Ramadan Mubarak

Today is the first day of the holy month of Ramadan for all muslims around the world! See my post last year on a brief explanation on this month.

The arabic word for Ramadan means scorching heat. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) said: "Surely, the month of Ramadan has been named so because it scorches away the sins." Kanz al-Ummal, H: 23688

One of the distinguishing features of Ramadan, beside fasting, is forgiveness.  The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) explained in one Hadith that Ramadan is a month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness and whose end is freedom from the hellfire.

Therefore, the month of Ramadan is a great time to ask God/Allah (swt) for forgiveness of our sins as well as a time to open our hearts to others, let go of grudges, and cleanse our hearts of anger and hatred - forgive others for any wrong they have committed towards you. The path to connecting with God is always paved with difficulties and tests and the only way to gain any form of spiritual uplifting is to pass those tests through dealing with hardships and rising above them.

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong". Mahatma Gandhi

This month is also a time to seek nearness to Allah (swt) through abstaining from worldly distractions and to purify our minds, body and soul and to take advantage of the blessings this month brings through nearness with the Almighty.

"When you fast, all your senses - eyes, ears, tongue, hands and feet - must fast with you."

• Eyes: Keep your eyes off unlawful things and objects; spend this most precious gift of God in good cause and pious acts and read the Holy Quran and Du'as.

• Ears: Abstain from hearing unlawful gossip, lies, false statements, music and obscene topics. Pay your attention towards sermons and topics of learning etc.

• Tongue: Do not tell lies or useless tales; do not spread rumours or, damaging gossips about other persons; keep aloof from falsity. Use the power of speech in spreading the word of God; in creating goodwill in the society.

•  Hand: Do not inflict injury upon others by your actions; instead strive to help them as far as you can.

•  Feet: Do not go towards forbidden places, like bars and cinemas. Do not run between people creating strife. Go towards those places where God is remembered; and your movements should be to bring people together.

•  And above all, your heart and mind must be with you in fasting. Because fast in its real sense, will not be complete unless your thoughts, your emotions, your actions - in short, all aspects of our life - become pure, clean and free from blemish. " - Adapted from: Islamic Occasions 

My resolutions for the coming month and year (I was pretty good about following through with most of my resolutions of the month of Ramadan last year, so again, here it goes):

• Read the whole Quran from front to back.
• Read Dua Iftitah every night of the month of Ramadan - one of my favorite duas.
• Make a habit of going to the mosque as much as possible.
• Watch my intake of too much sweets and unhealthy food. Since fasting is a means to keep ones desires in check, what better way to follow through with this than watching my desire for sweets.
• Less TV...more like no TV, however Suits is starting July 14th...maybe can exception can be made :D
• No shopping for myself of any sort during the month of Ramadan. 
• Stay away from gossiping, curb my tongue, watch my road rage, learn to forgive.

Wishing all those a wonderful and blessed month of Ramadan! May all your prayers be answered!

Eid Mubarak

Ramadan is officially over.  May Allah accept everyones prayers and wishes from this path month and help us to continue on an even better path this coming year.   

Happy Ramadan (Ramadan Mubarak)

Ramadan is finally here.  It is the month I look forward to the most.  Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and is the month where the holy Quran was revealed.  It is the month where fasting (one of the five pillars of Islam) was prescribed for all adult, sane, muslims.

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become” Al-Muttaqun (the pious).  "Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and righteousness" (Qur'an, 2:183) 

During this month, not only does one abstain from eating, drinking and any sexual relations from dawn until dusk, but one also controls their eyes, ears, tongue, thoughts and deeds and does everything possible to be the best person to seek nearness to, and the pleasure of God (Allah).
 

(Fast) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew. (Qur'an, 2:184) 

Why is this month so holy to muslims. Well, this is the month where you remove all worldly distractions and really focus on cleansing your soul. We spend most of the year doing what we want, when we want it, and most probably (speaking of myself here), don't spend as much time really focusing on our faith.  We get so wrapped up in ourselves and with this materialistic world, that we forget what we are here for (submission to God).  We forget to thank God for all the blessings he has bestowed. We forget that all that we are and all that we have is because of him.  Therefore, this is the month to get yourself back on track, and refocus for the following year.  This is the month where we try to get as close as possible to Allah (swt), seek forgiveness for our sins and remove the distractions of this world and try to really gain a spiritual awakening.

A few nights during Ramadan are called the Nights of Glory (Laylat ul-Qadr). They are the 19th, 21st and 23rd nights, the 23rd night having the most importance over the others. These are the nights where your "future" is written for the following year. These nights are better than a thousand nights and are spent in deep prayer and supplication, seeking forgiveness from our sins and praying for what we want help with.

"Indeed We have revealed it (Qur'an) in the night of Power. And what will explain to you what the night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Allah's permission, on every errand: (they say) "Peace" (continuously) till the rise of Morning!" (Qur'an, 97:1-5)

Ramadan always brings back fond memories for me.  There is no doubt that it is a difficult task to abstain from our normal day to day routine, and to fast, in the entire sense of the word, but there is also something so amazing about it.  Ramadan is a time of gathering as well.  A time where we go to the mosque (you should be going every year, but it's the time when I really try to go more often), see people and break our fasts together.  There is nothing more amazing than the feeling of being with family and friends and breaking your fast together.  It's not just that you are finally able to eat after a long day, but more so the camaraderie that it brings about.  Everyone is on the same path.  Everyone is trying to be a better person.  Everyone is in it together.

The most amazing feeling though is after the month is over.  You feel as though your soul has been lightened of its sins and burdens from the year.  As though you are starting a clean slate.  You are more aware of your senses.  You are more aware of what you eat, what you say, how you interact with others.  You try wholeheartedly to continue on the path that was started during the month of Ramadan, and ideally it should continue throughout the year.  But alas, (at least for me), it doesn't.  So every year, I start anew in the hopes that this year I will be better than the last.  Inshallah (God willing) this month will be different.

My resolutions/hopes for this month:

- Read the whole Quran from front to back (something I wasn't able to complete last year).
- Spend more time at the mosque.
- Stay away from gossiping and curb my tongue.
- Stay away from some of the crap TV shows I watch...this does not include Suits :D
- No shopping for myself of any sort.  This means no really cute bag that I just have to have.  Nope, zilch, zero, nada.  Inshallah this month, I will not step foot into a clothing/accessory store (unless I need to get something for someone else that can't wait).  I tried this last year.  It lasted a week.  Major FAIL. Sigh...
- Keep up with Pure Barre on my own (this is going to be challenging), and I don't have much hope for this one.

I wish all those who will be practicing the month of Ramadan and very great and blessed month!

Moon sighting in Pakistan

RAMADAN MUBARAK!