Sufyaan ibn `Abdillaah radhiallahu `anhu said: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islaam, which I cannot ask anyone else besides you." He said: "Say: 'I believe in Allah' and then be steadfast (upon that)." [Saheeh Muslim (38)]

The hadeeth is proof that the servant is obligated, after having eemaan in Allah, to persevere and be steadfast upon obeying Him by performing the obligatory acts and avoiding the prohibited ones. This is achieved by following the Straight Path, which is the firm Religion without drifting away from it, to the right or to the left.

If the Muslim lives through Ramadhaan and spent his days in fasting and his nights in prayer and he accustomed himself to doing acts of good, then he must continue to remain upon this obedience to Allah at all times. This is the true state of the slave, for indeed, the Lord of the months is One and He is ever watchful and witnessing over his servants at all times.

Indeed, steadfastness after Ramadhaan and the rectification of one's statements and actions are the greatest signs that one has gained benefit from the month of Ramadhaan and striven in obedience. They are tokens of reception and signs of success.

Furthermore, the deeds of a servant do not come to an end with the end of a month and the beginning of another, rather they continue and extend until he reaches death. Allah says: "And worship your Lord until the certainty (death) comes to you." [al-Hijr: 99]

If the fasting of Ramadhaan comes to an end, then indeed the voluntary fasting is still prescribed throughout the entire year. If standing in prayer at night during Ramadhaan comes to an end, then indeed, the entire year is a time for performing the night prayer. And if the Zakaat-ul-Fitr comes to an end, then there is still the Zakaah that is obligatory as well as the voluntary charity that lasts the whole year. This goes the same for reciting the Qur'aan and pondering over its meaning as well as every other righteous deed that is sought, for they can be done at all times. From the many bounties that Allah has bestowed upon his servants is that He has placed for them many different types of righteous acts and provided many means for doing good deeds. Therefore, the ardor and zeal of the Muslim must be constant and he must continue to remain in the service of his Lord.

It is unfortunate to find that some people perform worship by doing different types of righteous deeds during Ramadhaan. They guard strictly upon their five daily prayers in the masjid, they recite the Qur'aan a lot and they give in charity from their wealth. But when Ramadhaan comes to an end, they grow lazy in their worship. Rather, sometimes they even abandon the obligations, both generally, such as praying in congregation, and specifically, such as praying the fajr prayer.

And they commit forbidden acts such as sleeping over the time of prayers, indulging in places of foolishness and entertainment, and mingling in parks, especially on the day of `Eed. Obtaining help from these evils is only through the grace of Allah. Thus, they demolish what they have constructed and destroy what they have established. This is an indication of deprivation and a sign of perdition. We ask Allah for His safeguarding and protection.

Indeed, this type of people take the example of turning in repentance and ceasing from committing evil deeds as something specific and restricted to the month of Ramadhaan. And they stop doing these (good) acts when the month stops. Thus, it is as if they have abandoned sinning for the sake of Ramadhaan, and not out of fear of Allah. How evil are these people who do not know Allah, except in Ramadhaan!

Truly, the success that Allah grants His servant lies in the fasting of Ramadhaan. His assisting him to do that is a great favor, thus the calls for the servant to be grateful to his Lord. This understanding can be found in the statement of Allah after completing the favor of the month of fasting:

"(He wants that you) must complete the same number of days, and that you must magnify Allah (by saying Allahu Akbar) for having guided you, so that you may be grateful to Him." [2:185]

The one who is grateful for having fasted, will remain upon that condition and continue to perform righteous deeds.

Verily, the true way of the Muslim is that of one who praises and thanks his Lord for giving him the ability to fast and make qiyaam. His condition after Ramadhaan is better than it was before Ramadhaan. He is more receptive to obey, desiring to do good deeds and quick to enforce the obligatory acts. This is because he has gained benefit form this prominent institute of learning. It is that of one who fears for having his fast not accepted, for indeed Allah only accepts from those who fear Him.

