Belief in the #Heavenly Books - II

Distortion of the Injeel (Gospel)

The Injeel was also distorted and altered and is not in its original state in which Allaah The Almighty revealed it. Christians contintued altering and changing its facts so as to attain their desired worldly gains.

The distortion of the current versions of the Injeel can simply be proved if we know that they are four versions of the Injeel selected from many more versions. Such versions reported the words of Prophet ‘Eesa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention. Their writers are known and their names are written on them. In the library of one of the princes in Paris, a version of the Injeel – Injeel (Gospel) of Barnabas - was found. It differed greatly from the other four selected versions of the Injeel and agreed with the Noble Quran in many beliefs and principles.

After we have known for certain that those books have been distorted, then what is the meaning that the Noble Quran came to confirm in the divine books that preceded it? This simply means that the Noble Quran came to enhance and support the truth which was mentioned in the books that came before it, mainly worshiping Allaah The Almighty Alone, believing in His Messengers, believing in the reward, observing rights and justice, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and adhering to noble moral standards. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Say, "O People of the Scripture, you are [standing] on nothing until you uphold [the law of] the Torah, the Gospel, and what has been revealed to you from your Lord."} [Quran 5: 68]

Consequently, the Quran is the only way with which we can know the sound divine teachings. It is the book whose fundamental principles are preserved, its teachings are not distorted, and the Ummah received it from the angel who brings down the Revelation to the Messengers - Jibreel  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention - who came down to the Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). This preservation was not granted to any book other than the Noble Quran. In fact, the Quran comprises the most sublime principles, methods and systems. It has all that humans need of beliefs, acts of worship, morals, and transactions. It befits all times and places. It is sufficient to create a Muslim individual, a virtuous family and a righteous society. Truthful is the one who speaks with it. Just is the one who passes judgment according to it. Guided to the right path is the one who adheres to its teachings. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {There has come to you from Allaah a light and a clear Book. By which Allaah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.} [Quran 5: 15-16]

The Previous Divinely Revealed Books Were not Universal

The books that Allaah The Almighty revealed, other than the Quran, addressed certain people in certain times and they agreed with the Noble Quran in some rulings and laws. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution.} [Quran 5: 45]

Muslims believe in what is mentioned in these books as long as it does not contradict with the Quran. They also believe that the Noble Quran is the main constitution for all people.

Characteristics of the Noble Quran

The Noble Quran has many characteristics that distinguish it from the books that came before it. Amongst such characteristics are:

• It has all the divine instructions that Allaah The Almighty revealed in the Tawraah, the Injeel, and all the teachings that Allaah The Almighty revealed.

• It supports the truth which was mentioned in these books regarding worshiping Allaah The Almighty Alone, believing in His Messengers, believing in reward, observing and establishing rights, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and adhering to noble moral standards. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allaah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method.} [Quran 5: 48]

That is to say, Allaah The Almighty revealed the Noble Quran which is truthful in all that is mentioned in it and it confirms the preceding Scriptures that were revealed by Allaah The Almighty. It is a witness over them. It explains the distortion and alteration that inflicted them. Then Allaah The Almighty ordered His Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) to judge between all people, Muslims and non-Muslims, by what Allaah The Almighty has revealed in the Noble Quran and not to follow them in disobeying Allaah The Almighty.

• Allaah The Almighty prescribed a law for every nation with its rulings and different interactions that befit its nature and inclinations in the best way. The main pillars of creeds are the same in all messages. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {He has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein.} [Quran 42: 13] 

Then when Islam came, it abrogated all other laws and methods. It established only one creed and method for all people.

• The original versions of the books that were revealed before the Quran were lost. Nothing remained of them except their translations, unlike the Noble Quran which was preserved as a whole with its Soorahs, verses, words, and letters exactly as Jibreel  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention recited it to the Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). In the previous books, the words of humans were mixed with the Words of Allaah The Almighty. No one can recognize the words of Allaah The Almighty from those of humans. As for the Noble Quran, all of its words are from Allaah The Almighty and they were never mixed with the Hadeeths of the Messenger or the speeches of the companions or any other person.

• None of those books can in any way be attributed to the Messenger to whom it was revealed. The Tawraah (Torah) was not written by Moosa (Moses). In fact, it was written many centuries after Moosa. The Noble Quran is the only book that was proved to be decisively attributed to the Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) (even if he did not write it down himself, for he ordered the writers of the revelation to record every verse immediately after it was revealed to him).

• The teachings of the Noble Quran are the Words of Allaah The Almighty that can achieve happiness to all humanity. So Allaah The Almighty Willed for it to last forever. He preserved and protected it from distortion. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {And indeed, it is a mighty Book Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy.} [Quran 41: 41-42]

• {Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran and indeed, We will be its guardian} [Quran 15: 9]

The wisdom behind that is to make the Quran the argument of Allaah The Almighty over people. The Quran is for all worlds and all people. It is not for a specific people unlike the previous heavenly books. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We have not sent you except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner.} [Quran 34: 28]

• The Quran is the guidance that leads to all that is good. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Alif, Lam, Meem. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allaah} [Quran 2: 1-2] Allaah The Almighty wants His word to spread and reach minds and ears everywhere. This will not be attained except if the Quran is easy to memorize and understand. Nothing in the Quran is difficult for people to understand or fulfill. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?} [Quran 54: 17]

• The Quran is also the miracle of the Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). In fact, if the whole world gathered in order to produce something like what is mentioned in the Quran, they could not produce the like of it for it is as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And indeed, it is a mighty Book. Falsehood cannot approach it from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy.} [Quran 41: 41-42]

• The Quran is an invitation to every good matter and forbids every vice. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts.} [Quran 10: 57]

• The Quran is a cure for souls. It purifies them from their diseases. It is a remedy from disbelief, misguidance, hatred and envy. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.} [Quran 17: 82] 

The facts of life, confirmed by science

Materialist philosophy lies at the basis of the theory of evolution. Materialism rests on the supposition that everything that exists is matter. According to this philosophy, matter has existed since eternity, will continue to exist forever and there is nothing but matter. In order to provide support for their claim, materialists use logic called “reductionism”. This is the idea that things which are not observable, can also be explained by material causes.

