The closest we can get to Allah in this Dunya is in Salah, particularly in prostration. We lower our knees and forehead to the earth, to the dirt the lowest of all elements. Not only does it instill humility in the depths of our souls but it also reminds us where we are from.
We have been created from the earth, born in the wombs of our mothers, taking the journey of life and soon to taste death, returning us to the depths of the earth. Whereupon reality will become crystal clear…
A girl prays at Al-Wehadat Palestinian refugee camp on the last day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Amman September 29, 2008.REUTERS/Ali Jarekji (JORDAN)
I can't believe Ramadhan is almost and practically over! It just flew by! No, it actually zoomed by! It's just so sad... May Allah (swt) accept all our acts of worship and all our du'as, May He (swt) forgive our never-ending sins, save us from His punishments and enter us into Jannatul Firdaws.
So Eid Mubarak to those celebrating Eid tomorrow...yeah, it's just wierd knowing that after reading that it's going to be impossible to see the moon today but there's a small possibility of seeing it in the Ploynesian Islands (Moonsighting.com) And there's Isna who announced Oct. 1st to be Eid... we'll just be following the Sunnah and wait for the news tomorrow evening (T.O Hilal committee and Cresent Watch)
Ahh! I have soooo much left too do!
Remember me in your du'as all!
The Night Preceding Eid ul Fitr
It has been the practice of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that he would not sleep in the night preceding the day of Eidul-fitr. This night has been named in a Hadith “Lailatul Jazaa” - the night of reward.
It means Allah bestows his rewards to those who have spent the month of Ramadan abiding by the dictates of Shari’ah, and all their prayers in this night are accepted. Therefore, it is desirable to perform nafl prayers in this night.
The Propet (PBUH) is reported to have said: “Who ever stands in worship in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his heart will not die when the other hearts will die. (Ibn Majah)
To benefit from this opportunity, one should perform as much worship in this night as he can, and should pray for all his needs and desires.
I've been meaning to share this new nasheed album that's been out in the UK for a while now. I haven't gotten it as of yet, but I do plan too inshaAllah.
The group is called Labbayk, and their new album is called Rhymes of Praise. MashaAllah it has no instruments and no duff, just voice! (You know how much I prefer that, and there's not too many options out there with voice-only nasheeds)
So alhamdulillah and mashaAllah they sound great and their words are beautiful too (from whatever I've heard in the samples). So here's 2 of teh videos that are out, and the link to their site.
A Christian church in the Indonesia city of Solo is providing meals for fasting Muslims during Ramadan in the hope it will help build community relations. Watch video report here.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslims circle the Kaaba inside the Grand Mosque during night prayers in the Muslim month of Ramadan in Mecca September 19, 2008
Please remember me, this very sinful sister, in your du'as (and my husband requested du'as as well!), and please forgive me if I've wronged anyone in anyway intentionally or unintentionally.
May Allah (swt) help us take advantage of these last 10 days of Ramadhan, accepting all our worship (small to big) and all our du'as. May He(swt) forgive our sins, save us from His anger, from the fitnas of Shaytan, fitnas of Dajjal, from the love of this dunya, from the diseases of the heart, from all the evil that which is in this dunya, from the punishments of the grave, from the torments of the Day of Judgment and from the fire of hell.
May Allah (swt) through His infinite Mercy and Grace, purify our hearts, minds, souls and nafs, filling it with His Noor and love for Him (swt) and His Rasul (s.a.w) only. May Allah (swt) give us success in both worlds and make us and raise us amongst those that He (swt) loves and favours. May Allah (swt) forgive those that have died and fill their graves with His Noor, mercy and blessings. May Allah (swt) forgive, give sabr, and grant ease to all those believers in hardship and sickness. May the Most Just (swt), help oppressed, give them sabr and give justice to those who know no justice.
We are the ummah of Allah (swt)'s beloved Nabi, Sayyidinah Rasulullah (s.a.w), and today we are drowning in our own sins and in the love of this dunya. We've become deluded to the extent that we take, see, practice, and preach from this deen only we want. Our ignorance and arrogance have made us blind and deluded from the true way of Islam. Allah (swt) says, "It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceals his speech or declares it openly, whether he be hid by night or goes forth freely by day. For him (each person), there are angels in succession, before and behind him. They guard him by the command of Allah. Verily, Allah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves. But when Allah wills a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, and they will find besides Him no protector." (13:10-11)
Allah (swt), the Most Merciful has given us the Night of Power for a reason, and we all know quite well what that reason is. So lets take advantage of these last 10 days and so that we may purify ourselves and become closer to Him (swt).
