THINKING OUT OF THE BOX IN RAMADAN

pidc ka paan

GUEST ARTICLE (excerpts)

Some Common mistakes in Ramadaan

By Asma bint Shameem

Taking Ramadaan as a ritual

For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil….we forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire.  Sure we stay away from food and drink but that’s about all. Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Jibreel said to me, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven,’ and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by serving them) and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you,’ and I said, ‘Ameen.’” (Tirmidhi, Ahmad, others. Saheeh by al-Albaani)

Too much stress on food and drink

For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Qur’aan and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. So much so that they turn the month of ‘fasting’ into the month of ‘feasting’. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also a kind of waste & extravagance.

“…..and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance)” [al-A'raaf :31]

Spending all day cooking

Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Qur’aan. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!

Eating too much

Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to ‘make up for the food missed.’ However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah.  saheeh by al-Albaani).

Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless.

It was said to Imam Ahmad: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.

Sleeping all day

Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) ’sleeping away their fast’. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people also are missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot ‘bear’ to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but, negligence on his part.

Wasting time

The month of Ramadaan is a precious, precious time, so much so that Allaah calls this month “Ayyamum Ma’doodaat” (A fixed number of days). Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allaah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching TV, movies or even listening to music. Subhaan Allaah! Trying to obey Allaah by DISOBEYING him!

Fasting but not giving up evil

Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, buying lotto tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.” (Bukhaari)

Smoking

Smoking is forbidden in Islam whether during Ramadaan or outside of it, as it is one of al-Khabaa’ith (evil things). And this includes ALL kinds of ’smoking material’ eg.cigars, cigarettes, pipes,’Sheesha’, hookah etc.

“he allows them as lawful At Tayyibaat (all good and lawful things), and prohibits them as unlawful Al Khabaa’ith (all evil and unlawful things) [al-A'raaf :157]

It is harmful, not only to the one smoking, but also to the ones around him. It is also a means of wasting ones wealth. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “There should be no harming or reciprocating harm.”

This is especially true during fasting and it invalidates the fast. (Fatwa -Ibn ‘Uthaymeen)

Skipping Suhoor

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing.”(Bukhaari, Muslim).

And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor.” (Muslim)

Stopping Suhoor at ‘Imsaak’

Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe ‘Imsaak’.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: This is a kind of bid’ah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allaah allows us to eat until dawn: “and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)” [al-Baqarah 2:187]

And the Prophet (pbuh) said: “….eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes.”

This ‘imsaak’ which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed.” (Muslim)

Not fasting if they missed Suhoor

Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhoor. However, this is a kind of cowardice and love of ease. What is the big deal if you missed a few morsels of food? It’s not like you will die. Remember, obedience to Allaah overcomes everything.

Saying the intention to fast ‘out loud’ or saying a specific dua to start fasting

The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. It is not prescribed by the Shari’ah for us to say out loud, “I intend to fast”, “I will fast tomorrow” or other phrases that have been innovated by some people. Also, there is no specific dua to be recited at the time of starting the fast in the correct Sunnah. Whatever ‘dua’ you may see on some papers or Ramadaan calendars, etc. is a Bid’ah.

Delaying breaking fast

Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be ‘on the safe side’. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to break the fast, which means breaking fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set. Aa’ishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to do. (Muslim)

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to break the fast.” (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul on Allaah and break your fast exactly on time.

Eating continuously until the time for Maghrib Prayer is over

Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss Maghrib. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, them he would hasten to the prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.

Missing the golden chance of having your Dua accepted

The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.” (al-Bayhaqi, saheeh by al-Albaani).

Instead of sitting down and making Dua at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it….Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Duas.

Fasting but not praying

The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer.” (Muslim)

In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled.

“Whoever does not pray ‘Asr, his good deeds will be annulled.” (Bukhaari)

Fasting and not wearing (Hijaab) modest clothes

Not wearing Hijaab (modest clothes) is a sin as it is obligatory for Muslim men and women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab). So fasting and not wearing hijaab (modest clothes for men and women) certainly takes away enormously from the rewards of fasting, even if does not invalidate it.

Not fasting because of exams or work

Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shari’ah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do that during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than ‘good grades’. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do.

“Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him.” (Surah at-Talaaq 2-3)

Mixing fasting and dieting

DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (esp. sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone. Otherwise, mixing it with the intention of dieting may become a form of (minor) Shirk.

