Important Lessons from Ramadhan

Allah -The Most High - said: "The month of Ramadhan in which the Qur’aan was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance of the Criterionbetween right and wrong. So whosoever of you sights the crescent for the month of Ramadhan, he must fast that month." [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:185].
Allah's Messenger ( sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) said:
"Islaam is built upon five: Testifying that none has the right to be worshippedexcept Allah and the Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the Prayer, giving the Zakaah performing Hajj to the House, and lasting in Ramadhan ." [1]
He ( sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) also said:
"There has come to you Ramadhan , a blessed month, in which Allah has made it obligatory to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained. In it is anight ( Laylatul-Qadr ) which is better than a thousand months. He who is deprived of its good has truly been deprived."[2]
From the many important lessons to be learnt from fasting are:
[1]: GAINING TAQWAA
Fasting has been legislatedin order that we may gain taqwaa as Allah - the Most High - said: "O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those before you in order that you may attain taqwaa." [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:183].
Talq ibn Habeeb (d.100H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"When fitnah (trial and tribulation) appears then extinguish it with taqwaa ." So he was asked as to what taqwaa was, so he replied: " Taqwaa is to act in obedience to Allah, upon a light (i.e. eemaan , faith) from Allah, hoping inthe Mercy of Allah. And taqwaa is leaving acts of disobedience to Allah, upon a light from Allah, due to the fear of Allah."[3]
"This is one of the best definitions of taqwaa . For every action must have both a stating point and a goal. And an action will not be considered as an act of obedience, or newness to Allah unless it sluts from pure eemaan (faith in Allah). Thus, it is pure eemaan - and not habits, desires, nor seekingpraise or fame, nor its flee - that should be what initiates an action. And thepreparation showed, to earn the reward of Allah and to seek His good pleasure."[4] So Fasting is a means of attaining taqwaa , since it helps prevent a person from many sins that one is prone to. Due to this, the Prophet ( sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) said: "Fasting is a shield with which the servant protects himself from the Fire."[5] So we should ask ourselves, after each day of fasting: Has this lasting made us more fearful and obedient to Allah? Has it aided us in distancing ourselves from sins and disobedience?
[2]: SEEKING NEARNESS TOAllah
The Prophet ( sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) said:
"Allah said: Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I shall be at war with him. My servant does not draw near to me with anything more beloved to me than the obligatory duties that I have placed upon him. My servant continues to draw nearer to Me with optional deeds so that I shall love him."[6]
The Prophet ( sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) said:
"Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadhan and does not have his sins forgiven, and so enters theFire, then may Allah distance him."[7]
So drawing closer to Allah - the Most Perfect - in this blessed month, can be achieved by fulfilling one's obligatory duties; and alsoreciting the Qur’aan and reflecting upon its meanings, increasing in kindness and in giving charity, in making du‘aa (supplication) to Allah, attending the Taraaweeh Prayer, seeking out Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Power and Pre-Decree), a night which is better than a thousand months, attending gatherings of knowledge, and striving inthose actions that will cause the heart to draw closer to its lard and to gain His forgiveness. Our level of striving in this blessed month should be greater than our striving to worship Allah in any other month, due to the excellence and rewards that Allah has placed in it. Likewise from the great means of seeking nearnessto Allah in this month is making I‘tikaaf (seclusion in the mosque in order to worship Allah) - for whoever is able./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

Important Lessons from Ramadhan

Allah -The Most High - said: "The month of Ramadhan in which the
Qur'aan was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the
guidance of the Criterionbetween right and wrong. So whosoever of you
sights the crescent for the month of Ramadhan, he must fast that
month." [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:185].
Allah's Messenger ( sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam ) said:
"Islaam is built upon five: Testifying that none has the right to be
worshippedexcept Allah and the Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,
establishing the Prayer, giving the Zakaah performing Hajj to the
House, and lasting in Ramadhan ." [1]
He ( sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam ) also said:
"There has come to you Ramadhan , a blessed month, in which Allah has
made it obligatory to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened
and the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the rebellious devils are
chained. In it is anight ( Laylatul-Qadr ) which is better than a
thousand months. He who is deprived of its good has truly been
deprived."[2]
From the many important lessons to be learnt from fasting are:
[1]: GAINING TAQWAA
Fasting has been legislatedin order that we may gain taqwaa as Allah -
the Most High - said: "O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for
you, as it was prescribed upon those before you in order that you may
attain taqwaa." [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:183].
Talq ibn Habeeb (d.100H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"When fitnah (trial and tribulation) appears then extinguish it with
taqwaa ." So he was asked as to what taqwaa was, so he replied: "
Taqwaa is to act in obedience to Allah, upon a light (i.e. eemaan ,
faith) from Allah, hoping inthe Mercy of Allah. And taqwaa is leaving
acts of disobedience to Allah, upon a light from Allah, due to the
fear of Allah."[3]
"This is one of the best definitions of taqwaa . For every action must
have both a stating point and a goal. And an action will not be
considered as an act of obedience, or newness to Allah unless it sluts
from pure eemaan (faith in Allah). Thus, it is pure eemaan - and not
habits, desires, nor seekingpraise or fame, nor its flee - that should
be what initiates an action. And thepreparation showed, to earn the
reward of Allah and to seek His good pleasure."[4] So Fasting is a
means of attaining taqwaa , since it helps prevent a person from many
sins that one is prone to. Due to this, the Prophet ( sallAllahu
'alayhi wa sallam ) said: "Fasting is a shield with which the servant
protects himself from the Fire."[5] So we should ask ourselves, after
each day of fasting: Has this lasting made us more fearful and
obedient to Allah? Has it aided us in distancing ourselves from sins
and disobedience?
[2]: SEEKING NEARNESS TOAllah
The Prophet ( sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam ) said:
"Allah said: Whosoever shows enmity to a friend of Mine, I shall be at
war with him. My servant does not draw near to me with anything more
beloved to me than the obligatory duties that I have placed upon him.
My servant continues to draw nearer to Me with optional deeds so that
I shall love him."[6]
The Prophet ( sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam ) said:
"Whosoever reaches the month of Ramadhan and does not have his sins
forgiven, and so enters theFire, then may Allah distance him."[7]
So drawing closer to Allah - the Most Perfect - in this blessed month,
can be achieved by fulfilling one's obligatory duties; and
alsoreciting the Qur'aan and reflecting upon its meanings, increasing
in kindness and in giving charity, in making du'aa (supplication) to
Allah, attending the Taraaweeh Prayer, seeking out Laylatul-Qadr (the
Night of Power and Pre-Decree), a night which is better than a
thousand months, attending gatherings of knowledge, and striving
inthose actions that will cause the heart to draw closer to its lard
and to gain His forgiveness. Our level of striving in this blessed
month should be greater than our striving to worship Allah in any
other month, due to the excellence and rewards that Allah has placed
in it. Likewise from the great means of seeking nearnessto Allah in
this month is making I'tikaaf (seclusion in the mosque in order to
worship Allah) - for whoever is able.

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Explaining Ramadhan to People Belonging to Other Faiths

Who Must Fast?
Fasting is compulsory for those who are mentally and physically fit,
past the age of puberty, in a settledsituation (not traveling), and
are sure fasting is unlikely to cause real physical or mental injury.
Exemptions from Fasting(some exemptions are optional)
*. Children under the age ofpuberty (Young children are encouraged to
fast asmuch as they are able.)
*. People who are mentallyincapacitated or not responsible for their actions
*. The elderly
*. The sick
*. Travelers who are on journeys of more than about fifty miles
*. Pregnant women and nursing mothers
*. Women who are menstruating
*. Those who are temporarily unable to fast must make up the missed
days at another time or feed the poor.
Special Events
*. Special prayers, called taraweeh, are performedafter the daily
nighttime prayer.
*. Lailat ul-Qadr ("Night of Power" or "Night of Destiny") marks the
anniversary of the night on which the Prophet Muhammad first began
receiving revelations from God, through the angel Gabriel. Muslims
believe Lailat ul-Qadr is one of the last odd-numbered nights of
Ramadhan.
Traditional Practices
*. Breaking the daily fast with a drink of water and dates
*. Reading the entire Quranduring Ramadhan
*. Social visits are encouraged.
Eid ul-Fitr ("Festival of Fast-Breaking") Prayers at the End of Ramadhan
*. Eid begins with special morning prayers on the first day of
Shawwal, the month following Ramadhan on the Islamiclunar calendar.
*. It is forbidden to performan optional fast during Eid because it is
a time for relaxation.
*. During Eid Muslims greet each other with the phrase "taqabbalallah
ta'atakum," or "may God accept your deeds" and"Eid Mubarak"
(eed-moo-bar-ak), meaning"blessed Eid."
Ramadhan Questionsand Answers
Q: How did the fast during Ramadhan become obligatory for Muslims?
The revelations from God to the Prophet Muhammadthat would eventually
be compiled as the Quran began during Ramadhan in the year 610, but
the fast of Ramadhan did not become a religious obligation for Muslims
until the year 624. The obligation to fast is explained in the second
chapter of the Quran: "O yewho believe! Fasting is prescribed to you
as it wasprescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn)
self-restraint...Ramadhan isthe (month) in which was sent down the
Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and
judgment (between right and wrong). So everyone of you who is present
(at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting..."
(Chapter 2, verses183 and 185)
Q: What do Muslims believe they gain from fasting?
One of the main benefits of Ramadhan are an increased compassion for
those in need of the necessities of life, a sense of self-purification
and reflection and a renewed focus on spirituality. Muslims also
appreciate the feeling of togethernessshared by family and friends
throughout the month. Perhaps the greatest practical benefit isthe
yearly lesson in self-restraint and disciplinethat can carry forward
to other aspects of a Muslim'slife such as work and education.
Q: Why does Ramadhan begin on a different day each year?
Because Ramadhan is a lunar month, it begins about eleven days earlier
each year. Throughout a Muslim's lifetime, Ramadhan will fall both
during winter months, when the days are short, and summer months, when
the days are long and the fast is more difficult. In this way, the
difficulty of the fast is evenly distributed between Muslims living in
the northern and southernhemispheres.
Q: What is Lailat ul-Qadr?
Lailat ul-Qadr ("Night of Power") marks the anniversary of the night
on which the Prophet Muhammad first began receiving revelations from
God, through the angel Gabriel. An entire chapter in the Quran deals
with this night: "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 God's permission, on everyerrand.
Peace!...This until the rise of morn." (Chapter 97) Muslims believe
Lailat ul-Qadr is one of the last odd-numbered nights of Ramadhan.
Q: Is it difficult to perform the fast in America?
In many ways, fasting in American society is easier than fasting in
areas where the climate is extremely hot. This year atleast, the
number of daylight hours will be less than when Ramadhan occurs during
the spring orsummer. In Muslim countries, most people are observing
the fast, so there are fewer temptations such as luncheon meetings,
daytime celebrations and offers of food from friends.....

