From the sobriety of Ramadan …….to the elation of Eid

EID MUBARAK TO ALL THE READERS!!

ZAKAAT AL FITR: EIGHT ERRORS

GUEST ARTICLE:

8 Basic Errors Muslims make when Paying Zakat Al-Fitr
By Muhammad Alshareef, compliments of www.HeartWheelJournal.com 

I feel compelled to put this together because I’ve seen
the following errors being committed even since I was a
young boy. In sha Allah, you can help me spread the word by
sharing this article with your community, friends and
family.

What is Zakat ul-Fitr?  Think “Iftar”, Zakat Ul-Fitr is
the charity that we pay at the end of Ramadan.  Here is the
foundational hadith that establishes the obligation of
Zakat ul-Fitr:

Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa
sallam), made Zakat al-Fitr compulsory on every slave,
freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one
Saa` (a measurement: four double handfuls) of dried dates or
one Saa` of barely.
[Sahih Bukhari - Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579]

To understand Zakat ul-Fitr, here is a good summary of it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zakat_al-fitr 

But unfortunately, our community makes some basic errors in
the payment of Zakat Al-Fitr that must be clarified.

Error One: Paying at Eid Salah
Some people go to Eid prayers and drop money into the
donation box thinking that they have paid their Zakat
ul-Fitr. No, Zakat al-Fitr, which is food, must be in the
hands of the needy family BEFORE Eid prayer. If someone
goes to Eid prayer and pays then it is GUARANTEED that the
money will NOT arrive on time. And thus the person paying
is sinful for having missed the payment of Zakat al-Fitr.
May Allah forgive us.

Error Two: Snail mailing the money overseas
Basic principle as before: the Zakat al-Fitr, food, MUST be
in the hands of the needy BEFORE Eid prayer. One cannot mail
the money overseas and have it arrive in the hands of the
needy after Eid prayer is over.

However, if one is able to get the Zakah al-Fitr to the
needy overseas BEFORE Eid prayer is conducted in their
locality, then in sha Allah it’s alright.

Error Three: Not paying
Yes, as simple as this error is, it is HARAM to skip the
payment of Zakat Al-Fitr. EVERYONE must pay Zakat Al-Fitr,
every member of the household. So if you have 8 people in
your house, Zakat Al-Fitr must be paid x 8, even if the
youngest member is just a few days old.

Error Four: Confusing Zakat ul-Fitr with Zakat ul-Maal
We are talking about Zakat al-Fitr here (think “Iftar”,
i.e. Ramadan). Zakat Al-Maal (Maal literally means wealth),
is the Zakah due on ones money – and that could be due
any time during the year depending on when it was due.  

Error Five: Giving money instead of food
Although some scholars have allowed giving money instead of
food, the spirit of Zakat Al-Fitr is to give food to the
needy of the community, NOT money.

The Companion of the Prophet, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree, radi
Allahu 'anhu, said, "In the Prophet's time, we used to give
it (Zakatal-Fitr) as a sa` of food, dried dates, barley,
raisins or dried cheese".
[Bukhari - Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]

Error Six: Giving one’s Zakah al-Fitr to a charitable
building project
Some people mistakenly give their Zakah Al-Fitr to a
charitable building project: like the building of a Masjid,
or Islamic school.  There is a difference of opinion on this
issue, but suffice it to say that the spirit of Zakah
Al-Fitr is that the needy should have plentiful food on
Eid. All eight types of recipients of Zakah mentioned in
the Quran are HUMANS, not “building projects”.

Error Seven: Giving Zakat ul-Fitr to non-Muslims
Charity is given to both Non-Muslims and Muslims. However,
Zakah al-Fitr charity is something exclusive to the MUSLIM
poor and needy. Hence, one could not give Zakah Al-Fitr to
any needy person on the street. “Regular” charity can
be given to them, but not Zakah Al-Fitr.

Error Eight: Delaying distribution
Sometimes Masjids might collect Zakah Al-Fitr money and
then put it in a bank. It doesn’t reach the needy for
months and months. The correct method is to give Zakah
Al-Fitr immediately when it is due.

