2a] Repentance in Ramadhan

2a]
And,
"And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allah, nor
kill such person as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor
commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive
the punishment.
The torment will be doubled to him on the Dayof Resurrection, and he
will abide therein in disgrace;
Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do
righteous deeds; for those,Allah will change their sinsinto good
deeds, and Allahis Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" [al-Furqaan 25:68-70]
This is a great blessing anda great deal, for Allah will change your
sins into gooddeeds! Allah is Most Great. No one misses out on sucha
great deal except one who is ignorant or who does not care about this
blessing.
So repent! my dear brothers and sisters, if you want this great deal,
Allah will change your sins into good deeds.
And listen to what your beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him) said to encourage people to repent:
"Allah is more delighted with the repentance of His slave than one of
you whosuddenly finds his camel laden with supplies after losing it in
a barren land." (Agreed upon)
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
"Allah says: "O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and put your
hope in Me, I will forgive you no matter what you have done, and Ido
not mind. O son of Adam, if your sins were to reach up to the clouds
of the sky, then you were to ask Me for forgiveness, I will forgive
you and I do not mind."
And he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Allah says,
"O My slaves, you commit sinsby night and by day, but I forgive all
sins. So ask Me for forgiveness and I will forgive you."
And he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Allah
stretches forth His hand by night to accept the repentance of those
who sinned during the day, and He stretches forth His hand by day to
accept the repentance of those who sinned during the night. (This will
continue) until the sun rises from the west."
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saw
a woman looking for her young son among the prisoners of war. When she
found him, she embraced him and gave him her breast. The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Do you think that
she could throw her child into the fire?" They said, "No." He said,
"Allah ismore merciful towards His slaves than this woman is towards
her child."
Allah is Most Great! After knowing of this generosity, can we ignore
the matter of repentance? Can we delay repenting? O Allah, glory be to
You, howmerciful You are. Glory be to You, how kind You are. Glory be
to You, how generous You are.
"When my heart grew hard and I did not know where to turn,
I made the hope of Your forgiveness my way out.
I thought that my sin was so great, but when I compared it
To Your forgiveness, my Lord, Your forgiveness was greater.
You never cease to forgive sin, and You never cease
To be generous, out of Your bounty and kindness." [Arabic poetry]
Be frank with yourself
What is keeping you from repenting and following the path of
righteousness?I can imagine you saying,"My family, community and
friends. I am afraid of repenting then going back to my sin. My sins
are so many, how can I be forgiven? I am worried about my family and
my wealth." I say to you: Do you think that you will saythat to your
Lord on the Day when you meet Him? No, by Allah! These are imaginary
obstacles which can only be overcome by one who fears his Lord.
"If the soul had great ambitions,
The body would be exhausted by trying to fulfil the desires of the
soul." [Arabic poetry]
Be proud of your religion, and sincerely resolve to dogood and to
continue doing so, putting your trust in Allah. And remember the mercy
of your Lord and the vast extent of His forgiveness.
My brother, if the Angel of Death were to come to you at this moment,
would you be content to meet your Lord in this state? My brother,
please do not run away from yourself or try to avoid checking on
yourself. If you do not check on yourself today, then in your grave
you will regret it, at the time when regret will be of no avail.
A new beginning
Know that repentance is not limited only to this month it may take
place during this or any other month. But why should your new
beginning not take place in the month of goodness and blessing? A man
may be born twice, on the day when he emerges from the darkness of his
mother's womb into the light of thisworld, and on the day when he
emerges from the darkness of sin into the light of obedience. So be
like this.

