By Muhammed Hussain — In the first direct negotiations since Dec 2008, between Benjamin Netanyahu the Israeli Prime Minister and Mahmud Abbas the Palestinian President, the Palestinians say that a renewal of settlement activities after September 26, when a ten-month partial moratorium expires, would end the negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister meawhile has told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton there would be no extension of an Israeli moratorium on settlement construction that expires at the end of the month. “Israel does not condition its participation in the talks on regaining control of the Gaza Strip or rehabilitating West Bank refugee camps to find a solution for refugees outside Israel’s borders,” he said referring to other thorny issues at the heart of the talks. “We are not looking for excuses to stop the negotiations. The opposite, we came here to find a real solution without preconditions,” the statement quoted him as saying. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who is in Washington to attend the launch of direct talks between Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas , also called for international peacekeepers in a future Palestinian state. President Hosni Mubarak said in comments published that Israel must extend a settlement moratorium for negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders to succeed. “A complete halt to Israel’s settlement expansion in the West Bank and east Jerusalem is critical if the negotiations are to succeed, starting with an extension of Israel’s moratorium on settlement-building, which expires this month”.

Being the most honoured in the sight of God (49:13), a believer is required to fulfil all his needs, be they material or spiritual, proportionately because such balance in all spheres of ones life allows one to serve God Almighty most effectively while, at the same time, satisfying ones worldly needs. In short, the Islamic way of life is a balanced one which, once actualised, creates a society that is not only strict in its observance of the Divine System (Shari’ah) but is also dynamic and prosperous – the ideal Islamic society! In economic terms, however, the Islamic man seeks to establish a society where social justice (Adl) and distributional equity (Qist) would prevail so that a section of the society does not discriminate and prosper at the expense of the rest of the society. As a matter of fact, an ideal Islamic society strives to abolish all forms of discrimination, prejudice, class differentiation and provide equal opportunity to all members of the society although, according to some Islamic scholars, Islam does not envision absolute equality insofar as distribution of economic resources among individuals is concerned because, operationally speaking, this simply would not be feasible.

The institution of Zakat is undoubtedly one of the most widely discussed and analysed aspects of the Islamic economy. This is perhaps because Zakat is one of the five principal pillars of Islam (Arkan al-Islam) along with Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salat (daily prayers), Sawm (fasting during Ramadan) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah). Not surprisingly, whenever the Holy Quran makes a reference pertaining to Salat, it simultaneously refers to Zakat. Here is an example: “Those who behave and do righteousness, establish daily prayers and pay poor will have their reward with their Lord”. (2:277) The fact that Zakat is a basic principle of Islam is not in doubt. But the question arises: What is Zakat and what is its role in an Islamic economy? I will begin with the first part of the question.

What is Zakat?

The Arabic word ‘Zakat’ is generally translated as ‘poor due’ or ‘religious levy’ but literally it means purification (taharah), growth (nama), blessing (bakarah) and appreciation (madh).  Islamically speaking, however, Zakat is the community’s share in the produced wealth.  More specifically, according to M U Chapra, the renowned Islamic economist, Zakat is the financial duty of a Muslim “to pay out of his net worth or agricultural output, if these are higher than the threshold of Zakat (nisab), a specified portion as an indispensable part of his religious duties.”

Although some writers mistakenly refer to Zakat as charity, it is not charity. Al-Sadaqah is charity as opposed to Zakat which is a compulsory religious duty conferred by God Almighty upon all Muslims whose wealth exceeds the prescribed limit. If a person’s wealth exceeds that limit, he/she is required to pay the rate of 2½% of total income or wealth to the Bait Al-Mal (the public treasury) annually for the upkeep of the poor (fuqara) and the needy (masakin). In the words of the Prophet (peace be on him): “Riches (i.e. Zakat) should be taken from the rich and returned to the poor”.

In short, therefore, in a Muslim State the fortunate Muslims are required to look after their less fortunate brothers and sisters, including the non-Muslim citizens of the State. Having made these preliminary remarks, now we shall consider the institution of Zakat in further detail below.

