Class 5
SPECIAL TIMES
THEIR SUNNAHS & REWARDS
Not All Time Is Equal
In previous classes, we learned that time is sacred, accountable, capable of being wasted, and capable of building strength.
But not all time is equal. Praise be to Allah Who has created time and has made some times better than others, some months and days and nights better than others, when rewards are multiplied many times, as a mercy towards His slaves. These are to provide opportunities for increased spiritual reflection, reward, and closeness to Him. In these times rewards are multiplied, du‘ās’ are accepted, sins are forgiven, and status is raised.
These are divine opportunities. A believer who understands the value of time does not treat these seasons emotionally — he treats them strategically. He prepares for them. He plans around them. He maximises them.
SPECIAL TIMES
1. RAMADAN — The Month of Transformation
Glad Tidings of Ramadan
Duas are accepted
Shaitaan Closed
Jannah Open
Night better thn 1000 months
Sins Forgiven
The Prophet ﷺ used to give glad tidings to his Companions upon the arrival of Ramadan, and informed them that in this month the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained. He ﷺ said:
“When the first night of Ramadan comes, the doors of Paradise will be opened and the doors of Hell will be closed, and the devils will be chained, and it will be said, 'O you who desires virtue! Come forth and O you who desires evil! Stay behind', and Allaah has people whom He frees from Hell every night (in that month).” (Bukhari & Muslim).
“Whoever fasts (the month of) Ramadan out of faith, anticipating the reward of Allaah, then all his sins prior to that will be forgiven; and whoever prays the Ramadan (night prayer) out of faith, anticipating the reward of Allaah, then all his sins prior to that will be forgiven.” [Muslim & Bukhari].
“Whoever stands (in prayer) in Ramadan out of faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Be grateful (when) you have made it to Ramadan, be happy for it! Be very happy for it! Because reaching of Ramadān is an indication that Allāh wants good for you. You did not earn this opportunity. It is pure mercy from Allah.
And remember, Gratefulness is shown my acknowledging it, uttering it on the tongue and action taken to show gratefulness. So acknowledge it by rejoicing and learn the Sunnahs and spread it by your tongue and finally increase in good deeds to show that you are grateful for being given this blessed month of Ramadan.
How to prepare for Ramadan: -
Pray that you are alive and can witness Ramadan in Good health
Intention. Intend to fast & Intend to do good deeds like finish Quran multiple times, Itikaaf, feed poor etc
Finish any pending Fasts from Last Ramadan
Fast, Pray Tahajjud & Recite Quran in Shabaan so that is easy and to you in Ramadan and you can do more InShaAllah. Intend to offer Tarawih everyday (Rewards mentioned in the hadeeth above)
Learn the Rulings so that you are relaxed. Do not allow Shaitaan to fill and spoil your worship with doubts.
Do all the Shopping (clothes and grocery majority) before Ramadan
Have a Ramadan Planner. Enter Ramadan with written goals. Read about Muslims Day in Ramadan
Schedule Qur’an time daily. And aim to finish reciting the whole Quran atleast once in Ramadan.
Protect the last ten nights. Finish your commitments before that.
Give charity consistently.
Remember, Ramadan is not the month to survive. It is the month to advance.
FIQH OF RAMADAN course on LEARN ISLAM : https://learn-islam.org/blessed-month-ramadan (Click on + on top right to view all classes)
2. LAYLATUL QADR — One Night = 1,000 Months
Allah says: “Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months.” (Surah Al-Qadr 97:3)
One night equals over 83 years of worship. No productivity system in the world offers that return.
The Prophet ﷺ would tighten his waist belt, wake his family, and strive intensely in the last ten nights. (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
Practical Maximisation:
Dedicate all last ten nights seriously.
Prepare in advance.
Reduce distractions.
Focus on du‘ā’, Qur’an, and sincere repentance.
A single night can redefine your Hereafter.
3. THE DAY OF ‘ARAFAH — A Day of Forgiveness
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Fasting the day of ‘Arafah expiates the sins of the previous year and the coming year.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Two years of sins forgiven — for one day of fasting. Alhamdulillah!
Practical Maximisation:
Fast the day (if not performing Hajj).
Increase du‘ā’.
Repent specifically.
Reflect on your year.
4. THE LAST THIRD OF THE NIGHT — Private Access
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last third of the night remains and says: ‘Who is calling upon Me that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me that I may give him? Who is seeking forgiveness that I may forgive him?’” (Bukhari & Muslim)
This is not a metaphor for productivity. This is direct access. While most of the world sleeps, doors are open.
Practical Maximisation:
Even 10–15 minutes before Fajr.
Two rak‘ahs.
Specific du‘ā’ for life goals and akhirah.
Consistency over intensity.
Tahajjud builds spiritual and psychological strength.
