EID MUBARAK

 

Moon-sighting panelmeeting tomorrow

The Moon Sighting Committee at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has called on all Muslims in Qatar to sight the crescent of Shawwal tomorrow evening, the 29th day of Ramadan. The committee has called on anyone who sights the moon crescent to come to its headquarters at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs to give his testimony. The committee will meet immediately after the Maghrib prayer.

THE ZAKATH-THE PILLAR OF ISLAM

Linguistically, Zakat has two meanings: purification and growth. Technically, it means to purify one's possession of wealth by distributing a prescribed amount to the poor, the indigent, the slaves or captives, and the wayfarer.

There are many major benefits of giving Zakat:

• It reminds Muslims of the fact that whatever wealth they may possess is due to the blessings of Allah and as such it is to be spent according to the His commands.
• Zakat functions as a social security for all. Those who have enough money today pay for what they have. If they need money tomorrow they will get what is necessary to help them live decently.
• Zakat payer pays his dues to Allah as an act of worship, a token of submission and an acknowledgment of gratitude. The receiver of Zakat receives it as a grant from Allah out of His bounty, a favor for which he is thankful to Allah.

·         Economically, Zakat is the best check against hoarding. Those who do not invest their wealth but prefer to save or hoard it would see their wealth dwindling year after year at the rate of the payable Zakat. This helps increase production and stimulates supply because it is a redistribution of income that enhances the demand by putting more real purchasing power in the hands of poor.

Zakat is obligatory upon a person if :

• He/she must possess wealth in excess of specified minimum (Nisaab) excluding his or her personal needs (clothing, household furniture, utensils, cars etc. are termed article of personal needs).
• It should be possessed for a complete lunar year.

It should be of productive nature from which one can derive profit or benefit such as merchandise for business, gold, silver, livestock etc.

The amount of wealth which makes one liable for Zakat is called Nisaab. The Nisaab as fixed by Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is as follows:

 

	Grams	Tolas	Grains	Troy Oz.
GOLD	87.48	7.50	1350	2.8125
SILVER	612.36	52.50	9450	19.6875

Nisaab of cash, stock or bonds, other cash assets is the equivalent amount of Gold or Silver. Nisaab is calculated by adding up the cash value of all the assets such as gold, silver, currency etc. and if it is equal to or in excess of the minimum Nisaab as specified in the above table, the Zakat is due at the rate of 2.5%.

The payment of Zakat is compulsory on the excess wealth or effects which is equal to or exceeds the value of Nisaab, and which is possessed for a full Islamic year. If such wealth decreases during the course of the year and increases again to the value of Nisaab before the end of the year, the Zakat then must be calculated on the full amount that is possessed at the end of the year.

TYPES OF WEALTH ON WHICH ZAKAT IS IMPOSED:

1. Gold and silver, in any form.
2. Cash, bank notes, stocks, bonds etc.
3. Merchandise for business, equal to the value of Nisaab.
4. Live stock.

On income derived from rental business.

CALCULATION OF ZAKAT:

1. To calculate Zakat on jewelry etc. one must first determine the gold or silver content and then calculate the Zakat according to current market price.
2. If the Gold possessed is less than 87.48 grams or if silver possessed is less then 612.36 grams, but the value of both combined is equal to or exceeds the Nisaab of either Gold or Silver, the Zakat will be due.
3. In the event of an article not being of pure gold or pure silver, but containing a mixture of other metals and the gold or silver content is more than the other metal, it will be regarded as gold or silver and Zakat will be due. But in the case where other metal/s is of greater quantity than either gold or silver, Zakat will not be due on this article.

For stocks (shares held in a company), Zakat is calculated based upon the current market value. As machinery, land, fixtures and fittings, furniture, buildings etc. are exempt from Zakat, one is allowed to subtract these from the total asset. This could be obtained from annual reports.

DISTRIBUTION OF ZAKAT:

1. Zakat should be given as soon as possible after it becomes due.
2. All of the Zakat can be given to one person or to several persons.
3. A poor man cannot be paid for his work from Zakat nor can Zakat be given in payment of services, except to the people appointed by the Islamic government to collect Zakat.
4. Zakat will only be valid if the recipient is made the owner of that amount. If, for example, a few needy persons are fed a meal from Zakat money, then Zakat will not be fulfilled as they were not made owners of the food.
5. Zakat cannot be given for the construction of Masjid, Madrasah, Hospital, a well, a bridge or any other public amenity.

6.       Zakat can be paid in kind from the same merchandise on which it is due, or alternatively, it could be paid in cash.

TYPES OF WEALTH ON WHICH ZAKAT IS NOT IMPOSED:

1. On any metals other than gold or silver.
2. Fixtures and fittings of a shop, car, trucks or any delivery vehicle etc., which is used in running business.
3. Diamonds, pearls, other precious or semi precious stones which are for personal use.
4. There is no Zakat on personal residence, household furniture, pots and pan, personal clothing, whether they are in use or not.

5.       There is no Zakat on a person whose liabilities exceed or equal his assets. (Home Mortgage in this country is not to be counted as personal liability for the Zakat purpose).

