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Wednesday, September 12, 2007

IFTAR or IFTAREE (Breaking of Fast)

Iftar, refers to the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Or a meal served at the end of the fasting day during Ramadan, to break the day's fast. Literally, "breakfast." Iftar during Ramadan is often done as a community, with Muslims gathering to break their fast together. . It is better to offer 'Magrib Namaz/salat' and then break one's fast, preferably with water, milk or Dates.

The following Dua may be recited at the time of breaking one's fast

supplication

ALLAAHUMMA LAKA S'UMTU WA A'LAA RIZQIKA AFT'ARTU WA A'LAYKA TAWAWKKALTU


Sehri (Pre-Dawn Meal)

Sehri is not a condition for fasting; it is Sunnat. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) partook of sehri and encouraged others to do it. He (pbuh) said: "Take sehri, for verily there is a blessing in sehri."

Hence always take Saheree food, even if very little or just a sip of water. Because it distinguishes us from other religions.

Sehri is a sunnah and to delay it is also a sunnah. This is what will strengthen the fasting Muslim, and would lessen the hardship of fasting. It would also lessen the time period of thirst and hunger.

Since Islam is based on easiness and has come with rules that make the acts of worship easy for people, a Muslim is advised to delay the sehri and hasten the Iftar (breaking the Fast) . So it is a sunnah for the fasting Muslim to get up for sehri and have something to eat, even if he or she would take a small edible thing like a date or a sip of water. If he or she does this, he or she would have done fulfilled the sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

5 Day Ramazn Dua

supplication

O Allah, on this day, place me among those who seek forgiveness. Place me among Your righteous and obedient servants, and place me among Your close friends, by Your kindness, O the most Merciful.

4 Day Ramzan Dua

supplication

O Allah, on this day, strengthen me in carrying out Your commands, let me taste the sweetness of Your rememberance, grant me, through Your graciousness, that I give thanks to You. Protect me, with Your protection and cover, O the most discerning of those who see.

3 Day Ramzan Dua

supplication

O Allah, on this day, grant me wisdom and awareness, keep me away from foolishness and pretention, grant me a share in every blessing You send down, by You generosity, O the most Generous.

2 Day Ramzan Dua

supplication

O Allah, on this day, take me closer towards Your pleasure, keep me away from Your anger and punishment, grant me the opportunity to recite Your verses (of the Qur'an), by Your mercy, O the most Merciful.

1 Day Ramzan Dua

supplication

O Allah, on this day make my fasts the fasts of those who fast (sincerely), and my standing up in prayer of those who stand up in prayer (obediently), awaken me in it from the sleep of the heedless, and forgive me my sins , O God of the worlds, and forgive me, O one who forgives the sinners.

Ramzan Mubarak

Coming with the new moon, the festival marks the end of 'Ramadan' - a month when Muslims fast throughout the day and eat only at night Prayers, feasts and family get- together are the major highlights of the celebrations. It was during this month that the holy Quran was revealedproviding guidance for the people, clear teachings.

Every day during the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world break their fast when the fourth prayer of the day,Maghrib, is due. They eat before the sun comes up at a certain time and they eat before a certain time and after a certain time during the night.

During Ramadan, Muslims are also expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam as well as refraining from Anger,Envy,Greed,Lust & Gossip.

