Sadaqat-ul-Fitr

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 2, Book 25 Zakat ul Fitr, Number 579]
Narrated Ibn Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) enjoined the payment of one Sa' of dates or one Sa' of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the 'Id prayer. (One Sa' = 3 Kilograms approx.)

[Sahih Muslim : Book 5 Kitab Al-Zakat, Number 2153]
Abdullah bin Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) prescribed Zakat-ul-Fitr of Ramadan one sa' of dates or one sa' of barley for every individual among the Muslims (whether) free man or slave, male or female, young or old.

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 2, Book 25 Zakat ul Fitr, Number 588]
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) has made Sadaqatul-Fitr obligatory, (and it was), either one Sa' of barley or one Sa' of dates (and its payment was obligatory) on young and old people, and on free men as well as on slaves.

[Sahih Muslim : Book 5 Kitab Al-Zakat, Number 2159]
Ibn 'Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) ordered that the Sadaqat-ul-Fitr should be paid before the people go out for prayer.

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 2, Book 25 Zakat ul Fitr, Number 585]
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (Radi Allah Anhu): The Prophet (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) ordered the people to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr before going to the 'Id prayer.

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 2, Book 25 Zakat ul Fitr, Number 587]
Narrated Nafi': Ibn 'Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) said, "The Prophet (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) made incumbent on every male or female, free man or slave, the payment of one Sa' of dates or barley as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (or said Sadaqa-Ramadan) ." The people then substituted half Sa' of wheat for that. Ibn 'Umar used to give dates (as Sadaqat-ulFitr) . Once there was scarcity of dates in Medina and Ibn 'Umar gave barley. 'And Ibn 'Umar used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr for every young and old person. He even used to give on behalf of my children. Ibn 'Umar used to give Sadaqatul-Fitr to those who had been officially appointed for its collection. People used to give Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (even) a day or two before the 'Id.

Lailatul Qadr

[97. Surah Al-Qadr : Ayah 1-5]
Surely We revealed it on the grand night. And what will make you comprehend what the grand night is? The grand night is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gabriel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair, Peace! it is till the break of the morning.

Lailatul Qadr in the Last Seven Nights of Ramazan

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 3, Book 32 "Taraweeh", Number 232]
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (Radi Allah Anhu) : Some men amongst the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) were shown in their dreams that the night of Qadr was in the last seven nights of Ramazan. Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) said, "It seems that all your dreams agree that (the Night of Qadr) is in the last seven nights, and whoever wants to search for it should search in the last seven nights of Ramazan."

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 3, Book 32 "Taraweeh", Number 233]
Narrated Abu Salama (Radi Allah Anhu) : I asked Abu Sa'id (Radi Allah Anhu) about the Night of Qadr and he said, "We practised Itikaf in the middle third month of Ramazan with Prophet Muhammad (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ). In the morning of the 20th of Ramazan, the Prophet Muhammad (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) came to and addressed us and said, " I was informed of the date of the Night of Qadr but I was caused to forget it, or I forget, so search it in the last ten nights of month of Ramazan."

Search Lailatul Qadr in the Odd Nights of Last Ten Nights of Ramazan

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 3, Book 32 "Taraweeh", Number 238]
Narrated 'Ibn Abbas (Radi Allah Anha): The Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) said:"Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramazan on the night when nine or seven or five nights remain out of the last ten nights of the Ramazan."

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 3, Book 32 "Taraweeh", Number 239]
Narrated 'Ibn Abbas (Radi Allah Anha) in this quotation: Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) said:"The Night of Qadr is in the last ten nights of the month of Ramazan either on the first nine or in the last (remaining) seven nights of Ramazan."

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 3, Book 32 "Taraweeh", Number 241]
Narrated 'Aisha (Radi Allah Anhu) : With the start of the last ten days of Ramazan, Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) used to tighten his waist-belt (i.e. hard work) and used to offer Salat (Prayer) all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the Salat (prayers).

[Sahih Muslim : Book 6 "Kitab Al-Sawm", Number 2632]
'A'isha (Radi Allah Anhu) Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) as saying: "Look for (and in the words of Waki, seek) Lailat-ul-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan."

[Sahih Muslim : Book 6 "Kitab Al-Sawm", Number 2633]
Zirr b. Habaish (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Ubayy b. Ka'b (Radi Allah Anhu) took oath (without making any exception, i. e. without saying Innsha Allah) that it was the twenty-seventh night. I said to him: Abu Mundhir, on what ground do you say that? Thereupon he said: By the indication or by the sign which the Messenger of Allah (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) gave us, and that is that on that day (the sun) would rise without having any ray in it.

