QUR’AN JOURNALLING SESSIONS AT HUJJAT STANMORE

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Journalling the Qur’an Audio

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447

RESOURCES FOR THE MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 CAN BE FOUND AT THE LINK BELOW

1 MARCH 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (12b)

RAMADHAN KAREEM 

Firstly, many many condolences – we lost an absolutely phenomenal personality whose loss breaks the heart again and again.

And tomorrow night will be the first night of Ayyamul Biydh (13th 14th & 15th – The lighted days)

…. Awesome days and nights.  

Imam as-Sadiq (pbuh) has said “Whosoever prays during the nights of Ayyamul Biydh stands at the door of the abundant favours and bounties”.

The recommended dua is Dua Mujeer. Please annotate your books (sample attached) as the dua is all about Asmaaul Husnaa 

It is a means for forgiveness of   sins even if they are equal to raindrops, leaves on a tree or sand in a desert.

This Dua was revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) when he was praying at Maqam-e-Ibrahim. 

Other benefits of the Dua are:

• Cure for sickness
• Alleviation of debt
• Increase in sustenance
• Independence
• Solution of problems
• removal of sorrows

And because it’s about the full moon; I guess it’s good to learn a little about how she (the moon) has become the centre of attention especially in the month of Ramadhan. So here goes….

THE LUNAR CALENDAR
The lunar calendar began with the Hijra of the Prophet. The first day of the month of Muharram of the year of the Hijra i.e. the migration of the Prophet, was the first day of this calendar. (20th September 622 CE)

The Hijra calendar is not just a sentimental system of time reckoning for Muslims; rather, it has a religious and historical significance and has had many scientific influences on our daily lives in the areas of psychology, physiology, and the environment.

THE EFFECT OF THE MOON….

Studies have shown that the moon influences our moods and physical cycles. 
On the day of the Full Moon the body’s capacity for detoxification is at its highest. This is a time, tradition says, to make healthy lifestyle changes, break bad habits and withdraw symptoms of imbalance. This is in complete synchronization with the fact that the prophet used to fast on the days of the full moon (Ayyamul Biydh), saying, “It is like fasting the whole year.”

1 MARCH 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (12)

RAMADHAN KAREEM 

JAWSHAN* KABEER

*JAWSHAN is an armour (in this case a spiritual force field of protection)

Imam Ali Zaynul Aabedeen (pbuh) narrated this dua from his father who learnt it from his father and the Prophet to whom Jibrail brought the dua during one of the battles.

The Prophet perceived the armour he was wearing as heavy. Jibrail brought this dua as a protection.

Imam Sajjad narrated from his father:

“My father `Ali ibn Abi Talib had told to me that I should memorise and protect this dua, write it on the Kafan, teach it to my family members and he highly encouraged me to read this dua as it contains 1,000 names of Allah and within these names is the Greatest Name of Allah (Isme A’dham)”

Whoever recites Jawshan Kabeer three times during Ramadhan, Allah will make Jahannam haram on him and Janna wajib for him. He will be in Allah’s protection for the rest of his life. 

Even if you can recite one paragraph a day – you will complete 4 recitations a year. It’s absolutely phenomenal.

One of the Asmaaul Husnaa in Jawshan Kabeer which is not in the A99 is Al Mannaan. 
(some   scholars believe this Is one of the Isme A’dham )

AL MANNAAN

THE ONE WHO GIVES UNINTERRUPTED ABUNDANCE WITHOUT BEING ASKED 

‎لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ

Certainly, did Allah grant a favour to those who believe of   a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom… 3:164

The greatest gift from Al Mannaan is Divine Guidance (the Qur’an and the Ma’sumeen).

28 February 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (11)

RAMADHAN KAREEM 

AND ITS ALL ABOUT SAYYIDA KHADIJA (pbuh) TODAY

One of the most awesome women in history being a timeless embodiment of the words ‘awesome’ ‘sacrifice’ ‘dedication’ and ‘generosity’. `

When we formulate our mission statement (legacy) for Laylatul Qadr, Sayyida Khadija is a phenomenal role model of the ‘K’ factor. She demonstrated that even in a society where male chauvinism was dominant, she rose to be ‘Malikatul Arab’ (the Queen of Arabia)

There is Khadija the daughter of Khuwayled, who was the joint custodian of the Ka’ba with Abdul Muttalib.
Khadija the successful businesswomen.
Khadija the guardian of orphans and widows.
Khadija the princess of Makka.
Khadija the wife, soul mate and support of Rasulullah.
Khadija the mother of Fatima (pbuh) and then there is
Khadija whom Rasulullah (pbuh) said was one of the women of Janna.

