Scroll To Top

Browsing: Ramadan

Quran Goals

On 20 Aug 2011, In Abdullah, Quran, Ramadan, by , 2 Comments

As Salaam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

It is an absolute truth that one of the many blessings of Ramadan is becoming reacquainted with the Quran. For eleven months of the year our Qurans sit on the shelf gathering dust, ignored and neglected. Then Ramadan reaches us and we race to read the entire Kitab. Indeed the Ramadan is the month of the Quran.

Allah says in His Quran (2:185),

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion.

Every Ramadan we fall in love with reading the Quran. Not books about the Quran, not lectures about the Quran, not even recitations of Quran by someone else, but that special personal relationship as we read and reflect on the Kalam of Allah Azawajal in quiet solitude. What an amazing Book!

My fear and what I am feeling anxiety about is going back to the pre-Ramadan statu quo. I cannot and do not ever want to become estranged from It again. It is my love. It is my soul. If we do not have this Quran in our hearts, in our minds and on our tongues, our Islam is nothing but an empty shell.

I know that once this blessed month departs and the shayatin are let loose and when we start feeding our bodies and starving our souls and when we give precedence to our worldly pursuits, staying attached to the Quran will become more and more difficult. For that reason, we need to have a Quran goal to help us maintain our connection to the Book of Allah. We have to strictly adhere to whatever goal we set ourselves and guard it with jealousy, until it becomes our habit.

Personally, I am making intention to read half a juz every day until Ramadan reaches us again. In addition, I am making intention to learn the meanings of the words. By the time Ramadan reaches us again, I want to know the meaning of every single word. I know this is a big challenge, however, I cannot think of a more worthy use of my time and energy.

Are you setting any Quran goals for yourself? How do they compare to mine? Please do share.

Spirituality in Dawah

On 12 Aug 2011, In Dawah, Ramadan, by , No comments

As Salaam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

Isn’t it the case that when you try to explain a facet of Islam to a non-Muslim you focus on the physical aspect and ignore the spiritual? How can they understand the happy soul of the fasting Muslim, when they do not fast? How can they fathom the deep and direct connection we have with our Lord, Allah Ar-Rahman, when we place our head on the floor in sajud, when they do not believe and they do not pray? What could explain the tears of an “old” revert as they relive their moment watching a new Muslim enter into the ummah of Muhammad, salallahu alayhi wa sallam?

I’m sure we’ve all been in the awkward position, where a curious non-Muslim has asked us a simple question about our deen. We responded by stammering and stuttering something about, believing in the One True God, praying five times a day, giving charity, fasting for a month and going for pilgrimage at least once. By explaining Islam in this fashion, we’ve reduced it to a set of rituals that the non-Muslim has no way of truly understanding.

When we pray, we stand, bow, prostrate and sit but without humility and devotion (Al-Khushoo) it would only serve to make us tired. Not eating or drinking because no food is available or because your doctor insisted you have nothing after midnight the day before an appointment is not fasting.

As Ramadan approached one year, early into my Islam, I was explaining to a non-Muslim co-worker about the blessed month. I said something to the effect of: in Ramadan we don’t eat, drink, lie or have sex during the daylight hours. My co-worker politely nodded. A man, who overheard our conversation, felt no need for politeness. He said, “You can’t eat, drink or have sex in Ramadan? I don’t wanna go there!”. He said what my co-worker was too polite to say. I missed an opportunity to explain the value of fasting for the sake of Allah alone.

Compare my explanation to the explanation found in the Glorious Quran and you will see how deeply inadequate it really was. May Allah forgive my shortcomings.

O you who believe! Observing As-Saum is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun. Quran 2:183

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion. So whoever of you sights the month, he must observe Saum that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him. Quran 2:185

Non-Muslims cannot fully understand why we approach Ramadan with excitement, zeal and enthusiasm. They cannot experience for themselves our beloved Ramadan, even if they fast. And we may never be able to adequately describe what this month means for us personally on a spiritual level. However, if we try focusing on the spiritual side of our deen, when explaining it to non-Muslims, perhaps those with soft hearts will pay heed and begin worshipping their Lord with humility and full submission.

All praise and thanks belong to Allah alone, Who made me a Muslim.

