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Thursday, September 25, 2008

فلنتعلم معا كيف نثني على الله


الحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله وعلى آله وصحبه..
كنت كثيرا ما أدعو مقصرا في ثنائي على ربي وخالقي , مستعجلا لطلب حاجتي منه , ثم تأملت فاستحييت .. كيف يكون ذلك حالي مع الله! وعكسه في حالي مع المخلوقين في الثناء عليهم وشكرهم ؟ ولله المثل الأعلى
وحتى لا أكون حريصا على الخير لنفسي فقط نقلت لكم إخوتي هذه الكلمات في الثناءعلى رب العالمين الواردة في القرآن والسنة الصحيحة.ولكن قبل كل شيء أخي الكريم وأختي الفاضلة.. اسمعوني أكرمكم الله ..
الكلمات القادمة غالية فاستحضر قلبك معها .. فمن أحسن ثناءا على الله من ثناء الله على نفسه؟ ومن أعرف بأحب كلمات الثناء إلى الله من رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم والملائكة المقربين؟حرك بهالسانك.اترك جلدك يقشعرمعهاويلين.دع عينك تفيض..
وعقلك يرقى ويتسامى بينما قلبك وأنت ترددها ساجد في محراب التعظيم له سبحانه.
 الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (2) الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ (3) مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ (4)
 الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ الظُّلُمَاتِ وَالنُّورَ
 الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي هَدَانَا لِهَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْلا أَنْ هَدَانَا اللَّهُ
 الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَداً وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ شَرِيكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ وَلِيٌّ مِنْ الذُّلِّ
 الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ الْكِتَابَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ عِوَجَا
 الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ جَاعِلِ الْمَلائِكَةِ رُسُلاً أُولِي أَجْنِحَةٍ مَثْنَى وَثُلاثَ وَرُبَاعَ يَزِيدُ فِي الْخَلْقِ مَا يَشَاءُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
 الْحَمْد ُلِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الأَرْضِ وَلَهُ الْحَمْد ُفِي الآخِرَةِ وَهُوَ الْحَكِيمُ الْخَبِيرُ
 هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيمُ (22) هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ (23) هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ (24)
 اللهم لك الحمد أنت نور السماوات والأرض ومن فيهن ولك الحمد , أنت قيم السماوات والأرض ومن فيهن ولك الحمد أنت رب السماوات والأرض ومن فيهن,ولك الحمد أنت الحق ووعدك الحق,وقولك الحق ولقاؤك حق والجنة حق والنار حق والساعة حق,والنبيون حق ومحمد حق اللهم لك أسلمت وعليك توكلت وبك آمنت وإليك أنبت وبك خاصمت وإليك حاكمت, أنت ربنا وإليك المصير. فاغفر لي ما قدمت , وما أخرت وما أسررت وما أعلنت , وما أنت أعلم به مني , أنت المقدم وأنت والمؤخر,أنت إلهي , لا إله إلا أنت , ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بك .
 اللهم ربنا لك الحمد ملء السماوات وملء الأرض وملء ما شئت من شيء بعد أهل الثناء والمجد أحق ما قال العبد وكلنا لك عبد اللهم لا مانع لما أعطيت ولا معطي لما منعت ولا ينفع ذا الجد منك الجد .
 اللهم لك الحمد كله وإليك يرجع الأمر كله .* الحمد لله كثيرا الله أكبر كبيرا .
 الحمد لله حمدا كثيرا طيبا مباركا فيه كما يحب ربنا ويرضى .
 اللهم إني أسألك بأني أشهد أنك أنت الله الذي لا إله إلا أنت، الأحد الصمد، الذي لم يلد ولم يولد ولم يكن له كفواً أحد.
 اللهم إني أسألك بأن لك الحمد، لا إله إلا أنت ، المنان، يا بديع السموات والأرض يا ذا الجلال والإكرام، يا حي يا قيوم
 اللهم إني أشهدك ، وأشهد ملائكتك وحملة عرشك ، وأشهد من في السماوات ومن في الأرض : أنك أنت الله ، لا إله إلا أنت ، وحدك ، لا شريك لك ، وأشهد أن محمدا عبدك ورسولك
 لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير ,سبحان الله والحمد لله ولا اله إلا الله والله اكبر ولاحول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم .
 لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له الله أكبر كبيرا والحمد لله كثيرا , سبحان الله رب العالمين ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم العزيز الحكيم .
 لا اله إلا الله ، والله أكبر ، لا اله إلا الله وحده ، لا اله إلا الله لا شريك له، لا اله إلا الله ، له الملك ، وله الحمد ، لا اله إلا الله ، ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله .
 سُبْحانَ اللَّهِ عددَ مَا خَلَقَ في السَّماءِ ، وَسُبْحانَ اللَّهِ عددَ ما خَلَقَ في الأَرْضِ ، سُبحانَ اللَّهِ عددَ ما بيْنَ ذلك ، وسبْحانَ اللَّهِ عدد ما هُوَ خَالِقٌ
 ردد اللَّه أَكْبرُ مِثْلَ ذلكَ ، والحَمْد للَّهِ مِثْل ذلك ، ولا إِله إِلا اللَّه مِثْل ذلكَ ، ولا حوْل ولا قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ باللَّه مِثْلَ ذلك
 سبحان الله عدد ما خلق ، سبحان الله ملء ما خلق ، سبحان الله عدد ما في الأرض والسماء ، سبحان الله ملء ما في الأرض والسماء ، سبحان الله عدد ما أحصى كتابه ، سبحان الله ملء ما أحصى كتابه ، ،سبحان الله عدد كل شيء ، سبحان الله ملء كل شيء ، الحمد لله عدد ما خلق ، الحمد لله ملء ما خلق ، الحمد لله عدد ما في الأرض والسماء ، والحمد لله ملء ما في الأرض والسماء ، والحمد لله عدد ما أحصى كتابه ، والحمد لله ملء ما أحصى كتابه ، والحمد لله عدد كل شيء ، والحمد لله ملء كل شيء.
 سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك وتبارك اسمك وتعالى جدك ولا إله غيرك*سبحانك ماأعظمك ربنا!
 الله أكبر كبيرا والحمد لله كثيرا وسبحان الله بكرة وأصيلا.
 اللهم إني أعوذ برضاك من سخطك وبمعافتك من عقوبتك وبك منك لا أحصي ثناء عليك أنت كما أثنيت على نفسك.
هل تعلم أي كلمات قلت؟ وأي عالم دخلت؟ وعلى من أثنيت؟ وأي أجور كسبت بإذن الله؟
-لقد أثنيت على الله باسمه الأعظم الذي إذا دعي به أجاب وإذا سئل به أعطى * ثناءً ستعتق به-بإذن الله من النار * ثناءً سينفعك بإذن الله في الدنيا والآخرة * ثناءً سيجيبك الله بقوله "صدق عبدي" * ثناءً عجب منه النبي ص لما سمعه , وقد فتحت له أبواب السماء * ثناءً هو أكثر وأفضل من ذكرك بالليل والنهار* ثناءً سيبتدره بإذن الله عشرة أملاك كلهم حريص على أن يكتبوه ولن يستطيعوا أن يكتبوه إلا كما قلته وأجره عند الله لك مدخر*ثناء سيكتب لك به-بإذن الله- رحمة الله كثيرا كما أثنيت عليه كثيرا .
فهل عرفت أين ارتقيت وماذا كسبت؟
والآن بعد أن تصلي على الحبيب صلى الله عليه وسلم يمكنك الدعاء بما شئت من الخير وأبشر بالإجابة إن شاء الله ولا تنساني من دعائك فهذا ما أرجوه منك , وقبله أرجو من الله القبول . لاتنساني أكرمك الله.
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إخوتي عايزين ننشر الورقة دي في كل مكان
عايزينها مع كل شخص
ممكن ننقلها على الوورد
ونطبعها ونوزعها على المصلين في المساجد
تخيل كل الحسنات دي في ميزانك ان شاء الله؟
ثواب عظيم لا يحتمل التأخير

