On the authority of of Tāriq Ibn Shihāb رحمه الله that  Salmān al-Faarisī رضي الله عنه stated: “When it’s the night time, the people are of three positions in regards to it:  From them, those who the night is for him and not against him. From them are those who the night is against him and not for him. And from them are those who the night is not for him or against him.” I (Tāriq) said: and how is that? He (Salmān) said: “As for the one who the night is for him and not against him, a person who takes advantage of the unawareness of the people and the darkness of the night. He makes Wudū and prays. That’s the one who the night is for him and not against him. Then there’s a person who takes advantage of the unawareness of the people and the darkness of the night and goes about in the disobedience of Allāh. That’s the one who the night is against him and not for him. Then there’s a person that sleeps until the morning. That’s the one who the night is not for him or against him.”

Taken from: [Siyar ‘Alaam an-Nubalaa]

Translated by: Abu Yusuf Khaleefah

The Noble Shaykh Khālid ‘Uthmān حفظه الله stated: “The last ten days of Ramadan is an opportunity for you to raise yourself over your desires.

Do not graze with the cattle…Elevate above the clouds, perhaps you will reach ‘illiyyeen.

Do not be deceived by the riffraff, those who clash with one another over the dunya which holds no value. How quick is it to vanish from them, in just moments.

Then they will find themselves in a constricted grave, with no helper nor escape from Allah except to Him.

Do not despair from the mercy of Allah and do not be deceived by it nor feel safe from Allahs plan.

And know that Allah is with those who are pious and those who do good.”

Translated by: Nasir al-Hanbali حفظه الله

Shaykhul Islam Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله stated: “Allah تعالى said:

وأقم الصلاة إن الصلاة تنهى عن الفحشاء والمنكر ولذكر الله أكبر

[سورة العنكبوت:45]

“And establish the prayer, indeed the prayer prevents one from indecency and evil, and certainly the remembrance of Allah is greater.”

[Soorah al-‘Ankboot:45]

And I heard Shaykhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله say: -The meaning of this verse: Indeed there are two great benefits in the prayer: One of them: It prohibiting one from the matters of indecency and evil. The second: It comprising and consisting of the remembrance of Allah. And that which it consist of the remembrance of Allah is greater than its prohibiting of the indecency and evil.”

Taken from: [Mukhtasar Madaarij as-Saalikeen Pg. 100]

Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah

On the authority of The Mother of the Believers Aaishah رضي الله عنها she said: “The Prophet  صلى الله عليه وسلم would recline on my lap while I was menstruating then start reading the Qurān.” [Bukhari 297, Muslim 301]

Al-Haafith Ibn Rajab رحمه الله stated: “In this narration is the evidence for reciting the Qurān while reclining, laying down or being one’s side. That enters into the statement of Allah:

” الَّـذِينَ يَـذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِـيَاماً وَقُعُـوداً وَعَـلَى جُنُـوبِهِم”

[آل عمران/١٩١]

“Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting and lying down on their sides.”

[Soorah Aali ‘Imraan:191]

Taken From: Fathul-Baari V. 1 Pg. 406

Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah

The Noble Scholar  Shaykh Ibn Baaz  (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated: “That which is obligatory upon the believer is to stay away from the prohibitions of Allah. The acts of disobedience are prohibited at all times and in all places. However in this noble month (Ramadan), it’s obligatory that staying away (from that which Allah has prohibited) is even more so. It’s obligatory that the believer strives in preserving his fast and protecting it from the rest of the acts of disobedience; from the likes of backbiting, tale carrying, oppression of the people, transgression against them in any matter regarding their wealth or their persons and other than that from the acts of disobedience. Also (we are to stay away from) the likes of consuming interest, deception in business dealings and other than that from the acts of disobedience from that which Allah has prohibited. Therefore the believer must stay away from every act of disobedience of Allah, keep far from it, hope for the reward of Allah and fear the punishment of Allah. He is to strive in fulfilling the obligations of Allah. He makes the prayer in congregation and preserves it (by making it) in all of its five legislated times. He is to be dutiful to his two parents and keep the ties of kinship. He is to call to Allah, command the right and forbid the wrong. He is to stay away from all evil and strive in (doing) all good, especially in this noble month. The month of Ramadan is the month of charity, the month of standing at night in prayer and the month of rewards for good deeds being increased. Therefore the believer strives in taking advantage of these days and nights with fasting (during the day) and standing at night in prayer.” [Sharh Wathaa-if Ramadan pg. 19-20] Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah

Al-Hasan Al-Basri  (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated about the statement of Allah: “A blessed book We have revealed to you in order that they may ponder over its verses and in order that those of understanding may reflect.” (Saad:29) He said: “The reflecting over its verses is nothing but following it with actions. By Allah, it’s not the memorization of its letters and the wasting of its prescribed limits. It’s to the point that one of them says: 《By Allah, I read the entire Qurān and I do not leave off one letter》 but he indeed has left off all of it (in practice). You don’t see in him the mannerisms of the Qurān nor the actions. It’s to the point that one of them says: 《By Allah, indeed I read the Soorah in one breath》By Allah, these individuals are not (true) reciters, nor scholars, nor wise, nor people of religious piety. When have the (true) reciters ever said the likes of this?! May Allah not increase the likes of these individuals amongst the Muslims!!” [Musannaf of Abdur-Razzaaq #5984] Translated by: Abu Yusuf Khaleefah