Standing at Ramadan's Doorstep: Five Keys to Transformation

E.

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For.

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E e.

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Asalam alaykum allahar.

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Allahar as.

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Ill as.

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Asam.

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Sal.

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H you allahar all.

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In alhamd.

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All praise doe to Allah we praise him we seek his for help and forgiveness we send sincere peace and blessing upon the final messenger.

[Arabic recitation]

Wasam dear brothers and sisters in Islam we are on the doorsteps of Ramadan the month of Mer Mercy an immense spiritual opportunity the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam and his companions eagerly awaited this month it is narrated that righteous companions would pray for months in advance to live until the next Ramadan and four months after to have their deed accepted this shows how precious this month was to them we should likewise welcome Ramadan with joy and gratitude knowing that Allah is giving us a chance to raise our sins and draw us closer to him the prophet sallallah alaihi wasallam said when Ramadan arrives the gates of paradise are opened and the gates of of Hellfire are closed and the devils are chained up what a blessed season we are about to enter a season in which Allah's Mercy forgiveness and from are abundantly offered for believers my dear brothers and sisters Ramadan is the month of fasting prayer reading reading the Quran and forgiveness Allah says in the Quran the month of of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was revealed as a guidance for Humanity and a creel proof of guidance and creation so when whomever you witness the month let him fast it fasting is not a ritual of hunger or thirst it is an act of deep devotion rewarded by Allah subhanahu wa taala in a sacred Hadith Allah says every good deed of son of Adam is Multiplied 10 to a 700 times except for fasting except for fasting it is for me and I alone were reward for it this means the reward for sincere fasting is beyond measure kept with Allah's Bounty fasting also act as a shield for us against evil by restraining our physical needs and desires for the sake of Allah we train our souls and attain tawa let me me share with you a powerful example from the the time of the Prophet sallallah alaihi wasallam elating Ramadan value a companion of the Prophet sallai wasam narrated a remarkable dream he knew two men who accepted Islam at the same time one of them was very active one of them was very active in worship and was killed in the battle attaining shahada while the second one will Liv to one year later and had died naturally so in a dream that he was at the Gate of paradise and so both these men standing there in the dream it was the one who died later ad admitted first to the J before the Shah and tal was surprised and tal was surprised by that the next morning he informed the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam and his companions about the dream and the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam explained by asking did not the second man live an extra year and witness another Ramadan and fast and pray the companions answered yes the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam then said between then the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said the difference between them and reward and rank is the is is the the the difference between them in reward and rank is greater than the difference between the heavens and the Earth the man who Liv an extra year which included another Ramadan of fasting and worship s surp surpasses even the shahada status allahar if this is the potential of Ramadan we must ask ourselves how can we let such a golden chance Slips Away the prophet sallallah alaihi wasallam once ascended to the member to give and said aan aan three times when asked about this the the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said jbel came to him and made three supplications to which the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said aan one of these duas May the person be ruined who experience Ramadan without gaining forgiveness foress in other words someone who lives through Ramadan and does not secure the has truly lost a great deal such a person failed despite all Gates of Mercy are open and shaan are being chained up we seek refuge in Allah from being among the negligent or the losers within this holy month in this blessed month our Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam set the best examples for us he was always devoted to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala but in Ramadan his worship reach even higher levels it is narrated by Abbas that the messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wasallam was the most generous was the most generous of all people when he and he was most generous in Ramadan when jiel would meet him jiel used to meet with him every night of Ramadan and they would study the Quran together during this time the messenger of Allah sallallah alaihi wasallam become more generous in doing good than the blowing wind that brings that brings rain to a dry land this Hadith show us two important things first the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam would would review the Quran every night in Ramadan with jiel highlighting that Ramadan is the month of Quran we too should s sit aside time to study recite and reflect on the Quran as it is the guidance revealed in this this holy month the second important thing the prophet sallallah alaihi wasallam charity and kindness in Ramadan was unparalleled as a free as a wind that brings rain to the dry land he gave abundantly in charity fed the poor and showed extra generosity in Ramadan following his Sunnah this is the best time for Sak for helping those who are need and for showing generosity in all forms the Companions and early Generations imitated this passion for example ABD was known for his compassion in Ramadan it is stated that he would only break his past in the company of a poor he used to give to in charity whatever he could even something sweet he enjoy eating saying he had heard Allah's word you will never attain righteousness until you spend from from which you love you will never attain righteousness until you spend from which that you love the companions understood that Fe that feeding others and giving charity in Ramadan carries a huge rewards the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam in a Hadith once said whomever gives AAR to a fasting person will have a reward him without reducing the reward of the fasting person so every Act of generosity in this month multiplies our rewards and spreads our blessings the examples of the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam and as his companions are inspiring think of the Prophet sallallah alaihi wasam is standing long night in prayer making Dua to Allah for his think of the companions and Tam reciting Quran in such a way that they couldn't get past one verse for a long time think of the poor and hungry Ramadan transform Hearts Ramadan transform Hearts We should strive to taste a portion of that that sweetness We should strive to test a a portion of that sweetness of of of Faith throughout our worship and Good Deeds motivation alone is not enough we need a practical plan to utilize every moment of Ramadan wisely time in Ramadan is M melting ice block if you do not shape it with a PL with a plan it will slip away it will slip away so here are five tips to help you maximize the spiritual benefit of Ramadan inshallah the first one is begin with with a sincere repentance enter Ramadan with a clean heart even before the month starts repent to Allah repent to Allah for past sins and make amends with anyone you have wronged a heart free of grudges and sins is more receptive of blessings the prophet sahu alaihi wasallam said oh people repent to Allah for I Repent to him a 100 times a day the second step set to clear intentions and goals plan what you want to achieve spiritually for example intend how many times you will read the Quran or how many pages per day how much charity will you will give and which habit you want to change write down a proposal a list of of Ramadan goals praying every prayer on time never missing and reading the Quran for 30 minutes daily the third step protect the past from sins fasting is not just from food and drink but also refraining from sinful speech and behavior be extra mindful of your tongue your eyes and your ears no backbiting no Veil talk talk or no viewing of Haram content the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said if someone fights you or insult you while you're fasting respond I am fasting meaning do not engage in any arguments good manners and and and Patience are part of fasting the fourth step make the Quran your companion this is the month the Quran was sent down so honor it by by reading as much as you can every day if you struggle with reading use this month to improve your recitation Allah rewards every effort perhaps read a juo or a part of a each day to complete the Quran by the end of the month which is a common and notable Target if that's difficult set a realistic portion and stick to it reflect on the meanings read t for for a few verses each day and the last step moderation in approaching D to maximize spiritual productivity be moderate in your approach to Dunya and worldly life during Ramadan do not overindulge in AAR meals Ting can make you lazy for pray in prayers our companions kept it simple remembering the purpose of fasting enjoying Halal Delights forar and sahur but do not make food the focus of the month do not make food the focus of the month additionally avoid turning nights into social Gatherings that make you m or stay up gossiping strike a balance so you that your body is nourished and your soul is a free for worship these five steps beginning with a sincere TBA setting a clear intentions and goals protecting the faster from sins and making a Quran your companion and moderation in approaching D during Ramadan if we follow these steps inshallah you will make the most of moment in Ramadan remember consistency is a key start strong from the first night and first day and if you fell or fell short or slip on one day do not give up do not give up each day is a new opportunity keep renewing your intentions and rely on Allah's help and make Dua dear brothers and sisters let us not forget those who were with us last year Ramadan but no longer here this year many Souls have returned to Allah since last Ramadan we pray for their forgiveness and mercy we have been given another chance we don't know if we will live to see another Ramadan so treat this Ramadan as possibly your last we might think we have long lives but we truly don't know the opportunity is now Ramadan is our chance for forgiveness do not hesitate in doing good change should start from the first day of Ramadan in fact from now as we prepare for it we ask Allah to grant us the life to reach Ramadan and the ability to worship Him in a best way during it.

