Blessings of Ramadan (1)

Allah azza wa jall has blessed us with this month to focus on Him and to seek his pleasure. And Alhamdulillah we’re able to witness this blessed month: may He make us able to see many more and to make ever-better use of the time to draw closer to Him. 

One thing that I’ve noticed just today: time during the day yawns out, seems very long; time in the evening is compressed. Fajr time is roughly 4:40am here in North Texas; Maghrib time (sunset) is roughly 8:45. That gives us a bit more than 16 hours to pray three of five prayers, make some Nafl (voluntary) prayers, make dhikr and dua, etc.; work 8+ hours; take a long nap; work on personal projects; etc. On the flip side, we have a bit less than 8 hours to pray 2 prayers, go to the masjid for extended night prayers, make qiyam ul layl; eat and drink all that we’re going to; and sleep as much as possible. 

This year, Alhamdulillah, Samie has a job and gets off work about 9, 9:15, so that adds a layer of responsibility to that hour or so between breaking fast and going to the masjid (or bed… Astagfirullah, for me, most nights, it’s bed). 

This makes me intensely grateful for the rest of the year, where I can rush around and rock out chores and then relax in the evening. So far, it’s been the reverse for me very many nights, and the rushrushrush right at the end of the day is difficult. 

Alhamdulillah Allah has guided me to this place, this wife, this family, this job, and He daily gives me the strength and focus to accomplish most of what I need to, and some of what I want to. May He guide me to make better use of the free time during the day, to draw closer to him and spend more time giving thanks, Amin. 

Banana Pudding, Fisabillilah

In Islam, we strive to do things fisabilillah, for the sake of God, without consideration of worldly gain or worldly harm. We give to charity, we pick up garbage in the street, we give our brothers and sisters Salams, not because it makes us feel good or superior or friendly—though it does—but for the sake of God, seeking His pleasure.

So tonight, Hana and I delivered Iftar to some of the neighbors, fisabilillah. In sha’Allah they will enjoy the simple provisions we shared with them, and Ins sha’Allah it will provide some much-needed nourishment after a long, hot day.

And it was a hot one today, Alhamdulillah.

My contribution to the snack was a cup of banana pudding. In sha’Allah it’s a treat for everyone: I expect that the vast majority of the people we delivered to (likely all but 2) have never tasted the delight of this white trash classic.

One small error, though: I forgot the CoolWhip… At least most of them won’t notice.

 

Qad qama tis Salat

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew!

Surah Al Jumu’ah, 9 Continue reading “Qad qama tis Salat”

Ohne Titel

 يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ (٢١)

21. O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious – see V. 2:2).

ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فِرَٰشًا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ (٢٢)

22. Who has made the earth a resting place for you, and the sky as a canopy, and sent down water (rain) from the sky and brought forth therewith fruits as a provision for you. Then do not set up rivals unto Allah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped).

Al Baqarah, 21-22

  
Oh Allah! Make us among Al Muttaqun, Amin. 

Tasbih (2)

Should you want to make tasbih, but not have your beads around, your fingers make a good alternative to the mustahab.

Every finger has three bones, so it’s pretty easy to count 33 SubhanAllahs, 33 Alhamdulillahs and 33 Allahu Akbars, and your pointer finger is right there to finish it off with la ilaha il Allah. 

  
Alhamdulillah Allah has made it so easy to remember Him. We just have to take the time to do it. 

dua after takbeer, at the start of prayer

اللّهُـمَّ باعِـدْ بَيـني وَبَيْنَ خَطـايايَ كَما باعَدْتَ بَيْنَ المَشْرِقِ وَالمَغْرِبْ ، اللّهُـمَّ نَقِّنـي مِنْ خَطايايَ كَمـا يُـنَقَّى الثَّـوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسْ ، اللّهُـمَّ اغْسِلْنـي مِنْ خَطايـايَ بِالثَّلـجِ وَالمـاءِ وَالْبَرَدْ

‘O Allaah, distance me from my sins just as You have distanced The East from The West, O Allaah, purify me of my sins as a white robe is purified of filth, O Allaah, cleanse me of my sins with snow, water, and ice.’

Bukhari and Muslim Continue reading “dua after takbeer, at the start of prayer”

Tasbih

Throughout Ramadan, we make every attempt to worship more, make more dhikr (rememberance) and dua (supplication). 

One tool that helps some people is the misbaha, which has three groups of 33 beads or stones or whatever; some are a single group of 33. This aids in reciting the tasbih: reciting SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar (Glory be to God, all praise and thanks to God, God is Greater) 33 times each, and finishing with la ilaha il Allah (there is no god but God).

In this last few minutes before Iftar, take some minutes to remember God and ask for His blessings.