Articles filed in Spiritual
Food log: The first 24 hours after Ramadan
Stardate 62106.2
Made possible by popular demand. Well, sort of…
Men meeting and greeting after Eid Prayers
Ramadan officially ended last night and today was the first day of the month of Shawaal. It is called Eid-ul-Fitr (Festival to break the fast) and it is the most celebrated day of the Islamic year.
The other festival in the Islamic calendar is Eid-ul-Ad’ha (Festival of Sacrifice) and it will come around in the first week of December this year.
Both Eids are marked by a special prayer followed by a sermon after sunrise. One also recommended to recite the Takbir (testify God’s Greatness) throughout the day whenever possible. Fasting on both Eids is forbidden !
The last ten nights of Ramadan
Today is the 20th of Ramadan. But tonight will be the 21st night, You see, the day in the Islamic calendar begins at sundown instead of midnight. The last ten nights, especially the odd nights - the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and the 29th are the most auspicious nights of the month of Ramadan.
Muslims believe, according to what is in the Qur’an, that the first verses were sent down to the Prophet Muhammad in one of these (odd) nights. That night is called the Night of Power (Layl-at-al-Qadr).
We don’t know what date that night falls on but instead we are asked to search for it through worship. Some scholars believe that it is the 27th night, but that is their opinion and I personally don’t take that seriously.
Ramadan routine
Today is the 8th day of fasting. The past week has largely been a period of adjustment. Otherwise this Ramadan is going very well so far. Today’s fast in Hamilton starts at 5:32 AM and we will break at 7:42 PM. In between this time, we go about our daily routines, either work or school - sans food & drink.
Ten years ago, Ramadan came around December, where the days were shorter and the nights were longer. Fasts were only 10 hours long and we’d be done with dinner and prayers by 8:00 PM the latest.
As Ramadan approaches the summer months, the fasts become longer and things drag late into the night. My sleep pattern has been disturbed this weekend as I spent the days sleeping. Now I find myself awake in the small hours blogging !
Fortunately it’ll be another 7 or 8 years when Ramadan will fall in June and the day is 17 hours long ! I tried fasting once in the summer. I didn’t make it. I wonder if there are any special rules for that time of the year. I know that there are special rules for people living in the Tundra, but I don’t know what they are and how they are applied.
Of split personality and irresponsibility
Today was Friday and Friday or Jumu’ah, as it is called in Arabic, is a day of congregation for Muslims. The congregation is an obligation upon the men, and there can be no excuse for missing it unless due to sickness, in a situation of emergency, while traveling long distances, or in situations when it’s just impossible.
Women are also encouraged to join the congregation but they are free to pray in private if they choose to.
The Friday congregation replaces the daily afternoon prayer, which is held between 12:30 and and 14:00 depending on the season and if DST is observed, and lasts between half-hour and 45 minutes. There are two parts to the congregation, the sermon and the prayer itself which takes between 5 to 7 minutes maximum.
Answers to how one can be so treacherous
Three weeks ago, I poured out my thoughts against a twit inciting hatred and terrorism over the Internet. He is a student at the University of Toronto in Mississauga and was actually interviewed by the National Post. He is currently under investigation by the RCMP and CSIS.
Last weekend, I learnt of Salman Hossain’s background and family. And what I learnt shed a lot of light on why he would behave this way.
How can one be so treacherous ?
There is a twit, here in Canada, who can also be identified with twits inciting terrorism and hatred towards everybody besides themselves.
You can read more about his story at the National Post: http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=272528
What amazes me is how can a normal human being even begin to behave this way ? continue reading →
Wish you a successful 1429
We are well into 2008 but that has not stopped my inbox from accepting new year’s wishes from friends and family. The latest greetings come with good wishes for a new Islamic year of 1429.
I wish you all a successful year as well, regardless of the calendar you follow.
Hadith - October 27, 2007
Virtues of Knowledge (which is learnt and taught for the sake of Allâh)
Mu’âwiah (may Allâh be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allâh said,
“When Allâh wishes good for someone, He bestows upon him the understanding of religion.”
- Narrated by Al-Bukhâri and Muslim
Do I need a Blokester invitation??? 
