Islamic calendar - Hijrah

The Islamic calendar or Muslim calendar or Hijri calendar (Arabic: التقويم الهجري‎; at-taqwīm al-hijrī; Persian: تقویم هجری قمری ‎taqwīm-e hejri-ye qamari; Turkish: Hicri Takvim) is a lunar calendar used to date events in many predominantly Muslimcountries, and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate Islamic holy days and festivals. It is a lunar calendar having 12 lunar months in a year of about 354 days. Because this lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, Islamic holy days, although celebrated on fixed dates in their own calendar, usually shift 11 days earlier each successive solar year, such as a year of the Gregorian calendar. Islamic years are also called Hijra yearsbecause the first year was the year during which the Hijra occurred—Islamic prophet Muhammad's emigration from Mecca toMedina. Thus each numbered year is designated either H or AH, the latter being the initials of the Latin anno Hegirae (in the year of the Hijra).

The current Islamic Year is 1430 AH, from approximately December 28, 2008 (evening) to December 17, 2009 (evening).

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org

Happy Eid Al-Adha Mubarak

Eid al-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى ‘Īd ul-’Aḍḥā) or the Festival of Sacrifice (Turkish: Kurban Bayramı) is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims (including Druze) worldwide in commemoration of the willingness ofIbrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God. The devil tempted Ibrahim by saying he should disobey God and spare his son. As Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, God intervened and instead provided a lamb as the sacrifice. This is why today all over the world Muslims who have the means to, sacrifice an animal (usually a goat or a sheep), as a reminder of Ibrahim's obedience to God. The meat is then shared out with family, friends (Muslims or non-Muslims), as well as the poor members of the community.

Eid al-Adha is the latter of two Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims, whose basis comes from the Quran.(Muslims in Iran celebrate a third, non-denominational Eid.) Like Eid el-Fitr, Eid al-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon (khuṭba).

Eid al-Adha annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja (ذو الحجة) of the lunar Islamic calendar. The festivities last for three days or more depending on the country. Eid al-Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org

Miracle of Prophet Muhamad - The split of Moon "Proved by Scientists"

Eid Mubarak

Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to give in charity to those in need, and celebrate with family and friends the completion of a month of blessings and joy.

Before the day of Eid, during the last few days of Ramadan, each Muslim family gives a determined amount as a donation to the poor. This donation is of actual food -- rice, barley, dates, rice, etc. -- to ensure that the needy can have a holiday meal and participate in the celebration. This donation is known as sadaqah al-fitr (charity of fast-breaking).

On the day of Eid, Muslims gather early in the morning in outdoor locations or mosques to perform the Eid prayer. This consists of a sermon followed by a short congregational prayer.

After the Eid prayer, Muslims usually scatter to visit various family and friends, give gifts (especially to children), and make phone calls to distant relatives to give well-wishes for the holiday. These activities traditionally continue for three days. In most Muslim countries, the entire 3-day period is an official government/school holiday.

Taken from http://islam.about.com

Nuzul Al-Quran

17 Ramadhan marks the commemoration of the first revelation of Al-Quran to Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. when he was 40 years old .

The first verse recited by the Archangel Jibril a.s. revealed to Prophet Muhammad was "Iqra' " meaning "Read" i.e. "Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created. He has created man from something that clings. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not."(Surah al-‘alaq:1-5)

Sayidina Ali karramallahu wajhah once said: There are three advantages of knowledge over wealth. First, knowledge will take care of us, while we got to take care of our wealth. Second, knowledge will increase if we share it, while our wealth will decrease if we share it with others. Third, knowledge cannot be stolen, while wealth can.

Taken from: http://gferrofotoworks.blogspot.com

Terawih Prayer

Special evening prayer performed during Ramadan. It is performed after the isha (night) prayer. It can be performed at home, alone or in congregation, or at a mosque. 

Terawih is usually prayed in pairs of two and can be prayed in any amount of pairs, although eight or 20 pairs is the general practice among Muslims.