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Will a person (a believer) be rewarded if he listens to the Qur’aan

Will a person (a believer) be rewarded if he listens to the Qur'aan
without understanding what he is listening to,
but he knows that it is Qur'aan? Or will he not be rewarded unless he
understands what he is hearing? I
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
Allah, may He be exalted, has commanded the believers to listen to the
Qur'aan attentively, in a general command. He says(interpretation of
the meaning): "So, when the Qur'aan is recited, listen to it, and be
silent that you may receive mercy" [al-A'raaf 7:204].
Shaykh al-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
This command is general and includes everyone who hears the Book of
Allah being recited. He is enjoined to listen to it and keep quiet.
The difference between listening and keeping quiet is that keeping
quiet is done outwardly by not speakingor being distracted with
anything that would keep one from focusing on listening to it.
As for listening to it, this means that one hears it with an attentive
heart, pondering the meaning of what one is listening to. The one who
adheres to these two commands when the Book of Allah is recited will
attain a great deal of good, beneficial knowledge, ongoing and renewed
faith, increased guidance and insight into his religion. Hence Allah
connected the attainment of mercy to them, which indicates that the
one whodoes not keep quiet and listen attentively when theBook is
recited to him will be deprived of the share ofmercy and has missed
out on a great deal of good.
The most emphatic command with regard to listening to the Qur'aan
attentively has to do with prayers in which Qur'aan isrecited out loud
by the imam, in which one is enjoined to listen attentively, to such
an extent that most of the scholars say that his focusing on keeping
quiet and listening attentively takes priority over his reciting
al-Faatihah etc.
End quote from Tafseer al-Sa'di, 314
The greater aim of keepingquiet and listening attentively is so that
the listener may ponder and understand the meanings, and act upon
them. Imam al-Tabari (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
Allah says to those who believe in Him and in His Book, for whom the
Qur'aan is guidance and mercy: "So, when the Qur'aan is recited", to
you, O believers; "listen to it", i.e. lend your ears so that you
might understand its verses and learn from its exhortation; "and be
silent" and listen to it attentively, so that you might understand and
ponder, and do not utter idle talk during it lest you do not
understand; "that you may receive mercy" i.e., that you might receive
the mercy of your Lord by heeding His exhortation and adhering to His
limits and to what He enjoins upon you in the verses.
End quote from Tafseer al-Tabari, 13/244
If a person manages to achieve that, i.e., keeping quiet, listening
attentively,pondering what is recited to him and understanding its
meanings, that will bring him goodness in thisworld and the Hereafter.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
By means of this listening, Allah guides His slaves andsets straight
their affairs inthis world and the Hereafter; with this the Messenger
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was sent, and he enjoined
it upon the Muhaajireen and Ansaar and those who followed them in
truth. The early generations used to gatherfor this purpose. When
theCompanions of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah
be upon him) gathered together, they would tell one of their number to
recite whilst they listened. 'Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allah be
pleased with him) would say to Abu Moosa: Remind us of our Lord, and
Abu Moosa would recite Qur'aan whilst they listened.
End quote from Majmoo' al-Fataawa, 11/626
Secondly:
As listening in the complete sense is that in which one understands
and ponders, there is no doubt that the one who does that as much is
he is able is to be commended for what he does, and he isexcused for
what he is incapable of. But what oneis incapable of should not be an
excuse for not doingwhat one is able to do of goodness. What is
possibleis not to be omitted because of what is difficult; in other
words, whatever a person is able to do of obligatory or mustahabb
actions is not waived because of what he is incapable of doing,
because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): "So keep your duty
to Allaah and fear Him as much as you can"
[al-Taghaabun 64:16].

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Funny story of threefriends who came tothe New York City

Not long ago, three friends came to the New York city. They decided to
stay in a hotel during the visit. It so happened that their room ended
up being on the 60th floor. The policy of the hotel was that every
night after12:00 a.m. the elevators are shut down for securityreasons.
So on the next day, the three friends rented a car and went outto
explore the city. They enjoyed movies, concerts, and other things
throughout the whole day. At one point, they remembered that they have
to get back to the hotel before 12 a.m. When they arrived, it was
beyond 12 a.m. at night. The elevators were shut down. There was no
otherway to get back to their room but to take the stairs all the way
to the 60th floor. All of a sudden,one friend got an idea. He said
"For the first 20 floors, I will tell jokes to keep us going. Then
another one of us could say wisdom stories for thenext 20 floors.
Then, we will cover the other 20 floors with sad stories." So, one of
the friends started with the jokes. With laughs and joy, they reached
the 20th floor. Now, another friend started saying stories thatare
full of wisdom. So, they learned a lot while reaching the 40th floor.
Now, it was time for the sad stories. So, the third friend started
thus, "My first sad story is that I left the key for the room in the
car."
Now, what is the point of this story? This story resembles our life
cycle. For the first 20 years of our life, we spend time in joking and
enjoying whatever is out there. Then, after we reach 20, we go into
the work force, get married, have kids and this is the time when we
use our wisdom.Then, if we reach 40, we finally see the white hairs
and begin to think that my life is coming to an end.
It's better that we start our life in the very beginning by
remembering death rather than preparing for it at the end our life
whenvery few of us have the energy to obey Allah completely.

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Standing by his mother's bedside

A long time ago there lived a great saint. His name was Sharafud-Din and he loved his mother very much. Once, when Sharafud-Din was still small, his mother fell very ill and had to stay in bed. One night she awoke witha burning thirst and calledout to her son to bring her a bowl of water.
The young boy hurried to do her bidding, but when he returned to her bedside with the water, he discovered that she had fallen asleep again. Sharafud-Din was not surewhat to do. Should he wake her up or wait until she awoke, or leave the water by her bedside and go back to bed himself? He decided to wait until she awoke.
Minutes passed...hours passed...the night passed...and still the smallboy waited patiently withthe water at his mother's side. Finally his mother awoke a little after the first light of dawn had paled the sky, and to her surprise there was her beloved son at her side.
"How long have you beenstanding here?" she asked. "You haven't been there all night have you?"
'Yes, mother," he replied,"I have been here since you asked me to bring you some water."
His mother was deeply touched by his devotion, and asked Allah to pour His blessings on her son. One day he grew up to bea great saint!
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Masjid Unaffected byEarthquake in Turkey Place: Golcuk Masjid, Turkey. Whatis amazing is that the thin minaret still stands!

