Ramadan Battle Plan 2015 (preview) by María Islam

ramadan battle plan

Treat Ramadan like you would any dignitary visiting you. Prepare for it so that you may reap all the blessings that it brings. -unknown

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Copyright ÂŠ 2015 Maria Islam Ramadan Battle Plan All rights reserved. Ramadan Battle Plan may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fundraising, or promotional use. For more information, please email support@halalify.com

Cover design by Maryam Ahmed www.TheCMYKLab.com Printed & bound in the United States of America www.Halalify.com www.RamadanBattlePlan.com

Bismillah, As Salaamu Aalaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu, Alhamdulillah. Indeed, all praise is due to Allah. We praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from our souls’ evils and our wrongdoing. He whom Allah guides, no one can misguide; and he whom He misguides, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah alone without any partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is His servant and messenger. Ramadan Battle Plan continues to improve year by year thanks to your feedback and support. I spend months working and reworking every detail and placement that at times there may be more than one design. I keep doing that until I land on a design that I like and that I feel is the best one. I know there may be things I missed. If there is anything you feel needs to be in the planner but isn’t go to www.RamadanBattlePlan.com/feedback/ To gain the most from this planner it’s best if you print it and do the exercises. This year I expanded the Goal Setting Like a Champ to make it easier for you to map out your goals. Also included a Command Center to help you stay on top of your Ramadan goal. Because Sha’ban, Ramadan and Shawwal 2015 are expected to start in the middle of the Gregorian months I’ve included May through August. May this planner be a source of barakah and sadaqah jariya for you, your family, progeny and community. May it help you exceed your expectations and make this your best Ramadan yet! AMEEN.

Maria Islam @ImanBuilder

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June s

white day

14 sha’ban 8

20 14

21 15

27 21

28 22

Fasted

white day

15 9

Fasted

23 17

29 23

30 24

Fasted Taraweeh

5 29

Fasted Taraweeh

6 30

Fasted Taraweeh

goals

‫األحد‬

‫االثنني‬

16 10

22 16

4 28

‫الثالثاء‬

disclaimer: the islamic month begins with the sighting of the moon

Fasted Taraweeh

‫األربعاء‬

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183]

17 11

Fasted

24 18

Fasted

1 ramadan 25

Fasted Taraweeh

18 12

19 13

25 19

26 20

‫رمضان‬ to-do list

2 26

Fasted Taraweeh

3 27

Fasted Taraweeh

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu): The Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” [Bukhari]

‫الخميس‬

‫الجمعة‬

‫السبت‬

notes

Plan your Ramadan

BISMILLAH

Don’t lose sight of TODAY

Mind your media intake. If you fall short, don’t beat yourself up.

‘A’isha (radiyAllahu ‘anha) said that Rasulullah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The deeds most loved by Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) are those done regularly, even if they are small.” [Bukhari &

Get rid of anything that interferes with your Ramadan experience. Keep a du’a list.

“The invocation of one who fasts will be answered each time he breaks his fast (at night)” [Ibn Majah]

Muslim]

Charity begins at home; take care of your family, friends and community.

Mind your speech. Start an iftar fund today. Funds collected will easily sponsor an iftar at your local masjid or in your home. The Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person.” [At-Tirmithi]

Be aware of your time and schedule yourself ONE qiyam per week. As you become increasingly accustomed to performing qiyam, increase the frequency to your level of comfort. Abu Umamah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “I urge you to perform qiyam at night, because it was the consistent way of the righteous people who preceded you, it is a means of coming closer to Your Lord, it is a means of expiating your wrongdoings, and it is a restraint against sinning.” [At-Tirmithi, At-Tabarani and others verified to be hasan by Al-Albani]

Consider doing your major grocery shopping and laundry chores in Sha’ban. One sister cooked enough for herself and family during the last week of Sha’ban to last the entire month of Ramadan. She froze the food in meal-ready containers so all she had to do during Ramadan was to thaw and heat them.

Clean your house BEFORE Ramadan, making it easier to maintain and freeing you up for more acts of worship. The shayateen like to frequent filthy areas, so don’t give them a chance. Automate your sadaqah starting in Ramadan, being sure to maintain a minimum bank balance to avoid overdraft fees. The year-round sadaqah to your favorite nonprofit provides you with steady hasanat, insha’Allah. It is narrated on the authority of Amirul Mu’minin, Abu Hafs ‘Umar bin al-Khattab, (radiyAllahu ‘anhum) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) say: “Actions are (judged) by motives (niyyah), so each man will have what he intended. Thus, he whose migration (hijrah) was to Allah and His Messenger, his migration is to Allah and His Messenger; but he whose migration was for some worldly thing he might gain, or for a wife he might marry, his migration is to that for which he migrated.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

If you give gifts for Eid, buy them ahead of time, so you can focus on the last ten days of Ramadan properly. At the end of Ramadan, look back and thank Allah for what you’ve accomplished and ask Him to accept the good :)

With so many good lectures and webinars going on during Ramadan, make sure you don’t miss any by writing them down in your ilm schedule. ILM SCHEDULE

Lecture

Date/Time

Lecturer

Location

IFTAR INVITATIONS

Can’t keep track of who is hosting an iftar and when? Write it down below. Host Date/Time Gift RSVP Location

FIQH OF RAMADAN getting started

Abu Hurairah, (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that The Prophet, (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” Why, then, do we still have bad thoughts? It is a common question. Scholars say that these thoughts originate from our own souls battered by satanic whisperings and devices implanted in us. Another blessing of Ramadan now becomes apparent. It is a time to see what has happened to our soul, what condition it is in, and take notice of our shortcomings: jealousy, envy, overzealous competition, love of gossip, and the rest. During Ramadan, these traits become clear, and a clear enemy is easier to defeat than a slinking one. [Sh. Hamza Yusuf] The Islamic month begins with one of two events: 1. Sighting of the new moon.

Ibn ‘Umar, (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said, “The people were looking for the new moon and when I reported to the Messenger of Allah, (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that I had seen it, he fasted and ordered the people to fast.” [Abu Dawud]

1. Completion of 30 days.

Abu Hurairah, (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) instructed: “Fast after you have seen it [the new crescent] and end the fast [at the end of the month] when you see it. If it is hidden from you, then wait until the thirty days of Sha’ban have passed.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Du’a upon sighting the crescent moon: Allah is the greatest. O Allah, bring us the new moon with security and Faith, with peace and in Islam, and in harmony with what our Lord loves and what pleases Him. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah. [Tirmithi, Ad-Darimi] Who is your community scholar? Once you know, ask when the fasting of Ramadan will begin for your community.

Who is required to fast? Why?

Who is exempt from fasting? Why?

What are the conditions of intention for fardh (obligatory) fasting?

Du’a for breaking the fast: The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills. [Abu Dawud & others] O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy, which encompasses all things, that You forgive me. [Ibn Majah]

ZAKAT UL-FITR

Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has said, “Whoever paid it (Zakat ul-Fitr) before Salat ul-Eid, it is acceptable zakat before Allah. Whoever paid it after Salat ul-Eid, it is just a charity.” The companions of the Prophet (radiyAllahu ‘anhum) used to pay it a few days earlier. [Al-Bukhari] It is reported from Ibn ‘Umar, (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) that he said: “The Messenger of Allah, (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) enjoined the payment of one sa’ of date or one sa’ of barley as Zakat ul-Fitr on every Muslim, young and old, male and female, free and slave.”[Bukhari & Muslim]

What is Zakat ul-Fitr?

When is Zakat ul-Fitr supposed to be paid?

How much is one sa’?

Who are the recipients?

How is it supposed to be paid?

To whom are those that zakat CANNOT be given?

What is the difference between Zakat and Zakat ul-Fitr?

Zakat amount to be paid

TARAWEEH

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu): The Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven.” -Bukhari

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever stands with the imam until he finishes (the prayer), the reward of Qiyam al-Layl will be recorded for him.” -At-Tirmidhi

TIPS

1. Avoid onions, garlic, spicy or highly scented foods and drinks so that you don’t offend your taraweeh neighbors in salat. Indulge in all those delicacies AFTER taraweeh. It is related that ‘Abdu’l-’Aziz said, “Anas was asked, ‘What did you hear the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say about garlic?’ He answered, ‘Whoever eats it should not come near our mosque.’” [Bukhari]

2. Eat light! Avoid overeating as it cause drowsiness, laziness, shortness of breath and other discomforts during long prayers. O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes), while praying and going round (the Tawaf of ) the Ka’bah, and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not Al-Musrifun (those who waste by extravagance). [Surah Al-‘A’raf 7:31]

3. Rinse your mouth, floss and perform miswak to cleanse your breath and tongue. It is related that Suwayd ibn an-Nu’man said, “We set out for Khaybar with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. When we were at asSahba’ (and Yahya says that is a day’s journey from Khaybar), the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked for food. Only sawiq* was brought. We chewed and ate it. Then he called for water and rinsed his mouth out and we did so as well, and then he led us in Maghrib without repeating wudu’.” Sufyan said, “I heard it from him, beginning to end.” *sawiq: a mush made of wheat or barley. [Bukhari]

4. If body odor is a problem take a quick shower to freshen up. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves. [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:222]

5. Wear comfortable clothes and keep in mind that with many people packed tightly together in the summer heat, the temperature and tempers may be exacerbated. Keep it clean and modest. 6. After iftar, head straight to the masjid, and if you have guests, bring them along!