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2] Repentance in Ramadhan

2]
I praise Allah, Who has brought near to us the means of goodness and
has opened the gate of repentance to His slaves, and I send blessings
and peace upon the Messenger of Allah.
I have put together these few words for everyone who wants to change
his situation and his actions soas to earn the pleasure of his Creator
and achieve happiness in this world and in the Hereafter. I ask Allah
to make it of benefit to those who read it and tell others about it,
and I ask Allah to forgive sins both open and secret.
My dear brothers and sisters,
I congratulate you on the occasion of this blessed month, the month of
repentance, forgiveness and ransom from the Fire, the month of
goodness and blessing, the month ofgenerosity and kindness. I say to
myself, to you and to everyone who is falling short in his duties
towardshis Lord (this Arabic poem):
O you who did not have enough of sin in Rajab,
So he continued to disobey his Lord during the month of Sha'baan,
Now these two months have been followed by the month of patience,
So do not let this be a month of sin too.
Recite the Qur'aan and glorify your Lord during this month, striving
your utmost,
For it is the month of glorificationand Qur'aan.
The month of Ramadaan has come
So come to Allah, O seeker of good.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "When the
first night of Ramadaan comes, the devils and demons are chained up,
and the gates of Hell are closed and not one gate of it is opened. The
gates of Paradise are opened and not one gate of it is closed. And a
caller calls out: "O seeker of good, come to Allah; O seeker of evil,
desist." Allahwill have ransomed some people from the Fire, and that
happens every night." (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah with a
hasan isnaad).
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that
theProphet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Ameen,
ameen, ameen." It was said,"Messenger of Allah, you climbed up on the
minbar and said, "Ameen, ameen, ameen." He said, "Jibreel (peace be
upon him), cameto me and said, "Whoever witnesses the month of
Ramadaan and is not forgiven so he enters Hell, may Allah cast him
away. Say Ameen." So I said Ameen."" (This hadeeth was narrated by
Ahmad and is saheeh).
Yes! Ramadaan has come, so turn to your Lord Whom you have disobeyed,
beseeching Himand fearing Him, regretting and weeping,and say,
"O God of the Universe, I am returning (to You)."
"O Giver of all good things, give me guidance,
For there is no good without guidance.
Overlook my mistakes with forgiveness, kindness and mercy,
For no one else can bestow forgiveness." [Arabic poetry]
My brothers and sisters, if you are not forgiven, if your eyes do not
shed tears and your heart does not break before your Lordin this
month, then when?
My brothers and sisters, why do you not shed tearsfor fear of your
Lord even once? Do you not feel that your heart is close to your Lord
during this month? Do you not think that this is an opportunity for
you to draw closer to your Lord and increase in humility, repentance
and submission, so that it may be the true beginning of your returning
to your Lord so that you may be more closely connected with Allah?
"While as for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance and
bestows on them their piety" [Muhammad 47:17]
O man!
Allah rebukes us and tells us (interpretation of the meaning):
"O man! What has made you careless about your Lord, the Most
Generous?" [al-Infitaar 82:6]
Indeed, O man, what has made you careless about your Lord, so that you
have become so audaciousin disobeying Him and transgressing His
limits? Is it because you are ignoring His blessings? Or because you
forget that Heis always watching over you, and that He is almighty?
"I am the one who closes the doors, striving in sin (in secret),
Although the eye of Allah is watching me.
How patient Allah is with me, when He lets me off
Although I persist in my sin, and He covers me." [Arabic poetry]
My brothers and sisters! Donot look at how small yoursin is, but look
at how great is the One Whom you are disobeying. My brothers and
sisters! Do not let Allah be the one whom you care the least about of
all those who are watching you.
Good news for you
Here I bring you good news from your Lord and His Messenger (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him). Allah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"Say: "O 'Ibaadi (My slaves)who have transgressed against themselves
(by committing evil deeds andsins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah,
verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most
Merciful" [al-Zumar 39:53]

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1a] Reaping the Benefitsof Ramadhan

