AUGUST 26TH, 2010
By WEBMASTER
Right now, Muslims all over the world are celebrating the month of Ramadhan including here in Malaysia. Apart from fasting which is obligatory during this month, there are several other ibadah for a Muslim to do. Muslim scholars shares opinion that these types of ibadah are either a must do or sunnah muakkadah (highly recommended act). Following are some of the ibadah to do in Ramadhan:
- Qiyam Ramadhan i.e. Solat Taraweeh - Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) said in a hadith related by Imam Bukhori and Muslim:
‘Who ever stands during the nights of Ramadhan (i.e. to pray Taraweeh) full of iman and hoping for the rewards from Allah, all of his or her previous sins will be forgiven by Allah.’
In Malaysia, Muslims will go to a mosque or surau (small musalla) for the Taraweeh prayers and they will choose either to pray 8 or 20 rakaats together with 3 rakaats of Witr prayers. Most of the mosques and surau will have the Hafiz Imams and they will try to finish the whole Qur’an during the month or most of it.
- Giving charity – The Prophet (s.a.w.) was the most charitable person of all and during Ramadhan he would be more charitable, in a hadith related by At-Tirmidzi he said: ‘the best charity is the charity in Ramadhan.’ In Malaysia, Muslims practice giving charity by giving the money for the needy, sponsoring food for Iftar (breaking fast), sponsoring food for morey (meals after Taraweeh
- Reading the Qur’an – Not just reading but try to understand the meaning and the tafsir and try to apply its teaching in our daily life. Muslims in Malaysia will try to at least finish the whole 30 juzuk of Qur’an in this month, by reading it individually or by Tadarus (reading in a group, taking turn while observing the Tajwid rule). But it is time for us Muslims to go a step further by reading it Tadabbur (reading in a group together with the meaning and the Tafsir of the Qur’an) as most us don’t understand the Arabic language and it will become useless if we just read the Qur’an without knowing the meanings.
- I’tikaf – It means to stay in a mosque never go out unless really necessary especially during the last days of Ramadhan following the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad and the companions. While I’tikaf, there are a lot of ibadah to do such as praying obligatory prayers in congregation, praying sunnah prayers, reading Qur’an, recite a lot of do’a, istighfar, zikir, taubah (repentance) and so on. The Prophet (s.a.w) always I’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadhan and in the last year before his death, he did the I’tikaf for the last 20 days of Ramadhan. (Related by Imam Bukhori)
- Going to Mecca for the Umrah – In a hadith related by Imam Bukhori the Prophet said: ‘Umrah in Ramadhan is equal to (the reward of) performing Hajj or performing Hajj with me.’ A fair number of Malaysians perform Umrah during this month and are willing to pay premium package in order to spend their time in Mecca.
- Looking out for Lailatul Qadr (the Night of Power) The prophet would always tried to look out for Lailatul Qadr on the last 10 days of Ramadhan especially on the odd numbers of the nights and he would urged his companions and he would wake his family members to do the same. In other places around the world especially in the Middle East countries, in Pakistan, India and Africa Countries, Muslims over there would fill out the mosques and would increase their efforts in their ibadah during the last 10 days of Ramadhan following the sunnah of the Prophet, but unfortunately in Malaysia we are on the opposite. During the first 10 days of Ramadhan, the mosques, surau or musalla will be full with Muslims of all ages praying Taraweeh but by the middle of Ramadhan, the numbers will be decreased by half and by the 10 last days of Ramadhan only a few saff of Muslims left. Whereas that is the time that all mosques or surau should be full! Muslims in Malaysia should change our attitude and start to follow the correct sunnah.
The above traditions are not unique in Malaysia only. The idea of this article is to share our commonalities with other Muslims in the ASEAN and PACIFIC region. In countries where Muslims are minority, they may not be able to follow all the above and may have to localised their practises without going outside the teaching of Islam as guided by the Al-Quran and hadith.
By Ustz Nik
No tags for this post.
AUGUST 21ST, 2010
By WEBMASTER
Every year, Ramadhan (being the month of fasting) offers exotic food at every bazaar in Malaysia. The food comes is different in shape, color, package and taste. Some of the most popular ones include Ayam Percik, Murtabak, Satay, Serunding, Rendang, Malay desserts, Grilled Fish (Ikan Bakar) and the Roast Chicken (Ayam Golek Panggang). The staple food of Malaysia is rice. Hence, most of the dishes are rice-based such as Nasi Bariyani, Nasi Kerabu, Nasi Ayam, Nasi Lemak,Nasi Dagang and Bubur Pulut Hitam. As a mouthwatering some traditional Malay kuih like Tepung Pelita, Curry Puff, Popiah Goreng, Kuih Lapis and many more. While the famous Malay drinks such as Cendol, Cincau, Coconut Juice, Sugar Cane, Sirap Bandung, and Soy Bean Milk.