To make matters clearer, let us take the example of the human mind. It is evident that the mind cannot be touched or seen. Moreover, it has no center in the human brain. This situation unavoidably leads us to the conclusion that the mind is a concept beyond matter. Therefore, the being which we refer to as “I,” who thinks, loves, gets nervous, worries, feels pleasure or pain, is not a material being in the same way as a sofa, a table or a stone.

Materialists, however, claim that mind is “reducible to matter.”  According to the materialist claim, thinking, loving, worrying and all our mental activities are nothing but chemical reactions taking place between the atoms in the brain. Feelings of love and fear are merely chemical reactions in some cells in our brain. The famous materialist philosopher Karl Vogt stressed this logic with his famous words: “Just as the liver secretes gall, so do our brains, secrete thought.” (Encyclopedia Britannica). However, gall is matter, whereas there is no evidence that thought is the same.

One of the most prominent features of this picture is “information” which is present in nature and can never be reduced to matter.

Matter cannot produce information

There is incredibly comprehensive information contained in the DNA of living things. Something as small as a hundred thousandth of a millimeter contains a sort of “data bank” that specifies all the physical details of the body of a living thing. Moreover, the body also contains a system that reads this information, interprets it and carries out “production” in line with it. In all living cells, the information in the DNA is “read” by various enzymes and proteins are produced according to this information. This system makes the production of millions of proteins possible every second, with the required type of protein for specific places needed in our bodies. In this way, dead eye cells are replaced by living ones and old blood cells by new ones.

At this point, let us consider the claim of Materialism: Is it possible that the information in DNA could be reduced to matter, as materialists suggest? Or, in other words, can it be accepted that DNA is merely a collection of matter, and the information it contains came about as a result of the random interactions of such pieces of matter?

All the scientific research, experiments and observations carried out in the 20th century CE show that the answer to this question is a definite “No.” The director of the German Federal Physics and Technology Institute, Professor Dr. Werner Gitt has this to say on the issue: “A coding system always entails a nonmaterial intellectual process. A physical matter cannot produce an information code. All experiences show that every piece of creative information represents some mental idea-giver who exercised his own free will, and who is endowed with an intelligent mind. There is no known law of nature, no known process and no known sequence of events which can cause information to originate by itself in matter.” (Werner Gitt. In the Beginning Was Information).

Werner Gitt’s words summarize the conclusions of the “information theory” which has been developed in the last 50 years and is accepted as a part of thermodynamics. Information theory investigates the origin and nature of the information in the universe. The conclusion reached by information theoreticians as a result of long studies is that “Information is something different from matter. It can never be reduced to matter. The origin of information and physical matter must be investigated separately.”

For instance, let us think of the source of a book. A book consists of paper, ink and the information it contains. Paper and ink are material elements. Their source is matter: Paper is made of cellulose and ink of certain chemicals. However, the information in the book is non-material and cannot have a material source. The source of the information in each book is the mind of the person who wrote it.

Moreover, this mind determines how paper and ink will be used. A book initially forms in the mind of the writer. The writer builds a chain of logic in his mind and orders his sentences. As a second step, he puts them into a material form, which is to say that he translates the information in his mind into letters, using a pen, a typewriter or a computer. Later, these letters are printed in a publishing house and take the shape of a book made up of papers and ink.

We can therefore state this general conclusion: “If physical matter contains information, then that matter must have been designed by a mind that possessed the information in question. First, there is the mind. That mind translates the information it possesses into matter, which constitutes the act of design.”

The origin of information in Nature 

When we apply this scientific definition of information to Nature, a very important result ensues. This is because Nature overflows with an immense body of information (for example in the case of DNA, and since this information cannot be reduced to matter, it therefore comes from a source beyond matter.) This fact is revealed as in the following verse in the Quran (which means): “They said: ‘Exalted are You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.’” [Quran 2: 32]

One of the foremost advocates of the theory of evolution, George C. Williams, admits this reality, which most materialists and evolutionists are reluctant to see. Williams has strongly defended Materialism for years, but in an article he wrote in 1995, he states the incorrectness of the materialist (reductionist) approach which holds everything is matter: “Evolutionary biologists have failed to realize that they work with two more or less incommensurable domains: that of information and that of matter. These two domains will never be brought together in any kind of the sense usually implied by the term “reductionism.” The gene is a package of information, not an object. In biology, when you are talking about things like genes and genotypes and gene pools, you are talking about information, not physical objective reality. This dearth of shared descriptors makes matter and information two separate domains of existence, which have to be discussed separately, in their own terms.” (George C. Williams. The Third Culture: Beyond the Scientific Revolution).

