Monthly Archives: August 2011
Shukhran Shukran….Fruits of Being Grateful to Allah by Nisaar Y. Nadiadwala
Shukhran Shukran….Fruits of Being Grateful to Allah by Nisaar Y. Nadiadwala
Reja bin Haiwa an Egyptian scholar narrates his expereince… this man was one of the few top scholars of his time. He wrote .. once I was in Masjid e Khaif during the Haj..we were sitting and there were others too in thousands, including the king, his princess, his ministers, top scholars of that time and all.. suddenly a man stood up amidst the crowd and called up loudly ” o People as long as there are three things among you the Azabo fallah will not come upon you.. first be grateful to Allah.. second do istighfar.. and third supplicate to him… saying this he made his way in the crowd and went out..
Reja says.. I wondered at the courage of this man as to how directly he announced it in front of the elite group and went away… a thought came in my mind… did he gave an authentic narration? He never refered to any hadith or Qur’anic verse to support his statement..
So as a student of knowledge I got up and followed him and searched for him to ask him the reference for his claim.. but I could not find him.. I looked for him next day too in Mina but could not find him.. finally I decided to look for the verification myself because I had a feeling that since the man spoke in such a confidence manner it meant that he was speaking the truth..
I opened the Quran and began with surah Fatiha and went ahead with Surah Baqarah and covered Surah Imran and reached 147 verse of surah Nisa’ to find the verification of his first claim…. What will Allah gain by punishing you if you are thankful and believers…
Imam Reza notes that I continued my search and reached 33 verse of Surah Anfal..and found that … and Allah will not punish them while you (the Prophet) was among them nor will He punish them while they seek forgiveness…
Imam Reza then looked for the third reference till he reached Surah Furqan… my Lord pays attention to you only because of your supplications to Him.. but now since you have denied him so He will punish you….
Shukr leads to unbounded reward…There are two deeds whose rewards, Allah says that it is upon Him. Fasting and Thanking Him. Allah has announced the rewards of all good deeds …For example if you perform Hajj e Mabroor all your past sins will be forgiven…
But for fasting and thanksgiving Allah has kept to Himself how much will He reward.
Consider this, Allah says in the Qur’an that all the seven heavens will be wrapped up on his right hand on the day of Qiyamah…. If Allah gives us with His own hands how much would be the amount ?
Shukr has lots of vitrues.
Shukr protects from Azab of Allah… as the 147 verse of Surah Nisa’ assures… What can Allah gain by punishing you.. if you are grateful and you believe ?
Today when ever there is an earthquake or tsunami, scientists and oceanologists rush to find the epic centers of earthquakes and other reasons..they give only geogaphical reasons.
Allah gives His reasons, nothing can happen wihout His own permission. Not even a leaf can fall without His approval and the same goes with earthquakes and Tsunamis.
Don’t miss out that, even Halal rizq is a blessing from Allah… here is a verse… so eat the sustenance which Allah has provided you, lawful and good.. halal and tayyab..andbe grateful for the favours of Allah if it is He whom you worship…and if you waste it? Like being a spendthirft..then it is ungratefulness according to the Qur’an.
People have become thankless to Allah in many ways for example even if you look at the epidemic of lavish expenditure you will notice that even little children are into it though the Qur’an calls the lavish spenders as Ikhwanus shaytan.. brothers of Shaytan and further says.. indeed shaytan is ungrateful to his Lord.. so are his brothers….Infact the 83 verse of Surah Nahl says that recognising the favours of Allah and then rejecting them.. read the verse verbatim…
they recognise the blessings of Allah and then they deny them.. and most of them are ungrateful….. Allah says wa,aksaruhoom are ungrateful… the word for ungratefulness here is again kufr !!!!!
Author : Nisaar Nadiadwala speaks and writes on socio-educatinal issues from Islamic perspective..he can be reached at nisaar_yusuf@yahoo.com
Those Entitled to Receive Zakaat
Those Entitled to Receive Zakaat
by Imam Muhammad bin Saalih Al-’Uthaimeen
from Fusool fis-Siyaam wat-Taraaweeh waz-Zakaat
The people entitled to Zakaat are those places we can direct our Zakaat to. Allaah took charge of explaining for Himself what these places are, saying:
“The charity (Zakaat) is only for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect (the Zakaat), those whose hearts will be inclined (towards Islaam, by giving them Zakaat), for slaves, for those in debt, for (Jihaad in) the Cause of Allaah, and for the wayfarer ( i.e. destitute traveler). It is an obligation imposed by Allaah, and Allaah is the All-Knower, the All-Wise.”[Surah At-Tawbah: 60]
1. The Poor (Fuqaraa): They are those who are not able to support themselves with sufficient means, except for very little, which is less than half (a year). So if a person cannot find that which will support himself and his family for at least half a year, he is considered poor ( faqeer) and he should be given what will suffice him and his family for a year.
2. The Needy (Masaakeen): They are those who are able to support themselves with sufficient means for half of the year or more, but not enough for the entire year. So they should receive support that will complete the year for them. If a person does not have any cash on him, but yet has some other source of income, such as a profession, a salary or investment profits that will support him financially, he should not be given Zakaat. This is based on the Prophet’s statement: “There is no share in it (i.e. the Zakaat) for a wealthy person or for a strong able-bodied person who can earn a living.”
3. Those employed to collect the Zakaat: They are the ones put in charge by the ruler of a country to collect the Zakaat from those who owe it, distribute it to those who are entitled to it, guard the funds and all other types of duties involved with the supervision of Zakaat. So they should be given a portion of the Zakaat in accordance with the work they put in, even if they may already be wealthy.
4. Those whose hearts will be inclined: This refers to tribal and clan leaders, who do not have strong Faith. They should be given Zakaat so as to strengthen their Faith, which will make them callers to Islaam and good role models. But what if a person is weak in his Islaam, and he is not from the leaders who are followed and obeyed, but rather from the common folk, should he be given some Zakaat in order to strengthen his Faith?
Some scholars hold that it should be given to him since benefiting one’s religion is better than benefiting one’s body. Look at the example of a poor person. He is given Zakaat in order to nourish his body. So nourishing someone’s heart with Faith is greater and of more benefit. However some scholars hold that he should not be given the Zakaat since the benefit of strengthening his Faith is a personal benefit that is specific to him alone.
5. Slaves: What falls under this is buying slaves using Zakaat funds in order to free them, as well as assisting in the liberation of Muslim war captives.
