Ramadan Mubarak

May Allah (SWT) accept our Siyyam, our Qiyyam, our Generosity and our Du’aa. Ameen.

Ramadan Imsaqiyah (Fasting time table)

Prayers

Fajr Activities
Fajr Iqamah	August 21 - August 31 5:30 AM September 1 - September 19 5:45 AM
Hadeeth Reading	On weekdays (Mon - Fri) after Fajr prayers
Short Lecture	On weekends (Sat - Sun) after Fajr prayers
Tajweed Halaka	On weekdays (Mon - Fri) after Fajr prayers On weekends (Sat - Sun) after Dhuhr prayers
Evening Activities
Isha Iqamah	August 21 - August 31 9:30 PM September 1 - September 19 9:15 PM
Taraweeh Prayers	August 21 - August 31 9:45 PM September 1 - September 19 9:30 PM
Taraweeh	Isha and first 8 rakaahs of Taraweeh prayers will be led by Sheikh Shaban
Fiqh Q&A	Imams will be available in the lobby after the first Witr prayers
Fiqh of fasting and prayer	Short lecture by Imam Sameh after fourth rakaah of Taraweeh prayers
Qiyam-ul-Layl	During last 10 nights of Ramadan
Fundraising Event	On the 29th night of Ramadan

Iftar

Daily iftaars for our single brothers and sisters and those who are travelers. Please donate to this great cause for great rewards. Please see the kitchen manager Br Zaitoun or Br Muamar Dahnoun or Br Mohamed Boutrid if you would like to participate.

Women's Committee Services

The Women's Committee will provide baby-sitting during Ramadan.

• No children under 7 years old are allowed in the Musallah (prayer hall).
• For children ages 3 - 6, there will be crafts and activities.
• Children 2 years and under should be with their mothers in the cry room located next to the Women's prayer hall on the second floor.

Safety & Security Guidelines

• Gate 1 and Gate 3 will remain open, Gate 2 will be closed
• Vehicles violating any parking rules will be towed at the owner's expense with zero tolerance
• Young brothers are requested to kindly allow elders and sisters to use parking spaces close to the Masjid.
• Carpooling is highly recommended.
• Children under 7 years old are to be sent to Al-Iman School building for baby-sitting.
• Children 7 and up are to stay with their parents
• Children who cause any mischief will be sent home with their parents.
• If you are only praying eight rakaah of Taraweeh prayers, then you are kindly requested to quietly leave the masjid immediately after the the first Witr prayers.
• Please cooperate with the Safety & Security team by adhering to the above guidelines.

Maintenance Services

For any maintenance issues please contact Br Ameenulla at 919-757-8371 or Br Hassan Imam at 919 834-9572 ext 6

Fasting the Month of Ramadan

(Prepared by Imam Mohamed Baianonie, Islamic Center of Raleigh, NC)

The prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said, “Whoever observes the fasting during the month of Ramadan, believing in Allah and seeking His rewards, will have his/her past sins forgiven.” [Reported by Imams Bukhari, Muslim and others]

Fasting the month of Ramadan is one of the main pillars of Islam. It is obligatory upon every sane, healthy, Muslim who reaches the age of puberty and is not traveling during the time of fasting. As for the women, they must not be menstruating or having post-childbirth bleeding.

The Essential Elements of the Fast

The fast has two essential elements (literally, "pillars") that must be fulfilled for it to be valid and acceptable. They are:

• The intention: The intention does not need to be spoken, for it is in reality an act of the heart, which does not involve the tongue. It will be fulfilled by one's intention to fast out of obedience to Allah (SWT.), seeking His pleasure.
• Abstaining from those acts that break the fast from dawn to sunset.

Recommended Acts During Ramadan

• Having the Suhur meal and delaying it until just before fajr time.
• Hastening in breaking the fast at sunset.
• Breaking the fast by eating in odd number of fresh or dry dates, if not available, drinking water.
• Supplicating at the time of breaking the fast, “The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened and Allah willing, the reward is confirmed.”
• Praying taraweeh daily after Isha’.
• Increasing the reciting and studying of the Qur’an.
• Using Miswak (Tooth-Stick), if not available, any other cleaning tool to clean the mouth.

Actions that Invalidate the Fast (which are agreed upon by all scholars.)

• Intentional eating or drinking: If one eats or drinks due to forgetfulness, a mistake or coercion, then he/she should continue the fast.
• Intentional vomiting: If one is overcame and vomits , then he/she should continue the fast.
• Having intentional sexual intercourse: If one has sexual intercourse then he/she must perform expiation (kaffarah). (Fasting continuously for sixty days or feeding sixty poor people.)

Some Things That Are Permissible During The Fast

• Taking a shower even due to thirst or extreme heat.
• Rinsing the mouth and nose without exaggeration.
• Applying kohl (eyeliner) or eye drops or anything else to the eyes, even if some taste from it finds its way to the throat.
• Taking any type of injections whether nutritional or medical.
• Having enema douche (The injection of liquid into the rectum through the anus for cleansing, as a laxative, or for other therapeutic purposes) or using suppository (a solid medication designed to melt within a body cavity) or any medicine that can be used in the front or in the back.
• Doing those things from which one could not protect oneself, such as swallowing one's saliva or the dust of the road or sifting flour etc.
• Tasting food by the tongue and using toothpaste as long as do not swallow anything.
• Smelling any kind of odors, scents or anything that might enter the lungs.
• Kissing and embracing (between spouses) as long as one is able to control his/her self.
• Drawing some amount of blood for any reason, if that will not weaken the person.
• Finding oneself in a state of Janabah after fajr (dawn) has arrived, i.e. ghusl can be performed after fajr.

EID-UL-FITR

Eid-ul-Fitr Salah will be held, inshaa Allah, at the Dorton Arena at the State Fairgrounds. Please check our web site for Eid announcements. On Eid day, please come early and bring a prayer rug with you. Please follow the safety & security personnel instructions.

Vendors are required to register no later than Wednesday September 16th. There is a $100.00 fee per table. Only provided tables and space can be used. Violators will be asked to leave. All material intended for distribution must be approved by the IAR office prior to EID day. No approvals will be given on EID Day.

Distribution of material is allowed in designated areas only or at your table. No exceptions will be granted.

Volunteers are needed for Ramadan and EID activities. Please contact IAR Volunteer Committee Chairman Br Jamal Haddad at: 919-946-4030 and offer your help.

May Allah reward all your efforts. We greatly appreciate.