Therefore, contrary to the supposition of materialists, the source of the information in nature cannot be matter itself. The source of information is not matter, but a superior Wisdom beyond matter. This Wisdom existed prior to matter. Matter was brought into existence, given form and organized by the Creator of the Heavens, the Earth and all that exists. 

The need for Prophets- II

Present attitude towards the Messengers:

As people in the past used to argue with the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, reject their teachings and turn away from them, mankind today - when they have reached the pinnacle of material advancement, penetrated the depths of the oceans, gone far into space, split the atom and discovered many of the natural forces which exist in this universe - are even more in conflict with the Messengers, more emphatically rejecting their teachings and turning away from them even more. Mankind's attitude today towards the Messengers and their teachings is like that of wild donkeys when they see a lion; they flee from it without paying heed to anything else. Allah, The Most Exalted, Says (what means):

“Then what is [the matter] with them that they are, from the reminder, turning away. As if they were alarmed donkeys. Fleeing from a lion?” [Quran 74: 49-51]

Mankind today - more than before - refuses to submit to the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, and their teachings because they are too proud of their knowledge and are too arrogant to follow men who lived centuries before them, as Allah, The Most Exalted, Says (what means):

“That is because their messengers used to come to them with clear evidences, but they said: ‘Shall human beings guide us?’ and disbelieved and turned away. And Allah dispensed [with them]; and Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.” [Quran 64: 6]

Today, Satan whispers into human minds, calling them to rebel against Allah and His Sharee’ah (Law) and to reject the teachings of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, on the ground that the Sharee’ah places restrictions on their minds, is an obstacle against progress and that it causes civilization and progress to stagnate. The nations nowadays have set up systems, laws and legislations based on the rejection of the teachings of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention. Some nations even made atheism the basis of their constitutions - known as secularism.

The impact of man-made systems

Is it right to say that mankind has now reached a level where they no longer have any need for the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, and their teachings? Is mankind now able to guide itself without any reference to the teachings of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention?

To answer is that, we need to look no further than the state of those nations which we call ‘advanced and civilized’, such as America, Britain, France, Russia and China, to see the extent of the misery which prevails in those countries. We do not deny that they have reached a high level of material advancement, but with regard to the matters which the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, and their teachings came to reform, they have gone far astray. No one can deny that distress, psychological pain and complexes are nowadays the hallmark of the civilized world. Man, in the civilized world of today, has lost his humanity, he has lost himself. Hence, the youths are rebelling against values, morals, customs and laws. They have started to reject the life they are living in and to follow everyone who comes under the spotlight in the east or the west, any philosopher or dervish who waves a banner at them, any way which they think will bring them happiness.

The western world has turned into a world whose structure is being undermined by various crimes such as drug addiction, alcoholism, rape, incest, robbery, etc. The pillars of the major nations have been shaken by scandals, and what is still hidden is worse than what is known. Those who are known as ‘civilized peoples’ nowadays are destroying themselves with their own hands. Their civilization is killing them. Their civilization is producing poisons which spread amongst them, killing people and dividing societies. Those ‘civilized peoples’ are like a huge bird that wants to fly high in the sky, but it has only one wing.

Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: “The Message is essential for mankind; they cannot do without it. They need it above all other things. The Message is the soul, light and life of the world. How could there be any prosperity or guidance for the world without its soul, life and light? This world is engulfed with darkness, unless the sun of the Message shines upon it. If the sun of the Message does not shine in a person's heart and fill it with life, then he too is in darkness and he is dead. Allah, The Most Exalted, Says (what means): “… Is one who was dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge therefrom?” [Quran 6: 122]

This is the description of the believer who was dead in the darkness of ignorance, then Allah revived him with the spirit of the Message and the light of faith and gave him light by which to walk among people. But the disbeliever is dead at heart, walking in darkness.”

Finally, we need to follow the teachings of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, in order to reform our hearts, enlighten our souls and guide our minds.

We need to follow the teachings of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, in order to give direction to our lives, to connect us to life and to the Creator of life.

We need to follow the teachings of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, so that we do not go astray or deviate and fall into the fetid swamp.

The Need for Prophets - I

Prophets were sent to illuminate the way for mankind

Allah sent the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, to mankind throughout the ages so that mankind might be guided to the truth and be purified of sins. Those who were enlightened by the Messengers of Allah, found the way to the Divine Presence and attained the highest rank of humanity. The Messengers led mankind to the knowledge of Allah.

Through them, He was deeply felt by the ‘innermost senses’ of people. The ‘innermost sense’ of man, whether we call it heart or soul, or ‘conscience‘, is so great that through it man can ‘grasp’ Allah with all His Greatness and other Attributes. Allah cannot be contained by the heavens and earth. Minds cannot comprehend Him. Philosophical thoughts are by no means sufficient to reach Him. It is only through his soul or heart that a man can realize the Existence of Allah. Prophet Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is the last and greatest of these Prophets, and he left us the Quran and Sunnah (Prophet’s Tradition) so that we can, by following them, live in accordance with the purpose for which all the Prophets were sent.

