Ramdan coming
In the Name of Almighty Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful. As-Salaamualaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu. Alhumdoelillahi Rabbil Ala'meen. Was Salaatu was Salaamu 'alaa Ashrafil Anbiyaa'e wal Mursaleen. Wa Bad: Ya Aiyuhal Muslimoon! Alhumdoelillah! The Countdown to the Month of Glory is now well underway We seek refuge in Almighty Allah from misleading and being misled; from betraying and from being betrayed into ignorance by others. We ask Allah to guide our hearts and to guide our tongues. We declare belief in Almighty Allah Rabbul Ala'meen, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All Praise be to Allah, Who has created man and has not left him without guidance: the Book of Allah, and the example of His Beloved Nabee - Rahmatul Liel Ala'meen Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam, who lived 1400 years ago, and to whom the Most Holy and Noble Qur'an was revealed O People of Imaan! Allah says you are the best of mankind because you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and you fear Him. It is acceptance of the right and denial of the wrong. These are things which make for success in this life and the next. However, we are asked to make a complete commitment, a commitment to live a life of a true Muslim, one who submits his or her will to Almighty Allah. Having said so - the countdown has already begun. Less than two weeks remain for the arrival of the Holy and auspicious month of Ramadan. The very name of Ramadan evokes a feeling of expectant joy and pleasure in the heart of the Muh'min. A restlessness overtakes the Muh'min in eager anticipation of this most Holy month. Sometimes, this feeling even turns to fear and anxiety. "O Almighty Allah Azza Wajjal, will I see Ramadan this year?" Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala Alone knows who will live to see Ramadan. The reassurance comes in the form of a fervent Duah: "Allahumma Barik Lana fie Rajab wa Sha'baan Wa baliegna Ramadan." "O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha'baan and let us make it to Ramadan." The Duah for this must continue with vigorous fervour - "O Almighty Subhanahu Wata'ala Allah! Through Your Infinite Mercy and Bounty let us reach Ramadan.!" O people of Imaan! The anticipation of this great month is not just a matter of emotion and thought. It requires action and activity. Preparation for receiving the honorable guest of Ramadan must start in earnest right away. Where do I start? What am I to do? What should I not do? Well, a good starting point will be to spare a bit of time daily for preparing yourself for Ramadan. A person starts off by making adjustments to his or her current lifestyles. The daily timetable must be altered, allowing more time for spiritual rejuvenation. Can I take out quality time from my present busy lifestyle? How much of time and when? Sit down and work it out. Maybe half an hour before Salatul Fajr and another half-hour before going to bed? Or will half an hour before and after Salatul Isha be more appropriate? Whatever it may be, at least an hour out of 24 hours must be set aside with discipline and consistency from today onwards. This is time dedicated to Almighty Allah Jallah Wa'ala alone. Unless for an emergency, no intrusion in this time must be allowed - no phone calls or other distractions. This time should be spent in developing a strong bond of love and affinity with the Most Noble and Glorious Qur'an, with Duah and Zikr. A lot of time must be spent in introspection and self-appraisal. What is my current state of Islam? Strong or weak? What are my weaknesses? How do I overcome these? Who do I turn to for spiritual help and guidance? Deep, soul-searching questions have to be posed. This is one of the highest form of Ibadah. It is the Ibadah of Fikr or Tafakkur , a moment of which equals many years of Nafl Ibadah. The idea of fasting brings to mind a measure of hunger, thirst and bodily weakness. But it is a weakness that gives us real strength. We witness the results of this religious, heavenly exercise designed to strengthen willpower, and even the body, and to make life healthier. The magnificent and eloquent presence of the multitudes of our people in the avenues in towns, cities, schools and around the grounds of the University - all these are fruits of these programmes. Yes, the month of Ramadan constitutes a Divine programme for the health and consolidation of society by the making of human beings and strengthening of correct personal relations between them. Finally, all the "T's" of Ramadan Shareef must be kept in mind so that when Ramadan comes, "everything is to the T!". These "T's" are: Tilawat, Tuhajjud, Taraweeh, Tasbeehat, Tadharru' (fervent Duah), Tatawwu' (Nafil Ibadah), Tasahhur (eating Sehri/Suhuur), Taubah (repentance), Tawadhu (humility) and Tafakkur (contemplation). May Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala make this Ramadan a turning point in the life of the long-suffering Ummah. Ameen! A Joyous Ramadan Mubarak to you and all your loved ones. And all Praise is Allah's at every beginning and end. And the end of all goals is the Love of the Exalted Creator. Baarak -Allaahu Feekum wa sal-Allaahu wa-Salam 'alaa Nabiyyinaa Muhammad, Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam. Was Salaamu 'alaykum wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu
In the Name of Almighty Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful. As-Salaamualaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu. Alhumdoelillahi Rabbil Ala'meen. Was Salaatu was Salaamu 'alaa Ashrafil Anbiyaa'e wal Mursaleen. Wa Bad: Ya Aiyuhal Muslimoon! Alhumdoelillah! The Countdown to the Month of Glory is now well underway We seek refuge in Almighty Allah from misleading and being misled; from betraying and from being betrayed into ignorance by others. We ask Allah to guide our hearts and to guide our tongues. We declare belief in Almighty Allah Rabbul Ala'meen, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All Praise be to Allah, Who has created man and has not left him without guidance: the Book of Allah, and the example of His Beloved Nabee - Rahmatul Liel Ala'meen Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam, who lived 1400 years ago, and to whom the Most Holy and Noble Qur'an was revealed O People of Imaan! Allah says you are the best of mankind because you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and you fear Him. It is acceptance of the right and denial of the wrong. These are things which make for success in this life and the next. However, we are asked to make a complete commitment, a commitment to live a life of a true Muslim, one who submits his or her will to Almighty Allah. Having said so - the countdown has already begun. Less than two weeks remain for the arrival of the Holy and auspicious month of Ramadan. The very name of Ramadan evokes a feeling of expectant joy and pleasure in the heart of the Muh'min. A restlessness overtakes the Muh'min in eager anticipation of this most Holy month. Sometimes, this feeling even turns to fear and anxiety. "O Almighty Allah Azza Wajjal, will I see Ramadan this year?" Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala Alone knows who will live to see Ramadan. The reassurance comes in the form of a fervent Duah: "Allahumma Barik Lana fie Rajab wa Sha'baan Wa baliegna Ramadan." "O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha'baan and let us make it to Ramadan." The Duah for this must continue with vigorous fervour - "O Almighty Subhanahu Wata'ala Allah! Through Your Infinite Mercy and Bounty let us reach Ramadan.!" O people of Imaan! The anticipation of this great month is not just a matter of emotion and thought. It requires action and activity. Preparation for receiving the honorable guest of Ramadan must start in earnest right away. Where do I start? What am I to do? What should I not do? Well, a good starting point will be to spare a bit of time daily for preparing yourself for Ramadan. A person starts off by making adjustments to his or her current lifestyles. The daily timetable must be altered, allowing more time for spiritual rejuvenation. Can I take out quality time from my present busy lifestyle? How much of time and when? Sit down and work it out. Maybe half an hour before Salatul Fajr and another half-hour before going to bed? Or will half an hour before and after Salatul Isha be more appropriate? Whatever it may be, at least an hour out of 24 hours must be set aside with discipline and consistency from today onwards. This is time dedicated to Almighty Allah Jallah Wa'ala alone. Unless for an emergency, no intrusion in this time must be allowed - no phone calls or other distractions. This time should be spent in developing a strong bond of love and affinity with the Most Noble and Glorious Qur'an, with Duah and Zikr. A lot of time must be spent in introspection and self-appraisal. What is my current state of Islam? Strong or weak? What are my weaknesses? How do I overcome these? Who do I turn to for spiritual help and guidance? Deep, soul-searching questions have to be posed. This is one of the highest form of Ibadah. It is the Ibadah of Fikr or Tafakkur , a moment of which equals many years of Nafl Ibadah. The idea of fasting brings to mind a measure of hunger, thirst and bodily weakness. But it is a weakness that gives us real strength. We witness the results of this religious, heavenly exercise designed to strengthen willpower, and even the body, and to make life healthier. The magnificent and eloquent presence of the multitudes of our people in the avenues in towns, cities, schools and around the grounds of the University - all these are fruits of these programmes. Yes, the month of Ramadan constitutes a Divine programme for the health and consolidation of society by the making of human beings and strengthening of correct personal relations between them. Finally, all the "T's" of Ramadan Shareef must be kept in mind so that when Ramadan comes, "everything is to the T!". These "T's" are: Tilawat, Tuhajjud, Taraweeh, Tasbeehat, Tadharru' (fervent Duah), Tatawwu' (Nafil Ibadah), Tasahhur (eating Sehri/Suhuur), Taubah (repentance), Tawadhu (humility) and Tafakkur (contemplation). May Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala make this Ramadan a turning point in the life of the long-suffering Ummah. Ameen! A Joyous Ramadan Mubarak to you and all your loved ones. And all Praise is Allah's at every beginning and end. And the end of all goals is the Love of the Exalted Creator. Baarak -Allaahu Feekum wa sal-Allaahu wa-Salam 'alaa Nabiyyinaa Muhammad, Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam. Was Salaamu 'alaykum wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu