Ilma Magazine | July/August 2016 | Issue 20 | Hajj Edition

Live, Learn & Inspire www.thedawahproject.com July-August 2016 / Issue 20 / Hajj Edition

BODY MIND SOUL

The Benefits of Sleeping

Symbolism of Hajj

Bosnia: Beauty and Pain

Hajj Tips for the Pilgrim!

& venetian cuisine

The Dawah Project Management Chairman: Mohamed Ali Harrath Project Managers: Yahya Currie

Editorial Team Managing Editor: Anjuma Choudhury Content and Copy Editors: Aseel Saif and Ayesha Ashiq Religious Content Editors: Raiyyan Clementson and Essam Zein Creative and Visual Director: Muhammad Abdulmateen Writers: Zohaib Asem, Bushra Ferjani, Nasrine Abdirachid, Liz Leonard, Anjuma Choudhury, Aseel Saif, Yeota Imam, Elena Nikolova, Karimah Bint Dawoud, Hafsa Waseela, and Shahina Khatun Researchers: Anum Babar Special thanks to our readers, supporters, and Islam Channel.

For more information about advertising, marketing and sponsorship, email us at ilmamag@thedawahproject.com Ilma Magazine is published bi-monthly by The Dawah Project. Subscription is free.

All rights reserved by The Dawah Project. Reproduction in whole or in part without written consent/permission is strictly prohibited. The opinion expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Dawah Project. Therefore, The Dawah Project carries no responsibility for the opinion expressed thereon. Š 2016 Registered Office: The Dawah Project Ltd 14 Bonhill Street London EC2A 4BX Contact Number: 0207 330 1744 (Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm) www.thedawahproject.com LinkedIn: the-dawah-project Company Number - 06864168 Registered Charity Number - 1133424 www.facebook.com/Dawah.Project www.twitter.com/TheDawahProject www.youtube.com/user/TheDawahProjectLtd the_dawah_project

CONTENTS Editorial: Living Green (Part 1)

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Reflection: 10

Hajj: The Greatest Journey Made by Man

By Yeota Imam-Rashid

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Strengthening our Relationship with Allah, through our Relationship with nature

By Bushra Ferjani

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The Connection to our Earth

By Nasrine Abdirachid

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The Fight for a Green Deen

By Zohaib Asem

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Symbolism of Hajj

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Ihram: The Sacred State

By Liz Leonard

By Anjuma Choudhury

Hajj Tips for the Pilgrim (Part 1)

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By Aseel Saif

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A Traveller’s Guide:

A Gondola Ride in Venice

By Elena Nikolova

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Food Bites:

Venetian Cuisine

By Karimah Bint Dawoud

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Hajj Tips for the Pilgrim (Part 2)

By Elena Nikolova

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By Liz Leonard

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By Anjuma Choudhury

Women’s AM Corner:

Bosnia: Beauty & Pain BODY MIND SOUL:

The Benefits of Sleeping

By Hafsa Waseela

A Brief Step by Step Guide to Hajj

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Recommended Reading

By Shahina Khatun

96 Islam Channel Programmes

Religious Programmes showing in August & September 2016

Editorial In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Compassionate.

Living Green (Part 1)

Assalamu’alaikum Dear Readers, “Living Green” should be a standard way of life as Islam teaches us to protect and nurture our environment, for without it or if damaged, humankind will not continue. In Issue 20, part 1, we return to the core, the elements that make up this earth and our physical bodies, such as water as well as the functioning of our eco-system, which are miraculously mentioned in the Holy Qur’an as a reminder to mankind. We understand that the earth follows the Creator’s commands and so should we as our Lord says: “Indeed, all things We created with predestination. And Our command is but one, like a glance of the eye”. [Qur’an, Surah Al-Qamar: The Moon, 54:49-50] The month of Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah Al-Mukarramah is less than two months away, where pilgrims from all walks of life will gather in The Holy City as they renew their purpose in the world through the means of worship. To make this Hajj edition different, we uncover the various symbolisms and morals that can be found and learnt from the rites and rituals of Hajj. Furthermore, we provide ‘Hajj tips’ that go beyond the surface as we prepare the pilgrims physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

This year the Women’s AM team travelled to Bosnia and returned with wonderful, and yet sad stories to retell. Sister Liz effortlessly explores through her writing the beauty and pain that lies in the former war-torn country, which resulted in the death of around 100,000

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people, and the displacement of over two million men, women, and children between 1992 and 1995, according to Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, London. The impact of the war can still be seen today in the eyes of the survivors and the marks left on their land. Islam Channel production has produced a powerful documentary on the genocide, Remembering Srebrenica, which aired on Sunday, 10th July 2016.

From Makkah to Venice, the Venetian culture is charming and rich as you will discover when you read on. Venice is a hub within Italy attracting honeymooners and the curious travellers, who love to explore and learn more about Europe. It is a well-known fact that Italian food is excellent, but the Venetian’s have their own take on it, despite having something in common with the other regions in Italy, and it is absolutely delicious!

Sleeping is a ‘Prophetic Sunnah’, where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised us when and how to sleep; ‘The Benefits of Sleeping’ by Sister Hafsa is a fascinating read!

The Ilma team would like to acknowledge those who will attend the Hajj this year and we pray it is successful for you. We also would like to wish the Muslim community a blessed Eid Al-Adha.

Please send your comments and suggestions to ilmamag@thedawahproject.com, we would love to hear from you!

Jazakumullahu Khairan The Dawah Project Team

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Message from the Chairman

Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Dear Respected Brothers and Sisters, The Hajj is more than what it seems, it is a beautiful and powerful prophetic tradition that connects us to the odyssey of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), the Prophet (pbuh) who exemplified faith, sacrifice, commitment, wisdom, and patience in all three Abrahamic religions. Allah, The Most High, narrates in the Holy Qur’an the life of Ibrahim (pbuh) from as a young man, to husband and father. There were multiple tests he and his family experienced, such as when he had to leave his wife Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) in the desert, desperately searching for water. Today, the pilgrims are grateful for the miraculous well in Makkah known as ‘The Well of Zamzam’.

The final Messenger and Prophet, Muhammad (pbuh) is a descendent of the family of Ibrahim (pbuh) and we know this because of the supplication Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) made to Allah: “Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your Sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful”. [Qur’an, Surah Ibrahim: Prophet Abraham, 14:37] Therefore, the Sacred House, Al-Ka’bah has been there for thousands of years, but there came a time when the actual essence of the Ka’bah was not known to people, they would adopt polytheistic ideas, such as worshiping spirits and many different gods. The Sacred House was used to store idols. Thus, Muhammad (pbuh) was instructed by Allah to restore the Ka’bah to the worship of the One God (Tawheed).

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At present, Muslims of every ethnic group, colour, social status, and culture gather together in Makkah and stand before the Ka’bah praising Allah, The Most High. The rituals and rites are designed to promote unity by showing that everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. The Hajj pilgrimage reminds Muslims of the actual purpose of life here on earth, by removing the worldly desires, such as; social status, wealth, and pride in order to focus more on the Afterlife.

The Ka’bah, in Masjid Al-Haram, is one or if not the holiest site in Islam; intended to provide a place of peace, refuge, and worship. We are commanded

by Allah to protect its sanctity.

Al-Hajj; the blessed month of ‘The Pilgrimage’ will return this year, if Allah wills it, for Believers to commemorate, whether they are able to attend or not.

The Dawah Project, in association with Islam Channel, will broadcast the Live Hajj Coverage daily and other Hajj programmes, such as the popular flagship programme Footsteps of Ibrahim.

I would like for my brothers and sisters to show their support by donating to The Dawah Project; which funds most of the Religious Programmes on Islam Channel. Tell others about The Dawah Project, whether it is through word of mouth or on social media because Islamic knowledge needs to reach far and wide, Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. Islam is a religion for mankind and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was sent to us as a ‘Rahma’ (mercy) from Allah, The Most High. In Allah we trust.

Mohamed Ali Harrath Chairman, The Dawah Project

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‘ Tal bi yah’ , a suppl i c a tion inv ok e d by the pilgr ims a s a convi cti on that the y inte nd to pe r for m the Ha jj.

Arabic Transliteration: “Labayk Allahuma Labayk. Labayka laa shareeka laka labayk. Innal hamda, wanni’mata, laka wal-mulk, laa shareeka lak”.

Tr a n s l a t i o n : “I am present, O A l l a h, I a m pr e s e nt, the r e is no pa r tne r unto Yo u . I a m p r e s e n t. D efi ni tel y prai se and glor y is y our s ( for You) . The Kingdom is a l s o Yours ”. [ Sa hih Mus lim]

REFLECTION //

Hajj: The Greatest Journey Made by Man Yeota Imam-Rashid, Head of Women’s Programming at Islam Channel, reflects on her journey to Allah’s House.

Follow Yeota on Twitter: @Ye0ta

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he Hajj. To put it simply, it was the hardest and most spectacular journey I have ever made in my whole life. Allah, Exalted is He, invited me and my family to His House, two years ago, in 2014. And nothing can prepare you for it, no matter how many books you read or people you talk to. You will not understand the comprehensiveness of the journey until you have made it.

hard. We know, for women, Hajj is considered the equivalent to ‘Jihad’ (struggle) and I can understand why. The sheer amount of patience you need, the fact that you are separated from your ‘Mahram’ (unmarriageable male kin) a lot of the time and need to fend for yourself, as well as the heat you have to contend with, really puts Hajj at the top of the list of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

My husband and I were truly blessed to be able to take both set of parents and despite what seemed like a very hard task ahead with both our mothers not being well, the ease in which we were able to perform the rites and return safely back home, to this day, fills my heart with sheer amazement, at my Lord’s endless generosity and mercy.

Mina, for me, was a real experience. When I first entered the tent I was to call my home for the next five days, I recall sitting on my mattress, in complete silence, looking around at what was unfolding around me. I was trying to analyse what was happening, how I was going to spend five nights in this tent with these other hundreds of sisters, most of them whom I did not know and what the next five days would reveal. But those five days were the most intense and intimate of experiences. The unknown sisters, who were merely smiling faces at the start of the five days, became confidantes on personal matters. They became real sisters, who to this day I have contact with and have much love and time for. And whilst the love and sisterhood manifested itself in these tents and around the whole of Mina, I am sure, what was outside was another feat waiting to be tackled.

Like anyone who has ever been on Hajj, only after securing the tickets and getting the passports back with the visa stamps, can you really start to get excited. Prior to that, you are still not sure if you would be boarding that plane, if the visas will come through, if your place has been reserved for that journey, that year. But once those visa stamps are on your passport and in your hands, the butterfly feeling really does kick in.

Our journey was truly a blessed one, albeit very 10

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The intense heat, the endless sea of people, the night under the open skies spent in Muzdalifah, the miles of walking, the lack of sleep, culminated in pilgrims living in the most basic of ways and begging our Lord to help us finish the rites in the best possible way, that we had so passionately come for. And the one thing that kept me going throughout the hardship was thinking back to how it must have been for the ‘Rasool’, our Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them). That thought hardly left me.

Whilst we walked for miles in tunnels carved into mountains, sometimes on the elevators if we became tired, with cold air billowing out of the comprehensive air conditioning systems, I thought about how our Prophet (pbuh) had to climb the towering mountain in the intense heat, in sandals, with no hiking boots or rope for aid. When we had to endure bouts of intense heat in between the mountain ranges, where we had guards spraying water as the crowds inched their way forward closer to the ‘Jamarat’ (Stoning of the Devil) and followed by the red and green lights telling the mass crowds, when to move and when to stop; I thought about how this plain concrete ground that we were walking on must have been rocky hard dusty terrain for our predecessors. But it was this Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

path that the Rasool (pbuh) and the early Muslims had to forge their way through to complete their rites of this integral pillar of Islam.

This edition of Ilma is a celebration of this journey.

A journey that changed the lives of men like Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali (may Allah have mercy upon their souls) into great men, who understood the true teachings of Islam and beautifully brought to the forefront the notion of unity like nothing else.

Where a king and slave stand shoulder to shoulder, where man and woman stand side by side, where a Palestinian stands next to an American. In this unique place on earth, there are no borders, no class divide, no colour barrier, and no caste system. Every soul is here to beg and plead to their Lord for forgiveness and for a blessed end.

I wanted to end with something that really sums up the Hajj experience and something that echoes in my mind as I write this feature. I recall a story of a non-Muslim man watching the live coverage of Hajj. So taken aback was he by such a sheer volume of people all making ‘Sujood’ (prostration) at the same time, bowing down to their Creator, he accepted Islam right there and then. And that is what Hajj is - the glorification and worship of your Lord with your brothers and sisters in tow, all with the one goal, to please Him. 11

Bushra Ferjani is an MA graduate from SOAS, University of London, in Postcolonial Studies. Her research interests include de-colonial theorising and ethics, political and social philosophy, Islamic liberation theology, and the sociolinguistics of politics.