حمد لله، والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وآله وصحبه أجمعين.
أما بعد ... أحبتي في الله..
كان صلى الله عليه وسلم يدعو فيقول : " اللهم تقبل توبتي و اغسل حوبتي "
و الحوبة ( الإثم و آثاره )
ادعوا الله بها كثيراً عساك تبلغ ثمرتها .
فيا مَن تشتكي الإنقطاع و الران على القلب ,, إلهج بها كثير .
هذه ليلة مباركة تحتاج لإستنفار جميع الطاقة , فلا تضيعوا لحظة منها في غير طاعة ...
كثف وردك ... حقق آمالك ,,, أُنشُد ضالتك ( غسيل قلبك )
دعاء اليوم :
اللهم باعد بيني وبين خطاياي كما باعدت بين المشرق والمغرب اللهم نقنى من خطاياي كما ينقى الثوب الأبيض من الدنس اللهم اغسلني من خطاياي بالثلج والماء والبرد .

A-Z self improvement

Pain may sometimes be the reason why people change. Getting flunked grades make us realize that we need to study. Debts remind us of our inability to look for a source of income. Being humiliated gives us the push to speak up and fight for ourselves to save our face from the next embarrassments.
It may be a bitter experience, a friend ’s tragic story, a great movie, or an inspiring book that will help us get up and get just the right amount of motivation we need in order to improve ourselves.
With the countless negativities the world brings about, how do we keep motivated?
Try on the tips I prepared from A to Z :
A - Achieve your dreams. Avoid negative people, things and places. Eleanor Roosevelt once said, the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
B - Believe in your self, and in what you can do.
C - Consider things on every angle and aspect. Motivation comes from determination. To be able to understand life, you should feel the sun from both sides.
D - Don’t give up and don’t give in. Thomas Edison failed once, twice, more than thrice before he came up with his invention and perfected the incandescent light bulb. Make motivation as your steering wheel.
E - Enjoy. Work as if you don’t need money. Dance as if nobody ’s watching. Love as if you never cried. Learn as if you’ll live forever. Motivation takes place when people are happy.
F - Family and Friends are life ’s greatest treasures. Don’t loose sight of them.
G - Give more than what is enough. Where does motivation and self improvement take place at work? At home? At school? When you exert extra effort in doing things.
H - Hang on to your dreams. They may dangle in there for a moment, but these little stars will be your driving force.
I - Ignore those who try to destroy you. Don’t let other people to get the best of you. Stay out of toxic people the kind of friends who hates to hear about your success.
J - Just be yourself. The key to success is to be yourself. And the key to failure is to try to please everyone.
K - Keep trying no matter how hard life may seem. When a person is motivated, eventually he sees a harsh life finally clearing out, paving the way to self improvement.
L - Learn to love your self. Now isn’t that easy?
M - Make things happen. Motivation is when your dreams are put into work clothes.
N - Never lie, cheat or steal. Always play a fair game.
O - Open your eyes. People should learn the horse attitude and horse sense. They see things in 2 ways how they want things to be, and how they should be.
P - Practice makes perfect. Practice is about motivation. It lets us learn repertoire and ways on how can we recover from our mistakes.
Q - Quitters never win. And winners never quit. So, choose your fate are you going to be a quitter? Or a winner?
R - Ready yourself. Motivation is also about preparation. We must hear the little voice within us telling us to get started before others will get on their feet and try to push us around. Remember, it wasn’t raining when Noah build the ark.
S - Stop procrastinating.
T - Take control of your life. Discipline or self control jives synonymously with motivation. Both are key factors in self improvement.
U - Understand others. If you know very well how to talk, you should also learn how to listen. Yearn to understand first, and to be understood the second.
V - Visualize it. Motivation without vision is like a boat on a dry land.
W - Want it more than anything. Dreaming means believing. And to believe is something that is rooted out from the roots of motivation and self improvement.
X - X Factor is what will make you different from the others. When you are motivated, you tend to put on extras on your life like extra time for family, extra help at work, extra care for friends, and so on.
Y - You are unique. No one in this world looks, acts, or talks like you. Value your life and existence, because you’re just going to spend it once.
Z - Zero in on your dreams and go for it!!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

The Virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadaan and Laylat Al-Qadr


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The Virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadaan and Laylat Al-Qadr

By Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Praise be to Allaah, the Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Trustworthy Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to strive hard (in worship) during the last ten days of Ramadaan in a way that he did not strive at any other times. (Muslim, 1175, from ‘Aa’ishah). Among the things he did were secluding himself in I’tikaaf and seeking Laylat al-Qadr during this time. (Al-Bukhaari, 1913; Muslim, 1169). In al-Saheehayn it is reported from the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that when the last ten days of Ramadaan came, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would stay up at night, wake his family and gird his loins. (al-Bukhaari, 1920; Muslim, 1174). Muslim added: he strove hard and girded his loins.

Her phrase “girded his loins” is a metaphor for his preparing himself to worship and strive hard in worship, more than usual. It has the meaning of “rolling up one's sleeves” to worship (i.e. getting ready to make a great deal of effort).

It was also said that it was a metaphor for keeping away from women and abstaining from sexual relations.

The phrase “stay up at night” means that he would stay awake, spending the night in prayer, etc. It was reported in another hadeeth that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: “I never saw the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recite the entire Qur’aan in one night, or spend a whole night in prayer until the morning, or fast an entire month, except in Ramadaan.” (Sunan al-Nasaa’i, 1641). The words “stay up at night” may mean that he spent most of the night in worship, or that he did not stay up for the entire night, but he did that at the times of ‘Ishaa and Suhoor, and other times, in which case it would mean that he stayed up for most of the night.

