Training Of Faraiz And Nawafil Acts in Ramadan (Malfoozat of Shaykh al-Islam Hazrat Maulana Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani)
It was advised that Allah has granted us the blessed month of Ramadan, during which we are trained to be patient with obligatory acts (Fara’id) through fasting during the day, and trained to be patient with voluntary acts (Nawafil) through Taraweeh prayers at night.
In reality, Allah wants to instill in us the understanding that we should not limit ourselves to just the obligatory duties, but also pay attention to voluntary acts. Just as Fara’id reflect Allah’s greatness, Sunan and Nawafil reflect our love for Allah. They are not to be neglected or considered insignificant.
In a Hadith Qudsi, it is mentioned that a man continues to come closer to Me through Nawafil until I become the eyes with which they see, the ears with which they hear, and the hands with which they hold.
Therefore, the more one engages in voluntary worship (Nafl Ibadaha), the closer they draw to Allah.
In Ramadan, Allah trains His servants to endure Nawafil so that they may be granted proximity to Him. This is why the Auliya ALLAH have advised that in Ramadan, one should free themselves from other distractions and engage more in acts of obedience, worship, remembrance of Allah, and recitation of the Quran.
(Khutbat-e-Ramadan, Page 310)
This Malfooz is selected by Dr. Faisal Sahib.