Ramadhan is the month of giving and mercy

Verses of Qur'an

2:183
O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.

2:184 (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will, it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.

Ramadhan is a very important part of every Muslim’s life. Ramadhan is the month of giving and mercy, and during this month Allah blesses the believers with forgiveness and great reward.

This is a time to stop and contemplate, to look inwards and out, it is a time to set our goals. We should ask ourselves what we want to achieve this month, - something we will carry into our futures.

Achievement is accomplished by change. ‘How’ and ‘what’ we change are as important to consider as ‘when’ we change. Ramadhan gives us a huge opportunity to improve ourselves and gain rewards for our actions

Just consider how precious time is. Our time when used well can gain us much reward, but when wasted we lose something of unimaginable value.

Therefore, whoever is merciful and giving in Ramadhan, Allah will be even more Merciful and Giving towards them and will bestow upon them countless bounties and blessings.
All praises to Allah (SWT), Lord of the worlds. As revealed in the Glorious Qur’an, "Oh you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who came before you that you may keep your duty to your Lord" 2:185.

There are many actions we can take during the month of Ramadhan which will benefit us immensely. One of these would be to take Sahoor (the pre-dawn meal) as there is great benefit in it. The greatest blessing of Sahoor may be that Allah engulfs those who partake in it with His Forgiveness, showers His Mercy on them, while His angels ask of Him to forgive and pardon them.

Reciting the Quran has much benefit as it was in this blessed month that the Qur’an was revealed to prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him).
"Verily! We have sent you (O Muhammad) with the Truth, a bearer of glad tidings and a warner; and there is not a nation but a warner has passed among them," The Holy Quran (35:24).

"Surely this Qur’an' guides to the way that is straightest and gives good tidings to the believers who do deeds of righteousness, that theirs shall be a great reward.” The Holy Quran (17 : 11).
The importance of the Qur’an cannot be presented in a few words. It is not just another book on the shelf, but it is the words of Allah, speaking to every one of us. It is direct contact with Allah Himself. This is what we should keep in mind when we read the Qur'an or think about it.
The Giving of charity also carries much blessing and the rewards, giving during the holy month will increase your reward immensely. Zakah does not only purify the property of the contributor but also purifies his heart from selfishness and greed.

The following shows us the importance of charity:

The Prophet said:'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim'. He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity'. The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help the poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good'. The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'They should stop themselves from doing evil. That is also charity.

Charity is not only giving money but following the above example will ensure you are giving charity as well as receiving Allah’s blessing.

• Give us the knowledge, the skills and the will to serve fellow humans.
• Give us the wisdom to comfort and console all toward peace and harmony.
• Help us to alleviate human sufferings.
• Give us the strength to admit our mistakes, amend our ways, and forgive others.
• Give us the devotion to serve the poor, the hungry, the destitute and the homeless with honour, love, dignity and piety, with patience and tolerance, with knowledge and vigilance, with Thy love in our hearts, compassion for Thy servants and desire for Thy mercy for all those who are instruments of Thy healing. (Amen)

If we look deep into our hearts we can see how blessed we are, with Allah’s blessing and your help Islamic Relief can help others.

Dua-e-Saher and Niyat

Dua-e-Saher and Niyat

he Dua mentioned in "Misbah" and "Iqbal", for the time of Saher (Dawn).

YAA MAFZA-E'E I'NDA KURBATEE WA YAA GHAWTHEE I'NDA SHIDDATEE ILAYKA FAZIA TU WA BIKASTAGHATH-TU WA BIKA LUD'TU LAA ALOOD'U BI-SIWAAKA WA LAA AT'LUBUL FARAJA ILLAA MINKA FA-AGHITHNEE WA FARRIJ A'NNEE YAA MAN YAQBALULYASEER WA YAA-FOO A'NIL KATHEER IQBAL MINNIL YASEERA WAA'-FU A'NNIL KATHEER INNAKA ANTAL GHAFOORUR RAH'EEM ALLAAHUMMA INNEE AS-ALUKA EEMAANAN TUBAASHIRU BIHEE QALBEE WA YAQEENAN H'ATTAA AA'-LAMA ANNAHU LAN YUS'EEBANEE ILLAA MAA KATABTA LEE WA RAZ'Z'INEE MINAL A'YSHI BIMAA QASAMTA LEE YAA ARH'AMAR RAAH'IMEEN YAA U'DDATEE FEE KURBATEE WA YAA S'AAH'IBEE FEE SHIDDATEE WA YAA WALIYYEE FEE NIA'-MATEE WA YAA GHAAYATEE FEE RAGHBATEE ANTAS SAATIRU A'WRATEE WAL AAMINU ROO-A'TEE WAL MUQEELU A'THRATEE FAGHFIRLEE KHAT'EEE-ATEE YAA ARH'AMAR RAAH'IMEEN

