Before the Sand Slips Away
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Creator: Muhammad Alshareef
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Format: text
Identifier: http://www.khutbah.com/en/ramadan_hajj/sand.php
Language: en
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Subject: hajj
Title: Before the Sand Slips Away
Created on: Tue Jan 29 11:03:19 -0500 2008
Updated on: Tue Jan 29 11:03:19 -0500 2008
Version: 1
Abstract: ... , you may find that it only costs $1 to feed a person! So, for $30 you could come out of Ramadan having doubled your reward. And, we should not forget the needy in our city. We think that in a 'modern' western country or city there are no needy people. This is far from the truth. There are many needy families that are waiting to be discovered. Ask around and you will find a gold mine of people to help in your own backyard. I speak about Washington, DC. If one was to have a food drive, all the food could go to needy Muslim families in DC and still not be enough! I've seen this with my own eyes. How blessed it would be to get the youth that just hang out in the back of the masjid during taraweeh to take on this task. They could organize the collection of the food and distribute it. It can happen! All it takes is a leader with vision to set this up for the youth, and all the good people who want to make a difference. Idea #2: Operation Guide the Youth Often in Ramadan there are khaatirahs, words of wisdom, halaqahs and reminders, all geared to the adults praying taraweeh. The youth it seems are being disrespectful by talking in the back of the masjid. "Shhhhhsh!" someone shouts at them. "Listen or go outside (and we prefer if you just go outside)!" So, quietly they sneak out of the masjid and chat and chill all Ramadan. How eman boosting is that? Remember, Allah commands that you protect your wife and children. Try this: Just like there are things for the adults, we could have Ramadan activities and reminders geared specifically for the youth. And, it need not be in the masjid. Let's say the youth like to chat and chill outside in the parking lot. Why not organize the activity there? Perhaps it could be on the basketball court or in the parking lot. Have a 5 minute khatirah, play games with them, and give them some noble projects to complete in Ramadan. Again, making a difference like this needs a leader with a vision, one who recognizes that the youth are his or her responsibility. I pray that person is you! Idea #3: TV Turnoff Month Every parent knows that when they want their child to do well in their studies they tell them, "No TV!" If this is what we do for the dunya then how about someone who wants to excel in Ramadan? "Fasting and the Qur'an will come and testify on behalf of the 'abd on the Day of Resurrection. The Fasting will say, 'O my lord, I denied him food and desires, so allow me to be a means for him to enter Paradise.' And the Qur’an will say, 'O my Lord, I denied him sleep at night so allow me to be a means for him to enter Paradise.' And (he will be entered into Paradise) because of those two"(Musnad Ahmad). Try this: Announce in your household that Ramadan is the official TV Turnoff Month. Be an example for others and do fun and rewarding things instead. Visit people, take on a Ramadan feeding project, increase yourself in knowledge, etc. Turn off the TV and turn on life! Idea #4: Dua' Time Ramadan is the month of making du'a to Allah, an essential compliment to fasting. RasulAllah sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said: "There are three persons' du'a that will be accepted (by Allah). The fasting person, the oppressed one, and the traveler." Try this: Make a list of all your goals in life. Make a section for your (a) personal goals (b) spiritual goals (c) economic goals and (d) contribution goals. Everyday during Ramadan, take out your list and make du'a to Allah to grant you the tawfeeq to accomplish your goals. In sha Allah, you will attain your goals with hard work, both during and after Ramadan. Idea #5: Parent Appreciation Month We all know that the one who wakes us up for suhoor is our mom. I know that was true for me in my house growing up. If it wasn’t for her alarm clock, her early morning cooking, her motherly love to go and wake everyone up, our iftars would have become our suhoors. If you are living away from your parents, you know what I'm talking about. Remember the hadith of the person who doesn't reach Ramadan with forgiveness? The end part of the hadith says they found their parents in old age and they were not a means for him to enter Jannah! So why not announce it loud and clear this month, "Thank y... [Full Article...]
