A monthly newsletter from Masjid Bani Hashim Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue#19 June 2015
A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #19 June 2015 بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم السالم عليكم و رحمة اهلل و بركاته Introduction Surah Al-Baqarah, ayah 183: (١٨٣) ٱلصيَا ُم كَمَ ا ُكتِبَ َعلَى ٱ َّلذِي َن مِن َقبۡلِڪُ ۡم َل َع َّل ُك ۡم تَتَّقُو َن ِّ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱ َّلذِي َن ءَا َمن ُوا ْ ُكتِبَ َع َليۡڪُ ُم O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious)! In shaa Allah Ramadan is approaching fast and there is hope that in shaa Allah this Ramadan is going to be better than the last Ramadan. We ask Allah سبحانه و تعالىthat He makes us reach Ramadan in very strong faith and health.
Taqwa is what we want to gain from fasting as Allah سبحانه و تعالىvery clearly states in the above ayah, i.e. if by fasting we do not become better Muslims, then surely something has gone quite wrong in our Ramadan. We want to fast to please Allah سبحانه و تعالى, to come closer to Him سبحانه و تعالى, that involves an intention, a heart which knows Who is Allah سبحانه و تعالىand why fasting was prescribed. We fast to become more obedient, less rebellious towards Allah ’سبحانه و تعالىs commands and all these we do out of love for Allah سبحانه و تعالى, with hope in His reward and fear His punishment in case we are ungrateful and we disobey Him. Subhanal Allah. Ramadan is the month of generosity, as we break the fast, we also share some of the blessings that Allah سبحانه و تعالىhas provided us with our brothers and sisters in Islam.
Dear readers, the Month of Biggest Trading is going in shaa Allah to start around 18 June 2015, this is really a month where you want in shaa Allah to get your Profit And Loss statement in a very good shape.
A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #19 June 2015
What do I mean? Income is all the good deeds; expenses are your sins... In shaa Allah you want a very good profit at the end of this year’s Ramadan. What is your capital? Your capital is your faith and this in shaa Allah you need to ask Allah سبحانه و تعالىbefore Ramadan to increase it, so that when you reach Ramadan you are ready to run faster in the Name of Allah سبحانه و تعالى. What is your Criterion, what is your Guide? سبحان اهللyour Qur’an. The Qur’an was revealed in Ramadan and it is the Qur’an that teaches us how to live in this life and how to prepare for the big Prize, Firdaus al ala. Subhanal Allah.
The secret of the matter and the success of this Ramadan depends on how much are we going to rely in Allah سبحانه و تعالىto make us succeed, how much we are going to run to Allah سبحانه و تعالى. When we are hungry, weak, tired…we are going to run to Alah سبحانه و تعالىand ask Him for strength and ask Him to fulfil each and every need of ours. Alhamdulil Allah, Allah سبحانه و تعالىis ArRazaq.
In shaa Allah, we take the first step. We make the intention of coming closer to Allah سبحانه و تعالى, we make a little bit of effort to please Allah سبحانه و تعالىand you will see Allah’s support running towards you so that you can reach taufiq. May Allah سبحانه و تعالىbless you and your loved ones. الحمدهلل رب العاملني والصالة والسالم على رسول اهلل
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A Monthly Newsletter by Masjid Bani Hashim, Jumeirah Islands, Dubai Issue #19 June 2015
This Issue Introduction: Pages 1 - 2 Ramadan With Joy: Pages 4 - 10 Catching Thoughts: Pages 11 - 13 The Real Superstars: Pages 14 - 16 Biography of Prophet Mohammed (SAWS) A Quiz to refresh your memory: Page 16 Seasons of Worship: Pages 17 - 23 Developing Competence: Pages 24 - 25
Article focusing on Ramadan
Healthy Eating During Ramadan: Page 26 Surah Abasa: Pages 27 - 29 Cheer Up!: Pages 30 - 31 Inner Glow Before Ramadan: Pages 32 - 35 Masjid Bani Hashim: Pages 36 - 38
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RAMADAN WITH JOY Do not let the shaitan make problems between you, or the fragrance of your faith will go away, leaving you weak. خلُوهَا خَالِدِين ُ س َال ٌم َع َليْ ُك ْم طِ بْت ُ ْم فَا ْد َ خزَنَتُهَا َ َقَالَ َل ُه ْم When the dwellers of Jannah enter their eternal
abode, the keepers will welcome them, in a beautiful way.
ْض نَتَبَ َّوأ ُ ِم َن الْجَ ن َّ ِة َ األَر ْ ص َد َقن َا َو ْع َدهُ َوأ َ ْو َرثَن َا َ َوقَالُوا الْحَ مْ ُد هللَِّ ا َّلذِي ْوَسِ يقَ ا َّلذِي َن اتَّ َقوْا َربَّ ُه ْم إِلَى الْجَ ن َّ ِة زُ َمرًا ۖ حَ تَّىٰ إِذَا جَ اءُوهَا َوفُتِحَ ت َوقَالُوا.َخلُوهَا خَالِدِين ُ س َال ٌم َع َليْ ُك ْم طِ بْت ُ ْم فَا ْد َ خزَنَتُهَا َ أَبْوَابُهَا َوقَالَ َل ُه ْم ث ُ ْْضنَتَبَ َّوأ ُ ِم َن الْجَ ن َّ ِة حَ ي َ األَر ْ ص َد َقن َا َو ْع َدهُ َوأ َ ْو َرثَن َا َ الْحَ مْ ُد هللَِّ ا َّلذِي ْش ِ ني ِم ْن حَ وْلِ ا ْل َعر َ ِّ َوتَرَى املْ ََال ِئ َك َة حَ اف.ََشا ُء ۖ فَ ِن ْع َم أ َجْ ُر ا ْلعَا ِملِني َ ُِّضيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْحَ قِّ َوقِيلَ الْحَ مْ ُد هللَِّ رَب ِ ُسبِّحُ و َن بِحَ مْ ِد َربِّ ِه ْم ۖ َوق َ ي ني َ ِ َْلعَامل But those who feared their Lord will be driven to
Paradise in groups until, when they reach it while its gates have been opened & its keepers say, "Peace
be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to
abide eternally therein," [they will enter]. & they will say, "Praise to Allah , who has fulfilled for us His
promise & made us inherit the earth [so] we may
settle in Paradise wherever we will. & excellent is the reward of [righteous] workers. & you will see the angels surrounding the Throne, exalting [ Allah ]
with praise of their Lord. & it will be judged between them in truth, & it will be said, "[All] praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds". 39:73-75
The people of Jannah will enter as a delegation, in groups. ۚ َصمُ وا بِحَ بْ ِل اهللَِّ جَ مِيعًا و ََال تَفَ َّرقُوا ِ وَا ْعت And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together & do not become divided. 3:103
َشا ُ ء َ ثن ُ ْحَ ي When you appreciate the blessings of Allah, He will give you more & more.
This will be a continuous process in Jannah. ُسبِّحُ و َن بِحَ مْ ِد َربِّ ِه ْ م َ ْشي ِ ني ِم ْن حَ وْلِ ا ْل َعر َ َِّوتَرَى املْ ََال ِئ َك َة حَ اف The angels will surround the throne of Allah, & praise Him. ُضيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْحَ قِّ َوقِيلَ الْحَ مْ ُد هللَِّ رَبِّ ا ْلعَاملَ ِني ِ َوق Everyone will be in their eternal abodes & all will praise Allah. We need to continue saying this. Greet the month of Ramadan with joy. Happiness & joy are some of the of best feelings. Allah (SWT) created human beings with emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, etc. so that we utilize them for the sake of Allah (SWT). Happiness gives energy & motivation, making you go forward on the way to Allah (SWT). الفرح يدل على التعظيم هلل Joy is an indicator of magnifying Allah Joy is a worship when you magnify Allah (SWT). When you magnify Allah (SWT), then your happiness will be around Him (SWT). You will also magnify His (SWT) symbols. You will receive all the decrees of Allah (SWT) with happiness. The joy or فرح is a higher level than رضا, being pleased with Allah 4
(SWT). The levels of your reaction according to your faith are: contentment رضا, gratitude شكر, happiness
dise, & of certainty, which shall make the afflictions
فرح. The joy is the highest level, & the intensity of this
& our seeing, & our strength as long as You keep us
of the world easy for us, & enjoyment of our hearing,
joy depends upon your belief & the purity of your heart. These feelings cannot be forced. They come from تعظيم اهلل, how much you believe in the majesty
alive, & make it the inheritor of us. & let our venge-
of Allah (SWT).
make our affliction in our religion, & do not make this
ance be upon those who have wronged us, & aid us
against those who show enmity towards us, & do not
world our greatest concern, nor the limit of our knowl Types of happiness in the Qur’an أنواع الفرح في القران There are two types of الفرحmentioned in the Qur'an : 1. the dispraised joy الفرح املذموم ُوسىٰ فَبَ َغىٰ َع َليْ ِه ْم ۖ وَآتَيْن َاهُ ِم َن ا ْل ُكن ُو ِز مَا إِ َّن َ إِ َّن قَارُو َن كَا َن مِن َق ْوم ِ م ُصبَ ِة أ ُولِي ا ْل ُق َّو ِة إِذْ قَالَ َل ُه َق ْو ُم ُه َال تَفْ َر ْح ۖ إِ َّن اهللََّ َال ْ َمفَاتِحَ ُه َلتَن ُو ُء بِا ْلع
edge, & do not give power over us to those who will not have mercy on us.
Do not let the affairs of the dunya be the source of your happiness or grief; do not give it so much importance. Do not make dunya your goal. Use your share of the dunya as a bridge to Allah (SWT). شيْ ٍء حَ تَّىٰ إِذَا فَرِحُ وا َ َِّسوا مَا ذُ ِّكرُوا ِب ِه فَت َحْ ن َا َع َليْ ِه ْم أَبْوَابَ كُل ُ فَلَمَّ ا ن
ني َ ِيُحِ بُّ اا ْلفَرِح Indeed, Qaroon was from the people of Moosa, but he tyrannized them. & We gave him of treasures
whose keys would burden a b& of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, "Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant. 28:76
Allah (SWT) relates the story of Qaroon, who was very wealthy, have been given treasures by Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) told him not to rejoice for the treasures of the dunya, this is a disliked & forbidden happiness. Ibn Umar (RA) said: “Rarely would the Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمstand from a sitting until he supplicated with these words for his Companions: يك َو ِم ْن طَا َعت َِك َ َاص ِ َني َمع َ ْ َشيَت َِك مَا يَحُ ولُ بَيْنَن َا َوب ْ ال َّل ُه َّم اقْسِ ْم َلن َا ِم ْن خ ُصيبَاتِ ال ُّدنْيَا َو َمت ِّ ْعن َا ِ مَا تُبَ ِّل ُغن َا ِب ِه جَ نَّت ََك َو ِم َن ا ْليَ ِقنيِ مَا تُ َه ِّو ُن ِب ِه َع َليْن َا م ث ِمن َّا وَاجْ عَلْ ثَأ ْ َرنَا َ ْصا ِرنَا َو ُق َّو ِتن َا مَا أ َحْ يَيْتَن َا وَاجْ َع ْل ُه ا ْلوَا ِر َ ِبأ َْسمَ ا ِعن َا َوأَب ُصيبَتَن َا فِي دِي ِنن َا ِ ْص ْرنَا َعلَى َم ْن عَادَانَا َوالَ تَجْ عَلْ م ُ َعلَى َم ْن ظَلَمَ ن َا وَان َط َع َليْن َا َم ْن ال ْ ُس ِّل َ َوالَ تَجْ َع ِل ال ُّدنْيَا أ َ ْكبَ َر هَمِّ ن َا َوالَ َمبْ َلغَ ِع ْل ِمن َا َوالَ ت ٣٥٠٢ # حديث، جامع الترمذي.يَرْحَ مُ ن َا O Allah, apportion for us, fear of You, that shall
come between us & disobedience of You, & of obedi-
ence to You, which shall cause us to obtain Your Para-
ِسو َ ن ُ خذْنَاهُم بَ ْغت َ ًة فَ ِإذَا هُم ُّمبْل َ َ ِمَ اا أ ُوتُوا أ So when they forgot that by which they had been reminded, We opened to them the doors of every
[good] thing until, when they rejoiced in that which they were given, We seized them suddenly, & they were [then] in despair. 6:44
Those who are deceived by the dunya, forget the reminders of Allah (SWT), & do not pay attention to these reminders. Be happy to welcome the month of Ramadan, don't be distracted by the dunya.
