Showing posts with label Ramadhan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ramadhan. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Sha`ban is My Month -Muhammad saw
Alhamdullillah,
Asalaamu 'alaikum wa rahmat Ullahi wa barakaatuh,
We are leaving the month of Shabaan quickly moving into the radar of the Blessed Ramadan.
Yeah so Ramadhan is on its way (YAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY! )......and we should prepare for it, Insha Allah.
I thought it may be beneficial for us, in preparation for Ramadhan to look at the virtues of the month of Sha'ban and the authentic good practices that are encouraged in it:
Sha'ban is the name of the (eigth) month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and it is so called because in this month the Arabs used to disperse (tasha'aba) in search of water, or it was said that it is so called because it sha'aba (branches out or emerges) i.e., it appears between the months of Rajab and Ramadan.
Sha`ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad . It is reported in authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad , used to fast most of the month in Sha`ban. These fasts are supererogatory (nafl) and well deserving of reward, for Sha`ban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. The Prophet mentioned in a hadith, "Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha`ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of the Nation".
Know that Sha'ban is from amongst the greatest of months, a month whose blessings are
well known and its goodness readily present. Repentance in it is from amongst the best
reaping for a believer, and worship in it is most profitable.
It is the month of the Prophet, upon him be peace, as mentioned in the hadith "Rajab is
the month of Allah, Sha'ban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of the Qu'ran". It is
the month in which he split the moon, and the verse "Verily Allah and His Angels send
blessings upon the Prophet. Oh you who believe! Send your prayers and blessings upon
him and salute him well!” {Ahzab:56} was revealed, hence it is the month of sending
salaw't upon the Prophet, so send your blessings upon him profusely!
It is also the month of the middle night of Sha'ban, the night in which the provisions of
created beings are allotted. It is mentioned in the book Tuhfat al-Ikhwan, narrated from
Ata' ibn Yasir, may Allah be pleased with him, that "….there is no night better after the
night of Qadr than the 15th night of Sha'ban".
Note that after the decree of Allah is made apparent to the Angels there is no changing it,
however before that, it is in the Tablet (Lawh), where Allah can take from or add to it as He
so wills, glory be to Him. Many ahhadith narrate that it is the night in which Allah
decrees all good works and provisions to those who seek it. The apparent wisdom behind
this is of awakening desire and warning. Awakening desire to attain towards good works
through obedience and action so felicity may be written for him, and warning of sin in that
night out of fear that one may be considered amongst the dead heartened and that it be
written for them like that for the remainder of the year.
It is reported in the book Tuhfat al-Ikhwan that the Messenger of Allah, upon him be
peace, said "Verily Allah forgives all of the believers on this night, except the fornicator, the
one who drinks alcohol and the one disobedient to his/her parents". From other ahhadith it
can be gathered that this list be expanded to the one who associates partners with Allah
(mushrik), the one who breaks family ties of kinship amongst others.
It is said that the first ten days of Rajab were preferred over other months due to the 1st
night of Rajab, and the second ten days of Sha'ban were preferred over other months due
to the 15th night, and that the last ten days of Ramadan were preferred over others due to
the night of power (Qadr).
Note that the recommendation of praying 100 raka's of voluntary prayer (nafl), or anything
similar, is an innovation and has no basis. It is more preferable to engage in salat al-tasbih
as was taught by the Prophet .
Selected ad’iyah (du’a’s - prayers)
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said "Never did a servant invoke
Allah with this invocation except that Allah will widen for him his living".
Du’a’:
In the name of Allah, most Merciful, most Compassionate. Prayers and blessings upon our
master Muhammad saw, and his family and companions
O Allah, Tireless Owner of Bounty. O Owner of Sublimity, Honor, Power, and Blessings.
There is no Allah except You,
the Support of refugees and Neighbour of those who seek nearness,
Guardian of the fearful.
O Allah, if you have written in Your Book that I be
abject, deprived, banished, and tight-fisted,
then erase O Allah, through Your bounty,
my misery, deprivation, banishment, and stinginess
and establish me with You as happy, provided with
blessings, for surely You have said—and Your Word
is True—in Your Revealed Book on the tongue of
Your Messenger,
“Allah blots out or confirms what He
pleases, and with Him is the Mother of Books.” (13:39)
My God, by the Great Manifestation of the Night of the
middle of the Noble Month of Sha`b?n
“in which every affair of wisdom is made distinct and
authorized,“(44:4) remove from us calamities—those
we know and those we do not know, and Thou
knowest best—for surely You are the Most Mighty, the Most Generous.
