RAMADAN DAY BY DAY

NAME: ___________________________

1-10

Important Note: This booklet contains the words of God in the original Arabic. As Muslims we have been directed to treat with the utmost respect.

DAY 1 AYAH TO MEMORIZE

Ramadan is the season for worship, both in terms of our hearts and our actions.  It provides us plentiful opportunities to gain maximum reward, to please

our Lord, to strengthen our relationship with Him, to bring us closer to Him.  The month of Ramadan is the training ground for the soul; to revive and fortify our Iman and conviction, which, as we know, goes up and down. And if we are lazy and miss all the opportunities to gain reward, then that will be our loss.

Fasting is about having a particular attitude.  The purpose is to redirect our efforts to God as much as we can.  A sign of strong Iman is the amount of worship we do. So let us increase our worship of Him: firming up the routine of our fard (obligatory) salah (ritual prayers), praying our sunnah (highly recommended) salah, praying tarawih/ tahajud (special salah) at night, keeping our lips moist with chants of dhikr (remembrance of God) with meaning, making dua (supplication – personal prayers), reading the Qur’an, the Seerah (the Prophet’s biography) and other Islamic literature.  

But we know worship is much bigger than just rituals – pleasing God is worship, and He is pleased when we give in charity, look after our families, our neighbours, our brothers

and sisters in humanity.  Even something as simple as smiling at others is an act of worship. Let us take heart from the words of the Prophet (saw):

Narrated Abu Huraira that Allah's Messenger (saw) said: Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan, out of sincere faith, (and with a hope) to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.  (Bukhari)

So, let us make a firm resolve and focus on the purpose of Ramadan; let us redirect our energies and make new plans; let us not miss the opportunities for forgiveness from Him for all our sins – and God knows, we have enough of them!  Let us begin a new chapter in our lives – a chapter of exertion in the worship of Allah. Let us seek His pleasure in these few days at least, in the hope that some aspects of the new habits we will form, may linger on after the blessed month is over; in the hope that we come out better people at the end of the month; in the hope that our sins have been forgiven, our slates wiped clean.  As our beloved Prophet (saw) warned: 

Abu Huraira narrates that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: May he be disgraced, the person who finds the month of Ramadan, but the month is over before he is forgiven.  (Ahmad)

WORD OF THE DAY

Apricot البرقوق Al-barqūq is the Arabic name for the fruit. Muslims invaded Portugal and the word entered Portuguese as albricoque and Spanish as albaricoque. Later, it entered the French language as abricot, and from there into the English.

WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE IN FASTING?

KEY:

SAW: Salallahu alayhi wasalam Peace and blessings of Allah upon him SWT: Subhanahu wata’aala Glorious and exalted is He RA: Radi Allah anhu/ anha / anhum May Allah be please with him/ with her/ with them AS: Alayhi salaam/ alayha salaam Upon him be peace/ upon her be peace

PUZZLE OF THE DAY

Rabbanā taqabbal minnā innaka antas-sami ‘ul-‘alīm Our Lord! Accept from us this (service); verily, You alone are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. (Al-Baqarah 2:127)

Guess the catchphrase

TODAY I READ…

HADITH REFLECTION OF THE DAY Abu Hurayrah (ra) reported that Allah’s Messenger (saw) said: Avoid suspicion, for suspicion is the falsest of speech.  Don’t delve into each other’s private affairs; don’t spy on each other; don’t compete unfairly against each other by underselling; don’t be envious of each other; and don’t bear grudges against, or turn your backs on, each other.  Instead be, servants of Allah, like brothers. (Muslim)

• How easy is it to be drawn into these negative behaviours when living as close to each other as one is forced to do in prison?

• Given the difficulty of applying this in prison, what kind of reward can we hope for from Allah for trying our best to live in accordance with the Prophet’s (saw) advice?

