Ramadhan Workshop 2016
Course Description:
Fasting in the month of Ramadhan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is fardh (compulsory) upon every muslim who is sane and mature. As commanded in the noble Quran in Surah Baqarah verse 183, Allah SWT has ordered ”O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain righteousness.”
This course focuses on the main aspects of fasting Read more
Everyone is aware of the devastation that natural disasters bring with them. Many lose their lives, hundreds of thousands lose relatives, entire communities are wiped out and countless buildings and properties are destroyed. Thousands, even millions are left homeless, having lost everything they once owned, living under open skies with nothing to eat and cover themselves with. Even after the calamity has subsided, the death toll continues to increase with the spread of disease. Read more
The Messenger of Allah (peace and salutations be upon him) said:
من وسَّع علي عياله يوم عاشوراء وسع الله عليه سائر السنة
Translation: Whoever generously spends on his dependents on the day of Aashura, Allah Ta’ala will expand his sustenance (Baraqah) for the rest of that year.
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Glorious Qur’ān,Lo! The number of the months with Allāh is twelve months by Allāh’s Ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them… (9:36)
The specification of these four sacred months is stated in a hadīth narrated by Abū Bakrah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu that Rasūlullāh sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam said,
Subject to the Decree of Allah, a total eclipse of the moon is expected to be seen in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, May 15th, 2022 from approximately 10:27 p.m. to 1:55 a.m.
The time is approximately the same for Trinidad, Barbados, Grenada and all other Caribbean Islands.
The sun and the moon are two of the greatest signs that we can use to recognise the greatness and might of our creator; Allah Ta’āla, he has placed them in a perfect synchronization for the existence of the earth and entire universe.
“Among His signs are the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. Do not prostrate yourselves to the sun, or to the moon. And prostrate yourselves to Allah who has created them, if it is Him whom you worship.” [41:37]
On Sunday May 15th, we will – in shaa Allah – be witnessing a spectacular occurrence called the Lunar Eclipse. We know that the reason for the eclipse is to warn and make the people ponder of the power of Allah Ta’ala, and to instil in them an urgency to return to the obedience of Allah, the Mighty the Exalted.
The sun and moon have been rising and setting in a set (routine pattern) probably longer than us humans have been around. Ancient cultures have viewed eclipses as mystical and foretelling certain events. They were worshipped out of fear and sometimes held in high esteem. Even till today there are many evils that take place in conjunction with these events. Science also has its own explanation regarding the phenomenon of the eclipses. However, with these manifestations we, as Muslims, grow closer to Allah Ta’āla at these moments and observe those actions that draw His mercy and closeness.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life of someone, but they are two signs amongst the Signs of Allah. So, if you see them, offer the Prayer (of eclipse).
In the lifetime of the Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) the sun eclipsed and he went out dragging his clothes till he reached the Mosque. The people gathered around him and he led them and offered two rak`āt. When the sun (eclipse) cleared, he said, “The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah; they do not eclipse because of the death of someone, and so when an eclipse occurs, pray and invoke Allah till the eclipse is over.” It happened that a son of the Prophet (ﷺ) called Ibrahim died on that day and the people were talking about that (saying that the eclipse was caused by his death). (Bukhari)
Although this incident was regarding a solar eclipse the Muhaditheen and Fuqaha have derived the similar practises for a lunar one, they are as follows:
Masā-il (Rulings) pertaining to Ṣalātul Khusoof (Salāh of Lunar eclipse)
Voluntary acts other than the prayer
It is narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) commanded the believers to make as much istighfār and dhikr of Allah in such times of fear. Also, to make du’ā to Allah at such times is from the prescribed actions as well as to give charity. To free a slave and all other such good actions are recommended at such times, and one should not waste such an opportunity to not only fulfil the sunnah but become closer to Allah with that what he loves.
I ask Allah to protect us all from His punishment and anger, and to make us from those who love him and turn to him in repentance.
And Allah, the Exalted Knows Best.
May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon His Messenger, and his family.
Abraar Alli
By Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh
Hajj is one of the fundamental pillars of Islām, and obligatory upon every Muslim male or female who meets its requirements and who has been granted the capability to carry it out by Allāh ta’ālā. If there are no Shar’ī excuses to prevent you from fulfilling the obligation of hajj, you should not delay.
Every year, however, Shaytān whispers the following thought in the minds of those who are under an obligation to go for hajj: “I have some important reasons preventing me from going this year, but I will definitely go next year, no matter what happens, and I will absolve myself of this obligation.” In this way Shaytān secures a year’s grace for himself. The following year, just before hajj, he will play the same trick again and secure yet another year. Shaytān leads people on in this manner right up to their graves.
Bad breath continues to be a problem for many. Not only can it bother people around them, it can also bother those who have it. It is never easy to admit exactly how much it can trouble those who possess poor odour in this regard. And in this very regard, denial seldom helps.
You may think that there is no solution for this, or that there is no road toward impeccability in this area. You rarely have to think twice about covering your mouth during your spontaneous yawns, and occasionally may feel embarrassed to converse with others at small distances.
There is nothing to be embarrassed about, you say, in attempts to reassure yourself that not everybody is fussy when it comes to bad breath. That is until of course, you consciously realize individuals moving away from you an inch or two whilst you speak. Read more
by Shaykh Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh
The journey to the Hereafter is one which almost every person fears, yet we fail to show any concern for our dear and near ones from the time of their demise to after burial. Our condition at such a critical time is worthy of much lament and shame. Rather than our benefitting the deceased in anyway, we return from the funeral with no benefit to ourselves or to the family; in fact we return with increase in the hurt and grief of the family and maybe sin too. This is because we are neglectful and forget the severity of the stages which our beloved ones are soon to reach. Read more
Having just completed the year 2014, the ‘New Year’ is seen and heard all around us. However, the question remains as to what should be a Muslim’s take on these events.
Upon the passing of a year, the common trend is to celebrate; people have birthday parties, wedding anniversaries etc. However, in certain spheres this is not the case; take the example of a businessman who at the end of the (financial) year will first take stock of the past year. He will meticulously go through the accounts of the past year taking into account every single penny. He will check to see if he made a profit, and if so then how can he make more in the coming year. He will check his expenses: where did he spend his money? Can he make further savings? All of this is done so that he can make the coming year more profitable than the one that has passed. Read more
Istikhārah means to turn to Allāh ta‘ālā and seek goodness from Him. This is because Allāh ta‘ālā knows what we do not know. As Allāh ta‘ālā is fully aware of the end result and consequence of every matter and we merely speculate, we should ask Allāh ta‘ālā to guide us towards goodness in our endeavours or tasks that we are about to embark on. It should be understood that istikhārah is simply a du‘ā like any other du‘ā. However, it has more chance of acceptance in the Court of Allāh ta‘ālā as it has been specifically taught by Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam to his Ummah. It is a prayer offered to Allāh ta‘ālā before embarking on a particular course of action or choosing from a number of options, asking Him to guide us towards goodness and the correct and better choice, and to save us from that course of action or choice if goodness lies elsewhere. Read more