July, 2011 » Islamic Culture & Photo Blog

Ramadan etiquette: A guide to your Muslim neighbor’s holy month

July 29th, 2011

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Ramadan

by Sufia

In the next few weeks, you may come into work and find your co-worker taking a power nap at 9:30am. At break time, you’ll notice she is missing in the discussion about Harry Potter over at the water cooler. At the staff meeting, you will be shocked when she is offered coffee and cookies and refuses! By lunch time, your concern about her missing at the water cooler compels you to investigate the situation.

Then you remember what she had mentioned last week over a delicious Sushi lunch. Flooded with relief, you go up to her desk, and proclaim with much gusto, “Ramadan Mubarak (Moo-baa-rak)!” Ramadan’s Blessings to you! Continue Reading →

Five types of Martyrs

July 29th, 2011

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Hadith, Islam

by Sufia

[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 1, Book 11, Number 624]

Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah’s Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) said:

“While a man was going on a way, he saw a thorny branch and removed it from the way and Allah became pleased by his action and forgave him for that.”

Then the Prophet (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) said, “Five are martyrs:

1. One who dies of plague,
2. One who dies of an abdominal disease,
3. One who dies of drowning,
4. One who is buried alive (and) dies
5. And One who is killed in Allah’s cause.”

The Prophet (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) further said, “If the people knew the reward for pronouncing the Adhan and for standing in the first row (in the congregational prayer) and found no other way to get it except by drawing lots they would do so.

And if they knew the reward of offering the Zuhr prayer early (in its stated time), they would race for it.
And they knew the reward for ‘Isha’ and Fajr prayers in congregation, they would attend them even if they were to crawl’.”

Rewards for those who Fasts in Ramadan

July 26th, 2011

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Ramadan

by Sufia

[Sahih Bukhari : volume 3, Book 31, Number 118]

Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah’s Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) said, “Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, ‘I am fasting.” The Prophet added, “By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), ‘He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times.”

Continue Reading →

Rights of a Muslim over his brother

July 26th, 2011

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Dua, Islamic Belief, Islamic Topics

by Sufia

[2. Surah Al-Baqarah : Ayah 195]

And spend in the way of Allah and cast not yourselves to perdition with your own hands, and do good (to others); surely Allah loves the doers of good.

[Sahih Muslim : Book 26, Number 5378]

Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) as saying: Five are the rights of a Muslim over his brother:
1. Responding to salutation,
2. Saying Yarhamuk Allah when anybody sneezes and says AlHamdulillah,
3. Accept offer greetings from him,
4. Visiting the sick,
5. Following the bier.”

[Sahih Muslim : Book 26, Number 5379]

Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) as saying: Six are the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim. It was said to him: Allah’s Messenger, what are these? Thereupon he said:
1. When you meet him, offer him greetings;
2. When he invites you to a feast accept it.
3. When he seeks your council give him,
4. And when he sneezes and says: AlHamdulillah “All praise is due to Allah,” you say Yarhamuk Allah (may Allah show mercy to you);
5. And when he fails ill visit him;
6. And when he dies follow his bier.”