Ramadan 24, 1446

The Greatest of Sins

Seventy Sins that Allah Likes That We Forsake

THE GREAT SINS: These are fifty-three (53)

21- The Twenty First Great Sin: Not performing the Duty of Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage (Hajj) is a once in a lifetime duty for those who can afford it from health and financial point of view and with the availability of the needed logistics such as Hajj visa, road safety, etc. The Prophet  said: “Whoever has the provisions and means to reach the House of Allah and does not perform Hajj, then it does not matter if he dies as a Jew or a Christian. That is because Allah said in His Book: ﴾And Hajj to the House is a duty that mankind owes to Allah, for whomever is able to bear the journey(1)﴿.(2) Omar Ibn Al Khattab  used to say: Whoever is capable of performing Hajj and does not, might as well die as a Jew or a Christian”.(3)

The scholars have all agreed on the importance of the duty of Hajj as one of the pillars of Islam, and an integral part of faith and whoever denies it would fall in disbelief. The scholars have differed in their views about the Hajj obligation being immediate upon capacity or loose. The majority (Hanafi s, Malekis and Hanbalis) went to confirm it is an immediate obligation upon capacity. This means that whoever is capable of the mandatory Hajj in Islam in any given year and delays it, has committed a sin. The Shafeis have loosened the condition saying that whoever is capable of the mandatory Hajj in Islam and delays in any given year and delays it then becomes incapable in subsequent years for any reason, only then is considered to have committed a sin. The prophetic sunna conveyed many related hadiths such as the one narrated by Abu Huraira may Allah be pleased with him, saying: “O people, Allah has made Hajj obligatory for you, so perform Hajj. Thereupon, a person said: every year?

The Prophet kept quiet and the man repeated the question thrice, so the Messenger said: if I were to say yes it would become obligatory every year and you would not be able to do it”. (4)

22- The Twenty Second Great Sin: Severing the Bond of the Womb (kinship) or Forsaking the Next of Kin:

The muslim society is a solidly bonded one, starting at the level of the family. Severing the bond of the womb or kinship is a great sin and that includes bonds with the grandparents and their offsprings meaning maternal and paternal uncles and aunts and their children, the family of the husband and the family of the wife, the step-daughters and sons and step-brothers and sisters. The prophet  warned seriously from severing the bond of the womb as a great sin, as he said: “The bond of kinship suspends from the Throne and says: He who keeps bond with me, Allah Will keep bond with him, and he who severs bond with me, Allah will sever bond with him”.(5)

The Prophet  also said: “There is no wrong deed more likely to bring punishment in this world in addition to what is reserved for it in the next world than oppression and severing the ties of

kinship”(6). He  also said: “No one severing the ties of kinship

shall enter Paradise”.(7)

23- The Twenty Third Great Sin: Lying in the Name of Allah and in the Name of His Prophet 

This is done through conveying wrong hadiths especially today. It can also happen through lying about visions, like pretending to have seen the Prophet  or other prophets in a dream. The Prophet  actually said: “A lie upon me is not like a lie upon anyone else, whoever tells a lie about me deliberately, he may take his seat in Hell”(8). In fact a true vision in a dream is one of signs of prophecy, as mentioned by the Prophet : “A good vision is a forty-sixth part of prophecy”.(9) Lying in the Name of Allah  and His Prophet includes discussing religious matters with ignorance, like giving rulings (fatwas) or religious decrees and answers to religious questions without knowledge (whether related to the principles of faith- akeeda or jurisprudence-sharia). In fact, when asked about a matter to which he has no definite answer, a muslim should admit that he does not know and should refer to knowledgeable scholars. Also, this great sin includes spreading word about religious matters such as interpretation of the Quran or explanation of Hadiths or matters of faith and jurisprudence

from untrusted sources and proper verification.

__________________________

(1) Al Imran 97.

(2) Hadith narrated by Al Tirmithi in his Sunan, Hadith 812, Book of Hajj, Chapter of Strictness

for Leaving the Duty of Hajj.

