The Early Muslims in Ramadhaan & Five Key Areas of Change

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

In the name of Allah, all praise is for Allah, and may His peace and blessings be upon His final Messenger Muhammad (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam)

Despite the fact that more than a billion Muslims will be fasting this Ramadan, how many are aware of how the Early Muslims (Salaf), those who lived Islam in the best possible way, would observe this sacred month? How they would spend their days and nights and what would change for them during the sacred month. 

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The Sunnahs of Fasting

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Fasting is one of the greatest acts of worship, and the reward of the one who fasts, seeking thereby the reward of Allah, is not known to anyone except Allah. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, said: ‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is for Me and I shall reward for it.’” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1904) and Muslim (1151)

The Ramadan fast is one of the pillars of Islam, and the Muslim must pay attention to preserving his fast, whether it is obligatory or supererogatory, so that Allah may bestow upon him this abundant reward.

There are many Sunnahs with regard to fasting, of which we will mention some: 

How to Prepare for Ramadhaan?

As Ramadhaan starts on Thursday in UAE, Saudi Arabia and adjoining places, I extend my hearty greetings to all my respected blog readers: RAMADHAAN MUBAARAK TO YOU 🙂

I request you to go through this short and sweet video that conveys the significance of Ramadhaan in a brief and yet comprehensive way. This can be shown in corporate offices and educational institutions as part of Welcoming the blessed Month, InShaaAllah. It’s for about 4 Minutes only. 

Ramadhaan ACTION PLAN and Qu’ran JOURNALING

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

These are beneficial resources for Ramadhaan, InShaaAllah. 

Ramadhaan Hadeeth Memorization Planner

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Presently a selection of 17 Ramadhaan-related ahadeeth for the purpose of learning by heart.

This is done to encourage and instill the importance of the memorization (hifdh) of the ahadeeth.

Shabaan has come to signal the fast arrival of Ramadhaan :)

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Note: The month of Shabaan has commenced, alhamdulillaah (in the UAE & adjoining places)

Sha’bān is the month where last year’s account of good and bad actions for every individual ascends to Allāh. As we know, there are four instances when our actions ascend to Allāh: the daily record, weekly record, yearly record, and the whole life record. [1] 

Knowledge, the Flagship of the Ummah!

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Arabic language is uniquely distinct, and Qur’anic Arabic is distinctly unique.

The word used for knowledge, as we all know, is عِلم (‘ilm) Remember the du’aa Rabbee Zidnee ‘ilma

The beauty in the word is when you change its vowels, the meaning too changes. And changes in a miraculous way! 

15 Concessions That Will Make You Happy

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

I liked the content when I received an email from someone I know. This actually was the gist of the talk given by Br. A.W. Sadathullah Khan of Discover Yourself  fame. The learned brother is Editor of Islamic Voice and an active motivational speaker and mentor in the contemporary Muslim world.

Sharing here for the benefit and happiness of one and all 🙂

This is not just an happiness prescription but in fact a spring board to Personality Development. Read on inshaaAllah. 

Virtues of saying Bismillaah

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

We all know that Allah is a proper noun and the personal name for God, and that Allah is the Name that Heals

Thanks to the UAE Awqaf, this week’s Jumu’ah Khutbah was based on the virtues and benefits of Saying Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem. 

Allah is the creator of everything and with His name we must start most of the things we do. Any act that began with Bismillaah is graced with barakah. 

Hifdh Challenge: Memorizing verses of the Qur’an on the Qur’an

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

How many verses of the Qur’an on the Qur’an you know by heart?

A 41-day memorization schedule is presented here. To complete by memorizing one selection per day.

Knowledge and Personality Development

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Imam al-Sha’bi was a scholar known for his deep ‘ilm and having a vast coverage over various fields of knowledge.

In the book ‘Uluww al-Himmah by Shaykh Muhammad Isma’il al-Muqaddam, it states that Imam al-Sha’bi was once asked, ‘How did you attain all this knowledge?’ And this was his reply. Pay close attention to it: 

Jerusalem in the Qur’an

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

This ayah sums up the current politico-socio-religious situation in the world.

“And when it is said to them, ‘Do not cause corruption on the earth,’ they say, “We are but reformers.” Surah al Baqarah 2:11

When the perpetrators of fasad raise their ugly head and do things with impunity, it becomes a collosal fitna for the victims of injustice and oppression.

Delight upon Delight beyond Delight

The beauty and grandeur of Jannah, its magnificent outlook, its mesmerizing charm, the fantastic and fascinating sight, its serenity, miracles, the scenic aesthetics, the fragrance, the young and beautiful companions, the perpetual youth, hanging gardens with rivers flowing underneath…

The reward is summed up in one phrase Qurratu ‘Ayun – قرّة أعين  Delight of the eyes, freshness of the eyes, coolness of the eyes. When all this combine, you experience comfort of the eyes. Subhanallah. 