She was born in Makka around 567 CE (the date of her birth is not known by any historian) to Khuwayled and Fatima. Khuwaylid was a successful businessman and the joint custodian of the Ka’ba with Abdul Muttalib.

She was a successful businesswoman.

Her parents died early within 10 years of each other leaving her and her siblings Awwam, Usayd and Hala orphans. She continued the family business of running trade caravans in the Summer to Syria and to Yemen in Winter becoming a successful businesswoman in her own right. Khadija knew what she was doing business-wise, never compromising her modesty or integrity to succeed in the male-dominated trades- hiring only those that could meet these standards.  

She asked the Prophet to marry her, and their marriage was an epic love story.

She turned down many marriage proposals and was looking for the best. When she saw the awesome character of Muhammad, she hired him and then decided he was the man when she saw his management  of her caravans

Through a friend (Nufaysa), she asked him to marry her. (He said yes.)

Taking multiple wives was a common practice, yet Khadija and Muhammad’s marriage was monogamous until her death 25 years later..They had   3 children – Qasim, Abdullah (Both who died in infancy) and Fatima (pbuh).  She also looked after her sister Hala’s orphaned daughters as her own – Zaynab, Umm Kulthum and Ruqayya,

She was the first person who believed in the Prophet,

The Qur’an attributes her services to Islam in Sura Al Dhuhaa

Spending 3 years in the valley of Abu Talib in exile with the other Muslims made her frail and ill and she died aged 52 years in Makka. So grieved was the Prophet (pbuh) that he called the year Aamul Huzn (The year of grief). He had lost his guardian Abu Talib and his soul mate Khadija in one year.

27 February 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (10)

RAMADHAN KAREEM &  JUMUA’ MUBARAK

Another Friday in Ramadhan with Rahma from the heavens like pixie dust everywhere.

A day to recite Suratul Jumua’ and lots of salawats if nothing else…..

Tonight we focus on the person who captured the heart of Rasulullah (pbuh).

The love of his life – Sayyida Khadija (pbuh).

It is her selfless all-encompassing love for him that comes to mind whenever I think of her.

So here’s my 2 pennies worth of thoughts (I love this woman and think she is awesome with a capital ‘A’):

1. What was it about the Prophet (pbuh) that inspired such love that she laid her life’s work at his feet?
2. What energised her to take him food every day to the cave where he meditated? (And she didn’t have funky trainers). Whenever I look at that mountain, I think of her climbing up to take him lunch.
3. What was it about him that she forsook the ‘respect’ the Makkans (her people, her community) had for her – She was titled ‘Malikatul Arab’?

There can be only one answer….

She saw her Rabb in him… There is an Indian song whose lyrics say “Tujme Rabb dikhtaa hai, Yaraa mein kyaa karu” (OK I know how you feel about songs…. Don’t get excited… Im only quoting a lyric)

“You are my heaven…….,
You are my wish, you are the peace of my soul
You are the coolness of my eyes,
You are the heartbeat of my heart
I don’t know anything else, I know only this
that I see God in you, what should I do
my head bows down in sajda …

That to me is Khadija – she saw him reflect Divinity… and in essence that is what life is about – To manifest the attributes of Allah (A99)

Did the Prophet (pbuh) not say:
“Takhalluqu bi akhlaqillah” (Adopt in yourself the akhlaq of Allah”

Insha’Allah more about her tomorrow – today the take home message is:

• If you want to be loved, then manifest the Asmaul Husna….
• If you want to love, then seek Divinity in him/her…

That for me is the legacy of Khadija (pbuh)

26 February 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (09)

RAMADHAN KAREEM & LAYLATUL JUMUA’ MUBARAK

AND ANOTHER NIGHT OF FRIDAY IN THE MONTH OF RAMADHAN

Friday begins at Maghrib on Thursday. Thus the term Laylatul Jumua’ or in Khoja land – ‘Jume Raat’

The recommendations for Laylatul Jumua’ (Thursday night) are:

• Tasbihate ‘Arbaa as many times as possible
• Salawaat as many times as possible
• Suratul Jumua’ in the first rakaat and Suratul Ikhlaas in the second rakaat of Salatul Maghrib
• Suratul Jumua’ in the first rakaat and Suratul A’laa in the second rakaat of Salatul Eisha
• Dua Al Kumayl
• Recitation of Qur’an

Remembering the Marhumeen

The Arabic word for Friday is Yawm al-Jumu‘a, which literally means the ‘day of gathering or assembly’.

