For those who have missed obligatory fasts from previous years, it is preferable to make up for those missed days first before observing the six Nafil fasts. However, if someone has only missed fasts during the recent Ramadan, they can start with the six Nafil fasts and later make up the missed obligatory fasts. Alternatively, one can choose to make up missed fasts during Shawwal itself, but these fasts will not be considered Nafil; rather, they will be the obligatory fasts owed to Allah. After completing these obligatory fasts, if they wish, they can observe the six Nafil fasts of Shawwal.
According to a Hadith compiled by Imam Muslim,
Hazrat Ummul Mumineen Aisha Siddiqua (ra), the wife of the Holy Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh), reported that her marriage to the Prophet was celebrated in
Shawwal. Two years later, it was consummated in the same month. Hazrat Aisha
(ra) had the tradition of arranging marriages for the young girls of her family
during Shawwal, which is why Nikahs are highly recommended [but not
compulsory] in this month.
Hazrat Aisha (ra) was an exceptionally
intelligent and pious woman with an extraordinary memory. She memorized the
entire Quran and thousands of Hadiths. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) himself
encouraged his companions to seek Islamic education from Hazrat Aisha (ra). She
had the habit of asking the Prophet questions, which allowed her to deepen her
knowledge of Islam and benefit the Muslim community after the Prophet's
passing. She narrated 2,210 Hadiths, covering Islamic and prophetic life.
Hazrat Aisha (pbuh) was a prominent figure in
Islamic knowledge, having learned from her husband, the Prophet. She inspired
great scholars and companions, particularly in the field of Islamic
jurisprudence. Several chapters of Islamic law were based on the Hadiths
narrated by her. She attained a high degree of piety, devotion, and Islamic
education, earning her a place among the greatest women in Islam. The Holy
Prophet (pbuh) even sought her advice on matters of war and other strategies,
finding her suggestions valuable.
Among the wives of the Holy Prophet (pbuh),
Hazrat Aisha (ra) held a special place of preference. The Prophet said: “The
superiority of Aisha over other women is like the superiority of Thareed over
other dishes” (Bukhari). This comparison, using his favourite dish, Thareed
- a thick soup with vegetables, meat, and crumbled bread - expressed his
affection and high regard for Aisha (ra). Through this analogy, he emphasized
her importance in his life and the Muslim community. This preference for Aisha
proved to be a true blessing for the Ummah, as it was largely through her that
Muslims learned intricate details of the Prophet’s life and way of living.
In another Hadith narrated by Abu Uthman (ra):
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sent Amr bin Al-As (ra) as the commander of the troops
of Dhat-us-Salasil. Amr bin Al-As (ra) said: “Upon my return, I went to see
the Prophet (pbuh) and asked: ‘Who is the one you love the most?’ He replied:
‘Aisha.’ I asked: ‘Among the men?’ He replied: ‘Her father (Abu Bakr).’ I
asked: ‘And then?’ He replied: ‘Umar.’ He then mentioned the names of several
companions, and I remained silent out of fear that he might consider me last in
the list of those he loves.” (Bukhari)
Here, we see that his love for his wife Aisha
(ra) surpassed his love for all other beings, including the companions around
him. This Hadith highlights not only the strong emotional bond between the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his wife Aisha (ra) but also the particular esteem,
love, and respect that Hazrat Muhammad (ra) had for her father, Hazrat Abu Bakr
(ra). Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was among the first to accept Islam after Hazrat
Khadija (ra), a woman [his wife], and Hazrat Abu Bakr is known as As-Siddiq,
and both he and his daughter (the truthful ones) are among those who testified
to the truthfulness of the Prophet (pbuh). This same Abu Bakr was ultimately
honoured with the great responsibility of leading the Ummah after the death of
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). The sincerity and love of Hazrat Aisha (ra) and her
father towards Allah, His Prophet (pbuh), and Islam were unparalleled,
especially in the context of Islam, and the love the Prophet had for them.
We must keep in mind that Allah Himself chose
Hazrat Aisha (ra) for Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), and in having a deep love for
Hazrat Aisha (ra), Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) recognised the love and wisdom of
Allah in choosing Hazrat Aisha (ra) for him as his wife. Hazrat Aisha (ra)
reported that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) told her that on three occasions Allah,
through Hazrat Jibreel (pbuh), showed him Hazrat Aisha (ra) in his dreams, and
Hazrat Jibreel (as) told him that she (Hazrat Aisha) was his wife in this world
and also in the Hereafter. At that time, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) had become a
widower (after the death of Hazrat Khadija), and Allah gave him the good news
of Hazrat Aisha (ra). Hazrat Aisha (ra) was young, yes, but Allah chose her
destiny, a blessed destiny where He made her the wife of the Prophet (pbuh),
and not just any woman, but a woman who would be a reference for the entire Ummah
of Islam, a model among women.