6. Those in debt: They are the ones who owe debts. This is on the condition that they do not possess that which will enable them to remove their debts. So these people should be given enough (Zakaat) that will relieve them of their debt, whether it is a small or large amount, even if they may be wealthy due to their livelihood. So in the case where there is a man who has some income that is enough for the livelihood of himself and his family, but he has some debt that he cannot repay, he may be given sufficient Zakaat that will remove his debt from him. However, it is not permissible for a person who is owed money by a poor person to cancel that person’s debt, intending to give his share of Zakaat by that.
The scholars have differed regarding the case where the one in debt is someone’s father or son. Can he be given Zakaat in order to remove his debt? The correct opinion is that it is permissible. It is permissible for a person who owes Zakaat to go to the creditor (person owed the debt) and pay him back the loan of the indebted without the latter being aware of it. This is on the condition that the person owing Zakaat knows that the indebted one is unable to repay his debt.
7. In the Cause of Allaah: This refers to Jihaad in the Cause of Allaah. So those who fight in Jihaad should be given a portion of the Zakaat that will suffice them for their Jihaad and enable them to buy the necessary tools for Jihaad in the Cause of Allaah.
What also falls under “the Cause of Allaah” is religious knowledge. So a student of Islamic knowledge should be given that which will enable him to seek knowledge, such as books and so on. This is unless he already has money of his own that will enable him to achieve that.
8. The Wayfarer: This refers to a traveler that has been cut off from his journey. So he should be given enough Zakaat that will enable him to return to his homeland.
These are the people who are entitled to receive Zakaat, the ones whom Allaah has mentioned in His Book and informed us that this is an obligation that He mandated, which stems from His knowledge and wisdom. And Allaah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
It is not permissible to direct the Zakaat to any other place, such as towards building masaajid or fixing roads. This is because Allaah has told us those who are entitled to receive the Zakaat for the purpose of limiting them to just those mentioned. So this limitation indicates that we are to negate all other potential recipients that due not fall under this limitation.
If we were to reflect on those individuals that we may give Zakaat to, we would come to realize that among them are those who are in need of the Zakaat for personal use as well as those who are in need of it for the Muslims generally. So by this, we can see the extent of wisdom behind the requirement of Zakaat. And we would come to know that the wisdom behind Zakaat is to build a complete and upright society, as best as possible. And that Islaam does not disregard money or the benefits that can be generated from wealth, nor does it leave greedy and stingy souls to go about freely an unchecked with their stinginess and vain desires. On the contrary, it is the greatest guiding force towards the good and betterment of nations. And all praise is due to Allaah, Lord of the universe.
The outlook of people of faith on death
The outlook of people of faith on death
“Every soul shall taste death. You shall receive your rewards only on the Day of Resurrection. Anyone who is spared the Fire and admitted to the Garden will surely triumph. The life of this world is just the enjoyment of delusion.” (Surah Al ‘Imran, 185)
Death will come upon every man existing in this world at a predestined time in compliance with the verse, “Every soul shall taste death. In the end you shall return to Us”. (Surat al-’Ankabut, 57) Nothing a man possesses, neither property, fortune, status, fame, grandeur nor good looks can ward off death. Death is a law of Allah; no one can escape this absolute and unavoidable fact. As the verse, “Wherever you are, death will catch up with you, even if you are in impregnable fortresses…” (Surat an-Nisa’, 78) reminds us, there has never been anyone who could succeed in escaping from death.
This fact is an issue about which people of faith attain a profound understanding. Once they comprehend the certainty and closeness of death, they understand that they need to prepare for the life after death. Fearing an imminent death that may come upon them before attaining the moral perfection Allah demands from His servants and earning His approval, they embrace the religion of Allah with great sincerity and enthusiasm. They lose no time in drawing nearer to Allah and earning His approval, since they realise that they may meet death at any moment. The prayer of believers in the Qur’an is as follows:
… Originator of the heavens and earth, You are my Protector in this world and the Next. So take me as a Muslim at my death and unite me with those who are sincere. (Surah Yusuf, 101)
The people of faith accept death with full submission, since it is a law of Allah. Over and above this, they consider it as a gate through which to attain paradise. Meanwhile, they never forget that they must strive hard to avoid the punishment of hell and earn the approval of Allah. Believers unceasingly feel fear and hope until they meet death. They hope for paradise because they believe. Likewise, they fear hell since they never find themselves self-sufficient.
The severity of the pain and punishment experienced in hell is incomparable to any pain suffered in this world. The torment of fire is of various kinds. The people of hell constantly scream to be saved from fire, they are crammed into narrow places; their hands tied to their necks, they writhe in pain. They are whipped with iron whips. Their hunger and thirst become unbearable. Their pain never abates. This dire situation is exacerbated by profound regret, a feeling of desperation and hopelessness. They wish to disappear for all eternity but to no avail. They are addressed as follows:
Roast in it! And bear it patiently or do not bear it patiently. It makes no difference either way. You are simply being repaid for what you did. (Surat at-Tur, 16)
People of faith continuously contemplate the torment of hell depicted in the Qur’an and turn towards Allah. One of perfected faith always keeps in mind that he can, at any moment, meet the angels of death and thus pass on to the hereafter. His decisions, attitudes, behaviour and the way he speaks reflect his commitment to being worthy of paradise and staying away from hellfire, because no one in this world can be exempt from divine retribution.
Aware that “scales of justice” (Surat al-Anbiya’, 47) will be set up on the Day of Judgement, he does not want to miss an atom’s weight of good. Allah has warned people on this subject as follows:
That Day people will emerge segregated to see the results of their actions. Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it. Whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it. (Surat az-Zilzal, 6-8)
Similarly, he strictly abstains from any act that would incur the disapproval of Allah, because each act he commits will draw him closer either to paradise or to hell. Nothing exists beyond these two places.
Believers who have a certain awareness of these facts feel constant “fear and hope” throughout their lives. They never forget the state of people awaiting to be taken either to paradise or to hell on the Day of Judgement.
How would someone behave if he were at the crossroads of paradise and hell right at this moment and realised that his eternal life would begin in earnest after his being judged?
Being right on the verge of hell, would he ever dare to display a displeasing attitude, which would immediately be taken into account?
Certainly not! On the contrary, anybody in such a dire situation would do anything to attain paradise and would draw on his wisdom and conscience to display the attitude most pleasing to Allah. Even a person who had never engaged in such a serious effort throughout his life, deeming the Day of Judgement distant from himself, would feel great panic and strive to make up for his misdeeds. But on that day, no time is granted to make amends. The time granted terminates with death and records are thereupon finalised. From that moment on, no one will be requited for anything other than what he has done.
