Islam confers immeasurable blessings
upon those who prime themselves to True Faith. Islam is a lifestyle best suited to the modern human personality.
The Holy Qur’an is, in truth, the latest and final version of the Eternal Message that Allah, the One, the God Almighty of Abraham and Moses and Jesus and Muhammed S.A.W.S., has designed and bequeathed to humanity, all by Himself.
It is our pride as Muslims that we have kept Allah’s Authentic Bequest , the Holy Qur’an, unaltered and inviolate over 14 centuries and more. It is the repository of all the best and truest of sciences. As a Guide, it is the indispensable “how-to” manual for everyone who is interested in making a great success of his/her life.
It is the lifetime mission of every Muslim to be a real blessing unto all: an ideal citizen, a righteous person, a caring son/daughter, a loving spouse, a devoted parent, and a sincere, true and dutiful servant of Allahu Rabbul Izzath.
Ramadan brings out
the best in every Muslim.
Does anyone feel the pangs of hunger during the day? No. We are just feeling great! We are one with our family, with our neigbours and with our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world.
It is as though we are in a Devotion Workshop and the euphoria does not just disappear at the end of Ramadan.
It stays with us through the following eleven months and makes us excellent Muslims. All praise to Allah for the wonderful gift of Ramadan.
Those who find this hard believe, are welcome to visit a Muslim neigborhood during Ramadan and discover the truth themselves!
We are indeed at our happiest and noblest in Ramadan and we sincerely affirm our devotion to the Lord Who grants us all that is precious and magnificent in life.
We perform the Salaah’s Zuh'r and As'r in Jama’ath. For Salaathul Maghrib we go to the Masjid taking with us our Ifthaar (dates, fruit, bread, lemonade and so on). This breakfast food is shared with our brothers assembled there.
We are counseled, in Hadith, to hasten (and not delay) the timely Ifthaar (the sunsetbreakfast).
We come back for a hearty meal at home, in which guests often join. An hour of rest and again to the Masjid for Salaah’s Ishaa and Tharavaeh.
To sum up, we quote the Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. from Sahih Bukhari: "If a person does not stop lying or living by the evil of falsehood, Allah does not require him to give up food and drink".
(This inspires in the Muslim the realization that fasting, by itself, is just not enough and we must try with equal zeal and desist from every evil, every bit of falsehood and from all acts that are abhorrent to Allah).
And: "The Fast is a Muslim's shield (protecting him/her from evil). When one is on fast, he/she must not quarrel with, or abuse, anyone. If subjected to such foul treatment, he/she must say, 'Brother, I am on fast and I will not reciprocate your bad manners'."
Syedina Mohammed S.A.W.S. has assured us that our fasts, our prayers and our recitations of the Holy Qur'an will intercede with Allah for our salvation (on the Day of Judgment).
The good deeds we have performed in Ramadan will plead for the grant of pardon to us by Allah. And this on a day when the entire humanity will be trembling in fear and despairing for some good deed to show up in their life record that could save them from the wrath of Allah!
We also know from Hadith that Shaiy'thaan is shackled and rendered inoperative during the whole of Ramadan. The gates of Hell are closed shut and the doors to Heaven, to Allah's Rah’math, Allah's Compassion, are opened wide to the Muslims.
For our fast and our devotion to Allah through Ramadan, we are graced with:
Allah’s Love and His Magnificent Protection to us and to our family in this careworn world and
Eternal Bliss, Unimaginable Luxury and Everlasting Happiness in the Life to Come.
In a later chapter the special Salaah’s suggested by Muslim scholars for the very special and most auspicious Lai’ylathul Qad’r, the Night of Glory, are detailed.
Fasting is forbidden on the days of the two festivals:
Eidul Fith’r (which proclaims the grand conclusion of the Ramadan fast) and
Eid al Ad'haa (which commemorates the offer made by Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his dear son Ismail for the love of Allah).
Salaathuth Thara'vaeh
(Special Prayers on Ramadan Nights)
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is the month dedicated, heart and soul, to Allah. Its grandeur is beautifully and very simply stated: Thirty Days of Fasting and Thirty Nights of Thara'vaeh Prayers!
We break our Ramadan fast a little after sunset and go on to perform the Maghrib prayers. An hour and a half to two hours later we line up for four Rakaah’s Far’d of the Salaah ul Ishaa.
The four Rakaah’s Sunnah prayers are performed by ourselves.
After this, we line up for for the Salaathuth Thara'vaeh, which are Sunnathul Muvakkidhah, that is, they were regularly performed by the Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. during Ramadan.
The Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. has said, in a Hadith recorded in Sahih Bukhari, that whoever performs this Salaah with devotion, for earning Allah's pleasure, will have all his sins pardoned by the Glorious Rabbul Alameen.
The Salaah, as such, is of twenty Rakaah’s performed in Jama’ath behind the Imam. It is completed in ten sessions of two Rakaah’s each.
At the Masjid, the Imam is a Qari, one who has memorized the Holy Book completely. From the 1st of Ramadan to the 27th of Ramadan, it is usual for him to complete one full recitation of the Holy Qur’an in serial order.
For him and for us, who pray under his lead, the rewards of performing Salaathuth Thara'vaeh in Jama’ath are enhanced by this.
It commemorates the Hijrath, the migration of Syedina Muhammed S.A.W.S and his trusted companion Syedina Abubak’r (R.A.A.), at Allah’s Command, on the 22nd September, 622 A.D, to Madinah.
In between every four rakaah’s of the Salaathuth Tharavaeh, the assembly recite, in melodious unison, the Thasbeeh in praise of Allahu Sub’hanahu va tha Aalaa:
SUB'HAANALLAHIL MALIKIL QUD'DOOS
SUB'HAANA ZIL MULKI VAL MALAKOOTH
SUB'HAANA ZIL IZZATHI VAL AZMATHI VAL QUD'RATHI
VAL HAIY'BATHI VAL KIBRI'YAA'YI VAL JAB'ROOTH
SUB'HAANAL MALIKIL HAIY'ILLAZEE
LAA YANAAMU VA LAA YAMOOTH
SUBBOOHUN, QUD'DOOSUN,
RABBUNAA VA RABBUL MALAA'YIKATHI VAR ROOH.
ALLAHUMMA AJIR'NAA MINAN NAAR
YA MUJEER YA MUJEER YA MUJEER.
BI RAHMATHIKA YA AR'HAMAR RAAHIMEEN. AMEEN!
The Salaathuth Thara'vaeh can be performed in the home also.
In fact women are exhorted to perform this important Salaah throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan.
If the husband or the father is unable to proceed to the Masjid for the Jama’ath, the family can perform this Salaah in Jama’ath at home under his Ima’math (leadership).
Salaah Lai’ylathul Qad’r
(Prayers on the night of Ramadan 26th/27th)
The Lai’ylathul Qad’r is the special glory of Ramadan
It is the night more radiant and venerable to us
than a thousand nights.
It is universally celebrated on the 27th of Ramadan.
However, there is a possibility that it could be
any one of these nights: the 21st , 23rd , 25th, 27th or 29th
Through these nights and with the highest devotion to Allah and His Chosen Rasool S.A.W.S. on the night of the 27th Ramadan, we perform special Salaah ’s as a community.
The Prophet of Islam S.A.W.S. has said that whoever fails to avail
the opportunity for Salaah and devotion to Allah on this
Glorious Night suffers a grievous loss indeed.
He counseled the Mother of Momineen
Saiyidathi Aayesha R.A.A. Radi Allahu An'haa
that the Best Du’aa for Lai’ylathul Qad’r is:
ALLAHUMMA INNAKA AFOOVUN,
THU'HIBBUL AF'VA,
FA AAF'VU ANNAA.
(Ya Allah, Undoubtedly You are the Forgiver Supreme,
You love to pardon sinners. Kindly pardon us all our sins).
Insha Allah, it will work wonders for us.
We recite the Holy Qur'an and make Duaa’yaen, prayers,
to Allah from the depth of our hearts.
v We remain generous to those in need and we are kind to one and all.
v Later in the day we visit the burial grounds where our elders lie buried and we make Faathi’ha in their cause.
v We pray to Allah to kindly pardon their sins, widen and illumine their resting places and grant them Paradise.
v May Allah kindly accept our prayers and grant an abode in the highest heaven, to all our elders who are no more. A'meen!
v By these and similar observances, to which we will feel inspired, we guarantee ourselves peace and happiness on earth by the grace of Allah. And in the life to come, we look forward to the eternal happiness Allah has promised us -– mansions and gardens in Jannathul Firdau’s, the highest heaven.
The Lai’ylathul Qad'r commemorates the first revelation of the Holy Qur'an (in the mountain top cave of Hira just outside Makkathul Mukarramah)..
Every Salaah, every good deed, every recitation of the Holy Qur'an performed during this night, brings in rewards a thousand times greater than at other times.
On this night of nights, our prayers and good deeds bring us boundless neymaath, blessings from Allahu Subhanahu va ta Alaa.
