A Chance to Change

We all agree that the most dangerous deprivation is not to be able to make use of Ramadan in satisfying Allah and getting closer to Him. Ramadan is an easy great reward that is available for everyone living on earth. On the other hand, others who lie under the ground (the dead) are deprived of it.

 

Here, I do not intend to motivate you to perform good acts in Ramadan such as reading Quran, contemplating, giving charity, remembering Allah, praying at night, performing righteousness…etc. In fact, the wise realizes well how he can exert his utmost efforts in order to perform and increase such acts.

 

Instead, I motivate and urge you to hasten to a great advantage of this month. Such an advantage is available in other months but in Ramadan, it is easier and more distinguished.

 

It is the chance to change. There is no one of us but that he has bad habits and habitual acts of disobedience which he is accustomed to and which he cannot give up. However, the matter is completely different in this blessed month. Ramadan has changed many people. Fasting, praying at night and seeking the help of Allah have helped him to avoid and abandon everything that obstructs his way towards obedience. In addition, such righteous acts have helped him to leave what causes his heedlessness, being away from Allah or what keeps him away from the superior matters.

 

Therefore, everyone should seek change by the beginning of this blessed month. In addition, he should count his most distinguishable habits and mistakes; the habits that prevent him from sublimity and take him away from guidance. Then, he should exert great efforts to neglect them; and he should substitute them for their contradictories, such as the acts of good and improvement.

 

There are many bad qualities that have spread in societies and should be abandoned by the beginning of this month. The following are just some examples:

 

Quick anger: some people get angry for trivial matters and without thinking. Moreover, he takes such trivial matters as a pretext for hatred and enmity that may last for a long or a short time. He was supposed to disregard many of the mistakes of others that do not cause any inevitable evil consequences. This makes him more likely to live with a clear conscience and a serene mind.

 

As it was reported, Imam Ahmad or another scholar said, “Nine tenths of happiness lie in disregarding.” Thus, the chance is available for the people having such trait to start accustoming themselves to patience and calmness. In addition, the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, “The strong man is not the one who wrestles, but the strong man is in fact the one who controls himself in a fit of rage.” [Agreed upon]

 

The evil assumption: After the man says something or does something, evil assumptions surround him and different stands are taken against him because of what he has said. After that, his integrity as well as the clarity of his heart are proven. How beautiful it is to accustom ourselves to having good opinion of others and to thinking of the good justifications of their actions all the time.

 

As Ja’far ibn Muhammad said, “Think of seventy excuses for your brother.”

 

However, I do not ask you to think of seventy excuses but just to think of what you can find of excuses. If you did not find any excuse, accuse yourself [of being mistaken].

 

Considering backbiting as an easy matter: there is an honorable man who is loved and appreciated by others and who cares about his own matters without realizing what is plotted behind his back. At such case, those who do not fear the punishment of backbiting mention his mistakes and show his defects. Thus, the view of people towards him is changed after they used to respect him and to deal with him with the best means of love as well as verbal and actual appreciation.

 

Every wise person should avoid such major sin and should leave others to manage their own business. I do not think this matter is hard for the one who is truthful, especially because we are in the moth of truth and virtue.

 

Envy: Ibn Taymiyyah said, “No one is saved from envy.” This indicates that all people are afflicted with it and no one is saved from it. However, there are some who do not push it away and do not strive for abandoning it. This causes him to lose his good deeds and constructs a barrier of hatred and enmity between him and others. The truthful one does not give a chance for envy to penetrate his heart, as he loves others. In addition, he does not wish that they lose what they have of bounties. If such person felt something indicating envy against his brother, he would hasten to supplication. He would pray for him from his heart in order to cut the way of Satan and to cut the roots of this disease. Therefore, he remains a good one having a serene mind and conscience.

 

This month is an easy great treasure to communicate with others. It is a chance to love them, get closer to them, and being cordial towards them by congratulating them for the blessings of Allah bestowed upon them. It is also a chance to invoke Allah for them openly and secretly. Through this, the meaning of unity, compassion and mercy among people are achieved. In addition, good prevails and hatred fades away.

 

Smoking: By Allah, if the smoker wants to abandon such bad habit in any month other than Ramadan, he will be able to do it with strong will and determination. So, what about the one who wants to abandon it in the month of fasting? He already remains half a day without smoking. Thus, it is possible to complete his day without it. Moreover, it is possible to keep himself busy with what is more useful for him. In addition, he can ask Allah to help him and he repeats the same the next day and every day until he is purified from it.

 

Listening to songs: the controversy is that people do not understand the danger of listening to songs. It blocks the way between the slave and his Lord and weakens his love to his Lord, the Almighty. In addition, it increases the broad fancies which support the prohibited love and creates the forbidden inclinations to the persons who have beautiful faces whether males or females. Do not ask about its consequences of distresses, sorrows, and difficulty of matters.

