Prayers and Supplications for the Month of Ramadan - pdf book

Nice Ja'fari collection of duas for the month of Ramadan in a pdf booklet. Enjoy!

Prayer for One's Parents

(Namaz e Hadiya Waaledain)

Two Rakats

Rakat One:
1. Surah Fateha
2. Qunoot Ten times recite 14:41 from Qur'an "Rabbanaghfirlee wa lay waaledaiyya wa lil momineena yauma yaqumul hisab" - "Our Lord!  Cover us with Your forgiveness - me, my parents and all believers on the day that the reckoning will be established"
3.  Finish Rakat as usual.

Rakat Two:
1.  Surah Fateha
2.  Qunoot Ten times recite 71:28 from Qur'an "Rabbighfirlee wa lay waaledaiyya wa lay mun de khala baitee momeenan wa lil momineena wal mominaat" - "Our Lord! Forgive me and my parents and those who enter my house with belief and men who believe and women who believe."
3.  Finish Rakat as usual.

Sajdah after completing the Salat
 Recite ten times 17:24 "Rabbir ham homa kama rabba-yaanee sagheera" - Our Lord!  Forgive them both for they have brought me up in my childhood."

Eid Salat

It is Mustahab that one should have a breakfast after sunrise, pay Zakatul Fitr and then offer Eid prayers.

It is Mustahab to walk barefooted to attend Eid prayers, with all the dignity, and to do Ghusl before namaz, and to place a white turban on one's head.

* It is also Mustahab that in Eid prayers Sajdah be performed on earth, and hands be raised while saying takbirs and if you are offering salat individually recites prayers loudly. And if you are Riciting Namaz e Eid with Jamat then the follower should recite everything in the Eid prayers, except Surah al-Hamd and the other Surah.
* Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Azha prayers are obligatory during the time of Imam (A.S.), and it is necessary to offer them in congregation. However during the present times when the Holy Imam is in Occultation, these prayers are Mustahab, and may be offered individually as well as in congregation.
* The time for Eid prayers is from sunrise till Zuhr
* It is Mustahab that the following takbirs be said on Eid ul Fitr night (ie night preceding the Eid day), after Maghrib and Isha prayers, and on Eid day after Fajr prayers, as well as after Eid ul fitr prayers: "Allahu Akbar, Alllahu Akbar, la ilaha illal lah wallahu akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lilla hil hamd, Allahu akbar ala ma hadana""
1) Eid prayers has two Rak'ats.
2) In the first Rak'at, a person should recite Surah al Hamd and a Surah
3) and then they say five takbirs, and after every takbir he should recite qunut.
4) After the fifth qunut, he should say another takbir and then perform Ruku and two Sajdah.
5) He should then stand up and recite Surah al Hamd and a Surah like first Rakat.
6) say four takbirs in the second Rak'at, and recite qunut after everyone of these takbirs.
7) Thereafter, he should say the fifth takbir and then perform Ruku and two Sajdah.
8) After the second Sajdah he should recite tashahhud, and then complete the prayers with Salam.
----------------
No particular Surah has been specified for Eid prayers But, it is better that after reciting Surah al Hamd in the first Rak'at, Surah Wash Shams be recited and in the second Rak'at Surah al Ghashiya
Any recital or Dua will suffice in qunut of the Eid Prayers. However, it is better that the following Dua is recited:

Allahumma ahlal kibriya'i wal 'azamah, wa ahlal judi wal jaburat, wa ahlal 'afwi war rahmah, wa ahlat taqwa wal maghfirah. As aluka bihaqqi hazal yawmil lazi ja'altahu lil muslimina 'ida , wali Muhammadin sal lal lahu 'Alaihi wa Alihi, zukhran wa sharafan wa karamatan wa mazida an tusalliya 'ala Muhammad wa Ali Muhammad wa an tudkhilani fi kulli khayrin adkhalta fihi Muhammadan wa Ala Muhammad wa an tukhrijani min kulli su'in akhrajta minhu Muhammadan wa Ala Muhammad salawatuka 'alahi wa 'alahim. Alla humma inni as aluka khayra ma sa alaka bihi ibadukas salihun, wa auzubika mim masta aza minhu ibadukal mukhlasun.

Note:Like in all other prayers, the follower should recite everything in the Eid prayers, except Surah al-Hamd and the other Surah.

From the Imam Mahdi Association of Marjaeya:

n the Name of God, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful

Dear Respected Brothers & Sisters,

Salam Alikum
May the peace and blessings of God be upon you!
May God accept your fasting and deeds...

As for the matter at hand, the situation regarding the crescent for the month of Shawwal is not hidden from you. As you know, the possibility of sighting the crescent in different cities in the North America (see this link http://www.crescentmoonwatch.org/assets/F2010Sep09.pdf)

It is our pleasure to receive your calls, so that you can please give any information concerning the situation of the crescent and its visibility.
Based on this, we will be available - God-willing - at the conference phone number:
(712) 451-6100 enter code 1074957#
throughout the sunset times from:
7pm EST until 7pm PST

We hope that all believers participate in this effort. We ask the Almighty Allah to shower you with His Mercy and bless you in these nights.
You have our sincere affection and appreciation.

Salam Alikum (Peace & blessings)
I.M.A.M.


TOKNOWABOUT THE 1ST DAY OF SHAWWAL -EID-UL-FITR DAY

Dear Respected Believers

Salam Alikum - Peace & blessings upon you

As the 1st of Shawwal, i.e., Eid-ul-Fitr, draws near, it is important for all Muslims to understand the basics of how this month is determined and update about expectation of sighting the new crescent of the first of Shawwal.

Months in the Islamic calendar follow a lunar system, meaning that the months are determined through observation of different phases of the moon. As the moon revolves around the earth, it reflects different amounts of sunlight, so that we see only parts or the entire moon. At the end of every month, the moon fades away and a new moon is born. At that phase, the moon cannot be seen in the night sky. With passing time, the moon changes its position so that it reflects more and more of the sun's light. When the new crescent moon is seen in this phase, a new month begins.

On the 29th of the month, Muslims around the globe observe the night sky and try to sight the new crescent moon and determine the beginning of the month. If the new crescent moon is sighted on that night, the next day will mark the beginning of the month. If the moon is not seen on the 29th, the 30th day is considered the last day of the month. The following day will then be the first day of the next month.

