Ramadan Articles, - Registering in the School of Righteous Generations

A noble guest is soon to arrive and a great season is to start -- the
month ofRamadan, which is a month praised in the Quran
andtheSunnah)Prophetic tradition(. It has many virtues; for example,
when it starts it is said:"O seeker of goodness, go ahead! O seeker of
evil; desist!"
TheUmmah)Muslim nation( has witnessed this month 1430 ]1[times and the
month that is upcoming is1431. Many generations have graduated fromits
school. It gives an opportunityfor serious people to change themselves
from wrong to right, from misguidance to guidance, from failure to
success, from defeat to victory and from every defect to every
perfection. This not only takes place only in one aspect of life;
rather, it occurs in many fields: religious, social,
economic,Jihad)struggle(, and others.
It is sufficient that during this month the Muslim overcomes thecalls
of the soul which is a persistent enjoiner of evil. By fasting, the
strong will of the Muslim wins over his base desiresin a way that he
savors its taste and feels its joy everyday at sunset. The Prophet,,
said:"There aretwooccasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he
breaks thefastand the other when he willmeethisLord."]Muslim[
For example, you may notice the sinning Muslim who is addicted to
drinking alcohol and nothing deters him from drinking day andnight;
but inRamadan, if someone were to compel him to drink a sip of lawful
pure water while he was fasting, he would be extremely antagonized!
Ramadanis a school that calls people to every virtuous manner, as
Allaah The Almighty Says)what means(:}O you who have believed, decreed
upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you
may become righteous{]Quran 2:183[
However, this chance is only for those who are sincere and serious.
The school ofRamadanisopening its doors for registration. This chance
may notbe available in the future. There are many people who hope to
witness tomorrow and do not witness it. There are many people who were
among the living in the morning and in the night they are among the
dead. There are many people who hopeto witnessRamadanbut they do not.
*.How are the "1,300,000,000" inRamadan?
One billion 300 million is the approximate number of Muslims nowadays.
They have the same ablution, the same way of praying, the same
fasting, and the sameHajj.
They worship One God: no one is truly worthy of worship but Him. They
submit to Him.
However, what about their feelings towards each other? What is their
concern with regard to supporting their religion? What are their
goals?
The answer is represented in the tragic suffering of Muslims in the
four corners of the world. Year after year, their suffering has become
even greater and the state of affairs has become even more turbulent
for the IslamicUmmah)Muslim nation( and its unity.
With the advent ofRamadan, themonth during which sublime virtues
become manifest and people benefit therefrom, you are invited to take
your share from this great bounty while you sit around the table
)ofRamadan( which Allaah The Almighty designated for the believing
people of the IslamicUmmah.
The most important thing to be adopted and followed is to achieve
brotherhood of faith among Muslims. Accordingly, they would support
each other, putting into action the verse in which Allaah The Almighty
Says)what means(:}The believing men and believing women are allies
ofone another.{]Quran 9:71[ And theHadeeth)narration( of the
Prophet,:"The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and
sympathy are just like one body; when one of the organs suffers, the
whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever."
Unity of faith is enhanced in the legislation of fasting as the
Prophet,said:"The start of the fast is the day you start and the end
of the fast is the day you end it, and the day of sacrifice is the day
you offer your sacrifice."]Abu Daawood, At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah[
Commenting on thisHadeeth, At-Tirmithisaid,"Some scholars interpreted
this Hadeethsaying that it means that fasting and breaking the fast
should be with the community of Muslims and most people."
Contemplate, O Muslims, on the unity of faith which brings your hearts
together even though you are of different countries, languages and
colors. It is an unmatchable unity on the face of the earth. So, why
do we overlook and neglect it? Allaah The Almighty Says )what
means(:}And brought together their hearts. If you had spent all that
isin the earth, you could not have brought their hearts together; but
Allaah brought them together. Indeed, He is Exalted in Might and
Wise.{]Quran 8:63[
Why are people undutiful to theirparents?
Why do people sever their kinship ties?
Why do spouses quarrel and fight?
