What's Next After Ramadhan

lHamdulillahi Wa kafaa, was-Salatu was-salamu `alaa `ibaadihi-lladheena Stafaa
We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Qur'an, taqwa, patience, jihad, mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hellfire…
Have we fulfilled the requirements of taqwa and graduated from the Ramadan school with the diploma of the god-fearing.
Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations?
Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire?
Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Muslim, who asks and answers with truthfulness.

What Have We Gained From Ramadan?

Ramadan is a school of iman and a 'stop to recharge one's spiritual batteries' - to acquire one's provision for the rest of the year...

For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?

The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah 'azza Wa jall.

Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. Ar-Ra`d, 11

If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against you soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.

Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it... Have you seen one who sewed a shirt or thawb, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person?! Or have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned, dirham by dirham. What would people say about such a person?!

This is the condition of one who returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favored with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze of sins and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan!

My dear ones,

Falling short in one's commitment to Islam after Ramadan is manifested in many ways, including:

1 – Men leaving the five prayers in congregation, after they filled mosques for Taraweeh prayers, thus going to the masjid for recommended prayers and leaving obligatory ones.

2 – Return to musical entertainment, forbidden films, women displaying their adornment beyond that which ordinarily appears thereof, free mixing etc.

This is not thankfulness for blessings and favors, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one's actions, rather this is opposition to favors and absence of thankfulness.

These are from signs of one's deeds not being accepted – and Allah's refuge is sought – for one who truly fasts rejoices on the occasion of `eid, praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast, and remains fearful that Allah may not accept his fasting, just as the Salaf would continue asking for acceptance of their actions in Ramadan for six months after it.

From signs that one's deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his or her obedience to Allah `azza Wa jall.

And remember when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]… Ibrahim, 7

Increase you in good, faith and righteous actions. So if the servant is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and distanced from sinfulness. Thankfulness is leaving sins, as the early Muslims said.

And worship your Lord until there comes you to the certainty [I.e. Death]. Al-Hijr, 99

The Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience of Allah, firm upon His Sharee`ah, steadfast upon His Deen, so that he or she is not of those who worship Allah only during one month or only in one place. Rather, the believer knows that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of other months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places, so he is steadfast upon the Sharee`ah of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him. Allah at`Ala said,

So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah]. Hud, 112

So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness. Fussilat, 6

And the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi Wa sallam, said,Say 'I believe in Allah', then be steadfast. Muslim

-- If the fasting in Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary fasting, such as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mondays and Thursdays, the three days in the middle of the month, the days of `Aashoora and `Arafat, and others.

-- If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year.

They used to sleep but little of the night. Adh-Dhaariyaat, 17

-- If the charity in Ramadan and zakat ul-fitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other open doors to charity, voluntary actions and jihad.

-- Reading of the Qur'an and contemplating it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times.

Righteous actions are for all times and all places, so strive – O my brother and sister – and beware of laziness. And remember that it is not allowed for us to leave the obligatory actions or delay them, such as the five daily prayers on time, in congregation etc.

And do not fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to what is forbidden.

Be steadfast and upright upon the Deen of Allah at all times, for you do not know when you'll meet the Angel of Death. Beware of him taking you while you are in a state of sin. “O Allah, Who turns the hearts, keep our hearts steadfast upon Your Deen.”

I ask Allah to accept from us and you our fasting, our prayers and other righteous actions, that our condition after Ramadan be a better one, that the state of our Ummah improves, that we are granted honour and that we truly turn to our Lord…Ameen

Source:http://missionislam.com

Graduating after Ramzan

We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Quran, taqwa, patience, struggle, mercy, forgiveness and protection from punishment on the day of judgment.

Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the mind of the sincere Muslim, who self reflects with truthfulness.

Have we fulfilled the requirements of taqwa and graduated from Ramadan school with the diploma of God-consciousness?

Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations?

Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from chastisement?

What Have We Gained From Ramadan?

Ramadan is a school for strengthening iman (faith), an opportunity to recharge one's spiritual batteries and to acquire one's provision for the rest of the year.

