Dear Islamic brothers! With countless thanks to Allah and by His favour, we are ever so close to seeing the month of Ramaḍān yet again. When it finally does arrive, it brings mercy, forgiveness and blessings of the kind we cannot begin to imagine. Regarding this, a hadith explains, “If people knew what Ramaḍān is, my ummah would long for it to last the entire year”.^[1] اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه In this weekly sunnah-inspired ijtimāʿ of Dawat-e-Islami, this speech will discuss the excellences and importance of this month. We shall also discuss the ways in which we can spend this sacred month in the best manner possible, alongside many other beneficial points of discussion. Make intention to listen to this entire speech for the sake of Allah and to earn His pleasure.

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب    صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

The truthful shepherd

The Companion ʿAbd Allah bin ʿUmar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was once travelling with others. They all stopped at a place and sat to eat together. As they lay down a dining mat, a shepherd approached. Sayyidunā ʿAbd Allah bin ʿUmar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said, “Come! Take something from the dining mat.” The shepherd replied that he was fasting.

“Are you observing an optional fast in the severe heat whilst herding goats in the mountains?”, the Companion asked.

The shepherd replied, “By Allah! I am only doing this to compensate for previous days.”  Intending to test the shepherd’s piety, Sayyidunā ʿAbd Allah bin ʿUmar رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ said, “Will you sell one of your goats to us? We will give you its price and some of its meat so you may open your fast.” “These are not my goats”, the shepherd responded, “they belong to my master.”