Moon-Sighting at Ramadan

There is a debate among the Muslim community on just how to calculate the beginning of the month of Ramadan (or indeed any month, but Ramadan takes on special importance).  The traditional method, mentioned in the Qur'an and followed by the Prophet Muhammad, is to look to the sky and visibly sight the slight crescent moon (hilal)...

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Ramadan Around the Corner

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4 Ways To Prepare For Ramadan 2014

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Is it permissible to eat dishes cooked with alcohol? It is well-known that alcohol evaporates with heat? Thank you so much for your Email and your question regarding Islam. It is wonderful to see people like yourself taking the time and interest to learn more about the correct teachings of Islam. This in itself is a sign of guidance from the Almighty Above. May He grant us the wisdom to know the right knowledge and the...

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Working in Banks - is it Haram?

Is having a Bank job forbidden in Islam? Thank you so much for your Email and your question regarding Islam. It is wonderful to see people like yourself taking the time and interest to learn more about the correct teachings of Islam. This in itself is a sign of guidance from the Almighty Above. May He grant us the wisdom to know the right knowledge and the ability to put it into practice, Ameen. Now as regards...

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Why Don't Muslims Celebrate Valentine's Day?

How can we explain to people why Muslims don't celebrate Valentine's day, especially when it is a day to express one’s love and affection? 1- In Islam, the festivals are clearly defined and well established, and no additions or subtractions may be accepted. They are an essential part of our worship and there is no room for personal opinion. They have been prescribed for us by Allah and His Messenger (Peace...

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Sunnah or Bid'ah - How Can We Tell?

How can we tell if a certain worship is innovated in Islam? what is the way to distinguish between a Sunnah and a Bid’ah? When we come back to Tawhid and Ibadah, worshipping Allah by maintaining His unity in that worship, we do so in the way that the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) did. We do not invent or introduce new ways of worship, as some people for example; they want...

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Can We Celebrate The Prophet's Birthday?

Can We Celebrate The Prophet's Birthday? What is the ruling on celebrating the Prophet's birthday? The companion 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Five matters result when five things happen: If people break their covenant with Allah, He will send an enemy against them; If they rule by other than the Law of...

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HAJJ

 The beginning of Hajj and the importance of the Kaaba. It’s that time of the year, Muslims all over the world are getting restless. Their Home in the heart of the planet beckons them. It’s time to pay homage to the Beloved God in the House. It’s time to come Home. It’s time to come Home to the Holy Sanctuary of Kaaba. It’s time to leave all and follow Him. It’s time to abandon this illusory world and come to the...

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Problems and Solutions

Shakawa Wahulool Problems and Solutions English Translation Book by Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid Con Introduction Sleeping and missing salaat al-fajr Excessive laughter Waswaas (insinuating thoughts from Shaytaan) Staying up late Short temperIntroduction Praise be to Allaah, we praise Him and seek His help, and we seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own selves and from our evil deeds. Whomever Allaah...

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The Inner Secrets of Fasting

Indeed, the fast is only virtuous due to two significant concepts. Firstly, it is a secret and hidden action thus, no one from the creation is able to see it. Therefore showing off cannot enter into it. Secondly, it is a means of subjugating the enemies of Allah.  This is because the road that the enemies (of Allah) embark upon (in order to misguide the Son of Adam) is that of desires..  Know that in the fast is...

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A woman should not travel except with a mahram, even if it is a short trip

I know that a woman is not permitted to travel without a mahram with her. I would like to know what is meant by (traveling) exactly. Where should we start measuring the distance, from the beginning (a place in the desert), or from where? My father has a farm on Misr-Ismailia way, and he likes us to visit him every so often, this farm is about 75 minutes maximum from home. Is this considered traveling? Considering that...

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15 Ways To Bring Hajj To You NOW!

When I watched the intro video of the ‘Hajj: from Ritual to Spiritual’ course it reminded me of my Hajj.  I never saw a course like this, focused on understanding Hajj. I only watched some ‘prep videos’ online, you know, the ones telling you what to pack and what to say when you’re there. It was 2008. I had just become Muslim...

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Islam And Women

In Islam, men and women are different from each other and each has their respective roles. Honoring and respecting women in Islam is a sign of a good, wholesome character and an unadulterated nature. The Messenger of Islam, Muhammad said: "The best of you are the best of you towards their wives." (Tirmidhi) The woman is also the first...

