WHY DO WE FAST?

Praise be to Allaah!

Firstly: We must note that one of the names of Allaah is al-Hakeem (the Most Wise). The word Hakeem is derived from the same root as hukm (ruling) and hikmah (wisdom). Allaah alone is the One Who issues rulings, and His rulings are the most wise and perfect.

Secondly: Allaah does not prescribe any ruling but there is great wisdom behind it, which we may understand, or our minds may not be guided to understand it. We may know some of it but a great deal is hidden from us.

HOW TO GAIN PEACE

You have been alive long enough, you will hear a common phrase among people: “I have peace of mind.” When someone makes such a statement, they are essentially saying, I have no worries. I am content with what I have, and its in good balance. They have no enemies. They are in harmony with their family and can enjoy their privacy without outside interference.

REAPING THE BENEFITS OF RAMADAN – II

LESSON 6: RECOGNIZING THAT ONE CAN CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

“Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those who repent.”
[Ibn Maajah]

Allah provides many opportunities; like Ramadan; to repent to Him and seek His forgiveness. If one was disobedient they can become obedient.

LESSON 7: BEING MORE CHARITABLE

REAPING THE BENEFITS OF RAMADAN – I

In the month of Ramadan it is very important that we spent a few moments to understand some of the wisdoms and lessons that we can learn from this month of fasting. Unfortunately, many Muslims come in to this month and they are as a companion of the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Let it not be that the day that you fast and the day that you break fast be equal.” Meaning, one’s behaviour, attitude and outlook are the same whether one fasts or not, i.e. fasting has no effect upon that person. This is why we need to reflect on some of these lessons.

LESSON 1: Gaining Taqwa (piety)

SABR OR SHUKR – The Worry Stops Here!

‘Asiyah, the wife of Fir’aun (Pharoah). Her iman in Allah thrived under the shadow of someone that said, “I am your Lord, Most High!” When news reached Fir’aun of his wife’s iman he beat her and commanded his guards to beat her.

RAMADAN – (A POEM)

A time for our hearts to become unsealed
Reflecting on the divine words revealed
The month which we hope to never end
Unable to count the infinite blessings it sends

Asked by our Lord to give up our worldly pleasures
So that we may receive His divine treasures
It’s a time that comes but once a year
Yet the moments which we hold most dear

The nights spent in prayer and reflection
Prepares the soul for redemption
Praying to our Creator for mercy and wisdom
Pleading to be admitted into His kingdom

We welcome you, O Ramadan, with joy as our guest

WELCOME RAMADAN.

Ramadan is one of the twelve Arabic months. It is a month which is venerated in the Islamic religion, and it is distinguished from the other months by a number of characteristics and virtues, including the following:

1 – Allah has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islam, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

Confirmed: Ramadan in New Zealand to start on Thursday, 11 July 2013

Its has been announced by The Hilal Committe of Federation of Islamic Association of New Zealand that First Ramadan will start on Thursday, 11th of July, 2013. The new moon has not been sighted due to cloudy weather in New Zealand nor in neighbouring Country Fiji Island. Therefore the Hilal Committee has released the press note which says:

“On behalf of the Hilal Committee of FIANZ I wish to inform you that the new moon for Ramadhan has NOT been sighted today. Therefore, the Hilal Committee has decided that tomorrow with be 30 Sha’ban and Thursday, 11 July 2013, will be 1 Ramadhan 1434H.

OUR CHILDREN: OUR FUTURE

“Your wealth and your children are only a trial, while with Allah there is a tremendous reward.”
(Quran 64:15)

A Believing man or woman continues to be tested in person, property and children in order he or she may meet Allah (SWT) free from sin. The patience and gratefulness we have for all difficulties in this life determine the amount of reward and forgiveness we will receive. The one for whom Allah intends good encounters afflictions to get it. (Bukhari)

How Can We Prepare For The Arrival Of Ramadan?

Many people misunderstand the true nature of fasting, and they make it an occasion for eating and drinking, making special sweets and staying up late at night and watching shows on satellite TV. They make preparations for that long before Ramadan, lest they miss out on some food or prices go up. They prepare by buying food, preparing drinks and looking at the satellite TV guide so they can choose which shows to follow and which to ignore.

THE EXCELLENCE OF FRIDAY PRAYER

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Then when the (Jumu’ah) Salat is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working), and remember Allah much: that you may be successful.”
(62:10)

Ahadith:
1.) Abu Hurairah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

“The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On that day Adam was created, he was admitted to Jannah, and he was expelled therefrom.”

[Muslim]

PREPARING FOR RAMADAN

When we know we are to attend a wedding, we begin to plan and prepare from days and even weeks in advance. We pay much attention to detail so that we arrive to the function on time, are dressed up smartly with clean/ new shoes, have organised a place to stay, eat carefully so as not to ruin our clothing and so on. In a similar way we prepare and plan for other important events, functions, interviews etc.

