Eid Al Adha

10/08/2019

Eid Al Adha prayers will take place at Masjid Al Noor  on Sunday 11th. 

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Gathering will be at 8.30am and prayers will be at 8.45am sharp

Eid Prayers

14/06/2018

According to the moon sighting eid prayers will take place either on Friday 15th June or Saturday 16th June at Masjid Al Noor. 

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If Friday: 8.15am gathering with 8.30am prayers 

If Saturday: 9.15am gathering with 9.30am prayers

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Jummah Timings

25/03/18

Please note, due to the clocks going forward, Jummah timings have changed as follows:
1st Adhan: 1.20pm

2nd Adhan + Khutbah: 1.40pm

Eid al Adha prayers

25/08/17

Insha'Allah Eid prayers will take place at Masjid Al Noor on Friday 1st September 

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Prayers will take place at 8.15am sharp. There will be a short sermon before the prayers starting at 8.00am

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Jazakallah

Returning to Allah in Rajab

03/04/2017

A beneficial reminder taken from Muwasala.org regarding the month of Rajab:

 

Sayyidi Habib `Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) describes the state the believer should be as the blessed month of Rajab enters. Summarised from a Khutbah delivered in Masjid al-Rawdah, Tarim, on 27th Jumada al-Akhirah 1433 / 18th May 2012.
 

O believer, look to see how you end the month of Jumada al-Akhirah, and look to see how you receive the month of Rajab, the month which stands alone among the sacred months. This month was venerated even in the times of Jahiliyyah, and Islam came to reinforce this veneration. O believer in Allah, one of your most important aims in this life is for your heart to be completely focused on Allah and at the same time to be someone that unites people’s hearts.
 

One of the greatest manifestations of your focusing your heart on Allah is being aware of your shortcomings towards Him, seeking refuge in Him, seeking forgiveness from Him, repenting to Him and pleading that out of His kindness He overlooks your faults.
 

Seeking forgiveness (istighfar) from Allah is foundational in focusing your heart on Allah. When seeking forgiveness:
 

The Prophet ﷺ, the one who was protected from falling into sin, the most pure, would seek forgiveness from Allah one hundred times in one sitting. He would say:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وتُبْ عَلَيَّ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
 

Rabbi’ghfir li wa tub `alayya innaka anta’attawwabu’rrahim
 

My Lord, forgive me and turn to me, truly You are the Oft-Returning, the Most Merciful.[1]
 

This tells us how the life of the Prophet was, how his gatherings with his Companions were, so seek to resemble them. Beware of gatherings in which Allah is not mentioned, in which His forgiveness is not sought and in which the return to Him is not mentioned. O believer, beautify your gatherings in the same way that your guide, the Chosen One, Muhammad beautified his gatherings. He is the one who said: “Good tidings to the one who finds in his book (in which his actions are recorded) much istighfar (seeking forgiveness).”[2] Seeking forgiveness is a remedy for your sins, and sins are the cause of tribulations in this life and the next. The fire of your sins is only extinguished by seeking the forgiveness of the Living, the Eternal, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.
 

Throughout your life you have the opportunity to seek forgiveness from Allah but there are specific times when you should do so, during the day and night and during the months of the year. The last portion of the night is one of these times. Allah says, describing the people of taqwa: Those who show patience, those who are truthful, those who worship devoutly, those who spend (their wealth for Allah’s sake) and those who seek forgiveness in the last portion of the night.[3] Allah also says: They were prior to that people of righteousness; they were in the habit of sleeping little by night; and they would seek forgiveness in the last portion of the night.[4]
 

Another time to seek forgiveness is after performing the prescribed prayer. In doing so, you remember the deficiencies in your prayer and to ask for acceptance.
 

Even when leaving the toilet your Prophet taught you to say three times:

غُفْرَانَكَ

Ghufranak

I seek Your forgiveness.
 

If you say this when you go to bed three times your sins will be forgiven even if they are as numerous as the foam on top of the sea:

أستَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيمَ الَّذِي لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الحَيُّ القَيُّومُ وأَتُوبُ إِليه

Astaghfirullaha’l-`azim alladhi la ilaha illa huw al-Hayya al-Qayyum wa atubu ilayh

I seek the forgiveness of Allah the Most Great, alongside Whom there is no deity; the Living, the Sustainer, and I repent to Him
 

Among the months, Rajab is the month of seeking forgiveness. Al-Daylami narrates on the authority of `Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah ennoble him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Seek much forgiveness (from Allah) in Rajab because in every hour (of the month) Allah frees people from the Fire.” When the month entered the Prophet would say, as Anas narrates:

