CLASS 4
SIMPLE IBAADAAT WITH GREAT REWARDS
QUR’AN
The Qur’an is the Word of Allah; a guidance for humankind, a book that gives glad tidings to those who believe and warnings against disbelief; reminders for the heart and the mind.
Reciting the Quran
The main purpose of the Qur’aan is to be a source of guidance for mankind, leading those who cling to it from darkness into light, from misery to happiness and raising them from lowliness to a lofty station. However, another important feature of the Qur’aan is that its recitation is in itself a form of ‘ibadah’ (worship) a unique definition that can be applied to no other book, writing or statement.
From the very beginning of the Prophet’s Messenger-ship, great emphasis was placed on the recitation of the Qur’aan. The literal meaning of the word Qur’aan itself is ‘Reading‘ or ‘Recitation‘. The first Ayah (verse) to be revealed on that momentous occasion where Jibreel (‘alayhis salaam) came to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ whilst he was alone in the cave Hira was: “Iqraa (Recite/Read), in the name of your lord who created you…” [Soorah al-Alaq (9): 1]
The Prophet ﷺ himself strongly urged his companions to recite as much of the Qur’aan as possible. He said: “whoever reads a single letter from Allah’s Book will receive a blessing (for each letter) and each blessing is worth ten times its value.” (Reported by at-Tirmidhee and al-Haakim. It is authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee)
He ﷺ also said:
“The example of a believer who recites the Qur’aan and acts on it, is like an orange which tastes nice and smells nice.
And the example of the believer who does not recite the Qur’aan but acts on it is like a date that tastes sweet but has no smell.
And the example of the hypocrite who recites the Qur’aan is like sweet Basil which smells good but tastes bitter.
And the example of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’aan is like a Coelacanth which tastes bitter and has a bad smell” (Sahih Bukhari)
Indeed the virtues and blessings of reciting the Book of Allaah are many. And by way of encouragement to all of us to spend time reciting and reflecting upon the Qur’aan, some of these virtues are listed below.
Indeed the virtues and blessings of reciting the Book of Allaah are many. And by way of encouragement to all of us to spend time reciting and reflecting upon the Qur’aan, some of these virtues are listed below.
Great Rewards of reciting
The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said:
“Whoever reads one letter from the Book of Allaah will earn one good (hasanah) thereby. One good deed is equal to ten good deeds the like of it. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter and Meem is a letter.’” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2910; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani)
“Are there any of you who would wish to go every day to Buthaan or al-’Aeeq [i.e., the name of two ditches in al-Madeenah] in the early morning and return from it with two she-camels without incurring any sin or severing relations?” We [the companions] said: “We would indeed love that, O Messenger of Allah” He ﷺ said: “Then you should go to the mosque and acquire some knowledge, or recite two aayaat from the Book of Allaah, that would be better for you than two she-camels, and three aayaat are better than three she-camels, and four aayaat are better than four she-camels, and the same for a like number of camels” (Muslim 1/553)
Qur’an will Intercede on the day of Judgement
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Read the Qur’aan, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection interceding for its companions.” (Sahih Muslim)
There is a soorah of the Qur’aan containing thirty verses which have interceded for a man until he was forgiven. It is the soorah Tabaarak alladhi bi yadihi’l-mulk – (Surah Mulk) .” (al-Tirmidhi, Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah, classed as hasan by al-Tirmidhi and by al-Albaani)
“Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say: O Lord, I kept him from his food and desires during the day; let me intercede for him. And the Qur’an will say: I kept him from sleeping during the night; let me intercede for him. And they will be allowed to intercede.” (Imam Ahmed, Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani)
People of the Quran
Ibn Maajah (215) and Ahmad (11870) narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Verily Allah has His own people among mankind.” They said: O Messenger of Allah, who are they? He ﷺ said: “They are the people of the Qur’an, Allah’s own people and those who are closest to Him.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
Al-Minnaawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “That is, those who memorise the Qur’an and act in accordance with it are the people of Allah, who are as close to Allah as a person’s family is to him. They are called thus by way of honouring them, just as (the Ka‘bah) is called the House of Allah”.
It is not sufficient for a person just to recite Qur’an in order to be one of the people of the Qur’an, unless he also acts in accordance with it, adheres to its limits and follows its teachings.