 

RECIPIENTS OF ZAKAT:

The recipients of Zakat, according to Quran are as follows:

 

"Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer (the funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to truth); for those in bondage and in debt; and for the wayfarer: (Thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom." (Quran 9:60)

 

1. FUQARA: people who are poor and who possess more than their basic needs but do not possess wealth equal to Nisaab.
2. MASAKEEN: people who are destitute and extremely needy to the extent they are forced to beg for their daily food rations.
3. AL-AMILEEN: people appointed by an Islamic Government to collect Zakat.
4. MU-ALLAFATUL-QULUB: persons who have recently accepted Islam and are in need of basic necessities who would benefit from encouragement by Muslims which would help strengthen their faith.
5. AR-RIQAAB: slaves who are permitted to work for remuneration and have an agreement from their masters to purchase their freedom on payment of fixed amounts.
6. AL-GHAARIMEEN: persons who have a debt and do not possess any other wealth or goods with which they could repay that which they owe. It is conditional that this debt was not created for any un-Islamic purpose.
7. FI-SABILILLAH: persons who have to carry out an obligatory deed which has become obligatory on them and subsequently (due to loss of wealth) are unable to complete that obligation.

8.       IBN-US-SABEEL: persons who are travelers and during the course of their journey do not possess basic necessities, though they are well to do at home. They could be given Zakat in order to fulfill travel needs to return home.

 

PERSONS WHO CANNOT BE GIVEN ZAKAT:

 

1. Zakat cannot be given to parents and grandparents. In the same manner one's children and grandchildren cannot be given Zakat. A husband and wife cannot give Zakat to each other.

2.       Zakat contributions cannot be given to such institutions or organizations who do not give the rightful recipients possession of Zakat, but instead use Zakat funds for constructions, investment or salaries.

THE PUNISHMENT FOR NOT GIVING ZAKAT:

Allah says in the Quran:

"And there are those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, announce to them a most grievous penalty (when) on the Day of Judgment heat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of Hell. Then with it they will be branded on their forehead and their flanks and backs. (It will be said to them) This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves, taste then the treasure that you have been hoarding." (Al-Quran 9:34-35)

20 Chinese engineers embrace Islam

Twenty senior Chinese engineers working on the Al-Masha’er Train project have embraced Islam by pronouncing Shahada. These engineers have now joined 2,000 workers on the project who have become Muslims; there are 6,000 engineers and workers building the transportation system. 

A place for prayer has been established at the project.

Okaz/Saudi Gazette attended a lesson given to new Chinese Muslims by Makkah’s Cooperative Office for Call and Community Guidance’s supervisors of the Chinese Community Guidance Division.

Supervisors said they prepared a special program for the 20 engineers, which included an explanation, stating the Shahada, practical teaching and explanation of ablution, teaching Arabic and a speech by a Chinese Muslim scholar who works in Dawah (Call).

Muhanna Al-Harbi, a supervisor at the Chinese Community Call office in Arafat, said he and his colleagues need “learning resources to help us teach new Muslims matters of the religion and the Arabic language.”

The organization, which hopes to get help in founding a center inside the project, also needs books translated into Chinese and interpreters, he added.

The office serves 400 Iftar meals every day so people can have breakfast in their workplaces and has enabled 550 new Chinese Muslims to perform Haj, he added.

“Chinese people love order and honesty, and they have beautiful innate characteristics, as a result of which Islam has spread among them,” said Dr. Setr Al-Juaid, the office’s Director, who is also a professor at Makkah’s Umm Al-Qura University. 

“As the project is near the office in Al-Sharaye’ area, we used interpreters to call the Chinese company’s workers to embrace Islam. Allah blessed our efforts, despite our lack of resources,” he said.  __

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20110825107988

Lucky ones to have experienced Lailathul Qadr..

During the last lap of the NASCAR race, all the contenders put their best efforts to win the race. And we, Muslims around the world, are experiencing our last lap of Ramadhan, and have to perform our best to please our beloved creator Allah swt.

And during these last 10 days our beloved creator Allah swt has placed Lailathul Qadr in alternate last 10 nights and one has to work for it to achieve it.

Imagine your beloved creator Allah swt requests you to spare few personal moments before Suhoor to offer few Rakaah(s) Nafeel, and make dua for yourself, for your family, for your community, for your muslim friends and their families, and for your lineage to come, and in turn, our beloved creator Allah swt is promising a return equal to 80 years of pure Ibaadah. And always our beloved creator Allah swt's promise always gets fulfilled.

That's the prize for experiencing Lailathul Qadr.

According to authentic ahadeeth in Sahihain (Bukhari, Tirmizhi...) the last 10 days of Ramadhan is where one has to search for Lailathul Qadr. If one happens to experience it, then Masha Allah, imagine his/ her lit up face on the day of Judgement, when our beloved creator showers His mercy and a package of 80 years of Ibaadah is placed in his / her account.

My dear brothers and sisters, this is the time when one has to fasten the belts, plan, implement this noble act of getting up for Thahajjud little ahead of performing Suhoor, possibly with your spouse and children, and have a 1 to 1 session with our
beloved creator Allah swt, pour out all your legible desires, woes, requests before Him, and for Him, it is just "Kun Fayakoon", Be and it is.