2. the praised joy الفرح املحمود خيْ ٌر مِّمَّ ا يَجْ مَ عُو َ ن َ َض ِل اهللَِّ َو ِبرَحْ مَ ِت ِه فَ ِبذَٰل َِك فَ ْليَفْرَحُ وا ُه َو ْ ققُلْ ِبف Say, "In the bounty of Allah & in His mercy - in that
let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate. 10:58
Be happy with the favors & mercy of Allah (SWT). He (SWT) favors us with the fasting, the salah, the Qur'an. This should make us happy & excited. The mercies & favors of Ramadan should make you happy. This happiness is better than all the treasures of the dunya. 5
O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous. 2:183 -يَا أَيُّهَا ا َّلذِي َن آ َمن ُوا The form of address from your Creator is a beauti-
ful way to make you listen attentively, wanting to be included with those who believe. -ُالصيَام ِّ ُكتِبَ َع َليْ ُك ُم Do not be unhappy with any legislation. Allah knows that if fasting was not obligatory we would not do it, & would then be lost. The mother obliges her chil-
الصدُو ِر ُّ َّاس َق ْد جَ ا َءتْكُم َّم ْو ِعظَ ٌة مِّن َّربِّ ُك ْم وَشِ فَا ٌء ملِّ َا فِي ُ يَا أَيُّهَا الن ني َ َ ُهدًى َورَحْ مَ ٌة ِّللْمُ ْؤ ِم ِن O mankind, there has to come to you instruction
from your Lord & healing for what is in the breasts & guidance & mercy for the believers. 10:57
The source of happiness, found in the Qur'an & sunnah, is the actual one. Allah (SWT) nurtures you by the Qur'an. The Qur'an is: وَشِ فَا ٌء ملِّ َا فِي- َّم ْو ِعظَ ٌة مِّن َّربِّ ُك ْم ني َ َورَحْ مَ ٌة ِّللْمُ ْؤ ِم ِن- َو ُهدًى- الصدُو ِر ُّ Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an. The سلف الصالح, the righteous previous generations, read more Qur'an before Ramadan, to feel the happiness in Ramadan. You must increase your faith all year long, in order to benefit from Ramadan. After Ramadan finished, the Salaf invoked Allah (SWT) to accept their worship during Ramadan for six months, & the rest of the year they asked Allah (SWT) to let them be alive to worship the next Ramadan.
Ramadan is the month of happiness, by the favor & mercy of Allah (SWT). The excitement for Ramadan is better than anything in this world. الصيَا ُم كَمَ ا ِّ مصادر فرح في رمضان يَا أَيُّهَا ا َّلذِي َن آ َمن ُوا ُكتِبَ َع َليْ ُك ُم ُكتِبَ َعلَى ا َّلذِي َن مِن َقبْلِ ُك ْم َل َع َّل ُك ْم تَتَّقُو َ ن
dren to do some things for their benefit. Allah is the
Only One who knows what is good for you. Trust Allah blindly, & believe that, by default, anything that
Allah commanded is for your happiness, & anything
Allah forbids is misery. Allah knows best what makes you happy & benefits you. -ْكَمَ ا ُكتِبَ َعلَى ا َّلذِي َن مِن َقبْلِ ُكم Fasting was prescribed to the previous nations too. َل َع َّل ُك ْم تَتَّقُو َنWhen you fast with your heart in Ramadan, you will, at the end, become a very strong person, able to eliminate any bad behavior, & adopt good habits. Ramadan is a school for learning taqwa, which is to shield yourself from any action which brings the wrath of Allah (SWT) upon you. The one who has taqwa controls himself to do all that Allah (SWT) loves. This is not for scholars only; anyone can enroll in this 'school'. This is the main reason for fasting, to attain taqwa. The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid : ث َوالَ يَجْ هَلْ فَإِنِ ا ْم ُر ٌؤ ْ ُصائِمً ا فَالَ يَ ْرف َ الصيَا ُم جُ ن َّ ٌة فَ ِإذَا كَا َن أ َحَ ُد ُك ْم ِّ # كتاب، موطأ مالك.ٌصا ِئم َ صا ِئ ٌم إِنِّي َ شاتَمَ ُه فَ ْليَقُلْ إِنِّي َ قَاتَ َل ُه أ َ ْو ٦٨٠ # حديث، ١ Fasting is a protection for you, so when you are fasting, do not behave obscenely, & if any one argues
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with you or abuses you, say, 'I am fasting. I am fasting".
Fasting is a shield from your soul, which you cater to with food & drink. All year long, the nafs & the shaitan play together, with the nafs controlling you. In Ramadan, you control your nafs, by not eating or drinking, which suppresses the nafs. You focus more on food for the soul, so you want to do more good deeds. While you are fasting, you are upgrading yourself. Do not waste time in Ramadan by focusing on food. Eat & drink as a worship, to get strength to do more worship. Control all your actions & reactions, specially the sins of the tongue. The 30 days of fasting in Ramadan will make this your habit. The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid: من لم يدع قول الزور والعمل به فليس هلل حاجة في أن يدع طعامه # حديث، ٩ # كتاب، رياض الصالحني، رواه البخاري.وشرابه ١٢٤ If one does not eschew lies & false conduct, Allah
The one who does not benefit from Ramadan is deprived. Allah (SWT) changes the laws of the universe for the fasting person. It is a feast only some will benefit from. The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمgreeted his companions at the advent of Ramadan by saying: َضاهللَُّ عليكُم صيا َم ُه تُفتَحُ في ِه َ ش ْه ٌر مبار ٌَك افتر َ قَد جا َءكُم رمضا ُن ني في ِه ليل ٌة خي ٌر ُ الشياط َّ أبوابُ الجن َّ ِة ويُغلَقُ في ِه أبوابُ الجحيم ِ وتُغلُّ في ِه : أبو هريرة املحدث: الراوي.َش ْه ٍر مَن حُ ِر َم خيرَها فقَد حُ ِرم َ ِمن ألف .12/134 : الصفحة أو الرقم- مسند أحمد: املصدر- أحمد شاكر إسناده صحيح:خالصة حكم املحدث There has come to you Ramadan, the blessed month, in which Allah (SWT) has prescribed fasting upon
you. The gates of Paradise are opened, & the gates
of the fire are closed in it, & the devils are chained up. In it is a night equal to 1000 months. Whoever is deprived of it is truly deprived.
أنس بن مالك: الراوي.ٌإال محروم َّ حُ ِر َم الخي َر ُك َّل ُه وال يُح َر ُم خيرَها
The changes which take place in the universe as soon as the crescent is seen, are unseen. The eight gates of Jannah are opened, & you can feel the breeze from Jannah, welcoming the fasting believers. The seven gates of hellfire are closed. These changes take place only in Ramadan. The more powerful devils are chained, so the nafs is easier to control. Whatever evil we now feel can be detected to our own nafs. This should make us happy, because we can now reform our souls. Also we don't know which night is the Night of the Decree, but we have been informed that it is from the last ten nights of Ramadan. The calculation for this one night is :
: الصفحة أو الرقم- صحيح ابن ماجه: املصدر- األلباني:املحدث
One night = 1000 months
has no need that he should abstain from his food & his drink.
If someone insults you while you are fasting, you must control your reaction. The best fast is the one in which the heart fasts too.
The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid about the month of Ramadan : ش ْه ٍر من حُ ِرمَها فقد َ ِالشه َر قَد حض َركُم وفي ِه ليل ٌة خي ٌر مِن ألف َّ إ َّن هذا
حسن صحيح: خالصة حكم املحدث.134
1000 months = 83 years, 3 months
This month has come to you, & in it there is a night that is better than a 1000 months. Whoever is de-
prived of it is deprived of all goodness, & no one is
deprived of its goodness except one who is truly de-
When you see the care & kindness of Allah (SWT), how can you not be happy?? The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid:
prived.
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The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was re-
vealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people & clear proofs of guidance & criterion. 2:185
The Qur'an was revealed in Ramadan. There are two descents of the Qur'an. The Qur’an was stored in اللوح املحفوظ, the Preserved Tablets, & descended as a whole onto السماء الدنيا, the first heaven, on الليلة القدر, the Night of the Decree.
- Rejoice for the month of repentance
ني َو َم َر َدةُ ا ْلج ِ ِّن ُ ِالشيَاط َّ ِصفِّدَت ُ َضا َن َ ش ْه ِر َرم َ إِذَا كَا َن أَوَّلُ َليْ َل ٍة ِم ْن ْ َوفُت ِّحَ تْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَ ن َّ ِة فَ َل ْم يُ ْغلَق. ٌَو ُغ ِّلقَتْ أَبْوَابُ الن َّا ِر فَ َل ْم يُفْتَحْ ِمنْهَا بَاب َِّْص ْر َوهلل ِ الش ِّر أَق َّ َخيْ ِر أ َ ْقبِلْ َويَا بَا ِغي َ ِمنْهَا بَابٌ َويُن َادِي ُمن َا ٍد يَا بَا ِغيَ ا ْل ٦٨٢ # حديث، جامع الترمذي.ُعتَقَا ُء ِم َن الن َّا ِر َوذَل َِك كُلَّ َليْلَة On the first night of the month of Ramadan, the
Shayatin are shackled, the jinns are restrained, the
gates of the Fires are shut such that no gate among them would be opened. The gates of Paradise are opened such that no gate among them would be
closed, & a caller calls: 'O seeker of the good; come near!' & 'O seeker of evil; stop! For there are those
whom Allah frees from the Fire.' & that is every night. The month of Ramadan has come, with the mercy of Allah (SWT). In it there are countless opportunities to increase the level of the believers, & to attain taqwa. How can you not be happy??
There are three ahadeeth with different actions carrying the same reward. 1.The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid: متفق عليه، غفر له ما تقدم من ذنب،من صام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا ١٢١٩ # حديث، ٩ # كتاب، رياض الصالحني He who observes fasting during the month of Rama-
dan with Faith while seeking its reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven.
The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid: ، من قام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبهرواه مسلم ١١٨٨ # حديث، ٩ # كتاب، رياض الصالحني Whosoever performs (optional Tarawih) prayers at
night during the month of Ramadan, with Faith & in
the hope of receiving Allah's reward, will have his past sins forgiven.
2.The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid : َصالَتُهَا فِي َ صالَ ِتهَا فِي حُ جْ َر ِتهَا و َ ْضلُ ِم ْن َ صالَةُ املْ َ ْرأ َ ِة فِي بَيْ ِتهَا أَف َ
- Ramadan is the month of the Qur'an The scholars leave everything else in this month, & focus on the Qur'an. At the time of the Prophet Mohammad صلى اهلل عليه و سلم, Jibreel (AS) used to descend every night & study the Qur'an with him. َّاس َوبَيِّن َاتٍ ِّم َن ا ْل ُهد َٰى ِ َضا َن ا َّلذِي أ ُنزِلَ فِي ِه ا ْل ُقرْآ ُن ُهدًى لِّلن َ ش ْه ُر َرم َ ۚ َِا ْلفُ ْرقَان
٥٧٠ # حديث، صالَ ِتهَا فِي بَيْ ِتهَاسنن أبي داود َ ْضلُ ِم ْن َ خ َد ِعهَا أَف ْ َم It is more excellent for a woman to pray in her house than in her courtyard, & more excellent for her to pray in her private chamber than in her house.
