Here are some sites that run throughout the year (We are seasonal!),  to keep you updated with interesting content.

• Productive Muslim - The name say’s it all, how to be a muslim and be productive at the same time
• Muslim Business Directory – A directory of muslim owned business, home industries, masjids with a weekly newsletter
• My Ummah – A blog dedicated to islamic content
• 1000 Good Deeds - Do good, level up and earn Sawaab!
• Sandton Islamic Association – A masjid and islamic association in sandton, with one of the best sites created for a masjid/community i have seen (no i am not biased!

SANZAF is requesting volunteers to assist with the packing of FITRA parcels for the poor. The packing of the FITRA parcels will be done this saturday the 4th of September from 8:30.  Please send this to anyone that may be interested, the venue for packing of the parcels are:

1. Fordsburg: Fordsburg Primary School cnr Crown and 6th Avenue
2. Lenasia: Trade Route Mall (undercover parking)
3. Roshnee: Roshnee Civic Centre
4. Benoni: Bazme Adab Hall
5. Laudium: Silver Crescent Hall
6. Rustenburg: to be announced …

Contact SAZAF for more details…

Fitra Amounts 2010 – South Africa

Fitrah Values:          Hanafi              Shafi 

Eastern Cape    =                             R26.00 

Gauteng Prov    =     R13.50           R18.50 

KwaZulu-Natal  =     R15.00

Northern Cape  =     R15.00           R20.00 

Western Cape  =                             R26.00 

Fidyah Values:          Hanafi              Shafi 

Eastern Cape    =                             R26.00 

Gauteng Prov    =     R13.50           R18.50 

KwaZulu-Natal  =     R15.00

Northern Cape  =     R15.00           R20.00 

Western Cape  =                             R13.00

We recall the epic moment of Moeneeb Joesephs, the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, on his knees making dua after the match. It marked the soccer fanaticism with a proud moment for Muslims.

I was traipsing around the interweb and i found this post on Princess Diaries.
A lil’ bit of Muslim parody/humour to match the ever popular ‘Just like a waving flag’ by K’naan. The 2010 Fifa World Cup is behind us, now marking  South Africa’s history with the prestige of being a host country, but the reflective world cup and soccer pun lingers – it creeps into snippets of conversation and humour managing to tinted us in  nostalgia.

They call me the Mu’min, Just like the Sunnah Way

When I grow older

I will be stronger

They call me the mu’min

Just like the sunnah way

The Sunnah way …. The Sunnah way

Give me sehri

Give me roza

Give me reason to go to jannah

See the muslims at the masjid

Read taraweeh

Just like the sunnah way

The Sunnah way …. The Sunnah way

Out of the darkness

When I grow older

I will be stronger

They’ll call me mu’min

Just like the sunnah way

The Sunnah way …. The Sunnah way

Oh … oh …. Oh …. Oh … oh

 

Islam came the furthest

Our Nabi worked hardest

He accepted … no defeat

 

As I thought of the Palestinian Muslims, I realised I took for granted:
That I am free to move where I chose
That my home is not under threat of destruction
That I get to pray in a mosque

Then I thought about the Pakistani Muslims, I took for granted
That I have a home,
I have access to fresh water and clean clothes
That my health is not under threat

I thought of my Somali Muslims
Who fast with little food and sweltering tempratures

I thought of my Muslims in the Niger Valley
and realised I can count my blessings and need to stop worrying about wether I have samoosa’s till the end of Ramadan.

I thought about those suffering true hardship and sadness and made Shukr
For every plate of food put in front of me,
For my family’s safety
For the roof over my head
For the clothes on my back
For the sawaab of smiles.

In these last days of Ramadaan
Feed a child daily
Make thikr
Make dua for the truly less fortunate
Save a thought for those struct by natural disasters
Save a rand, save a meal

And remind those around you too.

I was foolish in worrying that I couldn’t make Eid spectacular with the menu I wanted. When around us, people just want a meal and fresh water.

