Salawat...

Salawat, the Best Recitation The first and foremost benefit is by reciting Salawat[^1] as many times as possible, every day and every night, a thousand times in a sitting. Say, “O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Progeny of Muhammad.” After the ‘Asr[^2] prayer say a hundred times, “O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Progeny of Muhammad and hasten their reappearance.”[^3] Doubtlessly, among all the recitals mentioned for Ramadhan is the recitation of Salawat during the day and night of this month.

Only one narration is sufficient to realize its importance. Shaykh Saduq has, in his book Amali, narrated authentically that from the Asr time on Thursday, a number of angels holding books made up of heavenly silver and pens made of heavenly gold come down to the earth and they rise up by sunset on Friday. Their only job is to note down the Salawat recited for Muhammad and his Progeny.

Explanation of Surah Hujurat is appropriate Now as regards the subjects in the Holy Qur’an (The month of Ramadhan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed)[^4], since this is the month of Qur’an, the topics of sermons are based on some holy Surahs, and one of them is Surah Hujurat, so that its subjects and revelations may be heard by all and everyone may benefit from them.

Today, the heavenly revelation is wholly based on the Qur’an of Muhammad, but I have desired to begin with this holy Chapter, because I have been reminded that today is the best of all other days, being the first of Ramadhan. The Holy Prophet had given some admonitions in the sermon on the last Friday of the month of Shaban. I would like to mention about it inter alia in such a manner that it may not become too long.

Importance and Bounties of the holy month of Ramadhan Ibn Babawahy has, through authentic chains narrated in Amali, that the Holy Prophet said, “O Muslims! Be glad. Be happy, as the Month of God has arrived. How nice. How has it come? With Mercy, with Forgiveness, with Bounties!” Bounty means abundance, benefit-taking. What abundance can be higher than this? This holy month has lots of bounties. Every breath that is inhaled and exhaled has the reward of reciting: ‘Glory be to Allah’.

O the one who fasts in this holy month of Ramadhan! Your breathing in it is also worship. Moreover, your sleep is counted as worship. Reciting of one verse of Qur’an in this month is like reciting the whole Qur’an in any other month.