It will not even take a zillionth of a micro second for our beloved creator to bestow all that you have requested before Him and much more that you've asked for.

My dear brothers and sisters, this is just a humble reminder from your gray haired brother,  first for himself and to all of you.

To all the recipient(s) of this email, Pray Allah swt accept their Salah, Saum, Zikr, Duas and also make them and their family members a candidate who have acquired, experienced Lailathul Qadr. Aameen.

Remember me and my family in your prayers.

Masalaam.

Good deeds are not equal to the evil ones. 
Repel ( other's ) evil deeds with your good deeds. 
You will see that he with whom you had enmity,
will become your close friend.     

~~~Holy Qur'an (41:34)

~* Zahid Hussain *~

What is i’tikaaf?

What is i’tikaaf?

It is devoting oneself in a mosque for a specific period of time for prayers, supplication, reading Qur’an and invocations, disconnecting from worldly occupations.
A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to observe i’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until his death, then his wives observed i’tikaaf after he was gone.” (Bukhari)

I’tikaaf is a Sunnah act, not obligatory, unless one made a vow to do it, in which case it becomes obligatory, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:“Whoever vows to obey Allah, let him obey Him, and whoever vows to disobey Him, let him not disobey Him.” (Bukhari)

Conditions of i’tikaaf

What are the conditions of i’tikaaf? Is fasting one of them? Is it permissible for the person in i’tikaaf to visit a sick person, or to accept an invitation, or to attend to his family’s needs, or to attend a funeral, or to go to work?

1.Staying in the Masjid - So the Sunnah for the mu’takif (the one doing i’tikaaf) is to not engage in the usual worldly preoccupations outside the masjid, because it has been reported A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: ”the Sunnah for the mu’takif is not to visit any sick person, or attend any funeral, or touch or be intimate with any woman, or go out for any reason except that which can’t be avoided.” (Abu Dawud). The phrase “except that which can’t be avoided” means not to leave except to enter the house for things that person needs when observing I’tikaaf or in cases of emergency.

• Imam Ibn Qudaamah said: “What is meant by things that a person needs is to urinate and defecate, because every person needs to do that. Similarly, he also needs to eat and drink. If he does not have anyone who can bring him food and drink, then he may go out to get them if he needs to. For everything that he cannot do without and cannot do in the mosque, he may go out for that purpose, and that does not invalidate his i’tikaaf, so long as he does not take a long time doing it.” The scholars have said if the mu’takif goes out to do his work, this is something that invalidates i’tikaaf.

2. Also a condition of i’tikaaf is not to have intimate relations with one’s wife.

3. While staying in one’s home to devote one’s self to worship is commendable, the concept and condition of actual I’tikaaf is in a masjid.

4. Purify your intention – we should be making i’tikaaf to worship and leave dunya matters out of our mind. Yet, I notice that a lot of those who are in i’tikaaf become busy with their cell phones and speaking about worldly affairs.

What is the basic goal of i’tikaaf?

I’tikaaf is like as an intensive course of spiritual education.

 which brings immediate positive results in a person’s life during days and nights of Ramadan and also in the coming days, until next Ramadan comes insha’Allah so we should take advantage of this time.

Sadly many Muslims have forsaken i’tikaaf like many other Sunnahs, and this is due to many reasons:

a) Weakness of faith in many hearts.

b) Lack of awareness/knowledge

c) Overcome by wordly pleasures; these desires lead people to keep away from doing sunnahs even for a short time

d) Attachment to dunya. With a lack of the interest in the Hereafter, the eternal abode, and a love of this worldly leisure and relaxation, some people do not want to put forth the effort and discipline for I’tikaaf, even if they would gain the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala by doing so!

Whoever understands the reality of this temporary world, and the significance of Paradise and the greatness of its delights, will surely sacrifice his life.

e) Many people pay lip-service to the love of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), without acting upon it and implementing various aspects of the Sunnah, including i’tikaaf. Yet Allah reminds us:

“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.”(33:21)

The basic goal of the Prophet’s i’tikaaf was to seek Laylatul-Qadr and to prepare to spend its night in worshipping. That is because of the great virtues of that night of which Allah says what means: “The Night of Al‑Qadr is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months)” (97:3)

In a long hadith narrated by Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have strove to seek that night before he was told when it is, as he started with the first ten days, then he observed it during the middle ten, then he continued to observe i’tikaaf during the last ten days, when he was told that it is in the last ten days. This is the utmost effort to seek Laylat al-Qadr.

Are there other aims of i’tikaaf?:

1. Being alone with Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and dedicating oneself to Him entirely, to focus completely on Allah and engage in His remembrance and worship (prayer, du’a, dhikr, fikr, reading Qur’an, renewing our eman and purifying our souls)

2. Protecting one’s fast from everything that may affect it of temptations, desires, etc.

What are the rewards for i’tikaaf?

Many ahadith encourage us to draw closer to Allah by doing Sunnah acts of worship, and of those acts is i’tikaaf.

