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Reflections |
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In the Name of Allah,
the Most Gracious,
the Ever
Merciful
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How to Prepare for Ramadan?
(Translation of Amr Khaled lecture)
We will start with some basic
facts about Ramadan:
*Fasting became obligatory on the Muslims during the 2nd year after the
Hijra (migration of the Prophet from Mecca to Madinah), therefore the
Prophet fasted nine Ramadans’ in his lifetime.
*Fasting was made compulsory in the same year that Jihad was enjoined upon
the Muslims. The command to begin fasting was revealed in the month of
Sha’ban (the month directly preceding Ramadan), whereas Jihad was enjoined
on the Muslims during the Battle of Badr (on the 17th of Ramadan). Is there
any connection between the two? The scholars say that Ramadan trains a
person to struggle against their own desires (which is Jihad al-nafs) and
therefore a person is better equipped and prepared for a struggle against
the enemy (Jihad al-a’daa). Therefore it is not strange that many victories
for the Muslims took place in Ramadan, such as the Battle of Badr, Fath
Mecca, Qaadisiyah, A’in Jaloot (against Tataar), Andalaus, etc.
We need to prepare ourselves well because the state of the Muslim nation
will not change except with people fasting properly. Therefore if you want
to be of those who bring glory and victory to the Muslims, you need to fast
‘properly’ (explained later).
*The stages that were involved in enjoining fasting:
1) optional – fasting the day of Aashoora
2) compulsory – fasting the month of Ramadan.
The compulsory fast of Ramadan was initially much harder than our current
fast. It began in such a way that if a person slept after Maghreb or the
time of Ishaa came, they would have to remain fasting until the following
day. This was to show the Mercy of Allah upon us. Similarly the prayer began
as 50 prayers and was then reduced to five, and yet we still don’t fast or
pray properly.
*What is the wisdom behind fasting? What does Allah want us to achieve from
this month? Is it just about getting thirsty and hungry?
Allah informs us of the purpose in this verse:
2:183 O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you just as it was
prescribed upon those before you, in order that you may gain taqwa
(God-consciousness, self-restraint)
This implies that if you fast Ramadan properly you must exit the month with
Taqwa. What is Taqwa? To have taqwa means that Allah will find you doing
that which He ordered and will not find you doing that which He forbade. Is
it possible to acquire 100% taqwa such that Allah only finds me doing that
which He ordered and never finds me doing anything forbidden? Probably not,
but what is the majority? 80% or 70% taqwa. For example, a person who exits
Ramadan and still drinks alcohol has most probably not gained taqwa. Whereas
a person who exits Ramadan and now reads Quran often, and prays regularly in
the mosque has achieved the purpose of Ramadan and gained taqwa.
*How does fasting (which is the abstinence from food, water and sexual
desire from sunrise until sunset) result in taqwa?
Fasting affects these four aspects which lead to taqwa:
1) the control of the physical body on the soul decreases– because the
physical body gains its nourishment from food, water, marital intimacy,
whereas the soul gains its nourishment from knowing its Creator, reading
Quran, making du’a etc. Consequently, when you fast and halt the indulgence
and nourishment of the physical body, the souls craving for its nourishment
increases and this leads to taqwa.
2) The sexual desire decreases – lack of energy
3) Self restraint/control increases – you stop eating when it is sunrise,
you don’t eat during the day even though the food is in front of you and you
are hungry, etc.
4) Accompanying the righteous increases – people attend taraweeh prayers in
the mosque, families break their fast together, etc.
Author/Source:
Arabic lecture by Amr Khaled
(www.amrkhaled.net
URL:
http://www.studying-islam.org/articletext.aspx?id=1015
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In this
Issue |
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Reflections
* How to Prepare
for Ramadan?
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Read & Reflect
* Heads for Zakah
Spending
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Debate & Discuss
* Discussion Forum:
History of the
Qur'an
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Express & Explain
*General Discussion
Forum: Prayer
Keeps away from
Indecency & Evil
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Pause & Ponder
* Very Long
Fasting Hours
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Regarding
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Postings at the
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Read and Reflect : |
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Heads for Zakah Spending
The heads for
zakah spending have been enlisted in Surah Tawbah as under:
إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاء وَالْمَسَاكِينِ
وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ
وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللّهِ
وَاللّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
(٦٠:٩)
Sadaqat are only for the benefit of faqirs and miskins, those
who work for the collection thereof, those who must be appeased, for
emancipating slaves, for freeing debtors of their debt burden, for the cause of
Allah and for the wayfarers. It is a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is knower and
wise. (9:60)
Now, an
explanation of this verse follows.
