This document provides information about Ramadan for the Islamic Society of Central New York, including: 1. A Ramadan prayer schedule for Syracuse, NY with azan (call to prayer) times for each day of Ramadan 1431 (August/September 2010). 2. A message from the imam welcoming the community to Ramadan and encouraging focus on acts of worship and righteousness. 3. An announcement of the theme "Live the Quran" and activities planned during Ramadan including Quran recitation contests and tafsir halaqas (Quran study circles).

1. ُ َ ُ ‫َ ُ ََﱠ‬ َ ِ ‫َﱡ ﱠ ِ َ َ ُ َ ََ ُ ﱢ َ َ ُ َ َ َ ﱠ‬
‫َﻳﺎ أﻳ َﻬﺎ اﻟﺬﻳﻦ آﻣ ُﻨﻮا ﻛ ِﺘﺐ ﻋﻠﻴﻜﻢ اﻟﺼ َﻴﺎمُ ﻛﻤﺎ ﻛ ِﺘﺐ ﻋﻠﻲ اﻟﺬﻳﻦ ِﻣﻦ ﻗﺒﻠِﻜﻢ ﻟﻌﻠﻜﻢ ﺗﺘﱠﻘﻮن‬
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to
you as it was prescribed to those before you,
that you may learn piety and righteousness" 2:183
Islamic Society of Central New York
925 Comstock Ave.
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© ISCNY RAMADAN 1431/2010 Page

2. RAMADAN 1431 PRAYER SCHEDULE FOR SYRACUSE, NY
Month Hijri Gregorian
Day Ramadan Aug/Sept. AZAN TIMES
1431 2010
Fajr Sun- Zuhr Asr Maghrib Isha
rise
Wednesday 1 11 4:38 6:05 1:10 5:04 8:13 9:43
Thursday 2 12 4:39 6:07 1:10 4:03 8:12 9:41
Friday 3 13 4:41 6:08 1:10 5:03 8:10 9:39
Saturday 4 14 4:42 6:09 1:10 5:02 8:09 9:37
Sunday 5 15 4:44 6:10 1:09 5:01 8:07 9:35
Monday 6 16 4:45 6:11 1:09 5:00 8:06 9:33
Tuesday 7 17 4:47 6:12 1:09 5:00 8:04 9:31
Wednesday 8 18 4:48 6:13 1:09 4:59 8:03 9:29
Thursday 9 19 4:50 6:14 1:09 4:58 8:01 9:27
Friday 10 20 4:51 6:15 1:08 4:57 8:00 9:26
Saturday 11 21 4:53 6:16 1:08 4:56 7:58 9:24
Sunday 12 22 4:54 6:17 1:08 4:56 7:57 9:22
Monday 13 23 4:56 6:19 1:08 4:55 7:55 9:20
Tuesday 14 24 4:57 6:20 1:07 4:54 7:53 9:18
Wednesday 15 25 4:58 6:21 1:07 4:53 7:52 9:16
Thursday 16 26 5:00 6:22 1:07 4:52 7:50 9:14
Friday 17 27 5:01 6:23 1:07 4:51 7:48 9:12
Saturday 18 28 5:03 6:24 1:06 4:50 7:47 9:10
Sunday 19 29 5:04 6:25 1:06 4:49 7:45 9:08
Monday 20 30 5:08 6:26 1:06 4:48 7:43 9:06
Tuesday 21 31 5:07 6:27 1:05 4:47 7:42 9:04
Wednesday 22 01 5:08 6:28 1:05 4:46 7:40 9:02
Thursday 23 02 5:09 6:29 1:05 4:45 7:38 9:00
Friday 24 03 5:11 6:31 1:04 4:44 7:36 8:58
Saturday 25 04 5:12 6:32 1:04 4:43 7:35 8:56
Sunday 26 05 5:13 6:33 1:04 4:42 7:33 8:54
Monday 27 06 5:15 6:34 1:03 4:41 7:31 8:52
Tuesday 28 07 5:16 6:35 1:03 4:40 7:29 8:50
Wednesday 29 08 5:17 6:36 1:03 4:39 7:28 8:48
Thursday 30 09 5:19 6:37 1:02 4:38 7:26 8:46
Iqama Times
*FAJR: 30 Minutes after Azan *ZUHR: 1:30
*ASR: 5:15 *MAGHRIB: 5 Minutes after Azan
*ISHA: 5 Minutes after Azan *TARAWEEH: 5 Minutes After Isha
© ISCNY RAMADAN 1431/2010 Page 2

