8 The Truth, Thursday, September 13TH, 2007. Vol.
2 Issue 31
Poetry
Ramadan
Ramadan is here, Here is Ramadan.
Ramadan is coming, The time that is blessed.
Ramadan is coming, The time we love best.
The month in which the Qur’an was sent;
A time of great blessing in which to repent.
Fasting for Allah is a great Muslim deed;
Controlling desires and Suppressing greed.
Ramadan is coming, Increase your Iman.
Ramadan is coming, Recite the Qur’an.
Taking “Suhur” in the dead of the Night;
No eating no drinking during the daylight.
Refrain from bad deeds and repent your soul;
The pleasure of Allah is our only goal.
Ramadan is coming, so let us prepare.
Ramadan is coming; there is peace everywhere,
Even if there is hunger, remember your Lord
And wait until ‘Iftar’ to earn your reward.
Fasting is one of the gifts of Allah
Given to believers to increase ‘Taqwah’.
Ramadan is here, here is Ramadan.
Ramadan is coming, so seek the new Moon.
Ramadan is coming, it will be here soon.
We pray to Allah to put right our hearts;
Ask for forgiveness from Allah and make a new start.
Raising our hands we ask for his ‘Rahmaa’;
Hear us our Lord and grant us ‘Jannah’.
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Vol. 2 Issue 31
The Truth
A Weekly Bulletin Thu. Sep 13th 2007
Info The Month of Ramadhan
“O Ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you, As it was
prescribed to those before you. That ye may (learn) Self Re-
straint...” Holy Quran (2:183)
What is Ramadhan?
It is the ninth lunar month of the year. It’s a chosen month by God
to all Muslims. In this month one must fast from certain things both
physically and spiritually. One must give his full faith to God and worship
as much as possible. It’s a month where Muslims show their apprecia-
tion to the Almighty and show their strong faith and love to him. In this
month, Muslims fast in their hearts as well as their mouths. They must
avoid evil actions and thoughts and concentrate on doing good deeds.
Cont’d on Page 2
SERMON OF THE HOLY PROPHET (P.)
Sermon
Shaykh Sadooq (a.r) quoted Imam Ali ibn Moo-
sa ar-Ridha (A.S.) that he received from his Holy ancestors, on the au-
thority of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S.), the text of the speech the Holy
Prophet (P.) used to deliver at the advent of the blessed month of Ra-
madhan.
The Holy Prophet (P.) said;
O people! Draws near unto you the blessed month, overflowing with
advantages, merciful, ready to put up your sins of omission and com-
mission to God for obtaining His forgiveness. Its days, nights and hours,
Cont’d on Page 4
Health Fasting - Key to Good Health
Fasting has its advantages from the point of
view of health and hygiene. Islam wants a Muslim to be healthy, clean,
alert, agile and energetic. “Fast to be healthy,” had said the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.). And physicians today acknowledge the many benefits of fast-
ing that ensure health and the soundness of one’s body and mind. Some
of these positive points have a direct influence on psychology and phy-
sique of the fasting individual.
Fasting has been found to be an effective treatment for psychological
and emotional disorders. It helps a person to firm up his will, cultivate
and refine his taste and manners, strengthen his conviction of doing
good, avoid controversy, petulance and rashness, which all contribute
towards a sane and healthy personality. Besides nurturing resistance
and ability to face hardships and endurance, fasting reflects on outward
Cont’d on Page 5
2 The Truth, Thursday, September 13TH, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 31
Cont’d from First Page
Origin of the word...Ramadhan
The word Ramadhan, in its original meaning goes back to the Arab
naming of months for the conditions they occur. Back in the old times,
they named their Arabic months, upon certain events occurring. For ex-
ample, the month “Muharram” was called such because it was sanctified
as a month when no man may enter into war. At that period of time,
fighting was common among Arabs as their means of survival. Another
month, for example, Safar indicates that the Arabs left their dwellings
and their homes were empty, therefore the month was named accord-
ingly. Jamada, which is another month also colder, means a freezing
well which is common during this time. During the month of Ramadhan,
a person must prevent him or herself from committing any evil action in
order to avoid the accumulation of sins. The Arabic Word Armada means
severe heat, which describes the weather during that time. Therefore
the month was named Ramadhan or the month of heat, because that’s
how the weather was at the time.
