Most animals are similar in the way their bodies work physically. In all the animals, food is digested in a similar way and air intake occurs through a similar process. Energy generation, movement and all other bodily functions occur in a similar manner.

What makes humans unique as a race is the fact that their minds are much more developed. Scientists have always connected the functioning of human mind to the processes that occur in the human brain. Unlike animal minds, human minds do not just gather information about food, water and shelter and process it accordingly to reach these things. Human mind carries the powers of visualization and reflection. In this article, we will discuss the possible effects of religious fasting on the human brain.

According to researches carried out at the National Institute of Aging in Baltimore, fasting can help people with mental conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Fasting for one or two days per week can even help people with perfectly sound brain operations. Professor Mark Mattson who is a professor of neuroscience at a leading medical school in the U.S was the lead author of this study. A great part of the study was based on the comparison of humans to other animals, and a lot of deductions of the study were drawn from an analysis of the specific effects produced by different actions in the other animals.

The results of the study were striking. Scientists who carried out this study have compared the effects of a cut on human food (energy) intake on the human brain cells as the effects of exercise on the muscle cells. Although most people think that a carefully crafted and properly controlled diet plan that runs throughout the week is a great way of losing weight. This continuous dieting, however, can affect the brain and some hormones in the body adversely. Scientists who carried out this study suggest that intermittent breaks from meals for one or two days per week work better than continuous dieting plans, because these ‘fasting’ plans help improve the functioning of the brain.

In the following, a few positive impacts of fasting on brain are enlisted:

-          Short term fasting induces an increase in neural autophagy

-          Boost in the production of ketones

-          Reduction in risk of trauma, stroke and depression

-          Calorie restriction through intermittent fasting reduces the risks of Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease.

In some animals, restriction of calorie intake results evidently in a prolonging of lifespan, and most scientists believe that the same is true for humans. However, no concrete evidence of this has been furnished yet.

Religious fasting may help us to not only become better human beings, but also to improve our physical and mental fitness.

“Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon nations before you so that you may learn self-restraint“.

In the month of Ramadan Allah alters the rewards of our deeds. He rewards a Nafl prayer with the reward of an obligatory Farz prayer and increases the reward of a good deed seventy times. A person seeking forgiveness is granted forgiveness and Muslim community is rewarded with the day of Eid for keeping fasts throughout this month. However, abstaining from sins is just as important as committing good deeds.

Allah dislike sins and committing sins in the holy month of Ramadan is even more disliked. Committing a single sin in this month is equivalent to committing seventy sins in any other month. In this way Allah discourages believers from sins and at the same time Allah encourages them to seek forgiveness from their past sins. A hadith says “Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”

Furthermore, in this month Muslims are obliged to observe fasts. Fasting in Islam is not merely abstaining from food and drink; it is also abstaining from any wrongdoing, in general. If a Muslim does not anything from dawn till dusk but takes or any other haram activity Allah does not accepts his fast so when a believer keeps a fast he gets bound to keep himself away from sins. Not only, he has to avoid all haram activities but also control his temperament.

If a Muslim keeps a fast he cannot abusive or insulting language against anyone, also he cannot harm anyone by his hands if he does he violates the basic rules and regulations of the fast. Generally, any individual uses his hands against others when he is in angry so when Muslims keep a fast, they ought to control their anger. In this way fasting teaches Muslims to control their diet and anger thereby learning self-restraint.

In a nut shell, all sources of Islam clarify the fast that fasting makes all believers control their anger and remain away from sins. Allah has used fasting as a tool so that all believers learn self-restraint i.e. they learn to control themselves from evils and Allah gives Muslims several incentives so that they may start following the right path. The following hadith further clarifies the point; it says “One day of fasting keeps a person away from hell 80 years”.

All Muslims are promised a handsome reward by Allah if they surf their abilities in serving Allah and His mankind. This is why Ramadan is always seen as a great opportunity in all Muslim community.

Ramadan is ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered to be the holiest of all. In Quran and Hadith, there are several verses quoting the significance of the Ramadan. All Muslims believe that this month provides them with an ideal opportunity to fight the evil spirit and get uncountable virtue. This is because, firstly, in the month of Ramadan Allah fetters Satan and as a consequence Satan cannot whisper bad ideas in the minds of believers. Secondly, as all Muslims observe fasting so they spontaneously learn tolerance and patience. Fasting also teaches them how to learn self-restraint.

Allah declares this learning of self-restraint the purpose of fasting, the Quran says:

“Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon nations before you so that you may learn self-restraint. “

In this way the month of Ramadan serves as the training platform for fight against evil, as individuals learn self-restraint, commit good deeds and follow the right path. This makes the person a stronger believer and even when the Satan is set free again, the Satan does not finds it easier to make a believer indulge in any wrongdoing. Ramadan purifies believers spiritually as Allah forgives the mistakes of believer and awards them with great reward for their good actions.

Furthermore, Muslims are also blessed with the uncountable virtue in this month. Allah blesses believers seventy times more than he blesses them, for the same deed, in other months. A Nafl prayer is rewarded with a reward equivalent to Farz prayer and Farz prayer is rewarded with the reward of 70 Farz prayers.

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
Such are the blessings of Allah in this month and hence it can be concluded that Ramadan is the key to defeat evil spirit and avail uncountable virtue.

Have you ever repented on your poor behavior with anyone? Have you ever wanted to control your anger? Have you ever wished to gain patience to avoid this anger? If yes, Ramadan comes as a perfect solution for you. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar and the whole year for Muslims revolves around this one month.

Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for Muslims, but this fasting is not meant to test them physically, but it is meant to prepare them for the mercy, blessings and forgiveness which form the essence of this month. To understand this you must be aware of the basic rules and regulations of a fast. This short essay will brief you about these rules and it will present an overview of how to use this Holy month for acquiring patience and tolerance.

Let us first understand what patience is, essentially. Shams Tabrezi, a famous Muslim scholar, defines patience as follows:

“Patience is not sitting and waiting, it is foreseeing. It is looking at the thorn and seeing the rose, looking at the night and seeing the day. Lovers are patient and know that the moon needs time to become full.”

This is what a Muslim exactly does in fast, it’s not that he cannot feel material instincts; it’s just that he is waiting for the dusk.

Allah says in the Holy Quran

“Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on nations before you so that you may learn self-restraint”.

In the light of this verse it can be concluded that the sole purpose of fasting is to make an individual learn self-restraint. The fundamental rules of fasting in this month are meant to extend the control if human mind over human instincts like food, hunger, sex, anger and frustration. Abstinence from all these things creates an individual who spreads love and tolerance at all times, and practices self-restraint to prevent anger or material desires to overtake his intent.

While fasting, a Muslim has to wait from dawn to dusk to eat or drink anything. He bears this hardship patiently just to acquire the love, mercy, forgiveness and blessings of Almighty Allah. He refrains from abusing or insulting anyone no matter how much angry he is. At times, he bears the misconduct of others but does not use his hand or tongue to act against it since Allah has not allowed this in fasting. He looks for divine justice or forgives the other person, but never commits any wrongdoing since he has to obey the commandments of Allah. All these things actually make him learn patience and tolerance. Not only, he learns them but also applies them during a fast. In everyday life, a man is likely to lose his temper occasionally. However, during fasting since he has to abide by the rules and regulations of the fast so he holds his temper

Thus, it can safely be concluded that Ramadan provides individuals with an ideal opportunity to learn and practice tolerance and patience.

At the end of Ramadan, Allah blesses the believers with the festival of Eid. Eid follows the month of Ramadan, and it is purely a reward for those Muslims who observed fasting and pushed their material instincts under control during Ramadan, to attain a state of greater mental purity. This Eid is known as EidUlFitr, which is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal.
When the month of Ramadan ends, Allah asks the believers to celebrate.It must be ensured that the underprivileged are kept a part ofEid celebrations. Therefore, Muslims distribute ‘Fitrana’ before Eid. Fitrana is a special charity donated at the end of Ramadan amongst poor people so that they can enjoy Eid in a similar manner as the rich.
It is narrated that the Holy Prophet would not sleep in the night before Eid. That night is termed as the night of reward so it is desirable to offer Nawafil prayers and pray to Almighty Allah.One can also engage in other forms of worship, for example, recite of Holy Quran. Muslims start their Eid day by offering a special Eid prayer. This Eid prayer must be offered any time between the Fajr and Zuhr prayer. However, many Muslim scholars suggest that the Prayer should not be delayed and should be offered early morning.

Ideally, Fitrana should be paid before the commencement of Eid prayer, to allow the poor with ample time to buy new clothes and food stuff. Eid prayers are congregational prayers; therefore they are a symbol of unity in Muslims.This prayer help in laying down a relationship of brotherhood as all Muslims, whether poor or rich, stand shoulder to shoulder with one another and offer the prayer.

Eid day is reward for Muslims, and Muslims are forbidden to fast on this day. It is narrated that “Allah’s messenger prohibited two fasts: Fasting the day of Adha and the day of Fitr”. Muslims are not supposed to offer any Nawafil after or before the Eid prayer as well, as the messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S.A.W) never practiced this in his life.

This Eid is the happiest day for Muslims around the world as they celebrate finally after their one month long hardships.

Ramadan is a month of special significance to Muslims because of a number of reasons. It is the month in which the holy Quran was revealed to the final Prophet of Allah and this is the month which is home to the Lail-at-ul-Qadar. Allah rewards believers seventy times more for a good deed than in any other month; the reward of Nafl prayer is raised to the reward of a Farz prayer and the reward of keeping a single fast in this month is more than the reward of keeping fasts in the entire year. Such are the blessings of God during this Holy month. To make things further convenient for believers, Allah orders to fetter the Satan and to close the doors of hell.

Ramadan is truly the month of spiritual purification as it provides every individual with a chance to purify him from the wrongdoings he commits during the entire year. Fasting in the month of Ramadan requires Muslims to practice self-restraint as Allah says in the Holy Quran “Fasting has been prescribed to you as it was prescribed to nations before you so that you may learn self-restraint“. This verse also suggests that fasting is an article inherited from the previous Sharias.

The month of Ramadan has been divided in three different decades.  Ashra is the Arabic term for a decade (a period of ten days). Each decade has its own significance and its own purpose. The first decade is the decade of Mercy, the second decade is the decade of Forgiveness and the last decade is the decade for freedom from the hell fire.

At the end of Ramadan comes the day of Eid – the day of joy and celebrations – on the first of Shawwal, the month following Ramadan. Muslims are rewarded with this day as a reward of their profound worship during the holy month of Ramadan. Allah asks Muslims to celebrate the day of Eid with liveliness, joy and cheerfulness. However, He also orders them to look after the underprivileged on this day and to provide them money so that they can buy new cloths and share the happiness of the Eid day with rest of the society.

The Holy Quran says: ”O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on those before you so that you may learn self-restraint“.

In the light of this Quranic verse, we can conclude that  fasting is an old tradition and it was a part of previous religions as well. What makes the month of Ramadhan a month of blessings? This short article will give you a brief answer to this question.

Ramadhan is the Holiest month of Islamic calendar in the respect that this is the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed to the final prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W) .The Holy Quran says “Ramadhan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein.

Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. God wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify God for guiding you, and to express your appreciation”. Several Hadith are narrated by Sahih Bukhari and other Muslim scholars signifying the importance and the blessings of Ramadhan.

One hadith says that in this month of Ramadhan the doors of paradise are opened and the doors of hell are closed. The Holy Prophet also said

”Surely, the month of Ramadhan, the blessed month has come to you. The month whose fasts Allah (has) made obligatory upon you. In it the doors of paradise are opened up and the Satan fettered, and in it is the night of Qadr, which is more virtuous than a thousand months”.

Another Hadith says “ The month of Ramadhan has come to you with blessings, wherein, Allah turns towards you and sends down to you His special blessings, forgives your faults, accepts dua (prayer), appreciates your competition for the greatest goods and boasts to the angels about you. So show to Allah your righteousness, for truly, the most pitiable and unfortunate one is he, who is deprived of Allah’s mercy in this month. “

By analyzing the above Hadith one can come to the conclusion that this month is surely a month of great blessings. Several other ahadith also tell that one good deed in this month is rewarded with the reward of 70 good deeds and offering one Nafl is equivalent to offering a Farz prayer in reward.

The month of Ramadhan is divided in three periods. The first ten days are a period of mercy, the second ten days are a period of forgiveness and the last ten days are a period of being freed from hell. To conclude in the light of all these quotes, surely, this month is a month of blessings as Allah reveals His favor on us far more in this month than in any other month.

Let’s begin with seeing what the Islam has to say about this concept. The Holy Quran addresses Muslims and says: ”O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on those before you so that you may learn self-restraint “. Analyzing this you can see that at the time of Prophet (S.A.W), the concept of fasting already existed, and nations before Islam used to fast.

But did they fast in Ramadhan? Ramadhan, historians claim, was a month whose significance existed even before Islam the arrival of Islam. It was called Natiq at that time, a month that fell in the warm seasons. However there is no cogent evidence supporting the claim that Ramadhan held the same importance at that time that it enjoys these days. It only gained importance in the era of Holy Prophet because of the fact that the last revelation Holy Quran was sent down in this month. The Holy Quran has also emphasized on the importance of Ramadhan on many occasions.

If you compare the concept of fasting in all religions, you get to know that all religions prescribe fasting in one way or the other. In Christianity, Christians have been advised to fast. In fact, the Bible says that fasting does not only mean abstinence from food and water, and a fast in which one does not care for the poor is unacceptable. Christian historians have chronicled incidences when the Christ himself kept fast too.

The nature of fasting varies for different sects of Christianity, i.e. some sections abstain from meat and milk only while others fast for an entire day, but the essence remains the same. Even in Islam, a fast is meant to experience the sufferings of underprivileged and for learning self-restraint.

In Hinduism, the concept of fasting is slightly different. However, fasting has been prescribed for them too. Some Hindus fast on Mondays while others fast on Tuesday. Some fast on Thursday too the reason for this variation in fasting is because Hindus fast particularly for a certain goddess or god. Followers of Hinduism fast from after the sunset of previous day to 48 minutes after sunrise. Non-vegetarian Hindus cannot even touch any animal product during fasting; milk is an exception though.

Similarly, the concept of fasting is also present in Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism and other religions. Ramadhan is of enormous importance to Muslims only but fasting has its roots in most religions.

Let’s begin with seeing what the Islam has to say about this concept. The Holy Quran addresses Muslims and says: ”O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on those before you so that you may learn self-restraint “.

Analyzing this you can see that at the time of Prophet (S.A.W), the concept of fasting already existed, and nations before Islam used to fast. But did they fast in Ramadhan? Ramadhan, historians claim, was a month whose significance existed even before Islam the arrival of Islam. It was called Natiq at that time, a month that fell in the warm seasons.

However there is no cogent evidence supporting the claim that Ramadhan held the same importance at that time that it enjoys these days. It only gained importance in the era of Holy Prophet because of the fact that the last revelation Holy Quran was sent down in this month. The Holy Quran has also emphasized on the importance of Ramadhan on many occasions.

