Ramadan - The Month of Spirituality

[Peace]

For those who are married

9 ways to boost your spouse's spirituality​

By Sound Vision Staff Writer


Marriage is considered half of faith in Islam and with good reason. Your spouse can make or break you spiritually.
With all kinds of daily commitments, work, school, kids and more, couples today are under more stress than ever before. This is why our personal relationship with God often ends up taking a back seat to life's mundane tasks. Here are nine ways husbands and wives can help each other reconnect with Allah and each other.

1. Give the gift of spiritual time
Once couples marry, and especially after having children, time seems to vanish daily into thin air. Life becomes a rush of routine and we start to live on autopilot instead of reminding ourselves that our every moment counts and that we are accountable to God for each one. This is why one of the best ways to boost your husband or wife's spirituality is to simply give them time. This can be just half an hour in the evening or in the morning after Fajr to really connect with Allah by reading Quran, praying some extra prayers or working on a community project. By offering this gift, consider that you will be rewarded yourself.

2. Call/email/text message him/her to remind them it's time to pray
Many husbands and wives check in with each other throughout the day, just to see how things are going. Why not save the call for when you're about to pray? Injecting a spiritual reminder amid the mundane comments and inside jokes is a simple way to remind your spouse to remember Allah in less than five minutes.

3. Hold the baby while s/he's praying
Focusing during the five daily prayers, is a daunting task, even if you're in a place with no distractions. Now imagine trying to do it with a squealing baby or wriggling toddler in your arms. While the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, regularly demonstrated his mercy towards small children in prayer by not shooing them away or shouting at them to stay quiet, it would offer a great spiritual boost if each spouse could take turns watching the kids so the other one can get at least one prayer a day with fewer distractions than usual.

4. Babysit while s/he attends Islamic programs or volunteers for a good cause
Spiritual upliftment isn't just about isolating oneself in the practice of I`tekaf in Ramadan, for example, or waking up alone to pray the night prayer. It's also about service to the community and doing things that will benefit others. That's why watching the kids so that your spouse can attend or run an Islamic class, plan a mosque open house or organize the next fundraising dinner is so crucial as an act of spiritual support. If a parent knows that his or her kids are in good hands, that makes offering his/her time and talents for the community so much easier.

5. Wake him/her up for Tahajjud (the night prayer) and pray together
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "May Allah bless the man who gets up during the night to pray and wakes up his wife and who, if she refuses to get up, sprinkles water on her face. And may Allah bless the woman who gets up during the night to pray and wakes up her husband and who, if he refuses,

sprinkles water on his face." The Prophet also said: "If a man wakes his wife and prays during the night or they pray two Rakas (units of prayer) together, they will be recorded among those who (constantly) make remembrance of Allah." (Abu Dawud).


6. Exercise while remembering Allah together
Instead of whining about how much weight your wife or husband has gained in the last few years, spend 10 minutes daily five days a week to take a quick walk while remembering Allah. You can say the Names of Allah as you walk, glorify Him (say Subhaan Allah), praise Him (say Alhamdu lillah) or remind each other of His greatness (say Allahu Akbar).

7. Take turns being the teacher
Don't leave all of the teaching about Islam to one parent. Take turns telling stories, teaching the kids how to read the Quran or taking them to the mosque and Islamic programs. This mutual involvement cements the team spirit of a couple and the family as a whole.

8. Take responsibility for the household
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was well known for helping his family out with the daily chores. While many men are getting better at following his example by helping out around the house more, there is plenty of room for improvement. The key is to offer help that may be small but is consistent. Husbands and older children can give their wives/mothers more spiritual time by, for example, washing the dishes after dinner, relieving mom of this task permanently. The time spent sudsing can instead be used to catch up on Islamic reading material, for example.

9. Pray and make Dua together
If you don't already do this, make it a house rule that if both spouses are at home, prayer must be performed in congregation. “The family that prays together stays together” is not just bumper sticker fodder. It's wise advice. At least once a week, follow this up with a short, collective Dua, praying for your not just your individual concerns, but also your hopes, dreams and worries as a couple. Sharing life goals and praying for them is a powerful way to cement your relationship to God and each other.

