Imam Suhaib's Ramadan Advice (Audio)

Like a dear friend visiting us after a long absence, the month of Ramadan is now knocking on the door of our hearts. What can we do to welcome this beloved guest? How can we be gracious hosts and enrich our lives through this month? In this rebroadcast of Al-Madina Institute’s teleconference call, Imam Suhaib Webb speaks on what goals we should have and what we can do to make the most of our opportunities in this holy month.

Kindly  follow the URL to get the Audio...
http://almadinainstitute.org/audio/ramadan-advice/

Quran Explore

I would like you all to view this site and listen learn and explore religion......

http://www.quranexplorer.com/

Be Different. Be Productive - Principles of Productivity & Spiritual Productivity

I want all brothers and sisters to (Must Watch) this video........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxVaeRkVaZ4&feature=BFa&list=PL753ED73A1EEDD485

Soothe Pain – Reflect on Surah Duha – The Glorious Morning Light

SURA 93. Dhuha, or The Glorious Morning Light
1. By the Glorious Morning Light,
2. And by the Night when it is still,-
3. Thy Guardian-Lord hath not forsaken thee, nor is He displeased.
4. And verily the Hereafter will be better for thee than the present.
5. And soon will thy Guardian-Lord give thee [that wherewith] thou shalt be
well-pleased.
6. Did He not find thee an orphan and give thee shelter [and care]?
7. And He found thee wandering, and He gave thee guidance.
8. And He found thee in need, and made thee independent.
9. Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness,
10. Nor repulse the petitioner [unheard];
11. But the bounty of the Lord – rehearse and proclaim!

Reflect

1. This surah  is a message of affection, the touch of a benevolent hand to soothe pain and remove hardship. At the same time, it generates an air of contentment and confident hope.

2.  The sūrah is dedicated in its entirety to the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is a message from his Lord which touches his heart with pleasure, joy, tranquillity and contentment. All-in-all, it proffers mercy and compassion to his restless soul and suffering heart.

3. Several accounts mention that the revelation of the Qur’ān to the Prophet came, at one stage, to a halt and that the angel Gabriel stopped coming to him for a while. The unbelievers therefore said, “Muĥammad’s Lord has bidden him farewell!” God therefore revealed this sūrah.

4. Revelation, Gabriel’s visits and the link with God were the Prophet’s whole equipment along his precarious path. They were his only solace in the face of hard rejection and his sole comfort against outright repudiation. They were the source from which he derived his strength to stand steadfast against the unbelievers who were intent on rebuff and refusal, and on directing a wicked, vile attack against the Prophet’s message and the faith he preached.

5. When the revelation was withheld, the source of strength for the Prophet was cut off. His life spring was sapped and he longed for his heart’s friend. Alone he was left in the wilderness, without sustenance, water, or the accustomed companionship of his beloved friend. It was a situation which heavily taxed human endurance.

6. Such tenderness, mercy, satisfaction and solace are all felt in the sweet and soothing words which softly thread along the sūrah echoing the morning hours and still night, the times most conducive to clarity. During these periods one’s reflections flow like a stream, and the human soul is best able to communicate with the universe and its Creator. It feels the universe worshipping its Lord and turning towards Him in praise with joy and happiness.

7.  The sūrah then goes on to remind the Prophet of his Lord’s attitude towards him from the very beginning of his mission so that he can reflect on how favourably God treats him. This to make him recall the happy memories of divine kindness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ip7rTyDxh78

Read in the name of God, Reflect on Surah Alaq – The Clot of Blood

SURA 96. Alaq,The Clot of Blood
1. Proclaim! [or read!] in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created-
2. Created man, out of a [mere] clot of congealed blood:
3. Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,-
4. He Who taught [the use of] the pen,-
5. Taught man that which he knew not.
6. Day, but man doth transgress all bounds,
7. In that he looketh upon himself as self-sufficient.
8. Verily, to thy Lord is the return [of all].
9. Seest thou one who forbids-
10. A votary when he [turns] to pray?
11. Seest thou if he is on [the road of] Guidance?-
12. Or enjoins Righteousness?
13. Seest thou if he denies [Truth] and turns away?
320
14. Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?
15. Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock,-
16. A lying, sinful forelock!
17. Then, let him call [for help] to his council [of comrades]:
18. We will call on the angels of punishment [to deal with him]!
19. Day, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer
[to Allah]!

