What does Suhoor mean?

  

During Ramadan, Muslims eat Suhoor before dawn, right before they start their fast (Sawm). Before Fajr (dawn) prayer, it is eaten. This starts the daily fast, which lasts until Maghrib (sunset).

 In Islam, Suhoor is very important. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "Eat Suhoor, for in Suhoor there is blessing (Barakah)." (Muslim and Sahih Bukhari)

 A healthy Suhoor meal gives you energy and water to get you through the long hours of fasting. It usually has protein-rich foods, whole carbs, dates, fruits, dairy, and water to keep the body going all day.

 In addition to being good for your health, Suhoor is a time for worship and thought for many Muslims. They pray, read the Quran, and ask for forgiveness before Fajr. Suhoor is a highly important meal during Ramadan because it is a meal that should be eaten with the goal of fasting.

How to Do Umrah on a Budget: A Cheap Spiritual Journey

 Our Umrah on a Budget package is for pilgrims who want to go on a spiritual trip that will change their lives but don't want to spend a lot of money. We think that everyone should be able to do Umrah, which is why our package is designed to be affordable while still providing comfort, ease, and high-quality services.

This plan includes carefully chosen places to stay near the Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah, making it easy to get to places for prayers and rituals. You can rely on reliable transportation to get from one holy site to another, and experienced guides will help you do Umrah according to Islamic rules.

We put your comfort, safety, and spiritual needs first, even though we are affordable. Our package was carefully put together to include only the most important things, so you can focus on prayer, reflection, and connecting with Allah.

Umrah on a Budget gives you choices that are flexible enough to fit your schedule and preferences, whether you're travelling by yourself, with family, or with a group. As long as the prices are clear and there are no hidden fees, you can feel safe starting this holy trip.

Do not let the fact that you can't afford something stop you from following your spiritual goals. If you choose our Umrah on a Budget package, you will be on your way to a deeply rewarding and life-changing journey.

Gift Ideas for Ramadan: Thoughtful Ways to Honor the Holy Month

  

During Ramadan, people think, pray, and give to others. This makes it a great time to give thoughtful gifts to family, friends, and loved ones. Choosing important gifts for Ramadan can make the month more spiritual and show that you care and appreciate them. People often give Islamic books as gifts, like beautifully bound Qur'ans, Qur'an journals for personal thought, or books about Islamic history and spirituality. These gifts help people grow in their faith and give them ideas all month long. People also love luxury prayer mats, digital tasbih counters, and custom prayer clothes because they help them do acts of devotion every day.

When it comes to Iftar and Suhoor, thoughtful gifts like Ramadan-themed boxes full of dates, honey, herbal teas, and healthy snacks are very useful. Inscribed Qur'an covers, custom mugs with Ramadan wishes, or scented candles are just a few examples of personalized gifts that make people feel special and appreciated. Adding Ramadan lanterns, fairy lights, and Islamic wall art to your home can also make it look brighter and more joyful.

 Also, gifts that show the spirit of giving, like giving to charity in someone's name or paying for someone to have Iftar for those in need, show what Ramadan is really about. Kids can learn about the meaning of the holy month in fun ways with activity books and do-it-yourself craft kits. After a long day of fasting, luxury items like Oud perfumes, beautiful abayas, and spa gift sets can help you relax and take care of yourself. Subscriptions to Islamic audiobooks, online classes, or halal meal delivery services are also thoughtful and useful for today's busy lives.

 In the end, the best gifts for Ramadan are those that come from the heart and help people grow spiritually, get closer, and be thankful. These gifts, no matter how simple or fancy they are, help make Ramadan a memorable and emotionally fulfilling time.

What the Prophets Do in Islam: They Are God's Messengers

 In Islam, prophets are very important because they are chosen messengers of Allah and lead people to do the right thing and honor the One true God. The Quran names 25 prophets, from Prophet Adam (AS), the first person and messenger, to Prophet Muhammad (ⷺ), the last and most important prophet.

Throughout history, prophets were sent to different countries to teach them about one god, morals, and divine rules. Each prophet carried Allah's word, told people not to do bad things, and showed people how to have faith and good character. Other prophets, like Prophet Musa (Moses AS), led their people to freedom, while Prophet Nuh (Noah AS) told people to change their minds. Isa (A.S.) was sent with miracles and advice, and the Quran, which was revealed by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), was the last word of Islam.

In Islam, prophets' jobs are to tell people what Allah wants, show patience in hard times, and remind them of their main goal: to serve Allah and get ready for the next life. Muslims still look to their lives and lessons as examples of how to live a good life and follow their faith.

 

The Story of Safa and Marwa

 The story of Safa and Marwa shows how to have unwavering faith, be patient, and trust in Allah's kindness. There is a strong link to the trip of Prophet Ibrahim's wife Hajar (Hagar) and their young son Ismail (AS).

