I make dua that Allah Unites the Ummah in this time of need, where the world just watches Israelis methodically kill Muslims in Palestine
I make dua that Allah Gives Strength to the scholars to speak out against oppression, instead of performing khutbas that do not address the needs of the Ummah
I make dua that Allah Helps the Muslims to see past their bickerings and wake up to the fact that Islam is under attack, so bickering doesn’t help
I make dua that Allah Strengthens the Ummah with righteous leaders
I make dua that Allah Opens the eyes of the Ummah to putting Islam first
I make dua that Allah Exposes the hypocrites who would lull the Ummah to sleep
I make dua that Allah Replace corrupt leaders with those who are filled with justice
I make dua that Allah Admits into Paradise those killed in the unlawful attacks by the Israelis
I make dua that Allah Increases our Imaan so we can help the Ummah and our brothers and sisters in Islam who are in need
I make dua that Allah Makes us not of those who are cowardly
I make dua that Allah Puts Compassion and Conviction in our hearts so we do not merely condemn wrong actions from the comfort of our armchairs
I make dua that Allah Answers my duas for His is the best Answer.
… Stand Up 4 Islam!
If you would like to add a dua to this post, please add a comment.
Alhamdulillah, we In Sha Allah will be graced with another Ramadan; another chance for Blessings; another chance to turn away from sin and foolhardiness.
I make dua that Allah Forgives us and Has Mercy on us. (and I am in need of His Mercy)
I make dua that Allah Forgives me for my arrogance.
I make dua that Allah Has Mercy on me because He Knows my situation better than anyone.
I make dua that Allah Provides for me because He Has Done all my life.
I make dua that Allah Pardons me for I have committed wrong.
I make dua that Allah Puts me in good company because I am weak around weak people.
I make dua that Allah Looks after my family and Brings them into the deen and Keeps them in the deen.
I make dua that Allah Provides me with righteous offspring.
I make dua that Allah Unites the Muslims because we are divided on issues such as Eid and this splits families.
I make dua that Allah Puts Strength into the righteous scholars to stand up to oppression and wrongdoing.
I make dua that Allah Accepts my fasts because I am in need.
I make dua that Allah Accepts my prayers because I am in need.
I make dua that Allah Comforts me because I make mistakes, commit wrong and invite harm upon myself from others.
I make dua that Allah Protects me and my family because no one else can.
I make dua that Allah Allows me to play a part in spreading the deen and doing righteous deeds.
I make dua that Allah Allows my good deeds to outweigh my bad deeds.
I make dua that Allah Grants me Paradise for I am scared of the Hellfire that He Has Created and am afraid of His Punishment.
I make dua that Allah Allows me and my offspring and my family to die as righteous Muslims.
I make dua that Allah Strengthens the Muslim Ummah because we bicker and fight and we are lost.
I make dua that Allah Strengthens me against my weaknesses.
I make dua that Allah Loves me for I am in need of His Love.
I make dua that Allah Mentions me in a gathering better than the world and everything in it.
I make dua that Allah Makes things easy for me because I make things hard.
I make dua that Allah Returns Often to me for I am in need of Him.
I make dua that Allah Blesses me and my family for what are we without this?
I make dua that Allah Provides me a righteous spouse because I need good companionship and its benefits.
I make dua that Allah Grants me Knowledge that I can benefit others with.
I make dua that Allah Accepts my good deeds and Pardons and Forgives my bad deeds.
I make dua that Allah Fixes me and my life for I am broken.
I make dua that Allah Makes me not of those who are ungrateful and proud.
I make dua that Allah Grant me a righteous lineage.
I make dua that Allah Grants me the best in the duniya and the best in the Hereafter.
I make dua that Allah Replaces my anger with peace and calm and patience.
I make dua that Allah’s Mercy on me Overtakes His Anger at me.
I make dua that Allah Grants me an accepted Hajj.
I make dua that Allah Keeps me and mine in good health and in safety.
I make dua that Allah Is Pleased with me for there is nothing better.
I make dua that Allah Grants me to be in the highest gathering because that would be an honour beyond my comprehension.
I make dua that Allah Grants me the ability to explain Islam easily to people, so I can help spread the message.
I make dua that Allah Removes the ills in my heart for I do not wish to wrong others or myself.
I make dua that Allah Looks After my offspring for I am not enough.
I make dua fot reliable transport and a good neighbour.
I make dua that Allah Answers my duas for His is the best Answer.
During Ramadan and fasting, it’s Sunnah to break your fast with dates. However, there is a campaign to boycott certain dates because the manufacturers are either directly or indirectly responsible and supporting the illegal occupation of Palestine the oppression of the Palestinians. By buying their dates, you will be helping to continue the occupation of Muslim lands in Palestine.
We often check the ingredients on food packaging to decide if foods are good for our health and if they are halal. This campaign extends the concept to ‘check the label’ to ensure the dates we eat during Ramadhan are good for our body and soul!
Every year, Israel exports millions of pounds worth of dates to the world, which many people unknowingly buy and use to break their fasts. These dates are grown in illegal settlements in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, on land that has been stolen from Palestinians. By buying these dates, we are in fact helping Israel to continue its occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.
Ramadan is a time of year when we remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves. It is a time we feed ourselves spiritually. Therefore it would be an affront if at such a time we helped support oppression buy buying these dates.
With your help over the past four years the ‘check the label’ campaign has grown significantly and we have had great successes due to your hard work, time and dedication. The campaign has gone to the heart of the communities in cities and towns across the UK to ensure no one buys these dates. However there is still a lot of work to be done.
On Friday 27 June, after the last Jummah prayers before Ramadhan we want to do it all again and reach out to more people to help ensure no one breaks their fast with an Israeli date. We need your help again to:
– distribute leaflets after Friday prayers
– put up posters on your mosque notice board
– post up selfies holding the leaflet using #icheckthelabel
– Use #icheckthelabel
#icheckthelabel to stand with Palestinians #icheckthelabel because it’s the right thing to do #icheckthelabel because I have a voice #icheckthelabel because I have a voice and I’m going to use it #icheckthelabel because I don’t buy stolen goods #awkward #icheckthelabel because I have a choice #yaffa #zaytoun
#icheckthelabel as I don’t want to fund Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine #icheckthelabel because I don’t want Israel profiting from the occupation #icheckthelabel so I’m doing my bit to end the occupation #icheckthelabel because I am not a thief. I don’t want to buy stolen goods
Order your campaign material now and get ready. Email admin@foa.org.uk with your address and the number of leaflets, poster and stickers you need. Please let us know which mosque you will distribute outside/put up a poster.
This Ramadan, Don’t Break your Fast with an Israeli Date
Ramadan is a time of year when we remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves. It would be an affront if at such a time we helped support oppression
Every year, Israel exports millions of pounds worth of dates to the world, which many people unknowingly buy and use to break their fasts. These dates are grown in illegal settlements in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, on land that has been stolen from Palestinians. By buying these dates, we are in fact helping Israel to continue its occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.
