A British Teacher Finds Islam in Ramadan

We can all look back at memorable times in our lives. People and places can have a special significance for us and we need to look back, from time to time, to see how the hand of Allah has been at work in our lives, even though we did not notice.
We are often too busy to see the pattern which our life has taken and which has led us to where we are today. By reflecting on what has been, we can learn to be grateful and learn to see all things as part of Almighty Allah's eternal plan for us.
I look back at my first Ramadan as a Muslim and ponder on all that has happened in my own life since then. That first Ramadan was very special. Before talking about that, though, I need to say something about the two Ramadans before it.
I was Head of Religious Education in a Boys' School in South London and it was my responsibility to teach the pupils about the world's different religions. In English schools the pupils learn information about the six major world faiths: Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism, although no preference is given to any.
My classroom was the only room in the school with a fitted carpet and a washbasin, essential for the prayers.
Whilst providing information, it is supposed to be a way of encouraging tolerance and understanding in an increasingly multi-cultural world. It is one way, if handled sensitively, of counter-balancing the wrong ideas about Islam which British people get by the stories they see on the television news.
I had already visited Egypt and seen for myself how sweet and gentle Muslims can be. Now, though, I had to teach about Islam. Since I was not Muslim, reading about Islam was one of the ways I prepared for my lessons, learning as much myself as I would teach the pupils.
In schools in the UK, as in many non-Muslim nations, there is usually no allowance made for pupils of any religion who wish to pray. Many of the boys in this school where I taught were Muslim, and many of them were from the Arab world.
Just before the first Ramadan I was at the school, the pupils approached me and asked if they could use my classroom to pray, even though they knew I was not Muslim. Allah works in very extraordinary ways, using the simple things of life to work marvels in our lives.
My classroom was the only room in the school with a fitted carpet and a washbasin, essential for the prayers, so it was my classroom that was to be used. I agreed to their request, but the head teacher asked that a teacher be present to supervise the pupils. So, for the whole of Ramadan I sat at the back of the classroom every lunchtime, while the boys prayed the noon prayer and, on Fridays, the Friday congregational prayer.
By the end of that Ramadan I knew how Muslims prayed and I could recite the prayers to myself, even though I didn't know what they meant. After Ramadan we kept using the classroom at lunchtime for prayers, and this continued all year.
The following Ramadan, while still not a Muslim, I fasted along with the pupils, to show my solidarity with them. Not long after that, Al-hamdu lillah , I embraced Islam. But that is another story. The example of the students had led me to become Muslim. I then joined the pupils each day for prayers, the newest Muslim and the least knowledgeable of all.
That evening of my first Ramadan as a Muslim was a very special evening that I will never forget.
My first Ramadan as a Muslim, then, was to be very special. At the end of the holy month the pupils and I organized a special iftar meal for ourselves. Iftar is quite literally the breakfast, when the fast is broken. To celebrate the blessed night of Laylat Al-Qadr, when Prophet Muhammad is received the first revelation of the holy Qur'an, the boys stayed behind after school.
During the time between the end of lessons and the Call to Prayer we watched a film about the life of the Prophet. We then prayed the sunset prayer together, with the oldest boy leading the prayers and reciting the holy Qur'an in a very beautiful voice.
As the sun was setting, gathered together in that simple classroom, it was as though an angel came down to visit us. After prayers we had an iftar party. Everyone had brought some food or drink, however little or how lavish, to share with the others and we had a splendid meal.
Although this took place after the events of September 11, 2001 when many in Britain were deeply suspicious about Islam and Muslims, many of the non-Muslim teachers came to congratulate us and to wish us a happy Ramadan.
The head teacher had to be in a meeting, but he took some dates with him to eat at the time we were going to break the fast. The headmaster had learned from us that the Prophet used to break the fast during Ramadan by eating some dates, and so he wanted to do this out of respect for what we believed.
In a Muslim country it is easy to take one's Muslim faith for granted. Friends and family are there to encourage us in our fasting. There are special programs on television to help us know more about Islam and to keep it constantly before our eyes.
Celebrating Ramadan in a country that is not Muslim, on the other hand, can be difficult. Often you can be the only one who is fasting. After breaking the fast there may not be anything special to do in the evening, especially if there is not a mosque nearby.
That evening of my first Ramadan as a Muslim was a very special evening that I will never forget. It gave witness to others about the message of Islam and, for those present, it was a real celebration of the joy and the brotherhood of Islam which touched all of our hearts. Al-hamdu lillah.

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British writer who became Muslim a few years ago. Previously, he was head of religious education in different schools in the United Kingdom. Before embracing Islam, he was a Roman Catholic priest. He now lives in Egypt. For more information about Idris Tawfiq visit www.idristawfiq.com
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Ramadan Celebrations 3

Ramadan in Thailand
Muslims in Thailand form one-third of the Thai people. Because of the huge manifestations of celebrating the month of Ramadan, aThai citizen feels as if the number of Muslims doubles everyday.
During Ramadan, a new mosque is inaugurated mostly in every city and in every village. All the year round, Muslims of each city collect money for establishing the new mosque which is usually opened in the month of Ramadan. People here are keen on working by themselves in building these mosques. Memorizers of the Ever-Glorious Qur'an are happily carried on shoulders to be examples for the rest of Muslims and to encourage the youngsters to memorize the Glorious Qur'an as well.
In the first day of Ramadan, each Thai Muslim family even the poor families are keen on slaughtering in commemoration with the coming of this blessed month. Obviously, slaughtering in the first day of fasting is a Thai habit that has been witnessed and still a long time ago.
Among the beautiful manifestations of this month is that people, here, used to have the meal of breaking the fast in groups; the matter which is considered to be a kind of good treatment and sincere love. The Thai Muslims incline towards having large amounts of fruits during this month. Interestingly enough, spending the month of Ramadan in their country is normally among the habits of the Thai Muslims. Thus, most travelers, overseas workers and even students who study abroad usually come back to spend the month of Ramadan with their families.