 

It is very appalling to listen to songs in months other than Ramadan. Thus, it is the ugliest sin to listen to them in Ramadan. It is a month for fasting the day and praying the night. In addition, the rest of the day should include remembrance, Quran, supplication, and giving charity.

 

These are just some examples. However, the reality is full of wrong habits and hateful practices. There are people who hoped to witness that month but they died before it started, as death was a barrier between them and their hopes. On the other hand, here you are, enjoying witnessing this month and collecting its benefits. Therefore, you should take it as a truthful start towards the pleasure of Allah, Glorified and Exalted, and after that, towards improvement and sublimity.

 

We should always remember the verse in which Allah Almighty says, {Verily! Allâh will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allâh). } [Surat Ar-Ra’d 13:11]

 

 I ask Allah the Most High, the All-Powerful to accept our deeds and yours in this month by His Grace and Generosity. I ask Him to accept fasting, praying at night, meditating on the Quran, and all our deeds of righteousness. I ask Him to change our negative sides, defects, and mistakes. He [Alone] is Worthy [of this plea] and is Able to bring this pass.

  

Prayers and peace of Allah be upon our Prophet and Master, Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions...

The Inner Secrets of Fasting

 

 Know that in the fast is a special quality that is not found in anything else. And that is its close connection to Allah, such that He says: “The fast (Sawm) is for Me and I will reward it.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim]

  

This connection is enough to show the high status of fasting. Similarly, the Ka`bah is highly dignified due to its close connection to Him, as occurs in His statement, “And sanctify My House.” [al-Hajj 22:26]

 

 Indeed, the fast is only virtuous due to two significant concepts...

 Firstly, it is a secret and hidden action thus, no one from the creation is able to see it. Therefore showing off cannot enter into it...

 Secondly, it is a means of subjugating the enemies of Allah. This is because the road that the enemies (of Allah) embark upon (in order to misguide the Son of Adam) is that of desires. And eating and drinking strengthens the desires. There are many reports that indicate the merits of fasting, and they are all well known..

 

 The recommended acts of fasting

 

The pre-dawn meal (suhur) and delaying in taking it are preferable, as well as hastening to break the fast and doing so with dates. Generosity in giving is also recommended during Ramadan, as well as doing good deeds and increasing in charity. This is in accordance with the way of the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him).

 

It is also recommended to study the Qur’an and perform i`tikaaf during Ramadan, especially in the last ten days, as well as increasing upon the exertion (towards doing good deeds) in it.

 

In the two Sahihs, `Aa’ishah said, “When the (last) ten days (of Ramadan) would come, the Prophet would tighten his waist-wrapper, spend the night in worship, and wake his family up (for prayer).” [al-Bukhari and Muslim]

 

The scholars have mentioned two views concerning the meaning of “tighten his waist-wrapper”:

 

The first: It means the turning away from women.

 

The second: It is an expression denoting his eagerness and diligence in doing good deeds. They also say that the reason for his (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) exertion in the last ten days of Ramadan was due to his (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) seeking of the Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr).

 

 

An explanation of the inner secrets of fasting and its characteristics

 

There are three levels of fasting : 

 

~ The general fast -->As for the general fast, then it is the refraining of the stomach and the private parts from fulfilling their desires.

 

~ The specific fast --> The specific fast is the refraining of one’s gaze, tongue, hands, feet, hearing and eyes, as well as the rest of his body parts from committing sinful acts.

 

~  and the further specific fast --> As for the more specific fast, then it is the heart’s abstention from its yearning after the worldly affairs and the thoughts which distance one away from Allah, as well as its (the heart’s) abstention from all the things that Allah has placed on the same level.

 From the characteristics of the specific fast is that one lowers his gaze and safeguards his tongue from the repulsive speech that is forbidden, disliked, or which has no benefit, as well as controlling the rest of his body parts.

 

In a hadith reported by al-Bukhari: “Whosoever does not abandon false speech and the acting upon it, Allah is not in need of him leaving off his food and drink.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah]

 

 Another characteristic of the specific fast is that one does not overfill himself with food during the night. Instead, he eats in due measure, for indeed, the son of Adam does not fill a vessel more evil than his stomach. If he were to eat his fill during the first part of the night, he would not make good use of himself for the remainder of the night. In the same way, if he eats to his fill for suhur, he does not make good use of himself until the afternoon. This is because excessive eating breeds laziness and lethargy. Therefore, the objective of fasting disappears due to one’s excessiveness in eating, for what is intended by the fast is that one savours the taste of hunger and becomes one who abandons desires.

 

 

Recommended Fasts

 

As for the recommended fasts, then know that preference for fasting is established in certain virtuous days. Some of these virtuous days occur every year, such as fasting the first six days of the month of Shawwal after Ramadan, fasting the day of `Arafah, the day of `Ashura, and the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram. Some of them occur every month, such as the first part of the month, the middle part of it, and the last part of it. So whoever fasts the first part of the month, the middle part of it, and the last part of it, then he has done well. Some fasts occur every week, and they are every Monday and Thursday.

