Archive for the ‘Islamic Months’ Category
Administrator on August 17th, 2011
I`tikaf is the seclusion and staying in the mosque of men with the intention of gaining closeness to Allah. This was the practise of the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, in particular during the last ten days of Ramadan.
This Year 2011, I`tikaf shall start before Maghrib prayer on Saturday 20th August and end at Maghrib prayer on Tuesday 30th August.
Ahadith about I`tikaf
‘Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, “Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan” [Bukhari]
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (R.A) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) observed i’tikaaf during the first ten days of Ramadan, then he observed i’tikaaf during the middle ten days in a small tent at the door of which was a reed mat. He took the mat in his hand and lifted it. Then he put his head out and spoke to the people, and they came close to him. He said: “I observed i’tikaaf during the first ten days seeking this night, then I observed i’tikaaf during the middle ten days. Then someone came and said to me that it is in the last ten days, so whoever among you wishes to observe i’tikaaf let him do so.” So the people observed i’tikaaf with him. [Muslim]
`Aishah radhiya Allahu `anha also reported that the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, “Used to perform i’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty and Majestic, took him. [Bukhari and Muslim]
‘Aisha reported that the Prophet,salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice I`tikaf after him. [Bukhari]
Benefits of I`tikaf
I`tikaf, spiritual retreat, is a means of great reward and closeness to Allah as the person performing I`tikaf submits his/her entire person to the worship of Allah Most High in order to;
- seeks closeness;
- - renew himself by submitting totally towards Allah.
- - distances himself/herself from the worldly distractions that prevent one from such closeness;
- devotes his entire time in actual or effective worship; and
- makes the one in retreat resemble the angels who do not disobey the command of Allah and do what they are commanded, while glorifying Allah by night and day without tiring.
Communal Sunnah
I`tikaf is a communal sunna and therefore at least some people in each community must make i`tikaf for the entire last 10 days of Ramadan. It is blameworthy upon the community as a whole not to arrange and implement this.
I`tikaf for Women at Home
It is recommended for women to do i`tikaf (spiritual retreat) in a specific place in their house, a quiet room, for example, whenever they have the time and are able to do so without neglecting their family duties and other responsibilities.
Things permitted during I`tikaf
Everything normally permissible, besides sexual relations, is permitted during i`tikaf, such as eating, drinking, and talk.
A person performing I`tikaf should busy oneself with the beneficial things as much as one meaningfully can, such as:
1. Voluntary prayer,
2. Reciting the Book of Allah,
3. Remembrance of Allah, in all its forms,
4. Gaining beneficial knowledge, reading and listening to inspiring religious discourses,
5. Reflecting upon the creation and his/her own circumstances
One should avoid simply wasting time in talking and indulging things bereft of benefit, let alone committing sinful/ haram activities.
Administrator on August 4th, 2011
Insha-Allah, during the blessed month of Ramadan, following shows will be broadcast on the local radio stations.
Please tune in every Saturday & Sunday and benefit from these shows.
| Presenter |
Time |
Topic |
Frequency |
| Imam Qari Qasim |
10 – 11.30am |
Tajweed – The Art of Recitation
|
Islam Fever 107.3 FM |
| Hafiza Tasleem Qasim |
4 – 5pm |
Wives of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) – in Urdu
|
Islam 87.7 FM |
| Imam Qari Asim |
4 – 5pm |
Purification of the Heart |
Islam Fever 107.3 FM |
| Imam Qari Asim |
5 – 6pm |
Revival of the Soul |
Islam 87.7 FM |
You can listen to Islam Fever online by clicking here
Administrator on August 2nd, 2011
The Muslims of Leeds make a concerted effort to renew their relationship with the Message of God, the Glorious Qur’an, every Ramadan. It has been a tradition of Madina Jamia Masjid and Makkah Masjid, for the last 30 years, that the key themes contained in the Noble Qur’an are explained every day of the month of Ramadan, either after Taraweeh prayer or after zuhr prayer.
In Ramadan 2011, the Qur’anic study circles will be held every day before the Iftari. In these Qur’anic study circles, parts of the message of the Creator to His creation, the Holy Qur’an, will be explained in English and Urdu by the Imam, Qari Muhammad Asim.
The Iftari and Makkah Mosque study circles are open to brothers and sisters who have an interest in learning about Islam.
Administrator on July 28th, 2011
The month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, recitation of the Qur’an, doing Zikr, remembrance of Allah, endurance and self-discipline. It is a month of training – training the soul and body- to be able to exercise self-restraint. The fasting Muslim is continuously tied with rules and regulations for an entire month and then released for 11 months to see whether the training has been adequate and effective.