Having an unshakable faith in the hereafter, paradise and hell, and keeping their minds occupied with the remembrance of death, account for the unflagging efforts of people of perfected faith. To avoid fear and regret in the hereafter, they consider themselves as if awaiting Allah’s verdict on them on the Day of Judgement at every moment of their lives. They prepare themselves for the afterlife with clear consciousness and faith, in the manner of one who has seen the beauty of paradise and the horrors of hell with his own eyes and returned to this life. Therefore, in the face of each situation, they strive to display the best attitude, since they know that any minor heedlessness or unscrupulousness may set them on a course of regret for which there is no remedy.
To conclude, the utter conviction of those of faith ensures an unswerving commitment to draw nearer to Allah and to stand in fear of Him. In the light of the verse, “So fear Allah, as much as you are able to…” (Surat at-Taghabun, 16), believers fear Allah as much as they can and hope to be worthy of paradise.
By Harun Yahya
Islamic Reminders form the Noble Qur’an-”The Purpose of Creation”
Allah (SWT) has said in the Noble Qur’an:51:56
وما خلقت الجن والإنس إلا ليعبدون
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.
Reminders from the Noble Qur’an-“Kindness and Charity”
Islamic Reminders from the Noble Qur’an-“Charity and Kindness”
Surah Al-Ikhlas (Qur’an: Ch112)- The reason of its revelation and some of its virtues
Surah Al-Ikhlas (Qur’an: Ch112)- The reason of its revelation and some of its virtues
بَسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ “قُلْ هُوَ اللهُ أَحَدٌ ۞ اللهُ الصَّمَدُ ۞ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ۞ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ”
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem. Qul Huwallaahu ‘Ahad. Allaahus-Samad. Lam yalid wa lam yoolad. Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ‘ahad.
With the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Say: He is Allah (the) One. The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He begets not nor was He begotten, and there is none equal to Him.
| The Reason for the Revelation of this Surah and its Virtues |
Shaytan’s Deceit with Adam and Hawwa’ and Their eating from the Forbidden Tree
| Shaytan’s Deceit with Adam and Hawwa’ and Their eating from the Forbidden Tree |
|
|||
A Pleasant Spouse.. A Delightful Life… A Wonderful Akhera…by Nisaar Y. Nadiadwala
A friend of mine spoke to me about his choice of a Mominah. He said, ” She should be a woman of taqwa, hijabi but then beneath her veil she should also be slim, tall, fair, modern, smart , fantastically English speaking and also modern dressed…..” I replied,” O so you are looking for a Barbie shaped Cindrella beneath the veil !”
There is an English saying.. A man goes in the search of peace and tranquillity through out the world and returns back home to find it.
If we elaborate from the Qur’anic view point we can go to Surah Rum ch 30, verse 21 : And among His signs are.. He created mates for you from yourselves so that YOU MAY FIND SUKOON IN THEM…
The word sukoon means peace, tranquility. As I say a house is built by bricks but a home is built by hearts. The same verse also elaborates this statement. .. and Allah created mawwadatun wa rahmah among them.. Mawwadatun means love, affection and care, and Rahmah means mercy. These qualities cannot be learnt in workshops and seminars. It is a monopoly of Allah to put these qualities in our hearts.No tablets no syrups just kun fayakoon.. Be and it happens.
There are four things that makes a person bestowed the best in this world and the here-after :
A Grateful Heart,
A tongue that constantly remembers Allah,
A body that bears patiently (Pyshcological, physical, finanacial and emotional ) hardships and
A Mominah wife…
All these four qualities are also essential for your matrimional life to be happy.
If you judge your spouse from the eyes of other people or from the yardsticks of materialism then you don’t possess a grateful heart , rather you will be contstantly regretting your marriage with him/her.
If you don’t remember Allah and are careless towards your duty to Allah then you can never be grateful to humans too.
If you don’t stand firmly by your spouse when he or she is going through a rough weather then you are a weak spouse and have missed out many strong things in life.
It is essential that your wife is a Mominah.
Let us understand the term mominah in the context of the abopve mentioned hadith. Allah gave the best women of that time to our beloved messenger (pbuh). Each of his wife had a unique quality that benefitted the Ummah.
Khadeejah’s wealth was thrown open for the poor in the way of Allah when very few people supported Islam. It was a unique feat that Jibrael came and greeted her !
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was so pleased with Aisha r.a. that he certified : Aisha my wife in this world and here-after…After the death of the Prophet Aisha r.a was a teacher of sahaba and Tabeein. She carried on the the legacy of passing on the knowledge of fiqh to the later generation.
Zainab bint Khuzaima r.a. was the most charitable among the women. She was called Ummul Masakeen.
Asma bint Abu Bakr wife of Zubair bin Awwam r.a.a. was so aware of her husband’s gheerah that she was always careful about it. Once she was walking down the hot desert with some material on her head and the Prophet (pbuh ) passed by on a camel. Seeing her plight the noble Prophet offered her the back seat of the camel but she recalled her husband’s gheerah and refused the offer (al-Bukhaari (4823) and Muslim (4050)…).Gheerah means self respect and possessiveness.
A good wife is one whose husband is pleased to see her says a popular authentic hadith. Now when does this pleasant smile become due on the face of her husband? Imagine a husband returning home tired and exhausted after a hectic day in office and strugggling traffic and finds his wife waiting with loads of complains about his mother or children or neighbors.. if this is a daily routine then ?
A nagging wife or a nagging husband rarely cause a pleasant smile. ..
A fussy husband always criticizing his wife’s style of dressing because the well dressed young lady in his office appears more impressable to him cannot generate a charm on his wife’s face. He is fussy about food and other things too. One of our biggest problem in generating happiness in our matrimonial life is that we have errected many ‘fantasy parameters’ for our happiness. These fantasies are borrowed from modern culture of glamour and richness.
A pleasant spouse (this is for both husband and wife) fits in this verse : The believing men and believing women are auliya of each other, they command good and forbid evil……Read Surah Toubah verse 71 for more details and examine if we really encourage our spouse in good things or pull him/her down? Do we stop him/her from haram or just nag and complain to our mothers and sisters and friends regarding him/her….
Moral of the Lesson?
If you want a pleasant spouse she also has a right to have a pleasant spouse.. so the search is within our selves and efforts on our selves to be qualified to be that dream spouse every Momin and Mominah craves for.…
Author : Nisaar Nadiadwala writes and speaks on soio-educational isses from Islamic perspective. He can be reached at mnisaar@gmail.com
Near at Hand
Near at Hand
Al Naba (The Tiding) – Chapter 78: Verse 40 (partial)
“Lo! We warn you of a chastisement near at hand…”
In the Quran it is said that divine chastisement is near at hand. This statement was made over fourteen hundred years ago, and countless people had died prior to its revelation. Moreover, even now it cannot be said with certainty that the Last Day will occur after how many hundreds, thousands or even millions of years. Given this, how can this chastisement be described as something “near at hand”?
