Pilgrimage is made obligatory to every Muslim once in his lifetime. After having done the obligatory pilgrimage, one may volunteer to do the pilgrimage again. Every time, he receives the reward of being forgiven all his past sins. Similarly, when one has paid the amount of zakat he is required to pay, having calculated it according to the required percentage, one may voluntarily pay more in charity, giving the poor or the needy or other beneficiaries of zakat, when the need arises.

All this is approved by the Prophet, in verbal statements and in practical examples. The Prophet used to do more of worship than what was required. He used to pray for long hours at night, give in charity as much as he could and add more of other types of worship. He refers to voluntary worship in a Hadith which mentions that a bedouin asked him once what obligatory worship he must do, enquiring about all types of worship, one by one. In answer to his question about prayer, the Prophet said that the obligatory part was “the five daily prayers, unless you wish to do more voluntarily.” With regard to fasting, the Prophet answered that the obligatory part was “the month of Ramadan, unless you wish to do more voluntarily.” When the man finished his questioning, asking about all aspects of worship, he said to the Prophet: “By Him who sent you with the message of truth, I shall volunteer nothing. I will confine myself to what is obligatory.” When the man had gone, the Prophet said that “he shall prosper if he keeps his word.”

Those who distort the meaning of Our revelations are not hidden from Us. Who is in a better state: he who is cast into the fire, or he who shall come safe on Resurrection Day? Do what you will; He sees all that you do. Those who reject this reminder [i.e. the Qur’an] when it comes to them … It is indeed a sublime book; no falsehood can ever touch it openly or in a stealthy manner. It is bestowed from on high by One who is wise, worthy of praise.

Against the backdrop of universal signs, the surah condemns and warns those who deny God’s signs and dispute His revelations: “Those who distort the meaning of Our revelations are not hidden from Us. Who is in a better state: he who is cast into the fire, or he who shall come safe on Resurrection Day? Do what you will; He sees all that you do.”

The warning begins in an implicit but fearful way, stating that such people “are not hidden from Us.” God is fully aware of them. They will have to account for what they perpetrate, no matter how they try to distort meanings or resort to deception. They may think that they can escape God’s punishment in the same way as their deception spared them the accountability before human authority.

The Muslims went out with 300 and some soldiers not intending to meet a caravan of about 40 men, not intending to fight but only to overpower them. The caravan escaped, but Abu Sufyan had already sent word to Quraish to come and protect it. The Quraish marched with enormous army of 1,000 men, 600 wearing shields, 100 horses, and 700 camels, and luxurious provisions to last for several days.

The disbelievers wanted to make this a victory that would put fear into the hearts of all the Arabs. They wanted to crush the Muslims once and for all and the odds were overwhelmingly in their favour. Imagine that the believers with their small army (including only two horses), going out with the intent of meeting a mere 40 unarmed man and instead meeting a well-prepared army “three times” their size....

One of the special responsibilities a man owes to Almighty Allah once he has accepted the faith of Islam is that he remains firm and steadfast in his faith at all times and in all circumstances. He is expected to uphold the faith with all his courage and strength, however adverse the circumstances may be.

This is what is meant by ‘Constancy of faith.’ Such men have been spoken of very highly in the Holy Quran and a bountiful reward has been promised to them in the Hereafter.

The Holy Quran says: “In the case of those who say: ‘Our Lord is God’ and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them (from time to time).

“Fear ye not” (they suggest) “nor grieve, but receive the glad tidings of the garden (of bliss), which ye were promised. We are your protectors in this life and in the Hereafter! Therein shall ye have all that your souls shall desire; therein shall ye have all that ye ask for—a hospitable gift from the One oft-forgiving, most merciful! (XLI:30-32). It is related that once a companion asked Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to tell him something that could suffice for him always and after which he would not have the need to turn for advice to anyone. The holy Prophet said: “Say, ‘God (alone) is my Lord’, and stick to it (that is conduct your life is accordance with it unswervingly)”.

However, there are certain Divine gifts, by neglecting which one would indeed be committing an ugly deed. The loss of these gifts cannot be compensated. For example, Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Allaah would set free from Hell some people. This is in every night (of Ramadhaan).” [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]

Jaabir, may Allaah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Allaah sets free from Hell some people at every breaking of the fast, and this happens every night.” [Ibn Maajah] Ahmad, may Allaah have mercy upon him, narrated the same Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Umaamah, may Allaah be pleased with him.

If anyone of us asks oneself, am I one of those who has won this Divine Gift even in one of the past nights?