The Revelation of the Quran during the holy month of Rama-
dhan
In the year 609 A.D., when the prophet Muhammed (P.) reached the
age of forty, he was in the practice of going to the cave named Harah
reflect upon God’s creation. He enjoyed doing so and taking time out.
There he would try to figure out the future of the desert people, the
Bedouins, lost in their own lust and ignorance. During one period of
meditation in the month of Ramadhan, the Angel Gabriel came upon the
holy prophet and gave him the revelations of the events to come. Then
every year in the month or Ramadhan, until the prophet’s death in 633,
Muhammed would receive revelations from God for the whole past year.
These revelations that were sent down, when written, formed the Holy
Quran.
When fasting came into effect
In 623 A.D., God has commanded the Muslims to fast. It’s interest-
ing to note, that Islam is not the only religion that requires fasting. In
addition, Judaism, and Christianity also practices fasting from time to
time. God says, “O ye who believe, Fasting is prescribed to you, As
it was prescribed to those before you. That ye may (learn) Self Re-
straint...” This verse points out three facts. First, that the fasting is an
event established in all religions. Second, fasting in Islam differs in it’s
goals from other religions. Third, in fasting, Muslims accomplish such
thing called “Taqua”. That means complete dedication to God. Many
religions encourage fasting because through doing it, God’s generosity
becomes apparent and a person’s faith becomes stronger. Fasting is an
aid to strengthening the person’s faith.
What do you fast from?
The Truth, Thursday, September 13TH, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 31 7
to remain tied till death unless the Holy Prophet (P.) untied them as a
gesture of forgiveness. God forgave them and the following verse was
revealed,
“And there are others who have confessed their sins. They have mixed
up a good action with another that was evil. It may be that God will turn
to them (with mercy); verily God is Oft forgiving, Merciful”.
Holy Quran (9:102)
On being freed, those three persons presented the Holy Prophet (P.)
with gifts, which he (P.) refused to take. Thereupon, the next verse was
revealed,
“Take alms out of their wealth; thereby you will cleanse them and
purify them; and pray for them…”
Holy Quran (9:103) (Tafseer of S V Mir Ahmad Ali)
Believers are requested not to forget to enter into the Holy month of
Ramadhan as guests of God without first giving alms to help and support
the needy people all over the world during this great month.
Ramadhan Mubarak to all.
Article By: Mulla Mujahidali Sheriff
Sayings Fasting
Prophet Muhammed (P.) Said:
• “God, the Exalted says: Fasting is (exclusively) for Me and I will reward
it”
• “Whoever backbites his Muslim brothers, his fasting will be invalid and
his ablution null. Should he die in such a state, he will die like the one
who decreed lawful what God has forbidden.”
• “Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadhan out of faith and seek-
ing God’s pleasure and guards his ears, eyes and tongue from harming
people, God will accept his fasting, forgive his past sins...”
Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (A):
• “If a fasting person when abused, replies peace be upon you I will not
abuse as you do, the Lord, the Exalted and Most High says, By fasting,
My servant has saved himself from the evil of My (other) servant, I
grant him refuge against the fire.”
• “When you fast, guard your hearing and sight against the forbidden,
and your limbs and all other organs from the vile, Do not rave at or in-
jure a servant. Be dignified as a fasting person should, and keep silent
and calm, except when remembering God. Do not regard your fasting
day as an ordinary day and refrain from intercourse, kissing and loud
laughter, because God dislikes that.”