For this reason, Friends of Al Aqsa will again be launching the ‘Check the Label’ Campaign.
Volunteer Ambassador
Volunteer to be an ambassador for the Check the Label Campaign in your area. This will mean you will help promote the campaign in your area. This will include distributing leaflets, speaking to shop owners, setting up stalls and much more. become an Ambassador and order your free literature to help spread the word.
Check The Label
Most of the major supermarkets will stock dates produced in Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Dates produced in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley are from Illegal Israeli Settlements and should also be boycotted.
Making Money from the Occupation
Dates were Israel’s leading fruit export, most of which come to Europe
The total income for Israel from dates in a year is approximately €80 million.
You can order your FREE Check The Label literature here
The Palestinian Call for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions
Inspired by the struggle of South Africans against apartheid and in the spirit of international solidarity, moral consistency and resistance to injustice and oppression,
We, representatives of Palestinian civil society, call upon international civil society organizations and people of conscience all over the world to impose broad boycotts and implement divestment initiatives against Israel similar to those applied to South Africa in the apartheid era. We appeal to you to pressure your respective states to impose embargoes and sanctions against Israel. We also invite conscientious Israelis to support this Call, for the sake of justice and genuine peace.
These non-violent punitive measures should be maintained until Israel meets its obligation to recognize the Palestinian peoples inalienable right to self-determination and fully complies with the precepts of international law by:
Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall;
Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.
Israelis will claim that Palestinians are allowed to work on the land of these settlers and therefore they are provided with jobs and a boycott will harm them. In actual fact, these Palestinians are employed for paltry wages, and they are required to do the back-breaking work that the Israeli settlers will not do themselves. This means the Israeli settlers reap the rewards for the harvests while doing very little of the work themselves.
Palestinian children are employed by these settlers, and they are forced to work long hours under a hot baking sun for small sums of money. This exploitation means that these children miss out on an education.
Alternatives to Israeli Dates
There are plenty of varieties of dates from various other countries to break your fast. However if you would like Medjoul dates from Palestine and help the Palestinian farmers they are available from YAFFA. YAFFA source there dates from Palestine and FOA are helping YAFFA distribute dates this Ramadhan.
Stage 1 – Contact and inform the wholesalers and shops.
Stage 2 – Contact and inform consumers.
Stage One
FOA have sent letters to over 1000 wholesalers and shops but we need your help to add the personal touch as that is the best method to encourage people to join the campaign.
There are 6 steps to this stage. We would like you to:
Preparation:
If you can try and involve family and friends in the campaign.
Order Check the Label posters and postcards from dates@checkthelabel.org.uk so you can put poster up on shop windows and leave postcards on the counter (with permission)
Method:
Identify the wholesalers, importers and shops in your area hand deliver the wholesaler/shop letters supplied by FOA. Inform them about Israeli human rights abuses (you can give them of FOA leaflets).
Tell wholesalers and shop owners about the concept of boycotting and how it has worked e.g. South Africa. Ask them to boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Explain West Bank and Jordan Valley are illegally occupied and buying dates from there would mean they are supporting the occupation of Palestine.
Let them know that they can buy dates from many other countries, but if they want to buy medjoul dates from Palestine they can contact medjoul@checkthelabel.org.uk, (+44) (0)116 2125 441 or Zaytoun on (+44) (0)207 609 5699
Keep in touch with the shops that you have approached and continue to encourage and support them to join the campaign.
Write down addresses of shops which agree to support the campaign so we can write a letter to them to thank them for their support.
Take pictures of the campaign and keep head office updated on your work in your locality.
Stage Two
Most of the people we have approached during the Check the Label campaign did not know dates are from Israel and also did not know that dates labelled West Bank or the Jordan Valley should also be Boycotted. Once they were told, the overwhelming majority of people were happy to join the boycott.
Boycott is about people power. We need your help to inform people they should ‘Check the Label’ and boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and Jordan Valley.
Preparation:
If you can try and involve family and friends in the campaign.
Order Check the Label posters and postcards from here so you can put poster up on shop windows and leave postcards on the counter (with permission).
Method:
Identify Mosques and Community Centres in your area and hand deliver the Mosque/organisation letter supplied by FOA. Inform them about Israeli human rights abuses (you can give them of FOA leaflets).
Tell the mosque/ community centre contact about the concept of boycotting and how it has worked e.g. South Africa. Ask them to boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Explain West Bank and Jordan Valley are illegally occupied and buying dates from there would mean they are supporting the occupation of Palestine.
Ask them if you can leave leaflets at the entrance and put up a poster
Organise a time with friends and family to distribute outside the mosque after prayers, especially after Friday prayers.
Let FOA know when you are planning to distribute outside mosques so we can try and co-ordinate with other volunteers.
Contact your local newspaper and your local radio Ramadhan to let them know what is happening. Take photos when it is appropriate and send updates to info@checkthelabel.org.uk
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It is during this month that the Shayateen are locked away in chains, that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed and Laylat-ul-Qadr is to be found:
‘The month of Ramadan, in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between what is right and wrong)’ Surat Al-Baqarah v185
‘Verily! We have sent it (the Qur’an) down in Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than one thousand months..’ Surat Al-Qadr, v1-3
‘When the month of Ramadan arrives, the doors of Heaven are opened, the doors of Hell are closed and the devils put under chains.’ [Bukhari and Muslim]
Benefits of Fasting and Ramadan
Allah Commanded us to fast. It’s the one deed that is purely for Allah alone. And the benefits of fasting are many:
The Prophet (pbuh) said that Allah said: ‘The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a screen (from hell), and there are two moments of pleasure (moments of happiness or joys) for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. And the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allah’s Sight than the smell of musk.’ [Bukhari]
Allah declared: ‘O you have believed! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).’ Surat Al-Baqarah v183
‘Whoever observes (fasts) during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s Rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.’ [Bukhari & Muslim]
Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” [Sahih Muslim]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.” [Ahmad]
‘Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: My nation is given 5 privileges in the month of Ramadan that no nation was given before:
The khaloof (odour of the mouth of a fasting person) is sweeter in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk
The angels keep praying to Allah to forgive the fasting people until they break their fast
Allah decorates Paradise every day saying to it ‘My righteous slaves are about to be comforted of their burdens and sufferings and enter you’
The Shayateen are chained during this month
Sins of the believers are forgiven by the last night of Ramadan. [Muslim]
Another Ramadan is upon us, Alhamdulillah. The timetables are distributed, food is being prepared. We get the duas out, the Qur’ans, the nasheeds and qiraats. We know our routines, so let’s not spend this post discussing that. Instead, let’s look at what’s going to change. Change? What do you mean ‘change’?
