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Rohingya Best Choice, Cox's Bazar (2026)

28/09/2023

12 Rabi ul Awal - Eid Milad un Nabi

The month of Rabi al Awwal

Rabi ul Awal is the 3rd month in Islamic Calendar, also known as Hijri Calendar.

In Arabic, the word “rabbi” means spring while “al awwal” means the first. Hence Rabbi ul Awwal as a whole translates into 'The First Spring'.

Rabi ul Awal is the most significant month in the Islamic history, because humanity has been blessed in this month by the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.), which is the most significant and the most remarkable event in human history. So, this month is known as the month of birth of our beloved Prophet (S.A.W.).

The month of Prophet’s (S.A.W.) birth

Before the Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) was born, people were living in a state of ignorance and darkness. They worshiped different deities. They were deviating from the path of Allah. As the Prophet (S.A.W.) was born, he brought with him the Message of Truth, the Message of Allah, His Oneness. This message led the people towards the path of enlightenment, helping them distinguish between right and wrong.

One of the most important merits of our Prophet (S.A.W.) is that he is the last of all Prophets (A.S.) and no Prophet will come after him. Mohammad (S.A.W.) will remain the Prophet for all mankind till the end of days. As Allah says in Quran:
“…. He (S.A.W.) is the Messenger of Allah and the last (end) of the Prophets. And Allah is Ever AllAware of everything.”
(Surah Ahzab 33:40)

The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) is the epitome of perfection. He is the role model chosen for us by Allah and we are to follow his Sunnah in order to lead an ideal lifestyle which is not only defined to us by religion but is in fact beneficial for all mankind if we were to follow it. Allah Says in Quran:
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad S.A.W.) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.”
(Surah Ahzab 33:21)

Without any doubt, life of Prophet (S.A.W.) is the most important source of guidance for all the Muslims and Prophet (S.A.W.) is a mercy not only upon us but all worlds and creations of Allah. As Allah Says in Quran:

“And We have sent you (O Muhammad S.A.W.) not but as a mercy for the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).”
(Surah Anbiya 21:107)

So every Muslim should learn and follow the practical examples set by him in every aspect of life.

Eid Milad un Nabi:

Most Muslims believe that the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was born in the month of Rabi ul Awal, although there is no consensus on the actual date.

In some parts of Europe, USA, Canada, South East Asia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, most Muslims celebrate 12 Rabi ul Awal as the birthday of Prophet (S.A.W.) and called this day as ‘Eid Milad un Nabi’. They celebrate ‘Eid Milad un Nabi’ with much fervor and enthusiasm. They celebrate this day by holding ‘Milad’ (praising of Prophet S.A.W. by a poet), holding processions, exchanging gifts, illuminating mosques, and other such activities.

In Middle East and other surrounding countries, Muslims do not celebrate this event neither on 12 Rabi ul Awal nor any other day of this month because Prophet (S.A.W.) or his Companions (R.A.) have never celebrated birthday of Prophet (S.A.W.) or any other Prophet (A.S.).

So, some Muslims celebrate the event of Milad un Nabi and some Muslims do not celebrate this day.

Conclusion:

What is really important for all Muslims is to follow the teachings of Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and live our lives according to his Sunnah. This requires constant and consistent efforts from all Muslims.

"Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): The Most Humble and Modest"

May Allah direct us all to the blessings of the Glorious Quran and the Sunnah of His Messenger (S.A.W.).

AMEEN

21/07/2023

History of Day of Ashura

The Day of Ashura is an important observance in Islam, and its history is deeply rooted in both religious and historical significance. It falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The history of the Day of Ashura can be summarized as follows:

1. Islamic Origins: The significance of Ashura traces back to the early days of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE (known as the Hijra), where he encountered the Jewish community observing a fast on the 10th day of Muharram. The Jews observed this day to commemorate Moses' escape from Pharaoh and the crossing of the Red Sea. Upon learning about this practice, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recognized the importance of fasting on this day and recommended Muslims to fast as well.

