High-way Code

Lailatul Qadr

Lailatul Qadr

Iftar at the White House‏

White house welcome Muslims in celebration of Ramadan. (See Video below)

PBS and Ramadan

MASJID MUHAMMAD Hafiz Student FUNDRAISER for Ramadan 2009!!!

MASJID MUHAMMAD Hafiz Student FUNDRAISER for Ramadan 2009!!!

Sura Al-Baqarah (2:261) “The parable of those who spend their substance In the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: it groweth seven ears, and Each ear hath a hundred grains. Allah giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth: and Allah careth for all and He knoweth all things.”

Masjid Muhammad’s Board of Trustees is working hard to make this Ramadan the best Ramadan yet. Classically trained Hafiz student Adrian Kirk (“Ashir”) has agreed to share his knowledge of Qur’an with our community this Ramadan. We are taking up a collection for him that will help him in his continued studies. He has been memorizing Qur’an at a hafiz school in Morroco.

Listen to recitation: http://www.youracreator.com/video/finally-finished-sura-araaf

To give for this noble cause right now via PayPal click here: DONATE Help Bring a Hafiz student to Masjid Muhammad

Although he has agreed to accept whatever funds we are able to collect, we are raising the bar. We would like to raise $4,500 to cover the cost of his lodging, round trip plane ticket and put some money in his pocket so that he can continue his studies. If 45 people give $100, we will be able to meet this goal.

Hafiz Student Profile:

• Mr. Adrian Kirk (“Ashir”) from New Haven , Connecticut (22 years old)
• Student of Imam Zaid Shakir from Masjid Al-Islam in New Haven , Connecticut
• 3 years of intensive Islamic education (Abu Nour Institute Damacas , Syria : Intensive study in Arabic and Islamic sciences including: Qur’anic memorization, tajweed, nahu (grammar), sarf (etymology), Fiqh (Islamic law), hadith sciences, written and spoken Qur’anic Arabic, balagah (metaphors and prose), Usool ul-Fiqh (Origins of Fiqh), Tazkiyyah, and other Islamic sciences)
• 3 years of intensive Qur’anic study ( Syria and Morocco ); Teachers: Shaykh Samir An-Nass M.D., Shaykh Anas Al-Hibri, students of Shaykh Muhammad Sukkar (from the family of the Prophet (saws) and has the shortest chain linking him to the Prophet (saws) in Quran and Tajweed); 1-1.5 years left in his hafiz studies
• Listen to recitation: http://www.youracreator.com/video/sura-rahman-full-warsh

Masjid Muhammad Ramadan Responsibilities:

• Leading the Tarawih Prayer during Ramadan 2009
• Leading the 3-5 daily Salaat during Ramadan 2009
• Teaching Qur’an and Tajweed at Clara Muhammad School 1-2 hours a day 3-5 days a week
• Teaching Qur’an and Tajweed at Masjid Muhammad 3-5 days a week

Total Compensation: $4,500

• $3,000 (breaks down to $100 a day for 30 days; helps to fund his continued studies)
• Lodging in a room or apartment of Masjid Muhammad (close proximity is necessary)
• Round-Trip Ticket from New Haven , CT to Washington D.C.

To give for this noble cause right now via PayPal click here: DONATE Help Bring a Hafiz student to Masjid Muhammad

Or write your check payable to "Masjid Muhammad" with "Ramadan Hafiz Student" in the memo line. Eligible for Zakaat or Sadaqa

Mail your check to:

Masjid Muhammad

1519 Islamic Way ( 4^th St. ), Northwest

Washington, D.C. 20001

(202) 483-8832 • Fax: (202) 265-3562

Or give cash - bring in person to the above address during regular business hours Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

This fundraising effort is being managed by Mr. Tariq Najee-ullah, Masjid Muhammad Board Member, with the approval of the Board of Trustees and Resident Imam Yusuf Saleem. If there are any questions about this fundraising effort, please contact Tariq at tariq_najeeullah@yahoo.com


Find more videos like this on Muslim Community YOU R A CREATOR

Ramadan Reruns

Ready for Ramadan???

10 great goals to set for this Ramadan -

10 great goals to set for this Ramadan -

Asalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakathuhu,

1. Eat, drink and be moderate

Almost all of us do it - once Iftar time hits, we just keep plowing food and drink into our mouths till it's hard to move afterwards. And those of us who do it know this is totally contrary to the spirit of Ramadan, through which we're supposed to learn self-control not self-indulgence. Let's try to stick to the Prophetic rule on eating: fill our stomachs with one-third food, one-third water and one-third breathing space, even in Ramadan.

