The Significance of Shawwal & 6 Nafl Fast

October 3rd, 2008

THE SIX NAFL FASTS OF SHAWWAL
Hazrat Abî Ayyub Radiallâhu anhu relates that Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam has said: “Whoever fasted the full month of Ramadhân and then follows it with six soum[fasts] of Shawwâl, is like the person who has fasted the full year.” (Sahih Muslim)

In another Hadîth it is related that by observing these six fasts after Ramadhân all defaults and sins are forgiven. The reward of every good deed is tenfold or more. The thawâb of the month of Ramadhân is equal to that of ten months and that of these six voluntary siyam are equal to that of the remaining two months to complete the full year. These fast could be kept continuously after Eid-ul‑Fitr or separately during the month of Shawwâl.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SHAWWAL
Shawwal is the tenth lunar month. During the period of ignorance Ramadhân was regarded as a blessed and sacred month. Shawwal was regarded as a cursed month and a month of ill‑omen. The people of that time never married during Shawwal. Due to this Hazrat Ayesha Radiallâhu anha expressed disappointment of the people to consider this month to be inauspicious, as she was married to Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam in this very month. The wrong beliefs of the people was clearly disproven by Hazrat Ayesha Radiallâhu anha by her marriage to Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam in the month of Shawwal which was no obstruction to her elevated position and great love Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam had for her.

To a Muslim the first day of the month of Shawwal, is of very great significance, as this is the day of Eid. On this significant day Allâh showers His glorious rewards of blessings and forgiveness to His servants who have fasted during the month of Ramadhân. It is related from Hazrat Anâs Radiallâhu anhu that Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam has said: “When the day of Eid appears, Allâh proudly asks in the presence of the Angels regarding his fasting servants: ‘O My Angels, what return is there for such labourers who have fully completed their duty?’ The Angels reply, ‘O Rabb they should be rewarded in full,’ then Allâh asks the Angels, ‘O My Angels what is the reward for those male and female servants who have fulfilled My divine command which was compulsory upon them, and now they have come out to beseech Me in Du’â?’ Allâh swears, ‘I take oath upon My grandeur and glory, My generosity and exaltation of My elevated position, that I will definitely accept their Du’âs.’ Thereafter Allâh says: ‘Disperse, I have forgiven you and replaced your sins with good deeds.’ Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam says they return forgiven.’”

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Sahih Muslim

June 4th, 2008

Introduction to Translation of Sahih Muslim

Translator: Abdul Hamid Siddiqui

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Sahih Muslim is a collection of sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) (also known as the sunnah). The reports of the Prophet’s sayings and deeds are called ahadith. Muslim lived a couple of centuries after the Prophet’s death and worked extremely hard to collect his ahadith. Each report in his collection was checked for compatibility with the Qur’an, and the veracity of the chain of reporters had to be painstakingly established. Muslim’s collection is recognized by the overwhelming majority of the Muslim world to be one of the most authentic collections of the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh).

Muslim (full name Abul Husain Muslim bin al-Hajjaj al-Nisapuri) was born in 202 A.H. and died in 261 A.H. He travelled widely to gather his collection of ahadith, including to Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Egypt. Out of 300,000 ahadith which he evaluated, only 4,000 approximately were extracted for inclusion into his collection based on stringent acceptance criteria. Muslim was a student of Bukhari.

It is important to realize, however, that Muslim’s collection is not complete: there are other scholars who worked as Muslim did and collected other authentic reports.

1. The Book of Faith (Kitab Al-Iman)
2. The Book of Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah)
3. The Book of Menstruation (Kitab Al-Haid)
4. The Book of Prayers (Kitab Al-Salat)
5. The Book of Zakat (Kitab Al-Zakat)
6. The Book of Fasting (Kitab Al-Sawm)
7. The Book of Pilgrimage (Kitab Al-Hajj)
8. The Book of Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah)
9. The Book of Divorce (Kitab Al-Talaq)
10. The Book of Transactions (Kitab Al-Buyu`)
11. The Book Pertaining to the Rules of Inheritance (Kitab Al-Farai`d)
12. The Book of Gifts (Kitab Al-Hibat)
13. The Book of Bequests (Kitab Al-Wasiyya)
14. The Book of Vows (Kitab Al-Nadhr)
15. The Book of Oaths (Kitab Al-Aiman)
16. The Book Pertaining to the Oath, for Establishing the Responsibility of Murders, Fighting, Requital and Blood-Wit (Kitab Al-Kitab Al-Qasama wa’l-Muharaba wa’l-Qisas wa’l-Diyat)
17. The Book Pertaining to Punishments Prescribed by Islam (Kitab Al-Hudud)
18. The Book Pertaining to Judicial Decisions (Kitab Al-Aqdiyya)
19. The Book of Jihad and Expedition (Kitab Al-Jihad wa’l-Siyar)
20. The Book on Government (Kitab Al-Imara)
21. The Book of Games and the Animals which May be Slaughtered and the Aninals that Are to be Eaten (Kitab-us-Said wa’l-Dhaba’ih wa ma Yu’kalu min Al-Hayawan)
22. The Book of Sacrifices (Kitab Al-Adahi)
23. The Book of Drinks (Kitab Al-Ashriba)
24. The Book Pertaining to Clothes and Decoration (Kitab Al-Libas wa’l-Zinah)
25. The Book on General Behaviour (Kitab Al-Adab)
26. The Book on Salutations and Greetings (Kitab As-Salam)
27. The Book Concerning the Use of Correct Words (Kitab Al-Alfaz min Al-Adab wa Ghairiha)
28. The Book of Poetry (Kitab Al-Sh`ir)
29. The Book of Vision (Kitab Al-Ruya)
30. The Book Pertaining to the Excellent Qualities of the Holy Prophet (may Peace be upon them) and His Companions (Kitab Al-Fada’il)
31. The Book Pertaining to the Merits of the Companions (Allah Be Pleased With Them) of the Holy Prophet (May Peace Be Upon Him) (Kitab Al-Fada’il Al-Sahabah)
32. The Book of Virtue, Good Manners and Joining of the Ties of Relationship (Kitab Al-Birr was-Salat-I-wa’l-Adab)
33. The Book of Destiny (Kitab-ul-Qadr)
34. The Book of Knowledge (Kitab Al-`Ilm)
35. The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness (Kitab Al-Dhikr)
36. The Book of Heart-Melting Traditions (Kitab Al-Riqaq)
37. The Book Pertaining to Repentance and Exhortation to Repentance (Kitab Al-Tauba)
38. Pertaining To The Charateristics Of The Hypocrites And Command Concerning Them (Kitab Sifat Al-Munafiqin Wa Ahkamihim)
39. The Book Giving Description of the Day of Judgement, Paradise and Hell (Kitab Sifat Al-Qiyamah wa’l Janna wa’n-Nar)
40. The Book Pertaining to Paradise, Its Description, Its Bounties and Its Intimates (Kitab Al-Jannat wa Sifat Na’imiha wa Ahliha)
41. The Book Pertaining to the Turmoil and Portents of the Last Hour (Kitab Al-Fitan wa Ashrat As-Sa`ah)
42. The Book Pertaining to Piety and Softening of Hearts (Kitab Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa’iq)
43. The Book of Commentary (Kitab Al-Tafsir)

Click Here to Download Sahih Muslim

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