Category: Uncategorized

Rebecca Pena

The Importance of Avoiding Sinful Acts during the month of Ramadan

Day 4: Utilizing Our Time Wisely

Is it just me or do you find yourself making a list of all of the many goals that you want to achieve during the month of Ramadan? Quite often the result is that we either end up becoming incredibly overwhelmed, or completely and totally burnt out sooner rather than later. Although the intention is good, becoming overwhelmed can lead to frustration. We end up experiencing feelings and emotions that wind up defeating the entire purpose. The result, accomplishing nothing and breaking our fast by allowing our negative emotions to take over. It is important to find ways to prevent this from happening. Today I would like to offer some tips on how we can utilize our time wisely, achieve your goals, all while preventing any sort of burnout and still, getting the most out of this blessed month. Knowing what we know about the benefits of fasting we all want to make the best out of this month. Efficiency in managing our time would serve the purpose. Successful people are those who manage their time well, so as to achieve their set goals.

# 1: Remember the true purpose of fasting

It’s easy to lose sense of purpose when we don’t nourish it regularly. It needs constant care and attention or else Shaytaan’s persistent efforts to make us lose our sense of purpose will take over. So what is the true purpose behind fasting in Ramadan? In one sentence? It is to gain Taqwah and become closer to Allah swt.

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous. [Quran-Surah 2: Ayah 183]

And how do we gain Taqwah by staying away from food and drink? 

This is how:

1. The Quran revealed that during the Holy month of Ramadan. With the devil chained down in this Holy month, the negative energy is replaced by positive energy and it becomes relatively easier in Ramadan to strengthen our Emaan.

2. As humans we tend to take everything in life for granted and forget to thank our Creator for His many blessings. But during Ramadan, fasting instills in us a sense of gratitude. Fasting makes us appreciate the value of food and drink. Gratitude elevates our Taqwah.

3. We then become more compassionate towards the poor and needy. We start giving charity in the way of Allah swt and that brings us closer to Him.

4. During Ramadan Allah has promised us forgiveness for all our past sins if we beg Him for forgiveness sincerely. It is the best time to repent to Allah, make duas and recharge our relationship with Him.

# 2:Make a plan and define goals.

This is by far the biggest pain point for the majority of people I know, including myself.

How do we divide time between worship, family,  and everything else during Ramadan? What’s really important in time management is to write down a weekly agenda. If we find that we’ve got too much time on our hands, it may be wasted if not utilized in a productive manner. If we don’t manage our time well we’ll always be late for everything. Sit down and make a list of goals that you would like to achieve this month. The most important thing about planning is setting realistic goals for yourself. Frankly speaking, that’s something I find really hard to do sometimes. But if you don’t want to bail out on your plan later because of burnout, then I suggest you make realistic goals.

• Set an intention for the month to come: Think about what you’d like to change in your life: perhaps you need to cut out poor habits, or improve your discipline, or align your actions with your ideals. Consider what you can do to become a happier and more effective human being. Ramadan is a prime opportunity to your reflect on your life and reset your routines – so plan ahead to make the best use of your time
• Free your mind: Minimize distractions. Focus your thoughts on helping others and improving yourself. Spend your free time studying, creating, or quietly reflecting.
•  Organize your life: Prepare yourself to make the most out of this beautiful month. Do what you need to do to stay on top of everything during Ramadan. You may find it easier to keep to a rigorous schedule of prayer, meals, and anything else may be pertinent to your daily life. 

• Put your affairs in order: Take care of anything serious that you need to do before Ramadan begins. You may be able to focus more intently on spiritual growth if you don’t need to worry about any extra issues.
• Shop for groceries in advance: It might be a chore to shop when you’re hungry. Prepare large batches of food and freeze them; chop vegetables and store them in airtight containers.

