1 Dec 2016

I want to be a Muslim but... Myths about Converting to Islam (part 3 of 3)

I want to be a Muslim

Description: God makes converting to Islam easy, not difficult.
The most fundamental belief in Islam is that there is no true god (deity) but Allah. He, the One, the Only, the First and the Last, has no partners, sons, daughters or intermediaries. He is Alone in His Dominion and in His Omnipotence. It is a very simple concept, it is simply the truth. Nevertheless sometimes the pure belief in God can be overwhelming. Often we are surprised when we call for God and He answers immediately.

22 Nov 2016

Some Responsibilities of the Husband and Rights of the Wife in Islam

Some Responsibilities of the Husband and Rights of the Wife in Islam

Dr. G. F. Haddad Damascus

Q: I have frequently read what, according to Islamic teachings, a husband may or may not do in a dispute with his wife if he attributes it to disagreement with or misbehavior of his wife. I almost never read anything about the opposite situation: if the wife has a disagreement with her husband or *he* misbehaves. Things are nearly always told from the man's point of view! What are the wife's rights in the case of bad behavior of her husband?

Story of the Pious: The Pearl Necklace (Islamic Story) by Dr. Saleh As-Saleh

Story of the Pious: The Pearl Necklace (Islamic Story) by Dr. Saleh As-Saleh

This story is recorded in the book “Gems and Jewels”published by Dar-us-salam

Qazi Abu Bakr Muhammad bin Abdul Baqi Ansari is an illustrious personality of Islamic History. He was the most pious person of his time. Even after the lapse of nine centuries, his exemplary life is a source of guidance to Muslims. His biographers tell a number of tales of his honesty and reliability but the one that affected his whole life is full of strange and unique events. He has narrated this story in his own words and it adorns the pages of history books.

12 Oct 2016

Stories of the Pious: Allah the Provider


It is related that Abu-al-Abbas al-Khadir was once questioned by Abdullah,’ Have you come across a Wali of Allah that has a greater status than yours?”

”Yes” he replied. “I was once in Masjid-e-Nabawi, when I saw Abdur Razzak and a group of people around him listening to Ahadith. In the corner of the masjid was a young man sitting with his head on his knees.” I asked him why are you not sitting with the People and listening to the Hadith of Rasulullah (SAW) from Abdur Razzak?”

Stories of the Pious: The Pious Barber


The Pious Barber Abu Ja’far al-Hadad relates, “During a stay in Makkah my hair had grown long but I could not afford to cut it. I went to a barber who seemed to be a good man and asked him to cut my hair for the sake of Allah. The barber glanced at my messy hair and invited me forward. He trimmed away the locks up to the ears.

Stories of the Pious: The Ethiopian Slave


Abdullah bin Mubarak relates, “‘Once while I was in Makkah, we were struck with a severe drought. It had not rained for weeks and all the people gathered in Masjid al-Haram to pray for rain. I was also amongst them sitting next to the gate of Banu Saiba. An Ethiopian slave wearing tatty garments came and sat in front of me. 

I could hear him praying, “Oh Allah, bad deeds and sinning have frayed the faces and you have stopped showering us with your mercy to teach mankind a lesson. I ask you Oh Haleem, Oh Raheem, Oh One whose people know nothing except good. Send rain unto us this moment”. He prayed until the clouds appeared and it rained.

Stories of the Pious: Sinless Barkh


Ka’ab relates, once at the time of Prophet Musa (AS), there was a drought. The Bani Israeel aked him to pray for rain. Prophet Musa told them to come with him to the mountain. When they climbed the mountain he said to his People, “Whoever has committe a sin, then do not follow me ” They all turned and walked back down the mountain except one man. He was blind from one eye and known to the people as Barkh.

Stories of the Pious: Abul-Hasan and the Thief


Shaykh Abul – Hasan Noori relates that whilst he was once taking a bath, a thief made off with his clothes. After a while he saw the same thief returning with his clothes. He took back the garments and then realised that his hands had been paralysed. He had loss movement in both hands leaving him grieving.

Stories of the Pious: Water with the Taste of Honey


A pious man relates, whilst I was sitting next to the Ka’ba an old man with his face covered came and drank water from the well of Zam Zam using a container. I then drank what he had left over and found that it tasted of honey. I turned to see where he had gone, but he had left.

Stories of the Pious: Dirhams from the Unseen


A pious man relates, I was travelling with a caravan through a jungle when I saw a woman walking ahead. She appeared weak, so I thought that perhaps she was walking in front so that she is not left behind. 

I found a few dirhams in my pocket and gave them to her and said, “When the caravan stops, come to me and I will ask the people to offer you some money”, enabling her to purchase an animal to ride on. She stretched out her hands and showed me some dirhams clenched in her hands. She gave them to me and said “You took them from your pocket and I from the unseen”.

Stories of the Pious: Benefits of Salaam


It is said that a young man was making tawaf of the Ka’ba. At the same time he was engaged in sending Salaam on the Prophet (SAW). A man on hearing this inquired, “Do you know of any benefits of sending Salaam?” “Yes” he replied. “My father and I left for hajj, he fell sick on the way and died. His face turned black, his eyes blue and his stomach had swollen up. I cried and said, “We belong to Allah and to him we return”.

Stories of The Pious: Pearls from the Sea


Zun-Noon Misri relates, we once embarked on a ship and a handsome young man, whose face was gleaming with light also set out with us. During the voyage the owner of the ship lost a bag which contained his money. 

This led to a search of all the passengers on board. When the young man was approached, he leaped out of the ship into the water. Whilst we looked on he supplicated, “Oh Allah they have accused me. I take oath that you order every creature in the sea to raise their head with a pearl resting in their mouths.”

Zun- Noon further states that before the young man could complete his supplication we witnessed the creatures doing just as he had requested. The young man continued, “Oh Allah it is Ye we worship alone and Ye we seek help from.” He then disappeared.

After witnessing such a remarkable incident the narrator exclaimed, “The Hadith of Prophet (SAW) came to mind. There will always remain thirty people from among my Ummah whose hearts will be like the heart of Ibraheem. Every time one dies Allah will replace him.” Perhaps the narrator believed this young man was one of them.

