http://www.sisterszone.com/blog/ Latest Blogs http://www.sisterszone.com/haju/blog/a-new-member/ Assalamu alaikum.Hope all of u r in good health and best conditions of imaan.Hope i learn a lot from this forum sisters Assalamu alaikum.Hope all of u r in good health and best conditions of imaan.Hope i learn a lot from this forum sisters http://www.sisterszone.com/haju/blog/a-new-member/ Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:41:42 +0000 muslimah http://www.sisterszone.com/BINT-E-BAHU/blog/21st-ramdan-youm-e-ali-r-a-youm-e-wisal/ SAIFI MAERI ZABAN PER NAD-E-ALI KE HAI
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]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/BINT-E-BAHU/blog/21st-ramdan-youm-e-ali-r-a-youm-e-wisal/ Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:47:46 +0000 BINT-E-BAHU http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-virtue-of-the-last-ten-days-of-ramadhaan-and-laylat-al-qadr-5/ The virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadhaan and Laylat Al-Qadr-5

The practice of the Prophet during the Last Ten Nights

'Aa’ishah, may...]]> The virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadhaan and Laylat Al-Qadr-5

The practice of the Prophet during the Last Ten Nights

'Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, reported: “When the last ten days of Ramadhaan came, the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam would stay up all night, wake his family and gird his loins”. [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]. In the book of Imaam Muslim the narration read: “He strove hard and girded his loins”. Imaam Ibn Hajar, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “His staying all night was in worship and acts of obedience, and the reason he woke his family was for them to pray the optional night prayers, and girding his loins referred to him abstaining from sleeping with his wives”
‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, reported: “The Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam used to strive hard (in worship) during the last ten days of Ramadhaan in a way that he did not strive at any other times.” [Muslim]
Zaynab Bint Umm Salamah, may Allaah be pleased with her, reported: “Whenever the last ten nights of Ramadhaan came, the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam would not leave any member of his family who could physically pray the night prayers but would wake them up.” [At-Tirmithi]

The Way of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, in I’tikaaf
‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, reported: “The Prophet, sallallaahualayhi wa sallam, used to do I’tikaaf (residing in the mosque with the intention of worship) during the last ten days of Ramadhaan until he passed away, then his wives did I’tikaaf after him”
Ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported: “The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, used to do I’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadhaan” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, reported: “When the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, wanted to do I’tikaaf, he would pray Fajr, then enter the place where he was to do I’tikaaf” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslims]
Once the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, wanted to do I’tikaaf in the last ten nights of Ramadhaan, so he commanded a small tent be placed for him in the mosque. Zaynab, may Allaah be pleased with her, also commanded a tent be placed for her for I’tikaaf, and after that other wives of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, commanded likewise. After he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, prayed the Fajr prayer he noticed the tents and commanded his tent to be removed and did not resume I’tikaaf the remaining part of Ramadhaan, and instead he went into I’tikaaf the first ten nights of the month of Shawwaal. This proves that he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, had a special isolated area away form the people for I’tikaaf that was enough only for him.



Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported: “The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam used to perform I’tikaaf every year in the month of Ramadhaan for ten days, and when it was the year of his death, he stayed in I’tikaaf for twenty days”. [Al-Bukhaari]
Ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Seek Laylatul-Qadr (i.e. the night of decree) in the last ten days of Ramadhaan” [Al-Bukhaari]
Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, did I’tikaaf during the first ten days of Ramadhaan, then he did I’tikaaf during the middle ten days in a Turkish tent [a circular structure] in which a mat was placed. He said: “So he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, took the mat in his hand and put it at the side of the tent, then he raised his head to speak to the people, so they came closer to him. He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “I did I’tikaaf during the first ten days, seeking this night, then I did I’tikaaf during the middle ten days. Then someone came to me and told me that it is in the last ten days, so whoever among you wants to do I’tikaaf, let him do so.” So the people did I’tikaaf with him. He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “I was shown an odd-numbered night, in the morning of which I was prostrating in mud and water”.Then in the morning of the twenty-first, he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, got up to pray the Fajr prayer and it was raining; the roof of the mosque leaked, and there was mud and water. He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, came out when he had finished praying, and there was mud and water on his forehead and nose. That was the morning of the twenty-first, one of the last ten days. [Muslim]
Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever stays up praying during Laylatul-Qadr (i.e. in prayer) out of faith and in the hope of Allaah’s reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
'Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, reported: “When the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam was in I’tikaaf, he inclined his head towards me and I combed his hair whilst I was on my menses inside my room (i.e. which overlooked the mosque), and he did not enter the house except for a need (i.e. relieving himself).” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam would walk his wives back home if any of them visited him in the mosque during I’tikaaf.
Al-Husayn Ibn Ali, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported: “Safiyyah the wife of the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam came and visited him during his I’tikaaf in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadhaan. She spoke with him for a while, then she stood up to go home. The Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam stood up with her to walk her back, then when she reached the door of the mosque, by the door of Umm Salamah, two men of the Ansaar passed by and greeted the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, and rapidly moved away. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said to them: “Wait, this is Safiyyah bint Huyay.” They said: “Subhaanallaah, O Messenger of Allaah!” They felt distressed (that he thought they might think something bad). The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “The devil is as close to a man as his blood.” In another report: “The devil flows through the veins of a man like blood. I was afraid that the devil might cast some evil ideas into your hearts.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “Whenever the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam was in I’tikaaf, a mat would be placed for him and a bed, and if he went out to use the bathroom, he would not talk to anyone, and his I’tikaaf area was small, unlike what some ignorant people do by making their area fit ten people so that they can receive visitors. This is contrary to the manner of the Prophet’s I’tikaaf]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-virtue-of-the-last-ten-days-of-ramadhaan-and-laylat-al-qadr-5/ Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:39:27 +0000 rahindr http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-virtue-of-the-last-ten-days-of-ramadhaan-and-laylat-al-qadr-4/ The virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadhaan and Laylat Al-Qadr-4


