10 Points for Excelling in Ramadaan !

Remember that you will never be too ready for the month of Ramadaan. No matter how much you try and how much you think you have done, Ramadaan deserves much more, so always remember that you are never too ready for the month of Ramadaan. 

Ramadaan is an annual opportunity to review our goals in life. We adjust our schedules and know we will spend longer hours in the Masajid and exhausted during the days. It is an exclusive opportunity for Muslims every year. As Muslims, we always feel that we are under achieving what we should be doing in Ramadaan, and we all have the feeling that we could have done better and should have done more. At the end of the month, we regret so much of the time we spent wasted. There is always a chance for improvement every single Ramadaan.

So let us discuss some simple art of excelling in Ramadaan:

Ramadaan - Women and time management !!!

Often a person wishes to recur moments of his life that leaked out of his hands without benefiting from. He wishes to fill those moments with goodness, so that they may benefit him in religion or even in the world. Often he wishes to have a chance to get rid of the pressures surrounding his soul, and the chains of money that restrict his thinking and distract him from the great truths of his life. 

Ramadaan comes as a divine gift for every Muslim on earth to give the people a second chance in life. Abu Hurayrah (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saws) said: "All the deeds of the children of Adam (people) are for them: one good deed equals tenfold to seven hundreds. Allah says: except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it. He abandoned his desires, food, and drink for My Sake. There are two pleasures for the fasting person: one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting. By Allah, the bad odor of a fasting person is better, in the sight of Allah, than the odor of musk." [Sahih Muslim] 

Good deeds are doubled in quantity and quality to make up for the lack of yore. However, there is one night in this blessed month that equals the entire lifetime; we mean the Night of Revelation that is equivalent to the worship of more than eighty years. 

By fasting, the self goes high, excels, and thinks of great matters leaving out bad conducts. When a person secludes to himself and invokes his Lord, he will be able to overcome the chains of money surrounding him, then his heart will recognize the sweetness of faith. “Verily, the rising by night (for Tahajjud prayer) is very hard and most potent and good for governing oneself, and most suitable for (understanding) the Word (of Allâh).” [73:6] 
Ramadaan grants a Muslim woman a chance, as it gives a man, to discover herself, but there are disrupting matters which reduce this chance to the minimum, and maybe waste it completely.

Ramadaan and it's Blessings...

Months and years pass by and the month of Ramadaan comes to return to us the great meanings which form the features of a Muslim life and the values of our religion which should not be lost from the life of a Muslim. The acts of worship in Islam do not replace one another where they contribute in building the Muslim character as they are the nutrition of the creed, the positive expression of it, and the practical application of it.

Indeed, man is created for loving goodness and moves by its motives, as he is subject to evil. The way of goodness is one but the ways of evil are numerous and on the top of every one of them there is a devil which temps people to walk in. The inclination of man to evil exists, so he needs guarding, vigilance, and gaining more energy to defeat the inclinations of evil inside himself and that shall not happen except through performing general acts of worship and fasting Ramadaan in particular. Ramadaan is the month of the Qur'an: Allah says: "The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed the Qur'ân." [2:185]

Ibn `Abbas (ra) narrated that "The Messenger of Allah (saws) was the most generous of men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadaan when Gabriel visited him every night and recited the Qur'an to him. During that period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah (saws) waxed faster than the rain bearing wind." [Sahih Bukhari]

Abu sa`id (ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "The Lord, Blessed and High be He, says: "He whom the Qur'an keeps occupied from My Remembrance and from supplicating Me, (must know that) I grant him better than that which I give the supplicants. And the excellence of Allah's words over all other expressions is like the excellence of Allah over His creation." [At-Tirmidhi]

Murjiah & Khawarij - misunderstanding Kuffr & Takfeer!

Question: As-Salaam ‘alaykum Shaykh, May Allah grant you good and a long life. A while ago when you spoke about Takfeer, the mistakes that happens (when you apply it), and the outcome of it. And this scenario maybe happening, but because of this, a Manhaj has appeared, that which we call the Irjaa of today. They have made the religion softer than the clothes of Samir as mentioned by some of the Salaf. Can you give us more details about this or explain to us in general? Would you like to mention anything about that for us? 

Answer: Correct. When the Manhaj of Khawarij appeared, as an outcome of that, the Manhaj of Murjiah appeared, and Ahlus-Sunnah is between the Khawarij and Murjiah.

The Khawarij make Takfeer because of major sins, and Murjiah don’t make Takfeer on the Nawaqid (Nullifiers of Islam), and they restrict the Nawaqid to (a persons) Juhood (denying) and making the Halaal Haraam and similar. 

And Ahlus-Sunnah is between these. So the one who commits a deed of Kuffr and all the conditions are fulfilled, and all the barriers are removed, and this is not required for all the nullifiers, because there are some that aren’t in need of this (i.e to fulfill the conditions and remove the barriers). So the ruling on such a person is clear, he committed an act that nullifies the asl (fundamental) of Imaan.

Latest letter from Tariq Mehanna (fakk Allahu asrah) - 28th May 2017

One theme which defines prison life is that of opposing forces

From the moment they first slap on the handcuffs, you enter into what's officially known in legal jargon as an 'adversarial relationship' with your captors. This continues in the courtroom, and onwards to prison. Here, guards oppose prisoners, prisoners oppose other prisoners, and guards sometimes oppose other guards.

This extends to societies, to governments, and to the entire planet. The world is a series of opposing forces against & amongst one another.

It extends to the sky above the planet, in which darkness & light incessantly repel one another at any given place & time.

It extends back in time to the moment Iblis first laid envious eyes on our father Adam.

It extends inwardly, as opposing forces incessantly battle one another within you. As you read this, just your blood is caught between opposing forces such as acidic & basic pH, systolic & diastolic pressure, glucose & insulin, and others - each hanging in a delicate balance precise enough to prevent disease.

And it extends all the way to your heart, as as-Sa'di wrote that "the sound heart is free of shirk, doubt, love of evil, and insistence on bid'ah & sin. Once you free your heart from these, you'll automatically possess their opposite: sincere devotion, knowledge, certainty, love & attraction towards good, a love & longing consistent with the love of Allah, and a desire consistent with what has come from Allah."

Middle Path and the Plots of the Enemy !

When we talk about any of the cases of Islam, then we have to sense wholeheartedly that this religion that we are talking about, its matters are the religion of Allah, The Almighty. That awareness has a direct effect on the method of decision making when it comes to dealing with these matters, researching them and discussing them, because Islam – the whole of Islam – isn’t a theory on ground which we can go into discussing it in an unconfined way without restriction, rather it is: 
"(This is) a Book revealed to you, (O Muhammad) – so let there not be in your breast distress therefrom – that you may warn thereby and as a reminder to the believers. Follow, (O mankind), what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other than Him any allies. Little do you remember." [7:2-3] 

As long as the religion is the religion of Allah, therefore, in it there is no place for desires, no place for ideas or opinions, no place for accusations and analysis of the intellects, no place for craving after pleasing the souls, no place for compliance to this era’s calls of integration, no place for chanting about keeping in line with the nations’ inclination. Thus, the religion of Allah leads and it isn’t led, it renders the souls to be obedient and it isn’t subjected by them, it rules the nations and it isn’t ruled by them, it imposes restriction on whims and desires and it isn’t restricted by them, it controls the affairs of this age and it isn’t controlled by it, and it dominates over life entirely and it isn’t dominated by it. 

So, those who want to rescue the earth from corruption and take it out from the darkness of error merely by their recommendations or their opinions and desires under appealing slogans are in reality hollow, far away from the methodology of truth and the way of guidance; and they won’t reap out of their efforts anything except unhealthiness and insanity just as the Almighty Allah says: 
"But if the Truth (i.e., Allah) had followed their inclinations, the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them would have been ruined." [23:71]

9 best practices in Ramadaan !!!

Ways to stay Fit and Healthy during Ramadaan !

During Ramadaan – the word Ramadaan comes from the Arabic root ramiḍa or ar-ramad, which means scorching heat or dryness – it is important that staff maintain healthy eating habits. Here, WFP Egypt-based nutritionists Dr. Alia Hafiz, Michele Doura and Ayan Barre bring you some tips to help you stay fit and healthy during this holy month.

Never skip ‘Suhour'

Just as breakfast is the most important meal of the day, ‘Suhour' (the meal eaten before dawn) is equally important during Ramadaan. The pre-dawn meal helps your body stay hydrated and fuelled up on energy and nutrients until your next meal at iftar. It also helps you avoid overeating when you break your fast at sunset.

A well-balanced meal at ‘suhour' contains:

•    Complex carbohydrates: Oats, wheat, lentils, grains and other complex carbohydrates (like fava beans) are slow-releasing carbs, helping keep your blood sugar steady and giving you a feeling of fullness for the greater part of the day.

•    High-fibre foods: Fibre-rich foods are digested slowly and include cereals, dates, figs, bran, whole wheat, grains, seeds, potatoes, vegetables and almost all fruit especially apricots and prunes. Bananas are a good source of potassium and other essential nutrients that help keep your body hydrated.

•    Protein-rich foods: High protein foods like eggs, cheese, yoghurt or meat are also recommended as they can help replenish your energy throughout the day.

Aim to eat at least 7 servings of fruit and vegetables every day

Our errors in the month of Ramadaan: Abandoning the Qur'an !!!