 

The most virtuous of the recommended fasts is the fast of Dawud (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him). He would fast one day and break his fast the next day. This achieves the following three objectives: The soul is given its share on the day the fast is broken. And on the day of fasting, it completes its worship in full. The day of eating is the day of giving thanks and the day of fasting is the day of having patience. And Faith is divided into two halves - that of thankfulness and that of patience. It is the most difficult struggle for the soul. This is because every time the soul gets accustomed to a certain condition, it transfers itself to that.

 

As for fasting every day, then it has been reported by Muslim, from the hadith of Abu Qatadah, that `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him): ‘What is the case if one were to fast every day?’ So he (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “He did not fast nor did he break his fast -or- he did not fast and he did not break his fast.” [Muslim]

 

 This is concerning the one who fasts continuously, even during the days in which fasting is forbidden.

 

 

Characteristics of the most specific fast

 

Know that the one who has been given intellect, knows the objective behind fasting. Therefore, he burdens himself to the extent that he will not be unable to do that which is more beneficial than it. Ibn Mas`ood would fast very little and it is reported that he used to say: “When I fast, I grow weak in my prayer. And I prefer the prayer over the (optional) fast”. Some of them (the Sahabah) would weaken in their recitation of the Qur’an whilst fasting. Thus, they would exceed in breaking their fast (i.e. by observing less optional fasts), until they were able to balance their recitation. Every individual is knowledgeable of his condition and of what will rectify it.

Educating your children in Ramadan

Children (who did not reach puberty) are not commanded to fast.
 However, their parents or guardians are strongly recommended to encourage them to fast few days so that they get used to it and they grow up knowing of the worship of fasting as they would know that of praying.
 In fact this was the practice of the first women of Islam who were living around the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam. An example of that is ar-Rubay' bint Ma’ouz who reported that: “The Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, sent a man on the morning of the day of 'Ashurah, to the residences of the Ansar, saying: ‘Whoever has spent the morning fasting is to complete his fast. Whoever has not spent this morning fasting should voluntary fast for the remainder of the day.’ We fasted after that announcement, as did our young children. We would go to the mosque and make toys stuffed with cotton for them to play with. If one of them started crying due to hunger, we would give them a toy to play with until it was time to eat.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

 

«أرسل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم غداة عاشوراء إلى قرى الأنصار، التي حول المدينة: من كان أصبح صائما، فليتم صومه. ومن كان أصبح مفطرا، فليتم بقية يومه. فكنا بعد ذلك نصومه ونصوم صبياننا الصغار منهم، إن شاء الله. ونذهب إلى المسجد فنجعل لهم اللعبة من العهن. فإذا بكى أحدهم على الطعام، أعطيناها إياه عند الإفطار» رواه البخاري ومسلم

 

Dear sister remember that among the seven that Allah will shade under His shade on the Day of Judgment is a young man who grew up in the worship of Allah. Therefore let your children be one of these.

 

There are many ways to educate your children about Ramadan, the best and most important of which is to set the good example by fasting properly and behaving according to the Prophetic teachings. This is what your children will take from you first. When you are fulfilling this you can very easily (and they will accept it and practice it easily as well) teach them what you want.

 

 

Here are few tips that you can use with your children (you can think of others as well):

 

·         Depending on their age encourage them to fast a number of days up to every other day or more for those who are almost at the age of puberty. For those who are still young let them fast a day or two and praise them in front of friends and relatives for their achievement.

 

·         Let your children go with their father to the Masjid for Maghrib prayer and break the fast with the larger Muslim community to make them feel the greatness of fasting and the unity of Muslims in worshipping Allah.

 

·         If your children cannot fast let them eat with you at the time of Maghrib and teach them that you are breaking the fast even if they ate before.

 

·         Teach your children the supplication of breaking the fast

 

·         Take your children to the Taraweeh prayer so that they get used it and know about it from their early age. They may sit or stay in the back of the prayer room if they get tired.

 

·         Teach them to give charity. Do it in front of them and tell them you are doing it because the reward increases in Ramadan.

 

·         Teach them to recite Qur'an regularly and inform them that the Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) used to do that in Ramadan.

 

·         Correct them if they behave wrongly or say unacceptable words and remind them that they are fasting or they are in Ramadan and this may alter their reward.

 

·         Wake them up for Suhoor (even if they don't fast) and Fajr prayer.

 

·         Teach them to feed the people fasting and tell them about the reward for that.

 

·         Dress them in the best clothes, give them a bath and take them with you to the Eid Prayer. Teach them that this is our feast and celebration and that Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and other holidays are not ours. Stress the distinction.