2. Historical Events: Over time, various significant historical events took place on the Day of Ashura, which further elevated its importance among Muslims:

a. Martyrdom of Imam Hussein: One of the most significant events associated with Ashura is the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), in the Battle of Karbala on the 10th of Muharram, 61 AH (680 CE). Imam Hussein and his small group of supporters were brutally killed by the forces of the Umayyad caliph, Yazid I, who demanded allegiance from Hussein. This tragic event is commemorated during the month of Muharram, particularly on the Day of Ashura, by Shiite Muslims through mourning processions and recitations of elegies.

b. Noah's Ark Landing: According to some Islamic traditions, it is believed that Prophet Noah's (Nuh) ark came to rest on Mount Judi on the 10th day of Muharram after the Great Flood.

c. Moses' Crossing of the Red Sea: As mentioned earlier, some Jewish traditions believe that Moses (Musa) and the Israelites crossed the Red Sea safely, and Pharaoh's forces were drowned on the 10th day of Muharram.

3. Commemoration: The Day of Ashura is observed differently by Sunni and Shiite Muslims. For Sunni Muslims, fasting on this day is considered meritorious but not obligatory. They often focus on the historical events, including Prophet Moses' fast, and may choose to fast as an act of worship.

Shiite Muslims, particularly those who mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, observe this day with intense grief and sorrow. They engage in various forms of mourning, such as reenactments of the Battle of Karbala, listening to sermons (majlis), reciting elegies (latmiyas), and participating in processions. Some Shiite Muslims may also fast on this day as an act of solidarity with Imam Hussein and his companions.

It's important to note that while the Day of Ashura holds profound significance in Islamic history, its observance and rituals may vary based on cultural and regional practices within the Muslim world. The event continues to be a moment of reflection, piety, and remembrance for Muslims worldwide.

12/07/2023

History of Ismail A.s

25/05/2023

7 Mistakes We Make When We Pray
Prayer is such a vital part of your walk with Christ and yet sometimes we get it all wrong. Some people find prayer easy to engage in, but honestly many people struggle to pray. Regardless of where you are in your prayer life there are some common mistakes we can make in prayer (by the way I have made all of them.) So out of my own failures I want to share with you seven mistakes people often make when they pray.

1. You Forget the Purpose of Prayer
Too often people view prayer as drudgery. It’s something you have to do. It’s not that you really want to do it, but it’s part of the discipline of being a Christian. If you are in this place, I know how you feel. However, this is the wrong approach and the wrong understanding to bring into prayer.

Prayer is all about relationship and communication. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he started with Our Father because it’s is about maintaining a relationship. When you view prayer from the perspective of going to spend time with your father, it takes on a whole new meaning. Instead of it being something you think you must do, it becomes something you look forward to doing.

If you could shift just one thing in your thinking about prayer let this be it. From this point forward as you pray remember it’s not about responsibility, it’s about relationship.

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God” (Psalm 84:1-2).

2. You Try to Pray Perfect Prayers
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people say I can’t pray because I don’t know what to say. For some reason, there is this mindset that to pray effectively, you have to do it in a certain way. You have to say the right words, at the right time, in the right sequence in order for God to hear your prayer. You fall into the trap believing you have to pray perfect prayers. Nothing is further from the truth.

There is no such thing as a perfect prayer. People who try to pray perfect prayers have no real understanding of what prayer is really about. Prayer is less about what comes out of your mouth and more about what dwells within your heart - when you understand this it will free up your prayer life.

When you pray, God is not just listening to the words, he is considering what is in your heart. God responds to the sincerity of your heart, not the eloquence of the words that come out of your mouth. Long, distinguished prayers are ok, but simple heartfelt prayers move heaven and earth just as well. So don’t get hung up on the perfect words, just make sure your heart is right, because that is what God responds to.

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:6-7).

3. You Forget to Be Honest
A common mistake people make is they feel like they have to filter their emotions when they come to God in prayer. You don’t. You can be raw, open and honest with God and tell him exactly how you feel (he already knows anyway). Trust me, God can handle your emotions. And more importantly, he wants you to bring them to him. Listen to 1 Peter 5:7:

“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]” (AMP).