3.The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid : ، من قام ليلة القدر إيمانا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبمتفق عليه ١١٨٩ # حديث، ٩ # كتاب، رياض الصالحني 8
Whosoever performs Qiyam during Lailat-ul-Qadr
Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not
reward, will have his former sins forgiven.
derstanding. 39:9
(Night of Decree), with Faith & being hopeful of Allah's
know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of un-
The Night of the Decree, or ليلة القدر, is in the last ten odd nights of Ramadan; the nights of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th. It is better to worship in all the last ten nights, so that there is no chance of losing it. Aisha رضي اهلل عنهاreported : كان رسول اهلل صلى اهلل عليه وسلم إذا دخل العشر أحيا الليل وأيقظ # حديث، ٩ # كتاب، رياض الصالحني، متفق عليه. وشد املئزر،أهله ١٢٢ When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمwould keep
awake at night (for prayer & devotion), & صلى اهلل عليه و سلمawaken his family & tighten his belt (prepare him-
Rejoice with Ramadan ِكُلِّ َعبْ ٍد ِمنْهُم َدعْوة مُستجابة for every slave there is an accepted invocation For everyone who fasts, there is one guaranteed accepted dua, which will never be rejected. The time for this dua is just before Iftar, so don't busy yourself frying food! Don't make food the focus of Iftar, rather, focus on submitting to Allah (SWT). Eat as soon as the adhan is announced, which shows complete submission. The sunnah is to hasten the Iftar, & delay the suhoor. The best food for Iftar is fresh dates, while the best for suhoor is dry dates.
self to be more diligent in worship). يا رسولَ اهللِ أرأيتَ إن شهدتُ أن ال إله إال: فقال، ِّجاء رجلٌ إلى الن َّبي و، َ و أدَّيتُ الزكاة،الخمس ِ ِ و صلَّيتُ الصلوات، ِ و أنك رسولُ اهلل، ُاهلل
Rejoice for the intercession The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid:
الصدِّيقني و ِّ من: فممَّ ن أنا ؟ قال، وقُمت ُه، صمتُ رمضا َن
ِّ أ َْي رَب་ الصيا ُم ِّ ་ ُ يقول، َشفَعَانِ للعب ِد يو َم القيام ِة ْ الصيا ُم و القرآ ُن ي ِّ
: املصدر- األلباني: عمرو بن مرة الجهني املحدث:الشهداءِالراوي ُّ
َمن َ ْعت ُ ُه الن َّ ْو َم: و يقولُ القرآ ُن، فشفعْني في ِه، ََمن َ ْعت ُ ُه الطَّعَا َم و الشهوة
صحيح:خالصة حكم املحدث1003 : الصفحة أو الرقم- حيح الترغيب A man came to the Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلم, & said : oh Messenger of Allah, if I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah, & you are the messenger of Allah, & pray 5 times, & give
zakat, & fast in Ramadan, & establish the night prayers in it, who will I be with? He صلى اهلل عليه و سلمreplied : with the truthful ones & the martyrs. This hadith shows that that you will go to Jannah with your heart, not your limbs. It doesn't matter how much worship you do, Allah (SWT) looks at your heart. You cannot do good while having evil in your heart. The important thing is to have the hope of being with the truthful ones & the martyrs. األ َ ْلبَاب ْ َستَوِي ا َّلذِي َن يَ ْعلَمُ و َن وَا َّلذِي َن َال يَ ْعلَمُ و َن ۗ إِنَّمَ ا يَتَذَ َّك ُر أ ُولُو ْ قُلْ هَلْ ي
: عبداهلل بن عمرو املحدث: الراوي. ِ فيشفعان: قال، َشفِّ ْعنِي في ِه َ ف، بِاللي ِل 984 : الصفحة أو الرقم- صحيح الترغيب: املصدر- أللباني حسن صحيح:خالصة حكم املحدث The fasting & the Qur'an will intercede for the slave on the day of judgement. The fast will say : oh my Lord, I stopped him from food & drink & relations, so save
him. The Qur'an will say : oh my Lord, I stopped him
from sleeping at night, so save him. He said : so they will intercede for him.
The Qur'an & fast will be in tangible form on the Day of Judgement, & intercede for you, like lawyers. They will defend you until you enter Jannah. If your sins are equal to your good deeds, you will be taken out of the hellfire; if you are already in Jannah, you will be upgraded.
Rejoice for the rewards
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Imagine the happiness when you meet Allah (SWT) (SWT). When you see the reward, the favors & mercy of your Lord, all your struggles will be like nothing. You will meet Allah (SWT) with great joy. In dunya, we are happy because we trust Allah (SWT) to do what He (SWT) promised. In Akhirah, you will actually see the rewards.
The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid, in a Divine hadith, or : الحديث القدسي َوأَنَا أ َجْ زِي،الصوْم َ فَ ِإنَّ ُه لِي َّ َّ إِال،ُ)قَال اهلل تعالى( كُلُّ عَمَ ِل ابْنِ آ َد َم َله صحيح البخاري. ِِسك ْ ْالصا ِئم ِ أَطْيَبُ ِعن ْ َد اهللَِّ ِم ْن رِيحِ امل َّ ِ خلُوفُ فَم َ َو َل،ِِبه ٥٩٢٧ # حديث (Allah the Most High said): Every good deed of
Adam's son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. & I
shall reward for it. Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk.
Any other good deeds carry the normal reward, of 10-700. The fast has a different & unique calculation; it has no numbers. The reward is infinite, Allah (SWT) did not mention it. Only Allah (SWT) knows who is really fasting with his heart, with sincerity. Another privilege which shows how much Allah (SWT) appreciated the fast is that the smell of the fasting person's breath, which is rather offensive, is better than the fragrance of musk in the eyes of Allah (SWT).
The Messenger of Allah صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid: ، جامع الترمذي.ُني يَ ْلقَى َربَّه َ ِط ُر َوفَرْحَ ٌة ح ِ ْني يُف َ ِِلصا ِئم ِ فَرْحَ ت َانِ فَرْحَ ٌة ح َّ ل ٧٦٦ # حديث There are two joys for the fasting person: the joy
when he breaks his fast, & the joy of when he meets his Lord.
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CATCHING THOUGHTS ( )صيد الخاطرBY IBN AL JAWZI.
Introduction Catching Thoughts ( )صيد الخاطرby ibn Al Jawzi. When we get a thought, we can easily forget it, and ibn Al Jawzi had observations and reflections when going through different experiences which he wanted to capture. These thoughts are based on knowledge and wisdom, and if these thoughts are not written down, then it will go away. Ibn Al Jawzi is a famous scholar, even the khalifa of his time used to pray behind him, 100,000 used to attend his study circle, he wrote 600 books, and 200,000 people became Muslim through him. May Allah (SWT) be pleased with him.
#1 Thought ()الخاطرة: Heedlessness and Alertness ()الغفلة و اليقظة ()قد يعرض عند سماع املواعظ للسامع يقظة When people are attending study circles, they hear admonitions. So he observed why do some people become heedless after hearing the lesson. There are those who hear the lesson, and they wake up and become alert. ()فاذا انفصل عن مجلس الذكر عادت الغفلة و القسوة But as soon as the person departs from the study circle, then heedlessness and hardening of the heart returns, subhan Allah. ()فتدبرت السبب فعرفته I was pondering the reason for this, and I found it. ()ثم رأيت الناس يتفاوتون في ذلك I saw that people are different in this matter. People are of different levels. ()السبب في ذلك The reasons for this: ()املواعظ كالسياط و السياط ال تؤلم اال حال وقوعها The lessons/ admonitions are like a lash, they will hurt at the moment, so the lesson is effective, but as soon as the ‘pain’ goes away, then heedlessness returns. ()حالة سماع املواعظ ان االنسان به مزاج علة
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The condition of the one hearing the admonition has a certain mindset – which is to attend some study circle in order to be reformed, learn and increase in faith. So when they are in this mindset, they are alert, but as soon as that mindset changes, then this alertness goes away. One of the companions was saying to himself that he is a hypocrite out loud, then Abu Bakr As Siddique (ra) heard this, and said why are you saying this? He said when we are with the Prophet (pbuh) listening to his preaching, then it is as if we are in paradise, as if we can see Allah (SWT) (swt), but as soon as we leave, this changes. So he said I am a hypocrite, then Abu Bakr As Siddique (ra) said I feel the same. So they went to the Prophet (pbuh) and told him about this. He said this is human nature, but if you remain in that same mindset even afterwards, then as if the angels will shake hands with you, it means to be very high in faith. That’s why it is important to prepare yourself for the study circle. This condition is felt generally by everyone (")هذا الحالة تعم الخلق إال ان أرباب اليقظة يتفاوتون في بقاء األثر But there are those who are high in alertness, the effect remains even after having left the study circle, subhan Allah. For some people it can last up to an hour, some a day, some a week, month, etc. ()فمنهم يعزم بال تردد و يمضي بال التفات This is the best group, they have determination and are very alert in the study circle, they want to change for the better. Some move forward and know that what they are hearing is what Allah (SWT) wants for them, so they don’t hesitate to apply. May Allah (SWT) make us of this group. Ameen. ()و منهم أقوام يميل بهم الطبع الى الغفلة أحيانا و املواعظ تدعوهم الى العمل كالسنبلة تميلها الرياح This group has heedlessness and laziness in their nature, and sometimes the admonition/advice can encourage them to do deeds, just as the wind moves the grain stalks left and right. ()و أقوام ال يؤثر فيهم إال بمقدار سماعه كماء دحرجته على صفوان The majority is affected by the admonition only at the time of hearing it, but as soon as they leave, they go back to their original state, just as water falls on a rock – so the effect is only on the spot. May Allah (SWT) protect us from this. Ameen.
#2 Thought ()الخاطرة: The benefits of looking at the consequences ()فوائد النظر في العواقب ()من نظر بعني البصيرة العواقب نال الخير و نجا من الشر Whoever looks at the consequences with deep insight, then he will have all that is good and be saved from all evil. Sometimes you hear about something good like memorizing the Quran, or you hear about a sin and you are not abstaining from it. Why? Because the good deeds appear to have a struggle and the sins appear to be beautiful. At the time of doing a good deed, it appears difficult, and at the time of doing a sin it appears very beautiful. But as soon as you overcome yourself, you will see that when you do the good deeds, you will feel so sweet and as soon as a person commits a sin and looks back at it, it’s painful. So don’t look at the present of performing deeds, but look at the consequence of good and evil deeds. 12
CATCHING THOUGHTS ( )صيد الخاطرBY IBN AL JAWZI.
()و من لم ير العواقب غلب عليه الحس فعاد األلم م طلب السالمة و بالنصب ما رجا منه الراحة Whoever does not look at the consequences, then his feelings will overtake him and make him feel painful for doing good and relaxed when doing bad. Allah (SWT) did not leave us without guidance and He told us about the results – paradise and hellfire. As soon as you do a good deed, you will not feel the pain, and when you look back, you will not recall any pain. And vice versa with a sin, you will look back with pain and misery. ()ان عصيت اهلل فأين لذة املعصية If you disobey Allah (SWT) (swt), then where is the delight of that sin? Subhan Allah. A sin has a delight only at the moment of committing that sin, but when it’s over, you will not find any delight from that sin, it is only replaced with misery and pain. (أن أطعت اهلل فأين تعب الطاعة؟ If you obey Allah (SWT) (swt), then there may a struggle for the obedience, Subhan Allah. After you finish an obedience, then you forget all of the struggle and tiredness behind it, it is replaced with sweetness and comfort. ()رحال كل منهم Both will go away, the delight of the sin will go away and the tiredness of the obedience will go away. The sin will be replaced with punishment and the obedience will be replaced with joy and paradise. ()فراقب العواقب تسلم If you want to be safe, then be mindful of the consequences. Don’t think of the short-term of doing a sin or good deed, but the consequence of each one. ()و ال تمل مع هوى الحس فتندم Don’t go with your desire, because you will only regret it. Just think of what it will be like to be in paradise, to be under the throne of Allah (SWT) (swt), to be with the Prophet (pbuh), subhan Allah.