1. Faqirs and Miskins
The first head
described for spending zakah is faqirs and miskins. Since they have been
mentioned first, they should have priority over all others as far as spending of
zakah is concerned. When these two words are used separately in two different
sentences, they convey a synonymous meaning. However, when they come
simultaneously in a single sentence, a subtle difference in their connotation
may be discerned. By faqir is meant a person who though is able to work and
earn, and has the positive intention to do so, yet he faces financial
constraints to earn livelihood. By miskin is meant a person who has been
exhausted and worn out by a ceaseless wave of adversities so much so that he
loses hope and finds no strength to overcome difficulties, and ultimately ends
up becoming disillusioned with himself. Zakah, first of all, should be spent to
help them out so that they may be able to live their life honourably.
For making
their life honourable, just as it will be necessary to provide food, shelter and
clothes to them, a proper arrangement for their education and training as well
as for meeting their other psychological needs will also have to be made so that
they may feel equal to the people around them in both social and ethical terms.
Obviously, to begin with, their immediate needs should first be met on an urgent
basis. Then, a comprehensive plan should be devised to help them stand on their
feet so that they may not remain dependent upon others and get on with their
lives on their own. Rather, they should ultimately become capable of extending a
helping hand to others. To achieve this objective, in addition to spending zakah
on the arrangement of food, shelter and clothes for these people, indispensable
is it to set up educational and training institutes, libraries, publishing
houses, and vocational training institutes where they and their children may
learn some skills in order to earn livelihood for themselves and their families.
A free medical dispensary may be opened to provide free medicines to these poor
people. Maternity hospitals can also be constructed with the help of zakah where
their women may get free medical treatment. Similarly, zakah can also be used to
free them of their debt burden while alive or dead, and to perform the funeral
rites of their dear departed. There is no doubt that in some of these cases the
condition of exclusive personal possession will be fulfilled; but in others, it
will not. However, poor people will benefit in all cases without any exception.
One may understand this phenomenon as that instead of exclusive personal
possession, there is collective possession of the entire poor community as they
all are getting benefit from this fund. And we have already pointed out that the
word “الايتاء” has been used
in the Holy Qur’an in the sense of collective possession.
Author:
Amin Ahsan Islahi (Tr. by Jhangeer Hanif)
Topic URL:
http://www.monthly-renaissance.com/issue/content.aspx?id=30
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Debate and Discuss: |
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Discussion Forum: History of the Qur'an
Module # 1: Verses of Tawbah & Ahzab
This course leaves
out a great confusion regarding the collection of the Qur'an when it says that
the verses of Tawbah and Ahzab were only found with Khuzaymah
Ibn Thabit Ansari (RA). It should be clarified that the only source of
these verses was not Khuzaymah (RA) but the other companions (RA) also
knew and had memorized these verses. What is meant by saying that they were
only found with Khuzaymah (RA) is that only he had them written with
him under the direct supervision of the Prophet (SAW). This clarification may
be seen in the muqadma of Marif-ul-Qur'an by Maulana Taqi Usmani.
Before closing, I must appreciate the efforts of
the Studying Islam team for propagating the true message of Islam.
Jhangeer Hanif (Moderator)
For the
benefit of other participants, could you please share with us the evidence
adduced by Taqi Usmani Sb to support his viewpoint that these verses were also
memorized by other companions and that Khuzayman Ibn Thabit Ansari had only
written these verses under the direct supervision of the Holy Prophet?
This is not
understandable at all and, in fact, is impossible that the very verses may
only be present with Khuzaymah (RA). I'm, honestly, very very amazed to read
your concerns.
We know that the Qur'an has come down to us
through the consensus of each generation. How is it possible that the other
companions (RA) wouldn't have memorized the very verses? Regarding the verse
of Ahzab, Zayd (RA) himself said that he used to hear Allah's Apostle reciting
it. If, for one moment, I agree that these verses were only known by Khuzaymah
(RA), the authenticity of these verses can easily be questioned as they become
khabr-e-wahid. There were many companions (RA) who had memorized the whole
Qur'an. Isn't it so? Do you think it is practical that they all had missed out
these verses?
I really thought that you missed the explanation
in the course but now am really astonished to know that you are really of the
viewpoint that the only source was Khuzaymah (RA) for these verses.
Please discuss this point with the Teacher
Ghamidi before commenting further on it. If I would be in
Pakistan I
would've gone to him straightaway.
Jhangeer Hanif (Moderator)
I did not give my
opinion as to the factual correctness this report about Khuzaymah.
You said that this report has been explained by
Taqi Usmani Sb. I asked for what he presented to support his viewpoint.
As for our views on the compilation and
preservation of the Holy Qur'an, you will find ample material in the later
Modules, where this report has been criticized.
