tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40754499298877956722024-03-18T02:48:13.370-07:00MyISLAMMohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.comBlogger3539125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-88607326248004761622024-03-18T01:25:00.000-07:002024-03-18T01:25:52.590-07:00Can You Use Toothpaste While Fasting?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk5TDkumaKEh5lo9LpPdfPQzKBJyEjufREO-2VAR_Va8yDR3sF43-YGM6FygyC-ouitySLwURFM0moE_Wzlc3Bbq6RmaFDPodNhuGW-QQue2hZ_Rfv9hIqNZ9zzDsXEEn3DTv2f2zOqJhsVyYH8_gje8137h_MMCIgtLz3NcVXiNqSazNUfRQBXI8kNws7" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk5TDkumaKEh5lo9LpPdfPQzKBJyEjufREO-2VAR_Va8yDR3sF43-YGM6FygyC-ouitySLwURFM0moE_Wzlc3Bbq6RmaFDPodNhuGW-QQue2hZ_Rfv9hIqNZ9zzDsXEEn3DTv2f2zOqJhsVyYH8_gje8137h_MMCIgtLz3NcVXiNqSazNUfRQBXI8kNws7=w640-h358" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">You cannot swallow toothpaste while fasting because swallowing toothpaste or saliva affected by toothpaste would break your fast.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But the use of toothpaste does not in itself invalidate the fast unless you swallow</span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> the toothpaste itself or saliva affected by it.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Anything that could reasonably break your fast, deliberately choosing to do so in general is disliked. Because breaking your fast is prohibited.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">That which comes close to something, takes something of its rulings.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">So deliberately choosing to put anything in your mouth that you could end up swallowing, and thereby <span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/acts-of-worship/vomiting-invalidate-fasting/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">invalidating your fast</a></span>, would be disliked if it’s without reason.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">So, toothpaste, in general, will take that ruling as well. After the fast begins, one would avoid it.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But there are circumstances, particularly if someone’s going to work, etc and if your breath is affected, then if you are to use toothpaste and when there’s a need–and it’s disliked–it’s not prohibition. If there’s a need, then just use very little toothpaste and rinse your mouth.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="fluid-width-video-wrapper" style="margin: 60px 0px 20px; padding: 494.547px 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 880px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" id="fitvid541579" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MjdbE4QugYI?feature=oembed" style="height: 494.547px; left: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 400px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 880px;" title="Can you use toothpaste while fasting? Islam FAQ with Shaykh Faraz Rabbani"></iframe></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And if you rinse out once you’re considered to have rinsed out the toothpaste any residual taste after that is excused.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">So, if there’s no need, you’re just, it’s Saturday, you’re at home, and if you take care of your oral hygiene and you brush before the day starts, it, you should make it to the end of the day.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Don’t have garlic at <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">sahoor</em> time.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>The Ruling of Miswak</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">But and also, it’s useful to learn how to use a tooth stick, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">sewak</em>, because the tooth stick, right, this <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">sewak</em> or the <span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/science/faith-science/dental-health-miswak/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">miswak</em></a></span> does not require any external agent in order for you to brush your teeth.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Alright, so if you keep a tooth stick, learn how to use it.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And it’s very useful. You can use it all day. Now you keep it moist so that the ends don’t come off.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But again, you use it once and then you rinse your mouth out once and that that’s enough.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And you can use the tooth stick in the<span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/shariah/shariah-and-humanity/imam-abu-hanifah-life-and-scholarship-part-1/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Hanifi</em></a></span> school, all day: in the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Shafi’i</em> school, only up till the midday.</span></p><div><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>- aboutislam.net</i></span></span></div>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-65043026428967589442024-03-17T01:23:00.000-07:002024-03-17T01:41:25.225-07:00Breaking Fast and Maghrib prayers during the Ramadhan month<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTW9FldgpemsJP5HRnNXSrUmT6FmfY2QSH1m5FKyk5DUnxObGeSF4M78xaE15FWZbiFHD-Ot3qxZEPNCx_vYKY430Z8i9p_nDL-ec5BJP0E93nvTCe0lWGAdI6WD8_nedNYTs5AHT1ZdV7NpqRbgEZmmj13DIjFv_QJRQq5-uE7fLT4R5qe33m8lDHGccG/s1000/y1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTW9FldgpemsJP5HRnNXSrUmT6FmfY2QSH1m5FKyk5DUnxObGeSF4M78xaE15FWZbiFHD-Ot3qxZEPNCx_vYKY430Z8i9p_nDL-ec5BJP0E93nvTCe0lWGAdI6WD8_nedNYTs5AHT1ZdV7NpqRbgEZmmj13DIjFv_QJRQq5-uE7fLT4R5qe33m8lDHGccG/w480-h640/y1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOHt-fUSlgviLBzazTV8QdIz9pYvnVkfm-LmlcfNBkZsWEsmEwmvvjSDIDtofXncSG4Tde6cU8KKa-14zztfNaE-qVQttz1cDDcL-VBonDc2x2cZIpfTG_CRffQtL9ogVoyxblW3U6bSgyeRG4LWdkPuh0YX5dvCsLKvzblf2wOMzUgljTsHBDO1FmpQB/s1000/y2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOHt-fUSlgviLBzazTV8QdIz9pYvnVkfm-LmlcfNBkZsWEsmEwmvvjSDIDtofXncSG4Tde6cU8KKa-14zztfNaE-qVQttz1cDDcL-VBonDc2x2cZIpfTG_CRffQtL9ogVoyxblW3U6bSgyeRG4LWdkPuh0YX5dvCsLKvzblf2wOMzUgljTsHBDO1FmpQB/w480-h640/y2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GepwP46ds5s5FZfpPE-SF1WyirE3QmM3L0ANwhdO2tMG6aslGhIrWJraT8jfJVhO7msB06ajOLLqPXv3bpuyjtPxDK_FHUCri1yEqs5XGfcdX1vXLcjb4vw2oi7SG6wyjwEA-qlkJOdQO1HJ5u8PH2-ojkdZd0sdEDmWarhA6LudjR0PbR9jMfXPuMlE/s1000/y3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GepwP46ds5s5FZfpPE-SF1WyirE3QmM3L0ANwhdO2tMG6aslGhIrWJraT8jfJVhO7msB06ajOLLqPXv3bpuyjtPxDK_FHUCri1yEqs5XGfcdX1vXLcjb4vw2oi7SG6wyjwEA-qlkJOdQO1HJ5u8PH2-ojkdZd0sdEDmWarhA6LudjR0PbR9jMfXPuMlE/w640-h480/y3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Eating meal after breaking fast at Surau Kuarters Guru, Kg Jawa, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia yesterday</i>.</div><br /><p></p><div class="additional-info" style="background-color: #f5f0ed; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0a3166; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="mini-ref" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: initial; opacity: 1;">Riyad as-Salihin 1234 <small style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 12.8px;">(Book 8, Hadith 244)</small> <span class="recID" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 10.72px; opacity: 0.8;">#37723<br style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div class="container-fluid" style="background-color: #f5f0ed; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0a3166; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; width: 1117.84px;"><div class="row" style="box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: -22px;"><div class="col-sm" style="box-sizing: inherit; flex-basis: 0px; flex-grow: 1; max-width: 100%; min-height: 1px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 553.922px;"><div align="left" class="openAI_TITLE" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Hastening to Break Fast and Pray</span></b><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"></p></div><div align="left" class="openAI_GIST" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">SUMMARY: <i style="box-sizing: inherit;">This hadith is about the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his companion 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud, who would hasten to break their fast and perform the Maghrib prayer.</i></span></b><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="box-sizing: inherit;"></i></span></b></p></div><blockquote style="border-left: 1px solid darkturquoise; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 28px 0px -8px; padding-left: 15px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: -10px; margin-top: -10px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="actual-hadis" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span class="new-narrated-by" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: -10px; margin-top: -10px;"></span><div class="hadis-body-wrapper" style="box-sizing: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.3px; margin-top: 24px; padding-left: 10px; word-spacing: 0.5px;">Abu Atiyyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Masruq and I visited 'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) and said: "O Mother of the Believers! There are two Companions of Muhammad <span class="pbuh" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #c55e81; margin-bottom: -10px; margin-top: -10px;">ﷺ</span> and neither of them holds back from doing good acts; but one of them hastens to break Saum (fasting) and hastens to perform the Maghrib prayer, while the other delays breaking Saum and delays performing Salat (prayer)". She asked, "Who is the one who hastens to break Saum and perform the Maghrib prayer?" Masruq said, "It is 'Abdullah (meaning 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud)". She said, "The Messenger of Allah <span class="pbuh" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #c55e81; margin-bottom: -10px; margin-top: -10px;">ﷺ</span> used to do so". <span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Muslim.</span></div></div><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"></span></span></b></span></blockquote><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"></span></span></b></div><div class="col-sm" style="box-sizing: inherit; flex-basis: 0px; flex-grow: 1; margin-top: -15px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 1px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; position: relative; width: 553.922px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;"><div class="additional-info" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;"><div align="right" class="arabic" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: KFGQPCUthmanTahaNaskhRegular; font-style: initial; line-height: 1.9em; margin-top: 25px; padding-top: 10px; text-align: right;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">وعن أبي عطية قال: دخلت أنا ومسروق على عائشة رضي الله عنها فقال لها مسروق: رجلان من أصحاب محمد <span class="pbuh" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #c55e81;">ﷺ </span>كلاهما لا يألو عن الخير: أحدهما يعجل المغرب والإفطار، والآخر يؤخر المغرب والإفطار؟ فقالت: من يعجل المغرب والإفطار؟ قال: عبد الله - يعني</span></b><span style="font-size: 25px; font-weight: bolder;"> ابن مسعود- فقالت: هكذا كان رسول الله </span><span class="pbuh" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #c55e81; font-size: 27.5px; font-weight: bolder;">ﷺ </span><span style="font-size: 25px; font-weight: bolder;">يصنع" ((رواه مسلم)).</span></div></div></span></div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bolder;"><div style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17.1px; padding: 1px;"><br /></div></span></div><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bolder;"></span><div class="additional-info" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 30px; margin-top: 0px;"><div align="right" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-top: 6.7px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"><div style="box-sizing: inherit;"><hr style="border-bottom: 0px; border-image: initial; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); border-top-style: solid; box-sizing: content-box; height: 0px; margin-bottom: 29.34px; margin-top: -6px; opacity: 0.4; overflow: visible;" /></div></span><div id="panel-37723" style="box-sizing: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"></span><p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; font-weight: bolder;"></span></p><div class="more-area" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #093166; font-size: 15.48px; letter-spacing: 0.3px; padding: 19px; word-spacing: 0.5px;"><div class="more-area-caption more-area-caption-1" style="box-sizing: inherit;">QUICK LESSONS:</div><div class="more-area-text more-area-text-1" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Be mindful when it comes to fasting during Ramadan or any other time throughout the year; strive towards doing good deeds quickly without hesitation or procrastination; reap rewards from Allah SWT both in this world and hereafter by doing good deeds quickly .<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"></p></div><div class="more-area-caption more-area-caption-2" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-top: 20px;">EXPLANATIONS:</div><div class="more-area-text more-area-text-2" style="box-sizing: inherit;">This hadith is about two companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Abu Atiyyah and Masruq. They visited Aishah, one of the wives of the prophet ﷺ, and asked her about a companion who was known for hastening to break his fast at sunset and performing Maghrib prayer afterwards. Aishah replied that this was something that the prophet himself used to do as well. This hadith teaches us that it is important for Muslims to be mindful when it comes to fasting during Ramadan or any other time throughout the year; we should not delay breaking our fast or performing our prayers but rather strive to do them in a timely manner so as not to miss out on any blessings from Allah SWT. Additionally, this hadith also serves as an example for us on how we should live our lives; just like how 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud strived towards doing good deeds quickly without hesitation or procrastination, we too should strive towards doing good deeds with haste in order to reap its rewards in both worlds - this world and hereafter.</div><div class="more-area-text more-area-text-2" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="more-area-text more-area-text-2" style="box-sizing: inherit;">- IslamiCity</div></div></div></div></div></div>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-59369086632679757852024-03-16T01:09:00.000-07:002024-03-16T01:09:21.512-07:00Why No Water While Fasting?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqCV9U0qPp7fkDawfVPVI-l0hVhDs-gkGaED5N5mZsfAOA91Bml_j8ymNUvQPHWBX2nteSEVg4seSxqwWS17mzvRzD02FItttpc4jJD-fT5nS5XXZdPvM056ece-uqJbazjIoSTn2Geb4VfRMPBv4nwIYEe_FA3JsDt7wwk8eKh_j03z450SudY9n4EpgL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="276" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqCV9U0qPp7fkDawfVPVI-l0hVhDs-gkGaED5N5mZsfAOA91Bml_j8ymNUvQPHWBX2nteSEVg4seSxqwWS17mzvRzD02FItttpc4jJD-fT5nS5XXZdPvM056ece-uqJbazjIoSTn2Geb4VfRMPBv4nwIYEe_FA3JsDt7wwk8eKh_j03z450SudY9n4EpgL=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fasting is a topic that fascinates many who are not Muslim.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It is also one of the questions most often on the minds of those who are new to Islam, because they have not fasted before and they don't know what to expect.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I remember the first time I fasted during Ramadan. Actually, I wasn't Muslim at the time, but I fasted with my pupils in school.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It was the least thing I thought I could do to show my solidarity and support for them.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Little did I know that the following year, I would be Muslim myself, fasting as a Muslim during Ramadan during the hours of daylight.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What did it feel like to fast for the first time?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Well, in fact, you hit the nail on the head by asking about water, because I found that it was not the lack of food that was a problem, but the desire for something to drink.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Muslims read in the Quran what means:</span></p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 210, 241); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{And we send down water from the sky according to (due) measure, and We cause it to soak in the soil; and We certainly are able to drain it off (with ease). With it We grow for you gardens of date-palms and vines; in them have you abundant fruits: and of them you eat (and have enjoyment)} </span>(Al-Mu'minun <a href="http://quran.com/23/18-19" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">23:18-19</a>)</span></p></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Water is just one of the many gifts we <span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/grateful-ramadan-hamza-yusuf/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">take for granted</a></span> in this life. Just think how many times we have recourse to water during the day. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">One of the effects of fasting during Ramadan is that it brings all of these things into focus, helping us to remember all the many blessings we receive and take for granted, such as food and water, and the love of the people who are dear to us.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In Ramadan, we give thanks for these things. We can even thank Allah Almighty for the rain, which is so often a nuisance to us, yet which during those fasting days of Ramadan, would be most welcome to trickle down our faces. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We also remember all of those in this world who do not have the good fortune that we have of being able to drink or eat whenever we wish.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">There are many people who will not end the days of Ramadan with a special meal of celebration, but <span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://aboutislam.net/shariah/hadith/hadith-collections/part-3-islam-fights-hunger-30-verses-hadiths/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">will </a></span></span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">go hungry</span> because they have neither food nor drink.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">All of this, though, is just a prelude to telling you about why Muslims fast. They don't do it to feel good, or to soar to great heights of spirituality, or for any other reason than the fact that Allah Almighty has commanded them to do so.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It is one of the <span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/five-pillars-islam-6-pillars-faith/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">five "pillars" of Islam</a></span>, which are required of all Muslims.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">These five pillars help us to live as Muslims.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We read in the Quran:</span></p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 210, 241); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran, as a guide to mankind, and also clear signs for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting.} </span>(Al-Baqarah <a href="http://quran.com/2/185" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">2:185</a>)</span></p></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">By the way, despite what anyone may claim, Islam is eminently sensible and practical.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It is also very reasonable, so you will see that fasting is for those who are at their homes.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In other words, those who are travelling are not required to fast.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">So what, then, is the fast about?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Why do Muslims fast at all? Again, we have recourse to <a href="http://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/in-focus/quran-focus-special-folder/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">the Quran</a>:</span></p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 210, 241); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{O You who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self-restraint.}</span> (Al-Baqarah <a href="http://quran.com/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">2:183</a>)</span></p></blockquote><h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;">Pleasing Allah</h3><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Muslims fast because Allah has commanded them to do so. Why else would anyone choose to do such a thing?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They fast to <span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/build-relationship-allah/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">please Allah</a></span>.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In fasting, they give up not only food and drink. In fact, the fast is total. Between the hours of daylight, Muslim men and women refrain from food, drink, and sexual relations with their spouse.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They also refrain from such things as smoking, bad language, and even bad thoughts.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What use would it be to fast all day if a person was thinking ill about others?</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The only thing he would gain by doing this, according to <a href="http://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/in-focus/muhammad-a-21st-century-prophet-special-folder/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">our Prophet</a>, is that at the end of the day he would be hungry and thirsty.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">So, yes, water is included in the fast. For some it is easy. For others (like myself) this is the most difficult part of the fast.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The lack of water means that towards the end of the day, about one or two hours before it is time to break the fast, I tend to get a headache or feel drowsy.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">However, knowing that we do this for Allah and by doing so we please Him, is enough for any Muslim to carry on the fast willingly.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When we consider the terrible sufferings which have just been undergone by our brothers and sisters in countries under attack and in apartheid as we see in Gaza, who have not only lost their homes and their own limbs, but also their children and family members, it is nothing to go without water for a few hours.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When we see how heroically they endured this suffering, <span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://aboutislam.net/spirituality/thankful-allah-why-matters/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">giving thanks to Allah</a></span> even while the bombs were falling around them, it encourages all Muslims to do this small thing in giving up food and water for Allah's sake.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When the day's fast is over, all Muslims will join with their family and friends, to break the fast and to give thanks for the gift of food and water, which we so often take from the hand of Allah without even a thought.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It feels good to have fasted during the days of Ramadan, most importantly because it has reminded us that we have been called to be Muslim and that we have carried out this fast for Allah's sake.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i>- aboutislam.net</i></span></p>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-67815021721162606502024-03-15T01:21:00.000-07:002024-03-15T01:21:34.318-07:00How to Make Fasting in Hot Months Easier?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIAi5UZbCCyPL70P9zOPI0_PJguqBw-45w8TqEjnHwMIq9p5t1ScWREnGwaXamUWlCp0FvZqthg1Cb5P_XTaP9K8-dbq7e6Go0vkxEg61viFOpc_J25uxKe6GzMClMKPtHZV8_ndRcldYKJLCMhc3uU_kRYJGAT7NtlyMlSI10eW-yD0nHDUtjxTmapA8/s1080/islam3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="808" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIAi5UZbCCyPL70P9zOPI0_PJguqBw-45w8TqEjnHwMIq9p5t1ScWREnGwaXamUWlCp0FvZqthg1Cb5P_XTaP9K8-dbq7e6Go0vkxEg61viFOpc_J25uxKe6GzMClMKPtHZV8_ndRcldYKJLCMhc3uU_kRYJGAT7NtlyMlSI10eW-yD0nHDUtjxTmapA8/w299-h400/islam3.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">F<a href="https://aboutislam.net/science/faith-science/long-will-fast-ramadan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">asting in the hot summer months</a></span>, with long daylight hours and soaring temperatures, </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">can</span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> become a challenge.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>Stay Hydrated</b></span></p><div class="content-block with-question entry-content" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Staying well-hydrated is the key to making it easier for the body to endure the daily fasting routine during a hot summer Ramadan. Drinking adequate water throughout the night-time hours is essential.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The minimum amount of water that doctors recommend (excluding any other drinks, such as tea, coffee, or carbonated beverages) is 8 to 10, 8-ounce glasses per 24-hour period.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">However, some people might require more, depending on the nature of the work they do during the day, and the state of their overall health e.g. elderly people or professionals/those whose daily routine takes them in the sun might require more water.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">You can also take a quick shower/bath with cold water during the daylight hours to cool off because even </span><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.sunnah.com/abudawud/14/53" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pour water over his head</span></a></span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> while fasting in the heat. Taking even two such cold-water baths per day is recommended. Just remember not to waste water.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>Take Afternoon Siesta</b></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">All praises to Allah that in Pakistan everyone gets off work or school by 3:00 PM during weekdays in Ramadan. For those whose routines allow it, they should lie down for a couple of hours indoors, during </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dhuhr</span></i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> and </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Asr</span></i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> prayers.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">siesta</span></i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (nap) during the long, hot afternoons helps keep fatigue and dehydration at bay by allowing the body to wind down, rest, and recharge for night-time prayers</span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>Make Chores Easier</b></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We should make some changes to our daily routines and <span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/family-society/husbands-wives/ramdan-household-chores-tips-meet-expectations/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">chores during Ramadan</a></span> in order to not add more fatigue to our bodies while we are in the state of fasting. For example, if someone washes their laundry during the afternoons as a norm, then they should change the routine to right after </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fajr</span></i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> prayer or just before sleeping at night.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">If affordable, it is better to purchase an automatic washer for this purpose. The same applies to using blenders to chop vegetables, air fryers to roast/fry food (instead of frying 5 kinds of food for </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">iftar</span></i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> by standing in front of a hot wok), and air-conditioners to cool off during the daytime.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I know that this will seem to inflate “expenses”, but sister, we should consider every </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">paisa, </span></i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">or cent, that we spend during Ramadan, as </span><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/family-society/muslims-4-humanity/sadaqah-productive-investment-lifetime/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">sadaqah</span></i></a></span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">, even if it is spent in making our worldly chores easier.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This is because using the help of machines to tackle worldly chores will give us more energy and time to focus on acts of worship during Ramadan.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It will also give us rewards for reducing the burden of work not just on ourselves, but also upon our domestic helpers. In Pakistan, it is the norm for most families to burden domestic helpers with even more work during Ramadan. While, in fact, we should do the opposite.