The Purpose of the Institution of Zakat

“And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship God, offering Him sincere devotion, being true in faith; to establish regular prayer; and give poor due”. (Holy Qur’an, 98:5)

Being one of the five basic pillars of Islam, Zakat is primarily an act of Ibadah or worship. Whereas Salat – also an act of worship – is performed by way of reciting, physically posturing and prostrating, Zakat requires one to distribute portions of ones wealth to the poor, destitute and the needy of the society in obedience to God’s commandment because, according to Islam, all wealth, property and treasures that exist on the earth ultimately belong to God alone. So although God Almighty is the ultimate owner of all things, He has nonetheless permitted man to utilise the provisions of the earth, but in a just and equitable manner. However, man (being insatiable and acquisitive by nature) has not always utilised them fairly and equitably. Hence God Almighty ordained Zakat. As such, Zakat – in addition to being an act of worship – is also a unique distributive mechanism which seeks to ensure that wealth and property are not expropriated and controlled only by a few people. And that everyone can equally enjoy the provisions and bounties which the earth produces by the Divine Will of God, the Exalted in Might.

What is more, Zakat is also a spiritual purifying process, which attempts to suppress man’s unwanted desires and whims, thereby seeking to improve and enhance the human personality. More will be said on this later. To recapitulate, the main purpose of the institution of Zakat is to ensure that the material resources of the earth are fairly and equitably distributed and shared by everyone while, on the other hand, God Almighty has promised to bless and multiply the wealth of those who pay Zakat in obedience to His command. As the Holy Quran states with reference to Prophet Moses and his companions: “I shall ordain mercy for those who do right, and give regular poor due and those who believe in Our signs”. (7:156) The Quran also states: “The parable of those who spend their wealth (property) in the way of God is as the parable of a grain growing seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. And God multiplies further for whom He likes. (2:261) Having briefly explained the main purpose of Zakat, we shall now attempt to elucidate the role of Zakat in an Islamic economy.

The Role of Zakat in Islamic Economy and Society

Since the institution of Zakat is a significant component of the Islamic economy, its role therein is both diverse and far-reaching, not least because Zakat is the pivot of all public finance in Islam. However, for the sake of brevity and simplicity, the role of Zakat within an Islamic economy can be said to cover three spheres, namely the moral sphere, the social sphere and the economic sphere. Let us briefly explain them below.

The Moral Sphere

We have already mentioned the fact that the one of the main functions of Zakat is that it instils moral qualities and uprightness in man. Here, however, it is necessary to consider the role of the Zakat insofar as the moral development of the Islamic man is concerned in some detail. According to the Islamic economists, one of the most important role of Zakat in the Islamic economic order is that it “washes away the greed and acquisitiveness of the rich”, thereby seeking to undermine the excessive and over-zealous wealth accumulative attitude of some elements of the society. However, I should stress here that Islam is not anti-wealth, so to speak, but, on the contrary, Islam encourages the lawful seeking of wealth. Nevertheless, Islam is against the excessive materialistic attitude which some people tend to exemplify.

Nonetheless, man by nature is a selfish and greedy creature, and as such is rarely content with his lot. The more he is given, the more he craves for. In short, his insatiable self knows no bounds. Referring to such insatiable and acquisitive nature of man, the Holy Quran states, “Rivalry in worldly increase distracts you until ye come to the graves. Nay, but ye will come to know! Nay, but ye will come to know!” (102:1-4) Similarly the Prophet (peace be on him) remarked: “Had there been two mountains of wealth for the son of Adam, he would have sought the third one; nothing but the earth can fill the belly of the son of Adam”.  In light of this, the role of Zakat in fostering moral qualities and attributes in people in an Islamic society is exceptional because it encourages and also impresses a sense of moral responsibility on the rich to look after the poor and the less fortunate members of the society, thereby seeking to suppress wanton greed, miserliness and selfishness in order to create a society that is caring, loving, equitable and just.

In short, the role played by Zakat in developing and strengthening the moral qualities of “sacrifice and goodness and in suppressing evil qualities of selfishness and greed among the people is no small contribution”.

The Social Sphere

“Islam has created a society more free from widespread cruelty and social oppression than any other society had ever been in the world before.” (H G Wells, The Outline of History)

Although the role of Zakat in the Islamic economic order is both diverse and far-reaching, however at the societal level the primary objective of Zakat is to eradicate poverty. And this is a very significant objective which, in my humble opinion, assumes even greater significance considering the fact that some of the wealthier countries in the world happen to be Muslim yet, strangely enough, poverty is rife in the Muslim world. Why?

