ummtaalib

Now that we have arrived in the middle of this sacred month, let us reflect on how the first half of this month has passed. Let us ask ourselves: Have I lost momentum? Have I controlled my tongue? How is the state of my heart? Am I meeting my Qur’ān target? Allah (subḥānahū wa taʿālā) says in the Noble Qur’ān, ‏ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا اتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ وَاتَّقُوا۟ اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِىْرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ “Believers! Be mindful of Allah and let every soul carefully consider what it has sent forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah: certainly, Allah is All-Aware of what you do” (59:18). This āyah teaches us that if we are to be worthy of ‘īmān’, we have to adorn ourselves with taqwā, in private and public. Similarly, we have to hold ourselves accountable of what we do in this world, and what consequences our actions will have in the hereafter. This āyah also teaches us that we should live our lives with a focus on the hereafter. This world is a bridge to the hereafter, our real home. Everything we do in this world should be so that tomorrow, when we stand in front of Allah, He is happy with us. We are happy to meet Him, and He is happy to receive us. ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) said, “Hold yourselves to account (in the world) before you are held to account (in the hereafter). Evaluate your actions (today) before you are evaluated (tomorrow), for the Reckoning will be easier upon you tomorrow if you hold yourselves accountable today.” Muḥasābah, an action of the heart, is to evaluate one’s actions and behaviour of the nafs (inner self); and then rectifying the mistakes, and continuing the good deeds. When we evaluate our daily, weekly, and monthly actions, we should identify our sins and repent sincerely. We should ask Allah to forgive us, and make a firm resolve to stay away from that sin in the future. We should identify the root causes of the sin, and plan how we can stay away from what causes us to fall into that particular sin. Similarly, we should identify where we are falling short in terms of fulfilling the rights of Allah. Doing this will mean we do not become deceived with our ʿibādah. Instead, we will put our hope and trust in Allah, and not our own paltry actions. This should be followed by asking Allah to help us worship Him with excellence. Whilst we are reflecting on our shortcomings, we should contrast this with the immense blessings of Allah (subḥānahū wa taʿālā) upon us. This should fill our hearts with ḥayā (shyness). How much He blesses us, and how little we thank Him! How much He does for us, and yet we disobey Him. How often we disregard His commands, yet He does not deprive us! If we fail to hold ourselves accountable and do not live a life of taqwā, we will become like the people who Allah describes as: وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ نَسُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَأَنسَىٰهُمْ أَنفُسَهُمْ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الْفَٰسِقُونَ “And do not be like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves. It is they who are defiantly disobedient” (59:19). If we are heedless of Allah, and we fail to remember Him and uphold His rights, Allah will cause us to forget that which is actually beneficial for our souls. In effect, it is we who lose out, when we move far away from our Creator, and surrender to the whims and desires of our souls. The Prophet ﷺ would seek the protection of Allah from ‘the evils’ of the nafs. If our nafs is left to its own devices, and we allow it to lead us, instead of leading it, it will lead us to sin and evil. How To Treat Your Nafs It has been said that the nafs is like a treacherous business partner. If you do not hold him accountable, he will run away with your money. Similarly, if we do not hold our nafs accountable, it will run away with our success and land us in the pit of destruction. We often go easy on our nafs, but this is exactly what it wants! Fasting trains us to gain mastery over it and teaches us not give in to its every whim. We should not let our nafs fool us by thinking, ‘This is only a minor sin’ or, ‘There is a difference of opinion anyway, so it doesn’t really matter.’ We should treat our nafs as though it is another person and remain very strict with it. When the nafs slips and errs, we should reprimand it; and when we find it leaning itself to the obedience of Allah, we should push it in that direction. ʿĀmir b. ʿAbd Qays (raḥimahullāh) said, “I saw a number of the companions of the Prophet ﷺ and I accompanied them. They informed us that those who were the most stringent in taking their inner selves to account in the world, will be the ones with the purest īmān on the Day of Judgement.” Muḥāsabah is not just for ordinary Muslims. It is actually more important for those involved in seeking and spreading knowledge, and calling others to Allah. Theoretical knowledge alone will not protect the heart and nafs. Actively working on one’s nafs is essential to avoid envy, pride, hatred, and backbiting. We should allocate time every single day and evaluate our actions on a daily basis. At night before we go to sleep, we should ask Allah to forgive us for our day’s shortcomings and sins. We should free our hearts from hatred and malice, and forgive all those who may have wronged us. We should sincerely repent, as we do not know if we will wake up the next day. Self-Reflection Questions Did I do it sincerely for the sake of Allah alone? What were my deficiencies in the act of worship I did (e.g. Did I miss out on khushūʿ in ṣalāh? Did I ruin my fast by backbiting?) Did I perform a good deed which was of lesser importance, and justified it to myself by thinking that I was ‘still doing something good’? Did I use my intention to transform an ordinary deed into an act of worship? How much of my ‘screen time’ is spent on what spiritually and mentally nourishes me? The Order of Accountability Ibn al-Qayyim (raḥimahullāh) explains that we can evaluate ourselves in the following way: 1. Obligatory (farḍ) deeds. Firstly, we should reflect on whether we fulfilled those deeds which are obligatory upon us, and then expiate for them. E.g if ṣalāh was missed, then immediately perform qaḍā or if it was rushed and deficient then make amends by praying additional voluntary (nafl) prayers. 2. Forbidden acts. Then, we should reflect on our sins. We should sincerely repent by regretting what we did and resolve to not repeat such a sin. Where possible, we should also make amends e.g. if we insulted someone, then we should apologise to them and make duʿā’ for them. 3. Heedlessness/moments of distraction. The next step is to evaluate moments where we are not doing ḥarām, but are indulging in activities which are not conducive to our purpose in life (worshipping Allah). In an era of distraction, we are bombarded with various forms of entertainment and notifications leading us to wasting precious time. We should make amends for this by increasing our remembrance of Allah (dhikr, ṣalāh, Qur’ān etc.). 4. Intentions. This is vital, as we may perform an amazing deed, but ruin it due to riyā’ (showing off) and not do it for the sake of Allah. Or we may have done something ordinary in the day, but this could become a great act of worship if we intended to do it for the sake of Allah. For e.g. we may have a mind-numbing job, but we could intend every day before we leave the house that we are doing it to earn a ḥalāl living, provide for our families, give charity through it etc. Or we may feel like cooking for our families is a chore, but this could become an act of worship if we intend with it to feed nutritious ḥalāl food to our loved ones, so they can become strong believers and serve the dīn of Allah. May Allah al-Bāṭin (The Intimate) make us mindful of our outer and inner deeds, and allow us to prepare for meeting Him. Source