Ramadan in Austria
There is about 150,000 Muslims of different nationalities in Austria; among them are Arab, Turkish and others. Exactly the case in Muslim countries, Muslims celebrate Ramadan by observing Islamic rites, like performing Taraweeh Prayer at about fifty mosques in Vienna and other Austrian cities. Muslims there also go to the mosques regularly to listen to religious lectures on Islamic jurisprudence, exegesis of the Qur'an and other sciences.
However, mosques differ in their way of celebrating Ramadan. As regard the Islamic Center in Vienna, established and funded by Muslim countries, services go on in full swing, as sermons are delivered and lectures given by a group of reverent Muslim scholars from Al-Azhar and other places, Taraweeh Prayers are performed regularly. Moreover, the center provides a breakfast for Muslims throughout the month.
There are also other Islamic centers and mosques financed by the Turkish community in Austria. Such centers provide Muslim communities in Austria with Islamic books, and they also provide meats and chicken slaughtered on the Islamic way.
The Egyptian club in Austria also plays a great role in gathering the Austrian-based Egyptians together during Ramadam on breakfast banquets. When Ramadan ends, all Muslim communities gather in the Islamic center to celebrate `Eid after performing `Eid Prayer. Such celebration is a special occasions for Muslims there to get together in the atmosphere of love and brotherliness.

Ramadan in Sweden
Islam has spread all over the world, so that it became the second religion in Sweden and other countries in the Northern Pole.
As for the problem that face Muslims here, it is the issue of sighting the new moon of Ramadan; this causes a lot of problem and stirs arguments due to the lack of a center body on which all Muslims will rely for this important issue. Yes, there is an Islamic center here, but its services cannot cover all Muslims dispersed in different places, besides, the Swedish media renders no assistance. However, people mostly follow the crescent sighting in Makkah, to know the beginning of Ramadan and the day of `Eid.
There is a big difference between the way of celebrating Ramadan in all Scandinavian countries and in other European countries, because the number of Muslim minority in the former is somehow lower than the number of Muslims in the latter. Yet, despite the few number of Muslims here in Sweden, Ramadan forms a very special spiritual occasion, which all Muslims nail-bitingly wait for from year to year. No sooner had the Muslim scholars sighted the crescent of Ramadan than people begin to congratulate one another and set forth to perform Taraweeh Prayer at the nearest mosque, or say, some places hired by Muslims for prayer, for there are no mosques. In these places, Muslims hold sessions in which they remember Allah throughout Ramadan.

Ramadan in India
Indian people prepare themselves for Ramadan on the last day of Sha`aban, when the fatwa committee there go for sighting the crescent of Ramadn after Sunset Prayer. On announcing the following day to be the first day of Ramadan, people begin to phone their relatives and friends, congratulating one another for the blessed month. Then they go for Taraweeh Prayer, and some people show more keenness on Taraweeh Prayer than on the prescribed Prayers and observe it steadfastly, especially at the beginning of the month and also when the month ends.
The number of people who perform Taraweeh Prayer redoubles in the 27th night of Ramadan, being considered the Night of Power. Also their number increase in the night when the Imam is about to complete the Qur'an. One of the habits of the Indians in Ramadan is also retreating in mosques for worship during the last ten days of Ramadan.
There are some special dishes prepared in Ramadan in India, such as "Ghangui" a kind of soup, made of floor, rice and slices of meat. It's very useful in breaking one's fasting with as it quenches thirst and produces energy. This soup is served in every mosque. Also there is "Harir" a kind of drink to be taken at Iftar. The Indians also like to eat different fruits in Ramadan.
At the end of Ramadan, people begin to prepare themselves for the `Eid El-Fitr; it is actually the greatest feast for Muslims in the India. Early in the morning of `Eid, men take shower and wear white clothes, then they go for `Eid Prayer after they eat some sweets. At home, women go on preparing special sweets for the feast, which they call `Eid Kah. Then they present it to their husbands after returning from the mosque. All people wear colorful and elegant dresses and receive visitors. They also exchange `Eid cards.

Ramadan in Pakistan
With the coming of Ramadan, Pakistani citizens make `Umrah their first concern. Though straitened may be their circumstances, they never lose such a chance.
In Pakistan, Friday markets are everywhere to provide people with their basic needs at low prices. Pakistani women begin preparing Iftar at a very early time of the day in addition to some light drinks and meals. After Taraweeh, supper is offered which is mostly a good spicy meal.
During the last ten days, the case is different as men gather together to have Suhoor in nearby mosques. Before Suhoor time, they begin reciting and studying the Qur'an.
Days before `Eid Al-Fitr (Lesser Bairam) candy is distributed and markets are open around the hour so that people can get their needs for `Eid.
Before `Eid Prayer begins, Pakistani people wear new clothes and head to the public playground to perform `Eid Prayer. Kissing one another and exchanging congratulations the Pakistanis show their joy with the coming of the Lesser Bairam, `Eid Mubarak.

Ramadan Celebrations 2

Ramadan in Turkey
With happiness, the Turkish people welcome Ramadan. In fact, this great people still proving steadfastness and love for this great religion that encompasses all aspects of life.
"Ramadan has come, light the minarets and feel joy." This is what occurs at the advent of Ramadan in Turkey from the Maghrib prayer till the early hours in the morning. The Chief of the Authority of Religious Affairs in Turkey says: "We have about 77 thousand mosques in Turkey, for we cannot live without mosques or minarets."
Taraweeh, reciting the Holy Qur'an and making Religious Book Fair in the Olo Jami`(Turkey's Greatest Mosque) in Ankara and Sultan Ahmad Mosque in Istanbul are among the signs of welcoming the month.
After Traweeh is finished, candy is distributed to children who participated in prayer as a way of encouraging them to repeat the deed.
In ordinary days, the local radio and TV known as TRT1-TV broadcasts a religious program of a quarter of an hour. In Ramadan, two religious programs are broadcast before Iftar and Suhoor in addition to many TV serials in various times of the day as a way of celebrating the blessed month.

