‘Eid Mubarak

taqabal Allahu minna wa minkum!

p.s-Organica basically conveyed what I wanted to say here.

Perfect days for perfect Ibaadah

By: Asma bint Shameem (al-Huda institute)

Alhamdulillaah……the blessed days are here one more time!
The glorious days when rewards are multiplied many times, and sins are forgiven much more…
the days in which Allaah gives us yet another chance to worship Him, to ask for forgiveness and correct our faults and make up for our shortcomings….
the blessed days that the Sahabah waited for and prayed for….
the beautiful days in which they strived long and hard in worship, until they could do no more….

What are these magnificent days?
These blessed days are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

Just like the last ten nights of Ramadaan are the best ten nights out of the whole year, the Ulama tell us that out of the 365 days of the year, these first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are the best days of the year and the most beloved to Allaah as they combine acts of worship in a way unlike any other times.

The Prophet testified to that. He said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?” He said, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Bukhaari)

Subhaan Allaah wal-Hamdulillaah!
What a blessing!

The question is…..what do I do on these magnificent days and how can I make the most of this perfect, golden, golden opportunity to earn rewards and Jannah?

Obviously, Hajj is one of the best deeds that one can do during these ten days. However for those of us who were not invited to His House this year, there are still many, many good deeds that one can do and earn the Pleasure of Allaah.

Some of these are:

1) Fast all nine days and especially fast the Day of ‘Arafah
The Prophet said: “Anyone who fasts for one day for Allah’s pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Just imagine…..if you fast these nine days (fasting on Eid is haraam), how far your distance will be from hell!
The Prophet used to fast on the ninth day of Dhu’l-Hijjah and he said: “Fasting the Day of ‘Arafah (ninth Dhul-hijjah) is an expiation for (all the sins of) the previous year and an expiation for (all the sins of) the coming year.” (Muslim)

2) Do a LOT of Dhikr and Takbeer
The Prophet said: “There are no days on which good deeds are greater or more beloved to Allaah than on these ten days, so recite much Tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah), Takbeer (saying Allaahu akbar) and Tahmeed (saying al-hamdu Lillaah).” (Reported by: Ahmad -Saheeh)

Ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah used to go out in the marketplace during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, reciting Takbeer, and the people would recite Takbeer when they heard them. (Bukhaari)
Takbeer at this time is a Sunnah that has mostly been forgotten, especially during the first few days. So say it in the masjid, in your home, on the street and every place where it is permitted to remember Allaah. Revive the Sunnah that have been virtually forgotten and earn great rewards for doing so.

The Prophet said: “Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward.” (Reported by: Tirmidhi- a hasan hadeeth)
Obviously, men should recite these phrases out loud, and women should recite them quietly.

3)Stand in Night Prayers:
Remember the virtues of spending the night in prayer, and its sweetness in Ramadan?! Why not revive this beautiful act of worship during these nights as well?!
Remember, how in the last third of every night, Allah Almighty calls out to us, His servants:
Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him? (Bukhaari, Muslim)
Why do we miss this golden opportunity? So, seize the chance NOW and expose yourself to His Divine Generosity and Mercy, ask Him to forgive you and guide you and set things aright. He will surely listen.

4)Make Sincere Repentance.
One of the best and most important things to do during these ten days is to repent sincerely to Allaah and to give up all kinds of disobedience and sin right away because we do not know when we will die, and also because one evil deed leads to another.

But what does ‘repentance’ exactly mean? It means that you come back to Allaah and give up all the deeds, open and secret, that He dislikes…. that you regret whatever you did in the past, giving it up immediately and be determined never ever, to return to it, and resolve to adhere firmly to the Truth by doing whatever Allaah loves.
“But as for him who repented, believed and did righteous deeds, then he will be among those who are successful.” [al-Qasas 28:67]

5) Come back to the Qur’aan
It is time now to dust off your copy of the Qur’aan and return to its refuge.Make it a daily habit, using these 10 days the beginning of a strong and beautiful relationship with it. Read it with meaning, understand it, and then implement it and change your lives for the better, as much as you can. Remember that reading one letter of the Qur’aan earns you 10 rewards. In this way, reading Surat Al-Fatihah,which doesn’t take more than two minutes will give you more than one thousand rewards! This is on ordinary days, so what about these magnificent days! Certainly the reward will be far greater, Insha Allaah.

