The Gifts of Winter – Shaykh Mustafa Abu Rayyan

Allah ﷻ described the believers as being people who look into the signs of Allah and Allah’s creation. Among the signs of the existence of Allah ﷻ is the changing of the seasons, and the night and the day. Allah ﷻ often references in the Quran that it helps our Iman to look into the world and recognise our creator through its wonders.

“We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. “(Quran 41:53)

For the Muslim the changing of the seasons has meaning; they are not just changes that we observe, they have an effect on our lives. One of the greatest effects the changes of the seasons has is related to our ibadah/worship.  The beginning of Winter is something that should put joy in our hearts, similarly to Ramadan and Dhul Hijjah. We should be joyous because it is an opportunity for ibadah:

·        The days are very short, so fasting becomes very easy.

·        The nights are long, so you have plenty of time to stand and pray as well as getting sufficient rest.

We have to push ourselves because fasting is one of the greatest forms of worship. In fact, it is so great that the reward that the reward which Allah ﷻ provides for it cannot be enumerated- even the Angels do not know how much Allah gives in reward! This is why Allah ﷻ says in the Quran in reference to fasting, that “Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.” (39:10)

Fast on Mondays and Thursdays, fast on the 3 days when the moon is at its fullest, fast as often as you can because there is so much reward in it. The purpose of fasting is to gain Taqwa and piety, and the believer that rushes to perform the act of worship is more virtuous than the believer that delays it.

Among the acts of worship that are recommended is the night prayer. It was unheard of within the companions and the Salaf for someone to not pray the night prayer. Even if it is just one Rakah, get into the habit of praying Qiyam because this is a habit of the true believers. One the blessings of fasting and praying at night is that not many people will know that you are doing it, therefore, you can ensure that you are doing it for the sake of Allah ﷻ.