A little humor - what if you live at the North Pole, how do you fast?

Superhanallah - Shahr Ramadan Humor

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Namaz/Amaal for any one day in the Holy Month of Ramadhan

I've received this every year for the past few years in e-mail, but I don't know of the source - if anyone has it please let us know.




Recite a 12 rakaat namaz in twos.

In each rakaat after Surae Al-hamd, recite 25 times Surae Ikhlaas.

After finishing this prayer, recite 70 times:

"SUBHANAL LAHI WAL HAMDU LILLAHI WA LA ILAHA ILLAL LAHU WALLAHU AKBER, WALA HAWLA WALA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAHIL ALIYYIL AZEEM".

Next recite 70 times:

"ASTAGHFIRUL LAHAL LADHI LA ILLAHA ILLA HUWAR RAHMANUR RAHEEMUL HAYYUL QAYYUM, WA ATUBU ILAIH".

The reward as mentioned above is given as soon as one lifts his/her head from the last sajdah.

(Please forward this to as many people as you can and do remember us in your duas.)
FOR ANY ONE DAY OF HOLY RAMADHAN............

The a'amaal has the following benefits, if done on any one day in
Holy Ramadhan.

ALL your sins are forgiven.
Sawab of seven hundred thousand for going to Hajj.
Sawab of seven hundred thousand for going to Umra.
Sawab of seven hundred nights of doing ibadaat after getting up from sleep.
Sawab of having kept seven hundred fasts.
To be kept away from the calamities of this life and of the hereafter.
One will always say the right religious things.
If the person dies in the same year, he/she will get the status of a martyr.
Last but not least, assurance that one will safely get into paradise after death.

Interesting Q&A on Fasting from Imam Reza (as)

I have quoted here a section from Uyyun Akhbar e Reza, a book about Imam Ali Ridha (AS) written by Sheikh Sudooq. Sheikh Sudooq was born when his father, who lived during the minor occultation of Imam Mahdi (AS) asked the Imam for help in having a child. The Imam instructed his father, and from this Sheikh Sudooq was born. When he was born, he showed an unusually high aptitude for Islam, memorizing the Quran at an early age, entering the hawzah early, and becoming a mujtahid at a young age. From this special youth, he grew to be the first Marjah in the time of the major occultation. His works are considered seminal in all of our Hawzah, and our highest scholars today, learned from the writings of Sheikh Sudooq – who’s books are mandatory reading. In fact the book has been translated, and uploaded to Ayatollah Sistani’s European website, and thats where I got it from: http://www.najaf.org/english/book/30/04_2.htm

In this text, the Imam explains why we do particular things in fasting. The Imam is talking for the whole time, and is presenting questions people may ask about fasting, and answering them. Its a brilliant work, he answers more questions than I could ever think of, and does so with thorough, yet simple, explanations

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And if he asks, ‘Why have we been ordered to fast?’ It is said, ‘It is so that you can realize the feeling of hunger, thirst, and poverty in the Hereafter. It is also because by fasting you show reverence, humbleness and submissiveness, so that you patiently and knowingly benefit from your suffering thirst and hunger. In addition, fasting serves as a means of the elimination of lust; and acts as an advisor for you for the present; a practice for you to perform your duties and a proof for the Hereafter. Also fasting is a means for you to realize the extent of hardships suffered from poverty in this world, so as give to the poor the portion of your property which God has made incumbent upon you to pay to them.’

And if he asks, ‘Why is fasting established to be done in the (Arabic) month of Ramadhan and not in the other months?’

It is said, ‘It is because Ramadhan is the month in which the Sublime God sent down the Qur’an in which there exists what would distinguish between right and wrong as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong)…’ [179] The revelations were revealed to Muhammad (s) in that month. The Night of Power (‘Qadr) is better than a thousand months and ‘In the (Night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom.’ [180] It is the beginning of the year on which everything – whether good or bad, loss or gain, life or death – is destined. That is why it is called the Night of Power (‘Qadr).’

And if he asks, ‘Why we have been ordered to fast during the (Arabic) month of Ramadhan – no more and no less?’

It is said, ‘It is because that is the extent of fasting which both the weak ones and the strong ones can tolerate. God has made incumbent upon man the obligatory deeds to the extent that the majority of the people can do them. Then He has given the weak ones some leeway and has encouraged the strong ones to do more. If less than this was better for them, God would have made less than this incumbent upon them and if more than this was better for them, God would have made more than this incumbent upon them.’