Stories of the Pious: The Ultimate Test

Stories of the Pious: The Ultimate Test

Abu-ul-Hassan Siraj (mercy be upon him) said, “One day I set out for the performance of pilgrimage (Hajj). As I was making a circuit (Tawwaf) around the Holy Ka’ba, I happened to see a fair-faced woman. I said to myself, By God! I have never seen a woman with such beauty before. 

Perhaps she has all this beauty as she may not have suffered any grief or sorrow.” She heard this statement and said, “What did you say? By God! I am immersed in grief and my heart is afflicted with adversities and misfortunes and there is no one to share with me the pangs of grief.”

26 Sept 2016

A sermon from the dying to the living


There once lived in Basrah a prolific and profoundly spiritual worshipper whose fear of the Hereafter caused him to become physically weak, and whose constant crying made him skinny and sick. When he was on his deathbed, his family gathered around him, and they all began to cry.

“Help me sit up.” He said. He addressed his father first: “O my father, what is making you cry?”

“My son,” began his father, “I remembered that I will lose you, and that I will be alone after you die.”

The worshipper then turned his gaze towards his mother and said, “O my Mother, what is making you cry?”

What to do upon death: When signs of death start showing up



By Dr. Abdulhayy ‘Arifi rahimahullah

WHEN SIGNS OF DEATH START SHOWING UP
The blessed Companion Aboo Sa’eed Khudri radiyallahu anhu narrates that the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, “Prompt the dying among you to say (the kalimah): Lã ilãha illallãh (I declare that there is no god but Allah).” (Muslim)

The blessed Companion Ma’qil Ibne Yasãr radiyallahu anhu narrates that the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam said, “You should recite Soorah Yãseen over the dying among you.” (Musnade-Ahmad, Aboo Dãwood, Ibne Mãjah)

IN THE AGONY OF DEATH
Turn the face of the dying person towards the Qiblah. Let him or her make the following prayer, “O Allah, forgive me and have mercy on me and have me join higher companions.” (Tirmizi)

RULINGS

A good sealing state: Husn Al-Khatima


By Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf

The final state of a person at the time of death is what matters in the Hereafter. In this article, we discuss some of the causes for both good and evil sealing states, and how a person’s inner traits will dominate at the time of death.

In a hadith transmitted by Ibn Abi ’al-Dunya in his Commanding the Good and Forbidding Evil from Abu Umama (Allah be pleased with him) the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to his Companions (Allah be pleased with them): “How will your situation be when your women become tyrannical, your youth become transgressors and you abandon striving and jihad in the path of Allah?” They asked, “Will that really occur? The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Yes, by the One in whose hand my soul is, something even worse than that will occur.” They said, “What could be worse than that, O Messenger of Allah?”

At the face of death


A heart-touching story… learn from it.
This is something that is very personal and important to me. I hope that you will learn and benefit from it. Let me begin by saying “Bismillah.” When I first started University, I had met another Muslim brother. We had become good friends, but this friendship was not like any other ordinary friendship, I would have done anything for him, he was like my real brother.

During our last year of University, this brother of mine announced that he was engaged and that he was to be married after he graduates this year and finds himself a job. I was glad for him and so was he. He talked non stop about getting married, I was sort of getting jealous of him, because the brother had it made for him, finishing school, getting married and especially coming from a wealthy family.

ISLAMIC DEATH: The Final Return


A police officer in a Muslim country wrote the following letter to a Shaykh describing the events that led to his return to Allah. He recalls: Seeing accidents and crash victims was a normal part of my day, but one incident was different.

My partner and I had parked on the shoulder of the highway and began to chat. In a random second, the scene shattered to the hideous sound of metal bodies becoming one. We threw our heads back to see what had happened: a head-on collision, the result of a vehicle slipping into the lane of the oncoming traffic.You couldn’t describe the carnage. Two young men sprawled in the first car, both in critical condition. We carried them gently away from the car and rested them on the ground.


2 Jul 2016

Sadaqah: The Productive Investment of a Lifetime


What if I told you about an offer where you can get the product, plus double your money back, plus extra prizes? What would you do? You’d probably immediately text all your friends to tell them about it and then rush down to the shop to make the purchase.

While many of us tend to chase after special offers and reduced prices in this dunya (world), we often overlook the fact that Allah has offered us an even better deal that will benefit us both in this dunya and the akhira (hereafter). What deal am I talking about? Sadaqah (voluntary charity).

Easy Dhikr which is light on the tongue but heavy on the scales!


All of these Dhikr are so easy and light on the tongue but SO heavy on the scales!

1. Earn a thousand good deeds in Minutes

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Is anyone of you incapable of earning one thousand Hasanah (rewards) a day?" Someone from the gathering asked, "How can anyone of us earn a thousand Hasanah?" Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Glorify Allah a hundred times by just saying “Subhanallah” and a Good deeds will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away.” (Muslim 4:2073)

2. One of the Rare Treasures of Paradise

Hadhrat Abu Dharr [Ra] narrated that Rasulallah [Saw] said: “Should I not tell you of one treasure of the unlimited treasures of Paradise?” I replied spontaneously “Oh Rasulallah (Peace be upon him) that would be an honour indeed!” Rasulallah (Saw) said: “That rare treasure is LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH.” (“The strength to do good and to refrain from evil comes from the grace and mercy of Allah!”) -(Ibn Majah)

Hadrat Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that "my beloved friend” (the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) has enjoined five things upon me. He has commanded me to love and be close to the poor and the downtrodden, and he has commanded me to look at those in the world who are of lower rank than me, and not at those who are of higher rank, and he has commanded me to be kind to the kinsman and to preserve and keep intact the bond of kinship, and he has commanded me not to ask for anything from anyone as a favour and he has commanded me to speak the truth at all times though it may be bitter for others, and he has commanded me to care nothing for the rebuke of those who revile and villify in the path of Allah, and he has commanded me to recite much the Kalima of: Laa Hawla wa laa Qawwuta Illaa Billah (there is no power or strength but in Allah) because all these things are from the treasure-house (of Allah) which is under the ninth heaven. (Ahmad)

