The Ultimate Roadmap: Ramadan of the Righteous
By Sh. Suleiman Hani What if you knew with conviction that Ramadan was a life-changing month of opportunities, blessings, and forgiveness, and that this Ramadan would be your last? Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed, and a month Allah chose as one of increased forgiveness, mercy, accepted prayers, and multiplied rewards. Some people learn about Ramadan practices from their parents, friends, communities, and/or scholars, but sometimes end up missing some foundational elements in their practices during Ramadan. How do we know what the best practices are during the month of Ramadan? The Prophet (s) reportedly said, “The best of generations is my generation, then those which follow them, then those which follow them” (Muslim). Therefore, the most reasonable and reliable source is the Prophet’s practice during Ramadan, and that of the early generations of believers. Stage I: The Preparation for Ramadan The month before Ramadan, Sha’ban, is the month of preparation for those who want to maximize their potential in Ramadan. Sha’ban is a proof of heartfelt intention for the one who wishes to get closer to Allah SWT during Ramadan. Sha’ban is a proof for the one who is sincerely passionate about living to another Ramadan and hoping and praying that their previous Ramadan was accepted. Sha’ban is the month for the conscientious who plan to properly set the foundations for the month of Ramadan. Sha’ban is the month referred to as the month of reciters, for the companions increased their recitations of the Qur’an in order to maintain momentum throughout Ramadan. Aishah (r) said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah fasting for an entire month except in Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Sha’ban.” Usamah ibn Zayd (r) said: “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting in any other month like you fast in Sha’ban.’ He (s) said: ‘That is a month to which people do not pay attention, between Rajab and Ramadan, and it is a month in which deeds are lifted up to the Lord of the worlds. I like for my deeds to be lifted up when I am fasting.’” Anas (r) said, “When Sha’ban would commence, the Muslims would dedicate themselves to the recital of the Quran” (Lata’if al-Ma’arij). Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (r) writes: ‘Since Sha’ban is a prelude to Ramadan, Islam encourages certain deeds in this month, that are usually done in Ramadan, such as fasting and Qur’an recitation; this prepares the soul to welcome Ramadan, when it arrives, with open arms” (Lata’if al-Ma’arif). Stage II: Ramadan Arrives Abu Huraira reported that The Messenger of Allah (s) said: “When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of the heaven are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained” (Bukhari). Talhah ibn ‘Ubayd reported that whenever the Messenger of Allah (s) saw the crescent moon, he would say, “O Allah, bring it over us with blessings and faith, safety and Islam. My Lord and your Lord is Allah” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi). The Station of Motivation How rewarding can your next 720 hours be if Allah decrees for you living to the end of Ramadan? It helps the believer to know the rewards and blessings of the month of Ramadan in order to be strongly motivated and consistent throughout the month and beyond it. The great companion Talha bin ‘Ubaidullah (r) narrated that two men came to the Messenger of Allah (s) and became Muslim together. After accepting Islam, one of them would strive harder than the other. The one who used to strive harder went out to fight in the way of Allah and was martyred. The other man who accepted Islam at the same time as the martyr lived a year longer, then he also passed away. Later Talha reported that he saw in a dream that he was at the gate of Paradise, and he saw those two men that had died. Then through the gates of Paradise someone came out and admitted the one who had died last into Jannah, then he came out again and admitted the one who died first as a martyr. Then he came back to Talha and said, “Go back, for your time has not yet come.” The next morning, Talha told people of the dream and they were amazed. News of that reached the Messenger of Allah (s). The Prophet (s) said, “Why are you so amazed at that?” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, the first one was the one who strove harder, and he died a martyr in the cause of Allah, but the other man was … Continue Reading
Sneak Peek: Historical Events of Ramadan
