Ramadan Greeting

Eid ul Fitr Picnic/Party 2015

As salam alaikum dear Sisters,

Amanah Sisters are planning early this year for our Eid ul Fitr Picnic/Party and ask you to save the date on your calendars and hope many of our members can attend, in sha Allah.

Every sister is encouraged to bring along a small gift to participate in our gift exchange.  Keep it simple, let's see how creative we can all be with $5 or less. This is a potluck picnic, so if possible bring along a food/snack/dessert item to share with your fellow sisters.

Insha Allah, we will be meeting inside the park at Douglas Kennedy Headland Section which features a boardwalk, picnic areas with a  playground and splash pad nearby. This is a children friendly event, in sha Allah, some sisters will  bring along some fun toys for them to play with.  

Spread the word and invite other sisters to attend as well.  If you need help with transportation, let us know in the comment box, and insha Allah, some of our members can help you out.

Click here to RSVP

Ma'a salama

Amanah Sisters

Halaqa # 30

Shaaban 28, 1436

Ramadan Countdown

Year 2

Attendance:

• 8  Sisters
• 2 Junior Sisters
• 2 Junior Guests:

Location:  Headquarters (upstairs)

Agenda: (please note, we have included many links where you can read in detail more on each subject)

• OPENING DUA

O Allah, keep me safe until Ramadan, keep Ramadan safe for me, and accept it from me.

source: http://islamqa.info/en/202017

• QURAN RECITATION

We read Surah Fatihah aloud altogether, then sisters individually read aloud a

few letters/words, ayahs (according to her ability and with the help and

encouragement of her fellow sisters). We read  Surah An-Nissa  from Ayat 15  

till Ayat 44 . In sha Allah, this will be an ongoing part of our Halaqa and one day

in sha Allah, we will have Khatam Quran and begin again.

• SISTERS TALK

Sisters shared their research on the names of Allah chosen the week before. Click on each name to read more.

Al-Qahhar

Sister Lamiaa

• LEARN A  PHRASE

The following words are heard especially in Ramadan.

Bab Al-Raiyan

The name of one of the gates of Heavens (Jannah) through which the people who often observe fasting will enter on the Day of Judgement.

Eid Al-Fitr

Three day festival marking the end of Ramadan. It takes place on the 1st of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.

Fidya

Compensation for missing or wrongly practicing necessary acts of worship. Fidya usually takes the form of donating money, foodstuffs, or sacrificing an animal. Contrast with Kaffara (making amends).

Iftar

Breaking of the fast immediately after sunset. Iftar takes place at Maghrib as soon as the Call to Prayer (Adhan) is called.

Imsak

Start of the fasting time. Imsak begins when the first light of dawn becomes visible, and ends at Fajr when the Adhan is called.

I'tikaf

I'tikaf refers to the religious practice of spending the last ten days of Ramadan (either wholly or partly) in a mosque so as to devote oneself exclusively to worship. In this state one may go out of the mosque only for the absolutely necessary requirements of life.The minimum period for i'tikaf is twenty-four hours. I'tikaf is not valid if one is not keeping the fast or if it is done outside the month of Ramadan.

Kaffarah

Kaffarah means atonement, expiation.

Lailatul-Qadr

The Night of Power,' concealed in one of the odd nights in the last ten days of Ramadan; the night on which the Qur'an was first revealed by Jibraeel to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and which the Qur'an itself describes as "better than a thousand months."[Al-Qadr (97:3)]

Ramadan

The ninth month of the Islamic (lunar) calendar.

Suhoor

The meal taken before sun rise.

Sawm

The Arabic word for fast. Plural: Siyam.

source: http://www.missionislam.com/ramadan/terms.htm

• NEXT HALAQA

In sha Allah, we will be holding two halaqas during the month of Ramadan.

July 2, and July 16 .

• SISTERS TALK

Advice for non-fasters:  

Some of us may not be able to perform some or all of the fasting this month. This could be due to various reasons such as post-childbirth, breastfeeding, medical issues, etc.  We then wonder how can we make Ramadan meaningful and beneficial?  First recognize that this is by the design of Allah, swt. Not fasting for legitimate reasons is showing obedience to Allah.  We should accept His decree and wisdom in this. It is not a time to be down, or sad, rather, embrace this time, and fill it with Faith-Boosting activities.

Ramadan is a time to grow closer to Allah, which is certainly something we all can do, fasting or not.  Non fasters just have to put their focus in areas other than fasting.  Simple as that.  We can excel in those other facets of Ramadan in sha Allah.  

Ramadan is a blessed time, a unique time where our acts of worship are given extra reward, so make your utmost effort.  Try to think of something special that is out of your normal routine that you can do this month.  Make sure though that you make sincere intention and dua that Allah, accepts this act of worship from you.  Here are some suggestions from the Halaqa sisters:

• Visiting the Sick
• Studying Tafsir in Depth. Here is a link: http://www.altafsir.com/
• Praying Tahajjud and Tarawih
• Making Tasbeeh throughout the day
• Increasing your Dua’s and Seek Repentance
• Eating Healthier
• Volunteer at the Masjid
• Give Sadaqah
• Cook/Bake  for fasting people
• Helping those who fast.

