Benefits of a healthy believer

This life is our only chance we have to build our hereafter, which is the permanent destination and if we lose this then we have no other chances, there is no second life on earth. In order to take advantage of this temporal life as much as we can we have to achieve in it whatever is required to succeed in the hereafter. The things that help us succeed are the righteous actions based on pure intention and belief in Allah ﷻ. Actions require efforts and the best actions are those done with utmost effort and that is possible through a good health. Therefore, in this sense health is no doubt the best wealth for a believer. If we do not have good health then we will be constricted from putting in efforts and hard work when struggling in the path of Allah ﷻ. A prophetic hadith teaches us the benefit of having health and faith: “A believer who is strong (and healthy) is better and dearer to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them.” [1]

The strong and healthy believer does not only achieve what is beneficial for him but also supports and helps others as opposed to the weaker one who may not be able to do as much due to the limitations of health. Therefore, health is truly a wealth if understood from the Islamic perspective. However if we focus on achieving good health but do not utilize it for the purpose of our existence then we are also warned in another hadith that: “There are two blessings in which many people incur loss. (They are) health and free time (for doing good)”[2]. This teaches us that we may have a good health and free time to utilize them in doing good works but we may slack and that defeats the purpose of having health in Islam. Just as Prophet ﷺ said, that ‘knowledge without actions is a burden’, similarly, health without utilizing it for good causes would also be a burden and in fact if abused may become unbearable burden in the hereafter.

References:
[1] Sahih Muslim 2664
[2] Riyad as-saliheen - Book 1, Hadith 97

Originally written on Sept 21, 2018 - How would you explain Ashura to someone who does not know anything about it?
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An important hadith regarding the 10th of Muharram which is also referred to as day of Ashura lists some great events that happened on this day in mankind’s religious history. Muharram is the 1st month of the Islamic year Hijrah. The term ashura or ashara in Arabic means "tenth".

The Holy Prophet ﷺ has enumerated the significance of this day mentioned in Al Ghunya Talibi Tariq al-Haqq, the work one of the greatest Islamic saints Shaikh Abdul Qadir Gilani (r.a). The Prophet ﷺ has stated that:

• Allah created the heavens, mountains, oceans, pen (qalam) and tablet (lawh) on this day.
• Hazrath Ibrahim (alaihi salaam) was born, and Allah ﷺ  saved him from the furnace on this day.
• Pharaoh was drowned,
• Allah ﷺ forgave the transgression Adam (alaihi salaam) ,
• Isa (alaihi salaam) was born on this day
• The day of Reckoning will occur on this day.

Of all the significant historical events that have taken place on this day, 2 in particular are connected to our history of Islam and with the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. One took place during his life and one after his passing away. One is his ordering Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura after his emigration to Madinah. The 2nd is the martyrdom of his beloved grandson Imam Hussain (alaihi Salaam).

First Significance

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: When the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah, he found (the Jews) fasting on the day of 'Ashura' (i.e. 10th of Muharram). They (the Jews) used to say: "This is a great day on which Allah saved Moses and drowned the folk of Pharaoh. Moses observed the fast on this day, as a sign of gratitude to Allah." The Prophet said, "I am closer to Moses than they." So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it. (Sahih al-Bukhari 3942) 

In other traditions it is mentioned that the fasting of Ashura was obligatory before fasting of 30 days of Ramadaan was made obligatory. Muslims were ordered to fast the 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th, 2 days instead of 1 to distinguish them from the Jews who fasted only on the 10th. Imitating the non-Muslims in any way is discouraged in Islam.

The following Verse of the Quran mentions the delivery of Musa (alaihi Salaam) and Bani Israel from Firaun (Pharaoh) and his army: (Al Quran 26:63-65) So We revealed to Musa, "Strike the sea with your staff." And it split in two, each part like a towering cliff. And We brought the others right up to it. We rescued Musa and all those who were with him.

Interestingly the day of Ashura usually coincides with the 10th day of Tishri one of the months of Hebrew Calendar. Tishri usually falls in September - October of the global Gregorian Calendar and in this year of 2018 both Ashura and tenth of Tishri are coinciding once again. The tenth day of Tishri is the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur which is still a day when Jews fast!