Beautiful Names of Allah

A collection of the Ninety-nine Most Beautiful Names of Allah, in English, with a brief explaination of each one.
1. ALLAH- Allah.
2. AR-RAHMAN - The Beneficent.
He who gives blessings and prosperity to all beings without showing disparity.
3. AR-RAHIM - The Merciful.
He who gives blessings and prosperity, particularly to those who use these gifts as Allah has said, and is merciful to the believers in the hereafter.
4. AL-MALIK - The Sovereign Lord.
He who is the absolute king of the entire universe.
5. AL-QUDDUS - The Holy.
He who is free from all error, absentmindedness, is free from incapability and from any kind of defect.
6. AS-SALAM - The Source of Peace.
He who frees his servants from all danger and obstruction. He who gives His greeting to those fortunate people in heaven.
7. AL-MUMIN - The Guardian of Faith.
He who places faith in the heart of His servants, protects those who seek refuge in Him, and gives tranquillity.
8. AL-MUHAYMIN - The Protector.
He who watches over and protects all things.
9. AL-AZIZ - The Mighty.
The Unconquerable.
10. AL-JABBAR - The Compeller.
He who repairs all broken things, who completes that which is incomplete, and who has the ability, with force, to make people do whatever He wants.
11. AL-MUTAKABBIR - The Majestic.
He who shows His greatness in all things and in all ways.
12. AL-KHALIQ - The Creator.
He who creates everything from nothing and creates all things with the knowledge of what will happen to them.
13. AL-BARI - The Evolver.
He who creates all things in proportion.
14. AL-MUSAWWIR - The Fashioner.
He who designs all things.
15. AL-GHAFFAR - The Forgiver.
He who is all-forgiving.
16. AL-QAHHAR - The Subduer.
He who is victorious and dominant in a way that He can do anything He wills.
17. AL-WAHHAB - The Bestower.
He who donates all blessings to His creatures.
18. AR-RAZZAQ - The Provider.
He who provides all things beneficial to His creatures.
19. AL-FATTAH - The Opener.
He who opens the solution to all problems, and eliminates obstacles.
20. AL-ALIM - The All-Knowing.
He who is all knowing.
21. AL-QABID - The Constrictor.
He who constricts.
22. AL-BASIT - The Expander.
He who is the expander.
23. AL-KHAFID - The Abaser.
He who diminishes or decreases.
24. AL-RAFI - The Exalter.
He who uplifts.
25. AL-MUIZZ - The Honorer.
He who makes one glorious, gives dignity, and treats one with respect.
26. AL-MUZILL - The Dishonorer.
He who lowers and puts one in abasement and degradation.
27. AS-SAMI - The All-Hearing.
He who hears everything.
28. AL-BASIR - The All-Seeing.
He who sees everything.
29. AL-HAKAM - The Judge.
He who judges and provides what is due.
30. AL-ADL - The Just.
The just one.
31. AL-LATIF - The Subtle One.
He who knows the delicate meanings of everything. He who creates things most subtly, which cannot be understood by people, and He who gives blessings to people in the most subtle
ways.
33. AL-KHABIR - The Aware.
He who has knowledge of the most secret parts of everything, and knows their inner meanings.
33. AL-HALIM - The Forbearing One.
He who is clement.
34. AL-AZIM - The Great One.
He who is magnificent.
35. AL-GHAFUR - The All-Forgiving.
He who forgives all.
36. ASH-SHAKUR - The Appreciative.
He who is grateful and gives rewards for deeds done for Him.
37. AL-ALIYY - The Most High.
He who is most high.
38. AL-KABIR - The Most Great.
He who is most great.
39. AL-HAFIZ - The Preserver.
He who preserves all things in detail, and for a time preserves them from misfortune and calamity.
40. AL-MUQIT - The Maintainer.
He who sustains.
41. AL-HASIB -
The Reckoner.
He who knows in detail the account of things people do throughout their lives.
42. AL-JALIL - The Sublime One.
He who has wealth, dominion and holiness.
43. AL-KARIM - The Generous One.
He who is generous.
44. AR-RAQIB - The Watchful.
He who observes all creatures, and every action is under His control.
45. AL-MUJIB - The Responsive.
The One who responds to every need.
46. AL-WASI - The All-Embracing.
He who has limitless capacity and abundance.
47. AL-HAKIM - The Wise.
He who has wisdom in all orders and actions.
48. AL-WADUD - The Loving.
He who loves those who do good and bestows on them His compassion. He who is the only one who should be loved and whose friendship is to be earned.
49. AL-MAJID - The Most Glorious One.
He who is most glorious.
50. AL-BAITH - The Resurrector.
He who gives life to all creatures on the judgment day.
51. ASH-SHAHID - The Witness.
He who is present everywhere and observes all things.
52. AL-HAQQ - The Truth.
He whose existence has no change.
53. AL-WAKIL - The Trustee.
He who provides a means to solve all problems in the best way.
54. AL-QAWI - The Most Strong.
55. AL-MATIN - The Firm One.
56. AL-WALI - The Protecting Friend.
He who is the Friend of His righteous servants.
57. AL-HAMID - The Praiseworthy.
He who is the only one to be praised and glorified and thanked by all creatures.
58. AL-MUHSI - The Reckoner.
He who knows the number of all things although they cannot be counted, and knows each of them.
59. AL-MUBDI - The Originator.
He who has created for the first time all beings from nothing and without any model.
60. AL-MU'ID - The Restorer.
He who restores all beings.
61. AL-MUHYI - The Giver of Life.
He who gives life and health.
62. AL-MUMIT - The Creator of Death.
He who creates death.
63. AL-HAYY - The Alive.
He is all-knowing and His strength is sufficient for everything.
64. AL-QAYYUM - The Self-Subsisting.
He who holds the entire universe.
65. AL-WAJID - The Finder.
He who finds whatever He wants in the time He desires.
66. AL-MAJID - The Noble.
He whose highness is great, who is beneficent, and His munificence is rich.
67. AL-WAHID - The Unique.
He who is One in His actions, His Names, who has no partner or equal in His attributes, personality and orders.
68. AS-SAMAD - The Eternal.
He who is the only being to apply to if one has any need to be competed or any troubles to be eliminated.
69. AL-QADIR - The Able.
He who is able to do anything in the way He wills.
70. AL-MUQTADIR - The Powerful.
He who is more powerful than any being.
71. AL-MUQADDIM - The Expediter.
72. AL-MUAKHKHIR - The Delayer.
He who delays whatever He wants.
73. AL-AWWAL - The First.
74. AL-AKHIR - The Last.
75. AZ-ZAHIR - The Manifest.
76. AL-BATIN - The Hidden.
77. AL-WALI - The Governor.
He who directs, manages, conducts, governs, measures, plans every action which happens at any moment in the entire universe.
78. AL-MUTA'ALI - The Most Exalted.
He who is higher than any action, manner or condition, and any thought that any being may have. This Name indicates that Allah is higher than the most evolved thought of man.
79. AL-BARR - The Source of All Goodness.
He who is tolerant to His servants, to all creatures, and is good to them.
80. AT-TAWWAB - The Acceptor of Repentance.
81. AL-MUNTAQIM - The Avenger.
He who punishes wrongdoers.
82. AL-AFUW - The Pardoner.
He who pardons all who repent sincerely as if they had no previous sin.
83. AR-RAUF - The Compassionate.
He who is benign.
84. MALIK-UL-MULK - The Eternal Owner of Sovereignty.
85. DHUL-JALAL-WAL-IKRAM - The Lord of Majesty and Honour.
86. AL-MUQSIT - The Equitable.
He who does His work accordingly and in a balanced way.
87. AL-JAMI - The Gatherer.
He who collects things, gathers them, anywhere He wants, at any time.
88. AL-GHANI - The Self-Sufficient.
89. AL-MUGHNI - The Enricher.
90. AL-MANI - The Preventer.
91. AD-DARR - The Distresser.
He who creates that which makes one despondent.
92. AN-NAFI - The Propitious.
He who creates all things which provide goodness and benefit.
93. AN-NUR - The Light.
He who provides divine light to the entire universe; to the faces, minds and hearts of His servants.
94. AL-HADI - The Guide.
He who guides, gives success and directs His servant to do things beneficial to others.
95. AL-BADI - The Incomparable.
He who creates wonders in the universe without any design.
96. AL-BAQI - The Everlasting.
97. AL-WARITH - The Supreme Inheritor.
He who has everlasting ownership of all things. Finite man only has temporary ownership and at death all creatures have nothing.
98. AR-RASHID - The Guide to the Right Path.
He who is the guide, with wisdom, to the right path according to His eternal plan.
99. AS-SABUR - The Patient.