Finally here is an interesting  article called:

"9 things a Women on Menses can do in Ramadan”

• PARTY BREAK

Sisters all enjoyed welcoming Baby Boy and congratulating his Mom.  A lovely selection of sweet and savory foods were enjoyed by all.  

• GROUP ACTIVITY

Sisters present participated in a pre-Ramadan Goal Planning Activity. We each had copies of the following sheets then discussed the questions and filled in our own choices.  Sisters were also given a few print-outs that will in sha Allah help with planning and keeping track of our goals for Ramadan.  Please know these are only suggestions to be modified to suit your own personal circumstances and style. You can click on the links and print off your own copies in sha Allah

Commitment

Planner

Definitions

Daily Goal Tracker

Timetable

• SISTERS TALK

Sister Winnie came across the following article she thought we be of interest and use to our members:  Preparing for Your First Ramadan

• VIDEO

Things You Should Know Before Ramadan Tips for New Muslims

with an accompanying article click here

• CLOSING DUA

For the expiation of sins, said at the conclusion of a sitting or gathering

To listen to this dua click here

196 - "How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You. I bear witness that None has 

the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance."

سُبْحـانَكَ اللّهُـمَّ وَبِحَمدِك، أَشْهَـدُ أَنْ لا إِلهَ إِلاّ أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتوبُ إِلَـيْك

Subhânaka l-lâhumma wa bi-hamdika. Ash-hadu an lâ ilâha illâ

anta, astaghfiruka wa atûbu ilayka.

If any of this information was good and true, know that it comes from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.  If 

there are mistakes we ask for Allah’s Forgiveness and Mercy.

Halaqa # 29

Shaaban 15, 1436

Ramadan Prep

Year 2

Attendance:

• 2 Sisters
• 1 Junior Sister

Location:  Headquarters (upstairs)

Agenda: (please note, we have included many links where you can read in detail more on each subject)

• OPENING DUA

O Allah, keep me safe until Ramadan, keep Ramadan safe for me, and accept it from me.

source: http://islamqa.info/en/202017

• QURAN RECITATION

We read Surah Fatihah aloud altogether, then sisters individually read aloud a

few letters/words, ayahs (according to her ability and with the help and

encouragement of her fellow sisters). We read  Surah An-Nissa  from Ayat 7  

till Ayat 14 . In sha Allah, this will be an ongoing part of our Halaqa and one day

in sha Allah, we will have Khatam Quran and begin again.

• LEARN A  PHRASE

This phrase is commonly used after reciting one of Allah’s Names.

Jalla jallaluhu  

Meaning:

May His Majesty be Exalted

May His Glory be Exalted

• EID ANNOUNCEMENT

Amanah Sisters are pleased to invite you all to attend our Eid Ul Fitr Party.  

In sha Allah, it will be held on Sunday July 19th, from 10 am to 1 pm at the Promanade Park, 

Douglas Kennedy Headland Section.  

Click here to open your e-vite to our Eid Party Picnic.

Please RSVP soon in sha Allah

• TECH  TALK

Sister Winnie shared a few apps relevant for Ramadan:

	Athan Prayer Timings and Tracking: i-tunes Link Android  Link
	Ramadan Race:  Click here to watch a short Youtube video about this app. i-tunes Link Android  Link

• NEXT HALAQA

Sisters present discussed the Next Halaqa.  We have decided to hold it two days earlier for the following reason. One of our regular Halaqa attendees just had a baby and we wanted to ensure her participation and have a mini party welcoming her new son.  

• DISCUSSION

Sisters responded to the question “Did you prepare your List?”  Sister's discussed

the article from last week and went over the steps outlined in the succeeding 4 articles.  

• SISTERS TALK

We read aloud the following article: The Ramadan Pre Planner-2015

• VIDEO

[Ramadan Prep] Dua of Musa - Nouman Ali Khan - Quran Weekly

(16:14)

• CLOSING DUA

For the expiation of sins, said at the conclusion of a sitting or gathering

To listen to this dua click here

196 - "How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You. I bear witness that None has 

the right to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance."

سُبْحـانَكَ اللّهُـمَّ وَبِحَمدِك، أَشْهَـدُ أَنْ لا إِلهَ إِلاّ أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتوبُ إِلَـيْك

Subhânaka l-lâhumma wa bi-hamdika. Ash-hadu an lâ ilâha illâ

anta, astaghfiruka wa atûbu ilayka.

If any of this information was good and true, know that it comes from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.  

If there are mistakes we ask for Allah’s Forgiveness and Mercy.