Islamic Daily Reminder

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum As-Sabt 19th day of Ramadhaan (Saturday 1st May 2021). LAST 10 DAYS WITH US. BismilLah.  The last ten days of Ramadan are very precious indeed and I hope we are all preparing for the best last 10 days not only nights: ALLAH'S Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." (Narrated by imam Muslim).  Please don't ask me about the odd days in this last days in trying to use our wisdom to acquire laylatul Qadar. You may miss it if you do so by ignoring other nights, just strive to get some time in acts of worship throughout the nights of these last 10 days as no one can be certain which days or nights are the odd days this month.  Our mother Aishah (may ALLAH be pleased with her) reported that during the last ten days of Ramadan; the Messenger of ALLAH would wake his wives up during the night and then remain apart from them (that is, being busy in acts of worship). (Narra...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul Jumuat 18th day of Ramadhaan (Friday 30th April 2021). PRAISING OURSELVES IS HARAAM AND DANGEROUS ATTRIBUTE. BismilLah.  Remembering the Greatness of ALLAH, The Almighty, and that Pride is one of HIS Attributes as such you dare compare yourself to OUR CREATOR. In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurayrah the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam reported that ALLAH The Almighty said that Pride, Glory and Greatness are among HIS Attributes which none of HIS CREATION shares with HIM. Thus, he who claims to possess such qualities, ALLAH will punish him and doom him to Hell. [In Saheeh Muslim]. Remembering man's origin and weakness. ALLAH Says (what means): HE created man from a sperm-drop; then at once he is a clear adversary [Quran 16:4]. Meaning you are nothing worth praising yourself regardless of what you've done.  Islam is a complete way of life and I'm sure all reading this knows that we are to say IN SHAA ALLAH (By the will of ALLAH) in ...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum al-khamis 17th day of Ramadhaan (Thursday 29th April 2021). HOW DANGEROUS IS OUR TONGUE? BismilLaah.  Ibn `Umar (radiallahu anhuma) reported: The Messenger of Allah (salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not indulge in excessive talk except when remembering ALLAH. Excessive talking without the Remembrance of ALLAH hardens the heart; and those who are the farthest from ALLAH are those whose hearts are hard.” [At-Tirmidhi]. If one indulges in idle talk rather than the remembrance of ALLAH, his heart becomes hardened, which is a sign of being far from Allah’s Mercy. One should therefore occupy himself with the remembrance of ALLAH. If we observe it in our daily life, we see that Sometimes a person utters a good sentence which pleases an individual and he reforms himself or holds himself from doing something wrong. Such a sentence or utterance is highly rewarded by ALLAH. Similarly, sometime a person utters a mischievous sentence, the ruinous effect...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum ar-ba'a 16th day of Ramadhaan (Wednesday 28th April 2021). ZAKAAK ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. BismilLah. Zakaat is obligatory on all grains and all produce that are measured by dry volume and stored. Example are dates and raisins. The nisaab is three hundred saa (300) or approximately 624 Kilograms. Different varieties of the same produce, such as dates will be weighed together to reach the nisaab.  What is obligatory Concerning Grains and Produce (1) One tenth (al-ushr) of the produce is to be given from the produce of land that is naturally irrigated,such as by rain water only (2) One twentieth is to be given from the produce of the land that is irrigated by man-engineered means, such as by water from canals (and so forth) (3) Three quater of one tenth is to be given if the produce was partially irrigated naturally and partially irrigated by man-engineered means There is no zakat on vegetable and fruit but if they are for the purpose of trade. Ho...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum ath-thalaatha 15th day of Ramadhaan (Tuesday 27th April 2021). HAVE YOU PAID YOUR ZAKAAT THIS YEAR? BismilLah. Zakaat is one of the Five pillars of islam. It is an obligation from ALLAH upon every Muslim who possesses the minimum amount of wealth given certain conditions. This is not Zakaatul Fitir or Eidul Fitir.  The type of wealth upon which zakat is obligatory are Monetary assets, Livestock, Agricultural produce, Merchandise. I will focus on monetary. Gold, Silver and currency. Zakaat [obligatory charity] must be paid on gold if it reaches the Nisaab [i.e. the minimum amount liable for Zakaah], which is 20 Mithqaal [a measure which equals 85 grams of pure gold, 1 Mithqaal = 4.25 grams], this means that one should pay ½ a Mithqaal as Zakaat, i.e., 2.5% of the value of gold. Zakaat must be paid on silver if it reaches the value of 200 Dirhams, which is the equivalent of 595 grams of pure silver; one should then pay five Dirhams as Zakaah, that ...