 

And remember that the Prophet salla allahu alaihi wa sallam said: “One who is given the responsibility of the bringing up of daughters and treats them well will be a shield for him from Hell.” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]

 

«من ابتلي من هذه البنات بشيء، فأحسن إليهن، كن له سترا من النار» صححه الألباني

Don’t Miss Ramadan’s First Night

When Allah Favorably Looks at His Servants

 

Many people, unfortunately, ignore and don’t prepare themselves for the first night of Ramadan. Some people busy themselves with the day-to-day affairs and live it as the other nights of the year. Some people go shopping, enjoy entertainment, etc., and miss being among those whom Allah will favorably look at in that night.

 

Blessed with such a great divine gift and blessing, Ramadan’s first night does deserve a special program and due attention. Due prior preparations should be made and a plan should be set. It is a very precious night that occurs only once every year. So, we should not miss it.

 

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) drew our attention to this unique and blessed time. He said,

 

“When the first night of Ramadan comes, the devils and rebellious jinn are put in chains, and the gates of hell are closed, none of them remains open. The gates of heaven are opened and none of them remains closed. And a caller calls, ‘O seeker of goodness, come forward, and O seeker of evil, desist. And Allah has many (in this month) who will be freed from Hell.’ This announcement is made every night.” [At-Tirmidhi, authenticated by Al-Albani]

 

«إذا كان أول ليلة من شهر رمضان: صفدت الشياطين ومردة الجن، وغلقت أبواب النار فلم يفتح منها باب، وفتحت أبواب الجنة فلم يغلق منها باب، وينادي مناد يا باغي الخير أقبل، ويا باغي الشر أقصر ولله عتقاء من النار، وذلك كل ليلة» رواه الترمذي وصححه الألباني

 

 

Special Program

 

If a Muslim, brother or sister, wishes to be among those at whom Allah will look, he or she should work for it. They should expose themselves to Allah’s favor, mercy, forgiveness, and blessings. The following program may help us gain the divine gift of Ramadan’s first night:

 

1.    Determine to refrain from doing evils and sincerely repent your wrongdoings.

 

2.    Intend to fast the whole month of Ramadan with unswerving faith in Allah and looking for taking the reward from Him alone.

 

3.    Say the night dhikr (remembrance of Allah) shortly before the sunset of the last day of Sha`ban, preferably in the masjid.

 

4.    Go to the masjid to offer the Maghrib Prayer in congregation; sisters may pray at home if they like.

 

5.    Sit in the masjid, with the intention of i`tikaf (spiritual retreat in the masjid), and engage yourself in dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and Qur’an recitation until `Isha’ Prayer.

 

6.    Pray `Isha’ and Tarawih in congregation with devoutness and sincerity.

 

7.    Smile when you meet your fellow Muslims and wish them a happy Ramadan.

 

8.    Before sleeping, do some virtuous good deeds such as giving in charity, reciting the Qur’an, making dhikr, visiting sick people, etc.

 

9.    Wake up for the suhur (predawn meal) and pray qiyam (Night Vigil Prayer) before Fajr.

 

10.Go to the masjid to pray Fajr; sisters may pray at home.

 

11.Sit after Fajr in the masjid, reciting the Qur’an and making dhikr, to pray Duha after sunrise.

 

12.Remember to supplicate Allah for the suffering Muslims everywhere.

 

13.Throughout the night, earnestly ask Almighty Allah to favor and look at you with His mercy and forgiveness in this blessed night.

 

14.Encourage your family and friends to take the chance of the blessings of the first night of Ramadan.

 

May Almighty Allah look at and bless us all with His favors and blessings....

 May He guide us to what is best in this world and the world to come.. Aameen...

What's the Right Way to Perform Tahajjud ?

Ordering His Messenger to perform Tahajjud, Allah Almighty says what means:

{And during a part of the night, pray Tahajjud beyond what is incumbent on you; maybe your Lord will raise you to a position of great glory.} (Al-Israa’ 17:79)

This order, although it was specifically directed to the Prophet, also refers to all Muslims, since the Prophet is a perfect example and guide for us in all matters.

Moreover, performing Tahajjud Prayers regularly qualifies one as one of the righteous and makes one earn Allah's bounty and mercy. In praising those who perform the late night Prayers, Allah says what means:

{And they who pass the night prostrating themselves before their Lord and standing.} (Al-Furqan 25:64)

Next to these Quranic verses, there also exist a number of hadiths that reinforce the importance of Tahajjud.

`Abdullah ibn Salam reported:

“When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to Madinah, the people gathered around him and I was one of them. I looked at his face and understood that it was not the face of a liar. The first words I heard him say were: ‘O people, spread the salutations, feed the people, keep the ties of kinship, and pray during the night while the others sleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace.’” (At-Tirmidhi.)

