Ramadhan

A gift to the Believers

islamicbooks@live.co.uk

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 Contents
The Purpose of Ramadhan……….……………4

The Virtues of Ramadhan………………………….6

The Virtues of the Last Ten Nights of Ramadhan………9

The Virtues of Fasting………………………………….11

10 Points to know for Ramadhan……………..……16

15 Short Advices for Ramadhan……………..……19

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 The Purpose of Ramadhan
A Believer must realise the fact that fasting in the month of Ramadhan is
obligatory and that Allah has prescribed it for us in His Book so that we
become righteous. Taqwa is one of the greatest goals and most important
reasons behind fasting. Allah says:

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for
those before you, in order that you may attain Taqwa.
Taqwa.”
a.”
(Surah
(Surah Al-
Al-Baqarah: 183)
183)

“The most honoured by Allah

Allah amongst you are those best in Taqwa.
Taqwa.”
(Surah Al-
Al-Hujraat, 13)

The Prophet has clearly stated: “Whoever does not give up lying and evil
actions, then Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink.” [Bukhari]

It is clear from this Hadith which has been narrated on the authority of
Abu Hurairah that Allah is not in need of any person to leave his food or
drink. Allah is far from needs and desires. However, it is the mercy of Allah
that He wants each and every person to leave those things which will lead
him to the hellfire and by controlling one’s desires throughout this month it is
hoped that one will be able to control himself throughout the following
months also.

Indeed, the Prophet has said: “Perhaps a person fasting will receive nothing
from his fasting except hunger and thirst.” [Ibn Majah, Ahmed, Bayhaqi]

The Prophet said: “If one of you is fasting, he should not use obscene
language nor shout nor act ignorantly. And if someone speaks abusively to
him or wants to fight with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’“
[Bukhari]

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Thus Allah teaches us that Fasting is an obligation and a means to attain
taqwa, that which increases believers in their ranks with Allah .

The month of Ramadhan is not like any other month; its purpose is to rid
man of those habits which he has accumulated throughout the rest of the
year. It is a month that prepares man for the remaining eleven months by
teaching him discipline and self control. Thus, Allah has made some acts
which are beloved to man, like eating, drinking and fulfilling one’s desires,
Haram. If halal acts are made haram During Ramadhan,
Ramadhan, then what about
about the
haram deeds?
deeds?
If man can control these desires in this month, which are usually permissible
for him, then he can surely control himself from other desires which are not
permissible throughout the remaining months.

Ramadhan is a very special Month in which we can seek forgiveness and

improve our moral conduct for the next 11 months.

“Suppose you meet a friend and you see a thick layer of dirt on his body.
You feel that your friend should be given a opportunity to clean himself from
all this dirt. You tell him to go a five-star hotel, where he can live for 30 days.
During the Time he should take advantage to clean himself, but when you
visit him after 30 days, you find same as before.

Obviously you will be angered because you paid all the Hotel Fees for your
friend. This sample applies 100% to a person who doesn’t repent for his sins
in Ramadhan. Allah has given him a great Opportunity to repent and come
back on the straight path.

In summary, the month of Ramadhan has been made so that mankind

can take benefit of the merits and blessings contained within to change
themselves for the better and by doing so create a bond with Allah that
will continue throughout the eleven remaining months.

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 Virtues of Ramadhan
In this month we are given many opportunities, as mentioned on the
previous pages to reform ourselves and seek forgiveness for our bad sins.
This is a month of reformation and self reflection, where a believer can
ponder of over spirituality and piety and bring a change for the better.

The Prophet said:

“Jibreel came to me and said, ‘Whoever reaches the month of Ramadhan and
does not have his sins forgiven and so enters the Fire, then may Allah distance
him, say ameen.” So I said “Ameen”

Abu Hurairah relates that Rasulullah said, “My Ummah was given five
things for Ramadhan which were not given to anyone except them. For them:
1. The smell from the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter to
Allah than the fragrant smell of musk.
2. On their behalf the fish in the sea seek forgiveness for the fasting persons
until they break their fast.
3. Allah prepares and decorates a special garden in Jannah everyday and
then says (to it), “The time is near when faithful servants shall cast aside
the great trials of the world and come to you”.
4. In this month (for them) evil-minded Shaitan is chained so as not to
reach unto those evils to which they normally reach during other months
besides Ramadhan.
5. On the last night of Ramadhan they are forgiven”.