Allah grant those suffering with ease, the sick with health, the downtrodden with strength and the oppressed with Freedom.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

1. Verily, We sent it down in the night of al-Qadr.

2. And what will make you know what the night of al-Qadr is?

3. The night of al-Qadr is better than a thousand months.

4. Therein descend the angels and the Spirit by their Lord’s permission with all Decrees.

5. Peace! Until the appearance of dawn.

Allah, Most High informs us that He sent down the Qur’aan in the night of Al-Qadr, and it is the blessed night referred to in the Words of Him, Almighty, All-Powerful: << Verily, We sent it down in the night of Al-Qadr >>. The night of Al-Qadr occurs in the month of Ramadhaan, as Allah says: <<The month of Ramadhaan in which the Qur’aan was sent down>> (Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:185). Ibn `Abbaas, amongst others, explains that the complete Qur’aan was sent down from Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooz (the Preserved Tablet) in the night of Al-Qadr to Bait Al-`Izzah (the House of Glory) in the lowest heaven, from whence it was revealed piecemeal to the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam according to events which took place during his life over a period of twenty-three years. Then, Allah says, in order to make clear the greatness of the matter of the night of Al-Qadr, which He has chosen for sending down of the Noble Qur’aan: << And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is? The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months >> It is narrated on the authority of Mujaahid that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa salam mentioned a man from Bani Israa’eel who carried his sword in the Way of Allah for a thousand months; the Muslims were amazed at this until Allah revealed: << Verily, We sent it down in the night of Al-Qadr. And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is? The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months >>.” (i.e. the thousand months during which the man carried his sword in the Way of Allah). (Narrated by Ibn Abi Haatim)

Ibn Jareer narrates, on the authority of Mujaahid that there was a man from Bani Israa’eel who used to spend the night in prayer then in the morning he would fight the enemy in the Way of Allah during the day, until the evening and he did this for a thousand months and so Allah revealed the Soorah: << Verily, We sent it down in the night of Al-Qadr >> until the verse: << The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months >> That is, standing in prayer on that night is better than the actions of that man. Sufyaan ath-Thawree reports, on the authority of Mujaahid (also), that the night of Al-Qadr being better than a thousand months means that the good deeds performed on it, fasting on it and standing in prayer on it are better than a thousand months’ good deeds, prayers and fasting. (Narrated by Ibn Jareer)

Ibn Abi Haatim relates, on the authority of Mujaahid that it means: The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months without the night of Al-Qadr. This was also said by Qataadah ibn Da’aamah and Ash-Shaafi’i and others, including Ibn Jareer, and it is the correct interpretation and it is like the saying of the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam: “To spend the night in the Way of Allah is better than a thousand nights not spent in worship.” (Narrated by Ahmad)

Likewise, it is narrated that whoever goes to Friday prayers neatly-dressed, with a pure intention, it will be written for him the reward of a year’s good deeds, as if he had fasted on it and spent its nights in prayer and in other acts of worship.

It is reported from Abu Hurairah that he said: “When the month of Ramadhaan came, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “The month of Ramadhaan has come, a blessed month in which Allah has made it obligatory for you to fast; in it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained. In it is a night better than a thousand months, whoever loses the benefit of it has lost something irreplaceable.” (Narrated by Imaam Ahmad. This was also narrated by An-Nasaa’i).

It is reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that Allah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever stood in prayer on the night of Al-Qadr, in faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, he will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim).