Salman Al-Farsi quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:

“Observe the night Prayer; it was the practice of the righteous before you and it brings you closer to your Lord and it is penance for evil deeds and erases the sins and repels disease from the body.” (At-Tabarani)

Etiquette of Prayer

The following acts are recommended for one who wishes to perform the Tahajjud Prayer:

• Upon going to sleep, one should make the intention to perform the Prayers. Abu Ad-Darda' quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:
  
  “Whoever goes to his bed with the intention of getting up and praying during the night, but, being overcome by sleep, fails to do that, he will have recorded for him what he has intended, and his sleep will be reckoned as a charity (an act of mercy) for him from his Lord.” (An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah)
• On waking up, it is recommended that one wipes the face, use a toothbrush, and look to the sky and make the supplication which has been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
  
  Abu Hudhaifa reported:

"Whenever the Prophet intended to go to bed, he would recite: (With Your name, O Allah, I die and I live)." And when he woke up from his sleep, he would say: (All the Praises are for Allah Who has made us alive after He made us die (sleep) and unto Him is the Resurrection.)" (Al-Bukhari)

• One should begin with two quick rak`ahs and then one may pray whatever one wishes after that. `A’ishah said:
  
  “When the Prophet prayed during the late-night, he would begin his Prayers with two quick rak`ahs.” (Muslim)
• It is recommended that one wakes up one's family, for Abu Hurairah quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:
  
  “May Allah bless the man who gets up during the night to pray and wakes up his wife and who, if she refuses to get up, sprinkles water on her face. And may Allah bless the woman who gets up during the night to pray and wakes up her husband and who, if he refuses, sprinkles water on his face.” (Ahmad)
  
  The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said:
  
  “If a man wakes his wife and prays during the night or they pray two rak`ahs together, they will be recorded among those (men and women) who (constantly) make remembrance of Allah.” (Abu Dawud.)
• If one gets sleepy while performing Tahajjud, one should sleep. This is based on the hadith narrated by `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), who quoted Allah’s Messenger as saying:
  
  “When one of you gets up during the night for Prayer and his Qur’anic recital gets mixed up to the extent that he does not know what he says, he should lie down.” (Muslim.)

Recommended Time for Tahajjud

Tahajjud may be performed in the early part of the night, the middle part of the night, or the latter part of the night, but after the obligatory `Isha’ Prayer (night Prayer).

While describing the Prophet’s way of performing Prayer, Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“If we wanted to see him praying during the night, we could see him praying. If we wanted to see him sleeping during the night, we could see him sleeping. And sometimes he would fast for so many days that we thought he would not leave fasting throughout that month. And sometimes he would not fast (for so many days) that we thought he would not fast during that month.” (Al-Bukhari, Ahmad and An-Nasa’i.)

Commenting on this subject, Ibn Hajar says:

“There was no specific time in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would perform his late night Prayer; but he used to do whatever was easiest for him.”

Best Time for Tahajjud

It is best to delay this Prayer to the last third portion of the night. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying:

“Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven during the last third of the night, inquiring: ‘Who will call on Me so that I may respond to him? Who is asking something of Me so I may give it to him? Who is asking for My forgiveness so I may forgive him?’” (Al-Bukhari)

`Amr ibn `Absah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying:

“The closest that a slave comes to his Lord is during the middle of the latter portion of the night. If you can be among those who remember Allah the Exalted One at that time, then do so.” (At-Tirmidhi)

The Number of Rak`ahs in Tahajjud

Tahajjud Prayer does not entail a specific number of rak`ahs that must be performed, nor is there any maximum limit that may be performed. It would be fulfilled even if one prayed just one rak`ah of Witr after `Isha’.

Samurah ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“The Messenger of Allah ordered us to pray during the night, a little or a lot, and to make the last of the Prayer the Witr Prayer.” (At-Tabarani and Al-Bazzar)..

Allah knows best.. 

Ramadan: Month of Sympathy

What follows is based on a true story…

There was an affluent father who used to keep his family fed and clothed decently, if not splendidly. After a while, things changed and he became in straitened circumstances. Unable to afford food for his family as he used to, the month of Ramadan came. His social standing as well modesty prevented him from stretching his hand to ask others for assistance even if it were in the form of a personal debt. While struggling with life, all he could manage to be feeding his children with was nothing but cheese, oil and beans.
 The children put up with this on the first and second days of Ramadan. On the third, however, the youngest commented :
 “O Father! Cheese and oil have burnt our stomachs. We are fasting and we need something to moisten our tummies in this burning heat. We are almost about to faint from the smell coming up from the kitchens of our neighbors. Why don’t you feed us as our neighbor does to his children? Why don’t you feed us as you used to do?”

Then, the expressive but burning words of the little child were followed by tears spilling from his sad eyes.
Upon that, the grief-stricken father withdrew into a dark corner of the house where he burst into tears, as he did not want his children to see signs of society’s faithlessness and people’s cruelty on his face!
Did you find this emotional? Did it move your feelings? Did it move you to tears?
If yes, let me then congratulate you for the remaining sense of humanity you still have; the sense of humanity which Islam came to advocate and instill into the societies which broke away from all senses of common humanity.
When humaneness fades away, the law of the jungle prevails so that the strong devours the weak, the rich only gives charity to the poor to see humiliation and humbleness in his eyes, and one does not care about his next-door neighbor or even bother to know anything about his conditions.
 Customarily, when a Muslim breaks his fast, he praises Allah for His abundant blessings and favors. However, praising Allah for His favors should not be via the tongue alone. It should involve sharing such blessings and favors with other indigent brothers in humanity and in faith.