Ramadan is a Blessed Month; one where we can get into new and good habits, get rid of bad habits and move the ummah forward. It’s not just about doing some extras for one month and then back to our old ways. Ramadan cleanses you, increases your imaan and should mean that you come out stronger than when you started.
Here are a few suggestions for you, on what you can do:
ESTABLISH YOUR PRAYERS
What good is your fast without the most essential act, after your shahadah.. the 5 daily prayers.
If you aren’t praying regularly, then use Ramadan to get into the habit of praying ALL your five prayers.
If you are praying regularly, then try to do more sunnah prayers and nawafil prayers. These make up for any deficiencies in your obligatory prayers and also gain you more rewards.
If you are praying alone, then try to pray in Jama’at (a group).
If you are praying in Jama’at (a group) then pray in a Jama’at in the masjid.
After 30 days of this, you should start to establish a habit that will keep going after Ramadan, insha’ Allah.
If you don’t know how to pray, it’s never too late to start. Don’t get put off by Shaytaan whispering that it’s too late for you, you’re too old now etc. Just go ahead and learn. I’ve written a couple of posts on how to pray:
Giving in charity during Ramadan, multiplies your rewards and connects us with those less fortunate than ourselves. Charity need not necessarily be financial – even a smile is charity, removing harmful things from the road is charity. Sadaqah is that charity which is not obligatory, so give your sadaqah. Zakat is charity which is obligatory and is based on your wealth. There are many people who are in great need of your charity. Look at Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Palestine, and so on – millions of people without food, water, medicine, shelter, homes, fresh clothing. Why should we ignore these people who are suffering without, when we have plenty. I recommend Ummah Welfare Trust as a trusted charity that you can give your sadaqah and zakat to.
FAST FROM SINFUL ACTIONS
‘He who does not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah Has No Need that he did not eat or drink.’ [Bukhari and Muslim]
Fasting of the tongue – Stop the following: saying harmful things (eg. backbiting, slander, swearing, lying, being rude, arguing)
Fasting of the eyes – Stop the following: looking at sinful things (eg. looking at the opposite sex with desire)
Fasting of the ears – Stop the following: listening to sinful things (eg. music, slander and backbiting, listening to gossip)
Fasting of the limbs – do not walk towards sin, carry out sinful acts,
MAKE THE BEST OF THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN & SEEK LAYLATUL-QADR
Laylatul-Qadr (The Night of Decree) is better than 1000 months. Acts of worship done on this night are multiplied as though you were performing those acts for 1000 months! Laylatul-Qadr is one of the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan but no one knows which night it falls on. It could be either the 21st night, 23rd night, 25th night, 27th night or 29th night. So seek out the Night of Decree as your acts will bring you a huge amount of reward.
The last 10 days of Ramadan are full of reward and it is a sunnah to perform I’tikaaf for the last 10 days of Ramadan (I’tikaaf is seclusion in the masjid – or in your home – for 10 days and devoting this time to remembering Allah and acts like additional voluntary prayers, reading Qur’an, gaining Islamic knowledge etc).
ESTABLISH GOOD HABITS
If you’re not wearing hijab, why not start to wear it now, during Ramadan? It’s a good time to establish this – both Muslims and non-Muslims know it’s the month of Ramadan and this could relieve you from the pressure of people staring at you and making comments which may put you off wearing hijaab. Regardless, wearing hijaab is mandatory for a Muslim woman (in front of non-Mahram men) and so why not take the opportunity of gaining rewards (not sins) by starting to do this.
Read more of the Qur’an and try to get into the habit of reading at least a little each day. Contemplate on the Qur’an, gain some understanding of it, learn and read tasfir.
Start to memorise Surahs of the Qur’an. It’s a real good feeling when you can add more and more surahs to those that you have memorised.
Give da’wah. Ramadan is a thing that is known not only to Muslims, but to non-Muslims too. It’s an ideal opportunity to spread the message of Islam as the whole world becomes aware of Ramadan.
Unite the Muslims. Muslims are divided on many things, most of which come out of actions that are not established in Islam and cannot be attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). One of the best ways to do unite the Muslims, is to start learning Islam based on Qur’an and authentic hadith, and by authentic, I mean that you can actually trace things back to the Prophet (pbuh). Start following the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and look into anything that does not go back to the Prophet (pbuh) – if it is not an action/saying of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) then why follow it? Pirs and Maulvis and other ‘religious figures’ are not the way to Islam – these people can make mistakes, as can everyone (except the Prophet, pbuh) – so do not follow blindly. If you are sincere, and always wanting the truth, then this should not be a big deal for you to do. If it is, then you need to question your intentions.
Remember Allah. Dhikr of Allah is a great thing. However, do not fall into extremes and ensure that they way YOU remember Allah, is the way the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) remembered Allah. Repeating ‘Allah-hu’, over and over again is not the dhikr of the Prophet (pbuh) – if you learn the arabic language, you will soon realise that Allahu is a grammatical thing, not a dhikr thing.
Learn arabic. What better way to learn Islam than by understanding the language of the Qur’an.
Show good character. One of the best things about a Muslim is their character. If your character shows a lot of bad habits, then it puts the whole Ummah down and can even put people off from becoming Muslim. Yet who can not smile at good characteristics? Who doesnt want to be around someone who has some really good Islamic traits?
Be amongst good and strong Muslims. You cannot underestimate the boost that you get by being around other good Muslims. This may mean frequenting the masjid to do so. Sisters, keep good company and keep at a distance, those who have bad habits that could rub off on you.
Look Muslim, Act Muslim. Act Muslim, Look Muslim. How you look has a direct impact on your Imaan. If you look Islamic this can strengthen your Islamic character. Other Muslims are quicker to give you salaams and you are more inclined to hide your sins from public (it doesn’t mean that you won’t sin but it does help to repress sins). If you act like a Muslim, then you can do worse than starting to look like a Muslim. Be proud of being a Muslim and a servant and slave of Allah. Don’t be afraid of people – growing a beard, wearing hijab and jilbaab, wearing islamic clothing sends a big signal to everyone. Imagine how many Muslims are there in your country. If all of the Muslims looked like Muslims, you would gain in strength in your Imaan, you would feel like one ummah and the non-Muslims would benefit from this. It’s a big sign of unity.
Stand up against wrongdoings. Being a good Muslims doesn’t mean that your good actions are restricted to the masjid or your home. There are many people who are suffering at the hands of others, around the whole world. Act now and help them.
GET RID OF BAD HABITS
Use the time of Ramadan to start to remove your bad habits. Stop smoking, drugs and drinking alcohol (yes, there are Muslims who do this). Cut down on the television and replace that time with some of the good acts mentioned above. Stop wasting so much time on that games console. Music is from shaytaan so refrain from that. Move away from those whose bad habits influence you. Reduce the idle chit chat and gossip.
Make this Ramadan one that increases you in Imaan and reward and one in which Allah is pleased with you. Strengthen your Islam. In doing so you will… Stand Up 4 Islam!