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>Avoid Unnecessary Outings During the Day</b></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Muslims should avoid going out during the day just for those worldly chores, like shopping, which is not even necessary. Try to get all your </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Eid</span></i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> shopping done before Ramadan, and keep it simple when it comes to clothes, food, and decor.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Try to pay all your bills online, using Internet banking services, to avoid going out in the sun. And try not to roam around in air-conditioned shopping malls to while away the hot, daylight hours. Focus on worship.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>Get Sleep at Night</b></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Since Ramadan has been commencing during the annual summer vacation from school, many Muslim families stay awake all night during the month and sleep daily between </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fajr</span></i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> and </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dhuhr</span></i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">. This sleep schedule works against the brain’s and body’s natural clock.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">best</span></i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> rest that the human body can have is during the night hours, </span><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://quran.com/6/96" style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">as Allah has stated in the Qur’an</span></a></span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">. So try to get at least a couple of hours of night sleep, in order to energize the body for daylight fasting.</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allah knows best. I hope that these tips answer your question. May Allah grant you, us, and all Muslims the blessings of the coming Ramadan. </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Aamin.</span></i></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</span></i></span></p></div><footer class="footer ask-about-islam box" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author-details box" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author_name" style="border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-color: rgb(0, 210, 241); color: #222222; display: inline-block; font-size: 32px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">About Sadaf Farooqi</div><div class="author_details" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sadaf Farooqi</strong> is an author, blogger and freelance writer based in Karachi, Pakistan. To date, Sadaf has authored over 300 original articles, most of which can be accessed on her blog, "<a href="http://sadaffarooqi.wordpress.com/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Sadaf's Space</a>" (sadaffarooqi.wordpress.com). She has recently started self-publishing her past articles as non-fiction Islamic books, which are <a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/sadaffarooqi" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">available on Amazon and Kindle</a> (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/author/sadaffarooqi" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">www.amazon.com/author/sadaffarooqi</a>)</div></div></footer>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-92198820985091598352024-03-14T01:05:00.000-07:002024-03-14T01:05:01.739-07:00Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa: The Cause of Every Muslim<p> </p><samp style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757575; display: block; float: left; font-family: var(--bs-font-monospace); font-size: 17px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 10px 15px 0px; outline: none 0px !important; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 333.656px;"><img align="right" alt=" Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa: The Cause of Every Muslim" border="0" itemprop="image" src="https://www.islamweb.net/PicStore/Random/1709098553_240232.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; vertical-align: middle; width: 333.656px;" /></samp><div class="bodytext" itemprop="articleBody" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757575; font-family: Comfortaa, arial; font-size: 1.1em; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px 10px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: maroon;">Author: IslamWeb</span><o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Today’s discussion revolves around Palestine, Jerusalem, and Al-Aqsa, focusing on the plight of our Muslim brothers and sisters there. They endure atrocities such as killings, missile strikes, house demolitions, and displacement amidst daily obstinacy, insults, abuses, aggressions, and betrayal.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Based on the principle that those who do not concern themselves with the affairs of Muslims are not counted among them, and the principle that all Muslims are brothers who do not betray or abandon one another, it is incumbent upon us to support our oppressed Muslim brethren in Palestine. We must stand in solidarity with them, offer our assistance, and unite in advocating for their cause.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">This duty is even more significant considering that their suffering is inflicted by the usurping Jews, the tyrannical occupiers who are enemies of both Allah the Almighty and humanity. They are the killers of Prophets and Messengers, and are the most hostile towards believers.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">The Cause of Every Muslim<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Some Muslims may feel disconnected from the ongoing events in the Occupied Land. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness, educate the uninformed, awaken the indifferent, and remind the forgetful.</span><span dir="RTL" lang="AR-EG" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;"><o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">The responsibility of a Muslim towards any cause is magnified by its sanctity and significance. The cause of Palestine, Jerusalem, and Al-Aqsa is among the most critical issues, intricately tied to principles of loyalty and disavowal (al-wala’ wa’l-bara’), the rights of brotherhood and solidarity among believers, and the defense of the oppressed.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Hence, the cause of Palestine, Al-Aqsa, and Jerusalem is not solely the cause of Palestinians, though they are most directly affected. Nor is it exclusively the cause of Arabs, though they have a rightful claim to defend and support it. Rather, it is the cause of every Muslim, regardless of their geographical location, whether in the east or west of the world, and irrespective of their status, whether they are rulers or subjects, affluent or impoverished, knowledgeable or uninformed, male or female.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque: Their Significance to Muslims<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">To Muslims, Jerusalem holds a special place as the site of Al-Aqsa Mosque, not only revered as one of the houses of Allah the Almighty but also recognized as the first mosque established on Earth after the Sacred Mosque in Mecca. Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: “<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #00b050;">I asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah, which mosque was established first?’ He replied: ‘The Sacred Mosque.’ I inquired: ‘Then which?’ He said: ‘Then Al-Aqsa Mosque.’ I asked: ‘How long was there between them?’ He said: ‘Forty years</span></i></span>” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim].<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Al-Aqsa Mosque carries immense significance for Muslims as it served as our initial Qiblah (direction of prayer) before the Ka’bah. The Prophet (<img align="middle" alt=" sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention )" border="0" src="https://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Archive/images/icon--1.gif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" />) and the Muslim community prayed towards it for seventeen full months until Allah the Almighty decreed the change of Qiblah towards the Ka’bah. Allah the Almighty revealed: “<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0070c0;">We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a qiblah with which you will be pleased</span></i></span>” [Quran 2:144].<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Jerusalem's Significance to Muslims<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Jerusalem is the site of Al-Isra and Mi’raj (the Miraculous Night Journey and Ascension). It is the place where the earthly journey of the Prophet (<img align="middle" alt=" sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention )" border="0" src="https://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Archive/images/icon--1.gif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" />) concluded, marking the beginning of his heavenly ascension, where the Prophet (<img align="middle" alt=" sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention )" border="0" src="https://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Archive/images/icon--1.gif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" />) met with other prophets, leading them in prayer, symbolizing the transfer of spiritual leadership to him and his nation. This is a responsibility entrusted to us by Allah the Almighty.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">To us, Jerusalem is revered as the third holiest city in Islam, following Mecca and Medina. Its mosque holds a position of great virtue, ranking after the Sacred Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. After these two mosques, Al-Aqsa Mosque is the only destination to which long journeys may be undertaken by worshippers. Allah has designated the reward for prayers offered in Jerusalem to be equivalent to 500 prayers offered elsewhere.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">To us, Jerusalem is the land of prophethood and divine messages. It was home to numerous prophets, including Zakariyya (Zechariah), Yahya (John), ‘Isa (Jesus), Dawood (David), Sulaiman (Solomon), Maryam (Mary), and the family of ‘Imran. Ibrahim (Abraham) and Lut (Lot) migrated to Jerusalem, and Musa (Moses) was commanded to enter it. Our Prophet Muhammad<span dir="RTL" style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span>(<img align="middle" alt=" sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention )" border="0" src="https://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Archive/images/icon--1.gif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" />) also visited Jerusalem during his miraculous Night Journey (Israa’) and prayed in its Mosque.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">It is the blessed and holy land, as described by Allah the Almighty in the Quran: “<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0070c0;">Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed</span></i></span>” [Quran 17:1]. Regarding His prophet Ibrahim, Allah, the Exalted, says: “<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0070c0;">And We delivered him and Lot to the land which We had blessed for the worlds</span></i></span>” [Quran 21:71]. Further, Musa said to his people: “<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0070c0;">O my people, enter the Holy Land</span></i></span>” [Quran 5:21]. Allah the Almighty also says: “<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #0070c0;">And We caused the people who had been oppressed to inherit the eastern regions of the land and the western ones, which We had blessed</span></i></span>” [Quran 7:73].<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">To us, Jerusalem is the land of steadfastness until the Day of Judgment. In the Musnad of Imam Ahmad, Abu Umamah narrated that the Prophet (<img align="middle" alt=" sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention )" border="0" src="https://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Archive/images/icon--1.gif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" />) said: “<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #00b050;">There will always be a group from my Ummah manifest upon the truth, prevailing over their enemies, unaffected by those who oppose them, until the command of Allah comes while they are in this state.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, where are they?” He replied, “In Jerusalem and its surroundings</span></i></span>” [Also reported by At-Tabarani. Al-Haythami stated in <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Majma’ Al-Zawa'id</i> that its narrators are trustworthy].<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Jerusalem is the land of assembly and resurrection on the Last Day. The Prophet (<img align="middle" alt=" sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention )" border="0" src="https://www.islamweb.net/ver2/Archive/images/icon--1.gif" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" />) stated that the Levant (Al-Sham) is the place of resurrection.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">From all that has been mentioned above and beyond, it becomes clear to us that the conflict between the usurping, occupying Jews and our believing Muslim brothers is distinctly a religious battle. This is underscored by the Israeli government instilling this awareness in the minds of its citizens and by some attempting to erase it from the consciousness of Muslims, reducing it to merely a battle between two groups over a piece of land.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">One confirmation of the religious nature of this battle is that the West stands with the Jews and supports them against the Muslims. Without their assistance and collusion, Israel would not have arisen at all. This was evident in the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and the UN Partition Plan of 1947, which were the greatest gifts to the Jews, granting them the right to establish a homeland in Palestine. This unjust decision wrongfully transferred land from its rightful owners to those undeserving. Subsequently, the Nakba (Catastrophe) occurred, followed by the setback in 1967 when Israel occupied Jerusalem. Since then, it has persistently pursued Judaization efforts and the displacement of its indigenous population, with the ultimate goal of demolishing the Al-Aqsa Mosque to construct the purported Temple Mount. Despite these egregious actions, the world remains passive and indifferent, turning a blind eye to the injustice unfolding before them.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Our Duty towards Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">First</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">: Having proper understanding of the Cause and awareness of its religious nature, recognizing it as a matter concerning every Muslim.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Second</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">: Spreading awareness among people of the fact that it is a matter between an occupying, criminal usurper and an oppressed people defending their rights and land.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Third</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">: Educating our children and the next generation to love Palestine and Al-Aqsa and to stand up for this cause.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Fourth</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">: Exposing the practices of the Jews, highlighting their injustice, racism, and oppression of the oppressed people before the international public opinion.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Fifth</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">: Boycotting any party that supports the Jews. Every penny spent on them turns into a bullet aimed at the chest of our Muslim brothers.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: 26.18px; list-style: none; margin: 15px 15px 0px !important; outline: none 0px !important; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-align: justify; top: auto !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">Sixth</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 37.4px;">: Providing all possible support to our brothers financially, intellectually, and morally. If we are unable to do so, we must not neglect to supplicate to Allah, asking Him to grant them victory over their enemy, who is also His enemy.</span></p></div>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-32747456220176525472024-03-13T01:25:00.000-07:002024-03-13T01:25:31.881-07:00Celebrating Womanhood: Diversity of Women in the Quran<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8sINWLCkbTp71MeygWYzrk8P0ueqpzSt5dmek8jLdtdMJHvPCkHvM5Nk1kMPUv0LDmsGVeAx-WX-D5kuWYz5Njv98sciuxPXrKVcniaknV6hB338Lv-Et2AzMSa73v2pDQXifqF4DgbbErI6hu1pG69hzcA1W2Uw0ET06liVBt9FlYDIhHix7zYYYD8oO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8sINWLCkbTp71MeygWYzrk8P0ueqpzSt5dmek8jLdtdMJHvPCkHvM5Nk1kMPUv0LDmsGVeAx-WX-D5kuWYz5Njv98sciuxPXrKVcniaknV6hB338Lv-Et2AzMSa73v2pDQXifqF4DgbbErI6hu1pG69hzcA1W2Uw0ET06liVBt9FlYDIhHix7zYYYD8oO=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I’m single. So what?’</em></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">She was clearly irritated. It was the gazillionth time she had to answer the same question, and hear that judgmental tone.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What is so wrong with not getting married? Is life all about marriage and having kids? Is she incomplete just being herself?</em></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Deep inside, she was unsure. She felt vulnerable. Everyone she met hinted at marriage. There must be something wrong with her.</p><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In most traditional societies, a woman is generally and most commonly seen as a mother and wife. Her value, status, and reputation are often defined by marital affiliation, family ties, and motherhood.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">As the majority of men and women, to a large extent, embrace the path of marriage and raising children, being different in that sense can be rather painful.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The rule, however, does not apply to men in the same way as it does to women. Single men are more readily accepted, but single, unmarried women are constantly questioned and judged.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">On the other hand, society tends to make generalized statements and oversimplify the subject, which in reality can be more complex than it superficially appears.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">As a consequence, <a href="https://aboutislam.net/family-life/your-society/10-tips-on-how-to-be-a-happy-single-muslim-woman/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">women who are unmarried</a> or are still in search of marriage partners often feel like they are under constant scrutiny and that they owe people around them an explanation.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">These result in a lot of unnecessary mental torture and embarrassment, which sometimes end up in broken friendships and damaged family ties.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>Women and Diversity</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Just as the human race is diverse, so are women. While it is true that many women choose to be mothers and wives, it is wrong to impose a similar expectation on all women.</p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="848" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq4-MDZK54XC4IZ9DaOOj_71AX-5x67Baj0DKXLQ86f6x5CoVxibWYXu6gO-wzt6ANejhguorWxGKbUWdzkJOAe7cy3R9kEJDa8TfGwkRdivod39zIn0MfT6TZr7rdLElxeTyXPmmZf31qi3HKRnMT3v5dBB5CUqDn3IeSmOjVdhFV_-zZPcMbOqxenn0b=w640-h434" width="640" /></div></figure><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Even among mothers and wives themselves, they can be very different from each other and might play many roles other than those of a mother or a wife.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The problem arises when society and cultural norms hastily conclude that a woman is incomplete, <a href="https://aboutislam.net/family-life/laying-foundations/when-prince-charming-never-comes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">less worthy, or abnormal until she is married.</a></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Even marriage at times does not solve things for her, as she is expected to embrace motherhood and then to give birth to children of both genders.</p><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Women have been mothers throughout history without doubt, for men can almost never contribute to childbirth and motherhood.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">However, with modernization, women’s traditional roles as mothers and wives are increasingly being challenged. Two groups have emerged as a result, each with its own extreme ideas and beliefs.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The first group resists any kind of change; they insist that women have to remain mothers and wives or this world will be corrupted. They tend to deny the existence of other roles and functions that women can play.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The second group, on the other hand, is desperate to renounce the idea of marriage and motherhood completely, for they see these two as impediments to women’s liberty and advancement.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>The Qur’anic Approach</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The narratives in the Quran are the best evidence of how God himself acknowledges and celebrates the diversity of women and their roles.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Contrary to what many contemporary Muslim societies often culturally dictate, Qur’anic verses debunk those myths.</p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1024" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfJLiLDN_Yf836DyXuu5PdVYyuECUZsb099lwGLklF3I-D714Ic7I1pWVB-jmLmJoXqRPJ9PqNhz2Ny3alHF2evETGQu9S2S7Ubaq0mYJMuiL3AfNarsU5JKkpeuThY_Tkid9P5RI40QrcXuuQkkro00YHxkAVehHzCUugb71zFMMvYHrU1bxw0xc4-lwp=w640-h422" width="640" /></div></figure><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The Quran has taken a delicately balanced approach as it narrates a number of stories in which women are not depicted as mainly mothers or wives but as free individuals whose merits are not related to the two traditional roles.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Maryam was described as a devout, obedient, and chaste person who dedicated her whole life to the worship of God.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Pharaoh’s wife was an influential figure in her husband’s administrative affairs who later challenged his authority.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Aziz’s wife was portrayed as a clever and cunning individual who knew how to plot and convince people. Hajar (Ibrahim’s wife), though not mentioned directly, was the founder of Makkah. </p><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The Queen of Sheba was characterized by her political capabilities, intellect, and grace. The two daughters of Shuaib were the caretakers of their father and performed duties, which at that time were dominated by men.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ab1479; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/family-society/your-society/khadijah-muhammad-final-part-khadijahs-death-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Khadijah’s story</a></span>, though not explicitly narrated in the Qur’an, is widely known. She was a successful businesswoman and merchant. Khaulah (the Prophet’s companion) was a warrior who fought in battles.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">While some female figures in the holy book and history were indeed described as wives and mothers, others were described in such a manner that gave little attention to their personal lives or domestic identities; rather, the real focus was on themselves as independent humans who act freely and are not bound by conventional gender stereotypes.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>Evidence 1: The Story of Maryam</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/story-maryam-mother-jesus/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Maryam</a> (Mary) is inarguably one of the most revered women in history. In the chapter of Maryam, God ascertains her high status and praiseworthiness.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Interestingly, her prominence and special place were not a result of her getting pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. The repeated mention of her high rank is attributed solely to her devotion, faith, purity, and chastity.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Even though there is a mention of her parents (Imran and his wife) and her son Jesus, the actual gist of her story revolves around her faith and perseverance.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/understanding-islam/mary-honored-mother-jesus/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Maryam </a>was not defined by her parents, Jesus, or the need for a spouse. In fact, the Quran completely omits any historical accounts of her marital life (which are debated by some historians) to show that what really matters is her beliefs and actions, not her marital or social status.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>Evidence 2: The Story of Pharaoh’s Wife (Asiyah)</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Asiyah’s name is not mentioned in the Qur’an, but her story is so powerful that it has triggered fierce debates among scholars and historians to this day.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The Qur’anic narration of her journey conveys a clear message of how a woman is not defined by her husband’s faith and practices.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/family-life/culture/asiyah-wife-pharaoh-change-maker/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Asiyah</a> was portrayed as an independent and free woman because, despite her marriage to Pharaoh, she wholeheartedly rejected his claims and authority. Pharaoh’s love and wealth could not buy her heart.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">She became a hero in the story for two reasons: first, she saved Moses’ life after he was thrown into the river and persuaded Pharaoh to adopt him.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Unlike the stereotypical image of Muslim women, who are often perceived as passive and submissive to their husbands’ will and orders, Asiyah proved exactly the opposite.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">She took the first step to adopt Moses, cared for him, and later rejected her husband’s tyranny and blasphemy.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">She sought liberty from being affiliated to her husband through her famous supplication, which was beautifully carved in the Qur’an (66: 11).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>Evidence 3: The Queen of Sheba</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Chapter 27 of the Qur’an wonderfully illustrates the story of <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/understanding-islam/the-story-of-solomon-and-the-queen-of-sheba/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">the Queen of Sheba</a>.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">She was a great sovereign ruler who led her people and was engaged in political negotiations in her time.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Her huge empire was confirmed by verse 23 when the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hudhud</em> bird reported to Prophet Sulayman:</p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(204, 0, 99); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne’.</em> (Qur’an 27:24)</p></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">It is interesting to note here that there was no mention of her personal life: whether she had children or a husband, obviously because that carries no importance.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Similarly, the Qur’anic narration of the relationship between her and Prophet Sulayman revolves around their discussion on the oneness of God and how Sulayman refused to be bribed by her lavish gifts.</p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1024" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWXZRpW-VZd5Gj2B0KZr7OHInzSld0GQ_eidIVX8gpLkM1TmpsNbTO9Wu-WixBebEKJF2hZOkYzHbUqV4mWvGLYOKsKlnUt2i646rtc8UnugAZDw4NpLCqpCYvEdi6K9Hlx6emcjm_CQUeghu1UdTKoxbU4uGPAElb9qwKIRCtzVt8Up6IyIaLN5J2d0pq=w640-h436" width="640" /></div></figure><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In the end, her unique status was reaffirmed when she displayed extraordinary humility, grace, and intellect by accepting Sulayman’s call to submit to God.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Although some historians claimed that they later got married, the Qur’an chooses not to discuss it, perhaps, to show that the marriage, whether it happened or not did not matter much.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The queen’s real worth lied within her conscience, deeds, and readiness to accept the truth. Besides, if Islam is really against women’s active participation in public life and leadership, Sulayman perhaps would have commented on that.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">He did not question the fact that she was a political leader; what drew his attention were her faith and principles.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>Evidence 4: Aziz’s Wife</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In the gripping tale of Yusuf, Aziz’s wife attempted to seduce him, and because of Yusuf’s resistance and her failure, he was imprisoned.