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THE REAL SUPERSTARS me some advice & I am going to persevere with it. (Fada'il al Sahaba with a sahih isnad) When the rebels called for Uthman (RA) to step down, many of the companions advised him to do so. Uthman (RA) was of 80 years then & remembered the words of the Prophet (SAWS) & refused to stand down from his (RA) position. The Prophet (SAWS) had said “Perhaps God will clothe you with a shirt, Uthman, and if the people want you to take it off, do not take it off for them.” Uthman (RA) remained true to his covenant but after a long siege, the rebels broke into his (RA) house & murdered him (RA). As the assassin’s sword struck, Uthman (RA) was reciting the following verse. In this issue of The Real Superstars, we continue with the the last part of our Sahaba - Uthman Bin Affan (RA). The final six years of Uthman’s (RA) reign were marked by rebellion. He (RA) did not want to shed the blood of any Muslim however rebellious they may be. He (RA) wanted to persuade the people with gentleness & kindness. He (RA) remembered the words of the Prophet (SAWS) “Once the sword is unsheathed among my followers, it will not be sheathed until the Last Day.” 'Ayesha (RA) said: The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said: Call one of my companions." I said: Abu Bakr? He said: No. I said: 'Uthman? He said: Yes. When he came he said (to me): Move away. Then he started to converse with him & 'Uthman's color changed. When he was besieged in his house we said, "O Ameer al-Mu'mineen will you not fight?" He said: No. The Messenger of Allah (SWT) gave
ۡهتَدَوا ْۖ َّو إِن تَوَ َّلو ۡ منُوا ْ ِب ِمث ۡ ِل مَآ ءَامَنتُم ِبهِۦ فَ َق ِد ٱ َ ن ءَا ۡ فَ ِإ ٱلسمِيعُ ٱ ۡل َعلِي ُم َّ َهو ُ َسيَ ۡكفِيڪَ ُه ُم ٱهللَُّۚ َو َ ه ۡم فِى شِ قَاقٍ۬ۖ ف ُ ْ فَ ِإنَّمَ ا “So God will suffice for you against them. And He is the All Hearer & the All Knower.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:137) The Prophet (SAWS) had predicted that 'Uthman (RA) would be martyred: Ibn 'Umar said: The Messenger of Allah (SWT) mentioned turmoil and a man passed by and he said: The one with his head covered will be killed unlawfully on that day." He said: I looked & saw that it was 'Uthman bin 'Affan. (Fad'ail al Sahaba with a hasan isnad & Musnad Ahmed.) Abu Abdullah al-Hakim narrated with his sanad that Abu Hurayrah (RA) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) say: "There will be turmoil & conflict - or conflict & turmoil-" We said: O Mes-
14
senger of Allah, what do you command us to do? He said: "Be with the trustworthy one & his companions." And he pointed to 'Uthman. (Al-Mustadrak. Hakim declared it sahih & Dhahabi agreed). From Sumama ibn Hazan al-Qurayshi: I was present near the house of 'Uthman (when the army of rebels had laid seige to it). 'Uthman looked at the crowd from the top of his house & said, "I ask you in the name of Allah (SWT) and Islam whether you know that when the Messenger of Allah (SWT) came to Madina there was no sweet water well here except Beer-e-Roma (which was owned by someone). The Messenger then said, 'Is there anyone who could buy Beer-e-Roma & set it apart as a waqf for the common Muslims so that all believers could freely draw from it?' I bought the well with my money and made a waqf in favor of all Muslims & today you do not allow me to drink its water forcing me to drink brackish water like that of the sea." The people answered, 'Yes by Allah! We are aware of it.' After this 'Uthman (RA) said, "I ask you in the name of Allah (SWT) and Islam, do you know that when the Prophet's mosque became too small for the worshippers, the Messenger of Allah (SAWS) had said, 'Is there anyone who would buy the land of so-and-so family & join it to the masjid & the Lord give him a better reward in return for it in Paradise?' Upon this, I bought the land with my money & today you prevent me from offering two cycles of prayer in it?" The people replied, 'Yes, by Allah! We are aware of it.'
blessed foot and said, 'O Subir! Be still. There is a divine Apostle, a true & sincere friend & two martyrs upon you.' The people again replied, 'Yes by Allah! We are aware of it.' 'Uthman then said, "Allah (SWT) is Greatest! By the Lord of the Ka'bah! Even these people bear witness that I am a martyr." He said it thrice. Sunan Tirmidhi & Sunan al-Nasa'i. Ibn 'Umar (RA) said: At the time of the Prophet we did not regard anyone as equal to Abu Bakr, then 'Umar, then 'Uthman, then after that we left the Companions of the Prophet & did not differentiate between them. Sahih al Bukhari. Ibn Taymiyya (RA): This hadith tells us what the Sahaba believed at the time of the Prophet (saws) that Abu Bakr was the best, then 'Umar, then 'Uthman. It was narrated that the Prophet heard about it and did not deny it. Minhaaj al Sunnah. From what we read of Uthman( RA), we get an image of someone who was honest, very gentle, generous & a very simple man, noted especially for his modesty and his piety. He (RA) often spent part of the night in prayer, fasted every second or third day, performed hajj every year, & looked after the needy of the whole community. There is so much more to be learnt about this sahaba, a simple article as this will not do justice to it. Indeed not to any of the sahabas ,tabi'een, taba tabi'een.
After it, 'Uthman (RA) said, "Do you know that I provided the equipment for the army raised for the battle of Tabook with my money?" Yes, by Allah! We are aware of it, the people said. Then 'Uthman (RA) said, "I ask you in the name of Allah (SWT) & Islam, do you know that once when Rasulullah was on Mount Subir in Makka & Abu Bakr, 'Umar & I were with him, the mountain began to shake till some of its rocks fell down. The Prophet of Allah (SWT) then struck the mountain with his 15
We end our article on him with his own words. A khutbah he once gave. It was relevant now as it was then. He (RA) praised Allāh (SWT), then said:
Biography of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) A Quiz to refresh your memory 1.In the New Testament by what name was the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) mentioned? 2.What is Kabah? 3.Who built it? 4.How did Quraish arrange rebuilding of
O people! Fear Allāh & obey Him, for piety is a valuable prize. Verily the most intelligent person is he who takes account of himself & works for what comes after death, & acquires through the light (guidance) of Allāh a light for the darkness of the grave. The servant of Allāh should fear lest Allāh the Mighty & Sublime resurrects him blind though he used to see. A few comprehensive words can be enough for a wise man, whereas the deaf (who does not listen to guidance) is being called from afar. And know that whoever Allāh the Mighty & Sublime is with has nothing to fear; but whoever Allāh the Mighty And Sublime is against, then in whom can he hope after Allāh?! [Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir AlʿIlm 4:116,117].
Kabah? 5.Who laid the stones? 6.Where did the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) go into seclusion? 7.What was the first stage of the revelation? 8.Who brought it? 9.Who were the first to embrace Islam? 10.Who accepted Islam at the instance of Abu Bakr (May Allah (SWT) be pleased with him)? 11.Who were the ladies to accept Islam at first? 12.How was the Dawah done in the beginning? 13.How many people embraced Islam in the early stage? 14.How many years did the call in secret continue? • Answers on page 29
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SEASONS OF WORSHIP َضوا بِالْحَ يَا ِة ال ُّدنْيَا وَاطْمَ أَنُّوا ِبهَا وَا َّلذِي َن ُ إِ َّن ا َّلذِي َن َال يَرْجُ و َن لِقَا َءنَا َور ث ُ ْم َع ْن آيَا ِتن َا غَا ِفلُو َ ن Indeed, those who do not expect the meeting with Us and are satisfied with the life of this world and feel secure therein and those who are heedless of Our signs. 10:7
Obedience and worship. طاعة Only Allah (SWT) knows whether you have joy for Ramadan. Emotions should be used as a bridge to Allah (SWT). Joy in worship is a consequence of faith. Those who are not happy with worship are heedless to the signs of Allah (SWT). These signs are all around us in the universe, and the Qur'an is full of them. The signs in the Qur'an are easier to take, because they are presented in a clear and straightforward manner. To enjoy the month of Ramadan, don't be heedless to the signs of Allah (SWT)). There is a strong bond between Ramadan and the Qur'an. َّاس َوبَيِّن َاتٍ ِّم َن ا ْل ُهد َٰى ِ َضا َن ا َّلذِي أ ُنزِلَ فِي ِه ا ْل ُقرْآ ُن ُهدًى لِّلن َ ش ْه ُر َرم َ ِٰيضا أ َ ْو َع َلى ً َصمْ ُه ۖ َومَن كَا َن َمر ُ الش ْه َر فَ ْلي َّ ش ِه َد مِن ُك ُم َ وَا ْلفُ ْرقَانِ ۚ فَمَ ن ُس َر ْ ُس َر و ََال يُرِي ُد ِب ُك ُم ا ْلع ْ خ َر ۗ يُرِي ُد اهللَُّ ِب ُك ُم ا ْلي َ ُ سفَ ٍر فَعِ َّدةٌ ِّم ْن أَيَّام ٍ أ َ َش ُكرُو َ ن ْ َلِت ُ ْك ِملُوا الْعِ َّدةَ َولِت ُ َكبِّرُوا اهللََّ َع َلىٰ مَا َهدَا ُك ْم َو َل َع َّل ُك ْم ت
There is a close relation between Ramadan and the Qur'an. You cannot enjoy Ramadan without the Qur'an. Ramadan is the month of Qur’an رمضان شهر القرآن The connection between the heavens and the earth started in Ramadan. The Qur’an was revealed as a whole from the Preserved Tablets to the first heaven in Ramadan. It was also started to be revealed verse by verse to the Prophet Mohammad صلى اهلل عليه و سلم in Ramadan. Allah (SWT) made it easy for you to fast in the month of Ramadan. Allah (SWT) wants ease for you, and you cannot get ease without the Qur'an. The Qur'an is a shortcut to guidance and Allah (SWT) , and anything else is difficult. Every day in Ramadan with the Qur'an, you can see how much Allah (SWT) guides you. When you see this, it makes your heart magnify Allah (SWT), and appreciate the guidance. You must make Allah (SWT) the Greatest in your life, and while you are fasting with the Qur'an as your companion, Allah (SWT) wants you to be grateful to Him.. Spend your days and nights with the Qur’an. Then you will see all the actions of Allah (SWT) mentioned in the Qur'an for you; He (SWT) will bring ease for you, make you complete the fasting period, and guide you to magnify Him (SWT), and be grateful to Him (SWT).
The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah (SWT) intends for you ease and does not intend for you
Virtues of the Qur'an from the Qur'an itself The Qur’an is mercy القرآن رحمة أ َ َو َل ْم يَ ْك ِف ِه ْم أَنَّا أ َنزَ ْلن َا َع َلي َْك ا ْل ِكت َابَ يُت ْ َلىٰ َع َليْ ِه ْم ۚ إِ َّن فِي ذَٰل َِك َلرَحْ مَ ًة
hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and
َى لِ َق ْوم ٍ يُ ْؤ ِمن ُو َ ن ٰ َ ِذ ْكر
to glorify Allah (SWT) for that [to] which He has
And is it not sufficient for them that We revealed to you
guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. 2:185
the Book which is recited to them? Indeed in that is a mercy and reminder for a people who believe. 29:51 17
When you read the Qur'an again and again, you see the mercy of Allah (SWT). With the advent of Ramadan, the salaf, the righteous previous generations, stopped reading any other book, and concentrated upon the Qur'an, reciting, studying the tafseer, pondering upon it. Even the renounced scholar of Hadith, Imam Malik, left study circles, and focused solely upon the Qur’an.
