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• 3 Ramadan 1446

Important advice for those who fast from the learned and insighted scholar, the late Sayyid Abdul Karim Al-Radhawi Al-Kashmiri (Q)

Sayyid Abdul Karim Al-Kashmiri (Q) was one of the learned scholars and ascetics in the holy city of Najaf in recent decades.
He taught at the religious seminary and led prayers at one of Najaf’s mosques where a group of righteous people prayed behind him.
He studied under prominent scholars such as Sayyid Abul-Qasim Al-Khoei (Q), Sayyid Hassan Al-Bujnurdi (Q), and Sayyid Abdul A’la Al-Sabzawari (Q).
Sayyid Al-Khoei (Q) sent him a special letter, praising him and approving of his intention to return to Najaf [from Qum], emphasizing the seminary’s urgent need for people like him.
Sayyid Al-Kashmiri (Q) was famous for his tried and tested ‘istikhara’, to the extent that many people from different Iraqi provinces used to visit him for this purpose and believed in his istikhara with all their heart - as he would tell the person, seeking istikhara, of his intention before he revealed it.
Among such situations is my own experince, when some relatives asked me to get an important Istikhara from the Sayyid. The verse from Surat Yusuf appeared:

"O my two companions of the prison! As to one of you, he will pour out the wine for his lord to drink: as for the other, he will hang from the cross, and the birds will eat from off his head… Holy Qur’an (12:41)
The Sayyid said that the father was planning to get his two sons out of Iraq, but the path he intended to take was fraught with danger, as one of them would be killed and the other would survive. As a result of this Istikhara, the father decided to change their travel route, and Allah decreed their salvation, and they are still alive today.
Among the anecdotes also narrated about him is that Sayyid Al-Khomeini (Q) saw a strange dream that disturbed his sleep for several days, so he asked Sayyid Al-Kashmiri (Q) to interpret it. He answered him; that the dream indicated that he would enter Iran as a conqueror, and the black cloud would disperse from it – at a time when Iran was filed with demonstrations - which actually happened. In addition to this, Sayyid Al-Kashmiri (Q) exemplified Almighty’s saying (( Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting…)) Holy Qur’an (3:191), as he was known for his frequent remembrance of Allah and was seen spending part of the night in Wadi-Salam [world largest cemetery] , contemplating and considering the state of the dead – as was said to him: “Sayyidna, we saw you sitting in the cemetery.” He replied: “Here is the lesson - he obtained that from the saying of his grandfather, the Commander of the Faithful (P) to his son Al-Hassan (P) (And go in their homes (i.e: the first ones) and see what they left behind. See what they did, their movements and where they settled down, for you will find they have left their loved ones behind and settled in the homes of loneliness, and as if soon you will be like one of them. So, reform your abode and do not sell your afterlife for your worldly one).”
His invocations [Du’as]were also tried and tested for healing and treatment.
He was also well known for his strong attachment to the Commander of the Faithful Ali (P), so it was said that this love may have been the reason for his death when he migrated from Najaf to Qum.
Sayyid Al-Kashmiri (Q) was the last of the scholars of discipline and irfan we knew in Najaf during the seventies and eighties.
Based on his discipline and Irfan, he left us nine recommendations for those fasting in the month of Ramadhan. These should be considered and acted upon, so we may thereby attain the blessings, mercy, and closeness to Allah Almighty in this blessed month.

SPIRITUAL PIECES OF ADVICE

1. QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Don't simply try to complete verses and supplications, rather, try digesting them. Take in small bites of spiritual food so that it becomes part of your soul. Our biggest problem is our lack of importance towards religion. For example, think of how many years of fasting nave passed which you have spent eagerly in excessive reading and recitation; where have you reached with that and what did you achieve from it? In the beginning of the month, be sure to make an intention that your fasts are only for the sake of Allah, only Allah! Practice the etiquettes and recommended acts of fasting only to the point that you have energy and spirit for.

2. RAMADHAN IS THE SPRING OF THE HOLY QUR'AN
In this spring, choose one verse per day and then recite and contemplate on that verse until Iftaar, the time to break your fast, Hopefully, as |ftaar draws near, the true meaning of the verse will unveil itself for you

3. ENDEAR YOURSELF TO ALLAH SWT
Break your fast within your home as much as it is possible. In fact, don'+ break your fast in the mosque. Allow the blessings of Iftaar and the guaranteed prayers in the moments of breaking your fast to be directed towards your family in your home. When you are breaking your fast, endear yourself to God. Bring the first bite of lftaar close to your mouth but do not eat! Rather, pray and supplicate. Tell God, "I will only eat and break my fast if you answer my calls". This state of yours will cause miracles

4. REFLECTION
Ensure to spend a few minutes from enchanted hours of the fasting day in the best of worship, which is nothing but thought and reflection Have some solitude with you and your Lord. Particularly, think about your relationship with the Almighty, in the hopes that the doors of spiritual knowledge and self-awareness will open for you.

5. LONG PROSTRATIONS
One of the most important states of servanthood to Allah, is the one which the Prophet placed a great emphasis on, which is long prostrations (sajda). Indeed, only God and His true friends know the amounts of blessing that are showered on the servant while he is in the state of prostration. Make sure to have at least one long prostration every day

6. TEARS
The heavenly ark of Ramadhan will reach the shores of salvation through the waters of tears! Ask Allah SWT in this month, to grant you tears during its magical dawns

7. MANNERS
The secret to staying as a guest in God's banquet is the potion of good manners. Treat your children, close ones, and friends with this potion. The smallest moments of anger and ill manners are the moments you are kicked out of this invitation!

8. THE NIGHT OF QADR
From the beginning of the month your goal should be the night of Qadr. There is much that can be said in this regard, but not all that is known is to be preached Regardless, strive so that the night of Qadr manifests and happens within your soul, not just within the month! (as in: don't let it become just another night in the month)

9. ATTENTION TO THE LIVING IMAM (AJTF)
During the entire month, do not sway your attention away from the one who truly fasts this month, i.e. the most perfect and complete human, the lmam of our time.