Ramadan in Tanzania
In Tanzania, the month of Ramadan has a special place in the minds of people as they prepare for Ramadan right from the middle of Sha`ban, as they bedeck the streets with decorations and electric lights, and also beautify the mosque and all the neighboring shops. Then they exchange visits and gifts between families.
As preparation for the month of Ramadan, most Muslims fast on Mondays and Thursdays in the month of Sha`ban until Ramadan comes when all of them will fast, starting from children of twelve years up to the old people. Those who do not pray are called atheists, pagans and unbelievers. It is regarded as an enormity and punishable under the law for a Muslim to eat during the day in Ramadan and to be seen on the street eating. All the shops are always closed in the daytime. Even the cafeterias in the hotels are not to be opened except after the sunset prayer, and even a non-Muslim is ashamed of eating in the daytime during Ramadan.
Some of the foods used to break fast are dates, water sweetened with sugar, coffee, rice, fish and vegetables.

Ramadan in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is one of the hottest spots in the world with the temperature reaching more than 40° C (104° F) in summer. Even when it falls in summer, Ramadan is still one of the most beloved seasons in the country.
After the Communist Revolution, a fierce attack was waged against religion.
Mosques were closed, prayer was banned, and Muslims could no longer fast or make Hajj due to the strict reign of the Communist authorities.
Now with the coming of leniency and the end of oppression, Muslims have regained their joy in their religion and seize the chance of the holy month to gather for iftar.
Each gathering starts with reciting the Qur'an and supplicating Allah to bless the host and his family. After they have finished eating, the guests and host rush to the mosque to perform `Isha Prayer and Taraweeh. What a great feeling to be free

Ramadan in Japan
Muslims of Japan share their brothers all over the Muslim world the happiness of receiving Ramadan.
Muslims in Japan prepare themselves for receiving Ramadan long time before its coming. A permanent committee called "the Committee of Ramadan and the two Feasts" has been formed in the Islamic center for discussing preparation for Ramadan. The committee starts its work with sighting the new moon. Mostly, it is too overcast to be seen. In such case, we follow Malaysia, the nearest Islamic country to us. Then, when it's confirmed that the new moon has been sighted, the center declares that to the public. The center takes on its shoulder answering questions of Japanese Muslims concerning the new moon, times of Prayers, Fasting, etc.
On this occasion, they always publish a calendar showing times of prayers and the approximate times for refraining from eating and drinking at dawn and breaking fast at sunset during Ramadan. The center distributes this calendar to mosques, and various Islamic gatherings and meetings all over Japan. Another calendars are distributed to restaurants that sell Halal (lawful) food. Obviously, the center as well as all the other Islamic gatherings makes the necessary preparations for receiving this blessed month properly. Working for Islam is activated during this month which is the best of months and one of the distinctive features of the Muslim Ummah

Ramadan in Malaysia
Malaysia is one of the greatest Muslim countries. The Malaysian Muslims receive the month of Ramadan with great joy and unequalled happiness. They change their style of living during this honorable month. Reciting the Ever-Glorious Qur'an, remembering Allah and staying at mosques are their main concern. On the few last days of Sha`ban, Muslims of Malaysia prepare themselves for receiving Ramadan. They prepare mosques for prayer and buy their necessities of food. On the 29th night of Sha`ban, the Ministry of Religious Affairs tries to sight the new moon. When the sighting is established, the ministry declares it via mass media. Muslims exchange congratulations due to the advent of Ramadan. On this great occasion, the local authorities sprinkle streets with water, clean yards and public squares and hang electric lamps in the main streets.
As for the way of receiving Ramadan in the countryside, Muslims there celebrate the occasion through gathering at mosques and congratulating one another. Also, they exchange meals of breaking the fast.
The rich and well-to-do traders normally establish feasts for providing meals of the breaking of the fast at mosques and in the streets.
Truly, the Malaysian community is distinguished with special kinds of meals.
Mostly, all family members attend prayer in the mosque regularly. Schools for teaching the Qur'an are widespread all over the country. The government encourages these schools which intensify their courses during this month. They teach Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), Tafsir (Exegesis of the Qur'an), the Islamic Creed, the Arabic language besides the Ever-Glorious Qur'an. The Malaysians conclude the month of Ramadan with completing reciting the Honorable Qur'an in mosques, schools, TV, Radio, etc. Then, they make other celebrations for receiving the blessed `Eid Al-Fitr.

Ramadan in Morocco
In Morocco as well as in other Muslim countries, Ramadan has a special taste. During weekends, Moroccans residing in big cities travel to the countryside to enjoy fresh air and practice joyful sports.
Civil servants are permitted to leave work as soon as they hear "Allahu Akbar," Allah is the Greatest. In addition, it is dominant to see people treating one another kindly and an atmosphere of compassion, forsaking the fake glory of this worldly life encompasses all.
In Morocco, the Night of Qadr, is characterized by a special occasion. The father accompanies his male children after breaking the fast to the Mosque in order to pray `Isha and Taraweeh in congregation. Female children, on the other hand remain in the house rejoicing with neighbors until the father comes back home. Upon the father's return, all rejoice and go sightseeing in the city's capital.

Ramadan in Cairo
By every dawn and every sunset, the Egyptian citizens hear the boom of an old canon, declaring the time for breaking the fast (Iftar) and the time for stopping eating (Imsaak).
The canon known as "Hajjah Fatimah" is an inheritance from the old day of Muhammad Ali Pasha or, according to some traditions, goes back to the days of an Ottoman governor called Khosh Qadam.
Though the canon itself has been changed and replaced with a new one, the name remained unchanged. Now the canon is placed on the plateau of Moqattam near to the Citadel. Four men are there to take care of the canon and use it to alarm people that it is time for Iftar or Imsaak

Ramadan in Mauritania
At the beginning of Ramadan, Mauritanians especially the youth hasten to perform regular prayers at their appointed times in Mosques. It is worth stressing here that Mauritanians start celebrating the month of Ramadan as soon as the month of Rajab draws to a close.
In Mauritania, it is no wonder to see the haves, especially the stingy, showing sympathy towards the have-nots during Ramadan. The sense of solidarity and backing the poor is widely spread.
During the nights of Ramadan, the `Isha and Taraweeh prayers are aired live from the Two Holy Shrines of Makkah and Al-Madinah. After prayer people usually set at ease to listen to religious lessons and heart softeners from the reliable scholars and Imams in addition to reciting the Qur'an and listening to it.
After prayer, it is easier to see people visiting one another and drinking Green Tea, which is a common drink in Mauritania.