The Sahabah thereupon enquired, “0 Messenger of Allah, is that last night

Laylatul Qadr? Rasulullah replied, “No. But it is only right that a servant
should be given his reward on having completed his service”.
[Ahmad, Bayhaqi]

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Kaab bin Ujra relates, “Rasulullah said, “Come near to the mimbar”.
And we came near to the mimbar. When he ascended the First step of the
mimbar he said “Ameen”. When he ascended the second step of the
mimbar he said, “Ameen”. When he ascended the third step he said,
“Ameen”. When he descended we said, “0 Rasul of Allah, we have heard
from you today something which we never heard before”.
He said, When I ascended the first step) Jibreel appeared before me and
said, “Woe to him who found the blessed month of Ramadhan and let it pass
by without gaining forgiveness”. Upon that I said, “Ameen”. When I ascended
the second step, he said “Woe to him before whom thy name is mentioned
and then does not read Durood (salaat alan Nabi) on you”. I replied
“Ameen”. When I ascended the third step he said, “Woe unto the person in
whose presence both parents or one of them attain old age, and (through
failure to serve them) is not allowed to enter Jannah” I said “Ameen”.
[Reported by Hakim]

The Prophet said: “Making ‘Umrah in Ramadhan is equal to making Hajj –

or making Hajj with me.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

It is related by Abu Hurairah that the Apostle of Allah :

“When the first night of the month of Ramadhan (comes), the devil’s and
defiant Jinn are bound in chains and all the Gates of Hell are closed and non
of them remains open and all the Gates of Heaven are thrown open and
none of them remains closed and the heavenly herald announces, “O seeker
of goodness and virtue! Come forward; and O lover of wickedness and evil-
doing! Halt, and do not come forward” and a large number of (sinning)
bondsmen are released from Hell at the command of God (i.e., decision of
forgiveness and deliverance is taken for them), and all this takes place on
every night of Ramadhan.” [Tirmidhee
[Tirmi Majah
dhee and Ibn Majah]

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The Prophet said: “By the One in whose Hand the soul of Muhammad is,
the breath that comes out of the mouth of the one fasting is better to Allah
than the scent of musk. There are two times of joy for the person who fasts:
When he breaks his fast, he is happy because he broke his fast, and when he
meets his Lord, he is happy because of his fast.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

The Night Prayer in Ramadhan is a cause for attaining the forgiveness of sins.
The Prophet said: “Whoever stands (in night prayer) during Ramadhan
with faith and seeking reward (from Allah), all of his previous sins will be
forgiven.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

One of the major Virtues of Ramadhan is the Night of Decree

(Laylatul
Laylatul-
latul-Qadr) , See “The
The Virtues of the Last Ten nights of Ramadhan”.
Ramadhan”

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 The Virtues of the Last Ten Nights of Ramadhan
“Laylatul
“Laylatul-
ul-Qadr is better than
than a thousand months.” (Surah Al-
Al-Qadr, 3)

“When the last ten days of Ramadhan would come, the Prophet, would
tighten his waist wrapper (izaar), spend the night in worship, and wake his
family.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Allah’s Messenger would exert himself in the last ten days (of Ramadhan)
more than he would at other times.” [Muslim]

One of the most important reasons why the last ten nights are so honourable
is because Laylatul-
Laylatul- Qadr (The Night of Decree) falls in it. Allah says:

“Laylatul
“Laylatul-
ul-Qadr is better than a thousand months.” (Surah Al-
Al-Qadr, 3)

Laylatul-Qadr, the Night of Decree is better than a thousand months,

months the
Prophet told us: “Seek it in the last ten, and if one of you is too weak or
unable then let him not allow that to make him miss the final seven.”
[Bukhari and Muslim].

That which is the most specific states, “Seek it on the (twenty) ninth and the
(twenty) seventh and the (twenty) fifth.”
fifth [Bukhari]]
[Bukhari

Ubayy bin Ka'b reported:

reported: By Allah, I know about Laylat
Laylat-
lat-ul Qadr and I
know it fully well that it is the twenty-
twenty-seventh night (during Ramadh
Ramadhan) on
which the Messenger
Messenger of Allah commanded us to observe prayer. [Muslim]

The Prophet used to exert himself greatly during Laylatul-Qadr. He would

spend the nights in worship, detaching himself from women and ordering his
family with this. So every Muslim should be eager to stand in prayer during
Laylatul Qadr out of Iman and hoping for the great reward.

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The Prophet said: “Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul Qadr out of Iman
.” [Bukha
and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven.” Bukhari
ri & Muslim]

The supplication that the Messenger of Allah taught ‘Aisha , to say when
seeking the Night of Decree is: “O Allah you are the one who pardons
greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.” (Allahhumma innaka ‘affuwwun
tuhibbul ‘afwa fa ‘afu ‘annee). [Tirmidhee, Ibn M
Majah]
ajah]

The blessed month of Ramadhan is a great time and a beautiful time as

well. We thank Allah that He is giving us another occasion to witness this
blessed time in our life. May He help us to benefit from this season of virtues
and blessings and may He grant us His love, mercy and forgiveness now and
forever, Ameen.