2. Give a dollar a day in charity...or five or ten

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was always generous but even more so in Ramadan. Let's open our hearts and dig a little deeper in our wallets this year. Even less than a dollar a day adds up. Whatever you can give, it's the intention that counts.

3. Memorize 4 new Surahs

Memorizing the Quran often seems like a daunting task. But the key is doing it in small bites. Since there are four weeks in Ramadan, try to memorize one new Surah a week. Start off with a short, easy one. Once you've started,you'll build momentum and may even want to memorize a longer one the following week.

4. Go to Tarawih prayers

Post-Iftar, the first urge is to sleep after an exhausting day. But try your best to head out to the mosque for Tarawih prayers. Praying alone is wonderful, but doing it in congregation is fantastic. The community spirit is part of Ramadan's blessings. Don't miss it this year. If going every day is not possible, try going at least one week.

5. Attend the Tarawih prayer in which the recitation of the Quran will be finished

Call the local mosque and find out which day the Imam will be finishing the recitation of the Quran in prayer. Attend to not only hear part of the Quran's recitation in prayer, but also participate in the heart-rending Duas that follow it.

6. Stop swearing and/or backbiting - with a special box

It's hard not to shoot our mouths off when someone's upset us. Whether we utter those four-letter words or backbite about someone to our family and friends, we know this isn't the God-approved way of letting off steam. In Ramadan, when we want to build our spirituality, we've got to wage Jihad against our bad habits.

Try this: get a box and every time you catch yourself swearing or backbiting put some money in it. It could be a buck or less. The point is to choose an amount that makes it feel like punishment. At the end of the month send the money to a charity or buy a gift for the person whom you've backbitten the most against.

7. Call/email your relatives

You'd think that given the easy access to email, competitive long-distance calling rates, phone cards, etc. these days, we'd keep in touch with family and friends more often. But the opposite seems to be the case, as we get caught up in life's "busyness."

Strengthening ties with family members and keeping in touch with friends is part of our way of life and an act Allah is very pleased with. This Ramadan, call family and friends or at least email them a Ramadan card and ask them how their fasting is going.

8. Go on a technology diet

Even if you work in the IT industry, you can do this. Avoid checking personal email and surfing the web during your fast. After Iftar, instead of plopping yourself in front of the screen, go to Tarawih. The same goes for the television. The point is to try to give our full attention to spiritual elevation this month.

9. Read 5 minutes of Quran a day...just five, not more, not less

Even if you feel you've got absolutely no time, set a timer or the alarm on your cell phone and find a relatively quiet place. You can read the first page of the Quran you open or follow a sequence. The choice is yours. The point is simply to connect with God through His revelation in the month of the Quran.



10. Forgive everyone who has hurt you

Still got a festering wound from the fight with your friend last year? Still upset about something your spouse said during a heated argument? Or are you still bitter about the way your parents sometimes treated you as a kid? Let go of the anger and pain this Ramadan and forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiving someone is not only good for the body, but it's also great for the soul. And in Ramadan, ten days of which are devoted to Allah's forgiveness, shouldn't we lesser beings forgive too?

If you find it very difficult to forgive everyone, forgive at least three people.

A'ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported that she asked Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he instructed her to say: "Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee - O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me."

Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi. Verified to be authentic by Al-Albani

Fasting in Shaban to honor Ramadan

http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=IC0409-2468

Weekly Wisdom: 25 Ways to Enter Jannah

445. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Jannah is nearer to you than your shoelace, and so is the (Hell) Fire".
[Al-Bukhari].

Commentary: Jannah is close to him who adopts the path of righteousness and he can easily attain it. Its opposite case is also equally true. He is close to Hell who takes the path of evil. Thus, this Hadith has an inducement for virtue and warning against evil.

