ummtaalib

Tadabbur - Reflecting Upon the Qur’an Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an; a Book whose light will never fade. It paves a path that will never lead one astray. The Qur’an is to man as the soul is to the body. Whoever does not read the Qur’an, or reflect upon its meanings, is dead, despite the fact that he may speak and move. This Ramadhan learn to how to read the Qur’an with tadabbur and to ‘live’ its message like the Sahabah did. This PDF includes: - The Importance of Tadabbur - Tips for Reflecting Upon the Qur'an - Tadabbur and 'Living' the Qur'an - Recite the Qur'an Slowly and Beautifully DOWNLOAD A da'wah initiative of Ummah Welfare Trust

ApartheidIsrael from @mondoweiss UN Special Rapporteur says Israel is committing 'pitiless' apartheid in new reportA new UN Human Rights Council report is the latest in a series by international and Israeli groups accusing Israel of the crime of apartheid. "There are pitiless features of Israel’s ‘apartness’ rule in the occupied Palestinian territory that were not practiced in southern Africa, such as segregated highways, high walls and extensive checkpoints, a barricaded population, missile strikes and tank shelling of a civilian population, and the abandonment of the Palestinians’ social welfare to the international community,” Michael Lynk's report said. “With the eyes of the international community wide open, Israel has imposed upon Palestine an apartheid reality in a post-apartheid world.”

Settler violence... Israeli settlers burn number of Palestinian vehicles and attack homes in the village of Jaloud, southern Nablus. Source And: Israeli settlers steal number of sheep in the middle of the night in the village of Sinjil, northeast Ramallah City, pre dawn today. Source And: A Security camera record show Israeli settlers attacking the homes and properties of Palestinians in Mukhmas village,east of Jerusalem, Last night. And: Israeli public broadcaster Kan: "Armed right-wing Israeli groups are expected to go to Sheikh Jarrah during the Jewish holiday of Passover, in the middle of April, under the pretext of protecting the homes of jews in the neighborhood. The channel also mentioned that the far-right Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir has decided to keep his office in the neighborhood even during the holy month of Ramadan.