Prior to Islam, the Arabs used to call this day ’al-‘Aruba, which has the connotations of it being a blessed day.

It was Ka‘b ibn Lu’ayy, the great grandfather (7th generation) of the Prophet (pbuh) who changed the name to al-Jumu‘a, as he used to gather the Quraysh on a Friday. He followed  the religion of Ibrahim (pbuh) , having absolute conviction in the coming of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

‎يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا ٱلْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ٩

O you who believe! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, hurry toward the remembrance of Allah, and leave all business. That is better for you, should you know. 62:9

Friday is an antidote to our obsession with work and our relentless refusal to rest as it demands we stop everything and focus on Divinity for a little while and trust in Him as the provider

If you cannot for any reason attend Salatul Jumua’ tomorrow, then for a fast track to Janna try to do the following:

1. Recite Suratul Jumua’ in Salatul Fajr or anytime during the day for it is a means of safety for the week until the next Friday
2. Far dire needs recite 10x Suratul Kaafirun in Sajda at sunrise.
3. Ayatul Kursi from Fajr to Zhuhr.
4. Ghusl of Friday, “O Ali, do ghusl every Friday, even if you have to sell that day’s sustenance and go hungry in order to purchase water, because there is no greater blessing than this [ghusl].” Prophet to Ali (pbuh)

The ghusl can be performed at any time on Friday from sunrise till sunset, although the recommended time is before midday. And if missed on Friday, its qadha may be performed the following day.

5. Asking for forgiveness – “Yaqub waited for Friday to ask for forgiveness for his sons” Imam Sadiq (pbuh)
6. Learn about religion – “Pathetic is that believer who is so occupied with the affairs of the world that he does not spend even one day of the week, Friday, in learning about his religion” Imam Sadiq (pbuh)

7. There is a special hour that occurs every Friday in which all duas are accepted:

 “Indeed, there is surely a time on Friday at which no Muslim would stand, pray and beg Allah for what is good except that He would give it to him”. And he indicated with his hand that (this time) is short’.

The strongest opinion is that it is the last hour after ’Asr, i.e. the hour before sunset.

25 February 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (08b)

RAMADHAN KAREEM

And now the star of the month and for the rest of the months in our lives –

THE QUR’AN (Part 1)

‘Remain attached to the Qur’an, make no one more attached to it than you” Imam Ali (pbuh)

Just as vitamins and supplements change the composition of the body, the vibrations of the words of the Quran transform and heal the soul. The Qur’an is timeless – it speaks to everyone is their own way. 

The Qur’an is the most reproduced printed and used book in the world.

The first printed Qur’an was produced in Venice in 1537 for sale in the Ottoman empire, where all movable type printing using Arabic characters had been forbidden for fear of making mistakes in the text.

Then it was printed in Hamburg in 1694 followed by Catherine the Great of Russia sponsoring a printing of the Quran in 1787 in St Petersburg.

It was in the 1800’s that editions were printed in   Kazan (1828), Persia (1833) and Istanbul (1877).

Its order is designed by Allah just as every bone in our body has a certain size, configuration and place.

THE WORD IQRA’ (READ)

 The first order (Amr) from Divinity to a people who were not literate. They were awesome memorisers and narrators of poetry but reading and writing wasn’t their forte’.

However, their obedience of this one word changed the world for the Muslims became the most advanced educated civilised society in the world. Today’s universities, phd programmes (from Ijaza system), research centres are a legacy of those individuals who obeyed the word of God. An orally related book became the ‘mother of all books’ which gave birth to countless libraries all over the world.

ONE WORD THAT REVOLUTIONALISED THE WORLD. Rasulullah (pbuh) responded to this command for the next 23 odd years reciting the ayaat as commanded…

The word also confirms that this is already  a BOOK even though it is orally transmitted… (Reading has to be from a book)

So where do you start:

Here are suggested modes of learning –

1. Learning to recite the Qur’an
2. Learning the name of the chapters of the Quran.
3. Looking at the Qur’an as a whole and at the groupings of the chapters.
4. Learning the names and general features of the chapters.
5. Looking at the major themes identifying the key concepts of each chapter.
6. Journalling of the Qur’an and therefore personalising it.
7. Reflecting on the verses of each chapter

25 February 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (08a)

RAMADHAN KAREEM

And we reach the milestone of 7 days.