Second Significance

Another very important event for Muslims is the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (alahi salaam). There are many instances in the life of the Prophet ﷺ where he gave indications about the persecution that some people of his household will undergo after his passing away. The below ahadith testify to that:

AbdAllaah said, "Whilst we were with the Prophet ﷺ, some young men from Banu Hashim approached us. When the Prophet ﷺ saw them, his eyes filled with tears and the colour of his face changed. I said, 'We can see something has changed in your face, and it upsets us.' The Prophet ﷺ  said, 'We are the people of a Household for whom Allah has chosen the Hereafter rather than this world. The people of my Household (Ahl al-Bayt) will suffer a great deal after my death." (Al Bidayah Wa Al Nihaya – Imam Ibn Kathir) - This persecution which Allah’s Messenger ﷺ prophesied came to be true in the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his family members 50 years after, who were part of Prophet’s Ahlal Bayt (household).

Narrated Salma: I entered upon Umm Salamah while she was crying, so I said: 'What causes you to cry?' She said: 'I saw the Messenger of Allah - that is, in a dream - and there was was dirt on his head and his beard. so I said: "What is wrong with you, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: 'I just witnessed the killing of Al-Husain.'" (Jami at-Tirmidhi, Vol. 6, Book of Al-Manaqib (Virtues), Hadith 3771) 

The following Verse of the Quran bears witness to the event of the cloak known as Hadith e Kisaa which signifies the importance Allah ﷻ attached to the household (Ahlal Bayt) of the Prophet ﷺ: (Al Quran 33:33) And (O Wives of the Prophet) stay in your homes and do not go about displaying your allurements as in the former Time of Ignorance. Establish Prayer, give Zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah only wishes to remove uncleanness from you, O members of the (Prophet's) household (Ahlal Bayt), and to purify you completely - According to Ibn Abi Hatim, once when Aishah (r.a) was asked about Ali, she said, “Do you ask me about the person who was among the most loved ones of the Prophet and whose wife was the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) daughter and most beloved to him?” Then she related the event when the Prophet (peace be upon him) had called Ali and Fatimah and Hasan and Husain (may Allah be pleased with them all) and covered them all with a sheet of cloth and prayed: “O Allah, these are my household, remove uncleanness from them and make them pure.” Aishah says, “I said: I also am included among your household (i.e. I may also be covered under the sheet and prayed for).” Thereupon the Prophet replied: “You stay out: you, of course, are already included.” (Tafheem Ul Quran – Maulana Maududi) 

The above verse is part of the group of verses revealed together, beginning from Verse 28 till 33. Verse 28 and the ones that follow clearly address the wives of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ , the mothers of this Ummah being part of his household. With the revelation of verse 33 Prophet covered with his cloak all 5, himself, Ali, Fatima, Hassan and Hussain. The wives of the Prophet and these 4, both are included in the words “Members of Prophet’s Household (Ahlal Bayt)”.

What do we learn from both events?

Keeping the above in mind, Muslims should focus on spending 2 days (i.e. 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th) in the service of Allah ﷻ, by fasting, racing towards good and putting effort to prevent doing anything bad to ourselves or others especially with the intent to continue such behavior in our lives. Muslims should also remember Imam Hussain (alaihi Salaam) by learning about the Karbala event and understanding the spirit of sacrifice him and his followers displayed during the entire episode. Additionally abundant Durood and Salawaat (Peace and Blessings) should be recited on Allah’s Messenger ﷺ and his Ahlal Bayt (Household). Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah ﷺ said: "He who reads a single Durood upon me, Almighty Allah blesses him ten times, ten of his sins are forgiven, and he is increased ten times in stages (internally)." (Mishkaat) 

What should be avoided this day?

When remembering the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (alaihi salaam) many Muslims tend to indulge in practices such as public processions and reenactment of the tragedy, beating and hurting themselves, wailing while crying, wearing black clothes, discussing conflicts among the Prophet's companions during First Civil War or Fitnah that may lead towards unnecessary misunderstandings of the matters, many of whom did not have anything to do with Karbala incident. Going to extremes in ones veneration of the Prophet's family resulting in exaggeration. All such prohibited acts narrow down the purpose of this event to a ritualistic form and deprives the importance to derive lessons therefrom. Muslims should fully prohibit themselves from such as the Prophet ﷺ categorically prohibited these and so does the Quran.