(3) Narrated by Ibn Katheer, Ismael bin Omar in the Musnad of the Commander of the Faithful

Abu Hafs Omar Ibn Al Khattab may Allah be pleased with him, his sayings, Chapter of Hajj

1/292.

(4) Narrated by Mulsim in his Sahih from Abu Huraira, Hadith 1337, the book of Hajj, chapter of

Once in a lifetime Hajj Duty.

(5) Narrated by Muslim in his Sahih from Aisha, Hadith 2555, Book of Righteousness, Relationship

and Ethics, chapter of the Bond of the Womb and the Prohibition of Severing it.

(6) Narrated by Al Termethi from Abu Bakra, Hadith 2511, Book of Description of Resurrection,

Soft Speech and Piety, Chapter 57, true hadith.

(7) Narrated by Muslim in his Sahih, from Jubair Bin Moteam, Hadith 2556, Book of Righteousness, Relationship and Ethics, chapter of the Bond of the Womb and the Prohibition of Severing it.with the facility of doing so through social media and without

investigating trusted sources.

(8) Narrated by Al Bukhari in his Sahih, from Al Mughirah, Hadith 1291, Book of the Funerals,

Chapter of the Discouraged Acts in the Mourning of the Dead.

(9) Narrated by Al Bukhari in his Sahih, from Abi Saeed Al Khidri, Hadith 6989, Book of

Expression, Chapter of the Good Vision the forty sixth sign.

Nutritious Recipe

from my kitchen with love

Maqloobeh (Upside-Down Rice with Eggplant and Meat)

Ingredients:

🔹 For the Meat:

• 2 lbs boneless shank (or substitute with minced ground beef) 🥩

• 1 large onion, quartered 🧅

• 1 peel of lemon 🍋

• 5 cardamom pods 🌿

• 2 bay leaves 🍃

• 4 cloves 🌰

• 1 tsp black pepper ⚫

• 1 tsp salt 🧂

• 2 tbsp ghee or butter 🧈Water for boiling 💦

🔹 For the Eggplant Layer:

• 6 large eggplants, sliced 🍆

• Oil for deep frying (or option to bake with light oil) 🛢️

🔹 For the Rice:

• 2 cups basmati rice 🍚

• 2 ½ cups broth (from the boiled meat) 🍲

• 2 tbsp ghee or butter 🧈

• ½ tsp cinnamon 🌿

• Salt to taste 🧂

🔹 For Garnish:

• ½ cup toasted pine nuts, almonds, or cashews 🌰

🔹 For Cucumber Yogurt Sauce:

• 1 cup yogurt 🥛

• 1 cucumber, shredded 🥒

• 1 clove garlic, smashed 🧄

• 1 tsp dried mint 🌿

• Salt to taste 🧂

• Water or ice cubes to dilute ❄️

Instructions:

1️⃣ Prepare the Meat:

• In a pot, add ghee, boneless shank, onion, lemon peel, cardamom, bay leaves, cloves, black pepper, and salt. cook until golden brown.

• Add water and bring to a boil. Skim the foam then cover the pot.

• Simmer for about 1.5 hours until the meat is tender.

• Strain and keep the broth for cooking the rice.

2️⃣ Prepare the Eggplant:

• Deep fry the sliced eggplants until golden brown or bake them in the oven with light oil at 400°F (200°C) until soft and slightly crispy.

3️⃣ Prepare the Minced Beef (Alternative to Shank):

• In a pan, cook the minced beef with ghee,

• Add black pepper, salt, and a dash of cardamom once it’s well done.

4️⃣ Prepare the Rice:

• Wash and soak the rice for 30 minutes, then drain.

• In a pot, melt ghee/butter, add the rice, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to coat the rice.

5️⃣ Layering the Maqloobeh:

• In a deep pot, arrange the cooked meat (or minced beef) at the bottom.

• Add a layer of fried/baked eggplant.

