An Honored Guest - Shehrullah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُوَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

'Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down as a guide to mankind, as a set of clear signs for guidance and demarcation. Whosoever witnesses it should fast. One who is ill or on a journey should make up the prescribed number later. Allah wishes to make things easy for you, not difficult. Complete the prescribed number, glorify Him for His guidance, and be grateful.'

(Surat al-Baqara: 185)

This article was written by Ra'sul Hududil Mayameen Janab Syedi Aziz Bhaisaheb Qutbuddin in 2015.

The ninth month of the Hijri calendar, the month of Allah Ta’ala, ‘Shehrullah’, is just a few days away. In their Rasa’il Ramadaniyya our Du’aat Kiraam encouraged Mumineen to take full advantage and ghanimat of this season of worship. In his third Risalat entitled Zahrur-Riyadil-Azaliyya (1338H), Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA likens Shehrullah to a guest who has come to give us the greatest gains for this world and the Hereafter.

This is an excerpt from the Risalat:

“Honor this month, the month of Ramadan, to the utmost by fulfilling its dues of fasting and prayer. This month is indeed an honored guest that has come to give you the best gains of this world and the Hereafter. Honor and celebrate it in the manner of those who do good deeds (‘amileen) and those who know the meaning of their deeds (‘alimeen).

It is an honored month, one which Allah Ta’ala has chosen to associate with Himself aside from all other months, selecting it from all the different times. And Allah Ta’ala has chosen this month and preferred it for the revelation of the Qur’an and the Light (Noor).

It is a month, by whose approach, the faces of those who are good, honest and praiseworthy are shining.

It is a month, the first part of which is Rahmah (mercy), the middle part is Maghfirat (forgiveness) and the ending is ‘itqun minan-naar (freedom from hellfire). So seek Allah Ta’ala’s mercy, seek His forgiveness – He is Ghafurun Raheem - and beseech Him to free you from the hellfire.

It is the month that has Lailatul Qadar, the night that is greater than a thousand months. The night in which Maulatuna Fatema AS did not let anyone of her children sleep. She sprinkled water on the faces of those who slept. In readiness for it during the day she would prepare them with little food. She would say: ‘one who receives forgiveness in this night is marhoom (one who receives Allah’s rehmat)’ and ‘one who does not receive this night’s goodness (khayr) is mahroom (bereft).’ So take full advantage and ghanimat of its hours by praying namaaz, beseeching doa, and supplicating to Allah Ta’ala with humility and sincerity. Do this and Allah Ta’ala will forgive your sins, eliminate your misdeeds and multiply the reward for your good deeds. And beseech Allah Ta’ala with the wasila of the hallowed name, the one concealed between the kaaf and the noon, as you offer thanks to Him for the awareness of this night and the recognition of its mamthul (the one whose maqam and high status this night represents) – beseech Allah Ta’ala to resurrect you in His company.

It is a month with, which Allah Ta’ala has preferred you, the Ummah of Mohammed, aside from other peoples. A month in which, by multiplying your good deeds and bestowing you with barakaat, Allah Ta’ala has showered you with his graces and ne’mats.

So exert yourselves in Allah Ta’ala’s worship and ‘ibaadat. Bow your heads to Him. Wear the clothes of His taqwa. Find solace in His remembrance. Offer iftaar to those who are fasting. Meet your relatives with beneficence and presents. Greet your neighbors with grace and kindness. Console and help your brothers with the favors that Allah Ta’ala has given you. Submit your zakaat, especially Zakaatul-Fitr to whom Allah Ta’ala has ordained you to submit to, and Allah Ta’ala will purify your wealth, He will accept your deeds, fulfill your wishes, diminish your misdeeds, better your condition and enjoin happiness in your return.”

As this month approaches us, we are fortunate that we receive the guidance of the Dai of Imam-uz-zaman SA, with whom we begin our rozas, with whom we pray namaaz, to whom we submit our zakaat, and whose doa in this holy month is a great source of barakat for Mumineen.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the strength to honor this guest and garner barakaat in this holy month.