The prophets were sent to guide people to the service of Allah

Allah Says (what means): 

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [Quran 51:56]

We have not been created to eat, drink and reproduce; these are natural facts of our life, and natural needs. The main purpose for our creation is to recognize Allah and realize servitude to Him. For this reason, all the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, were sent to show us the way to achieve servitude to Allah, as He, The Most Exalted, Declares (what means): 

• “And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me." [Quran 21:25] 

• “And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid false deities.’ And among them were those whom Allah guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.” [Quran 16:36]

The Prophets taught people the Laws of Allah

Another purpose for sending the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, is to communicate to people the Divine Commandments - obligations prohibitions. Had it not been for the Prophets, we could not have known these Divine Commandments. This function of the Prophets is called ‘Messengership’, concerning which Almighty Allah Says (what means): “… Those who convey the messages of Allah and fear Him and do not fear anyone but Allah.” [Quran 33:39]

The mission of the Messengers, may Allah exalt their mention, was to enlighten all of humanity concerning every dimension of their life. So, any neglect in delivering the Message of Allah would be an unforgivable fault for it would amount to leaving humanity in darkness. For this reason, Messenger Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) was continually in search of unadulterated minds and hearts to which he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) could impart the Message of Allah.

The Prophets were examples

To set a good example for other people was another duty of the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention– a duty which we must also always observe consciously. Each Prophet was sent to his particular people (except for Prophet Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) who was sent to all mankind) to remind them of the need to worship one God, and refrain from associating partners with him. They were not gods, sons or partners of God, but were simply the best of mankind, chosen because of their humility in their behavior, morals, peacefulness and knowledge of Allah

The prophets established the balance between this world and the next

The Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, were sent to establish a balance between this world and the Hereafter, between material and spiritual life, between reason and soul, between this world and the next and between indulgence and abstinence.

At a time when some led an isolated life in monasteries and others drowned in luxury, the Quranic instruction came (which means): “But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world." [Quran 28:77]

The Prophets are the witnesses of Allah

One of the reasons why the Prophets were sent is so that mankind will have no argument against Allah in the Hereafter. Regarding this, Almighty Allah Says (what means): 

“[We sent] messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allah ...” [Quran 4.165]

People who have followed many so-called guides or leaders, only to be led astray, have reached the truth through the guidance of the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention. They (Prophets) were the servants of Allah created for a special mission. They were ‘Prophets’ in the wombs of their mothers. Their lives resembled a beautiful theme, being perfectly harmonious and balanced. Their words came out of their mouths so sweet and penetrated into souls; the whole of existence, animate or inanimate, hearkened to them.

If the Prophets, may Allah exalt their mention, had not been sent, man might have had an argument against being punished in the Hereafter. But, as the Quran states (what means): “And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.” [Quran 17:15], Allah would not punish anyone without having in advance sent them Prophets to guide them. After the Prophets, mankind would no longer have any argument against the punishment or reward of Allah.

Our Children after Ramadan

Taamir and Afnaan sat with their parents in the living room having their lunch after Ramadan and ‘Eed had passed. Afnaan said to her father, "My father, why does Ramadan come only once?" The father replied, "I feel that you are attached to this blessed month, Afnaan." Taamir immediately said, "Yes, my father, we were competing in acts of worship and encouraging each other to pray and fast." The father then advised them saying, "You are right, but you should know that Allaah The Almighty accepts one's good deeds in Ramadan as well as in other months, and that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of Shawwaal and all the other months."

Dear man who is responsible for the nurturing process, this simple dialogue between the father and his children expressed what goes on in the hearts of many children - even if their tongues do not translate it into explicit words and phrases. They feel that Ramadan has moved on with everything good in it.

Dear man who is responsible for the nurturing process, the month of the Quran and competition in good deeds has passed, but you must nevertheless teach your children that Ramadan is not the only month of worship that comes and leaves with its worship. No, rather, Ramadan is the month of change.

Building vs. outburst

Dear man who is responsible for the nurturing process, you must teach your children that Ramadan is the month of building faith, and not an outburst of faith. By an outburst of faith, I mean that the Muslim performs many acts of worship in Ramadan, and when it ends, he returns to his former state of negligence. Concerning this category of people, Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): #{And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong.}## [Quran 16:92] This verse likens the relationship of a group of people with Allaah The Almighty to a woman who started spinning a garment, and when she finished and produced it in the best style and fashion, she untwisted the fibers to become thread again and destroyed all her work that she painstakingly done. Building, however, implies performing a new act of worship that we did not do before Ramadan and maintaining its performance throughout the year till the following Ramadan comes. By doing so, the Muslim is in a continuous state of development. This is because it is a sign that Allaah The Almighty has accepted man's act of worship when He favors him with continuous worship after it. In other words, being steadfast on an act of worship is a sign of its acceptance.

Dear honorable man who is responsible for the nurturing process, if we held several sessions in which we taught our children prayers, fasting, generosity and other acts of worship in the past blessed month, we would have successfully utilized the child's high susceptibility to learning and change in Ramadan. The sign of your success in changing your child, however, is his steadfastness on the act of worship that you taught him even after Ramadan.

The way to steadfastness

Dear honorable man who is responsible for the nurturing process, we know that the sign of your child's change in Ramadan is his steadfastness in doing an act of worship that had not previously done, like prayer. In order to help your child constantly observe the acts of worship after Ramadan, try to follow these major rules:

First: Be a good role model for him. It was said that, "An action of one man in front of one thousand men is more effective than the saying of a thousand men to one man." Your child will not constantly observe an act of worship unless you are performing it regularly. There is no harm in taking him with you when you pray, or informing him that you are fasting, so that he will take you as a role model and an example. You should know that the children's eyes are uninterruptedly pinned on the actions of their parents, and Allaah The Almighty forbade us from behaving differently from what we say; He The Almighty Says (what means): #{Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?}## [Quran 2:44]

Second: The Masjid (Mosque) is essential. Dear man who is responsible for the nurturing process, although you and your wife greatly influence your child, the influence of his friends is greater. This is because the child responds to his parents out of love and fear, but he responds to his friends in the Masjid out of love and conviction only. Furthermore, the believer increases one's faith when he gathers with others for worship. Allaah The Almighty addressed the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and every Muslim to stay with righteous people; He The Almighty Says (what means): #{And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.}## [Quran 18:28]

Practical tips to help your child be steadfast on worship

1- Use the method of praising whenever you see your child perform prayers regularly or hastening to do an act of worship that he began doing in Ramadan. It is preferable that you praise him before his friends and peers or during family gatherings. Praise has a great impact on the spirit of children. For instance, when the family gathers after Ramadan, tell them in his presence, "Do you know that Taamir started to pray since the past Ramadan and he learned it perfectly?"

2- Use the method of evaluation forms in which the child marks the box of the prayer he performs, and whenever his performance is steady and improving, you can reward him, even by giving him a simple gift.

3- Regularly remind him of the reward of the act of worship he has learnt and the great merit that Allaah The Almighty has prepared for the one who does it. Mention a Quranic verse or a Hadeeth concerning this act from time to time, and if you know a story of young Companions or Taabi‘oon (their successors) who constantly observed this worship, relate it to him.

Dear Muslim, if your child does not get anything from Ramadan except this act of worship that he has learned, you have attained a great achievement. May Allaah make your child a comfort for your eyes and the eyes of your wife!

Is the Prophet Muhammad a liar؟

Is the Prophet Muhammad a liar

Mohamed Ali Klay Great boxer. How he became when he joined Islam

Mohamed Ali Klay Great boxer. How he became when he joined Islam

L'Islam est la paix , Islam is #peace , Islam es #paz , Islam ist #Frieden

L'Islam est la #paix#

we are with #MORSI

Mohamed Ali Klay Boxer Muslim

Mohamed Ali Klay Boxer Muslim

Sisi and dictatorship

 Sisi and dictatorship

The Way to Perform Voluntary Prayers at Night-I

Allaah The Almighty commended the believers who perform voluntary prayers at night and consider the night a riding mount to Paradise. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.} [Quran 32:16] The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said:

"Whoever performs voluntary prayers during the night of Ramadan with faith and in hope of a reward from Allaah, his past sins will be forgiven."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

"Whoever performs voluntary prayers on the night of Al-Qadr with faith and in hope of a reward from Allaah, his past sins will be forgiven."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

 "When the last ten days of Ramadan came, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) used to perform prayers during the whole night, awaken his family, and avoid intercourse with his wives." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

There are many things that one can do to help oneself perform voluntary prayers at night. Shaykh Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid, a Saudi scholar, states them as follows:

Offering acts of worship with full sincerity to Allaah The Almighty, as He has commanded us to dedicate all our deeds to Him Alone.

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And they were not commanded except to worship Allaah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.} [Quran 98:5] The more sincere a person is towards Allaah The Almighty, the more he will be guided and helped to obey and draw closer to Him. It was narrated on the authority of Ubayy ibn Ka’b  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Give glad tidings to this Ummah (Muslim nation) of attaining splendor, religion, high rank, victory and establishment on earth. Whoever does the deeds of the Hereafter to gain some worldly benefit, will have no share in the Hereafter.” [Ahmad]

Mutarrif ibn ‘Abdullaah ibn Ash-Shikhkheer  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “The soundness of a deed is related to the soundness of the heart, and the soundness of the heart is related to the soundness of the intention.” Ibn Al-Qayyim  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “The degree to which a person is helped and aided by Allaah depends on the degree of his intention, drive, aim and hopes. Help from Allaah comes to people in proportion to their drive, intention, hopes in Allaah and fear of Him, and failure comes to them in proportion to the same things." Therefore the righteous predecessors were very keen to conceal their acts of worship such as performing voluntary prayers at night.

A man asked Tameem ibn Aws Ad-Daari  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him "How do you pray at night?" He got very angry and said, "By Allaah, one Rak’ah (unit) that I pray in secret in the few hours of the night is more beloved to me than praying the whole night long and then telling people about it." Ayyoob As-Sikhtiyaani used to spend the entire night in prayer, then when dawn approached, he would go back to bed and lie down, and when dawn came, he would raise his voice as if he had just woken up.

The person who wants to perform voluntary prayers at night should realize that Allaah The Almighty is inviting him to this act. When the slave realizes that his Master, Who has no need of people’s worship, is inviting him to do this, he will definitely respond. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who wraps himself [in clothing]. Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little -Half of it - or subtract from it a little. Or add to it, and recite the Quran with measured recitation.} [Quran 73:1-4]

Sa’d ibn Hishaam ibn ‘Aamir said to ‘Aa’ishah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her “‘Tell me how the Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) performed voluntary prayers at night.’ She said, ‘Have you not read: “Yaa ayyuhal-muzzammil{O you who wraps himself [in clothing]}?’ He said, ‘Of course.’ She said, ‘Allaah The Almighty made performing voluntary prayers at night obligatory at the beginning of this Surah, so the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and his Companions performed voluntary prayers at night for a year, and Allaah withheld the end of this Surah for twelve months, until He revealed something at the end of this Surah to make things easier, so performing voluntary prayers at night became voluntary after it had been obligatory.’” [Muslim]