The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we train our inner self to change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Laws of Allah. "Verily, God does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves." (Quran 13:11)

If you have fulfilled the requirements of taqwa (God-consciousness), fasted the month, prayed in it with sincerity, and strove against your soul, praised and thanked Allah for all His blessings, and asked Him for steadfastness then you have benefited from Ramadan.

After the end of this blessed month, to revert back to habits of before Ramadan would be like one who stitches a beautiful garment and then deliberately destroys it. Or a person who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned. What would people say about such a person?

This is the condition of one who returns to ill habits after Ramadan and leaves righteous actions. After he was favored with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to ignorant actions. How deprived are the people who know God only in Ramadan!

Falling short in one's commitment to Islam after Ramadan is manifested in many ways, including: Leaving the compulsory prayers, after they filled mosques for Taraweeh prayers, thus going to the masjid for recommended prayers and leaving obligatory ones, and a return to a life of material and social indulgence without God-consciousness.

This is not thankfulness for blessings and favors, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one's actions, rather this is opposition to favors and absence of thankfulness.

From signs that one's deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his or her obedience to Allah. "And remember when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]" [Quran 14:7]. So if a person is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and distanced from actions that are disliked by God.

A Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience and God-consciousness. A believer knows that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of all times and places.

"So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah]." [Quran 11:112]

Continue Fasting

-- If the fasting in Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary fasting, such as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mondays and Thursdays, the three days in the middle of the month, the days of Aashoora and Arafat, and others.

Continue Prayers

-- If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year.

Continue Charity

-- If Zakat, charity and zakat ul-fitr of Ramadan have ended, then there is the option of sadaqa, and many other doors to charity and voluntary actions still remain open.

Continue Quran

-- Reading of the Quran and understanding it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times.

Continue Good Deeds

-- The requirement of showing forgiveness and compassion to people does not end with Ramadan. Know that Allah is the most forgiving and companionate and loves all who are forgiving and companionate.

Righteous actions are for all times and all places, so strive and beware of laziness.

"O Allah, Who turns the hearts, keep our hearts steadfast upon Your prescribed path."

I ask Allah to accept from us and you our fasting, our prayers and other righteous actions, that our condition after Ramadan be a better one, that the state of our humanity improves, that we are granted honor and that we truly submit to our Lord. Ameen

Narrated Abu Huraira
Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam forbade to observe fast on these two days. 'Id-ul-Adha and 'Id-ul-Fitr.
Muslim 2534

The search for Laylatul Qadr is not yet over!!!
It could be tonight 29th Shab
Brothers and sisters spend ur night in worshipping Allah.

Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam ordered Muslims to give 1 Sa of dates or 1 Sa of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr.
Bukhari 583
1 Sa = 3 kg approx

Asking for Forgiveness!!!

"My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, so forgive me. Then He forgave him. Verily, He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
Quran 28.16
Surah Al-Qasas

A beautiful woman who wanted to get married!!!

There was this beautiful woman, who wanted to get married, but she wanted a very pious husband, so she said that she’ll marry the man
1. who recites the whole Quran every single day,
2. fasts for the whole year and
3. stays awake and worships Allah all throughout the night.

She was a very beautiful woman, and a lot of suitors wanted to marry her, but they knew they couldn’t fulfil the conditions she set. Until this one man stepped forward and said he could fulfil them. So the Imam got both of them married. After the first night of the marriage, the wife sees that the husband doesn’t recite the whole of the Quran, nor does he fast, nor does he stay awake in the worship of Allah, she decided to let it roll on for a few weeks to see if there were any changes, there weren’t, so she filed a complaint and asked for a divorce.

They are both taken in front of the judge, and the judge asked, ‘What were the conditions of the marriage?’ the man replied ‘They were for me to recite the whole Quran daily, keep fast for the whole year and to worship Allah all throughout the night.’ The Judge asked, ‘ did you fulfil them? The man calmly answered, ‘…yes.’ The judge answers, ‘you lie, your wife has said that you don’t, that’s why she’s asking for a divorce’.

