Why we need a Ramadan…
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum.
Why?
The list could fill a few volumes.
However, I think there’s one lecture that really summarises why we need this great month.
It’s by Brother Abu Uwais (rahimahullah).
I posted it last year along with its transcript.
The brother’s words are something to ponder over, may Allah reward him.
PS. It would also be good if each of us asked ourselves why WE need a Ramadan. What problems do each of us have and how will Ramadan help us to rectify ourselves?
Lecture: End of Ramadan
Assalamu alaikum.
This is a lecture that Brother Abu Taubah gave at the end of last year’s Ramadan. He mentions a few points about Surah Qaaf as well.
End of Ramadan by Abu Taubah
Lecture: Rulings and Virtues of Itikaf
Assalamu Alaikum.
[Yes, you’re right. I’m trying to get you to do itikaf. Was it that obvious?]
Rulings and Virtues of Itikaf by Said Rageah
Lecture/Article: Repentance in Ramadan
Assalamu Alaikum.
I think many people dream of being religious one day, or at least that’s what I understood after talking to many sisters.
The key word here is “dream”. Many of us dream. So we think that one day, it will all fall into place and we’ll be great slaves of Allah and we’ll go to Paradise.
Brothers and Sisters, we can’t sin day and night and barely remember Allah and then expect to get that house in Paradise.
Paradise is earned. And who will earn it? The ones who strove hard for it.
[Note: We do not get into Paradise solely through our good deeds, but rather through the Mercy of Allah.]
Let’s all ask ourselves a few questions:
1) Have we changed at all in the last few years?
-Do we have more tawheed than before?
– Are we more conscious that Allah is watching us?
– Do we pray more?
– Are we more attached to the Quran? Do we apply it more?
– Do we have more knowledge of Islam?
– Do we have better manners?
– Do we give in charity more?
– Are we more modestly dressed than before? [This applies to both men and women.]
– Do we control our tongues more? Do we use them more for the remembrance of Allah or for the remembrance of this worldly life?
– Do we sin less? And if we sin, how long does it take us to ask for Allah’s Forgiveness?
We should all try to ask ourselves in which areas we have improved.
2) If we didn’t change at all or didn’t change much, then why not?
Are we really in it to please Allah? Or are we still worried about what created beings have to say?
Created beings who, like us, fall ill, need to go to the bathroom, will get old and will die (and when buried, will rot in the ground).
Are we attached to them* more than we are to Allah?
[*Them = Spouses, children, family, friends, colleagues, celebrities, you name it.]
And saying “no” doesn’t prove we aren’t. Our actions are what will prove if we are or are not attached to them.
3) When is the time for change going to come?
Allah says:
“Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe to be affected by Allah’s Reminder (this Quran), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Faasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah).” [Surah Al-Hadid (57) :16]
Isn’t it way past time?
Here are two resources that talk about repenting in Ramadan. Don’t we want to be different people in Shawwal than we were in Shaban?
Here’s the article: Repentance in Ramadan.
Repentance in Ramadan by Said Rageah
Lecture: Making the Most of the End of Ramadan
Assalamu Alaikum.
Another day, another reminder.
Making the Most of the End of Ramadan by Abu Saifillah Abdul Qadir
Lecture Series: Ramadan changed me
Assalamu Alaikum.
Perhaps the title should have been “I hope Ramadan will change me”, you say?
Nah. That’s too negative. “Ramadan changed me” is better because it causes one to believe that Ramadan HAS to change them, which will lead them to take the required steps.
So, here’s the series. It’s from Al-Huda TV (I had previously mentioned their Ramadan episodes here.)
_____________________________________________________________
Ramadan Changed Me by Ramiz Ibrahim
Part 1: Change Yourself
Part 2: Intention and Action
Special Ramadan Lecture in Dubai with Dr. Abdullah Hakim Quick
Assalamu Alaikum.
In case you’re wondering why that name sounds so familiar, it’s because he is a pretty popular daee who appears on many channels. He graduated from the Islamic University of Madinah.
And he’s giving a lecture tomorrow in Dubai.
Here’s the email that I recieved:
______________________________________________________________
Jumeirah Islamic Learning Centre
‘The Lessons from the Miracle of the Ant’
with
Dr.Abdullah Hakim Quick
Mail: infojilc@yahoo. com
You can download the location map of the centre here.
Please pass on the word.
Jazakumullahu kheira.
Ramadan Forum 2010 Website
Assalamu Alaikum.
I mentioned the Ramadan forum in an earlier post.
It seems that they have Arabic lectures too. One of their speakers is Shaikh Muhammad Al-Arifi. He’s the author of “Enjoy Your Life”. You can download it from my other blog (it’s on the right hand side).
He narrated the funniest story that I have ever heard (a true story):
Classic.
Here’s the email I got about the website details:
______________________________________________________________
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,
All praise belongs to Allah, Who has given us such a blessed month of Mercy and Forgiveness.
The Ramadan Tent in Twar, famous for their Arabic lectures for the past 8 years, will also feature English lectures from well-renowned speakers on the 11th – 17th of Ramadhan (21st-27th of August).
For those who are looking forward to the upcoming Ramadan Forum 2010: “Gathering to Succeed”, the official website has been launched in both English (click here) and Arabic (click here).
Information you can find on the site:
– News and updates about the event
– All the events hosted by DTCM (Charity Caravan, Sonapur Labour Camp Iftar Tent, Blood Bank, Competitions, and more)
– Printer-friendly schedule (including dates, speakers, and titles of lectures)
– Biographies of all the speakers
– Interactive Google Location map
… and much more!
You can also watch videos of last year’s Arabic lectures here.
Please forward to as many people as possible. Spread the word around and may you be rewarded for any person who attends and gains knowledge through your efforts.
Jazzakumullahu khairan.
Lecture about Ramadan in Ajman TONIGHT
Assalamu Alaikum.
Sorry for the late announcement but it completely slipped my mind, subhan-Allah.
The details can be seen in the poster:
[Click on the poster to enlarge the size.]
Please spread the word.
Jazakumullahu kheira.