OH, I had so many high hopes that Ramadan. My schedule included completing my Qur’anic reading in English and supplementing it in Arabic. I was going to memorize a new soorah and read an Islamic book every week. I was going to listen to an Islamic lecture CD each day, and I even scheduled an “Islamic class” with my daughter for every Friday. O Allah! I prayed. Put noor in my heart and on my countenance, and make me amongst those whom when people

nother Ramadān has come to its end. Yet again it seems that every year it comes and goes as fast as a speeding train. May Allāh accept the prayers, sujūd and supplications of all the Muslims here and in the rest of the world. Below is a short reminder on the fasts of Shawwāl, one way of continuing the spirit of Ramadān in the coming year. Virtues of the six fasts of Shawwāl: The Prophet  saws said: “He who fasts Ramadān, and six of Shawwāl,

"What! Are they crazy?" shouted Fatima, banging the knife on chopping board hard enough to scatter carrots in every direction and send the cat racing for the back door. "What do they think? How can they possibly..." she sighed deeply, and raised the knife for another assault on the chopping board. "Don't they realise we have so much work to do? I mean who schedules a prize giving for the night before Eid." "But ma...that's what Moulana(Sheikh)  said

As the Holy Month of Ramadan draws to an end it is now time to reflect on what we have learnt in the last weeks, individually and collectively. Where each and every one of us have been honored students attending the ‘school of profound spirituality’, being inspired by the guidance and the teaching of the One who is ever present, The Most-High and The Most-Close. At the heart of our consumer society -where materialism and individualism drive our

It's hard to believe that Ramadan is heading down the final homestretch. The last few days of Ramadan are upon us, as Muslims from all over the world step up their efforts to make the most of every remaining moment. The time is prime to look back on the days of Ramadan that have already passed and see how you can improve them. Are there any aspects where you have so far been lacking? Would you have liked to perform more acts of dhikr, or remembrance

  Many of us spend a good portion of our Ramadan nights with our hands raised in du`a’ (supplication), listening to the heart-felt words of our imam or shaykh calling on Allah in the witr prayer.  For those of us who don’t speak Arabic, it is a time when we often long to understand the meaning of the words being said with such evident intensity and feeling.  It is for this reason that we would like to present a beautiful du`a’ of Shaykh

Even as I made the turn I was not paying attention. In fact I had not been paying attention in a long time. I'd been ignoring and procrastinating and dawdling and had been simply heedless.  The mechanic had warned me on my last few visits. He had even explained it in simple words and terms for me. Don't get me wrong now, I had every intention of getting my beloved car fixed.  After all, I depended on it to get everywhere and my daily routine demanded

"When Allah created creation, He wrote words that were placed at His throne. They said,"My mercy will prevail over my anger." (Al-Bukhari) Knowing that the mercy of Allah will prevail over His anger is reason never to lose hope. When we are overcome, we should remember that all is never lost. If you ever think there is no point in living because you have reached a dead end, committed too many mistakes and are doomed, you are in fact shutting out

It’s time to break your fast. Isn’t it a wonderful feeling? Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) says, “The fasting person experiences two joys: one when he breaks his fast, and one when he meets His Lord” (Muslim). That first joy is something we can all attest to. Especially with the long, 16 hour fast, it feels great to finally quench your thirst and get some satisfying food in your tummy. Ok, well, some might not be the right

The adrenaline is pumping as the athlete’s feet pound the turf. His breath comes in gasps; his charging body is tired but, by now, is in perfect harmony with the added strain and muscular stress of running many laps. By now he is running effortlessly, his limbs no longer protesting to the consistent exertion. As the last lap starts, the feeling of excitement builds up inside, and his mind becomes even more alert, despite the physical fatigue. As