Allah (SWT) did not make the Qur’an as separate topics for different chapters. The effect of these words of Allah (SWT), upon those who fear Him (SWT), is an involuntary shiver which results in making their hearts soft and malleable. They become softer for remembrance of Allah (SWT).
Allah (SWT) wants this one source to penetrate your heart during Ramadan, so that you are purified inside-out. The Qur'an is a reminder for us of Allah (SWT), and His (SWT) greatness. It informs us about our enemies, and gives us any information we need, it solves any problem we have. The Qur'an is a truthful friend which will never leave you; it will accompany you into your grave and after. For the believer, every ayah is a joy, and a message from Allah (SWT). Each word of the Qur’an has a different effect on people, based on their belief.
The Qur’an is a cure
القرآن شفاء
ني إ َِّال َ ِ ِني ۙ و ََال يَزِي ُد الظَّامل َ َونُنَزِّلُ ِم َن ا ْل ُقرْآنِ مَا ُه َو شِ فَا ٌء َورَحْ مَ ٌة ِّللْمُ ْؤ ِم ِن َسا ًرا َ خ And We send down of the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss. 17:82
from of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and
Allah (SWT) sent the Qur’an as a cure and mercy for the believers; the prerequisite is belief. You must have faith to be cured, or you will not benefit from it. If you believe and trust Allah (SWT), and everything He (SWT) informs you of, it will be a cure for your heart. Allah (SWT) wants you to be cured in Ramadan, with the Qur’an. It is guaranteed to cure you of all sickness, be they physical, which are apparent, mental, which van be made apparent with tests, and those of the heart, which are so hidden, even you don't know about them. Only Allah (SWT) knows what is in your heart, and He (SWT) makes you realize them by putting you in certain situations which bring these sicknesses to the surface.
their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah (SWT) .
ۖ خذ ا ْل ِكت َابَ ِب ُق َّو ٍة
القرآن طمأنينة The Qur’an is tranquility ْشعِ ُّر ِمن ْ ُه جُ لُو ُد ا َّلذِي َن َ س َن الْحَ دِيثِ ِكت َابًا ُّمت ََشا ِبهًا َّمث َا ِنيَ تَق َ ْاهللَُّ نَزَّلَ أ َح َِّني جُ لُو ُد ُه ْم َو ُقلُوبُ ُه ْم إِ َلىٰ ِذ ْك ِر اهللَِّ ۚ ذَٰل َِك ُهدَى اهلل ُ ِْش ْو َن َربَّ ُه ْم ثُ َّم تَل َ يَخ ُضلِ ِل اهللَُّ فَمَ ا َل ُه ِم ْن هَاد ْ َشا ُء ۚ َومَن ي َ يَ ْهدِي ِب ِه مَن ي Allah (SWT) has sent down the best statement: a consis tent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver there
That is the guidance of Allah (SWT) by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah (SWT)
take the Book with determination. 19:12 (Part of a
leaves astray - for him there is no guide. 39:23
longer ayah)
The verses of the Qur’an resemble each other in their beauty. There is not a verse which is not beautiful and amazing. Every word has an impact on the reader. These words are repeated again and again.
The Qur’an is a cure from the whispers of the shaitan, from uncontrollable desires, greed, jealousy, etc., all problems you face. It is a cure from financial problems, poverty, social and economic issues, and 18
those concerning the family. This is كالم اهلل, the
كان رسول اهلل صلى اهلل عليه: قال:وعن ابن عباس رضي اهلل عنهما
speech of Allah. القران حياة القلوبThe Qur’an is the life
وكان أجود ما يكون في رمضان حني يلقاه جبريل،وسلم أجود الناس
of the heart. It is mercy, guidance, tranquility, and cure, it will make you happy in Ramadan.
وكان جبريل يلقاه في كل ليلة من رمضان فيدارسه القرآن فَ َلرَسول
ْشعَ ُقلُوبُ ُه ْم لِ ِذ ْك ِر اهللَِّ َومَا نَزَلَ ِم َن الْحَ قِّ و ََال َ أ َ َل ْم يَأ ْنِ لِ َّلذِي َن آ َمن ُوا أ َن تَخ
1222# حديث،9# كتاب، رياض الصالحني،متفق عليه.ملرسلة
َست ْ ُقلُوبُ ُه ْم َ األ َ َم ُد فَق ْ يَكُونُوا كَا َّلذِي َن أ ُوتُوا ا ْل ِكت َابَ مِن َقبْلُ فَطَالَ َع َليْ ِه ُم َو َكثِي ٌر ِّمن ْ ُه ْم فَاسِ قُو َ ن Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the re membrance of Allah (SWT) and what has come down of the truth? And let them not be like those who were given the Scripture before, and a long period passed over them, so their hearts hardened; and many of them are defiantly disobedient. 57:16 This was a strong admonition from Allah (SWT) to the Companions of the Prophet Mohammad صلى اهلل عليه و سلم. The Qur’an was freshly revealed, the Prophet صلى اهلل عليه و سلمwas with them. Allah (SWT) wanted to elevate them more. They were believers, but Allah (SWT) wanted more from them. Allah (SWT) wants more from the believers, not the minimum worship. Allah (SWT) wants the Qur’an to humble your heart, and for you to submit to Him (SWT). We should give priority to the Qur’an, these are the words of Allah (SWT). It is Allah (SWT) who is speaking to you, when you read the Qur’an. The quality of what you recite is important, not the quantity. Focus while you are reading the Qur’an. Ibn ‘Abbas رضي اهلل عنهreported: The Messenger of Al lah (SWT) صلى اهلل عليه و سلمwas the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibreel visited him every night and recited the Qur’an to him. During this pe riod, the generosity of Messenger of Allah (SWT) صلى اهلل عليه و سلمwaxed faster than the rain bearing wind.
اهلل صلى اهلل عليه وسلم حني يلقاه جبريل أجود بالخير من الريح
Generosity is not portrayed only with money, it is anything beneficial. Money helps the physical needs, whereas Divine messages help the soul and the body at the same time. The source of this provision was that every night, after Isha prayers, Jibreel revised and studied the Qur’an with the Prophet . صلى اهلل عليه و سلمThis made him most generous. When you spend your days and nights with the Qur’an in Ramadan, this will cure you of greed and miserliness, making it easy for you to be generous.This hadith is also evidence that the best time to study the Qur’an is in the night. Reciting the Qur’an in your night prayers is also included in this practice. Studying the Qur’an in a gathering is recommended, as is evident by this hadith; at least two people should be together. The Messenger of Allah (SWT) صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid : تميم الداري:َم ْن قرأ َ ِبمِائ َ ِة آيَ ٍة في ليل ٍة ُكتِبَ ل ُه ُقن ُوتُ ليل ٍة الراوي : الصفحة أو الرقم- السلسلة الصحيحة: املصدر- األلباني:املحدث صحيح:خالصة حكم املحدث64 Whoever recites 100 verses in the night it will be written for him as praying all night. This includes reciting from Qur’an, and in the night prayer. The Messenger of Allah (SWT) صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid : َس تَا َج ا ْل َكرَا َم ِة ثُ َّم ُ يَج ِي ُء ا ْل ُقرْآ ُن يَ ْو َم ا ْل ِقيَا َم ِة فَيَقُول ُ يَا رَبِّ حَ ِّل ِه فَيُ ْلب ْض َعن ْ ُه َ َس حُ َّل َة ا ْل َكرَا َم ِة ثُ َّم يَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ ار ُ يَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ ِز ْدهُ فَيُ ْلب جامع. سن َ ًة َ َح. ْضى َعن ْ ُه فَيُقَالُ َل ُه ا ْق َرأ ْ وَارْق َ َوتُزَا ُد ِبكُلِّ آيَ ٍة َ فَيَر ٣١٦ # حديث، ٤٥ # كتاب،الترمذي 19
The Qur’an shall come on the Day of Judgement and
These points are recommended, in order to be in the best
say ( for its companion) O Lord! Decorate him. So he is
form, they are not obligatory.
donned with a crown of nobility. Then it says: O Lord! Give him more! So he is donned with a suit of nobility. Then it says: O Lord! Be pleased with him. So He is pleased with him and it will be said : Recite and rise up, and be increased in reward with every Ayah.
آداب القارئ- آلداب الظاهرة Apparent - the manners of the one who recites ablution- لوضوء face the Qiblah اتجاة الوجه الى القبلة
The Qur’an will intercede on the Day of Judgment, like the fast. The Qur’an will come in a tangible form with its companion, and intercede for him, as a lawyer. This is the unseen. Every ayah will elevate the person by one degree, each degree being the width of the space between the heaven and the earth.
Who remember Allah (SWT) while standing or sitting
َس ْرنَا ا ْل ُقرْآ َن لِلذِّ ْك ِر فَهَلْ مِن ُّم َّد ِك ٍ ر َّ َ َل َق ْد ي
or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation
And We have certainly made the Qur’an easy for re membrance, so is there any who will remember? 54:17
خ ْل ِق َ ا َّلذِي َن يَذْ ُكرُو َن اهللََّ ِقيَامًا َو ُقعُودًا َو َع َلىٰ جُ ن ُو ِب ِه ْم َويَتَفَ َّكرُو َن فِي َسبْحَ انَك َ فَ ِقن َا َعذَاب ُ خ َلقْتَ ٰهَذَا بَاطِ ل ًا َ ْض َربَّن َا مَا ِ َاألَر ْ االسمَ اوَاتِ و َّ الن َّا ِ ر
of the heavens and the earth, [saying], “Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire. 3:191
There are certain etiquettes while dealing with the Qur’an which are recommended, in order to taste its sweetness.
The best position to recite the Quran is :
ٰممَ ا أ َنزَ ْلن َا َع َلي َْك ا ْل ُقرْآ َن لِت َْش َقى
Standing ِقيَامًا
We have not sent down to you the Qur’an that you be
This is possible while standing in prayer and reciting.
distressed. 20:2
Then :
كيف تحصل لذة القران في رمضان ؟
sitting َ ُقعُودًا
How can we taste the sweetness of Qur’an in Ramadan?
This is the common position when we recite the Qur’an.