We should seek it especially in the odd-numbered nights, i.e., on ...]]> The virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadhaan and Laylat Al-Qadr-4


We should seek it especially in the odd-numbered nights, i.e., on the twenty-first, the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. It was also reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, said: “Seek it in the last ten nights, on the odd-numbered nights.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It is most likely to be on the night of the twenty-seventh. This is according to the saying of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam: “Laylat Al-Qadr is the night of the twenty-seventh.” [Ahmad and Abu Daawood] The view that it is the night of the twenty-seventh is the opinion of most of the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, and the majority of scholars. Ubayy ibn Ka’b, may Allaah be pleased with him, used to assert, without saying “Inshaa Allaah-God willing” that: “…it was the night of the twenty-seventh. Zurr ibn Hubaysh, may Allaah be pleased with him, said to Ubayy, may Allaah be pleased with him: ‘I said: What makes you say that, O Abu’l-Munthir (i.e. Ubay)?’ He, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: ‘By the signs of which the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, told us: that the sun rises that morning with no visible rays.’” [Muslim]

The fact that it is more likely the night of the twenty-seventh –Allaah knows best – does not mean that this is always the case. It could be any of the other odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadhaan. Some of the scholars ruled that it is more likely that it moves and does not come on a specific night each year.

Allaah has concealed this night so that His slaves will strive to seek it, and will strive hard in worship, just as He has concealed the blessed hour of Friday.

Therefore, we should strive hard during the days and nights of these ten days, seeking Laylat Al-Qadr and following the example of our Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, and we should strive in supplication and seeking to draw close to Allaah Almighty]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-virtue-of-the-last-ten-days-of-ramadhaan-and-laylat-al-qadr-4/ Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:37:21 +0000 rahindr http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-virtue-of-the-last-ten-days-of-ramadhaan-and-laylat-al-qadr-3/ The virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadhaan and Laylat Al-Qadr-3


5. This night is described as peace, i.e., it is safe, for the ...]]> The virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadhaan and Laylat Al-Qadr-3


5. This night is described as peace, i.e., it is safe, for the devils cannot do any evil or cause any harm on this night, as Mujaahid, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “On this night, many people are saved from punishment because of what they do to worship Allaah, The Most Exalted.”
6. Allaah Says (what means):“On that night is made distinct every precise matter.” [Quran 44:4], the affairs of that year are dispatched from the Preserved Tablet to the angels who record the decrees: who will live, who will die, what provision people will be given, what will happen until the end of that year, every matter of ordainments is decreed, and it cannot be altered or changed. [Ibn Katheer]
All of this is already known to Allaah before it is even written down, but He makes known to the angels what is to happen, and commands them to do whatever they are enjoined to do.
7. Allaah revealed a Chapter concerning this night which will be recited until the Day of Resurrection, in which He mentions the honor and great value of this night. This is the Chapter in which Almighty Allaah Says (what means): “Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.” [Quran 97:1-5]

The verse (which means): “And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?” [Quran 97:2]serves to draw attention to the importance and great significance of this night.

The verse (which means): “The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.”Means that worship during it is better than worship during a thousand months (which means over eighty three years). This is a great virtue, the value of which no one can fully understand except The Lord of the Worlds, The Most Exalted.

Laylat Al-Qadr is in the last ten days of Ramadhaan, as stated in the narration of Ibn ‘Umar, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, said: “Seek Laylat Al-Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadhaan.” [Muslim]

It is more likely to be one of the odd-numbered nights, because of the narration of ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, who said that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ``alayhi wa sallam, had said: “Seek Laylat Al-Qadr in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten nights.” [Al-Bukhaari]]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-virtue-of-the-last-ten-days-of-ramadhaan-and-laylat-al-qadr-3/ Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:15:00 +0000 rahindr http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-virtue-of-the-last-ten-days-of-ramadhaan-and-laylat-al-qadr-2/ The virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadhaan and Laylat Al-Qadr-2


Allaah has given this night special characteristics which make it u...]]> The virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadhaan and Laylat Al-Qadr-2


Allaah has given this night special characteristics which make it unique, such as:
1. It is the night on which the Quran was sent down, as we have stated above. Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “Allaah sent down the Quran at one time from Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooth (the Preserved Tablet in the Seventh Heaven) to Bayt Al-‘Izzah (House of Pride) in the first Heaven, then it was revealed to the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, in stages according to events over twenty-three years.” [Ibn Katheer]
2. Allaah described it as being better than a thousand months, as He Says (what means): “The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” [Quran 97:3]
3. Allaah described it as being blessed, as He Says (what means): “Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night.” [Quran 44: 3]
4. On this night, the angels and the Spirit [Jibreel (Angel Gabriel)] descend, “i.e., many angels descend on this night because it is so blessed, and the angels come down when the blessings and mercy of Allaah come down, just as they come down when the Quran is recited, and they surround the circles of Thikr (gatherings where Allaah is mentioned), and they spread their wings for the one who sincerely seeks knowledge, out of respect for him.” [Ibn Katheer]
Jibreel is specifically mentioned as a sign of respect for him.]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-virtue-of-the-last-ten-days-of-ramadhaan-and-laylat-al-qadr-2/ Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:13:53 +0000 rahindr http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-virtue-of-the-last-ten-days-of-ramadhaan-and-laylat-al-qadr-1/ The virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadhaan and Laylat Al-Qadr--1