- The famous Muslim dish that we can try is ‘Bubur Lambuk’or Rice Porridge. We can’t found Bubur Lambuk on the other day than Ramadhan month. Bubur Lambuk is the favourite dish. This porridge made from rice, spices, vegetable, nuts, meat slices and some aromatic herbs. The aromatic smell is very nice come from Pandan leaves and various types of spices. At many places, especially at the mosques, Bubur Lambuk is offered free to the people.
- The Popiah has always been popular for the breaking of fast. This food wrapped in thin with popiah skin, the filling include bean sprout, carrot, shallots, garlic, lettuce leaves and unsalted dry roasted peanut.
- Nasi Kerabu or rice salad is made of blue-coloured (cooked with the bunga telang-flower that colors the grains blue) combined with bean sprouts, cucumber, salted egg, fish cracker, chillis and coconut fried without oil as a gravy. In Malaysia, this Nasi Kerabu is a traditional food for a local Kelantanese people.
- Murtabak is originally an Indian Muslim dish made of thin dough filled with minced meat, mutton or chicken- eggs, onion and garlic. Usually accompanied with curry or dhal.
- The Grilled Fish (Ikan Bakar) also very famous in ramadhan month, there are a few types of fish and seafood like Ikan Keli (Catfish), Ikan Pari (Stringray), Siakap and Ikan Terubuk. Another seafood grill item like Fish, Prawns, Squids and Kerangs.
- Ayam Percik seems to be one of the favorites during ramadhan. This flavour some chicken with a sauce makes for a deliciously aromatic and spicy meal. The ingredients include chilli, groundnut, lemongrass stalks, turmeric powder, tamarind juice and ginger. The similarities of this taste of Ayam Percik also like Satay and Roast Chicken (Ayam Golek).
- But the best and special food for breaking of fast is truly the Kurma or Dates. Although Malaysia not produce this product but in ramadhan month a lot of Kurma we can find with different taste and different quality. As we know, Kurma enriched with high fibre, low calories, most nourishing of fruits for the body and could strengthen the liver and clear a sore throat. Eat Kurma for breaking of fast also we will get the ‘sunnah’ reward because it was recommended in Islam and was what Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h ate to break his fast. Kurma are also one of the best natural potassium –an essential mineral needed to maintain muscle contractions including the heart muscle and maintain a healthy nervous system and to balance the metabolism of the body.
By Nida
No tags for this post.
AUGUST 21ST, 2010
By WEBMASTER
Verily, Allah (s.w.t.) distinguishes the month of Ramadhan from other months of Islamic calendar. Among the advantages or the privileges of Ramadhan as stated in the Qur’an and in a lot of hadiths are as follow:
1. The doors of heavens will be opened and the doors of hells will be closed.
2. All the devils will be chained in this month.
3. The angels will ask the forgiveness from Allah for those who are fasting until they break their fasting every day.
4. The month of blessings and forgiveness from Allah.
5. The smell from the mouths of Muslims who fast in this month is more fragrant to Allah than the smell of the finest musk in this world.
6. There will be a special night in this month by the name of Lailatul-Qadr (the night of power) which is better than a thousand months (nearly 84 years) for those who do their ‘ibadah during the night.
Therefore, we have to ask ourselves how we celebrate this month that full with the advantages and privileges. With a lot of ‘ibadah and good deeds? Or we treat it just like other months and let time fades away and pass us by as if nothing happens? In a hadith qudsi (sacred- meaning by Allah wording by Prophet Muhammad), related by Imam Bukhari and Muslim, Allah says:
‘Every good deed done by Muslims is for themselves, one good deed will be multiply by 10 until 700 times except fasting. Verily fasting is for Me and I am the One who will reward it Myself. Muslims who fast, they leave their lust and desire, their food and their drink because of Me. Those who fast will get 2 happiness; the happiness in breaking their fast and the happiness in meeting their Lord. The smell from the mouths of Muslims who are fasting is more fragrant to Allah than the smell of the finest musk.’ And in another hadith also related by Imam Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet (pbuh)said:
‘Who ever fasting in Ramadhan full of iman and hoping for the rewards from Allah, all of his or her previous sins will be forgiven by Allah.’
It is without a doubt that this abundant rewards won’t be given by Allah to those who just refraining themselves from eating and drinking only but for those who are mentioned by the Prophet (pbuh) in this hadith related by Imam Bukhari:‘Who ever doesn’t refraining himself from lying, bickering and all the despicable things (while fasting), then Allah doesn’t need his fasting which he leave only eating and drinking, at all!’ Thus, apart from food, we also have to control, to refrain all other parts of our body as well from any bad deeds and despicable things in Islam.
We have to keep reminding ourselves that the only objective of fasting is mentioned by Allah in surah Al-Baqarah verse 183:
“O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fast) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun [the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained”
By Ustz Nik
Tags:
Fasting,
Ramadhan,
UK,
USA