<< Therein descend the angels and the Spirit >> That is, innumerable angels descend with uncounted blessings and mercy, as they descend when the Qur’aan is recited and they surround those sitting in circles in remembrance of Allah and they lower their wings in the presence of the sincere seeker of knowledge in honour of him. As for the Spirit, it has been said that what is meant by it is the angel Jibreel `alayhis salaam and that he is mentioned thus to distinguish him from the other angels. It was also said that it means a group of angels, and Allah knows best. (see the Tafseer of Soorah An-Naba’, verse 38)

<< With all decrees >> Sa’eed ibn Mansoor narrates, on the authority of Mujaahid, that it means the night is safe from the machinations of the devils, that they cannot commit evil or harm on it. Qataadah and others said it means that the Divine Decrees are issued at that night, the appointed time of everything is fixed and the blessings are apportioned, as in the words of Allah: << Therein [that night] is decreed every matter of ordainments >> (Soorah ad-Dukhaan 44:4)

<< Peace! Until the appearance of dawn >> Sa’eed ibn Mansoor narrates, on the authority of Ash-Sha’bi, that it means the angels send their salutations of peace upon those who are occupied in prayer in the mosques until the dawn. It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “It is the night of twenty-seventh or the twenty-ninth and verily, the angels on that night are innumerable.” Al-A`amash says, on the authority of Abu Lailaa that the verse means that the whole night is goodness, therein is no evil – until the appearance of the dawn. This is supported by a narration on the authority of `Ubaadah ibn As-Saamit that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “The night of Al-Qadr is to be found in the last ten (nights of Ramadhaan), whoever stood in prayer during these nights, wishing for the reward of them will have his sins forgiven by Allah, both the earlier and the later; and it is the night of witr. (an uneven number). Nine, seven, five, three or the last night of it.” (Narrated by Imaam Ahmad).

It is narrated on the authority of Ibn `Abbaas radhiallahu `anhu that Allah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “It is a night of magnanimity and joy, neither very hot, nor very cold; and the sun of the morning following it is weak and red-coloured.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood At-Tayaalisi).

It is reported on the authority of Jaabir ibn `Abdillaah, that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “Verily, I saw the night of Al-Qadr and then I was made to forget it, but it is (to be looked for) in the last ten nights, the night is clear and fine, neither hot nor cold as if there were a full moon and on this night, the devils do not go forth until the light of dawn.” (Narrated by Ibn Abi Haatim)

Scholars have differed as to whether the night of Al-Qadr was extant for the communities which preceded that of Muhammad sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam or whether it was specially designated for them. There are two schools of thought on this subject: Abu Mus’ab Ahmad ibn Abi Bakr az-Zuhri (d.42H) said that Maalik informed him that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam was shown the generations of old from mankind and it was as if the lifespans of his community were shorter, and so it was not possible to accomplish the same amount of deeds as those communities of old, who lived longer lives and so Allah gave him the night of Al-Qadr which is better than a thousand months. According to Maalik, this necessarily means that this community (of Muslims) has been specially favoured with the night of Al-Qadr. One of the Shaafi’i scholars said that it is the view of the majority of scholars of fiqh, and Allah knows best. The second view on this subject says that the night of Al-Qadr was given to the previous peoples as it was given to this community and the proof of this is the hadeeth which says that. (Ibn Katheer has not mentioned the hadeeth, however).

It is narrated that Abu Zarr radhiallahu `anhu asked the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam: “Oh, Messenger of Allah! Tell me about the night of Al-Qadr, is it in Ramadhaan, or another month?” He sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam replied: “No, it is in Ramadhaan.” (Narrated by Imaam Ahmad). He sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam also said: “…it is until they Day of Resurrection.” And, “Look for it in the last seven days of Ramadhaan and do not ask me any more about it.” (Narrated by An-Nasaa’i) – This hadeeth proves that the night of Al-Qadr is only to be looked for in the month of Ramadhaan and not, as has been attributed to Ibn Mas`ood radhiallahu `anhu by the scholars of Koofa, that it is to be looked for throughout the whole year without any distinction. In line with this, Abu Dawood wrote in his Sunan: “Chapter: – Evidence that the night of Al-Qadr is in every Ramadhaan.” He then went on to narrate on the authority of Ibn `Umar radhiallahu `anhu that he heard the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam being asked about the night of Al-Qadr; he replied: “It is in every Ramadhaan.” And all of the men in this sanad are thiqaat. (trustworthy) except that Abu Dawood said that the narration is mawqoof.

