Welcoming Ramadan How to make the best of Ramadan to train body and soul!

Muharram Safar Rabi al Awwal Rabi at thani Jumadi al Awwal Jumadi al Awwal Jumadi at thani Jumadi at thani Rajab Shaban Ramadan Shawwal Dhu al Qaidah Dhu al Hijjah Islamic Calendar or the Hijri Calendar is based on the lunar year It is obligatory on Muslims to fast in this month.

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong) فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting (Al-Baqarah: 185) Ramadan and Quran

All About Fasting What, why and how

5 “A great blessed month…” Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) address on the eve of Ramadan: People, a great blessed month has come upon you. Allah has made fasting during it an obligation, and steadfastly observing its nights in worship a voluntary act. Whoever undertakes an act of obedience to Allah during this month with a righteous deed, it is as if he has performed an obligatory act at other times, and whoever performs an obligatory act during it is as one who performed seventy obligations at other times. It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise. It is the month of goodwill, during which provisions are multiplied. ”

Abu Huraira related that Rasulullah(saw) said: “Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness.” (Darimi) Hadith

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ mankind! there hath come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts,- and for those who believe, a guidance and a Mercy. قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَٰلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ Say: "In the bounty of Allah. And in His Mercy,- in that let them rejoice": that is better than the (wealth) they hoard. ( Yunus: 57-58) Biggest Blessing

Our Role…..when we receive this blessing StudyPracticePreach Taqwa

Fasting – Why?

To attain taqwa “God consciousness“/ self- discipline Taqwa is an Arabic word that comes from the root “wiqaya” which means prevention/protection. Primary Objective يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

Fear of GodLove of God + Self-Restraint Taqwa is an Arabic word. It is the state of heart that motivates virtuous conduct and prevents evil action. leads to Taqwa (Self-restraint) What is Taqwa? Ability to self guard

Benefits of Fasting in Islam : How character-building is achieved… Taqwa (Self- restraint) Fasting Patience Self-control Self-discipline Responsibility Obedience Purification of soul God-fearing nature Afterlife Accountability

Annual Training Ramadan Rest of the year Ramadan provides an annual training opportunity that is meant to fulfil the character- building needs for the rest of the year.

Focus on taqwa X X X

The role of fasting according to Dr Jack Goldstein* 15 It promotes elimination of metabolic wastes It allows the body to adjust and normalize its biochemistry and also its secretions It lets the body break down and absorb swellings, deposits, diseased tissues, and abnormal growths; It restores a youthful condition to the cells and tissues It increases the powers of digestion and assimilation ( absorption and utilization of food into the system) It permits the conservation and re-routing of energy; It clears and strengthens the mind; From the Book Triumph Over Disease By Fasting and Natural Diet It gives vital organs a complete rest Fasting is good for the human body

People Exempted From Fasting Aged*Sick** Pregnant Women** Suckling Women** * Should donate a meal to the needy * * Should fast an equivalent number of days afterwards Minors Traveler** Very natural, very considerate religion Mentally Retarded

17 Reward of fasting The Prophet s.a.w told us: “Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, ‘Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.’ for the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk.”

Fasting and sins don’t go together “ Allah has no need for the hunger and the thirst of the person who does not restrain from telling lies and acting on them even while observing fast.” Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “ When one of you is fasting, He should abstain from indecent acts and unnecessary talk, and if someone begins an obscene conversation or tries to pick an argument, he should simply tell him, ‘I am fasting.’” “ When one of you is fasting, He should abstain from indecent acts and unnecessary talk, and if someone begins an obscene conversation or tries to pick an argument, he should simply tell him, ‘I am fasting.’”

Let’s Talk About Ramadan!