Fighting over the number of Raka’ah 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 nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan.” (Bukhaari, Muslim).

Wasting the last part of Ramadaan preparing for Eid

Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadaan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. although, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramadaan in worship (Ahmad, Muslim) and not in shopping.

Aa’ishah (RA) said: “When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam)) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i.e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family.” (Bukhaari and Muslim).

Iftaar parties

Although inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish ‘Iftaar parties’ with all sorts of disobedience to Allaah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing.

Allah knows best.

THE MORNING DHIKR ON THE OCEAN……….

As I finish my morning adkaars, I glance out to see the gold of the early morning reflecting on the ocean. The sun is cloistered behind a cloud so not much is seen of its dazzle.
I am impressed by the subtlety with which it uncovers itself, every morning be it at the oceanside or the river.

The first sign of the morn is the spreading haze of a gloriously subtle peachy light, which spreads evenly over everything. I recall when Ibrahim AS witnessed the glorious sunrise he said “Is that my Lord?” and of course he also answers his rhetorical query with “it cannot be because it sets” I note that a cloud hides it.

Allah SWT has programmed each of its creation to do things on time and yet I find myself always behind since I do not do the things when they are supposed to be done.

Some call it procrastination I call it “swapping “. All the essential things do need to be done and have to be done, if they are not done at the designated time they take someone, or something else’s’ time and get done. All this swapping increases the stress level in me.

However, not the sun, the moon and the stars, they are truly obedient to the commands of Allah SWT and do His (SWT) bidding not only on time but at the precise moment, not even a millisecond here or there. I bet they are never stressed, as we are for a deadline unmet.

I decide to walk out to observe how Allah’s creatures perform Dhikr in the morning.
Since by the time I set out to the oceanside, the sun even though partially hidden behind a cloud is up and perhaps I have missed the fajr Dhikr? I note that some of His (SWT) creatures are looking for sustenance, in their own unique style.

The sandpipers on their slim short legs run with a speed that beats me, to find their morning meal brought in by the incoming waves. After pecking precisely for their food in the sand, they rush of to another section keeping one eye on my proximity.

I note that when finished with their morning meal, they neither waste nor store, nor take in excess and there is no israaf in their behavior. They fly away having eaten to their fill with the complete confidence in their Lord that when the evening comes He (SWT) will provide them with sustenance.

The seagulls are slower and less hurried in seeking their sustenance. They relax by the water, wading in it perhaps doing their morning dhikr and are in no rush to eat and leave. They also unlike the sandpipers do not need company. The cool morning breeze ruffles their shiny feathers as they seek their morning sustenance brought to them with the incoming waves. I note that interspersed with periods of looking for food are periods of mediation and Dhikr. They seem to be enjoying and appreciating their surroundings with serenity.

I walk on and suddenly the tall reeds on the dunes light up in the morning light and start to sway in the gentle morning breeze. Perhaps this is their dhikr. Allah SWT says in the Quran that all His creatures are in Dhikr and each of His creation including plants and even rocks are in tasbeeh. I find myself at their side, as the nod in the breeze and the morning light transforms them into golden rods.

I find great harmony, serenity and solace in this scene enveloping me, where all the creation of Allah SWT is in morning Dhikr. I find myself saying ‘Subhanallah’ again and again and realize that I too am in Dhikr.

As the sun, sporadically peeks around its cloud hijab, I find two dogs frolicking in the water, what better way to express to their Lord, the appreciation of His bounties!

I begin to head back, Subhanallah on my lips and Alhamdollillah in my heart; I leave the ocean and enter the forest to return home. I see a glossy black salamander sunning on the flattened brown part of a palm leaf. He is so silent and so immobile that for a moment I am unsure if he is alive or not. As I bend down to photograph him, he slides off and disappears into the underbrush leaving me with a tinge of regret at interrupting his Dhikr.

As I round the bend I come upon the shady humid part of the forest, and I find the sentinel mushrooms rooted to their spot in silent Dhikr, patient and immobile and sabir in their immobility.

By now, the heat of the sun is on me and I am attacked by the ‘no seeums’ who suck my blood with a vengeance leaving welts on my arms and feet. I guess Dhikr is ended and hunting begins in earnest.