These are my eight. You are welcome to share other common
errors on my blog. www.DiscoverULife.com/Blog 

In sha Allah, if you have Zakah questions, I encourage you
to seek counsel from your local sources of knowledge.
People you can speak to directly.

With best wishes to see you succeed at the highest level!
- Muhammad Alshareef

Surah Kahf:Outer dimension, inner dimension or parallel dimension!

At a retreat on the essence of “Surah Kahf” Dr. Kilani presented this summary. In order to appreciate the ramifications mentioned here, please read Surah Kahf with translation if you do not understand Arabic, before reading this summary and relfections.

GUEST ARTICLE: By Dr Kilani

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Sura AL-KAHF

Outer dimension, inner dimension or parallel dimension!

ذِي الْقَرْنَيْن ِ Thee-Alqarnayn
The story of Thee-Alqarnayn is the story of glorious achievement and great accomplishment through utilization of the “MEANS”. 84″ Verily We established his power on earth, and We gave him the ways and the means to all ends”.
إِنَّا مَكَّنَّا لَهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَآتَيْنَاهُ مِن كُلِّ شَيْءٍ سَبَبًا (84
Allah call it “Thikr” so that we learn to remember the fact that the MEANS and what ever we accomplish using them is his creation, We therefore, use them in accordance with what pleases the creator implying gratitude for his infinite bounties and blessings.

The story of Thee-Alqarnayn is presented in an outer dimension and contrast with the story of Mousa and ALkhader peace be upon both of them. There story provide an outer dimension of the events as observed by Mousa PBUH but shortly thereafter show us another hidden dimension of the events occurred as conducted by Alkhader PBUH representing the hidden dimension of Al-qadar. We thus learn that there is an inner dimension of the external events. Such inner dimensions are not confined by the boundaries of time-space limits of this universe and this DUNIA.

In the concept of parallel Universe; past, present and future are experienced at any given time. Thus the hidden dimensions of external events that extends through time-
Space in past-future directions becomes apparent in a parallel universe model.

فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
In this Ayah: “So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief”.
Allah tell us that the ease come packaged with the difficulties. It comes with it. We all know from an outer dimension perspective that ease usually follows the difficulties; they are separated by a TIME distance. Yet, Allah says they come in one package, for time in the sense of past, present and future is one and therefore, there is no TIME distance between the occurrence of difficulty and ease.

Difficulty is prescribed to be associated with ease to affirm the fact that in an outer dimension it will certainly show up, but in time, in an outer dimension model.

In a confined space-time in an outer dimension model we can only perceive the ease when time passes and we travel in time to reach the destination of pre-prescribed ease. In a parallel universe model the two events occur at the same time for time is one.

Allah may chose to give a glimpse of such knowledge of folding time-space to some of his Ibad as he did in the case of AlKhader PBUH so that the background past and the ultimate destination of the events become parallel to the events in no time zone (folding of time-space); a glimpse of Al-Qadar.

Whereas, for Mousa PBUH he could only recognize the outer dimension of the events for the relevant past background and the subsequent future of the events are obscured and considered part of the Ghaib (unseen).

Mousa PBUH had to wait in time to know the hidden dimension of the events as foretold by AlKhader or he had to travel in time both past and future to realize the hidden dimension and wisdom of those events.

The word Saberan, Sabran (patient, patience and perseverance) were repeated 7 times in the Ayat of the story of Mousa-Alkader PBU them. Is it possible that Sabr is the mode (vehicle) of transportation through dimensions from the outer to the inner dimension? Is Sabr the key to the gates of inner dimension? Or is it the unique ship that takes us into a parallel dimension? Is what Mousa PBUH needed just to wait and have Sabr to recognize the hidden wisdom behind the events?

In our case, when we do not understand the hidden wisdom of the outer dimension, is Sabr what we need to be able to have the comfort of being certain that wisdom is in the hidden dimension, but will become apparent to us with time and therefore requires more Sabr. Is it possible that with Sabr and Mujahadah (perseverance and self control etc…) we become more transparent and travel across time into a parallel dimension?

In other words we learn that we need to believe with certainty that behind the external and outer dimension of the events belies a hidden wisdom in an inner dimension and depending on our level we either need to travel across time-space and only recognize the inner dimension when it becomes a reality in the outer dimension (too late, as it may not happen in our life time) or practice Sabr and time-space might be folded for us and allow us to travel into parallel dimensions with the inner dimension.

Such transformation or journey would allow us to have a glimpse of that inner dimension and understand the wisdom behind the outer events before it shows up in the future as an event in the outer dimension. Or perhaps with both more Sabr and Mujahada, for some “whom Allah wish to select”, inner and outer dimension become parallel like some Awleya’a or like Alkhader PBUH to whom time space was folded.

The stories of Thee-Alqarnayn and the men of the cave both have an outer dimension and an inner dimension like all events in our life. The only difference from the story of Mousa and Alkhader PBU them is the fact that in the later the inner dimension was known to Alkhader and was explained to Mousa and to us, whereas, in the case of the other two stories the hidden dimensions were not explicitly mentioned.

We may speculate about the hidden dimension of those events but the fact is that no doubt that in both cases there is a hidden dimension (wisdom of Allah Qadar and well). For instance, in the case of the men of the cave could any one during the time that they were a sleep recognize the wisdom behind there long asleep? They were only asking for protection from persecution. Why they had to be put to sleep for 300 (309) years?

Only when time passes and the trial regarding the question of resurrection manifest 300 years later among the believers that one says ah, now I understand, they are to be the solution of a problem that occurs 300 years later!

Similarly, the people of the Bayna Assadayn would only appreciate the outer dimension of the RADM build by Thee – Alqarnayn; that is to protect them from Yaajouj and Maajouj. Only if they travel in time for thousands of years that they would appreciate the fact that the RADM protected Millions over thousands of years from the destruction that Yaajouj and M shall do at the end of days. We know the inner wisdom of the RADM through revelation that brings the future near. We travel in time all the way to the future event when we believe the revelation.

To a similar fashion, in the beginning of this Sura, we are told that the inner dimension of this Dunia is a Dunia without the Zeena without the make up, a naked Dunia without the cover or the peel.

Ayah 7-8

وَإِنَّا لَجَاعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا
That which is on earth we have made but as a glittering show (make up) for the earth, in order that We may test them – as to which of them are best in conduct.
Verily what is on earth we shall make but as dust and dry soil (without growth or herbage). إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَّهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا
When we believe in that, we know the inner dimension, but in order to truly realize this fact we need to travel through a journey with SABR in order to truly realize and see a dunia without the make up. The more we practice Sabr and Mujahada in purifying our hearts the more the veils are removed from our hearts and the more clear the picture becomes and the veil that covers the truth and nakedness of this dunia will disappear, insha’Allah.

However, for those whom the veil continues to cover their eyes and hearts they will continue to see the make up of the dunia. They made no efforts to ride a journey through the gates of inner dimensions. Instead they continued to travel through time space a long journey in blindness.

They would realize the nakedness of this dunia at the end of the journey on death and on the Day of Judgment as the Ayat at the end of the Sura conclude (100-106)
وَعَرَضْنَا جَهَنَّمَ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْكَافِرِينَ عَرْضًا
الَّذِينَ كَانَتْ أَعْيُنُهُمْ فِي غِطَاء عَن ذِكْرِي وَكَانُوا لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ سَمْعًا
أَفَحَسِبَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَن يَتَّخِذُوا عِبَادِي مِن دُونِي أَوْلِيَاء إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ نُزُلًا
قُلْ هَلْ نُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِالْأَخْسَرِينَ أَعْمَالًا
الَّذِينَ ضَلَّ سَعْيُهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَهُمْ يَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمْ يُحْسِنُونَ صُنْعًا
أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَلِقَائِهِ فَحَبِطَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَلَا نُقِيمُ لَهُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَزْنًا

018.101 (Unbelievers) whose eyes had been under a veil from remembrance of Me, and who had been unable even to hear.
018.102 Do the Unbelievers think that they can take My servants as protectors besides Me? Verily We have prepared Hell for the Unbelievers for (their) entertainment.
018.103 Say: “Shall we tell you of those who lose most in respect of their deeds?-
018.104 “Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought that they were acquiring good by their works?”
018.105 They are those who deny the Signs of their Lord and the fact of their having to meet Him (in the Hereafter): vain will be their works, nor shall We, on the Day of Judgment, give them any weight.
Whatever I mentioned in this reflection that is right, is from the grace of Allah on me, and whatever I mentioned is incorrect it is from my own NAFS and my Shay tan. May Allah grant us forgiveness! 018.100 And We shall present Hell that day for Unbelievers to see, all spread out,-

AYAT ON SABR
•    قَالَ لَهُ مُوسَى هَلْ أَتَّبِعُكَ عَلَى أَن تُعَلِّمَنِ مِمَّا عُلِّمْتَ رُشْدًا
•    قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبْرًا
•    وَكَيْفَ تَصْبِرُ عَلَى مَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ خُبْرًا
•    قَالَ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاء اللَّهُ صَابِرًا وَلَا أَعْصِي لَكَ أَمْرًا
•    قَالَ فَإِنِ اتَّبَعْتَنِي فَلَا تَسْأَلْنِي عَن شَيْءٍ حَتَّى أُحْدِثَ لَكَ مِنْهُ ذِكْرًا
•    فَانطَلَقَا حَتَّى إِذَا رَكِبَا فِي السَّفِينَةِ خَرَقَهَا قَالَ أَخَرَقْتَهَا لِتُغْرِقَ أَهْلَهَا لَقَدْ جِئْتَ شَيْئًا إِمْرًا
•    قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُلْ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبْرًا
•    قَالَ لَا تُؤَاخِذْنِي بِمَا نَسِيتُ وَلَا تُرْهِقْنِي مِنْ أَمْرِي عُسْرًا
•    فَانطَلَقَا حَتَّى إِذَا لَقِيَا غُلَامًا فَقَتَلَهُ قَالَ أَقَتَلْتَ نَفْسًا زَكِيَّةً بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ لَّقَدْ جِئْتَ شَيْئًا نُّكْرًا
•    قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِي صَبْرًا
•    قَالَ إِن سَأَلْتُكَ عَن شَيْءٍ بَعْدَهَا فَلَا تُصَاحِبْنِي قَدْ بَلَغْتَ مِن لَّدُنِّي عُذْرًا
•    فَانطَلَقَا حَتَّى إِذَا أَتَيَا أَهْلَ قَرْيَةٍ اسْتَطْعَمَا أَهْلَهَا فَأَبَوْا أَن يُضَيِّفُوهُمَا فَوَجَدَا فِيهَا جِدَارًا يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَنقَضَّ فَأَقَامَهُ قَالَ لَوْ شِئْتَ لَاتَّخَذْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا
•    قَالَ هَذَا فِرَاقُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنِكَ سَأُنَبِّئُكَ بِتَأْوِيلِ مَا لَمْ تَسْتَطِع عَّلَيْهِ صَبْرًا
•    أَمَّا السَّفِينَةُ فَكَانَتْ لِمَسَاكِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ فِي الْبَحْرِ فَأَرَدتُّ أَنْ أَعِيبَهَا وَكَانَ وَرَاءهُم مَّلِكٌ يَأْخُذُ كُلَّ سَفِينَةٍ غَصْبًا
•    وَأَمَّا الْغُلَامُ فَكَانَ أَبَوَاهُ مُؤْمِنَيْنِ فَخَشِينَا أَن يُرْهِقَهُمَا طُغْيَانًا وَكُفْرًا
•    فَأَرَدْنَا أَن يُبْدِلَهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُ زَكَاةً وَأَقْرَبَ رُحْمًا
•    وَأَمَّا الْجِدَارُ فَكَانَ لِغُلَامَيْنِ يَتِيمَيْنِ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَ تَحْتَهُ كَنزٌ لَّهُمَا وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَالِحًا فَأَرَادَ رَبُّكَ أَنْ يَبْلُغَا أَشُدَّهُمَا وَيَسْتَخْرِجَا كَنزَهُمَا رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ وَمَا فَعَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَمْرِي ذَلِكَ تَأْوِيلُ مَا لَمْ تَسْطِع عَّلَيْهِ صَبْرًا

AFTER TARAWEH………….