Time is actually relative to man’s life. As long as he is alive, he is fully aware of it. After his death, only his soul survives, which does not have any consciousness of time. So, when man is resurrected on the Day of Judgement he will think that he has been woken up only after a few hours’ sleep. It will not occur to him that he had been lying dead for thousands of years.
Compiled From:
“Towards Understanding The Quran” – Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi, Part 30, p. 16
Source: Friday Nasiha
The Importance of Persuading People to Good
The Importance of Persuading People to Good
Many readers have been asking me.. How do you manage to write so
effectively that many of your readers agree with you ?
I tell them.. my writings are basically persuading people to adopt Islamic values.
It is not that they agree with my writings but it is rather the other way.. it is I who write on issues what people already agree with but they could not express it so I express on their behalf.
For example getting married by 21, which young practicing Muslims would disagree ? But I present it in a persuading manner.
Writing to promote good values or persuade readers or people to discard evil is like sales… keep on presenting it in one or other style..keep persuading people even if they put you off.
Be tolerant, patient and keep going. If you notice the headlines on my notes, they are my ad copies to attract readers to enter my shop (my mind) and be attentive to what I present from different perspective and I wind up asking them to implement the values I showed them. Alhamdolillaah most of them agree because they already agreed before reading my notes. My notes just persuaded them to air their agreements .
We all are persuading others or being persuaded by others. A child persuades his parents for ice creams chocolates and toys.. the parents persuade the child to take up good habits and study properly…..The religious teachers persuade us to do good.. and shaytan persuade us to do evil..Each have their own ways and methods. Infact shaytan has challenged that he will persuade mankind till the day of Qiyamah. He never gives up till we die.
Every time you read the Qur’an it keeps on encouraging your to do good and abstain from evil and that is why there are stories and advices repeated in the Qur’an as a reminder but even then while promoting the same Qur’an through
implementing its teachings many of us give up half the way.
Many of us are not good persuaders when it comes in promoting the values of Quran in the Qur’anic terminology.
Refer to the last verse of Surah al e Imran ch 3 : fasbiroo was-saabiroo…be patient and keep patience…continuously…
When you are persuading a person to stop smoking or be regular in prayers don’t give up after a few efforts. No one can persuade you to give up except yourself, as the sahih Hadith says : Allah keeps on accepting the supplications of a believer as long he does not think that his supplications are not being accepted… in other words he gives up …
Are we persuading with a real intensity ? Do we really use our persuading skills to improve and correct people’s creed, behaviour heretic ideolgoies upto our potentials? Observe the salesman selling bananas or tomatoes. Those are perishable goods and must be sold by the day end. Observe his persuading skills when he does not want his costumer to go without buying. He pleads, he is soft, tolerant to your criticism….but will the same salesman be persuading with the same intensity of patience upon knowing that his friend is into some haram?
Persuading skills if implemented in life can also cool down many fights
between spouses as well!!!
Now let us put ourselves under that hat of that banana seller and check how strongly we persuade people when we try to stop them from haram or invite them to good..
Nisaar Nadiadwala speaks and writes on socio-educational issues from Islamic viewpoint. He canbe reached at mnisaar@gmail.com
Islamic Reminders
If one says, “How virtuous he talks,” then that is idolatry. When he says, “Allah makes him talk virtuously,” and “Allah creates such beauty,” then that is submission. WE WILL SUBMIT OURSELVES TO ALLAH IN COMPLETENESS AND KNOW THAT HE IS THE ONE WHO MAKES US TALK, HE IS THE ONE WHO MAKES US BREATHE.
By Harun Yahya
He is asking about dying in the month of Ramadaan
He is asking about dying in the month of Ramadaan
~
Is it true that all those who die in Ramadan, go to Janat without being questioned for their deeds?.
~~~
Answer
Praise be to Allaah. Allaah has blessed some of the elite among His slaves with the promise that they will enter Paradise without being brought to account and without being punished.
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: The nations were shown to me and I saw a Prophet with a small band of followers, and a Prophet with one or two men with him, and a Prophet who had no one with him. Then I was shown a huge multitude and I thought they were my ummah, but it was said to me: This is Moosa (peace be upon him) and his people. But look at the horizon. So I looked and saw a huge multitude, and it was said to me: Look at the other horizon, and there was (another) huge multitude. And it was said to me: This is your ummah and with them are seventy thousand who will enter Paradise without being brought to account or punished.” Then he got up and went into his house, and the people disputed about those who enter Paradise without being brought to account or being punished. Some of them said: Perhaps they are the ones who accompanied the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Some of them said: Perhaps they are the ones who were born in Islam and did not associate anything with Allaah. And they mentioned other things. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came out to them and said: “What are you disputing about?” They told him, and he said: “They are the ones who did not seek ruqyah or believe in bird omens, and they put their trust in their Lord.” ‘Ukaashah ibn Mihsan stood up and said: Pray to Allaah to make me one of them. He said: “You will be one of them.” Another man stood up and said: Pray to Allaah to make me one of them. He said: “ ‘Ukaashah has beaten you to it.”
Al-Bukhaari, 5705; Muslim, 220
He did not say that among these seventy thousand would be those who died during the month of Ramadaan.
Rather those who are mentioned are the elite of the believers who achieved true belief in the oneness of the Lord of the Worlds (Tawheed). It says in Fath al-Majeed: The phrase “and put their trust in their Lord” points to the basic principles from which these actions and attributes stemmed, which is putting one’s trust in Allaah (tawakkul) and sincerely turning to Him and depending on Him. This is the ultimate Tawheed which raises a person to a high status of love, hope, fear and being content with Allaah as one’s Lord and God, and being content with His decree. (p. 74)
Concerning the virtue of one who dies whilst fasting, it was narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever says Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah (there is no god but Allaah), seeking the Face of Allaah and that was his final action, will enter Paradise. Whoever fasts one day seeking the Face of Allaah and that was his final action, will enter Paradise. Whoever gives charity seeking the Face of Allaah and that was his final action will enter Paradise.” Narrated by Imam Ahmad, 22813, from the hadeeth of Hudhayfah (may Allaah be pleased with him). Al-Albaani said in Ahkaam al-Janaa’iz: its isnaad is saheeh.