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul al-ithnayn 14th day of Ramadhaan (Monday 26th April 2021). GIVING SINCERE SADAQAH AND ITS EFFECTS ON OUR LIFE. BismilLaah. Sadaqah is a means of gaining baraqah(blessings) on our wealth or income. It may be hard for us to give sadaqah when we are barely able to make ends meet. However, it is reported in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said: Charity does not decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives, ALLAH adds to his respect; and the one who shows humility, ALLAH elevates him in the estimation (of the people). If we truly believe and apply these hadith, we will come to learn that we can never lose from giving sadaqah, but instead we gain immensely from it. However, gaining from sadaqah may not always be in a physical form. When we give sadaqah, it doesn’t necessarily mean that our salaries will increase or we will miraculously stumble upon a goldmine. It may mean that ALLAH will put baraqah(blessings) into our wealth ...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul Ahad 13th day of Ramadhaan (Sunday 25th April 2021). Main Purpose of Fasting,  Suhoor and Iftaar. BismilLah.  The main purpose of fasting is described in the Quran as "so that you may attain Taqwa or God-consciousness." Fasting is thus yet another instrument for bringing us closer to our natural state, our state of Fitrah and for cleansing this state from the dross of any disobedience and corruption. "Fasting is a shield," said the noble Prophet (sallalahu alaiha wa sallam) so simply and eloquently. And he also said: "Whoever spends the month of Ramadan in complete faith and self-rectification, his previous sins will be forgiven." Suhoor and Iftar are two elements of Ramadhan that have great significance to us as Muslims. The Suhoor is a vital part of fasting. We eat a healthy meal in Suhoor in order to remain in good health for the rest of the day during the fast. The right way to eat a meal during Suhoor is to eat in mode...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum As-Sabt 12th day of Ramadhaan (Saturday 24th April 2021).  SOME BEAUTIFUL and POWERFUL VERSES of THE QURAN. Lets listen to ALLAH talking to us directly. BismilLah. Qura 6:161. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam was commanded to say to Mankind: "Truly, my Lord has guided me to a Straight Path, a right religion, the religion of Ibrahim (Abraham), Hanifa [i.e. the true Islamic Monotheism - to believe in One God (ALLAH i.e. to worship none but ALLAH, Alone)] and he was not of Al-Mushrikun." 162. Say (O Muhammad ): "Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for ALLAH, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). 163. "He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims." 164. Say: "Shall I seek a lord other than ALLAH, while HE is the Lord of all things? No person earns any (sin) except against himself (only), and no bearer of burdens shall bea...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul Jumuat 11th day of Ramadhaan (Friday 23rd April 2021).  DON'T FOLLOW OR LISTEN TO THE LECTURES OF ANY SECT IN ISLAM ASIDE AHLUL SUNNAH WALJAMAA'H. BismilLah.  Please note, it is our collective responsibility to remind each other about the truth. I'm not interested in any argument. If you trust you've got something better to share to others and ready to be accountable to ALLAH one day about it, you can do so without unnecessarily arguing about the truth be-iznilLah.  ALLAH the almighty says in QUR'AN 3:102-103 that, if we claim to be Muslims or believers then we must fear ALLAH by obeying HIS commands and die not except As Muslims, that is in submission to HIS rules. Within verse 103, ALLAH also warned us not to be divided into any sects or disunite and hold firmly the commands of the Qur'an which includes obeying and following strictly the teachings of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam without any IF or BUT. We cannot b...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum Al-Khamis 10th day of Ramadhaan (Thursday 22nd April 2021). THE REAL THIEVES OF RAMADAN CONTINUES. BismilLah Let's conclude on this topic. The next point to be careful about is Bad Akhlaq(practice of virtue, morality and manners): Fasting is not just restraining from food and drinks but eyes, ears, tongue and all parts of the body should also be fasting.. Stay away from lying, backbiting, cursing, suspicion, if you want to pass the siraat with ease during this month make your Akhlaq good. And finally the biggest thief: Social media i.e Facebook, Watsapp etc; If you do not use them in the right way, all your good deeds could be taken from you. Don't let this holy month go so that when everyone is receiving their rewards, you are the one who are empty handed. Facebook especially is a place we can easily listen or watch our scholars tafseer etc but it's the same place that can damage our eemaan and aqeedah.  May ALLAH accept our acts of worship ...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum Arba'a, 9th day of Ramadhaan (Wednesday 21st April 2021).  