Why do neighbors desert each other?
Why are the bonds of brotherhood among Muslims untied?
The outcome of these misfortunes is that anUmmahof one billion three
hundred million lost its advantage and effectiveness and became as it
is mentioned in theHadeeth"you will be scum like that carried down by
a torrent."
O IslamicUmmah, why do we seek this humiliation and pantingbehind
other nations seeking glory and pride by imitating them? Why do we
forget the Quranic verse where Allaah The Almighty Says )what
means(:}This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed
My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.{]Quran
5:3[
What a great religion is Islam! Why do people neglect this great blessing?
*.Breaking the Fast inRamadanand "Globalization"
The Prophet,, said:"Religion will continue to be dominant as long as
people hasten to break the fast, because the Jews and the Christians
delay doing so."]Abu Daawood[
Contemplate this discrepancy anddistinction between the MuslimUmmahand
other nations even in the aspects of eating.
The purpose of instituting distinguishing features in theUmmahwas not
intended as an end in itself. Rather, it was legislated for a great
goal ofSharee'ah)Islamic legislation( that many people do not
observenowadays and take it lightly; namely, distinguishing
thisUmmahfrom other nations in order to be independent in every field
-- religious, social economic,political, moral, and so on.
The Jews, since the dawn of the Message of Muhammad,noticed this
matter and were extremely annoyed. They said,"This man does not want
to leaveanything we do without opposing us in it."]Narrated by Anas,
may Allaah be pleased witgh him, inSaheeh Muslim[
Is it appropriate, after all this, that some of our brothers and
sisters become affected by the claims of the naïve and respond to the
calls of globalization?
Globalization in which aspect?
They want globalization in economy, policy, ethics, and so on. They
even call for religious globalization in order to mix all religions
including the true religion of Allaah The Almighty, Islam. Then, they
impose a new world order or a new world religion or the so-called
unity of religions in accordance with deviant Western perceptions in
the same way that they corrupted their religions, and designed after
the pattern of the godless life they live.
The Quran and theSunnah)Prophetic tradition( are replete with texts
enhancing the distinction of the members of thisUmmah, males and
females alike, with their true religion; andthe generations of
theUmmahcomprehended this distinction well, which indicates its utmost
importance. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:
*.}O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as
allies. They are ]in fact[ allies of one another. And whoever is an
ally to them among you - then indeed, he is]one[ of them. Indeed,
Allaah guides not the wrongdoing people.{]Quran 5:51[
*.}And never will the Jews or theChristians approve of you until you
follow their religion. Say,"Indeed, the guidance of Allaah is the
]only[ guidance." If you were to follow their desires after what has
come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allaah no protector
or helper.{]Quran 2:120[
The Prophet,, said:"You will follow the ways of those who preceded you
inch by inch and cubit by cubit so that if they should go into the
hole of a mastigure, you will follow them into it." We said, "O
Messenger ofAllaah! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?" He
replied,"Who else?""]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
He also said:"Whoever imitates a people, becomes one of them."]Ahmad
and Abu Daawood[ ]Jayyidchain of transmission[
The wholeUmmah, males and females, are asked to review their course of
life and the extentof their negligence towards this strategic issue in
order to regain their lost pride and honor.
]1[Until the time of writing theselines

Ramadan Articles, - The lost Ramadan

Ramadan is always equated in our minds with 29 or 30 days of
self-purification, sacrifice andpure devotion to Allaah. Even the
Muslim among us that would never bother about moon sighting, prayer in
the wee hours of the night and reading the whole Quran within four
weeks,gears up to embrace the spirit of this month.
Having spent the past Ramadan in the most beloved of lands to Allaah,
I felt utterly lucky to accept dates from a smiling sister who I had
never met and will probably never see again, and savor the loudAmeens
of my family of thousands of Muslims that the entire Al-Masjid
Al-Haraam )Sacred House in Makkah( resounded to.It was overwhelming to
observe hordes of peopleheading in one direction for Taraaweeh
)optional night prayers(. The Sacred House, ever the bustling place,
was full ofpeople breaking their fast, giving in charity, performing
'Umrah)Minor pilgrimage( and drinking Zamzam water. It has been a
supreme experience.