Our Grand Jurists have different opinions on some of the particulars of moon sighting, therefore we will briefly address the following topics:

* How the moon is sighted?
* Whose testimony do we rely on?
* The validity of astronomical data.
* Sharing the curve of sighting

HOW THE MOON IS SIGHTED?
The first issue is in regards to how the new crescent moon is sighted. Jurists, including His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Sistani, hold that the possibility of observing the new crescent moon by the naked eye needs to exist, without the use of any optical aid.

WHOSE TESTIMONY DO WE RELY ON?
Because most individuals cannot observe the new crescent moon themselves, Islam gives individuals other methods for confirming the beginning of the lunar month. The individual can rely on the testimony of two just men who sighted the new crescent moon in their area. A general consensus among the people as to the beginning of the new lunar month can also be used to verify a sighting, if it is in line with the opinions of the jurist one emulates.

THE VALIDITY OF ASTRONOMICAL DATA
Our jurists have also addressed the question of the validity of astronomical data in determining the new lunar month. Based on the experts who provide astronomical data, they emphasize that their data does not predict the visibility of the moon with certainty (Source: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/astronomical-information-center/cres-moon-islamic); they can only calculate with high precision the time of birth of the new moon. Therefore, it cannot be relied on with certainty in determining the sighting of the new crescent moon. In addition, we can rely on astronomical data to verify where the new crescent moon cannot be seen.

SHARING CURVE OF SIGHTING
A sighting of the new crescent moon in a city can be used to determine the beginning of the new month in that city and its vicinity. According to the view of His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayid Ali Al-Sistani, if the new crescent moon was sighted in one area, the sighting can also be used to determine the beginning of the month in areas sharing the same curve of sighting. In such areas, the altitude and size of the new crescent moon is close to one another. (To find out altitude and size of the new crescent moon at any location, please refer to the following site: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/astronomical-applications/data-services/alt-az-us).

IN CONCLUSION
Based on the astronomical data http://www.crescentmoonwatch.org/nextnewmoon.htm North America most likely will be divided to several areas. We ask the believers to try the sight the new crescent tonight Thursday 09/09/2010 at sunset. In case the New Crescent is sighted please contact and join the Crescent Committee on the toll free conference call number:

* (712) 451-6100 (pass code 1074957#)
* From 7:00 PM (EST) till 7:30 PM (PST) to submit your reports

The Crescent Committee of the Council of Shia Muslims Scholars in North America will be announcing the details of the beginning of the Month of Shawwal, by the end of the night insha Allah.

We ask the Almighty God to bless you and accept your fasting and prayer during this Holy Month, and to shower you with His Mercy and advance you further in your work.

Salam Alikum
I.M.A.M.

Preparing for the End

Salaam and Greetings of Peace:

The blessed month of Ramadan will be over in a few days, and so it is fitting to repost this from last year. On the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, Hazrat Ali (A.S.) delivered a sermon in which he said:

“O people! Verily this day of yours is the day when the righteous are awarded and the wretched are losers. It is a day which is similar to the one on which you shall be standing (before your Lord). Therefore, when you come out of your homes to go to places of your prayer, remind yourselves about the day when you (your souls) shall come out of your bodies to go to your Lord. When you stand on places of your prayer, remind yourselves of your standing in the presence of your Lord (on the day of Judgment). And when you return to your homes (after prayer), remind yourselves about your returning to your homes in Paradise. O Servants of Allah! Verily the minimum reward for those men and women who fasted (during Ramadan), is an Angel, who calls out to them on the last day of the month of Ramadan (saying): O SERVANTS OF ALLAH! REJOICE THE GLAD TIDING THAT ALL YOUR PREVIOUS SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN…”

- From the Nahjul-Balaghah.

Eid-ul-Fitr is a unique festival. It has no connection with any historical event nor is it related to the changes of seasons or cycles of agriculture. It is not a festival related in any way to worldly affairs. Its significance is purely spiritual. It is the day when Muslims thank God for having given them the will, the strength and the endurance to observe the fast and obey His commandments during the holy month of Ramadan.

Alhamdulillah! May Allah bless us all, and grant that we use this Eid as a lens to focus the sun of good works, which have shone so brightly during Ramadan, to light the way through this coming year until the next Ramadan. Amin! Amin!

Eid Mubarak!

A few more prayers you may wish to try before this month is over:

From an e-mail I received:

salaams:

another gem of worship i found in one of my dua collections...

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

Recite 12 rakat salah in sets of twos (like 6 fajr).
In each rakah after Surah al-Hamd, recite suratul Ikhlaas 25 times.

After finishing this prayer recite 70 times:
"Subhana lahi wal hamdulillahi wa la ilaha illal lahu wallahu akbar, wa la hawla wala quwwata illa billahil aliyyul azeem.

next, recite 70 times:
"Astaghfirul lahal ladhi la illaha illa rahmanur raheemul hayyul Qayyum, wa atoobu ilaih."

The reward is given as soon as one lifts his or her head from the last sajdah:
1. all your sins are forgiven
2. sawab of going to 700,000 Hajj
3. sawab of going to 700,000 Umrah
4. sawab of 700 nights of tahajjud
5. sawab of having kept 700 fasts
6. keeps away the calamities of this life and of the hereafter
7. one will always say the correct religious things
8. if the person dies the same year, he/she will get the status of a martyr
9. assurance that one will get safely into paradise after death.
INSHA'ALLAH!!!!



This next one can be done anytime but if one achieves forgiveness in the month of Ramadan it may be more readily beneficial for your family right now:

As Salaam Alaikum wa Ramadan Mubarak:

Following, is the method for Salatel e Hadiya Waaledain or salat for one's parents. Many of you converts might be interested in doing this for your parents, many of whom remain non-Muslim.

it consists of two rakahs.

In the first rakah after suratul Fatiha, recite this dua 10 times in qunoot, hands raised:

"Rabbanaghfirlee wa lay waaledaiyya wa lil momineena yauma yaqumul hisab" (Quran: 14:41: "Our Lord! cover us with Thy forgiveness; me, my parents and all believers on the Day of Reckoning will be established.")

Finish the rakah as normal.

In the second rakah, after Suratul Fatiha, recite this dua ten times in qunoot with hands raised:

"Rabbighfirlee wa lay waaledaiyya wa lay mun dekhala baitee momeenan wa lil momineena wal mominaat." (Quran 71:28) "Our Lord! forgive me and my parents and those who enter my house with belief and men who believe and women who believie."

Then finish the salat as normal.

After salah, in prostration, recite the following dua ten times:

"Rabbir ham homa kama rabbayanee sagheera." (Quran 17:24)
"Our Lord! Forgive them both for they have brought me up in my childhood."


