Ramadaan'11

O you who believe! Observing Saum (fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious. (2:183)

Ramadaan (Virtues)

Ramadaan (Dua) 

Ramadaan (Sins Of The Tongue) 

Ramadaan (Laylatial Qadar) 

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Fasting in Ramadaan is from the five pillars of Islam and it is a compulsory act of worship on every Muslim who is adult, sane, healthy and resident (those who are not in travel).

Allaah's Messenger  saw said: " Islaam is built upon five pillar: To witness that there is none worthy of worship expect Allaah and Muhammed is the Messenger of Allaah ; to establish the prayer; to pay Zakaah; to fast in Ramadaan and to perform Hajj to the House  (Ka'bah in Makkah) for those who can afford it."
[Bukhaaree & Muslim]

The whole Ummah has agreed that it is obligatory to fast in Ramadaan, as it is one of the pillars of Islaam and that whoever denies it is a Kaafir (i.e, a disbiliver), having turned away from Islaam.

WHY FASTING?

O you who believe! Observing Saum (fasting) is prescribed fro you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious (2:183)

Fasting is a means of attaining taqwa (piety), and taqwa means doing that which Allaah has enjoined avoiding that which He has forbidden. When a person refrains from halaal things hoping to earn the pleasure of Allaah and out of fear of His Punishment, it will be easier for him to refrain from ding haraam things. Fasting trains once will to avoid haraam desires and keep away from sins; it helps a person to overcome his own nature and to wean himself away from bad habits. So a fasting person must abstain from the following evil deeds and speech:

(i) False Speech : Allaah's Messenger saw said: "Whoever doesn't give up speaking falsely, and acting on those lies and evil action, Allaah does not care for his abstaining from eating and drinking (i.e., Allaah will not accept his fasting)."  
[Bukhaaree]

(ii) Vain Speech and foul language: Allaah's Messenger saw said : "Fasting is not just (abstaining from) eating and drinking, but fasting is also (refraining) from Laghw (vain speech) and foul language. If one of you is being verbally abused or annoyed, he should say: 'I am fasting." 
[Saheeh, Reported by Baihaqee, etc]

Laghw (vain speech) refers to anything that is irrational and unrealistic. Including (but not limited to) wasting time by listening Radio and viewing T.V programs. Playing games, reading romance novels, useless talking with friends backbiting and slander; mockeries and similar kinds of behavior. These all must be shunned.

WARNING : Fasting of those who abandoning the Prayer

Unfortunately, Muslims are heedless of the significance of the prayers and negligent towards fulfilling its obligations. This is one of the pillars that distinguish between Islaam and Kufur (desbelief) 

Allaah's Messenger saw said: "Between disbelief and faith is abandoning Salaah."
[Saheeh: Reported by Tirmidhee]

Moreover, prayer is one of the pillare of Islam upone which the religion is founded. Many Muslims are unmindful of fulfilling such a tremendous obligation. Some of them fat but do not offer prayers five times a day. Beware! Of this warining from Allaah's Messenger saw.

VIRTUES

Allaah's Messenger saw said: "Whoever fast one day seeking the pleasure of Allaah, Allaah will remove hios face seventy years; distance from the Fire." 
[Muslim]
Allaah's Messenger saw said: "In Paradise there is a gate called Ar-Rayyan, through it, those who fat will enter, and no one will enter it except them; when they have entered, it will be locked, and no-one else will enter through it" 
[Bukhaaree]
Allaah's Messenger saw said: "Whoever fast in Ramadaan out of faith and with the hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven." 
[Bukhaaree]

NIYYAH (INTENTION)

Allaah's Mesenger saw said: "Whoever does not determine to fast before the dawn, his fasting is null and void." 
[Saheeh, Reported By Ahmed]
Niyyah means to have intention in the heart to do something. Even through our beloved Prophet, Muhammed saw never uttered aloud the niyyah of fasting, some textual wordings for the niyyah are printed in some of the calendars and cards. So uttering the niyyah aloud is an evil and sinful practice newly started in the pure Deen of Islam.

