Dzulhijjah - The Month of Hajj

This is an article I feel I should share with all of you. May we benefit from it InsyaAllah.

Original title : Welcoming the Blessed Guest : Dhulhijjah
Author : Amatullah
Source : www.suhaibwebb.com

Friday (October 28th) is the first day of the month known asDhul-Hijjah. Our hearts and prayers are with those undertaking the difficult pilgrimage during these days. For those of us who are not performing the Hajj, there are still many ways to make the most of this blessed time!

Virtues of the first 10 Days of Dhul-Hijjah

 How many times have we heard Surat Al-Fajr recited, be it in our homes, while memorizing, or in the mosque? As a shorter surah, it may be a frequent part of our prayers, but taking the time to reflect on even a part of the first verse reveals a treasure of meaning. In the first two ayahs (verses) of Surat Al-Fajr, Allah says:

“By the dawn; And [by] the ten nights.” (89:1-2)

According to scholars of the Qur’an, the days mentioned as significant enough for Allah to swear by them are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

Describing how these ten days are among the best, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days.” They said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” [Bukhari, 2/457]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “There is no deed that is better before Allah or more greatly rewarded than a good deed done in the (first) ten days of al-Adha.” He was asked: “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said: “Not evenjihad for the sake of Allah, unless a man goes out himself for jihad taking his wealth with him and does not come back with anything.” [Al-Daarimi, 1/357]

Thus, the ten days are better than all other days of the year, with no exception, even the last ten days of Ramadan. (The last ten nights of Ramadan, however, are understood to be better than the nights of Dhul-Hijjah, because they include Laylat al-Qadr (the night of power), which is better than a thousand months. (Qur’an 97:3)

Therefore, whoever is not able to go to Hajj should use this blessed time to complete even more righteous deeds than usual. These can include anything such as giving charity, honouring one’s parents, upholding the ties of kinship, and enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. Fasting and remembrance are particularly recommended:

1. Fasting Nine days, especially on the Day of ‘Arafah

It is Sunnah for the Muslim to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, because fasting is one of the best of deeds. Ina hadith qudsi, Allah says: “All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it.” [Bukhari, 1805]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The Prophet used to fast on the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah and the day of Ashura, and three days each month, the first Monday of the month and two Thursdays.” [Abu Dawood, 2/462]

The ten days of Dhul-Hijjah include Yawm al-`Arafah (the Day of `Arafah), on which Allah perfected His Religion. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fasting the day of `Arafah expiates the sins of two years: the past one and the coming one. And fasting the day of Ashura expiates the sins of the past year.” [Muslim]

2. Remembrance

It is Sunnah to recite remembrances known as the takbeer, tahmeed, tahleel, and tasbeeh during the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, saying these words out loud in the mosques, homes, streets and every place in which it is permissible to remember Allah:

• Takbeer: Allahu akbar (God is most great)
• Tahmeed: Al-hamdu Lillah (All praises be to God)
• Tahleel: Laa ilaha ill-Allah (There is no god but Allah)
• Tasbeeh: Subhaan-Allah (Glory be to God),

The Prophet (peace be upon him) explained how, “There are no days that are greater before Allah or in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days, so recite a great deal of tahleel, takbeer and tahmeed during them.” [Ahmad, 7/224]

While there are different versions, the takbeer can also be recited as follows:

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, Allahu akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd.

Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, there is no god but Allah; Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise.

Weekend Carnival

Don't know or not sure what to do this weekend? Bi iznillah, why not make your way to Karnival KAFA Integrasi al-Insaniah?

For more info, please check out their FB page http://www.facebook.com/helpKAFA.

Barakallahufikum. May Allah bless all of you!

p/s : I am blogging this only an hour before my Economics mid-term test. Yikes!

Big Circle Picnic

Sometimes we need to take a break from our hectic schedules in order to keep in touch with ourselves, with family, friends and even mother nature...

Alhamdulillah, the weather was great, the sisters (and brothers) were great... and not forgetting the food too! I have to admit, I have yet to memorize/remember everyone's name but please give me some time... I will get there... soon, InsyaAllah!

Twins of Faith

Masya Allah! To say that I am excited is an understatement!

What is Twins of Faith?

The two Twins of Faith are knowledge and action. The concept of Twins of Faith has an underlying intent to get people active & to seek knowledge. Our goal is to educate and mobilize all people towards positive social activism.

The combination of knowledge and action is what separates this ummah from the previous ones; we find mention in the Quran of those nations who had knowledge but did not act upon it and those that acted without knowledge.

