Salam aleykum!!!

salam aleykum dear all. i sincerely apologise for the lull in posting articles. we have been having severe challenges with our network provider, but we are doing all we can to rectify this situation. please do bear with us. and thank you.

RAMADAN HALF WAY QUESTIONNAIRE

Alhamdulillah. Allah is the most Merciful. As long as you are reading this, your life has been spared till this moment. Allah, has yet given us another opportunity to seek His Mercy and forgiveness. May we all be beneficiaries of these. Ameen.

1. Are you a nursing mother?
2. Are you fasting?
3. If no, do you feed a miskeen or do you pay Fidyah?
4. Do you find yourself utilizing the month to the best of your ability?
5. If you are fasting, how does the fast affect you and your baby?

Allahu Musta'in

IFTAR SNACK IDEA - MASA/ WAINA

Good old masa. There is hardly anyone I have met, who has tasted this snack and doesn't crave it. It can be consumed with the traditional vegetable soup or with ground kulikuli or with any condiment of choice. It's most popular in the north. There are certain days that you just desire to eat this breakfast/ dinner snack, but in the event that it is unavailable to purchase, I have endeavored to ask an expert friend of mine for the procedure of making this. What's more? You can make your mixture yourself and cook, ensuring good hygiene and portion control. Ain't you excited. Click on read more to see the recipe. Also try to bookmark this page and refer to it when you are ready to prepare yours

READER'S CONTRIBUTION: LOVE FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH BY OLAGUNJU SHERRIFDEEN

Asalaam aleykum all. Read, share and enjoy this exceptionally enlightening piece from one of our dear readers. Olagunju Sherrifdeen is a graduate of engineering from the University of Osun. May Allah increase his knowledge. Ameen.

Abû Hurayrah relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah will ask on the Day of Judgment: ‘Where are those who loved each other for the sake of My glory? Today, - on a day when there is no shade but mine – I shall shade them with My shade.” [Sahîh Muslim (2566)]

Love is among the most exalted of human feelings. When this love is focused on Allah and forms the basis for our interpersonal relationships, many problems are transcended, and great fruits are harvested for society as a whole. The Qur’ân and Sunnah often speak about the noble status of those whom Allah graces to possess such love.

THE REFUTATION OF ATHEISM

Asalaam aleykum. This is yet another lovely piece sent to me from Islam info by Abu Habeebah. JazakAllah. Please read, drop your comments and share!

Refutation of Atheism

"....The chance that higher life forms might have emerged in this way (by coincidence) is comparable with the chance that a tornado sweeping through a junk-yard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein....."

Millions of plant and animal types present in the world stand out as evidence that prove the existence and might of our Creator. All of these living beings, a limited number of which will be described as examples here, deserve to be examined individually. They all have different body systems, diverse defence tactics, unique ways of feeding, and interesting reproduction methods. Unfortunately, it is not possible to describe all living beings with all their features in a single book. Encyclopaedias of many volumes would not be enough for this task. However, even the few examples we will discuss here will be sufficient to prove that life on earth can in no way be explained by coincidences or accidental happenings.

HEALTH ISSUES IN RAMADAN

As we gradually take each day of Ramadan as it comes, there is bound to be some strain on the body, especially to the body that didn't practice fasting prior to Ramadan. This post seeks to identify some of these urgent health concerns and also first aid solutions to them in sha Allah. 

FOOD, NUTRITION IN RAMADAN

Apart from ensuring optimum spiritual activity, the holy month of Ramadan also enables us detoxify and essentially give our bodies the rest it needs. Remember that we spend 11 months eating and drinking 2/4/7 and anytime we desire, in effect, our livers, guts etc are always performing one activity or the other. So this month is such a blessing to us in several different ways Masha Allah. Alhamdulilah.

Though our sense of nutrition has been blurred by the numerous culinary options available, researchers have continually found immense benefits in the food items recommended to us over 1400 years ago. I'll proceed now to highlight some of these foods and I hope we choose to incorporate them into our daily meals, because there is nothing that has been recommended to us but that it has immense benefits. In sha Allah.

