You should aim to develop the following 7 Spiritually Productive activities into habits so that you can hopefully continue benefitting from them throughout your life. I consider these activities as the spiritual ‘bread and butter’ of any ProductiveMuslim. To develop them as habits is the essence of embarking on your journey towards the love of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and constantly increasing in your eman, inshaAllah:
1) Pray the Sunnah Prayers before and/or after Prayer:
I know it’s easier to just pray the obligatory prayers and rush out of the mosque! However, when we realise the rewards we’re missing from not praying these Sunnah prayers we won’t leave them. Over the years I have learnt there’s only ONE way of getting yourself to pray these Sunnah prayers constantly: Get into the habit of praying them! They’ll soon become part and parcel of your Salah and your Salah will feel incomplete without performing these acts.
2) Remembrance of Allah after Salah:
Again, it’s easy to rush out after Salah due to our busy lives, though if we are honest, how long does it take to recite the supplications after Salah? (The Answer: 5-7 minutes!). If you’re not sure what I’m referring to, you may find the supplications at MakeDua.com. Nowadays you’ll find pocket notebooks/or phone applications with these supplications. Get into the habit of reciting them daily after each Salah to enrich your Salah experience.
3) Morning/Evening Remembrance of Allah:
Step 2 is also included in this habit. There exists a beautiful set of duas/remembrances from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which he used to say before sunrise and after sunset. They are true stress relievers and energy boosters which never fail to make my days and evenings feel blessed. [You can find the duas at MakeDua.com]
4) Night Prayer:
Hamdulillah, during Ramadan we have the wonderful Taraweeh prayers to attend. However, outside of Ramadan there are many opportunities to still obtain the reward of the night prayer. If you’re new to night prayer or you don’t pray it constantly during the year, make sure you try to attend prayers each and every night in congregation at the mosque (particularly brothers), and give yourself a ‘no-excuse’ policy. Develop a habit of praying Tahajjud and continuing to pray them for an entire 30 days; this will set you on better footing to continue with the Night Prayer for the rest of the year inshaAllah.
5) Duha Prayer:
Here’s a Productive Muslim’s top secret to a productive day: 2 rak’ahs known as the Duha prayer which you may pray at anytime after sunrise till before the sun reaches it’s zenith (around 30 minutes before Dhuhr). The reward of this prayer is similar to giving charity on behalf of every bone in your body, and the energy and buzz you feel during the day is amazing.
6) Supplications before you Sleep:
You’ve just had a long day and you’re super tired. You climb into bed and you want to hit the sack… but wait! Before you do, can you give yourself just 10 more minutes to recite the supplications before sleeping? That’s all. Try them and find yourself experiencing the most beautiful sleep ever and waking up for Fajr easily, inshaAllah. For more information on waking up for fajr, constantly, everyday, without fail Read How to Wake up for Fajr.
7) Reciting one hour of Quran each day:
Notice: I said here recite one hour of Quran each day and not one juz’ or one Surah. The amount of Quran you read is not as important as the quality of your understanding. If you spend one hour reciting one verse but understand it fully, that’s more important and beneficial then reciting lots of Quran at break-neck speed yet not understanding a word.
So there you go, 7 spiritually productive habits you can develop throughout the year starting from TODAY!
Note: The below worksheets can help you in developing the above habits;
The Daily Taskinator
The Weekly Taskinator
The ProductiveMuslim Habitator
source: http://www.productivemuslim.com/7-daily-spiritual-productive-habits-to-develop/
Tuesday 15 March 2011
Monday 14 March 2011
How to Raise Righteous Children?
Raising and educating children is one of the duties required of parents. Allaah has enjoined that in the Qur’aan, and the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also enjoined that. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allaah, but do that which they are commanded”[al-Tahreem 66:6]
Imam al-Tabari said, commenting on this verse:
Here Allaah is saying: O you who believe in Allaah and His Messenger, “Ward off yourselves” teach one another that which will protect those who do it from the Fire and ward it off from them, if it is done in obedience to Allaah and they do it in obedience to Allaah. The phrase “and your families against a Fire” means, and teach your families to do acts of obedience to Allaah so that they may protect themselves from the Fire. Tafseer al-Tabari, 18/165
Al-Qurtubi said:
Muqaatil said: This is a duty that he owes to himself, his children, his family and his male and female slaves. Ilkiya said: We have to teach our children and families religious commitment and goodness, and what they cannot do without of etiquette. This is what Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And enjoin As-Salaat (the prayer) on your family, and be patient in offering them [i.e. the Salaat (prayers)]” [Ta-Ha 20:132]
And Allaah said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) (interpretation of the meaning):
“And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred” [al-Shu’ara’ 26:214]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“And teach them (children) to pray when they are seven years old.”
Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 18/196
The Muslim – any Muslim – is a daa’iyah who calls people to Allaah, so the first people whom he calls should be his children and family who are close to him. When Allaah commanded His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to call people, He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred” [al-Shu’ara’ 26:214] because they are the first people to whom he should do good and show mercy.
The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave the parents the responsibility of raising the children and made that obligatory upon them.
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The ruler is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. A man is the shepherd of his family and is responsible for his flock. A woman is the shepherd of her husband’s household and is responsible for her flock. A servant is the shepherd of his master’s wealth and is responsible for his flock.” He said: and I think he said, “A man is the shepherd of his father’s wealth and is responsible for his flock. Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 583; Muslim, 1829.
Part of your duty is to bring them up from a young age to love Allaah and His Messenger and to love the teachings of Islam. You should tell them that Allaah has a Paradise and a Hell; that His Hell is hot and its fuel is men and stones. The following story contains an important lesson.
Ibn al-Jawzi said:
There was a king who had a lot of wealth, and he had a daughter and no other children. He loved her very much, and he used to let her enjoy all kinds of entertainment. This went on for a long time. Beside the king there lived a devoted worshipper, and whilst he was reciting one night, he raised his voice saying, “O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones “ [al-Tahreem 66:6 – interpretation of the meaning]. The girl heard his recitation and said to her servants, “Stop!” But they did not stop. The worshipper started to repeat the verse, and the girl kept telling them to stop, but they did not stop. She put her hands to her collar and tore her garment, and they went to her father and told him the story. He went to her and said, “My dear, what happened to you tonight? What made you weep?” and he hugged her. She said, “I ask you by Allaah, O my father, to tell me, does have Allaah have a Fire the fuel of which is men and stones?” He said, “Yes.” She asked him, “Why did you not tell me? By Allaah I will not eat any good food or sleep on any soft bed until I know whether my abode is in Paradise or Hell.” Safwat al-Safwah, 4/437-438
You have to keep them away from the places of immorality and misguidance; do not leave them to grow up with evil things from the television etc, then after that expect them to be righteous, for whoever sows thorns cannot harvest grapes. That should be done when they are young, so that it will be easy for them when they grow up, and they will get used to it, and it will be easy for you to tell them what to do and what not to do, and it will be easy for them to obey you.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:“Teach your children to pray when they are seven years old, and smack them if they do not do so when they are ten, and separate them in their beds.”
Narrated by Abu Dawood, 495; classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5868
But the educator must be merciful, forbearing, easy-going and approachable, not foul-mouthed or unkempt, arguing in a manner that is better, far removed from insulting, rebuking and beating, unless the child is one of those who willfully disobey and rejects his father’s commands and neglects his duties and does haraam things; in that case it is better to use stern measures with him, without causing him harm.
Al-Minaawi said: For a father to discipline his child when he reaches the age of discernment means that he should raise him with the characteristics of the righteous believers and protect him from mixing with evildoers; he should teach him the Qur’aan and good manners and the language of the Arabs, let him hear the Sunnah and the sayings of the Salaf and teach him the religious rulings that he cannot do without. He should warn him then smack him if he does not pray etc. That will be better for him than giving a saa’ in charity, because if he teaches him properly, his actions will be among his ongoing charity, whereas the reward for a saa’ of charity is limited, but that will last as long as the child lives. Discipline is the nourishment of the soul, and training it for the Hereafter.
“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell)…”
[al-Tahreem 66:6 – interpretation of the meaning]
Protecting yourself and your family from it means reminding them of Hell. Discipline includes preaching, warning, threatening, smacking, detaining, giving and being kind. Disciplining one who is good and noble is different from disciplining one who is difficult and ignoble.
Fayd al-Qadeer, 5/257
Smacking is a means of correcting the child.It is not something that it wanted in and of itself, rather it is resorted to if the child is stubborn and disobedient.
There is a system of punishment in Islam, and there are many punishments in Islam, such as the hadd punishments for adultery, theft, slander, etc. All of these are prescribed in order to set the people straight and put a stop to their evil.
