RAMADAN AL MUBARAK

Ramadan, the month for fasting for Muslims last for thirty days. During the entire month Muslims abstain from food, water and sexual activities. According to Islam it is best way of devotion of Muslims towards god, which one can devote in such busy life schedules.

 

What is Ramadan? This question comes to our mind many times when we come across the word Ramadan. The answer to this question is, Ramadan is the ninth month of Islamic calander. It is a belief that in the month of Ramadan the Holy book of Muslims, Quran was sent down from heaven as guidance for men and also as a direction and a means to Salvation. Ramadan is the month of fast. The entire month Muslims fast with no water and food during the daytime.Muslims have food only before the sunrises and after the sunsets. The day starts with eating of the sahoor. Sahoor is the meal eaten by the Muslims who fast before the sun rises. Once sahoor is done then Muslims who fast cannot eat or drink the whole day. In the evening when the sun sets then they have another meal called If tar. To open the fast they pray and have Iftar meal. Once Iftar is over Muslims visit their relative’s house and early in the morning sets back to the fast.

Who All Should Fast

It is believed that all the Muslims above the age of twelve or passed the age of puberty should fast. All Muslims who are physically and mentally challenged should not fast. 

Exemptions From Fasting

• Children below twelve years.
• Muslims who are physically and mentally challenged.
• Senior Muslim citizen.
• Muslims who travel for long distances.
• Pregnant women and nursing mothers.
• Women who are menstruating.

The lesser we eat the more body uses the stored fats. This way, it detoxify our body, thereby consuming more and more fats and cholesterol, which reduces the risk of heart blockage and high diabetes level and cholesterol level.

Fasting helps us learn the art of self control and patience. It includes a mind exercise to curb the urge of satiate bodily desires.

It increases the process of metabolism as well as healing process when it looks for energy from within.

Research and studies show that fasting increases the life span of human beings.

It is the best time to normalize your weight if you have extra flab. 

 

ON BEING UNDIVIDED

Surah Al-Imran Ayat 103 (The Rope)

وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ فَأَنْقَذَكُمْ مِنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided."

(Dan berpegang teguhlah kamu sekalian kepada tali Allah dan janganlah kamu bercerai-berai; dan ingatlah nikmat Allah kepada kamu ketika kamu dahulunya bermusuh-musuhan, lalu Dia (Allah) menjinakkan hati kamu sehingga kamu menjadi bersaudara dengan nikmat-Nya (nikmat Allah), padahal (dahulunya) kamu berada di pinggir lubang neraka, lalu Dia (Allah) selamatkan kamu. Demikianlah Allah menyatakan ayat-ayat-Nya (tanda-tanda Allah) kepada kamu agar kamu mendapat petunjuk.)

 

The Necessity of Holding to the Path of Allah and the Community of the Believers

Allah said, And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves. It was said that, to the Rope of Allah refers to Allah's covenant, just as Allah said in the following Ayah, Indignity is put over them wherever they may be, except when under a covenant (of protection) from Allah, and from men;) [Surah Al-'Imran 3], in reference to pledges and peace treaties.

Allah's statement and be not divided among yourselves, orders sticking to the community of the believers and forbids division. There are several Hadiths that require adhering to the Jama'ah (congregation of believers) and prohibit division. Muslim recorded that Abu Hurayrah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) said, It pleases Allah for you to acquire three qualities and displeases Him that you acquire three characteristics. It pleases Him that you worship Him Alone and not associate anything or anyone with Him in worship, that you hold on to the Rope of Allah altogether and do not divide, and that you advise whoever Allah appoints as your Leader. The three that displease Him are that you say, `It was said,' and, `So-and-so said,' asking many unnecessary questions and wasting money.