These are just a few prayers we might want to do before these precious days are gone - who knows if we will have another chance?

And when Eid does come, insha'allah, let us stay united and keep something of what we have tried to gain in this month. What will you keep from the month? Will you keep reading the Qur'an a little every day? Will you keep fasting on a regular basis? Will you be kinder to other people or more patient? It will only stay with you if you make it stay with you!

Here is an article written last year about Eid calculations and unity - let us leave the month in peace.

This year, the crescent for Shawwal was sighted in South America and South Africa on Saturday night. Based on this, Eid in North America was on Sunday for the followers of Ayatollah Khoei and a few other Maraja Taqleed (Religious Authorities), and on Monday for the followers of Ayatollah Sistani and some other jurists.

Naturally, all hell broke loose. "Why can't we have a united Eid?" "Why are these Maraja dividing us?" "They are causing our families to split!" Forums were flooded, angry text messages were sent, and chain emails are still being forwarded. Once again, Marjaiyyat stands accused for having causing yet another crushing blow to the oh-so-fragile Western Shia community. Even the rare well-wishers who do not harbor any particular animosity towards the Maraja cannot help but scratch our heads...
"Sharing the Night" vs. "Sharing the Horizon"

In regards to moonsighting, there is a slight difference of opinion among our Maraja. A few scholars, the most notable among them being the late Ayatollah Abul Qasim al-Khoei, are of the opinion that as long as the moon is sighted in one place, all other locations "sharing the night" (Wahdat al-Ufoq) will also rely on that sighting. For example, if the moon is sighted in the United Kingdom, then it will also apply to places like New York and Detroit, because sunset time in New York and Detroit is before the break of dawn in the UK. Hence, they "share a night". (Ayatollah Khoei: Islamic Laws, ruling #1744)

However, the majority of our Religious Authorities (including Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Sistani and Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei) follow the principle of Ta'adad al-Ufoq ("sharing the horizon"). According to this principle, each location has its own curve of sighting that is distinct and separate from others, unless the two locations "share a horizon", meaning if the moon is sighted in one location, there must be a significant probability it would have also been sighted in the other location had it not been for adverse weather conditions, etc. (Ayatollah Sistani: Islamic Laws, ruling #1744; Ayatollah Khamenei: Practical Laws of Islam, Q. 835)

On the Farsi section of his website www.sistani.org, Ayatollah Sistani is asked if Hasa and Qatib (in Saudi Arabia) share a horizon with Tehran. In the Arabic section, the same question is asked about Najaf and Bahrain. In both cases, the answer is affirmative.

Furthermore, as explained by Ayatollah Sistani: "If the new moon is sighted in the East, it also applies to the West, as long as the latitude of the two locations are not greatly further away from one another. If the new moon is sighted in the West, it does not apply to the East, unless it is proven – even by the moon staying on the first [Western] horizon for the length of time that is longer than the difference between the sunset of the two locations. [For example, if the sunset in the Eastern city was half an hour before the Western city where the moon was sighted, and the moon stays on the horizon longer than half an hour – the Eastern city can follow the moon sighted in the Western city.]" (A Code of Practice for Muslims in the West, ruling #115)

Lastly, if a person does not know whether it is the last day of Ramadan or the first of Shawwal, (s)he should observe fast on that day, and if (s)he comes to know during the day that it is the first of Shawwal, (s)he should break the fast. (Ayatollah Sistani: Islamic Laws, ruling #1746; Ayatollah Khoei: Islamic Laws, ruling #1746; Ayatollah Khamenei, Newly Asked Questions, section on "Fasting" at www.leader.ir)

Also See: Ask the Experts by Shaikh Saleem Bhimji
Scientific Predictions

So why can't we use scientific methods to determine the new moon and forget about moonsighting all together? Surely with current scientific developments, this would solve the whole problem.

According to most of our scholars, the first day of a month cannot be proven through scientific predictions. However, if an individual derives full satisfaction and certitude from such findings (or through any other source), (s)he is welcome to act upon them. (Ayatollah Sistani: Islamic Laws, ruling #1741)

In the past few years, there has been increasing emphasis on the use of scientific calculations for the purposes of determining the new moon by a growing portion of our community. However, what we must keep in mind is that science is not the end-all-be-all answer to all questions. Scientific predictions about moonsighting are based on calculations, and those could easily be incorrect or based on incorrect models or theories. In the past, there have been several instances of differences among scientists and observatories over the possibility of moonsighting, usually because they subscribed to differing models or theories. While we can use scientific data for the purposes of determining probability and such, it cannot therefore be a substitute for actual moonsighting by the human eye.

Interestingly, the US Naval Observatory itself notes on its website, "The date and time of each New Moon can be computed exactly, but the time that the Moon first becomes visible after the New Moon depends on many factors and cannot be predicted with certainty."
"But how can we have two Eids?"

The answer: why not?!

Instead of making mountains out of molehills, let's try to resolve such issues with a little bit of common sense. If Ramadan ended on Saturday for the parents and on Sunday for the children, surely the parents can wait just one day to wear their new clothes or cook up all sorts of ethnic delicacies! If the other members of your family are fasting today, and you are not, just drink a glass of water in the morning – you don't have to eat a four-course meal in front of them! In regards to Eid prayers, most places have services to accommodate both situations, and even if your community doesn't, keep in mind that Eid prayers are not obligatory during the occultation of the Twelfth Imam (may Allah hasten his reappearance) and can also be offered individually (Ayatollah Sistani: Islamic Laws, ruling #1525).

Furthermore, even if we see the Lebanese community celebrating Eid on one day, the Pakistanis the next days, and the Khojas after them, what exactly is the big deal? In many parts of the Muslim world, people celebrate Eid for a whole week. The more, the merrier! I for one fail to see the problem with being able to dress up, visit friends, and gorge out on delicious food for three days instead of just one!

Instead of panicking and rushing to hurl the vilest accusations at our religious scholars, let us try to be a bit more reasonable. Unity does not mean uniformity. Instead of becoming upset at such minor differences, let us learn to appreciate and enjoy the blessings of variety and diversity.