If our Salaah and our Du’aayen are accepted by Allahu Rabbul Izzath, the rewards will be as though hundreds of acres of fertile land and numberless villages are gifted to us as all our own -- and that too, in the best of heavens, the Jannathul Firdau's.
The following suggestions for Naf’l Salaah’s to be performed on this night, have been handed down to us by learned Ulema from the practice of Syedina Muhammed Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam.
We may follow them, or increase or reduce the number of their Rakaah’s in accord with our stamina and our circumstances.
Naf’l prayers are our expression of gratitude to Our Glorious Lord for the blessings that we and our family enjoy from His Rah’math. We may recite any Thasbeeh in them that is authentic and is from the Holy Qur’an. And we must ensure that the Salaah ’s do not deviate in any manner from the normal and masnoon pattern of our prayers.
What is essential is that we pray to Allahu Rahmaanir Raheem with true devotion, that dwells in and wells from, the heart of the blessed Muslims, for Allahu Rabbul Izzath.
Two Rakaah’s :- After Surath Fa’thiha, we recite, in each rakaah, Surath INNAA AN'ZALNAA once and Surath QUL HU’VALLAHU AHAD thrice.
Two Rakaah’s :- After Surath Fa’thiha we recite in each Rakaah, Surath QUL HU’VALLAHU AHAD seven times.
After completion of the Salaah we recite ASTHAGH'FIRULLAHUL AZEEMIL LAZEE LAA ILLAHU ILLAA HUVAL HAI'YUL QAIYOOMU VA ATHOOBU ILA'HI seventy times.
Four Rakaah’s :- After Surath Fa’thiha, we recite Surath AL'HAAKUMATH THAKAASURU once and Surath QUL HU’VALLAHU AHAD thrice in each Rakaah.
Four Rakaah’s :- In each Rakaah, after Surath Fa’thiha, we recite Surath INNAA AN'ZALNAA thrice and Surath QUL HU’VALLAHU AHAD fifty times.
On completion of the Salaah, we recite SUB’HAANALLAHI VAL HAMDULILLAHI VA LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAHU VALLAHU AKBAR a hundred times.
Four Rakaah’s - In each Rakaah, after Surath Fa’thiha, we recite Surath INNAA AN'ZALNAA once and Surath QUL HU’VALLAHU AHAD 27 times. Recital of Surath INNAA ALN'ZALNAA seven times is also rewarding.
We recite the Saiyidil Asthaghfar and the Darood-e-Shareef, and we make a heartrending Du’aa, invocation, to Allah to kindly grace our Salaah’s with acceptance and to grant us His Choicest Neymaath.
These Duaa’yaen are generously rewarded and our highest aims fulfilled by Allahu Subhanahu va tha Aalaa.
The Revered Imams at the Holy Masaajid of Makkathul Mukarramah and Medinathul Munawwarah make heartrending Duaa’yaen to Allah on this Glorious Night, with tears in their eyes, for the health, safety, prosperity and salvation of Muslims all over the world.
Saiyidil Asthagh'far
An excellent Du’aa of repentance,
seeking Allah's pardon of our sins
ALLAHUMMA ANTHA RABBEE
LAA ILAAHA ILLAA ANTHA
QALAQ'THANEEE VA ANAA ABDUKA
VA ANAA ALAA AH'DIKA
VA VA'ADIKA MASTHA'THAATHU,
A'OOZUBIKA MIN SHARRI MAA SANA'ATHU
ABOO'O LAKA BI NEY'MATHIKA ALAIYA
VA ABOO'O BI ZAMBEE FAGH’FIRLEE ZUNOOBEE
FA INNAHU LAA YAGHFIRUZ ZUNOOBA ILLAA ANTHA.
Allah, You are my Creator and there is no one
(to be worshipped) except You;
I am Your slave and I am indebted to You
for Your kind Promise
and Covenant (for my salvation).
I seek refuge in You and confess to my sins and to my evil past and (gratefully do I acknowledge) Your blessings
and favors (unto me).
Kindly forgive me (my sins)
and accept my sincere repentance.
You alone can pardon our sins.
Salaathuth Thas’beeh
The Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. counseled his uncle Syedina Abbas R.A.A. to perform this Salaah after performing the two Sunnah Rakaahs of Salaathul Faj'r (before the Imam commences the Far'd Salaah in Jama’ath).
We may perform this Salaah at other times too. It is most auspicious for all of us.