If you compare the concept of fasting in all religions, you get to know that all religions prescribe fasting in one way or the other. In Christianity, Christians have been advised to fast. In fact, the Bible says that fasting does not only mean abstinence from food and water, and a fast in which one does not care for the poor is unacceptable. Christian historians have chronicled incidences when the Christ himself kept fast too.

The nature of fasting varies for different sects of Christianity, i.e. some sections abstain from meat and milk only while others fast for an entire day, but the essence remains the same. Even in Islam, a fast is meant to experience the sufferings of underprivileged and for learning self-restraint.

In Hinduism, the concept of fasting is slightly different. However, fasting has been prescribed for them too. Some Hindus fast on Mondays while others fast on Tuesday. Some fast on Thursday too the reason for this variation in fasting is because Hindus fast particularly for a certain goddess or god. Followers of Hinduism fast from after the sunset of previous day to 48 minutes after sunrise. Non-vegetarian Hindus cannot even touch any animal product during fasting; milk is an exception though.

Similarly, the concept of fasting is also present in Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism and other religions. Ramadhan is of enormous importance to Muslims only but fasting has its roots in most religions.

The Holy Quran declares fasting to be obligatory for all Muslim men and women, and as soon as the moon of Ramadhan is sighted, Muslims all over the world indulge in fasting and the various worships associated with it. Ramadhan carries additional importance for Muslims because it is also the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed.

The Quran not only states that it is obligatory for believers to fast during the month of Ramadhan, but it also describes the reason for which Muslims should observe a fast. The Quran says that the Muslim fast is not meant to be a punishment for Muslims, but it is meant to train the Muslims so that they learn ‘self-restraint’. This concept of instilling ‘self-restraint’ in Muslims through fasting is highlighted in the following verse of the Holy Quran:

“O you who believe! Observing al-sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may learn self-restraint”. (Qur’an al-Baqarah 2:183)

This concept of self-restraint is pivotal in the life of a Muslim. Like all great religions, the fundamental emphasis of Islam is upon restraining the material desires of one self and emerging as a selfless person who is willing to help others, by sacrificing his own needs. By staying away from food, water and other natural instincts during the fasting period, man prepares himself for a greater purpose during Ramadhan.

It is due to this reason that Ramadhan acts as a great opportunity for Muslims to straighten out their lives. During the whole year, man is entangled in his worldly materialistic affairs. During this holy month of Ramadhan, man gains the opportunity of freeing himself from his materialistic needs, and thereby enters the chamber of mental purity. This state of mental purity and peace is essential for straightening out the chores of this complicated worldly life.

If we closely analyze the routine followed by Muslims during Ramadhan, we draw closer towards the conclusion that the central purpose of Ramadhan is to bring the troubled Muslim back to a straight and peaceful life.

From the act of getting up early morning for Seher, to the act of restraining from all negative actions and influences, and other material desires throughout the day, and from the act of indulging in worship all day to the act of finally breaking the fast in Aftaar, whilst thanking Allah, all show man’s humility towards his Lord. This humility is the founding stone of all worldly peace and therefore, it will not be wrong to state that fasting in Ramadhan inculcates all the virtues in a Muslim which he needs to straighten out his life.

It occurs in the third decade or Ramadan. The importance of this night can be understood from the fact that in the Holy Quran, a whole chapter (Surah 97, Al-Qadr) is dedicated to this night. In this chapter, Allah tells the Muslims that the importance of this night alone is greater than that of a thousand months. The verses of this chapter are stated below:

“We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand: Peace!…This until the rise of dawn!”

The exact night on which Lail-at-ul-Qadr occurs cannot be given definitively. There are different views regarding the dates of the nights among which this night has to be found. The Sunni Muslims believe that Lail-at-ul-Qadr lies in the odd nights of the last decade of Ramadan. This means that according to them, Lail-at-ul-Qadr is either the 21^st or the 23^rd or the 25^th or the 27^th or the 29^th night of this holy month. The general belief is that this night lies on the 27^th night of Ramadan.

The Shia Muslims believe that this night lies in the last ten odd nights of Ramadan, but the general belief is regarding the 19^th or the 21^st or the 23^rd night, because the relation of these nights with the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (R.A).

What makes Lail-at-ul-Qadr so special among all the nights? Lail-at-ul-Qadr is also the night in which the Quran was revealed. Muslims unanimously believe that the revelation of Holy Quran concluded in two different stages, the first of which was the revelation of the whole Quran from Allah to angel Jibrail. This first stage was completed in this night. Muslims also believe that the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) on this night.

Lail-at-ul-Qadr is known by various different names among Muslims. These names include the Night of Power, the Night of Measures, the Night of Value and the Night of Destiny. These names themselves suggest the significance associated with this night in Islam.

In view of the incredible importance of this night, Muslims engage themselves in worships and prayers all night. These prayers often seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, and ask Allah to grant the wishes of the believer.

All leading Muslim scholars have written prolifically about the blessings that Allah bestows upon the believers during this month. With the arrival of the month, the Satan gets fettered. This is done in order to help the Muslims do good deeds and be in a better position to control their worldly desires, which must be kept under check while fasting.Every good deed is rewarded seventy times more in Ramadan than the reward of the same deed in another month. The reward for a normal Nafl prayer is raised to the reward for an obligatory Farz prayer.

Every moment of this month is so precious that it must be spent seeking for Allah’s mercy and blessings. The whole month is divided into three sets of ten days, called decades. In this article, an overview of the last decade of Ramadan, which is particularly important as the decade for freedom from hell, is presented.

If you look at the religious importance of the last decade, it appears to precede the significance of the other two decades. The first decade is the period of mercy and the middle decade is the period of forgiveness, and finally, the third decade combines the blessings of the first two by being the period of freedom from hell, which requires both Allah’s mercy and Allah’s forgiveness.

In the last ten nights of Ramadanlies the Night of Qadr. The significance of this night can be understood from the fact that there is a whole chapter in the Quran which is dedicated for this night. In that chapter (Surah Al-Qadr), the Holy Quran tells us that this night is more significant than a thousand months:

“Behold: We revealed this Quran on the Night of Power. And what do you know the Night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a thousand months. The angels along with the spirit descend in it by the permission of their Lord with all kind of decrees. All peace is that night until the rise of dawn.”

The presence of this nightin the last decade makes it somewhat more noteworthy than the other two decades. The night of Qadr is the night in which the Holy Quran was revealed from the heavens. Since the exact night on which Lail-at-ul-Qadr lies is unknown, Muslims spend all the odd nights of the last decade. There are special duas (supplications) for this night and for the last decade.

This is the significance of the last decade of Ramadan. Given its high importance, Muslims must spend it worshipping and practicing good deeds.

All Muslims are urged to seek Allah’s mercy as His mercy is at its peak during the entire month. Muslims are also required to show mercy towards fellow beings, as a hadith says:

“Anyone who does not show any mercy will not be shown any mercy. Anyone who does not forgive will not be forgiven. Anyone who does not turn in repentance will not be turned to nor will he be guarded or protected“.

The second decade is the decade of forgiveness. All Muslims are supposed to seek forgiveness in these days, they have witnessed the mercy in the first ten days and now it is time for repentance. Those who repent on their sins are forgiven by Allah for their bad deeds. The Arabic term for this decade is the ‘Ashra of Maghfirat’. Maghfirat means forgiveness and ashra is the Arabic word for a decade or ten days. This short article will focus primarily on the middle ten days of Ramadan. It will give you a concise description of the blessings of this Ashra and its significance, as narrated inAhadith.
The Holy Prophet used to perform ‘Itikaf’(solitude) in the middle ten days of Ramadan.On one occasion, the prophet (S.A.W) said:

“It (Ramadan) is the month, whose beginning is mercy, its middle, forgiveness and its end, emancipation from the fire (of hell) “.

This Hadith Clearly portrays the fact that Allah forgives our sins in these middle ten days of Ramadan so it is our duty to seek forgiveness. We are also supposed to forgive others in this decade as Allah does not forgive those who do not forgive others. When a Muslim considers the blessings of Allah in this month, he curses on his past sins, and in an endeavor to purify from all of them he begs to Almighty for a pardon. The mercy of Allah is at peak in this holy month, and by His commandment the Satan is fettered, so it is a wonderful opportunity for the Muslims to exercise Tauba (prayer for forgiveness) because there is a good chance that they may be pardoned with Allah’s mercy.
Along with fasting, Tarawih prayers are another special feature of the month. Muslims usually cover one third of the Holy Quran in the middle ten days of Ramadan by reciting the Surahs (chapters) of Holy Quran in these prayers. These prayers also lead a Muslim closer to his Lord, so his play for forgiveness becomes more effective. In a nut shell, all worships and practices of this month, and especially the middle decade, must focus on asking the Almighty for forgiving the person’s past deeds.

The significance of the first and last decade of Ramadan is generally considered to be greater than that of the second decade, however, in reality, each decade has its own importance which cannot be compared with the importance of the other decades. In this article, an overview of the first ten days of Ramadan is presented, along with a discussion of its importance.

The first decade marks the beginning of Ramadan and hence the commencement of all the practices associated with Ramadan such as fasting and Tarawih. These practices are all meant to inculcate self-restraint in the believers. This concept is highlighted in the Holy Quran in the following verse: “O you who believe! Observing al-sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may learn self-restraint”.(Holy Quran, Al-Baqarah 2:183)

To incorporate self-restraint as a virtue of believers, these practices are naturally harsh and difficult to observe. Fasting whole day means that the believer has to keep his hunger and other instincts under control, and continue this on a stretch of 29 or 30 days. This is accompanied by praying five times a day and other modes of worship. Once the fast is over, the Muslim men and women have to engage themselves in the long and rigorous Tarawih prayer. This one month of struggle by the believer is necessary for him to be able to learn self-restraint in the month of Ramadan.

It is generally considered that the first ten days of Ramadan are the hardest for the believer because he has to change the whole routine that he has been following for the rest of year. The first decade of Ramadan is, hence, quite fittingly the decade of mercy.

Mercy in Islam carries a very broad meaning which is not just limited to forgiving others. The major Arabic words related with the concept of mercy are Rahman and Rahim. The root word related to mercy is Rhm or (Rahm) which means to spread love, tenderness, forgiveness and tolerance. Muslims are required to demonstrate all these different virtues during Ramadan.

Muslims should pray for Allah’s mercy during this decade. This plea for mercy includes the prayer to Allah for helping Muslims out through the difficult time of Ramadan and to make the fasts easy for them. Muslims should show special mercy towards their follows during this decade by helping them in their affairs.

Thus, we can safely say that the first decade of Ramadan is the most comprehensive period of mercy that occurs within the year.

All worships and pillars of Islam, in one way or the other, help in the establishment of this unity between Muslims.  Let’s begin by taking the example of prayer. Praying 5 times a day, i.e. at Fajr, Zuhr, Asar, Maghrib and Isha times, is obligatory for Muslims. Muslims from all places within a locality pray to the Lord at same time, and bow their heads in the same direction. This is a symbol of unity between Muslims while prayer. Further, praying in congregation is said to be preferable than playing alone, because the former establishes unity and equality among Muslims.

Now let’s take another example to substantiate our point. Zakat is another pillar of Islam, and it is given out to poor Muslims, as a percentage of the wealth or rich Muslims. Zakat, therefore, is meant to create a level economic ground for Muslims, which brings them together on all footings and unites them. Hajj, another pillar of Islam and a very important worship for Muslims, also propagates the same idea of Muslim unity by congregating Muslims from all over the world, and allowing them a platform where they can collectively discuss their problems and seek their solutions.

Just as all these worships, Ramadan and fasting in Ramadan also come as a great source of unity for Muslims. Ramadan is commenced and concluded by moon sighting (or calculation methods) and the month begins and ends at the same time throughout the Muslim country. This commencement and conclusion of Ramadan at the same time bonds the Muslims all over the nation together. Similar practices are observed and similar routines are followed by Muslims all over the country. By freeing themselves of material desires in Ramadan, Muslims afford themselves an opportunity to reflect upon the larger picture of the Muslim nation.

Hunger and thirst that a fasting Muslim endures brings him closer to the pain bore by the poor Muslims whole year. Mosques begin to fill by Muslims, and more and more meetings are held as religious sermons or Aftaar parties. This allows Muslims to meet each other and bond together strongly. In these meetings, religious discussions remind Muslims of their social and religious duties, and refresh their faith. Most Muslims pay their Zakat during Ramadan, which bonds the society together further strongly by bridging the gap between the poor and the rich.

If one considers all the rituals and practices followed in Ramadan, he will find that the impact of the month of Ramadan on Muslim unity and faith is enormous.

The TV series, currently being aired on MBC, depicts the life of Islam’s second Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab. (MBC)

Conservative clerics denounce the series, which is running during the region’s busiest drama season, the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Scholars see an undesirable trend in television programming; the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates has publicly refused to watch it.

But at dinner tables and on social media around the region, “Omar” is winning praise among many Muslim viewers, who admire it for tackling an important period in Islam’s history. Some think it carries lessons for the Arab world, which is grappling with political change unleashed by last year’s uprisings.

Salam Sarhan, a columnist at the Lebanese newspaper Diyar, said the show was part of a gradual trend for the Islamic world to re-examine its heritage more critically, and would open the door for more television and cinema productions depicting central figures in Islam.

“If anyone dared to depict these figures 20 years ago, he would have been accused of blasphemy,” he wrote. “Simply put, depicting these revered figures with their mistakes, limitations, rivalries, anger, hunger and thirst will thrust Islamic societies into a new phase.”

FOUR CALIPHS

Mostly filmed in Morocco, the show was funded by the Dubai-based but Saudi-owned MBC Group, a private media conglomerate, and state-owned Qatar TV. The 30-episode series, which an MBC spokesman said cost “tens of millions of dollars” to make, is being watched on satellite television across the Arab world.

It has been praised for its elaborate sets and costumes, visual effects and battle scenes which involve elephants and hundreds of extras.

But for many viewers, the production values have been outweighed by the fact that actors in the series play Omar and three other close companions of the Prophet Mohammad who were the first rulers of an empire that expanded out of the Arabian Peninsula.

Historically, Muslim scholars have discouraged the depiction of revered figures in art, and some argue it is expressly forbidden, on the grounds it could be misleading or encourage idolatry. This is why mosques are adorned with elaborate plant and geometric patterns instead of human and animal images.

Though some close companions of Mohammad have been portrayed on screen in the past, the productions have mostly been by Shi’ite Muslims. The Omas series is believed to be the first time that a drama depicting all four caliphs has been made by Sunni Muslims, who form the majority across the Gulf and North Africa and have historically taken a strict line against depiction of such figures.

“Depicting the closest companions of the Prophet was a shock to the (Arab) societies,” said Suaad al-Oraimi, professor of sociology at UAE University.

Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti, the highest religious authority in the country, harshly criticised the series in a sermon, while Cairo’s prestigious seat of Sunni learning, al-Azhar University, also came out against it.