1a]
So we must check ourselves, are we following the behaviour ofthe
Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him)? For example:
Do we give salaam to those we don't know and those we do know? Do we
follow the manners of Islaam, by telling the truth and only telling
the truth? Are we sincere? Are we merciful tothe creation?
LESSON 6: Recognizing that one can change for the better
The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said,
"Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinnersare those who
repent." (Ibn Maajah) Allah providesmany opportunities to repent to
Him and seek Hisforgiveness. If one was disobedient they can become
obedient.
LESSON 7: Being more charitable
Ibn `Abbaas said, "The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace
upon him) was the most charitable amongst the people, and he used to
be more so in the month of Ramadaan when Jibreel used to meet him on
everynight of Ramadaan till the end of the month…" (al-Bukhaaree) The
Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "He who
gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, hewill receive the
same reward as him, without nothing being reduced from the fasting
person's reward." (at-Tirmidhee)
LESSON 8: Sensing the unity of the Muslims
The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "…
Those of you who will live after me will see many differences. Then
you mustcling to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided
khaleefahs. Hold fast to it and stick to it." (Aboo Daawood) In this
month we sense that thereis a possibility for unity, because we all
fast together, we break fast together, we all worship Allah together,
and we pray Salaatul-`Eid together. Therefore we sense that the unity
of Muslims is possible. It is possible for Muslims to be a single
body, but this will only be achieved when obedience is only to Allah
and His Messenger.
LESSON 9: Learning discipline
The Prophet (ma Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) made us
adhere to discipline and strictness, strictness that does not lead to
fanaticismor going outside the bounds that Allah has laid down. One
cannot knowingly break the fast before the sunset, as this will not be
accepted by Allah. Muslims should learnto be very strict in their
lives, because they are people of an important message, which they
moldtheir lives around.
LESSON 10: Teaching the young to worship Allah
It was the practice of the people of Madeenah, that during the fast of
`Aashooraa (which is now a recommended fast of one day) to get their
children to fast with them. When the children would cry of hunger and
thirst, their parents would distract their attention by giving them
some sort of toy to play with. The children would break their fast
with their parents. (as mentioned in al-Bukhaaree).
So the young should be brought to the masjid and they should pray with
their parents, so that they are able to get into the habit of becoming
worshippers of Allah. If one does not encourage children to fast when
they are young, they will find it very difficult to fast for thirty
days at the age of puberty. This is why the Prophet (may Allah send
His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Commandyour children to pray
at the age of seven and spank them at the age of ten (if they do not
pray." (Haakim)
LESSON 11: Caring for one's health
Fasting has many medical benefits and it teaches Muslims to take care
of their health and too build strong bodies. The Prophet(may Allah
send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "A strong believer is
better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, and there is
good in everyone." (Muslim)

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Reaping the Benefitsof Ramadhan