• In the Hadith Qudsi in which Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) says what means: “My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his ears with which he hears, his eyes with which he sees, his hands with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.” (Bukhari)

I’tikaaf can solidify your Ramadan and set you upon a path of good deeds, purification, and devotion for the rest of the year – will you take the challenge? Is ten days too much to ask in exchange for eternal reward bi’ithnillah?

Sixty tips from the HOLY QURAAN...

1. Respect and honour all human beings irrespective of their religion, colour, race, sex, language, status, property, birth, profession/job and so on [17/70] 2. Talk straight, to the point, without any ambiguity or deception [33/70] 3. Choose best words to speak and say them in the best possible way [17/53, 2/83] 4. Do not shout. Speak politely keeping your voice low. [31/19] 5. Always speak the truth. Shun words that are deceitful and ostentatious [22/30] 6. Do not confound truth with falsehood [2/42] 7. Say with your mouth what is in your heart [3/167] 8. Speak in a civilised manner in a language that is recognised by the society and is commonly used [4/5] 9. When you voice an opinion, be just, even if it is against a relative [6/152] 10. Do not be a bragging boaster [31/18] 11. Do not talk, listen or do anything vain [23/3, 28/55] 12. Do not participate in any paltry. If you pass near a futile play, then pass by with dignity [25/72] 13. Do not verge upon any immodesty or lewdness whether surreptitious or overt [6/151]. 14. If, unintentionally, any misconduct occurs by you, then correct yourself expeditiously [3/134]. 15. Do not be contemptuous or arrogant with people [31/18] 16. Do not walk haughtily or with conceit [17/37, 31/18] 17. Be moderate in thy pace [31/19] 18. Walk with humility and sedateness [25/63] 19. Keep your gazes lowered devoid of any lecherous leers and salacious stares [24/30-31, 40/19]. 20. If you do not have complete knowledge about anything, better keep your mouth shut. You might think that speaking about something without full knowledge is a trivial matter. But it might have grave consequences [24/15-16] 21. When you hear something malicious about someone, keep a favourable view about him/her until you attain full knowledge about the matter. Consider others innocent until they are proven guilty with solid and truthful evidence [24/12-13] 22. Ascertain the truth of any news, lest you smite someone in ignorance and afterwards repent of what you did [49/6] 23. Do not follow blindly any information of which you have no direct knowledge. (Using your faculties of perception and conception) you must verify it for yourself. In the Court of your Lord, you will be held accountable for your hearing, sight, and the faculty of reasoning [17/36]. 24. Never think that you have reached the final stage of knowledge and nobody knows more than yourself. Remember! Above everyone endowed with knowledge is another endowed with more knowledge [12/76]. Even the Prophet [p.b.u.h] was asked to keep praying, "O My sustainer! Advance me in knowledge." [20:114] 25. The believers are but a single Brotherhood. Live like members of one family, brothers and sisters unto one another [49/10]. 26. Do not make mockery of others or ridicule others [49/11] 27. Do not defame others [49/11] 28. Do not insult others by nicknames [49/11] 29. Avoid suspicion and guesswork. Suspicion and guesswork might deplete your communal energy [49/12] 30. Spy not upon one another [49/12] 31. Do not backbite one another [49/12] 32. When you meet each other, offer good wishes and blessings for safety. One who conveys to you a message of safety and security and also when a courteous greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous or (at least) of equal courtesy [4/86] 33. When you enter your own home or the home of somebody else, compliment the inmates [24/61] 34. Do not enter houses other than your own until you have sought permission; and then greet the inmates and wish them a life of blessing, purity and pleasure [24/27] 35. Treat kindly -Your parents-Relatives-The orphans-And those who have been left alone in the society [4/36] 36. Take care of -The needy,-The disabled-Those whose hard earned income is insufficient to meet their needs-And those whose businesses have stalled -And those who have lost their jobs. [4/36] 37. Treat kindly -Your related neighbours, and unrelated neighbours-Companions by your side in public gatherings, or public transportation. [4/36] 38. Be generous to the needy wayfarer, the homeless son of the street,and the one who reaches you in a destitute condition [4/36] 39. Be nice to people who work under your care. [4/36] 40. Do not follow up what you have given to others to afflict them with reminders of your generosity [2/262]. 41. Do not expect a return for your good behaviour, not even thanks [76/9] 42. Cooperate with one another in good deeds and do not cooperate with others in evil and bad matters [5/2] 43. Do no try to impress people on account of self-proclaimed virtues [53/32] 44. You should enjoin right conduct on others but mend your own ways first. Actions speak louder than words. You must first practice good deeds yourself, then preach [2/44] 45. Correct yourself and your families first [before trying to correct others] [66/6] 46. Pardon gracefully if anyone among you who commits a bad deed out of ignorance, and then repents and amends [6/54, 3/134] 47. Divert and sublimate your anger and potentially virulent emotions to creative energy, and become a source of tranquillity and comfort to people [3/134] 48. Call people to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful exhortation. Reason with them most decently [16/125] 49. Leave to themselves those who do not give any importance to the Divine code and have adopted and consider it as mere play and amusement [6/70] 50. Sit not in the company of those who ridicule Divine Law unless they engage in some other conversation [4/140] 51. Do not be jealous of those who are blessed [4/54] 52. In your collective life, make rooms for others [58/11] 53. When invited to dine, Go at the appointed time. Do not arrive too early to wait for the preparation of meal or linger after eating to engage in bootless babble. Such things may cause inconvenience to the host [33/53] 54. Eat and drink [what is lawful] in moderation [7/31]. 