6) Generally increase in doing ALL good deeds
We should strive in doing more good deeds in general, because good deeds are beloved by Allaah and will bring us closer to Him. So if we are not able to go to Hajj this year, we should occupy ourselves during these blessed days by worshipping Allaah, praying extra prayers, reading Qur’aan, remembering Allaah, sending Salaams on the Prophet , making dua, giving charity, honoring our parents, upholding ties of kinship, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, and other good deeds and acts of worship.
“So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it; And whosoever does evil equal to the weight of an atom, shall see it.”[al-Zalzalah 99:7-8]

7) Get the reward of Hajj wherever you are:
You may be unable to do Hajj this year, and you may feel sad because you are deprived of the great reward of Hajj. But you can achieve a similar reward in whatever place you may be.
The Prophet said: “Whoever prays Fajr Prayer in congregation, and then sits and remembers Allah until the sun rises, then (after a while) prays two rak’as, he will gain a reward equal to that of making perfect Hajj and Umrah.” [He repeated the word "perfect" thrice.] (At-Tirmidhi)
Isn’t that easy, Alhamdulillah?

Slaughter an animal and distribute the meat
Ibn Umar said: The Prophet lived in Madeenah for 10 years and every year he slaughtered an animal.” (Ahmad-Saheeh by al-Albaani)

9) Attend Eid prayers
But remember that Eid prayer is a form of worship and we shouldn’t be doing things that are unIslaamic (especially) during these times, such as listening to music, women going out for prayer without proper Hijaab, mixing of men and women, etc.

10) Thank Allaah
One of the biggest forms of worshipping Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala is to thank Him, deeply, sincerely and continuously. After all, it is He who gave you every single thing that is in you, on you or around you. In fact, you wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for the Mercy of your Creator. So thank Him for ALL that He gave you, the Islaam that He gave you, the very life He gave you. And thank Him for the chance that He gives you in these ten days, to ask for forgiveness and guidance.

Alhamdulillah, there is much to be gained in these coming days. So make the most of this perfect opportunity offered by these invaluable and irreplaceable ten days. Hasten to do good deeds and appreciate this blessing and make the most of it, striving hard in worship .
“And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (death).” [al-Hijr 15:99]

Death

Today, 2 hrs back to be precise, my cousin’s husbands’s co-worker passed away from a severe heart attack. He was only 30 yrs old, newly married w/ no past history of medical issues. just a healthy guy who was looking forward to go back to his home country to see his wife and baby girl in a few days. He was at work and about to go for the lunch break..he had no idea that malak al mawt had come to take away his soul..

كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ – وَيَبْقَى وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلْـلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ

Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of majesty and honor will remain forever) ﴿55:26,27

- كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ

Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial: to Us must ye return. (21:35)

The Month of Mercy, the Month of Forgiveness awaits us….

Here are some useful last minute preparatory measures:

· Learn/review the Du’a for breaking the fast. Stick it up on your fridge for your kids and family members to memorize it as well.

DU’A FOR BREAKING THE FAST

ذهب الظمأ وابتلت العروق وثبت الأجر ­ان شاء الله

The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allaah wills.

To read the dua with the harakah/transliteration, click here: http://www.islamawareness.net/Dua/Fortress/068.html

· Learn the special du’a that Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to recite during the last 10 nights of Ramadan:

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah: ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ He said: ‘Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.’ “(Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).

The transliteration of this Du’a is “Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee”

· Print out the Ramadan check list and distribute it to others. It is always a good idea to keep track of our daily ibadah progress so that we don’t slack especially during the middle of Ramadan. Anything measured improves, so measure your righteous deeds during these blessed days. I have attached a very useful checklist to this email. (Please note a slight edit that is required: 5th point: It is supposed to be performed all 12 Sunnah prayers (instead of 13))

· Check your heart: If we don’t humble our heart during this month of mercy, then when will we? Only a purified heart will be entered into Paradise. Let us stop making excuses and work on our heart for a change. Download your personal heart journal at www.heartwheeljournal.com and print it out.

