I pray you are in the best of health and Imaan Insha Allah.

Not long for Ramadhan brothers and sisters. And, we should be making preparation within our minds for what we need to understand about Ramadhan.

Here are a few more reminders:

1)     Ramadhan is not a month to engage in making extra ordinary dishes & inviting Muslims to open their fasts with a ‘luxury’ menu where so much food is prepared. Sadly, some of the Muslim Ummah have made Ramadhan into an ‘event’ where they are havingIftari parties. Yes, there is so much reward in opening the fast for a Muslim, but stick to a standard menu. Just by providing a date to the person who is fasting has an incredible amount of reward.  Don’t spend in all the ‘lavish’ setup with extra food being prepared, a 5 course meal, and about 3 desert dishes!

How does one buy so many extras from the Supermarket to please our guests when we know about the severe drought conditions in Africa, the torment our Palestinian and brothers and sisters/kids in Kashmir have faced by watching their parents being slaughtered in front  of their own eyes. How would you feel if your kids went through such an ordeal?

The purpose of Ramadhan is for extra worship to Allah swt, to switch off your TV and to ask Allah swt for forgiveness. Further, for you to understand why Allah swt has created us and to read the Quraan daily without fail , to understand the words we read. We have all sinned in some shape or form, now is our chance to ask the Creator for help and forgiveness that special month is coming, the beautiful month of Ramadhan Insha Allah.

2)     Your kids. The future is our kids and how best we can strive to make them better Muslims for it is them who will continue the hard work of our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAWS PBUH. You will be surprised as how many kids aged between 10-16 knowthe Duaa Qunoot , Aytul Kursi or Azaan.  Give it a go, after reading this email, ask your kids to recite the Duaa Qunoot/Aytul Kursi or Azaan. If they do so with no hesitation then a BIG CONGRATS to you for being a responsible parent/guardian. Allahuakbar !

However, if they don't know, then, I am going be a bit harsh to you. YOU have neglected your duties in their Deen. Parents put so much pressure on their kids to do well in their academic studies that they put the deen on a lower priority. This is totally wrong. Yes, get your kids a good education, but parallel to that education must be knowledge of their Deen. You really need to pull your socks up, act as a responsible parent and give them the knowledge and skills they require for being a good Muslim. I don't blame any kid out there who doesn't know the basic Surahs from the Quraan, the onus is on the parents/guardians to fulfill their duties in the deen.

3)     The final reminder for today is , the Salah. When performing the Salah, we need to make sure we are reciting the words accurately. All of us, including Adults, need to open the Namaaz book and read it to make sure we are reciting Surah Fatihah and all the other compulsory Surahs with clarity and correct pronunciation. Go to your local book store and get the Salah book to revise it. You may very well be surprised as to the mistakes you have been making.

And Allah swt knows best

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