The Garden of Knowledge

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

10 Rajab 1446/10 January 2025

All praise is due to Allah, the Cherisher, Sustainer, Nourisher and Provider of the entire creation. May peace, blessings and salutations be upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammed ﷺ.

We find ourselves just less 2 months away from the month of Ramadan. At this point in time we should begin reflecting over the past year and gauge our relationship with Allah and as to whether there was any consistency in our a’amal (worship) and identifying if there was there any growth. Thereafter questioning how can we improve.

At this point we need to understand everything in life is a process and takes time. We cannot plant seeds today and expect to eat peaches tomorrow. The most important thing for us right now is to ensure consistency.

The best way for us to ensure consistency in the coming months is to by start our preparation for Ramadan in Rajab. Allamah Ibn Rajab Al Hambali (rahimahullah) has cited the statement of Imam Abu Bakr Al Warraq Al Balkhi (rahimahullah):

شهر رجب شهر الزرع و شهر شعبان شهر السقي للزرع و شهر رمضان شهر حصاد الزرع

“Rajab is the month to sow the seeds. Sha’ban is the month to irrigate the crop and Ramadan is the month to reap the harvest.”

Aisha (R.A) narrated in a hadith that Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said:

سَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا فَإِنَّهُ لَنْ يُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ أَحَدًا عَمَلُهُ قَالُوا وَلَا أَنْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ وَلَا أَنَا إِلَّا أَنْ يَتَغَمَّدَنِيَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ أَحَبَّ الْعَمَلِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَدْوَمُهُ وَإِنْ قَلَّ

“Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately verily, none of you will enter Paradise by his deeds alone.” They said “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet said, “Not even myself, unless Allah grants me His mercy. Know that the most beloved deed to Allah is done regularly, even if it is small. ” [Sahih Muslim 2818]

The key takeaway from the above hadith is firstly our deeds do not enter us into paradise. Rather it is the mercy of Allah that enters us into paradise. Secondly, quality and consistency of our actions and worship is what truly matters and not the quantity.

We ask Allah to grant us all the strength and the ability to be consistent in our worship and allow us to gain closeness to Allah and His Beloved Nabi ﷺ.