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Date: August 26, 2020
Assalamu Alikum WaRahmatullahi WaBarakatuhu, As we approach the end of 2015, we’re humbled to be able to serve the community through Alim’s comprehensive platform. We first thank Allah SWT, who has enabled us so that we can carry on this work of Da’wa. Secondly, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our generous donors for their continuous support and encouragement. This past year, Alim Foundation has achieved many milestones, including improved web portal with added functionalities and new contents, new translations, new Tafaseer, as well as , new versions of Android and Apple apps to name a few. We were able to do many of these enhancements because of donors like you. Take advantage of the tax break before the year end, please donate(https://www.alim.org/donate/) generously to help us continue this noble work. Alim.org is a non-profit 501 c organization, and your donations are tax deductible. Act before December 31st 2015 to take advantage of 2015 tax break. Please visit us at www.alim.org(/) to donate and support us! Wassalam Walaykum WaRahmatullahi WaBrarakatahu The Alim Team
"The best of what a man leaves behind are three: a righteous child who supplicates for him, ongoing charity the reward of which reaches him, and knowledge that is acted upon after him."
Sunan Ibn Mājah
"Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, 'O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,' and the other (angel) says, 'O Allah! Destroy every miser.'"
Sahih Bukhari
Ramadan is approaching fast, insha'Allah, are you ready? What goals have you set for yourself this year? We know that while the month of Ramadan is upon us, life continues. The majority of us will still have to go to work, rush to school, take care of household responsibilities, look after our families, etc. Although our schedules will still be jam-packed, insha’Allah, we will strive to make whatever adjustments are needed to wake up for Suhoor, read more Qur’an, make it to taraweeh, and wake up for tahajjud prayers. We will also try to eliminate distractions and vices, so we can purify and replenish our iman. Examples of such distractions are: • watching television • playing video games • listening to music • surfing the web • social media • spending hours on our cell phones, doing all of the above Why not use our “screen” time as opportunities for increasing our Islamic knowledge? With Alim.org and the free Alim Quran and Hadith Platform app for Apple and Android, you can search in Qur’an and ahadith, read the different translations and understand the meanings and roots of Arabic words in the Qur’an, learn about Islamic history and the life of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and so much more. When we feel the urge to scroll through useless posts on Facebook, call or text our friends, or play that game on our iphone, we can turn on the Alim app instead and choose from its many features. Make a promise to yourself that you will make the most of your time this Ramadan, insha’Allah. And remember to remind others to do the same. Download the Alim app for free and bookmark Alim.org! Go to: http://www.alim.org/alim-mobile-app May Allah, the Mighty and the Majestic, allow us to reach Ramadan so we can reap its benefits and gain Allah’s Mercy and forgiveness. Ameen.
Read MoreEarth and moon while rotating around their own axes rotate in their own orbits around sun and earth, respectively. In doing so there comes a time when moon orbits in between sun and the earth that blocks a part to complete visibility of sun from earth. This blockage of sun is simply called as solar eclipse. This year on August 21, 2017 partial to total solar eclipse will last about three hours in USA. In Greater Washington Area partial solar eclipse could be observed between 1:17 to 4:01 PM. For details please refer to NASA (https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov) or other online resources. Hadith relative to Kusoof us Shams (Solar Eclipse) It so happened that on a day of a solar eclipse our beloved Prophet Mohammad, SAW, lost his young son Ibrahim. And the people thought that the solar eclipse took place due to the death of Ibrahim. This thinking was carried from the days of Jahilia in Arabia. The Prophet, SAW immediately denied such notion by saying: "The sun and the moon are two signs of the signs of Allah, SWT; they do not eclipse on the death or life of anyone. So, when you see the eclipse, remember Allah, SWT, raise His Praise, His Greatness (say Takbir), pray, and give charity." (Narrated by the Prophet's wife Ayesha, RAA). He then, himself observed prayers and supplication that was joined by some companions. Salatul Kusoof us Shams (Solar Eclipse) Prayer It is generally accepted among the scholars of Islam that the two rakah Sunna that Prophet, SAW observed is Sunnah (stressed) and must be observed by every Muslim and Muslimah. There are two ways to observe this prayer as described below: 1. Pray two rakat sunnah as usual following the standard procedure but recite long Surahs (longest in first rakah) in both rakah after Surah Fatiha. Observe each action lot longer than usual prayers by increased Tasbeeh. 2. Pray two rakat sunnah with two added ruku (one in each rakah). In the first rakah after reciting Surah Fatiha and a long Surah (recommended is equal to Surah Baqara) then go into long ruku and stay there lot longer than the standard ruku. Then go back to standing position, recite again Surah Fatiha and a long Surah (shorter than the one recited in first), follow with a long ruku and then complete the standing and two long prostrations. This completes the first rakah with two ruku. Folllow the second rakah with two ruku and two sujood as first. 3. After completion of the prayers supplicate whole heatedly asking Allah, SWT's help in affairs of ourselves, our beloved ones, our community, our nation as a whole. Ask His direct protection from all the evils and ills of this world and our own selves. 4. This prayer should be observed covering the whole solar eclipse time, if possible. But, neither before nor after the eclipse time. 5. If an obligatory prayer time is close then Kusoof should be delayed and observed after the obligatory prayer. 6. It could be prayed in congregation in a mosque (preferred) or individually in a mosque or home.
Read MoreAlim has released 6 videos explaining the features of the various Islamic knowledge sections in the 2021 revamped Alim.org website. The webinars can be accessed through Alim Foundation’s YouTube channel(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIO9DrXm-myDFACoS7zYC9g). In these videos, Aaisha Shah is providing detailed description about the Alim.org sections like the Alim homepage, Quran, Kids Quran, Hadith, History, Duas, News and Views, and Infographics. By viewing these videos, users can get information about how the different Alim sections are organized and how the information is presented in these sections. Additionally it may enable them to access the required information easily. The videos are available as follows: 1. Alim.org, providing authentic resources of Islamic knowledge(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6r_Fkf1AvM) 2. Alim.org Quran – read and learn Quran, Recitations, Translations, Tafsirs, and Transliteration(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG-3K1i_2ew) 3. Kids Quran –read and learn Quran, Recitations &Translations through an easy and colorful interface(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlGLYjL_s-I) 4. Alim.org Hadiths –presenting all major Hadith collections in a single place, with ease of navigation(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHRVbOoJ-xg) 5. Alim.org Islamic History of the Prophets, Sahaba, Khulafa Rashidun, History Timeline, and Quran Duas(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoUYkgFrJMk) 6. Alim.org News and Views and Blog, Alim Infographics, Alim mobile apps, Alim Funeral Services & FAQ(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPUGqAgkYFk)
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