Ramadan introduction for non-Muslims

Ramadan - A brief introduction

From: guestdda861, 10 months ago

I managed to find the entire powerpoint presentation on http://www.slideshare.net and it has been posted here for your viewing convenience. Forgive me for not doing this the first time, I just found out about slideshare and took the chance to find the ppt.

Ramadan - A brief introduction

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A brief concise introduction about Ramadan and its values.


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Ramadan- A Month for Renewal

The month of Ramadan is a happy period for Muslims. A time of peace, forgiveness and hope. But those who are not Muslim look on in curiosity thinking and wondering. What do they do? How is it they can fast yet still look so happy? When does it start?... and so on. I took screenshots from a PowerPoint presentation that the Middle Eastern branch of the oil company Shell did for non-Muslims. It is concise and straight to the point and thought it most fitting to post it here for the curious minds, as it is that joyous time of the year once again. If the images are too small for you to read, just click on them and it will give u the original size which is readable. God willing I will post the remaining four slides in another post.

The Sun Does not Rise to Hear you Crow

In the Qur'an:

“I shall turn away from My Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons signs, revelations, etc.) those who show pride in the world wrongfully.” (7.146)

“And in this way Allah does put a seal on every arrogant disdainful heart.” (40.35)

“Certainly He does not love the proud ones.” (16:23)

"That home of the Hereafter (ie paradise), We shall assign to those who rebel not against the truth with pride and oppression in the land nor do mischief by committing crimes. And the good end is for the Muttaqun (the pious and righteous persons).'' (28:83)

"And walk not on earth with conceit and arrogance.'' (17:37)

And they denied them those (Ayaat) wrongfully and arrogantly though their ownselves were convinced thereof...” ( 27:14)

"And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant boaster.'' (31:18)

"Verily, Qarun (Korah) was of Musa's (Moses) people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. Remember when his people said to him: `Do not exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah). Verily, Allah likes not those who exult (with riches, being ungrateful to Allah...(up to)... So We caused the earth to swallow him and his dwelling place.'' (28:76-81)


According to Muhammad (peace be upon him)

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "He who has, in his heart, an ant's weight of arrogance will not enter paradise.'' Someone said: "A man likes to wear beautiful clothes and shoes?'' Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Allah is Beautiful, He loves beauty. Arrogance means ridiculing and rejecting the Truth and despising people.''
Commentary: The Hadith says that a man who has even an iota of pride in his heart will be barred from entering Jannah. The Hadith word used for the smallest amount means in Arabic either the smallest ant or the particle which is radiated by sun-rays and seen through a wall-chink. Obviously, such a particle has almost a non-existent amount, but even this much is disapproved by Allah. If pride incites a man to deny the existence of Allah and His Revelation, he is sure to be thrown into Hell. He also faces Divine displeasure and the danger of infernal fire if mere consideration of riches, physical beauty, social and intellectual prominence and family status makes him proud and self-conceited and he looks down upon others, or persists in the denial of Truth. First he will receive punishment and only then will be admitted into paradise. A good dress, however, is not counted as the sign of pride.

A man ate in the presence of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) with his left hand. He (PBUH) said, "Eat with your right hand.'' He said: "I cannot.'' Thereupon he (the Prophet (PBUH)) said, "May you never be able to do that.'' It was arrogance that prevented him from doing it, and he could not raise it (the right hand) up to his mouth afterwards.

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Shall I not inform you about the inmates of Hell? It is every violent, impertinent and proud person.''

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will not look at him who trails his lower garment out of pride.''

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "There are three (types of) people to whom Allah will not speak on the Day of Resurrection, nor will He purify them, nor look at them, and they will have a painful punishment. These are: An aged man who commits Zina (illicit sexual act), a ruler who lies, and a proud poor person.''