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n observing the creation of Allah, we recognise, and become conscious of His names and attributes at work. We begin to see the signs of His ability to fashion complex, beautiful machinations, and the subtle intricacies, within the largest and smallest of created things. In spite of that, such observations are not always followed by environmental awareness, even though this would seem to be a logical course of action to embark upon. In fact, the implementation of the Islamic principles of justice, dignity, humanity, and most crucially, serving Allah, The Most High, would mean that respecting nature and looking after the environment in which we live in is of particular importance.

The environmental crisis humanity is facing today, could be considered as a reflection of a spiritual angst that is borne out of our increasingly materialistic lifestyles; such as indulging in consumerism and heavily relying on technology. As humans, this has inevitably caused us to breakaway from our relationship with nature.

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One begins with the Creator and His Qur’an.

As Muslims, we are told to worship our Creator by reading the ‘Ayaat’ (verses) of the Holy Qur’an and the term ‘Ayah’ in fact translates to the word ‘sign’. As Dr. Tariq Ramadan mentions in his book In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad, the Qur’an mirrors our universe and so when we read the verses, we are reading the signs. Reading the Qur’an therefore, means reading the signs of our world, the sun, the moon, and the stars. Allah, The Most Merciful, is asking us to thank Him through understanding that He gave us life, He gave us a conscience, and He gave us free will. These are gifts to remind us of the most fundamental aspect of our faith; ‘Tawheed’ (the Oneness of God) and to constantly thank Allah, The Most High, for all that He has given us. Part of our faith in recognising Tawheed is the ecology that is presented in our principles and elements, such as the concept of ’Halal’ (permissible according to Islamic Law) food. We are permitted to eat animals, yet the method of making meat Halal is governed by ethics and justice.

was a true warden of earth as both the Messenger of Allah and the best representative of Allah’s commands on earth. He moved people towards ’Adl’ (justice) that extended to, not only humans but also an environmental justice in caring for plants and animals. Technology has come a long way from the simple lives people lived, however that does not mean we should abandon the basic principles bestowed upon us by Allah, The Most High. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) proclaimed: “Whenever Muslims plant a tree, they will earn the reward of charity because of the food that comes from it, what the wild beasts eat out of it, what the birds eat out of it, and what people take from it is charity for them”. [Sahih Muslim, 1552]

Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has taught his followers how to worship Allah, The Most High, through the simplicity in which he lived. Muhammad (pbuh)

The Prophet (pbuh) did not miss an opportunity to remind us on the conservation of water and resources, especially during our daily activities. In one ‘Hadith’ (recorded

Our Prophet (pbuh) had a close relationship with nature throughout his life as he was raised in the desert and became a shepherd at a tender age. For this reason, he would always show ‘Rahma’ (compassion) for all of Allah’s creation and consequently pushed for a harmony between humans and the natural world.

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tradition), Muhammad (pbuh) passed by his companion Sa’d Ibn Mu’adh (may Allah be pleased with him) as he was performing ‘Wudhu’ (ablution) and asked him: “What is this extravagance?” Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, “Is there extravagance with water in ablution?” To which the Prophet (pbuh) responded, “Yes, even if you were on the banks of a flowing river”. [Sahih Muslim, 3292] If our environment was this important to our beloved Prophet (pbuh) then it must also hold a given place in our worship. The Prophet (pbuh) also cared for animals as did his companion the most prolific narrator of Hadith, Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), whose name translates to “Father of the Kitten”.

This is because he was famous for carrying and caring for his cats. Animals are central to the ecosystem and within ‘Shari’ah’ (Islamic divine law and moral code) animals also bear rights, and as humans we must not breach Allah’s mercy by purposely harming them.

In the Holy Qur’an, it mentions: “And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance”. [Qur’an, Surah Ar-Rahman: The Beneficent: 55:9] Therefore, striving for balance is imperative as Allah, The Most High, warns us of the danger of neglecting our world and disrupting harmo-

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ny. The responsibility we bear to our planet encourages joining together as a community. Our environment can be likened to a mosque, such as that it is Allah’s house and as Allah’s house we should treat it with respect and as a place of worshipping our Lord. Let us strive to improve our characters and thank Allah, The Most High, by being patrons of ecological welfare just as our Beloved Prophet (pbuh) was. Worshipping our Creator is about being merciful to His creation. Our actions in in this life and on our earth will reflect our results in the ’Akhirah’ (Afterlife) therefore, as Muslims we must advocate for all forms of justice. Our environment is not exempt from this. We must renegotiate our relationship with our planet and remember that we are not here to focus on the material world but to focus on serving our world. You cannot be unjust with nature, yet be just with human beings.

So take advantage of recycling, reusing, conserving, and protecting our environment for the sake of Allah, The Most High.

The Prophet (pbuh) told us: “The example of a Believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind quietens down, the plant becomes straight again…” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

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Who are we?

We live in a world that is diverse, dynamic and globalised.

Whilst technology develops, The Dawah Project embraces these innovations, spreading Dawah at an international scale.

We utilise Television, Radio, and Digital Media promoting a better understanding of Islam and the Muslim way of life. It is our mission to provide comprehensive Islamic knowledge for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

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www.thedawahproject.com

Islam Channel - Religious Programmes We live in a world that is diverse, dynamic and globalised. Whilst technology develops, it is vital that we spread Dawah through the media - the most powerful form of mass communication.

Islam Channel is an English speaking channel, free to air and is broadcasting in over 136 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia.

The Dawah Project sponsors the Religious Programmes on Islam Channel; assists in improving the current programmes and provides new programmes throughout the year. Viewer’s favourite programmes, such as IslamiQA, Recite, Soul Search, Live Hajj Broadcast, Live Arafah Day, and Footsteps of Ibrahim are all sponsored by our generous subscribers. Islam Channel is available on Sky 806, Freeview 244 via VisionTV and can be watched online at: www.islamchannel.tv

The Radio Campaign In countries where access to technology is expensive or illiteracy rates are high, radio continues to play an important role in sharing information. Radio broadcasts can transmit realtime information, broadcasted 24 hours a day to provide the most recent updates to listeners.

Radio stations have the ability to reach across borders and become a source of information, where reliable information is scarce. When access to the internet is blocked and phone lines are cut, people can still search the airwaves for trustworthy sources. Even electricity is not a necessity for battery-operated and hand-cranked radios.

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The Radio Campaign was launched in 2011 and we are currently working in Africa, where 60 percent of the population is Muslim and over 80 percent of Africans are tuning in every day listening to their local radio station, making it a crucial source of information. Currently, The Dawah Project is working to set up analogue radio stations in Tunisia, Nigeria, Gambia, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, and Rwanda. We want to educate the diverse African community about Islam.

The International Dawah Centre The International Dawah Centre project was introduced in April 2012. The aim is to provide a centre for everyone to access in order to have a better understanding of Islam, resulting in a more knowledgeable and harmonious international community.

Ilma Magazine We are witnessing a digital revolution! An increasing number of people have their own computer, laptop, iPad, and smart phone. The digital industry is always developing. We took advantage of this phenomenon by producing an e-magazine called Ilma Magazine, which is released on a bi-monthly basis and is available on Issuu, which is one of the fastest growing digital publishing platforms in the world. You can also download the Ilma Magazine app for free on the App Store and Google Play.

Ilma Magazine provides reflective writings from an Islamic perspective on various aspects of life and attracts a diverse range of readers from all over the world.

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Nasrine Abdirachid explores our relationship with the earth, delving into the direct connection with it and the responsibilities we have to care for it.  Nasrine juggles work and marital life in the heart of Kenya, bustling Nairobi.

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The Holy Qur’an and Science In science, we are taught that everything in the world is made up of various mixtures of elements and atoms. Biologically, we have a lot in common with the world around us; with the earth containing the same minerals we need in order to live and animals that share many of the same anatomical traits as humans. Scientifically, there is a connection between all living things, with the differences between them often being quite subtle, with just the slightest variations of chemical makeup. Allah tells us in the Holy Qur’an that there is a connection between all living things: “Allah has created every (living) creature from water. And of them are those that move on their bellies and of them are those that walk on two legs, and of them are those that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent”. [Qur’an, Surah An-Nur: The Light, 24:45] There have been many advances in science over the years, with more and more correlations found between these discoveries and what Allah, The Most High, had already mentioned in Holy Qur’an. And as science continues to develop and new things are discovered, our one constant is the Holy Book, Al-Qur’an. It is truly amazing to know that scientific discoveries made within the last 20 years are already evident in the Holy Qur’an. The knowledge in this Divine revelation is for those who have faith.

Allah, The Most Merciful, tells us: “This is the Book about which there is no doubt, guidance for those conscious of Allah”. [Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah: The Cow, 2:2] Many things tie us all together; shared experiences, cultures, and traditions but what is it that truly ties us with this world we inhabit? What are we made up of? What does Allah tell us about our earth and how should the knowledge of these connections move us to take better care of our earth and ourselves?

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Dust and Water Our bodies are perfectly constructed arrays of muscle, fat, skin, and organs. And yet, the similarities we have to the earth are clear. How could we possibly be like an earth made of dust and water? The Qur’an provides us with answers to this question.

When it comes to taking care of our earth, the one thing that should humble us is our direct and undeniable link to it, dating back to the time of our very creation. Allah, The Most High, tells us: “From the earth We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will extract you another time…” [Qur’an, Surah Taha: Ta Ha, 20:55] Allah, The Most Merciful, tells us, in the above verse, that we are made from the dust of the earth and from what it contains. Scientific discoveries have found that the human body is made up of 99 percent of the elements Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Hydrogen. All of these elements are found naturally on earth, with Oxygen being the most abundant element found in the earth’s core and Calcium making up 3 percent of the earth’s crust. The other five elements that make up 0.85 percent of the mass of the human body (Potassium, Sulfur, Magnesium, Sodium, and Chlorine) are either found in nature or also in the earth’s core and crust. Another verse in the Holy Qur’an refers to “sticky clay” and this is explained as a mix of dust and water: “Verily, We created them of a sticky clay”. [Qur’an, Surah As-Saffat: Those who set the Ranks, 37:11] From the soil that grows our food, to the trees that provide us with shelter; water is the most vital component in growth and nourishment. Over 70 percent of our bodies are made up of water, this so happens to be approximately the same percentage of water that covers the earth’s surface.

The significance of the knowledge that human beings are so similar to the earth is immense.

The very idea that the ground which we walk on, the mud in our gardens and the sand between our toes is made up of the properties within our bodies should make us ponder and reflect.

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entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Anbya: The Prophets, 21:30] This verse should resonate deeply within us all.

The heavens and the earth were once a single entity and whilst we strive to be inhabitants of ‘Jannah’ (Paradise), we continue to pollute and poison the earth that was once joined with it.

Connections We are made up of a delicate balance of elements that allow us to exist through Allah’s mercy. One cannot live without water, but too much of it can be detrimental. Too much Sodium can cause high blood pressure, but this element is necessary to live. Excess or the lack of even one key component that makes up a living creature can mean ill health. It is only through Allah’s will that allows us to have this balance within our bodies and around us.

We love those related to us, we care for those we are connected with and call the ones we share experiences with our companions. It seems only right we should love our earth, take care of our earth and treat it with the same respect we treat the ones we love.

Life and Death We are made of the earth and Allah continues to tell us in the verse from Surah Taha, chapter 20 verse 55: “From the earth We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will extract you another time”. Upon our deaths, we are buried in earth and thus returned to our origin. There is a poetic beauty to the fact that one returns to that which he or she came from. It makes sense that since the earth will be our abode, until we are resurrected (when Allah wills it), that we should treat it with respect whilst we walk upon it.

May we all take necessary steps to take care of our earth and may the earth not be a witness against us on the Day of Reckoning. Ameen.

Heavens and the Earth “Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined

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W h e n e n t e ri ng M asj i d Al -H aram a ls o k nown a s the ‘Sa c r e d Mos que of Ma k k a h ’ vi a the ri ght foot fi rst, the following s upplic a tion is s a id.

A r a b i c Tr a n s l i t e r a t i o n : “Allahumaaftah lee Abwaab rahmatika”.

Transl ati on: “O h Al l ah o pe n for me the door s of y our me rc y ”.

[Sah ih Mus lim, 1/494]

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Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told us not to waste water, even if we are at a running stream.

Zohaib Asem is currently a college student aspiring to become a journalist. He reflects upon the impact that people have on the environment and the importance of protecting natural resources for future generations.

