Ramadan Reflection #3

"Don't let this Ramadan be just a holiday of rituals. Don't finish reading the Qur'aan without it transforming you. Don't feed your body at Suhoor, but starve your heart of Qiyam. Don't reduce this downpour of mercy to just a month of sweets and lavish iftars. Seek Him, you will find. Take a sincere step towards change, transformation, redemption. If you do, you will find Him in front of you. Find Him this month. He's been there all along. Closer than your jugular vein. Look, and you'll find. Walk, and you'll arrive."

--Yasmin Mogahed

Such inspiring words subhanAllaah. InshaAllaah lets all strive to make sincere changes (be it in the tiniest possible way) this Ramadan. May Allaah give us the tawfiq and hidayah to make sincere changes in our lives and bring us closer to that which He loves.*Ameen*

Tackling Low Emaan..

 

 

 

 

 

Abu Huraira (radhiAllaahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

 

“Allaah (subhaanahu wa t'Aala) says I am closer to my slave than his supposition of which he keeps of me. And when he/she does dhikr of Allaah, I am with him/her. If he does dhikr in his heart, I do his dhik near MY proximity (closeness) and if he does dhikr in a gathering, I mention him in a gathering Afdhal (better) than it."

 

--Sahih Bukhari

So I've been meaning to just sit down and jot down some ideas on how to increase our emaan in times of low emaan. Of course as human beings, we do experience dips in emaan every now and then. It all depends on how we pick ourselves back up. The main thing is to realize and acknowledge that we are at a low-point. Once we acknowledge this, Insha'Allah we can take steps to recover from it. Some ways in in increasing our emaan may be:

• Increase the recitation of the Qur'aan
• Understand the tafseer behind the words in the Qur'aan
• Attend Islamic lectures or classes (This, I personally find is always a big booster)
• Fast the sunnah fasts of Monday and Thursday
• Fast the 'White days' or the 14th, 15th, and 16th of each Islamic month.
• Be sincere with your deeds (niyaah/intention)
• Must, must, must keep the waajib (obligatory) prayers going.
• Maybe read the seerah of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him)
• Why not read about all the Prophets (peace be upon them all)
• Make du'a. Lot's and lot's and lot's of du'a to increase our emaan and make us better Muslims

On that note, May Allaah continue to increase our knowledge and sincerity in His deen for His sake. And may He continue to strengthen our emaan and guide us on the right path. *Ameen*




 

Dhul-Hijjah

So the following is some information about these blessed 10 days that are soon coming to an end, from a sister's halaqa (amazing halaqa btw, mashaAllaah).

It's Importance:

• It is the month of Hajj - one of the 5 pillars of Islam!

    Hajj is centered around the story of Hajar (radhiAllaahu anha), who was Ibrahim (alayhi salaam)'s second wife and the mother of Ismael (alayhi salaam). It was through her and Ismael  (alayhi salaam) that the city of Makkah was formed and the well of ZamZam discovered. Many actions performed during Hajj are re-enactments of what she did throughout her test from Allaah t'Aala.

• It is the month of Eid-ul-Adha

On this day we offer qurbani (sacrifice) in order to appreciate and understand Ibrahim (alayhi salaam)'s test from Allaah to sacrifice his son, Ismael (alayhi salaam). We are meant to develop true love for Allaah - which should be above everyone.

• Its first 10 days are the BEST DAYS of this world - even better than the days of Ramadhan!

Ibn 'Abbaas (radhiAllaahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days." The people asked, "Not even Jihaad for the sake of Allaah?" He (peace be upon him) said, "Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing." --Reported by al-Bukhari, 2/457)

• It's 9th day is the Day of Arafat - Day of Forgiveness

Aa'isha (radhiAllaahu anha) narrated that our Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "There is no day on which Allaah frees more people from the Fire than on the day of Arafat. He comes close and expresses His pride to the angels saying, 'What do these people (the Hajis) want?'" --Sahih Muslim

 

 

 

 

What We Should do to MAXIMIZE the Benefits:

• Perform Hajj or Umrah!
• Fast - Especially on the 9th (Day of Arafat)

When the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) was asked about the fasting on the Day of Arafat, he said: "It expiates the sins of the previous year and that of the following year." --Sahih Muslim

• Extra Salaah - Tahajjud, salaat-ul istighfar, salaat-ul shukr

• Khatm-ul-Qur'aan - Or at least read more than you normally do; Look up the english version of Surah Al-Hajj.

• Dhikr

• Sincere Du'a and Repentance

• Qurbani/Sacrifice - Share your qurbani with friends, family, and for extra bonus points give some to the poor/orphans.

• Attend the Eid Prayer! - Perform the Sunnah of  'Eid as well such as not eating anything until after the prayer.

• Good Deeds in General - Smile, give sadaqa, reconcile with family memebers and old friends, forgive others. If you can't seem to do any good deeds for some reason, make du'a to Allaah, and at least ABSTAIN FROM SINNING.

 

May Allaah accept our repentance and reward all those performing Hajj. *Ameen*

Baby Steps..

Since this is the month of mercy and forgiveness, dhikr (remembrance) of Allaah should be made in abaundance. Not to say we shouldn't in the remaining months, but that we should increase in it especially during Ramadhan for its great and many rewards. Keeping that in mind, here's a nice place to start inshaaAllaah..

سُبْحَانَ اللّهِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ 

SubhaanAllaahi wa Bihamdihi

(Glory be to Allaah and Praise Him)

Whoever says the above 100 times during the day, his sins are wiped away even if they are like the foam of the sea.

 --Sahih Bukhari

SubhaanAllaah. So heavy on the scales, and yet so easy to implement. It's the small steps we take, and make a habit out of that make the biggest difference in the long run. Let's make the intention to act on those baby steps starting this Ramadhan.. starting today, this second inshaaAllaah.