Commentary: Adultery is forbidden to everybody, whether young or old. But it is more condemnable if an old man commits it, because to be guilty of such a detestable act in old age shows that the adulterer has become hardened in sin and his heart is free from the fear of Allah. Lying is forbidden to everybody. But it is particularly vicious in case of a king or head of state. Since he possesses all powers and resources, he has little reason to tell a lie. Hence, if in spite of all this he invents a lie, it will betray his vicious mind and lack of God-consciousness. Similarly, all humans are prohibited from giving vent to pride and arrogance. But if a beggar or destitute, who has no reason to claim dignity and superiority, displays arrogance, it will be a convincing proof of his indifference to the fear of Allah and Shari`ah rules. From this point of view, his arrogance is more abominable and disgusting than that of a wealthy man.

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "While a man was walking, dressed in clothes admiring himself, his hair combed, walking haughtily when Allah caused the earth to swallow him. Now he will continue to go down in it (as a punishment) until the Day of Resurrection.''

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Man continues to display haughtiness and arrogance until he is recorded among the arrogant and will be therefore afflicted with what afflicts them.''

Silver Linings behind every Cloud…Pt 2

Also from the Qur'an

11. "And My Mercy embraces all things". Qur'an 7:156
12. "No person shall have a burden laid on him greater than he can bear." Qur'an 2:233
13. Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us)." Qur'an 3:173
14. "…endure, and be more patient…" Qur'an 3:200
15. "And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sabirun (the patient)". (2:155)
15. "Remember the Favour of Allah unto you when some people desired (made a plan) to stretch out their hands against you, but (Allah) withheld their hands from you." Qur'an 5:11
17. "And remember your Lord by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear without loudness in words in the mornings, and in the afternoons and be not of those who are neglectful." Qur'an 7:205
18. "So wait with patience…" Qur'an 68:48
19. "I only complain of my distraction and anguish to Allah." Qur'an 12:86
20. "and bear with patience whatever befalls you." Qur'an 31:17
21. "So patience is most fitting (for me)." Qur'an 12:83
22. "Fear not, verily! I am with you both, hearing and seeing." Qur'an 20:46
23. "Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope…" Qur'an 32:16
24. "And no bearer of burdens shall bear another's burden." Qur'an 35:18
26. "For Allah is with those who patiently persevere." Qur'an 2: 153
27. "but if you persevere patiently...then verily, that will be a determining factor in all affairs, and that is from the great matters." Qur'an 3:186
28. "And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah." Qur'an 42:43

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:

1. He onced supplicated: "Oh Allah, don't allow the enemy or the jealous one to rejoice at my misfortune"
2. "He whom Allah intends good, He makes him to suffer from some affliction".
Commentary: Many times we view afflictions and trials as bad things that could not possibly have a bit of good in them. But there are many times where a disaster actually has positive results or may divert or may divert other evil things from us.
3. Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The strong man is not one who is good at wrestling, but the strong man is one who controls himself in a fit of rage.''
4. A man asked the Prophet (PBUH) for an advice and he (PBUH) said, "Do not get angry". The man repeated that several times and he replied, "Do not get angry".
5. Also, from the traditions of Muhammad peace be upon him:
A woman came to the Prophet peace be upon him and said: " I suffer from epilepsy and during fits my body is exposed, so make supplication to Allah for me.' He (PBUH) replied: 'If you wish you can endure it patiently and you be rewarded with Paradise, or if you wish, I shall make supplication to Allah to cure you.' She said, 'I shall endure it.' Then she added: `But my body is exposed, so pray to Allah that it may not happen.' He (Prophet (PBUH)) then supplicated for her".

Commentary: In such a difficult circumstance, this woman chose to be patient with her sickness and her only concern was the humility she endures of her body becoming exposed while in a fit. Understandably, most of us would opt to be cured of the disease instead.

Silver Linings behind every Cloud…Pt 1

after times you wanted to scream out loud....

Anxiety and grief plague every human being, and so it is necessary to hear (or read in your case) words that remind us that we are not alone.