7. Bring a sealable water bottle with you: 2/3 ice and 1/3 water. This will help you keep hydrated during the long prayers. Too much water, however, will send you to the bathroom, so choose wisely. 8. Put your phone on silent to avoid disrupting others’ prayers. 9. THE SHOES! During Ramadan the brothers’ shoe racks are in complete disarray. PLEASE put your shoes on the rack neatly, in order to tidy up the area and make a masjid experience better for others. Sisters, bring a plastic shopping bag for your shoes. If there is no room on the shoe racks, you can put your shoes in the bag and into your handbag.

PARENTS

1. No matter how young the child, some may find it offensive to see a child wearing shoes in the prayer area. Place your children’s shoes inside a shopping bag and into your handbag. Not only will it help keep the shoes section tidy, but it will also make it easier for you to find the tiny shoes later. 2. Position yourself and your children at the end of a row to avoid gaps and disruption during prayer. If possible, pray in the back rows. 3. Prepare light meals for your child to minimize bathroom or diaper breaks. Oh! And change your baby’s diaper before leaving the house. 4. Bring fruit or vegetable snacks for when your children get hungry. Also bring their favorite toy, pacifier or blanket to pacify them. 5. Make du’a.

-Inspired by Sadaf Farooqi’s “Children @ Taraweeh: Storm in a Teacup” at MuslimMatters.org

NON-PARENTS

1. This is tough, but be patient. Be patient. Be patient. Our children are the future of this beautiful Ummah. We are losing our youth in part because we push them away from the masjid for our own convenience. One question most Imams, Shuyukh, Du’at, etc get asked is, “How and when did you know this is what you wanted to do?” Well my answer to this question has to do with attending Taraweeh in Ramadan. Alhamdulillah since the age of about 5 my father used to take me to Taraweeh every night in Ramadan, even on school nights. Around the time I was 8 I remember being amazed by the imam’s recitation of the Qur’an from memory in Taraweeh. I even told my father that I want to be able to do what he does. So bi’idhnillah when the opportunity presented itself to go and memorize the Qur’an, I jumped at it and insisted that I be allowed to go. Keep in mind that this involved traveling overseas at the age of 10. Alhamdulillah, since then one thing Allah has granted me the ability to do consistently is lead Taraweeh every Ramadan. This was the beginning of my journey down the road of seeking knowledge and serving the Deen. -Abdul Nasir Jangda Founder & Director of Qalam Institute

2. Make du’a for the parents and the children; after all, we are one Ummah and our goal is to enter Jannah. Plus, you get to have an angel say “AMEEN, and to you too.” 3. Know that everything that happens is a trial. Will you fail or pass? Increase in tolerance or demand the future Mumineen-in-training to be removed?

GOAL SETTING LIKE A CHAMP! A goal without a plan is just a wish. Design for laziness. Despite your enthusiasm and iman surge, your nafs will get in the way. It happens. It happens to the best and most dedicated of us, so don’t feel bad about it—PLAN for it. If something requires us to exert just a little bit more effort, the chances we’ll do it go way, way down. There’s a huge difference, for example, between two clicks to get something done and one click. - BJ Fogg

Most people plan for perfection, expecting to be 100% at all times. This is not sustainable. So before those low-energy, low-motivation days get you, think of ways NOW to simplify your tasks so that when they do occur, you have a plan of action that carries you through. SIDE NOTE: Did you know that many Olympic athletes plan their training schedules annually, and some even four years in advance, to ensure they reach their performance goals? This helps them stay on track when pressure mounts and life happens, and it also gives them a framework to adjust when needed. They go to bed early and take 90 minute naps in the afternoon. We call that nap qailulah and it’s a sunnah! So prepare for Ramadan like an elite athlete This Ramadan will be different than any other because you will be an active rather than a passive participant, insha’Allah.

A dream is a wish your heart makes, but a goal is a dream with a deadline. If you are having a hard time developing the steps to achieve your goal, then think of what you want to achieve and work backwards. Keep the end in mind and make du’a for success.

SMART-Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound A good plan has a clear cause and effect in attainable stages. A good plan is:

GOAL SETTING S M A R T

SPECIFIC MEASUREABLE ATTAINABLE RELEVANT TIME BOUND

Specific: Requires concentration on ONE thing until you are clear on the What, Why & How; Measurable: Uses milestones and benchmarks, aka “deliverables” Attainable: Consists of progressive tasks and steps you can do to accomplish them; Relevant: Leverages your learning style, morals and character. What works for others may not work for you. Time Bound: Demands a deadline and not an open-ended time frame. You must complete the goal before you can build upon it with a new goal.

Below are some reflection questions to get you started 1. Imagine that this is your last Ramadan, what would you like to achieve?

2. What is your legacy?

3. If Allah, Subhanahu wa taâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ala, was to give you ANYTHING you ever wanted, what would you ask for? (Add them to your Master Duâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;a List)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE THIS RAMADAN? Dream List 1. Set a timer for 5 minutes and write down what your ideal Ramadan would look like. What would that feel like? Don’t censor yourself in any way just write everything down. Keep in mind the following, “And your Rabb says, “Call upon me; I will respond to you.” [Surah Al-Ghafir 40:60]

2. Set the timer for another 5 minutes and jot down what you want to achieve in the corresponding time slots. 6 months post-ramadan

this ramadan

next ramadan

RAMADAN WISHLIST 2015 1436 .

lifetime

3. Go back to each of the four sections and circle ONE item that you feel would have the most positive impact on your dunya and akhira. Just ONE. Insha’Allah. For “this Ramadan” section choose ONE attainable goal that you can do in 29-30 days. It should take you outside your comfort zone but not overextend your abilities. 4. Write the ONE goal you selected for each of the 4 sections below. Underneath write WHY this goal is important and how it will impact you and those you care about. If you can’t answer this question cross out the goal and choose another. If you don’t care about it and its not important to you it won’t get done. this ramadan

6 months post-ramadan

next ramadan

lifetime

5. Take the ONE goal for “This Ramadan,” and write it in the bubble below. This is the goal you will be focusing on for the rest of the month. Set your timer once again for 5 minutes and begin to write down all the steps you must take in order to complete this task. Connect each step with a line to the bubble.

ES AN AW D OME RAMA AN!

6. Look over each of the tasks you delineated in step 5 and create a timetable by writing the number 1 next to the step you must take first, a number 2 on the task that must be completed next. Continue to do so until all the steps have a number. 7. Now add due dates next to each step to make them time-bound and add them to the corresponding dates in your monthly calendar. bonus:

Add them to your ‘Due Today’ section of your daily view

bonus:

Find an accountability partner to help you stay on track and focused. Accountability Partner repeat the steps for any additional goals.

Success comes from Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala); don’t forget to make du’a for it. Tie your camel and trust in Allah. accountability become clear mind map make du’a partner on your goal it more du’a

first 10 days

COMMAND CENTER

Steps you took to achieve your goal?

Was this enough? YES NO What didn’t work? Any obstacles?

What did you learn from what didn’t work?

How are you going to use what you learn to further your progress in the second 10 days?

second 10 days

Steps you took to achieve your goal?

Was this enough? YES NO What didn’t work? Any obstacles?

What did you learn from what didn’t work?

How are you going to use what you learn to further your progress in the last 10 days?

Steps you took to achieve your goal?

last 10 days

Was this enough? YES NO What didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work? Any obstacles?

What did you learn from what didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work?

How are you going to apply this to your daily life outside of Ramadan?

Did you achieve your goal? What worked?

YES

results

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) addressed his companions on the last day of Sha‘ban, saying, “Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all.”

[Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

FIRST 10 DAYS

Decompression Chamber housekeeping

List the top 6 things that needed to get done last week but didn’t. 1. 4. 2. 5. 3. 6. List 10 good things, moments, memories from the previous week. Alhamdulilah.

And remember! your Lord caused to be declared (publicly): “If ye are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you; But if ye show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed” [Surah ‘Ibrahim 14:7]

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What NEEDS to get done in the next 10 days?

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

spiritual

List 10 acts of sadaqah you can easily do in the next 10 days

Abu Hurairah, (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah, (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “On every person’s joints or small bones (i.e. fingers and toes), there is sadaqah (charity) every day the sun rises. Doing justice between two people is sadaqah; assisting a man to mount his animal, or lifting up his belongings onto it is sadaqah; a good word is sadaqah; every step you take towards prayer is sadaqah; and removing harmful things from pathways is sadaqah.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

1. 6. 2. 7. 3. 8. 4. 9. 5. 10. What can you do in the next 10 days to get closer to Allah and maximize your Ramadan?