It was also said that the night of Al-Qadr is on the first night of Ramadhaan, and that it is on the seventeenth of Ramadhaan – this was a saying attributed to Ash-Shaafi’i and Abu Dawood narrated a hadeeth on the authority of Ibn Mas`ood radhiallahu `anhu and said that it was marfoo`, while Al-Hasan Al-Basree said that it is the night of the Battle of Badr, and it was said: The night of the nineteenth – this was attributed to `Ali and Ibn Mas`ood (may Allah be pleased with them both), and it was said: the twenty-first, according to the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri radhiallahu `anhu in which he said: “The Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam made his I`tikaaf in the first ten days of Ramadhaan and we made I’tikaaf with him, then Jibreel `alayhis salaam came to him and said: “That which you are in quest of is still ahead of you.” Then the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam addressed the people saying: “Whoever has made I`tikaaf with me, let him return, for I have seen the night of Al-Qadr and then was made to forget it; but verily, it is in the last ten days and on the odd days, and I saw myself as if I were prostrating in mud and water.” – the roof of the Prophet’s mosque was made from palm leaves and we could not see anything on the sky, but clouds came and it rained on us and the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam led us in prayer, until I could see the marks of rain and mud upon his forehead – a proof of what he had seen in his vision.” Another version has it that it occurred on the morning after the twenty-first; this is narrated by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim, and according to Ash-Shaafi`i, it is the most authentic narration. He (Ash-Shaafi`i) says, concerning these apparently contradictory reports: “The Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam when asked: “Should we search for it on such-and-such night?” would reply: “Yes.” (In order to encourage them to pray on the all last ten nights), but the night of Al-Qadr is a fixed night and does not change.” However, according to Ahmad, Ath-Thawri, Ibn Khuzaimah and others, it can occur any time on the uneven nights during the last ten days of Ramadhaan and this is closer to the truth, and Allah knows best.

Muslim reports that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam instructed `Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) to supplicate Allah saying: “Oh, Allah! You are Forgiving, You love forgiveness and so forgive me.” (Allahumma innaka `Afuwwun, tuhibbul `afwa, fa`fu `annee) At-Tirmizi, An-Nasaa’i and Ibn Maajah narrated the same thing. According to Maalik, one should look for the night of Al-Qadr throught the last ten days of Ramadhaan and one should try not to identify which is the night of Al-Qadr, but should intensify one’s devotions throughout. And the most preferred action is to increase one’s supplications during the whole month of Ramadhaan, more in the last ten days, more still on the odd days, and especially in the aforementioned words to `Aa’ishah by Allah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam.

It is narrated that Ka`b said: “Verily, whoever fasted the month of Ramadhaan resolving not to disobey Allah when he breaks his fast, will enter Paradise without reckoning or questioning. This is the end of the tafseer of Soorah Al-Qadr, all praise is due to Allah, and from Him proceeds all Grace.

Article found on Islaam.com – http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=332

We begin our salah attentively. I wonder what goes through the minds of those around me during the 20 rakahs of Taraweeh.
What do you think of or do during taraweeh?

I listen out for the words i understand so it allows me to get the gist of what is being recited in arabic. Since attending the ‘Understanding the Quraan’ workshop/course last year I’ve found myself comprehending more verses and picking out words that are familiar. I strongly suggest you as individual attend the next one. It is an investment in growing your knowledge base.

Picture Source: http://bama.ua.edu/

During the taraweeh, I pay attention to the tajweed and letters (harefs) being pronounced, to see if it’s a ha or a HA, an ʾalif, or an ʿayn,  qāf or kāf…and by the 1o^th rakah my legs are tiring. And by rakat 12 i have a headache from concentrating very hard. By rakah 14  I wish I knew Arabic. I think I should fulfil my intention for Hifz, and i wonder if I’ll know more of the Quraan next Ramadan. By this time my brain is usually shutting down. Sometimes I imagine I’m that making salah in front o the kaabah. Thirst plays up after a long day of fasting and I think “i need to drink more water”.