3. A Date Palm planted in Paradise for the one who Recites this

Hadhrat Jaa'bir [Ra] narrated that Rasulallah (Peace be upon him) said: “For the person who recites SUB-HAN'ALLAH HIL AZEEM WA BI-HAM'DIHI, [Pure and perfect is Allah in his glory and praise], - A date palm will be planted for him in Paradise” (Tirmidhi)

Another Narration says:

Forgiveness for Sins Even Though they are like the Foam of the Sea:

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever says, ‘Subhan Allaahi Wa bihamdihi, {Allah is free from imperfection and His is the praise}. One hundred (100) times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea. (Bukhari, Book #75, Hadith #414)

4. We Can Earn Over a BILLION Rewards in Just a Few Seconds!

Narrated ‘Ubaadah that the Messenger of Allah said, “Whoever seeks forgiveness for the believing men and believing women, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man and believing woman.” (Tabarrani)

5. That Which Shall Have no Equal on the Day of Resurrection:

Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah’s Apostle said, ”Whoever says one hundred (100) times in a day: “Laa ilaaha illallaah wahdahuu laa shareeka lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shai’in qadeer,”

(“None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Alone Who has no partners, to Him belongs Dominion and to Him belong all the Praises, and He has power over all things (i.e. Omnipotent)”,}

He will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he.” (Bukhari, Book #75, Hadith #412)

6. Four Phrases that are Heavier on the Scales than an Entire Morning of Dhikrullah (Remembrance of Allah):

The Mother of the Believers, Juwairiyah bint Al-Harith reported that the Prophet came out from my apartment in the morning as I was busy in performing the dawn prayer. He came back in the forenoon and found me sitting there. The Prophet said, ”Are you still in the same position as I left you.” I replied in the affirmative. Thereupon the Prophet said, “I recited four phrases three times after I had left you. If these are to be weighed against all you have recited since morning, these will be heavier. These are:

Subhan-Allah Wa bihamdihi, ‘adada khalqihi, wa rida-a nafsihi, wa zinatah ‘arshihi, wa midada kalimatihi

(Allah is free from imperfection and I begin with His praise, as many times as the number of His creatures, in accordance with His Good Pleasure, equal to the ink that may be used in recording the words (for His Praise).” (Muslim)

7. A Phrase that Comes with Rewards in the MILLIONS:

On the authority of Abdullah ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet said: “Whoever enters a market and says:

‘Laa ilaaha ill Allah Wahdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul Mulku Wa lahul Hamdu yuhyi Wa yumeetu Wa huwa Hayyun laa yamoot, bi yadihil khayr, wahuwa ‘alaa kulli shay’ in qadeer’

{There is nothing worthy of worship but Allah, He is alone without partner, to Him belongs the dominion and the praise, he causes life and death and He is the Living One and will never die. In His Hand is all good, and He is over all things capable.)

Allah will write for him a million good deeds erase a million of his bad deeds and build for him a house in Jannah.”

And in another narration, instead of mentioning that Allah will build a house in Jannah, it states, “and he will be raised one million levels.” (Tirmidhi).

8. Reciting Tasbeeh, (Subhanballah), Tahmeed (Alhamdolillah) and Takbeer Allahu Akbar), and enjoining what is Good and forbidding what is evil, and praying Salaatul Duha (Breakfast prayer).,

It was narrated from Abu Dharr that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “For every bone of the son of Adam a charity must be given each day. Every Tasbeehah (saying Subhaan Allah -Glory be to Allah) is a charity, every Tahmeedah (saying Al-hamdu Lillaah -praise be to Allah) is a charity, every tahleelah (saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allah -There is no god but Allah) is a charity, every takbeerah (saying Allaahu akbar -Allah is Most Great) is a charity, enjoining what is good is a charity, forbidding what is evil is a charity, and two (2) Rak’ahs (Nafil) offered in the mid-morning (Duha) is sufficient.” (Muslim, 720)

9. The Virtues of Reciting Tasbih at-I-Fatima

A well-known Tradition of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) has it that the Prophet's beloved daughter (and Hazrat Ali's (Ra) wife), Hazrat Fatima (Ra), used to perform all the domestic duties with her own hands. She had even to draw water from the well and to carry it home and to grind the corn in the millstone. One day she begged the holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) to provide her with a domestic servant upon which the Prophet (Peace be upon him) observed, "I will tell you of something that will serve you better than a domestic servant. Recite Subhaa-nallaah 33 times, Alhamdu lillaah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 34 times after each Salaah and on retiring to bed. This will be of greater value to you than a servant."

Another Tradition says, "Whoever will recite after each Salaah 33 times Subhaa-nallaah, 33 times Alhamdu lillaah, and 34 times Allahu Akbar, and, at the end of it, the Kalima of ‘Laa ilaaha illal laahu wahdahu laa sharika lahu lahul mulku wa-lahul hamdu wa huwa alaa kulli shay-in qadeer’. (There is no Allah but one Allah. He is alone. No partner hath. He Him belongs sovereignty and unto Him belongs Praise and He is all-Powerful) all his sins will be forgiven even if they be as profuse as the foam of the sea."

10. How to Erase 2500 Sins in 5 minutes!

Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘There are two qualities, no Muslim man acquires them but he will enter Paradise, and they are simple and easy. He should glorify Allah (say Subhaan Allah) ten times immediately after each prayer, and praise Him (say Al-hamdu Lillaah) ten times and magnify Him (say Allaahu Akbar) ten times.’

I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) counting this on his fingers. He said: ‘That makes one hundred and fifty on the tongue and one thousand five hundred (hasanaat) in the scales.

[Translator’s note: each of three phrases repeated ten times makes thirty; multiplied by the number of daily prayers, which is five, makes one hundred and fifty. Each of these good deeds of the tongue will be rewarded with ten hasanaat which will be added to the total of good deeds to be weighed in the balance or scales on the Day of Judgement].

