Shahr Ramadan Radio - Majlis from Alabama, Night 7 - Making Fun of Others, Talking About Others

Shahr Ramadan Lecture - Topic: Making Fun of Others, Gossiping

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Sermon of the Prophet for start of month of Ramadan - infographic

From:  http://www.mysticsaint.info/2012/07/islamic-infographic-prophet-muhammad.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mysticsaint+%28Inspirations+and+Creative+Thoughts%29

Where is your Heart?

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.

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

Maximum Benefit from the Best Month

The Holy month of Ramadan had started; he entered the mosque of Kufa. He went up the pulpit and after praising Allah (SWT) and sending greetings upon His great Prophet (PBUH&HP) addressed the people as such,
“O people! We are observing the month which Allah has made it superior to all other months … This is the month in which the gates to the sky and doors to the mercy of the Lord are open; and the gates to fire are closed.
This is the month that the voices (of people) are heard and prayers are accepted and the weeps cause the mercy of Allah.
This is the month in which there is a night that angles come down from the skies by the order of Allah in it, and offer their peace to fasting men and women until sun dawn. That night is the night of Qadr. Fasting in the next day is greater than fasting a thousand month; and performing any good is greater than performing that good for a thousand month.
Allah is sending his blessing in every day and night of this holy month. Thus, whoever makes any small benefit from this month, he shall have great respect in the day that he faces Allah; and no one shall have respect in front of Allah (SWT) unless Allah will grant the paradise to him.”
Then Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) continued his speech on the top of pulpit of Kufa mosque:
“O Servants of Allah! This month is not like any other; its days, nights and every hour of it is the most valuable among all others. This is the month that the Satans are imprisoned for the whole month. Allah increases the sustenances of people and increases the length of lives and selects the guests of His house (for Hajj).
O you who fast! Be very careful about what you do and perform. You are the guests of your Lord in this month. Observe your behavior every day, and watch how you prevent your organs and body from committing sins.
Watch out not to sleep all night and be careless during the day and as a result this month passes and your are still carrying your sins. Otherwise, on the day that believers get the reward of fasting, you will be among the losers; and they will enjoy the blessings and bestowings of the Lord while you cannot get any of that; and they will be neighbors to Allah for life while you will be among those who are taken away from Him!
O you who fast! If you are rejected from your Lord, where are you going to turn? If your Lord left you alone, who is going to help you? And if He does not accept you among his people, who are you going to submit? And if He does not forgive you, who are you going to ask forgiveness?
O you who fast! Recite the Holy Quran in day and night as a means of getting closer to Allah; indeed the Book of Allah can intercede for those who recited it and its intercession will be accepted on the resurrection day. Therefore they (the reciters) climb to higher levels of paradise by reciting the verses of this Book.
Glad tidings for you who fast! I heard from my most beloved one, the Prophet of Allah that, "Allah forgives a high number of people from agony of fire, but no one knows how many they are except Himself. On the last night of Ramadan Allah will forgive as many as He has been forgiving throughout this month."
At this time a man from a tribe named Hamdaan stood up and said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin! Tell us more from what your beloved (the Prophet) told you about Ramadan.”
Amir al-Mu’minin said, “I heard that my brother and my cousin, the Prophet of Allah, that he said, ‘Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan and avoids the sins, he shall enter the paradise"...
The man from Hamdaan repeated his request three more times and Imam replied him in the third time as follows,
“I heard that the greatest of all Prophets, Messengers and angles to Allah said, ‘The Master of Successors will be killed in the Master of all Months."
I asked: Which month is the master of all month and who is the Master of Successors?
He said, "The master of months is Ramadan and the Master of Successors is you O Ali."
I asked, “O Prophet of Allah! Is this going to happen?”
Prophet said, “I swear to Allah this will happen. Indeed, the worst among the people of my nation will hit the top of your head with a sword such that blood will cover your face and beard."
People started to cry and weep after these words; Ali (PBUH) finished his sermon and came down from the pulpit.
(The above is a selection taken from “Fada’il al-Ashhur al-Thalathah”, by Late Sheikh Saduq)(1)

Footnotes:
1. In order to translate this narration from Arabic the translation of Muhammad Reyshahri in the book titles as “Muraqibat of Ramadan” is used.

Source: Roshd.org

Got this in E-mail - Sermon delivered by the Prophet (SA) on the Last Friday of Sha'ban

Salam alaikum wa Rahmatullah,
Bismillah Ta'ala

On this last Friday of Sha'ban, we cannot help but be reminded by the Sermon delivered by the Prophet (SA) on the Last Friday of Sha'ban on the reception of the holy month of Ramadan. The transition from one blessed month to the other where the doors of mercy & forgiveness from Allah (SWT) are opened even wider is only a minute example of the absolute generosity of Rabb Al Kareem in giving us more than one chance to redeem ourselves and strive towards divine proximity.

You may visit this link to view the Prophet's sermon in preparation for this exceptional month: It is worthy to note that Rasulullah (SA) did not begin the sermon by addressing the audience as "Oh Muslims..." nor did he say "Oh Believers...". Instead he addresses every human being by saying "Oh People!"/Ayyoha Al Naas to give us the message that the doors of opportunity in this month are open to everyone without exception! Also the Prophet (SA) confirms that the devils/shayateen are handcuffed & confined in this month, but he does not state that our desires & temptations are confined or curbed. Hence, we must make all effort to observe Taqwa and War'a which is one of the best deeds to practice in this mubarak month. So let us roll our sleeves and make the intention to become good guests who are worthy of being invited by the most generous Host! After all, who knows if we'll live till the next Ramadan? According to one hadeeth, (verbatim) if we were to recognize the many blessings of this holy month, we would've wished that the whole year was Ramadan!

As a reminder, the first 10 days of Shahr Ramadan are known for the blessings of Rahma/mercy, the 10 middle days for Maghfira/repentance, and the last 10 days which contains the special night of Laylatul Qadr is marked by being set free from the punishment of Hell-Fire.

Please remember all momineen & mominaat in your prayers particularly those who are oppressed around the world.