“The Guided Caliphs were promised the heavens … Their lives cannot be depicted by some actor,” Ahmed al-Haddad, Dubai’s grand mufti, wrote in an emailed statement to Reuters.

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed became one of the show’s most prominent opponents by tweeting: “I will not watch the Omar Ibn al-Khattab series.” His comment was retweeted thousands of times within a few days.

Sheikh Hamad Wael al Hanbari, a prominent Muslim scholar based in Istanbul, said he was concerned that the reputations of the caliphs could become contaminated.

“It’s completely unacceptable,” he said. “These actors would go on to play other roles – in action movies, for example – and would forever be associated with the Rightly Guided Caliphs. This is very dangerous. Their image has to be protected.”

DEFENDERS

The show does not lack defenders, however. Saif al-Sahabani, a columnist at Saudi Arabia’s Okaz newspaper, dismissed the idea that portraying prominent companions of the prophet was forbidden under Islam’s sharia law.

“The show has revealed a gap in the Arab and Islamic collective consciousness, especially among those who rely on tradition rather than their own minds,” he wrote.

Sahabani cited endorsements of the show by a number of senior Islamic scholars, including Qatar-based Egyptian cleric Yousef al-Qaradawi, well-known in the Arab world for his weekly programme on Al Jazeera television. Qaradawi was on a committee of religious scholars that reviewed the script of the series.

Some viewers rejected criticism of the show because they saw it as an attack on their personal freedom.

“Fed up with the extremists’ point of view … Who are you to judge us because we watch the Omar series?” tweeted Yasmine Medhat, identified by her Twitter profile as an Egyptian Muslim.

Hatem Ali, the director of the series, said his team braced for controversy before the first episode was aired.

In this article, a short discussion of the common routine followed by Muslims is presented, along with the description of the various ways in which this routine helps a Muslim in gaining physical fitness and mental cleanliness. The routines followed by Muslims all over the world vary in different regions, because the physical requirements of fasting and culture are different for different places. The fundamental routine, however, is quite similar, and revolves around the Seher and Aftaar timings.

Muslims begin their day by getting up atSeher (Suhoor). This is the time before dawn and Muslims get up around this time in order to take in meals and water to fulfill the bodily requirements for the fast of the upcoming day. The women generally get up before men because they have to handle all the cooking responsibilities. In some households, food for seher is prepared in the night to prevent the risk of skipping seheri (seher meal) the next morning due to late awakening. The Seheri food is mostly simple breakfast food supplemented with servings of water/juices to make up for the liquid intake of the rest of the day. The kind of meal served in Seheri differs in different cultures, but it is generally simple food comprising of bread, eggs and fruits.

The time for Seher gets over with the call (azaan) of Fajr, after which Muslims offer the Fajr prayer. From Fajr time to early morning, Muslims enjoy free time with no religious or worldly obligation. Some Muslims resume their sleep during this time while others use it to complete their work, projects or assignments. However, the majority of Muslims use this time to engage in worship and in reading the Holy Quran.

After this time, Muslims go to their works and begin their business/office activity as usual. Some Muslims begin their work a bit later in the morning during Ramadan to make up for the sleep lost during Seher. They continue their work activity till evening, taking two breaks for prayers for Zuhr and Asar prayer. Most Muslims like to offer these prayers in a congregation during Ramadan.

In the evening, Muslims return back to their homes as Aftaar time approaches. This is the time for feast for Muslims, as they eat ravenously to make up for the lack of food during the fast. This is not a good approach because taking such high amounts of food negates the very essence of fasting, i.e. to inculcate self-restraint in Muslims.

After this, Muslims rest for a while and then go off for Isha prayer after which they offer Tarawih prayers.

This is the routine commonly followed by most Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Holy Quran and Ahadith have emphasized the great importance of fasting for a believer, and in one of the Ahadith, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S.A.W) said that fasting is for Allah and its reward will be set by Allah Almighty Himself.

The significance of the month of Ramadan is also enormous. Ramadan is set apart from the rest of lunar calendar as a month of purity and piety, where material desires are pushed back and a desire to attain greater inner purity through faith is expressed. The three ten day periods of Ramadan each carry its own significance. Blessings, mercy and forgiveness define the three 10 day periods in Ramadan. The significance of Ramadan can be understood from the fact that Allah chose this month to complete the revelation of Holy Quran.

In view of these facts, it is not surprising that Muslims are never willing to lose any fast. The punishment of skipping or breaking a fast is great, and is prescribed by the Shariat (Islamic law). However, Islam allows Muslims to skip fasts under certain permitted conditions, or break the fast before time if a genuine need arises. In such a case, the person is due to keep a ‘Qaza’ fast after the end of Ramadan and before the next Ramadan.

If the person breaks the fast due to a failure to control his material desires, he is due to pay a ‘kaffara’ (punishment). In this article, a description of the Qaza and Kaffara matters is given to guide Muslims about the conditions in which both of them applicable and the prescribed ways in which both the Qaza and Kaffara should be offered by Muslims.

Qaza Matters: Muslims are allowed to skip a fast under special circumstances. Women who are feeding a baby, or are pregnant and unable to fast or undergoing similar feminine complications may skip the fast. Similarly, old men and women who are too weak and are unable to fast are also allowed to skip the fast. Adults who are very ill and for whom their physicians fear that fasting and lack of water may exacerbate their position,may also skip the fast.

People who undergo the fast but are unable to complete it due to sudden medical complications (e.g. unpredicted illness) may break their fast before Maghrib. All these groups of people are only required to offer a Qaza fast later in the year after the end of Ramadan.

Kaffara Matters: People who intentionally break their fast as a result of failure to control their instincts for food or sexual pleasure are required to offer Kaffara for their broken fast. This Kaffara can be offered by fasting for 60 continuous days or by feeding 60 poor people twice a day (or giving them equivalent cash for eating twice a day). If any one day from this chain of 60 days is skipped, the whole chain has to be restarted from the scratch.

“O you who believe! Observing al-sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may learn self-restraint”.(Qur’an al-Baqarah 2:183)

 

This self-restraint is the key to piety and mental purity. As soon as man discovers a way to control his inner desires, he rises above his material needs and becomes a person with a pure mind, always eager to help others, even if this help comes at the cost of sacrificing some personal interest. This selflessness and humility forms the essence of all rituals and worships in Islam, and fasting is an ideal way to attain these virtues.

People interested in maintaining healthy diets and exercising will also notice another point in the aforementioned details. The concept of self-restraint lies at the heart of most diet plans and weight loss schedules. Workouts and exercise plans require the same ‘self-restraint’ principle. Therefore, one may identify that Ramadan not only brings blessings for mental purity, but also brings a complete code for physical fitness.

It is unfortunate that most Muslims miss out on taking full advantage of the physical fitness code of Ramadan. This is because most Muslims never fully identify the essence of Ramadan i.e. self-restraint. In fact, the most glaring violations of self-restraint, sadly, occur in this month. Seher and Aftaar are considered as occasions for feast and Muslims eat ravenously at these occasions. In this article, a brief overview of a physical fitness plan is presented, which can be adopted by Muslims who choose to explore and fulfill the real essence of fasting and Ramadan.

Meal plan:

Seher time:  Take 3 servings of water (2-3 full glasses), 2-3 eggs with bread and a few pieces of fruits.

You may replace the egg-bread combination with any other combination having a similar calorie value.

Aftaar time: Keep track of your hunger. Most people do not keep track of exactly how hungry they are until they eat too much. Leave a part of your hunger unfulfilled.

Exercise plan:

Do not change your walking/jogging routine.

It is better to work out an hour or two before Aftaar. This helps to absorb the nutrients you later take in Aftaari, and the thirst after workout is bearable because aftaar is only an hour away from workout.

Keeping in view all these things, man can attain both physical fitness and mental purity from Ramadan.

What is the history of Ramadan?

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Arabian calendar. The term Ramadan literally means scorching in Arabic. It was established as a Holy Month for Muslims after the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE on the occasion known as Laylat al-Qadr, frequently translated as “the Night of Power.

Observance of Ramadan is mandated in the Quran, Surah 2, Ayah 185:

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”

What are the dates of Ramadan?

Because the cycle of the lunar calendar does not match the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan shifts by approximately 11 days each year. In 2011, Ramadan began on August 1st. In 2012 Ramadan is likely to begin on July 20th.

The ending of Ramadan is marked by the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, which takes place either 29 or 30 days after the beginning of the month. On Eid ul-Fitr, morning prayers are followed by feasting and celebration among family and friends. This year Eid ul-Fitr will most probably fall on Sunday, August 19th.

What are the daily fasting requirements?

During the month of Ramadan, most Muslims fast from dawn to sunset with no food or water. Before sunrise many Muslims have the Suhur or predawn meal. At sunset families and friends gather for Iftar which is the meal eaten by Muslims to break the fast. Many Muslims begin the meal by eating dates as the Prophet used to do.

This ritual fast known as, Sawm, is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires that individuals abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse.

To find the specific times for Ramadan fasting, click over to this helpful tool provided by IslamiCity that allows you to calculate prayer schedules — including sunup and sundown — by entering your city or zip code.

What are the expectations towards charity?

Charity is an important part of Ramadan. The fast emphasizes self-sacrifice and using the experience of hunger to grow in empathy with the hungry. During Ramadan, Muslim communities work together to raise money for the poor, donate clothes and food, and hold iftar dinners for the less fortunate.

What scriptural study do Muslims take part in?

Many Muslims use Ramadan to read the entire Quran or read the Quran daily. Many communities divide the Quran into daily reading segments that conclude on Eid ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan.

Can non-Muslims participate?

Non-Muslims are free to participate in Ramadam. Many non-Muslims fast and even pray with their Muslim friends or family members. Non-Muslims are often invited to attend prayer and iftar dinners.

Those wishing to be polite to someone who is fasting for Ramadan may greet them with Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem, which mean Have a Blessed or Generous Ramadan.

Should Muslims with diabetes fast?

Fasting during Ramadan is discouraged for patients with diabetes by the American Diabetes Association.

“In keeping with this, a large epidemiological study conducted in 13 Islamic countries on 12,243 individuals with diabetes who fasted during Ramadan showed a high rate of acute complications.”

However, the study says this was not conclusive. Many diabetic patients fasted with no complications. Patients with diabetes should work with their doctors to figure out a strategy if they choose to fast.

What is the ‘goal’ of Ramadan?

In general, the practices of Ramadan are meant to purify oneself from thoughts and deeds which are counter to Islam. By removing material desires, one is able to focus fully on devotion and service to God. Many Muslims go beyond the physical ritual of fasting and attempt to purge themselves of impure thoughts and motivations such as anger, cursing, and greed.

Do all Muslims take part in Ramadan fasting?

Most Muslims believe Ramadan fasting is mandatory, but there are some groups that do not. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, people who are seriously sick, travelers, or those at health risk should not fast. Children that have not gone through puberty are also not required to fast during the month Ramadan.

Source:huffingtonpost.com

For 30 days, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is a unique month that affects every aspect of social and spiritual life of Muslims. It is a month of devotion, intense spiritual introspection, social engagement, great benevolence and overwhelming generosity. A typical day in Ramadan begins with a pre-dawn meal, followed by the dawn prayer and a full day of fasting. The day ends with families, friends and neighbours gathering for a fast-breaking meal.

Following the meal, a nightly gathering takes place at the mosques where a special congregational prayer takes place every night during Ramadan. During the day, many spend their days reciting the holy book of Islam, the Qur’an. Ramadan ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important days of festivities in Islam.

Fasting in Ramadan isn’t just a ritual, but a means to a greater purpose. As stated in the Qur’an, the aim of fasting is to “attain righteousness.”

Fasting predates Islam and has a long history as a means of achieving spiritual efficacy. Fasting provides a unique opportunity to strengthen the willpower, to enhance endurance, to increase self-restraint and to control impulsive urges. Further, fasting opens the eyes to the struggles faced by the poor and invokes a sense of sympathy for their plight. Moreover, it creates a sense of appreciation for the good provisions of life, which many times are taken for granted and overlooked.

Al-Ghazzali (1058-1111 C.E.), the renowned theologian and mystic, in elaborating the spiritual dimensions of fasting, notes the simple abstention from food and drink is the simplest form of fasting. The real and substantive fasting is to go beyond the rituals and engage in self-restrain from evil thoughts, actions and impulses.

Ramadan brings out the best in humanity. During Ramadan, generosity peaks, people mend broken relationships, open their doors and reach out to others. Many find Ramadan an opportunity to rejuvenate themselves and to open a newer and more positive chapter in their life. Some find it an opportunity to free themselves from bad habits such as smoking, excessive consumption of coffee and other addictive behaviours.

The last 10 days of Ramadan are of great intensity. Some Muslims practise what is known as Itikaf for 10 days, during which they spend their time in the mosque engulfed in a full state of deep meditation, introspection and reflection that amounts to an all-encompassing spiritual journey.

Ramadan ends with an auspicious exercise of generosity. Every Muslim, including children, is required to give charity to the poor and the needy. The aim of this charity is to enable the poor to share in the celebrations and festivities that follow the end of Ramadan.

For those who truly experience Ramadan to its fullest extent, it is a transformative experience that enables people to rediscover the best within themselves. People come out of Ramadan physically shaped, spiritually nourished, socially engaged and mentally refreshed.

The challenge for Muslims isn’t the fasting itself, but the ability to fully absorb the deeper spiritual underpinnings of Ramadan and to carry its noble sentiments of generosity, forgiveness, mindfulness and devotion throughout the year.

Across Canada, neighbours of mosques notice a major surge in mosque attendance and greater activity, particularly at night. Some mosques and Muslim student bodies at universities open their doors to members of other faiths and invite them to experience the noble sentiments of Ramadan. Fast-a-Thon has been organized for a number of years across universities, including the University of Manitoba, where students from other faith groups fast for a full day. Many who have gone through this experience have found it challenging but very refreshing.

Source: winnipegfreepress.com

“Omar”, the most important drama series produced in recent TV history in the region, chronicles the life and achievements of one of the most important icons in Islam. (MBC)

Religious and historical shows are known to be fixtures on television during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, however, viewers this year will be eagerly anticipating to break their fast watching a ground-breaking series which chronicles the life of the second Righteous Caliph (thani al-Khulafa’ al-Rashidin), Omar ibn al-Khattab, also known as the Great Farooq.

Mazen Hayek, MBC Group’s Official Spokesman, tells Al Arabiya that “Omar” is anticipated to be the biggest and most important TV drama series ever produced in recent Middle Eastern TV history.

The series, which is the result of a joint collaboration between MBC Group and Qatar Media Incorporated, follows the life of Omar and his accomplishments, most notably the foundation of an Islamic state.

It also portrays Omar’s noble character to the audience, and the values he embodied such as good governance, equity, heroism and justice.

Given the significance of the main character and story to Muslims around the globe, the series is expected to attract audiences worldwide. The show will be airing in the Middle East and North Africa via MBC1, while ATV, a leading private TV network in Turkey, will air the Turkish dubbed version simultaneously with MBC in Ramadan; and MNC TV network in Indonesia, will air the subtitled version first, then the dubbed later.