READING QUR’AN schedule

Juz’ 1–Al Fatiha 1–Al Baqarah 141 (1:1-2:141) Juz’ 2–Al Baqarah 142–Al Baqarah 252 (2:142-2:252) Juz’ 3–Al Baqarah 253–Al Imran 92 (2:253-3:92) Juz’ 4–Al Imran 93–An Nisaa 23 (3:93-4:23) Juz’ 5–An Nisaa 24–An Nisaa 147 (4:24-4:147) Juz’ 6–An Nisaa 148–Al Ma’idah 81 (4:148-5:81) Juz’ 7–Al Ma’idah 82–Al An’am 110 (5:82-6:110) Juz’ 8–Al An’am 111–Al A’raf 87 (6:111-7:87) Juz’ 9–Al A’raf 88–Al Anfal 40 (7:88-8:40) Juz’ 10–Al Anfal 41–At Tauba 92 (8:41-9:92)

Abu Juhayfa Wahb ibn ‘Abdullah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said, “The Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) joined Salman and Abu’d-Darda’ (radiyAllahu ‘anhum) together in brotherhood. Salman visited Abu’d-Darda’ and saw Umm ad-Darda’ (radiyAllahu ‘anha) poorly dressed and said to her, ‘What’s the matter with you?’ She said, ‘Your brother Abu’d-Darda’ has no need of this world.’ Abu’d-Darda’ came and made some food for him. Salman said, ‘Eat.’ He said, ‘I am fasting.’ Salman said, ‘I will not eat unless you eat.’” He said, “He ate. In the night, Abu’d-Darda’ went to stand in prayer and Salman said to him, ‘Sleep!’ and he slept. Then he got up again and Salman said, ‘Sleep!’ At the end of the night, Salman said, ‘Now get up and we will pray.’ Salman said to him, ‘Your Lord has rights over you and your self has rights over you, so give those with rights their due.’ Abu’d-Darda’ came to the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and mentioned this to him and the Prophet said, ‘Salman spoke the truth.’” [Bukhari] personal

family

work | school

ramadan battle plan

STOP! PRAYER TIME MAGHRIB

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 ISHA

2 2 2 2 2

Ounces of water

2 2 2 2 2 Raka’at of Taraweeh

Prayer time: No. of Sunnah: SUHOOR

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Ounces of water

Prayer time: No. of raka’at QIYAM/TAHAJJUD

Prayer time: No. of raka’at

Fruits s a l a t

b o n u s

s a l a t

Prayer time: No. of Sunnah: WITR

Vegetables

Protein

Dairy

Oils

Prayer time: No. of raka’at DUHA

Prayer time: No. of Sunnah:

DHUHR

ASR

Prayer time: No. of Sunnah:

battle plan

Grains

ISHRAQ

b o n u s

FAJR

Prayer time: No. of raka’at

Anas (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa

plan your sallam) said, “Have suhoor. There is blessing in suhoor.” [Bukhari] suhoor

CHOOSE two

sunnan to bring you closer to

ALLAH

al fatiha 1 al baqarah 141

1st JUZ’

TODAY’S FOCUS

12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

0 12 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11

:00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30

DUE TODAY

Date am

:00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30 :00 :30

TO-DO LIST

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 REMINDERS

‘Amr ibn al-’As (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the people of the Book lies in the eating of suhoor.” [Muslim]

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous. [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:177]

SECOND 10 DAYS

Decompression Chamber housekeeping

List the top 6 things that needed to get done last week but didn’t. 1. 4. 2. 5. 3. 6. List 10 good things, moments, memories from the previous week. Alhamdulilah.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What NEEDS to get done in the next 10 days?

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

spiritual

List 10 acts of sadaqah you can easily do in the next 10 days

1. 6. 2. 7. 3. 8. 4. 9. 5. 10. What can you do in the next 10 days to get closer to Allah and maximize your Ramadan?

READING QUR’AN schedule

Juz’ 11–At Tauba 93–Hud 5 (9:93-11:5) Juz’ 12–Hud 6–Yusuf 52 (11:6-12:52) Juz’ 13–Yusuf 53–Ibrahim 52 (12:53-14:52) Juz’ 14–Al Hijr 1–An Nahl 128 (15:1-16:128) Juz’ 15–Al Isra 1–Al Kahf 74 (17:1-18:74) Juz’ 16–Al Kahf 75–Ta Ha 135 (18:75-20:135) Juz’ 17–Al Anbiyaa 1–Al Hajj 78 (21:1-22:78) Juz’ 18–Al Muminum 1–Al Furqan (23:1-25:20) Juz’ 19–Al Furqan 21–An Naml 55 (25:21-27:55) Juz’ 20–An Naml 56–Al Ankabut 45 (27:56-29:45)

family

work | school

ramadan dip

Avoid the Ramadan dip. What can you do to maintain and even improve your worship in the second 10 days of Ramadan? SUGGESTIONS

1. Make du’a to Allah to facilitate worshipping Him in the most pleasing way to Him. 2. Choose 2 or 3 sunnan from “Sunnah Size It!” section and do them. 3. Increase your Qur’an reading 4. Buddy up and get an accountability partner.

ramadan battle plan

STOP! PRAYER TIME ISHA

Prayer time: No. of Sunnah: WITR

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Prayer time: No. of raka’at QIYAM/TAHAJJUD

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ISHRAQ

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battle plan

Prayer time: No. of raka’at

Abu Hurayra (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi

love for wa sallam) said, “Allah Almighty will say on the Day of Rising, ‘Where are those who the sake loved one another for the sake of My majesty? Today, on the day when there is no shade of Allah but My shade, I will shade them.’” [Muslim]

CHOOSE two

sunnan to bring you closer to

ALLAH

at tauba 93 hud 5

11th JUZ’

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TO-DO LIST

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Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “No slave fasts one day in the way of Allah without Allah putting his face seventy years’ journey away from the Fire on account of that day.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Ibn ‘Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said, “The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to seclude himself for the last ten days of the month of Ramadan.”

LAST

10 DAYS

Decompression Chamber housekeeping

List the top 6 things that needed to get done last week but didn’t. 1. 4. 2. 5. 3. 6. List 10 good things, moments, memories from the previous week. Alhamdulilah.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. What NEEDS to get done in the next 10 days?

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

spiritual

List 10 acts of sadaqah you can easily do in the next 10 days

1. 6. 2. 7. 3. 8. 4. 9. 5. 10. What can you do in the next 10 days to get closer to Allah and maximize your Ramadan?

READING QUR’AN schedule

Juz’ 21 – Al Ankabut 46 - Al Azhab 30 (29:46-33:30) Juz’ 22 – Al Azhab 31 - Ya Sin 27 (33:31-36:27) Juz’ 23 – Ya Sin 28 - Az Zumar 31 (36:28-39:31) Juz’ 24 – Az Zumar 32 - Fussilat 46 (39:32-41:46) Juz’ 25 – Fussilat 47 - Al Jathiya 37 (41:47-45:37) Juz’ 26 – Al Ahqaf 1 - Az Zariyat 30 (46:1-51:30) Juz’ 27 – Az Zariyat 31 - Al Hadid 29 (51:31-57:29) Juz’ 28 – Al Mujadila 1 – At Tahrim (58:1-66:12) Juz’ 29 – Al Mulk 1 - Al Mursalat (67:1-77:50) Juz’ 30 – An Nabaa 1 - An Nas 6 (78:1-114:6)

Narrated Abu Salama (radiyAllahu ‘anhu): Once I went to Abu- Sa’id Al-Khudri and asked him, “Won’t you come with us to the date-palm trees to have a talk?” So Abu Said went out and I asked him, “Tell me what you heard from the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) about the Night of Qadr.” Abu Sa’id replied, “Once Allah’s Apostle performed I’tikaf (seclusion) on the first ten days of the month of Ramadan and we did the same with him. Gabriel came to him and said, ‘The night you are looking for is ahead of you.’ So the Prophet performed the I’tikaf in the middle (second) ten days of the month of Ramadan and we too performed I’tikaf with him. Gabriel came to him and said, ‘The night which you are looking for is ahead of you.’ In the morning of the 20th of Ramadan the Prophet delivered a sermon saying, ‘Whoever has performed I’tikaf with me should continue it. I have been shown the Night of “Qadr”, but have forgotten its date, but it is in the odd nights of the last ten nights. I saw in my dream that I was prostrating in mud and water.’ In those days the roof of the mosque was made of branches of date-palm trees. At that time the sky was clear and no cloud was visible, but suddenly a cloud came and it rained. The Prophet led us in the prayer and I saw the traces of mud on the forehead and on the nose of Allah’s Apostle. So it was the confirmation of that dream.” [Bukhari] personal

family

work | school

last 10 nights!