Make the Most of the Last Ten Days Jamiatul Ulama (KZN), www.jamiat.org.za
Greater Than a Thousand Months
"Most certainly We have revealed it in the Night of Power; And what will inform you what is the Night of Power? The Night of Power is greater than a thousan
d months; The angels and Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) descend in it with the permission of your Lord with all decrees; Peace prevails till the rising of dawn." (Surah Qadr)
The Night of Power is indeed unique in every sense. Most befittingly it has been afforded exclusively to the Ummat of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), which is in itself unique from all previous Ummats (nations). The magnanimous rewards and benefits of this auspicious night also dictate that its occurrence remains partially disclosed. Allah Ta’ala alone knows the true date of Laylatul Qadr and those wanting to earn this night have to vigilantly search for it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan.
The person who finds this night and observes it appropriately earns himself a great fortune, a fortune that will only be realised and appreciated in the hereafter. It has been the practice of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), the Sahaba (radiyallahu anhum), Mashaikh, Ulama and generations of Muslims too observe I’tikaaf (seclusion) in the Masjid during the last ten days of Ramadaan in search of this auspicious night.
Ubada bin Saamit (radiyallahu anhu) reports that he asked Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) about "Laylatul Qadr". Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) replied: "It is in Ramadaan, during the last ten days, on the unevenly numbered nights, either the 21st 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th or the last night of Ramadaan. Whosoever stands in 'Ibadah' (worship) on this night, with sincere faith and conviction of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. Among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear, and no meteors are shot at the 'Shayateen' on that night; it lasts until the break of dawn. Another sign is that in the morning, the sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in its fullness. On that day, Allah Ta’ala prohibits the 'Shayateen' from rising up with the sun." (Fazaail A’maal)
May Allah Ta’ala grant us all this auspicious night.
I'tikaaf in the Last Ten Days of Ramadan
The observation of I’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadaan was a practice which Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) observed assiduously throughout his life in Madinah Munawwarah. The devotion that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) attached to this beautiful Sunnah can be understood by the fact that on one occasion when he was unable to observe I’tikaaf, due to being out on an expedition, he observed twenty days I’tikaaf the following year.
The spiritual benefits that are attained from this wonderful Sunnah are innumerable. Who can possibly describe the spiritual ecstasy experienced from communicating in solitude with Allah Ta’ala, while one is a guest in the Masjid with the Malaaikah (angels) as his companions.
Undisturbed seclusion in the Masjid is indeed an excellent way to exclusively engage oneself in personal communication with Allah Ta’ala. Away from the comfort of the home, family members and daily work routine, I’tikaaf enhances one’s proximity to Allah Ta’ala and secures the internal and external purification of the Mu’takif .
Remember! Such precious moments come but once a year - and who can guarantee being present for the next Ramadaan.
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas (radiyallahu anhuma ) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said; "Whosoever performs I’tikaaf for a day thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, Allah Ta’ala will open three trenches between him and the fire of hell, the width of each (trench) being the distance between the heaven and the earth." (Tabraani)
The Ulama, considering the importance attached by Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to this noble practice, have ruled it necessary that this Sunnah be observed by at least one member of every locality. Failure to do so will result in the entire locality being guilty of neglecting this great Sunnah.
Mississauga Grandfather Held For Ransom For Three Days By Kidnappers
Thursday September 11, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
When Kuldip Bhullar walked out of his Mississauga home around 8pm Monday night to go for a walk, it was part of his normal routine.
What happened next was anything but normal.
The 58-year-old grandfather found himself in the middle of a terrifying kidnapping, lured by several suspects and spirited away to a hiding place that may have been in Brampton...
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said,
"Every good deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied. He will receive ten-fold to seven-hundred-fold reward for a good deed. Allah the Glorious and Majestic has said 'but fasting is exceptional, for it is done for Me and I will give reward for it, since one abandons his passion and food for My sake. There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts, joy when he breaks it and joy when he meets his Lord; and the breath (of an observer of fast) is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk."
[Related by AI-Bukhari and Muslim].
A Muslim girl prays in a madrasa or school during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan on the outskirts of Jammu September 9, 2008. REUTERS/Amit Gupta (INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR)
Just a little note regarding the previous post, Tasawwuf.org has the whole book, "Love for Allah" online. Personally I'm not too into reading books online, but if anyone wants too, click here.