Audiences in South East Asia, Europe and French speaking countries should also brace themselves; as the series is heading their way soon.

“O3 Productions which is the production arm of the MBC group is now in the final, contractual phases of closing the deals with leading networks and countries. There could well be a French version to-be considered for French speaking audiences in Africa, and one in English considered for Europe,” Hayek said.

As with any historical program, the project went through extensive research and authentication. In addition, a committee of prominent scholars and religious figures was formed to validate the text and made sure of the accurate interpretation of historical events, facts, and figures.

The trailer and available previews of the show indicates a huge amount of work high production values, 3D animation, props, and makeup in this year-and-a-half production. “If you think of similar treatments, you can only think of Robin Hood, Braveheart, and such Hollywood epic movies. We don’t have the exact budget of these big movies, but we’re talking of the same treatment in visual representation, at least.”

With a few days left to go before Ramadan starts; the hype surrounding this new series is at its peak… including among the media and advertising experts.

Faysal Zok, managing director of Initiative Media in Saudi Arabia expects the show to be a hit, given the extensive process in creating it.

“Historical series have proven success when done right, examples of that are the success of Hareem Al Sultan on OSN and Dubai TV, and Al Hassan Wa Al Hussein last Ramadan on Rotana Khaleejiah,” he said.

One aspect of the show which people are eager to find out about is whether the face of Omar will be shown on screen, since some Muslims believe that such a highly revered religious icon should not be portrayed.

“The series is expected to feature the faces of the Caliphs (Sahaba) and Omar, which is expected to create a controversy as to whether this is right or wrong, though we understood that MBC Group has already taken an approval from the three religious sources in the region (KSA, Egypt, and Qatar),” said Zok.

For his part, Hayek said viewers will have to wait until the first night the show is expected to air on MBC1 to find out whether Omar’s face will be shown. “The question about the series is not about whether the face is finally shown or not but, the real question is whether this mega TV historical series gives justice to Omar’s history or not. As a matter of fact, it does!”

Watch the trailer for “Omar” (in Arabic)

Source: alarabiya.net

The Excellence of The Night Prayer (Qiyaam al-Layl):
Many Qur’aanic verses speak about the excellence of Qiyam and the merits of those people, who perform The Night Prayer (Qiyaam al-Layl) on a regular basis, for example, Allah describes the believers who deserve Jannah saying: “They (the believers) forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope; and they spend out of what We have bestowed on them.” [Soorah as-Sajdah (32): 16] “They (the pious) used to sleep but little at night.” [Soorah ath-Thariyat (51): 17] Also, numerous Ahadeeth add to this subject, narrated Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu): “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The best prayer after those prescribed is (the prayer performed) in the depth of night.” [Saheeh Muslim and Musnad Ahmad]

He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) also said: “The most beloved prayer to Allah was of Dawud (alaihi as-salaam). He slept one half of the night, got up (and prayed) for one third, and then slept (the remaining) one sixth.”[Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Protection from Shaitaan: Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “When one of you goes to sleep, Shaitaan ties three knots over the rear of his head, blowing into each knot, ‘You have a long night, so sleep on.” If he wakes up and mentions Allah, one knot loosens. If he makes wudhu (ablution for prayer), another knot loosens and if he prays, the third knot loosens and he becomes lively and good-natured; otherwise he gets up ill-natured and lazy.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Acceptance of Supplication: Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Our Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven, when only one third of the night has remained. He says: “Who will invoke Me, so that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim] In another report, he adds: “Then Allah extends His Hand and says: “Who wants to invest (good deeds) with the One who is not wasteful or unjust?” He continues to say this until the dawn arrives.” [Saheeh Muslim]

Jabir (radhi allahu anhu) reported, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying: “There is an hour of the night which no Muslim person encounters and asks for a good thing for this life or the Hereafter, but Allah grants it to him. This happens every night.” [Saheeh Muslim]

Abu Umamah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was once asked: “When are the supplications most acceptable?” He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) replied: “In the last depth of the night and at the end of the prescribed prayers.” [(hasan) by Shaikh al-Albanee (at-Tirmidhee)]

Muadh bin Jabal (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Whenever a Muslim goes to bed in a pure state (with wudhu), falls asleep while mentioning Allah and then wakes up during the night and asks Allah for anything good, He grants it to him.”[(saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Musnad Ahmad and at-Tirmidhee)]

Closeness to Allah: Amr bin Abash (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The closest that a servant is to his Lord, is in the last part of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allah at that hour then do so.” [(saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee(at-Tirmidhee)]

Mercy from Allah: Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “May Allah have mercy on a man who wakes up at night, prays and wakes his wife to pray; and if she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face. And may Allah have mercy on a woman who wakes up at night, prays, and wakes her husband to pray and if he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face.”[(hasan) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Abu Dawood)]

Constant deeds guarantee ample reward: Aa’ishah (radhi allahu anha) said: “Do not ever stop praying Qiyam. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) never ceased praying it. When he was sick or weak, he prayed sitting.” [(saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Abu Dawood)]

She also reported the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying:“The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most constant, even if they were little.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

The Excellence of Qiyam in Ramadaan: Many Ahaadeeth describe the excellence of Qiyam particularly in Ramadaan, some of them are:

Forgiveness of sins: Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported: “Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) encouraged the people, without making it an absolute command, to perform Qiyam during Ramadaan. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to say: “Whoever stands (in Qiyam) in Ramadaan out of faith and expectation (of Allah’s Reward), all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Among the Most Righteous: Amr bin Murrah al-Juhani (radhi allahu anhu) said: “A man from the tribe of Quraysh asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam): “O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)! What if I testified that there is no (true) god except Allah and that you are Allah’s Messenger, prayed the five prayers, fasted the month, stood for Qiyam in Ramadaan and paid Zakaah?” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) replied: “Anyone dying like this will be among the siddiqun (the highly virtuous) and the shuhadah (martyrs).” [(saheeh) Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibban]

Getting up for Qiyam al-Layl: Many Ahadeeth report the actions of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) when he got up at night. Some of them are:

Siwaak and Wudhu: As soon as the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) got up for Qiyam al-Layl, he would brush his teeth with a siwaak and perform wudhu, he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “When one of you gets up to pray at night, let him use a siwaak (to clean his teeth), because when he recites during the prayer, the angel puts his mouth over his, so that nothing leaves his mouth but will enter into the angel’s mouth.”[(saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee (al-Bayhaqee and others)]

Mentioning Allah: Ubadah bin as-Samit (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Whoever wakes up at night and says: ‘La ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulku wa-lahul-hamdu wa-huwa ala kulli shay’in qadir. Wa-subhan allahi wal-hamdu lillahi wa-la ilaha ilallallahu wallahu akbaru, wa-la hawla wa-la quwwata illa billah’ [DownLoad as-Sunnah Bimonthly Islamic Newsletter (Ramadaan Issue) to view the complete Arabic Text]

“There is no (true) god except Allah Alone, without any partners. To Him belongs the sovereignty; to Him belongs all praise. He is capable of everything. Exalted is Allah; Allah is the Greatest, there is no power or might except from Allah.” and then says: “Rabb igfir li” – “My Lord! Forgive me.” Anyone who says this and supplicates, he will be answered, and if he makes wudhu and prays, his prayer will be accepted.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

Rabi’ah bin Ka’ab al-Aslami (radhi allahu anhu) reported: “I used to sleep by the house of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). When he got up at night (to pray), I would hear him repeat for a long time:

“Subhana rabbil-alamin” – “Exalted is the Lord of the creation.”

Then he would repeat for a long time:

“Subhan Allahi wa bi-hamdih” – “Exalted is Allah, all praise belongs to Him.” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee ( at-Tirmidhee)]

Raising one’s voice moderately: One may pray Qiyam silently or aloud, but it is best to raise one’s voice moderately. Abu Qatadah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that one night the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saw Abu Bakr (radhi allahu anhu) praying with a low voice. He then saw Umar (radhi allahu anhu) praying with a loud voice. Afterwards, he said to Abu Bakr (radhi allahu anhu): “O Abu Bakr! I passed by you while you prayed and you were lowering your voice.” He replied: “I have been heard by Him whom I was addressing, O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)!” Then the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “O Umar! I passed by you while you prayed, and you were raising your voice.” He replied: “O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)! Thereby I wake the sleepy and drive the Shaytaan away.” So, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “O Abu Bakr, raise your voice a little. And you Umar, lower your voice a little.” [(saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhee)]

Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) reported: “The Prophet’s (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) recitation (in Qiyaam) was such that one would hear him from the outer room while he is inside (in the bedroom).”[(hasan) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Abu Dawood)]

Praying Qiyam al-Layl in the Jamaah:
It is a Sunnah to pray the Qiyam al-Layl of Ramadaan with the Jamaah (congregation); and this is better than praying it individually. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) himself established the practice of praying Qiyam al-Layl in Jamaah, approved of it from the Sahabah (radhi allahu anhu) and greatly emphasized its merits.

Aa’ishah (radhi allahu anha) reported: “The people used to pray during the night of Ramadaan in the Prophet’s Mosque in separate groups. A man who knew some Qur’aan would lead five or six people in Jamaah. On one such night, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) instructed me to lay down a mat for him (in the Masjid) by the door of my apartment and I did so. After praying Isha, Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) went to that mat, all those who were in the Masjid gathered behind him; and he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) led them in the prayer for a long portion of the night; then he departed and entered (my apartment), leaving the mat where it was.

In the morning, the people described that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) led some men in prayer on the previous night. So that night, more people gathered until the Masjid was full. Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) went out the second night and prayed; and they followed him in the prayer.

The next morning people talked about it and on the third night the number of people increased in the Masjid. Again the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) went out and they followed him in prayer.

On the fourth night, the Masjid was overrun with people. Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) prayed Isha with them and went inside his house, but the people stayed, so Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) asked me:“What do they want Aa’ishah?” I said: “O Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)! The people have gathered to follow you (in the prayer).” He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Fold away your mat.”, which I did. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was aware of the people waiting for him that night; some men even called out, ‘The Prayer.’

In the morning, Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) went out for the Fajr prayer and after he finished his Salaat he turned to the people, said the Shahadah and stated: “O people, by Allah all praise is due to Him, I was not unaware of your presence last night, but I only feared that the night prayer (Qiyam) would become an obligation for you, which you would be incapable of fulfilling. So commit only to the deed you would be capable of performing, because Allah does not tire (from yours deeds) until you tire.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee, Saheeh Muslim, Abu Dawood, an-Nisa'ee, Musnad Ahmad and others]

Besides praying Qiyam al-Layl in the Jamaah himself, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) greatly encouraged this practice. Once, after leading the people in the Qiyaam prayer of Ramadaan, when he was leaving and people requested him to continue the prayer for the other part of the night, he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Whoever stands in prayer with the Imaam until he (the Imaam) concludes the prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.” [(saheeh) Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhee, al-Bayhaqee]

His statement: “Whoever stands in prayer with the Imaam…” clearly indicates the excellence of Qiyam al-Layl behind the Imaam. Thus, even though delaying Qiyam carries special merits, praying Qiyamal-Layl with the Jamaah, early in the night is better than praying it alone, late in the night. This is why Umar (radhi allahu anhu), revived this Sunnah in his Khilafah and the Muslims continue it till now.

Wrong Conclusions from Umar’s (radhi allahu anhu) action:
Many people use this act (reviving the sunnah of The Night Prayer (Qiyaam al-Layl) in Jamaah) of Umar (radhi allahu anhu) as basis for misconceptions like: “Praying Qiyaam in Jamaah is a bidah which was not known during the time of Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) – AND – Some Bidah’s (Innovations) are praiseworthy; and general statements by the Prophet such as: “Every bidah is an act of misguidance” should be restricted by the statement of Umar: “ This is indeed a good matter.”

The error of the former misconception is apparent from the preceding hadeeth of Aa’ishah (radhi allahu anha), which clearly indicates that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) himself prayed the Qiyam with the people in the Jamaah for three consecutive nights in Ramadaan; and he only stopped for fear that it would become an obligation for his Ummah!!

The latter argument of restricting the Hadeeth of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) to the statement of Umar (radhi allahu anhu) is also invalid.

In his statement, Umar (radhi allahu anhu) did not intend the Shariah meaning of Bidah (i.e. ‘to innovate something new in the religion of Islam without precedence’) because he did not innovate the practice of Qiyam al-Layl in Jamaah, rather it was an established practice of Allah’s Messenger. He merely revived a great Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). Umar only meant Bidah according to its linguistic meaning, which is “something new which was not commonly known prior to its initiation.” The Night Prayer (Qiyaam al-Layl) behind one Imaam was certainly not a common practice during the Khilafah of Abu Bakr (radhi allahu anhu) and a portion of Umar’s (radhi allahu anhu). With this understanding it is a new matter, but since it is in accordance with the Prophet’s action, it is a Sunnah and not a Bidah. Describing it as good is only because of this reason and this is the understanding of the great scholars in explaining the statement of Umar (radhi allahu anhu).

For example, Ibn Hajr al-Haythami said: “Driving the Jews and Christians out of the Arabian peninsula, and fighting the Turks, are not Bidahs, because these were done by the command of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), even though they were not done during his lifetime. And in the saying of Umar regarding The Night Prayer (Qiyaam al-Layl): “This is indeed a good Bidah” he meant the linguistic meaning of Bidah”, which is to do something which was not done, it is similar to the saying of Allah: “I did not bring something unprecedented (bidah) among the messengers.” [Soorah Ahqaf (46): 9]

This (Umar’s action) does not indicate a Bidah in the Shari’ah sense, because such a Bidah would be an act of misguidance, as was indicated by the Messenger of Allh (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)… Just look at the Sahabah (radhi allahu anhu) and those who followed them in the good way, they objected calling the adhan (call for prayers) other than the five daily prayers, such as Eid prayer, even though no specific prohibition is found in this regard…. Furthermore, there are things which the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) avoided despite the need and ability to do them during his lifetime. Avoiding such things is a Sunnah and performing them is a blameworthy innovation. By our saying: “Despite the need and ability to do them”, we exclude driving out the Jews and other things which he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) did not do because of reasons that prevented him from doing them.

