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To see every Muslim confident and impacting the world
We’ve all heard the quote, “if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” A traveller prepares for his journey, a student prepares for his exams, and now that Ramaḍān is nearing, we too must prepare ourselves for this blessed month.
Shaykh Ali Hammuda highlights the various forms of preparation essential for embracing and capturing the blessings of Ramaḍān.
https://www.islam21c.com/islamic-thought/ramadan-5s-which-one-are-you/
No Salman, no problem! Umer Suleman steps in while our host recovers from sickness to speak to Shaykh Dr. Haitham al-Haddad for a special Empowered podcast just in time for Ramadan 1445.
From discussing the current situation in Gaza to shedding light on Islamophobia within the UK establishment, they delve into pressing issues like Rishi Sunak's speech, the recent incident involving Aaron Bushnell, and not following Saudi.. 😳
Tune in for an insightful discussion that addresses pertinent topics affecting the Muslim community and beyond.
https://youtu.be/L4Jwt0v2XrA
Last week, over 101,000 voters in Michigan called out the President as he continues his pro-Zionist stance amid the Gaza genocide.
This week, Minnesota’s primary saw nearly 19 per cent of its votes go to the “uncommitted” category, sending another message that Democratic voters will not tolerate Biden’s unequivocal support for Israel’s war in Gaza.
https://www.islam21c.com/news/michigan-muslims-send-biden-gaza-message/
This is a reflective exercise that personalises our spiritual journey, making it more meaningful and directed. Such a list acts as a roadmap for our aspirations and prayers, allowing for a concentrated effort in seeking divine assistance and guidance.
By identifying specific goals and supplications, we engage in a more intimate dialogue with our Creator, enhancing our spiritual connection and focus during Ramadan.
Planning our charitable actions and Zakat contributions before Ramadan is a vital aspect of preparing for the blessed month, emphasising the significance of generosity and empathy in Islam.
This preparation ensures that our contributions are thoughtful and impactful and aligns with the Ramadan spirit of compassion and giving. By carefully selecting causes and planning our donations, we engage in a deliberate act of kindness that transcends geographical boundaries, building a sense of global brotherhood and community.
This approach to charity during Ramadan benefits those in need and cleanses our wealth.
Allocating specific times for this before Ramadan fosters a disciplined approach to spiritual reflection and connection. This preparation will ensure that our days are imbued with moments of contemplative reflection and learning.
The act of scheduling these periods demonstrates a commitment to integrating the Qur’ān into our daily life during Ramadan, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of its guidance. This deliberate engagement with the Qur’ān can serve as a spiritual anchor throughout the month, enriching our experience with depth and meaning.
The vast majority of people who identify as “LGBTQ” do not have children. Are we happy with them making decisions for the vast majority of us that do? We have until 12 March to reply to the government consultation on draft "trans" ideology guidance for schools.
We need as many Muslim parents and Muslim organisations as possible to respond, writes Yusuf Patel.
https://www.islam21c.com/culture/fight-lgbt-lobby-in-schools/
100 years after the fall of the Khilafah on 3rd March 1924, the World needs a civilisational alternative to the disaster it faces today, writes Abdul Wahid
https://www.islam21c.com/opinion/100-years-on-its-clear-the-world-needs-the-khilafah/
Today marks 100 Gregorian years since the Islamic Caliphate system abruptly ended with the Ottoman Empire.
While the fall of the Islamic Caliphate was a difficult time in our history, it also is a great reminder of the sustaining strength of the Muslim Ummah.
https://www.islam21c.com/politics/caliphate-100-years-on-ummah-strong-and-empowered/
The recent victory of George Galloway in Rochdale has sent shock-waves through the political landscape of the UK, prompting many to ponder whether this marks the onset of a transformation in the nation’s political discourse.
https://www.islam21c.com/news/george-galloway-rochdale-win-change-in-uk-politics/
Embarking on a digital detox as Ramadan approaches offers a unique opportunity to recalibrate our focus towards spiritual pursuits and personal reflection. This conscious decision to step back from constant digital engagement not only prepares our minds for a more profound spiritual connection, but also highlights the importance of presence and mindfulness in our daily lives.
In a world where our attention is constantly divided, choosing to limit our digital interactions can significantly enhance our ability to engage with our dīn, fostering a deeper sense of peace and fulfilment during the blessed month.
What Aaron Bushnell did is indicative of a much broader feeling of frustration at not only the Zionist state's continued genocide against Gaza, but also those providing it with military aid and diplomatic cover.