The Battle of Badr Ghazwah Badr (Battle of Badr) is the first battle fought between Islam and Kufr, taking place in the month of Ramadan. The Battle of Badr played a key role in the spread of Islam and served as a foundation of strength where Muslim warriors displayed great courage and bravery despite being fewer in number and lacking weapons and shields. Allah SWT grants victory only to those who believe in Him and put their complete trust in Him. Today, if we show willingness to sacrifice our wealth and lives for the sake of Allah SWT and adhere to the teachings of Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W.), Allah SWT will alleviate our hardships and grant us victory. May Allah SWT give us the ability to follow his deen. Aameen. The Conquest of Mecca The Conquest of Mecca is a great display of courage and bravery. It was bloodless and ended years of fighting and brutality between the Quraysh and the Muslims. On the 20th of Ramadan, Makkah was conquered under the leadership of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H), and Muslims were granted success after enduring long hardships, as the Quraysh had surrendered to the Muslims. Special prayers and salah are performed on the 20th of Ramadan in remembrance of this historical day. Through his treatment of the Quraysh, the Prophet demonstrated his faith in peace, non-violence, freedom, human rights, and equality for all human beings. “Whoever saves the life of one, it is as if he saved the whole of mankind.” (Qur’an 5:32) The Battle of Guadalete The Battle of Guadalete was fought on the 22nd of Ramadan, 711 CE, between Muslims and Visigoths. The army commander, Tariq bin Ziyad, led 12,000 soldiers with bravery, resulting in victory and the death of King Roderic. This marked the beginning of the Muslim conquest of Spain and the defeat of half of Europe, leading to Muslim rule in Spain for eight centuries. Whether you are fasting this Ramadan or not, your support can help us reach more people who are struggling to survive each day. The Battle of Ain Jalut The Mongol Empire is the largest empire in history. The Battle of Ain Jalut was fought between the Bahri Mamluks of Egypt and the Mongol Empire on the 25th of Ramadan, 658 AH, marking the limit of Mongol conquests. Hulagu Khan was the Mongol ruler who conquered most of Western Asia, but later the Muslim Mamluks defeated the Mongols in many battles. In addition to the Mamluks’ victory at Ain Jalut, the Mongols were ultimately defeated, leading to the expansion of the Muslim world.
Ramadan Kareem
All praises are due to Allah ﷻ alone. As we welcome the holy month of Ramadan, a time of blessings and spiritual growth, let us take the opportunity to improve our relationship with Allah and the Quran. During this time, we should also remember our brothers and sisters around the world who are facing hardships. Whether in China, among Uyghur Muslims, or in Palestine, India, or Kashmir, they all need our prayers and support. This Ramadan brings a new challenge as we witness an increase in immorality, indecency, and vulgarity around us. Let us use this month to improve ourselves and prepare to fight against this onslaught of negative influences in our communities, preparing ourselves and our families to face this challenge. We must also remember that our relationship with the Quran and charitable actions will help us achieve this goal. Inshallah, we will be able to achieve our target of praising our Lord. Your Brother in Islam,Mohsin Ansari, MDPresident Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Donate Now!
Women’s History Month
Gevher Nesibe Sultan 13th Century Gevher Nesibe Sultan “was an early 13th century princess of the Sultanate of Rum, the daughter of Kilij Arslan II and sister of Kaykhusraw I, and the namesake of a magnificent complex comprising a hospital, an adjoining medrese devoted primarily to medical studies, and a mosque in Kayseri, Turkey. The complex (külliye in Turkish) that she endowed, is considered one of the preeminent monuments of Seljuk architecture. The hospital was built between 1204 and 1206, and the medrese, whose construction started immediately after Gevher Nesibe’s death in 1206, was finished in 1210. The complex takes its name from the princess. The medrese within is known under a variety of names: the Gevher Nesibe Medrese; the Çifte Medrese (Twin Medrese); or as the Gıyasiye Medrese, after Ghiyath al-Din Kaykhusraw I, who was responsible for its construction. The tomb within the medrese is said to belong to Gevher Nesibe. Sutayta Al-Mahmali 10th Century Sutayta was taught and guided by several scholars including her father. She died in the year 377H/987CE. Sutayta did not specialize in just one subject but excelled in many fields such as Arabic literature, hadith, and jurisprudence as well as mathematics. It is said that she was an expert in hisab (arithmetic) and fara’idh (successor calculations), both being practical branches of mathematics which were well developed in her time. It is said also that she invented solutions to equations which have been cited by other mathematicians, which denote aptitude in algebra. Although these equations were few, they demonstrated that her skills in mathematics went beyond a simple aptitude to perform calculations.
