers, scholars and parliamentarians here at Al-Qadir University, he said the research to be carried out at the institution would later be disseminated to educational institutes across the country.

The prime minister, two years ago, had laid the foundation-stone of the university in name of great saint of sub-continent Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, with an objective to make the institution a cradle of science and spirituality.

Imran Khan said currently, the Islamic studies being taught at the schools were beyond comprehension of students, thus had no relevance with correct interpretation.

He said Al-Qadir University, to start its academic activities by September, would make international Islamic scholars such as  Seyyed Hossein Nasr ( Professor of Islamic studies at George Washington University) &  Shaykh Hamza Yousuf (Zaytuna College) part of the university board for their worthy guidance.

He said preparing a lot of knowledgeable and talented youth with moral strength was need of the hour.

He emphasized the need of an education system that acted as means of self-development and a source of bringing positive change in the society.

He said knowledge was the main element that distinguished between humans and animal species, and emphasized on the significance of literacy meeting the needs of both contemporary world and the hereafter.

He stressed academic research at university with a purpose to benefit the humanity and said it was time to prepare the youth adopt best learning practices of international standards to acquire knowledge.

The prime minister said he wanted to transform the system of Al-Qadir University similar to that of Egypt’s Al Azhar University, a prestigious institution of the world.

He said the ideology of great Muslim thinker Allama Muhammad Iqbal was also based on the concept of founding principles of Islam that favoured ‘Ijtehad’ on issues by credible scholars of time.

He desired introduction of scholarships for hardworking and brilliant students at Al-Qadir University to help them carry out studies and contribute to development of country.

Imran Khan proposed Al-Qadir University to carryout research on the concept of Islam’s first welfare State of Medina that was based on the principles of socioeconomic justice and high moral standards. Source: Aaj Tv March 12,2021 https://www.aaj.tv/news/30254789/

Dua e Nisf Shaban Al Muazzam || 15th Shaban dua ||Shaban dua in arabic and english

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/6fFs-cBVX9s

اللَّهُمَّ يَا ذَا الْمَنِّ وَلَا يُمَنُّ عَلَيْهِ، يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالإِكْرَامِ، يَا ذَا الطَّوْلِ وَالإِنْعَامِ. لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ ظَهْرَ اللَّاجِئينَ، وَجَارَ الْمُسْتَجِيرِينَ، وَأَمَانَ الْخَائِفِينَ. اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ

كَتَبْتَنِي عِنْدَكَ فِي أُمِّ الْكِتَابِ شَقِيًّا أَوْ مَحْرُومًا أَوْ مَطْرُودًا أَوْ مُقَتَّرًا عَلَيَّ فِي الرِّزْقِ، فَامْحُ اللَّهُمَّ بِفَضْلِكَ شَقَاوَتِي وَحِرْمَانِي وَطَرْدِي وَإِقْتَارَ رِزْقِي، وَأَثْبِتْنِي عِنْدَكَ فِي أُمِّ الْكِتَابِ سَعِيدًا مَرْزُوقًا مُوَفَّقًا لِلْخَيْرَاتِ، فَإِنَّكَ قُلْتَ وَقَوْلُكَ الْحَقُّ فِي كِتَابِكَ الْمُنَزَّلِ عَلَى لِسَانِ نَبِيِّكَ الْمُرْسَلِ: ﴿يَمْحُو اللهُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيُثْبِتُ وَعِنْدَهُ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ﴾، إِلهِي بِالتَّجَلِّي الْأَعْظَمِ فِي لَيْلَةِ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَهْرِ شَعْبَانَ الْمُكَرَّمِ، الَّتِي يُفْرَقُ فِيهَا كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ وَيُبْرَمُ، أَنْ تَكْشِفَ عَنَّا مِنَ الْبَلَاءِ مَا نَعْلَمُ وَمَا لَا نَعْلَمُ وَمَا أَنْتَ بِهِ أَعْلَمُ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْأَعَزُّ الْأَكْرَمُ. وَصَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَسَلَّمَ
English Transliteration: Allaahumma Yaa Zal-manni wa laa yamunnu 'alayh, yaa Zal-jalaali wal-ikraam, yaa zat-tawli wal-'in'aam. Laa ilaaha illaaa Anta Zahrullaajiinaa, wa jaarul-mustajiiriina, wa Amaanulkhaa-'ifiin. Allaahumma in kunta katabtanii 'indaka fii 'ummil-kitaabi shaqiyyan 'aw mahruuman 'aw matruudan 'aw muqattaran 'alayyna fir-rizqi famhu.. Allaahumma bi-fazlika shaqaawatii wa hirmaanii wa tardii waqtitaara rizqi, wa 'asbitnii 'indaka fii 'ummil-kitaabi sa'iidam-marzuuqammuwaffaqal-lil-khayraati, fa innaka qulta wa quwlukal-haqqu, fii kitaabikal-munzali, 'alaalisaani Nabiyyikal-Mursali, yamhullaahu maa yashaa-'u wa yusbitu wa 'indahuu 'ummul kitaab 'Ilaahi bit-tajallyil-'a-zami, fii laylatinnisfi min shahri sha'baanal-Mukarrami, 'allatii yufraqu fiihaa kullu 'amrin hakiiminw-wa yubramu, 'an takshifa 'annaa minal-balaaa-'i wal balwaaa-'i maa na'lamu wa maa laa na 'lamu, wa Anta bi-hii 'a'lam. Innaka Antal-'a'azzul-Akram. Wa sallalaahu ta'aalaa 'alaa sayyidinaa Muhammad-dinw-wa 'alaaa 'aalihii wa sahbihii wa sallama Wal-Hamdu lillaahi Rabbil-Aalameen. Translation: O Allah! You shower favours on everyone And no one can do You any favour. O The Possessor of Majesty and Honour, O The Distributor of bounty and rewards, There is no one worthy of worship except You. You help the fallen And provide refuge to the refugees And give peace to those who are in fear. O Allah! If in the Mother of All Books that is with You You have written me down as someone who is Doubtful of achieving salvation, or deprived, Or rejected or without enough sustenance, Then, O Allah, with Your Grace Remove all of these misfortunes from me and in the Mother of All Books that is with You, establish me as someone who is blessed, with abundant provision and charitable good deeds. Indeed, what You said in The Book You sent Through the tongue of Your Blessed Prophet is true That Allah changes and establishes what He wants And with Him is the Mother of All Books. O My Lord! For the sake of Your Divine Manifestation On this fifteenth night of the blessed month of Sha’ban In which You issue all Wise and Irrevocable Decrees Remove from us all calamities and hardships, those that we know about as well as those that we don’t, while You know everything. Truly, You are the Most Powerful, Most Generous. And may Allah the Exalted shower blessings and peace on Sayyidina Muhammad, and on his family and his companions And all praise is for Allah, Lord of the world

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Shaykh Muhammad ‘Alī al-Sābūnī RA (1930-2021) passed away in a city close to Istanbul on the morning of Friday 19th March 2021 (6th Sha'ban 1442AH). May Allah have mercy on him & elevate his darajat. Ameen. Al Fatihah. 

Al-Janazah - Fatih- Istanbul YouTube Link 1:https://youtu.be/RkgSI89dCoI

Link 2- Janaza Prayer https://youtu.be/afiUk5YZ5mk

Biography:Shaykh Muhammad ‘Alī al-Sābūnī was born in the city of Aleppo in Syria in 1930. His father was one of the senior scholars of Aleppo. He received much of his initial and formal education in Arabic, inheritance and sciences of religion from his father, Shaykh Jamīl. He memorized the Qur’ān in the primary schools and completed his higher secondary school while still young. Shaykh al-Sābūnī studied under some of the leading scholars of the city.

Some of his most prominent teachers were:
• Shaykh Muhammad Najīb Sirājuddīn
• Shaykh Ahmad al-Shamā‘
• Shaykh Muhammad Sa‘īd al-Idlibī
• Shaykh Muhammad Rāghib al-Tabbākh
• Shaykh Muhammad Najīb Khayātah
In addition he attended other lessons with other ‘Ulamā in various mosques. He continued his formal education in the government schools. After obtaining his primary school certificate he enrolled at the Madrasa al-Tijariyya where he studied for one year. He was disinclined because they were teaching the students about interest based transactions. Even though he obtained the best results he left and instead he joined the famous Khasrawiyya school of Sharī‘ah in Aleppo. Here he combined Islamic Studies and studies in the secular subjects. He graduated in 1949. He graduated with excellent results and the Ministry of Awqāf (Endowments) sent him to further his studies at the famous al-Azhar University in Egypt. He graduated from the Faculty of Sharī‘ah in 1952 and he completed his specialization course in 1954.
After completing his studies, he returned to Aleppo where he taught Islamic education in various secondary schools in the city. He taught for about eight years from 1955 to 1962.
He was appointed as lecturer at the Faculty of Sharī‘ah at the Umm al-Qurā’ University and at the Faculty of Education of the King ‘Abdul Azīz University both in Mecca, where he taught for about 28 years. Many prominent scholars graduated under his guidance. Due to his academic work and his writing the University assigned some additional tasks to him. These included editing some classical works for the Centre for Academic Research and Reviving the Islamic Heritage.
He edited Ma‘ani al-Qur’ān by Imām Abū Jā‘far al-Nahhās (d. 338). This book was published in 6 volumes. Thereafter he worked as an advisor with the Muslim World League in the Council for Scientific Research in the Qur’ān and the Sunnah. He remained there for a few years after which he devoted himself entirely to writing and to research.
Shaykh al-Sābūnī authored numerous books which were received all over the world and many were even translated into other languages. He even conducted some lessons in the Harām of Mecca. He also conducted a weekly lesson in one of the mosques of Jeddah in Tafsīr. This lesson continued for about eight years during which he completed about two-thirds of the Qur’ān. These lessons were recorded on audio 3 cassettes. He also recorded about 600 programmes for television broadcast. He completed this in 1998 (1419 AH).
Some of the books he has written are:
• Safwat al-Tafāsīr
• Rawā’i al-Bayān fī Tafsīr Āyāt al-Ahkām
• Qabas min Nūr al-Qur’ān al-Karīm
• Al-Tafsīr al-WāMi al-Muyassar
• Kashf al-Iftira’āt fī Risālat al-Tanbihāt Kawla afwat al-Tafāsīr
• Al-Tabsīr bi-mā fī Rasā’il Bakr Abū Zayd min al-Tazwīr