The righteous predecessors would struggle to complete and perfect their deeds, hoping afterwards, that it would be accepted and fearing that it would be rejected. From the reports of `Alee, "Be more concerned with having your deeds accepted than the deed itself. Did you not hear Allah say: 'Verily Allah, only accepts those from those who fear Him. (i.e. possess taqwaa).' [5:27] "[Lataa'if ul Ma`aarif, p. 246]

`Aa'ishah said: "I asked the Messenger of Allah concerning the ayah: 'And the one who are given what they are given and their hearts tremble with fear.' Are they the ones who drink alcohol and steal?" He said: "No, o daughter of as-Siddeeq. Rather, they are the ones who fast and pray and give in charity yet fear that it won't be accepted from them. They are the ones who rush to do good deeds and they are the first to do them." [Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhee 3/79-80]

So be warned and again be warned of turning backward after having attained guidance of going astray after persevering. And ask Allah to provide you with duration in doing righteous deeds and continuity in performing good acts. And ask Allah that He grant you a good end, so that He may accept our Ramadhaan from us.

The following is a reminder of some matters that help one to be among the winners in Ramadan by using its days and nights properly. “Remind, for indeed reminding benefits the believers.” (51:55)

“As for those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will surely guide them to Our Paths.” (29:69)

Do you want guidance? Do you want steadfastness? Struggle against your soul, for if we bring ourselves closer to Allah, Allah will come closer to us.

Ibnul Jawzi said, "The sign of completion of the mind is high aspiration, for he who is satisfied with low aspiration is disgraceful, and I didn't see a severer shortcoming than that of people who are capable of completion yet don't aspire for it."

He who knows something develops interest in it and preserves it. Even if there was nothing in Ramadan but Laylat ul-Qadr (the Night of Power), which is better than one thousand months, that would suffice.

“A fixed number of days…” (2:184) [From the verse, “(Observing fast is) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days”].

Yesterday we were congratulating each other for the beginning of Ramadan and today we give each other condolences for its departure. This is how both days and life are, passing quickly. So hurry up to benefit in Ramadan.

The righteous people compete for good deeds, while the others are captives of their lusts and slaves to their desires.

“Then We gave the Book (the Qur'an) for inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose. Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allah's Leave, foremost in good deeds. That is indeed a great grace.“ (35:32)

You might not reach another Ramadan, so watch for yourself!

Allah (SWT) granted the believers victory after victory in different campaigns, in Badr, Makkah, Hunayn, Quds, in Spain, and many other places. Allah's help to the believers, is the fulfillment of His promise. He never reneges on His words. "...And it was due from Us to aid those who believe." (Al-Qur`an, 30:47) He helped them because they sought to establish His religion that He proclaimed over all other religions. Whoever holds to it, He will grant them victory. He helped them because they held to the spiritual and material cause of victory. They had the will and discipline that superseded that of their enemies. They acted according to the plan that Allah charted for them, as He said: "So lose no heart nor fall into despair; for ye must gain mastery if ye are true in faith. If a wound has touched you, be sure a similar wound has touched the others. Such days (of varying fortunes) We give to men and men by turns, that Allah may know those that believe, and that He may take to Himself from your ranks martyr-witnesses to truth. And Allah loves not those that do wrong." (Al-Qur`an, 3:139-140)

With these directives, the Muslims acted with strength, determination and seriousness. They prepared all elements of power, physical and otherwise, as Allah (SWT) states: "Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power... "(Al-Qur`an, 8: 60) With this strength Allah aided them because they aided His cause and His religion of Islam. "... Allah will certainly aid those who aid His cause, for verily Allah is full of strength, exalted in Might (able to enforce His will). Also they are those who if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong. With Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs." (Al-Qur`an, 22: 40-41)

In this verse are the attributes that lead to this victory:

First, for us to be established on the earth as khulafah, rulers we must observe total `ubudiyah (worship) of Allah alone. If we obey and worship Allah sincerely in our hearts, pronouncements, deeds, and will, and if we do not intend with that action anything but the pleasure of Allah and the last day, and if we do not desire position, praise from people and our peers, wealth, or anything from this world, and this `ebadah continues in all aspects of our life, only then will Allah (SWT), if he so wills, grant us, to use the Qur`anic term, tamkeen (establish in authority and khilafah).