What can you do to gather as many rewards in the last 10 nights as possible? (brainstorm below)

REMEMBER ZAKAT AL FITR IS TO BE PAID BEFORE THE EID PRAYER

LAYLATUL QADR BATTLE PLAN prep

1. Start preparing for it at Fajr. After Fajr salat, ensure you recite the morning adhkar (remembrance), especially: ‘La ilaha illallah, wahdahu la sharika lah, lah ul mulku walah ul-hamd, yuhyi wa-yumit, wa-huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir’

There is no God but Allah; He is alone without any partners. To Him belongs the dominion, He deserves all praise. He gives life and death, and He is capable of everything. ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amir and Abu Hurairah (radiyAllahu ‘anhuma) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) promised for a person who says this extollment one hundred times in the morning: This will count for him as freeing ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be recorded for him, one hundred sins will be removed from his record, and this will provide for him a shelter from shaytan until the evening; and no one will come (on Judgment Day) with a better deed except for a man who exceeded him (in saying it). [Abu Hurairah’s report was recorded by Bukhari & Muslim. Ibn ‘Amir’s report was recorded by an-Nasai, Ahmad & others]

2. Treat a fasting person to iftar, either by inviting him to your house, or by buying the food for him and sending it to him. The Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever feeds the person who is breaking his fast, he will have his reward (for his fasting) without decreasing anything from the reward of the fasting person.” [Tirmidhi & Ibn Maajah]

3. When the day breaks, make as much du’a as possible that Allah helps you and makes it easy for you to worship Him during the night. 4. Throughout the daytime, perform the obligatory duties such as praying on time, adding sunnah and optional prayers. Repeat the phrases of the adhan after the muadhin and make the necessary supplications. 5. Constantly make the chosen du’a for this night: “O Allah you are the Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me’’ 6. If you can, have a bath and perform wudu like the Prophet. 7. Wear your cleanest and best clothes for this night. Ibn ‘Abbaas (radiyAllahu ‘anhuma) reports from the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that he said, “Wear your white garments for they are among the best of your clothes.” [Abu Dawud]

8. Add du’as and get your Master Du’a List ready. 9. Set alarms. For you guys who like math, let’s do some calculations for some motivation. If Laylatul-Qadr is worth more than 1000 months [see Qur’an 97:3], and the night lasts about 8 hours (may be more or less depending on your locality), then 1000 months divided by 8 hours means you get 125 months per hour, which means you get more than 10 years per hour, which means for every 6 minutes of worship, you get more than 1 years worth! Subhan’Allah, how’s that for a math lesson! Source: Taken from DailyReminders

du’a

‘Aisha (radiyAllahu ‘anha) asked the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) “What should I say on Laylat-al-qadr?” He replied,

‫ا َلل ُه َّم إنَّ َك َع ُف ٌّو ت ُِح ُّب الْ َع ْف َو فَا ْع ُف َع ِّن ْي‬

Say, “O Allah, You are Al-’Afuww and You love to ‘afw, so fa’fu me” O Allah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me. [Tirmidhi] master du’a list

step 1:

Go somewhere really beautiful, where no one can disturb you step 2: Imagine Allah says to you, “Ask whatever you wish and I shall grant it to you.” Think of everything good you would ask for from this life and the next. step 3: After thinking of everything you can, sit down and write it out. step 4: Pick 5 things, your favorites, and consistently ask Allah for these 5 every night in the last ten. Your du’a will be guaranteed to have landed on Laylatul-Qadr! How cool is that? Source: Taken from an email sent by [Sh. Muhammad Alshareef]

BELIEVE

Even the du’a of Iblis was accepted. Even the du’a of Iblis was accepted. Why? Because Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is the lord of all the creation and Iblis is of the creation. NEVER lose hope in your du’as. [Taken from How Do You Speak To Your Lord? - Sh. Yasir Qadhi] Imam Sufyan Ibn Uyaynah (rahmatullahi ‘alayhi) is reported to have said: “Do not ever abandon du’a. Do not let that which you know about yourselves (your sins) prevent you from it, for Allah responded to Iblis while he was the worst of creation. He said “My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected.” [Allah] said, “So indeed, you are of those reprieved.” Surah Al-Hijr 15:36-37 [Bayhaqi]

ramadan battle plan

STOP! PRAYER TIME ISHA

Prayer time: No. of Sunnah: WITR

Prayer time: No. of Sunnah: SUHOOR

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and the Almighty says, “O you who believe! Do not let your wealth or children divert

plan for you from the remembrance of Allah. Whoever does that is lost. Give from what We your have provided for you before death comes to one of you and he says, ‘O Lord, if akhira only you would give me a little more time so that I can give sadaqa and be one of the

righteous.’ Allah will not give anyone more time, once their time has come. Allah is aware of everything you do.” [Surah Al-Munafiqun 63:9-11] “O Allah, You are Al-’Afuww and You love to ‘afw, so fa’fu me” O Allah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me.

CHOOSE two

sunnan to bring you closer to

ALLAH

al mulk 1 al mursalat 50

29th JUZ’

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Narrated ‘Aisha (radiyAllahu ‘anha): The Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.” [Bukhari]

ramadan battle plan

STOP! PRAYER TIME ISHA

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Abu Ayyub (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi

plan for wa sallam) said, “Anyone who fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six from Shawwal, fasting it is as he had fasted the entire year.” [Muslim] in shawwal

CHOOSE two

sunnan to bring you closer to

ALLAH

an nabaa 1 an nas 6

30th JUZ’

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‘O Ramadan, be gentle, the tears of the believers pour forth, and their hearts are anxious from the pain of separation. And why shouldn’t the tears flow from the believer upon the parting (of Ramadan) whilst he knows not whether he shall live to see its return...’ [Ibn Rajab]

Decompression Chamber housekeeping

Alhamdulillah, Ramadan is complete! Take the time to answer the following questions, record your experience and make plans to improve your Ramadan experience next year, insha’Allah. Taqabal Allahu minna wa minkum (May Allah accept it from us and you). Completed: Missed:

Write down missed fasts so you don’t have to guess later. insha’Allah

List 10 good things, moments, memories from the previous week. Alhamdulilah.

1. 6. 2. 7. 3. 8. 4. 9. 5. 10. On a scale from 1 to 10, how do you feel overall about this Ramadan?

What goal did you pursue? How was your progress?

In what area do you feel you made the biggest improvement?

How are you different this Ramadan from last?

What would you do differently to make next Ramadan even better?

next ramadan

post ramadan

What do you look forward to achieving after Ramadan?

List 10 acts of sadaqah you want to continue

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Do you want the reward of fasting a full year?

6. 7. 8. 9. 10. shawwal

Thawban (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) relates that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadan, and then six days after Eid, it is [like fasting] an entire year. Whoever does a good deed shall have ten times its reward.” [Ibn Majah, Muntaqa]

shawwal eid mubarak!

STOP! PRAYER TIME ISHA

Prayer time: No. of Sunnah: WITR

Prayer time: No. of Sunnah: EID PRAYER

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Location: Time: ISHRAQ

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Abu Ayyub (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi

plan for wa sallam) said, “Anyone who fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six from Shawwal, fasting it is as he had fasted the entire year.” [Muslim] in shawwal

CHOOSE two

sunnan to bring you closer to

ALLAH

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TO-DO LIST

REMINDERS

Recite the following Takbir on the way to Salat and until the beginning of Salat al Eid: Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, laa ilaaha illa-Allah, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa Lillaahi’l-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god except Allah, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allah).

Abu Mas’ud Uqba ibn ‘Amr al-Ansari al-Badri (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, Anyone who shows the way to something good has the same reward as the person who does it.” [Muslim]

THE VAULT

EAT SUHOOR

SUNNAH SIZE IT!

‘Amr ibn al-’As (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the people of the Book lies in the eating of suhoor.” [Muslim] Anas (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Have suhoor. There is blessing in suhoor.” [Bukhari]

MORNING, EVENING & NIGHT ATKHAR Shaddad Bin Aws (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) taught the following “chief supplication for seeking forgiveness” to his companions, and he indicated that whoever says it in the morning and then dies during the day, he will enter Jannah: O Allah, You are my Lord, and there is no (true) god but You. You created me, and I am Your servant, and I try to fulfill my covenant and promise to You as much as I am able. I seek Your protection from the evil of my doings. I admit to Your favor upon me, and I confess my sins to You, so forgive me, because no one forgives sins but You. [Bukhari, an-Nasai & Others] Allah says: So be patient, [O Muhammad]. Indeed, the promise of Allah is truth. And ask forgiveness for your sin and exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord in the evening and the morning. [Surat Ghafir 40:55]

STAY UP AFTER FAJR

Sakhr al-Ghamidi and other companions (radiyAllahu ‘anhum) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “O Allah, bless the early part of the day for my Ummah.” [Abu Dawud, an-Nasai & others]

SMILE

“Your smile for your brother is charity.” [Graded authentic by Ibn Hajar and al-Alban]

Jarir (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported: Since the time I became Muslim, the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) never saw me without smiling at me.” [Bukhari]

SPREAD SALAAM

Abdullah bin Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: “A man asked the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said ‘what is the best act of Islam?’ He said, ‘To feed others and to give greetings of salaam to those whom you know and to those whom you do not know.’” [Bukhari & Muslim]

BE KIND TO SELF & OTHERS

The most beloved of people according to Allah is he who brings most benefit, and the most beloved of deeds according to

Allah the Mighty, the Magnificent, is that you bring happiness to a fellow Muslim, or relieve him of distress, or pay off his debt or stave away hunger from him. [Tabarani]

GIVE IN SADAQAH

In the morning charity is due from every bone in the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allah’s glorification is an act of charity (Subhan’Allah). Every utterance of praise of Him is an act of charity (Alhamdulillah), every utterance of profession of His Oneness is an act of charity (La ilaha illa Allah), every utterance of profession of His Greatness is an act of charity (Allahu Akbar), enjoining good is an act of charity, forbidding what is disreputable is an act of charity, and two raka’at which one prays in the forenoon will suffice. [Bukhari]

