(All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger)

For the Holy Month of Ramadan you are expected to prepare yourself with adequate knowledge which will help you to understand the true meaning of this special blessed month and thus the opportunity provided in the month of Ramadan is to be availed with full potential.

Fasting an Important Pillar of Islam:

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, which is of paramount significance. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing Prayer, paying the Zakah, making the pilgrimage to the Sacred House (Hajj), and fasting the month of Ramadan.(Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Benefits of Fasting In Ramadan:

There is no doubt that there have been clear indications for the blessed month and there are some significant quotes in Holy Quran and other authenticated sources of its importance to which can be understood from Almighty Allah says:

(The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful.)(Al-Baqarah 2: 185)

Blessed Month for All:

This blessed month is a great opportunity for blessing, goodness, worship, and obedience of Allah. Yes, for sure this is the month of great rewards and those who worship Allah (SWT) and do good deeds should expect rewards, such rewards that shall overcome the year round bad deeds and wash them with the intention of following and practicing the good deeds for the time to come in which you are determined to be a sincere believer.

(In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, all praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger)

O you who believe! Observing al-sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become al-muttaqoon (the pious). (Quran al-Baqarah 2:183)

Before we start to know how to prepare for Ramadan, I would like to tell you all my brothers and sisters the importance of this Holy month in our loves and how Allah (SWT) and our Beloved Prophet has mentioned again and again of this Month’s greatness.

To all who are able-bodied and mature enough to fast be prepared of the fact that the beautiful month is about to arrive and appropriate understanding is ideal to make the most out of it in the given month spiritually and physically.

Remember, this is the month of achieving great heights rather than following the misconceptions of normal people taking Ramadan as a month of eating and drinking and just consider to the extent of keeping their bellies filled ignoring the fact that they are required to worship and piety following certain aspects exclusive to the month of Ramadan.

To follow the best practice and prepare for the month of Ramadan, following are useful tips to consider:

1. Sincere Repentance:

This is where you are required to follow all year round but when the month of Ramadan comes you are required to worship Allah (SWT) and repent from sins between you and your Lord. Start the month by getting busy in good deeds and worshipping refraining from other aspects which will contribute to unnecessary activities and all this is to be done by clean heart and peace of mind this is where Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): “And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful” [al-Noor 24:31].

2. Du’aa (supplication)

3. Rejoicing at the approach of the blessed month: Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): “Say: ‘In the Bounty of Allah, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islam and the Quran); —therein let them rejoice.’ That is better than what (the wealth) they amass” [Yoonus 10:58]

4. Discharging the duty of any outstanding obligatory fasts:

5. Seeking knowledge in order to be able to follow the rulings on fasting and to understand the virtues of Ramadan.

6. Hastening to complete any tasks that may distract the Muslim from doing acts of worship.

7. Sitting with one’s family members – wife and children – to tell them of the rulings on fasting and encourage the young ones to fast.

8. Preparing some books which can be read at home or given to the imam of the mosque to read to the people during Ramadan.

9. Fasting some of the month of Shabaan in preparation for fasting Ramadan:

10. Reading Quran:

These are some of the very tips which will help you to make things different and for further information and knowledge on the beautiful month of Ramadan search for more online resources.

(In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, all praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger)

Have you ever thought as a Muslim that how many of the non-Muslims have developed their thoughts about Islam and Muslims in the wrong context and how it has never been that they have failed to take Islam as the bright side other than what they believe in. if the answer is No, then my brothers and sisters it is well time to start thinking on this matter.

There is no better way to learn, understand and practice Islam by learning from the ultimate source of guidance provided by Allah in the form of Holy Quran and as a result you would be practicing your religion with all the bright sides of it, unfortunately this is what is lacking at the moment as

Many stereo types, misrepresentations generating misconceptions about Islam prevent many Muslims and non-Muslims to understand Islam and its true picture and the supreme truth about Islam by creating a barrier as mentioned above. Therefore, the following quotes are added to help you understand the real Islam in context of The Holy Quran:

KINDNESS: “God loveth those who are kind.” (5:13)

RIGHTEOUSNESS: “Do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth.” (2:60)

GENEROSITY: “Give of the good things which ye have (honorably) earned, and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you.” (2:267)

GRATITUDE: “Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to God, if it is Him ye worship.” (2:172)

HONESTY / FAIR-DEALING:“Cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is).” (2:42)

CONTENTMENT: “In no wise covet those things in which God hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others: to men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: but ask God of His bounty.” (4:32)

HUMILITY: “Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for God loveth not those who trespass beyond bounds.” (7:55)

These are some of the much known quotes from Quran to help you understand and achieve the message of Islam and what it expects you to observe, for more information search the online resources.