11. Glorifying Allah 100 times when one goes to bed

When you go to bed, glorify Him and praise Him and magnify Him One hundred times: that will be one hundred on the tongue and a thousand in the scales.

Who among you does 2,500 bad deeds in one day?’ They said: ‘How could we not count (our sins)?’ He said: ‘The Shaytaan comes to any one of you whilst he is praying and says, Remember this, remember that, until he finishes his prayer and does not do (this dhikr), or he comes to him when he is lying down and makes him sleepy, until he falls asleep (without doing this dhikr).’” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3332).

12. Earning a 1000 good deeds and wiping away a 1000 bad deeds in Minutes

If a person says "SubhanAllah" (glory be to Allah) 100 times, a thousand good deeds are recorded for him and a thousand bad deeds are wiped away. (Muslim)

13. Jannat becomes obligatory for the one who Recites the following

Abu Sa’id (Ra) said that Rasullallah (Peace be upon him) said, “Whoever says: "Radeetu billahi rabban, Wa bil-Islaami deenan, Wa bi-Muhammadin rasoolan" Jannah becomes obligatory for him (to enter). (Abu-Dawud)

- Best said in Morning and Evening with "Nabiyan wa rasoolan"

14. The Virtues of Reciting the First Kalimah


The declaration of belief in the oneness of Allah or kalimah tayyibah

Laa ilaaha ill-Allah

(There is no worthy of worship except Allah)

This should be read as much as possible all the time where we are and whatever were doing as long as it is not in the toilet.

Hadrat Zaid bin ‘Arqam (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever says Laa ilaaha illal-laah…sincerely will enter the Paradise.”

It was said: And what is the [sign of] sincerity? He said: “That this kalimah stops him from those things which Allah has forbidden.” (Tabaraani in Awsat-ul-Kabeer)

“Do you not see how Allah puts forth the likeness of a good word (kalimah tayyibah)? It is like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and whose branches reach to the sky. It brings forth its fruit in all seasons by the command of its Lord. And Allah sets forth parables for men, so that they may take heed. And the likeness of an evil word (kalimah khabeetha- a word of shirk) is like an evil tree, which is uprooted from the face of the earth, and has no stability.” (Qur’an: 24-26)

15. Virtues of Reciting the Third Kalimah:

The word of glorification or the Kalima-e-Tamjeed

Subhāna-llāhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, Wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla Wa lā quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-‘aliyyi-l-‘azīm

(Glory be to Allah. And praise be to Allah. And there is no god except Allah. And Allah is the Greatest. And there is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, And Most Great)

Ibn Mas’ood (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “When I met Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in the night of Mi’raaj (Night of ascension) he asked me to convey his Salaam to my Ummah and to tell them that the Paradise has a fertile soil and sweet water, and is like a vast field. And its plants are [the words above].”

Another version says: “Whoever recites the words above, a tree in Paradise is planted for him for each word he says.” (Virtues of Dhikr; Tirmidhi)

16. Virtues of reading the Fourth Kalimah:

The word of Oneness of Allah or the Kalima-e-Tawhid:

Lā ilāha illā-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu lahu-l-mulku Wa lahu-l-hamdu yuḥyi Wa yumītu Wa huwa ḥayyu-llā yamūtu abadan abada, ḏū-l-jalāli wa-l-ikrām, biyadihi-l-khayr, wa huwa ‘alā kulli Shay’in qadīr.

(There is no god except Allah, Who is Alone and has no partners. For Him is the Dominion and for Him is all praise. He gives life and causes death. And He is living and will never ever die. Owner of Majesty and Honour: In His Hands is all goodness. And He has power over all things)

Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “A person who recites: Laa ilaaha illal-laahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shay-in qadeer, a hundred (100) times daily will have reward equal to that of freeing ten slaves and one hundred good deeds will be written for him, and one hundred of his sins will be lifted from him, and for the whole day, he will remain immune from the Shaytaan until the evening, and on the Day of Judgment, no one will exceed him in merit except one who has done [these phrases] more.” (Agreed Upon)

Here are the virtues of Qur'an and some recommended Surah's:

17. Reward for Reciting each letter of Holy Qur’aan.

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever reads a letter of the Book of Allah will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a tenfold reward. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is a letter, rather alif is a letter, laam is a letter and meem is a letter.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2910)

18. Surah Fathiha The Mother of the Qur’an and a cure for every disease

Abu Sulaiman says that once a group of Companions were in an expedition (ghazwa) when they happened to come across an epileptic person, who was unconscious. One of the Companions recited Surah Al-Fatiha and blew in his ear. The epileptic person immediately cured. When Sayyidana Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was informed of this, he said: “It (Surah Al-Fathiha) is “The Mother of the Qur’an” (Umm al-Qur’an) and is a cure for every disease.”

[This narration has been recorded by Ath-Thua’lbi from Abu Sulaiman, who narrated it from Muawiya bin Saleh (RA), Tafseer Mazhari 1:31]

19. Surah Mulk which protects one from the Torment of the Grave

It was narrated that Abdullah ibn Mas’ud said: Whoever reads Tabarakallahi 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 (Peace be upon him) we used to call it al-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)

20. Surah Zilzalah worth half of the Qur’an

Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas and Anas Ibn Malik (Ra) reported that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Zilzilah (99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Kaafirun (109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Ikhlas (112)would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qur’an’. (At-Tirmidhi 2818/A)

21. Surah Iklhas worth a third of the Qur’an

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said to his Companions, “Are any of you unable to recite a third of the Qur’an in a night?” That was difficult for them and they said, “Which of us is able to do that, Messenger of Allah?” He said, “[The surah] ‘Say: He is Allah, Absolute Oneness, Allah, the Everlasting Sustainer of all’ (112) constitutes a third of the Qur’an.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6:61 #534, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1010)

22. Surah Iklhas recited (200) times daily gets forgiveness of 50 years of sin

Anas ( RA) reported the Prophet (Peace be upon him) as saying, “If anyone recites two hundred (200) times daily, Qul huwallahu ahad the sins of fifty years will be wiped out, unless he is in debt.” (At-Tirmidhi and Darami).

