The
Excellence of Ramadan
Allah has enjoined observing Ramadan as a pillar of Islam, and
performing in it night prayer (Qiyam, or Taraweeh) as supererogatory
devotion for augmenting the rewards. Allah, the Exalted, revealed
the first portion of the Qur'an in it. In it too the battle of
Badr took place between the Muslims who were 300 and umpteen men,
and the pagans who were about a 1000. The Muslims emerged victorious
and killed seventy of the leaders of Quraish and captured another
seventy as prisoners of war.The third occasion, Makkah was conquered
by the Prophet (S) without fighting. He entered it victorious
on Friday, the 20th of Ramadan in the year 8 of Hijrah.
RAMADAN,
THE MONTH OF BLESSINGS
We are grateful
to Allah for giving us the opportunity to enjoy another blessed
month of Ramadan. It is indeed, the month of ibadah, divine bounty
and blessing in which the reward of good deeds are multiplied greatly.
Abu Hurairah, with whom Allah is pleased, reported that the Prophet,
(s), said: "My Ummah is given five privileges in the month
of Ramadan that no Ummah was given before:
* The khuloof
of the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter in the estimation of
Allah than the fragrance of musk.
* The angels
keep praying to Allah to forgive them (i.e. those who are fasting),
until they break their fast.
* Allah decorates
Jannah every day saying to it, 'My pious slaves are about to be
relieved of their burdens and sufferings and enter you'.
* Satans are
chained in this month, so that they are not able to accomplish their
evil
* The believers'
sins are forgiven by the last night of Ramadan.
Someone asked
the Messenger of Allah (S): Is it the night of Lailatul-Qadr'? He
said: 'no. But the laborer is usually paid upon finishing his task.'
THE EXCELLENCE
OF FASTING
Abu Hurairah
reported that the Messenger of Allah (s) said: ""He who
observes the month of Ramadan believing (it is fardh) and expecting
(the reward for fasting), Allah forgives his past sins."
The rebellious
Satans, according to the authentic hadeeth, are chained, during
the month of Ramadan, and the gates of Jannah are opened, and the
gate of Hell-Fire is closed. In the month of Ramadan, a caller announces:
"O you who intends to do good, come forward, and you who intends
to do evil, relinquish your evil deeds. The real bereft is the one
whose sins did not wash away in Ramadan.
Abu Hurairah
reported that the Messenger of Allah, (s) said that Allah said:
"All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting,
it is for Me, and I will reward for it. And fasting is a means of
protection (against Hell-Fire and committing sins). When one of
you happens to be fasting, let him avoid sexual relation with his
wife and quarrelling. If someone fights or quarrels with him, let
him say, 'I am fasting.' By the One in Whose hand is my life, the
odor of the mouth of the person who is fasting is sweeter in estimation
of Allah than the odor of musk. The fasting person has two occasions
in which he rejoices: When he break his fast, he rejoices, and when
he meets his Rubb, he rejoices for having observed fast."
The Qur'an will
intercede with Allah on the Day of Resurrection on behalf of the
person who reads it and applies it, and so will fasting on behalf
of the person who observes it. Abdullah bin Umar reported that the
Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention, said: "Fasting and Qur'an
will intercede on behalf of the slave on the Day of resurrection.
Fasting will say to Allah, 'My Rubb, I deprived him from eating
and curtailed his desires, so permit me to intercede for him. And
the Qur'a will say: 'I deprived him from his sleep, so permit me
to intercede for him.' The Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention,
said: 'Both will be given the permission to intercede on behalf
of that that person."
Fasting is a
pillar of Islam. It is obligatory which is known by necessity as
an integral part of Islam. Whoever denies it as a pillar of Islam
apostatizes, and should not be buried in a Muslim graveyard.
Once a trustworthy
Muslim sights the new moon of Ramadan, it becomes incumbent on everyone
to begin fasting. If the new moon of Ramadan was obscured, then
the previous month of Sha'ban must be completed as thirty days,
according to the instruction of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah
exalt his mention.
NIGHT PRAYER
DURING RAMADHAN
The Prophet,
may Allah exalt his mention, said: "O people, greet one another
, give food (to the hungry) maintain good ties with your relations,
and pray in the night while people are asleep, you shall enter Jannah
safely."
The minimum
number of rak'at for the night prayer' (witr), according to Shaikh
Muhammad bin Uthaimeen, is one, and the maximum is eleven. A'ishah,
with whom Allah is pleased, was asked about the night prayer of
the Prophet, may Allah exalt his mention. She said: "The Prophet(s)
did not pray in Ramadan, or in any other month, more than eleven
rak'ah. Performing prayer hastily in taraweeh or other prayer deprives
the person from full reward. Likewise, reading Qur'an fast when
leading taraweeh prayer may render prayer null and void, because
both, calmness and concentration are prerequisites of prayer, without
which it is not valid. Reciting the Qur'an, Allah, the Exalted,
says: Surely, those who recite the Book of Allah and conform therewith,
and perform prayer and spend out of what we have provided for them,
secretly and openly hope for a bargain which will never fail. In
order that He may give them their full rewards, and increase them
out of His bounty, He is surely Most Forgiving, Most Appreciating.
WHAT IS THE
DIVINE WISDOM OF ENJOINING FASTING AS OBLIGATORY RITUAL?
Allah has clarified
this in His words: "O you who believe, fasting is enjoined
on you as it was enjoined on the people before you that you may
attain piety." That you may fear Allah, and keep away from
His prohibitions, and fulfill His commands. The Prophet (s) said:
He who does not refrain from uttering falsehood and its application,
and ignorance, then Allah does not need his hunger or thirst."
This means that
Allah does not want us to abstain from eating and drinking only,
rather, He wants us to refrain from evil deeds and vileness too.
The Prophet (s) instructed us how to respond when someone abuses
a fasting person. He said: Let the latter responds by saying, 'I
am fasting.' As though one says: It is because I am fasting I do
not return your abuses. The offender at that point may feel embarrassed,
and desist.
THE EXCELLENCE
OF FASTING
The Prophet
(s) used to break the good news to his Companions about the arrival
of Ramadan, and would say: Here comes to you the month of Ramadan,
a blessed month during which mercy descends on you, sins are effaced,
and du'a is responded to. During this month Allah views proudly
before His angels your vying with one another in accomplishing good
deeds. So show Allah the best of yourselves. The miserable is he
who is bereft of Allah's mercy in this month."
There are many
Prophetic traditions with regards to the excellence of fasting during
the month of Ramadan. A believer must take advantage of this great
opportunity, and hasten to accomplish good deeds, and be regular
on performing the Salah in particular. It is the backbone of Islam
and the most important pillar after the Testimony of Faith.
What is fasting?
Sawm or fasting
is abstaining from eating, drinking and coitus from daybreak to
sunset as a devotional ritual. Allah says:
What is the
purpose of Fasting?
The purpose
of fasting is not physical training to endure hunger, thirst and
exhaustion; rather, it is disciplining the ego to relinquish the
loved for the sake of the beloved. The loved are the desires of
eating, drinking, sexual activities etc. While the beloved is Allah,
the Exalted. Hence, it is imperative to keep in mind when we observe
fasting that we do so only for the sake of Allah. It becomes imperative
on us to try our best to observe the rites that reflect our obedience
to Allah such as the remembrance of Allah, reading the Qur'an, optional
prayers, charitable deed and donations, good manners.
When a Muslim
maintains this attitude throughout the month of Ramadan, he will
definitely come out a better Muslim. How do we confirm the first
and the last day of Ramadan? It has been authentically reported
that the Messenger of Allah (s) said: "Start fasting upon seeing
it and end fasting upon seeing it. If it is cloudy or hazy, then
complete the month of Sha'ban as thirty." He also said that
the lunar month is either 29 or 30 days." There are many ahadeeth
concerning the timing of Ramadan all of which signify that there
is no consideration for calculation in the purified Shari'ah. The
only means to confirm the beginning and the end of the month in
the Islamic Shari'ah is either by sighting the new moon or completing
the previous month as 30 days. Shaikh Ibn Baz, may Allah grant him
mercy, emphasized that he, who adds a third means, would have made
a law which Allah has not permitted. Allah says: " Or do they
have partners (law makers beside Allah) who have made laws for them
in the Deen that Allah does not permit?" The Prophet (s) said:
"He who introduces in our deen that which does not belong to
it, it shall be rejected." Shaikh al-Islam, Ibn Taymiyah, may
Allah grant him mercy, said in Majmoo' al-Fatawa Vol.25, p.132:
We know by necessity from the deen of Islam that it is not permissible
to rely on calculation for confirming the new moon for fasting,
Hajj, Iddah (waiting periods) or other issues. It is only seeing
the moon which decides these periods."
Do Muslims who
live in non-Muslim countries like N. America and Australia have
to follow the sighting of a Muslim country, like Saudi, for example?
Muslims who
live in such countries must try their best to sight the new moon
in their areas. There are many Muslim organization in those countries
who provide services to the Muslim communities of which is sighting
the new moon. If they could not sight the new moon for one reason
or another, in that case, they should follow the sighting of a Muslim
country. Or, according to another scholarly opinion, they should
follow the sighting of the closest Muslim country to them.
As we know the
common seasonal and annual problem is beginning Ramadan and celebrating
the Eeds in the same country at different dates. In many cases the
same community begins Ramadan and celebrates the Eed at two different
days. Depending on who is the more influential organization, and
on affiliation as well as the method it follows, calculation, following
a Muslim country or following their own groups in different states
or provinces. This is a pathetic situation.There is no doubt that
entering the month of Ramadan and celebrating the Eeds on one single
day by all Muslim reflects solidarity and harmony among the Muslims,
and makes the non-Muslims reckon the Muslims with respect. In some
countries the day is about 21 hours in summer, and 3 or 4 hours
in winter. Can people there estimate the hours during which they
observe fasting?
Those who have
day and night within the 24 hours must observe fast during the day
hours and perform the daily prayers at their designated times, for
Allah says: 'Verily, Salah is enjoined on the believers at designated
times'. Regardless how long or short is the day. What about those
countries where the never sets during summer and never rises during
winter? How do they observe fasting and how do they adjust prayer
schedule?
The Supreme
Council of Grand Scholars in Saudi Arabia has convened and discussed
this question and issued the following decree: People living in
countries where the day lasts for six months during Summer and the
night lasts for six months during winter, it is incumbent on them
to perform the daily prayers within a 24-hour period by estimating
its times taking as a standard the nearest country in which there
is day and night and have regular prayer schedule. This according
to the holy hadeeth in which Allah said to the Prophet 9S): "O
Muhammad. They are five prayers during the day and night."
It is also authentically
reported that the Prophet (s) said in the hadeeth of ad-Dajjal when
they asked him, how long will the Dajjal remain on earth. He said:
"40- days. A day which is a year-long, and a day a month-long,
and a day a week-long, and the rest of the days like your days."
He was further asked: Would it be enough for us to perform only
five prayers in the day, which will be a yearlong? He said: "No,
estimate the time."
The Prophet
(S) did not consider that day which will be a yearlong as one single
day. Rather he instructed that five daily prayers must be performed
in every 24 hours.
Similarly, fasting
should observe I countries such mentioned above according to the
standard time of the nearest country to them, which has day and
night.
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SALAATUT TARAAWEEH
(TARAAWEEH PRAYER)
Salaatut Taraaweeh
is a Sunnah prayer offered after 'Ishaa prayer, in Ramadan, the
month of fasting. This Sunnah prayer is also known as Qiyaamun Ramadaan.
The time of this prayer extends from after the time of 'Ishaa until
dawn.
According to
Abu Hurairah, the Prophet (s.'a.s.) said: "Whoever observes
prayer at night during Ramadaan, because of faith and seeking his
reward from Allah, his previous sins would be forgiven." (Muslim)
Imaam Muslim
related that the Prophet's wife, 'Aaishah $r.a.), has been reported
as saying, the Prophet (s.a.s.) observed prayer in the masjid and
, , some of the people prayed along with him, he then prayed the following
night and there were many people. Then on the third night people
gathered but he (the Prophet) did not come out to them (to lead
them in prayer). In the morning he said: "I saw what you were
doing, but nothing prevented me from coming to you except the fear
that this prayer might become obligatory for you, (that is in Ramadaan).
NUMBER OF RAKA'AATS
According to
Hadeeth narrated by 'Aaishah (r.a.), the Prophet (s.a.s.) never
prayed more than eleven raka'aats during Ramadaan or otherwise.
However, twenty Raka'aats of Taraaweeh, and three Raka'aats of Witr
have been 'reported from 'Umar, Uthmaan, 'Ali and many others. A
possible explanation for the discrepancy among the reports could
be that eleven raka'aats are Sunnah and the rest is Mustahab, desired.
Qiyaamu Ramadaan
may be offered in Jamaa'ah, congregation or infiraad, individually.
The Jamaa'ah is always better. The only reason why the Prophet did
not continue to offer in Jamaa'ah was his fear that it might be
made obligatory and hence a prerequisite for fasting.
PROCEDURES OF
TARAAWEEH PRAYER
Like any Sunnah
prayer, there is no Iqaamah for Taraaweeh prayer. It is offered
immediately after 'Ishaa prayer and before Witr.
The Taraaweeh
prayer is offered in two sets of Raka'aats after which one says
Tasleem. If one intends to offer eight raka'aats of Taraaweeh, one
offers the first two sets, plus two sets, plus two sets, plus two
sets, making the total of eight raka'aats.