Many people blame the Holy Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) for marrying a young girl, and thus, they claim he was morally
and mentally unstable (God forbid) and label a Prophet of Allah as a paedophile.
People in today’s modern society judge a great blessed personality based on the
code of conduct they have established for modern society and forget the Arab
society of that time where it was very normal for a man to marry and consummate
his marriage with a girl, as long as she had reached the age of puberty.
We find in the history of Islam that Hazrat
Aisha (ra) was already engaged to Jubayr Ibn Mut’im, but since Jubayr and his
father were opponents of Islam, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) found it necessary to
break off this engagement. And when Allah placed Hazrat Aisha (ra) in the heart
of His Prophet and revealed to him (through Hazrat Jibreel [as]): ‘She is
your wife in this world and in the Hereafter,’ then we see the wisdom of
Allah and His will that made Hazrat Aisha (ra) the wife of His Prophet (pbuh).
From the very moment Allah sent this good news through His angel, we see that
from that moment Hazrat Aisha (ra) had already become the Prophet’s wife in the
eyes of Allah. This news came when Hazrat Jibreel (as) presented a green silk
handkerchief with an image of Hazrat Aisha (ra) on it, and it was at that
moment that he received the news that she was his wife, not just in this world
but also in the Hereafter. (Tirmidhi)
Here, we witness the decree of Allah unfolding.
Hazrat Aisha (ra) was already engaged, but Allah caused this engagement to be
annulled and placed her under the care of His Prophet (pbuh). Thus, we see that
in the Arab society of the time of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), it was a common
practice for a man to marry a girl (before she reached the age of puberty) and,
once she attained puberty, she would be physically ready for marriage and its
consummation.
After receiving the good news that Aisha (ra)
would be his wife in this world and the Hereafter, Allah Himself opened the
path for His Prophet to marry the woman He had chosen for him, in the presence
of society. Allah inspired a woman named Khawla to suggest Aisha’s name to the
Prophet as a potential wife, and the Prophet then entrusted her with presenting
his proposal to Abu Bakr (ra) and his family. At that time, Hazrat Abu Bakr
(ra) considered Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) as his brother, so he inquired how he
could marry his niece. In response, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) explained that this
brotherly bond was due to Islam and not blood relation, making Aisha (ra)
lawful (Halal) for him. Subsequently, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was pleased
with the proposal, granting his daughter the honour of becoming the Prophet’s
wife.
It is important to note that Hazrat Aisha (ra)
was raised as a Muslim. She narrated that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) used to visit
Abu Bakr’s (ra) home daily (Bukhari) and that her family directly heard Quranic
revelations from the Holy Prophet (pbuh). One event illustrating this is the
revelation of some verses of Surah Al-Qamar (Chapter 54 of the Holy Quran).
Hazrat Aisha (ra) recalled being a young girl who used to play (as a child
plays) when Quranic verses were revealed; even at that age, she understood
their meaning and memorized them by heart. (Bukhari) In the same narration, she
stated: “Since I began recognizing my parents, I saw them as Muslims.”
(Bukhari)
Thus, we observe here a phenomenal gift of
memory bestowed by Allah upon Hazrat Aisha (ra) for the immense work that
awaited her in the future. The love of Allah and the Prophet (pbuh) for her
served as encouragement for believers to place their trust in her
jurisprudence, decisions, and narrations, which became a significant
documentation for the benefit of Islam as a whole. If it were not so, and if
the Prophet had not demonstrated his exceptional love for Aisha (ra), the
companions would not have regarded her as significant. However, Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh) came to elevate the status of women, and Hazrat Aisha (ra) stood out as
the greatest of her time after Hazrat Khadija (ra). Both, being the Prophet’s
wives, through the will of Allah and the Prophet (pbuh), became guiding lights
of Islam. Hazrat Khadija (ra) as the first believer (not just among women but
among all believers) of Islam, and Hazrat Aisha (ra) as the greatest scholar of
Islam, possessing knowledge surpassing that of all the companions and the
Prophet’s wives combined - a knowledge that continues to benefit Islam today
and in the future until the Day of Judgement. Alhamdulillah.
May the peace and blessings of Allah, and His
special favour, be upon Hazrat Aisha (ra) during this month of Shawwal and
every other month. May Allah continue to make Islam prosper through her
knowledge, shower His love upon her, and forgive her shortcomings and errors as
a human being [when she was on this earth]. May Allah accept her among the best
believers and leaders on the Day of Judgement and grant her a high rank along
with His Prophet (pbuh) in His love and Paradise. Ameen. Summa Ameen, Ya
Rabbal Aalameen.
---Friday Sermon of 04 Shawaal 1446 AH~ 04 April 2025 delivered by Imam- Jmaaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.