"Verily, I constantly renew my Islam until this very day, as up to now, I do not consider myself to have ever been a good Muslim."
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Voluntary & Obligatory Fasting (in Ramadhaan)
{The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for mankind, clear proofs for the guidance, the Criterion…} (Al-Qur'aan: Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)
What is the point of fasting beyond Ramadhan? Of course we have to make up the days missed and perhaps we hear the Friday Khutbah that reminds us to fast the days of Ashura or Arafat so we participate in that, but why go further than this?
Voluntary fasting has so many benefits that many are unaware of. Fasting had benefits in all aspects of our lives, physical, spiritual and emotional. Lets now take a look at the virtues of fasting voluntarily.Importance of Fasting in Islam"O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 03 Oct 2010 Hits:271 Few things are more demanding than eliminating bad habits, since they are part of our daily routines and personality. It takes days of patience and practice to break old habits.However, the good news is, Ramadan offers a perfect and natural environment for moral training. Interestingly, researches from “positive psychology” (scientific study of successful people) have repeatedly shown it takes 30 days to kick a bad habit and develop a new one.In addition to the physical discipline in the 30-day boot camp of Ramadan, the increased spiritual exercise and connection with Allah, can transform your habits for life.Try these proven techniques... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 13 Sep 2010 Hits:530 Fasting six days of Shawwaal after the obligatory fast of Ramadaan is Sunnah Mustahabbah, (a recommended practice) not waajib (obligatory). It is recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwaal, and in this there is great virtue and an immense reward.
Whoever fasts these six days will have recorded for him a reward as if he had fasted a whole year, as was reported in a saheeh hadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Abu... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 12 Sep 2010 Hits:247 All Praise and Thanks is for Allah who has blessed us with witnessing yet another Ramadan! The Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, actions are judged by their ending [Bukhari]. So while many of us have started preparing for Eid, we should also make sure that we end this blessed month in a great way.How do we end our Ramadan?Tawbah: RepentanceWe end this month by returning to Allah in a state of humility and repentance. We seek forgiveness of Allah and repent to Him because we acknowledge that our deeds are deficient, and we acknowledge that we have wronged... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 12 Sep 2010 Hits:418 narration, "Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die." (Ibn Majah)
was narrated by Ibn Maajah (1782) from Abu Umaamah (may Allaah be pleased with him). This is a da’eef (weak) hadeeth which does not have any saheeh isnaad (authentic chain) from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Al-Nawawi said in al-Adhkaar:
'It is a da’eef hadeeth which we have narrated from Abu Umaamah in both marfoo’ and mawqoof reports, both of... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 10 Sep 2010 Hits:605 The last ten nights of Ramadan is a major time to ask forgiveness.In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah said: "O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you.
O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 05 Sep 2010 Hits:312 I wore my best hijab last night, a beautiful, shiny hijab with bright embroidery and sequins. I never wear bright scarves when I go out. I try for dull, matte colors – usually black, if I’m being honest – to match the black abayas I wear. I don’t want to look bad when I go out, but I don’t want to look particularly attractive or decorated when I’m outside my home either. I do it because of this ayah, the ayah in Surat an-Noor,“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and not expose... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 05 Sep 2010 Hits:736 It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. And whoever stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” He also related that the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever prays at night in Ramadaan out of faith and the hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.”In the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhu), there is evidence... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 05 Sep 2010 Hits:420
"Slaves of Allah, surely the month of Ramadan will be leaving us, and only a little remains of it. So whosoever amongst you has done good, then upon him is completing it with good. And whosoever amongst you has neglected this month, then let him end it with the best, for deeds are by their endings.Enjoy what remains of these few last nights and days, and commit to righteous deeds that will bear witness for you infront of The All-Knowing King, and when this month ends, say goodbye with the best farewell and greeting." Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 31 Aug 2010 Hits:342
Aisha asked the Prophet (saw) “What should I say on Laylat-al-qadr?” He replied,
'Say, “O Allah, You are Al-’Afuww and You love to ‘afw, so fa’fu me”' (Tirmidhi).