You must enjoy every ayah of the Qur’an in order to be its companion. Every ayah of the Qur’an has a sweetness, a unique taste. To taste this sweetness, there are some manners you should follow.
lying on their sides َع َلىٰ جُ ن ُو ِب ِه ْم
There are two kinds of etiquettes : outer and apparent manners : اآلداب الظاهرة
This leaves no excuse. Don’t leave any opportunity to study the Qur’an. These choices show the kindness of Al lah (SWT) towards mankind. The Messenger of Allah (SWT) صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid :
: inner and hidden manners اآلداب الباطنة20
ُصلِّي ِم َن ال َّليْ ِل فَ َغ َلبَت ْ ُه َعيْن َاهُ حَ ت َّى َ َاش ُه َو ُه َو يَنْوِي أ َ ْن يَقُو َم ي َ َم ْن أَتَى ِفر ص َد َق ًة َع َليْ ِه ِم ْن َربِّ ِه َعزَّ وَجَ لَّ سنن َ أ َْصبَحَ ُكتِبَ َل ُه مَا نَوَى َوكَا َن نَ ْو ُم ُه ١٧٨٧ # حديث،لنسائي
and the punishment. The ayaat do not make you sad or depressed, rather, they give you hope. The Messenger of Allah (SWT) صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid :
Whoever goes to his bed intending to get up and pray
وعني باتت تحرس،عينان ال تمسهما النار عني بكت من خشية اهلل
qiyam at night, then sleep overwhelms him until morn
حديث،١٢ # كتاب، رياض الصالحني،في سبيل اهلل رواه الترمذي
ing, will have recorded that which he intended and his sleep is a charity given to him by his Lord, the Mighty and Sublime. Amount of daily recitation قدار القراءة The amount of daily recitation depends on the state of your heart. A scholar said that if your heart is pure you will not be bored of the Qur’an. Some scholars read multiple juz in a day, but attentively, with إحسانor excellence. Every one has a different capacity. The more pure the heart, the more can be read. Umm Salamah رضي اهلل عنهاwas asked about the recitation and prayer of the Messenger of Allah (SWT) صلى اهلل عليه و سلم, and she said: "Why do you want to know about his prayer?" Then she described his recitation and as being so measured and clear that each letter could be distinguished. َْصالَ ِت ِه قَالَت َ َسولِ اهللَِّ صلى اهلل عليه وسلم و ُ ر،ِسلَمَ َة َع ْن ِقرَا َءة َ سأ َلَ أ ُ َّم َ َس َرةً حَ ْرفًا حَ ْرفًا َّ َصالَتَ ُه ثُ َّم نَ َعت َتْ فَ ِإذَا ِهيَ تَنْعَتُ ِقرَا َءتَ ُه ُمف َ مَا َل ُك ْم و ١٠٢٢ # حديث،نن النسائي The wisdom behind reading the Qur’an is to ponder upon it, so that it changes you. الترتيلis a tool for التدبر, or pondering. Weeping البُكاء Crying cannot be contrived or forced, but more you ponder upon the Qur’an, the more it makes you weep. Every ayah has a different and overwhelming effect. You weep out of joy, shedding tears of happiness, when your read about the blessings Allah (SWT) showers upon you; you weep out of fear when you read the ayaat of the wrath of Allah (SWT)
١٣٠٥ Two eyes will never be touched by the fire of Hell; an eye which weeps out of Fear of Allah (SWT) and an eye which spends the night in guarding in the Cause of Al lah. It's all about the heart. give the rights of each ayah يراعي حق اآليات Every ayah has a right upon you, and you must consider this right. Your reward depends on this : either you fulfill this right or you don't; either the ayah will be for you or against you. Interact with every ayah, this is its right. When there is a verse with a prostration, prostrate when you read it; when there is a command, listen attentively, ask Allah (SWT) for help, and resolve to obey and apply; when an ayah says praise Allah (SWT) (SWT), do so; when it says ask forgiveness, do that, etc. Interact with the ayah, in your heart or with your tongue. If you are reciting in the prayer, do so with your heart, otherwise, with your tongue. When you talk to people, you react, interact, show your emotions, you are not robotic. In the same way, when you are reciting the Qur’an, Allah (SWT) is talking to you, so you must show your emotions, and interest. All emotions are for Allah (SWT). Fly towards Him (SWT) with hope, love, fear. Thank Allah (SWT), praise Him, seek refuge with Him, ask Him for guidance and forgiveness, ask Him for protection. Reciting softly or loudly إلسرار أو الجهر في القراءة
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alone, it is best to read aloud, which will have more effect on you. If you are with people and are afraid of disturbing them, or you are afraid your heart will incline towards seeking their praise, it is better to recite in a soft voice. تحسني القراءة Beautify your recitation, by learning the tajweed rules and the correct pronunciation of the letters. The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said صلى اهلل عليه و سلم سن ًا ْ ُزيِّن ُوا القرآ َن بأصواتِكم ؛ ف ِإ َّن الصوتَ الحس َن يَزي ُد القرآ َن ح - صحيح الجامع: املصدر- األلباني: البراء بن عازب املحدث:الراوي صحيح: خالصة حكم املحدث3581 :لصفحة أو الرقم Beautify the Qur’an with your voices, for verily a beauti ful voice increases the beauty of the Qur’an. The beauty of the voice comes from the heart. You may not have a melodious voice when you speak, but Allah (SWT) said will give it to you when you recite, if you ask Him. Everyone has a unique tune when they recite, which adds to the beauty. The Messenger of Allah (SWT) صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid : ، يَجْ َه ُر ِب ِه صحيح البخاري: ُ َوزَا َد َغيْ ُره. ِْس ِمن َّا َم ْن َل ْم يَت َ َغ َّن بِا ْل ُقرْآن َ َلي ٧٥٢٧ # حديث Whoever does not recite Qur’an in a nice voice & tune is not from us, and other narrators added, to recite it aloud القلب القارئ- اآلداب الباطنة Inner manners- the heart of the reciter There should be certain feelings in the heart of the reciter for him to benefit from the Qur’an. Realize the importance of the اهلل تعالى- فهم عظمة املكالم One who speaks - Allah (SWT) the Most High The words of the Qur’an are the words of Allah (SWT) said, our Creator. You must realize this great-
mercy, has made His words visible for us to see, read, understand, memorize, ponder upon. Magnify the Speaker, Allah اهلل تعالى- التعظيم للمتكلم (SWT) the Most High The more you magnify Allah (SWT), the more you will magnify His said words, the more you will benefit by them. Presence of the hear حضور القلب Your heart should be attentive while reading the words of Allah (SWT) said, with humility and humbleness. Don't let your attention wander. Focus and enjoy when you read. If you missed understanding some word or ayah, repeat until your heart absorbs it. Pondering التدبر When your heart is present, you will be able to ponder and reflect upon the ayaat. Deeper understanding التَّفَهُّم Try and understand each word, with the grammar rules. This brings a deeper understanding. Pondering and understanding go hand in hand. Allah (SWT) is addressing you هلل هو املخاطب You need to know that Allah (SWT) said is talking to you, addressing you alone. Take every ayah of the Qur’an personally, do not detach yourself from the Qur’an. Barriers to understanding جب الفهم The concern is to finish الهم هو االنتهاء You are worried about when you'll finish the Qur’an, as soon as you start; this concern prevents you from understanding and benefitting from the Qur’an. The concern is the tajweed rules الهم هو املخارج و التجويد and the correct pronounciation
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Tajweed is a tool for understanding and pondering, as are the grammar rules and the Arabic language. Do not make this the goal, thereby making an obstacle to understanding. Persisting in sins or arrogance اإلصرار على الذنب أو الكبر Allah (SWT) will not open the understanding of the Qur’an for the sinner, or for someone who is arrogant. There is no competition in the Qur’an, so do not be arrogant when Allah (SWT) makes you understand some point. Feelings التأثرImpacts الثمرات Your heart gives the rights of the ayah. Upgrading الترقي Allah (SWT) upgrades your heart, increasing your understanding. Levels of recitation درجات القراءة There are three levels of recitation, according to the upgrading of your heart. 1.The minimum level is that you recite as if you are reciting to Allah (SWT), standing in front of Him (SWT), while He (SWT) is watching you. You feel the fear and the humbleness. 2.You recite as if Allah (SWT) is talking to you. In your heart, you feel as if you are nor reciting, it is Allah (SWT). You feel shy in front of Allah (SWT). 3.You see Allah (SWT) and His attributes in each word of the Qur’an. You see the One talking to you, see the signs of Allah (SWT), not His words. At the time of the death of the believer, an angel will come by the head. He will smell the perfume of the Qur’an. He will smell his scent of fasting in his heart, and the fragrance of qiyam, standing in the night prayer, in his feet. Then it will be said : ظ نفسه حَ ِفظَه اهلل َ َحَ ف he protected his soul, so Allah (SWT) will protect him.
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‘whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and who ever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it’ (Surat Al-Zalzala 99:7-8).
Developing Competence At times, do you find yourself asking whether you have reached your desired potential, whether you are the best at what you do or whether you are competent enough? There is a fair bit of self-evaluation going on in these questions, however at times these questions do well to serve as a wake-up call for our self-motivation. We, as people at some points in our lives are centrally concerned with motivation & how to move ourselves or motivate others to act.
Around us we have family, teachers, coaches and managers that many a time struggle with how to motivate those that they mentor. Often we struggle to find the energy, effort and time to persist at the tasks of life & work in an upwards progressive manner. In today’s world we are moved by external factors such as rewards, grades, evaluations or the opinions of others. However, there are many of us that are simply motivated from within; from our intrinsic interests, growing curiosity or our abiding values. What motivates you?
We are living in an era where learning & growing opportunities are endless. Whether it’s a career change, seeking further education, moving up the professional ladder or learning a new skill, these goals can be achieved through self-confidence, action, selfbelief coupled with sincere supplication to Allah (SWT). What we believe about ourselves can easily influence our ability to think & learn. Allah (SWT) tell us in the Quran, شرًّ۬ا يَ َرهُ ۥ َ ۬خيۡرً۬ا يَ َرهُ ۥ َومَن يَعۡمَ لۡ ِمثۡقَالَ ذَ َّر ٍة َ فَمَ ن يَعۡمَ لۡ ِمثۡقَالَ ذَ َّر ٍة
This powerful verse highlights that at any moment in time what we do next is just a small step which we can easily control. Faith and sincere supplication help us to sustain our efforts and give us the strength to continuously persevere in our efforts.
Allah (SWT) reminds us in the Quran, ُسرً۬ا ۡ ُس ِر ي ۡ إِ َّن َمعَ ٱ ۡلع, ُسرًا ۡ ُس ِر ي ۡ فَ ِإ َّن َمعَ ٱ ۡلع ‘For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease’ (Surat Al-Inshirah 94:5-6). This verse tells us that with any problem comes the solution, thus the solution is not separate from the problem. The problem itself can lead us to focus on actions that will free us from it. Being positive & confronting the problem will mean less wasted time and energy spent on dwelling on the problem, thus inevitably pushing us forward.
We do need to be careful as sometimes progression is hindered through false perception of the problem and we are all guilty of seeing things larger than they are at times. Focusing on one chunk at a time, to break down problems into a simple list of tasks can help to prioritize and plan what needs to be done constructively. Take small steps that are attainable…these will develop into making a profound effect on your achievement as success is most often attributed to small yet consistent steps.
The Prophet (saws) said in a narration collected by al-Bukhaaree (RA) on the authority of ‘Aaisha (RA), ‘Upon you is that which you have the ability to do. By Allah, Allah (SWT) will never become bored, and will thus continue to reward you until you yourself become bored with doing good deeds. Verily, the most beloved
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Deen to Allah (SWT) is that which an individual is the most consistent upon.’ [Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath, 3/38, English Reference: Volume 1, Book 2, Hadith 41].
Thus consistency is key in both deen and dunya. To take that next step, achieve the next goal means we need to be fiercely focused utilizing the best of our time whilst being consistent. Sounds easy but yet so hard in practice. For many of us being consistent can be a struggle, however through Salah, Allah (SWT) has given us a perfect model for establishing consistency. We should aim to leverage from this habit of consistency and apply this in redeeming the competence levels we are aiming for.
Unfortunately many a time as individuals we don’t do well with criticism, however, we should learn to harness from this and modify our behavior in light of feedback. This will help to continually deepen and strengthen our skills and expertise. Asking for help shouldn’t be seen as a weakness, we should ask for help when needed and draw on expertise and knowledge of others. We need to remember that helping others to progress is something which we should all do. As Allah (SWT) tells us in the Quran, ني َ سبُ َلنَاۚ َو إِ َّن ٱهللََّ ملَ َعَ ٱملۡ ُحۡ سِ ِن ُ وَٱ َّلذِي َن جَ ـٰ َهدُوا ْ فِين َا َلنَہۡ ِديَنَّہُ ۡم
Allah (SWT) in our lives to help us learn, expand, become stronger and rise to a higher level. Let’s not let past failures, disappointments or mistakes prevent us from progressing. Competence is never meant to be achieved first time round. It’s a cycle of repeated efforts, perseverance and consistency. Whatever we say or do, makes a difference and it accumulates. Allah (SWT) provides us with countless opportunities, the opportunity to make a better future is in the small steps we take hour by hour and day by day.
Alhamdulillah, with Ramadan so close what better opportunity to take this month to start our shaping process. An inspiring month directing us all to help achieve our goals, undeniably the highest goal being to please Allah (SWT). Ramadan comes filled with our aspirations, however we know that attaining them all is challenging, however the blessings of this month does undoubtedly give us an unprecedented opportunity to succeed. Ramadan will always remain a month of extensive training for the next year. A month full of physical & spiritual training for us all to benefit from.