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا في رَجَبٍ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنا رَمَضَانَ

Allahumma barik lana fi Rajabin wa Sha`ban wa ballighna Ramadan

“O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Sha`ban and enable us to reach Ramadan!”[5]
 

It is a blessed month, may Allah bless us and the Ummah in it. In the times of Jahiliyyah the noise of battle would not be heard in this month. This was due to the veneration that people had for the month, even though they were polytheists. Allah revealed concerning this month: They ask you about the sacred months – fighting therein. Say: fighting therein is a grave offence.[6]
 

Look at the state the Ummah has reached today. Some Muslims have actually declared war in the month of Rajab, not on the disbelievers, but on each other. Some have spilt the blood of their brothers. Look how far the Ummah has sunk when it has left the guidance of Allah and His Messenger and surrendered its reins to corrupt people, to disbelievers, to people deceived by their own philosophies!
 

Our Master said: “O people, repent to Allah for truly I repent to Allah in every day and night seventy (or one hundred) times.”[7] Allah says in the hadith qudsi: “O son of Adam, if your sins were so numerous that they reached the heavens and then you sought My forgiveness I would forgive you and it is nothing to Me.”[8] If someone allows Rajab to enter and they have no concern for their wrongdoings then they do not truly possess taqwa. The believer sees his sins as a mountain towering over him that he fears will fall upon his head, whereas the hypocrite sees his sins as a fly that lands on his nose which he brushes away with his hand. One of the Followers was told that a group of people were talking about something which did not concern them. He said: “If they were concerned with their own wrongdoings they would not have talked about that subject.”
 

Seek forgiveness in abundance and seek to unite people’s hearts. Beware of provoking hatred, or tale bearing, for “among the worst slaves of Allah are those that constantly bear tales, those that cause division between those that love each other.” Choose words that unite people: Say to My slaves that they should only say those things that are best, for the Devil sows dissension among them.[9]

Attempt to fast in this month. `Ali bin Muhammad al-Rabi` narrates from a chain of narrators all of whom are reliable that one of the Followers asked one of the Companions: “Did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fast in Rajab?”

He replied: “Yes, and he would ennoble it.” He would ennoble and honour the month by fasting in it. May Allah awaken our hearts!

Prepare for the first night of Rajab. He said ﷺ: “There are five nights on which du`a’ is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha`ban, Thursday night, the night before Eid al-Fitr and the night before Eid al-Nahr (al-Adha).”[10] Sayyiduna `Ali would spend this night in worship.
 

May Allah purify our hearts and enable us to take advantage of the time that we have left in this life.

Eid Prayers

09/09/2016

Eid prayers will take place at Masjid Al Noor on Monday 12th September

Gathering and a short sermon will start at 8.15 am 

Eid prayers will commence promptly at 8.30 am

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The First Ten Days Of Dhul Hijja

31/08/2016

A beneficial reminder taken from Muwasala.org regarding the blessed first ten days of Dhul Hijja:

 

We are about to enter the blessed month of Dhu`l–Hijjah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed us that there are no days in which righteous actions are more beloved to Allah than the first ten days of this month.1 For that reason some scholars have ruled that these days are better than the final ten days of Ramadan, although the nights of Ramadan are superior to these nights. Allah Himself swears by “the Ten Nights” in Surat al-Fajr, which is sufficient evidence of their greatness. Most of the scholars say that these are the first ten nights (and days) of Dhu’l–Hijjah. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar said that the reason that these days have been accorded such merit is that it is only in these days that all the most important of acts of worship are performed: prayer, fasting, giving charity and hajj.

The Prophet ﷺ said that fasting one of these days is equal to the reward of fasting for a whole year and standing in one of these nights in prayer is equal to standing in prayer on Laylat al-Qadr.2 It has also been narrated that the reward for actions in these days is multiplied seven hundred times.

This is not to mention the Day of Arafah (the 9th of Dhu’l-Hijjah) which is the greatest day of the year. Fasting that day wipes out the sins of the previous year and the year to come. Read more about the Day of Arafah here.

If we are unable to fast the first nine days of the month, we should at least fast the Day of Arafah. If we are able to fast two or three days then by fasting Monday or Thursday or both we will gain the reward of following the Sunnah. Likewise by fasting three of these days we will have performed the Sunnah of fasting three days in every month.