Prophet Muhammad regarded the terawih prayer as a means of forgiveness of sins. He said, “The one who observes the terawih prayer at night during Ramadan with complete faith and devotion only for the sake of the recompense of the hereafter will have all of his previous sins forgiven by God.”

Sunni Muslims believe terawih is a sunnah (a practice of the Prophet) and may be performed at home if one is unable to attend a mosque. According to this tradition, the Prophet Muhammad initially prayed the terawih in congregation during Ramadan but later discontinued this practice out of fear that Muslims would start to believe the prayers were mandatory.

Shiite Muslims do not perform terawih because its practice was institutionalized by Umar, the second caliph -- whose rule Shiites view as illegitimate.

Taken from:http://www.todayszaman.com

Happy Ramadhan Mubarak

The Virtue of Ramadan and the Qur'an

THE OBLIGATION OF FASTING

Allah says in the Quran:

"O uou who have faith! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you - so that hopefully you will have taqwa." - Al Baqarah(2):183

Meaning that hopefuly you can safeguard yourselves from the Fire through Fasting; fasting is a means to the forgiveness of sins, and sins lead one to the fire.

The two sahihs record the hadith in which the prophet (pbuh) said:

"Islam is built upon five: that you worship Allah and reject the worship of anything else, to establish the prayer, the giving of Zakat, performing pilgrimage to the house and Fasting the month of Ramadan." [This is the wording of Muslim, Bukhari has the first sentence as 'that you testify none has the right to be worshipped save Allah'].

THE VIRTUES OF FASTING

Fasting carries with it a number of benefits, amongst which are: the elevation to ones rank, the expiation of sins, the breaking of ones desire and lusts, the increase of charity, the multiplication of actions of obedience to Allah, giving thanks to the one who knows the hidden matters, and preventing oneself from even contemplating the commiting of sin.

THE ELEVATION OF RANK

With regards to the elevation of rank, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:

"When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paardise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are locked and devils are chained." [Bukhari]

He (pbuh) also said, relating from his lord Mighty and Magnificient,

"All of the actions of the son of Adam are for him except the fast for that is for me and I will reward it. Fasting is protecting sheild, so when it is the day when one of you are fasting, let him not behave or speak indecently; if someone tries to abuse him or fight him, let him say, 'I am fasting'. By the one in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the smell emanating from the mouth of the one fasting is better with Allah then the smell of musk. The one fasting has tewo time of joy, when he breaks his fast he is happy and when he meets his lord he will rejoice at his fasting." [Bukhari and Muslim]

The prophet (pbuh) also said:

"Every action that the son of Adam does, [its reward] will be multiplied, a good deed will be increased tenfold. Allah Mighty and Magnificient says, 'except for the fast, for that is for Me and I will reward it for he left his desires and food for My sake'" [Muslim]

The prophet (pbuh) also said:

"In paradise there is a gate which is called ar-Rayyan through which the people who fasted will enter on the day of Judgement, and no one else shall enter along-side them. It will be asked, 'where are those who fasted?' and they will walk through it, and upon the entry of the last of them, it will be locked, and no one else will walk through it." [Bukhari and Muslim]

With regards the 'opening of the gates of paradise', this is a phrase that points to the increase of actions of obedience that in turn lead to the opening of the gates of Paradise. 'Locking the gates of Fire' is a phrase that points to the decrease, and lack of therewith, of sins which in turn leads to the locking of the gates of the Fire. 'The chaining of the devils' is a phrase that points to the termination of their whisperings, and temptations, to those who are fasting because they give up hope of receiving a favorable response.

His saying, "All of the actions of the son of Adam are for him except the fast for that is for me, and I will reward it," fasting has been specifically adjoined to him in the order of Honour it because the hidden nature of fasting prevents ostentation entering it, and moreover, hunger and thirst are not used as means to draew closer to any king of this world nor any idol.