 Some tips to better manage your time during Ramadan in order to achieve your goals:

• With hotter & longer days we must learn to practice patience while making  time for worship
• Plan your time when you first wake up setting aside time for worship, work, rest & family
• Eat a well balanced Suhoor or pre dawn meal everyday. Not only is it full of blessings but eating at this time will give you the energy you need to make it through the day without feeling too weak & exhausted
• Include fruits, vegetables, dates in your diet & cut out oily foods
• Increase intake of water & antioxidant juices between Iftar & Suhoor to keep hydrated
• Manage your sleeping hours so as to get enough time for rest & worship
• Pray the obligatory Salah on time by getting yourself ready as soon as the time for Salah comes.
• Ramadan is the month of Quran. Try to schedule reading/reciting it during any free time that you may have. If you are working, keep a pocket sized Quran with you & read it when you get time like on your lunch break, coffee break & so on.
• Make dua for yourself ,family & all Muslims  when possible .
• During the last 10 days of Ramadan we should try to accumulate as much reward as possible by making use of every moment
• Try to sleep less & worship more . Aisha reported:

 “With the start of last 10 days of Ramadan the prophet used to tighten his waist belt & used to pray all night & used to keep his family awake for the prayer”  (Bukhari)

Now that we have prioritized the things that we should plan or schedule around, we should have a better idea of the time that it left. Utilizing these tips will help to ensure that we are getting the things that we need to do, thus having a better idea how to manage our own personal goals. 

#3 Wasting Our Free Time

After all is said and done, you may find that you have free time. This is where we need to be extra careful.The month of Ramadan is a precious time. Before we know it, this beautiful month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try to spend every moment possible worshiping Allah swt. However, there are those moments of “free time” that end up being wasted. Remember that Ramadan is an opportunity to let go of any bad habits and develop good ones.  Here are some ways how we can waste precious time:

• Watching or listening to things that we know we shouldn’t 
• Playing video games
• Engaging in conversations that we know we shouldn’t ( backbiting) 
• Revisiting any bad habits one may be trying to let go of

#4 How Can We Best Utilize Our Free Time

So what can we do to make sure that we stay on the right path? How can we utilize any free time that we may have in a way that will benefit us and not take away from our purpose? Would it be worth it to have our fasts and duas wasted over some free time we did not utilize properly? Here are some things that we can do in the event we have some free time, while guarding our fast. 

• Read the Quran: It is important to read the Quran during Ramadan. Once you have set a daily goal on how much you are going to read each day, use any extra time to read more. 
• Memorize Surahs: It is good to have a lot of surahs stored in mind, so keep memorizing more, and revise the ones that you have already memorized.
• Pray extra prayers. It will help you to become closer to Allah and you will have lots of reward. Don’t pray the obligatory prayers and stop there; try to increase your worship by praying optional prayers. 
• Get plenty of rest. Fasting can throw off your normal eating and sleeping schedule, and you may need to get more sleep than usual in order to stay strong. Many people stay up late at night, then nap in the afternoon. Try to take naps midway through the day – even a half-hour power nap will leave you feeling refreshed. But don’t sleep too much because you will miss the month of acceptance. 
• Be gracious and giving:  Generosity is a central theme to Ramadan, and you can practice this community spirit in every single interaction with another person. You don’t need to donate money: you can brighten someone’s day with a smile or a few kind words. You can even give back to others simply by being patient and kind. Take this month as an opportunity to be the best sort of person that you can be.

We await this holy month every year in hopes of improving ourselves and getting closer to Allah swt. Let’s make sure that we use this time wisely to ensure that we do just that. Make every minute count so that can be better servants of Allah swt. May we all have a beautiful and blessed Ramadan InshaAllah.

Sister Rebecca is a SAHM living in Houston Texas. Married for 13 years with two children, and a revert since 2014,  her hobbies include cooking, reading, and spending time with family

Rebecca Pena

Although married couples are not permitted to be intimate to the level which may lead to sexual intercourse while fasting, there are many other ways to express your love for one another during Ramadan.

Allah swt says:

“It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset. And do not have relations with them as long as you are staying for worship in the mosques. These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His ordinances to the people that they may become righteous.” [Quran 2:187]

Therefore, it is important to remember that while sexual activity during the day is strictly prohibited, after Maghrib and until the beginning of Fajr the next morning, resuming sexual relations with your husband is not forbidden. Although you may probably be tired from the long days of fasting, it is worth knowing the boundaries and what is allowed for the month of Ramadan.

