Ramadan 4, 1446

The Essence of Fasting and Its Purpose

What is the reward for fasting and why?

In the Hadith Qudsi, Allah  said: All acts of the son of Adam is multiplied, a good deed for ten and up to seven hundred times- but Allah  added: except for fasting, it is for Me and I reward it, he abandons his desire and his food for My sake”. This hadith is a clear sign that the genuine fasting is not measured by the actual value of the deed itself or by the multiplication of its rewards, it is actually rewarded with the Love of Allah , Allah will love you and will be pleased with you, and will bless you with His proximity.

In this context applies the saying: Oh my Lord, he who has lost you has found nothing, and he who has found you has lost nothing.

Here is an example that clarifies the difference between the ones rewarded by Allah, even with multiplied rewards, and the ones who won Allah:

A rich man sought one day to console a hundred orphans by granting one wish to each one of them, no matter what that wish was. He contacted the orphanage and asked the manager to invite one hundred orphans aged between five and eight years old. He stood with them and asked his assistant to note down the wishes.

The first one asked for a bicycle, the second for a car, the third for new clothes, the fourth for an education scholarship, the twenty first for a new watch, the twenty second for a new and comfortable bed, and the seventieth said: I want you to sponsor me and to love me like one of your own children in every aspect, during your life and after your passing. The man answered: how about I give you all of what your friends asked for to answer your request? The child said, no I do not want any of that, I do not need clothes or cars or bicycles, I want to become as beloved to you as your own children, and that you treat me accordingly.

The man nodded with approval, as he had committed to grant the wishes of all these orphans, and then remembered the meaning of the Prophet’s hadith : “I and the guardian of the orphan will be in Heaven like these two, and he drew his index and middle finger close together”.(2)

In the end, each of the orphan was granted the wish, but this particular child won the donor himself, his love and care, got the toys and the best education, until he got employed and married, and eventually an inheritance.

This is a very simple example illustrating the difference between winning rewards from Allah  through acts of worship and winning Allah through genuine fasting that requires that we abandon our pleasures and desires for what our Lord loves and is pleased with. “And I reward it”, means I am the Reward.

Among the comments on this supplication: “O Lord make my sins the sins of a beloved one and do not make my good deeds the good deeds of a despised one, for a sin does not harm with Your love and a good deed does not benefit with Your despise”, we note that a beloved sinner will certainly be inspired by Allah to repentance, while a person with a good deed that is despised by Allah is certainly despised because of the established knowledge of Allah about his return in evil or about a grave disease in his heart such as arrogance or pretense despite his current apparent goodness.

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(1) Transmitted by Al Nawawi in his Forty from Amr Ibn Alass, Hadith number 41.

(2) Transmitted by Al Bukhari is the Sahih, from Sahl Ibn Saad, hadith number 6005- Chapter on Manners, the Virtues of Guarding an Orphan.

Source: Kalima Taiba

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Nutritious Recipe

from my kitchen with love

🌿✨ Syrian Khshaf – The Sweet Essence of Ramadan ✨🌿

Khshaf (خشّاف) is a traditional Syrian dried fruit and nut compote, enjoyed especially during Ramadan as a refreshing and energizing dish after a long fast. Packed with natural sweetness, fiber, and nutrients, this delightful treat is perfect as a dessert or suhoor boost! 🍯

🥣 Ingredients:

✅ Dried Fruits:

• ½ cup dried figs (quartered) 🍑

• ½ cup dried apricots (chopped) 🍊

• ½ cup dates (pitted & chopped) 🌴

• ½ cup prunes (pitted & chopped) 🍇

• ½ cup golden or dark raisins 🍇

✅ Nuts & Seeds:

• ¼ cup almonds (blanched & halved) 🌰

• ¼ cup walnuts (chopped) 🥜

• ¼ cup pine nuts🌲

• ¼ cup pistachios 💚✨

✅ Liquid & Flavorings:

• 3-4 cups water 💧

• 2 tbsp honey 🍯

• 1 tsp orange blossom water 🍊🌺

• 1 tsp rose water 🌹

• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional) 🍂

• Juice of ½ a lemon 🍋

📝 Instructions:

1️⃣ Soak the dried fruits in warm water for 1 hour or overnight for a softer texture.