55. Do not squander your wealth senselessly [17/26] 56. Fulfil your promises and commitments [17/34] 57. Keep yourself clean, pure [9/108, 4/43, 5/6]. 58. Dress-up in agreeable attire and adorn yourself with exquisite character from inside out [7/26] 59. Seek your provision only by fair endeavour [29/17, 2/188] 60. Do not devour the wealth and property of others unjustly, nor bribe the officials or the judges to deprive others of their possessions [2/188] Note: The above points are some of the lessons learnt from Quran that apply to our general living. In the end, the verses of Quran from which the lesson is drawn is given. The points above may not be word by word translations of Quranic verses.  You can take a print of the above Quranic Tips and put on your office desk board or in your Home to understand the above Words of Allah.

-- 
*Jazakum Allah Khair*
*The Qur'an Foundation.*

http://thequranfoundation.posterous.com
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*Please Join our sms group by typing ON QURAN4YOU and send to 09870807070 
(Same for All States in India)*

Dawah tarbia Programme

inshaa Allah new muslim Dawah tarbia Programme

will be held at Masjid e ikhlas,

Begam Shafiya Hospital camps.

No. 25, Perambur high road

  Perambur.  12

Speakers:

Molana Hafizurramaan Uamari Madani

Molana Dr R K. Noor muhammad Umari Madani

Molana Shek Anisurrahmaan azami Umari Madani

Dr. Abdullah Periyardasan

Molavi Sadaqathullah Umari

Molavi Abdullah Firdousi

Molavi Mansoor Umari

Molavi Abdul akbar Firdousi

Contact : Abdullah Firdousi

9894442844, 9841777873

fasting daily for 21 hours

Nuuk, August 13: Wassam Azaqeer, a Lebanese, who lives in a country surrounded by icebergs called “Greenland”, is the only Muslim in this state who is fasting daily for 21 hours with full determination.

Greenland is the largest island in the world; lies between the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean; a self-governing province of Denmark.

According to an Arab TV report, Wassam Azaqeer, who is living in Greenland from the past several years and has been called “Arab Columbus” as he is the only Arab Muslim who not only managed to live in Greenland-despite the long and difficult journey, but also running a successful business in the capital city of Greenland called Nuuk.

Wassam, is running his own restaurant where he receives 200 customers each day.

The month of the Ramadan, this year, came in summer so Wassam has to fast for 21 hours and after Iftaar he only got 2 hours to prepare Suhur - the pre-dawn meal to start next fast.

In these 2 hours Wassam, also has to offer the Maghrib and Isha prayers.

Wassam says that he is very proud Muslim to be living on a state where he is the only one fasting and praying in the name of Allah.

He says he sometimes think about going to Lebanon in this holy month but he stops himself by thinking that if left Greenland, there wont be anyone to fast and pray on this land.

http://www.siasat.com/english/news/only-muslim-who-fasts-21-hours

ZAKAH OBLIGATORY CHARITY

Establish Salah (prayers); give Zakah (charity); and bow down with those who bow down in worship.[43]

Remember, when We took a covenant (firm commitment) from the children of Israel: "You shall worship none but Allah; be good to your parents, relatives, and orphans and destitute, speak fair to the people, establish 'Salah', and pay 'Zakah.'" But you broke the covenant, except a few of you, and you paid no heed.[83]

Establish Salah (Prayers) and pay Zakah (obligatory charity), and whatever good you send ahead of you to the Hereafter for yourselves, you shall find it with Allah; surely, Allah is watching all your actions.[110]

Righteousness is not whether you turn your face towards East or West; but righteousness is to believe in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Books and the Prophets, to spend wealth, in spite of love for it, on relatives, orphans, helpless, needy travelers, those who ask for and on the redemption of captives; to establish Salah (prayers), to pay Zakah (charity), to fulfill promises when made, to be steadfast in poverty, hardship and at the time of war. Those are the ones who are truthful and those are the ones who are the pious.[177]

Whatever you spend in charity or whatever vow you make, surely, Allah knows it. The wrongdoers shall have no helpers.[270]To give charity in public is good, but to give to the poor in private is better and will remove from you some of your sins. Allah is aware of your actions.[271]O Prophet, you are not responsible for their guidance, it is Allah Who guides whom He pleases. Whatever wealth you spend in charity, it is to your own advantage; provided you give to seek the pleasure of Allah. Whatever wealth you spend for the sake of Allah, will be paid back to you in full, and you will not be wronged.[272]Charity is for those needy people who are engaged so much in the cause of Allah that they cannot move about in the land to earn their livelihood: the ignorant think that they are wealthy on account of their modest behavior. You can recognize them by their look because they do not make insistent demands on people. Whatever you spend on them, surely, Allah knows it.[273]Those who spend their wealth in charity by night and day, secretly and openly, they will have their reward from their Rabb. They shall have nothing to fear or to grieve.[274]

