Sha'ban to Ramadan
| Khatib : | Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: | 246 |
| Khutbah Date: | 08/31/07 |
ذاك شهر َيغفل الناسُ عنه بين رجب و رمضان ؛ و هو شهر ُ ترفع فيه الاعمال الى رب العالمين ؛
و اُحب ان ُترفع عملى و انا صائم
“There is a month between Rajab and Ramadaan that most people are heedless of. This is the month when human deeds are annually taken for evaluation, and I wish to be in a state of fasting when my deeds are being considerd.” [Musnad of Imam Ahmed, Imam an-Nisa’ie]
From Mi’raaj to Laylatul Qadr
In the days leading up to the month of Ramadaan, we commemorated the Mi’raaj and are journeying on towards Laylatul Qadr.
The Israa’ wal-Miraaj “Night Journey and Ascent” of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that occurred at a most critical stage in his challenging yet illustrious life. It occurred in a period when he lost his beloved wife, confidant and financier of the nascent Islamic movement, Khadijah; as well the loss of his political protector and beloved uncle Abu Talib. The Mi’raaj about trust in Allah, about being motivated and never losing hope even in the darkest hour.
We are heading towards Laylatul Qadr, The Night of Power, which marks the commencement of the final Divine Revelation (the Qur'an) and made public the prophetic mission of the final emissary of Allah (Prophet Muhammad). This event is of the greatest historic, religious and spiritual significance for it ushered in the beginning of the end; the beginning of the end of Revelation; the beginning of the ultimate Guidance till the end of time, the beginning of the final onslaught against polytheism, injustice, subjugation and oppression and the end of jahiliyyah (all forms of backwardness, ignorance and retrogression).
The Night of Power indeed manifested the Authority of Allah through His Revelation and changed the fate of nations, the course of history and directed human destiny to its pinnacle. That Revelation which is still with us as al-Qur'an remains unadulterated. This Qur'an contains an ideology, a basis for values and standards and a comprehensive code of moral and social behavior, all of which combined, aims at promoting peace within the human soul, within society, the world at large and with the Creator.
Sha’baan ~ The Ignored
Sha’baan, is the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, the month that the Prophet (pbuh) fasted more than any other month with the exception of the obligatory fasting of the month of Ramadaan. When asked why, he responded;
ذاك شهر َيغفل الناسُ عنه بين رجب و رمضان ؛ و هو شهر ُ ترفع فيه الاعمال الى رب العالمين ؛
و اُحب ان ُترفع عملى و انا صائم
“There is a month between Rajab and Ramadaan that most people are heedless of. This is the month when human deeds are annually taken for evaluation, and I wish to be in a state of fasting when my deeds are being considerd.” [Musnad of Imam Ahmed, Imam an-Nisa’ie]
Our beloved teacher, Sayed Maliki ’Alawi said about this neglected month;
شعبان هو الشهر الفضيل بين الشهر الحرام و شهر الصيام
Sha’baan is that virtuous month that occurs between the sanctified month (Rajab)
and the fasting month (Ramadan)
The 4 sacred months [referred to in Qur’an 9:36] Thul Qa’dah, Thul Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. So Sha’baan falls between one of these months, and Ramadaan. We often tend to neglect or ignore the middle one in most situations and that is not a positive thing to do.
The Prophet said that on the 15th of Sha’baan, which we commemorated earlier this week;
“Allah looks over His creation on the eve of 15th Sha’baan and He forgives all those who sincerely repent except the mushrik (polytheist) and mushaahin,; and in another version of this tradition… the qaatil-in-nafs (taker of innocent life).” [This hadith is narrated by Bayhaqi in Shu’bal Imaan, Hafiz Ibn Abi Asim in Kitabus Sunnah, Imam Suyuti in Durral Manthoor, Imam Mundhiri in Al-Targheeb wal Tarheeb, , Hafiz Al Haithami in Majmu’al Zawaid, Imam Ahmad in his Musnad]
Lessons of Sh’abaan
~ Avoid Shirk (in all its forms)
إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاء
Surely Allah Forgives all sins except the associating of partners with Allah [Q4:48]
~ Taking Innocent Life (recognize the sanctity of life)
~ Value Fasting (a physical expression of a highly personal and spiritual exercise)
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمْ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا فِي هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ وَأَرْضُ اللَّهِ وَاسِعَةٌ
إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
Say: "O ye my servants who believe! Fear your Lord, good is (the reward) for those who do good in this world. Spacious is Allah's earth! Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!"[Q 39:10]
~ Avoid being a Mushaahin (One who causes enimosity between people)
A companion asked , O Prophet of Allah, we know the one who is qatil-in-nafs (taker of innocent life), but what is a mushaahin? He replied, “the hypocrite, who causes trouble, seeking to cause hatred between loved ones, breaker of family ties, the arrogant, the habitually intoxicated, one who disrespects parents.” Let us benefit from the Mercy of Allah and ensure that we eradicate all these negative traits if we harbor even a taint of any of these.
~ Accountability (Value the relations, the opportunities, the blessings and the time we have. All these are the valuables of life. Will we see another Ramadaan? Time marches on and note the words of the wise who say that… time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back."
From Sha’ban to Ramadan
As we ponder over the state of affairs, as we reflect on the passing of Sha’baan; we anticipate the coming of Ramadaan, that noble month of the Qur’an. of …. tilawah (recitation of Qur’an), tahajjud (late-night prayers), tasbeehat (glorifying Allah), tadharru' (increased humble supplication), tatawwu' (extra prayers), tasahhur (getting up for suhoor), taubah (repentance), tawadu’ (humility) and tafakkur (contemplation) and tadabbur (reflection).
So, let these coming days be a period of spiritual preparation to welcome that special month so that we are physically, psychologically and spiritually prepared to fully benefit from it.