The phrase “and wake his family” means that he would wake his wives to pray qiyaam. It is known that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to wake his wives all year round, but he used to wake them to spend part of the night in qiyaam. In Saheeh al-Bukhaari it is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) woke up one night and said, “Subhaan Allaah! What tribulations have come down tonight! What treasure has come down tonight! Who will wake up the dwellers of the apartments? There may be women who are clothed in this world and naked in the Hereafter.” (al-Bukhaari, 1074). It was also reported (in Saheeh al-Bukhaari) that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to wake ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) when he wanted to pray Witr. (al-Bukhaari, 952). But when he woke his wives during the last ten nights of Ramadaan, this was more persistent than at other times of the year.

The fact that he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did this indicates the importance he attached to worshipping his Rabb and making the most of this special time.

The Muslim should follow the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), for he is the best example, and he should strive hard in worshipping Allaah. He should not waste the hours of these days and nights. For we do not know, perhaps this time will never come again, for the spoiler of pleasures, i.e., death, which must come to all men, may come and snatch him and his life will end; then he will feel regret at the time when regret will be of no avail.

Among the unique virtues of these special nights is that Laylat al-Qadr is among them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Haa-Meem. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’aan and none but Allaah (Alone) knows their meanings.] By the manifest Book (this Qur’aan) that makes things clear. We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadaan]. 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. As a Command (or this Qur’aan or the Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messengers), (As) a mercy from your Rabb. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” [al-Dukhaan 44:1-6]

Allaah sent down the Qur’aan on this night which the Rabb of the Worlds has described as blessed. It was reported from a group of the Salaf – including Ibn ‘Abbaas, Qutaadah, Sa’eed ibn Jubayr, ‘Ikrimah, Mujaahid and others – that the night on which the Qur’aan was sent down was Laylat al-Qadr.

The phrase Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments means, on that night the destiny of all creatures for the coming year is decreed. On that night it is written who will live, who will die, who will be saved, who will be doomed, who will be destined for Paradise, who will be destined for Hell, who will be granted honour, who will be humiliated, where drought and famine will occur, and everything else that Allaah wills in that year.

What is meant by the idea that the destiny of all creatures is written on Laylat al-Qadr is – and Allaah knows best – that on Laylat al-Qadr they are transferred from al-Lawh al-Mahfooz. Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “You may see a man furnishing his home or plowing his field, and he is one of those who are going to die,” i.e., it has been decreed on Laylat al-Qadr that he is one of those who are going to die (in the coming year). And it was said that on this night, the destiny of people is shown to the angels.

The meaning of “Qadr” is veneration or honour, i.e. it is a night that is venerated because of its special characteristics, and because the one who stays up during this night becomes a man of honour. And it was said that Qadr means constriction, in the sense that the knowledge of precisely when this night is, is hidden. Al-Khaleel ibn Ahmad said: it was called Laylat al-Qadr because the earth is constricted by the great numbers of angels on that night, and Qadr means constriction. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “But when He tries him, by straitening his means of life [fa qadara ‘alayhi rizqahu]…” [al-Fajr 89:16], i.e., by constricting or reducing his provision.

And it was said that Qadr means Qadar, i.e., that on this night the decrees for the coming year are ordained, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments” [al-Dukhaan 44:4]

1. and because Allaah’s decrees are decided and written down on this night.

So Allaah has called it Laylat al-Qadr, because of its great value and high status with Allaah, and because so many sins are forgiven and so many faults are concealed during this night. For it is the night of forgiveness, as it was reported in al-Saheehayn from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever stays up during Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of earning reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (al-Bukhaari, 1910; Muslim, 760).

Allaah has given this night special characteristics which make it unique:

1. It is the night on which the Qur’aan was sent down, as we have stated above. Ibn ‘Abbaas and others said: “Allaah sent down the Qur’aan at one time from al-Lawh al-Mahfooz to Bayt al-‘Izzah in the first heaven, then it was revealed to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in stages according to events over twenty-three years.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/529)

2. Allaah described it as being better than a thousand months, as He said (interpretation of the meaning): “The night of al-Qadr is better than a thousand months” [al-Qadr 97:3].

3. Allaah described it as being blessed, as He said (interpretation of the meaning): “We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night” [al-Dukhaan 44:3].

4. On this night, the angels and the Spirit [al-Rooh] descend, “i.e., many angels descend of this night because it is so blessed, and the angels come down when Allaah’s blessing and mercy come down, just as they come down when Qur’aan is recited, and they surround the circles of dhikr (gatherings where Allaah is remembered), and they beat their wings for the one who sincerely seeks knowledge, out of respect for him.” (See Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/531). The Spirit [al-Rooh] is Jibreel (peace be upon him), who is specifically mentioned in this manner as a sign of respect for him.

5. This night is described as peace, i.e., it is safe, for the Shaytaan cannot do any evil or cause any harm on this night, as Mujaahid said. (See Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/531). On this night, many people are saved from punishment because of what they do to worship Allaah, may He be glorified.

6. “Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments” [al-Dukhaan 44:4 – interpretation of the meaning], i.e., the affairs of that year are dispatched from al-Lawh al-Mahfooz to the angels who record the decrees: who will live, who will die, what provision people will be given, what will happen until the end of that year, every matter of ordainments is decreed, and it cannot be altered or changed. (See Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/137, 138). All of this is already known to Allaah before it is even written down, but He makes known to the angels what is to happen, and commands them to do whatever they are enjoined to do. (Sharh Saheeh Muslim li’l-Nawawi, 8/57).

7. Allaah forgives the previous sins of the one who stays up and prays during this night out of faith and in hope of earning the reward from Him. It was reported in the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of earning reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven, and whoever stays up during Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of earning reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Agreed upon). The phrase “out of faith and in the hope of earning reward” means, believing in Allaah’s promise of reward for this, and seeking the reward, with no other aim or purpose, such as showing off etc.” (Fath al-Baari, 4/251).

Allaah has revealed a soorah concerning this night which will be recited until the Day of Resurrection, in which He mentions the honour and great value of this night. This is the soorah in which He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) 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 (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months). Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees, (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.” [al-Qadr 97:1-5]

The phrase And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? serves to draw attention to the importance and great significance of this night.

The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months means, it is better than over eighty three years, as we have already mentioned. This is a great virtue, the value of which no one can fully understand except the Rabb of the Worlds, may He be blessed and exalted. This encourages the Muslim to spend this night in prayer and to seek the Face of Allaah by doing so. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to seek this night, hoping to gain some good from it, and he is the example for this Ummah.