Knowing the virtues of performing voluntary prayers at night: Whoever knows the virtues of this act of worship will be keen to talk to Allaah The Almighty in private and to stand before Him at that time. Among the reports that describe the virtues of this act of worship is the Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah, may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “The best of prayers after the prescribed prayers is a prayer in the depths of the night, and the best of fasting after the month of Ramadan is fasting the month of Allaah, i.e. the month of Muharram.” [Muslim]

 It was narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “The dearest prayers to Allaah is the prayer of Daawood (David) and the dearest forms of fasting to Allaah is the fasting of Daawood. He used to sleep half the night, then get up and pray a third of the night, then sleep a sixth of the night, and he used to fast every other day.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “The closest the Lord is to His slave is in the last part of the night, so if you can be one of those who remember Allaah at that time, then do so.”[At-Tirmithi and An-Nasaa’i] It was narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas’ood  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Our Lord admires two men: a man who leaves his mattress and cover, and slips away from his wife and desire, to go and pray. Allaah Says, ‘O My angels, look at My slave. He has left his mattress and cover and slipped away from his desire and wife to pray out of hope for what is with Me and out of fear of what is with Me.” [Ahmad] [Hasan]

Performing voluntary prayers at night expels heedlessness from the heart, as stated in the Hadeeth narrated by ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Whoever recites ten verses of the Quran while performing voluntary prayers at night will not be recorded as one of the negligent. Whoever recites a hundred verses while performing voluntary prayers at night will be recorded as one of the devoutly obedient to Allaah, and whoever recites a thousand verses while performing voluntary prayers at night will be recorded as one of those who pile up good deeds.” [Abu Daawood and Ibn Hibbaan] [Hasan]

Yahya ibn Mu’aath said, “The medicine of the heart is five things: reciting the Quran and pondering on its meanings, having an empty stomach, performing voluntary prayers at night, beseeching Allaah in the early dawn, and keeping the company of righteous people."

Studying how the righteous predecessors and righteous people practiced performing voluntary prayers at night and adhered to it:

The righteous predecessors used to enjoy performing voluntary prayers at night and rejoice greatly in doing it. ‘Abdullaah ibn Wahb said, “Every type of pleasure is enjoyed only once, except for acts of worship, which are enjoyed three times: when you do it, when you remember it, and when you are given the reward for it." Muhammad ibn Al-Munkadir  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “There is nothing left of the joys of this life except three: performing voluntary prayers at night, meeting one’s brothers in faith, and praying in congregation."

Thaabit Al-Bunaani  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “There is nothing I enjoy more than performing voluntary prayers at night." Yazeed Al-Raqaashi  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “A lot of voluntary prayers at night bring delight to the worshippers, and a lot of thirst (i.e., fasting) brings joy when they meet Allaah." Makhlad ibn Husayn said, “Whenever I woke up at night, I saw Ibraaheem ibn Ad-ham remembering Allaah and praying, and this made me depressed (for not being so himself), so I consoled myself with this verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {That is the bounty of Allaah, which He gives to whom He wills, and Allaah is The Possessor of great bounty.} [Quran 62:4]"

The Way to Perform Voluntary Prayers at Night-II

Abu ‘Aasim An-Nabeel said, “Abu Haneefah  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him used to be called Al-Watad (pole or peg) because he prayed so much." Al-Qaasim ibn Ma’een said, “Abu Haneefah  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him spent an entire night performing voluntary prayers reciting this verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {But the Hour is their appointment [for due punishment], and the Hour is more disastrous and more bitter.}[Quran 54:46] repeating it and weeping and beseeching Allaah The Almighty until morning came."

Ibraaheem ibn Shammaas said, “I used to see Ahmad ibn Hanbal  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him staying up at night to pray when he was a young man." Abu Bakr Al-Marwathi said, “I was with Imaam Ahmad  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him for nearly four months in the army, and he never stopped performing voluntary prayers at night or reciting the Quran during the day, and I never knew when he completed the Quran, because he kept that a secret."

Imaam Al-Bukhaari  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him used to wake up and perform voluntary prayers at night until the early dawn, and he would recite between a half and a third of the Quran, and complete it at the early dawn every three nights. The prominent scholar Ibn ‘Abdul-Haadi said, describing the performance of voluntary prayers at night of Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him “At night he would keep away from people, and spend that time only with his Lord, beseeching Him continually and reciting the Quran, repeating different kinds of acts of worship by day and night. When he began to pray, his body would start to tremble, leaning to the left and right."

Ibn Rajab said concerning his Shaykh Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim, “He was a man of worship, prayers at night -- and lengthy prayers. I have never seen his equal in worship and knowledge of the Quran, Hadeeth and principles of faith." Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar said, describing his Shaykh Al-Haafith Al-‘Iraaqi, “I stayed with him, and I never saw him forsake performing voluntary prayers at night, it was like a habit for him."

Sleeping on one’s right side:

 The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) taught his Ummah (Muslim nation) to sleep on their right sides, as was narrated in the Hadeeth (narration) of Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “When any one of you goes to bed, let him clear his bed by hitting it with his garment, for he does not know what may have come onto it. Then let him lie down on his right side, then let him say, ‘Bismika Rabbi wadha’tu janbi wa bika arfa’uhu. In amsakta nafsi farhamha wa in arsaltaha fahfath-ha bima tahfathu bihi ‘ibaadaka as-saaliheen (In Your Name, my Lord, I lay myself down and I get up again. If You take my soul, then hhave mercy on it, and if You send it back to me, then protect it with that with which You protect Your righteous slaves).” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It was narrated on the authority of Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “When you want to go to bed, make ablution as for prayer, then lie down on your right side.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] Hafsah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her said, “When the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) went to bed, he would put his right hand under his right cheek.” [At-Tabaraani]

Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “There is a reason for his lying on his right side, which is that the heart is located on the left, so if a person lays on his left side, he will sleep too deeply, because the heart’s position will be too comfortable, but if he sleeps on his right side, he will not be too settled, so he will not sleep deeply."