LET THOSE WHO HAVE FAILED THE BOYCOTT RETURN IT.

LET THOSE WHO HAVE FAILED THE BOYCOTT RETURN IT.
THEY AGAIN MADE A MOCKERY OF PROPHET MOHAMMED PEACE BE UPON HIM AND HIS WIVES, IN FORM OF A GAME – A DANGEROUS ISSUE PICTURE.
BOYCOTT THEM MAY ALLAH FAILS THEM, DO NOT FORGET THAT OUR FATHERS AND GRANDFATHER HAD FED WITHOUT DANISH BUTTER.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE WORK ( HALAL ) ON THE SIDE OF THE PICTURE!!!!.
THE MOCKERY HAVE REACHED THAT LEVEL?.
MAY ALLAH EXHIBIT HIS POWER ON THEM.
IT IS WRITTEN IN ENGLISH : PLAY PROPHET MOHAMMED PERSONALITY : IT CONTAINS 23 WIVES AND THE SIX YEARS OLD ISHA.
MAY ALLAH PRAISE PROPHET MOHAMMED, DISCIPLES AND HIS FAMILY AND THE MOTHERS OF ALL MUSLIMS
AND MAY ALLAH CURSE THOSE WHO DESIGNED AND DRAW THIS GAMES, AS I THINK THE COMPANY IS NOT THAT CRAZY TO MARKET SUCH GAME.
DEAR BROTHERS RENEW THE BOYCOTT FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS DANISH AND THEIR COMPANIES , ERLAFOPZ, PUKE,MUZMUZ (DYNIA PREVIOUSLY), SAUDIA MILK, SADAFCO AND LEGO GAMES COMPANY MAY ALLAH CURSE THEM, AS WELL AS THE OTHER DANISH COMPANIES.
AND IN HADITH: THE WEAKEST OF BELIEVE IS TO DENY BY YOUR HEART.
CIRCULATE THIS TO IN ALL CHAT ROOMS AND RENEW THE BOYCOTT.

AND DO NOT FORGET THE GOOD NEWS GIVEN BY THE PROPHET (PEACE BE UPON HIM ) DISCIPLES MAY ALLAH BLESS THEM, THAT THEY BECAME HAPPIER WHEN THE ENEMY INSULT ALLAH OR THE GURRAN OR HIS PROPHET ( PEASE BE UPON HIM ) AS NO YEAR HAS PASSED AND THEIR COUNTRY IS CONQUERED AND ISLAM PREVAILED .

AND DO NOT FORGET WE ARE IN THE HOLLY MONTH OF RAMADAN, DO CURSE THEM MAY ALLAH CURSE THEM TO ETERNITY.
OH ALMIGHTY PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO HAVE INSULTED OR MADE A MOCKERY OF YOUR RELIGION OR PROPHET MOHAMMED (PEASE BE UPON HIM).

OH ALLAH, OH ALLAH, OH ALLAH, WHO ANSWERS SUPPLICATIONS, YOU WHO SEES ME AND KNOWS ME, YOU WHO IS OF ETERNAL LIFE , YOU WHO SINGLE, YOU HAVE CONQUERED THE ALLIES. I IMPLORE YOU WITH MY BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE GOD WHO IS NOT BORN NEITHER GIVE BIRTH AND NO BOY IS EQUIVALENT TO HIM. I ASK YOU WITH YOUR BENEVOLENT NAMES AND YOUR HIGHEST TRAITS, TO PARALYZE THE TONGUE AND LIMBS OF THOSE WHO INSULT OUR BELOVED MOHAMMED PEACE BE UPON HIM. OH ALLAH DEPICT HIS BONES AND FRAIL HIS BODY AND MAKE HIS DESTRUCTION IN HIS CONNIVING. OH ALMIGHTY MUTILATE HIM AND CRASH HIS HEAD PARALYZE HIS ESSENCE AND THOSE HAVE HELPED HIM IN THIS WORK. MAY ALLAH CURSE HIM AND SHAN HIM FROM YOUR MERCY. YOU ARE THE STRONGEST POWERFUL IN YOU PUNISHMENT , DESTROY HIM AND PUNISH IN THIS WORD AND HEREAFTER. OH ALMIGHTY SHOW US ON HIM YOUR WONDERS OF ABILITY AND YOUR POWER IS ONLY TO SAY BE IT AND IT SHALL. WE ALLAH TO COME TO AID OF OUR PROPHET MOHAMMED PEACE BE UPON HIM AND THE MOTHERS OF MUSLIMS AND HIS WIVES GOD BLESS THEM. OH ALLAH MY EYES ARE FULL OF TEARS AND MY HEART IS SAD FOR WHAT WAS PERPETRATED AGAINST OUR BELOVED MOHAMMED. I ASK YOU AND I AM FASTING FOR YOU TO ANSWER MY PRAYER ,THE LORD OF BOTH WORKS. AND PEACE BE UPON MOHAMMED AND ALL HIS DISCIPLES AND PRAISE BE ALLAH , AMIN, AMIN, AMIN.