SUHOOR (PRE-DAWN MEAL)

Some people are not serious about the pre-dawn meal which is a highly recommended Sunnah and a blessed meal. Because they have an adequate dinner at night before going for a deep sleep, or they have a meal during the middle of the night. Either choice is wrong. Allaah's Messenger saw said: "The difference between our fasting and of the People of the Scriptures (i.e., Jews and Christians) is the suhoor."
[Muslim]

This is because the Jews and Christians do not eat the pre-dawn meal, while Muslims regularly take the pre-dawn meal. Therefore, taking the pre-dawn meal is essential. It is enough to eat even a piece of a date, or to drink a mouthful of water.

DELAYING THE SUHOOR

Allaah's Messenge saw used to postpone his suhoor untile just before dawn. Imitating the way of the Prophet saw and following his practices is meritorious and beneficial. So suhoor must be taken as close as possible to Fajr.

Narrated Sahl ibn Sa'd ra: I used to take my Suhoor meals with my family and then hurry up for presenting myself for the Fajr prayer with Allaah's Messenger(saw). 
[Bukhaaree]

Narrated 'Aaishah: Bilaal used to prounce the Adhaan at night, so Allaah's Messenger saw said,
“Carry on taking your meals (eat and drink) till ibn Umm Maktoom pronounces the Adhaan, for he does not pronounce it till it is dawn.” 
[Bukhaaree]

BREAKING THE FAST HASTILY

Hastening to breaking the fast, without delay is from the Sunnah of the Prophet saw. Hastening means to break the fast immediately after sunset without any further delay. Some people are hesitant to break the fast, even after the sunset is finished. However, this was the practise of the Jews and Christians during the prophet's saw era contradict the Jews and Christians and hasten to break the fast immediately after sunset.
Narrated Sahl ibn Sa'd ra: Allaah's Messenger saw said: “People will continue to be all right as long as they hasten in the breaking of the fast.”
[Bukhaare and Muslim]

IFTAAR

Narated Anas ra: The Messenger of Allaah saw used to break his fast before offering (Maghrib) Prayer with some fresh dated, but if there were no fresh dates, he would take a few dry dates and if there were no dry dates he would take a few drops of water. [Saheeh, Reported by Tirmidhee]

His saw fast-breaking meal was very light, not like ours taday where we try a host of different types of foods, fruits and desserts untile we suffer indigestion.

DU'AA After BREAKING THE FAST

Allaah's Messenger saw said: “The supplication of a fasting person upon breaking his fast, will not be rejected.”

[Saheeh, Reported by Ibn Maajah]

  The Thirst is gone, and the vains are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allaah wills.

[Hasan, Reported by Abu Daawood]

Reward for helping others to break their fast: Allaah's Messenger saw said: "Whoever gives iftaar for the fasting person, he recieves a reward like his, without any decresae in the fasting person's reward.”
[Saheeh, Tirmidhee]

THINGS THAT BREAK THE FAST

• Intentional eating and drinking.
• Intentional vomiting
• Intentional ejaculation of semen; (If Fast is broken due to any of the above mentioned reason then he has to continue it till sunset and make up for the broken fast along with true repentance).
• Menstruation and post-childbirth bleeding: (She has to make up for the Fast's Left).
• Sexual intercourse [He or she has to make upthe fast and pay kaffarah (atonement) which is

1. freeing a slave if it is possible, else
2. fasting consecutively for two months, else
3. feeding sixty poor people; along with true repentance]

THINGS THAT do not BREAK THE FAST

Un-intentional eating or drinking somethings unknowingly or being forced to do so. Allaah's Messenger saw said: “Whoever forgets while he was fasting and eats or drinks let him complete his fast because Allaah has fed him and complete his fast because Allaah has fed him and given him to drinks.”  