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he environmental crisis is one of the most important global problems seen in the world today. Not only does it affect us here today, but it will also have a detrimental effect for us in the future, if proper care is not maintained. Many people have forgotten that the earth is an’ Amanah’ (trust) from Allah, The Most High, and we need to resolve the ignorance by making others aware of the teachings of Islam regarding caring for the environment as well as educating ourselves on such matters. Understanding the nature of Allah, The Most High, is vital as it has a major effect on a Muslim’s duties to Allah and allows us to reflect and think deeply about our actions.

This should then be our starting point when considering how to become more environmentally just. We need to know Allah in order to take his commands seriously, making Islamic ‘Tarbiyah’ (personal development) essential.

Although, humans are seen as intellectual beings, quite ironically, we are responsible for most of the damage done to the planet.

Protecting the environment is important in Islam and it is a Muslim’s duty to take care of the earth that Allah has given to us as a gift and all that is within it, be it plants or animals.

We need to remember that, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return”. [Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah: The Cow, 2:156]

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Land Land pollution is the destruction of the earth’s surface and soil, as a result of human activity and deforestation. Trees are cut down to clear the land for; farming, burning fuels, and building materials. As a result, not only has the air become polluted, but wildlife has also been put in danger, due to loss of habitat and natural environment. Animals are forced to move and adapt to new regions, and in the process some of them die trying to adjust. Soil erosion increases, leading to bad quality soil and loss of fertile land. Industrial waste is also discharged onto the land. Toxic chemicals and pesticides are applied to crops, which plays a big role in deteriorating human health. These toxic chemicals can be washed from land into the rivers, lakes, and seas.

Today, more benefits of trees are being discovered, since vegetation is vital for human survival. For instance, the biggest plants on the planet, trees provide us with oxygen, stabilise the soil and give life to the wildlife. Trees are also an important part of every community. The quality of life becomes that little bit better, when we gather under the cool shade they provide for us during outdoor activities with family and friends.

Likewise, plants are the backbone to life on earth. Almost everything we eat comes from plants, directly or indirectly. Throughout human history, about seven thousand various species of plants have been used for food.

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The Qur’an mentions fifty-four plants, which include fig, pomegranate, olive, corn, leek, garlic, onion, lentil, barley, wheat, ginger, pumpkin, watermelon, tamarind, cedar, vineyards, bananas, cucumbers, and basil. They also serve a purpose for medical use. About a quarter of prescription drugs are derived from plants and many people rely on plants for primary health care.

Therefore, for the sake of our mental and physical health and even society as a whole, it is important to make environmental justice part of our lives and take better care of our surroundings to truly reflect the “Green Deen”. This relationship with the earth reminds us of the starting point of our existence: “And of His signs is that He created you from dust”. [Qur’an, Surah Rum: The Romans, 30:20]

Water Water, as well as dust, is the source of living creatures: “Allah has created every (living) creature from water”. [Qur’an, Surah An-Nur: The Light, 24:45] It is important to realise that water is one of the major favours Allah has bestowed upon us, used for purification, growth and quenching our thirsts. Not only will it benefit us in this world, but also in the Hereafter, as descriptions of Paradise in Surah Al-Hajj constantly mention the “adorned gardens wherein rivers flow” and not forgetting the fountain of ‘Al-Kawthar’.

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Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told us not to waste water, even if we are at a running stream. He lived in a harsh desert environment, where water was treated as a great ‘Ni’mah’ (favour) from Allah, The Most Merciful. Being wasteful is extremely disliked in Islam and is also a sign of ingratitude. Approximately 1.1 billion people today lack access to clean drinking water. That is almost a sixth of the world’s population! Islam teaches us that water must be kept pure and clean because we use it to cleanse ourselves through drinking, ablution, and bathing. But in the world today, households, industrial, and agricultural practices produce wastewater that can cause pollution of many lakes and rivers. Most of this pollution comes from people carrying out their day-to-day activities, such as driving their cars and taking showers, without monitoring usage. Not only are we as individuals to blame, but also the large industries play a massive role in water pollution. They produce pollutants that are extremely harmful to people and the environment. Many industrial facilities use freshwater to wash wastes into rivers, lakes, and oceans. As we see on the news time and time again, oceans are polluted by oil on a daily basis from petroleum spills, routine shipping, and dumping.

Natural water resources are not being protected, which is a problem as water is one of the main natural resources keeping us alive and healthy.

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Spreading Awareness It is our duty, not only to protect the environment, but to also spread awareness of it. “Social networking” has become popular over the past decade mainly used by users who are of the ages between 18 and 49 and it is a constantly growing source of media influence. Keeping plants in and around your home, school or workplace is not only decorative, but also good for enhancing indoor air quality. Although, taking the car to work makes life a whole lot easier, it plays a major role in increasing the carbon footprint and polluting the air. Not only will cycling or even walking to work improve your health, but exercising is also ‘Sunnah’, a practice of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who was a very physically fit person. Our bodies should not be mistreated because they are a gift from Allah, so it is vital that we keep ourselves in good form to make it easier to carry out day-to-day tasks, especially ‘Salah’ (prayer).

Ultimately, a healthy environment is necessary for survival. Drinkable water, breathable air, and edible food are some of the resources that are necessary for life to continue. As Muslims we should strive to protect and care for the environment to preserve the beauty of nature for the future generations and not only for ourselves.

After all, Islam is a “Green Deen”.

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Liz Leonard accpted Islam ten years ago, following several years of research into the religion. Currently, she is a presenter on Women’s AM, Islam Channel and a teacher at Tarbiyyah Madrasah in Kent.

Follow Liz on Twitter: @liz_ld

The journey of Hajj is the most spiritually significant event in a Muslim’s life. It is a journey of rites and rituals, stepping in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In fact, the Hajj is not really a journey. A journey would suggest finality or a destination, which the Hajj does not have. And the rites and rituals, we perform along the way, have little significance outside of the symbolic realm.

What we do whilst on Hajj does change us physically and we have nothing tangible after the event to testify to the spiritual transition that takes place. There is no certificate of accomplishment, what we achieve on this pilgrimage is exclusively between us and our Creator. Yet, despite this, Muslims from all over the world flock to Saudi Arabia every year in their millions to perform Hajj.

(pilgrimage); they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass”. [Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj: The Pilgrimage, 22:27]

This pilgrimage is an act of worship. Its function is to remember Allah, The Most High, purify the soul of the Believer and ultimately attain ’Jannah’ (Paradise). Pilgrims on the Hajj are there to fulfil one of their obligations, as a Believer, by answering the call of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh). The Holy Qur’an reminds us of this: “And proclaim to the people the Hajj

Allah, The Most High, states these ideals in the Holy Qur’an: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.

Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted”.

[Qur’an, Surah Al-Hujurat: The Rooms, 49:13]

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The answer to that call is what we see today in the Hajj of today. Muslims travel to ‘Makkah Al-Mukarramah’ (The Holy City) from all corners of the globe and by whatever means they can. This is probably the only time one will see so many different Muslims from different nations, gathered in one place, for one common objective; to worship and glorify Allah, The Most High. All the differences of race, class, and culture are left behind. Believers are stripped of worldly adornments, that separate us and we are presented before our Creator as equal, as one.

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When Malcolm X (may Allah have mercy upon his soul) performed the Hajj in April, 1964, he was forever changed by the sight of so many different Muslims. He comments on this in a letter he wrote from Makkah: “There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colours, from blue-eyed blondes to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and non-white”.

The Hajj is a reminder of the grand assembly on the Day of Resurrection (Yawm Al-Qiyamah), when people will stand equal before Allah, The Most High, waiting for their final destiny. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather he looks at your hearts and actions”. [Sahih Muslim] Another intangible, yet crucial element of this blessed journey is the ‘Ihram’ (state of purity), or intention. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) famously stated: “Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari] Therefore, when it comes to performing the Hajj, we must make our intentions pure and firm.

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It is often, though incorrectly, thought that Ihram refers solely to the two white sheets worn by men during the Hajj. Whilst these garments are a strong visual symbol associated with the Hajj and they have significance, the Ihram is much bigger and all-encompassing than that.

The Ihram is about humbling ourselves in front of Allah, The Most High; it sets the tone for the entire Hajj. Our Prophet (pbuh) reminded us of the importance of this humility: “He who humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah will raise him”. [Sahih Muslim] Upon arrival in Makkah the pilgrims will perform their ‘Tawaf’ or circling of the Ka’bah. This is done seven times, starting at ‘The Black Stone’ (Al-Hajar Al-Aswad). The purpose of this rite is to establish remembrance of Allah. It is an opportunity to hone and perfect two personality traits essential for the journey of Hajj and the journey of life; sincerity and patience. These two characteristics are crucial for an accepted Hajj, but also in all acts of worship that we perform as a Muslim outside of the Hajj. The pilgrim will be circling the Ka’bah with more people than they have probably ever seen in their lives. It is hot, cramped and sometimes uncomfortable. They must avoid distractions and control their temper, as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) reminded us of the virtue of this trait: “The strong man is not the one who can throw another down. The strong man is the one who can keep hold of himself when he is angry”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim] At this point the pilgrim will also perform the ‘Sa’ee’. This is the running between the two mountains ‘Safa’ and ‘Marwah’ in the same way Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), did when she was left in the desert, with her baby Ismael (pbuh) desperately looking for water to ensure their survival.

The symbolic importance of this act is manifold.

It demonstrates the triumph of faith and trust in Allah. Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) asked Ibrahim (pbuh) when she and her infant child were left in the barren desert, whether this was an instruction from Allah. When she learned that it was, she was accepting and hopeful, she knew there was good in it and that Allah would provide for them.

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It is also a reminder of the status of women in Islam. Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) is a key figure, and today, thousands of years later men and women retrace her footsteps and pay respects to her courage and steadfastness.

Hajar’s (may Allah be pleased with her) strength was rewarded with the spring of ‘Zamzam’ that began flowing at the feet of her infant son. This affirmed their survival and marked the beginning of a bustling and vibrant community at this location (Makkah) that was once barren and lifeless.

After the Morning Prayer on the 8th day of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the pilgrims proceed to Mina, where they spend the whole day. The next morning, after the prayer they leave Mina and travel to Mount Arafat.

Arafat is a barren and plain land, where pilgrims will dedicate the whole day, some six hours, to ‘Du’a’ (supplication). Du’a can be made at any point during the Hajj but this is the defining element of one’s time at Arafat.

It is, from this point, that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gave his famous farewell sermon in the final year of his life. Today, millions of Muslims gather there, as equals, to shed tears whilst begging Allah for forgiveness and guidance.

The pilgrims then leave Arafat to go to Muzdalifah. They are drained from the intensity of the worship they have engaged in, so this time is for rest and collecting stones for one of the final rites of their Hajj, ‘Ramy Al-Jamarat’ or the “Stoning of the Devil”, which is performed the

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following day back in Mina. After casting the stones, animals are slaughtered to commemorate the story of Ibrahim (pbuh) and Ismael (pbuh). Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was ordered

by Allah to slay his first born son and as devastating as this task was for him, his faith in Allah pushed him forward. Ultimately, this trust was rewarded as Allah spared his son and a sheep was sacrificed in his place. This remembrance further reminds the pilgrims and Muslims, all over the world, of trust (Tawakkul) in Allah over all things.

“And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, “O Abraham You have fulfilled the vision”.

Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.”

[Qur’an, Surah As-Saffat: Those who set Ranks, 37:103-105] This was a heavenly mercy, not just on Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), but upon all of humanity.

Ibrahim (pbuh) was elevated as God’s friend (Khalil). Thus, from these events came this particular aspect of the Hajj, remembering Ibrahim (pbuh) and his family’s sacrifice and success in the tests from Allah.

Performing the Hajj at least once in a lifetime is obligatory upon every able Muslim and the rites are directly linked with the willful surrender of these three people to Allah, The Most High; Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh), Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her), and Ismael (pbuh) . The legacy and spirit of human self-surrender to Allah are embedded into this Fifth Pillar of Islam. Ibrahim (pbuh) surrendered to God wholeheartedly and so should we.

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“Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather he looks at your hearts and actions�.

[Sahih Muslim]

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T H E S A C R E D S TA T E Anjuma Choudhury explores how one should reach the sacred state of ‘Ihram’ during Hajj.

“And proclaim that the people shall observe Hajj pilgrimage. They will come to you walking or riding on various exhausted (means of transportation).

They will come from the farthest locations”.

