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Ramadan Workshop Al Huda Scarborough

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Importance of Fasting

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Importance of FastingSurah Baqarah – small passage covers everything

about fasting comprehensively; reasons; fiqh

Surah Baqarah: 183-185

La’aala:

1. So that…

2. Hopefully…

3. Perhaps (possibility)…

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Connection with Taqwa

Its about making choices

What will you do when…

You have the choice to look at something inappropriate

To listen to music vs. Qu’ran

To get angry or forgive

In Ramadan, we tend to make ALL the right choices which gives us training for continuing these right choices afterwards too

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Importance of FastingRamadan is our training ground; its not the

“real” life because shaitaan is locked up

The real dangers start after Ramadan

Ayah 185

If you happen to witness it, then fast in it!

It’s a command; it’s a gift to be alive during all 30 days of Ramadan…so many people pass away right before Ramadan so let’s all treasure this month!

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Excellence of FastingAkhirahThe Gates of Paradise are opened and the

gates of Hell Fire are closed; a lot of opportunities to do good

On the Day of Judgment, the fast will intercede for the person who observed it

Special Gate to Paradise called “Rayyan” for those who fast (Bukhari & Muslim)

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Benefits of Fasting

Sympathizing with those in the world who have little to

eat everyday – creates empathy

Feel closer to Allah, recognize that everything is

a blessing

Increased generosity and charity develops

feelings of well-wishing towards others

Healthier lifestyles; good manners; good

speech

Strengthen the bonds of brother and sisterhood; having iftaar together

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Benefits of Fasting: TaqwaTatta’qun (Waaw Qaaf Yaa) – protecting

yourself from disappointing Allah SWT; from yourself

Fasting is a physical action, and you truly feel it

Heart: your heart is having a battle with your body: watch out, no eating or drinking before Maghrib; your heart takes command

When you go through a 30 day rigorous process, then your heart is able to take charge even after Ramadan

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Benefits of Fasting: Protection

Protection from shaitaan

Protection from anger

Protection from haraam/makrooh

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Psychological Benefits of FastingSelf-Evaluation

Since shaitan is locked up, any impermissible or wrong deeds we commit are from the evil of our own nafs

Reflection Time! What things am I still tested with in Ramadan? What still tempts me while I’m fasting? This should show me the state of my heart

Can’t blame it on the shaitaan!

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Physiological Benefits of Fasting

AUTOIMMUNE ILLNESSES

CHRONIC BACK AND JOINT PAINCHRONIC FATIGUE

INSOMNIAMIGRAINESHIGH BLOOD PRESSURE OBESITY 

ACNE

DIABETES

ALLERGIES

ANXIETY

ARTHIRITIS

ASTHMA

TUMORS

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No one guaranteed you will live till the end of the day!

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Things to do in RamadanFailing to plan is planning to fail

Write down what you want to achieve in this month

Before and After Either the product doesn’t workOr you didn’t use it properly

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Attitude about Ramadan…

Re-organize your house. Complete all groceries. Menu planning. Buy your ‘Eid clothes and gifts

Set goals for different acts of worshipRecite Quran 1x, 2x, etc (Mushaf in proper

place)Listen to one lecture a day (downloaded,

etc)Recite all of the Masnoon Duas/day (Have

Dua book ready and in place)Set aside money for charity

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Sighting the new Moon Dua

O Allah! Show us this moon in the state of Peace, Faith and Security. (O Moon!) The Lord of mine and

yours is Allah only.

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Month of the Qur’anGoal: My Connection with the Qur’an has to become

very strong

1. Tilawah of Quran: set a target

2. Taleem ul Quran: Go through entire reading of Quran with meaning (Dawr e Quran). One juz per day

3. Tadabbur ul Quran: Reflect during Taraweeh. Reflect on Recitation

4. Tahfeez ul Quran: Memorize the Quran (set a target of how many Surahs you want to do)

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Salah

1. Improve itMemorize one more dua/adhkaar to say in your

salah

2. Work on praying all of your sunnah throughout your day (develop, perfect good habits)

3. Night WorshipTaraweeh Qiyam ul Layl

4. Salatul Duha

5. Nafl Salah

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The Month of RemembranceKeep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.

La ilaha illAllahu wahdahu… 100 xs

SubhanAllahi wa bihmadihi… 100xs

Morning and Evening Adhkaar

Durood

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Dua’a List

Deen

Dunya

Akhirah

Others

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SuhoorEat Suhoor

Don’t miss it at any cost!

There is barakah in SuhoorBenefit: you get more out of less

The morning meal is blessed

Mercy descends upon those who eat suhur

Quantity vs. Quality Dates are the best SuhoorSmall size but very beneficial for you

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Suhoor & IstighfaarRamadan is the best opportunity to purify oneself of sins

The one who finds Ramadan but does not attain forgiveness is unfortunate

The time of Suhur is ideal for seeking forgiveness

Repent at least 70 – 100 times a day

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Iftaar

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Iftaar

Time for Duas: before Iftaar, ten mintuesA fasting person, upon breaking his fast,

has a supplication that will not be rejected (hadith).

Break with water, dates, pray Maghrib and then eat the rest of the iftaar

Be careful of what you eat and how much you eat

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Things NOT to doAvoid all kinds of sins

Lying, cheating, backbiting, quarreling, negative thoughts, etc

Control your tongue

Protect your eyes Ex: Looking at opposite gender with lustful gaze

Protect your ears What are we listening to? Bad words even from our closest family members – have to

control ourselves

Control our actions, words, thoughtsControl your anger and enjoin others to be patient when they

lose control too

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Ideal Schedule in Ramadan1. Fajr-Sunrise

2. Sunrise – Zuhr

3. Zuhr – ‘Asr

4. ‘Asr - Maghrib

5. Maghrib – ‘Isha

6. Isha & Taraweeh

7. Night

8. Before Dawn (Suhoor)

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The rights of others!Join the ties of kinshipDo good to my parents, siblings, relatives

Look after the comfort of my family

Reduce the workload of my mom/family

Be patient with those around me

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Last 10 NightsProphet (s.a.w) would intensify his efforts

Ghusl between Maghrib and ‘Isha

Itikaaf in the MasjidNot everyone can do this, but if you’re young, make

use of this opportunityVirtue of one who worships in his youthSunnah of the prophet (s.a.w) to do it 10 days every

RamadanStart after Fajr salah of the 20th of Ramadan

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Laylatul QadrDua for last 10 nights of Ramadan

Night when the Quran was revealed

Night of Decree

Better than a 1,000 months (80 years + 4 months)

Seek it in the odd nights

Standing in prayer during this night is a means of expiation of previous sins

Make a schedule for the night: nafl salah, recitation of Quran, dua’s & adhkar Women on their periods can do everything except fasting &

salah

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Self Analysis1. What did I do today?

2. Make a checklist for yourself

3. What did I not do? What did I defer?

4. Was today better than yesterday?

5. Day of Judgment: people will have a lot of regret. No good deed is little or not worth doing. Mithqala zarrah

6. Don’t be of those who are sad at the end of Ramadan.

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