Category Archives: Women

Importance of Month of Ramadan

Nahmaduhu wa nussali Ala Rasoolihil Kareem

We are extremely grateful to Our Lord, Allah Almighty (The Most Exalted) that once again He has sent upon us the Holy month of Ramadan which brings His Mercy, Forgiveness and Blessings. In this month, Allah (The Most Exalted) Himself asks His servants, “Is there anyone who seeks desires and blessings from Me?” In this holy month, for every good deed we get the benefit of 700 times. First part of this holy month is mercy, second part is forgiveness and the last part is to escape from the punishment of hell. Our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family) said, “If only my people understood the importance of the month of Ramadan then they would wish that the whole year would be Ramadan.” Our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family ) said, “Let that person be ruined who has passed through the month of Ramadan and did not seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty (The Most Exalted).” The month of Ramadan approaches us as a guest from Allah (The Most Exalted) and if we don’t give respect and importance then it gets upset and goes back to Allah (The Most Exalted) and complains about us that it had gone to so and so person but he did not take benefit from me and did not respect me. Allah (The Most Exalted) tells us to exercise mainly four things in the Holy month of Ramadan: 1) Reciting Kalima Tayyeba, 2) reciting Astaghfaar, 3) desiring Heaven and 4) asking for escape from Hell. In this month, the one who recites Astaghfar in abundance then Allah (The Most Exalted) will increase his sustenance and he will receive his sustenance from places he could not think of.

Allah (The Most Exalted) has bestowed us with unlimited Mercy and Blessings. It is therefore our duty to pray to Allah (The Most Exalted) with love and affection. Amongst the compulsory worship which Allah has bestowed upon us, namaz (the ritual prayer) is on #1 position. Prayer is a part of religion. Prayer is the coolness of the eyes of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family). Prayer is the right way of achieving peace. So in this month we have to especially concentrate on Nawafil (optional) prayers along with Fardh (compulsory). Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said, “In the Holy Month of Ramadan, the one who will stand (for prayer) with the intention to achieve faith and sawaab, all his sins will be forgiven.“  [Al-Minhaj-us-Sawi] Therefore it is our duty to read all 20 rakats (cycles) of Taraweeh. If we read 8 rakats (cycles) in the mosque with the Imaam, then the remaining 12 cycles are supposed to be read individually, either at the mosque or at home. In the holy month of Ramadan, we should get up especially for the Tahajjud prayers apart from Taraweeh. The convenient way of offering Tahajjud payers is before suhoor (the pre-dawn meal).

In the last part of this holy month, a night comes called Laila-tul-Qadr. In Surah Al-Qadr, Allah (The Most Exalted) says: “Khairum-min Alfi shahr”

[The Holy Quran, Chapter Al-Qadr, 97:3]

The prayer of this night has more importance than prayers of thousand months. Angel Gabriel and other angels come on earth with lots of blessings and mercy from Allah (The Most Exalted) and shake hands with those who are praying. All the prayers in this night are fulfilled.

After prayer, we have to pay special attention towards our dua (supplication). After prayer, we should not be lazy and neglect our supplication. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said:

“Ad-dua’u Silahul Mo’min” which means “Dua is the weapon of a believer.”

“Ad-dua’u Huwal Ibaadatu”  which means “Dua itself is worship.”

“Ad-dua’u Mukh’khul ibaadatu” which means “Dua is the brain of worship.”

Dua at the time of breaking the fast is always fulfilled. Women should finish all the Iftaar (breaking of fast) preparation and sit down for supplication along with their families and pray a lot for ourselves and others as this supplication will never be rejected and we should be benefitted by this moment of blessing. When we supplicate for others, Allah (The Most Exalted) appoints an angel who does supplication for the supplicators. In Ramadan, we get a lot of sawaab (reward) for inviting others for opening the fast but it should have simplicity so that our prayers are not affected. Apart from friends and relatives we should pay more attention towards poor and needy by organizing food for their breaking of fast.

