The lady that spoke Quran

Abdullaah bin Mubaarak – may Allah have mercy upon him – said:

I sat out for hajj to the sacred house of Allah and visiting the masjid of His Prophet may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. As I was in the road, I suddenly saw a black figure and when I managed to distinguish it I realised it was an old woman wearing a garment and a headscarf made out of cotton, I said to her:

“Assalaamu ‘Alyka Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh”

She replied, “Salaamun qawlan min rabi-Raheem [Peace: a word from a Merciful Lord.]“

He [ibn Mubaarak] said: I said to her, may Allah have mercy upon you! What are you doing here [lost]? She replied: “Wa man yudlililAllah fa la haadiya lah [Whomsoever Allah causes to err, there is no guide for him]” So from that I understood that she was lost, so I asked her where do you want to go? She replied: “Subhaanalathee asraa bi ‘abdihi laylan minal masjid-il-haraami ilal masjid al-aqsaa [Glory be to Him Who made His servant go on a night from Masjid al-Haraam to Masjid al-Aqsaa] I understood that she had finished her hajj and wanted to return to Masjid al-Aqsaa.

Then I asked her how long had she been in this place? She replied, “Thalaatha layaalin sawiyya [three nights while in sound health.]“

I told her I do not see any food with you that you eat? She replied “Huwa yut’imunee wa yasqeen [He (Allah) gives me to eat and gives me to drink]

So I asked her what do you use for wudhu? She said, “Fa inlam tajiduu maa-an fatayamamu sa’eedan tayyiba [and if you cannot find water, betake yourselves to pure earth and wipe your faces and your hands therewith]

I told her I have some food with me, would you like to eat? She replied “Thumma atimuu as-siyaama ila al-layl [then complete your fasting until the night] I said to her this is not the month of Ramadan, she replied “wa man tadawa’a khayraan fa inAllaha shaakirun ‘aleem [and whoever volunters in goodness then verily Allah is thankful, knowing]

I told her it is permissible to break your fast during travel, she replied “wa an tasuumu khayrun lakum in kuntum ta’lamuun [and fasting is better for you if you but knew]

I said, why do you not talk to me in the same way i speak to you [i.e meaning without Qur'aan] she replied “ma yalfidu min qawlin ila ladeyhi raqeebun ‘ateed [he utters not a word but there is by him a watcher at hand(meaning the angels are with the human recording his speech and deeds all the time.)]

I said from what people are you? She replied “wala taqfu ma laysa laka bihi ‘ilmun inna sam’a wal basara wal-fu’aada kul olaaika kaana ’anhu mas uulah [and follow not that of which you have not the knowledge; surely the hearing and the sight and the heart, all of these, shall be questioned about that.]” I said I have made a mistake so please forgive me, she replied “la tathreeba ‘alykum al-yawma yaghfirulllahu lakum [no blame shall be upon you this day may Allah forgive you]

I said will you allow me to carry you on my camel? She said “wa maa taf’aluu min khayrin ya’lamhulAllah [whatever good you do Allah is aware] so my camel sat down. She said “Qul lil mu’mineena yaghudhu min absaarihim [tell the believing men to lower their gaze] so I lowered my gaze and told her climb up on the camel and as she was about to climb up on it the camel rose up and tore her clothes where upon she said “Wa ma asaabakum min museebatin fabima kasabat aydeekum [and whatever calamity afflicts you it is due to your own deeds] I told her wait until I tie the camel and she replied “Fa fahamnaaha Suleymaan [So We made Sulaiman to understand it]

After I tied the camel I told her climb ontop of it, when she did she said “Subhaanalathee sakhara lana haatha wa ma kunna lahu mugrineen wa inna ila Rabina lamunqalibun [Glory be to Him Who made this subservient to us and we were not able to do it and surely to our Lord we must return.]

I grabbed hold of the reigns of the camel and started to walk quickly and making loud noise, she said “Waqsid fee mashyika waghdud min sawtik [And pursue the right course in your going about and lower your voice] then I started walking slowly and humming poetry, she said “Faqra’uu maa tayasara min al-Quraan” [Recite whatever is easy for you from the Quraan]

I told her I have been given goodness in plenty, she said “Wa maa yatathakaru ila olul al-baab [and none but those with understanding comprehend this] After having walked with her for a bit I asked her, do you have a husband? She replied “Yaa ayyuha al-latheena aamanu laa tasa’alu ‘an ashyaa-a inn tubda lakum tasu’kum [o you who believe do not ask about matters if made plain to you may cause you harm] So I remained silent and did not speak to her until we reached her caravan.