Sleeping in a state of purity:

 We have already quoted the Hadeeth of Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “When you go to bed, make ablution as if for prayer.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] It was narrated on the authority of Mu’aath ibn Jabal  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “There is no Muslim who goes to sleep remembering Allaah and in a state of purity except that when he turns over and asks Allaah for good in this world and the next it will be given to him.” [Abu Daawood and Ahmad]

It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Purify these bodies of yours and Allaah will purify you, for there is no slave who goes to sleep in a state of purity but an angel spends the night with him, and every time he turns over, [the angel] says, ‘O Allaah, forgive Your slave, for he went to bed in a state of purity.’” [At-Tabaraani] [Al-Mundhiri: Good chain of narrators]

Going to sleep early:

Sleeping straight after ‘Ishaa’ is the advice of the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), and it is a good and healthy habit as well. One of the Hadeeths that describe its virtues was narrated on the authority of Abu Barzah Al-Aslami  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that "The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) used to prefer to delay ‘Ishaa’, and he did not like to sleep before it or talk after it." [Al-Bukhaari]

Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar narrated that Al-Qaadhi ‘Iyaadh said, concerning the phrase “He did not like to sleep before it”, “Because this could lead to one praying it too late, or delaying it until after the preferred time, and talking after it could lead one to sleeping before Fajr and missing it, or missing performing voluntary prayers at night."

Ibn Raafi’ said, “‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him used to wave his stick at the people when darkness fell, and would say, ‘Get up and go, may Allaah help you to perform voluntary prayers at night!'"

Another matter that has to do with sleep is choosing a suitable bed; not one that is excessively luxurious or soft, because that makes a person sleep too much and become negligent, and causes laziness and carelessness. ‘Aa’ishah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her said, “The pillow of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) on which he slept at night was made of leather stuffed with palm fibers.” [Abu Daawood and Ahmad]

Ibn ‘Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him entered upon the Messenger of Allaah,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), when he was lying on a mat of palm fibers that had left marks on his side. ‘Umar  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said, “‘O Messenger of Allaah, why do you not get something more comfortable than this?’ He said: ‘I have nothing to do with this world. My relationship with this world is like that of a traveler on a hot summer day, who seeks shade under a tree for an hour, then moves on.’”[Ahmad and Al-Haakim]

‘Ali ibn Bakkaar  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him had a slave-girl who would spread out his bed for him, and he would touch it with his hand and say, “By Allaah, you are good, and by Allaah you are cool, but by Allaah, I will not rest on you tonight.” Then he would get up and perform voluntary prayers at night until dawn. One should not sleep too much or too deeply. Ibraaheem ibn Ad-ham said, “If you are sleeping at night, and wandering by day, and always committing sins, how can you earn the pleasure of the One Who is managing your affairs?"

The Way to Perform Voluntary Prayers at Night-III

Adhering to the habit of reciting the Athkaar (remembrance) prescribed by the Sharee’ah (Islamic legislation) before going to sleep:

These Athkaar are like a fortress which protects a person from the devil, by the permission of Allaah The Almighty, and helps him to get up to perform voluntary prayers at night. Among these Athkaar is the one mentioned in the Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said:

“When any one of you goes to bed, let him clear his bed by hitting it with his garment, for he does not know what may have come onto it. Then let him lie down on his right side, then let him say, ‘Bismika Rabbi wadha’tu janbi wa bika arfa’uhu. In amsakta nafsi farhamha wa in arsaltaha fahfath-ha bima tahfathu bihi ‘ibaadaka as-saaliheen. (In Your Name, my Lord, I lay myself down and I get up again. If You take my soul, then have mercy on it, and if You send it back to me, then protect it with that with which You protect Your righteous slaves).” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

‘Aa’ishah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her narrated that "When the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) went to bed each night, he would put his palms together, blow in them, and recite Qul huwa Allaahu ahad, Qul a’oothu bi Rabbi’l-Falaq and Qul a’oothu bi Rabbi’l-Naas (Surat Al-Ikhlaas, Al-Falaq and An-Naas), then he would wipe as much of his body as he could with his hands, starting with his head and face, and the front of his body; doing this three times." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It was narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas’ood  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said:“If anyone recites the last two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah, this will protect him.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Anas ibn Maalik  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that when the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), went to bed, he would say: “Al-hamdu Lillaah illathi at’amana wa saqaana, wa kafaana fa kam mimman laa kaafiya lahu wa laa mu’weeya lahu (Praise be to Allaah Who has fed us and given us drink, and Who has given us enough, for how many are those who have no one to suffice them or give them refuge).” [Muslim]