Those who believe and do good deeds, establish Salah (prayers), and give Zakah (charity), will have their reward with their Rabb. They will have nothing to fear or to grieve.[277]

Have you not seen those who were told to restrain their hands from fighting, establish Salah (prayers) and pay Zakah (obligatory charity). Now, when at length, they are commanded to fight, lo! A group of them fear people as they should have feared Allah, or even more than that, and say: "Our Rabb! Why have You ordered us to fight? Could you delay its implementation for a while?" Tell them: "The enjoyment of this worldly life is short, life of the hereafter is much better for those who fear Allah, and rest assured that you will not be wronged equal to the fiber of a date-stone.[77]

However, those among them who are well-grounded in knowledge and those who truly believe in what has been revealed to you, O Muhammad, and what was revealed to other Prophets before you, establish Salah (prayer), pay Zakah (obligatory charity), and believe in Allah and the Last Day, those are the ones who will soon be given a mighty reward.[162]

Allah did in fact make a covenant with the Children of Israel and appointed twelve chieftains from among them and said: "I am with you; if you establish Salah (prayers), pay Zakah, believe in My Rasools, support them and give a generous loan to Allah (spend in charity), I will certainly forgive you your sins and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow. However, if any one of you violates this covenant, after this, he will indeed go astray from the Right Way."[12]

Your real protecting friends are Allah, His Rasool, and the fellow believers - the ones who establish Salah (prayer), pay Zakah (obligatory charity) and bow down humbly before Allah.[55]

O Allah ordain for us what is good in this life and in the Here after, surely, we have turned to You." He replied: "I will inflict My punishment upon whom I please; yet, My mercy encompasses everything. I will ordain special mercy for those who are righteous, who pay Zakah (obligatory charity) and who believe in Our revelations." [156]

The true believers, both men and women, are protectors of one another. They enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil; they establish Salah (prayers), pay Zakah (obligatory Charity), and obey Allah and His Rasool. It is they on whom Allah will have His mercy; surely, Allah is Mighty, Wise.[71]

He has made me blessed wherever I may be. He has commanded me to establish Salah (prayer) and give Zakah (obligatory charity) as long as I live.[31]

He commanded his people to establish Salah and give Zakah, and was the one with whom his Rabb was well pleased.[55]

We made them leaders who guided other people by Our command and We sent them revelations to do good deeds, establish Salah (prayers) and pay Zakah (obligatory charity). Us Alone did they serve.[73]

These are the people who, if We give them authority in the land, will establish Salah (prayers) and pay Zakah (obligatory charity), enjoin justice and forbid evil; the final decision of all affairs is in the hands of Allah.[41]

Strive in the Way of Allah as you ought to strive with sincerity and discipline; He has chosen you and has not laid upon you any hardship in the observance of your faith - the faith of your father Ibrâheem (Abraham). He named you Muslims before in prior scriptures and in this (Qur'an), so that the Rasool (Muhammad) may testify against you and you yourselves may testify against the rest of mankind. Therefore, establish Salah (prayers), pay Zakah (obligatory charity) and hold fast to Allah, Who is your Protector - what an excellent Protector and a splendid Supporter![78]

Online Zakat Calculater - pls. click the below link

http://www.central-mosque.com/fiqh/zcalc.htm

All this is from the Qur’an not from hadiths I am only quoting from the Qur’an. All this is writhen from English Translation of the meaning of AL-QUR’AN the guidance for mankind. The institute of Islamic knowledge Houston, Texas. By Muhammad farooq-i-azam malik may Allah bliss him and his family A’meen.

if there are faults and mistakes they are entirely mine and I seek Allah’s forgiveness for any such unintentional error. You are requested that if you find any error or have any suggestion for improvement, please email atguidanceonemail@yahoo.com may Allah help us all to work together for his pleasure. If you don’t have any suggestion still email me I would love some feedback. Please email me email address of people who would like to receive the meaning of al-fatiha. Prophet Muhammad said “the best among you is he who learns and teaches the Qur’an.

Forward this email to any person who needs guidance (we all need guidance) and you may make copies and forward them. If you need a copy of the English translation of Qur’an or software-CD Qur’an for your computer   please send me your name and address and I will mail you a copy at no charge. Thanks U-Khalid assalaamu alaykum Remember Allah hears all and sees all

Simple way to help the spread of knowledge is to forward this email to others and post on blogs, forums or email lists. You never know when that little action you do leads to great change in others.

arrest subramanya swamy-online petition

Dear All,

 

Subramnai Swami the political orphan has written an article in DNA which demands the following:

• To remove the masjid in Kashi Vishwanath temple and the 300 masjids.
• Implement the uniform civil code, 
• Declare India a Hindu Rashtra in which non-Hindus can vote only if they proudly acknowledge that their ancestors were Hindus.
• Enact a national law prohibiting conversion from Hinduism to any other religion. 
• Re-conversion will not be banned. 
• Propagate the development of a Hindu mindset.

It is a duty of all Indians who believe in secularism and democracy to respond to this anti national article.


Click here to sign the online petition

Subramani Swamy Anti national article in DNA 

Dates in the Holy Qur’an & the Sunnah of the Prophet

By ABDUL HALEEM NALAMKANDY | ARAB NEWS

Published: Aug 2, 2011 02:05 Updated: Aug 2, 2011 02:05

The date fruit and tree were dear to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the word “date” is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an more than 20 times.

While the date palm tree is called “nakhl,” the fruit is called “tamr” in Arabic.

The date palm, mentioned more than any other fruit-bearing plant in the Qur’an, is a symbol often associated with Islam and Muslims. Throughout the month of Ramadan, dates are a common ingredient in the Muslim diet.

The Prophet said: “Break your fast by eating dates as it is purifying,” (Ahmad).

On the basis of this Hadith, Muslims insist on breaking their fasts with dates. However, in another Hadith, the Prophet  said, “If you have a date, break your fast with it, if you don’t have it, break the fast with water as it is purifying.” (Abu Dawood)

According to another Hadith, “The Messenger said: Ajwah dates are from Paradise.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

Ajwah is one of the excellent varieties of dates grown in the Madinah region.

In Surah Maryam of the Holy Qur’an, Allah provided Prophet Isa’s (peace be upon him) mother Maryam (peace be upon her) with fresh dates when she was experiencing discomfort and pain during the final stages of her pregnancy.

“Shake the trunk of the palm toward you and fresh, ripe dates will drop down onto you.” (Surah Maryam: verse 25)

The significance of the date palm as a source of nutrition and sustenance is evident in the statement narrated by Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Prophet said there is a tree among the trees which is similar to a Muslim (in goodness), and that is the date palm tree.” (Bukhari)

In another Hadith, the Prophet stressed the importance of dates as a major food item, saying, “People in a house without dates are in a state of hunger.” (Muslim)

The excellence of date palms is also referred to in the following verse of the Holy Qur’an: “And in the earth are tracts (diverse though) neighboring, and gardens of vines and fields sown with corn, and palm trees — growing out of single roots or otherwise: watered with the same water, yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who understand.” (Surah Al-Raad, verse 4)

The date is also referred to in the Holy Qur’an as one of the blessings that would be offered in Paradise.

In several traditions the Prophet ate dates with some other fruits and vegetables. “Abdullah ibn Jaafar, may Allah be pleased with him, said the Messenger ate cucumbers with dates.” (Al-Tirmidhi) According to two other traditions recorded by Al-Tirmidhi, the Prophet ate dates with watermelon or muskmelon.

The Prophet also taught his disciples that the date was not only an antidote to poison but also an effective defense against black magic. “Whoever eats seven dates of the High Land of Madinah in the morning will not be hurt by poison or sorcery on that day.” (Bukhari)

“Rubay bint Mu’awwidh ibn Afraa said: ‘I took a plate of fresh dates and small cucumbers to the Messenger. He gave me a handful of jewelry, or a handful of gold.’” (Al-Tirmidhi)

In another Hadith, the Prophet exhorted the believers that “you should defend yourselves from the hellfire even with a piece of date.”

It has also been reported that the Prophet used to put chewed dates or honey into the mouths of newborn babies.

Reference to the palm tree could also be seen in chapter Qaf, Al-Shuara and Al-Nahl of the Holy Qur’an. In early descriptions of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, historians state that the leaves of the date palm were used as a roof covering.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/dates_supplement/article481501.ece

Ramadhaan In Norway

The Muslims in Norway also face the same problems as their counterparts in foreign countries, with regard to determining the beginning of the holy month, due to the widespread fog and snowfall that persist throughout the year. Thus, they follow other countries to determine the beginning of this virtuous month, which is made common to all the mosques in Norway. Thus, the Muslims in Norway fast together, unlike in other Western countries.

Another problem the Muslims face during the summer days is the length of the day in the country. The day is so long that fasting there may extend to twenty hours, due to the geographic location of Norway.

The Muslims celebrate the month of Ramadhaan in two ways: by performing acts of worship; participating in social functions and preparing traditional meals. As far as the first is concerned, the Muslims countries invite Imaams (religious leaders) andShaykhs (scholars) from Islamic countries, especially Egypt, the country of the famedAl- Azhar university. They also prepare the mosques to receive a great number of Muslims, who come to perform the Taraaweeh Prayer and attend discourses and lectures during Ramadhaan.

The work schedule is organized in a way that enables one to work for lesser hours than usual in the holy month, provided that they compensate for it after the end of the month. However, some employers reject such arrangements. The month ofRamadhaan also witnesses charitable services, where the mosques organize charity dinners in order to develop greater religious fervor in Muslims, especially in the younger generation. Stores owned by Muslims provide traditional food for fasting people throughout the holy month.

Thus, Allaah The Almighty has made Ramadhaan a good opportunity for Muslims to draw closer to Him, endeavor to revive their Islamic sentiments, and convey them to the non-Muslims in foreign countries.

mass Qur’an reading

Palestinian girls take part in a mass Qur’an reading session at a mosque in Gaza City yesterday.

Ramadhaan in Turkey