The simple answer is because in those countries wealth is largely controlled by a group of elites who care less for the poor and the needy. Worse still, these elites also avoid paying Zakat so that the poor and the needy of the society are literally forced to steal or beg for charity. Not surprisingly, the situation in Muslim countries today is both desperate and alarming not only because the elites of those societies prefer not to pay Zakat but because they are flagrantly violating Islamic commandments with regard to the obligatoriness of Zakat. Perhaps they should ponder over the following words of Caliph Abu Bakr: “By God, I will wage war against those who differentiate between Salat and Zakat.” More importantly, the Prophet (peace be on him) said: “He is not a true Muslim who eats his full when his next door neighbour is hungry.” Such is the importance of charity and Zakat in Islam.

In short, at the societal level, one of the most significant objective of Zakat is that it seeks to eradicate poverty, the mother of all social problems, by ensuring that the rich live up to their social responsibility by distributing a portion of their wealth and fortune to the poor and the needy of the society at large.

The Economic Sphere

“Whoever offers prayers but does not pay Zakat, his prayers are in vain”. (Prophet Muhammad, Kitab al-Amwal)

Undoubtedly, one of the most significant roles of Zakat in an Islamic economic order is that it “prevents the morbid accumulation of wealth in a few hands and allows it to be diffused before it assumes threatening proportions in the hands of its possessors.” That is to say that Zakat ensures that wealth and property are not expropriated and controlled only by a section of a society to the detriment or total exclusion of rest of the society. As it happens, Zakat is a distributive mechanism par excellence in that it seeks to establish a society in which wealth, goods and services are both equitably distributed and shared and Muslims care for one another, so that inequity and injustice is eliminated on the one hand while poverty and hunger are alleviated on the other. The Holy Quran constantly reminds the faithful that God commands justice and the doing of good and avoidance of wrong. Muslims need to return to this message of justice, fairness and equality. And the sooner they do the better.

M M Khan is a research scholar, literary critic and author of the widely acclaimed book, The Muslim 100 (reprinted 2010), and The Muslim Heritage of Bengal (forthcoming); he is a Founding Director of Bengal Muslim Research Institute UK.   

With the sighting of the Crescent moon of the holy month of Ramadan, the start of the holy month of Ramadan was marked by Sergeant Mastour Al-Nahari firing seven bullets from the “Ramadan Canon” situated on top of Al-Medf’a Mountain in Makkah. The firing of the canon is an annual event every Ramadan. Muslims all over the country gather together to congratulate each other and share their happiness, and to prepare for the voluntary work that will take place in almost every mosque in Saudi Arabia.

Just a few hours after the announcement of the sighting of the Crescent moon, both the Haramain in Makkah and Madina turned into beehive of activity as hundreds of thousands of visitors started pouring into the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina to attend the first night of Al-Taraweeh prayers.

During the holy month of Ramadan the holy city of Makkah comes alive in a way that does not happen in other places in the country. It is a city that does not sleep during this time. Makkah’s people start preparing for this special time during the last week of Sha’ban.

Iftar and Suhour

The start of Iftar and Suhour is marked by the firing of the canons. The canons all over the country are shot when the sun sets and at breakfast time to coincide with the Adhan. In addition two capsules are shot at 2 A.M. to inform people in Makkah to take their Suhoor and before the dawn Adhan another two capsules are shot marking the end of Suhoor time. Each bullet contains 1.5 kg of ammunition powder.

Makkah’s people prepare food for Ramadan like vegetables, sambosa and sweets. In the old days, soup, beans and sambosa were the main dishes for breaking the fast in Ramadan. Sobia has been the favorite drink of Makkah’s people throughout the years. The sweets are the favorites of Makkah’s people. The Suhoor table was not complete without sweets such as muhallabia, al-almasia, and kuchaf al-zabib. For Iftar, Makkah’s people cooked vegetables or meat in various forms such as kabob.

Taraweeh

There are twenty rak’ats prayed in Taraweeh in Haramain. In the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, four Imams, such as Sheikh Abdur Rahman al-Sudais, Sheikh Saud al-Shuraim, Sheikh Maher al-Mu’aqily and Sheikh Abdullah al-Johani led the Taraweeh prayers. The first ten rak’at prayers are led by one imam and the second ten rak’at Taraweeh are led by another Imam.

Qiyam al-Lail

The Qiyam al-Lail prayers (night prayer) of the last ten nights have already started with the first chapter of the Holy Qur’an. The ten rak’ats Qiyam al-Lail prayers led by two Imams, first six rak’ats by Sheikh Saud al-Shuraim and the second four rak’ats by Sheikh Abdur Rahman al-Sudais who also made dua.