The last ten days of Ramadhaan are blessed by Allaah with unique vi...]]> The virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadhaan and Laylat Al-Qadr--1

The last ten days of Ramadhaan are blessed by Allaah with unique virtues. Among such virtues is that Laylat Al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) is among them. About this Night, Allaah, The Most Exalted, Says (what means): “Ha, Meem. By the clear Book. Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind]. On that night is made distinct every precise matter - [Every] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger]. As mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.”[Quran 44:1-6]

Allaah sent down the Quran on this Night which He, The Most Exalted, described as blessed. It was reported from a group of the Salaf (righteous predecessors) – including Ibn ‘Abbaas, Qataadah, Sa’eed ibn Jubayr, ‘Ikrimah, Mujaahid and others , may Allaah be pleased with them- that the night on which the Quran was sent down was Laylat Al-Qadr.

The phrase (which means): “On that night is made distinct every precise matter,” indicates that on this night the destiny of all creatures for the coming year is decreed. On that night it is written who will live, who will die, who will be saved, who will be doomed, who will be destined for Paradise, who will be destined for Hell, who will be granted honour, who will be humiliated, where drought and famine will occur, and everything else that Allaah Wills in that year.

Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: “You may see a man furnishing his home or plowing his field, and he is one of those who are going to die,” i.e., it has been decreed on Laylat Al-Qadr that he is one of those who are going to die (in the coming year). And it was said that on this night, the destiny of people is shown to the angels.

The meaning of “Qadr” is veneration or honor, i.e. it is a night that is venerated because of its special characteristics, and because the one who stays up during this night becomes a person of honor. And it was said that Qadr means constriction, in the sense that the knowledge of precisely when this night is, is hidden. Al-Khaleel ibn Ahmad, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “It was called Laylat Al-Qadr because the earth is constricted by the great numbers of angels on that night, and Qadr means constriction.”

It was also said that Qadr means Qadar (decree), i.e., that on this night the decrees for the coming year are ordained, as Allaah Says (what means): “On that night is made distinct every precise matter.” [Quran 44:4]and because the decrees of Allaah are decided and written down on this night.
So Allaah has called it Laylat Al-Qadr, because of its great value and high status with Allaah, and because so many sins are forgiven and so many faults are concealed during this night. For it is the night of forgiveness, as it was reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever stays up during Laylat Al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of earning the reward of Allaah, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-virtue-of-the-last-ten-days-of-ramadhaan-and-laylat-al-qadr-1/ Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:12:17 +0000 rahindr http://www.sisterszone.com/emerald78/blog/psychology-in-the-light-of-quran-and-hadeeeth/ If you are breathing and interacting with others you need psychology! You may think that psychology is just common sense and not really a necessity. ...


That means having a better relationship with your spouse, raising your kids with ease and deliberateness, learning to be a better friend, and achieving success at school or work.



Learning psychology can help you to understand yourself on a whole new level.



It’s absolutely fascinating to learn how your psyche works – what makes you tick, what motivates you, how to overcome fears and phobias. Once you know how your mind works, you can start programming yourself for success. You no longer have to stumble upon success – you can aspire, plan and achieve while putting your complete trust in Allah. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust in Him (Surah Al-Imran 3:160). You will no longer be at the mercy of other peoples’ approval or validation because you can learn to accept yourself and in accepting yourself you can accept others. In learning about behavior modification, you can learn how to motivate yourself and others to make that oh so necessary change; like shedding 20 pounds, giving up bad habits, forgiving others, controlling your anger and getting organized. Allah will never change the state of the people until they change themselves (Surah Al-Anfal 8:53).



If it’s not motivation you are lacking, you can learn to cope better with all of life’s challenges. Learning coping skills can be a matter of life or death. Thousands of people die due to heart attacks and strokes because they never learned to cope with the daily stresses. Your outlook on life can become optimistic by becoming aware of your internal conversation which is called self-talk and you can even reinvent yourself by vigilantly avoiding negative thoughts the way you would avoid a poisonous snake. The pursuit of happiness has to begin within. If you don’t like yourself, you can’t expect others to make you happy. Once you like yourself, you will be able to embrace the people around you and focus on giving to them on a deep, emotional level. Each one of these concepts I have mentioned requires an article to explain; however this is an introduction to the psychological material I will be covering insha’Allah.



When you start becoming happier with yourself, the first people who will notice the change will be your friends and family. Your relationships with them will improve significantly because you will no longer be consumed with your inadequacies. Learning to accept yourself with all your shortcomings and imperfections will make you less judgmental of others. You will be able to be more tolerant and respectful of people even if they are not your ideological clones. Many times we classify differences in others as flaws and we quickly dismiss them. This way of critically judging everyone prevents us from achieving a higher level of empathy and insight. Many times in hearing different perspectives, we broaden our understanding and become more compassionate. This compassion is essential within families. Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than Sadaqah (charity) (Surah 2 Al-Baqarah:263). Genuine acceptance, sympathy and forgiveness creates an environment conducive to effective communication and conflict resolution. Learning the fine art of expressing your needs and resolving problems could drastically improve the quality of your family life.



As you nurture yourself and improve your family life, you will become more at peace, exuding happiness and confidence which will make you more appealing. But all the appeal in the world cannot compensate for a lack of interpersonal skills with your spouse. Having the skills to nurture this vital relationship and the diplomacy to resolve conflicts will transform your married life. He grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and whoever is granted wisdom is indeed given a great wealth (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:269). When you acquire the necessary tools and wisdom to nourish your relationship, serenity will descend and difficulties will become more manageable.



