Making this Ramadan the Best (from Darul Arqam Studios - NAK Collections)

Most of us approach Ramadan much like our previous Ramadans. We slip into similar habits and routines, and our ibadah from one Ramadan to the next is predictable. We have the same tarawih schedules, read similar quantities of Qur’an or perform similar types of ibadah and post Ramadan we are back to square one... Let's change that and make this the BEST Ramadan Ever!

1. Treat this Ramadan like it is your last! This type of mindset creates urgency and with urgency comes focus and determination. Your priorities will shift knowing that this is your final opportunity to take advantage of this blessed month. The quality of your ibadah will surely increase if you have this understanding. Take your ibadah to the next level.

2. Set goals for Ramadan It was the practice of the Muslims in the early generations of Islam to think and reflect over what they wanted to achieve – ahead of Ramadan. And during the month itself, they would track their progress along the way and make tweaks to their lifestyle if they fell behind. Take the time now to set some targets in terms of what you want to achieve during this month. And from these goals, come up with a small plan to describe how you plan on fulfilling them.

3. Warm-up for Ramadan We should approach Ramadan similar to how athleets approach their games. Before their games, they will come early and start warming up and start running various drills. They are warmedup, their muscles are relaxed and they’re ready to go. it in the same manner. During the month of Sha’ban, increase in your ibadah. Perform some nafl fasts, increase in your recitation of the Qu’ran, give some extra sadaqah and improve your overall ibadah. When ramadan comes, you will already be warmed up and you will hit the ground running. Try to ease into Ramadan on an upward slope and maintain your consistency throughout.

4. Remove distractions Distractions consume our time and take us away from the remembrance of Allah. And during the month of Ramadan our time is at a premium. Our schedules are altered with early morning suhoor, the occasional nap during the day and late night prayers. If we allow our everyday distractions to continue throughout this month, we shortchange ourselves from the immense blessings that are there for the taking. Try to create an atmosphere in your home that will encourage you to achieve your goals. This can include cutting out television, movies and video games. Perhaps you alter your schedule at home so that the family has time to read Qur’an together or praying tarawih together at your local masjid.

5. Feed the needy For those in the West, a lot of focus is given to the long summer hours this year that we have to endure. To make up for the duration, some Muslims take it upon themselves to load up at suhoor and iftar times. This type of excessive eating goes against the spirit of Ramadan. The purpose of our fasting is not mere abstinence from food and drink. Allah has prescribed fasting as a means of attaining taqwa. Part of attaining taqwa is being mindful of our consumption as well as providing for those who are less fortunate. Feeding needing people is a noble act and follows in the spirit of Ramadan. Rasullulah ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam was known for his generosity, and he was especially generous during the month of Ramadan. So let’s be more conscious of those who are needy and strive to feed them from the abundance we have. This article was taken from the website of Darul Arqam Studios (NAK Collections) - 2018

On Consoling a person who's in Bereavement

After the Battle of Uhud, the Muslims returned to Madinah and were tasked with the unfortunate difficulty of having to tell those who stayed behind, namely the women and children, about the loved ones they lost.

One such person was the Prophet (S)'s cousin, Hamna bint Jahsh. Her mother and the Prophet (S)'s father were siblings. Hamna (R) had it tough.

She was first told she lost her brother. Hamna responded with duaa and patience.

She was then told she lost her uncle, and also responded with duaa and patience.

After a little while, someone came to inform her that she also lost her husband, Mus'ab bin Umayr. Upon hearing this news, she screamed and began weeping.

When the Prophet saw her situation, he said something truly remarkable. “A husband has a very special place in the heart of his wife. Marriage is a very profound and strong experience... a wife loves her husband very much, more than even he may realize.”

Sometimes we deal with things in accordance to what we perceive to be religious rhetoric, and respond with what we believe the Prophet (S) would have said. If a woman were to get the news of her husband’s death and she broke down crying, we might say, “Have sabr, have patience. Don't cry. Everything will be okay. Trust Allah.”

And what we're saying isn't wrong- she should, and probably will, come to internalize all those things. But what are we doing in the process? We’re minimizing her grief, and not acknowledging her suffering. We’re not the ones who lost a family member right now, she did- so it’s easy for us to say “have patience.”