3. A Word from the Imam …
R am adan M ubarak!
Dear respected brothers and sisters,
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmat Allahi wa Barakatuh:
We ask Allah (swt) that you receive this ISCNY Ramadan Booklet
in the best of health and in high Islamic spirit. We ask Him (swt) to accept
our fasting, prayers and good deeds. Ramadan is few days set by Allah
(swt) for us as a great chance to attain righteousness. Though, it needs
some effort and sacrifice to reach that divine goal and rejoice the success
of this world and the hereafter.
We are grateful to Allah (swt) for making us "as one body, if any limb
of it should complain, the rest of the body is called upon by restlessness
and fever." We are most grateful to Allah for making us amongst those
who are witnessing this blessed month of Ramadan. Our community has
grown and the opportunities for further success are abundant. We are very
optimistic and ready to renew our commitment to this Deen. We pray that
Ramadan will allow us to strengthen our resolve to pursue these opportu-
nities and accomplish our community goals and aspirations.
We Ask Allah (swt) to grace us with his mercy and guide us to fast
Ramadan in the best way. We ask Him to bless our community, unite our
hearts, and make us among those who receive His forgiveness and re-
demption from the Fire.
Remember those who are less fortunate, suffering and oppressed …
Make sincere and constant Dua for them in this blessed Month of
Ramadan
Jazakum Allah Khair and once more, Ramadan Mubarak!
© ISCNY RAMADAN 1431/2010 Page 3

4. (inshaa Allah)
The theme & SLOGAN of the whole month of Ramadan activities would be
Live the Quran
1. Imam will conduct two Tafsir Halaqas (Themes & lessons from Al-
kahf, Yasin, & Almulk) on Saturdays and Sundays from 6:30 to 7:30.
2. Quran contest in three levels:
◊ Level 1: Memorization and Understanding of Surat Alkahf (the
cave), chapter 18 of the Quran.
◊ Level 2: Memorization and Understanding of Surat Yasin, chap-
ter 36 of the Quran.
◊ Level 3: Memorization and Understanding of Surat Almulk,
chapter 67 of the Quran.
◊ Competitors would have to recite to one of the committee
members chosen by Imam to decide the winners during the
last ten days of Ramadan
3. There will be a Question with a gift about one piece of information in-
cluded in the Part of the Quran that should be recited on that day; i.e. If
the day is Ramadan 8th then the question would be from part 8 in the
Quran. This is meant to help brothers and sisters focus on the meaning
of the verses while they are reciting
4. Imam will be conducting full time Itikaf in the masjid during the last
ten days of Ramadan starting before sunset the night of the 21st of
Ramadan and ending after sunset the night of the Eid day. There would
be more Halaqas, workshops, night prayers (Tahajud) and other activi-
ties. The program would accommodate though the brothers and sisters
who want to do a partial Itikaf (some night or day hours).
© ISCNY RAMADAN 1431/2010 Page 4

5. ‫ً؟‬ ‫رً ر‬
‫ا‬ ‫ه‬
‫ر‬ ‫آن‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫آ ل‬ ،‫دة‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ن‬ ‫أن‬
.'' ‫ر‬ ‫إ‬ ‫دي''و‬ ‫ا‬
‫ك‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ك رب آ‬ ) ‫( أو‬ ‫ا‬ ‫)ر‬ ‫ن‬ ً ً‫د‬ ً‫ر‬
‫ا‬
(
‫أ ل وه آ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫وذ‬ ‫دة إ ج‬ ‫ا‬ ‫إ ء ا وا‬ ‫اا ر‬
‫,إ ح‬ ‫و‬ ّ ,‫اب‬ ‫مو‬ ‫آ‬ ‫وا‬ ‫أوراد ا‬ ‫ز‬ , ‫أر أو‬
. ‫, أو إ ر‬
‫ن و ة دا‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫او‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ه ا‬ ‫أن‬
‫ء‬ ‫ا‬
‫أ سآ‬ ‫آ‬ ‫ر ن‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ري‬ ‫و‬ ‫ةا‬ ‫ن‬ ً
. ‫ا اب‬ ‫وا ن‬ ‫نا‬ ‫ر‬
‫ا ار أ ا وأ ات ا‬
‫نو‬ ‫ات وا رض ذا ا ل وا آ ام رك‬ ‫ا‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ا‬
. ‫ر نا‬
Do You Have a Goal for Ramadan?
Every Muslim must have a theme for his worship. For example, prophet Moses may peace be
upon him had a theme of “And I hasten to you (oh Allah) so that you may be pleased with me”
Put a theme for Ramadan that will encourage you, for example, “this will be my best Rama-
dan” or “I will worship you (oh Allah) better than ever before.”
This theme will help encourage our internal energy to make our fasting more productive and
meaningful through five acts. These acts are sponsoring an orphan, having a regular time for
thanking Allah after every meal, sponsoring a needy person, making amends between two peo-
ple, and feeding a fasting person. Notice these acts are relatively easy. However, it may be dif-
ficult depending on a person’s dedication and willingness to help.
Let’s plan together a Ramadan that is different than last Ramadan. And who knows, maybe this
will be our last Ramadan in our life. How many people were with us last Ramadan that are now
under earth?
Oh Allah, have mercy on our beloved deceased ones and the deceased of all of the Muslims.
Oh Allah, the one who is everlasting, the one who created the heavens and the earth, the Lord
of majesty and bounty, bless what is left of Shaban and let us live to witness Ramadan. Amen.
© ISCNY RAMADAN 1431/2010 Page 5

