Me'raj (Holy Ascension) of the Prophet Muhammad(saw))

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al- Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. (Surah Al-Isra:1)

By the Star when it goes down. Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled. Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire. It is no less than inspiration sent down to him: He was taught by one mighty in Power, Endued with Wisdom: For he appeared (in stately form). While he was in the highest part of the horizon: Then he approached and came closer, And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer; So did (Allah) convey the inspiration to His Servant - (conveyed) what He (meant) to convey. The (Prophet's) (mind and) heart in no way falsified that which he saw. Will ye then dispute with him concerning what he saw? Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass: Near it is the Garden of Abode. Behold, the Lote-tree was shrouded (in mystery unspeakable!). (His) sight never swerved, nor did it go wrong! For truly did he see, of the Signs of his Lord, the Greatest! (Al-Najm: 1-18)

At an age of fifty two, probably on 27th Rajab, before the year of the Hijrah (migration) from which the Muslim calendar began, the Prophet’s Meraj or ascension took place; This was an important milestone in the life of Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, and also a highly significant reminder to us of the special gift from Allah of the minimum five-times daily prayers.

a) On that day, Allah, swt, honored prophet Muhammad, PBUH, by transporting him to the heavens and showing him a panorama of the cosmos, where Allah also tutored him in various sciences.

b) On that day, Prophet Muhammad was mandated that Muslims should pray a minimum of five-times daily salat, reduced from the original 50 times.

c) On that day, an important conversation took place between Allah, swt, and Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, which is rehearsed many times daily by millions of Muslims all over the world, soon after they sit down after the second prostration (sajdah) to recite the tashahhud (Declaration of Faith), also called A-tahiyyat (greetings), because Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, brought greetings to Allah, swt, on behalf of himself and also on behalf of his followers.

To know in detail, please read the below document:

http://www.prophetmuhammadforall.org/webfiles/downloads/urdu/safarnama.pdf

understand Three Quranic Chapters in Just 1 minute!

Hi, heres an opportunity to understand Three chapters of Quran in 1 Minute! with a very sweet voice of Sheikh Hani ar Rifai. Hope this brings in us the thirst for understanding the Message of the Almighty and gives us a hint - why Quran is Miracle for Mankind

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Ramadhan Checklist

I came across this checklist by chance, unfortunately I do not know whom to give the credits for it, but I thought I might share it with the readers of this blog.

1. Make a resolve to win the maximum favour of Allah: perform extra voluntary prayers (Nawaafil), make frequent Du'a and increase remembrance (Dhikr).

2. Try to recite some Qu'ran after every Prayer. In fact if you read 3-4 pages after every Prayer you can easily finish the entire Quran in Ramadan! Study the Quranic Tafseer (commentary) every morning.

3. Invite a person you are not very close with to your home for Iftar, at least once a week. You will notice the blessings in your relationships!

4. Bring life to your family! Everyday, try to conclude the fast with your family and spend some quality time together to understand each other better.

5. Commit to an Islamic study circles to enhance your Islamic knowledge and practice. Plan to complete reading a book on Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) life in these 30 days.

6. Donate generously to the masajid, Islamic organizations, and any where people are in need. "This is a month of sharing!"

7. Seek the rare and oft-neglected rewards of 'the night better than a 1000 months', Laylatul-Qadr.

8. Weep in private for the forgiveness of your sins: It is the month of forgiveness and Allah's Mercy! It's never too late.

9. Learn to control your tongue and lower your gaze. Remember the Prophet's warning that lying, backbiting, and a lustful gaze all violate the fast! Abandon foul language forever.

10. Encourage others to enjoin and love goodness, and to abandon everything evil. Play the role of a Da'ee (one who invites to Allah) with passion and sympathy.

11. Experience the joy of Tahajjud prayers late at night and devote yourself purely and fully to Allah in the I'tikaf retreat during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

with thanks: Sarah

Concepts, facts and ideas that can be derived from the Story of Adam (A.S)

1. The great value Islam assigns to man, his role on earth and his position in the universal system as well as the values by which he will be judged.

2. The high regard in which man is held in God’s universe is manifested in the divine will to declare man a vicegerent on earth and in the symbolic gesture of ordering the angels to prostrate themselves before him, and the subsequent condemnation of Iblīs who refused to join them.

3. Elevates man above all other beings and forbids his subjugation or humiliation for the sake of material achievement

4. Achievements must not come at a price that would undermine fundamental human values, or at the expense of man’s dignity or integrity.

5. Man, rather than the means of production or distribution, is the force of change on this earth; he influences and alters the course of all life on it.

6. This view of man is easily distinguished from, and vastly superior to, the feeble and negative role assigned to him by materialistic philosophies.

7. Islam aims to always guide man towards a decent and moral life.
Production, consumerism and the satisfaction of man’s carnal instincts and desires are not all that life is about.

By Syed Qutub Shaheed (R.A) in Fi Zilaal ul Qur'an

Quranic Definition of Taqwa

Allah (swt) has defined Taqwa in The Glorious Qur'an in a very clear cut manner.
According to Verse no. 177 of Surah Al-Baqarah, Taqwa is:

1. To believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers.
2. To spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves
3. To be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity
4. To fulfil the contracts which ye have made
5. To firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of conflicts.

Put yourselves on this scale and measure your level of Taqwa

Seeking Forgiveness From Allah

"Say: O Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" (Quran 39:53)

"And those who cry not unto any other god along with Allah, nor take the life which Allah hath forbidden save in (course of) justice, nor commit adultery - and whoso doeth this shall pay the penalty; (68) The doom will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein disdained for ever; (69) Save him who repenteth and believeth and doth righteous work; as for such, Allah will change their evil deeds to good deeds. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful. (70) [Quran 25:68-70]

Allahuma innaka 'afuwwun karimun tuhibbul 'afwa fa ‘afu anni
(O Allah! You are the Most Forgiving and Most Gracious! You love to forgive, so forgive my errors and sins)