BATTLE OF BADR AND RAMADHAN

Islam is the best: Self reproach during Ramadhaan

Islam is the best: Self reproach during Ramadhaan: The one who ponders upon the essence of this life, will realize that its pleasure is nothing but a test and that it is continuous sufferi...

Self reproach during Ramadhaan

The one who ponders upon the essence of this life, will realize that its pleasure is nothing but a test and that it is continuous suffering and grief. People are always wondering what will happen to them next and thus live a life of uncertainty.

The one who becomes inclined towards it will continually feel insecure and it will result in his humiliation … it will betray anyone who places his trust in it … it will forsake anyone who relies upon it … it will turn down anyone who seeks its support … it will sadden anyone who rejoices for possessing it.

The one who is heedless will lose his time in vain, and will regret it later on. What is more sorrowful than one whose own life becomes a witness against him? What could be worse than the one whose days have recorded in them deeds that would lead to his misery and punishment?

Do we ever think about death and its agonies? How severe are its sufferings? How scary is the moment of the departure of the soul? It was said that death is more difficult than being hit with the sword, being sliced by a saw and being cut into pieces by metal clippers.

O you deceived with this life!

Remember death and its bitterness … death does not fear anyone … death does not skip anyone … it does not feel merciful towards the one whose time has come. Allaah Says (what means): “Every soul will taste death”[Quran 3 185].

Remember that there is no difference between young and old, eminent and humble or rich and poor.

Remember that all people will lie in a whole of dust … their company are worms … they will all be questioned by the two angels Munkar and Nakeer.

Remember that all people will have the grave as the transit place in their journey towards the Hereafter to the final destination of Hell or Paradise.

Remember that the one who realizes these facts should have nothing else busying his mind and occupying his thinking except how he should prepare for this moment and how to attain the provisions to take on this journey.

Remember the darkness of the grave … Remember the narrowness of the grave … Remember the lonesomeness of the grave.

Remember that this narrow dark place will contain the ruins of all the dead, whether kings or slaves … it is either a sample of Paradise or a pit of Fire.

How strange is the case of the disobedient people who realize that they are heading towards their graves yet remain heedless?

No one will be of any help … no companion … no wife … no children … no friends … no relatives. The only companion is ones deeds.

Imagine yourself three days after your death in your grave … you will be left lying in dust without any of your beloved ones around, and nothing can be of any assistance except your good deeds … what would you find awaiting you? Send them forth so that you can find them then, when you need them the most.

Remember the time when the trumpet will be blown.

Remember the time of resurrection.

Remember the time when everyone’s record of deeds will be exposed.

Remember the time when you stand in front of Allaah for account; when He will ask you about every minor and major act.

Remember the time when the precise measuring scale will weigh your deeds.

Remember the time when you will have to pass over the Siraat (i.e. the bridge over Hellfire).

Remember that on that day, the outcome will be either Hell or Paradise … so you chose for yourself.

Imagine yourself being resurrected astonished with the terrifying scene … people all around you terrified … they stand with humility and fear awaiting to find out their destiny … standing for a long day; a day as long as fifty thousand years … they will be suffering the heat of the sun that will be commanded to draw closer to people … everyone around you naked … how will your situation be?

Allaah Says (what means): “On the Day We will gather the righteous to the Most Merciful as a delegation. And will drive the criminals to Hell in thirst” [Quran 19: 85-86].

At that time, all that was from the knowledge of the unseen and unknown will become reality, and people will be in two groups, those destined to Paradise, and those destined to Hell.

Did you ever sit alone and reproach yourself for what you have said and done? Did you ever try to count your sins and shortcomings? Did you ever reflect on the way you perform your acts of worship to see how much of it is mixed with showing off? How can you feel at ease whilst your road to the Hereafter is surrounded with danger? How will your situation be when you are brought forth to meet Allaah with all these sins and shortcomings?

Allaah Says (what means): “O you who have believed, fear Allaah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow — and fear Allaah. Indeed, Allaah is Acquainted with what you do.” [Quran 59: 18]

Abu Barzah reported that the Messenger of Allaah, , said: “Man's feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earn it and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out.” [At-Tirmithi].

‘Umar said: “Call yourself to account, before you are called to account; weigh your deeds before it gets weighed for you; and prepare yourselves for the great exhibition.”