VEIL: VIEW FROM THE INSIDE

Asalaam aleykum, you all need to read this piece my brother, Abu Habeebah sent to me. Read it and tell your friends too. All the better to be inspired. Masha Allah. Meanwhile, I hope the Ramadan is going on well, I do apologize for paucity in posting, this month leaves no room for most extra activity, please be patient with me, because despite this, my daily page views keep rising. May Allah answer all our prayers.. Ameen.

Veil: the View From the Inside

By Nakata Khaula
Do Muslim Women Have Rights?
Anyone whose sole source of knowledge about Islam has been the Western media, "knows" that Islam "oppresses" women. The hijab or veil, is the symbol of such "oppression." To "liberate" Muslim women from such "oppression" has been the cherished goal of media pundits, Western "experts" on Islam, and the feminists.

HADITH OF THE MOMENT

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) said: Allah who is great and glorious has said :

“Those of My servants who are quickest in breaking their fast are dearest to Me”  Sunan Al Tirmidhi

VERSE OF THE MOMENT

" O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done. [Surah Hujurat V6].

3rd DAY OF RAMADAN QUESTIONAIRE

Alhamdulilah for the grace to witness the third day of Ramadan!!!! Here are your questions for the day

1. How many chapters of the Noble Qur'an were you able to read today?
2. Are you able to read the Arabic texts or the translation? 
3. Do you understand the verses of the Quran you read?
4. How long did it take to prepare your iftar?
5. How would you Guage yourself so far?

MID RAMADAN PROGRAM SHOWING CHANNELS AND TIMES

Asalaam aleykum ayuhal muslimoon. How was the first day of Ramadan?? Don't let the excitement wear out. Keep it up! May Allah make it easy for us and accept our fasts and ibadah. Ameen.

I promised to bring to you the time and channels for the MID Ramadan program broadcast. But there has been so many intentions by different television station to air the program such that I couldn't be sure of the exact ones, fortunately, we've got two channels so far. Some very lucky ones caught up with the airing of today's episode, please keep the time in mind, and don't miss any episode.

Tune to NTAi/ 5 DSTV channel 251at 5:10 am and LTV 8 DSTV channel 256 at 5:25 am everyday.

To view the previous episode, you can subscribe to the YouTube channel of MID at www.youtube.com/MuslimIdentity1. Daily episodes will also be broadcast, this is to ensure you do not miss any of the fun and education! 

Masalam! 

RAMADAN 1st QUESTIONNAIRE

Alhamdulilah. Wow!!! It's iftar already! That's if you are in Abuja, Nigeria. May Allah accept our fasts and ibadah and shower us with the blessings inherent in the month. Ameen. For each day, I'll in sha Allah put out a post which will appeal to our consciences. It's going to be a questionnaire for our activities of each day. I hope these will help us make a better tomorrow than today. In sha Allah. Enjoy.

1. At what time did your sahur end?
2. When did u pray your fajr salat?
3. Do you work or school?
4. Around what time did you leave home? 
5. Between fajr salat and your leaving your home, what did you do? 
6. Did you pray the tarawih yesterday? 
7. What did you break your fast with?
8. How many people ate with you...or shared your meal? 
9. What was the main meal of your iftar?
10. Did you feel too full for isha and tarawih prayers?

Ten questions for each day. May Allah make it all easy for us all. Ameen! 

RAMADAN KAREEM!!!

Dua Before Ramadaan

اَللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْنِيْ لِرَمَضَانَ وَسَلِّمْ رَمَضَانَ لِيْ وَسَلِّمْهُ لِيْ مُتَقَبَّلاًاَللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْنِيْ لِرَمَضَانَ وَسَلِّمْ رَمَضَانَ لِيْ وَسَلِّمْهُ لِيْ مُتَقَبَّلاً

Allahumma sallimnee li ramadana  wa sallim ramadana
Li wa sallimhu li mutaqabbilan.

