Essentials

Bidding Farewell to Ramadan “How can the believer not shed tears at the departure of Ramaḍān, when he does not know if he will live to the next Ramaḍān?” – (Ibn Rajab (raḥimahullāh)) Our hearts feel sad. Our cheeks are damp with tears. As we bid farewell to our beloved friend (i.e. Ramaḍān), we reflect…

Ramadan: The Month of Forgiveness & Repentance Ramaḍān is the month of forgiveness and repentance. The word ‘Ramaḍān’ is derived from ramaḍ which refers to the intense burning heat of the sun. Thus, ‘Ramaḍān’ is the month in which the sins of the believer are burned by their righteous deeds. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ…

Laylat al-Qadr & The Last 10 Days Dismayed by the evil and immorality around him, he finds himself drifting away from his kinsmen, wishing more and more to be alone. Ascending the mountains around his town, he retreats to a small cave. From here, he is still able to see the House of Allah, built…

Ramadan: Charity & Service Fasting in Ramaḍān reminds us of our hungry and needy brothers and sisters. It increases our empathy for them, removes arrogance towards them and makes us more eager to give ṣadaqah (charity) to them. It also reminds us to be grateful for all the food and drink Allah al-Razzāq (The Supreme…

Ramadan: A Month of Victory And victory comes only from Allah, the Almighty, the All-Wise” (3:126). Throughout Islam’s history, Ramaḍān has been the month of victory. A month wherein the religion’s destined heroes were granted victory by Allah al-Naṣīr (The Ultimate Helper). Men who were true to Allah, served His dīn and strived to implement…

Ramadan & Our Families 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,…

Ramadan: A Month of Muhasabah (Self-Evaluation) 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: o Have I lost momentum? o Have I controlled my tongue? o What is the state of my heart? o…

Ramadan and Dhikr Allah (subḥānahū wa taʿālā) says in the Holy Qur’ān, أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اٱللهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ اٱلْقُلُوْبُ “…Truly it is in the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah that hearts find peace” (13:28). Dhikr (the remembrance of Allah) is one of the best deeds of a believer. It brings life to the heart, filling it with peace…

Ramadan and Duʿa’ وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ٱدْعُونِىٓ أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ “And your Lord said: ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’” (40:60) Duʿā’ is the essence of worship. It is every moment, minute and hour in which we pour our hearts out to Allah, praise Him, seek His forgiveness and beg Him. Through duʿā’, we express…

Ramadan: Salah with Khushu ch he will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgement: if it is good, he will be saved and will succeed; if it is not good, he will be doomed and be amongst the losers. Ṣalāh is the crucial factor that distinguishes the believers from the disbelievers. By preserving…