[Qur’an, Surah Al-Hajj, The Pilgrimage, 22:27]

T

he Fifth Pillar of Islam, ‘Hajj’, occurs annually in the month of Dhul Hijjah; the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is obligatory for every sane adult to attend this special pilgrimage to ‘Makkah Al-Mukarramah’ (The Holy City), at least once in their lifetime, provided that they have the financial and physical capabilities to do so. Before you perform Hajj, you must clear your debts, repent to Allah, and pardon yourself of any wrongdoing toward others. Then can you go on the pilgrimage in the state of Ihram.

‘Ihram’ is defined as a sacred state during Hajj or ‘Umrah’ (lesser pilgrimage) but there are three connected meanings.

1. The two pieces of cloth worn by male pilgrims.

2. The very act of starting Hajj or Umrah by making the intention that one is now starting Hajj or Umrah and saying the ‘Talbiyah’ (a specific invocation for during Hajj and Umrah).

3. The state of sanctification in which the pilgrims are during Hajj or Umrah. After putting on the Ihram (first meaning) and making the intention of Ihram (second meaning), the pilgrims enter automatically the state of Ihram, which requires them to avoid certain things. Below are more details on Ihram in its three senses.

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Entering into Ihram Before wearing the Ihram clothing, it is highly recommended that you observe personal hygiene as taught in Islam: chipping finger and toe nails, remove the armpit and pubic hair, comb the hair on the head and beard, trim the moustache and thereafter perform ‘ghusl’ (washing of the body as prescribed by Islamic law) or at least make ‘wudhu’ (ablution in preparation for worship).

1. Men must wear the two piece white cloth.

One is wrapped round the upper part of the body except the head. It is normally draped over both shoulders but in certain times it is to be draped over one shoulder.

The other is wrapped round the lower part of the body. You can fix this piece with a belt, a money belt, or a pin.

2. A woman may enter Ihram in whatever clothes she likes as long as it does not resemble men’s clothes. She can wear any colour but she must avoid displaying beautification (Tabarruj) or clothes that are inappropriate, such as tight and see-through clothes. Therefore, her whole body must be covered except the face and hands.

3. There are no restrictions as for women’s footwear. But for men, footwear should not cover the toes and ankles. Socks and shoes, therefore, should not be worn by men.

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prayer). For the intention of performing Umrah, you recite: Arabic transliteration: “Umrah, Labbayka, Allahuma, Umrah”.

Translation: O Allah, I answer Your call by performing Umrah.

As for Hajj, the intention varies according to the type of Hajj you want to perform: 1. In Ifrad Hajj, you are going to perform only Hajj and therefore you make the intention of Hajj saying, “Labbayka, Allahuma, Hajja” (O Allah, I answer Your call by performing Hajj).

2. In Tamatu Hajj, you are going to perform a full Umrah followed by a break and then a full Hajj. Therefore, you make the intention of Umrah saying, “Labbayk, Allahuma, Umrah” (O Allah, I answer Your call by performing Umrah). On 8th Dhul-Hijjah, you start Hajj, so you make then the intention of Hajj saying, “Labbayk, Allahuma, Hajja” (O Allah, I answer Your call by performing Hajj).

3. In Qiran Hajj, you are going to combine Umrah with Hajj, so you make the intention of both Umrah and Hajj saying, “Labbayk, Allahuma, bi Hijjah wa Umrah” (O Allah, I answer Your call by performing Umrah and Hajj).

Make Intention for Hajj

[Source: T. Hashmi and A. Malik, Hajj & Umrah Made Easy, Al-Hidaayah Publishing & Distribution ltd, 2011]

Now after putting on the Ihram clothing, you are ready to start your pilgrimage by making ‘Niyyah’, the intention of starting Hajj or Umrah.

You make the intention after performing one of the obligatory prayers or after praying two ‘rak’ats’ (prescribed movements and words in

There are certain places at which you should make your intention. These stations are called ‘Mawaqit’ (plural of miqat). You must wear your Ihram clothing at your fixed station and make the intention of Ihram.

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There are five Mawaqit: 1. Dhul-Hulaifah is in south west of Madinah and 450 km from ‘Al-Masjid Al-Haram’ (Makkah). It is the Miqat for the people coming from Madinah and beyond.

2. Dhat-Iraq is 94 km to the north east of Makkah. It is the Miqat for the people coming from Iraq and beyond.

3. Al-Juhfah is 183 km to the north west of Makkah. This was the Miqat for the people coming from or passing through Syria and Egypt. It was on the eastern coast of the Red Sea, but it has completely disappeared and Rabigh (to the north of Al-Juhfah) is used as this Miqat now.

4. Qarn Al-Manazil is 75 km to the east of Makkah. It is the Miqat for the people of Najd (central region of Saudi Arabia) and the pilgrims who pass by it.

5. Yalamlam is 92 km to the south of Makkah.

It is the Miqat for those coming from Yemen and the pilgrims who pass by it, such as from India, Pakistan, China, Japan and so forth.

If you are travelling by land, it is easy to stop at the station and make the intention. People travelling by air are usually notified when reaching the station or a short time before, so that they can make the intention. In such a case you are supposed to be ready, having put on your Ihram clothing in advance.

You must make the intention of Hajj from 1st Shawwal to 9th Dhul-Hijjah of the Islamic calendar. It is not possible to start Hajj on 10th Dhul-Hijjah or afterwards because this means missing the ritual of staying in Arafat on the day or night of 9th Dhul-Hijjah, which is one of the pillars of Hajj.

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Prohibitions During Ihram • Pilgrims must refrain from cutting nails and hair until the Hajj is completed.

• Pilgrims must not wear any scented products.

• Marriage contracts must not take place until the Hajj is completed.

• During the pilgrimage, sexual activity, foreplay, intimacy with words, smoking, and using profane language are strictly forbidden.

• Other forbidden activities include hunting animals or eating game meat, quarrelling or fighting, and taking oaths, in addition to any other prohibited acts in accordance with Islamic law and ethics.

• Men and women should refrain from looking at each other inappropriately.

• Women must exercise strict modesty in their appearance and should not apply make-up or any other cosmetics.

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• Women should not wear the ‘niqab’ (veil covering the face) and gloves, although they can cover their head to some degree when nearby non-Mahram men (marriageable men). This is highlighted in the ‘Hadith’ (recorded tradition) of A’ishah bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “Riders were passing by us, and we were in Ihram with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), so when they came near, each of us would lower our ‘jilbab’ (full length outer garment) over our faces and when they went away we would uncover our faces again”. [AlFiqh ‘Ala Al-Madhahib Al-Arba’ah, 1/645] • Men should not cover their heads or wear sewn clothes, such as, shirts, robes, trousers, turbans, hats, gloves, socks, and so forth.

The rites of Hajj return the pilgrim to his or her primary purpose; to worship Allah, The Most High, and to strive for the eternal Hereafter.

The distractions and attractions of this world disappear; social status, wealth, and pride are just a few of the components which have no place in this special ritual. In Hajj, all worshippers are truly equal in the eyes of Allah, The Creator.

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W h e n r eachi ng the fourth cor ne r of the Ka ’ba h k nown a s ‘Ruk n Ya ma ni’, t o u c h t h e K a’ bah and conti nue re c iting the following s upplic a tion till y ou r e a c h the Ha ja r Al- As wa d.

Ara b ic Tr a n s l i t e r a t i o n : “ Ra b b a n a a t i n a f i d - d u n y a hasa n a h , w a f i l - a k h i r a t i h a s a n a h w a q in a a t h a a b a n - n a r ” .

Tr a n s l a ti on: “O our Lord! G ra nt us the good in this life a nd in the Ne x t L i f e a n d save us from the punis hme nt of F ir e ”. [ Qur ’a n, Sur a h Al- Ba qa r a h : The Cow, 2:201]

Aseel Saif academically majors in Middle-East politics and is an avid blogger in subjects such as religion, culture, and politics. Her Palestinian roots form the foundations of her passion for writing and expressing herself to the world.

Visit her personal blog: www.ahijabilife.wordpress.com

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Read and educate yourself before you embark on this magnificent trip.

As we all witnessed, last year, ‘Makkah Al-Mukarramah’ (The Holy City) experienced one of its worst stampede accidents in history. Regardless of what the cause was, many pilgrims lost their lives. Although, it was an incredibly sad and an unfortunate incident, the pilgrims died whilst fulfilling one of the prescribed Five Pillars of Islam, Subhan’Allah (Glory be to Allah). In the end, they died for the sake of Allah, The Most High and we pray that He accepts it from them. Ameen.

From this sad event, there has been a great outcry for Muslims to educate themselves on the rituals and the dos and don’ts of Hajj; in order to avoid catastrophic incidents, such as last years, in the future, In shaa Allah (if Allah wills it).

Therefore, educating yourself is one, if not; the most important tip a pilgrim should embark on. It is important you learn and study the rituals Hajj entails. Learn the ways in which you perform the journey from the ‘Ihram’ (state of purity) to the ‘Jamarat’ (Stoning of the Devil). Learn the best and safest way you can carry out these rituals, which is the closest way to the ‘Sunnah’ (teachings and practices of the Prophet, pbuh).

Hajj is indeed, a personal journey, but you are one amongst millions of pilgrims and some of whom may not fully understand and know what to do. This very ignorance, of the Divine rituals and rules, could potentially cause great harm.

Therefore, as the duty of a Muslim to another, having this knowledge will enable you to impart on beneficial information onto others.

Hajj, essentially, is about the ‘Ummah Al-Islamiyah’ (the Islamic community) and whatever perfects the Ummah, we must grab onto it with both hands. There are a wealth of books about Hajj and its rituals, and thanks to the internet and social media, there are plenty of videos and lectures about it too. There are so many opportunities for you to learn and educate yourself about Hajj; but at the end of the day, it is up to you if you actively search for it.

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Mend bridges with friends, family, and individuals you may have wronged or have wronged you.

Before you leave, mend bridges with people you may have upset or vice versa. Go to Hajj with a clear heart and conscious. This will allow you to put your full attention on the pilgrimage itself, rather than worrying about the ‘Dunya’ (temporal world) and its problems.

Write down a list of the people and things you want to pray for.

This is somewhat self-explanatory, but it is worth writing down the ‘Ad’iyah’ (supplications) you want to make. In amongst the mayhem and excitement of Hajj you may forget the people and things you wanted to pray for.

So, write a list and refer to it when you can.

Prepare yourself mentally.

You need to prepare yourself mentally, prior to embarking on this great journey; and even before purchasing the ticket. It is worth remembering that Hajj is not an easy pilgrimage, but then again nothing worth having comes easily either. Therefore, do not think of it as a relaxing, luxurious holiday because it is not one at all. You are there to plead and ask for Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. You are there to thank Him for the blessings He has bestowed upon you. You are there to connect with your Maker, nothing less and nothing more.

Hajj is a difficult pilgrimage, as you are put under strenuous and stressful situations, which will push you to your limits. But having said that, if you prepare yourself mentally, where you are aware that this journey is not about the Dunya and the people around you, but in fact about you and your relationship with Allah, The Most High; you will be able to focus on your ‘Ibadah’ (worship) a lot more.

Remember Hajj is a once in a lifetime opportunity that many wish to go on but are not able to. Count your blessings that, Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah), Allah has blessed you with this wonderful opportunity.

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Be efficient and productive!

Efficiency can be expressed through your physical as well as spiritual actions. In Hajj, you must be efficient by treating time precociously and preciously. Make the most of every minute and every second possible. Try to pray in congregation when you can and when in the holy sites, try your best to pray every ‘Salah’ (prayer) in the mosque.

Also, be productive, read the Holy Qur’an at every spare moment you have. Give yourself a goal of how many pages you want to read and meet those targets!

Have humility and kindness.

Islam is a peaceful religion. It encourages kindness and especially, when in Hajj, you will see the Ummah in its most powerful, and yet vulnerable state. People are at their knees asking for Allah’s mercy and their eyes weep with tears of hardship. That is why, during Hajj, it is vital to show what and how it is to be the ideal Muslim. Share your meal, smile, and help a fellow pilgrim at every opportunity. There will be many elderly and unable pilgrims and perhaps on their own, so keep an eye out for them. If you see them struggling, do not wait for someone else to help; you just do it. Every positive and good action you practise, during Hajj, will be multiplied. So take this opportunity to gain as many deeds as you can.

May Allah bless us all with this trip of a lifetime and May He accept the Hajj of those who have been. May He always guide us on the straight path. Ameen.

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Liz Leonard accepted Islam ten years ago, following several years of research into the religion. Currently, she is a presenter on Women’s AM, Islam Channel and a teacher at Tarbiyyah Madrasah in Kent.

Follow Liz on Twitter: @liz_ld

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B

osnia, until recently, had only conjured visions of war and depression for me. What changed my mind? Is seeing it for myself.

Now I know the real Bosnia.

