Date: May 29, 2016
The author Jameel Syed expresses his experience in Umrah that he witnessed while his pilgrimage. He says nobody can walk empty handed from this place of purification. He first visited Umrah in the month of Ramadan in 1998. The pilgrimage journey was a gift from his parents for graduating from the University of Michigan. Pilgrims chanted loud and loud as they moved closer to the object of desire. His heart beats started to beat faster and faster when he reaches the place of Allah. His eyes started to fill with tears and while walking towards the object of desire he was in a dreamy state. Finally he stopped and he knew that he was in the presence of majesty. People come from far and near to have their prayers heard. Different people believes in Islam with different skin colors eat different foods, speak different languages, wear different clothes and practice different customs all gathered in one place to celebrate peace, brotherhood and unity. The pilgrimage places like Mecca and Madinah have their own flavors. Both cities carry the wonderful air of devotion and humanity and both are complimentary to one another. Both cities make you feel safe and privileged. While the trip to Madinah, he could meet many notable personalities who are working for Islam and its teachings. Qalam Institute, Ustadh Wissam Sharieff, Imam Dawood Yasin, Imam Khalid Latif, imam Omer Bajwa, Ustadh Jameel Besada were some among them. The ever loving and memorable thing that the author could do was being given the permission to raise the adhan in two masajid of the holy city: Darul Hadith and the famed Islamic University of Madinah. Since this greatest thing happened, he believes that nobody can walk away from this place empty handed.
Sheima Salam Sumer, a trained counselor by profession explains that faith should be a source of achieving felicity and joy, paving the way for happy individuals and happy societies, and a happy humanity at large through her book ‘How to Be A Happy Muslim Insha Allah.’ The book aims to guide you in attaining inner peace and joy by uniting Islamic teachings with mental and physical health concepts. Do not get into worries or hurries due to pitfalls in your life, Allah will create a happy path in between. By reading this book, you can manage your emotions and sentiments. One of the main subjects she talks about is on negative judgement about other people. There are people around us who used to blame others for their deeds or conditions. But why we are talking negative on others? Who gave us the authority to blame them? Our situations will go back and forth. It will progress or regress. But the apex of judgement can be given by Allah only. No other living legends can comment negative on others. The book also talks about Quran and Sunnah, resources from psychology, health and nutrition, and personal stories to provide readers with clear, practical tools to make positive improvements in their attitude and behavior. Happiness has great importance in one’s life so that we have to produce contents that can establish happiness all the way. The book provides steps on how the practical application of timeless and sacred Islamic teachings can formulate a happy Muslim.
Read MoreYou may wonder what is this excitement about the ‘last ten nights of Ramadan;’ be startled to a superlative degree, one of the nights in last ten nights of Ramadan is better than 83 years, yes, eighty-three years (but, if you can find it though!) That is What our Supreme Lord, Allah, the Exalted tells us in the Glorious Quran Surah Al-Qadr, 97:1-5: _We have sent down this (Qur'an) in the Night of Glory. And what do you know what the Night of Glory is? The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit archangel Jibril descend in it with every decree, by the permission of their Lord. That Night is peace, until the rising of the dawn."_ Exploring this short surah, one can seize the following themes: The Book “Al-Quran” is a Glorious Book of Allah, the Exalted and He revealed it in this very night that became “Night of Glory & Power.” This Splendid Book is a blessing to mankind to such a degree that its revelation changed the history of humankind and it changes, sometimes, the individual destiny. During this night decrees descend, and destinies are made or modified that promotes good for all. Question is asked when the actual Night of Glory and Power (Lailat ul-Qadr) falls each year. The honest answer is only Allah, SWT Knows. Neither Allah, SWT nor His Prophet, SAW have specified any one night. The Muslims should, therefore, enhance their eagerness and passion to seek the benefits from the virtues of Lailat-ul-Qadr. And should spend more and more nights in worship and devotion to Allah, the Exalted and should not remain content with and look for only one or few nights of Ramadan. Our beloved Prophet Mohammad peace and blessings