Similarly, there was a need to pray Qiyam al-Layl in Jamaah, but there was also a reason which prevented the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) from continuing to pray it in Jamaah.” [Al-Ibda fi Madarr il-Ibtida] Abd ul-Wahhab as-Subki said: “Ibn Abd ul-Barr said: “Umar did not legislate except what Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) legislated and what he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) loved and accepted. Nothing prevented him (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) from continuing (with Qiyam al-Layl in Jamaah) except fearing that it would become an obligation for his Ummah, because he was kind and merciful towards the believers. Umar (radhi allahu anhu) learned from Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) and understood that one cannot add to the obligations or take away from them after his (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) death. He therefore established The Night Prayer (Qiyaam al-Layl) for the people in Jamaah, revived it, and commanded it…” [Ishraq ul-Masabih fi salat fi Taraweeh (1: 168)]

Women joining the Jamaah: Women are permitted to attend Qiyam al-Layl, as is indicated in the Hadeeth of Abu Dharr (radhi allahu anhu), he said: “He (the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)) gathered his family, his wives and the people. He led us in the prayer (for a long time in qiyam of Ramadaan)…” [(saheeh) Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhee and others] Manner of Qiyam al-Layl

The Time of Qiyam al-Layl: The time of Qiyam al-Layl starts after the Isha prayer up to the Fajr prayer. Abu Basrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Indeed Allah added a prayer for you, it is Witr (as explained earlier, Witr is one of the names for Qiyam al-Layl), so pray it between Isha and Fajr.” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee in as-Saheehah (108)]

However, if one prays alone he should try to pray it in the later part of the night, because that is better than the earlier part, as the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Whoever fears that he will not wake up in the later part of the night, then let him perform Witr in the first part of it and whoever expects to wake up in the later part of the night, let him pray it then. Indeed, the prayer of the night is witnessed (by the angels), and that is better.” [(Saheeh) Abd ur-Razzaq]

Recitation during Qiyam al-Layl: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) did not fix the length of recitation for Qiyam. His recitations varied in length; it was sometimes short, more often long, and extremely long on some occasions. Abdullah bin Amr (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Whoever prays Qiyam reciting ten verses, he will not be recorded among the negligent. Whoever prays Qiyam reciting one hundred verses, he will be recorded among the devout and whoever prays Qiyam reciting one thousand verses, he will be recorded among those with a multitude of good deeds.” [(Hasan) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Abu Dawood)]

The longer the Qiyam, the better. Thus, when one prays alone, he is encouraged to make his recitation as long as possible. Supplication: Various supplications are reported from the Messenger of Allah r for the Qiyam prayer. In particular, there are some supplications, which he would say at the beginning of the Qiyam, before reciting the Qur’aan.

It is recommended to learn one of these, which would allow practicing the Sunnah in a better way. Following are three narrations:

1 - “O Allah! All praise belongs to You; You are the Custodian of the Heavens and Earth and all that is therein. And all praise belongs to You; You are the lighter of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is therein. And all praise belongs to You; You are the Sovereign of the Heavens and the Earth and all that is therein. And all praise belongs to You; You are the Truth; Your Promise is the truth; meeting Your (in the Hereafter) is true; Your Speech is true; Jannah is true; the Fire is true; the Prophets are true; Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) is true; and the Hour (of Doom) is true. O Allah! I submit myself to You, believe in You, rely on You, turn to You, fight for You, and invoke You. So forgive what I have done in the past or will do in the future, what I hide or declare, and what you know better than me (of what I did). You are the One, Who brings (some people) forward, and moves back (the others). There is no (true) god except You, and there is no (god) than you.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim] [DownLoad as-Sunnah Bimonthly Islamic Newsletter (Ramadaan Issue) to view the complete Arabic Text]

2 - “O Allah, Lord of Jibreel, Mika’il, Israfil, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, Knower of the hidden and the witnessed things, You will judge among your slaves about that wherein they used to differ. Guide me to the truth in matters of difference, with Your Permission, You guide whomever You will, to the straight path.” [Saheeh Muslim][DownLoad as-Sunnah Bimonthly Islamic Newsletter (Ramadaan Issue) to view the complete Arabic Text]

3 - “Exalted are You, my Lord, all praise belongs to You, hollowed is Your Name; great is Your Honor; and there is no (true) deity but You. There is no (true) god except Allah. (three times) Allah is the Greatest, He is great indeed (three times). I seek refuge with Allah, the All-Hearing, All-Knowing, from the outcast Shaytaan, from his spurring, blowing, and breathing.” [(Saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhee)] [DownLoad as-Sunnah Bimonthly Islamic Newsletter (Ramadaan Issue)

Source: http://islampeace1.wordpress.com/2011/09/04/the-night-prayer-tahajjudqyaam-al-layl/

{And (Allah desires) that you should complete the period (of Fasting), and that you should magnify Allah (saying Allahu Akbar) for having guided you, and that peradventure you may be thankful.} (A-Baqarah 2: 185)

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la il Llaha il Allah! Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa li Llah il-Hamd!

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest! Praise be to Allah! When Allah commands His servants to say “Allah is the Greatest” in Adhan (Call to Prayer), Prayer, and `Eid, and urges Muslims to wholeheartedly chant these sweet and beautiful words of praise and glory, that, despite of being soft on the tongue, are heavy on the scales (they command great reward on the Day of Judgment).

Allah is the Greatest; Allah is the Greatest! This is neither in vain nor in jest, but it is meant to implant in the hearts of the believers the essence of this religion, i.e., these words stress the fact that Allah is Omnipotent, and He is above anything else!

Allah is the Greatest! His Might is above all psychological crises that overwhelm people, no matter how extensive these woes and crises are, even they become so mountainous to the extent of encompassing the whole earth and engulfing all souls, no matter how overwhelming people’s calamities are to the extent of making the vast universe seem as small as a circle of ring, nothing can relive them from these crises except deep belief in “Allah is the Greatest”!

Allah is the Greatest! He is Greater than all temporal lusts that disseminate mischief in the earth, spread chaos in the society, and tear apart people’s amity, cooperation, and solidarity. Nothing can curb these lusts except the belief in “Allah is the Greatest!”

Allah is the Greatest! He is Greater than all tyrants who enslave the helpless people and infringe upon their rights, for they are weak and powerless. Nothing can set these affairs in order except the belief in “Allah is the Greatest!” Here, we recall the Qur’anic verse that read, {And We desired to show favor unto those who were oppressed in the earth, and to make them examples and to make them the inheritors, and to establish them in the earth, and to show Pharaoh and Haman and their hosts that which they feared from them.} (Al-Qasas 28: 5-6)

Muslims! Oh you who declare in your Adhan, Prayer, and `Eds your true belief in “Allah is the Greatest!” Never faint, nor grieve, nor despair, nor weaken, nor give in. Surely, the earth is Allah’s, it does not belong to anyone except Him. He, Almighty, gives it for an inheritance to whom He will amongst His servants, and the sequel is for those who keep their duty (unto Him), not for the traitors, nor for the aggressors, nor for the tyrants, nor for the oppressors. Be confident in the fulfillment of Allah’s promise, for He never breaks His promise.

Continue Reading…

Ramadan is also a month of self-discipline. However, Ramadan is almost over now, so let’s ask ourselves: What impact did Ramadan have on us? Have we continued to perform our Prayers in the masjid regularly? Do we feel more inclined to read the Qur’an and ponder over its vast meanings? Are we still reading the Qur’an as regularly as we were during Ramadan?

Have we been able to give charity and lend a helping hand to those who need our assistance as we used to do during Ramadan? Or have we simply gone back to our previous lifestyle as if we had never witnessed Ramadan?

Now it is time for self assessment and reconsideration. We are asking: What kind of person have you become since Ramadan?

Feel free to share your contributions, feelings and experiences with us.

Source: http://www.onislam.net

1. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “When Ramadan begins, the doors of heaven are opened.” A version has, “the doors of Paradise are opened and the doors of Hell are closed, and the Satans are tied with chains.” Another version has, “the doors of Mercy are opened.” [Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 1, Page 255 and Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1, Page 346]

Hadrat Shaykh ‘Abd al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi comments:

The meaning of the “Doors of heaven” being opened is the continous descending of mercy, and the ascension of good deeds to the Court of the Almighty without any obstacle (preventing it from ascending). It also means the acceptance of (permissible) supplications. The meaning of the “doors of Paradise” being opened is being encouraged and granted the ability to perform good deeds, and the acceptance of these good deeds. The meaning of the “doors of Hell” being closed is the protection of the souls of those who fast, from things which have been forbidden by the Islamic Law, and rescue from the things which provoke a person on doing bad deeds. It also means to break the desire which the heart has of things of lust. The meaning of Satan being tied with chains is the sealing off of all the ways by which evil whispers enter the mind. [Ashi’ah al-Lam’at]

2. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward (from Allah) all his past sins will be forgiven. Whoever prays during the night in Ramadan with faith seeking his reward (from Allah) all his past sins will be forgiven. And whoever passes Lailat-ul-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward (from Allah the Most Exalted) all his past sins will be forgiven.” [Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 1, Page 255 and Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1, Page 259]

3. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “When the first night of Ramadan comes, the satans and the rebellious Jinn are chained, the doors of hell are closed and not one of them is opened (during the entire the month of Ramadan); the doors of Paradise are opened and not on of them is closed (the entire month of Ramadan); and a crier calls, ‘Those who desire what is good, come forward, and those who desire evil refrain from it’, and many people are freed from Hell by Allah, and that happens every night.” [Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 153 and Ibn Maajah, Vol 1, Page 118]

4. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Ramadan, a blessed month, has come to you during which Allah the Most High has made it obligatory for you to fast. In it the doors of Heaven are opened, the doors of Hell are closed, and the rebellious satans are chained. In it there is a night (worshipping in it) which is better than (worshipping for) a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good (and blessing) has indeed been deprived of all good.” [Nasa’i, Vol 1, Page 299 and Mishkat, Vol 1, Page 173]

5. Hadrat Salman al-Farisi reported that on the last day of Sha’ban the Messenger of Allah delivered a sermon. He said, “O people, a great month, a blessed month, a month wherein there is a night which is better than a thousand months has come to you. Allah has made the observance of fasting during it as obligatory, and the standing (in prayer) in its nights as voluntary. Whoever draws near to Allah during it with some good (voluntary, optional) act he is like the one who fulfils an obligatory duty in another month, and whoever fulfils an obligatory duty in it is like the one who fulfils seventy obligatory duties in another month. [Mishkat, Page 173]

It is the month of endurance and the reward of endurance is Paradise. It is the month of sharing with others, and a month in which the believer’s provision is increased. Whoever gives one who has been fasting something with which to break his fast it shall result in the forgiveness of his sins and it shall save him from Hell, and he will have a reward equal to his without his reward being diminished in any respect.”

We said, “O Messenger of Allah, no one from among us has the means to give one who is fasting something with which to break his fast. He said, “Allah gives this reward to him who gives one who is fasting some milk, or a date, or a drink of water with which to break his fast; and whoever gives a full meal to one who is fasting Allah will give him the drink from my Pond (fountain – Kauthar) and he will not feel the thirst till he enters Paradise.It is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness, and whose end is Freedom from Hell. Whoever makes things easy for his slave during it, Allah will forgive him and free him from Hell.”

6. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Holy Prophet has said, “My Ummah is granted forgiveness in the last night of Ramadan. It was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, is it Lailatul Qadr?” He said, “No, but a workman (slave of Allah) is paid wages in full when he finishes work.”[Musnad Imam Ahmad, Vol 2, Page 567]

7. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “It is not necessary to fast again (do qaza) for a person who naturally vomited. Those who vomit on purpose, then it is necessary on them to fast again.” [Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 153 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1, Page 324]

8. Hadrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “If one (who is fasting) does not give up falsehood and action according to it, Allah has no need that he should give up his food and his drink.” [Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 1, Page 255]

Shaykh ‘Abd Al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi comments:

This means that his fast shall not be accepted, as the main purpose of fast being made obligatory on a Muslim is not that one stays hungry and thirsty; but in fact the main purpose is to break the desire for lust, and to cool the fire of selfishness, so that the soul instead of being inclined towards the desires of lust, it becomes obedient towards the commands of The Almighty. [Ashi’ah al-Lam’at Vol 2 Page 85]

9. Hadrat Salmah ibn Muhabbaq reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever has a riding animal (conveyance) which carries him to where he can get sufficient food, he should observe the fast of Ramadan wherever he is, when it comes.” [Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1, Page 327]

10. Hadrat Anas ibn Malik al-Ka’bi reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah has remitted half the prayer to the traveller ; and fasting to the traveller, the woman who is suckling an infant and the woman who is pregnant.” [Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 152 and Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol 1, Page 327]

Hadrat Shaykh ‘Abd al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehlwi comments:The Islamic Law allowing the omission of fast for the breast-feeding and the pregnant woman is only in the situation when fasting shall harm or damage herself or the child (otherwise there is no permission not to fast). [Ashi’ah al-Lam’ah Vol 2 Page 94]

11. Hadrat Abu Ayyub al-Ansari reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever fasts during Ramadan then follows it with six days in Shawwal, it will be like a perpetual fast .” [Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1, Page 369]

12. Hadrat Abu Qatada reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “I seek from Allah that fasting on the day of ‘Arafah may atone for the sins of the preceding and the coming year.” (It is disliked for a Haji, who is in the plain of ‘Arafah on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, to fast on that day (so that he can perform worship and engage himself in the rememberance of Allah to his maximum). [Sahih al-Muslim, Vol 1, Page 367]

13. Hadrat Hafsah reported, “There were four things which the Holy Prophet never omitted: fasting on ‘Ashurah (10th of Muharram), the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and three days (13th, 14th and 15th) every (Islamic) month and praying two rak’ats before the Fard prayers of Fajr.” [Nasa’i, Vol 1, Page 328]

14. Hadrat Abu Dhar reported that the Messenger of Allah has said, “O Abu Dhar! When you intend to fast three days in a month, fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and the fifteenth.” [Nasa’i, Vol 1, Page 328 and Tirmidhi, Vol 1, Page 159]

Important Notes:

1. It is Makruh-e-Tehrimi (strongly disliked) and not permissible to fast on the 1st of Shawwal and the 10th, 11th, 12th or the 13th of Dhul Hijjah. [al-Tahtawi Page 387, Radd al-Muhtar Vol 2 Page 86]

2. A person who woke up in the state that Ghusl was wajib upon him due to ihtilam (nocturnal emission) or after having intercourse, and stay in that state for the whole duration of the day, then he/she is very sinful due to missing the prayers, but the fast kept shall have to be kept (as fast does not break due being in a defiled state). [al-Bahr al-Ra’iq Vol 2 Page 273, and Fatawa-e-‘Alamgiri – Vol 1, Page 187]

3. If an ill person has a strong chance that his/her illness shall increase or shall heal after a long period of time or a healthy person has the chances of becoming ill, then these persons are allowed to break their fast.

4. There are 3 conditions needed in order to establish a strong estimation of something happening:

a) There are visible signs present.
b) The person has their own experience.
c) A Sunni Muslim doctor who is an expert in the field and who is Mastur-ul-Hal (not a fasiq) has informed the patient of this.