From Islamic Information & Products - SoundVision.com home!

 

[TashaN]

How about some advices for those who didn't get married yet?

Thanks for the info. by the way. I think it's very valuable.

 

[Peace]

How about some advices for those who didn't get married yet?

Yes, sure and this is for all of us

• to try to achieve the purpose of fasting which is to attain piety
• to multiply our good deeds
• To lower our gaze
• To protect our tongue
• to protect our hearing
• to protect our limbs
• to have a balance of fear and hope
• Not to over eat while breaking fast

Thanks for the info. by the way. I think it's very valuable.

You are welcome brother

 

[Peace]

The benefits and virtues of fasting​

• Gaining piety "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious). (Quran, 2:183)
• Fasting is a way to Paradise
• Arrayaan gate: The prophet peace be upon him said:"There is a gate in the paradise called Arrayaan through which Muslims who observe fasting enter on teh day of Judgment and no one else can enter through it"
• A shelter from hell fire; our dear Prophet pbuh said: "The fasting is protection or a shield from the hell fire"
• Fasting expiates sins
• Fasting intercede for a fasting person
• Protection from sexual passions
• Al Qadr Night; which is better than a thousand months and worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months.

 

[yousaf]

jazkallah sister for sharing your knowledge and may allah bless us in the upcoming month of ramadhaan

 

[Peace]

10 great goals to set for this Ramadan

by Sound Vision Staff writer

1. Eat, drink and be moderate

Almost all of us do it - once Iftar time hits, we just keep plowing food and drink into our mouths till it's hard to move afterwards. And those of us who do it know this is totally contrary to the spirit of Ramadan, through which we're supposed to learn self-control not self-indulgence. Let's try to stick to the Prophetic rule on eating: fill our stomachs with one-third food, one-third water and one-third breathing space, even in Ramadan.

1. Give a dollar a day in charity...or five or ten

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was always generous but even more so in Ramadan. Let's open our hearts and dig a little deeper in our wallets this year. Even less than a dollar a day adds up. Whatever you can give, it's the intention that counts.

1. Memorize 4 new Surahs

Memorizing the Quran often seems like a daunting task. But the key is doing it in small bites. Since there are four weeks in Ramadan, try to memorize one new Surah a week. Start off with a short, easy one. Once you've started, you'll build momentum and may even want to memorize a longer one the following week.

1. Go to Tarawih prayers

Post-Iftar, the first urge is to sleep after an exhausting day. But try your best to head out to the mosque for Tarawih prayers. Praying alone is wonderful, but doing it in congregation is fantastic. The community spirit is part of Ramadan's blessings. Don't miss it this year. If going every day is not possible, try going at least one week.

1. Attend the Tarawih prayer in which the recitation of the Quran will be finished

Call the local mosque and find out which day the Imam will be finishing the recitation of the Quran in prayer. Attend to not only hear part of the Quran's recitation in prayer, but also participate in the heart-rending Duas that follow it.

1. Stop swearing and/or backbiting – with a special box

It's hard not to shoot our mouths off when someone's upset us. Whether we utter those four-letter words or backbite about someone to our family and friends, we know this isn't the God-approved way of letting off steam. In Ramadan, when we want to build our spirituality, we've got to wage Jihad against our bad habits.
Try this: get a box and every time you catch yourself swearing or backbiting put some money in it. It could be a buck or less. The point is to choose an amount that makes it feel like punishment.

At the end of the month send the money to a charity or buy a gift for the person whom you've backbitten the most against.

1. Call/email your relatives

You'd think that given the easy access to email, competitive long-distance calling rates, phone cards, etc. these days, we'd keep in touch with family and friends more often. But the opposite seems to be the case, as we get caught up in life's "busyness."

Strengthening ties with family members and keeping in touch with friends is part of our way of life and an act Allah is very pleased with. This Ramadan, call family and friends or at least email them a Ramadan card and ask them how their fasting is going.