DAY 1

ISLAMIC MONTHS

1. RAAMMRHU________________2. HSAALWW________________3. UAJDAM AWLLAAW ________________

4. ARIB INHALAT________________5. UDH JALHHJAI________________6. RASAF________________

WORD SCRAMBLE

Mu’adh ibn Jabl (ra) was one of the great companions of the Prophet

Muhammad (saw).  He was from the tribe of Khazraj in Madinah, and was one of the 70 companions who accepted Islam before the migration to Madinah.  At the time when he accepted Islam, he was only 18 years old. Two years after his acceptance to Islam he took part in the Battle of Badr.  Once Makkah had been conquered by the Muslims, Mu’adh ibn Jabl was sent to Yemen by the Prophet Muhammad (saw) as the Governor and a Qadhi (Judge).  Wherever Mu’adh went, people would refer to him for legal judgements. 

Before setting off, he was tested by the Prophet (saw) to see how he would use his knowledge to make decisions as a judge.  “How will you make decisions as a Qadhi?”  Mu’adh replied, “I will refer to the Qur’an.”  The Prophet (saw) then

asked him, “And If you do not find the answer in the Qu’ran?”  Mu’adh responded, “I will then refer to your Sunnah.”  Once again the Prophet questioned what he would do if the answer was not found there. Mu’adh replied, “I will use Ijtihad (independent legal reasoning).”  The Prophet was delighted with this response from Mu’adh.

The Prophet (saw) walked with Mu’adh to the outskirts of Medina. He advised Mu’adh of two things. Firstly, to deal with people with good character. And secondly, to not make the enjoyments of the world his priority.  He advised him to prioritize his religion and becoming a fair and honest Qadhi. As they parted, the Prophet (saw) told him that they may never meet again. Mu’adh was very upset at this news, and the Prophet (saw) was indeed correct. Before Mu’adh

returned from Yemen, the Prophet (saw) had passed away.

Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: On the day of Judgement, Mu’adh will be the leader of the scholars.  (Hulya al Awliya – from Umar)

In another narration: (From my Ummah) the most knowledgeable of them concerning the lawful and the unlawful is Mu'adh ibn Jabal. (Tirmidhi)

Mu’adh (ra) died in the Plague of Amwas in Syria.   It was the 18th year after Hijra, and he was 38 years old.  May Allah be pleased with him.

THE STORY OF MU’ADH IBN JABL

A time for this; a time for that (Muslim)

DAY 2

Rabbanā ātinā fiddunyā ḥasanataw-wa fil-ākhirati ḥasanataw-wa qinā ‘adhāban-nār Our Lord! Grant us good in the world and good in the Hereafter and save us from the torment of the Fire. (Al-Baqarah 2:201)

We often think of it as being difficult, we can’t eat or drink for long hours.  In

these spring months, we often feel hot as we go about our daily routines, and have to curb our desire for water especially.  But what is so special about this month? A month that we are encouraged to prepare for during the preceding two months: Rajab and Sha’baan.  Why is this month known as the ‘Month of Mercy’?

Abu Huraira narrates that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of Heaven are opened, and the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained. (Bukhari)

If Allah intended for us to have hardship during this month, why would He grant us such amazing and wonderful concessions.  Allah is encouraging us by giving us gifts that we can never repay. Our greatest enemies, the devils, are all ‘chained’ up.  If we had any reason to fail the month of Ramadan, they have in effect been removed by this gift of Allah. But the gift gets bigger: not only have our worst enemies been blocked, the gates that lead to that one place we all fear, the gates to Hell, have

all been closed.  Just reading this one sentence, should bring us indescribable joy and happiness. This means that Allah surely wants us not to fail during this month. How truly blessed is this month that even before it has begun, the Mercy of Allah has already been conveyed to us.

But there is even more: that one destination that we all crave for and dream of, the place we pray we will one day enter, through the Mercy of Allah, the gates of Heaven, have been flung open.  

Sahl reports that the Prophet (saw) said: In Paradise there is a gate called al-Rayyaan, through which those who used to fast will enter on the Day of Resurrection, and no one but they will enter it.  It will be said: Where are those who fasted? They will get up, and none will enter it but them. When they have entered, it will be locked, and no one else will enter. (Bukhari)

It is as if the Almighty just does not want us to lose.  There is only one destination open for business this month.  What could be more merciful than this?

WORD OF THE DAY

Alcohol الكحل Al-kuḥl in Arabic refers to a black powder used as an eye liner. The word entered Latin from the Arabic during the 1300s and English in the 1500s and meant any fine

powder or a distilled essence or spirit. By 1700s, the word

alcohol had acquired its current meaning: a colourless volatile flammable liquid that is the intoxicating constituent

of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks.