It is mustahabb to seek it during Ramadaan, especially in the last ten nights of the month. It was reported in Saheeh Muslim that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did I’tikaaf during the first ten days of Ramadaan, then he did I’tikaaf during the middle ten days in a Turkish tent [the word qubbah, translated here as “tent”, refers to a tent or any circular structure] in which a mat was placed. He said: so he took the mat in his hand and put it at the side of the tent, then he raised his head to speak to the people, so they came closer to him. He said: “I did I’tikaaf during the first ten days, seeking this night, then I did I’tikaaf during the middle ten days. Then someone came to me and told me that it is in the last ten days, so whoever among you wants to do I’tikaaf, let him do so.” So the people did I’tikaaf with him. He said: “I was shown an odd-numbered night, in the morning of which I was prostrating in mud and water”. Then in the morning of the twenty-first, he got up to pray Subh and it was raining; the roof of the mosque leaked, and there was mud and water. He came out when he had finished praying, and there was mud and water on his forehead and nose. That was the morning of the twenty-first, one of the last ten days. (Saheeh Muslim, 1167).

In a report, Abu Sa’eed said: “It rained on the night of the twenty-first, and the roof of the mosque leaked over the place where the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was praying. I looked at him, when he had finished praying Salaat al-Subh, and his face was wet with mud and water.” (Agreed upon). Muslim narrated a hadeeth from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Unays (may Allaah be pleased with him) that was similar to the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed, except that he said, “it rained on the night of the twenty-third.” According to a hadeeth narrated by Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both), the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Seek it in the last ten days of Ramadaan, when there are nine days left, and seven days left, and five days left.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4/260).

Laylat al-Qadr is in the last ten days of Ramadaan, as stated in the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed quoted above, and as stated in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah, and in the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar who said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadaan.” (The hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah was narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4/259; the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar was narrated by Muslim, 2/823. This wording is that of the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah).

It is more likely to be one of the odd-numbered nights, because of the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah who said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten nights.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4/259)

We should seek it especially in the odd-numbered nights, i.e., on the twenty-first, the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. It was reported in al-Saheehayn that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Seek it in the last ten nights, on the odd-numbered nights.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1912, see also, 1913. Also narrated by Muslim, 1167, see also 1165).

According to the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both), the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadaan, when there are nine left, when there are seven left, when there are five left.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1917-1918). So it is more likely to be one of the odd-numbered nights.

In Saheeh al-Bukhaari it was narrated that ‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit said: the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came out to tell us when Laylat al-Qadr was, and two of the Muslims were arguing. He said: “I came out to tell you when Laylat al-Qadr was, and So and so and So and so were arguing, so it [the knowledge of when Laylat al-Qadr was] was taken away from me. Perhaps this is better for you. So seek it on the ninth and the seventh and the fifth” (al-Bukhaari, 1919), i.e., on the odd-numbered nights.

This hadeeth indicates how bad it is to argue and fight, especially with regard to matters of religion, and that this is a cause of goodness being taken away or concealed.

Shaykh al-Islam ibn Taymiyah said: “But odd-numbers have to do with what is past [i.e., when one starts counting from the beginning of the month], so it should be sought on the twenty-first, the twenty-third, the twenty-seventh or the twenty-ninth; or it may be with regard to what is left, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘when there are nine left, or seven left, or five left, or three left.’ On this basis, if the month has thirty days, these will be even-numbered nights, so on the twenty-second there will be nine days left, on the twenty-fourth there will be seven days left. This is how it was explained by Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri in the saheeh hadeeth, and this is how the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) prayed qiyaam during this month. If this is the case, then the believer should seek it in all of the last ten days.” (al-Fataawaa, 25/284, 285).

Laylat al-Qadr is more likely to be in the last seven days. Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that a man among the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was shown Laytal al-Qadr in a dream, and that it was one of the last seven nights. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It seems that your dreams agreed that it is one of the last seven nights, so whoever wants to seek it, let him seek it in the last seven nights.” (narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1911; Muslim, 1165). Muslim reported: “Seek it in the last ten nights, and if any of you are weak or unable to do that, then let him not miss the last seven.”

It is most likely to be on the night of the twenty-seventh. It was reported, in a hadeeth narrated by Ahmad from Ibn ‘Umar, and a hadeeth narrated by Abu Dawood from Mu’aawiyah, that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Laylat al-Qadr is the night of the twenty-seventh.” (Musnad Ahmad and Sunan Abu Dawood, 1386). The view that it is the night of the twenty-seventh is the opinion of most of the Sahaabah and the majority of scholars, and Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to assert, without saying “in shaa Allaah”, that it was the night of the twenty-seventh. Zurr ibn Hubaysh said: I said: What makes you say that, O Abu’l-Mundhir? He said: by the signs of which the Messengers of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us: that the sun rises that morning with no visible rays. (Narrated by Muslim,2/268).

Many marfoo’ ahaadeeth were narrated which said that it was on this particular night.

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) also stated that it is the night of the twenty-seventh. He reached this conclusion by means of an amazing process. It was reported that ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) gathered the Sahaabah together and included Ibn ‘Abbaas even though he was very young. They said, “Ibn ‘Abbaas is like one of our children. Why have you brought him here with us?” ‘Umar said: “He is a youth who has a good mind and who asks lots of questions.” Then he asked the Sahaabah about Laylat al-Qadr, and they agreed that it was one of the last ten nights of Ramadaan. He asked Ibn ‘Abbaas about it, and he said: “I think I know when it is: it is the night of the twenty-seventh.” ‘Umar said, “What makes you think that?” He said, “Allaah made the heavens seven, and the earths seven, and the days seven, and He created man from seven, and He made Tawaaf seven (circuits), and al-Saa’ee seven, and the stoning of the Jamaar seven.” So Ibn’ Abbaas thought that it was the night of the twenty-seventh because of this analysis. This has been soundly reported from Ibn ‘Abbaas.

Another of the ways in which the conclusion was reached that it is the night of the twenty-seventh is by noting that the word fihaa (therein) in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel]” [al-Qadr 97:4] is the twenty-seventh word of Soorat al-Qadr [in the original Arabic].

There is no shar’i evidence (daleel) to support this manner of analysis, and there is no need for such calculations, because we have sufficient shar’i evidence available to us.

The fact that it is usually the night of the twenty-seventh – and Allaah knows best – does not mean that this is always the case. It could be the night of the twenty-first, as mentioned in the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed quoted above, or it could be the twenty-third, as mentioned in the report of ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Unays (may Allaah be pleased with him) quoted above. According to a hadeeth narrated by Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with them both), the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Seek it in the last ten days of Ramadaan, when there are nine days left, and seven days left, and five days left.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4/260).

Some of the scholars thought that it is more likely that Laylat al-Qadr moves and does not come on a specific night each year. Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “This is the apparent meaning because of the conflict between the saheeh ahaadeeth on this matter, and there is no way to reconcile the ahaadeeth apart from saying that Laylat al-Qadr moves.” (al-Majmoo’, 6/450).

Allaah has concealed this night so that His slaves will strive to seek it, and will strive hard in worship, just as He has concealed the hour of jumu’ah, and so on.

So the believer should strive hard during the days and nights of these ten days, seeking Laylat al-Qadr and following the example of our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and he should strive in making du’aa’ and seeking to draw close to Allaah.

