As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, dear community members!
We are pleased to announce that, insha’Allah, Eidul-Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10. May this special day bring peace, happiness, and prosperity to everyone.
We welcome you to join the joyous Eid prayers, which will be held at both of our masjids. Please note the following schedule:
Eid Prayer Time:
First Shift: 8:30 AM
We encourage you to arrive early, as the masjid is expected to be very busy. Remember to perform the ritual of ghusl (purificatory bath) before arriving, to wear your best clothes, and to recite the Takbirat on your way to the prayer.
Please bring prayer rugs for your comfort and follow the guidelines set by the masjid management to ensure a smooth and respectful Eid prayer for everyone.
Following the prayer, we invite you to enjoy the community gatherings and festivities that have been arranged. This is a day of celebration, thanksgiving, and reflection on the blessings of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.
Jazakum Allahu khayran for your cooperation and may Allah accept all our fasts and good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.
Laylatul Qadr or Lailatul Qadr is one of the most blessed nights in the Islamic calendar. It is known as the Night of Power and falls during the last ten nights of Ramadan. Muslims worldwide spend this night in worship, seeking forgiveness, and making supplications to Allah. One of the essential aspects of this night is reciting the Laylatul Qadr Dua, a powerful prayer that can bring immense rewards and blessings.
Significance of Laylatul Qadr
Laylatul Qadr is a night of great significance for Muslims. It is the night when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through the Angel Jibreel (AS). The Quran describes this night as better than a thousand months and mentions that the angels descend on earth during this time.
On this night, Allah’s mercy and blessings are abundant, and the gates of heaven are open. It is a night of forgiveness; whoever spends it in worship will be rewarded immensely. Therefore, Muslims worldwide spend this night praying, reciting the Quran, and making supplications.
Laylatul Qadr Surah
Surah Al-Qadr is the 97th Surah (Chapter) of the Holy Qur’an.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ
Indeed, ˹it is˺ We ˹Who˺ sent this ˹Quran˺ down on the Night of Glory.
وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ
And what will make you realize what the Night of Glory is?
لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.
That night the angels and the ˹holy˺ spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every ˹decreed˺ matter.
سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ
It is all peace until the break of dawn.
When is Laylatul Qadr in 2023
There are a number of narrations on when Laylatul Qadr is. Here are some of them:
1. Laylatul Qadr will be during the last 10 nights of Ramadan The last 10 nights of Ramadan 2023 are the nights of 11th to the 20th April.
‘A’isha (RA) and Ibn Numair reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Look for (and in the words of Waki, seek) Lailat-ul-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan.
2. Laylatul Qadr will be during the last 7 nights Ramadan. The last 7 nights of Ramadan 2023 are the nights of 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th of April.
Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: Seek lailat al-qadr in the last seven days.
3. Laylatul Qadr will be during the odd nights of last 10 nights of Ramadan. The odd nights of the last 10 nights of Ramadan 2023 are the nights of 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th and 19th of April.
Narrated `Aisha (RA):
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.”
4. Laylatul Qadr will be on the 21st, 23rd and 25th. The 21st, 23rd and 25th nights of Ramadan 2023 are the nights of 11th, 13th and 15th of April.
Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) reported the Prophet as saying, “Seek lailat al-qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan, on the twenty-first, twenty-third and twenty-fifth.”
Here’s a table that highlights the days in relation to the days that were mentioned in each of the hadith above.
April Nights
11th
12th
13th
14th
15th
16th
17th
18th
19th
20th
Ramadan Nights
21st
22nd
23rd
24th
25th
26th
27th
28h
29th
30th
Hadith 1
Hadith 2
Hadith 3
Hadith 4
Hadith 5
Image version of the same table:
Virtues of Laylatul Qadr Dua
The Laylatul Qadr Dua is a powerful prayer that can bring immense rewards and blessings. Whoever recites this dua with sincerity and devotion will have their sins forgiven, and their supplications will be accepted.
Aishah (RA) narrated:
“I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is your view if I know when the Night of Al-Qadr is, then what should I say in it?” He said: ‘Say: “O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, [Generous,] You love pardon, so pardon me.’”
This dua is straightforward yet very effective. It acknowledges Allah’s forgiveness and mercy and asks for forgiveness for one’s sins. It is a perfect dua for Laylatul Qadr, a night of forgiveness and mercy.
How to make the most of Laylatul Qadr
Laylatul Qadr is a night of worship, forgiveness, and blessings. Muslims worldwide spend this night praying and supplicating to seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. Here are some ways to make the most of this blessed night:
Seek Allah’s forgiveness
Laylatul Qadr is a night of forgiveness. Therefore, it is essential to seek forgiveness for our sins and shortcomings. Consequently, one should spend this night in prayer and repentance and ask Allah for forgiveness.
O Allah, You are Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me
Recite Quran
The Quran was first revealed on Laylatul Qadr. Therefore, it is a perfect night to recite the Quran and seek guidance from Allah. Muslims around the world spend this night in the recitation of the Quran.
Make dua
Dua is the essence of worship. So on Laylatul Qadr, one should make dua and ask Allah for guidance, blessings, and forgiveness. The Laylatul Qadr Dua is a powerful prayer that can bring immense rewards and blessings.
Charity is one of the most virtuous deeds in Islam. Therefore, on Laylatul Qadr, one should give charity to the needy and the poor. It is a night of blessings, and Allah rewards those who spend in His way.
Laylatul Qadr is a night of worship. Therefore, one should spend this night praying and supplicating to seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, Muslims around the world spend this night in prayer and worship.
Narrated Abu Huraira (RA):
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not to show off) then all his past sins will be forgiven.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari]
Follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) would spend the last ten nights of Ramadan in worship and intensify his worship during the odd nights, especially Laylatul Qadr. Muslims should follow his example and spend these nights in prayer.