It should be noted that the previous hadeeth points to the high status of those seventy thousand (may Allaah make us among them) with regard to doing righteous deeds, which is what brought them to that status before Allaah. Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhaab (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, after quoting this hadeeth in Kitaab al-Tawheed: “This is indicative of the depth of the knowledge of the salaf, because they knew that they could not attain that status except by doing righteous deeds.”
It should be obvious to the questioner that if there were anything special about dying in Ramadaan, this would apply only to the believers and not all those who die in Ramadaan.
Similarly, with regard to the hadeeth quoted above concerning the virtue of one who dies whilst fasting, which says that he will enter Paradise, this promise is for one who does righteous deeds and that was his final deed, not simply for dying in Ramadaan.
Moreover, it does not mention that specific virtue of entering Paradise without being brought to account. And Allaah is the Source of strength.
Islam Q&A
The Main Theme of the Quran
The Main Theme of the Quran
Not only is the Quran unique among books today in its origin and purity, but it is also unique in the way it presents its subject matter.
It is not a book in the usual sense of the word wherein there is an introduction, explanation of the subject, followed by a conclusion. Neither is it restricted to only a presentation of historical events, problems of philosophy, facts of science or social laws, though all may be found woven together in it without any apparent connection and links. Subjects are introduced without background information, historical events are not presented in chronological order, new topics sometimes crop up in the middle of another for no apparent reason, and the speaker and those spoken to change direction without the slightest forewarning.
The reader who is unaware of the Quran’s uniqueness is often puzzled when he finds it contrary to his understanding of a book in general and a “religious” book in particular. Hence, the Quran may seem disorganized and haphazard to him. However, to those who understand its subject matter, aim and its central theme, the Quran is exactly the opposite. The subject matter of the Quran is essentially man: man in relation to his Lord and Creator, Allah; man in relation to himself; and man in relation to the rest of creation. The aim and object of the revelations is to invite man to the right way of dealing with his Lord, with himself, and with creation. Hence, the main theme that runs throughout the Quran is that God alone deserves worship and, thus, man should submit to God’s laws in his personal life and in his relationships with creation in general. Or, in other words, the main theme is a call to the belief in Allah and the doing of righteous deeds as defined by Allah.
If the reader keeps these basic facts in mind, he will find that, from beginning to end, the Quran’s topics are all closely connected to its main theme and that the whole book is a well-reasoned and cohesive argument for its theme. The Quran keeps the same object in view, whether it is describing the creation of man and the universe or events from human history. Since the aim of the Quran is to guide man, it states or discusses things only to the extent relevant to this aim and leaves out unnecessary and irrelevant details. It also repeats its main theme over and over again in the presentation of each new topic.
Source: Share Islam
Islamic Reminders from The Sunnah-”Seek Forgiveness”
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “By the One in Whose Hand my soul is! If you do not commit sins, Allah would replace you with a people who would commit sins and seek forgiveness from Allah; and Allah will certainly forgive them.” [Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith does not mean that Allah likes disobedience. But by this way of description, the aim is to emphasize the importance of seeking forgiveness from Allah. We know that every man commits sins. But Allah likes those people who, after committing a sin, do not stick to it, but right away seek forgiveness for their sins from Allah. They weep and express sorrow before Allah. By seeking forgiveness, a relationship with Allah is established between man and his Creator. So seeking forgiveness is a very good act.
Source:Riyad-Us-Saliheen
‘A’ishah bint As-Siddiq
‘A’ishah bint As-Siddiq
‘A’ishah belonged to a prestigious family in the tribe of Quraysh named Banu Taym. The members of this family were known for their generosity, good manners, and good treatment of women.
The families lived in a realm of love and peace. The most outstanding member of Banu Taym was Abu Bakr bin Abi Quhafa, ‘A’ishah’s father. He was a well-to- do merchant who was kind and easy to talk to. His acquaintance with the people of Quraysh extended to all of them, and his knowledge of the tribe’s history and that of other tribes, as well as poetry and genealogy, was, profound. Abu Bakr’s wisdom led him to respond quickly to his friend Muhammad’s call for Islam. He did not hesitate to believe in the new religion or to do his best to support it.
Before the revelation came, Abu Bakr was an honorable man. After it, and having believed in it, his honorability only multiplied, as he was the second man in the Muslim community and was later elected for his trustworthiness as the caliph after the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Abu Bakr was married to a woman named Umm Ruman, who belonged to the tribe of Kinanah. She was also of good manners and sincere in her faith like her husband. The Prophet (peace be upon him) made reference to her when he said, “Whoever is pleased to see one of the maidens of Paradise (houri), let him look at Umm Ruman.”
It was with the cherishing nature of such great parents that ‘A’ishah was brought up. She was more privileged than others because when she was born, her parents were already Muslim. From the time she first opened her eyes she saw her parents praying and working in da’wah. When she could first hear, she heard the voices of her parents reading Qur’an. Her father recited Qur’an in such a touching manner that he or his listener would be induced to cry. The Quraysh were afraid lest his recitation should impress people, so they endeavored to stop him from reading aloud.
Abu Bakr’s family was honored by the Prophet’s frequent visits. He (peace be upon him) used to visit Abu Bakr daily to discuss the issues of da’wah while ‘A’ishah would watch and listen. It was precisely the way her parents showed respect and reverence to the Prophet (peace be upon him) that nurtured a deep love and respect for him in her heart.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also showed a notable interest in ‘A’ishah, as he saw signs of intelligence in her from her early days. He often said to her mother, “Take good care of ‘A’shah, Umm Ruman.”
Those brief words showed his admiration of ‘A’ishah.
Allah blessed that amiable child by having her brought up in a home of the Quraysh, full of honor and culture that was the second household to embrace Islam after the Prophet’s. But she was endowed with a nobler status when she was chosen by Allah to be the wife of His Prophet while she was still a child. Thus, her life was set as an example for Muslim families.
The life of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was like an open bookin which no secret was kept from any of the Muslims. He was the ideal example to follow. Even in the most intricate details of his life they followed him in worship, jihad, social and family affairs, and other aspects. Consequently, his life with ‘A’ishah was for the knowledge of everybody.
The first lesson was the marriage. She married the Prophet (peace be upon him), the noblest of nobles, yet in a very humble house, if it could even be called that. It was a single room built of unbaked bricks and palm leaves, with a leather curtain for a door. The furniture was made of leather stuffed with felt and placed on a rug. That was the house of the bride who was the Mother of the Faithful and the wife of the last Messenger; a house of unbaked bricks, palm leaves, and leather bedding stuffed with felt! In fact, Allah directed His Messenger to such a humble life.