I said to her who do you have [from family] amongst this caravan? She replied “Al-maalu wal-banuuna zeenatul hayaati dunya [Wealth and children are the beauty of this world] So I understood that she had children, I asked her what are their duties in hajj? She replied “Wa ‘alaamaatin wa bi najmi hum yahtaduun [And as signs and through the stars they are guided] So I understood that they must be guides for the people. Then I saw small huts and buildings so I asked her about her children’s names, she replied “WattakhadaAllahu Ibraheema khaleela [Allah took Ibraheem as his khaleel] “WakalamAllahu Muusa takleema” [And Allah spoke directly to Muusa] “Ya Yahya khudil kitaaba bi quwwa [o Yahya grab hold of the scripture firmly]

So then I called out O Ibraheem, Muusa, Yahya! And suddenly three young boys looking like moons [in beauty] came towards us and when they got ready to sit down their mother said “Fab’athuu ahadakum biwariqikum haathihi ilal madeenati falyanthur ayuha azka ta’aaman falyatikum birizqin minhu [Send one of you with this money to the town and let him look for the best food and let him then bring that food] One of the boys went and came back with the food putting it infront of me, his mother told me “Kuluu washrabu hanee-an bima aslaftum fee al-ayyaam al-khaaliyyah [Eat and drink joyfuly because of what you used to do in days past]

I said, right now your food is haraam upon me until you inform me about her affair [i.e why she only speaks through the Quraan] They said:

This is our mother, she has been like this since 40 years back, not speaking anything but Quraan, fearing that she might otherwise err and thus cause ar-Rahmaan [Allah] to be displeased with her. So Glory be to al-Qaadir [Allah] for this.

Then I said:

“Thaalika fadhlulAllahi yu-teehi man yashaa-a waAllahu du fadhlin ‘atheem [That is the bounty of Allah, He bestows it upon whomever He wishes and Allah is the owner of great bounty]

[Translated from: Jawaahir al-Adab fee adabiyyaat wa inshaa lughat-ul-'arab]

Ramadaan is one of the twelve Arabic months. It is a month which is venerated in the Islamic religion, and it is distinguished from the other months by a number of characteristics and virtues, including the following:

1 – Allaah has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islam, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, 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 i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…” [al Baqarah 2:185]

and it was narrated in al Saheehayn (al Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16) from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; establishing prayer; paying zakaah; fasting Ramadaan; and Hajj to the House (the Ka’bah).”

2 – Allaah revealed the Qur’aan in this month, as He says in the verse quoted above (interpretation of the meaning):

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…” [al Baqarah 2:185]

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).”
[al Qadr 97:1]

3 – Allaah has made Laylat al Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al Qadr (Decree).

And what will make you know what the Night of Al Qadr (Decree) is?

The Night of Al Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees,

(All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn” [al Qadar 97:1-5]

“We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al Qadr) in the month of Ramadan — the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]”[al Dukhaan 44:3]

Allaah has blessed Ramadaan with Laylat al Qadr. Explaining the great status of this blessed night, Soorat al Qadr was revealed, and there are many ahaadeeth which also speak of that, such as the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (radiAllaho 3anh) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “There has come to you Ramadaan, a blessed month which Allaah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” Narrated by al Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classed as saheeh by al Albaani in Saheeh al Targheeb, 999.

And Abu Hurayrah (radiAllaho 3anh) said: The Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” Narrated by al Bukhaari, 1910; Muslim, 760.

4 – Allaah has made fasting Ramadaan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward a means of forgiveness of sins, as was proven in al Saheehayn (al Bukhaari, 2014; Muslim, 760) from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah according to which the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

And al Bukhaari (2008) and Muslim (174) also narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadaan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

The Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is Sunnah to pray qiyaam at night in Ramadaan. Al Nawawi said that what is meant by praying qiyaam in Ramadaan is to pray Taraweeh, i.e., one achieves what is meant by qiyaam by praying Taraaweeh.

5 – In this month, Allaah opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils, as is stated in al Saheehayn (al Bukhaari, 1898; Muslim, 1079), from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah who said that the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “When Ramadaan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.”

6 – Every night Allaah has people whom He redeems from the Fire. Imam Ahmad (5/256) narrated from the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah that the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “At every breaking of the fast, Allaah has people whom He redeems.” Al Mundhiri said: there is nothing wrong with its isnaad; and it was classed as saheeh by al Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 987.

