The Winter Way to Jannah: 7 Things Every Muslim Should Do to Gain Reward in Winter
The weather outside is frightful - but winter is not the time to be gloomy! In fact, it's the perfect season for becoming closer to Allah (swt)! Here are seven things every Muslim should know about the winter way to Jannah:
Making wudu in the cold is one of the best actions:
Making wudu during winter takes a lot of effort, especially at Fajr time, when it feels very unfair to face the cold so soon after leaving our warm beds. But did you know that performing wudu in spite of difficulties is a highly recommended action?
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbal comments, with regards to this hadith, ‘Performing wudu in the intense cold is one of the best actions’. He adds that, on his deathbed, Umar (ra) advised his son Abdullah (ra) that ‘performing wudu during the days of winter’ is one of ‘the characteristics of iman (faith)’. [Source: Laṭā’if al-Ma’ārif]
Therefore, it is important for us to make wudu during winter without complaint or resentment, sincerely purifying our intentions, because it is a highly rewardable action. Remember this the next time you wake up for Fajr!
Winter is the time to increase our night worship:
Night is the best time for ibadah, and the long winter nights make it easy to increase our night worship during the cold season.
Here in the UK, many of us face the ‘winter blues’ and we tend to label winter as the least productive of all seasons. The Islamic perspective on winter, however, is that it is actually the best season for the believer.
This winter, why not set your alarm that little bit earlier and pray Tahajjud a few times a week? The nights are already getting shorter, so you'd better get started right away!
Fasting during winter is easy reward:
Ramadan 2022 is only a few months away - are you ready? Winter is the perfect time to prepare for Ramadan, with the days being so short that you basically only have to skip lunch if you’re fasting.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to earn reward easily! To keep track of the recommended days for fasting, download our 'Islamic Calendar 2021'.
It’s the season for caring for our loved ones:
The harsh weather of winter leaves many people vulnerable, especially the elderly or families who struggle to pay for heating. As Muslims, it is important for us to regularly check up on our family, friends and neighbours during the cold season. A simple action, like making a colleague a cup of warm tea or sending some nourishing soup to an elderly neighbour, can go a long way.
It is also important for us to care for vulnerable families who are less close to home, such as refugees who don’t have the essential winter items they need to cope with the rain and snow. Remember the compassion Umar (ra) displayed towards vulnerable Muslims living far from home:
Donate to our Surviving Winter Appeal to provide vulnerable families with warm clothing.
It’s a good time to recite rain du'as:
If there’s one thing we can count on in Britain, it’s plenty of rain - which means there’s lots of opportunity for us to recite these du’as. So next time it’s raining, don’t grumble - learn these du’as and earn some reward!
Allah has given us warmth for this season:
Not only has Allah created a season packed with opportunities for reward, He has also enabled us to protect ourselves from the cold and rain. Next time you put on a jumper or an extra pair of socks, remember this ayah from Surah Al-Nahl:
While the weather outside is frightful, being warm and cosy is a delightful pleasure, so don’t forget to thank Allah (swt) for it!
Protecting people from the cold is a great deed:
Protecting those who are vulnerable from the cold is a highly rewardable action, as illustrated by this beautiful story of a pious man taking off his own coat to shield a poor man:
This winter, thousand of families are vulnerable to the elements, whether they are refugees living in flimsy tents, victims of war living in bombed-out houses, or low-income families who can’t afford winter essentials. Muslim Hands is on the ground in 10 locations in the UK and worldwide distributing life-saving emergency relief including food, blankets and warm clothes. Donate to our Surviving Winter Appeal to keep a family warm and alive.
Hopefully, you are now feeling slightly less miffed about the long and lingering winter. With these seven tips up your sleeve, you can make the the most of the believer’s best season!