1: But the man insisted that he had fulfilled the conditions, so the judge asked, ‘did you recite the full Quran everyday?’ The man answered yes. The Judge, baffled asked, ‘how? How can you do that?’ The man coolly answered, ‘I recite Surah Ikhlas three times a day and according to Prophet MuHammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), reciting Surah Ikhlas three times is equivalent to reciting the whole Quran.’

2: The Judge was intrigued, so he asked, ‘how did you fast the whole year?’ The man answered, ‘ I fasted for the whole month of Ramadan, then kept another six fasts in the month of Shawwal, according to Prophet MuHammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), keeping all of the fast of Ramadan then keeping six fasts in the month of Shawwal, is as if you have fasted for the whole year.’

3: The Judge remained silent, he couldn’t give a reply saying the man was wrong, so finally he asked, ‘ how did you stay awake all night and worship Allah, when your wife saw you sleeping?’ The Judge thought the man wouldn’t be able to answer this one, but the man, cool as a cucumber answered, ‘I prayed Salatul Isha with jamaat, then the next day prayed Salatul Fajr with jamaat, according to Prophet MuHammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), the one who prays Salatul Isha and Salatul Fajr with jamaat, it is as if he had stayed up all night worshipping Allaah.’

The Judge sat there looking at the man; the final verdict was about to be released… He said to the man and his wife, ‘…go, just go, there is nothing wrong with this marriage’… (:

"He is Allah, the Creator, the Originator, The Fashioner, to Him belong the most beautiful names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, do declare His praises and glory. And He is the Exalted in Might, The Wise.
Quran 59:24

"Shaitan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from As-Salat (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?
Quran 5.91
Surah Al-Maeda

Verily, your Wali (Protector or Helper) is none other than Allah, His Messenger, and the believers, those who perform As-Salat and give zakat, and they are Rakiun (those who bow down or submit themselves with obedience to Allah in prayer).
Quran 5.55
Surah Al-Maeda

"Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salat (the prayer), they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little."
Quran 4.142
Our Salah.
Is it like hypocrite?

Beautiful Dua for Muslimah

O Allah! Please grant me the one
Who will... be the garment for my soul
Who will satisfy half of my deen
And in doing so make me whole

Make him righteous and on your path
In all he'll do and say
And sprinkle water on me at Fajr
Reminding me to pray

May he earn from halal sources
And spend within his means
May he seek Allah's guidance always
To fulfill all his dreams

May he always refer to Qur'an
and the Sunnah as his moral guide
May he thank and appreciate Allah
For the woman at his side

May he be conscious of his anger
And often fast and pray
Be charitable and sensitive
In every possible way

May he honor and protect me
And guide me in this life
And please Allah! Make me worthy
to be his loving wife

And finally, O Allah!
Make him abundant in love and laughter
In taqwa and sincerity
In striving for the hereafter!

Ameen!!!

Salat (Prayer)

"When you have finished Salat (prayer - congregational), remember Allah standing, sitting down, and (lying down) on your sides."
Quran 4.103

Condition

"Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls)."
Quran 13.11
Surah Al-Rad

Beware of OverEating

By Shaykh Saalih ibn al-Fawzaan
An explanation of a hadeeth on the adab of eating.  A look into the harms that can arise from overeating and how it can effect a person’s religion and health

Thus, it is incumbent upon an individual to take heed of this prophetic moral and to not be excessive when it comes to eating or his desires. In addition to this, if a person reaches a point where he is extremely greedy regarding food then it is likely that the halaal will not suffice him, hence he will set out seeking the haraam so he can fulfill his (evil) cravings.



In the name of Allaah, the Most Beneficent, Bestower of Mercy,
Hadeeth #1476: On the authority of al-Miqdaam ibn Ma'deekarib, radiyallaahu 'anhu, who said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "No child of Aadam ever filled a vessel more destructive than his stomach."1



Explanation:

In this hadeeth is a prohibition from eating to one's fill and indulging excessively in the luxuries of the worldy-life. The Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "No child of Aadam ever filled a vessel more destructive than his stomach." That is because if he fills his stomach it will harm him tremendously with regards to his religion and his health.