In the Name of God, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

There is nothing more pleasurable and great about reading Islam than understanding and practicing it in the full potential what it has to offer. This entire concept is understandable when it comes to make things work for you and it is advised for you to acquire such knowledge from the word of Allah in form of an ultimate guidance and solidarity in Quran.

The moment in time unfortunately makes the non-Muslims in no better situation to understand and follow Islam with its ideologies and virtues as to the misconceptions, stereotypes and misrepresentations prevailing barriers to the religion of Islam and its understanding is even more deprived to the language or translation barriers and more of a educated diverse language Muslims who can portray the real picture of Islam.

The Quran holds the true secret of life in which Allah (SWT) tells the mankind the true purpose of their existence and the life which has a meaningful ultimate resource to which the submission to the one God is the attainment and reward for which the next life of this would be awarded as Eternal Paradise and on the other hand the non-believers or the ignorant people who will fail to submit to the guidance of Allah (SWT) will be punished in Hell.

This is where Allah (SWT) in the Holy Qur’an, says, “Verily this Qur’an doth guide to that which is most right” (17:9). Muslims believe that only when humanity believes in the One God and sincerely follows the teachings of this divine book, will all the problems of the world then be solved.

Further the following verses confirm what Allah (SWT) has to order the mankind for their true strong belief:

“Do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth.” (2:60)

“Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong.” (3:104)

“Do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are of kin, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess.” (4:36)

“[God] forbids all indecent deeds, and evil and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition.” (16:90)

“Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you.” (49:13)

(In the Name of Allah, the Most Magnificent, the Most Merciful)

The sermon was collected by different narrations and the following are certain parts of it and the authentication needs to be checked, the last sermon was delivered by our Beloved Prophet (SAWS) to the mankind on the ninth day of Dhul Hijah, 10 A.H (632 A.D) in the valley known as Mount Arafat.

“O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present today.

No Interest on Investment:

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take interest, therefore, all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all interest due to Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib (the prophet’s uncle) shall henceforth be waived.

Beware of Satan:

Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiyah bin Al-Harith (relative of the prophet). O Men, the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to forbid that which Allah had made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve; four of them are holy; three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumadah and Shaaban. Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

Rights of Women:

O People, it is true that you have certain right with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never commit adultery.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and that Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to your selves.

The Day of Judgment:

Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others, and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better that those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O Allah, that I have conveyed Your message to Your people.”

Attaining a sense to distinguish between good and evil is the first step to successes on the spiritual path. A true Muslim has the following Qualities:

1. A true Muslim is a person who can distinguish between the right and wrong.
2. These people observe and witness the difference.
3. They not only learn from there own experience but also from the examples set in the environment around him.
4. They ponder on the words of the holy Quran to know which direction to move in. Quran has emphasized on the correction of deeds and repentance. Quran teaching tells to observe the world around to get the know how of this world and the world here after.
5. They follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) to know the difference and to deal with life accordingly.
6. They have a practical application of the teachings of the holy Quran in the selection of the right path.
7. They believe that this world is not made useless and thus the gold and the evil sins committed in this world and the world hereafter would be judged on the judgment day.
8. When they commit a sin they move on they kneel in front of Allah for the sake of repentance on the sin they have committed.
9. They not repent and seek forgiveness in the form of words but also in the practical sense.
10. 10. They do not repeat there mistakes once they have committed a sin.

Position of men and women in Islam

The Quran and the Prophet’s (PBUH) demonstration display that women and men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable privileges, and that woman is not inferior to man. For certain positions when the Shari’ah constrains to men or women, it does not signify discrimination. This should be appreciated inside the border of the general objectives of the Shari’ah, which are set by a Devine Law that is not subject to political correctness. These directives are granted by the Almighty God who understands our disposition better then us and has granted us guidelines to alignment the inhabits of men and women in a way that best matches our natures. On the topic of women-led Friday plea, men and women alike have disputed the validity of the activity and the sanctity of the motives of the organizers.

Islam about women in Jumah prayer and contradiction

The swamping most of Muslim women who interrogated the rationale behind such an activity and denied to be part of gender government enforced by some is commendable. They claimed quotations from the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet (PBUH) and they pursued the activities of the mothers of the believers (wives of the Prophet PBUH) who denied leading the Friday prayers to blended gatherings even when they were in a place to enforce their authority in prayers over the Ummah.

Ironically, those who support women-led Friday prayers failed to give any sound contention on the cornerstone of the Quran and Sunnah in support of their action.

Sunnah of Rasool Allah

Prophet (PBUH) used to visit Umm Waraqa in her own home; he appointed a Mu’adhin (one who calls the adhan for Prayer) for her, and ordered her to lead the members of her household (in Prayer).” Umm Waraqah-as stated in the sources-was an esteemed woman of Al-Ansar who had memorized the Quran. ‘Abdul-Rahman Ibn Khalid, the narrator of the Hadith, further states: “I happened to see her Mu’adhin, who was a person advanced in age.”