It has been said that whilst the primary purpose of fasting is to gain taqwā, the purpose of Ramaḍān is to connect with the Qur’ān. Indeed, Ramaḍān is the month of the Qur’ān. We know from the authentic Sunnah that every Ramaḍān, in the best month of the year, the best of mankind, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would revise the Qur’ān, the best of words, with the best of angels, Jibrīl (‘alayhis salām). Here are 10 practical ways you can connect to the Qur’ān in this blessed month: 1. Recite as much Qur’ān as you can. Try to complete at least one khatmah/khatam of the Qur’ān. However, if you managed to complete one last year, aim to increase your khatmah by one and complete two this year. This may seem ambitious, but make du‘ā’ to Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) to help you accomplish this as du‘ā’ makes the impossible possible. The charts here are an excellent guide to help you to plan your daily recitation in order to achieve your goals. 2. Read the tafsīr of a chosen sūrah. Pick a sūrah or a collection of sūrahs, and then read or listen to the tafsīr (explanation) of these sūrahs. Focus on them in this month. English translations of tafsīr works, some of which are available online include: Tafsīr al-Jalālayn, Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr, Ma‘āriful-Qur’ān, In the Shade of the Qur‘ān, and Tafsīr al-Sa‘dī. 3. Ponder and reflect on the Qur’ān (tadabbur). Recitation of the Qur’ān is not enough. Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) tells us: “This is a blessed Book which We revealed to you, that they may reflect upon its verses, and those with understanding may take heed.” (38:29) Reflecting upon the Qur’ān entails thinking over the meaning and the purpose behind an āyah: what is Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) asking me to do here? Deep thinking and reflection allow us to develop a deeper connection with the Qur’ān and will catalyse us to act upon the Qur’ān inshā’Allah. Suggestion: Qur’ān Journaling (i.e. jotting down thoughts and reflections) may be a useful means for staying consistent with tadabbur. 4. Listen to the Qur’ān. Although there is more reward in reciting the Qur’ān, listen to it when you are not able to recite it. The benefits of listening to the Qur’ān are (though not limited to): improving your tajwīd, aiding your memorisation and providing you with the chance to absorb the beauty of the Qur’ān. Here are a collection of long and short recitation clips which you may listen to. Suggestion: download your favourite clips to avoid the inescapable YouTube adverts or alternatively, use an ad-free Qur’ān app. 5. Choose a story from the Qur’ān and share it with your families and friends. The Qur’ān is full of stories which are filled with deep wisdom. Choose a story from the Qur’ān which inspires you and share this story with your families, friends and children. From the talking ant to the golden cow; from the baby which spoke to the snake which turned into a stick; make the Qur’ān a part of your families’ lives. 6. Select 30 du‘ās from the Qur’ān and focus on one each day. Select one Qur‘ānic du‘ā’ for each day of the month and repeat this du‘ā’ throughout the entire day. Choose as many moments as possible from the special times in which du‘ā’ is accepted to make this du‘ā’. Suggestion: reflect on the background of each du‘ā’ and learn the translation of the du‘ā’. 7. Memorise as much as you can. Fix an amount to memorise every day. Even if you do two lines a day, with consistency you will have memorised 60 lines by the end of the month inshā’Allāh. Just imagine that you are in the hereafter and you are being told: “Read, ascend, and recite slowly and distinctly as you used to recite in the world…” (Abū Dāwūd) and depending on how much you’ve memorised, that is where you will have to stop. The more you’ve memorised, the higher you will be able to go. Aim high this Ramaḍān! 8. Interact with what you recite. In your night prayers, interact with the āyāt you are reciting like the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did. When you come across an ayah of mercy, stop and supplicate to Allah. When you come across an āyah of punishment, stop and ask for Allah’s protection. 9. Vary what you read in Ṣalāh. Rather than sticking to what you always read, try to vary between the different sūrahs you have memorized. This will help you to perform Ṣalāh with more khushū’ (humility and concentration) and you will start to feel the sweetness of Ṣalāh. 10. Implement the Qur’ān in your life. Allah (subḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) has described specific qualities that we should embody as believers: these are the People of the Qur’ān. To help you become such people of the Qur’ān, who are the chosen people of Allah, here is a selected list of Qur’ānic qualities. a) Select one of the qualities from the list and make it your focus for this month. b) Reflect on the related āyāt (which are in the pdf document). c) Work on developing the quality consistently throughout Ramaḍān, so that it becomes a part of you and lives on in you beyond Ramaḍān. Suggestion: write down this quality on a piece of paper and stick it on your fridge or somewhere where you are likely to see it every day to remind yourself. May Allāh make us from the People of the Qur’ān. Source

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98-b-RKNwgc

Another sportsperson speaks up Héctor Bellerín, Spanish professional footballer who plays club Real Betis, has slammed hypocrisy and double standards in the Ukraine crisis coverage, asking why people are more concerned about the Ukrainian invasion when atrocities have been occurring in Yemen and Palestine for years.“It's complicated to see that we are more interested in this war in Ukraine than others. The war in Palestine has been completely silenced. In Yemen, in Iraq too. Russia was excluded from the World Cup… Other countries have done the same as them for years.”“It's racist to have turned a blind eye to other conflicts and now to have this position on Ukraine. It also reflects a lack of empathy for the number of lives lost without the same importance being attached to it.” Eye On Palestine (@eye.on.palestine) • Instagram photos and videos

Apartheid Israel UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territories Michael Lynk is the latest human rights expert to declare Israel an Apartheid state.In a 19-page report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Tuesday, Lynk said that the situation in the occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) has moved beyond occupation and annexation, and now amounts to the crime of apartheid.“The political system of entrenched rule in the occupied Palestinian territory which endows one racial-national-ethnic group with substantial rights, benefits and privileges while intentionally subjecting another group to live behind walls, checkpoints and under a permanent military rule…satisfies the prevailing evidentiary standard for the existence of apartheid,” the report said. Follow our coverage of this developing story at https://bit.ly/3qBGg9f

