Online Newsletter VOL.02. NO.5 29 Shabaan 1435 / 28 June 2014

NEWSLETTER VOL.02. NO.5
29 Shabaan 1435 / 28 June 2014

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

و صلى الله غلى النبي الكريم

Turn on the Ramadān Spirit

“All the actions of people are for them, except for fasting. Fasting is for Me and I am (Allāh Ta’ālā) the reward.” [Hadith]

All praises are due to Allāh Ta’ālā that he has blessed us with the opportunity of welcoming and witnessing the Mubārak month of Ramadān once again. This Mubārak month is so unique that Allāh Ta’ālā’s love, mercy and forgiveness encompasses everybody except for that person who intentionally rejects the love and forgiveness of Allāh Ta’ālā.

The month of Ramadān is the perfect opportunity for us to repent for our sins and shortcomings. Sins are of two types:

• Huqūqullah – The rights of Allāh
• Huqūqul Ibād – The rights of the servants of Allāh

Whilst repenting for our past sins we must also make the firm Niyyah that we will try our utmost best not to indulge in any sort of disobedience after the month of Ramadān. The least is that we shall stay away from all sorts of sins, we will not misuse or tongues and eyes and we will always be punctual on all our daily compulsory Salāh. It is for this reason that we have to set some goals for the month of Ramadān. The key is to have a timetable and most importantly to adhere to the planned schedule. Our goals must be realistic and beneficial at the same time. We have to make a firm resolution to earn the pleasure of Allāh Ta’ālā and persevere in this resolution. Ramadān is the perfect opportunity to achieve the proximity of Allāh Ta’ālā.

During the month of Ramadān, we have to ensure that we do not waste time in trivial pursuits and unnecessary acts such as backbiting and watching TV etc. Every wasted second is a wasted golden opportunity.

The question we need to ask ourselves is, "When Allāh has made those things Harām, which are usually Halāl, then how can those acts which are reprehensible and impermissible in the court of Allāh Ta’ālā become permissible during the blessed month of Ramadān?"

Some Ramadān guidelines and tips:

• The menfolk should read all their Salah with Jamā’ah, whilst womenfolk must perform their Salah at its appointed times without any delay within the confinements of their home.
• To start making up for all Qadhā Salah, if any
• To complete as much Tilāwah of the Qurān Sharīf as possible, at least three completion
• To read ‘Fadhāil al-Ramadan’ by Sheikhul Hadith Ḥadhrat Ml Muhammad Zakariyya Sāḥib (r.a) daily
• To read from ‘The Ramadan of the saintly elders’ also by Ḥadhrat Ml Muhammad Zakariyya Sāḥib (r.a)
• Engage in Du’ā and Dhikrullah at all times, especially at the time of Iftār and Tahajjud.
• Tarawih (twenty Rak’āt) must be performed at the Masjid and the womenfolk must perform their Tarawih at home
• Daily spend a few minutes in making Du’ā for the Ummah from the recesses of the heart without moving the lips
• Discharge our Zakāt if due or any other monetary debts.
• Spend the last ten days in I’tikāf – menfolk at the masjid and ladies at home
• Exert ourselves in the Ibādah of Allāh Ta’ālā, especially during the odd nights of the last ten days
• Wake up for Tahajjud and train ourselves to focus on Allāh Ta’ālā – advisable to switch cellphones off
• Recite the first kalimah 300 times daily (morning and evening)
• Istighfār – 300 times daily (morning and evening)
• Durud Sharīf – 300 times daily (morning and evening)
• Inculcate the habit of reading the Masnūn Surahs of the Qurān Sharīf, such as:
• Surah Yāsin after the Fajr Salah
• Surah Waqiah after Maghrib
• Surah Mulk after ‘Isha
• Recite a portion of Hizbul ‘Azam or Munājāt al-Maqbūl daily. Both these booklets of Masnūn Duas are available in English. Do not merely recite but ponder over the meanings as well.
• Recite the third Kalimah abundantly
• Daily ask Allāh Ta’ālā for Jannah and protection from the torment of Hell
• If possible return from work a bit earlier than usual and spend more time in the Ibādah of Allāh Ta’ālā.

Respected readers! Indeed, this is a very unique and blessed month. How many of our friends and close ones were with us the previous Ramadān and last Eid but are no more with us (May Allāh Ta’ālā shower His mercy upon them). What guarantee do we have that we will be here for the next Ramadān, and even if we are here, there is no way that we can make up for not making the best of this extremely blessed month.

The beloved of Allāh, Nabi (Sallallāhu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam) said, "Many are those that during the month of Ramadān do not earn anything but hunger and tiredness." These people are fasting but fasting is not merely staying away from eating and drinking but also from all those things which are unnecessary and impermissible.

It is not for us to decide what is permissible and impermissible, at least during this Mubārak month let us all submit to Allāh. Let us not waste the limited and precious time of Ramadān in front of the Shaytān box, watching the world cup etc. The learned Ulamāh of Islām have stated that it is not permissible to watch sports; particularly when thousands of our brothers and sisters are being martyred daily. What does it matter, who wins or lose? What is the point of arguing and fighting over such trivialities? By praising these sporting celebrities we are inviting the Arsh of Allāh Ta’ālā to shake out of fear from the wrath of Allāh!

Nabi (Sallallāhu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "He who does not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allāh has no need that he does not eat or drink ." (Bukhāri Sharīf)

Nabi (Sallallāhu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:" From amongst the beauty of a person’s Islām is that he/she desist from unbeneficial activities"

So! Turn off the technology and turn on the spirit of Ramadān.

Hadhrat Ml Shabbier A.Saloojee Sahib (Dāmat Barakātuhu)

(Islamic Horizon – Edition 8) Order your Copy now here

The Darul Uloom academic year for 2014 came to a close on the 15.06.2014.

Alhamdulillah this year 52 students graduated as Ulama, 44 students completed the memorization of the Noble Quran,9 students have memorized various books of Hadith, 22 students completed the Riwayat Hafs, 14 students who completed the Qirat Sabah and 1 student who completed the Qirat Asharah.

May Almighty Allah accept them all to serve his Deen throughout the four corners of the world.

To listen to the podcasts of the 24th Graduation Jalsahs that took place, please click here

Insha-Allah, Itikaf will be taking place during the last 10 days of Ramadan at the Darul Uloom Zakariyya Masjid.

All programs will take place under the supervision of Hadhrat Moulana Shabbier Ahmed Saloojee Sahib.

For arrangements please contact: Ml Zaheer Wadee on: 011 859 1080 / 072 370 6786 Or Email:
admin@duzak.org

By the grace of Allah, it gives pleasure in announcing the opening of the first ever Islamic Museum of its kind in South Africa.

Motivated by an aspiration to promote an easier understanding of the traditions of the Noble Master, Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasalam), the facility is home to replicas of scores of items cited in the Ahadith.

An interactive model of Masjidun Nabawi (sallallahu alayhi wasalam), another of Madinah Munawwarah in 7 AH as well as a 3D Cross section of the Noble Kabah are some of the many displays which are sure to ignite the flame of Sirah in your heart.

A visit not to be missed…

Now opened every Sunday in Ramadan

LOCATION: Adjacent to the Darul Hadith at Darul Uloom Zakariyya, Zakariyya Park, Johannesburg

TIME: 11 am to 4 pm

Bring your Hifdh/maktab/madressa/Aalim students etc to view.

To book day/time contact: Ml Younus Ali : 082 302 9850