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
The month of Safar is one of the 12 months of the Hijri calendar, the month succeeds Muharram. Safar literally means ‘empty’ or a house that is empty. According to some scholars, it is named because of emptying (Isfaar) of Mecca. People used to travel extensively in this month. Some scholars say that the Arabs believed in the sacredness of the holy months: Dhul Qadha, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. They did not indulge in war or any other crime in theses months and used to wait for such months to be over. In Safar they used to fight other tribes during this month. Among the superstitions of the pre-Islamic days, the month of Safar was considered to be inauspicious and taken as an ill omen. It was believed that the month would bring calamities along with a lot of diseases and economies would be destroyed. The pagans didn’t start any important work or new project in this month. Islam is a religion of truth & veracity. It’s the religion which illuminated the world with belief in Tawheed (Oneness of God, the Exalted) and Risalat (Prophethood). With the emergence of Islam, the superstitions and heresies of all kinds that prevailed at the time of pre-Islamic era, have been ended. Unfortunately, many of the Muslims have imbibed these superstitions. On one hand, omens and bad lucks have been associated with the month and, on the other hand, self-made solutions for such things was proposed as well. Today too, some Muslims are still holding the incorrect beliefs regarding the month of Safar. Some of the erroneous believes are as follows: * A nikah performed in the month of Safar would not be successful. Sayyadina Ali (Radi Allahu anhu) and Sayyiditina Fatima (Radi Allahu anha) got married, in the latter days of Safar 2 A.H. * This month is full of calamities and misfortune. * To commence any important business, venture etc. during this month will be of great loss. * The first to the 13th of Safar is ill-fortune and evil. * A person who distributes food or money on the 13th day of Safar will be saved from its bad luck. What Muslims should do? * Shun all types of erroneous beliefs regarding the month of Safar. * Note that the most unfortunate person is he who disobeys Allah’s commandments e.g. does not perform the five daily Salah etc. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: "Pray, O Allah! - Cause not any of us to be a wretched destitute" Then he asked: "Do you know who is a wretched destitute? " Upon the request of the Sahabah he replied, "A wretched destitute is he who neglects his salaat." (Hadith). * We all should understand that all conditions which befalls us, favorable or unfavorable, good or bad are from Allah, (as a result of our actions). "Whichever misfortune befalls you, it is due to the things your hands have wrought, and He forgives many a sin." (Al-Quran: 42:30). This can be confirmed by the following Hadith: _"I have heard Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) saying, the descending of illness and evil superstition befalling in the month of Safar is not true."_ - Jabir (Radi Allahu anhu) (Muslim) There is nothing ominous in the month of Safar. Evil deeds & incorrect beliefs are ominous and should be given up & repented for. It’s incorrect to delay or postpone marriage or its proposal or a journey, etc. because of such beliefs. Rejecting the fake beliefs of the days of ignorance, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, ‘Belief in ill-omen is Shirk (polytheistic) (thrice he said) and the owl’s ominousness is nothing.’ The Mushriks of Arabia believed that a house near which an owl screeches will be ruined, hence, Rasoolullah Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam refuted this belief as false. Then, he said, ‘There is nothing ominous about the Month of Safar’. (Bukhari) The polytheists believed the Month of Safar up to the 13th day to be inauspicious, hence, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) rejected this superstition. It’s therefore wrong for all Muslims, who are the followers of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), to adopt the ways of the non-Muslims and to entertain the very beliefs which he had come to change. May Allah, the Exalted grant all Muslims the ability to accept and practice all the beautiful teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Aameen.
