The Official Ramadan Thread. Ramadan 1430 A.H/August 2009

['Abd-al Latif]

The month of Ramadan is next month.

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe fasts that month… [al-Baqarah 2:185]

The Prophet (saaws) used to tell his Companions the good news of the onset of Ramadan, and urge them to make the most of it.

Abu Hurayrah (saaws) said: “The Messenger of Allah (saaws) said,

There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month. Allah has made it obligatory on you to fast (this month). During it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are locked, and the devils are chained up. In it there is a night that is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is deprived indeed. [Reported by al-Nisaa'i, 4/129; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/490]

[Yanal]

insh'Allah we will all benefit from this years Ramadhan and gain much more. And become better Muslims toward Allah. Ameen

[Hayaa]

Ameen


10 great goals to set for this Ramadan


1. Eat, drink and be moderate

Almost all of us do it - once Iftar time hits, we just keep plowing food and drink into our mouths till it's hard to move afterwards. And those of us who do it know this is totally contrary to the spirit of Ramadan, through which we're supposed to learn self-control not self-indulgence. Let's try to stick to the Prophetic rule on eating: fill our stomachs with one-third food, one-third water and one-third breathing space, even in Ramadan.

2. Give a dollar a day in charity...or five or ten

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was always generous but even more so in Ramadan. Let's open our hearts and dig a little deeper in our wallets this year. Even less than a dollar a day adds up. Whatever you can give, it's the intention that counts.

3. Memorize 4 new Surahs

Memorizing the Quran often seems like a daunting task. But the key is doing it in small bites. Since there are four weeks in Ramadan, try to memorize one new Surah a week. Start off with a short, easy one. Once you've started, you'll build momentum and may even want to memorize a longer one the following week.


4. Go to Tarawih prayers

Post-Iftar, the first urge is to sleep after an exhausting day. But try your best to head out to the mosque for Tarawih prayers. Praying alone is wonderful, but doing it in congregation is fantastic. The community spirit is part of Ramadan's blessings. Don't miss it this year. If going every day is not possible, try going at least one week.

5. Attend the Tarawih prayer in which the recitation of the Quran will be finished

Call the local mosque and find out which day the Imam will be finishing the recitation of the Quran in prayer. Attend to not only hear part of the Quran's recitation in prayer, but also participate in the heart-rending Duas that follow it.


6. Stop swearing and/or backbiting – with a special box

It's hard not to shoot our mouths off when someone's upset us. Whether we utter those four-letter words or backbite about someone to our family and friends, we know this isn't the God-approved way of letting off steam. In Ramadan, when we want to build our spirituality, we've got to wage Jihad against our bad habits.

Try this: get a box and every time you catch yourself swearing or backbiting put some money in it. It could be a buck or less. The point is to choose an amount that makes it feel like punishment.

At the end of the month send the money to a charity or buy a gift for the person whom you've backbitten the most against.


7. Call/email your relatives

You'd think that given the easy access to email, competitive long-distance calling rates, phone cards, etc. these days, we'd keep in touch with family and friends more often. But the opposite seems to be the case, as we get caught up in life's "busyness."

Strengthening ties with family members and keeping in touch with friends is part of our way of life and an act Allah is very pleased with. This Ramadan, call family and friends or at least email them a Ramadan card and ask them how their fasting is going.


8. Go on a technology diet

Even if you work in the IT industry, you can do this. Avoid checking personal email and surfing the web during your fast. After Iftar, instead of plopping yourself in front of the screen, go to Tarawih. The same goes for the television. The point is to try to give our full attention to spiritual elevation this month.


9. Read 5 minutes of Quran a day...just five, not more, not less

Even if you feel you've got absolutely no time, set a timer or the alarm on your cell phone and find a relatively quiet place. You can read the first page of the Quran you open or follow a sequence. The choice is yours. The point is simply to connect with God through His revelation in the month of the Quran.


10. Forgive everyone who has hurt you

Still got a festering wound from the fight with your friend last year? Still upset about something your spouse said during a heated argument? Or are you still bitter about the way your parents sometimes treated you as a kid? Let go of the anger and pain this Ramadan and forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiving someone is not only good for the body, but it's also great for the soul. And in Ramadan, ten days of which are devoted to Allah's forgiveness, shouldn't we lesser beings forgive too?

If you find it very difficult to forgive everyone, forgive at least three people.

Source: Teen Islam- Yahoo Groups.

[houda~]

OH!Mash'Allah!I loved that article!^^there are some good ideas in there...



I love the atmosphere during Ramadan, its really a beautiful thing. You truly feel that muslim "connection"...we all call each other "brother" or "sister"..but during Ramadan you kinda feel it..lol ok anyway,

Insh'Allah we will all live to see this year's Ramadan...and make the most out of this month...