WHY IS RAMADAN A MERCY FROM ALLAH (SWT)?

TODAY I READ…

HADITH REFLECTION OF THE DAY Abu Hurayrah (ra) reported that Allah’s Messenger (saw) said – and, as he did so, he pointed to his chest: Allah doesn’t look at your bodies or at your faces, rather He looks at your hearts. (Muslim)

• Can you recall a time when you were accused of something which in your heart you did not mean to do, but no one believed you?

• How refreshing is it that the Supreme Judge will look at our hearts on the Day of Judgement?

SOLVE THIS RIDDLE

First you throw away the outside, and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and

throw away the inside.

AYAH TO MEMORIZE

QUR’AN LOOK-UP QUIZ

1. HOW LONG WILL THEY STAY IN THE GARDEN? (AL-BAYYINAH 98:8) 2. WHAT IBRAHIM (AS) ARGUED WITH HIS FATHER ABOUT (AL-ANAM 6:74) 3. _____ OF WATER, MILK AND WINE (MUHAMMAD 47:15) 4. WHERE YOU WILL BE CALLED OUT FROM (AL-RUM 30:25)

DAY 2

THE CRITICISM OF MEN

Across 4. Strive or struggle 8. Clan of Prophet Muhammad (saw) (4,6) 9. The second generation 10. Where was the first Hijrah to?

Down 1. Notable 7th century Hadith collector 2. Nomadic Arab 3. Even smiling counts 5. Come to success! Come to success! 6. Green area in desert 7. The first revealed Qur'anic word

Hodja and his son once went on a journey. Hodja preferred that his

son ride the donkey and that he himself go on foot. On the way they passed, some  people who said:

“Look at that healthy young boy! That is today's youth for you. They have no  respect for elders. He rides on the donkey and makes his poor father walk!”

The boy felt very ashamed, and insisted that he walk and his father ride the donkey. So Hodja mounted the donkey and the boy walked at his side. A little later they passed another group of people,  who said: 

“Well, look at that! That poor little boy has to walk while his  father rides the donkey.”

Now Hodja was embarrassed, so he told his son, “The best thing to do is for both

of us to walk. Then no one can complain.”

They continued on their journey, with both of them walking alongside the donkey. A  little way down the road they met some others who said: 

“Just take a look at those fools. Both of them are walking under this hot sun when they have a donkey to ride!”

Frustrated, Hodja and his son walked on. The boy said to Hodja, “Let us both ride the donkey. That is fair and no one will complain!”

They both climbed onto the donkey and continued their journey. Very soon they passed a group of people who said:

“That poor donkey! How could people be so selfish. There is no need for both father and son to ride at the same time!”

Angered, Hodja and his son jumped off the donkey. “We shall carry the donkey! They can’t call us selfish then!” Cried the boy.

Struggling, sweating and almost tumbling, Hodja and his son carried the donkey on their journey. Laughter echoed around them:

“Look at those fools! You’d think the donkey is a king! Why aren’t they riding the donkey under this sweltering heat?”

Hodja put down the donkey and encouraged his son to do the same. He turned to his son and said: 

“That just goes to show how hard it is to escape the opinions  of men.”

A time for this; a time for that

(using the Qur’an, answer each question and use the first letter to make a word)

DAY 3

WORD OF THE DAY

Alchemy & Chemistry  الكيمياء

al-kīmīāʾ was the science of substances and their interactions which became known as alchemy in the West (firstly as alchimia in Latin) – meaning the search for making gold/silver artificially.  And from the word alchemy came the word chemistry.

SOLVE THIS RIDDLE

Turn me on my side and I am everything. Cut me in half and I am nothing

TODAY I READ…

Rabbanā lā tua khidhnā innasīnā aw akhṭa’nā Our Lord! Call us not to account if we forget or err. (Al-Baqarah 2:201)

AYAH TO MEMORIZE

It is our duty to go through Ramadan positively.  To do that we need to address all the factors that

may possibly be a reason or a barrier against us gaining the Pleasure of Allah.  Often we are our very own worst enemies. 