5. FRIDAY — A Weekly Opportunity
The Prophet ﷺ said: “On Friday there is a moment in which no Muslim stands and prays, asking Allah for something, except that He grants it.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Many scholars held that this is between ‘Asr and Maghrib.
Practical Maximisation:
Dedicate focused du‘ā’ time before Maghrib.
Recite Durood as much as possible on Friday.
Prepare a written list of Duas.
Do not let this hour pass casually!
6. MUHARRAM & THE DAY OF ‘ASHURA
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best fasting after Ramadan is the month of Allah, Muharram.” (Ṣahih Muslim)
And he ﷺ said regarding ‘Ashura: “Fasting it expiates the sins of the previous year.” (Ṣahih Muslim). Note it is Sunnah to fast on 9th & 10th of Muharram.
Another opportunity for reset. Another moment of multiplication.
7. THE FIRST TEN DAYS OF DHUL-HIJJAH
The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even jeehad for the sake of Allah?" He ﷺ said, "Not even jeehad for the sake of Allah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing."” (Ṣaḥiḥ al-Bukhari)
These are days for:
Dhikr. The Prophet ﷺ said, "There are no days greater in the sight of Allah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahlil ("La ilaha ill-Allah"), Takbir and Tahmid." (Ahmad, sahih).
Fasting
Charity
Qur’an
Takbīr
Short window. Massive reward.
8. Morning & Evening Adhkaar
The Prophet ﷺ said, "That I sit with people remembering Almighty Allah from the morning (Fajr) prayer until sunrise is more beloved to me than freeing four slaves from among the Children of Isma'il. That I sit with people remembering Allah from the afternoon ('Asr) prayer until the sun sets is more beloved to me than freeing four slaves from among the Children of Isma'il." (Abu Dawood, classed as Hasan by Sheikh Al-Albani).
Ibn al-Qayyim said, "The morning and evening adhkar play the role of a shield; the thicker it is the more its owner will not be affected. Rather, its strength can reach to such an extent that the arrow shot at it will bounce back to affect the one who shot it."
Shaykh Uthaymeen said, "The morning and evening adhkar are a stronger fortress than the wall of Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj, for the one who says it while his heart is present.
9. Between the adhaan and the 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).
Times Duas are Accepted : www.learn-islam.org/class-5-sunnah-times-for-dua
10. When rain falls
The Prophet ﷺ: “There are two which will not be rejected: du’aa’ at the time of the call (to prayer) and when it is raining.” Narrated by Abu Dawood
When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw rain, he ﷺ would say: “Allahumma sayyiban nafi‘an {O Allah, (make it) a beneficial downpour).” (Sahih Bukhari)
The time when rain comes down is a time of divine bounty and mercy from Allah to His slaves, when the means of goodness are abundant, and it is a time when it is thought that du‘as will be answered .
DUA - A Free course on LEARN ISLAM : https://learn-islam.org/dua
What These Special Times Teach Us
Allah did not leave us with ordinary time only.
He gave:
daily multipliers,
weekly multipliers,
yearly multipliers,
lifetime multipliers.
Why?
Because human beings weaken. These seasons recharge.
They allow:
spiritual correction,
habit resetting,
forgiveness,
elevation.
Planning Around Special Times
Productive Muslims do not “stumble into” Ramadan.
They treat sacred time seriously. They prepare months before as preparation multiplies benefit.
So start reciting atleast a small portion of Quran daily so it becomes easy to finish atleast 1 Quran in the month of Ramadan, keep optional fasts during the year so its easy in Ramadan and you can do more than just fasting that everyone else is also doing.
If someone offered you a business investment that multiplied returns by 1,000 times, you would not ignore it. Laylatul Qadr offers that.
If someone offered to wipe two years of debt in one day, you would prepare carefully. ‘Arafah offers that.
Ask yourself:
How do I prepare for Ramadan?
Do I plan for the last ten nights?
Do I treat Friday seriously?
Do I wake in the last third even once a week?
Do I know when sacred days arrive?
Special times are not automatic success. They are opportunities, Remember
These times will come whether you prepare or not.
Ramadan will arrive. ‘Arafah will pass. Friday will come and go.
The question is not whether sacred time exists.
The question is whether you were present for it.
TIPS FOR THE 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 special times and the rewards.
ASSIGNMENT
There will be an Assignment Question asked in the Test. Marks will be given based on the following: -
I. Invite atleast 10 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.
II. Reflect on yourself and make changes in your actions/attitude to make better use of Time by using any of the tips given this course. 5 Marks.
III. Talk to 3 people (friends or family) about any three topics from the course - (5 Marks)
IV. Pray for the Ummah, pray for the ease of all the poor & oppressed Muslims and Maghfirah of the Muslims who passed away. 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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