Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and it is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and increased devotion to worship. Here are some steps to help you prepare for Ramadan:

• Set your intention: Before Ramadan starts, set your intention to make the most of this month and to get closer to Allah. Make a commitment to improve yourself spiritually, emotionally, and physically.
• Start fasting: Start fasting a few days before Ramadan so that your body can adjust to the changes. This will also help you identify any health issues that might prevent you from fasting during the month.
• Create a plan: Create a plan for how you will spend your time during Ramadan. Decide how much time you will devote to worship, reading the Quran, and other spiritual activities. Make a schedule that works for you and stick to it.
• Prepare your meals: Plan your meals ahead of time so that you don't have to worry about cooking during the day. Make sure you have healthy and nutritious meals that will provide you with the energy you need to fast.
• Cleanse your heart: Use this month as an opportunity to purify your heart from negative feelings such as anger, jealousy, and envy. Forgive those who have wronged you and seek forgiveness from those you have wronged.
• Give to charity: Use this month as an opportunity to give to charity. Donate money, food, or your time to those in need. This will help you develop compassion and empathy for others.
• Reflect on your life: Take time to reflect on your life and your relationship with Allah. Think about your goals and how you can improve yourself in all areas of your life.

Remember that Ramadan is a time of self-reflection, discipline, and devotion to Allah. By preparing yourself physically and spiritually, you can make the most of this holy month and improve yourself in many ways

Quran, the book of wisdom, is full of examples, parables, and stories of past nations for explanatory purposes, and for teaching us how to live according to Allah’s commands. The language used in Quran, has layers of meanings and lessons for us to understand, learn, and implement in our daily lives, if we indeed are seeking Allah’s Pleasure.

The story of two gardens is mentioned in chapter 18: Al Kahf, verses 32-43.

Once there were two men. Each of them owned a garden. Both gardens were bordered with palm trees, and a river ran across them. The gardens were not only a sight of beauty, but brought abundance of fruit as well.

Although the gardens looked almost the same, yet both owners had a very different nature from each other. One was a God fearing, humble person, while they other was an arrogant, proud person.

As they both were in the garden one day, talking to each other, the proud man said to his friend.

“I have more wealth than you. I have more slaves than you. (The number of slaves one had, was a status symbol at that time) I don’t think my fortune would ever end. I think that there would be no Day of Judgement.(This sounds so familiar at the present times, when most of us are spending their lives according to the YOLO theology; enjoying the life, without thinking of preparing for the Day of Judgement) And if it really were to come, I am sure that because of my status in this world, I would be given a similar status in the other world, too.”

The God fearing man was astonished at his words.

“Have you forgotten Allah SWT, your Creator?” he asked, “The Only One who created you from dust, and a sperm drop, and made you into a human being! (You might have forgotten Him) but I would never forget Him being my Creator and my Lord! When you entered your garden and saw all the Blessings of Allah SWT that He has bestowed on you, you should have thanked Allah SWT for His Blessings by saying: Masha Allah La QuwwataillaBillah

Which means: 'What Allah willed [has occurred]; there is no power except in Allah!”

“It is true that I have less wealth than you, and I have fewer children than you (The number of children, particularly sons was a symbol of status, too) But I have faith in Allah SWT. It may be that Allah SWT can replace my garden with a much better garden than yours. Or your garden can be struck with some calamity and is reduced to dust; Anything is possible for Allah SWT and we all should believe in His power.”

But the proud man paid no heed. Allah SWT did send His wrath on the garden and when he entered his garden, there was nothing left. The trellises had all collapsed, ruining all the fruit. He lost all his money that he had invested on his garden. At that moment, he realized that this calamity had only struck him because of his attitude, because of his defiance towards Allah SWT. He regretted over his attitude, but there was nothing he could do about it then.

What does this story teach us? Several lessons!

1.     We should always remember that our Creator and Lord is Allah SWT alone. This makes us humble in a sense because we realize that we are nothing on our own, but makes us strong, too. Because we realize that we don’t have to look towards other people like us for fulfilling our needs. Allah SWT alone is sufficient to provide for us.

2.     We need to use this life to prepare for our Hereafter, not just waste it in enjoying wordly affairs.

3.     Our wealth, status, children none would be able to save us on the day of Judgement from hell fire, but only our good deeds.