It was reported that ‘Aa’ishah said: “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, what do you think, if I witness Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say?’ He said: ‘Say, O Allaah, You are Forgiving and Generous, and you love forgiveness, so forgive me.’” (Narrated by Imaam Ahmad, al-Tirmidhi (3515) and Ibn Maajah (3850). Its isnaad is saheeh).

Thirdly: a greater virtue is attached to I’tikaaf on this night than on any other night of the year. I’tikaaf means staying in the mosque to worship Allaah, may He be exalted. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to spend these ten days in I’tikaaf, as stated in the hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed quoted above. He spent the first ten days in I’tikaaf, then the middle ten days, then he told them that he had been seeking Laylat al-Qadr, and that he had been shown that it was in the last ten days, and he said: “Whoever was doing I’tikaaf with me, let him do I’tikaaf for the last ten days.” It was reported from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to do I’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadaan until he passed away, then his wives did I’tikaaf after him. (Agreed upon). There is also a similar report narrated from Ibn ‘Umar.

When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) wanted to do I’tikaaf, he would pray Fajr, then enter the place where he was to do I’tikaaf, as was stated in al-Saheehayn from the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah.

The four imaams and others (may Allaah have mercy on them) said that he entered it before the sun set, and they interpreted the hadeeth as meaning that he entered his place of I’tikaaf and kept away from people after Salaat al-Subh, not that this was the time when he started his I’tikaaf. (See Sharh Muslim li’l-Nawawi, 8/68, 69; Fath al-Baari, 4/277). It is Sunnah for the person in I’tikaaf to keep himself busy with worship, and it is forbidden for him to have intercourse or to do anything that leads to it, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in I‘tikaaf (i.e. confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques” [al-Baqarah 2:187].

And he should not go out of the mosque except in the case of a pressing need.

The signs by which Laylat al-Qadr is known

The first sign: it was reported in Saheeh Muslim from the hadeeth of Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) announced that one of its signs was that when the sun rose on the following morning, it had no (visible) rays. (Muslim, 762).

The second sign: it was reported from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated by Ibn Khuzaimah, and by al-Tayaalisi in his Musnad, with a saheeh isnaad, that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Laylat al-Qadr is a pleasant night, neither hot nor cold, and the following day the sun rises red and weak.” (Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 2912; Musnad al-Tayaalisi).

The third sign: it was reported by al-Tabaraani with a hasan isnaad from the hadeeth of Waathilah ibn al-Asqa’ (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Laylat al-Qadr is a bright night, neither hot nor cold, in which no meteors are seen.” (Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer. See Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 3/179; Musnad Ahmad).

These three saheeh ahaadeeth explain the signs which indicate Laylat al-Qadr.

It is not essential for the one who “catches” Laylat al-Qadr to know that he has “caught” it. The point is to strive hard and to be sincere in worship, whether or not one knows that one has “caught” it. It may be that some of those who do not know that may be better with Allaah and higher in status than those who did know which night it was, because the former strove hard. We ask Allaah to accept our fasting and our prayer at night, and to help us to remember Him and to thank Him and to worship Him properly. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).


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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Supply and Demand Curves Understanding Price and Quantity in the Marketplace

Almost every holiday season, the most popular "must have" toy is in short supply. And there's usually a strong secondary market for the item – with parents paying well over the retail price just to make their children happy.

Then, in January, stores reduce the prices of their remaining holiday items – cards, decorations, and so on.

Why do parents – and stores – behave this way?

The answer is in the laws of supply and demand. Together, these laws give us strong clues about what to produce, how much to produce, and how much to charge.

Because supply and demand play such a central role in our economy, it's important to understand how they operate – and how you can use them to analyze decisions about price and quantity.
The Law of Demand

Demand, in economic terms, shows how much of a product consumers are willing to purchase, at different price points, during a certain time period.

After all, we all have limited resources, and we all have to decide what we're willing and able to purchase – and at what price. As an example, let's look at a simple model of the demand for a good – let's say, gasoline. (Note that this example is illustrative only, and not a description of the real gasoline market.)

If the price of gas is $2.00 per liter, people may be willing and able to purchase 50 liters per week, on average. If the price drops to $1.75 per liter, they may be able to buy 60 liters. At $1.50 per liter, they may be prepared to purchase 75 liters. Note that while some gas usage is essential – driving to work, for example – some use is optional. Therefore, as gas prices drop, people may choose to make more optional trips during weekends, and so on.

The resulting demand schedule for gas might look like this.
Buyer Demand per Consumer

Price per liter   
Quantity (liters)
demanded per week

$2.00   
50

$1.75   
60

$1.50   
75

$1.25   
95

$1.00   
120

This schedule, and probably your own experience as a consumer, illustrates the law of demand: as price falls, the corresponding quantity demanded tends to increase. Since price is an obstacle, the higher the price of a product, the less it is demanded. When the price is reduced, demand increases.

So, there is an "inverse" relationship between price and quantity demanded. When you graph the relationship, you get a downward-sloping line, like the one shown in figure 1, below:

To create a market demand curve for gasoline, individual demand is totaled and combined.
Price Elasticity

The extent to which demand changes with price is known as "price elasticity of demand."

Inelastic products tend to be those that people must have, but they use only a fixed quantity of it. Electricity is an example: if power companies lower the price of electricity, consumers may be happy, but they probably won't use a lot more power in their homes, because they don't need much more than they already use. However, demand for luxury goods, such as restaurant meals, is extremely elastic – consumers quickly choose to stop going to restaurants if prices go up.

Price elasticity also affects supply. Products with an inelastic supply usually have a long lead time, with little control over the quantity produced. Farm crops are one example, because if there's a price change, farmers can't decide halfway through the growing season to produce more or less of a certain crop. On the other hand, products with a high elasticity of supply tend to come from industries that can change their production levels more quickly – for example, oil (although the oil industry may be operating close to full capacity, right now.).

The Law of Supply

While demand explains the consumer side of purchasing decisions, supply relates to the producer's desire to make a profit. A supply schedule shows the amount of product that suppliers are willing and able to produce and make available to the market, at specific price points, during a certain time period. In short, it shows us the quantities that suppliers are willing to offer at various prices.

This happens because suppliers tend to have different costs of production. At a low price, only the most efficient producers can make a profit, so only they produce. At a high price, even high cost producers can make a profit, so everyone produces.

Using our gasoline example, we find that oil companies are willing and able to supply certain amounts of gas at certain prices, as seen below. (Note: we've assumed a simple economy in which gas companies sell directly to consumers.)
Gas Supply per Consumer

Price per liter   
Quantity (liters)
supplied per week

$1.20   
50

$1.30   
60

$1.50   
75

$1.75   
95

$2.15   
120

At a low price of $1.20 per liter, suppliers are willing to provide only 50 liters per consumer per week. If consumers are willing to pay $2.15 per liter, suppliers will provide 120 liters per week. The question is this: what prices are needed to convince producers to offer various quantities of a product or service?