The Salaah of two (or four) Rakaahs is performed like any other Naf’l Salaah, with the additional recitation of
SUB'HANALLAH,
ALHAM’DULILLAH,
LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAH,
ALLAHU AKBAR
Fifteen times before going to Rukooh in each Rakaah
Ten times in the Rukooh, after reciting SUBHANA RABBIYAL AZEEM
Ten times after rising and before going into Saj’dah
Ten times in each Saj’dah, after reciting SUB'HANA RABBIYAL AALAA
Ten times while being seated after the first Saj’dah
Ten times while remaining seated after the second Sajdah of the first rakaah and before standing up
Ten times while seated, and before reciting the Ath’thahiy’yaath, in the second (and the fourth rakaahs).
(Total 75 recitations in each rakaah).
Fidiya
(Restitution for Missing the Ramadan Fast)
Old and terminally ill people have to give Fidiya, the compensation, in charity to the appropriate Muslim, for each and every Fast they are unable to observe.
This provision will be met if they furnish, over an entire day, in substantial quantity, all the meals of good quality, that a person may need.
It is the common practice to provide the normal food for Suhoor and Ifthaar, in cash and/or kind, to a Muslim who keeps the fast without fail.
He/she will be fasting on the donor's behalf and also on his/her own behalf.
The fasting person's sawaab unto himself/herself, that is the reward from Allah, will in no way be curtailed.
Most important: The donor will be rewarded equally , and will, insha Allah, be absolved of the sin of not observing the essential duty of Saw'm on all the days for which he/she has donated the Fidiya to the indigent Muslim.
Zakaath, the Muslim Charity
(also known as Poor Due)
Va aqeeemus salaatha va aathuz zakaatha va athee’ur rasoola
la allakum thur’hamoon
So establish regular salaah and give zakaath (the Muslim charity)
and abide by the Prophet S.A.W.S.’s teachings
that you may receive Mercy (and Bounties) from Allah.
(Holy Qur’an: Surath an Noor: verse 56)
We compute sincerely our savings and the liquid assets (gold bullion, other than jewelery worn by us, etc.) in our possession at the end of each year. A fortieth (that is, 2.5%) of all this is to be given away as our Zakaath then, to those in need.
If this command of Allah is faithfully adhered to, the world’s ills will disappear and social upheavals avoided. To give honestly and uncomplainingly is to receive from Allah rewards of everlasting value.
It is the glory of Islam. The concept of social welfare supported by taxation took centuries to gain acceptance by world governments. But it was enshrined in the five essential precepts of Islam over 1,400 years ago.
Allah has commanded Muslims to give away, of their own accord, a full 2.5 % of their net savings and of their liquid assets to the needy every year.
We are to give, with good manners and grace, for Allah's sake, and never expect thanks or gratitude from the recipients.
We ensure that the beneficiaries do not feel humiliated in any way for taking Zakaath.
Our reward is guaranteed from Allah Himself.
Zakaath means purification and development.
In most passages of the Holy Qur'an and Hadith "Salaah" and "Zakaath" are mentioned in the same breath.
They are most important to us for the perfection of our faith.
Our Zakaath purifies not only our inner selves and makes us more perfect Muslims.
It also purifies and renders auspicious the wealth and possessions that remain with us after we have given away Zakaath conscientiously.
Zakaath must be be given to, and be received by, Muslims only.
The Prophet S.A.W.S. commands us in the Abu Dawood collection: "Zakaath is the right of any Muslim who asks for it, even though he may have come to you on horseback."
It is also essential that the Zakaath giver make the Niyyath, intent, in his heart that he/she is giving such and such items to the recipient as Zakaath for Allah's sake. Otherwise the Zakaath obligation will continue to rest on him/her.
Allah commands us in the Holy Qur’an:
“It is not true piety that you just turn your faces to the East and West. The truly devout are those who believe
in Allah and the Day of Judgment,
in the Angels, the Book (of Allah) and the Prophets;
and give of their wealth, for the love of Allah, to near relatives, to orphans, to the needy, to the wayfarers and to the mendicants; and spend generously
to help human beings attain freedom from bondage;
and they perform Prayer and give Zakaath".
(Surath Al Baq'r:177)
And Allah comforts us:
"And the believers, men and women, are friends of one another; they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong;
and they perform regular prayer and they give Zakaath
and they obey Allah and His messenger (Syedina Muhammed S.A.W.S. Sal).
Upon them will be Allah's mercy and compassion".
(Suratha ath Thaubah:71)
Nisaab is the minimum value of assets in our
possession that entitles us to be Zakaath donors:
Gold 93.6 grams and above (2.5%)*
Silver 200 dirhams (or 595 grams) and above (2.5%)
On Merchandise Of the market value of 595 gms silver (2.5%)
On Livestock For each set of 5 camels: one goat
For each set of 30 cows or oxen: one yearling.