4.     We should try to understand, and follow if there is a need, when given some useful advice, or guidance. Being heedless only hurts ourselves.

5.     Saying Masha Allah la Quwwataillabillahwhen we see our blessings is a way to accept Allah’s  SWT Supremacy and a way to safeguard from evil eye.

6.     When struck by a calamity, always try to judge if it is a test of your patience, or a warning for any sins you might have committed. If you think you have sinned, sincere repentance is the answer to your problems.

Just s few verses and so many lessons to learn! Actually, these are just a few lessons. Quran is a book that teaches you something new every time you go through it. That is why you never get tired of reading Quran again and again. To make most out of it, we should consider befriending it. And what better way to befriend it than to learn it completely with a teacher.

Online Quran teacher is a good choice to help you learn Quran in a better way. Online Quran teacher help you learn to read Quran in the correct manner by following all rules of Tajweed. Online Quran teacher can assist you in memorizing Quran, too. They have the proper qualification, and proper training to teach Quran online with the required diligence. They know how to teach a student who is taking a private lesson, as well as a student who has opted for a group class; whether it is a class with other fellow students, or a class with his family. A class with online Quran teachers can be accommodated in your busy schedule according to your wishes. This is indeed a great ease and blessing. And Islam truly is a religion of ease.

It is narrated on the authority of Abdullah son of Umar that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:

(The superstructure of) al-Islam is raised on five (pillars), testifying (the fact) that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is His bondsman and messenger, and the establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, Pilgrimage to the House (Ka'ba) and the fast of Ramadan.[1]

          Salah, or prayer is the second pillar of Islam. The gift of five prayers was given to the Muslim Ummah, when our beloved Prophet (SAW) went to meet Allah SWT on Mairaaj. Fortunately for us, by establishing five prayers daily, the reward of fifty prayers has been promised to the Muslim Ummah.We all know that it is really important for us to establish prayer as Muslims, but many of us don't realise that according to a hadith, failing to establish prayer might  lead to shirk, or kufr. [2]

          The importance of Salah becomes evident, as one of the first questions that would be asked on the day of Judgement, would be about our Salah.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (SAW) said:

“The first thing among their deeds for which the people will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be prayer. Our Lord will say to His angels, although He knows best, ‘Look at My slave’s prayer!Is it complete or lacking?’ If it is complete, it will be recorded as complete, but if it is lacking, He will say, ‘Look and see whether my slave did any voluntary (nawafil) prayers.’ If he had done voluntary prayers,

He will say, ‘Complete the obligatory prayers of My slave from his voluntary prayers.’ Then the rest of his deeds will be examined in a similar manner.” [3]

          This hadith also shows that after establishing five obligatory prayers, establishing nawafil is highly recommended. And the best voluntary prayer is Tahajjud; the prayer established at mid night.

          Apart from seeking Allah's Pleasure, establishing prayers has many benefits for us as Muslims, as well as human beings. Establishing Salah stops us from immodesty, and other sins. It helps us to manage our time more efficiently. By establishing Salah, our sins are forgiven, and righteousness is inculcated in us.

          But many times we feel that even after our attempt to establish prayers, we do not get the benefits we have been told, or at least not too the extent we had hoped for. Why is that so? What should we do to achieve the results that have been mentioned in various hadith?

          We need to perfect our Salah; Make it beautiful, to achieve maximum results. Are we offering Salah right on time, or are we delaying it till we just have enough time before Qada? Are we trying to make perfect wudu every time, or are just carelessly making wudu? Are we dressed properly for Salah? Meeting all conditions of Satr (fully covered)?Are we making sure that we meet all other conditions of Salah (clean place, clean clothes etc)? If we are not taking the preparation of Salah seriously, then how do we expect that our Salah would be of a standard that would please Allah SWT?

          When we actually start our prayer, we have to make sure to perform each step of prayer properly, giving it its time, and reciting the dua of each step slowly, such that it sinks in you. Qayaam, Ruku, Said, Jalsa, Tashhud, each step demands its proper time and dua.