25 Ways to Enter Jannah

من لقي الله لا يشرك به شيئاً دخل الجنة -البخاري

1. Whoever meets Allah without ascribing anything to Him will enter Jannah. [Bukhari]

من آمن بالله وبرسوله ، وأقام الصلاة ، وصام رمضان ، كان حقاً على الله أن يدخله الجنة - البخاري

2. Whoever believes (has emaan) in Allah and His Messenger (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), and establishes the prayer and fasts the month of Ramadan, it is incumbent upon Allah that He enters him in Jannah. [Bukhari]

من بنى مسجداً يبتغي به وجه الله بنى الله له مثله في الجنة -البخاري

3. Whoever builds a masjid seeking by it the Pleasure of Allah, Allah will build for him a similar place in Jannah. [Bukhari]


من صلى البردين دخل الجنة - البخاري

4. Whoever prays the two cool prayers (Asr and Fajr) will enter Jannah. [Bukhari]

من غدا إلى المسجد وراح أعدَّ الله له نزله من الجنة كلما غدا أو راح- البخاري

5. Whoever goes to the masjid (every) morning and in the afternoon (for the congregational prayer), Allah will prepare for him an honorable place in Jannah with good hospitality for (what he has done) every morning and afternoon goings. [Bukhari]

من يضمن لي ما بين لحييه وما بين رجليه أضمن له الجنة -البخاري

6. Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Jannah for him. [Bukhari]

من صلى اثنتي عشرة ركعة في يوم وليلة بُني له بهن بيت في الجنة - مسلم

7. Whoever prays 12 raka’at in the day and night, a house in Jannah will be built for him. [Muslim]

من سلك طريقاً يلتمس فيه علماً سهّل الله له به طريقاً إلى الجنة - مسلم

8. Whoever treads a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the path to Jannah. [Bukhari]

من قال مثل ما يقول المؤذن من قلبه دخل الجنة - أبو داود

9. Whoever repeats after the mu’adhdhin from his heart (i.e., sincerely) will enter Jannah. [Abu Dawud]

ما من أحد يتوضأ فيحسن الوضوء ويصلي ركعتين يقبل بقلبه ووجهه عليهما إلا وجبت له الجنة - أبو داود

10. There is not one of you who perfects his wudu and prays two raka’at setting about them with his heart as well as his face except that Jannah would be mandatory for him. [Abu Dawud]

من قال رضيت بالله رباً ، وبالإسلام ديناً ، وبمحمد صلى الله عليه وسلم نبياًّ وجبت له الجنة - أبو داود

11. Whoever says: “I am pleased with Allah as my Rabb, and with Islam as my Deen, and with Muhammad (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) as my Prophet, Jannah would be mandatory for him. [Abu Dawud]

من كان آخر كلامه لا إله إلا الله دخل الجنة- أبو داود

12. Whosoever last words are: laa ilaaha il Allah, will enter Paradise. [Abu Dawud, Saheeh]

من قال سبحان الله العظيم وبحمده غرست له نخلة في الجنة - الترمذي

13. Whoever says “SubhanAllah al-Adheem wa biHamdihi, Glorified and Exalted is Allah, The Great, and with His Praise”, a date-palm will planted for him in Jannah. [Tirmidhi]

من مات وهو بريء من ثلاث : الكبر ، والغلول ، والدّين دخل الجنة- الترمذي

14. Whoever dies and is free from three: arrogance, grudges and debt will enter Jannah. [Tirmidhi]

من عال جاريتين دخلت أنا وهو الجنة - الترمذي

15. Whoever raises two girls, he and I will enter Jannah. [Tirmidhi]

من أذن اثني عشرة سنه وجبت له الجنة ابن ماجة

16. Whoever calls the adhan for 12 years, Jannah will become mandatory for him. [ibn Maajah]

من سأل الله الجنة ثلاث مرات قالت الجنة : اللهم أدخله الجنة الترمذي

17. Whoever asks Allah for Jannah three times, Jannah will say: “O Allah, enter him into Jannah.” [Tirmidhi]

من عاد مريضاً أو زار أخاً له في الله ناداه مناد أن طبت وطاب ممشاك ، وتبوأت من الجنة منزلاً - الترمذي

18. Whoever visits an ailing person or a brother of his to seek the Pleasure of Allah, an announcer (angel) calls out: `May you be happy, may your walking be blessed, and may you be awarded a dignified position in Jannah’. [Tirmidhi]

إن الصدق يهدي إلى البر وإن البر يهدي إلى الجنة -البخاري

19. Indeed, truthfulness leads to righteousness and indeed righteousness leads to Jannah. [Bukhari]

تكفل الله لمن جاهد في سبيله لا يخرجه إلا الجهاد في سبيله وتصديق كلماته بأن يدخله الجنة - البخاري

20. Allah guarantees him who strives in His Cause and whose motivation for going out is nothing but Jihad in His Cause and belief in His Word, that He will admit him into Jannah. [Bukhari]