Concerning such matters the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) advised parents to deter their children from doing wrong.
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Hang your whip where the members of the household can see it, for that will discipline them.”
Narrated by al-Tabaraani, 10/248; its isnaad was classed as hasan by al-Haythami in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 8/106
Al-Albaani said in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4022, it is hasan.
So raising children should be a balance between encouragement and warning. The most important element of all is making the environment in which the children live a good one, by providing the means whereby they may be guided; this means that their educators should be religiously committed, including their parents.
One of the ways in which a parent may be successful in raising his children is to use a cassette player to play tapes of teachings; Qur’aan recitation, khutbahs and lessons of scholars, for there are many available.
And Allaah knows best.
“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allaah, but do that which they are commanded”[al-Tahreem 66:6]
Imam al-Tabari said, commenting on this verse:
Here Allaah is saying: O you who believe in Allaah and His Messenger, “Ward off yourselves” teach one another that which will protect those who do it from the Fire and ward it off from them, if it is done in obedience to Allaah and they do it in obedience to Allaah. The phrase “and your families against a Fire” means, and teach your families to do acts of obedience to Allaah so that they may protect themselves from the Fire. Tafseer al-Tabari, 18/165
Al-Qurtubi said:
Muqaatil said: This is a duty that he owes to himself, his children, his family and his male and female slaves. Ilkiya said: We have to teach our children and families religious commitment and goodness, and what they cannot do without of etiquette. This is what Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And enjoin As-Salaat (the prayer) on your family, and be patient in offering them [i.e. the Salaat (prayers)]” [Ta-Ha 20:132]
And Allaah said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) (interpretation of the meaning):
“And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred” [al-Shu’ara’ 26:214]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“And teach them (children) to pray when they are seven years old.”
Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 18/196
The Muslim – any Muslim – is a daa’iyah who calls people to Allaah, so the first people whom he calls should be his children and family who are close to him. When Allaah commanded His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to call people, He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“And warn your tribe (O Muhammad) of near kindred” [al-Shu’ara’ 26:214] because they are the first people to whom he should do good and show mercy.
The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave the parents the responsibility of raising the children and made that obligatory upon them.
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The ruler is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. A man is the shepherd of his family and is responsible for his flock. A woman is the shepherd of her husband’s household and is responsible for her flock. A servant is the shepherd of his master’s wealth and is responsible for his flock.” He said: and I think he said, “A man is the shepherd of his father’s wealth and is responsible for his flock. Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 583; Muslim, 1829.
Part of your duty is to bring them up from a young age to love Allaah and His Messenger and to love the teachings of Islam. You should tell them that Allaah has a Paradise and a Hell; that His Hell is hot and its fuel is men and stones. The following story contains an important lesson.
Ibn al-Jawzi said:
There was a king who had a lot of wealth, and he had a daughter and no other children. He loved her very much, and he used to let her enjoy all kinds of entertainment. This went on for a long time. Beside the king there lived a devoted worshipper, and whilst he was reciting one night, he raised his voice saying, “O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones “ [al-Tahreem 66:6 – interpretation of the meaning]. The girl heard his recitation and said to her servants, “Stop!” But they did not stop. The worshipper started to repeat the verse, and the girl kept telling them to stop, but they did not stop. She put her hands to her collar and tore her garment, and they went to her father and told him the story. He went to her and said, “My dear, what happened to you tonight? What made you weep?” and he hugged her. She said, “I ask you by Allaah, O my father, to tell me, does have Allaah have a Fire the fuel of which is men and stones?” He said, “Yes.” She asked him, “Why did you not tell me? By Allaah I will not eat any good food or sleep on any soft bed until I know whether my abode is in Paradise or Hell.” Safwat al-Safwah, 4/437-438
You have to keep them away from the places of immorality and misguidance; do not leave them to grow up with evil things from the television etc, then after that expect them to be righteous, for whoever sows thorns cannot harvest grapes. That should be done when they are young, so that it will be easy for them when they grow up, and they will get used to it, and it will be easy for you to tell them what to do and what not to do, and it will be easy for them to obey you.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:“Teach your children to pray when they are seven years old, and smack them if they do not do so when they are ten, and separate them in their beds.”
