Video Lecture on Benefits of spending money in the name of allah. By Adv Faiz Syed

The three Bid`aat regarding the month of Sha`baan

The three Bid`aat (religious innovations) which some people do in the month of Sha`baan:بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعدShaikh Muhammad Ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:“I would like to warn against the three things which are done in the middle of Sha`baan:The First issue:Amongst the general mass, there are many people who think that the night of the middle of Sha`baan (i.e. the 15th of Sha`baan) is Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Decree) and that one (who prays in this night) gets the reward that has been mentioned in the Sunnah (i.e. his previous sins would be forgiven). But what is known is that Laylatul-Qadr occurs in the month of Ramadhaan and the evidence for that is the saying of Allaah تبارك وتعالىin the Qur’aan:﴿إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ﴾{Verily! We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the night of Al-Qadr} [Surah al-Qadr (97): 1]And in the saying of Allaah تعالى:﴿حم * وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ * إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَ‌كَةٍ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِ‌ينَ * فِيهَا يُفْرَ‌قُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ‌ حَكِيمٍ﴾{Haa-Meem. By the manifest Book (this Qur’aan) that makes things clear, We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments.} [Surah al-Dhukhaan (44): 1-4]This is the Text which is clear that the Qur’aan was sent down on Laylatul-Qadr, in which matters of ordainment are decreed. Then Allaah تعالى also says:﴿شَهْرُ‌ رَ‌مَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْ‌آنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْ‌قَانِ﴾{The month of Ramadhaan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 185]This is sure, clear and certain proof that Laylatul-Qadr occurs in the month of Ramadhaan, rather it occurs in the last ten (nights) of Ramadhaan.The Second issue:Some people specially mark this night (of the middle of Sha`baan) by establishing prayers in the night and Fasting in the day, based upon the Weak Ahaadeeth. Since these Ahaadeeth are not authentic, then specially marking out the middle of Sha`baan for establishing night prayers should not be done.But if a person is in the habit of getting up for night prayers, then he should pray in the night of the middle of Sha`baan like he prays in any other night without marking it as a special occasion. Similarly, one should not make it a special occasion to Fast only in the middle of Sha`baan because nothing such has been reported from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.But if one Fasts for three days of al-Beedh (i.e. the night when the Moon is full) and they are the thirteenth, the fourteenth and the fifteenth day (of the Lunar calendar); so if one Fasts on these three days, then his Fasting will be in accordance with the Sunnah. But one should not believe that this (Fasting these three days in Sha`baan) is better than Fasting in any other month, even though the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to Fast much in this month of Sha`baan, more than any other month, sometimes he would Fast for almost the complete month except for a few days.The Third issue:Some people specially prepare food on the 15th of Sha`baan and invite others over it or they distribute it to the neighbors and relatives believing that there is more virtue if one does it specially on this night. But I say: The matter is not like (how they perceive). Nothing has been legislated that one should mark this night by specially preparing food or inviting people for food or giving out Sadaqah (charity). It is like any other day, one should prepare food on this day like the way he does on any other day of the year.These are the three Bid`aat which some people have fallen into, which I wanted to warn against.”[Majmoo` al-Fataawa of Shaikh Ibn al-`Uthaymeen (7/279-281)]

COMMON MISTAKES MADE DURING RAMADAN.

Asalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatulahi Wa Barakatu,
Most Muslims who fast in Ramadan focus on the benefits and rewards of it. But in doing so, we often make mistakes that instead of adding to our experience actually detract from it. Mistakes that can make us commercialize Ramadan as so many other religions have commercialized their sacred days. In sha Allah the following will serve as a reminder to, first, myself and then to all Muslims. May Allah help us in spending our time wisely this Ramadan and help us in avoiding these mistakes. Ameen!!

1. Taking Ramadan as a ritual
For many of us Ramadan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night just because everyone around us is fasting. We forget that it’s a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil. We forget to beseech Allah SWT to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Hell-Fire.

2. Too much stress on food and drink.
For some people, the entire month of Ramadan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking only about food, instead of concentrating on Salah, Quraan and other acts of worship. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them.

3. Eating too much
Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to ‘make up for the food missed’. However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.
The Prophet (s.a.w..) said: ‘The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.’ [Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. Classified as saheeh by al-Albaani]

4. Sleeping all day
Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) ’sleeping away their fast’. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people are also missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot ‘bear’ to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control.

5. Wasting time.
We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or still worse, watching TV to occupy their mind so that they won’t feel the hunger pangs.

6. Fasting but not giving up evil.
Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam activities, buying lottery tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allah, to increase our Taqwa. 

