Mosque Foundation

O Allah, Make Us Among the Mossaddaqeen

There are many windows of opportunity in this life, especially placed by Allah ﷻ, to purify our souls and gain forgiveness for our sins. These opportunities are open to every believing individual, young and old, poor and wealthy, ill and healthy, educated and illiterate. It matters not. Some take advantage of these windows, seeking them with every turn and twist in worldly life, both in happiness and calamity.

For these people called al-Mossaddiqeen, Allah has created a special level in the heavens for those who give Sadaqah consistently. It is the quality for which they are most recognized and is what will witness for them on the Day when nothing can attest for them but their deeds.

This group of people is the best at finding the best bargains and offers, constantly searching and consumed with the Best Deal—The deal granted by He Who created us and assigned provisions for us. Allah ﷻ says, “Who will loan Allah a lofty loan which Allah will double unto their credit and multiply many times?” (Quran 2:245). The Mossaddiqeen grasped this deal because they recognized it is like no other that can be granted in this worldly life. My brothers and sisters, Allah has blessed us with provisions, and He asks that we give from what He has presented us so that He may provide us with more; how generous is Our Creator?

So even when it is challenging to give Sadaqah, the Mossaddiqeen remember that it does not decrease wealth. The Prophet ﷺ stated, “Charity does not decrease wealth, and the servant who forgives, Allah makes him more respected; and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the eyes of the people” (Muslim).

For this reason, the Mosque Foundation community’s perception of Sadaqah has gained great regard and esteem from other communities. Your sincere commitment to give from your wealth and possessions protects your families and will continue to bi’thinillah. To spend in Allah’s cause by propagating His religion is a charity with high merit and great reward. The one who spends in the cause of Allah will continue to be rewarded even after death. You provide a place to pray, a site to learn about religion, seek counsel, and to support the needy.

We must consider several requirements to ensure that our Sadaqah is accepted. First of all, Sadaqah must be given from money that is earned lawfully. Allah says, “Oh you who believe, spend from what you (lawfully) earned” (Quran 2: 267).

Second, when giving Sadaqah, the believer must purify their intention and make their purpose to gain Allah’s pleasure and reward. The Prophet ﷺ said, “All deeds are based on intention, and everyone will be rewarded according to what he intended” (Bukhari).

Third, the believer should make haste in giving Sadaqah and should only delay it with a valid reason. It is also much better for Muslims to give Sadaqah when there is a need than to wait until death comes and it is too late. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was once asked about the best of all charities, to which he replied, “The best charity is what you give during your life while you are in need of it.”

Fourth, it is more befitting for a Muslim to give Sadaqah from their best possessions, which you love most. Allah says, “By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give (freely as a charity) from that which you love; and whatever you spend Allah knows it well” (Quran 3: 92).

However, this does not mean that one should lessen the value of their Sadaqah if they only have little to give. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once said to his companions, “One Dirham could be better in reward than one hundred thousand Dirhams.” A man asked, “And how is that, oh Messenger of Allah?” He ﷺ replied, “A wealthy person takes one hundred thousand Dirhams, which is one part of their wealth, and gives it as a charity, while a poor person who only has two Dirhams pays one of them as a charity.”

By Sh. Jamal Said

Fasting and the Path of Taqwa

Rediscovering Ingredients Required for Developing Taqwa through Fasting

Is there a relationship between fasting and developing piety? According to the Quran, fasting during the month of Ramadan is closely tied with taqwa, a term usually translated as ‘piety or righteousness’ and derived, linguistically, from the concept of protection. It is not difficult to connect taqwa with the linguistic sense of protection since taqwa serves as a shield against falling into sin and suffering punishment in the Hereafter. 

However, the question is, ‘how does fasting lead to taqwa?’ Attempting to answer this seemingly simple question can help us recognize the prime purpose of fasting and create ways for us to evaluate our moral progress during the blessed month of Ramadan. Reflecting on the relationship between fasting and taqwa, we find that fasting provides us with the necessary ingredients for developing taqwa. The following is a brief outline of taqwa’s main components and how fasting helps us develop each. Some action points that can be used as a thermometer for measuring taqwa follow these components.