It’s scary to let the week go by so fast….

And the nights of Qadr in less than 2 weeks

So much to do…. So little time…

Laylatul Qadr is all about formulating a plan of how to live, love, and leave a legacy for that in essence is the purpose of life (“We have created death and life so that we may test which of you does the best of works (live love and leave a legacy) …” 67:2

Formulating a Personal Mission Statement

It’s what defines you…. (We cannot fool ourselves or Divinity).

One of the ways to formulate it is to imagine it is your funeral and 3 people (one from your close family, one from your friends circle and one from your work/community) have been asked to speak about you impromptu… Write down what they would say and then write down what you would have liked them to say…. (Honesty is a big key here….)

Also remember, that those who change the world believe that Allah is Awesome and that He would not put in your head a desire that couldn’t come true……….

Sayyida Khadija displayed her mission statement in her utter devotion to Rasulullah (pbuh)…

And here is a sample personal mission statement:

To say to my Rabb at the end of my life “Thank you for life; I did my best to leave the world a better place”

and to make a positive difference in one person’s life every day.

Incidentally it is not something that you can do overnight. It takes a lot of thought, introspection and many many rewrites to get it right. Even then, you may want to review it and tweak it as circumstances change and life brings new challenges

Next step after formulating a mission statement is to set clear goals. There are lots of ways to do this. Here’s one example:

OVERALL – Prioritise health, family, Salaa, Qur’an understanding & Ma’sumeen.  Maintain and improve at being a good productive useful human being

2nd level (practicalities) – Read & learn more, walk for half an hour every day, recite 10 ayaat of Qur’an a day, pray salaa on time and start Salatul Layl

Third Level…. Fourth Level….

The progress is endless until you reach your personal best (full potential)

24 February 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (07)

RAMADHAN KAREEM

5 actions define Ramadhan – Salaa, Sawm, Qur’an, Dua’ & Humanity

Continuing with annotating the Ramadhan Book (Pg 233-237)

We will look at the subject of DUA

No matter how difficult life is; even when the pain is unbearable and all you can do is silently cry out from the heart, know that the door to Divinity is always open. He promises to respond.

‎وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ

“When My servants ask you about Me, [tell them that] I am indeed near. I answer the call of every caller when he calls Me. So let them respond to Me, and let them have faith in Me, so that they may be rightly guided” 2:186

He hears each and every call. Not knowing how, where or how the answer comes protects us from our limited imagination, but to know that the answer will definitely come makes lovers of Divinity out of us.

If we feel distant, He does not go anywhere – we have moved away. To get close to Him, just converse with Him for only He has all the answers.

Dua (Prayer) is a generator of energy and closeness to Him

“When you ask (knock at His door), know that the response is already there” Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

“When Allah inspires your tongue to ask. Know that He wants to respond”

“When the world pushes you to your knees, you’re in the perfect position to pray” Rumi

And then ask from the micro to the macro for….” Who stands in front of a King and asks for a penny?”

And if you cannot verbalise yourself or cannot read the awesome Duas taught by the Ma’sumeen, then do a tasbee (or even 10x) of Yaa Mujeeb –

The One Who responds (answers) to every request of His creation wherever, whenever and however they call.

23 February 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (06)

RAMADHAN KAREEM

One of the practices to adopt in this awesome month   is the praying of Salatul Layl.

 SALATUL LAYL (TAHAHHUD, NAMAZ SHAB…)

The Prophet (pbuh) has said:

Three things bring happiness to the heart of a believer:

1. a) Meeting people in faith (Ahlul Baytis) – I call them AB’s
2. b) Breaking the fast
3. c) Waking up in the later part of the night for Salatul Layl

“It is not befitting that a person keeps awake at night to recite the Qur’an and then wakes up in the morning at the time of Fajr (and not wake up for Tahajjud)”. Imam JSadiq (pbuh) 


That house in which Salatul Layl is recited beams with light for those who are in the heavens just as the stars beam with light for those who are on earth. (Prophet pbuh)