Please also read - Fasting on 10th Muharram - Is it a Fabrication?
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References:

1. The Historical Significance of `Ashura
2. Full text of "al bidayah wan nihayah Ibn Kathir Early Days"
3. Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم)
3. http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php?sura=33&verse=28&to=34
4. Tirmidhi Abwaab Al Manaqib - https://muflihun.com/tirmidhi/48 

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Allah ﷻ has mentioned in the Quran that He created us and knows the weakness inherent in human nature: “mankind has been created weak.”[1] Hence Allah ﷻ provides us opportunities during certain times throughout the year, throughout the month, throughout the week, each day and each night in which He gives chances to His servants to gain his mercy, seek His forgiveness for their sins, have their rewards multiplied and ask what they may ask so that He may respond to their requests accordingly.
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Blessed moments for a Muslim are best opportunities especially if they have sinned and desire to repent or if they are needy and they need to request Allah ﷻ for their needs. It may also be that they are seeking a spiritual communion with their Creator. For instance in a prophetic hadith we are informed about the blessedness of time of tahajjud (late night) prayer that happens every night: “Our Lord (glorified and exalted be He) descends each night to the earth's sky when there remains the final third of the night, and He says: ‘Who is saying a prayer to Me that I may answer it? Who is asking something of Me that I may give it him? Who is asking forgiveness of Me that I may forgive him?’”[1]

The reference to such blessed moments is also mentioned in the following ayah:   

وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مُوسَىٰ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ أَنۡ أَخۡرِجۡ قَوۡمَكَ مِنَ ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ وَذَكِّرۡهُم بِأَيَّىٰمِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَٰتٖ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٖ شَكُورٖ - (Al Quran 14:05) We sent Moses and gave him miracles in order to lead his people from darkness into light and to remind them of the days of God. In this there is evidence (of the truth) for those who exercise patience and give thanks.

The mufassireen like Maulana Maududi state that the Arabic term "ayyam" or "days" means memorable historical events and "ayyam Allah" or "days of Allah" are the historical events in humankind's religious history which remind us of rewards and punishments meted out to great personalities and nations. Muslims commemorate many such memorable events that hold significance in our own history and those of past nations. Such as the opportunity to have our past sins forgiven, earn Allah's mercy and rewards multiplied takes place during the 1st ten days of Dhul Hijjah[2] until the day of Arafah (9th) and Eid ul Adha (10th). Its highly recommended to fast during first ten days till the 9th of Dhul Hijjah while Eid on the 10th  provides opportunity to sacrifice a cow, sheep or goat observing the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim & Ismail (alaihim us salaam). We slaughter the animal and distribute its meat to the needy and share it with family and relatives and earn rewards and blessings. 

Then there are blessed moments such as mid Shaban[1] (Night of 15th) which brings opportunity to gain such forgiveness for sins as much as the hair on a goat’s skin. Also fasting on the 9th and 10th of Ashura[3], when Allah ﷻ saved Prophet Musa (alaihi salaam) and Bani Israel from Pharaoh and his army, that falls in the holy Islamic month of Muharram, are blessed opportunities for us to have forgiven our past sins. The blessed opportunity we get on the night of Friday (which is actually Thursday night as in Islamic tradition a day begins after sunsets) which is an opportunity we get every week. Also the blessed moment that occurs every week right before the sun is about to set for blessed day of Friday in which our prayers and duas are accepted as per prophetic hadith. We also get blessed opportunities daily during the time of asr[4] and fajr[5] in which angels ascend and descend and take our requests and supplications before His Majesty. Then we have the most important holy month in the entire year i.e. Ramadan[6] in which the Quran was revealed and many previous books from Allah ﷻ were also revealed. In this month there are last 10 nights and the entire month itself which brings tons of opportunities in every moment of it to gain blessings and mercy, the one who remains deprived of this month is truly deprived!

In Islam Allah ﷻ is not the God who likes to send us to the hell fire, He hates sending us there and therefore He continues to give us opportunities throughout our lives through these blessed moments so that we may somehow save ourselves. At the end of our lives if one still remains deprived and does not take advantage of all such blessed moments to turn towards Allah ﷻ, then it is they who are truly unfortunate.

