*~* Ramadan *~*, Radiance Options

[MzAflatoon]

As salaam Alaikum

Ramadan Mubarak Everyone

I want to wish you all a very a blessed month of Ramadan.


I wanted to open this thread for us to come together in one place on MP to share advice, enourage each other through verses of the Quran and Hadiths and other authentic stories relating to Ramadan. And just to inspire one another during this month to stimulate growth in imaan, taqwaa and hidya.


IF theres enough people participating, then I would like to carry on with the thread to all the other optional fasts through out the year, Insha'allah. It can be a good source where we can find all the optional fasts throughout the year along with the benefits/rewards they offer. (This will only be done if you guys want to participate)

I was originally thinking about doing it myself and updating but after the headache I got from the fasts of Sha'ban, I'm not to sure. Though the majority on the forum are muslims, we have our own sects/school of thought we follow and therefor there will always exist a difference of opinion. I myself am not fully knowledgeable in all the school of thoughts, though this would be a good learning point for me. My main concern is I will be giving out the wrong information. So lets see how this thread goes for Ramadan and then we'll decide its course of action later in time.


The Merit of Fasting

Fasting enjoys, in the eyes of God, a grace unparallelled by other acts of piety and worship.

The Prophet said:

"By He in whose hands Muhammad's soul rests, Allah prefers the stench of the mouth of lie who fasts to the scent of musk".


The Merit of Ramadan

Al-Bukhari and Muslim both reported that the Prophet had said:

"With the advent of Ramadan, the portals of Paradise are opened, the gates to hell are closed, and the devils are chained."

According to Abu Hurayra, the Prophet said at the beginning of Ramadan:

"A glorious and blessed month has come Allah ordained that you fast during it. During this month, the portals of Paradise are opened, the gates of hell are closed, and the devils are chained. In this month there is one night which is worth more than one thousand months".


The Merit of Ramadan Fast

The Prophet said:

"Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith seeking no reward, will have all his past sins forgiven."

Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet also said:

"Whoever breaks the fast even for one day in Ramadan without any legitimate reason, cannot compensate for it by a period of fasting at another time during the year".

Source:
Al-Siyam "Fasting"
by El-Bahay El-Kholi
Translated by: M. Hawary Ahmad


I'll post some tips in my next Insha'allah as well as the ramadan checklist. I'll post the original one and you guys can amend it to your own personal aims/developments.


A humble request please (apart from no idle chit chat in the thread), remember me in your prayers

[constantine_demu...]

Walikum Salam!

JazakAllah Khair...

AOA!

In The Name of Allah(SWT), the benificent, the merciful

The Quran and Hadith on Ramadan

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know." (2:183-84)

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah said: If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it (Bukhari).

[sara10]

Walaikum Assalam !!

Jazak Allah khair..

It sounds like a good idea. Looking forward to ur tips and checklist =)

most of the ahadees have already been discussed in this thread but if someone would like to go over a very long but informative article on ramadhan, here is the link

http://www.jannah.org/ramadan/ramadan_articles.html

Its a long article but definitely worth reading =)

This post has been edited by sara10: Aug 13 2009, 08:01 AM

[insha_ji]

The blessed month arrived again lets take maximum benefit out of this month.

[modern_newton]

Walikum Salam

Ramzan mubrak to everyone in Advance. I think this is good topic Mashallah to share our experience of ramzan and to discuss all issues which we might face during month of ramadan and to make other muslims realized the importance of Ramzan and to tell them how they can take as much benefits/ blessings as possible from this month.

The Importance of Giving in Ramadan

Those who are not Muslim could not possibly imagine the joy that Muslims feel as Ramadan approaches. If you have ever been to the cinema, for example, and seen a really good film, you know just how difficult it is to describe how good the film was to someone who has not seen it. Talking about Ramadan is a bit like that. No amount of words can describe how important Ramadan is or the blessings and the benefits we, as Muslims, take from it. No words can describe how good it feels to complete a day's fast or the joy and the feeling of festivity when the day's fasting is over.
Learning Self-restraint

Someone remarked that fasting for a couple of days is all it takes is to understand the suffering of those who go without food as a normal part of life, so why do Muslims need to fast for a whole month? They were quite right about understanding the plight of the poor, but if that is all they think Ramadan is about, they miss the point.

Muslims fast because Almighty Allah has commanded them to do so. In the Qur'an, we read,[O you who believe, fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint.]Al-Baqarah 2:183

As Muslims, we fast for the sake of Allah. Even amid the feasting and the celebrating, we should never forget this.

It is very sad that many who are not Muslim see an altogether different side to Islam. As Muslims, we need to be very careful about the example we give and about how people perceive what we are doing. Even though we look forward to the approach of Ramadan for months, many who are not Muslim see only people who are even more bad-tempered because they are not smoking, traffic that is even worse because every one is trying to get home at the same time to break the fast, or shops and businesses that operate at less than full strength because people went to bed too late the night before and couldn't get to work on time. What a shame if this is the only example we give to others.

How much better it would be if we could let others see the sweet and beautiful message of Islam by the way we celebrate Ramadan this year. As we prepare for Ramadan and as the days of Ramadan slowly pass by, we need to be asking ourselves all the time how we are going to benefit from the holy month. What are we going to do to make the most of Ramadan?