of Allah, SWT be upon him, used to perform “I’tikaf’ in the Masjid Nabvi in Madina, each year and spent his time in complete devotion and worship to Allah, SWT during the last ten days and nights of Ramadan. His companions joined him with eagerness. It is an act of high recommendation for all Muslims. The last ten nights start on sundown of Ramadan 20. All Muslims are recommended to spend these days and nights, especially all odd nights in Ibadaat (worship): Recitation of Al-Quran with understanding, recitation in prayers as much as possible, performing all prayers: Fard, Sunan, and Nawafil with clean heart and mind; making honest repentance for all wrong done, and asking sincere forgiveness and mercy for every life from Allah, SWT. Dear Muslims, here is a great opportunity again starting sundown of May 13, 2020 while under the dangerous cloud of Conronavirus-19; to bow down, to prostrate, and to ask forgiveness to our Most Merciful Lord, Allah, the Exalted to forgive, protect and save the humanity. Believe it or not, humans are always under a test. But this test is gigantic and intolerable to powerful and modern nations. For the individuals nothing but the righteous efforts with lot of supplications to all Powerful Allah SWT’s can bring the resolve and peace through His mercy! The Alim Foundation: NMS; May 12, 2020
Read MoreAl Fatiha means "the opening." Surah Fatiha is the opening chapter and introduction to the Quran. It was the first complete Surah revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Mecca, during the early period of prophethood. The main content of Surah Fatiha is the establishment of the fundamental principles of Islam. An angel asked Muhammad (SAW) about Surah Fatiha, to which the Prophet replied, "There are two lights from heaven, one is surah Fatiha and the other is surah Baqarah." (Sahih Al-Bukhari). Surah Fatiha has many names that reflect its significance such as Umul-Kitab (mother of the book) because it includes the foundation of the entire religion. It is also called Al-Hamd (praise) as it begins with the praise of Allah. In Surah Al-Hijr, it is referred to as Sabah-Mathani (seven often repeated). _"And We have certainly given you, O Muhammad, seven of the often repeated verses and the great Qur'an."_ (Quran 15:87). Fatiha is the only Surah recited at every salah, repeated more than 20 times a day. Prayer is incomplete without it. Thus, it is also known as Al-Kafiyah (sufficient). Surah Fatiha is also called Al-Shafiya (healer) because it acts as a cure for the heart and body. The Prophet (SAW) called it ruqya (incantation) (Sahih Al-Bukhari). The first verse of Surah Fatiha praises Allah. "All praise is for Allah-Lord of all worlds." Through this verse, Allah introduces Himself as master of everything in the universe, including prophets, angels, jinn, and humans. In the next verse, "The Most Compassionate, Most Merciful," Allah informs that He is incredibly merciful to all human beings. In the following verse, "Master of the Day of Judgment," Allah states that he is the master of the day of judgment when every person will face Allah's justice. Good deeds will be rewarded as only He can reward, and evil will be punished as only He can punish. In the middle of Surah Fatiha, we declare, "You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help." A believer makes this pledge multiple times every day. The last part of the Surah is a dua (supplication) focused on seeking guidance from Allah. We ask Him to guide us to the straight path and keep us away from the path of those who have gained His anger. The messenger of Allah (SAW) said, "Allah has not revealed the likes of Umm Al-Kitab in the Tawrah, nor the Injil. It is the seven most repeated ayah (Sabah Mathani), and (Allah said), it is divided between myself and my slave, and my slave shall have what he asks for." (Jamiat at-Tirmidhi). This means that Allah personally responds to us with every ayah of Surah Fatiha that we recite. "When the servant says, 'praise be to Allah, the lord of the universe,' Allah then says, 'My servant has praised me.' For the verse, 'The most compassionate, the merciful,' Allah responds, 'My servant has lauded Me.' For the verse, 'Master of the day of judgment,' Allah responds, 'My servant has glorified Me.' And for the final few verses, Allah responds, 'This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.'" (Sahih Muslim) Surah Fatiha is a conversation between the reciter and Allah as well as a prayer for guidance. The rest of the Quran is the answer to this prayer. The Alim Foundation: NPS / NH; September 29, 2020
Read More"When a person dies, his works end, except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge that is benefited from, and a righteous child who prays for him."
Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)
"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