The latter version has ‘fifty times’ and he did not mention ‘unless he is in debt’

23. Surah al Falaq and An Naas protection from Jinn and evil eye

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to seek refuge from the jinn as well as from the evil eye until Surah al Falaq and An Naas were revealed. When they were sent down, he utilised them and left other things. [At-Tirmidhi #1984, Riyad as-Salihin by Imam an-Nawawi Ch.183 #1014]




24. Good manners are the Heaviest on the good deed scales

Abu Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language.''

So let us be the best towards others and be humble!

Let us also remember Allah as much as we can!

25. We will regret the Seconds we wasted without remembering Allah

Hadhrat Mu'az [RA] narrated Rasulallah (Peace be upon him) said: “The Inhabitants of Paradise will not be grief stricken or sorrowful about anything they did in the life of the world except for the time they spent without being in the remembrance of Allah” (Tabaraani)

26. Do Dhikr of Allah even if its on Comfortable beds

Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khudri (Ra) narrates that Rasulullah (Peace be upon him) said:

“There are many people reclining on comfortable beds and making the Dhikr of Allah on earth. Allah will grant them elevated ranks (in the Aakhirah).” (Ibn Habbaan)

Those indulging in luxury should not abstain from Dhikrullah. They too should be constantly engaged in the remembrance of Allah whilst enjoying the comforts of the bounties which whilst enjoying the comforts of the bounties which Allah has bestowed on them and Allah will give them elevated ranks in the hereafter.

27. Do so much Dhikr that people think your mad

Hadhrat Abu Saeed Khurdi (Ra) also narrates that Rasulullah (Peace be upon him) said:

“Engage in the Dhikr of Allah in such abundance that people comment that ‘you are insane’.” (Ahmed, Abu Ya’la, Ibn Habbaan)

28. Remember Allah in the places where people don’t usually remember Allah

It is mentioned in hadith that in a place where people are oblivious to dhikir, remembrance of Allah is like being steadfast in jihad, when others are running away. (Targhib, p. 193, vol. 3 ref. Bazar and Tibrani)

15 Rewarding Ways for Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity) in Islam


Sadaqatul jariyah is ongoing charity (continuous rewards) received by us (for good actions and deeds), that will not only benefit us in this life, but will continue to benefit us after our death.

Abu Huraira (RadhiAllahu ‘anhu) reported: Allah’s Messenger ﷺ as saying: When a man dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurring charity or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious son, who prays for him (for the deceased). [Sahih Muslim – Book 13 – Hadith 4005]

21 Jun 2016

How to Be a Successful Muslim Wife

How to Be a Successful Muslim Wife
How to Be a Successful Muslim Wife
In Islam, marriage is a blessed contract between a man and a woman. Each have their own role to play in making a marriage successful. It is a bit more difficult but certainly possible to make even a selected partner in a marriage a success.

1. Be the best wife you can be. Being a good Muslim wife is in many ways similar to being a good wife in other religions. Sure it has its own special features and requirements, just like any other religion. However, there are common basic methods and guidelines for being a good wife in general. Follow them.

Tips for wife to show respect for her husband


1. Express faith in his decision and ability.

2. Leave him notes (men respond better to the written words) that tell him how much you value who he is as a person (and sometimes for his work). ...

3. If he botches a task at home, don’t sigh, roll your eyes, and mutter at him; instead, thank him for trying.

Dua after Iftar



ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَ ابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ، وَ ثَبَتَ الأجْرُ إنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

Transliteration:
dhahabadh dhama-u wabtallatil ‘urooqu, wa tha-batal ajru insha Allah

The thrist is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allah [Ta’ala] wills.
[Abu Dawud]

Ibadat of Iftar


A very important act related to Saum (Fasting) is Iftaar or to break the fast at its appropriate time. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) emphasised the importance and the virtues of correct observance of Iftaar. Correct observance of Iftaar means to observe it in the Sunnat way. Although Iftaar is ostensibly a mundane act of eating some food, it is an ibaadat of much thawaab (reward) as well. However, Iftaar will be bereft of its spirituality and ibaadat dimension if it is not observed in the Masnoon manner.

Dua: When breaking the fast – Iftar

Dua: When breaking the fast – Iftar
Dua: When breaking the fast – Iftar
When breaking the fast – Iftar


اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ [وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ] وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ


O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I put my trust in You] and I break my fast with Your sustenance.

Virtues of Iftari

Virtues of Iftari

Hadhrat Sahal (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that the holy Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The people will remain prosperous so long as they hasten in breaking their fast (at the time of Iftaar).” [Bukhari]

Hadhrat Abu Hurayra (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that the holy Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Allah Ta’ala said, ‘The most beloved of my servants in my sight are those who hasten when breaking fast’.” [Tirmidhi]

17 Jun 2016

The Sunnats of Eid–ul–Fitr



1. To awaken earlier than usual
2. To brush the teeth (miswaak)
3. To have a bath (ghusl)
4. To be well dressed in an Islamic manner
5. To dress in one’s best clothes, not necessarily new
6. To use itr
7. To perform Eid Salah at the Eidgah
8. To eat odd number of dates
9. To go for Salah early
10. To walk to the place of Eid Salah if within walking distance
11. To read the Takbeeraat of Eid silently- Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Ila Allah Wa Allahu 12. Akbar Allahu Akbar Wa Lillahi Alhamd
13. To use different routes to and from the pace of Eid Salah
14. To greet one another on Eid day with the words “Eid Mubaruk”

7 Reasons to Read the Glorious Qur’an



1. Inimitable

It dares you to disprove it. How? It says that humans cannot write a book like this even if they pooled all their resources together and got help also from the spirits. The Qur’an said this fourteen hundred years ago and yet no one has been able to disprove it. Billions of books have been written-but not another one like the Qur’an.