PRAY ON TIME

It is related that Abu ‘Amr ash-Shaybani (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said, “The owner of this house (and he indicated the house of ‘Abdullah) said, ‘I asked the Prophet what action was most loved by Allah and he said, “The prayer at its proper time.”’ “‘Abdullah asked, “Then what?” He said, “Then devotion to parents.” He said, “Then what?” He said, “Jihad in the way of Allah.” [Bukhari]

PEFORM QAILULAH

The Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Take a short nap, for Devils do not take naps” [Sahih Aljamie. Alalbani 1647]

Anas and Sahl Bin Sa‘d (radiyAllahu ‘anhum) reported: “We used to pray Jumu‘ah and then take a nap (during the Prophet’s time salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.)” [Bukhari, Muslim & Others]

Khawwat Bin Jubayr (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said: “Sleeping in the beginning of the Day is ignorance, in its middle is a good quality, and in its end is an imprudent act.” [Bukhari in al-Adab ul-Mufrad]

GO TO BED EARLY

‘Aisha (radiyallahu ‘anha) reported: “The Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to sleep in the early part of the night, wake up (for worship) during its last part.” [Bukhari, Muslim & others]

MAKE DU’A

Du’a is considered the essence of worship. Allah says: “Verily, they used to hasten to do good deeds, and they used to make du’a to Us with hope and fear, and used to humble themselves before Us.” [Surah AlAnbiya 21:90]

USE MISWAK

Abu Hurairah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Were it not for the fact that I did not want to make things too hard for my ummah, I would have commanded them to use the siwaak at every time of prayer.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

‘Ali (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “When a worshiper (of Allah) uses the siwak (to clean his teeth) and then stands in prayer, an angel comes and stands behind him, listening to the (recitation of) Qur’an. The angel continues to listen and draw nearer until he places his mouth over the worshiper’s, so that he does not recite one ayah but that it enters into the angel’s mouth. Therefore, purify your mouth for the (recitation of) Qur’an.”[al-Bayhaqi, adDiya & others]

ATTEND A HALAQA (online/offline)

“Whenever some people gather in one of Allah’s houses (mosques) to recite the book of Allah and study it among themselves – then calmness (tranquillity) descends upon them, the angels surround them, mercy covers them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with him” [Muslim]

DO ISTIGHFAR & TAWBAH

Allah says: “And those who, when they happen to commit a shameful act or wrong themselves, remember Allah, then, seek forgiveness for their sins-and who is there to forgive sins except Allah?-and do not persist in what they have done, knowingly” [Surah Ali ‘Imran 3:135]

READ QUR’AN & TAFSIR

Ibn Mas’ud (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Whoever recites a letter of the Book of Allah earns a good deed, and each good deed is worth ten like it. I do not say that ‘Alif-lam-mim’ is one letter, but that alif is a letter, lam is a letter, mim is a letter.” [Tirmidhi] “It will be said to those who know the Qur’an, ‘Recite and ascend. Recite slowly as you did in the world below. Your station will be at the last verse you recite.’” [Abu Dawud & Tirmidhi]

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LAST THIRD OF THE NIGHT

‘Amr Bin ‘Abasah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The closest a (believing) servant is to his Lord is in the last part of the night. If you can be among those who extol Allah during that hour, do so.” [Tirmidhi, anNasa’i]

BUILD A HOUSE IN JANNAH

‘Aisha (radiyallahu ‘anha) narrates that the

Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “He who is regular in offering twelve sunnah raka’at (of salat), Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala will build for him a house in paradise; FOUR raka’at before dhuhr, TWO raka’at after dhuhr, TWO raka’at after maghrib, TWO raka’at after ‘Isha and TWO raka’at before Fajr.” [an-Nasa’i]

INTEND GOOD & FOLLOW THROUGH “He who has intended a good deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as from ten good deeds to seven hundred times, or many times over. But if he has intended a bad deed and has not done it, Allah writes it down with Himself as a full good deed, but if he has intended it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

LOVE FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH

Abu Hurairah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah Almighty will say on the Day of Rising, ‘Where are those who loved one another for the sake of My majesty? Today, on the day when there is no shade but My shade, I will shade them.’” [Muslim]

FORGIVE

Abu Hurairah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Actions are presented every Monday and Thursday, and Allah then forgives every man who does not associate anything with Him except for a man who has rancor for his brother. He says, ‘Wait until these two reconcile!’” [Muslim]

RENEW BONDS OF KINSHIP & FRIENDSHIP

Ibn ‘Umar (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said, “If someone fears his Lord and maintains ties of kinship, his term of life will be prolonged, he will have abundant wealth and his people will love him.” [Bukhari] Abu’d-Darda’ (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said, “Shall I tell you about something better for you than sadaqa and fasting? Improving the state of relations between one another. Hatred is what shaves things away.” [Bukhari]

BE KIND TO PARENTS

Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) said, “If any Muslim obeys Allah regarding his parents, Allah will open two gates of the Garden for him. If there is only one parent, then one gate will be opened. If one of them is angry, then Allah will not be pleased with him until that parent is pleased with him.” He was asked, “Even if they wrong him?” “Even if they wrong him” he replied. [Bukhari] ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiyAllahu ‘anhu)

narrates that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “There is no obedience in disobedience to Allah, obedience is only in ma’ruf (what is goodness).” [Muslim]

SHED A TEAR IN REMEMBERS OF ALLAH Abu Hurairah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are seven whom Allah will shade with His shade on the day when there is no shade but His shade: a just leader, a youth who grows up worshipping Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, a man whose heart is attached to the mosque, two men who love each other for the sake of Allah, meeting and parting for that reason alone, a man who refuses the advances of a noble and beautiful woman, saying, ‘I fear Allah’, a man who gives sadaqa and conceals it so that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives,

and a man who remembers Allah when he is alone and his eyes overflow with tears.” [Bukhari]

PRAY FAJR & ISHA IN CONGREGATION ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying: “One who performs `Isha’ prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night. And one who performs the Fajr prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat the whole night.’’ [Muslim]

GIVE FROM WHAT YOU LOVE

“By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, etc., it means here Allah’s Reward, i.e. Paradise), unless you spend (in Allah’s Cause) of that which you love; and whatever of good you spend, Allah knows it well. ” [Surat ‘Ali `Imran verse 92]

FRIDAY

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Friday is the best of days. It was on this day that Adam (peace be upon him) was created, it was on this day that he was granted entry into Paradise, it was on this day that he was removed from Paradise (which became the cause for man’s existence in this universe, and which is a great blessing), and the day of resurrection will also take place on this day.” [Sahih Muslim] TAKE A SHOWER Rasulallah said: “O Muslims! Allah Ta’ala has made this day a day of Eid. So have a bath on this day, whoever has perfume should apply it, and use the Miswaak.” [Ibn Majah]

MAKE DU’A Abu Hurairah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said; “On Friday, there is an hour during which, if any Muslim is standing in front of Allah in salat, and asking Allah for something good, he will be granted his request”, Then he made a sign with his hands, showing that it was a very short period of time. [Bukhari] “Friday has twelve hours (or parts to it). There is one hour during which if a Muslim asks Allah anything, Allah will give it to him, so find it during the last hour after Asr.” [Reported by Abu Dawud #926 of Sahih Al-Sunan]

READ SURAH KAHF

The evidence for it being recommended includes the hadith related by Hakim and Bayhaqi, from Abu Sa‘id (radiyAllahu ‘anhu), Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday, light shall shine forth for him between the two Fridays. [Ibn Hajar, Talkhis al-Habir]

SEND BLESSINGS TO THE PROPHET

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Of all the days, Friday is the most virtuous. It is on this day that the trumpet will be blown. Send abundant blessings upon me on Fridays because they are presented to me on that day.” The Companions (Allah be pleased with them) asked: “O the Messenger of Allah! How will they be presented to you when even your bones will not be present after your death?” The Messenger of Allah replied: “Allah Most High has made the earth forbidden upon the prophets forever.” [Abu Dawud]

HASANAH CHASERS

‘Abdullah Bin ‘Amr (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “There are two acts that no Muslim worshiper does consistently but that he will enter Jannah. And though they are easy, only few people perform them: After each of the (five) prayers, say tasbih ten times, tahmid ten times, and takbir ten times. This makes one hundred fifty (daily extolments) by tongue, and one thousand five hundred (good deeds in the scale). Upon going to bed, say takbir thirty-four times, tahmid thirty-three times, and tasbih thirtythree times. This makes one hundred (extolments) by tongue, and one thousand (good deeds) in the scale.

SO WHO AMONG YOU WOULD COMMIT TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SINS IN ONE DAY (TO COUNTER THAT)? The Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then added: “Satan comes to a person while he is ready to sleep, and makes him fall asleep before he finishes saying them; and he comes to him after prayer, and reminds him of something he needs to do instead of saying them. Recorded by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi & others. Verified to be authentic by al-Albani

FOUR ATKHAR THAT OUTWEIGH MANY OTHERS

Juwayriyah (radiyAllahu ‘anha) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) once left her house after the morning prayer, while she was sitting in her prayer place extolling Allah. He returned in the mid-morning and found her still doing the same. He asked her, “Are you still in the same sitting since I left you? She replied, “Yes.” He said: Indeed, I said after I left you four statements, three times. If you weigh them against what you have said since the morning, they would outweigh it:

“SUBHANA-ALLAHI ‘ADADA KHALQIH, SUBHANA-ALLAHI RIDA NAFSIH, SUBHAN-ALLAHI ZINATA ‘ARSHI, SUBHANA-ALLAHI MIDADA KALIMATIH” Exalted be Allah as much as is the sum of His creation; exalted be Allah to the extent that would please Him; exalted be Allah as much as is the weight of His Throne; exalted be Allah as much as is the extent of His words.

[Muslim, Abu Dawud & others]

QIYAM The night extends from sunset to dawn and can be divided in to three parts. So take when Maghrib starts and Fajr begins, count the hours between those two and divide by 3. Abu Hurairah (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Our Lord (subhanahu wa ta’ala) descends every night to the lowest heaven when only one third of the night has remained. He says, “Who is there invoking Me, so that I may answer him? Who is there asking Me, so that I may give him? Who is there seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Jabir (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that he heard the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) say: There is an hour of the night during which no Muslim person would happen to be asking Allah for a favor from this life or the hereafter, but that Allah grants it to him. And this is true every night. [Muslim and Ahmad] Aisha (radiyAllahu ‘anha) reported: Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)use to sleep in the early part of the night, and wake up (for worship) during its last part. [Bukhari, Muslim & others]

DETERMINING THE LAST THIRD OF THE NIGHT

The night extends from sunset to dawn, and can be divided into three parts. If, for instance, sunset is at 6:00 pm and dawn at 4:30 am, the night is then 10 1/2 hours long, and each one third is 3 1/2 hours long. The last third would then extend from 1:00 am to 4:30 am. Taken from: The Dreamer’s Handbook by Muhammad Mustafa Al-Jibaly and Published by Al-Kitaab & As-Sunnah publishing.

GUIDELINES

1. Constancy. The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most constant, even if they are little. [Bukhari & Muslim]

2. Moderation. Take upon yourselves only deeds that you can (consistently) maintain, for, by Allah, Allah is never tired (i.e., never stops accepting your good deeds) until you are (by interrupting your heavy worship. [Bukhari & Muslim] 3. Attentiveness. When one of you becomes sleepy while praying, let him lie down until sleep departs from him. Indeed, when one of you prays while he is sleepy, instead of seeking forgiveness, he might curse himself. [Bukhari & Muslim]

TAHAJJUD

Sahl Bin Sa‘d, Jabir Bin ‘Abdillah, and ‘Ali Bin Abi Talib (radiyAllahu ‘anhuma) all reported that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: Jibril came to me and said, “O Muhammad, live as long as you wish – you will then surely die; love whomever you wish – you will surely depart from him; and do as you wish – you will surely be judged according to it. And know that a believer’s honor lies in his Qiyam at night, and his dignity is in being (financially) independent from other people. [at-Tabarani, al-Bayhaqi & others] ‘Uqba Ibne-‘Amir (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) narrates: I heard Rasulullah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying: One, out of two persons of my Ummah, gets up at night and motivates

himself for Wudu despite not feeling to do so; since, Shaytan had tied knots on him. When he washes his two hands in Wudu, one knot is loosened; and when he washes his face another knot is loosened; and when he wipes his head wtih wet hands, another knot is loosened; and when he washes his feet, yet another knot is loosened. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says to those behind the veil – His angels; Look at My slave! How much hardship he is enduring in dealing with his Nafs (innerself), so now whatever this slave asks of Me, it will be granted to him. [Musnad Ahmad] Ibne-‘Abbas (radiyAllahu ‘anhuma) narrates that when the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to wake up for Tahajjud salat during the night, he would make this du’a: O Allah! All praise be to You; You are the Sustainer of the Heavens and the Earth, and whosoever is in them, to You be praise. You are the light of the Heavens and the Earth, and whosoever is in them, to You be praise. You are the King of the Heavens and the Earth, to You be praise. You are the Truth, Your promise is True, the meeting with You is a certainty, Your Word is True, Paradise is True, Hell is True, the Prophets are True, Muhammad (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is True; teh Hour (Day of Resurrection) is True. O Allah! To You I have surrendered, upon You I believe, upon You I trust, to YOu I turn to in repentace, by Your help I have disputed (with the one who does not believe), and to You I have come for Judgment. So forgive me my past sins, and those I may do later, my secret and my open sins. You are the One Who enables someone to move forward in good deeds and You are the One Who defers. And none is worthy of worship but You. There is no might to resist evil, and no power to do good, except through Allah. [Bukhari] Ibne-‘Abbas (radiyAllahu ‘anhuma) narrates: I heard Rasulullah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) reciting this supplication one night, after he had completed his Tahajjud salat: 1. O Allah! I ak You of Your Mercy by which You give guidance to my heart, by which You make my work easy, and remove my distressed condition by it, and manage my issues in my absence by it. And give exaltation and honour by Your Mercy; and clean my actions (from hypocrisy and infidelity) by Your Mercy; and put that thing in my heart, which is correct and suitable for me; and whatever I like, grant me by Your Mercy; and protect me from all evil by Your Mercy. 2. Oh Allah! Give me that belief and faith after which there may not be any infidelity and a Mercy enabling me to achieve the blessings of Your gifts in this world and the hereafter. 3. Oh Allah! I ask of You to give me conviction that Your Decree is the very fulfillment of my aims, and an entertainment which is offered to martyrs, and a life of the fortunate, and Your help over enemies. 4. Oh Allah! I place before You my needs, though my understanding is limited, and my actions are weak, hence I am badly in need of Your Mercy. O the Maker of Affairs and Healer of the hearts! As You by Your power keep the oceans (running together) separate from each other (that the saltish remains separate from the sweet and the sweet remains separate from the saltish); so I request You to keep me away from the punishment of the Hell-Fire, and the lamentations of the one about to perish, and from the punishment of the grave. 5. O Allah! I ask You of that goodness which is beyond my understanding and intention, and which I did not even ask. However, You promised this to anyone of Your creation, or any goodness which You want to give to any of Your slaves. I desire this and ask You of it by Your Mercy, O Sustainer of the universe! 6. O You of firm promises and master of good deeds! I ask for Your peace on the Day

8. 9.

10.

of Judgment, and Paradise on the Day of Eternity, to be among Yours Favorites and regular attendants of Your Court; frequently bowing and prostrating and fulfilling their promises. You are most Kind and Most Loving, and no doubt You do what You will. O Allah! Make me one who is guided aright, and guides others aright. Do not misguide me, and do not make me misguide others. I may be in peace with Your friends and enemy of Your enemies. Those who love You, I should love them for that love of Yours, and those who are against You, I should have enmity with them due to their enmity with You. O Allah! It is for us to supplicate, and for You to accept. This is my effort and reliance is on You. O Allah! Put Nur (light) in my heart, and make my grave illuminated; and grant me Nur in front of me, Nur at my back, Nur on my right, Nur on my left, Nur above me, Nur below me, (Your Nur be around me), and Nur in my ears, Nur in my eyes, Nur in every hair of mine, Nur in my skin, Nur in my flesh, Nur in my blood, and Nur in every bone of mine. O Allah! Make my Nur enormous, grant me Nur, and make Nur for me. Unblemish is He whose covering is dignity itself and Whose World is Dignified. Unblemished is He Whose dress is Nobility and Honour. Unblemished is He; and none can be appropriately called unblemished besides Him. Unblemished is He Who is of great Excellence and full of Bounties. Unblemished is He Who is of great Dignity and Generosity. Unblemished is He Who is the Possessor of great Power and Respect. [Tirmidhi]

THE PRAYER OF NEED SALAT AL-HAJAH ‘Abdullah ibne-Abu Awfa Al Aslami (radiyAllahu ‘anhuma) narrates that Rasulullah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) came to us and said: Whoever is confronted with a need, relating either to Allah or to any of his creation, he should perform Wudu and offer to rak’at salat, and then supplicate: There is none worthy of worship but Allah the Clement, the Bountiful; Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the tremendous Throne; Praise be to Allah, the Sustainer of the worlds. O Allah! I ask from You everything that leads to Your Mercy and ensures Your Forgiveness; I ask You for abundance in all that is virtuous; I ask You to leave no sin of mine but that You have removed it; an no want except that which met Your pleasure and You have fulfilled it for me. After this supplicate to Allah for whatever you want pertaining to this world or the hereafter, undoubtedly it will be answered. [Ibne-Majah]

DISCLAIMER: I was informed that some people don’t consider the prayer of need (salat Al-Hajah) and the prayer of repentance (salatAl-Tawbah) as part of the sunnah. I contacted a few scholars to ask their opinion and they told me to keep it so I have. If these prayers make you uncomfortable than don’t perform them and contact a person of knowledge to answer your question and give you clarity on the matter.. May Allah grant us hidayah. Ameen.