For a herd of 40 goats: a 6 month old goat
For each herd of 40 sheep, one yearling.
Farm produce 10% from dry lands.
7.5% from partially irrigated land
5% from harvested grain and fruits from
lands irrigated by pumps and other equipment.
and on Minerals 20 % of deposits from the earth
*This rate applies to currency notes, debentures and other forms of investments with cash value equalling this quantity of gold.
On grain crops and fruits, no zakaath is due when the harvested crop/produce weighs less than 800 kgs.
Zakaath is due on livestock reared in pastures where they graze freely. Other animals whose upkeep implies expense on fodder and labor, no zakaath is due.
The animals culled for zakaath must be of real value and not consist of weak or unsaleable types.
So too are exempted horses, mules and donkeys unless they are for sale.
Allahu Sub'haanahu va tha Aalaa commands us in the Holy Qur’an, "It is righteousness to spend of your wealth out of love for Him (Allah)” on:
Lil fuq’raa’yi val masaakeen: the poor and the needy,
Val aaamileena alai’yhaa: those employed to assist them from the fund,
Val muvallafathi quloobuhum: those whose hearts have been enlightened with truth and they have entered Islam;
Vafir riqaabi val ghaamireena va fee sabeelillahi: those who are in bondage or in jail and have been reduced to indebtedness for services rendered in the Cause of Allah; and for those stranded in travel undertaken to servie Islam.
Our sadaqaath are to be devoted to the above (in accordance with Surath ath Thau’bah: verse 60).
And Allahu Rahmaanir Raheem directs us in Surath al Baq’rah verse 177:
It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the east or west but it is righteousness
· to believe in Allah
· and the Last Day
· and the Angels
· and the Book and the Messengers;
· to spend of your substance, out of love for Him (for Allah)
· for your relatives (the Prophet S.A.W.S. has said that this is both charity and
· an act of kinship with double credit, according to Nisaayi and Thirmidi)
· for orphans),
· for the needy (We must locate and help first the people who endure poverty without asking for help from anyone and also the strangers who are entitled to our Islami hospitality)
· for the wayfarer (especially those who travel and convey the message of Islam far and wide)
· for those who ask (the people who are entitled to our help in any form and they ask for it and the usual indigent who live on alms);
· and for the ransom of slaves (this is not an obsolete clause but a vital duty in the present era when slavery as such is banned but is in vogue in a secret and intriguing shapes such as unsulpecting men, women and children sold into bondage, intellectuals roped in to serve un-Islamic causes, and talented Muslims placed in unsuitable jobs and wasting their genius)
· And give Zakaath.
· To fulfill the contracts that you have made
· and to be firm and patient in enduring pain and adversity (suffered by an individual due to illness, injury or unmerited setback or by the entire Muslim community) through all periods of panic (caused in war, violence, epidemics and misinformation spread against us):
Such are the people of truth, those who fear Allah.”
Zakaah is a duty that devolves on the rich. If any such person cannot find the heart to give away a part of his/her own hard-earned wealth to the needy, he/she stands condemned in the eyes of Allah.
According to the Hadith, his wealth will turn into a poisonous snake on the Day of Judgment and it will keep biting him/her repeatedly.
Zakaath does not set a limit to what we have to give. And it does not imply to us that we be charitable and outgoing in Ramadan and thereafter turn the blind eye to human suffering.
It only sets for us the bare minimum that an affluent human being like you, dear reader, must part with, in joy and with enthusiasm,
· to wipe an orphan’s tears and help him/her to a good life;
· to fill a miserable dwelling with the cheer of food and clothing;
· to build hospitals to conquer disease and promote good health;
· to provide cost free or subsidised education and training to both men and women for careers in computer operations, nursing, automobile engineering, construction, mass media, social service and Da’awah;
· to build masaajid and Qur’an Centers and realize, with inspiration and help from Allah, any good project that revitalizes Muslim society and brings it world esteem.
· Thaqabbal Allah! May Allah kindly accept your good deeds and bless you with still more prosperity and ney’maath by His Grace. A’meen!
Nation building projects like these advance the Islami ideal of charity as an ongoing program fostering better and better societies. We call it Zakaath during Ramadan and sadaqa or a gift endowment at other times.
The joy of giving is the one that lasts longest in our lives. It fills our hearts with a unique light. With the good fortune that comes to us from Allahu Ghani, we spend openly and secretly, as He Commands, to transform and improve the lives of those who deserve help and proper guidance.
And when we comply with His Wish, Allah terms it Qard-al-Has’na, the best loan, that we, the slaves of Allah, are giving to Our Creator and Benefactor.