Ridding Oneself Of Jealousy, Hatred, And Resentment

Most of us live our lives with feelings of hatred for certain people and also feeling jealous of what Allah has granted others in provisions of this life. Such feelings not only rob us of our peace within but also hurt us both in this life and the hereafter.

It is reported in the Musnad of Ahmad from Anas, (radi-Allahu-anhu), that he said:
‘We were sitting in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (Sallellahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) one day and he said:
“A person is about to arrive from this mountain path who is from the people of Paradise.”

Islamic Beliefs Related To Causes Of Diseases And Their Cures:

Before seeking cures for any disease, a Muslim should first believe that all diseases as well as their cures are in Allah’s hands and power. Allah alone decrees trials for His creation and He alone can decree their remedies. All means of getting sick and healed are, therefore, contingent upon Allah’s decree. As part of a Muslim’s belief, this principle is important because people sometimes fail to understand how afflictions come down upon a person and seek their cures without internalizing this reality.

THE NIGHT OF ‘NISF’ (MID) SHABAN

Various Islamic scholars have recommended special worshiping during the night of 15th of Shaban. This is based on the saying (Hadith) of prophet Muhammad , the meaning of which is that during the night of 15th of Shaban, Allah will say “is there any person repenting so that I forgive him, and any person seeking provision so that I provide for him, and any person with distress so that I relieve him, and so on until dawn.” reported by Ibn Majah.

THE GREAT VIRTUE OF LOWERING THE SIGHT

Allâh, the Exalted said, “Say to the believing men that they should lower their sight and guard their private parts; that will make for greater purity for them. Indeed Allâh is well acquainted with all that they do.” [an-Nûr (24):30]

So Allâh made purification and spiritual growth to be the outcome of lowering the sight and guarding the private parts. It is for this reason that lowering one’s sight from (seeing) the prohibited things necessarily leads to three benefits that carry tremendous value and are of great significance.

HOW CAN THE MUSLIM DISCIPLINE ONE’S SELF?

Acknowledging your shortcomings is one of the first steps in disciplining yourself. Whoever acknowledges that he has shortcomings has started on the path to self-discipline. This acknowledgement is one of the things that make us discipline ourselves and be persistent in doing so. This acknowledgement should not put you off disciplining yourself. It is a sign of Allah’s care when a person tries to change himself and develop, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, Allaah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves”

Advice On Dealing With Anger

Anger is one of the evil whispers of Shaytan, which leads to so many evils and tragedies, of which only Allah knows their full extent. For this reason Islam has a great deal to say about this bad characteristic, and the Prophet (saws) described cures for this “disease” and ways to limit its effects, among which are the following:

Seeking refuge with Allah from the Shaytan:

FASTING (Nafl) IN THE MONTH OF SHABAN

Sha’ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. It is reported in the authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast most of the month in Sha’ban.

These fasts were not obligatory on him but Sha’ban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. Therefore, some preparatory measures are suggested by Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Some of these are given below:

WORDS OF ADVICE TO HUSBAND AND WIFE

1. To be compliant, co-operative and conciliatory towards one another, to advise each other and urge each other towards obedience to Allah, the Most High and the Most Blessed, following all of His Rulings, which have been clearly established in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. These must never be superseded by blind following of any custom or school of thought, which has predominated among the people. Allah, the Most High says:

HOW SCORES WILL BE SETTLED ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION

When the Day of Resurrection comes, a man’s wealth and capital will be his hasanaat (good deeds). If he had done wrong to any people, they will take from his hasanaat to the extent that he mistreated them. If he does not have any hasanaat, or if his hasanaat run out, then some of their sayi’aat (bad deeds) will be taken and added to his burden.

Bukhari narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

THE CIVILISED FAMILY SYSTEM

If the family is the basis of the society, and the basis of the family is the division of labour between husband and wife, and the upbringing of children is the most important function of the family, then such a society is indeed civilised. In the Islamic system of life, this kind of a family provides the environment under which human values and morals develop and grow in the new generation; these values and morals cannot exist apart from the family unit.

MAKING USE OF OUR YOUTH-ADVISE TO THE YOUTH

My dear Slaves of Allaah, if Allah gives us 60 years to live then it comes to around 22,000 days (60×365). All these days Allah gives us to prepare for one day of interview with Allah. That is on the Day of Judgement. On that day, Allah will ask us some questions and He wants some correct answers. Allah is so merciful that He already told us what the questions will be through Quran and Ahadith. His mercy is so great that He even told us the answers to these questions.

SISTERHOOD IN ISLAM

As Muslims sisters strive to gain knowledge about their religion and endeavor to increase their Iman, there is one issue of importance that often seems to be neglected. This is the issue of Sisterhood in Islam.

Sisters may greet each other, spend time socializing, give gifts during happy occasions, cook for those who have a new baby, etc., but this is only the surface level of Sisterhood. To understand what this special relationship really means we must go much deeper than that.