Stay away from sins
On Laylatul Qadr, one should stay away from sins and temptations. It is a night of worship, and one should focus on seeking Allah’s forgiveness and blessings.
Reflect on one’s deeds
Laylatul Qadr is an excellent time to reflect on one’s deeds and plan for the future. One should evaluate their actions and strive to become a better Muslim.
Laylatul Qadr is a blessed night in the Islamic calendar, and Muslims worldwide spend this night in worship and supplication to seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. The Laylatul Qadr Dua is a powerful prayer that can bring immense rewards and blessings. Therefore, Muslims should make the most of this night and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Hailed as one of the most pivotal moments in the course of Islamic history, the events of the Battle of Badr are remembered each Ramadan on its anniversary, and throughout the Islamic year.
Badr, between Mecca and Medina in present day Saudi Arabia, was the location of one of the first large-scale battles between the Muslims and the Quraysh tribe, taking place at a moment of pinnacle tension between the two camps.
When was the Battle of Badr?
The battle was fought on Tuesday, 13th March 624 CE, on the 17th Ramadan 2 AH (after Hijrah) in the Islamic calendar.
The anniversary of the date appears to shift forward approximately 11 days in the Gregorian calendar each year, as the Islamic calendar operates on the lunar cycle.
The Tensions Between the Muslims and the Quraysh Tribe
In the lead up to the Battle of Badr, tensions between the Muslims and the powerful Quraysh tribe of Mecca were rife.
The Muslims had made Hijrah (emigration) and settled in Medina in 622, following intense persecution from the Quraysh tribe in Mecca, including not being allowed to perform worship. Forced to abandon their homes and belongings, the Muslims had been invited to create a new life for themselves in the settlement of Yathrib (now Medina).
Up until the Battle of Badr, Muslims had assumed a defensive position, but the victorious battle which awaited would be a turning point for the status of Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula and the expansion of Islam.
The Events of the Battle of Badr
The battle is described as one of the greatest and most decisive military victories in Islamic history, and even in world events. It took place in the month of Ramadan, but its significance also lies in the miracle that Muslims believe to have taken place during the battle.
The Muslims were greatly outnumbered by the Quraysh tribe, whose army on this occasion consisted of approximately 1,000 men, including 100 horses. The Muslims had gathered an army of only a meek 300 men and only two horses in comparison. It appeared to all that the Muslims would be swiftly overcome by the immense Quraysh army.
In the lead up to the battle, the Muslims had been sanctioned by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Allah to raid the merchant caravans belonging to the Quraysh tribe on their commute past Medina, in order to counter the aggression they faced in persecution. The Quraysh routinely sent spies to monitor the expansion of the Muslims in Medina and informed the tribe that the Muslims were about to intercept Abu Sufyān’s caravan, who was one of the main instigators of persecution against the Muslims.
Eventually, the respective camps rallied their armies and faced each-other on the battlefield, with a seemingly obvious victory ready in wait for the Quraysh.
Muslims believe that they were aided by Allah by ordering the Malaika (the angels) to help the Muslims overcome the Quraysh, as their victory was otherwise an impossibility.
Zakat (zakaat, zakah), or almsgiving, is one of the five pillars of Islam. This means that Zakat is mandatory for Muslims, along with the other four sacred pillars of prayer (salah), fasting (sawm), pilgrimage (Hajj) and belief in Allah and His Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) (shahadah). For every sane, adult Muslim who owns wealth over a certain amount – known as the Nisab – he or she must pay 2.5% of that wealth as Zakat.
“…and those in whose wealth there is a recognised right, for the needy and deprived” — Qur’an 70:24-5
Eligible Muslims pay Zakat once a year, and it is due as soon as one lunar (Islamic) year has passed since meeting or exceeding the Nisab (certain amount of wealth). The Zakat of every Muslim is then distributed to those who meet the criteria to receive it. At Islamic Relief, your Zakat is distributed with the utmost care to ensure that the most vulnerable, including children, those affected by war, disease and climate disasters, have access to the help that they need.
What is Nisab?
The Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must possess before they become liable to pay Zakat. This amount is often referred to as the Nisab threshold.
Gold and silver are the two values used to calculate the Nisab threshold. The Nisab is the value of 87.48 grams of gold or 612.36 grams of silver.
Current Nisab value (11 April 2023)
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Gold Price per gram (g)
$64.55
Gold Standard Zakat Nisab
$5,647.01
Live market value, updated at April 11, 2023 09:52 PT
Silver Price per gram (g)
$0.81
Silver Standard Zakat Nisab
$496.13
Live market value, updated at April 11, 2023 09:52 PT
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic (hijri) calendar and one of the holiest periods of worship for Muslims. The month lasts a period of 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the moon, and appears to shift forward approximately 11 days each year as the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle instead of the Gregorian calendar we commonly use today.
What is the significance of Ramadan?
The month of Ramadan marks the period in which the holy Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Importantly, it’s also the month in which Muslims practice one of the five pillars of Islam, Sawm, or fasting.
Fasting the month of Ramadan is obligatory for every Muslim who has passed the age of puberty and is in good health.
During this precious month, the reward for a Muslim’s good deeds are multiplied, and all are encouraged to strengthen their relationship with Allah, give Sadaqah, pay their Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana) and ask for forgiveness.
Why is Ramadan important to Muslims?
Ramadan is important to Muslims for a variety of reasons. The most significant of which is that it is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is required of every Muslim for every year of their lives as long as they are passed the age of puberty and are in good health.
During this period, due to its sanctity, Muslims aim to strengthen their relationship with their creator, read and reflect on the Qur’an, strive for betterment of their character, benefit those in need and the people around them and ask for forgiveness for their transgressions.