I return home feeling that I am a minuscule part of Allah’s creation that is in dhikr. I am overwhelmed with the symphony of Dhikr that I witnessed this morning and am sobered by the fact that none of them were human beings.
Why had I not noticed the symphony of nature in Dhikr before?

THE MUSLIM ETIQUETTE OF EATING

Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him said:

“BURPING IS MAKROOH”

At another time he (PBUH) said: “Don’t you know that people who eat to fullness in this dunya, will be the ones whose hunger will be the longest in Akirah”

Excerpted from the retreat on Tazkiyah Nafs 08, with Sheikh Mokhtaar Magroubi

THE DRIVE TO EAT…..

“If one is unable to control one’s drive to eat whenever we are hungry……………….then we will NOT be able to conquer our stronger drives of ‘Shahwa’ such as backbiting, unkindness and forbidden expressions of sexuality etc”

Excerpted from the retreat on Tazkiyah Nafs 08 with Sheikh Mokhtaar Magroubi

THE PHARAOH AND THE SERPENT Al-Araaf 7: 103-121

All that is left of the Pharaohs

Surah Al Araaf: 103-121

Then, after them, We sent Moses with our tokens unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they repelled them. Now, see the nature of the consequence for the corrupters! (103) Moses said: O Pharaoh! Lo! I am a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds, (104) Approved upon condition that I speak concerning Allah nothing but the truth. I come unto you (lords of Egypt) with a clear proof from your Lord. So let the Children of Israel go with me. (105) (Pharaoh) said: If thou comest with a token, then produce it, if thou art of those who speak the truth. (106) Then he flung down his staff and lo! it was a serpent manifest; (107) And he drew forth his hand (from his bosom), and lo! it was white for the beholders. (108) The chiefs of Pharaoh’s people said: Lo! this is some knowing wizard, (109) Who would expel you from your land. Now what do ye advise? (110) They said (unto Pharaoh): Put him off (a while) – him and his brother – and send into the cities summoners, (111) To bring each knowing wizard unto thee. (112) And the wizards came to Pharaoh, saying: Surely there will be a reward for us if we are victors. (113) He answered: Yea, and surely ye shall be of those brought near (to me). (114) They said: O Moses! Either throw (first) or let us be the first throwers? (115) He said: Throw! And when they threw they cast a spell upon the people’s eyes, and overawed them, and produced a mighty spell. (116) And We inspired Moses (saying): Throw thy staff! And lo! it swallowed up their lying show. (117) Thus was the Truth vindicated and that which they were doing was made vain. (118) Thus were they there defeated and brought low. (119) And the wizards fell down prostrate, (120) Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, (121) The Lord of Moses and Aaron.

I am listening to the tafseer of the above ayahs from Farhat Hashmi…………and suddenly the entire scene with its attendant emotions seep into me………. The hesitation of Musa (AS) to confront the Pharaoh, his obedience to Allah in doing so, his self consciousness about his speech impediment and his dua in asking Allah to “open the knot in his tongue”, his request to Allah to give a companion in his mission and being given his brother Haroon, the finger of fear touching him as he sees the ropes and staffs of the magicians turning into what seems to him as snakes, the calmness of courage that comes from true taqwa instilled into him by Allah SWT by a revelation of action.

The hush of the thousands of people as they witness what happens when Musa (AS) throws down his staff and the absolute submission to Allah of all the magicians of that land witnessed by Pharaoh and all the crowd at the festival.

The deep commotion in the crowd, six hundred thousand of which turn to the Lord of Musa and Haroon on the spot and accept Allah SWT as their Lord instead of the Pharaoh…………….

So here is the tafseer (Farhat Hashmi from Al Huda) translated as best as I could:
Musa (AS) who had a speech impediment is commanded by His Lord, Allah (SWT) to walk into the court of the Pharaoh and tell him that there is only one God who is the Lord of the Worlds and that he (Musa AS) is His messenger, and to ask him to release the slave Israelites so they can go (migrate) away with him.

I can see in my minds eye the glamour of the Pharaoh’s court and sense the sarcastic smile of the king and his courtiers at the temerity of this poor Israelite, who is a member of those that are generational slaves.

The Pharaoh asks Musa (AS) to show proof that he is a messenger of the Almighty. Musa AS had been instructed by the revelations from Allah SWT what to do in this situation.