Allah states: "Allah has promised to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that he will of a surety grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion, the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state) after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace. They will worship Me (alone) and not associate aught with Me. If any do reject faith after this, they are rebellious and wicked." (Al-Qur`an, 24: 55)

Second, establishing Salaat: that is, to observe it in the way the Messenger observed it. Be mindful of its prerequisites, pillars, obligations, rules, and regulations. Cleanliness must be perfected, standing, bowing, prostration, and sitting must all be observed properly. Be heedful of the time of each and every prayer, Jum`ah and jama`ah prayers. Observe Salat with humility and complete Allah - consciousness, which is the spirit of the body of Salaat. Without it there is no Salaat. In a hadith related by `Ammar bin Yasir (raa), he said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah say " Verily, a man may turn away from Salaat and nothing is written for him of that Salaat but the tenth or ninth, eighth, seventh, sixth, fifth, fourth, third or half. " (Abu Dawud)

Third, is Zakaat: that is, to give Zakaat to its lawful and rightful recipients willingly and without any rancor or ill feeling, to give a complete amount without cheating, so as to seek the pleasure of Allah (SWT).

Fourth, enjoin what is right, amru bil maaruf. This means upholding or helping others to uphold anything that Allah (SWT) and His Messenger commanded or instructed of us. One of the main objectives of enjoining what is right is to revive and maintain the sharee`ah of Allah on the earth. To be actively involved in reforming the believers and servants of Allah, so as they will stay the cause of straight path, siraatul mustaqeem, and to intend with this, Allah's mercy and His pleasure.

Fifth, forbid what is wrong, nahyu `anil munkar. This means personally avoiding or helping others avoid everything that Allah (SWT) or His Messenger forbade, the big or small sins, things that relate to acts of worship, behavior and conduct and relationship with the believers. This aspect protects the religion and the people, and prevents fasad (evil acts) from seeping into the body of the ummah.

Enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong are the two most important pillars of Islam. They are necessary for the survival of the ummah, its power, and its unity, so that the ummah would not be weakened by peoples' desires and end up going in different directions. This is why these two principles (enjoining the good and forbidding the wrong) are among the obligatory duties of a believer if he or she is able. Allah (SWT) commands:

"Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. They are the ones to attain felicity. Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after receiving clear signs. For them is a dreadful penalty. " (Al-Qur`an, 3: 104-105)

Were it not for this principle, the ummah would have been dissolved, as is our situation today. Allah declares: "You are the best of people, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong and believing in Allah..." (Al-Qur`an, 3: 110) By neglecting this principle, Allah cursed the Israelites, as He states: "Curses were pronounced on those among the children of Israel who rejected faith, by the tongue of Dawuud, and of Jesus the son of Mary, because they disobeyed and persisted in excesses. Nor did they (usually) forbid one another the iniquities which they committed: evil indeed were the deeds which they did." (Al-Qur`an, 5: 81)

Whenever these five elements are fulfilled, along with what Allah exhorted us to, victory will come, provided we cultivate determination, perseverance, and prepare for physical strength. This is what we are promised, and Allah will never renege or break His promise. Allah states: "(It is) the promise of Allah. Never does Allah depart from His promise; but most men understand not. They know but the outer (things) in the life of this world: but of the end of things they are heedless." (Al-Qur`an. 30: 6-7) Only then will victory be accomplished in a way that no one thought possible.

The believer who has total trust in Allah's promise is aware that physical elements - as vital as they are - no matter how strong, are not enough and are nothing compared to the power of Allah Who created this strength. The people of `Aad boasted of their power. "Who is more powerful than us?" they said. Allah responded, saying: "...Did they not see that Allah, Who created them, was superior to them in strength. But they continued to reject Our Signs! So We sent against them a furious wind through days of disaster, that We might give them a taste of the penalty of humiliation in this life; but the penalty of a Hereafter will be more humiliating still, and they will find no help." (Al-Qur`an, 41: 15-16)

Pharaoh was proud of his vast domain and the rivers that flowed beneath it, so Allah (SWT) drowned him in the same water he was proud of. Further, Allah made Prophet Musa (ass) inherit his kingdom and his people, whereas he was perceived by Pharaoh as weak and unable to express himself. The Quraysh were intoxicated by their power and vainglory. They left their homes in a campaign to demonstrate their power and to terrorize the entire Arabian region. They were advised to return home, but refused, and continued to march to Badr for an engagement with destiny. So Allah made them pay a heavy price and taste the most humiliating defeat; the defeat that let them become the laughing - stock of all of Arabia and the world over from that day on.

If we today, in this day in time, take heed of the numerous warnings of Allah, and establish our religion and become leaders of this erring world, not following or imitating others, and take all the physical means of modern times and spiritual means from our Book with sincerity, Allah will help us as He helped our ancestors. Allah made good His promise and helped His servants, and He put to fight the confederate alone. "(Such has been) the practice (approved) of Allah already in the past: no change wilt thou find in the practice (approved) of Allah." (Al-Qur`an, 48: 23).