A country so beautiful, the natural landscape literally left me speechless. The culture and history tells so many different stories of so many different civilisations that have occupied this land over the centuries. At the same time this appreciation is bittersweet. Amalgamated with the beauty are the scars of civil war, which are clearly evident and plentiful. But this is one story of many that this amazing country has to tell.

I only had four short days in Bosnia with the charity Remembering Srebrenica. I had the itinerary in advance and knew that the days would be busy and tiring. But I did not expect it would be enough time for me to fall in love with a country, its people, and culture.

So my initial interest in the country was from an historic and social perspective. I wanted to understand the factors that led to the war and the situation that the Bosnian people have been living with since. Naively, I did not know that Bosnia had so much more to offer, including art, architecture, religion, natural beauty, and history.

My first impression of the country was before we had even landed. The view from the plane was simply breathtaking. Endless green hills and snowcapped mountains guided us into Sarajevo International Airport.

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My first stop was Sarajevo Old Town, or ‘Stari Grad’. At its heart is the Bascarsija, the old town market sector, where the city was founded by the Ottoman general Isa-Beg Isakovic in the 15th century. This Turkish style market specialises in brass jewellery, plates, and typical Bosnian coffee sets. It was busy, people everywhere enjoying food with their family or drinking the delicious strong Bosnian coffee with friends.

The smells of barbecued meat and fresh bread led the way to a network of restaurants and cafes, most serving their famous dish, ‘Cevapcici’.

This is a barbecued beef sausage flavoured with spices and served with warm naan style bread, onions, and a Bosnian cream cheese. This description does not do justice to the delicious first meal that I had in Sarajevo’s Old Town.

When it was time to pray, a beautiful ‘Adhan’, call to prayer, led us in the direction of the Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque complex. The mosque is impressive without being ostentatious. It displays Ottoman features both inside and out, the complex includes an impressive fountain, Muslim primary school or ‘Mekteb’, a room for ritual washing, domed burial sites, 45 meters high minaret, and clock tower.

This famous Bosnian landmark would not have been possible without Gazi Husrev-Beg’s ‘Waqf’ or religious endowment. This was typical of Ottoman municipality leadership and in spite of stereotypes, the Waqf institution could be argued to be one of the greatest legacies the world has

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inherited. In a poetic irony, the Ottomans themselves once stated on the institution of Waqf: “If you would like to get to know us after our era, please refer to our endowments (as these are our best works that present us)”. [S. Yassir, The European Jerusalem: Sarajevo, where Muslim heritage flourished in Central Europe] During Ottoman rule, Sarajevo was heralded as the “European Jerusalem”, as its invaluable contributions to civil engineering, industry, trade, and architecture attracted people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Aesthetic beauty alongside scientific ingenuity made, and indeed makes, Sarajevo a hub for civilisation.

Outside of the Old Town Sarajevo is a mixture of new and old buildings. A myriad of architectural styles can be taken in and enjoyed on foot around the city, including Ottoman, Secessionist, Communist, and Modern. Sarajevo is a busy city centre like any other. But the hustle and bustle of the city belies a tragic past. On closer inspection, evidence of the civil war is everywhere. Building after building is covered with bullet holes, taking in the beautiful scenery again, I noticed that the white pillar tombstones are everywhere. Part of the 1984 Olympic arena is now being used as a mass cemetery with crumbling tombstones marked with dates between 1992 and 1995. A stark reminder of how quickly times have changed and how they continue to change.

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

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Š Islam Channel

One of our days on the trip was to be spent in Srebrenica. The town in Bosnia is now famous for being the only legally recognised genocide of the civil war. It is several hours drive from Sarajevo to Srebrenica. The time gave me an opportunity to ponder the history of Srebrenica and its significance in the war and post-war years.

The landscape changed, and somewhat prophetically so did the weather. Dark clouds loomed as we spiralled the small roads up the hills, passed empty factories; a reminder that once upon a time Bosnia was part of the communist state of Yugoslavia. Scattered up the hillside were small compounds of half built houses, most of the tiny gardens were being tended to by older and tired looking women.

The last landmark we passed before reaching

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our destination is the vast and dramatic river Drina that separates Bosnia from Serbia. The bridge, one of the locations of the many massacres, has become symbolic of the war and the post-war struggle in the country.

As soon as I arrived at Srebrenica I had a strange feeling of de-ja-vu. Not that I had ever been anywhere like this before, but it was a landscape I had seen many times on television reports and in books. On one side of the road is the ominous looking battery factory that was used by the Dutch peacemakers during the war, it has since been turned into a museum and memorial centre, but the structure has been left eerily unchanged for twenty-one years. On the other side is the cemetery, thousands of white, uniform gravestones, each one representing a life lost in the civil war.

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

© Islam Channel

© Islam Channel

A small hut at the entrance to the museum was the gift shop. It was run by one of the town’s many war widows, although we could not communicate through speaking, as neither one of us could speak the language of the other; we were connected in other ways. She made coffee for me and we hugged; she held my hands and enthusiastically showed me her merchandise. Her face was friendly and welcoming but I wondered what sadness and loss she had experienced. I selected my purchases and we hugged goodbye like old friends. As I left Srebrenica I had tears in my eyes and a different perspective on the war and the country. It was evident that recovery from the war is very different for Bosnians in Srebrenica compared with those in Sarajevo.

As we scaled the green valleys on our way back, I pondered the connection between beauty and pain. Bosnia is a country that seems to inextricably link the two. Is the beauty of this amazing country heightened because it is juxtaposed against such pain? I thought about the places I had seen and the people I had met. What I remember about Bosnia and what I had come to love about Bosnia is the beauty of the natural landscape, the spirituality, the art, the culture, the pain, the hospitality of the people, and the history. The words of our tour guide echoed in my thoughts: “Love will move us forward, love is the best way”.

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

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A TRAVELLER’S GUIDE BODY MIND SOUL FOOD BITES HAJJ TRAVEL GUIDE & TIPS RECOMMENDED READING ISLAM CHANNEL PROGRAMMES

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

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A Traveller’s Guide:

Elena Nikolova is the creator of MuslimTravelGirl.com. She helps Muslims travel the world in style without breaking the bank.

You can connect with Elena on Twitter: @MuslimTravelGrl

St Mark’s Basilica Doge Palace (Palazzo Ducale) Piazza San Marco Gondola Ride Venice Carnival Rialto Bridge Take a Vaporetto Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

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COUNTRY PROFILE

Italy Country: Italy Capital: Rome

Overview

Currency: Euro

The Venetian Lagoon is an enclosed bay of the Adriatic Sea, in northern Italy, in which the city of Venice is situated. The lagoon is acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Venice is one of the wealthiest cities in Europe, due to its popularity on the tourism radar and not to mention, it is a very romantic city attracting honeymooners all year round. Everyone knows Venice for its magnificent buildings and of course the ‘gondola’, which is a traditional Venetian rowing boat.

Best time to travel: Summer, spring, and during the Venetian carnival in February.

Venice is located in the northeastern part of Italy in the Veneto region. It is definitely a city like no other, since

City to visit: Venice, Veneto region Official language: Italian Major religion: Catholicism

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it is located and spread across 117 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by bridges. It is indeed, a unique sight for any visitor. The settlement, in this cluster of islands, began in the 7th century and gradually formed the city we know today.

Venice was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance era, and an important commercial power; producing and selling silk, grain, and spices. With easy access to sea and land it was an important city in trade throughout history. Venice has beautiful architecture and Venetians have created art masterpieces that are internationally recognised. This charming city is also known for the symphonic and operatic music. It is the birthplace of Antonio Vivaldi, a world renowned composer.

Top Places to Visit in Venice:

St Mark’s Basilica The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark, or more commonly known as the ‘St Mark’s Basilica’, is the most famous of the city’s churches and the best example of beautiful Italo-Byzantine architecture. The Basilica is located in St Mark’s Square, the most famous square in Venice and literally all the roads of the city lead to this square and the Basilica.

The Basilica was originally the chapel of the Doge’s Palace to which it is adjacent to and it only became the main cathedral in 1807. Today, you can visit a small proportion of the Basilica for free and if you want to pay extra you can see the Basilica completely and the St Mark’s Campanile, to enjoy a bird’s eye view of Venice from 98m.

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Doge Palace (Palazzo Ducale) Located adjacent to St Mark’s Basilica the ‘Doge Palace’ is one of the main landmarks in Venice. It was built in a Venetian gothic style and it served as the main residence for the supreme leader of Venice. It opened as a museum in 1923 and you can even visit it today. One of the most remarkable places in the palace is the ‘Bridge of Sighs’, which once connected the court and the prison. You can see the bridge without going in the museum, but if you want to pass through it, you will have to pay the entrance fee for the museum.

Piazza San Marco The breathtaking ‘Piazza San Marco’ is by far the most iconic place in Venice. It connects all other landmarks, such as St Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile, and the Doges’ Palace. It is bustling with tourists day and night; you also can enjoy the beautiful view in some of the numerous café’s.

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Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

Travelling in Venice

Join a Free Walking Tour

the high price. You can take a gondola from any of the canals, however, I would recommend going big and starting your journey in the Grand Canal of Venice, just off St Mark’s Square.

There are so many places to see in Venice and there is no better way to get an insider’s knowledge than joining a free walking tour. As the name suggests, the tour is free to join and the tour guide works for the tips, which are welcomed but not a must. Walking tours are a great way to immerse into the city and the best way to learn about history of the sights. A simple search on TripAdvisor will show many companies that organise such tours. You need to register online and just show up at the dedicated location, 10 minutes before the tour starts.

Venice Carnival

www.venicefreewalkingtour.com is a great example of a tour that takes you on a different journey and it does not include the main attractions, which you can visit on your own. If you are looking for something different and you are on a budget, I definitely recommend it.

Masks have always been an important feature of the Venetian carnival. There is little evidence explaining the motive for the earliest mask wearing in Venice.

Some historians argue that covering the face in public was a uniquely Venetian response to one of the most rigid class hierarchies in European history.

Gondola Ride

Today, thousands of tourists come to Venice for the annual festival and it is a display of beautiful masks and costumes worn by tourists and locals alike. The exquisite architecture and the costumes make it the perfect, once-in-a-lifetime experience and an opportunity for beautiful pictures with Venetian architecture, as a backdrop.

No trip to Venice is ever complete without riding on a ‘gondola’ on the famous canals. Sailing on the Grand Canal in Venice is one of the main attractions for every tourist in the city. The City of Venice has set standard prices to avoid tourists being tricked into paying more than it should be and today the 50 minute gondola ride costs 100 euro for up to 4 people. If you want to save on cost, you can join another couple and split the bill in half. It is something that many tourists do to avoid

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The ‘Carnival of Venice’ is an annual festival held in Venice. The carnival ends with the Christian celebration of Lent, forty days before Easter. The festival is widely known for its elaborate masks. You can find Venetian masks in the city all year around and you will see many tourists wearing them. Some elaborate masks can cost hundreds of euros and are made of porcelain with beautiful and detailed designs.

There are also many events and activities you can enjoy during the carnival.

Visit: www.venice-carnival-italy.com

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rialto

bridge ‘Rialto Bridge’, is a stone-arch bridge and one of the most extraordinary and marvellous bridges in Venice.

It was constructed in just 3 years, between 1588 and 1591. It is the oldest bridge across the canal and it was the dividing line between the two districts of San Marco and San Polo. Today, the bridge is a main attraction in Venice, with many shops, restaurants, and tourists visiting during the day and night. The best view of the bridge can be seen from the canal and so taking a gondola or a ‘vaporetto’ (water bus) is a must.

Take a Vaporetto Since Venice is a collection of so many small islands, there is the need for more than just one method of transportation other than walking. The ‘vaporetto’ is a water bus and the main public transport in Venice used by locals and tourists alike. It has stops within the Grand Canal and other part of the city, even connecting you to the airport. The prices are high for one way tickets costing up to 7 euro, depending on where you want to go but it is a great way to see the city from the canal. It definitely offers a different view of the city and it is cheaper than a gondola, if you are on a budget.

It can be a good option to take the vaporetto from St Mark’s Square to the train or bus station and not having to carry your luggage through the cobble streets and bridges.

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Halal Dining It is very easy to find ‘Halal’ (permissible according to Islamic law) food in Venice. There are plenty of restaurants and takeaways serving thousands of Muslim visitors that come to Venice every year. Read below for details on a couple of Halal restaurants available in Venice and many display a Halal certificate on their entrances as well.