Ramadan Mubarak

On 11 Aug 2010, In Ramadan, by , No comments

As Salaam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

All prise and thanks belongs to Allah alone. We praise Him and thank Him. We seek His forgiveness and His assistance in all matters. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah. He is alone without any partners or coequals. I bear witness that Muhammad ibn Abdullah is His slave and messenger. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, his companions and every pious righteous Muslim until the Day of Resurrection.

Congratulations to us all, the blessed month of Ramadan has reached us while we still have some life in our bodies and some energy to worship our Lord. What a gift is this Ramadan! Ar-Rahman is making it so easy for us to attain His forgiveness, if you but stretch out your hand it will be yours.

Allah says in His Quran,

Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. [Quran 2:185]

 

My Lord, make me among the grateful, forgive me and pardon me. Indeed, You are Tawwabur, Rahim.

Abdurrahman, 3 Ramadan 1430

On 02 Sep 2009, In Family, by , No comments

As Salaam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

This video was taken on the 3rd of Ramadan 1430 AH. If you have time please make a little duaa for him and the whole family.

The Children in First 10 Days of Ramadan

On 01 Sep 2009, In Family, by , No comments

As Salaam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

These photos were taken in the first 10 days of Ramadan 1430:

Abu Bakr:

Dhuha:

Sabah:

Ramadan Mubarak

On 22 Aug 2009, In Family, Religion, by , 1 Comment

As Salaam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

Ramadan Mubarak dear Muslims! I am a few hours into my first fast and alhamdulillah I feel great.

I love you all for the sake of Allah. Have a great Ramadan and if you have a chance make a special duaa for my family.

As Salaam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Ramadan is Nearing

On 21 Aug 2009, In Ramadan, by , 1 Comment

As Salaam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

The blessed month of Ramadan is fast approaching, Alhamdulillah. This will be, Insha Allah, my 10th Ramadan as a Muslim and my 6th with my family. When I first started fasting Ramadan neatly corresponded with December and now its straddling the summer and the autumn. For those unaware the shift in dates is owing to the fact that the lunar year, which the Islamic calendar is based on, is 11 days shorter than the solar year. Ramadan itself is fixed as the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

Yesterday, I thought a lot about the up coming Ramadan and how I would make the most of it. I use Ramadan each year as a way to recharge my spiritual batteries, refocus my worship, and dedicate my life, wealth and death to Him.

Ramadan is something truly special. It teaches us to restrain ourselves from our more animalistic lowly desires of food and sex and makes the path to fulfilling our higher desire and greater need of worshiping our Creator.

The relationship between man and his God is set right. We are not His rebellious and ungrateful children, as the Jews and Christians think. We are His slaves, His creation, and we are entirely dependant on Him and He is free of any need or want. Nothing highlights this fact like an empty stomach and a dry tongue.

Once, I was explaining Ramadan and fasting to a kaffir co-worker when a man who overheard our conversation approached and said, ‘what did you say?’. I repeated that in Ramadan we are not allowed food, drink, or sex during the daylight hours. He replied, ‘I’m never going there!’.

Another time, I was sitting in the coffee shop with two friends reading Hadith and discussing Islam. In that conversation, I said that fasting helps you to restrain your lower desires of food and sex. A man who overheard shouted out, ‘those aren’t the lower desires, they’re the higher desires!’.

Such is the state of men in America. These lowly animalistic desires have become the central focus of their lives, which has led to the moral decline and wretchedness of the place.

Oh Allah, give us the strength to take full advantage of this blessed month, a month which You have prefered above all months. Oh Allah, give us the ability to stand, bow, prostrate and sit throughout the nights worshiping none but You. Oh Allah, feed the poor, the orphaned, the sick, the homeless, and the traveller; guard over the weak and oppressed. Oh Allah, we are truly and wholly dependant on You, there is no god but You, all glory belongs to You, all praise belongs to You, there is nothing greater than You.

Oh Allah, bless Muhammed, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, like you blessed Ibrahim, alayhi sallam, and bless the family of Muhammed, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, like you blessed the family of Ibrahim, alayhi sallam.

May the peace and blessing of Allah be upon our noble prophet, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, his family, his companions and all the Muslims.

Ramadan Mubarak my dear Muslims.

@MyIslamicFamily

All Praise and Thanks belongs to Allah Alone. Copyright © 2009 - 2011 MyIslamicFamily.Com
↑ Scroll to top