As in the Battle of Badr, the month of Ramadan was the time in which Allah chose to grant the believers their biggest victory ever. In the eighth year of Hijrah in the Islamic calendar, Allah (SWT) delivered the sacred city of Makkah to the Muslims, virtually without any resistance or bloodshed. With this victory Allah rescued this great city from the yoke of shirk (polytheism); it became an Islamic city forever, the city in which tawheed replaced shirk and belief replaced disbelief, and Islam and submission to Allah unseated obstinacy and haughtiness. The worship of Allah was finally declared and the idols were smashed. During 6th year of Hijrah, the Messenger of Allah and the Quraysh signed the famous treaty of Hudaybiyah, which included the clause that any tribe that desired to join either party, the Quraysh or Muslims might do so. The Khuza`ah tribesmen decided to join the Messenger of Allah, and Banu Bakar decided to join the Quraysh.

There was bad blood between the two tribes, a pre-Islamic blood grudge. Banu Bakar seized on this opportunity and attacked the Khuza`ah without any provocation, while Quraysh, in violation of the treaty, secretly gave their allies all the help they asked for, men and supplies.

Khuza`ah had no choice but to inform the Messenger, their ally, that Banu Bakar and their allies Quraysh had unilaterally broken the treaty of Hudaybiyah by attacking them. The Messenger promised them, "I will prevent from you what I will prevent from myself." (Ibn Hishaam)

The Quraish realized they had broken the treaty with the Messenger by attacking the Muslims' allies. Realizing the gravity of the situation, they dispatched Abu Sufyan to Madinah on a mission of fence - mending and to beg for mercy and apologize for their misdeed. Upon his arrival, Abu Sufyan went to his daughter Umm Habeebah (raa), the Prophets's wife, and when he wanted to sit on the Messenger's carpet she folded it up so that he could not sit on it. "My dear daughter," he asked, "I hardly know if you think that the carpet is too good for me or that I am too good for the carpet!" She responded, "This is the Messenger's carpet and you are a dirty polytheist. I do not want you to sit on the Messenger's carpet." Abu Sufyan knew then that this mission was impossible. He then went to meet the Messenger to apologize, review and extend the treaty. He spoke to the Messenger (saas) but he was disappointed because he got no response.

His request was met with total rejection as he attempted to enlist the help of Abu Bakr, `Umar and `Ali respectively. As the gates closed in his face, he returned to `Ali for advice. `Ali said he knew no measure that would correct the explosive situation.

Finally, Abu Sufyan returned to Makkah totally disheartened because he knew the future was bleak. When he arrived in Makkah, the Quraysh gathered around to find out the result of his mission. "Totally unsuccessful," he told them. He narrated how his efforts with the Messenger, Abu Bakr and `Umar and `Ali were met with total rejection.

`Ali was the most polite of all. Therefore, he again went to `Ali before he headed home and asked for advice.`Ali told him since he was the chief of Banu Kinanah, he could invoke on behalf of his tribe willingness to make peace with Muhammad. Abu Sufyan asked `Ali whether that would be of any use, and `Ali replied that he was not sure, but he could have nothing to tell him until after the Messenger had decided what to do. Abu Sufyan's listeners asked whether the idea to go in front of the people was approved by Muhammad, and he replied no. They told him `Ali had played with his mind.

The Messenger, on the other hand, had called his companions to prepare for war. Unlike other battles, where he concealed his destination, this time he told them exactly where they would be heading. Prophet Muhammad (saas) asked the tribes around the Islamic state to enlist in the battle. He demanded that the battle plans be kept secret from the enemy until they reached Makkah because he wanted to surprise them.

While the Messenger and the believers were preparing for the campaign, an insidious incident was taking place. It was reported that Hatib Abu Balta'a betrayed the Messenger by writing a letter to Quraysh, telling them that the Messenger intended to invade them. He gave the letter to a woman to deliver and paid her for her services. She put the letter on her head and then plaited her hair over it and started off. The Messenger, through revelation, was informed of Hatib's action, and he sent `Ali (karamallahu wajhahu) and Az-Zubair bin Al-`Awwam (raa) with instructions to go after her.

When they overtook her they dismounted and searched her bags but found nothing. `Ali swore by Allah that the Messenger could not be mistaken nor could they, and warned the lady that if she did not produce the letter they would strip her. When she realized that he was earnest, she told him to turn aside, and then she let down her braids and drew out the letter, and gave it to him and he took it to the Messenger of Allah.

The Messenger summoned Hatib and asked him what induced him to act the way he did. He replied that he believed in Allah and his Messenger and had never ceased to do so, but that he was not a man of standing among the Quraysh and that he had a son and family there and that he had to deal prudently with them for their sakes. `Umar (raa) wanted to cut off his head for his hypocritical act, but the Messenger asked him "How do you know, `Umar? Perhaps Allah looked favorably on those who were at Badr," And said: `Do as you please, for I have forgiven you.'"

Upon this serious incident Allah revealed: "O ye who believe, take not My enemies and yours as friends (or protectors), offering them your love even though they have..." (Al-Qur`an, 60: 1-4) Meanwhile, the Messenger (saas) marched out of Madinah with about 10,000 men, leaving `Abdullah bin Umm Maktum (raa) in charge of Madinah. When he reached Juhfah, he met his uncle Al-`Abbas with his entire family, migrating to Medinah to embrace Islam. At Al-Abwaa he met his uncles Abu Sufyan and Abdullah bin Abi Umayyah, both of whom were passionate enemies of Islam and the Messenger. They announced their belief in Islam, and it was accepted from them. About Abu Sufyan, the Messenger said: "I hope he will succeed Hamzah", who had been killed during the Battle of Uhud.

The news of the Muslims' movement was so tightly controlled that no Makkan knew of their approach until they were close to Makkah. The Messenger of Allah stopped there and ordered the army to set 10,000 bonfires. `Umar was guiding the Messenger. Because his movement was so unknown, he needed to tell the Quraysh himself that he was at their door-steps. Thus, he sent `Al`Abbas to inform any person he could find about the Muslims' arrival, so that they could come to him and seek some kind of peace resolution in order to prevent any bloodshed in the Sacred City.

While Al-`Abbas was on his lookout, he heard Abu Sufyan saying to his comrade, Badeel bin Zurqaa: "I have never seen a fire this big in my life." Badeel replied this might be the Khuza`ah army. Abu Sufyan said the Khuza`ah was smaller than this. Al-Abbas recognized his voice and called to him. Abu Sufyan answered and asked, "What do you want, Abal Fadl?" Al-`Abbas replied, "I am the messenger of the Messenger of Allah and his army of believers is heading this way." Abu Sufyan, shocked and terrified, asked, "What should I do?" Al-`Abbas said, "Ride with me to the Messenger and I will protect you."

When Abu-Sufyan was in front of him, the Messenger (saas) demanded: "Woe to you Abu Sufyan. Is it not time for you to know that there is no deity but Allah. " He replied: "By my father and mother, you know that if there were any deity beside Allah it would have helped me. The Messenger continued: "Is it not time for you to know that I am the Messenger of Allah." Abu Sufyan hesitated for a while, so Al-`Abbas encouraged him: "Woe to you. Announce your Islam." Abu Sufyan then declared the Shahadah, the declaration of faith.

The Messenger told Al-`Abbas to take Abu Sufyan to the foot of the valley and let him see the Muslim soldiers marching. The army paraded past Abu Sufyan, squadron after squadron. No squadron would pass but Abu Sufyan asked, "Who are those?" While they were watching, a squadron commanded by Sa`ad bin `Ubadah (raa) passed. When they were passing, Abu Sufyan overheard Sa`ad saying: "Today is the day of battle, the day of great war, the day when all taboos will be lifted."

Hearing this, Abu Sufyan was alarmed, so when the Messenger passed by him Abu Sufyan told him what Sa`ad had just said. The Messenger said: "Sa`ad lied to you. This is the day in which the Ka`abah will be glorified, the day in which the Ka`abah will be adorned." Then the Messenger commanded that Sa`ad be relieved of his duty as commander and that his post be given to his son Qais, so he would not be too much offended because it would remain in his family. Had Sa`ad been permitted to proceed, this would have violated the Messenger's commandment that no blood should be shed in Makkah.

The Messenger proceeded to Makkah, commanding his flags to be concentrated in the area of Al-Hujun. He entered Makkah, a victorious conqueror bowing down his head as a sign of humbleness to Allah (SWT). He bowed until his head could be seen touching his horse`s neck. Meanwhile, he was reciting: "Verily We have granted thee a manifest victory." (Al-Qur'an, 48: 1) He repeated it several times.