أيها الناس ، أفشوا السلام ، وأطعموا الطعام ، وصلوا والناس نيام ، تدخلوا الجنة بسلام -الترمذي

21. O people, spread the salaam (greetings), feed the hungry, and pray while the people are asleep, you will enter Jannah in peace. [Tirmidhi]

العمرة إلى العمرة كفارة لما بينهما ، والحج المبرور ليس له جزاء إلا الجنة - البخاري

22. (The performance of) Umrah is an expiation for the sins committed between it and the previous Umrah; and the reward of Hajj Mabrur (i.e., one accepted) is nothing but Jannah. [Bukhari]

إن لله تسعة وتسعين اسماً مائة إلا واحداً ، من أحصاها دخل الجنة- البخاري

23. Allah has ninety-nine Names, one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Jannah. [Bukhari]

لقد رأيت رجلاً يتقلب في الجنة في شجرة قطعها من ظهر الطريق كانت تؤذي الناس- مسلم

24. I saw a man going about in Jannah (and enjoying himself) as a reward for cutting from the middle of the road, a tree which was causing inconvenience to the Muslims. [Muslim]

اللهم أنت ربي لا إله إلا أنت ،خلقتني و أنا عبدك، و أنا على عهدك و وعدك ما استطعت، أعوذ بك من شر ما صنعت ، أبوء لك بنعمتك عليَّ وأبوء لك بذنبي فاغفر لي ، فإنه لا يغفر الذنوب إلا أنت . من قالها من النهار موقناً بها فمات من يومه قبل أن يمسي فهو من أهل الجنة ، ومن قالها من الليل وهو موقن بها فمات قبل أن يصبح فهو من أهل الجنة -البخاري

25. O Allah, You are my Lord, none has the right to be worshipped except You, You created me and I am You servant and I abide to Your covenant and promise as best I can, I take refuge in You from the evil of which I committed. I acknowledge Your favor upon me and I acknowledge my sin, so forgive me, for verily none can forgive sin except You. “If somebody recites this invocation during the day, and if he should die then, he will be from the people of Jannah. And if he recites it in the night, and if he should die on the same day, he will be from the people of Jannah.” [Bukhari]

Eid Mubarak!!!

According to the shura of Imams associated with Imam W D Mohammed, the moon was sighted in Florida indicating the first day of shawaal will be tomorrow. Eid Mubarak!

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Subject: ICNYU Eid ul Fitr Announcement l Info on Prayers and Brunch

as'salaamu alaykum

Based off of confirmed local moon sightings in Florida, Texas, and other parts of the county, the Islamic center at NYU will be observing Wednesday, October 1st as the first of Shawwal and subsequently Eid-ul Fitr.

We will be holding Eid prayers tomorrow inshallah at the Islamic Center located at 371 6th Avenue, on the corner of 6th avenue and Washington Place. Eid Prayers will begin at 9:30am and will be followed by brunch. Both prayers and the brunch are open to everyone, nyu and non-nyu, so feel free to attend inshallah even if you are not an NYU student, faculty member, or part of the staff.

For directions to the Islamic Center please visit our website at www.icnyu.org

In preparation for tomorrow, our khatib Haroon Moghul has passed on the following message:
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"Since Eid prayer is not like regular prayer, it's best we know what to expect and to prepare for the prayer in advance, mentally and spiritually. Eid Prayer is scheduled to begin by 9.30 a.m.

Eid Prayer will follow Hanafi fiqh on this occasion; it is important to recognize that the eight schools of law are all equally valid in fiqh. There are differences in how different schools perform the prayer, so Eid prayer may be different than you remember it in your respective communities. This doesn't mean your community was doing anything wrong.

There will be no adhan or iqama for the Eid prayer. The prayer consists of two raka', or cycles. In the first raka', there are 3 takbirat after the initial takbir (raising the hands and saying, "Allahu Akbar," meaning: God is greater); in the second raka', there are 3 takbirat after the initial takbir. So, there are 6 extra takbirat in total.

In between each of the takbir, you are recommended to read to yourself the following invocation: Subhanallah wa'l-hamdulillah wa la ilaha illa Allah wa'llahu Akbar (meaning: Glory be to God, praise be to God, there is no other god but God, and God is greater [than all]).