Action Plan


1. This is the first sūrah of the Qur’ān, so it starts with the name of God. It instructs God’s Messenger right at the very first moment of his blessed contact with the Supreme society and before taking his very first step along the way of the message he was chosen to deliver, to read in the name of God.


2.  Here also emerges the fact of man’s teaching by the Creator. The pen has always been the most widespread means of learning and it has always had the most far- reaching impact on man’s life. This fact was not as clear at the time of revelation as it is now. But God knows the value of the pen; hence, this reference to the pen at the beginning of this His final message to humanity, in the first sūrah of the Qur’ān. Yet God’s Messenger charged with the delivery of this message could not write. Had the Qur’ān been his own composition, he would not have stressed this fact at the first moment. But the Qur’ān is a message God has revealed.


3. The sūrah then states the source of learning, which is God. From Him man receives all his knowledge, past, present and future. From Him man learns any secret revealed to him about this universe, life and himself.


4. This single paragraph revealed at the very first moment of the Islamic message states the comprehensive basis of faith and its concepts. Everything starts, works and moves in His name. He is the One who creates, originates and teaches. Whatever man learns and whatever experience and knowledge he acquires come originally from God. He has taught man what he did not know. The Prophet recognized this basic Qur’ānic fact. It governed his feelings, teachings and practices for the rest of his life because it is the principal fact of faith.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DPX6OKsS5iE

Science daily

This site is for those who love science and can also consult on Health and Medicine etc. 
Must see
http://www.sciencedaily.com/

Ramadan Detox (Must watch)

Must watch this video it's the perfect blend of diet and other important manageable aspects of Ramadan....
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTKGVKkLC-k

Ramadan Karim

Every person in this world has a life that’s an epic story, full of joys and sadnesses, challenges and opportunities, and ‘defining moments’ – moments in which a person comes to a realization, a deep awareness about themself, and decides to change something inside.  Such moments are when a person makes an intense resolve from their heart; they make a commitment, an oath to themself, and ‘turn a new leaf’, and their life becomes very different than it was before, by God’s leave.

We find that Allah Most High gives us ample opportunities in our lives for these moments – these chances to turn to a fresh page and a fresh start.  Ramadan is one of them, and perhaps even the best of them.  It is a time for us to sit with our own selves and ask, “How long will you be happy with dry eyes and heart-less prayers?  Why – when you think about reading the Qur’an – is the cover of that Book so heavy, as if it’s cover weighs a thousand pounds or more?  How long will you keep convincing yourself that the sins you commit have no effect and don’t touch your heart, when it’s been so long since you’ve felt His Nearness?”

Ramadan is here, brothers and sisters, and it’s telling us: make this your defining moment.  Isn’t it time?  Hasn’t Allah the Exalted said, “Has not the time come for the hearts of the believers to submit and humble themselves?”

Make this the month that we come back to Allah, no matter how far we’ve gone, and how distant we are from His company and nearness.  A poet said, “Come wanderer, O lover of leaving… Ours is not a caravan of despair.”  No matter how far we are from Him, and how long we’ve been away, know that Allah giving us life to witness this Ramadan is a sign that He has left the door open for us to turn back to Him.  Your sins are great, and mistakes and weaknesses are many, you may say – but His mercy, compassion and loving grace to His servants are far greater and far more vast.  Ours is not a caravan of despair, or of giving up; ours is a caravan of loving mercy and continuously turning back to Him.

This is the month in which we can strive to overcome the weights our nafs put down on us, that make going to the masjid so heavy and difficult, that make opening the Qur’an and reading it an impossible task, that make prayer so burdensome.  This is the month in which we can bring life to these acts, and in which Allah facilitates and makes them easy for us to help us taste their sweetness.

A poet said, in a loving welcome of Ramadan,

Peace be upon you,

O month of fasting

Month of night vigil

Month of Qur’an

Month of forgiveness

Month of security

Month of glowing lanterns

Month of sleepless eyes

Month of scented pulpits

Month of burning hearts

We welcome you O blessed month, month of opportunity, redemption and hope.  May you be the means for our lives to change, our faith to be rekindled and our hearts illumined in His Nearness. Ameen.