Yes, I am sure you know a 'but' is forthcoming. I hate to say what I
will, perhaps because I do notwish to taint the beauty of the month
that we have conjured up. But, even in Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, I could
not help but sadly wonder if Ramadan came and went, and we lost out.
For while I happily observed people flockingfor prayer, I also heard
people loudly fighting over a sitting place in theHouse of Allaah.
Instead of taking care of the Masjid like our own homes, it was often
left dirty as people failed to clean up after themselves. There was a
lot of generosity going around, but some of our Muslim brothers and
sisters are dying and suffering in many places around the world. There
was immense sharing, but rampant greed. Stores and hotels upped the
ante and doubled their asking prices.
Sure, all this gave a Makkan Ramadan a unique edge, no less, but I was
left wanting for thetrue spirit of Ramadan; offaith, unity and
patience,which brings about change within us that lasts more than just
one month.
Yet, every year, it is the same story in these sacred grounds, as well
as the rest of the Muslim world. What used to be a month of victory
since Islam came, has started to seem no different from our recent
history, with Muslim infighting, non-Muslims debasing our Prophetand
more failures. Rather than cherishing each moment of these invaluable
days, we cannot wait for 'Eed to don our new clothes. And instead of
fasting as a way of showing solidarity with the hungry, we plan
haute-cuisine Iftaars )fast-breaking meals(. Hearingof special Ramadan
TV shows and seasonal sales in shopping centers, it is difficult to
say if the corporations are more guilty or their clients.
The essence of Ramadan is becoming obscure; perhaps this is what the
Prophetimplied by saying:"Many a fasting person gains nothing from his
fasting but thirst, and many a personwho stands )in prayer( gets
nothing from his standing but wakefulness."]Ibn Maajah[
As always taught by scholars and in books and articles, Ramadan is not
just about the customary fasts and prayers; it is a month in which
Allaah has hidden a night which is better than a thousand months)in
virtue and reward(, sothat we make the effort every night to catch it.
Further, it is not about worshipping Allaah, The Most Exalted, and
practicing Islam only on one night or in one month, but Ramadan is
actually a catalyst for inner and outer change that lasts a lifetime,
for Allaah has no need for the one who fasts but does not leave evil
talk oraction. ]Al-Bukhaari[
Ramadan, in itself, is a month set above all by itsdistinctiveness as
days of fasting and nights of prayers, as actually practiced
everywhere. But, if we stay on our current path, not truly
appreciating the lessons of this month, by reducing it to a
conventional and commercialized holiday season, we may retain
itsgoodness, but risk losing the very spirit of Ramadan.

Ramadan Articles, - A Ramadan to remember

Nadia came home from school holding up a bound book proudly."Look what
I made," she said to her mother excitedly, waving her book back and
forth. Her mother glimpsed the title,My Best Memory.
As her mom flipped through it, she realized itwas about Ramadhan.
Pictures of masajid, people offering salah, and families breaking
their fast filled the pages.Nadia chattered excitedlyshowing her mom
the pictures and reading the words. "I told my class all about it,"
she said happily, adding, "They thought it was so cool."
"Ramadhan was months ago," said her mom, surprised. But as she looked
at her daughter's shining face, reliving her memories, she realized
that the spirit of Ramadhan was not forgotten by her 7-year old
daughter.
Every year, as Ramadhan approaches, families startgetting ready. They
stockup on food, make sure they have enough dates, and fast a couple
of days to "warm up." Everythingfrom these early preparations to the
very last rak'ah of Taraweeh isembedded in a child's mind. The spirit
of Ramadhan is so strong, that months and years later, children still
remember it, just as Nadia did.
And it is with the parent that the responsibility to make this month
memorable lies. It is up to you to make sure that you have made this
month special enough for your kids that they will always remember the
feel of Ramadhan. And it is also up to you tomake sure that they
understand what it is all about.
