Assalamu Alaikum,
The month of Muharram, the first month of the Muslim lunar calendar has already entered upon us. May this year prove to be a blessed year for all of us.

Muharram is one of the four sanctified months in Islam. We must make the most of this important month in the light of this hadith. Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that Rasul Allah (saw) said: "After Ramadan, the most excellent days for fasting are during Muharram which is the month of Allah." ( Muslim)
This does not mean that one has to fast the entire month but that each fast in Muharram holds a reward with Allah more than voluntary fasts in any other month.

Specially, the day of Ashura (10th Muharram) is a day of great importance.
Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) relates that Rasul Allah (saw) observed fast on 10th Muharram and commanded others to do likewise. People stated: "O Allah's Messenger! 10th Muharram is a very auspicious day among the Jews and the Christians. He (saw) stated: "If Allah wishes next year we shall observe fast on 9th Muharram (along with 10th)." But by next year, Rasul Allah (saw) passed away. ( Muslim)
Hence, one should combine another day with the Ashura and fast on either the 9th and 10th of Muharram or the 10th and 11th in order to distinguish the Muslim way of fasting from that of the Jews.
When Rasul Allah (saw) had migrated to Madina, he had found the Jews observing fast on the 10th of Muharram as according to them on this day Musa (as) and his followers had crossed the sea and Pharaoh had drowned. Rasul Allah (saw) on hearing this said, "We are more closely related to Musa (as) than you," and directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura. (Abu Dawood)
We also know from a number of authentic traditions that in the beginning, fasting on the day of Ashura was obligatory for the Muslims. It was later when the fasts of Ramadan were made obligatory that the fast on the day of Ashura was made optional. However, Rasul Allah (saw) used to fast on the day of Ashura even after fasting in Ramadan was made obligatory.
We must be careful to refrain from other fabricated or superstitious beliefs about this month and from any actions that Allah (swt) and his Rasul (saw) have condemned.
May this month and this new year take us closer to Allah ta'ala's pleasure and away from His displeasure, closer to Jannah and away from An-Naar. Ameen.

Wassalam,
Farhat

ML/08-Feb 06/06-Muharram/1427 AH

Reflections of November 10, 2006
Surah Al-Hadeed

"Know that the life of this world is but play and amusement, a show and boasting among yourselves, a quest for greater riches and more children - it's similitude is that of a rain whose {resulting} plant growth pleases the tillers; then it withers and you see it turn (brownish) yellow, soon it becomes dry and crumbles away- in the Hereafter there will we be either severe punishment or forgiveness from Allah and His good pleasure - the life of this world is nothing but the enjoyment of delusion." Al-Hadeed 20

What is the Life of this World?
We are so caught up in entertaining and amusing ourselves, adorning our homes, cars and ourselves, boasting, bragging, and competing with each other that we forget that all this 'adornment' will whither, become 'dry', and crumble away. All this... including ourselves! We have forgotten the real purpose of our life, and the main source of our guidance -- The Quran. It is only when we read and ponder upon its verses that we will realize the value of the life of this world. It is only then we will realize it is nothing but an enjoyment of delusion.
-Ayesha Baig, California

Race Ahead in Doing Good
Just imagine for a while, if we compete with each other in running towards Allah (s.w.t), there will be an atmosphere free of self projection and self interest. Nobody would wait for words of appreciation; nobody would despair if there were no immediate positive results of their efforts. Rather we would just over come our own deficits and run ahead. WHY? That’s because we put our complete trust in Allah’s promises and only want His forgiveness and pleasure.
-Ayesha Asad, Etobicoke

"Be ye foremost (in seeking) Forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden (of Bliss), the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth, prepared for those who believe in Allah and His messengers: that is the Grace of Allah, which He bestows on whom he pleases: and Allah is the Lord of Grace abounding." Al-Hadeed 21

Decorate Your Eternal House
Whenever we think about Jannah, we picture it as the most beautifully decorated place, with trees, shades, etc. Something that I realized yesterday is that every body's Jannah will be different… not just according to grades but according to beauty too...
Jannah is a vast barren land which we have to beautify with our deeds. We decorate our worldly house before moving in it and after settling there too... but this house has to be prepared fully in our life time and our lives should focus for the betterment of that eternal house.
While doing good deeds we can keep the picture of our vast plot in mind and compare our deeds to the growing beauty of Jannah. This will keep us going and motivated to furnish our Future homes and perhaps we would become the SABIQOON in both lives. InshaAllah
-Salma Ghansar, Mississauga

Race Towards Doing Good
Race ahead in doing good with Knowledge, and making sure it really is good. The Criteria -- it has to be according to the Qur'an and the Sunnah and good for us in the Hereafter. A Momin looks far ahead, and his focus is not just the petty gains of this Dunya.
Allah subhanahu wa ta'aala mentions the word ‘Sabbaha,’ meaning glorifying or praising, at the beginning of Surah Al Hadeed and other Surahs as well. We are also familiar with the words Tasbeeh or Zikr, glorifying and mentioning Allah subhanahu wa ta'aala’s name through His Attributes. This is recommended and encouraged, as this was the way of Rasool Allah (s.a.w.) as well as the Salaf, to achieve closeness to Allah subhanahu wa ta'aala by consciously praising and glorifying Him, as this increases our Imaan and Tawheed, and makes it easy for us to accept and follow Allah subhanahu wa ta'aala’s commands.