6. The Significance of Ramadan
Allah swt says in the holy Quran, “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the
Qur'an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right
and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you
is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desires for you
ease; He desires not hardship for you; and (He desires) that you should complete the pe-
riod, and that you should glorify Allah for having guided you, and that you may be thank-
ful.” [2:185]
Allah swt preferred the month of Ramadan over many other months and made it the best
month of the entire year. During Ramadan, Allah swt mandated fasting and revealed the
holy Quran. Fate and destiny are determined during this holy month, sins are forgiven and
Allah swt chooses to save those whom he wants from dell fire. The devils are also chained,
and blessings shower the believers. In this great month is one particular night that is greater
than a thousand nights. Prophet Muhammad phuh once said, “Fasting is a protection, so if
one of you is fasting for the day let him/her not utter inappropriate words or get angry, and if
someone curses you or fights with you just say ‘I am fasting’.” [Related in Bukhari]
And in another hadith, Prophet Muhammad said, “Whosoever prays during the nights of
Ramadan for the sake of Allah swt and with great faith, Allah swt will forgive their past
sins.” [Related in Bukhari & Muslim]
The Prophet pbuh was known to be generous and most generous during Ramadan. He
was more generous than wind in a very hot day. And in another hadith, Prophet Muhammad
says, “The best of charity is one given during Ramadan.”
All of this indicates to us the significance of Ramadan and how Allah swt accepts all good
deeds during this month. Allah swt mandated fasting for varies reasons among them is for
people to maintain kinship ties, to feel humble towards Allah swt, and to feel the beauty of
worship. Prophet Muhammad pbuh used to make I`tikaf the last ten nights of Ramadan and
mentioned in a hadith, “An Umrah during Ramadan is equivalent in reward to a
Hajj.” [Related in Bukhari] So how great is this month, and how great is worship in it!
In another hadith, Prophet Muhammad pbuh said, “A blessed month has come upon you in
which fasting has been mandated. The doors of heaven open and the doors of hell fire close
up and the devils are chained. In it is a night that is better than a thousand nights, whoso-
ever is deprived of its blessings, has indeed been deprived.” [Related in Ahmed, Al Nasaee,
Al Bayhaki]
And in another Hadith, “The five daily prayers, Jumuah prayer to the next Jumuah prayer,
and Ramadan to the next Ramadan erase sins committed in between them so long as one
refrains from great sins.” [Related in Muslim]
Abu Saeed Al Khudari, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet pbuh
once said, “Whosoever fasts Ramadan and knew it’s limits and avoided that which should
be avoided, Allah swt erases all his/her past sins.” [Related in Ahmed] And in another hadith
© ISCNY RAMADAN 1431/2010 Page 6

