The Ordeal of Israel
The Ordeal of Israel will remain for some time until that scattered billion and a half Muslims become aware of their true identity.
The Ordeal of Israel will remain for some time until that scattered billion and a half Muslims become aware of their true identity.
In the third month of the Islamic calender (Rabi` the First) Muslims communities commemorate- each [...]
Arafa is the 9th day of Dhul Hijja of the Islamic calendar, right before the major annual Islamic feast of sacrifice, Eid al-Adha. It is the day when pilgrims are required to gather in the place called the mountain of Arafa in the Holy City of Mecca... Arafa is important because Prophet Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, said: “The best of days is Arafa.” Its countless benefits and blessings include...
The tongue of the Spiritual State is even more eloquent in communicating with the dead than is that of speech when communicating with the living. The Messenger of God –God bless him and grant him peace- said, ‘When the dead man is laid in his grave it speaks to him, saying, “Woe betide you, O son of Adam! What distracted you from contemplating me? Did you not know that I am the house of trial, of darkness, and of solitude as well as of worms? What distracted you from me? You used to pass me by, strutting on!”
The best ten nights of the year are the last ten nights of Ramadan because they include the best and jewel of all nights, called laylatul qadr (night of decree and power), that is better than a thousand months and in which the entire Holy Quran was revealed. They start on the night of the 20th day of Ramadan (i.e., the night right before the start of the 21st day).
A general oath of allegiance was taken from us by God’s Messenger -God bless him and grant him peace- that the greatest part of our love for fasting be because God Most High has said “Fasting is Mine,” and not for any other reason, such as the pursuit of reward or the expiation of sins and the like. For whosoever does an act for God Most High, God will suffice him in this world and the Next, and will give him what no eye has ever seen, what no ear has ever heard, and what no human heart has ever perceived—not to mention divine rewards and expiation of sins and other personal desires in this world and the Next.
As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of the sacred month of Ramadan, a period cherished for its spiritual introspection, communal gatherings, and fasting, we are confronted with a sobering reality that casts a shadow over our joyous preparations. Despite our anticipation, we are continually bombarded with distressing images and reports detailing the unfathomable suffering endured by our
Know that fasting is of three grades, namely, the fasting of the general public (ṣawm al-ʻumūm), the fasting of the select few (ṣawm al-khuṣūṣ), and the fasting of the elite among the select few (ṣawm khuṣūṣ al-khuṣūṣ). The fasting of the general public involves refraining from satisfying the appetite of the stomach and the appetite of the sex, as has already been discussed.
It is customary for people to commence their preparations for Ramadan from the month of Sha'ban, contemplating the diverse array of dishes they will prepare. While this ritual of culinary anticipation is undoubtedly significant, it is equally crucial not to overlook the importance of spiritual preparation creating an atmosphere of faith and devotion to welcome the arrival of this blessed month.
Amongst the significant features of the month of Sha‘ban is that it consists of a night which is termed in Sharia as “Laylatul-bara’a” (The night of freedom from Fire). This is the night occurring between 14th and 15th day of Sha‘ban. There are certain traditions of Prophet Muhammad, God bless him and grant him peace, to prove that it is a meritorious night in which the people of the earth are attended by special Divine mercy. Some of these traditions are quoted as follows:
Full dedication of the heart to the love of God may well occur in certain circumstances...
The Night Journey and Ascension of Prophet Muhammad (God Bless Him and Grant Him Peace) [...]