Ramadhaan is a very special time in Muslim countries around the world. Ramadhaan in Turkey, for example, is very similar to Ramadhaans in any other Muslim country. Life takes a different rhythm; the observant Muslim tries to focus more on his or her prayers; even the others who consider themselves more liberal try to do a little better.

In Turkey, a typical day during Ramadhaan starts with Ramadhaan drummers walking around the neighborhoods with big double-headed drums to wake up people for Suhoor (pre-dawn meal). They beat out a variety of rhythms and sing some Ramadhaan rhymes. Here is a common Ramadhaan rhyme they sing:

Uyansana, uyansana

Ne bulursun bu uykuda

Al abdesti, kil namazi

Cennet mekan olsun sana

Which translates to:

Come on wake up

What do you find in this sleep?

Make Wudhoo’, perform you prayers

May there be a place in Paradise for you

Usually, the lady of the house wakes up first and prepares a light pre-dawn meal and wakes others up. Suhoor meal is usually an early breakfast with typical breakfast food, good bread and Turkish tea. Most TV channels and radios have special Suhoor programs at this hour and it is not surprising to be able to watch “The Message”- an Islamic film- right before Fajr (dawn). During the day, people go back to their daily routines and there is no special scheduling at the work place during Ramadhaan. However, the rush hour usually starts earlier during Ramadhaan because everybody tries to go back home early for Iftaar (breaking fast).

When it is the exact time for breaking fast, cannons are fired, and the Athaan (call for prayer ( starts simultaneously from thousands of minarets, most strikingly in the big cities like Istanbul, as if a giant switch had been turned on, and the whole city is galvanized. The big mosques with more than one minaret are illuminated at night and sayings are written on the ropes stretched between the minarets of mosques. It is a Ramadhaan art in Turkey called “Mahya”. Some examples of these sayings are: “The Sultan of 11 months arrived”“Welcome Ramadhaan”“Islam is good manners”.

Restaurants that have been sleepy all day come to life. Some 5 star hotels, renowned restaurants, and even fast food restaurants offer special Ramadhaan menus. Around the big mosques, hundreds of vendors start serving cotton candies, sweet corn, roasted chestnuts, pastries, and herbal teas to fasting people. At the courtyards of big mosques like Sultan Ahmed, you can find enormous book fairs where Turkey’s leading religious publishers present their newest books.

In the time of the Ottoman Empire, Pashas, government ministers, and rich people held Ramadhaan Iftaar in their homes throughout the month, and these were opened to the public to enable the poor to be fed. Today, however, Ramadhaan tents are set-up in the big squares of the cities and long lines appear in front of these tents near Iftaar time. Philanthropic and charity foundations also set up their own Iftaar tents and host fasting Muslims.

During Ramadhaan, there is often more frequent food shopping than usual. Even though there is no set menu for Ramadhaan, there are still a few special items associated with it. Dates, for example, which Turkish people are oblivious to most of the year, start to be displayed everywhere in great piles. Another Ramadhaan special is the “Ramadhaan Pide Bread” in the bakeries. This is special flat bread, sprinkled with black seeds. It is very soft and rich bread. People wait a long time in lines in front of bakeries to get this bread right before the Iftaar.

A typical Iftaar menu of an ordinary Turkish home starts with olives or dates to break the fast. There is always a small breakfast plate to start with. Warm Ramadhaan bread accompanies the soup. Then come rice, meat and vegetables. Iftaar ends with dessert, mostly Gullac and Turkish tea.

Ramadhaan is a time that people try to read Quran more than usual. Housewives especially get together everyday for small study circles and read at least one part of the Quran everyday. They also perform more voluntary prayers. Even people who don’t perform prayer five times a day start doing that during Ramadhaan.

There are also more religious programs on TVs and radios. Some TV channels have daily Quran teaching hours. On the evening news, TV channels give the exact times of Iftaar for all the major cities. People think about the needy more in Ramadhaan and most people give their Zakaah (obligatory charity) during Ramadhaan. Children are encouraged to fast as much as they can and they go to the Taraaweeh prayer with their parents. Mosques are full for Taraaweeh every evening and beautiful sermons are given in mosques. On the 27th night of Ramadhaan, which is seen as the most probable night of Laylat Al-Qadr, mosques are even more filled with people and they stay awake all night worshipping.

‘Eed is very special for everyone, practicing or non-practicing alike. Even people who don’t fast during Ramadhaan observe this celebration and attend the ‘Eed service. It is always a good idea to stay in the mosque from Fajr to the ‘Eed prayer because there is usually not enough space there for everybody, especially in big cities. There are always some who have to perform prayer outside the mosque. After the ‘Eed prayer and sermon, everybody meets in the courtyard of the mosque and embraces each other. During the ‘Eed days, the shops are closed but the buses are free for three days as everybody begins the round of visits to family and friends—a tradition which lies at the heart of the Turkish way of ‘Eed celebration. Even people who were not on talking terms are brought together during the ‘Eed. Children kiss the hands of the adults as an act of respect and get money from them to get ‘Eed gifts for themselves. The elderly give handkerchiefs and Turkish delights to the kids. All kinds of sweets are served to the guests and this goes on for three days until the end of the ‘Eed.

That evening, high above the minarets of the mosques, Mahyas read: “Elveda Ramazan (Farewell Ramadan)”.