I tend to lose count so  I ask… how many rakahs was that? 12? 14? Between rakats I brush up on my maths by checking the time, and doing LONG DIVISION … each rakah is about 3minutes. On days that I’m very exhausted I stand there thinking I’m so blessed that Allah chose me to be part of a congregation And i feel very at peace listening to the recital and feeling the energy of unity binding us as Muslims.

Mufti Ismail Menk and Hafiz Faizur-Rahman alternate 10 rakahs each. I can always tell them apart when they pronounce the kāfs and Taas and taws.  Their voices are very easy to mix up during the recitation.

Taraweeh draws to an end and is followed by tafseer. The brief interpretation or commentary of what is addressed in that particular chapter of the quraan. It is mesmerizing! -  stories, tales, historic knowledge, rules and everything that encompasses Islam.

During the Tafseer, I’m usually mentally exhausted and my eyes wander and I look for designs/figures in the carpet. The lighting is dimmed, and the rich exotic prints of the carpet are distorted. I have thus far found a crab, a clown, a raindeer, swans, panther, a giant vase, and a car. This was sparked by some musallees sharing that they are distracted by the images in the rich design of the carpet. Now it seems its impossible to block out these images when one is not concentrating hard enough.

Inspite of the tired bodies and legs after a long day of work, fasting and a few hours of prayer, we return home feeling enriched and spiritually uplifted by the mercy and grace of Allah SWT.

This Ramadan i’m in Durban, Kzn.  The last few years in cape town as ingrained the habit to seek out the faces of my friends when I enter a mosque or other Islamic event, gathering or function. This Ramadan i feel their absence every evening, and I miss the act of performing salah with them.

I’ve been attending  taraweeh at the NMJ Islamic Center, in Morningside, Durban. The congregation is being lead by Mufti Ismail Menk, of Zimbabwe. He is quite an enigmatic personality.  Never in Durban have I seen such a large congregation of women at a venue for salah. Alhumdulillah, it has been a wonderful experience thus far. Over the weekends especially, the sisters are present in the hundreds, squeezing in next to each other, and trying to source a ride to the Islamic center.

My friend’s 9 year old phones every evening after iftaar  to ask, ‘Will you please pick me up for Taraweeh?’. As usual I have a bag with bottled water, tissues and some sweets. Cars are parked and we make our way through the parking lot, and into the salah venue. She clutches my hand tightly as the lights are dim and she’s afraid of losing me or being run over by cars streaming in. It makes me wonder if having  a daughter would be like this. We take off our shoes, and seat ourselves in the familiar venue.

The athaan(Azaan) resounds, it stirs ones heart. I often find myself repeating the words, and thinking of my upcoming hajj journey.  i look around thinking that crowds make me claustrophobic and how will i manage hajj. The sisters smile at each other.

Salah begins. The motions of rukuh, sajdah, all performed in unison, What a beautiful feeling of unity in worship of our lord Allah (SWT). The 20 Rakats of taraweeh are filled with the recitation of a chapter of the Quraan.

We’ve officially reached the middle of Ramadan – the halfway mark. And, hopefully, you’ve already been tremendously uplifted and inspired; learnt a lot; and reflected a lot. One of the most beautiful things about Ramadan is that it’s an enforced break from our usual lives – a chance to stop and reflect on who we are, what we do, where we’ve been and where we want to go. We have added incentives to be better Muslims.  We have more apparent opportunities to do good and be charitable.

And we’re only halfway in the month.  So if you find you haven’t had the chance yet to do the things you wanted to do, make the effort you planned on making this month – insha-Allah, you’ve still got 2 weeks. If you find that you did make a start, but have gotten sidetracked by other things happening in your world – then don’t despair, because you’ve still got 2 weeks. If you feel like you didn’t make any plans at all, but something inside you has been stirred, awoken, and you want to do something about it – you’ve still got 2 weeks.

