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
Usthad Nouman Ali Khan is a great speaker and Islamic thinker well known for his video speeches on Islamic subjects. He is the CEO and founder of Bayyinah Institute, an Arabic studies, educational institution in the United States. He is a speaker at ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America Conventions about Islam, family and other topics. In the initial segment of his lecture on Surat Al QiyaMah, he says that all the religion is emphasizing three major things. They are Guard, Soul and an Afterlife. He says that we must learn well what Islam is before going to normal system of education. Spirituality is something related to psychology and we must pray to Allah all the time. Allah can create a security feel in your inner most soul, which will help you to stay alive peacefully in this universe. He says that Holy Quran is the only moral for the balance between the seen world and the unseen world.
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
Read MoreOur parents, elders, and teachers have greatly emphasized from our early childhood to start all our activities by saying Bismillah Ar-Rahmani Ar-Raheem. What does this phrase really mean? Most, if not all of us have been explained its meaning also as, “In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful and the Most Compassionate”. When we say “Bismillahi Ar-Rahmani Ar-Raheem”, we are asking Allah’s help which may be different for different people. We want Allah to cure us when we are sick, to enlighten us when we are confused, to feed us when we are hungry, to energize us when we are tired and so on. Allah, the Exalted has different names representing His different attributes like: Al-Hadi, the one who guides; Al-Razzak, the one who provides; As-Salam, the one who delivers peace; and so on. The scholars of Islam have described ninety-nine attributes (names) of Allah, SWT and all of us don’t know all His attributes. Allah, SWT, has honored us with His two beautiful attributes from among the ninety-nine, which HE loves and wants us to remember at every step of our lives. These are AR-RAHMAN and AR-RAHEEM, which when expressed as “Bismillahi Ar-Rahmani Ar-Raheem” embraces all the attributes of Allah (SWT). By saying these words, we are committing and expressing our love for Him (SWT). Simultaneously, we are acknowledging that if we love Allah (SWT) truly, and ask His help in resolving our issues’ then, the resolution will be real. A true Muslim who says these words, with sincere belief in Him, has no reason to be depressed. As genuine believers, we believe in the knowledge, power, and wisdom of Allah, SWT. He is always present for our help. He is unique in everything he does and each of His attributes are unique. Even the word, ALLAH is unique. Allah is pronounced uniquely which says you are dealing with someone like nobody else. It is said that the word “Allah” is originated from “Al- ilah,” which means the one and the only, to be worshiped. Now, back to the phrase, “Bismillahi Ar-Rahmani Ar-Raheem”. The word, “Bismillah”- when you call on that phrase, the believer is to be filled with gratitude as in how many ways Allah has helped us. We go to Allah for all our needs and worries. Then on to, “Ar-Rahman” which means love, care and mercy of Allah (SWT), which is extreme as well as immediate. But, this is temporary like thirst and hunger which needs immediate action to quench the thirst and reduce the hunger. And the second one, “Ar-Raheem”, which is again love, care and mercy of Allah (SWT) but with high degree of His Compassion, that is permanent. So not to worry at all, Allah (SWT) will take care of you immediately and will take care of you on a permanent basis. All we need to do is firmly believe in Him, SWT, the one and only one worthy of worship; submit ourselves to Him as His obedient servants, take all guidance from Him as practiced by our beloved Prophet Mohammad, SAW and complete all actions of our lives starting with “Bismillahi Ar-Rahmani Ar-Raheem;” and ending with thanking Him, SWT. This is the desired life of a Muslim.
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