1-   Soul Care

           In his Ihya’, Imam al-Ghazali argues that our bodily desires are fueled by food and energy. Therefore, fasting weakens lust and desires temporarily to allow the soul to lead the body and communicate with Allah. When you break your fast at sunset, you prepare for Taraweeh and more prayers at the Masjid. Therefore, the Ramadan fast is both a defensive spiritual fortress and spiritual nourishment for the soul. 

In Ramadan, you are skipping a meal for a spiritual reason. Unfortunately, some people overeat during the ‘iftar period to make up for the meal they missed and may gain weight by the end of the month! Preparing healthy food and liquids for ‘iftar and eating with moderation is key to effective fasting. 

Action Point: I am committed to avoiding overeating during ‘iftar time since it is both unhealthy and negates the goal of less food consumption during Ramadan in skipping one meal a day. 

2- Willpower

You may believe that you cannot achieve great goals or break cycles of sinning, thinking that you are not strong enough to resist the temptations and difficulties facing you. However, during your fast, you are being trained to control and master your bodily desires. When your body asks you for food or water, you can say: NO! Fasting proves that you can get unstuck from destructive habits you have developed—because if you can stay away from essential halal matters, like food and drinks, you can easily stay away from haram terrible habits. 

Action Point: I am determined to fast from bad habits permanently. (Specify one or more sins you plan to abandon. Focus on the strength and willpower you developed in Ramadan and ask Allah to redirect your life to be closer to Him.)

3- Forgiveness of Sins 

Sometimes, people have driven away from taqwa due to their sin’s burden, which, they think, is too heavy to allow them to reach Allah. However, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ informed us that ‘whomsoever fasts the month of Ramadan with iman(faith) and ihtisab (expectation to be rewarded) will have his sins forgiven.’ Therefore, the fasting season is an excellent opportunity for repenting and renewing our relationship with Allah ﷻ. Allah ﷻ invites all sinners to repent, no matter what they have committed, stating, “Say [to people], [Oh Prophet], Oh My servants who have committed sins in great excess against themselves, never despair of Allah’s mercy; indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He alone Who is the All-forgiving, the All-merciful” (Quran 39:53). A man asked Rabi’ah al-‘Adawiyyah: “Do you think Allah will forgive me after I had committed so many sins?” She immediately answered, “He invites those who are away from Him to repent. Do you think He will reject those who seek Him?” 

Action Point: I choose to turn to Allah and commit myself to Him. (The results of sinning include regret, shame, depression, damaged relations, etc. should serve as a deterrent and a means to motivate you to turn back to Allah.) 

4- Humility 

In fasting, we can recognize our human weakness and dependence on Allah. This recognition guards us against being deceived by luxury (no matter how little) we are surrounded with, as the Quran puts it, “Nay, man, does transgress all bounds when looking upon himself as self-sufficient!” (Quran 96:7-8)

Action Point: I am determined to humble myself before Allah and before people. (Have you ever seen a baby? Once you were one, having no power and no knowledge! Never use Allah’s blessings as a justification for arrogance; Allah’s blessings should make you more humble.) 

5- Patience and Gratitude 

Besides developing patience through a long day of Ramadan fasting, one also develops an attitude of gratitude. For example, for many, the most precious thing at sunset is simply a water bottle and a couple of dates. Fasting teaches us not to take anything for granted. Think of all the blessings Allah has bestowed upon you and your family as unique gifts for you. Do not allow people’s possessions of elemental benefits (like sight, health, shelter, etc.) to make you feel that you are not unique in sharing those blessings. Ramadan reminds us to recognize introductory provisions as unique. Thank Allah for the ability to drink clean water! This sense of gratitude will lead any sane person to the worship and obedience of Allah, Who is the source of our existence and survival. 

Action Point: I am determined to develop an attitude of gratitude. (Remember that observing Salah, thanking people, helping others, and acknowledging Allah’s blessings are all examples of demonstrating the value of appreciation.) 

6- Giving

In the Quran, the rights of Allah and the rights of people are connected. Notice, for instance, how Salah or ritual prayer (the right of Allah) is frequently associated with Zakah or charity (the right of people). In Ramadan, we feel the hunger and thirst of millions of people globally, thereby developing a strong sense of empathy for them. This empathy turns into action in Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and giving. Giving purifies our hearts from greed and living a self-centered life.

Action Point: I am determined to pay my Zakah and give charity to the poor and the needy. 