I can see the open halls of the Pharaoh the pillars coated with gold and filigree, he wearing this intricate crown on which dances a serpent, and feel the hushed silence as people await the response of this poor Israelite accompanied by his brother Haroon.

Musa (AS) does as instructed by Allah SWT and throws down his staff, I can feel my own indrawn breath and can almost hear the collective gasp from Pharaohs audience as the staff transforms into what appears to the onlookers to be a huge serpent.

The audience had not even recovered from that when he (Musa AS) pulled out his hand that was folded across his chest and it was shining white with light, illuminated like a beam, (as I understand).
Thousands of people were present it is said that this was some kind of Holiday where people had collected in a large field or amphitheatre.

The Pharaoh chagrined, consulted with his nobles, they countered and said he (Musa AS) is a magician of the highest order and he wants to get rid of you from this land.

The Pharaoh and his nobles have completely misinterpreted the request of Musa AS. All  he wanted was to return to the land of the Israelites and release them from the Pharaoh’s slavery.

From another reference in the Quran, Surah Yunus:

010.078 : They said: “Hast thou come to us to turn us away from the ways we found our fathers following,- in order that thou and thy brother may have greatness in the land? But not we shall believe in you!”

Pharaoh’s nobles and advisors interpreted it to mean that Musa AS is a magician and that he wants to get rid of the Pharaoh. The solution they came up with was as follows:  To send for the most knowledgeable magicians from all the cities in the land far and wide to counter his (Musa As) magic.

All the expert magicians came and asked ‘what is the reward we get if we overcome the magic of Musa AS.’

Musa AS had not come to ask for anything, but to get the release of the Israelites from slavery whereas the magician’s first question was what would we get if we were successful.

Here FH comments: In this dunya the true teacher of deen is also more interested in getting his reward from Allah SWT, and not ask for a reward from his/her students.

The pharaoh said to the magicians that as a reward you would be granted a place in the inner circle of the king.

The magicians asked Musa (AS): ‘ Will you put in your staff first or should we?’ He (Musa AS) said ‘go ahead and put your staff’… thus as the competition begins the magicians ask Musa (AS) as to who should begin (a toss in today’s language) and Musa AS very graciously said ‘you go ahead’.

When the magicians put down their staffs and ropes they placed a spell on the eyes of the spectators, and what people saw in the fast writhing movements of these, frightened them and awed them.

A stick or a serpent?

These magicians brought a major magic that placed all who witnessed it in a spell…….and it seemed to the onlookers as if these strings were moving fast all over the compound (perhaps like snakes or serpents), and for a moment Musa AS felt fear in himself, then he was given a direct revelation that ‘do not be afraid and cast down your staff, with your right hand’.

In Surah Taha Allah SWT says:
020.066 
YUSUFALI: He said, “Nay, throw ye first!” Then behold their ropes and their rods-so it seemed to him on account of their magic – began to be in lively motion!
020.067 
YUSUFALI: So Moses conceived in his mind a (sort of) fear.

It was the day of Zeena or Youm e Zeena, a special Festival for the Egyptians and they had come from far and wide to this huge gathering in the amphitheatre or field to watch this contest.

Musa AS had only one staff, whereas the magician’s staffs and ropes were numerous. He threw it down with his right hand, as instructed by Allah SWT and to all those who witnessed this, it seemed as if it captured and rapidly swallowed in one fail swoop all the things (ropes and staffs) that the magicians had thrown down…….

In Surah Taha Allah SWT says:

020.069
YUSUFALI: “Throw that which is in thy right hand: Quickly will it swallow up that which they have faked what they have faked is but a magician’s trick: and the magician thrives not, (no matter) where he goes.”

Thus magic cannot stand in the face of the word of Allah, but this antidote to magic only works if one believes in Allah’s word and in our heart we have genuine infallible emaan with yaqeen.

………….And thus the truth was confirmed and the untruth or falsehood (batil) was invalided.

Right then and there the magicians were overcome and reduced to nothing in stature. All the magicians fell into prostration (sajdah), their inner fitra recognized the truth and they immediately fell into prostration and their next words stunned the Pharoah:

The magicians said that “ we believe and submit to the Lord of the Worlds” and then to qualify they said, “ We believe in the Lord of Musa and Haroon”. This declaration clarified that they were not referring to the Pharaoh who used to call himself the Highest Lord (Ana rabba mulakal Alaa).