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Look to Allah with Fearand Hope

After the Fast has been broken, the heart should swing like a pendulum between fear and hope. For one does not know if one's Fast will be accepted,so that one will find favor with Allah, or whether it will be rejected, leaving one among those He abhors. This is how one should be at the end of any act of worship one performs. It is related of al-Hasan ibn Abil Hasan al-Basri that he once passed by a group of people who were laughingmerrily. He said: "Allah, Great and Glorious is He, has made the month of Ramadan a racecourse, on which His creatures compete in His worship. Some have come in first and won, while others have lagged behind and lost. It is absolutely amazing to find anybody laughing and playing about on the day when success attends the victors,and failure the wasters. By Allah, if the veil were liftedoff, the doer of good would surely be preoccupied with his good works and the evildoer with his evil deeds. I am too full of joy to indulge inidle sport, while for one who has suffered rejection laughter will be precluded by remorse."
Of al-Ahnaf ibn Qays it is reported that he was once told: "You are an aged elder; Fasting would enfeeble you." But he replied: "By this I am making ready for a long journey: Obedience to Allah, Glorified is He, is easier to endure than His punishment." Such are the inwardly significant meanings of Fasting./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

How To Avoid Some Common Problems Encountered In Ramadan

This article provides useful advice on how to avoid some common problems encountered in Ramadan. If followed, it would enable one to fast comfortably and enjoy fully the spiritual benefits of Ramadan.
During the holy month of Ramadan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neitherlosing nor gaining. However, if one is overweight, Ramadan is an ideal time to normalize one's weight.
In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fibre containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours.
*. Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grainsand seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).
*. Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates).
*. Fibre-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry),marrow, mealies, spinach, and other herbs like methie, the leaves ofbeetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds,etc.
The foods eaten should be well balanced, containing foods from each food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heartburn, andweight problems.
AVOID
*. Fried and fatty foods.
*. Foods containing too much sugar.
*. Over-eating especially during the meal before Dawn (sehri. or suhur)
*. Too much tea during the meal before Dawn (sehri.or suhur). Tea makes youpass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day.
*. Smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually starting a few weeks before Ramadan. Smoking is unhealthy and one should stop completely.
EAT
*. Complex carbohydrates during the meal before Dawn (sehri. or suhur) so that the food lasts longermaking you less hungry.
*. Haleem is an excellent source of protein and is aslow-burning food.
*. Dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium.
*. Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat.
*. Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.
DRINK
*. As much water or fruit juices as possible between iftar (Breaking fasting) and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in time.
Common Medical Problems:
CONSTIPATION
Constipation can cause piles (haemorroids), fissures (painful cracks in anal canal) and indigestionwith a bloated feeling.
Causes: Too much refined foods, too little water and not enough fibre in the diet.
Remedy: Avoid excessive refined foods, increase water intake, use bran in baking, brown flour when making roti.
INDIGESTION AND WIND
Causes: Over-eating. Too much fried and fatty foods,spicy foods, and foods thatproduce wind e.g. eggs, cabbage, lentils, carbonated drinks like Colaalso produce gas.
Remedy: Do not over-eat; drink fruit juices or better still drink water. Avoid fried foods and add ajmor to wind-producing foods.
LETHARGY ('low blood pressure')
Excessive sweating, weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness, especially on getting up from sitting position, pale appearance and feeling faint are symptoms associated with "low blood pressure". This tendsto occur towards the afternoon.
Causes: Too little fluid intake, decreased salt intake.
Remedy: Keep cool, increase fluid and salt intake.
Caution: Low blood pressure should be confirmed by taking a blood pressure reading when symptoms are present. Persons with highblood pressure may need their medication adjusted during Ramadan. They should consult their doctor.
HEADACHE
Causes: Caffeine and tobacco-withdrawal, doingtoo much in one day, lack of sleep, hunger, usually occur as the day goes by and worsens at the end of the day. When associated with "low blood pressure",the headache can be quite severe and can also cause nausea before Iftar (Breaking Fasting).
Remedy: Cut down caffeine and tobacco slowly starting a week or two before Ramadan. Herbal and caffeine-free teas may be substituted. Reorganize your schedule during the Ramadan so as to have adequate sleep.
LOW BLOOD SUGAR
Weakness, dizziness, tiredness, poor concentration, perspiring easily, feeling shaky (tremor), unable to perform physical activities,headache, palpitations are symptoms of low blood sugar.
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Glossary of Islamic Terms for the Month of Ramadhan

"O who believe, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you;
perchance you will guard yourselves....
The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down, a guidance for the people, and clear verses of guidance and criterion." [Quran: Chapter 2, 183]
Bab Al-Raiyan
The name of one of the gates of Heavens (Jannah) through which the people who often observe fasting will enter on the Day of Judgement.
Eid Al-Fitr
Three-day festival markingthe end of Ramadan. It begins on the 1st of Shawal, the 10th month ofthe Islamic calendar.
Fidya
Compensation for missing or wrongly practicing necessary acts of worship. Fidya usually takes the form of donating money, foodstuffs, or sacrificing ananimal. Contrast with Kaffara (making amends).
Iftar or Futoor
Breaking of the fast immediately after sunset. Iftar takes place at Maghrib as soon as the Callto Prayer (Adhaan) is given.
Imsak
Start of the fasting time. Imsak begins when the first light of dawn becomes visible, and ends at Fajr when the Adhaan iscalled. Literally means"holding back."
I'tikaf
I'tikaf refers to the religious practice of spending the last ten days of Ramadan (either whollyor partly) in a mosque so as to devote oneself exclusively to worship. In this state one may go out of the mosque only for theabsolutely necessary requirements of life, but one must stay away from gratifying one's sexual desire. The minimum period for i'tikaf is twenty-four hours. I'tikaf is not valid if one is not keeping the fast or if it is done outside the month of Ramadan.
Kaffarah
Kaffarah means atonement, expiation. In Ramadhan this would refer to the expiation for breaking the fast.
Lailatul-Qadr
'The Night of Power,' concealed in one of the odd nights in the last ten days of Ramadan; the night on which the Qur'an was first revealed by Jibraeel to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and which the Qur'an itself describes as "better than a thousand months." [Al-Qadr (97:3)]
Ramadhan or Ramadhan
The ninth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar. The month in which Muslims fast.
Sawm or Siyam
The Arabic word for fast. Plural: Siyam. Literally in the Arabic language it means "to abstain."/ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

Glossary of Islamic Terms for the Month of Ramadhan

"O who believe, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those
before you;
perchance you will guard yourselves....
The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down, a
guidance for the people, and clear verses of guidance and criterion."
[Quran: Chapter 2, 183]
Bab Al-Raiyan
The name of one of the gates of Heavens (Jannah) through which the
people who often observe fasting will enter on the Day of Judgement.
Eid Al-Fitr
Three-day festival markingthe end of Ramadan. It begins on the 1st of
Shawal, the 10th month ofthe Islamic calendar.
Fidya
Compensation for missing or wrongly practicing necessary acts of
worship. Fidya usually takes the form of donating money, foodstuffs,
or sacrificing ananimal. Contrast with Kaffara (making amends).
Iftar or Futoor
Breaking of the fast immediately after sunset. Iftar takes place at
Maghrib as soon as the Callto Prayer (Adhaan) is given.
Imsak
Start of the fasting time. Imsak begins when the first light of dawn
becomes visible, and ends at Fajr when the Adhaan iscalled. Literally
means"holding back."
I'tikaf
I'tikaf refers to the religious practice of spending the last ten days
of Ramadan (either whollyor partly) in a mosque so as to devote
oneself exclusively to worship. In this state one may go out of the
mosque only for theabsolutely necessary requirements of life, but one
must stay away from gratifying one's sexual desire. The minimum period
for i'tikaf is twenty-four hours. I'tikaf is not valid if one is not
keeping the fast or if it is done outside the month of Ramadan.
Kaffarah
Kaffarah means atonement, expiation. In Ramadhan this would refer to
the expiation for breaking the fast.
Lailatul-Qadr
'The Night of Power,' concealed in one of the odd nights in the last
ten days of Ramadan; the night on which the Qur'an was first revealed
by Jibraeel to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and which the Qur'an
itself describes as "better than a thousand months." [Al-Qadr (97:3)]
Ramadhan or Ramadhan
The ninth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar. The month in which
Muslims fast.
Sawm or Siyam
The Arabic word for fast. Plural: Siyam. Literally in the Arabic
language it means "to abstain."

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Ramadaan - How to Attain Taqwaa

The concept of taqwaa is always linked to ibaadah in the Qur'an. 'Ibaadah can be defined as doing what Allah has commanded and avoiding what He has prohibited. 'Ibaadah has also been defined as a concept that includes all actions that Allah loves and approves of, whether they are actions of the heart, the toungue or the limbs. So taqwaa is linked with doing what is correct and avoiding that which is wrong. Taqwaa is the fruit of doing the actions of 'Ibaadah. In other words, ifone does what Allah has commanded him to do, and abstains from that which he has been forbidden, he will achieve taqwaa. Allah mentions in His Book (that means):
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become muttaqoon (those who have taqwaa or piety)." [ Al-Baqarah 2:183 ]
In this aayah and in many others, Allah has shown us that taqwaa is the result or fruit of doing actions of ibaadah.
The Meaning of Taqwaa
Now that we have clarifiedhow to achieve taqwaa, we define what the concept of taqwaa means. Taqwaa means: to cleanse or purify the heart and thesoul. This fact is proven by some ayaat in Surat Ash-Shams in which Allah (T) says (what means):
"By the sun and its brightness, by the moon asit follows it, by the day as it shows its brightness, by the night as it conceals it, by the heaven and its wondrous make, by the earth and all its expanse, and by the soul and He Who perfected it in proportion, then He showed it what is wrong for it and what is right for it - indeed he succeeds who purifies it, and he failswho corrupts it." [Ash-Shams 91:1-10]
Allah begins this soorah bytaking seven oaths. Whenever Allah begins a soorah or an ayaah with an oath, He (T) does so to bear witness to the fact that whatever follows this oath is very important andessential for us to understand. Therefore, we should pay very close attention to what is being said, and reflect upon its meanings. To cleanse one'sheart and to purify the soul, one must perform righteous actions that Allah has enjoined upon us, and our destruction liesin doing the actions that Allah has forbidden. As Allah is the Guardian and Protector of the Soul, we should do every good deed hoping for Allah's Mercy and fearing His Punishment, having full reliance and trust in Him (T).
Purification of the Soul
Among the missions of theProphet (saws), Allah sent him with the command to purify the souls of the Muslims in particular, and of mankind in general. Allah (T) says (what means):
"He it is who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His ayaat, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and the Hikmah, while before they had been in error."
[Al-Jumu'ah 62:2]
In this ayaah the word
1. To teach the Qur'an.
2. To teach the Sunnah.
3. To show the means of purifying the soul.
This purification is obtained by doing the proper acts of 'ibaadah and by avoiding sins and disobedience.
Conditions for Attaining Taqwaa
How does a person know that his acts of 'ibaadah are helping him to achievetaqwaa? To develop taqwaa, one must fulfill the following conditions:
1) Ikhlaas, sincere intention that the act is performed purely for the pleasure of Allah, out of love for Him, while hoping for His reward and mercy, as well as fearing His anger and punishment if He is disobeyed.
2) To do the deed in accordance with the authentic Sunnah. To have the necessary knowledge of the 'ibaadah that is being performed. To knowhow the Prophet (saws) performed the action and proper times for the performance of that action.
Concerning Ikhlaas, it mustbe present both before and after performing the deed, with no riyaa or sum'ah (doing things to beseen or heard by people). For instance, after doing a good deed, one must not say to others, "Look at all the good I have been doing", or "I'm such a marvelous person because I do such and such."
This formula, if used to achieve taqwaa, is scientific, in that if you follow it, while fulfilling allof its conditions and their rights, you will achieve taqwaa insha/ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