As price rises, the quantity supplied rises as well. As price falls, so does supply. This is a "direct" relationship, and the supply curve has an upward slope.

Figure 4: Example supply schedule for gasoline using supply schedule.

Because suppliers want to provide their products at high prices, and consumers want to purchase the products at low prices, how is the price of goods actually set? Let's go back to our gas example. If oil companies try to sell their gas at $2.15 per liter, do you think they'll sell as much? Probably not. Yet, if oil companies lower the price to $1.20 per liter, consumers will be very happy, but will there be enough profit? And furthermore, will there be enough supply to meet the higher demand by consumers? No, and no again.

To determine the price and quantity of goods in the market, we need to find the price point where consumer demand equals the amount that suppliers are willing to supply. This is called the market "equilibrium."
Equilibrium: Where Supply Meets Demand

Equilibrium is the point where the quantity demanded equals the quantity supplied. This means that there's no surplus of goods and no shortage of goods. A shortage occurs when demand is greater than supply – in other words, when the price is too low. A surplus occurs when the price is too high, and therefore consumers don't want to buy the product.

The great thing about the free market system is that prices and quantities tend to move toward equilibrium and, for the most part, keep the market stable.

Consider our example. At $1.20 per liter, consumer demand exceeds supply, and there's a shortage of gas in the market. Shortages tend to drive up the price, because consumers compete to purchase the product. However, when prices go up too much, demand decreases, even though the supply may be available. Consumers may start to purchase substitute products, or they simply may not purchase anything. This creates a surplus. To eliminate the surplus, the price goes down and consumers start buying again. In this manner, equilibrium is usually maintained quite efficiently.

In our gas example, the market equilibrium price is $1.50, with a supply of 75 liters per consumer per week, as shown in figure 3.

Market equilibrium explains movement along the supply and demand curves. However, it doesn't explain changes in total demand and total supply.
Changes in Demand and Supply

A change in price initially results in a movement along a demand or supply curve, and it leads to a change in the quantity demanded or supplied.

But what happens when there's a long-term change in price?

If consumers are faced with an extreme change in the price of gas, their pattern of demand for gas changes. They not only start choosing different types of transportation – like taking the bus or riding a bicycle to work – but they also start buying more gas-efficient vehicles – like compact cars, motorcycles, or scooters. The effect is a major change in total demand and a major shift in the demand curve. The new schedule for demand is now Demand 2, shown below.
Quantity (liters)
per week

Price per liter   
Demand 1   
Demand 2

$2.00   
50   
30

$1.75   
60   
40

$1.50   
75   
55

$1.25   
95   
75

$1.00   
120   
100

You can see this in the graph in figure 4, below. At each price point, the total demand is less, and the demand curve shifts.

Changes in any of the following factors can typically cause demand to shift:
Consumer income.
Consumer preference.
Price and availability of substitute goods.
Population.

With a shift in demand, the equilibrium point also completely shifts.
Demand 2   
Demand 1   
Supply

Quantity (liters)
per week   
Price per liter   
Quantity (liters)
per week   
Price per liter   
Quantity (liters)
per week   
Price per liter

30   
$2.00   
50   
$2.00   
50   
$1.20

40   
$1.75   
60   
$1.75   
60   
$1.30

55   
$1.50   
75   
$1.50   
75   
$1.50

75   
$1.25   
95   
$1.25   
95   
$1.75

100   
$1.00   
120   
$1.00   
120   
$2.15

The same type of shift can occur with supply. If the price of drilling for and refining gas increases, or if political events cause suppliers to decrease their output, the supply curve can move. The result is that for the same price, the quantity supplied will be either higher or lower than the current supply curve.

A common complaint with the oil and gas industry is that suppliers deliberately manipulate price by shifting the supply curve. The result is an equilibrium price that’s higher and at a lower quantity, as in the following example.
Demand 1   
Supply 1   
Supply 2

Quantity (liters)
per week   
Price per liter   
Quantity (liters)
per week   
Price per liter   
Quantity (liters)
per week   
Price per liter

50   
$2.00   
50   
$1.20   
40   
$1.20

60   
$1.75   
60   
$1.30   
50   
$1.30

75   
$1.50   
75   
$1.50   
65   
$1.50

95   
$1.25   
95   
$1.75   
85   
$1.75

120   
$1.00   
120   
$2.15   
120   
$2.15

Figure 6, below, shows the curves that result from this schedule.

When supply decreases, the supply curve shifts to the left. When supply increases, the supply curve shifts to the right.

Changes in supply can result from events like the following:
Change in production costs.
Improved technology that makes production more efficient.
Industry growth and shrinkage.
Key Points

Although the phrase "supply and demand" is commonly used, it's not always understood in proper economic terms. The price and quantity of goods and services in the marketplace are largely determined by (a) consumer demand and (b) the amount that suppliers are willing to supply.

Demand and supply can be graphed as curves – and the two curves meet at the equilibrium price and quantity. The market tends to naturally move toward this equilibrium – and when total demand and total supply shift, the equilibrium moves accordingly. It's an interesting relationship that determines much of what happens in a free market economy. If you understand how these factors influence pricing, supply, and purchasing decisions, it will help you analyze the market and make better price and supply decisions for your company.
Apply This to Your Life:

Consider these questions in relation to your life and business:
Are your production costs higher or lower than those of your competitors? What does this mean for your business if supply or demand curves shift?

Are you charging as much as you could for your product, particularly if demand is strong and supply is weak? Conversely, are you charging too much?

Are you paying too much for your inputs, particularly if demand for these inputs is weakening?

If demand for your inputs is likely to strengthen, or supply weaken, in the future, how can you protect yourself against this?

Are there any other questions you should be asking yourself as a result of knowing about supply and demand curves, equilibria, and shifts in supply and demand curves?

Spread the Word:

Monday, September 15, 2008

Dates for breaking the fast

uslims generally break their fast by eating dates. Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said, "If anyone of you is fasting, let him break his fast with dates. In case he does not have them, then with water. Verily water is a purifier."

The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to break his fast by eating some dates before offering Maghrib Salaat, and if ripe dates were not available, he used to substitute them with some dried grapes. When they too were not available, he used to have a few sips of water, according to some reports. Modern science has proved that dates are part of a healthy diet. They contain sugar, fat and proteins, as well as important vitamins. Hence, the great importance attached to them by the Prophet.

Dates are also rich in natural fibres. Modern medicine has shown that they are effective in preventing abdominal cancer. They also surpass other fruits in the sheer variety of their constituents. They contain oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium. In other words, one date satisfies the minimum requirements of a balanced and healthy diet. Arabs usually combine dates with milk and yoghurt or bread, butter and fish. This combination indeed makes a self-sufficient and tasty diet for both mind and body.