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Ald servant of Allah I remind myself and you of the command of Allah to have tawa in all circumstances Tonight Tonight Ramadan will begin inshallah Ramadan Mubarak my dear brothers and sisters may Allah accept our our Deeds inshallah let's take advantage of these remaining hours to prepare ourself mentally and spiritually resolve any pending arguments forget forgive others so Allah will forgive you and start Ramadan with a clean slate remember the essence of Ramadan is not fasting from food but also training in ourselves to obey Allah and avoid sins the true essence of Ramadan will be judged by how much we improve in our obedience and character even after the month ends so intend not only to Worship in Ramadan but to carry its lessons forward if you avoid backbiting and laziness for 30 days there's no Reas reason to return to it once shaal comes let Ramadan be a launching path for a permanent change towards a better IM and practice in these blessed days increase your Dua for yourself and the umah our word is in desperate need for mercy of Allah there are those suffering in war poverty and oppression remember them in your prayers when you feel hungry and thirsty while fasting let it remind you of the hunger of the poor and refugees and soften your heart to give and pay to give and pray for them we are a one body as Muslims oh Allah the most merciful we thank you for the gift of Ramadan we have not worshiped you as you deserve but you but your mercy is greater than our shortcomings allow us to reach Ramadan and fast its days and pray at nights with e andas Ya Allah enable us to take full advantage of each Ramadan Inspire us to the best of deeds and keep laziness and distractions away from us help us remember you and recite your book abundantly make the Quran the spring of our hearts Ya Allah forgive us forgive our sins the major and the minor the past and the reent cleanse our hearts and feelings for on our bodies and habits of of sins let this Ramadan be a means of complete forgiveness and purification for each of us y rman have mercy on the of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam relieve the distress of Muslims who are are oppressed or un hardship feed the hungry and heal the sick throughout our fasting and Dua bring unity and peace to the Muslims and guide us back to the your straight path oh Allah guide our youth oh Allah guide Our Youth and protect them from Temptations bless our elders with good health and strong faith reward our mothers and fathers and have Mercy on them as they raised us.