Friday prayer

Last Friday, on 27 August, 2010, over two million people offered Jumah prayers in the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina. At the Prophet’s Mosque, more than half a million worshippers performed Friday prayer. Here the authorities are introducing a set of integrated services with the efforts of about 15,000 cadres from security bodies.

Itikaf

There is I’tikaf in the last ten days. 40,000 Mutakifs are expected by the Prophet’s Mosque Affairs, to be sitting in seclusion (I’tikaf) in Haram for the rest of holy month. The authorities said a program for Mutakifs has been completed.

Preparation of Haram for Ramadan

Last Thursday 26^th of August 2010 International Airport received 39 international flights carrying tens of thousands of visitors who are being offered round-the-clock medical services through 10 health facilities. The authorities have drawn up integrated plans to provide the highest standard of services to Umrah pilgrims so that they can perform their rituals in ease and comfort.  Over 50,000 security officers from various agencies and from the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Makkah Mayoralty and other government bodies have been deployed to ensure safety and security for up to 1.5 million visitors and pilgrims to the holy city during Ramadan.

Healthcare

An intensive healthcare systems plan was in place at the Grand Mosque for the millions of pilgrims coming here during Ramadan. Five dispensaries inside the Grand Mosque have been fully equipped to offer full medical services. Health centres have been established in the Haram. There are five health centers on the second floor of the Holy Haram which provides medical services all day. The centers are located on lower Bab Ajyad, the upper Bab Ajyad, Gate 94 in the new expansion, Gate 64 at King Fahd Expansion and Bab Al-Nadwa. These centers provide first aid and emergency services in addition to 29 permanent health centers in different parts of the holy city including those around the Grand Mosque to offer prompt medical services to pilgrims.

Clean-up

The Makkah Mayoralty has assigned 8,500 cleaners with 810 cleaning machines and equipment for clean-up operations. There are also seven temporary stations for the collection of waste and garbage to keep the holy city clean around the clock.

Women team

For the first time, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the authorities at the Holy Haram has teams of women who will be available to help critically-ill women pilgrims at the Mosque’s health centers.

Women officials

The General Presidency of Two Holy Mosques Affairs has appointed 300 women officials to cope with the increasing number of women pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque in Ramadan. They instruct the visitors on how the visitors should conduct themselves in the mosque. They also take the women entering the mosque to the place reserved for women.

151 women guides were working in four shifts at various locations in the mosque including the courtyards. They checked the women visitors at the gates both day and night. While 20 guides supervised the cleaning operations in the women’s area including the toilets in two shifts, 10 guides took care of the copies of the Holy Qur’an kept in the women’s section. Another 20 guides worked in the courtyards to see that women did not pray on passages and walkways, it is reported.

Makkah Cloak

“The Makkah Clock started with the order of King Abdullah … one minute after midnight on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan,” the Saudi Press Agency said. A giant clock on a skyscraper in Islam’s holiest city Makkah began ticking on Wednesday, 11^th of August, 2010, at the start of the fasting month of Ramadan, amid hopes it will become the Muslim world’s official timekeeper. The Makkah Clock, which Riyadh says is the world’s largest, has four faces measuring 43 meters in diameter. It sits 400 meters up what will be the world’s second-tallest skyscraper and largest hotel, overlooking the city’s Holy Grand Mosque, which Muslims around the world turn to five times a day for prayer. Over 90 million pieces of colored glass mosaic embellish the sides of the clock, which has four faces each bearing a large inscription of the name “Allah”. It is visible from all corners of the city, the state news agency said.

The clock is positioned on a 601-meter tower, which will become the second tallest inhabited building in the world when it is completed in three months’ time.

The clock tower is the landmark feature of the seven-tower King Abdulaziz Endowment hotel complex, being built by the Saudi Binladin Group, which will have the largest floor area of any building in the world when it is complete. Local media have said the clock tower project cost $3 billion. Around 2 million Muslims visit the holy city each year for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, a once-in-a-lifetime requirement for able-bodied Muslims, and 3.5 million pilgrims visit Makkah at other times of the year.

Picture footage: Pilgrims perform circumambulation of the Ka’aba on last Wednesday night. Makkah Coack tower is seen in the background@Dr Mozammel Haque.