What do all these italicized words mean? The common translation of the supplication above is,
O Allah indeed you are a Pardoner, and you love pardon, so pardon me.
That’s it? The supplication for the last 10 nights, THE supplication we are supposed to focus on, is just to be ‘pardoned’ by “The Pardoner”? Isn’t there more to it?
Seems a bit strange, let’s look at it in more detail.
The linguistic meaning of ‘afuww... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 29 Aug 2010 Hits:460 Abu Umaamah (radiallaahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Recite the Qur'an for indeed it will come on the Day of Judgement as an intercessor for its Ashaab (those who read, memorize and implement it)."[1]
This hadeeth indicates the virtues of reciting the Qur'an, the greatness of its reward and that it will intercede for its holders on the Day of Judgement towards their entrance into Paradise.
An-Nawaas Ibn Sama'aan (radiallaahu anhu) reported: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) say: 'The Qur'an will be brought on the Day of Judgement as well as the people who... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 29 Aug 2010 Hits:643 It is recommended for the Muslim to read Qur’aan a great deal during Ramadaan and to strive to complete it, but that is not obligatory, i.e., if he does not complete the Qur’aan he is not sinning, but he has missed out on a great deal of reward.The evidence for that is the report narrated by al-Bukhaari (4614) from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: "Jibreel used to review the Qur’aan with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) once every year, and he reviewed it with him twice in the year in... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 29 Aug 2010 Hits:296 "O you who believe! Fasting was prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become pious. Fast for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number should be made up from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, they have to feed a poor person. But, whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you knew." [al-Baqarah, 183-184]It is, as the Lord of... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 26 Aug 2010 Hits:528
Ohhhh Samosa, how I love you samosa, There you lie on the plate I just want you closer, How crispy and delicate your pastry shell, Pass the sauce, pass the dip, pass the chutney as well. Ohhh Samosa not for me those funny pakoras, Weird looking and jagged those savoury horrors, with my appetite daily I wrestle and wrangle, For you... my beloved pastry triangle. Ohhh Samosa, to the "healthies" pay no heed, So what if you're fried, you're just what I need, A long day's fasting is no better broken, Than a delicious samosa just cooked and... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 21 Aug 2010 Hits:476 Some thought-provoking and heartfelt words on Ramadan by Ibn al-Jawzi (rahimahullah), which I came across in his book ‘Bustan al-Wa’idhin’:
‘… Where are those who fast and where are those who pray by night? Where are those who obey their Lord and where are those who work righteousness? Where are those who are foremost and where are are the humble ones? Where are those who remember (their Lord) and where are those devoted to Him? Where are the truthful and where are the patient? Where are the charity-givers? Where are those who enjoin good, who save the troubled ones and who... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 14 Aug 2010 Hits:571 We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Qur'an, taqwa, patience, jihad, mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hellfire…
Have we fulfilled the requirements of taqwa and graduated from the Ramadan school with the diploma of the god-fearing?
Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations?
Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire?
Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 11 Aug 2010 Hits:335 The acts of worship that the Muslims practice seek to achieve certain goals and benefits that Allah wants His slaves to acquire knowledge in them and to comprehend and achieve them. Among these acts of worship is fasting during the lunar month of Ramadhan, which has several goals that the Muslims must strive to achieve with his heart and by his actions. These goals are as follows:
1. Achieving At-Taqwa, that is, the fear from Allah. Allah said, what translated means, "O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (fasting) is prescribed for you as... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 11 Aug 2010 Hits:566
Sufyaan ibn `Abdillaah radhiallahu `anhu said:
"O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islaam, which I cannot ask anyone else besides you."
He said: "Say: 'I believe in Allah' and then be... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 11 Aug 2010 Hits:358 You know you're right.