‘A’ishah received a very humble dower of five hundred dirhams despite her noble origin, distinguished beauty, and manners. But that humble dower was merely symbolic. It was not from an ordinary man to an ordinary woman but from the noblest of all humanity and Allah’s Messenger to the daughter of an outstanding rich man of Banu Taym and Quraysh.
Why don’t men and women of today follow that example of the great Messenger to all people? Why should they exaggerate the dower to such an extent that it hinders young men from marriage or at least delays it till they are financially capable. Marriage has now become like a tax, the colossal rates of dowers resulting in a higher rate of young, unmarried women, which will sooner or later lead society to moral chaos.
Don’t we have a more fitting example in the Messenger of Allah? So, why don’t we follow it? The Muslim society has suffered as a result of this behavior. When will there be good men and women to reconsider this incongruous habit?
So, how was the wedding party of this noble woman and the Messenger of all humanity? ‘A’ishah herself related the events of that day:
Neither a camel nor a sheep was slaughtered for my wedding until Sa’d bin ‘Ubadah sent us the dish that he was in the habit of sending to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)
Thus, no camels or sheep were slaughtered especially for the bride. The only fare available was the usual bowl of food that one of the Companions used to present to the Prophet (peace be upon him) every day. The meal was basic. Such simplicity in the wedding and dower should really be an example for us to follow
The family is the cornerstone of the compassionate Muslim society. But as we can see. modern and alien marriage customs can be a real threat to the making of families.
Although ‘A’ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) was the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the daughter of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and Umm Ruman, who was described as the maiden of Paradise, she still had feelings of jealousy shared by all women. She loved her husband and, in her jealous manner, hated him thinking of any of his other wives. Many accounts of ‘A’ishah’s jealousy can be traced in her biography.
Allah permitted ‘A’ishah’s life to be an open book for men to learn how to treat their wives and be patient with their shortcomings. This is taking into consideration that ‘A’ishah was higher in morality than any other woman.
We are not going to relate examples of her jealousy of the co-wives who lived in the adjoining rooms, but we will mention her jealousy of the wife she never saw, namely Khadijah.
His love for Khadijah caused the Prophet (peace be upon him) to always speak in her favor and be generous to her friends in honor of her memory.Even many years after her death, he still held the same love and respect for her. But this set ‘A’ishah’s heart on fire, and one day she lost her self-control and said to him, “What makes you remember one of the old women of the Quraysh with a toothless mouth of red gums who died long ago, and in whose place Allah has given you someone better than her?” (Bukhari, 1575).
She loved her husband and was not to blame for her jealousy, as she had an unrivalled man. But still, her words angered the Prophet (peace be upon him), who replied, “No, by Allah, Allah has not given me one better in her place. She believed in me when people belied me. She comforted me with her money when people deprived me, and from her alone I had children.”
Although ‘A’ishah regretted her behavior towards the memory of Khadijah, her jealousy was unrelenting. Therefore, men should not blame women for having this jealous trait in them.
During her life in the Prophet’s house, she watched him, listened to him, and accompanied him in the battlefields. Everything she saw and heard was understood in the fullest sense and deepened her knowledge in religion.
‘A’ishah lived a long time after the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him).She was an authority to all those Muslims who sought knowledge in many issues of their religion.
Her knowledgeable manner benefited all those around her and the number of hadiths she narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him) exceeded those of all the other Mothers of the Faithful.
Imam Az-Zahri said concerning her, “lf ‘A’ishah’ knowledge of religion is compared to the knowledge of all the Prophet’s wives as well as the knowledge of some women in the world, it will be greater.” Her knowledge was not confined to hadith; it extended to poetry and
medicine. Abu Hisham bin ‘Urwa narrated from his father, “l have never seen anyone more knowledgeable in jurisprudence, medicine, and poetry than ‘A’ishah.”
Her house became a destination for students to acquire knowledge and convey it to the different cities. May Allah be pleased with her and have mercy on her, as she faithfully kept the trust of the Prophet (peace be upon him)
Source: The Book Noble women around the Messenger” by Ahmed Eljada 
“Soon” Poem By Joel Hayward
Soon
No shadows fall in Jannah
No whispers ride the breeze
Sleep without nightmares
Doors unlocked
Walls without clocks
Ageless eyes smiling
Milk and sweet gold
No cigarette ash
Drunk on joy
One new race
Chosen people
Agreeing
An Ummah
Again
At last
And Him
By Dr Joel Hayward
http://www.joelhaywardspoetry.com/
“The Office”-Poet Joel Hayward
The Office
My car windscreen grill too full of nature
Collects blossoms pink from a shadowless tree
The shortest of brothers shoulder to shoulder
Where I park in the mornings and prepare
For my day with unspoken prayer and a glance
In the mirror from which deep blue and gold
Hangs a pendant with two names in glass
Yours and his and a blizzard-blue tassel
Almighty and Prophet etched in elegance
Meaning known to me and no other parkers
My symbol of belonging, for me not for them
My thoughts walk from my car to my office
With the day and the names two steps ahead
And I sit at my desk and gaze at the book
Words climb from two flower-framed pages
Politely letting a black ribbon rest for the day
While they nudge each other from right to left
And I lift my eyes from Your gift to us all
Through glass still wearing winter’s stains
To where pink popcorn droops above the car
A sweet taste of the creation made in six days
Planned wisdom fills my mind in the morning
Yet drips wasted from my mouth as a leak
I sigh prayers to replace it whenever I notice
My humanity and the whisperer darkening
Dreams of Jannah in all-year blossom
And I walk at the end with smaller thoughts
To the car bursting with names (and a tassel)
And drive to where they ask what I did
The reply, oh you know, same as always,
Is truer than they could possibly know
The Example of a Donkey….Those Who Dont Give Due Rights to Their Holy Book
By Nisaar Y. Nadiadwala
The biggest change that the Qur’an can bring in our lives is that it can make
us a giant of a personality. But not unless we give the Qur’an its rights.
How many students or reciters of Qur’an amongst us really ask our teachers about the rights of the Qur’an ?
Let us study some of the very important rights of the Qur’an upon us.
It shoud be recited properly and regularly. Some people are very careless regarding their makhraj of Arabic alphabets themselves. Makhraj in English is understood as enunciation and not pronunciation..How you utter each word can at times make the big difference in the meaning too. I have seen Muslim youth working hard on their English accents and learning Urdu poetry for impressing people in gatherings and making lucrative careers. They attend special courses and pay thousands of rupees to learn those accents, but when it comes to the Qur’an they say ” Allah will reward us as per our niyah (Intentions)…Just compare the two niyah!