During the first ten days, let us take the time to make amends with anyone we feel we may have wronged or upset.  This includes family members who we don’t often speak to, friends, neighbours and associates. We need to seek forgiveness from anyone we’ve treated wrongly.  This is a very difficult thing to do – and for most of us, our pride or raw emotion will get in the way.  

But it is an act that is beloved to Allah.  One of the most beautiful internal convictions, that is healthy for both our mind and soul, is not to harbour any ill feelings in our hearts against someone; this is the pinnacle of good attitude and one that will only bring us closer to Allah, the Almighty.

Abdullah ibn Amr narrates that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: The merciful are shown mercy by Ar-Rahman.  Be merciful on the earth, and you will be shown mercy by the One

who is above the heavens. The womb is named after Ar-Rahman, so whoever maintains the ties of kinship, Allah maintains a tie to him, and whoever severs them, Allah severs him. (Tirmidhi)

Today a particular individual is here and tomorrow they are not, and the same can be said for us.  Waiting is not really an option. We want to reach out to people while they are still here, otherwise it impacts our hearts for a long time.  Imagine the people who we may have upset or hurt with our actions or words and never sought forgiveness. Some of them may have taken that hurt to the grave.  The gravity of such sins will not be forgotten on the Day of Reckoning.  

Let us use this blessed month to reach out and ask for forgiveness for the wrong we may have done to others.  And every night before we rest our heads on our pillows to sleep, we should try to forgive all those who may have wronged us.  This is a characteristic that will lead us to Paradise, and one that is extremely healthy and uplifting for our mental wellbeing and spiritual health.

YOUR FORGIVENESS WILL BRING YOU FORGIVENESS

QUR'AN LOOK-UP QUIZ

1. WHAT IS THE ARABIC NAME OF SURAH 72? 2. NEITHER OF THE EAST NOR THE WEST (AL-NUR 24:35) 3. THEY BROKE THE RULE OF WHICH DAY? (AL-A’RAF 7:163) 4. THE COMPANIONS OF …? (AL-FIL 105:1) 5. SHE ASKED ALLAH TO SAVE HER FROM WHO? (AL-TAHRIM 66:11) 6. THE FIRST OF THE ANGELS (AL-BAQARAH 2:102)

(using the Qur’an, answer each question and use the first letter to make a word)

DAY 3

PROPHETS (AS)

1. IAKAZRAYY________________2. BHUIAS________________3. ALMUSNYA ________________

4. RDIIS________________5. YYHAA________________6. LIHDUFLK________________

WORD SCRAMBLE

HADITH REFLECTION OF THE DAY Abu Dharr (ra) reported that his dear friend (saw) urged him with the following words: If ever you cook a broth, add some water to it, then spare a thought for your neighbours’ household and offer them some out of common kindness. (Muslim)

• Was the population of Medina at the time of the Prophet (saw) and his companions (ra) all Muslim, or was it ethnically and religiously mixed?

• Who is closer to the Sunnah, the Muslim who gives equally to all neighbours, or the one who discriminates between them on any grounds?

• Recall a time when someone gave you something as a gift and how it made you feel.

A bu Huraira (ra) was originally from the tribe of Daws in Yemen.  Before

coming to Islam his name was Shams. After the Battle of Khaybar in 7 AH, he accepted Islam and visited the Prophet Muhammad (saw), carrying a kitten in his arms.  The Prophet (saw) called him ‘Abu Hurairah.’ (the father of the kitten).  From that day, this became his nickname and became so well known that people forgot his real name, Shams.  He was a very pious and God-fearing man. It is said that he taught 800 students, and narrated 5,374 hadiths, 446 of which are recorded in Bukhari. 

Abu Huraira told the story of his mother, who was an idol worshipper.  He asked her to accept Islam, but in response she uttered unacceptable words against the Prophet (saw).  Her words upset him so

much that he cried and went to the Prophet (saw), begging him to pray for his mother’s guidance.  The Prophet (saw) said, ‘O Allah, give guidance to Abu Hurairah’s mother.’  At the time, Abu Hurairah had faith that the Prophet’s dua would be accepted.  With happiness, he ran back to his house. When he got there, the door was locked.  Abu Hurairah’s mother heard his footsteps and told him to stay outside. Abu Hurairah could hear the splashing of water as if somebody was taking a shower.  His mother came to the door, freshly washed and clothed - in such a rush that her scarf was not on her head properly. She opened the door and said, “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”  Abu Hurairah ran back to the Prophet (saw), but this time

with tears of joy.  The Prophet (saw) praised Allah and prayed for her. 