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The interesting part however, was how the story eventually ended with her confession and repentance.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/story-prophet-yusuf-wife-al-aziz/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Aziz’s wife </a>was mentioned several times throughout the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/understanding-islam/get-know-surah-yusuf-brother-nouman/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Chapter of Yusuf</a>, as she was one of the main characters.</p><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Her husband, however, received much less attention. The Qur’an chooses not to explain about her marital life or whether she was childless or not.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">It becomes even more interesting as historians later debate whether Yusuf married her or not.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The Qur’an again took a brilliant stand by refusing to prove or disprove the theory.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The reason is clear: Such an issue is not important. A woman’s marriage and personal love life do not carry as much significance as her conscience or conviction does.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">This shows that a woman’s worth has nothing to do with her spouse or child. She by herself is complete, free, and valuable.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The entire focus was on her initial evil intention, which later turned into defeat and repentance.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">She had acted independently, both when she committed the crime and when she courageously announced her guilt.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Her status in the beginning of the chronicle was low while her husband’s was high, and towards the end she actually attained a higher rank through her honesty and remorse, independent of her husband.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>Conclusion</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">There are many other female figures mentioned in the Qur’an but only a few are discussed here. It is evident that the holy book recognizes and celebrates women as having diversified roles, functions, identities, and circumstances.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Women therefore should not be looked at from merely and ultimately the lens of motherhood and wifehood.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">It is undeniable however, to note that the role of mothers and wives receive huge and special emphasis in various verses.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">This is because such paths are taken by the majority of women.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">However, some exceptions are clearly singled out in God’s verses to convey the correct message to humanity, and remove any forms of prejudice against those who follow different life paths, either voluntarily or due to specific circumstances.</p><div class="content-block entry-content" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><i>- aboutislam.net</i></p></div><footer class="footer family-life box" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author-details box" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author_name" style="border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-color: rgb(204, 0, 99); color: #222222; display: inline-block; font-size: 32px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">About Raudah Mohd Yunus</div><div class="author_details" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Raudah Mohd Yunus is a researcher, writer and social activist based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Her research interests include aging, elder abuse, human trafficking and refugees health. She is the editor of two books; ‘Tales of Mothers: Of courage and love’ and ‘Displaced and Forgotten: Memoirs of refugees.’</div></div></footer>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-77794916067982448342024-03-12T01:16:00.000-07:002024-03-12T01:16:21.801-07:00A DAY AND A NIGHT IN RAMADAN : THE FAST OF THE DAY & WORSHIP OF THE NIGHT<h1 class="page-title" style="background-color: #11161c; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px 15px; text-transform: uppercase; width: 785.328px;">THE FAST OF THE DAY</h1><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;"><img align="right" alt="A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_1_of_2)_001.jpg" height="187" hspace="10" src="https://de44dj20p4alh.cloudfront.net/articles/A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_1_of_2)_001.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-right: 40px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 265px;" width="280" />Ramadan is a very special month for the Muslims, as in it Muslims around the world perform various types of worship, the most important of them being fasting. This fasting of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, mandatory upon all adolescents and adults who have the ability. Ramadan is also the month in which the first revelation came to the Prophet Muhammad, and thus is called the “Month of the Quran”. During this month, there is a noticeable change in people’s lives as well as societies. This article will describe a typical day of a Muslim during this month of forgiveness.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">An Early Meal</h2><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Eat a predawn meal, for indeed in it there is blessing.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;"><img align="right" alt="A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_1_of_2)_002.jpg" height="265" hspace="10" src="https://de44dj20p4alh.cloudfront.net/articles/A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_1_of_2)_002.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-right: 40px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 265px;" width="280" />Although not obligatory, Muslims families throughout Ramadan rise early in the morning before the first traces of light and partake in a light meal in implementation of this Prophet teaching. Usually, the day of a Muslim starts with the dawn prayer performed when the first traces of light appear in the sky, but since it is the time when one starts the fast by withholding from food or drink, the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, encouraged Muslims to arise before that time and partake in a meal.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">From this it is clear that the point of fasting is not that one feels hunger throughout the day, but rather that one changes their lifestyle in order for it to be more conducive to the worship of Allah, a fact which will become quite clear. One who often misses the dawn prayer, the hardest of the five prayers to perform due to its stated time, in this blessed month arises early in order to partake in a meal. Thus this person becomes accustomed to awakening at an early hour, ultimately helping him to perform the dawn prayer for the rest of the year.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">The most beloved of the voluntary prayers is one called “Qiyaam –ul-Layl”, or the Night Prayer<a href="https://www.islamreligion.com/articles/415/day-and-night-in-ramadan-part-1#ir_ftn9061" id="ir_ftnref9061" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Literally, “The Standing of the Night” due to its lengthy recitation which is performed during standing in prayer."><span class="w-footnote-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1385c2; font-size: 14px;">[1]</span></a>. This prayer is performed before the dawn prayer in solitude. It is so beloved that it is usually nicknamed “the Prayer of the Pious”, a prayer performed by the devout when the majority of people are still sleeping in their beds. God described this prayer in the Quran, saying:</p><p class="w-quran" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Their sides forsake from (their) beds, calling upon their Lord in fear and in hope….” (Quran 32:16)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Waking in the early hours before dawn to eat a meal also encourage the believers to perform this blessed prayer, one which otherwise seem like an arduous task for some.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">This predawn meal is to be eaten close to the time of dawn, and thus people continue to eat until they hear the mu’ezzin, or caller of prayer, call out the azaan from the local mosque, signaling that the first traces of light have appeared. Thus, Muslims end their meal and prepare themselves to attend the congregational prayer at their local mosque, held five times a day throughout the year.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">The Month of the Quran</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;"><img align="right" alt="A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_1_of_2)_003.jpg" height="188" hspace="10" src="https://de44dj20p4alh.cloudfront.net/articles/A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_1_of_2)_003.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-right: 40px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 265px;" width="280" />After attending the dawn prayer, many Muslims choose to sit in the mosque for a while and recite a selected portion of the Quran at this time. Recitation of the Quran is recommended at all times, and due to it one’s faith increases in Islam:</p><p class="w-quran" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts tremble with fear, and when His Verses are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone).” (Quran 8:2)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Being the month in which the Quran was revealed, Muslims are even more zealous to recite its entirety, as this was also done by the Prophet.</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“[The Prophet] would meet him (Gabriel) every night in Ramadan and they would recite the Quran to each other.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Quite often in Ramadan in the Muslim world, you will hardly find a mosque empty during any part of the day. Muslims try to set aside time this month in order to complete the Quran and ponder its meanings.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">Fasting of the Day</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">In most Muslim countries, workload and schedules are lightened in order to accommodate for the special features of this month. Children go to school at a later time to accommodate for their early rise and the late night prayer, and the majority of businesses close well before dusk. Many stores also remain open throughout the night.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">During daylight hours until the sun sets below the horizon. Muslim abstain all types of food and drink, as well as sexual intercourse with their spouses. This creates a sense within the Muslims throughout the day that they are obeying the commands of God, as they leave things which are perfectly permissible at other times. This created within the Muslims a conscience which encourages them to leave those deeds impermissible at all times. Muslims, dry-mouthed from lack of water and abstaining from all types of food seen throughout the day, gain a sixth sense – God consciousness - and this is the goal of fasting the month of Ramadan. God says in the Quran:</p><p class="w-quran" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for those before you in order that you become of the God-conscious.” (Quran 2:183)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Fasting is a secret worship which a person offers to God. He may very well eat and drink in privacy without anyone coming to know of it… but the trait which keeps the Muslim from doing so is this consciousness of His Lord.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">For this reason, one sees that many sinful Muslims as well leave many of their sins during this blessed month, due to its sacredness, and one hopes that this will cause them to be more faithful throughout the remainder of the year.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">The Prophet warned Muslims against certain sins they might easily fall into and thus ruin the goal of fasting. The Prophet said:</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Whoever does not stop speaking falsehood and acting in accordance with it, God has no need of him giving up his food and drink.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">He also warned against being provoked into behaving rudely. He encouraged Muslims to respond to one who may provoke him by saying:</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Indeed I am fasting, Indeed I am fasting.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">These Prophetic sayings are clear in that the main benefit of Ramadan is spiritual and moral rectitude.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Thus one finds in Muslim societies that a spirit of peace dwells in the hearts of Muslims throughout Ramadan, due to the extra worship and avoidance of all evilness and ill manners. One finds that people are generally more easy to deal with and lighthearted, and when one lives in a society for one month in which most of the people are fasting, the sense of unity and brotherhood which results is unmatched by any other occasion, except maybe the Hajj.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">Iftar, or Breakfast</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;"><img align="right" alt="A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_1_of_2)_004.jpg" height="272" hspace="10" src="https://de44dj20p4alh.cloudfront.net/articles/A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_1_of_2)_004.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-right: 40px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 265px;" width="253" />As the day ends, Muslims gather in their homes in wait for sunset. Mothers and daughters are usually busy at this time preparing breakfast and dinner, while men usually return from their work and slip into more comfortable clothes, either taking time to recite the Quran or help out in the preparation for breakfast. Before sunset, the family gathers at the dining table in wait for the mu’ezzin, utilizing this time supplicating to Allah and asking Him for His Mercy.</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Indeed for each fasting person there is a prayer which is answered when they break their fast.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Tuhfat-ul-Muhtaj</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Once the call to prayer is heard, Muslims hurry to break their fast with dates, in emulation of the Prophet, and offer words of gratitude taught by the Prophet.</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“The Thirst has been quenched, and the veins have become moist and full, and the reward is certain, God willing.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Abu Dawood</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Many Muslims add:</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">“Oh Allah, indeed for You Alone I have fasted, and in You alone I have believed. With your provisions I have broken my fast, and upon You I have trusted.”</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Muslims then eat a light meal of various appetizers and drinks. Many times, Muslims find themselves either invited or inviting others, whether they be members of the extended family, one’s friends, or the poor. The majority of mosques also offer free food in order ease the sufferings for the poor. May mosques hold <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">iftar</i> in order to strengthen community ties, common in countries in which Muslims are minorities. Prophet Muhammad encouraged to feed others during this blessed month in his saying:</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, he will have a reward equal to his (the fasting person)…” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Al-Tirmidhi</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;"><img align="right" alt="A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_1_of_2)_005.jpg" height="210" hspace="10" src="https://de44dj20p4alh.cloudfront.net/articles/A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_1_of_2)_005.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-right: 40px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 265px;" width="280" />Special rations are also distributed to needy households in the beginning of the month by charitable organizations to meet the needs of the month.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">The delight felt at breaking fast is one truly indescribable. Never does the most meager of meals seem so tasty or bring so much joy to a believer. Indeed the Prophet spoke the truth when he said:</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“The fasting person will feel two moments of joy: one moment when he breaks his fast and another when he meets his Lord.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">There is no time at that point to eat a large meal, as sunset is the time for another prescribed prayer. Muslims prepare to attend the congregational prayer, mostly always at walking distance. After attending the dusk prayer, some Muslims eat dinner, while others delay eating until the night prayer is finished, an event which is one of the main features of the night of Ramadan, another spiritual dimension of this blessed month of mercy and blessings.</p><h1 class="page-title" style="background-color: #11161c; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 8px 15px; text-transform: uppercase; width: 785.328px;">WORSHIP OF THE NIGHT</h1><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">After performing the dusk prayer, Muslims return to their homes either to continue with their appetizers or eat dinner. Most people, however, choose not to eat much, as it will hinder them in performing that worship which is the delight of the believer in Ramadan – the <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">taraweeh</i> prayer. This prayer is held immediately after the night prayer, which is performed when the last traces of dusk disappear, about an hour and a half after the dusk prayer.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">The <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Taraweeh</i> (Night Prayer)</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;"><img align="right" alt="A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_2_of_2)_001.jpg" height="183" hspace="10" src="https://de44dj20p4alh.cloudfront.net/articles/A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_2_of_2)_001.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-right: 40px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 265px;" width="248" />The <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">taraweeh</i> is a special prayer performed in congregation. It is quite long, lasting about an hour to an hour and a half. It is performed every night of Ramadan, and in it most of the <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Imams</i>, or prayer leaders, seek to complete the recitation of the entire Quran. In it Muslims pray to their Lord, standing, bowing and prostrating to Him, and gain the opportunity to listen to the Quran in its entirety, listening to its verses in a melodious voice as if they were being revealed then and there. Mosques with more proficient recitors tend to fill quickly, so worshippers arrive earlier than the stated time to reserve their place. Some mosques have over a thousand worshippers who come from all over the city to attend. Indeed it is an experience one awaits an entire year to experience. The <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">taraweeh</i> prayer is a means of forgiveness, as the Prophet said:</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Whoever stands the night in prayer in Ramadan believing in God and seeking His reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Worshippers listen to the Quran being recited in prayer and ponder over its meanings, and the voice of the <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Imam</i> has much to do with the effect it has on people. In various mosques, it is not rare to see people crying while listening to its verses, verses which speak of the blessings of God, His Mercy and Love, His Paradise which He has reserved for the patient believers, as well as verses which speak about the sufferings of Hell. The Quran is a revelation which speaks to each individual, and thus each individual feels that God is directly addressing him when he hears it. Thus the feelings which arise while listening to its recitation is truly incomparable and indescribable.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">At the end of the <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">taraweeh</i> prayer, the Imam and the congregation raise their hand in supplication to God for themselves and for the Muslims, asking God to forgive their sins, give them strength to practice their faith and remain firm, enter them into Paradise, to cure the sick, to forgive those who have already passed away, and all other good things of this world and the next. They also ask God to save them from the punishment of the day of Judgment, to ease their account on that day, and also to ease the sufferings of their brethren throughout the world. It is not uncommon to find the majority of the congregation in tears begging their Lord. Indeed the <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">taraweeh</i> prayer is one of the highlights of Ramadan and plays a great role in giving inspiration to and the rectitude of the Muslims.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">After the <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">taraweeh</i>, Muslims return to their homes and eat dinner, and then retire to bed in preparation for their early rise for the predawn meal.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">As one can see, Ramadan is a month in which various kinds of worship are performed to God. Ramadan is like a training period in which Muslims change their lifestyles to one which is in accords to God’s commandments. From the time a person awakens in the morning, throughout the day and into the night, a Muslim is performing various types of worship, some obligatory while others voluntary, all in order to gain the pleasure of his Lord. This month is indeed a key factor in the lives of Muslims, a period of rejuvenation in which the believer is inspired for another year in his life, one filled with the pleasure of God and void of His anger.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">There are other special features in Ramadan.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">The Last Ten Nights</h2><p class="w-body-text-bullet" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">1. “Indeed we have revealed it (the Quran) in the Honored Night.</p><p class="w-body-text-bullet" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">2. And what will explain to you what the Honored Night is?</p><p class="w-body-text-bullet" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">3. The Honored Night is better than a thousand months.</p><p class="w-body-text-bullet" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">4. In it, the angels descend as well as the Spirit (Gabriel) by the permission of their Lord, with all types of decrees.</p><p class="w-body-text-bullet" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">5. ‘Peace’ it is until the rising of dawn.” (Quran:97:1-5)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">It was Ramadan in which the Quran was revealed from the heavens to the Earth. More specifically, it was one of the last ten nights of this blessed month. The Prophet said:</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Seek the Honored Night in the last ten.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;"> On that night, worship and good deeds are better than performing them for a thousand months, as mentioned in the verses above. Thus the Prophet would increase his worship by staying awake the whole night in worship.</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“When he entered the [last] ten [nights] of Ramadan, the Prophet would ‘rollup his sleeves’ and give life to the whole night, and waken his family.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Muslims in Ramadan seek this Honored Night in order that they may be given an increase in reward. Muslims spend the whole night in worship, from praying the <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">taraweeh</i> prayer to reading the Quran, supplicating to God, and praying extra voluntary prayers. During these nights, there is even an extra congregational prayer held in the mosques which lasts for about an hour and a half to two hours up until the time of the predawn meal. Nights are alive with worship, and people for these ten nights expend all efforts in doing so, seeking that they may have spent the Honored Night in the worship of God. The Prophet said:</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Whoever stood in prayer in the Honored Night, believing in God and hoping for His reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Ramadan is a month of forgiveness, and people hope that they will people from those who are saved from the Fire:</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“God chooses who will be saved from the Fire (in Ramadan), and that is every night.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Al-Tirmidhi</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">For this reason in Ramadan, people fast, pray, and seek the Honored Night in order that they may be forgiven for their shortcomings and enter Paradise.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Umrah</i> (Lesser Pilgrimage to Mecca)</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">The Prophet encouraged people to visit the Kaaba and perform the lesser pilgrimage, or <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Umrah</i>. He said:</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;"><img align="right" alt="A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_2_of_2)_002.jpg" height="186" hspace="10" src="https://de44dj20p4alh.cloudfront.net/articles/A_Day_and_a_Night_in_Ramadan_(part_2_of_2)_002.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="280" />“Indeed performing Umrah in Ramadan is equal to performing Hajj with me.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Thus, millions of people flock to Mecca to perform this lesser pilgrimage, most coming during the last ten days of the month hoping to earn the reward of Hajj and also witnessing the prayers at the Kaaba, an exhilarating experience for the believer. One meets Muslims from all parts of the world, from all cultures and races, and all have congregated in this sacred sanctuary, fasting throughout the day and worshipping throughout the night, all to earn the pleasure of their Creator, their Lord.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">A Month of Forgiveness</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">We mentioned various Prophetic sayings which state that the various types of worship in Ramadan are a means for forgiveness. Fasting, the <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">taraweeh</i> prayer, and praying in the Honored Night are all means of forgiveness.</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan, believing in God and hoping for His reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Whoever stands the night in prayer in Ramadan believing in God and seeking His reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“Whoever stood in prayer in the Honored Night, believing in God and hoping for His reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Ramadaan in general is a month of savior from the Fire:</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“God chooses who will be saved from the Fire (in Ramadan), and that is every night.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Al-Tirmidhi</i>)</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">A Month of Charity</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">As mentioned before, people seek to feed others with food for which to break their fast and donate food rations to needy families to suffice them the month of Ramadan. In addition to this, people are more charitable in general during Ramadan, as charity is considered worship for which God will reward them. The companioned the Prophet, Abdulah b. Abbas, said:</p><p class="w-hadeeth-or-bible" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“The Prophet was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan.” (<i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Saheeh Al-Bukhari</i>)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">In order to increase in their good deeds, some Muslims choose to offer their Zakaah<a href="https://www.islamreligion.com/articles/416/day-and-night-in-ramadan-part-2#ir_ftn9062" id="ir_ftnref9062" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;" title="See (http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/46)."><span class="w-footnote-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1385c2; font-size: 14px;">[2]</span></a>, or obligatory annual charity, in this month as well.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">Private Devotion</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">There is a special type of worship in Islam in which one devotes himself to the mosque for a period of time, whether it be for a day or a week, and spends his time in reciting the Quran and mentioning praises of God, again a training for having a person becoming accustomed to living a life revolved around the worship of God. In secluding oneself from one’s daily routine and indulging in the worship of God, he learns to prioritize his life and give less worth to the life of this world. The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, himself would practice this act of devotion, called <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">I’tikaaf</i>, during the last ten days of Ramadan. He would pitch a tent in the mosque and seclude himself in it, busying himself in various types of individual worship.