You know what I'm referring to - those times when you get into an argument(s) with a family member, friend, boss, employee, coworker, classmate, teacher or whoever. You know your facts are right or that you've been wronged with an insulting remark, sarcastic comment or rudeness.
And so, you choose to hold a grudge. After all, you've got a right to. Nobody should be treated this way. Why should you forgive? You're not the one who started this. You're not the one who doesn't have the facts straight.
True. You may be right. But forgiving others, apart from positively... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 11 Aug 2010 Hits:344 *Fighting over the number of Rakaah of Taraweeh
There is no specific number of rak'ahs for Taraweeh prayer, rather it is permissible to do a little or a lot. Both 8 and 20 are okay. Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said:
"No one should be denounced for praying eleven or twenty-three (raka'ah), because the matter is broader in scope than that, praise be to Allaah."
*Praying ONLY on the night of the 27th
Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:
"Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 11 Aug 2010 Hits:569 Do you know of a deed that elevates and sublimes the soul - a deed that motivates toward gaining virtue and protects against corruption - a deed that strengthens the will power, rectifies the intention, reforms the body, heals weakness and brings the `abd (worshiper) closer to his Lord - a deed by which sins are forgiven, evil doings are reconciled, merit is increased, and the rank (of its performer) is elevated (before Allah) - a deed whose performer will be among the closest and the chosen upon Resurrection? This deed is Siyam (fasting)!
Fasting Implants Piety in the Heart
When... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 11 Aug 2010 Hits:365 Jabir bin Abdillah (radi Allahu anhuma) said,
“When you fast, then your hearing should fast, and your sight and your tongue from lying and sinning. Let there be a tranquility and calmness over you on the days of your fasting, and do not make the days that you are not fasting and the days you are fasting equal.”
Some of the Salaf used to say,
“Indeed Allah, the Most High, has made the month of Ramadan as a competition for His creatures, in which they may race with one another to His pleasure, by obeying Him. Thus, one group comes... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 11 Aug 2010 Hits:569 All praises to Allah, Lord of the worlds. He who revealed in His Glorious Qur'an, "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who came before you that you may keep your duty to your Lord (having taqwa)." (2:185). And may blessings and peace of Allah be upon His last Messenger Muhammad ibn Abdullah, forever.
O you who believe, Ramadan is a sacred month wherein Almighty Allah is constantly testing His creation and giving humanity the opportunity to achieve infinite, endless Bliss. Fasting is a complete purification and a means to developing the consciousness... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 09 Aug 2010 Hits:469 If one of your closest friends were to be visiting your city, would you like to spend the most time with them? Would you ignore them if they were visiting only for a few days?
Never!
Well then just like that Ramadan is in town! The days are numbered, which means we have to spend most of our time coming close to our BEST FRIEND, Allah!
What better way to come close than to read the Qur'an?
Just like friends, we cannot ALWAYS hang out with the Qur'an, so here are small tips which can help one maintain a strong bond with it:
• Have... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 09 Aug 2010 Hits:384 We praise Allah for having blessed us with Ramadhan- the Month of the Qur’aan, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, the one for whom Ramadhan was an institution, the syllabus the Qur’aan and the teacher Gibraeel. May the Peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him, his family, his Companions and all those who follow his way till the day of Judgement. Ameen
Ramadhan has a beloved - a beloved that is closely connected and attached to its heart. If you wish to befriend Ramadhan, then you must befriend her beloved.