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (PBUH) (2)

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (PBUH) (2)
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (PBUH) (2)
As you may recall, most of the people at the time of Ibrahim (alayhis salam) were idol worshippers. There were very few people who heeded the words of Ibrahim (alayhis salam). One of the people who did follow in the way of Allah was his wife, Sarah. She and Ibrahim (alayhis salam) had been married for many years but did not have any children. As they became more elderly, it seemed apparent that they would never have a family. Sarah therefore gave Ibrahim (alayhis salam) her slavewoman, Hajra, as a wife, in the hopes that she would be able to bear a child for him. Ibrahim (alayhis salam) prayed for a righteous son and his prayer was answered. To him and Hajra was born the son Ismail (alayhis salam).

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (PBUH) (1)

Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (PBUH) (1)

Prophet Ibrahim as a role model
We often see the term “role model” in newspapers and magazines. It refers to someone who leads the sort of life that you would like to live. Many of us choose our favorite sports star or film star as our role model because we are impressed by the glitter and flair of these wealthy people. However, if we stopped to think about what kind of lives the stars really lead, perhaps we would have second thoughts about our choice of role model. How many of these stars have never known or have forgotten Allah in their quest for fame and riches! How often are they consumed by hate, envy, violence, drugs and other evils! Who really wants that kind of life? Certainly not we Muslims.

10 Ways of Developing Love For Allah

10 Ways of Developing Love For Allah
10 Ways of Developing Love For Allah
Adapted from Shaykh Ibn Qayyim’s (rah) Madarij-us-Saalikeen

Shaykh Ibn al-Qayyim (rah) says: “The reason which cause mahabbah (love) of Allaah to develop, are ten:

First: Reciting the Qur’aan, reflecting and understanding its meaning and its intent.

Second: Drawing closer to Allaah – the Most High – through optional deeds, after fulfilling the obligatory duties.

Characteristics of a Pious Husband

Characteristics of a Pious Husband
Characteristics of a Pious Husband
On the Day of Judgment :Allah will ask men if they fulfilled their obligations towards their families. They who fear Allah will do their best to direct the way his wife and children live by educating himself and his family to living according to the Sunnah of the Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and the Holy Qur’an, the final word of Allah.

Characteristics of a Pious Wife


A pious woman’s priority is to seek the pleasure of Allah. She tries acquiring the qualities of a good wife by following the examples of the Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and obeying what is commanded in the Book of Allah. Complete obedience and adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet(Sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and Quran is the best of a woman’s qualities.

Respect for Women Wearing Hijab at Olympics

Respect for Women Wearing Hijab at Olympics

Extract of an article from the Guardian by Naomi Alderman

The Greeks, as we all know, used to compete in the original Olympic games stark naked and smothered in olive oil. That’s no longer the fashion – because we have different cultural ideas about what parts of the body are suitable for public display – and, in fact, some women have taken the trend for Olympic modesty one stage further. This year, several women, including Egyptian fencer Shaimaa El Gammal and Bahraini sprinter Rakia Al Gassra, will be competing wearing the hijab.

16 Jun 2016

What every Muslim needs to know about Ramadan

What every Muslim needs to know about Ramadan


By: Bilal Abu Aisha
All praise belongs to Allah who said in His final revelation, the Qur’an: “O you who believe! Observing fast is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious.”1 And peace and blessings of Allah be upon the greatest of Messengers, Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions, and upon all those who pursue his path, the path of righteousness, till the Last Day. As the noble month of Ramadan draws near, it is relevant for us to look into some of the rulings associated with fasting. 

Ramadan Mubarak: Everything You Need to Know About This Holy Month

Ramadan Mubarak: Everything You Need to Know About This Holy Month
Ramadan Mubarak: Everything You Need to Know About This Holy Month
According to Islamic tradition, Ramzan is the holiest month of the entire year, “a month of blessing” and brings with it a fresh wave of festive cheer. It lasts for 28 to 30 days depending on the sighting of the moon. The day starts at the crack of dawn by eating a meal referred to as ‘Suhoor’ or ‘Sehri’ before the Fajr prayer, and rounds off by breaking the fast after sunset, followed by an elaborate ‘Iftar’ meal eaten right before the Magrib prayer.

15 Jun 2016

Ramadan and Islam: Introduction to Ramadan, the month of fasting for muslims


Fasting during the month of Ramadan (also spelled Ramadhan, Ramzan, Ramadhaan), is one of the five pillars of Submission (Islam in Arabic). In the month of Ramadan, submitters (muslims / moslems) fast from dawn to sunset (if able). 

While fasting (seyam / saum / sawm) during Ramadan, the individual refrains from eating and drinking and practices continence. It is a time of worship and contemplation and to fulfill God's commands and grow one's soul. A time to strengthen family and community ties, and be on our best behaviour.

11 Jun 2016

Get Ready! Set! Ramadan!


By Husain Zakariyya Yawale,

Allah says:

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil).

For a certain number of days; but whoever among you is sick or on a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; and those who are not able to do it may effect a redemption by feeding a poor man; so whoever does good spontaneously it is better for him; and that you fast is better for you if you know.

Women in the Masjid (III)

Women in the Masjid (III)

By Husain Zakariyya Yawale,
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All Praise is due to Allah! We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our evils and bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Allah is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and final messenger to mankind. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon His last and final Apostle, his Household, his companions and all his followers until the end of time.

Women in the Masjid (II)


By Husain Zakariyya Yawale,

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All Praise is due to Allah! We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our evils and bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Allah, is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and final messenger to mankind. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon His last and final Apostle, his Household, his companions and all his followers until the end of time.

Women in the Masjid (I)


By Husain Zakariyya Yawale,

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All Praise is due to Allah! We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our evils and bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Allah, is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and final messenger to mankind. May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon His last and final Apostle, his Household, his companions and all his followers until the end of time.

Setting up a Muslim home (II)



By Husain Zakariyya Yawale

Allah says:

“My Lord! Forgive me and my parents and him who whom enters my house believing, and believing men and believing women; and do not increase the unjust in aught but destruction!”[Nuh: 28]

ow beautiful it would if the head of the home were to gather his children and recite some verses of the Qur’aan with them, and narrate some stories of the Prophets, and thereby instil noble manners in his children.