Many are those who are poor and to whom neither the society show mercy, nor the state care about in any way; a matter which makes them groan in pain under the severity of misery and deprivation. In fact, if mercy for these people is mandatory in other than Ramadan, it is most mandatory and necessary during the blessed month. Likewise, if humanity necessitates that anyone who recognizes them should assist them, a true Muslim should be keener on helping them so as to wipe away the tears from their eyes and to see his own happiness in making them happy.
The poor, for real, are too many to be counted. Here, I do not mean the professional beggars who knock at doors or roam the streets asking for charity. Rather, the ones who are meant here are the likes of a father who cannot find work to feed his kids; a mother who lost her guardian but her chastity and modesty prevent her from stretching her hand out; a child whose father passed away leaving him alone with no supporter or protector around; a refugee who was driven out of his own homeland at the hands of oppressive rulers and traitorous politicians leaving behind his riches as well as pride.
 These are the ones, along with so many others, to be remembered during the blessed days of Ramadan. I am not saying we should give them out in charity as charity is a supererogatory or voluntary act of worship. No, never do I mean any of this! What I mean here is that we should expiate for our own sins by way of making them feel the duly blessings of brotherhood, neighborhood, religious affiliation, and human compassion. Indeed, were it not for our and the society’s negligence, they would not have been in such bad and cruel conditions...

It goes without saying, if they feel the bitterness of deprivation in other than Ramadan for once, they feel it more than a thousand times in Ramadan!
How many Muslims spread their tables with various colors of food and drink every time they break their fast? Amazingly, only a little amount of these extra foods and drinks may feed whole families, relinquish their thirst, and wipe away the tears from the eyes of their groaning children.
Is there anyone of us who thinks about his nearby needy neighbor and destitute relatives?!
Is there anyone of us who thinks he can save some of the food he prepares for his own family on daily basis and decide to give it out to a poor family to break their fast with?!
In fact, if every fasting well-off person feeds another who is poor, no one will ever remain hungry or thirsty. If this really takes place, Ramadan will turn into a season whose blessings do not cease or come to an end and we, Muslims, will be the best of all nations for real.
Given this, let us search for the refugees, the homeless, the destitute and those who lost their breadwinner to do ourselves good through supporting them and to save ourselves from Allah’s torment through sympathizing with them. It is we who need them more than they need us!
Let every one of us remember that Allah the Almighty may not accept our fasting or acts of obedience while there are hungry human beings whom we could satisfy and unhappy fellows whom we can make happy around us. Finally, let us remember the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in which he says, “The one who sleeps with a full stomach knowing that his neighbor is hungry doesn’t believe in me.” (At-Tabarani)

How to Welcome the Month of Fasting

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, which is of paramount significance. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing Prayer, paying the zakah, making the pilgrimage to the Sacred House (Hajj), and fasting the month of Ramadan.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

 Surely, the month of Ramadan is the best season for offering good deeds and gaining reward. It is the duty of every Muslim to prepare himself for that blessed month...

  Allah says, (O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint, (fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later.

For those who can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent but he that will give more, of his own free will, it is better for him. And it is better for you that you fast, if you only knew. Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also Clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during the month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later.

Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance you shall be grateful. When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me: let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me: that they may walk in the right way.”) (Al-Baqarah 2:183-186)

 Allah is giving us another opportunity in our life to witness the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a great time of Allah’s blessings and His mercy. Every Muslim should take full advantage of this time. We should get ready to welcome this month and receive it with happiness. 

 Following are some ways to welcome this month:

1. Special du`aa’: Pray to Allah that this month reaches you while you are in the best of health and safety so that you can fast and do all your acts of devotion with ease and enthusiasm. It is reported by Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say from the beginning of Rajab in his prayers, “O Allah bless us in Rajab, bless us in Sha`ban, and bless us in Ramadan.” (Ahmad)

When he used to see Ramadan’s crescent, he used to pray: “O Allah, make this crescent shine on us with safety, faith, security, Islam, and good fortune to do what is beloved and pleasing to our Lord. Our and your Lord is Allah.” (Ad-Darimi)

2. Thanks and happiness: When the month comes, then you should be thankful to Allah and show happiness. The Companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them all) used to greet each other on the beginning of Ramadan. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said giving the good news of the month to his Companions, “The month of Ramadan has come to you. It is a blessed month. Allah has made obligatory on you to fast during this month. The gates of heaven are opened in this month and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained. In this month there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Whosoever is deprived of its blessings is indeed deprived.” (Ahmad)

3. Planning and determination: You should make a good plan for the whole month about how you are going to organize your days and evenings during Ramadan. Plan special schedules for your work so that you can pray on time, read the Qur’an, and take sahur and iftar on time. Have sincere intention and determination to take full advantage of this time.