THE REAL THIEVES OF RAMADAN CONTINUES. BismilLah Let's continue from this topic. Please request for a copy if you couldn't receive the Reminder yesterday.  Wasting night: A thief that steals most valuable time from you. This thief is responsible for turning you away from salatul layl, istighfar and tawbah and recitation of the Qur'an. Make time your priority without wasting a second in this blessed month.  Stinginess: Give sadaqah, iftaar and help the orphans.. Give iftaar even if it is half a date or a sip of water, so ALLAH will forgive your past sins. Gatherings without dhikr of ALLAH: This thief comes with deep regret on the day of judgement. Don't go to places of gathering if not for Islamic lectures etc.  Helping parents; Whoever in this month does good towards their relatives, ALLAH connects them with HIS mercy on the day of judgement. My dear, always be careful with...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum ath-thalaatha, 8th day of Ramadhaan (Tuesday 20th April 2021). Lets Be careful with THIEVES of the month of Ramadan. BismilLah.  By saying thieves I mean things and actions that can take away most of the blessings of this month from us.  Television: This thief is dangerous and ruins days of people and diminishes their rewards, by watching useless movies and programs it squanders the time in a month where the days are the best of all days and nights are the best of all nights. Let's give TV the yellow card if we can watching only Islamic lectures on it but the Red card if we can't use it for only Islamic programs.  Too much sleep: Just because it is said in Hadith that even sleep in this month has thawab doesn't mean that you should excessively sleep.. The point is that if even sleep contains rewards then imagine the rewards of Ibaadat or acts of worship. Let's utilise our time wisely in getting the best out of this month. To be continue...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum al-ithnayn, 7th day of Ramadhaan (Monday 19th April 2021). SOME MISTAKES TO AVOID DURING FASTING continues. BismilLah.  Skipping Suhoor (PRE-DAWN MEAL) intentionally. The Prophet (Sal Allahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing.”(Bukhaari, Muslim). He (Sal Allahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor.” (Imam Muslim Narrated). 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 neither will you find it hard to concentrate, mind over matter! Remember, hope & faith in ALLAH overcomes everything. Continue your fasting even if you miss Suhoor please. But don't miss it intentionally.  Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, e...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. YaumulAhad, 6th day of Ramadhaan (Sunday 18th April 2021). SOME MISTAKES TO AVOID DURING FASTING continues. BismilLah.  Let's continue from the Reminder yesterday; 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 Allahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of the parents, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveller.” (al-Bayhaqi). Instead of sitting down and making Dua at this precious time just before breaking the fasting, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying, 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 fulfilment of your Duas. Only 5 mins prior to opening, spend critical moment, ask from deep within you for the fast to be accepted, for your developme...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum As-Sabt, 5th day of Ramadhaan (Saturday 17th April 2021). SOME MISTAKES TO AVOID DURING FASTING. Bismillah. Alhamdulillah for blessing us to be part of this blessed month. It's my hope that all abled muslims are fasting and I pray that may ALLAH accept it from us all and bless those who are unable to fast due to genuine reasons such as our sisters in their cycle. Let's remind each other about some mistakes we do whilst fasting.  Wasting time. The month of Ramadaan is precious, before we realized, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of ALLAH so that we can make the most of this blessings. 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 instead of the Quran. Subhaan’Allah!  Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. And others continue stealing, ...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul Jumuat, 4th day of Ramadhaan (Friday 16th April 2021). SOME ACTS OF WORSHIP IN THIS BLESSED MONTH ESPECIALLY FOR OUR SISTERS DURING THEIR MONTHLY CYCLE. BismilLah.  1. Listen/study the Quran. Sisters in their monthly cycle should listen to the Quran as much as possible, while simultaneously pondering about its deep meanings by listeningto the tafseer widely accessible now via online.  It is permissible to read the Arabic script or its translation with your eyes, such as on a computer screen or other electronic devices. You can also read the Quran from your memory any portion you've memorized.  