Helping Hand USA Doubles The Earthquake Pledge To $10M
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) is working to provide relief and aid to those affected by the recent earthquakes in Syria and Türkiye and has announced to double the initial relief appeal to $10 million to help support communities and individuals impacted by the disasters. The decision came as HHRD declared to begin relief work efforts inside Northwestern Syria. Along with local vetted partner NGOs with extensive experience in disaster response and recovery, HHRD is working together to provide critical assistance and support to those affected by the devastating twin quakes that have occurred in the region in recent weeks. “We are painfully aware of the huge challenges that lie ahead for the people of Syria and the people of Türkiye,” said Javaid Siddiqi, CEO of Helping Hand USA. “I want to assure our brothers and sisters that we stand with you in this time of need, and our Helping Hand team members are working side by side with our vetted partners in the regions to provide immediate aid.” The earthquakes, which have caused widespread destruction and loss of life, have left many homeless, injured, and in urgent need of basic necessities such as food, shelter, and medical care. HHRD was among the first organizations to arrive in Türkiye following the quakes. Since then, HHRD has helped over 50,000 beneficiaries with hot meals, blankets, infant formulas, dry snacks, diapers, and many more urgent necessities. HHRD is also working on developing a long-term recovery plan for these regions. With providing relief to those affected by the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, HHRD is calling on its donors to support their efforts by donating funds and resources to aid in the relief and recovery efforts. Help provide comfort to families and communities in this time of desperate need. Visit www.hhrd.org/turkeysyria to donate and learn more about HHRD’s efforts in the region. Ranked among the top 3% of 9,000+ NGOs, HHRD has received a perfect four-star rating from Charity Navigator for the past nine years. HHRD is a member of InterAction as well as an accredited charity by the Better Business Bureau. MEDIA CONTACT: Ilyas Choudry313-279-5378 SOURCE Helping Hand for Relief and Development https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHllvg-T3bs Donate To Helping Hand USA Helping Hand for Relief and Development’s senior volunteer distributing snacks to children affected by the earthquakes on February 6th, 2023
ICNA Mourns The Loss In The Turkish And Syrian Earthquake
Like millions of people around the globe, ICNA’s leadership and members are processing the heartbreaking news of a 7.8 earthquake and aftershocks that wreaked havoc in Turkiye and Syria. ICNA mourns with the two brotherly nations for all those who perished and as of now the death toll is increasing. We join you in your grief and our hearts go out to all those who are affected by this disaster. ICNA also makes special Du’as for those who died in the earthquake and our hope is that Allah SWT writes them among the martyrs. We pray for the quick recovery of the injured and call upon the Ummah to make special Du’as for those who are still trapped under the rubbles, that they are rescued safely. Our hearts are full of hope and thanks be to Allah SWT for we are a resilient Ummah. The hopes of the Ummah are alive. We believe that when one part of the human body aches the whole body suffers. For this, ICNA calls upon the Muslims around the globe and particularly here in the USA to do the following: Make lots of Du’as for everyone who has been impacted by this earthquake. Provide financial help to relief organizations which are working on the ground. Helping Hand (hhrd.org) has pledged an initial U.S. $5 million to provide immediate help in the recovery process. This amount may increase in the near future. Dedicate this Friday’s Khutbahs on the topic of earthquake and its devastating effects and how we can take part in the rescue efforts. Raise awareness of the recovery and rebuilding process and how each one of us can help. Once again, we ask Allah SWT, The Almighty to help all those who are affected and all those who helping those who are affected in both Turkiye and Syria. Donate To Helping Hand USA
Members of General Assembly Meeting 2023