Also have a full determination and commitment that you will not do any sin or anything wrong during this time. Make sincere repentance and seek the forgiveness of those whom you might have offended. In this way you can benefit much more from your fasting and prayers.

4. Learn about the rules of fasting: Fiqh of fasting is very important so that you do not do anything that will spoil your fasts. Learn the way of Prophet Muhammad in fasting. That is the best way. Fast is not spoiled only by eating and drinking during the fast, but also by speaking bad words and doing wrong things. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever does not give up bad words and bad deeds, Allah has no need in that he leaves his food and his drink.” (Al-Bukhari)

5. Charity, generosity and kindness: The month of Ramadan is the month of kindness, charity, and generosity. Plan to invite your neighbors, co-workers, friends — Muslims and non-Muslims — to have iftar with you. Let your non-Muslim friends and neighbors know about this month and its blessings. Be more generous and help the poor and needy. Plan to give your zakah and sadaqah at this time and help others as much as you can.

It is reported in a hadith that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was the most generous person, but in Ramadan he used to be more generous when Jibreel (Angel Gabriel) used to meet him. Jibreel used to see him during Ramadan every night and he used to read the Qur’an with him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was then more generous with goodness than the blowing wind. (Al-Bukhari)

Allah knows best... :)

Is Preparing for Ramadan Required ?

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


It has been authentically transmitted that the Prophet's Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) used to implore Allah to bless them with the opportunity to witness Ramadan six months ahead of it. This may reflect the intense desire of the Companions to gain the multiple rewards in this blessed month.

As Muslims, we have to enhance our spiritual state to start this month with open hearts ready to receive the light of iman. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say these words when the month of Sha`ban drew to a close, "O Muslims! A noble and generous month has come to you. A month in which a night is better than one thousand months, and this month is the month of charity, patience, and mercy. In this month the gates of Paradise become wide open and the gates of Hell are shut, and the devils are chained." (An-Nasa'i)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us through his own practical example that we must prepare to welcome the great guest of Ramadan by performing extra fasts and devotions in Sha`ban. It can be compared to warming up before a rigorous exercise regimen.

So the best way to prepare for Ramadan is as follows:

1. Observe fasts on as many days as you can in Sha`ban, but refrain from fasting as you get closer to Ramadan.. we are not allowed to join Sha`ban with Ramadan in fasting.

2. Perform extra devotions in Sha`ban.

3. Prepare urself mentally and spiritually to benefit optimally from the rich spiritual harvest of Ramadan.

May Allah bless us all to reap the rich harvest of Ramadan in the best way...Aameen..

Should Hepatitis Patients Fast ?

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


It is known that the doctor’s decision should be the most considerable opinion on such issues. So, as long as long the Hepatitis C patient has consulted a trustworthy doctor, he can follow his advice.

It is very clear in the Qur’an that sick people are exempted from fasting, “…and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days...” (Al-baqarah 2:185) In each illness, it is the doctor who really has the final word as to if the person should fast or not.

So, in this case, if the doctor said the Hepatitis C patient should not fast, then he should not. And if he can make up for missed days later, it would be good. But if he cannot make up for it at all because of permanent illness, then he should feed a poor person for each missed day...

Allah Almighty knows best...

Taking Medicine while Fasting in Ramadan

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

 Fasting during the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, which is of paramount significance. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing Prayer, paying the zakah, making the pilgrimage to the Sacred House (Hajj), and fasting the month of Ramadan.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Allah says, (…eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears from the black thread…) (Al-Baqarah 2: 187); accordingly, we must abstain from all food or drink from the beginning of dawn (fajr) until sundown. To do so, according to the consensus of scholars, is an essential condition for the validity of fast. Therefore, if you have deliberately taken the medicine after Adhan of fajr, then you have invalidated the fast, and you should make up for the same after Ramadan. If, however, you did so unknowingly, then your fast is still considered as valid. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Allah has forgiven my Ummah of their sins borne of ignorance and forgetfulness as well as due to coercion.” (Reported by Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim)

 
Having said this, however, I must comfort you by saying: Being sick, you need not worry about your action; for you certainly belong to the category of those who are exempt from fasting, especially if you are suffering from a condition that requires taking of medications during the day. You only need to make up for the fasts you have missed at a later time when you completely recover. If, however, you do not hope to recover, then you only need to offer fidyah (expiatory compensation), which consists of feeding a poor person for each day of fast you have missed....
 May Allah accept urs nd our good deeds...Aameen..

Masturbation : Does It Break the Fast ?