7. Ramadan Checklist – a must read…
Here are some tips to help you take advantage of this golden
Opportunity of the “Blessed Month of Ramadan.”
1. Intend to fast every day with Iman and pure intention seeking the reward from Allah
alone.
”The Prophet peace be upon him said, "Whoever fasts in Ramadan with Iman and
seeking reward (from Allah) his past sins will be forgiven". (Bukhari) “
2. Read the whole Qur'an at least once as the Prophet peace be upon him did.
3. Have Suhoor as the Prophet peace be upon him said, "Have Suhoor because it is
blessed".
4. Make Du'a during the fast because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that three
people's supplication is not rejected, one of them is the fasting person.
5. Make Dua before opening the fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The
fasting person has a supplication that is answered when he opens his fast".
6. Give Sadaqah and be good to people. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was the
most generous of people and he was most generous in Ramadan.
7. Avoid anything that diminishes the fast such as, lying, backbiting, cheating, getting
angry. The Prophet peace be upon him said "Whoever does not give up false statements
(i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need
of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink." [Bukhari]
8. Ask for forgiveness since this is the month Allah frees people from the fire.
9. Pray At-Tarawih until the Imam finishes the Witr prayer, for the Prophet peace be
upon him said, "Whoever prays with his Imam until he goes(leaves) it’s written as if he
prayed the whole night.
10. Feed the poor and invite others for Iftar. The Prophet peace be upon him said,
"Whoever gives Iftar to someone fasting he will have the same reward without
decreasing the reward of the person fasting".
11. Try harder the last ten nights especially the odd nights. The prophet would strive in
Ramadan more than he would in any other month and more so in the last ten days. The
best is to apply the Sunnah of Itikaf (to stay in the Masjid) these days or at least partial
Itikaf in the odd nights.
12. Say this Dua in the nights that Laylatul-Qadr is likely to fall on:
Allhumma innaka afuwun tuhibbul-afwa fa'fu anni
(O Allah you are Forgiving and love forgiveness so forgive me).
© ISCNY RAMADAN 1431/2010 Page 7

8. I have decided the Primary GOAL for this Ramadan to:
◊ Be Allah consciousness and Increase Taqwa
◊ Build my character
◊ Increase my spirituality
◊ purify my soul
To improve my Salah (Prayers), I have decided to:
◊ Be punctual for prayers
◊ Avoid talking before Salah
◊ Improve concentration
◊ Increase my prostrations
To improve my relationship with Quran, I have decided to:
◊ Read the whole Quran at least once (Tilawat)
◊ Memorize a few Surahs (Aayaat)
◊ Learn to recite the Quran correctly
◊ Understand & ponder on its meanings
I have decided to shun the following Munkar:
◊ Telling lies
◊ Speaking ill of others
◊ Losing my temper
◊ Vain talk
© ISCNY RAMADAN 1431/2010 Page 8

9. Fasting and Your Health…
Iftar:
This meal could include dates, following the Prophetic traditions. Dates
will provide a refreshing burst of much-needed energy. Fruit juices will
also have a similar, revitalizing effect. The meal should remain a meal
and not become a feast! Try to minimize the rich, fatty dishes that tradi-
tionally celebrate the fast.
Suhoor:
The pre-dawn meal should be a wholesome, moderate meal that is filling
and provides enough energy for many hours. It is therefore particularly
important to include slowly-digesting foods in the suhoor.
Healthy Food:
Complex carbohydrates are foods that will help release
energy slowly during the long hours of fasting. Complex
carbohydrates are found in grains and seeds, like barley,
wheat, oats, millets, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal
flour, basmati rice, etc. Fiber-rich foods are also digested slowly and in-
clude bran, cereals, whole wheat, grains and seeds, potatoes with the
skin, vegetables such as green beans and almost all fruit, including apri-
cots, prunes, figs, etc.
O Allah help me...
1. Control my eating and sleeping habits
2. Quit smoking
3. Not over eat
4. Eat healthier (prefer fruits & vegetables over fatty foods)
© ISCNY RAMADAN 1431/2010 Page 9

10. Ramadan Daily Prayers Fasting Quran Quran Behavior Behavior Pray Taraweeh Total
10 pts. 10 pts. Reciting memorize at Masjid at Home 10 pts. Max. 60 pts.
5 pts. 5 pts. 10 pts. 10 pts.
1
2
3
4
5
Directions to Parents:
6
give 2 pts. for each prayer on
time up to 10 pts. For good 7
accurate fasting up to 10 pts. 8
Give up to 5 pts. for reciting 9
the daily amount you decide 10
for them & up to 5 pts. for 11
memorizing the part of the
12
Quran contest.
Page 10
13
Give up to 10 pts. for good 14
behavior at the masjid & up to 15
10 pts. for kindness, obedient 16
& helpful at home 17
Give up to 10 pts. if they pray
taraweeh prayer 18
19
Please make sure you reward 20
your Kid when make good 21
score, teach them to do this out 22
© ISCNY RAMADAN 1431/2010
of sincerity. 23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

11. Activity 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Did you pray Fajr in
Masjid?
Did you pray the
other 4 prayers on
time?
Did you pray
12 Raka’a assured
sunnah?
Did you check
prayers of family
members?
Did you make morn-
ing& evening Dhikr?
Page 11
Did you do anything
for Islam &
Muslems?
Did you pray whole
Taraweeh & Witr in
Masjid?
Did you give sa-
daqah?
Did you feed a fast-
ing person?
Did you make 100
© ISCNY RAMADAN 1431/2010
astghfer
Did you read Quran?
Did you visit a
brother/sister?
Did you review
memorization of the
Quran?
Did you protect
your tongue from
ill speech?