7- Sincerity 

In Islam, for an action to be moral and accepted by Allah, it is not enough that the action is good. The motive behind the action has to be good, and the action has to be intentional for seeking the pleasure of Allah. This is called ‘Ikhlas, the opposite of Riya’; that is, doing something seeking people’s approval and praise, not Allah’s pleasure and glory. We stay away from food and drinks and other invalidators of fasting during our fasting even if no one is watching us. In doing so, we train to live in the presence of Allah and do good deeds to glorify Him alone.

Action Point: Fasting makes one more God-oriented. I am determined to fast Ramadan as a religious obligation to achieve taqwa and seek Allah’s pleasure, not as a cultural practice to impress others or gain their approval. 

8- Faith-filled Environment:

Being disconnected from your local mosque, lacking good friends, and abandoning benevolent acts may lower your level of faith. Ramadan is like an intensive course in good deeds: Taraweeh in the Masjid, sadaqah for the needy, annual Zakah, reading and studying the Quran, inviting people for ‘iftar, developing stronger family connections …etc. The creation of this faith-filled environment increases our opportunities to be more connected with Allah. 

Action Point: I am determined to disconnect from the harmful environment that leads me into sinning and replace it with developing more connections with the Masjid and good people. 

9- Dua’a

It is interesting to note that a Quranic encouragement to offer dua’a comes between two verses, which outline the fasting rules, emphasizing the relationship between fasting and dua’a. Recognizing our human weakness makes our dua’a more effective and sincere. The Quran states, “When My servants ask you about Me, then I am near. I answer the prayer of a supplicant when he calls upon Me. Let them obey Me and believe in Me so that they will be guided” (Quran 2: 186). Usually, the Quran uses the form,‘ If they ask you about …, say to them …” Yet, here Allah did not say to the Prophet ﷺ, ‘When my servants ask you about Me, say to them …’; Allah provided the answer directly to remove any intermediaries between Him and His servants. We can communicate with Allah ﷻ directly.

Action Point: I am determined to prepare some dua’a to be said each day, and I trust the way and the time Allah answers them.

10- Closeness with the Quran 

If I asked you to define Ramadan, how would you answer? The month of fasting? That is correct. Yet, Allah described the month of Ramadan as “the one when the Quran was revealed” (Quran 2:185). The revelation of the Quran is the reason why we celebrate the month of Ramadan, and the way we celebrate it is by fasting to develop a closer relationship with our Creator. Thus, if we do not improve our relationship with the Quran, we will fail to understand what the month of fasting is all about. 

Action Point: I am committed to the following duties towards the Quran:

1. A) Reading: Imam Malik used to leave his Hadith books in Ramadan to focus more on the Quran.
2. B) Understanding: Failing to understand the Quranic message will leave the reader with nothing to inspire or motivate them. Once, the Prophet ﷺ spent all of his night prayers reciting one verse (Quran 5:118) due to his deep contemplation. 
3. C) Memorizing: Quran is the ONLY sacred Book in the world that is memorized from cover to cover. Take part in this blessed practice and start, at least, with some selected verses or surahs to memorize in this holy month. 
4. D) Applying: Make the Quran part of your life by putting its great values into practice.
5. E) Spreading: Make sure that you teach others what you learned. Teaching your child a surah or more would fulfill this requirement.

Finally, I pray that you all experience a blessed Ramadan full of mercy and forgiveness. May Allah ﷻ keep us all guided on His Straight Path and united in obeying Him ﷻ. 

Ameen. 

By Sh. Ahmed Arafat

Fasting and Spiritual Maturity

Fasting is not starvation; it is a spiritual discipline that awakens our Fitrah, or natural disposition toward God, and keeps in check different negative traits of our human ego. Thereby, through mindful fasting, our souls can transform from a soul that has become accustomed to evil tendencies to a serene soul firmly aligned to the Straight Path. Failing to manage the negative traits of our ego may corrupt our Fitrah and impede our journey to God. This brief article outlines negative characteristics (red flags in our spiritual journey) and describes how fasting can strengthen our immunity to the intense appeal of developing such traits.

Red Flag 1: “Nay, man does transgress all bounds, when looking upon himself as self-sufficient!” (Quran 96:7-8). 

It is easy to be deceived by the luxury we have, the technological advancement we enjoy, the military power we develop, or the medical services we are offered. Some may unconsciously feel that they do not need Allah, and others may act as gods! However, none of these material advancements will change our big human reality; that is, we have a built-in need for our Creator, who makes our very existence possible. Instead of expressing more gratitude with authentic humility and love, we sometimes get overwhelmed with the gifts we forget or even deny the Giver!