Then one says
two sets for Shaf'u and one Raka'ah for Witr for the total of eleven
Raka'aats. If one intends to do twenty raka'aats, offer them in
sets of two until the total count is twenty.
The procedures
of these sets is similar to that of Salaatus Subh, morning prayer.
QIRAA 'AH IN
TARAAWEEH (Recitation in Taraweeh)
Although there
is no recorded Sunnah for how long one should recite Al-Quran after
Al-Faatihah, it has been reported from the Salaf, the worthy ancestors
and those after them, that they used to recite the whole Suurah
Baqarah in eight Raka'aats. However, if one is unable to recite
that much, one may recite according to one's convenience, as long
as one desires, from anywhere in Al-Quran.
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THE RULINGS
OF RAMADAN: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDELINE
Abu `Abdillah
Muhammad Al Jibaly
Important Issues
Dealing with the Month of Ramadhaan
The muslims
must know that all the blessings for this noble month would never
be achieved unless we understand its ruling from Allaah Azzawajall
and the Messenger (S) and implement its ruling as it was practised
by the Messenger (S) and the Righteous Salaf (Pious Predecessors).
So in our explanation of the rulings we will try to restrict ourselves
as much as possible to the two sources of Islaam, that is the Qur'aan
and the Sunnah based upon the understanding of the first three generations
of muslims and those who follow them. And may Allaah help us in
doing justice to His Deen.
Counting the
Days of the month of Sha'baan
It is imperative
on the general body of muslims to take special care in counting
the days of the month of Sha'baan in preparation for the month of
Ramadhaan. This was the practise of the Messenger (S). This is of
great importance because the Islamic Month consists of twenty-nine
or thirty days. The month starts with the sighting of the crescent
which indicates its beginning. If however it is so cloudy that the
crescent cannot be seen, then the thirtieth day of Sha'baan is completed
and the new month (Ramadhaan) begins from the following day.
Allaah has set
up the moon for mankind as a means of keeping record of months and
years. Based on this, therefore, the Islamic month does not exceed
thirty days. This is also established in the Sunnah of the Messenger
(S).
Abu Hurairah
narrates that the Messenger (S) said: "Fast whenever it (the
new crescent) is sighted and break the fast when it is seen. If
it is hidden from you (due to cloudiness) then complete thirty days
for Sha'baan" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Abdullaah bin
Umar said that the Messenger of Allaah (S) said: "Do not fast
until you see the crescent, and do not end (the month of) fasting
until you see it. If it is covered from you (by clouds) then determine
it (by counting thirty days)" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Adee ibn Haatim
said that the Messenger (S) said: "When Ramadhaan comes along
then fast for thirty days except if you see the hilaal (crescent)
before it" [At-Tahaawee, Ahmad and Tabaraanee]
Whoever fasts
on the day of doubt has disobeyed Abul-Qaasim (Muhammad) For this
reason it is not recommended for the Muslim to fast optional fasting
on the last two days of Sha'baan as a measure of precaution except
if these coincide with days which he regularly fasts.
Abu Hurairah
said that the Messenger of Allaah (S) said: "Do not precede
Ramadhaan by fasting a day or two days before it, except for a man
whose regular fasting coincides with these days, then he can fast"
[Agreed upon]
And know well,
our brother and sister in Islaam, that fasting on the day of doubt
is disobedience to the Messenger (S). Ammaar ibn Yassaar said that
the Messenger (S) said: " Whoever fasts on the day of doubt
(the 30th day of Sha'baan) has indeed disobeyed Abul-Qaasim (S)"
Abul-Qaasim is Muhammad (S). [Nasaa'ee, Tirmidhee and Abu Daawood]
Witnesses needed
to Establish the Month
The beginning
and the end of the month is established if one just muslim testifies
that he saw it. The sighting of the moon is established if two just
muslims witness it. The Messenger of Allaah (S) said: "Fast
when it is seen, and break the fast when it is seen. However if
it is cloudy then complete thirty days. If two witnesses (see it)
then fast and break the fast" [Nasaa'ee and Daarimee]
However, although
the hadeeth above establishes that there is a need for two just
witnesses, this does not mean that the witness of one person would
not be accepted. The following hadeeth makes this clear. Ibn Umar
said: "The people saw the moon,so I informed the Prophet (S)
that I saw it. He (S) started to fast and commanded the people to
fast also". [Abu Daawood and Daarimee]
Niyyah - the
Intention
It is Waajib
(compulsory) to establish the niyyah before the Fajr prayer for
the compulsory fast (i.e. the fast of Ramadhaan).
The Messenger
(S) said: "Whoever does not determine that he will fast before
Fajr will have no fast (that is, it would not be accepted)"
[Nasaa'ee, Tirmidhee and Abu Daawood]
He (S) also
said: "Whoever does not carry the intention at night for fasting,
will have no fast" [Nasaa'ee, Bayhaqee and Ibn Hazm]
Notes:-
1. The place
of the intention is the heart and pronouncing it with the tongue
is a Bid'ah (innovation), even though many consider it to be good.
2. Establishing
of the intention in the heart before the time of Fajr is compulsory
for the obligatory fasting only. However, for voluntary fasts the
intention can be established at any time. Sometimes the Messenger
(S) would come to Aa'isha other than in the month of Ramadhaan and
would ask her: "Do you have any food? If not then I am fasting"
[Muslim]
It is also established
that Abu Darda, Abu Talha, Abu Hurairah, Ibn Abbaas and other companions
practised this in relation to the voluntary fasting.
Performance
of an obligatory action is dependant on the ability to do it.
Whether or not
one ate or drank in the beginning of the day, if one becomes aware
that Ramadaan has started, then one must immediately stop eating,
drinking and all the other acts that break the fast. In this case
one does not have to make up that day.
Establishing
the intention (before the Fajr prayer) is not required in this case
because one did not have the ability to do so. This is based on
a principle of Fiqh (Jurisprudence) that: "in order for something
to be conditional on the legally capable Muslim then he must have
the abililty to do it"
Aa'ishah (R)
said "The Messenger of Allaah (S) commanded (the people) to
fast the Day of Aashooraa (10th Day of Muharram). However, when
Ramadhaan was made obligatory, then whoever wanted to fast, fasted
and whoever did not want to did not" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
It is narrated
from Salamah bin al-Akwaa that he said: "The Messenger (S)
commanded a man from Aslam to inform the people that whoever ate
must fast the remainder of the day, and whoever did not eat let
him fast because this is the day of Aashooraa (the 10th Day of Muharram)"
[Bukhaaree and Muslim]
It must be noted
that the Messenger (S) commanded this for a fast that was obligatory
and he did not make it obligatory on them to fast another day because
they did not have the intention to begin the fast. Ramadaan is also
obligatory and so the same ruling will apply if the month begins
and one does not know. As soon as he becomes aware, he must leave
off everything and fast, and it will be accepted. And Allaah knows
best.
The Duration
of Fasting
Beginning of
fasting. Allaah (T) said: {..And eat and drink until the white thread
is distinct from the dark thread of Fajr} [Baqarah 2:187]
Adiyy ibn Haatim
narrates: "When the above aayah was revealed, I placed a black
rope and a white rope underneath my pillow. I continued to look
at them during the night but could not distinguish between them.
I, therefore, hastened to the Messenger (S) and mentioned this to
him, so he (S) said: "Verily that (aayah) refers to the blackness
of the night and the whiteness of the day" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Narrated Sahl
ibn Sa'ad (R) that he said: "After this aayah was revealed
{... And eat and drink until the black thread becomes distinct from
white thread}, when someone wanted to fast he would tie to his feet
a white thread and a black thread and he would continue to eat and
drink until he could see them distinctly, so Allaah (T) revealed
after that {... of the Fajr (prayer)}. Then they became aware that
it meant the night and the day."
Notes:-
1. It must be
known that there are two Fajrs (dawns);
a) a false Fajr:
It is not allowed to pray the Fajr prayer at this time and eating
is allowed for the person who intends to fast that day.
b) a true Fajr:
At this time for the person who wants to fast, eating becomes prohibited
so he has to stop eating and it becomes allowed to pray the Fajr
prayer.
This is explained
in the hadeeth of the Messenger (S). Ibn Abbaas said that the Messenger
of Allaah (S) said: "There are two Fajr (dawns). As for the
first, it does not prevent eating (for the fasting person) nor does
it permit prayer (the Fajr prayer). As for the other it prohibits
eating and allows the prayer" [Ibn Khuzaimah and Haakim]
End of Fasting
When the night
comes from the direction of the east and recedes from the direction
of the west and the sun sets, it is time to break the fast.
Umar said that
the Messenger of Allaah (S) said: "If the night approaches
from hither and the day recedes from there and the sun sets then
the fasting person must break his fast" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
The command
that is established relative to this issue is that the fast can
be broken directly after the last part of the sun disappears, even
if light can still be seen.
Some people
do not believe that the night is established directly after the
sun sets. Their belief is that it is night when the darkness spreads
over the east and the west. This same understanding was present
among some of the companions of the Prophet (S) until he clarified
it for them.
Abdullaah ibn
Abi Awf said: " We were with the Messenger (S) on a journey
and he (S) was fasting (because it was in Ramadaan). When the sun
set he said to some people (and in another narration he said: "O
Bilaal"): "Get down and prepare the meal of parched barley
for us". He said "O Messenger of Allaah, If you can wait
until it becomes evening (a little darker)." He (S) said "Get
down and prepare the meal of parched barley for us" Bilaal
(R) said: "You are still in daytime". He (S) said after
that "Get down and prepare the meal of parched barley for us"
So he got down and prepared the meal for them and the Messenger
(S) drank. Then he indicated with his hand (and in another narration
in Bukhaaree: he pointed with his finger towards the east) and then
he (S) said: "If you see the night is approaching from this
direction it is time for the fasting person to break his fast"
[Bukhaaree , Muslim and Ahmad]
It is also established
that the Companions of the Messenger (S) implemented this command
of the Messenger (S). It is narrated that Abu Sa'eed al Khudree
broke his fast as soon as the disk of the sun disappears. [Bukhaaree
and Ibn Abi Shaybah]
So the fasting
person should know that the beginning and the end of the fast is
established at stated times and so they must not wait for the Aadhaan
(call to prayer) to start or break the fast unless it is establilshed
as soon as the time comes in. If it is established that the Aadhaan
is delayed for the prayer then it is imperative that the person
does not wait for it but starts and breaks his fast at the stated
times. And Allaah knows best.
It is also a
common practise among some communities that they wait until the
Aadhaan is completed before they break the fast. There is no basis
for this in the Sharee'ah and it must not be done.
ALLAH (T) WANTS
EASE FOR HIS SERVANTS AND NOT HARDSHIP
Those for Whom
the Fast During Ramadaan Is Not Obligatory:
The Traveller
The traveller
can choose between fasting or not. Allah (T) said, which means:
{... And whoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast)
the same number of days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires
not hardship for you ...} [Baqarah 2:185]
Hamza bin Amr
aI-Aslamee, who used to fast frequently, asked the Messenger (S):
"Do I have to fast if I am travelling?" The Messenger
(S) said: "Fast if you wish or break, the fast if you wish."
[Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Anas bin Maalik
said: "I was travelling with the Messenger of Allah (S) during
Ramadaan. and those who fasted did not blame those who did not fast,
and neither did those who did not fast blame those who fasted"
[Bukhaaree and Muslim]
The above hadeeths
indicate that there is a choice for the traveller between fasting
and leaving off the fast but does not indicate which of the two
ways is better. However, from the following hadeeth we can deduce
that it is better not to fast while on a journey. The Messenger
(S) said: "Verily Allah loves that His concessions be accepted
just as He hates to be disobeyed." [Ahmad, Ibn Hibbaan].
Not to fast
on a journey is the better choice for the one who finds no hardship
in fasting later to make up the missed days. It must be noted also
that it is not righteousness for a weak traveller to fast as the
Messenger (S) said: "It is not righteousness that you fast
while on journey." [Bukhaaree and Muslim].
Note: Some people
think that because the ways of travelling have become easier, this
ruling of breaking the fast on a journey does not apply any longer.
This is a serious misconception, because Allah (T) devised His Laws
for all times and places: {My Lord never errs nor does He forget}
[Taa Haa 20:52]
* The Sick person
Because of His
Mercy, Allah (T) has allowed for the sick person not to fast, to
make it easy on him. The type of sickness that allows a sick person
not to fast is that which, if he fasts, would cause him harm or
prolong the illness. And Allah (T) knows best.
* States of
Menses or Post-childbirth Bleeding
The scholars
have unanimously agreed that it is not allowed for the woman who
is having her menstrual period and the woman who is affected with
post-childbirth bleeding to fast. They should break their fast and
make up the days later. They also agree that if they fast then no
rewards would accrue to them.
* The Old Man
and Old Woman
Mujahid narrated
that Ibn 'Abbaas recited: {... And as for those who cannot fast
(with difficulty e.g. an old man), they have to feed a person (for
every day) ... } [Baqarah 2: 1 84] and then he said: "That
refers to the old person who is not able to fast. He must feed a
poor person a half saa' (two handfuls) of grains for everyday missed"
.
Abu Huraira
said: "Whoever reaches old age and is not able to fast in Ramadaan,
then for every day he must give away one mudd of wheat". [Ad-Daarimi]
The pregnant
and the breast-feeding women
Allah's (T)
great mercy towards the weak is His concession for them not to fast.
