A great month has arrived!

Ramadan Kareem everyone!

"Oh people! A great month is coming to you. A blessed month. A month in which there is one night that is better than a thousand months. A month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night.

Whoever draws nearer to Allah by performing any of the voluntary good deeds in this month shall receive the same reward as is there for performing an obligatory deed at any other time. And whoever discharges an obligatory deed in this month shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of Sabr (patience), and the reward for sabr is Heaven. It is the month of kindness and charity. It is a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased.

Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without the latter's reward being diminished at all."- Prophet Muhammad (saws) [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

---*SubhanAllah! && Aren't those kids just the cutest things ever :). On a side note, I've been thinking about writing in a journal/note book about my experience in Ramadan. InshAllah I plan on keeping record of every day that goes by. I considered doing it on blogger but I quickly ruled it out. Honestly I highly doubt I will every look back at my old posts. As far as the notebook I would be more likely inclined to flip through it in the future. It will include my goals, sins I want to stop, sunnah prayers, things to work on and overall my thoughts and feelings :). I think it will be a great way to track my progress!

Sahabi Story `Abu Mihjan

Abu Mihjan (radi-Allaahu 'anhu) was one of the companions of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam).

This Sahaabi was suffering from an addiction to drinking wine. He was brought and flogged, then brought and flogged again, but he knew that this problem did not relieve him of his duty to strive for the cause of Islam. So he went out with the Muslims to al-Qaadisiyyah as a soldier, seeking martyrdom on the battlefield. In al-Qaadisiyyah he was brought to the commander of the army, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas, for having drunk wine. Sa’d detained him so that the Muslims ranks would be cleansed of such a person.

This detention was a harsh punishment which caused Abu Mihjan a great deal of anguish. When he heard the sounds of swords and spears, and the neighing of the horses, and he knew that the jihad had begun, and the gates of Paradise were open, he was filled with longing for jihad. He called to the wife of Sa’d ibn Abi Waaqqas saying,

“Let me go and I promise Allaah that if I come back safe and sound, I will put my own feet in the chains, and if I am killed, then you will be rid of me.”

She felt sorry for him, so she let him go, and he leapt onto a horse belonging to Sa’d which was called al-Balqa’. Then he picked up a spear and set off. He did not attack any group of enemy soldier but he scattered them. Sa’d was supervising the battle and he was surprised and said,

“This is the running of al-Balqa’, and the style of attack is that of Abu Mihjan, but Abu Mihjan is in chains.”

When the battle was over, Abu Mihjan went back and put his feet in the chains. The wife of Sa’d told him this wonderful story, so Sa’d admired this man and his care for Islam and his longing for jihad, so he himself went to this wine-drinker, released the chains with his own hands and said,

“Get up, for by Allaah I will never flog you for drinking wine again.”

Abu Mihjan said,

“By Allaah, I will never drink it again.”

--------------------------

-------------
Reference:

Author: Ibn Katheer
Source: al-Bidaayah wa-Nihaayah 9/632-633

No ones perfect!!!!

Asalamu Alakyam Waramatullahi Wabaraktuh.
Just because someone is religious doesn't mean their perfect (I take refugee in Allah). People need to understand no one is free from mistakes or blemishes other than Allah Subhana Wa Tala. As a Muslim we strive and struggle everyday to correct our intentions and strive in Allahs path. All I can say is if someone is trying than you should appreciate that and recognize that in itself is half the solution. No one fully changes in a matter
of weeks or even months for that matter and you can't expect someone too. It takes time, its a gradual process. People do not have a right to judge and criticize you in a negative manor. There's a big difference between nasheeha (advice) and putting someone down. When you say things that are meant to be vicious or condensing your hurting yourself and even worse the person you said that too. We aren't perfect and Allah says that verily man are created weak. I feel as If people have this image in their mind of how a person should be or act. And when a person doesn't fulfill their expectations they become outraged or looked down upon. SubhanAllah, that's when problems occur. However if a person gets mad and says things they shouldn't have. We shouldn't reply back in hurtful words but accommodate them. Accept that they are human and they are trying to be better and that's ultimately whats important. I believe we never stop growing spirituality, we are always in constant need of knowledge and guidance.

My advice is do not get discouraged, stay strong on your goals. Make dua for anyone who has harmed or oppressed you. Forgive your Muslims brothers and sisters, indeed that is the best way. Have mercy on others and Allah will have mercy on you.

Satan and his Army

Ramadan Goals :)

I read NeverEvers post about Ramadan Objectives. MashAllah, so I just added a few of mine. This will be my second real Ramadan, Al-Hamdulilah. Just a few goals I'm striving to achieve. Also right now is a good time to start fasting and preparing. Listening to lectures is always a good imaan booster! I highly recommend the Life of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallahu alahaya wa salam) by Sheikh Anwar Awalaki. And the Here After series is really good too, I still haven't finished it yet, inshAllah soon! SubhanAllah, the Sahabah (May Allah be pleased with them all) use to prepare 6months in a advance. Tommorow is a Monday you know what the means... its sunnah to fast on Mondays and Thursdays! :)

• Pray 5times a day on time
• Pray Taraweeh/Sunnah
• Go to Jummah every Friday
• Finish the Quran 4 times
• Give Charity
  
• Give Dawah
• Completely stay away from T.V, Music, Magazine etc.
• Reflect on the purpose of life
• Keep a positive attitude
• Be in a constant state of Taqwa
• Giving Zakat on time and energy
• Always renew my intentions

Keep your goals high but know everyone has limits. Sometimes focusing on the basics is the best way to uplift your Imaan and understand the virtues of this blessed month. Ramadan isn't about burning yourself out but spiritually and mentally growing. Be realistic and at the same time optimistic.

When the heart is clean indeed actions will follow in such a state of purity. Realizing I'm not only abstaining from food and water but my tongue, ears and eyes are fasting as well. Ramadan Kareem! (: