We are now in the sacred month of Rajab walhamdulillah and we would like to remind ourselves about the importance of the four sacred months in Islam. Rajab is the 7th month of the Islamic calendar. The sacred months are are Rajab, Dhul Qad’ah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram, the 7th, 11th, 12th and 1st month of the Islamic Hijri calander respectively. (see Surah Tawbah, Qur’an chapter 9 verse 36).
Watch this video on what to do in Rajab and other sacred months, Sheikh Assim Al Hakim explains:
(We should be extra careful not to sin, all the time, but particularly in the sacred months, and avoid aggression…also a word on Isra’ wal Miraaj and religious innovations/bid’ah…and the importance of holding on to the Sunnah of Rasoolullah peace be upon him)
May Allah forgive us, be merciful to us and guide us, for He is the Most Gracious the Most Merciful, The Ever-Relenting. May Allah enable us to witness and observe many Ramadans in His obedience, with sincerity and strength. May Allah unite us in jannat al firdaus. Allah bless His final messenger Muhammad ibn Abdillah in abundance. Amin
Without the pillars of prayer, the prayer is not valid
1-Takbir Al ihram/opening takbir.
2- standing (provided able)
3-reciting surah al fatihah. Without fatiha, prayer invalid.
4- rukoo, bowing position, be at ease
5-rising from rukoo,
6-Be comfortable in the position after rukoo, don’t haste. 5 sec min
7-prostration, sajdah/suju. be at ease, following limbs to touch ground:
Forehead,Nose, Palms, Knees ,Toes, Firmly on floor.
8-rising from prostration
9-sitting between 2 prostrations
10- at ease of each physical pillars steps. No rush.
11-final tashahud
12-sitting to recite final tashahud .
13-tasleem, the 2 Salams to end prayer
14-pillars in order.
Obligations/mandatory parts of prayer (wajibaat):
1-all other takbir with exclusion of takbir ihram (which is a pillar)
2-saying “sami Allahu liman Hamidah”
3-saying “rabbana wa lakal Hamd”
4-saying “subhana rabbiyal azeem”
5-saying “subhana rabbiyal a’laa”
6-say “rabbigh fir lee” between 2 sajdah
7-saying tashahud, First one (2nd rakah)
8-sitting in the first tashahud.
If you miss a pillar in prayer:
If you miss a pillar in the prayer, you have to go back and repeat that pillar and continue in sequence. See hadiths
How to do prostration of forgetfulness: sajdah sahw
This extra prostrations make up for any wajibaat/obligatory parts of the prayer missed out. It does not account for missed pillars.
How to sajdah sahw:
Ustadh Abu Khaled takes this opinion:
Read all tashahud and durood/ duas. Don’t say salam to right or left yet.
Then do an extra sajdah x 2, with sitting between them saying rabbigh fir lee. Then rise from sajdah to seated position, then do the Salam/tasleem to right and left and exit prayer.
Stronger option.
Don’t do sahjdah sahw incase you forget, or for every prayer, as this is bid’ah. Enemy satan wants us to go either extreme, must fight it. Allah help us all.
Witr prayer- odd numbered, after isha
Witr- 3 rakah, no sitting in 2nd rakah. (different to magrib). Then last rakah you sit. Qunut duas..after rukoo in 3rd rakah
May Allah forgive all our errors and guide us to the truth, and cure us, protect us, unite us in jannah. Allahumma salli ala rasoolillah Muhammad.
According to Britannica Encyclopaedia, Christmas has become a Christian festival where Christians believe they are celebrating the birth of Christ, or Jesus. Historically, however, the date coincides with pagan Roman festivals which celebrated the winter solstice. It is believed that early Christians wanted to celebrate the 25th to coincide with the pagan festival. There is no clear statement in the New testament supporting the celebration of Jesus’ birth on the 25th. Nevertheless, it is still widely celebrated in that manner.
So basically in a nutshell, Christmas day has pagan origins!
And did you know, there are many groups and sections of society who do not celebrate Christmas, such as Jewish people, some atheists, and even some Christians.
So do Muslims celebrate Christmas? In Islam, the MOST IMPORTANT belief is that of Islamic monotheism. That is, we are commanded to submit to and believe in Allah (The One True God), and attribute complete Oneness to Allah as He deserves in His Lordship, Names and Attributes and right to be worshipped alone.