Read MoreAlim has released 6 videos explaining the features of the various Islamic knowledge sections in the 2021 revamped Alim.org website. The webinars can be accessed through Alim Foundation’s YouTube channel(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIO9DrXm-myDFACoS7zYC9g). In these videos, Aaisha Shah is providing detailed description about the Alim.org sections like the Alim homepage, Quran, Kids Quran, Hadith, History, Duas, News and Views, and Infographics. By viewing these videos, users can get information about how the different Alim sections are organized and how the information is presented in these sections. Additionally it may enable them to access the required information easily. The videos are available as follows: 1. Alim.org, providing authentic resources of Islamic knowledge(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6r_Fkf1AvM) 2. Alim.org Quran – read and learn Quran, Recitations, Translations, Tafsirs, and Transliteration(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG-3K1i_2ew) 3. Kids Quran –read and learn Quran, Recitations &Translations through an easy and colorful interface(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlGLYjL_s-I) 4. Alim.org Hadiths –presenting all major Hadith collections in a single place, with ease of navigation(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHRVbOoJ-xg) 5. Alim.org Islamic History of the Prophets, Sahaba, Khulafa Rashidun, History Timeline, and Quran Duas(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoUYkgFrJMk) 6. Alim.org News and Views and Blog, Alim Infographics, Alim mobile apps, Alim Funeral Services & FAQ(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPUGqAgkYFk)
Read MorePart III Benefits of Salah to Human Body 1. Knee joint Joint pains can be cured by means of Prayer. When we stand for a long time, our body gets weak, however when we lift our hands, we gain strength. Our backbone should be in a very healthy condition. Salah gives strength to all the parts of the body and it cures the pain in the joints. 2. To stand The prayer initiates whilst one stand, and this has a few benefits. Our body gains peace as the Quran is being recited. The Quran recitation has a healing effect on the human body. Many researches have been proved that, Arabic sounds are the main reason behind this healing and mental peace. _"And we have sent the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to the believers; and it adds loss only to the unjust."_ (17:82) Islamic researchers have found that when a devotee recites the holy Quran, his bad thoughts, feelings, fears and guilt are free or healed. Most of the sounds of the Arabic language while reciting the holy Quran can create a balance in all ill affected areas of the human body. The takbir (Allahu akbar) and Qiyam (standing) together are destined to advance posture, balance and self-awareness. This standing posture can normalize the blood pressure and breathing. This can cure diseases like asthma and heart attacks. 3. Heart Illnesses After many research had been taken place, some of the expert cardiologists have come up with the conclusion that the illnesses of the heart are reduced when Prayer is offered. Qiyam helps the lower body to pump blood, ruku to pump the blood to middle parts and sujud helps the blood to reach the upper body with less pressure on the heart. 4. Ruku Ruku helps to pump the blood to middle parts of body. If you perform ruku properly, you can keep away from back pains and joint pains. Everybody know that back problems are painful and limit the daily movements of an individual. Performing Ruku saves a person to cure the kidney stone disease. In ruku the circulation of blood works well, advancing the eyes and mind. Ruku stretches the muscles of the back, thighs, legs, calves and allows blood to be pumped in the higher chest. This position additionally promotes a larger flow of blood into the higher regions of body significantly to the head, eyes, ears, nose brain and lungs to be released. Over time this improves brain perform and one’s personality and is a superb stance to take care of the proper position of the foetus in pregnant ladies. 5. Prostration Prostration in a calm pace is helpful for internal organs. Prostration in the sunnah way aids the stomach to make it muscular. The sunnah can reduce the liver, kidney, back and stomach diseases. When a devotee performs Sunnah and in the position of prostration the blood reaches the head smoothly. During this activity, the blood goes to the eyes, brain and other parts of the head and nerves. If you pray salah, your face will enlighten. Prostration can give more beauty to a woman’s face. Long prostrations with modesty and honesty are helpful to cure diseases of the brain as the blood spreads the brain without effort. As the blood spreads the higher part of the body, such as the eyes, face and teeth-making the wrinkles vanish from the cheeks. 6. Sitting Position The position of Qaida is like the thunderbolt posture in yoga, which firms the toes, knees, thighs and legs. This position can help to decrease the excessive sleeping behavior of a person. This can also help in speedy digestion. 7. Salam To complete the Prayer, devotee should perform the postures using head-like turn the head to the right and then left. The throat is stimulated by rotating the head towards the right and then the left shoulder in the concluding of the prayer. This nerve path is linked to the throat, neck, arms, hands, lung area and hearing affecting individual creativity and communication. Salam also helps in chest strengthening as well as collar bone strengthening. Everyone should keep in mind that, these can only benefit, if he or she offer this prayer with devotion and sincerity. If you perform this prayer daily, you can remain balanced, happy and physically and mentally fit. 8. Supplication When your hands are held open for prayer, they activate your heart. This is termed as to be the center of the emotional state of love, agreement and amity. It also directs the health of your heart, lungs, thymus, immune system and cardiovascular system. End Content Sources
Read More