Dates and date palms have been mentioned in the Noble Qur'aan twenty times, thus showing their importance. The Prophet likened a good Muslim to the date palm, saying, "Among trees, there is a tree like a Muslim. Its leaves do not fall."

Dates are rich in several vitamins and minerals. When the level of trace elements falls in the body, the health of the blood vessels is affected leading to an increased heart-rate and a consequent inability to perform its function with normal efficiency. As dates are also rich in calcium, they help to strengthen the bones. When the calcium content in the body decreases, children are affected with rickets and the bones of adults become brittle and weak.

Dates are also important in keeping up the health of eyes. It is quite effective in guarding against night-blindness. In the early years of Islam, dates served as food for Muslim warriors. They used to carry them in special bags hung at their sides. They are the best stimulant for muscles and so the best food for a warrior about to engage in battle.

The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to combine dates with bread sometimes. At other times he mixed ripe dates with cucumber, or dates combined with ghee. He used to take all varieties of dates, but he preferred the variety called Ajwah.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Diet during Ramadan


 

Mohammad Zafar A. Nomani, PhD, RD
Professor of Nutrition,
West Virginia University,
Morgantown, WV, 26506-6124 

Abstract: 

It is a globally recognized and foremost part of dietary guidelines that eating a variety of food using principles of moderation and balance. This is particularly true during the Islamic month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. To be healthy, one must consume food from the major food groups: bread and cereal, milk and dairy product, meat and bean, vegetable and fruit. During the month long fast of Ramadan the metabolic rate of a fasting person slows down and other regulatory mechanisms start functioning. Body and dietary fat is efficiently utilized. Consuming total food intake that is less than the total food intake during normal days is sufficient to maintain a person's health. Intake of fruits after a meal is strongly suggested. A balanced diet improves blood cholesterol profile, reduces gastric acidity, prevents constipation and other digestive problems, and contributes to an active and healthy life style. (Int. J. Ramadan Fasting Research, 3:1-6, 1999) 

INTRODUCTION 

Fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan can be good for one's health and personal development. Ramadan fasting is not just about disciplining the body to restrain from eating food and drinking water from predawn until sunset. The eyes, the ears, the tongue, and even the private parts are equally obligated to be restrained if a Muslim wants to gain the total rewards of fasting. Ramadan is also about restraining anger, doing good deeds, exercising personal discipline, and preparing oneself to serve as a good Muslim and a good person during and after Ramadan. 

This is why the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him, Pbuh) has been attributed, by Hazrat Abu Hurairah in hadith, to say: "He who does not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah has no need that he didn't eat or drink." (Bukhari, Muslim). In another hadith by Hazrat Abu Harairah, the Prophet (Pbuh) said: "Fasting is not only from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene (acts). If someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly toward you, say (to them) 'I am fasting; I am fasting." (Ibn Khuzaoinah). 

Restraint from food, water, and undesirable behavior makes a person more mentally disciplined and less prone to unhealthy behavior. In an investigation in Jordan (1), a significant reduction of parasuicidal cases was noted during the month of Ramadan. In the United Kingdom, the Ramadan model has been used by various health departments and organizations to reduce cigarette smoking among the masses, especially among Africans and Asians (2). 

Ramadan fasting has spiritual, physical, psychological, and social benefits; however, man-made problems may occur, if fasting is not properly practiced. First of all, there is no need to consume excess food at iftar (the food eaten immediately after sunset to break fast), dinner or sahur ( the light meal generally eaten about half an hour to one hour before dawn). The body has regulatory mechanisms that activate during fasting. There is efficient utilization of body fat, El Ati et al. (3) . Basal metabolism slows down during Ramadan fasting, Husain et al. (4). A diet that is less than a normal amount of food intake but balanced is sufficient enough to keep a person healthy and active during the month of Ramadan. 

Health problems can emerge as a result of excess food intake, foods that make the diet unbalanced, and insufficient sleep (5, 6). Ultimately also, such a lifestyle contradicts the essential requirements and spirit of Ramadan. 

DIET DURING RAMADAN 

According to Sunna (the practices of Prophet Muhammad, Pbuh) and research findings referred in this report, a dietary plan is given: 

1. Bread/Cereal/Rice, Pasta, Biscuits and Cracker Group: 6-11 servings/day; 
2. Meat/Beans/ Nut Group: 2-3 servings/day. 
3. Milk and Milk Product Group: 2-3 servings/day. 
4. Vegetable Group: 3-5 servings/day; 
5. Fruit Group: 2-4 servings/day. 
6. Added sugar (table sugar, sucrose): sparingly. 
7. Added fat, polyunsaturated oil 4-7 table spoons. 

Breakfast, iftar: 

Dates, three 
Juice, 1 serving (4 oz.) 
Vegetable soup with some pasta or graham crackers, 1 cup 

The body's immediate need at the time of iftar is to get an easily available energy source in the form of glucose for every living cell, particularly the brain and nerve cells. Dates and juices are good sources of sugars. Dates and juice in the above quantity are sufficient to bring low blood glucose levels to normal levels. Juice and soup help maintain water and mineral balance in the body. An unbalanced diet and too many servings of sherbets and sweets with added sugar have been found to be unhealthy, Gumma et al. (7). 

Dinner: 

Consume foods from all the following food groups: 

Meat/Bean Group: 

Chicken, beef, lamb, goat, fish, 1-2 servings (serving size = a slice =1 oz); green pea, chickpea (garbanzo, chana, humus), green gram, black gram, lentil, lima bean and other beans, 1 serving (half cup). Meat and beans are a good source of protein, minerals, and certain vitamins. Beans are a good source of dietary fiber, as well. 

Bread/Cereal Group: 

Whole wheat bread, 2 servings (serving size = 1 oz) or cooked rice, one cup or combination. This group is a good source of complex carbohydrates, which are a good source of energy and provide some protein, minerals, and dietary fiber. 

Milk Group: 

milk or butter-milk (lassi without sugar), yogurt or cottage cheese (one cup). Those who can not tolerate whole milk must try fermented products such as butter-milk and yogurt. Milk and dairy products are good sources of protein and calcium, which are essential for body tissue maintenance and several physiological functions.

Vegetable Group: 

Mixed vegetable salad, 1 serving (one cup), (lettuce, carrot, parsley, cucumber, broccoli, coriander leaves, cauliflower or other vegetables as desired.) Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil or any polyunsaturated oil and 2 spoons of vinegar. Polyunsaturated fat provides the body with essential fatty acids and keto acids. Cooked vegetables such as guar beans, French beans, okra (bhindi), eggplant (baigan), bottle gourd (loki), cabbage, spinach, 1 serving (4 oz). Vegetables are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, carotene, lycopenes, and other phytochemicals, which are antioxidants. These are helpful in the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and many other health problems. 

Fruits Group: 

1-2 servings of citrus and/or other fruits. Eat fruits as the last item of the dinner or soon after dinner, to facilitate digestion and prevent many gastrointestinal problems. Citrus fruits provide vitamin C. Fruits are a good source of dietary fiber. 

