In the Shade of Ramadhan 14

Marwan Marouf relates a hadeeth of Mohammad (sws) regarding setting a plan for our lives. He applies it to setting goals for Ramadan.

[Source: MAS]

What I've learnt is that the a hadith outlines the strategy of life:

1. Set goals in life (even in Ramadhan)

2. Set priorities (evaluate what is really worth it)

3. Aim high (enter the highest level of Al Jannah along with the Prophet SAW)

4. Indulge in As-Salah as it is in the sujud that one is closest to Allah SWT

In the Shade of Ramadhan 13

Marwan Marouf Discusses how our Iman shifts and changes before durring and after Ramadan. He offers advice on how to maintain an stabel Iman.



Source: MAS

What I learnt is that humans are expected to have natural ups and downs (flip flop) in our Iman. The month of Ramadhan is our opportunity to charge up our Iman. Ways to sustain our Iman at an expectedly high level are to:

1. choose the right friends (as our mirrors)

2. practice the rituals of Islam moderately (balanced according to the Sunnah)

3. learn about your deen (religion)

In the Shade of Ramadhan 12

Imam Suhaib Webb talks about the close relationship with Allah that one can gain through making du'a. He discusses it's importance and it's power.

[Source: MAS]

What I learnt is that Dua is the essence of worship, sign of someone's sincere tauhid to Allah SWT. Allah is Al A'lim (the ONE who Knows) and As-Samiq (the ONE who Hears) and its better for us to recite our dua in a hushed tone. The beauty of dua is that Allah will listen to anyone who calls to Allah via his/her dua since He even listens to the dua of the Iblis. And there is no dua in the quran that starts with "Ya"...because its a sign that Allah is closer to you than you think so call upon Allah with your dua and Allah will answer you, insya Allah.

In the Shade of Ramadhan 11

Imam Suhaib Webb discusses prayer as connection to Allah and highlights it's benefits



Source: MAS

What I learnt is that As-Salah literally is a connection; the heart is directly connected to Allah SWT through sound faith and Taqwah. The 5 times a day prayer is an opportunity for us to take a break from this life and flee to talk to Allah SWT as Allah is with us if we establish the As-Salah.

In the Shade of Ramadhan 10

Imam Suhaib Webb discusses what taqwa is and about it's importance durring the month of Ramadan.

[Source: MAS]

What I learnt is that the goal of Ramadhan is prescribed for us to achieve Taqwa, to be aware and conscious of Allah SWT, being cautious and stay away from those that are haram.

1. Understand the concept of Taqwa - it is a shield from hell's fire and protection from punishment from Allah SWT and from plans of Syaitan

2. Practise individual exercises include having pure intentions for Allah SWT, abstain from those that is haram

3. Practise communal exercises include pray and dua as a community, charity, etc

In essence, its:

1. Less talk of dunia, more of Allah

2. Less hatred of others, more love

3. Less money for oneself, more money to noble causes

4. Less time wasting, more for Allah

In the Shade of Ramadhan 9

Imam Suhaib Webb discusses prescription for change.

[Source: MAS]

What I learnt is that Ramadhan gives us the opportunity to stop and reflect on our spirituality and let the world take a back seat i.e understand the purpose of our creation via the act of ibadah like fasting to increase our Taqwah. I like the ayat from the Quran 2:183 - "Allah prescribed Ramadhan as the antibiotic of Imaan to cure our spiritual ailments". Due to the fitrah in all of us, Allah SWT would not change what is in the people until they change what's within themselves.

In the Shade of Ramadhan 8

Dr Imad Bayoon continues his discussion, this time on Acquiring Patience.



Source: MAS

What I learnt is that if you...

1. Know the nature of this life (hardships so be realistic)

2. Know that you belong to Allah SWT (innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rojiun)

3. Believe in the reward of Allah SWT

4. Use the dua of Allah (in dua, you call upon Allah for guidance in all qadar)

life would seem so much simpler and you would be at peace with everything, insya Allah.

In the Shade of Ramadhan 7

Dr Imad Bayoon discusses patience in the month of Ramadhan

[Source: MAS]

What I learnt is that Patience was mentioned more than 100 times in the Quran, reinforcing its importance in Islam. There are 4 types of patience:

1. when facing hardship as decreed by Allah SWT with acceptance and patience, you'll get a reward from Allah)i.e. state of mind/heart,

2. when facing temptation i.e. state of environment around you,

3. in fulfilling the commands of Allah SWT,

4. in the path of the da'wah i.e. the benefit goes to the Islamic community (its never an easy job due to paradign shift/change)

In the Shade of Ramadhan 6

Marwan Marouf discusses the victories of Ramadhan.

[Source: MAS]

What I learnt is that alot of significant victories in Islam happened in the month of Ramadhan. Allah Azza Wa Jalla has created incentives that gates of Jannah are wide open and syaitan are chained, gates of hell are closed and reward for your good deeds are multiplied so that Muslims can go out to achieve victories, maximising your potential. The soul is nourished while the bodily habits take a back seat.

In the Shade of Ramadhan 5

Dr. Imad Bayoon discusses the importance of cleansing ones soul/heart.

