There was a Final Sermon that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) gave to the people.

We were told in this, amongst other things, that:

"Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things."

So - he may not be able to stab you in the heart (convince you that Allah doesn't exist) but he will tie your shoe laces so fall flat on your face in the mud (get you to focus / concentrate on the smaller things so much that you place less importance on the bigger things)

Taking Shahada with the tongue IS sufficient to become a Muslim.

It is NOT sufficient, however, to imprint Islam in our lives which is what we as good Muslims should be aiming for.

Entering Islam "Perfectly and Wholly" (as mentioned in Surah Baqara 2:208) requires much more than just Shahada.

In fact, not a single moment should pass under the influence of disbelief or hypocracy.

The next 10 days...

The next 10 days are days of forgiveness. It's the best time to seek Allahs forgiveness and repent for all your sins.

The Dua for these 10 days is "Astagfirullaha Rab-Bi Min Kulli Zambiyon Wa-Atoobuilayh"

It's best to read this over and over for the next ten days.

Good luck....

Women are not to fast during "the time of the month". For every fast they miss they MUST make up for it at a later date.

Women are not to offer Salah during "that time of the month", but DON'T have to make up for it at a later date.

The reason the rules are different for fasting than they are for Salah is because only about 7 fasts in a year are missed, but for Salahs it's over 400.

So it's easier to cover 7 missed fasts than it is to read 400 Salahs.

Sadaqa Al-Fitr. An obligatory sum that must be paid to the poor and needy, by every Muslim, once a year, before Eid-Ul-Fitr.

For a young person who doesn't have enough money it should be paid by their parent or gurdian.

It was made obligatory before Zakat was.

It's payable to the poor and needy. This can include blood relatives (but not partners, parents, grandparents, children ot grand children)

The amount payable is 2045g of wheat or 4090g of dates or barley. It's more appropriate to give the money equivalent as it's more useful to the poor and needy.

So going by the dates we buy from the local Asain shop, this amount will be about £5/person. Now all I have to do is decide who is needy.

Who do you give yours to?

Interesting fact I learned today.

While fasting you can go swimming (but only if you're a confident swimmer and know the water will not reach your throat)

How cool is that.....??

Doing the right thing for the wrong reason is like not having done it at all.

Allah's Apostle said, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intention and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for Allah and His Apostle, then his emigration was for Allah and His Apostle. And whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for."

(Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 52)

The prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:

"I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this"
*putting his index & middle fingers together*

Narrated Sahl bin Sa'd [Bukhari - Volume 8, Book 73, Number 34]

I found this really interesting...

A benefit of fasting is the healing process that begins in the body during a fast. During a fast energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the metabolism and immune system.

The healing process during a fast is precipitated by the body's search for energy sources.

Abnormal growths within the body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of the body's supplies and therefore are more susceptible to autolysis.

I was always told to make intention for salah by saying "I intend to pray 2 rakats of Nafl for Maghrib while facing the Kaba" then say Allahuakbar

But apparently:

Ibn Al-Qayyim, رحمه الله, stated in “Zaad Al-Ma’aad” or in “Al-Hudaa An-Nabawiyy”: “When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم would stand for Salaah he said: ‘Allaahu Akbar’ and said nothing else before it nor did he pronounce his intention aloud. Nor did he say: ‘I will pray for Allaah Salaah such and such while facing the Qiblah four raka’aat as imaam or follower’.

(By Shaikh Salih aal-Shaykh)