Start with just one rakaa (WITR) 
Suratul Ikhlas 3x, Suratul Falaq 1x, and Suratun Naas 1x after Suratul Fatiha. Then raise your hands for qunoot – 7 things:

1. Declare His Perfection
2. Istigghfaar x7
3. Forgiveness for all
4. Forgiveness and Tawba for all sins and injustices using Asmaaul Husnaa (HAYYUL QAYYUM)
5. Finding refuge in Salatul Layl
6. AL AFUWW’ (The One who erases (all sins without trace)
7. Asking for forgiveness, compassion and repenting – TAWWAB (The One who accepts repentance and RAHEEM (Extra Kind to Believers)

(In essence it’s all about forgiveness and repentance)

Complete the salaa with rukoo, sujood, tashahhid and salaam and recite the tasbee of Sayyida Fatima

If you have time them Dua Al Hazeen (the most awesome duo in the universe. – taught by Imam Sajjaad)

22 February 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (05)

RAMADHAN KAREEM 

Day 4 and we should be used to the hunger and thirst.

Time to step up to the next level (Ethical fasting)

DEGREES OF FASTING

1. Jurisprudential Fasting

Refraining from what they must jurisprudentially such as eating, drinking, intimacy… etc.

“Many people gain nothing from their fasting save hunger and thirst.” Prophet (pbuh)

2. Ethical Fasting

Here it is refraining not only from what is jurisprudentially mentioned, but also fasting with the eyes, ears and all other body parts.

 This is called the fasting of Tariqa. 
 “When you fast, let your ears, your eyes, your hair, your skin and all your body fast too. Do not let your fasting day be the same as non-fasting ones.” Imam Sadiq (pbuh)

A lady whilst fasting was swearing at her maid in the presence of the Prophet (pbuh) who offered her some food to eat. She said: “I’m fasting O Messenger of God!” the Prophet replied: “How are you fasting and you swear at your maid. Fasting is not only from food and drink. Indeed God made it that way so that food and drink are used as a veil against other sins, verbal or action. How few are fasting and how many are just hungry.”

3. Mystical Fasting

Detaching oneself from anything that does not remind one of Divinity.  It is a state of absolute detachment and total servitude to God. This is called the fasting of Haqiqa (Reality).

Just as s physical fasting burns the fat and removes the toxins, such mental fasting does the same to the mind. The reward of fasting in this degree is none other than Divinity itself.

Allah says: “I will reward all rituals of humankind from ten times to seven hundred times save Fasting for it is for Me and I am its reward”

21 February 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (04)

Ramadhan Kareem

You could annotate the Ramadhan book on the section of Duas for Iftaar (Pg 15)

My grandma used to tell us this every Ramadhan to ensure we first raised our hands in dua before we broke our fast.

Once Prophet Musa (pbuh) asked Allah: “O Allah! You have granted me the honour and privilege of talking to you directly, have you given this privilege to any other person?”

Allah replied “O Musa!  There will be a people who will fast and will call out to me at the time of breaking their fast and they will have the privilege of being close to Me”
“O Musa! while you speak to me there are 70,000 veils between you and me but at the time of Iftaar there will not be a single veil between me and the fasting person from the umma of Muhammad (pbuh)” 
“O Musa! I have taken upon myself the responsibility that at the time of iftar I will never refuse the dua of a fasting person!”

The Prophet (pbuh) said:

“Indeed the Dua of a fasting person is not turned away at the time of Iftaar”.

So before you take your first mouthful – raise your hands in dua 🤲🏼.

These are mine….

1. Forgiveness
2. Acceptance of the fast
3. Ability to fast for the rest of the month
4. Removal of negative energies
5. Baraka (extra blessings – more than deserved)
6. ⁠Find myself and strive to reach my full potential (personal best)

20 February 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (03)

RAMADHAN KAREEM & JUMUA’ MUBARAK

It’ s the first Jumua’ in Ramadhan –

Rahma upon Rahma upon Rahma

It’s limitless Rahma today…

So my two pennies worth –

1. Make today a worthy day and fast a mystical fast (Detaching oneself from anything and anyone that does not remind one of Divinity) . “The duas of a fasting person are always answered immediately” Prophet (pbuh)
2. Pray the 5 prayers on time and raise your hands in dua after every salaa
3. Make the longest list of hajaat – micro and macro
4. Find a dua buddy and hold on to her/him for dear life.
5. Recite Suratul Jumua
6. Infect yourself with the Qur’an virus making the Qur’an your go to book.