This is the best investment that we can make. That portion of our worldly assets which we employ in the right charity and in the service of Islam, go to build mansions for us and lay out gardens in Paradise, the eternal world of ultimate joy that we will be entering (when Allah brings to a close all earthly life).
Not just money but a part of our greatest asset – our time - must also be spent, on a daily and ongoing basis, to serve our people and safeguard their interests.
Nasrun min-Allahi va fathahun qareeb!
Allah’s help is coming to you. Yours will be the triumph very soon!
(We enter a Devotional Workshop in the Masjid)
Yet another glory of Ramadan is the observance of Aethikaaf in the last ten days of the Holy Month. In the last year of his life our beloved Prophet S.A.W.S. observed Aethikaaf for twenty days in Ramadan.
Aethikaaf is the dedication to spend a considerable period of our time (in terms of hours or days) exclusively in a Masjid, in total devotion to Allah. This can also be done any time during the year. We will gain innumerable blessings from Allah by observing it with sincerity and devotion.
The highest form of Aethikaaf for us, is to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in:
the Holy Masjidul Haram of Makkathul Mukarramah or
the Masjidun Nabavi S.A.W.S. in Madinatul Munawwarah or
the Masjid al Aq’sa in Baithul Muqaddas (in that order).
If this is not possible, we may retire to the Juma'a Masjid in our city (or to any Masjid in our neighborhood or locality where Salaahul Juma'a is usually performed).
The best duration for Aethikaaf is
from the Salaathul Magh’rib of the 20th of Ramadan
to the Salaathul Magh’rib of the last day of the month
(29th or 30th as the case may be).
We must be observing the Ramadan fast during the period
if our Aethikaaf is to be accepted by Allah.
If no one volunteers to enter Aethikaaf in a particular Masjid, the people of that locality may not be gifted to the full extent of the Neymaath which Muslims of other Masaajid (where Aethikaaf is observed) receive from Allah in Ramadan.
May Allahu Rabbul Izzat kindly save us and our near and dear ones from any sloth in this behalf. Aameen!
Aethikaaf commences with our expressing the intent to observe it for Allah and making the Masjid our abode for the number of days we have decided to set apart for it.
· We dedicate our stay to special prayers, over and above the Jama’ath (congregational) prayers we will be performing.
· We must also recite the Holy Qur’an and engage in Zikr-e-Ilaahi, incantations of the blessed names of Allah.
· We are allowed to converse with others on Islami issues. But we must not engage in gossip or waste our time in senseless pursuits.
· Sex is forbidden for the entire period of our Aethikaf.
· We may have our meals brought to the Masjid and partake of them. This, however, should be done with due respect to its sanctity as a House of Allah. It is our duty to keep it clean.
· We may go out for toilet and for bath. But we must reside (pray and sleep) only in the Masjid during the Aethikaaf.
· Aethikaaf is a unique and uplifting experience that we must avail at least a few times in our life.
· Entrusting our home and our family and our business (or office) to the Protection of Allahu Sub’hanahu va tha Aalaa, we retire to the Masjid and enter this Devotional Workshop.
· Whether other Muslims join us or not, we are here to uplift ourselves in our faith through Qur’anic recitation and a deep study of, and meditation on, Islami literature.
· If we are inspired to write, we can do so and convey to all the joy and fulfillment we have been awarded by Allah.
· And we practice with true devotion special prayers and Zik’r-e-Ilaahi (incantations of the blessed names of Allah) and send Darood as often as we can to Our Beloved Prophet S.A.W.S.
· And, as we are reminded of our family and our Muslim brothers and sisters who are outside the Masjid, in our country or abroad, we render them the best service we can:
· We pray to Allahu Rabbul Izzath to kindly pardon their sins, relieve any distress they are involved in and bless them with good health, happiness, enduring prosperity and the wealth of eemaan.
· May Allahu Rahmaanir Raheem kindly grant all of us, men and women in Islam, the good fortune to be observing Aethikaaf in the most devout manner possible year after year. A’meen!
May Our Glorious Creator Allahu Rabbul Izzath kindly grant us an abode in Jannathul Firdaus. A’meen!
.
Saiyidil Asthagh'far
An excellent Du’aa of repentance,
seeking Allah's pardon of our sins
ALLAHUMMA ANTHA RABBEE
LAA ILAAHA ILLAA ANTHA
QALAQ'THANEEE VA ANAA ABDUKA
VA ANAA ALAA AH'DIKA
VA VA'ADIKA MASTHA'THAATHU,
A'OOZUBIKA MIN SHARRI MAA SANA'ATHU
ABOO'O LAKA BI NEY'MATHIKA ALAIYA
VA ABOO'O BI ZAMBEE FAGH’FIRLEE ZUNOOBEE
FA INNAHU LAA YAGHFIRUZ ZUNOOBA ILLAA ANTHA.