5. If there are no visible signs, nor is there any experience nor has he/she been informed by a Sunni Muslim expert doctor; but rather on the informing of a Non-muslim, a fasiq, a misguided doctor or a physicist, the person broke his fast, then they are obliged to give a kaffara (atonement) for it. [Radd al-Muhtar Vol 2 Page 120 and Bahar-e-Shari’at]

6. A person who purposely eats in front of people, then the Islamic Sultan (ruler) should kill him.

7. It is not permissible for people other than the Mu’takif to break their fast (do iftari), eat or drink in the Masjid.Hence, all those besides the mu’takif, who want to eat, drink or break their fast in the Masjid should make the intention of I’itikaf, then enter the Masjid. Now, after performing some dhikr and having recited Durud, one is permitted to eat and drink. However, even in this situation, it is necessary to take into consideration the cleanliness of the mosque. We see many people who disrespect the mosque; making it unclean by eating and drinking in it. This is strictly forbidden and Haram. People who have responsibilities and have authority should pay attention to this and prevent such disrespect to the mosque.

Taken from:

“Anwaar al-Hadith” by Hadrat Allama Mawlana
Mufti Jalal al-Din al-Qadiri al-Amjadi Radi ALLAHu Ta’ala Anho, Chapter 6, Page 152 to 157

Source: http://ahlejannat.wordpress.com/

Do You Know?

1.5 billion Muslims of the world celebrate their holiest month of Ramadan every year. It is an obligation on every adult and healthy Muslim to fast during the month of Ramadan. Fasting is a total abstention from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days of the month of Ramadan. Also, avoiding immoral behavior and anger and showing compassion is part of the requirements of the fasting. The month of Ramadan is also the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in piecemeal basis over a period of 23 years. It is a very joyous occasion for the Muslims of the world. Muslims fast during the day and pray and read Quran during the part of the night.

A Few Hadith On Fasting:

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 115

Narrated Talha bin ‘Ubaid-Ullah: A bedouin with unkempt hair came to Allah’s Apostle and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Inform me what Allah has made compulsory for me as regards the prayers.” He replied: “You have to offer perfectly the five compulsory prayers in a day and night (24 hours), unless you want to pray Nawafil.” The bedouin further asked, “Inform me what Allah has made compulsory for me as regards fasting.” He replied, “You have to fast during the whole month of Ramadan, unless you want to fast more as Nawafil.” The bedouin further asked, “Tell me how much Zakat Allah has enjoined on me.” Thus, Allah’s Apostle informed him about all the rules (i.e. fundamentals) of Islam. The bedouin then said, “By Him Who has honored you, I will neither perform any Nawafil nor will I decrease what Allah has enjoined on me. Allah’s Apostle said, “If he is saying the truth, he will succeed (or he will be granted Paradise).”

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 118

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle 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.”

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 120

Narrated Sahl: The Prophet said, “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts?’ They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.”

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 123

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.”

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 124

Narrated Ibn Umar: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can’t see It) then regard the crescent (month) of Ramadan (as of 30 days)”.

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 125

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 126

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur’an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare).

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 127

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)”

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 128

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “Allah said, ‘All the deeds of Adam’s sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.’ Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’ By Him in Whose Hands my soul is’ The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting.”

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 31 :: Hadith# 212

Narrated Abu Sa’id: The Prophet forbade the fasting of ‘Id-ul-Fitr and ‘Id-ul-Adha (two feast days) and also the wearing of As-Samma’ (a single garment covering the whole body), and sitting with one’s leg drawn up while being wrapped in one garment. He also forbade the prayers after the Fajr (morning) and the ‘Asr (afternoon) prayers.

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 32 :: Hadith# 226

Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Apostle saying regarding Ramadan, “Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 32 :: Hadith# 228

Narrated ‘Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) Allah’s Apostle used to pray (at night) in Ramadan.

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 32 :: Hadith# 231

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven .”

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 32 :: Hadith# 233

Narrated Abu Salama: I asked Abu Sa’id, and he was a friend of mine, (about the Night of Qadr) and he said, “We practiced Itikaf (seclusion in the mosque) in the middle third of the month of Ramadan with the Prophet . In the morning of the 20th of Ramadan, the Prophet came and addressed us and said, ‘I was informed of (the date of the Night of Qadr) but I was caused to forget it; so search for it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. (In the dream) I saw myself prostrating in mud and water (as a sign). So, whoever was in l’tikaf with me should return to it with me (for another 10-day’s period)’, and we returned. At that time there was no sign of clouds in the sky but suddenly a cloud came and it rained till rain-water started leaking through the roof of the mosque which was made of date-palm leaf stalks. Then the prayer was established and I saw Allah’s Apostle prostrating in mud and water and I saw the traces of mud on his forehead.”

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 32 :: Hadith# 237

Narrated ‘Aisha: Allah’s Apostle used to practice Itikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, “Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan ,”

• Sahih Bukhari :: Book# 32 :: Hadith# 241

Narrated ‘Aisha: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers.

Source: doyoukno.wordpress.com

Wasting food is a sin in Islam and a big violation of the very concept of Ramadan. Other than the numerous health benefits, fasting teaches a moral to Muslims to feel and understand the hunger, deprivation and suffering of fellow human beings.

Jabir (RA) reported: “I heard Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: ‘The Satan is present with any one of you in everything he does; he is present even when he eats food; so if any one of you drops a mouthful he should remove away anything filthy on it and eat it and not leave for the devil; and when he finishes (food) he should lick his fingers, for he does not know in what portion of his food the blessing lies.’” [Sahih Muslim, Book #023, Hadith #5046]

Remember, the Food you waste is another Person’s Meal!

Source: http://navedz.wordpress.com

Abu Umama said he heard Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) say: “Recite the Quran, for on the Day of Resurrection it will come as an intercessor for those who recite It. Recite the two bright ones, al-Baqarah and Surah Ali ‘Imran, for on the Day of Resurrection they will come as two clouds or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them. Recite Surah al-Baqara, for to take recourse to it is a blessing and to give it up is a cause of grief, and the magicians cannot confront it. (Mu’awiya said: It has been conveyed to me that here Batala means magicians.)” [Sahih Muslim, Book #004, Hadith #1757]

The Prophet (may peace be upon him) also said, [Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud]: “Do not wish to be like anyone except in two cases. (The first is) A person, whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously; (the second is) the one whom Allah has given wisdom (the Holy Quran) and he acts according to it and teaches it to others.” [Sahih Bukhari, Book #3, Hadith #73]

It is narrated from Sahl bin Sad (radiyAllaahu anhu): Allah’s Apostle (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa salam) said: “The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.” [Bukhari: Book 3 Vol 31 #178; Muslim: Book 6 #2417]

It is narrated from Abu Hurayrah (radiyAllaahu anhu) that The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa salam) said: “Religion will continue to prevail as long as people hasten to break the fast, because the Jews and the Christians delay doing so.” [Dawud: Book 13 #2346]

Abu ‘Atiyya (radiyAllaahu anhu) reported: I and Misruq went to ‘A’isha (radiyAllaahu anha) and Masruq said to her: “There are two persons among the Companions of Muhammad (may peace be upon him) none of whom abandons the good, but one of them hastens to observe sunset prayer and break the fast, and the other delays in observing the sunset prayer and in breaking the fast”, whereupon she said: “Who hastens to observe sunset prayer and break the fast?” He said: “It is ‘Abdullah.” Upon this she said: “This is how the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to do.” [Muslim: Book 6 #2419, 2420]

Saying the Pious Predecessors:

Sa’id b. Al-Musayyib reports from his father, “I was once sitting with ‘Umar when a group of people arrived from Al-Sham. ‘Umar enquired about them and how they were; he asked, ‘Do the people of Al-Sham hasten to break the fast.’ He said, ‘Yes.’ [‘Umar] said, ‘They will not cease to remain upon good as long as they do this, and do not wait for the stars [to come out] as the people of Iraq do.’” [‘Abd Al-Razzaq Al-San’ani, Al-Musannaf 4:225.]

‘Amr b. Maymun Al-Awdi reports, “The Companions of Muhammad – Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – used to be the quickest to break the fast and the slowest in taking the pre-dawn meal.” [Ibid. p226.]

Ibn Al-Musayyib also reports that ‘Umar wrote to the commanders of the various regions, ‘Do not be of the procrastinators when breaking the fast, and nor of those who wait for the stars before they start praying [al-maghrib].’ [Ibid. p225.]

Musa b. Anas reports that Anas [ibn Malik] used to have his slave-girl go to the top of his house, instructing her, ‘When the horizon becomes even (evenly lit, marking sunset), tell me.’ [Ibn Abi Shaybah, Al-Musannaf 2:430.]

Abu Al-Tiyah Al-Daba’i reports that “he used to break fast with Ibn ‘Abbas during Ramadan. When evening approached he would send a girl from his household to the roof [to look out], and when the sun set he would make the call to prayer (adhan). He would eat with us, and when he had finished, the call for the commencement of prayer (iqamah) would be given, and he would pray, and we would pray with him.” [Ibid. p429.]

Source: navedz.wordpress.com

It is mustahabb in Ramadan to offer Iftar to those who are fasting, because of the hadith of Zayd ibn Khaalid al-Juhani (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said:

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives Iftar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person’s reward in the slightest.”

[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 807; Ibn Maajah, 1746; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 647.]

Answer

By: `Ali Jum`ah

Wa `alaykum as-Salamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear brother, thank you for your question that shows your interest in Islam and your zeal in reciting the Qur’an.

`Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, “The one who recites a letter from Allah’s Book (i.e. the Qur’an), would receive a reward (hasanah), and the hasanah is multiplied to ten likes. I don’t say ALM (alif lam meem) is a letter, but A (alif) is a letter, L (lam) is a letter, and M (meem) is a letter.” (At-Tirmidhi)

Responding to your question, Dr. `Ali Gom`ah, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, stated,

Ramadan is the month of the Qur`an. Allah Almighty says about the Qur’an, “The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty, and (He desires) that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks.” (Al-Baqarah 2: 185)

And says, “Surely We revealed it on a blessed night surely We are ever warning…” (Ad-Dukhan 44: 3)

And also says, “Surely We revealed it on the grand night.” (Al-Qadr 97: 1)

Al-`Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “The Prophet was the most generous of people, and he was most generous during Ramadan when Gabriel (Jibril) would meet him. Jibril used to meet him every night of Ramadan to teach him the Qur`an. Jibril would find him quick to extend his generosity even quicker than the good wind.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that her father informed her that Jibril (peace be upon him) would recite the Qur’an to him once a year but recited it twice on the year of his death.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The above hadiths show clearly the preference of reciting the Qur`an and completing it once or more in Ramadan and reciting it day or night in abundance though at night is better and garners a greater reward. Allah Almighty says, “Surely the rising by night is the firmest way to tread and the best corrective of speech.” (Al-Muzzammil 73: 6)

In a Qudsi hadith Allah says, “My servant continues to draw closer to me with supererogatory prayers so that I shall love him. If I love him, I shall be the hearing with which he hears, the sight with which he sees, the hands with which he holds, and the feet with which he walks. If he asks Me (for something), I will surely grant it to him and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will grant it to him. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about (seizing) the soul of a faithful servant; he hates death and I hate hurting him.” (Al-Bukhari).

Allah Almighty knows best.

Source: xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com

ASH-SHAFI‘-The Intercessor

Or have they adopted intercessors besides Allah? Say: “Even though they do not control a thing and have no awareness?” Say: “ Intercession is entirely Allah’s affair . The kingdom of the heavens and Earth is His. Then you will be returned to Him.” ( Surat az-Zumar, 39:43-44)

Those who have faith in Allah and yet associate partners with Him assume that these partners will intercede for them on the Day of Judgment. According to their belief, such “guardians” will take responsibility for their followers or purify them. And so they undertake strenuous efforts to earn their approval and constantly think of them. But this is no more than a huge delusion, for Allah states that He will be the only Protector on the Day of Judgment, as follows:

Abandon those who have turned their religion into a game and a diversion, who have been deluded by the life of the world. Remind [them] by it [the Qur'an], lest a person is delivered up to destruction for what he has earned with no protector or intercessor besides Allah. Were he to offer every kind of compensation, it would not be accepted from him… ( Surat al-An‘am, 6:70)

On that Day, no one will befriend another or bear someone’s sins. As Allah informs us, only those who please Him will be allowed to intercede, and this person will surely say the truth. Unbelievers will find no guardian or intercessor on that Day, and no support, protection, or intercession, for Allah is the only Guardian and Intercessor:

Allah created the heavens and Earth and everything between them in six days, and then established Himself firmly upon the Throne. You have no protector or intercessor apart from Him. So will you not pay heed? ( Surat as-Sajda, 32:4)

By Harun Yahya

It is always good to ponder the true meaning of our religious practices. The month of Ramadan has started and almost 1.5 billion Muslims around the globe are fasting, taking part in an individual and spiritual journey as well as a communal religious celebration. Ramadan is a time to come back to our selves; to come back to our families, our communities, and our societies. It is time for meditating on and for assessing our lives. Beyond being a religious obligation—and often a family tradition—fasting is a school with different levels of knowledge, understanding and commitment.

For every single believer, fasting is an opportunity to think deeply about the meaning of life, its priorities and objectives. We stop eating and drinking during the day, the better to master ourselves to hold in check the human features of our being while we attempt to touch the positive aspiration within us, like a divine spark in our hearts. There is nothing easy about Ramadan: it demands physical effort to gain spiritual achievement. Here lies the meaning of education (tarbiyya) in Islam, as the Lord is the Supreme Educator (ar-Rabb).

Thus, the main objective is to reform and purify ourselves, our bodies, our minds, our hearts through demanding exercises, such as praying, fasting and paying zakah (the purifying social tax). It is not enough not to eat, not to drink and to avoid sex: to fast is to rediscover a philosophy of life that demands constant effort to improve, and to reconcile ourselves with the values and the objectives we have set for our lives. To fast is to rediscover the meaning of mercy (rahmah) and compassion, starting with our own selves. It implies that we remain trustful, optimistic and stop being overcome with guilt. The month of Ramadan is the month of mercy and peace (salam), inner peace as well as peace in the community. It is a month of love, when we show our love to the Most Loving One (al-Wadud) and spread love around us towards our parents, our children, our fellow human beings and especially the poor. This is the way the Most Loving will love us, reminding us by saying “Call me I shall respond to you”, “come to me walking I shall come running to you.” The One God is closer to every one of us than our jugular vein. He is so near (Qareeb) that He is the caring and loving Witness (Shaheed) to all that we do.

Ramadan is the time when the search for life’s meaning, for self-restraint and discipline should prevail over superficial desires, illusions and artificial appetites. It is time to eat less; to meditate and give more. Unfortunately, the statistics are cause for concern: Muslims tend to eat more during the month of Ramadan, ending the fasting days with large and festive meals, or even banquets, turning the month of spiritual restraint into a month of material opulence and excessive consumption. Some Christians have expressed concern about Christmas becoming a kind of family tradition, losing its spiritual meaning and justifying, with a spiritual veneer, the consumerist system of capitalism. People give more during Christmas because people spend more on food, fashionable products, etc. It has become a period of buying and selling: good for the marketplace but not very good for the soul. Muslims should be aware that they might end up doing the same with Ramadan: many are more interested in Ramadan’s nights (of eating and even partying) than in its days of restraint and moderation. Many Muslims are transforming Ramadan into a copy of Christmas: they end up spending more, eating more and forsaking the spiritual objectives of their fast. Reform must start with our selves, by controlling our consumption and deepening our understanding.

