For children, - Ramadan Story: Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Ramadhan Eid

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بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم -
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-It was the day of celebration and a day of rejoicing. There was an air of festivity in the streets of Madina. All the people, both young and old were dressed in their best clothes, especially for this special day of Ramadhan Eid.
As it was time for early morning Ramadhan Eid prayers everyone made their way to an open piece of land on the outskirts of the city of Madina. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) arrived and led the prayers. After they had finished they all greeted each other and everyone was walking back home. The children running and playing in excitement, smiling and laughing, without a care in the world.
As Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) walked back home, he suddenly became aware of a little boy (Zuhair Bin Saghir) sitting by himself on the side of the path. The little boy was crying and looked very sad. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) bent down and patted him on the shoulders and asked 'why are you crying?' 'Please leave me alone' sobbed the little boy. The boy didn't even see who was talking to him. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ran his fingers through the boy's hair and very gently and kindly asked him again why he was crying. This time the boy said, 'My father was martyred fighting, and now my mother has married again and my stepfather does not want me to live at home any more. Today is Ramadhan Eidand everyone is happy. All the children have new clothes and nice things to eat, but I don't have any clothes except what I am wearing. I have no food and I don't even have a place to live.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said to him, 'I know how you feel, I lost both my mother and father when I was a little boy.' The boy was surprised to hear that it was an orphan who was comforting him, and when he looked up to his great surprise it was the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and he immediately jumped up to his feet out of love and respect.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said to him 'If I were to become your new father and my wife you new mother, and my daughter your new sister, would that make you feel better?' 'Oh yes, that would be the best thing in the world!' The boy started smiling. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) took him home and gave him new clothes and good food on this beautiful day of Ramadhan Eid. The boy indeed had a wonderful Ramadhan Eid that day.
Moral:We should think of others that are less fortunate than ourselves on this beautiful day of Ramadhan Eid. Not everyone has such a wonderful day. It is a day of celebration, but take a moment to stop and think of those who are less fortunate than ourselves by following the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
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- /-{Alhamdulillaah}

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Hajj & Umrah, - * Lessons from Hajj and the First Ten Days of Thul-Hijjah