A Saudi man reads the Koran during the Muslim month of Ramadan in downtown Riyadh September 7, 2008. REUTERS/Fahad Shadeed (SAUDI ARABIA)
‘Love For Allah” By Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad (translated by Brigadier Ashfaq Ashraf)
is an
amazing book that I recommend everyone read. This book is one of the best
books I’ve read. SubhanAllah, the effects of it can be felt deep inside where it starts (or adds to what was) a flame of great love for Allah (swt). Sadly, for many of us, this flame is on the edge of burning out. I can say for sure that this book can fuel that spark and make it burn inside with great passion. I seriously can’t think of the right words that could do justice to it. You need to read it to experience it. It makes your heart yearn to be closer to Allah (swt), it wakes you from the darkness and leaves your heart filled with awe and love for Him (swt).
I was thinking of sharing something from it, but I just can’t make up mind! I want to share everything but then I’d have to type out the whole book! So inshaAllah, every once in a while I’ll type us a little
something from it. So for now, I thought since it’s Ramadhan and we all read Tarawih, many of us read
a few du’as or praises in between the rakats, and here’s a story behind one of them that was in this book.
A Story About Prophet Ibrahim (a.s)
Once, when Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) was grazing his flock of sheep, a man passed by loudly reciting the following words in praise of Allah (swt):
Glorified is the Master of the earthly and heavenly kingdoms. Glorified is the Honored One, the Exalted One, the Venerated One, the Powerful One, the Magnificent One, and the Omnipotent One.
When Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) heard his Beloved (swt) praised with such beautiful words, his heart leaped in exultation. He requested the man to kindly recite the words one more time. The man asked what he would give him in return. Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) replied that he would give half of his flock of sheep. The man complied and repeated the words. Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) was so captivated by these beautiful words that he asked him to repeat the words again. The man asked what he would be given in exchange this time. Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) replied that he would give the remaining half of the flock. The man complied and repeated the words for a third time. Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) was so overcome with ecstasy by these words the he once again implored the man to repeat his words. The man responded, “You have nothing left. Now what will you give me?” Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) replied, “O brother, I will tend your sheep forever if you recite these praises of my Beloved (swt) one more time.” The man then said, “Ibrahim Khalilullah [friend of Allah]. I bring you glad tidings. I am an angel sent by Allah (swt), who told me, “Go and take My name before My Khalil and see how much he values it.”
SubhanAllah.
Page 34
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Visually impaired Palestinian students read verses of the Quran, Islam's holiest book, written in Braille, during the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Al-Qabas Islamic school in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. The Islamic school is funded by local donations, that usually increase during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.
Ibn Khuzaima reported on the authority of Salman al-Farisi that the Prophet (saaw) delivered a Khutbah on the last day ofSh'aban saying:
"O people: You are about to enter the shadow of a great blessed month. A night therein is better than a thousand months. Allah (swt) made fasting during this month an obligation and encouraged people to perform extra prayers during its nights.
Seeking nearness to Allah (swt) through a good deed would be considered like performing an obligatory act of worship. In turn, performance of an obligatory act of worship during this month would be rewarded seventy times more than during any other month. It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Jannah. It is the month of comforting others, and the month during which believers would enjoy plentifulness.
The Prophet (s.a.w) went on to say:" Make sure you frequently do four things, two of which would please your Lord and the other two are indispensable for your salvation in the Hereafter. As for the two things that would please your Lord, they are: testifying to the oneness of Allah (swt) and seeking repentance. And the other two are: asking Allah the favour of entering Jannah and seeking refuge in Him from the Hell Fire."
"Whosoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah's reward, all his past sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari)
Ramadhan Mubarak/Kareem!
Alhamdulillah, Allah (swt) has bestowed upon us yet another year in which we can take advantage of this Blessed month and even for that we must do shukr. Many die before Ramadhan approaches yet many of us are still here, given another opportunity to cleanse, purify, and illuminate our hearts and souls with the mercy and light of Allah (swt) and to be closer to Him (swt). It is the month wherein the Holy Qur’an was revealed to Sayyidinah Rasulullah (s.a.w) on the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr), the night that is better then a thousand months of worship. SubhanAllah, how great is Allah (swt)’s mercy for the Ummah of His beloved Nabi (s.a.w).