QURAN

Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed with clear guidance and differentiation (Between Good and Bad) Whoever of you is a witness of this month, should fast. But if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you in any difficulties. 2:185 And eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from it’s black thread; then complete your fast till the night appears. 2:187

HADITH

Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking the pleasure of Allah, his past errors are forgiven. (Ahmed) Islam is based on the five pillars, the oneness of Allah, establishing prayers, paying Zakat (Charity) fasting in Ramadan and pilgrimage to Makkah. Fast when you see the new moon of Ramadan, and finish fasting when you see the new moon of Shawal, and if you cannot see the new moon then calculate thirty days of Shaban.

RAMADAN

The month of Ramadan comes once each year giving every fasting Muslim a spiritual and physical improvement which lasts until the following year.

CHARITY

To be homeless without a place to live and to loose your family or the home you were born in or to loose your spouse or children is a terrible thought. Yet this is what many Muslim brothers and sisters face each winter. We see this happening daily on TV or in the newspapers. "Every little bit helps", whatever you donate this Ramadan, it will give someone a chance to live or hope for a better future.

ZAKAT-A-FITR

This is a charity that must be paid at the end of Ramadan and only then is your fasts accepted.

ZAKAT-AL-MAL

This is a charitable tax which must be paid every year based upon your wealth. To do this during Ramadan is more rewarding.

Blessings & Benefits Of Fasting

THE MONTH OF RAMADHAAN IN WHICH WAS REVEALED THE QUR'AAN, A GUIDANCE FOR MANKIND AND CLEAR PROOFS FOR THE GUIDANCE AND CRITERION (BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG). 
SO WHOEVER OF YOU IS PRESENT DURING THIS MONTH SHOULD OBSERVE ITS FAST. AL QUR'AAN

After Imaan, Salaah and Zakaah, the most important pillar of Islaam is Sawm (Fasting) during the month of Ramadhaan (the 9th month of the Islaamic calendar). Fasting in the month of Ramadhaan is amongst the fundamentals of Islaam; one who denies its obligation goes out of the fold of Islaam. One who does not fast during this month is a faasiq (an immoral and flagrant transgressor)of the highest degree. Such a faasiq completely destroys his spirituality and morality.

Sawm literally means 'to abstain’. But in the terminology of the Sharee'ah, it means 'to refrain from eating, drinking and cohabitation from sub'h saadiq to sunset, with the intention of fasting’.

Fasting during the month of Ramadhaan, was ordained on the Ummah of Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam after the revelation of the above mentioned verse in the 2nd year of our Prophet's sallallahu alayhi wasallam migration to Madeenah.

Before fasting in the month of Ramadhaan was made compulsory, our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam would fast on the 10th of Muharram, instructing the Sahaabah radhiyallahu anhum to follow suit. But once the fasting of Ramadhaan became obligatory, fasting on the 10th of Muharram was made optional. It is reported in Bukhaari Shareef, on the authority of ‘Aa’ishah and Abdullah Ibne Umar radhiyallahu anhumaa that when the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam came to Madeenah, he commanded the people to fast on the 10th of Muharram, but when fasting during the month of Ramadhaan was made compulsory, our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Now fasting on the 10th of Muharram is optional."

There are numerous spiritual benefits of fasting. Fasting is extremely efficient for the acquisition of taqwaa (piety), without which a Muslim cannot gain closeness to Allah. The prime benefit in the pursuit of taqwaa is the suppression of the erratic desires and demands of nafs (based carnal desire), which is always working in collusion with Shaytaan, to spiritually and morally ruin the believer. If the nafs is allowed freedom, then it will succeed in making man a slave of lust, passion and base emotions, due to which his Imaan will suffer. Therefore, it is essential that the nafs be restrained. Fasting greatly aids towards pursuing this objective. By fasting, a Muslim learns to suppress his lowly desires. Thus the ability of inculcating taqwaa is created. Further, fasting purifies the soul, and creates gratification in worship, making the heart conducive for worship. The bond with Allah is also strengthened. Once our beloved Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam supplicated, "O Lord of the universe! When does the servant become closest to you?" The Divine Reply came, "When the servant is hungry and when he is in sajdah (prostration)."