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the Islamic ruling onHajj, its rationale, manners, conditions, description, prohibitions and fruits, although this information is vital for each and every Muslim, especially those who intend to performHajjso that they can perform this act of worship properly. It is also not about the first ten days ofThul-Hijjahand the Islamic rulings about them, although such information is fundamental for every Muslim.
This article addresses the Muslim’s inner dialogue with himself on such great occasions and how to seize them and make full use of them in order to fill his balance of good deeds with abundant rewards beyond words, beyond imagination.
First point of discussion:
The blessed days are approaching; the greatest days in the entire year. Allaah The Exalted Swore by these blessed days in the Quran. Indeed, and He only swears by a great matter. Allaah The Exalted Says )what means(:}By the dawn*And ]by[ ten nights…{]Quran 89:1-5[
According to the correct opinion of scholars, this verse refers to the first ten days ofThul-Hijjah.
This blessed spiritual season witnesses the performance ofHajj, the Day of‘Arafah, Day ofNahr)the 10th day ofThul-Hijjah(, which is the greatest day of the year, the Day of the GreatHajj, the Day of‘Eed Al-Adh-ha, and slaughtering theHady)sacrificial animal( andUdh-hiyah. Moreover, during these blessed days and the following Days ofTashreeq, the pilgrims savor the blessings of being in the best time and the holiest place in the world and spend the best of times. They perform all kinds of worship and righteous deeds with which they can come closer to their Lord, which is a privilege that is not granted to non-pilgrims.
It is recommended for Muslims to carry out righteous deeds whose virtues and rewards are equal to those of a man who participates inJihaad,offering his money and life for the Cause of Allaah and does not return with any of these. Such aMujaahidspends all his money and is granted martyrdom for the Cause of Allaah.
A significant question arises in this regard; should Muslims, males and females, not change their daily routines and lifestyles on these priceless, virtuous, blessed days?
Second point of discussion:
One of the features of change in the Muslim’s daily routine and lifestyle during these blessed days is becoming aware of the greatness and significance ofHajj, whether pilgrims or non-pilgrims. If Muslims ponder overHajj, they would be amazed at the Greatness of Allaah The Exalted and the beauty of His Legislation. Allaah The Exalted, the only deity worthy of worship, created us and set the optimal and perfect legislation andSharee‘ah)Islamic law( for us. He bestowed upon His slaves His mercy and exemption from Hellfire.
This feeling ]of the greatness ofHajj[ embodies the unity of the pilgrims as they collectively walk toAl-Masjid Al-Haraam,circumambulate theKa‘bah, bow down and prostrate themselves before their Lord, performSa‘y, shave or shorten their hair, stand at ‘Arafaat, spend the night in Muzdalifah, throw the pebbles, and slaughter theHady. All the pilgrims perform these rites communally; they offer them to one Lord and have the same aspiration, i.e. attaining the forgiveness of Allaah, exemption from Hellfire, and admittance to Paradise.
All the pilgrims perform the due rituals ofHajjtogether peacefully and safely, enjoying the commendable services offered to them. They race one another in doing righteous deeds in a great picture that is beautifully engraved in our hearts. Allaah The Exalted Says )what means(:}Hajj is ]during[ well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein ]by entering the state of Ihraam[, there is ]to be for him[ no sexual relations and no disobedience and no disputing during Hajj.{]Quran 2:197[
Moreover, the Prophet,, said:“Whoever performs Hajj to this House )Ka‘bah( and does not approach his wife for sexual relations nor commits sins )while performingHajj(, he will come out as sinless as a newly-born child )just delivered by his mother(.”
In this spiritually overwhelming experience, hearts are humbled, the eyes shed tears of remorse and the pilgrims are emotionally moved by the greatness of this spiritual experience. This urges pilgrims and non-pilgrims alike to turn to their Lord in repentance, with hearts that are full of remorse, hoping that they would be among the winners to whom Allaah The Exalted would Say on the night of ‘Arafah,“You are forgiven”.
Third point of discussion:
Another aspect of the change that occurs in the Muslims’ ways of life during these blessed days is reflected in their attitudes towards this spiritual season. They know the greatness, virtues, and merits of these blessed days; therefore, they make special plans for spiritual gains and acts of worship so as to do as many righteous deeds as possible and gain as many rewards as possible. The Prophet,, said:“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these days, i.e. the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah.”Some Companions asked,“Not even Jihaad?"The Prophet,, replied:"Not even Jihaad, except a man who goes out )for Jihaad( with his self and his wealth, then he does not return with any from that.”
Among the recommended righteous deeds on these blessed days isThikr)words of remembrance of Allaah The Almighty(:
The most importantThikrto be recited during this spiritual season isTakbeer, Tahleel, and Tahmeed. The Prophet,, said:“There are no days greater in the Sight of Allaah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Takbeer )saying Allaahu Akbar: Allaah Is The Greatest(, Tahmeed )saying Al-Hamdulillaah: All praise is due to Allaah(, and Tahleel )saying La ilaaha illa Allaah: There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah( ]on those days[.”
Indeed, the bestThikris the recitation of the Noble Quran and supplications during prayers or at any other time.
Another recommended righteous deed to be done during these blessed days is fasting, especially on the Day of ‘Arafah. It was narrated that fasting the Day of ‘Arafahexpiates the sins of two years; the past and following years. Only the non-pilgrims fast the Day of‘Arafahas the Prophet,, did not fast the Day of ‘Arafahduring the FarewellHajj.
In addition, there are other righteous deeds to be done on these blessed days such as dutifulness to one's parents, maintaining kinship ties, offering charity to the poor and the needy, kindness to relatives, good and kind treatment of others, teaching the ignorant people and guiding those who have gone astray and other good deeds.
One of the commendable good deeds that should be done during this great spiritual season is offering theUdh-hiyah)sacrifice( as it is an act of theSunnah.
Muslims should organize their spiritual and worship plans on these days, chart out a schedule for performing each act of worship and other good deeds and they would find plenty of time and abundant bounty which Allaah The Almighty bestows on them.
Last point of discussion:
It is recommended for Muslims on these blessed ten days to revive and renew their sincerity and devotion in offering their good deeds and acts of worship exclusively and sincerely to Allaah The Exalted. They should hope that their righteous deeds are accepted and turn to their Lord in repentance, relishing the fruits of these righteous deeds in themselves, their