During Ramadan and fasting, it’s Sunnah to break your fast with dates. However, there is a campaign to boycott certain dates because the manufacturers are either directly or indirectly responsible and supporting the illegal occupation of Palestine the oppression of the Palestinians. By buying their dates, you will be helping to continue the occupation of Muslim lands in Palestine.
This Ramadan, Don’t Break your Fast with an Israeli Date
Ramadan is a time of year when we remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves. It would be an affront if at such a time we helped support oppression
Every year, Israel exports millions of pounds worth of dates to the world, which many people unknowingly buy and use to break their fasts. These dates are grown in illegal settlements in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, on land that has been stolen from Palestinians. By buying these dates, we are in fact helping Israel to continue its occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.
For this reason, Friends of Al Aqsa will again be launching the ‘Check the Label’ Campaign.
Volunteer Ambassador
Volunteer to be an ambassador for the Check the Label Campaign in your area. This will mean you will help promote the campaign in your area. This will include distributing leaflets, speaking to shop owners, setting up stalls and much more. become an Ambassador and order your free literature to help spread the word.
Check The Label
Most of the major supermarkets will stock dates produced in Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Dates produced in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley are from Illegal Israeli Settlements and should also be boycotted.
Making Money from the Occupation
Dates were Israel’s leading fruit export, most of which come to Europe
The total income for Israel from dates in a year is approximately €80 million.
You can order your FREE Check The Label literature here
The Palestinian Call for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions
Inspired by the struggle of South Africans against apartheid and in the spirit of international solidarity, moral consistency and resistance to injustice and oppression,
We, representatives of Palestinian civil society, call upon international civil society organizations and people of conscience all over the world to impose broad boycotts and implement divestment initiatives against Israel similar to those applied to South Africa in the apartheid era. We appeal to you to pressure your respective states to impose embargoes and sanctions against Israel. We also invite conscientious Israelis to support this Call, for the sake of justice and genuine peace.
These non-violent punitive measures should be maintained until Israel meets its obligation to recognize the Palestinian peoples inalienable right to self-determination and fully complies with the precepts of international law by:
Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall;
Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.
Israelis will claim that Palestinians are allowed to work on the land of these settlers and therefore they are provided with jobs and a boycott will harm them. In actual fact, these Palestinians are employed for paltry wages, and they are required to do the back-breaking work that the Israeli settlers will not do themselves. This means the Israeli settlers reap the rewards for the harvests while doing very little of the work themselves.
Palestinian children are employed by these settlers, and they are forced to work long hours under a hot baking sun for small sums of money. This exploitation means that these children miss out on an education.
Alternatives to Israeli Dates
There are plenty of varieties of dates from various other countries to break your fast. However if you would like Medjoul dates from Palestine and help the Palestinian farmers they are available from YAFFA. YAFFA source there dates from Palestine and FOA are helping YAFFA distribute dates this Ramadhan.
Stage 1 – Contact and inform the wholesalers and shops.
Stage 2 – Contact and inform consumers.
Stage One
FOA have sent letters to over 1000 wholesalers and shops but we need your help to add the personal touch as that is the best method to encourage people to join the campaign.
There are 6 steps to this stage. We would like you to:
Preparation:
If you can try and involve family and friends in the campaign.
Order Check the Label posters and postcards from dates@checkthelabel.org.uk so you can put poster up on shop windows and leave postcards on the counter (with permission)
Method:
Identify the wholesalers, importers and shops in your area hand deliver the wholesaler/shop letters supplied by FOA. Inform them about Israeli human rights abuses (you can give them of FOA leaflets).
Tell wholesalers and shop owners about the concept of boycotting and how it has worked e.g. South Africa. Ask them to boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Explain West Bank and Jordan Valley are illegally occupied and buying dates from there would mean they are supporting the occupation of Palestine.
Let them know that they can buy dates from many other countries, but if they want to buy medjoul dates from Palestine they can contact medjoul@checkthelabel.org.uk, (+44) (0)116 2125 441 or Zaytoun on (+44) (0)207 609 5699
Keep in touch with the shops that you have approached and continue to encourage and support them to join the campaign.
Write down addresses of shops which agree to support the campaign so we can write a letter to them to thank them for their support.
Take pictures of the campaign and keep head office updated on your work in your locality.
Stage Two
Most of the people we have approached during the Check the Label campaign did not know dates are from Israel and also did not know that dates labelled West Bank or the Jordan Valley should also be Boycotted. Once they were told, the overwhelming majority of people were happy to join the boycott.
Boycott is about people power. We need your help to inform people they should ‘Check the Label’ and boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and Jordan Valley.
Preparation:
If you can try and involve family and friends in the campaign.
Order Check the Label posters and postcards from here so you can put poster up on shop windows and leave postcards on the counter (with permission).
Method:
Identify Mosques and Community Centres in your area and hand deliver the Mosque/organisation letter supplied by FOA. Inform them about Israeli human rights abuses (you can give them of FOA leaflets).
Tell the mosque/ community centre contact about the concept of boycotting and how it has worked e.g. South Africa. Ask them to boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Explain West Bank and Jordan Valley are illegally occupied and buying dates from there would mean they are supporting the occupation of Palestine.
Ask them if you can leave leaflets at the entrance and put up a poster
Organise a time with friends and family to distribute outside the mosque after prayers, especially after Friday prayers.
Let FOA know when you are planning to distribute outside mosques so we can try and co-ordinate with other volunteers.
Contact your local newspaper and your local radio Ramadhan to let them know what is happening. Take photos when it is appropriate and send updates to info@checkthelabel.org.uk
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It is during this month that the Shayateen are locked away in chains, that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed and Laylat-ul-Qadr is to be found:
‘The month of Ramadan, in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between what is right and wrong)’ Surat Al-Baqarah v185
‘Verily! We have sent it (the Qur’an) down in Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than one thousand months..’ Surat Al-Qadr, v1-3
‘When the month of Ramadan arrives, the doors of Heaven are opened, the doors of Hell are closed and the devils put under chains.’ [Bukhari and Muslim]
Benefits of Fasting and Ramadan
Allah Commanded us to fast. It’s the one deed that is purely for Allah alone. And the benefits of fasting are many:
The Prophet (pbuh) said that Allah said: ‘The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a screen (from hell), and there are two moments of pleasure (moments of happiness or joys) for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. And the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allah’s Sight than the smell of musk.’ [Bukhari]
Allah declared: ‘O you have believed! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).’ Surat Al-Baqarah v183
‘Whoever observes (fasts) during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s Rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.’ [Bukhari & Muslim]
Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” [Sahih Muslim]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.” [Ahmad]
‘Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: My nation is given 5 privileges in the month of Ramadan that no nation was given before:
The khaloof (odour of the mouth of a fasting person) is sweeter in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk
The angels keep praying to Allah to forgive the fasting people until they break their fast
Allah decorates Paradise every day saying to it ‘My righteous slaves are about to be comforted of their burdens and sufferings and enter you’
The Shayateen are chained during this month
Sins of the believers are forgiven by the last night of Ramadan. [Muslim]
Another Ramadan is on us, Alhamdulillah. The timetables are distributed, food is being prepared. We get the duas out, the Qur’ans, the nasheeds and qiraats. We know our routines, so let’s not spend this post discussing that. Instead, let’s look at what’s going to change. Change? What do you mean ‘change’?