What is the role Muslim scholar of the present time?

Based on the overhead clues, some scholars have resolved that a woman is permitted to lead her own family constituents in Prayer particularly in the situations where she is trained over other ones who may not be so well versed in the directions of Prayer and information of the Quran.

What do we need to do?

Muslims leaders go against this view and they have utilized the masses to encourage their egos. They have deceived the Muslims in to assisting their own slender agendas and in numerous situations have garbled the divine note to make us more reliant on them. But our Creator and His messenger with his phrases of wisdom are there to direct us and lead us to the right path. Let us connect hands men and women simultaneously for a better world.

It is quite an important question of the time that where exactly are Muslims in the world? If these people are really Muslims and Quran is the last scripture by God then why are Muslims all over the world going through this downfall.

Conflicting ideologies and beliefs:

Muslims apart from the threats of the world powers are now in a struggle for retaining their identities all over the world. The reasons of this point where you can’t even distinguish between Muslim and kafir are based on the following three components:

• Ideologies

• Beliefs

• Manners

Talking about the preservation of identity the greatest threat is the lack of leadership in the Muslims. On the other hand Muslims on the grass root level are fighting back for preservation of the binding and guiding school of Muslim’s coming generation called a family circle. There is no guidance for the coming generation, leading them to the mist of confusion at the present state of mind and ruthless truth of loss of identity. There is nowhere in this world where a Muslim can stand up with pride, with pride of being a Muslim. Conflicting ideologies, beliefs and manners are the main factors of this recessive phase that Muslims are presently facing.

Classification of Muslims of the present time:

Trying hard to cut the ice can be difficult for the Muslims of present time as they are themselves not sure where they are leading too. Most of the Muslims don’t even know the meaning of Muslim.

• Muslims who are not aware of their identity at all.

• Muslims who are aware but tend to follow the satin for worldly desire.

• Muslims who tend to follow a political leader who calls himself a Muslim leader and stay ignorant.

• Muslims who concentrate on their sects and don’t think of Muslims as one nation.

• Muslims who are busy in blaming others and don’t see the speck in their own eyes.

• Muslims who have never read Quran other than Arabic and don’t know what is written in Quran, though they do read Arabic Quran.

• Muslims who never read Quran.

• Muslims who never indulge in the implementation of Islam in the lives and also don’t ask their children to do so.

• Muslims who are happy to follow the west and tend to mix the teachings of Islam with likings and disliking.

• Muslims who think that if they pray five times a day they are Muslims and ignore the rest of the teachings of Islam.

• Muslims who don’t worship as they think it’s not important, there are other tasks in the lives more important.

• Muslims who classify extremism as Islam.

• Muslims who mix cultural practices with Islamic practices.

• Muslims don’t participate in social implementation of Islam.

• Muslims who want to be too liberal.

• Muslims who are too conservative.

• Muslims who have no knowledge about Islam at all.

• Muslims who don’t bother to get knowledge about Islam at all.

How to get out of this depressive state:

The Muslims would stay in this stage of stress until they themselves get out of it. It is very important to understand the meaning of identity of Islam. Define your ideologies, practices and manners in accordance with the teachings of Islam. They need to get as much knowledge as possible through Quran. The main reason of this stage is that Muslims do not have enough knowledge about Islam because they don’t enlighten there ways with Quranic teachings. This is what differentiates from the kufars.

Factors that can make a difference in the Islamic world:

In every time there have been reasons for which mankind has been deviated. But still there are factors that can hold the people back on the track. In the case of Islam knowledge is the power that can improve the condition of the Muslims. Following are the factors that affect the society as a whole in the present time:

• Education

• Media

• World politics.

Thus Muslims have to make themselves strong at the grass root level to make a difference on a political and global level.

Islam is a restrictive religion in the eyes of those who think that modernization and the development in the technologies are hindered by Islamic teachings. This concept of the modern world has drawn misty clouds over righteous deeds and presented them as sins.

Surah e Furqan

As a result of which we have confused Muslim generation. They have lost the difference of the right and wrong as mention in surah e furqan:

“Blessed is He Who sent down the Discrimination upon His servant that he might be a Warner to the nations”.

The word furqan is an Arabic word that means Criterion or Standard. The instinct and nature of man is based on a balance between good and evil. When this balance is lost either man becomes a devil or he enters the blessings of Allah.