Included in this category are the pregnant and breast-feeding women.
Anas Ibn Maalik
said: "The horses of the Messenger of Allah (S) came towards
us, so I came up to the Messenger of Allah (S) and I found him eating.
He (S) said: "Come closer and eat." I said: "I am
fasting." He (S) said: "Come closer and let me tell you
about fasting. Indeed Allaah has reduced the salaat (prayer) for
the traveller to the half and has removed the burden of the fasting
from the pregnant and the breast-feeding woman... " [At-Tirmidhi,
An-Nasai].
AS-SAHOOR (The
Pre-dawn meal of Ramadhaan)
The Wisdom of
Sahoor
Allah (T) made
fasting obligatory upon us as He (T) had made it obligatory on the
people of the Book before us. He (T) said , (which means): {O you
who believe Fasting is prescribed upon you as it was prescribed
upon those before you so that perhaps you may attain Taqwaa.} [Al-Baqarah
2 : 183]
In the first
period of Islam, the duration and regulations of fasting were in
accordance with what was legislated by Allah upon the People of
the Book. They were not allowed to eat, drink or engage in sexual
intercourse after they slept. That is once one sleeps, he could
not eat nor do any of the above until the night of the following
day, this implied that they took no Sahoor (Pre-dawn meal).
However, when
the above ruling was abrogated, the Messenger (S) commanded the
Muslims to take the Sahoor (Pre-dawn meal) as a means of being different
in our fasting from the fasting of the People of the Book. 'Amr
Ibn al-Aas reported that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: "The
distinguishing feature between our fast and the fast of the People
of the Book is in the eating at the time just before dawn."
[Muslim]
The Sahoor is
Barakah (blessed)
Salmaan (R)
said that the Messenger of Allah (S) said: Blessings are found in
three things, the Group (Al-Jama'ah), Ath-thareed (a type of food)
and As-Sahoor (the Pre-dawn meal)." [At-Tabaraanee, Abu Na'eem]
Abu Hurairah
(R) said that the Messenger (S) of Allah (T) said: "Verily
Allah placed Barakah (blessing) in the Sahoor (pre-dawn meal) and
in perfect measurement (weighing)."[Ash-Shairazee]
'Abdullah Ibn
Haarith said that one of the Sahabah (companion) said: 'I entered
the house of the Messenger (S) whilst he was taking the Sahoor (pre-dawn
meal), and he (S) said: "Indeed it (the Sahoor) is blessing
that Allah has given to you so do not leave it out." [An-Nasaaee
and Ahmad]
The reality
that there are great blessings in the Sahoor (Pre-dawn meal) is
very apparent because there is in it:
(a) the following of the Sunnah,
(b) it makes the fast easier upon the person who is fasting,
(c) it increases the desire in the person to want to continue to
fast because of the ease upon the fasting person and
(d) there is also in it the principle of being different from the
People of the Book because they are prohibited from taking the Sahoor
(pre-dawn meal).
For this reason the Messenger of Allah (S) called it the blessed
meal.
Allah (T) and
the Angels send Salaah upon the people who take the Sahoor (pre-dawn
meal)
The greatest
blessing of the Sahoor (pre-dawn meal) may be that Allah (T) engulfs
those who partake in it with His Forgiveness, showers His Mercy
on them, while His angels ask of Him to forgive and pardon them.
Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree
said that the Messenger (S) said: "Eating the Sahoor is blessed.
Do not neglect it even if you take a gulp of water, because Allah
and His angels invoke blessings upon those who partake in the pre-dawn
meal." [Ahmad]
It is very important
that the Muslim does not allow this great blessing from his Merciful
Lord to escape him.
What is the
best thing the Muslim can eat for Sahoor
The Messenger
(S) said: "The best Sahoor for the believer is dates."
[Abu Dawood, Al-Baihaqee and Ibn Hibbaan]
Note: If one
does not find food to eat then a gulp of water would suffice as
is substantiated in the hadeeth.
Delaying the
Sahoor
It is recommended
to delay the Sahoor (pre-dawn meal) till just before dawn. Zaid
ibn Thaabit said: "We ate the Sahoor with the Messenger (S),
then we got up to offer the Salaah (prayer - in this case the Fajr
prayer). I asked "What was the time between the Adhaan (call
to prayer) and the Sahoor?" He said: "(The time it would
take) to recite fifty verses." [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
It must be known
that it is allowed to eat, drink and have sexual relationship with
one's spouse as long as one doubts and is uncertain that the dawn
has started. Allah (T) and His Messenger (S) have made clear the
criterion for establishing the Fajr, and this is what one is required
to go by.
The Ruling for
Sahoor
The Messenger
of Allah (S) commanded that whoever wants to fast must take the
Sahoor (pre-dawn meal). He (S) said: "Whoever wishes to fast,
then let him eat something for Sahoor." [Ibn Abi Shaibah, Ahmad
and others]
And he (S) also
said: "Take the Sahoor because in the Sahoor is Barakah (blessings)."[Bukhaaree
and Muslim]
Then he (S)
also prohibited the Muslims from neglecting it. He (S) said: "What
differentiates our fast from the fast of the People of the Book
is the Sahoor meal." [Ibn Abi Shaibah, Ahmad]
The author concludes:
It is clear that the Messenger (S) emphatically commands us to eat
the Sahoor from three different angles:
(a) He (S) ordered it.
(b) It is one of the highlight of the Muslim's fast and it distinguishes
the fast of the Muslim from the fast of others.
(c) He prohibited us from neglecting it.
All three of the above inferences are very strong and they all seem
to be pointing to one specific thing.
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SOME HEALTH
GUIDELINES FOR RAMADHAAN
Dr. Farouk Haffejee
Islamic Medical
Association of South Africa - Durban
This article
provides useful advice on how to avoid some common problems encountered
in Ramadhan. If followed, it would enable one to fast comfortably
and enjoy fully the spiritual benefits of Ramadhan.
During the holy
month of Ramadhan, our diet should not differ very much from our
normal diet and should be as simple as possible. The diet should
be such that we maintain our normal weight, neither losing nor gaining.
However, if one is over-weight, Ramadhan is an ideal time to normalise
one's weight.
In view of the
long hours of fasting, we should consume slow digesting foods including
fibre containing-foods rather than fast-digesting foods. Slow digesting
foods last up to 8 hours, while fast-digesting foods last for only
3 to 4 hours.
* Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds like
barley, wheat, oats, millet, semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal
flour, unpolished rice, etc. (called complex carbohydrates).
*Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour, etc.
(called refined carbohydrates).
* Fibre-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole wheat,
grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, sem (papry),
marrow, mealies, spinach, and other herbs like methie, the leaves
of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit with skin, dried fruit especially
dried apricots, figs and prunes, almonds, etc.
The foods eaten should be well-balanced, containing foods from each
food group, i.e. fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals
and dairy products. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited.
They cause indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems.
AVOID
* Fried and
fatty foods.
* Foods containing too much sugar.
* Over-eating especially at sehri.
* Too much tea at sehri. Tea makes you pass more urine taking with
it valuable mineral salts that your body would need during the day.
* Smoking cigarettes. If you cannot give up smoking, cut down gradually
starting a few weeks before Ramadhan. Smoking is unhealthy and one
should stop completely.
EAT
* Complex carbohydrates
at sehri so that the food lasts longer making you less hungry.
* Haleem is an excellent source of protein and is a slow-burning
food.
* Dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium
and magnesium.
* Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat.
* Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.
DRINK
* As much water
or fruit juices as possible between iftar and bedtime so that your
body may adjust fluid levels in time.
CONSTIPATION
Constipation
can cause piles (haemorroids), fissures (painful cracks in anal
canal) and indigestion with a bloated feeling.
Causes: Too
much refined foods, too little water and not enough fibre in the
diet.
Remedy: Avoid
excessive refined foods, increase water intake, use bran in baking,
brown flour when making roti.
INDIGESTION
AND WIND
Causes: Over-eating.
Too much fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, and foods that produce
wind e.g. eggs, cabbage, lentils, carbonated drinks like Cola also
produce gas.
Remedy: Do not
over-eat, drink fruit juices or better still drink water. Avoid
fried foods, add ajmor to wind-producing foods.
LETHARGY ('low
blood pressure')
Excessive sweating,
weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness, especially on getting
up from sitting position, pale appearance and feeling faint are
symptoms associated with "low blood pressure". This tends
to occur towards the afternoon.
Causes: Too
little fluid intake, decreased salt intake.
Remedy: Keep
cool, increase fluid and salt intake.
Caution: Low
blood pressure should be confirmed by taking a blood pressure reading
when symptoms are present. Persons with high blood pressure may
need their medication adjusted during Ramadhan. They should consult
their doctor.
HEADACHE
Causes: Caffeine
and tobacco-withdrawal, doing too much in one day, lack of sleep,
hunger usually occur as the day goes by and worsens at the end of
the day. When associated with "low blood pressure", the
headache can be quite severe and can also cause nausea before Iftar.
Remedy: Cut
down caffeine and tobacco slowly starting a week or two before Ramadhan.
Herbal and caffeine-free teas may be substituted. Reorganise your
schedule during the Ramadan so as to have adequate sleep.
LOW BLOOD SUGAR
Weakness, dizziness,
tiredness, poor concentration, perspiring easily, feeling shaky
(tremor), unable to perform physical activities, headache, palpitations
are symptoms of low blood sugar.
Causes in non-diabetics:
Having too much sugar i.e. refined carbohydrates especially at suhur
(sehri). The body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose
to drop.
Remedy: Eat
something at sehri and limit sugar-containing foods and drinks.
Caution: Diabetics
may need to adjust their medication in Ramadan, consult your doctor.
MUSCLE CRAMPS
Causes: Inadequate
intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium foods.
Remedy: Eat
foods rich in the above minerals e.g. vegetables, fruit, dairy products,
meat and dates.
Caution: Those
on high blood pressure medication and with kidney stone problems
should consult their doctor.
PEPTIC ULCERS,
HEART BURN, GASTRITIS AND HIATUS HERNIA
Increased acid
levels in the empty stomach in Ramadhan aggravate the above conditions.
It presents as a burning feeling in the stomach area under the ribs
and can extend upto the throat. Spicy foods, coffee, and Cola drinks
worsen these conditions.
Medications
are available to control acid levels in the stomach. People with
proven peptic ulcers and hiatus hernia should consult their doctor
well before Ramadhan.
KIDNEY STONES
Kidney stones
may occur in people who have less liquids to drink. Therefore, it
is essential to drink extra liquids so as to prevent stone formation.
JOINT PAINS
Causes: During
Ramadhan, when extra salah are performed the pressure on the knee
joints increases. In the elderly and those with arthritis this may
result in pain, stiffness, swelling and discomfort.
Remedy: Lose
weight so that the knees do not have to carry any extra load. Exercise
the lower limbs before Ramadhan so that they can be prepared for
the additional strain. Being physically fit allows greater fulfilment,
thus enabling one to be able to perform salah with ease.
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THE MONTH OF
RAMADHAAN
Justice Mufti
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
The ninth month
of the Islamic calendar is called Ramadhaan and it is the most meritorious
month of the whole year. Since there are many specific rules peculiar
to this month, we would like to deal with it's characteristics in
a rather detailed manner under different section
THE PHILOSOPHY
OF RAMADHAAN
The glorious
Qur'aan has explicitly mentioned that the basic objective for which
man is created by Allah is that he 'worships' Him: "And I did
not create Jinn and human beings except that they should worship
Me." (Glorious Qur'aan 51:56)
The word used
by the glorious Qur'aan for worship is 'Ibaadah, which has a much
wider sense than worship. In English, the word worship indicates
some specific acts or rituals meant exclusively to show one's reverence
to his Creator. But the word 'ibaadah is not restricted to such
acts or rituals, rather, it embodies any act done in submission
to Allah's Commands and to seek His Pleasures. Therefore, many acts
which seem to be mundane in nature are included in the word 'ibaadah,
like earning one's livelihood through Halaal (permissible) means
and in order to fulfil one's obligations towards his dependants.
However, 'ibaadah
is of two kinds. One consists of acts that are meant exclusively
to worship Allah, having no worldly objective, like Salaah, Fasting,
etc. These are direct acts of 'ibaadah, while the other kind of
'ibaadah includes acts which are primarily mundane, but are converted
into 'ibaadah when performed in full conformity with Sharee'ah and
with an intention to discharge one's obligations. Therefore, these
acts are treated as 'ibaadah in an indirect manner. It is obvious
that the direct acts of 'ibaadah should be superior to the indirect
ones.
Now, while prescribing
very few acts of direct 'ibaadah in one's daily life, like the Salaah
which is performed five times a day, Islaam has left its followers
mostly with the indirect acts of 'ibaadah like eating, drinking,
earning livelihood and association with one's wife, children, parents,
relatives, friends and other human beings. But the primary nature
of these acts being mundane, one becomes so absorbed in their worldly
pleasures that their material aspects prevail their spiritual ones.
Therefore, these acts have less spiritual strength than the direct
acts of worship.
Since the direct
acts of 'ibaadah are very few in one's daily life as compared to
the indirect ones, his spiritual progress becomes slow vis-à-vis
his material progress. The month of Ramadhaan has been designed
to maintain a balance between material and spiritual aspects of
the human life. This month is meant to maximise the direct acts
of 'ibaadah and to minimise the pure mundane activities, so that
one may accelerate his spiritual progress to make up the distance
and to repair the spiritual loss one may have suffered through his
deep involvement in the mundane activities during the year. The
days of Ramadhaan are designed for fasting, which is an act of 'ibaadah
for the whole day, and depriving oneself from food for many hours.