Ramadan is also a month of human solidarity. While we may experience hunger until sunset, people are starving to death in many countries and especially in Somalia over these last weeks and months. The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was always generous but even more so during the fasting days. To fast signifies to become closer to the Only One, the First, and to care for the last ones, the poor, the disenfranchised, and the excluded. This is the time to give of one’s time, one’s money, and one’s heart. The spiritual meaning of solidarity is nurtured by the way we deal with our own selves: we should not give to justify, or to excuse our laziness, our lack of commitment, our contradictions or even our lies. The spiritual quality of our giving depends on our personal struggle to be better and more dignified individuals. Our personal self-discipline during Ramadan teaches us that the way we give is as important in the sight of God as what we give. He calls upon us to remain dignified and to give to people with dignity, be they Muslims or people of other faiths, whose dignity we respect profoundly, dearly. This is the meaning of the Qur’anic verse: “We (God) assuredly gave dignity to human beings” (Al-Isra’ 17: 70), female, and male, white and black, rich and poor, Muslims or not.

Fasting also involves justice, as we pay attention to our heart’s rights and to our spiritual needs. To fast is an act of justice towards the self. It should also be an act of justice towards human beings around the world, those who are oppressed and unjustly treated. God is the Just and He commands justice, as the Qur’an tells us. This is the message we Muslims should never forget as we watch Syrian and Bahraini civilians being killed while they demand justice, freedom and dignity. Our hearts and prayers should be with the oppressed, acknowledging that resistance against the oppressors is legitimate, especially in non-violent ways, and especially during Ramadan. To fast is to make ourselves aware of the implications of how we behave and of what we consume. Supporting the people of Syrian and the ongoing protests throughout the Arab world is consistent with this month of love, compassion, solidarity and justice. It also means we must check what we eat, to avoid and boycott products coming from occupying countries or occupied territories. How could we fast and at the same time eat dates exported by Israel, stained with the blood of so many innocent Palestinians. Fasting is awareness, commitment to justice and peaceful resistance.

Between an individual’s spiritual experience and that of the community, there is one common dimension that defines fasting. To fast is an act of liberation. To fast is to liberate one’s self from one’s ego, one’s selfishness, and one’s illusions in order to reach the true inner freedom of those who are at peace with themselves. To fast means to free society from artificial collective emotions, consumerism, insane competition and love of power in order to set ourselves free from injustice, oppression and war. Eventually to fast means to learn individually and collectively to give, to resist and to serve. In the light of our love of the One, and from our human perspective, to serve is to be spiritually freer than to be served.

Source: onislam.net

How can I achieve spiritual growth in Ramadan amid such busy and hectic life?

I can’t concentrate while I read Quran because I’m so tired of work and the roads are always noisy and crowded?

I face some difficulty as well concentrating in prayers as they are either performed during work allowances or at night after work while I’m totally exhausted and mind-occupied with family burdens.

This really makes me sad. Any ideas or supplications to help me overcome this and enhance my spirituality?

Thank you,  for your question.

What you mentioned in your question is the concern of most people today. Work, kids, family, money, etc. occupy everybody’s mind. But if we surrender and give up, we will miss a lot.

Try to free yourself from such burdens for a while.

Forget everything else and think of God and standing before Him.

In your prayers, try to mediate on the verses you are reading if you are praying alone, or you are hearing from the imam if you are praying in a congregation.

Try to sleep for a while before you go the mosque to pray the Tarawih prayer so that you do not lose track with the imam.

While reading the Quran, feel the presence of God. Feel that God is addressing you with the verses you are reading.

I can tell you about something that will work out insha’a Allah.

Make a lot of du`aa (supplication) to God and surely He will answer you. Ask Him to relieve you from such thoughts and help you concentrate in your prayers.

Source: On Islam/Live Dialogue

In order to derive the utmost benefit from the sacred month of Ramadān, it is crucial to recognize the spiritual significance and import of this month. Abdullah ibn Mas‘ūd radiallahu anhu states, “The master of months is the month of Ramadān and the master of days is the day of Jumu‘ah.” Ramadān is the month, after a year full of sin and spiritual retrogression, which Allah Ta’ala has designated for the revivification of the soul and one’s spiritual ascension. Ramadān is the month, after drifting away from Allah, wherein a servant once again is able to draw near to his Cherisher. However, all this will only be possible is we value this precious month and prepare for it accordingly.

Preparing for Ramadān

It is reported that Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam used to commence preparation two months prior by reciting the following supplication at the beginning of Rajab, “Oh Allah, bless us in Rajab and Sha‘ban and make us reach Ramadān.” This shows the importance of conditioning oneself mentally and spiritually for the advent of this month. Ramadān is an long-awaited celestial guest; accordingly, we ought to prepare the grandest reception in appreciation for all of its concomitant blessings and barakah. It is only through such yearning and longing that the significance of Ramadān will develop in our hearts serving as a catalyst to increase our good deeds and to fulfill the objectives of Ramadān.

Objectives of Ramadān

There are three main objectives to attain from this blessed month, namely absolution of one’s sins, attainment of piety and enhancing one’s communion with Allah Ta’ala. In regards to absolution of sin, Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam mentioned, “Whosoever fasts and stands for worship in Ramadān out of faith and anticipation of reward, all of his previous sins will be forgiven.” The main element mentioned in this Hadīth is that our effort and strife in worship throughout the month should be with the zest of Iman and zeal of reward. The recompense of this will be a comprehensive exoneration from sins. Generally, we fail to fathom what that really entails. Everyone knows what sins he or she has committed throughout the year. Furthermore, everyone also knows the quality of his or her repentance. This is a chance to submerge oneself in the endless ocean of Allah Ta’ala’s mercy and pardon wherein complete forgiveness is guaranteed.

The burden and anguish of sin, which leads to frustration and anxiety, will be lifted; the veil of inhibition that impedes a person from his Rabb will be removed and the doors to a life of spiritual bliss, ecstasy and harmony will be flung open. In regards to attaining piety, Allah Ta’ala states, “Oh you who believe, Fasting has been made compulsory upon you as had been made compulsory upon those before you so that you may become Allah-fearing.” Fasting is one of the best spiritual exercises to establish piety and a perpetual consciousness of Allah Ta’ala. It is such a personal and sincere act of worship that is only known by Allah and the person keeping the fast. What is it that prevents a person from breaking his fast before sunset? One can easily deceive the people; it is only the consciousness of Allah and fear of His divine reproach that prevents a person from doing so.

Once the realization sets in that the same Omni-cognizant and Omnipotent Allah who knows about the state of our fast is aware of all our actions throughout the year, it will be extremely easy to abstain from any other type of sin. Once a person feels the bliss of being completely pardoned and relieved from the burden of sin coupled with the feeling of Allah’s figurative omnipresence, he or she would have reached a very high pedestal of divine communion. This pedestal is what is referred to as stage of Ihsān; where a person worships Allah as if he or she is seeing Him or with the full conviction and cognizance that Allah is watching him as mentioned in the famous Hadīth of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wasallam . May Allah grant us the ability to reap the benefits of Ramadān.

Source: daruliftaa

Ramadan comprised of 29 or 30 days is the ninth month according to the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims have been ordered to fast for the sake of Allah during the Holy month of Ramadan. It is obligatory for them to do fasting. The fast begins early in the morning at dawn and the fast breaks at the dusk or in the evening. Muslims observe the fasting and offer more prayers than usual. They are encouraged to recite Holly Quran during the day and at night during Traweeh and Isha prayer. They visit the mosques every night throughout the month to gain blessings of Allah Subhana wa Tallah. They perform supplication, invocation and some of the Muslims go for eitakaaf.

Ramadan brings new awareness and helps in building relations with Almighty Allah. Muslims and believers are taught to focus on self-reformation. Cleansing of the soul and spiritual enlightenment are achieved by doing good deeds. Islam centralizes and stresses up on love and kindness for all. Allah Subhana wa Tallah is merciful and asks His creature to be helpful to others.

Blessings of Allah Subhana wa Tallah shower day and night specifically on Laila-tul-Qadar. The Night of Decress can fall between 21^st and 27^th day of Ramadan. Quran was revealed on this blessed night. Prophet Muhammad Sallah-o-alleh-e-waallehi wsalaam used to increase his amount of nafal prayers, recitation of Quran Pak and invocations in the last ten days of Ramadan. Ramadan is called to be the core or heart of all holly months due to this special night. ,

“Verily! We have sent it down in the Night of Decree. And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees, Peace! Until the appearance of dawn.” [97:1-5]

Ramadan is the only holy month in which Muslims from all over the world go for the fasting to please their Allah Subhana Wa Tallah. It is necessary for them from not only Islamic point of view, but also it is important for the maintenance and growth of their physical health. Fasting in Ramadan is an effective treatment for both emotional and psychological illnesses.

Fasting is not simply the orderly skipping of harmful meals but it is helpful to boost the person’s will power, improve his taste and manners, reinforce his beliefs, encourages doing well and avoiding of sins. It also strengthens the faith of a believer and the person during the fasting has to avoid disagreement, sulkiness, rashness and all that does not contribute towards a well-balanced and healthy personality.

Besides nutrition, the resistance and ability to face hardships and endurance develops and enhances. Fasting reflects on external physical appearance by eliminating greediness and getting rid of negative thoughts. There are number of benefits of fasting on health, which are instrumental in alleviating a number of physical diseases, such poor digestive system, chronic stomachache, indigestion and so on. Obesity, high blood pressure and other threatening maladies can also be cured with the help of fasting in Ramadan. Scientists and physicians have suggested that fasting should be regarded as an effective means of restoring youthfulness and longevity. However, Islam exempts the sick and old from fasting.

In order to take full benefit of fasting and improve your general health in Ramadan you must follow some rules and regulations improvised by Islam. You can have a good Sehari and eat sensibly at iftar. Do not eat too much fried or spicy products to avoid the fat building and drink lots fluids for the detoxification process of your body during Seher and Iftar.

17:110

قل ادعوا الله أو ادعوا الرحمن أيّا ما تدعوا فله الأسماء الحسنى ولا تجهر بصلاتك ولا تخافت بها وابتغ بين ذلك سبيلا

Say, “Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever [name] you call – to Him belong the best names.” And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way.

rom Tafsir Ibn Kathir

(110. Say: “Invoke Allah or invoke Ar-Rahman (the Most Gracious), by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for to Him belong the Best Names. And offer your Salah (prayer) neither aloud nor in a low voice, but follow a way between.) (111. And say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has not begotten a son, and Who has no partner in (His) dominion, nor is He low to have a supporter. And magnify Him with all magnificence.”)

To Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names

Allah says:

﴿قُلْ﴾

(Say) O Muhammad, to these idolators who deny that Allah possesses the attribute of mercy and refuse to call Him Ar-Rahman,

﴿ادْعُواْ اللَّهَ أَوِ ادْعُواْ الرَّحْمَـنَ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُواْ فَلَهُ الاٌّسْمَآءَ الْحُسْنَى﴾

(“Invoke Allah or invoke Ar-Rahman (the Most Gracious), by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for to Him belong the Best Names.) meaning, there is no difference between calling on Him as Allah or calling on Him as Ar-Rahman, because He has the Most Beautiful Names, as He says:

﴿هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِى لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَـدَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَـنُ الرَّحِيمُ ﴾

(He is Allah, beside Whom none has the right to be worshipped but He the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.) (59:22) Until His saying;

﴿لَهُ الاٌّسْمَآءُ الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِى السَّمَـوَتِ وَالاٌّرْضِ﴾

(To Him belong the Best Names. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him.) ﴿59:24﴾ Makhul reported that one of the idolators heard the Prophet saying when he was prostrating: “O Most Gracious, O Most Merciful.” The idolator said, he claims to pray to One, but he is praying to two! Then Allah revealed this Ayah. This was also narrated from Ibn `Abbas, and by Ibn Jarir.

﴿وَلاَ تَجْهَرْ بِصَلاتِكَ﴾

(And offer your Salah neither aloud) Imam Ahmad reported that Ibn `Abbas said: “This Ayah was revealed when the Messenger of Allah was preaching underground in Makkah.”

﴿وَلاَ تَجْهَرْ بِصَلاتِكَ وَلاَ تُخَافِتْ بِهَا﴾

(And offer your Salah neither aloud nor in a low voice,)

Ibn `Abbas said: “When he prayed with his Companions, he would recite Qur’an loudly, and when the idolators heard that, they insulted the Qur’an, and the One Who had revealed it and the one who had brought it.

So Allah said to His Prophet :

﴿وَلاَ تَجْهَرْ بِصَلاتِكَ﴾

(And offer your Salah (prayer) neither aloud) means, do not recite it aloud, lest the idolators hear you and insult the Qur’an,

﴿وَلاَ تُخَافِتْ بِهَا﴾

(nor in a low voice,) means, nor recite it so quietly that your companions cannot hear the Qur’an and learn it from you.

﴿وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ سَبِيلاً﴾

(but follow a way between. )”

This was also reported in the Two Sahihs.

Ad-Dahhak also narrated something similar from Ibn `Abbas, and added: “When he migrated to Al-Madinah, this no longer applied, and he recited as he wished.”

Muhammad bin Ishaq said that Ibn `Abbas said, “When the Messenger of Allah recited Qur’an quietly while he was praying, the (idolators) would disperse and refuse to listen to him; if one of them wanted to hear some of what he was reciting in his prayer, he would try to listen without anyone seeing him, because he was afraid of them. If he realized that anybody knew he was listening, he would go away lest they harm him, so he would stop listening. If the Prophet lowered his voice, those who wanted to listen to his recitation could not hear anything, so Allah revealed,

﴿وَلاَ تَجْهَرْ بِصَلاتِكَ﴾

(And offer your Salah neither aloud) meaning, do not recite aloud, lest those who want to listen disperse for fear of attracting unwelcome attention,

﴿وَلاَ تُخَافِتْ بِهَا﴾

(nor in a low voice,) but do not make your voice so soft that the one who is trying to listen without being seen cannot hear anything at all. Perhaps he will pay attention to some of what he hears and benefit from it.

﴿وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ سَبِيلاً﴾

(but follow a way between. )” This was the view of `Ikrimah, Al-Hasan Al-Basri and Qatadah that this Ayah was revealed concerning recitation in prayer. It was narrated from Ibn Mas`ud: “Do not make it so soft that no one can hear it except yourself.”

Fasting in Ramadan is not very different from normal fasting but it is done for against special nyiah and for a very special purpose to please Allah Subhana wa Tallah. Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for the all healthy and adult Muslim men, women and older children who crossed the stage of puberty.  On the other hand fasting for weight reduction and other purposes is optional or as prescribed by the doctor. Many patients go for fasting for a number of laboratory tests and other treatment including surgical methods.