Invest in your health before you become ill … Invest in your free time before you become busy … Invest in your wealth before you become poor … Invest in your life before you die … live in this life as if a stranger who is passing by a town … when you wake up in the morning do not expect to live until the evening … if you live until the evening do not expect to wake up in the morning.

This great month of Ramadhaan is approaching you after a long wait; it came bringing all kinds of good and glad tidings; during it mercy descends and sins are forgiven and pardon is granted; the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of the Hellfire are sealed and the devils are chained … so will you utilize this opportunity and take advantage of this great chance?

Take advantage of this month to hold yourself to account and practice self reproach … it is the right time for one to rectify the ruined relation with his Lord and open a new page in his life … it is a good chance to return to Allaah and rush towards Him.

You must sit with yourself in seclusion every once in a while and reproach yourself and hold yourself to account … Start with the obligatory matters and make up the shortage in them … Refrain from any sin you are committing, like severing ties with kinfolk, lying, backbiting, gazing at things that are forbidden, and so forth … Sincerely repent from all the sins you have committed, and express your regret to your Lord and supplicate for His forgiveness and weep … Rush to performing good deeds to make up for what you have missed out on.

Before doing anything hold yourself to account as to why do you want to do it and what do you intend? For whose sake will you do it? How will you do it and will it be in accordance to the way of the Prophet, or not? What will you benefit from doing it?

When one asks himself these questions, he will always be alert and controlling himself … this is the only way towards winning the eternal happiness and success, as Allaah Says (what means): “And whoever obeys Allaah and His Messenger and fears Allaah and is conscious of Him — it is those who are the Successful.”[Quran 24: 52]

RAMADHAN MUBARAK MAY ALLAH BLESS ALL OF US ON THIS GREAT MONTH

Islam is the best: ways of receiving the blessed month of Ramadhaan

Islam is the best: ways of receiving the blessed month of Ramadhaan: People have various ideas and ways of receiving the blessed month of Ramadhaan and invest this occasion in fulfilling their favorite ac...

ways of receiving the blessed month of Ramadhaan

People have various ideas and ways of receiving the blessed month of Ramadhaan and invest this occasion in fulfilling their favorite actions and activities. Some of them make this an occasion for laziness, idleness, sleep and neglecting the different acts of obedience that they could otherwise be doing. Others find this a good opportunity for watching shows on satellite television while others stay up late at night and use this precious time to pay visits, go to markets, relax, make trips and the like while others make it an occasion for exaggeration in eating, drinking and doing whatever they like, as if Ramadhaan is the month of food and drink, and not the month of fasting.

However, there are some other people for whom Allaah The Almighty wants good for and thus guides them to the right way so that they became able to differentiate between what is right and what is wrong. Such people receive this blessed month warmly and happily since they believe that it is a golden opportunity to attain forgiveness for sins and make a new start that would be sin-free. In fact, the blessed month of Ramadhaan is the month of forgiveness, mercy and emancipation from Hell.

 The Prophet,(SAL) used to give his Companions glad tidings on the arrival of Ramadhaan saying: “There has come to you Ramadhaan, a blessed month which Allaah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months - whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” [An-Nasaa’i, Al-Albaani:Saheeh (Authentic)]

Therefore, those people whom Allaah has guided to receive the blessed month of Ramadhaan properly, are determined to do the following:

1. Sincere Repentance

Repentance of sins is obligatory at all times, especially in the month of Ramadhaan. If a person does not repent in Ramadhaan, then when would he repent? If one does not feel regret in Ramadhaan, then when would he feel regret? Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And turn to Allaah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.} [Quran 24:31]

You tell yourself:

 When I observe fast in Ramadhaan, I will repent. Well, here are the days of the blessed month of Ramadhaan fast approaching, yet you still refuse to turn to your Lord in repentance. You are turning away from Him, not coming closer to Him. You still insist resolutely on your disobedience. Do you not fear that the Angel of Death may come to you while you are in such a state? How could you be guided to the path of repentance while you firmly insist on going in the opposite direction?