After the prayer, there will be a short khutbah. Normal rules of khutbah apply. The Eid prayer is not counted unless the fajr prayer is performed. Before the prayer, the Imam will review this procedure."
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Eid Mubarak wa Eid sa'eed wa kulla 'aam wa antum bi khayr. May Allah accept from all of us on this blessed day and grant us the best in this world and the best of the next. Ameen.

was'salaamu alaykum
Khalid Latif

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EID MUBARAK TO ALL MY READERS!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND MAY G-D CONTINUE TO BLESS US ALL!!!

Bush tells American Muslims 'We reject bigotry in all its forms' at White House dinner

Bush held an Iftar at the White House yesterday.  His comments can be found HERE.  I feel like Bush is much more open to sitting down with Muslims than McCain.

Bush seems to uphold all the events that Clinton used to do such as the iftar at the White House (I'm not sure if Clinton was the first to do these Muslim-sit-downs but he sure is popular for them, but he was popular for just about everything he did while in office).

During the past eight years, the Bush administration has held an Iftaar dinner, a meal served at the end of the day during the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.

Congressman Keith Ellison and Congressman André Carson were there.  It is not a bad time for Muslims and Politics.  Muslims get so shaky when it comes to American Politics but the fact stands : You live in a kufr society, but you have the ability to change things for the BETTER (not best).  Pay close attention to the language here.  Why would you seperate your religious life from your daily (secular) life?  I don't want to get too far off topic from my post, but I just feel that many Muslims are struggling with how to live Islamically in America.  Maybe I'll save some more in debth comments for another post.

Weekly Wisdom - 9/5

Imam WD Mohammed on Ramadan and Traveling:

No matter how comfortable my travel is, this modern time we know that no matter how comfortable my travels G'd said when I am traveling I don't have to fast, if I'm not present in my town. Why is this? Al Islam is a religion, the teaching of Prophet Mohammed saw, the Qur'an respects human goodness and human excellence.

So Allah swt say when traveling you are exempted from the fast. We reason and go back in the time and we say "because there was great hardship," that's true, this is why. But isn't G'd the All-knowing? Didn't he know that transpiration was going to be improved, the world was going to be advanced and one day it wouldn't be so hard to travel and man would have comforts He promised him? Even in that time the comforts were not here, G'd promised man great comforts and said a time is coming in life when it is going to be ways for you.

So G'd knew the time of ease was coming for your travel, so why did he leave it like that--if you are traveling you are exempt? Because that's not the only reason, the hard ship they endured or the hardship they encountered was not the only reason fro exempting them from fasting. Allah swt didn't say "You have to travel on your pack animal for days and nights or have to walk for months to get to the Hajj to pilgrimage or other reason I'm going to exempt you from fasting during travel. Or you're traveling for suffering this long, long time on the road and hardship you encounter, so for that reason I exempt you from fasting. " That is not the reason. And look, Allah swt says of fasting in the inspired hadith of Mohammed the Prophet saw, one that is treated as revelation to Mohammed saw, it comes from a group inspired hadiths called Qudsi that are called holy, sacred hadith. meaning they came from G'd

Hadith Qudsi Fasting is Mine
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting." The Prophet added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."

G'd inspired this in him as he gave him revelation but not on the high level that revelation that came through Jibril. It is said," Fasting is for me" G'd said that to us. Now if fasting is for G'd, how can you say, " well it's not hardship anymore, it's easy? You are not the subject, whether it's hard or easy is not the subject, G'd has required it, that is the subject. G'd has asked you to do that for Him, for G'd we fast. And you know what fasting is, an exercise in self restraint to increase our obedience to G'd, an exercise in self restraint, denying yourself what you would ordinarily take or want.

So be aware of this blessed month. getting back to Allah's swt allowances that he has made for us, that you don't have to fast if you are traveling. I don't believe Allah said you can break your fast, I believe Allah swt He said you are exempt. He didn't say it is up to you, He said He exempts you, yes and it is hard when you you want to be obedient, it is hard when you want to show, present yourself before your Lord in the best state you can. it is hard to break your fast, when your own strength is saying "I don't need to eat, I can keep my fast" and then something else comes into play. : I don't want to make up for any days, It is hard to fast when there's nobody fasting with you" G'd knew that too. And that's is going to make you stronger and G'd wants to see how many of us are truthful. " did you fast the month of Ramadan brother? Oh yeah brother," he missed about 10 days- " Oh yeah brother "and he is lying. But if you see him fasting ten extra days in the next month, don't we look at him and love him ".