According to the Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him in which he tells the story of how he captured the devil, who said to him: “When you go to bed, recite Aayat-ul-Kursi, {‘Allaah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence.’} [Quran 2:255] until the end of it, because it will bring the protection of Allaah The Almighty for you, and no devil will approach you until morning comes.” Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him mentioned this to the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), and he said: “He spoke the truth even though he is a liar.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said to his daughter Faatimah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her when she came to him and asked him for a servant, he said to her and ‘Ali  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him: “Shall I not teach you something that will be better for you than a servant? When you go to bed, say ‘Subhaan Allaah’ thirty-three times, ‘al-hamdu Lillaah’ thirty-three times, and ‘Allaahu akbar’ thirty-four times. This is better for you than a servant.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It was narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Recite Surat Al-Kaafiroon when you go to sleep, for it is a renunciation of shirk.”[Al-Bayhaqi] It was narrated on the authority of Hafsah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her that when the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) went to bed, he would put his right hand under his right cheek and say: “Rabbi qini ‘athaabaka yawma tab’athu ‘ibaadak (My Lord, save me from Your punishment on the Day when You resurrect Your slaves).” [Abu Daawood]

It was narrated on the authority of Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said:

“When you go to bed, make ablution as if for prayer, then lie down on your right side, then say, ‘Allaahummah aslamtu nafsi ilayk, wa wajjahtu wajhi ilayk, wa fawwadhtu amri ilayk, wa alja’tu thahri ilayk, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk, la malja’a wa la manja minka illa ilayk. Aamantu bi kitaabik allathi anzalt, wa bi nabiyyik allathi arsalt (O Allaah, I submit myself to You, I turn my face to You, I delegate my affairs to You and I rely totally on You, out of fear of and hope in You. There is no refuge or sanctuary from You except in You. I believe in Your Book which You have revealed and in Your Prophet whom You have sent).’ Then if you die, you will die on the Fitrah (innate sound belief), so make these the last words you speak.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Similarly, the Muslim should have the habit of reciting the Athkaar prescribed by Sharee’ah when waking up, such as that narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet ,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “When any one of you wakes up, he should say, ‘Al-hamdu Lillaah allathi radda ‘alayya roohi, wa ‘aafaani fi jasadi wa athina li bi thikrihi (Praise be to Allaah Who has restored my soul, given health to my body, and allowed me to remember Him).” [At-Tirmithi and An-Nasaa’i]

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Ubaadah ibn As-Saamit  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said:

“Whoever turns over at night and says ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer. Al-hamdulillahi, subhaan Allaah wa la illaaha ill-Allaah wa Allaahu akbar wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa Billaah (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah Alone, with no partner or associate. His is the dominion and the praise, and He is over all things Competent. Praise be to Allaah, glory be to Allaah. There is no god except Allaah, Allaah is Most Great and there is no strength and no power except with Allaah),’ then says, ‘Allaahumma ighfir li (O Allaah, forgive me),’ or some other supplications, he will be answered, and if he makes ablution and then prays, his prayer will be accepted.”[Al-Bukhaari]

Imaam Ibn Battaal said,

“Allaah The Almighty has promised through His Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) that whoever wakes up from his sleep pronouncing words of Tawheed, submitting to His Sovereignty, recognizing His Blessings by praising Him, exalting Him above that which does not befit Him by glorifying Him (saying ‘Subhaan Allaah’), submitting to Him by magnifying Him (saying ‘Allaahu Akbar’) and admitting one’s utter dependence upon His Help, then if he makes supplication, it will be answered, and if he prays, his prayer will be accepted. Everyone who hears this Hadeeth should apply it and make the most of it, and make his intention sincerely for his Lord Allaah The Almighty."

Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said that when the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), woke up, he would say: "Al-hamdu Lillaahillathi ahyaana ba’da ma amaatana wa ilayhi an-nushoor (Praise be to Allaah Who has brought us back to life after having caused us to die, and unto Him is the resurrection).’” [Muslim]

Ibn ‘Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that when the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) woke up he would wipe the trace of sleep from his face with his hand, then look at the sky and recite the final ten verses of Surat Aal ‘Imraan, starting: {Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding…} [Quran 3:190] [Muslim]

Imaam An-Nawawi  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “This indicates that it is recommended to wipe away the traces of sleep from one’s face, and to recite these verses when getting up from sleep."

Being keen to take a nap during the day, whether before or after noon: It was narrated on the authority of Anas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Take a nap, for the Devils do not take naps.” [At-Tabaraani]

Is-haaq ibn ‘Abdullaah said, “Taking a nap is one of the deeds of good people. It revitalizes the heart and helps one to perform voluntary prayers at night." Al-Hasan Al-Basri  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him passed by a group of people in the marketplace in the middle of the day, and heard the racket they were making. He said, “Do these people take a nap?” It was said to him, “No.” He said, “I think their nights must be bad."

Avoiding eating or drinking too much:

Eating and drinking too much are two of the main obstacles that prevent people from performing voluntary prayers at night. It was narrated on the authority of Al-Miqdaam ibn Ma’di Karib  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Man fills no vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Aadam (Adam) to have a few mouthfuls to give him the strength he needs. If he has to fill his stomach, then let him leave one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.” [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]

It was narrated on the authority of Abu Juhayfah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said to a man who burped in his presence: “Stop your burping, for the people who eat the most in this life will be the hungriest on the Day of Judgment.” [Al-Haakim]

Sufyaan Ath-Thawri  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “You should eat little, so that you will be able to perform voluntary prayers at night." Ma’qil ibn Habeeb saw some people eating a lot, and said, “I do not think that our companions (referring to those people) want to perform voluntary prayers at night." Wahb ibn Munabbih said, “There is no human dearer to his devil than the one who eats and sleeps a lot."