Ramadan Celebrations 1

Ramadan is a month of prayer and festival too. The mode of celebration in the Islamic states and those with Muslim majority areas are well known to us. Now let's check how Muslims of two countries celebrate Ramadan where Islam and Muslims are in minority.
Ramadan in Germany
Together with believers in Muslim countries throughout the world, Muslims living in Germany have entered the month of Ramadan. Ramadan in Germany takes place in a totally different atmosphere than in countries with a Muslim majority. Public and social life continues with the same speed and the running of the day does not know any interruptions, like for the Iftar. A difference also lies in the length of the day in Germany, which is a challenge in the summer, but is quite short in the winter period. This year the sun rises roughly at 8 am and sets at 4 pm.
Only those of the estimated 3.5 Million Muslims living in Germany, who live in one of the Islamic quarters of Berlin or the Ruhr area with a high percentage of Muslims living there might be reminded of the empty streets of Cairo or Istanbul during Iftar. Ali Ozkan, a Muslim from Berlin, was quoted by the Islamic Newspaper saying that it was a sign of this blessed month that the social life of Muslims becomes more noticeable than during the rest of the year. That food is offered everywhere and people eating and drinking can be seen during the day also changes the atmosphere but is not a major obstacle. Non-practicing Muslims prefer Ramadan in Western countries arguing that as Muslims there live in a minority the decision whether or not to fast becomes personal without any social pressure from others.
Shift-working Muslims have to use their pauses to break the fasting. Arrangements probably can be made especially as large companies who employ large numbers of Muslims handle these issues with pragmatism. But they preferred to spend the Iftar at home with their families and friends in a nicer atmosphere.
Those who are settled abroad without their families gather in their national communities to celebrate. Open-minded Germans participate in these gatherings and seek to understand the beliefs of Muslims. Some also join the fasting for a couple of days to get to know the feeling of it. In fact, Hasan Ozdogan, the head of the Islamic council in Germany said in a message that many communities would also invite their non-Muslim neighbors for the Iftar.
Ramadan in China
Ramadan is traditionally a period of fraternity, solidarity and Islamic charity.
Li Xan is a Chinese student who studies engineering at the Universidad Del Desarrollo in Chile. He has been living with his father in Chile for 3 years now. However, he remembers how his family used to celebrate Ramadan in China. "During Ramadan, my father would get up at 4 o'clock in the morning, and an hour later he'd arrive at the Mosque of Niujie, in the center of Beijing, just in time for the dawn prayer."
For Muslims in China, Ramadan is traditionally a period of fraternity, solidarity and Islamic charity.
"Every day in Ramadan, we attended all the five prayers at the mosque. My father's friends understood our commitment, and when he was occupied with a lot of work they would help him to do it so that he could be punctual for prayers," Li explained.
Li is among more than 20 million Chinese Muslims that live by Ramadan's obligations, continuing strictly the Islamic doctrines, praying five times a day in mosques and abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk.
According to the Islamic Association of China, Chinese Muslims have convenient access to prayer services as there are more than 34,000 mosques throughout the country.
"Since the foundation of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949, the rights and religious liberty of the Muslims have been protected by the constitution and the law," he states.
The Niujie Mosque, built in 996, and that of Dongsi, 500 years old, are the two most famous mosques in the capital. The Niujie Mosque is an important center for Islamic Studies and operates a Qur'an school. During the last five decades years, the government has assigned special funds for the repair of these buildings because of their historical importance.
Beijing has over 900 Muslim restaurants and food stores. Some supermarkets sell food especially for followers of Islam. "Thanks to the social stability and the fast economic growth of the country, Chinese Muslims enjoy a peaceful Ramadan. Many Muslims share traditional food with their neighbors, and distribute gifts to poorer Muslims," noted Hang Xian a 61-year-old Chinese Muslim trader.
Ramadan in Spain
In Spain an Agreement of Cooperation between the Spanish State and the Islamic Commission of Spain was established in 1992 and approved as Law 26/1992. The law affirms in article 12.1 that: "Members of the Islamic Communities belonging to the Islamic Commission of Spain who desire, will be able to request the interruption of their work on Friday of each week, from 1 P.M. to 4.20 P.M., as well as finishing work one hour before sunset, during the month of Ramadan".
The celebration of Ramadan acquires a special importance in all Spanish cities — like Madrid, Barcelona and Catalonia — where numerous Muslim communities reside. Muslims get together to break their fast and they organize social meetings in the mosques. Amin Villoch, a Spanish Muslim, illustrates this: "The first day of Ramadan more than 9,000 Muslims gather at the mosques in Madrid to celebrate the breaking of the fast. Ramadan is an important factor in reuniting the community. The Islamic Center of Madrid always prepares many activities during this month for them."
After the Maghrib prayers, the mosque becomes a place of festivity. Everyone eats harrisa (an oriental sweet) and dates; Ramadan treats which no Muslim house lacks. "Women spend all day preparing typical food to offer to their relatives and friends whom they meet at the mosque," explains Amira Masaad. "The first day of Ramadan is a special day. Although, it's difficult being far away from my family, the mosque organizes events and activities to bring the Muslim community in Spain together."
Other activities that Spanish mosques organize during Ramadan include Arabic classes, Islamic culture classes and Qur'an and Hadith discussions.

