Winter: The Believer’s Season

What does winter mean for a believer? This lesson, “Winter: The Believer’s Season“, moves through five focused themes, drawing on Hadith from Bukhārī and Tirmidhī, Qur’an Surah As-Sajdah verse 16–17, and reflections from the early Muslims, to help learners see the season as one with its own spiritual rhythm.

The lesson opens with an honest question about the winter blues before settling into its five points. Fasting in winter is introduced through a Hadith in Tirmidhī. The night prayer receives the most attention: Qur’an As-Sajdah verse 16–17 is quoted in full, Abū Sulaymān al-Dārānī speaks to the joy of qiyām al-layl, and learners are given practical tips for waking for tahajjud. The Hadith in Bukhārī on Hell-fire breathing out in summer and winter anchors the section on gratitude. The session closes with accepted times for duʿa and the specific duʿas for rain, thunder, and wind. Learners are asked to reflect and respond throughout, not simply to listen.

This session covers:

• Winter as a fasting opportunity: The session cites the Hadith in Tirmidhī in which our beloved Prophet ﷺ described fasting in winter as easy, and encourages learners to use the season for qaḍā fasts and voluntary days such as Mondays and Thursdays.
• The night prayer and its reward: Learners engage with tahajjud through Qur’an 32:16–17, a Hadith in Tirmidhī on qiyām al-layl, and the personal reflection of Abū Sulaymān al-Dārānī. Practical advice on waking for tahajjud is included.
• Hell-fire as a reminder: The Hadith in Bukhārī is presented in which Hell-fire complained to Allah and was permitted to breathe out, with the extreme heat of summer and bitter cold of winter given as the result.
• Gratitude and concern for others: Learners list specific blessings and discuss how to thank Allah. The session includes the account of Saʿīd al-Kalbī, who wept during a cold night out of compassion for the poor of the Ummah.
• Duʿas for winter conditions: The session covers accepted times for duʿa, citing a Hadith in Ḥākim, and teaches the specific duʿas for rain, thunder, and wind, with their Arabic text.