And if he asks, ‘Why is it the case that for someone who is ill during the (Arabic) month of Ramadhan and does not get better until the next Ramadhan, or is on a journey during the (Arabic) month of Ramadhan and does not end his journey up until the next Ramadhan, the fasting days he missed should not be made up, and it suffices for him to pay for the compensation of it? Why is it the case that if such a person gets well or his journey ends before the next Ramadhan should make up his missed fasts and also pay for the compensation?’

It is said, ‘Fasting was incumbent upon him during the (Arabic) month of Ramadhan of that year. It was put off to a later time since he was ill or on a journey. He is excused from fasting since he did not get better during the year or his journey did not end, but he must pay for the compensation of his missed fasting days. This is because the Sublime God has sent the illness upon him and he has not found a way to get better. God has not left any means of performing his duty for him, since an ill person cannot fast. One who is on a journey should not fast either. Therefore, he is excused from fasting. The same holds true for anything else which God brings upon him such as becoming unconscious. Let’s suppose someone is unconscious for one day. He does not have to make up the prayers for that day as (Imam) As-Sadiq (s) said, ‘God has excused His servants from anything which God Himself descends upon him.’ Since at the beginning of Ramadhan, he has been excused from fasting and this excuse has remained valid until the next year, then he must pay the compensation, and he does not have to make up the fasts. He is like someone who is always unable to fast as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘And if any has not (the wherewithal), he should fast for two months consecutively before they touch each other. But if any is unable to do so, he should feed sixty indigent ones…’

And as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘…(He should) in compensation either fast, or feed the poor, or offer sacrifice…’ Here giving charity has been established as a compensation for fasting when the Hajj pilgrim is in a distressful state.’

And if he asks, ‘What if he was not able to make it up then, but is able to do so now?

It is said, ‘Since his excuse has remained valid until the next Ramadhan, God’s decree regarding him is that he pay the compensation for the missed days of fasting. He is considered to be like someone who must pay the compensation for missing his fasts due to some act and cannot fast. Thus he does not have to fast, but he must pay the compensation. However, if he gets well before the next Ramadhan, but does not make up the days for the missed fasting days, he must make up the fasting and pay the compensation that is due to be paid by him, since he has been able to make up that fasting.’

And if he asks, ‘Why are there recommendable fasts?’

It is said, ‘They exist so as to complete the obligatory fasts.’

And if he asks, ‘Why are there three designated days (for recommendable fasts) each month and one day (for recommendable fasts) in each ten days of the month?’

It is said, ‘It is because the Blessed the Sublime God says, ‘He that doeth good shall have ten times as much to his credit…’ Therefore, whoever fasts one day out of each ten days, it is as if he has fasted the whole year long as Salman al-Farsi – may God have Mercy upon him – said, ‘Fasting three days each month is considered to be fasting all the time. Whoever finds more time should fast more.’’

And if he asks, ‘Why are recommendable fasts set for the Thursdays of the first and the last ten days of the month, as well as the Wednesdays of the second ten days of the month?’

It is said, ‘As for Thursday (Imam) As-Sadiq (s) said, ‘A servant’s (i.e. a person’s) deeds are presented to the Honorable the Exalted God each Thursday. Thus God likes His servants to be fasting when the servants’ deeds are presented to the Sublime God.”’

And if he asks: ‘Why are recommendable fasts set for the last Thursday of the month?’

It is said, ‘Since it is better during the third ten days of the month if the servant’s deeds for the last eight days are presented to God while he has fasted than if his deeds for only two days are of his deeds presented to God while he has fasted. Also Wednesday has been set in the middle ten days of each month, since (Imam) As-Sadiq (s) narrated, ‘The Honorable the Exalted God created Fire on this day. He destroyed the previous nations (who sinned) on that day. It is a day which always has (been considered to be a ) bad omen. And God likes his servant to fend off the bad omen from himself by fasting.’’

And if he asks, ‘Why is it incumbent upon those who do not have the financial means to fast as expiation. Why can’t they go on the Hajj pilgrimage, pray or do other (good) deeds as expiation?’

It is said, ‘It is because praying, going on the Hajj pilgrimage and other obligatory deeds would hinder one from attending to his worldly affairs and improving his life. The same reason cited for making up the fast of the semi-menstruant who should only make up her fast not her prayers applies here, too.’

And if he asks, ‘Why has the expiation been established to be fasting for two consecutive months? Why is it not one month or three months?’

It is said, ‘It is because God has made fasting for one month incumbent upon the people. He doubled the fasting days to be an expiation so as to emphasize the importance of fasting and be stern.’

If he asks, ‘Why did He establish the compensation for fasting to be two consecutive months?’

It is said, ‘It is so that they do not underestimate fasting. If the fasting is performed spread over a span of time, it would not seem to be that difficult.’

Another Great Message On Setting Goals for the Month of Ramadan

Caption: Attitude is most of the battle!