These are days in which we should remember Allah abundantly. Allah says that they remember the name of Allah on well-known days.3 These “well-known days” according to the majority of scholars are the ten days ofDhu’l–Hijjah. This is why the Prophet said ﷺ that in these days we should make abundant tahlil (saying la ilaha ill’Allah), takbir (saying Allahu akbar) and tahmid (saying alhamdulillah).4 Sayyiduna `Abdullah Ibn `Umar and Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah would go into the marketplace in these days and raise their voices with the takbir. The people in the marketplace would then raise their voices with the takbir in response. Thus the most hated place to Allah, a place where most people are heedless of Him, was filled with His remembrance.

Whether it be prayer, fasting, charity, remembrance, seeking knowledge, helping people, any righteous actions we do will be greatly rewarded and beyond that are beloved to Allah. This is also a time when prayers are answered by Allah.

Sayyidi Habib `Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) reminds us that the linguistic meaning of Hajj is seeking or intending. Thus the people of Allah are constantly performing Hajj because they are constantly seeking Allah. Just as their whole year is Ramadan, likewise their whole year is Hajj. Just as those performing Hajj respond to the call of Allah by saying “labbayk” they are swift to respond to the call of Allah. They take themselves to account and leave that which is disliked and dubious in all their states and actions. They reject the desires of their lower selves and they are the furthest of people from that which is prohibited. They constantly receive new blessings from their Lord so they constantly renew their ihram.5 Day and night they make tawaf around the House of their Lord, the One to Whom they turn themselves with absolute sincerity until nothing remains in them which is directed to other than Allah.

Actions that Carry the Reward of Hajj

Nothing of course can equal actually performing the Hajj and worshipping Allah in those blessed places. Allah knows that many people long to make Hajj every year but are unable to do so. Out of His generosity, He made the reward for certain actions similar to the reward of a supererogatory Hajj.

Finally there is no action more beloved to Allah on the Day of Eid than making a sacrifice. The Messenger of Allah ﷺtold his beloved daughter Sayyidah Fatimah al-Zahra’ that she would be forgiven for her previous wrongdoings with the first drop of blood to be shed from the sacrificed animal. She asked if this reward was specifically for the household of the Prophet and he replied: “For us and for all the Muslims.

If anyone wants to make a sacrifice (qurbani/udhiyah) in Tarim, please write to info-eng@alrafh.org for more information. The sacrifice is carried out by the Rafah Foundation.

Here you can download adhkar that many of the pious people would read during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah.Habib `Umar recommends reading them. 

The Islamic Beliefs Course

7/11/2015

We are pleased to announce a new course by Mufti Muhammad Rauf Khan that will cover the essential aspects of Islamic belief. Covering topics of belief in Allah, angels, scriptures, prophets and the next world. 

This course covers what is obligatory for what every Muslim must know and is open for all adults and children

Starting Sunday 8th November, thereafter continuing every Sunday for 6 weeks, between 1pm-2pm at Masjid Al Noor.

We encourage you to attend and to bring others. 

Please keep us all in your duas

Day of Ashura - Gathering and Iftar

23/10/2015

IFTAR AND GATHERING - Sat 24th October 2015
 

Insha'Allah there will be a gathering after asr prayers on Saturday 24th Oct consisting of a talk and dhikr. Iftar will be provided 

The Day of `Ashura’, the tenth of Muharram, is an auspicious day. It has been narrated that it was the day on which Allah forgave our father Adam, the day on which the Ark of Nuh came to rest on the mountain known as al-Judi after six months at sea, and the day on which Allah forgave the people of Yunus (peace be upon him and all the Prophets).

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to al-Madinah, he found the Jews fasting the Day of `Ashura’. He asked them why they were fasting and they told him that it was the day on which Allah saved Sayyiduna Musa and his people and drowned Fir`awn and his people. Musa fasted out of gratitude to Allah and his people continued the practice after him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ told the Jews that his nation was closer to Musa than them. He then fasted that day and ordered his Companions to fast.1 He taught his Ummah to commemorate this great day, to reflect upon its connection to the previous prophets and to seek a portion of the immense outpouring of Allah’s mercy that those prophets received on `Ashura’.

The most important thing he taught us to do is to fast. He informed us that if we do so, Allah wipes out the sins of the previous year.

Dhul Hijjah and Eid prayers

16/09/2015

Dhul Hijjah

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ informed us that there are no days in which righteous actions are more beloved to Allah than the first ten days of this month. For that reason some scholars have ruled that these days are better than the final ten days of Ramadan, although the nights of Ramadan are superior to these nights. Allah Himself swears by “the Ten Nights” in Surat al-Fajr, which is sufficient evidence of their greatness. Most of the scholars say that these are the first ten nights (and days) of Dhu’l–Hijjah. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar said that the reason that these days have been accorded such merit is that it is only in these days that all the most important of acts of worship are performed: prayer, fasting, giving charity and hajj.