Various peices of news from eye.on.palestine From the old city of Jerusalem where the Israeli occupation forces close the gate of Al Aqsa mosque and prevent worshippers from entering it, while hundreds of settlers are breaking into the mosque. The Israeli occupation forces close the gates of the Dome of the at Al Aqsa mosque, dozens of women are besieged there. Worshippers, who are besieged inside Al Qibli prayer hall, use the loudspeakers to ask people to defend Al Aqsa mosque from the raid of the occupation forces and Israeli settlers. According to the Islamic Awqaf : 545 Israeli settlers broke into Al Aqsa mosque, since the early morning

What is happeningin Al-Aqsa? At dawn (April 15th), thousands of worshippers in Al-Aqsa mosque thwarted repetitive aggressive attacks by the Occupation Forces, storming Al-Qibli Mosque, injuring 150 Palestinians, and detaining over 400, in an escalating level of violence. This attack precedes the Jewish Passover holiday (15th- 22nd of April) which settlers have been crowding for months to offer its sacrifice inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, promising incentives for those who succeed to offer the Passover sacrifice inside the mosque. Starting from today, settlers might implement their plan at any moment, and their announced intrusions into Al-Aqsa are expected to start on Sunday morning (April 17th) and continue for four days. Israeli attempts to offer the sacrifice of the holiday in Al-Aqsa Mosque is a step on the path of solidifying the Occupation’s control over the Mosque. Realizing this danger, Palestinians (Murabiteen) have been guarding Al-Aqsa with their presence and confronting the Israeli Occupation Forces’ intrusions and brutal attacks, regardless of hundreds of Israeli arrests aiming to quell their resistance. www.instagram.com/p/CcX4HS8NdEU/

Press reports of Al-Qibly Masjid storming Outright lies on Sky news: Al-Aqsa mosque: 'More than 150' injured as Israeli police clash with Palestinians The violence broke out shortly after morning prayers, with Israel saying dozens of masked men carrying Palestinian and Hamas flags had marched to the compound.

The damage in Al-Qibli Masjid Eye On Palestine (@eye.on.palestine) • Instagram photos and videos

Al-Qibli Masjid stormed by Occupation forces The Israeli occupation forces stormed Al Qibli mosque at Al Aqsa mosque. The Israeli occupation forces stormed Al Qibli mosque, assaulted worshippers and detained dozens of Palestinian youth. www.instagram.com/p/CcXMFXNlcOi/

Palestinian factions warn Israel against desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque during Passover Palestinian factions yesterday warned the Israeli occupation against the planned desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque by right-wing Jewish extremist during the Passover holiday this weekend. Calling for "popular mobilisation", they said they would be on standby to defend Al-Aqsa Mosque and the city of Jerusalem. In a press conference held at the Hamas headquarters in Gaza, the Palestinian factions announced their joint statement on the issue. This came following a declaration made by extremist Jewish groups about plans to carry out Jewish sacrifices inside Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Jewish Passover holiday, which starts tomorrow. Adverts seen online have called on Jews to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque and offer animal sacrifices. "Join the attempts to make the Passover sacrifice and receive a financial reward!" Source

Threat of Passover sacrifice in Al-Aqsa! We are currently seeing a rise in Israel’s brutal violence against Palestinians. Israel have launched large - scale attacks on Palestinain towns, villages and refugee camps.🟡 Since the start of #Ramadan, there have been several incursions by Israeli settlers at Al-Aqsa. This weekend is Jewish Passover and extremist Israeli settlers have called for the slaughter of animals at Al-Aqsa.This poses a serious threat.🤲🏾 Please keep Palestinians and Masjid Al-Aqsa in your duas 🤲🏾 @friendsofalaqsa

Update on trial: The Israeli court will not consider the case of Ahmad Manasra as a case of "terrorism" because there wasn't a defense attorney for him during the initial trial. Thus, the first verdict is no longer valid, which will be the beginning of a new legal process to pursue the freedom of him

Today all eyes are on Ahmad Manasra’s re-trial after being tortured and imprisoned by Israeli forces since the age of 13 years old, back in 2015. #FreeAhmadManasra #Unchilding

Palestinian prisoner did not know Ramadhaan had started He was isolated for 14 months, he could not distinguish between day and night, and he does not know that he is in the month of Ramadan. The Occupation Prisons Administration is carrying out a crime against the Palestinian prisoner Rabie Abu Nawas (33 years), from the town of Sinjel / Ramallah, who is married and is a father of three daughters who has been detained since 2019. The jailers and confronting him. Today, the occupation authorities are requesting a sentence of up to 16 years in prison. The occupation prisons administration continues to isolate him in dangerous conditions in Ayalon Prison - Ramle, with his health and psychological condition continuing to deteriorate. He spent a total of 20 months in solitary confinement, of which 14 months were continuous. His wife, who was able to visit him recently after a ban that lasted for several months, "confirmed that he is facing a dangerous situation, without any belongings in his cell, his clothes are dirty, he suffers from severe weight loss, she asked him about his situation in the month of Ramadan, and he was surprised that we are in the month of Ramadan where no way to connect him with the outside world. www.instagram.com/p/CcQu3WcN500/

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TAHAJJUD AND TARAWEEH PRAYERS? Question: Can you please provide a guidance to differentiate between Tahajjud and Taraweeh prayers? Some have belief that Taraweeh, Tahajjud and Qiyaam ul Layl all refer to same prayer while on many mosques both Tahajjud and Taraweeh prayers are offered in congregation. Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Qiyamul Layl literally means ‘standing at night’. Tahajjud and Taraweeh are Salahs performed at night, hence from a literal point of view, they are Qiyamul Layl. However, Taraweeh is different from Tahajjud. Hereunder are the differences between Tahajjud and Taraweeh. 1) Tahajjud is classified as a Nafl Salah, and Taraweeh is classified as a Sunna Salah. 2) Tahajjud can be prayed throughout the year, while Taraweeh is exclusively prayed in Ramadan. 3) Taraweeh is a 20 Rakat Salah, while Tahajjud could be any number of Rakats. 4) Taraweeh should be prayed in congregation, while according to Imam Abu Hanifah, it is Makrooh to pray Tahajjud in congregation if there are more than 3 people. And Allah Ta‘āla Knows Best Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai (Rahimahullah) Darulifta.net

Jazaakallah Wanted to ask about his speaking out for people of Kashmir and Palestine. This would also be an added reason for him being ousted? "They" would not like that at all right?