In the month of Ramadaanit is very important that we spent a few
moments to understand some of thewisdoms and lessons that we can learn
from this month of fasting.
Unfortunately, many Muslims come in to this month and they are as a
companion of the Prophet,peace be upon him, said:"Let it not be that
the day that you fast and the day that you break fast be equal."
Meaning, one's behaviour, attitude and outlook are the same whether
one fasts or not, i.e. fasting has no effect upon that person. This is
why we need to reflect on some of these lessons.
LESSON 1: Gaining Taqwaa
Allah legislated fasting for gaining taqwaa,
"O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has
been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain taqwaa."
(meaning of Soraat ul Baqarah (2):183)
Taqwaa in this case meansto make a shield between oneself and Allah's
anger and Hellfire. So we should ask ourselves, when we break our
fasts, 'Has this fasting day made us fear Allah more? Has it
resultedthat we want to protect ourselves from the hellfire or not?
LESSON 2: Drawing closerto Allah
This is achieved by recitingand reflecting on Al-Qur'aan during night
and day, attending the taraaweeh prayers, remembering Allah, sittingin
circles of knowledge and, for those who can, making `umrah. Also for
those who can, making I`tikaaf (seclusion) in the last ten nights of
Ramadaan, so as to leave all worldly pursuits and seclude oneself in a
masjidjust thinking of Allah, so asto bring oneself closer to Allah
(SWT). When one sins, one feels distant fromAllah. That is why one
might find it heard to readthe Qur'aan and come to the masjid.
However, the obedient worshipper feels closer to Allah and wants to
worship Allah more, because he is not shy fromhis sins.
LESSON 3: Acquiring patience and strong will
Allah has mentioned patience more than seventy times in the Qur'aan
and has commanded patience in more than sixteen ways in His Book. So
when one fasts, and gives up one's food and drink, and one's marital
sexual relations forthose hours, one learns restraint and patience.
ThisUmmah needs man and women that are strong willed, who can stand
upon the Sunnah and the Book of Allah and not waver in front of the
enemies of Allah. We do not need emotional people, who just raise
slogans and shout, but when the time comes to stand upon something
firm, they cannot do so, they waver.
LESSON 4: Striving for Ihsaan (righteousness and sincerity) and
staying away from riyaa' (showing off)
Ihsaan means to worship Allah as if one seeks Him, and even though one
doesnot see Him, He sees all. Hasan al-Basree said, "By Allah, in the
last twenty years, I have not said a word or taken something with my
hand or refrained to take something with my hand or stepped forth or
stepped back, except that I have thought beforeI have done any action,
'Does Allah love this action? Is Allah pleased with this action?' So
when one is fasting, one should gain this quality of watching oneself
and also staying away from riyaa' (showing off). That is why Allah
said in a hadeeth qudsee, "Fasting is for Me and I reward it."
(al-Bukhaaree) Allah singles out fasting from allother types of
worship saying, "Fasting is for Me", because no one knows whether you
are fasting ornot, except Allah. For example, when one is praying or
giving charity or making tawaaaf, one can be seen by the people, so
one might do the actionseeking the praise of the people. Sufyaan
ath-Thawree used to spend the nights and the days crying and the
peopleused to ask him, "Why do you cry, is it due to the fear of
Allah? He said, 'No.' They said, "Is it due to the fear of the
Hellfire?" He said, 'No. It is not the fear of Hellfire that makes me
cry, what makes me cry is that I have been worshipping Allah all
theseyears and doing scholarly teaching, and I am not certain that my
intentions are purely for Allah.'"
LESSON 5: Refinement of manners, especially those related to
truthfulness and discharging trusts.
The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said,
"Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allah
(SWT) has no need that he should heave his food and drink."
(al-Bukhaaree) What we learn from this, is that we must pay attention
to the purification of our manners. The Prophet (may Allah send His
blessing and peace upon him) said, "was sent to perfect good manners."
(Maalik)

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Twenty Five Ways to Get the Most Out of Ramadhan