Makkah al-Mukarramah

This is known as the Night of Decree. It has a special merit and is described in the Quraan as follows:

1. 1,000 Months

“Verily! We have sent it (this Quraan) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree), And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] by Allahs Permission with all Decrees, Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.” (Al-Qadr 97:1 – 5)

Therefore,  worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months! Which is about 83 years and 4 months! This is probably longer then most of us will even live! So which of us will be crazy enough to waste this opportunity?

2. Quraan Revealed and Decrees sent down

“We sent it (this Quraan) down on a blessed night. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments. Amran (i.e. a Command or this Quraan or the Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messengers), (As) a Mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” (Ad-Dukhan 44:6)

How blessed must the night, the Quraan was sent down, be?

 There are two things perhaps its worth pointing out though. We all known that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was given the Quraan is segments:

“And those who disbelieve say: “Why is not the Quran revealed to him all at once?” Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages. (It was revealed to the Prophet SAW in 23 years.).” (Al-Furqan 25:32)

“And (it is) a Quraan which We have divided (into parts), in order that you might recite it to men at intervals. And We have revealed it by stages. (in 23 years).” (Al-Isra 17:106)

 So if that the case, how could the Quraan have been revealed during Laylatul Qadr?

Muslims also believe in something known as the al – Lawh ul – Mahfooz (the Preserved Tablet). In this, Allaah recorded everything that was going to happen in the future, Since Allaah has infinite knowledge and well aware of our future actions. This same books has all the decrees and is described in the following narration:

Narrated Abdullah b. Amr b. al-As (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard Allahs Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: “Allah ordained the measures (of quality) of the creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, as His Throne was upon water.” [Saheeh Muslim, Book 033, Number 6416]

And it is Narrated Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit said, “O my little son, you will never find the taste of Eemaans reality until you know that whatever caught you would not have missed you and what missed you would never have caught you.

 I heard Allaahs Messenger say: “Indeed the first thing which Allaah created was the pen and He told it to write.

It asked: O my Lord, what should I write?

Allah said: Write the destiny of everything until the Final Hour comes.”

O my little son! I heard Allaahs Messenger (peace be upon him) say, “Whoever dies believing in other than this is not a true follower of mine.” [Sunan Aboo Daawood, vol. 3, p. 1317, Number 4683 and authenticated by Sheikh al-Albaanee in Sharh al - Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah, p. 264 and in as-Silsilah, vol. 1, no. 207]

Therefore, when people say it was written in your Destinty, they are referring to the above book.

 So on laylatul qadr, the Quraan was revealed from this book.

When is the Night?

Narrated Aishah (may Allaah be pleased with her): Allahs Apostle (peace be upon him) said, “Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.” [Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 32, Number 234]

Therefore, it could be 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. Some narrations indicate its on the last seven days and others say 27th. However, its best to seek it on all the odd nights (only 5 days!) and perhaps you will be rewarded for a lifetime!

One thing to note, we start our nights at maghrib. So, if today is the 20th fast. However, the prayer of tonite is the 21st. If you recall, we startd taraweeh the night before fasting. Also, when the moon is sighted at the end, we dont pray taraweeh the night before Eid.

How should one approach and benefit from this night?

1. Stand in Qiyaam

Qiyaam means standing and Qiyaam ul layl means standing at night. Its basically the night prayer and has other names such as: tahajjud, taraweeh, etc.

 Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven .” [Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 32, Number 231]

Ideally, you should go and pray Taraweeh in the Mosque and complete the prayer with the Imaam, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever stand in prayer with the Imaam until he (the Imaam) concludes the prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayer the whole night.” [Sunan Aboo Daawood, Sunan at – Tirmithee and others. Its chain of narrations is authentic. See Irwaa ul – Ghaleel, Number 447]  

However, if you are unable to, then pray it at home.

Remember, make sure that you have made wudoo correctly, your clothes are clean, the area you are praying is clean and that you pray in a moderate pace and recite correctly. Its ok if you cant recite big soorahs, its the intentions that counts.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”

[Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 1, Book 1, Number 1]

 You should recite Qunoot before rukoo, if you wish. 

Just recite Soorah fatiha, then your other Soorah, then after that, raise your hands and read those duas. Once you are done, go into rukoo and complete your prayer.