Realistic Goals

It is very important to set ourselves realizable goals and not to set our sights so high that we fail to achieve them. For example, if we are not all that faithful to Prayer during the course of the year, it is unrealistic to expect that we will pray the five daily Prayers as well as Tarawih Prayers in the mosque and that we will get up during the last third of the night to pray as our Prophet did (peace and blessings be upon him). If we don't usually spend too much time reciting the Qur'an, it is unrealistic to expect that we can recite the whole of the Qur'an during Ramadan. In other words, be realistic in the goals you set yourself.

One sure way we can all benefit from Ramadan is to give more. What do we mean by this? Well, we can give more of our time to Allah and to others; in so doing, we can understand and take to heart what Ramadan and Islam is all about.

Ramadan is the month in the Islamic calendar when our holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) first received the revelation of the Qur'an from Jibril (Angel Gabriel). For the rest of the Prophet's life, Jibril visited him during Ramadan, and they recited the whole of the Qur'an together. In the last Ramadan before the Prophet died, they recited the whole of the Qur'an together twice. For our own part, then, we can spend at least some extra time during Ramadan reciting the Qur'an and studying its meaning. In giving up some of our time, we give time to Allah. The result, in sha' Allah, is that by the end of Ramadan, we will have come closer to Allah.

For Muslims, Ramadan is also the special month of du`aa' (supplication). During the day, while we are fasting, we make prayers and invocations to Allah to remind us that it is for His sake that we fast. The Ramadan fast is neither a diet nor a punishment. We do it gladly for Allah's sake. Many Muslims try during Ramadan to attend the special Tarawih Prayers in the mosque every evening. By doing so, they will have heard the whole Qur'an recited during the month. Giving such time to Prayer, then, is another way of giving our time and our hearts to Allah.

Ways of Celebrating Ramadan

Fasting from sunrise to sunset not only teaches us to control our unruly bodies, making them aware that we control them rather than the other way around, but it also helps us to think of others who are less fortunate than ourselves, and it teaches us to give thanks to Allah for all the blessings we have that we so often take for granted. When the Adhan calls each day for the Sunset Prayer, telling us all that the day's fast is over, there are many in the world whose fast will not end. In fact, many thousands will starve to death because they have no food.

So not only giving our time to Allah, but also giving our time, talents, and material goods to others is a way of celebrating Ramadan. It really costs us very little to give out of our plenty to those who have nothing. By doing so in Ramadan, we learn to thank Allah for all the good things we have. We can join together with our friends, for example, and help the needy. Through the mosque, we can start planning ahead, before the month begins, and think of ways in which we can together help people. In the Canadian city of Toronto, for example, Muslims there have given out food every day in the city center to those who need it. Other Muslims run special soup kitchens or visit the homeless during Ramadan. What a great way that is of showing the world how much Muslims care for their world and all those in it. What a great way that is of dispelling all those misconceptions and myths that people have about Islam.

Giving, then, is central to what Ramadan is about. We give time to Allah and to others. In doing so, we not only heap down blessings on ourselves, in sha' Allah, but we also tell the world about Islam and we bring light and hope into the lives of many people who have none. Islam is the natural religion. Many in the world know nothing about Islam, except for the images of violence they see on TV. By the way we celebrate our holy month, we can show a world thirsting for Allah that Muslims are not the sabre-rattling fanatics they are portrayed as, but as people who have submitted their lives to Allah. By our giving for Allah's sake, we can teach the world how beautiful Islam really is. Maybe our giving will also, in sha' Allah, help us to be better Muslims all the year.

This post has been edited by modern_newton: Aug 13 2009, 03:11 PM

[ApHrOdItE]

Jazak Allah khair!!! A most wonderful thread!!!

Alongwith the spiritual benefits and rewards of fasting during the month of ramadan, we should not forget to address the fact that abstaing from food during the blessed month is beneficial to our bodies as well. We must take a look at our dietary intake and make adjustments to it. It is not wise to continue on eating the way we normally do off-Ramadan season. Here is something I found online to assist with changing out diet into the exeplary eating habits of our beloved Nabi S A W. One more thing. Ramadan is not just refraining from food and drink but from sins made by the eyes, hands, tongue, etc :

Fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan can be good for one's health and personal development. Ramadan fasting is not just about disciplining the body to restrain from eating food and drinking water from predawn until sunset. The eyes, the ears, the tongue, and even the private parts are equally obligated to be restrained if a Muslim wants to gain the total rewards of fasting. Ramadan is also about restraining anger, doing good deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing oneself to serve as a good Muslim and a good person during and after Ramadan.

This is why the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has been attributed, by Hazrat Abu Hurairah in hadith, to say: "He who does not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah has no need that he didn't eat or drink." (Bukhari, Muslim). In another hadith by Hazrat Abu Harairah, the Prophet (Pbuh) said: "Fasting is not only from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene (acts). If someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly toward you, say (to them) 'I am fasting; I am fasting." (Ibn Khuzaoinah).

Restraint from food, water, and undesirable behaviour makes a person more mentally disciplined and less prone to unhealthy behaviour. In an investigation in Jordan (1), a significant reduction of parasuicidal cases was noted during the month of Ramadan. In the United Kingdom, the Ramadan model has been used by various health departments and organizations to reduce cigarette smoking among the masses, especially among Africans and Asians (2).