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Hajj & Umrah, - * Hajj: The Global Conference of the Ummah

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global summits and conferences during which presidents and other heads of state meet. Besides, foreign ministers, ministers of defense or others meet during other conferences. In the professional context, there are conferences for physicians, others for engineers and the same for other professions. For each of these conferences, there are authorities that organize them, call for them, determine their places and organize their programs.
Hajjis a great and unique conference for the Muslim nation, and if the nation of Islam realizes and benefits from its merits and goals, its state would be better than it is nowadays.
The invitation to this great conference came from Allaah The Almighty to His Prophet Ibraaheem, the intimate friend of Allaah. Allaah The Exalted Says )what means(:}And proclaim to the people the Hajj ]pilgrimage[; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.{]Quran 22:27[ It is a historic and genuine invitation that is not renewed or revoked. The permanent place of holding the conference that never changes is the Sacred House of Allaah and its holy environs that combine divine blessing, historic antiqueness and religious sanctity. The agenda with all the words and deeds contained therein is dictated by virtue of the Order of Allaah The Almighty to Muhammad the Messenger of Allaah,who said:"Learn your rituals from me )by seeing me performing them(."The people invited to this conference are Muslims, whether rulers or ruled, rich or poor, men or women, with no conditions or privileges other than Islam. The only qualification is to be a Muslim –and that is it.
As a result, this conference has been held periodically for thousands of years in the sacred sites. You can see the entire nation of Islam represented in it in various categories such as its rulers, scholars, common masses, leaders, soldiers, men, women, elderly and youth. Can a conference like this be without benefits or impact?
It is a question that should be on the mind of every Muslim and every pilgrim in order to meditate and reflect, then to benefit and work. The following are some reflections on the great conference ofHajj:
*.Every pilgrim travels long distances and crosses many borders. Some pilgrims come from the countries of disbelief or countries of oppression and suppression. All of them strive and suffer in order to reach the sacred sites and participate in the gathering. By crossing all the barriers and overcoming all the difficulties, they declare that the superiority of faith is greater, the caller towards Allaah The Almighty is worthier of being answered, the path of Islam is straighter and that the brothers of faith are nobler.
*.Its unique uniform distinguishes this conference, which is not a condition in other conferences. The pilgrim abandons his ordinary clothes and adornment and devotes himself to Allaah The Almighty. In this way, he declares that this world is not in his heart, that his value lies in the essence not the appearance. He testifies that if the caller to Allaah The Almighty calls and he hears the call to worship, the whole world with its adornments will never act as a barrier in his way; rather, he is ready to relinquish it for the Sake of Allaah The Almighty.
*.This conference reminds the nation to remove all the matters that divide it and to hold firm to the Islamic divine methodology and path. When they makeTawaafaround the honorableKa‘bah,they declare this important principle that makes humble submissive worship to Allaah The Almighty and a continuous relationship with Allaah The Almighty the center of their lives.
*.This conference is an opportunity for setting the general policies of the nation, discussing problems, guiding and instructing through sermons in the season ofHajj, just like the comprehensive and all-inclusive Prophetic sermon in the FarewellHajj.
Finally,Hajjis the season of practically demonstrating the unity of the Islamic nation where differences such as color, race and language dissolve. This unity is with respect to destination and intention, acts and deeds, dress and shape, and standing and movement. In addition, it unites the souls and strengthens ties along with the fulfilling a much greater purpose, which is linking the nation to its Creator, following HisSharee‘ah)Islamic law(, elevating the Islamic standards and abolishing worldly criteria.
Does the Muslim nation realize the importance of these meanings and others? Do individual Muslims know these landmarks? There should be an initiative by the responsible leaders, pious scholars and all Muslims to achieve, along with fulfilling the obligation, the major benefits for the nation that is now suffering woes, defeat and division. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}And ]mention, O Muhammad[, when We Designated for Ibraaheem )Abraham( the site of the House, ]saying[, "Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform Tawaaf and those who stand ]in prayer[ and those who bow and prostrate. And proclaim to the people the Hajj ]pilgrimage[; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass - That they may witness benefits for themselves and mention the Name of Allaah on known days.{]Quran