2. Make more Remembrance (Dhikr) of ALLAH. You should use every free moment to exalt the Lord of the Worlds. There are many related azkaar such astaqfirulLah,  yaa Hayyu yaa Qayyuum Birahmatika Astaqeeth etc.  3. Send Blessings on the Prophet (ALLAH bless him and give him peace). That's salaat alan Nabi. 4. Be Kind to Others, Including...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum al-khamis, 3rd day of Ramadhaan (Thursday 15th April 2021). SHOULD A DIABETIC PERSON FAST? IS IT NOT SUFFICIENT FOR HIM TO OFFER FIDYAH (FEEDING THE POOR)?. Bismillah.  In response to this question, I can say that One cannot make a blanket ruling to the effect that all diabetic people may skip fasting and only need to provide fidyah(feeding the poor). This is because each diabetic person's condition is different from the other, as each one reacts differently to fasting. My late sheikh Sibawaihi may Allah be pleased with him was a diabetic but never missed a day fasting that I'm aware of. Not even optional Mondays and Thursday's fasting. If we see one diabetic person as being adversely affected by fasting, we also find another, in spite of being a diabetic, not at all troubled by fasting. This being the case, one should never assume that all diabetic individuals are generally exempt from fasting. If a diabetic person has been advised by his or ...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum Arba'a, 2nd day of Ramadhaan (Wednesday 14th April 2021). What level of intimacy are we allowed between spouses? Are we allowed to flirt, gently touch, kiss, or hug our spouses while fasting? Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem.  In optional fasts, all the above-mentioned acts are permitted so long as one does not engage in sexual intercourse. In obligatory fasts like Ramadan, one is allowed to do these only if one can control himself or herself. Breaking a Ramadhan fast through sexual intercourse is a serious offence; it entails a severe form of kaffarah (expiation), which involves fasting two months consecutively; if one cannot do this, one must feed sixty poor persons for a single day of fast. Therefore, no conscientious Muslim should contemplate such activities while fasting if there is a risk of overstepping the boundaries. If there is no such fear, then light touching, or kissing, etc., when not accompanied by sexual desire, is permissible. When t...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum Athalaatha, 1st day of Ramadhaan (Tuesday 13th April 2021). Rulings regarding wet dreams in Ramadhaan.  BismilLah. AlhamdulilLah for granting us the opportunity to be part of this year’s Ramadhan. If you experience a wet dream during the day in Ramadhan, your fasting is still sound and is not affected by the wet dream, because you didn't do that intentionally. However, it is obligatory for you to perform the ritual purification (ghusl) so as to perform the prayer. Let me add that during fasting days or times we should try to avoid sleeping during the day and maximize our ibaadaat for more rewards, even at work or home we can recite the Quran from our mobile devices and lots of zikir. Recite other azkar like SubhaanAllah, Walhamdulillah, Walaailaaha illallah. Wallahu Akbar etc. But if for some reason we need to sleep small let's try to recite aayatul Kursy, suuratul Ikhlas to Nas before sleeping in shaa ALLAH.  Dua just before or after breaki...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum Ithnayn, 30th day of Sha'abaan (Monday 12th April 2021). RAMADHAN FASTING TO START POSSIBLY TOMORROW IN SHAA ALLAH. BismilLaah.  As at yesterday evening Sunday 11th April 2021, there was no reliable sighting of the crescent as such Sha'abaan will end 30 days for Ramadan to commence tomorrow Tuesday In shaa ALLAH as the Prophet sallalLaahu Alaihi Wasallam commanded. But if any country or Imam chooses today to be 29th of Shaăban by their calculation then they shouldn't be blamed for fasting on Wednesday if the moon is not sighted tonight as such, we must stop any unnecessary arguments that causes hatred and division in this blessed month. I will send a special reminder this evening to clarify if fasting tomorrow is reliably confirmed or not in shaa ALLAH.  Is my hope that we all unite and tolerate each other's views hoping for ALLAH'S mercy on us all. Please do not hesitate to ask questions especially pertaining to Ramadhan. I amended m...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul Ahad, 29th day of Sha'abaan (Sunday 11th April 2021). I have taken a flu-shot during fasting. Will it affect my fasting? What should I do now? Bismillah.  According to the most preferred position of scholars in Islam, receiving Flu-shot does not invalidate the fast since it does not fall under the category of consumption of food or drink, which we are ordered to refrain from while fasting. Therefore, you need not worry about your fast; but if you broke it, assuming that it did break your fast, then you must make up for the same after Ramadhan. However, it is necessary to point out that the above rule should not be extended to receiving injections of nutrients or glucose; such injections will surely break the fast. If, therefore, a person must receive such injections in the day time during the month of Ramadhan because of health reasons, he or she is allowed to skip and make up for it after Ramadhan. But normal injection which does not contain a...