Narrated by Abu Dawood, 495; classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5868
But the educator must be merciful, forbearing, easy-going and approachable, not foul-mouthed or unkempt, arguing in a manner that is better, far removed from insulting, rebuking and beating, unless the child is one of those who willfully disobey and rejects his father’s commands and neglects his duties and does haraam things; in that case it is better to use stern measures with him, without causing him harm.
Al-Minaawi said: For a father to discipline his child when he reaches the age of discernment means that he should raise him with the characteristics of the righteous believers and protect him from mixing with evildoers; he should teach him the Qur’aan and good manners and the language of the Arabs, let him hear the Sunnah and the sayings of the Salaf and teach him the religious rulings that he cannot do without. He should warn him then smack him if he does not pray etc. That will be better for him than giving a saa’ in charity, because if he teaches him properly, his actions will be among his ongoing charity, whereas the reward for a saa’ of charity is limited, but that will last as long as the child lives. Discipline is the nourishment of the soul, and training it for the Hereafter.
“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell)…”
[al-Tahreem 66:6 – interpretation of the meaning]
Protecting yourself and your family from it means reminding them of Hell. Discipline includes preaching, warning, threatening, smacking, detaining, giving and being kind. Disciplining one who is good and noble is different from disciplining one who is difficult and ignoble.
Fayd al-Qadeer, 5/257
Smacking is a means of correcting the child.It is not something that it wanted in and of itself, rather it is resorted to if the child is stubborn and disobedient.
There is a system of punishment in Islam, and there are many punishments in Islam, such as the hadd punishments for adultery, theft, slander, etc. All of these are prescribed in order to set the people straight and put a stop to their evil.
Concerning such matters the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) advised parents to deter their children from doing wrong.
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Hang your whip where the members of the household can see it, for that will discipline them.”
Narrated by al-Tabaraani, 10/248; its isnaad was classed as hasan by al-Haythami in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 8/106
Al-Albaani said in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4022, it is hasan.
So raising children should be a balance between encouragement and warning. The most important element of all is making the environment in which the children live a good one, by providing the means whereby they may be guided; this means that their educators should be religiously committed, including their parents.
One of the ways in which a parent may be successful in raising his children is to use a cassette player to play tapes of teachings; Qur’aan recitation, khutbahs and lessons of scholars, for there are many available.
And Allaah knows best.
How To Erase Our Sins
The very first step is Repenting
A servant [of Allah's] committed a sin and said: " O Allah, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. Then he sinned again and said: "O Lord, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. Then he sinned again and said: "O Lord, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: " My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for sins. Do what you wish, for I have forgiven you." [Hadith Qudsi]
O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great at it. [Hadith Qudsi]
Abu Bakr radhiAllahu `anhu reported:
"I heard the Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam saying: 'Allah forgives the man who commits a sin (then feels ashamed), purifies himself, offers a prayer and seeks His forgiveness.'" Then he recited the 'ayyah: 'And those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - and will not knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did. The reward of such will be forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever- a bountiful reward for workers."' [al-'lmran: 135-136]. [Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, al-Baihaqi, and at-Tirmidhi who calls it hasan.]
Performing Wudhu
Narrated Abu Hurayrah radhiAllahu `anhu: Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
When a bondsman - a Muslim or a believer - washes his face (in course of 'ablution), every sin he contemplated with his eyes will be washed away from his face along with water, or with the last drop of water ; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have walked will be washed away with the water, or with the last drop of water, with the result that he comes out pure from all sins. [Sahih Muslim]
Narrated Uthman ibn AffanradhiAllahu `anhu:
The Messenger of Allah sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said: "He who performed ablution well, his sins would come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails. [Sahih Muslim]
Performing Prayer
Narrated Uthman ibn Affan radhiAllahu `anhu: "I heard Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam say:
When the time for a prescribed prayer comes, if any Muslim- performs ablution well and offers his prayer) with humility and bowing, it will be an expiation for his past sins, so long as he has not committed a major sin; and this applies to for all times. [Sahih Muslim]
Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: "Allah's Apostle said,