The first Ramaḍān after you get married is different. You have additional responsibilities and your routine has changed. Just as you’d thought you had made enough adjustments in your life, Ramaḍān comes along. Ramaḍān can sometimes challenge a relationship, especially if it involves rituals which are heavily cultural and, perhaps even, contrary to the spirit of the month (e.g elaborate ifṭārs and fancy ifṭār parties). Don’t make food the focus of your Ramaḍān. Make it about Allah, and you will witness immense blessings in your home and marriage. The long days and hunger can affect your mood and make you feel ‘hangry’. This may test your patience and make you snap at your spouse. Ramadan is the month of cultivating ṣabr (patience). Be gentle and kind. Walk away when things get tense and control your tongue. They Are a Garment for You Within the āyāt about fasting, Allah (subḥānahū wa taʿālā) says, > أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ ٱلصِّيَامِ ٱلرَّفَثُ إِلَىٰ نِسَآئِكُمْ هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ “It has been made permissible for you to be intimate with your wives during the nights preceding the fast. They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them” (2:187). Spouses are described in this āyah as a ‘garment’, a source of comfort and peace. Just as our clothes protect us from harm, we should protect each other from harm and ḥarām. Just as we adorn oneself with clothes, spouses adorn each other. Just as our clothes are attached to our bodies, likewise in marriage, there is a strong attachment and closeness to each other; a unique physical, emotional and spiritual bond which connects both spouses. Our clothes cover us. Similarly, we should cover each other’s faults and protect each other’s secrets and dignity. Clothes give us comfort, and thus spouses should be a source of mutual comfort. Sometimes our clothes may become tight for us and slightly uncomfortable. Or they may tear and need patching. Similarly, our marriages may go through rough patches. Instead of despairing, we should turn towards Allah and look inwardly as to how we could improve our conduct. Seek the blessings of Ramaḍān and use them to strengthen your connection to each other by connecting to Allah. Support each other and encourage each other to increase in ʿibādah. Serve each other, share the knowledge that you have attained, and discuss your reflections with each other. Listen to a lecture or read a book together. Make duʿā’ for your marriage and family. As the institution of marriage is under increasing threat, ask Allah to protect, strengthen and bless your marriage. Ask Him to make your relationship the means of attaining His pleasure. Ramadan as Parents Once you have children, you will probably look back wistfully at Ramaḍān pre-children. Ramaḍān post-children will be different. However, it is key to remember that ʿibādah is a comprehensive concept, and is not limited to reciting Qur’ān or performing tarāwīḥ. Looking after your children is indeed a great act of ʿibādah. You are raising the next generation of the ummah of Muḥammad ﷺ, and this is no small feat. Ramaḍān in the state of nifās, without fasting, can be overwhelming, and can sometimes leave mums with a sense of guilt and inadequacy. Remember to try your best, and Allah will reward you for your intentions. The Prophet ﷺ said, “If a servant falls ill or travels, the likes of what he used to do when he was a resident (i.e. not travelling) and healthy will be recorded for him” (Bukhārī). Even with fasting, Ramaḍān with young children can be challenging. Asking for help from other family members, and reciprocating in return can be helpful. For example, you may find a family member who is menstruating, willing to take care of your young children, whilst you perform tarāwīḥ in peace! It is vital to be considerate and give your spouse their own ‘alone time with Allah’ whilst you take care of your children. Your spouse connecting with Allah will result in him/her being a better spouse and parent to your children. Nurturing Our Children As parents, we should be concerned about instilling moral and spiritual values in our children, and nurturing them to love Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. Some parents do not awaken their mature children for Fajr, thinking it will disrupt their sleep. Similarly, some will happily allow their mature children not to fast, under the pretext of ‘too much school work’ or ‘exams’. On the contrary, we should nurture our children to love and perform ṣalāh and fast even before they reach puberty. Encourage them to fast when they are small, starting with one or two fasts, and build on this each year. Reward them as appropriate and make fasting exciting for them. On the day they manage to complete the fast, cook their favourite meal. When they do not manage to complete it, be gentle with them, and use it as an opportunity to teach them about tawbah (repentance) and not giving up. Have age-appropriate discussions with them, and explain to them why this month is so special. Let them see your home transformed in this month to a home of worship and Qur’ān, so that this memory will always stay with them as they grow into adults. Al-Rubayyiʿ b. Muʿawwidh (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhā) said, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent a messenger to the settlements of the Anṣār surrounding Madīnah, in the morning of ʿĀshūrā’ to announce, ‘Whoever is observing the fast should complete it, and whoever has eaten something should not eat the rest of the day.’ After that, we used to fast on that day regularly and if Allah willed, we would also make our young children fast; and we would go to the Masjid. We used to make toys out of wool for them: if any one of them cried for food, we would give them the toy until it was time to open the fast” (Bukhārī). This ḥadīth indicates that the companions (radiy Allāhu ʿanhum) used creative methods to encourage their young children to fast, even though they were not obligated to fast. Tips on how to cultivate an atmosphere of īmān and ʿibādah in your home • Share the stories of the Prophets, Companions and the pious people of the past. • Recite Qur’ān together. • Hold a daily family circle where you can have discussions and share reflections. • Do fun and beneficial activities related to Ramaḍān. (There are lots of ideas on the internet for different crafts and activities.) • Go for walks in nature, and remind each other about Allah (subḥānahū wa taʿālā). Recite Qur’ān together and do dhikr on your outings. Remember to renew your intention whilst spending time with them, and you will be rewarded for this great act of ʿibādah (worship). The Best House on the Block: Can the Angels Easily Identify Your House? Make your house shine through reciting the Qur’ān. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The house in which the Qur’ān is recited appears to the inhabitants of the heaven as the stars appear to the inhabitants of the earth.” (Bayhaqī) A Family of the Night Prayer: A Blessed Family The Prophet ﷺ would awaken his wives in the last ten nights of Ramaḍān to perform the night prayer. Similarly, throughout the year, he would finish praying tahajjud and wake ʿĀ’ishah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhā) up to pray tahajjud. His concern was not restricted to his spouses. Rather, he was actively involved in the spiritual nourishment of his adult daughter and son-in law. One night, he ﷺ knocked on the door of Fāṭimah and ʿAlī (radiy Allāhu ʿanhumā) and said, “Will you not get up (and pray)?” (Bukhārī). Likewise, we should be eager for our spouses and children to not miss out on any good. By becoming a family of the night prayer, we will inshallah witness the blessings and tranquillity in our marriages, families and homes. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “May Allah have mercy upon a man who gets up at night, prays, and wakes his wife up. If she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face. And may Allah have mercy upon a woman who gets up at night, prays, and wakes her husband up. If he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face” (Aḥmad). ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) used to pray for a large portion of the night, and when it would be the middle of the night, he would awaken his family for ṣalāh, saying to them, “Ṣalāh, ṣalāh!” and he would recite the verse, “Instruct your family to perform ṣalāh, and adhere to it yourself” (20:132). Exhorting her husband to stand up for tahajjud, the wife of Abū Muḥammad Ḥabīb (raḥimahullāh) used to say to him at night, “The night has gone. Ahead of us lies a long journey, and the provisions are little. The caravans of the righteous have sped ahead of us, whilst we have remained behind.” May Allah al-Ra’ūf (The Most Compassionate) fill our homes with love, compassion and īmān; and our hearts with hope, awe and love for Him. Source