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum As-Sabt, 27th day of Sha'abaan (Saturday 10th April 2021). RULES PERTAINING TO FASTING IN RAMADAAN. BismilLah.  Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the 'pillars' of the Islamic faith. No proof is required to establish its being obligatory (wajib) and one denying it goes out of the fold of Islam, because it is obvious like salaat. It was declared an obligatory duty (fard ) in the second year of the Hijrah upon each and every mukallaf (one capable of carrying out religious duties, i.e. a sane adult) and breaking it (iftar) is not permissible except for any of the following reasons: 1. Hayd and nifas: Fasting is not valid for women during menstruation and puerperal bleeding (After childbirth). 2. Illness: Fasting is not valid if it would cause illness or aggravate it, or intensify the pain, or delay recovery, because illness entails harm (darar) and causing harm is prohibited (muharram). Moreover, a prohibition concerning an 'ibadah (a ...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul Jumuat, 26th day of Sha'abaan (Friday 9th April 2021). TASTING FOOD WHILST FASTING. BismilLah.  If a fasting person needs to taste the food whilst fasting, there is nothing wrong with that, and it does not affect the fast so long as none of the food enters the throat of the fasting person.  If she or he tastes it without any need to do so, this is makrooh(dislike), but it does not invalidate the fast.  Ibn ‘Abbaas said: There is nothing wrong with tasting what is being cooked or whatever. Narrated by al-Bukhaari in a mu’allaq report.  Imam Ahmad said: I prefer that he should avoid tasting food, but if he does that it will not affect him and there is nothing wrong with that. Al-Mughni, 4/359. also note that using inhaler/ having covid injection/ ear drop/ eye drops etc does not invalidate our fast. Please remember today is Friday,  let's strive to recite Suuratul Kahf, lots of salaat Alan Nabi  sallallahu alaihi wasallam...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum al-khamis, 25th day of Sha'abaan (Thursday 8th April 2021). SOME ACTS THAT DOES NOT INVALIDATE THE FASTING. BismilLah.  As the month of blessings approaches,  Lets note some things that doesn't invalidate the fasting according to scholars base on knowledge of Quran and sunnah: eyedrops, eardrops, tooth extraction and treatment of injuries do not invalidate the fast. Majmoo’ Fataawa Shaykh al-Islam, 25/233-245. Medical tablets that are placed under the tongue to treat asthma attacks etc, so long as you avoid swallowing any residue.   Anything that enters the urinary tract of a male or female, such as a catheter tube, or medical scopes, or opaque dyes inserted for the purpose of x-rays, or medicine, or a solution to wash the bladder etc does not invalidate the fast.  Fillings, extractions or cleaning of the teeth, whether with a siwaak or toothbrush, Rinsing the mouth, gargling, sprays etc so long as you avoid swallowing anythin...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum Arba'a, 24th day of Sha'abaan (Wednesday 7th April 2021). RAMADHAN IS FAST APPROACHING. BismilLah.  Alhamdullah this year, Ramadan will be from 12/13 April to 12/13 May 2021 (depending on moon sightings). Please note that Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. A key objective of fasting is to increase in taqwa (closeness to / consciousness of God), and to engender a sense of gratitude, self-discipline and self-improvement, at both an individual and community level, which we Muslims are encouraged to continue throughout the year. At an individual level, fasting encourages us to feel an affinity with the poor across the world who have little or no food to eat, whilst for our own bodies, scientific studies have shown that fasting provides several health benefits and forms of intermittent fasting have been incorporated into several diet regimes. At a community level, the breaking of fast meal (iftar) at sunset encourages families and ...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum ath-thalaatha, 23rd day of Sha'abaan (Tuesday 6th April 2021). HELPING EACH OTHER SINCERELY AS MUSLIMS. BismilLah Let’s remember that in the Quran, ALLAH the Beneficent regards Muslims as helpers, supporters, friends, and protectors of each other: ALLAH THE  “The believers, men and women, are Auliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another (Quran: At-Taubah, 9:71).  Our duty, therefore, is to be genuinely concerned about each other so that we can contribute to making life pleasant in this life and to help ourselves and others to prepare for the life in the Hereafter. And to reach that end, we need to be vigilant in ensuring that Islamic teachings are implemented and followed correctly. This necessitates giving and taking correct advice and constructive criticism wherever required. None can claim to be knowledgeable than the rest as such we must strive to advise each other sincerely purely for ALLAH sake. Let's fear that one...