"The congregational prayer of anyone amongst you is more than twenty (five or twenty seven) times in reward than his prayer in the market or in his house, for if he performs ablution completely and then goes to the mosque with the sole intention of performing the prayer, and nothing urges him to proceed to the mosque except the prayer, then, on every step which he takes towards the mosque, he will be raised one degree or one of his sins will be forgiven. The angels will keep on asking Allah's forgiveness and blessings for everyone of you so long as he keeps sitting at his praying place. The angels will say, 'O Allah, bless him! O Allah, be merciful to him!' as long as he does not do Hadath or a thing which gives trouble to the other." The Prophet further said, "One is regarded in prayer so long as one is waiting for the prayer." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Narrated Abu Hurayrah radhiAllahu `anhu:
"The Messenger of Allah sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said: He who purified himself in his house, and then he walked to one of the houses of Allah for the sake of performing a fard (obligatory act) out of the Fara'id (obligatory acts) of Allah, both his steps (would be significant) as one of them would obliterate his sin and the second one would raise his status. [Sahih Muslim]
Attending the Jumu'ah Salah
Narrated Abu Hurayrah radhiAllahu `anhu: The Messenger of Allah sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
Five prayers and from one Friday prayer to (the next) Friday prayer is an expiation (of the sins committed in between their intervals) if major sins are not committed. [Sahih Muslim]
Narrated by Salman Al Farsi radhiAllahu `anhu: The Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"Whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, then uses his (hair) oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then proceeds (for the Jumua prayer) and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the mosque), then prays as much as (Allah has) written for him and then remains silent while the Imam is delivering the Khutba, his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Doing good deeds
Narrated Ibn Masud radhiAllahu `anhu: A man kissed a woman and then came to Allah's Apostle and told him of that, so this Divine Inspiration was revealed to the Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam:
"And offer Prayers perfectly at the two ends of the day, and in some hours of the night; (i.e. (five) compulsory prayers)." Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (small sins). That is a reminder for the mindful." (Qur'aan : 11.114) The man said, Is this instruction for me only?" The Prophet said, "It is for all those of my followers who encounter a similar situation." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Performing Umrah and Hajj
Narrated by Abu Huraira : The Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud radhiAllahu `anhu narrated that the Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
"Alternate between Hajj and 'Umrah (regularly), for these two remove poverty and sins just as the blacksmith's bellows removes all impurities from metals like iron, gold and silver. The reward for Hajj Mabrur is nothing short of Paradise." [Nasa'i and Tirmidhi, who regards it a sound hadith ]
Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"(The performance of) 'Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous o ne). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the o ne accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Saying Ameen'
Narrated by Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: The Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"When the Imam says 'Aameen', then you should all say Aameen, for the angels say Ameen at that time, and he whose Ameen coincides with the Ameen of the angels, all his past sins will be forgiven." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Fasting and performing prayers in the night of Qadr in Ramadan
Narrated by Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: The Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"Whoever 'fasted the month of Ramadan' out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven ." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Sending salutations
Abu Talha Al Ansari radhiAllahu `anhu said, "The Prophet, sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam, woke up one day cheerful and beaming. His companions exclaimed, 'O Prophet of Allah, you woke up today cheerful and beaming.' He replied,
'Yes! A messenger of Allah, the Mighty and the Glorified, came to me and said, "If anyone from your ummah sends you a salutation, Allah will record for him ten good deeds, wipe off ten of his sins, and raise him thereby ten degrees in rank, and He will return his salutation with a similar salutation".' [Ahmad] Ibn Kathir considers this a sound hadith ]
Being kind to animals
Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. on coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, 'This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?" He replied, "Yes, there is a reward for serving any animal." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Leaving grey hair
Amr ibn Shu'aib related o n the authority of his father from his grandfather that the Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"Do not pluck the grey hairs as they are a Muslim's light. Never a Muslim grows grey in Islam except that Allah writes for him, due to that, a good deed. And he raises him a degree. And he erases for him, due to that, one of his sins." [Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah] And Anas said, "We used to hate that a man should pluck out his white hairs from his head or beard." [Sahih Muslim]
Some simple supplications through which we can erase our sins, Insha'Allah!
Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: Allah's Apostle said,
"Whoever says, 'Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,' one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"Whoever says: 'La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa 'ala kulli shai'in qadir,' one hundred times will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Narrated Abu Hurayrah radhiAllâhu `anhu: Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
If anyone extols Allah after every prayer thirty-three times [SubhanAllah], and praises Allah thirty-three times [Alhamdulillah], and declares His Greatness thirty-three times [Allah hu Akbar], ninety-nine times in all, and say to complete a hundred: "There is no god but Allah, having no partner with Him, to Him belongs sovereignty and to Him to praise due, and He is Potent over everything," his sins will be forgiven even if these are as Abundant as the foam of the sea. [Sahih Muslim]
Abu Hurairah radhiAllahu `anhu reported that the Prophet, sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam, said,
"If anyone sits in an assembly where there is much clamor and says before getting up to leave, "Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, ashadu an-la illaha illa-anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayka" (Glory be to You, O Allah, and I begin with declaring all praise is due to You, I testify that there is no god but You; I ask Your pardon and turn to You in repentance), he will be forgiven any sin that he might have committed while in that assembly. [Tirmidhi and Al-Baihaqi, (Kitab ad-D'wat Al-kabir)]
Mu'adh b. Anas radhiAllahu `anhu reported that the Prophet, sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam, said,
"If anyone wears a new garment and says, "Alhamdu lillahillazi kasaabi hazaa wa razakabehi min ghairi hawlin minna walaa kuwwata" 'All praise be to Allah, Who clothed me with this garment and provided it for me, with no power or strength from myself' Allah will forgive all his previous sins." [Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah]
A servant [of Allah's] committed a sin and said: " O Allah, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. Then he sinned again and said: "O Lord, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for them. Then he sinned again and said: "O Lord, forgive me my sin. And He (glorified and exalted be He) said: " My servant has committed a sin and has known that he has a Lord who forgives sins and punishes for sins. Do what you wish, for I have forgiven you." [Hadith Qudsi]
O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great at it. [Hadith Qudsi]
Abu Bakr radhiAllahu `anhu reported:
"I heard the Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam saying: 'Allah forgives the man who commits a sin (then feels ashamed), purifies himself, offers a prayer and seeks His forgiveness.'" Then he recited the 'ayyah: 'And those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except Allah? - and will not knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did. The reward of such will be forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever- a bountiful reward for workers."' [al-'lmran: 135-136]. [Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, al-Baihaqi, and at-Tirmidhi who calls it hasan.]
Performing Wudhu
Narrated Abu Hurayrah radhiAllahu `anhu: Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
When a bondsman - a Muslim or a believer - washes his face (in course of 'ablution), every sin he contemplated with his eyes will be washed away from his face along with water, or with the last drop of water ; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have walked will be washed away with the water, or with the last drop of water, with the result that he comes out pure from all sins. [Sahih Muslim]
Narrated Uthman ibn AffanradhiAllahu `anhu:
The Messenger of Allah sallAllâhu `alayhi wa sallam said: "He who performed ablution well, his sins would come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails. [Sahih Muslim]
Performing Prayer
Narrated Uthman ibn Affan radhiAllahu `anhu: "I heard Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam say:
When the time for a prescribed prayer comes, if any Muslim- performs ablution well and offers his prayer) with humility and bowing, it will be an expiation for his past sins, so long as he has not committed a major sin; and this applies to for all times. [Sahih Muslim]
Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: "Allah's Apostle said,
"The congregational prayer of anyone amongst you is more than twenty (five or twenty seven) times in reward than his prayer in the market or in his house, for if he performs ablution completely and then goes to the mosque with the sole intention of performing the prayer, and nothing urges him to proceed to the mosque except the prayer, then, on every step which he takes towards the mosque, he will be raised one degree or one of his sins will be forgiven. The angels will keep on asking Allah's forgiveness and blessings for everyone of you so long as he keeps sitting at his praying place. The angels will say, 'O Allah, bless him! O Allah, be merciful to him!' as long as he does not do Hadath or a thing which gives trouble to the other." The Prophet further said, "One is regarded in prayer so long as one is waiting for the prayer." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Narrated Abu Hurayrah radhiAllahu `anhu:
"The Messenger of Allah sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said: He who purified himself in his house, and then he walked to one of the houses of Allah for the sake of performing a fard (obligatory act) out of the Fara'id (obligatory acts) of Allah, both his steps (would be significant) as one of them would obliterate his sin and the second one would raise his status. [Sahih Muslim]
Attending the Jumu'ah Salah
Narrated Abu Hurayrah radhiAllahu `anhu: The Messenger of Allah sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
Five prayers and from one Friday prayer to (the next) Friday prayer is an expiation (of the sins committed in between their intervals) if major sins are not committed. [Sahih Muslim]