Allah said, and remember Allah's favor on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His grace, you became brothers. This was revealed about the Aws and Khazraj. During the time of Jahiliyyah, the Aws and Khazraj were at war and had great hatred, enmity and ill feelings towards each other, causing long conflicts and battles to occur between them. When Allah brought Islam, those among them who embraced it became brothers who loved each other by Allah's grace, having good ties for Allah's sake and helping each other in righteousness and piety. Allah said, He it is Who has supported you with His Help and with the believers. And He has united their hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah has united them)[Surah Al-Anfal 8,63],

And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided."  Before Islam, their disbelief had them standing at the edge of a pit of the Fire, but Allah saved them from it and delivered them to faith. The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) reminded the Ansar [from both Aws and Khazraj] of this bounty when he was dividing the war booty of Hunayn. During that time, some Ansar did not like the way the booty was divided, since they did not get what the others did, although that was what Allah directed His Prophet to do. The Messenger of Allah gave them a speech, in which he (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, O Ansar! Did I not find you misguided and Allah directed you to guidance because of me. Were you not divided beforehand and Allah united you around me. Were you not poor and Allah enriched you because of me Whenever the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) asked them a question, they would answer, "Indeed, Allah and His Messenger have granted us bounty.''

Reference: Tafsir ibn Kathir (abridged) English version. 

Sources and credits:

www.sistersbookroom   http://www.sistersbookroom.net/t1678-the-rope-surah-al-imran-3103     

Terjemahan Al Quran     http://qurannet.tripod.com/003imran.html 

Quran.com                    http://quran.com/3/103         

THE MONTH OF SYAABAN/SYA'BAN (JULY 2011)

Sha'ban is the name of the (eighth) month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and it is so called because in this month the Arabs used to disperse (tasha'aba) in search of water, or it was said that it is so called because it sha'aba (branches out or emerges) i.e., it appears between the months of Rajab and Ramadan. 

"Lord had called it Sha’ban because His favours and bounties were scattered (sha’aba) all over during it. Allah presents His great bounties in this month which are easy to achieve, and inexpensive," said Imam Ali (A).  This could mean that the doing of ‘ibadah (acts of worship), performing other good deeds and abstaining from evils will carry manifold benefits. 

Sha’ban is the second month of ‘Ibadah in order to make preparations for the grand and majestic month of Holy Ramadhan – the month of Allah (SWT). The Holy Prophet (saw) has said, “Sha’ban is my month”. This is the month of asking for forgiveness of sins, giving alms & charity and fasting.  The Holy Prophet (saw) used to observe fast during the whole month of Sha’ban. 

Imam Zaynul-Aabideen (A) has said, “Whosoever, in love of the Prophet, wishes to seek nearness to Allah and receive His bounties, favours and rewards in this world and in the hereafter, must connect Sha’ban with Ramadhan in the matter of fasting and special  prayers”.

RECOMMENDED FASTS 

1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd  of Sha’ban.

1^st Thursday, Mid-Wednesday of the month and last Thursday.

13^th, 14^th and 15^th of Sha’ban.

Any Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Sha’ban.

The last three days (continuously) of Sha’ban to join with Ramadhan.

This being the second month of Maghfirah (seeking forgiveness), one should do the following:

Recite everyday 70 times ASTAGHFIRULLAHA WA AS-ALUHUT TAWBAH.

Recite everyday 70 times ASTAGHFIRULLAHAL-LADHEE LAA ILAAHA ILLA HUWAR-RAHMAANUR RAHEEMUL HAYYUL QAYYOOMU WA ATOOBU ILAIHI.

Give as much Sadaqah (alms) as possible.

Recite Swalawaat as many times as possible on the Holy prophet (saw).

Recite 1000 times the following dhikr within the month i.e. divide it throughout the month of Sha’ban; 

LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAHU WALAA NA’BUDU ILLA IYYAAHU MUKHLISEENA LAHUD-DEEN WALAU KARIHAL MUSHRIKOON

The Night of Bara`ah (nisf Sha`ban)

 
Another significant feature of the month of Sha`ban is that it consists of a night which is termed in Shari`ah as "Laylatul-bara`ah" (The night of freedom from Fire). This is the night occurring between 14th and 15th day of Sha`ban. Traditions of Prophet Muhammad (saw), prove that it is a meritorious night in which the people of the earth are attended by special Divine Mercy. 

What should be done in this night?

 
On the Holy Night of 15th Shaban, after Maghrib or Isha' prayer it is traditional practice to read Surah Yasin three times and reciting of the Holy Quran. 