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum al-ithnayn, 22nd day of Sha'abaan (Monday 5th April 2021). RAMADAN MOOD. BismilLah.  Alhamdulillah I can sense how eager many are welcoming this blessed month of Ramadan. Ramadan is intended to help us take stock of our lives, renew our faith, reset our complex system and empower us to fulfill our divine mandate on the earth. Therefore, in order to benefit from Ramadhan, we may do well to prepare for it by opening our hearts and minds to embrace it. We should empower ourselves by learning as much as we can about the precise rules, as well as the benefits, of fasting. Perform all acts of worship while being fully awake to their inner dimensions and meanings. Most often we allow ourselves to go through these rituals as mere mechanical chores with the result that we gain virtually no spiritual or moral benefit from them. In order to gain maximum benefits from fasting, realize the true spirit of fasting. We can only do so by abstaining not only from ...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul Ahad, 21st day of Sha'abaan (Sunday 4th April 2021). GATHERING TO RECITE QUR'AN SEEKING A FAVOUR FROM ALLAH. BismilLah.  Our learned Sheikhs have said that the recitation of the Qur’an is surely full of blessings and a great act of reward. It can be recited for whatever reason one desires, such as seeking blessings, attaining Baraka, and obtaining success in some matter. Qur’an is a source of guidance for the bewildered, remedy for the ailing, healing for the spiritually diseased and a code of life for whole of humanity. We recite in the QUR'AN that: “ALLAH send down in the Qur’an that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe. To the unjust it causes nothing but loss after loss.” (al-Isra, 82). And: “O mankind! There has come to you a direction from your lord (Qur’an) and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts, and for those who believe guidance and a mercy.” (Surah Yunus, 57).  If we want ALLAH to bless us and respond to o...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum As-Sabt, 20th day of Sha'abaan (Saturday 3rd April 2021). LETS PURIFY OUR HEART AS RAMADAN APPROACHES. BismilLah.  The command to purify our hearts from sins was an essential Islamic teaching ever since the early stages of the revelation in Mecca. This is known as “purification of the soul” (tazkiyyat an-nafs).   ALLAH says: He has succeeded who purifies the soul, and he has failed who corrupts the soul. Surah Ash-Shams 91:9-10. Also ALLAH says: A day when there will be no benefit in wealth or children, but only in he who comes  to ALLAH with a pure heart. Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:88-89.  We learn from these verses that our success in the Hereafter depends upon the purification of our hearts in this life. We must purify our hearts from spiritual sins such as greed, malice, envy, arrogance, and worldliness, fornication, stealing. In their place, we must adorn the heart with spiritual virtues such as learning the Quran and applying ...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaumul Jumuat, 19th day of Sha'abaan (Friday 2nd April 2021). HOW DO YOU DECIDE IF YOU ARE DRY OR NOT AFTER YOUR MONTHLY CYCLE. BismilLah.  The end of menses can be determined by one of two signs: Emission of the white discharge, which is well-known to women. Complete dryness, so that if a piece of cotton or the like is inserted into that place, it comes out clean with no trace of blood or yellow on it. If she does not see the white discharge, or does not become completely dry – rather there is still some blood, even if it is little, or there is yellowish or brownish discharge – then she is still menstruating, and it is not permissible for her to fast or pray. The basic principle is that the bleeding that occurs at the usual time of a woman’s menses is menstrual bleeding, so long as it does not go beyond fifteen days; in that case [if it lasts longer than fifteen days], then it is istihaadah [irregular, non-menstrual vaginal bleeding] according to the...

 DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum al-khamis, 18th day of Sha'abaan (Thursday 1st April 2021). RAMADAAN PREVIOUS DEBTS. BismilLah.  Many are still asking that they missed previous Ramadan fastings, some even quoting 3 to 4 years of not able to fast due to either pregnancy,  breast-feeding, illness etc.  Lets note that those who were unable to fast for a legitimate sharia excuse, such as travellers, those who are sick,  menstruating women, pregnant women who are or were unable to fast etc have to make up the days when they did not fast, if they are able to fast. It is not permissible to feed poor people instead when one is able to fast, because ALLAH says:  “and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days” [al-Baqarah 2:185] i.e., he must fast the number of days that he missed. It was narrated that Mu’aadhah said: I asked ‘Aa’ishah: “Why does the menstruating woman have to make ...