Allaah The Almighty forgives all sins: He spreads out His Hand at night to accept the repentance of the one who has sinned during the day, and He spreads out His Hand by day to accept the repentance of the one who has sinned during the night. Allaah The Almighty rejoices over those who turn to Him in repentance and over the regret of the sinful people. Therefore, He opens a door from the direction of the west for seventy years for the purpose of repentance, and it will not be closed until the sun rises from the west as the Prophet, (SAL), said. [Ahmad and At-Tirmithi]

So where are those who long to turn to Allaah The Almighty in repentance?

2. Receiving Ramadhaan by devoting all actions sincerely and solely to Allaah The Almighty

 If your acts lack sincerity, then do not bother exhausting yourself because no action will be accepted without sincerity. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):{So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.}[Quran 18: 110]

Fasting is one of the greatest acts of worship that instill sincerity in the heart of the Muslim. This is because the fasting person cannot be known except by Allaah The Almighty, The Most Exalted, especially if he observes fasting in days other than the days ofRamadhaan and even in Ramadhaan, for one can pretend that he is fasting while he is not. In addition to this, the fasting person keeps away from the slightest thing that can affect his fasting out of sincerity to Allaah The Almighty and seeking His pleasure. Therefore, Allaah The Almighty has hidden the reward of fasting and made it for Himself in much the same way as the fasting person has hidden his fasting from other people, and of course Allaah The Almighty only gives that which is bountiful and plentiful.

  Allaah The Almighty says in a Qudsi (Sacred) Hadeeth: {Every deed of the son of Aadam (Adam) will be rewarded between ten and seven hundred fold, except fasting, for it is for Me and I shall reward it Myself.}[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]


3. Receiving Ramadhaan by adhering strictly to the Sunnah of the Prophet,

No act can be accepted unless it meets two conditions: that it is accompanied by a sincere intention, which is that one should do it only for the sake of Allaah The Almighty, and in that it is in accordance with the guidance of the Prophet,(SAL)

The verse mentioned above refers to both of these conditions.

*{So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work} refers to following the guidance of the Prophet,(SAL)  , and
*{And not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.}[Quran 18: 110] refers to a sincere intention.

4. Receiving Ramadhaan with patience

In fact, Ramadhaan is the month of patience and forbearance. In it, one abstains from some of his usual habits, food, drink, sexual intercourse and anything else that would break the fast as a form of obedience to Allaah The Almighty and worship that brings one closer to Him.

Patience is one of the most difficult things for the soul. Therefore, patience represents half of faith and the patient will be given an immense reward as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.}[Quran 39: 10]

Patience is of three types:
1- Patience concerning the obligations (required by Allaah The Almighty) that one should fulfill;

2- Patience in abstaining from actions forbidden by Him, that one should not do;
3- Patience:  concerning afflictions, that one should not resent or complain of his Lord to.
One should have all three of these.

If one pays attention and adheres to these factors, then they will be the finest help for him in fulfilling acts of obedience and refraining from doing sinful acts, particularly, in this month of fasting that entails exerting oneself in doing many righteous acts and keeping away from committing sins.

Islam is the best: some practical steps toward efficient memorisation...

Islam is the best: some practical steps toward efficient memorisation...: some practical steps toward efficient memorisation of the Quran  during the month of quran and later Almost every Muslim wishes to memo...

some practical steps toward efficient memorisation of the Quran

some practical steps toward efficient memorisation of the Quran  during the month of quran and later
Almost every Muslim wishes to memorise the Quran and many have embarked upon the journey of doing so, yet a number among them do this task rather haphazardly, which leads to difficulty in the process of memorisation as well as increasing their chances of forgetting what they have memorised. In view of the great need of ensuring the successful memorisation of the Quran, some practical steps toward efficient memorisation and avoiding setbacks are stated in this article:

1. The Same Copy

Use the same Mus-haf (copy) when you read the Quran and stick to it so that you may become familiar with it and know the sites of various verses and how to find them quickly when you revise what you have memorised.

2. Reader

Try to find a knowledgeable reader, such as a Shaykh (scholar) who is well versed in the rules of Tajweed (correct recitation). Start reading to him what you intend to memorise beforehand so that he may correct any wrong pronunciation.

3. Group

Read and memorise the Quran within a group rather than individually. Members of groups help each other in correcting mistakes and thus make the task easier. Prophet Muhammad said: "Whenever a group congregates in one of the houses of Allaah (i.e., Mosques) to recite the Book of Allaah (Quran) and study it, peace and mercy will descend upon them, the angels will surround them and Allaah will mention them to those with Him (i.e., the angels)." [Muslim]

4. Repeat

Repeat what you have memorised to yourself frequently, and the best way to do this is during the prayers.