1. Fast Ramadhan with belief and truly seeking the reward of Allah the Most High so that He may forgive you your past sins.
2. Beware of breaking your fast during the days of Ramadhan without a valid Islamic excuse, for it is from the greatest of sins.
3. Pray Salat ut-Taraweeh and the night prayer during the nights of Ramadhan - especially on Layatul-Qadr - based on belief and truly seeking the reward of Allah, so that Allah may forgive youyour past sins.
4. Make sure that your food, your drink and your clothing are from halal means, in order that your actions be accepted, and your supplications answered. Beware of refraining from the halal while fasting and breakingyour fast with the haram.
5. Give food to some fasting people to gain a reward similar to theirs.
6. Perform your five prayers on time in congregation to gain the reward and Allah's protection.
7. Give a lot of charity for the best charity is that of Ramadhan.
8. Beware of spending your time without performing righteous deeds, for you will be responsible and reckoned for it and will be rewardedfor all you do during your time.
9. Perform `umrah in Ramadhan for `Umrah in Ramadhan is equal to Hajj.
10. Seek help for fasting during the day by eating the sahoor meal in the lastpart of the night before the appearance of Fajr.
11. Hasten breaking your fast after the sun has truly set in order to gain the love of Allah.
12. Perform ghusl before fajr if you need to purify yourself from the state of major impurity so that youare able to do acts of worship in a state of purityand cleanliness.
13. Seize the opportunity of being in Ramadhan and spend it with the good that has been revealed in it - by reciting the noble Qur'an and pondering and reflection of its meanings so that it be a proof for you with your Lord and anintercessor for you on the Day of Reckoning.
14. Preserve your tongue from lying, cursing, backbiting and slander for it decreases the reward of fasting.
15. Do not let fasting cause you cross your boundaries by getting upset due to the slightest of reasons. Rather, fating should be a cause of peacefulness and tranquility of your soul.
16. Upon completion of fasting, be in a state of taqwa of Allah the Most High, being aware of Allah watching you in secret andin public, in thankfulness for His favors, and steadfastness upon obedience of Allah by doing all what He has ordered and shunning all that He has prohibited.
17. Increase in remembrance of Allah, seeking of forgiveness, asking for Paradise and protection against the Fire,especially when fasting, while breaking the fast and during suhoor, for these actions are among greatest causes of attaining Allah's forgiveness.
18. Increase in supplication for yourself, your parents, your childrenand Muslims, for Allah has ordered making of supplications and has guaranteed acceptance.
19. Repent to Allah with a sincere repentance in all times by leaving sins, regretting those that you have done before and firmly deciding not to return to them in the future, for Allah accepts repentance of those who repent.
20. Fast six days of Shawwal, for whoever fasts Ramadhan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasts all the time.
21. Fast on the Day of `Arafah, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, to attain success by being forgiven your sins ofthe last year and the coming year.
22. Fast on the day of `Aashuraa', the 10th of Muharram, along with the 9th, to attain success by being forgiven your sins ofthe past year.
23. Continue being in a state of iman and taqwa and perform righteous actions after the month of Ramadhan, until you die."And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (i.e. death)". [Qur'an 15:99]
24. Ensure that you attain the positive effects of youracts of worship such as prayer, fasting, zakat and hajj, sincere repentance and leaving of customs that are in variance with the Sharee`ah.
25. Invoke a lot of salawatand salam upon the Messenger of Allah, may Allah's blessings and peacebe upon him, his Companions and all those who follow them until the Day of Judgment.
O Allah make us and all Muslims of those who fast and stand in prayer duringthe month of Ramadhan based on belief and truly seeking Your reward so that we are forgiven our past and future sins.
O Allah make us of those who fasted the month, attained full reward, witnessed Layatul-Qadr and attained success by permission of the Lord, Blessed and Most High.
O Allah, verily you are Forgiver, like to forgive, so forgive us.
O Lord, accept from us, verily you are the All-Hearing, all-Seeing, O Living, O Independent, O Owner of all majesty and honor./ - - - :-> 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

Ramadhan: the Month of Qur'an

Compare all this with our sad state, when we talk so much about establishing Islam, implementing the Qur'an, etc. and yet have such little contact with it, maybe not completing its recitation ever at all since childhood, or perhaps never! Hence we become unbalanced in our understanding of Islam, because there are ayat which we rarely or never hear or think about; we repeat only certain selected ayat over and over again; we lost the context of the verses, the overall flow, argument and balance of the Qur'an, all of which is beautiful & miraculous. Because of thisignorance we go astray from the Straight Path, split up into sects, lose the blessings of Allah...
"We took a covenant from those who said: we are Christians, but they forgot part of the message with which they had been reminded, so we ingrainedamongst them enmity andhatred until the Day of Judgment..." (Surah al-Ma'idah 5:14)
In Sahih Bukhari (6/521), there is an amazing piece of advice from the Prophet(may Allah bless him and grant him peace): "Recite the Qur'an as long as your hearts agree on it; if you disagree about it, stop reciting it (for the time being)." Studying the Qur'an should bring peopletogether!
In Surah al-Mu'minoon (23:53), there is mention of the people before us (in whose footsteps we wouldfollow), who broke up their Deen into sects (zuburan), each party rejoicing in what it had. One understanding of this, from the word zuburan meaning literally 'books', isthat each sect left the Book of Allah and concentrated solely on the books of its own sect, so"they split their deen up into books"!
The most twisted, ridiculous, shallow ideas, innovations and superstitions are propagated amongst Muslims when they are away from the Qur'an, because any little knowledge of the Qur'an would be enough to dispelthem.
Hence, O servant of Allah, leave aside secondary books and concentrate on studying the blessed Book of Allah in this blessed month (use a good translation/commentary if needed), for it is the sourceof all knowledge in other books, and keep away from wasting time, especially in futile discussions and argumentswhich lead nowhere, for that is a sure sign of being misguided, as the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "Whenever a people went astray after they had been on guidance, they were given to argumentation (jadl)." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah - Sahih al-Jami' al-Saghir, no. 5633)
Finally, remember that theMessenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) will complain to Allah on the Day of Judgment that his people neglected the Qur'an (Surah al-Furqan 25:30). Neglect of the Qur'an is of different levels, as Ibn al-Qayyim writes:
Not reciting or listening to it;
Not studying and understanding it;
Not conveying its message;
Not judging by it in personal and communal matters, at all levels of society;
Not believing in it.
All Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds./ - - - :-> 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