It's For All Mothers ♥

Mother You filled my days with rainbow lights,
fairytales and sweet dream nights,
A kiss to wipe away my tears,Gingerbread to ease my fears.
You gave the gift of life to me,
And then in love, you set me free.
I thank you for your tender care,
for deep warm hugs and being there.
I hope that when you think of me,
A part of you, you'll always see. ♥ 

The Fast of Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven, a guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation".

It is during this month that Muslims fast. It is called the Fast of Ramadan and lasts the entire month. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is a time of worship and contemplation.

During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. In the evening following the iftar it is customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends. The fast is resumed the next morning.

According to the Holy Quran:

One may eat and drink at any time during the night "until you can plainly distinguish a white thread from a black thread by the daylight: then keep the fast until night"

The good that is acquired through the fast can be destroyed by five things -

the telling of a lie

slander

denouncing someone behind his back

a false oath

greed or covetousness

These are considered offensive at all times, but are most offensive during the Fast of Ramadan.

During Ramadan, it is common for Muslims to go to the Masjid(Mosque) and spend several hours praying and studying the Quran. In addition to the five daily prayers, during Ramadan Muslims recite a special prayer called the Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). The length of this prayer is usually 2-3 times as long as the daily prayers. Some Muslims spend the entire night in prayer.

On the evening of the either the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th day* of the month, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr(the Night of Power). It is believed that on this night Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran. And according to the Quran, this is when God determines the course of the world for the following year.

*(According to Wikipedia: "Laylat al-Qadr is to be found in the last 10 nights of Ramadan. There is no history in the Quran as to when the specific date is... What directs us to this is the Prophet's :saw: saying: "Look for it (i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) when there remain nine nights, when there remains seven nights, or when there remains five nights (i.e. 21st, 23 rd, 25th, 27th and 29th."))

When the fast ends (the first day of the month of Shawwal) it is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation and for large meals. In some cities fairs are held to celebrate the end of the Fast of Ramadan.

Ramadan: A Month of Fasting and Faith (For Kids)

The Muslim holiday of Ramadan is a monthlong observance. It honors the revelation of the Holy Word to Muhammad.

During this month, Muslims fast (or don't eat or drink) for the entire time the Sun is up. At sundown, they have a special meal called the iftar. They then go out and visit family and friends.

It is common during Ramadan for Muslims to pray many times during the day or the night. Prayers are said at least five times a day, and Ramadan prayers (calledTaraweeh) are usually much longer than ordinary prayers.   

On the 27th day of the month of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the Al-Qadr, or Night of Power. This is the night on which Allah delivered the Quran to Muhammad. And, the Quran says, it is on this night that Allah determines the course of the world for the next year.

After an entire month, Ramadan ends with the feast of Eid-Ul-Fitr. Friends and families get together for large meals and togetherness. Some cities have large celebrations.
In all, Ramadan is usually a quiet time, spent mostly in prayer and inner thoughts. Nightly meals are usually quiet gatherings. The focus is on faith.

Worship: The Essence of True Humility

God created human beings to worship Him and a practicing Muslim, in essence, should be able to worship God in every second, every hour and every day. Islam is a way of life and it means nothing more, or less, than total submission to one God.

{And I (God) created not the jinn and humans except they should worship Me Alone.} (Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)

The concept of God in Islam describes Him as the most merciful and the most loving and whatever He prescribes for humankind is in their best interest. Total submission to the will of Almighty God is a pathway to purity, peace and ultimately Paradise.

The word The Quran most frequently uses to describe the act of worship is Ibadah. Ibadah is the root of the word ‘ubudiyyah, which means to express one’s humility or humbleness, and as with most Arabic words there are many shades of meaning. Ibadah involves more than an awareness of humility. It is the complete sense of humbleness that overcomes one who is totally submitted to the will of God. Worship is submission to God, the essential part of submission is humility.

{So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him)} (Al-Hijr 15:98)

Therefore, humility can guide one to Paradise, just as its opposite, arrogance, kibr in Arabic, can only lead one into Hell. It is Satan’s arrogance that caused his expulsion from Paradise; when he refused to humbly obey God’s command and prostrate before Adam, the father of mankind, he condemned himself and his followers to Hell. Satan’s lack of submission, or humility, resulted in one of the most pious of God’s creatures falling into the abyss.