It is reported that whilst in Sujud (prostration), Abu Hurairah always asked for refuge from four things: adultery, stealing, disbelief and major sins.  People would ask him, ‘Do you think you will commit these sins?’ To which he replied, ‘Who is going to guarantee that I will not commit these sins as long as the Shaytan is alive.’

Abu Hurairah died in the year 59 AH in Madinah.  May Allah be pleased with him.

THE STORY OF ABU HURAIRAH

A time for this; a time for that (Muslim)

DAY 4

SOLVE THE RIDDLE

You are walking down a road that splits into two paths. One path will take you home the other will lead you astray. Two brothers stand at the edge of each path. One always tells the truth, the other always lies. You don’t which is which. What one question can you ask only one brother, that will lead you to the right path?

WORD OF THE DAY

Alcove القبّة  Al-qobba, in Arabic, means the vault, dome or cupola.  It entered the Spanish language in the 1200s as alcoba which became the French alcove and then into English in the 1600s  – but by now it meant a recess in a wall or garden.

Rabbanā wa lā taḥmil ‘alaynā iṣran kamā ḥamaltahū ‘alal-ladhīna min qablinā Our Lord! Lay not on us such a (heavy) burden as you did lay on those who have passed away before us. (Al-Baqarah 2:286)

AYAH TO MEMORIZE

TODAY I READ…

HADITH REFLECTION OF THE DAY ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar (ra) told how a man came to the Prophet (saw) and asked: O Messenger of Allah, I have committed a great sin.  Is there any way I can repent? He (saw) replied: Is your mother alive?   The man answered: No! Next he (saw) asked: Do you have a maternal aunt? The man said: Yes! So he (saw) said: Be kind to her. (Tirmidhi)

• Why aren’t we told what this ‘great sin’ is?

• What link is there, if any, between the sin and the recommended means of lasting repentance?

• How could we put this hadith into practice in our own lives?

We are aware that Allah sent His first revelation to his beloved Messenger (saw)

during the month of Ramadan: 

The month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was revealed as a guidance for mankind, clear proofs giving guidance, and the Criterion (for distinguishing right and wrong). So, whoever of you witnesses this month, let him fast. (Al-Baqarah 2:185)

Ramadan is a celebration of the very moment – in time and place – that Allah chose to communicate with His creation.  For this very reason, it is the month of mercy, forgiveness, and ultimately a means of salvation. Without the Qur’an we would have been left in utter darkness.  We would not have known our Lord, what He requires of us, or how to conduct our lives. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) understood the darkness of ignorance by witnessing the chaos and oppression of life in Makkah.

Makkah was rife with idol worship and oppression of many kinds.  Small arguments led to wars and death. Sexism was a normal feature of the everyday life of a woman.  And horrifically among a few tribes, tender

baby girls were buried alive in desert sands. Drunkenness and partying alongside social class structures with egocentric, selfish behaviour often led to misery.  Stories of slavery from that time bring tears to the eyes. 

It was in these dark times that Allah revealed the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan, as a means of providing guidance, so that we live happier and better lives.  The criterion was laid for us to know the difference between right and wrong. 

The word Qur’an linguistically means “the most recited.”  Should we not celebrate the month of Ramadan by reading the Qur’an?  Is this not truly a blessing for us, especially in the times we are living in?  We should focus on trying to read with understanding and then reflecting on the guidance.  

Let us use this blessed month to build our relationship with the Book that guides our lives. Let us rejoice in the words that bring gentleness, comfort, and light to our souls no matter how much darkness they may have faced through this past year.

