Foreword
This book is a simple English translation of a famous book in Urdu by Shaikhul-Hadith Moulana Zakariyya of Saharanpur, India. Moulana Zakariyya (rahmatullahi alaih) was one of the world’s greatest scholars on Hadith and was undoubtedly one of the greatest spiritual teachers of his age, having thousands of mureeds all over India, Pakistan, Malaysia, South Africa, etc. He needs no introduction as an Aalim and Sheikh (spiritual guide) since he is following in the footsteps of the illustrious sons of Islam such as Shaikhul-Hind Moulana Mahmoodul-Hasan, Moulana Raipuri, Moulana Thanwi, Moulana Madani, Moulana Khalil Ahmad, Moulana ‘Usmaani and Moulana Ilyaas (rahmatullahi alaihim) etc. His numerous works in Urdu and Arabic have benefitted millions and have spread far and wide as a result of the activities of the Tablighi Jamaats all over the world. Because of the beneficial nature of this book, we felt that it should be translated into English. This humble effort is being placed before the English speaking public. May Allah Ta’ala accept this work and may it benefit us all. Our fervent dua is that Allah Ta’ala grants us the ability to serve Islam and the Muslims at all times, Ameen. A humble appeal is made to all Jamaats going out in Tabligh and to the Imaams of Masjids to read this book or to arrange for it to be read to the congregation for about ten minutes daily, after the Maghrib or Esha Salaah, in the weeks preceding Ramadhaan, and also during the blessed month at a suitable time so that, Inshaa Allah, as many Muslims as possible may be inspired to observe Ramadhaan in the most fulfilling manner, Aameen. Yusuf Karaan
Translation: All praise is due to Allah Ta’ala only and blessings be upon His chosen Rasul ﷺ . In the following pages I have quoted a few Ahaadith with reference to the blessed month of Ramadhaan. Rasulullah ﷺ has advised us in these Ahaadith to change our lives by acquiring the great virtues and blessings of this month. True appreciation would be that we fully carry out these teachings. These days, our negligence has become so obvious that, we neither act upon his advice nor pay any heed to it, so much so that very few of us even know about the great good we can obtain from it. My object in collecting these Ahaadith in this book is to assist the Imaams of the Masaajid, the Huffaaz and other learned Muslims who have the interest of our Deen at heart, to read out and explain this book in the Masjid before and also during the first few days of Ramadhaan, so that through the mercy and the blessings of Allah Ta’ala and His beloved Rasul ﷺ , we may pay due attention to it and receive the blessings Allah Ta’ala during this mubaarak month. This can lead us towards acting on His commandments and keeping us away from sins. Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “Should Allah Ta’ala guide one person on the right path through you, it shall be better for you than a red camel (something that is pricey, and also considered a most precious possession).” Ramadhaan is a very great favour for the Muslims. This favour can only be considered as such if we appreciate it, otherwise Ramadhaan will come and go without us gaining anything. It is stated in the Hadith, “If my Ummah realize what Ramadhaan really is, they would wish that the whole year be Ramadhaan.” Every person knows that fasting for a full year is a very difficult task, and only because of the great rewards for Ramadhaan mentioned by Rasulullah ﷺ , will they desire the full year to be Ramadhaan.
In another Hadith we are told, “The fasting of Ramadhaan and fasting three days of every month keeps evil away from the heart.” The Sahaabah (companions) of Rasulullah ﷺ used to fast even during jihaad and on tiresome journeys, in spite of getting permission from Rasulullah ﷺ not to fast. Finally, Rasulullah ﷺ had to instruct them not to fast. Imaam Muslim (rahmatullahi alaih) reports that once the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ were on a journey for Jihaad. It was extremely hot and due to poverty, they did not even have a cloth for shade to protect themselves against the heat. In this condition, when they stopped at one place, many of them used their hands for shade from the sun. In this condition too, many of them were fasting. They were so overcome with weakness that they could not bear the excessive heat and fell down. Some Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ fasted throughout the year. There are many Ahaadith in which the blessings of Ramadhaan are explained. It is not possible for me to collect them all here, and if I am to narrate and explain them all in detail, then the readers may find it too lengthy and difficult. However, now is the time to refresh our mind with them. After all, we do not have to explain how disinterested we have become in our Deen. It is self-evident. I have mentioned only twenty-one Ahaadith in this book and have divided them into three chapters.
a) Chapter one, on the (Ten Ahaadith)
b) Chapter two, on Laylatul Qadr (Seven Ahaadith)
c) Chapter three, on Itikaaf (Three Ahaadith)
In conclusion, at the end of this book, I have included one long Hadith. May Allah Ta’ala accept this work through His Grace and the blessings of His beloved Nabi Muhammad ﷺ and grant me and all the Muslims hidaayah to derive benefit from it. Most surely He encompasses all Good, is Generous and Most Kind. Aameen.