Reflections on the Month, Rabi-ul-Awwal

Every day we remember our prophet and we ask God to bless him, his family and his companions during our daily prayers.
As I use this evening to reflect deeper on our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the beloved of our Almighty God, I think of all his virtues, characteristics and mannerisms. I am in awe of his unconditional faithfulness to God, his love of people, animals, and the Earth. I am in awe of his patience, his courage. I am in awe of the dignity and respect he showed his wives, his elders, even the youngest of children. I am in awe of his kindness to strangers, his fairness towards workers, his attention for the sick, the poor, the orphans and the widows. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) was a selfless man, he put all before himself, the happiness and contentment of others was more important to the Prophet (peace be upon him). Our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an immigrant rights activist, a racial justice and human rights activist, a feminist, a man who stood with and for the oppressed. That is my Prophet (peace be upon him).
I reflect on the state of affairs of the Muslims now, all the ills of the world and how we contribute towards them. I imagine what if we all strived harder to emulate the most beautiful virtues and characteristics of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him); this world, our world would be a better place. We would be a united, strong, dignified community that can overcome any and all adversity. We can never claim that we have seen anywhere near the obstacles and challenges that our Prophet experienced as he introduced our beloved religion to people and societies.
I ask God to continue to guide us all on the right path; the path of peace, justice, love, equality and the path that leads us to Him. May we struggle hard every day to live in the shadows of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) who was brought here as a mercy to this world. May we remember the Prophet in all that we do and ask ourselves often, what would he do?
I am grateful for a faith that teaches me that this life is temporary, that I must live a life of good deeds towards others and worship God. I am grateful to God for our Prophet (peace be upon him) who was brought to us as an example of living a full, content life in worship of God. When we are broken, when we are sad, when we are empty, when we are struggling – sit still, reflect and remember God and his beloved Prophet and the richness of Islam. Reading Quran and learning more about the life of our Prophet (peace be upon him) will refill and heal our broken hearts, bring us contentment and remind us to be grateful to God for all that He has bestowed upon each of us.
Linda Sarsour is a working woman, racial justice and civil rights activist, speaker against Islamophobia in America, and mother of three. Ambitious, outspoken and independent, Linda shatters stereotypes of Muslim women while also treasuring her religious and ethnic heritage. She is a Palestinian Muslim American, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Linda is the Executive Director of the Arab American Association of New York.

Article by: saudigazette.com.sa

Number of Umrah visas to treble in 2016

Saudi Arabia is planning to triple the number of Umrah visas issued each year to 15 million, according to local media.
From next year, 1.25 million pilgrims could be allowed to visit the Grand Mosque each month, compared to 400,000 presently.
Haj Minister Bandar Al Hajjar was quoted as saying that the increased numbers were to make use of the newly expanded Grand Mosque, which is undergoing a $20 billion refurbishment.
Umrah and haj visas were cut in 2014 and 2015 during construction, which is still ongoing.

According to the Haj Ministry, five million Umrah visas were issued in 2013 and six million each during 2014 and 2015. It expects to issue up to 60 million by 2018.
About 1.8 million foreign pilgrims recently descended on the Islamic holy city of Makkah for haj, an annual pilgrimage Muslims are expected to perform in their lifetime.
This year’s religious gather was marred by one of the worst stampedes in Saudi history. Saudi authorities said 769 people died, but figures compiled by Associated Press put the number at 1399, while several governments also disputed the official Saudi figure.

Article by: arabianbusiness.com

Blessed Places where Dua’as are Accepted

Every Dua and supplication made by the Muslims to the Allah Almighty should be made with the belief that it will be acknowledged by our merciful Lord if it is in the best of our concerns.
Salman reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said,
“Your Lord, the Blessed and the Exalted One, is Modest and Generous, and He loathes to turn away His servant empty-handed when he raises his hands to Him in supplication.” (Narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.)
However, there are some times and specific places particularly in Makkah and Medina where one’s Dua is surely accepted.

• Every Muslim knows that if he will make a supplication in front of Ka’aba or from where ever Ka’aba is visible, there is no chance that his supplication will not be granted.
• While performing Tawaf and Sa’ee.
• On the hills and in between the hills of Safa and Marwa.
• Near to Hajr-e-Aswad, the Black Stone.
• Under Meezaab-e-Rahmat which is the water outlet at the roof of Ka’aba.
• Near to Rukn-e-Yamaani which is the crack in the Holy Kaaba where Ali (RA) was born.
• Near to Maqaam-e-Ibrahim also known as the Station of Ibrahim (AS)
• Near to the Jamraat which is the three stone pillars in Mina where Muslims stone the satan.
• Near to the Multazam
• Near to the Well of Zam Zam
• Between Rukn-e-Yamaani and Maqaame Ibrahim.
• At Mina, especially in Masjid Khaif
• At Arafaat, a desert location where the pilgrim spends the 9th of Zul Hijjah as a rite of Hajj.
• At Mash’arul Haraam
• In the Hateem , the semi circular area next to Ka’aba.

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Your supplication will be answered if you are not impatient, and if you do not say, ‘I supplicated but my supplication was not heard’.”
Although some places are best for the acceptance of supplications and dua’as, the Muslims must realize that the doors of Mercy and acceptance of Allah are open all the time. The guidance of Allah and His apostle (PBUH) encourages the Muslims to continuously pray to their merciful and Generous Lord as the supplication of a believer is indeed a worship of his Lord as said by our beloved Prophet (PBUH) and reported by Nu’man b. Bashir:
“Verily supplication is worship.”

Article by: umrahpackagesuk.co.uk