So what Allah swt orders for us brother is the best, and when we let our own thoughts come into it, we can spoil the beauty and the blessings."

Ramadan Greeting - Barack Obama

In honor of the month of Ramadan, Senator Obama made the following statement:

Today marks the beginning of Ramadan, a special time for American
Muslims. This is not only a month of fasting and prayer -- it is also a
time to reflect on the needs of those who are less fortunate. In the
weeks to come, Michelle and I want to wish all American Muslims our
very best wishes. We hope Ramadan brings you happiness, good health,
and a sense of renewal. 

 President Bush's comments can be found here.


Any comments from McCain????

Calculations vs. MoonSighting

2:183 O YOU who have attained to faith! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God:

Alhamdulillah! We are close to beginning our Holy Month of Ramadan, and for some it has already begun today (last night). It is reported the Messenger of Allah (saw) addressed his companions on the last day of Sha`ban, saying,

"O people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

So, Ramadan is such a blessing and I am sooooo excited to take part in it. People all over the world are anticipating this month and preparing to fast for the sake of Allah. And as Muslims we have a clear methodology for determining the beginning of Ramadan. To put it simply, the Messenger of Allah, peace upon him, has said: “Begin your fast upon sighting [the crescent moon] and end your fast upon sighting [the subsequent crescent].” Allah also says in the Qur'an, "They ask thee concerning the New Moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men, and for Pilgrimage...(2:189)".

However, in the year 2006, the Fiqh Council of North America took the position that the scientifically authenticated astronomical calculations are a valid Islamic source of confirming or negating a lunar Islamic month. They claim that the physical sighting of the moon is not a form of Ibaadah (usually translated as "worship"). They also mention that the Qur'an only obligates the witnessing of the month, not the physical sighting. They follow their decision with a request to unite the ummah with a "more objective and accurate standard".

Shaikh Hamza Yusuf has really been a forerunner among those who negate the new method. In his writing, Hamza Yusuf insinuated that such a position was nothing short of deliberately opposing the “infallible” (mutawatir) commandments of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and was equal to following the pitfall of the Children of Israel all the way to their lizard hole. His articles are well worth the read and can be found here:

Article 1

Article 2


My Islamic Perspective:

In a nutshell, I say follow your local Imam or leadership. I think this is the best advice and is unanimous among both perspectives. Personally, Ramadan for me will begin tonight (Sept. 1st) and my first day of fasting will begin tomorrow (Sept. 2). I consider myself apart of the community at the Islamic Center at NYU. So, they have made the ruling:

there were no credible reports of a local moonsighting in the United States. The Islamic Center at NYU, in conjunction with various masajid and organizations in the New York City area and around the country, will be observing Tuesday, September 2nd as the first day of fasting for the month of Ramadan.

Also, as a student of Imam W. D. Mohammed, I follow the belief that the physical moonsighting takes precedence over scientific calculations. No one can deny that the practice of the Prophet, saw, was to physically sight the Hilaal (crescent). And we know The Prophet (saw) stated, “I have left you two things; as long as you hold to them, you will never stray: the Book of God and my Sunnah.”

I think that Islam was designed for all times and all circumstances. Islam is perfect and complete. Therefore the best example, the safest way to go, is to just follow the Prophet. Especially if its known exactly what we should do as an ummah. I don't think there is anything wrong with calculations*, but they should not be the SOLE FACTOR in our decision of when Ramadan begins. This sunnah of the Prophet (moonsighting) forces man to engage himself with creation. It forces man to follow his leadership and unite with his own community. We should seek to understand our religion and we may better understand al-furqaan (the criterion between right and wrong).

"Surely in the creation and the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for people…."



*According to Imam al-Qarafi: Why is it that we can determine prayer times by calculation and the use of instruments, yet in the case of crescent moons for the determination of our Ramadans, it is not permissible to use [instruments and calculation] according to the accepted position? The difference is that God has stipulated in our devotional practice [of fasting] the sighting of the crescent moon and if that is not possible then the completion of thirty days of Sha'ban, and He did not stipulate the astronomical new moon. On the other hand, in the case of prayer times, He stipulated simply the entrance of the times and their self-determining times. Hence, we are able to determine them by any means possible. For instance, a prayer is conditional upon the occurrence of the sun’s postmeridian phase. [With Ramadan] however, it was not linked with the conjunction’s separation but with its physical sighting. And should the crescent be obscured, we complete thirty days.

Weekly Wisdom - 8/29

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