Also, we must realize that even if we ignore all jurisprudential differences, we still would not be able to avoid the issue of multiple Eids. Indeed, we see that during the caliphate of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), a man once came and told him that he had sighted the crescent for the month of Shawwal, while no one else had. The Imam told him that since he has sighted the moon himself, it was Eid for him the next day, but for the rest of the community, since there were not two reliable testimonies (as required by Shariah), it would be the 30th of Ramadan. So while it was haram for the man to fast the next day, it was in fact wajib upon everyone else! (Wasail ash-Shia, volume 10, chapter on Fasting)

Hence, for those who have proper knowledge and understanding of Islamic jurisprudence, this is really a non-issue. In all honesty, the moonsighting drama has nothing to do with unity or keeping our families intact. The Shia world has had multiple Eids for centuries now, so it has hard to fathom why this has become such a divisive issue. The fact of the matter is that this is a simple jurisprudential technicality which certain nefarious elements have hijacked and used to attack our Maraja Taqleed, and many simple-minded Shias are sadly following suit. If we are really so concerned about maintaining unity, let us keep in mind that the one institution that has safeguarded and protected Shi'ism for the past 1200 years and the only platform that is capable of uniting us is the same Marjaiyyat which we so quickly rush to accuse of causing disunity amongst us!

On a final note, in the 13th century, as Mongol armies were about to overrun Baghdad, the Muslim world was too busy fighting among itself over apparently a far more pertinent matter: whether it is permissible to consume owl meat or not! Today, as we face enemies and calamities from all sides, let us learn from our own history, let us cease from wasting so much time and energy complaining about such trivial matters, let us unite under the banner of the Marjaiyyat, and let us focus on the greater problems that threaten to overrun our communities and the Muslim Ummah today.

Salaat Imam-e-Zamaan

Salaamun Alaykum all: see below, my apologies if the Arabic has not
transferred over correctly! You will find the complete dua at
www.duas.org should you need it Insha Allah.

Bismillah al Rahmaan al Raheem

"Make lots of prayers for the hastening of relief, for in it is your
relief" - Letter from Imam Zamaan (ATF)

Grand Ayatollah Sayed M. Taqi al Modarresi has called on Shias all
over the world to ask for the reappearance of the Awaited Savior by
performing the special
Salaat Imam-e-Zamaan (see below for instructions) on the eve of the
23rd of the month of Ramadhan, the Night of Destiny, which is
inextricably linked to
the Imam of our time.

We call on all believers to take part in this global campaign and
perform this brief Salaat on this special night, as that could hasten
the Dawn of Humanity
and fill the earth with justice and end all oppression.

Over a million pilgrims are expected to take part in this campaign in
the holy shrine of Imam Hussein and perform the prayer under the
glorious dome of
the Imam, with millions of others in various Middle Eastern cities
across the region, and we ask believers around the world to join them.

How to perform the special prayer of Imam Zamaan:

It is composed of 2 Rak'ats, each with Surat al Fateha, until one
reaches verse: 5: "Iyyaka naA'budu wa iyyaka nastaA'een", then one
repeats this verse
100 times, then completes the Surah. After Surat al Fateha, Surat al
Ekhlas is recited once.

The second Rak'ah is done in the same manner.

Following the end of the prayer, the following supplication is recited:

Arabic:

اللهم عظم البلاء وبرح الخفاء وانكشف الغطاء وضاقت الأرض ومنعت السماء
وإليك يارب المشتكى وعليك المعول في الشدة والرخاء

اللهم صل على محمد وآل محمد الذين أمرتنا بطاعتهم وعجل اللهم فرجهم
بقائمهم وأظهر إعزازه

يا محمد يا علي ، يا علي يا محمد، أكفياني فإنكما كافياي، يا محمد يا
علي، يا علي يا محمد، انصراني فإنكما ناصراي، يا محمد يا علي، يا علي يا
محمد، احفظاني فإنكما
حافظاي

يا مولاي يا صاحب الزمان، يا مولاي يا صاحب الزمان، الغوث الغوث الغوث،
أدركني أدركني أدركني، الأمان الأمان الأمان

Transliteration:

Bismillaahir Rahmanir Raheem Ilaahi a'zomal balaa wa barehal khafa wan
kashefal ghita wan qata-ar rajaa wa zaaqatil arzo moneatis samaa wa
antal musta-aano
wa ilaikal mushtakaa wa a'laikal mu-awwalo fishshiddate war rekha.
Allaahumma salle a'laa muhammadinw wa aale Muhammad ulil amril lazeena
farazta a'laina
ta atahum wa arraftana be zaaleka manzilatohum fa farriz a'nna be
haqqehim farajan a'ajelan qareeba kalamhil basare a-huwa aqrab. Yaa
muhammado yaa a'li
yaa a'liyyo yaa Muhammad ikfiyaani fa inna kuma kaafiyaan naaseraan
wan suraani fa innakuma naaseraan yaa maulana yaa sahebaz zamaan al
ghauth al ghauth
al ghauth ad rikni ad rikni ad rikni as saa-a as saa- as saa-a al
a'jal al a'jal al a'jal yaa arhamrraahemeen be haqqe muhammadinw wa
aalehit taahereen.
Allaahumma
salle a'laa muhammadinw wa aale Muhammad.

Translation:

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. My God, terrible
was the calamity, and its evil consequences are visible, the covering
has been removed,
(all) hopes have been cut off, the (plentiful) earth has shrunk (with
very little to spare), the heavenly blessings have been withheld. Thou
alone can
help, we refer our grief and sorrow to Thee, we have full faith in
Thee, in the time of distress, as well as in good fortune. O Allah
send blessings on
Muhammad and on the progeny of Muhammad, whom we must obey as per Thy
command, through which we become aware of their rank and status, and
let there be
joy after sorrow for us, for their sake, right away, in the twinkle of
an eye, more rapidly than that. O Muhammad! O Ali! O Ali! O Muhammad!
Suffice me!
Because both of you provide sufficiently. And help me! For both of you
help and protect. O our master! O the living Imam! Refuge! Refuge!
Refuge! Reach
me! Reach me! Reach me! This hour! This hour! This hour! Do hurry! Do
hurry! Do hurry! O the Most Merciful. For the sake of Muhammad and his
purified Progeny.
O
Allah, bless Muhammad and the Progeny of Muhammad.

(originally from Sr. Roshni)

PREPARING FOR LAYLATUL QADR

1. Is there a need to prepare for Lailatul Qadr?
In order to answer this, let us define what the word PREPARE means?
Simply, put it means to make ready or fit, to bring into a suitable state, to make one ready
For e.g. when we want to prepare a meal, or go out for an event, we must have a GOAL in mind.
As in what is my end result, the final dish or my final destination where I wish to end up.
And as per the subject under discussion i.e. “Preparing for Lailatul Qadr” our GOAL is to take full benefit/make full use of the BOUNTIES & RAHMA that Allah (swt) bestows opens us in this night of LAYLATUL QADR.

