Category Archives: Reminders

Hide & Seek… where’s the moon?

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

So the moon hasn’t been sighted in Australia and so by default we will begin fasting on Tuesday 2 August 2011. I was really hoping to start tomorrow, was feeling pumped and ready but there is wisdom in following the Sunnah and Allah knows best. All the best to those who have started tonight. For the rest of us, lets have an early night, tomorrow is a good opportunity to do some final preparations for the month of Ramadhan. Try to wake up early and get into a good routine. Don’t over indulge, just because we’re not fasting doesn’t mean we should be feasting so take it easy. Enjoy the day and get ready for the 1st Taraweeh tomorrow night Insha Allah!

Blessed Ramadhan…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

As we await confirmation of the sighting of the moon, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed Ramadhan. I thank Allah for allowing us to witness this month again and I pray that we all benefit from the opportunities we have over the next 30 days. The tents are up, all the preparations have been made, we now await the official start of Ramadhan 1432. Whether your determination of the beginning of Ramadhan is based on the physical sighting of the moon or the scientific calculation, the fact of the matter is that Ramadhan is now upon us. Rather then argue over a few minor technicalities, I hope we are all able to focus on the bigger picture and kick-start the month of mercy by showing respect and understanding towards our fellow Muslims. While I don’t agree with the disunity caused by the moon sighting issue, the atmosphere is amazing. I hope we can look beyond our differences and embrace the mercy of Allah as it descends throughout the month.

Looking forward to some Ramadhan Inspiration, I intend to write as often as I can Insha Allah.

… Blessed Ramadhan!

Taking Care Of Your Children Through Good Deeds…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Many of you might be familiar with the story of Musa (A.S) and His encounter with Al-Khidr. For anyone who isn’t, watch this space and Insha Allah I will summarise the story at a later time. There were 3 events that took place on this journey, in summary, they were:

  1. Al-Khidr made a hole in the boat of the men that assisted them to cross the sea
  2. Al-Khidr killed a child
  3. Al-Khidr reinforced a broken wall in a town whose people were selfish and inhospitable
I’d like to focus on the 3rd event that took place as there is a great lesson to be learnt.  Beneath the wall lay a treasure that belonged to 2 orphans, so in order to protect the treasure from the people of the town, Al-Khidr fixed the wall. It was revealed that the reason he was ordered to fix the wall for the orphans was because their father was a righteous man.
“And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and there was beneath it a treasure belonging to them, and their father was a righteous man; so your Lord desired that they should attain their maturity and take out their treasure, a mercy from your Lord, and I did not do it of my own accord. This is the significance of that with which you could not have patience.” (Surah al-Kahf)
Sa`id bin Jubayr narrated from Ibn `Abbas: “They were taken care of because their father was a righteous man, although it is not stated that they themselves were righteous.”

In this is a great lesson for parents today. Uphold the commandments of Allah and Allah will take care of your children whether you are with them or not.

Ramadhaan Preps: Clear up the clutter…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

The month of Ramadhaan is fast approaching and with only a few days to go, it’s time to consider a few Lifestyle Optimisation Strategies. Clear up the clutter now so you can take advantage of every opportunity during the month of Ramadhaan.

  • Make up previous year’s missed fasts / Pay Fidyah, etc. depending on your circumstances
  • Read Quran – if possible, complete your current recitation and begin a new one in the month of Ramadhaan
  • Get a good sleep cycle going so you can handle waking up for Suhoor/Sehri
  • Go easy on socialising and social media so you can avoid unnecessary talk/chat, etc
  • Limit the amount of Entertainment/Television/Gaming, etc
  • Plan your meals early – Ramadhaan is not just about food but since we need to eat and drink, plan your menu in advance and make all necessary preparations so you don’t waste time in the kitchen.
  • Shop now – get your shopping done early, stock up on groceries and your Eid clothes too so you’re not frequenting the shops when you can be benefiting from  the virtue of this auspicious month.
It’s been a year since the last Ramadhaan, take this opportunity to get into the Ramadhaan zone so you don’t waste valuable time trying to find your feet. Prepare early, prepare well and get ready for the month of Mercy.
May Allah extend our lives so we may witness the month of Ramadhaan Insha Allah.