Let us learn from our successes & mistakes & let’s applaud effort & not perfection. Perfection is only for Allah (SWT).
‘& as for those who strive in Our path — We will surely guide them to Our ways. & Indeed, Allah (SWT) is with doers of good’ (Surat Al-Ankaboot 29:69).
Moving forward we need to build autonomy within ourselves and take personal accountability to achieve our goals and objectives, only then we do have a better chance of reaching there. A simple change in our mind-set and behavior can make adaptation to any situation easier and accelerate our progress. We are aware that challenges and problems have purpose and meaning and we have all experienced these. We know challenges are placed by 25
HEALTHY EATING DURING RAMADAN
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SOORAH ABASA (80) ِ بِسم ِ اهللَِّ الرَّحمٰ نِ الرَّحيم This soorah is designated after the word Abasa, which means frowned. According to commentators, once some big chiefs of Makkah were sitting with Prophet (SAWS) in an assembly for daawah. At this very point a blind man named Abdullah ibn Umm Maktoum approached the Prophet (SAWS) to seek explanation of some point in Islam. However, Prophet (SAWS) did not like the interruption and there was a slight frowning on his (SAWS) face.
sufficient.And there is no blame on prophet if the self sufficient does not purify himself.Thus very important message from these ayat is that paying attention to wealthy people and neglecting poor is not agreeable.These verses are true miracles which support the prophethood of Mohammed (SAWS).These verses clearly support that Islam is in support of oppressed and is against the
There are total 42 ayat in this soorah. Ayat 1 -10 (٣) ِٰٓيك َل َع َّل ُه ۥ يَزَّ َّكى َ ( َومَا يُ ۡدر٢) ٰٱألَعۡمَ ى ۡ ُ( أ َن جَ آ َءه١) َٰٓس َوتَ َو َّلى َ َعب َصد َّٰى َ ( فَأ َنتَ َل ُه ۥ ت٥) ٰٱست َ ۡغنَى ۡ ِ( أَمَّا مَن٤) ٰأ َ ۡو يَذَّ َّك ُر فَت َنفَ َع ُه ٱلذِّ ۡك َر ٓى ( َو ُه َو ي٨) َٰس َعى ۡ ( َوأَمَّا مَن جَ آء ََك ي٧) ٰ( َومَا َع َلي َۡك أ ََّال يَزَّ َّكى٦) (١٠) ٰ( فَأ َنتَ َعن ۡ ُه تَ َل َّهى٩) ٰۡشى َ َخ He frowned and turned away (1) Because the blind man came unto him. (2) What could inform thee but that he might grow (in grace) (3) Or take heed and so the reminder might avail him? (4) As for him who thinketh himself independent, (5) Unto him thou pay est regard. (6) Yet it is not thy concern if he grow not
arrogant. Ayat 11-23 ١٣) ف ُّم َك َّر َم ٍ۬ة ۬ ٍ ُصح ُ ( فِى١٢) شآ َء ذَ َك َرهُ ۥ َ ( فَمَ ن١١) ٌ۬ك ََّآل إِنَّہَا تَذۡ ِك َرة َ( ُقتِل١٦) ۬( ِكرَامِ ۭ بَ َر َر ٍة١٥) ۬سفَ َر ٍة َ ( ِبأَيۡدِى١٤) ِ( َّم ۡرفُو َع ٍ۬ة ُّمطَ َّه َر ۭة ( مِن نُّطۡفَ ٍة١٨) خ َل َق ُه ۥ َ شىۡ ٍء َ ِّ ( ِم ۡن أ َى١٧) ِنسـٰ ُن مَآ أ َ ۡكفَ َرهُ ۥ َ ٱإل ۡ
(in grace). (7) But as for him who cometh unto thee
) ( ثُ َّم أَمَاتَ ُه ۥ فَأ َ ۡقبَ َرهُ ۥ٢٠) َس َرهُ ۥ َّ ٱلسبِيلَ ي َّ ( ثُ َّم١٩) خ َل َق ُه ۥ فَ َق َّد َرهُ ۥ َ
with earnest purpose (8) And hath fear, (9) From him
(٢٣) ۡض مَآ أ َ َم َرهُ ۥ ِ ( ك ََّال ملَّ َا يَق٢٢) َنش َرهُ ۥ َ شآ َء أ َ ( ثُ َّم إِذَا٢
thou art distracted. (10) Prophet (SAWS) frowned and turned away because there came to him a blind man. Allah (SWT) says , perhaps might purify and reminder may profit him than those who regard himself as self
Nay, but verily it is an Admonishment, (11) So let whosoever will pay heed to it, (12) On honored leaves (13) Exalted, purified, (14) (Set down) by scribes (15) Noble and righteous. (16) Man is (self-)destroyed:
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how ungrateful is he! (17) From what thing doth He
and grasses: (31) Provision for you and your cattle.
create him? (18) From a drop of seed. He createth him
(32)
and proportioneth him, (19) Then maketh the way easy for him, (20) Then causeth him to die, and buri eth him; (21) Then, when He will, He bringeth him again to life. (22) Nay, but (man) hath not done what He commanded him. (23) These verses are about the importance of the Quran, its pure origin and its impact on individuals. Pagan Arabs called Quran poetry, magic and a sooth saying.But Allah refutes their accusation and emphasizes that Quran verses are reminders.and these reminders can only be grasped by those who really wish to and make decision to follow the guidance. The purity of Quran is beyond any contradiction, discrepancy and doubt. And it is delivered by divine angel. Here Allah (SWT) says how ungrateful is man and reminds him of his origin, how from a a sperm drop he was created and proportioned into a human, and then how he was guided by Allah (SWT) to lead a life of ease and ,it is Allah who will cause him to die. After these statements the attention is drawn towards the day of judgment.
These verses show us the proof of resurrection together with mentioning the different kinds of nourishment Allah (SWT) provided us and our cattle. Also Allah (SWT) tells us to look at the variety in our food. The herbs, vegetable, grains, and fruits are all Allah (SWT)'s Grace and a Mercy to mankind. Ayat 33 - 42
) ( َوأ ُ ِّمهِۦ َوأَبِي ِه٣٤) ( يَ ۡو َم يَ ِف ُّر ٱملۡ َ ۡر ُء ِم ۡن أ َخِ ي ِه٣٣) خ ُة َّ ٱلصآ َّ ِفَ ِإذَا جَ آءَت (٣٧) شأ ۡ ۬نٌ يُ ۡغنِي ِه َ ( لِكُلِّ ٱ ۡم ِر ٍٕ۬ى ِّمنۡہُ ۡم يَ ۡو َمٮِٕ ٍ ۬ذ٣٦) َصـٰحِ بَ ِتهِۦ َوبَنِي ِه َ ( و٣٥
Ayat 24 - 32 ( ثُ َّم٢٥) صبًّ۬ا َ صبَبۡن َا ٱملۡ َآ َء َ ( أَنَّا٢٤) ِۤنسـٰ ُن إِ َلىٰ طَعَا ِم ِهۦ َ ٱإل ۡ فَ ۡليَنظُ ِر ٢٨) َضبً۬ا ۡ ( َو ِعنَبً۬ا َوق٢٧) ( فَأَنۢبَتۡن َا فِيہَا حَ بًّ۬ا٢٦) شقًّ۬ا َ ۡض َ ٱألَر ۡ ش َق ۡقن َا َ ( َّمتَـٰعً۬ا٣١) ( َوفَـٰ ِك َه ۬ةً َوأَبًّ۬ا٣٠) ( وَحَ دَآٮِٕقَ ُغ ۡلبً۬ا٢٩) ً۬خال ۡ َ( َوزَيۡت ُونً۬ا َون (٣٢) َّل ُك ۡم وَألِ َنۡ َعـٰ ِم ُك ۡم Let man consider his food: (24) How We pour water in showers (25) Then split the earth in clefts (26) And cause the grain to grow therein (27) And grapes and green fodder (28) And olive-trees and palm-trees (29) And garden-closes of thick foliage (30) And fruits
( َووُجُ وهٌ۬ يَ ۡو َمٮِٕ ٍذ٣٩) ٌُّ۬ستَبۡشِ َرة ۡ ضاحِ َك ۬ةٌ م َ (٣٨) ٌُّ۬س ِف َرة ۡ وُجُ وهٌ۬ يَ ۡو َمٮِٕ ٍ ۬ذ م (٤٢) ُ( أ ُ ْو َلـٰٓٮٕ َِك ُه ُم ٱ ۡل َكفَ َرةُ ٱ ۡلفَجَ َرة٤١) ٌ( تَ ۡر َه ُقهَا َقت َ َرة٤٠) ٌَ۬ َليۡہَا َغبَ َرة Let man consider his food: (24) How We pour water in showers (25) Then split the earth in clefts (26) And cause the grain to grow therein (27) And grapes and green fodder (28) And olive-trees and palm-trees (29) And garden-closes of thick foliage (30) And fruits and grasses: (31) Provision for you and your cattle. (32) After the description of the divine gifts and the worldly blessings the topic of resurrection and 28
recompense is discussed in these verses, and how will be the end be of the believers and the non-believer on that day. Very loud and deafening noise which will happen with the second blast of the trumpet. Every individual will raise again. Everyone will only be concerned about themselves, they will not only leave the nearest and dearest ones of their family but also flee from them. The face of righteous believers will be laughing, rejoicing, whereas that of the disbeliever will be dust covered and black.
Biography of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) A Quiz to refresh your memory 1. By the name of Paraclete. 2.It is the oldest house of worship on the earth 3.The Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismael (May Allah (SWT) be pleased with them). 4.They divided the work among various tribes. Each tribe was responsible for rebuilding a part of it. 5.A Byzantine mason called Baqum. 6.To the Cave of Hira. 7.True dreams. 8.Jibrael a.s. 9.Four persons: Khadijah his wife, Zaid Ibn Haritha his freed slave, Ali Ibn Abi Talib his cousin and Abu Bakr his friend (May Allah (SWT) be pleased with them). 10.Uthman Ibn Affan, Zubair Ibn Awwam, Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf, Sad Ibn Abi Waqqaas, Talha Ibn Ubaidullah and Saeed Ibn Zaid (Umar’s son-in-law) (May Allah (SWT) be pleased with them). 11. Abbas’s wife Ummaul Fadl, Abu Bakr’s wife Asma Bint Umais, his daughter Asma Bint Abi Bakr and Fatimah Bint Al Khattab Umar’s sister (May Allah (SWT) be pleased with them). 12.It was done in secret. 13.About forty. 14.For three years.
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بسم اهلل الرحمن الرحيم From selfishness to selflessness I knock one door, I knock another door, I knock the third one… No one answers… Where is everyone? Why no one picks up my phone? Why no one answers my whatsapp? I lost it, I wasted time, I thought you were there for me, I was wrong!
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No one can be there for us, except Allah سبحانه و تعالى This is a beautiful world, if the only door you knock is the door of Allah سبحانه و تعالى Everyone is wonderful if you do not ask them for anything, Subhanal Allah You are going to be loved by the One in the skies, if you turn & run to Him all the time, in happiness & sadness, Subhanal Allah You are going to be loved by everyone around you, if you are going to be there for them but you do not expect them to be there for you, سبحانه وتعالى The world can be selfish but for you is to raise to selflessness for the sake of Allah سبحانه و تعالى The upper hand is better than the lower hand and Allah سبحانه و تعالى, Al Razaq is going to give you more if you give of yourself, your time, your wealth, etc in His Name, SubhanAllah You are here to serve your Rabb & if you want to come closer to Him, sometimes you will have to sacrifice for your brother or sister in need, you will have to raise above your selfishness & reach selflessness All these only for the pleasure of your Lord الحمدهلل رب العاملني
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INNER GLOW BEFORE RAMADAN The journey to Allah (SWT) will never stop until we reach the final destination. We must make our goal to reach Jannah. Allah (SWT) gave us the means to go to Jannah, the dunya. He (SWT) wants us to use everything He gave us for our akhirah. Allah (SWT) wants to honor and elevate the tiny and weak human being.