The first priority of the Muslim home must be to cultivate its children Islamically and produce a righteous generation. This cultivation and advice will have no effect if it is not backed up by the parents setting a practical example in terms of worship, manners, words, deeds and appearance, Allaah says that which translates as: “And those who say: ‘Our Lord! Grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us a leader [i.e., example] for the righteous.” (Al-Furqaan: 74). Also, consider the Du’aa’ of ProphetIbraaheem, peace be upon him, when he said that which translates as: “My Lord! Make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendents. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.” (Ibraaheem: 40). Allaah also says that which translates as: “And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.” (Taa Haa: 132).

In the absence of tranquil Muslim homes, deviation occurs, crime spreads, drug usage increases and the percentage of suicides rapidly rises.

The home which does not instil sound beliefs and the Qur’aanic methodology, and does not live harmoniously will produce individuals who are emotionally disturbed, intellectually lost, and morally corrupted. Moreover, such homes produce undutiful children which is a common occurrence nowadays, as well as bad relations between youth who abandon their responsibilities and shun the worship of Allaah as well as rebelling against sound morals. This is a definite result of Muslims parents being heedless of purifying and properly cultivating their children, as well as not setting good examples for their children to follow.

The homes which neglect the commandments of Islaam, follow their base desires and blindly imitate other nations will naturally raise a generation who will be weak, disturbed and who will never succeed in reforming the Muslim nation and bringing back its might and honour.

One of the most important and obvious aspects of the Muslim home must be that it refers all its affairs to Allaah and His Messenger, and that all within the home accept this and submit to the rulings of Allaah. Allaah says that which translates as: “It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.” (Al-Ahzaab: 36).

The life of the Muslim home, its happiness and pleasure, lies in its remembrance of Allaah. Abu Moosaa, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “The difference between a house in which the name of Allaah is mentioned and a house in which the name of Allaah is not mentioned is like the difference between a dead person and one who is alive.” (Bukhaari & Muslim). He sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam also said: “Pray some of your (optional) prayers at home and do not make your houses like graveyards.” (Bukhaari & Muslim). He sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam also said as narrated by Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him:”Do not make your houses like graveyards; Satan runs away from houses in which the chapter of Al-Baqarah is recited.” (Muslim). Also, he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said as narrated by Zayd Ibn Thaabit, may Allaah be pleased with him: “Pray in your homes, for the best prayer (in terms of reward) is the prayer at home, except for the obligatory prayers.” (Muslim).

These Ahaadeeth and others show how vital it is to give life to the Muslim home with the remembrance of Allaah and His glorification, as well as with optional prayers. Homes which are devoid of remembrance and prayers are just like graveyards or ruins. Indeed these homes become a dwelling place for Satan; its inhabitants having dead hearts even if their bodies still move.

Another characteristic of the Muslim home is that its people co-operate to obey Allaah and worship Him; Whenever the husbands faith becomes weak in such a home, then the strength of the wife’s faith boosts him up; and if the wife were to falter then the husband would correct her with support and advice.

‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam used to pray during the night, and just before he prayed the Witr prayer, he would say, “O ‘Aa’ishah! Wake up and pray Witr.” (Bukhaari & Muslim). He sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam also said, as narrated by Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him: “May Allaah have mercy upon the man who wakes up to pray during the night and wakes his wife to pray, and if she does not wake up he splashes water on her face. May Allaah have mercy upon the woman who wakes up to pray during the night and wakes her husband to pray, and if he does not wake up she splashes water on his face.” (Ahmad, Abu Daawood, Nasaa’i & Ibn Maajah).

These two Ahaadeeth are evidence that both the man and the woman have a role to play in rectifying one another, and encouraging them to be obedient, because the relationship between them ought to be based on faith, through which they cooperate to obey Allaah. If one were to weaken then the other should support and rectify.

The Muslim home should be founded on knowledge and action; knowledge which guides to the right way and the straight path and which makes one aware of all that which leads to Hell; knowledge which educates one about the etiquettes of purity, the rulings of prayer and the lawful and unlawful, because no Muslim home should be ignorant of the basic rulings of the religion.

Chastity is another obvious characteristic of the people in a Muslim home, because this is the protection against the corruption and evil which would otherwise render the home powerless. It is to be expected that a Muslim home which was based on piety will lose its chastity and become defiled if it were to succumb to shameless pornographic movies, songs, uncovered women, or other evil forms of imitation of the disbelievers. Such things will affect a Muslim home in exactly the same manner that cavities affect ones teeth, and therefore the gates for evil would be opened and result in the ruin of the home.

From the characteristics of the people in a Muslim home is that they keep their secrets hidden and their differences concealed. Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “The most evil person in the sight of Allaah on the Day of Resurrection is a man who sleeps with his wife and then goes out and spreads her (sexual) secrets.” (Muslim).

The Muslim home builds its relationships with the community on basis of faith; it’s people increase in faith whenever they visit righteous people, because a believer is like a perfume seller, you either buy from him and receive a nice fragrance, or at the very least you smell a nice fragrance from him. Allaah says that which translates as: “My Lord! Forgive me and my parents and whoever enters my house a believer and the believing men and believing women. And do not increase the wrongdoers except in destruction.” (Nooh: 28).

No one whose religion is unacceptable may enter into the Muslim home, because the entrance of evil people brings corruption and imposes grave dangers unto ones children, indeed such visitors ruin the morals of people, they spread magic, steal, and therefore turn joy into grief and sorrow.

The bonds between the people in the Muslim home become stronger as they co-operate in performing the housework, and the best example for us in this regard is the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, when ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, was asked about the his behaviour at home, she replied: “He was a human being just like all others, he would sew his clothes, milk the sheep and serve himself food.” (Ahmad). In another narration she, may Allaah be pleased with her, said: “He would serve his family, but as soon as it was time to pray, he would rush to the prayer.” (Bukhaari).

Second Khutbah

If we were given a wish in this life which would come true, then we would certainly wish to live a happy life with our families. Such happiness for the Muslim home will never be achieved by possessing a luxury home, expensive furniture or fancy clothes; indeed that is a gross misconception of the notion of happiness.