Ramadan is a Blessed Month; one where we can get into new and good habits, get rid of bad habits and move the ummah forward. It’s not just about doing some extras for one month and then back to our old ways. Ramadan cleanses you, increases your imaan and should mean that you come out stronger than when you started.
Here are a few suggestions for you, on what you can do:
ESTABLISH YOUR PRAYERS
What good is your fast without the most essential act, after your shahadah.. the 5 daily prayers.
If you aren’t praying regularly, then use Ramadan to get into the habit of praying ALL your five prayers.
If you are praying regularly, then try to do more sunnah prayers and nawafil prayers. These make up for any deficiencies in your obligatory prayers and also gain you more rewards.
If you are praying alone, then try to pray in Jama’at (a group).
If you are praying in Jama’at (a group) then pray in a Jama’at in the masjid.
After 30 days of this, you should start to establish a habit that will keep going after Ramadan, insha’ Allah.
If you don’t know how to pray, it’s never too late to start. Don’t get put off by Shaytaan whispering that it’s too late for you, you’re too old now etc. Just go ahead and learn. I’ve written a couple of posts on how to pray:
Giving in charity during Ramadan, multiplies your rewards and connects us with those less fortunate than ourselves. Charity need not necessarily be financial – even a smile is charity, removing harmful things from the road is charity. Sadaqah is that charity which is not obligatory, so give your sadaqah. Zakat is charity which is obligatory and is based on your wealth. There are many people who are in great need of your charity. Look at Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Palestine, and so on – millions of people without food, water, medicine, shelter, homes, fresh clothing. Why should we ignore these people who are suffering without, when we have plenty. I recommend Ummah Welfare Trust as a trusted charity that you can give your sadaqah and zakat to.
FAST FROM SINFUL ACTIONS
‘He who does not desist from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah Has No Need that he did not eat or drink.’ [Bukhari and Muslim]
Fasting of the tongue – Stop the following: saying harmful things (eg. backbiting, slander, swearing, lying, being rude, arguing)
Fasting of the eyes – Stop the following: looking at sinful things (eg. looking at the opposite sex with desire)
Fasting of the ears – Stop the following: listening to sinful things (eg. music, slander and backbiting, listening to gossip)
Fasting of the limbs – do not walk towards sin, carry out sinful acts,
MAKE THE BEST OF THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN & SEEK LAYLATUL-QADR
Laylatul-Qadr (The Night of Decree) is better than 1000 months. Acts of worship done on this night are multiplied as though you were performing those acts for 1000 months! Laylatul-Qadr is one of the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan but no one knows which night it falls on. It could be either the 21st night, 23rd night, 25th night, 27th night or 29th night. So seek out the Night of Decree as your acts will bring you a huge amount of reward.
The last 10 days of Ramadan are full of reward and it is a sunnah to perform I’tikaaf for the last 10 days of Ramadan (I’tikaaf is seclusion in the masjid – or in your home – for 10 days and devoting this time to remembering Allah and acts like additional voluntary prayers, reading Qur’an, gaining Islamic knowledge etc).
ESTABLISH GOOD HABITS
If you’re not wearing hijab, why not start to wear it now, during Ramadan? It’s a good time to establish this – both Muslims and non-Muslims know it’s the month of Ramadan and this could relieve you from the pressure of people staring at you and making comments which may put you off wearing hijaab. Regardless, wearing hijaab is mandatory for a Muslim woman (in front of non-Mahram men) and so why not take the opportunity of gaining rewards (not sins) by starting to do this.
Read more of the Qur’an and try to get into the habit of reading at least a little each day. Contemplate on the Qur’an, gain some understanding of it, learn and read tasfir.
Start to memorise Surahs of the Qur’an. It’s a real good feeling when you can add more and more surahs to those that you have memorised.
Give da’wah. Ramadan is a thing that is known not only to Muslims, but to non-Muslims too. It’s an ideal opportunity to spread the message of Islam as the whole world becomes aware of Ramadan.
Unite the Muslims. Muslims are divided on many things, most of which come out of actions that are not established in Islam and cannot be attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). One of the best ways to do unite the Muslims, is to start learning Islam based on Qur’an and authentic hadith, and by authentic, I mean that you can actually trace things back to the Prophet (pbuh). Start following the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and look into anything that does not go back to the Prophet (pbuh) – if it is not an action/saying of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) then why follow it? Pirs and Maulvis and other ‘religious figures’ are not the way to Islam – these people can make mistakes, as can everyone (except the Prophet, pbuh) – so do not follow blindly. If you are sincere, and always wanting the truth, then this should not be a big deal for you to do. If it is, then you need to question your intentions.
Remember Allah. Dhikr of Allah is a great thing. However, do not fall into extremes and ensure that they way YOU remember Allah, is the way the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) remembered Allah. Repeating ‘Allah-hu’, over and over again is not the dhikr of the Prophet (pbuh) – if you learn the arabic language, you will soon realise that Allahu is a grammatical thing, not a dhikr thing.
Learn arabic. What better way to learn Islam than by understanding the language of the Qur’an.
Show good character. One of the best things about a Muslim is their character. If your character shows a lot of bad habits, then it puts the whole Ummah down and can even put people off from becoming Muslim. Yet who can not smile at good characteristics? Who doesnt want to be around someone who has some really good Islamic traits?
Be amongst good and strong Muslims. You cannot underestimate the boost that you get by being around other good Muslims. This may mean frequenting the masjid to do so. Sisters, keep good company and keep at a distance, those who have bad habits that could rub off on you.
Look Muslim, Act Muslim. Act Muslim, Look Muslim. How you look has a direct impact on your Imaan. If you look Islamic this can strengthen your Islamic character. Other Muslims are quicker to give you salaams and you are more inclined to hide your sins from public (it doesn’t mean that you won’t sin but it does help to repress sins). If you act like a Muslim, then you can do worse than starting to look like a Muslim. Be proud of being a Muslim and a servant and slave of Allah. Don’t be afraid of people – growing a beard, wearing hijab and jilbaab, wearing islamic clothing sends a big signal to everyone. Imagine how many Muslims are there in your country. If all of the Muslims looked like Muslims, you would gain in strength in your Imaan, you would feel like one ummah and the non-Muslims would benefit from this. It’s a big sign of unity.
Stand up against wrongdoings. Being a good Muslims doesn’t mean that your good actions are restricted to the masjid or your home. There are many people who are suffering at the hands of others, around the whole world. Act now and help them.