Another outstanding feature of fasting is that it lifts man above the level of beasts and animals - who eat, drink and copulate at will, whenever the urge comes - and takes him to the parallel of the angels. Since the latter do not eat or drink, they are devoid and free of evil inclinations and all things base. Man, by reducing his worldly relations and emotional desires, moves himself to the realms of the angels.

As well as the many spiritual benefits of fasting, there are physical benefits and advantages of fasting too. Notably, feeling for the poor and hungry is engendered. Man becomes more aware and conscious of his less fortunate brethren and their deprivation, which in turn teaches him to sacrifice his wealth and assist others in need. Thus feeling for humanity is generated and inculcated in man.

There are innumerable Ahaadeeth of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam which illustrate great virtue and blessing for the fasting person.

• Sahl Ibne Sa'd radhiyallahu anhu narrates from our Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam that he said, "Verily! In Jannah, there is a door called ‘Ar Rayyaan’, through which will enter the fasting people on the Day of Judgement. No one will enter through this door besides them. It will be announced, 'Where are the fasting people?' They will stand (and enter). No one will enter besides them. Once they will enter, the door will be locked so no one can enter through it (after them)."

(Bukhaari, Muslim)

• Aboo Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu reports from our beloved Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, that he said, 'Allah says, 'Every deed of Ibne Aadam (son of Aadam) is for him, except for fast. Verily, fasting is for me, and I shall (personally) apportion out the reward for it."' It is further said, "For a fasting person, there are two pleasures, which please him. When he eats upon completing the fast, he becomes happy, and when he will meet his Lord he will be pleased due to his fast."

(Bukhaari)

• Aboo Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu narrates from our beloved Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam that he said, "One who keeps the fast of Ramadhaan with Imaan (faith) and longing for reward, all his previous sins are forgiven."

(Bukhaari, Muslim)

For the acquisition of the numerous virtues and benefits of fasting, there is however, one essential condition: a person takes extra precaution in making sure he abstains from sin and futility. A person should spend much of his time in the recitation of the Qur'aan and also engage himself in the constant Remembrance of Allah. If one does not abstain from sin and futility then his fasting will merely be staying hungry and thirsty, without any reward or spiritual upliftment.

A few common evils, which are regarded lightly, but are very detrimental to a fasting person, should be taken into consideration and avoided totally:

1. Telling lies.
2. Backbiting.
3. Quarrelling.
4. Eating haraam items.
5. Earning through unlawful means.
6. Any act which may harm or cause grief to a person.

In short, a person should try to refrain from all kinds of sins - protecting his ears, eyes, tongue and all other organs from indulging in unlawful activities. When a Muslim spends his Ramadhaan in this manner then he will notice great changes in his life. Spiritual strength will be gained, which will facilitate him to conduct his life according to Islaam, together with Allah's Pleasure. 

One day you have to go alone

Did you ever stop for a while and asked yourself... 
What is going to happen to me the first night in my grave?

What have I prepared for death? 
Will I be in heaven or Hell fire? 
How often do I remember death? 
Think about the moment your body is being washed and prepared to enter your grave... 

Think about the day people will be carrying you to your grave..

and your families crying... think about the moment you are put in your grave 

Just imagine... imagine yourself in your grave...down there in that dark hole... 

ALONE... it's too DARK... you cry for help, but there is no answer... Nobody can help you...  it's too NARROW... your bones are squashed.... 

You regret all the bad things you've done during your life... you regret missing the 5 PRAYERS 
you regret listening to music 
You regret your disrespectful manners towards everyone, especially your parents... 
you regret not wearing your hijab 
You regret ignoring the orders of ALLAH... 
YOU REGRET IGNORING THE KNOWLEDGE OF ISLAM 
YOU REGRET ALL THE BAD THINGS YOU'VE DONE.. 
THERE IS NO ESCAPE.. YOU WILL FACE YOUR PUNISHMENT FOR EVERY LITTLE THING YOU'VE DONE... 
You are ALONE in your grave only with your DEEDS... no money, no jewelry, nothing.. ONLY YOUR DEEDS.. 