Having a strong and stable relationship with your spouse should be a prerequisite to having children because of the impact it has on their personalities and their lives. Not only do people lack the skills or role models in having an efficacious relationship, they also believe they can just improvise on parenting without any prior training or knowledge. Ask people of knowledge if you do not know (Surah Nahl 16:43). It’s disheartening to know that a person is required to take courses and seek training from experts in order to drive or hunt, but when it comes to becoming a parent and raising the future generation there are absolutely no criteria. Seeking knowledge within psychology regarding effective parenting and applying the beautiful example of our beloved Prophet (peace and salam upon him) will enable us to have a map which will guide us in the rugged and unpredictable terrains of parenting.



Empowered with the knowledge of psychology within the Islamic framework will have you parenting with ease and deliberateness, while reaping the rewards of gratifying relationships. You will introspect and understand your emotions, which will enable you to be more accepting of yourself and others. Aspirations will be achieved with simple guidelines when accompanied with perseverance and trust in Allah. It is my hope that this article has wet your appetite for learning more about psychology in the light of the Quran and Sunnah, insha’Allah.



http://muslimmatters.org/2010/05/24/do-you-understand-yourself-psychology-in-the-light-of-quran-and-sunnah/



Picture: http://muxlim-production.s3.amazonaws.com/featured/7933a33a88b5fee1cb580018a0c51a4c.jpg

]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/emerald78/blog/psychology-in-the-light-of-quran-and-hadeeeth/ Mon, 30 Aug 2010 01:30:00 +0000 emerald78 http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-weekend-warriors/

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah fr...]]>

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide.I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

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Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah


Sahl ibn Sa'd - radi Allahu 'anhu - narrates that An-Nabee - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - said, "In Jannah there is a gate called Ar-Rayyan, a door which the Saa'imoon will enter from, no one else except them. It will be announced, 'Where are the Saa'imoon?' and the Saa'imoon will stand. No one except them will enter from the Rayyan gate.

Have you ever heard of a weekend warrior? They are employees who sit in cubicles and relax at a coffee station weighed down with donuts all week long. Then on the weekend they rip off their suits bearing their Reebok gear underneath and spend the entire weekend playing basketball, hang gliding, and mountain climbing. What happens? They break their knees, pull a dozen muscles, and are hospitalized on Monday.

This is in relation to the physical body. But there are people that should be known as Ramadan warriors. They are those that haven't fasted all year long and then shock their bodies with a whole month. Or haven't prayed in the Masjid or haven't woken up to pray in the night all year long. What happens to them? As one Muslim doctor said, "In normal days, we have about 5 - 7 patients a day. On the first day of Ramadan, the patients increase to over 50!

Ramadan warriors were rare in our Islamic history. To illustrate, let's all remember where we were at the beginning of Safar - corresponding this year to the second week of May. We were probably praying for work to end, or just finished up with exams, or looking through brochures for a holiday getaway.
Interestingly, if we were sitting beside a taabi'ee (the poius people who accompanied the companions of Rasulullah sallalladhu 'alaihiwassalam) over a thousand years ago in a simple Masjid, we would have heard him raising his hands asking Allah to grant him the blessing of being around when a guest comes, a guest called Ramadan!

There are different ways that we can 'warm up' for Ramadan. One of those ways is by increasing the frequency of our Du'a: Allah ta'ala says in the Quran ... the verse before it is talking about Ramadan and the verse after it is speaking about Ramadan, and right in the middle we read: [And when My servants ask you, (O Muhammad), concerning Me - Indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me (by obedience) and believe in Me that they may be guided.]
* Surah Al Baqarah 2/186

Every goodness on earth is from Allah. And one of the most exclusive blessings is Ramadan. So let us ask the Lord of Ramadan to help us find His Mercy in the coming days. Last year, we gave a khutbah here on Hajj entitled 'The Call of Ibraheem'. A brother just a few weeks ago told me that during that Khutbah he raised his hands to Allah and asked Allah to find him a way to make Hajj. He said that he had no money to make the trip, but that night more than one brother approached him with the offer, "Brother
we have a Hajj program for new Muslims, would you like to come!

Alhamdulillah, that brother made Hajj last year from a Du'a that came straight from the heart - in sha' Allah. The early generations of the Ummah used to make Du'a 6 months after Ramadan that Allah accept their deeds in Ramadan. And for the next 6 months, they would make du'a to Allah to grant them the blessing of being alive in the coming Ramadan.

Cleanliness - Whenever a guest comes, we prepare in advance for his arrival by vacuuming the carpet, dusting the shelves, and scrubbing the sinks. We should do this for our guest called Ramadan. But the scrubbing should not just be of our physical surroundings, it should include the scrubbing of our sins.

Listen to the words of an-Nabee - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - speaking about those people that don't want to clean up for Ramadan, "Whoever doesn't desist from speaking falsehood and acting upon it, Allah has no need that he desist from his food and drink." - Bukhari

Fasting in Sha'baan (the month before Ramadan) - The biggest downfall of the weekend warriors was that they were not properly warmed up for the exercise which caused the injuries. Similarily, when Fasting, some people only do it once a year making their bodies very foreign to going without food and drink.

From here we see the following Sunnah: Umm Al-Mu'mineen Aisha - radiAllahu 'anha - observes, "Allah's Messenger never fasted an entire month other than Ramadan and I haven't seen him fast more than he did in Sha'baan." A poet said: Oh ye who isn't satisfied with his sins in Rajab / so much so that you continued disobedience in Sha'baan / The month of fasting has now come upon you / so do not convert it also to a month of disobedience.

