Ramadan Joy

Paper Lantern

This lean lantern is a modern version of the traditional paper lantern. 

 

 

 

Ramadan Advice

The following Ramadan advice has been shared by Ebad Rahman

Ramadan is a time when many of us renew and strengthen our relationship with the Qur’an after having been distant and estranged from it. Our copies of the Qur’an once again come off the shelves, and we are blessed to recite and listen to more of the Book, which “was revealed as a guidance for mankind, [a Book of] clear proofs of guidance and the criterion [distinguishing right from wrong].” (2:185)

Our love and esteem for the Qur’an increases by reflecting upon the miraculous nature of the Book, in which God puts forth this challenge:
“And if you are in doubt concerning that which We sent down upon Our slave [Muhammad], then produce a surah the like thereof, and call your witnesses other than Allah, if you are truthful.” (2:23)

The challenge remains (and will remain) unfulfilled, as God says in the next verse: “You cannot do it, and you will never do it.”

Elsewhere in the Qur’an, we are told “Say: ‘If all humanity and jinn gathered together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce one like it, even were they to help one another.’” (17:88)

This is the i’jaz of the Qur’an, the miracle that incapacitates all from composing even a few verses that can even come close to its likes. Rather, the Qur’an left the best of poets, orators, and people of language speechless, only being able to say ma hadha kalaam al-bashr (“this is not the speech of any human”).

We should use the coming days and nights of Ramadan to exert ourselves to appreciate the miracle of the Qur’an. This miracle is such that each verse is called a sign (ayah). And, as Imam al-Busiri said in his Burda (the Poem of the Cloak) regarding the signs of the Qur’an: 

Because they have endured into our time, they surpass the miracles
Of prior prophets, which came but did not last.

May Allah shower His blessings upon us and expose us to the special spiritual breezes He avails to His servants in this month and help us taste from the sweetness of His Book! Ameen!

Ebadur Rahman memorized the Qur'an at the age of 15. He also graduated from Zaytuna’s Seminary Program in June 2008 and is currently pursuing university studies at NYU.

He blogs at E-baad-e News  http://www.facebook.com/l/;ebaadenews.blogspot.com/

Tenderloin Iftar

Zawaya sponsored it's eighth annual Ramadan Iftar for Muslim families living in the Tenderloin last night. The scale and coordination of this event is amazing to witness and everything reflected a spirit of hospitality and generosity. They had many cheerful volunteers, wonderful food, including 7 whole lambs and gifts for the families. The topping on the evening was seeing the children's beaming faces as they were leaving with their bags of gifts.

Link to last years post:  http://www.ramadanchallenge.com/2007/09/index.html

Ramadan Is Coming

Ramadan Joy is a seasonal blog focusing on the beautiful month of Ramadan and the Eids.

BARAKAH LIFE is in the midst of making preparations for the coming month of Ramadan with even more projects and sweet goodness. We hope this year to be even more inspiring and beneficial to you.

Artwork by Desert Harvest