Living the Five Morals

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Beautifully described in the Qur’an, these are the essential qualities a Muslim is expected to adopt in his/her practical life.

Safar: Facts and Fiction

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Safar, the 2nd month of the Islamic Calendar, has commenced, alhamdulillaah.

Quoting authentic references, I would like to dispel certain false beliefs and superstitious customs which are unfortunately found prevalent among some sections of Muslim society with regard to the month of Safar.  

Different Qur’anic Names of the Day of Judgement

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Subhanallaah! The glorious Qur’an is undoubtedly a miraculous book. The Qur’anic words are so eloquent that only the All-Knowing, the All-Aware can define and describe them.

Here is a collection of the 36 Names of the Day of Judgement. Each name reveals the Judgement Day’s some nature or the other.

Parables in the Qur’an

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Inspiring parents and teachers use the technique of quoting parables whenever they want to make their points crystal clear.

Qur’anic parables are interesting when they are told to people in a relevant context, and at the right time. They address the issues with right ingredients that help people nurture good thoughts and righteous deeds.

They are models of excellence and perfection that serve humanity to get inspired thereby shaping their attitude and raising their self-esteem.

Excellent Qur’an App

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Al Quran (Tafsir & by Word) is an excellent App, MaaShaaAllah.  I feel it is a better App in terms of features and user-friendliness than all the other available Apps till date.

This Qur’an Study Tool provides verse by verse audio playback with repeat functions, Tafsir ibn kathir, Color Coded Tajweed, word by word Analysis and Translations, index of Quran, note taking, custom bookmarks, search, several simultaneous translations, multiple themes and fonts and much more.

Happy New Islamic Year 1439 :)

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Islamic Year and Hijrah are inseparable twins.

Similarly, a Muslim and Hijrah are inseparable.

Two hadeeths stand out distinctly when it comes to Islamic Year, Hijrah and Muslims.

These two great sayings of the glorious Messenger of Allah – Prophet Muhammad, sal-lal-laahu-alaihi-wa-sallam – in fact set the agenda for the New Year.

Nay, they set the agenda for every every New Month. Every New Week. Every New Day. Every New Moment!

If you care about your Islam, you will value them in your life.

So happy New Year to you, and to every moment of your life. 

Almighty Lord Questions Believers about the Rohingya Muslims!!

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

In a bid to arouse the consciousness of those whose consciousness is apparently dead, Allah subhanahu wa Ta’aala questions Muslims on being silent while witnessing oppression, sin and injustice.

And when you read this ayah, your heart will prick as it is a straight question being asked by the Almighty Lord to every Believer in the backdrop of the ongoing Rohingya extermination, genocide and humanitarian crisis. 

The paradox of Remembering Selfies and Forgetting the Self!

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Self, selfie, selfie stick. Self-praise, self-promotion, self-consciousness!

Showing off has become a part and parcel of one’s life in today’s world.

Changing selfies very often and sharing them with everyone is a craze now a days.

Social media has transformed a sane man into a maniac of a sort.

People now take pride in showing and sharing their ‘status’ to others.

The growing madness in the age of selfie-sticks has made man a victim of narcissism. 

Eid al Adhaa Mubaarak

تقبّل الله منّا ومنكم  May Allah accept it from us and you.

🙂 EID MUBAARAK to You 🙂

Alhamdulillaah, here are a few useful links on Eid Eid Adha, Eid Takbeer, Sacrifice & the Day of Sacrifice, the Days of Tashreeq, etc.

ARAFAH: What a Great Day This is! Subhanallaah!!

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Arafah Day falls on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah as per the Islamic Calendar.

Presenting here a collection of ahaadeeth on the significance and virtues of the Day of Arafah.

In addition, a few Jumu’ah Khutbahs/links on Arafah and Eid al Adhaa are also given here.  

Takbeer, Tahleel, Tahmeed and Tasbeeh

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

Right from the beginning of his mission as the Last and Final Messenger of Allah to mankind down to his last breath, Prophet Muhammad Sal-lal-laahu-alaihi-wa-sallam, has taught us hundreds of du’aas (supplications) and ways to remember and glorify Allah (adhkaar). Du’aas and Adhkaar that are simple, yet splendid! Mind-boggling, yet insightful! Lucid, yet marvelous!  Precise, yet comprehensive! Humble, yet piercing!  We have no choice but to marvel at this glorious Prophet’s humility and worship towards his Creator. 

Making the Best out of the 10 Blessed Days!

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله

In the Quran, the Al-Mighty took an oath by two aspects of His creation, both being great in their stature, both being symbols of Allah, and both being signs to reflect on:

“By the dawn, and by the ten nights” (Surah al-Fajr, verse 1)

The dawn is truly a magnificent sign of Allah. It signifies the end of darkness and passing of the night, and heralds the beginning of a new day. It is a phenomenon that mankind recognises itself as having no control over, as Allah declared in the Qur’an: