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The Reality of Istikhara

http://seekersguidan...y-of-istikhara/

In this lecture, Shaykh Faraz discusses istikhara (the prayer of guidance) by defining it, debunking misconceptions regarding it, the best way to perform it, and easy ways to integrate it into our lives in a meaningful manner.

Jabir (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to teach us the way of doing Istikhara in all matters as he taught us the Suras of the Qur’an. He said, “If anyone of you thinks of doing any job he should offer a two Rakat prayer other than the compulsory ones and say (after the prayer): ‘Allahumma inni astakhiruka bi’ilmika, Wa astaqdiruka bi-qudratika, Wa as’alaka min fadlika al-’azlm Fa-innaka taqdiru Wala aqdiru, Wa ta’lamu Wala a’lamu, Wa anta ‘allamu l-ghuyub. Allahumma, in kunta ta’lam anna hadha-l-amra Khairun li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or ‘ajili amri wa’ajilihi) Faqdirhu wa yas-sirhu li thumma barik li Fihi, Wa in kunta ta’lamu anna hadha-lamra shar-run li fi dini wa ma’ashi wa’aqibati amri (or fi’ajili amri wa ajilihi) Fasrifhu anni was-rifni anhu. Waqdir li al-khaira haithu kana Thumma ardini bihi.’ (O Allah! I ask guidance from Your knowledge, And Power from Your Might and I ask for Your great blessings. You are capable and I am not. You know and I do not and You know the unseen. O Allah! If You know that this job is good for my religion and my subsistence and in my Hereafter… (or said: If it is better for my present and later needs). Then You ordain it for me and make it easy for me to get, And then bless me in it, and if You know that this job is harmful to me In my religion and subsistence and in the Hereafter… (or said: If it is worse for my present and later needs). Then keep it away from me and let me be away from it. And ordain for me whatever is good for me, And make me satisfied with it). The Prophet added that then the person should name (mention) his need.

[jinnzaman]

Ramadan Reminders (1): The Transformative Fast

Ramadan Reminders (Lesson One)

This lesson covers “The Transformative Fast: The Qur’anic Call to Mindfulness, Thankfulness, and Turning to Allah in Our Fasting”

“O believers, prescribed for you is the Fast, even as it was prescribed for those that were before you — haply you will be godfearing –for days numbered; and if any of you be sick, or if he be on a journey, then a number of other days. And for those who are unable to fast, a redemption by feeding a poor man. Yet better, it is for him who willingly gives more. And that you should fast is better for you, if you but know. The month of Ramadan, wherein the Koran was sent down to be a guidance to the people, and as clear signs of the Guidance and the Salvation. So let those of you, who are present at the month, fast it; and if any of you be sick, or if he be on a journey, then a number of other days; God desires ease for you, and desires not hardship for you; and that you fulfil the number, and magnify God that He has guided you, and haply you will be thankful. And when My servants question thee concerning Me — I am near to answer the call of the caller, when he calls to Me; so let them respond to Me, and let them believe in Me; haply so they will go aright.” (Qur’an: 183-186)

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http://seekersguidan...sting-for-allah

We need to have the highest of intentions in our fasts–and not merely go through the motions of fasting. The best of intentions for fasting is to have a clear sense of fasting “for Allah.” This reminder explores what it means to fast “for Allah,” and explains the Prophetic hadith, related by Bukhari, in which Allah says, “All the actions of people are for them, except for fasting. Fasting is for Me and it is I who reward it.”

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http://seekersguidan...ning-to-succeed



Ramadan Reminders Lesson (03): Planning to Succeed.

In order to make the most of the month of Ramadan, we need to have a plan to succeed. This reminder looks at the key elements of a successful plan for the month of Ramadan–so that it can be a month of transformation and of turning our lives towards Allah.

