Tag Archives: mosque

Ramadhan Reminders: 5 simple tips to benefit from Laylat-ul-Qadr…

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

“Lailat-ul-Qadr is better than a thousand months” [97:3]

The last 10 nights of Ramadhan are upon us and whithin these nights is the night of Power. We are encouraged to seek out this night in the last 10 nights and benefit from the mercy and blessings attached to it. This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The most authentic account of the occurrence of the Night indicates that it can occur on any one of the last ten, odd numbered nights of Ramadan, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29.

The night itself is of great magnitude but it doesn’t take much effort to benefit from this auspicious occassion. Here are 5 simple things to do to benefit from Laylat-ul-Qadr this Ramadhan:

  1. Recite Quran abundantly
  2. Seek Allah’s Mercy & Forgiveness –
    “Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee”. O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.’
  3. Perform Nafl (optional) prayers
  4. Perform Dhikr (The Rememberence of Allah)
  5. Make Dua in abundance

5 simple things to do to benefit from Laylat-ul-Qadr. There’s no set procedure or rituals for this night. Allah has made it easy for us to benefit from these auspicious occassions, the key is to acknowledge them and learn from them. All it takes is a few minutes of your time. Be sincere in your actions and do the best you can. Allah is truely oft-forgiving and most Merciful.

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

Jumuah @ School…

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

Alhamdulillah, with the Grace of Allah, we were able to conduct Jumuah Salaah at Benowa State High School this afternoon. We hope that this will continue and that the attendance will improve each week. The principal, teachers and students were very accommodating which made for a very relaxed and casual environment. We even had a few non-Muslim spectators which is always a good sight. The school is very Multicultural and brought back memories of my days in High School.

Despite the negative publicity Muslims get in the media, we have much to be grateful for. I remember Jumuah at school and I believe that fostering an Islamic environment in schools can greatly influence the youth. I sincerely hope we are able to maintain this arrangement and that the students can benefit from this initiative. I don’t believe that prayer facilities in non-Muslims schools is a right of Muslims, it is a privilege and is something we should acknowledge and show our appreciation for. 

May Allah guide the youth and allow them to become righteous leaders of Islam. 

Ramadhan Reminders: Do something different…

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

Do something different during Ramadhan, we often get stuck in our daily routines and each year Ramadhan will pass us by. Make it a point to do something in Ramadhan that you don’t usually do. Even the slightest change in routine may help you benefit more from this auspicious month.

Do not make the days that you are not fasting and the days you are fasting equal. -Jabir ibn Abdullah

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

Ramadhan Reminders: Take a chill pill… (it won’t break your fast)

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

Ramadhan is not just about depriving yourself of food and drink. Remember to cool down, mind your language and your temper, it’s very easy to get emotional and worked up on an empty stomach but it’s part of the test.  Don’t sacrifice your fast to prove a point. Over look the faults of others and Insha Allah your faults will be over looked too.

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

Ramadan Reminders: What Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said…

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

The best reminder yet, a Ramadhan sermon by Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W):

“O People! Indeed ahead of you is the blessed month of Allah. A month of blessing, mercy and forgiveness. A month which with Allah is the best of months. Its days, the best of days, its nights, the best of nights, and its hours, the best of hours. It is the month which invites you to be the guests of Allah and invites you to be one of those near to Him. Each breath you take glorifies him; your sleep is worship, your deeds are accepted and your supplications are answered. So, ask Allah, your Lord; to give you a sound body and an enlightened heart so you may be able to fast and recite his book, for only he is unhappy who is devoid of Allah’s forgiveness during this great month.

Remember the hunger and thirst of the day of Qiyamah (Judgement) with your hunger and thirst; give alms to the needy and poor, honour your old, show kindness to the young ones, maintain relations with your blood relations; guard your tongues, close your eyes to that which is not permissible for your sight, close your ears to that which is forbidden to hear, show compassion to the orphans of people, so compassion may be shown to your orphans. Repent to Allah for your sins and raise your hands in dua during these times, for they are the best of times and Allah looks towards his creatures with kindness, replying to them during the hours and granting their needs if he is asked …

“O People! Indeed your souls are dependant on your deeds, free it with Istighfar (repentance) lighten its loads by long prostrations; and know that Allah swears by his might: That there is no punishment for the one who prays and prostrates and he shall have no fear of the fire on the day when man stands before the Lord of the worlds.

“O People! One who gives Iftaar to a fasting person during this month will be like one who has freed someone and his past sins will be forgiven. Some of the people who were there then asked the Prophet (s): “Not all of us are able to invite those who are fasting?”

The Prophet replied: “Allah gives this reward even if the Iftaar (meal) is a drink of water.” “One who has good morals (Akhlaq) during this month will be able to pass the ‘Siraat’ … on the day that feet will slip … “One who covers the faults of others will benefit in that Allah will curb His anger on the day of Judgement … “As for one who honour an orphan; Allah will honour him on the day of judgement, “And for the one who spreads his kindness, Allah will spread His mercy over him on the day of Judgement. “As for the one who cuts the ties of relation; Allah will cut His mercy from him … “Who so ever performs a recommended prayer in this month Allah will keep the fire of Hell away from him … “Whoever performs an obligatory prayer Allah will reward him with seventy prayers [worth] in this month. “And who so ever prays a lot during this month will have his load lightened on the day of measure. “He who recites one verse of the Holy Quran will be given the rewards of reciting the whole Quran during other months.

“O People! Indeed during this month the doors of heaven are open, therefore ask Allah not to close them for you; The doors of hell are closed, so ask Allah to keep them closed for you. During this month Shaytan (Satan) is imprisoned so ask your Lord not to let him have power over you.”

May we All benefit from this month Insha Allah!

Ramadhaan Reminders: Dinner Parties & Iftaar…

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

Many people use the following Hadith to justify and encourage Dinner/Iftaar parties during the month of Ramadhaan:

“Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person” – Tirmidhi.

I think it’s important to see the wisdom behind such inspiration and not to abuse it. Dinner/Iftaar parties can often distract people from the real virtues of Ramadhaan and may even facilitate and encourage Back-biting, gossip, etc. The key is to avoid any situation that would distract you from attaining the pleasure of Allah.

Charity is very closely associated with the month of Ramadhaan and some scholars are of the opinion that the above Hadith relates to the food/Iftaar provided to the poor and needy. I’m not in any way implying that providing Iftaar to people who can afford it won’t earn you the reward but what I am saying is make sure the Dinner/Iftaar is done for the right reasons and in the right environment. Invite a different person over for dinner everyday instead of hosting a Dinner/Iftaar party for a huge group of people in one sitting.

May Allah allow us to benefit from this auspicious month…

Ramadhan Reminders: Its not about the food…

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

Stay focused in Ramadhan. Don’t obsess about food and don’t let your Ramadhan revolve around the dinner/iftaar table. There are lessons to be learnt and sacrifices to be made, getting through each day just to make it to the dinner table defeats the purpose of the fast so keep that in mind and make the best of this auspicious month.

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

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!

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.”