Diet During Ramadan

"To be healthy, one must consume food from the major food groups: bread and cereal, milk and dairy product, meat and bean, vegetable and fruit. During the month long fast of Ramadan the metabolic rate of a fastingperson slows down and other regulatory mechanisms start functioning. Body and dietary fat is efficiently utilized. Consuming total food intake that is less than the total food intake during normal days is sufficient to maintain a person's health. Intake of fruits after a meal is strongly suggested. A balanced diet improves blood cholesterol profile, reduces gastric acidity, prevents constipation andother digestive problems, and contributes to an active and healthy life style."
- (Int. J. Ramadan Fasting Research, 3:1-6, 1999)
INTRODUCTION
Fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan can be good for one's health and personal development. Ramadan fasting is not just about disciplining the body to restrain from eating food and drinking water from predawn until sunset. The eyes, the ears, the tongue, and even the private parts are equally obligated to be restrained if a Muslim wants to gain the total rewards of fasting. Ramadan is also about restraining anger, doing good deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing oneself to serve as a good Muslim and a good person during and after Ramadan.
This is why the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him, Pbuh) has been attributed, by Hazrat Abu Hurairah in hadith, to say: "He who does not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah has no need that he didn't eat or drink." (Bukhari, Muslim). In another hadith by Hazrat Abu Harairah, the Prophet (Pbuh) said: "Fasting is not only from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene (acts). If someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly toward you, say(to them) 'I am fasting; I am fasting." (Ibn Khuzaoinah). Restraint from food, water, and undesirable behavior makes a person more mentally disciplined and less prone to unhealthy behavior. In an investigation in Jordan (1), a significant reduction of parasuicidal cases was noted during the month ofRamadan. In the United Kingdom, the Ramadan model has been used by various health departments and organizations to reduce cigarette smoking among the masses, especially among Africans and Asians(2).
Ramadan fasting has spiritual, physical, psychological, and social benefits; however, manmade problems may occur, if fasting is not properly practiced. First of all, there is no need to consume excess food at iftar (the food eaten immediately after sunset to break fast), dinner or sahur ( the light meal generally eaten about half an hour to one hour before dawn). The body has regulatory mechanisms that activate during fasting. There is efficient utilization of bodyfat. [El Ati et al. (3)]. Basal metabolism slows down during Ramadan fasting. [Husain et al. (4)]. A diet that is less than a normal amount of food intake but balanced is sufficient enough to keep a person healthy and active during the month of Ramadan.
Health problems can emerge as a result of excess food intake, foods that make the diet unbalanced, and insufficient sleep (5, 6). Ultimately also, such a lifestyle contradicts the essential requirements andspirit of Ramadan.
DIET DURING RAMADAN
According to Sunna (the practices of Prophet Muhammad, Pbuh) and research findings referred in this report, a dietary plan is given:
1. Bread/Cereal/Rice, Pasta,Biscuits and Cracker Group:6-11 servings/day; 2. Meat/Beans/ Nut Group: 2-3 servings/day. 3. Milk and Milk Product Group: 2-3 servings/day. 4. Vegetable Group: 3-5 servings/day; 5. Fruit Group: 2-4 servings/day. 6.Added sugar (table sugar, sucrose): sparingly. 7. Added fat, polyunsaturated oil 4-7 table spoons.
Breakfast, iftar :
*. Dates, three
*. Juice, 1 serving (4 oz.)
*. Vegetable soup with some pasta or graham crackers, 1 cup
The body's immediate need at the time of iftar is to get an easily available energy source in the form of glucose for every living cell, particularly the brain and nerve cells. Dates and juices are good sources of sugars. Dates and juice in the above quantity are sufficient to bring low blood glucose levels to normal levels. Juice and soup help maintain water and mineral balance in thebody. An unbalanced diet and too many servings of sherbets and sweets with added sugar have been found to be unhealthy. [Gumma et al. (7)]./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

Pouring millions of dollars of alcohol down the Nile!

If I had the money, I would stay there!!!
Seriously, one of the thingsI hate, is having to doubt the food and stuff in a restaurant or hotel in a Muslim majority country. My friends were at a fancy hotel in just such a country, and they almost ate some halal-looking stuff, luckily one of them had the sense to ask the waiter if everything on thebuffet was halaal...turns out several were prepared with alcohol! My question was, why didnt the waiter,seeing women in hijaab, not warn them before hand?
My friend said she felt like such an idiot having to aska Muslim if the food was halaal. I think she did the right thing, and alhamdulillah, she didnt have to eat anything haraam.
Bro Khalid: Whats the name of the halaal hotel inDubai? And how expensive is it?
I think that it is a good step for a reputable hotel like the Hyatt to turn all halaal. Hopefully lots will follow suite. If you wannadrink, then don't come to aMuslim country! I think that would be a great slogan!
I get sad at thinking how much of the revenue of our very wealthy Arab nations is made on Haraam stuff. You know, wallahi, I believe that theywould make just as much if not more (with the added blessings) if they just left out all the haraamstuff, like alcohol. Thye have so many attractions, people would visit theour countries despite there notbeing alcohol/pork. May Allah swt guide us
Take care, see you all at the Grand Hyatt!! ;)
Salam
S.
Fozia :
:slm:
You know that is soo true, there is barakah in following the halal.
There's a restaurant here, and it absolutely and utterly does not allow alcohol in any shape or form and the meat is zabiha, I love it being the one place I can eat out without worrying.
You should see the barakah in this place, its always utterly packed out, the food is fabulous and the clientele range from muslims to non muslims and nobody has made a peep about the no alcohol rule. Lots of restaraunts have tried to copy them too.....
I'd stay at the grand hyatt in a heartbeat, when I'm rich inshallah I'll take my girls there, actually I'll lookaround we could prolly getvery good off peak deals there, its possible I think.
Thoroguhly agree support our brothers and sisters who are trying to live islamically.
Wassalaam
BrKhalid :
Asalaamu Alaikum :bro:
Quote
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Whats the name of the halaal hotel in Dubai? Andhow expensive is it?
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This is the thread we had earlier on this .,..
This one is near the beach at the marina but there is also a 5 star Coral hotel in the centre of town near to all the souqs and the old Dubai./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