RAMADAN, A TIME TO TRULY APPRECIATE THE QUR’AN

DAY 4

Across 7. On your shoulders (7,7) 9. The only woman to be named in the Qur’an 10. Monumental battle in which the Muslims defeated the Quraish with help from angels

Down 1. 3rd Khalifah following the death of Prophet Muhammad (saw) 2. The night when Prophet Muhammad received the first revelation of Qur’an (english) (5,2,5) 3. Stewardship of the Earth 4. This isn’t a magic carpet, but it might get you to heaven! (6,3) 5. The holy book revealed to Dawud (as) 6. If you get it, sit down. If you still have it, lie down 8. Great Royal Wife of the Pharaoh and the adoptive mother of Musa (as)

One day, a thief came to the house of Hodja and took everything he had except the blanket which covered him. When Hodja saw the thief carrying all his things away, he put his blanket over his shoulders and followed him. The thief

arrived at his own house, then he turned back and saw Hodja. 

“What are you doing here?!” he asked. 

“What am I doing here?” said Hodja, “You ask a thing like that? Didn't we move to this house?”

IMMIGRANT

SEARCHING FOR THE HODJA 

One day, a traveller came to Akshehir and wanted to see the Hodja, who was famous as a great joker. He saw a man leaning on a wall and asked him if he knew where the Hodja was. This man said that he was busy at the moment

leaning against the wall so that it would not fall down.  He asked the traveller if he would do his job for him, and in return he would go and look for the Hodja and call him. The traveller agreed and leaned against the wall. He waited and waited but the other man did not return. He told some people passing by, of the situation. When he described the man, the people began to laugh and said to him: 

QUR'AN LOOK-UP QUIZ

1. ARABIC NAME OF SURAH 35 2. THE CREATURE REPEATEDLY MENTIONED (AL-NAML 27:18) 3. THE PROPHET SENT TO THE THAMUD (AL-SHU’ARA 26:142) 4. ALLAH SWEARS BY IT (AL-‘ASR 103:1) 5. GOD GAVE IBRAHIM WHICH ONE FIRST (AL-ANBIYA 21:72) 6. ALLAH MERGES IT INTO THE DAY (AL-HADID 57:6) 7. THE ENGLISH NAME FOR THE ANGEL (AL-BAQARA 2:97)

(using the Qur’an, answer each question and use the first letter to make a word)

DAY 5

SOLVE THIS RIDDLE

As a stone inside a tree, I’ll help your words outlive

thee. But if you push me as I stand, the more I move the less I am. What am I?

WORD OF THE DAY

Carat (gold purity)  قيراط

Qīrāt is the Arabic for a small unit of weight, defined as 1/24 of the weight of a certain coin (the medieval Arabic gold dinar).  In the Western languages the word was adopted as a measurement term for the proportion of gold in a gold alloy.

Rabbanā wa lā tuḥammilnā mā lā ṭāqata lanā bih. Wa’fu ‘annā, waghfirlanā, warḥ amnā. Anta mawlānā fanṣurnā ‘alal qawmil kāfirīn.

Our Lord! Lay not on us that burden which we have not the strength to bear. And pardon us; absolve us; and have mercy on us; You are our Protector; so help us against the people who reject the truth. (Al-Baqarah 2:286)

AYAH TO MEMORIZE

TODAY I READ…

Sadaqah is the Arabic word for ‘voluntary charity’.  It is often understood as giving wealth to

the poor, but there is so much more to this beautiful concept.  Sadaqah is the act of giving over and above what is required, based purely on the desire to gain reward or just heartfelt generosity.  It extends beyond just the giving of wealth and money. Sadaqah is also that beautiful, infectious smile you give to your loved ones, your neighbours or the stranger you pass in the street.  Sadaqah is the removal of potential harm from someone’s path; the time you spend helping someone through a difficulty; the food items you cook and share with others; the physical help you give someone in a good endeavour.  

Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: To smile in the company of your brother is charity.  To enjoin good deeds and prevent bad deeds is charity. To guide a person lost in the land to a secure place is charity. To remove troublesome things like rocks, thorns and bones from the road is charity.  To pour water from your jug into the jug of your brother is charity. To guide a

person with defective vision is charity for you. (Tirmidhi)

The concept of voluntary charity is rich within our heritage.  We are all blessed with the ability to be charitable, regardless of our personal or financial situation.  Sadaqah reminds us that we don't have to be rich to be charitable.  Allah sees the condition of the heart of every believer.  