Al Bazzaar (Kashf 962) narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: The Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “Allaah has people whom He redeems every day and night – i.e., in Ramadaan – and every Muslim every day and night has a prayer that is answered.”

7 – Fasting Ramadaan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadaan, so long as one avoids major sins. It was proven in Saheeh Muslim (233) that the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “The five daily prayers, from one Jumu’ah to the next and from one Ramadaan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as you avoid major sins.”

8 – Fasting in Ramadaan is equivalent to fasting ten months, as is indicated by the hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim (1164) narrated from Abu Ayyoob al Ansaari: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” Ahmad (21906) narrated that the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.”

9 – Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer, because of the report narrated by Abu Dawood (1370) and others from the hadeeth of Abu Dharr (radiAllaho 3anh) that the Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.” Classed as saheeh by al Albaani in Salaat al Taraaweeh, p. 15

10 – ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj. Al Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said to a woman among the Ansaar, “What kept you from doing Hajj with us?” She said, “We only had two camels that we used for bringing water.” So her husband and son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left the other for them to use for bringing water.” He said, “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj.” According to a report narrated by Muslim, “… is equivalent to doing Hajj with me.”

11 – It is Sunnah to observe i’tikaaf (retreat for the purpose of worship) in Ramadaan, because the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) always did that, as it was narrated in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (radiAllaho 3anhaa) that the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) used to spend the last ten days of Ramadaan in i’tikaaf until he passed away, then his wives observed i’tikaaf after him.” Narrated by al Bukhaari, 1922; Muslim, 1172.

12 – It is mustahabb in the sense of being strongly recommended in Ramadaan to study the Qur’aan together and to read it a great deal. You may study the Qur’aan together by reciting it to someone else and by having someone else recite it to you. The evidence that this is mustahabb is the fact that Jibreel used to meet the Prophet (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) every night in Ramadaan and study the Qur’aan with him. Narrated by al Bukhaari, 6; Muslim, 2308.

Reading Qur’aan is mustahabb in general, but more so in Ramadaan.

13 – It is mustahabb in Ramadaan to offer iftaar to those who are fasting, because of the hadeeth of Zayd ibn Khaalid al Juhani (radiAllaho 3anh) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever gives iftaar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person’s reward in the slightest.” Narrated by al Tirmidhi, 807; Ibn Maajah, 1746; classed as saheeh by al Albaani in Saheeh al Tirmidhi, 647. see question no: ( 12598 )

And Allaah knows best.

IslamQA

Definition of Siyaam (fasting)
Siyaam in Arabic means abstaining; in Islam it means abstaining from things that break the fast, from dawn until sunset, having first made the intention (niyyah) to fast.

Ruling on fasting

The ummah is agreed that fasting the month of Ramadaan is obligatory, the evidence for which is in the Qur’aan and Sunnah.

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Observing al sawn (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become al muttaqoon (the pious).” [al Baqarah 2:183]

The Prophet (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said: “Islam is built on five [pillars]…” among which he mentioned fasting in Ramadaan." (Reported by al Bukhaari, al Fath, 1/49).

Whoever breaks the fast during Ramadaan without a legitimate excuse has committed a serious major sin, The Prophet (salla Allaho 3alaihi wasallam) said, describing a dream that he had seen: “… until I was at the mountain, where I heard loud voices. I asked, ‘What are these voices?’ They said, ‘This is the howling of the people of Hellfire.’ Then I was taken [to another place], and I saw people hanging from their hamstrings, with the corners of their mouths torn and dripping with blood. I said, ‘Who are these?’ They said, ‘The people who broke their fast before it was the proper time to do so,’ i.e., before the time of iftaar.” (Saheeh al Targheeb, 1/420).

Al Haafiz al Dhahabi (ra7imahullah) said, “Among the believers it is well-established that whoever does not fast in Ramadaan without a valid excuse is worse than an adulterer or drunkard; they doubt whether he is even a Muslim at all, and they regard him as a heretic and profligate.”

Shaykh al Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] (ra7imahullah) said: “If a person does not fast in Ramadaan knowing that it is haraam but making it halaal for himself to do so, kill him; and if he does it because he is immoral [but believes it is haraam], then punish him for not fasting.”(Majmoo’ al Fataawa, 25/265).

~ Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al Munajjid

(To be continued insha Allah)