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Muslims around the world take leave from their work or school and try to fulfill this act of worship, but because of its difficulty, as it entails a type of cutting off from daily life, few people do so. None the less, the majority of the congregational mosques do have a few people who take to this worship.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">Conclusion</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">As one can see, Ramadan is indeed a very special time for Muslims around the world. It is a month of worship in which sinners repent and return to God, and the believer rejuvenate their faith. It is a training period in which one becomes accustomed to leading a life in accordance to the commands of God and seeking His Pleasure. It is a time when one strengthens their relationship with their Creator. It is a time when one trains himself to do extra acts of worship in addition to the obligatory. The month of Ramadan is one which has no match, and the feelings Muslims have in this month are unexplainable. For this reason, the companions of the Prophet would ask God to give them the blessing to experience Ramadan six months before its arrival, and for six months after its departure, they would seek forgiveness from God for their shortcomings in it. We ask God to accept the Muslims fasting and praying in this blessed month, and to give others the guidance to be able to fast it as Muslims.<i> - islamreligion.com</i></p><div class="article-middle-content article-full-text" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin-top: 12px; width: 785.328px;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="w-footnote-title" style="background-color: #278390; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; display: block; float: none; font-size: 20px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 10px 15px; text-transform: uppercase; width: 785.328px;">FOOTNOTES:</span><div id="ftn1" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p class="w-footnote-text" style="background-color: #f5f3f3; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 15px 15px 15px 55px; width: 785.328px;"><a href="https://www.islamreligion.com/articles/415/day-and-night-in-ramadan-part-1#ir_ftnref9061" id="ir_ftn9061" style="background-color: #53c6e1; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; display: block; flex-shrink: 0; float: left; margin: -15px 15px -15px -55px; padding: 15px 4px; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; width: 40px;" title="Back to the refrence of this footnote"><span class="w-footnote-number" style="box-sizing: border-box;">[1]</span></a>Literally, “The Standing of the Night” due to its lengthy recitation which is performed during standing in prayer.</p></div></div></div><div class="video-pagination" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(243, 243, 243); box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 25px; width: 785.328px;"></div><div class="video-pagination" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(243, 243, 243); box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 25px; width: 785.328px;"><a href="https://www.islamreligion.com/articles/416/day-and-night-in-ramadan-part-2#ir_ftnref9062" id="ir_ftn9062" style="--bs-link-color-rgb: var(--bs-link-hover-color-rgb); background-color: #53c6e1; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; display: block; flex-shrink: 0; float: left; margin: -15px 15px -15px -55px; padding: 15px 4px; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; width: 40px;" title="Back to the refrence of this footnote"><span class="w-footnote-number" style="box-sizing: border-box;">[1]</span></a><span style="background-color: #f5f3f3;"><div class="video-pagination" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(243, 243, 243); box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-bottom: 25px; width: 785.328px;"><div id="ftn1" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 17px;"><p class="w-footnote-text" style="background-color: #f5f3f3; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 15px 15px 15px 55px; width: 785.328px;"><a href="https://www.islamreligion.com/articles/416/day-and-night-in-ramadan-part-2#ir_ftnref9062" id="ir_ftn9062" style="background-color: #53c6e1; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; display: block; flex-shrink: 0; float: left; margin: -15px 15px -15px -55px; padding: 15px 4px; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none; width: 40px;" title="Back to the refrence of this footnote"><span class="w-footnote-number" style="box-sizing: border-box;">[2]</span></a>See (http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/46).</p></div></div><br /></span></div>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-52152637629196735812024-03-11T01:12:00.001-07:002024-03-11T01:12:20.622-07:00FASTING STARTS TOMORROW - 12 MARCH 2024<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj217eLQ2Wu0C8a5y8j_wKHCMzkCMIKoJ5o9bWIOztiVlSpTS7cOxJhpQ_y-gRokUzzQXHKmaFIdSFwFJZ1wYclfJC2a6pJ7GhIquKvZ3p_yWyY3E0o8MOxJ9iS-TBs7tXoAdkKZbupA6uUIA-FfH9LXkw4CYXrzdJaCV5eYBUJDxkilO_krOtP8zwIK-CP/s672/puasa2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="672" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj217eLQ2Wu0C8a5y8j_wKHCMzkCMIKoJ5o9bWIOztiVlSpTS7cOxJhpQ_y-gRokUzzQXHKmaFIdSFwFJZ1wYclfJC2a6pJ7GhIquKvZ3p_yWyY3E0o8MOxJ9iS-TBs7tXoAdkKZbupA6uUIA-FfH9LXkw4CYXrzdJaCV5eYBUJDxkilO_krOtP8zwIK-CP/w640-h466/puasa2024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">FASTING STARTS TOMORROW - 12 MARCH 2024 WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE RAMADHAN MONTH.</span></b></p>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-35110865445539097712024-03-11T01:12:00.000-07:002024-03-11T01:12:11.431-07:00RAMADAN AND FASTING <p> </p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;"><img align="right" alt="Ramadan_and_Fasting_(part_1_of_2)_001.jpg" height="186" hspace="10" src="https://de44dj20p4alh.cloudfront.net/articles/Ramadan_and_Fasting_(part_1_of_2)_001.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; float: left; height: auto; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-right: 40px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; width: 265px;" width="280" />Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, can be 29 or 30 days long. An Islamic month begins with the sighting of the new crescent in the western horizon, immediately after sunset. Muslims look toward the western horizon for the new moon on the 29th day of Sha’ban, the eighth month. If the new moon is sighted, Ramadan has begun with the sunset but fasting begins with the next dawn. If the new moon is not sighted on this 29th day, Muslims complete 30 days of Sha’ban (the previous month) and Ramadan begins the following day.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">The Significance of Ramadan and Fasting</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">God says in the Quran:</p><p class="w-quran" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain God-consciousness.” (Quran 2:183)</p><p class="w-quran" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-top: 14px; text-align: center;">“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for humankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion. So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan) must observe the fasts that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number from other days. God intends for you ease, and He does not want for you difficulty. (So you) must complete the same number, and that you must magnify God for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” (2:185)</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Accordingly, the month of Ramadan is called the month of the Quran. Therefore, Muslims recite the Quran frequently in this month.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">Sawm or Fasting</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Sawm (fasting) begins with dawn and ends with sunset. Muslims rise before dawn, eat Sahur (pre-dawn meal) and drink an adequate amount of liquids for the preparation of sawm. Eating and drinking stops at dawn. During the day no eating, drinking or sexual activity is allowed. In addition, a Muslim must adhere to the moral code of Islam strictly as failure can violate the requirements of fasting.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Fasting in the month of Ramadan is an act of worship required of all Muslims who have attained puberty. Women who are having their menstrual period or who have not fully recovered from childbirth postpone the fast until they are completely out of their given conditions. In addition, those who are ill or on travel may choose to postpone their fast.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Muslims fast because God has commanded them to do so. However, they may also think about the benefits of fasting that include developing control over hunger, thirst and sexual urges, training to be a good moral person and testing sincerity to the Creator. During the fast, Muslims may conduct their business as usual. </p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">The fast is broken immediately after sunset usually by eating dates and drinking water or juice. However, any lawful food or drink may be used to break the fast. This is followed by the Maghrib salah (after sunset prayer) which is followed by a complete meal. After a brief rest, Muslims go to the mosque to offer the ‘Isha salah (night prayer) and then a special night prayer, called taraweeh.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">Taraweeh</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">This nightly congregational salah (prayer) is performed after the regular night prayer. Traditionally, a Hafiz of the Quran, - a person who has memorized the whole Quran (in Arabic) - leads the prayer. He recites the Quran in small portions, in proper sequence, every night and completes the recitation of the whole Quran before the end of the month of Ramadan. Every Muslim who attends such prayers regularly gets the opportunity of listening to the recitation of the whole Quran by the end of the month. If a Hafiz of the Quran is not available, the Muslim who has memorized the most in the group leads the prayer and recites according to his ability. Many Islamic scholars cite the Sunnah (path of the Prophet Muhammad) of the Prophet – may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him - that he always prayed during the night alone at his home whether it was Ramadan or not and same was the habit of many of his great companions.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 25.5px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;">Ramadan Generosity</h2><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">The month of Ramadan brings many blessings multiplied for those who do good. During this month people are more generous, more cordial, friendlier and more ready than other times of the year to do good deeds. The poor and the needy receive food, clothing and money from the well-off in the community. Many people go to the mosque in the neighborhood for fast-breaking and meals. People in the neighborhood send fruit, food and drinks to the mosque – the atmosphere is that of a friendly dinner every evening of the month.</p><p class="w-body-text-1" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: unset; margin-bottom: 22px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding-right: 40px;">Well-known contributors of the Muslim community find themselves surrounded by the needy people for donations. Zakat, a wealth purifying alms, and donations are given at this time of the year since many Muslims wish to take the opportunity of multiplied rewards from God. <i>- islamreligion.com</i></p>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-39947635395020996292024-03-10T00:17:00.000-08:002024-03-10T00:17:33.235-08:00How to Reap Outmost Fruits of Ramadan<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivjEkQHyFJ-WtJi5ZvzjCHxBk8YveCHQ9yn2Wpxtj6uek4mEnfc6-ylZUihlMIZpI5LBi5MP0aEXdeu3miP7IRdQQ2wYjBz5i8-8p8f0ppMQVeH2pwOHW1w4UG2wgTNumLC6ovjUprbj5TrjxalJn3dqT1kBd_3mzXT-8EHjyR-9or3vFhAX0ycy3HdW6_" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="302" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivjEkQHyFJ-WtJi5ZvzjCHxBk8YveCHQ9yn2Wpxtj6uek4mEnfc6-ylZUihlMIZpI5LBi5MP0aEXdeu3miP7IRdQQ2wYjBz5i8-8p8f0ppMQVeH2pwOHW1w4UG2wgTNumLC6ovjUprbj5TrjxalJn3dqT1kBd_3mzXT-8EHjyR-9or3vFhAX0ycy3HdW6_=w640-h354" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="content-block with-question entry-content" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Almighty Allah says, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{Your Lord does create and choose as He pleases …</strong>} (<a href="http://www.quran.com/28/68" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Al-Qasas 28:68)</a></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Allah is the Creator of everything visible and invisible. Everything in the heaven and earth belongs to Him and serves Him. Allah is also the Creator of time and space.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">As Allah chose some persons to be His Prophets and Messengers, and as He chose some places to become the sacred spots on this earth, similarly He also chose some time to become the sacred time. The sacred personalities teach us about Allah, His will, His rules and commands.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The sacred places and times remind us about <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/fasting/tips-on-how-to-gain-ramadan-blessings/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Allah’s special favors and blessings</a>. In Islam we worship only Allah. We neither worship any person other than Allah, not any space or time. But certain spaces and times inspire us and motivate us to do good things. One of those important and sacred moments for us is Ramadan. It is a special month and a special time.</p><br /><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Allah says in the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/shariah/quran/introduction-to-the-quran/6-patterns-narratives-quran/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Quran</a>:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{The month of Ramadan is that in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, with clear signs for guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed quite near: I listen and answer the call of every caller when he calls Me. Let them listen to My call, and believe in Me; so that they may be guided aright.}</strong> (<a href="http://www.quran.com/2/185-186" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Al-Baqarah 2:185-186</a>)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The blessed <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/understanding-islam/the-a-to-z-of-the-holy-month-of-ramadan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">month of Ramadan</a> is a great time and a beautiful time as well. We thank Allah that He is giving us another occasion to witness this blessed time in our life. May He help us to benefit from this season of virtues and blessings and may He grant us His love, mercy and forgiveness now and forever, amen.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Ramadan is a great month. This is the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/the-month-of-the-quran/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">month of the Quran</a>, and in this month is the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/spirituality/last-10-nights-ramadan-laylat-al-qadr-take-advantage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Night of Qadr,</a> which is better than one thousand months. Allah chose this month and a particular night in this month to grace humanity with His Final Testament, His Last Message, the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/understand-quran-just-memorize/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Quran</a>.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The moment of this revelation became a sacred moment, and that time and month became an eternal time for us. Allah chose this time, and He has filled it with His countless blessings. In this month we have a greater urge and desire to do good deeds. This month becomes the month of virtues and blessings for us. This is the month about which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">“<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When the first night of Ramadan comes, the devils and rebellious jinns are put in chains and the doors of hell are closed, none of them remains open. The doors of heaven are open and none of them remains closed. And a caller calls, ‘O seeker of goodness, come forward, and O seeker of evil, desist. And Allah has many (in this month) who will be freed from Hell.’ This announcement is made every night.”</strong> (At-Tirmidhi)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-parenting/ramadan-ask-about-parenting/shall-fast-ramadan-breastfeeding/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Ramadan</a> is meant for our moral and spiritual training and for the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/quran-hadith/purification-condition-touching-reading-glorious-quran/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">purification</a> of our bodies, minds and souls. This is an annual training program for all believers. It is a special time to get closer to Allah and to seek His blessings and bounties. It is a time to learn <a href="https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/taqwa-shield-haram/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">taqwa</em></a> (God-fearing), <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/letting-go-gods-love/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">piety</a>, self-discipline and patience. It is a time to give more charity and become more generous. It is a time to seek Allah’s forgiveness and to forgive each other. It is a time to be thankful to Allah for His gifts and bounties and especially His gift of <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">iman</em>.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">I urge you, my brothers and sisters, do not miss any day of fasting and do not miss any moment of the blessed<a href="https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/muslims-china-observe-holy-month-ramadan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> month of Ramadan</a>. This is a very precious time and Allah will give us many benefits if we use it in the proper way.</p><br /><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Let us keep the following things in our mind when we observe this month:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1- Intention:</strong> </span>Remind yourself again and again that you are fasting in <a href="https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/sin-can-beneficial-many-acts-obedience/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">obedience to Allah</a>. Be sincere in your intention. You want Allah to accept your fasting. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Whosoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah’s reward, all his past sins are forgiven.”</strong> (Al-Bukhari)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2- <a href="http://www.sunnah.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunnah:</a></strong></span> Observe the Sunnah in fasting. Take the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/fasting/when-to-stop-eating-sahur-imsak/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">sahur</em></a> meal a little before dawn and end your fast at sunset. As much as you can, try to fast as much like the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) fasted. There was no prayer better than his prayer and no fast better than his fast. Try to follow his way of fasting. That is the most acceptable way of fasting to Allah.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">3- <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wara`</em> (Avoiding everything <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">haram</em> or <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">makruh</em>):</strong> </span>Keep your body and mind very clean. Fasting is not just avoiding food and drink. Fasting is to learn how to avoid bad words and bad deeds. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Whosoever does not leave bad words and bad actions, Allah does not care if he leaves his food and drink.”</strong> (Al-Tirmidhi)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">4- Quran:</strong></span> Fasting and revelation are inter-connected. Prophet Musa fasted when he received the Torah. Prophet Jesus fasted when he received the Gospel. Also Prophet Muhammad fasted when he received the first message of the Quran. Let us do the same thing. You must fast and spend more time with the Quran. Read the Quran every day. Try to finish at least one time the whole Quran during this month by your own personal reading.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">5- Prayer or Salah, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Duaa </em>and <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dhikr</em>:</strong> </span>Pray on time and observe all the prayers. Do not ignore the tarawih or Ramadan night prayers. Make more extra and voluntary prayers. Do as much worship as you can. Do more <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">dhikr </em>(remembering Allah) and <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">duaa</em> (supplication) for yourself and for others. Repent and seek forgiveness for yourself and for others as much as you can. This is the best time for devotion and seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Seek the Night of Qadr by special devotion during the last ten nights of this month.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">6- <a href="https://aboutislam.net/shariah/shariah-and-humanity/shariah-and-life/got-questions-zakah-check-70-fatwa-folder/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Zakah</a>, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sadaqah</em> and Generosity:</strong> </span>Ramadan generates the spirit of giving and sacrifice. When we deprive ourselves of food and drink we understand and realize well what it means to be hungry and thirsty. We realize the pain of those who cannot find the basic necessities of life. Be very charitable and generous. Give more to help the poor and needy. Contribute generously to useful social and community projects.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">7- Family:</strong></span> Goodness must begin at home. Be very good to your family, immediate family and the extended family. Spend more time and quality time with your family members. Try to have <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/fasting/when-to-stop-eating-sahur-imsak/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">sahur</em></a> (pre-dawn meal) together. Break your fast together and pray together as much as you can. Do this more at this time. Ramadan should bring you closer to each other. Allah’s special mercy comes on the families that are united, harmonious and peaceful.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">8- Good Conduct:</strong></span> Fasting should transform you and should make you a different person. Try to be extra kind and courteous during this month. Forget your quarrels and disputes. Reconcile and forgive. Do not get involved in backbiting, lying, cheating and anything that is wrong. Be very good to Muslims and to all human beings. Be good to your friends and neighbors. Let your non-Muslim neighbors and co-workers know that this is your blessed and sacred time.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">9- <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Tafakkur</em> (reflection):</strong></span> Think, reflect and plan to improve the moral and spiritual condition of your own self and your family. Think about any wrong things and sins you might be doing and decide to correct yourself. Think about any deficiencies you have in your Islamic observances. Plan to change yourself. Think what you can do for the Ummah and for humanity to make this world a better place for everyone. Think about the life after death and the Day of Judgment.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">10- Be cheerful and happy: </strong></span><a href="https://aboutislam.net/science/faith-science/ramadan-begin-path-health/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Ramadan</a> is not a time of mourning or sadness. It is a time of thankfulness to Allah. In a Hadith it is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“When you fast, anoint yourself. Let not the signs of fast be seen on you.”</strong>(Al-Bukahri, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-Adab al-Mufrad</em>) Do not feel tired and miserable. Feel alert and relax. Take things easy. This time is for your own good. Give the greetings of Ramadan to each other and enjoy this beautiful time.</p><br /><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">It is reported in a Hadith that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave a sermon about Ramadan to a gathering that met towards the end of Shaban. He said,</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“O People, a great and a blessed month is approaching you. In this month, there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Allah has made fasting obligatory and prayers at night commendable during this month. Whosoever will do a voluntary good deed during this month, it is as if he performed an obligatory good deed at another time and whosoever will perform an obligatory good deed, it is as if he performed seventy obligatory good deeds at another time. This is the month of patience and the reward of patience is Paradise. This is the month of kindness. In this month the believer’s provision is increased. Whosoever will give food to a fasting person in this month, it will bring forgiveness for his sins, will save him from the hellfire and he shall have his reward while the fasting person will not lose any of his reward.”</strong> (As-Suyuti, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ad-Durr al-Manthur</em>)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: green; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Almighty Allah knows best.</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Source:</em></strong></span><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.pakistanlink.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">http://www.pakistanlink.com</a></em></p></div><footer class="footer ask-the-scholar box" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author-details box" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author_name" style="border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-color: rgb(0, 183, 150); color: #222222; display: inline-block; font-size: 32px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">About Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi</div><div class="author_details" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi is the Chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America</div></div></footer>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-10414239995634961432024-03-09T00:21:00.000-08:002024-03-09T00:21:58.391-08:00Ramadan: A Training of Spiritual Endurance<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimUyUdME04oM282liZimKmRuwQ-fS4R0Jesk53qSRtadoTe7h_8lOO0XV8arDBMmrsmzvcXq76Nz9RvMUQ6MMdzqA8p__7dTU_2MWVoYAVulmxJV1jHsxhUFcP72pOAPGUhFocGk4RcuhlksGzIK8NqbtNrkk0QFAK-k84SASHeiFZeRlusrpRrRjQv75R" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimUyUdME04oM282liZimKmRuwQ-fS4R0Jesk53qSRtadoTe7h_8lOO0XV8arDBMmrsmzvcXq76Nz9RvMUQ6MMdzqA8p__7dTU_2MWVoYAVulmxJV1jHsxhUFcP72pOAPGUhFocGk4RcuhlksGzIK8NqbtNrkk0QFAK-k84SASHeiFZeRlusrpRrRjQv75R=w640-h358" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="artmainimage" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="caption" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In the greatest month of the year, the blessed month of Ramadan, we turn to our Lord with heavy hearts consumed by the challenges we face as Muslims living in the West, and consumed by the overwhelming struggles that have befallen our brethren across the world.</div><div class="caption" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></div><div class="caption" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Such challenges are expected by Muslims, as they go in line with the nature of this life. Allah Almighty stated:</div></div><div class="artbody" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{</strong><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe” and they will not be tried?} </strong>(Al-`Ankabut 29: 2)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">“<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hellfire has been surrounded with temptations and Paradise has been surrounded by difficulties</strong>“”(Bukhari and Muslim)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">But, indeed, Allah has granted the believers solace with the coming of the ‘spiritual training camp’, the month of Ramadan, in which each and every one of us is granted a golden opportunity to practice spiritual endurance, a necessary requirement to overcome the obstacles of life.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) has emphasized the significance of endurance. It was reported on the account of `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) entered upon her while there was a woman in her presence. He inquired: “<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Who is this?”</strong></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">`A’ishah replied: “This is so and so” and she praised her worship.