QUR’AN JOURNALLING SESSIONS AT HUJJAT STANMORE

VIDEO RECORDINGS OF THE THURSDAY NIGHT SESSIONS
AVAILABLE TO WATCH AT YOUR OWN CONVENIENCE

Journalling the Qur’an Audio

26 MAY 2026

MONTH OF DHULHIJJA 1447 (12)

EID UL ADHA MUBARAK 

‎كُلُّ عَامٍ وَ أَنْتُم بِخَيْر – اَسْعَدَ اللهُ اَيَّامَنَا وَ اَيَّامَكُم

KNOWN AS THE EID OF SACRIFICE (QURBANI)
“It is not their flesh nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your God consciousness that reaches Him.” 22:37
It is not obligatory if you are not in Hajj but highly recommended.
The meat is distributed amongst those who most need it.
It symbolises the recognition of following the total submission of Prophet Ibraheem ( pbuh) to Divinity by letting go of attachments.
Another aya to look at – one of my favourite ayaat of the Quran 3:92
‎لَن تَنَالُوا۟ ٱلْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِن شَىْءٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌۭ ٩٢
You will never achieve righteousness until you give out ( in the way of Allah) what you love – . And whatever you give is certainly known to Allah.

EID UL ADHA
by Jalaluddin Rumi
It’s a habit of yours to walk slowly.
You hold a grudge for years.
With such heaviness, how can you be modest?
With such attachments, do you expect to arrive anywhere?
Be wide as the air to learn a secret.
Right now you’re equal portions clay and water, thick mud.
Abraham learned how the sun and moon and the stars all set.
He said, No longer will I try to assign partners for God.
You are so weak. Give up to grace.
The ocean takes care of each wave till it gets to the shore.
You need more help than you know.
You’re trying to live your life in open scaffolding.
Say Bismillah, In the name of God,
As the priest does with the knife when he offers an animal.
Bismillah your old self to find your real name.

And a question to make you think…..
DID YOU MEET YOURSELF ON THE DAY OF ‘ARAFA?

26 MAY 2026

MONTH OF DHULHIJJA 1447 (10) 

Only an hour left to the most awesome time of the day of ‘Arafaa (here the time for salaa is at 1.04 pm)

A day to repair the relationship between the human being and Allah through forgiveness, remembering Him through Zhikr and through chatting to Him about one’s vulnerabilities.

So you’ve asked about dua and how to ask – Allah does not deceive – when He says He answers He will definitely do so. And when He says He will forgive – He will definitely do so.

This is my 2 pennies worth:

1. Be specific – not vague
2. Enter ‘Arafaa as though what you ask for is already there
3. Ask for everything – the impossible things (even that which you were too embarrassed to verbalise) Nothing is too big for him
4. Use the entire time from Zhuhr to Maghrib with takbeer. Tahleel, istighfaar, salawat, Qur’an and dua….
5. Know and believe that it will happen. He hears you….The door will open… Most of the time He gives what you ask for or even better.

26 MAY 2026

MONTH OF DHULHIJJA 1447 (09)

DAY OF ‘ARAFA 

And so we are at the best day of the year.

Inshallah your lists are ready and waiting for Zhuhr to make a presentation to Him.

The limit of what is asked is set by oneself… Divinity puts no boundaries…..
The angels descend to raise whoever wishes to ascend…

I suggest you read The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn and take out the drug from the equation replacing it with access to Divine energy (The movie Limitless is based on this book)

“The best Dua is the Dua on the day of ‘Arafaa”
لَا يَرُدُّ الْقَدَرَ إِلَّا الدُّعَاءُ
“Nothing changes divine decree except Dua ’.” Prophet ( pbuh)

A reminder ‘to do list ‘ that might help:

1. Do sehri with the intention of fasting.
2. Ask for forgiveness (istighfaar) in the pre Fajr moments by praying Salatul Layl
3. Fast for as long as possible
4. Recite 2 Rakats after ‘Asr for forgiveness of sins preferably under the sky.
5. Do lots of zhikr (Tasbeehaat ‘Arba’aa)
6. Learn the Asmaaul Husnaa (familiarise yourself with them)
7. Recite Qur’an and ponder over its verses ( even 1)
8. Ask, Ask, Ask and ask for the dunya and the aakhira – and for others. Make a long list
9. Focus on knowing yourself ( interview yourself)
10. Recite Dua Al ‘Arafa by Imam Husayn (pbuh)
11. Sit with others especially AB’s and remember Allah together

Here’s some hand positions for dua that might help:

1. The first method is to raise hands in a way that your palms are  in front of your face and your fingers are pointing to sky. This is for requesting something that affects your life plan (taqdeer)
2. The second method is where your palms face the sky and your lips are near your hands. This is for asking for something to be given to you in your hands.
3. This is where the back of your hands are in front of your face with the  palms on the other side with the thumbs close to each other. It is saying  that  all your worldly means  are exhausted and you have no one except Allah to turn to.
4. The fourth method is to fully stretch the hands and keep them apart from each other. This denotes desperation and is for when you wish for something to be taken away from you eg. An illness, pain, etc….
5. The fifth method is to  raise the hands so that the last two fingers are folded and the first two to be moved whilst asking. This is when you are asking with the waseela of Imam Hasan & Husayn (pbut)
6. The sixth method is to  fold all of your fingers except your index finger (Shahada finger) and ask Al Ahad ( the One and Only)

25 MAY 2026

MONTH OF DHULHIJJA 1447 (08)

And we’re at the doorstep of the most important day of the year
The Rahma on the day of ‘Arafa is limitless. There is no ritual, no ceremony, just the human being and his/her Rabb in conversation.

It is a day to be vulnerable, a day when He mends broken hearts. 💔 and forgives in ways we cannot comprehend. – He forgives sins we have hidden from everyone, including ourselves. He forgives our failures and the silent regrets we carry with us. His forgiveness precedes His anger. He makes the impossible possible….

Most of us will not be on the plains of ‘Arafaa but it is a day offered to all of us wherever we are.

1. Fast if you can
2. Ask for forgiveness
3. Remember Him a lot (Tasbihaat ‘Arbaa’)
4. Loads of salawaat
5. Thank Him
6. Talk to Him
7. Get together with other AB’s  Ahlul Baytis)

Here at Hujjat in Stanmore we sit together on the farsh of Imam Husayn (pbuh) and pray for each other as the Duas of a sinless tongue ( one who has not committed your sins) are always accepted.

25 MAY 2026

MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1447 (07)

Just over 30 hours ( or less for some of you) left to the most important moments of the year…..

“Those who weren’t able to achieve their purpose and goal on Laylatul Qadr or those who weren’t forgiven on that day, ‘Arafa is the opportunity for them” Prophet (pbuh)

Allah swears by time in Suratul ‘Asr. Time is the most valuable asset of our lives. The most awesome thing about time is its relativity. The same hour can crawl by when you are sad or bored or waiting for someone , or fly by when you are feeling good and happy….
We wait endlessly for moments that last only minutes. And then there are moments where Allah opens the doors of His mercy such that it is hard to comprehend how a few hours can encompass the blessings of a lifetime.
The Day of ‘Arafaa is one of those days.
The Prophet ( pbuh) said that Hajj is ‘Arafaa Its a day of forgiveness, accepted du’as, and a day when Allah frees more people from the Fire than on any other day.

24 MAY 2026

MONTH OF DHULHIJJA 1447 (06)

CONTINUING WITH MA’RIFA…..(KNOWING ONESELF) IN PREPARATION FOR ‘ARAFA

1. What is the purpose of life?
2. What is my goal in life?
3. Why did I choose this career?
4. How do I spend my spare time?
5. What is my motivation for doing what I do?
6. What really makes me happy?
7. Am I as happy as I want to be?
8. What are my future plans? Why?
9. What are my secret dreams and ambitions?