Apartheid Avenue: Amnesty activists rename London street housing Israeli embassy The road leading up to the Israeli embassy in the British capital London has been renamed to "Apartheid Avenue" by activists from Amnesty International, to mark Israeli Apartheid Week, according to a tweet by Kristyan Benedict, a campaign manager for the global rights group. Benedict tweeted an image of a renamed street sign at the entrance to Kensington Palace Gardens in London, which houses the Israeli embassy. The sign was erected as part of a film shoot to mark Israeli Apartheid Week, when pro-Palestinian activists rally outside the embassy to highlight Israel’s discriminatory tactics. Activists say these routinely involve human rights abuses against Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank and besieged Gaza Strip. “Racist systems like apartheid aren’t relics of the past but the reality for millions of Palestinians,” tweeted Amnesty International alongside a teaser for the upcoming film. Israeli forces have displaced thousands of Palestinian families from their homes since the country's creation in 1948 and continue to occupy the West Bank and besiege the Gaza Strip. Israel has built hundreds of illegal settlements on Palestinian land, and its occupying forces routinely detain and violate the rights of Palestinians. Amnesty International published a report earlier this year calling for Israel to be prosecuted for its crimes at the International Criminal Court, adding that "Israel’s cruel policies of segregation, dispossession, and exclusion across all territories under its control clearly amount to apartheid." Source

Former Israeli politician says anti-Semitism accusation a "trick" to deflect criticism of Israel On August 14, 2002, Amy Goodman interviewed former Israeli Minister of Education Shulamit Aloni on the radio and television program Democracy Now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BEVLD6YHsc TRANSCRIPT Amy Goodman: Often when there is dissent expressed in the United States against policies of the Israeli government, people here are called anti-Semitic. What is your response to that as an Israeli Jew? Shulamit Aloni: Well, it’s a trick, we always use it. When from Europe somebody is criticizing Israel, then we bring up the Holocaust. When in this country people are criticizing Israel, then they are anti-Semitic. And the organization is strong, and has a lot of money, and the ties between Israel and the American Jewish establishment are very strong and they are strong in this country, as you know. And they have power, which is okay. They are talented people and they have power and money, and the media and other things, and their attitude is “Israel, my country right or wrong,” identification. And they are not ready to hear criticism. And it’s very easy to blame people who criticize certain acts of the Israeli government as anti-Semitic, and to bring up the Holocaust, and the suffering of the Jewish people, and that is justify everything we do to the Palestinians.

On the 28th anniversary of the Ibrahimi Mosque Massacre—during which an Israeli-American settler named Baruch Goldstein opened fire on Palestinians inside a mosque, taking 29 Palestinian lives and injuring 150 more—the IMEU published a post on Instagram in remembrance of the Palestinians killed that day. Soon after, we were notified that Instagram took the post down.Facebook and Instagram have a history of censoring and silencing Palestinian stories, particularly those describing Palestinian suffering at the hands of Israeli violence. A 2021 Human Rights Watch report found that Facebook “wrongfully removed and suppressed content by Palestinians and their supporters, including about human rights abuses carried out in Israel and Palestine during the May 2021 hostilities.” Juve Muhammad (@juveyildiz) • Instagram photos and videos

The ruling regarding a woman whose Haidh period stops earlier than her usual habit Q. A womans Haidh habit is 7 days. If her blood stops on the 5th day, is it permissible for such a woman to engage in conjugal relations with her husband before the 7th day? Would the ruling be any different if her blood stops on the 7th or 10th day? (Question published as received) A. In this case, there are 3 scenarios that apply: 1) A woman’s blood stops during the days of menstruation (3-10 days) prior to her habit. For e.g. a woman’s menstrual habit is 7 days and the blood stops on day 5. Ruling: It is not permissible for her to engage in conjugal relations with her husband until she completes her habit of 7 days. Nonetheless, she is obliged to commence performing Salaah and Fasting once the blood stops (after taking a Ghusal). 2) A woman’s blood stops during the days of menstruation (3-10 days) as per her habit. For e.g. a woman’s menstrual habit is 7 days and the blood stops on day 7. Ruling: It is permissible for her to engage in conjugal relations with her husband after she takes a Ghusal or if one Salaah time lapses. 3) A woman’s blood stops during the days of menstruation (3-10 days) at the maximum (10 days). For e.g. a woman’s menstrual habit is 7 days and the blood stops on day 10. Ruling: It is permissible for her to engage in conjugal relations with her husband prior to taking a Ghusal but it will be preferred for her to take a ghusl first. (Dhukrul Mutaahhileen Wannisaa’) And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Ismaeel Bassa Mufti Moosa Salie (The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) Fatwa Department Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians

Honouring Rachel Corrie Rachel Corrie was killed on March 16, 2003 while staging a peaceful protest to protect the home of a Palestinian family from demolition. #RachelCorrie became one of the top trending topics on Twitter on her death anniversary. Born in Olympia, Washington, Corrie dedicated her life to human rights, defending Palestinian rights in particular. She was the youngest of three children of Craig and Cindy Corrie, who described their family as "average American, politically liberal, economically conservative, middle class". Corrie was known for her love for peace and defending Palestinian rights, frequently exposing violations by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. In 2003, she went to Gaza for her senior-year college assignment; to connect her hometown with Rafah, as part of a sister cities project. During her stay, she engaged with members of the International Solidarity Movement, a pro-Palestinian NGO. On March 16, Corrie defied an Israeli bulldozer in hopes of stopping it from demolishing the home of a Palestinian family. Corrie believed that her western features and blonde hair would deter the bulldozer, but she was wrong. She was crushed to death when the Israeli bulldozer driver ran her over repeatedly, according to eye witnesses. Aftermath of her death The people of Gaza described her as a “martyr” and staged a massive funeral for their American friend. No U.S. senator attended her funeral. An Israeli investigation into her death concluded that it was an accident. Neither the international community nor Corrie's parents have bought the Israeli explanation. In 2005, Corrie's parents filed a civil lawsuit against Israel, asserting that she had either been intentionally killed or that the soldiers had showed criminal negligence. They sued for a symbolic one U.S. dollar in damages. An Israeli court rejected the lawsuit in 2012 ruling that the Israeli government was not responsible for her death. The ruling was slammed by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, as well as activists. Corrie has since been one of the symbols of the Palestinian cause. An Irish aid ship that set out for Gaza in 2010 named itself after Rachel and her story has been told in several documentary films portraying the plight of Palestinians.

Ayman Mohyeldin www.instagram.com/p/CbBKQvAgkxx/ The Russian invasion of Ukraine can serve as a teachable moment about the double standards that have become glaring and honestly troubling here in the west. The government and major media outlets have a tremendous amount of influence on who is called an invader, who is called a liberator, who’s a terrorist, who’s defending their homeland, who I can donate money to and who I can be publicly sympathetic to on social media. The right and wrong in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine seem unusually clear to all of us and maybe that’s why the words we use to talk about it seem so unambiguous. But why don't we see things as clearly when it involves America and its allies?

Can we blame the Palestinian people for their heartfelt outcry at this? http:// BBC Ukraine conflict: The women making Molotov cocktails to defend their city Telegraph Glory to Ukraine: Civilians take up weapons in the battle for Kyiv

People should talk about Palestine as they do Ukraine, says Egyptian squash star Ali Farag Egypt’s World No. 1 squash player Ali Farag has brutally exposed the hypocrisy of the West and the media on the Ukraine crisis saying the ‘Palestinians have been going through that for the past 74 years.’ As expected, Farag’s speech on the Ukraine crisis was removed from the official video posted on the tournament’s YouTube channel.

The double standards of world leaders and journalists has definitely been made apparent since the Ukrainian crisis happened. The blatant racism clear for all to see Following khutbah is worth a listen and worth reflection. We should educate ourselves and others! Reflections on the Russian Invasion of Ukraine Dr. Yasir Qadhi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dyqxf8LnYQ

Israel's ban on family reunification Israel is doubling down on its apartheid rule over Palestinians while it and its international accomplices attempt to fend off the label. This week, Israel reinstated a ban on Palestinian family unification as part of its demographic engineering efforts to ensure a Jewish majority in the territory of historic Palestine. Adalah, a group that advocates for the rights of Palestinians in Israel, said that the legislation is “one of the most racist and discriminatory laws in the world, and must immediately be repealed.” The “Citizenship and Entry into Israel” order prohibits Israel’s interior minister from granting residency or citizenship to Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza who marry citizens of Israel. According to Adalah, which will challenge the law at Israel’s high court, “it also bans unification between a citizen or resident of Israel with spouses from ‘enemy states,’ including Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Iran.” Adalah added that “UN human rights bodies have called on Israel to revoke the ban on Palestinian family unification as it violates international law.” Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has renewed the temporary order banning family unification 21 times over the past 18 years, the rights group added. However, unlike in the past, the current version of the law “explicitly states that its purpose is to ensure a Jewish demographic majority,” Adalah said. Israeli lawmakers and Ayelet Shaked, the state’s interior minister, have said that the legislation is intended to prevent Palestinians from gradually returning to their homeland. More here

Double standards on Ukraine coverage The World’s #1 Squash player, Egypt’s Ali Farag calls out double standards on Ukraine coverage: “We’ve never been allowed to speak about politics in sports, but all of a sudden now it’s allowed…the #Palestinians have been going through that for the past 74 years...we can talk about Ukraine, we can talk about #Palestine.”

Settler violence continues A right-wing settlers group, vandalized the tires of over 30 Palestinian-owned cars in the town of Jaljoulia in 1948-occupied lands. Video here Colonial Israeli settlers have set up a new outpost on a mountaintop on the outskirts of Battir village, a Unesco World Heritage site, in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, sparking concern amongst locals who fear the outpost will lead to further confiscation of their land Source

Israel bans family reunification Israel's Knesset passed a law effectively barring Palestinians from the West Bank or Gaza who are married to Palestinian citizens of Israel from gaining citizenship ora residency in Israel, according to the Palestinian Information Centre. The Knesset approved the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law (Temporary Order), 2022, by a 45-15 majority vote yestersday. While Israel claimed the law was passed for security reasons, it is believed the law was passed on racist grounds to prevent Palestinians from the West Bank or Gaza who marry Palestinians or Israeli Jews from becoming Israeli citizens in order to maintain a Jewish majority in Israel. The new temporary order explicitly affirms that its purpose is to ensure a Jewish demographic majority. The law also prohibits the entry of Arabs from countries "hostile" to Israel, such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran, for family reunification purposes. Israel's Knesset passed a law effectively barring Palestinians from the West Bank or Gaza who are married to Palestinian citizens of Israel from gaining citizenship or residency. The Israeli Knesset approved the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law (Temporary Order), 2022, by a 45-15 majority vote on Thursday. While Israel claimed the law was passed for security reasons, it is believed the law was passed on racist grounds to prevent Palestinians from the West Bank or Gaza who marry Palestinians or Israeli Jews from becoming Israeli citizens in order to maintain a Jewish majority in Israel. The new temporary order explicitly affirms that its purpose is to ensure a Jewish demographic majority. The law also prohibits the entry of Arabs from countries "hostile" to Israel, such as Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran, for family reunification purposes. Rights groups have long warned of the seriousness of the law, which the Israeli government claims was enacted for security reasons. Palestinians consider the law racist. middleeastmonitor

Question: I have a few questions regarding the marriage process. 1. Is it permissible for me to get to know a girl with the intention of marriage? (i.e. texting, video calling, meeting in person) 2. My friends say that it is permissible if the girl involves her mehram (i.e. brother) as a chaperon in the process? As example, a WhatsApp group is created and I add her and her brother and then we chat with each other in the group in the presence of her mahram. Or if I meet her in person at some public place (i.e. cafe) and she is accompanied with her brother. 3. If not, what would be the permissible way to get to know someone within the boundaries of Shariah? As some of the parents in the western countries, have no connections in the community, therefor many single people use Muslim marriage apps to find spouse. Where the prospect is totally stranger and it’s difficult to commit in a relationship of marriage without a clear picture. 4. What's the ruling of texting/calling after engagement? Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. In principle, it is not permissible for a person to unnecessarily speak with a non-mahram woman. Shariah has closed all doors that may lead one to commit illicit sins. If a person wishes to marry someone then it is permitted, rather recommended, to look at a potential spouse before marriage provided one is seriously contemplating marriage. See the following hadith: عَنْ أَبِي، هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَأَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ تَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ أَنَظَرْتَ إِلَيْهَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ لاَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَاذْهَبْ فَانْظُرْ إِلَيْهَا فَإِنَّ فِي أَعْيُنِ الأَنْصَارِ شَيْئًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was in the company of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) when there came a man and informed him that he had contracted to marry a woman of the Ansar. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: Did you cast a glance at her? He said: No. He said: Go and cast a glance at her, for there is something in the eyes of the Ansar. (Muslim 1424) عَنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ بْنِ شُعْبَةَ، أَنَّهُ خَطَبَ امْرَأَةً فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ انْظُرْ إِلَيْهَا فَإِنَّهُ أَحْرَى أَنْ يُؤْدَمَ بَيْنَكُمَا ‏"‏ ‏. Bakr bin Abdullah Al-Muzani narrated that: Al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah proposed to a woman, so the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: "Look at her, for indeed that is more likely to make things better between the two of you." (Tirmidhi-1087) If a person is interested in marrying a girl, he should see her and enquire about her from her Mahrams and any other possible avenue. He should thereafter make Istikhara. The girl should also adopt the same procedure. This is in keeping with each other’s dignity, respect and honour. It will not be permissible to interact with a potential spouse by speaking, texting or video calling her. The purpose of looking at a potential spouse is to ascertain their physical appearance and beauty not their character and lifestyle. The most effective method of ascertaining the character and lifestyle of a prospective spouse is through their relatives and other associates. In regards to speaking with one’s fiancé, according to Shariah, an engagement is merely an agreement that the parties will marry in the future. It does not change the fact that the engaged couple are both strangers for one another before marriage. Therefore, it will not be permissible to interact with one’s fiancé, whether this is over the phone, e-mail etc. And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai (Rahimahullah)