A self check of our Zikr and Tasbeehaat:

When we start our Salah saying ‘Allahu Akbar’, ‘Allah is the Greatest’ -- does His Greatness make us concentrate better and remind us that this could be our last Salah, and He is watching us, or we seeing Him.

When in Ruku we say ‘Subhana Rabbi Yal Azeem’, ‘How perfect is my Lord, the Supreme’ -- do we really feel His Supremacy and Perfection and want our Ruku to be even better and praise Him more.

Straightening up from the Ruku, we say ‘Samei Allahu Leman Hamedah and Rabbana wa Lakal Hamd’, ‘Allah listens to the one who praises Him, and Our Lord, to you be all Praise’—do we really believe that He listens to the one who Praises Him, and is our Praise just for Him, or we Praise His creation more than we Praise Him. Do we long to Praise Him more by memorizing other Duas that we can say while standing after Ruku.

In Sajood when we say ‘Subhana Rabbi Yal Aalaa’, ‘How Perfect is my Lord, Most High’ -- do we still want to get up quickly, and feel saying that is enough, or we keep praising and glorifying Him, and never want our sajood to end. Do we remember that in Sajood we are the closest to Our Rabb and we should make a lot of duas, or we cannot wait to get up?

The companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.) did Tasbeeh and Zikr with knowledge and Ikhlaas. It elevated their Taqwa and Imaan, and they were always ready to sacrifice everything they had, including their lives, for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'aala. They were the ones who knew Allah subhanahu wa ta'aala well, through His attributes, and His Remembrance -- Tasbeeh and Zikr, were a source of peace and satisfaction for their hearts and made them soft.
-Fakhri Hameed, Ottawa

Reflections of November 9, 2006
Surah Al-Hadeed

"One Day shalt thou see the believing men and the believing women- how their Light runs forward before them and by their right hands: (their greeting will be): "Good News for you this Day! Gardens beneath which flow rivers! to dwell therein for aye! This is indeed the highest Achievement!" [Al-Hadeed: 12]

Light on the Day of Judgment
People on the Day of Judgment will be in several different states. Some will be surrounded by darkness and some will be full of light. The light of the Believers will be running, flowing ahead of them, and on their right. Every time I thought of the Nur they would have, I just imagined a glow. This wont be a glow, their Nur will run ahead of them, it will spread, it will illuminate all around them. Whereas on the other hand, the Hypocrites wont have light. These people, Hypocrites, are Muslims yet very unfortunate because they weren’t steadfast on their Islam. They said things and didn’t do them. They didn’t put enough in for Islam; they didn’t strive, so they reached the bad end.
After realizing this, the choice is mine. Do I proclaim my Islam and become one submissive to Allah?
Or do I chose the way of the Hypocrites, lag behind, and reach the bad end?
-Ayesha Ahmed (Texas)

"On the day when the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women will say to those who believe: Wait for us, that we may have light from your light; it shall be said: Turn back and seek a light. Then separation would be brought about between them, with a wall having a door in it; (as for) the inside of it, there shall be mercy in it, and (as for) the outside of it, before it there shall be punishment." [Al-Hadeed: 13]

In regards to light on the Day of Judgment, I think it is ironic how the hypocrites will get light in the beginning and then their light will be taken away. They will be dealt with the same way they behaved in this world. As they thought they could deceive Allah, Allah will deceive them. They will try to borrow light from the believers and will be turned away (S. Al-Hadeed V.13). It will truly be the Day of Recompense. May Allah (SWT) save us from having any of the traits of the hypocrites and grant us light in this world and in the Hereafter. Ameen.
-Ayesha Baig (California)

"Has not the Time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors." [Al-Hadeed: 16]

I love the hidden message that we get from the choice of words of this ayah.
Allah is talking about the 'People of the book' who have disobeyed Allah a lot and have been cursed many a times... but while addressing to them Allah says 'most of them cross limit', He didn’t say 'ALL' but said 'MOST'... this teaches us that, if some/most people of any religion/community/group portray a bad example, we shouldn’t generalize that Name or Characteristic to all.. Every individual is different and should be given a chance before judging him/her.
We also get a hope that there are exceptions in every case... the worst situation too could give us something very worthy... so don't lose hope (for people and problems)
-Salma Ghansar (Mississauga)

"And those who believe in Allah and His messengers- they are the Sincere (lovers of Truth), and the witnesses (who testify), in the eyes of their Lord: They shall have their Reward and their Light. But those who reject Allah and deny Our Signs,- they are the Companions of Hell-Fire." [Al-Hadeed: 19]

The Truthful
After reading verse 19, I thought that the world would be so peaceful if we were all part of the Siddiqoon. What we need is good character and what we need to practice is the Sunnah. All of us can be better of by doing such, InshaAllah.
-Fatima Malik (Mississauga)

A Beautiful Loan
Qarze hasana is what we give purely in the way of Allah (s.w.t) and especially to uplift His deen.
Although we have heard the incident of Hazrat Abu Bakr (r.a) giving all his belongings in the way of Allah (s.w.t) when needed in battle of Tabook and many other times too. Yet the reminders motivate us to give more. The acts of sahaba of giving qarze hasana are really inspiring.May Allah (s.w.t) accept our good deeds. Ameen
-Ayesha Asad (Etobicoke)