By Muhammad Alshareef]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-weekend-warriors/ Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:09:20 +0000 rahindr http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-way-to-perform-voluntary-prayers-at-night-i/


Allaah The Almighty commended the believers who perform voluntary prayers at night and consider t...]]>


Allaah The Almighty commended the believers who perform voluntary prayers at night and consider the night a riding mount to Paradise. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.} [Quran 32:16] The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:

· "Whoever performs voluntary prayers during the night of Ramadhaan with faith and in hope of a reward from Allaah, his past sins will be forgiven."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

· "Whoever performs voluntary prayers on the night of Al-Qadr with faith and in hope of a reward from Allaah, his past sins will be forgiven."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

· "When the last ten days of Ramadhaan came, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to perform prayers during the whole night, awaken his family, and avoid intercourse with his wives." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

There are many things that one can do to help oneself perform voluntary prayers at night. Shaykh Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid, a Saudi scholar, states them as follows:



Offering acts of worship with full sincerity to Allaah The Almighty, as He has commanded us to dedicate all our deeds to Him Alone.

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And they were not commanded except to worship Allaah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.} [Quran 98:5] The more sincere a person is towards Allaah The Almighty, the more he will be guided and helped to obey and draw closer to Him. It was narrated on the authority of Ubayy ibn Ka’b, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Give glad tidings to this Ummah (Muslim nation) of attaining splendor, religion, high rank, victory and establishment on earth. Whoever does the deeds of the Hereafter to gain some worldly benefit, will have no share in the Hereafter.” [Ahmad]

Mutarrif ibn ‘Abdullaah ibn Ash-Shikhkheer, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said, “The soundness of a deed is related to the soundness of the heart, and the soundness of the heart is related to the soundness of the intention.” Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said, “The degree to which a person is helped and aided by Allaah depends on the degree of his intention, drive, aim and hopes. Help from Allaah comes to people in proportion to their drive, intention, hopes in Allaah and fear of Him, and failure comes to them in proportion to the same things." Therefore the righteous predecessors were very keen to conceal their acts of worship such as performing voluntary prayers at night.

A man asked Tameem ibn Aws Ad-Daari, may Allaah be pleased with him, "How do you pray at night?" He got very angry and said, "By Allaah, one Rak’ah (unit) that I pray in secret in the few hours of the night is more beloved to me than praying the whole night long and then telling people about it." Ayyoob As-Sikhtiyaani used to spend the entire night in prayer, then when dawn approached, he would go back to bed and lie down, and when dawn came, he would raise his voice as if he had just woken up.

The person who wants to perform voluntary prayers at night should realize that Allaah The Almighty is inviting him to this act. When the slave realizes that his Master, Who has no need of people’s worship, is inviting him to do this, he will definitely respond. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who wraps himself [in clothing]. Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little -Half of it - or subtract from it a little. Or add to it, and recite the Quran with measured recitation.} [Quran 73:1-4]

Sa’d ibn Hishaam ibn ‘Aamir said to ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, “‘Tell me how the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, performed voluntary prayers at night.’ She said, ‘Have you not read: “Yaa ayyuhal-muzzammil{O you who wraps himself [in clothing]}?’ He said, ‘Of course.’ She said, ‘Allaah The Almighty made performing voluntary prayers at night obligatory at the beginning of this Surah, so the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and his Companions performed voluntary prayers at night for a year, and Allaah withheld the end of this Surah for twelve months, until He revealed something at the end of this Surah to make things easier, so performing voluntary prayers at night became voluntary after it had been obligatory.’” [Muslim]

Knowing the virtues of performing voluntary prayers at night: Whoever knows the virtues of this act of worship will be keen to talk to Allaah The Almighty in private and to stand before Him at that time. Among the reports that describe the virtues of this act of worship is the Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah,may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The best of prayers after the prescribed prayers is a prayer in the depths of the night, and the best of fasting after the month of Ramadhaan is fasting the month of Allaah, i.e. the month of Muharram.” [Muslim]

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The dearest prayers to Allaah is the prayer of Daawood (David) and the dearest forms of fasting to Allaah is the fasting of Daawood. He used to sleep half the night, then get up and pray a third of the night, then sleep a sixth of the night, and he used to fast every other day.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The closest the Lord is to His slave is in the last part of the night, so if you can be one of those who remember Allaah at that time, then do so.”[At-Tirmithi and An-Nasaa’i] It was narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas’ood, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Our Lord admires two men: a man who leaves his mattress and cover, and slips away from his wife and desire, to go and pray. Allaah Says, ‘O My angels, look at My slave. He has left his mattress and cover and slipped away from his desire and wife to pray out of hope for what is with Me and out of fear of what is with Me.” [Ahmad] [Hasan]

Performing voluntary prayers at night expels heedlessness from the heart, as stated in the Hadeeth narrated by ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas, may Allaah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever recites ten verses of the Quran while performing voluntary prayers at night will not be recorded as one of the negligent. Whoever recites a hundred verses while performing voluntary prayers at night will be recorded as one of the devoutly obedient to Allaah, and whoever recites a thousand verses while performing voluntary prayers at night will be recorded as one of those who pile up good deeds.” [Abu Daawood and Ibn Hibbaan] [Hasan]

Yahya ibn Mu’aath said, “The medicine of the heart is five things: reciting the Quran and pondering on its meanings, having an empty stomach, performing voluntary prayers at night, beseeching Allaah in the early dawn, and keeping the company of righteous people."