AND WHEN IT IS SHUT, 

YOU FEEL LIKE SCREAMING AND TELLING EVERYONE NOT TO GO.. TO STAY BESIDE YOUR GRAVE

BUT, YOU CAN'T BE HEARD.. THEY LEAVE YOU AND GO AND YOU HEAR THEIR FOOTSTEPS.. AND HEAR THEM CRYING THEY WALK AWAY ... 

YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULD LAST FOREVER IN THIS WORLD, YOU THOUGHT YOU WILL STAY WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES FOREVER... YOU THOUGHT YOU WILL HAVE FUN FOREVER... NO 
YOU WERE WRONG!!! 

THEY LEFT YOU ALONE... 
JUST SPEND FEW MINUTES AND  LOOK AT YOUR FUTURE HOMES... AND SPEND THE WHOLE OF YOUR LIFE PREPARING FOR THEM... 

YOU CAN NOT AFFORD TO IGNORE THIS, YOU NEED TO REMEMBER THIS EVERY MINUTE, EVERY HOUR, EVERY DAY.. 
EVERY TIME YOU ARE ABOUT TO COMMIT A SIN, REMEMBER THE DESTROYER OF PLEASURES: 
DEATH 

Kaaba from Inside (Latest Pictures)

These are rarest of the Ka'abah pictures from inside. 

The Custodian of the two holy mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud is coming back after anual bathing of Ka'abah this year at the time of Hajj.

SUNITA WILLIAMS EMBRACED ISLAM

Ms. SUNITA WILLIAMS, the first Indian woman who has travelled to the moon, had accepted and embraced Islam right after she returned to the earth. Further reported, when they were on the moon they saw the entire EARTH thru a TELESCOPE so dark, except two spots that looked like SPARKS (Roshni). They were shocked to know that the two spots are "Masjidel (Mosques) Haram in Makkah and Masjid Nabawi in Madinah". Allahu Akbar.

TWO RIVERS-SUBHANALLAH-(MUST SEE)

Above shown photos are of the two rivers flowing in southern part near Cape Town , South Africa.

These rivers flow together and there nature came to know in the starting of 20th century where as ALLAH (SWT)mentioned the nature of these two rivers in Holy Quran around 1400years Back.
These two river flow together and finally settle down in the Ocean,taste of one river is extreamly sweet whereas the taste of another river is extreamly opposite (that is bitter) but they never mix.There is nothing in between these rivers which stops them from mixing togther but its is the will & order of ALLAH (SWT)

Have you ever wondered about Earth's shape?

Sign of Allah: Torture in a tomb

On this photo a 18-year old young man who died in one of hospitals of Oman . Di photo ini adalah seorang pemuda berusia 18 tahun yang meninggal di salah satu rumah sakit di oman . The corpse of the boy has been dug out from a tomb in 3 hours after his funeral under the insisting of his father. Mayat pemuda tersebut digali kembali dari kuburnya setelah 3 jam di makamkan yang di saksikan oleh ayahnya . The boy died in hospital and has been buried under the Islamic law and on the same day after obligatory ablution of the body. Pemuda tersebut meninggal dirumah sakit dan setelah di mandikan di makamkan secara islam di hari itu juga . However after funeral the father has doubted of the diagnosis of doctors and wanted to identify the true reason of his death. Tetapi setelah pemakaman ayahnya merasa ragu atas diagnosa dokter dan menginginkan untuk di identifikasi kebenaran penyebab kematianya. 