Ramadan fasting has spiritual, physical, psychological, and social benefits; however, man-made problems may occur, if fasting is not properly practiced. First of all, there is no need to consume excess food at iftar (the food eaten immediately after sunset to break fast), dinner or sahur (the light meal generally eaten about half an hour to one hour before dawn). The body has regulatory mechanisms that activate during fasting. There is efficient utilization of body fat, El Ati et al. (3) . Basal metabolism slows down during Ramadan fasting, Husain et al. (4). A diet that is less than a normal amount of food intake but balanced is sufficient enough to keep a person healthy and active during the month of Ramadan.

Health problems can emerge as a result of excessive food intake, or taking food that make the diet imbalanced, and insufficient sleep (5, 6). Ultimately also, such a lifestyle contradicts the essential requirements and spirit of Ramadan.

Now for the Meals breakdown:

According to Sunna (the practices of Prophet Muhammad, Pbuh) and research findings referred in this report, a dietary plan is given:

Bread/Cereal/Rice, Pasta, Biscuits and Cracker Group: 6-11 servings/day;
Meat/Beans/ Nut Group: 2-3 servings/day.
Milk and Milk Product Group: 2-3 servings/day.
Vegetable Group: 3-5 servings/day;
Fruit Group: 2-4 servings/day.
Added sugar (table sugar, sucrose): sparingly.
Added fat, polyunsaturated oil 4-7 table spoons.

Breakfast, iftar:
Dates, three
Juice, 1 serving (4 oz.)
Vegetable soup with some pasta or graham crackers, 1 cup

The body's immediate need at the time of iftar is to get an easily available energy source in the form of glucose for every living cell, particularly the brain and nerve cells. Dates and juices are good sources of sugars. Dates and juice in the above quantity are sufficient to bring low blood glucose levels to normal levels. Juice and soup help maintain water and mineral balance in the body. An unbalanced diet and too many servings of sherbets and sweets with added sugar have been found to be unhealthy, Gumma et al. (7).

Dinner:
Consume foods from all the following food groups:
Meat/Bean Group: Chicken, beef, lamb, goat, fish, 1-2 servings (serving size = a slice =1 oz); green pea, chickpea (garbanzo, chana, humus), green gram, black gram, lentil, lima bean and other beans, 1 serving (half cup). Meat and beans are a good source of protein, minerals, and certain vitamins. Beans are a good source of dietary fiber, as well.
Bread/Cereal Group:
Whole wheat bread, 2 servings (serving size = 1 oz) or cooked rice, one cup or combination. This group is a good source of complex carbohydrates, which are a good source of energy and provide some protein, minerals, and dietary fiber.
Milk Group:
milk or butter-milk (lassi without sugar), yogurt or cottage cheese (one cup). Those who can not tolerate whole milk must try fermented products such as butter-milk and yogurt. Milk and dairy products are good sources of protein and calcium, which are essential for body tissue maintenance and several physiological functions.
Vegetable Group:
Mixed vegetable salad, 1 serving (one cup), (lettuce, carrot, parsley, cucumber, broccoli, coriander leaves, cauliflower or other vegetables as desired.) Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil or any polyunsaturated oil and 2 spoons of vinegar. Polyunsaturated fat provides the body with essential fatty acids and keto acids. Cooked vegetables such as guar beans, French beans, okra (bhindi), eggplant (baigan), bottle gourd (loki), cabbage, spinach, 1 serving (4 oz). Vegetables are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, carotene, lycopenes, and other phytochemicals, which are antioxidants.These are helpful in the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and many other health problems.
Fruits Group:
1-2 servings of citrus and/or other fruits. Eat fruits as the last item of the dinner or soon after dinner, to facilitate digestion and prevent many gastrointestinal problems. Citrus fruits provide vitamin C. Fruits are a good source of dietary fiber.
Fruits and mixed nuts may be eaten as a snack after dinner or tarawiaha or before sleep.
pre-dawn meal (sahur):
Consume a light sahur. Eat whole wheat or oat cereal or whole wheat bread, 1-2 serving with a cup of milk. Add 2-3 teaspoons of olive oil or any other monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats in a salad or the cereal. Eat 1-2 servings of fruits, as a last item.

[Radiance]

Thanks everyone =)

I'l come back and respond to everyones thread when I have more time from home ...

I wanted to post this to give you ample time for preparating .... Ramadan checklist, for those of you that want to follow one ( this is just a guideline .. I suggest you amend it accordingly and set realistic targets. Don't over exert yourself. If you can fit in more of anything, then thats a bonus. But aiming high and not accomplishing most of it will only put you off. [sorry about the lecture, lol])

Checklist

[Radiance]

JazakAllah Khair for that CD ... I will expand on that bit more from Saras article.

JazakAllah Khair the link Sis ... it was a nice read

Somethings I wanted to pull out and highlight for others (incase they shied away from the long read):


Taqwa


Indeed, the Prophet (s.a.w.) has said:
“Perhaps a person fasting will receive nothing from his fasting except hunger and thirst.” [Ibn Maajah, Ad-Daarimee, Ahmad, al-Baihaqee, Saheeh]


This hadeeth should raise our concern about fasting and increase our desire to perform this act of worship with the best intention and in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.). The first step is for a Muslim to realize that Allah has prescribed fasting as a means of gaining Taqwa. Allah (swt) has also informed us that it is taqwa that distinguishes people in the His sight.