The Lunar calendar is days shorter than Gregorian calendar… therefore, Ramadan is days earlier every year. Starting and Ending Ramadan New Waxing crescentFirst quarterWaxing gibbous Full Waning gibbousThird quarterWaning crescent Ramadan begins at sighting of new moon Ramadan Ends

اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْيُمْنِ وَالْإِيمَانِ وَالسَّلَامَةِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضَى رَبِّي وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ "O Allah, let this moon (month) pass over us with blessings, Iman, safety, and in the belief of Islam. Grant us the ability to act on the actions that You love and Pleases You. (O moon) My Lord and Your Lord is Allah". Hisnul Hasin from Ibn Habban Dua of moon sighting

e.g. visiting relatives, sharing food with neighbours, friends, and the poor. Tarawih, reading of the Qur’ãn, etc. Breaking of the fast at Sunset (coincides with the 4 th daily prayer). Meal before dawn and the first prayer of the day. SahoorIftar Social gatherings Ibadah The (typical) Activities of Ramadan

Ramadan Planning If you FAIL to PLAN You PLAN to FAIL

The best of Months Quran revealed in this month A month of Blessing, Mercy & Forgiveness Allah Himself gives rewards for one who fasts Doors of Heaven are opened Doors of Hell are closed Shayateen are chained Rewards multiplied from 10 to 700 times A Night better than 1000 months Why to PLAN for Ramadan

Planning Areas

10 Lethal Ramadan Tips

The Master Plan ASK YOURSELF: What do you intend to gain out of this month? 1 1

It’s all about Intentions What is the importance of intentions? What can my intentions do for me in Ramadan? 2 2

A duaa is never useless وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونََ ‏ And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad ﷺ ) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright. [Al Baqarah 2:186] 3 3

Dua Memorize duas from Quran & Sunnah Make dua for all Muslims Dua at –Iftar time –Tahajjud –Fasting period

Salaah Plan for Fard prayers Plan for Sunnah and Nafil prayers Don’t miss the special Taraweeh prayers Try to achieve Khushoo (concentration)

Quran Tajweed Tilawat Tarjuma Tafseer Tadabbur Tahfeez

Ultimate Forgiveness Angel Jibril (a.s.) said: “May Allah rub his nose in the dust, one to whom Ramadan comes and he does not attain Allah’s forgiveness.” The Prophet ( ﷺ ) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Bukhari, Muslim] In another narration, “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” 4 4

Days of Ramadan Forgiveness Salvation from Hell-fire Mercy +

Bye bye Shayateen! The Prophet ( ﷺ ) said: “There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which (a) the gates of heaven are opened and (b) the gates of Hell are closed, and (c) the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is (d) a night which is better than a 1000 months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” [an-Nasaai, Musnad Ahmad] Good Manners Feed the needy Give in charity 5 5

Control Your Nafs Habibi Your soul is like a Wild Horse! 6 6

Health Proper eating (not over-eating) Sleeping (not excessive) Regular exercise No smoking

Financial Zakat – purifies the wealth (2.5 %) Infaq - investment for the future Relatives in need of support

Family Spouse Brothers / Sisters Children Relation with Relatives Study Circle Islamic Activities Shopping etc

Dawah Muslim Friends –Iftar invitation –Remind about Islam Non-Muslim Friends –Iftar invitation –Introduce & Invite to Islam

The Clever Imam! PONDER THIS: What is the routine of the Imam who leads Taraweeh prayers? And what's YOUR’s??????? 7 7

The Awesome Night Prayer The Prophet ( ﷺ ) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam (taraweeh) with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.” [Abu Dawood] 8 8

The Last Stretch لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ “The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a 1000 months (worship of 83 years and 4 months).” [al-Qadar 97:1-5] 9 9

Umrah and Itikaaf

What to Avoid NO TV Avoid looking at unlawful things. If you like to listen to music, replace them with reciting and listening to recitation from the Qur'an. Fill your time with something useful. If you are used to staying up till midnight, try to go to bed earlier, so that you will be able to wake up early for fajr prayer and tahajjud as well. No Internet/ fb

Post Ramadan The Prophet ( ﷺ ) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days of Shawaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” [Muslim] 10

: Post Ramadan Taqwa Try masnoon fasts. Start reading Qur'an daily after salat al fajr. Spend some time listening to recitations from the Qur'an. Keep yourself in a state of wudu' most of the time. Evaluate yourself daily before going bed. Thank Allah for good deeds, and repent to Him. Start giving sadaqah daily, no matter how little. Find time to pray extras, such as nawafil and tahajjud. Spend more time reading Islamic books,Sirah, Hadith, and Fiqh. Find time to help others with your wisdom, knowledge and other talents. Try to write articles on Islam. Associate with Muslim scholars.