After Taraweh………I would flow out of the Haram with all the other worshippers in search of food and shower, or just food. Going up the escalator to find food, I look down at the crowd milling in the “sehen” of the Haram.

I am hundreds of miles away this Ramadan but even now as I close my eyes I feel the empowering energy in my veins that I felt after Taraweh in the Haram, with Sheikh Jouhanis, resonant but soulful voice calling……..”ya ayohan naas……..” resounding in my memory again and again and again……….calling me!

Ya Allah invite me again……soon!

His soulful voice warning us with Surah Haqq and yet the hope in his voice has undertones that Allah Subhanawataala will forgive all those who stand in front of Him today as they will not dare to disobey Him after standing in His house and repeating His words, such that they resound off the remote hills and come back to embed into our hearts and souls forever…………….

And then comes your private moment with the Dua Qunut………the words and tears flow from Sheikh Sudais, but the words rise from you to Him………….

PRIDE & ARROGANCE

GUEST ARTICLE: author Anonymous

In the Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful

It is narrated that the Prophet (SAW) has said:

One who has even a particle of pride in his heart, shall not enter paradise.( Muslim).

Pride comes when you see your intelligence, wealth, friends, influence, titles and life as your own achievements, instead of as gifts from ALLAH, the Al-Mighty.

WITH THANKFULNESS COMES FEAR…..
When you finally view these gifts as responsibilities that you must fulfill,you will be thankful for these gifts, and be afraid that you will be unable to fulfill them. The syukur and fear (khauf) will drown away the pride.
YOUR WILL NOT BRING WITH YOU…..
Remember, you will not bring even an atom of wealth, stocks, bonds, land or property, to the grave. You will not bring a string of degrees or qualifications from prestigious Universities to the grave.

You will not bring your circle of friends, powerful connections, celebrities, and peers who hail you, to your grave. You will not bring your beloved parents, children, spouses or relatives to the grave. You will not bring your fame, reputation, honour to the grave. You will not bring your millions of adoring fans, and admiring colleagues to the grave. You will not bring any of the fine clothes in your closet, nor the expensive furniture in your living room, nor the million dollar apartment you saved a lifetime to purchase, to the grave.

You will not even be able to prevent your carefully groomed hair, face and body from rotting, eaten by worms and maggots, when you are in the grave. So when you have died, and your body has rotted away, you will then be asked by Allah, where is the dunia (all that you once possessed) that you so loved? Where is the dunia (all that you once possessed) that you were so proud of?

Where are your supporters (the admiring fans, the loving family, the approving peers, the powerful colleagues, the people who idolized and praised you always), who worshipped you?

The grim reality sets in then….you are now as you were when you were in your mother’s womb. Then, you were in the dark womb of your mother, completely helpless, at Allah’s mercy, and ….you had no friends, no wealth, no power, no authority, no knowledge, no property … you
possessed nothing, and you were then born, in humility, naked, covered in slime… you were nothing.

BE THANKFUL NOW……………

Then Allah showered you with His love and guidance, and gave you a portion of this worldly life, so that you may be thankful, and grateful, and that you bow humbly in submission. But no, Man is rebellious.
36:77. Does not man see that We have created him from Nutfah (mixed male and female semen drops). Yet behold! He (stands forth) as an open opponent!

BACK IN THE WOMB……..
Today, once again, you are in the womb, the dark, dark womb of Mother Earth, completely helpless, at Allah’s mercy, and …. once again, you have no friends, no wealth, no power, no authority, no knowledge, no property … you possess nothing, you have come full circle. You are
waiting to stand trial, on Judgement Day, a Day when you will face Allah in humility and fear, naked, covered in sin… and you will have to account to Allah, what you did with His gifts.
YOUR PAST WILL COME TO HAUNT YOU……..
And if you had walked the earth with pride, today, you will truly fear Allah, but that fear will not help you. Because… One who has even a particle of pride in his heart, shall not enter paradise. (Muslim)

WHAT TO DO?
Seek out your pride, and repent. Every single atom. Beg Allah for His Mercy and His help to cleanse your hearts. Seek out Allah’s blessings to you, and be grateful. Every single blessing. From being able to wake up, to being able to swallow, see, smell and walk. For the gift of Health.
Wealth. Education. Realisation. Happiness. Love. Rizq. Fresh air. Clean water. Food on the table. The list in endless. Only that, sometimes, we are too blind to
see.
[31:18] And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not each arrogant boaster. Oh Mankind, Fear Allah! He Possesses the Heavens and the Earth, and all that lies in between.