Allah says:
“The most honoured by Allah amongst you are those best in taqwaa.” [49:13]


Ali ibn Abi Taalib was asked about the definition of taqwa, to which he answered:
“[It is] Fear of the All-Mighty, acting upon the revelation, preparation for the day of travel [when we meet Allah], and contentment with a small amount.”



Virtues of Fasting as mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah

• The reward for fasting is immense, as mentioned in the following Hadeeth:
  “Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, ‘Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.’ for the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk.” [al-Bukhaaree]
  
• Also, Sahl ibn Sa’ said that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said:
  “Indeed there is a gate of Paradise called ar-Rayyaan. On the day of Resurrection those who fast will enter through it; no one enters it except for them, and when they have entered, it is closed so that no one enters it, so when the last of them enters it, it is closed, and whoever enters it drinks, and whoever drinks never becomes thirsty.” [Ibn Khuzaimah, Saheeh].
  
• Fasting is a shield against the Fire:
  “Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire.” [Ahmad, Saheeh] and his saying (saws) “No servant fasts on a day in the path of Allah except that Allah removes the hellfire seventy years further from his face.” [related by the group except for Abu Dawood]
  
• On the Day of Judgement, Fasting will say:
  "O My Lord I prevented him from food and desires so accept my intercession for him.” [Ahmad, al-Haakim and Abu Nu’aim, Hasan]
  
• Fasting is a means for one’s sins to be forgiven. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said:
  “He who fasts Ramadhan, due to Iman and hoping for reward (from Allah) then his past sins are forgiven.” [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
  
• Fasting is an expiation for various sins, as mentioned in the Qur’aan, in verses: 2:196, 4:92, 5:89, 5:95 and 58:3-4.
  
• The supplication of the fasting person is answered:
  “There are in the month of Ramadhan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and will be granted.” [al-Bazzaar, Ahmad, Saheeh]
  
• The fasting person will be among the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs:
  ‘Amr ibn Murrah al-Juhaanee r.a.a. said: A man came to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and said: O Messenger of Allah, what if I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah, and I observe the five daily prayers, and I pay the zakaah, and I fast and stand in prayer in Ramadhan, then amongst whom shall I be? He said: Amongst the true followers of the prophets and the martyrs. [Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh]
  
• Fasting is a shield against one’s base desires, as the Prophet (s.a.w.) told the youth:
  “O youths, whoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so, since it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts, and he who is unable, then let him fast because it is a shield for him.” [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
  
• Once we realize the greatness of fasting and what achievement it leads to, we must put all our efforts in performing the fast in the best manner possible. And since fasting is worship, it must be done solely for Allah’s sake, and no intention is accepted, other than pleasing Allah and seeking His Face with all one’s sincerity. Without a correct intention, no deed is of any value in the Hereafter.

We Muslims must constantly verify our intentions and consider why we perform fasting. Do we do so merely because it is the practice of our parents and friends, or do we do so because it is part of our tradition, or perhaps because we simply want to conform to our environment in order to avoid any problems? A Muslim who realizes that only that which is with Allah remains, and that He (swt) is the only One who grants and withholds, would not be of those to which the Prophet (s.a.w.) alluded in the Hadeeth:
“On the Day of Judgement, a caller will cry out, ‘Whoever performed a deed for someone other than Allah may seek his reward from that for which he performed the deed’” [Saheeh al-Jami].

[Musiqlover]

Walaikum Assalaam MzAflatoon,

Thank you for starting this beautiful topic. Oh how I love Ramadan.

I'll be looking forward to everyone's contributions within the topic. Mz, perhaps we can start the Khatam-e-Qu'ran again this year?

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint [Surah Al-Baqarah : 183]

The following dua (prayers) are recited at the beginning and end of the fast to indicate and affirm the intention of the fast. A person's intention when fasting, is to bring him/herself closer to God.

Dua (Prayer) at the Beginning of the Fast [niyat]



Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan

I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan


Dua (Prayer) at the End of the Fast



Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa alayka tawakkaltu was ala rizq-ika-aftartu

O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You and I put my trust in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance

Fasting At A Glance

1.5 billion Muslims of the world celebrate their holiest month of Ramadan every year. Ramadan is the 9th month in the lunar year. During this month, healthy Muslim adults observe Fasting during the daylight hours. Muslim Fasting is a total abstention from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days of the month of Ramadan. Also, avoiding immoral behavior and anger and showing compassion is part of the requirements of the fasting. The purpose of fasting is manifold. Allah (the God Almighty) mentioned in the Holy Book of the Muslims, Quran, that the fasting is prescribed for the believers as it was prescribed for the people before them, so that they may acquire self control and God-consciousness. Therefore, the purpose of the fasting is to develop God-consciousness, self-control, improvement of health by reducing or eliminating impurities from the body, and to become aware of the plight of the poor, hungry, and the sick. Ramadan is a month of spiritual consciousness and high sense of social responsibility. The fulfillment of one's obligations during the month is rewarded by 70 times. Fasting is one of the 5 pillars of Islam including Announcement of Faith, Salaat (praying 5 times a day), Zakaat (the right of the poor on the wealth of the financially able), Fasting during the month of Ramadan, and Hajj (once a life time pilgrimage to Kaaba).