• Top with the seasoned rice.

• Pour the hot broth over the layers, ensuring the liquid is just above the rice.

6️⃣ Cooking:

• Cover and cook on low heat for about 30-40 minutes until the rice absorbs all the broth and is fully cooked.

7️⃣ Flipping & Garnishing:

• Let the pot sit for 5 minutes. Then, place a large serving plate over the pot and quickly flip it upside down.

• Tap the pot gently and lift it to reveal the beautiful layers!

• Garnish with toasted pine nuts, almonds, or cashews.

8️⃣ Prepare the Cucumber Yogurt Sauce:

• Mix yogurt, shredded cucumber, garlic, dried mint, and salt.

• Dilute with a little water or add ice cubes before serving to keep it cold.

🍽️ Serve & Enjoy!

Enjoy Maqloobeh with the refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce and a side of pickles! 🥒✨

From One Seed to Seven Hundred: The Power of Giving

The Gift of Giving: A Blessing for the Heart and Soul

Did you know that giving is more than just an act of kindness, it is a divine privilege and a pathway to spiritual fulfillment. When Allah loves a person, He grants them the honor of being a source of goodness for others. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"إِذَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ عَبْدًا صَيَّرَ حَوَائِجَ النَّاسِ إِلَيْهِ""

If Allah loves a servant, He makes people's needs come to him." (Reported by Al-Tabarani in Al-Awsat)

Charity is a blessing for the giver before the receiver. It purifies the soul, increases barakah in wealth, relieves distress and sorrow, protects against misfortune, safeguards in times of adversity, and becomes a lasting source of reward in this life and the hereafter. Through giving, we express gratitude for our blessings and ensure their continuation.

As we embrace the last ten nights of Ramadan, let us seize this sacred opportunity to give generously. Support our Professional Development Program, which empowers refugees with career training and job placement, helping them build dignified and self-sufficient lives.

💠 Let your Zakat and Sadaqah Jariyah be a means of transformation and hope.

📩 Donate today and multiply your rewards! https://mozaic.kindful.com/?campaign=1352842

Du’a of the Day & Night

ورد الإمام النووي

من قرأه فكأنما على رأسه قبة من حديد، وذلك كناية عن أثر الحماية.

• بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، أَقُولُ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَعَلَى دِينِي، وَعَلَى أَهْلِي وَعَلَى أَوْلَادِي وَعَلَى مَالِي وَعَلَى أَصْحَابِي وَعَلَى أَدْيَانِهِمْ وَعَلَى أَمْوَالِهِمْ أَلْفٌ بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، أَقُولُ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَعَلَى دِينِي، وَعَلَى أَهْلِي وَعَلَى أَوْلَادِي وَعَلَى مَالِي وَعَلَى أَصْحَابِي وَعَلَى أَدْيَانِهِمْ وَعَلَى أَمْوَالِهِمْ أَلْفٌ أَلْفٌ بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، أَقُولُ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَعَلَى دِينِي، وَعَلَى أَهْلِي وَعَلَى أَوْلَادِي وَعَلَى مَالِي وَعَلَى أَصْحَابِي وَعَلَى أَدْيَانِهِمْ وَعَلَى أَمْوَالِهِمْ أَلْفٌ أَلْفٌ أَلْفٌ لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ.

• بِسْمِ اللهِ وَبِاللَّهِ وَمِنَ اللَّهِ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ وَفِي اللَّهِ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ.

• بِسْمِ اللهِ عَلَى دِينِي وَعَلَى نَفْسِي وَعَلَى أَوْلَادِيبِسْمِ اللهِ عَلَى مَالِي وَعَلَى أَهْلِي، بِسْمِ اللهِ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ أَعْطَانِيهِ رَبِّي، بِسْمِ اللهِ رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ السَّبْعِ وَرَبِّ الْأَرَاضِينَ السَّبْعِ وَرَبِّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ.

• (بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ) (ثَلاثًا)بِسْمِ اللهِ خَيْرُ الْأَسْمَاءِ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَفِي السَّمَاءِ، بِسْمِ اللهِ فَتَحْتُ وَبِهِ أَخْتَتِمْ، اللهُ، اللهُ، اللهُ.

• اللهُ رَبِّي لَا أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا، اللهُ، اللهُ، اللهُ.اللهُ رَبِّي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، اللهُ أَعَزُّ وَأَجَلُّ وَأَكْبَرُ مِمَّا أَخَافُ وَأَحْذَرُ بِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَعُوذُ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ غَيْرِي وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ رَبِّي وَذَرَأَ وَبَرَأَ وَبِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَحْتَرِزُ مِنْهُمْ، وَبِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَعُوذُ مِنْ شَرِّهِمْ.

• وَبِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَدْرَأُ فِي نُحُورِهِمْ وَأَقَدِّمُ بَيْنَ يَدَيِّ وَأَيْدِيهِمْ.

• بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ۝ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ ۝ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ۝ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ (ثَلاثًا)

• وَمِثْلُ ذَلِكَ عَنْ يَمِينِي وَأَيْمَانِهِمْ وَمِثْلُ ذَلِكَ عَنْ شِمَالِي وَعَنْ شِمَالِهِمْ، وَمِثْلُ ذَلِكَ عَنْ أَمَامِي وَأَمَامِهِمْ، وَمِثْلُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ خَلْفِي وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ، وَمِثْلُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ فَوْقِي وَمِنْ فَوْقِهِمْ، وَمِثْلُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ تَحْتِي وَمِنْ تَحْتِهِمْ، وَمِثْلُ ذَلِكَ مُحِيطٌ بِي وَبِهِمْ.اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ لِي وَلَهُمْ مِنْ خَيْرِكَ بِخَيْرِكَ الَّذِي لَا يَمْلِكُهُ غَيْرُكَ،

• اللهم اجعلني وإياهم في عبادك وعياذك وعيالك وجوارك وأمنك وأمانتك وحزبك وحرزك وكنفك، من شر كل شيطان وسلطان وإنس وجان وباغ وحاسد وسبع وحية وعقرب، ومن شر كل دابة أنت آخذ بناصيتها، إن ربي على صراط مستقيم.

• حسبنا الله من المربوبين، حسبنا الله من المخلوقين، حسبنا الله من المرزوقين، حسبنا الله من المستورين، حسبنا الله من المنصورين، حسبنا الله من المقهورين، حسبنا الله الذي هو حسبي، حسبنا من لم يزل حسبي، حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل، حسبنا الله من جميع خلقه.

• (إِنَّ وَلِيِّيَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْكِتَابَ وَهُوَ يَتَوَلَّى الصَّالِحِينَ)

• (وَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ جَعَلْنَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ الَّذِينَ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالآخِرَةِ حِجَابًا مَسْتُورًا)(وَجَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَنْ يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًا وَإِذَا ذَكَرْتَ رَبَّكَ فِي الْقُرْآنِ وَحْدَهُ وَلَّوْا عَلَىٰ أَدْبَارِهِمْ نُفُورًا)

  (فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَقُلْ حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ) (ﺳﺒﻌﺎً)

•  (لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ) (ثلاثًا)

• وصلَّى الله على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم (ثلاثًا).

• ثم ينفث بلا ريق عن يمينه ثلاثًا وعن شماله ثلاثًا ومن أمامه ثلاثًا ومن خلفه ثلاثًا.

• خبأت نفسي وأنفسهم في خزائن باسم الله، أقفالها ثقتي بالله، مفاتيحها لا قوة إلا بالله، أدافع بك اللهم عن نفسي ما أطيق وما لا أطيق، لا طاقة لمخلوق مع قدرة الخالق، حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم.

• ﻭﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺳﻴﺪﻧﺎ ﻣﺤﻤﺪ النبي الأمي ﻭﻋﻠﻰ ﺁﻟﻪ ﻭﺻﺤﺒﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ

The Imam Nawawi's Wird

Whoever recites it, it is as if a dome of iron is placed over their head, which is a metaphor for the protection effect.

• In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.I say upon myself, my faith, my family, my children, my wealth, my friends, their faith, and their wealth, one thousand times:In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.I say upon myself, my faith, my family, my children, my wealth, my friends, their faith, and their wealth, one thousand times, one thousand times:In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.I say upon myself, my faith, my family, my children, my wealth, my friends, their faith, and their wealth, one thousand times, one thousand times, one thousand times:There is no power and no strength except by Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.

• In the name of Allah, with Allah, from Allah, to Allah, on Allah, and in Allah, and there is no power and no strength except by Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.

• In the name of Allah, upon my faith, upon myself, upon my children, upon my wealth, upon my family, upon all that my Lord has granted me, upon the Lord of the seven heavens, the Lord of the seven earths, and the Lord of the Great Throne.

• (In the name of Allah, nothing in the earth or the heavens harms with His name, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing) (three times)In the name of Allah, the best of names in the heavens and the earth. In the name of Allah, I begin and by Him I end.Allah, Allah, Allah.

• Allah is my Lord, I do not associate anything with Him.Allah, Allah, Allah.Allah is my Lord, there is no god but Allah, Allah is more powerful, greater, and more glorious than what I fear and what I am cautious of.O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of myself, from the evil of others, and from the evil of what You have created and spread. I seek refuge in You, O Allah, from them. And by You, O Allah, I seek protection from their evil.And by You, O Allah, I ward them off and advance before them and before their hands.

• In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.Say, "He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal. He did not beget, nor was He begotten. And there is none like unto Him." (three times)

• And likewise, on my right and their rights, on my left and their left, in front of me and before them, behind me and behind them, above me and above them, below me and below them, and encompassing them and me.O Allah, I ask You for good for myself and for them, from Your good, which none but You possesses.

• O Allah, make me and them among Your servants, Your protection, Your care, Your safety, Your security, Your company, and Your support, from the evil of every devil, ruler, human, jinn, evil eye, snake, scorpion, and from every creature You hold by its forelock. Truly, my Lord is on a straight path.

• Hasbunallahu min al-marubīn (Allah is sufficient for us from the creation).Hasbunallahu min al-makhlooqīn (Allah is sufficient for us from the created beings).Hasbunallahu min al-marzooqīn (Allah is sufficient for us from those provided).Hasbunallahu min al-mastoorīn (Allah is sufficient for us from the concealed).Hasbunallahu min al-mansoorīn (Allah is sufficient for us from those assisted).Hasbunallahu min al-maqhoorīn (Allah is sufficient for us from those who are subdued).Hasbunallahu, who is my Sufficiency.Hasbunallahu, the One who has been and will always be my Sufficiency.Hasbunallahu, and He is the best of protectors.Hasbunallahu from all His creation.

• (Indeed, my protector is Allah, who has sent down the Book, and He is the protector of the righteous.)

• (And when you recite the Qur’an, We place between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a hidden barrier.)

• (And We place upon their hearts coverings so they do not understand it, and deafness in their ears, and when you mention your Lord alone in the Qur'an, they turn their backs in aversion.)

• (If they turn away, say: Allah is sufficient for me, there is no god but He. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.) (seven times)

• There is no power and no strength except by Allah, the Most High, the Most Great. (three times)

• May Allah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and companions. (three times)

• Then, one should blow without saliva to the right three times, to the left three times, in front three times, and behind three times.

• I hide myself and their souls in the treasures of the name of Allah, whose locks are my trust in Allah, whose keys are only Allah's power. I defend with You, O Allah, against myself, what I am able to, and what I am not able to. There is no power for a creature in the capacity of the Creator. Hasbunallahu wa ni'mal wakeel, there is no power and no strength except by Allah, the Most High, the Most Great.

Ameen