Du’a’:
The following du’a is attributed to the great Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani (ra), which he
composed specifically for the blessed night of the 15th:
Oh Allah, if you manifest Yourself to Your
creation on the mid-night of Sha'ban
Then bring unto us your relenting and
protection
And decree for us, by your bounty, abundant
provision
And let us be counted from amongst those who
uphold your right in this night
Oh Allah, whosoever you ordained for them
death, then ordain with that your mercy for
them
And whosoever you ordained for them a long
life, then grant them Your favour with that
And realise for us what our hopes cannot
Oh Greatest before whom feet have stood, oh
Lord of the worlds
Your mercy! Oh most Merciful of those who
show mercy
And prayers of God, most High, be upon our
master Muhammad saw, the best of His creation,
and upon his family and companions.
Oh Allah may you send your blessings (prayers) upon our master Muhammad(PBUH) saw, your
servant and messenger, the unlettered Prophet, and upon his family and companions
1. The blessed companion Anas , reports that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was asked, "Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?" He replied, "Fasts of Sha`ban in honor of Ramadan."
2. The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid , reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad : "Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha`ban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month." Prophet Muhammad , replied: "That (Sha`ban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting."
3. Ummul Mu'mineen `Aishah (r), says, "Prophet Muhammad , used to fast the whole of Sha`ban. I said to him, 'Messenger of Allah, is Sha`ban your favorite month for fasting?' He said, 'In this month Allah prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like that my death comes when I am in a state of fasting.’"
4. In another Tradition she says, "Prophet Muhammad , would sometimes begin to fast continuously until we thought he would not stop fasting, and sometimes he used to stop fasting until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah fasting a complete month, except the month of Ramadan, and I have never seen him fasting in a month more frequently than he did in Sha`ban."
5. In another report she says, "I never saw the Messenger of Allah, , fasting in a month so profusely as he did in the month of Sha`ban. He used to fast in that month leaving only a few days, rather, he used to fast almost the whole of the month."
6. Ummul-Mu'mineen Umm Salamah (r), says: "I have never seen the Messenger of Allah fasting for two months continuously except in the months of Sha`ban and Ramadan."
These reports indicate that fasting in the month of Sha`ban, though not obligatory, is so meritorious that Prophet Muhammad did not like to miss it.
When Sha'ban began, if the Prophet (PBUH) still had some voluntary fasts outstanding that he had not fasted, he would make them up during Sha'ban so that his nafl fasts would be complete before Ramadan came. Similarly, if he had missed some Sunnah prayers or he had missed Qiyam al-Layl (night prayer), he would make it up. 'A'ishah used to make the most of this opportunity to make up any obligatory Ramadan fasts that she had missed because of menstruation; during other months she was too busy with the Prophet (PBUH) to fast.
We should also note here that anyone who has any missed fasts to make up has to make them up before the next Ramadan comes. It is not permissible to delay it until after the following Ramadan except in cases of necessity (such as a valid excuse that continues between the two Ramadans). Whoever is able to make them up before the (second) Ramadan and does not do so, has to make them up after the (second) Ramadan and in addition to that, he has to repent and to feed one poor person for each day that he missed. This is the view of Malik, al-Shafa'i and Ahmad.
Another benefit of fasting in Sha'ban is that it is a kind of training for the Ramadan fast, in case a person finds it difficult to fast when Ramadan starts; if he fasts in Sha'ban he will have gotten used to fasting and he will feel strong and energetic when Ramadan comes. Sha'ban is like an introduction to Ramadan and it has some things in common with Ramadan, such as fasting, reciting Qur'an and giving in charity. Salamah ibn Suhayl used to say: "The month of Sha'ban is the month of reciters (of the Qur'an)." Habeeb ibn Abi Thabit used to say, when Sha'ban came, "This is the month of reciters (of the Qur'an)." When Sha'ban came, 'Amr ibn Qays al-Mala'i used to close his store and devote his time to reading the Qur'an.
Fasting at the end of Sha'ban
It was reported in al-Bukhari and Muslim from 'Imran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (PBUH) said to a man, "Have you fasted anything of the sirar of this month?" He said, "No." He said: "If you have not fasted, then fast two days." According to a report narrated by al-Bukhari: I think he meant Ramadan. According to a report narrated by Muslim, (the Prophet - PBUH) said: "Have you fasted anything of the sirar of Sha'ban?"