Allah, You are my Creator and there is no one
(to be worshipped) except You;
I am Your slave and I am indebted to You
for Your kind Promise
and Covenant (for my salvation).
I seek refuge in You and confess to my sins and to my evil past and (gratefully do I acknowledge) Your blessings
and favors (unto me).
Kindly forgive me (my sins)
and accept my sincere repentance.
You alone can pardon our sins.
The Festivals:
Eid al Fith’r and Eid al Ad’haa
These are the two Festivals that bring real joy and a sense of fulfillment to every Muslim.
Eidul Fith’r:
After 29 to 30 days of rigorous fasting in the month of Ramadan, we celebrate our great accomplishment. We rejoice that the approval of Allah has been gained. We decorate and beautify our homes, we don new clothes, put on fragrances, give away Fith’r charity to the indigent and hasten to the Eidgah for Salaah.
Later, with guests, we also have a sumptuous lunch and savor the delight of the day: the special sevaiyyaan prepared at home! This sweet dish is made of vermicelli boiled in milk and sugar and garnished with slices of dates, almonds, pistachios and raisins. We visit our friends and relatives and return home to receive the near and dear ones who find the time and transport needed.
We celebrate this glorious festival on the completion of a thrty day discipline we had imposed on ourselves and abided by in an exemplary manner. There was every justification to name it the Eidul Ramadan. But we call it the Eidul Fith’r, the Festival of Charity.
Festivals bring joy to the affluent and quite a few problems to those who are not able to meet all their needs. Whether we admit it or not, everyone of us has passed through times of stress and shortage. Deep within our hearts, we are aware of the sense of deprivation and even a measure of starvation that prevails, at times, in some homes.
To bring them the light of happiness on this day of universal rejoicing, Allah has enjoined on us that we reach out to them and provide them this Fith’r.
Fith’r, the very special charity by which the festival is named, is another evidence of the economic advancement of the community as a whole, that Islam advocates. For each member of the family, a certain measure of the staple grain of the land or an
equal amount of its value is given away to the indigent. Fith’r must be conveyed to whom it is due, even before we proceed to the masjid or eidgaah for the Eid prayers.
Alham’dulillah! All praise to Allah! Allah, Our Lord and Benefactor, has indeed blessed us with earnings adequate to our needs. The Fith’r is, therefore, obligatory on all of us.
The Eid-al-Ad'haa:
The 12th and last month of our calendar is Zul Hajj, the month of Haj. On the 9th of this month, over two million Hajis assemble in the plain of Arafaath for the crowning glory of Haj-- the prayers, the Wuqoof of Arafaath.
The Rah’math, the Mercy and Compassion, of Allah is nearest to them this day. And every Haji prays directly to his/her Maker and secures the fulfillment of his/her highest aspirations.
The next day, Muslims all over the world, take part in the Salaah Eid al Ad'haa and hasten home to perform the holy rite of sacrifice.In this way we commemorate the sacrifice Prophet Syedina Ibrahim Alaihis Salaam performed five thousand years ago for Allah. The Patriarch Prophet was ready to sacrifice one most beloved to him, his own son Ismail, to please Allah. Blindfolding himself, he actually passed the knife across the throat of what he believed was his son.
But Allah ordained His Angel Jibrayeel to substitute a sheep for the boy. It was the sheep that was indeed slaughtered. And Ismail was safe.
The commemorative sacrifice is obligatory on all Muslims who can afford the cost of one or more animals, according to their economic status.
They:
retain a third of the meat for themselves,
distribute a third to relatives and
give away the remainder to the poor.
By this, every family, rich or poor, enjoys on the Eid day a square meal, enriched by the incomparable taste of qurbani meat.
The Eid Salaah ’s are generally held in one or more open grounds and in major Masaajid.
It is better to hold this organized Salaah as early in the day as possible. In the Harmain Sharifain this glorious Salaah is performed an hour and a half after Salaah ul Faj'r.
The early performance of Salaah , especially in the Eid al Ad’haa will enable the assembly to return home sooner and attend to the sacrifice rites and to the speedy distribution of meat. As this auspicious meat is to be cooked and savoured for lunch, the quicker the rites are performed, the better for all.
May Allah kindly accept this offering of His devoted slaves. A’meen!