Sha’ban - A Month for Rehearsal The sighting of the Crescent of Sha’ban signals the good news of Ramadan’s imminent arrival. A believer grows in anticipation with the passing of each day. Days like these, are what a believer ‘lives for’. A Month for Rehearsal In addition to it being the most virtuous month - outside Ramadan - to fast, another reason for Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) increasing his optional fast in Sha’ban was to prepare for Ramadan as well as to respectfully welcome Ramadan. (Lataiful Ma’arif, pg. 258) This illustrates how Rasulullah (sallallahu ’alayhi wasallam) would spiritually prepare himself in advance for the most auspicious month of the year; Ramadan. It is similar to the Sunnah Salah we offer before and after the Fard Salah. For the Fard fast of Ramadan, we are taught to offer nafl fasts before and after (i.e. in Sha’ban and Shawwal). (Lataiful Ma’arif, pg.249) Similarly, the Sahabah (radiyallahu ’anhum) and Tabi’un (rahimahumullah) would also engage in what we would understand as ‘spiritual preparation’ for Ramadan. Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu ’anhu) says: ‘When Sha’ban would commence, the Muslims (Sahabah and Tabi’un) would dedicate themselves to the recital of the Quran.’ (Lataiful Ma’arif, pg.258) Hafiz Ibn Rajab Al-Hambaly (rahimahullah) writes: ‘Since Sha’ban is a prelude to Ramadan, Islam encourages certain deeds in this month that are usually done in Ramadan like fasting and Quran recital. This prepares the soul to welcome Ramadan, with open arms.’ (Lataiful Ma’arif, pg.258) Another form of preparation In addition to the above deeds and their like, there is another form of preparation that is absolutely essential. That is to settle our disputes and cleanse the hearts from jealousy, rancour and I’ll-feelings. A Hadith in Sahih Ibn Hibban, mentions of four people that will be deprived on auspicious nights: a) An alcoholic. b) One who disobeys his parents c) One who severe family ties d) One who harbours ill-feelings in his heart for others People who hold onto old grudges, and do not settle their disputes, nor cleanse their hearts are usually deprived on Allah’s mercy, even on blessed occasions. Therefore it is imperative for a believer, as part of his preparation for Ramadan, to sort out such issues ahead of time. 15th of Sha’ban (Laylatul Bara’ah) The beginning of Sha’ban is a time for us to reset our minds hearts and routines for Ramadan. Barely two weeks into the month, will bring the occasion of the fifteenth night of Sha’ban. This night is labelled as the second most auspicious night of the year, by some Scholars. (Lataiful Ma’arif, pg. 264) Allah Ta’ala, through His wisdom granted the Ummah this auspicious night as a prelude to Ramadan. On that night too, those who harbour ill-feelings are deprived of Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness. Therefore, one should understand that today is an ideal time to reflect on the above and to make efforts to implement them too. Let’s increase our nafl ‘ibadah from today, so that when Ramadan does arrive, we are well rehearsed and ready to maximise our benefit therefrom. May Allah Ta’ala guide and inspire us all. Ameen. Laylatul Bara’ah will be after Maghrib on Thursday night, 17th March 2022 in South Africa. Al-Miftah Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) Council of Muslim Theologians