There was some dispute as to the meaning of the word sirar. The most well known view is that it refers to the end of the month. The end of the month is called sirar because the moon is hidden at that time. Someone may raise the point that it was reported in al-Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Do not pre-empt Ramadan by one or two days, except for those who have the habit of fasting regularly, in which case they may fast." (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim).
How can we reconcile the hadeeth which encourages fasting at this time with the hadeeth which says not to fast at this time? The answer is: many of the scholars and most of those who commented on this hadeeth said: this man to whom the Prophet (PBUH) addressed this question was known to have the habit of fasting regularly, or else he had made a vow, so the Prophet (PBUH) commanded him to make up his fast. There are also other points of view on this issue.
In brief we may say that there are three scenarios for fasting at the end of Sha'ban:
The first scenario is when a person fasts at the end of Sha'ban with the intention of being on the safe side and not missing the first day of Ramadan. This is forbidden.
The second scenario is when a person fasts with the intention of fulfilling a vow or of making up a day of Ramadan that he missed or as an act of expiation (kaffarah), etc. This is permissible according to the majority.
The third scenario is when this is purely a voluntary fast. This is regarded as makrooh (disliked) by those who said that we should differentiate between Sha'ban and Ramadan by not fasting for a while. Among those who said this was al-Hasan. If it happens to coincide with a day when a person habitually fasts, Malik and those who agreed with him permitted this, but al-Shafa'i, al-'Awza'i, Ahmad and others made a distinction between cases where it is a fast which a person habitually observes or otherwise.
In conclusion, the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah R.A. quoted above is what we should follow according to the majority of scholars. It is makrooh to observe a voluntary fast one or two days before Ramadan for those who do not habitually fast on those days and who have not previously fasted until the end of Sha'ban.
It may be asked: why is it makrooh to fast just before Ramadan (for those who do not have a prior habit of fasting)? The answer is that there are a number of reasons why this is so, such as:
Firstly: lest extra days be added to the fast of Ramadan that are not part of it. Fasting on the day of Eid is prohibited for the same reason, lest we fall into the same trap as the People of the Book with regard to fasting, as they added to their fasts because of their own whims and desires. For the same reason it is also forbidden to fast on the "day of doubt". 'Ammar said: whoever fasts on this day has disobeyed Abu'l-Qasim (PBUH). The "day of doubt" is a day when people are not sure whether it is Ramadan or not, when news of the sighting of the crescent moon comes from one whose word cannot be accepted. As for a cloudy day, some of the 'ulama' said that this was also a 'day of doubt' and said that fasting was not allowed on this day. This is the view of the majority.
Secondly: to make a distinction between fard (obligatory) fasts and nafl fasts, because making a clear distinction between fard actions and nafl actions is prescribed in Islam. Hence it is haram to fast on the day of Eid, and the Prophet (PBUH) forbade following an obligatory prayer immediately with another prayer unless they are separated by saying salam or speaking, especially in the case of the Sunnah prayer performed just before Fajr. It is prescribed to make a clear separation between this prayer and the obligatory prayer. Hence it is prescribed to pray it at home and to lie down afterwards.
When the Prophet (PBUH) saw a man praying at the time when the iqamah had been given for Fajr, he said to him: "Al-Subh is four rak'ahs?" (Narrated by al-Bukhari).
Some ignorant people may think that the reason why we do not fast just before Ramadan is so that we can make the most of eating and have our fill of our desires before we have to deny ourselves by fasting. This is an ignorant mistake on the part of those who think this.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) stated the following:
“This month is between Rajab and Ramadan; People are ignorant of this month, which is between Rajab and Ramadan. It is the month in which the deeds are presented to the Lord of the Worlds. I want my deeds to be presented to Allah when I am fasting.”(8)
If we appreciate these holy days and render our days and nights blessed and fruitful spiritually, we will benefit from the abundance and prosperity f this month more. The fasting performed in those months is not fard or wajib (obligatory); it is sunnah. We should try to fast in order to obtain rewards by following our Prophet.
May Almighty God make us benefit from the light and prosperity of the month of Shaban in the maximum degree. Amin.
"Have fun praying and getting ready for the Day of Judgment coz that day will NOT be fun :) P.S.: don’t forget to make dua for me.