Brutal assaults on Palestinians since Ramadhaan began A group of Israeli soldiers brutally assaulting a Palestinian young man near Damascus Gate in the occupied city of Jerusalem. www.instagram.com/p/Cb-825alEjQ/ Israeli soldiers brutally attack a Palestinian young man near Damascus Gate in the occupied city of Jerusalem, shortly before. www.instagram.com/p/Cb-8A54FdGE/ Brutal arrests against Jerusalemites carried out by the occupation police in Bab al-Amud tonight. www.instagram.com/p/Cb_I_4Tt1hm/ life under occupation goes on....

"Anti-zionist" Synagogue The Tzedek Chicago Synagogue has declares itself to be "anti-Zíøníst" in a statement decrying the creation of Apartheíd Israel as an "injustice against the Palestinian people".The synagogue was established to cater for Jewísh People disenchanted with Apartheíd Israel and sceptical of Zíønísm generally. It had previously labelled itself "non-Zíøníst " but changed that to "anti-Zíøníst" a few days ago.Source: Middle East Monitor

The Salah Series – Life With Allah ­ Ramaḍān is the perfect time to actively develop khushūʿ in your ṣalāh. Khushūʿ is a state in which the heart stands before Allah with complete humility, lowliness and servitude; focusing fully on HimAlone. Then the body also humbles itself and obeys Allah. Khushūʿ is a state in which you constantly weigh up your sins against the greatness of Allah, leaving you overwhelmed with humility and a desperate need for Him. One of our main Ramaḍān goals should be to perform the five farḍ prayers to the best of our abilities. This includes all the additional sunnah prayers and performing them with full concentration, calmness and tranquillity. Similarly, qiyām (the night prayer) in this sacred month is the perfect means to actively work on khushūʿ. We should maximise qiyām to lengthen the various postures, praise Allah extensively, and ask Him for lengthy periods, as our beloved Messenger ﷺ used to do. Taste the Sweetness of Ṣalāh is a guide on how to attain khushūʿ and enjoy your ṣalāh. It offers tips on how to achieve full focus and truly connect with Allah in your ṣalāh. It includes: An explanation of khushūʿand why we struggle with it. Practical steps before, during and after ṣalāh to develop khushūʿ. A journey through ṣalāh. The various adhkār (remembrances) of ṣalāh. The ṣalāh of our beloved Messenger ﷺ and the pious people. The secrets of ṣalāh. Free! In order to make the content of this topic accessible and practical for all, there are three components to ‘Taste the Sweetness of Salah’: (1) The A5 detailed book Taste the Sweetness of Ṣalāh DOWNLOAD TASTE THE SWEETNESS OF ṢALĀH (2) The A6 summary booklet Enjoy Your Ṣalāh DOWNLOAD ENJOY YOUR ṢALĀH (3) The pocket-sized Adhkar of Salah booklet DOWNLOAD THE ADHKAR OF ṢALĀH

