Assalamualaikum,

Dear All,

I take this opportunity to wish all readers of my weblog happy ramadhan al-mubarak. Muslims in the UK will begin the holy month of Ramadhan on 1st September 2008. My sincere and best wishes as well to all fellow Malaysians at home and abroad a very ‘Happy Merdeka Day’. Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

“The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for the people, and clear verses of guidance and criterion”. [Quran: Chapter 2, 183]

Narrated Sahl: The Prophet said, “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar−Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts?’ They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.” Sahih Bukhari Volume 3 Hadith No. 120.

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” Sahih Bukhari Volume 3 Hadith No 125.

3.121: ‘Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever gives two kinds (of things or property) in charity for Allah’s Cause, will be called from the gates of Paradise and will be addressed, ‘O slaves of Allah! Here is prosperity.’ So, whoever was amongst the people who used to offer their prayers, will be called from the gate of the prayer; and whoever was amongst the people who used to participate in Jihad, will be called from the gate of Jihad; and whoever was amongst those who used to observe fasts, will be called from the gate of Ar−Raiyan; whoever was amongst those who used to give in charity, will be called from the gate of charity.” Abu Bakr said, “Let my parents be sacrificed for you, O Allah’s Apostle! No distress or need will befall him who will be called from those gates. Will there be any one who will be called from all these gates?” The Prophet replied, “Yes, and I hope you will be one of them.”Sahih Bukhari Volume 3 Hadith No 121.

Best Regard

ZULKIFLI HASAN
UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM

With Professor Masudul Alam Choudhury, Professor Rodney Shakespeare and Professor Nur Alam Siddique