He put Khalid bin Waleed and Az-Zubair bin `Awwam on each side of the Muslim army. The Messenger declared: "Whoever enters into the Masjid he is safe, whoever enters into the house of Abu Sufyan he is safe, whoever enters his own house and closes the door he is safe." The Messenger entered the Masjid Al-Haram and made circumambulation on his horse. There were about 360 idols around the Ka`abah. He pulled them down with his sword while reciting: " And say: `Truth has arrived and falsehood has perished for falsehood is by its nature bound to perish.'" (Al-Qur`an, 17: 81) Also "Say: `Truth has arrived and falsehood neither creates anything new nor restores anything.'" (Al-Qur`an, 34: 49) The idols tumbled on their faces.

The Messenger entered the Ka`abah and ordered all the pictures to be destroyed. He prayed inside, and afterward he walked round saying Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest), in every corner declaring the oneness of Allah (SWT). When he came out of the Ka`abah, he stood in the door and said: "There is no deity but Allah alone; He has no associates. He has made good His promise and helped His servant. He has put to flight the confederates. Every claim of privilege, of blood or property is abolished by me except the custody of the House of Allah and water for the pilgrims. The unintentional slaying in a quasi-intentional way by club or whip, for him the blood wit is most severe: a hundred camels, forty of them to be pregnant. O Quraysh, Allah has taken from you the haughtiness of paganism and its veneration of ancestors. Man springs from Adam and Adam springs from dust." Then he recited to them this verse. "O Mankind, We created you from male and female and made you into peoples and tribes that you may know one another: of a truth the most noblest of you in Allah's sight is the most pious. " (Al-Qur`an, 49: 13)

He continued: "O Quraysh, what do you think that I am about to do with you?' They replied "Good. You are a noble, son of a noble brother." "Well, I would say to you what Prophet Yusuf said to his brothers: `This day let no reproach be cast on you: Allah will forgive you and He is the most Merciful of those who show mercy.'" (Al-Qur`an, 12: 92) He said: "Go your way for you are freed ones."

On the second day of the campaign the Messenger (saas) addressed all of Makkah. He said: "Allah made Makkah holy the day He created heavens and earth, and it will be holy until the Day of Resurrection. It is not lawful for anyone who believes in Allah and the last day to shed blood therein, nor to cut down trees therein. It was not lawful to any one before me and it will not be lawful to anyone after me. Indeed, it is not lawful for me except at this time because of Allah's anger against its people. Now it has regained its former holiness. Let those here now tell those that are not here. If anyone should say, the Messenger killed men in Makkah, say Allah permitted His Messenger to do so but he does not permit you." The hour that Allah permitted the Messenger was from sunrise to late afternoon on the day of campaign.

The Messenger stayed in Makkah 29 days, while shortening his prayers. He stayed to educate the newly converted Makkans in the basic teachings of Islam, tawheed, to reinforce their iman, and take allegiance from the people. In Bukhari, Mujashi`e (raa) said: "I brought my brother to the Messenger of Allah (saas) to give bay`ah (allegiance) to the Messenger on Hijrah (migration). The Messenger replied: " The people of Hijrah have taken the reward of Hijrah, but I will accept your allegiance on Islam, iman and jihad. With this great victory, people entered into the fold of Islam in droves (jama'ah).

All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of the worlds. He made the believers beloved brothers in the religion. And I testify, truthfully and with certainty, that nothing is worthy of worship except Allaah, alone with no partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad, the truthful and trustworthy, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam is his slave and messenger; may the blessings of Allaah be upon him, his family, his companions, and those that follow them upon righteousness until the last day.

As for what follows:

O people! Be fearful of Allaah the Most High and know that brotherhood in the religion outranks relational brotherhood. Indeed Allaah orders brotherhood between the believers and Muslims, even if their lineages differ and their countries are distant. He the Most High says, “The believers are nothing else than brothers.” (Soorah al Hujaraat: 10) And He has ordered with opposition towards the Kufaar regardless of how close their lineage is. He the Most High says, “O you who believe! Take not for Awliyaa (supporters) your fathers and your brothers if they prefer disbelief to Belief. And whoever of you does so, then he is one of the wrong-doers.” (Soorah at Tawbah: 23).