It is important that we first understand the significance of LAYLATUL QADR in order that we know what sort of ‘ingredients’ are required for our preparation to reach the Ultimate Goal which is earning the pleasure of Allah (swt)

2. What is Laylatul Qadr therefore?
You are all aware of its importance so I will just briefly re-run through it.
In surah AL Qadr Allah (swt) clearly states: "Surely We revealed it (the Holy Qur'an) on the grand night. And what will make you comprehend what the grand night. The grand night is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gabriel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair, Peace! It is till the break of the morning." (97:1-5)

Allah (swt) is inviting all the believers for a Divine feast; the invitation which has been brought by the messengers. Allah (swt) is the host, his most favorite angels are the servants and the believers are the guests. The table is spread with Divine blessings containing all sorts of rewards and favors. Though the eyes cannot see them nor the ears hear them not the human hearts imagine them, yet the bounties are all kept in readiness to be awarded to the guests in accordance to her actions.

Lailatul-Qadr is a blessed night because the Almighty brings down during it goodness, bliss, and forgiveness for His servants. It is a feast which has come with a message that shows one the way to achieve happiness in both the worlds. Laylatul Qadr is a feast for the spirit, a feast of worship and prayers.
Ahadith indicate that the fate of every believer for the coming year is decreed on this night.
When our Prophet (saw) was asked how man could enjoy the favors and good grace of proximity to, and mercy of, Allah (swt) he quoted Nabi Musa’s (as) supplication:

“Oh My God, I seek proximity to You; He (Allah) said: Proximity to Me is for him who stays awake on Laylatul Qadr
“Oh My God, I am in need of Your Mercy; He said: My Mercy is for him who shows mercy to the poor on Laylatul Qadr
“Oh My God, I am in need of the passport to cross the bridge; He said: that is for him who give alms on Laylatul Qadr
“Oh My God, I am in need of the trees in Paradise and their fruits; He said: that is for him who seeks forgiveness on Laylatul Qadr
“Oh My God, I seek deliverance from fire; He said: that is for him who remembers Allah on Laylatul Qadr
“Oh My God, I seek Your good pleasure; He said: that is for him who says a two rakat prayer on Laylatul Qadr
On another occasion Nabi Musa (as) said: “Oh My God, are You far away that I shout to You, or are You near that I whisper to You?” He said: “O Musa, I am sitting together with you!”


3. What do we therefore have to remind ourselves about Laylatul Qadr? That it is:
• A unique once in a year opportunity to do a life times worth of activity.
• Full of long lasting blessings
• The night of unsurpassed grandeur when the absolute Grand God revealed the Grand qur’an through the Grand Wahy - Jibraeel into the heart of the Grand Holy Prophet (saw)
• A once in a year occasion for influencing our future destiny - “QADR” - taqdeer. The Masumeen have explained to us that god in his infinite wisdom had planned the system of the universe in such a way that every persons destiny will be determined on a yearly basis in the angelic spheres through the agency of the imam of the age. Who is the leader and focus of the whole spiritual world) this gives MANKIND a unique opportunity to influence his own future (gains, loss/health/sickness, richness/poverty/ etc by performing certain acts, e.g. dua salat, sadaqah, jihad, acquiring knowledge, quran recitation etc.
• The night when the whole multitude of angels and the great spirit (ruh) descend on earth, greeting and praying for the believers and conveying messages to the Imam of age.

4. Do we than still need to PREPARE OURSELVES FOR LAYLATUL QADR after knowing its significance?
Yes, Let us imagine for a moment that we are invited for a special feast by the president of our country, who also tells us in advance that he is going to reward us with magnificent gifts as per the way we present and behave ourselves during the feast - What would we do ?
After the initial euphoria, we would leave no stone unturned to present themselves in the best possible manner. Preparations of what to wear, how to get there, what will I speak with the president, If I have to go through his secretary what will I say to him, what sort of gifts will I take with me, what sort of conversation with I have with him, all this and more will be thought about, rehearsed and re-rehearsed. Correct me if I am wrong!!

All this ‘tension’ in honor of an invitation from the President of a country. Lailatul Qadr is an invitation form the President of all Presidents, The Supreme One. Do we need to make preparations for this night?

Undoubtedly, we must start our preparations way ahead of time, after all going by human fitra, there is more than profit that can be got from this feast of Lailatul Qadr unless out of sheer carelessness we end up amongst those negligent and idle ones, who do not achieve anything except tiredness, loss and eternal doom, who will gain nothing except regret and cry out aloud on the day of Reckoning:
"Ah! Woe upon me! In that I neglected (my duty) towards Allah."

5. What sort of Pre-preparations are needed before the advent of this grand Qadr?
Jibrael was asked; "What has the Almighty Allah done on this night with the wishes of the believers among the nation of Muhammad (pbuh)?" He answered, "The Almighty Allah has looked upon them on this night and forgiven them, all of them, except the following:
“One who is addicted to drinking, One who severs his ties with his kin, and One who is a trouble-maker."

We have been advised to beseech Allah (swt) during the whole year before the arrival of the Night of Power,
to keep us alive for this night,
• To bestow upon us the towfiq to remain vigilant during this night and pray for blessings and forgiveness.
• To bless us that we are able to do the best of deeds on this night
• To comprehend fully the importance of this night which is superior to one thousand months.
• To pray that we can become one of the favorites of Allah (swt) and be blessed with His love, learning, nearness, union, pleasure, together with health, happiness, and welfare;
• To yearn and act so that Allah (swt) be so pleased with us in such a manner, that after this night He would never be displeased us again.
• To pray that our Aimma esp. the Imam-ul-Asr be pleased with us & intercede on our behalf


6. How to Prepare oneself for The Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr).
(I) Preparing Mentally
• Strive to keep Allah (swt) at the fore of one’s mind the whole night long.
• All the Ibadah done should be recited in the state of being completely awake, aware, conscious, and with a live heart
If one feels that one will not be able to concentrate then start reciting from now "We are from Allah and towards Him is our return.” - Holy Qur'an (2:156) for it is considered as a tragedy if one can not in this night receive the divine grace in supplications
"Their prayers ascend upwards and reaches Allah, their words are accepted, and Allah loves to listen to their prayers the way a mother likes her own child."
Is not it shameful that the prayers which ascend upwards should be recited from the tip of the tongue, while the heart and soul remain occupied in worldly affairs?