KHADEEJA may Allah be pleased with her

There is saying that every Muslim should try to imitate Prophet Muhammad and every Muslim girl should try to imitate Khadeejah may Allah be pleased with her, prophet's first and most loved wife. Lets take look at the qualities of Khadeejah may Allah be pleased with her and why Muslim girls should be like her.
Abdullah ibn Jafar reported that he heard Sayyiduna Ali say in Kufa that Allah's Messenger, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "The best of the women of her time was Maryam, daughter of Imran, and the bet of the women of her time was Khadijah, daughter of Khuwaylid."
Is it not a great honor that the first person to embrace Islam was a woman? She was the first to bear witness that there is no god except Allah and that her husband was the Messenger of Allah. Her husband was our beloved Prophet Muhammad, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and she was called Khadijah, ( may Allah be pleased with her) She was also called Thaira, meaning 'pure'.
Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, came from a noble family. Her father Khuwaylid had been one of the most honored leaders of their tribe until he was killed in battle. Her husband had also died, leaving her a very wealthy woman. When Muhammad (peace be upon him) was still a young man, she entrusted him with some of her wealth, asking him to trade with it in Syria on her behalf. He was already well known for his honesty, truthfulness and trustworthiness. He returned from Syria after having made a large profit for Khadijah.
After hearing his account of the journey, she decided that he would make the best of the husbands, even though many of the most important nobles of the Quraish had already proposed to her and had been refused, and in due course she proposed to him. After the Prophet's uncle, Abu Talib, had given the proposed marriage his blessing, Muhammad and Khadijah were married. At the time of the marriage, the Prophet was twenty-five years old, while Khadijah was forty years old.
For the next fifteen years they lived happily together, and Khadijah bore several children. Their first child, a son whom they named Qasim, died when he was only two years old. Two more sons, called Tayyib and Tahir, were also born, but they too died in their infancy. However, Muhammad and Khadijah also had four daughters who survived: Zaynab, Ruqayya, Umm Kulthum and Fatima.
No one except Allah of course, knows more about a man than his wife, both his good and his bad qualities, his strengths and his weaknesses. The more Khadijah came to know about her husband, the more she loved and respected him. Everyone in Makka called him 'al-Amin', which means 'the trustworthy one', and she, more than anyone else, knew how fitting this name was. It became Muhammad's custom each year to spend the month of Ramadan in seclusion and reflection in a cave on the mountain of Hira, which is on the outskirts of Makka. Khadijah would always make sure that he was provided with food and drink during his retreat. Towards the end of one Ramadan, when he was forty and Khadijah fifty-five, Muhammad suddenly appeared at their house in the middle of the night, trembling with fear and saying, "Cover me up, cover me up!"
Khadijah was very alarmed to see him in such a state. Quickly she wrapped a blanket around his shoulders and, when he had calmed down, she asked him to describe exactly what had happened. He told her how a being whom he had never seen before - in fact it was the angel Jibril - had suddenly appeared to him while he was asleep and had said, "Read!"
"But I cannot read," he had replied, for he was unlettered and could neither read or write. "Read!" the angel had repeated, clasping Muhammad close to his chest. "I cannot read," he had repeated. "Read!" the angel had repeated, firmly embracing him yet again. "What shall I read?" he had asked in desperation, and the angel had replied:
Read, in the Name of your Lord who created, created man from a clot, Read, and your Lord is the Most Gracious, Who taught with the pen, taught man what he did not know. (Quran 96:1-5)
Although Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not fully realize it at the time, this was the beginning of the revelation of the Qur'an; but in that first encounter with the angel Jibril, Muhammad was very frightened, for he did not know who the angel Jibril was or what was happening. He woke up and ran out of the cave only to find Jibril still in front of him, and whenever he turned away from him, there Jibril was in front of him yet again, filling the horizon with his mighty yet beautiful form.
"Oh Muhammad," said Jibril eventually, "you are the Messenger of Allah and I am Jibril," and with these words he disappeared from Muhammad's sight.
After the angel had disappeared Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had clambered down the mountain as fast as he could run, not knowing if he was going mad and imagining things, or if he had been possessed by one of the jinn.
As she listened to Muhammad's words, Khadijah did not share any of these fears. She realized that something tremendous and awe-inspiring had happened to her husband, and she was certain, knowing him as she did, that he was neither mad nor possessed. "Do not worry," she said, "for by Him who has dominion over Khadijah's soul, I hope that you are the Prophet of this nation. Allah would never humiliate you, for you are good to your relatives, you are true to your word, you help those who are in need, you support the weak, you feed the guest and you answer the call of those who are in distress."
When Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as a little more relaxed, Khadijah took him to see her cousin, Waraqa ibn Nawfal, for he was a man of knowledge, and she was sure that he would be able to explain the meaning of what had just happened to her beloved husband. Waraqa had studied the books of both the Jews and the Christians very closely and he had learned a great deal from many of their wisest people. He knew that the coming of another Prophet had been foretold by both Moses and Jesus, peace be on them, anhe knew many of the signs that would confirm the identity of this Prophet when he appeared.
After listening closely to his story, Waraqa, who was both old and blind, exclaimed, "This is the same being who brought the revelations of Allah to Moses. I wish I was young and could be alive whyour people will drive you out."
"Will they drive me out?" asked Muhammad.
"Yes," replied Waraqa. "No one has come with what you have been given without being treated with enmity; and if I were to live until the day when you are turned out, then I would support you with all my might. Let me just feel your back." So, saying, Waraqa felt between the Prophet's shoulder-blades and found what he was feeling for: a small round, slightly raised irregularity in the skin, about the size of a pigeon's egg. This was yet another of the many signs that Waraqa already knew would indicate the identity of the next Prophet after Jesus, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
"This is the Seal of the Prophethood! " he exclaimed. "Now I am certain that you are indeed the Prophet whose coming was foretold in the Torah that was revealed to Moses and in the Injil that was revealed to Jesus, (pbut) You are indeed the Messenger of Allah, and the being who appeared to you on the mountain was indeed the angel Jibril!"
Khadijah as both overjoyed and awed to find that her understanding of what had happened on the mountain had been confirmed. Not long after this incident, Muhammad was commanded in a subsequent revelation from Allah, through the angel Jibril, to call people to worship Allah only, and it was at this point that Khadijah did not hesitate in expressing in public what she had now known for certain in secret for some time: " I bear witness that there is no god except Allah," she said, "and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
In the years that followed, difficult years in which the leaders of the Quraish did everything in their power to stop the Prophet spreading his message, Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) was a constant source of help and comfort to Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the difficulties which he had to face. All her wealth was spent in the way of Allah, helping to spread the message of her husband, helping to free slaves who had embraced Islam, and helping to feed and shelter the community of Muslims that slowly but surely began to grow in numbers and strength.
Her death brought in great sorrow for the prophet and that year was called as "the year of sorrow". After her death prophet used to praise her and also gave gifts to her friends to keep her memory alive.

Teach Kids to do Good

It is one of Allah's blessings to the Muslim that He enables him to fast in the daytime of Ramadan and spend its nights in prayer. It is a month in which good deeds are multiplied and people are raised in status, when Allah frees some of His servants from the Hellfire. So the Muslim should strive to make the most of this month to attain the goodness it brings; he should hasten to worshiping Allah night and day.



Such great blessing of Allah is obvious in considering people who have been deprived of tasting the sweetness of this month because of sickness, death or misguidance! A Muslim must make use of this blessed month to get his children accustomed to the ethics and morals of fasting.