• •

SKK Shock Kebab Italy (American, Arab, and Italian cuisines) | 4253 via Daniele Manin, Venezia, Veneto 30174 | Opening Times: Mon – Sun, 10am - 10pm Al Barakah Fast Food & Ice Cream Parlor (fast food and desserts) | Located at the corner of via Teatro Vecchio, near the Hotel Venezia in Mestre | Opening Times: Mon - Sun, 7am – 1am

If on the other hand, you would like to enjoy some true Italian cuisine, the restaurants and cafes listed below are some of the best in the city. Please note that there may not be any Halal meat options available at these restaurants.

However, on the menu there are many vegetarian and sea food options for you to try.

• • •

Alle Testiere | Castello 5801, Calle del Mondo Nuovo, 30122 | Opening Times: Tues - Sat, 12.30pm - 3pm, 7pm - 11pm Il Ridotto | Castello 4509, Campi Santi Filippo e Giacomo, 30122 | Opening Times: Mon, Tues, Fri - Sun, 12.30pm - 2pm, 7pm - 10.30pm; Thurs, 7pm - 10.30pm Osteria Santa Marina | Castello 5911, Campo Santa Marina, 30122 | Mon, 7.30pm - 10pm; Tues - Sat, 12.30pm - 2.30pm, 7.30pm - 10pm

Prayer Facilities The Islamic Cultural Centre of Venice is located a short distance from the Venezia Santa Lucia railway station and on the way to St. Mark’s Square.

Address: Islamic Cultural Centre of Venice, Santa Maria della Misericordia, Campo de l’ Abazia Cannaregio 3548, 30121 Venezia

Accommodation Hotels in Venice are expensive to book and depending on the season; summer, spring, and carnival time are the peak times to travel to Venice. If you want to save money and avoid the hassle of dragging your bags across the city, I would suggest staying close to the Venezia Santa Lucia Railway Station or in Venice Mestre area, where a 20 minute bus ride can take you to and from Venice. Hotel bookings cost considerably less and it is less busy than staying in the main island of Venice.

Unquestionably Venice is one of Italy’s most gorgeous and unique cities to visit.

It has elegance, class, and timeless beauty, due to the city’s unique architecture and picturesque setting with thousands of small cobble streets and bridges.

The city of Venice will definitely leave you in awe and it cannot be described in words but only visited to understand the true uniqueness of this charming city. It is definitely a must visit destination for a weekend getaway!

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

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A f t e r c o mpl eti ng ‘ Taw aaf ’ (ci rcuma mbula tion of the Ka ’ba h) , go to ‘Ma qa a m I b r ahi m ’ (The S tati on of Ibr a him) a nd r e c ite the following v e r s e .

Ara b ic Tr a n s l i t e r a t i o n : “ Wa t a k h it h o o , m i n m a q a a m i I b ra h i m m u s a l l a ” .

Tr a n s l a t i on: “A nd take you (people ) the Ma qa a m ( pla c e ) of Ibr a him a s a pla c e of P rayer”. [Q ur’ an, Sur a h Al- Ba qa r a h: The Cow, 2:125]

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Broadcast in French, France Islam aims to appeal to both Muslims and non-Muslims; ultimately conveying Islam in its true form to everyone.

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Broadcasting from the heart of London, Islam Channel provides alternative news, current affairs and entertainment programming from an Islamic perspective.

L I V E S T R E A M I N G O N L I N E AT

www.islamchannel.tv I S L A M C H A N N E L I S AVA I L A B L E O N

THE BENEFITS OF SLEEPING

Hafsa Waseela is in the medical field pursuing her studies to reach her ultimate vocation in becoming a Lecturer specialising in Oncology and Cancer. She is also an artist, poet and is an active member of a number of Dawah organisations, community associations and charities in the UK and abroad.

To find out more about her work, please visit the following website www.hafsaabbas.com

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Ilma Magazine 1320 Ilma Magazine/ Issue / Issue

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) emphasised on the importance of looking after our bodies.

are functioning actively, whilst we are asleep.

In addition, sleep influences our physical and mental health in many aspects.

Narrated by Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-As (may Allah be pleased with him):

In our body, we have some chemicals called neurotransmitters that act on different types of nerve cells in the brain. We even have nerve cells in our brainstem that connects the brain with the spinal cord. These nerve cells make neurotransmitters, such as noradrenaline and serotonin; their role is to keep some areas of the brain active, whilst awake.

“Allah’s Apostle said,“O Abdullah! Have I not been informed that you fast all the day and stand in prayer all night?” I said, “Yes, O Allah’s Apostle!” He said, “Do not do that! Observe the fast sometimes and also leave them (the fast) at other times; stand up for the prayer at night and also sleep at night. Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you and your wife has a right over you”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari] In order to understand how important sleep is, we need to understand what it is and how it works! Many people think sleep is a passive, dormant part of our day-to-day lives. Our brains

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

However, the other nerve cells in the base of the brain function to signal to “switch off” the neurotransmitters that keep us awake, whilst we are asleep. Studies have shown that a chemical called adenosine accumulates in our blood, whilst we are awake and this causes drowsiness. When we are asleep, this chemical gradually breaks down.

There are two body systems that function differently and depend on our state of sleep. There is a hormone called melatonin that is released from the pineal gland, which is a chemical messenger. Melatonin signals to the brain and tells it when to go into non-REM and REM sleep. ‘REM’ stands for rapid eye movement.

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What happens when you are awake?

How much sleep are we supposed to have?

The body functions are consistent, however, it then enters non-REM and this slows the brain activity, heart rate, and breathing rate. In addition, the growth hormone is secreted rapidly and the motor neurons are inhibited. A motor neuron is one of the three types of nerve cells (neuron).

Its structure is dissimilar to that of sensory and relay neurones. The cell body resides in the spinal cord and the axon, which is part of a typical neuron and is positioned outside of the spinal cord. It directly or indirectly controls the effector organs. There are two types of effectors: a muscle and a gland. A gland is an organ that produces chemical messengers (hormones).

There are two types of glands: endocrine gland, such as when the pancreas releases hormones into the blood stream or cavities inside the body.

Alternatively, exocrine glands release hormones outside of the surface.

This depends on your age. Normally, for adults 7 to 8 hours is generally recommended. For a young child, 16 hours is required, whereas if you are a teenager; then an average of 9 hours is needed. For pregnant women, who are in the first trimester (the first three months), needs more sleep than usual.

Following this stage, whereby the motor neurons are inhibited, the voluntary muscles in our body become paralysed and this allows the heart rate and respiratory rate to restore back to normal.

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There are many benefits of sleeping, so snooze!

For instance, it improves your mood and removes dark circles under the eyes. It can also help the heart beat at a normal healthy rate! Also, if you are worried about your figure; then adequate sleep can benefit your weight too.

If you are worried about remembering things for your exam; then having good night sleep is recommended. It strengthens your memory skills, whilst you are awake and this is called consolidation.

In addition, despite Allah has pre-written when we are going to die, how and where; studies have shown that sleeping less or more hours

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

lowers the lifespan. Women aged 50-79, who slept less than 5 hours had more death rates.

Sleeping also lowers the risk of disease. People who sleep less hours, such as 6 hours or less have high levels of inflammatory proteins in the blood and this leads to stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Studies have shown that one of these proteins called C-reactive protein are linked to increased risk of heart attack, when having less sleep.

Those who have difficulty getting to sleep or have insomnia can be treated as sleeping lowers the blood pressure and inflammation. There are ways that can influence one psychologically and with their behaviour. For instance, cognitive behavioural therapy, whereby negative thoughts about themselves and the world, is challenged to tackle behavioural patterns and/or mood disorders, such as depression. Other examples are restricting sleep and relaxation training.

Additionally, if you are sporty or athletic, sleep improves your performance!

10 steps to better sleep Want to improve your sleeping pattern, check out these tips below!

1. Establish a routine for when waking up and going to bed. This regulates your sleep.

2. Doing a relaxing task before sleep, such as ‘Dhikr’ (Remembrance of Allah) and reading the Holy Qur’an because it will relax your mind.

3. People who exercise regularly, sleep significantly better.

4. Sleeping on a comfortable bed makes a difference.

5. A hot bath causes your body to reach a certain temperature that aids you to rest.

6. Evaluate your bedroom. Your bedroom needs to be a place of relaxation; away from the TV screen and the Xbox! A screen-free zone makes a snooze zone.

7. Intake less caffeine. Cut down on the stimulants, especially in the evening.

8. Avoid eating too much food at night.

This can influence the sleeping patterns.

9. Avoid smoking! Did you know smokers take longer to sleep than those who do not?

10. And finally, when you are going to bed, brush off any worries. Sweet dreams…

For further advice, please contact me via email: hafsaabbas@doctors.org.uk

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

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‘ T h e We l l o f Zamzam ’ i s l ocated in the ba s e me nt of the Ma s jid Al- Ha r a m a nd th e f o l l o w i ng suppl i cati on i s s a id, whils t dr ink ing the ble s s e d wa te r.

Arabic Transliteration: “Allahuma ini as-aluka ilman nafi’an, wa rizqan was’an, wa shifa min kol da’”.

Tr a n s l a t i o n: “O Al l ah, I seek bene fic ia l k nowle dge , wide s us te na nc e a nd c ur e from al l ai l m ents from You”. [ Sa hih Mus lim; Ibn As - Sunni]

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Venetian Cuisine Karimah Bint Dawoud is a qualified Islamic Nutritionist and author of the Gourmand award winning cook book Heavenly Bites: The Best of Muslim Home Cooking. She is also the Director of ‘Karimahs Cuisina’ organisation and a founder of the ‘Feed the Need’ project that feeds the homeless in London, UK. Follow Karimah on Twitter: @1karimah

I lived in Rome for a year, not Venice, but certain themes run throughout Italian cooking when you reach the south of Italy, like infusing the sacred olive oil with herbs and spices. This hot spicy herb sauce is the base for the salted dried cod fish. Salt fish or ‘Baccaala’, as it is known, is featured in Venetian cuisine. Cornmeal or ‘polenta’ as it is called in Europe is another Venetian staple food. At Karimah’s Cuisina Well Being, I love to experiment with wheat free alternatives like ‘polenta’ and decided to create my own version of savoury muffins to dip into the luscious fish sauce.

It is best to firstly prepare the muffins as they can be left to cool after baking, before removing from tins and at the same time commencing the making of the salty fish sauce.

Whilst the muffins are in the oven, boil the salty fish or boil the salty fish the day before and keep it in the refrigerator.

Cornmeal It was narrated by A’ishah Bint Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) that, “the family of Muhammad did not eat wheat bread with meat or soup to their satisfaction for three successive days”. [Sahih AlBukhari, vol 7, 65:349]

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The wisdom of this is now affirmed by science, as more and more of us are diagnosed as wheat intolerant. This recipe uses cornmeal as an alternative grain. Muffins are usually associated with sweet but they are also a savoury option. These are flavoured with nutmeg and ‘star aniseed’. I was inspired to use star aniseed after watching top British chef Heston Blumenthal use this spice in Spaghetti Bolognese.

Nutmeg This recipe contains Nutmeg; there is a difference of opinion on the use of Nutmeg.

When used in large quantities, it can have a negative effect on the body.

During the eighth conference of Medical Fiqh - The Islamic View on Some Health Problems - Haraam and Impure Substances in Food and Medicine, which was held in Kuwait between 22nd and 24th May 1995, Sheikh Dr. Wahbat Al-Zuhayli said: “There is no reason why a small amount of nutmeg should not be used to improve the flavour of food, cakes and the like, but a large amount is Haraam, because it is a narcotic”.

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© Karimah Bint Dawoud

S

SERVE

6-8

3

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Main Ingredients (Makes 12 Cornmeal Muffins):

•

2 cups of corn flour

•

2 tsp of baking powder

•

1 cup of coconut milk

•

100ml of water

•

2 tbsp of olive oil

•

½ tbsp / 15ml flax seed soaked overnight in ½ cup water

•

1 tsp nutmeg

•

1 tsp ground star aniseed

Method: 1. Put the oven on medium heat, gas mark 5, electric 180–190°C (350– 375°F).

2. Mix together in a large bowl all the dry ingredients, including spices.

3. Place in the jug blender; olive oil, coconut milk, flax seeds and the water they were soaked in. Blend to fine consistency.

4. Add blended wet ingredients to dry ingredients in a bowl and stir.

5. Add additional water and stir.

6. Mixture should not be firm like dough and not runny like batter but somewhere in between like a sponge cake mixture.

7. Pour ½ teaspoon of olive oil on kitchen paper and wipe around inside of the muffin tin with ideally 12 cup sections.

8. Using a large spoon, ladle mixture into cups sections, 1cm lower than the edge of cup.

9. Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

10. After 25 minutes, remove muffins in the tin and check with a thin metal skewer knife, inserting into a muffin. If it is cooked, the metallic object should come out clean without any wet mixture on it.

