Ramadan
Shaban
Shawwal
Muharram
Dhul Hijjah
Hajj
Eid
Special nights and days
Moonsighting
Glorify, be guided and be grateful Allah …[wants] you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. (2:185) Takbeer (say Allahu Akbar) is the essence of Eid Every Eid it is the sunnah to do takbeer, say ‘Allahu akbar’ (God is…
It’s the end of Ramadan. What have we achieved? And how can we retain what we have learned? We ask this question every year at the end of this blessed month. In fact when you ponder on the verses of Siyam fasting in Surah Baqarah (183-187), there are three things that we can focus on….
‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) used to tighten his belt and used to stay up all night, and he would also wake his family. (Bukhari) When the 10 nights start the Prophet (peace be…
Time for repair Every year Ramadan comes with a different flavour. Although you are fasting in Ramadan but you can still taste its sweetness. It is a favour from Allah which He never gave to any nation before us. Fasting itself was also prescribed to previous nations, as we know from Surah Al-Baqarah: O you…
Once Sha’ban is here, the countdown to Ramadan has truly started. The Prophet (peace be on him) used to fast regularly throughout the year, but it was in the month preceding it, Sha’ban, when he cranked up his efforts and would fast almost the entire month. In a famous hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon…
Allah Almighty said: We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger, and some loss of possessions and lives and crops. But give good news to the steadfast. (2:155) وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ The Coronavirus is a test for us all Without doubt…
Rajab and the sacred months The number of months, according to Allah, is twelve months—in the decree of Allah—since the Day He created the heavens and the earth, of which four are sacred. This is the correct religion. So do not wrong yourselves during them. (9:36) Rajab is a sacred month. One of the 4…
The common factor when we gather to celebrate the life of the Prophet (peace be on him) is our love for him. Whatever we do, intention is crucial, inamal amalu bin niyyat: Actions are by intention. (Bukhari) Our intention is to be closer to Allah Almighty by knowing the Prophet and sending our salam and…
When is the birthday of the Prophet (peace be on him) The Prophet (peace be on him) was born on Monday 12th Rabi’ al Awwal, (22nd April 571 AD). There are messages floating around in WhatsApp orbit stating that 28th Safar was the date of the death of the Prophet (peace be on him), however…
Inspiration from the Hijra If you do not help him, God has already helped him, when those who disbelieved expelled him, and he was the second of two in the cave. He said to his friend, ‘Do not worry, God is with us.’ And God made His tranquility descend upon him, and supported…
How trust and love can lead to great things During the preparation for the Battle of the Ditch (when Madinah was surrounded) one big rock could not be moved when digging the ditch. The Prophet (peace be on him) just stroked it once and it sparked, he then said ‘Allahu Akbar, I can see…
How the event of Hudaibiyah changed history The Prophet (peace be on him) had names for things such as his swords, shields and camel. The Prophet (peace be on him) rode a camel called ‘Al-Qaswa’ during Umrah, which was a very fast and reliable camel. Not all camels can be used for travel – only…
The Day of Gathering Stopping (wuquf) at Arafah is a crucial part of Hajj. Hajj is not accepted if this part was missed. It is one of the 3 pillars or fards of Hajj. The pillars are: Ihram, Wuquf at Arafah and tawaf al-Ifada. If any of these are missed, or there is a mistake in them, it…
Transformation Hajj is not a tick box exercise. Allah Almighty uses Hajj as training for us to change our bad habits. It’s not about ticking off tawaf and sa’ee and standing in Arafat. These are not the end but the means to the end. Hajj is about personal transformation. For this reason the Prophet (peace be…
Spiritual dimension of Ihram (over the dimension of desires) Hajj is a special journey to al-akhirah (the life Hereafter) just as salah is a journey to heavens. When performing Hajj it is as though you are going to al-akhirah and you never know if you will return from Hajj. You might as well not say to friends and family that you are going to…