The Inner Dimensions of Fasting

Three Grades
It should be known that there are three grades of Fasting: ordinary, special and extra-special.
*. Ordinary Fasting means abstaining from food, drink and sexual satisfaction.
*. Special Fasting means keeping one's ears, eyes, tongue, hands and feet --and all other organs -- free from sin.
*. Extra-special Fasting means fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but Allah, Great and Glorious is He. This kind of Fast is broken by thinking of worldly matters, except for thoseconducive to religious ends, since these constitute provision for the Hereafter and are notof this lower world. Those versed in the spiritual life of the heart have even said that a sin is recorded against one who concerns himself all day with arrangements for breaking his Fast. Such anxiety stems from lack of trust in the bounty of Allah, Great and Glorious is He, and from lack of certain faith in His promised sustenance.
To this third degree belong the Prophets, the true awliya and the intimates of Allah. It doesnot lend itself to detailedexamination in words, asits true nature is better revealed in action. It consists in utmost dedication to Allah, Greatand Glorious is He, to the neglect of everything other than Allah, Exalted is He. It is bound up with the significance of His words: 'Say: "Allah (sent it down)": then leave them to play in their vaindiscussions.' [al-An'am,6:91]
Inward Requirements
As for Special Fasting , this is the kind practiced by therighteous. It means keeping all one's organs free from sin and six things are required for its accomplishment:
1. See Not What Displeases Allah
A chaste regard, restrainedfrom viewing anything that is blameworthy or reprehensible, or that distracts the heart and diverts it from the remembrance of Allah, Great and Glorious is He. Said the Prophet, on him be peace:
"The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Satan, on him be Allah's curse. Whoever forsakes it for fear of Allah will receive from Him, Great and Glorious is He, a faith the sweetness of which he will find within his heart."
Jabir relates from Anas that Allah's Messenger, on him be peace, said:
"Five things break a man's Fast: lying, backbiting, gossiping, perjury and a lustful gaze."
2. Speak Not What Displeases Allah
Guarding one's tongue from idle chatter, lying, gossiping, obscenity, rudeness, arguing and controversy; making (the tongue) observe silence and occupying it with remembrance of Allah, Great and Glorious is He, and with recitation of Quran. This is the fasting ofthe tongue. Said Sufyan: 'Backbiting annuls the Fast.' Layth quotes Mujahidas saying: 'Two habits annul Fasting: backbiting and telling lies.' The Prophet, on him be peace, said:
"Fasting is a shield; so when one of you is Fastinghe should not use foul or foolish talk. If someone attacks him or insults him, let him say: "I am Fasting, Iam Fasting!"'
According to Tradition:"Two women were Fastingduring the time of Allah's Messenger, on him be peace. They were so fatigued towards the end of the day, from hunger and thirst that they were on the verge of collapsing. They therefore sent a message to Allah's Messenger, on him be peace, requesting permission to break their Fast. In response, the Prophet, on him be peace, sent them a bowl and said: "Tell them to vomit into it what they have eaten." One of them vomited and half filled the bowl with fresh blood and tender meat, while the other brought up the same so that they filled it between them. The onlookers were astonished. Then the Prophet, on him be peace, said: "These two women have been Fasting from what Allah made lawful to them, and have broken their Fast on what Allah, Exalted is He, made unlawful to them. They sattogether and indulged in backbiting, and here is the flesh of the people they maligned!"'
3. Hear Not What Displeases Allah
Closing one's ears to everything reprehensible; for everything unlawful to utter is likewise unlawful to listen to. That is why Allah, Great and Glorious is He, equated the eavesdropper with the profiteer, in His words, Exalted is He: "Listeners to falsehood, consumers of illicit gain." [al-Ma'idah, 5:42] Allah, Great and Glorious is He, also said: "Why do their rabbis and priests not forbid them to utter sin and consume unlawful profit?" [al-Ma'idah, 5:63] Silence inthe face of backbiting is therefore unlawful. Allah, Exalted is He, said: "You are then just like them." [al-Nisa, 4:140] That is why the Prophet, on him be peace, said: "The backbiter and his listener are copartners in sin."....
/ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

Sports Car vs. Quraan - a nice story

A young man was getting ready to graduate college.For many months he had admired a beautiful sportscar in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man waited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduationhis father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.
Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Quran. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said "With all your money you give me a Quran?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.
Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care things. When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search his father's important papers and sawthe still new Quran, just ashe had left it years ago. With tears, he opened theQuran and began to turn the pages.
As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Quran. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.
How many times do we miss ALLAH blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?/ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

The mysterious helping hands

Iram, and her brother, Ahmed, were excited about the upcoming days.It was Ramadan, a time tolearn appreciation for the things they had, and to think of others who didn'thave as much.
They had both been saving their money all year long. Iram, who was seven years old, sat on her bed and dumped out her money jar. Coins ran all over the blanket. "This is a lot of money. Mommasays we are supposed to help someone. She wants us to think about how much we have and then think of someone who doesn't have very much, and do something nice forthem," Iram said, gathering the money into a pile. "Dump out your jar,Ahmed," she told her brother.
The coins came spilling out of his jar onto the bed. "Wow! We can do a lot for someone with all this money," Ahmed said, smiling. "This is such a special time of year. I'm glad we can help others."
"But we have to do it secretly, Ahmed, remember. We have to pick someone and do something very nice without them knowing it is from us. Who should we pick?" Iram asked.
"Let's pick our neighbors, Rashid, and Fatima. I noticed that they had holes in their shoes," Ahmed said.
"That's a good idea. We could buy some new shoes for them. They aren't as blessed as we are. We have a lot of shoes, don't we?" Iram asked with appreciation.
"I have three pair. You have more. Let's buy some new shoes for them," Ahmed said, smiling.
Iram and Ahmed found their momma. She was busy washing some dates.She saw her children come into the kitchen."I'm going to make some baklawa for tonight," she said, knowing her family loved to eat that. "Poppa is at the mosque, in prayer. When he comes home, after the sun sets, we'll have some. In the meantime, you two look like you've got somethingon your minds."
"We want to help the poor. Ahmed and I have been saving our money all year long and we wantto help Rashid and Fatima, our neighbors," Iram began.
Ahmed, with excitement, interrupted, "We want to buy them some shoes."
Momma smiled at her beautiful children. She was so proud of them.
"Aren't you hungry, Momma?" Ahmed asked. He knew she had not had anything to eat or drink since dawn that morning.
"I'm a little bit, but that is good for me. Don't worry about me. When you're older, you'll understand more and be able to fast too," she explained."Would you like me to take you to the store to buy the shoes?" she asked.
"Would you, Momma? Is that all right?" Iram begged.
"Why of course. Let's go," she said.
They walked to the shoe store and went inside. Iram picked out a pair of shoes for Fatima. Ahmed picked out a pair for Rashid. They were both soproud that they'd saved their money so they coulddo this to help. Later, theywent home and wrapped the shoe boxes in plain brown paper. They waitedanxiously for night to come. It would be dark and they could deliver their gifts.
The sun began to drop behind the horizon. A little while later, Poppa came home. He and Momma had some lentil soup, then tomato and cucumber sandwiches. Momma called to her children, "Iram. Ahmed. Come and have some baklawa, and some fresh dates." The children came running into the kitchen. Momma cut them a big piece.
They gobbled it down quickly as they were anxious to do their good deed. "Slow down, children," Poppa urged, laughing.
It was soon dark outside. Momma had the children go and get the boxes they'd wrapped so carefully. They put their coats on and walked quietly over to Rashid andFatima's house. Momma whispered, "All right, children. We must be veryquiet and very fast. Ahmed, you knock on the door and then run over here, to this bush, where Iram and I will be hiding. We'll watch as they come and find their gifts."
Iram and Ahmed giggled with delight. Iram and Momma hid, and Ahmed tiptoed up to the door. Heput both of the boxes down on the porch, and knocked hard. Then he ran, and ran, and ran, as fast as he could, to where Iram and Momma were."Shhh," Momma whispered. "Someone opened the door."
They watched as Rashid and Fatima came out ontothe porch. "Look! There are presents for us. Someone left them here," Rashid cried out with excitement. He and Fatima looked around. It was very dark and they couldn't see anyone. They picked up the boxes and took them inside.
After a minute or two, waiting to make sure theywouldn't be seen, Momma, Ahmed, and Iram, snuck quietly back to their house. Ahmed started laughing. "Poppa! Poppa! We did it! We snuck up and left the presents!"
Iram added, "They didn't see us, Poppa. They don't know it was us." She was laughing too.
Momma and Poppa stood back and looked at their children. They were so proud of them./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

You Are Not Alone

Sometimes it seems like every person in this world of seven billion souls is living a quarantined, lonely experience. You take the subway to work and everyone reads her own novel, or rests his head against the seat, not meeting anyone else’s eyes. Each person is surrounded by an invisible sphere of seclusion. Or youwalk down a crowded downtown street, with thousands of people intenton their own lives and errands, disengaged from all around them…
Every one of us is the center of our own universe, living within our own skulls, constrained by the limitations of our senses. None of us can ever truly know the inner thoughts and feelings of another. This awareness can be isolating and depressing.
But let me give you a different perspective:
First, there is Allah. He knows the innermost hopes and fears of each of us. He is with us, watching us, protecting us and guiding us at all times. He loves us and wants good for us. So in a very real sense, none of us is alone. Allah is the unifying factor,the Master of all, the One who created a universe that functions in harmony and symmetry; even the chaos of nature is part of agreater pattern, and servesAllah in its way.
In fact, check this out: Abu Huraira narrated, “The Prophet said, “If Allah loves a person, He calls Gabriel saying, ‘Allah loves so and-so; O Gabriel! Love him.’ Gabriel would love him and make an announcement amongst the inhabitants of the Heaven. ‘Allah loves so-and-so, therefore you should love him also,’ and so all the inhabitants of the Heaven would love him, and then he is granted the pleasure of the people on the earth.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Hadith 431)
Wow, subhanAllah. That is a lot of love being directedyour way! That’s hardly congruous with the notionof an isolated existence.
Second, there is our noble Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Regardless of our nationalities, our schools of thought or “sects”, we are united in honoring andrevering him. We study hislife, repeat his words, and send blessings on him. We live our lives by his teachings. We look up to him and love him as we love ourselves.
Third, there is our great deen of Islam. At any givenmoment, at this very second, there are Muslims in the world standing shoulder to shoulder in prayer, all facing the same location on the earth. Islam has brought us together in a unique and unprecedented global brotherhood and sisterhood. Though we may be strangers to each other in a physical sense, spiritually we are connected. We care about each other, we feel each other’s joys and fears.
Yes, we are biological beings, each living within our own limited bodies. When you or I think, no other human hears us. When you eat, no one else tastes it. When your head hurts, no one else feels thepain. When you harbor private aspirations and terrors, no one else feels the beating of your heart.
But Allah is with you, my brother, my sister. Allah hears. Allah is always ready to comfort you, respond to your prayers, and bless you with His grace.
And the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) struggled so hard for you. Yes of course, he fought for you! You are a part of his Ummah. You are one ofhis flock. His mission was for you as much as anyoneelse. On the Day of Judgment he will intercedefor his Ummah; he will claim us, and struggle for us just as he did in his earthly life.
Lastly, we Muslims all share a spiritual bond, a common understanding ofthe world. We are family (even if some of us don’t act like it).
When the loneliness of life feels heavy on your back, remember that the isolation of human existence is an illusion. You are not alone. You are surrounded by guidance, blessings, and caring. You are loved, even when you do not see it. You are not alone./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

