Reflection on Ramadhan Preparation: with the Attendees of the Toronto Seminar

As we move into the last ten days of the Blessed Month of Ramadhan, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on a few of the lessons learned by attendees of the Toronto seminar, “The Laws of Love: The Keys to a Spiritually Transformative Ramadan.” The seminar was held shortly before the start of Ramadan, and gave attendees the tools to make this Ramadan a time of true spiritual transformation.

English professor and part-time SeekersGuidance MC, Br. Ray Lacina, had travelled all the way from Michigan to be a part of the event. He started things off by welcoming the attendees and introducing Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

Opening with the Purpose of Fasting

Shaykh Faraz opened the seminar with a reminder of the true purpose of fasting — to seek the pleasure of Allah out of sincere love for Him. The Laws of Love are the keys to this:

(1) Thankfulness (shukr),

(2) Mindfulness (taqwa),

(3) Magnifying Allah (takbir),

(4) Worshipfulness (‘ibada) and

(5) Drawing Close (taqarrub).

Shaykh Zahir Bacchus, of the Lote Tree Foundation (www.lotetree.ca) then led attendees through a detailed tafsir of the Qur’anic verses related to fasting.

Reminding attendees of the Virtues of Fasting, Shaykh Yusuf Badat of Islamic Foundation (www.islamicfoundation.ca) outlined the key benefits of fasting:
(1) elevation of the Believer,
(2) Expiation of sins,
(3) Breaking of desire,
(4) Multiplication of reward and
(5) Increasing in thankfulness to Allah.

SeekersGuidance instructor, Mufti Umer Esmail emphasized the centrality of the Qur’an to one’s worship in the month of Ramadhan in the session, Connecting with the Qur’an.

During the lunch break SeekersGuidance student, Sr. Hafsa Taher conducted an ice-breaker activity, encouraging attendees to mingle within their respective groups, and there were also prizes of books and tasbeh beads up for grabs. Sr. Asma won from the sisters, and from the brothers, Shaykh Faraz and Ustadha’s Shireen’s young son got the highest score.

The Fiqh of Fasting & Its Social Aspects

Shaykh Faraz returned to the podium to outline the Fiqh of Fasting. He began by carefully analyzing the formal definition of fasting: “Refraining from nullifiers during the day, with intention.” He then explored issues related to fasting, such as the distinction between accidental breaking of the fast — which must be made up — and forgetfulness, which does not break the fast.

Shaykh Faraz then reminded attendees of the tremendous blessings in i’tikaf — blessings which can be earned even if one can’t set aside a long period of time to spend in the mosque. Men, he said, can make the intention for i’tikaf whenever entering the masjid at any time, while women can also do so when going to their private prayer space at home.

Ustadha Shireen Ahmed concluded the seminar with a discussion of the social aspects of the month, which can be a form of worship in itself, if done with intention and in a way that is pleasing to Allah. Her five counsels reminded attendees first of the sunnas of food in Ramadan, including the sunnas of being both host and guest in gatherings.

Ustadha Shireen went on to explore how to manage our key relationships in Ramadan — from friends and family to one’s own children and spouse, and how to maintain good character. She concluded with an important reminder of the importance of social responsibility in Ramadan, particularly the giving of charity.

Nasheed artist Nader Khan gave the audience and speakers a performance at the end of the seminar.

As the Blessed Month draws to a close, may we all continue to implement these important lessons with sincerity and love — and may Allah find our fasting and our works acceptable.

Feedback from attendees:

“Masha’Allah, the whole event was very beneficial. The topics chosen, the speakers, the presentations & the venue were all great.”

“Event was very very beneficial”

“Very very very good to have a sister address a mixed gathering”

Reflection on Ramadhan Preparation: with the Attendees of the Toronto Seminar