The night of Bara'ah…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

The night of Bara’ah is upon us. Here is a Dua to be recited on this auspicious night:

أَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ، وَأَعُوذُ بِعَفْوِكَ مِنْ عِقَابِكَ،
وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْكَ لَا أُحْصِي ثَنَاءً عَلَيْكَ أَنْتَ كَمَا أَثْنَيْتَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ

“I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your annoyance, and I seek refuge in Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek Your refuge from Yourself. I cannot praise You in the manner that You deserve. You are exactly as You have defined Yourself.”

May Allah allow us to benefit from this night and witness many more nights of Barakah!

…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”

Preparing for the month of Ramdhan: Fasting in Sha'ban…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

The month of Sha’ban precedes the greatest month in the Islamic calendar and is a good opportunity to prepare for the auspicious month of Ramadhan.

The blessed companion Anas (RA) reports that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was asked, “Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?” He replied, “Fasts of Shaban in honor of Ramadan.”

Umm Salamah (RA) says: “I have never seen the Messenger of Allah fasting for two months continuously except in the months of Sha’ban and Ramadan.”

These narrations highlight the importance of fasting during the month of Sha’ban. This weekend is a great opportunity to prepare for the month of Ramadhan and earn extra rewards Insha Allah.

…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”

Modesty: Dress to impress…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Musa (A.S) was a very modest man and always dressed appropriately (i.e. he covered his body). The people of Israel were unashamed and lacked in this respect to the extent that they would bathe together in the nude.  When Musa (A.S) chose to bathe alone in seclusion and chose to cover his body and not reveal it to them, they accused him of hiding something, they accused him of being infected or diseased.

In this there is a lesson for Muslims today. When we cover our bodies and choose not to display ourselves inappropriately we are accused of being oppressive and our intentions are often questioned. Don’t make the mistake of conforming with these ideals, we are meant to be different, we are meant to set an example. So be proud of who you are, uphold Islam in the way you dress and Allah will be impressed.

Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty:
That will make for greater purity for them. Qur’an 24:30-31

…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”

Remembering Allah: ‘Inside the human body’…

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

It’s not often a tv show will remind you of Allah but I felt a spiritual high while watching ‘inside the human body’ last night. The human body is absolutely amazing in its composition and functionality. I am so grateful for what I have and what I have been given.

Remembering Allah is not only about reciting verses or praying, it’s about acknowledging and being grateful for even the tiniest of blessings. Don’t forget to remember Allah and acknowledge His greatness. You will find the Dhikr of Allah everywhere, you just need to be willing to look.

“Therefore remember Me. I will remember you. Be grateful to Me and never show Me ingratitude” – Al-Baqarah 2:152

…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”

Jumuah Reminder: How close do you want to be to Allah?

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In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

In “Choosing your place in a gathering”, I mentioned the importance of sitting within a gathering and suggested finding a place closest to the Imam at Jumuah Prayers. This will put things into perspective…

According to Imam Abu-Haneefa in al-Fiqh al-’Akbar: “Allah is seen in the hereafter. The believers will see Him while they are in Paradise. (They will see Him) without any likeness, ascription, and quantity and there will not be any distance between Him and His creations.”

In a lecture I recently listened to by Imam Anwar-al Awlaki, he mentions that ”The people of Jannah, every Friday, will go down to a gathering place, and they will be seated according to how close they were to the Imam in Khutbatul Jumuah, this is when people will get to see Allah. That is the greatest pleasure. People in lowest Jannah will get to see Allah every Friday, but people in Jannatul Firdous will see Allah twice each day, once in the morning and once in the evening.” This is also mentioned by Ibn Al-Qayyim in Nooniyyah.

Remember this the next time you choosing your place at the Musjid. The ultimate incentive, the ultimate reward!

…and remember… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”

Earning Allah's pleasure…

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In the Name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Prophet Musa (Moses) (A.S) often conversed with Allah at Mount Sinai, during one of these conversations, Allah asked: “Musa, what have you done for me; what good deed have you performed for My sake?”

Musa (A.S) replied: Lord, I have prayed, fasted and given alms”

Allah responded: “Prayer is the mark of religion, fasting is a shield against the fire; as for giving alms, whose property did you give and to whom did you give it?

Musa (A.S) asked to learn the deeds that would earn Allah’s pleasure and these words came from on high:

“You shall love whatever you love to please me alone; you shall likewise dislike whatever you dislike only to please me. This is the action most acceptable in My sight, the one that will earn you My good pleasure.”

Remember “…every person will earn that which he intended…” so remember Allah, make a sincere intention and do for the sake of Allah and you will earn Allah’s pleasure.

… “The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.”