"Shams" and "Qamar"

"The word "shams" (sun) is feminine, and "qamar" (moon) is masculine. The sun burns itself out to give light and life to everything around, and the moon is muneer, meaning it reflects the light. Within itself it has no light; it radiates the brilliance of the sun. So when we shine as men, the implication is that we are reflecting the glorious light of our women. May Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'Aala be pleased with them."

- Shaykh Abdullah Adhami

Q&A Regarding The 15th of Sha'baan

Specifying the day of the 15th of Sha’baan by fasting or reciting the Qur.aan or performing naafilah prayers

Question: We see some people specifying the 15th of Sha’baan with particular supplications and reciting the Qur.aan and performing naafilah prayers. So what is the correct position concerning this, and may Allaah reward you with good?

Response: That which is correct is that fasting the 15th of Sha’baan or specifying it with reciting (the Qur.aan) or making (particular) supplications has no basis. So the day of the 15th of Sha’baan is like any other 15th day of other months. So from that which is known is that it has been legislated for a person to fast the 13th, 14th and 15th of every month, however, Sha’baan is characterised unlike the other months in that (except for Ramadhaan) the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) used to fast more in Sha’baan than any other month . So he used to either fast all of Sha’baan or just a little. Therefore, as long as it does not cause difficulty for a person, it is befitting to increase in fasting during Sha’baan in adherence to the example of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam).

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen

al-Bid’u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu – Page 612

Fataawa Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen – Volume 1, Page 190

Standing the night of the 15th of Sha’baan in prayer and fasting during it’s day

Question: Is standing the night of the 15th of Sha’baan in prayer and fasting during it’s day legislated?

Response: Nothing firm and reliable has been established on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) that he stood in prayer in the night and fasted during the day of the 15th of Sha’baan. So the night of the 15th of Sha’baan is like any other night, and if someone is a regular worshipper during other nights, then he may stand the night in prayer on this night without assuming anything special (because of it being the night of the 15th of Sha’baan). This is because specifying a time for any act of worship requires a authentic proof, so if there is no authentic proof then the act is regarded as an innovation and all innovations are misguidance. Likewsie, regarding specifically fasting during the 15th day of Sha’baan, then no (authentic) proof has been established on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) to indicate the legislation of fasting on that particular day.

As for that which is mentioned from the ahaadeeth regarding this subject, then all of it is weak as the people of knowledge have indicated. However, whoever has the habit of fasting the 13th, 14th and 15th (of every month), then he can continue and fast during Sha’baan as he fasts during the other months, without assuming anything special about the 15th of Sha’baan. Also, the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) used to increase in fasting during this month (Sha’baan), however, he did not particularise the 15th day, rather proceeded as per norm.

Shaykh Ibn Fowzaan

al-Bid’u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa asla lahu – Page 614

Noorun alad-Darb Fataawa Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fowzaan – Volume 1, Page 87

Source: fatwa-online.com

Deeds Without Sincerity..

“Deeds without sincerity are like a traveler who carries in his water-jug dirt. The carrying of it burdens him and it brings no benefit” 

--Ibn al Qayyim (rahimullaah)

'Labbaik wa Sa'daik'

Narrated Abu Huraira (RadhiAllaahu Anhu): The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم‎) said, "The first man to be called on the Day of Resurrection will be Adam who will be shown his offspring, and it will be said to them, 'This is your father, Adam.' Adam will say (responding to the call), 'Labbaik wa Sa'daik'. Then Allaah will say (to Adam), 'Take out of your offspring, the people of Hell.' Adam will say, 'O Lord, how many should I take out?' Allaah will say, 'Take out ninety-nine out of every hundred." They (the Prophet's companions) said, "O Allaah's Apostle! If ninety-nine out of every one hundred of us are taken away, what will remain out of us?". He said, "My followers in comparison to the other nations are like a white hair on a black ox."

--Sahih Muslim

Illumination of The Heart ..

 “Worship and obedience illuminate the heart and make it strong and steadfast, until it becomes like a clear mirror, shining with light.When Shaytaan draws close, he is struck by its light like those who try to eavesdrop [in the heavens] are struck by the shooting stars, and Shaytaan flees from this heart with more terror than a wolf fleeing from a lion. “

--Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimullaah)