Showing posts with label virtue. Show all posts

Taraweeh Prayer (Hadith No. 1721)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 32, Number 226:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
I heard Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."
Let's all hope we came out clean of this Ramadan. ^_^
And may Allah give us the tawfeeq to do so each year.

Suhoor and Adhaan (Ahadith 1637 - 1639)

Bismillah.
When should you take your suhoor meal? Till dawn or the adhaan?
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 142:
Narrated 'Aisha (radiallaahu `anhaa):
Bilal (radiallaahu `anhu) used to pronounce the Adhan at night, so Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)? said, "Carry on taking your meals (eat and drink) till Ibn Um Maktum [Bilal] pronounces the Adhan, for he does not pronounce it till it is dawn.

Volume 3, Book 31, Number 143:
Narrated Sahl bin Sad (radiallaahu `anhu):
I used to take my Suhur meals with my family and then hurry up for presenting myself for the (Fajr) prayer with Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam).

Volume 3, Book 31, Number 144:
Narrated Anas (radiallaahu `anhu):
Zaid bin Thabit (radiallaahu `anhu) said, "We took the Suhur with the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam). Then he stood for the prayer." I asked, "What was the interval between the Suhur and the Adhan?" He replied, "The interval was sufficient to recite fifty verses of the Quran."
The ruling is that you "eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)." [al-Baqarah 2:187]
Translation: eat and drink till dawn starts. Whether the adhaan starts before it or after is irrelevant; you just have to look for the dawn.
Also, it's better to delay the suhoor meal till dawn. Imam Ahmad recorded Abu Dharr saying that Allah's Messenger said:
«لَا تَزَالُ أُمَّتِي بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْإِفْطَارَ وَأَخَّرُوا السُّحُور»My Ummah will always retain goodness as long as they hasten in breaking the fast and delay the Suhur.


Taken from:  http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/suhoor-and-adhaan-ahadith-1637-1639/

Get Married or Try Fasting (Hadith No. 1624)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 129:
Narrated 'Alqama:
While I was walking with 'Abdullah (radiallaahu `anhu) he said, "We were in the company of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and he said, 'He who can afford to marry should marry, because it will help him refrain from looking at other women, and save his private parts from looking at other women, and save his private parts from committing illegal sexual relation; and he who cannot afford to marry is advised to fast, as fasting will diminish his sexual power."
Sexual desire is something that has been created in man and it cannot be got rid of. Getting rid of it is not something that is required of the Muslim; rather what is required of him is to refrain from using it in haraam ways, and to use it in the ways that Allaah has permitted.
Halaal way: get married. If you can't, fast. It's going to help you resist the desire inshaAllah.
How to resist sexual desires? Read about the 2-step solution to this problem here.
Is there any benefit in resisting/breaking this desire? Read an interesting approach on this subject here.

Ramadan: Such Excellence! (Hadith No. 1623)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 128:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."
How many virtues of fasting/Ramadan have you come across up till now? There are 13 in this post and several others. Can you share some rare ones?

The Unacceptable Fast (Hadith No. 1622)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 127:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)"
This tells us two things mainly:
  1. The person who's fasting MUST avoid major sins e.g. lying, and all sorts of evil actions.
    The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The five daily prayers, from one Jumu’ah to the next and from one Ramadaan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as you avoid major sins.” [Muslim]
    Repeat the last phrase: "..so long as you avoid major sins".
  2. Fasting is not just about leaving food and drink. There's much more to it. This exercise of avoiding halal food and drink in obedience to Allah's command is supposed to teach us how to leave the haram things (sins, for example) during and outside Ramadan in order to obey Allah (subhaanahu wata`aalaa). If you can fast, you can leave sins as well. It's not impossible. :)

Ramadan: Quran & Spending (Hadith No. 1621)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 126:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel (`alayhissalaam) visited him, and Gabriel (`alayhissalaam) used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to recite the Holy Qur'an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel (`alayhissalaam) met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare).
Lessons:
  1. The sunnah is to go through the whole Quran in Ramadan. It's the best time of the year. You can do it!
    Join online classes if there's no other means.
  2. Spend generously in the cause of Allah. Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was more generous than 'fast wind' - meaning he would spend a lot and he would spend of whatever he had as soon as he got it.. no delays. And his spending was such that it would benefit others - the poor and the needy.
    Here's a nice and funny video I came across relevant to this subject. Do check it out. :)

Ramadan: Sin-Eraser (Hadith No. 1620)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 125:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) 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."
We say sinning is easy, but atoning for our sins to have them forgiven isn't. While this statement can be debated upon, here's a simple method to erase all your sins: fast in Ramadan, and seek Laylat-ul-Qadr by establishing salah in the last few odd nights of Ramadan. If you do these two things with sincerity and expect reward ONLY from Allah, you have a promise from Allah that you'll be forgiven inshaAllah.
May Allah erase all our past sins this Ramadan.

Ramadan - Paradise Open & Hell Closed (Ahadith 1617 - 1618)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 122:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened."

Volume 3, Book 31, Number 123:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."
Opening of the gates of Paradise means that the way to Paradise and its attainment is made easier through deeds like praying, fasting and reciting Quran etc. Similarly, closing of the gates of Hell means that the way to Hell is made tougher by making it easier to leave sins - chaining of the devils helps in both scenarios, since they're not around to whisper in our hearts and encourage us to commit bad deeds.
Alhamdulillah for Ramadan and its blessings. May Allah make us all come out of it sinless. Ameen.

Taken from: 

Fasting is an Expiation (Hadith No. 1614)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 119:
Narrated Abu Wail from Hudhaifa (radiallaahu `anhu):
Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) asked the people, "Who remembers the narration of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) about the affliction?" Hudhaifa (radiallaahu `anhu) said, "I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) saying, 'The affliction of a person in his property, family and neighbors is expiated by his prayers, fasting, and giving in charity." 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) said, "I do not ask about that, but I ask about those afflictions which will spread like the waves of the sea." Hudhaifa (radiallaahu `anhu) replied, "There is a closed gate in front of those afflictions." 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) asked, "Will that gate be opened or broken?" He replied, "It will be broken." 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) said, "Then the gate will not be closed again till the Day of Resurrection." We said to Masruq, "Would you ask Hudhaifa (radiallaahu `anhu) whether 'Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) knew what that gate symbolized?" He asked him and he replied "He ('Umar (radiallaahu `anhu)) knew it as one knows that there will be night before tomorrow morning.
Talking about the first part of the Hadith, we know that one's wealth and family is a trial as Allah says:
إِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ
"Your wealth and your children are only a trial.." [At-Taghabun: 15]
We're tested by our wealth in the ways we earn it and spend it, and family tests us for the amount of time we spend with them and the way we spend it. Also, we're tested in our priorities - whether we put Allah before our loved ones or not..
Being human, we always falter. There are shortcomings no matter how hard we try. To make up for those, we can pray extra nawafil (voluntary prayers), keep nafil fasts and give more in charity as suggested by the Hadith above. In doing so, we'll be offering expiation for our sins and faults committed when it came to wealth and family. InshaAllah.

The Virtue of Fasting (Hadith No. 1613)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 31, Number 118:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting." The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."
Fasting is a shield - from bad deeds and from the Fire. We all can testify to the fact that it's easier to avoid sins and giving into temptations while we're fasting. Alhamdulillah for the blessing. <3

The fast is for Me, so I will reward for it..

Because all deeds are for the sake of Allaah and He is the One Who rewards for them, the scholars differed concerning this phrase, “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward for it” – why is fasting singled out in this manner? 
Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) quoted the views of ten scholars who sought to explain the meaning of this hadeeth and why fasting was singled out in this manner. The most important of these views are as follows: 
1 – That there is no showing off in fasting as may happen in other acts of worship. Al-Qurtubi said: Because showing off may enter into all good deeds, but no one can see when a person is fasting except Allaah, so Allaah connected it to Himself. Hence He said in the hadeeth, “He gives up his desire for My sake.” Ibn al-Jawzi said: All acts of worship can be seen when done, and they may be contaminated with some element of showing off, unlike fasting. 
2 – That what is meant by the words, “I shall reward for it” is: I am the only One Who knows the extent of his reward and how much his hasanaat (good deeds) will be multiplied. Al-Qurtubi said: What this means is that the amount of reward for good deeds may become known to people, and they will be rewarded between ten and seven hundred fold, and as much as Allaah wants, except fasting, for Allaah will reward it without measure. This is supported by a report narrated by Muslim (115) from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Every deed of the son of Adam will be rewarded between ten and seven hundred fold. Allaah said: ‘Except fasting, for it is for Me and I shall reward for it’” – i.e., I shall reward it greatly, without specifying how much. This is like the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 
“Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning”
[al-Zumar 39:10] 
3 – That what is meant by “fasting is for Me” is that it is the dearest of acts of worship to Me. Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said: The words “Fasting is for Me” are sufficient to indicate the superiority of fasting over all other acts of worship. Al-Nasaa’i (2220) narrated that Abu Umaamah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “You should fast, for there is nothing like it.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i. 
4 – That fasting is mentioned in conjunction with Allaah by way of honouring, as we say, “the House of Allaah,” although all houses belong to Allaah. Al-Zayn ibn al-Muneer said: giving a specific meaning to something general in a context such as this can only be understood as being by way of honouring. 
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
This hadeeth points to the virtue of fasting in numerous ways:
1 – Allaah singled out fasting for Himself from all other good deeds, because of its honoured status before Him, because He loves it and because it is a demonstration of sincerity towards Him, as it is a secret between a person and his Lord, which no one can see except Allaah. The fasting person may be in a place with no other people around, and he could eat or drink that which Allaah has forbidden to the fasting person, but he does not do that, because he knows that he has a Lord Who can see him even though he is alone and Who has forbidden that to him. So he forsakes it for the sake of Allaah and fearing His punishment, seeking His reward. Because of that, Allaah appreciates his sincerity and singled out fasting for Himself from among all other good deeds. Hence He said: “He gives up his desires and his food for My sake.”
The benefit of this singling out will be seen on the Day of Resurrection, as Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah said: When the Day of Resurrection comes, Allaah will bring His slave to account and will settle any scores outstanding from the rest of his deeds, until when there is nothing left but fasting, Allaah will settle the matter and will admit him to Paradise by virtue of his fasting.
2 – Allaah said concerning fasting: “I shall reward him for it.” So he connected the reward for fasting to Himself, because the reward for righteous deeds is mentioned by number, and a good deed will be rewarded between ten and seven hundred fold, many times. But with regard to fasting, Allaah connected the reward to Himself without specifying any number. Allaah is the most generous of those who are generous, and the gift reflects the generosity of the giver. So the reward of the one who fasts will be very great, without reckoning. Fasting is patience in obeying Allaah, patience in keeping away from the things forbidden by Allaah, and patience in bearing the decree of Allaah, hunger, thirst, physical and mental weakness. So it combines all three types of patience, thus the fasting person deserves to be counted as one of the patient, and Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning”
[al-Zumar 39:10] 
Majaalis Shahr Ramadaan, p. 13 
[Taken from IslamQA]

Taken from:  http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/the-virtue-of-fasting-hadith-no-1613/

Dying and Being Buried in Madinah (Hadith No. 1609)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 30, Number 114:
Narrated Zaid bin Aslam from his father:
Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) said, O Allah! Grant me martyrdom in Your cause, and let my death be in the city of Your Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)."
Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) commented on this by saying: 
It is mustahabb to seek to die in a virtuous land.
Al-Majmoo‘, 5/106. 
In fact, he included it in a chapter entitled: Chapter on the recommendation for a person to pray that his death will be in the virtuous land. End quote. 
Al-Adhkaar, p. 98
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
Whoever can manage to die in Madinah, let him die there, for I will intercede for whoever dies there.
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, no. 3917. He said: (|It is) hasan saheeh ghareeb. It was classed as saheeh by al-Nasaa’i in al-Sunan al-Kubra, 1/602; by Ibn ‘Abd al-Haadi in al-Saarim al-Makki, p. 96; and by Shaykh al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 4/1034 
Al-Teebi said: 
He recommended dying there but that is not in the hands of any person; rather that is up to the decree of Allah, may He be exalted. But he enjoined staying there and settling there and not leaving it, and that may be a cause of dying there. This is like the verse in which Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “then die not except in the Faith of Islâm (as Muslims - Islâmic Monotheism)” [al-Baqarah 2:132].
Quoted from Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi, 10/286 
Ibn al-Haaj said:
It seems that whoever dies elsewhere then is transported and buried there will have a share of this intercession, but I did not see any shar‘i text (to that effect).
End quote from Fayd al-Qadeer, 6/70 

Book of Virtues of Madinah ends here.


Taken from:  http://ilookilisten.wordpress.com/2013/07/05/dying-and-being-buried-in-madinah-hadith-no-1609/

Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)'s Du`a for Madinah (Hadith No. 1604)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 30, Number 109:
Narrated Anas (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "O Allah! Bestow on Medina twice the blessings You bestowed on Mecca."
Based on this du`a of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and some other virtues of Madinah, scholars have argued that Madinah is better than Makkah. Others have differed as well saying that if we make Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) the basis for superiority then Yemen and Shaam should also be better than Makkah because the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) repeatedly prayed for them.
Whichever opinion you follow, there's no doubt that Makkah and Madinah both are the best lands on this Earth. Whether Makkah is more superior or Madinah, is a debatable issue. But we know one thing for sure: we love and respect both these cities immensely. May Allah increase our love for them. <3

Madinah and Dajjal (Ahadith 1598 - 1601)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 30, Number 103:
Narrated Abu Bakra (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "The terror caused by Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal will not enter Medina and at that time Medina will have seven gates and there will be two angels at each gate guarding them."
Commentary on this Hadith here.

Volume 3, Book 30, Number 104:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "There are angels guarding the entrances (or roads) of Medina, neither plague nor Ad-Dajjal will be able to enter it."

Volume 3, Book 30, Number 105:
Narrated Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "There will be no town which Ad-Dajjal will not enter except Mecca and Medina, and there will be no entrance (road) (of both Mecca and Medina) but the angels will be standing in rows guarding it against him, and then Medina will shake with its inhabitants thrice (i.e. three earth-quakes will take place) and Allah will expel all the nonbelievers and the hypocrites from it."

Volume 3, Book 30, Number 106:
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) told us a long narrative about Ad-Dajjal, and among the many things he mentioned, was his saying, "Ad-Dajjal will come and it will be forbidden for him to pass through the entrances of Medina. He will land in some of the salty barren areas (outside) Medina; on that day the best man or one of the best men will come up to him and say, 'I testify that you are the same Dajjal whose description was given to us by Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam).' Ad-Dajjal will say to the people, 'If I kill this man and bring him back to life again, will you doubt my claim?' They will say, 'No.' Then Ad-Dajjal will kill that man and bring him back to life. That man will say, 'Now I know your reality better than before.' Ad-Dajjal will say, 'I want to kill him but I cannot.' "
The Dajjaal will emerge from the east, then he will travel throughout the earth and he will not leave any land but he will enter it, apart from Makkah and Madeenah, al-Masjid al-Aqsa and Masjid al-Toor (Sinai). This is what is stated in the saheeh ahaadeeth.
Conclusion: best places on this Earth to live are Makkah and Madinah. (y)
More on Dajjaal here.

The High Buildings of Madinah (Hadith No. 1597)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 30, Number 102:
Narrated Usama (radiallaahu `anhu):
Once the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) stood at the top of a (looked out from upon one) castle amongst the castles (or the high buildings) of Medina and said, "Do you see what I see? (No doubt) I see the spots where afflictions will take place among your houses (and these afflictions will be) as numerous as the spots where rain-drops fall."
Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) foretold the innumerable trials and tribulations that were to come after him. This is one of the signs of his prophet-hood - his informing of the unseen (future), that of which he was given knowledge by Allah.
And indeed, the trials have been like the rain after his demise. May Allah save us from them.
Why did Imam Bukhari include this Hadith in the book of Virtues of Madinah? I found the answer when I read the chapter under which he mentions this Hadith: "The high buildings of Madinah". :)
Who would've thought? SubhanAllah, the way he derived lessons and connections from the texts is amazing. May Allah grant us wisdom and knowledge as was given to him.

Who Dares Plot Against the People of Madinah? (Hadith No. 1596)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 30, Number 101:
Narrated Sad (radiallaahu `anhu):
I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) saying, "None plots against the people of Medina but that he will be dissolved (destroyed) like the salt is dissolved in water."
Mwahahahaha! Yes, that's an evil laugh, in response to the one who practices evil by plotting against Madinah and its people. You're going down, bro! Repent now, because if you continue to do it, you shall definitely be destroyed. They won't even find your traces afterwards. e_e

Madinah is Taabah (Hadith No. 1591)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 30, Number 96:
Narrated Abu Humaid (radiallaahu `anhu):
We came with the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) from Tabuk, and when we reached near Medina, the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "This is Tabah."
Madinah has another name = Taabah.
It's like the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) gave it a nickname. Shows his love for it. <3

Madinah Expels Bad People (Hadith No. 1590)

Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 30, Number 95:
Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallaahu `anhu):
Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, "I was ordered to migrate to a town which will swallow (conquer) other towns and is called Yathrib and that is Medina, and it turns out (bad) persons as a furnace removes the impurities of iron.
So bad people can't live in Madinah.. and whoever is living or has lived there has good in them.. Wow, lucky (of good qismat/sa`eed) people! Makes me want to stay there forever. May Allah give me the sa`aadah. <3
I wonder if the residents of Madinah allowed to brag about it.. :P