For Every Trouble, Allah Helps You Double

For every setback, Allah has a comeback. For every trouble, He helps you double. Every day He shows you the way. Alhamdulillah.
Allah does not get tired of you. He does not write youoff, or forget about you, orgive up on you. In fact, when you need Him and call on Him, He comes to you quickly, at speed, rushing to help you:
The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Allah the Most High said, ‘I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am. I am with him when he mentions Me. If he mentions Me to himself, Imention him to Myself; and if he mentions Me inan assembly, I mention him in an assembly greater than it. If he draws near to Me a hand’s length, I draw near to him an arm’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.’” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
What an amazing, benevolent, merciful God isAllah. He is Master of all: He could have been capricious, selfish, or destructive, and we would have been helpless pawns,unable to help ourselves or be helped. But that is not His nature. In hundreds of verses of the Quran, Allah Almighty describes Himself as “Ghafurun Rahim”, that is One Who forgives and has mercy./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

The evil of the evildoer is sufficient for him

Bakr bin 'Abdullah said:
"There was a companion of the king who visited him all the time. He would sit beside him and say, 'Treat the good-doer with good and don't treatthe evil-doer with evil for his evil will be sufficient for him.' Another man envied his position with the king and his good speech.
The envious man came to the king and related: 'Your companion that sits beside you claimed that you had a bad smell.' The king inquired, 'But how can I verify this?' The manreplied, 'Call him to you. He will put his hand on his nose as he gets closer to you.' The king said, 'Leave, and I will see! ' This man left the king andinvited the king's companion to a meal thathe had placed much garlicin. The companion ate and then went to the kingas usual and said, 'Treat the good-doer with good and don't treat the evil-doer with evil, for his evil will be sufficient for him.' The king said to him,'Get closer to me!' The man moved closer, and placed his hand over his mouth so that the king would not smell the odor of garlic. The king thoughtto himself, 'That man was truthful.' The king then hand-wrote a letter and gave it to the companion. The king never wrote anything unless he wanted to give someone a prize or gift. But this letter was written to one of his administrators and contained the following message: 'When the bearer of this letter comesto you, slaughter him and skin him. Then fill his skin with straw and send him back to me.'
Later, the envious man met the companion on hisway and asked, 'What is this letter?' The companion replied, 'The king has given me a gift.' The envious man asked, 'Would you give it to me.' The other companion said, 'It's yours.' The envious man took it and went to the administrator. The administrator said to him,'This letter is a command from the king to slaughteryou and skin you.' The envious man announced, 'This letter is not mine. I beseech you in the Name of Allah to check with the king before you do anything.'
The administrator informed him that there would be no changes to what the king had written. Then he slaughtered him, skinned him, filled his skin with straw, and sent him back to the king. In the meantime, the companionreturned to the king as usual. The king was shocked and demanded, 'What happened to the letter?' He said, 'So-and-somet me and asked me for it, so I gave it to him.' The king then challenged, 'Have you said that I have a bad smell?' The man rebutted, 'No! ' So the king asked, 'Then why didyou place your hand over your mouth?' The man answered, 'So-and-so provided me with food that had much garlic in it and I hated that you might smell it.' The king declared, 'You are truthful.The evil of the evildoer is sufficient for him.'"/ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

Those who travel bynight take rest in the morning

Qasim bin Raashid (Rahmatullah alaihe) says that Sheikh Zam'ah (Rahmatullah alaihe) was staying with his wife and daughters, in their neighbourhood at Muhassab (a place near Makkah Mukarramah). They saw that the Sheikh was accustomed to stand in Salaat for long hours of the night. He used to awake his wife and children for Tahajjud in the latter part of the night, saying, "Wake up, Otravellers! Let us proceed. Will you lie sleeping the whole night through?" At his call, all of them would wake up and engage in different activities. One of them would perform Wudhu and offer Nafl Salaat, another would sit in a corner and weep from fear of Allah, still another would sit and recite from the Holy Quraan. They continued inthis state till dawn, when the Sheikh called them and said, "Rest a while, forthose who travel by nighttake rest in the morning."
How do we spend our night?/ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

How he used his eyes

It is said that Da'wood Ta'ee Rahmatullah alaihe used to take crumbs of bread soaked in water, that being the only meal he took everyday. On being asked why he did so, he replied, "By drinking this liquid food, instead of chewing and swallowing bread, I can save enough time to recite fifty Ayaat of the Holy Quran." Once a visitor came to see him and told him that the beam of his room had cracked. He said, "I have not looked up at the ceiling of this room for the last twenty years." Not only did these pious beings avoid indulging in idle talks, but also abstained from idle gazing. Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Rahmatullah alaihe says that he remained with Sheikh Ahmad ibne Razeen Rahmatullah alaihe from morning till Asr and saw that the Sheikh never looked this way or that. Someone asked him about it and he said,"Allah Ta'ala has granted us the gift of eyes in orderthat we may take a lessonfrom seeing His Majesty and Grandeur, manifested in all created things. He who cannot do so is not making proper use of his eyes."
May Allah give us the ability to make wise use of our bounties./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

How he used his eyes

It is said that Da'wood Ta'ee Rahmatullah alaihe used to take crumbs
of bread soaked in water, that being the only meal he took everyday.
On being asked why he did so, he replied, "By drinking this liquid
food, instead of chewing and swallowing bread, I can save enough time
to recite fifty Ayaat of the Holy Quran." Once a visitor came to see
him and told him that the beam of his room had cracked. He said, "I
have not looked up at the ceiling of this room for the last twenty
years." Not only did these pious beings avoid indulging in idle talks,
but also abstained from idle gazing. Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz
Rahmatullah alaihe says that he remained with Sheikh Ahmad ibne Razeen
Rahmatullah alaihe from morning till Asr and saw that the Sheikh never
looked this way or that. Someone asked him about it and he said,"Allah
Ta'ala has granted us the gift of eyes in orderthat we may take a
lessonfrom seeing His Majesty and Grandeur, manifested in all created
things. He who cannot do so is not making proper use of his eyes."
May Allah give us the ability to make wise use of our bounties.

--
- - - - - - -

old news - FOR SOME, A MINDSET THAT LEADS TO VIOLENCE

Is Islam the problem? It's an increasingly public debate the White House seems less than thrilled to have. President Bush insists that "our quarrel
is not with Islam," because, well,"Islam means peace." End of story...
...At one time or another all religions have been nasty. For all of the passages in the Koran that have been used to justify violence, one can just
as easily find passages in the Jewish or Christian Bibles justifying violence.
The difference is that Europeans and Americans, broadly speaking,no longer have the desire to use religion to justify violence. Vast numbers of Arabs, North Africansand East Asians still do. Our inquisitions are in the past, their inquisitions happen every day.
Much of Muslim world simply livesin a different time than the West. Oh sure, some of the big cities, with their cars and satellite dishes, may look modern. But their culture is horribly behind the times...
...Meanwhile, Muslims use the word jihad in its literal sense, i.e. a holy war, and nobody in America or Europe is at all offended, despite the fact that the West has been a victim of Muslim jihads just as much as Muslims were victims of Crusades- take the Ottoman Empire for example. But you don't hear us shrieking about their insensitive use of the word because, frankly, we don't remember or care enough to know we should be offended. That's all in the past.
It's unfashionable to say some cultures are more "backward" than others, but that doesn't make it any less true (the lifestyle of millions of Afghans today is indistinguishable from, or worse than, the way Afghans lived centuries ago). The West went through the Protestant Reformation, the Counter Reformation, hundreds of revolts and revolutions, the Enlightenment and dozens of wars to unshackle itself from the sort of mindset that seeks religious justification for cruelty and barbarity.
Much of the Muslim world has yetto go through such a process. When they do, I have no doubt they will still be Muslims. They justwon't use that as a justification to murder people./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