May Allah (swt) make it easy for us during this blessed month to gain guidance, taqwa, ilm, piety, subr, His mercy, His forgiveness and His pleasure. May Allah (swt) save us from the punishments of the grave and hellfire and raise us amongst those that He loves and favours and make our home Jannatul Firdaws. Ameen
Remember me in your du’as (by NAME!) and I ask for forgiveness from anyone who I might have wronged knowingly/unknowingly.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (ra):
The Prophet (s.a.w) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)" [Bukhari Vol. 3: No. 127]
An officer of Brunei's Islamic authority leads a call for prayer or Athaan during the sighting of the new moon for Ramadan over the sky of Bukit Agok outside Bandar Seri Begawan August 31, 2008. Muslims scan the sky at dusk at the end of their lunar calendar's eighth month in search of the new moon to proclaim the beginning of Ramadan, Islam's holiest month during which observant believers fast from dawn to dusk. REUTERS/Ahim Rani (BRUNEI)
People buy food before the breaking of fast on the first day of Ramadan in Lahore September 2, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Mohsin Raza (PAKISTAN)
Pakistani Muslims youngsters recite the holy book of Quran at a seminary in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008. Muslims across the world usually increase their religious activities during the holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to officially begin Tuesday or Wednesday in Pakistan, though the timing depends on the alignment of the moon. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
A man shops in the downtown market area in Amman, ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, August 31, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed (JORDAN)
A boy prays before a session marking the start of Ramadan at the Golden Mosque in Manila September 1, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES)
A boy sleeps in a mosque while waiting to break his fast on the first day of Ramadan in Makassar September 1, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Yusuf Ahmad (INDONESIA)
A child prepares food for Iftar (evening meal) before the breaking of fast on the first day of Ramadan at Memon Mosque in Karachi September 2, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Athar Hussain (PAKISTAN)
Kashmiri Muslim men, who were under a curfew for the past nine days, perform prayers on a road outside a mosque during Ramadan in Srinagar September 2, 2008. REUTERS/Fayaz Kabli (INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR)
Egyptians shop at a vegetable market in Cairo during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan September 1, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Nasser Nuri (EGYPT)
A Pakistani Muslim prepares food stuff for 'Iftar', a time to break the fast, at a mosque during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. During Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
An elderly man reads the Koran on the second day of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, at the Grand Mosque in Sanaa September 2, 2008. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah (YEMEN
Students of a religious school recite the Koran during Ramadan at a seminary in Islamabad September 2, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood (PAKISTAN)
Foreign workers gather to break fast at the end of the first day of Ramadan in Jeddah September 1, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Stringer (SAUDI ARABIA)
Palestinian Muslims youths read verses from the Quran, Islam's holy book, while waiting to break their daily fast during the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in a mosque in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Sept. 1, 2008. Muslims throughout the world are celebrating the holy fasting month of Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, refraining from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)A Palestinian man reads the Koran at in front of the Dome of the Rock mosque, at the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalems old city on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Muslims around the world this week begin the fasting and feasting month of Ramadan amid hopes of violence easing in some of the Islamic world's conflict hotspots but hit hard by rising food prices. (AFP/Ahmad Gharabli)
A moon crescent appears in the background of the Prophet Mohammed Mosque in the holy city of Medina in Saudi Arabia. Muslims around the world this week begin the fasting and feasting month of Ramadan amid hopes of violence easing in some of the Islamic world's conflict hotspots but hit hard by rising food prices. (AFP/File/Roslan Rahman)
Saudis shop at a market in the Red Sea city of Jeddah one day before the start of the holy month of Ramadan. Saudi Arabia, cradle of Islam, and other oil-rich Arab monarchies in the Gulf has ushered in Ramadan, the Muslim holy month marked by an upsurge of charity and a slowdown in activity. (AFP/Omar Salem)
Fishermen offer prayers before the breaking of fast on the first day of Ramadan in Karachi September 2, 2008. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Athar Hussain (PAKISTAN)
"Most certainly We have revealed it in the Night of Power; And what will inform you what is the Night of Power? The Night of Power is greater than a thousand months; The angels and Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) descend in it with the permission of your Lord with all decrees; Peace prevails till the rising of dawn." (Surah Qadr)
A girl prays at Al-Wehadat Palestinian refugee camp on the last day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Amman September 29, 2008.REUTERS/Ali Jarekji (JORDAN)