Narrated by Salman Al Farsi radhiAllahu `anhu: The Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"Whoever takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, then uses his (hair) oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then proceeds (for the Jumua prayer) and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the mosque), then prays as much as (Allah has) written for him and then remains silent while the Imam is delivering the Khutba, his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Doing good deeds
Narrated Ibn Masud radhiAllahu `anhu: A man kissed a woman and then came to Allah's Apostle and told him of that, so this Divine Inspiration was revealed to the Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam:
"And offer Prayers perfectly at the two ends of the day, and in some hours of the night; (i.e. (five) compulsory prayers)." Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (small sins). That is a reminder for the mindful." (Qur'aan : 11.114) The man said, Is this instruction for me only?" The Prophet said, "It is for all those of my followers who encounter a similar situation." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Performing Umrah and Hajj
Narrated by Abu Huraira : The Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"Whoever performs Hajj for Allah's pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud radhiAllahu `anhu narrated that the Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
"Alternate between Hajj and 'Umrah (regularly), for these two remove poverty and sins just as the blacksmith's bellows removes all impurities from metals like iron, gold and silver. The reward for Hajj Mabrur is nothing short of Paradise." [Nasa'i and Tirmidhi, who regards it a sound hadith ]
Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"(The performance of) 'Umra is an expiation for the sins committed (between it and the previous o ne). And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the o ne accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Saying Ameen'
Narrated by Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: The Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"When the Imam says 'Aameen', then you should all say Aameen, for the angels say Ameen at that time, and he whose Ameen coincides with the Ameen of the angels, all his past sins will be forgiven." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Fasting and performing prayers in the night of Qadr in Ramadan
Narrated by Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: The Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"Whoever 'fasted the month of Ramadan' out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven ." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Sending salutations
Abu Talha Al Ansari radhiAllahu `anhu said, "The Prophet, sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam, woke up one day cheerful and beaming. His companions exclaimed, 'O Prophet of Allah, you woke up today cheerful and beaming.' He replied,
'Yes! A messenger of Allah, the Mighty and the Glorified, came to me and said, "If anyone from your ummah sends you a salutation, Allah will record for him ten good deeds, wipe off ten of his sins, and raise him thereby ten degrees in rank, and He will return his salutation with a similar salutation".' [Ahmad] Ibn Kathir considers this a sound hadith ]
Being kind to animals
Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. on coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, 'This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?" He replied, "Yes, there is a reward for serving any animal." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Leaving grey hair
Amr ibn Shu'aib related o n the authority of his father from his grandfather that the Prophet sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"Do not pluck the grey hairs as they are a Muslim's light. Never a Muslim grows grey in Islam except that Allah writes for him, due to that, a good deed. And he raises him a degree. And he erases for him, due to that, one of his sins." [Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah] And Anas said, "We used to hate that a man should pluck out his white hairs from his head or beard." [Sahih Muslim]
Some simple supplications through which we can erase our sins, Insha'Allah!
Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: Allah's Apostle said,
"Whoever says, 'Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,' one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Narrated Abu Huraira radhiAllahu `anhu: Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said,
"Whoever says: 'La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa 'ala kulli shai'in qadir,' one hundred times will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he." [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Narrated Abu Hurayrah radhiAllâhu `anhu: Allah's Apostle sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
If anyone extols Allah after every prayer thirty-three times [SubhanAllah], and praises Allah thirty-three times [Alhamdulillah], and declares His Greatness thirty-three times [Allah hu Akbar], ninety-nine times in all, and say to complete a hundred: "There is no god but Allah, having no partner with Him, to Him belongs sovereignty and to Him to praise due, and He is Potent over everything," his sins will be forgiven even if these are as Abundant as the foam of the sea. [Sahih Muslim]
Abu Hurairah radhiAllahu `anhu reported that the Prophet, sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam, said,
"If anyone sits in an assembly where there is much clamor and says before getting up to leave, "Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, ashadu an-la illaha illa-anta, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayka" (Glory be to You, O Allah, and I begin with declaring all praise is due to You, I testify that there is no god but You; I ask Your pardon and turn to You in repentance), he will be forgiven any sin that he might have committed while in that assembly. [Tirmidhi and Al-Baihaqi, (Kitab ad-D'wat Al-kabir)]
Mu'adh b. Anas radhiAllahu `anhu reported that the Prophet, sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam, said,
"If anyone wears a new garment and says, "Alhamdu lillahillazi kasaabi hazaa wa razakabehi min ghairi hawlin minna walaa kuwwata" 'All praise be to Allah, Who clothed me with this garment and provided it for me, with no power or strength from myself' Allah will forgive all his previous sins." [Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah]
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