GET RID OF BAD HABITS
Use the time of Ramadan to start to remove your bad habits. Stop smoking, drugs and drinking alcohol (yes, there are Muslims who do this). Cut down on the television and replace that time with some of the good acts mentioned above. Stop wasting so much time on that games console. Music is from shaytaan so refrain from that. Move away from those whose bad habits influence you. Reduce the idle chit chat and gossip.
Make this Ramadan one that increases you in Imaan and reward and one in which Allah is pleased with you. Strengthen your Islam. In doing so you will… Stand Up 4 Islam!
During Ramadan and fasting, it’s Sunnah to break your fast with dates. However, there is a campaign to boycott certain dates because the manufacturers are either directly or indirectly responsible and supporting the illegal occupation of Palestine the oppression of the Palestinians. By buying their dates, you will be helping to continue the occupation of Muslim lands in Palestine.
This Ramadan, Don’t Break your Fast with an Israeli Date
Ramadan is a time of year when we remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves. It would be an affront if at such a time we helped support oppression
Every year, Israel exports millions of pounds worth of dates to the world, which many people unknowingly buy and use to break their fasts. These dates are grown in illegal settlements in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, on land that has been stolen from Palestinians. By buying these dates, we are in fact helping Israel to continue its occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.
For this reason, Friends of Al Aqsa will again be launching the ‘Check the Label’ Campaign.
Volunteer Ambassador
Volunteer to be an ambassador for the Check the Label Campaign in your area. This will mean you will help promote the campaign in your area. This will include distributing leaflets, speaking to shop owners, setting up stalls and much more. become an Ambassador and order your free literature to help spread the word.
Check The Label
Most of the major supermarkets will stock dates produced in Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Dates produced in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley are from Illegal Israeli Settlements and should also be boycotted.
Making Money from the Occupation
Dates were Israel’s leading fruit export, most of which come to Europe
The total income for Israel from dates in a year is approximately €80 million.
You can order your FREE Check The Label literature here
The Palestinian Call for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions
Inspired by the struggle of South Africans against apartheid and in the spirit of international solidarity, moral consistency and resistance to injustice and oppression,
We, representatives of Palestinian civil society, call upon international civil society organizations and people of conscience all over the world to impose broad boycotts and implement divestment initiatives against Israel similar to those applied to South Africa in the apartheid era. We appeal to you to pressure your respective states to impose embargoes and sanctions against Israel. We also invite conscientious Israelis to support this Call, for the sake of justice and genuine peace.
These non-violent punitive measures should be maintained until Israel meets its obligation to recognize the Palestinian peoples inalienable right to self-determination and fully complies with the precepts of international law by:
Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall;
Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.
Israelis will claim that Palestinians are allowed to work on the land of these settlers and therefore they are provided with jobs and a boycott will harm them. In actual fact, these Palestinians are employed for paltry wages, and they are required to do the back-breaking work that the Israeli settlers will not do themselves. This means the Israeli settlers reap the rewards for the harvests while doing very little of the work themselves.
Palestinian children are employed by these settlers, and they are forced to work long hours under a hot baking sun for small sums of money. This exploitation means that these children miss out on an education.
Alternatives to Israeli Dates
There are plenty of varieties of dates from various other countries to break your fast. However if you would like Medjoul dates from Palestine and help the Palestinian farmers they are available from YAFFA. YAFFA source there dates from Palestine and FOA are helping YAFFA distribute dates this Ramadhan.
Stage 1 – Contact and inform the wholesalers and shops.
Stage 2 – Contact and inform consumers.
Stage One
FOA have sent letters to over 1000 wholesalers and shops but we need your help to add the personal touch as that is the best method to encourage people to join the campaign.
There are 6 steps to this stage. We would like you to:
Preparation:
If you can try and involve family and friends in the campaign.
Order Check the Label posters and postcards from dates@checkthelabel.org.uk so you can put poster up on shop windows and leave postcards on the counter (with permission)
Method:
Identify the wholesalers, importers and shops in your area hand deliver the wholesaler/shop letters supplied by FOA. Inform them about Israeli human rights abuses (you can give them of FOA leaflets).
Tell wholesalers and shop owners about the concept of boycotting and how it has worked e.g. South Africa. Ask them to boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Explain West Bank and Jordan Valley are illegally occupied and buying dates from there would mean they are supporting the occupation of Palestine.
Let them know that they can buy dates from many other countries, but if they want to buy medjoul dates from Palestine they can contact medjoul@checkthelabel.org.uk, (+44) (0)116 2125 441 or Zaytoun on (+44) (0)207 609 5699
Keep in touch with the shops that you have approached and continue to encourage and support them to join the campaign.
Write down addresses of shops which agree to support the campaign so we can write a letter to them to thank them for their support.
Take pictures of the campaign and keep head office updated on your work in your locality.
Stage Two
Most of the people we have approached during the Check the Label campaign did not know dates are from Israel and also did not know that dates labelled West Bank or the Jordan Valley should also be Boycotted. Once they were told, the overwhelming majority of people were happy to join the boycott.
Boycott is about people power. We need your help to inform people they should ‘Check the Label’ and boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and Jordan Valley.
Preparation:
If you can try and involve family and friends in the campaign.
Order Check the Label posters and postcards from here so you can put poster up on shop windows and leave postcards on the counter (with permission).
Method:
Identify Mosques and Community Centres in your area and hand deliver the Mosque/organisation letter supplied by FOA. Inform them about Israeli human rights abuses (you can give them of FOA leaflets).
Tell the mosque/ community centre contact about the concept of boycotting and how it has worked e.g. South Africa. Ask them to boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Explain West Bank and Jordan Valley are illegally occupied and buying dates from there would mean they are supporting the occupation of Palestine.
Ask them if you can leave leaflets at the entrance and put up a poster
Organise a time with friends and family to distribute outside the mosque after prayers, especially after Friday prayers.
Let FOA know when you are planning to distribute outside mosques so we can try and co-ordinate with other volunteers.