1. Go on a technology diet

Even if you work in the IT industry, you can do this. Avoid checking personal email and surfing the web during your fast. After Iftar, instead of plopping yourself in front of the screen, go to Tarawih. The same goes for the television. The point is to try to give our full attention to spiritual elevation this month.

1. Read 5 minutes of Quran a day...just five, not more, not less

Even if you feel you've got absolutely no time, set a timer or the alarm on your cell phone and find a relatively quiet place. You can read the first page of the Quran you open or follow a sequence. The choice is yours. The point is simply to connect with God through His revelation in the month of the Quran.


edit: I would say goal # 9 is not an ideal one, for every Muslim should read the Quran more than 5 min a day, for Ramadan is a month of the Quran where it was revealed. So we should do our best to read as much as we can so as to be able to finish reading the whole Quran during this month. Aslo we should not forget that reading the Quran daily is for our own benefit especially in Ramadan where the every good deed is doubled 70 times, so reading one letter of the Quran in Ramadan we will gain 70 virtues, so what about reading the Quran and finish it in Ramadan.

1. Forgive everyone who has hurt you

Still got a festering wound from the fight with your friend last year? Still upset about something your spouse said during a heated argument? Or are you still bitter about the way your parents sometimes treated you as a kid? Let go of the anger and pain this Ramadan and forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiving someone is not only good for the body, but it's also great for the soul. And in Ramadan, ten days of which are devoted to Allah's forgiveness, shouldn't we lesser beings forgive too?
If you find it very difficult to forgive everyone, forgive at least three people.

from: soundvision.com

 

[nuaeman]

Great information, thanks Peace. Some of it I already practice.

 

[Peace]

Welcome brother

 

[Peace]

Inner Dimension of Fasting:
Excerpts from Ghazali's Inner Dimention of Islamic Worship​

Three grades of fasting
It should be known that there are three grades of fasting: ordinary, special and extra-special.
Ordinary fasting means abstaining from food, drink and sexual satisfaction.
Special fasting means keeping one's ears, eyes,tongue, hands and feet-and
all other organs-free from sin.
Extra-special fasting means fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but Allah.

See not what displeases Allah
A chaste regard, restrained from viewing anything that is blameworthy or reprehensible, or which distracts the heart and diverts it from the remembrance of God. The Prophet, said: the furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Satan, on him be God's curse. Whoever forsakes it for fear of God, will receive from Him, great and gracious is He, a faith the sweetness of which he will find within his heart.'
Jabir relates from Anas that God's Messenger, on him be peace,said: 'Five things break a man's fast: lying,backbiting, scandalmongering, perjury and a lustful gaze.'

Speak no evil
Guarding one's tongue from twaddle, lying, backbiting, scandalmongering, obscenity, rudeness, wrangling and controversy; making it observe silence and occupying it with remembrance of Allah and with recitation of the Quran.
This is the fasting of the tongue. Sufyan said: "backbiting vitiates the fast." Layth quotes Mujahid as saying : "Two habits vitiate fasting: backbiting and telling lies.'
The Prophet said: ' Fasting is a shield; so when one of you is fasting he should not use foul or foolish talk. If someone attacks him or insults him, let him say:"I am fasting, I am fasting!"

Hear no evil
Closing one's ears to everything reprehensible; for everything unlawful
to utter is likewise unlawful to listen to. That is why Allah equated the eavesdropper with the profiteer " (They like to) listen to falsehood, to devour anything forbidden" (part of Quran 5: 42).

Do no evil
Keeping all other limbs and organs away from sin: the hands and feet from reprehensible deeds, and the stomach from questionable food at the time for breaking fast.
It is meaningless to fast, to abstain from lawful food, only to break one's Fast on what is unlawful.
The object of Fasting is to induce moderation. The Prophet said 'How many of
those who Fast, get nothing from it but hunger and thirst!'