And, we, His creation, possess nothing. Realize, repent, and humble yourself before your Rabb.

Sent by SQ, a friend and colleague who was paralyzed after an accident, and who continues to serve as a physician to the best of his ability.

Dua: May Allah SWT enhance his courage and give him Shifa.

Dua for Lailatul Qadr

from the best inshallah:

and this:

TARAVEH…….

It is not until I went to Mecca for Ramadan that I understood what happens in taraveh

I am standing in Taraveh……..alert, immobile, and attentive, the surah flows from the lips of the Sheikh and its tone and meaning bursts into my conscious, the five million people in the Haram fade………..I feel He Subhanawataala is talking to me……me!
I am afraid, I am overjoyed, I am hopeful, I am sobbing, I am asking for forgiveness and…….He is showing me how to be grateful as he showed Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him 1400 years ago.
At times He addresses Prophet Muhammad directly and his words have a reassurance that is comforting and protective. I feel the pain and anguish of our Prophet that bring these words from Allah to him and then to each of us who are in similar situations.
I am in front of Him, unaware of who stands besides me for she too is with Him,………..I have read the meaning of the surah earlier, but it is not till it is recited in the actual words of Allah do I receive it in my heart…..

This recitation is not from Mecca but it has English subtitles and the heart soaking recitation of Sheikh Al Afasy
Surah Ghafir ayahs 1-22/ Sheikh Al Afasy reciting at Taraveh:

Surah Ghafir ayahs 23-37

Surah Ghafir ayahs 38-65

Surah Ghafir 66-85:

MAKE DUA AND THEN MAKE SOME MORE…….

It is Ramadan, the Shayateen are chained, the doors to Jannah are wide open and He is listening for our duas……………….so we must ask, with the right etiquette.

Presenting Him with our petitions, eager, sincere and after submission to Him………………

The Relationship of Taqwa to Fasting

after ishraaq on the ocean

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful

Courtesy of the Notes from HY from Sheikh Mokhtar Magroubi’ lesson on Taqwa.

Relevance of تقوى   to Fasting صيام  .

يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
2 : 183 : O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (surely learn) Taqwa

The essence of Fasting is Taqwa!

Allahu, Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala ends the ayaat on Fasting by re emphasizing Taqwa.
كَذٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ…….
2 : 187 :…… Thus doth Allah make clear His Signs to men: that they may surely learn Taqwa.
Then if صيام (fasting)   and رمضان (Ramadan)  is not increasing one’s تقوى taqwa  and making one a better  (slave) عبد of Allah, one must question one’s صيام (fasting)  i.e. Has he / she performed it fulfilling its outer and inner dimensions ?
When I have Taqwa , the state of the environment around me and what people say and do becomes immaterial.

My focus is : “Ya Allah, You are always looking at me ! Are you pleased with me ?”

The Reality ofتقوى   is as Rasul, صلى الله عليه و سلم   said :

Taqwa is when He (Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala) finds you where He has commanded you to be and does not find you where He has forbade you to be. التقوى يجدك خيث أمرك ولا يجدك خيث نهاك

The Practical application of the above Hadeeth is that Allah Subhanawaltaala   الله سبحانه و تعالى looks at me and  always finds me (body and mind) in a state of obedience to Him, then I am a   (Mutaqqi) متّقي

Have you ever waited like this…..for food?

Have you ever waited for food, not knowing if when your turn comes, it may run out?

Refugee children waiting for food in Ramadan

Read Surah Insaan, and give graciously and generously to the muslim children all over the world.