We live in a world of import and export, a world in which most goods and commodities are available in most countries for most of the year. However, despite the year-round availability, there are many goods that enjoy a ‘peak season’. Astute businessmen are those who identify this period and utilize it to their advantage. Dynamic Effect The season presents a golden opportunity for one to secure tremendous profits in a minimal period of time. Hence, during the month of December, even if the rest of the world is on vacation, it is practically unimaginable for one to find the serious businessman on holiday. He understands the pivotal role that the season plays in his success; if he remains focused and committed, he will reap the profits, and if he allows himself to become distracted or while away his time, he alone will suffer the consequences. The dynamic effect of the season is such that if the shop owner, who struggles to make ends meet for the entire year, exerts himself and exhausts his efforts in this crucial period, he will not only recover his losses, but will even manage to turn a handsome profit. The Season of Taqwa Just as other things have a special season; taqwa also has a special season – the month of Ramadaan. From fasting during the day to performing Taraaweeh during the night, the entire month has been specially designed to assist a believer in harvesting a bumper crop of fruit, from the tree of taqwa, which he will continue to enjoy long after the blessed month has expired. However, just as with other seasons, this will only be possible if one avails himself for this blessed month and expends all his energies in striving to secure the bargains it has on offer. More than Money If the shop owner arrives at work two hours late, he will regret the business that he lost and lament the money that he could have made. For every minute of the two hours, he could have been serving customers and turning the numbers. We often hear the adage ‘time is money’. However, contrary to popular belief, time is NOT money — it is far more valuable than money. Whereas money can always be later recovered if lost, time can never be recovered — and it is for this reason that time is our single greatest asset. In the race to secure the rewards of Ramadaan, it is those who are particular regarding their time that profit the most. Destructive Distractions In this regard, along with the ready-made opportunities to benefit are a host of ready-made distractions. After - Taraaweeh braais, meeting friends for a chat, an ‘Eid bargain-hunting’ excursion – these are all seemingly innocent activities. However, when thoroughly scrutinized, we realize that the braai ‘burnt’ two or three hours of our time, whereas a normal supper would have been concluded in a maximum of thirty minutes. The excursion to purchase ‘Eid-goods at the best prices may have saved us a few valuable rands but undoubtedly cost us invaluable hours and minutes. Media ‘Mania’ In the opinion of many, the uncrowned yet undisputed champion of ‘killing time’ is social media in all its various guises and forms. The magnetic effect of the smartphone transcends metal and hence it is the human eye that remains fixated to the screen. Whether in the masjid, while attending a program for spiritual upliftment, or at the time of sehri when du‘aas are accepted – instead of maximizing and benefiting from these opportunities, there are many who become Media ‘Maniacs’ and wile away the irrecoverable moments on their smart phones. For this purpose, just as we fast by shunning food and drink from dawn to sunset, let us make a resolution to ‘fast’ from all forms of media for all the 24 hours of every day in the Month of Ramadhan. Be it remaining abreast with the news, keeping up to date with Instagram, TikTok & Facebook – we should initiate a complete ’fast’ from all these time-consumers during this blessed period and afterwards as well. Thus let us make this Ramadaan very profitable by correctly investing the capital of time that we have been blessed with. Insha-Allah we will reap the rewards in this world and the Hereafter. alhaadi.org.za

by Ustadhah Naielah Ackbarali The Companion Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Menstruation is three days, four days, five days, six days, seven days, eight days, nine days, or ten days. If the bleeding exceeds ten days, then she is not menstruating.” (Darqutni) Along with this hadith and other narrations related about menstruation, the scholars have deduced several conditions that help distinguish whether a woman’s vaginal bleeding can be ruled as menstruation or not. In an effort to make this knowledge easier for women to learn, we’ve attempted to summarize some of these rulings. The following is a basic breakdown of the conditions according to the Hanafi maddhab. Condition #1: The bleeding originates from the uterus. Menstruation is blood that comes from the uterus. The uterus is the medical term for the womb, which is the place where the baby grows during pregnancy. If a woman does not get pregnant after ovulation, her uterine lining will shed approximately two weeks later, and the blood which exits her body is known as menstruation. A woman can automatically assume that her menstrual bleeding originates from the uterus. She is not obliged to double check with a doctor of where her blood is originally coming from, unless there are physical signs that may indicate otherwise, such as a vaginal infection, injury, or sickness. Condition #2: The bleeding exits the vaginal hole. Women have three exit points: the urethra, the vagina, and the anus. Menstrual bleeding is the bleeding that exits through the vaginal hole. How it exits is of no consideration. For example, whether the blood comes out due to a natural flow or by being extracted with toilet paper, the rulings related to the blood exiting apply. If blood exits from the anus or urethra, then that blood is not ruled as menstruation. This is important for women to know because urinary tract infections, anal fissures, and the like can cause bleeding too. Condition #3: The woman can legally experience menstruation. These stipulations relate to the state of the woman herself. She must be at least 9 lunar years old (approximately 8 solar years and 9 months). She must not be pregnant. Pregnant women cannot menstruate. She must not be within the potential timeframe of when post-natal bleeding can occur, which is forty days (960 hours) after childbirth. She must not be older than 55 lunar years (approximately 53 solar years and 4 months). However, exceptions may apply to women who experience bleeding after this age. For more details, please refer to this article: Istihada – What Is It? With Examples. Condition # 4: The menstrual minimum is met. The menstrual minimum is three complete days and nights (i.e. 72 hours). Once bleeding reaches this timeframe, it is ruled as menstruation with certainty. It is important to note that there is no condition for the bleeding to be constant for the entire duration of 72 hours. Rather, the consideration is the beginning and ending times – and not what happens within the duration of 72 hours. Furthermore, any color of vaginal discharge seen within this time takes the ruling of menses, regardless of whether it is red, brown, fresh yellow, or the like. If the menstrual minimum is not met, then the bleeding will not be ruled as menstruation. For more details, please refer to our self-paced course: Your Period Questions. Condition #5: The menstrual maximum is not exceeded. The menstrual maximum is ten complete days and nights (i.e. 240 hours). Menstruation cannot be longer than this duration according to the Sacred Law. It is important to note that there is no condition for menstrual bleeding to be constant. Rather, the consideration is the beginning and ending times – and not what happens within the duration of 240 hours. Furthermore, any color of vaginal discharge seen within this time takes the ruling of menses, regardless of whether it is red, brown, fresh yellow, or the like. If the bleeding does not exceed the menstrual maximum and condition #6 is met, then the entire duration will be ruled as menstruation. If the bleeding exceeds the menstrual maximum, then the entire duration will not be ruled as menstruation. Rather, she will need to resort to her menstruation and purity habits for a solution. For more details, please refer to our self-paced course: Your Period Questions. Condition #6: The minimal duration of purity follows the menstruation. Many women overlook this very important condition! Two menstruations cannot immediately follow each other. There must be a duration without bleeding that follows it. The minimum amount of purity (tuhr) that must occur between two menstruations is 15 complete days (360 hours). This means that for at least 15 complete days after her menstruation finishes, a woman must be free from all colored vaginal discharge. If the second bleeding occurs before this time frame, then it may not be ruled as menstruation. For example, a woman sees 5 days of blood, then 10 days of purity, and then 8 days of blood. The ten days of purity is not long enough to separate between the two bloods. Consequently, the second blood may not be ruled as menstruation. How does she know which days are menstruation then? She will need to resort to her menstruation and purity habits for a solution. This is what will determine which days are menses and which days are non-menses. Muslimah Coaching

