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she; after Ramadan should not be the same as they were before Ramadan. Then they become regretful and sorry. This questioning and accounting time is necessary so you would know where you stand. Know where you are? And what benefits you’ve obtained from your fasting and your Qeyam (night) prayers. What Allah Has intended for you by imposing fasting which means God fearing? Has it materialized or has it happened? If after this evaluation stance; you find that you have done well in the already gone by then give thanks to Allah for His grace on to you; for guiding you to success. Continue the hard work and diligence; up to the last night of the month. Remember the value of deeds are measured by the final parts of the deeds.

If after this evaluation stance you see shortcomings; or neglect on your part then you should know that there is still a chance in what is left of Ramadan. A chance to make up or compensate all the loss on days that are gone. We may also be lucky and may encounter the night of Qadr. Abu- Thur said: “When three days of the month are left, the messenger ppbu gathered his people and wives and started a Qiam prayer until we were worried that we were going to miss sahoor (Pre-Fajr meal)”.

Slaves of Allah, at the final stage of this month; Allah Has indorsed for us three forms of majestic worships; which complement and supplement God’s mercy upon us during the month of Ramadan. Those worships are: Fitr Zakah (End of Ramadan alms or charity). Takbeer (Glorification of Allah). Eid prayer.

Fitr Zakah is compulsory for every Muslim, sane (or mentally stable) and financially capable. He who is normally the principal supporter in a family must pay Zakah. The messenger ppbu imposed that Fitr zakah should be a measure known as Saa (صاع) of dates or barley for each and every Muslim; free or slave, male or female, old or young. The idea of imposing Fitr Zakah is explained by scholars as it being food for the needy, and cleansing for those who are fasting and thanks giving to Allah the Lord of the worlds. The exact amount of Fitr Zakah is the measure of Saa of the food. The scholars recommended that food is given of that which is normally consumed by people in that particular country. If the normally consumed food is rice then rice is to be donated. If wheat is the common consumed food then wheat is donated. A measure of Saa is (4 times-both-hands-fills); and is equivalent in weight to approximately 2.035 kg; some scholars said it is 3 kg.

The worship of Takbeer (Glorification of Allah) came as a command from Allah as He says in the Quran: {**(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must Glorify Allah [or say Takbeer] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him} 2:185. Meaning He guided you to doing fasting and night prayers and many more of the good deeds during this month. Takbeer is a form of giving thanks to Allah for the guidance and for the benefits achieved during this month. You Muslims do a lot of takbeer, starting at sun set of the night of Eid (last day of Ramadan) up to the time of Eid prayer; and say:

Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar, La Elah Ella Allah

(Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, no other God but Allah)

Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar, wa Lil Allah el-hamd

(Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, all thanks be to Allah)

Say that vocally in the mosques and in the homes.

Eid salah worship:

Eid prayer was commanded by the messenger ppbu to be done by all men and women. Even those women who have their period should be present but they do not need to participate in the actual prayer itself.

It is Sunnah (customary) that before Eid salah is to have a shower, and put the best outfit of clothing, and for men to wear some fragrant. Women should come out without makeup and with no fragrant. However, they may wear fragrant in their homes.

It is Sunnah (customary) on the day of Eid that before leaving the home; a person should eat an odd number of dates 3, 5, or 7 etc. Whoever misses Eid prayer then should pray two rakas.

Dear Muslims, next to the three worships: Zakah, Takbeer and Eid prayer; there is a forth worship is recommended to complement and finalise fasting, that is: asking Allah for forgiveness, and plenty of it.

Asking for forgiveness is a followed costume of the prophet in most worships. It is used at the end of every one of the daily prayers, and at the end of Hajj. Asking for forgiveness at the end of fasting will be aimed at some of the shortcomings or deficiencies, which may have occurred with some of the deeds of obedience. or aimed towards committing some of the bad deeds warned against such as backbiting and other similar bad deeds.



Notes:

Adhan - The call to prayer.

Ahmad (Ahmed)- Another name for the messenger Muhammad (PPBU).

Allah - The Arabic word for "god." It is often used as a name for God in Islam.

Ansar (or Al-Ansar): 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.

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.

Aya (or Ayah): is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.

Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat): 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.

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.

Duaa: a prayer in the form of talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.

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