7. Skipping Suhoor (sehri)
The Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: ‘Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing.’ [Bukhaari, Muslim]. And he (s.a.w.) said: ‘The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor.’ [Muslim]

8. Not fasting if they missed Suhoor.
Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhoor. However, this is an act kind of cowardice and love of ease. Missing a few morsels in the morning will, in sha’Allah, not lead to death. Remember, obedience to Allah overcomes everything. 

9. Delaying opening fast
Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be ‘on the safe side’. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to open the fast, which means opening fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set (and not before).

10. Eating continuously until the time for Maghrib is up.
Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss the Maghrib prayer. That is obviously not right. 

11. Missing the golden chance of having your Dua’a accepted
Prophet (s.a..w.) said: ‘Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.’ [al-Bayhaqi, classified as saheeh by al-Albaani]
Instead of sitting down and making Dua’a at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc.

12. Wasting the last part of Ramadan preparing for Eid.
Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. Even though, the Prophet (s.a.w.) used to strive the most during the last ten days of Ramadan in worship [Ahmad, Muslim] and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadan to the utmost.

Celebration of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan

Welcome to a celebration of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Observed by more than one billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan is a time for spiritual purification achieved through fasting, self-sacrifice and prayers.

Ramadan - is an Islamic religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; the month in which the Qur'an, according to tradition, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. In the western calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving forward about ten days each year. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, sex, smoking, and anything that is not of a good nature or in excess from sunrise until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the Muslim patience, modesty and spirituality. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of Allah, and to offer more prayer than usual. Muslims also believed through good actions, they get rewarded twice as much as they normally can achieve. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds.

Celebrated during the ninth month of Islamic calendar, the fast is observed each day from sunrise to sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five Pillars of Islam. The Islamic belief that requires that Muslims perform five central duties in order to strengthen their faith. While Islam has two major sects, the Sunnis and the Shiites, all Muslims aim to realize these five pillars in their lifetime.

Ramadan concludes with a 3-day festival known as "Eid" or "Eid ul-Fitr," which literally means "the feast of the breaking/to break the fast." The holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and is a culmination of the month-long struggle towards a higher spiritual state.

We are now almost in the month of Sha'aban and there is few days to receive RAMADAN al Mubarak.  Keeping the greatness of the holy month of Ramadan, I am forwarding this mail -in advance- for preparing ourselves to avail the opportunity to finish reading Holy Qur'an during the Month of Ramadan.

 

Let us work for this investment & May Almighty Allah shower His grace, mercy on us abundantly.

 

A Quick preparation for RAMDAAN

 

·        Start reading Quran daily after Salat al-Fajr.

·        Online Quran –

·        http://quran.al-islam.com/Targama/DispTargam.aspnType=3&nSora=2&nAya=1&nSeg=1&l=eng&t=eng

·         http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/

·         http://www.quranexplorer.com/Quran/Default.aspx

·        Spend some time listening to recitations from the Quran.

·        Train yourself to go bed early so that you can wake up far Salat al-Fajr.

·        Keep yourself in a state of Wudu (Ablution) most of the time.

·        Evaluate yourself daily before going bed.

·        Thank Allah for good deeds, and repent to Him for your mistakes and sins.

·        Start giving Sadaqah daily, no matter how little. Make it a habit like eating and drinking.

·        Find time to pray extras, such as Tahajjud prayers.

·        Spend more time reading Islamic books, especially the Quran,  Hadith, and Fiqh.

·        Find time to help others with your wisdom, knowledge and other talents.

·        Try to write articles on Islam for Muslims as well as for non-Muslims.

·        Associate with Muslim scholars / ulama and other pious people so that you may learn from them.

·        Train yourself to do good, render free service to others to seek the pleasure of Allah.

What to avoid

·        Avoid/reduce watching TV; instead spend more time reading the Quran and other Islamic literature.

·        Avoid looking at unlawful pictures, whether magazines, department store catalogs or others.

·        Spend free time in Masajid, Islamic organizations and make that a daily habit.

·        If you smoke, try to reduce daily usage; otherwise Ramadan will be very difficult for you to observe. 

·        If you have friends who do not practice the teaching of Islam, try to avoid socializing with them.

·        If you travel a lot on business, try to do more local business, so you can be more closer to your family and community.

·        If you are used to staying up till midnight, try to go to bed earlier, so that you will be able to wake up early for Salat al-Fajr and Tahajjud prayers as well.

To prepare ourselves before the month of Ramadan arrives is far better than waiting till it comes. To prepare ourselves for anything in life is a sign of wisdom and maturity. No one is assured of living one day more; tomorrow may not come. So hurry and benefit from blessings and rewards from Allah.

 

Remember: 'Time is not money or gold; it is life itself and is limited. You must begin to appreciate every moment of your life and always strive to make the best use of it.'

