Honourable & respectablereaders,

we welcome you to our firstedition of Attaqwa (sincerity)and pray To Allah with yoursupport that it benefits mankindin towards living a Allah fearinglife and becomes a beacon ofguidance and understanding ofthe many important themes andelements of Islam. Indeed theblessed month of Shabaan ison the verge of completion andvery soon we shall be enteringThe most blessed month in theIslamic Calender

The Month of Ramadhan.Undoubtedly an opportunity forus all to reflect on our past yearand contemplate on the comingyear as to how to improve it froman Islamic perspective. We needto engage in all its activities togain maximum benefit otherwiseit will be just another month inpassing. We need to engage inextra Zikr, salah, recitation ofthe quran etc and improve ourrelationship with our creatorAllah s.wt.May he give us all thestrength and ability to benefitfrom this month.

RAMADHAN & THE QURAN.

This is based on an extract from IbnRajab al-Hanbali's "Lataif al-Ma'arif'(pp. 179-182), quoted by Fahd binSulaiman in "Kay nastafeed minRamadan" (pp. 48-50) Ramadan hasa special relationship with the Quran,of course, surah alBaqarah states:

"The month of Ramadan is the onein which the Quran was sent down ...so whoever amongst you witnessesthis month, let him fast it.." In theTwo Sahihs, from Ibn Abbas: "thatthe Messenger of Allah SAS was themost generous person, and he wouldbe at his most generous in Ramadan,when Jibril would meet him and makehim rehearse the Quran, Jibril wouldmeet him every night in Ramadan todo this ..."

This hadith contains recommendationof the following: * studying the Quranin Ramadan * coming togetherfor this purpose * checking (one'smemory/knowledge of) the Quranwith someone who has preservedit better * increasing recitation ofQuran in Ramadan * The night timeis the best time to recite, whenother preoccupations are less & it iseasier to concentrate, as in SurahMuzzammil.

.~J, the hadith of Fatima (ra) fromher father (saws), who told her thatJibril would rehearse the Quran withhim (in Ramadan) once every year,and he did so twice in the year ofhis death (saws). Then, Ibn Rajabtalks about the situation of the piouspredecessors during Ramadan:"Some of them would finish (recitingthe whole Quran) during the nightprayer of Ramadan every 3 days,others every 7 days (e.g. Qataadah),others in 10 days (e.g. Abu Rajaa'al-Atardi). They would recite Quran inRamadan in Prayer as well as outsideit. AI-Aswad would finish the Quranevery 2 nights in Ramadan; IbrahimanNakh'i would do that in the last 10nights specifically,& every 3 nights during the rest of themonth.

Qataadah would regularly finish theQuran in 7 days, but in 3 days duringRamadan, and every night during thelast 10. Ash-Shafi'i would finish theQuran 60 times in Ramadan, outsideof Prayer, and similar is reportedabout Abu Hanifah. Az-Zuhri wouldsay when Ramadan began:

It is recitation of Quran & feedingpeople. Ibn Abdul Hakam said: whenRamadan began, Malik would leavereciting Hadith and sitting with thepeople of knowledge, and stick toreciting the Quran from the Mushaf.Abdur Razzaaq said: When Ramadanbegan, Sufyan Thawri would leaveother acts of worship and stick toreciting Quran.

Aishah (ra) would recite from theMushaf at the beginning of the dayin Ramadan (i.e. after Dawn), untilwhen the sun had risen, she wouldsleep. Sufyan said: Zayd alYaamiwould bring copies of Quran whenRamadan began and gather hiscompanions around him ..." Ibn Rajablater continues: "the forbiddance offinishing reciting the Quran in lessthan 3 days applies to this beingmade a regular practice, but as forfavoured times such as Ramadan,esp. the nights in which Laylat al-Qadr is sought, or favoured placessuch as Makkah for the visitor, it isrecommended to increase recitingthe Quran to avail the time and place.

This is the view of Ahmad, Ishaq &other imams, and the practice ofothers indicates this too, as has beenmentioned." There are many reasonswhy one fasts in the blessed monththe obvious one being that it is acommand and instruction from ourcreater and also the following: 12Reasons To Fast!

1. Fasting is an institution for theimprovement of moral and spiritualcharacter of human being. Thepurpose of the fast is to help developself-restraint, selfpurification, God-consciousness, compassion, thespirit of caring and Sharing, the loveof humanity and the love of God.Fasting is a universal custom andis advocated by all the religions ofthe world, with more restrictions insome than in others. The IslamicFast, as opposed to mere starvationor self-denial, is an act of worshipand obedience to God, thanksgiving,forgiveness, spiritual training, andself-examination.