Zimarina Sarwar shares truths that are often ignored by the media.
https://www.islam21c.com/opinion/things-i-wish-aaron-bushnell-knew/
The question we must ask is: how is this clearly documented massacre taking place in front of the entire world? Has the world become deaf, dumb, and blind?
https://www.islam21c.com/news/israeli-blockade-of-gaza-causing-famine/
We went to Pakistan during the elections, but never expected this...
https://youtu.be/U2jsmCmmy_4
Witnessing a relative’s severe illness should stimulate self-reflection; the clear weakness of the human being and the inevitability of health, strength, and life being superseded by disorder, frailty, and death. In part two of four, Shaykh Dr. Ali Ahmed shares guidance that family members and close friends of those coming to the end of this worldly life may benefit from.
https://www.islam21c.com/islamic-thought/advice-to-relatives-of-those-nearing-death/
Creating a detailed daily planner before Ramadan offers a structured approach to fulfilling our practical commitments during the month. By visually mapping out our daily activities and goals, we establish a clear path for observance and reflection.
This planner serves as a reminder of our intentions and acts as a motivational tool, encouraging us to remain focused and accomplish our set objectives. Displaying the planner in a prominent place in our home acts as a constant visual cue, reinforcing our commitment and progress throughout Ramadan.
This organised approach ensures a balanced and fulfilling Ramadan experience, allowing us to make the most of this special time with purpose and direction.
Signing up for volunteering opportunities before Ramadan embodies the essence of community service and selflessness — key virtues in Islam. By dedicating our time and efforts to help others, we contribute to the wellbeing of those in need, as well as deepening our own level of practice.
Volunteering during Ramadan is a powerful way to live the principles of compassion and empathy, sparking a sense of solidarity and communal support. This action adds to the Ramadan experience, providing a practical outlet for the desire to make a difference to the lives of others, reinforcing the communal bonds we have in our community and the wider Ummah.
Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhī rājiʿūn.
Indeed, to Allah we belong, and to Him we are returning.
On behalf of Shaykh Dr. Haitham al-Haddad and the Islam21c team, we offer our deepest condolences to the family, students, and the entire community in the UK and abroad, on the passing of the esteemed Shaykh Maulana Adam Sahib.
We ask Allah to shower him with His immense mercy and to grant him the best compensation in the Hereafter.
https://www.islam21c.com/editorials/obituary/condolences-passing-of-shaykh-maulana-adam-sahib/
The government consultation into this draft guidance ends at 11:59pm on 12th March and we need as many Muslim parents and Muslim organisations as possible to respond.
This guidance is surprisingly good, but your response is critical to ensuring it goes in our favour.
https://youtu.be/9a1ny79Ioog
The United States military has carried out a series of strikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, reportedly destroying unmanned vessels, missiles, and a drone.
Despite the numerous rounds of strikes by the UK and the US, the Houthis have promised to continue targeting ships associated with Israel, in support of the occupied Palestinians, until the apartheid state ends its ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
https://www.islam21c.com/news/us-uk-strike-houthis-yemen-red-sea/
The vast majority of people who identify as “LGBTQ” do not have children. Are we happy with them making decisions for the vast majority of us that do?
We have until 12 March to reply to the government consultation on draft "trans" ideology guidance for schools.
We need as many Muslim parents and Muslim organisations as possible to respond, writes Yusuf Patel.
https://www.islam21c.com/culture/fight-lgbt-lobby-in-schools/
Adjusting our sleep schedule before Ramadan is a crucial step towards ensuring that we can fully engage with the month's spiritual and physical demands.
This adjustment is not just about coping with the changes in eating and prayer times, but also about enhancing our overall wellbeing during the blessed month. Adequate rest is essential for maintaining focus during prayers and daily activities, allowing for a more fulfilling and spiritually enhancing Ramadan experience.
By preparing our body in advance, we can minimise the impact of the transition, ensuring that our health and spiritual practices are optimised.
Embracing fasting in the week leading up to Ramadan prepares both our body and spirit for the month-long observance. This practice not only aligns with the Prophetic tradition, but also serves as a gentle transition into the fasting period, easing the physical adjustment.
Fasting in Sha’bān acts as a stepping stone to Ramadan, offering a time for reflection and self-discipline, and setting a foundation for the blessed month. This step is a testament to the wisdom of our Islamic tradition, which emphasises gradual adaptation and spiritual readiness.
Starting to engage with Islamic literature and lectures before Ramadan can profoundly impact our level of readiness for the upcoming month. This action can enrich our understanding and connection to our faith and serve as mental preparation, setting a reflective tone for the days ahead.