The Prophet ﷺ said that fasting one of these days is equal to the reward of fasting for a whole year and standing in one of these nights in prayer is equal to standing in prayer on Laylat al-Qadr. It has also been narrated that the reward for actions in these days is multiplied seven hundred times.

This is not to mention the Day of Arafat (the 9th of Dhu’l-Hijjah) which is the greatest day of the year. Fasting that day wipes out the sins of the previous year and the year to come. We will mention more about this day closer to the time inshallah.

If we are unable to fast the first nine days of the month, we should at least fast the Day of Arafat. If we are able to fast two or three days then by fasting Monday or Thursday or both we will gain the reward of following the Sunnah. Likewise by fasting three of these days we will have performed the Sunnah of fasting three days in every month.

These are days in which we should remember Allah abundantly. Allah says that they remember the name of Allah on well-known days. These “well-known days” according to the majority of scholars are the ten days of Dhu’l–Hijjah. This is why the Prophet said ﷺ that in these days we should make abundant tahlil (saying la ilaha ill’Allah), takbir (saying Allahu akbar) and tahmid (saying alhamdulillah).4 Sayyiduna `Abdullah Ibn `Umar and Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah would go into the marketplace in these days and raise their voices with the takbir. The people in the marketplace would then raise their voices with the takbir in response. Thus the most hated place to Allah, a place where most people are heedless of Him, was filled with His remembrance.

Whether it be prayer, fasting, charity, remembrance, seeking knowledge, helping people, any righteous actions we do will be greatly rewarded and beyond that are beloved to Allah. This is also a time when prayers are answered by Allah.

Eid Prayers

Insha'Allah Eid prayers will take place at Masjid Al Noor on Thursday 24th September. 
Gathering at 8 am
Prayers at 8.15 am

Maulana Qamaruzzaman Azmi

12/08/2015

We are delighted to announce that Maulana Qamaruzzaman Azmi will be joining us at Masjid Al Noor to deliver a very special Khutbah on Friday 21st Augsut at 1pm

Allama Maulana Qamaruzzaman Azmi is one of the greatest scholars of the 21st Century in the Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaah. Millions of people across the Indian Sub-Continent, Middle East, Europe, America and Canada revere and respect him. The Times of India wrote on 2nd November 2010: "Allama Azmi is undoubtedly the most sought-after preacher of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat".

He is the Khalifa of Imam Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi's son His Holiness Mufti-e-Azam-e-Hind Hazrat Maulana Mustafa Raza Khan (May Allah shower his mercy upon them) as well as Sarkar-e-Kalaa'n Hazrat Maulana Sayyad Mukhtar Ashraf Rehmatullahi Alaih of Kicchocha Sharif. He is also Secretary-General of the World Islamic Mission.

Maulana Shahid Raza OBE Chairman of the UK's Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board writes:"He is renowned and admired for his public lectures which have inspired millions of young and old Muslims in the sub continent, Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America".

Allama Azmi's importance lies primarily in his awareness of the problems faced by Muslims when confronted with modernity. His familiarity with western philosophical and cultural ideas coupled with his vast knowledge of the Islamic sciences and orthodox as well as modern trends in Islamic thought has resulted in him being a figure of intellectual force in the field of a revival of Islamic environment. He believes that the future of the Ummah is in the hands of Muslims themselves. Poverty and humiliation of Muslims in the contemporary world has always been a prime concern for him, however he considers that Muslims themselves are largely responsible for this downfall due to a lack of education, activism and an aspiring soul.

Allama Azmi also argues, as Phillip Lewis (1994) quotes him in his acclaimed book Islamic Britain: Religion, Politics and Identity among British Muslims, that Islam and secular society can co-exist and "the widely shared perception that secular necessarily implies irreligion is simply wrong. In India, he contends, a secular state can offer security to Muslims since it is compatible with acknowledging that religion is important and, that in a religiously plural environment the state does not allow believers in one religious tradition to enjoy a privileged status. All are citizens with equal rights. Indeed, in India, Muslims are allowed to conform to their own Muslim family law".

Allama Azmi is a force for equal rights for women and argues that women must be allowed to play their role in creating a just and evil-free society and a giant against extremism and terrorism. He argues that those who use the name of Islam to terrorise are enemies of Allah and Islam. No injustice or assault, real or imagined, can be an excuse for resorting to violence and maiming innocents.