6 The Truth, Thursday, September 13TH, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 31 The Truth, Thursday, September 13TH, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 31 3
Article HOLY RAMADHAN & ALMS -Eating and Drinking
Once again the holy month of Ramadhan is ap- -Immersing head in water
proaching and God willing, we will once again be fortunate to witness -Sexual Intercourse
and experience this great month, which the Holy Prophet Muhammed -Masturbation
(P.) has called it ‘Shahrullah’ meaning ‘the month of God’. -Lying falsely about God (S.W.), his prophets, and household
In this holy month, we all become the guests of God. In the sermon, (P.B.U.T)
which the Holy Prophet (P.) had delivered at the advent of Holy Rama- -Inhaling or swallowing dust
dhan, he (P.) clearly specified, “It is the month in which you have been -Enema with liquids
invited to become guests of God and you have been made in it as the -Vomiting
favourites of God”. -Remaining in Janabat, Haidh, or nifas until the Athan for Fajir
It is customary that whenever we are invited to somebody’s house, prayer.
we take gifts for the host. It is considered as impolite to go to people’s Who doesn’t have to fast?
houses empty-handed. Since in the month of Ramadhan, we have been -A Muslim of old age who is incapable of fasting
invited to become the guests of the Master of the universe, what shall -Disease of excessive thirst
we take as a gift for Him that will make Him happy? -Woman in advanced of pregnancy, or in a stage where fasting is
ALMS ARE RECEIVED BY GOD harmful
If there is any thing that God personally accepts from His servants -Breast-feeding
and becomes extremely pleased and satisfied with, then that is what is -A woman on her menstruation cycle
known as ‘Sadaqah’ meaning ‘alms and charity’. -A woman in the stage of Nifas
“Do they not know that God is He Who accepts repentance from His Remember these things when fasting
servants and takes the alms…” -When hungry or thirsty, remember thirst and hunger of Day of Judg-
Holy Quran (9:104) ment
The Holy Prophet (P.) said, “There are two things in which I do not -Think of the poor and needy, and give them
like any one to associate himself with me: My wudhoo (ablution) for it -Treat children and relatives with kindness
is part of my prayer; and my alms which goes from my hand into the -Don’t look or hear forbidden things
hand of one who has asked for it, thereby it goes in to the hand of the -Be especially kind to orphans
beneficent”. -Perform many supplications
(Bihar al-Anwaar) -Be just, not mean and cruel
Imam Ja’ffar al-Sadiq (a.s.) has said, “Verily God, the Exalted says: -Avoid bad language
‘For every (good) act I have appointed someone other than Myself to -Avoid Gossip
receive it except for alms for I receive them with My own hands”. -Think of God all the time, day and night
(Bihar al-Anwaar) -Thank God for his graciousness
ALMS ARE ATONEMENT FOR SINS -Ask God for forgiveness
In the month of Ramadhan, we usually seek God’s mercy and forgive- -Read the Holy Quran
ness for all our wrong doings. Giving of alms thereby helping the poor
and the needy is also considered as atonement for our sins, which has-
tens in the mercy and forgiveness from our Lord.
History tells us that there were some people who did not go with
the Holy Prophet (P.) on the expedition of Tabuk. As a result, when the
Holy Prophet (P.) returned to Madina, several verses were revealed to
condemn those people. Fearing the punishment of God, Abu Lubaba and
two other people who had also not gone on the expedition, tied them-
selves to the pillars of the mosque and said that they would continue
4 The Truth, Thursday, September 13TH, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 31
Cont’d from First Page
in the estimation of God, are more select, refined and important than
the days, nights and hours of other months. It surpasses all months in
merits and favours.
In this month you are the guests of God, enjoying His hos-
pitality, you are from among His favourites, your breathing is
“praise of God”, your sleep is His worship, your prayers receive
His approval, your invocations are sanctioned. So, sincerely, free
from evil and sinful thoughts and actions, with clear conscience, pray and
request that He may give you heart and confidence to observe fast and
recite the Holy Quran and Dua’s throughout this month. He who does not
receive mercy and forgiveness in this month is really an ill-fated unfortu-
nate, condemned to everlasting unhappiness and deprivation.
Thirst and hunger you undergo, feel and live through, here and now,
bring to your memory the severity and sharpness of the drought and
starvation that will be the order of the day on the Day of Judgment.