That beloved and loved one is the Qur’aan;
Ramadhan loves... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 09 Aug 2010 Hits:366 Here are a few ways to get great blessings in Ramadan and outside of Ramadan this year and all years to follow it inshallah Please read through it carefully and try to apply as many of these good deeds as possible inshallah:
1. Sitting after the Fajr prayer remembering Allah until sunrise: 'Whoever prays al-ghadaa (fajr) in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until sunrise, then prays twp rakats of salat has a complete reward of Hajj and Umrah (the Prophet s.a.w repeated the word 'complete' 3 times for emphasis) [at-Tirmidhi, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani]
2. Praying the 12 sunnah prayers each... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 09 Aug 2010 Hits:348 We praise Allah for having blessed us with Ramadhan, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, the Truthful one, the one who informed us that in Ramadhan:
“…the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the evil devils are chained…”[1]
May the Peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him, his family, his companions and all those who follow his way till the day of Judgement. Ameen
My Dear Sister, did you know:
You will die by next Ramadhan
How would you feel if this was to be the case, since no soul knows when and where... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 09 Aug 2010 Hits:365
All praises are due to Allah, who revealed the Qur’aan on a night that is better than a thousand months - the Night of Power. May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon his Noble Messenger who would tie his waist-cloth, leave his family and exert himself in these chosen nights. May the Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions and all those who follow his way till the Hour. Ameen
____________________
As the stars witness the years pass, some stars outdo others.
As the dark and fathomless waves overcome, stronger tides take power.
As the nights pass... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 09 Aug 2010 Hits:394 The cold wind of tyranny is ailing the weak, the oppressed. The path towards victory is long and rocky and you can’t walk any longer.
The nights are too short; the supplications very long and the friends few. It seems impossible to climb the lofty mountains as the dark clouds hover above – ready to storm and thunder…which means to torture and destroy.
The rain of tribulations has made the earth slippery, hence you feel you will fall and slip into the hands of the dark earth, into a grave in which you will regret not having worked hard to make His... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 09 Aug 2010 Hits:400 Everyone seems to be in the mindset of setting 'ibaadah goals. I think sometimes we become a bit unrealistic in the goals we set ourselves for Ramadan. A last trick of Shaytaan before he's locked away perhaps? "Go on", he whispers. "You know you can read the whole Quran 3 times!" (despite the fact that you have 4 children to tend for and a baby who wakes up three times a night!)
"You can't pray Qiyaam once a week! What kind of a Muslim are you?" he convinces you. "Qiyaam every day is the only way!" (even though you're pregnant and... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 09 Aug 2010 Hits:444 Know, that in the fast (Sawm) is a special quality that is not found in anything else. And that is its close connection to Allah, such that He says: "The fast (Sawm) is for Me and I will reward it." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Muslim] This connection is enough to show the high status of fasting. Similarly, the Ka`bah is highly dignified due to its close connection to Him, as occurs in His statement: "And sanctify My House." [Sûrah al-Hajj:26] Indeed, the fast is only virtuous due to two significant concepts:
The first: It is a secret... Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan 18 Jan 2010 Hits:503Why Fast Voluntary Fasts?
16 Ways to Kick Bad Habits in Ramadhan
The Virtue of Fasting Six Days of Shawwaal
How to End Your Ramadan
The Virtuous Night of Eid - Laylatul Jaaza' (The Night of Rewards)
A Beautiful Reminder...
I Wore My Best Hijab Today
Causes of Forgiveness in Ramadan
As Ramadhan Nearly Finishes...
Al-’Afuww: Who Forgives In the Last 10 Nights?
Reading the Qur’an in Ramadhan
The Early Muslims With the Qur'an in Ramadhan
Encounter with Hypocrite Jinns in Ramadhaan
Ohhhh Samosa
O Seeker of Good, Where are you?
What After Ramadan?
Amazing Benefits of Fasting
Remaining Steadfast After Ramadhaan
Why Forgive Others This Ramadan?
Some Common Mistakes During Ramadhan
Merits of Fasting
What The Salaf Said About Ramadhaan
Ramadan in History
Is your Best Friend in Town?
Ramadhan has a Beloved
Incur Great Blessings in Ramadhan
Can You Guarantee Your Next Ramadhan?
A Night Of Secrets
A Night Full of Power
Isn't It All About Habits?
The Inner Secrets of Fasting
Voluntary Fasting & Obligatory Fasting in Ramadhan