This contest had attracted thousands of people from all over Egypt and when they witnessed this event and realized the actuality of it the audience in droves became followers of Musa AS, as the Messenger of Allah.

Ibn Abbas says that Six hundred thousand people accepted Musa AS message and took shahada that day.

King Tuts face mask

I close my eyes and I can visualize the tumultuous scene, a large ground something like the Polo ground in Karachi, or the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, teeming with millions of people sitting in a circle with the demonstration of the best magicians taking place in the center, the Pharaoh on a high stage with his nobles, smug in his confidence of rubbing Musa AS nose in the dirt, perhaps looking forward to humiliating this renegade from the slave people.

……….. And Allah SWT in his infinite knowledge of what is best for his people changed the map of the world.

He demonstrated that one of the most powerful monarch of a very important part of the world was not only humiliated but his own people stood up and embraced the religion of Allah and accepted Musa AS and Haroon AS as messengers of Allah, in the face of all the danger of retribution from the Pharaoh.

And thus in Urdu there is a saying when someone is very arrogant and cruel and there seems to be no hope of getting out of his clutches:
“Her Firoun –e- ra Musa” For every Pharaoh Allah has created a Musa.

A riveting moment when the top most famous and knowledgeable magicians of the world on seeing what Musa AS did, fall into prostration, not to him (Musa AS) but to his creator, (Allah SWT) knowing that what they had witnessed could not have been arranged by human hands.

In doing so and submitting to the Almighty all fear and danger from anything or anyone left their hearts.

They had seen the hand of God and they had bowed their head and hearts to him without fear of the consequences that awaited them at the hands of their immediate king and monarch.

The Pharaoh was enraged……… …………………to be continued

THREE DISOBEDIENCES AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES 7: 73-93

Allah SWT sends natural disasters to those people who are flagrantly disobedient despite being warned by a Messenger designated by Allah.

He makes the earth swallow them in a violent manner by an earthquake or they are destroyed completely by another disaster sent by Allah SWT.

I.     ARROGANCE OF AFFLUENT PEOPLE WHO CHALLENGED ALLAH SWT
007.073 
YUSUFALI: To the Thamud people (We sent) Salih, one of their own brethren: He said: “O my people! Worship Allah: ye have no other god but Him. Now hath come unto you a clear (Sign) from your Lord! This she-camel of Allah is a Sign unto you: So leave her to graze in Allah’s earth, and let her come to no harm, or ye shall be seized with a grievous punishment.
007.074 
YUSUFALI: “And remember how He made you inheritors after the ‘Ad people and gave you habitations in the land: ye build for yourselves palaces and castles in (open) plains, and care out homes in the mountains; so bring to remembrance the benefits (ye have received) from Allah, and refrain from evil and mischief on the earth.”
007.075 
YUSUFALI: The leaders of the arrogant party among his people said to those who were reckoned powerless – those among them who believed: “know ye indeed that Salih is a messenger from his Lord?” They said: “We do indeed believe in the revelation which hath been sent through him.”
007.076 
YUSUFALI: The Arrogant party said: “For our part, we reject what ye believe in.”
007.077 
YUSUFALI: Then they ham-strung the she-camel, and insolently defied the order of their Lord, saying: “O Salih! Bring about thy threats, if thou art a messenger (of Allah)!
007.078 
YUSUFALI: So the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes in the morning!
007.079 
YUSUFALI: So Salih left them, saying: “O my people! I did indeed convey to you the message for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good counsel, but ye love not good counselors!”

These were the people from the ancestral lines of Thamud
The people of Ad were the parents of Thamud and Ad were the children of Noah. Saleh (AS) brought the message of Allah to them. They were affluent, dishonest and arrogant and challenged Allah (SWT) message and His messenger Saleh (AS).
They argued with the weak momins aroused doubts in them of the validity of Saleh (AS) being a messenger. They also aroused in the minds and hearts of people the suspicion and doubt about the message of Allah brought by Saleh (AS).
They felt secure and indestructible in their dual mansions carved from stone and situated within the mountains as well as in the valleys,
They first asked Saleh (AS) for a miracle to prove his Prophet hood. However when it was provided with instructions not to kill the camel sent by Allah, they disobeyed.
One of their leaders killed it and expressed the disobedience, which was present in all the others in that town.
An earthquake destroyed them all.