          We can improve the standard of our Salah by improving the quality of our recitation (Qiraat) in Salah. How can we improve the quality of our recitation? We have many options available. We can look for a Quran teacher in our local mosque, or Islamic centre. We can also hire online Quran teacher. Online Quran teacher can really help us improve our pronunciation of Quran. The rules of pronunciation of Quran are called Tajweed, and it is essential to read Quran with correct Tajweed to gain maximum reward.

          Online Quran teachers are not only qualified, and well trained to teach Quran, they are also experienced to teach. Teaching involves different strategies for different students, based on their age, background, previous knowledge etc. Online Quran teachers can help us improve our Tajweed skills, which will help us improve our quality of Salah. Online Quran teachers can also help us to memorise different surahs, or chapters of Quran. This would help us greatly when we are not able to join congregation, or Jamaat, and have to offer Salah individually.

          We can beautify our Salah by learning perfect Tajweed and memorising a larger part of Quran. Online Quran teacher is a great help to achieve this. By taking Quran lessons online, we can be sure of improving our Quran recitation, Quran memorisation, as well as improving our Salah. It definitely is a win-win situation. May Allah Accept from us our good deeds and good intentions. Ameen.         

References:

[1]Narrated by Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 21

[2] Narrated by Sahih Muslim, Al-Emaan, Hadith 82

[3] Narrated by Abu Dawood, Hadith 864

Safar is the second month in the Islamic calendar. Unfortunately, even today Muslims in many regions consider Safer to be an unlucky month. In order to find the real reasons behind this myth, we have to take a look at history, particularly history before the advent of Islam.

Even before the advent of Islam, the people of Arabia considered some months sacred; including Rajab, Dhul Qadah, Dhul Hajjah and Muharram. They would stop fighting in these months. Wars and fighting was a regular for the people of Arabia. As soon as Safar started, and marked the end of sacred months, they would resume fighting. As they left homes to continue fighting, some inevitably faced death. This leaving of homes and facing death eventually led them to believe that this month of Safar was unlucky, instead of realising the actual cause for it. The Arabs used to call it "Tasfaru" meaning "that our homes have been deserted".

 Some historian also point out that after hajj, the pilgrims would start leaving for their respective homes. After being so full of pilgrims for quite some time, Makkah and Haram would suddenly look almost deserted. The hustle bustle would diminish, so they would call it "Sifrun", meaning "the days of being empty for the two houses (meaning Haram, and Makkah)".

The third opinion was that it was the season of autumn in Safar. Leaves turned yellow and fell out. So, they called it "Safar" meaning autumn.

The Arabs had their reasons to consider Safar unlucky, but in reality it isn't.It is just one of Allah's months. It has been forbidden to consider anything  unlucky in Islam. However, considering something as a good omen has not been forbidden.

Abu Huraira (RA)reported:

I heard Allah's Messenger (SAW) as saying: There is no divination but the best type is the good omen. It was said to Allah's Messenger (SAW): What is good omen? Thereupon he said: A good word which one of you hears." [1]

Some people, while considering Safar unlucky, try to ward off anything evil by doing some acts that have no basis in Islam. Some of them are:

1.    Offering a special prayer on the last Wednesday of Safar

2.    Cooking and distributing some particular food; like black chick peas to deflect their problems to others

3.    Writing the verses of SALAM, and putting them in vessels of water to drink them later

4.    Avoiding marriage ceremonies/Aqeeqah ceremonies, or any other ceremonies to avoid any mishap in their happiness

5.    Throwing 365 balls of flour in water to ward off all harm

6.    Considering Safar to be a difficult month for the dead

All of these are simply rituals that have no link to Islam.

Aishah (RA) narrated that:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e. Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected." [2]

This shows that everything that has not been taught by Quran, or our Prophet (SAW), or his Companions (RA), then it is innovation, and innovation in our deen is a sin, and is looked down upon. It is essential to remember that innovation does not necessarily mean that it is an evil act. Most of the times, innovation has been disguised as a good deed. So, whether the innovation is a good deed or an evil deed, we should refrain from it because it is an innovation; a biddah. 