In 2007, the Organizing Committee for the Dubai International Qur’ān Award chose Shaykh Muhammad ‘Alī al-Sābūnī as the personality of the Muslim World for his contribution to Islam. He was selected from a large list of other nominees and was approved by Prince Muhammad ibn Rāshid Āl-Maktūm, Deputy of the Head of State of Dubai.

[EDIT: The noble shaykh passed away in a city close to Istanbul on the morning of Friday 19th March 2021 (6th Sha'ban 1442AH). May Allah have mercy on him.]

Books Translated in English :

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Merits of Sha’ban




Scholars say that the linguistic root of the word Sha’ban is a branch, because many good things “branch off” from the month of Sha’ban. It acts as a bridge between the two blessed months of Rajab and Ramadan. In spite of this, it is often neglected. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ alerted us to this fact when he was asked why he was fasting so much in Sha’ban. He replied: “It is a month that people neglect, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which actions are raised to the Lord of the Worlds and I love for my actions to be raised while I am fasting.”1

What is meant by “actions being raised”? The scholars say it is a symbolic display of our actions to Allah. Of course Allah is All-Seeing, All-Knowing and does not need for our actions to be displayed to Him as He is constantly aware of them. However if the slave is not aware of Allah’s constant vigilance then he should at least strive to do good actions at times when his actions are displayed to Allah. If he is able to gain Allah’s pleasure at these times then he hopes that Allah will overlook his wrongdoings and shortcomings at other times. There is a daily display after Fajr and `Asr, and a weekly display on Monday and Thursday, and a yearly display, which takes place in the month of Sha’ban. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was keen to do good works at all these times and was keen for his Ummah to do the same.

One of the greatest works we can perform in Sha’ban is fasting, and this is what the Prophet ﷺ loved to be doing when his actions were raised, on Monday and Thursday and also during Sha’ban. Sayyidah Aishah said of the Prophet ﷺ: “I did not see him fasting in any month more than Sha’ban.”2 She also said: “The month which he loved to fast the most was Sha’ban.”3 Both hadith of course refer to voluntary fasting outside of Ramadan. Some hadith suggest that he would fast the whole of Sha’ban, although there is perhaps more evidence to suggest that he would fast most of the month. In another hadith he said ﷺ, in response once again to a question about his fasting in Sha’ban: “In this month those who are destined to die are recorded for the Angel of Death. I love for my name to be recorded when I am fasting.”4

One of the wisdoms behind the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fasting abundantly in Sha’ban is mentioned by Sayyidah `A’ishah, who said that in Sha’ban he would make up any voluntary fasts that he had missed during the course of the year.5 At this time she would fast with him to make up any of the fasts that she had missed in Ramadan.6 From this we learn the necessity of making up any days of Ramadan which we have missed before Ramadan comes round again and also the importance of making up supererogatory actions which we are accustomed to performing. The scholars also mention that fasting in Sha’ban before Ramadan resembles praying the supererogatory prayers which come before the obligatory prayer, while fasting in Shawwal after Ramadan resembles praying the supererogatory prayers which come after the obligatory prayer. Performing supererogatory actions makes up for any deficiencies in the obligatory actions that we have performed.