Studying how the righteous predecessors and righteous people practiced performing voluntary prayers at night and adhered to it:

The righteous predecessors used to enjoy performing voluntary prayers at night and rejoice greatly in doing it. ‘Abdullaah ibn Wahb said, “Every type of pleasure is enjoyed only once, except for acts of worship, which are enjoyed three times: when you do it, when you remember it, and when you are given the reward for it." Muhammad ibn Al-Munkadir, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said, “There is nothing left of the joys of this life except three: performing voluntary prayers at night, meeting one’s brothers in faith, and praying in congregation."

Thaabit Al-Bunaani, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said, “There is nothing I enjoy more than performing voluntary prayers at night." Yazeed Al-Raqaashi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said, “A lot of voluntary prayers at night bring delight to the worshippers, and a lot of thirst (i.e., fasting) brings joy when they meet Allaah." Makhlad ibn Husayn said, “Whenever I woke up at night, I saw Ibraaheem ibn Ad-ham remembering Allaah and praying, and this made me depressed (for not being so himself), so I consoled myself with this verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {That is the bounty of Allaah, which He gives to whom He wills, and Allaah is The Possessor of great bounty.} [Quran 62:4]"


source--islamweb.com]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/the-way-to-perform-voluntary-prayers-at-night-i/ Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:51:23 +0000 rahindr http://www.sisterszone.com/BINT-E-BAHU/blog/flood-affected-districts/ Requirements
NOWSHERA
Team of civil engineers
* slow pace of rescue and relief work in AFGHAN REFUGEE CAM...]]> Requirements
NOWSHERA
Team of civil engineers
* slow pace of rescue and relief work in AFGHAN REFUGEE CAMP IN AZAKHEL,NOWSHERA DISTRICT(10000 families homeless)

D.I KHAN
Construction companies & experts
CHAARSADA
Army personnel and volunteers for rescue of women & children


PESHAWAR
Rehabilitation of communication links(telecom engineers)
Shortage of food, vegetable & petrol
SWAT
Military helicopters for rescue and search operations
*Facing shortage of food and water (kalam,Madian and Bahrain)
*Communication network could not be restored
KOHISTAN
Fuel for boat
*Rail and road links between Peshawar and Punjab could not be restored as most parts of the GT.road and tracks are still under water.

SULTANULARFEEN HAZRAT SAKHI SULTAN BAHU(R.A) FLOOD RELIEF INFORMATION DESK

PAIGHAM E HAQ NUR UL HAQ
HAQBAHU SUCH BAHU
http://www.sultanularfeen.co.cc/video.html

Ps:please forward it.JAZAKALLAH HU KHIRUN]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/BINT-E-BAHU/blog/flood-affected-districts/ Sat, 21 Aug 2010 07:56:50 +0000 BINT-E-BAHU http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/crying-before-allah/
Crying before Allah
By Abdul Malik Mujahid

When was the last time you cried? Not a few drops of salty water from your eyes or the o...]]>
Crying before Allah
By Abdul Malik Mujahid

When was the last time you cried? Not a few drops of salty water from your eyes or the odd tear that slipped down your face while watching a tragic event.

I am talking about warm tears of the heart; tears that sting your face because they have been there so long and their bitter saltiness has hurt your skin.
When was the Last Time You Cried Like a Baby?
Tears flow when we remember how much Almighty Allah gives us and how much we disobey Him. Though we can never give Almighty Allah His due thanks for the countless blessings He bestows upon us, we blatantly exceed the limits He has set and we do commit many sins; major and minor. We tend to backbite and hurt one another, not stand up for the truth, treat our family badly, lie, cheat, do good deeds merely to show off etc.

A sincere believer who fears, loves, and is close to Almighty Allah cannot help but cry before his Lord, the All-Merciful, the All-Aware. The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) is reported to have said, “Two (kinds of) eyes will not be touched by the Fire: an eye that wept out of fear of Allah and an eye that spent the night guarding in the cause of Allah.” (At-Tirmidhi)

The blessed month of Ramadan, particularly the last ten days thereof, represents a real opportunity for the believers to get closer to Almighty Allah and cry out of fear and love for Him. `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) related that with the start of the last 10 days of Ramadan the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. something Arabs do to indicate hard work), pray all night, and wake up his family for the voluntary night Prayers. (Bukhari and Muslim)

Only connecting with Almighty Allah wholeheartedly and begging for His mercy and forgiveness can bring us closer to Him.

Out of His boundless mercy and compassion, Almighty Allah opens for us a way out of every problem we may encounter, thereby easing our burdens. Despite that, we persist in our disobedience to Him and take His mercy for granted.

`Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have said that he would rather shed two drops of tears out of fear of Allah than give a thousand dinars in charity.

Tearful Eyes of a Strong Believer
The most telling example of a man who few people would think that he might cry out of fear of Allah is `Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). `Umar was known for being strong, fearless, and uncompromising when it came to matters of faith. Despite that, it was related by `Abdullah ibn `Isa that he had two black streaks on his face as a result of constant weeping.

`Umar’s awe and fear of Almighty Allah was so intense that he once said, “If someone announces from the heavens that everybody will enter Paradise except for one person, I would fear that I would be that person.”

Thus, the strong `Umar was fearful of his Lord and His punishment to the point of weeping. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was also a great example of this. He was simply known for crying out of fear of Almighty Allah. These people were keen on serving fellow human beings during the day and invoke Almighty Allah at night in order to save them as well as all humanity from His Punishment.