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) disapprovingly commented:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">“<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Engage in the amount of worship which you can withstand [being consistent upon without any harm<a href="https://aboutislam.net/shariah/refine-your-heart/advice/ramadan-training-spiritual-endurance/#edn1" name="ednref1" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">[1]</strong></a>], for by Allah, Allah does not cease [to reward] you until you grow bored [of worship]</strong>.”</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The most beloved of faith to him (peace and blessings be upon him) was that which one was consistent in performing, even if it was little”. (Bukhari and Muslim) Imam an-Nawawi commented on this hadith by stating:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">This hadith indicates that it is encouraged to be consistent in action, and that few actions that are consistent are better than many actions that are not. The few consistent actions are better because the continuity of the little amount of deeds make the person in a constant state of servitude, remembrance, God consciousness (<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Muraqabah</em>), sincerity and direction towards Allah.” (Imam An-Nawawi’s commentary on Sahih Muslim)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">There are a plenty of religious evidences that raise the merit of endurance and consistency, and Ramadan focuses on the source of these strengths. Indeed, the key to positive change and the gateway to endurance reside within the heart of every one of us. Such an understanding is a manifestation of the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">“<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Indeed there is a piece of flesh in the body that, if healthy, will cause the entire body to be healthy, and if it is corrupted, it will cause the entire body to be corrupted. Indeed it is the heart</strong>.”(Bukhari and Muslim)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The spiritual environment of Ramadan aims at uplifting and reviving the hearts. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">“<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When Ramadan enters, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed and the devils are chained.</strong>“(Bukhari and Muslim)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Imam `Izz Ad-Din ibn `Abd As-Salam commented on this hadith by stating:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">“As for opening the gates of Paradise, this basically means increasing the acts of servitude that are a cause of opening the gates of Paradise. As for sealing the gates of Hellfire, this basically means limiting the paths to sin, which are a cause of the gates of Hellfire being opened. As for chaining the devils, it basically means an end to the whispers of the devils to those who are fasting, because they do not have any hope of them being responsive to performing sins”.( `Izz Ad-Din ibn `Abd As-Salam, <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Maqasid As-Sawm</em>)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Al-Qadi `Iyad said:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">“It may be that the apparent and literal meaning is intended, and that opening the gates of Paradise and sealing the gates of Hellfire and chaining the devils is a sign of the entry of this month and raising the merit of its sanctity.” (Imam An-Nawawi’s commentary on Sahih Muslim)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Hence, Allah Almighty granted us the best conditions for us to focus on our religious wellbeing and to fortify our spiritual endurance:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">1. He cut off a main route that causes us to remain heedless, which is the efforts of the devils, as He said: <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the inmates of the Blazing Fire.} </strong>(Fatir 35: 6)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">2. He also encouraged us to stay awake late hours of the night in prostration and prayers. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Whosoever revives the nights of Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah’s reward alone will be forgiven his past (minor) sins</strong>“. (Bukhari and Muslim)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">3. Ramadan is also geared towards congregational subservience to the Creator, as is apparent in the moments of breaking the fast, being awake before the break of dawn for <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Suhur</em>, Tarawih and I`tikaf. Imam an-Nawawi said:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">“The scholars are in consensus that tarawih is recommended, but they have differed as to whether it is preferred to be prayed alone in one’s home or in congregation.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">Imam Ash-Shafi`i and the majority of his followers, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Ahmad and some Maliki scholars are of the opinion that it is recommended to be prayed in congregation, as `Umar ibn Al-Khattab and the companions performed and the actions of the Muslims have been consistent upon”.(Imam An-Nawawi’s commentary on Sahih Muslim)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">4. Ramadan is a month characterized by leaving indulgence in worldly pleasures, be it sleep, food, marital relations or the comfort of one’s home. Imam ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali mentioned:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">“Fasting is to leave one’s basic pleasures and natural inclination for Allah Almighty, and such conduct is not found in any act of worship besides fasting. In <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ihram</em> (the state of pilgrim during Hajj or `Umrah), one is only commanded to leave marital relations and wearing musk, not the other pleasures, and similarly is the case in <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I`tikaf</em> (with regard to marital relations), although it’s linked to fasting in any case.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">As for Salah, although one leaves all pleasures in it, it’s only for a brief period and one does not long for food and drink in such a short period. In fact, we have been prohibited to pray on hunger.” (Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali, Lata’if Al-Ma`arif )</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Hence, the spiritual training camp of Ramadan instills within us the will to endure the trials of this life and overcome our temptations and equips us with spiritual energy that will help us remain faithful to the Lord of the heaven and the earth. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">“<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Paradise is closer to any one of you than the strap of his shoes, and Hellfire is also similar to that.</strong>“(Bukhari)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px;">“<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do not belittle any good deed, even if it is just to meet your fellow Muslim with a cheerful face.</strong>” (Muslim)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">I ask Allah, Glorified and Exalted, to allow us to be from those who strive for excellence and those worthy of the blessings of the month of Ramadan.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</p></div><div class="artbody" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></div><div class="artbody" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><hr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/shariah/refine-your-heart/advice/ramadan-training-spiritual-endurance/#ednref1" name="edn1" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">[1]</a>This clarification between the brackets is taken from the commentary of Imam an-Nawawi upon this hadith.</p></div></div>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-73034581190508093682024-03-08T00:26:00.000-08:002024-03-08T00:26:21.541-08:003 Forms of Dhikr That Will Benefit You Through Thick and Thin<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLJwYaowcNRQO4e7kmq8_V6sOXzdwKQhttONKQW_AhzZCA5WgIPGhyZloVgr7WPUlgHQoG36liAtF7Sve03N9UDwnm6jks9451poxRXU2DB5NCQJwfH2pFPnLGIuC23nCMT5azNSjXfaHyISD_07LV53wOHdKOM_LS5P14752ATuQajRiYACtPOT61I0Ug" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="276" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLJwYaowcNRQO4e7kmq8_V6sOXzdwKQhttONKQW_AhzZCA5WgIPGhyZloVgr7WPUlgHQoG36liAtF7Sve03N9UDwnm6jks9451poxRXU2DB5NCQJwfH2pFPnLGIuC23nCMT5azNSjXfaHyISD_07LV53wOHdKOM_LS5P14752ATuQajRiYACtPOT61I0Ug=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="content-block with-question entry-content" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><h3 style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Best Type of Dhikr</b></h3><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Let me first confirm that the two phrases you are asking about are the frequently recited type of </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">dhikr</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (remembrance of Allah) that Muslims say every day. </span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:</span></p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 210, 241); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Purity is half of faith. ‘</span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-hamdu lillah</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (all praise and gratitude belong to Allah)’ fills the scales, and ‘</span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">subhan-Allah</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (how far is Allah from every imperfection) and ‘</span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-hamdulillah</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (all praise and gratitude belong to Allah)’ fill that which is between heaven and earth.”</span><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (Muslim)</span></p></blockquote><h3 style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Meaning of </b><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Subhan Allah</i></b></h3><br /><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">With regard to the meaning of </span><a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/finding-peace/remembering-allah/say-subhan-allah/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Subhan Allah</i></a><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">, the word </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">tasbih</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> in Arabic includes many meanings such as negation, amazement, exaltation, majestic, etc.</span></p><h3 style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Negation</strong></h3><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The meaning of negation is reflected in these verses:</span></p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 210, 241); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*{Allah has not taken any son, nor has there ever been with Him any deity. [If there had been], then each deity would have taken what it created, and some of them would have sought to overcome others. Exalted is Allah above what they describe [concerning Him]. }*</b><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/23/91-101" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">23:91</a>)</span></p><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">*{And they have claimed between Him and the jinn a lineage, but the jinn have already known that they [who made such claims] will be brought to [punishment].</b></p><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Exalted is Allah above what they describe.}* </b><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(Quran <a href="https://quran.com/37/158-168" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">37:158-159</a>)</span></p></blockquote><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The word </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Subhana Allah</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> negates what has been falsely attributed to Allah in terms of taking any son or taking any other deity beside Him.</span></p><h3 style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Amazement</strong></h3><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The meaning of amazement is reflected in this verse, </span></p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 210, 241); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Exalted is He who created all pairs – from what the earth grows and from themselves and from that which they do not know.</b><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/36/36-46" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">36:36</a>)</span></p></blockquote><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When a Muslim says </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Subhana Allah</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">, he declares that his heart and mind are far removed from thinking that there is any shortcoming in Allah, or attributing any evil to Him, and declaring Him to be far above any fault that is attributed to Him. </span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Imam Ahmad reported that:</span></p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 210, 241); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“When the Prophet came to a verse which spoke of Allah being above any fault or defect, he said </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Subhan Allah</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">.”</span></p></blockquote><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ibn Abbas is reported to have said: </span></p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 210, 241); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“</span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Subhan Allah</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> means declaring Allah to be above every bad thing.” </span></p></blockquote><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">There is no contradiction between the two meanings mentioned in your question. Therefore, it is not a matter of which meanings to be preferred over the other. </span></p><h3 style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Meaning of </b><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-Hamdullilah</i></b></h3><br /><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The simple and common meaning of </span><a href="https://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/science-muslim-issues/health-benefits-saying-alhamdulillah/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-Hamdullilah</i></a><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> is all praise and thanks belong to Allah the Almighty alone. Muslims say </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-Hamdullilah</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> because Allah is the originator of everything, He is the Creator, the Giver, the Provider, the Sustainer, etc. </span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-Hamdullilah</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> is simply is translated as ‘Praise be to Allah’.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-Hamdullilah</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> is an expression of gratitude to Allah for the things He gave, still gives and will continue to give.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-Hamdullilah</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> is a combination of appreciation and thank.</span></p><h3 style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Health Benefits of Dhikr</b></h3><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Scientists say that when we see something exciting, our adrenal cortex is stimulated. Followed by an increase in our blood sugar. This, in turn, stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin into the blood to lower the sugar level, causing us to then feel tired or weak.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Based on this, </span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">we are recommended by the Prophet to say <i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/science-muslim-issues/health-benefits-saying-alhamdulillah/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Al-Hamdullilah</a> </i></span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">” for what we have; and, “</span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Subhana Allah</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">” when we see something exciting or amazing.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Opening Chapter of Al-Fatihah starts with the phrase of </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-hamdullilah</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">. So every Muslim recites this phrase every single </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">rak`ah</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (unit of prayer) that Muslims offer throughout the day which is a total of 17 times in obligatory prayer only. </span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Also after each prayer, the Prophet recommends that we recite </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Subhana Allah</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> 33 times, </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-Hamdullilah</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> 33 times, and </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allahu Akbar</i><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> 33 times. </span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Prophet said:</span></p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 210, 241); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“He who recites after every prayer: </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Subhan-Allah</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (Allah is free from imperfection) thirty-three times; </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-hamdu lillah</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (praise be to Allah) thirty-three times; </span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allahu Akbar</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (Allah is Greatest) thirty-three times; and completes the hundred with</span><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">: La ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadir</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> (there is no true god except Allah. He is One and He has no partner with Him. His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent), will have all his sins pardoned even if they may be as large as the foam on the surface of the sea.” (Muslim)</span></p></blockquote><h3 style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Meaning of the Word ‘Ilah’</b></h3><br /><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The literal meaning of the word Allah is the only entity in existence Who truly possesses the qualities of divinity and lordship.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The name <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/why-does-allah-not-rinse-our-hearts-like-he-did-with-prophet-muhammad/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Allah</a> belongs only to Allah, no other one can be called Allah. </span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The deeper meanings of the word Allah include the following:</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allah is the only One whom all creations praise and glorify.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allah is the Provider, the Sustainer, the All-Knowing, the All-Hearing, the Ever Merciful and the Most Merciful.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allah is the First before Him there was nothing.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allah is the Last after Him there will be nothing.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allah is the Manifest above Him there is nothing. </span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allah is the Hidden below Him there is nothing. </span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allah is the Only God on Him we put our trust. </span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allah loves those who obey Him and promised them great rewards in the Hereafter.</span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</span></p></div><footer class="footer ask-about-islam box" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author-details box" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author_name" style="border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-color: rgb(0, 210, 241); color: #222222; display: inline-block; font-size: 32px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">About Dr. Mohsen Haredy</div><div class="author_details" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dr. Mohsen Haredy holds a PhD in Hadith literature from Leiden University, the Netherlands. He is the former Executive Manager and Editor-in-Chief of E-Da`wah Committee in Kuwait, and a contributing writer and counselor of Reading Islam. He graduated from Al-Azhar University and earned his MA in Hadith literature from Leiden University.</div></div></footer>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-62089043771993456502024-03-07T00:11:00.000-08:002024-03-07T00:11:31.027-08:00Why Does Allah Allow Suffering?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzkmiHsDMFItuYM9fMsmxy6aLnz_HOK8ecllS3FFfqYrpekWDuV6MWTkDRIo8ur4No2Ltk9hWZGlk2AypRk9TKu-f_DpqEpxNXCsUTiVZvmr5a4QlB8UqI5HqFoDNKex3N_vr9JebPKMIAWIuGsoBb80pNsj4_YrIsoSfvPkih7TZO-n5l3amaEK-1kwSp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="260" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzkmiHsDMFItuYM9fMsmxy6aLnz_HOK8ecllS3FFfqYrpekWDuV6MWTkDRIo8ur4No2Ltk9hWZGlk2AypRk9TKu-f_DpqEpxNXCsUTiVZvmr5a4QlB8UqI5HqFoDNKex3N_vr9JebPKMIAWIuGsoBb80pNsj4_YrIsoSfvPkih7TZO-n5l3amaEK-1kwSp=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="content-block with-question entry-content" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Indeed Allah is All-Powerful (Al-`Aziz) and He is able to do all things. The Qur’an has mentioned this hundreds of times. It is also mentioned in the Qur’an that Allah is the Creator and He is the Best Creator. <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Glory be to Allah, the best Creator.”</strong>(Al-Mu’minun 23:14)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">But then the question comes <a href="https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/why-you-should-embrace-suffering/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">why do pain and sufferings exist in the world</a>. We find sickness, old age and death. We see things that are ugly, people who are insane and foolish. There are storms, earthquakes, floods, draught and famine. We also see people commit sins, show disloyalty, unfaithfulness, greed and insincerity. We see people commit rapes, murders; they fight and make wars. We know all these and many more problems. There are evils caused by human beings and there are natural disasters. There are <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/muslim-creed/god-allow-evil/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">suffering </a>for individuals and there are those that involve a large number of people.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">But we also know that this is not the whole story. Besides all these negative things, we also see beauty, health, prosperity, life, birth, wisdom, intelligence, growth and progress. We also see goodness among people, faith, sincerity, charity, love and the spirit of sacrifice. We also see a lot of virtue and piety. It is wrong to see one side of the coin and not to see the other side. Any philosophy that concentrates on one aspect of the creation and denies or ignores the other side is partially true and partial truths are no truth at all.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">It is also the fact that the element of good is more in the creation than the element of evil. We all see that there are more people who are healthy than those who are sick. There are more that eat well than those who starve.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">There are more that lead decent life than those who commit crimes. Goodness is the rule and evil is the exception. Virtue is the norm and sin is the aberration. Generally trees bear fruits, the flowers bloom, the winds move smoothly.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But then the question is why does Allah allow these exceptions to the rules?</strong></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </strong>Let us ask this question to understand Allah’s ways in His creation. The Qur’an tells us that good, evil and whatever happens in this world happens by Allah’s Will (mashi’at Allah). Only Allah knows fully His Will. We finite beings cannot grasp fully His infinite Will and Wisdom. He runs His universe the way He deems fit. The Qur’an tells us that Allah is Wise and everything that Allah does is right, just, good and fair. We must submit and surrender to His Will. The Qur’an has not given us all the details about Allah’s Will, but it has enlightened us with the guidance that is useful and sufficient for us. There are several points that we should keep in our mind to understand this issue:</p><ol style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px 40px;"><li style="line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">First of all, Allah did not make this world a permanent world. This is a temporary world and everything here has a time limit. When its times comes it will die, come to an end and finish. Neither the good things of this world are forever, nor the bad things eternal. We are here for a short time and we are being tested. Those who will pass this test will find an eternal world that is perfect and permanent. Those who will fail this test shall see the evil consequences of their sins and corruption.</li><li style="line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">Allah has placed a physical law and a moral law in this universe. <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/turn-suffering-healing/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Allah allows suffering</a> to occur when one or more of these laws are broken. The physical law is based on cause and effect. Sickness comes if one does not take care of one’s health or is exposed to infections. A car accident occurs when one is not alert, or drives in a careless manner, or if the cars are not checked, roads and freeways are not made and kept in right shape, or the traffic laws are not right or not properly enforced. Study of causes and effects is very important to facilitate safeguards. Even here we should keep in mind that Allah often saves us and He does not let us suffer from every negligence. How many times it happens that we are not careful and still we reach safely to our destinations. The way people drive in some cities, it is a miracle that more accidents do not happen and more people do not suffer. Allah says:</li></ol><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“(Allah) Most Gracious! It is He Who has taught the Qur’an. He has created man: He has taught him speech (and Intelligence). The sun and the moon follow courses (exactly) computed; and the herbs and the trees both (alike) bow in adoration. And the Firmament has He raised high, and He has set up the Balance (of Justice), in order that you may not transgress (due) balance. So establish weight with justice and fall not short in the balance. It is He Who has spread out the earth for (His) creatures.” </strong>(Ar-Rahman 55:1-10)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The way we exceed the measures set by Allah and violate His laws of cause and effect is incredible. It is really the mercy of Allah that we are saved. Strictly speaking, the question should not be why does <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/suffering-appreciate-blessings/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Allah allow suffering,</a> but how much Allah protects us and saves us all the time in spite of our violations and negligence. The Qur’an says:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“If Allah were to punish people according to what they deserve, He would not leave on the back of the (earth) a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: when their Term expires, verily Allah has in His sight all His servants.” </strong>(Fatir 35:45)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">But sometimes Allah does punish people because of their violations of His laws whether they are physical or moral. The Qur’an tells us that many nations and communities were destroyed because of their sinful lifestyles:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“If they treat thy (mission) as false, so did the Peoples before them (with their Prophets), the People of Noah, and Ad and Thamud. Those of Abraham and Lut; and the Companions of the Madyan people; and Moses was rejected (in the same way). But I granted respite to the Unbelievers, and (only) after that did I punish them: but how (terrible) was My rejection (of them)! How many populations have We destroyed, which were given to wrong-doing! They tumbled down on their roofs. And how many wells are lying idle and neglected, and castles lofty and well-built?” </strong>(Al-Hajj 22:42-45)</p><ol start="3" style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px 40px;"><li style="line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">Suffering can also be a test and trial for some people. Allah allows some people to suffer in order to test their patience and steadfastness. Even Allah’s Prophets and Messengers were made to suffer. Prophet Ayyub is mentioned in the Qur’an as a Prophet who was very patient. Good people sometimes suffer but their sufferings heal others and bring goodness to their communities. People learn lessons from their good examples. Martyrs die for their faith, soldiers give their lives for their nations and this brings liberation and freedom for their people.