[Sahih Muslim : Book 6 "Kitab Al-Sawm", Number 2634]
Zirr b. Hubaish (Radi Allah Anhu) reported that Ubayy b. Ka'b (Radi Allah Anhu) said about Lailat-ul-Qadr: By Allah, I know well about it. Shu'ba said: To the best of my knowledge it was the twenty-seventh night for which the Messenger of Allah (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) commanded us to stand for prayer. Shu'ba doubted these words: That it was the night for which the Messenger of Allah (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) commanded us to stand for prayer. And (he further) said: This was narrated to me by a friend of mine from him (the Holy Prophet).

[Sahih Muslim : Book 6 "Kitab Al-Sawm", Number 2635]
Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) reported: We were talking about Lailat-ul-Qadr in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) and he said: "He who amongst you remembers (the night) when the moon arose and it was like a piece of plate (at the fag end of the month in a state of waning)."

Allah's Remembrance (I'tikaf) & Searching Lailatul Qadr in Odd Nights

[Sahih Muslim : Book 6, Book Name 'Kitab Al-Sawm' Number 2625]
Abu Sa 'id al-Khudri (Radi Allah Anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) spent in devotion (in i'tikaf) the middle ten nights of the month of Ramadan, and when twenty nights were over and it was the twenty-first night, he went back to his residence and those who were along with him also returned (to their respective residences). He spent one month in devotion. Then he addressed the people on the night he came back (to his residence) and commanded them as Allah desired (him to command) and then said: I used to devote myself (observe i'tikaf) during these ten (nights). Then I started devoting myself in the last ten (nights). And he who desires to observe i'tikaf along with me should spend the night) at his place of i'tikaf. And I saw this night (Lailat-ul-Qadr) but I forgot it (the exact night) ; so seek it;In the last ten nights on odd numbers.

[Sahih Muslim : Book 6, Book Name 'Kitab Al-Sawm' Number 2627]
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Radi Allah Anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) observed i'tikaf (confined himself for devotion and prayer) in the first ten (days) of Ramadan; he then observed i'tikaf in the middle ten (days) in a Turkish tent with a mat hanging at its door. He (the Holy Prophet) took hold of that mat and placed it in the nook of the tent. He then put his head out and talked with people and they came near him, and he (the Holy Prophet) said: I observed i'tikaf in the first ten (nights and days) in order to seek that night (Lailat-ul-Qadr) . I then observed i'tikaf in the middle ten days. Then (an angel) was sent to me and I was told that this (night) is among the last ten (nights). He who among you likes to observe i'tikaf should do so; and the people observed it along with him, and he (the Holy Prophet) said: That (Lailat-ul-Qadr) was shown to me on an odd (night) and I (saw in the dream) that I was prostrating in the morning in clay and water. So in the morning of the twenty-first night when he (the Holy Prophet) got up for dawn (prayer). there was a rainfall and the mosque dripped, and I saw clay and water. When he came out after completing the morning prayer (I saw) that his forehead and the tip of his nose had (traces) of clay and water, and that was the twenty-first night among the last ten (nights).

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 3, Book 33, Book Name 'I'tikaf' Number 242]
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) used to practise Itikaf in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan.

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 3, Book 33, Book Name 'I'tikaf ' Number 243]
Narrated 'Aisha (Radi Allah Anha) the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ): The Prophet Muhammad (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) used to practise Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramazan till he died and then his wives used to practise Itikaf after him.

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 3, Book 33, Book Name 'I'tikaf ' Number 260]
Narrated 'Abu Haraira (Radi Allah Anhu) : The Prophet Muhammad (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) used to perform Itikaf every year in the month of Ramazan for ten days and when it was the year of his death, he stayed in Itikaf for twenty days."

Ramadan - Fasting

THE QURAN ON FASTING

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know." (2:183-84)

"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days.

Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him" (2: 185).

"It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of the fasts. They are garments for you and you are the same for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your fast till the nightfall.

And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in Itikaf in the mosques. These are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not. Thus does Allah make clear His signs to mankind that they may become Al Muttaqun (the pious)" (2:187).

"Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr.

And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is?

The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months

Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Gabriel) by Allah's Permission with all Decrees,

Peace! until the appearance of dawn (97:1-5)

THE HADITH ON FASTING

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it (Bukhari).

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: "Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord" (Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness (Darimi).

When to start fasting

Ibn Umar related that the Prophet said: Do not start fasting unless you see the new moon, and do not end fasting until you see it. If the weather is cloudy then calculate when it should appear (Bukhari, Muslim).