II.    FLAGRANT DEMONSTRATION OF FORBIDDEN SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS

The message of Allah was brought to the people of Sodom by Lut (AS) the nephew of Abraham (AS), and they laughed at it.
They were destroyed by natural disaster and swallowed by the earth. Lut (AS) warned them prior to the disaster.
007.080 
YUSUFALI: We also (sent) Lut: He said to his people: “Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you?
007.081 
YUSUFALI: “For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds.”
007.082 
YUSUFALI: And his people gave no answer but this: they said, “Drive them out of your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!”
007.083 
YUSUFALI: But we saved him and his family, except his wife: she was of those who lagged behind.
007.084 
YUSUFALI: And we rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): Then see what was the end of those who indulged in sin and crime!

III. SHIRK, DISHONEST TRADE AND DACOITY: practiced by the people of Madyan who lived on the coast of the Red Sea. They were tradesman. Shoaib (AS) was sent, to them to give the message. His title is also called “Khatib e Anbiya: His name is mentioned 11 times in the Quran.

He was sent prior to Musa (AS). He (he related the message of tawheed (ONE GOD) and proclaimed the prohibition of cheating in trade (in measurements as well as oppression of others) the people of Midayan laughed at him were sarcastic and terrorized him as well as threatened to deport him if he did not stop from spreading these ethics (dictated by Allah)
They were afraid that the message he brought would change their lifestyle of dishonest trade.
The earthquake destroyed them.
007.085 
YUSUFALI: To the Madyan people We sent Shu’aib, one of their own brethren: he said: “O my people! Worship Allah; Ye have no other god but Him. Now hath come unto you a clear (Sign) from your Lord! Give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due; and do no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order: that will be best for you, if ye have Faith
007.086 
YUSUFALI: “And squat not on every road, breathing threats, hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking in it something crooked; But remember how ye were little, and He gave you increase. And hold in your mind’s eye what was the end of those who did mischief.
007.086 
YUSUFALI: “And squat not on every road, breathing threats, hindering from the path of Allah those who believe in Him, and seeking in it something crooked; But remember how ye were little, and He gave you increase. And hold in your mind’s eye what was the end of those who did mischief.
007.088 
YUSUFALI: The leaders, the arrogant party among his people, said: “O Shu’aib! we shall certainly drive thee out of our city – (thee) and those who believe with thee; or else ye (thou and they) shall have to return to our ways and religion.” He said: “What! Even though we do detest (them)?
007.089 
YUSUFALI: “We should indeed invent a lie against Allah, if we returned to your ways after Allah hath rescued us there from; nor could we by any manner of means return thereto unless it be as in the will and plan of Allah, Our Lord. Our Lord can reach out to the utmost recesses of things by His knowledge. In the Allah is our trust. Our Lord! Decide Thou between us and our people in truth, for Thou art the best to decide.”
007.090 
YUSUFALI: The leaders, the unbelievers among his people, said: “If ye follow Shu’aib, be sure then ye are ruined!”
007.091 
YUSUFALI: But the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes before the morning!
007.092 
YUSUFALI: The men who reject Shu’aib became as if they had never been in the homes where they had flourished: the men who rejected Shu’aib – it was they who were ruined!
007.093 
YUSUFALI: So Shu’aib left them, saying: “O my people! I did indeed convey to you the messages for which I was sent by my Lord: I gave you good counsel, but how shall I lament over a people who refuse to believe!”

The tafseer is translated from Farhat Hashmi’s Taleem ul Quran.

THE POWER DRINK…

The drink, milk,honey and .......

