Categories
New Muslims Pilgrimage

A Brief Guide to Hajj (EDC Video)

Islam organizes the spiritual and moral life of man as well as the practical in order to live a normal balanced life. Every act of worship in Islam has a meaning, a purpose and a significance, and of great spiritual, moral, and physical benefits.

Hajj, one of the five main pillars of Islam, gives a specific and practical example of acts of worship in Islam. A rich spiritual experience, Hajj has a great message and lessons for the benefit and wellbeing of man and all humanity, resulting in spiritual and behavioral development in the life of a Muslim.

Hajj is a life-time journey; if conducted properly, it will erase all sins of the pilgrim. So, every Muslim intending to undertake this journey should first learn well its rituals and how to perform them correctly.

The E-Da`wah Committee (EDC) is pleased to present this brief guide to Hajj for those intending to make this life-time journey.

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Categories
Articles of Faith New Muslims

Between Heart & Limbs: How to Achieve Reality of Faith

If you contemplate the pillars of faith and Islam, you will see that they have combined between the actions of the heart and limbs.

faith

Based on your nearness to Allah, your knowledge of Him & His religion you will achieve the reality of faith.

“Whosoever testifies that None has the right to be worshiped but Allah Alone who has no partners, and that Mohammed is His slave and apostle, and that Jesus is Allah’s slave and apostle and His word which He bestowed on Mary and a spirit from Him, and that Paradise is true, and Hell is true, Allah will admit him into Paradise through any of its eight gates that he likes.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Faith.. Heart.. Body

Faith addresses the heart with Tawheed (Oneness of God) and conviction; and the pillars of Islam address the body with subservience and subjugation each of them complements the other.

Therefore, based on your nearness to Allah and your knowledge of Him and His religion you will achieve the reality of faith and the soul of Islam.

Look at the divine laws and rulings of Islam and you will see that it contains both ritual worship and daily transactions. The ritual worship is how we deal with our Lord and our daily transactions are how we deal with His creation.

Islam has not neglected any of these aspects at the cost of the other, rather as we are commanded to strive for excellence in our ritual worship we are also commanded to strive for excellence in the way we deal with people. Allah has said:

And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. (Al-Israa’ 17:23)

“Make things easy for people and do not make things difficult. Spread good news and bring them joy do not be harsh and turn them away.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

With these words our Prophet (peace be upon him) enjoined his companions to deal with people as our religion does not have any place for extremism or harshness. Seek closeness to Allah by performing voluntary actions when you have energy and a content heart and you will enjoy your worship and achieve your goals.

Ask Allah the Exalted to bless you with beneficial knowledge and virtuous deeds and sit in the gatherings of knowledge in your mosque and ask any questions that you have. Do not neglect yourself as questioning in Islam for those who want to practice and worship is obligatory as you find in the Qur’an that Allah (the Exalted) has said:

 So ask the people of the message if you do not know. (An-Nahl 16:43)

Path to Success

Your dedication to learning Islam is your path to success and the main cause for your stability so if you want to increase yourself in the strength of your faith then be steadfast in your obedience to Allah as a person’s faith increases and decreases.

It increases with obedience and decreases with sin, so be steadfast as you have been commanded to be by Allah and be punctual in your prayers with your brothers at the mosque.

Attend the religious celebrations and do not be lax in any of the pillars of Islam such as the five daily prayers, obligatory almsgiving, and Hajj as Allah has guaranteed that if you do this, your faith will become stronger, rather you will taste the sweetness of this faith.

The best friend that you have is the one that shows you goodness and helps you to remain upon it and who you can trust in your religious affairs. Find out where the Islamic presentation committees are and follow the way of the good people that work there and attend their educational gatherings and Islamic lectures as these contain many benefits.

Despair Not

Beware of feeling estranged on your path to Allah (Exalted be He). If Allah is with you does it harm you that no one else is with you? It is stated in the Qur’an:

And when the two companies saw one another, the companions of Moses said, “Indeed, we are to be overtaken!” (Moses) said, “No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me”. (Ash-Shu`araa’ 26:61-62)

You are always close to Allah wherever you may be; do not despair in the mercy of Allah even if you have shortcomings. Turn to him and ask him for forgiveness for your sins as Allah the Exalted loves those who seek repentance and the door to repentance is open and your Lord is Oft-forgiving.