ICNA on January 27-29, 2023 welcomed a weekend filled with brotherhood and sisterhood, and spiritual uplifting for 250 core team members in the annual general assembly meeting in Houston, Texas. This was the first in-person meeting after COVID. In this assembly members are given an opportunity to gather on a national level to review the work of ICNA and its plans. The meeting was presided by Dr. Mohsin Ansari, who was re-elected by the members of general assembly for 2023-24. The members also felt motivated by seeing five former presidents of ICNA in this in attendance. The major highlights of the meeting were yearly reports, oaths taken by the newly elected president and MGAs*. The members also got the opportunity to network, share ideas, vision and strategic plans. The attending members felt that ICNA was able to achieve all the goals with the help of Allah SWT. In the past few years the North American Muslim communities have become more vibrant than ever before, ICNA had 100,000+ participants in different events nationwide to enhance interfaith collaboration, civic engagement and a platform with unique programs and services for the Muslim community by imparting Islamic knowledge, promoting community services like social, educational, matrimonial, family, youth development, relief, social justice, career building, networking, spiritual etc. The main event was ICNA-MAS National Convention 2022, attended by more than 25,000 people. The convention offered many social and outreach programs and services, provided networking opportunities, fostered interaction and encouraged civic engagement through services. One of the other events was Dallas Muslim Festival where 25,000 came to enjoy the event with their family and friends. One of the highlights of the meeting were a session to “Honor our Elders”, where founders and lifelong members of ICNA shared enlightening stories with moral lessons. With every passing year, ICNA will continue to help develop a dynamic and involved Muslim American identity that is true to the Quran and Sunnah, and encourage collaboration with people of other faiths, and serve as a unifying voice for Muslims. ICNA has maintained its vitality in leadership and service by learning from experience and sharing best practices for sustaining strong religious communities in an ever-changing environment. The members of ICNA were reminded to strive to make their families a role model to the society at large by following the teachings of Prophet Mohammad SAW. *MGA – Member of General Assembly
What if I’m Afraid to Wear Hijab?
By Laura El Alam I’m considering becoming a Muslim, but I’m hesitant about wearing hijab. What should I do? For women in the West who decide to embrace Islam, wearing a headscarf (also called hijab or khimar) can be the most difficult step. There may be various reasons why a woman hesitates to cover her hair. Over the years, fellow converts have told me: I’m not ready to tell everyone that I’ve become a Muslim, but a headscarf will effectively make that announcement to the world. What if I’m harassed or discriminated against because of hijab? I’m a feminist and I’ve always associated modest dress with oppression. I’m afraid my loved ones will think I’m “un-American.” I just don’t feel like my true self with a headscarf because it’s not part of my culture or heritage. Won’t it be hot or uncomfortable? Someone told me that hijab isn’t really mandatory. Lots of Muslim women don’t cover their hair. Why should I? First I would like to say that these feelings are normal and human. You’re not a weak Muslim if you’re a convert who’s struggling with the idea of committing to hijab. It can be difficult to make significant, visible, deeply personal changes, and wearing hijab takes courage and determination. When I was learning about Islam over twenty years ago, one of my first comments was, “I could never wear a scarf or give up my blue jeans and T-shirts!” Continue Reading
The Sanitization Of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy
ICNA CSJ Published On: Sat, 14 January 23 Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) was a revolutionary during the struggle for civil rights amongst Black Americans. A popular figure whose impact is known throughout the country, culminating in a national holiday, MLK’s legacy is one that has been washed down in its intensity and intention. The American project has oft used Black revolutionaries and leaders to create an appeasement with American-ness. Figures like MLK and Rosa parks are evoked to signify peaceful protest. Although peaceful protest is a park of the legacy that MLK leaves behind, his views on civil rights, his misquoted speeches, and his radical views later in life are left out of the conversation on a day that claims to remember him. Martin Luther King Jr., during his life, was not a revered figure amongst white Americans. In 1966, a Gallup poll measured his approval rating at 32% positive and 63% negative. In December of that year, a Harris poll concluded that 50% of whites felt that King was hurting “the negro cause of civil rights,” while 36% felt that he was helping. When he was assassinated in 1968, three out of four white Americans did not approve of him. MLK was not that sanitized figure that the establishment parades today – rather, he was a radical. He fought against police brutality, advocated for a universal basic income, and condemned those against equality. Continue Reading