A Quick Checklist

·        Make a resolve to win the maximum favor of Allah by performing extra Voluntary prayers (Nawaafil), making frequent Dua and increased remembrance.

·        Try to recite some Holy Quran after every Prayer. In fact if you read 3-4 pages after every Prayer you can easily finish the entire Quran in Ramadan!

·        Study the Tafseer (commentary) every morning.

·        Invite a person you are not very close with or your relatives to your home for Iftaar, at least once a week (Weekend). You will notice the blessings in your relationships!

·        Bring life to your family! Everyday, try to conclude the fast with your family and spend some quality time together to understand each other better.

·        Make commitment to join Islamic study circles to learn more about Islam and improve your own life.

·        Donate generously to the Masajid, Islamic organizations, and any where people are in need or oppressed. 'Because Ramadan, is a month of sharing!'

·        Share month of Ramadan and its teachings of peace and patience with your neighbors.

·        Sleep little, eat little! Make sure you do not defeat the purpose of fasting by over-indulging in food and being lazy.

·        Seek the rare and oft-neglected rewards of the night better than 1000 months ( Laylatul-Qadr / Shab-e-Qadr).

·        Weep in private for the forgiveness of your sins: Ramadan is the month of forgiveness and Allah's Mercy! It's never too late.

·        Learn to control your tongue and lower your gaze. Remember the Prophet's (pbuh) warning that lying, backbiting, and a lustful gaze all violate the Ramadan fast!

·        Encourage others to enjoin and love goodness, and to abandon everything that Allah dislikes. Play the role of a Da'ee (one who invites to Allah) with zeal, passion, and sympathy.

·        Experience the joy of Tahajjud prayers late at night and devote yourself purely and fully to Allah in the Itikaf retreat during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

60 Islamic ways of Happy life

Please read the following and try to make a habit as an exersise for your good  MENTAL  as well for physical health  and enjoy  a happly life of course with  in boundaries. 

 

60 ISLAMIC WAYS TO KEEP THE LOVE OF YOUR WIFE. GUARANTEED!

 

 1.Make her feel secure; (sakina- tranquility) QUIT BEING AGGRESSIVE

 

2. When you go home say 'Assalmualikum.(Greetings) It kicks the shaitaan out of  home!

 

3. Prophet (saw) described the wife as a fragile vessel and said to take care of this vessel thats fragile. Remember that there is goodness in this vessel so treat it gently.

 

4. When you advise her, do so in privacy, in a peaceful environment. NOT IN PUBLIC.

 

5. Be generous to your wife- it keeps her LOVED

 

6. Move and let her have your seat. It will warm her heart.

 

7. AVIOD ANGER. HOW? Keep your wudu at all times. Prophet saw said if your angry, sit down, if youre sitting, then lie down. Follow the sunnah!

 

8. Look good and smell great for your wife. IT keeps the LOVE!

 

9. Dont be rigid. It will break you. Prophet Mohammed - Sallal lahu Aleihi Wasallam (SAW means “May the blessings and the peace of Allah be upon him (Muhammad).) said 'I am the best amongst you and I am the best to my wife'. Being rigid and harsh will not bring you close to Allah and neither does it make you more of a man.

 

10. Listen to your wife-BE a GOOD LISTENER

 

11. YES to flattering NO to arguing. Arguing is like poison in a marriage. Al zawai said 'When Allah (swt) wants evil for people He will leave them to argue amongst them'.

 

12. Prophet (saw) said to call your wives with the best name, any name she loves to hear.

 

13. Give her surprise. I.e. if she loves watermelon, bring her out of the blue, will grow love in her heart.

 

14. Preserve your tongue! Prophet (saw) said the tongue will throw people in the hell fire so watch what you say and how you say it!

 

15. We all have shortcoming. Accept her shortcoming and Allah (swt) will put barakh in your marriage.

 

16. TELL her you appreciate her. SHOW her you appreciate her.

 

17. Encourage her to keep good relation with her relative, her mum and dad etc.

 

18. Speak with her with a topic of HER interest.

 

19. In front of her relative praise her. Say  that she is wonderful/ good person in front of her family.

 

20. Give each other gifts. You will love each other more. Prophet (saw) said gifts increases love.

 

21. Get rid of routine once in while, surprise her with something, it will get rid of the rust and polish it!

 

22.We have a demand from Allah (swt) that we have to think good of people. Think good of your spouse.

 

23. Ignore some of her mistakes- pretend you did not see/hear some of her small mistakes. It was a practice of Ali (RA). Its like putting a hole in your memory. Dont save it in your memory!

 

24. Increase your  patience, especially when she is pregnant or when she is on her monthly period.

 

25. Expect and respect her jealousy.

 

26. Be humble and  respect that she is looking after your children, she is much more than you, she is the leader at home, her strength is your strength, and her success is your successes.