Consequently, as a Muslim, i.e. one who submits to Allah (The One True God), we believe that we must abandon and turn away from anything that contradicts the principles of Islamic monotheism. Polytheism, idolatry and ascribing partners to Allah are MAJOR SINS! The biggest sin which Allah will not forgive, is ascribing partners to Him !
‘Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills; and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.’
Allah is so self-sufficient, it does not befit His Majesty to take a son or wife, or to beget or be begotten. He does not resemble His creation, for He is the uncreated Creator, and there is no similitude to Him.
In fact, a remarkably concise description of Allah can be found in chapter 112 of The Noble Qur’an, which is the verbatim words of Allah, and Allah’s final revealed book to mankind.
Have a listen to this chapter here:
Regarding Jesus (peace be upon him), in Islam we believe he was a mighty messenger of Allah. Jesus, or Isa in Arabic, was born a miraculous birth, from the virgin Mary. We refer to Jesus as ‘Isa ibnu Maryam, which means Jesus son of Mary. Jesus did not have a father, and he is not the son of God/Allah, because as we mentioned earlier, it does not befit the majesty of Allah to beget. Allah decreed that Jesus would be born miraculously without a father from the pure chaste virgin Mary. We respect them very much and we know that Jesus never claimed divinity, rather Jesus called his people to worship Allah alone, the same message each prophet and messenger of Allah called to. Jesus’ (peace be upon him) story can be found in the Qur’an in numerous places. (for more information, please see the upcoming post on chapter 19 of the Qur’an entitled Maryam!)
And ˹on Judgment Day˺ Allah will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you ever ask the people to worship you and your mother as gods besides Allah?” He will answer, “Glory be to You! How could I ever say what I had no right to say? If I had said such a thing, you would have certainly known it. You know what is ˹hidden˺ within me, but I do not know what is within You. Indeed, You ˹alone˺ are the Knower of all unseen.
Incidentally, Paganism supports polytheism. Polytheism means worshipping multiple deities. Therefore, the Christian Trinity is essentially polytheism. And as previously mentioned in this blog, Islam means submission to the One True God, Allah, and our purpose in life is to acknowledge Allah’s complete Oneness, to uphold Islamic monotheism, and to attribute absolute Oneness to Allah in His Lordship, names and attributes and right to be worshipped alone.
In honesty, Muslims don’t really party on Christmas. But despite that, we still spread peace and justice the best we can with everyone, regardless of our differences.
Because the truth is, as Muslims, the most important One to us is Allah, and the only reason we are alive is for Allah, to serve Him, to worship Him, because we need to worship Him and He doesn’t need us to do that. Whether or not we worship Him, it does not detract or add to His majesty at all. Rather He is The Self-Sufficient, The Majestic, The Rich, Free of all needs. The Lord of all that exists, He is Allah.
Besides, our kind behaviour and gifts to you is not supposed to be limited to a certain day of the year, as Muslims we are required to deal with everyone in a just manner at all times, exhibiting the best character. If we have fallen short in fulfilling our rights towards you as our neighbours, please do forgive us. We make mistakes, after all we are human. Although, we endeavour to follow the best example of excellent moral conduct, as taught to us by Allah’s final prophet and messenger, Muhammad peace be upon him.
I’ll leave you with a verse from the Qur’an to get you thinking.
‘Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): “I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God – i.e. Allah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” ‘
[Qur’an, chapter 18: v110, english interpretation]
Acc Name – Taleem Foundation Account Number – 1044 3584 Acc Sort Code – 60 02 63
More events for November 2025
This month, there’s lots to do at your local Masjid. Take part in inspirational get-togethers, socialise and make friends and enjoy great food. TMCC is hosting youth club activities, women’s night, men’s evening and breakfast after Fajr prayers.
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious The Most Merciful.
‘And We have sent you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): not but as a mercy for the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).'[Qur’an 21: 107]
The final messenger of Allah, Muhammad ibn Abdillah, peace be upon him, the best man who ever lived and walked on the face of this earth. With no comparison, he is known as the most successful man in history and beyond, the best leader, the best warrior, the best businessman, the best husband, the best father, the best companion, the trustworthy, the dignified, the chaste, the modest, the courageous, the morally upright, the epitome of exemplary character…The prophet of Allah, Muhammad, upon him be peace.