Ramadhan is about spirituality. It is about salah and fasting and
sacrifice and discipline. But to a child, it is also a month full of
happiness.
Ways to make Ramadan special
There are so many ways to make your child feel that Ramadhan is a
special month. Each family has its own traditions, and will have
specific ideas about how to spend the month. Some may wake up and have
an actual meal at suhoor. Others may read the Qur'an together every
morning. Some may attend Taraweeh salah every night. But here are some
general things that are sure to last with your children for their
entire life.
Taraweeh
Taking your children to the masjid is always important. But in
Ramadhan, the effect is twice as significant. When children see such
alarge number of Muslims surrounding them, all there for the same
purpose, they will sense that feeling of unity. It helps them
understand the concept of brotherhood and sisterhood. It is a time
forthem to learn to worship Allah, and it can also be atime for them
to have fun with other Muslim children. Parents can make deals with
their children, such as having them make a few rak'ahs, and then
letting them play or join the youth group activities. Obviously, this
has a stronger effect in bigger communities, but even the smaller ones
can make it work. And while this may be late at night, letting your
children stay up past their bed time a few times a week during this
month will not do much harm. Breaking therules once in a while
mayactually pay off.
Gatherings
As I mentioned earlier, Ramadhan is a time of unit. When you break
your fast together, it helps to affirm this feeling in children's
minds. Some nights can be just family gatherings,while others can
involve friends, or even the community as a whole. Inviting others to
your home to break fast not only brings you reward, but also creates
wonderful memories. Many masajid also hold community iftars a few
times a week. It is alwaysnice to show your children that we are one
Ummah, and these gatherings help them understand what it means.
Encourage fasting
Even young children can be encouraged to fast. Sometimes they can fast
on weekends, or fast halfof the day. However you decide to do it, it
helps children feel invoked, and strengthens their understanding of
what this month is all about. And as they fast, explain to them why
they are doing so. Let them know that you are happy with them, and
more importantly, that Allah is happy with them as well.
Ramadhan provides you the opportunity to teach your children about an
array of different topics. You can use the time right after iftar to
have a short lesson. Explain why we fast, read ayahs from the Qur'an
about Ramadhan, or tell them a little bit about the seerahof the
Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam. Teach them the importance of
self-discipline, and hat the meaning of an Ummah is. Show them the
countless blessings ofAllah upon us, and what it means to be thankful.
If you have a big community that offers a children's program during
Ramadhan, let them attend it. These lessons will also stay withthem
for life, Inshallah.
You can also go to your child's school, and tell his/her class about
Ramadhan. This will break the ice for your child, and may well makeit
easier for him/her to fast during the schooldays. It is an opportunity
to show your children that they can share their religious events and
holidays with others.
Muslim children need to feel the significance of Ramadhan, and
understand that we haveevents that are just as exciting as the
non-Muslim events they constantly hear about. In a time when Christmas
and Halloween and Easter are surrounded with such a fuss, it is
imperative that we show our children that they are not left out of
festivities. Islam gives them their own special events, which have
meaning as well as provide wonderful memories.
What I listed above are just a few things that willenhance the memory
of Ramadhan in a child's mind. Each family will follow old traditions
and create new ones as the years go on. It is not so much the
specifics as it is the overall atmosphere of the month. However, with
children, this atmosphere needs to be created early on, so that it can
be felt in their lateryears.

Ramadan Articles, - Laylat ul-Qadr: Peace Until Fajr

In each of the daily prayers we offer, we solemnly declare to
Allah,"Iyyaka na'budu"(You alone do we worship). While the intelligent
and committed believer realizes that his very lifestyle spells
worship, he knows, remembering the words of our Prophet(pbuh)
that"Du'aa' (supplication) is worship"[Tirmidhi, Abu Daud]
Allah, the Most Merciful, has encouraged the believers to take
advantage of certain times during the year to make du'aa'. Such an
occasion presents itself annually during Ramadan — especially onthe
Lailat-ul-Qadr, the Night of Power. On this night, the single most
important event in human history unfolded as, after the Glorious Quran
was preserved in the Protected Tablet, Jibril descended with the
blessed book to reveal it, upon Allah's command, toHis Messenger
(pbuh).
