💎Benefit: What Must a Person Do Who Is Uncertain How Many Days to Make up From the Previous Ramadan?

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymīn (رحمه الله) said:

“If someone is unsure about how many days they need to make up for fasting, they should go with the lower number. For example, if a man or woman is uncertain whether they need to make up three or four days, they should assume three, because that is certain, while the extra day is doubtful. The general rule is that a person is not responsible for something unless they are sure of it.

However, it is better to make up the additional day just to be safe. If it turns out that it was required, then they have fulfilled their obligation with certainty. And if it was not required, then it counts as a voluntary fast, which is still a good deed. Allah does not let the reward of those who do good go to waste.”

— Fatawa Nur ‘ala al-Darb.

https://youtu.be/hjAhj26rtes?si=JvrJpl30weSiRE_c

💎The Main Theme of Surah Al Baqarah (& the entire Qur’ān) [FULFILLING ALLAH'S COVENANT: Maintaing the Ties Allah Has Commanded (1)]

Ibn al Qayyim (d. 751 AH رحمه الله) said about abiding by Allah’s covenant and maintaining ties Allah has commanded:

”فَوَصَفَهُمْ بِالْوَفَاءِ بِعَهْدِهِ الَّذِي عَاهَدَهُمْ عَلَيْهِ، وَذَلِكَ يَعُمُّ أَمْرَهُ وَنَهْيَهُ الَّذِي عَهِدَهُ إِلَيْهِمْ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهُمْ، وَبَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ خَلْقِهِ.

He described them as loyal to the covenant He established with them, which encompasses His commands and prohibitions, the agreement between them and Himself, and the bond that connects them to His creation.

ثُمَّ أَخْبَرَ عَنْ اِسْتِمْرَارِهِمْ بِالْوَفَاءِ بِهِ بِأَنَّهُ لَا يَقَعُ مِنْهُمْ نَقْضُهُ.

Then, He informed us of their continuous adherence to this covenant, stating that they do not break it.

ثُمَّ وَصَفَهُمْ بِأَنَّهُمْ يَصِلُونَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَنْ يُوصَلَ، ‌وَيَدْخُلُ ‌فِي ‌هَذَا ‌ظَاهِرُ ‌الدِّينِ وَبَاطِنُهُ وَحَقُّ اللَّهِ وَحَقُّ خَلْقِهِ، فَيَصِلُونَ مَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ رَبِّهِمْ بِعُبُودِيَّتِهِ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَالْقِيَامِ بِطَاعَتِهِ وَالْإِنَابَةِ إِلَيْهِ وَالتَّوَكُّلِ عَلَيْهِ وَحُبِّهِ وَخَوْفِهِ وَرَجَائِهِ، وَالتَّوْبَةِ إِلَيْهِ وَالِاسْتِكَانَةِ لَهُ، وَالْخُضُوعِ وَالذُّلِّ لَهُ وَالِاعْتِرَافِ لَهُ بِنِعْمَتِهِ وَشُكْرِهِ عَلَيْهَا، وَالْإِقْرَارِ بِالْخَطِيئَةِ وَالِاسْتِغْفَارِ مِنْهَا. فَهَذِهِ هِيَ الْوُصْلَةُ بَيْنَ الْعَبْدِ وَالرَّبِّ، وَقَدْ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهَذِهِ الْأَسْبَابِ الَّتِي بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِهِ أَنْ تُوصَلَ.

Then, He described them as those who uphold the ties that Allah has commanded to be preserved. This includes both the outward and inward aspects of the religion, encompassing Allah's rights and the rights of His creation. They nurture their connection with their Lord through exclusive servitude, obedience, turning to Him, reliance on Him, love, fear, and hope in Him, repentance, submission, humility before Him, acknowledgment of His blessings, gratitude for them, admission of sins, and seeking His forgiveness. This defines the relationship between the servant and the Lord, and Allah has mandated that these means of connection between Him and His servant be upheld.

وَأَمَرَ أَنْ يُوصَلَ مَا بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ رَسُولِهِ بِالْإِيمَانِ بِهِ، وَتَصْدِيقِهِ وَتَحْكِيمِهِ فِي كُلِّ شَيْءٍ، وَالرِّضَا بِحُكْمِهِ وَالتَّسْلِيمِ لَهُ، وَتَقْدِيمِ مَحَبَّتِهِ عَلَى مَحَبَّةِ النَّفْسِ وَالْوَلَدِ وَالْوَالِدِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ؛ فَدَخَلَ فِي ذَلِكَ الْقِيَامُ بِحَقِّهِ وَحَقِّ رَسُولِهِ.