A Muslim must make the most of his time during this month. He has an unavoidable duty toward his children, to raise them well and bring them up properly, to urge them to do all kinds of good deeds and make them get used to that. A child usually grows up in the manner to which the parents make him or her accustomed.



During the blessed days of Ramadan, fathers and mothers have a great role to play in seizing this good occasion for their own benefit and for that of their children, and we can offer parents the following advice:



1. Check on the children's fasting and encourage those who fall short in this regard.



2. Remind them about the real nature of fasting, and that it is not just giving up food and drink, but it is a means of attaining taqwa (piety), and that it is an opportunity for sins to be forgiven and expiated.



It was reported by Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ascended the pulpit and said Ameen: It was said to him , "O Messenger of Allah, why did you do that?" He said, "Jibreel said to me, 'May Allah curse a person who lets Ramadan elapse without having his sins forgiven,' and I (Prophet Muhammad) said, 'Ameen.' Then he said, 'May Allah curse the one who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise,' and I said, 'Ameen.' Then he said, 'May Allah curse the one in whose presence you (the Prophet) are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you,' and I said, 'Ameen. ' (Reported by Ibn Khuzaymah, At-Tirmidhi, Ahmad and Ibn Hibban)



3. Teach them the manners and rulings of eating, such as eating with the right hand from what is directly in front of them, reminding them that extravagance is haram (unlawful) and harmful to the body.



4. Don't let them spend too long on eating iftar so that they don't miss performing Maghrib prayer in congregation.



5. Remind them about the situation of the poor and destitute who cannot find even a morsel of food to satisfy their hunger. Remind them of the situation of those who have migrated or are fighting in jihad for the sake of Allah in all places.



6. Use these gatherings to bring relatives together and uphold the ties of kinship. This custom still exists in some countries, and it is an opportunity to reconcile and mend broken ties between relatives.



7. Work together as a family to prepare the food and to clean up and put away the leftovers.



8. Remind the children to perform Taraweeh Prayer and to prepare for it by not eating too much and to get ready in time to perform the prayer in the mosque, (if a mosque is nearby. If you do not live close to a mosque, perform Taraweeh Prayer together as a family and try to take them to a mosque for Taraweeh Prayers at least on the weekends.)



9. Remind the children of the blessing of suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and that it gives a person the strength to fast.



10. Remind the children of the virtue of the time before Fajr prayer for those who have not prayed Witr to pray it then and to make a lot of du`a'.



11. If you live close enough to a mosque, perform Fajr prayer in congregation in the mosque. If not, perform Fajr at home after eating suhoor, before sleeping again. Many people wake up at the end of the night to eat, then they go back to bed and neglect Fajr prayer.



12. It was the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the last ten days of Ramadan to stay up at night and wake his family. This indicates that the family should pay attention to making the most of this blessed time in doing things that are pleasing to Allah.



So the husband should wake his wife and children to do what will bring them closer to their Lord.



13. Encourage the young children in the house to observe fasting; urge your little kids to get up for suhoor, praise them and reward them for the days they fast.



It was narrated that Ar-Rubayyi` bint Mu`awwidh said: On the morning of `Ashura' (10th of Muharram), the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent word to the villages of the Ansar saying, "Whoever started out not fasting, let him not eat for the rest of the day, and whoever started the day fasting, let him fast." She said: We used to fast and make our children fast, [and take them to the mosques] and make toys for them out of wool, then if one of them cried for food we would give him that toy until iftar. (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the words in brackets were narrated by Muslim.)



An-Nawawi said: "This Hadith shows that we should train children to do acts of worship and get them used to that, but they are not accountable. Al-Qadi said: It was narrated from `Urwah that when they became able to fast it becomes obligatory upon them. This is a mistake which is disproved by the authentic Hadith which reads, 'The Pen is lifted from three ( i.e., their deeds are not recorded): a child until he reaches puberty; an insane man until he comes to his senses; and one who is asleep until he wakes up.'" (Sahih Muslim, 8/14)



14. The husband should not overburden his wife by asking her to prepare food and sweets. Many people go to extremes in this month to prepare fancy foods and drinks. This detracts from the sweetness of this month and goes against the reason for fasting, which is to attain piety.



15. Read the Qur'an together as a family. Parents should teach the children how to recite Qur'an and help them to understand the meanings of the verses.



16. Encourage the children to spend on the needy and to offer any assistance to the neighbors.



It was narrated that Ibn Abbas said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was the most generous of people, and he was at his most generous during Ramadan when Jibreel met him. He would meet him each night and revise the Qur'an with him. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was more generous than the blowing wind. (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)



17. Prevent your children from staying up late at night and wasting their time in things that are of no benefit, let alone haram things.



18 . Remember the family's gathering in Allah's Paradise in the Hereafter, and the great joy of meeting there under the shade of His Throne.



19 . If possible, the parents should take the family for Umrah in Ramadan, for that will benefit them all in the Hereafter. Umrah during Ramadan has the same reward as Haj.