Ramadan 2012, The 9th Day

Perform prayer and givethe alms. Any good you send ahead for yourselves, you will find with Allah. Certainly Allah sees what you do. (Surat al-Baqara, 110)
There is no god but Allah, the One, having no partner with Him. Sovereignty belongs to Him and all the praise is due to Him, and He is Potent over everything. O Allah, grant me pardon, have mercy upon me, direct me to righteousness and provide me sustenance. (Muslim)
What does safeguarding their prayer mean? Allah does not say ‘prayers.’ Because there is not just one prayer. There are five.Someone who immaculately safeguards the prayer, who prays without exception. Not someone who prays in the morning but not at noon, or who prays at noon but not in the evening. Someone who performs them all, one after the other. (A9 TV, May 12, 2012)
The Importance Of Salat (Prayer) In The Life Of A Muslim
The scrupulousness whicha believer displays towards his religious observance makes his faith apparent. He enthusiastically establishes salat, fasts andperforms ritual washing made compulsory by Allah throughout the course of his life. Allah hasdescribed sincere Muslims'enthusiasm for religious observances in many verses. One of these reads:
Those who are steadfast in seeking the face of their Lord, and establish salat and give from the provision We have given them, secretly and openly, andstave off evil with good, it is they who will have the ultimate Abode. (Surat ar-Ra'd, 22)
The salat is a religious observance that believers are commanded to perform throughout the course of their lives, the times of which have been stipulated. Human beings are prone to forgetfulnessand heedlessness. If they fail to use their will and become caught up in the flow of daily life, they move away from subjects to which they should actually turn their attention and cling to. They forget that Allah enfolds and surrounds them in all ways, that He sees and hears them at every moment, that they will have to account to Allah for all they do; they forget death, the existence of Paradise and Hell, that nothing can happen that is not destined, and that there issomething auspicious in everything and every event. By falling into heedlessness they can forget the true purpose oflife.
The salat performed five times a day eradicates that forgetfulness and heedlessness, and keeps the believer's will and awareness alive. It ensures that the believer constantly turns to Allah and assists him in living inthe light of our Lord's commandments. The believer who stands in the presence of Allah in order to pray establishes a powerful spiritual bond with our Lord. It is revealed in one verse thatthe salat reminds people of Allah and keeps them from all forms of evil:
Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish salat. Salat precludes indecency and wrongdoing. And remembrance of Allah isgreater still. Allah knowswhat you do. (Surat al-'Ankabut, 45)
Throughout history the prophets have communicated the salat made compulsory by Allah to their respective peoples, and have been role models for all believers by abiding by this observance in the best and most correct manner.
In the Qur'an it is revealedthat the times of the salathave been set out for believers as a religious observance:
When you have finishedsalat remember Allah standing, sitting and lying on your sides. When you are safe again do salat in the normal way. The salat isprescribed for the believers at specific times. (Surat an-Nisa', 103)
The timings of the salat are "dawn," "noon,""afternoon," "evening," and "late evening." The salat timings are clearly set out in several verses of the Qur'an. Some of these verses read:
So be steadfast in the face of what they say and glorify your Lord with praise before the rising of the Sun and before its setting. And glorify Him during part of the night and at both ends of the day, so that hopefully you will be pleased. (Surah Ta Ha, 130)
So glory be to Allah when you start the night and when you greet the day. Praise be to Him in the heavens and the Earth, in the afternoon and when you reach midday. (Surat ar-Rum, 17-18)
Our Prophet (saas) who, by the revelation and inspiration of Allah, best understood and interpreted the Qur'an, described for believers thetimes of day when the five salat prayers begin and finish.
Establishing salat in awe means performing this religious observance in the presence of our Almighty Lord by feeling His might and grandeur, with fear and respect. A believer who wishes to properly fulfill this obligation must take measures against everything that might prevent this awed awareness and display the maximum scrupulousness...../ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

Fasting person inhaling steam

What is the ruling on the fast of a person who takesa bath during the day in Ramadan using hot water,then the steam from that water is in his bathroom and he cannot help inhaling it? I had a wet dream during the day in Ramadan and I had no choice but to sprinkle hot water on my private partsin order to get the rest of the semen out.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
If a fasting person inhales the steam that results from him having a bath with hot water, this does not break the fast becauseit enters his body as he cannot help it and he does not do it deliberately.
The scholars of the Standing Committee wereasked: I am one of the workers in the public desalination plant. When the month of Ramadan comes, we are fasting andwe continue to work, and there is steam at the station where we are working, and we often inhale it. Does this invalidate our fast? Do wehave to make up that day during which we inhaled the steam, whether it wasan obligatory or voluntaryfast? And do we have to offer charity for each day?
They replied: If the matteris as described, then your fast is valid and you do not have to do anything. End quote.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/275.
Secondly:
You say: “I had no choice but to sprinkle hot water on my private parts in order to get the rest of the semen out”!
The answer is that making the semen come out in this manner comes under the heading of masturbation which is haraam, and this invalidates the fast and requires repentance as well as making up that day.
This action of yours is a transgression of the sacred limits of Allah. The fasting person will not be punished for having a wetdream, because that is beyond his control, but as for deliberately emitting the rest of the semen, thisis a transgression of the fast and invalidates it.
We ask Allah to forgive usand you.
And Allah knows best.
I am the person who asked question no. 93821.You told me that I have tomake up the fast for that day because that is counted as masturbation. Please note that I was entirely ignorant of the fact that this is counted asmasturbation, because I did not feel any pleasure or desire when I did that.
Now I want to know about the issue of fasting six days of Shawwaal. When I received your answer, I had finished fasting six days of Shawwaal, and when I made up for the day mentioned, I did that on the 23rd of Shawwaal. This made me conclude that my fasting of the six days was not valid, because I had not completed the fast of Ramadaan, so I had to repeat the six days of Shawwaal after making up that day. Tomorrow is the 24th of Shawwaal, i.e.,I have to repeat the six days tomorrow, straight away, in order to complete the six days. My question now is, with regard to the six days thatI already fasted, will they at least be regarded as a naafil fast for me? Or are they not valid at all?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
If your use of hot water tobring out the rest of the maniy that was emitted as the result of an erotic dream was not accompanied by feelings of pleasure or desire, thenyour fast is valid, because the emission of maniy without pleasure does notinvalidate the fast. ShaykhIbn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If maniy is emitted without desire, then his fast is still valid and he does not have to make it up. End quote from Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen(19/238).
He also said: If maniy is emitted without desire then it does not necessitate ghusl. End quote from al-Sharh al-Kaafi.
Based on that, your fast on that day of Ramadaan was valid, and you do not have to make it up. As for your making it up on the basis of the previous fatwa, that will be counted as a naafil fast foryou, in sha Allaah, and your fasting of the six days of Shawwaal that you did after fasting Ramadaan is complete, praise be to Allaah, and you do not need to repeatthem.
And Allaah knows best./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

1a] There were no female Prophets or Messengers – discussion of the wisdom behind that

1a]
3.
We do not accept their view that everyone who is addressed by the Angelsis a Prophet. In the hadeeth it says that Allah sent an angel to a man who was visiting one of his brothers in faith in another town. He asked him why he was visiting him, and when he said that he loved him for the sake of Allah, he (the angel) told him that Allah had sent him to tell him that He loved him. And the story of the bald man,the leper and the blind man is well known. Jibreel(Grabriel) came to teach the Sahaabah (the companions of the Prophet) about their religion by questioning the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and the Sahaabah witnessed and heard that.
4.
They cannot quote as evidence the texts which say that Allah chose Maryam, for Allah clearly states that He has chosen people other than the Prophets:
“Then We gave the Book (the Quran) for inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose (the followers of Muhammad SAW). Then ofthem are some who wrong their ownselves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allahs Leave, foremost in good deeds…”
[Faatir 35:32].
He chose the family of Ibraaheem and the familyof ‘Imraan over mankind and the jinn, and among their families are undoubtedly people who are not Prophets:
“Allah chose Adam, Nooh (Noah), the family of Ibrahim (Abraham) and the family of Imran abovethe Alameen (mankind and jinns) (of their times)”
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:33].
5.
The word perfection mentioned in the hadeeth, which they used as evidence, does not necessarily imply Prophethood, because it may be applied to the perfection of completion of anything and reaching the highest level in some respect. What is meant is women who attained perfection in all the virtues that apply to women: heads perfection here is not the perfection of the Prophets.
6.
In some hadeeths it is clearly stated that Khadeejah was one of the perfect women. This clearly shows that perfection here is not the perfection of Prophethood.
See the relevant hadeethswith their commentary in the answer to question no. 7181
7.
In some hadeeths it is clearly stated that Faatimah will be the leader of the women of the people of Paradise, apart from Maryam the daughter of ‘Imraan. This rules out the Prophethood of women other than Maryam, such as the mother of Moosa and ‘Aasiyah, because Faatimah was definitely not a Prophet. This hadeeth clearly states that she is superior to other women, and if the mother of Moosa and ‘Aasiyah were Prophets they would be superior toFaatimah.
8.
Maryam is described as being a siddeeqah (truthful) in the context ofraising her and describing her virtues. Allah, may He be exalted, says:
“The Messiah (Iesa (Jesus)), son of Maryam (Mary), was no more than a Messenger; many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother (Maryam (Mary)) was a Siddiqah (i.e. she believed in the words of Allah and His Books). They both used toeat food (as any other human being, while Allah does not eat)…”
[al-Maa’idah 5:75].
If there were any higher description, it would havebeen mentioned, but there is no mention in theQur’aan or in the saheeh hadeeths of the Prophet that any women were Prophets.
Al-Qaadi ‘Iyyaad narrated from a group of scholars that Maryam was not the Prophet. An-Nawawi said in al-Adkhaar that Imam al-Haramayn narrated that there was consensus on the point that Maryam was not a Prophet. In Sharh al-Muhadhdhab it was attributed to a group of scholars, and al-Hasan al-Basri was quoted as saying that there are no Prophets along women orthe jinn.
End quote from ar-Rusul wa’r-Risaalaat [available in English under the title: The Messengers and the Messages in the Light of the Qur’aan and Sunnah, by ‘Umar S. al-Ashqar]
And Allah knows best./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