['Abd-al Latif]

Ramadan Fiqh Issues by Salim Al-Amry

Part 1

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSrv-2yZyCo[/media]

Part 2

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJqT7wEphvs[/media]

Part 3

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5O8pHrDcr0[/media]

Part 4

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vKTVW9O2hU[/media]They can also be found on googlevideo here:

Episode 1. Rules of Fasting

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?...h+issues&hl=en

Episode 2. Virtues of Qiyam

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?...25389648&hl=en

Episode 3. Laylatul Qadr

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?...78279952&hl=en

Episode 4. Sadaqatul Fitr

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?...pisode+4&hl=en

Episode 5. Eid

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-61594473836213272&ei=0TJOSsW0E5Lr-AaJh43jCw&q=Ramadan+Fiqh+Issues+-+Episode+5&hl=en

[Pk_#2]

Akh 'Abd Al-Latif, your Fiqh Issues dint cum up.

I cnt wait till Ramadhan! I pray that we all make it to Ramadhan and atleast to Laylat-ul-Qadr too, just think in a sec we can lose our lives, carrying with us r sins weighing heavily on the scales.

Narrated Sahl (RadiAllahu Anhu): The Prophet Muhammad (salallahu Alayhi Wassalam) said, 'There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyyan, and those who observe Saum (fasts) will enter through it on the day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe Saum (fasts)?' They will get up and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it'

Narrated Abu Hurairah (RadiAllahu Anhu): All the deeds of Adams sons (people) are for them, except Saum (Fasting) which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it' There are two pleasures for the people observing fasts, one at the time of Iftar and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord, then he will be pleased because of his Saum (Fasting).

Narrated Anas Bin malik (RadiAllahu Anhu) : The Prophet Muhammad (Salalahu Alayhi Wassalam) said, 'Take suhur as there is a blessing in it'

Narrated Sahl Bin Sa'ad (RadiAllahu Anhu): Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wassalam) said, 'The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the iftar' (Bukhari)

['Abd-al Latif]

Sorry about that. I've fixed the videos.

['Abd-al Latif]

The Wisdom and Benefits behind Fasting

Author: Imaam Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah
Taken From his book: Zaad al-Ma'aad

The objective behind fasting is to restrain the soul from (its) desires and to prevent it from those things, which are beloved to it. And its purpose is to control the soul's strength, so that it can be prepared to attain what is found in it (the fast) from success and joy for the soul. Through the fast, one curbs his hunger and thirst and is reminded of the condition of the hungry stomachs of needy people.

Through fasting, one narrows the passages the Devil has inside the servant (of Allaah) by narrowing the passages of food and drink. Also, it prevents the forces of the limbs from getting too accustomed to things that are harmful to it in this world and the hereafter. And each of the soul's body limbs and energies can cease their rebelliousness (to Allaah) and be harnessed by its bridle.

So therefore, the fast is the bridle of those who fear and obey Allaah and the shield of those wage war (against desires). And it is a garden for the righteous and devoted servants of Allaah. And it is for the Lord of the worlds, over all other actions (done to please Allaah). This is since the person who fasts, in fact does nothing. He only abandons his desire and his food for the sake of the One whom he worships.

So fasting is an abandonment of those things that the soul loves and desires, preferring instead Allaah's love and contentment. And it is a secret kept between the servant and his Lord – no one else is aware of it.

Fasting has an amazing effect in preserving one's outer limbs and inner capacities as well as protecting the soul from being overtaken by destructive components, which can ruin and destroy it. And it has a remarkable effect in causing all the harmful things that prevent the soul from being healthy to be emptied out. So fasting guards and protects the health of the person's heart and body limbs. And it returns the soul all that the hands of the desires has taken from it. So it is from the greatest ways of improving one's Taqwaa, as Allaah says: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you in order that you attain Taqwaa." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 185]

The Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Fasting is a shield." And he commanded those who had intense desires for marriage but were not able to marry, to observe fasting, making it a shield against those desires (of marriage).

When the benefits of fasting are born witness to by sensible minds and upright intuitions, one will come to realize that Allaah prescribed it as a mercy for mankind, goodness to them and a protection and shield for them. The Prophet's (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) guidance concerning it was the most perfect of guidance, and the best for reaching the desired objective and the easiest on the soul.

Since restraining the soul from what it loves and desires is from the most difficult and hardest of things, its obligation was delayed until the middle of Islaam, after the Hijrah. This was at the point when the Tawheed and the Prayer had become firmly established in the souls of the Muslims and when they loved the commands of Allaah. So their souls were lead to its obligation in gradual steps. It became obligatory in the second year of Hijrah.