Five Pillars Of Islam

Five Pillars Of Islam

1.S
hahadah

"ASH-HADU ANLA ELAHA ILLA-ALLAH WA ASH-HADU ANNA MOHAMMADAN RASUL-ALLAH".
{"I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God."} This testament is a foundation for all other beliefs and practices in Islam.

2.Salah

(Namaaz) or ritual prayer, which must be performed five times a day. ( salah is done facing towards the Kaaba in Mecca. Salah is intended to focus the mind on God, and is seen as a personal communication with him that expresses gratitude and worship. Salah is compulsory but flexibility in the specifics is allowed depending on circumstances.

Every time Before Salah Starts there is a Adhan (call to prayer) are broadcast publicly from local mosques at the appropriate times. The prayers are recited in the Arabic Language.

3.Zakat,

Alms-giving. This is the practice of giving based on accumulated wealth, and is obligatory for all Muslims who can afford it. A fixed portion is spent to help the poor or needy, and also to assist the spread of Islam.

4.Sawm

fasting during the month of Ramadan. Muslims must not eat or drink (among other things) from dawn to dusk during this month, and must be mindful of other sins. The fast is to encourage a feeling of nearness to God, and during it Muslims should express their gratitude for and dependence on him, atone for their past sins, and think of the needy. Sawm is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would constitute an undue burden. For others, flexibility is allowed depending on circumstances, but missed fasts usually must be made up quickly.

5.The Hajj

Which is the pilgrimage during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime. When the pilgrim is about ten kilometers from Mecca, he must dress in Ihram clothing, which consists of two white seamless sheets. Rituals of the Hajj include walking seven times around the Kaaba, touching the Black Stone, running seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina.

What is ISLAM?

The first thing that one should know and clearly understand about Islam is what the word "Islam" itself means. The religion of Islam is not named after a person as in the case of Christianity which was named after Jesus Christ, Buddhism after Gotama Buddha, Confucianism after Confucius, and Marxism after Karl Marx. Nor was it named after a tribe like Judaism after the tribe of Judah and Hinduism after the Hindus. Islam is the true religion of "Allah" and as such, its name represents the central principle of Allah's "God's" religion; the total submission to the will of Allah "God". The Arabic word "Islam" means the submission or surrender of one's will to the only true god worthy of worship "Allah" and anyone who does so is termed a "Muslim", The word also implies "peace" which is the natural consequence of total submission to the will of Allah. Hence, it was not a new religion brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) I in Arabia in the seventh century, but only the true religion of Allah re-expressed in its final form.

Islam is the religion which was given to Adam, the first man and the first prophet of Allah, and it was the religion of all the prophets sent by Allah to mankind. The name of God's religion lslam was not decided upon by later generations of man. It was chosen by Allah Himself and clearly mentioned in His final revelation to man. In the final book of divine revelation, the Qur'aan, Allah states the following:

"This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion". (Soorah Al-Maa'idah 5:3)

"If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah (God) never will It be accepted of Him" (Soorah Aal'imraan 3:85)

"Abraham was not a Jew nor Christian; but an upright Muslim." (Soorah Aal'imraan 3:67)