This lessens
the undesirable spiritual effects of the material pleasures. The
nights of Ramadhaan, on the other hand, are spent in offering Taraaweeh,
Tahajjud and Suhoor, thereby reducing one's sleep much less than
normal days. Moreover, apart from the prescribed acts of worship,
one is supposed to offer as much optional (nafl) 'ibaadah in this
month as he can. In this way the level of one's spiritual activities
in this month is raised up much higher than in other days of the
year.
This philosophy
of Ramadhaan makes it clear that this month should be devoted to
the direct acts of worship as far as possible. That is why the rewards
of the virtuous acts in this month have been multiplied. This is
to encourage the Muslims to carry out maximum possible acts of 'ibaadah.
HOW TO SPEND
RAMADHAAN
The month of
Ramadhaan is the season of Divine Blessings. It is the month of
purification and meant for annual renovation of the inner spiritual
qualities. It is a golden opportunity for every Muslim to strengthen
his Imaan, purify his heart and soul and remove the evil effects
of the sins committed. This month invites a Muslim to minimise his
mundane involvements and maximise the acts of worship. One should
plan his schedule for this month beforehand, so as to spare maximum
time for 'ibaadah.
Below is a brief list of the acts which should be carried out in
Ramadhaan with due care:
1. To offer every prayer with congregation in the Musjid.
2. To rise up a little earlier than the exact time of suhoor and
to offer the Salaah of Tahajjud. There is no prescribed number of
the Tahajjud prayer, yet, it is better to pray 8 rak'ats.
3. To offer the nafl (optional) prayers of Ishraaq (two rak'ats
after sunrise), Dhuhaa (Four rak'ats which may be performed at anytime
after Ishraaq before noon) and Awwaabeen (six rak'ats after Maghrib).
4. The recitation of the glorious Qur'aan. No specific limit is
prescribed, but one should recite as much of it as he can.
5. To remember Allah frequently through different prophetic recitations,
such as the following: Subhaana Allaah wa bihamdihi subhaana Allaahu
al-Adheem, Laa hawla walaa quwwata illaa bi-llaahi al-aliyy al-adheem,
subhaana Allaahu wa alhamdulillaah wa laa ilaaha illa Allaahu wa
Allaahu Akbar, Astaghfiru-llaah lladhee laa ilaaha illaa huwa al-hayy
al-qayyoom wa atoobu ilayhi, Allaahumma salli alaa muhammadin al-nabiyy
al-ummiy wa-alaa aalihi wa-sallim tasleeman. Apart from reciting
these phrases, one hundred times each, at a particular time, they
may also be continued frequently throughout the day, even if one
is engaged in some light work, when walking and when in bed.
6. Prayers and supplications (du'aa): No particular prayer is prescribed.
One can pray for everything he needs both in this world and in the
Hereafter. However, the supplications of the noble Prophet sallallahu
alayhi wasallam are so comprehensive that they encompass all that
a Muslim can need in his life and after his death. It is therefore,
much advisable to pray to Allah Almighty in words used by our noble
Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. There are several books wherein
these prophetic supplications have been compiled. Below are the
names of two books which should be kept by every Muslim in his home
and be used for praying daily: Al-Hisnul Haseen by Allaamah Al-Jazri
and Munaajaat-e-Maqbool by Maulana Ashraf Ali Thaanvi
7. Giving Sadaqah (charity): Apart from paying Zakaat, which is
obligatory, one should also spend optionally in Ramadhaan to the
best of his ability. It is reported in authentic Ahaadeeth that
the noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam used to pay special
attention in Ramadhaan to look after the poor and help them financially.
Therefore, a Muslim should give as much money in Sadaqah as he can
afford.
WHAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN RAMADHAAN
All sinful acts
should be avoided completely during the month of Ramadhaan. Although
the sinful acts are totally prohibited in the Sharee'ah, whether
in Ramadhaan or at any other time, but their prohibition becomes
more severe in this month. It is evident that every Muslim avoids
certain lawful acts, like eating and drinking during the fasts.
If he continues to commit sins, it will be a mockery to avoid lawful
things and yet be engaged in unlawful acts that were never allowed
in the Sharee'ah. Thus, the abstinence from sins becomes all the
more necessary in this month.
The following acts in particular, should be avoided totally:
1. Telling a lie.
2. Backbiting.
3. Quarrelling. The noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has
particularly forbidden from quarrelling during the fast. He has
directed us that, if someone wants to quarrel in Ramadhaan, we should
tell him that we are fasting, hence we are not prepared to indulge
in any quarrel.
4. Eating unlawful things.
5. Earning through unlawful means.
6. Any act which may harm a person.
7. Burdening one's servants or employees with a toilsome job that
is beyond their ability, without providing them facilities to carry
it out.
In short, one should try his best to refrain from all kinds of sins
and protect his eyes, ears, tongue, and all other organs from indulging
in any unlawful activity.
Once a Muslim
spends the month of Ramadhaan in this way, he will insha'allah,
find himself equipped with spiritual strength which will facilitate
for him to conduct a good Islamic life in accordance with the Pleasure
of Allah throughout the year.
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THE NIGHT OF
QADR: ITS VIRTUE
Author Unknown
The night of
qadr is the most virtuous night of the year. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"We revealed it on the night of power [that is, qadr]. What
will tell you what the night of power is? It is better than a thousand
months." Any action therein, for example, reciting the Qur'an,
making remembrance of Allah, and so on, is better than acting for
one thousand months which do not contain the night of qadr.
Night of Qadr,
it is preferred to seek this night: It is preferred to seek this
night during the last ten nights of Ramadan, as the Prophet, upon
whom be peace, strove his best in seeking it during that time. We
have already mentioned that the Prophet would stay up during the
last ten nights, would wake his wives, and then would remain apart
from them to worship.
Night of Qadr,
which night is it?: Scholars hold different opinions as to the night
which is the night of qadr. Some are of the opinion that it is the
21st, some say the 23rd, others say the 25th and still others say
it is the 29th. Some say that it varies from year to year but it
is always among the last ten nights of Ramadan. Most scholars, though,
vouch for the 27th.
Ahmad recorded,
with a sahih chain, from Ibn 'Umar that the Prophet said: "He
who likes to seek that night should do so on the 27th. Ubayy ibn
K'ab said: By Allah, and there is no God but Him, it is during Ramadan--and
He swore to that--and by Allah, I know what night it is. It is the
night during which the Prophet ordered us to make prayers, the night
of the 27th. Its sign is that the sun rises in the morning white
and without any rays." This is related by Muslim, Abu Dawud,
Ahmad, and by at-Tirmidhi who called it sahih.
Night of Qadr,
praying and making supplications during the night of qadr.
Al-Bukhari and
Muslim record from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet, upon whom be peace,
said: "Whoever prays during the night of qadr with faith and
hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven."
As to the supplication
during the night of qadr, 'Aishah said: "I asked the Messenger
of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night
of qadr, what should I say during it?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, You
are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' " This
is related by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and by atTirmidhi, who called it
sahih.
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SURAH QADR (THE
NIGHT OF POWER)
Taken from "Faza'il-e-Ramadhan"
(Virtues of Ramadhan) by Maulana Muhammad Kandhalvi (R.A.)
1. We have indeed
revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:
2. And what
will explain to thee what the night of power is?
3. The Night
of Power is better than a thousand months.
4. Therein come
down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand:
5. Peace!...This
until the rise of morn!
Amongst the
nights of Ramadhan, there is one called 'Laylatul Qadr', a night
that is noted for its great blessings. The Qur'an Karim describes
it as being greater in lessedness and spiritual virtue than a thousand
months, which in turn means that it is more valuable than eighty-three
years and four months. Fortunate indeed is that person who attains
the full blessings of this night by spending it in the worship of
Allah, because he has then attained the reward of 'Ibaadah' (worship)
for eighty-three years, four months and even more. Indeed (the granting
of) this night for the faithful Muslims is a great favor.
The Origin
Regarding this
night, in a Hadith reported by Anas (Radhi Allaho anho) in Durre
Manthur, Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is reported to
have said: "Laylatul Qadr was granted to this Ummah (of mine)
and not to any other Ummah before this." As regards the reason
for the granting of Laylatul Qadr, various views are held. According
to some Ahadith, one reason is given thus: Rasulullah (Sallallaho
alaihe wasallam) used to ponder over the longer lives of peoples
of the past ages and when comparing them with the much shorter lives
of his Ummah, he became greatly saddened, because if his Ummah wished
to compete with the people before them, then because of their shorter
lives, it would be impossible for them to either emulate or surpass
the previous Ummahs in the doing of righteous deeds. Therefore,
Allah, in His Infinite Mercy, granted them this night of great blessings.
This means that, if any fortunate person of this Ummah during his
lifetime spends ten such nights in the worship of his Maker, he
would have gained the rewards of (ibaadah) worship for eight hundred
and thirty years and even more. Another report states that Rasulullah
(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) once related to the Sahaba the story
of a very righteous man from among the Bani Isra'il, who spent one
thousand months in Jihad. On hearing this, the Sahaba enviously
felt that they could not attain the same reward, whereupon Allah
granted them this Night (of Power). Still another report states
that it so happened that our Nabi (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) once
mentioned the names of the four most pious people from among the
Bani Isra'il, each of whom spent eighty years in Allah's sincere
service, worshipping Him and not transgressing in the least. They
were Nabi Ayyub (Alayhis Salam), Zakariyya (Alayhis Salam), Ezkeel
(Alayhis Salam) and Yu'shaa (Alayhis Salam). The Sahaba heard this,
wondering how to emulate their achievements. Then Jibra'il (Alayhis
Salam) appeared and recited Sura Qadr, wherein the blessings of
this particular night were revealed.
There are other
reports too, explaining the origin of the Night of Power. But no
matter which of these we accept, the important fact remains that
Allah has granted us this night as a great favor, and how fortunate
are those divines who have never missed worship in this night. As
to which particular night it is, here again approximately fifty
different views are reported. It is not easy for me to enumerate
them all, but the most generally accepted versions shall follow
in the ensuing pages of this chapter. Because the Qur'an Majeed
itself mentions the night, we shall commence with a short commentary
of Sura Qadr.
1. We have indeed
revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:
Reference here
is made to the fact that, on this specific night, the Qur'an was
sent down from 'Lowhul Mahfuz' (the preserved Tablet) to the heavens
(above the earth). The mere fact that the Qur'an was revealed on
this night would have been sufficient to ensure its greatness. But
apart from this fact, it is also noted for many other things. In
the very next verse, by way of increasing our interest in the matter
under discussion, a question is asked:
2. And what
will explain to thee what the night of power is?
In other words,
the question asked here is: Have you any knowledge as to the greatness
and importance of this night? Have you any knowledge as to the great
favors and bounties that go with it? The next verse proceeds to
explain its greatness:
3. The Night
of Power is better than a thousand months.
The true meaning
here is that the reward for spending this night in worship (Ibaadah)
is better and more than that for having spent one thousand months
in worship (Ibaadah); but as to how much more rewarding it is, we
are not told here.
4. Therein come
down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand:
A fine explanation
is given for this verse by Imam Raazi. Commenting on this verse,
he explains that when man first appeared on earth, the 'Malla'ikah'
looked upon him with concern. They even ventured to ask Allah: "will
you place on this earth, one who shall be riotous therein and shed
blood?"
Similarly, when
his parents noted his original form as a mere drop of sperm, they
too looked upon it with dislike, so much so, that they considered
it as something which polluted the clothes and had to be washed
away. But later, when Allah made that same sperm into a fine form
of a child, they began to love and cherish him. So far have things
now progressed that, when on this Night of Power we find that same
man worshipping Allah and adoring Him, then those very angels (Malla'ikah)
descend towards him, obviously repentant for the thoughts they had
once harbored against him. In this verse, where it is mentioned
(Wer-rroh) "and the Spirit...", the reference is to Jibra'il
(Alayhis Salam) who descends to the Earth during this night. Commentators
of the Qur'an have given various meanings of this word. ((Note:
If anyone is interested on the possible meanings of the word, please
e-mail me, insha'Allah, I can supply you with what the author has
written)).
The author of
Mazaahire Haq writes that on this night, ages ago, 'the Malla'ikah'
were created, long before the creation of Adam (Alayhis Salam) was
begun in the shape of a nucleus; on this same night Paradise was
planted with trees, and numerous Ahaadith bear witness to the fact
that on this night prayers are accepted. Similarly we read in the
book Durre Manthur, that according to a hadith it was on this night
that Prophet Jesus (Alayhis Salam) was lifted up bodily into the
Heaven, and also it was on this night that the repentance (Towbah)
of Bani Isra'il was accepted.
5. Peace!...This
until the rise of morn!
Indeed this
night is the very embodiment of peace; throughout its span, the
'Malla'ikah' offer salutations to the faithful believers adoring
their Lord. As one group ascends, another group descends (with the
same greetings), as indicated in some narrations. Another interpretation
is that it is a night of complete safety from evil and mischief.
These blessings last all night until the break of dawn, and are
not limited to anyone part of the night.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
NIGHT PRAYER
DURING RAMADAN (Al-Qiyaam or Taraweeh)
Author Unknown
Abu Hurayrah
said: The Messenger of Allaah used to encourage us to pray
at night in Ramadaan, without making it obligatory. Then he said,
Whoever prays at night in Ramadaan out of faith and the hope
of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven. When the
Messenger of Allaah died, this is how things were (i.e., Taraaweeh
was not prayed in congregation), and this is how they remained during
the khilaafah of Abu Bakr until the beginning of the khilaafah of
Umar Amr ibn Murrah al-Juhani said: A man from
Qudaaah came to the Messenger of Allaah and said,O Messenger
of Allaah! What do you think if I testifythat there is no god except
Allaah, and that you, Muhammad, are His Messenger, and I pray the
five daily prayers, and fast in the month (of Ramadaan), and pray
at night in Ramadaan, and pay zakaah? The Prophet said: Whoever
dies on that will be among the siddeeqeen (those who tell the truth)
and the martyrs.
Laylat al-Qadr
and its timing
The best of
its nights is Laylat al-Qadr, because the Prophet said: Whoever
prays at night during Laylat al-Qadr {and manages to catch
it} out of faith and the hope of reward, all his previous sins will
be forgiven.
According to
the most correct opinion, it is the twenty-seventh night of Ramadaan.
Most of the ahaadeeth state this, such as the hadeeth of Zurr ibn
Hubaysh, who said: I heard Ubayy ibn Kab saying
and it was said to him that Abd-Allaah ibn Masood said:
Whoever follows the Sunnah will catch Laylat al-Qadr!
Ubayy said: May Allaah have mercy on him, he did not
want people to take it for granted and only stay up to pray on one
night. By the One besides Whom there is no other god, it is in Ramadaan
he was swearing without a doubt and by Allaah, I do
know which night it is. It is the night in which the Messenger of
Allaah commanded us to pray (qiyaam). It is the night the morning
of which is the twenty seventh, and the sign of it is that the sun
rises on that morning white and without rays. In another
report, this was attributed to the Prophet (Reported by Muslim and
others).
Praying qiyaam
in congregation
It is allowed
to pray qiyaam in congregation, indeed it is better than praying
individually, because this is what the Prophet did himself and explained
its virtues. Abu Dharr said: We fasted Ramadaan with the Messenger
of Allaah and he did not lead us in qiyaam at all until there were
only seven days left, when he led us in prayer until a third of
the night had passed. When there were six days left, he did not
lead us in qiyaam. When there were five days left, he led us in
prayer until half the night had passed. I said, O Messenger
of Allaah, I wish that you had continued until the end of the night.
He said, If a man prays with the imaam until he finishes,
it will be counted as if he prayed the whole night. When there
were four nights left, he did not lead us in qiyaam. When there
were three nights left, he brought together his family, his wives
and the people, and led us in qiyaam until we were afraid that we
would miss al-falaah. I asked, What is al-falaah? he
said, Suhoor. Then he did not lead us in qiyaam for the rest
of the month. (Saheeh hadeeth reported by the authors
of Sunan).
The reason why
the Prophet did not continually lead the people in praying qiyaam
in congregation The Prophet (did not lead them in qiyaam for the
rest of the month because he feared that it would then become obligatory,
and they would not be able to do it, as is stated in the hadeeth
of Aaishah reported in al-Saheehayn and elsewhere. Following
the death of the Prophet that fear was no longer a factor, because
Allaah had completed the religion. The reason for not praying qiyaam
in congregation during Ramadaan no longer applied, and the previous
ruling, that congregational prayer is something prescribed in Islam,
remained in effect. So Umar revived the practice, as is recorded
in Saheeh al-Bukhaari and elsewhere.
Women can pray
qiyaam in congregation Women can attend the prayers too, as is stated
in the hadeeth of Abu Dharr referred to above. Indeed, it is permissible
to appoint an imaam just for them, apart from the imaam of the men.
It was proven that when Umar gathered the people to pray qiyaam,
he appointed Ubayy ibn Kab to lead the men and Sulaymaan ibn
Abi Hathmah to lead the women. Arfajah al-Thaqafi said:
Ali ibn Abi Taalib used to command the people to pray during
the night in Ramadaan, and he would appoint an imaam for the men
and an imaam for the women. I was the imaam for the women.
I say: this is fine in my view so long as the mosque is big enough
so that they will not disturb one another.
Number of rakahs
of qiyaam
The number of
rakahs is eleven, and it is preferable in our opinion not
to exceed this number, following the practice of the Messenger of
Allaah because he never did more than that in his life. Aaishah
was asked about how he prayed in Ramadaan. She said, The Messenger
of Allaah never prayed more than eleven rakahs (of qiyaam),
whether during Ramadaan or any other time. He would pray four, and
dont ask me how beautiful or how long they were. Then he would
pray four, and dont ask me how beautiful or how long they
were. Then he would pray three. (Reported by al-Bukhaari,
Muslim and others).
A person may
do less than that, even if it is only one rakah of witr, because
of the evidence that the Prophet did this and spoke about it. With
regard to him doing it: Aaishah was asked how many rakahs
the Messenger of Allaah used to pray in witr? She said, He
used to pray four and three, or six and three, or ten and three.
He never used to pray less than seven, or more than thirteen.
(Reported by Abu Dawood, Ahmad and others).
With regard
to him speaking about it, he said: Witr is true, so whoever
wishes can pray five, and whoever wishes can pray three, and whoever
wishes can pray one.
Reciting Quraan
in qiyaam
As regards reciting
from the Quraan during qiyaam, whether in Ramadaan or at other
times, the Prophet did not set a limit or state what was too much
or too little. His recitation used to vary, sometimes it would be
long, at other times short. Sometimes in every rakah he would
recite the equivalent of Yaa ayyuhal-muzammil, which
is twenty aayaat; sometimes he would recite the equivalent of fifty
aayaat. He used to say, Whoever prays at night and reads one
hundred aayaat will not be recorded as one of the negligent.
According to another hadeeth:
and reads two hundred
aayaat, will be recorded as one of the devout and sincere believers.
When he was
sick, the Prophet recited the seven long soorahs in his night prayers,
i.e., al-Baqarah, Aal Imraan, al-Nisaa, al-Maaidah,
al-Anaam, al-Araaf and al-Tawbah. In the account of
Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamaan praying behind the Prophet in one rakah
he recited al-Baqarah, al-Nisa and Aal Imraan, and he
recited them in a slow and measured tone. It is proven with the
soundest (most saheeh) of isnaads that when Umar appointed
Ubayy ibn Kab to lead the people in praying eleven rakahs
in Ramadaan, Ubayy used to recite aayaat by the hundreds, so that
the people behind him would be leaning on sticks because the prayers
were so long, and they did not finish until just before Fajr.
It is also reported
in a saheeh account that Umar called the readers during Ramadaan,
and told the fastest of them to recite thirty aayaat, the moderate
ones to recite twenty-five aayaat, and the slowest ones to recite
twenty aayaat. However, is a person is praying qiyaam by himself,
he can make it as long as he wishes; if others agree with the imaam,
he may also make it as long as he wishes. The longer it is, the
better, but a person should not go to extremes and spend the whole
night in qiyaam, except on rare occasions, following the example
of the Prophet who said: The best guidance is the guidance
of Muhammad.
If a person
is praying as an imaam, he should make it only as long as is easy
for the people behind him, because the Prophet said: If any
of you leads the people in prayer, let him make it short, because
among them are the young and the old, the weak, and those who have
pressing needs. But if he is praying alone, let him make it as long
as he likes.
The timing of
qiyaam
The time for
praying qiyaam is from after Isha until Fajr, because the
Prophet said: Allaah has added one more prayer for you, which
is witr, so pray it between Salaat al-Isha and Salaat
al-Fajr. Praying at the end of the night is better, for those
who can manage it, because the Prophet said: Whoever is afraid
that he will not get up at the end of the night, let him pray witr
at the beginning of the night, but whoever feels that he will be
able to get up at the end of the night, let him pray witr at the
end of the night, for prayer at the end of the night is witnessed
[by the angels], and that is better.
If it is the
matter of choosing between praying in congregation at the beginning
of the night and praying alone at the end of the night, it is preferable
to pray with the jamaaah, because that is counted as if one
had prayed the whole night through. This is what the Sahaabah did
at the time of Umar Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Abd al-Qaari
said: I went out with Umar ibn al-Khattaab to the mosque
one night during Ramadaan, and saw the people scattered throughout
the mosque, some praying individually, and some praying in small
groups. He said, By Allaah, I think that if I gathered all
of them behind one reader it would be better. So he resolved
to do that, and he gathered them behind Ubayy ibn Kab. Then
I went with him on another night, and the people were all praying
behind their reader, and Umar said, What a good innovation
this is. What they sleep and miss meaning the latter part
of the night is better than what they are doing,
the people used to pray qiyaam at the beginning of the night.
Zayd ibn Wahb said: Abd-Allaah used to lead us in prayer
in Ramadaan, and he used to finish at night.
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ZAKAAH AL-FITR
by Shaikh Abu
Ameenah Bilal Philips
1. MEANING
Zakaah al-Fitr
is often referred to as Sadaqah al-Fitr. The word Fitr means the
same as Iftaar, breaking a fast and it comes from the same root
word as Futoor which means breakfast. Thus, Islamically, Zakaah
al-Fitr is the name given to charity which is distributed at the
end of the fast of Ramadaan.
2. CLASSIFICATION
Sadaqah al-Fitr
is a duty which is Waajib on every Muslim, whether male or female,
minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so.
The proof that
this form of charity is compulsory can be found in the Sunnah whereby
Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam)
made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female,
young and old among the Muslims; one Saa` of dried dates or one
Saa` of barely. [collected by Bukhaaree - Arabic/English, vol. 2,
p. 339, no. 579]
The head of
the household may pay the required amount for the other members.
Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree said, "On behalf of our young and old,
free men and slaves, we used to take out during Allaah's Messenger's
(sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) lifetime one Saa` of grain, cheese
or raisins". [collected by Muslim - English transl. vol. 2,
p. 469, no. 2155]
3. SIGNIFICANCE
The significant
role played by Zakaah in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic
society is also played by the Sadaqah al-Fitr. However, in the case
of Sadaqah al-Fitr, each individual is required to calculate how
much charity is due from himself and his dependents and go into
the community in order to find those who deserve such charity. Thus,
Sadaqah al-Fitr plays a very important role in the development of
the bonds of community. The rich are obliged to come in direct contact
with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely
poor. This contact between the various levels of society helps to
build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic community
and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not have.
4. PURPOSE
The main purpose
of Zakaah al-Fitr is to provide those who fasted with the means
of making up for their errors during the month of fasting. Zakaah
al-Fitr also provides the poor with a means with which they can
celebrate the festival of breaking the fast (`Eed al-Fitr) along
with the rest of the Muslims.
Ibn Abbaas reported,
"The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr
compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their idle
deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadaan) and so that
the poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before Salaah will have it
accepted as Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah has given
Sadaqah." [collected by Abu Dawood - Eng. transl. vol. 2, p.
421, no. 1605 - rated Saheeh by Shaikh Naser Al-Albanee]
Hence, the goal
of Sadaqah al-Fitr is the spiritual development of the Believers.
By making them give up some of their wealth, the believers are taught
the higher moral characteristics of generosity, compassion (sympathy
for the unfortunate), gratitude to God and the righteousness. But,
since Islaam does not neglect man's material need, part of the goal
of Zakaah al-Fitr is the economic well-being of the poorer members
of society.
5. CONDITIONS
Zakaah al-Fitr
is only Waajib for a particular period of time. If one misses the
time period without a good reason, he has sinned and can not make
it up. This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset on the
last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of
Salaah al-'Eed' (i.e. shortly after sunrise on the following day).
However, it can be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as
many of the Sahaabah (companions of the Prophet(sallallaahu 'alaihi
wa sallam) ) used to pay Sadaqah al-Fitr a couple days before the
`Eed.
Naafi reported
that the Prophet's companion Ibn `Umar used to give it to those
who would accept it and the people used to give it a day or two
before the `Eed. [collected by al-Bukhaaree - Arabic/English, Vol.
2, p.339, no. 579]
Ibn `Umar reported
that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) order that it (Zakaah
al-Fitr) be given before people go to make the Salaah (al-'Eed).
And Ibn `Abbaas
reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said,
"Whoever gives it before the Salaah will have it accepted as
Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah (will not, for it
will only be considered as) ordinary charity. Therefore, one who
forgets to pay this Zakaah al-Fitr on time should do so as soon
as possible even though it will not be counted as Zakaah al-Fitr.
6. RATE
The amount of
Zakaah is the same for everyone regardless of their different income
brackets. The minimum amount is one Saa` (two handfuls ) of food,
grain or dried fruit for each member of the family. This calculation
is based on Ibn `Umar's report that the Prophet(sallallaahu 'alaihi
wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory and payable by a Saa`
of dried dates or a Saa` of barley.
The Sahaabee,
Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said, "In the Prophet's time, we used
to give it (Zakaah al-Fitr) as a Saa` of food, dried dates, barley,
raisins or dried cheese". [collected by al-Bukhaaree - Arabic/English
vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]
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RAMADHAN WARRIORS
By Muhammad
al-Shareef
Introduction
As Ramadan is
fast approaching, it would be good to take a few moments to reflect
on what we are doing in preparation. In the weeks before the eruption
of Jewish violence in Al-Aqsa, not too many people had any mention
of Al-Aqsa on their tongues. When it happened, no one spoke about
anything else. And now, when we receive emails about the Shaheed
(insha' Allah) Muhammad Durra and others, we delete it as if it
is 'old news'. Dear brothers and sisters, we have to come back to
our Deen and come back to Allah and change the situation of ourselves
- then and only then will Allah change our situation.