Fasting offers a spiritual exercise to fight back any potential arrogance or egotism from focusing on the gifts. It does this by compelling a break from these gifts and reflecting on how our life looks with Divine Providence. To al-Ghazali, we receive an opportunity to develop more humility through mindful fasting and temporary hunger and keep our ego in check. We recognize how fragile and weak we become in the absence of some morsels and water. Furthermore, Ibn al-Qayyim beautifully depicts the different stages humans experience, starting from the moment of birth to the zenith of youth. Having talked about our helplessness and fragility as babies, Ibn al-Qayyim is puzzled over how our behavior changes as our different faculties and powers are developed. He writes: “As God perfects our hearing, sight, and reason and as He makes the universe subservient to us, we poor humans start to think that we have a share in this kingdom and look at ourselves with different lenses. We even forget our early state of helplessness, poverty, and need as if we never experienced these features and as if we are different creatures!” Look at a baby and observe its need and helplessness. Now, recognize you were one before!

Al-Ghazali asserts that if we fail to recognize our humility and limitations, we will undoubtedly fail to acknowledge the Divine power and sovereignty. The Quran awakens the arrogant by depicting a big irony: “He created man from a sperm-drop; yet behold he become an open opponent!” (Quran 16:4) The word yet in this translation is (إذا idhaal-fujaiyyah) in Arabic, which is better translated as “suddenly” or “unexpectedly” as an unexpected behavior usually follows it. Once we deny our human weakness and limitations and think of ourselves as gods, we will always see the doors of guidance closed! The Quran reads: “I shall turn away from My Signs those who magnify themselves wrongfully in the earth, and if they see each token believe it not, and if they see the way of righteousness choose it nor for (their) way, and if they see the way of error choose if for (their) way. That is because they deny Our revelations and are used to disregard them” (Quran 7:146).

When I said earlier that fasting is an exercise, this was literal. No one can say that it is meaningless for armies to carry out a series of tactical activities to stimulate war conditions. Similarly, fasting is like a spiritual maneuver that prepares us to face difficult times and challenging situations with patience, love, and support. Instead of lamenting others for the trials we experience, we are trained to be more mature: to resort to Allah with a humble heart and stand by the oppressed.

In Islam, we believe that this worldly life is not supposed to feel perfect. It is difficult. It is a test. It is short. However, that does not mean that life is horrible. It all depends on our attitude. Difficulties and trials in life do not signify that Allah abandoned us. It is a chance to approach God with a heart that has surrendered optimistically, not in rebellion, despair, or depression. In communicating with Allah about their trials and heartbrokenness, some early Muslim awliya experienced so much spiritual joy that they forgot about their problems and wished their state of heartbrokenness would remain!

Take, for example, this Hadith, which illustrates that trials do not mean that God is not in control. Instead, we have the responsibility to demonstrate actions that align with great values like hope, generosity, courage, and sympathy. These great values typically do not manifest except in trials and difficulties. Imam Muslim reported that: “Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection: O son of Adam, I fell ill and you did not visit Me. He will say: O Lord, and how could I visit You and You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so had fallen ill and you did not visit him? Did you not know that had you visited him, you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food, and you did not feed Me. He will say: O Lord, and how could I feed You and You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so asked you for food and you did not feed him? Did you not know that had you fed him, you would surely have found that (the reward for doing so) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked you to give Me to drink, and you gave Me nothing to drink. He will say: O Lord, how could I give You to drink when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: My servant So-and-so asked you to give him to drink, and you gave him nothing to drink. Had you given him to drink, you would have surely found that with Me.” Similarly, the reward for accepting unchangeable trials with humility is gaining Divine support and tranquility.

Red Flag 2: “And few among my servants are the truly thankful” (Quran 34:13).

The power to see, hear and understand and the availability of water and basic food are among the Divine blessings that we would never trade. Why do many forget to thank Allah for these indispensable favors? Simply because they unconsciously feel that countless people enjoy the same blessings, they do not feel special! Here comes fasting to teach you not to take anything for granted and deal with each blessing as a special favor. To many, the most precious thing at sunset is simply a water bottle and a couple of dates.