During this month the personality of a Muslim develops so that during the rest of the year, the trained Muslim does not commit wrong under unrestricted conditions. Ramadan is a month to purify ourselves. Fasting helps to overcome bad habits either gradually for some of us or immediately for those with a stronger will power.
The Qur’an commands: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you attain taqwa (self-restraint)” (2:183).
The Holy Quran says: “Ramadan is the month in which we sent down the Holy Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear Signs for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong).” (2:185)
AHADITH ON FASTING
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Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).
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Abu Huraira related that Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Allah said, ‘All the deeds of Adam’s sons are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.’ Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarrelling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’ By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting.” (Bukhari )
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On the Day of Judgement, “Fasting will say: O My Lord I prevented him from food and desires so accept my intercession for him.” (Ahmad, al-Haakim and Abu Nu’aim, Hasan)
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The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said: He who gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will be reduced from the fasting persons reward.” (Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh).
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Abu Huraira related that Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness (Darimi).
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Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it (Bukhari).
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Ramadan has another deeper significance for Muslims. Ramadan’s greatness is manifest in the fact that Allah Almighty chose it for the revelation of His Scriptures from time to time. In every Ramadan the Muslims celebrate the spiritual significance of that divine fact the eternal abiding permanence of the Holy Quran.
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During this Holy month therefore, Muslims recite the Holy Quran more than in any other month. Throughout this holy month, therefore, from every Muslim home is heard, during the day and night, the pleasant and beautiful cadences of Quranic recitation. The Holy Qur’an states “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace” (13: 28.) Peace of mind and contentment of the heart can only be attained by sincere and continuous remembrance of Allah.
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For information about the month of Ramadan and fasting: virtues of the month of Ramadhan, who must observe fast (sawm), who is exempt from fasting, conditions of observing Roza (fasting), what does or does not invalidate a fast (sawm), particular rulings relating to women and fasting etc, please visit Deen Foundation on: Important Conditions of Fasting and What Invalidates Fasting
Administrator on July 27th, 2011
Imagine for a moment that it is raining. It is not raining water but raining something much more precious to us. Imagine that on this day it is raining fifty pound notes.
What would we do? What would happen in our neighborhood on that day? What would happen in the world? Would we not run outside, falling all over ourselves, competing to gain as much of the raining money as we can? Would we not wake up early morning on that day/ Would we not be the last one to go inside our houses that day? Would we not try our best to collect as much of those fifty pound notes as possible?
We would do this for money because money is precious. But imagine for a moment that it was raining something priceless. Not pounds, euros or dollors, not hundreds, thousands, millions or trillions, but the mercy of Allah Almighty, the Most Merciful, Exalted is He), a
currency that no human currency could even measure. This is the MONTH OF RAMADAN FOR US.
The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, (peace be upon him) said, “Ramadan has come to you. (It is) a month of blessing, in which Allah covers you with blessing, for He sends down Mercy, decreases sins and answers prayers. In it, Allah looks at your competition (in good deeds), and boasts about you to His angels. So show Allah goodness from yourselves, for the unfortunate one is he who is deprived in (this month) of the mercy of Allah, the Mighty.” [Tabarani]
At an individual and collective level, we should set ourselves specific goals to achieve in the month of Ramadan and then to maintain such goals throughout the rest of the year. During the course of the blessed month of Ramadan, the Leeds Muslim community will, insha Allah, get involved in a number of projects and Azkars to uplift their souls. In the meantime: please note:
Different Azkars in Three TENS of Ramadhan
The first ten days and nights of Ramadhan are for seeking the mercy of Allah. The second ten days and nights are days and night of the forgiveness and the last ten days and nights are for seeking the protection from the hell fire and entrance to the heaven.
The following are some of the Azkars that can be done in the month of Ramadan:
The Dikr:
أشهد أن لا اله الا الله أستغفر الله وأسألك الجنة وأعوذ بك من النار
is general for whole Ramadhan. And there are special Adkar for each ten of Ramadhan.اللهم ارحمني يا أرحم الراحمين
The Dikr specially prescribed for the first Ten is
And for the second tenاللهم اغفر لي ذنوبي يا رب العالمين
And for the last tenاللهم اعتقني من النار وأدخلني الجنة يا رب العالمين اللهم انك عفو تحب العفو
فاعف عني
And recite as much darood and salwat on the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as much as possible.
Administrator on July 27th, 2011
In the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast which involves refraining from food, drink, smoking and conjugal relations from dawn until sunset for a whole month. Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam and over 2 million Muslims in the UK will be fasting for a month to detox their bodies and to re-direct their hearts and souls. It is an act of worship which is designed to bring believers closer to Allah and to rediscover and re-direct themselves and teach self-discipline.
One of the amazing traditions of Ramadan is sharing food with others. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has said: He who gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will be reduced from the fasting persons reward.” (Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan, Saheeh).