Think not that
a Khutbah like this is in disregard of current events. It is meant
to build real armies of people that Allah is pleased with (may Allah
make us all one of them). So that when someone stands up and says
brothers we have to leave tonight to protect our honor, there will
be people to stand up.
The companions
- like Abdullah ibn Az-Zubayr who was worth a 1000 warriors (raa)
- trained in three fields:
1. Ibaadah
2. Talab-ul-Ilm
(studying the tenets of Islam) and
3. Military
training.
Let us chart
our return to Allah (swt) - so that when the world takes
down the banners, borders up the windows and forgets what happened
to our Muslim family ... we won't!
"Accomplishment
begins with Action."
Part 1:
Sahl ibn Sa'd
(raa) narrates that An-Nabee (saws) said, "In Jannah there
is a gate called Ar-Rayyan, a door which the Saa'imoon will enter
from, no one else except them. It will be announced, 'Where are
the Saa'imoon?' and the Saa'imoon will stand. No one except them
will enter from the Rayyan gate."
Have you ever
heard of a weekend warrior? They are employees who sit in cubicles
and relax at a coffee station weighed down with donuts all week
long. Then on the weekend they rip off their suits bearing their
Reebok gear underneath and spend the entire weekend playing basketball,
hang gliding, and mountain climbing. What happens? They break their
knees, pull a dozen muscles, and are hospitalized on Monday.
This is in relation
to the physical body. But there are people that should be known
as Ramadan warriors. They are those that haven't fasted all year
long and then shock their bodies with a whole month. Or haven't
prayed in the Masjid or haven't woken up to pray in the night all
year long. What happens to them? As one Muslim doctor said, "In
normal days, we have about 5 - 7 patients a day. On the first day
of Ramadan, the patients increase to over 50!"
Ramadan warriors
were rare in our Islamic history. To illustrate, let's all remember
where we were at the beginning of Safar - corresponding this year
to the second week of May. We were probably praying for work to
end, or just finished up with exams, or looking through brochures
for a holiday getaway. Interestingly, if we were sitting beside
a taabi'ee over a thousand years ago in a simple Masjid, we would
have heard him raising his hands asking Allah to grant him the blessing
of being around when a guest comes, a guest called Ramadan!
There are different
ways that we can 'warm up' for Ramadan. One of those ways is by
increasing the frequency of our Du'a:
Allah ta'ala
says in the Qur'an ... the verse before it is talking about Ramadan
and the verse after it is speaking about Ramadan, and right in the
middle we read: [And when My servants ask you, (O Muhammad), concerning
Me - Indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant
when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me (by obedience)
and believe in Me that they may be guided.] - Surah Al Baqarah 2/186
Every goodness
on earth is from Allah. And one of the most exclusive blessings
is Ramadan. So let us ask the Lord of Ramadan to help us find His
Mercy in the coming days.
Last year, we
gave a khutbah here on Hajj entitled 'The Call of Ibraheem'. A brother
just a few weeks ago told me that during that Khutbah he raised
his hands to Allah and asked Allah to find him a way to make Hajj.
He said that he had no money to make the trip, but that night more
then one brother approached him with the offer, "Brother we
have a Hajj program for new Muslims, would you like to come!"
Alhamdulillah, that brother made Hajj last year from a Du'a that
came straight from the heart - in sha' Allah.
The early generations
of the Ummah used to make Du'a 6 months after Ramadan that Allah
accept their deeds in Ramadan. And for the next 6 months, they would
make du'a to Allah to grant them the blessing of being alive in
the coming Ramadan.
Cleanliness
- Whenever a guest comes, we prepare in advance for his arrival
by vacuuming the carpet, dusting the shelves, and scrubbing the
sinks. We should do this for our guest called Ramadan. But the scrubbing
should not just be of our physical surroundings, it should include
the scrubbing of our sins.
Listen to the
words of an-Nabee (saws) speaking about those people that don't
want to clean up for Ramadan, "Whoever doesn't desist from
speaking falsehood and acting upon it, Allah has no need that he
desist from his food and drink." - Bukhari
Fasting in Sha'baan
(this Month that we are now in) - The biggest downfall of the weekend
warriors was that they were not properly warmed up for the exercise
which caused the injuries. Similarily, when Fasting, some people
only do it once a year making their bodies very foreign to going
without food and drink. From here we see the following Sunnah: Umm
Al-Mu'mineen Aisha (saw)observes, "Allah's Messenger never
fasted an entire month other than Ramadan and I haven't seen him
fast more than he did in Sha'baan."
A poet said:
Oh ye who isn't satisfied with his sins in Rajab / so much so that
you continued disobedience in Sha'baan / The month of fasting has
now come upon you / so do not convert it also to a month of disobedience.
Part II
When we look
at the celebrations, 'the holy days' of this country, we see that
they put all their time and effort and spirit in preparation. I
tell you, go to any store outside this Masjid and you will see preparations
of Candy Canes, red and green bouquets, even Eggnog all in the wait
for the annual celebration of the birth - as they falsely claim
- of Prophet 'Esa (as) They are preparing for their falsehood almost
2 months in advance!
One of the ways
to prepare for Ramadan is to educate ourselves in the Fiqh of Ramadan.
Alhamdulillah - sitting in this Masjid today are many brothers and
sisters for whom this will be their first Ramadan. Allahu Akbar!
May Allah accept it from them and allow them and us to share in
the blessing of Ramadan for many years to come. Let us briefly review
what fasting is:
Fasting Ramadan
is not optional - it is a must. The evidence for this is found in
the Quran and Sunnah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
[O you who believe! Observing al-sawn (the fasting) is prescribed
for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may
become al-muttaqoon (the pious).] [al-Baqarah 2:183]
The Prophet
said: [Islam is built on five [pillars]] ... among which he mentioned
fasting in Ramadaan. - Bukhari
The Arabic word
for fasting is Sawm. In Arabic it literally means to abstain from
something. And in Islamic Law it is to abstain from those things
that break the fast starting from dawn (Fajr Prayer) and ending
with sunset (Maghrib prayer) having first made the intention to
do so.
The things which
break ones Fast, the things which he or she must abstain from from
dawn to sunset are as follows:
(a) Eating and
Drinking
(b) Marital
Relations
These apply
if 3 conditions are met (1) That the person is not ignorant that
this thing breaks ones fast (2) That he is aware that he is doing
something that breaks his fast (meaning he did not do so in forgetfulness)
(3) He does so out of his free will and no one forced him to break
his fast.
In conclusion,
as the month of Ramadan draws nearer, we should prepare for this
special guest by preparing a Ramadan program *Operation: Valuable
Time* in our homes and at our Masjids. The program should in sha'
Allah include:
1. Locked times
of the day when we will consistently recite Qur'an, learning it's
meanings and memorizing new Sur'ahs.
2. Something
useful for the time before Taraweeh prayers and the time after Taraweeh.
And how to increase our worship in the last ten nights - i.e. what
will we do extra.
3. We should
make sure that there are days of this month when we feed people.
Bring dates or milk to the Masjid for Maghrib. Invite people over
to have dinner with your family. Organize a dinner in the Masjid
and invite people that don't normally get invited because they are
new. Take care of the New Muslims in your community and for the
sake of Allah ta'ala make their Ramadan special.
4. Make the
intention to double and triple the amount of Sadaqah we give, the
worship we normally do, the Dhikr we do, and the deeds that'll help
us purify our souls, etc.
And finally,
for those that can afford it plan a Umrah to the Ka'bah in Ramadan!
After returning
from the farewell Hajj, Rasul Allah (saws) saw an Ansari women who
had not made the Hajj. He asked her, "What kept you back from
joining in the Hajj?" She said, "We had a camel that we
used to ride which Abu Fulan and his son went on, and another we
used for farming." So Rasul Allah (saws) said, "Verily,
Umrah in Ramadan is the same (reward) as performing Hajj with me!"
- Bukhari and Muslim.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
HOW THE SALAF
OBSERVED RAMADAN: A Message to Every Muslim on the Occasion of the
Blessed Month of Ramadan
Author Unknown
Brother and
sister Muslims, may the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon
you. I send you this message filled with love and greetings. I send
it to you from a heart that loves you for the sake of Allah and
I ask Him to bring us together in the abode of His Benedictions
and Mercy. On the occasion of the blessed month of Ramadan, I extend
to you this advise as a humble gift which I hope you will accept
with an open mind and that in turn, you advise me. May Allah protect
you and take care of you.
How do we receive
the blessed month of Ramadan? Allah the Almighty says, "You
who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed
for those before you that you may attain piety" [Qur'an 2:183].
My esteemed
brother and sister: Allah has distinguished Ramadan from other months
with many merits and virtues which include:
*The bad breath
from the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter to Allah than the
fragrance of musk.
*The angels
ask forgiveness for those fasting until they break their fast.
*Allah beautifies
His Paradise each day and says, "My righteous servants are
about to be spared suffering and harm, then they will be sent to
you."
*The devils
are chained during the month.
*The doors of
Paradise are opened while those of Hell are locked.
*The night,
Laylat al-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months occurs in
this month. Whoever is deprived of the good of this night has indeed
been deprived of goodness altogether.
*Those fasting
receive forgiveness on the last night of Ramadan.
*Allah saves
people from Hellfire during each night of Ramadan.
My esteemed
brother and sister: How then do we receive the month containing
these merits and virtues? Is it by occupying ourselves with playfulness
and spending our nights with non-beneficial things? Or do we feel
burdened and panic at its arrival? We seek refuge with Allah from
such attitudes. The righteous servants of Allah welcome it with
repentance and true determination to reap its benefits and fully
utilize its precious time. They ask Allah to help them perform their
acts of worship in the best manner. I therefore present to you my
dear brothers and sisters, the righteous deeds that are stressed
during Ramadan.
1. Fasting (Sawm):
The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "Every good deed of the
son of Adam will be multiplied. He will receive ten-fold to seven-hundred-fold
reward for a good deed. Allah the Glorious and Majestic has said
'but fasting is exceptional, for it is done for Me and I will give
reward for it, since one abandons his passion and food for My sake.
There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts, joy when he breaks
it and joy when he meets his Lord; and the breath (of an observer
of fast) is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk." [Related
by AI-Bukhari and Muslim].
Undoubtedly,
this great reward will not be for those who only abstain from food
and drink, but as the Prophet (saws) said, "Whoever does not
abandon obscene speech and evil action, Allah does not need his
refraining from eating and drinking." [Related by Al-Bukhari.
The Prophet (saws) also said, "Fasting is a shield. When anyone
of you is fasting on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene
language, nor raise his voice; rather if anyone reviles him or quarrels
with him, he should say, 'I am fasting."' [Related by Al-Bukhari
and Muslim].
Therefore when
you fast, servant of Allah, let your hearing, sight, tongue and
all your limbs fast, so that your fasting and non-fasting days are
not the same.
2. Praying Qiyam
Al-Layl:
The Messenger
of Allah (saws.) said, "He who observes the fast of the month
of Ramadan with sincere faith and hope for the reward of Allah will
have his past sins forgiven." [Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Also, Allah says, "And the servants of Allah most gracious
are those who walk on the earth with humility, and when the ignorant
address them, they say (Peace); Those who spend the night in adoration
of their Lord prostrating and standing" [Qur'an 63-64]. Thus,
waking up in the night to pray qiyam al-layl i.e. performing prayer
in the middle of the night, was a regular act of the Prophet (saws)
and his Companions. Aisha (raa) said, "Do not abandon qiyam
al-layl, for the Messenger of Allah (saws) never left it. If he
was not well or he felt heavy, he prayed sitting."
Umar Ibn Al-Khattab,
used to pray at night what he wished, until it was in the middle
of the night, when he would wake up his family to pray; then he
would say to them "prayer.. prayer", and would recite
this verse of the Qur'an, "Enjoin prayer on your people, and
be constant therein. We ask you not to provide sustenance: We provide
it for you. But the fruit of the Hereafter is for righteousness"
[Qur'an 20:132].
Ibn Umar used
to recite, "Is one who worships devoutly during the hours of
the night, prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes
heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the Mercy of his
Lord like one who does not?" [Qur'an 39:9]. He said that was
referring to Uthman Ibn Affan (raa). Ibn Abi Hatim said Ibn Umar
said that it was due to the length of the prayer of the commander
of the faithful, Uthman, at night and his recitation to the extent
that he may have recited the entire Qur an in one rak'ah.
Alqamah Ibn
Qays narrated, "I slept with Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (raa) one
night. He woke up in the early part of the night and began to pray.
He recited with a recitation similar to that of the neighborhood
imam with a medium regular pace. Those around him could hear him
and he continued until what remained of the night's darkness was
equal to the time between the adhan (call) for maghrib prayer and
the end of the maghrib prayer time, i.e. a short time before daybreak.
He then performed witr prayer.
Furthermore,
Al-Sa'ib Ibn Zayd narrated in a hadith that the reciter would recite
(the Qur'an) with hundreds of verses such that we supported ourselves
with staves due to the lengthiness of the prayer and did not leave
until the time of fair (dawn prayer).