[Source: Muslim American Society, MAS]

What I learnt is that purity of the heart is the most important aspect in Islam because during Judgment Day, when nothing would help except those that have come to Allah SWT with a pure and righteous heart. So let go of grudges, hatred, envy, greed, and other disease of the heart for the love of Allah.

In the Shade of Ramadhan 4

Marwan Marouf discusses the value of Ramadan and implimenting this value in our practicing the ibadah during Ramadhan.

[Source: Muslim American Society, MAS]

What I have learnt is that Ramadhan is a blessed, magnificent and generous month by Allah SWT as it is a month of mercy, compassion, patience... a month that would increase the 'income' of the muslim. It is a month of spiritual cleansing, we fill up and re-energise so that we can sustain our Iman for the following year. The challenge is, what are we gonna do to reap the benefits of Ramadhan?

In the Shade of Ramadhan 3

Marwan Marouf discusses keeping the end goal of Al Jannah (Paradise) in mind before starting Ramadan.

[Source: Muslim American Society, MAS]

What I learnt is that always keep the end in mind, Al Jannah. You may seem to deprive yourself of some of the joys on earth during Ramadhan but in Al Jannah, you will receive absolute reward from Allah SWT via Ar Ryan, insya Allah. In my humble opinion, the life in the Hereafter is way better.

In the Shade of Ramadhan 2

Marwan Marouf discusses the different types of fasting.

[Source: Muslim American Society, MAS]

What I learnt is that fasting is more than just abstain from hunger and thirst; your entire body, senses and heart are also fasting, sincerely for Allah Azza Wa Jallah.

In the Shade of Ramadhan 1

Dr Imad Bayoon discusses about taqwa, good deeds and character.

[Source: Muslim American Society, MAS]

What I learnt from this is that regardless of the month of Ramadhan, the good deeds erase the bad deeds, a blessing from Allah SWT. If you have done something bad, do not give up on yourself and the mercy of Allah SWT because Allah SWT can forgive all of our sins, Allahu akbar!

Welcome Ramadhan

Why did I accept Islam?

Shared by Colonel DONALD ROCKWELL (American)

For a long time I had been impressed by Islam's clear logic and formal simplicity, by the magnetizing attraction felt towards its mosques, by the great solemnity and deep affection with which the adherents of that religion had devoted themselves to their faith, by the profound respect and pure sincerity in which Muslims all over the world had been prostrating themselves simultaneously five times daily.
A solemn and, at the same time, sentimental, attachment to life, [which was Muhammad's 'alaihis-salam' personal approach]; A mutually consultative method in doing daily chores;
A habitually soft behavior flavored with mercy and compassion in social lives, indiscriminately; charity for the poor; property rights, which women had been given for the first time; all these things, which were only a few of the many other revolutions that could only be evaluated as 'the most tremendous', and how aphoristical and concise a language it is through which Muhammad 'alaihis-salam' expresses these concepts!
Contrary to Europeans' assertions, the Islamic religion commands everybody first to do their best and only then to put their trust in Allahu ta'ala.
Qur'an al-karim acknowledges the prophethoods of the other prophets as well, beginning with Adam 'alaihis-salam' and including Musa and Isa 'alaihim-as-salam'. This is an exalted sense of faith and a great model of justice, which other religions do not possess.
One of the most beautiful aspects of Islam is that it has completely purified itself of idols. Whereas pictures, icons and signs are still being worshiped in Christianity, things of this nature do not exist in Islam. This is an indication of how pure and unstained a religion Islam is.
The facts stated and taught by Muhammad 'alaihis-salam', the Messenger of Allahu ta'ala, have reached our time without any interpolation. And the Qur'an al-karim, which is the Word of Allah, has been preserved in its pristine purity, exactly as it was revealed, without losing anything from the limpidity it had in the time of Muhammad 'alaihis-salam'.
The qualities of freedom and equity inherent in the Islamic religion have always magnetized me towards it. Muslims perform their acts of worship side by side in mosques. There are not any special places allotted for the leadership.
Muslims hold the belief that there is not a third person to act as an intermediary between Allahu ta'ala and His born slave. The Islamic acts of worship are performed between Allahu ta'ala and the slave. Every Muslim is the only person responsible for his personal behavior.
Adapted:http://serenityfountain.org/default.asp/Recommended

Singapore Hosts Brothers in Islam from USA - 23 August 2006

Alhamdulillah, I had the privilege to meet Syeikh Ali Sulaiman Ali and brother Eric Ramadan Sabree c/o ICNA from Detroit, Michigan USA at one of the impromptu talks held at Muhammadiyah, Singapore on 23 August 2006.

They discussed the challenges and hikmah of the US Ummah post 911, Subhan Allah wa Masya Allah... For only Allah is all knowing and that everything happened has its reason in time.

We were informed that most of the media network in America did not highlight the progress made by the US Ummah in terms of their dakwah activities. Instead, the daily reinforcement that "Islam = Terrorism" is continually drilled into the minds of the people all over the world.