By dedicating time to learn and absorb these teachings, we cultivate a mindset that is attuned to the essence of Ramadan, developing a deeper appreciation and readiness for the spiritual rejuvenation that this blessed month offers.
This preparation is crucial for transforming our Ramadan experience into one of meaningful reflection, learning, and growth.
In an exciting development for English and Scottish football fans of the Muslim faith, a unique partnership between Nujum Sports and Goals has paved the way for multi-faith prayer rooms (MFPR) to be created at every single Goals Football facility in the two home nations.
https://www.islam21c.com/news/nujum-sports-goals-to-open-prayer-rooms/
Contradictory statements are emerging regarding the tragic massacre that occurred in northern Gaza.
According to Israeli occupation forces, chaos ensued as humanitarian aid trucks were allegedly surrounded and looted by residents, leading to dozens of Gazans being killed and injured.
However, the BBC has reported a very different account from Israel.
An Israeli military spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, acknowledged that soldiers fired "warning shots" at civilians approaching a checkpoint, eventually opening fire and describing it as a "limited response" to a perceived threat.
Notably, the BBC's Palestinian source challenges the proximity of civilians to the checkpoint, suggesting they were about 70 metres away, not directly engaging as implied by Zionist forces.
These contradictory statements highlight the discrepancy between the IDF's own portrayal of events as well as eyewitness accounts.
It is crucial for us to stand against such heinous acts and dedicate ourselves to creating a world where justice is the focus, where narratives are not solely shaped by those with power, and where the lives of Palestinians are valued.
We must persist in amplifying our voices and challenging misinformation wherever it arises.
Reflecting on our intentions as we near Ramadan serves as a foundational step in our spiritual journey, ensuring that our actions are aligned with specific goals carried by sincere intentions.
This practice not only increases the chances of a successful and productive Ramadan, but also strengthens familial bonds through shared aspirations and support. It transforms the preparation into a collective endeavour, enhancing the communal aspect of Ramadan.
By setting clear objectives and openly discussing them, we can create a focused and harmonious approach to observing this blessed month, making it a more co-ordinated and collective experience for everyone involved.
Stay tuned for our upcoming Ramadan campaign, ‘Struggle to Strength’
In a deeply unsettling act of despair, an active US airman set himself ablaze outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, in an alarming protest against the ongoing onslaught in Gaza, repeatedly shouting "Free Palestine!" until he collapsed. The airman, identified as 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell, was driven by a powerful conviction, stating he could not be 'complicit in genocide'. This harrowing incident, starkly highlights the extreme lengths to which individuals will go to voice their opposition to injustice.
As he approached the embassy's gates, Bushnell's actions were a cry for the world to wake up to the suffering and devastation faced by countless innocents. Rushed to the hospital with critical injuries, his condition serves as a somber reminder of the human cost of conflict and the lengths to which some will go to stand against grave injustices. Reports indicate that he has now succumbed to his injuries.
While we do not condone self-harm in any form, it is crucial to recognise the underlying message of desperation and the call for justice that resonates in Bushnell's act. This event forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about the Zionist regime and its supporters, and the dire need for concerted efforts towards justice.
May this moment mark a pivotal shift: for those complicit to recognise their dire position on the wrong side of history; for those paralysed by inaction to embrace a courageous stand; and for those dedicated to the liberation of Palestine to find their efforts crowned with triumph.
In a final and profound message shared on Facebook, Bushnell challenged us all with a powerful reflection: "Many of us like to ask ourselves, 'What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide?' The answer is, you're doing it. Right now."
Have you heard the story of the boy, the king, the magician, and the monk?
Despite the apparent setback from The Hague, Shaykh Ali Hammuda reminds us of this extraordinary tale of triumph amidst tribulation and how we should define victory in the face of adversity.
For victory lies not in mere success, but in the unyielding pursuit of truth and justice.
https://www.islam21c.com/islamic-thought/concept-of-victory-icj-israel-ruling/
The apartheid state's war cabinet has stooped to a new low with a threat from Benny Gantz: “The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know — if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, to include the Rafah area".
Such vile rhetoric, threatening further bloodshed in Rafah — which was previously declared by the Zionist state as a "safe zone" — is a profound abuse of the sanctity that Muslims give to Ramadan. We vehemently condemn this violent posturing, which recklessly serves only to escalate the genocide and inflict more suffering upon innocent civilians already bearing the brunt of this onslaught.
Let us remember the strength of character that lies within our community despite the ongoing oppression. Regardless of the challenges we face, including threats that disregard our sacred times, we hold the power to rise above them with grace and unity. Ramadan is a time for reflection and renewal of faith.