Many a times, one feels that one cannot ‘properly’ perform a certain ibadah and so decided to forgo it. One should not do listen to this ‘waswas’ instead, one should perform it & more, for acceptance lies in the Hand of the Mercy of Allah (swt).

(ii) Preparing Physically
The other preparations to be done for this night are,
• for worshipping in this night a suitable place, dress, and perfume should be arranged in advance (comfortable dress which does not distract us)
• paying alms during this night - to the people who really deserve financial support
• Follow the translation of the duas in order to understand what you are reciting for lutf is only got when one knows what one is reciting.

(iii) Preparing spiritually
• increase ones eagerness for receiving the promised bounties and blessings;
• select worships and deeds which are more in harmony with ones mood
• When one stands for prayer, or any other ibadah, to briefly spare a moment to think about the wisdom of that action/its meaning etc for e.g. Why am I standing towards Mecca? To realize that when I stand on my two feet, it indicates my hope and fear about the acceptance of my worship
• Resorting (Tawassul) to Ahlul-Bait [a] - With persistence, supplicating in a polite and soft manner, with words and content arousing their sympathies, should beseech them for bestowing upon us the grace of being vigilant during this night.
• Crying and Shedding Tears:
that during these nights ones fear, humility, tears, crying, anguish, and lamentation be increased as much as possible. The Learned Scholar Hajj Mirza Javad Agha Maliki Tabrizi (r.a.) in his book (Suluk-i Arifan) Spiritual Journey of the Mystics tell us that One of the best method is that one should tie ones hands around ones neck; should pour dirt upon ones head; should place ones head against a wall; sometimes one should stand and sometimes one should cry; should imagine oneself at the scene of Judgment Day; and the way sinners are rebuked with harshness, then one should imagine and be scared least Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted) orders: "Seize ye him, bind ye him, burn ye him in the blazing fire, and make him march in a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits." - Holy Qur'an (69:30-32)
Then one should cry: "O' Thou are the most compassionate, and Thou Who are the shelter of unsheltered ones!" "Where is Your vast blessing? Where is Your infinite forgiveness? Where are Your love and benevolence?" Ask for forgiveness of past sins in the most appealing manner with a promise to try never to return to the sins again - a TAWBA in every sense of the word Present ones requests before the Almighty with full hope that they will be answered. The Prophet (S.A.W.) when asked what one should invoke Allah during these nights, said: "Ask for your safety (here and in the hereafter)".


7. Recommended Ibadah to be performed on The Night of Qadr:
WE are advised that this night be divided into 3 parts -
1st part to be allocated for Gaining Knowledge - Najhul Balagha, Tadabbur etc
2nd part to be allocated for Meditation (not when you are too sleepy)
One should not forget to select a period for having a private union between oneself and ones Creator and
3rd part to be allocated for Salatul Layl to connect with Nawaafil with Subh prayer

Suggested ways to get the maximum of this blessed opportunity”
1: Imam al- Sadiq (as) quotes “On all these nights, it is recommended that you perform the ghusl twice: once at the beginning of the night, and once at its end”.
When performing the recommended ghusl, to remember that while god likes physical cleanliness, more important He loves inner cleanliness of the heart, from immoral character e.g. jealousy, greed, etc. Thus resolve to clean the soul also by TAUBAH + JIHAD of NAFS

2: When praying 2 rakat namaz of recommended prayers with 7 times surah tawheed, make efforts to concentrate on the message of tawheed and get the heart to believe that truly GOD ALONE is ALL -powerful/All Merciful/Independent etc. therefore we should fear none BUT HIM, hope from none BUT HIM, we should ask from none BUT HIM

3: After the salaah when repeating ISTEGHFAR 70 times try to first be really repentant for serious mistakes done, sincerely ask for forgiveness either by: (a) recalling 70 different sins OR (b) feeling remorseful for 10 sins of the 7 main organs: eyes, ears, tongue, hands, mouth, stomach + private parts OR (c) some particular sins that you may have committed repeatedly OR
(d) recalling the variety of punishments of different sins and finally resolve NOT TO Repeat them in the future, then only can one realistically expect to deserve the reward the HP has promised “Whoever performs this act will surely be forgiven by the Almighty even before here rises from his place".

When opening the qur’an and praying for your needs with the intercession of the qur’an, realize that while the qur’an is a cure for spiritual illness, it only benefits the pious ones and the evil doers are deprived of its illumination. Thus increase the chances for qur’an intercession to work on your behalf by earnestly following the rulings of the qur’an.

While placing the qur’an on the head. Remind yourself that true salvation can only be achieved by always keeping the rules of qur’an ahead of us to follow. The fact that we put the Qur’an on our head is a sign of respect and reverence. We beseech Allah by the thaqalayn - the speaking and the silent Qur'an. - Holy Qur'an (39:56)

As you seek intercession of the Al mighty (bika ya al…) and the 14 infallibles realize that God is limitless Ounces of Mercy and the Ma’sumen pure agencies for the distribution of divine mercy to all creations.

While performing Ziyarah of Imam Husein (as), remind yourself that on this august night, the souls of 124,000 Prophets (peace be upon them all) visit Imam, who is aware of our inner spiritual reality and is hurt and repulsed by our record of repeated evil deeds, indifference to God’s commandments; thus, we should avoid disgracing ourselves in that great audience of Imam. Also, associate the themes in the ZIYARAH of:
• Firm bond of love and obedience of God (SALAT).
• Economic betterment of community (ZAKAT).
• Overall mobilization of forces towards virtue (AMR BIL MA`RUF).
• Overall cleansing of evil from society.
• All-out war in all spheres of life to promote truth (JIHAD).
• Tremendous endurance of all ensuing difficulties (SABR).
• Complete distancing (LA`NAH) from all forms of injustice (DHULM) with destiny- shaping opportunity of this night and resolve to become on active player in improving the future in preparation for the REAPPEARANCE OF AL-MAHDI.

8. How to Farewell the Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr) One should resort (tawassul) to the M'asumin - to whom that night belongs - should submit ones deeds & worship to those exalted ones, with a heart broken, with grief & shedding tears, should request them to make those deeds as righteous, and request them to intercede with Allah (swt)

9. The Day of Power (Qadr)
According to Ahadeeth both the night and day are interconnected, as far as their worth, value, esteem, and splendor are concerned, i.e. if the day is esteemed and honorable, the night of that day also possesses the same distinction and vice versa. Therefore, we must appreciate the importance of the Days of Power and like the Nights of Power, should celebrate them by sincerely performing worships and righteous deeds.