Except for the Wa’jib Salaah on the Eid morning that is held in congregation, no Naf’l Salaah ’s are performed before or immediately after the Eid Salaah .
How the Holy Prophet Syedina Muhammed
Sallallahu Alaihi va Sallam celebrated the Eidai'yn:
The Sunnah, the usual practice, of the Holy Prophet S.A.W.S. on the days of the two Eids:
Brushing the teeth with siwak, a wooden twig, and cleaning the mouth thoroughly.
Having a cleansing bath.
Donning a new or decent and clean dress.
Applying Ith'r (perfume from herbal or floral essence, free of alcohol) to the body, hair and clothing.
Performing Salaah in the Eidgah. This is located in a peaceful environ, away from the bustling metropolis.
Going to, and returning from the Eidgah by foot (if it is not far).
Using two different routes, one for going to, and the other for returning from, the Eidgah.
Not performing any Naf’l Salaah either in the house or at the Eidga’h prior to or immediately after the Salaath al Eid.
Eating some dates and/or tasting a sweet dish.
On the Eidul Fith’r, giving away the Fith’r before proceeding to the Eidga’h for Salaah .
On Eidul Ad’haa day, retaining an empty stomach until after the sacrifice and then savoring the qurbani meat, cooked and served, as the first meal of the day.
Reciting the Thakbeir-e-Thashreekh while proceeding to the Eidgah or the Masjid: ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR, LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAHU VALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR VALILLAHIL HAM'D.
On Eidul Fith’r day, the Thakbeirs are recited in a subdued tone. On Eidul Ad’ha day, the tone is louder and more emphatic.
From the dawn of Zul Haj 9th to the evening of Zul Haj 13th, this Thakbeir is recited once after every Far’d Salaah by the Imam and the assembly.
Salaath al Eidai’yn
How the Eid Prayers Are Performed
The Salaah is Wa’jib, that is, it ranks next only to the Far’d in importance. It must be performed with joy and gratitude to Allah for the bounties He has blessed us with.
The Niy’yath may be stated in Arabi:
NAWAI'YTHU AN UVAD’DIYA LILLAHI THA AALAA RAKAATHAI’YN SALAATHUL EIDUL-FITH'R/EIDUL-AD'HAA ILWA’JIBATHI MA'AA SITHTHI THAKBEIRAATHIN WA’JIBATHIN IKH ‘THADHAI'YTHU BI HAAZIHIL IMAMEE MUTHAVAJ’JIHAA ILAA JIHATHIL KA’ABAHTHISH SHAREEF.
Or, in our own language: I state my intent to perform two Rakaah’s Wa’jib of the Salaah Eidul-Fith'r/Eidal-Adh'haa with six takbeers, for Allah, under the lead of this Imam and I am facing the blessed Ka’abahthullah".
With this, the Imam and the assembly raise their hands to ear level saying ALLAHU AKBAR and bring the hands down to their sides. They recite the Sanaa SUB'HAANAKA ALLAHUMMA.… as in every Salaah .
They again raise their hands to ear level three times saying ALLAHU AKBAR and bring the hands down to their sides, the pause between the Takbeirs equalling three recitations of SUB'HAANALLAH. After the third Takbeir, the hands are folded, the right over the left about the midriff, as in every Salaah .
The Imam leads, as in every Salaah performed in congreation. He recites the Surath al Fathi’ha and another Surah from the Holy Qur’an, in both the first and the second rakaah’s.
In the second rakaah, before going into Rukooh, the Imam states ALLAHU AKBAR three times, with pauses in between as aforesaid. In response, the entire assembly raise their hands to ear level and bring them down to their sides.
Note: The number of times the Thak’beir Allahu Akbar is stated by the Imam in this Salaah , varies from masjid to masjid. We must follow the Imam and the local jama’ath, community, in this (as we did earlier, in the sighting of the crescent of Shawwwal) and maintain harmony in Islam.
Now the Imam calls ALLAHU AKBAR and the congregation, under his lead, go into Rukooh.
The rest of the Salaah follows the usual pattern.
The Imam's sermon, after the Salaah , is rendered in two parts. We listen in rapt attention as on Fridays.
We disperse after Du’aa and embrace each other warmly, the men as brothers and the women as sisters of one another, in a true Muslim manner. From each Muslim heart and on every Muslim lips, the sincere greetings of love and solidarity reach out:
“Eid Mubarak! Baarak Allah! Kullu Aam va Anthum Bi Khair!”
May this Festival be most auspicious to you and your family!
May the year of Islam that commences today be of
peace, security and prosperity to all of you!
No comments:
Post a Comment