I will tell you a story someone related to me from their mother:

There was once a very poor blacksmith who lived in a humble one room home with his family. Although he was very poor, he was very happy and could be heard singing, laughing and playing with his family in the night. The felicity angered the king who lived in the castle next to the blacksmith. "How is it that this poor man is happy yet very poor while I have everything I want yet not happy?" he thought. His anger and jealousy set him on a mission to make the poor blacksmith very sad and depressed. He sent soldiers to the man, in the night, ordering him to make 100 nails by the morning or else he will be killed.
The poor man immediately fell into a state of despair and sadness wondering how in the world he could make 100 nails by the morning. His wise wife suggested to him to supplicate to God to help him out of this situation. He took the advice and supplicated all night long till morning.
Morning came, and so did the soldiers of the king. "We need you to make four nails." Shocked and confused the blacksmith asked, "Are you sure only four?" "Yes," replied the soldier "the king has died and we need four nails to seal his coffin."

So you see, the evening can be one way with its clouds of bad omens and in the morning become something else with it's hopeful rays.

In the Qur'an

1. "… after hardship, Allah will soon grant relief." Qur'an 65:7
2. "Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope." Qur'an 2:286
2. "So verily, with the hardship, there is relief,
Verily, with the hardship, there is relief" Qur'an 94:5-6
3. "Is not the morning near?" Qur'an 11:81
4. "(Those) who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinأn (the good-doers).'' (3:134)
4. "And endure you patiently…" Qur'an 16:127
5. "Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy." Qur'an 21:83
6. "Those who patiently persevere that will truly receive a reward without measure!" Qur'an 39:10
7. "And though We had mercy on them and removed the distress which is on them, still they would obstinately persist in their transgression, wandering blindly." Qur'an 23:75
8. "Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations?" Qur'an 27:62
9. "And We rescued him and his family from the great distress " Qur'an 37:76
10. "...and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve." Qur'an 2:38
11. "Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.'' (39:10)
12. Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: verily, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful". Qur'an 39:53

According to Muhammad (peace be upon him)

1. "Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler/wayfarer."
2. "When evening comes, do not expect (to live till) morning, and when morning comes, do not expect (to live till) evening. Take from your health (a preparation) for your illness, and from your life for your death."
2. "Patience is at the first shock."
3. "…and whosoever would be patient, Allah will give him patience, and no one is granted a gift better and more comprehensive than patience".
4. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) narrated: The daughter of the Prophet (PBUH) sent for him as her child was dying, but the Prophet (PBUH) returned the messenger and sent her good wishes saying, "Whatever Allah takes away or gives, belongs to Him, and everything with Him has a limited fixed term (in this world), and so she should be patient and anticipate Allah's reward.''
5. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Allah, the Exalted, says: 'I have no reward other than Jannah for a believing slave of Mine who remains patient for My sake when I take away his beloved one from among the inhabitants of the world".

Just a Sprinkle a Day...

In the Qur'an

"...purify yourself (bathe your whole body)…" (Qur'an5:6)
“And purify your garments!" (Qur'an 74:4).”
“God loves those who turn to Him in repentance and purify themselves" (Qur'an 2:222)
“There you shall find men who would keep pure. God loves those who purify themselves " (Qur'an 9:108)


According to Muhammad (peace be upon him)

“Allah is Pure and loves cleanliness.”

"Cleanliness is a part of faith"

"You are soon going to meet your brothers, so tidy your saddles and clothes. Be distinguished in the eyes of the people."

"Don't ever come with your hair and beard disheveled like a devil."

"When you perform ablutions, rinse your mouth"'

"Rinse your mouth after drinking milk, because it contains fat”.

"Clean your gums from food and brush your teeth".

He (peace be upon him) described the process of cleaning one's teeth as "purification of one's mouth, and an act that is pleasing to the Lord".

The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray two units late at night, and then go and brush his teeth".

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) went into his home, the first action he did was to brush his teeth. Moreover, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to brush his teeth whenever he rose at night to worship.

'Aisha (wife of the Prophet peace be upon him) reported: "The people came for Jumu'ah* prayer from their houses in the neighboring villages dressed in woolen garments on which dust was settled and this emitted a foul smell. A person among them (those who were dressed so) came to the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) while he was in my house. The Messenger of Allaah (may peace he upon him) said to him: 'Were you to cleanse yourselves on this day.'"
Commentary: Meaning, "it would be nice if you take a bath and dress appropriately on this particular day"

Concerning the offensive smell of garlic, the Prophet peace be upon said:"... so cook them properly and when their smell dies out you can come to the mosque."