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 The Virtues of Fasting
Firstly, A Believer must realise the fact that fasting in the month of Ramadhan
is obligatory and that Allah has prescribed it for us in His Book:

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for
those before you, in order that you may attain Taqwa.”
Taqwa.”
(Surah
(Surah Al-
Al-Baqarah: 183)
183)

Thus Allah teaches us that Fasting is an obligation and a means to attain

Taqwa, that which increases believers in their ranks with Allah .

The reward for fasting is immense, as mentioned in the following Hadith:

The Prophet said “Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold
reward, each good deed receiving then times its like, up to seven hundred
times. Allah the Most High said, ‘Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will
give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.’ for the
fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a
time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of
the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk.” [Muslim]]
[Muslim

Abu Umamah reported: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an

action by which I may enter Paradise’. He said: ‘Take to Fasting, there is
nothing like it.’ “ [An--Nasa
[An Nasa’’i, Ibn Hibban, Al
Al--Hakim
Hakim]]

In this hadith, the Prophet singled out fasting when asked about a
deed that leads its doer to the best of rewards, Paradise. This fact alone is
sufficient for us to understand the greatness of fasting. But Fasting doesn’t
mean Mere knowledge of the importance and superiority of fasting, however,
is not enough for a Muslim to attain Allah’s pleasure and then his great
reward.

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Indeed, the Prophet has said: “Perhaps a person fasting will receive nothing
from his fasting except hunger and thirst.” [Ibn Majah, Ahmed, Bayhaqi]

This hadith should raise our concern about fasting and increase our desire to
perform this act of worship with the best intention and in accordance with the
Sunnah of the Prophet .

Furthermore, we should realise the words of the Prophet in which he tells

us that Allah the Exalted said: “The most beloved deeds with which my slave
comes closer to Me are the obligatory deeds.” All-Jami
[Saheeh A Jami’’]

Sahl ibn Sa`d said that the Prophet said: “Indeed there is a gate of
Paradise called Ar-Rayyaan. On the day of Resurrection those who fast will
enter through it; no one enters it except for them, and when they have
entered, it is closed so that no one enters it, so when the last of them enters it,
it is closed, and whoever enters it drinks, and whoever drinks never becomes
thirsty.”

A Muslim who realises that only that which is with Allah remains, and
that He is the only One who grants and withholds, would not be of those
to which the Prophet alluded in the Hadith: “On the Day of Judgement, a
caller will cry out, ‘Whoever performed a deed for someone other than Allah
may seek his reward from that for which he performed the deed’”.
[Saheeh Al
Al-Jami]

The Prophet said: “He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast,
he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will be reduced
from the fasting persons reward.” Majah].
[Ahmad, Tirmidhee, Ibn Majah]
Also, a fasting Muslim should not reject invitation of another Muslim to break
fast.

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 Fasting is a shield against the Fire

The Prophet “Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from
the Fire.” [Ahmad]

He also said “On the Day of Judgement, “Fasting will say: O My Lord,
I prevented him from food an desires so accept my intercession for him.”
[Ahmad]]
[Ahmad

The Prophet said: “There is not a servant (of Allah) that fasts a day in the
way of Allah, except that Allah removes his face from the fire by the distance
of seventy years because of that.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

So fasting prevents a person from committing what Allah hates, thus

protecting him from Allah’s punishment. If the person that is fasting is able to
prevent himself from what is generally permissible for him – such as food,
drink and sexual relations with his wife – he will be more able and likely to
prevent himself from those things generally forbidden for him, such as lying,
backbiting, slandering, cursing, vain passing of time and bad behaviour.
Therefore, the one who does not understand this matter will not achieve
anything from his fasting, except hunger and thirst.

The fasting person will be among the true followers of the

prophets and the martyrs:

Amr ibn Murrah al-Juhaanee said: “A man came to the Prophet and
said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what if I testify that none has the right to
worshipped but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah, and I observe
the five daily prayers, and I pay the zakah, and I fast and stand in prayer in
Ramadhan, then amongst whom shall I be?’ He said: ‘Amongst the true
followers of the prophets and the martyrs.’” [Ibn Hibban]

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 Fasting is a shield against one’s base desires,

As the Prophet told the youth: “O youths, whoever amongst you is able to
marry then let him do so, since it restrains the eyes and protects the private
parts, and he who is unable, then let him fast because it is a shield for him.”
[Bukhari and Muslim]

Fasting is a means for one’

one’s sins to be forgiven

The Prophet said: “He who observed the fasts Ramadhan, due to Iman and
hoping for reward (from Allah) then his past sins are forgiven.”
[Bukhari,, Muslim]
[Bukhari

The Prophet said: “The five daily prayers; one Friday prayer to the next
Friday prayer; and (fasting) Ramadhan to the next Ramadhan expiate the sins
that occur in between them, so long as the major sins are avoided.”
[Reported by Muslim]

The Following Hadith is applicable for the whole year other than Ramadhan,
because in Ramadhan its an obligation to Fast.