[Bukharee and Muslim]

• Tasting food on the condition that it does not reach the throat. Ibn 'Abbaas ra said:“There is no harm for a person to taste vinegar or anything whilst he is fasting as long as it does not enter his throat.” [Bukahhree]
• Applying Kohl or eye-drops: Imaam Bukhaaree said: “Anas, al-Hasan and Ibraaheem did not see any harm in smearing one's eyes drops does not invalidate fasting according eye drops does not invalidate fasting according to scholarly opinion.
• Un-intentinal Vomiting.
• Taking injections containing no food.
• There is no harm for the person who observes fast to swallow his/her saliva.
• Bleeding by itself such as nose-bleeding or during extraction of tooth, etc.
• It is permissible to have teeth extraction during fasting, however, such a patient should avoid swallowing medicine or blood.
• It is permissible to have blood test or to donate blood if there is a genuine need but it should not cause any hardship to the fasting donor.
• There is no harm in washing the mouth (without gargling) or to take a bath in any part of the day.
• Discharge of semen as a result of wet-dream.
• It is permissible to take Suhoor while one is in a state of sexual impurity. Narrated 'Aaaishah: “Allaah's Messenger saw would wake up at Fajr in a state of sexual impurity after having intercourse with his wives. So, he would then take a bath and observw fasting.” [Bukhaaree and Mulim]
• Narrated 'Aaishah: “The prophet saw would kiss and embrace (his wives) while he was fasting, for he had the most control of all of you over his desires.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim] It is learnt from this hadeeth that kissing and fondling one's wife is permissible even if one is fasting. However, this is exclusively limited to those who have self-control and restrain during such passionate momints
• It is permissible to brush the teeth particularly using Miswaak, which is even desirable during fasting. There is also no harm of applying perfumes on the head or the body during fasting.

EXCELLENT DEEDS OF RAMADAAN

Indeed, we have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree). And what will make you know what Lailat-ul-Qadr is? Lailat-ul-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (Jibraaeel) by Allaahs Permission with all Decrees. (All that night), there is peace untile the appearance of dawn. (97:1-5)

The blessed month of Ramadaan is more special because Allaah distinguished it by revealing the Qur'aan during it. Aside from recitation of the Qur'aan, learning the translation of its meaning, and pondering over its Verse are alos recommended.
Taraaweeh: One of the good deeds is to perform the Night Prayer, with utmost humility and obvious reverence to Allaah.

One of the special deeds of Ramadaan is I'tikaaf in the last ten days. One can perform it even for a day or two.
May ahaadeeth state during the blessed month of Ramadaan is more virtuous than in other months.
Lailat-ul-Qadr: A single night of it is more virtuous and meritorious than a thousand months. This night is more likely to occur in one of the five odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadaan. The exact time of its occurrence is only know to Allaah.

Abu Huraira ra reported: Allaah's Messenger saw as saying: :Every (good) deed of the son of Aadam would be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allaah, the Exalted and Majestics, has said: With the exception of fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for one abandons his passion and food for My sake. There are two occasions of joy for one who fast, joy when he breaks it, and joy when he meets his Lard, and the breath (of an observer of fast) is sweeter to Allaah than the fragrance of musk.”
[Muslim]

Shab-e-Barat

The Holy QuranAd-Dukhān (The Smoke) - سورة الدخان
Chapter 44 : Verse 1 to 3

1. Ha-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings].
2. By the manifest Book (this Quran) that makes things clear,
3. We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night [(i.e. night of Qadr, Surah No: 97) in the month of Ramadan,, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]. 

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Zakat

 .




The Holy Quran
Al-Baqarah (The Cow) - سورة البقرة Chapter 2 Verse 219
 
And they ask you what they should spend. Say, "The excess [beyond needs]." Thus Allah makes clear to you the verses [of revelation] that you might give thought.