Asalaamu 'alaikum wa rahmat Ullahi wa barakaatuh,
We are leaving the month of Shabaan quickly moving into the radar of the Blessed Ramadan.
Yeah so Ramadhan is on its way (YAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY! )......and we should prepare for it, Insha Allah.
I thought it may be beneficial for us, in preparation for Ramadhan to look at the virtues of the month of Sha'ban and the authentic good practices that are encouraged in it:
Sha'ban is the name of the (eigth) month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and it is so called because in this month the Arabs used to disperse (tasha'aba) in search of water, or it was said that it is so called because it sha'aba (branches out or emerges) i.e., it appears between the months of Rajab and Ramadan.
Sha`ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad . It is reported in authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad , used to fast most of the month in Sha`ban. These fasts are supererogatory (nafl) and well deserving of reward, for Sha`ban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. The Prophet mentioned in a hadith, "Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha`ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of the Nation".
Know that Sha'ban is from amongst the greatest of months, a month whose blessings are
well known and its goodness readily present. Repentance in it is from amongst the best
reaping for a believer, and worship in it is most profitable.
It is the month of the Prophet, upon him be peace, as mentioned in the hadith "Rajab is
the month of Allah, Sha'ban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of the Qu'ran". It is
the month in which he split the moon, and the verse "Verily Allah and His Angels send
blessings upon the Prophet. Oh you who believe! Send your prayers and blessings upon
him and salute him well!” {Ahzab:56} was revealed, hence it is the month of sending
salaw't upon the Prophet, so send your blessings upon him profusely!
It is also the month of the middle night of Sha'ban, the night in which the provisions of
created beings are allotted. It is mentioned in the book Tuhfat al-Ikhwan, narrated from
Ata' ibn Yasir, may Allah be pleased with him, that "….there is no night better after the
night of Qadr than the 15th night of Sha'ban".
Note that after the decree of Allah is made apparent to the Angels there is no changing it,
however before that, it is in the Tablet (Lawh), where Allah can take from or add to it as He
so wills, glory be to Him. Many ahhadith narrate that it is the night in which Allah
decrees all good works and provisions to those who seek it. The apparent wisdom behind
this is of awakening desire and warning. Awakening desire to attain towards good works
through obedience and action so felicity may be written for him, and warning of sin in that
night out of fear that one may be considered amongst the dead heartened and that it be
written for them like that for the remainder of the year.
It is reported in the book Tuhfat al-Ikhwan that the Messenger of Allah, upon him be
peace, said "Verily Allah forgives all of the believers on this night, except the fornicator, the
one who drinks alcohol and the one disobedient to his/her parents". From other ahhadith it
can be gathered that this list be expanded to the one who associates partners with Allah
(mushrik), the one who breaks family ties of kinship amongst others.
It is said that the first ten days of Rajab were preferred over other months due to the 1st
night of Rajab, and the second ten days of Sha'ban were preferred over other months due
to the 15th night, and that the last ten days of Ramadan were preferred over others due to
the night of power (Qadr).
Note that the recommendation of praying 100 raka's of voluntary prayer (nafl), or anything
similar, is an innovation and has no basis. It is more preferable to engage in salat al-tasbih
as was taught by the Prophet .
Selected ad’iyah (du’a’s - prayers)
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said "Never did a servant invoke
Allah with this invocation except that Allah will widen for him his living".
Du’a’:
In the name of Allah, most Merciful, most Compassionate. Prayers and blessings upon our
master Muhammad saw, and his family and companions
O Allah, Tireless Owner of Bounty. O Owner of Sublimity, Honor, Power, and Blessings.
There is no Allah except You,
the Support of refugees and Neighbour of those who seek nearness,
Guardian of the fearful.
O Allah, if you have written in Your Book that I be
abject, deprived, banished, and tight-fisted,
then erase O Allah, through Your bounty,
my misery, deprivation, banishment, and stinginess
and establish me with You as happy, provided with
blessings, for surely You have said—and Your Word
is True—in Your Revealed Book on the tongue of
Your Messenger,
“Allah blots out or confirms what He
pleases, and with Him is the Mother of Books.” (13:39)
My God, by the Great Manifestation of the Night of the
middle of the Noble Month of Sha`b?n
“in which every affair of wisdom is made distinct and
authorized,“(44:4) remove from us calamities—those
we know and those we do not know, and Thou
knowest best—for surely You are the Most Mighty, the Most Generous.