In the spirit of sharing and giving food to others, each year at Leeds Makkah Masjid, iftar food is provided to everyone who comes to break its fast in the mosque.
Should you wish to earn the reward mentioned by the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the hadith and participate in the community spirit by offering Iftari on one of the evenings, please contact us at Makkah Mosque.
Leeds Muslim Council will then allocate an evening to you.
Administrator on July 26th, 2011
Islam has encouraged Muslims to try their best to take up a healthy living lifestyle that includesa balanced diet, regular mental and physical exercise and a balance between material and spiritual needs.
The blessed Prophet (peace be upon him) has said: “The children of Adam fill no vessel worse than their stomach. Sufficient for him is a few morsels to keep his back straight. If he must eat more,then a third should be for his food, a third for his drink, and a third left for air.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
The blessed month of Ramadan is a great opportunity to focus on bringing back a balanced and healthy lifestyle in our life. Our diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining.
In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fibre containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours.
Slow-digesting foods are:
foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).
Fast-burning foods are:
foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates).
Fibre-containing foods are:
includebran, cereals, whole wheat, grains and seeds, potatoes with the skin, vegetables such as green beans peas, sem (papry), marrow, mealies, spinach, and other herbs like methie, the leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc. are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc. (called refined carbohydrates).
The foods eaten should be well-balanced, containing foods from each food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems.
Avoid
Fried and fatty foods.
Foods containing too much sugar.
Over-eating especially at sehri.
Too much tea at sehri. Tea makes you pass more urine taking with it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day.
Smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually starting a few weeks before Ramadan. Smoking is unhealthy and one should stop completely.
Eat
Complex carbohydrates at sehri so that the food lasts longer making you less hungry.
Haleem is an excellent source of protein and is a slow-burning food.
Dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium.
Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat.
Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.
Drink
Drink as much water or fruit juices as possible between iftar and bedtime so that the body may adjust fluid levels in time.
NHS published guidelines can be found at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/documents/
digitalasset/dh_078408.pdf
Administrator on July 25th, 2011
Ramadhan will insha’Allah start on Monday 1st August 2011.
For details, please visit: http://moonsighting.com/ramadan.html
The first Taraweeh prayer will be at 10:45pm on Sunday 31st July 2011.
Taraweeh facilities are provided for sisters as well.
Iftari (fasting opening facilities) are provided at Makkah Masjid throughout the month of Ramadan and brothers and sisters are most welcome.
From 31st July to 5th August, the taraweeh prayers would be aired live on Leeds Community Radio.
Click here to view the Ramadan 2011 timetable.
“The blessed month of Ramadan is upon us. It is the month of patience, kindness and charity. It is a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. It is a month of disciplining the body and the soul. Despite external or internal obstacles, being persistent in doing good deeds, with sincerity, is one of the main purposes of this month.
Let’s all endeavour to purify our hearts, uplift our souls and empower ourselves. Let’s all aim to refine our characters and gain closeness to Allah, the Exalted”, said Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim.
We wish you all a very happy and spiritually uplifting blessed Ramadan.
Administrator on July 23rd, 2011
A seminar regarding prepare for the blessed month by exploring the inner meaning and Inward Dimensions of Fasting.
Date: Saturday 30th July 2011
Time: 7:00 pm-9:30 pm
Venue: Makkah Masjid 36 Thornville Road, Leeds LS6 1JY
Come and Learn about:
- Significant and Virtues of the month of Ramadan
- 5 Things God bestows on Those Fasting
- Things to Do and Avoid in the blessed month
- Ways to Discipline our Body and Soul
- Ensuring the benefits of Ramadan imbue the rest of the year
- prepare an individual and collective Ramadan planner
- learn about the link between chsrity & fasting
- learn about self-discipline & self-assessment
- Sermon of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in preparation of Ramadan
- Making the most of Ramadan in a non-Muslim or work environment
The seminar will be facilitated by Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Muhammad Asim.
The seminar is FREE but attendance is via REGISTRATION ONLY. Prior to the event, for the purposes of gender ratio, space and any changes so as to notify attendees, we would be grateful if those interested in the course could register by contacting us at mail@makkahmasjid.co.uk
A reminder about the Do’s adn Not Do’s in Ramadhan:
Administrator on July 4th, 2011
The night of Deliverance (Laylatul-bara’ah)
The nisf Sha’ban night is is the night falling between 14th and 15th day of the month of Sha’ban. It is a night known as Laylatul-bara’ah, Shab-e-barat, night of freedom and night of deliverance.
In year 2010, this night Shab-e-barat shall fall on Saturday night, 16th July 2011.
There will be a gathering at Makkah Masjid on Saturday night, 16th July 2011 after maghrib to gain the immense spiritual benefits and blessings that this night brings.
All brothers and sisters are welcome.