PRAYER OF REPENTANCE SALAT AL-TAWBA “Turn towards Allah, O believers, every one of you, so that you may be successful.” (24:31)

Abu Bakr (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) narrates: I heard the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying: Whenever a slave (of Allah) commits a sin, then he performs Wudu properly and offers two rak’at salat and seeks forgiveness from Allah, Allah forgives him. Then the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) recited these verses: “And those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins - Who forgives sins save Allah only? - and will not knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did.” [Surah ‘Ali ‘Imran 3:135] reported by [Abu Dawud]

Hasan (Rahimahullah) narrates that Rasulullah (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: There is not a slave (of Allah) who commits a sin, then performs Wudu and does it properly, then goes to an open plain and offers two rak’at salat and seeks forgiveness for that sin indeed Allah forgives him. [Baihaqi] O Allah, Your forgiveness is far more extensive than my sins and Your forgiveness is far more promising unto me than my (good) actions. So please forgive me. Ameen.

step 1:

MASTER DU’A LIST

Source: Taken from an email sent by [Sh. Muhammad Alshareef]

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.â&#x20AC;? Surah Al-Baqarah 2 : 186

QUR’AN READING ROADMAP Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (radiyAllahu ‘anhu) reported that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “when someone recites one letter from the Holy Qur’an he will get one good deed in recompense and this one recompense will be equal to ten good deeds. I do not say Alif Laam Meem is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter and Meem is a letter [Tirmithi]

Date:

al fatiha 1 al baqarah 141

1st JUZ’

Date:

al baqarah 142-252

2nd JUZ’

Date:

al baqarah 253 al imran 92

3rd JUZ’

al imran 93 an nisaa 23

4th JUZ’

Date:

al an’am 111 al a’rah 87

al ma’idah 82 al an’am 110

an nisaa 148 al ma’idah 81

an nisaa 24 an nisaa 147

8th JUZ’

7th JUZ’

Date:

al a’rah 88 al anfal 40

al anfal 41 at tauba 92

at tauba 93 hud 5

9th JUZ’

10th JUZ’

5th JUZ’

6th JUZ’

Date:

11th JUZ’

hud 6 yusuf 52

12th JUZ’

IEW

REV

Date:

al kahf 75 ta ha 135

16th JUZ’

al isra 1 al kahf 74

15th JUZ’

Date:

al anbiyaa 1 al hajj 78

17th JUZ’

Date:

al hijr 1 an nahl 128

18th JUZ’

yusuf 53 ibrahim 52

14th JUZ’

Date:

al muminum 1 al furqan 20

Date:

13th JUZ’

Date:

al furqan 21 an naml 55

19th JUZ’

Date:

an naml 56 al ankabut 45

20th JUZ’

Date:

az zumar 32 fussilat 46

ya sin 28 az zumar 31

al azhab 31 ya sin 27

al ankabut 46 al azhab 30

24th JUZ’

23rd JUZ’

21st JUZ’

22nd JUZ’

IEW

REV

Date:

fussilat 47 al jathiya 37

25th JUZ’

Date:

al ahqaf 1 az zariyat 30

26th JUZ’

Date:

az zariyat 31 al hadid 29

27th JUZ’ Date:

an nabaa 1 an nas 6

30th JUZ’

Date:

al mujadila 1 at tahrim 12

28th JUZ’

Date:

al mulk 1 al mursalat 50

29th JUZ’

20 DAY SCHEDULE

“Recite the Qur’an, for on the Day of Resurrection, it shall come as an intercessor for its companion.” [Muslim] Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Al Fatiha 1 – Al Baqarah 202 (1:1-2:202) Al Baqarah 203 – Al Imran 92 (2:203-3:92) Al Imran 93 – An Nisaa 87 (3:93-4:87) An Nisaa 88 – Al-Ma‘idah 81 (4:88-5:81) Al-Ma‘idah 82 – Al-‘An‘am 165 (5:82-6:165) Al-‘A‘raf 1 – Al-‘Anfal 40 (7:1-8:40) Al-‘Anfal 41 – Yunus 25 (8:41-10:25) Yunus 26 – Yusuf 52 (10:26-12:52) Yusuf 53 – An-Nahl 50 An-Nahl 51 – Al-Kahf 74 Al-Kahf 75 – Al- ‘Anbya’ 112 Al-Haj 1 – Al-Furqan 20 Al-Furqan 21 – Al-Qasas 50 Al-Qasas 51 – As-Sajdah 30 As-Sajdah 31 – As-Saffat 144 As-Saffat 145 – Fussilat 46 Fussilat 47 – Al-Fath 17 Al-Fath 18 – Al-Hadid 29 Al-Mujadila 1 – Nuh 28 Al-Jinn 1 – An-Nas 6

THE NOBLE QUR’AN 1. Al-Fatihah 2. Al-Baqarah 3. ‘Ali ‘Imran 4. An-Nisa’ 5. Al-Ma‘idah 6. Al-‘An‘am 7. Al-‘A‘raf 8. Al-‘Anfal 9. At-Tawbah 10. Yunus 11. Hud 12. Yusuf 13. Ar-Ra‘d 14. ‘Ibrahim 15. Al-Hijr 16. An-Nahl 17. Al-‘Isra’ 18. Al-Kahf 19. Maryam 20. Taha 21. Al-‘Anbya’ 22. Al-Haj 23. Al-Mu’minun

24. An-Nur 25. Al-Furqan 26. Ash-Shu‘ara’ 27. An-Naml 28. Al-Qasas 29. Al-‘Ankabut 30. Ar-Rum 31. Luqman 32. As-Sajdah 33. Al-‘Ahzab 34. Saba’ 35. Fatir 36. Ya-Sin 37. As-Saffat 38. Sad 39. Az-Zumar 40. Ghafir 41. Fussilat 42. Ash-Shuraa 43. Az-Zukhruf 44. Ad-Dukhan 45. Al-Jathiyah 46. Al-‘Ahqaf

47. Muhammad 48. Al-Fath 49. Al-Hujurat 50. Qaf 51. Adh-Dhariyat 52. At-Tur 53. An-Najm 54. Al-Qamar 55. Ar-Rahman 56. Al-Waqi‘ah 57. Al-Hadid 58. Al-Mujadila 59. Al-Hashr 60. Al-Mumtahanah 61. As-Saf 62. Al-Jumu‘ah 63. Al-Munafiqun 64. At-Taghabun 65. At-Talaq 66. At-Tahrim 67. Al-Mulk 68. Al-Qalam 69. Al-Haqqah

70. Al-Ma‘arij 71. Nuh 72. Al-Jinn 73. Al-Muzzammil 74. Al-Muddaththir 75. Al-Qiyamah 76. Al-‘Insan 77. Al-Mursalat 78. An-Naba’ 79. An-Nazi‘at 80. ‘Abasa 81. At-Takwir 82. Al-‘Infitar 83. Al-Mutaffifin 84. Al-‘Inshiqaq 85. Al-Buruj 86. At-Tariq 87. Al-‘A‘la 88. Al-Ghashiyah 89. Al-Fajr 90. Al-Balad 91. Ash-Shams 92. Al-Layl

93. Ad-Duhaa 94. Ash-Sharh 95. At-Tin 96. Al-‘Alaq 97. Al-Qadr 98. Al-Bayyinah 99. Az-Zalzalah 100. Al-‘Adiyat 101. Al-Qari‘ah 102. At-Takathur 103. Al-‘Asr 104. Al-Humazah 105. Al-Fil 106. Quraysh 107. Al-Ma‘un 108. Al-Kawthar 109. Al-Kafirun 110. An-Nasr 111. Al-Masad 112. Al-‘Ikhlas 113. Al-Falaq 114. An-Nas

GLOSSARY

Allahumma: “O God.” Allahu Akbar: “Allah is the Greatest.” ‘Aqidah: The Islamic creed, or the six articles of faith, which consists of the belief in God, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers and Prophets, the Day of Judgment/Resurrection, and Destiny (Good and Bad is from Allah). ‘Alayhis-salaam: evokes a blessing and is appended to the names of the prophets who came before Muhammad. It will also be applied to the mothers of those prophets. When following a woman’s name, the feminine form is ‘Alayhas-salaam. ‘Alim (pl. ‘Ulama’) Islamic scholar ‘Alimah (female scholar) As-Salamu ‘Alaykum: The Islamic greeting; literally “Peace be upon you”; In addition, waRahmatullahi wa-Barakatuhu means “and the Mercy of God and His blessing”. The response to this greeting is wa-‘Alaykum us-Salam waRahmatullahi wa-Barakatuhu “And on you be the Peace and Mercy of God and His Blessing”. Astaghfirullah: “I seek forgiveness from God.” A’udhu billah: “I seek refuge in God.” Barakah / barakat: a form of blessing. BarakAllahu Feekum: may Allah bless you; response to expression of thanks. Da‘wah: the call to Islam