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The article is excerpted from the book “A Beneficial Summary of Rulings for New Muslim”, published by The Ministry of Endowments & Islamic Affairs, Kuwait- 2nd Edition 1436/2015.

 

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Categories
New Muslims Prayer

Step by Step Guide to Prayer

Step by Step Guide to Prayer

Prayer is one of the main and most important pillar in Islam. It is a connection between a person and Almighty Allah, the Creator.

A person should and must pray five times a day as Allah prescribed and made obligatory upon each and every Muslim to pray five times a day.

These five daily prayers are Fajr (Dawn) prayer, Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer, `Asr (Afternoon) Prayer, Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer, and –`Isha’ (Night) Prayer.

A Muslim must cover his `awrah (private parts) and what is meant by awrah? It is the part that a person should cover while praying.

For a man, `awrah is from his navel until his knee and this is the minimum requirement for a man to pray. For a woman, a Muslim woman must cover all her body except her face and hands.

As we mentioned in another video, a person must perform wudu’ (ablution) before prayer. After that, a person can offer prayer.

First, a person has to make niyyah (intention) in his heart that he is going to offer a certain prayer.

For example, a person will come and stand making intention in his heart not by saying that I would like to pray so and so prayer and I am in the Masjid to pray so and so prayer.

This comes with the action of going to the mosque to pray a certain prayer.

So, you stand and make intention first.

Second, you have to face the qiblah. What is the qiblah?

This is the direction that each Muslim should face which is the direction of the  Ka`bah in Makkah.

So, after making intention and standing straight with your feet, body and face; a person should put his hand like this above his shoulders or between his shoulders and ears.

So, a person can do like this or like this and then say “Allahu Akbar”

“Allahu Akbar” means Allah is the Greatest because you are standing in front of the Creator, Allah Almighty in the prayer.

After saying “Allahu Akbar”, you put your right hand on the left hand like this. It should be in the middle of your chest, on your chest or below the chest.

That is completely fine and there is no harm in it.

After making the takbirah (Alllahu Akbar) and putting your hands on your chest, you have to recite the opening of the prayer and there many openings for prayer. I am saying opening of the prayer not opening of the Qur’an (Surat Al-Fatihah).

So, first you say “Allahu Akbar” and then you do the opening and there are many openings as we said.

One of the most popular is, “Subhanaka allahumma wa bi hamdika wa tabara kasmuka wa ta`ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuka.”

After reciting this short du`aa’, you read the first chapter of the Qur’an, that is Surat Al-Fatihah. The Prophet (peace upon him) said, ” There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.” (Al-Bukhari)

So again, you raise your hands saying, “Allahu Akbar” and one of the important things is that a person should look downward at the place of (sujud) prostration.

So, “Allahu Akbar” and then looking down, the hands on the chest, reading the opening of the prayer which is “Subhanaka allahumma wa bi hamdika wa tabara kasmuka wa ta`ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuka.”

After that, a person should say, “A’udhu billahi minash shaitanir rajim.” Then recite:  “Bismillahir rahmanir rahim.” After that, recite surat Al-Fatihah “Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil ‘aalameen. Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem. Maaliki. Yawmid-Deen. Iyyaaka na’budu wa lyyaaka nasta’een. Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem. Siraatal-ladheena an`amta `alaihim ghayril-maghdoobi `alaihim wa lad-daalleen. (Ameen).”

“Ameen” is not part of the Fatihah but it is highly important to say it which means “O Allah, accept my du`aa‘”.

After reciting Surat Al-Fatihah and saying “ameen”, it is also highly recommended that a person read few verses or short surah (chapter of Qur’an). For example, after reading Al-Fatihah, you may read a short surah such as “Bismillahir rahmanir rahim

Qul hu wal lahu ahad, allahus samad, lam yalid wa lam yulad, wa lam ya kul lahu kufuwan ahad.”

After reading the short surah, a person should say “Allahu Akabr” and make ruku` (bowing). Then, one should say, “Subhana Rabbiyal Adhim.”