Caution: Brother
Muslim, you have to complete the tarawih prayer with the imam in
order to be reckoned as one of those who stood (the night) in prayer.
The Prophet (saws) said, "Whoever stays with his imam until
he completes the prayer, will have the night written for him as
one who performed qiyam al-layl, i.e. one who stood the night in
prayer." [Related by compilers of sunan books].
3. Charity (Sadaqah):
The Prophet
(saws) was the most generous of people, and he was most generous
during Ramadan. He was more generous with good deeds than the blowing
wind. The Messenger of Allah also said, "The best charity is
one given during Ramadan." [Related by Al-Tirmidhi from Anas].
Zayd Ibn Aslam
narrated from his father as saying, "I heard Umar Ibn Al-Khattab
(may Allah be pleased with him) say, 'The Messenger of Allah (saws)
commanded us to donate to charity, so I gave some of my wealth.
Then I said, 'Today I will compete with Abu Bakr if I can ever do
so.' Then I donated half of my wealth. The Messenger of Allah (saws)
asked me, 'What did you leave for your family?' He said, 'I said
the same as what I gave out.' But Abu Bakr brought all of his wealth
and the Messenger of Allah (saws) asked him, 'What did you leave
for your family?' He replied, 'I left them with Allah and His Messenger,'
I said, 'I will never compete with you for anything again.
Talha Ibn Yahya
Ibn Talha narrated, "My grandmother Sa'da bint Awf AI-Mariyah
who was the wife of Talha Ibn Ubaydullah related to me, 'Talha came
to me one day disconcerted. So I asked him, 'Why is it that I see
you with a gloomy face? What is the matter with you? Is there anything
that I can help you with?" He said, "No, you are a faithful
Muslim wife." I said, "Then what is the matter?"
He said, "The wealth that I have has increased and that disturbs
me." I said, "Don~t worry, distribute it." She said,
'He divided it until not even a single diniam was left." Talha
Ibn Yahya said: "I asked the custodian of Talha's property
how much the amount was." He said, 'Four hundred thousand."'
Therefore dear
brother, charity during Ramadan has special significance, so hasten
to give it out according to your means. Charity takes many forms.
a) Feeding the
Needy:
Allah the Almighty
says, "And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent,
the orphan, and the captive, (saying), 'We feed you for the sake
of Allah Alone. No rewards do we desire from you, nor thanks. We
only fear a Day of frowning and stress from the side of our Lord.'
But Allah will deliver them from the evil of that day, and will
spread over them brightness and a (blissful) joy. And because they
were patient and constant, He will reward them with a garden (and
garments of) silk" [Qur'an 76:8-12]. The Salaf used to ensure
feeding others and they placed it before many acts of worship, and
it is equally rewarded whether you feed a hungry person or a good
Muslim brother of yours. Hence, poverty is not a condition for feeding
a person.
The Messenger
of Allah (saws) said, "When a believer feeds a hungry believer,
Allah will feed him from the fruits of Paradise. And when he quenches
the thirst of a believer, Allah will make him drink from the pure
sealed wine of Paradise." [Related by Al-Tirmidhi with a good
chain of narration].
Some of our
pious predecessors said, "For me to invite ten of my friends
and feed them with a meal that they like is better for me then freeing
ten of the descendants of (Prophet) Isma'il." Many among the
Salaf used to leave their food for breaking the fast for others.
They included Abdullah Ibn Umar (saws), Dawud Al-Ta'i, Malik Ibn
Dinar and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. Ibn Umar did not break his fast except
with the orphans and the needy. Sometimes, if he learned that his
family had turned back the orphans and the needy, he would not break
the fast that night. Also among the Salaf were those who fed their
brother Muslims while they still continued to fast. They also served
them and attended to their well-being. Among them were AI-Hassan
Al-Basri and Abdullah Ibn Al-Mubarak.
Abu Al-Sawar
Al-'Adwi said, "Some men from Banu Adiy tribe used to pray
in the mosque. None of them ever broke the fast alone with his food.
If he found someone to share with, he ate with him, if not, he would
take it to the mosque, so that others ate with him and he ate with
others. Feeding other people is an act of worship which triggers
many other acts of worship. Ties of love and brotherliness are strengthened
between you and the person you feed and that may lead you to Paradise."
The Prophet (pbuh) said, "You will not enter Paradise until
you believe and you will not believe until you love one another."
This deed will keep you close to righteous people and Allah will
reward you as the food you provide helps them with their acts of
obedience (to Allah).
b) Providing
Food to Break the Fast:
The Messenger
of Allah (saws) said, "Whoever feeds a fasting person will
have a reward equal to that of the fasting person, without any reduction
in his reward." [Related by Ahmad and Al-Nasai. Also verified
by Al-Albani as sahih]. In a hadith narrated by Salman Al-Farisi,
the Prophet (saws) said, "Whoever feeds a fasting person, will
be recompensed with forgiveness of sins and salvation from Hell.
He will receive the same reward as the fasting person without causing
him any reduction (in his reward). (The Companions) said, 'Messenger
of Allah, not all of us can find something to feed a fasting person.'
The Prophet (saws) said, 'Allah will give this reward to he who
feeds a fasting person with a sip of milk or a piece of dates, or
a sip of water. And Allah will make him who quenches the thirst
of a fasting person to drink from my cistern a drink that he will
never feel thirsty until he enters Paradise (where there is no thirst)."
4. Intensifying
the Recitation of the Qur'an. I will remind you dear brother of
two actions of the pious Salaf of this Ummah:
a) Undertaking
Much Recitation of the Qur 'an:
The month of
Ramadan is the month of the Qur'an. The Muslim must therefore recite
the Qur'an a great deal. The Salaf used to pay particular attention
to the Book of Allah, and angel Jibril (Gabriel) used to study the
Qur'an with the Prophet (saws) during Ramadan. Uthman Ibn Affan
used to complete reciting the Qur'an once each day. Some of the
Salaf also completed the Qur an in their qiyam prayer every three
nights. Others completed it every seven days, while some others
completed it every ten nights. They used to recite the Qur'an during
prayers and at other times. During Ramadan, Al-Shafi'i used to complete
reciting the Qur'an sixty times, excluding prayer times. AI-Aswad
used to complete reciting the Qur'an every two nights. Qatada regularly
completed the Qur'an within seven nights, while during Ramadan,
he completed it every three nights, but in the last ten days of
Ramadan, he completed it every night. When Ramadan came, Al-Zuhri
left studying the hadith and study circles with scholars and he
concentrated on reciting the Qur'an from the book (i.e. not from
memory).
Also, when Ramadan
came,Sufyan Al-Thawn left all other acts of worship and concentrated
on the Qur'an.
Ibn Rajab said
that it was reported from the Prophet (saws) that the Qur'an may
not be completed in less than three days by those who recite it
constantly. As for the blessed times such as Ramadan, especially
during the nights of expecting laylat al-Qadr or when in holy places
such as Makkah for those not inhabiting it, it is recommended that
the recitation of the Qur'an be increased in order to benefit from
the blessings of the time and the place. This is the opinion of
Ahmad, Ishaq and others among the distinguished scholars. As we
indicated earlier, the actions of other scholars also support this
view.
b) Weeping During
the Recitation of the Qur'an:
It was not reported
from the Salaf that they chanted the Qur'an like poetry without
pondering and understanding (its meanings); rather, they were moved
by the Words of Allah, and they in turn changed the hearts of others
with it. In a hadith in AI-Bukhari, Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (raa) said,
"The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, 'Recite (the Qur'an) to
me.' Then I said, 'How can I recite to you when it was revealed
to you?' The Prophet (saws) said, 'I like to hear it from someone
else."' Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud said, "I recited the Qur'an
from Surah Al-Nisa' until I reached the verse that says, 'How will
it be then, when We bring from every nation a witness and bring
you to witness over all of them"' [Qur'an 4:41]. The Prophet
(saws) said, 'That is enough.' I turned to the Prophet (saws) and
found his eyes flooding with tears."'
Al-Bayhaqi related
from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (saws) said, "When the verse
of the Qur'an that says 'Do you then wonder at this recital (the
Qur'an) and you laugh at it and weep not.' [Qur'an 53:59-60] was
revealed, the Companions residing in the Suffah, (the courtyard
of the Prophet's mosque) wept until tears began to trickle down
their cheeks." When the Prophet (saws) heard their weeping,
he wept with them and his weeping made us weep. The Messenger of
Allah said, "The person who weeps in humility to Allah will
not enter Hell."
Ibn Umar read
surah Al-Mutaffifin until he reached '...the Day when (all) mankind
will stand before the Lord of the Worlds...' [Qur'an 83:6]. He wept
to such an extent that he fell to the ground and could not move
on to the next verses. Furthermore, Muzahim Ibn Zafar related, "Sufyan
Al-Thawn lead us in maghrib prayer, and when he reached 'You (Alone)
do we worship and You (Alone) do we ask for help' [Qur'an 1:5],
he began to weep so that his recitation was disrupted. So he started
from Alhamdulillah again."
It has been
reported that Ibrahim Al-Ash'ath said, "One night, I heard
Fudhayl Ibn Ayadh reciting this verse of the Qur'an, repeatedly
as he wept, 'And We shall try you until We test those among you
who strive their utmost and persevere in patience, and We shall
test your facts (whether true or false)' [Qur'an 47:31] But he kept
on saying the words of Allah, 'And We shall test your facts', then
he would say, 'And You will test our facts? If You test our facts,
You will disgrace us and expose our secrets. Indeed ifYou do that,
You will destroy us and punish us,' and he would continue crying.
Sitting in the
Mosque Until Sunrise
"When the
Prophet (saws) prayed fair prayer, he sat in his prayer place until
sunrise." [Related by Muslim].
At-Tirmidhi
narrated from Anas that the Prophet (saws) said, "Whoever prays
fair in the congregation and remains seated, remembering Allah until
sunrise, then performs two rakat; it will be for him as the
reward of complete...complete... complete Hajj and Umrah."
[Verified by Al-Albani as sahih].
This is the
reward promised for everyday, so how will it be for Ramadan?
Dear brother,
may Allah protect you, have a good sleep at night to assist you
in getting this great reward. Also, emulate righteous people and
train your soul to strive for the pleasure of Allah. Have high aspirations
to reach the highest of the grades of Paradise.
6. Observing
I'tikaf:
The Prophet
(saws) used to observe I'tikaf during ten days of Ramadan. But in
the year of his death, he stayed in I'tikaf for twenty days."
[Related by Al-Bukhari). Thus, I'tikaf which means staying in the
mosque continuously for a certain period of time, is an act of worship
that embraces many acts of obedience to Allah, such as reciting
the Qur'an, praying, remembering Allah, supplicating, etc.
The person who
has not experienced it might think that is difficult to bear, but
it is easy for whomever Allah makes it easy. Thus, whoever arms
himself with good intentions and true determination, Allah helps
him undertake the task with ease. I'tikaf is stressed more during
the last ten days of Ramadan in anticipation of laylat al-Qadr.
It is a permissible form of seclusion as the person observing it
holds himself in seclusion out of obedience to Allah and His remembrance.
He also cuts himself off from anything that would distract him from
the observance of I'tikaf His heart is set on all deeds that draw
him closer to Allah and the only desire he has is to do what pleases
Allah.
Performing Umrah
During Ramadan:
It has been
established that the Prophet (saws) said, "An Umrah performed
in Ramadan is equal in reward to Hajj." [Related by Al-Bukhari
and Muslim). In another version the Prophet (saws) said, "The
same (reward) as performing Hajj with me." So, congratulations
to you my brother (who succeeds) in performing a pilgrimage with
the Prophet (saws).
8. Anticipating
Laylat Al-Qadr:
Allah the Almighty
says, "We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night
of Power. And what will explain to you what the Night of Power is?
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months" [Qur'an
97:1-3). The Prophet (saws) said, "He who observes laylat al-Qadr
with sincere faith and hope for the reward of Allah will have his
past sins forgiven." [Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). The
Prophet (saws) used to look out for laylat al-Qadr and commanded
his Companions also to look out for it. He used to wake up his family
members during the last ten nights in the hope that they would succeed
in meeting the blessed night (in worship).
It is related
in Musnad Ahmad from Ubada that the Prophet (saws) said, "Whoever
stays awake in anticipation of laylat al-Qadr, and succeeds in getting
it, will have all of his sins both past and future forgiven."
[Al-Nasai reported a similar hadith, while Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajar said
that its chain meets the conditions for authenticity].
It has been
reported that some of our predecessors among the Companions and
their successors took a complete bath and used perfume during the
last ten nights (of Ramadan) in anticipation of laylat al-Qadr,
which has been highly honored by Allah.
So those of
you who have wasted their time with nothing beneficial, make up
for what you have missed by observing the night of laylat al-Qadr,
as it is reckoned from your age. Good deeds undertaken in this night
are better than (the deeds of) a thousand months, and whoever is
deprived of its benefits has indeed been much deprived.
9. Remembering
Allah, Supplicating and Seeking Forgiveness
Dear brother,
the days and nights of Ramadan are distinguished times, so seize
the opportunity by increasing your remembrance of Allah, and making
supplications, especially during the chosen periods when they are
more acceptable to Allah. These include:
*When breaking
the fast, since the fasting person's supplications are not rejected.
*The last third
of the night, when our Lord descends and says, "Is there anyone
asking that I may give;is there anyone seeking forgiveness that
I may forgive?"