Allah (The Most Exalted) says:

“Shahru Ramadan alladhi unzila fihi Al-Qur’an”

[The Holy Quran, Chapter Al-Baqarah, 2:185]

This is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed. So, in this Holy Month we should read Qur’an in abundance and in fact we should try to understand it. Allah (The Most Exalted) says:

“Kitabun anzalnahu ilayka mubarakun liyaddabbaru aayaatihi”

[The Holy Quran, Chapter Sad, 38:29]

This is the Book which Allah has revealed so that people should pay extreme attention towards it. This is the Book which guides us in how we should spend our life. Therefore it is necessary that we understand the Quran, so that the blessing of the Holy Qur’an comes in our life. After our death, The Holy Qur’an will be settled on the chest of his reader ad protect him from the torments. At the Day of Judgment, The Holy Qur’an will request pardon from Allah for his reader. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said: “Among you the best one is who learns and teaches Qur’an.”

Apart from the rights of Allah (The Most Exalted) we should be conscious about the right of His servant. In this holy month we should pay purifying dues of our money which is compulsory. This is the right of the poor people which Allah Almighty (The Most Exalted) kept in our money. Paying rights of the servant is the necessary part of our religion. The life of a person is not perfect unless he treats his fellow creatures well. Only the person who fulfils the rights of both Allah (The Most Exalted) and His servants can lead a peaceful life here and after death. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said, “One glance of love and affection on our Muslim brother is not less than worship.” In this holy month we especially have to search for poor, needy and orphans and help them. If a person fulfills the needs of others, then Allah (The Most Exalted) will fulfill his needs. If a person solves the tensions, worries and sorrows of others, then Allah Almighty, (The Most Exalted) will relieve him from pains and worries on the Day of Judgment. If a person hides the secrets of others, then Allah Almighty, (The Most Exalted) hides his secrets on the Day of Judgment. A person will not reach the soul of Ramadan and fast until he services Allah’s (The Most Exalted) servants along with Allah’s (The Most Exalted) rights. Taking care of Allah’s (The Most Exalted) servant is same as exerting in the way of Allah (The Most Exalted). A good natured person gets sawaab (benefit) of five times prayers and a whole day’s fast.

It is our humble prayer to Allah (The Most Exalted) to guide us to do more good deeds during this holy month of Ramadan and make this holy month our mode of forgiveness for all our past bad deeds. Aameen.

Wa Aakhiru Dawana Anil Hamdolillahi Rabbil Aalameen

Sister Zarin R. Shaikh Qadari

Kingdom of Bahrain

Sister Zarin is an active member in her community imparting religious education. She can be reached at zarrobah@gmail.com.

Blessings of Ramadan Al-Mubarak

By the blessings of Allah, the month of Ramadan is upon us. Rajab marks the beginning of the spiritual season of every believer ending with the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with the Eid Al Fitr. These three months in order Rajab, Shaban, and Ramadan are unmatched in their importance.  

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) has said: “Rajab is a great month of Allah Almighty, unmatched by any other month in respect and significance; war with the infidels during this month is prohibited. Verily, Rajab is Allah’s month, Sha’ban my month and Ramadan the month of my Ummah; whosoever fasts a day in the month of Rajab will be granted the great reward of Ridwan (an angel in heaven);  the wrath of Allah Almighty shall be distanced and a door of Hell shall be closed.” 

Fasting is one of the most recommended acts during this spiritual season. It becomes Wajib (obligatory) during the month of Ramadan, but is highly recommended during the months of Rajab and Sha’ban. As will be noted from the Hadith above, fasting, be it for only one day during these months, is rewarded with untold bounties. 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) used to supplicate upon the sighting of the moon of Rajab: “O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings).”

[At-Tabarani and Ahmad]

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) said:

“When a believer (Mu`min) sleeps in the night of Ramadan, an angel says unto him, “Awaken!! as Allah Almighty wants to shower His blessings on you. Thus, the believer awakens. It is at this time that the (1) linen of the bed sheet that he was sleeping on prays for him and then when this person puts on his garbs to perform the prayer, (2) the clothes supplicate for him, ‘O Allah! Clothe this person from the garbs of Paradise.’ And when he puts his shoes on, (3) the shoes pray for him, ‘O Allah! Make this person’s feet steadfast on the Pul Siraat.’ and when he (or she) uses the vessel for wudu, (4) the vessel prays for him, ’O Allah! let him/her be one from the people who drink from the vessels of Paradise.’ When the person starts to make wudu, (5) the water prays for him, ’O Allah! Expiate his major and minor sins.’ Finally when he (or she) stands on the prayer mat facing in the direction of the Ka’ba, at that time the House of Allah prays for him, ’O Allah! Expand and illuminate this person’s grave.’ Ultimately, when Allah Almighty looks down, He says, ‘O My servant, there are supplications made for you, there is acceptance from Me.’” 