Ramadan is that time of the year when we all think of those less fortunate than ourselves.  It is the month when the Prophet (saw) was the most generous and the reward for giving in this month is multiplied countless times.  We surely don't need to feel bad if we are unable to give as much as we hoped. Why not start with those simple things that cost nothing, but may change the hearts and minds of many?  A smile goes a long way, it is contagious; not only will this deed be heavy on the scales of reward, but it will also be multiplied many fold during the blessed month of Ramadan.

THE MOST CHARITABLE PERSON

QUR'AN LOOK-UP QUIZ

1. THOSE WHO BELIEVE NOT: WHERE IS THE PROBLEM? (HA-MIM 41:44) 2. THE NAME OF SURAH 29 IN ARABIC  3. WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU HAVE TO DO (AL-BAQARAH 2:152) 4. WHAT IS ZAQQUM?  (AL-SAFFAT 37:62) 5. SENT TO THE AD (11:50)

(using the Qur’an, answer each question and use the first letter to make a word)

DAY 5

HADITH REFLECTION OF THE DAY Abu Hurayrah (ra) reported that Allah’s Messenger (saw) asked: Do you know who is truly bankrupt? They replied: Any one amongst us who has neither a dirham nor any goods to his name is bankrupt. So, he (saw) said: A bankrupt person in my Ummah is whoever comes on Resurrection Day with their prayers, fasting and zakat, but he arrives having insulted this person, slandered that person, unlawfully consumed someone’s wealth, shed the blood of another person, and assaulted yet another.  So, each one will be given some of his good deeds. And, if all his good deeds have been used up before he has repaid his debts to others, their evil deeds will be taken and cast on him, then he will be cast into Hell Fire. (Muslim)

• Reflect on the fact that no one knows how many prayers or fasts, or how much zakat, cancels out the hurt for a single act of slander, or of theft or murder.

• Does this hadith help us understand better what the Prophet (saw) meant when he said that no one enters Paradise except through Allah’s mercy?

• What can one do to avoid the above if one has slandered, stolen and hurt someone?

SURAHS

1. HAALFK________________2. YRMAMA________________3. AHQMIYLAA ________________

4. AHDDAHU________________5. ULAZHHAMA________________6. BYILAAYNHA________________

WORD SCRAMBLE

Zaid ibn Harithah (ra) is the only companion to have his name

specifically mentioned in the Qur'an.  Zaid was the slave of Khadija – the first wife of the Prophet (saw). When she married the Prophet (saw), Khadija gifted Zaid to him.  Zaid became a special servant of the Prophet (saw) and the Prophet loved him very much. When the Prophet (saw) was given his mission by Angel Jibreel, Zaid was amongst the first to accept his message. 

Although Zaid had been enslaved, he was actually from a noble family.  He had been kidnapped and sold into slavery. Zaid’s parents searched for him for a long time, and eventually tracked him down and came to bring him back home.  When they saw that Zaid was

very much a part of the Prophet’s household, they must have felt great relief that he had been well treated for all those years. They explained everything to the Prophet (saw) and offered to buy Zaid’s freedom.  The Prophet (saw) listened patiently, then said, ‘I will leave the decision to Zaid.  If he wishes to leave with you, he is free to go without any ransom.’  

Zaid was called for, and he instantly recognised his family, and great tears of joy filled the reunion.  However, when Zaid’s father asked him to come home with him – Zaid refused! He told his father that he would not leave the Prophet (saw) for anything in the world.  Zaid’s father was shocked that his son would rather remain a slave, than return

to his home as a free man. Once Zaid’s decision was accepted, the Prophet (saw) made a public announcement, ‘Oh people!  From today, Zaid is my (adopted) son.’  And he became known as Zaid Ibn Muhammad.  

The story of Zaid shows us the sincerity of the Prophet’s character, those who spent the most time with him, loved him the most.

Zaid led the Muslim army nine times and became a shaheed (martyr) at the Battle of Muta aged 48, in the 8th Hijri year.  May Allah be pleased with him.

THE STORY OF ZAID IBN HARITHAH

A time for this; a time for that (Muslim)