In spite of all this, the Prophet ﷺ also said: “When the first half of Sha’ban is finished do not fast.”7 The scholars of the Shafi`i school understood that this hadith prohibits voluntary fasting in the second half of Sha’ban, except in certain circumstances.8 The other schools, however, say that there is no prohibition on fasting in the second half of the month but say that it is disliked to fast a day or two before Ramadan.

We have mentioned much detail on fasting and this is due to the sheer number of narrations on the subject. Even if we can just fast the “White Days”9 or any three days this would have a great effect. In general we should do any action, inward or outward, great or small, that we would love to be raised to Allah.

Other than fasting, the scholars recommend bestowing abundant prayers and peace upon the Beloved of Allah ﷺ. It was in this month that Allah revealed:

﴿إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلاَئِكَـتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِيِّ يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيماً

Allah and His angels bestow their prayers upon the Prophet. O you who believe, bestow prayers and peace upon him in abundance!10

Bestowing prayers upon him is one of the greatest means of strengthening our connection to him in this life and also the next, as he informed us ﷺ: “The closest people to me on the Day of Rising will be those who bestow the most prayers upon me.”11

It was also the habit of some of the early Muslims to recite the Qur’an in abundance during Sha’ban. This along with fasting gives us the best preparation for Ramadan, as it takes time for the soul (nafs) to become accustomed to doing these things in abundance. If we are already accustomed to doing them before Ramadan it will enable us to do more when the month begins. Perhaps this is why Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq said: “in Rajab you sow the seeds, in Sha`ban you irrigate them and in Ramadan you reap the harvest.”

Two momentous events occurred in Sha`ban. The scholars of Sirah say that it was the month in which the moon was split in half for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. It was also the month in which the Qiblah (direction of prayer) was changed from Bayt al-Maqdis in Jerusalem to the Ka`bah in Makkah. While these events have now passed there is one momentous event which comes around every year, and that is the Fifteenth Night of Sha’ban, one of the greatest nights of the year. Read more about that night here.

We end by asking, as the Prophet ﷺ asked:

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا في رَجَبٍ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنا رَمَضَانَ

“O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha`ban and enable us to reach Ramadan!”12

1 Narrated by Ahmad and al-Nasa’i

2 Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim

3 Narrated by al-Nasa’i

4 Narrated by al-Haythami

5 Such as fasting Monday and Thursday and three days in every month, which he may have been unable to perform due to expeditions and illness

6 Narrated by al-Tabarani

7 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, al-Hakim and Ibn Hibban

8 Such as if someone begins fasting in the first half of the month and continues his fast into the second half or if someone regularly fasted on a Monday throughout the year. In these situations it is permissible to fast in the second half of the month. A make up fast (qada’) is of course permissible, as this discussion only revolves around voluntary fasting.

9 The “White Days” are the days which follow nights in which the moon is full, namely the 13th, 14th and 15th days of each lunar month. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) encouraged his Companions to fast three days in every month and to fast these days specifically. The 15th day is regarded as being in the first half of the month and thus there is no prohibition in the Shafi`i school on fasting it in Sha`ban.

10 Al-Ahzab, 33:56

11 Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibban

12 Narrated by Ahmad

The Benefits of Sha’ban, the Neglected Month - Muslim Hands-UK

Safa Faruqui


On Saturday 13th 2021, at Maghrib, a new lunar month began! Welcome to Sha’ban - the last month before we reach Ramadan!

Sha’ban has always been a ‘neglected month’, since it is overshadowed by the significant months of Rajab and Ramadan. However, Sha’ban is packed with opportunities to maximise our good deeds and draw closer to the Prophet (saw) by sending Salawat (blessings) upon him. Historically, momentous events also took place during Sha’ban which deserve to be commemorated.

Let’s not be one of those who neglects this special month. Here are some of its incredible benefits:

The month in which deeds are raised to Allah (swt)

Our deeds are constantly being written down by our angels and Allah is already aware of all we do and say. However, the Prophet (saw) singled out specific times when our deeds would be raised to Allah to remind us to account ourselves for our actions and focus on our worship:

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ‘Angels take turns among you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the dawn and afternoon prayers. Those (of the angels) who spend the night among you, then, ascend, and their Lord asks them, though He is the best informed about them, “How did you leave My servants?“. They say, “We left them while they were praying and we came to them while they were praying”’. [Muslim]

For example, our deeds are displayed to Allah on a daily basis after Fajr and ’Asr, on a weekly basis on Mondays and Thursdays, and on a yearly basis during Sha’ban.

The Prophet (saw) used to fast more during this month to gain extra reward. This is a reminder to us to pay extra attention to our deeds in Sha’ban and maximise our worship, rather than neglecting this month in favour of Ramadan.