When you are not fasting and on crash dieting you may feel:

• Tired and lethargic
• Cold and shivery
• Slow in thinking
• Food cravings
• Stomach ache and grumbling
• Depression and anxiety

When you are fasting for Allah Subhana wa Tallah you will feel:

• Refreshed and energetic
• Warm and comfy
• Charismatic, Focused, alert  and conscious
• Hardly think of having food
• Adopt Good eating habits
• Happier, healthier and comfortable

Fasting in Ramadan is not only meant for weight reduction and fat burning. Fasting otherwise, is not a good way to reduce weight by punishing yourself. Fasting in Ramadan for the pleasure and blessing of Allah Subhana wa Tallah cannot be the same as crash dieting, fasting and not eating. Fasting is a blessing and supports focus on yourself rather than food.

Allah says in Quran Surah Baqra, “O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become Muttaqoon.” [2: 183]

Iftar or iftari is a meal that people take to break their fasting of almost 12 hours or more. There are many traditions about iftari that people follow but they have less to do with the religion and more to the culture and society. Many families arrange get togethers within the family, for their friends and business associates or contacts.

Traditionally, iftar was not a cultural event but nowadays people have turned it into a source of increasing their business clientele and opportunities by inviting their prospective clients to the iftar dinner, buffet or party. After 15^th of Ramadan, people start inviting their relatives and acquaintances important for their bilateral and corporate relations. These lavish iftar dinners and parties are arranged in big hotels or at other venues.

As soon as the Muslims hear the Maghrib prayer call, they break the fast with dates, salt or water. Iftari can be light or heavy that includes protein enriched foods and lots of carbohydrate rich dishes. Many people prefer to have a light iftari and leave for the mosque for traweeh and isha prayer. In the eastern culture, women are usually responsible for arranging the iftari for everyone in the family. Everyone can enjoy food, drink sorbets and chat for a while before leaving for supplication and invocation.

Feeding some needy in order to seek the mercy or blessings of Almighty Allah is the essence of Ramadan. Many Muslims arrange iftar as a charity that pleases their souls as it was practiced by our last beloved Prophet Muhammad Sallaho alaih-e-Waalehi Wasalam and His SAAS companions and disciples. It is considered a good act of kindness to stick to invite the poor to your dinner table. Simplicity is the best thing one can learn and adopt during and after Ramadan. Along with enjoying the cultural activities, it is mandatory for the Muslims to follow the basic guidelines and principles.  Keeping Islamic ideology foremost and always in your mind will lead to achieve longer lasting blessings of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah in Ramadan and afterwards.

The Prophet Muhammad said: “He is not a believer who eats his fill while his neighbor remains hungry by his side” (Baihaqi).

“By Allah, he has no faith (the Prophet repeated it three times) whose neighbors are not safe from his wickedness” (Bukhari).

Ramadan is a great opportunity to share Islam and more specifically, its values of spirituality, generosity and kindness with others, especially your neighbors. It’s a great time to do Dawa. And Dawa is very much needed in the current atmosphere of anger, tension and sadness in the wake of September 11, 2001.

Here are some ideas on how you can share the joy with your neighbors this Ramadan.

1. Begin with Dua

Make Dua that Allah give you and your family the sincerity, strength, motivation and wisdom to do this. Dawa is hard work, and it needs preparation, commitment and organization.

2. Put up a Ramadan banner on your door

This can be something handmade or something more formal.

But don’t stop there. Print out a factsheet on Ramadan and stick that on the door to educate readers passing by about the blessed month and what it means to Muslims.

3. Send neighbors Iftar snacks

Include a note with the food that the month of Ramadan is here and you are sharing your joy with them.

You can offer snacks that are not just “American” but also “ethnic” (i.e. African, Middle Eastern, Indo-Pakistani, etc.). You can include index cards with the snacks listing all of the ingredients. This will help neighbors avoid food that causes allergies.

4. Give kids Ramadan Mubarak balloons and candy

Let your neighbors’ kids also feel the happiness of Ramadan by including chocolate and candy among your snacks. Balloons also add a nice touch, and if you can get some printed which have “Ramadan Mubarak” written on them, they may remember the blessed month even after it has passed.

5. Publish Ramadan information in your neighborhood newsletter

If you are part of a tenants’ association, a group within your housing complex or your neighborhood block parents’ association and they publish a newsletter, inform them about Ramadan and prepare a short write-up about the month. This is a great way of informing many more neighbors about Ramadan.

6. Have a neighborhood Iftar gathering

You don’t have to invite everyone. Perhaps just the closest neighbors can attend this event. Send handmade invitations for an “Iftar gathering” at most a week in advance (avoid the word “party” as it may be misunderstood to mean a gathering including alcohol, loud music, etc.).

Ask about allergies or other food issues before establishing the menu. Include American and “ethnic” food.

Be sure to invite Muslim family and friends who are comfortable interacting with non-Muslims to this event, and brief them about how they should properly share Ramadan with the neighbors.

Also, have some written material on Ramadan available for your guests. You can print out this factsheet and put it on some fancy paper to add to the festive air of the evening.

At the gathering:

Be cordial, generous and friendly, but maintain Islamic rules of behavior and modesty. This should not be a “party” in the common understanding, but more of a religious celebration that is spiritual and respectful to all.

Don’t impose information. Just let non-Muslim guests ask questions, if they want to. As well, be ready for questions about Islam and violence/terrorism, the oppression of women, etc. Give neighbors the benefit of the doubt and clarify their misunderstanding in a calm, gentle manner.

7. Get your kids on it

Tell your kids to inform other neighbors’ kids what Ramadan is all about and have the children invite their classmates to your Iftar gatherings.

8. Talk about what Ramadan means to you

What’s it like to fast? How do you work/go to school and still fast? These are some questions you may be asked. Don’t just point your guests to the pamphlets. Tell them and use some personal examples they can relate to.

Source:islampeace1.wordpress.com

Many people crave for glowing and healthy skin to look younger. But what they do not know is that beauty is skin deep. Only healthy skin can make you look ravishing without needing much makeup on it.

There are plenty of treatments and methods to get radiant skin. Plethora of websites is there to update their users with latest techniques, products and methods to look ravishing all the time. Good skin needs plenty of nourishment and you need to give enough time to establish a good beauty regime including expensive spa treatments.

Late night sleep, avoiding exercise, taking junk foods, using generic skin products, not taking plenty of water are like hazards to get desirable skin. A stunning look of the skin can be achieved and maintained by taking healthy sleep, metabolized exercises, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, using herbal skin products and consuming at least 8 glasses of water daily.

It is obvious that there is no magical pill or it cannot happen overnight. Some of us follow the above suggestions but get tired or bored soon after. It is not easy to maintain a regime or feasible to spend thousands of dollars on the useless skin products and treatments. It is perhaps more difficult with a tight budget, increasing inflation and recession in many countries. So, what you need is the real secret of having healthy and beautiful skin. A good way of getting ravishing skin and beautiful healthy complexion is fasting in Ramadan.

Most of the recoveries are usually faster than normal while fasting. Fasting is way of getting rid of toxins, and allowing the body to prepare itself from the root level on its own risks. Fasting is the best method to replenish and detoxify tired dull looking skin. And, fasting in Ramadan for the sake of pleasing your Allah Subhana Wa Tallah is the most kind act towards your body, heart, soul and of course, the skin.

Fasting has a potential to improve mental abilities. It strengthens and aids in the process of quick weight reduction without slackness. Fasting for Allah Subhana Wa Tallah can keep the nervous system balanced and last but not the least your skin gets benefitted the most.

Fasting is an admirable act that brings happiness to the believers in two ways; first at the time of iftari when he relishes himself with bounties and delectable food items to break his fast. He considers that he has pleased Allah by his good deeds and getting the power to fast and worship him, as others were unprivileged by the countless blessings of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah. The second is when he will meet his Lord on the Day of Judgment or Qyamah he will get compensation and rewards for leaving his food and drink to obey the command of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah.

Dieting is a practice of controlling excessive weight for the overweight person or someone with some kind of disease. Usually crash dieting is not encouraged by most of the practitioners, because of course it is not a way by which one can easily reduce weight. All he is supposed to lose is nutrition, strength and energy. It is commonly seen that a large number of population is on diet, calculating calories in one way or the other. Dieting can be fad or just a healthy trend but it has very less to do with the religion or people hardly get any spiritual benefits and enhancement. Atkins Diet, Grapefruit Diet and many more are just the famous diet names popular in modern circles. Fasting and dieting are two different and opposite things.

Fasting can benefit the person on dieting with added bonus, mental and spiritual strength and deeper connection with the Creator. As far as, dieting is concerned it cannot help the individual more than shedding a few pounds after striving hard for many years. Dieting is only suffering with no reward whereas fasting is a pleasant activity that satisfies the soul and inner being with unconditional and pure obedience of Allah the Almighty.

Fasting is purely a superior form of worship for Muslims, in which they act against their desires in order to gather blessings of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah. Fasting is the way to show admiration, your love and devotion to Allah.  The nature of man is desirous of only the best and better than all that he has. Fasting helps in maintaining the morality and develops patience. His inclination and devotion enables him to follow the orders of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah to become receptive, virtuous and spiritual.

Ramadan Kareem! That is the common greeting to wish a bountiful or generous month at the start of Ramadan.

Sunday night at sunset marked the start of the holiest month of the Islamic calendar for Muslims – a month filled with prayer, fasting, charity and community get-togethers.

According to Islam’s lunar calendar — meaning a day extends from one sunset to the next — at dusk on Sunday, the date changed to Ramadan 1, 1432.

On the first night of Ramadan, millions of Muslims around the world visited their places of worship called Masjids, or Mosques, for special prayers where lengthy amounts of the Qur’an, or the Muslim holy book, are recited. It is common to recite at least one chapter each night so that, by the end of the month, all 30 chapters of the book are recited.
Fasting

What Ramadan is best known for is its daily fasting. Muslims who are healthy and able refrain from food and drink from before the sun rises to just as the sun sets. That’s about 16 hours of fasting in one day, when Ramadan falls in August.

Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, it moves up about 10 days every year, compared to the more commonly used Gregorian calendar. My first fast, as a 9-year-old, was back when Ramadan used to be in December and fasting days were about 10 hours. My stomach will reminisce about those days and my brain will wonder how I will last during these 16-hour fasts without eating or drinking. Saying no to water will be especially trying amidst the incessant heat waves. But I, and everyone who fasts with me, always make it through.

There’s a strong will in Ramadan – a determination and strength in believing that anything is possible. Muslims see Ramadan as a re-charger for the rest of the year, where we acquire God consciousness and self-restraint. Feeling the hunger pangs of fasting during the day forces us to remember why we are doing it and that fills the mind with thoughts of God.
Self Control

Self-restraint is also an underlying value that comes along with Ramadan. If a person can stop eating and drinking during daylight hours, which are perfectly acceptable things to do, then there is no reason why that person cannot stop doing unacceptable things. Therefore, a fasting Muslim is a patient Muslim.

Sunday was the first evening of Ramadan and Monday is the first day of Ramadan, which means it is also the first day of fasting. Muslims all around will wake up in the earliest hours of the morning when the sky is still dark to eat a pre-fast breakfast, called suhoor.

At dawn, all eating and drinking stops until dusk, when Muslims get together for iftar, a meal to break the fast. It is said in Islamic tradition that feeding a fasting person gives the provider of the meal all the good deeds of the fasting person, without taking away from the faster. For this reason, many Muslims host iftar parties or send over meals to their Muslims neighbors to get their share of rewards.

Various verses in the Qur’an speak to the tradition of fasting. Some of the most common appear in chapter two of the book.

“Oh you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous …” (Qur’an – Chapter 2, Verse 183)

Charity

Charity and other good acts are also emphasized during the month of Ramadan. Good deeds are believed to be rewarded multiple times more than in other months in the year, so Muslims scramble to do their best whether it’s feeding the poor, donating their money or taking part in random acts of kindness.

All in all, Ramadan is a special time for Muslims where family, friends and faith take priority. The next time you see your Muslim neighbor remember to wish them a happy and blessed Ramadan.

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!

The month of Ramadan is a happy occasion; it is the month that the Muslim holy book, the Koran, was revealed to our Prophet Muhammad. Muslims are called by their religion to celebrate the month by coming together in worship, fasting each day for thirty days from dawn until sunset.

While this may seem like a tremendous feat, consider this: Fasting while working is an even greater endeavor. Make it a little easier on your Muslim colleague by following a couple of simple rules:

The Greeting. The next time you find yourself in line for the copier with your Muslim colleague, feel free to wish him or her “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Ramadan Kareem” or simply “Happy Ramadan.” We absolutely love it when people acknowledge Ramadan and are happy about it.

Positive Reinforcement. Keep in mind that we’re fasting voluntarily and, actually, pretty joyously (despite the tired, sad look on our face). We’re not forced to fast. In fact, we wait for this month the whole year, so you don’t have to feel sorry for us. We are not trying to be rescued (other than by that ticking clock taking us closer to sunset!).

The Lunch Meeting. Most of us understand that life goes on, and so do lunch meetings, and if we are participating in them while fasting, don’t worry about eating in front of us. This is just part of the test. We appreciate your acknowledging our fast, but don’t feel the need to discuss it every time you show up in our line of sight holding food.

Just try not to eat smelly foods. . . and please ignore our stomach when it growls at your sandwich.

No Water. It’s true — we can’t drink water either. Again, this is part of the Ramadan test and our exercise of spiritual discipline. This is probably why you may not find your friend at the water cooler. Try switching the break time conversation to another location in the office. You should probably also let them skip their turn for the coffee run this time.

Halitosis. While God may tell us that the breath of the one fasting is like “fragrant musk” to Him, we know that you’re not God – and aren’t enjoying it. Understand why we’re standing a good foot away from you when speaking or simply using sign language to communicate.

Iftar Dinner. Consider holding a Ramadan Iftar dinner . Iftar is the Arabic word for the meal served at sunset when we break the fast (it’s literally our ‘breakfast’). This will be a nice gesture for Muslim coworkers and will give others the opportunity to learn about and partake in Ramadan festivities. Although there is no specific type of meal designated for iftars, it is is tradition to break the fast with a sweet and refreshing date before moving to a full-on dinner.

Fasting is not an excuse. Although energy levels might be low, the point of fasting is not to slack off from our other duties and responsibilities. We believe that we are rewarded for continuing to work and produce during our fasts. Fasting is not a reason to push meetings, clear schedules, or take a lighter load on projects.

That said – we don’t mind if you help work in a nap time for us!

Ramadan is a time for community and charity. There are iftar dinners held at mosques every night (you are welcome to join the fun – even if you’re not fasting!) and night time prayer vigils throughout the month. We give charity in abundance and make an extra effort to partake in community service. Throughout it all, we maintain an ambiance of joy and gratitude for all that God has blessed us with, and reflect on those in this world who have been given much less. This is a time for all of us–not just Muslims–to renew our spiritual intentions, increase our knowledge, and change ourselves for the better.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/altmuslimah/post/ramadan-etiquette-a-guide-to-your-muslim-neighbors-holy-month/2011/07/29/gIQA4bPEhI_blog.html