Laila-tul-Qadr and I'tikaaf

The Night of Destiny and Spiritual Retreat

In His infinite Wisdom, Allah (swt) has prescribed unalterable rules for His creatures ensuring them a dignified life in this world and blissful happiness in the hereafter.

Among these rules is fasting which He has ordained to successive communities of believers. Far from being reduced to abstinence from food, fasting must be accompanied by a mastery of the senses and more particularly of the tongue.

The spiritual exercise of fasting must demonstrate to man his ability to deprive himself for a [period of] time of what seemed essential to him. It must reveal to him that, in this domain, as in many others, he can have the power to do it [when there is a will, there is a way!] provided that the intention is firm and that the aim sought is the pleasure of Allah.

The purpose of such an act of worship has been clearly defined as the search for the state of reverential fear of God (piety, Taqwa) criterion of superiority of one individual over another. This quality is only measured by that of the works that bear witness to it.

'Future Belongs to the Truly Humble'

Poverty, Silence and Faith

There are people who have higher status in the sight of Allah, those who are VVIPs (i.e. Very Very Important Persons). They love Allah and Allah loves them. They are people who are oppressed by men and are (crushed) under the domination of others. We must always treat these people well. 

This was the advice of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) to his representative, Mu’az bin Jabal (ra), as the governor of Yemen. It is reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) took the reins of Mu’az’s (ra) horse and gave him some advices. He (pbuh) urged him to beware of the curse of the oppressed! For there is no veil between this invocation and Allah. (Bukhari & Muslim)

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “The supplication of the oppressed is answered, even if he is wicked for his wickedness is only against himself.” (Ahmad)

It is reported by Ibn Hibaan that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said that Allah (swt) will call the poor on the Day of Judgement and bring them into Paradise first without accountability. As for the rich and the chiefs, they will have to wait and then account (for their deeds). Our Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, “The poor will enter paradise five hundred years before the rich.” (Tirmidhi)

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, “Seek me among the poor and the weak. Truly, you are given victory and provided for on account of the poor and weak among you.” (Abu Dawud)

Hold patience: Avoid vain disputes 

Allah Ta’ala defends those who do not defend themselves. Self-defence is permitted, but the nobility of Islam teaches us to withdraw from discussions (vain discussions/ disputes) in silence. He who shows such nobility of soul, then Allah Ta’ala Himself defends himself.

Allah Ta’ala took the defence of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) with pigeon eggs and spider webs in the Cave of Thaur. Allah Ta’ala gave patience to the people of Moses. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“And We caused the people who had been oppressed to inherit the eastern regions of the land and the western ones, which We had blessed. And the good word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of what they had patiently endured.” (Surah Al-Arraf, 7: 138)