The first step is to suppress and remove the dispraised characteristics from yourself. These differ from person to person, and often they are inborn. Everyone has a different characteristic they want to purify. Someone might be prone to anger, and another impatient.
Ramadan is the greatest opportunity for elevation. We should feel joy and excitement while preparing for it, and enjoy every moment of worship. The Qur’an is a means to enjoy worship. There is a connection between the Qur’an and Ramadan. Fill your days with كالم اهلل, the words of Allah (SWT).
The next step is to beautify your character. Upgrade yourself by adopting good characteristics, making your actions good. So the one who is inherently impatient will adopt impatience, and the one who is prone to anger will suppress it and react in a better manner.
زكية النفس
To enjoy worship in the month of Ramadan, it is important go through the process of تزكية النفس.
حتى افرح برمضان حتى انتفع بالقران
َسوَّاه َ ْس َومَا ٍ َونَف And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it َفأ َ ْلهَمَ هَا فُجُ و َرهَا َوتَ ْقوَا َها
Purification of the soul will give you the joy to experience Ramadan, and benefit from the Qur’an. There is no exact translation of the phrase تزكية النفسin
And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness
English; calling it as purification of the soul only scratches the surface of its profound meaning. There are many words in the Arabic language with such depth, they cannot be accurately translated in any other language.
and its righteousness, َق ْد أَفْ َلحَ مَن زَكَّا َها He has succeeded who purifies it َسا َها َّ َ َق ْد خَابَ مَن د And he has failed who instills it [with corruption] 91:7-10
There are two steps for تزكية النفس
Allah (SWT) has created your nafs in an amazing manner, and showed it way of good and bad. The one who is purified will be successful and achieve his goal, and one who is corrupting his nafs will fail.
تطهير
Elimination تحلية Beautification
لتزكية طريق الفالح
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Purification of the soul is the way to success Success and achievement are very attractive words, which you cannot achieve without . تزكية النفسWhat-
Sometimes you will feel as if you're going backwards; don't lose hope. People will criticize you and make you feel hopeless, but Allah (SWT) knows your struggle, and rewards you for it. An example of this is that two people are praying together, the same prayer, but they get different rewards; the one who is struggling in his prayer, to attain khushoo, will be rewarded for his struggle too.
ever your pace is towards purification, but start it and you will be granted الفالحor success. No one can succeed by themselves. Your duty is to do the تزكية النفس, and Allah (SWT) will make you succeed.
People call this process by the name of self improvement, but there is a huge difference between the success in Deen and in worldly ways. In dunya, the focus is on you; you are doing the achieving. This is contrary to what Allah (SWT) says. You purify your soul, and Allah (SWT) will give you success. Your duty is not to achieve, your duty is تزكية النفس.
This is a very important point which you must put in your mind. Allah (SWT) doesn't want any achievement from you; all He wants is for you to make the effort to change yourself. People expect too much from you, they want you to be an angel, without any faults. This leads to stress. The solution is :
ما مطلوب منا و نحن في الطريق الى التزكية ؟ What is required from us on the way to purification? There are certain essential prerequisites for this path : تزكية النفس It does not lead to perfection, that is not the achievement. Do not expect yourself to change completely; you will never be perfect. الفالحor success does not mean perfection. It will be a gradual improvement; you had 0% sabr, now you have 1%; eventually you will have more. This is because you are dealing with Allah (SWT) الغفور الرحيم, the One Who Forgives and the Most Merciful. Do not be discouraged, and remember you are a human being, you cannot be perfect. ُس َع َها ْ ْسا إ َِّالو ً َ يُ َكلِّفُ اهللَُّ نَف Allah (SWT) does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity. 2:286 Allah (SWT) doesn't want you to be perfect. Trying to be perfect will make you despair of the mercy of Allah, which is a major sin. Allah (SWT) appreciates your effort to try to purify yourself.
أغفل عن الناس Ignore the people You cannot change what people say or think. Don't justify yourself to them, just ignore them. People even criticized the prophets and messengers. َاأل َْسوَا ِق ۙ َلو َْال أأ ُنزِل ْ َّسولِ يَأْكُلُ الطَّعَا َم َويَمْ شِ ي فِي ُ َوقَالُوا مَالِ ٰهَذَا الر ِ َليْ ِه َمل ٌَك فَيَكُو َن َم َع ُه نَذِي ًرا And they say, “What is this messenger that eats food and walks in the markets? Why was there not sent down to him an angel so he would be with him a warner? 25:7 People can lead you to shirk if you give their opinion too much importance. Be yourself; do not change yourself for them, people have very high expectations. You need to fix your image only in the eyes of Allah (SWT). ني َ سبُ َلن َا ۚ َو إِ َّن اهللََّ ملَ َعَ املْ ُحْ سِ ِن ُ َا َّلذِي َن جَ ا َهدُوا فِين َا َلن َ ْه ِديَن َّ ُه ْم And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah (SWT) is with the do ers of good. 29:69 ما حال الذي يزكي نفسه؟ What is the condition of him who purifies his soul ?
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Humbleness and submissiveness, not a sense of superiority and arrogance. This is the result of تزكية النفس
should shun that which is of no concern to him.
in the religion. The same thing, called self improvement, in matters of dunya, aways leads to arrogance, which is called self confidence. These feelings cause people to become tyrants. The more you purify your soul, the more humble you become. This is the right direction. If, for example, you are trying to be patient, succeed, and feel proud of yourself, this is not the correct reaction. You should feel grateful to Allah (SWT) and more in need of Him. If you are struggling to wake up for the night prayer, and succeed, don't feel good about yourself; feel tiny in front of your Lord.
Focus on yourself, don't concern yourself with whatever does not concern you. Your ihsan is in being busy with yourself. Leave whatever will not benefit your Deen or your dunya. Leave talking about it, or even thinking about it. If you had a bad experience in the past, don't dwell on it. Don't worry about the future either. Your only concern should be whatever takes you to Jannah and drives you away from the hellfire. Think of the past only if you will learn from it, and ask forgiveness for it. Rely on Allah (SWT) for the future. ُخيْرًا يَ َره َ فَمَ ن يَعْمَ لْ ِمثْقَالَ ذَ َّر ٍة
ُٰس ُك ْم ۖ ُه َو أ َ ْع َل ُم بِمَ نِ اتَّ َقى َ ف ََالتُزَكُّوا أ َنف So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most know ing of who fears Him 53:32 (Part of a longer ayah) Don't think you can purify yourself, and reach perfection. Only Allah (SWT) knows who is actually purified. َشاء ُ و ََال َ ُسهُم ۚ بَ ِل اهللَُّ يُزَكِّي مَن ي َ أ َ َل ْم تَ َر إِلَى ا َّلذِي َن يُزَكُّو َن أ َنف ِيال ً تُظْلَمُ و َن فَت Have you not seen those who claim themselves to be pure? Rather, Allah (SWT) purifies whom He wills, and injustice is not done to them, [even] as much as a thread [inside a date seed] 4:49
Allah (SWT) purifies whomever He wishes. Your duty is to try, but the results are in the hands of Allah. واعد التزكية Rules of purification The Messenger of Allah (SWT) صلى اهلل عليه و سلم said : من حسن إسالم املرء تركه ما ال يعنيه ٦٧ # حديث،١ # كتاب، رياض الصالحني،رواه الترمذي
So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it. 99:7 Don't always focus in big deeds, even small good deeds can take you to Jannah. When you have this rule in mind, you will not miss even a tiny opportunity to do good. تزكية النفسis not by neglecting small chances in life to do good, such as smiling to someone. Don't ignore even a chance the size of a particle. These small opportunities come often in life, so seize any which come your way. Allah (SWT) will show you the result of these small deeds. The shaitan always tries to divert you from these small things which come your way all the time. If you miss an opportunity for benefitting in dunya, don't worry, it'll come again. But an opportunity for the benefit of the akhirah, if not taken, will go away never or return. سنت ُ ْم ألِ َنفُسِ ُك ْم ۖ َو إِ ْن أ ََسأْتُ ْم فَ َل َها َ ْسنت ُ ْم أ َح َ ْإِ ْن أ َح If you do good, you do good for yourselves; and if you do evil, [you do it] to yourselves. 17:7 (Part of longer ayah) Deal with every situation in life with ihsan, or excellence, the best you can do, for the sake of Allah (SWT). The Messenger of Allah (SWT) صلى اهلل عليه و سلمsaid : َاك َ فَ ِإ ْن َل ْم تَ ُك ْن تَرَاهُ فَ ِإنَّ ُه يَر،ُسا ُن أ َ ْن تَ ْعبُ َد اهللََّ َكأَن ََّك تَرَاه َ ْاإلِح ٤٨٢٤ # حديث،٦٥ # كتاب،صحيح البخاري 34
Ihsan is to worship Allah (SWT) as if you see Him, and if you do not achieve this state of devotion, then (take it for granted that) Allah (SWT) sees you. (Part of longer hadith) Ihsan is a mirror reflection, a boomerang. It reflects or bounces back to the doer. When you do ihsan for Allah (SWT), it benefits you. This is a way of purification. In the same way, when you sin against someone, such as backbite, you are actually harming yourself. إِ َّن اهللََّ َاليُ َغيِّ ُر مَا ِب َق ْوم ٍ حَ تَّىٰ يُ َغيِّرُوا مَا ِبأ َنفُسِ ِه ْ م
ٌَصي َرة ِ ِنسا ُن َع َلىٰ نَفْسِ ِه ب َ اإل ْ بَ ِل Rather, man, against himself, will be a witness. 75:14 Don't give yourself any excuses; be truthful to yourself. Don't blame anyone but yourself for your situation. You cannot change others, but you can changes yourself. For instance, you are an angry person, and Allah (SWT) puts you in a situation which makes your anger apparent to you. This is nurturing, don't dismiss or ignore it, nor give yourself excuses by blaming the behaviour of others for your anger. Accept the nurturing of Allah (SWT) and benefit by it.
Indeed, Allah (SWT) will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. 13:11(Part of longer ayah) Don't expect miracles. If you make an effort to change yourself, Allah (SWT) will change your situation and show you the results. Your outer situation will not change until you work on your inside. If you change yourself from good to bad, your outer situation will also change from good to bad. Your situation depends on you. For example, you have a big house, and children; everything is good. Instead of being grateful and thanking Allah (SWT), you complain that you cannot manage the house, and the children give you trouble. When you change yourself, by ingratitude, so Allah (SWT) changes your situation. Your life changes, problems appear. When you face problems in life suddenly, look at yourself. A change in your heart affects your outer situation, and you are deprived of the blessings. Don't let yourself flow with your desires, showing boredom and ingratitude to the blessings of Allah (SWT); this will destroy you. his will destroy you. #بطر النعمة not appreciating and being ungrateful to the blessings of Allah, is a sin.
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Masjid Bani Hashim At Jumeirah Isl&s, Dubai
Masjid Bani Hashim by the Grace of Allah (SWT) عز وجل, opened its doors 2nd Ramadan 1434; July 10th, 2013 & is a Non-Profit Organization. It envisions to offer intensive courses, lectures, workshops, Tafseer elQuran with Taddabur, Tajweed, Seerah of the Prophet pbuh & major Islamic Studies. Our Mission Masjid Bani Hashim’s mission is to provide authentic underst&ing of Islam based on Qur'an & Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Mohammed ()صلى اهلل عليه وسلم. Masjid Bani Hashim welcomes all & provides a golden opportunity to access Islamic Courses to all seekers of Ilm. Without rushing back home, you can make a stop at Masjid Bani Hashim to nurture your soul, pray & recite Quran.
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