"You should not pass urine in stagnant water which is not flowing then (you may need to) wash in it."

"If a dog drinks from the utensil of anyone of you, it is essential to wash it seven times."

"When anyone amongst you (performs ablution) he must snuff his nostrils with water and then clean them."

"When anyone amongst you wakes up from sleep, he must not put his hand in the utensil till he has washed it three times, for he does not know where his hand was during the night."

______________________________________________________
* Jumu'ah (Friday) refers to the congregational prayers held every Friday. It is held in place of the noon prayer and consists of a short sermon and shorter prayer of two units (The noon prayer is usually four units).

Blood is Thicker Than Water Pt. 3

Other Stories and Excerpts

Ever since she started working, she gives her mother and father a part of her salary. One of her friends said to her, "This is a big amount, you are giving and it is better if you save some of it for the time when you would need it." She replied to her ignorant friend, "What I am giving is an act of charity and in keeping good ties of kinship. I do not want my parents to need something and not find the money to buy it. My dear sister, this is something that I keep for a Day when I will be in need!"

Another sister, "frequently inquires about the condition of her parents, trying to find out if they need anything or have a taste for anything. She indrectly asks about what they want and rushes to buy it for them, so that their hearts are pleased and delighted by acquiring what they wanted."

Also, another sister everyday "asks herself how she could be dutiful to her deceased parents and frequently invokes Allah for them in her prayer and gives charity on their behalf. She keeps it as her own secret, so that she earns the full rewards of her good actions and preserves her sincerity to Allah Alone."

To show you that it is not limited to only adults: "Even though she is very young, she is very dutiful to her mother, obeys her and helps her in the house, delighted in serving her mother who has tremendous rights on her…"

All of the preceding excerpts were taken from "Seeds of Righteousness: Tools for Muslim Women to Spread Islam"

A man was making pilgrimage with his mother and carried her on his back while making cicumambulation around the Ka'ba in Mecca. He saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked, "Oh Prophet, am I fulfilling the rights of my mother?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied: "What you have done does not equal even one contraction she endured the day she delivered you."

"The right of your mother on you is that you should know that nobody could endure the trouble and the conditions under which she protected you and nourished you with the juice of her life, and tried with her heart and soul to satisfy all your needs in relation to hunger, thirst, dress, etc. She passed sleepless nights, suffering anxieties. She provided you with shelter against heat and cold, and protected you from ailments. It is not possible for you to compensate her, or thank her enough for all the services, except that God may give you guidance for that. The right of your father on you is that you should know that it is he who brought you into existence, and you are a branch of the tree of his life." -Ali ibn Husain


"Accursed, accursed is the one who beats his parents. Accursed is the one who distresses his parents." -Jafir Sadiq

In the next post...
Blood is Thicker than Water Pt. 4: For your Entertainment

Blood is Thicker Than Water Pt. 2

According to Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)

“Be dutiful to your mother, as Paradise is at her foot.”
Commentary: meaning obey her, serve her and take care of her. These acts will eventually lead you to Paradise.

Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said, "No son can repay (the kindness shown by his father) unless he finds him a slave and buys him and emancipates him"

"God's pleasure is in the pleasure of the father, and God's displeasure is in the displeasure of the father."

"He who wishes to enter Paradise through its best door must please his parents."

"It is a pity that some people may not attain Paradise, on account of not serving their old parents."

Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said: "On the Day of Judgment, my person will not be seen by those who...were cursed and disowned by their parents."
Commentary: Within reason of course! Parents may, at times, say (and perhaps do) irrational things. But much more often do we find that the child is rebellious and downright unbearable, particularly in the notorious teen years.

A person came to Messenger of Allah peace be upon him and asked, "Who among people is most deserving of my fine treatment?'' He peace be upon him said, "Your mother". He again asked, ``Who next?'' "Your mother", the Prophet peace be upon him replied again. He asked, "Who next?'' He (the Prophet peace be upon him) said again, "Your mother.'' He again asked, "Then who?'' Thereupon he peace be upon him said,'' Then your father.''
In another narration: "O Messenger of Allah! Who is most deserving of my fine treatment?'' He peace be upon him said, "Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then your nearest, then nearest".