22 MAY 2026

MONTH OF DHULHIJJA 1447 (04)

I’m hoping you’ve all made or started your lists for ‘Arafaa using Imam Husayn’s dua as a guideline. Half of the 10 most awesome days of the year are over…..

So every evening after work, my son calls and we have a chat (absolutely love the chats and I wait for his call)
Today it was about ‘Arafaa
“What are you doing on Tuesday Mumma?”
My answer – a barrage of sentences and questions –
“Doing Amal ‘Arafaa at the mosque from Zhuhr to Maghrib”
“Have you made your list?”
“It’s really important Babba”
“It’s an amazing day where all duas are answered – even a baby in the womb can be changed”

He managed to get a few words in
“It’s difficult Mumma – I have 4 children”

Me
“Just make a list and send it to me – I’ll put it in my book – ‘Arafa and a mum’s duas – you can’t go wrong”

Him
My list –
1. I want to own my own time – work for myself so I can spend more time with my children
2. I would like my Mumma to live with me (this is just no. 2 of a 1000 Mumma – you’re actually No 1)
……didn’t hear the other 998 on the list.

So my 2 pennies worth

1. Start with istighfaar
2. Loads of salawaat
3. Tons of shukr
4. Tasbihaat ‘Arbaa’
5. Your requests (even if they are a 1000 or more – list them)
6. More salawaats
7. Dua Al ‘Arafa

21 MAY 2026

MONTH OF DHULHIJJA 1447 (07)

PREPARATION FOR THE DAY OF ‘ARAFA – PART 3

“The greatest sin on the day of ‘Arafaa is leaving thinking that one has not been forgiven of past sins” Prophet (pbuh)

Now the heavy stuff…
Lets start with the hadith “man ‘arafa nafsahu, faqad ‘arafa rabbahu”
“One who has recognised himself has recognised His Rabb (Nourisher, Cherisher, Sustainer)”

Ma‘rifa, is defined as  ‘realization’, ‘the ultimate knowledge upon which all knowledge rests’. The word is derived from the root verb, ‘arafa, which means ‘to know’, ‘to recognize’, ‘to differentiate’ and ‘to perceive’. The concept is to understand the meaning of one who surrenders to Divinity).
‘Arafa is not to add more knowledge (information overload) but to recognise reality.
“Show me things as they are”
It is accepting  that there is a highly intelligent conscious creative source of energy (Divinity) that runs like a  thread weaving through the entire tapestry of life. There is nothing that is not touched by this Divine intelligence.

Imam Husayn in Dua ‘Arafa makes us realise that
:

1. We as human beings are incredibly powerful and intricate creations. (remember the verses of Allama Iqbal from a previous update)
2. Realisation comes by looking within the quietest aspects of one’s  being.
3. Life will always throw a curve ball at us  to keep us alert and awake.
4. The mind can hide from the truth and create all sorts of fabricated illusions about what Truth is, without really surrendering to what is here now.
5. Deep down the ego knows that it is not real, and that one day it will die but you don’t have to wait…you can transcend the ego now….
6. 
The keys to reaching one’s full potential lie in SHUKR (Thankfulness) & ISTIGHFAAR (asking for forgiveness) – The thread through the whole dua is SHUKR “: ‘If you are thankful, surely I will increase for you”n(Qur’an 19:7)
   Bottom line
   Give out of yourself as much as possible….
   “ You will never achieve your full potential of goodness unless you give out of what you love the most”3:92

20 MAY 2026

MONTH OF DHULHIJJA 1447 (02)

PREPARATION FOR THE DAY OF ‘ARAFA – PART 2

“There are no days when Allah is as pleased with good deeds as in the first ten days of Dhulhijja ” Prophet (pbuh)

“In days there is no bigger day than Arafa and in Nights there is no greater night than Laylatul Qadr!”