</li><li style="line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px;">Allah sometimes allows some people to suffer to test others, how they react to them. When you see a person who is sick, poor and needy, then you are tested by Allah. Allah is there with that suffering person to test your charity and your faith. In a very moving Hadith Qudsi (Divine Hadith) the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:</li></ol><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Allah will say on the Day of Judgment, ‘O son of Adam, I was sick and you did not visit Me.’ He will say, ‘O my Lord, how could I visit You, when you are the Lord of the Worlds.’ Allah will say, ‘Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was sick and you did not visit him? Did you not know that if you had visited him, you would have found Me there?’ Allah will say, ‘O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not.’ He shall say, ‘O my Lord, how could I feed you and you are the Lord of the Worlds?’ And Allah will say, ‘Did you not know that My servant so-and-so was in need of food and you did not feed him? Did you not know that if you had fed him, you would have found that to have been for Me?’ ‘O son of Adam, I asked you for water and you did not give Me to drink.’ The man shall say, ‘O my Lord, how could I give You water, when You are the Lord of the Worlds?’ Allah will say, ‘My servant so-and-so asked you for water and you did not give him to drink water. Did you not know that if you had given him to drink, you would have found that to have been for Me.’</strong> (Muslim)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Prophet `Isa (Jesus), peace be upon him, is also reported to have said something similar. (See <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Matthew</em> 25: 35-45)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">So to summarize, we can say that sufferings occur to teach us that we must adhere to Allah’s natural and moral laws. It is sometimes to punish those who violate Allah’s natural or moral laws. It is to test our faith in Allah and to test our commitment to human values and charity. Whenever we encounter suffering we should ask ourselves, “Have we broken any law of Allah?” Let us study the cause of the problem and use the corrective methods. “Could it be a punishment?” Let us repent and ask forgiveness and reform our ways. “Could it be a test and trial for us?” Let us work hard to pass this test.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Believers face the sufferings with prayers, repentance and good deeds. The non-believers face the sufferings with doubts and confusions. They blame Allah or make arguments against Him.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">May Allah keep us on the right path, Amen!</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: green; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allah Almighty knows best.</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</strong></span></p></div><footer class="footer ask-the-scholar box" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author-details box" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author_name" style="border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-color: rgb(0, 183, 150); color: #222222; display: inline-block; font-size: 32px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">About Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi</div><div class="author_details" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi is the Chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America</div></div></footer>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-21718146497044978212024-03-06T00:22:00.000-08:002024-03-06T00:22:53.334-08:00Fasting: Any Health Benefits?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieFo79eWD7eQU8kFWDQzkTF_o6CNEgKczrqIlIknAw51x9WP9twLxdKReS0k2-Zg-yR8xH61MCDne6dk3a3YEmo5dbD-4Bm7xwnqQZKVIfDUrRfLqS8mnvsP23AFhE6aIwy6XA3kdeh87FoVXlI3hs8kLasJs8Jl-9SmMTMBw7Tg-jbvVqTLQONzROlrrT" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="1015" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieFo79eWD7eQU8kFWDQzkTF_o6CNEgKczrqIlIknAw51x9WP9twLxdKReS0k2-Zg-yR8xH61MCDne6dk3a3YEmo5dbD-4Bm7xwnqQZKVIfDUrRfLqS8mnvsP23AFhE6aIwy6XA3kdeh87FoVXlI3hs8kLasJs8Jl-9SmMTMBw7Tg-jbvVqTLQONzROlrrT=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="content-block with-question entry-content" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><h3 style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="has-inline-color has-very-dark-gray-color" style="color: #313131; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How to Fast?</span></strong></span></h3><br /><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Firstly, I should explain the way fasting is prescribed in Islam. To prepare to fast you should get up before sunrise and eat a meal called <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">suhur</em>. This should be finished before the first bit of light appears in the sky indicating that dawn is coming.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Then from that moment until the sun sets behind the horizon, you should avoid eating anything, drinking anything, having sex, or smoking. Then as soon as the sun sets, you should eat a small snack preferably something sweet and some liquids, then pray the sunset prayer (<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">maghrib</em>) before eating the main meal of the day.</p><h3 style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="has-inline-color has-very-dark-gray-color" style="color: #313131; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Health Benefits of Fasting</span></strong></span></h3><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The medical effects are many and important but first I should mention that it can be harmful for some people and for this reason, if you are ill or fasting makes you ill, then you do not have to do it until your health improves:</p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 210, 241); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint. (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up for) from days later…}</span> (Al-Baqarah 2:183-184)</p></blockquote><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The key reason for fasting which is mentioned in these verses is to learn self- restraint. There are many aspects to this. The primary aspect is that we learn to hold back the fulfillment of our material desires until the right time and place.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">This lesson in itself if properly learned has a great transforming effect on all aspects of human life far beyond the effects on health.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">There have been a few academic studies on the medical effects of Islamic fasting. The basic conclusions are that when healthy people fast, it does not cause any adverse medical effect and on the contrary, it may have some beneficial effect on weight and lipid metabolism (increasing excess fat destruction).</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">One of the main health benefits of fasting is that it is the ideal way for people to give up bad eating habits and other bad habits such as smoking. I do not need to tell you about the bad effects of smoking.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Fasting teaches the Muslim to restrain himself from sins more generally. While fasting it may be possible to sneak away and eat in private but any Muslim knows that Allah sees everything he does. So, following the fast properly increases the awareness that Allah sees all your actions both secret and open.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Fasting is known to have specific benefits for certain illnesses including epileptic fits and cancer. You can find much of this information on the internet through simple searches.</p><h3 style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;">Charity & Restraining Desires</h3><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Restraining your desires so that they can be fulfilled at the appropriate time is an important metaphor for the whole of the human condition. It reflects the especially human characteristic of being able to plan our future and make those concepts determine our actions instead of our actions being determined by ingrained instincts.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">It is at the core of our mental faculties that make us humans; flexible and able to achieve the success we have in our control over our environment.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Ultimately this ability to plan is expressed in our ability to sacrifice things in this life in order to achieve something better in the next life.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Thus, giving of charity in the way of Allah is the definitive teaching of what is a good deed. The very conflict this ability brings between short term gains and long term gains is at the very center of what being human is about. It is why we have to have free will.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Fasting should teach us the importance of these lessons. To illustrate this further, let me relate a study done in the USA. A group of children (about 7 years old as far as I recall) were sat in a room one by one. An adult came in and put in front of each child a single sweet.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The adult then said that they were going away for a couple of minutes and that, if when they came back again and the child had not eaten the sweet, then the child would be given a second sweet. So the child had a clear choice to make between eating the sweet in front of them now or to wait for a couple of minutes and then eat 2 sweets. About 40% of the children managed to wait for the adult to return.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">These children were then followed while they grew up. It turned out that the children who waited for the second sweet achieved results in academic tests at the age of 17 which were considerably higher than those who couldn’t wait.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The difference was so great that it made the same difference to their results as the difference between having parents who had Masters degrees at university and parents whose education stopped after high school (17/18 years old).</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">As you can see fasting is an important religious practice which teaches us an important lesson in life.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p></div><footer class="footer ask-about-islam box" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author-details box" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author_name" style="border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-color: rgb(0, 210, 241); color: #222222; display: inline-block; font-size: 32px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">About Lamaan Ball</div><div class="author_details" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Lamaan has a Masters of Science in Physics. He is a director at the <a href="https://publicqurancampaign.org/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">Public Qur'an Campaign</a>.</div></div></footer>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-73972301532642330702024-03-05T00:05:00.000-08:002024-03-05T00:05:34.820-08:00What Does It Mean to Fast?<p><br /></p><figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="fluid-width-video-wrapper" style="margin: 60px 0px 20px; padding: 494.547px 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 880px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" id="fitvid327374" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/noWRayfCDlc?feature=oembed" style="height: 494.547px; left: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 400px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 880px;" title="What Does It Mean to Fast? What's the Fasting Day Like? | Ramadan Ready 3 | Dr. Shabir Ally"></iframe></div></div></figure><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">As we preparing for Ramadan, it’s very important to know some basic things about fasting, what does it mean? What does it require? How long does a fasting day last? What does a typical daily schedule look like for someone fasting? What is the spiritual aspect of fasting? Click this video to watch as Dr. Shabir Ally answers these questions and more!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</p>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-77818041753568509862024-03-04T00:28:00.000-08:002024-03-04T00:28:04.882-08:00Allah Does Something Amazing When You Repent!<p><br /></p><figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="fluid-width-video-wrapper" style="margin: 60px 0px 20px; padding: 494.547px 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 880px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" id="fitvid409021" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tjv1Glc8qQ4?feature=oembed" style="height: 494.547px; left: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 400px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 880px;" title="Allah Does Something Amazing When You Repent"></iframe></div></div></figure><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">How many times has Allah forgiven you after you have repented for your sins? Click to listen to this beautiful reminder from Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan as he makes emphasis about Allah’s immense mercy and love of which is way beyond any justice. Watch to find out more about Allah’s forgiveness upon our lives!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</p>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-65979309406449417882024-03-03T05:56:00.000-08:002024-03-03T05:56:23.746-08:00An Alliance of Knowledge and Power<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKvbyoRF8LxIj6hhOTxqhOI1GGT_HLS3OHL7lKMONXoS9YePe9tf-KxRrRPJyQYacEdeuAPRxkN6bKJQl7RKtIyPYwUfe2jJCH5B-UI4p2_exiPu6Ts24smPV51MTvU6ZfkhQCPiRhx6orABb90Ifkmxra0QGaW0uO8O7-JurRmUIzItKW5Y4cBTCC-X1J" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKvbyoRF8LxIj6hhOTxqhOI1GGT_HLS3OHL7lKMONXoS9YePe9tf-KxRrRPJyQYacEdeuAPRxkN6bKJQl7RKtIyPYwUfe2jJCH5B-UI4p2_exiPu6Ts24smPV51MTvU6ZfkhQCPiRhx6orABb90Ifkmxra0QGaW0uO8O7-JurRmUIzItKW5Y4cBTCC-X1J=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="content-block entry-content" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">It is undeniable that a proper education is a key to the Islamization and revival of the present culture and civilization of Muslims.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">A comprehensive <a href="https://aboutislam.net/family-society/moms-dads/schools-kill-creativity-sir-ken-robinson-education-revolution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">educational vision</a> and plan, coupled with concrete policies and laws and their avid and wise enforcements, account for the most <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/understanding-islam/converts-seeking-knowledge-is-power/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">powerful force</a> that can lead to making the idea of a contemporary Islamic civilization a reality.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">A clever synthesis of knowledge and authority is the best way for taking the idea of modern-day Islamic civilization from the world of abstract ideas to the world of real life challenges and realities.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Indeed, knowledge without its systematic actualization and application is absurd and worthless. Authority, or power, with no support of an adequate and appropriate knowledge and its protagonists, on the other hand, is a hollow and dangerous thing. It is a sham and a farce.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">For knowledge to fully play its projected roles of <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/research-studies/man-created-know-islam-knowledge/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">enlightenment</a>, enrichment, guidance, transformation and progress in the society, it needs the unreserved help and support of genuine and honest authority or power, and its protagonists.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In the same vein, for authority and power to play their own projected roles of guidance, administration, protection and development in society, they need the constant help, advice and direction of knowledge and its own protagonists.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Knowledge and authority need each other for their bare survival. The existence of one of them in the absence of the other is rather illusory. Such an existence is artificial and ineffective in the extreme.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Certainly, it is owing to this that in Islam one of the chief characteristics of a ruler is that he is pious and <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/understanding-islam/take-knowledge-from-the-knowledgeable/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">knowledgeable</a>. He must hold in high esteem the people of knowledge and wisdom regularly consulting and listening to them.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Mutual consultation the Holy Quran highlights as a foremost feature of the Muslim community (Al-Shura <a href="https://quran.com/42/38" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">42: 38</a>).</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Even Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to consult his companions on worldly matters. The Quran explicitly instructed him to do so (Al ‘Imran <a href="https://quran.com/3/159" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">3: 159</a>).</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Correspondingly, knowledge without its practical application and dimension is strongly repudiated and condemned in Islam. So is faith without deeds to supplement and support it. It is thus true to say that knowledge without deeds and theory without practice is like a barren tree.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The Quran declares that it is the learned believing men and women <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/about-muhammad/what-does-it-mean-to-fear-god/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">who fear God most</a>, i.e., they make up the best category of believers as they exemplify and combine knowledge, faith and practice.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">It is important to harmoniously combine true knowledge and its people with genuine and honest authority or power. The wellbeing of the society depends on the appropriateness of their respective services and the health and solidness of the relationships between them.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Abdullah ibn Mubarak, a leading Muslim scholar of the second Hijrah century, was reported to have said:</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">“There are two types of people, when they are good and righteous the whole community becomes good and righteous, but when they are bad and morally corrupt the whole community becomes bad and morally corrupt. Those two types of people are scholars and rulers”.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Thus, it is not the rulers alone who rule and are in charge of the society. Rather, it is the rulers and scholars that are responsible for its administration and <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/about-muhammad/what-can-we-learn-from-the-leadership-of-prophet-muhammad/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">leadership</a>. The public is not to be excluded in the process because they are the target and strength of virtually all laws and policies. Public participation in whatever regulated forms and capacities is crucial and reasonable.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Nor is it that scholars alone are the depositories and owners of the most precious commodity, that is, knowledge. They must apply and share it with others so that all can benefit from it. If there is autocracy or tyranny in relation to authority and power, likewise there could also be intellectual autocracy or tyranny if knowledge becomes personal and concealed, or becomes a manipulated and abused matter.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Truly, knowledge and authority stand for two greatest responsibilities or trusts (<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">amanah</em>) that a person can take up. They are for a common and not for a personal good or gain. They are more about giving than receiving. The rewards for their fulfillment are immense.</p><h4 style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 0px 12px;"><a href="https://aboutislam.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Alliance-Knowledge-Power.pdf?x10486" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span style="color: red; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Read the full article here.</span></span></strong></a></h4><div><br /></div></div><footer class="footer reading-islam box" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author-details box" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author_name" style="border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-color: rgb(0, 210, 241); color: #222222; display: inline-block; font-size: 32px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">About Dr. Spahic Omer</div><div class="author_details" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dr. Spahic Omer, an award-winning author, is an Associate Professor at the Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). He studied in Bosnia, Egypt and Malaysia. In the year 2000, he obtained his PhD from the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur in the field of Islamic history and civilization. His research interests cover Islamic history, culture and civilization, as well as the history and theory of Islamic built environment. He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:spahico@yahoo.com" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">spahico@yahoo.com</a>.</div><div class="author_details" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="author_details" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</div></div></footer>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-77928237017412905762024-02-29T02:17:00.000-08:002024-02-29T02:17:30.635-08:00Why It Is Important to Study Quran Collectively<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH3A_uYQPEJzQe7Z9frgMKgOCYDwau2IECJzxNWzrnvytC4CzlM3Ck_JRrCUXsJTesGNECRj06mz8ugC60WE-evCnZLDO2NLIs4yMledJrNpsIH8eOfP2kUkh91k_Z6SWKszog5BEwG5oWwZ9v1GS4GbEHAp5xRAu6Y0kFL40UP2cEfELkm9lSmk3rw3sp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH3A_uYQPEJzQe7Z9frgMKgOCYDwau2IECJzxNWzrnvytC4CzlM3Ck_JRrCUXsJTesGNECRj06mz8ugC60WE-evCnZLDO2NLIs4yMledJrNpsIH8eOfP2kUkh91k_Z6SWKszog5BEwG5oWwZ9v1GS4GbEHAp5xRAu6Y0kFL40UP2cEfELkm9lSmk3rw3sp=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Your journey through the Quran requires that you seek and join a community of quest and study.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">No doubt you will read the Quran individually. But your benefits will multiply if you join in fellowship with other believers and seekers after the Quran.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In companionship, the states of the heart may be intensified. Many minds joined together may understand meanings better and more correctly.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">And, only by joining with others can you live fully the lives inspired by the Quran and discharge the mission that reading it enjoins upon you.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">By acting and fulfilling that mission you will deserve the fullest possible blessings of the Quran.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px;"><b>Collective Address</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Significantly, the Quranic address is almost always collective. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) from the moment he received the revelation of the Quran, set out to create a community with the Quran at the center of its life, and spent every moment of his life in this effort.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The instruction to ‘read’ was followed, in time, by the command to ‘arise and warn’.</p><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The instruction to continue to {<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">read what has been revealed to you in the Book of your Lord</strong>} is immediately followed, contextually, with the instruction to ‘bind yourself with those who call upon their Lord at morning and evening, desiring His countenance, and let not your eyes turn away from them’ (Al-Kahf 18: 27-28).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">These Quranic teachings clearly and forcefully establish the link between its reading and the need for a strong, closely-knit community rooted in that reading.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Again, no Prayer can be complete without reading the Quran, nor, if it is obligatory and there is no genuine excuse, without fellowship with others (<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jama`ah</em>).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">What is the purpose of reading the Quran in Prayer if not to hear it, understand it and ponder over it? Thus five times a day we should accomplish this purpose in collective endeavor.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;">Delivering the Message</h3><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The duty to communicate the message of the Quran to the whole of mankind also entails that the Quran should be read and explained corporately. The word <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">tilawah</em>, when used with the Arabic preposition <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">`ala</em>, means to communicate, to propagate, to spread, to teach.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">To do the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">tilawah</em> in this way is one of the basic functions of the Prophethood, and, therefore, of his Ummah (Al-Baqarah 2: 129, 151). Surat Al-Jumu`ah (62) emphasizes failing to understand and live by Divine guidance in the context of failing to stay with the Friday Prayer for which every worldly activity must be given up.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The Quran also hints at the reading of the Quran in families and homes in the following verse:</p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 183, 150); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And remember that which is recited in your houses of the revelations of God and the Wisdom</span>} (Al-Ahzab 33:34).</p></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Those who gather together to read and study the Quran are blessed because upon them descend the angels with God’s abundant mercy, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">“<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Whenever people gather in one of the houses of Allah for reading the Quran and teaching it to one another, peace descends upon them, mercy covers them, angels spread their wings over them, and Allah mentions them to those around Him.</strong>” (Muslim)</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">So you should not be content with reading and studying the Quran alone, but should set out to find other seekers and invite them that you may do so together.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 0px 12px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Forms of Collective Study</strong></h2><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Collective study may take two forms:</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">One: Where a small group gathers to study and deliberate upon the Quran so that each participant takes an active part in the process, though some among them may be more knowledgeable than others and one will lead the study. This we shall call <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Halaqah</em>, or Study Circle.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Two: Where a group, small or large, gathers to study the Quran by actively listening to the exposition given by a knowledgeable person. The participants only raise questions. This we shall call ‘<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dars</em>‘, lesson or lecture.</p><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">You should know how to conduct a Study Circle and how to prepare and deliver a <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dars</em>. Here we can discuss only very broad guidelines.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Again, it is important to remember that there can be no standard, fixed procedures. Each person or group will have to develop his or their own method, and each situation will have to be treated on its own. The guidelines given below are only suggestions which you should adapt to your requirements and capabilities. </p><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 0px 12px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Four Basic Rules</strong></h2><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Four rules are basic to the success of any collective study:</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">One: You must always make all the preparations necessary to fulfil your responsibility.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Do not take your task lightly. Do not postpone your preparation till the eleventh hour.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Also, do not consider a quick glance enough, never say anything about the Quran without having given it full consideration.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">It is always better to make note of what you have studied and what you want to say.