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Ramadan Kareem
Please utilise your time wisely, it is indeed an invaluable opportunity for the Ummah.
It is the Month of mercy; forgiveness, and salvation from hellfire.
'The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful'. {TM Qur'an Al Baqara 2:185}
RAMADAN TIPS - For a Fulfilling & Spiritual Uplifting experience
We will be adding to this List regularly during Ramadan Insh'Allah
TAQWA - The Main Objective of Ramadan
The goal of fasting is to develop Taqwa (Conscious/Awareness of Allah, Self-restraint)
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may develop Taqwa (self-restraint) ” [TM Qur'an 2:183]
TAQWA has been translated as 'fear of Allah', 'piety', 'righteousness', 'dutifulness and 'God-wariness'. Allah Says
'And make provision for yourselves; the best provision is taqwa' (TM Quran, 2:197).
It is very important to remember that Ramadan is not just a month of fasting (definitely not Feasting as is for many) but it is a month to purify and train the body and soul.
Apart from doing everything you normally do during this great month, try to find at least one small deed a day that you will implement in your life day in day out.
Examples:
Start with Bismillah, Reply to Salam, Reply to the Alhamdolillah (when someone sneezes), eat less, Sleep less, Talk less.
'O Allah, We ask you for Guidance, fearful awareness, chastity and independence.' [Muslim].
Daily Ramadan Tips
1) Taraweeh is Sunnah and 5 Daily Salah is a FARDH (Obligation) and must not be Ignored
To Pray Taraweeh and Ignore even one of the Faradh Salah is Like building a House of Cards, or a House without the foundation. or a tree without Roots it is simply Kidding oneself.
A little deed or Salah with sincerity is much better than a great deal of deeds to show men.
Taraweeh is very Rewarding act Listening to recitation is the perfume of the souls.
2) The Qur'an is one of the most important keys to spiritual upliftment.
If Arabic is not your first Language then Read the Qur'an with the Meaning of its translation, . Normally one should read at least the complete Qur'an in Arabic with the Meanings side by side.
Some prefer to read the complete Surah in Arabic using the standard mushaf and then Read the translation of it's Meaning separately.
If this is not Possible Read at least 3 Verses of the Qur'an with the Meaning of it's translation Daily.
'[This is ] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you [O Muhammad],
that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded' [Surah 38:- Sa'd : 29]
No person can afford to be ignorant of the Qur'an, It speaks with perfect knowledge of the Creator about His creation. It educates and raises men to the highest moral, intellectual and social level when they strive to comprehend it and apply its teachings to life. The First Word Revealed is Iqra Meaning Read or Recite yet there are so many Muslims WHO claim to follow the Qur'an but do not give it its due RIGHT: to READ it at least Twice in a Year Once in Arabic and Once with the Meaning.
Note: This Page will be updated Regularly Insh'Allah
3) Turn off the TV and use the time Productively.
TV has an unacceptable levels of sex and violence that cause harm and wastes our valuable time .visit http://www.turnoffyourtv.com for the Negative effects of TV.
Spend the time Reading the Qur'an, Read a Book, spend time with your husband/Wife/Parents/Children, worship Allah, planning , Helping in the house and we all tend to have an endless list of things we never get around doing it.
One of the pious predecessors said said, 'I wish that time could be acquired with money. If so I would buy time from wasteful and ungrateful people so that I could spend it serving Allah.'
It is much easier to switch off the TV in Ramadan, try it and you will suddenly realise how much time you have. If it is difficult then switch it on only when you have something planned to watch such as the News, informative or Islamic programs, or set one or two days a week when the TV is Off specially for the kids.
4) Be a Conscious consumer
Islam is a complete way of life, we receive reward for every small act that we do.
a) Boycotting Israeli produce
If you go out today and buy avocadoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, Medjoul dates, sharon fruit (persimmons), chillies, oranges, pomegranates, grapefruit or fresh herbs, it's extremely likely that they will be Israeli. Most of this produce carries country of origin labelling or is branded as Carmel, Bio-Top or Jaffa.
By refusing to buy Israeli produce, we can be part of the wider Boycott Israeli Goods campaign (BIG) and add to the international condemnation of Israel's tactics in Palestine
b) Eat Halal and Pure Food
'O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] Halal and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy' {TMQ 2:168}
When buying and consuming food remember the Ayah , not only Halal but also Tayyiba (in other words good, wholesome, pure, safe, clean, nourishing and healthy to consume)
4) Dua
Dua (supplication) is the essence of worship. ( Tirmidhi).
The Prophet said: Duas of three persons are not refused: a fasting man when breaking the fast, a just ruler, and an oppressed person, Allah's blessings be upon him. (Abu Huraira in Tirmidhi).
Make Dua and be assured of being answered, and know that Allah does not answer a Dua from a careless heart which is not concentrating (Tirmidhi).
The following are a highly recommended selection of Books which contain some excellent and inspiring collection of Dua's and Prayers to make.
5) 'Search for Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadan.' Al-Muwatta, 19:11
The Night of Power (laylat al-Qadr) is better than a thousand months{TMQ 97:3}
'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. (Al-Qadr 97: 1-5)
It is reported from 'Aa'ishah, (radhallahu anha) that she said: "O Messenger of Allaah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?" He said: Say:
Allaahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee.'
(O Allaah you are the one who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.) (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
From 'Aa'ishah, (radhiallahu anha): "Allaah's Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) used to exert himself in the last ten nights more than he would at other times." (Muslim)
* Its sign
From Ibn 'Abbaas, (radhiallahu anhu) who said: Allaah's Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wassalam) said: "Lailatul-Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither hot nor cold, the sun arises on its morning being feeble and red."
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