4. Make Dua

 There was a sheikh who said when he was 12, he thought to himself, if Allaah will give us anything on this night, what are the main things I really wish for. He made a list of about 6 and asked for them every night (in the last ten days). He said 2 years later he had memorized the Quraan

So similarly, Look into your lives and see what it is you need to make them complete. Make your list, then after your Witr prayer, raise your hands up and ask Allaah, from the bottom of your heart, what it is you want. Also, cry if you can, and if you cant, then make yourself cry. I know it sounds strange, but once you break that shell around your heart, you will become more sincere.

Also, its Sunnah to say the following Dua:

“Allahumma innaka

afuwwun tuh ibbul afwa

fa fu annee -

 O Allah! You are forgiving,

and you love forgiveness.

So forgive me.”

Remember, ask for whatever you wish, but dont forget to say for forgiveness, because the last place we all want to end up is in Hell…

 Just incase you’r not sure what to ask for:

 ·         Forgives for yourself, your family and the who muslim nation (ummah)

·         Guidance to the straight path

·         Purification of mind, body and soul

·         Knowledge of the religion

·         Wisdom

·         The best of the world and the next

·         A righteous spouse

·               Paradise

Dont ask for things like long life, more money, etc because all of this has already been apportioned for you and it cannot be changed.

As for those of who you may not be able to pray, you should recite Quraan instead. Quraan can be recited in any state, according to the strongest opinion (according to Dr. Bilal and others scholars), so dont follow the views of those who dont know! Allaah would not restrict the Quraan to certian people and certain times only!! So recite Quraan, perhaps recite a soorah that you love and read its translation. Or you can read other stuff like islamic articles, or some of the stories of the Prophets, or even ahadeeth. The point is to do something good. and after that, make your Dua sincerely.

And Finally, be consistent. Its only 5 nights, dont waste them. Repeat the same thing every night. Anyone and everyone who trys to distract you in these nights, are no doubt soldiers of shaytaan. Any friends who ask you to go out on this night, are the ones that will lead you to Hell. So take heed of your actions and Fear Allaah in all you do…

Remember..this might be your last Ramadaan…The last thing you want is to be in your grave, regretting not being a better Muslim in this life…Once you die, your judgment starts and there is no returning back!

—  Compiled by Imran Ayub

EID-AL-FITR is celebrated on the first day of Shaw’waal, at the completion of Ramadan. Shaw’waal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.

EID-AL-ADHA is celebrated on the tenth day of Zdilhijjah, the 12th and the last month of the Islamic calendar. It is also very joyous day; it is a feast of self-sacrifice, commitment and obedience to Allah. It commemorates the great act of obedience to Allah by the Prophet Ibrahim (as) in showing his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael (as). Allah accepted his sacrifice and replaced Prophet Ismael (as) with a lamb. Although Hajj has no relation with the Eid-al-Adha, but the five days long rituals of Hajj are also done during this month culminating on 9th of Zdilhijjah. Many rituals of Hajj are enactment of the struggle of the family Ibrahim (as) specially his second wife Hajirah (as) and her son Prophet Ismael (as).

THE SUNNAH OF EID:

1. Wake up early.
2. Offer Salatul Fajr. 3.Prepare for personal cleanliness take care of details of clothing, etc.
4. Take a Ghusl (bath) after Fajr.
5. Brush your teeth.
6. Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones.
6. Use perfume (men only).
7. Have breakfast on Eid-al-Fitr before leaving for prayer ground. On Eid-al-Adha, eat breakfast after Salaat or after sacrifice if you are doing a sacrifice.
8. Pay Zakaat-al-Fitr before Salaat-al-Eid (on Eid-al-Fitr).
9. Go to prayer ground early.
10. Offer Salaat-al-Eid in congregation in an open place except when whether is not permitting like rain, snow, etc.
11. Use two separate routes to and from the prayer ground.
12. Recite the following Takbir on the way to Salaat and until the beginning of Salaat-al-Eid. On Eid-al-Adha, Takbir starts from Mughrib on the 9th Zdilhijjah and last until the Asr on the 12th Zdilhijjah: Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. Wa-lilahill hamd. (Allah is greater. Allah is greater. There is no god but Allah. Allah is greater. Allah is greater. And all praises are for Allah).