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Dua (Supplicating To Allah swt) Part 1 & 2

Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow) - سورة البقرة
The Holy Quran 2:209, 210O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.
But if you deviate after clear proofs have come to you, then know that Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow) - سورة البقرة
The Holy Quran 2:186

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.

Bukhari & Muslim

"O Allah, place light in my heart, light in my tongue, light in my hearing, light in my sight, light behind me, light in front of me, light on my right, light on my left, light above me and light below me; place light in my sinew, in my flesh, in my blood, in my hair and in my skin; place light in my soul and make light abundant for me; make me light and grant me light."

Part 1

Part 2

The Return Of Satan

Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow) - سورة The Holy Quran 2:209 & 210

O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.

But if you deviate after clear proofs have come to you, then know that Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

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Ramdan - Eid Mubarak -Year 2010

Taqabbala Allaaha minnaa wa minkum

“May Allaah accept it from you and us.”

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Al-Qadr (The Night Of Power)

Al-Qadr (The Night Of Power) The Holy Quran Chapter 97 Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.

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Ramdan The Sahabas (ra) Way

The Holy Quran Al Fatha Chapter 48 Verse 29

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers - so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.

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RAMADAN UNDER MICROSCOPE Ramadan is the probation period for the Muslims therefore its understanding is our obligation. And Alhamdulillah this treatise before you is a humble presentation on the various subjects of Ramadan which may or may not be known to the common mass of the Muslim society. Its main vision is to Comprehend the month of Ramadan in the right perspective of the authentic sources in contrast to the ritualistic understanding. We have enlisted variety of worship that are specific to this month and also have spoken at length about its aims and virtues. We hope that this would be beneficial to both Muslims and Non Muslims alike. And if we in any way have improved upon the understanding of Sharia then we would have achieved our purpose of penning it down for you. Click To Download

Virtues Of Ramdan

Narrated Abu Huraira(r.a): The Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying, "Who ever fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah will have all of his previous sins forgiven." “When Ramadhan comes, the Gates of Mercy are opened and the Gates of Hell are shut and the devils are put in chains” -Sahih Bukhari

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Fasting

My little son was up at four for the morning repast. Like the others he too wanted to observe the fast. The fare was simple, chapatti, vegetable and egg. No beef or chunk of mutton or chicken leg. No food after sunrise and the thirst we defy. No Smoking’, ‘No Paan’ or the occasional lie. Control the impulses and the thoughts that come unbidden. Why! For a man even his wife is forbidden! Fasting manifests the ongoing bout. Between good sense and the devil’s clout. Those who view fasting with doubt. understand, the devil is within not without. Men with vaunted intelligence will demand. How does it help, the devil’s brief remand. Well my friend, if you can be good for thirty days. Why not for an year or for always. The message of fasting is simple and brief. Do good, be polite and stay out of mischief. Eat less and you eat only twice. Be charitable, cultivate no avarice.

By Mohamed Azam 17 August 2010 TRUE COLORS OF FASTING

Indeed all praise be to Allah as such we praise Him, seek His help and assistance from the evil of oneself and from the evil that resides due to our deeds. We thank Allah [swt] for guiding us to the benefits of fasting which if rightly comprehended can help this Muslim Ummah in combating the evil by practicing self restrain. We also thank Allah [swt] for granting and encouraging us with the variety of fasts so that we can constantly turn to him with sincere repentance. We ask Allah to grant us with the ability and desire to fast like that of Prophet Dawood [peace be upon him] which was the most beloved fast in the sight of Allah. And may peace and blessings be upon the Imam of the Messengers Muhammed Ibn Abdullah[s], his family, and his companions and all those who have followed him and all those who are following him until the Last day. The true colors are the realities of fasting. And this treatise on fasting is the elucidation of concepts, purposes, types, and the virtues of fasts in contrast to ritualistic understanding. It is assumed that this treatise Insha Allah would be beneficial for understanding and encouraging the Muslims to fast in and out of Ramadan. A Must Read - Click To Download