References:

Hadith Qudsi - It was related by al-Bukhari, Muslim, Malik, at-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud

[1] 8th Islamic holy month – The mid shaban is the night of 15th which is a holy night for worship.
[2] The 12th and last month of the Islamic calendar in which the Hajj (annual pilgrimage) takes place in Makkah especially the days of 9th and 10th. These 2 days are holy for all Muslims in the world.
[3] The 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.
[4] The late afternoon prayer.
[5] The early morning prayer before sunrise.
[6] The holiest month of the Islamic calendar. This month is honored due to the Quran which was revealed in it. 

One of the prophetic hadith quoted by Islamic Scholars on Ramadaan is that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said “The first part of the month of Ramadaan is mercy, the middle of it is forgiveness and the end of it is freedom from the Fire.”[1] - The first part is mercy does not mean that the unimaginable immense Mercy of Allah ﷻ is not going to be throughout the remaining Ramadaan. The first part is mercy because everything in the creation begins with the Mercy of Allah ﷻ including Ramadaan ul Mubarak. The first Verse in the Entire Quran begins with His Mercy (Al Quran 1:01) Bismillahir-Rahman ir-Rahim - With the Name of Allah ﷻ The Most Gracious The Most Merciful. The first part is mercy also because Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said "When there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained."[2] Which means that the path to hell fire is blocked, except for those who still choose to go on that path. 

Not to forget that beginning of creation happened due to Mercy of Allah ﷻ. Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "When Allah decreed the Creation He pledged Himself by writing in His book which is laid down with Him: 'My mercy prevails over my wrath.'"[3] Every human was created in their mother's womb due to Mercy of Allah ﷻ: (Al Quran 3:06) It is He Who shapes you in the wombs of your mothers as He wills - The Quran uses the word Arhaam for womb which is derived from Rahm which means Mercy. The arrival of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the final messenger for entire creation and the completion of revelation is a great part of His Mercy: (Al Quran 21:107) And We have sent you (O Muhammad) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)

Therefore everything begins with the Mercy including Ramadaan. Even though the 2nd and the 3rd part of Ramadaan are assigned for forgiveness and safety from hell fire it is always due to His Mercy that believers will are forgiven and protected from fire just as He said: (Al Quran 7:156) With my punishment do I afflict whom I will but My Grace overspreads everything - And it is due to this Grace and Mercy that Angels in the Heavens pray for His Mercy 1st, His Forgiveness 2nd and then Safety from the Fire 3rd, for all believers including in the holy month of Ramadaan: (Al Quran 40:07)…"Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in Mercy and knowledge, so Forgive those who have repented and followed Your way and protect them from the punishment of Hellfire" - The angels continue doing this throughout Ramadaan till the last nights including Night of Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power/Destiny) where they descend with Allah's decrees while believer's are asking for mercy, forgiveness and safety from hell fire: (Al Quran 97:4-5) Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Angel Gabriel) by their Lord's permission with every matter. There is peace until the appearance of dawn.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advised making this dua in the last 10 nights of Ramadaan:  Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu'annee - O Allah, You are The One Who pardons greatly, and You love to pardon, so pardon me.[4] The Purpose in Ramadaan is to attain His forgiveness so we are saved from the Punishment in the Hereafter through His Mercy. Narration from Anas (r.a) and others, states that the Prophet ﷺ climbed up on the Minbar, and then said (Ameen): "It was said 'O Messenger of Allah (saw), why did you say Ameen?" He said: "Jibril (Alaihi Salaam) came to me and said "O Muhammad, he is doomed who sees the month of Ramadaan come and go, and he has not been forgiven." He said, "Say Ameen," so I said "Ameen."[5]

References:
[1] Recorded by Ibn Khuzaymah
[2] Sahih Muslim 1079a - Sunnah.com 
[3] al-Bukhari, an-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah
[4] Jami at-Tirmidhi 3513 - Sunnah.com 
[5] Tafsir Ibn Kathir Volume 5 (Abridged) Shaikh Safiur Rahmaan Al-Mubarakpuri - Darus Salaam