Du’a’:
The following du’a is attributed to the great Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani (ra), which he
composed specifically for the blessed night of the 15th:
Oh Allah, if you manifest Yourself to Your
creation on the mid-night of Sha'ban
Then bring unto us your relenting and
protection
And decree for us, by your bounty, abundant
provision
And let us be counted from amongst those who
uphold your right in this night
Oh Allah, whosoever you ordained for them
death, then ordain with that your mercy for
them
And whosoever you ordained for them a long
life, then grant them Your favour with that
And realise for us what our hopes cannot
Oh Greatest before whom feet have stood, oh
Lord of the worlds
Your mercy! Oh most Merciful of those who
show mercy
And prayers of God, most High, be upon our
master Muhammad saw, the best of His creation,
and upon his family and companions.
Oh Allah may you send your blessings (prayers) upon our master Muhammad(PBUH) saw, your
servant and messenger, the unlettered Prophet, and upon his family and companions
1. The blessed companion Anas , reports that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was asked, "Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?" He replied, "Fasts of Sha`ban in honor of Ramadan."
2. The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid , reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad : "Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha`ban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month." Prophet Muhammad , replied: "That (Sha`ban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting."
3. Ummul Mu'mineen `Aishah (r), says, "Prophet Muhammad , used to fast the whole of Sha`ban. I said to him, 'Messenger of Allah, is Sha`ban your favorite month for fasting?' He said, 'In this month Allah prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like that my death comes when I am in a state of fasting.’"
4. In another Tradition she says, "Prophet Muhammad , would sometimes begin to fast continuously until we thought he would not stop fasting, and sometimes he used to stop fasting until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah fasting a complete month, except the month of Ramadan, and I have never seen him fasting in a month more frequently than he did in Sha`ban."
5. In another report she says, "I never saw the Messenger of Allah, , fasting in a month so profusely as he did in the month of Sha`ban. He used to fast in that month leaving only a few days, rather, he used to fast almost the whole of the month."
6. Ummul-Mu'mineen Umm Salamah (r), says: "I have never seen the Messenger of Allah fasting for two months continuously except in the months of Sha`ban and Ramadan."
These reports indicate that fasting in the month of Sha`ban, though not obligatory, is so meritorious that Prophet Muhammad did not like to miss it.
When Sha'ban began, if the Prophet (PBUH) still had some voluntary fasts outstanding that he had not fasted, he would make them up during Sha'ban so that his nafl fasts would be complete before Ramadan came. Similarly, if he had missed some Sunnah prayers or he had missed Qiyam al-Layl (night prayer), he would make it up. 'A'ishah used to make the most of this opportunity to make up any obligatory Ramadan fasts that she had missed because of menstruation; during other months she was too busy with the Prophet (PBUH) to fast.
We should also note here that anyone who has any missed fasts to make up has to make them up before the next Ramadan comes. It is not permissible to delay it until after the following Ramadan except in cases of necessity (such as a valid excuse that continues between the two Ramadans). Whoever is able to make them up before the (second) Ramadan and does not do so, has to make them up after the (second) Ramadan and in addition to that, he has to repent and to feed one poor person for each day that he missed. This is the view of Malik, al-Shafa'i and Ahmad.
Another benefit of fasting in Sha'ban is that it is a kind of training for the Ramadan fast, in case a person finds it difficult to fast when Ramadan starts; if he fasts in Sha'ban he will have gotten used to fasting and he will feel strong and energetic when Ramadan comes. Sha'ban is like an introduction to Ramadan and it has some things in common with Ramadan, such as fasting, reciting Qur'an and giving in charity. Salamah ibn Suhayl used to say: "The month of Sha'ban is the month of reciters (of the Qur'an)." Habeeb ibn Abi Thabit used to say, when Sha'ban came, "This is the month of reciters (of the Qur'an)." When Sha'ban came, 'Amr ibn Qays al-Mala'i used to close his store and devote his time to reading the Qur'an.
Fasting at the end of Sha'ban
It was reported in al-Bukhari and Muslim from 'Imran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (PBUH) said to a man, "Have you fasted anything of the sirar of this month?" He said, "No." He said: "If you have not fasted, then fast two days." According to a report narrated by al-Bukhari: I think he meant Ramadan. According to a report narrated by Muslim, (the Prophet - PBUH) said: "Have you fasted anything of the sirar of Sha'ban?"
There was some dispute as to the meaning of the word sirar. The most well known view is that it refers to the end of the month. The end of the month is called sirar because the moon is hidden at that time. Someone may raise the point that it was reported in al-Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Do not pre-empt Ramadan by one or two days, except for those who have the habit of fasting regularly, in which case they may fast." (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim).
How can we reconcile the hadeeth which encourages fasting at this time with the hadeeth which says not to fast at this time? The answer is: many of the scholars and most of those who commented on this hadeeth said: this man to whom the Prophet (PBUH) addressed this question was known to have the habit of fasting regularly, or else he had made a vow, so the Prophet (PBUH) commanded him to make up his fast. There are also other points of view on this issue.
In brief we may say that there are three scenarios for fasting at the end of Sha'ban:
The first scenario is when a person fasts at the end of Sha'ban with the intention of being on the safe side and not missing the first day of Ramadan. This is forbidden.
The second scenario is when a person fasts with the intention of fulfilling a vow or of making up a day of Ramadan that he missed or as an act of expiation (kaffarah), etc. This is permissible according to the majority.
The third scenario is when this is purely a voluntary fast. This is regarded as makrooh (disliked) by those who said that we should differentiate between Sha'ban and Ramadan by not fasting for a while. Among those who said this was al-Hasan. If it happens to coincide with a day when a person habitually fasts, Malik and those who agreed with him permitted this, but al-Shafa'i, al-'Awza'i, Ahmad and others made a distinction between cases where it is a fast which a person habitually observes or otherwise.
In conclusion, the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah R.A. quoted above is what we should follow according to the majority of scholars. It is makrooh to observe a voluntary fast one or two days before Ramadan for those who do not habitually fast on those days and who have not previously fasted until the end of Sha'ban.
It may be asked: why is it makrooh to fast just before Ramadan (for those who do not have a prior habit of fasting)? The answer is that there are a number of reasons why this is so, such as:
Firstly: lest extra days be added to the fast of Ramadan that are not part of it. Fasting on the day of Eid is prohibited for the same reason, lest we fall into the same trap as the People of the Book with regard to fasting, as they added to their fasts because of their own whims and desires. For the same reason it is also forbidden to fast on the "day of doubt". 'Ammar said: whoever fasts on this day has disobeyed Abu'l-Qasim (PBUH). The "day of doubt" is a day when people are not sure whether it is Ramadan or not, when news of the sighting of the crescent moon comes from one whose word cannot be accepted. As for a cloudy day, some of the 'ulama' said that this was also a 'day of doubt' and said that fasting was not allowed on this day. This is the view of the majority.
Secondly: to make a distinction between fard (obligatory) fasts and nafl fasts, because making a clear distinction between fard actions and nafl actions is prescribed in Islam. Hence it is haram to fast on the day of Eid, and the Prophet (PBUH) forbade following an obligatory prayer immediately with another prayer unless they are separated by saying salam or speaking, especially in the case of the Sunnah prayer performed just before Fajr. It is prescribed to make a clear separation between this prayer and the obligatory prayer. Hence it is prescribed to pray it at home and to lie down afterwards.
When the Prophet (PBUH) saw a man praying at the time when the iqamah had been given for Fajr, he said to him: "Al-Subh is four rak'ahs?" (Narrated by al-Bukhari).
Some ignorant people may think that the reason why we do not fast just before Ramadan is so that we can make the most of eating and have our fill of our desires before we have to deny ourselves by fasting. This is an ignorant mistake on the part of those who think this.
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) stated the following:
“This month is between Rajab and Ramadan; People are ignorant of this month, which is between Rajab and Ramadan. It is the month in which the deeds are presented to the Lord of the Worlds. I want my deeds to be presented to Allah when I am fasting.”(8)
If we appreciate these holy days and render our days and nights blessed and fruitful spiritually, we will benefit from the abundance and prosperity f this month more. The fasting performed in those months is not fard or wajib (obligatory); it is sunnah. We should try to fast in order to obtain rewards by following our Prophet.
May Almighty God make us benefit from the light and prosperity of the month of Shaban in the maximum degree. Amin.
"Have fun praying and getting ready for the Day of Judgment coz that day will NOT be fun :) P.S.: don’t forget to make dua for me.
