Three little "gems" to shine the heart.
Ibn ‘Abbas RadhiAllahu anhu narrated that Umar bin Khattab RadhiAllahu anhu was sitting with some of the older Makkah Muhajiroon, among other Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, and a discussion about "Laylatul Qadr" took place. Umar RadhiAllahu anhu listened as some of the elders debated and gave their opinions and interpretations of this miraculous night, and as to which of the nights of fasting month of Ramadhan it denotes. Umar RadhiAllahu anhu turned to Ibn ‘Abbas RadhiAllahu anhu and said: "What happened to you O Ibn ‘Abbas? Why are you silent? Say something. Do not let your youth and respect for the elders prevent you from sharing your understanding."
Ibn ‘Abbas then said: "O Prince of the Believers, surely Allah is One and Unique, and He likes odd numbers. In this respect, He, Blessed be His Name, also chose a series of septets, and He made the week revolve around seven days; He created the human being in seven stages; He made our livelihood depend on seven types of elements; He created seven firmaments above us; and beneath us, He created two earths, each one consisting of seven layers; He revealed the Opening Chapter of the Qur’an, Al-Fatihah, comprising seven couplets; He forbade seven types of sanguineous marriages involving family members; He allotted a universal division of inheritance to seven categories of relatives; and furthermore, in paying obeisance during our prayers, we prostrate on seven parts of our bodies; Allah’s Messenger, SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, circumambulated the Holy Ka’aba seven times; he further encompassed the distance between the Hills of Safa and Marwa seven times, and he pelted Shaytan at Jamarat seven times while proclaiming the glory of Allah Ta’ala as per His admonition in the Qur’an. Therefore, I think that "Laylatul Qadr" must be one of the last seven nights of the month of Ramadhan. And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Umar RadhiAllahu anhu then turned to the crowd of the elders and said: "O ye people! Is there amongst you anyone who can rehearse this exegesis as told by Ibn ‘Abbas?"
From: The Beauty of the Righteous and the Ranks of the Elite, A Collection of over 1000 Rare Accounts of the Blessed Companions RadhiAllahu anhum, of Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, Based on the Classic 10th Century Work of Imam Abu Na’im al-Asfahani (948-1038 AD)
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Narrated by Abu Hurairah: Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, "If anyone out of a desire to please Allah fasts for a day, Allah will remove him from Jahannam as far as a crow flies from the time it is a young bird till it dies of old age."
Ahmad transmitted it, and Bayhaqi transmitted it in Shu’ab al-Iman from Salamah ibn Qays.
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Describing an overnight visit with Rabi’a Al-’Adawiya, Sufyan Thawri has written: "I saw her enter her Mehrab and occupy herself in prayers until daybreak. In the opposite corner of the house I also performed prayer until dawn. With the sunrise, she suggested we dedicate the rest of the day to fasting to express our gratitude for the grace through which we maintained the night vigil."
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.