Today, I will be sharing a few tips that will allow you to create time for your spouse, help you bond with your husband, and assist in strengthening your iman as a wife during the holy month of Ramadan. Striving for a happy marriage even during the busy days of Ramadan will cement the foundations for a blessed marriage throughout the rest of the year, InshaAllah.

1) Make time for your spouse

You may be asking, how do I even find the time for myself during Ramadan, much less find the time to spend with my husband? Quite frankly, life can become very hectic during Ramadan, especially with young children, and it seems as if everything has gotten completely out of control.  However, what often calms this tornado is preparation and focusing on what really matters, our final destination, jannah. And how do we achieve jannah? InshaAllah 

One of the ways that a woman will enter Paradise is by pleasing her husband, as the Prophet Muhammad  PBUH said:

“Whichever woman dies while her husband is pleased with her, then she enters Paradise.” [At- Tirmidhi]

Taking the above into consideration, it is no wonder that the thought of pleasing your husband refocuses your thoughts.Creating time for your husband is a goal every wife should strive for, especially in the holy month of Ramadan, as rewards are multiplied. Make multiple intentions when you set out to please your husband: to increase your patience with his shortcomings, to control your anger, to be kinder; so you get multiple rewards for each of these intentions, InshaAllah.

2) Eat suhoor and iftar with your husband

One way in which you can spend time with your spouse is by eating suhoor and iftar with him, for this is a beautiful way to connect with one another during Ramadan. Furthermore, these times provide a great opportunity for each of you to discuss your progress in terms of your Ramadan goals and to remind each other that you are both fasting for the sake of Allah swt. If your husband breaks his fast at the masjid, then try and set a time later in the evening for a light meal to make up for it. Even if you are unable to make this happen everyday, try and plan it for two or three evenings a week, and you can even get the children involved in these discussions. The aim is to have a stress-free and calm environment in which to connect and enjoy each other’s company.

3) Have your husband help out

A great way to show someone you care for them is to help them out during their most stressful times; you will know this better than anyone if you are a mother with young children. With that being said, there are many ways in which husbands can assist their wives during Ramadan, such as loading the dishwasher, watching the children, or helping to prepare suhoor and iftar. Certainly, having a helping hand is very much appreciated and increases the love between a husband and wife because they are doing something together. Before Ramadan begins, have a discussion with him and suggest ways that he can help you. That you can help one another. Remind him of the great reward that is attached to helping others, especially during Ramadan.

4) Increase your knowledge as a couple

Another effective way for couples to increase their love for one another during Ramadan is to tune into Islamic lectures together about marriage in Islam,or reading books regarding the rights of husbands and wives in Islam. Listening to Islamic lectures or reading Islamic material from books can be done together any time throughout the day, and is a great way to not only gain knowledge, but to also spend quality time together while strengthening your bond.

5) Send each other a hadith

This is something that my husband and I do daily. We often read that one tip for maintaining a healthy marriage is leaving each other sweet “I love you” notes. Whether it’s on his desk at home or maybe through text. Just little reminders throughout the day to let him know how you feel. During Ramadan,we can do this by sending each other text messages. For instance, send him a hadith about jannah and tell him you are reminding him of the beauty that awaits you both, to motivate you both to work hard, so that you both may meet each other in jannah one day:

“Kauthar is a river in Paradise whose banks are of gold and its bed is of rubies and pearls. Its soil is more fragrant than musk, its water is sweeter than honey and whiter than snow.” [Sunan IbnMajah]

Sending and receiving a beautiful hadith like this during Ramadan will remind you both of the beautiful gifts that you will receive for your sacrifices in this life, InshaAllah.

6) Encourage each other

Encourage each other to read the Qur’an daily, to memorize surahs and duas, and to pray on time during Ramadan. With every spoken word of sincere encouragement comes plentiful reward. And with every word of encouragement that you share, is a reminder of your love for one another, for only loved ones encourage each other to be the best they can be in order to make it to jannah together. InshaAllah

7) Prepare yourself for his return from i’tikaf

If you’re like me, I’m sure you like to get dressed up for those fun Eid celebrations with family. This Ramadan, try and take some time out to glam yourself up a day early, just for your husband, if he has gone for i’tikaf. After 10 days of not seeing you and spending every moment in the worship of Allah swt, your husband will appreciate that you made an effort just for him. Again, with the intention of pleasing Allah swt through pleasing your husband, this will ensure enormous reward for you, and guarantee a happy husband!

