Question

The purpose of fasting in Ramadan is to achieve Taqwa, i.e. to become God-fearing and pious etc. But I fast year in, year out and see no change… especially when Ramadan is over! So what can I do to help become and remain a God-fearing and pious person? (Read Answer…)

By Saima Iqbal

As the fourth pillar of Islam fasting is mostly observed during the month of Ramadan. Although technically you can fast at various other times of the year too, the month of Ramadan is the most well known for it. Fasting is a means of abstaining from not only food and drink but also putting in more effort in following the teachings of Islam.

As well as the spiritual benefits of fasting, there are also many other benefits that can be gained from fasting. (Read More…)

By Imam Zahid Shakir
As we eagerly anticipate the beginning of the Blessed Month of Ramadan, the staff of Zaytuna Institute wishes all of our volunteers, friends, and supporters an accepted and purifying fast. We pray that this blessed month is a time of spiritual renewal for all of you, a time when you are able to fully benefit from the many Divine Gifts that have been offered to the worshipper during this most special season. Those who have failed to take advantage of the months of Rajab and Sha’ban to prepare for the blessed month of Ramadan should be especially careful to take full advantage of the latter month. (Read More on the new site)

Finally the month of starvation is over, now we can don our expensive designer gear and head down to Rusholme in our pimped-out rides, waving our national flag, blasting the latest tracks and see what we can pull! Might just get a little mashed or have a few shots…and you have to have some weed man- chill out its Eid…you have to have some weed dude…all in the name of celebrating and having fun!

WOOAAH… just hold on a sec there mate! Isn’t this the day we’re supposed to have fun BUT also praise and thank Allah (swt) for the blessings bestowed upon us; as well as an opportunity to unite with the whole Ummah and join in together in enjoyment? C’mon people…what are we doing! (more…)

Rapidly months pass before our eyes and Ramadan is upon us once again. Our pious predecessors used to spend six months before the month of Ramadan begging Allah (swt) to make then witness this month and used to spend six months after the month of Ramadan begging Allah (swt) to accept the worship that they had performed. They also used to weep at its departure. The Holy Prophet (saw) said; As soon as Ramadan comes around, the gates of the Garden of Paradise are flung open, the gates of the fire of Hell are shut and locked, and the devils [shaytan] are shackled and tied up tight” Sawm literally means to stop/refrain in Arabic; it means to stop doing all the things that keep us away from Allah (swt) and His Rasool. (more…)

Sehri is a blessed meal. Our Holy Prophet (saw) said “Eat Sehri as there are blessings in Sehri” (Bukhari and Muslim). The significance of waking up for Sehri can not be emphasised enough, we should not deprive ourselves of blessings.

Qiyam means ’standing’ and ‘Qiyam al-Layl’ means ’standing at night’. According to the Shariah both terms refer to the ‘voluntary night prayer, whose time extends after the Isha prayer until dawn’. Numerous hadith and Qur’anic verses mention the excellence of Qiyaam al-Layl and the merit of those who perform it regularly. (more…)

This article provides useful advice on how to avoid some common problems encountered in Ramadhan. If followed, it would enable one to fast comfortably and enjoy fully the spiritual benefits of Ramadhan. During the holy month of Ramadhan, our diet should not differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining. However, if one is over-weight, Ramadhan is an ideal time to normalize one’s weight. In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including fiber containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours.

(more…)

The Islamic Choice?

By Omar Afzal

False sightings - a bane of the Muslim Ummah for years - is “not very relevant”, says Jibali (Wall Street Journal 1/7/97).