It should be Understood Properly : The Qur’an does not give permission to understand its teaching on your own.
Consider this: The Prophet (pbuh)was unlettered, an Ummi, and many of his students, the companions, were scholars of Arabic language, yet they went to understand the meaning of the Quranic verses from the Prophet, rather than deriving their own meanings.
After all the Qur’an is a book of Laws and Constitution. An excellent example is given by Ibn Kathir in the reference of Surah al An’am ch 6 verse 82.. it is those who believe and confuse not their beliefs with zulm- they are in security, they are on right guidance…
Some of the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) went to him and were worried because they felt that each one of them did some thing or wrong or zulm with others some times or somewhere.. So were they on guidance?.. the Prophet explained them with the other Qur’anic verse… Surah Luqman ch 31 verse 13.. Indeed Shirk is the highest form of wrong doing (zulm)….That is the reason why Hadith is important in understanding the Qur’an. Those who reject the status of hadith may note this.
Abdullah ibn Masood r.a. was ever ready to travel hundreds of miles to know the context of even one verse..On the other hand today we have ibn Kathir online and other tafaseers too.. yet how many of the internent users really study Ibn Kathir.
In my book shop once I had a young visitor who argued with me about the price of ibn Kathir...I explained him the reasons but he was not ready to agree.. finally I asked him how much did he pay for his mobile and the amount came to be three times more than Ibn Kathir !! ’Wonderful!’ I exclaimed .
It should be Obeyed : It is not only that how many times you recite the complete Qur’an in Ramadhan but it is equally important that how much of the Qur’an you implement in your life..
Those to whom the Book is given, they recite it the way it has the right to be recited.. al-Bakarah 121…
An important verse in Surah Jumuah notes…The example of those who were given the book (Torah) but failed ( in obeying), is that of a donkey which carries huge tomes (but understands not)…..
Are we not donkeys ? No book in the world has so much detailed of explanations the way the Qur’an has.. Every century has seen scores of commentaries of Qur’an by noted scholars , yet when it comes to obeying the Qur’an most of us are like that donkey mentioned in Surah Jumuah, ch 62 verse 5.
I pray to Allah that we dont turn into a community of donkeys.
It should be Spread “Haza Balagul linnaas..”
This is a message for the entire mankind… ends Surah Ibrahim with this note..it is the duty of every Muslim to spread the fragrance of Qur’an, not just by gifting free copies of the Qur’an Translations to Non Muslim friends ,but by showing them Qur’an in our dealings with people in our personal lives or professional lives..
How many Rights of Qur’an have we given to THE BOOK that is a mercy from Allah to us in this month of Ramadhan?
Author :Nisaar Nadiadwala is not a scholar but a promoter of Islamic way of Life and motivates through his talks and notes. He can be reached at nisaar_yusuf@yahoo.com
Dua’s for Ramadan
Du’as for Fasting
When beginning the fast- Suhur
وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ
Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan
I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan
[abu Dawud]
When breaking the fast- Iftar
اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ [وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ] وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ
Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu [wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu] wa ‘ala rizq-ika aftarthu
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
[“wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu” is quoted in some books of knowledge – but not all, hence it is in brackets]
[abu Dawud]
——————-
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَ ابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ، وَ ثَبَتَ الأجْرُ إنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
dhahabadh-dhama’u wab-tallatil ‘urūūqi, wa thabatal arju inshaAllah
The thrist is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allah [Ta’ala] Wills
[abu Dawud 2:306]
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسأَلُكَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ الَّتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ أَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي
Allaahumma inni as’aluka birahmatika al-lati wasi’at kulli shay’in an taghfira li
O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelopes all things, that You forgive me.
[a du’a that Abdullah ibn Amar (radiAllahu anhu) used to say when breaking his fast – as reported by Ibn abi Mulaykah (radiAllahu anhu)]
When someone offers you food when you are fasting and you decline
When you are invited to eat, then reply to the invitation. if you are fasting, then invoke Allah’s blessings (on your host), and if you are not fasting then eat
[Muslim; 2:1054]
Upon reaching month of Rajab and Sha’ban
When the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) sighted the moon of Rajab (two months before Ramadan) he used to pray to Allah in the following words:
اَللّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِى رَجَبَ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَان
Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha’ban wa ballighna Ramadan
O Allah! Make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings)
[Narrated by at-Tabarani and Ahmad]
When you are fasting, and someone is rude to you
اِنَّيْ صَائِمٌ ، اِنِّيْ صَائمٌ
Inni sa’iimu, inni sa’iimu
I am fasting, I am fasting
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Fath al-Bari of Al-Asqalani; 4:1-3, Muslim; 2:806]
Upon Sighting of the new Moon
اللَّهُ اَكْبَرُ ، اَللَّهُمَّ اَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالآَمْنِ وَلاِيمَانِ ، وَالسَّلَامَةِ وَالاِسْلَامِ ، وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ رَبَّنَا وَتَرْضَى ، رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ
Allahu Akbar. Allahumma ahillahu ‘alayna bil-amni wal-imaani, was-salaamati, wal-Islami, wat-tawfeeqi lima tuhibbu Rabbana wa tardha. Rabbuna wa RabbukAllahu
Allah is the Greatest. O Allah bring us the new moon with security and faith, with peace and in Islam, and in harmony with what our Lord Loves and what pleases Him. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah
[at-Tirmidhi 5:504, ad-Darimi 1:336]
Upon seeing the first dates of the season
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي ثَمَرِنَا ، وَ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي مَدِينَتِنَا وَ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي صَاعِنَا ، وَبَارِكْ لَنَا فِي مُدِّنَا
Allahumma barik lana fi thamarina, wa barik lana fi madinatina, wa barik lana fi saa’ina, wa barik lana fi muddina
O Allah! Bless us in our dates, and bless us in our town, bless us in our saa’ and in our Mudd’
(saa’ and Mudd’ are dry measures used for agricultural produce by the Arabs in the Prophet’s time)
[at-Tirmidhi 5:504, ad-Darimi 1:336]
Recited at intervals of taraweeh prayers
سُبْحَانَ ذِى الْمُلْكِ وَ الْمَلَكُوْتِ سُبْحَانَ ذِى الْعِذَّْْةِ وَ الْعظْمَةِ وَ، الْهَيْبَةِ وَ الْقُدُرَةِ ، وَالْكِبْرِيَآءِ وَ الْجَبْرُتِ، سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْحَىِّ الَّذِىْ لايُنَامُ وَ لا يَمُوُتُ، سُبُّوحٌ ، قُدُّوْسٌ، رَبُّ الْمَلَئِكَةِ وَ الرُّوُحِ لَآ اِلهَ اِلَّا اللَّهُ نَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ ، نَسْئَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَّ وَ نَعُوُذُ بِكَ مِنَ النّارِ
Subhana dhil Mulki wal Malakuti, Subhana dhil izzati wal aDhmati wal haybati wal Qudrati, wal kibriyaa’i wal jabaroot Subhanal Malikil hayyil ladhi, la yunaamu wa la yamūtu, Subbuhun, Quddusun, Rabbul malaa’ikati war-rooh
La ilaha illal lahu, nustugfirullahi
nas ‘alukul jannati, wa na udhubika min an-naar
Glorified is the Owner of the Kingdom of the earth and the heavens; Glorified is the Possessor of Honour and Magnificence and Awe, and Power and Greatness and Omnipotence
Glorified is the Sovereign, the Living, Who does neither sleep nor die
O all Glorious, All Holy one, Our lord and the Lord of the Angels, And the soul.