{Except Satan, he refused to be among the prostrators.  God said: O Satan!  What is your reason for not being among the prostrators?  ‘Satan said: 'I am not the one to prostrate myself to a human being, whom You created from sounding clay...} (Al-Hijr 15: 31-35)

No one who behaves arrogantly or who acts as if he or she has power over others is capable of true submission. All power and strength is from God alone.  All human beings are equal in the sight of God and the distinctions between nations, tribes, and families are only to know each other and not for the sake of pride.

{O mankind!  We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another.  Verily, the most honorable of you with God is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa (God consciousness). Verily, God is All-Knowing, All-Aware} (Al-Hujurat 49:15)

Humility is Piety

The main pillar of worship is the prayer. The congregational prayer is performed in rows where all men stand before God as equals. There is no special place for the rich or powerful, the meek and poor are not relegated to the back lines. Each man bows his head in humility knowing that his brothers on either side of him are equally important in the sight of God. Only one thing raises one man or woman above another – piety. True piety or righteousness is not achievable without cultivating a sense of humility.

God says: {And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth.  Verily, God likes not each arrogant boaster}(Luqman 31: 18)

Humility is one of the greatest blessings God can bestow on a human being. It allows one to achieve genuine submission

Humility comes from knowing about God and recognizing His greatness, venerating Him, loving Him and being in awe of Him; and it comes from knowing about oneself and one’s own faults, and weaknesses. God gives this characteristic to those who struggle to become close to Him through deeds of piety and righteousness. A companion close to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) heard him saying:

“Wealth does not decrease because of charity, and God increases His slave in honor when he forgives others. And no one humbles himself before God but God will raise him (in status).” (Muslim)

Humility is one of the greatest blessings God can bestow on a human being. It allows one to achieve genuine submission. Prophet Muhammad was truly submitted to God; his character was one of complete humility and based on sincere trust in God. He was a model of kindness and humbleness.  In fact, the characteristics displayed by Prophet Muhammad were the exact opposite of pride and arrogance. Every aspect of his life reflected humbleness, even his walking, talking, sitting or eating.

The Prophet did not behave towards others as if he was better than they were, nor did he spurn manual work. One of his companions reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) worked happily with servants or workers. Other companions related that the Prophet tidied his house, tied camels, fed animals, ate meals with his servants, and helped them in kneading dough and bringing provisions from the market. It was also reported that he used to visit the sick, attend funerals, ride on a donkey, slow down his pace for the sake of the weak and accept invitations from the poor.

The companions and the early generations of Muslims understood the concept of humility. They behaved humbly towards God and mankind because of their love for God, and their fellow man, and fear of punishment in the Hereafter.

During his Caliphate, Umar ibn Al Khattab was marching upon Damascus with his army. Abu Ubaydah was with him and when they came upon a little lake, Umar descended from his camel, took off his shoes, tied them together, and hung them on his shoulder. He then took the halter off his camel and they entered the water together.  Seeing this in front of the army, Abu Ubaydah said: “O Commander of the Believers! How can you be so humble in front of all your men?” Umar answered, “Woe to you, Abu Ubaydah!  If only someone else other than you thought this way! Thoughts like this will cause the downfall of the Muslims. Don't you see we were indeed a very lowly people? God raised us to a position of honor and greatness through Islam.  If we forget who we are and wish other than the Islam which elevated us, the one who raised us surely will debase us.”

The one who is truly humble is the one who is truly blessed. Every time he feels superior to others, he remembers God, the most great and omnipotent, and humbles himself in true submission.

{And the slaves of God are those who walk on the earth in humility and calmness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness.} (Al-Furqan 25:63)

Fiqh of Facebook

Refining social media interaction

There is no doubt that social media has revolutionized online communication in the last few years. In just over a few years has Facebook become one of the most popular websites visited on the internet and today has more than 500 million members. If Facebook was a country, then it would have the 3^rdlargest population in the world.

Facebook is a social media application that allows people to communicate through leaving messages on their friends ‘wall’ or by subscribing to their status updates. It also has an instant messaging facility. Users can also subscribe to various different groups including official groups set up by celebrities, politicians, academic, corporations as well as groups representing different causes.