5. Tajweed

Learn the basic rules of Tajweed before you start memorising and try to apply these rules while memorising. Allaah Says in the Quran (what means): "… And recite the Quran with measured recitation." [Quran 73:4]

6. Supplication

Supplicate to Allaah to help you in memorising what you have read of the Quran. Many Hadeeths (Prophetic narrations) point to how this is to be done.

7. Sequence of Chapters

Begin memorising the Quran from the last section (Juz') and work backwards, as the verses in the last section are shorter and more familiar.

8. Audio Cassette

Listening to an audio cassette of the Quran will assist you in memorising what you have read and make it easier for you to know the right pronunciation and intonation; however, you must choose a reader who is well known for being skilled, so that you can memorise the Quran correctly.

9. Location

Try to read the Quran in a quiet location and stick to this if you can, as this will put you in the right mood to memorise the Quran and keep you away from any distractions. An example of such a place is the Masjid (Mosque).

10. Time

Make reading and memorising the Quran a daily activity and allocate a special time devoted to this purpose. Try to choose a suitable time when you are fresh and not tired. The best time is at dawn, as Allaah Says (what means): "…Indeed, the recitation [of the Quran] at dawn is ever witnessed" [Quran 17:78] and that is after the Fajr (dawn) prayer. Avoid reading and memorising in the late evenings when you come back from work tired and sleepy, as it will be difficult for you to concentrate at that time.

11. Understanding

Try to understand the meaning of what you memorise, as this will assist further memorisation and enable you to act upon what you read.

12. Review

Always review what you have memorised and make this a regular habit; otherwise you will tend to forget what you have memorised after a while. It is advisable to review the whole Quran every thirty days. Prophet Muhammad (sal) said: "Take care of the Quran (by memorising it). I swear by the One in whose Hand is my soul that it is easier to slip away from you than the camels from their shackles." [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]

13. Encouragement

Encouragement of your household, particularly the children, will help them to compete with each other, particularly if you also reward them with gifts. Memorising the Quran at an early age is very rewarding as the ability to register and recall knowledge and information is quicker and easier then than in later years. Also, when you get older, your responsibilities increase and you might find it difficult to find enough time to achieve your goals.

14. Intention

You should be sincere to Allaah and make your intention to seek the reward from Him before beginning memorising the Quran. You should feel that the Quran is there to guide mankind to good. Allaah Says in the Quran (which means): "This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allaah." [Quran 2:2]

One should also realise the great reward of reading and studying the Quran, and there are many Hadeeths which emphasise this point. Not only are the Muslims who read the Quran rewarded, but those who listen to it are as well; Allaah Says (what means): "So when the Quran is recited, then listen to it and pay attention that you may receive mercy."[Quran 7:204]

Reading and memorising the Quran is not difficult, and this fact was stated clearly in the Quranic verse (which means): "And We [i.e. Allaah] have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?" [Quran 54:17]

15. Avoid Ostentation

After memorising the Quran, avoid showing off and arrogance. Being given the ability to memorise the Quran is a blessing from Allaah, and people might become proud of themselves to have accomplished this task. Some people might then want everybody to know of their achievement and thus be admired. This is a kind of Shirk (associating others with Allaah in worship) which is a dangerous and punishable act. One should be thankful to Allaah as it is He who made it easy for him to memorise and understand the Quran.

16. Loud
Try to read with a reasonably loud voice and listen to your reading. Avoid reading silently - this will also help you to overcome laziness and tiredness.

17. Set an Amount to Read and Memorise

Set a certain amount of verses to read and memorise from the Quran at every session. Start with a small amount and then increase gradually. Do not be driven by your enthusiasm as this will shortly wear out. It is more important to persevere in memorising, no matter how small the amount is.

18. Manners

Once you have memorised the Quran, endeavour to acquire its manners, apply it in your life and act upon it, as this obligation is more emphasised on those who know it by heart.

Islam is the best: How can we help our children to get used to fastin...

Islam is the best: How can we help our children to get used to fastin...: A boy of nine years of age is not one of those who are accountable for fasting according to sharee’ah, because he has not yet reache...