When the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) died, he had fasted nine Ramadaans in total. Originally, it was obligated as an option left to the people to choose whether they wanted to fast or to feed needy people for every day. Then that option was transferred into the final obligatory fasting. And the matter of feeding people was left only for the old men and women who did not have the ability to fast.

Fasting had three stages. The first stage was its being obligated with the option of fasting or feeding a needy person. In the second stage, only the fasting was allowed, but if the person fasting slept before breaking his fast, he was forbidden from eating and drinking until the following night. This was abrogated in the third stage. And this is the stage at which the Religion has settled with until the Day of Judgement.

['Abd-al Latif]

Please check out!

ramadaanchecklist[1].pdf

[brotherubaid]

may Allah bless us with this ramadan , hope we all and our famlies n friends make it to ramadan n benefit from it , n may Allah make it a way for us to get closer to him n to change our ways.

I recommend We Need A ramadan By our brother Abu Uwais RahimahuLLah, the series is on youtube , Here is the link to the first part http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99GEAq-6owA and InshahAlah u guys can find the rest of the parts along the video.

[M.B]

Brother abdul latif do you know which country sheikh salim al amry is doing the talk also when was that lecture because i've got that channel and wanted to know when it comes on. which day was the lecture.

[brotherubaid]

Bro he is in saudi arabia as far as i know, I wasnt able to get any info on him , I will try with some students of knowldge n see if they have an idea InshahAllah.

[M.B]

It looks like Egypt you know but if it i saudi arabia it does not really look like saudi arabia.

[brotherubaid]

If its
عبيد بن سالم العمري

His official website seems to be this
http://www.obaidalamri.com
On the website u can see the schedule of his lessons

He is ( N Allah knows best)
معيد فى الكلية المتوسطة بالمدينة النبوية وخريج الجامعة الاسلامية بالمدينة المنورة
إمام و خطيب جامع الميقات - الأستاذ المساعد بقسم الدراسات الإسلامية بكلية المعلمين بجامعة طيبة

[Yanal]

By Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Islam has two major holidays, Eid al-Fitr (Post-Fasting Festival) and Eid al-Adha. The word Eid itself is an Arabic word, whose root connotation is that which comes back, time after time, and rejoicing. Its particular usage in Islam, for the two major holidays, is because these two days are meant to be days of rejoicing. [1] The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, They are days of eating, drinking, and remembrance of God. [Reported by Bukhari in his Sahih, an authoritative collection of the sayings of the Prophet.] In this same spirit, the Quran mentions that, Jesus, son of Mary, said: “O Allah, Lord of us! Send down for us a table spread with food from heaven, that it may be a feast (Eid) for us, for the first of us and for the last of us and a sign from You. Give us sustenance, for You are the Best of Sustainers.” (Quran, 5: 114) Eid al-Fitr celebrates the completion of the month of Ramadan, in which Muslims fast and increase their spiritual devotions, and is meant to be a recognition the material and spiritual favors of God to His creation. On this day, Muslims all over the world thank God for the gift of fasting, in which they avoided food, drink and intercourse from dawn to dusk, out of obedience and servitude. The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of faith, seeking its reward, shall have all their past sins forgiven.” [Also reported by Bukhari in his Sahih, and others] The many lessons in Ramadan are acted upon on this day of festivity, in order that they not be forgotten: 1. Devoting oneself to God: Muslims start the day by showering after dawn on Eid day, then go to the short Eid prayer and sermon that takes place early in the morning. 2. Recognizing one’s blessings and thanking God for them: Muslims are encouraged to wear their best clothes, give gifts (especially to children) and celebrate with family, friends, and neighbors. 3. Remembering the plight of the poor and giving in charity: On Eid day, it is especially recommended to give in charity, the best time of which is before going to the mosque or prayer hall in the morning. Here in Jordan, we gather after the Eid prayer with fellow students, greet each other, and then have a short group dhikr (remembrance of God) that is accompanied by spiritual songs. Before people part, they drink coffee and have local biscuits and sweets. In this and other ways, Muslims seek to join between worldly and spiritual celebration, for it is said, “True rejoicing is not (merely) in wearing new clothes, but in becoming true in one’s devotion to God.” As a result, it is encouraged for Muslims to fast another six days after Eid during the month of Shawwal, in order to keep alive the lessons learned during the month of Ramadan, and to become of those devoted to God. It is because of this that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Whoever fasts of Ramadan then fasts six days in the month of Shawwal shall have the reward of having fasted the whole year.” (Sahih Muslim) The Prophet (Allah bless him and peace be with him) said "for every person there is a feast and this is ours"

Source:Ramadhan.co.za