Both hands or both fingers should hold upon one’s knees by saying “Allahu Akbar” and holding both hands on the knees.

Also, one important thing is that your back and your head should be straight as much as possible.

Your back and your head should be straight as much as possible. Your head should not be down or up rather it should be straight with your back.

Then, you say “Subhana Rabbiyal Adhim.”

After coming back, you should say “Sami` Allahu liman hamidah Rabbana lakal hamd” while raising your hands only one time.

After that, it is very important to know that it is up to you to keep your hands on your chest or to say “Sami` Allahu liman hamidah Rabbana lakal hamd.” and wait for a while and then you go for prostration.

After making ruku`, a person should keep in his mind that he is going to make sujud.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told us that a person should make sujud (prostration) by all seven parts of the body and these parts are; face including nose, both hands, both knees and both feet.

So, both hands, both knees, both feet that are six parts and face including forehead and nose.

So, you will do “Sami` Allahu liman hamidah Rabbana lakal hamd.” and then you go to make prostration.

“Allahu Akbar”“Allahu Akbar”

After coming from prostration, you should sit like that where your both hands are on your thighs near your knees.

Your right foot should be straight and your left foot should be on the ground.

While sitting, a person should say twice “Rabbighfir li”.

After saying that two times a person should go back to the prostration by saying “Allahu Akbar”.

By that, we completed our first rak`ah that contains your standing, saying “Allahu Akbar”, ruku` (bowing), coming back from ruku`, going to sujud, then coming back from sujud and sitting, going back to sujud again, and then standing up.

You do the same thing during the second rak`ah; you read surat Al-Fatihah, recite any of the short surahs or few verses form the Qur’an, then you go to ruku`, then come back from ruku` saying “Sami` Allahu liman hamidah Rabbana lakal hamd.”.

Then you make sujud and during it you say three times, “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” and after that you come back and sit.

Then you go back to the second sujud and after that you should sit and finish your prayer if you are praying two-rak`ah prayer as in Fajr Prayer.

Now, we are going to sit and explain the second tashahud. After finishing the second rak`ah and second sujud, a person should sit like this putting his both palms or hands on his thighs. You will sit on your left foot and you will keep your right foot straight as you see.

After sitting into this position (the position of sujud), let’s say if you are praying Fajr which is only two rak`ahs (two units) you sit like this and point with your index finger towards the qiblah like this. You should say, Al-Tahiyyaatu Lillaahi wa’l-salawaatu wa’l-tayyibaat. Al-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuha’l-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Allaahi wa barakaatuhu. Al-salaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘ala ‘ibaad-illaah il-saaliheen. Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad kama salayta ‘ala Ibrahem wa ‘ala aali Ibrahem, innaka hamedun majeed. Allaahumma baarika ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aali Muhammad kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahem wa ‘ala aali Ibrahem, innaka hameedun majeed”.

After this, a person should say “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah”….”Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” and by saying tasleem on both sides, you are done with your prayer.

If you are praying Zhuhr, `Asr, Maghrib or `Ishaa’ prayer that are more than two rak`ahs, what will you do?

You will only pray two rak`ahs and after that you will start saying the tashahud: Al-Tahiyyaatu Lillaahi wa’l-salawaatu wa’l-tayyibaat… and after saying Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh, you will stand up and then continue praying the third or the fourth rak`ah. Then, you will sit and make the same position and complete your whole tashahud and after that you will finish your prayer by saying “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah”….”Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah”.

By that, you are done with your prayer.

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Source: E-Da`wah Committee

 

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Categories
New Muslims Pilgrimage

What Are the Benefits of Hajj?

The following are some of the most important benefits of Hajj:

1- It deepens our awareness of the Oneness of Allah and helps us to be God-centered.

2- It teaches us the oneness of the human family under the Lordship of One God.

3- It helps us to develop a feeling of universal human brotherhood.

4- Finally, it enables us to renew our faith by making us aware of the transient nature of this life and our final standing before the Lord on the Day of Judgment.

