Virtues of Fasting

Alhumdulillah

‘Siyaam’ in Arabic means abstaining; in Islam it means abstaining from things that break the fast, from dawn until sunset, having first made the intention (niyyah) to fast.

Abu Hurairah related that the prophet sal Allahu alaihi wassalam said the person who fasts ramadaan with eeman (faith) and hope for its reward will have all his previous sins forgiven (Mutafaqqun alay)

The prophet sal Allahu alaihi wassalam said, 5 daily prayers, one jumuah to another and one ramadaan to another ramadaan is a kaffarah for all sins if a person has stayed away from major sins. (Muslim)

If someone cannot utilize this opportunity and have his sins forgiven, then he is a very unfortunate and stupid person.

Anas bin Malik said the prophet sal Allahu alaihi wassalam said there is in this month a night that is better than 1000 month.

Anas bin Malik said the prophet sal Allahu alaihi wassalam said, o people, ramadaan is here, in this great month the gates of janaah are opened and the gates of hellfire are closed. And in this month, the shayateen are chained.

At the breaking of every fast, Allaah will choose people to free from Hellfire. (Reported by Ahmad, 5/256; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/419).

There is a gate in Jannah called ‘Ar Rayyan’ through which all the muslims who fast will enter inshaAllah

The prophet sal Allahu alaihi wassalam said, The smell that comes from the mouth of a fasting person is better with Allaah than the scent of musk. (Muslim, 2/807).

And Allah knows best

Ramadaan – 2

Alhumdulillah.

Allah has created His slaves to worship Him, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “And we (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except that they should worship Me (Alone).” [al-Dhaariyaat 51:56]

One of the greatest acts of worship is fasting, which Allah has made obligatory on His slaves, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“… Observing al-sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become al-muttaqoon (the pious).” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

Allah is our creator and has created all things in the entire universe and all the heavens and earths. Allah created all mankind and chose from it the best of creation Muhammad sal Allahu alaihi wassalam. Allah created all days the same and chose for us Jumuah to be special. Allah created all nights the same and chose from them Layl at tul Qadr to be special. Allah is the creator of all things and it is up to him to designate some as special – special in what way? in the reward therein. Likewise, Allah created all months equal and chose Ramadaan to be special.

Allah has by His grace and mercy giving us another opportunity to welcome and benefit from Ramadaan. Otherwise there are so many of our Muslim brothers and sisters who were with us last year but are not with us this year. So we pray Allah to give us life until Ramadaan and pray Allah that we can benefit the maximum from Ramadaan.

From the Arabic word ‘Ramad’ meaning the heat or loo coming out from hot rocks and stones. Named such as the month was very hot in the Arabian summer.

Allah says Ramadaan is that holy month in which the Quran was revealed.
      “The month of Ramadan in which was sent down the Qur’an, a guidance to mankind and clear proof of that guidance and the standard (for distinguishing between right and wrong); whosoever of you witnesses the month should fast it.” (2:185)

Ramadaan is also the month of Jihad – The great battle of Badr, the Conquest of Makkah were all fought in the month of Ramadaan.

Narrated by Ibn Umar (Radhiallaho anho):
Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam)said, Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):
To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is Allah’s Apostle.
To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and
perfectly.
To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity).
To perform Hajj.
To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol. 1 : No. 7

And Allah knows best

Is Muslim blood cheap?

Assalamu alaikum

Alhumdulillah – all praise and thanks are ONLY due to Allah subhana wa taala

Over the past week or so, the Indian army, paramilitary and police have killed over 48 muslims in Kashmir. These were largely stone throwing muslims expressing their frustration and anger. The forces used live ammo against the crowds resulting in the deaths.

While all this was happening, the Indian parliament in New Delhi was debating price rise (inflation) and a corruption scandal of the upcoming Common Wealth Games.

Makes one wonder – has Muslim blood become so cheap?