On a final note, our destiny to large extent can be changed in this very night and much depends on us, how we decide to utilize both the night and the day of Qadr and for that matter each single moment of this blessed month of Ramadhan.

Let us therefore pray together that we may be granted the Tawfiq to be able to do the A’maals of Laylatul Qadr in its correct essence, that we may be granted the Maghferah and that we may earn the Pleasure of Allah (swt) in such a manner that our lives take a positive turn in a manner that we may earn the salvation for both this world and the Hereafter. Ameen

A humble request that we remember each other in our prayers and especially those we do not forget our Marhumeen...

Rabbana Taqabbul Minna……………

Source : http://www.dartabligh.org/

Laylatul Qadr and Martyrdom of Imam Ali (as)

Aamal for 19th, 21st, and 23rd nights here.

The month of Ramadhan has been singled out for special worship (`Ibadat) and exclusive favours. It is a month unlike other months. One reason for this, as defined by the Qur'an, is because the Holy Qur'an was revealed in this month. Says Allah in Sura al­Baqarah: The month of Ramadhan, that in which the Qur'an was sent down; a guidance for mankind, and clear signs of guidance and distinction (2:185). In fact, according to a hadith of the 6th Imam (a), the other holy books were also revealed in this month.

Among the nights of Ramadhan is one special night, which is better than a thousand months (HQ, 97:3). Good deeds performed on that single night are equal to those performed over a thousand months. It is the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr), when the Qur'an was revealed. Some commentators believe it was the night when the Qur'an was brought down from Baytul M`amur (Heavenly abode), for Jibrael to reveal in parts to the Prophet (s). Others say it was the night when the Prophet received the entire Qur'an, but was asked to transmit it as and when the occasion demanded.

Laylatul Qadr is a celebration to commemorate the arrival of the final guidance for humans. It is a tribute to the commencement of the message revealed to mankind by their Creator, a message which shows them the way to achieve happiness in both the worlds. Just as the arrival of a child is celebrated, on its birth and then every year, as a bringer of joy and fulfilment for the family, Laylatul Qadr is celebrated as a bringer of light and guidance for mankind. Unlike the birthday which is celebrated with a feast for the senses, Laylatul Qadr includes a feast for the spirit, a feast of worship and prayers.

Some Ahadith indicate that the fate of every believer for the coming year is decreed on this night. That is why the Du`as for this night ask for special favours in the decree for the year. Believers are encouraged to stay awake the entire night, and pray for blessings and forgiveness. It is the holiest night of the year, and it would be unwise to be heedless of the tremendous benefits of this night.

The Last Will of Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS)

Imam Ali's (AS) last will to his sons Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS) after the attempt on his life by a stab from Ibn Muljam:

My advice to you is to be conscious of Allah and steadfast in your religion. Do not yearn for the world, and do not be seduced by it. Do not resent anything you have missed in it. Proclaim the truth; work for the next world. Oppose the oppressor and support the oppressed.

I advise you, and all my children, my relatives, and whosoever receives this message, to be conscious of Allah, to remove your differences, and to strengthen your ties. I heard your grandfather, peace be upon him, say: "Reconciliation of your differences is more worthy than all prayers and all fasting."

Fear Allah in matters concerning orphans. Attend to their nutrition and do not forget their interests in the middle of yours.

Fear Allah in your relations with your neighbors. Your Prophet often recommended them to you, so much so that we thought he would give them a share in inheritance.

Remain attached to the Quran. Nobody should surpass you in being intent on it, or more sincere in implementing it.

Fear Allah in relation to your prayers. It is the pillar of your religion.

Fear Allah in relation to His House; do not abandon it as long as you live. It you should do that you would abandon your dignity.

Persist in jihad in the cause of Allah, with your money, your souls, and your tongue.

Maintain communication and exchange of opinion among yourselves. Beware of disunity and enmity. Do not desist from promoting good deeds and cautioning against bad ones. Should you do that,the worst among you would be your leaders, and you will call upon Allah without response.

O Children of Abdul Mattaleb! Do not shed the blood of Muslims under the banner: The Imam has been assassinated! Only the assassin should be condemned to death.

If I die of this stab of his, kill him with one similar stroke. Do not mutilate him! I have heard the Prophet, peace be upon him, say: "Mutilate not even a rabid dog."

Source: Najul Balagha

In the 40th year of Hijri, in the small hours of the morning of 19th Ramadan, Imam Ali (AS) was struck with a poisoned sword by the Kharijite Ibn Maljam while offering his prayers in the Masjid of Kufa. He died on the 21st day of Ramadan 40 A.H. and buried in Najaf-ul-Ashraf. He was born in the House of Allah, the Kaaba, and martryed in the House of Allah, Masjid-e-Kufa. The Lion of Allah, the most brave and gentle Muslim after the Prophet (PBUH&HF) himself, began his glorious life with devotion to Allah and His Messenger, and ended it in the service of Islam.

"And do not speak of those who are slain in the the Way of Allah as dead; nay, they are alive, but you perceive not." Quran 2:154

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.

Learning More About Salaat

Asalaam Alaaykum,

Another goal some people make during the month of Ramadan is improving the salat - improving concentration, feeling more spiritual, brushing up on fiqh, correcting a bad habit of skipping a prayer, etc. Here are some resources if this is a goal that you have set or if it interests you.


Concentration in Prayer - a practical resource for improving your focus during the prayers.

Al Fajr al Sadiq - an interesting article about determining the time of fajr.

Adabus Salat - When you want to take your prayer to the next level, you are sure to find something here to help you, insha'allah.

If you can find the book Profundities of Prayer anywhere, it is an amazing work of Ayatullah Khameini that takes the prayer apart and piece by piece provides deep insight.

Here is an online prayer tutor if you wish to learn how to pray salat.

Salatul Layl

When the servant of Allah turns to his Lord in the middle of the dark night, and whispers to Him, Allah establishes His light in his heart . . . then He tells the angels: O my angels, look at my servant. He has turned to Me in the middle of the dark night while the false ones are playing, and the heedless ones are sleeping; bear witness that I have forgiven him. - Holy Prophet (s)

There is no good deed except that its reward has been outlined in the Qur’an, except the Salatul Layl. Almighty Allah has not specified its reward due to its greatness with Him. He says (about the reward of those who recite Salatul Layl): So no soul knows what is hidden for them of that which will refresh the eyes; a reward for what they did.(32:17) - Holy Prophet (s)




Many people may try to pray the night prayer, tahajjud, or salatul layl, more often during the month of Ramadan.



Here is a good lecture about 15 minutes long that you can watch or listen to which explains how to perform salatul layl. The actual English lecture begins at 1:30.