8) Make dua in secret for one another

Ramadan has countless ways for duas to be accepted. So, for truly lasting happiness, make a sincere dua  that Allah swt, bless your marriage and increase the love and understanding between you and your spouse. Abu Dharr reported that Allah’s Messenger swt said:

“There is no believing servant who supplicates for his brother behind his back (in his absence) that the Angels do not say: The same be for you too.” [Sahih Muslim] 

Although there are some restrictions that may seem to make it difficult to maintain a strong, healthy bond/ relationship with your spouse during the Holy month, there are many things that we can do that are permissible and will not only please Allah swt, but will also strengthen the bond between husband and wife. May Allah swt keep us strong and continue to strengthen our marriages InshaAllah.

Sister Rebecca is a SAHM living in Houston Texas. Married for 13 years with two children, and a revert since 2014,  her hobbies include cooking, reading, and spending time with family. 

Author: Marisa López

Our post today will be about  MESHARATI.  Drummers dressed in traditional Ottoman costume, including a fez and vest that are both adorned with traditional motifs. 

During the entire month of Ramadan, one or two hours before Fajr (the moment when the fasting hours begin), some percussionists drummers called MESHARATIS populate the streets of CAIRO and go through the streets playing their drums and singing traditional old verses.

This tradition has existed for centuries, it is believed that it has lasted for 6 centuries and has  survived to until the present period despite the technological revolution that we now enjoy such as alarm clocks, mobile phones and other gadgets.

Origin

Historians disagree on its exact origin.

Historian Abdelmajid Abdul Aziz said that Mesaharati first appeared in Egypt during the Fatimid dynasty, possibly the most flourishing period for Ramadan celebrations.

According to the 15th century Egyptian historian Mohammed bin Iyas, the profession began in the days of Caliph Bi’amr Allah, who ordered citizens to sleep immediately after the Taraweeh prayer.

He then would send his soldiers in the early hours, knock on doors and shout before the Fajr prayers began, to wake up the people for the suhoor.

Abdul Aziz recounts that the Egyptian governor Ibn Ishaq was the first to individually perform the task professionally in 832 AH (1432 CE).

He would walk from the city of Fustat to the Mosque of Amr ibn Al-Aas and shout: “O worshipers of Allah, eat.  Suhoor is a blessing “

 After the end of Ramadan, the MESHARATIS go through each house in the neighborhood where they performed their services to collect the contributions of each neighbor.

 Unfortunately, this tradition faces extinction as fewer and fewer people are drawn to the role, and technology supplants it.

As an individual, I really hope the practice continues because it seems like a precious tradition to me.

 Did MESHARATIS pass through your neighborhood?  For mine, they still pass. You can share your views and articles with us. Check out the articles on our blog for ideas.

 About the Author: Marisa Lopez Chicote is an event planner and mother of 5, living in Cairo and Muslim since 1985, alhamdullah. She loves travelling and cooking.

Day 3: Indulgence/ Overindulgence

One of the many things that we look forward to during this blessed month is that moment that we are able to break our fast at iftar. Not only because we are able to sit and have our first meal after fasting for 12 plus hours, but it is a time to sit and enjoy time with our families. Traditionally it is a feast for many. However, how much is too much? Is there such a thing as too much? I mean after all we are famished. They say that too much of anything is not a good thing. But that does not apply up food does it? In short, it most certainly does. 

Both the Hebrew scripture and the Christian speak on gluttony, but it is only the Holy Quran that also speaks directly regarding the waste of food. 