Relatives and his friends shocked when they saw the corpse.Seluruh kerabat dan teman - temannya begitu terkejut saat mereka melihat kondisi mayat . He was completely different within 3 hours. Mayat tsb begitu berbeda dalam 3 jam. He turned grey as the very old man, dia berubah tampak ke abu - abuan seperti orang yang sudah tua . 
    with traces of obvious tortures and the most severe beating, Dengan tampak jelas bekas siksaan dan pukulan yang amat keras and  with the broken bones of hands and legs, with the edges broken a, nd pressed into a body. dan dengan tulang - tulang kaki dan tangan yang hancur begitu juga ujung ujungnya sehingga menekan kebadanya. 

All His body and face were full of bruise. Seluruh badan dan mukanya memar. The open eyes-showed hopeless fear and pain .Matanya yang terbuka memerlihatkan ketakutan, kesakitan dan keputusasaan. The blood obviously attributes that the boy has been subjected to the most severe torture. Darah yang begitu jelas menandakan bahwa pemuda tersebut sedang mendapatkan siksaan yang amat berat. 

Close relatives of the dead man have addressed to Islamic scientists who have unequivocally declared that it is available results of tomb torture which the Allah ( s.w.t) and in the Hadis of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) have warned. Sebagai penutup dari orang yang meninggal tersebut semuanya di tujukan kepada Ilmu pengetahuan tentang Islam yang mana tidak dapat dipungkiri lagi keterngananya bahwa siksa kubur itu benar adanya seperti yang di peringatkan oleh ALLAH SWT dan Nabi Muhammad S.A.W. 

The shocked father of the boy has admitted that his son was spoilt, did not do Solat, and had a carefree way of life, having involved in different sins. 

Each died person comes across tests in the tomb for exception Shahids who died in Jihad on the way of Allah. This is first terrible test which the person comes across before the Doomsday. 

In Hadis of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w):

- After the death the spirit of died person will return to a body then two Angels will come, Munkar and Nakir, and will ask: 'Who is your Lord?' he will answer: 'my Lord - Allah '. Then they will ask: 'What is your religion?' he will answer: 'My religion - Islam'. Then they will ask him: 'Who that person who has been sent to you?' he will answer: 'He is the Prophet of Allah '. Then they will ask him: 'How do you know?' He will answer: 'I read the Book of Allah and trusted Him. 

And then from heavens the voice will come: ' My Slave has told the truth, lay it to bed from Paradise and open the Gate of Paradise ' - then it will be full of pleasure and he begins to feel paradise pleasure, and his tomb becomes spacious, that eyes can reach. 

The Prophet of Allah Muhammad (s.a.w) said about the sinners. After the death the spirit of died person will return to the body then two Angels will come and ask, 'Who is your Lord?' he will answer: 'I do not know'. Then they will ask: ' Who that person who has been sent to you?' he again will answer: I 'do not know' - and then from the sky the voice will come: 'he told a lie, Put him into a box from fire and open before it the Gate of a hell! '-then it will be captured with heat of the hell, and his tomb becomes narrow and the edges will be compressed. 

In Hadis it is also said, that Angels will severely beat the sinners during interrogation in the tomb and this torture will be awful. It is informed also, that our Messenger (s.a.w) supplicated to Allah to protect Him from tortures of a tomb and asked other people to do so. 

The history of 18-year old young men is a sign for believers and this is only next fairy tale for whom hearts are sealed by Allah. They look and do not see, listen and do not hear? 

Nisfu Syaaban

Nisfu Syaaban is a clear indicator that the blessed month of Ramadan is around the corner. One can fast as many as days as one likes before Nisfu Syaaban. But after Nisfu Syaaban, the 15th Syaaban, one should not fast, except for those who are used to fast on certain days, every Mondays and Thursdays for example.

But if one is not used to that pattern, and he wants to fast after Nisfu Syaaban, then it is not advisable for him to do so. In hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad, Rasulullah s.a.w said: 
Which means: When Nisfu Syaaban comes, stop fasting until Ramadan.