And here is a nice book about salatul layl including dua'as, etc. You could print out pages from it and hold while praying if that would be helpful to you.

Here also is another resource on salatul layl including a concise method of performing it.

Here is the concise method reported by Allamah Majlisi in the above source:

Salat al-Lail is 11 Rak`at in which:



1. The first 8 Rak`at are prayed in four Salat of two Rak`at each with the intention of Salat al-Lail (after each two Rak`at, give the Salam, finish the Salat and then stand for the next set of Salat.)



2. Following this, two Rak`at would be read with the intention of Salat ash-Shaf` (this Salat is performed exactly as Salatul Fajr).



3. Once this is recited, one Rak`at with the intention of Salat al-Witr would be recited. In this Salat, recite Surah Al-Fatiha once, Surah al-Ikhlas three times followed by Surah al-Falaq and Surah al-Nas once each.



Once this part of the Salat is finished, we raise our hands in Qunut such that our palms are facing the sky and our hands are level with our eyes and perform the following.

1. Recite the following 70 times:



أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللٌّهَ رَبِّي وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

“I seek repentance from Allah, my Lord and to Him I turn back.”



2. Followed by reciting the following seven times:



أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللٌّهَ الَّذِي لاٌ إِلٌهَ إِلاٌّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيهِ

“I seek repentance from Allah the One whom there is no god except Him, the Living and Self-Subsisting and to Him I turn back.”



3. One of the most important acts in the Qunut of the Salat al-Witr is supplication for forty believers (men or women) amongst one’s family, friends, those who have asked to be prayed for, the deceased and the Shi`a of Amir Al-Mo’minin `Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him). Whosoever does this will be assured that his supplications are answered.



4. One should then say the following three hundred times:
اَلْعَفْوُ

“I ask for forgiveness.”



5. Following this, the following should be said once:



رَبَّ اغْفِرْلِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَتُبْ عَلَيِّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوٌابُ الرَّحِيمِ

“Lord, please forgive me and have mercy upon me and turn back towards me. Verily You are the Oft-Turning back, Most Merciful”



May Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) hasten the advent of the 12th Imam (may Allah hasten his return) to fill this world with justice and equality.

Fasting and Prayer Table

Since a few members of this blog are from the Denver area, here is a prayer/imsaak table for Denver. You can make your own, tailored to your location, at praytime.info. It is an awesome site that you can have play an alarm at prayer times or even at suhoor time. You can determine your precise qiblah, play Qur'an, learn to pray, and more.

Day August Ramadan Imsaak Fajr Sunrise Dhuhr Maghrib
Thu 12 1 04:27 04:40 06:09 13:05 20:18
Fri 13 2 04:28 04:41 06:10 13:05 20:16
Sat 14 3 04:29 04:42 06:11 13:05 20:15
Sun 15 4 04:31 04:44 06:12 13:04 20:14
Mon 16 5 04:32 04:45 06:13 13:04 20:12
Tue 17 6 04:34 04:46 06:14 13:04 20:11
Wed 18 7 04:35 04:47 06:15 13:04 20:09
Thu 19 8 04:36 04:49 06:16 13:04 20:08
Fri 20 9 04:38 04:50 06:17 13:03 20:07
Sat 21 10 04:39 04:51 06:18 13:03 20:05
Sun 22 11 04:40 04:53 06:19 13:03 20:04
Mon 23 12 04:42 04:54 06:20 13:03 20:02
Tue 24 13 04:43 04:55 06:21 13:02 20:01
Wed 25 14 04:44 04:56 06:21 13:02 19:59
Thu 26 15 04:45 04:57 06:22 13:02 19:57
Fri 27 16 04:47 04:59 06:23 13:01 19:56
Sat 28 17 04:48 05:00 06:24 13:01 19:54
Sun 29 18 04:49 05:01 06:25 13:01 19:53
Mon 30 19 04:51 05:02 06:26 13:00 19:51
Tue 31 20 04:52 05:03 06:27 13:00 19:50
Wed September
1 21 04:53 05:05 06:28 13:00 19:48
Thu 2 22 04:54 05:06 06:29 13:00 19:46
Fri 3 23 04:55 05:07 06:30 12:59 19:45
Sat 4 24 04:57 05:08 06:31 12:59 19:43
Sun 5 25 04:58 05:09 06:32 12:59 19:42
Mon 6 26 04:59 05:10 06:33 12:58 19:40
Tue 7 27 05:00 05:12 06:34 12:58 19:38
Wed 8 28 05:01 05:13 06:35 12:58 19:37
Thu 9 29 05:03 05:14 06:35 12:57 19:35
Fri 10 30 05:04 05:15 06:36 12:57 19:33
Sat 11 Eid –ul Fitr 05:05 05:16 06:37 12:56 19:32

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

The Office of Sayyid Seestani in the Holy city of Najaf informs Momineen that His Eminence (long may he live) has ascertained that tomorrow Thursday is the first day of the blessed month of Ramadhan in most Islamic countries, Iraq and all Arab countries, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and also India and Australia, African countries and South America, the United States and parts of Canada.

For most European regions like the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinavian countries and most parts of Canada the day after tomorrow, Friday 13 August 2010, will be the first day of the blessed month. We ask Allah Almighty to let this be a month of Khair and Baraka for all Muslims.

The Office of Sayyid Seestani
Holy city of Najaf
Wednesday night

Please refer to the website by clicking here.

Getting Ready

If you would like to brush on the fiqh of fasting, here is a link to The Code of Practice for Muslims in the West.

Imam al-Ridha(a.s) is reported as saying, “If one observes fasting on the last three days of Sha`ban and attach it to the obligatory fasting of Ramadan, Almighty Allah will reward him as if he has observed fasting for two consecutive months.”

THE SPECIAL NAWÃFIL OF RAMADHÃN

The special nawãfil (recommended or supererogatory prayers) for the month of Ramadhãn are to be recited as follows:

1st to 20th day ——> 20 raka‘ãt (2 rak‘at x 10) each night.
19th, 21st & 23rd —> 100 raka‘ãt (2 rak‘at x 50) each of the three eves.
21st to 30th ———> 30 raka‘ãt (2 rak‘at x 15) each of the ten nights.

The total numbers of the special nawãfil of Ramadhãn comes to 1000 rak‘ãt. However, it is important to note that these nawãfil prayers, from the Shí‘a Islamic perspective, cannot be said in congregational form (jamã‘at); it can only be said in individual form (furãda).