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Muh.

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Forar ill.

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Allahar alhamdulillah must.

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In.

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Sal.

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All.

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All alhamdulillah Al.

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N sh.

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All.

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All for.

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Salam alikum brothers and sisters it's very important for me to share with you some of the announcements today so please take a note of some of these because it's very important for us to to start the Ramadan and with the great blessings but the same time we also have to take care of some matters with the neighbors inshallah so first inshallah there's going to be a change in timings for the for the prayers starting tomorrow morning the fud prayers prayer will be at 6:00 a.m. and the ass will be at 5:00 p.m. so basically we're going to have a special schedule throughout the Ramadan so please make sure that you are aware of these timings fud is going to be 6: a.m. will be 5:00 p.m. that's the AMA times and Isa is going to be 8:00 p.m. inshallah we definitely we have we need your help in making sure that we are able to fulfill the afar calendar that's posted back there if you cannot you know there's a 2,000 for the weekday and 3,000 for the weekend so if you want to split it with somebody else please put your name up there and put partial or P next to it and leave your number so we'll coordinate that inshallah this is the most important announcement I want to make today so I was just waiting to to get to this it is the neighbors are going to be having their own set of activities as you know that we have been using their parking lot for our activities and we have been they have been very generous with us this week they have their own convention so I'm going to request every one of you personally to please help us there's something else all also happening they have been doing some repairs to their parking lot so of course that is nearing completion but their convention starts it's actually it's Thursday Friday Friday and Thursday Friday and Saturday so it is 700 p.m. every night so we need to make sure our vehicles are not in their parking lot or in the way so we cannot just say just because it's vacant or I can see a lot of space I can go park please do not do that we'll have our people to to help you coordinate the traffic at least for our activities we have a lot of parking spaces in the you know the neighbors have a parking spots in their backyard so we can use that also there's a parking along the street and the parking in the at the end of this this this street that there's a ample parking so I think inshallah we'll be able to manage all the the traffic today but we need your cooperation and look for the direction that people are providing you and be kind to your neighbors inshallah we will be also doing some fundraising during the month of Ramadan and will announce that with the for the specific purpose but I'm going to request you every Friday to just take few minutes to do not schedule a meeting right after that that you have to say assalamu alkumah and run out of here that's something that will help us at least get everybody participate and if you cannot you know just make sure that you are able to help us in maintaining some discipline and some coordination inshallah thei inshallah the the recitation is going to be led by H Assam I saw him here can you raise a hand please there's brother Assam back there and brother Dari they will be leading the Tavis inshallah and there is there's one other announcement there's a science project there is announcement going to be who the winners are so if you have time to just go by in the gymnasium and you'll you'll be able to participate in that again please contact me or brother jabber for anybody who wants to donate or participate in theam Alik.

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Sh.