1. Ramadan Workshop Al Huda Scarborough 1

2. Importance of Fasting 2

3.  Surah Baqarah – small passage covers everything about fasting comprehensively; reasons; fiqh  Surah Baqarah: 183-185  La’aala:  1. So that…  2. Hopefully…  3. Perhaps (possibility)… 3

4. Connection with Taqwa  Its about making choices  What will you do when…  You have the choice to look at something inappropriate  To listen to music vs. Qu’ran  To get angry or forgive  In Ramadan, we tend to make ALL the right choices which gives us training for continuing these right choices afterwards too 4

5. Importance of Fasting  Ramadan is our training ground; its not the “real” life because shaitaan is locked up  The real dangers start after Ramadan  Ayah 185  If you happen to witness it, then fast in it!  It’s a command; it’s a gift to be alive during all 30 days of Ramadan…so many people pass away right before Ramadan so let’s all treasure this month! 5

6. Excellence of Fasting Akhirah  The Gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell Fire are closed; a lot of opportunities to do good  On the Day of Judgment, the fast will intercede for the person who observed it  Special Gate to Paradise called “Rayyan” for those who fast (Bukhari & Muslim) 6

7. Benefits of Fasting Sympathizing with those in the world who have little to eat everyday – creates empathy Feel closer to Allah, recognize that everything is a blessing Increased generosity and charity develops feelings of well-wishing towards others Healthier lifestyles; good manners; good speech Strengthen the bonds of brother and sisterhood; having iftaar together 7

8. Benefits of Fasting: Taqwa  Tatta’qun (Waaw Qaaf Yaa) – protecting yourself from disappointing Allah SWT; from yourself  Fasting is a physical action, and you truly feel it  Heart : your heart is having a battle with your body: watch out, no eating or drinking before Maghrib; your heart takes command  When you go through a 30 day rigorous process, then your heart is able to take charge even after Ramadan 8

9. Benefits of Fasting: Protection Protection from shaitaan Protection from anger Protection from haraam/makrooh 9

10. Psychological Benefits of Fasting Self-Evaluation  Since shaitan is locked up, any impermissible or wrong deeds we commit are from the evil of our own nafs  Reflection Time! What things am I still tested with in Ramadan? What still tempts me while I’m fasting? This should show me the state of my heart  Can’t blame it on the shaitaan! 10

11. Physiological Benefits of Fasting  AUTOIMMUNE ILLNESSES  CHRONIC BACK AND JOINT PAIN  CHRONIC FATIGUE  INSOMNIA  MIGRAINES  HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE  OBESITY  ACNE  DIABETES  ALLERGIES  ANXIETY  ARTHIRITIS  ASTHMA  TUMORS 11

12. 12 No one guaranteed you will live till the end of the day!

13. Things to do in Ramadan  Failing to plan is planning to fail  Write down what you want to achieve in this month  Before and After  Either the product doesn’t work  Or you didn’t use it properly 13

14. Pre-Ramadan goals  Attitude about Ramadan…  Re-organize your house.  Complete all groceries. Menu planning.  Buy your ‘Eid clothes and gifts  Set goals for different acts of worship  Recite Quran 1x, 2x, etc (Mushaf in proper place)  Listen to one lecture a day (downloaded, etc)  Recite all of the Masnoon Duas/day (Have Dua book ready and in place)  Set aside money for charity 14

15. Sighting the new Moon Dua O Allah! Show us this moon in the state of Peace, Faith and Security. (O Moon!) The Lord of mine and yours is Allah only. 15

16. Month of the Qur’an Goal: My Connection with the Qur’an has to become very strong 1. Tilawah of Quran: set a target 2. Taleem ul Quran: Go through entire reading of Quran with meaning (Dawr e Quran). One juz per day 3. Tadabbur ul Quran: Reflect during Taraweeh. Reflect on Recitation 4. Tahfeez ul Quran: Memorize the Quran (set a target of how many Surahs you want to do) 16

17. Salah 1.Improve it  Memorize one more dua/adhkaar to say in your salah 2.Work on praying all of your sunnah throughout your day (develop, perfect good habits) 3.Night Worship  Taraweeh  Qiyam ul Layl 4.Salatul Duha 5.Nafl Salah 17

18. The Month of Remembrance  Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.  La ilaha illAllahu wahdahu… 100 xs  SubhanAllahi wa bihmadihi… 100xs  Morning and Evening Adhkaar  Durood 18

19. Dua’a List 19

20. Suhoor  Eat Suhoor  Don’t miss it at any cost!  There is barakah in Suhoor  Benefit: you get more out of less  The morning meal is blessed  Mercy descends upon those who eat suhur  Quantity vs. Quality  Dates are the best Suhoor  Small size but very beneficial for you 20

21. Suhoor & Istighfaar  Ramadan is the best opportunity to purify oneself of sins  The one who finds Ramadan but does not attain forgiveness is unfortunate  The time of Suhur is ideal for seeking forgiveness  Repent at least 70 – 100 times a day 21

22. Iftaar 22

23. Iftaar  Time for Duas: before Iftaar, ten mintues  A fasting person, upon breaking his fast, has a supplication that will not be rejected (hadith).  Break with water, dates, pray Maghrib and then eat the rest of the iftaar  Be careful of what you eat and how much you eat 23

24. Things NOT to do  Avoid all kinds of sins  Lying, cheating, backbiting, quarreling, negative thoughts, etc  Control your tongue  Protect your eyes  Ex: Looking at opposite gender with lustful gaze  Protect your ears  What are we listening to?  Bad words even from our closest family members – have to control ourselves  Control our actions, words, thoughts  Control your anger and enjoin others to be patient when they lose control too 24

25. Ideal Schedule in Ramadan 1.Fajr-Sunrise 2.Sunrise – Zuhr 3.Zuhr – ‘Asr 4.‘Asr - Maghrib 5.Maghrib – ‘Isha 6.Isha & Taraweeh 7.Night 8.Before Dawn (Suhoor) 25

26. The rights of others!  Join the ties of kinship  Do good to my parents, siblings, relatives  Look after the comfort of my family  Reduce the workload of my mom/family  Be patient with those around me 26

27. Last 10 Nights  Prophet (s.a.w) would intensify his efforts  Ghusl between Maghrib and ‘Isha  Itikaaf in the Masjid  Not everyone can do this, but if you’re young, make use of this opportunity  Virtue of one who worships in his youth  Sunnah of the prophet (s.a.w) to do it 10 days every Ramadan  Start after Fajr salah of the 20 th of Ramadan 27

28. Laylatul Qadr  Dua for last 10 nights of Ramadan  Night when the Quran was revealed  Night of Decree  Better than a 1,000 months (80 years + 4 months)  Seek it in the odd nights  Standing in prayer during this night is a means of expiation of previous sins  Make a schedule for the night: nafl salah, recitation of Quran, dua’s & adhkar  Women on their periods can do everything except fasting & salah 28

29. Self Analysis 1.What did I do today? 2.Make a checklist for yourself 3.What did I not do? What did I defer? 4.Was today better than yesterday? 5.Day of Judgment: people will have a lot of regret. No good deed is little or not worth doing. Mithqala zarrah 6.Don’t be of those who are sad at the end of Ramadan. 29

30. BOTTLE ACTIVITY 30