11. Leave aside to cool and continue with the rest of the recipe.

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main course

Foccacina de Polenta Preparation & cooking Time: 45 mins

1

Preparing the Salt Fish (PREPARATION & COOKING TIME: 30-60 MINS)

Ingredients: •

500 grams salted or filleted fish, such as cod or pollock

•

Plenty of water

2

Arrabiata Sauce (PREPARATION & COOKING TIME: 15 MINS)

Ingredients: •

3 tbsp of sacred olive oil

•

1x 500 gram box of chopped tomatoes or passata

•

1-5 cloves of garlic skinned

•

1-3 large dried chillies

•

1 tsp of dried basil

•

1 tsp of oregano

•

1 tsp of black pepper

•

½-1 tsp of salt

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(excluding soaking flax seed overnight)

Method: 1. Place the salt fish in a medium sized saucepan and cover with water.

2. Bring the salt fish and water to boil and turn down to low medium heat to simmer for 30 minutes.

3. Leave it to cool and drain off the water into the sink, take care.

4. Repeat the procedure at least one more time.

5. Then leave to cool without water for 30 minutes.

6. Remove any bones and break the fish into large pieces (3-5cm).

7. Set aside to add to arrabiata sauce.

Method: 1. Peel and chop the garlic and leave to oxidise with air for maximum nutrition, whilst you prepare the other aspects of the recipe 2. Put the oil in a heavy frying pan on a low to medium heat and add the chillies (you can add more if desired).

3. Using a wooden spoon, push the chilli around the pan to infuse the oil with the chilli flavours.

4. After 5 minutes on a gentle heat, add the chopped garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute.

5. When the garlic is golden, add the basil, oregano, black pepper, sea salt, and cook for another minute.

6. Add the chopped tomatoes or passata and simmer on a low heat until the water begins to evaporate off the tomatoes and the mixture looks more like a paste than a runny sauce. You might need to use a metal splatter cover.

7. Add the cooked flaked salt fish and stir gently into the sauce.

8. Cook for 5 minutes and garnish with fresh basil 9. The muffins should now be cool enough to remove from the tin. They are succulent when dipped in the spicy salt fish sauce.

10. Runner beans or spinach drizzled with olive oil and served with wedges or fresh lemon would balance and compliment the rich flavours, and create a neutral friendly plate.

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Tiramisu is a traditional Venetian dessert, very simple to make, very decadent, typically Venice. This, certainly, is a special occasion pudding; perfect for Eid Al-Adha.

Traditionally, it is a layered desert of sponge fingers flavoured with vanilla essence, cream, alcohol, coffee, and chocolate.

So we have to “Halalify� it!

Some recipes do not include eggs, but having lived in Rome and eaten at a plethora of rustic and haute cuisine in Italian restaurants; I would advocate that eggs certainly make the mousse layer, light and fluffy.

You will need a shallow dish, about 6-7cm deep, square, (to accommodate 2 rows of parallel biscuits) OR a round dish to accommodate the sponge fingers in a circle. Do experiment to find a right dish size, whilst sponge fingers are still dry.

S SERVE

4-6

dessert

Halal Tiramisu Preparation & cooking Time: 30 mins Main Ingredients: • • • • • • •

500g mascarpone cheese or soft white cheese spread (not salted) 6 free range egg whites 175g packet of ‘Savoiardi type’ dry sponge fingers 300ml (2 tbsp) of made up coffee, such as fresh ground coffee or instant 35ml bottle of vanilla essence (check ingredients before purchase as some contain alcohol, but the syrup or powder usually does not) 25g cooking chocolate powder (not drinking chocolate power) 1 tsp of cinnamon powder

Method: 1. Prepare the coffee; I make mine using a traditional Italian macchinetta or “moka pot”. You can use instant coffee and water, either way you need 300ml of liquid, left to cool.

2. Whilst coffee is cooling, separate the egg whites into a large bowl. If you want, you can use the yolks later for scrambled eggs.

3. Blend egg whites to become stiff fluffy peaks, by either using an electric whisk or quite simply some good old elbow grease.

4. In a separate bowl, add the vanilla essence to the cream cheese, it will taste similar to shop bought ice cream.

5. Fold and gently blend cream cheese mix into the egg whites and set aside.

6. Place the coffee in a shallow wide bowl or tray; I use a metal food tray. On a shallow wide container the coffee is spread over the surface and just coat the outside of the sponge fingers as you flip them over. They are super absorbent, so there is no need for them to be in the cover longer than a couple of seconds.

7. Place the dish; you are going to layer the dessert in, in front of you and cream mixture to right side and coffee tray on left side. I say this because this dish requires

AND REFIGERATE FOR 3 HOURS

quick construction 8. Place a layer of cream cheese mix as a base layer in the dessert dish, about 1-2cm deep.

9. Take the sponge fingers one at a time and quickly place on their side in the coffee. Quickly roll the finger over and take it out and place on top of cream layer. The sponge biscuits need to be in the coffee for only a couple of seconds as they absorb the coffee very quickly.

10. Repeat procedure till one layer of cream is covered with the sponge fingers.

11. Cover the layer of sponge fingers with another layer of cream, this time spooning the cream on top of the biscuit, 1 tablespoon at a time. You might need to use two spoons, one to pick up the cream and the other to scrape it off and onto the sponge layer. At this point, you do not want to drag the cream across the sponge biscuits as they are more delicate and moist with the coffee.

12. Once the fingers are covered with cream, smooth over the layer using spatula or back of spoon 13. At this point you can, if you wish, by using a small sieve, shake the cinnamon over the cream before adding next layer of sponge fingers.

14. Repeat layering with the coffee moistened sponge fingers.

15. Repeat final cream layer.

16. Using small sieve, sprinkle chocolate powder over the top of the cream.

17. Loosely cover with tin foil and place in refrigerator for at least three hours before serving.

18. This wonderful dessert can be served alone or with fresh fruit such as tart berries. Alternatively, you can add berries into the layers of the dessert as you go.

In nutrition theory, there is a 80/20 ratio of healthy/ unhealthy foods and this sweet creamy dessert is one of those unhealthy moments, so be mindful and enjoy.

Buon appetito!

Have you enjoyed making and indulging in this recipe? If so, please share your pictures with us: @TheDawahProject and @1karimah. Hashtag #Ilma #FoodBites #Venice

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

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‘ S a ’ e e ’ c onsi sts of w al ki ng bac k a nd for th s e v e n time s in a s ta te of a blutio n b e t w e e n ‘ Al -S afa’ and ‘ Al -Mar w a h’. Al- Sa fa a nd Al- Ma r wa h a r e hills , whe r e t h e fo r m e r i s l o cated south of the Ka’ba h a nd the la tte r is loc a te d a t the nor th of th e Ka ’ba h.

W h e n y o u approach M ount Safa r e c ite the following pa r t of Sur a h Al- Ba qa r a h :

Arabic Transliteration: “Innas-safaa wal marwata min sha’aa’irillaahi” and then, “Abda’u bimaa bada’allaahu bih”.

Tr a n s l a t i on: “Veri l y, Al -S afa an d Al- Ma r wa h a r e fr om the s y mbols of Alla h” .

[Q ur’ an, S urah Al- Ba qa r a h: The Cow, 2:158] Tr a nsl ati on: “I begi n by th a t whic h Alla h be ga n”. [ Sa hih Mus lim]

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Š By Negla Abdalla

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Visit her blog: www.pearlsofawannabejournalist.tumblr.com

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Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

You found beauty in your shared pain.

Your souls connected and intertwined through the losses you both shared.

You united and stood forth eluding strength in front of your new families.

Today you start a new journey of man and wife, Two different journeys becoming one shared life.

Her late mother and your late father graced us with their presence, took every opportunity to remind us they never left us.

Their names forever on our lips exchanging stories on your big day with those who missed the chance to meet them, tears flowing down every single persons cheeks remembering all the memories we had.

But today Allah reminded us nobody really ever leaves, they just return to where they belonged, and he showed us that beauty the moment our beloved bride released a clutter of coloured balloons yet only two flew up to the heavens.

So please say Ameen for the wondrous way Allah works. Please say Ameen for the time we had with them, for verily they never belonged to us, they were merely a blessing, a guidance from beyond, a precious gift.

A gift that has brought you to the gift of Love.

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

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Elena Nikolova is the creator of MuslimTravelGirl.com. She helps Muslims travel the world in style without breaking the bank.

You can connect with Elena on Twitter: @MuslimTravelGrl

Hajj is an extremely rewarding religious obligation, but it can create confusion and frustration if the pilgrim is not prepared for it. So, in order to make the whole process a little bit easier, I have put a list of 9 essential things you should know before starting this beautiful journey.

Make sure you make extra copies of your documents.

It is always a good idea to keep extra copies in different places whilst on Hajj, for example, have one copy in your luggage and carry the other copy with you, in case you lose your documents, you will have a backup.

Make sure you get vaccinated.

Saudi officials require for the pilgrim to be vacci-

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nated, such as protection from Meningitis. So it will be very beneficial for you to make sure that you have received all the obligatory vaccinations and have the certificates to prove it, as it can be requested by the authorities.

Stay fit and healthy before embarking on Hajj.

The fact that during Hajj someone could walk up to 20 miles often skips a lot of people’s mind and they start their Hajj journey without considering their physical state. It is extremely important to exercise before Hajj, as it will be easier for you, not only to perform your religious obligations, but also, in order enjoy more of your Hajj experience without feeling tired. Being fit is vital as it is recommended that you start exercising up to 6 months before Hajj.

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

Pack essentials for a comfortable stay.

There are essentials that you can pack in order to make your stay in Mina much more comfortable, such as a theft-proof backpack, packing extra towels, tissues, slippers, plastic cups, and travel toiletries. Sisters should pack comfortable and breathable garments. Create a small amenity kit for your stay in Mina to have everything on hand. One piece ‘Hijabs’ (headcovers) for Umrah and Hajj, could save sisters a lot of worrying, as they stay put and cover your hair beautifully.

Furthermore, for a more comfortable stay you can consider extra sheets, a travel pillow, and a camping mattress, which are easy to carry.

The contents of your carry on is very important.

At the Hajj terminal people could wait 4 hours or more for your flight to be processed and so what you have in your carry-on is extremely important during those hours. One extra garment, ‘Ihram clothing’ (two piece white cloths worn by men), and some hygienic products could prove life-savers in case your bag gets lost. As the Hajj terminal does not have any food facilities, you should definitely bring extra bottles of water, fruits, and snacks. A sleeping bag should be useful, in case your flight gets delayed. When you are not preoccupied, read some supplica-

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

tions in order to gain the maximum rewards of every moment.

Know that toilet facilities are limited.

It is vital to know that there are few basic toilets in the Hajj terminal, Mina, and Muzdalifah, so you should limit your water and food consumption before entering the plane to Jeddah and during Hajj. You can get dehydrated during your flight, so try and balance your water intake because you might feel the need to use the bathroom often, which could give you problems when arriving. You should use the bathroom before you leave the plane, as it might be cleaner and more comfortable than the ones in the Hajj terminal.

The above mentioned tips should not intimidate you nor put you off your trip to The Holy City of Makkah, but prepare you for what to expect. Hajj is one of the most transformational journeys in your life, and therefore it is worth the hardship that comes with it. As Allah, The Most High, says: “For indeed, with hardship (will be) ease”.

[Qur’an, Surah Ash-Sharh: The Relief, 94:5] Enjoy every moment of this journey, as you get the opportunity to connect with your Lord in a unique way and meet other pilgrims from all walks of life.

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W h e n o n Mount A l -S afa and the Ka ’ba h c a n be s e e n, fa c e the dir e c tion of th e K a’ bah and reci te thr ic e the following s upplic a tion.

Arabic Transliteration: “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Great) followed by, “Laa ilaaha illa Allah, Wahdahu laa Sharikalah, Lah ul-Mulk, Wa lah ul-Hamd, Wa huwa ‘ala Kulli shay’in Qadeer, Laa ilaaha illa Allah, Anjaza wa’dah, Wa NaSara ‘aabdah, Wa hazama lahzaaba wahdah”.

Tr a n s l a t i o n: “There i s nothi ng wor thy of wor s hip e x c e pt Alla h, Alone . He has n o p a r t n e r, To H i m bel ongs the k ingdom, a nd a ll pr a is e be longs to Him, a nd H e h a s p o we r above al l thi ngs, There is nothing wor thy of wor s hip e x c e pt Alla h, H e f u l f i l l e d H i s prom i se, G ranted vi c tor y to His s e r v a nt, And a lone He de fe a te d th e al l i ed a r my ”. [ Sa hih Mus lim]

It is beneficial for everyone to learn and know the Hajj schedule, even if you are not able to attend this year, for you never know when Allah, The Most High, will decide to invite you to His Sacred Mosque; ‘Masjid Al-Haram’. The following is a brief introduction to the rituals and rites of Hajj.