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to mankind): “If you (really) love Allâh then follow me (i.e. accept Islâmic Monotheism, follow the Qur’ân and the Sunnah), Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Qur’an 3:31
Allah says in the Qur’an, (English interpretation) :
‘And Verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) are on an exalted (standard of) character.’ (Qur’an, 68:4)
Muhammad, peace be upon him, had great concern for his nation- he was swift to help those in need, he was gentle and mild tempered, patient and forbearing.
He was ready… ready to listen to the unheard, ready to defend the weak and oppressed, ready to advise sincerely those seeking advice… ready to convey the truth.
He strove through periods of great difficulty to convey the lofty message- a message conveyed by all prophets and messengers, upon them be peace- a message which resonates with the natural disposition of mankind, the message ‘laa ilaha ilallah ‘ – There is no true god worthy of worship except Allah alone.
The final messenger of Allah, Muhammad peace be upon him, did not fail in his task in the least bit. He succeeded. Far and wide, the mesage is known, and the message is followed.
I bear witness that there is no true god worthy of worship except Allah who is alone without partners or associates, and I bear witness that Muhammad peace be upon him is the servant and messenger of Allah.
His teachings, actions, descriptions, sayings and instructions are revered and adhered to, cherished and conveyed. Muhammad peace be upon him taught us to have high moral character and good manners with The Creator (Allah) and the creation. He taught us how to conduct ourselves in the best and most decent manner. He, upon him be peace, said (English interpretation): I have only been sent (by Allah) to complete the good manners [Al-Hakim].
He was a mercy for mankind. He peace be upon him taught us (English interpretation): The merciful ones are granted mercy by the Most Merciful . Show mercy to those who are on earth, and the One above the heavens will show mercy to you. [Ahmad]
Muhammad peace be upon him conveyed the message which would lead to our peace and salvation in this world and for the life to come. Our purpose in life is clear, to worship exclusively The Supreme Self-Sufficient Creator, Allah, and this is the only way to attain peace and eternal bliss.
Only the fair-minded will emancipate themselves from bigotry and ignorance. Those who mock this mighty messenger, are full of hate today, but tomorrow, will be full of regret. This occurred at the time of the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, he had enemies, mockers and haters among the disbelievers and hypocrites. They intended by their vicious, slanderous profanity and abuse to dissuade the messenger from conveying the message, whilst they knew that all they attributed to him were but fabrications. In the end, these haters failed. They were surely humilated, and what’s to come in the hereafter of humiliation is an unimaginable and inevitable reality. Haters will be haters, but they’ll also be in great loss. Drawing from the wisdom exhibited by the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him throughout his lifetime, we learn that we must deal with all people justly. These people, i.e. the mockers, need help and guidance. Let’s keep unsolicited violence out of the equation. Pity is little we can offer them, but education is far more powerful. May Allah guide us all, ameen.
Isn’t it time we educated ourselves about this remarkable man whose call to Islamic monotheism has been received and accepted by discerning people from all walks of life? Isn’t it time we searched for the real, unadultered truth? Isn’t it about time we learnt who he was, what he stood for, and Whom he called to…
Oh Allah may Your peace and blessings be upon Your final prophet muhammad peace be upon him in great abundance, upon his family and companions and those who follow them in righteousness! Ameen! May Allah make us of Muhammad’s followers, peace be upon him, for indeed Allah commanded us to obey and follow the messenger, and this is the only way to true success.
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad [sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam]) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day, and remembers Allâh much.” {Al Ahzaab: 21}
Want resources? Start to read the book entitled ‘The Sealed Nectar’ (Ar-Raheequl-Makhtum), a biography of the Final messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, by Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri.
Of the best ways to love the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, is to follow his sunnah. May Allah grant us ability to follow the sunnah of the final messenger Muhammad peace be upon him.
Embark on this journey to discover #WhoIsMuhammad (peace be upon him), with the following series:
May Allah forgive us, for He is the Oft-Forgiving, The Most Merciful. And may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam. ameen
Thurrock Muslim Community 