The Suhoor meal (which is eaten before dawn)

Anas related that Rasulullah said: Take the Suhoor meal, for there is blessing in it (Bukhari, Muslim).

Breaking your fast

Salman ibn Amir Dhabi related that the Prophet said: Break your fast with dates, or else with water, for it is pure (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).

Fasting during a journey

Aisha related that Rasulullah was asked whether one should fast when on a journey, and he replied: Fast if you like, or postpone it if you like (Bukhari, Muslim).

Behavior while fasting

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said: If a person does not avoid false talk and false conduct during Siyam, then Allah does not care if he abstains from food and drink (Bukhari, Muslim).

Forgetfully eating or drinking while fasting

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he should complete his Siyam, for it is Allah who has fed him and given him drink (Bukhari, Muslim).

Providing for those who are breaking the fast

Zaid ibn Khalid Juhni related that the Prophet said: He who provides for the breaking of the Siyam of another person earns the same merit as the one who was observing Siyam diminishing in any way the reward of the latter (Tirmidhi).

Lailat al-Qadr

Aisha related that the Prophet said: Look for Lailat al-Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari).

Anas ibn Malik related that Rasulullah said: When Lailat al-Qadr comes Gabriel descends with a company of angels who ask for blessings on everyone who is remembering Allah, whether they are sitting or standing (Baihaqi).

DUA AT THE TIME OF IFTAAR

For all of us to do accordingly, ameen.

DUA AT THE TIME OF IFTAAR
Once Moosa (Moses) (AS) asked Allah Taala: O Allah ! you have granted me the honour and privilege of talking to you directly, Have you given this privilege to any other person?

Allah Taala replied, O Moosa during the last period I am going to send an ummat, who will be the Ummat of Mohammed (SAW) with dry lips, parched tongues, emaciated body with eyes sunken deep into their sockets, with livers dry and stomachs suffering the pangs of hunger- will call out to me (in dua) they will be much much closer to me than you O Moosa! While you speak to me there are 70000 veils between you and me but at the time of iftaar there will not be a single veil between me and the fasting Ummati of Mohammed (SAW).

O Moosa I have taken upon myself the responsibility that at the time of iftaar I will never refuse the dua of a fasting Person.

Ramadan Hadith's

Allah's Apostle said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained." [Bukhari] ...

Narrated Abu Huraira(r.a): The Prophet said:"... whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." (Sahih Al-Bukhari).

"...whoever witnesses the Month of Ramadan should fast through it..." Q(2:185)

"Ramadan is the (month) in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judgment (so that mankind will distinguish from right and wrong).." (Q 2:183)

"Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and rightousness" (Qur'an, al-Baqarah, 2:183)

"...And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew." (Q 2:184)

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) addressed his companions on the last day of Sha`ban, saying, "Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

It is called the night of Power (i.e Laelat-ut Qadr) or the night of blessing (Laelat-ul mubarak). The deed in this night is better than the rewards of deeds of 1,000 months (about 83.3 years).

"Indeed We have revealed it (Qur'an) in the night of Power. And what will explain to you what the night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Allah's permission, on every errand: (they say) "Peace" (continuously) till the rise of Morning!" Q(97:1-5)

Abu Said al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah, said: "No servant fasts on a day in the path of Allah except that Allah removes the hellfire seventy years further away from his face." This is related by "the group," except for Abu Dawud.

`Abdullah ibn `Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said: "The fast and the Qur'an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: 'O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.' The Qur'an will say: 'I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.' And their intercession will be accepted." [Ahmad]

Abu Umamah reported: "I came to the Messenger of Allah and said: 'Order me to do a deed that will allow me to enter Paradise.' He said: 'Stick to fasting, as there is no equivalent to it.' Then I came to him again and he said: 'Stick to fasting."' [Ahmad, an-Nasa'i, and al-Hakim].

Sahl ibn Sa'd reported that the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said: "There is a gate to Paradise that is called ar-Rayyan. On the Day of Resurrection it will say: 'Where are those who fasted?' When the last [one] has passed through the gate, it will be locked." [al-Bukhari and Muslim].