Red Flag 3: “And you love wealth, you love wealth ardently” (Quran 89:20).

In Ramadan, we can feel the hunger and thirst experienced by millions of people worldwide, thereby developing a strong sense of empathy for them. This empathy turns into action in Ramadan in the form of giving. Giving purifies our hearts from greed and living a self-centered life. In the Quran, the rights of Allah and the rights of people are connected. Notice, for instance, how Salah or ritual prayer (the right of Allah) is frequently associated with Zakah or charity (the right of people).

Red Flag 4: “The love of desires is made alluring to people …” (Quran 3:14).  

In his ‘Ihya,’ Imam al-Ghazali argues that our bodily desires are fueled by food and energy. Therefore, fasting weakens lust and desire temporarily to allow the soul to lead the body and communicate with Allah. This is a lesson in self-discipline and self-control. One is trained to be the master of the body, not the other way around. So remember that you are skipping a meal for a spiritual reason. Unfortunately, some people overeat during the ‘iftar period to make up for the meal they missed and may end up gaining weight by the end of the month!

Red Flag 5: “If only I had not taken so and so as a friend. He led me away from the Revelation after it reached me. Satan has always betrayed humankind” (Quran 25:28-29).

Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are! This indicates the importance of whom we choose to associate. Lacking good friends, being disconnected from your local mosque, and abandoning benevolent acts may place your faith at significant risk. Ramadan is like an intensive course in good deeds: Taraweeh in the masjid, sadaqah for the needy, annual Zakah, reading and studying the Quran, inviting people for ‘iftar, developing stronger family connections …etc. This faith-filled environment increases our opportunities to be more connected with Allah.

Red Flag 6: “When they [hypocrites] stand up to pray, they do so sluggishly, showing off in front of people, and remember God only a little” (Quran 4:142).

In Islam, for an action to be moral and accepted by Allah, it is not enough for it to be good. The motive behind the action has to be good, and the action has to be done for a good intention: for God. This is called ‘ikhlas, the opposite of which is riya‘ (doing something seeking people’s approval and praise, not Allah’s pleasure and glory). While fasting, we stay away from food and drinks and other invalidators even if no one is watching us. In doing so, we train to live in the presence of Allah and do good deeds to glorify Him alone. 

By Sh. Ahmed Arafat

The Seeds of Ramadan

Allah, the Most High, mentions in the verses regarding fasting that which translate to: “O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed upon you all as it has upon those who have proceeded you for you to attain “Taqwa” [reverence and true fear and dutifulness to Allah and protection from the punishment of the hereafter]” (Quran 2: 183). We see in this verse that Allah has essentially guaranteed and promised, yes promised that if we fast the month of Ramadan, we will attain a true sense of dutifulness and obedience to Allah in the life of this world and protection from the fire of hell in the next. Hence, the Prophet ﷺ says that which means: “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faithfulness and expecting and hoping for its reward with Allah will have their past sins forgiven” (Bukhari & Muslim). 

These are some potent effects of fasting during Ramadan, and yet, after Ramadan has passed, the work is not over. In a broader sense, the work is never over as long as there is breath in our lungs. Abdullah, one of the sons of Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal, once asked his father: “When will we ever be able to rest?” To which Imam Ahmad replied: “When we place our first foot in paradise.” Yet, in a minor sense concerning Ramadan, our duties do not end with the appearance of Shawwal’s crescent. We must protect and nurture our gains throughout the coming year.  

Allah has Promised in the verse mentioned above, and subsequently, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, that if we fast the month of Ramadan as commanded, even one day properly as intended by Allah, He promises to plant a seed in our hearts. Some will have more powerful seeds than others, all based on the quality of their fast, yet seeds, nonetheless. And like all seeds, we must take care of them. They must be watered, cultivated, watered, weeded, etc. If left unattended, and if we allow our hearts and minds to slip back out into old habits and let the good habits we picked up during Ramadan be choked out, these precious seeds and gifts from Allah will die. We have to maintain our gardens, the proverbial garden of our “Ramadan hearts,” water it, weed it, and most importantly, only allow the best alongside it. This is all part of fasting and observing the month of Ramadan. It’s mentioned that the Prophet’s companions would spend six months before Ramadan preparing for it and the following six months protecting their gains from it. In other words, take care of your Ramadan garden!

By Sh. Ali Mashhour