2️⃣ In a pot, combine water, honey, and cinnamon, then bring to a gentle boil.

3️⃣ Add the soaked dried fruits and let them simmer for 10-15 minutes until they release their flavors.

4️⃣ Stir in nuts, orange blossom water, and rose water, then remove from heat.

5️⃣ Let it cool, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours for the flavors to blend beautifully.

6️⃣ Serve chilled, garnished with extra pistachios for a crunchy touch! 💚

🌟 Tip: For an even richer flavor and softer texture, soak the dried fruits in the fridge for 12-18 hours instead of boiling. This allows them to naturally absorb moisture and release their sweetness, making the Khshaf even more refreshing! ❄️🍑🌿

🍽️ Best Served With:

✔️ A sprinkle of coconut flakes for extra texture 🥥

✔️ Drizzled with extra honey for more sweetness 🍯

🌙 Why is Khshaf Special?

This dish is a symbol of hospitality and warmth, traditionally served to energize fasting individuals while keeping them hydrated. The combination of fruits, nuts, and fragrant waters makes it a perfect balance of sweetness and nourishment!

💛 Try it this Ramadan & Share the Blessings! 💛

Saha w Hana

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From One Seed to Seven Hundred: The Power of Giving

Helping Those in Debt: A Path to Mercy & Reward

Islam emphasizes the importance of helping those in debt, considering it an act of compassion, mercy, and social responsibility. Many people fall into debt due to unforeseen hardships, and Islam encourages the community to support them through Zakat and Sadaqah, ensuring they regain financial stability and dignity.

Zakat for the Indebted

Allah ﷻ mentions in the Quran that one of the eligible recipients of Zakat is:"And (give) to those in debt..." (Surah At-Tawbah 9:60) This highlights the duty of believers to ease the burden of those struggling financially.

The Prophet ﷺ also said:“Whoever relieves a believer of distress in this world, Allah will relieve him of distress on the Day of Judgment.” (Muslim 2699)

Why Should We Help?

• It uplifts individuals & families from financial distress.

• It restores dignity & self-sufficiency to those struggling.

• It earns immense rewards—helping a debtor is like reviving a person.

The Prophet ﷺ said:“The one who strives to help a widow or the poor is like the one who fights in the cause of Allah, or like the one who prays all night and fasts all day.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

🌟 Support a Single Mother in Debt 🌟

A single mother of four is struggling with debt, preventing her from moving forward and providing a stable, positive environment for her children. Your donation can offer her the relief she needs to rebuild her life with ease and dignity.

🤲 Be the reason she finds hope again. Give today and help her raise her children in security and comfort.

📌 Donate now and and be a source of relief for those in need.💖 ://mozaic.kindful.com/?campaign=1352818

📌 Share this message & help lift the burden of someone in need! 🤲💙

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Du’a of the Day

دعاء الفرج والتيسير:

يا حي يا قيوم، برحمتك أستغيث. يا ودود يا ودود يا ودود، يا ذا العرش المجيد، يا فعال لما يريد، اللهم إني أسألك بعزك الذي لا يُرام، وملكك الذي لا يُضام، ونورك الذي ملأ أرجاء عرشك أن تقضي حاجتي.

سبحان المنفس عن كل مديون، سبحان المفرج عن كل محزون، سبحان من جعل خزائنه بين الكاف والنون، سبحان من إذا أراد شيئاً قال له "كن" فيكون. يا مفرج فرج، يا مفرج فرج، يا مفرج فرج، فرج عني همي وغمي فرجاً عاجلاً غير آجل، برحمتك يا أرحم الراحمين.

Du'a for Relief and Ease:

O Ever-Living, O Sustainer, I seek Your help with Your mercy. O Loving One, O Loving One, O Loving One, O Lord of the Glorious Throne, O Doer of what He wills, I ask You by Your might which cannot be opposed, by Your dominion which cannot be wronged, and by Your light which fills the corners of Your Throne to fulfill my need.

Glory to the One who relieves every debtor, glory to the One who frees every distressed one, glory to the One whose treasures are between "Kaf" and "Nun," glory to the One who says to something "Be," and it becomes. O Reliever, relieve, O Reliever, relieve, O Reliever, relieve. Relieve my worry and grief with an immediate relief, not delayed, by Your mercy, O Most Merciful.

Ameen