Facebook is seen as quite controversial today by some Muslims who see it as a platform for fitna and as a result warn others not to use Facebook. There is some misconceptions surrounding this because Facebook is a communication tool which can be used in a good way or a bad way. This lecture (dars)  inshalalh will help address some of these misconceptions, present some of the good and bad aspects of Facebook and also present some guidance with regards to how Facebook can be used to add value to a person’s time online or at least avoid the dangers of online communication.

Before we go into some of the details allow me to quote some important words to start you of thinking about this topic.

What is “Social”?

It’s defined as act of  relating to human society; the interaction of the individual and the group, or the welfare of human beings as members of society.

“The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to say and how to say it.” ( Edward R. Murrow)

“A world community can exist only with world communication, which means something more than extensive short-wave facilities scattered about the globe. It means common understanding, a common tradition, common ideas, and common ideals.” (Robert M. Hutchins)

Remember these words as we go along, Insha’Allah.

What can you do on social media websites such as Facebook?

• Facebook is an online platform that brings the world population together [those who have access to the internet]. It removes national borders and avoids visa restrictions. In essence you can interact directly with anybody from any part of the whole provided they have become your ‘friend’.
• You can interact with family and friends who may live in another city or country.
• You can post pictures, videos which can be shared with people who you have accepted as ‘friends’
• You can post links to various different websites, sources
• You can create groups or pages to represent a cause i.e. support for Palestinians
• You can directly contact corporations, local government, schools and other institutions
• You can subscribe to updates from corporations, local government, schools and other institutions so you are kept informed with updates, announcements, events etc.

Facebook has increasingly been used for campaign and lobbying where many groups have been set up to raise awareness about particular issues and generate support. Facebook and Twitter played a key role in the Arab ‘Revolution’ or ‘Uprising’

How has Facebook been used positively?

• Facebook is an excellent tool for Dawah activities. You can publish posts contain Quranic ayats, Prophetic hadiths, quotations and general nasiha which other people can benefit from. You can also publish videos from YouTube containing your favorite Quran recite or lectures from your favorite Islamic scholar or preacher. All of this serves as a good reminder for other people.

• Facebook has been particularly effective in viral marketing, it is said that the most effective marketing is word-of-mouth or recommendation by one person to another person. This is how many videos, articles have spread like wildfire and have become well known instantaneously as people will generally view what others have already viewed and posted on their ‘wall’. We have become aware of many injustices committed in wars as a result of people posting and sharing videos that was previously kept hidden, for example, a video ofU.S. army personnel shooting and killing unarmed civilians in Iraq has been viewed more than 10 million times.[1]

• Facebook has increasingly been used for campaign and lobbying where many groups have been set up to raise awareness about particular issues and generate support. Facebook and Twitter played a key role in the Arab ‘Revolution’ or ‘Uprising’ which first took place in Tunisia and then Egypt where the group founders urged people to protest against their government and demand a change. The tool was so effective that the government tin Egypt had to ban the internet so people couldn’t access sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

How has Facebook been used negatively?

• Without doubt, there is much evil that takes place on Facebook. Some Muslims are interacting with members of the opposite sex. Parents who are normally worried about their children mixing with the wrong crowd on the streets are unfortunately unaware that this could also take place indoors in front of a computer. This ‘free-mixing’ which takes place on Facebook could be a path that leads to Zina, something the Holy Quran has strongly warned people against. One particular feature, ‘poking’ the use of which is only to alert someone else that they have been ‘poked’ could be interpreted as if someone is being physically ‘nudged’ or ‘eyed-up’ – this frequently takes place between members of the opposite sex.

• Be careful about what you say on Facebook – it could come back to haunt you in the real world i.e. when you are looking to get married or when you apply for a job.

  Many people use Facebook to promote illicit music by posting YouTube videos of music artists – a culture which Muslims should stay away from because every evil that you preach, you will incur the evil deed if someone else watches it and is inspired by it.

• Facebook is used by some people to post useless information such as their life diaries or some useless activity they did in the day – words which have no benefit. Sometimes a person reveals his sins on Facebook in a manner which he doesn’t consider it to be a sin; it is said that Allah will not forgive a person who Allah had concealed his sins which he did in private but he exposes them by telling others. In the opposite end, a person may reveal his good deeds on Facebook and will lose the blessings of that deed.

