The BC Muslim Association is announcing that the beginning of Ramadan will be on Wednesday July 10th, 2013. It has been confirmed with various reliable sources that the crescent of Ramadan has NOT been sighted and therefore the Taraweeh will be prayed starting tomorrow evening, with Siyam to begin Wednesday.
On behalf of the BC Muslim Association, Ramadhan Mubarak to you all and may Allah (S.W.T) accepts our good deeds
Ramadan Timetable
Assalamu Alaikum warahmatullahi wabarkatuh
Training Season (Ramadan): Athletes train hard to win. They base their entire schedule- including sleep, meals and social life- around their training. Getting up early mornings and forgoing get-togethers with friends and family due to the demand of their sport becomes a routine sacrifice for them. All of this stems from the burning desire to win, to succeed, to surpass. An athlete knows well that winning is not usually a matter of working hard; it is a matter of working harder. Thus every devoted athlete strives to reach above and beyond the limits of his or her competitors, knowing that this extra exertion will bear fruit at the finish line.
When someone signs up to participate in a race, they know they have to prepare well ahead of time. Let’s say there is a race participant who does not practice during the training season. When asked how he expects to win the race without training and practising like the other competitors, he says that when the race begins he will exert more energy and run harder than everyone else, and that is how he plans to win. This person needs to be explained that training and practice is what enables a person to work harder at the time of competition. To dream about running faster without training accordingly is fruitless.
Rama?an is the ultimate season of competition for believers- the spiritual Olympics, if you will. The competition is global, and the stakes are high. But the bar of excellence set by Islam is much higher and far more noble than the standard maintained in worldly competitions. This competition is based on attaining spiritual perfection, which is much higher an achievement than mastering the feat of jumping, throwing or the like. Secondly, the aim of a Muslim is not to achieve recognition of his or her devotions in this world, but to receive acknowledgement of his or her success at the ultimate and absolute awards ceremony held on the Day of Judgement.
With such a noble event drawing near, it makes sense for all registered participants (Muslims) to start limbering up their spiritual muscles and working on the speed, endurance and technique with which they perform their deeds.
Aisha (Allah be well pleased with her) narrates: I never saw the Prophet of Allah –peace and blessings of Allah upon him- fasting more frequently in any month than the month of Shaban. (Bukhari)
The Prophet –peace and blessings of Allah upon him- also used to pray: O’ Allah! Bless the months of Rajab and Shaban for us, and enable us to reach Rama?an.
These prophetic actions and prayers indicate the importance of due preparation for the month of Rama?an before it arrives. Let us start our own preparations from now by paying attention to our religious obligations. We need to assess the condition of our ?alah, zakah, recitation of Quran, dealings and behaviour. Sincere repentance for our shortcomings throughout the year (or throughout our lives in general), and the resolution to gain the nearness and friendship of Allah for once and for all is the minimum training required to achieve a winning position in this great event. Let us train hard today, and be ready to compete when the time comes.
Mufti Aasim Rashid
Director of Religion and Islamic Education