Let us contemplate the reality of the hereafter and let us invoke Almighty Allah to forgive our sins and soften our hearts. We have more need and urgency to contemplate and weep than `Umar and Abu Bakr ever had. Human beings are in turmoil. Only connecting with Allah wholeheartedly and begging for His mercy and forgiveness can bring us closer to Him and instill a sense of tranquility and softness in our hearts.

courtesy--Courtesy: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1252188305456&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/rahindr/blog/crying-before-allah/ Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:57:05 +0000 rahindr http://www.sisterszone.com/PURELADY/blog/ramadan-kareem-2-all-muslims/ Those who find time to kneel b4 Allah dont struggle 2 stand d4 any creature.As we all keep standing b4 Him, may He giv us joy and make things easy 4 e... May ds month of Ramadan bring us closer 2 Allah,bring us happiness,tranquility,blessings and mercy of the Creator.May our prayers,aspirations and supplications be granted by Allah.

RAMADAN KAREEM]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/PURELADY/blog/ramadan-kareem-2-all-muslims/ Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:19:05 +0000 PURELADY http://www.sisterszone.com/summayyah/blog/what-is-it-about-these-mindblowing-shamesharing-shmuckling-choosies-that-co/ This is an article I wrote some time back, I submitted it for publication in a magazine, but the editors felt it came on too strong...it is about choi...]]> This is an article I wrote some time back, I submitted it for publication in a magazine, but the editors felt it came on too strong...it is about choices we make as young people and possible strategies for managing some of life's challenges. It contains some strong themes and parents or adult supervision is advised for younger teens.

“ I am sixteen…going on seventeen, waiting for life to start…” a popular theme song in a musical drama in the seventies” The “Teen hood”, the period of piercings and hair dying; of the ‘sacred attainment of world’s knowledge and the sagely wisdom to rule it’; of superiorities of the young and intelligent over the old and outdated; of countless battles of flesh and desires over soul and higher seekings; of being caught at the crossroads of life; of taking leaps of foolishness or faith. The Teen Hood, a time when life starts in the truest sense of the word, only these days it starts much earlier than sixteen!

Today, most teenagers from the cattle rearer in a remote desert village who listens to the promises of glamour on radio, to the urban ‘homie’ who is weighed down in chains and sagging trousers, life is becoming a virtual reality indeed. Technology has made it so that at the click of a button, the world does indeed open up at the tips of our fingers. For a teenager however this may be more of a curse than a blessing.

Being a teenager is tough enough with the constant meanderings and wanderings in the maze of mind, body and soul without the challenge of choices that beckon often without limits. The promise of life without taking ownership of actions, shackles of responsibilities and hassles of accountability has lured many into a life of little or no substance. And so often times the teenager is angry, confused, scared, excited, driven by desires he or she most of the time does not understand or even seem to control.

Peer pressure follows closely behind in the list of ‘lures’. It is in its negative form the fuel for the pandemic of bad choices and catastrophes. It can perhaps be the most powerful triggers to most of the problems caused and indeed faced by teenagers. Peer pressure is however a fact of life that confronts the individual at some point or the other irrespective of age, gender or color. For a teenager, peer pressure is the magic carpet that takes them into the land of dreams and fantasies. It is what allows them to ‘emerge’ and live life to the fullest.

“I bet you can’t!” “Com’on try some!” “Just a little…it won’t kill you!” “ Stop being a nerd and enjoy yourself!” The split second when choices are taken, which often times lead to consequences that may resound through many life times.

What is wrong with having a little fun with one’s friends? After all you only get to be a teenager once in your life! How true, never again will you get the chance to take back that split second when you agreed to a ‘just this once’ cocaine high and then spend the next ten years chasing and living from highs to highs, becoming a living dead.

Never again will you be able to bring back the life you carelessly took in a back water clinic after many moments of casual sex.

Never again will you be able to go back to those crossroads, because you already took a wrong turning! Indeed, all may not be lost but most may never be recovered.

I once saw a group of teenagers at a train station taunting and daring a shy looking boy to jump into the train tracks minutes before a train’s arrival and cross over to the other side which had bushes and a fence that stopped a fall down a sheer cliff. The boy hesitated at first and then jumped! He didn’t die or sustain any injuries, the real tragedy however was that he had taken that first step that may lead to his fatal last!

In that same train, that afternoon, I watched as another school girl light up a cigarette to the admiration of her friends and then proceeded to ‘fluff up’ and make another girl look sexier with make-up and an adjustment to a mini school skirt to an almost bikini skirt line just before they got off the train.

For teenagers, making a choice between giving in to the peer or pressure or shunning it can be compared to choosing between the devil and the devil. This is because either way, the result can be consequences that bother on ostrazisation, to outright threat or harm to life and limbs.

So how does one beat the devil and still get rescued from the deep blue sea?

Here are some quick tips that may be helpful to a teenager, who feels the need to respond to those raging hormones, desperately wants to ‘belong’ or just simply wants to eat his or her cake and still have it!.

Take Ownership, first you need to understand that you are who you are.

Nothing, no matter what the promise of that drug or the makeover tells you will change that. And to answer the question before you ask, how can I take ownership when I don’t even know who I am?” Simple, learn about yourself! Get a journal and try to understand what makes you tick. Not what so and so thinks but what your heart, mind and body tells you.

Do you like parties because it enables you to make friends, dance or because it will get you a chance to try out the ‘forbidden pleasures’; alcohol, drugs and sex?

Do you feel inclined towards a certain * preference when you think about your best friend who is of the same sex with you in a same sex institution? Or could it be because she happens to be someone you care very deeply about who happens to be around you at a time when both of your hormones are on the rampage and undergoing changes or maybe because others are ‘trying out’?

Do you seek attention from your parents by getting into trouble because you feel you won’t get it any other way? Are you denying your cultural or religious beliefs because of discrimination and racism or a bad experience?