Fruits and mixed nuts may be eaten as a snack after dinner or tarawiaha or before sleep. 

Pre-dawn Meal (Sahur): 

Consume a light sahur. Eat whole wheat or oat cereal or whole wheat bread, 1-2 serving with a cup of milk. Add 2-3 teaspoons of olive oil or any other monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats in a salad or the cereal. Eat 1-2 servings of fruits, as a last item. 

DISCUSSION 

Blood cholesterol and uric acid levels are sometimes elevated during the month of Ramadan (8). Contrary to popular thinking, it was found that intake of a moderately high-fat diet, around 36% of the total energy (calories), improved blood cholesterol profile, Nomani, et al. (9) and Nomani (10). It also prevents the elevation of blood uric acid level (8-10). The normal recommended guideline for fat is 30% or less energy. On weight basis, suggested fat intake during Ramadan is almost the same as at normal days. Fat is required for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and carotenoids. Essential fatty acids are an important component of the cell membrane. They also are required for the synthesis of the hormone prostaglandin. Keto-acids from fat are especially beneficial during Ramadan to meet the energy requirement of brain and nerve cells. Keto-acids also are useful in the synthesis of glucose through the metabolic pathway of gluconeogenesis. This reduces the breakdown of body proteins for glucose synthesis. Therefore, the energy equivalent of 1-2 bread/cereal servings may be replaced with polyunsaturated fat. 

During Ramadan increased gastric acidity is often noticed, Iraki, et al. (5), exhibiting itself with symptoms such as a burning feeling in the stomach, a heaviness in the stomach, and a sour mouth. Whole wheat bread, vegetables, humus, beans, and fruits -- excellent sources of dietary fiber -- trigger muscular action, churning and mixing food, breaking food into small particles, binding bile acids, opening the area between the stomach and the deudenum-jejunum and moving digesta in the small intestine, Kay (11). Thus, dietary fiber helps reduce gastric acidity and excess bile acids, Rydning et al. (12). In view of dietary fiber's role in moving digesta, it prevents constipation. It's strongly suggested that peptic ulcer patients avoid spicy foods and consult a doctor for appropriate medicine and diet. Diabetic subjects, particularly severe type I (insulin dependent) or type II (non-insulin dependent), must consult their doctor for the type and dosage of medicine, and diet and precautions to be taken during the month. Generally diabetes mellitus, type II, is manageable through proper diet during Ramadan, Azizi and Siahkolah (13). 

Pregnant and lactating women's needs for energy and nutrients are more critical than the needs of men (14). There is a possibility of health complications to the pregnant woman and the fetus or the lactating mother and the breastfed child, if energy and nutrient requirements are not met during the month of Ramadan (15-19). Governments, communities, and heads of the family must give highest priority to meet women's dietary needs. In African countries, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and many other places malnutrition is a major problem, especially among women from low-income groups. Further more, it is common among these women to perform strenuous work on farms or in factories, and other places. Malnutrition and strenuous conditions may lead to medical problems and danger to life. Under these conditions one must consult a medical doctor for treatment and maulana or shiekh for postponement or other suggestions regarding fasting. Quran Al-Hakeem and Hadith allow pregnant women and lactating mothers flexibility during the month of Ramadan. 

For practical purposes and estimation of nutrients a diet was formulated, given below: 

Iftar:
3 dates, 1/2 cup of orange juice, 1 cup of vegetable soup, 2 plain graham crackers; 

Dinner: 
1 cup of vegetable salad with two teaspoons of corn oil and two teaspoon of vinegar, 2 oz. of chicken, 1/2 cup of okra, 4 oz. of cooked whole chana (garbanzo), 3 tea spoon of oil while cooking main dishes, 2 slices of whole wheat bread, 1 cup of cooked rice, 3/4 cup of plain yogurt, one orange, 1/2 cup grapes, 1 oz of nuts-mixed roasted-without salt; 

Sahur: 
2 slices of whole wheat bread, 1 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of vegetable salad with two teaspoons of corn oil and two teaspoons of vinegar, 1 skinned apple, 2 teaspoons of sugar with tea or coffee. 

Nutritionist IV (20) was used to estimate energy and nutrient content in the above diet, which was as follows: energy, 2136 kilocalories; protein, 70g; carbohydrate , 286g; fat, 87g, 35 % of energy of the total intake, (saturated fat 16.9g; mono saturated, 28.4g; poly unsaturated, 34g; other 7.3g; - oleic, 25.6g; linoleic, 29.5; linolenic, 0.6g; EPA-Omega-3, 0.006g; DHA-omega-3, 0.023g; dietary fiber 34g; calcium, 1013mg; sodium, 3252 mg; potassium, 2963mg; iron 13.3mg; zinc, 10mg. When the nutrients were compared with the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), for an adult non-pregnant and non-lactating female (14), the diet met 100% or more of the RDA for protein, calcium, sodium, potassium, and vitamin A, K, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, folate, and C. The energy was close to the RDA, (97%). The dietary fiber level also was met as per the recommendation (11). Consuming food in the above amount by pregnant or lactating female may not meet the RDA for all of the nutrients. They may need supplementation of some minerals and vitamins such as, iron vitamin D, and more energy through bread or rice. 

Further suggestions:

  • Drink sufficient water between Iftar and sleep to avoid dehydration.
  • Consume sufficient vegetables at meal s. Eat fruits at the end of the meal.
  • Avoid intake of high sugar (table sugar, sucrose) foods through sweets or other forms.
  • Avoid spicy foods.
  • Avoid caffeine drinks such as coke, coffee or tea. Caffeine is a diuretic. Three days to five days before Ramadan gradually reduce the intake of these drinks. A sudden decrease in caffeine prompts headaches, mood swings and irritability.
  • Smoking is a health risk factor. Avoid smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually starting a few weeks before Ramadan. Smoking negatively affects utilization of various vitamins, metabolites and enzyme systems in the body.

Do not forget to brush or Miswak (tender neem tree branch, Azhardicta indica or other appropriate plant in a country, about 1/4-1/2 inch diameter and 6-8 inches length, tip partially chewed and made brush like). Brush your teeth before sleep and after sahur. Brush more than two times or as many times as practical. 

Normal or overweight people should not gain weight. For overweight people Ramadan is an excellent opportunity to lose weight. Underweight or marginally normal weight people are discouraged from losing weight. Analyzing a diet's energy and nutritional component, using food composition tables or computer software, will be useful in planning an appropriate diet. 

It is recommended that everyone engage in some kind of light exercise, such as stretching or walking. It's important to follow good time management practices for Ibada (prayer and other religious activities), sleep, studies, job, and physical activities or exercise. 

In summary, intake of a balanced diet is critical to maintain good health, sustain an active lifestyle and attain the full benefits of Ramadan. 


 

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