With regards to his religion: It will hinder him from the obedience of Allaah and cause him to be sluggish concerning the performance of acts of worship. It will also make him burdensome (upon himself) and inclined towards sleep. It will have a negative effect upon his heart and afflict it with laziness, obscurity, lack of attention and incompetence.

With regards to his health: The doctors have mentioned that overeating inherits many diseases. Likewise when a person always fills himself with food it urges him to behave and act barbaric and arrogantly. However if he is hungry then this will more likely prompt him to behave humbly and passively.

If he reduces his intake of food and drink, this will motivate him to be lenient and meek. On the other hand if he stuffs himself, this will incite him to act viciously, recklessly, haughty and cause him to chase after (his) evil desires. Every time he desires something he goes, gets and eats it. Nothing concerns him except his stomach and evil desires. This is something reprehensible and it (overeating) brings about many chronic diseases. It could well bring about a disease that could kill him; all due to overeating.

Therefore, eating to one's fill is detrimental to a person’s religion, worldly-life and health. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Sufficient for the son of Aadam are some morsels to keep his back straight. But if it is a must, then one-third for his food, one-third for his drink and one-third for air.” [This is the rest of the hadeeth of al-Miqdaam, radiyallaahu 'anhu]

The Shaykh continues: So if he were to fill his whole stomach and not leave any space for drink nor air then this is very harmful as the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "No child of Aadam ever filled a vessel more destructive than his stomach."

Thus, it is incumbent upon an individual to take heed of this prophetic moral and to not be excessive when it comes to eating or his desires. In addition to this, if a person reaches a point where he is extremely greedy regarding food then it is likely that the halaal will not suffice him, hence he will set out seeking the haraam so he can fulfill his (evil) cravings.

So in filling one's stomach (i.e. eating to one's fill) there are many harms and evils that stem from it. So it's a must that one decreases his consumption of food even if he desires it, as the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, place a third for (each) his food, drink and air. This is what the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) advised us with (i.e. eating in this manner).



Footnotes:

1  [At-Tirmithee (2317) Declared saheeh by al- Albaanee] - The hadeeth in Bulooghul-Maraam is not in its totality. The complete hadeeth can be found in ibn Maajah (#3349).

Taken from: Tasheel al-Imaam bifiqhi lil-Ahaadith min Buloogh il- Maraam  (Shaykh Saalih Fawzaan's explanation of Bulooghul-Maraam)

Translator: Abu Fouzaan Qaasim

Sunnah of wearing & removing Shoes

Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said,"If u want to put on ur shoes, put on the right shoe first & if u want to take them off, take the left one first."
Bukhari 747

Prayer(Namaz)

"Guard strictly As-Salat (the prayers) especially the middle Salat (i.e Asr) and stand before Allah with obedience."
Quran 2.238
Surah Baqarah

"O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat(the Prayer).Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirun(the patient ones)."
Quran 2.153
"Aye imaanwalo musibat ke waqt sabr aur namaz ke zariye se Allah se madad maango beshak Allah sabr karnewaalon ka hi sathi hai."
Quran 2.153

Praying in Congregration(Jamaat)

Narrated by Abu Huraira (Radhiallaho anho):

Allah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam)said, "If the people knew what is the reward of making the call (for the prayer) and (of being in) the first row (in the prayer), and if they found no other way to get this privilege except by casting lots, they would certainly cast lots for it.

If they knew the reward of the noon prayer, they would race for it, and

if they knew the reward of the morning ( i.e. Fajr) and Isha prayers, they would present themselves for the prayer even if they had to crawl to reach there. (Sahih Al-Bukhari)           

Quran 2.142

"Say, O Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam "To Allah belong both, east and west. He guides whom He wills to a Straight Way."
Quran 2.142