The issues are many and you don’t have to get a degree in psychology to figure it out. The mirror of your soul, intelligence, conscience, innate sense of good and evil; your inner Fitrah (pure state as created by Allaah), your sincerity and intentions will help you to understand better why you desire or do what you do.

When you are able to do this it begins to create an internal defense system against caving in under the pressure of what others want.

Secondly, you need to choose your friends. Of course it is easier to say than do, but it can be done. You do not have to hang out with ‘nerds’ of the same feathers. You have a choice to make your group of friends become more exciting, and adventurous in trying out healthier work and play life style that will not earn you Allaah’s Displeasure. You can also take your time and hang out in places where you are likely to meet people of like minds and desires.

Sometimes we are attracted to the very people that are wrong for us in terms of their ways of life and the choices they take; that is perfectly normal. Recognizing this can actually help us resist and react appropriately. When you know the enemy, you will know in what direction and manner the battle is to be fought. Life is a constant battle, and nobody said victory though sweet is easy! This could be one of your most important battles to get to the path of goodness in life.

Thirdly, set a limit! This is very important. Absorb this limit as a fact and equate it with something that is constant and almost never changes, like saying that water is necessary for survival.

Picture a drawn line in your mind, or a locked door, a place that spells ‘Out of Bounds’ and try to put everything that goes against Allaah, and every principle and way of life that is considered good in this place, behind the line, door, in a locked box, e.t.c.

This can be done by thinking of the possible consequences of your actions. Sex? What if you get pregnant or contact STDs, what then? Abortion? Unwanted pregnancies’? Months in the hospital being treated for the STDs? Becoming another fatalities statistics in the incurable diseases list? Where then did all the fun go?

Drugs? Alcohol? What if you kill someone (people)? Or get killed? What then? Contented parents? Awards for best guy or babe of the year? Or lots of broken hearts and lives? You need to think and think and think again!

So as an example, if you find yourself with a boy or a girl and engaging in acts that could lead to premarital sex, or join your friends to assault or rob someone in the name of ‘having a little fun’; you can shut down your system literarily just by thinking of this door or line or box.

The best part however is to try not to put yourself in a position whereby you may loose your will power or control. It’s like playing around a hole, you may slip and fall inside, why take the chance? When you are able to develop this sense of control, even if you are able to go past the ‘security system’, you may not derive the pleasure you would have expected because your soul and even your body has been trained to reject it! As a result you may actually have psychosomatic reactions whereby you throw up, or cry, or break into a fever!

Finally, understand that you were created and created for a purpose. It can not be for only fun. Try to find meaning for your life and look towards the One Who has created you. Call unto Him no matter the situation, circumstance or what you have done., He Hears you. Ultimately only He can grant us true salvation and the Mercy of being on the right track. And guess what? He is just a breath away! What else can one ask for?

Pls note that this article is written from my own view point and I ask Allaah for forgive for the errors within. Amin.]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/summayyah/blog/what-is-it-about-these-mindblowing-shamesharing-shmuckling-choosies-that-co/ Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:37:03 +0000 summayyah http://www.sisterszone.com/MWMuslimah/blog/ramadan-mubarek-muslimeen/ Muslims around the world have developed numerous traditions for celebrating the month of Ramadan, but the constant truth that transcends each traditio...
The Holy Qur'an reads in Surah 2:185:

Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind also clear signs for guidance and for judgment between right and wrong. So everyone 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.

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Belief in Islam. The Five Pillars are: 1. Iman or Faith in the form of the Shahada or declaration that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, 2. Salaat and establishing the five obligatory daily prayers, 3. Zakat which means giving in charity, 4. Sawm which means fasting for the month of Ramadan and 5. Hajj which is the obligatory pilgrimage required by all Muslims before the end of their life.

Although fasting is required by all Muslims, male and female, as a means of obeying the commands of Allah the Almighty, it is also as a way to glorify Allah and to show our gratitude for His having sent the Holy Qur'an to mankind. It is believed that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, would recite the Qur'an every Ramadan and that it was during the month of Ramadan when the first revelations began.

Ashfaque Ullah Syed writes in Index of Qur'anic Topics on pg. 14, "Once every year during the month of Ramadan, Angel Gabriel would come to the Prophet and hear him recite the Qur'an (whatever was revealed to that point in time)." The entirety of the Holy Qur'an was revealed over the period of 23 years and thus, each year, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would recite the revelation that he had received up to that point during the month of Ramadan.

According to the hadith of the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, it is written in Sahih Al Bukari, vol. 3, book 31, n.126:

Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The prophet used to recite the Holy Qur'an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which cause rain and welfare).

Taraweeh prayers and Laylat ul-Qadr are also part of the Islamic traditions of Ramadan. Tarweeh prayers are special nightly prayers that are offered in the mosque every night during the month of Ramadan. Tarweeh prayers began tonight at 9:45pm cst at Masjid ul Mumineen here in Houston.

Laylat ul-Qadr is singled out as special for worship because it is believed that the blessed Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, first received revelation of the Holy Qur'an on that night. It is written in vol. 3, book 31, n. 125 in Sahih al Bukari:

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever establishes prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."

For a copy of Ramadan prayer times in Houston and a calendar of community events for celebrating Ramadan, the Islamic Education Center has posted printable files upon their website. You can access the printables here.
For more info regarding Ramadan:

* Duas to recite before/after fasting
* What to avoid during Ramadan
* How to fast healthy
* Iftar recipes

For more articles, visit Houston Islam Examiner]]> http://www.sisterszone.com/MWMuslimah/blog/ramadan-mubarek-muslimeen/ Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:30:14 +0000 MWMuslimah