Salaamun Alykum and Ramadhan Kareem to all.

Below is an email received from DAR-UL-MUSLIMEEN NEWS BITS - Dodoma Tanzania.

Jim Rohn, a motivational speaker, once said, "I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacations with better care than they plan their lives. Perhaps it's because escape is easier than change."

Escape is no doubt fun. But fundamental change, the kind that can move us forward in life and help us achieve all that we want from it, requires the kind of long-term thinking, planning, and implementation many of us simply want to run away from.

It’s neither easy, nor enjoyable. Planning for the big picture often means confronting our faults and failures, as well as being willing to get out of a comfortable pattern of living, even when we know that things can and should be better.

Ramadan offers us the best opportunity in this regard. If we don’t already, we can set goals for only this blessed month, so we aren’t overwhelmed by making a huge life change. But at the same time, we can instill positive habits and attitudes that, if repeated throughout the blessed month, can change our lives for the better.

For example, I know one sister who never prayed. One Ramadan, she began to do so five times a day, and she hasn’t looked back. That was 23 years ago. It took just one Ramadan to instill in her this lifelong habit.

You, too, can set worthy goals this Ramadan, with the hope that they will become lifelong habits. Please take some time out this week, not more than 15 or 20 minutes, and jot down a few things you would like to accomplish during the upcoming month of fasting.

The beginning of the new year is usually considered a good time to set goals and make resolutions. Ramadan is even better. Since it’s for only one month versus one year, it’s easier to stick it out and really try to make the effort. The possible benefits: the development of a lifelong good habit, a good deed done in a systematic way, and a sense of accomplishment that can be carried over the rest of the year.

Here are some suggested goals to set in Ramadan 2010:

1. Break your fast with a $1 meal and give the rest to the needy.

Over one billion people worldwide live on $1 a day.

Please see: http://earthtrends.wri.org/updates/node/6 . That includes a good portion of Muslims who not only spend their days fasting, but break their fasts with less-than-lavish meals, made up of foods like beans, rice, lentils, and bread.

At least three times this Ramadan, try to do Iftar with a $1 meal. It will give you a perspective beyond empathizing with the hungry from dawn to dusk only.

2. Give away something you truly love

Allah reminds us in the Quran: “You shall not attain righteousness until you spend out of what you love (in the way of Allah). Allah knows whatever you spend,” (3:92). Also, Prophet Muhammad (saww), was noted to always be generous, and was even more so in Holy Ramadan.

Keeping this in mind, choose something you truly love and are attached to this Ramadan and give it to someone in need. For example, if you had been saving up to buy a personal item - be it a gadget, something nice for your house, or a fun vacation - consider giving away all that money to a charity you trust, a family member or friend struggling financially, or to help cover an ill person’s medical bills, for example.

The point of the exercise is to become closer to Allah by sharing with others and reducing our attachment to material things.

3. Console a grieving friend

Grief can take many forms, ranging from the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, illness, or any other hardship. If possible, visit a grieving friend or acquaintance in person, meet for lunch, or at least call. Text messages, tweets, and wall posts just don’t cut it when it comes to really hearing someone out and giving the support they need in times of difficulty.

4. Begin one small, sincere, but regular good deed

The Prophet (saww) advised, “Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even though it were little”

Start one, and only one, small good deed this Ramadan. It could be smiling more if you are a generally more serious type; calling or visiting parents just one more day a week than you usually do; or cooking one meal a week so your spouse has more time to remember Allah. Choose your deed and stick with it.

5. Host an Iftar for the hungry

Polish your guest list this year and include family, friends or neighbors who you know are struggling financially or are truly hungry. Too often, we invite our exclusive clique of people close to us, most of whom don’t worry about where their next meal is going to come from, unlike one in 3 famlies in the world.

This year, expand your social circle and include those who are truly in need. Better yet, invite your “crew” and your new friends together.

6. Give up one, and only one, addiction

This runs the gamut from lattes to Facebook, to video games to chai/caffeine of any kind. The aim is to lessen dependency on those things we don’t truly need and remember that we should rely completely on Allah for all things.

7. Tolerate or forgive one bad habit or quirk of a loved one

As we remember Allah’s tolerance of our countless faults, this Ramadan - 10 days of which are defined as the “days of forgiveness” - overlook or forgive a specific fault of a loved one. This can be small but annoying habits, like regularly losing the grocery list, forgetting lunch on school days, or perpetually being 15 minutes late.

These are just pointers for us to think and ponder upon. The idea is to set a format whereby one does not forget his goal for this month inshallah.

Let us remember the less fortunate and also pray for the unity of our Ummah and families.

Iltimas e dua