Ramadan Mubarak!

Ramadan Mubarak to Everyone... I've definitely been MIA for some time, but I am also determined to keep going with this project, inshaAllah.

Ramadan puts an extra emphasis on the Quran and worship in the middle of the night. (aka, stop watching movies and TV right now and focus on Allah)

In the coming days, I will be posting several good readings that will be beneficial during Ramadan compiled from both the Rihla and ALIM programs this year, inshaAllah.

A good book,used as text at the Rihla program this year, is Purification of the Heart , with the translation and commentary by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf.

The second appendix in the back of the book talks specifically about Ramadan and how this is the perfect time to focus on getting rid of all these diseases of the heart.

Even if we have been unable to focus in the past week, we should really make our intention and strive to make it our best from now on.

Shaykh Hamza writes "Without effort and sincere trust, Ramadan can easily be just another 30 days in a year, no special moment. Even for those who fast, who mechanically deprive themselves without striving to reach deep into their souls for spiritual lessons, replenishment, and climbing , the month comes and goes with only the sense of inconvenience and then a celebration at the end. Then life goes on as it did the months of the year before. One cannot help but notice a tragedy in this: God so generously opens portals in time, truly special opportunities for us to grow, learn, and build for our Hereafter, yet people turn away from it with casual notice and perfunctory interest" (Pgs. 187-188)

May Allah strengthen us to make this our best Ramadan yet. ameen.

With that said, some good people to follow on twitter this Ramadan is Halal Boy .Add him on facebook and read his hilarious diary entries as he writes about his adventures during Ramadan.
(more on why his name is "Halal Boy" here).

Another project going on in New York City is 30 Mosques in 30 Days led by Aman Ali & Bassam Tariq .

Enjoy!