And there are great rights and noble benefits for this brotherhood between the Muslims and believers; Allaah and His Messenger sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam have clarified them in the Qur’aan and the Sunnaah. It is obligatory to observe and live by them, and it is not permissible to disregard and neglect them. From these rights and benefits is the obligation to reconcile between the Muslims when there occurs differentiation and disputes between them, or enmity and division occurs between them. He the Most High says, “And if two parties or groups among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both, but if one of them rebels against the other, then fight you (all) against the one that which rebels till it complies with the Command of Allaah; then if it complies, then makereconciliation between them justly, and be equitable. Verily! Allaah loves those who are equitable. The believers are nothing else than brothers. So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allaah, that you may receive mercy.” (Soorah al Hujurat: 10).

Also from the rights that Muslims and believers have upon each other is respecting each other’s honor, and abstaining from lowering each other. He the Most High says, “O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed wrong-doers.” (Al-Hujurat 49:11).

Allaah the Glorious forbids the men and the women from ridiculing each other, for it may be that those that are being mocked are better than the mockers in this world and the hereafter. And mockery does not emanate except from the deficient. And Allaah has forbidden al Lumz (slander), and He has forbidden insulting one another with al Alqaab (nicknames), and that is calling a person by a nickname that he has not been named with, and al Laqb is what hurts a person when he hears it. Some of the Mufasiroon have said that from it is, “Yaa Faasiq” (O’ Sinner), “Yaa Kalb” (O’ Dog),“Yaa Himaar” (O’ Donkey). And indeed mockery and slander and defamation with nicknames have been named sins by Allaah, and this is a proof of its repulsiveness and ugliness, and it is a proof of the obligation to stay distant from it.

And from the rights of brotherhood between the Muslims and the believers is that they refrain from unjustified suspicion in those affairs that are between them, and they refrain from spying on each other, and they refrain from backbiting each other. He the Most High says, “O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins.” (Soorah Al Hujaraat: 12). And that is to suspect Ahlul Khayr of evil. “And spy not” (Soorah Al Hujaraat: 12). At Tajassus (spying) is looking for the shortcomings of the people. Allaah has forbidden looking into what has been hidden from the shortcomings of the people and following the deficiencies of the people. “Neither backbite one another.” (Soorah al Hujaraat: 12).

The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam has explained al Gheebah (backbiting) as mentioning your brother with what he dislikes. And there is Ijmaa’ (consensus) that al Gheebah has been prohibited with severe prohibition. And Allaah has likened it to eating the flesh of a dead man; He the Glorious says, “Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting).” (Soorah al Hujaraat: 12). Meaning: As you would surely dislike this, also dislike the later legislatively, because the penalty for it is worse. And from this brotherhood of Islam and Emaan, is helping one another upon righteousness and piety, and helping one another in achieving what is good for them and removing what is harmful to them. He the Most High says, “Help you one another in al Birr and at Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression.” (Soorah al Ma'idah: 2). And the Messenger sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said, “ The likeness of the Muslims in their friendship, and their sympathy towards each other, and their mercy towards each other is like a single body. If a part of it suffers, the rest of the body is affected with sleeplessness and fever.” So the Muslim is delighted with the happiness of his brother, and the pain of his brother hurts him.

And from the rights of this brotherhood of Islam and Emaan is the giving of advice between the Muslims and ordering of good and forbidding evil. He the Most High says, “The believers, men and women, are Awliyaa' of one another, they enjoin al Ma'roof, and forbid from al Munkar; they perform as Salaat and give the Zakaat, and obey Allaah and His Messenger. Allaah will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allaah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (At-Tawbah 9:71).

And the Messenger sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam said three times, “The religion is Naseehah (sincerity).” It was said, “To whom O’ Messenger of Allaah?” He said, “To Allaah, to His book, to His Messenger, to the A’imma (Imaams) of the Muslims and to their general masses. And from the rights of this brotherhood of Islaam and Emaan is the Mu’min loves for his brother what he loves for himself, as the Messenger sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam says, “None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” What is intended is religious love and not mortal love, for indeed there are humans that love evil.

So it is obligatory for the Mu’min to love for his brother what he loves for himself form good and benefits. And whosoever does not love for his brother what he loves for himself is envious, and envy is dispraised.