• We also have to ask ourselves how much time were spending on facebook and other social networks. Are we missing Salah and neglecting other important duties in Islam because we’re spending excessive number of hours on facebook daily? Yes facebook can be used as a da’wah tool, but when it effects your duties it will lead to being something that is haram to use!

How can your Facebook page be optimised so it can be a productive tool and fitna-free?

• If your Facebook is cluttered with too many people talking about useless things which have no benefit then you can simply hide all their posts so their posts won’t appear on your ‘wall’. However, they will still remain your friend and will be able to view your posts on their wall.

• You can strictly control who views your profile page. You can choose to block any external person who you are not ‘friends’ with from viewing your page.

• You can also make your Facebook page so no posts can be published by anyone except yourself in which case it will be a one way communication, others can view your posts on their wall but they can’t publish on your wall. You can however choose to let them comment on any posts that you published.

• Whatever a person posts on his Facebook profile is available for the world to see [technically those who you have authorized to view your page i.e. friends], so one should always remember to that whatever sins is exposed, Allah may not forgive. Muslims should also conduct themselves well in a good manner virtually just as they should in the real world – this could be a form of dawah to non-Muslims. However, they should be also concerned that they do not represent one personality on Facebook and another in the real world as this may be considered as hypocrisy or ‘two-faced’.

• Be careful about what you say on Facebook – it could come back to haunt you in the real world i.e. when you are looking to get married or when you apply for a job.

Summary of the Pros and cons of web based interaction:

Pros -

—  Can present “best version” of ourselves

—  Have more time to process information

—  Removes elements of superficiality

Cons -

—  Sources may not be as trustworthy

—  Relationships may take longer to build

—  More room for misinterpretation

Practical Tips in Preparation for Ramadan

We earnestly implore Allah to help us reach the month of Ramadan safe and sound and to enable us to fast it diligently for the sake of Allah. 

Allah Almighty says, (The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong).) (Al-Baqarah 2: 185)

Every Muslim should prepare himself to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan by strengthening his relationship with the Qur’an, busing himself with the spirit of fasting, and recharging his spiritual battery to prepare himself to make the whole blessed month of Ramadan a real occasion of sincere obedience. 

Responding to the question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a Senior Lecturer and Islamic Scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada states:

Ramadan is an event that occurs in the life of the faithful, as individuals and as an Ummah, once a year. It is intended by Allah to help us to recharge our spiritual batteries and thus prepare us for the great mission of realizing His will on earth. Therefore, in order to benefit from Ramadan, we may do well to prepare for it by opening our hearts and minds to embrace it. Let me offer a few tips:

1. We should empower ourselves by learning as much as we can about the precise laws as well as the benefits of fasting.

2. We should ensure that we gain true benefits from our fasting, let us make sure to realize the spirit of fasting: this can only be done by abstaining, not only from food, drink, and sex, but also by strictly restraining our minds, hearts as well as our eyes, ears, hands, tongue, and so on.

3. We must embrace the spirit of fasting as stressed in Hadith: to be charitable and compassionate as much as we can.

4. We should strengthen our relationship with the Qur’an; for Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an.

5. We should engage in dhikr and condition ourselves to make it second nature.

6. Last but not least, we should build up our community through acts of charity and compassion and extending help to those in need as much as we can.

Let us pray that we come out of Ramadan with our faith recharged, gaining strength in our faith and commitment and relationship with Allah.

Allah Almighty knows best.

My dua for all (In the month of Ramadan)

With only a few weeks and days left for the start of Ramadan, it is very important for all Muslims, new Muslims and born Muslims, to get ready for this important event.

Ramadan is not only about abstaining from food, drink and intimate relations from dawn till sunset, but a blessed month of worship, obedience and total submission to God.

For such an important moral and spiritual journey, we need to prepare to nurture our heart, soul, and mind.

God says:

{The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and (He desires) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful.} (Al-Baqarah 2:185)

In order to reach our destination, this folder provides a collection of useful resources to warm up and get ready to reap the benefits of the best month of the year.

May it be a blessed month for all.

Ameen