It’s been more than 10 years since we’ve been using these stainless steel food trays when attending community iftars.
Imagine the impact of a whole masjid making this small change!
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Take up good deeds only as much as you are able, for the best deeds are those done regularly even if they are few.”
– Sunan Ibn Mājah
May Allah accept this as a small, consistent deed. Ameen 🤲🏽
Would you mind if your masjid started using reusable plates for Ramadan iftars?
In a recent talk, Shaykh Abdul Hakim Murad reminded the believers how Ramadan forcibly reintegrates us into what is normal and natural. During this blessed month, for example, we are hyper-aware of whether the hilal can be seen and when the sun has set. Alhamdulillah for reminders of the signs of Allah in the heavens and the earth!
Come join us on Monday, 11 March at 7PM, as we attempt to sight the hilal of Ramadan inshaAllah.
We’ll meet just before maghrib to locate where the sun has set (which gives us an indication of where the hilal can be found). Next, we’ll pray maghrib immediately when it comes in, so bring your wudhu and a prayer rug. Then, we’ll learn how to sight the hilal and wait for Allah’s decree.
A note on moon visibility:
On March 10, the moon can not be seen in most of the world, except by telescope in parts of the Americas and with difficulty in Polynesian Islands.
On March 11, the moon can be seen easily in most of the world, but with difficulty in Australia and New Zealand.
Surah Yunus 10:5:
هُوَ ٱلَّذِي جَعَلَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ ضِيَآءٗ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ نُورٗا وَقَدَّرَهُۥ مَنَازِلَ لِتَعۡلَمُواْ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلۡحِسَابَۚ مَا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۚ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ لِقَوۡمٖ يَعۡلَمُونَ
He is the One Who made the sun a radiant source and the moon a reflected light, with precisely ordained phases, so that you may know the number of years and calculation ˹of time˺. Allah did not create all this except for a purpose. He makes the signs clear for people of knowledge.
Let’s talk about what’s missing from your Ramadan prep.
Most Ramadan prep lectures include tips on:
– recommendations for getting the heart ready for this blessed month
– how to deepen the spiritual elements of the fast
– writing down your Ramadan goals and the duas you want to make
– connecting to and reading the entire Quran
– how to automate your sadaqah
– nutritious food for your fasts
– etiquettes of the masjid
– fitness while fasting
These reminders are important but incomplete. People of ihsan pay attention to the whole picture. The inner world and the outer world.
Here is what is missing from your Ramadan prep:
We also need Ramadan reminders to connect to Allah through the companion book to the Quran: the Book of Nature.
While the Quran points to the natural world in over 700 ayat, living in a modern, consumerist culture often disconnects us from nature. The Quran reminds us of Allah’s signs in nature. For decades, nature has been giving us clear indications that we need to pay it more attention. Ramadan is an excellent time to reconnect and recalibrate with the natural world and join in with its continuous harmonious dhikr of Allah.
An easy way to connect to the Book of Nature is to start Ramadan by sighting the hilal. Pay more attention to the cycles of the sun that indicate the times of the prayers. Take the earbuds out of your ear and listen to the chatter of the birds reminding us to pray fajr. Break your fast while watching a Ramadan sunset.
Reconnect with Allah through His magnificent signs in nature. Recharge your capacity to experience Allah’s majesty through the natural world.