Since Nisfu Syaaban is a sign to us that Ramadan will be coming shortly, it is well advised that we take that seriously. We should begin our preparations for Ramadan. If we can go to such great extent to prepare beautifying our houses and ourselves for Hari Raya, why can’t we do the same for Ramadan? In fact, Ramadan is more important than Hari Raya. Hari Raya will be celebrated in just one day. Ramadan is celebrated for the whole month and to elevate our spiritual self.

So in all sense, Ramadan is much more important than Hari Raya. Thus, it is important that we make a greater preparation for Ramadan.

Maasyiral Muslimin rahimakumullah,
The blessedness of Nisfu Syaaban lies in its night, which according to our calendar, will fall on this Sunday night.

There are many hadith that conveyed the blessedness of Nisfu Syaaban. Even though a great number of those hadith about the blessedness of Nisfu Syaaban are either weak or dubious, there are many scholars, Ulama, who are of the opinion that, taken as a whole, it indicates that there is some truth on the blessedness of Nisfu Syaaban.

Syeikh Mubarakfuri, a famous hadith scholar of high repute from India, wrote in his book Syarah Sunan Tirmizi, that he supports the blessedness of Nisfu Syaaban. He said that the existence of many hadith, even though weak, seems to convey that there is some truth in those hadith, and that Man does not fabricate them.

But in our earnest to pursue the blessings of Nisfu Syaaban, or any other nights or days for that matter, there are two important things we should remember.

First, we must not dedicate specialized acts of worships for a particular time period, except specified by Al-Quran or authentic hadiths.

Thus for the night of Nisfu Syaaban, we should reject all accounts of special prayers or recitations for that night. There is no special solat for Nisfu Syaaban. 
Instead, we should increase our general acts of worship, such as performing sunat prayers, tahajud prayers, reciting Al-Quran, remembering Allah through zikir, and to seek his forgiveness.

The second thing that we should remember is that: when we perform any acts or worship, we should not do them purely for the sake of receiving its promised rewards. 
For example, it has been promised by our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w that whosoever fast six days after Ramadan, will be rewarded as if he has fasted for the whole year. While this promise can be regarded as an encouragement and motivation for us to perform such act of worship, it should not be the only reason for us to perform that worship.

Instead, we should be sincere when worshiping Allah. Not for this reward or that reward. For sincerity is its best reward.

When someone is sincere in worshiping Allah, he will receive unlimited rewards. Rewards that only Allah knows. Allah says in surah Al-Baiyyinah, verse 5:
Which means: And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer; and to practise regular charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight.

My brothers in Islam,
Let us not just regard Nisfu Syaaban as a sign that Ramadan is near. We should also regard Nisfu Syaaban as a sign that we should look into ourselves, to do some self-accounting on our past deeds. How little our devotions to Allah are and how much our sins are. How unprepared we are for the blessings of Allah in Ramadan.

If that is our condition, we should seriously consider doing some house cleaning. Not for our physical houses, but for our hearts, and our spiritual self. Grab the opportunity presented to us in the night of Nisfu Syaaban to repent on all our mistakes, and to seek forgiveness from Allah. And for two weeks after that, let us watch carefully our character, our manners, so that when Ramadan comes, we will be spiritually ready for it.

Besides doing self-accounting on ourselves, let us also do self-accounting on our community, and the Ummah in general. Ramadan comes. Ramadan goes. Has there been any improvement in our community? Are there members of our community who still disregard, or worse, do not respect Ramadan?If there are, then we should do something. We should use self-accounting as a tool to take stock of our community and ourselves.

Let us be aware of the mistakes and deficiencies, and then take steps to correct and overcome them.

This is a characteristic of an excellent society, to constantly do self-correction and tackle problems head on.

We Muslims are special. If other communities do self-improvement for their life in this world, we should do more. We are commanded to improve both our worldly life and our life in the Hereafter. We should be a model and inspiration to all.

May the coming days witness a positive change in our community, and ourselves amen.

Taken from http://rozas22.blogspot.com