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Two: Whether you are a novice or you already possess some knowledge, whether you have to give <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dars</em> or participate in discussion in a circle, undertake a study on your own of the selected part, broadly in line with the procedure described earlier.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Three: Always keep your <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">niyah</em> (intention) right, that is, understand and live the Quran in order to seek Allah’s pleasure.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Four: Do not study together merely for pleasure, intellectual curiosity, or argument and discussion. Your studying the Quran together must result in your obeying the Quran together and fulfilling the mission it entrusts to you.<br /></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</p><hr class="wp-block-separator" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><h5 style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 0px 12px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">References</strong></h5><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Taken with slight modifications from the author’s Way to the Quran.</em></p>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-43378596904524349232024-02-28T00:18:00.000-08:002024-02-28T00:19:22.875-08:00Can You Touch Books with Verses of Quran on Your Period?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGTEswxcUgeDpo4peTK5L5L0y41UOm4OVjNq5BWH6B5Sfw_ttiCLZ-nvlwNHu7nuQYOm6pKD6c-f-Esf1nVbzWz0uJq4vE4U3Z6DoxGR27GfSTw8f9uC3TjLRZWAf9hDMjaM4pCaKIKQ6bpmdzFoQmRa2Rjt77EyJ8osOA2XS-jFgaAK4b0zWj3irs4w-r" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGTEswxcUgeDpo4peTK5L5L0y41UOm4OVjNq5BWH6B5Sfw_ttiCLZ-nvlwNHu7nuQYOm6pKD6c-f-Esf1nVbzWz0uJq4vE4U3Z6DoxGR27GfSTw8f9uC3TjLRZWAf9hDMjaM4pCaKIKQ6bpmdzFoQmRa2Rjt77EyJ8osOA2XS-jFgaAK4b0zWj3irs4w-r=w640-h358" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="content-block with-question entry-content" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">There is almost consensus among scholars that a<a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/quran-hadith/can-menstruating-women-touch-books-containing-quranic-verses/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> woman in her period is allowed to touch or carry or use books on Islam</a>, or works of tafsir (Quran exegesis) that may contain verses of the Qur’an.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The only difference of opinion among authentic scholars is about touching or carrying or reading from the entire Quran itself. Although most scholars consider it haram for a woman to touch or carry the full Quran, many scholars have determined it permissible for those who are teachers or students.<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />To repeat: there is absolutely nothing wrong with a woman who is studying Islam to carry or read or touch books or works of tafsir which contain verses of the Quran during menstruation.<br /></p><p class="has-text-color has-vivid-green-cyan-color" style="color: #00d084; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Almighty Allah knows best.</strong></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Source: </strong><a href="https://askthescholar.com/answerdetails?qId=7031" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Askthescholar.com</strong></a></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p></div><footer class="footer ask-the-scholar box" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author-details box" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author_name" style="border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-bottom: 4px solid rgb(0, 183, 150); border-color: rgb(0, 183, 150); border-left-color: rgb(0, 183, 150); border-right-color: rgb(0, 183, 150); border-top-color: rgb(0, 183, 150); color: #222222; display: inline-block; font-size: 32px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">About Sheikh Ahmad Kutty</div><div class="author_details" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sheikh Ahmad Kutty is a Senior Lecturer and an Islamic Scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada</div></div></footer>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-48617531997059576522024-02-27T00:31:00.000-08:002024-02-27T00:31:24.409-08:00Do You Know Your Lord?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVAfrVgwBcH7hV-nwF0zeQQtCGR9IQUM1cbQ3QXVGrPOu1NKb-sEfzcF4pn2p9iwWQryp6Y-JxySMZ8uaSpUOHwZ7cMjAUc6KIi_9YMvjeYT9mtR--5MW1QmLYgSAg_5cRTJysRDNcWodeN8nAO0hFVqCN_0veZ6JZ31EylrJ6ju-WI1cyArSSB-8LIZg0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVAfrVgwBcH7hV-nwF0zeQQtCGR9IQUM1cbQ3QXVGrPOu1NKb-sEfzcF4pn2p9iwWQryp6Y-JxySMZ8uaSpUOHwZ7cMjAUc6KIi_9YMvjeYT9mtR--5MW1QmLYgSAg_5cRTJysRDNcWodeN8nAO0hFVqCN_0veZ6JZ31EylrJ6ju-WI1cyArSSB-8LIZg0=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Man may think that the relationship between him and his Lord is similar to that between children and their parents; that they need them when young and dispense with them when grown up. Their independence may even pull them into ingratitude and forgetfulness of past kindness.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In reality, man’s need for his Lord is eternal, more than an infant for its mother or a plant for light and water. It never ceases.</p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(22, 128, 221); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{Say, “Who provides for you from the sky and from the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes of the affairs?” They will say, “Allah.” Say, “Then will you not fear Him?”}</span> (<a href="http://quran.com/10/31" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">10:31</a>)</p></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Man may imagine that he can escape from the consequences of wronging his Lord through some protection here or there.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In reality, there is nowhere in the universe where he can hide himself, and no one who can give him that protection. Any refuge he takes away from his Maker is weaker than its seeker.</p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(22, 128, 221); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{Or have they gods who can guard them from Us? They have no power to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.}</span> (<a href="http://quran.com/21/43" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">21:43</a>)</p></blockquote><br /><h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;">All Blessings Are From Allah</h3><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Whatever faculties mankind has – such as hearing, sight, and feelings – are from Allah. He may withdraw them any moment He wills and leave the mightiest of all mankind empty-handed, with nothing but utter weakness.</p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(22, 128, 221); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{Say (to the disbelievers), “Tell me, if Allah took away your hearing and your sight, and sealed up your hearts, who is the god, other than Allah, who could restore them to you?” Behold, how We put forth Our Signs in diverse forms, and yet they turn away from them.}</span> (<a href="http://quran.com/6/46" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">6:46</a>)</p></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">To <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/in-focus/introducing-allahs-beautiful-names/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">know Allah</a> is to stand between His Hands, feeling He is what He is and you are what you are.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">You, with your bare reality, undecorated, without any pretenses. And He, with His Sacred Self, absolutely perfect, and free from any defect, want, or insufficiency.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">You, as you really are: weak, poor, and imperfect. And He, as He really is: worthy of all exaltation and glorification.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Without a sense of <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/about-muhammad/gratitude-way-happiness/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">gratitude</a>, man can easily slip into pride and false feelings of adequacy and self-sufficiency, and ultimately independence from Allah. A belief that man is the source of his own sufficiency! That man is his own provider!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">He shuns any reminders of being one of the many needy creatures in this wide universe who constantly need their Creator.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">He sees himself as the product of his own making.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">He believes anything he possesses is his right, rather than a bounty from Allah.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">His own self, in his eyes, gives him power on this earth, and it will empower him in the hereafter.</p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(22, 128, 221); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{And if We let man taste mercy from Us after an adversity that has touched him, he will surely say, “This is what I deserve, and I do not think the Hour will occur; and even if I should be returned to my Lord, indeed, there will be much good (Paradise) stored for me with Him.”}</span> (<a href="http://quran.com/41/50" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">41:50</a>)</p></blockquote><h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;">Glorify Allah</h3><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Why should man think that his name is recorded in heaven and that a place is reserved for him with his Lord when he is finished with this life, if he lives his life ungrateful and unmindful of Him?</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">These are the delusions and empty fancies of proud minds. This is how souls are ruined and their judgment impaired.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Allah created mankind to know and praise Him, not to ignore and deny Him.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Allah draws close, with His Mercy, to those who glorify their Lord publicly and privately and do not overstep their human boundaries.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">They confess their weakness to Him, and He gives them strength.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">They confess their lowliness to Him, and He gives them honor.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">They turn from the strength and power of themselves to the Strength and Power of Allah, and He opens for them the gates of supremacy, success, and fulfillment.</p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(22, 128, 221); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{Whoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make for him a way out (from every difficulty), and He will provide for him from sources he never could imagine. And whoever relies upon Allah, He is sufficient for him.}</span> (<a href="http://quran.com/65/2-3" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">65:2-3</a>)</p></blockquote><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(22, 128, 221); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{O you who believe! Fear Allah, and believe in His Messenger, He will bestow on you a double portion of His Mercy, and provide for you a light by which you shall walk (straight), and He will forgive you (your past).}</span> (<a href="http://quran.com/57/28" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">57:28</a>)</p></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In this arrogant age, people are disinterested in heaven, and interested in clinging to earth; trusting the seen world, and deriding the unseen world; showing strong faith in themselves, and too little faith in Allah Who created them for a purpose much higher than that which they have in view or the end towards which they are working.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">They will continue to deprive themselves of heavenly provisions as long as they persist on this erroneous path.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">They live exposed to anguish after anguish and affliction after affliction:</p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(22, 128, 221); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{And a disaster will not cease to strike those who disbelieve because of their deeds (disbelief and denial) or to descend close to their homes, until the Promise of Allah comes to pass. Certainly, Allah does not fail in His Promise.}</span> (<a href="http://quran.com/13/31" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">13:31</a>)</p></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">From the book “<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Emotional Side of Islam</strong>” by Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghazali.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Translated and adapted by Haya Muhammad Eid and edited by Emily Katharine Richardson.</em></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</em></p>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-4294366855788858012024-02-26T02:03:00.000-08:002024-02-26T02:03:09.470-08:00Why Did the Direction of the Qibla Change?<p><br /></p><figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="fluid-width-video-wrapper" style="margin: 60px 0px 20px; padding: 494.547px 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 880px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" id="fitvid191864" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TGMm3ya9PJw?feature=oembed" style="height: 494.547px; left: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 400px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 880px;" title="The Reason of Change in The Qibla - ILLUSTRATED | Subtitled"></iframe></div></div></figure><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">We all pray towards the Kabbah today, but Muslims used to pray towards Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. Why did the direction of the Qibla change from Al-Aqsa to the Kabbah? Click on this video to find out.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</p>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-15253428395712215082024-02-25T00:05:00.000-08:002024-02-25T00:05:47.347-08:00Is Celebrating the 15th Night of Shaban Allowed?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNnINuM_HZhg4toXvphKWypQJYVon7Di4woX6Jw2ONbACx5L-yF_G_zkogR4A28szJbhDVEqRYD3eq3g1WNREL0nWnynakD1hJ-Xoibmo2WWAQQrLESGNUFl7GQ7kbDW6q5AvU0sCaCBEr72pJF0_EWX810JfwZl6h8u6SlC5zWaWvZYW21j-NQxCXN25U" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNnINuM_HZhg4toXvphKWypQJYVon7Di4woX6Jw2ONbACx5L-yF_G_zkogR4A28szJbhDVEqRYD3eq3g1WNREL0nWnynakD1hJ-Xoibmo2WWAQQrLESGNUFl7GQ7kbDW6q5AvU0sCaCBEr72pJF0_EWX810JfwZl6h8u6SlC5zWaWvZYW21j-NQxCXN25U=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="content-block with-question entry-content" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Truly, there are <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">nafahat</em> (blessed seasons or days) in which your Lord vouchsafes plentiful mercy. So, make sure that you make the best use of such seasons!</strong>” (At-Tabarani)</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">A true believer should purify himself from the fleshly inclinations and the earthly desires and make his aspirations so high and beseech Allah for mercy in such blessed seasons which witness the abundant mercy of Allah.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">One point here to be stressed is that a true Muslim should consider his whole life a long-term season of obedience so as to show gratitude to the everlasting blessing of Allah.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The month of <a href="https://aboutislam.net/shariah/special-coverage-shariah/what-is-the-meaning-of-shaban/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Shaban </a>is the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The fifteenth night of this month is known as<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> laylatul-bara’ah</em> (the Night of Innocence) or<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> laylat un-nisf</em> min <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/hadith-ask-the-scholar/allah-descends-eve-shaban-15-hadith-authentic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Shaban </a>(the Middle Night of <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/acts-of-worship/virtue-fasting-rajab-shaban/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Shaban</a>) in the Arab world.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Afghanistan, etc., it is known as <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">shab-e-barat</em>.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Some people believe that in Surat<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </em>Ad-Dukhan (44:3-4) there is a reference to this night as Allah says, “<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We sent it (the Qur’an) down during a blessed night. We are truly Warners. In that night is made distinct every affair of wisdom.</strong>“</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">But the night referred to here cannot be a <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/misconception/people-die-shaban/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Shaban </a>night because it is said here clearly that the <a href="http://www.quran.com.kw/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Quran</a> was revealed in this night.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">We know from the Surat<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </em>Al-Qadr (97) that the Quran was revealed in the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/acts-of-worship/laylat-al-qadr-the-most-virtuous-night/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Night of Qadr</a> and we also know from the Quran (Al-Baqarah 2:185) that the Quran was revealed in the month of <a href="https://aboutislam.net/shariah/refine-your-heart/tips-and-steps/make-ramadan-success-dont-listen-slackers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Ramadan</a>.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">So it is obvious that the night of the revelation of the Quran was in Ramadan, not Shaban, and that it was <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">laylat ul-qadr</em> (the Night of Power) not <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">shab-e-barat</em>.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Some people also say that in the 2nd year of Hijrah, the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/understanding-islam/the-qiblah-one-direction-one-people-one-god/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">direction of the Qiblah </a>was changed from Jerusalem to the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/acts-of-worship/who-built-the-kabah/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Kabah </a>in Makkah on the 15th day of <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/fasting/fasting-entire-month-shaban-ok/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Shaban</a>. This report is also not confirmed by authentic hadiths.</p><br /><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">According to most of the Quran commentators, the Quran has not mentioned anything about the Shaban night.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">There are some hadiths that speak about the Middle of Shaban and its night. However, the scholars of hadith say that most of the hadiths concerning this night are not authentic. They are weak (<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">da`if</em>) according to the criteria of the narrators and scholars of Hadith.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">These are the things that we learn from some hadiths about the significance of this night. However, there are many practices and customs common in some Muslim countries, such as making a sweet dish, setting off fireworks, etc. These things have no meaning and no reference in hadiths. There are also some superstitious beliefs about this night.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">For example, some people believe that the spirits of the deceased visit their relatives during this night. Some believe that there is a special tree in Heaven upon whose leaves are the names of all human beings, and whatever leaves drop during this night, those people are destined to die in this year.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Some think that the decisions about the life and death of people are made during this night. All these beliefs and superstitions do not belong to the authentic teachings of the Quran and <a href="http://www.sunnah.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Sunnah</a>.</p><br /><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">We must try to follow the Quran and the authentic Sunnah of the blessed Prophet. It is our duty as Muslims to take advantage of all good occasions to revive our faith, to purify our souls, and to increase our love and devotion to Allah (glory be to Him), but we must follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). We must not do anything in our celebrations that is against his teachings.</p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: green; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Almighty Allah knows best.</strong></span></p><p style="line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</strong></span></p></div><footer class="footer ask-the-scholar box" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author-details box" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="author_name" style="border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-color: rgb(0, 183, 150); color: #222222; display: inline-block; font-size: 32px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">About Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi</div><div class="author_details" style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi is the Chairman of the Fiqh Council of North America</div></div></footer>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-89173545808970608622024-02-24T00:13:00.000-08:002024-02-24T00:14:10.235-08:0015 Shaban: Special Significance or Celebrations?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUURJ5WIG12YOe67hUj0HL0ewbYjws4cYzKXR_lyaiMTitw_psuAI1BeLH6-7YUTtKO15WrZghvcwidv_PADxehHjbDGeV6U8B_5DfOh59UfJSDShfzOTO8tVgBNxg4Wrimzj_dFYES5B4xUBKn8KvFS3PpTBIFjK6Ru8GzeFX5maHfzZBU-sGrCDlMjey" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUURJ5WIG12YOe67hUj0HL0ewbYjws4cYzKXR_lyaiMTitw_psuAI1BeLH6-7YUTtKO15WrZghvcwidv_PADxehHjbDGeV6U8B_5DfOh59UfJSDShfzOTO8tVgBNxg4Wrimzj_dFYES5B4xUBKn8KvFS3PpTBIFjK6Ru8GzeFX5maHfzZBU-sGrCDlMjey=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">There are three points in handling this matter:</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The first point</strong> </span>has to do with whether the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/acts-of-worship/special-worship-shaban-15-recommended-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">15th night of Shaban</a> has a special significance; <span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">the second</strong></span> concentrates on whether the Prophet (peace be upon him) celebrated this night; <span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">the third</strong> </span>tackles whether there are special acts to celebrate this night or special supplications to invoke Almighty Allah with.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">When this was circulated in the Muslim world, controversy aroused concerning the correctness of such a deed. The majority of scholars in Makkah and Madinah then, including `Ata’, Ibn Abi Mulaykah, the followers of Malik, and others, disapproved of such a deed, considering it an innovation in religion.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">However, some contemporary scholars see that the reason for celebrating the 15th night of Shaban is mainly to commemorate the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/muslim-creed/changing-the-qiblah-from-jerusalem-to-makkah-why/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">change of the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Makkah</a>, not any other reason. But the date of this change is not certain to be <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-the-scholar/hadith-ask-the-scholar/allah-descends-eve-shaban-15-hadith-authentic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Shaban 15</a>; the exact date of this event is also controversial among scholars.</p><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Anyway, commemorating events also has the legal rulings pertaining to it. I see that there is nothing wrong in commemorating this special event so long as there is nothing wrong committed in this regard and it is done for Almighty Allah’s sake.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Anyway, whatever supplication one offers, it should not contradict the beliefs and rulings we are ordered to abide by.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 0px 12px;">Does 15th night of Shaban have a special significance?</h2><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">First</strong></span>, there are some <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadiths</em> indicating that the 15th night of Shaban is significant. Some scholars classified some of these <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadiths</em> as authentic. On the other hand, some other scholars considered them as <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">daif</em> (weak), yet they hold that these <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadiths</em> may be acted upon by him who seeks to get closer to Almighty Allah with additional acts of worship.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Of these <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadiths</em> is one that is reported by Imam Ahmad and At-Tabarani to the effect that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Almighty Allah descends to the lowest Heaven on the 15th night of Shaban and forgives such number of people that is more than the number of the hairs of the sheep of Banu Kalb (a tribe that has a great number of sheep).”</strong> But At-Tirmidhi said that Imam Al-Bukhari classified this <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadith</em> as weak.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">It was also reported on this subject that Aishah, Mother of the Believers, said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) offered the night vigil Prayer some night, and while he was praying, he prostrated so long that I thought he had passed away, but he lifted his head and finished the Prayer. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“O Aishah (or O Humaira [as he would call her]), have you thought that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would not give you your right?”</strong> I said, “No, by Allah, Allah’s Messenger. But when you stayed prostrating so long, I thought you had passed away.” The Prophet then said, “<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Do you know what night this is?</strong>” I said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This is the 15th night of Shaban. Almighty Allah turns towards His servants on the 15th of Shaban and forgives those who ask for His forgiveness, grants mercy to those who ask for it, and delays (punishing or bringing to account) the evil people.</strong>”</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">This hadith was reported by Al-Baihaqi on the authority of Al-Ala ibn Al-Harith, one of the successors (<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">At-Tabi`un</em>), which means that this <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadith </em>is <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">mursal </em>(reported by a successor immediately on the authority of Mother of the Believers or the Prophet himself without having a Companion in between in the chain of reporters). Al-Baihaqi said this is a good <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">mursal</em> <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadith</em>.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Ibn Majah also reported with a weak chain of reporters on the authority of `Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">When the 15th night of Shaban comes, observe night vigil Prayer during it and fast the following day, for Almighty Allah descends after sunset on that night to the lowest Heaven and says, ‘Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness and I forgive him (or her)? Is there anyone who is in need to ask Me and I provide for his (or her) needs. Is there anyone who is in pain and seeks My help and I help him (or her)? Is there…? Is there…?’ until the time of dawn.</strong>”</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Based on these <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadiths</em> and others, it may be said that the 15th night of Shaban has a special significance. In fact, there is no religious text that stands against this, especially that the merit of the month of Shaban as a whole is established.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Usamah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with both of them) was reported to have said that he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), “I have not seen you observe additional fast during any month [other than Ramadan] as you do in Shaban?” He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, “<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This is a month that people usually forget about between Rajab and Ramadan, and it is a month in which people’s deeds are presented to Allah, so I like that my deeds are presented while I am fasting.</strong>” (An-Nasa’i)</p><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 0px 12px;">Did Prophet Muhammad celebrate 15 Shaban?