By simply reading more Qur’an, praying voluntary prayers, and following the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) by fasting more, you can strengthen your Taqwa (consciousness of Allah) and establish good habits in time for Ramadan.

The month of preparing for Ramadan

As well as fasting, there are multiple ways you can prepare for Ramadan during Sha’ban. Set yourself targets for what you want to achieve in your worship for Sha’ban and Ramadan - remember, making the intention to do something good is rewardable too!

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  1. Draw up and commit to a simple Qur’an reading schedule (or a memorisation schedule, if you feel you can commit).
  2. Feed someone who is homeless / in need (The Open Kitchen targets needy families in London, while our Food4Kids programme provides food to orphans and needy children worldwide).
  3. Spend time with family members you haven’t seen in a while, especially the elderly.
  4. Commit to giving up a bad habit and seek Allah’s forgiveness.
  5. Sign up for one of our volunteering opportunities
  6. Commit to a schedule for praying Tahajjud - this will make it easier for you to pray at night in Ramadan.
  7. Start saving money for Sadaqah and plan where you will spend it. Remember, during Ramadan you will be spending a lot less money on food, so it’s the perfect time to invest in your akhirah!

The month of the Prophet (saw)

The Prophet (saw) said, ‘Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha’ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah’. [Suyuti]

This means that we should be making an effort to draw closer to the Prophet (saw) during this month. We can do this by learning more about his Seerah, and increasing our knowledge of topics like the du’as he loved, the foods he ate, and the people who were most beloved to him (so we can follow their example).

Another way to strengthen this connection is by following his Sunnah, such as supporting and caring for orphans, a cause particularly beloved to the Prophet (saw).

Since Sha’ban is the month of the Prophet (saw), it’s the perfect time to begin sponsoring an orphan. For just 97p a day, you can sponsor an orphan in need and be among the people beloved to Allah and His Messenger (saw).

The month of momentous events

Sha’ban is often overlooked by many Muslims because incredible miracles took place in Rajab (Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj) and Ramadan (the revelation of the Qur’an), so we forget that Sha’ban is also a month to commemorate! Here are a few significant events that took place in Sha’ban:

Splitting of the moon: 

Anas bin Malik (ra) narrated, ’The people of Makkah asked Allah’s Messenger (saw) to show them a miracle. So he showed them the moon split in two halves between which they saw the Hira’  mountain [the Mountain of Light]’. [Bukhari]

This incredible miracle took place in Sha’ban, and it is referred to in the Qur’an: ’The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]’. [The Noble Qur’an, 54:1]

Changing of the Qiblah: 

The first Qiblah of the Muslims was Masjid Al-Aqsa Al-Mubarak. However, while the Prophet (saw) was living in Madinah, the following ayah was revealed:

‘We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Prophet (saw)], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a Qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram…’ [The Noble Qur’an, 2:144]

SubhanAllah, the Prophet (saw) kept wishing he could face the first House of Allah (swt) while he was praying, but it was impossible to face both the Ka’bah and Masjid Al-Aqsa while he was living in Madinah. So Allah changed the Qiblah for him and his Ummah.

Ayah commanding fasting in Ramadan:

The following ayah was revealed in Sha’ban:

’The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind, and as clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong. So whoever witnesses (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey, then an equal number of other days (i.e. he must make up the missed fasts). Allah intends for you ease and does not intent for your hardship, and (He wants) you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful’. [The Noble Qur’an, 2:185]

Alhamdulillah, we were commanded to fast for an entire month, allowing us to attain the immense rewards of fasting every single year! Every Ramadan increases us in Taqwa and gratitude, in sha’ Allah.

Ayah commanding Salawat:

During Sha’ban, Muslims were also commanded to send Salawat upon the Prophet (saw). As mentioned before, Sha’ban is the month of the Prophet (saw) and we should take advantage of this opportunity to draw closer to him. The Prophet (saw) said, ‘The person closest to me on the Day of Judgement is the one who sent the most Blessings [Salawat] upon me’. [Tirmidhi]

The best etiquette for making du’a is to begin by praising Allah and then sending Salawat upon the Prophet (saw).

The 15th night of Sha’ban:

This is one of the greatest nights of the year, and you definitely don’t want to miss out on its blessings! It is a night for seeking forgiveness from Allah and making du’a, and a night upon which He showers His mercy and generosity upon the world!

May Allah accept all our efforts during Sha’ban. May He bless us and help us increase our worship, and may He allow us to draw closer to Him and His Messenger (saw) during this time, Ameen.