Avoid overeating
Of what use is the fast as a means of conquering God's enemy and abating appetite, if at the time of breaking it not only makes up for all one has missed during the daytime, but perhaps also indulges in a variety of extra foods?
It has even become the custom to stock up for Ramadan with all kinds of foodstuffs, so that more is consumed during that time than in the course of several other months put together.
It is well known that the object of fasting is to experience hunger and to check desire, in
order to reinforce the soul in piety.
If the stomach is starved from early morning till evening, so that it's appetite is aroused and it's craving intensified, and it is then offered delicacies and allowed to eat its fill, its taste for pleasure is increased and its force exaggerated; passions are activated which would have lain dormant under normal conditions.
It is therefore essential to cut down one's intake of what one would consume on a normal night, when not Fasting. No benefit is derived from the fast if one consumes as much as he or she would usually take during the day and night combined.

Look to Allah with fear and hope
After the fast has been broken, the heart should swing like a pendulum between fear and hope. For one does not know if one's fast will be accepted, so that one will find favor with God, or whether it will be rejected, leaving one among those He abhors. This is how one should be at the end of any act of worship one performs.

 

[Peace]

Caution: Ramadan Passes Quickly! ​

By Ali Al-Halawani Deputy Editor in Chief — English IslamOnline.net

Why do sweet times pass so quickly!

Quite evidently it shows in Ramadan: Almost 10 full days have already gone.

This month of goodness needs us to be more cautious with it lest we find ourselves on the last day paying it farewell and eagerly expecting it only a year later.

When we see this month off, we do not see off mere days and hours. Instead, we bid farewell to divine blessings, good acts, and heavenly gifts that are showered upon us only in this blessed month.

For this, we should stop after these 10 days and take a good look at ourselves and figure out whether we have realized what we were aspiring for or not.

Do we need to start afresh or make slight changes to whatever course we are already on?

If we are of the former, it is not too late: Only one-third is gone, two-thirds ahead. Still, Ramadan's time is very sweet and, hence, it passes so quickly!​

 

[Peace]

Ten Days of Forgiveness: Ready?
​

By Wa’il Shihab
Islamic Researcher— Egypt


The blessed days of Ramadan are passing so quickly. The special days of Allah's great mercy, forgiveness and favors are going; therefore, every one should evaluate the efforts he exerted in Ramadan before it is too late. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) told us that the first part of Ramadan is for Allah's mercy, its middle is for forgiveness, and its end is for salvation from Hell-fire.
No one knows whether or not he gained the mercy of Almighty Allah before the end of the first third of Ramadan. We should all be faithful and honest when evaluating our success in gaining His mercy in the first part of this blessed month. We should realize our shortcomings in order not to miss out on the blessings of the few days that remain.
Now we are favored with the days of forgiveness. Are we ready to work for forgiveness? Have we prepared ourselves to be forgiven by Almighty Allah? It is our great opportunity to repent, to return to Almighty Allah, and to seek His forgiveness. It is a precious time that we should not miss out on. If we fail to gain the forgiveness of Almighty Allah during the days of forgiveness, when would our sins would be forgiven?
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), his companions, and the righteous Muslims throughout the ages used to pay due attention to Ramadan and the blessings it contains. Wise people should never miss the merits of every single day of Ramadan.
Now, the important question is: How should we seek the forgiveness of Almighty Allah during these blessed days of Ramadan? Below are some tips that we should consider and implement:
1. Everybody should sincerely repent to Almighty Allah, seeking His forgiveness,
2. Wrongdoings and prohibitions should be avoided,
3. One should offer more optional acts of worship such as Tahajjud (night prayer), charity, dhikr, and Qur’an recitation.
4. Obligatory acts of worship such as the five daily prayers should be carried out properly and faithfully, and
5. One should earnestly make du`aa’ to Almighty Allah to bless him with His favors and forgiveness.
O Allah, help us all to gain Your mercy, forgiveness, and blessings, Ameen.

Source: islamonline.net

 

[feather]

Well, its almost the end of the Ramahdan. It has passewd so quickly, and its really a lovely time.