Salam sejahtera buat calon zaujahku yang dihijab pertemuan olehNya sehingga detik kita disatukan dengan lafaz ijab bersaksi qabul berwali. Semoga langkahmu tangkas dengan semangat juang Islam. Walau apapun yang kita lakukan, dasarilah ia dengan memohon keredhaanNya supaya setiap langkah itu beroleh keberkatan.

Ya Allah, gembirakanlah aku dengan redhaMu ku kira untaian doa srikandi iman, Sayyidah Nafisah binti Hasan bin Zaid bin Hasan bin Ali bin Abu Thalib ini mampu menyuburkan hatimu dengan Nur KasihNya.

"Dan di antara tanda-tanda kekuasaan Nya ialah Dia menciptakan untukmu isteri-isteri dari jenismu sendiri, supaya kamu cenderung dan merasa tenteram kepadanya, dan dijadikannya di antaramu rasa kasih dan sayang. (Ar-Rum: 21)

Telah dikhabarkan bahawa engkau adalah calon yang sekufu untukku, bakal menjadi peneman solehah bersamaku merentas becaknya denai-denai perjuangan Islam ini. InsyaAllah. Kesesuaian ini telah kupohon dalam setiap doaku padaNya, dalam setiap sujudku, dalam setiap ibadah hajat dan istikharahku selama ini. Tanpa jemu walaupun
pertemuan itu masih dirahsiakan. Besar kurniaanNya kepada kita. Hijab itu membolehkan
aku dan kau melengkapkan diri masing-masing dengan bekalan agama agar baitul muslim kita nanti tidak suram dengan Nur keimanan yang malap.

Calon zaujahku yang dirahmati,

Bukan harta yang kuperlukan, bukan keturunan yang menjadi keutamaan, bukan
kecantikan yang kuidamkan, tetapi kefasihan agamamu itu yang aku dambakan. Itulah hikmah sekufu yang menjadi asas usrah muslim antara aku, kau dan anak-anak pewaris ketauhidan Islam dalam mengESAkan Allah Yang Satu.

Hai manusia, sesungguhnya Kami ciptakan kamu dan lelaki dan perempuan dan menjadikan kamu berbangsa--bangsa dan bersuku-suku supaya kamu saling kenal mengenal. Sesungguhnya orang yang paling mulia di antara kamu di sisi Allah ialah orang yang paling bertaqwa di antara kamu. Sesungguhnya Allah Maha Mengetahui lagi maha Mengenal. (Al-Hujarat: 13)

Surah yang diberikan kemuliaan buatmu dan insan yang bergelar wanita. Istimewanya dirimu sehinggakan Allah menukilkan pesananNya dalam surah khusus buatmu. Dan itulah janji-janji Allah bahawa seorang wanita yang solehah itulah mutiara syurga buat suaminya walaupun kekayaan duniawi tidak terhampar di kakimu.

Maafkan aku kiranya tiada harta yang mewah, mutiara atau kilauan permata ku persembahkan dalam hidupmu. Tetapi, aku hanya mampu menjanjikan hantaran yang paling berguna untuk kita berdua sepanjang zaman. Itulah panduanNya, Qalamullah. Islam menegaskan agar ku ajar dirimu mengenal Allah, zat yang agung. Itulah kunci kesempurnaan yang hakiki.

Seringkali kau mengeluh, kau hanya insan lemah. Sedarilah bakal isteriku, kelemahanmu itu adalah kekuatan yang dikurniakan Allah buatmu. Dari kelemahan itu, terletaknya rahim yang telah melahirkan seorang Rasul, seorang Nabi, seorang abid dan juga pejuang jihad yang Allah janjikan syurga demi setitis darah mereka.

Ia lahir daripada jerih doamu, penat sabarmu dan lelah tabahmu. Akal setipis rambut, tebalkan dengan ilmu.Hati serapuh kaca,kuatkan dengan iman. Perasaan selembut sutera,hiasilah dengan akhlak

Bantulah aku dalam mentakrifkan pernikahan ini. Semoga ia menjadi wasilah sebuah pembangunan insaniyyah yang akan menjadi khemah dakwah dan tarbiyyah. Bakal isteriku yang dirahmati,Titipan ini sudah sampai ke penghujungnya.

Namun, doaku padamu tidak pernah berakhir. Seperti doaku padaNya, moga saf antara aku dan dirimu akan bersama-sama melalui siratulmustaqim yang lurus menuju jannahNya yang dirindui. InsyaAllah.

p/s semoga selamat dalam perjalanan pulang.