The Islamic way is to go only by the witness, even if false, as long as “he tried to be accurate”. One is amazed by how a sane Muslim can make such a brash statement after going through the Qura’n and the Sunnah. (more…)

by Syed Khalid Shaukat

This is an attempt to present a clear perspective of the science of moon-sighting and to clarify some of the common misconceptions about moon-sighting. (more…)

Astronomical Calculations of Crescents & Determination of The Beginning of Islamic Months

The Moon orbits Earth once every 29.53 days (average of synodic month). Because of this revolution, phases of the Moon change as the Moon’s position change relative to the Earth and the Sun. (more…)

By: Syed Soharwardy

Islamic Supreme Council of Canada (ISCC)

The crescent sighting for Ramadhan and Eid(s) has been a point of dispute among Muslims for a long time.

As the Muslims have spread in all parts of the globe including non-Muslim countries this problem has grown many folds. Every time when Eid and Ramadhan come, instead of good wishes and warm feelings among Muslims, a bitter and heated discussions take away the joy of celebration. (more…)

In the Name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Most Compassionate

The excellence of this night in the last ten days of Ramadhaan is well known.The Prophet (SAWS) said:

“Whoever stands (in prayer) Laylatul-Qadr out of Faith and seeking reward, then his previous sins are forgiven.” (Bukhari)

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Abû Hurayra radiyallahu `anhu relates that the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whosoever worshipped on Laylatul-Qadr, with faith and with a sincere intention, all of his previous sins are forgiven.” (from al-Bukhârî and Muslim)

From the nights of the blessed month of Ramadan, one is known as Laylatul-Qadr and during it, blessings, rewards and an abundance of good can be gained. (more…)

When was the last time you cried? Not a few drops of salty water from your eyes, or the odd tear that slipped down your face while watching Muhammad, the Palestinian boy screaming in agony. (more…)

Tarawih prayer is Sunnah Mu’akkadah for men and women since the blessed Messenger (saw) said:

‘The month in which Allah has prescribed for you fasting and I have initiated for you the night prayer.Whoever fasts in it and prays with sincerity and faith, sins leave him clean and the day his mother gave birth to him’. (Ibn Maja)

The Tarawih with congregation is more virtuous since `Umar (r) established it with the congregation and the congregational prayer is a communal Sunnah. (more…)

Praying at Night in Ramadan (Taraweeh) & the importance of The Night of Power

Ahadith from Sahih Al- Bukhari, The Book of The Prayer Of Taravih, Chapter of The benefits of standing in Ramadan: (more…)

Will Carrol

There has been much contention in the scientific field about whether or not fasting is beneficial to one’s health. (more…)

By Alan Goldhamer, D.C.

In this article you will learn about some of the tremendous benefits that can be derived from a properly conducted fast. When properly utilized, fasting is a safe and effective means of maximizing the body’s self-healing capacities. (more…)

Ramadan comes with blessings to the Muslims.

The reports from the Qur’an and the Sunnah encourage an increase in action to get reward as we saw and also out of gratefulness to Allah who says [in meaning]:

“(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must glorify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” [al-Baqara, 2:185] (more…)

There are many virtues of Ramadan and fasting expressed in the Qur’an and in the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam. If only one of these virtues was told to us it would have been enough motivation to perfect our fasting seeking that reward and the pleasure of Allah, but it is again from the mercy of Allah that He taught us many virtues of fasting so that we get encouraged even more. (more…)

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. (more…)

Every year, for one complete lunar month-the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, you as an adult Muslim are required to fast. From dawn to sunset in the month of Ramadan, you are required to refrain from all food and drink and sexual relations with your spouse. (more…)

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is compulsory on every Muslim adult. The Arabic word sawm is used for fasting.

The word sawm (plural siyam) literally means ‘to refrain’, but as an Islamic term, it means refraining from food, drinks and sexual activity from dawn to sunset. (more…)

Order and encouragement to fast

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you in order that you might learn piety … The month of Ramadan is that wherein was revealed the Qur’an, as a guidance to mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion. So, whoever among you witnesses the month should fast.” [Al-Qur'an 2:183, 185] (more…)

Congratulations to every muslim brother and sister on the arival of the Holy month of Ramadan.

The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. (more…)