It is an obligation on every adult and healthy Muslim to fast during the month of Ramadan. The month of Ramadan is also the month in which the Holy Quran was sent down from 7th level of heaven to the 1st level, from where it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in piecemeal basis over a period of 23 years. It is a very joyous occasion for the Muslims of the world. Muslims fast during the day and pray and read Quran during the part of the night. There is a special night called the Night of Power, which is mentioned in the Quran, as a night of mercy and light and worshiping during this night is better than 1,000 months. During this night Quran was sent to the 1st level of heaven. Allah (the God Almighty) send down special angels during this night to pray for the mercy of Allah (the God Almighty) and salvation for the believers.

Source

May Allah (SWT) help us all make the most of this beautiful holy month this year, Ameen.

This post has been edited by Musiqlover: Aug 15 2009, 08:44 PM

[Radiance]

When Ramadan comes a caller calls out:
"O desirer of good, go forth! O desirer of evil, restrain yourself! Allah is emancipating people from the Fire every night." (al-Tirmidhi)


JazakAllah Khair for the contributions MN, Aphro and ML ...

Informative posts.

I agree with MN, we should really set realistic goals, so we don't loose hope and confidence within ourselves. But we should try to set realistic goals for the year as well. Ramadan is to help us reform us not just for this blessed month but also for the rest of the year. We should try to incorporate as much as possible in our daily lives what we pick up during Ramadan. So when your making your list of aims and targets, try to keep in mind the months after Ramadan as well and perhaps some of the smaller goals you can continue after Ramadan.

Aphro .. the meal breakdown is very informative!! It would be nice to read up more on the dietary requierements as prescribed by Sunnah. Thanks for sharing

Thanks for sharing duas ML =)

[Radiance]

This really touched me


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58g-ZNWxv20

[livingdeaddude]

Thanks for this vaulable topic, i want to share some article sent by my friend and i founded very good/informative hope u like it as well...

FASTING IN RAMADAN
Ramadan (Sawm) is one of the five pillars of Islam and the ninth month of
the Muslim calendar. The meaning of Sawm is to ‘abstain’. In this month,
Allah Subhana Wa Taala (SWT) has made it compulsory that the fasting
be observed by day, and he has made the ‘Taraweeh’ (Ramadan nightly
prayer) a ‘Sunnah’. Fasting is to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and
conjugal relations from dawn till sunset.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-
Raiyan, and those who observe fasting will enter through it on the
Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it”.
(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 120)

During the month of Ramadan, the Prophet (pbuh) used to apportion to
Ramadan a degree of worship that was not set aside to any other month.
The Prophet (pbuh) spent his day in remembrance, recitation, learning and
providing advice and training. His nights were spent in supplication and
humiliation unto Allah (SWT), seeking His help, support, victory and
guidance.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “If someone draws near to Allah during
Ramadan with some good act he will be like one who fulfils an
obligatory duty in another month, and he who fulfils an obligatory
duty in it will be like one who fulfils seventy obligatory duties in
another month”. (Tirmidhi Hadith 1965)

Fasting earns great reward as clearly stated in the above Hadith. When
Allah (SWT) rewards an action as purely His, then the reward is limitless.

The Prophet (pbuh) said that Allah (SWT), the Majestic and the
Exalted, said “All actions a human being does are for himself except
fasting. It is done for My sake, and I will give a reward for it and the
reward of good deeds is multiplied 10 times”. (Sahih Bukhari Volume
3, Book 31, Number 118, & Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2564)

THE WISDOM BEHIND FASTING

Fasting in Ramadan is not merely physically restraining from the obvious food
and drink, but the total commitment of the servant's body and soul to the letter
and spirit of fasting.

1) The fast of the self, means to be free from all carnal desires.
2) The fast of mind is avoiding thoughts about things other than Allah (SWT).
3) The fast of the hand is not touching/taking what does not belong to it.
4) The fast of the nose means not sniffing or smelling unlawful things.
5) The fast of the feet is not going places where sinful acts are propagated.
6) The fast of the eye is to prevent it from seeing forbidden things.


Allah (SWT) says in Al-Qur’an, “Tell the believing men to lower their
gaze and be mindful of their chastity; this will be most conducive to
their purity. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be
mindful of their chastity, and not display their charms (in public) beyond
what may (decently) be apparent thereof, hence let them draw their
head-covering over their bosoms”. (Al-Qur’an 24:30-31)

7) The fast of the tongue is guarding against lying, backbiting, slandering,
reviling, abusing others, cursing, indecent conversation, swearing and false
evidence. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “A Muslim is he from whose tongue and
hands other Muslims are safe”.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “"Whoever does not give up forged speech
and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink
(i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)"
(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 127)

8) The fast of the ears is not to listen to idle talk, gossip, lyrics and notes that
contain obscene and indecent things. Listening to Al-Qur’an bears the fruit of
faith, guidance, light and prosperity. It fills the heart with wisdom, tranquillity,
intimacy and contentment. It is a source of protection from the dangerous,
deviant and sinful thoughts.