The Prophet used to aspire to fast on Monday and Thursday.”

[Reported by Tirmidhee with an authentic chain]

The supplication of the fasting person

person is answered

The Messenger of Allah said : “There are in the month of Ramadhan in

every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and
there is for every Muslim an supplication which he can make and will be
granted.” [Ahmad]

Allah says: “Every good deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting,
for it is for me and I will reward it.”
[A
A qudsi hadeth reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

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 Ramadhan is meant for our moral and spiritual training and for the
purification of our bodies, minds and souls. This is an annual training program
for all believers. It is a special time to get closer to Allah and to seek His
blessings and bounties. It is a time to learn taqwa (God-fearing), piety, self-
discipline and patience. It is a time to give more charity and become more
generous. It is a time to seek Allah’s forgiveness and to forgive each other. It is
a time to be thankful to Allah for His gifts and bounties and especially His
gift of iman.

So we should take advantage of this Blessed month

to draw closer to Allah

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 10 Points to know for Ramadhan
Let us keep the following things in our mind when we observe this month:

1. Intention: Remind yourself again and again that you are fasting in
obedience to Allah . Be sincere in your intention. You want Allah to
accept your fasting. The Prophet said: “Whosoever fasts in Ramadhan with
faith and seeking Allah’s reward, all his past sins are forgiven.” [Bukhari
Bukhari]]

2. Sunnah: Observe the Sunnah in fasting. Take the suhur meal a little before
dawn and end your fast at sunset. As much as you can, try to fast as much like
the Prophet Muhammad fasted. There was no prayer better than his prayer
and no fast better than his fast. Try to follow his way of fasting. That is the
most acceptable way of fasting to Allah .

3. Wara` (Avoiding everything haram or makruh): Keep your body and mind
very clean. Fasting is not just avoiding food and drink. Fasting is to learn how
to avoid bad words and bad deeds. The Prophet said: “Whosoever does not
leave bad words and bad actions, Allah does not care if he leaves his food
and drink.” [Tirmidhee]

4. Qur’
Qur’an: Fasting and revelation are inter-connected. Prophet Musa
fasted when he received the Torah. Prophet `Isa fasted when he received
the Gospel. Prophet Muhammad fasted when he received the first message
of the Qur’an. Let us do the same thing. You must fast and spend more time
with the Qur’an. Read the Qur’an every day. Try to finish at least one time
the whole Qur’an during this month by your own personal reading.

Du`a’’ and Dhikr: Pray on time and observe all the prayers.
5. Prayer or Salah, Du`a
Do not ignore the Taraweeh or Ramadhan night prayers. Make more extra
and voluntary prayers. Do as much worship as you can. Do more dhikr
(remembering Allah) and du`a (supplication) for yourself and for others.

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Repent and seek forgiveness for yourself and for others as much as you can.
This is the best time for devotion and seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Seek the
Night of Qadr by special devotion during the last ten nights of this month.

6. Zakah, Sadaqah and Generosity: Ramadhan generates the spirit of giving

and sacrifice. When we deprive ourselves of food and drink we understand
and realize well what it means to be hungry and thirsty. We realize the pain
of those who cannot find the basic necessities of life. Be very charitable and
generous. Give more to help the poor and needy. Contribute generously to
useful social and community projects.

7. Family: Goodness must begin at home. Be very good to your family,

immediate family and the extended family. Spend more time and quality time
with your family members. Try to have suhur (pre-dawn meal) together.
Break your fast together and pray together as much as you can. Do this more
at this time. Ramadhan should bring you closer to each other. Allah’s special
mercy comes on the families that are united, harmonious and peaceful.

8. Good Conduct: Fasting should transform you and should make you a
different person. Try to be extra kind and courteous during this month. Forget
your quarrels and disputes. Reconcile and forgive. Do not get involved in
backbiting, lying, cheating and anything that is wrong. Be very good to
Muslims and to all human beings. Be good to your friends and neighbours. Let
your non-Muslim neighbours and co-workers know that this is your blessed
and sacred time.