By Anjuma Choudhury

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

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Before Hajj The pilgrims usually arrive into Jeddah; Saudi Arabia, the major port city nearest to Makkah (45 miles distance). From there, they travel with their Hajj group to Makkah. As they approach Makkah, they stop at one of the designated areas to shower and change clothing, entering into a state of devotion and purity (Ihram) for the pilgrimage. They then begin reciting an invocation: “Labbaik Allah humma labbaik!

Labbaik la sharika laka labbaik!

Innal hamda!

Wan-ni’mata!

Laka walmulk!

Laa sharika lak!”

Translation: “Here I am, Oh God, at Your command!

Here I am at Your command!

You are without associate!

Here I am at Your command!

To You are all praise, grace and dominion!

You are without associate!” [Sahih Muslim] The sound of this chant echoes over the land, as the pilgrims begin to arrive into Makkah, by the thousands, for the sacred rites.

DAY ONE

(8th of Dhul-Hijjah) On the first official day of the pilgrimage, millions of pilgrims travel to Mina, a small village, which is in the east of Makkah.

There, they spend the day and night in enormous tent cities, praying, reading the Holy Qur’an and resting for the next day.

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Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

DAY TWO

(9th of Dhul-Hijjah) On the second day of the pilgrimage, the pilgrims leave Mina, just after dawn, to travel to the Plain of Arafat, which is known as the ‘Day of Arafah’. The pilgrims spend the entire day at the Mount of Mercy asking Allah, The Most High, for forgiveness and making supplications. Muslims around the world, who are not at the pilgrimage, join them in spirit by fasting for the day.

After sunset on the Day of Arafah, the pilgrims leave and travel to Muzdalifah, an open level area, roughly halfway between Arafat and Mina. There they spend the night praying, and collecting small stone pebbles to be used the following day for ‘Jamarat’, which is the ritual of ‘Stoning of the Devil’.

DAY THREE (10th of Dhul-Hijjah)

On the third day, the pilgrims move before sunrise, this time back to Mina. Here they throw their stones or pebbles at pillars symbolic of ‘Shaytan’ (Devil).

When throwing the stones, the pilgrims recall the story of Shaytan’s attempt to dissuade Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) from following Allah, The Most High, command to sacrifice his son Ismael (pbuh).

The stones represent his rejection of Shaytan and the firmness of his faith (Imaan). After casting the stones, most pilgrims slaughter an animal, such as a sheep or a goat and give away the meat to the poor. This is a symbolic act that shows their willingness to part with something that is precious to them, just as the Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) was prepared to sacrifice his son at Allah’s command. On this day, Muslims celebrate ‘Eid Al-Adha’; which is the ‘Festival of the Sacrifice’. This is the second of the two major festivals in Islam.

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DAY FOUR (11th of Dhul-Hijjah)

The pilgrims then return to Makkah and perform ‘Tawaf Al-Ifadah’; seven circuits around the ‘Ka’bah’.

The Ka’bah is the focal point of Islamic worship built

by Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismael (peace be upon them). The pilgrims also pray near a place called ‘Maqam Ibrahim’ (The Station of Ibrahim), which is reportedly where he stood whilst constructing the Ka’bah. The pilgrims’ then walk seven times between two small hills (Al-Safa and Al-Marwah) near the Ka’bah situated in the complex of Masjid Al-Haram. This is done in remembrance of the plight of Prophet Ibrahim’s wife Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her), who desperately searched the area for water for herself and her son, before a spring welled up in the desert for her. At the present time, the pilgrims drink from fountains that provide water from ‘The Well of Zamzam’, which continues to flow today, Subhan’Allah (Glory be to Allah).

DAY FIVE

(12th of Dhul-Hijjah) On the last day of the Hajj, the pilgrims must perform ‘Tawaf Al-Wada’ around the Ka’bah to mark the end of the pilgrimage. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The people used to head off in every direction and so the Prophet (pbuh) said: “None of you should depart until he makes as his last act Tawaf of the House”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari] As for the menstruating women, they are permitted to leave without waiting as narrated also by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): “That the Prophet (pbuh) gave concession for the menstruating women that she should depart before (Farewell) Tawaf as long as she had made Tawaf of Ifadah”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari] The pilgrims leave Masjid Al-Haram with faith, hope and strength, In shaa Allah (if Allah wills it).

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After Hajj Once the Hajj is completed, many pilgrims take advantage of their travel time by visiting the city of Madinah, 270 miles north of Makkah. In 622 CE, the ‘Al-Ansar’, ‘The Helpers’ of Madinah provided refuge and safety to the early Muslim community, when they were being persecuted by the powerful Makkan tribes. Madinah became the centre of the growing Muslim community, home to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers for many years.

Pilgrims visit the ‘Al-Masjid An-Nabawi’ (The Prophet’s Mosque), where he is buried, as well as other ancient mosques, and the many historical battle sites and graveyards in the area, such as the ‘Jannat Al-Baqi’, where many of the Prophet’s (peace be upon them) relatives and companions were buried (may Allah be pleased with them).

After Hajj, the pilgrims return home with renewed faith and perspective on life, In shaa Allah.

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“Our Lord, and make us Muslims (in submission) to You and from our descendants a Muslim nation (in submission) to You. And show us our rites and accept our repentance. Indeed, You are the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful”.

[Q ur’ an, Surah Al- Ba qa r a h: The Cow, 2:128]

By Shahina Khatun Shahina is an Islam Channel presenter and a graduate of Journalism.

She is passionate about having the Muslim woman’s voice heard on issues ranging from race, religion, and politics. She is also an up-and-coming poet and believes poetry to be a beautiful and powerful medium to connect with people.

Follow Shahina on Facebook: www.facebook.com/shahina.khatun.7564 Visit her blog: www.lyricallyspeakingsite.wordpress.com

“Islam is rooted in the idea that knowledge is the most potent force on earth. The more one knows, the closer one gets to the One who knows all. The Prophet, God bless and grant him peace, loved knowledge, and it is the only prayer the Qur’an commands him to supplicate (for increase): “Say: “O my Lord! Advance me in knowledge”.

Hamza Yusuf, American Islamic Scholar

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

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NAFSI: Jihad upon my Self

By Kashmir Maryam, USA: Kashmir Maryam (2016)

Nafsi is a beautifully written collection of poetry and prose that exude elegance and grace throughout.

Written by Kashmir Maryam, an already accomplished and talented artist, originally from Leeds, UK. She now lives in the US, where she endeavours to clarify misconceptions about Islam through spoken word and poetry.

In Nafsi - Jihad upon my Self, she conveys the toil of the soul and its fight to persevere. She writes about the battles within, to overcome the love for an illusion that is this temporary life (Dunya). She writes about the struggle and sacrifice for the life that is real and eternal (Akhirah). Newly released, Kashmir’s poems’ delve into a range of subjects, from individual struggle to the sadness of war, to name a few. Her words engage the reader into a world of deep contemplation and self-reflection.

The more I read each poem, the more I appreciate how gifted this poet is. Each piece demonstrates immense skill. Her poems captivate the mind, taking the reader into a world of imagery and words, successfully displaying an array of emotions. Her words ooze wisdom, alongside human weakness, pain, and loss together with hope and determination.

What makes this collection of poetry significant in the current times is the fact that there are a very few published poetry books written by Muslim women, especially in the West. We live at a time, where Muslim women are as much misrepresented and underrepresented. So, to have talent showcased like this, through which Muslim women enable their voices to be heard, makes books such as these more significant.

This is a special book and one I have been waiting for in anticipation to read. And Kashmir Maryam has not disappointed me with such artfully written poetry.

Available to purchase from Amazon.

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Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

Surviving Srebrenica

By Hasan Hasanovic, Scotland: The Lumphanan Press (2016)

Surviving Srebrenica is an eye witness account of the horror that Hasan Hasanovic suffered during the Srebrenica massacre, when sadly, his father and twin brother were also killed. He was amongst a few who survived the terrifying ‘death march’ and escaped the genocidal killing of more than 8,000 Muslim Bosniaks of mainly men and boys, from in and around the town of Srebrenica, in July,1995. The author reminisces about his happy childhood on his family farm and the friends who he grew up with, and later lost. He gives the reader a glimpse into what life was like before the conflict and the tension between the Bosniaks and Serbs, that he witnessed over the years leading up to the civil war.

The book is a good introduction to the impact of the Bosnian war, on a personal level, and is an extremely easy read. The writing style is direct and to the point. Having personally met Hasan, the similarity between his writing and speech is apparent, as he does not flower or exaggerate his language and is very straightforward when recounting the facts about the war.

Hasan is now a curator and translator at the Memorial Centre in Srebrenica, where he regularly relives the ordeal that he suffered and the many deaths he witnessed. This book is his work towards raising awareness and keeping the memory alive of what happened to the Muslims in Bosnia, so that lessons may be learnt from the pain that they continue to suffer silently today. The biggest lesson being that, it only takes the smallest seed of hatred, towards a group of people, to set the pace towards murder and killing on a genocidal scale. And it can happen on one’s own doorstep, despite how unrealistic it may seem at that time, as it did in Bosnia.

Surviving Srebrenica goes beyond statistics, it humanises the war and gives us a slight insight into the pain that an individual, such as Hasan Hasanovic has to live with the rest of his life.

And we can comprehend this when Hasan writes: “…every time I walk the streets, every corner I turn, every building I enter, every house I visit, every tree that blows in the wind, reminds me of those I loved and cared about. I think of my father and twin brother and what happened to them, how and where they were killed. I think of all of my friends who were killed just because they had a different name”. Suffering does not end just because a war comes to an end.

Available to purchase from Amazon.

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

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“In it are clear signs (such as) the standing place of Ibrahim. And whoever enters it shall be safe. And (due) to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves - then indeed, Allah is free from need of the worlds”.

[Q ur’ an, S urah A l i -Imr a n: The F a mily of Imr a n, 3:97]

Islam Channel Urdu L AU N C H E D 4 T H J U N E 2 015 L I V E O N S K Y 8 51 Broadcasting from the heart of London, Islam Channel provides alternative news, current affairs and entertainment programming from an Islamic perspective. Ethical Media Group, the parent company of Islam Channel, is now launching Islam Channel Urdu.

Islam Channel Urdu’s key target audience are the Urdu speaking viewers of the UK as well as those in Pakistan. The main objective of Islam Channel Urdu is to promote religion from a critical thinking angle and to address current issues faced by the community so that viewers can benefit from programmes that are not only interactive but also meaningful.

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Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

The Hajj Show Learn about the sacred rites of Hajj, and fulfil the Fifth Pillar of Islam. This special journey to the House of Allah will be explored throughout the summer, with the audience being given the opportunity to call in and clarify any areas necessary.

Telecasts (BST): Every Saturday, 6pm

Our Creator How well do we know our Lord, Allah? This new series explores our relationship with our Creator in regards to His attributes, and our dedication to Him through our actions and worship.

Telecasts (BST): Hajj Season

The Beginning and the End Sheikh Omar Suleiman delivers a powerful series showcasing the entire history of mankind; from the creation of Adam (pbuh) until the Day of Judgement. Brilliantly delivered, it is a series to engage the whole family.

Telecasts (BST): Every Friday, 5:15pm

Al-Ma’riz A special documentary featuring breathtaking camerawork, showcasing two of the holy mosques of Islam, Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid An-Nabawi in Madinah, in relation to their everyday maintenance and development.

Telecasts (BST): Hajj Season

Remembrance A collection of beneficial reminders in the form of animations, such as Qur’an recitation, Hadith narration, and short lectures.

Something for everyone!

Telecasts (BST): Daily

Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

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Looking to make that next move or looking to kick start a career in sales? This is an excellent internship opportunity with the potential to develop into a full-time career with great benefits including career progression.

This fantastic opportunity will enable you to meet new people, gain experience, enrich your CV, and make you feel that you have made a difference with your time.

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Ilma Magazine / Issue 20

“Many years ago, our father Ibrahim (AS) made a choice. He loved his son. But He loved God more. The commandment came to sacrifice his son. But it wasn’t his son that was slaughtered. It was his attachment to anything that could compete with his love for God. So let us ask ourselves in these beautiful days of sacrifice, which attachments do we need to slaughter?” [ U stadha Yasm i n Mogah e d, Inte r na tiona l Spe a k e r a nd W r ite r ]

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