How to Maximise the Spirit of Ramadan During Menstruation Ramadan represents an important time for Muslims. It is a month inwhich we return ourselves to Allah and the Qur’an. Physically, we abstain from food and water, reminding the body of how little sustenance it needs to thrive. Morally, the Muslim works on improving their character, abstaining from anger, backbiting and obscene language. They guard their ears, eyes, and tongues from engaging in sinful behavior. Spiritually, it is a time of self-reformation and seeking purification from desires (nafs) to bring oneself closer to Allah. We give up the devices of this world (dunya), whether it is our cellphones, music playlists, Netflix subscriptions or social media to bring ourselves in alignment with what Islam asks of us, and in turn, inculcate a deeper sense of God consciousness (taqwa). Before the month even starts, an aura of anticipation and eagerness fills our communities. We circulate lists of goals to be achieved, whether it is increased prayers, recitation of the Qur’an or standing in the night prayer, seeking solace in the company of Allah. For women, menstruation (hayd) can present a distinct challenge – just as they find themselves settling into a Ramadan routine, they start their cycle and are no longer able to fast or pray. For many, this leads to a sense of frustration and questioning as to how they can benefit spiritually. First and foremost, understanding and obeying the command of Allah is in itself a form of worship. So, if a woman refrains from fasting while menstruating, she is gaining reward from her Creator, due to her humility and obedience. Moreover, there are ample ways a woman can worship, affording herself the opportunity to benefit from the blessings of Ramadan even while she is menstruating. In each prayer time, she can perform ablution (wudu), enter into her prayer space and focus her heart on Allah through different means. Allah tells us in the Qur’an, “When My servants ask you about Me [tell them that] I am truly near. I respond to the call of one when he prays to Me; so they should respond to Me [with obedience] and have faith in Me, so that they may be on the right path.” (Surat al-Baqarah 2:186). Below are some practices a woman can partake in during her hayd: 1. Daily Litany (Wird) – Recite a portion from a compiled book of litanies, such as Al-Hizb al-A’zam. These Qur’anic and Prophetic invocations remind the believer of the temporal nature of the dunya and the need to consistently put one’s focus on the hereafter (akhira). 2. Remembrance (Dhikr) – One of the most beloved things to Allah is when his believing servant glorifies and praises Him. Recognising and calling on the attributes of Allah is an important way to strengthen your relationship with Him. 3. Supplication (Du’a) – One of the most intimate and powerful means of communicating with Allah is through du’a. It is through du’a that we turn our affairs over to Allah, we accept His power over all things and our absolute submission to Him. We open our hearts to Allah and ask for His forgiveness, guidance and mercy. 4. Seeking Forgiveness (Istighfar) – Ramadan is a month in which the believer turns to Allah seeking His absolute forgiveness. It is a time when the floodgates of Allah’s mercy are wide open and the believer simply needs to turn toward Allah penitently. Allah knows that His creation will repeatedly sin, but He has also given us the means of erasing those sins through istighfar. 5. Sending Salutations (Salawat) – By sending salawat, a woman is not only fulfilling the command of Allah but increasing the love she has for the Beloved Messenger (may Allah bless him and give him peace), as well as increasing his love for her. Our salawat will envelop us in the mercy and protection of Allah and His Messenger (may Allah bless him and give him peace) on the Day of Judgment. In addition to the above mentioned, there are multiple other things a woman can engage in to use her time for spiritual benefit. Although this is not a conclusive list, it is suggestions from our team that we have found beneficial. 1. Listen to Qur’an Recitation – A powerful way to soften the heart and to draw oneself closer to Allah and the message of Islam is to listen to the recitation of the Qur’an. As we listen and reflect on the meaning of the verses, we realize the immense power of Allah and the challenges faced by the Prophets as they spread the message of oneness (tawhid). Listening to the verses also brings about a feeling of calm and serenity. Many organizations are live-streaming recitations of the Tarawih prayers. One can open up their browser with the livestream playing in one window and pull up the translation in another window to follow along. Reading the meaning while hearing the recitation live can beautifully penetrate the heart. 2. Read Hadith Commentary – The body of hadith collections is an amazing way to get a glimpse at what life was like for the Beloved Messenger (may Allah bless him and give him peace). They are also a source of legislative information for Muslims, giving detail and nuance on issues the Qur’an does not directly address. However, it is important to keep in mind that an average person cannot open up a Hadith book and simply apply what is written therein. A scholar should be consulted. The benefit for us is in learning about the things our Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) did and said. You can start with a collection, such as Provisions for the Seekers. Other collections are Imam Nawawi’s 40 Hadith and Imam Bukhari’s Al-Adab al-Mufrad, which focuses on the perfection of one’s character and manners. 3. Read a Seerah Book – One way to inculcate the love of the Messenger (may Allah bless him and give him peace) in our hearts is to read about his life and traits. A book or audio lecture series on the Seerah allows us to understand the events of his beloved life and all the sacrifices he made, so we could receive and practice the religion (din) with such ease. When we learn about him, we know him, and then cannot help but love him (may Allah bless him and give him peace). 4. Read Tafsir of the Qur’an – While recitation of the Qur’an itself is prohibited in hayd, a woman can read the tafsir to help her understand better what is being discussed within the pages of scripture. A good start would be Illuminating Discourses on the Noble Quran for a comprehensive tafsir or Pearls from the Quran by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam for a condensed look at particular chapters. 5. Read Islamic Literature – There is an abundance and wealth of Islamic literature available. There are books on the Companions of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace), Islamic history, Islamic law (fiqh) and theory, spirituality and the scholars of the past. There are amazing books being produced by female scholars on a range of topics, including the example of great Muslim women throughout history. 6. Service to Others – Although she cannot fast herself, a menstruating woman can be of service to others. One way to do this is to prepare a meal for those who are fasting. If she is already doing this, she can take it up a notch when she is menstruating by preparing food for her extended family, local congregation or her neighbors. Additionally, she can volunteer at a food bank or soup kitchen to spend her time in service of those who are in need. 7. Watch Islamic Videos – While one should be careful of the scholarship they take from online, as there is so much content available, a beautiful way to learn about any subject is to watch a video series. There are many series available that take the listener through a topic in detail so they develop a grounded and solid understanding. There are many selections available on ZamZam Academy. The mercy of Allah, especially in the month of Ramadan, is expansive and in no way reserved for only those who are able to fast and pray. Menstruating women should first remember that by refraining from the fast, prayer and recitation of the Qur’an, they are following the command of their Creator. In that itself is a reward. Second, as shown above, there are numerous ways to engage in worship and earn good deeds during this blessed month. A woman in hayd need not worry. As long as a sincere effort is put forth, she will find herself benefiting from Ramadan despite not being able to fast or pray. Source