10 ideas for Ramadan at your workplace

If work is simply the place you earn your bread and punch in your hours, why not redefine it this Ramadan? Make your workplace the scenario for Dawa, especially in the current tension-filled atmosphere of misunderstandings about Islam and Muslims.
Here are some ideas that can help you share Ramadan with your boss and coworkers this year.
1. Begin informing people about it as soon as possible
Start telling bosses, supervisors and coworkers about Ramadan now. Bring it up in the course of conversation casually.
In terms of when Ramadan starts and ends, just give the projected date (i.e. for Ramadan this year, it's November 6th). Don't get non-Muslims involved in the technicalities of finding out the correct date. Do the same for Eid. You can decide for yourself which date to start and stop fasting on.
2. Post it up
On your office or department bulletin board, put up a factsheet on Ramadan, with a short introduction of yourself and which department you are from. Don't just give the facts, but also include a few sentences about what this blessed month means to you (i.e. spiritual growth, closeness to God, being more generous, etc.).
3. Get an article printed in your local newspaper and circulate copies
This will not only be good Dawa - it may even promote department/company pride (i.e. one of our employees is a writer too!). Post it up with the masthead of the newspaper on top.
4. Negotiate your lunch hour with the boss
This is another task that needs to be done as soon as possible. Explain that you will need a short break for prayer and then you will take lunch break at Iftar time.
5. Talk to the office cafeteria people about your Iftar needs
If you normally buy lunch at the cafeteria, explain to the cafeteria staff that you would like to arrange to have your lunch saved for Iftar time. Ask them to keep one serving of lunch in the fridge so you can pick it up at Iftar time.
6. Create a "Ramadan corner" at your desk
If you have your own desk at work, dedicate a corner of it that is accessible to passersby the "Ramadan corner". Put a basket of dates, sweets, written information on Ramadan and maybe a small frame of eye-catching Islamic calligraphy on it. Post a note inviting coworkers to the free sweets and information.
7. Have a small Iftar gathering at your desk
Invite coworkers to a snack of dates and fresh fruits during Iftar time. At least once, have a more formal meal ready for everyone (check with your boss before you do this).
8. Distribute written material on Ramadan
If you've got a central location in your workplace where people can pick up free newspapers, get permission to stack a factsheet and pamphlets on Ramadan.
You can also leave the sheets on the Ramadan corner of your desk.
9. Get a Ramadan greeting from your boss
Have your boss, commanding officer or head of the department issue a public notification that Ramadan is coming up or is here and they and the company congratulates all Muslim employees on this occasion.
10. Put an article about Ramadan in the office newsletter
If you have a company or department newsletter, write up a personal article about why you are looking forward to Ramadan and what Ramadan is. Then arrange for them to publish it.

"Glad News of jannat for Pious Women"

A single pious, practicing woman is equal to 70 saints (aulia ekraam).
A single bad (evil) woman is equal to 1000 bad men.
Two rakaats namaaz of an aalimah woman are better than 80 rakaats of ordinary women.
A breastfeeding woman gets one good for each drop of milk that is fed to the child.
When a husband comes home full of worries and the wife extends warm welcome to him and consoles him; she receives the reward of half jihaad .
A woman, who is deprived of sleep owing to her child crying at night, receives the sawaab of freeing 20 slaves .
When a husband and a wife look at each other with love and affection, Allah Paak himself looks at both of them with love and affection .
A woman who sends out her husband in the path of Allah and stays at home by herself, maintaining her honour and dignity (i.e. protecting herself against temptation and dishonesty) will enter jannat 500 years before her husband while 70,000 angels and hoors will serve her. She will be given ghusl in jannat and sitting on mountains of pearls , she will await the arrival of her husband.
A woman who is rendered restless owing to the illness of her baby and yet kept on striving to comfort the baby, Allah Talaah forgives all her sins and gives her the sawaab of 12 years accepted in ibaadat .
While milking her animal (cow, goats, ect), if a woman makes the zikr of bismillah , that every animal makes dua to Allah Taalah on her behalf.
When a woman makes the zikr of bismillah while preparing the dough ( for roti), her livelihood is increased (i.e . she receives barakat in her rozi).
When a woman makes zikar while sweeping, she receives the sawaab of sweeping baitullah (kaba) .
A chaste woman who is mindful of namaaz and roza, also makes khidmat for her husband, for her all the 8 doors of jannat are opened . She may enter from whichever doors she likes.
The namaaz and ibaadat of a woman disobedient to her husband do not reach heaven .
Every night of an expectant mother (a woman who is carrying a baby in her womb) is counted as spent in ibaadat and every day as spent in fasting .
A woman receives the sawaab of 70 years of namaaz and roza on giving birth to one child and the pain she suffered in every vein of her body while giving birth, for that she will receive the sawaab of one hajj.
If a woman dies within 40 days after giving birth, Allah Taalah gives her the status of shahaadat (i.e. she dies as a shaheed).
Upon the child crying at night, if the mother feeds the child (gives milk to the child) without cursing, she receives the sawaab of performing namaaz for one year.
When a child finishes the period of breast-feeding, an angel comes and gives glad tidings (news) to the mother that Allah has made jannat wajib for her.
When the husband comes home to sleep and the wife gives him food to eat (not being involved in dishonesty with regard to herself and her husband's belongings), Allah Tallah gives her the sawaab of 12 years of ibaadat.
When the wife presses the legs of her husband without asking him, her to do so, she gets the sawaab of giving charity 7 ounce of GOLD, and if she presses his legs after he asks her to do so, she receives the sawaab of giving 7 ounces of SILVER in sadaqua.
When a woman's husband dies while he was happy and pleased with her, jannat becomes wajib for her .
A husband's teaching one masla to his wife is equal to 80 years ibaadat .
In jannat people will go to visit (see) Allah Taalah, but Allah Tallah himself will visit (to see) the woman who has observed PARDAH while in dunyah.
Woman who wears thin garment (transparent, see-through garment) or who arouses passion in men, or meet men they are not allowed to mix or move about openly while heavily made up or who live without pardah , will never enter jannat. In fact they will not even smell the fragrance of jannat.
A woman who has undergone a great amount of suffering and difficulties in this world will be classified with hazrat Aasia ( r.a). She was the wife of the firaun (pharaon) who despite the fact that she was his wife, tortured and persecuted her, to renounce Deen and Imaan. She gave her life in the process ( i.e. she died of the punishment inflicted to her), but did not forsake Imaan.
Every single woman going to hell will take four (4) jannati men. Because they did not fikr nor had they cared in duniya about the Deen and Imaan of that woman and did not teach her Deen, these four men will be:

1. her father
2. her brother
3. her husband &
4. her son
If woman glances at men she is not allowed to see according to the shariat, Allah Taalah sends his curse upon her, just as it is forbidden for a man to glance at women he is not allowed to see.

May Allah give every Muslim men & women HIDAYA to stand by Islamic Rules and keep far away from the sin.

Note: I felt its my duty to share it with you. Can i ask you one thing? after reading this, can you please kindly forward it to other muslim brothers & sisters.