1] There were no female Prophets or Messengers – discussion of the wisdom behind that

1]
Why were all the Prophets of Judaism, Christianity and Islam men? Why were there no women Prophets? Why did they have to be male?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
The Muslim does not hesitate to believe in the great wisdom of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, in all that He does. One of His names is al-Hakeem (the Most Wise) and one of his attributes is hikmah (wisdom).
Allah, may He be exalted, has decreed that one of the attributes of the Messengers is masculinity.Some of the scholars stated that there was consensus on this point. And there is the greatest wisdom behind that.
Shaykh ‘Umar al-Ashqar (may Allah preserve him) said:
Another aspect of the perfection that Allah granted is that He chose all the Messengers whom He sent from among men.He did not send any Messenger from among women. This exclusivity isindicated by the verse in which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And We sent not before you (O Muhammad SAW) but men to whom We inspired” [al-Anbiya’ 21:7].
The Messengers were menand not women for reasons which were dictated by the nature of their task. For example:
1.
The role of Messenger requires a great many tasks to be performed: addressing men and women, meeting people in secret and openly, moving throughout the land, confronting liars andestablishing proof againstthem and debating with them, preparing and leading armies, and goingthrough the sufferings of war. All of that is suitable for men but not for women.
2.
The role of the Messenger demands that the Messenger should be in charge of those who follow him, so he issues commands and prohibitions to his followers, and he rules and judges among them. If a woman were entrusted with such tasks,she would not be able to do them properly, and there would be people who would refuse to follow and obey her.
3.
Masculinity is more perfect. Hence Allah has given the role of responsibility to men overwomen:
“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women” [an-Nisa’ 4:34].
And the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said that women are lacking inreason and religious commitment.
4.
Women have to cope with things that prevent them from doing many tasks, such as menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and nifaas (bleeding following childbirth), which is accompanied by psychological stresses andpains, in addition to the care that is required by the child. All of that prevents her from being able to fulfil the role of Messenger and carrying out its duties.
(p. 84-85)
Secondly:
With regard to Prophethood, some of thescholars – such as Abu’l-Hasan al-Ash‘ari, al-Qurtubi and Ibn Hazm –were of the view that there were some female Prophets! including Maryam bint ‘Imraan. Their evidence is the verses in which it says that Allah, may He be exalted, sent revelation tothe mother of Moosa, for example, and what it saysabout the angels speakingto Maryam (peace be upon her), and also what it says about Allah, may He be exalted, having chosen her above the women of the world.
What they said does not seem to be correct.
Shaykh ‘Umar al-Ashqar (may Allah preserve him) said:
What they say cannot be taken as proof of the Prophethood of women. They Their view may be refuted from several angles:
1.
We do not accept their view that the Prophet is not commanded to convey the message, to teach and to mix with people. Our view is that there is no difference between a Prophet and the Messenger in this regard; the differences that are Prophet is sent with the laws of the Messenger who came before him.
If this is the case, then thereasons why a woman Messenger cannot be sent apply also to the sending of a woman Prophet. There are many reasons which make will be incapable of playing the role of the Prophet.
2.
The revelation sent by Allah to these women, themother of Moosa and Aasiyah, happened in the form of dreams. We knowthat dreams may form a part of revelation, and that this may happen to people other than the Prophets. .../ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

The Family in Ramadan

13 – There may be small children in the house who need to be encouraged to fast, so the father should urge them to get up for suhoor, and encourage them to fast by praising them and giving a reward to the one who fasts the whole month or half of it, and so on.
It was narrated that al-Rubayyi’ bint Mu’awwidh said: On the morning of ‘Ashoora’ the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sent word to the villages of the Ansaar saying, “Whoever started out not fasting, let him not eat for the rest of theday, and whoever started the day fasting, let him fast.” She said: Weused to fast and make our children fast, [and take them to the mosques] and make toys for them out of wool, then if one of them cried for food we would give him that toy until iftaar.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1859; Muslim, 1136 – the words in square brackets were narrated by Muslim.
Al-Nawawi said:
This hadeeth shows that we should train children todo acts of worship and getthem used to that, but they are not accountable. Al-Qaadi said: It was narrated from ‘Urwah that when they are able to fast it becomes obligatory upon them. This is a mistake which is disprovenby the saheeh hadeeth, “The Pen is lifted from three: from the child until he reaches adolescence…” And Allah knows best.
Sharh Muslim, 8/14
14 – If possible, the fatherand mother should take the family for ‘Umrah in Ramadaan, and that is something that will benefit them in the Hereafter, themselves and their family, for ‘Umrah during Ramadaan has the same reward as Hajj. It is better to go at the beginning of Ramadaan soas to avoid the crowds.
15 – The husband should not overburden his wife with more than she can bear of having to prepare food and sweets. Many people take this month to prepare fancy foods and drinks, and they go extremes in that. This detracts from the sweetness of this month and goes against the reason for fasting, which isto attain piety.
16 – The month of Ramadaan is the month of the Qur’aan, so we suggestthat each family gets together to read Qur’aan. The father should teach hisfamily to recite Qur’aan and help them to understand the meanings of the verses. In the same gathering they may also read a book about the rulings and etiquette of fasting. Allah has enabled many scholars and seekersof knowledge to write books which can be used for preaching and teachingduring Ramadaan; the books are divided into thirty parts, so one topic can be read each day, and this will benefit everyone.
17 – They should be encouraged to spend and check on their neighbours and the needy.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the most generous of people, and he was at his most generous during Ramadaan when Jibreel met him. He would meet him each night and revise the Qur’aan with him. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was more generous than the blowing wind.
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6;Muslim, 2308.
18 – The parents should prevent their families and children from staying up late at night and wasting their time in things that are of no benefit, let alone things that are haraam. For the devils among mankind are more active in this month in promoting evil things and acts of immorality to thosewho are fasting, during the nights of Ramadaan and during the days.
19 – They should remember the family’s meeting in Allah’s Paradisein the Hereafter, and the great joy of meeting there under the shade of His throne. These blessed gatherings in this world and coming together to obey Allah by seeking knowledge, fasting and praying are only the means that lead to attaining that happiness./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

The Family in Ramadan

Praise be to Allah.
It is one of the blessings ofAllah to the Muslim that Heenables him to fast in Ramadaan and to spend its nights in prayer. It is a month in which good deeds are multiplied and people are raised in status,when Allah frees some people from the Fire. So the Muslim should strive tomake the most of this month and the goodness itbrings; he should hasten to spend his life in worship. How many people have been deprived of this month because of sickness, death or misguidance.
The Muslim must make themost of his time during this month; he has an unavoidable duty towards his children, to raise them well and bring them up properly, to urge them to do all kinds of goodness and make them get used to that – because the child will grow up in the manner to which his parents makes him get accustomed.
During these blessed days, the father and mother have a role to play in making the most of this time, and we can offer parents the following advice:
1 – Checking on the children’s fasting and encouraging those who fall short in this regard.
2 – Reminding them about the real nature of fasting, and that it is not just giving up food and drink, but it is a means of attaining taqwa (piety), and that it is an opportunity for sins to be forgiven and expiated.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ascended the minbar and said: “Ameen, Ameen, Ameen.” It was said to him, “O Messenger of Allah, why did you do that?” He said, “Jibreel said to me, ‘May Allah rub his nose in the dust, that person who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven,’and I said, ‘Ameen’. Thenhe said, ‘May Allah rub his nose in the dust, thatperson who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise,’ and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you,’ and I said, ‘Ameen.’”
Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah, 1888; al-Tirmidhi, 3545; Ahmad, 7444; Ibn Hibbaan, 908. See Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3501.
3 – Teaching them the etiquette and rulings on eating, such as eating withthe right hand from what is directly in front of them;reminding them that extravagance is haraam and is harmful to the body.
4 – Not letting them spend too long on eating iftaar so that they miss praying Maghrib in congregation.
5 – Reminding them about the situation of the poor and destitute who cannot find even a mouthful of food to quench the fires of hunger;reminding them of the situation of those who have migrated or are fighting in jihad for the sake of Allah in all places.
6 – These gatherings offeran opportunity to bring relatives together and uphold the ties of kinship. This custom still exists in some countries, and it is an opportunity to reconcile and mend broken ties between relatives.
7 – Helping the mother to prepare the food, and to clean up and keep the food fit for eating.
8 – Reminding them to pray qiyaam (taraweeh) and to prepare for it by not eating too much and to get ready in time to perform the prayer in the mosque.
9 – With regard to suhoor,the parents should remind the family of the barakah (blessing) of suhoor and that it gives a person the strength to fast.
10 – Allowing enough time before Fajr prayer so that those who have not prayed Witr may do so, and so that those who have delayed their prayer until the end of the night may pray, and so that eachperson may make du’aa’ tohis Lord as he wishes.
11 – Paying attention to praying Fajr on time in congregation in the mosque, for those who arerequired to do so. We haveseen many people who wake up at the end of the night to eat, then they go back to bed and neglect Fajr prayer.
12 – It was the practice ofthe Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the last ten days ofRamadaan to stay up at night and wake his family. This indicates that the family should pay attention to making the most of this blessed time in doing things that are pleasing to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. So the husband should wake his wife and childrento do that which will bringthem closer to their Lord./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en