So, take advantage of these remaining 2 weeks, and cultivate that which you hope to carry on after this month leaves.

Whether its:

• Being more careful about your salaah;
• Being more committed to the Quran (and trying to understand it, via translation/Arabic, if you speak the language);
• Spending more quality time with your family;
• Being more generous and charitable – not only with your wealth, but with your time, effort, and kindness;
• Making more time for yourself, to try to find some peace from the world;
• Being more careful about things you could say to hurt others;
• Being more disciplined about your bad habits (smoking, junk food, etc);
• Having better sleeping habits;
• Reducing your indulgence in ”entertainment” to a level that you need – instead of it being a habit; and replacing the unnecessary with more productive pursuits;

…or any other effort you have made or want to make.

These are, in reality, some of the most important things in life – so if we can, let’s aim to give these priority over these next 2 weeks. If we do it now – if we make that investment now, we stand to benefit so much in not only the next 11 months, but hopefully the rest of our lives as well.

But don’t overdo it, of course. Don’t wear yourself out beyond your capacity.

Instead, just recognise that this is your chance. You may not see another Ramadan. And after this month, your life may take dramatic turns which you could never have anticipated.

By making our intentions and efforts now, we’re preparing ourselves to live better lives, no matter what we may face in the coming months.

So, don’t take this middle moment as a sign to start slacking. On the contrary, start stepping it up. Think of it like physical exercise: once you’ve been going for a while, and you’re in ‘the zone’, your work from that point provides tremendous benefit and results. So, now’s the time to intensify efforts, so that you can reap the maximum from the days that remain.

Ramadan is a month in which many of strive in our worship; and we hope that these high standards will be carried over to the 11 months that follow. And, like a re-run that just won’t go away, each year, it’s very likely that we fail to live up to those standards – and end up falling back into bad habits and laziness.

As mentioned in part 1 of this series, if we want to stop this trend, we need to make a conscious, planned effort to beat the post-Ramadan slump we often fall into. And that planning starts right now (or, if you read part 1, hopefully it will have already started).

Recap: essential principles
Once again, always bear in mind the hadith that tells us:
‘The deeds most loved by Allah are those done regularly, even if they are small.’ (Bukhari and Muslim)

The key concepts are:

1. Being realistic: Don’t set such high standards – such intense expectations – which you know you won’t realistically be able to achieve. Take baby steps: set small, achievable goals; things that are realistic for you – given your spiritual level, physical condition, psychological state of being, and time constraints.
2. Consistency: Don’t have one day of major, intense spiritual activity; and then follow that with a long period of nothing / very little. Do what you do consistently. Do not procrastinate, and do not be lazy. If you’ve set small, realistic goals – which you know you can achieve (albeit with at least some struggle), then you should be able to work consistently at it – every single day / period you’ve set for the activity’s frequency.

Challenge number 2: Salah
Hopefully, you’ve already planned how you’ll take part 1’s challenge – fasting – through to the rest of the year. The next challenge is one absolutely critical to your life as a Muslim: salah / namaaz / prayer (whatever you want to call it).

Salah is the pillar of the religion. If you uphold it, you’re well on your way to upholding your religion. But if you’re negligent or destroy it, then you have a lot to worry about. Especially since salah is the first thing you’ll be asked about on the Day of Judgement.

So ask yourself: am I striving to make my salah better this Ramadan? And if so, am I going to take that commitment forward after Ramadan?

Whatever your answers, if you want to improve your salah now, and carry that through after Ramadan, you’ll need to work at it.

Resources to help:
I recently came across a good, short e-book which covers this exact subject. The free, 45-page book is entitled “TASTE IT! How to Taste the True Beauty of Salah”, is compiled from a series of lectures in Kuwait in Ramadan 2008. It consists of short, easy to read chapters that aim to help you taste the sweetness of salah, and experience the true beauty and tranquility of our daily meetings with our Lord.

