The Prophet ﷺ used to make this beautiful dua, "Oh Allah, I take refuge and protection with You from weakness and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, and from senility and the torment of the grave.” “Oh Allah give my soul a sense of taqwa and awareness of You. Purify my soul for You are the best One to purify it. You are its Protector and Guardian.”

In Surah al-Kawthar, Allah ﷻ consoles the heart of the Prophet ﷺ very powerfully. When the people mocked, taunted, and ridiculed the Prophet ﷺ, Allah ﷻ comforted him by saying, “We have truly given al-Kawthar (abundance) to you oh Prophet.” He continues, “So pray to your Lord and make your sacrifice to Him alone” and reminds the Prophet ﷺ to focus his energy on worshipping Allah ﷻ and sacrificing for His sake because the person who mocks is the truly ruined one. (108:1-3)

As we aspire to earn Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and salvation in these last blessed nights of Ramadan, we can extend our compassion today to improve the lives of others tomorrow. In addition to providing food assistance to those in need, @baitulmaal also ensures that communities have other necessary resources and supports throughout the year.

At a time when disasters and oppression have given rise to seemingly endless suffering around the world, Ramadan returns with opportunities to give hope to others and renew hope in our own lives. We are entering the best days of the year, a time to push ourselves to do even more good. Through your generosity, you can:

- Feed one family for the entire month of Ramadan for $100

In a beautiful narration found in the collection of Imam al-Tabarani, the Prophet ﷺ once passed by a man who was making dua in his prayer, and he appreciated and approved of how beautifully this man spoke about Allah ﷻ. The man said, “Oh, the One whom eyes can not see in this world and minds cannot comprehend His Greatness. People can not praise Him as He deserves to be praised. The situations which occur in this world do not change Allah and He does not fear the passing of time.”

In Surah Ale Imran, Allah ﷻ says, “Hurry towards your Lord’s forgiveness and a Garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for those people who have taqwa and are mindful of Allah.” (3:133) He then highlights characteristics of such people: “Those who give, both in prosperity and adversity, who restrain their anger and pardon people. Allah loves those who do good.”

Leading up to Ramadan, many of us may have heard this Ayah repeated in khutbahs and lectures: “Oh you who believe, fasting was made obligatory for you, as it was made obligatory for those who came before you, so that you may attain taqwa and become mindful of Allah.” (2:183) The word “taqwa” comes from the meaning of guarding oneself, staying away from that which is harmful, obeying the commandments of Allah ﷻ, and avoiding that which He has prohibited.

The two Names with which Allah ﷻ introduces Himself in Surah al-Fatihah, at the beginning of the first juz’, are Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem. The Name “Ar-Rahman” means the One who is abundantly merciful. Allah’s ﷻ mercy is unlimited, all-encompassing, and greater than everything. In a Hadith Qudsi, or sacred tradition, Allah ﷻ said: “My mercy is greater than My wrath.” (Sahih al-Bukhari). The Name “Ar-Raheem” means the One who is always merciful. Allah’s ﷻ mercy is constant and unwavering.

The Prophet ﷺ used to make a beautiful dua, "Oh Allah, I take refuge and protection with You from weakness and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, and from senility and the torment of the grave.” “Oh Allah give my soul a sense of taqwa and awareness of You. Purify my soul for You are the best One to purify it. You are its Protector and Guardian.”

Alhamdulillah, we are in the month of Dhul Hijjah. The Prophet ﷺ said regarding the first ten days of this special month, "There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." (Sahih al-Bukhari) Over the next ten days, Muslims around the world will seek the pleasure of Allah by performing Hajj, fasting, remembering Allah and making abundant dhikr, asking Allah for forgiveness, giving charity, and trying to do whatever good they can.

Allah tells us in the Qur’an about the Qur’an itself, “This is a clear lesson to people, and guidance and teaching for those who are mindful of Allah.” (3:138) The Book of Allah is our guide, full of powerful reminders to help us navigate through the life of this world and alhamdulillah, there are so many ways to meaningfully engage with it.

One of the chapters in the twenty-sixth juz’ of the Qur’an is Surah al-Fath which was revealed after a very intense moment in the life of the Prophet ﷺ. Six years after Hijrah, the Prophet ﷺ informed his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) that they would travel to Makkah to perform Umrah.

As we aspire to earn Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and salvation in these nights, we can extend our compassion to care for an orphan. By sponsoring an orphan through @baitulmaal, you can help support the nutritional, educational, psychological, and social wellbeing of a child in need.

In the twenty-fifth juz’, Allah tells us, “This [revelation] is a means of insight for people, a source of guidance and mercy for those of sure faith.” (45:20) The Book of Allah is our guide. It contains powerful stories and reminders to help us navigate through the life of this world and the Prophet ﷺ has taught us about its many virtues in numerous narrations.

In the twenty-fourth juz’, in Surah Fussilat, Allah says: “Who speaks better than someone who calls people to Allah, does what is right, and says, ‘I am one of those devoted to Allah?’ Good and evil cannot be equal. [Prophet], repel evil with what is better and your enemy will become as close as an old and valued friend.” (41:33-34)

The eighteenth juz’ consists of Surah al-Mu’minun, Surah al-Nur, and the beginning part of Surah al-Furqan. A common theme which is found in these three chapters is that Allah informs us of certain qualities and characteristics of believers. Allah begins “Surah al-Mu’minun,” the chapter titled “The Believers” by telling us that the believers are most definitely successful.

The seventeenth juz’ begins with Surah al-Anbiya. The word “al-Anbiya” means “The Prophets” and in this chapter, Allah speaks about His Prophets (peace be upon them): Ibrahim, Nuh, Dawud, Sulayman, Ayyub, Yunus, Zakariyya and many others (peace be upon all of them). Something so beautiful and powerful about this portion of the chapter is that we find a recurring theme. We see that the Prophets and Messengers were tested but remained steadfast and held onto Allah, and He answered their calls and rescued them in miraculous ways.

In Surah TaHa in the sixteenth juz’, Allah says: “Has the story of Moses come to you [Prophet]?” (20:9) He then tells us part of the story of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him). When the story begins, Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) is on a journey after leaving his home in Madyan when he is appointed as a Messenger. Allah introduces Himself to Prophet Musa (peace be upon him):

In the fourteenth juz’, in Surah al-Nahl, Allah reminds of us of His abundant blessings and favors upon us. Though this chapter is named, “The Bee,” this is just one example of Allah’s creation from which we benefit. Allah speaks about livestock and different animals which we benefit from in so many ways, and how this is from His kindness and mercy. He reminds us that He sends water from the sky which nourishes us and revives the earth.

We learn a very beautiful dua from Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) in the thirteenth juz’: “Lord, make me and my offspring people who establish the prayer. Our Lord, accept my request.” (14:40) رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِي مُقِيمَ الصَّلَاةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَاءِ

We are almost halfway through the month of Ramadan—this beautiful month of fasting, of the Qur’an and dua, of community, and of mercy and compassion. Some of us begin our fasts after a nourishing suhoor, and end our days with a warm meal and refreshing drink for iftar. Many families around the world however, are fasting during this month while conflict, poverty, hunger, and disease rage around them. These families are a part of our Ummah.