He also commanded that the ties between us and His Messenger be upheld through belief in him, affirming him, making him the final authority in all matters, being content with his judgment, submitting to him, and prioritizing love for him above love for oneself, one's children, parents, and all people. This also includes honoring the rights of both him and the Messenger.
[continued…]

💎 DAY TWO BENEFITS 💎
In the second half of Surah Al Baqarah (246-252) Allah recounted the story of King Saul, David, & Goliath.

Imam Al-Sa’dī (d. 1376 AH) said:

“In this story, there are many signs and lessons for those who possess understanding.

(1.) Among them is that when people of unity, authority, and decision-making come together to deliberate on the best course for their affairs, understand it, and then act upon it, this becomes the greatest cause for their progress and the fulfillment of their objectives. This is evident from the case of these elders who consulted their prophet about appointing a king under whom they could unite, end their division, and establish obedience to him.

(2.) Another lesson is that the truth, whenever it is challenged and met with doubts, only becomes clearer and more distinct, leading to complete certainty. This was the case when they objected to Ṭālūt’s right to kingship, and they were provided with answers that brought conviction and dispelled doubts.

(3.) Additionally, knowledge and wisdom, when combined with the power to implement them, constitute the perfection of leadership. Conversely, the absence of either—or both—leads to its deficiency and harm.

(4.) Another lesson is that reliance on oneself leads to failure and defeat, whereas seeking help from Allah, showing patience, and turning to Him is the cause of victory. This can be seen in their initial words to their prophet: ‘And why should we not fight in the cause of Allah while we have been driven out of our homes and our children?’ (Qur’an 2:246). However, the outcome of this attitude was that when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away. In contrast, when they later confronted Jālūt and his army, they prayed: ‘Our Lord, pour upon us patience, make our steps firm, and grant us victory over the disbelieving people.’ (Qur’an 2:250), after which they defeated them by the permission of Allah.

(5.) Another lesson is that it is part of Allah’s wisdom to distinguish the wicked from the good, the truthful from the false, and the patient from the cowardly. He does not leave people mixed together unclearly except that he makes distinctions.

(6.) Furthermore, from Allah’s mercy and established practice is that He repels the harm of disbelievers and hypocrites through the believers who fight in His cause. Were it not for this, the earth would become corrupted due to the dominance of disbelief and its symbols over it.”

💎[Benefit from Day 3 Reading: Āl ‘Imrān: 159; Mutual Consultation]

🖊️Imam al-Sa’dī (d. 1376 -رحمه الله-) outlines four essential benefits of mutual consultation:

"And consult them on the matter"—referring to issues that require consultation, consideration, and thought. In consultation, there are countless benefits, both religious and worldly:

1️⃣ One important aspect is that consultation serves as an act of worship through which one seeks closeness to Allah.

2️⃣ Another benefit is that it calms their thoughts and alleviates what burdens their hearts during incidents. When someone in authority gathers those with opinions and virtues to consult about an incident, their souls find peace; they admire him and realize that he is not acting dictatorially but is genuinely considering the collective interest of all. This inspires them to invest their efforts and abilities in obeying him, recognizing his commitment to public interests. In contrast, those who do not act this way are rarely loved sincerely, nor do they follow him; and if they do, it is only partial obedience.

3️⃣Among them is the fact that engaging participants in their purpose during consultations illuminates thoughts, resulting in an increase in intellect.

4️⃣Among them is the valid opinion that consulting helps those who seek advice to rarely make errors in judgment. Furthermore, if they do err or fail to meet their goals, they are not to blame.

If Allah instructs His Messenger ﷺ—who is the most complete in intellect, the broadest in knowledge, and the best in opinion—"And consult them on the matter," what can be said about others?

Then Allah, the Exalted, said: "And when you have made a decision"—that is, after considering a matter that requires consultation—"then place your trust in Allah." This signifies relying on Allah’s power and strength while relinquishing your own.

"Indeed, Allah loves those who rely upon Him and seek refuge in Him. "