References:

[1] Narrated by Sahih Muslim:  Book 39, Hadith 150

[2] Narrated by Sunan Ibn Majah: Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 14

Allah SWT has mentioned in Quran: 

أَوْزِدْعَلَيْهِوَرَتِّلِالْقُرْآنَتَرْتِيلًا 

"Or a little more; and recite the quran (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and)style." [1] 

This shows that Allah SWT wishes us to recite Quran not only correctly, but also beautifully. We all know that reading and reciting is a good deed that would be weighty in our scales on the Day  of Judgement. But do you know that the correct pronunciation of every word is also important? Even the slight mistake in pronunciation can change the entire meaning of the text, and it may become a sin, instead of a good deed.

The rules of correct pronunciation of Quran are known as tajweed. It is essential to learn the reading and recitation of Quran according to the rules of tajweed to earn the Pleasure of Allah. Although learning correct tajweed is not fardh (obligatory), yet it does have the status of Mustahib( Much preferred).

Tajweed involves the correct use of emission points, or Makahrij; the points from where the letters are pronounced. According to the scholars, there are five main points which makes way for 17 Makahrij. 

1.          JOFF: The area between chest and the mouth. It makes one makhrij, and is used in pronouncing three letters.

2.          HALAQ: This includes the throat area. It makes three makharij, and is used to pronounce six letters.

3.          LISSAN: It means the tongue. It makes ten makharij, and is used to pronounce eighteen letters.

4.          ASH-SHIFTAN: It means the lips. They make two makharij, and are used to pronounce four letters.

5.          AL-KHISHOOM: It includes the internal area between nose to mouth. It makes one makhrij, and is only used to pronounce ghunna.

It is always a good idea to start learning how to read Quran with correct tajweed by using  Noorani Qaida. It has been specially created to not only teach the students the correct tajweed, but to give them practise, too. "Practise makes the man perfect," is indeed true in case of learning and practising correct tajweed. Noorani Qaida is equally good, if you are trying to improve your tajweed skills. Noorani Qaida is the easiest way to learn tajweed, however, there are several other books of tajweed that can be used and benefitted from.

While learning tajweed, you need a good teacher, too. Without a good teacher, you just wouldn't be able to perform well. Tajweed rules cannot be just learnt while seeing them in print. You need to hear the proper pronunciations, see which Makahrij to use for different Arabic alphabets; only then can you learn better tajweed. If you are trying to learn Tajweed online, you can use different pictures, or videos, to learn the different points of emission, to get a better grip at tajweed.

If you have issues in finding a good teacher, try learning tajweed online. An online Quran teacher of a reputable institute is usually selected on a strict criteria. The teacher is qualified, trained, and experienced in imparting correct tajweed and assist in learning Quran. Online Quran teacher is much more advantageous choice than regular Quran teachers; You can learn reading and reciting Quran with ease while sitting in your home; You can save time that you would otherwise had spent in commuting to and  fro from home to your institute; You can save the amount you would have spent on fuel otherwise; You can learn on your own personal pace; You can choose between group classes or personal classes, too. The best of all is that you are not going to compromise on quality while achieving all of this.

There are 28 basic alphabets is Arabic, 29 if we include hamza, too.

 ابتثجحخدذرزسشصضطظعغفقكلمنہوي

These letters are divided into two main groups.

Lunar or Qamari Alphabets

Solar or Shamsi Alphabets

It was narrated by Qatada:

Anas(RA) was asked, "How was the recitation(of the Quran) of the Prophet(SAW)?' He replied, "It was characterised by the prolongation of certain sounds." He then recited: In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful prolonging the pronunciation of 'In the Name of Allah, 'the most Beneficent,' and 'the Most Merciful.[2]

This hadith clearly indicates that we need to read Quran not only with correct tajweed, but we also should try to beautify our voices while reading and reciting Quran. We should pronounce each letter correctly; not prolonging it without requirement, nor pronouncing it hurriedly.

According to the scholars, there are three speeds for reciting or reading Quran.

1.      TEHQEEQ: Pronouncing every letter while using correct Makharij.

2.     TARTEEL: Pronouncing every letter while using correct Makharij, while keeping in mind all other rules of MADD, GHUNNA, TAFGHEEM, TARQEEQ. This is the most desirable way to recite Quran.

3.     HADAR: Recite Quran at a fast pace, like that of in taraweeh, bearing in mind all the rules of tajweed.

References:

[1]Chapter 73, Al-Muzammil, Verse 4

[2] Narrated by Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith  5046