With the free circulation of the book of truth - Al Quran, anyone has the opportunity to discover the true Islam, a religion of peace. Also, from this talk, I found out that Michigan has the largest Muslim population in America, Alhamdulillah!

View some relevant Quranic verses here.

LATINOS AND ISLAM CONVERSION

By Mailyn Salabarria - July 8 2006

Nineteen years of Catholic religious traditions were left behind when Hugo Hernández decided to convert to Islam. A teacher and political science graduate, Hernández, 26, came to a turning point in his life during his freshman year of college in Denver.

Born and raised in a traditional Catholic Latino family from Evans, Hernández said when he was a child then teenager, he followed all the rituals, traditions and ceremonies of the Catholic religion, including his first communion.

"I've always had many questions and I've never received an answer that convinced me 100 percent," he added. "I truly believe those things only take us away from God."

That closeness with God is what Hernández said he's found in Islam. He said, "When we pray, we do it directly to God; it's only him and I."

The first time he walked into a mosque, Hernández said that the experience impressed him so much he wrote out the details of his feelings.

"It was like if I just walked into my home." Only when he goes back to Tamaulipas, Mexico, to visit his relatives, has he felt something similar.

Shakir Mohammed of the Islamic Center of Fort Collins said that, from the social point of view, Latinos convert to Islam because it's a religion that treats everyone equally, giving them dignity and respect.

"And all immigrant minorities, one way or another, always feel underestimated."

From a religious point of view, Mohammed believes conversion takes place because they're disappointed with the religion they professed before.

"Then, they come to Islam looking for the simplicity of God; for a religion where the key point is the direct relation between the person and God."

Did you know that in Northern Colorado:

- In 2001, the Council of American-Islam Relations reported that 6% of the converted in the U.S. were Latino.

- It was predicted that by 2010, the Muslim population will be larger than Judaism.

- It will also be the second-largest religion in the U.S., after Christianity.

Get the details here

Cat Stevens Accepted Islam

As human beings we are given a consciousness and a duty that has placed us at the top of creation. Man is created to be God's deputy on earth, and it is important to realize the obligation to rid ourselves of all illusions and to make our lives a preparation for the next life.

Key Extracts:
In Christianity, I was taught that God exists, but there was no direct contact with God, so we had to make contact with Him through Jesus - he was in fact the door to God. This was more or less accepted by me, but I did not swallow it all.

I came to a stage where I decided that Buddhism is all right and noble, but I was not ready to leave the world. I was too atatched to the world and was not prepared to become a monk and to isolate myself from society. I tried Zen and Ching, numerology, tarot cards and astrology. I tried to look back into the Bible and could not find anything.

One Hindu lady told me, "You don't understand the Hindus. We believe in one god; we use these objects (idols) to merely concentrate." What she was saying was that in order to reach God, one has to create associates that are idols for the purpose.

But Islam removes all these barriers. The only thing that moves the believers from the disbelievers is the salat (five daily prayers). This is the process of purification. And the beauty of the Quran is that it asks you to reflect and reason, and not worship the sun or moon but the One who created everything.

Source: http://www.beconvinced.com
Read the details here.

Maal Hijrah - Islamic New Year

By Mufti Taqi Usmani

Introduction:
The Islamic year consists of twelve months: (1) Muharram, (2) Safar, (3) Rabi Awwal, (4) Rabi Thani, (5) Jumada Awwal, (6) Jumada Thani, (7) Rajab, (8) Sha`ban, (9) Ramadan, (10) Shawwal, (11) Dhul- Qi dah, (12) Dhul- Hijjah.

Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, its year is 10 or 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. This means that Muslim months fall in different seasons. For example, Ramadan and Haj can fall in the summer as well as in the winter. It takes about 33 years for the Islamic dates to rotate through the solar seasons.

Sacred Months:
The most important dates in the Islamic calendar are: 1 Muharram (Islamic New Year); 10 Muharram (Day of `Ashura ); 27 Rajab (Israa and Mi`raj); 1 Ramadan (first day of the month of fasting); the last ten days of Ramadan, which include (Laylat Al-Qadr); 1 Shawwal (`Eid Al-Fitr); 8 - 10 Dhul-Hijjah (Haj); 9 Dhul-Hijjah (Day of `Arafah); 10 Dhul-Hijjah (`Eid Al-Adha).

Hijrah:
The Hijra, historically speaking, is the central event of early Islam, the turning point in Islamic history that led to the foundation of the first Muslim state. Muharram is the month with which the Muslims begin their lunar Hijrah Calendar. The Holy Quran says, "The number of the months according to Allah is twelve (mentioned) in the Book of Allah on the day He created heavens and the earth. Among these (twelve months) there are four sanctified."

Characteristics of Muharram:
1. Fasting During the Month
The Noble Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said: 'The best fasts after the fasts of Ramadan are those of the month of Muharram."

2. The Day of 'Ashurah'
The 10th day of Muharram, Ashurah, is the most sacred among all its days. It is established through a number of authentic ahadith that fasting on the day of 'Ashura' is Sunnah.

According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of 'Ashura' should either be preceded or followed by another fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th.

Read the details here