Learn more from the video below by E-Da`wah Committee 

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Source: www.edc.org.kw

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Categories
Ethics & Values New Muslims

EDC Wins 3rd Prize in Al-Aluka Competition on Moderation

In the competition launched by Alukah network, and supervised by E-Da`wah Association under the theme “Our Balanced Moderate Life”, the E-Da`wah Committee (EDC) came in third, Jamal Ash-Shatti, Consultant at Islam Presentation Committee (IPC) affiliated to Al-Najat Charity Society, announced.

EDC

Through the website (WWW.NEW-MUSLIMS.INFO), E-Da`wah Committee gained third position in the contest as one of the remarkable online resources presenting and promoting moderation as an authentic Islamic approach in multiple international languages.

Under the theme “Our Balanced Moderate Life” and through an effective coordination of efforts to introduce the moderate message of Islam, a wide range of articles, videos and editorials were published discussing Islamic values and how Islam is the religion of moderation. Of these material are the following:

  • Islam: A Call for Moderateness
  • Islam and the True Meaning of Moderation
  • Moderation: An Islamic Way of Life
  • Moderation in the Light of the Qur’an
  • Moderation in the Light of the Sunnah
  • Moderation: Your Way to Self-Development
  • Muhammad: The Exemplar of Coexistence and Moderation
  • Muslims: The True Moderate Nation
  • Prophet’s Moderation in Correcting People’s Mistakes

Hard Work

As a unique information content presenting and promoting Islamic values in some 12 languages, the New Muslims website has generated considerable praise and admiration in the competition.

“Not by chance we won this prize. It is the result of hard work and dedication,” Al-Shatti added.

“On all occasions inside and outside Kuwait, our informative and interactive content-rich websites have remarkable and impressive records, and today’s award is another step on the road to success, which adds to our long record of achievements”, Al-Shatti clarified.

“Since we began our online da`wah and academic work and over the course of four years, we’ve had remarkable achievements”, Al-Shatti added.

“It was not easy winning this competition. We have done something great with the dedication and hard work of the Editorial Board who over the last few months directed their efforts toward introducing the principle of “moderation” as an basic characteristic of Islam in efforts to presenting the true image of Islam and its message in general with distinguished video and visual  materials.”

History of Success

Starting from the first year of its existence the E-Da`wah Committee won Shaikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Informatics Award 2010.

Continuing ahead, in Kuwait E-Awards for 2012, organized by Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science, the IPC website, www.ipc.org.kw won the first award in the Electronic Content field, while Electronic Da`wah Committee came second in Electronic Education category for its ‘Da`wah Skills’ website,www.dawahSdkills.com , and third for its ‘Learn to Pray’ DVD app in both English and Arabic.

In the same award for 2015, the the E-Da`wah Committee won the first place with The Comprehensive Muslim e-Library, www.muslim-library.com , run by skillful and qualified editorial board.

For their contribution in enriching local electronic content, the websites were recommended as official Kuwaiti candidate to compete in an international competition.

We’re not just listing the awards, it’s what we did to win them.

EDC Contribution to Kuwait

Praising the EDC for winning the prize, Al-Shatti clarified that the prize “reflects the status and role of Kuwait in the cultural field and development on Islamic, regional and international levels”.

“It is not strange for Kuwait with its pivotal role in the pursuit of knowledge and promotion of science, and its interest in encouraging excellence and creativity under Islam and its values”, he said.

“The EDC victory is a good indicator for our country’s increasing role in enriching the Islamic and cultural life. And in our turn we contribute this heritage to Kuwait which has been selected as the capital of Islamic culture this year.”

“I congratulate E-Da`wah Committee for their hard organized work and their distinguished achievements. So thank you and keep up the great work.”

All thanks to Allah that by His grace we’ve achieved that success.

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Categories
Acts of Worship New Muslims

What to Do on the First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah (EDC Video)

By Editorial Staff

About the merits of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There are no days on which righteous deeds are beloved to Allah more than (the righteous deeds on) these 10 days.”

The people asked, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihad for the sake of Allah, except for the case of a man who went out, giving up himself and his wealth for the cause of Allah, and came back with nothing.” (Al-Bukhari)

Make the Best of Dhul-Hijjah

So, how can we make the best of these precious blessed days?

The E-Da`wah Committee (EDC) is pleased to present this short video on the merits of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and the things that every Muslim should do during them.

 

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