Setting up a Muslim home (I)


To continued…

 +234-8052952900 (sms only)

islamexplained35@yahoo.com

Setting up a Muslim home (I)

Setting up a Muslim home (I)
Setting up a Muslim home (I)
By Husain Zakariyya Yawale

Allah says:

“My Lord! Forgive me and my parents and him who whom enters my house believing, and believing men and believing women; and do not increase the unjust in aught but destruction!”[Nuh: 28]

home, which means to make it look friendly and lived-in and, really, personal.

9 Jun 2016

How to Maintain Good Habits After Ramadan

How to Maintain Good Habits After Ramadan
How to Maintain Good Habits After Ramadan
Ramadan is the month of fasting for atonement of sins and purification of soul. It is a response to the carnal desires for eating, drinking and sleeping. A way that instills discipline in lives ensuring that the needs are met according to the indispensable requirements with in the pursuit of gratitude towards Allah Almighty. Fasting is the best practice of loyalty and a concurrence between creator and created.

Once done with Ramadan the spirit of sacrifice seems a daunting task to uphold. The quintessence of these sacred teachings lies in sustaining the practices that one has adopted in the month of Ramadan. The heighted feeling of Ramadan’s holiness is to continue the errands of caring for family and relatives (Haqooq ul ibaad) by reaching to all in times of need, never forgo the zeal of spirituality, thirst for donating alms and invigoration of the connection that has been built between you and Allah. Even Allah has endorsed the one who maintain harmony even in their minor deeds as narrated in Hadith:

“And the most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are continuous, even if they are few.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i]


Sustaining the Spirit of Ramadan

The sheer fear of losing motivation and momentum one has gained in the month of Ramadan makes it arguably more difficult to sustain the practices of Ramadan for rest of the months. If we take Ramadan as a training ground and mould ourselves according to the commandments condoned by Allah Almighty only then our hearts can be liberated from the despair of losing the true essence of Ramadan afterwards.

Following are the deeds of a Muslim that can be continued to sustain the spirit of Ramadan.

1. Formation of Good Habits

Before Ramadan, we are more focused about health, wealth and stealth and in Ramadan we are concerned about Fikar and Zikar. The significant thing after Ramadan is Istiqama i.e. to hold onto the good manners adopted in Ramadan. In Hadith the value of good manners has described as:


“Nothing is weightier on the Scale of Deeds than one’s Good manners.” [Al-Bukhari]
Start from the minor possible habits like staying away From all those practices and routines that you have shunt in Ramadan from staying late till night to profane language. Once you are accustomed to it, these all practices will seem a piece of cake to observe even after the month of Ramadan. This is a psychological fact that carrying on certain habits become a part of one’s routine if practiced for certain weeks henceforth it wouldn’t be sturdy once have your hands on it.

2. Keep Up the Practice of Fasting


Fasting that too after the month of Ramadan? Most of you would have yelled a big No but in actual it is not this tough to observe the practice of fasting after Ramadan. It was the favorite custom of our prophet (PBUH) to observe fast on some specific days and many Hadiths authenticate the significance of keeping Saum on Monday and Thursday. In Hadith it is narrated that:


“The Prophet of Allah used to fast on Monday and Thursday. When he was asked about it, he said: The works of the servants (of Allah) are presented (to Allah) on Monday and Thursday.” [Sunan Abi Dawud]


Following the Sunnah to observe fasting ritual is a best way not to rust your soul until next Ramadan and to keep the soul enliven within.

3. Patching Up With Prayers and Charity

In Ramadan, we all have made ourselves punctual for offering Salah that embarks discipline in order to obtain the level of spirit for becoming a best practicing Muslim. Continual of this obligation is not tough especially when it is just a day or two of Ramadan departure. Giving donations is not specific to the month of Ramadan that too when Allah has asked His people to give alms to the needy and deserved ones. Donate for mosque construction, feed a poor or the least you can do is to teach someone something good to keep up with the pace of Zakat after Ramadan as charity is among those things that will prove to be the savior at the Day of Judgment as narrated in Hadith:


“When a man dies, his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and righteous offspring who will pray for him.” [Muslim]


4. Continuation of Communal Meals

Ramadan is a social ritual to revive the communal relationship apart from spiritual practice. Muslims invite their relative for Aftar meals to break their fasts, a way to sit together and revitalize the importance of family get together. Aftar meals can be arranged for the deserved and deprived one depending on the istita’at of Muslim beings. To keep this practice intact one can arrange communal meals for family and friends or either can feed the poor, as they deemed preferable.

Concluding, month of Ramadan is over and indeed was a hard one because most of us have observed fast in the scorching and humid month of June. Despite this fact, we still can keep the essence of Ramadan alive in our soul by sustaining all the good habits that have adopted in the month of Ramadan. Work upon yourself and avoid hardships to pace up with Ramadan’s rituals because in eternity your intentions and consistent deeds will be awarded, as narrated by Hazrat Aisha (RA) that:


“Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and remember that you shall enter Paradise only through Allah’s Mercy, and also remember that the most beloved deed to Allah is that which is regular and constant even if it is little.” [Bukhari]

Five Best Tips to Eat Right & Stay Right this Ramadan

Five Best Tips to Eat Right & Stay Right this Ramadan
Five Best Tips to Eat Right & Stay Right this Ramadan
Ramadan the month of bounties and blessings has started and has already knocked our doors. Families have stocked all the essential items for the month of Ramadan so that they can utilize their productive time to seek Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.

Make Your Ramadan 2016 a Transformation Experience

Make Your Ramadan 2016 a Transformation Experience
Make Your Ramadan 2016 a Transformation Experience
We are living in the world of flamboyant glittering where the gold attracts and old nullified, where humanity has no cost but cheating makes you a millionaire, where a single blot of evil makes you a terrorist and a good virtue done is forgotten, where all Muslim rituals have become a burden rather a blessing and where Ramadan the month Allah has addressed as His own is just a duty to eat sleep and repeat rather Zikar and Fikar.