The day of ‘Arafa is less than a week away –

1. “The best dua is the dua on the day of ‘Arafa”. Prophet (pbuh)
2. “The day of ‘Arafa is a day of forgiveness of sins”. Imam Sadiq (pbuh)
3. It’s like a ‘blue cross sale’ of vibes that facilitate the reaching of one’s full potential.
4. A hadith says “Those who weren’t able to achieve their purpose and goal in Laylatul Qadr or those who weren’t forgiven on that day, ‘Arafa is the last opportunity for them”.

This day in its blessedness, and sacredness weighs the same as the Night of Qadr.

Practical Preparation

1. 4 columns – Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual – Write down where you want to be at the end of Dhulhijja 1447 ; then in quarters until next ‘Arafa.  Set targets eg.
2. Remember it’s all about Living, Loving, Learning & Leaving a legacy….
3. Wipe the slate clean on the day of ‘Arafa. Make some calls, wrote some messages and ask for forgiveness from those you have hurt for it will remove the hurdles…..
4. Read & study Dua’ Arafa of Imam Husayn (pbuh) for it has the prescription that ensures one reaches one’s full potential)
5. ‘Arafa is called ‘Arafa because it is the day of “ma’rifa”, it is the day of knowing your Rabb and recognizing Him and therefore ourselves.  Imam Husayn (pbuh) in the dua of ‘Arafa says:
   “O Rabb! what has he lost who has gained You, and what has he gained who has lost You?”.

17 MAY 2026

MONTH OF DHULHIJJA 1447 (01)

So we are now at the night of most important 10 days of the year ( the last 10 nights of Ramadhan and the 1st 10 days of Dhulhijja are the most phenomenal nights and days of the year)
And just as Laylatul Qadr is THE night of the year, the day of ‘Arafa is THE day of the year.

PREPARATION FOR THE DAY OF ARAFA..
9 days to go and counting…..
The Prophet (pbuh) said: “The Hajj is ‘Arafa- because of  the abundance of God’s Rahma and forgiveness of every sin on that day…..”
…. Imam Sajjad heard someone ask of something from another on the day of ‘Arafa. He said “Today you ask of another?” “Today if you were to ask Allah for change in a baby in the womb to become righteous; He would oblige!”
Make the longest dua list you have ever made…………….. At least an A4 page filled with small handwritten numbered requests. Remember what Allah tells Prophet Musa (pbuh) “Ask for the salt in your dough the laces for your shoes…..” then seal the requests using the appropriate Asmaul Husna
Use Dua ‘Al ‘Arafa as your foundation for the list…..
There is  ONE request Imam makes at the end which covers everything:

Yaa Asma’as Saami’een (O the One Who is The Listener)
Yaa Absaran Naazhireen (O the One Who is The Observer)
Yaa Asra’al Haasibeen (O the One Who is The Accountant)
Wa Yaa Arhamar Raahimeen (And O the One Who is The Most Kind)
Salli ‘alaa Muhammad wa aali Muhammad (Send blessings on Muhammad & the progeny of Muhammad)
Wa asaluka Allahumma (And I ask You O Allah)
Haajatillatiy in a’taytaneehaa lam yadhurraniy maa mana’taniy (A request which if You give me none can take away from me)
Wa in mana’taniyhaa lam yanfa’niy maa a’taytaniy (and if You do not grant it to me, nothing can benefit me)
Asaluka fakaaka raqabatiy minan naar (I ASK YOU TO FREE MY NECK FROM THE FIRE (AGITATION)

The secret here is in  first in the 4 Asmaul Husna – so remember Ears, Eyes, Numbers & Hugs
Then a salawat on the Ahlulbayt
After that tell Him this is something only HE can grant:
Ask for freedom from the fire (which means asking for total freedom from agitation – in other words “To want not to want”
Which means to have reached a place where the poet Allama Iqbal describes beautifully:
“Khudi ko kar buland itna, ke har takdeer se pehley
Khuda bande se khud puche, bata teri raza kiya hai. “
A very rough translation with apologies to the poet:
”Increase your selflessness to such heights that before creating each destiny, God himself would have to ask the human ‘What is your opinion about this’ “.
Recite this dua all the time (not only on ‘Arafa)