Our slogan: Inspiring positive change.

This has 3 important elements:

Inspiring: Inspiring through knowledge, through awareness of the prophet’s vision, through conversation and engagement.

Positive: The type of inspiration will be positive. It will only lead to good things, positive things, positive for everyone – Muslim or non-Muslim.

Change: Change has different facets to it: change in personal lives; in communal settings. Change is a progression since positive precedes it. We aim for change and progression in the areas of knowledge, awareness, activism, piety, etc.

  Our Logo: The intertwined symbols of knowledge and action

In our logo, the two arabic words for knowledge and action–’ilm and ‘amal –come together and intertwine. In the arabic language, similarity in letters shows the relationship between different words. These two words, in arabic, are comprised of the same three letters ayn, laam and meem just with a slight change in order from one to the other. ‘ilm–knowledge– is spelt  ’ayn , laam , meem and ‘amal–action–is spelt ‘ayn, meem, laam.

Our logo, therefore, is the symbolic representation of our purpose: bringing together knowledge and action to create positive change.

source : http://my.twinsoffaith.com/our-story/

I have yet to buy the tickets (yeah... I know) because I need to see the schedule for classes, discussions, tests and what not. But InsyaAllah, praying hard that Allah allows me to attend this event which will be on the 24th and 25th December 2011.

For more info, please go to www.twinsoffaith.com

Fabulous Friday

Being fabulous is not just about looking or feeling good... it can be just about anything, including doing something good.

If you feel that you would like to contribute something to the society (be it in Malaysia or elsewhere), you can start by helping the needy...

Help KAFA Integrasi Al-Insaniah

KAFA Integrasi Al-Insaniah is a small private islamic school located near the Kelana Jaya LRT Depot in PJ. The children who go to this school are mostly residents of the nearby PPRT (a flat for the hardcore poor).

The school is in shambles and is in dire need of funds. The children cannot afford meals or fees so many don't attend or skip meals. We aim to provide long-term aid for the school so that the children can have their basic rights to food and education. You can help by donating food, money, clothes and even skills.


To contact the school directly:

KAFA Integrasi Al-Insaniah

Jalan PJU 1A/42

Taman Putra Damai, Lembah Subang

47301 Petaling Jaya

Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Guru Besar : Ustazah Siti Hawa Sharif - 0139180191

Ustazah Norazainah - 0173217971

Maybank

'KAFA INTEGRASI AL-INSANIAH'

Acc No: 562496003074

Bank Islam

SAR AL-INSANIAH

Acc no: 12047010031372

source : http://www.facebook.com/helpKAFA

Self reminder

I was reciting the Qur'an this morning after Subuh when I came across these aayat - on the obligation to perform solat in whatever condition, even during war. A reminder indeed. Masya Allah, the Qur'an is beautiful! Islam is beautiful!

An-Nisa' [4:101-104]

"And when you travel throughout the land, there is no blame upon you for shortening the prayer, [especially] if you fear that those who disbelieve may disrupt [or attack] you. Indeed, the disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy."

"And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment."

"And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times."

"And do not weaken in pursuit of the enemy. If you should be suffering - so are they suffering as you are suffering, but you expect from Allah that which they expect not. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise."

Source : quran.com

Take care everyone!

Mid-term oh mid-term

Mid-term is just around the corner... and I have not started studying a single thing! T___T

10/10 : Group presentation - Marketing Management  done Alhamdulillah
12/10 : Group presentation - Human Capital Management  done Alhamdulillah
29/10 : Mid-term test - Economics for Managers
03/11 : Submit - Accounting for Business Decision Making :
            a) Group assignment; and
            b) Take home test
19/11 : Mid-term test - Human Capital Management
21/11 : Submit group assignment - Human Capital Management
23/11 : Submit group assignment - Economics for Managers
17/12 : Group presentation - Human Capital Management

All of the above are confirmed... Expecting a few more somewhere in between T_____T

May Allah ease everything for me, InsyaAllah!

After a long hiatus

I have literally abandoned the old blog for more than a year... I thought of retiring from the blogging world... but now that I am back to becoming a student, I need a platform where I can start practising my writing skills... so, here I am, blogging my brains out, again!

InsyaAllah I will come up with one proper entry soon. It will still be a personal blog... but I hope to share (with you) some useful information too.

Till then, take care!

A new beginning

Assalamualaikum and Hi!

This is my second blog. The old one will remain a memory :)

Will start rambling soon, insyaAllah!