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Videos of Imam Zaid’s Britain Tour for Islamic Relief (click links)

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sep 19, 2009 at 1:44 pm

Here are a couple of video links to Imam Zaid’s fundraising tour for Islamic Relief. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdNTrs41zh0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCRa0VF5cSI

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Ramadan Lessons: Generosity

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sep 07, 2009 at 8:16 pm

Generosity We often focus on the fasting and Tarawih prayers during Ramadan. However, the blessed month is also a time when generosity is greatly emphasized. One should try to be exceedingly generous during this month. In this section (pp. 305-310) Ibn Rajab examines the generosity of the Prophet, peace upon…

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Characteristics to be Adopted: Controlling the Tongue

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sep 03, 2009 at 6:22 am

Note: The following characteristic is especially relevant in Ramadan, as one of the objectives of the fast is to control the tongue. Ibrahim al-Nakha’i, on of the teachers of Imam Abu Hanifa, may Allah have mercy on them both, mentioned: “The people ruined before you were done in by three…

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Ramadan Lessons: True Liberation

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sep 02, 2009 at 5:41 pm

This is the final installment of what we have translated from Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali’s work, Lata’if al-Ma’arif. In this section, he mentions the liberation from Hell that is a gift countless people receive during Ramadan. He also mentions many teachings from the religion that create a deep longing and love…

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Characterisics to be Adopted: Modesty, or Bashfulness

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Aug 31, 2009 at 2:05 am

A. Bashfulness or Modesty or Shame (Haya’) Haya’ is a constrained feeling caused by the fear of something that would impugn one’s character, or leaving that thing fearing that involvement with it would lead to one’s condemnation. A.1. Texts from The Qur’an and the Sunnah Concerning Bashfulness,…

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Ramadan Lessons: Fear

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Aug 31, 2009 at 1:52 am

In this section, Ibn Rajab mentions some of the sayings of the righteous forebears to illustrate the magnitude of the fear they had concerning the acceptability of their acts. (pp. 375-376) We should not take for granted that our fast will be accepted. Rather, we should search for those areas…

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Ramadan Lessons: Hope

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Aug 22, 2009 at 1:14 pm

Ramadan Lessons Based on Lata’f al-Ma’arif, by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali Translated by Imam Zaid Shakir Lesson One: Hope Translator’s note: رمضان مبارك Ramadan Mubarak! May you all be blessed during this blessed month. The month of Ramadan combines fear and hope, hardship and relief. In the following section…

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Characteristics to be Avoided: Envy

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Aug 22, 2009 at 12:43 pm

A. Envy (Hasad) is desiring the removal of a blessing from one truly deserving it. Al-Munawi, al-Tawqif الحسد تمني زوال نعمة عن مستحق لها – المناوي A.1. The Relationship Between Envy and Miserliness Envy and miserliness are related in that their possessor desires to deny…

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Characteristics to be Avoided: Love of the World

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Aug 17, 2009 at 1:47 pm

A. Love of the World in a blameworthy sense is to love it to such an extent that it moves from being a means to Paradise and becomes an end, the obsession with which leads to Hell. A.1. Three Types of Praise for Allah 1. Verbal praise is that of…

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Characteristics to be Avoided, Part Four: Iniquity (Baghi)

BY IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Aug 05, 2009 at 5:32 pm

A. Iniquity (al-Baghi) is to desire exaltation without right. Al-Munawi Iniquity is seeking to exceed the limits demarcating moderation in what is sought. Al-Raghib A.2. Texts from the Qur’an and the Sunnah Concerning Iniquity Wicked is what they have sold their souls for, disbelieving in what…

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