By Asma bint Shameem
Ahhh...Winter!
Alhamdulillaah it’s
here.
The nights are long
and the days are short..... the temperatures have dropped and the weather is
really cool!
What a perfect time
to take advantage of the weather and utilize it to your benefit.
You can increase your
good deeds, take care of your obligations and earn the Pleasure of Allaah all
at the same time!
How? One might ask...
Its SIMPLE.
Make the most of winter
by *fasting* during its short days and *praying Qiyaam* during the long nights.
The smart Muslim is
always looking for opportunities and ways to increase his good deeds, seek
forgiveness from his Rabb, and improve his Deen.
He values *each* and
*every* moment of his life, observing his duties to the BEST of his ability
because he is preparing.....preparing for that ultimate, inevitable meeting
with Allaah, Rabbul 'Aalameen.
And the winter season
is one PREFECT and EASY way to do just that.
Meaning, it is *easy*
to gain rewards from Allaah by striving in worship during winter through
fasting and praying than in the summer, which is like gaining easy war booty
without the hardships of war.
Since the days are
short, it is EASY to fast Alhamdulillaah.
How many of us have
days of fasting that we have to make up, either because of sickness, traveling,
or just plain neglect and laziness? (May Allaah to protect us from that).
And how many sisters
have to make up their fasts due to feminine reasons, either from this past
Ramadhaan or even before?
We all know that
making up the days of fasting is FARDH on every adult Muslim man and woman and
not doing so is a SIN.
Straight forward, its an order from Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala. Allaah says: "The month of Ramadhaan is the month in which the Qur'aan was sent down, a guidance for the people, and clear verses of guidance and the criterion.
Therefore, whoever of
you witnesses the month, let him fast.
But he who is ill, or
on a journey should (fast) a similar number (of days) later on. Allah wants
ease for you and does not want hardship for you.
And that you FULFILL
the number of days and exalt Allaah who has guided you in order that you be
thankful."
[Surah
al-Baqarah:185]
Thus, we should RUSH
to fast the number of days we missed.
And what better
opportunity than this?
How much easier could
it get?
The days are short
and the weather is cool, so you don't really get thirsty or even feel hungry.
Allaah, in his
Infinite Mercy, is providing us with an easy opportunity to seek rewards from
Him.
Shouldn't we take it
up?
They asked, "And
what is that O, Abu Hurayrah?"
He replied,
"Fasting in winter."
[Abu Nu’aym | Ḥilyat
al-Awliyā’ | 1356]
As for the winter
night.....it is quite....it is long and it is peaceful.
What more could one
ask?
A night so calm and
so long..... to stand in front of our Lord and beg Him for forgiveness.....ask
Him for guidance.....beseech him for His Mercy...
(al-Bukhaari)
(al-Tirmidhi- hasan
by al-Albaani)
What better chance
than this to pray Tahajjud and to read Qur'aan?
It used to be said
when winter came:
“O people of the
Qur`aan, the night has become long so you can pray (more) and the day has
become short for you to fast."
(Abu Nu'aym, Hilyat
Al-Awliyaa`)
So when the cold hits
you and the weather gets you down, don't get discouraged.
Instead of sleeping
away the night and wasting away the day, look on the bright side and make the
MOST of it.
Put this time of the
year in a whole new perspective.
REMIND yourself of
the many acts of worship and benefits that this time of the year brings with
it, rather than just focusing on how COLD it is.
And actually, if you
think about it, the winter is a big blessing from among the _innumerable_ and
_uncountable_ blessings of Allaah.
He is honoring us by
the bounty of His Giving, His Gracious Blessing and His great Favor, so that we
may make the most of this cold weather by praying qiyaam during the night, fast
during the day and worship Him.
And in return, hope
for FORGIVENESS from the One Who forgives all.
May Allaah enable us
all to make better use of our winters.
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