{INDEED, there has come unto you [O mankind] a Messenger from amongst yourselves; heavily it weighs upon him [the thought] that you might suffer [in the life to come]; full of concern for you, full of compassion and mercy towards the believers} (9:128)

Anas reported that the Messenger of God, peace and mercy be upon him, said:“None of you will believe until I am more beloved to him than his children, his father, and all people.”
{Muslim, Al-Bukhari and an-Nasa’i}

These are some excerpts from the book Kanz Al-Najah wa As-Suroor, a book highlighting the special qualities of each month. We are now in the month of Rabi Al-Awwal. We ask Allah that He blesses us in this month with a sincere connection to and love for the beloved Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. Ameen.

Know that during this month it is recommended for one to increase in his or her sending of blessings and mercy upon the Prophet (salawat or durood shareef), the Master of Humankind, peace and mercy be upon him. The reason is because it was in this month that the greatest blessing was revealed to the world. In this month the cause of the greatest happiness emerged. In this month the Sun of Guidance rose over mankind and jinn. In this month the Prophet peace and mercy be upon him was born.

Recommended Things to do this Month:

• Increase in the sending of mercy, peace, and blessings upon the Messenger of God. Allah commands this in the verse {Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation!} (33:56).
• Read and reflect upon the Biography (Sirah) of the Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him. Many scholars strongly encourage people to take advantage of this month by reading his life and inculcating his Prophetic character into one’s own. Two great books that are in English are “Muhammad – His Life Based on the Earliest Sources” by Martin Lings, and “Al-Shifa” by Qadi.
• For a good audio version of the Prophetic Biography there is “The Life of the Prophet Muhammad ” by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
• Give out charity (sadaqah) in its many forms as often as possible.
• Increase in reading the Quran.
• Fast as often as possible this month.
• Express one’s love for the Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, inwardly and outwardly.
• Renew one’s oath to follow Allah’s Messenger, peace and mercy be upon him, in his or her inward and outward actions.
• Attend gatherings of remembrance of Allah and His Messenger, such as Mawlids, Hadith readings, or any other praiseworthy gathering to remember the Most High and His Beloved, peace and mercy be upon him.

We ask Allah that He blesses us, our families, and the entire Ummah during this month by allowing us to reconnect with the Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him. We should try to embody him, peace and mercy be upon him, in all that we do, say, and think. If we attempt to actualize our love for the Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, during this month and during our entire lives it may be that Allah will grant us the Prophet’s intercession on the Day of Judgment and He grants us a place in the highest levels of Paradise in the company of the Prophets, the Siddiqeen, and the Elite Angels. Ameen!

Much thanks to Sidi Amjad Tarsin who has graciously supplied this article and many more regarding the Islamic months.

All praise is due to Allah, and may endless peace, mercy, and blessings shower upon His Beloved Messenger Muhammad, his Kin, and his Companions

{And remind them of the days of Allah} (14:5)

These are excerpts taken from the book Kanz Al-Najah Wal-Surur, a book that focuses on the special qualities of each month and what devotional acts are recommended during those particular months and days. Please note that these recommended acts for the month of Safar have been suggested by many of the Righteous scholars and people of insight and have proved beneficial to many over the centuries.

Safar:

Many of the Saliheen state that Allah sends down the trials and tribulations that will occur throughout the year on the last Wednesday of the month of Safar (which is Wednesday, 29th of Safar – February 25th, 2009). Those trials and tribulations are spread out accordingly and apportioned to specific people. It has been recommended to make certain duas and perform certain devotional acts seeking Allah’s Mercy and Gentlessness during this time to avoid being apportioned any trial or tribulation.

What to do on the last Wednesday of Safar:

• Pray 4 rak’ahs (other than an obligatory/fard prayer)
• In each rak’ah recite the Fatiha, then Surat Al-Kawthar (Chapter 108) 17 times, then Surat Al-Ikhlas (Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad – Chapter 112) 5 times, then Surat Al-Falaq (Chapter 113) once, and finally Surat Al-Naas (Chapter 114) once.
• Repeat this in each rak’ah.

After saying the salaam after the 4th rak’ah, this dua should be recited:
Bismillahi Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem, wa Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘ala Sayyidna Muhammadin wa ‘ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa sallim. {Allahuma} ya Shadeed al-Quwa, wa ya Shadeed al-Mihaal, ya ‘Azeezu dhallat li ‘izzatika jamee’ khalqik; ikfini min jamee’ khalqik, ya Muhsin, ya Mujammil, ya Mutafaddil, ya Mun’im, ya Mukrim – ya men la illaha illa Anta, bi Rahmatika ya Arham Ar-Rahimeen. {Allahuma} bi sirri Al-Hasan wa Akheeh, wa Jaddihi wa Abeeh, ikfini sharra hadha al-youm wa ma yunzilu feeh, ya Kaafi. {Fasa yakfeekahumu Allahu wa Huwa As-Samee’u Al-’Aleem}. Wa Hasbunal Allahu wa na’am al wakeel, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi Al-’Alee, Al-’Adheem. Wa Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘ala Sayyidna Muhammad wa ‘ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa sallim.

The Translation:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. May the peace and mercy of Allah the Exalted be upon our Master Muhammad, and upon his Family and Companions. {O Allah} the One of Intense Power, the One of Intense Perspicacity. O Glorious One, Your entire creation is humbled before your Might – protect me from your entire creation, O Charitable One, O Beautifier, O Gracious One, O Giver of Blessing, O Generous One – there is no god except You, we ask your Mercy, of Most Merciful. {O Allah} by the secret [blessing you have given] Al-Hasan, his brother [Husayn], his grandfather [may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon him!], his father [Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him] – protect us from the evil of this day and from what descends on this day, O Sufficient Protector! {Allah will suffice you against them, He is the All-Seeing, All-Knowing}. Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs, and there is no might or power except Allah’s, the Exalted, the Mighty. And may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon our Master Muhammad, his Family, and Companions.

Also, it is highly recommended to read Surat Ya-Seen (Chapter 36) on that day, and when reaching the verse:

{Sallamun qawlan min Rabbin Raheem} (Verse 58) to repeat that verse 313 times.

After finishing the Surah, then read this dua:
{Allahuma} Salli ‘ala Sayyidina Muhammadin salaatan tunjeena biha min jamee’ al-ahwaali wa al-afaat, wa taqdi lana biha jamee’ al-hajaat, wa tutahirruna biha min jamee’ al-sayyi’aat, wa tarfa’una biha ‘ala ad-darajaat, wa tubalighuna biha aqsa al-ghayaat, min jamee’ al-khayraat, fi al-hayaati wa ba’ad al mamaat. {Allahuma} isrif ‘anna sharra ma yanzilu min al-samaa, wa ma yakhruju min al-ard, innaka ‘ala kul shayy’in qadeer. Wa Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa ‘ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Sallim.

Translation:
O Allah, send mercy upon our Master Muhammad, a [prayer of] mercy with which You save us from all threats and calamaties, and by it [the prayer for mercy] You fulfill all our needs, and You purify us from the entirety of our sins, and You raise us by it to the highest levels, and You allow us to reach our greatest aspirations, in this life and after death. O Allah, avert from us the evil that descends from the heavens, and from [the evil] the comes from the earth – indeed, You are in power over all things. And may Allah send His Mercy upon our Master Muhammad, his Family, and Companions.

Finally, it is recommended to make dua for one’s spiritual needs as well as one’s worldly needs, then ask Allah for protection and good health.

May Allah give us all the success to benefit from each month, each day, and each moment. May Allah continue to bless you all, your families, and the entire Ummah.

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This article was provided by our beloved brother, Sidi Amjad Tarsin. Originally posted in Facebook, graciously allowed to be shared here.