“O Allah! Safeguard me for the Month of Ramadhaan (by making me see the Month of Ramadhan healthy and fit), and safeguard the Month of Ramadhan for me (by making the conditions in it such that I can take maximum benefit from it) and accept it from me.”

RAMADAN!!! THINGS THAT DO AND DO NOT BREAK THE FAST

In the desire to achieve the best out of Ramadaan, we fret and worry about our actions and how they affect our fast. This posts seeks to put to rest many of such fears and also highlight the things that break the fast, and the things that do not. In sha Allah.

THINGS THAT NULLIFY THE FAST COMPLETELY

• Deliberately eating or drinking
• Having Sexual intercourse
• Intentionally vomiting 
• Not having the intention to fast
  

HADITH OF THE MOMENT

In Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim it is narrated from Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah SAW said, "Avoid the seven sins that dooms a person to Hell."

These are ; Associating others with Allah, witchcraft, killing a soul whom Allah has forbidden killing, except in cases required by Islamic law, consuming riba, consuming the orphan's wealth, running away from the battlefield, and slandering chaste and innocent believing women.

STORIES FROM THE QURAN : HARUT AND MARUT; CONCLUDED

Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Muhammad Ibn`Abdel A`la As-San`ani that he was told by Al-Mu`tamir Ibn Sulaiman who said: I heard ` Imran Ibn Jarir who narrated from Abu Majliz as saying: Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) took from every living creature a covenant. So when any person gets afflicted with anything, he (Sulaiman) asks Allah with that covenant and the person recovers. Unfortunately, the people added to this sorcery and magic and said: this is what Sulaiman Ibn Dawud used to act upon. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did lot disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came town at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people earn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew}.

STORIES FROM THE QURAN : HARUT AND MARUT, CONTINUED

As-Sadiy said: Allah's Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}, i.e. the devils used to listen stealthily to the talks of the angels concerning what happens to those on earth: death, unseen matters or divine ordainments. Then, they come down to inspire the soothsayers with it and the latter would tell the people with it. The people believe in them and regard them trustworthy. Time after time, the soothsayers trusted the devils who later on used to add to each word one-hundred lies of their own. The people started to write down these matters and it circulated among the Children of Israel that the Jinn know the Unseen. Sulaiman moved quickly and gathered all these writings and put them in a chest and buried it under his throne. All the devils who tried to even approach the chest were burnt alive. Sulaiman declared that he would behead anyone who claims that the devils know the Unseen. After Sulaiman's death and that of the godly-scholars who knew it well, a devil came in the form of a human being to the people and said: I will lead you to an everlasting treasure that will never run out. He ordered them to dig under Sulaiman's throne and he took a side. He said to them: kill me if you find nothing. They dug it and found these writings. Thereupon, the devil said: Only with this magic, Sulaiman could overcome mankind, the Jinn and birds. Then, he flew away. It was rumored and circulated that Sulaiman had been a sorcerer. The Children of Israel kept these writings and disputed with Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) regarding them. But Allah the Almighty revealed to him His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}.

STORIES FROM THE QURAN - HARUT AND MARUT

....continued from last time, and culled from Ibn Kathir's Stories in the Quran.

2. Harut and Marut

Allah the Almighty says:

{They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us). "And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew. And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far better would have been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!}. (Al-Baqarah, 102, 103)

PREPARING FOR RAMADAN

As we gradually count down to the blessed month of Ramadaan, I pray Allah preserves our lives to witness the glorious month and also beyond it. And may He let us benefit from all the blessings replete in the month. Ameen.

There are several preparations towards this glorious month, stocking the fridge, visiting friends and families. But the most important preparation is our spiritual readiness for this month. Are we indeed ready for this month? Is our current spiritual state a great pointer to the fact that we will reap the benefits of the season.?

QUIZ OF THE DAY

What is the name of the shortest surah in the Quran?

What is the fourth pillar of Islam?

Do drop your answers in the comment section.
Salam aleykum.

MORE PICTURES FROM THE MID RAMADAN PROGRAM PRODUCTION

 CEO MID, ABDULHAMID ADETONA AND HAFSA KAUGAMA.
More pictures after the cut