He who is amongst those who pray will be called from the gate of the prayer (in Paradise) and he who is from the people of Jihad will be called from the gate of Jihad, and he who is from those' who give in charity (i.e. Zakat) will be called from the gate of charity, and he who is amongst those who observe fast will be called from the gate of fasting, the gate of Raiyan." Abu Bakr said, "He who is called from all those gates will need nothing," He added, "Will anyone be called from all those gates, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "Yes, and I hope you will be among those, O Abu Bakr." [Bukhari]

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (S) said : "The time between the five prayers, two consecutive Friday Prayers, and two cosecutive Ramadans are expiations for all that has happened during that period, provided that one has avoided the grave (major) sins." [Muslim]

In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) says, "Ramadan has come to you. (It is) a month of blessing, in which Allah covers you with blessing, for He sends down Mercy, decreases sins and answers prayers. In it, Allah looks at your competition (in good deeds), and boasts about you to His angels. So show Allah goodness from yourselves, for the unfortunate one is he who is deprived in (this month) of the mercy of Allah, the Mighty, the Exalted." [Narrated by Tabarani]


Abu Umaamah r.a.a. said: 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-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Hibbaan, Al-Haakim, Saheeh]

"Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwaa." [2:183]

The most honoured by Allah amongst you are those best in taqwaa."[49:13]

"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." [al-Bukhaaree]

"Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire." [Ahmad, Saheeh]

On the Day of Judgement, "Fasting will say: O My Lord I prevented him from food and desires so accept my intercession for him." [Ahmad, al-Haakim and Abu Nu'aim, Hasan]

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." [al-Bazzaar, Ahmad, Saheeh]

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." [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh].

"When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them):I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me: that they may walk in the right way." (Q 2:188)

Month Ramazan & Rewards for those who Fasts

[Sahih Bukhari : volume 3, Book 31, Number 118]Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting." The Prophet added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."

[Sahih Bukhari : volume 3, Book 31, Number 120]Narrated Sahl (Radi Allah Anhu):
The Prophet Muhammad (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) said, "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it."

[Sahih Bukhari : volume 3, Book 31, Number 122]Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) said, "When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened."

[Sahih Bukhari : volume 3, Book 31, Number 123]Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu- alleihi-wasallam ) said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."

Why Forgive Others During Holy Ramadan?

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: Musa (as), the son of Imran once asked, "Oh my Lord! Who is the most honourable of Your servants? And He replied, the person who forgives even when he is in a position of power." (Baihaqi)

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said: "Whoever wishes that Allah (SWT) may favor him with His blessings and accommodate him in Paradise should refine his morals, behave justly with the people, take pity on orphans, help weak and the helpless and be humble before Allah who has created him."

You know what I'm referring to - those times when you get into an argument(s) with a family member, friend, boss, employee, coworker, classmate, teacher or whoever. You know your facts are right or that you've been wronged with an insulting remark, sarcastic comment or rudeness.

And so, you choose to hold a grudge. After all, you've got a right to. Nobody should be treated this way. Why should you forgive? You're not the one who started this. You're not the one who doesn't have the facts straight.

True. You may be right. You may be in that position of power mentioned in the Hadith above. But forgiving others, apart from positively affecting our health (less stress) and our minds (one less negative thing to focus on), is a necessary step to closeness to Allah (SWT).

How can we move up the ladder of spiritual development when we hold bitterness and anger towards another person? While we may have been in the right, is it worth sacrificing our energy on a grudge instead of on growth?

Is there not something strange about asking for God's forgiveness of our sins while withholding our forgiveness from someone who has hurt us?

We cannot expect for Allah's forgiveness unless we also forgive those who do wrong to us. Forgiving each other, even forgiving one's enemies is one of the most important Islamic teachings. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran: And those who shun the great sins and indecencies, and whenever they are angry they forgive. (al-Shura 42:37)

One of the distinguishing features of Ramadan is forgiveness. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) explained in one Hadith that Ramadan is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness and whose end is freedom from the Hellfire. This makes it a great time to ask Allah (SWT) for His Forgiveness. It's also a wonderful time to open our hearts and cleanse them of grudges and bitterness by forgiving others.

Let us use these remaining days of forgiveness this Ramadan to open our hearts to those who have wronged us and forgive them as we beg Allah (SWT) to forgive us.

Among the nights of Ramadan is one special night, which is better than a thousand months in which there is no Laylatul Qadr. If Allah (SWT) would not multiply the rewards of believers like this, they would not be able to reach salvation, but Allah (SWT) multiplies for them the rewards for good deeds.

As the Holy nights of Laylatul Qadr are approaching, let us remember all Muslims and in particular, each other in our prayer's, especially for the safety of our Eemaan and steadfastness on our beliefs.

With this note I ask a humble request, if intentionally or unintentionally if I have hurt anyone or talked about anyone infront or behind their back which could have hurt their feelings. I ask your forgiveness on this special night of Qadr. Please forgive me; if I have wronged you, I am no angel! May almighty Allah (SWT) have mercy on all of us.