12. When breaking your fast
‫ﺕ‬‫ ﹶﻓﹾ ﹶﺮ‬ ‫ﹶﻰ ﹺﺯ‬  ‫ﺖ‬‫ﻨ‬ ‫ ﺁ‬ ‫ﹺ‬ ‫ﺖ‬‫ﻲ ﹶﻚ ﺻﻤ‬‫ ﹺ‬ ‫ﺍﱠﻟﻬ‬
 ‫ ﻭﻋﻠ ﺭ ﻗﻚ ﺃ ﻄ‬ ‫ ﻭﺑﻚ ﻣ‬   ‫ﻢ ﺇﻧ ﻟ‬
O Allah. I fasted for You and I believe in You and I break my fast with Your
Sustenance
“Alahuma laka sumtu wabika amantu w’ala rizqika aftartu”
——Or——
‫ﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﱠﻪ‬ ‫ﺮ ﹺﻥﹾ‬‫ ﺍ َﺟ‬ ‫ﹶ‬ ‫ﻭﻕ‬ ‫ ﺍﻟﻌ‬ ‫ﻠ‬‫ﺍﺑ‬ ‫ﺄ‬ ‫ ﺍﻟﻈ‬  ‫ﹶ‬
‫ ﺇ ﺷ ﻠ‬ ‫ ﻭﺛﺒﺖ ﻷ‬ ‫ﺮ‬ ‫ﺫﻫﺐ ﱠﻤﹸ ﻭ ﺘﱠﺖ‬
Thirst has vanished, veins have moistened and Allah willing,
reward (for the fast) is certainly fixed.
“thahab athama’u wabtalat iluruqu wathabat al’ajr inshaa Allah”
Followed By
‫ﻮﹺﻲ‬‫ﻲ ﺫ‬   ‫ﻐ‬ ‫ﻲ ٍ ﹶﻥﹾ‬ ‫ ﻛﻞ‬‫ﺖ‬   ‫ﻲ‬‫ ﺃﱠﻟ‬  ‫ﺣ‬ ‫ ﹺ‬ ‫ﹶﻠ‬‫ﻲ ﹶﺳ‬‫ﹶﻟﻠﻬﻢ ﹺ‬
‫ ﺇﻧ ﺃ ﺌﹸﻚ ﺑﺮ ﻤﺘﻚ ﺘ ﻭﺳﻌ ﹸ ﱠ ﺷ ﺀ ﺃ ﺗ ﻔﺮ ﻟ ﹸﻧ ﺑ‬  ‫ﺃ ﱠ‬
O Allah! I beg of You through Your infinite mercy which encompasses
everything to forgive (all) my sins.
“Allahuma ini asaluka birahmatika alati wasi’at kula shai’ an taghfira li thunubi”
When breaking fast at a friend’s house
‫ ﹸﻢ ﺍ ﹶﹶﺎﹶ ﹶﺔ‬‫ﹶﻴ‬ ‫ﱠﻴﺖ‬  ‫ﺍﺭ‬ ‫ﻜﻢ ﺍ َﺑ‬ ‫ﺎ‬ ‫ﹶ ﹶ ﹶ ﹶ‬ ‫ﻮ ﹶ‬ ‫ﺎ‬ ‫ ﺍﻟ‬‫ﻛﻢ‬ ‫ﻨ‬  ‫ﹼﺃﻓﹾ ﹶ‬
‫ ﻭﺻﻠ ﻋﻠ ﻜ ﳌﻠ ﺋﻜ‬ ‫ ﻷ ﺮ‬ ‫ﻄﺮ ﻋ ﺪ ﹸ ﺼ ﺋﻤ ﻥ ﻭﺃﻛﻞ ﻃﻌ ﻣ ﹸ‬
May fasting people break their fast by you and may pious per-
sons partake of your food and may the angels invoke Allah’s
blessings for you
“Aftar indakum asaimoun wakal ta’amakum alabrar wasalait
alikum almalaikah”
© ISCNY RAMADAN 1431/2010 Page 12