</h2><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The second point</strong></span> to be dealt with is whether he (peace and blessings be upon him) celebrated this night. In this regard, it was established that the way he (peace and blessings be upon him) celebrated this month was by fasting during it.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">As to whether the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) observed night vigil Prayer on this night, he (peace and blessings be upon him) would regularly observe night vigil Prayers during nights, and observing night vigil Prayer on this night is like doing so during the other nights.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Hence, observing night vigil Prayer on the 15th of Shaban may be recommended, as supported by the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadiths</em> reported above, especially the one in which he (peace and blessings be upon him) advised his Companions to observe night vigil Prayer on it and the one reported by Aishah to the effect that he (peace and blessings be upon him) observed night vigil Prayer on it. Though these Hadiths are weak, they are dependable in seeking to get close to Almighty Allah with additional acts of worship.</p><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">This indicates that he (peace and blessings be upon him) celebrated that night in this way individually, not in the congregation with his Companions. Neither he (peace and blessings be upon him) nor his Companions (may Allah be pleased with all of them) would offer celebrations on this night as people do nowadays.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The celebrations seen nowadays on this night began in the era of the followers of the righteous predecessors. According to <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-Mawahib Al-Ladduniyyah</em>, vol. 2, by Al-Qastalani, the successors in the Levant, such as Khalid ibn Mi`dan and Makhul would observe further additional acts of worship on the 15th night of Shaban, and, hence, people followed them in assuming special significance to this night. It was even said that those followers would follow Israelite reports concerning the merit of this night.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Al-Qastalani then said that there were two different views among the scholars of the Levant regarding how to celebrate this night. The first opinion says that it is recommendable that people congregate in mosques to offer night vigil Prayer as a way of celebrating it. Khalid ibn Mi`dan, Luqman ibn `Amir, and others would dress in their best clothes, wear kohl and perfume, and offer night vigil Prayer on this night. Ishaq ibn Rahawiyah was reported by Harb Al-Karamani to have approved of this opinion saying that observing night vigil Prayer in congregations in mosques on this night is not an innovation.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The second view is to the effect that it is reprehensible that people congregate in mosques especially on this night to offer night vigil Prayer and supplicate in groups, but it is not reprehensible that one offers night vigil Prayer on this night individually. This opinion was held by Al-Awza`i, the Imam of the scholars of the Levant.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Al-Qastalani also tackled in <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-Mawahib Al-Ludaniyah</em> the opinions of Imam Ahmad on the issue. According to him, there is no specific view reported to have been held by Imam Ahmad with regard to celebrating the 15th night of Shaban. His opinions in this regard are concluded from the views attributed to him concerning observing night vigil Prayers on the nights of the two `Eids. He had two points of views in this regard.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">He was reported to have said that observing night vigil Prayers on the nights of the two Eids is not recommendable, for neither the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) nor his Companions would do so.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">However, he was also reported to have considered observing night vigil Prayers on these nights as recommendable, for Abdur-Rahman ibn Zaid ibn Al-Aswad, a successor, would do so. These views may apply also to the case of the 15th night of Shaban.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">To sum up what Al-Qastalani said on the issue, scholars have differed concerning observing night vigil Prayer on the 15th night of Shaban in congregations in mosques: some are for and some are against. Hence, I see that since the issue is controversial, one may follow one of these opinions without showing extreme opposition against the other view.</p><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 0px 12px;">Any duaa to be offered on 15 Shaban?</h2><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #ff6600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The third point</strong></span> to be discussed here has to do with whether there are special supplications to be offered on this night and whether it is lawful to observe the night vigil Prayer then with the intention of concentrating on asking Almighty Allah to prolong one’s life and enrich one.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Offering optional Prayer with the intention of doing so as a means of getting closer to Almighty Allah is wholeheartedly recommendable. Furthermore, it is an act of sunnah to offer supererogatory Prayers in the time between Maghrib and Isha Prayers and after the Isha Prayer. But offering an optional Prayer so that Almighty Allah may prolong one’s life and enrich one has no basis in Shariah.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">An-Nawawi said in his book <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-Majmu</em>: Ar-Ragha’ib Prayer, i.e., a 12-<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">rak`ah </em>Prayer between Maghrib and Isha Prayers said to be recommendable on the first Friday of Rajab, and the 100-<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">rak`ah</em> Prayer said to be recommendable on the 15th night of Shaban are innovations in religion. Their being mentioned in eminent books like <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Qut Al-Qulub</em> by Abu Talib Al-Makki and <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ihya Ulum Ad-Din </em>by Imam Al-Ghazali should not make people believe that they are really recommendable acts of sunnah. Besides, the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadith</em> mentioning these Prayers is not an authentic one, and the eminent scholars who thought that these Prayers are recommendable are wrong in their judgment in this respect.</p><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Moreover, Sheikh Abu Muhammad Abdur-Rahman ibn Isma`il Al-Maqdisi wrote a great book specially to refute these two <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadiths</em>. (Al-Azhar Magazine, vol. 2, p. 515)</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Concerning offering special supplications on this night, there is also no authentic <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadith</em> reported in this respect. What is reported in this regard is Aishah’s saying: “I heard him—the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)—saying, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">‘O Allah! I seek refuge in Your pardon against Your punishment, I seek refuge in Your pleasure against Your displeasure, and I seek refuge in You against You (Your wrath). Whatever great praises I attribute to You, they cannot stand comparison with the praises You, Almighty, has attributed to Yourself’.</strong>” (Al-Bayhaqi on the authority of Al-Ala ibn Al-Harith)</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The supplication circulated nowadays as recommendable to be offered on this night is: “O Allah, Who has favors unto His servants and no one is to have favor unto Him! O Allah, the Owner of majesty and honor. O Allah, the Owner of wealth and enrichment. There is no god but You, the Supporter of the refugees, the Helper of those who appeal for help, and Granter of security for panic-stricken. O Allah, if You had destined in the Preserved Tablet that I be unhappy, or deprived, or expelled, or poor, I beg Your Pardon, O Allah, to remove with Your grace my unhappiness or deprivation, or expulsion, or poverty.”</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">There are some other words that have been reported to be included in this supplication. These are “O my Lord! By Your greatest turning towards Your servants on the 15th night of Shaban, in which every wise command is decided and made clear, grant me such-and-such …” This addition is made by Sheikh Ma’ Al-`Aynayn Ash-Shanqiti in his book <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Na`t Al-Bedayat</em>.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">This supplication was not reported to have been said by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It was, rather, reported to have been said by `Umar ibn Al-Khattab and `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with both of them). `Umar was one of the rightly–guided caliphs whose tradition the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered Muslims to hold fast to. Besides, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered Muslims in another hadith to follow in the footsteps of `Umar ibn Al-Khattab and Abu Bakr As-Siddiq. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also ordered Muslims to follow the guidance of his Companions in general.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">But we are not certain that this supplication was really said by `Umar and Ibn Mas`ud and that it was received with no opposition on part of the other Companions. We are also not certain of the authenticity of what Ibn `Umar and Ibn Mas`ud were reported to have said about the significance of this supplication, namely, “To any servant who offered this supplication Allah granted what he wanted.” (Ibn Abi Shaybah and Ibn Abi Ad-Dunyah)</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">There are two points in this supplication discussed by scholars in detail. The first is regarding one’s asking Almighty Allah to remove one’s bad fortunes from the Preserved Tablet (a record that contains Almighty Allah’s established knowledge about His creation).</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Explaining this part of the supplication, scholars said that what is written in the Preserved Tablet is what Almighty Allah has destined for His servants. This includes what is conditional on a certain supplication a servant offers or an act he accomplishes, and includes also what is not conditional, i.e., the decided-upon destinies.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Hence, supplications and good deeds benefit one as far as the conditional destinies are concerned, while their effectiveness with regard to the unconditional destinies is manifested only in lessening the burden one may bear in this respect, as said in the supplication “O Allah! I do not ask You to change what You have already destined for me, but I beseech You to lessen its burden on me.” It was also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Supplications have positive effects on what has already taken place and what has not yet.</strong>”</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The Companions asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), “For what should we work now, for that which has already been destined or that which is yet to come?” He (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“For that which has already been destined.”</strong> The Companions said, “Why should we work then?” He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Carry on doing (good) deeds, for everybody will find it easy to do such deeds as will lead him to his destined place for which he has been created.</strong>” (<a href="https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/imam-al-bukhari-brief-biography/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Al-Bukhari</a>)</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In another version of this Hadith, the Companions asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), “Shall we not depend upon what has been written for us and give up deeds?” He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He who is destined to be among the happy (in the Hereafter) will find it easy to do the deeds characteristic of such people, while he who is destined to be among the miserable ones will find it easy to do the deeds characteristic of such people. So carry on doing (good) deeds, for everybody will find it easy to do such deeds as will lead him to his destined place for which he has been created.</strong>”</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) recited Almighty Allah’s words: <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(As for him who give and is dutiful (toward Allah) and believeth in goodness, surely We will ease his way unto the state of ease. But as for him who hoard and deem himself independent? And disbelieve in goodness, surely We will ease his way unto adversity. His riches will not save him when he perish)</strong> (Al-Layl 92:5-10)</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">However, according to Al-Alusi and Al-Fakhr Ar-Razi, some scholars did not approve of this explanation of the possibility of removing something from the Preserved Tablet. They say that this may be done in the records that angels write concerning people’s deeds, not in the Preserved Tablet.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The second point discussed by scholars with regard to this supplication is concerning saying that the 15th night of Shaban is the night on which every wise command is decided and made clear, quoting this from a Qur’anic verse. This is not right. According to `Ikrimah, he who says so cannot be right at any rate, for the verse referred to here states clearly that the Qur’an was revealed in this night. It is established that the Qur’an was revealed in the Night of Qadr and this night is in the month of Ramadan, not Shaban.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">There is also a <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">da`if</em> hadith to the effect that the time of death prescribed for one may be postponed from Shaban to another Shaban to the extent that one might marry and have a child, while his name had been among the dead in the Preserved Tablet (<em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Al-Mawahib Al-Laduaniyyah</em>, vol. 2, p. 260). Though this <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadith</em> is <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">da`if</em>, some scholars tried to reconcile between its meaning and the other religious texts that seem to contradict it, saying that what takes place in Shaban is copying what is in the Preserved Tablet into the records that angels write, [and therein may occur the change].</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">But I believe that there is no need for one to resort to such controversial supplications, as there are many other supplications from the Qur’an and the authentic <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hadiths</em> that one may offer sincerely in one’s prayers.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: green; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Allah Almighty knows best.</strong></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</strong></span></p>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-65097309160955530622024-02-23T00:04:00.000-08:002024-02-23T00:04:28.817-08:00How Sincerity Brings Us Blessings<p><br /></p><figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="fluid-width-video-wrapper" style="margin: 60px 0px 20px; padding: 494.547px 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 880px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" id="fitvid113349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Y69bGLcatA?feature=oembed" style="height: 494.547px; left: 0px; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 400px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 880px;" title="The Blessings of Sincerity | Shaykh Dr. Yasir Qadhi"></iframe></div></div></figure><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Sometimes we overlook some little good deeds we do, without realizing that Allah (SWT) has taken notice of them . Watch this interesting video from Dr. Yasir Qadhi to learn how an act done out of sincerity can bring us blessings from Allah (SWT). Very interesting! - aboutislam.net</p>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4075449929887795672.post-61774591230752163502024-02-22T00:19:00.000-08:002024-02-22T00:19:04.556-08:00What are the Benefits of Five Daily Prayers?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdrl-Mh3E9dwDp8jjpT9vPmjwa2HwcOh-Jwcd39iOWIhsHiH0fnwDGAyjmodUoCUJHXEaUWt658RDLz2qjP5PdU_pOOA8B9vB4vd142LMSzcdZjin-zJwnVhr0Ay93M0Y8yJAxxMQANSFJ6Qr2MD_ST27QuAMLialPIIVYXLbP2K24tA5td0jnMU-Nx6qv" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdrl-Mh3E9dwDp8jjpT9vPmjwa2HwcOh-Jwcd39iOWIhsHiH0fnwDGAyjmodUoCUJHXEaUWt658RDLz2qjP5PdU_pOOA8B9vB4vd142LMSzcdZjin-zJwnVhr0Ay93M0Y8yJAxxMQANSFJ6Qr2MD_ST27QuAMLialPIIVYXLbP2K24tA5td0jnMU-Nx6qv=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px;">Praying five times a day is considered so important to Muslims that we call it one of the Five Pillars of Islam.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In other words, along with the declaration of faith, <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/in-focus/stories-of-converts-first-ramadan-folder/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">fasting in Ramadan</a>, paying of <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Zakat</em> and going on pilgrimage once in one’s life to Makkah, prayer is considered essential if we are to call ourselves Muslims.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">As with everything in Islam, there is a reason behind all the things we do. Sometimes, if we don’t understand these underlying reasons, many things can just appear as external rules and regulations.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Modern men and women are not looking for extra burdens to put on their backs, so there is much more to praying than observing a regulation.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;">There is Much More to Prayer</h3><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Contrary to what many people think, there is much more to prayer than just asking for things!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Of course, we ask things of Almighty God, but we can also spend time thanking Him and praising Him. Indeed, the angels in heaven exist just to do this.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In the holy Quran we read:</p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 210, 241); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">{Most surely, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find solace.} </span>(<a href="http://www.quran.com/13/28" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">13:28</a>)</p></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In the Call to Prayer (the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/my-journey-to-islam/adhan-changed-something-inside/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Adhan</em></a>), which is called from the mosque five times a day, the caller says these words: “Come to prayer. Come to Success.”</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">In the Call for the Morning Prayer, he even adds the phrase, “Prayer is better than sleep.”</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">There is really nothing more beautiful in a Muslim country to wake up in the morning to hear Allah’s name being mentioned from every part of the city.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Even for those who are the only Muslims in their town, though, the morning Call to Prayer reminds them just how beautiful a gift prayer really is.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Imagine an air-raid siren being sounded in time of war. People hear the siren and run as fast as they can to take cover from the bombs that would soon be falling on them.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Adhan</em> is like this air-raid siren, but instead of calling people to take shelter from bombs it is asking them to come to God Almighty and take shelter from the cares of this life.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;">Prayer is a Gift</h3><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">You see, prayer is not an escape from reality. It is an escape <strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">to</em></strong> reality. In prayer, we can put all things in perspective and see what is really important in life.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">When our foreheads are touching the ground in prayer we can’t fool anyone.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Maybe in life, we manage to fool others by the way we dress or by the words we use.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Sometimes we even manage to fool ourselves. But Allah is not to be fooled.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">He not only created the heavens and the earth and everything in between, but He also knows every leaf that falls from every tree. This is why we can truly be ourselves in His presence when we pray.</p><div class="wp-block-image" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguhOw9y2lomLehCRApMvTP9xM8JPXmrY6jYoK-SGTv5-iHUFRTJkYQlPvdXPts7eeH-F-q5vxXPdHWeURIt-2iZB3R1a9eSNdn0EyAYzEz7cnv7DMFajVyNgLF2vHuoX8xQPt7fWy9mTkfDNMKHPvYCEIxZqq6q8pM80J6vGQLl7U-89LnsnR1uObWNXQM" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="171" data-original-width="300" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguhOw9y2lomLehCRApMvTP9xM8JPXmrY6jYoK-SGTv5-iHUFRTJkYQlPvdXPts7eeH-F-q5vxXPdHWeURIt-2iZB3R1a9eSNdn0EyAYzEz7cnv7DMFajVyNgLF2vHuoX8xQPt7fWy9mTkfDNMKHPvYCEIxZqq6q8pM80J6vGQLl7U-89LnsnR1uObWNXQM=w400-h228" width="400" /></a></div></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">For Muslims, praying is not a regulation. It is a gift.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;">So why five prayers, and why at certain set times during the day?</h3><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">You know, of all the Pillars of Islam, praying five times a day was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in heaven.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">At first, he was told that Muslims should pray fifty times, but Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) urged Muhammad to go back and say that this was too much.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Allah Almighty then said ten times, and again Moses (peace be upon him) persuaded Muhammad (peace be upon him) to plead that this was too much.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Finally, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was told that Muslims must pray five times a day, and Allah added,</p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote" style="background: rgb(0, 210, 241); border-radius: 10px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 0px 20px 0px; color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 30px; margin: 50px 52.7969px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative;"><p style="line-height: 30px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“I have enforced My obligation and made it light for my servants. He who prays these five prayers will be rewarded as if he had prayed fifty. What I decree cannot be changed.” <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(Al-Bukhari)</span></p></blockquote><h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Permeate the Whole Day with the Remembrance of Allah</strong></h3><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The regulation of praying at certain set times is not just a random idea. The whole idea is to permeate the whole of one’s day with the remembrance of Allah.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Some new Muslims say that they lead very busy lives and ask if it is OK to say all the five prayers together in the evening when they have more time.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">It is precisely because we live busy lives that we must pray at certain times.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The times are simple: when we get up, at noon, in the middle of the afternoon, in the early evening and at night.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">By praying at these set times we give a routine of prayer to our day. We wake up thinking of Allah and we spend the day interrupting all of our busyness to think of Him again.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">So, if you are new to Islam is it easy to adjust to the routine of praying at five fixed times a day?</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Well, in my own case it certainly wasn’t easy and it took me some time to get used to it.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">So if at first, you are not feeling all that uplifted by getting up to pray at four in the morning, stick with it. The routine itself will help you.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">By doing good things we become good people. The routine of prayer will make you a better Muslim.</p><h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;">Useful Practical Tips</h3><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">A few simple tips might help. If you find it difficult to get up for the Dawn Prayer, then buy yourself a loud alarm clock, or even two or three, and have them so far out of your reach that you have to get up to turn them off!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">You might at first even get your telephone company to give you a wake-up call.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">As well as an alarm clock, you can also get an alarm clock that will sound the call to Prayer five times a day. There are many Muslim bookshops that sell these and you could probably even get one online.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">This kind of clock is especially helpful if you live in a country where the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Adhan</em> is not called publicly. If that is not possible, set your mobile phone to vibrate and be reminded of the prayer times even while you are in the office!</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCnlt0cpFZpXrqZjuWfz0Gp6xUgbn7ou2q49uTRGfqZDRtZGKMtm8Oxqpqd59rAWbj7KpIIbMS6WbkdMoWPm98z0iB0aswZOJQ7t8qj_Q7jvEa340e5bctJtgsR24drICrItZUgSazrxrrop3BkyLLQR1WUtUzcsG5yKRkd2w5Q-A7SfGsgaxCXCLci8-D" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="300" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCnlt0cpFZpXrqZjuWfz0Gp6xUgbn7ou2q49uTRGfqZDRtZGKMtm8Oxqpqd59rAWbj7KpIIbMS6WbkdMoWPm98z0iB0aswZOJQ7t8qj_Q7jvEa340e5bctJtgsR24drICrItZUgSazrxrrop3BkyLLQR1WUtUzcsG5yKRkd2w5Q-A7SfGsgaxCXCLci8-D=w400-h248" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Catamaran; font-size: 38px; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 80px 0px 12px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How to Curb Distractions</strong></h3><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">A problem people sometimes have in prayer is that they are distracted and cannot <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/finding-peace/remembering-allah/5-practical-steps-to-maintain-focus-in-prayer/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">concentrate</a>.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">Well, it all depends on how well prepared we are. If we are going to our prayers straight from watching a football match or a sitcom on the TV, then our thoughts will not be on Allah alone. So we need to take time in preparing for prayer.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">This, in fact, is what the <a href="https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/understanding-islam/physical-purity-a-condition-of-prayer/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">ablution</a> gives us time to do.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">As we wash away the dirt that clings to our bodies, we prepare for the prayer to wash away the dirt that clings to our hearts and our lives.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">So, for those new to Islam, setting off on a journey of prayer will bring great <a href="https://aboutislam.net/counseling/ask-about-islam/prayer-islam-benefits/" style="color: #fe9601; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none;">benefits</a>.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">The greatest one of all is that it will help us to put our lives into perspective, seeing that all things come from Allah and that it is to Allah that all will return.</p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 25px; line-height: 38px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">- aboutislam.net</p><div class="author_name" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-color: rgb(0, 210, 241); color: #222222; display: inline-block; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 32px; font-weight: 900; line-height: 35px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; padding: 0px;">About Idris Tawfiq</div><div class="author_details" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", cursive; font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Idris Tawfiq</strong> was a British writer, public speaker and consultant.He became a Muslim around 15 years ago.For many years, he was head of religious education in different schools in the United Kingdom.Before embracing Islam, he was a Roman Catholic priest.He passed away in peace in the UK in February 2016 after a period of illness.May Allah (SWT) have mercy on him, and accept his good deeds. Ameen.</div>Mohd. Kamal Abdullahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921706296258464449noreply@blogger.com0