 

27. Don't put your friends above your wife.

 

28. Help your wife at home. Prophet (saw) used to help his wives at home and he was the best of creation. He used to sew his own clothes.

29. Help her respect your parents, you cant force her , but she can be helped to gradually love them.

 

30. Show your wife she is the ideal wife.

 

31. Remember your wife in your Duaas. It will increase the love and protect it.

 

32. Leave the past. It gives nothing but pain. Its not your business. The past is for Allah.

 

33. Don't try to show her that you are doing her a favour by doing something, like buying food for the house, because in reality we are the courier of sustenance, not the providers, as Allah is the provider. Its also a way of being humble and thankful to Allah (swt)

 

34. Shaitaan is your enemy, not your wife. Sometime when husband and wife are talking a fight breaks out, then shaitaan is present there as a third person  It is not enough to hate the shaitaan, but you have to see him as an enemy as Allah has commanded. Shaitaan loves divorce. HE comes everyday and sits office and asks the devils what they have done,  And one devil will say i have made a man divorce his wife, and he is crowned as the one who has done the best job.

 

35. Take the food and put it in her mouth. Prophet (saw) taught us this. Its a blessing. The food doesnt just go to her stomach, but straight to her heart. It increases the love and mercy between you.

 

36. Protect your wife from the evil of the shaitaan and mankind. She is like a precious pearl that needs protecting from the envy of human devils and shitaan.

 

37. Show her your smile. Smile at your wife. ITS A CHARITY.

 

38. Small problems/ challenges can become a big problem. If there is small thing she didn't like and you keep repeating them anyway, it will create a wall between you. Dont ignore them as it can become big.

 

39. Avoid being harsh hearted and moody. Allah said of prophet (saw) 'if you were harsh hearted they (the companions) would have left you.' It confirms prophet (saw) was not harsh hearted, so GET RID OF IT.

 

40. Respect her thinking. Its strength for you. Show you like her thoughts and suggestions.

 

41. Help her to achieve her potential and help her and find success within as her success is your success.

 

42. Respect the intimate relationship and its boundaries. Prophet (saw) said she is like a fragile vessel and she needs  be treated tenderly. At time she may not be feeling well; you must respect and appreciate that feeling.

 

43. Help her to take care of the children. Some men think it makes them appear less of a man but in fact it makes you appear a bigger man and more respected, especially in the sight of Allah (swt).

 

44. Use the gifts of the tongue and sweet talk her. Tell her she looks great, be an artist. Pick and choose gifts of the tongue.

 

45. Sit down and eat with her and share food with her.

 

46. Let her know you are traveling. Don't tell her out of the blue as its against Islam. Tell her the date/ time of when you are coming back also.

 

47. Don't leave the house as soon as trouble brews.

 

48. The house has privacy and secrecy. Once you take this privacy and secrecy to your friends and family you are in danger of putting a serious hole in your marriage. This secrecy stays home. Islam is against leaving them out like a garage sale for anyone to come and pick and choose.

 

49. Encourage each other for ibadah, i.e. plan a trip for hajj or umrah together. It increases/strengthens the love when you help each other perform a good deeds together i.e, do tahajuud together,or  go to a dars together etc.

 

50. Know her rights, not only written in paper but engraved in your heart and engraved in your conscious.

 

51. Allah( swt) said 'live with your wives in kindness.' Treat them with kindness and goodness. It means in happy times and in sadness treat her with goodness and fairness.

 

52. Prophet (saw) showed that at the time of intimacy. Dont jump on your wife like an animal!

 

53.  When you have a dispute with your wife dont tell everyone. Its like leaving your wounds open to germs so be careful who you share your problems and disputes with.

 

54.  Show your wife you really care for her health. Good health of your wife is your good health. To care for her health shows her that you love her.

 

55. Dont think you are always right. No matter how good you are you have shortcomings. You are not perfect as the only one who was perfect in character was prophet (saw). Get rid of this disease.

 

56. Share your problems, your happiness, and your sadness with her.

 

57. Have mercy on her weakness.  Have mercy when she is weak or strong as she is the fragile vessel. Prophet (saw) said that your wife is a trust in your hand.

 

58. Remember you are her strength, someone to lean on in times of hardship.

 

59. Accept her as she is. Prophet (saw) said that women are created from the rib which is bent. If you try to straighten her you will break her (divorce). Prophet (saw) said that you may dislike one habit in her but you will like another manner in her so accept her as she is.

 

60. Have good intention for your wife all the time, Allah monitors your intention and your heart at all times. Allah (s.w.t) said Among His Signs is that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.

 

 May Allah fill our homes and heart with tranquility, love and Mercy.  AMEEN

 

Allah Hafiz,