This goes to show that Allah Almighty  always answers the prayers of those who plead from Him in Ramadan. 

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) has also said that a fasting person is in a state of worship, even when he (or she) is asleep, the breath he (or she) takes is Tasbih (glorification of Allah), his supplications are honored, sins are forgiven and good deeds multiplied. Subhan Allah! Alhumdulillah! 

My dear brothers and sisters, shouldn’t we be thankful to Allah Almighty for his Mercy and Graciousness upon us? When Allah Almighty considers a regular, fasting individual’s inhalation and exhalation a tasbih, can you imagine the value of the breath of the “Zakireen” in the eyes of Allah?? “Zakireen” are people who are always involved in the remembrance of Allah. They are the ones: 

“Who remember Allah while standing, sitting and lying on their sides …”

[The Holy Quran, Chapter Aale-Imran, 3:191] 

Allah Almighty also says:  

“And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.”

[The Holy Quran, Chapter Al-Baqarah, 2:155]

“…Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.”

[The Holy Quran, Chapter Az-Zumar, 39:10] 

It has been narrated by Hazrat Abu Salman (may Allah have mercy on him) that “Hunger is from one of the treasures of Allah, and He bestows it upon the ones that He loves.”  

May Allah Almighty make our fasting in Ramadan easy for us and accept our fast. We ask You Allah Almighty, to accept our worship by the Wasilah (Rank) our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) who never himself slept on a full stomach throughout his life. Aameen. 

Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, it is time to GET UP and GET READY for there is now a SALE on good deeds. The rewards for good deeds done in Ramadan are multiplied by a thousand. Who knows what tomorrow brings for us?? Who knows if we will be able to get another Ramadan?? Which fasting person knows if he/she will fast another Ramadan? Which person in “qiyaam” knows if he/she will be getting this opportunity again? It is time to rethink and use our time wisely. Do not let yourself get involved in futile things as death nears us on every breath we take. 

Allah has made the Deen very easy on us. Read the following Hadith that is related by Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him): 

A man from the dwellers of the desert came (to the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him and his family) and said: Muhammad, your representative came to us and told us that you claim that Allah had sent you (as a Prophet). The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) remarked: He told the truth. The bedouin asked: Who created the Heaven? The Holy Prophet replied: Allah. The bedouin asked again: Who created the earth? The Holy Prophet replied: Allah. The bedouin asked again: Who raised these mountains and who created in them whatever is created there? The Holy Prophet replied: Allah. Upon this the bedouin remarked: By Him Who created the Heaven and the earth and raised mountains thereupon; has Allah in fact sent you? The Holy Prophet said: Yes. The bedouin said: Your representative also told us that five Prayers (have been made) obligatory for us. The Holy Prophet remarked: He told you the truth. The bedouin said: By Him Who sent you, is it Allah Who ordered you about this (i.e. Prayers)? The Holy Prophet said: Yes. The bedouin continued: Your representative told us that Zakah had been made obligatory in our riches. The Holy Prophet said: He told the truth. The bedouin questioned: By Him Who sent you (as a Prophet), is it Allah Who ordered you about it (Zakah)? The Holy Prophet replied: Yes. The bedouin said: Your representative told us that it has been made obligatory for us to fast every year during the month of Ramadan. The Holy Prophet said: He told the truth. The bedouin asked again: By Him Who sent you (as a Prophet), is it Allah Who ordered you about it (the Fasting of Ramadan)? The Holy Prophet said: Yes. Once again the bedouin questioned: Your messenger also told us that Hajj has been made obligatory for whoever is able to undertake the journey. The Holy Prophet replied: He told the truth. At the conclusion of this answer the bedouin set off, and at the time of his departure remarked: By Him Who sent you with the Truth, I would neither make any addition to them nor would I diminish anything out of them. Upon this the Holy Prophet remarked: If he were truthful (to what he said) he must enter Paradise.