Zakat

At-Tawbah (The Repentance) - سورة التوبة The Holy Quran Chapter 9 Verse 103 Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [ Allah 's blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing. Surat 'Āli `Imrān (Family of Imran) - سورة آل عمران The Holy Quran Chapter 3 Verse 180 And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection. And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth. And Allah , with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted. Zakat Part 1 - Click To Download Zakat Part 2 - Click To Download Zakat 2009 - Click To Download

Eid ul-Fitr

Alhamdulillah! For the bountiful month of ‘Saum’
When we give up food, comfort and ‘naum’
Alhamdulillah! For helping us practice abstinence
And to learn the art of patience
We were all blessed this year by Allah’s grace
To strengthen our Iman and mend our ways

                 Kids as young as four
                 Defy thirst for 12 hours or more
                 Men and women, young and old
                 Learn to break the devil’s stranglehold
                 By keeping the impulses in check with a smile
                 Growing in piety and closeness to Allah meanwhile

But alas! All good things must come to an end
For the next month is round the bend
For another Ramadan with the family let’s pray
Till then to vice and weakness let’s not fall prey
And our Takwah should be strong and clear
For the rest of the year

                 Let us pray for those who could not
                 Reap the bounties of ‘Saum’. Who gathered naught
                 Of Allah’s blessings available in abundance
                 Available to those who practiced abstinence
                 May Allah accept our humble ‘ibaadah’
                 Our ‘tilawah’, ‘zakath’ and ‘sadakah’

So to Ramadan I bid a helpless farewell
With a hope that we all fared well
In this brief test that Allah put us through
Seeking an excuse to reward the simplest virtue
We cannot claim to be worthy of justice or just measure
We are blessed by Allah’s Grace and Pleasure

                                                                              Mohamed Azam

                                                                              19 September 2009

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Ungrateful

The Holy Quran
AL-QALAM (THE PEN)
Chapter 68 : 17 & 18

17 Surely We will try them as We tried the owners of the garden, when they swore that they would certainly cut off the produce in the morning,
18 And were not willing to set aside a portion (for the poor).

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لیلة القدر - Lailatul Qadar - The Night Of Power

The Holy Quran Al-Qadr Chapter 97 Verse 1 to 5) We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah.s permission, on every errand: Peace!...This until the rise of morn! Dua Of The Prophet During Lailatul Qadar. اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي "Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' " "O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me" Lailat al Qadr is a good time to ask for forgiveness. Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not to show off) then all his past sins will be forgiven. Hadith, Bukhari Vol 1, Book 2:34

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Zakat

Zakāh or "alms giving", one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is the giving of a small percentage of one's possessions (surplus wealth) to charity generally to poor and needy individuals. The word Zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Zakat is the amount of money that every adult, mentally stable, free, and financially able Muslim, male and female, has to pay to support specific categories people. The Holy Quran At-Tawba (Repentance, Dispensation) Chapter 9 Verse 60 Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to Truth); for those in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah. and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom. Verse 34 And 35 O ye who believe! there are indeed many among the priests and anchorites, who in Falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah. announce unto them a most grievous penalty. On the Day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, their flanks, and their backs.- "This is the (treasure) which ye buried for yourselves: taste ye, then, the (treasures) ye buried!"

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Ramadhan

         "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may acquire (Taqwah)"
         
         "Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong)."
Surah Al Baqara : 183 & 185

The prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said " When the month of Ramazan starts the gates of the heaven are opened and gates of the hell are closed & devils are chained.
(Sahih Al Bukhari) 

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Who is close to Allah swt?

A Believer should lead his life in two ways, one Giving Thanks To Allah and other to be patient.

When Allah swt showers his favor on a believer he should Thank (Shookur) Allah swt for the favors, and when there is a test from Allah swt then he should be patient

There are very few people who thank (Shookur) Allah, lets be one among the few who thank Allah swt and become close to him in this Holy month Ramadhan


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