Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said in ‘Lata’if al-Ma’arif’ (p. 276):

“Winter is the best season for the believer because…Allah strengthens his practice in it by making worship easy for him. This is because in winter, the believer can fast during the day with ease without suffering from hunger and thirst. The days are short and cold, and he therefore doesn’t feel the hardship of fasting…

As for praying at night in the winter due to its long nights, one can have his share of sleep and then get up to pray afterwards and recite all that he usually recites of the Qur’an while he has had enough sleep. So, he can combine between the sleep that he needs and the usual amount of recitation of the Qur’an that he completes in a day. So, he fulfills the interests of both his religion and the comfort of his body…

And it was narrated that Ibn Mas’ud said: “Welcome to winter! Blessings descend in it, its nights are long to pray in, and its days are short to fast in.” It is also narrated from him and al-Hasan: “Winter is a wonderful time for the believer. Its nights are long to pray in, and its days are short to fast in.” When it was winter time, ‘Ubayd bin ‘Umayr would say: “O people of the Qur’an! Your nights are now long for you to recite in. So, recite! Your days are now short for you to fast in. So, fast! Night prayer in the winter equals fasting during the day in the summer.” This is why Mu’adh wept on his deathbed and said: “I weep because I will miss the thirst I felt when I fasted, praying at night during the winter, and sitting knee to knee with the scholars during the gatherings of knowledge.””

We kindly ask everyone to make sincere du‘ā for our beloved Shaykh, who is currently unwell and has been taken to hospital. This weighs deeply on our hearts, he has spent his life guiding, uplifting, and supporting this Ummah always placing others before himself. His presence is a mercy and his sacrifices are known only to Allah.

May Allah grant him complete shifā’, cure him from every illness, bless him with strength, comfort, and tranquility. May Allah prolong his life in goodness, protect him from harm, and reward him for every moment he has served the deen. O Allah, elevate his ranks through this hardship, forgive his shortcomings, and envelop him in Your mercy. Return him to us in the best of health, with a heart at peace and a body strengthened by Your Mercy. Make him among Your beloved servants whose lives are filled with barakah and whose efforts continue to benefit the Ummah.

Please remember him in your du‘ā.

Kind reminder: The Shaykh is not taking calls at the moment. Please respect his privacy.

Can Verses Revealed About the Disbelievers Be Applied to Muslims?