Of the virtues of this blessed month - the Month of Ramadaan - is that Allah (may He be Exalted) revealed the Qur'an therein. Allah says: "The month of Ramadaan in which was revealed the Qur'ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)." [2:185] 

So, Ramadaan is the month of the Qur'an therefore Gabriel used to study the Qur'an with the Prophet (saws) in Ramadaan. 

Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported on the authority of Ibn `Abbas that he said: "The Prophet (saws) was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadaan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadaan till the end of the month. The Prophet (saws) used to recite the Glorious Qur'an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare)." 

Ibn Rajab said: "The Hadith denotes the desirability of studying the Qur'an in Ramadaan, gathering to recite it, and reciting the Qur'an to someone more memorizing. It also contains a proof to the desirability of reciting the Qur'an frequently in the month of Ramadaan." 

The following are the conditions of the Predecessors with the Qur'an during Ramadaan:

Our errors in the month of Ramadaan: Abiding by Allah's Obedience during the daytime of Ramadaan then leaving it during the night !!!

Many Muslims in these times do not understand the reality of fasting and believe that the meaning of fasting is to abstain from food, drink, and sexual intercourse. 

People have abstained from what is lawful but they did not avoid what has been prohibited to them. So, what kind of fasting in which a person says at the Maghrib Adhan: The thirst has gone, veins have wetted, and the reward is confirmed then he lights a cigarette and at night he becomes a servant to his lust, watches satellite channels, surfs the web, or becomes a customer in one of night clubs or in demagogic gatherings which are falsely called "Ramadaanic tents." However, if such a person is called to Tarawih Salaah and Qiyaam, he will count excuses such as sickness, cold, snivel, and the aberration of the villains. 

Al Hasan Al Basri commented on Allah's Saying: "And He it is Who has put the night and the day in succession, for such who desires to remember or desires to show his gratitude." [25:62] 

He said: "Whoever fails to perform the acts of worship at night, he may make them up in the early beginning of the daytime and whoever fails to perform them in the morning, he may make them up at night because the Lord of the daytime is the Lord of the night." 

Nevertheless, you find some people prevent themselves from indulging into sins during the daytime of Ramadaan but by the Adhan of `Isha' and finishing the Tarawih dinner you find the same person enjoying all kinds of sins: Sitting to watch movies and series, listening to songs, standing in the streets to look at girls as if Ramadaan only comes in the daytime and during which sins should not be committed and obedience of the Knower of the Unseen should be applied, but when the night comes, good actions stop and every unlawful action that was prohibited for him in the daytime is done.

Our errors in the month of Ramadaan: Not rejoicing at the advent of Ramadaan for it shall prevent desires and pleasures !!!

There are some mistakes which some people fall into when receiving Ramadaan, of which: 
Not rejoicing at the advent of Ramadaan for it shall prevent desires and pleasures: 
Headless people and evil-doers receive Ramadaan heavily and count its days, nights, and hours because Ramadaan blocks desires and prevents them from pleasures. A poet said: 
I wish the night is like a month, whereas its daytime passes as clouds pass. 

Not rejoicing at Ramadaan is part of not showing glorification to the sacred rites of Allah. So, oneself should be glad of the advent of this great month and rejoice at the advent of this odd month which comes after long absence. Moreover, getting ready to Ramadaan and rejoicing at its advent is part of glorifying the sacred rites of Allah who says: "Thus it is [what has been mentioned in the above said Verses (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) is an obligation that mankind owes to Allâh] and whosoever honors the Symbols of Allâh, then it is truly from the piety of the hearts." [22:32] 

We all have to know that abandoning lusts in the world for the sake of Allah is a cause for winning Paradise, and this is taken from the Prophet's (saws) saying: "Whoever drinks alcoholic drinks in the world and does not repent (before dying), will be deprived of it in the Hereafter." [Bukhari and Muslim]

Rulers & Judges in Umawiyyah & Abbassiyah States - Kuffrun duna Kuffr?

Question: What is the Shari’ah hukm on ruling (or judging) by other than what Allah sent down and is it like the rulers of the Umawiyyah and ‘Abbasiyyah states - Kuffrun duna Kuffr – or is their Kuffr the Kuffr which exits one from the Millah (Islam)? 

Answer: The ruler who rules by other that what Allah Sent down, whether that is by the man made laws or whether it is by customs and traditions, theses are Kuffar Mushrikeen. Allah says: 
وَلَا يُشْرِكُ فِي حُكْمِهِ أَحَدًا 
"He makes none to share in His Decision and His Rule" [18:26] 

And Allāh Says: 
إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ 
"The decision is only for Allah" [6:57] 

And their Kuffr is Kuffr Akbar (major Kuffr) by Ijmaa’ (concensus) and this consensus was reported by Ibnu Katheer and others from his contemporaries from Ahlus Sunnah. 

Allah Says: 
ومن لم يحكم بما أنزل الله فأولئك هم الكافرون 
"And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, such are the Kafiroon" [5:44]