Monday, 14 September 2009
Ask many dua's while fasting.
See that Kalimullah Musa (A.S) was given a conversation with Allah S.W.T. on Mount Sinai; You have your own Mount Sinai, at the time of breaking fast when you can hold a thousand and one conversations with Allah. Musa (A.S) said 'O my Lord, you speak to me, will you not show me your beauty'. Allah said you shall not see me. How can you see when there are 70,000 veils between Us. But a gift for the last Ummah which I have called Ramadhan, I shall so manifest myself at the time of breaking fast for the Last Ummah. Whereas between you and Me there are 70,000 veils. There will be no veils at all between Us and the Last Ummah, at the time of breaking fast.
Remember the story when Bani-Israel inviting Allah, for Meal. But Allah was turned away By Musa (A.S). So , (A.S) and his people waited patiently but only a poor old man came asking for water, but Musa (A.S.) turned him away saying, don't you know who is coming, go there and do some work, he replied but I'm hungry. His people embraced him saying you lied, Allah S.W.T.didn't come. Later he asked his Lord, You said you would come to dinner. Allah said I did come, I came in the heart of that old man who you turned away.
'The fast is for Me, and I will reward it' - So the reward is the Vision of the Divine Beauty.
................Shahru Ramadhan Shaykh ‘Abdul Qadir Jilani............
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may (learn) self restraint." (Al-Qur`an, 2:183) - So fasting helps learn self-restraint, (Taqwa)
Begins with Mercy :- 1 st 10 days, Middle is Forgiveness 2nd 20 days, Ends with deliverance from Hell :- 3rd 30 days
Who ever fasts will walk through the 8 th gate of Heaven called Rayyan. It is reserved only for the people of fasting. It is the month of Sabr – patient and charitable sharing.
Cultivate 4 practices and repeat them frequently which;
2 will earn your Lords pleasure
2 you just cannot afford to do without
1 st Dhikr of Shahadah la-e-laha-illal-lah
2 nd Begging for Forgiveness i.e. Astaghfirullah, Rab-bigh-fir-lee
3 rd Imploring to be granted the Garden of Paradise
4 th Taking Refuge from the Fire of Hell i.e. Allahumma jarnee min-nan-nar
It called Ramadhan because it has is a scorching effect upon sins; it burns sins away. So our bodies and hearts experience a process of purification. [so you could also understand it as, purifying yourself on earth or wait and be purified in the burning of hell fire the choice is yours ]
The sleeping of the one fasting is an act of ibadah –worship, as there silence is tasbih – saying subhanallah; moreover his dua's are sure to be answered and this good deeds will be multiplied.
Three types of people pray are answered, one of them is the one Fasting. So ask many dua's while fasting. Also the fast is a junna (suit of armour, protective shield) for the one who fast.
While doing voluntarily ibadh like nafl or dhikr at night, read from the noble Quran the verse
" Inna Fa-tahna laka fath-hum-mubeena "- We have surely given you a signal victory (48:1)
That person will receive a guarantee of safekeeping for the whole year. So read it frequently.
Every month one should try to fast al-ayyum al-bid – [White nights] which is 13 th 14 th 15 th nights of every month as the reward from the 1 st is 10,000 rewards, 2 nd 30,000 rewards, 3 rd 300,000 rewards.
Every Sajdah – prostration is 1700 rewards. Also every nafl has the equivalent of a fard pray that is 70 times. As a fard is 70 times more than a nafl pray.
Only on Friday and Shahru Ramadhan there is no Hisaab – [reckoning] given if you spend your wealth. For you will be questioned on how to spent your wealth on the day of Reckoning, expect Friday and Shahru Ramadhan.
The garden of Paradise will be refurbished and re-decorated every month of Ramadhan and the maidens of Paradise will splendidly adorn themselves and be requesting for a suitor to marry.
No servant who keeps the fast at least one day of the month of Ramadhan, can possibly fail to be married to a wife from brides of Paradise.
Who ever provides Iftar –[breaking of Fast] for someone, will be forgiven for their sins and earn freeing from hellfire, also be granted the rewards of actions of the one fasting, without the one fasting losing anything. Even if giving a dried date, you will be rewarded. Providing a satisfying Iftar you will be rewarded by drinking from the hawd –[Basin] of Allah; you will never feel thirsty after drinking it.