[Sahih Muslim] 

So dear brothers and sisters, Allah Almighty has made the Deen very easy on us. He is not looking for a huge quantity of prayers, or vast amounts of fasting from us but for the piety and purity in our worship. May Allah bless us with the blessings of this month and accept whatever little we can do. Peace to you O Ramadan! For you are a savior for us sinners. O Allah Almighty, please forgive us on accord of the people whose worship you have accepted. O Allah! Forgive me and the people I love, whether they are family or friends. O Allah! Allow us to continue loving each other for the sake of Allah, whether it is our parents, our children, our elders, our pious predecessors, or our friends. O Allah! We seek Your Mercy and Your Forgiveness. Aameen. 

Assalaatu was-Salaamu ‘alaa RasooliLlaah.

Sister Najma Khatoon

Kingdom of Bahrain

Sister Najma Khatoon is a spiritual mentor, teacher and author. She writes articles for Tazkiya Nufoos, a quarterly Urdu journal of the Idara Kashful Asrar of India. The following is an excerpt translation for an article on Ramadan. Translation by Mrs. Noor of Houston, Texas.

The Purest of Lineage: A Convert’s Story of Honor and Degree (Part I of II)

February 1, 2004 / Dhul Hijjah 1424

Volume 1, Issue 4

The following is a story of a convert to Islam who is soon to find that her purpose in life is more than just being married in a noble family.  With all the trials that inter-cultural marriages create,  this mother is to face  the greatest trial of her life.  This is a story of sacrifice and honor – a story that highlights the fact that not only those born in Islam can be raised to the highest of degrees and honor, rather Allah Almighty bestows these attributes upon whomever He chooses.  This story highlights the importance of embracing those who come into the fold of Islam by those already in it.

I was born in England but my soul was lost.  My culture, my surroundings, day and night, everything was a stranger to me.  I was not sure what I wanted.  From a very young age, I used to wait for a handsome Arab prince who would sweep me off my feet and take me away on his horse to a distant land in a castle where no one could see me except him.  Yes, I was living in Newcastle, England waiting for some stranger.  Then, one day, a friend took me to a party where people from all cultures were invited.  It was there that I met Asif, a young man from Punjab, Pakistan.  He belonged to a huge closely-knit, feudal and deeply religious Syed family (descendents of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)).  One day, Asif proposed.  In complete awe I thought to myself, “Perhaps God has gifted me for my modesty.”  We married without delay and I was called Maryam thereafter.

After I recited the Kalima Shahadah (the oath that a convert takes before entering the faith of Islam), I faced tremendous opposition.  After a few months we discovered that a baby was on its way.  It was the happiest time of my life.  Allah blessed us with a beautiful girl.  Asif named her Sana (which means ‘to glorify’) and said, “My daughter was born to glorify Allah.”  We had three sons after Sana.  We were living our lives according to the ways prescribed by Allah and His Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him).  Our life was an example of Paradise on Earth. 

One day Asif’s mother suffered a stroke and he needed to return to Pakistan immediately.  His father was a true Muslim who sacrificed his years for Islam.  It was this that gave me the encouragement that his family would accept me as their daughter-in-law.  It was about the same time that the truth of Islam penetrated my heart and I accepted Allah and His Beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) from my innermost core.  In these days Asif felt increasingly helpless and sorrowful.  I thought to myself, “If we were true to our belief, then why was it that we had to hide our marriage?”  Maybe Asif didn’t want to lose his family.  One day Asif’s elder brother Zahid came to take us back.  He said that they were aware of the marriage and that now we should go back because Asif’s mom was ill and she wanted to see the all kids.  So we moved to Pakistan.  Sana started wearing the Chadar (a long shawl that is wrapped in a manner to cover the body and hair) and started learning to read the Qur’an from a Maulana (a religious scholar).  When my father-in-law sat with Sana and talked about the Qur’an, many questions arose in my heart: Had Allah chosen me for this task?  What is the purpose of my life?  I started reading many books and my father-in-law taught me about the Qur’an, Fiqh (Jurisprudence) and Islam.  He was a complete book in his being.  One day, my mother-in-law died from a heart attack and after a few days my father-in-law also died and this beautiful chapter of my life was closed forever.

My kids, especially Sana was the most learned about Islam.  She was true to her belief and would be praised by everyone who met her.  Our life was peaceful, but I was living a lie.  The truth was that, despite all my hard work, I was not able to adapt to the culture and traditions.  My God-given freedom was snatched from me.  Sometimes I used to wish that I had wings to fly back to my own country.  Asif felt this in me and promised that as soon as the time was right, he would send me to England.  I knew that he was true to his word.  I was not sure of the reason, but every time we intended to go back something would happen and we couldn’t go.