2. Ramadan gives us a break andprovides us with a rare opportunityto think about our own selves, ourfuture, and our families. It is a timeto give our selves a mental breakand to temporarily forget about thehundreds of worries and stresses weare constantly bombarded with. In

hectic times, such as ours, and inplaces like the West, this valuabletime to think about our lives, onindividual basis, is a luxury and isdesperately needed! It is a uniquemonth of self-analysis, and oftaking stock of one's moral andspiritual 'assets and liabilities'.

3. Fasting indoctrinates us inpatience, unselfishness, andgratitude. When we fast we feelthe pains of deprivation andhunger, and learn how to endureit patiently. The meaning of thispowerful experience in a social andhumanitarian context is that we aremuch quicker than anybody else insympathizing with the oppressedand needy around the world, andresponding to their needs. "It isthe month to visit the poor, thesick, and the needy to share theirsorrows. It is the month where thefood, sustenance and the earningsof a believing Muslim increases andthey are blessed," says the FinalProphet of God, Muhammad (peacebe upon him), a man who wasknown for his noble humanitariancauses, for social justice, and forbeing the first to respond to other'sneeds, despite the fact that hehimself lived a very simple andhumble life. It is only during sucha trying time as Ramadan that wecan reflect on the condition of thosein this world who may not be asfortunate as us.

4. Fasting in Ramadan enablesus to master the art of matureadaptability and Time-Management.We can easily understand this pointwhen we realize that fasting makespeople change the entire courseof their daily life. When they makethe Change, they naturally adaptthemselves to a new system andschedule, and move along to satisfythe rules. This, in the long run,develops in them a wise sense ofadaptability and self-created powerto overcome the unpredictablehardships of life! A person whovalues constructive adaptability,time-management, and couraqe willappreciate the effects of Fasting inthis respect as well.

5. It cultivates in us the principleof sincere Love, because when weobserve Fasting, we do it out ofdeep love for God. And a person,who loves God, truly is a personwho knows what love is and why

everyone on this Earth should beloved and treated justly, for the sakeof God.

6. Fasting elevates the human spiritand increases our awareness of God.It strengthens our will-power as welearn to rise aboveour lower desires. The institution offasting is both unique and a sharedexperience in human history. Fromthe very beginning of time, humanshave struggled to master theirphysical and psychological selves:their bodies and their emotions.Hunger is one the most powerfulurges that we experience. Many,through over- or undereating orconsumption of unhealthy foods,abuse this urge. Thus, when a personpurposefully denies something totheir own self that it craves, theyare elevating their mind above theirbody, and their reason and will abovetheir carnal passions. "A fastingperson empties his stomach of all thematerial things: to fill his soul withpeace and blessings, to fill his heartwith love and sympathy, to fill hisspirit with piety and Faith, to fill hismind with wisdom and resolution,"says H. Abdalati in Islam in Focus.The person who can rule their desiresand make them work, as they like,has attained true moral excellence.

7. With the clarity of mind andabsence of distractions, also comesa greater focus. As students, theperiod of fasting, especially earlyduring the day, serves as a tool tofocus our minds on our academics.In the month of Ramadan, manyMuslims try to avoid watching TV,listening to music, and some otherleisure activities, which spares themmore time and energy to be spent onmore productive activities such asacademics, intense study of Islam,voluntary prayers,social and humanitarian causes,and a quality time with the family,to name a few. It is a reminder ofour duty to God, our purpose andhigher values in life, as God Himselfdescribes the purpose of fasting asfollows, "0 you who Believe! Fastinghas been prescribed for you as it wasprescribed for those before you, sothat you may develop consciousnessof Qod" (Quran 2: 183).

8. Fasting has numerous,scientifically proven, benefits for ourphysical health and mental well-being. The time, length and nature

character and our world-view.

11. Ramadan is a blessed monthfor a special reason: It is actuallythe month in which God firstrevealed His final message andguidance for mankind to ourbeloved Prophet Muhammad.This message has been perfectlypreserved both orally and textuallyin the form of a Book, called theQur'an (The Reading/Recital).Therefore, Muslims try to do anintense study of the Quran in thismonth especially, and evaluatetheir lives according to thestandards and guidance containedin it.

12. After the month of Ramadan isover, Muslims celebrate one of thetwo most important holidays in theIslamic year: EID-UL-FITR, or theFestival of the Fast Breaking. It is aday to thank God for the blessingand training that He provides uswith throughout the month ofRamadan. EID-UL-FITR is markedby praying in a huge congregationat an Islamic center or mosque,and by giving a small donation tothe poor in the community.