Ramadhan: the Month of Qur'an

The first part of this is based on an extract from Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali's Lata'if al-Ma'arif (pp. 179-182), quoted by Fahd bin Sulaiman in Kayf Nastafeed min Ramadan (pp. 48-50).
Ramadan has a special relationship with the Qur'an, of course:
"The month of Ramadan isthe one in which the Qur'an was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion; so whoever amongst you witnesses this month, let him fast it." (cf. Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)
The word 'so' (fa) in this ayah leads to the following paraphrase of one aspect of its meaning:
"Fast this month because itis the one in which the Qur'an was sent down."
Ibn 'Abbas narrates that"the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was the most generous person, and he would be at his most generous in Ramadan because Jibril would come to him every night and he would rehearse the Qur'an with him." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Eng. trans. 6/486)
This hadith contains recommendation of the following:
*. Studying the Qur'an in Ramadan;
*. Coming together for this purpose;
*. Checking (one's memory/knowledge of) the Qur'an with someonewho has preserved it better;
*. Increasing recitation of the Qur'an in Ramadan;
*. That the night time is thebest time to recite, whenother preoccupations decrease and it is easier to concentrate, as in Surah al-Muzzammil 73:6.
Further, Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated from her father (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), who toldher that Jibril would rehearse the Qur'an with him (in Ramadan) once every year, and he did so twice in the year of his death. (Bukhari 6/485)
After mentioning the above aspects of the Sunnah, Ibn Rajab talks about the situation of the Salaf (the early Muslims) during Ramadan:
"... Some of the Salaf would complete reciting the whole Qur'an during the night prayer ofRamadan every 3 days, others every 7 days e.g. Qataadah, others in 10 days e.g. Abu Rajaa' al-Atardi. The Salaf would recite Qur'an in Ramadan in Prayer as well as outside it. Al-Aswad would finish the Qur'an every 2 nights in Ramadan; Ibrahim an-Nakh would do likewise in thelast 10 nights specifically, & every 3 nights during the rest of the month. Qataadah would regularlyfinish the Qur'an in 7 days, but in 3 days during Ramadan, when hewould study the Qur'an especially, and every night duringits last 10 days. Al-Zuhri would say when Ramadan began, 'It is recitation of the Qur'an and feeding of people.'
When Ramadan began, Imam Malik would cease narrating Hadith and sitting with the people of knowledge, and stick toreciting the Qur'an from its pages, while Sufyan al-Thawri would leave other acts of worship and stick to reciting the Qur'an. 'Aishah would recite fromthe pages of the Qur'an at the beginning of the day in Ramadan(i.e. after Dawn), until when the sun had risen, she would sleep. Zayd al-Yaami would bring copiesof the Qur'an when Ramadan began and gather his companions around him. ..."
Ibn Rajab later continues,
"The forbiddance of completing recitation of the Qur'an in less than 3 days applies to this being made a regular practice, but as for favoured times such as Ramadan, esp. the nights in which Laylat al-Qadr is sought, or favoured places such as Makkah for the visitor, it is recommended to increase reciting the Qur'an to avail the time and place. This is the view of Ahmad, Ishaq and other Imams, and the practice of others indicates this too."
The purpose here is not to discuss whether or not thelatter view is correct or not, since that is purely academic for most of us, aswe do not get anywhere near reciting the whole Qur'an in three days! However, the practice of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), his Companions, and those who followed their path, should be clear enough. As a further example, Bukhari (3/79) quotes from the noble Companion Zaid bin Thabitwho answered the question, "How much timewas there between the pre-dawn meal and the Dawn Prayer?" by saying,"Enough time to recite fiftyayat." Since the practice of the Arabs was to measure time in terms of everyday actions, this shows that the Sahabah were preoccupied with the Qur'an, especially in Ramadan./ - - - :-> 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