“The house in which the Qur’an is recited and Allah is remembered will receive Divine blessings; the Angels will be present… and it will shine for the people of the heavens, just as the stars shine for the people on the Earth.”

“I advise you to recite the Qur’an in every state (which you may find yourself in).”

“Everything in existence prays for the forgiveness of the person who recites the Qur’an – even the fish in the sea.”

All these from the Prophet (pbuh)

Here’s some questions and statements that might help infect yourself with the Qur’an virus

Ya Rabbiy , I said: I’m in pain
 You replied, [39:53] do not despair of the mercy of Allah



I told You: My heart is broken You said: [13:28] Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest



I told You: He/she hurt me
You said: [3:159] So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them



I told You: I feel I’m alone
You said: [50:16] We are closer to him than [his] jugular veins



I told You: My sins are so many
You said: [3:135] and who can forgive sins except Allah?



I told You: do not leave me You said: [2:152] So remember Me; I will remember you..



I told You: I’m facing a lot of difficulties in life
You said: [65:2] And whoever is God conscious – He will make for him a way out



I Told You: I have so many dreams that I want to come true
You said: [40:60] Call upon Me; I will respond to you.

19 February 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (02)

Ramadhan Kareem, Ramadhan Mubarak and Laylatul Jumua’ Mubarak.

And it’s the first day of the month and the first night of Friday (Thursday night) of the month of Rahma…

Kind of Rahma upon Rahma; and as we are the guests of Divinity in this month the first step is to ask for forgiveness so we can enter His banquet cleansed.

Akin to taking off our shoes when we enter a house as guests.

No matter how far astray, how many sins we’ve committed, there is no place too far for His Forgiveness and Compassion to reach.

Istighfar is derived from the root word – ghafara – which means he covered, veiled, concealed or hid.

It is asking Allah to cover our sins and to protect us from the harmful consequences we inflict on ourselves.

Allah is not petty, when we ask for forgiveness it’s a done deal – there’s no two ways about it. So let’s begin the month on this awesome day with reciting istighfaar as much as possible.

“Astaghfirullah” or even better “ Astaghfirullaha Rabbiy wa atubu ilayh”

 وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ

……. And Allah is not going to punish them while they ask for forgiveness 08:33

‘O son of Adam, I forgive whatever sin you have committed if you pray to Me and hope for My forgiveness.

 O son of ‘Adam, I do not care if your sins reach the height of the heaven, then you ask for my forgiveness, I will forgive you.

O son of ‘Adam, if you come to Me with an earth load of sins, and meet Me associating nothing to Me, I would match it with an earth load of forgiveness.”  Hadith Qudsi

‎قُلْ يَٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

Say ‘O My servants who have transgressed against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed Allah will forgive all sins. Indeed, He is the All-forgiving, the All-merciful. 39:53

“A bad deed that you are ashamed of, and regret is a thousand times better that a good deed that makes you feel proud”  Imam Ali (pbuh)

“There is no human being who Allah did not forgive who had felt ashamed of his misdeed. Whenever a human being feels ashamed of his fault and asks for forgiveness from Allah He forgives all of his sins.” Imam Sadiq (pbuh)

18 FEBRUARY 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (01)

PREPARING FOR THE NIGHT OF THE 15 SHA’BAN (PART 9) 

Ramadhan Kareem

(I guess I can hear a resounding Allahu Akram for a reply)

AND SO IT’S HERE TONIGHT…

This is the month we’ve been waiting for, longing for and craving for……

As a child, I can remember the enthusiasm with which my grandmother taught us to welcome the month.  We went up on the terrace to see the moon and raised our hands in dua asking for forgiveness, direction and the ability to reach our best…

Recite Suratul Fatiha 7x tonight for protection of eyes (physical and heart sight pain and so that they never cry in pain)

Preparation is about the Qur’an, dua and the opportunity to feed others.

I remember sehri with my papa and how Mumma would serve us. She used to fast all three months of Rajab, Sha’ban & Ramadhan…

The one thing that I remember clearly is Papa pointing to Mumma and saying “You will never ever hurt her” “She is your Janna” 

Papa used to say that Ramadhan, is and will be all about the Qur’an. Every sehri he would tell a story from the Qur’an.

Make your Ramadhan’s legacies for yourselves and your friends and families to look back on and draw strength from…