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Friday Talks |
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Friday Talks |
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110 |
What type of Ramadan is yours?
Written by: Sk. Omar KAdrawi
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
29 Shaban 1430 h
21 August 2009 ad
All thanks be to Allah. We seek His help, we seek His forgiveness. And we seek protection through Allah from the evil within ourselves, and from our bad deeds. This who is guided by Allah, nothing shall misguide him. And whoever is misguided by Allah; there shall be no guidance for him. I testify that there is no God but Allah, the only, with no associates, and I testify that Muhammad (PPBU) is His slave and messenger.
Allah says: {You who believe, fear Allah the fear He deserves. And do not die except as Muslims}3.102.
Allah also says: {O People, fear your Lord who created you from a single soul; and from it He created its spouse, and from them both He spread many men and women. And Fear Allah through whom you are questioned and the blood relations. Surely Allah is ever an All Watcher over you.} 4-01
Allah also says: {O you who believe, Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak appropriately. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His messenger then he has won glorious winnings.}33-70,71
The most truthful of all is the Book of Allah. And the best guidance is that of Mohammad (PPBU), and the most evil of all events are the innovated, and each innovation is a trend, and every trend is deviation, and all deviations are in Hellfire.
Dear Muslims, in the not so distant past, from this place we talked about getting ready for Ramadan and how to welcome the holy month. And about the opportunity of Ramadan, and we hoped that we would be successful. We promised ourselves before Ramadan with a right return and a true repentance.
What type of Ramadan is our Ramadan this year? Is it the Ramadan of those who are lazy and those who postpone and keep saying "I will . . I will do"? or is it the Ramadan of stepping up the gear and the diligence? Is it the Ramadan of repentance or the Ramadan of misery? Is it the Ramadan of mercy or resentment?
Well Ramadan is here and its crescent has appeared. Ramadan the Godly gift, and the present from Allah; who says in His book: {The month of Ramadan in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for guidance and criterion. So whoever of you sights the start of the month then let them fast. And whoever is ill or on a journey, then the same number of days as replacement. Allah intends for you ease and for you He does not want difficulties. And you must complete the number of days, and you must glorify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.}2-185.
Ramadan is a month that has one night within it that is worth a thousand other months. Ramadan is the most honored of all months. Ramadan is one of the next life's opportunities, which carries within it forgiveness of sins, and clearing of offences. This opportunity carries within it the eternal happiness of mankind. Where are the takers?
Ramadan is the school in which Muslims learn, and the worshipers become civilized. Ramadan comes with blessings and mercies. Ramadan is truly a welcomed visitor.
The messenger (PPBU) said: {when Ramadan starts, the gates of Paradise are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed, and Satans are chained.}
He was also reported saying: {On the first night of Ramadan, Satans are chained, and Jin are tied-back, the gates of Hell are closed, not one door is left open, and an announcement is called: You who seek good, come along, and you who seek evil hold back. And Allah has many who are set free from Hell fire. And that happens each night of the month}
The messenger (PPBU) also said: {whoever fasts Ramadan in faith and expectation, then all his/her previous sins are forgiven}.
The messenger (PPBU) also said: {The five daily prayers, and from a Friday to the next Friday, and from one Ramadan to the next. These are cleansers of what occurs between them; as long as the major sins are no committed}.
The messenger (PPBU) also said: {The sins of man in his people, and his money and his neighbours are cleared by prayers, fasting and charity}.
The messenger (PPBU) also said: {Every Muslim has an answered prayer if he/she says it during Ramadan}.
The messenger (PPBU) also said: {There are three whose prayers or invocation (Dua'a) are not denied: One who fasts until he/she breaks the fast, and one who is a just leader, and the prayer of one who was wronged or oppressed}.
Any month with all these virtues and nobleness is worth to be given attention. Have you prepared yourself to take advantage of it? The messenger (PPBU) used to give the good news to his companions about approaching Ramadan. He did this in order to encourage them and recharge their resolution, and to precondition their souls; all in order to deal well with Ramadan. And in order for the opportunity is not to be missed. One of the companions was reported saying (Ebn-Al-Fadl) that they used to pray to Allah six months earlier so He would allow them to make alive to Ramadan, and they used to pray the following six months in order that Allah would accept their deeds during Ramadan. And Ebn-Katheer used to say the following prayer: "O Allah, make me good so I would make it to Ramadan, and make Ramadan good for me, and receive it from me with acceptance".
When people meet Ramadan there are those who welcome it with happiness. And that is the case of the faithful. Allah says: {O mankind, There has come to you an advice from your Lord, and a healing for what's in the chests, guidance and mercy for the believers. Say: In the bounty of Allah, and in His mercy therein let them rejoice. That is better than what they accumulate}10-57,58.
And there is another type of people, and may Allah protect you from belonging to that kind, who know not their God except during the month of Ramadan. They only pray and recite the Koran during this month. This is a form of false repentance. And another heartbreaking group of people who meet Ramadan with great discomfort, unease and weariness, on the basis that it is a month of starving during the day and glutton and over feeding at night. Some disobedient people see Ramadan to be limiting to their desires and lusts. One can only wonder how comes that people grumble about the month of the mercy and satisfaction of Allah.
Dear Muslim, one of Allah's mercies upon you is that He extended your life and allowed you get the benefits of this great month. Give thanks to Allah just for allowing you to live to Ramadan. Many who hoped and wanted to make it; were surprised by death; and did not make it to Ramadan.
One never knows if they will make it to next Ramadan in health, or in safety and security in person, or in family or in money. Some fast one Ramadan in full health, and the following Ramadan they are bedridden in sickness. If you live in security and you are settled in peace, comfort and freedom, think of those who fast and break their fasting as prisoners or refugees or exiled or fighting a war or fighting for their faith. Imagine yourself hungry, expelled, homeless or hunted suffering the pains of a siege or a blockade just as is happening to the Palestinians.
Ramadan is the month when you should feel for your fellow Muslims. A Muslim when fasting must feel for other brother Muslims everywhere. When you feel hungry during fasting, then think of the thousands of hungry people who await for a bite to eat. Is there any who is willing to provide a bite? And when one who is fasting feels the thirst should remember the thousands who await a drop of water. Is there any who is willing to provide a drink of water? And when he/she get dressed should remember the thousands with nothing to wear. Anyone is willing to provide cloths? Give thanks to Allah who gave you freedom, security, food, water and clothes during fasting, while others are denied the food to eat, and the clothes to wear. Give thanks to Allah for all His mercies.
A'esha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "The messenger (PPBU) used to be more active during Ramadan than any other month."
The messenger (PPBU) said: {The best prayer after the compulsory prayers is a prayer at night}. And he also said: {this that stays up Ramadan in prayers in faith and expectation then all his/her previous sins are forgiven}
The act of night prayers during Ramadan is a recommended act. Every Muslim should ensure to do Taraweeh prayers. The messenger (PPBU) said: {whoever remains to do prayers with his/her Imam until the Imam leaves, then a full night praying is written for them}. In other words, one does an hour's prayers and it counts for a full night.
Let us not forget that attention is given first to the compulsory prayers in jama'a or group at a Mosque. Allah loves for us to get closer to Him through the compulsory acts of worship. Do not forget about the compulsory acts and concentrate on the recommended or optional acts.
Why not during this month try the pleasure of the Koran? and the pleasure of the supplication or dua'a? Why not try the time of Sahoor (just before dawn) and the time of sleep? Remember that Allah descends down in the last third of the night offering His mercies. Why don't we expose our selves to this Godly breeze and catch those mercies.
What a loss it is for those who miss this, and those who are misled and distracted; during the last part of the night and the time when Allah descends. Those who are distracted by playing, messing and watching the TV channels listening and watching what is unacceptable. What a waste for those slaves.
Let this be the start of the end to everything that takes you away from Allah. And the end to every thing that brings Allah's dissatisfaction and anger. Let it be the beginning of the true move towards doing good, and towards pleasing of the Lord of the Heavens and the earth.
The messenger (PPBU) stood at the Menber and said: "Amen Amen Amen"; three times. He was asked later why he said amen three times. He said: {Gabrael (PBU) came and said: whoever witnesses the month of Ramadan (meaning: be alive for the month) and does not get forgiveness, and goes into Hellfire, Allah Has put him at a distance, say Amen, so I said: Amen}
Brothers and sisters, waste no time to repent before it is too late, and when no one, nothing and no money can bail you out. Have the intention, and build your determination and be assertive, and show Allah something He likes from you. Don't keep saying I will, I will. Now, is the time to act if you are serious; and if you are ready. This is the time for returning to Allah; and this is the time of mercy from Allah. Hurry and repent before the door is closed for you. Don't be with those who gain no forgiveness when Ramadan is over and done. The inelegant one is this who looks at his state; thinks of all his faults; and fixes himself before death shocks him. That is when no more deeds can be done. That is before he is transferred to the other life of judgment.
May Allah make our fasting true and accepted. And may Allah make us fast the days of Ramadan and pray its nights in faith and expectation for His reward. We ask Him to make us winners of the full reward, and make us witnesses of the night of Qadr. Amen.
Notes:
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Adhan - The call to prayer.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God. Aya (or Ayah):
is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day. Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help. Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."
Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.
Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.
Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
Faheem Bukhatwa, my email
address is : faheemfb@gmail.com