9) The fast of the heart means casting out from it the love of worldly things
and by emptying it of all corrupt material such as, false beliefs, evil
suggestions, filthy intentions and degenerate thoughts.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “There is a piece of flesh in the body if it
becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets
spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 2, Number 49)


AVOIDANCE OF THINGS THAT CONTRADICT SPIRIT OF FASTING


Allah (SWT) says in Al-Qur’an, “Eat and drink (freely), but do not waste:
verily, He does not love the wasteful!” (Al-Qur’an 7:31)


Some people who fast waste money on meals both at the beginning and the
breaking of the fast in Ramadan. They prepare food enough for a crowd of
people consisting of numerous dishes. Then, at the end of this, they only eat a
little and throw the remainder into the refuse. This is contrary to the great
teachings of Islam.


There are other people who fill the stomach with delicious foods at “Sehri”, so
that one does not feel hungry until “Iftaar”. When opening their fast, they
indulge in excessive eating and drinking. This however, defeats the purpose of
fasting, one of which is to empty the stomach of all contaminated material by
reducing the intake of food.

Many people spend their fasting hours sleeping. As a result it seems as if they
did not fast. The wisdom of fasting is that the one who fasts should experience
pangs of hunger and savour thirst in order to gain the pleasure of Allah (SWT).

There are also people who make no effort to do good by giving charity. They
do not honour their tables by allowing others to break their fast with them.

WHAT DOES AND DOESN’T BREAK THE FAST

The Prophet (pbuh) said:” Neither vomiting, nor emission, nor cupping
breaks the fast.” (Abu Dawud, Book 13, Number 2370)

There are certain things that break a person’s fast, the most obvious being
those things that are explicitly forbidden during fasting, i.e. eating, drinking,
sexual relations and during menstruation, for females. However, if one eats
something forgetfully, then this fast does not have to be made up:

The Prophet said, "If somebody eats something forgetfully while he is
fasting, then he should complete his fast, for Allah has made him eat and
drink." (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 154)

In terms of applying medicine, there is nothing which prevents us from using
such as long as it is not entered through the mouth or nose:

The Prophet (pbuh) said, "I have a complaint in my eyes, so may I apply
collyrium while I am fasting?" He replied, "Yes." (Tirmidhi Hadith 2010)

A certain degree of affection is allowed between spouses as this Hadith shows:

'A'isha reported, “The Prophet (pbuh) used to kiss me while observing
fast and who among you can control his desire as the Prophet (pbuh)
could control his desire.” (Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2438)

However, the Prophet (pbuh) did report the following Hadith:

A man asked the Prophet (pbuh) whether one who was fasting could
embrace (his wife) and he gave him permission; but when another man
came to him, and asked him, he forbade him. The one to whom he gave
permission was an old man and the one whom he forbade was a youth.
(Abu Dawud, Book 13, Number 2381)

RECITATION OF AL-QUR’AN DURING RAMADAN

Allah (SWT) says in Al-Qur’an, “Ramadan is the (month) in which was
sent down Al-Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for
guidance and judgement (Between right and wrong)”. (Al-Qur’an 2:185)


The entire month of Ramadan is in essence a celebration of Al-Qur’an’s
revelation, which is described as a “Guide and Mercy for those who do
good.” (Al-Qur’an 31:3). Ramadan celebrates God’s Mercy by which He sent
a guiding light in Al-Qur’an that leads human life towards the path of good and
virtue and protects the human soul from evil and vice. Al-Qur’an is life, spirit,
salvation, happiness, reward and recompense. It is a divine teaching, a
constitution and eternal wisdom.

Prophet (pbuh) said, “Read Al-Qur’an for surely it will be an intercessor
for you on the Day of Judgement”. (Sahih Muslim Book 4 No 1757)

In his final year, the Prophet (pbuh) recited the Al-Qur’an twice in Ramadan.
Muslims should try to read the entire Al-Qur’an at least once during Ramadan.

Many others read or recite Al-Qur’an during Taraweeh Prayers (Ramadan
nightly prayers), which are held only during Ramadan, or in private late night
Prayers called Tahajjud.

However the common practice these days is that Taraweeh prayers are
rushed in order to complete Al-Qur’an. This goes against the teaching of
Islam as Allah (SWT) says in Al-Qur’an: “and recite Al-Qur’an in slow,
measured rhythmic tones.” (73:4). Commenting on this Ibn Kathir says this
means “recite it slowly, for that will help in understanding Al-Qur’an and
contemplating it. This is how the Prophet (pbuh) used to recite”. Although it is
desirable to complete Al-Qur’an in Ramadan to follow the sunnah, it should
be read with understanding and contemplation in order to draw closer to Allah
(SWT) by increasing our guidance insh’Allah.

The Prophet (pbuh) said "Fast three days a month." 'Abdullah said, "I
am able to fast more than that." They kept on arguing on this matter till
the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Fast on alternate days, and recite the whole
Qur'an once a month." 'Abdullah said, "I can recite more (in a month),"
and the argument went on till the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Recite the
Qur'an once each three days." (i.e. you must not recite the whole Qur'an
in less than three days). (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, No. 199)

Therefore we are encouraged to read Al-Qur’an often but should not try to
complete it in less than seven days as we should be learning from it and
implementing Allah (SWT)’s commands and laws into our lives. Therefore we
should not just read it without meaning.