[jinnzaman]

http://seekersguidan...-accepted-fasts

Ramadan Reminders (Lesson 04) Keys to Accepted Fasts.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) warned about certain things that affect the acceptability and benefit of one’s fast. This reminder looks at the most important of those matters, and how to avoid them, in order to have a successful month of fasting and turning to Allah Most High.

[jinnzaman]

http://seekersguidan...ce-of-character
Ramadan Reminders (Lesson 5): Fasting & Upholding Excellence of Character

When fasting, it is easy to get annoyed, irritated, or angry–or, at least, to fall short of what good character entails. This reminder looks at making our fasting a means of drawing closer to Allah through upholding the Prophetic excellence of character. Five key aspects of good character are explained, so that we can strive to become of the best of believers–for the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The believers most perfect in faith are those best in character.” [Tirmidhi]

[jinnzaman]

http://seekersguidan...-month-of-quran

Ramadan Reminders (Lesson 6): Making Ramadan a Month of Qur’an

Clear guidelines on how to practically bring the Qur’an into our lives in this month of Ramadan, and throughout our lives. How much should you be reciting? What about listening to the Qur’an? What about reading the translation of the Qur’an? What are the key inward manners with the Qur’an? These are some of the questions dealt with in this brief reminder.

[jinnzaman]

http://seekersguidan...-divine-oneness

Fasting and Divine Oneness

This talk explains why fasting is such a spiritually transformative act of worship. It highlights the relationship between what the fasting person experiences and how that brings their faith to life in their hearts & minds.

[jinnzaman]

http://seekersguidan...rs-of-the-quran

Ramadan Reminders (7): Observing the Inward Manners of the Qur’an

This reminder gives us keys to benefiting from the Qur’an, through a brief overview of the ten inward manners of the Qur’an outlined by Imam Ghazali in his Adab al-Qur’an, Book Eight of the Ihya’.

[jinnzaman]

http://seekersguidan...iving-the-quran

Ramadan Reminders (Lesson 8): Living the Qur'an

This reminder gives some guidance on how to live and embody the Qur’an by reciting it with a particular approach. This podcast also discusses the importance of asking Allah for the virtues the Qur’an calls to, and seeking refuge in Him from their opposites.

[jinnzaman]

http://seekersguidan...ts-and-striving

Ramadan Reminders (9): The Best of Deeds - Faith, Prayer, Righteousness to Parents, and Striving

An explanation of the Prophet’s response (peace and blessings be upon him) to Ibn Mas`ud’s questions on what the best of actions are. How is faith the best of works? What does it mean to be righteous to parents? How does one perfect one’s daily prayers?

[jinnzaman]

http://seekersguidan...er-and-marriage
Ramadan Reminders (10): Faith, Character, and Marriage

An explanation of the Prophet’s saying (peace and blessings be upon him) that, “The believers most perfect in faith are those best in character, and the most virtuous of you are those most virtuous to their spouses.” [Tirmidhi] Why is excellence of character the best of faith — and greater in reward and consequences — than the outward acts of worship? The relationship of excellence of character and sincerity is explained, as well as the highest of good character: forbearance (hilm).

[jinnzaman]

http://seekersguidan...to-other-people
Ramadan Reminders 11: The People Most Beloved to Allah Are Those of Greatest Benefit to Other People

A reminder of the virtues of assisting others, both through regular involvement in social causes and in one’s daily life. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) reminded us that, “The people most beloved to Allah are those of most benefit to other people.”

[jinnzaman]

http://seekersguidan...armed-relations
Ramadan Reminders 12: Mending Harmed Relations

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) described mending harmed relations as being an action that is greater in rank with Allah than prayer and fasting. This reminder explains why, and how to realize that in our lives.

[jinnzaman]

http://seekersguidan...r-and-relations
Ramadan Reminders 13: Character, Anger, and Relations

A beautiful incident from the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when a man came to him from in front, right, left, and back, repeating the same question: “What action is best?” The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) responded each time that the best action was “Good character.” In the fourth instance, when the man came from behind, the Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) explained a key to being a person of good character.