There is no God but You, Forgive us, Grant us Paradise, and save us from (hell) fire.
Upon breaking the fast in someone’s home
أفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ، وَ أَكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الأبْرَارُ، وَ صَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُم ُ الْمَلائِكَةُ
Aftara ‘indakumus saa’imuna, wa akala ta’aamakumul-abraaru, wasallat ‘alaikumul mala’ikat
May those who are fasting break their fast in your home, and may the dutiful and pious eat your food and may the angels send prayers upon you.
[abu Dawud 3:367, ibn Majah 1:556, an Nasa’i]
On Lailatul Qadr – the Night of Power
Aishah (radhiya Allahu Ta’ala anha), that she said: “O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?” He said ‘Say
اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Allahumma innaka ‘affuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni’ “
O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.
[at Tirmidhi]
Please Don’t forget us and All ummah in ur prays,
Jazakkalah khayran.
Guidelines for Ramadhan- health tips (what to eat and avoid eating in Ramadhan)
Guidelines for Ramadhan
By Dr. Farouk Haffajee
This article provides useful advice on how to avoid some common problems encountered in Ramadhan. If followed, it would enable one to fast comfortably and enjoy fully the spiritual benefits of Ramadhan.During the holy month of Ramadhan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is over-weight, Ramadhan is an ideal time to normalise one’s weight.In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fibre containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours.Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).· Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates).· Fibre-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, and other herbs like methie, the leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc.
The foods eaten should be well-balanced, containing foods from each food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems.
AVOID:
Fried and fatty foods.
o Foods containing too much sugar.
o Over-eating especially at sehri.
~ Too much tea at sehri. Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day.
~Smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually starting a few weeks before Ramadhan. Smoking is unhealthy and one should stop completely.
EAT:
Complex carbohydrates at sehri so that the food lasts longer making you less hungry.
§ Haleem is an excellent source of protein and is a slow-burning food.
§ Dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium.
§ Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat.
§ Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.
DRINK:
As much water or fruit juices as possible between iftar and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in time.
CONSTIPATION
Constipation can cause piles (haemorroids), fissures (painful cracks in anal canal) and indigestion with a bloated feeling.
Causes: Too much refined foods, too little water and not enough fibre in the diet.
Remedy: Avoid excessive refined foods, increase water intake, use bran in baking, brown flour when making roti.
INDIGESTION AND WIND
Causes: Over-eating. Too much fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, and foods that produce wind e.g. eggs, cabbage, lentils, carbonated drinks like Cola also produce gas.
Remedy: Do not over-eat, drink fruit juices or better still drink water. Avoid fried foods, add ajmor to wind-producing foods.
LETHARGY (‘low blood pressure’)
Excessive sweating, weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness, especially on getting up from sitting position, pale appearance and feeling faint are symptoms associated with “low blood pressure”. This tends to occur towards the afternoon.
Causes: Too little fluid intake, decreased salt intake.
Remedy: Keep cool, increase fluid and salt intake.
Caution: Low blood pressure should be confirmed by taking a blood pressure reading when symptoms are present. Persons with high blood pressure may need their medication adjusted during Ramadhan. They should consult their doctor.
HEADACHE:
Causes: Caffeine and tobacco-withdrawal, doing too much in one day, lack of sleep, hunger usually occur as the day goes by and worsens at the end of the day. When associated with “low blood pressure”, the headache can be quite severe and can also cause nausea before Iftar.
Remedy: Cut down caffeine and tobacco slowly starting a week or two before Ramadhan. Herbal and caffeine-free teas may be substituted. Reorganise your schedule during the Ramadan so as to have adequate sleep.
LOW BLOOD SUGAR:
Weakness, dizziness, tiredness, poor concentration, perspiring easily, feeling shaky (tremor), unable to perform physical activities, headache, palpitations are symptoms of low blood sugar.
Causes in non-diabetics: Having too much sugar i.e. refined carbohydrates especially at suhur (sehri). The body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose to drop.
Remedy: Eat something at sehri and limit sugar-containing foods and drinks.
Caution: Diabetics may need to adjust their medication in Ramadan, consult your doctor.
MUSCLE CRAMPS:
Causes: Inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium foods.
Remedy: Eat foods rich in the above minerals e.g. vegetables, fruit, dairy products, meat and dates.
Caution: Those on high blood pressure medication and with kidney stone problems should consult their doctor.
PEPTIC ULCERS, HEART BURN, GASTRITIS AND HIATUS HERNIA
Increased acid levels in the empty stomach in Ramadhan aggravate the above conditions. It presents as a burning feeling in the stomach area under the ribs and can extend upto the throat. Spicy foods, coffee, and Cola drinks worsen these conditions.
Medications are available to control acid levels in the stomach. People with proven peptic ulcers and hiatus hernia should consult their doctor well before Ramadhan.
KIDNEY STONES
Kidney stones may occur in people who have less liquids to drink. Therefore, it is essential to drink extra liquids so as to prevent stone formation.
JOINT PAINS
Causes: During Ramadhan, when extra salah are performed the pressure on the knee joints increases. In the elderly and those with arthritis this may result in pain, stiffness, swelling and discomfort.
Remedy: Lose weight so that the knees do not have to carry any extra load. Exercise the lower limbs before Ramadhan so that they can be prepared for the additional strain. Being physically fit allows greater fulfilment, thus enabling one to be able to perform salah with ease.
Dr. Farouk Haffejee Islamic Medical Association of South Africa – Durban