· Read the Fiqh of Fasting. Unsure about some of the rulings regarding menstruation, taraweeh prayers, the things that nullify the fast and similar issues? If so, then read it up & remove your doubts before Ramadan. Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam- we cannot afford to be ignorant about it. Click here to have your questions answered: http://www.islamqa.com/en/cat/295

· Renew your intentions: Ask your self – What are my inner feelings for greeting this month? Am I sad because I wont be able to indulge in my desires; am I excited because I can do Ramadan -tent- hopping all night long; or am I delighted because – this is my chance to win Allah’s Pleasure, to be saved from the horrors of hellfire, and to have all my sins forgiven!? What are your thoughts and feelings in greeting Ramadan? Check your heart. Even though we may hide our feelings – even from our selves, Allah hears our deepest thoughts. Lets renew our intention now for surely, we are rewarded according to our intentions.

· Schedule a personal Ramadan plan: If you are overwhelmed with what to do, and what not to do during these precious days, then keep in mind these 5 key activities that should be in place:

o Fasting: i. Fasting of food/drink/sexual intercourse during the day

ii.Fasting of our tongue – i.e. fasting from lies/ill speech/backbiting and any speech that is hateful to Allah.

iii. Fasting of our eyes/ears/ limbs  -i.e. refrain from using them in any way that is displeasing to Allah

iv. Fasting of our heart – Keep our thoughts clean and our heart focused on seeking the pleasure of Allah

o Qiyaam: Stand in Qiyaam/Taraweeh during the blessed nights of Ramadan, and do NOT miss any of the 5 obligatory prayers.

o Quran: This month is our chance to devote and bond ourselves with the Words of Allah. Seize this opportunity to read, reflect and act upon the Quran.

o Suhoor: Do not leave this sweet sunnah. Our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Take Sahur as there is a blessing in it.”(agreed upon) .

o Iftar: Hasten to break your fast, and supplicate to Allah while doing so. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The people will continue to be in a good state of affairs as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.” (Agreed upon)

· Prepare/modify you *du’a list*. Craving for something that you do not have? Well, this is the month to ask for it! Write a du’a list for all that you desire – in this world and the hereafter.

Send this last minute measures list to others, and gain tons of ajr, insha’Allah!!

May we all be blessed with a truly memorable Ramadan- one that is the most beloved to Allah, ameen!

p.s- I’ve a ramadan checklist with me that you can print out and use during the month insha’Allah. pls leave a comment here and I’ll mail it you if you want

o

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Prisoner 650 – The Grey Lady Of Bagram

Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi Wabarakath,

As we went on with our daily comfortable lives, a Muslim Woman, a Sister, a Mother and a Wife, lay screaming on a prison floor in Bagram Bay, Afghanistan. She has been there for the past five years, brutally tortured, raped and psychologically abused by Soldiers who claim to come from a civilised Country, but in essence are actually animals. So much so, that she is now insane.

There are no special facilities for her, she is told to shower and use the toilet just like all the other Men do.

She is known as the Grey Lady of Bagram and now confirmed to be, Dr. Aaafia Siddiquie, a Pakistani Woman, neuroscientist, a Mother of three children who was imprisoned by American Soliders and shipped to Bagram Bay Prison in Afghanistan. A Prison that is known for its torture and harsh interrogation tactics. Her children have also been missing. She has been charged with connection to Al-Qaeda, shooting at officers and/or having bomb-making instructions. Charges which are absolutely ridiculous.

Other male prisoners in Bagram Bay have not seen her, but they have heard her chilling screams. Moazzem Baig, a former prisoner reported that after he heard her screams, he thought they were from his wife.