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Importance of Hajj

History of Hajj Hajj started with Ibraheem (Peace be upon him) who left his legacy both in the Hanifiyah, the pristine religion of Islam and in Hajj.  The legacy of Ibraheem (A) was his millah, way, of true submission to Allah. He was the first one who used the word "Islam". He named anyone holding to the same faith as him a Muslim meaning the one that surrenders and submits to the will of the Creator, Allah. We read...

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Abu Bakr as-Siddiq

Abu Bakr the First Among Men to Enter Islam Abu Bakr was always a very close Companion of the Holy Prophet, he knew him better than any other man. He knew how honest and upright the Prophet was. Such knowledge of the Prophet made Abu Bakr be the first man to follow the Message of Prophet Muhammad sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam. He was indeed the first adult male to accept Islam. The Holy Prophet told Abu Bakr what had happened...

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Story of Ibrahim (Abraham)The

Some of the People of the Book stated that his name was Abraham ibn Tarikh ibn Nahur ibn Sarough ibn Raghuh ibn Phaligh ibn Ahr ibn Shalih ibn Arfghshand ibn Sam ibn Noah. They said that when Tarikh was seventy five years old, he had Abraham, Nahor and Haran. Haran had a son named Lot. They also said that Abraham was the middle child and that Haran died in the lifetime of his father in the land where he was born, the land of...

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Some Wisdoms Behind the Hajj

Some Wisdoms Behind the Hajj: If you are planning to make the Hajj pilgrimage, this lecture is a must liste...

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Designated Times for the Isha' and Fajr Prayers in the UK and other similar Countries During the Summer Season,

All praise is due to Allah and may His peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muham The beginning of summer engenders great confusion amongst many Muslims living in the UK, North America, Canada and some other European countries concerning the correct time for the commencement of the isha', maghrib and fajr prayers. Muslims frequently enquire about the best time to pray isha' since it starts very late. In this fatwa (ruling)...

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Realities and Obligations in Ramadhan

During this Ramadhan do not let the sweetness of our deeds vansh into the night, leaving only emptiness. When one contemplates the texts on fasting, its wisdom and goals in Shari'ah, and looks at the reality of the Muslim communities, one realizes a wide gap between the reality and our obligations. Remember that Ramadhan is a bounty that Allah blessed His servants with, to strengthen their faith, and increase their piety (taqwa)....

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Gifts to those who Fast

Gifts to those who Fast Shaykh 'Aa'id Abdullah al-Qarni At this stage I can not find a better gift or greater masterpiece than to present to those who fast gifts from the Prophet of guidance, peace be upon him. They are those practical ahadith that have been mentioned in connection with rewards and blessings. Behold! They are the ahadith that lead to the doors of happiness and the paths of goodness in this world and the Hereafter....

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Ramadhan Fasting and Muslim Patients

Shahid Athar, M.D. FACP, FACE Muslims worldwide observe total fasting (no food or water) between dawn to sunset in the month of Ramadhan. They do so not for losing weight or any medical benefit, but as it is ordained in Qur'an which says:     "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those who came before you; that you will perhaps be God-fearing." [Al-Qur'an 2:183] According to...

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Advice to Muslims in Ramadhan

Shaykh Abdullah al-JarullahFrom Khulasatul-KalamFew Introductory and Complementary Notes by the Translator    Ramadhan is an auspicious opportunity for believers to renew their commitment to their Creator and the Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. This commitment must be both outward and inward, so that a Muslim not only recites more Qur'an and offers more units of prayer, but that she or he does so with reflection,...

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The Goals of Fasting

The acts of worship that the Muslims practice seek to achieve certain goals and benefits that Allah wants His slaves to acquire knowledge in them and to comprehend and achieve them. Among these acts of worship is fasting during the lunar month of Ramadhan, which has several goals that the Muslims must strive to achieve with his heart and by his actions. These goals are as follows:     Achieving taqwa, that is,...

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Why Do Muslims Fast? (part 2 of 2)

The Libidinal Level The sexual instinct and drives (libido) are harnessed on this level of fasting. In these times where the media continually plays on sexual desires to promote and sell products, the ability to control these powerful desires is a plus. Fasting physically reduces sexual desires and the fact that the fasting person has to avoid anything which could stimulate him psychologically helps to further lower the libido....

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