URL:
http://www.studying-islam.org/forum/topic.aspx?topicid=2316&lang=&forumid=5
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Express and Explain: |
General Discussion Forum:
Prayer
keeps away from Indecency and Evil
Surely prayer keeps (one)
away from indecency and evil.
[29: 45]
Does it also mean that
‘despite offering prayers, anyone who is indecent and does the evil deeds,
his/her prayers is not being accepted by Allah’?
Does Quran and the Sunnah favours what Fee money a Muslim doctor charges from a patient?
Ibrahim
Moderator
No, it does not mean.
This Verse Just means that the Prayer has the Potential to do So Provided it
is offered in the best possible way.
rimsoo
I am very much grateful
to brother ibrahim for your kind reply!
waseem
023.1-5
Successful indeed are the believers, Who are humble and content in their
prayers, And who shun vain conversation, Who are active in deeds of charity;
And who guard their modesty -
023.8-11
And those who are keepers of their trusts and their covenant, And who
(strictly) guard their prayers;- These are the heirs ,Who will inherit
Paradise: they will dwell therein (for ever).
Amin Ahsen Islahi writes in Tadabur ul Qur'an The success mentioned here is
the eternal and everlasting success, that is the only true success and should
be the goal of every true believer. In the second verse the word " khusooh" is
used for namaz. This is in reference to the true spirit of namaz. When a
person bows in namaz in front of Allah, not only should his physical being
bows but his heart should too. In the namaz of a true believer, every action
of namaz should vow for the humbleness of the person towards Allah.
Islahi states that a namaz that is performed with "Khusooh" , has a profound
effect on that person.. It protects that person from indulging in useless
conversations and activities. It is a constant reminder 5 times a day of his
obligations towards his Creator and the Day of Judgment In surah Ankaboot
Allah has said " Namaz stops a person from vulgar and unpleasant things".
Islahi states that in the start the Qur'an delineates the effects of "Khusooh"
of namaz on a believer and the verses 8-11 highlight the advantages of
guarding the namaz. Namaz is a flower of Paradise, it truly is the guardian of
the entire Faith.. It is through namaz that all good deeds under divine
guidance progress, without namaz our religion is like a tree stem devoid of
any greenery or signs of life.
He further adds, it is one of the essential pre requisites for entering the
ultimate Paradise.i.e Jannat ul Firdaus.
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Pause
and Ponder: |
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Very Long Fasting
Hours
Question asked by Saima Arooj.
Posted on: Sunday, September 16, 2007 - Hits: 2
Question:
My quesion is about
countries in which we have to fast for long hours. Some of my Muslims friends
live in Europe
(Holland/England). According to their timings, the sun sets at 10.30pm
and rises at 4am. It is really hard for them to fast for 18-20 hours. What
should they do? Can they can fast in winters when the timings get shrunk to 14
hours or something? Or can follow
Pakistan timings while staying in
Europe?
Answer:
We believe that Islam has
prescribed fasting for the whole day. However, in regions where the day is too
long, people should consult their scholars for ijtihaad. This would be in
accordance with the Qur'anic principle:
Allah wants ease for you
and does not want to put you in difficulty. (2:185 )
These scholars can for
example determine some other timings say for example those followed in a
neighbouring country or perhaps those of Saudi Arabia.
Regards,
Tariq Mahmood Hashmi
Research Assistant, Studying Islam
see: http://www.studying-islam.org/querytext.aspx?id=667
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Announcements: |
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Regarding Foul Postings at the Forums
Monday,
September 10, 2007
Recently, the forums of
Studying Islam have been unduly and persistently attacked by hackers and this
has caused trouble to our forum participants off and on.
We have been trying to tackle this problem. Because of the highly tolerant
policy of this site, the hackers have been able to take advantage and pollute
the forums with unacceptable language and personal targeting of other members
and forum moderators.
We had to take an action by introducing a Forum Code of Conduct and by the
cancellation of such registrations. However because filtration is never 100%
possible, these posters kept returning with changed identities. This caused a
lot of harassment and bullying to our members who wished to interact in safe and
healthy environment and sadly quite a few decided to stop
participating-including some of our moderators in the past.
We are pleased to announce that we have now been able to cleanse the forums to a
reasonable extent and our members can continue their discussion in a better and
more tolerant atmosphere. Because of the cleansing process you may have noticed
a sudden disappearance of traffic from the Forums. However, since Studying Islam
believes in quality and not quantity, we intend to continue our members'
discussions and exchange of views in a more suitable atmosphere.
We assume that this is going to be an ongoing process of cleansing as and when
the site gets attacked by trouble makers. We therefore request our members and
moderators equally to bear with us whilst we make efforts to keep things
smoother and more favorable.
Directorate of Student Affairs
Studying Islam
http://www.studying-islam.org/announcement.aspx?id=155
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