Ms. Ridley read the text from the book’s section covering Mr. Begg’s stay in Bagram, “I began to hear the chilling screams of a woman next door… Why have you got a woman next door? They told me there was no woman. But I was unconvinced. Those screams echoed through my worst nightmares for a long time. And I later learned in Guantanamo, from other prisoners, that they had heard the screams too.”

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=63032&sectionid=3510304

Subhan’Allah, how can even a so-called ‘Muslim’ government hand over a Woman to the US, who are known for their torture and abuse? And how can we as Muslims stay silent for so long on this matter?

During the time of Mutassim, a Caliph, when a Muslim Woman who was imprisoned cried out, and it was related to him, he sent a whole army to free her, and yet we stay silent while our Sisters are tortured in secret prisons.

Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki talks about her on his blog:

When some Jews dared to uncover a Muslim woman, it didn’t take long for the banners of the Muslim armies led by the Messenger himself to hover around their fortresses. They where defeated by the Muslim forces, and the entire Jewish Community, (not just the perpetrators) where driven out from Madina — all of them, down to the last man. This is how serious such a matter is.

Centuries later, a Muslim woman was taken prisoner by the Roman Army and called for help from the Abassid Khalifah of the time, al Mu’tasim. He immediately ordered a mobilization of forces and led those forces himself in an attack of Roman territory in response to the call of a single Muslim woman. The response to her plea from the Muslims of that time was the complete severance of diplomatic relations, and Declaration of War against the superpower of the time.

But today, no one knows or even seems to care about this woman who has disappeared into US custody for years.

http://www.anwar-alawlaki.com/2008/07/23/prisoner-650/

Aaafia was known to be very active in the Muslim Community. She distributed Qurans in Prisons and Schools in her stay in the US. She organised Dawah tables and wrote guides on how to teach Islam to others. She was described as being a kind Woman.

A Poem was dedicated to her:

A Glorious Dawn…A Better Day

To Dr.Afia Siddiqui – prisoner # 650 in American custody

Another dawn …another day,
Disgrace; insult is thrown our way;
Yet shamelessly on their golden perch
The spineless look Oh how they sway!

As if there is no Lord above,
They with the devil-hand in glove;
Selling our dearest values and souls,
For gold and power – push and shove!

This crime you saw they so denied,
To filthy scum they sold the bride;
Yet the mighty Creator seeing it all
Unveils the gruesome act they hide!

Amongst ravenous wolves the fair one lies,
As from brutish hands she helplessly flies;
A suffering sister sane no more,
Her anguished screams – they rent the skies.

And this is all the pride they boast?
Our tormentors they daily host;
Brothers with whom I shared the cup,
sadly how far apart today we coast!

When comes a ‘Qasim’ to stem this rot?
Of Allah and His Messenger forgot!
Of cheaply selling our heritage which,
With submission and sacrifice was dearly bought.

And yet the brave will go the way,
Afia! Our elders pray, the younger fight-
For a glorious dawn… a better day!

[Fawaz Siddiqui]

Allah Subhanna wa ta’ala says in the Qurán:

And what is the matter with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and for the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, “Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper”?

This is exactly what we should be asking ourselves. What is the matter with us that we sit silent when our brothers and sisters and brutally tortured. Especially our Sisters, our Mothers. Aaafia could have been any of us and it is our right and duty to help her in any way we can.

Allahumma fukka kayda asrana wa asral muslimeen!

Source: Reflections of a Muslimah

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Fasting in the month of Shawwal

The Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhee wasallam said “Whosoever fasted in Ramadan and then followed up with fasting six days of Shawwal, it is like fasting every day of his/her life.” (Muslim)

..it’s already the 16th of Shawwal. what are you waitin’ for ?

A letter to Allah

Ya Allah, Ya rab Al Alameen. Save me from the fitnah of this duniya, the evil around me, and the evil in myself. Please be by my side at all times, never abandon me..I need you every second of my life..You’re the ONE who knows me inside out..You know my intentions better than anyone else..You’re above everyone..Ya Rahman, Ya Wadud, Ya Khaliq, strenghten my emaan and grant me patience..Lots of love, your devoted slave,

A bint M bin Muhammad

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