The adults give the donation onbehalf of their children as well.Dinner parties, family outings,fairs, carnivals, and great joyouscelebrations follow the prayerand charity. In a nutshell, eventhough the real purpose of thedynamic institution of Fasting isto discipline our soul and moralbehavior, and to develop sympathyfor the less fortunate, it is a multi-functional and a comprehensivetool of change in various spheresof our lives, including: socialand economic, intellectual andhumanitarian, spiritual andphysical, private and public,personal and common, inner andouter --all in one!

A True Lover ofour Beloved(Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)

o ne must affirm that there can be

absolutely no doubt in the fact that

each and every act (Sunnah) of our

beloved Nabi (s.a.w) is considered

supreme and well worthy of

emulation by a true believer and

follower of his esteemed lifestyle.

In fact a true lover of Nabi (s.a.w)

would be prepared to give his

life for the practical preservation

of even one Sunnah. Such is the

overwhelming thirst for emulation

present in a true Ummati (follower)

that it does not matter to him

whether the sunnah is connected

to Ibadat (the manner in which

Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam

carried out the acts of worship) or

whether the Sunnah pertains to his

habit or lifestyle (the manner of his

speech, manner of walking eating,

dressing etc.) As long as it can be

ascertained that our Nabi (s.a.w) did

it, then a true Aashiq-e-Rasool (lover

of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)

will go to any lengths to bring it into

his life.

At this point one must realise that in

order to cultivate such adherence it

would be of fundamental necessity

that we exhaust ourselves in

searching for his Sunnah and then

to the extent of our ability attempt

to practically adopt them into our

lives. Furthermore we should note

that it would be the dictates of

devotion that those Sunnats which

we perceive difficult and are unable

to inculcate should be a source of

immense grief and distress to us

the divine remuneration for such

adherence is absolutely tremendous

and beyond our wildest dreams.

Shaykhul Hadith Hadhrat Maulana FadlurRahman Sahib Azmi D.S

JazAllahu Anna MuhammadanMa Huwa Ahluh

'Y)1C<'II~ ~avtl

!i~HlEIt III ~-q ~~~~

May Allah Almighty (bless and)reward Muhammad (S.A.W)such that he is claimant for.

~C<il(i d~ICil !J(iHtE (~Ci.)a1

~ltI~1 d~~~1 ~ql CilECil ~dl ~~IIICl,

~o1l ~I'I !i~Gl5" U.

Whosoever recites the DuroodSharif once, it will cause

seventy angels to be occupiedfor a thousand days, writingits reward. Fazaile Durood

~ IIn~l~ ~I ~~e. ~1~1q'qa~) dl~5" ~~~ re.q~~En (gO (RlcCt~)q~~dl~1 ~crtl ~ql(il C-lUldl ~~~).

Classes at Masjid TaqwaMadrassa classes start at 5pm to 7pm pleaseobtain application form by contacting numberbelow:

• Alima classes to start subject to demandfor mature adults male and female(subject to demand) after ramadhan

• Tajweed classes daily after fajar for adults.

• Tajweed classess for females to beannounced

• Tafseer of the quran for women everySunday between 2-3pm

• Tafseer of the quran and hadith to beannounced

• Counselling services available pleaseemail for further details

• Nikah ceremonies conducted at themosque by qualified Imam

• Youth circles every day after maghrib

• Nursery to open latest September 2014(any earlier announcement shall be made

• We pray for your kindful support andcontribution.For regular updates andfurther information please visit our websiteor contact us via email

masjidetaqwa@gmail.commasjidetaqwa@hotmail.com

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SPENDING ON A CHILDSRELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Rabee atur Ray R.A was agreat Alim whose studentsinclude imam Malik andHasan Basri RA. His fathersname was Farook . His fatherwas employed as a soldierduring the Khalifah of BanooUmayyah and was sent out tofight the many battles. Hiswife was expecting Rabeeatur Ray while he was inBattle.

He finally returned hometwenty seven In the meantime the son was born andbecame a great Alim. WhenFarook was departing togo into battle he had givenhis wife 30,000 gold coins.This courageous womenspent all the money on thechilds education. When herhusband returned after hislong absence he asked herabout the gold coins. Shereplied that they were allsafe. Rabee atur Ray wasbusy teaching hadeeth in thetime of his fathers return.

When his father came tothe masjid he noticed thescene before him and sawthat his son had developed amassive following. He couldnotcontrol himself out ofextreme happiness. Whenhe returned home his wifeasked him. "tell me whatis better the 30,000 goldcoins or this great bounty?Of what value are thosegold coins? When she toldhim that she had used allthe money for her sonseducation, he was overjoyedand said: I swear by Allahthat you have not wastedthose golden coins..

KI Z ZONEWord SearchCanyou find the five daily salaats in the word search? There cre :two additional prayers to find, you may need an adult to help you!

Can you spot the difference in the two pictures?There are seven to find!

P,;"t"'by~ ~e~Fg~rint T":012046598oo ATTAQWA