`Umrah in Ramadaan (Hadith No. 1533)


Bismillah.
Volume 3, Book 27, Number 10:
Narrated Ata:
I heard Ibn 'Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu) saying, "Allah's Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) asked an Ansari woman (Ibn 'Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu) named her but 'Ata' forgot her name), 'What prevented you from performing Hajj with us?' She replied, 'We have a camel and the father of so-and-so and his son (i.e. her husband and her son) rode it and left one camel for us to use for irrigation.' He said (to her), 'Perform 'Umra when Ramadan comes, for 'Umra in Ramadan is equal to Hajj (in reward),' or said something similar."
Undoubtedly ‘umrah in Ramadaan does not take the place of the obligatory Hajj, i.e., the one who does ‘Umrah in Ramadaan has not discharged the duty to perform the obligatory Hajj for the sake of Allaah. 
What is meant by the hadeeth is that they are alike in terms of reward, not in terms of fulfilling the duty. 
Nevertheless, what is meant by equivalency between the reward for ‘umrah in Ramadaan and the reward for Hajj is equivalency in terms of amount, not in terms of type. Undoubtedly Hajj is superior to ‘Umrah in terms of the type of action.  
The one who does ‘umrah in Ramadaan will attain a reward equal in amount to that of Hajj, but the action of Hajj brings special virtues and status that are not present in ‘umrah, such as du’aa’ in ‘Arafah, stoning the jamaraat, offering the sacrifice and so on. Although they are equal in terms of the amount – or number – of reward, they are not equal in terms of type or nature. 
Ishaaq ibn Raahawayh said: 
What this hadeeth, i.e., “ ‘umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj”, means is similar to the report narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in which he said: “Whoever recites Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad has recited one third of the Qur’aan.” Sunan al-Tirmidhi (2/268).
More on it here.
I'm already making niyyah and du`a to do `Umrah this Ramadaan. What about you?

Reward for Sadaqah (Hadith No. 1190)


Bismillah.
Narrated Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle said, "If one gives in charity what equals one date-fruit from the honestly-earned money -- and Allah accepts only the honestly-earned money -- Allah takes it in His right (hand) and then enlarges its reward for that person (who has given it); as anyone of you brings up his baby horse, so much so that it becomes as big as a mountain."
Give little, earn lots (of reward). Condition: sincerity. No showing off. Purely for Allah's sake. (y)
Sadaqah comes from the word sidq (sincerity), i.e. it is a sign of sincerity of faith on the part of the person who gives it. Sadaqah means worshiping Allaah by giving money without that being made obligatory in sharee’ah (Islamic Law).

Virtues of Sadaqah

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 
“O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Zaalimoon (wrongdoers)”
[al-Baqarah 2:254] 
And:
“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allaah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allaah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allaah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.
262. Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allaah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve”
[al-Baqarah 2:261-262] 
Further:
“O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it, (though) you would not accept it save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein. And know that Allaah is Rich (Free of all needs), and Worthy of all praise”
[al-Baqarah 2:267] 
And:
“Believe in Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees. And such of you as believe and spend (in Allaah’s way), theirs will be a great reward”
[al-Hadeed 57:7] 
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no day on which the people get up but two angels come down and one of them says, ‘O Allaah, give in compensation to the one who spends (in charity),’ and the other says, ‘O Allaah, destroy the one who withholds.’”  
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1374; Muslim, 1010. 
It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out – on Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha – to the prayer place, and when he had finished (the prayer) he preached to the people and enjoined them to give charity. He said, “O people, give in charity!” Then he went over to the women and said, “O women, give in charity for I have seen that you are the majority of the people of Hell.” When he went home, Zaynab the wife of Ibn Mas’ood came seeking permission to see him. It was said, “O Messenger of Allaah, here is Zaynab.” He said, “Which Zaynab?” It was said, “The wife of Ibn Mas’ood.” He said, “Yes, let her in.” So they let her in and she said, “O Prophet of Allaah, today you enjoined charity, and I have some jewelry which I wanted to give in charity, but Ibn Mas’ood claims that he and his child have more right to receive it in charity.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Give it in charity to Ibn Mas’ood, for your husband and your child have the most right that you should give it to them in charity.” 
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1393; Muslim, 80. 
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah said: ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’” 
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5073; Muslim, 993. 
Find out the differences between Zakah and Sadaqah here.

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