Watch out for the Thorns!

Asalamu aliakum wa rahmat Allah wa barkatoo!

For a change! This time instead of the aunties answering a question, the aunties are asking you a question!

Why do we fast?

Is it to feel hungry? Is it to feel thirsty?

What did Allah says is the reason He ordained fasting?

I’m going to cheat you and put the answer:

Yes, that you may become from those who have piety or taqwa...

But what exactly does it mean to have taqwa?

On one occasion Umar ibn al-Khattāb asked another, Ubayy ibn Kab, who was one of the best amongst all of the companions to recite the Quran, he asked him: “Oh Ubayy, what is taqwa?”, He (Ubayy) answered: “Have you ever found yourself walking along a path on which there are thorns strewn?” Umar said: “Yes!”, so Ubayy ibn Kab said: “What do you do (in such a situation)?” Umar replied: “I raise my cloak, and then I tread very carefully.” Ubayy ibn Kab said: “THAT is taqwa.”

So when you are fasting, inshaAllah, this month, step very carefully. Leave the temptations of this world which are really ‘thorns’ in disguise. Leave all that Allah has forbidden and cling to what He has commanded us to do.

Let your fasts count!

And you know what your reward will be? Ibn Juzayy listed the following rewards for those who attain taqwa, citing verses from the Qur'an as proof:

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 Guidance : "guidance for the muttaqeen' (2:2)
 Help : "ِAnd know that Allah is with those who have taqwa":) 2:194)

 Close friendship [with Allah] : "Allah is the close friend of the muttaqeen" (45:19)

 Allah's Love :  "Truly Allah loves the muttaqeen  (3:76")

 A way out from unhappiness, and provision from where one does not expect: "Whoever has taqwa of Allah He will make a way out for him and provide him from where he does not expect" 65:2-3)

 Facilitation of affairs:  "Whoever has taqwa of Allah He will make ease for him in his affair"( 65: 4)

 Full covering over of wrong actions and magnification of rewards  "Whoever has taqwa of Allah He will cover over his wrong actions and magnify a reward for him" (65:5)

 Acceptance of actions/worship :"Allah only accepts from the people of taqwa (5:27")

 Success: "Have taqwa of Allah in order that you might succeed";

 Good news :"For them there is good news in this world and in the next";

 Entrance into the Garden and forgiveness: "Truly, there are for the people of taqwa with their Lord Gardens of bliss" 68:34,   And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous (3:133)

 Salvation from the Fire : "Then We will save the ones who had taqwa".

So let's make this Ramadan our best ever! And, let’s make this Ramadan a new beginning for us!


No more 'fearing' people, friends, relatives' reactions. No more worrying about 'fitting in', 'belonging'....No more excuses, no more disobeying Allah! No more fearing people and not fearing Allah. No more letting Allah's opinion of us count the least...

 It is only Shaytaan that suggests to you the fear to his friends and supporters, so fear them not, but fear Me, if you are, in truth, believers." (Surah Ali Imran 3:175) 

Let's do this. 


Lots of love,
All the aunties


P.S. We''d also like to take the time to say that for Ramadan, we will be 'on temporary break'. You can continue to send in your questions, but we may not answer them until after Ramadan is over.
P.S.S. Read here: http://www.bogvaerker.dk/Bookwright/Taqwa.html to know how to awaken taqwa and the degrees of taqwa there are