[Radiance]

I just wanted to share some Dhikrs and their Virtues with you guys ... we have loads of time on our hands when we can be spending a little bit of time just remembering Allah swt and the rewards for it are tremendous!! It can be 5 mins a day, 10 mins or all day. I think its even more important we remember Allah swt during this holy months as the rewards are multiplied.

AHAADITH OF 'DHIKR' (REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH)

HADITH NO-1

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiallaho anho) narrated that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has said,

"Almighty Allah says, 'I treat my slave (man) according to his expectations from Me, and I am with him when he remembers me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him in My heart; if he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a better and nobler gathering (i.e. of angels) if he comes closer to Me by one span, I go towards him a cubit's length, if he comes toward Me by a cubit's length, I go towards him an arm's length, and if he walks towards Me, I run unto him."



HADITH NO-2

Advice to keep tongue very busy in Dhikr

A sahabi once said, "O Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), I know that the commandments of Shariat are many, but of these tell me the one that I may practice assiduously throughout my life." The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), replied, "Keep your tongue always moist (i.e. busy) with the 'Dhikr' of Allah.


By saying that "the commandments of Sahriat are many", the Sahabi had meant that although observance of every commandment is imperative, to specialize and attain perfection in each and every one is difficult; and so he wanted that Rasulullah (sallallaho alaihe wasallam), may recommend him something of over-riding importance which he might hold fast to, and practice at al times and in all conditions of sitting, standing or walking.


HADITH NO-3

Constant Dhikr - a means to elevation of status in Jannah

Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), said, "There are many a people who do Dhikr of almighty Allah, while lying comfortably in their soft beds, and for this, they will be rewarded with the highest positions in Paradise by Almighty Lord."

Note: Generally, the greater the sufferings and hardships one undergoes in the cause of religion, the higher will be his status in the Hereafter. But the Dhikr of Allah is such a blessed act that, even if it is done in soft beds in this world, it will bring high rewards and elevated positions in the Hereafter. Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had said, "If you keep yourselves busy in Dhikr all the time, the angels will shake hands with you in your beds as well as on your way."


More Hadiths


I'll share some Dhikrs soon ...

This post has been edited by Radiance: Aug 28 2009, 10:31 AM

[MzAflatoon]

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting." The Prophet added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times." [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 118 ]



Ramadhan: The Month of Spiritual Striving

In his testament to his sons, Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said: When the month of Ramadhan arrives, exert yourselves, for surely it is in this month that livelihood is distributed, the hour of death is ordained and the arriving for Hajj is decreed. In it is a night, deeds in which are better than deeds in a thousand months. Al-Kafi, vol. 4, pg. 66

[Radiance]

Beautiful Dhikr


A collection of various forms of dhikr and tasbih from the Sunnah.

SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi (Glory be to Allah and Praise Him).

Whoever says (the above) at morning and evening time, one hundred times, none shall come on the Day of Resurrection with anything better except someone who has said the same or more.[1]


SubhanAllah wa biHamdihi (Glory be to Allah and Praise Him).

Whoever says (the above) a hundred times during the day, his sins are wiped away, even if they are like the foam of the sea.[2]


SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi (Glory be to Allah and Praise Him)

Abu Dharr reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "Shall I tell you the words that Allah loves the most?" I said: "Yes, tell me, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "The words dearest to Allah are: subhanAllah wa bihamdihi.[3]


SubhanAllahi 'l-`adheem wa biHamdihi (Glory be to Allah, The Supreme, and Praise Him)

A palm tree is planted for the reciter [of the above] in Paradise.[4]


SubhanAllahi wa biHamdihi, Subhan-Allahi 'l-`adheem (Glory be to Allah, and Praise, Glory be to Allah, the Supreme)

Prophet Muhammad said: "Two words are light on the tongue, weigh heavily in the balance, they are loved by the Most Merciful One."[5]


SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah)

Whoever recites [the above] one Hundred times, a thousand good deeds are recorded for him or a thousand bad deeds are wiped away.[6]


La Hawla wa la Quwatta illa Billah (There is no Might or Power except with Allah)

[the above is] a treasure from the treasures of Paradise.[7]


SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar (Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest)

The above are mentioned as the four most beloved words to Allah. It does not matter with which one of them is begun.[8]

Abu Sa`id reported that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, "Perform the enduring goods deeds (al-baaqiyaat al-SaliHaat) more frequently." They asked, "What are these enduring good deeds?" The Prophet replied: Takbir [Allahu Akbar], Tahlil [la ilaha illallah], Tasbih [Subhan'Allah], alhamdulillah, and la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.[9]


SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar (Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest)

Prophet Muhammad said: "For me to say (the above) is dearer to me and all that the sun rises upon (ie the whole world)."[10]


SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar, wa la Hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, There is no might or any power Except with Allah)

(The above) are the good deeds which endure [al-baqiyaatuS-SaliHaat]


SubhanAllah, walHamdulilah, wa La illaha ilAllahu, waAllahu Akbar, wa la Hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (Glory be to Allah, All Praise is for Allah, There is No God but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, There is no might or any power Except with Allah)

Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud reported that the Prophet said: "During the Night Journey I met Ibrahim (alayhis salam) who said to me: ‘O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your Community, and tell them that the Paradise is of pure land, its water is sweet, and its expanse is vast, spacious and even. And its seedlings are SubhanAllah, walhamdulilah, wa la ilaha ilAllah, waAllahu Akbar (the above).’”[11]


Alhamdulilah (All Praise is for Allah) - Verily the best supplication is (above).[12]


La illaha ilAllah(u) (There is No God But Allah)

The best form of remembrance is (above).[13]


La illaha ilAllah(u) (There is No God But Allah)

Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet said: "When a servant of Allah utters the words la ilaha illallah (there is no God except Allah) sincerely, the doors of heaven open up for these words until they reach the Throne of Allah, so long as its utterer keeps away from the major sins.”[14]


La illaha ilAllah(u) (There is No God But Allah)

Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet said, "Renew your faith." "How can we renew our faith?" they asked. The Prophet replied: "Say always: la ilaha illallah."[15]


La illaha ilAllahu, waHdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul Mulku, wa lahul Hamd, wa Huwa ala kulli shaiy'in Qadeer (There is No God But Allah Alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the raise, and He is Able to do all things)

Whoever says the above ten times, will have the reward for freeing four slaves from the Children of Isma'il .[16]


La illaha ilAllahu, waHdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul Mulku, wa lahul Hamd, wa Huwa ala kulli shaiy'in Qadeer (There is No God But Allah Alone, who has no partner. His is the dominion and His is the raise, and He is Able to do all things)

Whoever says the above one Hundred times, has the reward of freeing ten slaves, a hundred good deeds are recorded for him and a hundred bad deeds are wiped away and he has gained refuge from the devil that day until evening and none shall come with anything better except someone who has done more.[17]


La illaha ilAllahu, Wahidda(n), Ahada(n), Samada(n), lam yatakhidh sahiba(n). Wa la walada, wa la yak(n)ul-lahu kufuwan Ahad (There is no God except Allah, the One and Only, the Eternal, Who has not taken a partner nor a son. And there is none like unto Him)

Whoever says the words above ten times, then 40,000 (forty thousand) good deeds will be recorded for him.[18]


Astaghfirullah al-'Adheemal-ladhi la ilaha illa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyum wa atubu ilaih (I seek the forgiveness of Allah the Mighty, Whom there is none worthy except Him, the Living, The Eternal, and I repent unto Him)

Whoever says the above words, Allah will forgive him even if he deserted the army's ranks.[19]


Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Anta Khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa ana 'ala ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu, A'udhu bika min Sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u Laka bini'matika 'alaiya, wa Abu Laka bidhanbi faghfirli innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta (O Allah! You are my Lord! None has the right to be worshipped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You.)

The above du'a is known as the Sayyid al-Istighfar and is the most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah. Whoever says it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.[20]



If someone implements ten verses of the Qur'an, He/She will not be considerate amongst the negligent on the Day of Judgment.[21]

If someone implements one hundred verses of the Qur'an, He/She will be considered among the obedient on the Day of Judgment.[22]

If someone implements one thousand verses of the Qur'an, He/She will be amongst the extremely rich on the Day of Judgement.[23]


[1] Sahih Muslim, #4:42071.
[2] Sahih al-Bukhari; #7:168, Sahih Muslim; #4:2071.
[3] Muslim and at-Tirmidhi.
[4] at-Tirmidhi; 5:511, al-Hakim.
[5] Sahih al-Bukhari; #7:67, Sahih Muslim, #4:2071.
[6] Sahih Muslim; #4:2073.
[7] Sahih al-Bukhari; al-Fath al-Bari #11:213, Sahih Muslim #4:2076.
[8] Sahih Muslim; #3:1685.
[9] an-Nasa'i and Hakim, who said its chain is sahih.
[10] Sahih Muslim; #4:2072.
[11] at-Tirmidhi and Tabarani whose version adds: "There is no power nor strength save through Allah".
[12] Sahih Muslim; #4:2073.
[13] Sahih Muslim; #4:2073.
[14] at-Tirmidhi, who says it is hasan gharib. al-Mundhiri included in al-Targhib #2:414.
[15] Ahmad with a fair chain of authorities.
[16] Sahih al-Bukhari; 7:67, Sahih Muslim; #4:2071.
[17] Sahih al-Bukhari; #4:95, Sahih Muslim; #4:2071.
[18] Ahmad.
[19] Abu Dawud 2/85, at-Tirmidhi 5/569, Al-Hakim who declared it authentic and adh-Dhahabi agreed with him 1/511.
[20] Sahih al-Bukhari 8, 75 #318.
[21] Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban – sahih.
[22] Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban – sahih.
[23] Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban – sahih.

[insha_ji]

Jazkallah for the beautiful information.

[Ali_Imran]

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم :

اللَّهُمَّ لا تَجْعَلْهُ آخِرَ الْعَهْدِ مِنْ صِيَامِي لِشَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَإنْ جَعَلْتَهُ فَاجْعَلْنِي مَرْحُوماً وَلا تَجْعَلْنِي مَحْرُوماً

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) prayed:

0' God! Ordain not this month of Ramadhan to be the last one for my fasts. But should you ordain it to be so, then make me blessed and leave me not, deprived (of Your mercy).

Wassalam