Also from the traditions of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)

A man said to Messenger of Allah peace be upon him: "I have relatives with whom I try to keep the ties of relationship but they sever relations with me; and whom I treat kindly but they treat me badly, I am gentle with them but they are rough to me.'' He peace be upon him replied, "If you are as you say, it is as if you are feeding them hot ashes, and you will be with a supporter against them from Allah as long as you continue to do so".

Commentary: The most important lesson of this narration is that the misbehavior of one's relative is no justification for the misbehavior of another, let alone the severing of relations on that account.

In the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, he narrated a story of three men that were trapped in a cave by a huge rock which blocked the entrance. Each one mentioned a good deed that they did for God's sake in hopes that they would be freed because of it. One of the men mentioned his story: "0 Allah, I had my parents who were old and my wife and my small children also. I tended the flock and when I came back to them in the evening, I milked them (the sheep, goats, cows, etc.) and first served that milk to my parents. One day I was obliged to go out to a distant place in search of fodder and I could not come back before evening and found them (the parents) asleep. I milked the animals as I used to milk and brought milk to them and stood by their heads avoiding to disturb them from sleep and I did not deem it advisable to serve milk to my children before serving them. My children wept near my feet. I remained there in that very state and my parents too until it was morning. And (0 Allah) if Thou art aware that I did this in order to seek Thine pleasure, grant us riddance from this trouble. (The rock slipped a bit) that they could see the sky."

Asma' bint Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with her) said: My mother came to me while she was still a polytheist, so I asked Messenger of Allah peace be upon him, "My mother, who is ill-disposed to Islam, has come to visit me. Shall I maintain relations with her?'' He peace be upon him replied, "Yes, maintain relations with your mother".

Commentary: This is perfect indication that the bonds should not be severed due to religious differences and/or conflicts.

Blood is Thicker Than Water Pt. 1

In the Qur'an

"Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents…" Qur'an 4:36

"...and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship)". Qur'an 4:1

"And those who join that which Allah has commanded to be joined (i.e., they are good to their relatives and do not sever the bond of kinship)". Qur'an 13:21

"And We have enjoined upon man concerning his parents--his mother beareth him in weakness upon weakness…give thanks unto Me and unto your parents…consort with them in the world kindly," (Qur'an 31:14-15)

"…And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor. Qur'an17:23-24

"We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents; in pain did his mother bear him, and in pain did she give him birth." (Qur'an 46:15)

"We have enjoined on man kindness to his parents; but if they strive (to force) thee to join with Me anything of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not." (29:8)
Commentary: This does makes sense. Yes we should obey our parents, BUT if they requested something evil of us, we should simply NOT obey! It is not about blind obedience.

"...and be good to parents..." [2:83]

"...and that you do good to parents..." (Qur'an 6:151)



In the next post:
Blood is Thicker than Water Pt. 2: According to Muhammad

Do you know where your neighbor is?

"And do good to parents, kinsfolk,
orphans, The poor, The neighbor who is near of kin, the neighbor who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet)"

Qur'an (4:36)

"O Abu Dharr! Whenever you prepare a broth, put
plenty of water in it, and give some to your neighbors, and then give them out of this with courtesy. "

"No woman of you should consider insignificant (a gift) to give to her neighbor even if it is (a gift of) the trotters of a sheep"

No one should prohibit his neighbor from placing a peg in his wall

He who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him not harm his neighbor; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him speak good or remain silent

-I have two neighbors, to which of them should I send a present?

-To the one whose door is nearer to you.

The best of companions with the Lord is the one who is best to his companions, and the best of neighbors to the Lord is the one who is the best of them to his neighbor

He will not enter paradise whose neighbor is not secure from his wrongful conduct

"He is not a true follower who eats to his satisfaction and sleeps comfortably at night while his neighbor goes hungry and he is
aware of it"

Muhammad (570:632 A.D.)