Regardless of how you feel, let God know. If you are hurt, angry, depressed, sad, frustrated, lonely, excited, worried, nervous, happy, or whatever emotion you are feeling, you can let him know. Here is the reason why – because he cares for you and cares about you.

When you get to this place, this is when prayer moves from a religious ritual to a relational necessity. You pray because you want to share your heart with God, not because you have to. This is what God wants all along.

4. You Give Up Too Soon
The truth about prayer is some prayers will be answered quickly and some will not. The struggle comes when you pray and you don’t see an immediate answer. The tendency can be to give up. I have done it before and God has had to remind me about it. That’s why in prayer, God is not only desiring you to ask but to keep asking. Consider Matthew 7:7-8:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

When you read this, you might think Jesus was saying to ask once and then stop. However, this is not what Jesus was saying. Look at the same verses in the Amplified version.

“Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.

This means that some prayers will require continuous asking, seeking, and knocking until God answers the prayer. I can’t tell you why God chooses to answer some prayers in this fashion but he does. That’s why Jesus encourages you to always pray and never give up (Luke 18:1). Sometimes this is the only way you will see the answer you are looking for.

5. You Try to Impress People with Public Prayers
I remember going to a church service one time and the pastor, who was a guest, was asked to pray. I know this pastor personally so what I am about to say is based on truth and not speculation. When he got up to pray, the show started. The tone of his voice changed. He made it a point to kneel in front of the congregation to look more holy. He then proceeded to use every spiritual sounding word to show everyone in attendance he knew how to pray. It was quite the spectacle; however this is not what prayer is about.

When you pray, there is only one person you need to pray to and that is God himself. This is true whether you are by yourself or in front of people. What good is it to try to impress people with your fantastic prayers if they don’t move the heart of God? After all isn’t God the one who can answer the prayer? Shouldn’t what he thinks matter more than what anyone else thinks?

If you are ever asked to pray in front of a group of people, don’t worry about what they think of your prayer. Focus on talking to God and touching his heart and nothing else. Trying to impress people with your great ability to pray will not move God’s heart and it will not get your prayers answered.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full” (Matthew 6:5).

6. You Treat Prayer as a Last Resort
Sometimes you can make the mistake of treating prayer as the last option after you have exhausted all your other resources. You have tried everything else and it didn’t work so you might as well pray. What have you got to lose? However, imagine what would happen if instead of looking to prayer last, you looked to God first.

I cannot tell you how many mistakes and bad decisions I have made because I treated prayer as the last resort. Instead of worrying how it’s going to work or how you are going to figure it all out, God wants you to seek him first.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

It is amazing how your vision, your clarity, and your perspective changes when you seek God first.

7. You Don’t Pray at All
Perhaps the biggest mistake people make is they remove prayer completely from the equation. When you pray, you are inviting all of heaven’s power, authority, and resources to invade your earthly situation. However, when you don’t pray you are telling God you are big enough to handle it yourself. If you don’t mind me asking, how has that worked out for you?

As a Christian, you have access to the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever present God who can speak and things happen. The God with whom nothing is impossible. The alternative is you can depend on yourself. When you consider it from this perspective then it makes absolutely no sense not to pray. I know you can get frustrated, especially if you feel like nothing is happening. Know today that even when you don’t see it or feel it, God is working on your behalf. Keep praying and don’t give up.

Prayer is such an important part in your journey. Let’s keep it in the right perspective and most importantly let’s keep praying. God wants to do great things in your life and he will accomplish those things as you continue to pray.

17/04/2023

4 Beautiful Significances of Laylatul Qadr
The night of Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months and is so special that Allah has dedicated a specific chapter in the Quran to it.