Deen: (literally ‘religion’) the way of life based on Islamic revelation; the sum total of a Muslim’s faith and practice. Deen is often used to mean the faith and religion of Islam. Du’a: personal prayer, supplication Dunya: The physical Universe, as opposed to the Hereafter; sometimes spelled Dunia. Fardh, plural Fara’id or furud: a religious duty, or an obligatory action: praying 5 times a day is fard Neglecting a fard will result in a punishment in the hereafter Fatwa: legal opinion of an (‘alim) religious scholar, binding on him and on those who follow his taqlid/ ruling Fiqh: jurisprudence built around the sharia; literally means “deep understanding”; refers to understanding the Islamic laws. Fi sabil Allah: for the sake of Allah; Fitna (pl. fitan): trial or tribulation; Fitrah: innate disposition towards virtue, knowledge, and beauty. Muslims believe every

child is born on the fitrah. Ghusl: a complete shower including the rinsing of the mouth and nostrils, where every inch of the body must has gotten wet at least once. Such a shower suffices after having sexual discharge. Hadith (plural: ahadith): literally “speech”; recorded saying or tradition of the Prophet Muhammad validated by isnad; with seerah, these comprise the sunnah and are one basis of support for the shariah. Hafiz: someone who knows the Qur’an by heart. Literal translation = memorizer or protector. Haid: menstruation Hajj: pilgrimage to Mecca. This is the fifth Pillar of Islam incumbent on those that can afford it, financially and physically. Halal: lawful, permitted. Halaqa: A gathering or meeting for the primary purpose of learning about Islam. Haqq: truth, reality, right, righteousness. Al-Haqq is one of 99 names of God. Haram: forbidden. An individual is rewarded for keeping away from haram, (avoided due to obedience, rather than out of fear, shyness or the inability to do it.) Hidayah: guidance from God. Hijab: literally “cover”; describes self-covering the body for the purposes of modesty and dignity; broadly, a prescribed system of attitudes and behavior regarding modesty and dignity. Hijra: The Prophet and the Sahaba’s emigration from Mecca to Medina. Literally, “migration”. This holiday marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year on the first day of the month of Muharram. Hikmah: Literally means “wisdom” and refers to the highest possible level of understanding attainable by a Muslim, the peak being divine wisdom. ‘Ibadah: submission, worship, but not limited to ritual; all expressions of servitude to Allah, including the pursuit of knowledge, living a pious life, helping, charity, and humility. Eid ul-Adha: “the Festival of Sacrifice,” the four day celebration starting on the tenth day of DhulHijja. Eid ul-Fitr: “the Festival of Fitr (Breaking the fast).” A religious festival that marks the end of Ramadan. Iftar: a meal eaten when breaking the fast after sunset.

Ihsan: perfection in worship, such that Muslims try to worship God as if they see Him, and although they cannot see Him, they undoubtedly believe He is constantly watching over them. Imam: literally, leader; e.g. a man who leads a community or leads the prayer; Iman: personal faith Innaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raaji’oon : To Allah we belong and to Him is our return - said by mourners and during calamities. Insha’Allah: If it is God’s will; Istighfar: requesting divine forgiveness Jahannam: the Hell-fire; Hell Jahiliyyah: the time of ignorance before Islam. Janaba: A state of spiritual impurity that occur due to sexual intercourse or ejaculation and necessitates major ritual ablution (ghusl) Janaza: funeral prayer Jannah: Paradise, Heaven, the Garden Jazakallahu Khayran: “May God reward you for the good.” Jihad: struggle. Any earnest striving in the way of God, involving personal, mental and physical, for righteousness and against wrong-doing; Jinn: An invisible being of (smokeless) fire, who will be judged for his/her good and evil, like man will. Iblis (Satan) is from the Jinn. Jumu‘ah: Friday prayer Khair: Every kind of good Khutbah: a sermon Kufr: In Arabic - ungratefulness and disbelief in God and denial of the truth. La ilaha ill-Allah: “There is none worthy of worship other than God.” It is part of the first pillar of Islam. Also is the message of all the Prophets, such as Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. Laylatul-Qadr: the Night of Power, towards the end of Ramadan, when the Prophet received the first revelation of the Qur’an.

haram (forbidden); something that is disliked or offensive. If a person commits the Makruh, he does not accumulate sin but avoiding the Makhruh is rewarded with reward. Mala’ikah: angels Masha Allah: Allah has willed it. Masjid: place of prayer; mosque Masjid al-Haram: the area around the Kaaba. Mecca (Makkah): the holiest city in Islam Medina (Madinah): “city”; Medinat-un-Nabi means “the City of the Prophet.” Minaret: a tower built onto a mosque from the top of which the call to prayer is made Minbar: a raised pulpit in the mosque where the Imam stands to deliver sermons Mubah: literally permissible; neither forbidden nor commended. Neutral. Mufti: Islamic scholar who is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law (Sharia), capable of issuing fataawa (plural of “fatwa”). Muhajireen: The first Muslims that accompanied the Prophet when he emigrated from Mecca to Medina. Mu’min: A Muslim who observes the commandments of the Qur’an. Munafiq: hypocrite. Plural: Munafiqun Mustahabb: recommended but not required. Nafs: soul, the lower self, the ego Najasah: Impurity Nasiha: advice Nikah: the matrimonial contract between a bride and bridegroom within Islamic marriage Niyyat: intention Nur: light. Qadr: predestination. Qiblah: the direction Muslims face during prayer

Mahdi: “a guide”. More specifically al-Mahdi (the guide) is a figure who will appear with Prophet Jesus before the end of time, when God allows it, to bring world peace, order and justice, after it has been overcome with injustice and aggression Mahram: a relative of the opposite gender usually described as being within the protected limits. Means relatives who one can appear before without observing hijab and who one cannot marry. Makruh: Means “detested”, though not

Qiyam: to stand, a position of salah prayer RadiyAllahu ‘anhu: May Allah be pleased with him. RadiyAllahu ‘anha (her) and RadiyAllahu ‘anhum (them). Rahmatullahi ‘alayhi: Allah have mercy on him Raka’ah: one unit of Islamic prayer, or Salat. Each daily prayer is made up of a different number of raka’ah. Riba: interest, the charging and paying of which is forbidden by the Qur’an

Ruh: spirit; the divine breath which God blew into the clay of Adam. Ruk’u: the bowing performed during salat. Sabr: patience, endurance, self-restraint Sadaqah: charity; voluntary alms above the amount for zakat. Sadaqah jariya: continuous charity Sahabah (sing. Sahabi): companions of the Prophet. Sahih: A technical attribute applied to the chain of narration of a hadith. Sakina: divine “tranquility” or “peace” Salah / salat: any one of the daily five obligatory prayers. Salat al-Istikharah: Prayer for guidance is done in conjunction with two raka’ahs of supererogatory prayer. Salam: Peace SalAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam: “May Allah bless him and grant him peace.” The expression should be used after stating Prophet Muhammad’s name. Shahadah: The testimony of faith: La ilaha illa Allah. Muhammadun rasulullah. (“There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”) Shari‘ah: “the path to the watering hole”; the eternal, ethical, social, financial, judicial, and moral code based on the Qur’an and Sunnah; basis of fiqh Shaytan: Satan, the Devil; also known as Iblis Shirk: idolatry; polytheism; the sin of believing in any divinity except God and of associating partners with Allah. Seerah: life or biography of the Prophet Muhammad; his moral example - with hadith this comprises the sunnah Sirat al-Mustaqim: the Straight Path Subhanahu wa ta’ala: expression used following written name or vocalization of Allah in Arabic meaning highly praised and glorified is He. Subhan’Allah : expresses strong feelings of joy or relief. Suhoor: the meal eaten before dawn in preparation of fasting. Sujud: kneeling down, a position of salat. Sunnah: the “path” or example” of the Prophet Muhammad, i.e., what the Prophet did or said or agreed to during his life. He is considered by Muslims to be the best human moral example,

the best man to follow. Sunnah: an act which the Prophets performed; not required but carries much reward (Ajr) Tabi’in: followers of the Sahabah Tafsir: exegesis, particularly such commentary on the Qur’an Tahajjud: optional, late-night (pre-dawn) prayer Taharah: purification from ritual impurities by means of wudu or ghusl Tahir: pure, ritually clean Tajweed: a special manner of reciting the Qur’an according to prescribed rules of pronunciation and intonation. Takbir: a proclamation of the greatness of Allah; ‘Allahu Akbar’. Taqwa: righteousness; goodness; Piety: Taqwa is taken from the verbe Ittaqua, which means Avoiding, Fearing the punishment from Allah for committing sins. It is piety obtained by fearing the punishment of Allah. Taraweeh: extra prayers in Ramadan after the Isha prayer. Tawbah: repentance Tawhid: monotheism; affirmation of the Oneness of Allah. Muslims regard this as the first part of the pillar of Islam, the second part is accepting Muhammad as Allah’s rasul (messenger). ‘Ulama’ or ulema: the leaders of Islamic society, including teachers, Imams and judges. Singular alim. Ummah or umma: (literally ‘nation’) the global community of all Muslim believers ‘Umrah: the lesser pilgrimage performed in Mecca. Unlike hajj, ‘umrah can be performed throughout the year. Wa ‘Alaykum as-Salaam: meaning “and upon you be peace”. Wali: friend, protector, guardian, helper Witr: a voluntary, optional night prayer of odd numbers raka’ah. Wudu: ablution for ritual purification from minor impurities before salat. Yarhamuk-Allah: “May God have mercy on you”, said when someone sneezes Yawm ul-Qiyamah: “Day of the Resurrection”; Day of Judgement Zabiha: Islamic method of slaughtering an animal. Using a sharp knife the animal’s windpipe, throat and blood vessels of the neck are severed without cutting the spinal cord to ensure that the blood

is thoroughly drained before removing the head.

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