Contact your local newspaper and your local radio Ramadhan to let them know what is happening. Take photos when it is appropriate and send updates to info@checkthelabel.org.uk
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It is during this month that the Shayateen are locked away in chains, that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed and Laylat-ul-Qadr is to be found:
‘The month of Ramadan, in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between what is right and wrong)’ Surat Al-Baqarah v185
‘Verily! We have sent it (the Qur’an) down in Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than one thousand months..’ Surat Al-Qadr, v1-3
‘When the month of Ramadan arrives, the doors of Heaven are opened, the doors of Hell are closed and the devils put under chains.’ [Bukhari and Muslim]
Benefits of Fasting and Ramadan
Allah Commanded us to fast. It’s the one deed that is purely for Allah alone. And the benefits of fasting are many:
The Prophet (pbuh) said that Allah said: ‘The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a screen (from hell), and there are two moments of pleasure (moments of happiness or joys) for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. And the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allah’s Sight than the smell of musk.’ [Bukhari]
Allah declared: ‘O you have believed! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).’ Surat Al-Baqarah v183
‘Whoever observes (fasts) during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s Rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.’ [Bukhari & Muslim]
Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” [Sahih Muslim]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.” [Ahmad]
‘Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: My nation is given 5 privileges in the month of Ramadan that no nation was given before:
The khaloof (odour of the mouth of a fasting person) is sweeter in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk
The angels keep praying to Allah to forgive the fasting people until they break their fast
Allah decorates Paradise every day saying to it ‘My righteous slaves are about to be comforted of their burdens and sufferings and enter you’
The Shayateen are chained during this month
Sins of the believers are forgiven by the last night of Ramadan. [Muslim]
During Ramadan and fasting, it’s Sunnah to break your fast with dates. However, there is a campaign to boycott certain dates because the manufacturers are either directly or indirectly responsible and supporting the illegal occupation of Palestine the oppression of the Palestinians. By buying their dates, you will be helping to continue the occupation of Muslim lands in Palestine.
This Ramadan, Don’t Break your Fast with an Israeli Date
Ramadan is a time of year when we remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves. It would be an affront if at such a time we helped support oppression
Every year, Israel exports millions of pounds worth of dates to the world, which many people unknowingly buy and use to break their fasts. These dates are grown in illegal settlements in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley, on land that has been stolen from Palestinians. By buying these dates, we are in fact helping Israel to continue its occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.
For this reason, Friends of Al Aqsa will again be launching the ‘Check the Label’ Campaign.
Volunteer Ambassador
Volunteer to be an ambassador for the Check the Label Campaign in your area. This will mean you will help promote the campaign in your area. This will include distributing leaflets, speaking to shop owners, setting up stalls and much more. become an Ambassador and order your free literature to help spread the word.
Check The Label
Most of the major supermarkets will stock dates produced in Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Dates produced in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley are from Illegal Israeli Settlements and should also be boycotted.
Making Money from the Occupation
Dates were Israel’s leading fruit export, most of which come to Europe
The total income for Israel from dates in a year is approximately €80 million.
You can order your FREE Check The Label literature here
The Palestinian Call for Boycott Divestment and Sanctions
Inspired by the struggle of South Africans against apartheid and in the spirit of international solidarity, moral consistency and resistance to injustice and oppression,
We, representatives of Palestinian civil society, call upon international civil society organizations and people of conscience all over the world to impose broad boycotts and implement divestment initiatives against Israel similar to those applied to South Africa in the apartheid era. We appeal to you to pressure your respective states to impose embargoes and sanctions against Israel. We also invite conscientious Israelis to support this Call, for the sake of justice and genuine peace.
These non-violent punitive measures should be maintained until Israel meets its obligation to recognize the Palestinian peoples inalienable right to self-determination and fully complies with the precepts of international law by:
Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall;
Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN resolution 194.
Israelis will claim that Palestinians are allowed to work on the land of these settlers and therefore they are provided with jobs and a boycott will harm them. In actual fact, these Palestinians are employed for paltry wages, and they are required to do the back-breaking work that the Israeli settlers will not do themselves. This means the Israeli settlers reap the rewards for the harvests while doing very little of the work themselves.
Palestinian children are employed by these settlers, and they are forced to work long hours under a hot baking sun for small sums of money. This exploitation means that these children miss out on an education.
Alternatives to Israeli Dates
There are plenty of varieties of dates from various other countries to break your fast. However if you would like Medjoul dates from Palestine and help the Palestinian farmers they are available from YAFFA. YAFFA source there dates from Palestine and FOA are helping YAFFA distribute dates this Ramadhan.
Stage 1 – Contact and inform the wholesalers and shops.
Stage 2 – Contact and inform consumers.
Stage One
FOA have sent letters to over 1000 wholesalers and shops but we need your help to add the personal touch as that is the best method to encourage people to join the campaign.
There are 6 steps to this stage. We would like you to:
Preparation:
If you can try and involve family and friends in the campaign.
Order Check the Label posters and postcards from dates@checkthelabel.org.uk so you can put poster up on shop windows and leave postcards on the counter (with permission)
Method:
Identify the wholesalers, importers and shops in your area hand deliver the wholesaler/shop letters supplied by FOA. Inform them about Israeli human rights abuses (you can give them of FOA leaflets).
Tell wholesalers and shop owners about the concept of boycotting and how it has worked e.g. South Africa. Ask them to boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Explain West Bank and Jordan Valley are illegally occupied and buying dates from there would mean they are supporting the occupation of Palestine.
Let them know that they can buy dates from many other countries, but if they want to buy medjoul dates from Palestine they can contact medjoul@checkthelabel.org.uk, (+44) (0)116 2125 441 or Zaytoun on (+44) (0)207 609 5699
Keep in touch with the shops that you have approached and continue to encourage and support them to join the campaign.
Write down addresses of shops which agree to support the campaign so we can write a letter to them to thank them for their support.
Take pictures of the campaign and keep head office updated on your work in your locality.
Stage Two
Most of the people we have approached during the Check the Label campaign did not know dates are from Israel and also did not know that dates labelled West Bank or the Jordan Valley should also be Boycotted. Once they were told, the overwhelming majority of people were happy to join the boycott.
Boycott is about people power. We need your help to inform people they should ‘Check the Label’ and boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and Jordan Valley.
Preparation:
If you can try and involve family and friends in the campaign.
Order Check the Label posters and postcards from here so you can put poster up on shop windows and leave postcards on the counter (with permission).
Method:
Identify Mosques and Community Centres in your area and hand deliver the Mosque/organisation letter supplied by FOA. Inform them about Israeli human rights abuses (you can give them of FOA leaflets).
Tell the mosque/ community centre contact about the concept of boycotting and how it has worked e.g. South Africa. Ask them to boycott dates from Israel, West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Explain West Bank and Jordan Valley are illegally occupied and buying dates from there would mean they are supporting the occupation of Palestine.
Ask them if you can leave leaflets at the entrance and put up a poster
Organise a time with friends and family to distribute outside the mosque after prayers, especially after Friday prayers.
Let FOA know when you are planning to distribute outside mosques so we can try and co-ordinate with other volunteers.
Contact your local newspaper and your local radio Ramadhan to let them know what is happening. Take photos when it is appropriate and send updates to info@checkthelabel.org.uk
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It is during this month that the Shayateen are locked away in chains, that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed and Laylat-ul-Qadr is to be found:
‘The month of Ramadan, in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between what is right and wrong)’ Surat Al-Baqarah v185
‘Verily! We have sent it (the Qur’an) down in Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than one thousand months..’ Surat Al-Qadr, v1-3
‘When the month of Ramadan arrives, the doors of Heaven are opened, the doors of Hell are closed and the devils put under chains.’ [Bukhari and Muslim]
Benefits of Fasting and Ramadan
Allah Commanded us to fast. It’s the one deed that is purely for Allah alone. And the benefits of fasting are many:
The Prophet (pbuh) said that Allah said: ‘The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a screen (from hell), and there are two moments of pleasure (moments of happiness or joys) for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. And the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allah’s Sight than the smell of musk.’ [Bukhari]
Allah declared: ‘O you have believed! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).’ Surat Al-Baqarah v183
‘Whoever observes (fasts) during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s Rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.’ [Bukhari & Muslim]
Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” [Sahih Muslim]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.” [Ahmad]
‘Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: My nation is given 5 privileges in the month of Ramadan that no nation was given before:
The khaloof (odour of the mouth of a fasting person) is sweeter in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk
The angels keep praying to Allah to forgive the fasting people until they break their fast
Allah decorates Paradise every day saying to it ‘My righteous slaves are about to be comforted of their burdens and sufferings and enter you’
The Shayateen are chained during this month
Sins of the believers are forgiven by the last night of Ramadan. [Muslim]
take suhoor (the meal before fasting starts). The difference between the fast of a Muslim and the fast of others is the taking of suhoor (from Muslim)
This is recommended
DO…
delay the suhoor to as close to Fajr as possible.
This is recommended
DO…
hasten to break the fast at Maghrib time
This is recommended
DO…
try to break your fast with dates, as this is a sunnah. If dates aren’t available, break your fast with water
This is recommended
DO…
make a dua at the time of breaking the fast, eg. ‘O Allah, for you I have fasted and on Your Provision I have broken the fast’ [Abu Dawud]‘The thirst is gone, the veins are moisten and the reward is certain, insha’Allah’ [Au Dawud]‘Indeed there is for the fasting person, when he breaks his fast, a supplication which is not rejected.’ [Ibn Majah, al-Hakim]
This is recommended
DO…
Use a miswak during fasting, as this is sunnah
This is recommended
DO…
Exercise patience
DO…
Ask Allah for His Mercy and Forgiveness
DO…
Engage in Islamic acts of worship and good, eg. Give in charity, be good to your neighbour, show good character
DO…
Read the Qur’anThe Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: ‘The best among you is he who learns the Holy Qur’an and teaches it.’
From Bukhari & Muslim
DO…
Increase your Islamic knowledge
DO…
Get rid of any innovated practices from your habits
DO…
Make dua to Allah frequently during the day and night
DO…
Be generous‘The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was the most generous of men and he was the most generous during Ramadan when Jibreel would visit him every night and recite the Holy Qur’an to him.’
From Bukhari & Muslim
DO…
Provide something to a person who is fasting, to break his fast‘He who provides something to the observer of fast for breaking the fast earns the same reward as the one who observes the fast, without diminishing.’
From Ahmad & Tirmidhi
DO…
Pray the night prayer
DO…
Practice I’tikaf (seclusion in the masjid) in the last 10 days of RamadanAishah (ra) reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used to perform I’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty and Majestic, took away his life, then his wives followed this practice after him.’
From Bukhari & Muuslim
DO…
Seek Laylatul Qadr in the last 10 days of Ramadan
DO…
Give your Zakat-ul-Fitr before Eid
This is obligatory
DON’T…
Deliberately eat anything during the fast, unless you are not physically able to complete the fast . You are forgiven if you have forgotten you were fasting
This breaks the fast
DON’T…
Deliberately drink anything during the fast, unless you are not physically able to complete the fast. You are forgiven if you have forgotten you were fasting
This breaks the fast
DON’T…
Deliberatley engage in sexual intercourse during the fast. You are forgiven if you have forgotten you were fasting
This breaks the fast
DON’T…
lie
From Bukhari & Muslim
DON’T…
Slander
From Bukhari & Muslim
DON’T…
Backbite
From Bukhari & Muslim
DON’T…
Swear or use other bad language
From Bukhari & Muslim
DON’T…
Raise your voice or argue
From Bukhari & Muslim
DON’T…
Engage in indecent actions
From Bukhari
DON’T…
Forget that if you are travelling, you have the option to not fast and make up for that fast later on.Aisha reported that Hamzah Ibn Amr Al-Aslamee (ra) asked: ‘O Messenger of Allah (pbuh) I am a person who fasts often, so should I fast while travelling?’ Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) replied, ‘Fast if you wish and refrain from fasting if you wish.’
From Bukhari & Muslim
DON’T…
Fast if you are on your menstrual cycle (women). You must make up for this fast later
DON’T…
Deliberately make yourself vomit
This breaks the fast
DON’T…
Take injections or drugs that are used instead of food
This breaks the fast
DON’T…
Delay breaking your fast
DON’T…
Smoke or take drugs
DON’T…
Worry about the following:
swallowing saliva,
putting on perfume,
gargling water in your mouth and nose for things like cleaning and wudhu,
putting eye drops in your eyes
putting kohl on eyelashes
having a bath/shower
tasting food whilst cooking (as long as nothing goes down the throat)
bleeding (unless it is menstrual)
These acts do not break the fast
DON’T…
Fast on Eid
DON’T…
Forget that if you are very ill, you are excused from fasting and can make up the fast later or give fidyah (a compensation to feed people)
DON’T…
Forget that if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you do not need to fast, although you can if you feel able to and it won’t harm the baby.
DON’T…
Worry, it is not a sin to not perform taraweeh. However, praying is of great benefit
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It is during this month that the Shayateen are locked away in chains, that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed and Laylat-ul-Qadr is to be found:
‘The month of Ramadan, in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between what is right and wrong)’ Surat Al-Baqarah v185
‘Verily! We have sent it (the Qur’an) down in Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than one thousand months..’ Surat Al-Qadr, v1-3
‘When the month of Ramadan arrives, the doors of Heaven are opened, the doors of Hell are closed and the devils put under chains.’ [Bukhari and Muslim]
Benefits of Fasting and Ramadan
Allah Commanded us to fast. It’s the one deed that is purely for Allah alone. And the benefits of fasting are many:
The Prophet (pbuh) said that Allah said: ‘The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a screen (from hell), and there are two moments of pleasure (moments of happiness or joys) for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. And the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in Allah’s Sight than the smell of musk.’ [Bukhari]
Allah declared: ‘O you have believed! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).’ Surat Al-Baqarah v183
‘Whoever observes (fasts) during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s Rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.’ [Bukhari & Muslim]
Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” [Sahih Muslim]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.” [Ahmad]
‘Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: My nation is given 5 privileges in the month of Ramadan that no nation was given before:
The khaloof (odour of the mouth of a fasting person) is sweeter in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk
The angels keep praying to Allah to forgive the fasting people until they break their fast
Allah decorates Paradise every day saying to it ‘My righteous slaves are about to be comforted of their burdens and sufferings and enter you’
The Shayateen are chained during this month
Sins of the believers are forgiven by the last night of Ramadan. [Muslim]
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