What is special about Laylatul Qadr?
By the Will of Allah s.w.t., we are rewarded with the holy month of Ramadan; a month that is filled with immeasurable blessings, a month of purification of the heart, mind and soul. A month when spirituality thrives and flourishes. One of the blessings that are given by Allah s.w.t. as a gift to His servants is the blessed night of Laylatul Qadr, often translated as the Night of Decree or the Night of Power. The night is so special and significant that Allah s.w.t. dedicated an entire chapter of the Quran to it.
Allah s.w.t. says in Surah Al-Qadr:
“Indeed, We sent the Quran down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.” (Surah Al-Qadr, 97:1-5)
What makes Laylatul Qadr exceptional and special? As we are entering the last 10 nights in Ramadan, let us uncover the meaning of this night and its significance.

1. The Actual Date is Not Known
The precise night on which Laylatul Qadr occurs has always been unknown but what we know is that it falls within the final ten nights of Ramadan, believed by many on the odd nights. The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said,
“Search for Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Certainly, there is great wisdom on why Allah s.w.t purposely made the exact date unknown to us. Part of it is so that we may strive in seeking it, engage in extra worship and remain consistent in doing them, even towards the very end of Ramadan.

2. The Revelation of the Quran
The biggest virtue associated with Laylatul Qadr is that on this night, Allah s.w.t. bestowed the Quran upon humankind as a gift and as a source of guidance. Besides mentioning in the first verse of Surah Al-Qadr, Allah s.w.t. says in Surah Ad-Dukhan:
“Indeed, We sent it (the Quran) down during a blessed night.” (Surah Ad-Dukhan, 44:3)
The revelation of the Scripture came in 2 stages; it was primarily revealed in its entirety by Jibril a.s. from Lauh Mahfuz (The Preserved Tablet) to Baitul ‘Izzah (The Lowest Heaven) in the sky of the earth and was then gradually revealed in stages to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. throughout 23 years of Prophethood.
Against this background, we should exhibit and manifest our gratitude towards Allah’s greatest blessing by appreciating its revelation, internalising its message and meaning and connecting with Him.

3. The Reward of the Night is Better Than a Thousand Months
It is mentioned that one of the incomprehensible rewards of Laylatul Qadr is that the night is better than a thousand months. If we realise the value of it, every act of righteous deeds and worship completed on this single night is rewarded with a minimum of at least 83 years 4 months of worship, which is equivalent to an entire lifetime.
Such is the unique opportunity for us when approached with sincerity, to gain grand forgiveness and mercy from Allah s.w.t. The Prophet s.a.w. said,
“Whoever spends the night of Laylatul Qadr in prayer out of faith and in hopes for the reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari & Muslim)

4. The Acceptance of Supplications
One of the many nuances of the word “Qadr” is congestion and restriction. Accordingly, the earth on that night will be flooded and occupied with so many angels that it becomes congested and pressured. And because it is filled with celestial beings of light and blessings, the earth is voided of every evil and calamity and becomes exposed to a spiritual pressure. Sins are forgiven and supplications are accepted.
One of the supplications that can be made on this night is an all-encompassing forgiveness prayer that is taught by the Prophet s.a.w. to his wife Aishah r.a. It was narrated that Aishah r.a. asked the Prophet s.a.w., “O Messenger of Allah! If I know which night Laylatul Qadr is, what should I say in it?” And he replied:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ العَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
"Oh Allah, You are indeed Forgiving, Generous and love to forgive, so forgive me." (Sunan At-Tirmizi)
With the significance of Laylatul Qadr explained, let us enliven and maximise the last ten nights by reciting the Quran and engaging in continuous prayers and invocations. If a believing person is keen to nurture and strengthen his spiritual self and increase the good deeds in his record, he/she should strive to spend these nights in obedience and worship. If this is facilitated for him, his soul will taste sweetness unlike any other.
Ultimately, we have to comprehend and understand that it is not about seeking the night but the Master of the night, which is Allah s.w.t. He will bless and reward us as He wants and pleases. We pray to Allah s.w.t. to enable us to make the best of these nights and catch the blessed Laylatul Qadr.

21/01/2023

The Rohingya Best Choice is a collection of policies that have been developed to help protect and promote the rights of the Rohingya people, who are an ethnically and religiously distinct group in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. The policies focus on improving access to healthcare, education, security, livelihoods and protection for the Rohingya people.