KQZ Institute

Habib Muhammad al-Haddar’s Al-Nafahaat al-Ramadaaniyah | Shaykh Amir Nawaz

Class Summary

Shaykh Amir Nawaz began the class on Al-Nafahaat al-Ramadaaniyah by Habib Muhammad al-Haddar with the powerful hadith narrated by Abu Huraira in which the Prophet ﷺ said “Ameen” three times upon ascending the pulpit. The Prophet ﷺ explained that Gabriel had made three supplications: that the one who reaches Ramadan and is not forgiven is distanced from Allah’s mercy; that the one who finds his parents in old age and does not honor them is likewise distanced; and that the one who hears the name of Muhammad ﷺ and does not send blessings upon him is also deprived. Shaykh Amir stressed the seriousness of these warnings, especially the tragedy of reaching Ramadan yet failing to attain forgiveness in a month overflowing with mercy.

He focused particularly on the station of parents in Islam. Allah commands in the Qur’an not even to say “uff” to one’s parents, and Shaykh Amir explained that “uff” is not even a word but a slight expression of irritation, similar to a sigh. Even this smallest sign of annoyance is unacceptable, which shows the immense rank parents hold. He explained that the pleasure of the father is from the pleasure of Allah and that Paradise lies beneath the feet of the mother. The great Imams of the past deeply understood the station of the mother, to the extent that some would advise their loved ones to bury them at their mother’s feet. He also reflected on how Allah connects His name Al-Raheem to the rahim (womb), teaching that whoever severs ties of kinship severs from divine mercy, and whoever maintains them connects to Allah.

Shaykh Amir then moved to the famous khutbah delivered by the Prophet ﷺ on the last Friday of Sha’ban in the second year after Hijrah, in which he prepared the Companions for the coming of Ramadan and spoke about its immense virtues. He explained that Ramadan is a month in which rewards are multiplied, sins are forgiven, and doors of mercy are opened. He spoke about Laylatul Qadr and how, in these blessed nights, people are transformed, destinies are written, and hearts are opened. He mentioned personal encounters with individuals whose lives were changed during these nights, illustrating that these are not abstract virtues but lived realities.

Finally, Shaykh Amir explained that fasting has levels. The most basic level is refraining from food, drink, and marital relations during the daylight hours, which fulfills the legal obligation. A higher level is fasting with the limbs, protecting the tongue from backbiting, lowering the gaze from what is unlawful, avoiding listening to gossip, and guarding one’s actions. The highest level is fasting with the heart - controlling one’s thoughts, purifying the heart from envy, pride, and rancor, and keeping it constantly aware of Allah. The overall message of the class was that Ramadan is an immense opportunity for forgiveness and transformation, and that true success lies not just in physical restraint but in spiritual elevation and drawing nearer to Allah.

Watch the full lecture: https://www.youtube.com/live/IdK-k6FvyaE?feature=shared