Give alms to the poor and the destitute. Treat your parents and
elders with respect. Be kind and loving to your children and ju-
niors. Take care of and look after your kith and kin. Refrain from
talking what should not even be whispered. Shut your eyes to
that which is indecent to have an eye for. Turn a deaf ear to that
which is too slanderous to be all ears. Be compassionate, gentle
and benign unto orphans so that after you, your children, if need be,
receive the same treatment from others. Turn repentant to God and seek
His nearness. After every prayer recite Dua’s to invoke His mercy and
forgiveness because the most suitable time to get fulfillment of desires is
when you have prayed a Salat, the Almighty gives answer to His servants
who call Him in these moments.
O people! In truth and fact your bodies and souls are held in pledge,
strike a bargain to set them free by asking forgiveness from God. Your
backs are burdened with a hard to endure load of sins, prostrate your-
selves in adoration of God, a great deal, to make the drag less heavy,
because the Lord of the worlds has given His word, in the name of His
might and honour, not to take to task those who pray and prostrate in
this month, the flames of the fire will not frighten them.
O People! Whoso provides a meal to a faithful, at the time of
breaking the fast, earns the recompense of setting an enslaved
human being free.
O people! In this month, whoso makes better his or her morals will
cross the “bridge of Siraat” with ease and fineness, where people, at ev-
ery step, would stumble and fall; Whoso gives leisure and respite to his
or her employees will receive equivalent leniency on the Day of Reckon-
ing; Whoso takes care of and looks after the orphans and relatives will be
treated mercifully on the Day of Judgment; Whoso prays optional Salat
The Truth, Thursday, September 13TH, 2007. Vol. 2 Issue 31 5
will get the immunity from hell-fire, and praying of obligatory Salat, in
prime time, multiply the good in leaps and bounds; Whoso recites even
one verse of the Holy Quran, obtains the reward of a full recital of the
whole Book in the other months.
O people! In this month, beyond a shadow of doubt, the doors of the
everlasting bliss and happiness are thrown open, so beseech God not
ever to shut them off to your face; and the traps of the eternal curse are
unhinged, so make a request to God to remove them from your path for
ever; The devils are held in chains, so pray to God not to set them free
for leading you astray. The month of Ramadhan is very dear to God. It
is the most august of all months, pure, generous and merciful. Do not
let its nights go waste in slumber, its days in careless omission or loss of
remembrance of God.
At the end of this sermon, Imam ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) asked, “O
Prophet of God! What is the best deed one can perform in this
month?” The Holy Prophet (P.) replied, “O Abul-Hasan! The best deed
in this month is to become cautious (and safeguard) against
forbidden things”.
Released by: Mulla Mujaheedali Sheriff
Cont’d from First Page
physical appearance by cutting out gluttony and getting rid of excess fat.
The benefits of fasting on health do not stop there but are instrumental
in alleviating a number of physical diseases, including those of the diges-
tive systems, such as chronic stomachache, inflammation of the colon,
liver diseases, indigestion, and conditions such as obesity, arteriosclero-
sis, high blood pressure, asthma, diphtheria and many other maladies.
A Swiss physician Dr. Barsilus noted that: The advantages of hunger
as a remedy exceed those ingesting medicine several times.
As readers are well aware, several physicians advise patients to skip
meals, sometimes for a few days, before prescribing them a controlled
diet.
Generally speaking, fasting hastens the destruction of the decaying
tissues of the body by means of hunger, and then builds new tissues
through nutrition. This is why some scientists suggest that fasting should
be regarded as an effective means of restoring youthfulness and lon-
gevity. However, Islam exempts from fasting sick and old people whose
health is bound to deter.
But fasting should have its regulations too, and not simply the in or-
derly skipping meals, that is bound to harm health and stamina, rather
than improving them. Here again Islam provides the answer, and in order
to realize the benefits of fasting, it recommends the late midnight meals
called ‘Sahar’ (before the formal start of a fast) and the breaking of the
fast at the time prescribed. Of course, to ensure good health one should
abstain from gluttony after breaking fast.