Also we should note that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“It will be said to the companion of the Qur’an: ‘Read, and ascend, and recite as you used to recite in the [previous] world, for your status will be according to the last verse that you recite.’” (Tirmidhi & Ahmad)
"The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur'an and teaches it." (Sahih Bukhari)
Virtues & Times of reciting Specific Surahs/Ayaat
Reciting Ayat al Kursi
The Messenger ﷺ said : “Whoever recites Ayat Al-Kursiy after each obligatory prayer, then nothing stands in his way to Paradise except death.” (At-Tabaraani, ibn as-Sunni, ibn Hibbaan, and others. Shaykh al-Albaani authenticated it in As-Silsilah As-Saheehah)
Reciting the last two ayaat of Surah Baqarah before going to sleep
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever recites the last two verses of Soorat al-Baqarah at night, they will suffice him.” (Bukhaari & Muslim).
Ibn al-Qayyim said: They will suffice him against any evil that may harm him.
Virtues of Reciting Surah Kahf on Friday
“…Will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (the Ka’bah).” (Classed as sahih by Shaykh al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami’, 6471)
“….Will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.” (al-Hakim & al-Bayhaqi, Ibn Hajar said this is a hasan hadith, and it was classed as sahih by Shaykh al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami’, 6470)
“…A light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven (his sins) between the two Fridays.
Reciting Surah Mulk every night protects from the punishment of the Grave
Abdullah bin Mas’ud said: ‘Whoever reads ‘al-Mulk’ (chapter 67 of the Qur`an) every night, Allah will protect him from the torment of the grave. At the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), we used to call it al-mani’ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allah, it is a chapter which – whoever recites it every night – has done very well.” [‘Sahih at-Targhib wat-Tarhib’ #1475]
Surah Baqarah
The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ said: “Do not make your houses into graves, for the Shaytaan flees from a house in which Soorat al-Baqarah is recited.” (Narrated by Muslim).
Please join our free online certificate course “MOST REPEATED AYAAT”, to learn more about the virtues of Quran, the things that Allah has emphasised on most and the lessons from it. https://learn-islam.org/most-repeated-ayaat (available online now, register and learn).
Note these are not part of the ongoing course, it is an independent course that can be done at your own pace and at your own convenience.
DUA
The Prophet ﷺ recited the verse, “Your Lord says: Call upon Me and I will respond to you. Verily, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell in humiliation.” (40:60) (Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3247)
In this verse, Allah has equated du a with worship, for He commanded His servants to make du a to Him, and then stated that whoever is too arrogant to worship Him will enter the Fire of Hell So from this it is understood that the worship referred to in this verse actually means dua.
Make Dua – He Loves being asked
Allah has named Himself Al-Mujeeb, which means the One who responds. Throughout the Quran, Our Lord encourages the believers to call on Him, He asks us to lay our dreams, hopes, fears, and uncertainties before Him and to be sure that He hears every word. Islam encourages us to make a lot of du’aa’, and not to be hasty in seeking a response. That is because du’aa’ is a great act of worship which is beloved to Allaah.
To be saved from Hell Fire
Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban, and Al-Hakim report, with a saheeh isnaad from Anas, that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:” No one asks Allah for Paradise three times, but Paradise will say: O Allah, admit him to Paradise.’ And no Muslim asks Allah for protection from Hell three times, but Hell will say: O Allah, save him from me.”
Bukhari and Muslim report from Abu Hurairah that when the Prophet ﷺ was discussing the angels who seek out gatherings of dhikr, he ﷺ said: ”Allah asks them and He knows best:’ What are they seeking protection from?’ They tell him, ’ From the Fire.” He asks, ’ And have they seen it?’ They say:’ No, by Allah, O Lord, they have not seen it? They say:” They would be even more afraid and anxious to escape it.’ He says:’ Bear witness that I have forgiven them.’”
To be granted Paradise
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever asks Allah for Paradise three times, Paradise will say: O Allah, admit him into Paradise. Whoever seeks protection from Hellfire three times, Hellfire will say: O Allah, save him from the Hellfire.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2572, Sahih)
Dua for your Brother
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The Dua of a Muslim for his brother (in Islam) in his absence is readily accepted. An angel is appointed to his side. Whenever he makes a beneficial Dua for his brother the appointed angel says, ‘Ameen. And may you also be blessed with the same.'” (Sahih Muslim)
Dua between Adhaan & Iqaamah
The Prophet ﷺ said: “A du’aa’ offered between the adhaan and iqaamah is not rejected.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (521) and al-Tirmidhi (212).
