Date: May 29, 2015
Ramadan literally termed as the ninth month of calendar and the month of fasting for preaching and reaching Allah. When Ramadan comes, all the Islamic devotees get energized and excited to put up the lanterns and decorations all around to welcome the blessed month. We must welcome Ramadan with neat and tidy home, in neat dress and with prayers. Ramadan is the reminder of renewal of your mind and life to reach Allah. All Islamic devotees must fast from water, food and luxuries. The most important thing to remind in Ramadan is that devotees should fast by keeping the oath that this year I want to grow my character to be more like that of Prophet Muhammad and to cherish goodness to the society.
"The best of what a man leaves behind are three: a righteous child who supplicates for him, ongoing charity the reward of which reaches him, and knowledge that is acted upon after him."
Sunan Ibn Mājah
"Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, 'O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,' and the other (angel) says, 'O Allah! Destroy every miser.'"
Sahih Bukhari
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Read MoreHiba Masood a writer, speaker and a story teller talks about her Baba's influence in teaching Quran and its holy threads in her wonderful opinion piece "Baba, The Quran and Me". When she was in her younger age, she had to recite Quran every day, that her Baba taught her to do so without fail. She memorizes her childhood experience in the holy month of Ramadan as well as her Baba's powerful Ramadan experiences. Her Baba looked after all his children with extreme care. She had not faced poverty or any other means difficulties in life. Baba used to talk about his life and his days spent with his eight brothers and sisters used to look like. They were like in abject poverty, splitting one bowl of food for Iftar amongst a family of eleven and so on. Baba used to say that once all the work is done, you should recite Quran in every single possible minute. Every letter you recite during Ramadan has 70 times the regular reward? That means every letter, like saying Alif, gets you seven hundred good deeds. Years passed and with all the impetuous, rebellion of youth, of spending my days in smoke-filled rooms, strategizing with socialist/activists, and my evenings protesting against the Iraq war on the frozen streets of Toronto. Of not praying at all, of not so much as glancing towards the dusty shelf where my Qur'an sat the entire year. Next year Hiba got married and her brand new husband got astonished by her behavior and activities. She never proper placed her shoes and she always misplaced her cell phone. And she blessed with a baby boy just before the month of holy Ramadan. And there have many, many more years filled with anxiety, scary financial strain and a stormy marriage of sickness and grief. Years passed with no changes. Hiba recited Quran verses just as a routine, or just like fasting in the month of Ramadan without knowing the rewards of reciting. At last wisdom came to her brain at the age of thirty and she started to settle in life. Slowly, as an enthusiastically expected reconnection, she started reciting Quran well to Allah to the Qur'an to her childhood, to her father and to herself. Now her beloved father is aging and sick and she is in great agony by thinking about her sick dad. She used to caress his dad's grey hair, press her cheeks to his. She says that she misses him a lot and she is afraid of the future. But most of all, she whisper her gratitude. Gratitude for gifting her so freely all the things, all the lessons, all the beliefs, all the forces of habit and inspiring stories and abiding, enriching traditions that have blessed her life. Ultimately he was the lighthouse when he was able.
Read MoreOctober 29, 2020 Praise be to Allah, the Exalted, the Creator & the Sustainer of the worlds, the Supreme. He (SWT) created humans as His best creation and guided the first couple, Adam & Eve, directly to obey Him and follow His Commands. Later He sent His Messengers and Prophets to continually refresh His guidance to human beings. Finally, He sent Mohammad (PBUH), as His last messenger who accomplished his mission over a period of twenty-three years (610-632 AD). All Muslims are required to learn and follow the teachings of our prophet who exemplified and lived the Quran. Mohammad (PBUH) was born (and passed away) on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal, 570 AD of the Islamic calendar. This day will fall on October 29, 2020. Although not firm, this date is generally accepted among the scholars and celebrated by Muslims across the world. It is important to note that public celebration, commemoration, or festivals of Mohammad�s birthday was not known until the early 12th century AD. It is said to be started in Iraq and was strengthened and expanded in the 13th century AD during the Fatimid Dynasty of Egypt. Today, we see extraordinarily large gatherings, celebrations, and processions that Mohammad (PBUH) would never approve of. Muslims universally love the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). It is observed time and again that they love him above themselves, their parents, their families to the best of their understanding. This love must translate into true following of the Prophet (PBUH). This could only be achieved through studying the Quran, authentic Hadith, Seerah, self-evaluation, and good companionship that guides to the right path. True success for a Muslim entail pleasing Allah with his or her life. This is the only way to achieve success in the hereafter and requires knowledge and practice of the teachings of Mohammad (PBUH). May Allah guide us towards that path. Ameen. The Alim Foundation: NMS / NH; October 25, 2020
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