As I stand at my stove and watch the milk simmer, I am thinking of the chilly night at the conclusion of the retreat:
Night has fallen and it is freezing outside. The retreat is over and tonight we are sleeping at sister Zs house instead of the mosque.
The house is full of young women and us. Sister Z is standing at the stove and is stirring a large pot of milk with what looks like pieces of bark floating in it. I try to remain silent but my American side is burgeoning inside me with questions. Finally I cannot resist and ask ”What is this?” Someone answers; “it is the power drink” I am delighted, I have heard of the power drink from Sr H., It is her recipe for a rejuvenating and healing nightcap.
M is standing besides me, we are both watching the milk simmer with the pieces of bark and some other things too.  I ask Sr. Z “what is in it” M in her soft voice precedes the answer and lists what is in it and how much….the recipe for the power drink!
Not being a milk lover I am skeptical but I decide to try it.  I sip it gingerly, not sure how it will taste and sit in my stomach at night.
I sip and………the heavens open and pour their sweetness and something else in it. I register that everyone is asking Sr H questions; she is also sipping her power drink, her eyes are laden with sleep and exhaustion, after a long weekend of retreat and tahajjud. They  turn bright and alert in concentration when answering the questions.
Then euphoria and sakeena seep into my mind and body with every sip I take, laced with the love of muslim sisterhood, unquestioning, and unconditional.
I feel my body and my mind unwinding; I get up from my chair and barely get to complete my night wudu, before sweet sleep overcomes me.

Would you like the recipe of the power drink?

WHAT TO DO ON FRIDAYS?

THE SUNNAH’S OF FRIDAY:

1. Bathing on the day of Jumuah: It is narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar that he said the Messenger of Allah said: “If one of you comes to Jumuah, let him have a bath.” [Agreed upon: 1951 & 977] Check below on how to take ghusl)
2. Going early to Jumuah prayer: It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayra  that he said the Messenger of Allah said: “When Friday comes, at each door of the mosque there are angels who write down the first ones to come to the mosque. The one who comes early is like who sacrificed a camel, then those who come after him are like one who sacrificed a cow, then one who sacrificed a horned ram, then one who sacrificed a chicken, then like one who offered an egg. Then when the imaam sits down they close their books and come to listen to the sermon.” [Agreed upon: 929 & 1964]
3. Seeking the hour of having one’s prayer answered on Jumuah day: It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the day of Jumuah was mentioned and the Messenger of Allah said: “On this day there is a time when no Muslim stands and prays, asking Allah for something, but Allah will grant him it” – and he gestured with his hands to indicate how short that time is. [Agreed upon: 935 & 1969]
   

GHUSL/BATHING/TAKING A SHOWER:

1. Ablution before Ghusl: ‘Aishah, radiallahu ‘anha narrates that the Prophet of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa salam: “Used to, if he wishes to wash from janaabah (complete impurity), began by washing his hands, then would do ablution as he would for salah, then he would enter his fingers into the water, and would touch the roots of his hair with it, then would pour (water) over his head with his palms, and then would let water cover his entire body” [al-Bukhari: 248]
2. Tashahhud after ablution: ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab, radiallahu ‘anh said: The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa salam said: “None of you perfects his ablution, then says: Ashhadu al-Laa ilaha illa Allah, wa anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu warasooluh, except that the eight gates of paradise open for him, and for him is to enter it from wherever he wants” [Muslim: 553]

HOW TO WASH AWAY THE SINS -2:54

Cattle grazing at the pond edge

AYAH 54 SURAH BAQARA:
002.054
YUSUFALI: And remember Moses said to his people: “O my people! Ye have indeed wronged yourselves by your worship of the calf: So turn (in repentance) to your Maker, and slay yourselves (the wrong-doers); that will be better for you in the sight of your Maker.” Then He turned towards you (in forgiveness): For He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.

Tafseer of this ayah by Farhat Hashmi: (Taleem ul Quran 2006)
We as muslims should look within ourself and learn from the mistakes of Bani Israel which are given here only for an example, so that we do not repeat mistakes of the past.

When Musa (AS) went away for forty days, he returned to find the Bani Israel commiting SHirk by worshipping the cow. Thus came the command to wash out their sins:
The command:
There were three groups in the Children of Israel:
1.    Those who made the calf and worshipped it.
2.    Those who stopped others from doing it
3.    Those who were detached and did not take part, but also did not stop the calf worshippers (bystanders)

Allah SWT commanded the ones who were bystanders and did not stop the calf worshippers from their act of shirk, to kill the calf worshippers (who committed shirk)
Washing out the sins:

1) Some sins are washed out by good actions (hasanaat) for some sins tauba (repentance) has to be done 3) for some sins Kaffaara (fine) has to be paid.