O my Ultimate Sanctuary when troubles surround me! O my Last Hope when difficulties trouble me! Unto Thee I turn to, before Thee I stand to get help, with Thee I take refuge, except Thee there is no refuge; I do not seek joy after sorrow from anyone save Thee, so come to my help and free me from cares O He who accept even the smallest (efforts) but excuses from restrictions, accept whatever little there is and release from hardships frequently, Verily Thou art Oft-forgiving, Merciful. O Allah I ask for the faith which gives joy, satisfaction and confidence to my heart till I am positively aware that I will not have my fill unless it has been approved for me, and happiness will agree with me only whereby justly and fairly distributed, O the Most Merciful. O my "means" in my troubles! O my Companion in my difficulties! O my Guardian in my happiness! O the ultimate of my inclinations! Thou covers up my shortcomings, affords security in the event of crisis end fearful disasters, therefore, overlook my transgressions, O the Most Merciful.

The Niyat (Intent) for keeping fast.The fasts of the month of Ramadan are obligatory. When the Crescent is sighted we should declare to ourselves that, we will keep all fasts during this month wajib qurbatan ilallah i.e., to attain nearness to Allah. Just like Salat/Namaz (prayers) the Niyat of fasting is mental, and is the case with Niyat of every action. To declare it in words cannot only be defined as Niyat.

IFTAREE (Breaking of Fast)

The time for this is 12 to 15 minutes after Sunset. It is better to offer 'Magrib Namaz' and then break one's fast, preferably with water, milk or dates.

The following Dua may be recited at the time of breaking one's fast:

ALLAAHUMMA LAKA S'UMTU WA A'LAA RIZQIKA AFT'ARTU WA A'LAYKA TAWAWKKALTU

O my Allah, for Thee, I fast, and with the food Thou gives me I break the fast, and I rely on Thee

Ameer ul-Moomineen Ali Ibne Abi Taalib (A.S.) used to recite the following du'a before Iftaar:

BISMILLAAH ALLAAHUMMA LAKA S'UMNAA WA A'LAA RIZQIKA AFT'ARNAA FA-TAQABBAL MINNAA INNAKA ANTAS SAMEE-U'L A'LEEM

In the name of Allah, O Allah, we fast, and with the food Thou gives us we break the fast, an obligation we fulfill, and Thou art Hearer, Knower

While taking the first mouthful recite:

BISMILLAAHIR RAH'MAANIR RAH'EEM YAA WAASI-A'L MAGHFIRATI IGHFIR LEE

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, O He whose indulgence is boundless, forgive me

Recite Soorah Al-Qadr.
Give alms in the name of Allah.

Every night do the following:

Recite Soorah Al-Qadr 1000 times.
Recite Soorah Al-Dukhaan 100 times.
Recite............

ALLAAHUMMA RABBA SHAHRI RAMAZ'AANAL LAD'EE ANZALTA FEEHIL QUR-AANA WAFTARAZ'TA A'LAA I'BAADIKA FEEHlS S'IYAAMA S'ALLI A'LAA MUH'AMMADIN WA AALI MUHAMMAD WARZUQNEE H'AJJA BAYTIKAL H'ARAAM FEE A'AMEE HAAD'AA WA FEE KULLI A'AM WAGHFIR LEE TILKAD'D'UNOOBAL I'Z'AAM FA-INNAHOO LAA YAGHFIRUHAA GHAYRUKA YAA RAH'MAAN YAA A'LLAAM

O Allah, the Lord, (this is) the month of Ramazan, in it Thou revealed the Holy Quran, and in it made obligatory "fasting" upon Thy servants, send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Muhammad, and provide us with the means to go to Thy Sacred House for "Hajj" this year and every year; and in this month forgive my grave sins, verily, other than Thee, no one can liberate (me) from its consequences, O Beneficent, O Omniscient.

Recite Soorah Al-Qadr.
Give alms in the name of Allah.
Recite Dua-e-Iftitaah.

Download Dua-e-Iftitaah.