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

 
Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness and seeking protection from the hellfire through various acts of worship. It is a special month in the sense that we are supposed to make the best use of our time to draw closer to Allah the Almighty by doing good deeds and staying away from bad deeds. We should focus on reciting the Qur'an, praying taraweeh, giving charity, making dhikr (mention of Allah) and istighfar (seeking forgiveness for one's sins), etc

 The wise Muslim is he or she who never misses any good in Ramadan. In an authentic Hadith the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: "Truly is lost whoever hears my name and does not invoke blessings on me; truly is lost whoever catches Ramadan and he misses the chance to get his sins forgiven; truly is lost whoever catches his parents in their lives until they become old, and yet he misses to attain Paradise (through honoring and taking care of them." (At-Tirmidhi, Sunan, Vol. 5, Hadith no. 3613; this Hadith has been classified as hasan saheeh (good and authentic) by Sheikh Al-Albani in his book Saheeh At-Tirmidhi, Hadith no. 2810)
That is why a Muslim should not only avoid the haram during Ramadan, but should not even think of it, as he or she is supposed to be involved in `ibadah (worship) and increasing his or her good deeds.

 Masturbation during the daytime of Ramdan breaks the fast, based on the Hadith that a fasting Muslim gives up eating, drinking, and sexual desire for the sake of Allah. Since masturbation is a kind of sexual desire, a fasting Muslim must avoid it. The Prophet’s (peace and blessing be upon him) mention of “sexual desire” after “eating and drinking” is evidence that it breaks the fast if one does fulfill his or her sexual desire during the daytime of Ramadan. Therefore, masturbation does invalidate the fast, as it is one of the sins that if someone does it he or she would be violating the sanctity of this month.

If someone masturbates while fasting, his or her fasting is broken, and he or she has to make up for that day later on. The reason is that the release of sperm (or sexual vaginal secretions in the case of women) comes as a result of desire and sexual excitement, which is haram during the daytime of Ramadan.

We know that scholars said if someone vomits by intention it will break the fast but if he vomits unintentionally it will not break the fast. If we apply the rule of qiyas (analogy) to this case, we would say that if someone releases sperm (or sexual vaginal secretions in the case of women) due to a sexual (wet) dream or without desire, it will not break the fast. However, if he or she intentionally masturbates and releases the sperm (or sexual vaginal secretions in the case of women), so of course it comes with a desire and it has the same `illah (cause) in the qiyas process. That is why it breaks the fast...

Allah Almighty knows best...

Fasting the Last Five Days of Sha`ban : OK ?

In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

First of all, we pray to Almighty Allah to bless all of us in the month of Sha`ban and to give us the chance to fast Ramadan. May Allah grant us all patience and perseverance to earn Allah’s reward in the blessed month...Aameen...
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to fast most of the days of Sha`ban, but he used to stop fasting when he got close to the month of Ramadan. That is why Muslim scholars state that fasting is highly recommended in the early part of the month of Sha`ban until few days before the month of Ramadan.
  
As far as the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is concerned, we are told by `A'ishah, the Mother of the believers (may Allah be please with her) that the Prophet "used to fast most of the days of Sha`ban, but he stopped fasting when he got close to the month of Ramadan." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

 Based on this, it is considered highly recommended to fast in the early part of Sha`ban and stop fasting the last few days of the month.

The Prophet wanted to teach us an important wisdom that we should not join Sha`aban and Ramadan in fasting, rather we should keep the Ramadan fast totally separate from that of Sha`ban. Sha`ban fasting is only for preparation and warming up for the fasting in Ramadan, so we should not confuse the two fasts.

Allah Almighty knows best.... :)

Does Rinsing Mouth and Nose Affect Fasting ?

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear brother in Islam, it gives us great pleasure to receive ur question. May Allah bless ur efforts in pursuit of knowledge nd accept ur fasting nd all other acts of worship..
There is nothing wrong in rinsing the nose or mouth during fasting, as long as one is cautious not to let water enter his mouth or nose.

Rinsing the mouth nd the nose during wudu' (ablution) is either classified as a Sunnah act of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), according to Imams Abu Hanifah, Malik, and Ash-Shafi`i, or as an obligation, according to Imam Ahmad who considers it to be a part of washing the face. In both cases, one should not abandon rinsing them when making wudu' whether fasting or not.

It is noteworthy tht a fasting person should not exaggerate in doing it. Here, we recall the Prophetic Hadith that reads, “When you rinse your nose, overdo it except if you are observing fasting.” (Abu Dawud)

Accordingly, if one rinses his mouth or nose in wudu' while fasting and some water goes down his throat without intending or overdoing it, his Fast remains valid. This is similar to the case when dust from the roadway or a fly enters the throat, which is regarded as a mistake, for which this nation will not be held accountable, even if some scholars differ regarding them.

Also, rinsing the mouth for other aims than wudu' will not invalidate one's fasting as long as none of the water goes down the throat.

Allah Almighty knows best...