Accentuating its significance, Allah says"And how would you know (the
value of the) Night of Qadr."[97:2] So valuable is this Night of Qadr
that the Quran devotes a special surah toit."Lailatul Qadr is better
than a thousand months"[97:3] This one night surpasses the value of
30,000 nights.
The most authentic account of the occurrence of the Night indicates
that it can occuron any one of the last ten, odd numbered nights of
Ramadan. The fact that the exact night is unknown reflects Allah's
will in keeping it hidden. Indeed, the Prophet (pbuh) was prevented
from telling usits precise time. One day, he came out to tell the
companions the exact night. On the way he sawtwo men arguing with each
other. By the will of Allah, he (pbuh) forgot and subsequently
remembered it. Afterwards the Prophet (pbuh) was instructed not to
divulge this information."Had I been allowed,"he (pbuh) remarked
once,"I would have told you (of its exacttime)."[Ahmad]
The Almighty in His wisdom kept this hidden from us for many reasons.
Perhaps He wants us to strive hard inour worship during the last ten
days of Ramadan so that we don't become lazy, worshipping hard on just
that one night and denying ourselves the benefit of doing the same on
the other nights."Had people not left their salah except for that
(one) night, I would have informed you (of itsexact
date)."[Al-Tabarani]
The sincere believer who worries day and night about his sins and
phasesof neglect in his life patiently awaits the onset of Ramadan.
During it he hopes to be forgiven by Allah for past sins, knowing that
the Prophet (pbuh) promisedthat all who bear down during the last ten
days shall have all their sins forgiven. To achieve this, he remembers
the Prophet's (pbuh) advice in different sayings wherein he used words
like "seek", "pursue", "search", and "look hard"for Lailat-ul-Qadr.
Moreover, Allah and His Prophet (pbuh) provided us some signs of its
occurrence. Allah (swt) describes the night as"..peace until the rise
of the morn."[97:5] In various sayings, the Prophet (pbuh)
describedthe night as serene, tranquil, and peaceful. The sun at
sunrise would appear reddish and without its normal blazing and sharp
rays. The Prophet (pbuh) added that"the angels on earth on that night
of Qadr will be more numerous than all the pebbles of the earth."
What should one do during the last ten days in pursuit of Lailat-u-
Qadr? The devoted servant of Allah makes these nights alive with
prayer, reading and reflecting on Quran. He makes du'aa' to Allah,
penitently beseeching Him for His forgivness. Heis inspired by the
Prophet's (pbuh) words"Our Lord, most Exalted, Most high comes down
tothe lowest heaven duringthe last third of each night and announces
(reassuringly): Whoever makes du'aa', I shall answer it. Whoever asks
(for something halal) I shall grant it; and whoever seeks forgiveness,
I shall forgive him."[Bukhari] The believers, conscious of Allah and
their sins, will continue to beseech Allah, in and out of prayer,
during their prostrations. For a time, the only concern will be
cleansing oneself of the forgetfulness that this lifepropagates in
one's heart, the sins that accumulate, darkening the heart, making it
insensitive to disobeying Allah. The believer begs Allah to keep him
away from misfortunes in this world, the punishment ofthe grave, and
the torment of Hell. He asks Allah to make him patientand steadfast in
struggling to maintain his Islam in this world and asks Him to
overlook his shortcomings, periodsof laziness and neglect.
Sincere devotion on that night will render the believer forgtful of
the time, until he is surprisedby the Adhaan of Fajr. After Fajr, as
the sun creeps above the horizon, reddish and weak in its appearance,
without any rays, the effort at night will have been worthwhile. The
believer rejoices, knowing that this was quite possibly Lailat-ul-Qadr
and"whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on the Night
of Qadr fullybelieving (in Allah's promise of reward for that night)
and hoping toseek reward (from Allah alone and not from people), he
shall be forgiven for his past sins."[Bukhari, Muslim]