Land Day — held on March 30 each year — is a day of significance for Palestinian citizens and the Palestinian diaspora everywhere. It marks a special moment in Palestinian history when protests against land confiscation by Israel turned deadly for six people. The day not only commemorates this past event, but it also celebrates the Palestinian spirit of revolution. HISTORY OF LAND DAY It began in 1976. The Israeli government declared its intention to requisition lands — from Arab villages like Sakhnin and Arraba in the Galilee region of Israel — for official use. This move would displace numerous Arab citizens. The very first political organization claiming to represent all Palestinians, the National Committee for the Defense of Arab Lands, called for a strike. They named this ‘Land Day’ and launched widespread protests, mostly in the affected areas. This was significant, considering public protests by Arab citizens were rare to non-existent prior to the 1970s. Political movements were active but sporadic. This event united Arabs on both sides of the Israeli border. The protest itself did not stop the land expropriation plan. Protestors were met with strong resistance. Hundreds were injured and six people lost their lives. Sixteen years after the incident, Land Day became a national holiday in Palestine and is celebrated annually with demonstrations and a general strike by Palestinians everywhere. This movement gained a renewed surge in 2018 when thousands of Palestinians — families, people of all ages, and genders — commemorated Land Day by peacefully walking towards the border areas along the Gaza Strip. They dubbed this the Great March of Return and originally intended to highlight the sacrifices of those who resisted and continue to resist land acquisition; it is also a protest against Israel’s 10-year long siege of Gaza. Since that year, Palestinians in Gaza have held weekly marches towards a security fence put up by Israel. They mainly attempt to break the siege around their territory and demand their land back as well. Land Day has been commemorated by Palestinians in locations worldwide — U.S., Canada, Germany, Finland, France, Belgium — and continues till today.

Today’s commemoration of Land Day is a reminder of the countless human rights violations of Israeli apartheid. www.instagram.com/palsunbird/