HOW TO OFFER SALAAT-AL-EID: Ibn Abbass (ra) reported: ‘ I participated in the Salaat-al-Eid-al-Fitr with the Messenger of Allah (saw), Abu Bakr (ra), Umar (ra) and Uthman (ra), and all of them held Salaat-al-Eid before Khutbah, and then the Prophet Muhammad (saw) delivered the Khutbah (sermon)’. Hadith, Muslim

WHO SHOULD GO TO THE PRYER GROUND AND OFFER SALAAT-AL-EID: Umm Atiyah (ra) reported: ‘The Messenger of Allah (saw) commanded us to bring out on Eid-al- Fitr and Eid-al-Adha, young women, hijab-observing adult women and the menstruating women. The menstruating women stayed out of actual Salaat but participated in good deeds and Duaa (supplication)’. I (Umm Atiyah) said to the Holy Prophet (saw): ‘O! Messenger of Allah, one does not have an outer garment.’ He replied: “Let her sister cover her with her garment.” Hadith Muslim. On the Eid day, every believing man, woman and child must go to the prayer ground and participate in this joyous occasion.

STRUCTURE OF SALAAT-AL-EID: Salaat-al-Eid is wajib (strongly recommended, just short of obligatory). It consists of two Rakaat (units) with six or thirteen additional Takbirs. It must be offered in congregation. The Salaat is followed by the Khutbah. The Khutbah is part of the worship and listening to it is Sunnah. During the Khutbah, the Imam must remind the community about its responsibilities and obligations towards Allah, fellow Muslims and the fellow human beings. The Imam must encourage the Muslims to do good and ward off evil. The Muslim community must also be directed to the state of the community and the Ummah at large and the feelings of sacrifice and Jihaad should be aroused in the community.

At the conclusion of the Salaat the Muslims should convey greetings to each other, give reasonable gifts to the youngsters and visit each other at their homes. Muslims should also take this opportunity to invite their non-Muslims neighbors, co-workers, classmates and business acquaintances to Eid festivities to expose them to Islam and Muslim culture.

SACRIFICE AND EID-AL-ADHA: Those who have enough wealth to pay Zakaat must offer the sacrifice for Allah. It is the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and a strongly recommended Sunnah. A lamb, sheep, goat , cow, buffalo, or camel can be offered as the sacrifice. There are seven shares in a cow, buffalo and camel. The sacrifice should be accomplished by slaughtering the animal after Salaat-al-Eid. The sacrifice also called Udhiyah or Qurbani last for three days from 10th Zdilhijjah until the sunset of 12th Zdilhijjah. The meat should be divided into three shares: one for the family the second for relatives and friend and the third share is for the poor and the needy. (Written & copyright by Imam Ali Siddiqui, 1982)

You can find additional information from web sites including Islamicity and books of Hadith including Bukhari, Muslim, Riadus-Salahin, and Mishkat-al- Masabih. (Imam Ali Siddiqui)

— By Imam Ali Siddiqui

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– By Dr. Yousef Yaqoub

Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier has introduced a new incentive  for its Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP) members travelling from Bahrain and London. The airline’s FFP members can now redeem their earned miles for excess baggage when departing from Bahrain International Airport or London Heathrow Airport to their respective destinations. This new incentive was officially launched on August 1 in London, following its successful introduction in Bahrain on June 1. “We are glad to introduce one more privilege to our loyal passengers” said Mr. Kyle Haywood, Gulf Air Chief Commercial Officer. “Many of our FFP members carry excess baggage, especially during the peak summer season for various reasons such as students traveling to study abroad, families going on vacation, or just for extended travel. Now they don’t need to pay; they can just redeem their earned miles against the excess baggage they carry. I am sure our FFP members will find this a great incentive.” “This is an additional service we’re providing along with the ability to redeem miles to access our Falcon Gold Lounge when travelling in the Economy cabin which has gained popularity with our Gold and Silver members since its launch in 2009. Members can also redeem their miles for flight tickets and purchase upgrades for the same. We look forward to introducing even more innovative features in the future adding more value to our Frequent Flyer Programme” concluded Mr. Haywood. This new facility allows Gulf Air’s frequent flyers to redeem miles for extra baggage in individual blocks of 5 kilograms, varying from one zone to the next. Gulf Air’s Frequent flyer miles are awarded based on the booking class and the number of miles flown, which are listed on gulfair.com; these miles can be redeemed at anytime. The airline offers one of the best loyalty programmes tailored to meet the passengers’ needs with benefits that include a mile life of 3 years, excess baggage allowance, priority check-in, priority baggage handling as well as priority wait listing, if flights are full.