You can download the e-book here: “TASTE IT! How to Taste the True Beauty of Salah” (502Kb) (Right click and choose “Save as…” to download).

To set you up for this book, there are two short audio (MP3) lectures which can also be beneficial, insha-Allah. Both are by Chicago based scholar Hussein Abdul Sattar,

1. “Focusing on our salah” (12 minutes) (Right click and choose “Save as…” to download).
   This talk basically talks about how important salah is, and encourages its listeners to really pay due attention to it. It’s a good reminder to us all, and is short enough to put across the message without being boring.
2. “Putting Khushu’ Into Our Salah” (17 minutes) (Right click and choose “Save as…” to download).
   This talk is also very short and to the point. It deals with issues around khushoo (concentration in salah), and will hopefully help its listeners to understand the concept of khushoo better – so that they can try to improve this aspect of so important an act of worship.

Note that all these resources are free downloads– so don’t worry about violating copyright issues by downloading them. (And you can share them – but obviously don’t go and try to make a financial profit from them).

The way forward:

After reading and listening to these resources, start working on how you’ll improve the quality of your salah. Each person’s task list will be different, but some possible questions you might ask yourself are:

• Is my salah acceptable in the eyes of Allah? Am I really devoting my entire heart, mind, and body to Him whenever I make salah?
• If not, why is this the case? What distracts me? What do I think of during salah – and how often do these distractions get to me? What is the root cause of my problem?
• How to I minimize and eventually eradicate these issues – so that I can eventually come to the level I want to be at in salah?
• How can I break this goal into small, manageable pieces? (Remedies that I can slowly but surely introduce over time so that I can build towards being better in my salah.)
• How can I consistently, systematically implement these pieces over the coming months, so that I’m improving in my salah each day / week – and not slipping back into bad habits?

This month, we spend more time on personal reflection. We give more attention to our acts of worship. We strive to be better, and we find that it is much easier to be better in this month – compared to the rest of the year.

So now, in these precious days and nights, let’s take the time to analyse our salah and look at where we can improve, how we can improve, and then put our plans into action. And remember to make dua for success in this endeavour; and to regularly renew your intention in this – so that Shaytaan doesn’t destroy it for you later on.

We asked some of our readers to tell us what ramadan means to them, here are the responses:

Reflection, celebration, spiritual refocusing, family gatherings, compassion, patience, connecting to the past, harmony, connecting our faith around the world. - Zahra (USA)

Ramadan is a time when we raise our spiritual desires & we control our material ones… so that we can gain true closeness with ALLAH through our salah, recitation of the Qur’an, dhikr & good deeds done for our families & fellow human beings. It is also a time of realizing the power of ALLAH’s Mercy, Forgiveness & Love, & to continue on this path for the coming year… its a time of love, joy between family & friends. - Shenaaz (South Africa)

Reflecting on the Quran, family gatherings, finding your spiritual been and strengthening your Imaan, Taqwa, Yakeen. Having Sabr and feeding the needy. Praying 5 times a day,recieting the Quran and making Toubah for one and all Inshallah Ameen. - Roshan (South Africa)

Readin a chapter of è Quran everyday, touba, celebration with family, gathering & sharing ideas about patience & Islam. & most of all PATIENCE. - Suleiman

Ramadan means to burn our evil desire and to gain Allah’s mercy - Mashreki (Bangladesh)

Performing IBAADAH in ramadan is not exclusive to one month but should be practiced throughout the year. It shows you that you have the time, u have the patience, you have everything in you to please your Creator everyday. - Rehana (South Africa)

It is time to feel what people who are less fortunate than we are, are going through during the day and then helping them. Let’s help our brothers and sisters in Pakistan who are suffering a lot and getting worse everyday. Watch Islam TV everynight for more details or use any charity you trust. May Allah make it easy for them, IshaAllah. Jazakallahu Kheir – Abdul (Tanzania)

Let us know in the comments what ramadan means to you!