“It is He Who has brought into being gardens, the cultivated and the wild, and date-palms, and fields with produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates, similar ( in kind) and variegated. Eat of their fruit in season, but give (the poor) their due on harvest day. And do not waste, for Allah swt does not love the wasteful.” [Quran 6:141]

From this verse we understand that food is a primary source of waste. Think of the many times that we have done all of our grocery shopping only to be throwing out a portion of what we bought because it has gone bad. However, not only does Allah swt command us to not waste, but in the same verse he teaches us how to avoid it. He instructs us to share our food with the poor, and not leftovers but when it is fresh. 

Excess resulting in waste

Being wasteful can also be a result of having too much. It may be the sweetest melon that you have ever had, but if you buy too much, most of it will likely go to waste. Allah swt addresses the problem of excess in the Quran: 

“ Oh you who believe! Do not make unlawful the wholesome things which God has made lawful for you, but commit no excess for God does not love those things given to excess.” [ Quran 5:87]

In Islam, Allah swt requires that Muslims share a portion of what they have with the poor. And again not from what we have leftover but from every harvest (fresh) of what we have. 

Gluttony resulting in waste

From the verses above we understand that God has provided us with a wide variety of delicious and lawful, or halal, food for us to eat. We can also gather from this that God in fact wants to enjoy our food. But eating  excessively comes with harsh penalties. 

“ Eat of the wholesome things that we have provided for your sustenance, but commit no excess therein, less my condemnation fall upon you; he upon whom My condemnation falls has indeed thrown himself into utter ruin” [ Quran 20:81]

Gluttony is a form of self sabotage that can cause numerous health risks. Overeating may be seen merely as self indulgence in the presence of delicious food, but Allah swt does not see it this way. It is easy to see that the consumption, like taking drugs or drinking alcohol, clearly carries dangerous health risks. But the lesson here is that even eating wholesome foods can carry dangerous risks when consumed excessively.

Obesity and diabetes, among other health conditions related to overeating, are clearly risks that Allah swt would like us to avoid. And just as we put the spoon in our mouth, with our own hand, Allah swt makes it very clear that we in fact are responsible for our own condemnation. 

So how can we avoid being wasteful during Ramadan? Here are a few tips that I myself find useful. 

Plan meals ahead of time or better yet meal prep

Planning meals ahead of time can reduce the amount of food that we waste. Setting aside and preparing just enough for everyone who will be breaking fast with you will minimize the chances of having to throw any excess out therefore wasting good food. 

Inventory and shopping lists

Take an inventory of everything that you already have on hand, in your fridge and pantry. Then make a shopping list of everything that you’ll need. Ever gone to the grocery store for a few items only to walk out with double or triple of what you went there for in the first place? Having a shopping list will help to keep you focused on buying only what you need. Shopping lists will become your best friends. And make sure to not give in to any “specials” the markets may have. Although it may in fact be a great deal, stay focused only on what you went there for. 

Eat your leftovers

If you do find yourself having leftovers eat them right away during the next meal. Maybe it may not be what you had planned to eat, but it is good food, so eat it, don’t waste it. 

Share with those who are less fortunate

If you see that you have made extra or more than you had originally planned for, share with your neighbors or the poor. As Muslims it is one of our religious duties, to feed the poor. 

Allah swt described those who feed needy people as those who will be among the “ companions of the right” and those who will inherit Jannah.

The Prophet PBUH also showed us that what is given in charity and what is being fed to the poor is what actually remains, ( eternally in terms of rewards with Allah swt) as opposed to the food we consume. 

“And the ones who offer food, instead of their own need, to the needy, and the orphan, and the hostage, [saying in their hearts],’We only feed you for the sake of Allah Almighty, and we ask for nothing in return from you, not even a word of thanks” (76:8-9)

Although we will all enjoy this blessed month and all of the wonderful, delicious food that Allah swt has provided for us, let us try to stay mindful and not be wasteful. Remember to also give to those who are less fortunate for the sake of Allah swt. This is a time for us all to be grateful for all that we have and share with those who have less that we do. May Allah swt make us strong and disciplined and may we all show generosity during this holy month. Ameen.

Sister Rebecca is a SAHM living in Houston Texas. Married for 13 years with two children, and a revert since 2014,  her hobbies include cooking, reading, and spending time with family. 

