21 Nov The season of the believer
It’s cold outside, we leave our homes in the dark for school and work, and we often return home in the dark as well. However, the winter season is one that offers a wealth of blessings and opportunities.
Thank Allah
Winter is a time to praise Allah and do good to others. The coming of winter serves as a reminder of all the bounties Allah has provided us with. While we stay warm in our houses, there are thousands of homeless people languishing on our streets during the long cold nights. Across the globe, countless more are dealing with even greater challenges. We thank Allah for providing us with warm safe shelter, food and clothing.
We can show our gratitude to Him by helping those in need during winter. Donate to charities that provide food, clothing, and extra support to people in poverty. Donate to a food bank, buy a homeless person a hot meal or a hot drink.
During his time as Caliph, Umar (ra) was concerned about how the harsh winter weather might affect the Muslims, so he gave them some advice:
‘Indeed winter has appeared, and it is an enemy, so prepare for it with wool, khuffs and socks; and take wool as your outer and inner garment, because the cold is a fast-moving enemy and slow to leave the body.’ (Lataa'iful Ma'arif, Ibn Rajab)
Fasting in winter
During the short days of winter, it is easier to fast. A perfect opportunity to catch up on missed fasts or to earn the extra rewards of fasting the sunnah days of Monday and Thursday and the three white days of the month (13th, 14th, and 15th). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
“Fasting in winter is the easy prize.” (Tirmidhī)
Abu Hurayrah RA said to some people: "Shall I not point you to comfortable proceeds?" They asked, "And what is that O, Abu Hurayrah?" He replied, "Fasting in winter."
Increase your worship
The long winter nights make it easy to increase our night worship. It’s a great time to start getting into the habit of praying tahajjud. We have plenty of time to sleep before the start of fajr, by waking up even 20 minutes beforehand can set us up into a good habit.
Allah’s Messenger (saw) said, “Winter is the Spring of the believer. Its nights are long for him to pray in, and its days are short for him to fast in.”
Tahajjud is a means to get closer to Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?” [Bukhari]
There is a sweetness in it like no other.
When winter would approach, ʿUbayd b. ʿUmayr would say: “O people of the Qur’ān! The night has become long for your ṣalāh, and the day has become short for your fast, so take full advantage.”
Make Dua
Our rainy wet winters are good opportunities to have our duas accepted.
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said,
“Two are not rejected: the du‘ā’ made at the time of adhān, and under the rain.” [Ḥākim].
May Allah swt allow us to make use of these days and revive our energy in worship and servitude to Him.
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The Prophet (Pbuh) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small.