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Friday Talks |
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Friday Talks |
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113 |
The Last Friday in Ramadan
Written by: Sk. Omar Khadrawi
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
29 Ramadan 1430 h
18 September 2009 ad
Slaves of Allah, it seems like only yesterday that we were exchanging messages of congratulations regarding the start of the holy month of Ramadan. And here we are saying good bye to it. This Friday is the last Friday in this holy month. Praise be to Allah who manages the months, the years, the days and the nights. And praise be to Him who decreed that everything else must come to an end while He is the ever living who never dies. So many people were hoping to witness this month of Ramadan but death prevented them from doing so. And also so many who witnessed the month of Ramadan but they did not give it its proper value or status. They spent their nights doing what is forbidden or doing acts which are not recommended, and spent the days asleep oblivious to remembering and reciting and all other acts of obedience. They reached the ultimate in squandering the most valuable of times. Do those who have wasted this great season know that it may be possible that they will be dead when next Ramadan comes round? Allah says: {and when death comes unto one of them, he says: My Lord send me back, that I may do a right in that which I have left behind. But No, it is a word that He speaks, and behind them there is a barrier until the day they are resurrected} 23:99-100. After death, when the wasters or squanderers see all the regrets that they have wasted, they say: "Our Lord send us back in the first life, we shall actively do good deeds like prayers, fasting and give to charity. We shall waste not any thing ever". Will they be allowed to return? By the Almighty, they are stuck in a life behind a barrier, either in a garden from the gardens of Paradise, or in hole from Hell. If those who are dead can only speak, they would say to the living: "get your supplies for the next life, and the best supply you can get is God fearing".
I advice you and my self to take opportunity of the few hours left of this month. There is very little left of it. Be active may Allah bless you. Put your hands up to Allah and make supplication (or Duaa) in sincerity. You may just be lucky and make duaa (say a pryaer) in an hour-of-answer which will lead to your happiness in this life and next.
Ramadan is about to finish and leave. A few hours are left and its page is about to be turned, and its market with all its rich offers is about to close. And those who won have won, and those who lost have lost. Make an advantage of what is left of it. Speed up towards doing good deeds, and grab what you can of advantages and deeds which get you closer to Allah.
Brothers in Islam, many people have tears in their eyes as they say good bye to Ramadan not knowing if they will be amongst the living when next Ramadan comes round. And why not when it is the season where the mercy comes down from the Lord of the worlds. Ramadan is the month of fasting and prayers, and the month of love and friendliness, the month of mercy and forgiveness, the month of blessings and clarity of the chest, the month of asking Allah, the month of cries in fear of Allah. So many people, who were disobedient, have returned to Allah during this month. In addition, So many people were distend to Hell fire, Allah have pardoned them and granted them a guarantee from being touched by fire. We ask Allah to make you and us amongst those He pardoned from Hell fire.
Dear Muslims, Ramadan reminds us of how generous the messenger of Allah was (ppbu). He was the most generous of all people. And he was most generous during the month of Ramadan. We ought to take his example in every aspect of our life. His life is the beacon, which can lead the nation away from all the wrongs, from deviation, and from all turmoil. The nation is in dire need to know and learn from the life of our messenger (ppbu). It is at those critical times that the love for the messenger (ppbu) should live within our hearts, and following his example in our deeds and our direction. Allah says: {Verily in the messenger of Allah you have a good example for him who hopes for Allah and the Day after, and remembers Allah much.} 33:21.
Dear Muslims, Allah has decreed for you at the end of this month to give a charity called Zakat-El-Fitr or the charity of fast breaking. It is to be a sign of thank giving to Allah, and a reason to clear all sins and wrong deeds, and it is a mean of receiving greater blessings from Allah. This zakat is a feed to the poor, and a form of compensation to them. It is an obligation on each Muslim to be given from the surplus of his daily need of food, on his behalf and on behalf of those, he/she cares for, young or old, male or female. In this country, it is estimated at seven Euros per person. The messenger (ppbu) said: {Make them not needing to ask on this day}. And remember what Allah says: {You will not attain piety until you spend of that which you love.} 3:92.
Slaves of Allah, the best time to give this Zakat-el-Fitr or donation is after sun down of the last night of Ramadan or the night of Eid. It is permissible to give it out a day or two before that, or even longer than that. However, is not acceptable to delay it until after the Eid prayer. This Zakat can only be given to eight types of people of those who deserve it. In addition, the most deserving of them are: the poor and the destitute.
Slaves of Allah, in what is left of this holy month, any of you who have done wrong, let them repent to Allah a true repentance. Also, keep the mosques alive by attending Friday prayers, and maintaining your daily prayers and other acts of obedience. And remember that the messenger (ppbu) said: {whoever fasts Ramadan, then follows it by fasting six days in the month of Shawal is like he/she has fasted eternity}.
It is of Allah's blessings upon us that He permitted us other acts of worship at the end of this month. Some of that is glorifying Allah through doing Takbeer or saying (Allah Akbar) which can be done at the night of Eid up until the Eid prayer. And it is in this form: Allah is the greatest, and Thanks be to Allah (Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar, wa Lil-Allah ul-hamd). This can be done at mosques, homes, markets and streets. Men can say it aloud and women should say it quietly. This sunnah has died in many Muslim societies.
Allah, make us amongst those you have accepted, and do not turn us back in disappointment, and make good deeds be the last of what we do in this life. Allah, blesses us with the Koran, and makes us benefit by what it contains. Allah, forgive us and forgive all Muslims from all sins. Slaves of Allah, Allah commands you to do justice, and to perfect everything you do and commands you to take care of those related to you.
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