Sana had grown into a young lady by now.  I wished from the bottom of my heart that someone in my in-laws would ask for her hand in marriage.  All of their sons were mature and stood on their own two feet, but why was it that none of them could see Sana?  Asif wanted his daughter to be the pride of this family but this was Pakistan, and not England where I could have looked for a husband for my daughter or she could have found one herself.  England was a non-Muslim country, but this was Asif’s own country.  Then why was he so worried?  In this country, every other home had girls who would go out with boys, dating and shopping and free to enjoy.  But all of this was unlawful for a daughter of a converted mother from England.  My husband was much concerned about her well being, but no one else cared.  All that the in-laws wanted was to find the opportunity to catch my daughter or myself doing something wrong.  That would give them a chance to reject us.  This worried me day and night. I started reading my father-in-law’s books, which he wrote and that gave me comfort.

It was a cold winter night when my sister-in-law’s daughter got married.  There was a strange racket in the house.  When I came outside into the porch, I started watching Sana and the other girls applying Henna.  Standing next to the window, I overheard a discussion.  A lady was asking my sister-in-law about her son, who was old enough to marry and if she had anyone in mind for him.  She replied, “Not yet, I don’t know what has happened to all the good, modest girls.  It seems that all the television girls have stepped into our homes.  They all look like models.”  The women asked, “Why Baji? What about Sana? She is beautiful, modest, homely, and knows all the responsibilities? I wish I had a son…” “Stop it!” said my sister-in-law, “I’m warning you that if you ever took Sana’s name… Sana for my daughter-in-law! God forbid!”  The lady then said, “Why Baji, she is our family girl…” “I told you to be quiet!  Don’t you know that her mother is an Englishwomen!  She doesn’t even know the difference between pure and impure.  That I will have English blood in my lineage, God forbid, No Way!!!” said my sister-in-law.  “But Baji, Sana is your own blood!” exclaimed the woman.  “Please put an end to this topic right here and now and remember that this discussion should never enter the ears of Abid.  He already talks about Sana all the time” said my sister-in-law.  “Baji, I only brought this up because I felt that there isn’t any better girl than Sana.  She is a family girl and she will stay within the family and I know that Asif doesn’t want her to marry out of the family.  He asked me to find out what was the opinion of his sisters about Sana.” “OK, OK, why don’t you marry her with your own brother?” said my sister-in-law.  “If only my brother was up to the mark, he is not even close to her in character,” said this lady.  “Yeah I know, these are just excuses.  Is she the only one left for us? If you cared so much about her then why don’t you look for someone for her so our honor can remain in tact,” answered my sister-in-law.

My God!  These words entered my ears like hot lava.  Unaware of this conversation, Sana looked at me, smiled and called, “Come on mama, let me put Henna on your hands”.  I wanted to burn the whole house and break everything.  What did I not do for this family’s honor?  What was deficient in Sana that she couldn’t be the daughter-in-law of this family?  My whole body was shaking like an earthquake.  I couldn’t breathe.  I felt as if I was a boat, which was about to reach the shore but was suddenly pulled back in by a whirlpool.  In this state I complained to Allah “O Allah, You know what’s hidden in our hearts, You are my witness that I believed and followed You from the depth of my heart at a time when I was brought up in a non-Muslim surrounding, but still had complete belief in You.  I believed that You created every human being for some purpose.  If my purpose was to remove a noble Syed away from base and lowly activities while he had everything, to marry him and protect him from a sinful life, then what is the purpose of my life now?  I am in Pakistan and his family is not accepting his kids because I was an Englishwomen? Now what is it that’s stopping me from returning to my country?  O Allah, show me the right way.”   I felt as if I was surrounded by thick fog and I lost every sense of existence and sanity.  I was not sure what to call this state.   My life had changed forever and little was I to know about the trials that my family was about to face and the honor that Allah, by the rank of his Messenger (Peace Be Upon Him), had in store for me!                                  

(To be continued …)

 The above story, authored by Ms. Farida Abbass was extracted from Pakeezah Magazine (Pakistan) and translated from Urdu by Fatima Sharaaz Qadri, a founding member of IECRC Sacramento and mother of four young children.