The meaning of this word is to distinguish between good and evil. Again Allah says in the in surah e furqan:

“And they who do not call upon another god with Allah and do not slay the soul, which Allah has forbidden except in the requirements of justice, and (who) do not commit fornication and he who does this shall find a requital of sin; The punishment shall be doubled to him on the day of resurrection, and he shall abide therein in a basement; Except him who repents and believes and does a good deed; so these are they of whom Allah changes the evil deeds to good ones; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”

Fitra of mankind

According to Islam it is the fitra of a man that motivates his actions and defines his role on the course of life. The common needs of a man are food, shelter, and protection. The most important thing is success that everyone is looking for. Quite a number of people go under the influence of the method of attaining their goals by hook or crook means. The things provided to man are just to test him. So the people committing sinful acts are most of the times taking advantage of what they are provided with.

“Beautified for men is the love of things they desire: Women, Children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world’s life, but

Allah has the excellent return (Paradise).” [3:141]

In Quran at several places the desires of human beings is mentioned to be used in a productive way to make the world here after a prosperous one. As said in the Quran:

“Seeking the perishable goods of the worldly life. There are much more profits and booties with Allah.” [4:94]

While the ones who do not transgress make a useful, productive and positive use of the blessings of Allah. They perform the practical of balanced natural desires that are aroused in the Fitra of a man.

The use of the natural desires with an evil motive can be quite dangerous. About this Allah says in the Quran:

“These are the limits (set) by Allah, so do not approach them”

[2:1871]

“These are the limits (set) by Allah, so do not approach them”

[2:1871]

Extremists Calling Themselves as Muslims

Terrorism is a word used by the non Islamic forces to propagate Islamic culture as an extremist in the ideological, political and social means of the injunction in practical sense. They criticize the non state terrorism and jumble it up with the teachings of Islam. Islam in fact has nothing to do with these groups of people. Cultural demands are jumbled up in the teaching of Islam and the proponents of non Muslim forces who are using it for their own political benefits. They are provided with the powers we call “world powers” and are basically used to introduce Islam as terrorists so that they have a justification to subjugate and oppress them all over the world. The group of forces who are destroying the name of Islam are those who themselves are ignorant of the Islamic teachings. The resistive forces of Islam that are fighting back for their rights do not come under this head.

There has not only been an armed suppression but forums and virtual technologies and denominating effects of the economic powers are also being used to affect the minds of the Muslims youth. So that the Muslims are weak enough to even fight back these forces.

Way of guidance of Quran and the word Furqan

For the growth and development of faiths of the Muslims youth it is essential that we make them realize that  Quran, and the messenger comes first and then the human desires follow according to their faiths. Following Ayahs tell us about the exact meaning of Furqan:

• “The day will come when we will raise from every community a witness from among them, and bring you as the witness of these people. We have revealed to you this book to provide explanations for everything, and guidance, and mercy, and good news for the submitters”. [16:89]

• The messenger of GOD has set up a good example for those among you who seek GOD and the Last Day, and constantly think about GOD. [33:21]

Allama Iqbal says: “In splendour, in seduction and in grace, the buildings of the banks outsoar the houses of God; In appearance it is trade, in reality gambling; The gain of one is sudden death to millions, Science, Philosophy, College, Constitution, Preach man’s equality and suck man’s blood, Want and unemployment, lewdness and intoxication, Who says the gifts of Occident are few?”.

Colonial rule over the Muslim countries helped them establish a strong hold over the Muslims by making them slaves forever. In the past they were in the practice of selling them out as slaves and in the present they are in the practice of making them slaves by monetary methods and strategies. They are the Slaves of the World Bank and slaves of IMF. They are being monitored and controlled by the so called funding organizations. Source loans they give restrict the Muslims to use the money where it is not even required.

The denominating affects on the 3^rd world and the Muslims countries disturb the social system Muslims countries. Every person is under the debt of these controlling authorities one way or another. Then they name it foreign aid. Surprisingly most of the people are not aware of the bad effects of these policies on the economic conditions of a country. Every child born in a country under debt gets debt in inheritance. All the rest of his life is spent as a slave bought by the world back. Muslims in the present time are like a machine that is controlled by the world powers and the funding organizations.

Eric de Mare states: “Under the prevailing monetary system none of us lives in a true (economic) democracy. We live under an oligarchy that is all powerful, permanent, responsible to no one and directly or indirectly dominated and restricts every individual and every government in the world … … …”

Rasool Allah said (S.A.W): “Allah has cursed the one who takes interest, the one who pays it, the one who writes the contract and the one who witnesses the contract”.

Muslims have lost their ways because of there being negligent to the facts and orders of Allah mentioned in the holy Quran. Quran has all rules and regulations that Muslims should follow. Therefore Muslims need to follow the holy Quran to break the slavery they are in. now it is time that Muslims break the chains and strike back rather than being slaves forever.