Ramadan is an opportunity for Muslims to get nearest to Allah through performing  different acts of worship such as Taraweeh prayer 

What is taraweeh?

Taraweeh prayer is a Sunnah  prayer performed at night after salat al Isha during the month of Ramadan. These night prayers have been emphasised in several hadiths and can also be called “qiyam al layl” (night prayers).

Taraweeh prayer is classed as either Sunnah mu’akkadah (emphasised Sunnah) or nafil (optional).

The word Taraweeh in arabic means rest and relaxation  because righteous people before our time used to rest after every four rak`at as their prayers were lengthy. 

What is the history of Taraweeh?

In the last year of the Prophet’s life, he came out one night and prayed taraweeh. On that night, some people prayed with him. during the second night, word spread and more people joined in taraweeh. Even more people attended on the third. On the fourth night, the masjid was packed and the people awaited the Prophet’s arrival.

The Prophet, however, prayed at home by himself. and after Fajr, he said:

“Nothing prevented me from coming out to you except the fact that I feared that it would be made obligatory for you.” (Muslim)

From the time of Abu Bakr to the beginning of `Umar’s time, people prayed either individually or in small groups. Later, ‘Umar gathered everyone behind one imam and they prayed 8 Rak`at. Eventually, it was increased to 20 rakaat to make it easy for the people.

How to pray Taraweeh ?

It is incumbent upon a Muslim to make the intention to perfom the Taraweeh before it starts.  

The Prophet, 3aleiho assalato wassalam, prayed 8 rakats of taraweeh and 3 rakats of witr

`A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked about the Prophet’s night prayer; she said:

“He didn’t  pray more than 11 rakats [a night] in Ramadan or any other month. he used to pray 4 rakats -don’t ask me about their beauty and length–and then he would pray 4 more rakats -don’t ask me about their beauty and length–and then he would pray 3 rakats (of witr).” (Al-Bukhari)

He did not assign any number of rakats for Taraweeh prayer and when he was asked he said:

 “Prayers at night are offered in two followed by two. Then, if you fear dawn will come, pray witr with one.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet, 3aleiho assalato wassalam,  said, 

“Whoever prays qiyam with the imam until he finishes, Allah will record for him the qiyam of a (whole) night.” (An-Nasa’i and authenticated by Al-Albani)

So we should not leave after 8, if the imam is praying 20 or 36!

So in summary, and according with the 4 different schools of islamic jurisprudence 

8 rak`at + 3 witr = Majority of hadith scholars.

20 rak`t + 3 witr = Imam Ahmad, Imam Abu Hanifah and Imam Ash-Shafi`i

36 rak`at + 3 witr = Imam Malik

Rewards of Taraweeh 

• All your sins are forgiven

The Prophet,3aleiho assalato wassalam,  explicitly informed us of the virtues of standing in prayer, particularly in this month, when he said 

“Whosoever stands in the nights of Ramadan, with faith and in hope of receiving Allah’s reward, his past sins will be forgiven” (Bukhari).

• You are rewarded for an entire night of prayer

Secondly, by praying Taraweeh you gain the reward of standing the whole night in prayer. The Prophet, 3leiho assalato wassalam,  reported to have said 

“Whoever stands praying with the Imam until he is finished, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.” (Tirmidhi Sahih)

• Voluntary prayers make up for defects in obligatory prayers

Another point to note is that your extra voluntary prayers will make up for all the shortcomings in your obligatory Salat. The Prophet informed us that 

“When a man stands before Allah on the Day of Resurrection, and his obligatory prayers are found to be defective, Allah will say: “See if my servant has any voluntary prayers that can complete what is lacking in his obligatory prayers.” (Tirmidhī Sahih)

• You’re the one who benefits, not Allah.

We should never look at the salat as a burden or a chore, the reality is that Allah gains no benefit from our prayers, we only benefit. For the Prophet Muhammad, prayer, we only benefit. For the Prophet Muhammad, prayer was considered a comfort and a form of relaxation, an escape from the daily grind. He used to tell Bilal, the Mua’thin, “Call for the prayer, so we can pray and feel at ease.”

• Your prayers are important

Lastly, the fact of the matter is, our prayers are the most important aspect of our lives. And this is exactly how the Prophet and the companions understood it.

In fact, one of the final statements of our beloved Prophet before he passed away was “The prayer, the prayer” advising the Muslims not to neglect their prayer, this pillar of our religion.

Praying Taraweeh at home or congregation?

Praying Taraweeh in congregation in the mosque is better than praying at home. 

This is indicated by the Sunnah and the actions of the Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them). 

Our beloved Prophet (3aleiho assalato wassalam) , refrained from doing it because he feared that it would be made obligatory for the ummah. When the Prophet (3aleiho assalato wassalam) died, this reservation was no longer required, because the sharee’ah was established. 

Praying Taraweeh is Sunnah according to scholarly consensus… It is permissible to offer this prayer alone or in congregation, but which is better? There are two well-known opinions on this matter. The correct view according to the consensus of our companions is that praying it in congregation is better. The second view is that it is better to pray it individually. 

Let us praise Allah to allow us complete this year our Taraweeh Prayer inshaAllah     

About the Author: Marisa Lopez Chicote is an event planner and mother of 5, living in Cairo and Muslim since 1985, alhamdullah. She loves travelling and cooking.

Asalaam alaikum wa Ramatullahi wa Barakatuh. The holy month of Ramadan is a beautiful month filled with blessings. A month that Muslims all over the world anxiously await. It is a time for us to strengthen our connection to Allah. A time for reflection and self improvement and to kick bad habits and develop good ones. It is a time for us to be more grateful  and more appreciative of all that we have. All that Allah has blessed us with. It is a time of humility. In a nutshell, it is one of the most joyous experiences for Muslims. Along with building our connection to Allah, we also build and strengthen our relationships with friends and family. It’s a time of togetherness and fellowship. For most Muslims that is. 

Imagine not having that togetherness, that fellowship, that joyful feeling that we should have no matter what. This is what many reverts experience. Being a Muslim revert can be very lonely at times. Our families follow their own faith and many times don’t accept ours. We are often rejected. Shunned if you will. During the month of Ramadan, these feelings tend to intensify. How on earth can one enjoy this beautiful month? When the feelings of loneliness and isolation take over it can seem unbearable. It’s as if we are sitting on the sidelines, spectators in our own game of life. 

However, Islam is a religion of action. Allah swt says in the Quran:

“Verily, Allah will not change the condition of a people as long as they do not change their state themselves.”

( Quran 13:11) 

In other words, be the change that you wish to see in the world and in your life. Make dua to Allah swt. Change your sideline situation. 

Internal changes 

When seeking change we must start with what’s going on on the inside. Heal ourselves internally. Instead of focusing our energy on what we don’t have, let’s focus on all that we do have. Even though we are without family and friends, we are never alone. Allah swt is with us always. He is closer to you than you think. And as you come closer to Allah swt during the month of Ramadan, Allah too is coming closer to you. 

Narrated in a Hadith Qudsi Allah says: 

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. I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks.

( Al- Bukhari)

Think positive. You are after all in the best of company. 

Virtual changes 

What many may not realize, is that there is tons of support online. Whether it is people who’ve already walked in your shoes, or people who simply just want to help you with your transition. Between the many revert/ support groups on all social media platforms, it is possible to not feel so lonely. We may not have to if we follow these steps: 

1. Stay positive- focus on the good. 
2. Make dua to Allah- this will help to strengthen your relationship with Him. 
3. Reach out- whether it’s your local community or online. There IS support out there. Don’t be afraid to reach out. 

My personal story: 

In 2015 I took my shahada Alhamdullilah . Although I have a very supportive husband Alhamdulillah, I had lost almost all of my friends and my family was not okay with it at all. I was shunned, rejected by them. It wasn’t until I found some support groups through Facebook that I would start to build a support system. This was the heart of Amirazz. The many Facebook groups that provided a tremendous amount of support for women all over the world including myself. Through these groups,  I have formed some of the most beautiful friendships. 

About the Author: Sister Rebecca is a SAHM living in Houston Texas. Married for 13 years with two children, and a revert since 2014,  her hobbies include cooking, reading, and spending time with family