14 Gifts to Those Who Fast

At this stage I cannot find a better gift or greater masterpiece than to present to those who fast gifts from the Prophet of guidance sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam. They are those practical hadiths that have been mentioned in connection with rewards and blessings. Behold! They are the hadiths that lead to the doors of happiness and the paths ofgoodness in this world andthe Hereafter.
O you who fast! Record these hadiths and implement them:
1. The Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam said: "Whoever says at daybreak: 'There is no God save Allah alone, He has nopartner, to Him belongs the dominion and the praise and He has power over all things;'... ten good deeds will be written for him, ten misdeeds will be erased, and he will be elevated ten levels. He willbe protected from Satan until evening, and if he says it in the evening, he would have the same rewards until morning." (Ahmad, Abu Daud, Ibn Majah - sahih).
2. The Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam also said: "Whoever says in the morning or in the evening:'O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no God beside You. You created me and I am Your slave and I have taken a covenant to You and promised You what I am able to do. I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I have done, I acknowledge Your favour upon me and I acknowledge my sin. Forgive me because none forgives sins except You.' Ifa servant died during the day or night after having said this prayer, he will enter Paradise." (Ahmad, Abu Daud, Al Nisa'e, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim - sahih; Al Bukhari transmits another version of this hadith).
3. Again the Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallamsaid: "Whoever says at morning or evening: 'Gloryand praise be Allah the Great' one hundred times, no one will come forward on the Day of Judgement with better than he; except if someone said thesame as him and added to it." (Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Daud, Al Tirmidhi).
4. "Whoever said: 'Glory and praise be to Allah the Great', a date tree will be planted for him in the Paradise." (Al Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim - sahih).
5. "Whoever says: "Glory and praise be to Allah" onehundred times in a single day his sins would be erased even if they were like the waves of the sea." (Bukhari and Muslim).
6. "Whoever implements ten verses of the Quran will not be included among the negligent. Whoever implements one hundred verses will be considered among the obedient. And, whoever implements one thousand verses will be among he extremely rich." (Abu Daud,Ibn Hibban - sahih).
7. "Whoever says in the evening: 'In the name of Allah with whose name there can be no harm in the earth or in the heavensand He is the Hearer the Knower,' three times, he will not be afflicted with a sudden calamity before morning. And whoever says it in the morning three times will not be afflicted with a sudden calamity before evening." (Abu Daud, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim - sahih).
8. "Whoever says: 'I seek refuge with the perfect words of Allah from the evil that He created' three times in the evening will not be harmed by the bite of a serpent during that night." (Al Tirmidhi, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim - sahih).
9. "Whoever says upon leaving his house: 'In the name of Allah, I trust in Allah, there is no movement and no power except with Allah', it would be said to him: 'Youhave been contented and you took precaution,' and Satan will turn away from him." (Al Tirmidhi, Abu Daud, Ibn Hibban, Ibn al Sunni - sahih).
10. "Whoever says when he hears the caller to prayer: 'And I bear witnessthat there is no God save Allah, He is alone and has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad isHis servant and messenger. I am pleased with Allah as Lord, Muhammad as Prophet and Islam as religion,' all his sins will be forgiven." (Muslim and the other five).
11. "Whoever recites the Surah al Ikhlas ten times, Allah will build for him a house in the Paradise." (Ahmad - sahih).
12. "Whoever recites the Surah al Kahf on a Friday, alight will be created for him until the next Friday." (Al Hakim and Al Bayhaqi -sahih).
13. "Whoever recites Aayat al-Kursi (the Verse ofthe Throne) after every compulsory prayer will notbe forbidden entrance to Paradise." (Ibn Hibban and Al Nisa'e - sahih).
14. "Whoever recites Surah al Ikhlas it is as if he read one-third of the Quran." (Ahmad, Al Nisa'e, Al Tirmidhi - sahih).
This bouquet from Muhammad sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam we grantto all those who fast.
O Allah! Help us to remember You, thank You and worship You in the best way. Ameen./ - - - :-> 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

Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim (d.751H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"Allah also prescribed i’tikaaf for them, the objective being that the heart becomes fully preoccupied with Allah - the Most High - concentrated upon Him alone, and cut-off from being preoccupied with the creation. Rather, the heart is only engrossed with Allah - the Most Perfect - such that loving Him, remembering Him, and turning to Him takes the place of all the heart's anxieties and worries, so that he is able to overcome them. Thus all his concerns are for Allah, and his thoughts are all directed towards remembering Him and thinking of how to attain His Pleasure and what will cause nearness to him which leads him to feel contented with Allah instead of people. This, in turn prepares him for being at peace with Allah alone, on the day of loneliness in the grave, when there will be no one else to give comfort, nor anyone to grant solace, except Him. So this is the greater goal of I‘tikaaf ." [8]
[3]: ACQUIRING PATIENCE
Imaam Ahmad (d.241H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"Allah has mentioned sabr (patience) in over ninety places in His Book." [9]
The Prophet ( sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) said:
"The month of Patience, and the three days of every month, are times forfasting." [10]
Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr (d.464H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"What is meant by the month of Patience is the month of Ramadhan ... So fasting is called patience because it restrains the soul from eating, drinking, conjugal relations and sexual desires." [11]
He ( sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) said:
"O youths! Whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so; for it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts. But whoever is unable, then let him fast, because it will be a shield for him." [12]
So fasting is a means of learning self-restraint and patience. With patience weare able to strengthen our resolve to worship Allah alone, with sincerity, and also cope with life's ups and downs. So - for example - with patience we are able to perform ourPrayers calmly and correctly, without being hasty, and without merely pecking the ground several times! With patience we are able to restrain our souls from greed and stinginess and thus give part of our surplus wealth in Zakaah (obligatory charity). With patience we are able to subdue the soul's ill temperament, and thus endure the ordeal and hardships of Hajj , without losing tempers and behaving badly. Likewise, with patience we are able to stand firm and fight Jihaad against the disbeliveers, hypocrites and heretics - withstanding their constant onslaught, without wavering and buckling, without despairing or being complacent and without becoming hasty and impatient at the first signs of hardship. Allah - the Most High - said:
"O Prophet, urge the Believers to fight ... So if there are one hundred who are patient, they shall overcome two hundred; and if there be one thousand, they shall overcome two thousand,by the permission of Allah. And Allah is with the patient ones." [Soorah al-Anfaal 8:65-66].
Thus, without knowledge and patience, nothing remains, except zeal and uncontrolled emotions, shouts and hollow slogans,speech that does not strengthen, but rather weakens, and actions that do not build, but rather destroy! So in this month, we should strive to develop a firm resolve for doing acts of obedience, and to adorn ourselves with patience - having certainty in the saying of our Messenger ( sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ): "And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction, and case with hardship." [13]
[4]: CULTIVATING GOOD MANNERS
The Prophet ( sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) said:
"Whosoever does not abandon falsehood in speech and action, then Allah the Mighty and Majestic has no need that he should leave his food and drink." [14]
He ( sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) also said:
"Fasting is not merely abstaining from eating and drinking. Rather, it is also abstaining from ignorant and indecent speech. So if anyone abuses or behaves ignorantly with you, then say: I am fasting, I am fasting." [15]/ - - - :-> 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./ - - - :-> 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!
/ - - - :-> 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

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.
/ - - - :-> 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."/ - - - :-> 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."....
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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