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Hajj & Umrah, - * The Merits of Hajj

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Among the blessings of Allaah The Almighty upon His slaves is that He ordained for them acts of worship that can reform their souls, likeSalaah)prayer(,Zakaah)obligatory alms(, fasting,Hajj)major pilgrimage( and other such deeds which nurture and purify individuals in all aspects. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Allaah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful{]Quran, 5: 6[All these acts of worship are amongst the best deeds, and Allaah The Almighty honors His slaves by giving them opportunities to do those acts of worship. Allaah The Almighty also elevates the pious amongst His slaves when they perform those good deeds. Acts of worship illuminate hearts, refine souls, reform one’s manners and please Allaah The Almighty. They also elevate one’s rank in Paradise, expiate the sins and multiply one’s reward.
Hajjis one such act of worship. It is a pillar of Islam in which Allaah The Almighty has combined all types of ‘Ibaadah)worship(.Hajjcomprises the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah The Almighty and that Muhammad,, is His Messenger, as well as prayer, spending in the way of Allaah The Almighty, fasting )for those who cannot afford to pay for the sacrificial animal(,enjoining good and forbidding evil, patience, perseverance, mercy and abstention from forbidden things.
Hajjis one of the greatest signs of Allaah The Almighty that what Prophet Muhammad,, has come with is certainly the religion of truth. No human power can gather pilgrims every year from all parts of the world; pilgrims with hearts full of yearning and love, who experience difficulties yet rejoice even when it means leaving their homes and families. They feel that the hours of performingHajjare the greatest of one’s life and they spend generously for this purpose. Indeed, it is only Allaah The Almighty who can bring about such a situation. He Says )what means(:}And proclaim to the people the Hajj )pilgrimage(; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass – That they may witness )i.e., attend( benefits for themselves and mention the Name of Allaah on known )i.e., specific( days over what He has provided for them of )sacrificial( animals. So eat of them and feed the miserable and poor.{]Quran, 22: 27-28[
The interpreter Ibn Jareer and others reported that Ibn ‘Abbaassaid,
“When Allaah The Almighty commanded Prophet Ibraaheemto proclaim Hajj among people, he said, ‘My Lord, how can I convey the message to the people as my voice cannot reach them?’ Allaah The Almighty Said: ‘You call; it is Our duty to make it reach )everyone(!’ So, he stood in his position and said, ‘O you people! Your Lord has chosen a House, so perform pilgrimage to it.’ It was said that the mountains became leveled and his voice reached all parts of the earth and all that was in the wombs and loins of men were made to hear the call and everything that heard it, responded. So those for whom Allaah The Almighty has decreed to perform Hajj till the Day of Judgment responded, saying, ‘Labbayka Allaahumma Labbayk )Here I am at your service, O Allaah, here I am(.’ ”
Moreover, it is from the favor of Allaah The Almighty upon us that He sent the best of His creation to us in order to explain to us sayings, deeds and beliefs that can make us win the pleasure of our Lord, and to warn us against all that can make Him displeased with us. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:}Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know. So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.{]Quran, 2: 151-152[
Therefore, during one’s pilgrimage, one has to hold fast onto the sublime Islamic manners and etiquettes. Let yourHajjbe an act of repentance from previous sins and a source of reform and piety for the rest of your life. Thank Allaah The Almighty and praise Him for His bountiful blessings of peace, faith and worldly commodities; and also for the opportunities He affords you to do righteous deeds and for the disasters He has averted from befalling you. Print

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