Hadith: (Muslim) Allah extends his hand at night so that the sinner of the day does tauba (repentance) and vice versa.
When the sun comes out of the west —–there will be no option for tauba.

Allah knows best!

Any mistakes in the above tafseer are from me and I seek forgiveness for my mistakes of ignorance, and any good in it is from Allah SWT.

Ten Goals for Ramadan

Guest Article:

By Soundvision Staff writer

1. Eat, drink and be moderate

Almost all of us do it – once Iftar time hits, we just keep plowing food and drink into our mouths till it’s hard to move afterwards. And those of us who do it know this is totally contrary to the spirit of Ramadan, through which we’re supposed to learn self-control not self-indulgence. Let’s try to stick to the Prophetic rule on eating: fill our stomachs with one-third food, one-third water and one-third breathing space, even in Ramadan.

1. Give a dollar a day in charity…or five or ten

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was always generous but even more so in Ramadan. Let’s open our hearts and dig a little deeper in our wallets this year. Even less than a dollar a day adds up. Whatever you can give, it’s the intention that counts.

1. Memorize 4 new Surahs

Memorizing the Quran often seems like a daunting task. But the key is doing it in small bites. Since there are four weeks in Ramadan, try to memorize one new Surah a week. Start off with a short, easy one. Once you’ve started, you’ll build momentum and may even want to memorize a longer one the following week.

1. Go to Tarawih prayers

Post-Iftar, the first urge is to sleep after an exhausting day. But try your best to head out to the mosque for Tarawih prayers. Praying alone is wonderful, but doing it in congregation is fantastic. The community spirit is part of Ramadan’s blessings. Don’t miss it this year. If going every day is not possible, try going at least one week.

1. Attend the Tarawih prayer in which the recitation of the entire Quran will be completed by day 30
   

Call the local mosque and find out which day the Imam will be finishing the recitation of the Quran in prayer. Attend to not only hear part of the Quran’s recitation in prayer, but also participate in the heart-rending Duas that follow it.

1. Stop swearing and/or backbiting – with a special box

It’s hard not to shoot our mouths off when someone’s upset us. Whether we utter those four-letter words or backbite about someone to our family and friends, we know this isn’t the God-approved way of letting off steam. In Ramadan, when we want to build our spirituality, we’ve got to wage Jihad against our bad habits.

Try this: get a box and every time you catch yourself swearing or backbiting put some money in it. It could be a buck or less. The point is to choose an amount that makes it feel like punishment.

At the end of the month send the money to a charity or buy a gift for the person whom you’ve backbitten the most against.

1. Call/email your relatives

You’d think that given the easy access to email, competitive long-distance calling rates, phone cards, etc. these days, we’d keep in touch with family and friends more often. But the opposite seems to be the case, as we get caught up in life’s “busyness.”

Strengthening ties with family members and keeping in touch with friends is part of our way of life and an act Allah is very pleased with. This Ramadan, call family and friends or at least email them a Ramadan card and ask them how their fasting is going.

1. Go on a technology diet

Even if you work in the IT industry, you can do this. Avoid checking personal email and surfing the web during your fast. After Iftar, instead of plopping yourself in front of the screen, go to Tarawih. The same goes for the television. The point is to try to give our full attention to spiritual elevation this month.

1. Read 5 minutes of Quran a day…just five, if possible more, not less

Even if you feel you’ve got absolutely no time, set a timer or the alarm on your cell phone and find a relatively quiet place. You can read the first page of the Quran you open or follow a sequence. The choice is yours. The point is simply to connect with God through His revelation in the month of the Quran.

My note: I would not put a timer to stop, instead I would make dua that Allah SWT allow me to read and understand and make me stop only to complete my obligations but not otherwise.

1. Forgive everyone who has hurt you

Still got a festering wound from the fight with your friend last year? Still upset about something your spouse said during a heated argument? Or are you still bitter about the way your parents sometimes treated you as a kid? Let go of the anger and pain this Ramadan and forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiving someone is not only good for the body, but it’s also great for the soul. And in Ramadan, ten days of which are devoted to Allah’s forgiveness, shouldn’t we lesser beings forgive too?

If you find it very difficult to forgive everyone, forgive at least three people.

MY comment: Make a list of those you hold rancor against and then start the process.

Faith is an oasis in the
heart which will
never be reached by
the caravan of thinking

KG