Fasting 6 days of Shawwal

18/07/15

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that whoever fasts Ramadan and then fasts six days in the month of Shawwal has fasted the whole year, since each good deed is multiplied by ten. Thus, the thirty days of Ramadan equal three hundred days and the six days equal sixty which together make up the whole year of three hundred and sixty days. The scholars say that what is meant is that one has the reward of a whole year’s compulsory fasting, not merely supererogatory fasting. The Prophet  also said that whoever completes Ramadan and the six days will emerge as free from sins as a new born baby. It is thus recommended to fast any six days of Shawwal

The Night of Eid

17/07/15

Good advice shared from Muwasala.org about the night of Eid:
 

Allah says that He wants you to finish the prescribed period and to glorify Him for the fact that He has guided you, perhaps you shall be grateful.

“Finishing the prescribed period” means completing the fast of Ramadan. One of the means of “glorifying Him” is in making takbir, which is an expression of our gratitude to Allah for His guidance and enabling grace (tawfīq). We should fill the night before `Id with takbir from Maghrib up until the `Id prayer in the morning. The takbir is not limited to a specific time or place but rather it should be made at all times in our houses and mosques and in the streets (without causing disturbance). We should read it with our hearts filled with the greatness of Allah so that we are not merely repeating words without experiencing their meaning.

It is a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ to give life to the night before `Id, meaning spending whatever time we are able to during that night in worship and remembrance such that the night comes alive. The least we should do is to pray Maghrib, `Isha’ and Fajr in congregation and then devote whatever time we are able to Allah. The mosques of Tarim fill in the the second half of the night with people reading the Qur’an in groups, praying and making takbir together at intervals. At the end of the night everyone comes together for a khatam and du`a’.

It is mentioned in the hadith that whoever gives life to the nights before the two `Ids, Allah will give life to his heart on the day when hearts die. What is primarily meant is safety on the Day of Judgement, but even in this life the majority of people’s hearts are dead, starved of the remembrance of Allah and heedless of the return to Him. Remembering Allah on nights such as these, however, when most people are busy with other things, will give life and tranquility to our hearts.

`Id then will be a true celebration, an expression of our gratitude to Allah for the ability to worship and remember Him in the previous days and nights.

There are different forms of the takbir. Here is one of them:

اللهُ أَكبرُ اللهُ أَكبرُ اللهُ أَكبر , لا إله إلا الله , الله أكبر الله أكبر ولِلَّهِ الحَمْد

(three times)

الله أكبرُ كَبيرا والحمدُ لله كثيرا وسُبْحانَ اللهِ بُكْرَةً وأَصيلاَ .

لا إله إلا الله لا نَعْبُدُ إلا إِيَّاهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الكافِرون .

لا إله إلا الله  وَحْدَه صَدَقَ وَعْدَه ونَصَرَ عَبْدَه  وأَعَزَّ جُنْدَه وهَزَمَ الأَحْزَابَ وَحْدَه

لا إله إلا الله واللهُ أكبرْ ولِلَّهِ الحَمْد

 “Allah is most great, there is no god but Him, all praise belongs to Him.

There is no god but Him and we worship none but Him in complete sincerity even if the disbelievers dislike it.

There is no god but Him alone. He fulfilled His promise, gave victory to His slave, made mighty His forces and He alone destroyed the Confederates. Allah is most great, there is no god but Him, all praise belongs to Him.”

The scholars say that whenever it is recommended to remember Allah it is also recommended to mention His Messenger . Had it not been for him, there would be no Ramadan or `Id or takbir. For this reason we should add, in honour of our Messenger, his Companions, wives and progeny:

اللهُمَّ صلِّ على سَيِّدِنا محمد

وعلى آلِ سَيِّدِنا محمد

وعلى أَصْحابِ سَيِّدِنا محمد

وعلى أَنْصَارِ سَيِّدِنا محمد

وعلى أَزْواجِ سَيِّدِنا محمد

وعلى ذُرِّيِّةِ سَيِّدِنا محمد

وسلِّمْ تَسْليماً كثيراً

We should do what we are able to implement the other sunnahs of the `Id which can be found in the books of fiqh.

Among them are:

• Taking a bath whether or not one is attending the `Id prayer and wearing one’s best clothes and best perfume.

• One should eat an odd number of dates before the `Id prayer and walk to the prayer, taking a longer route on the way there and returning by a different route.

• One should shake hands with one’s brethren, congratulate them on the `Id and ask that their actions be accepted by Allah.

• One should be especially generous to one’s family, display one’s happiness on the occasion and try to visit one’s relatives and friends.

- See more at: http://muwasala.org/the-night-of-id/#sthash.5TdSNQqz.dpuf