9. Tafakkur (reflection): Think, reflect and plan to improve the moral and
spiritual condition of your own self and your family. Think about any wrong
things and sins you might be doing and decide to correct yourself. Think
about any deficiencies you have in your Islamic observances. Plan to change
yourself. Think what you can do for the Ummah and for humanity to make
this world a better place for everyone. Think about the life after death and
the Day of Judgment.

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10. Be cheerful and happy: Ramadhan is not a time of mourning or sadness.
It is a time of thankfulness to Allah . In a Hadith it is reported that the
Prophet said, “When you fast, anoint yourself. Let not the signs of fast be
seen on you.” [Bukhari
Bukhari]] Do not feel tired and miserable. Feel alert and relax.
Take things easy. This time is for your own good. Give the greetings of
Ramadhan to each other and enjoy this beautiful time.

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 15 Advices for Ramadhan
1. Fast Ramadhan with belief and truly seeking the reward of Allah the Most
High so that He may forgive you your past sins.

2. Give food to some fasting people to gain a reward similar to theirs.

3. Beware of breaking your fast during the days of Ramadhan without a valid
Islamic excuse, for it is from the greatest of sins.

4. Pray Salat ut-Taraweeh and the night prayer during the nights of Ramadhan
– especially on Laylatul-Qadr – based on belief and truly seeking the reward
of Allah, so that Allah may forgive you your past sins.

5. Perform your five prayers on time in congregation to gain the reward and
Allah’s protection.

6. Give a lot of charity for the best charity is that of Ramadhan.

7. Beware of spending your time without performing righteous deeds, for you
will be responsible and reckoned for it and will be rewarded for all you do
during your time. Do Dhikr of Allah .

8. Hasten breaking your fast after the sun has truly set in order to gain the
love of Allah.

9. Increase in supplication for yourself, your parents, your children and

Muslims, for Allah has ordered making of supplications and has guaranteed
acceptance.

10.
10. Perform `Umrah in Ramadhan for `Umrah in Ramadhan is equal to Hajj.

11. Perform Ghusl before Fajr if you need to purify yourself from the state of
major impurity so that you are able to do acts of worship in a state of purity
and cleanliness.

12. Preserve your tongue from lying, cursing, backbiting and slander for it
decreases the reward of fasting.

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13. Cease the opportunity of being in Ramadhan and spend it with the good
that has been revealed in it – by reciting the noble Quran and pondering and
reflection of its meanings so that it be a proof for you with your Lord and an
intercessor for you on the Day of Reckoning.

14.
14. Do not let fasting cause you cross your boundaries by getting upset due to
the slightest of reasons. Rather, fasting should be a cause of peacefulness and
tranquility of your soul.

15.
15. Repent to Allah with a sincere repentance in all times by leaving sins,
regretting those that you have done before and firmly deciding not to return
to them in the future, for Allah accepts repentance of those who repent.

O Allah make us and all Muslims of those who fast and stand in prayer during
the month of Ramadhan based on belief and truly seeking Your reward so
that we are forgiven our past and future sins.

O Allah make us of those who fasted the month, attained full reward,
witnessed Layatul-
Layatul-Qadr and attained success by permission of the Lord,
Blessed and Most High.

O Allah, verily you are Forgiver, like to forgive, so forgive us.

O Lord, accept from us, verily you are the All-

All-Hearing, all-
all-Seeing,
Seeing, O Living, O
Independent, O Owner of all majesty and honor.
honor

And may Allahs blessings and peace be upon Muhammad, his family and his
Companions.

Ameen

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 Feel free to Contact me :
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Sahl ibn Sa'd reported that the Prophet said to Ali :

“By Allah, for Allah to guide one man by you is better for you
than red camels.”
[Agreed upon]

Red Camels were very precious for the Arabs, Hence, To Guide someone to
the truth is better than anything else, (i.e. much rewarding).

Frames have been taken from Harun Yahya’s Books

“Love of Allah” and “End of Times and the Mahdi”
www.Harunyahya.com

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 The Messenger of Allah said:

"Whoever guides anyone to goodness, his reward shall be the same as

those who follow his guidance without lessening a bit of their reward.
And whoever guides anyone astray; his sin shall be the same as the sin
of the person who follows him without lessening a single bit of their sin."
[Muslim]

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Reward
According to my research; if you spend 2 hours of your time without
doing anything useful on a daily basis and continue this for 20 years then
at the end of these 20 years you would have wasted 1 ½ years !!!!

Ibn Al-
Al-Jawzee delievered an advice in his Book :
“You take what is light in weight and valuable in price”
Then why don’t you do Dhikr: It won’t take extra tim

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