What do we mean by "have patience"?! Have we ever gotten the news that our world just completely fell apart? That we just became widowed, and our children became orphaned?

If anybody could tell somebody else to be patient, who would it have been? Muhammad (S), our prophet, the Messenger of Allah. The man who suffered and lived through the deaths of 6 of his children. Can you imagine going through that pain 6 times in your life? Shrouding 6 of your children?

If anybody had the credibility, license, and ability to tell someone else to be patient throughout loss and suffering, it was the Prophet (S). But instead, he (S), in his wisdom, chose to respond in a different way.

He acknowledged her pain and validated her. He honored her marriage and complimented her relationship with the man she lost. Everything else will come with time. This is how you have empathy. And this... this is how you console people.

Credit: Ustad Abdul Nasir Jangda Facebook post, 4 Feb 2016.

A poem for rasullullah (s.a.w)

Three sunrises ago
I was blessed by the 

splendor of a light show

A perfect burst of light

from a single source

below the horizon

Effortlessly lighting up

the morning sky

A magnificent aura 

smiled on Earth

SubhanAllah, the tongue rolled

on auto-pilot

Little did I realise

His Gift to all of us was

preciously created for his beloved, 

Rasullullah (s.a.w)

~ farheen mukri, 2015

On Generosity - The Prophet's Way

From the blogpost of theconsciousmuslim:

Generosity

In many narrations the Prophet (ﷺ) is described as being the most generous. The word used in ḥadīth literature usually to describe his generosity is jūd, another word for generous is sakāʾ but this to my knowledge is never used to describe the Prophet (ﷺ). When you look them up they both are defined as ‘generous’ or ‘open handedness’ but an in-depth analysis reveals a marked difference. Jūd is to be generous when not asked, whereas sakāʾ means the person is generous but only when asked.

He (ﷺ) was the most generous, with some saying he (ﷺ) was more generous than the rain. Interestingly in etymology the English word ‘generous’ stems from the French word ‘généreux’ and the Latin word ‘generosus’ both when translated mean “of noble birth.” Tying in so well with the Messenger of God (ﷺ)

It is important to note that in the harsh deserts of Arabia, generosity was a virtuous act that was lost among many. (The concrete jungles we currently reside in can be just as harsh) The definition for ‘generous’ in English in my opinion is lacking, in that it does not do the act itself justice. When made without ostentation, without causing harm, without belittling others, without rebuke, without prompting and most importantly without expectation of reward - then generosity is from the heart making it not just more meaningful, but Prophetic. 

Amazement & Wonder

The following are notes i took in a talk by Sheikh Hisham Kabbani in 2010.

Be humble at all times: " One who knows himself, knows about his Creator (through His Signs)."

On Isra Miraj: (Ascension of the Prophet s.a.w through the heavens)
Currently if we try to go above the what is the entire atmosphere, we need a space shuttle that is properly equipped. If not, it will explode and we will not survive.
But the prophet (s.a.w) could perform this remarkable journey without any aid or technological miracle. 

"To Bear Witness" - How conscious are we in believing this or carrying out this act?

Electrons cannot be separated from the mass of the matter. Similarly, the soul cannot be separated from the body. All electrons are in balance, so if we cannot balance within ourselves, we would not be stable on the outside.

Islam teaches us to think. It wants us to compete in matters of faith so that one will do more. 

Judgement Day is not a created concept. The Quran is not a created concept. These are ancient words of Allah, stored on a 'tablet' available even before the world we live in, came into existence. 

When we reach a level of knowing ourselves, we will realise love for Allah and the Prophet and all that comes from them.  

Our relationship to the world and to Allah

A lovely quote that I need to remind myself on:  

Patience with family is love, 

Patience with others is respect, 

Patience with self is confidence, and 

Patience with GOD is faith.

Our relationship to Allah:

"If you make demands on Him, you doubt Him. 

If you seek Him, you are absent from Him.

If you seek other-than-Him, you are shameless before Him.

If you make demands on other-than-Him, you are distant from Him."

~ Shaykh Ibn Ataillah 

How we Grow...

Today I saw this:
The trials and tribulations we go through in this world from time to time, is a spiritual training in which Allah guides us for one purpose: To learn to trust HIM, and HIM only