Allah told Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to leave Hajar and Ismail in the empty valley of Makkah. It was a huge test of his trustworthiness and obedience. Hajar was by herself with her child and had nowhere to see get food or water. She had to depend on Allah's mercy alone. Young Ismail (AS) cried out because he was thirsty, and Hajar ran seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa, looking for any sign of water or help. After a long time of waiting and trusting in Allah, the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) showed up and magically made the blessed Zamzam water come out of the ground near baby Ismail's feet.

This important event became a holy sign of patience and loyalty, and today, walking between Safa and Marwa, which is called Sa'i, is an important part of both Hajj and Umrah. It helps pilgrims remember how important it is to believe Allah, even when things are hard, because He always helps in the best way and at the best time.

The story of Safa and Marwa shows us how to be patient, have faith, and enjoy the benefits of always relying on Allah. This shows us that when we trust Him, no problem is too big, and just like He took care of Hajar and Ismail, He will always take care of those who believe in Him.

Umrah Resumes After 7 Month Hiatus

Saudi Arabian establishments on Sunday re-opened the Muslim sacred places for Umrah pilgrimage on Sunday after a seven-month break due to the coronavirus. 

Following coronavirus procedures, the first lot of Umrah pilgrims inwards in the wee hours of Sunday, said the Office of Hajj and Umrah on Twitter.

Without giving additional details, the ministry public photos of the visitors entering the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah.

Saudis and foreign peoples of the kingdom will be indorsed to perform Umrah or the slight pilgrimage, at the Grand Masjid at a 30% size or 6,000 people per day as of Sunday.

Earlier, the official SPA newscast agency reported that the blockade placed around the Kaaba and the holy Black Stone will continue in its place and visitors will be banned from touching them as part of the COVID-19 events.

Masjid al-Haram, where the Kaaba is situated, will be clean 10 times a day, SPA said, adding that isolation rooms were already ready for visitors showing indications of COVID-19.

Last week, Saudi Arabia proclaimed that it will slowly lift a coronavirus-related travel ban for the Umrah pilgrimage.

The SPA said both local and global worshippers coming for Umrah and worship will be acknowledged as of Nov. 1, while both Masjid al-Haram and Al-Masjid al-Nabawi will be unlocked for worship at full volume by taking COVID-19 protective events.

Several sites were ready, namely (Ajyad, Al-Shisha, Al-Gaza, and Al-Zahir) to collect the Umrah performers, then transport them to the Grand Masjid by buses, escorted by health facilities, rendering to the Saudi Press Agency.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Masjid and the Prophet’s Masjid has placed current cameras, to save the Two Holy Masjids free of COVID-19

Due to the pandemic, the Hajj pilgrimage this year was incomplete to those living in Saudi Arabia and pilgrims from overseas were not accepted.

Umrah is the Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah that Muslims can assume at any time of the year.

Recognition of Allah SWT

The question which arises here is: How can all people be expected to trust in the one true Allah SWT, given their varying backgrounds, societies, and cultures? For people to be held accountable for worshipping the one true Allah SWT, they all need to have access to information of him. The final revelation teaches that all human beings have the recognition of the one true Allah SWT imprinted on their souls as a part of their very nature with which they are created.

In the seventh chapter of the Qur'an (Al-A'raaf, verses 172-173), Allah SWT explained that when He created Adam He caused all of Adam's descendants to come into existence and He took a pledge from them saying:

"'Am I not your Lord?' To which, they all replied, 'Yes, we testify to it.'"

Allah then explained why He had all of mankind bear witness that He is their creator and the only true Allah SWT worthy of worship. He said:

"That was in the case you (mankind) should say on the Day of Resurrection, 'Verily we were unaware of all this.'" (Qur'an 7:172)

That is to say, we cannot claim on that Day that we had no idea that Allah was our Allah SWT and that no one told us that we were supposed to worship Allah alone. Allah went on to further explain that:

"It was also in case you should say, 'Certainly it was our ancestors who made partners (with Allah) and we are only their descendants; will You then destroy us for what those liars did?'" (Qur'an 7:173)

Thus, every child is born with a natural belief in Allah SWT and an in-born inclination to worship Him alone. This in-born belief and inclination is called in Arabic the "Fitrah".

The Prophet Muhammad reported that Allah said, "I created my servants in the right religion, but devils made them go astray." The Prophet also said, "Each child is born in a state of Fitrah. Then his parents make him a Jew, Christian or a Zoroastrian." If the child were left alone, he would worship Allah SWT in his own way, but all children are affected by the environment. So, just as the child submits to the physical laws which Allah has imposed on nature, in the same way, his soul also submits naturally to the fact that Allah is his Lord and Creator. But, if his parents try to make him follow a different path, the child is not strong enough in the early stages of his life to resist or oppose the will of his parents. In such cases, the religion which the child follows is one of custom and upbringing, and Allah SWT does not hold him to account or punish him for his religion up to a certain stage of his life.