It is very necessary that just as others observe this night, you observe it. To make an invitation to feed people on that night, to remember Allah (swt) and to remember His Prophet (saw), and to fast its day and pray its night, will be rewarded for that night and for whoever observes it.

In order to observe the Night of Bara`ah, one should remain awake on this night as much as possible. If someone has the opportunity, he or she should spend the whole night in worship and prayer. 

However, if one cannot do so for one reason or another, he can select a considerable portion of the night, preferably of the second half of it for this purpose, and should perform the following acts of worship: 

praying Salat ul-Khair, which consists of 100 raka`ts, in each raka`t reciting Sura al-Fatiha and 10 Surat al-Ikhlas. To complete the prayer one recites 1000 Sura al-Ikhlas.

The Night of Bara`ah is a night in which special blessings are directed towards the Muslims. Therefore, this night should be spent in total submission to Allah Almighty, and one should refrain from all those activities which may displease Allah.

A Reminder in Shabaan

If you still have to make up any missed obligatory fasts of last Ramadan, then hasten to make up them before the next Ramadan arrives. It is not permissible to delay missed fasts until after the following Ramadan, except in cases of necessity (such as a valid excuse that continues between the two Ramadan).  

Anybody who is able to make up the missed fasts before the (second) Ramadan and does not do so has to make them up after the (second) Ramadan and in addition, he should repent and feed one poor person for each day that was missed. [This is the view of Malik, al-Shafi'ee and Ahmad]

 

 

credits and sources:

www.hujjat.org

www.albalagh.net

www.ummah.com

www.missionislam.com  

Books:  Hebatnya Bulan-bulan Islam-Karangkraf   

ISLAM AND PEACE

Recently a friend, (Ms.Elizabeth Potter, Unity Productions Foundation. myfellowamerican.us, facebook.com/ MyFellowAmericanProject) showed me this amazing video.  I was so overwhelmed and sadden by what took place.  The predicaments my brothers and sisters have to endure everyday.  I sincerely hope the world can be united in peace.  As I believe everyone and everything has the RIGHT to abide in this little world. Thus would like to share with you this video and hopefully you can take the pledge. Thank you.

http://myfellowamerican.us

May Allah accept our good deeds

forgive our sins 

and purify our hearts 

to gain success in this world

and the hereafter

 

The Virtues of Reciting Surah al Mulk

Al-Mulk -Mohammed Taha Al-Junaid  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM4EkbKRBuE

 Surah Al-Mulk (Dominion)

1. Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion, and He is Able to do all things.
2. Who has created death and life, that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving;
3. Who has created the seven heavens one above another, you can see no fault in the creations of the Most Beneficent. Then look again: "Can you see any rifts?"
4. Then look again and yet again, your sight will return to you in a state of humiliation and worn out.
5. And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made such lamps (as) missiles to drive away the Shayatin (devils), and have prepared for them the torment of the blazing Fire.
6. And for those who disbelieve in their Lord (Allah) is the torment of Hell, and worst indeed is that destination.
7. When they are cast therein, they will hear the (terrible) drawing in of its breath as it blazes forth.
8. It almost bursts up with fury. Every time a group is cast therein, its keeper will ask: "Did no warner come to you?"
9. They will say: "Yes indeed; a warner did come to us, but we belied him and said: 'Allah never sent down anything (of revelation), you are only in great error.'"
10. And they will say: "Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we would not have been among the dwellers of the blazing Fire!"
11. Then they will confess their sin. So, away with the dwellers of the blazing Fire.
12. Verily! Those who fear their Lord unseen (i.e. they do not see Him, nor His Punishment in the Hereafter, etc.), theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).
13. And whether you keep your talk secret or disclose it, verily, He is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts (of men).
14. Should not He Who has created know? And He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves) All-Aware (of everything).
15. He it is, Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e. easy for you to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it, etc.), so walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision, and to Him will be the Resurrection.
16. Do you feel secure that He, Who is over the heaven (Allah), will not cause the earth to sink with you, then behold it shakes (as in an earthquake)?
17. Or do you feel secure that He, Who is over the heaven (Allah), will not send against you a violent whirlwind? Then you shall know how (terrible) has been My Warning?
18. And indeed those before them belied (the Messengers of Allah), then how terrible was My denial (punishment)?
19. Do they not see the birds above them, spreading out their wings and folding them in? None upholds them except the Most Beneficent (Allah). Verily, He is the All-Seer of everything.
20. Who is he besides the Most Beneficent that can be an army to you to help you? The disbelievers are in nothing but delusion.
21. Who is he that can provide for you if He should withhold His provision? Nay, but they continue to be in pride, and (they) flee (from the truth).
22. Is he who walks without seeing on his face, more rightly guided, or he who (sees and) walks on a Straight Way (i.e. Islamic Monotheism).
23. Say it is He Who has created you, and endowed you with hearing (ears), seeing (eyes), and hearts. Little thanks you give.
24. Say: "It is He Who has created you from the earth, and to Him shall you be gathered (in the Hereafter)."
25. They say: "When will this promise (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) come to pass? if you are telling the truth."
26. Say (O Muhammad saw): "The knowledge (of its exact time) is with Allah only, and I am only a plain warner."
27. But when they will see it (the torment on the Day of Resurrection) approaching, the faces of those who disbelieve will be different (black, sad, and in grieve), and it will be said (to them): "This is (the promise) which you were calling for!"
28. Say (O Muhammad saw): "Tell me! If Allah destroys me, and those with me, or He bestows His Mercy on us, - who can save the disbelievers from a painful torment?"
29. Say: "He is the Most Beneficent (Allah), in Him we believe, and in Him we put our trust. So you will come to know who is it that is in manifest error."
30. Say (O Muhammad saw): "Tell me! If (all) your water were to be sunk away, who then can supply you with flowing (spring) water?" 

The Virtues of Reciting Surah al Mulk

The Prophet said, 'There is a surah in the Qur'an which is only 30 verses.  It defended whoever recited it until it puts him into paradise' i.e. Surah al Mulk
[Fath al Qadir 5/257, Sahihul Jamiea 1/680, Tabrani in Al-Awsat & Ibn
Mardawaith]

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah said, "The Qur'an contains a surah of thirty ayats which will intercede for a man until he is forgiven. It is:  'Blessed be He who has the Kingdom in His Hand!' (67)"
[abu Dawud, Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi
Ch.183 #1016]

The Prophet said, 'Surah al Mulk is the protector from the torment of the grave'
[Sahihul Jamiea 1/680, Hakim 2/498 & Nasai]

Jabirsaid it was the custom of the Prophet not to go to sleep until he had read Tabarakallahi Biyadihil Mulk and Alif Laam Meem Tanzeel.
[Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Darami]

Anas reported Rasulullah as saying, "There is a Surah which will plead for its reciter till it causes him to enter paradise (Tabarakallahi Biyadihil Mulk)."
[at-Tabrani]

Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Prophet said, 'It is my desire/love that Surahtul Mulk should be in the heart of every Muslim'
[Hakim, al-Hisnul Haseen by the cassical scholar Muhammad al-Jazri]

Ibn Abbas said that one of the Prophet companions set up his tent over a grave without realising that it was a grave and it contained a man who was reciting the Surah Tabarakallahi Biyadihil Mulk up to the end. He went and told the Prophet who said, 'It is The Defender; it is The Protector which safeguards from Allah Ta'ala's punishment'
[at-Tirmidhi]

It was narrated that Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said: Whoever readsTabarakallahi Biyadihil Mulk [i.e. Surah al-Mulk] every night, Allah will protect him from the torment of the grave. At the time of the Messenger of Allah we used to call ital-mani'ah (that which protects). In the Book of Allah it is a surah which, whoever recites it every night has done very well.
[an-Nasa'i]

sources and credits:   
      IslamicInformation.net   
     http://www.islamicinformation.net/2008/09/rewards-and-virtues-of-surah-yasin-al.html    
     Ahadees.com
    http://www.ahadees.com/arabic-surah-67-30.html