*Asking for
forgiveness at dawn, as Allah says, "And in the hours of early
dawn, they (were found) praying for forgiveness" [Qur'an 51:18].
*Looking out
for the chosen hour on Friday when supplications are answered. This
hour is most likely to be the last hour of Friday (before sunset).
Finally, dear
brother:
After this round
in the garden of Paradise, under the shade of righteous deeds, I
would like to draw your attention to an important issue. Do you
know what that is? It is sincerity. Yes, sincerity. How so many
are the people who fast but benefit nothing other than hunger and
thirst from their fast. And how so many are the people who stay
awake in worship but get nothing other than sleeplessness and fatigue.
May Allah save you and me from that kind of outcome. Consequently,
we find the Prophet (saws) stressing this matter when he said, "(Fasting)
with full faith and hoping for a reward from Allah." The Salaf
therefore used to do their righteous deeds secretly in fear of falling
into showing off.
Hence, we find
this great Tabi'i, i.e. from the generation succeeding the Companions
of the Prophet, Ayyoub Al-Sakhtiyani, about whom Hamad Ibn Zayd
said, "Sometimes, when studying hadith, Ayyoub would be so
moved and he would turn (away) to blow his nose. Then he would say,
'How severe this cold is! Pretending to be having a cold to hide
his weeping."
It has been
reported that Muhammad Ibn Wasi' said, "I have known men among
whom there is one whose head would be placed beside that of his
wife on the same pillow, so that the part of the pillow under his
cheek would become wet from tears without his wife noticing it.
I have also known men, who while in the row for prayer, tears would
pour down their cheeks and the one next to them would not notice
it. Ayyoub AlSakhtiyani used to remain awake for the entire night
(in worship) yet he would hide it. So when morning came, he raised
his voice as if he had woken up that instant. Ibn Adiy related that
Dawud Ibn Abi Hind fasted for forty years without his family knowing
about it. His occupation was embroidery, so he would take his lunch
along with him (to work) but donate it to charity on the way. When
he returned at night, he would brake his fast with the family and
they did not know that he was fasting."
Sufyan Al-Thawn
said, "The servant of Allah would do his deeds secretly, and
the devil would persist in tempting him until he convinces him to
do it openly. The devil would then continue to insist until the
person wants to be thanked for the deed. So, it will be converted
from a deed done openly to one done for showing off."
Amusement During
Ramadan:
Dear brother,
I think I have prolonged my admonition to you to seize this opportunity.
I have taken some of your time, but let us look together at a very
critical phenomenon that we all fall into, especially during Ramadan.
It is the phenomenon of wasting time and spending it in ways other
than obedience to Allah. This indeed means a lack of awareness and
amounts to turning away from the Mercy and Bounty of Allah Who says,
"But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is
a life narrowed down, and We shall raise Him up blind on the Day
of Judgment. He will say, 'My Lord, why have You raised me up blind
while I had sight (before)?' Allah will say, 'Thus did you, when
our signs came upon you, forget them; so will you be this day forgotten.
And thus do we recompense him who transgresses beyond bounds and
believes not in the signs of his Lord. And the chastisement of the
Hereafter is far more grievous and enduring" [Qur'an 20:124-127].
One feels so much pain in his heart and is so much dismayed to find
Muslim youth filling the sidewalks and playgrounds during the most
virtuous nights of Ramadan.
How so many
are the sins and forbidden acts committed during the nights of Ramadan!
Yes, the Muslim must be truly concerned about the manner in which
Muslims spend their time. He must also be disturbed to find Muslim
youth spending their time in ways that are not pleasing to Allah.
But do not worry. The path to your happiness and that of your Muslim
brothers is to call them to apply Islamic teachings (i.e. doing
da 'wah) and to make supplications for them. Yes, da 'wah to those
Muslims who have become unaware of their Islamic duties, and guiding
them to the Straight Path. Also, make supplications for them in
their absence that Allah may accept it from you and that they do
not become among those deprived of guidance.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
WHY THE JEWS
WERE CURSED
By Muhammad
Alshareef
Rasul Allahs
wife, Umm Al-Mumineen Safiyyah bint Huyayy (raa) was the daughter
of one of the Jewish leaders of Madinah. After her Islam, she informed
the Prophet (saws when she had first felt the rays of Islam enter
her blessed heart.
It was the day
that Anas (raa) describes as the most radiant day to every come
upon al-Madinah - the day Rasul Allah (saws entered it. All the
Ansar men, women and children gathered to greet him, cheers of praise
to Allah filled the air.
Amongst the
gathering were 2 men; as much as the Ansar and Muhaajireen revered
the Prophet, they despised him. It was the father of Safiyyah (saws)
and her uncle.
She was only
a youngster as she looked into the darkness and gloom that had enveloped
their faces when they returned home that day. Her Jewish uncle 1400
years ago asked, Is it him? Is it the Prophet that our scriptures
speak of? Huyayy lowered his head and said, Yes. It
is him. Then what shall we do? Safiyyahs
uncle continued. Huyayy looked into his eyes, Till the final
day we shall be his bitterest enemies!
From the very
first rakaah of Taraweeh we read the verse in the opening
Surah: [Guide us to the straight path - The path of those upon whom
You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked (Your) anger!..]
Adiyy ibn Hatim
asked Rasul Allah (saws) who it was that evoked Allahs anger?
He said, It was the Jews. - Tafseer Ibn Katheer
When I was in
high school, studying in journalism class, our teacher had placed
on the wall a statement that I spent many days contemplating. It
simply said, Freedom of the press (speech) belongs to those
that own the press! Who owns the press? Well, you can believe
me when I say that it is not the God fearing beloved of Allah.
It is this same
press that molds and programs the aqeedah of a huge section of our
Ummah. Many of our brothers and sisters are illiterate to the words
of Allah and the guidance of Rasul Allah (saws), so it is with little
doubt that their ideas are subconsciously molded by what Seifeld
tells them at 8 pm every Wednesday evening.
It is this same
brother or sister that asks the question, I dont understand
why the Jews were cursed. Seinfeld is funny. What did he do?
This khutbah
is our media and in sha Allah we shall learn in these few
moments only samples of what carried the Jews to evoke Allahs
anger.
In the opening
verses of Surat Al-Baqarah, Allah invites the Children of Israeel
to come back - to remember the favor and blessing He bestowed upon
them - and to fulfill the promise that they would follow the Prophet
when he was sent to them.
[O Children
of Israel, remember My favor that I bestowed upon you and fulfill
My covenant upon you that I will fulfill your convenant (from Me)
and fear only Me.] - Surah al-Baqarah 2/40
Allah saved
them of their slavery to Firown, he saved them from sea and
drowned Firown and his army. Allah selected them to receive
food from the sky. Allah sent them Prophet after Prophet from amongst
themselves, and sent the Holy scriptures - the Towrah and the Injeel.
Allah preferred them over all others at their time.
[...And that
I preferred you over the worlds (i.e. people).] - Surah al-Baqarah
2/47
How did they
reply these Blessings of Allah?
(i) They Followed
Only What They Wanted to
When a Prophet
came to them, if what he taught did not appeal to them they either
rejected that truth or slit the throat of the Prophet and followed
what was to them appealing.
[We had already
taken the covenant of the Children of Israel and had sent to them
messengers. Whenever there came to them a messenger with what their
souls did not desire, a groups (of the Messengers) they denied and
another party they killed.] - al Maaidah 5/70
And we must
remember here that this is not the commentary of some human journalist
who claims to be neutral. This is the Lord of the Universe telling
us - in verses to be read till the final day - the deepest secrets
that lie in the pits of Judaism. [And who is more truthful than
Allah in statement!] - al Nisaa 4/87
(ii) They Changed
the Words of Allah
There was groups
of Jews that would change the words of Allah - adding something
here, deleting there - to pound the truth and keep the flock in
servitude to what they desired.
[And indeed,
there is among them a party who alter the Scripture with their tongues
so you may think it is from the Scripture, but it is not from the
Scripture. And they say, This is from Allah, but it
is not from Allah. And they speak untruth about Allah while they
know.] Ali-Imran 3/78
(iii) Their
claim that they are the beloved children of God
Ibn Abbas narrates:
Numaan ibn Aasaa, Bahr ibn Amr and Shaas ibn Adee (3
Jews) came to Allahs Messenger (saws). He sat with them and
invited them to Allah and warned them of Allahs anger. They
replied, Why are you trying to scare us O Muhammad? By God,
we are the children of God and His beloved ones! At that the
verse was revealed: [And the Jews and the Christians say, We
are the Children of Allah and His beloved. Say: Then
why does He punish you for your sins? Rather, you are humans
from among (all the others) that He created.] Al-Maaidah 5/18
~ Ibn katheer 2/36
(iv) Their Blasphemous
Statements
There came upon
the Jews a time of poverty, so they went to Shaas ibn Qays and questioned
him. He said, Your Lord is stingy, he never provides.
Allah revealed in the Quran: [And the Jews say, The
hand of Allah is chained. Chained are their hands and cursed
are they for what they say. Rather, both His hands are extended;
He spends however He wills.] AlMaaidah 5/64
(v) Their Murdering
of the Prophets
One of the most
horrific sins that they performed was the slaughtering of their
Prophets. This was one of the major reasons they were struck with
humiliation. [And they were covered with humiliation and poverty
and returned with anger from Allah (upon them). That was because
they (repeatedly) disbelieved in the signs of Allah and killed the
Prophets without right. That was because they disobeyed and were
(habitually) transgressing.] - Baqarah 2/61
Not only did
they try to kill their Prophets, but they attempted to assassinate
Rasul Allah (saws) himself. Rasul Allah went with some companions
to meet with the Jews of Banu Nadheer. While he waited for them
at the side of a building, they climed the roof with a boulder to
crush down upon the head of Rasul Allah. Jibreel warned Rasul Allah
(saws of their plan. He stood up without saying anything,
left for Madinah, and came back with an army. This was the cause
of Banu Nadheers expulsion from Madinah. - Mukhtasar Seerat
Ibn Hisham 159
And the list
goes on - They did not command the good or forbid the evil, they
did not accept the ruling of what Allah revealed upon them, they
disbelieved their book, they received food from the heavens but
rejected it, they challenged their Prophet to show them Allah in
this life, they took Angel Jibreel as their sworn enemy, they took
the graves of their Prophets as symbols of worship ... and the list
goes on and on in the Quran and Sunnah.
Part II
There are some
verses in the Quran that spoke about those that do not judge
by what Allah has decreed is a transgressor. Some students of Ibn
Abbas (raa) asked him, Were these not revealed for the Jews
and Christians? He said, Subhan Allah! Are all the glad
tidings in the Quran for us and all the admonitions for them?
If our we do what they did, our end will be their end.
Rasul Allah
(saws) said, "You will follow the wrong ways, of your
predecessors so completely and literally that if they should go
into the hole of a lizard, you too will go there." We said,
"O Allah's Apostle! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?"
He replied, "Whom else?" - Bukhari
The Quran
tells us of snakes in the grass that bit the Jews. Allah tells us
this so that we may take warning of what led them to evoke Allahs
anger and not be bitten by the same snake.
Let us take
an example from the following verse: [And there followed them successors
who inherited the scripture (while) taking the stock of this lower
life (i.e. Haram gains and whims), saying (regardless), We
will be forgiven.] - Araaf 7/169
So many Muslims
take this Quran as something inherited, the real power of
Allahs words has not penetrated the hearts. How many
of our young Muslim youth understand the language of Cobolt and
A++, spending years to understand, but do not comprehend a single
sentence in the Quran?
Have we desisted
from the Riba that Allah made Haram upon us? In the years of 1973
to 1976, when the Muslims went out to challenge Israel, the entertainment
armies were summoned. Female singers were brought, belly dancers
hired, and soap operas dedicated to the encouragement of our fighting
Muslims. The songs were drenched in nationalism and Arab pride.
In conclusion,
a fundamental part of our Deen is Al-Wala and Al-Bara
(wala - love and loyalty / Bara hatred and disownment).
It would be profitable for us to reflect on the implementation of
our Wala and Bara in regards to the Jews:
Firstly: We
should not take them as our close allies. Allah commands us in the
Quran: [O you who have belieded, do not take the Jews and
the Christians as allies. They are allies of one another. And whoever
is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is one of them. Indeed
Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.] - Maidah 5/51
Secondly: We
should not Imitate them. The forbiddance of imitating the Jews and
the Christians applies to those things that have become icons of
their customs and falsehood. So for example, if someone wore a white
collar on his neck, everyone would assume he was Christian. This
is because the white collar has become a symbol of theirs.
The ruling is
more general than just clothes. Rasul Allah (saws) said: [Act differently
then the Jews.] - Saheeh Abu Dawood
Thirdly: A Muslimah
may never marry a Jewish or Christian man that remains on his beliefs.
Allah declares
in the Quran: [They are not (i.e. the Muslim women) lawful
wives for them, nor are they lawful (husbands) for them.] - Mumtahinah
60/10
Is all this
a death sentence on the Jews? Nay, Allahs infinite Mercy has
left the gate open for ANYONE who wishes to come back to him.
[And if only
the People of the Scripture had believed and feared Allah, We would
have removed from them their misdeeds and admitted them to joyful
Gardens] - Maidah 5/65
O Allah guide
us to the straight path - the path of those who You have bestowed
favor, not of those who have evoked (Your) anger, nor of those that
went astray. Ameen.
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