Ways Allah responds to Duas
Giving what was asked, or something equivalent to it right away,
Or by giving what was asked, or something equivalent to it but after a some time as it is better for the person
Or by averting some evil that was to befall the one making dua
Or by giving him reward equivalent to his du a on the Day of Judgement
So even when one's du a is apparently not responded to, he should realise that the actual response might not be what he presumes, and it is, in fact, possible that his dua has already been answered, without his even knowing it!
Please join our free online certificate course “DUAA”, to learn more about all the Sunnahs of Dua, the times they are more accepted, the reasons why they are rejected and more. https://learn-islam.org/dua (available online now, register and learn).
Note these are not part of the ongoing course, it is an independent course that can be done at your own pace and at your own convenience.
VOLUNTARY FASTS
Fasting a great act of worship that draws one closer to Allâh, and shields us from the fire of Hell. Fasting is not restricted to Ramadan; rather, it is an act of worship that should be kept alive throughout the year.
The Prophet ﷺ said :
“Whoever fasts a day in the way of Allah, then Allah will move his face away from the Hellfire by a distance of seventy years.” [Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it…’ ” (Bukhari & Muslim)
“Whoever fasts one day for the sake of Allâh, Allâh will keep his face seventy years’ distance from Hell.” (An-Nasaa’i, classed as sahih by Albani)
Fasting three days a month is like fasting the full year
The Messenger of Allâh ﷺ said: “The observance of three days' fast every month and that of Ramadan every year is equivalent to fasting for the entire year…” (Sahih Muslim). Preferably 13th, 14th & 15th but fasting on other days are also acceptable.
Fasting on Ashura
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allâh be pleased with him) was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Ashura. He said, “I do not know of any day on the Messenger of Allâh ﷺ fasted that was better than this day and any month that was better than this month, meaning Ramadhan.” (Bukhari & Muslim).
It is mustahabb (highly recommended) to fast on the ninth of Muharram along with ‘Ashura; however, if someone misses it, they may fast on the eleventh of Muharram, so as to differentiate from the Jews.
Fasting on the Day of Arafah
‘Arafah is the ninth day of Dhu’l Hijjah.
The Messenger of Allâh ﷺ said: “…I seek from Allâh that fasting on the day of ‘Arafaah may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming years, and I seek from Allâh that fasting on the day of ‘Ashura may atone for the sins of the preceding year.” (Sahih Muslim)
Fasting 6 Days of Shawwaal
The Messenger of Allâh ﷺ said: “Whoever fasts Ramadhan then fasts six days of Shawwaal, it is as if he fasted for a lifetime.” (Sahih Muslim, Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaa’i and Ibn Maajah)
Please join our free online certificate course “FORGOTTEN SUNNAHS”, to learn more about Sunnah fasts and also other forgotten Sunnahs of various aspects of a Muslim’s life. https://learn-islam.org/forgotten-sunnahs (available online now, register and learn).
Note these are not part of the ongoing course, it is an independent course that can be done at your own pace and at your own convenience.
Note
There has been an addition to the assignment, please check and implement.
In tomorrow’s class we will InShaAllah study about various Adhkaar with great rewards.
TIPS OF TEST
Do not have to memorise the ayahs or hadeeths word for word and their references, but remember their meanings and the msg being given.
Remember the virtues of the deeds.
Remember the times/days mentioned to perform the respective deed.
ASSIGNMENT
There will be an Assignment Question asked in the Test. Marks will be given based on the following: -
Invite atleast 15 people to the course (can invite via WhatsApp, Facebook, Email, telegram or word of mouth) 4 Marks. (check the note below for exceptions)
Note:
Those who have already invited whether on Whatsapp, Email or FB, do not need to invite again.
It does not matter, whether people join or not, our job is to invite.
Implement any 5 of the Sunnahs/Simple deeds taught in the first 5 classes. 5 Marks
Talk about any 3 topics/Sunnahs/simple deeds and their great rewards covered in this week’s classes with atleast 3 people. 5 Marks.
Pray for the Ummah, pray for the ease of all the poor & oppressed Muslims and pray that Allah make us all strong in imaan and give us the hidayah to work for the aakhirah and to help each other. - 1 Mark
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