In this Month Allah will ask 3 times "Does anyone have a request to make, so I may grant his request? Is there anyone who wishes to repent, so that I may relent towards him and accept his repentance? Is there anyone wishing to seek forgiveness, so I may forgive him?…"
Warning !
Do not say Ramadhan in a sentence, say like the Quran says Shahru Ramadhan 2:185
There are many that fast by the day and get nothing but hunger and thirst and by the night spend it in qiyam layla – [ night vigil ]pray and get nothing but insomnia. Why? Looking with desire, backbite, lying breaks the fast.
There are 4 exception who will not be forgiven in the month of Ramadhan
Addicted to alcohol
Disobedient and disrespectful towards parents
Guilty of disrupting bonds of kinship – relatives and families fighting
Reluctant to abandon a grudge and stubbornly unwilling to accept the restoration of good relations with anyone who has offended him.
by Shaykh ‘Abdul Qadir Jilani.
Remember the story when Bani-Israel inviting Allah, for Meal. But Allah was turned away By Musa (A.S). So , (A.S) and his people waited patiently but only a poor old man came asking for water, but Musa (A.S.) turned him away saying, don't you know who is coming, go there and do some work, he replied but I'm hungry. His people embraced him saying you lied, Allah S.W.T.didn't come. Later he asked his Lord, You said you would come to dinner. Allah said I did come, I came in the heart of that old man who you turned away.
Nothing can contain Allah S.W.T., no cosmos, universes or all the worlds. But the heart of the Mu-min, can only contain Allah S.W.T.. So how about Ramadhan, and feeding the poor and hungry, your brothers in Islam. You may just turn away Allah S.W.T, like Musa (A.S) did. It's a Month of being Generous so feed who ever you can, even if it be with one Date. For you will receive the reward of two fasts, yours and theirs by feeding them, increase the number of people to feed and receive more rewards and palaces in heaven.
'The fast is for Me, and I will reward it' - So the reward is the Vision of the Divine Beauty.
................Shahru Ramadhan Shaykh ‘Abdul Qadir Jilani............
"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may (learn) self restraint." (Al-Qur`an, 2:183) - So fasting helps learn self-restraint, (Taqwa)
Begins with Mercy :- 1 st 10 days, Middle is Forgiveness 2nd 20 days, Ends with deliverance from Hell :- 3rd 30 days
Who ever fasts will walk through the 8 th gate of Heaven called Rayyan. It is reserved only for the people of fasting. It is the month of Sabr – patient and charitable sharing.
Cultivate 4 practices and repeat them frequently which;
2 will earn your Lords pleasure
2 you just cannot afford to do without
1 st Dhikr of Shahadah la-e-laha-illal-lah
2 nd Begging for Forgiveness i.e. Astaghfirullah, Rab-bigh-fir-lee
3 rd Imploring to be granted the Garden of Paradise
4 th Taking Refuge from the Fire of Hell i.e. Allahumma jarnee min-nan-nar
It called Ramadhan because it has is a scorching effect upon sins; it burns sins away. So our bodies and hearts experience a process of purification. [so you could also understand it as, purifying yourself on earth or wait and be purified in the burning of hell fire the choice is yours ]
The sleeping of the one fasting is an act of ibadah –worship, as there silence is tasbih – saying subhanallah; moreover his dua's are sure to be answered and this good deeds will be multiplied.
Three types of people pray are answered, one of them is the one Fasting. So ask many dua's while fasting. Also the fast is a junna (suit of armour, protective shield) for the one who fast.
While doing voluntarily ibadh like nafl or dhikr at night, read from the noble Quran the verse
" Inna Fa-tahna laka fath-hum-mubeena "- We have surely given you a signal victory (48:1)
That person will receive a guarantee of safekeeping for the whole year. So read it frequently.
Every month one should try to fast al-ayyum al-bid – [White nights] which is 13 th 14 th 15 th nights of every month as the reward from the 1 st is 10,000 rewards, 2 nd 30,000 rewards, 3 rd 300,000 rewards.
Every Sajdah – prostration is 1700 rewards. Also every nafl has the equivalent of a fard pray that is 70 times. As a fard is 70 times more than a nafl pray.
Only on Friday and Shahru Ramadhan there is no Hisaab – [reckoning] given if you spend your wealth. For you will be questioned on how to spent your wealth on the day of Reckoning, expect Friday and Shahru Ramadhan.
The garden of Paradise will be refurbished and re-decorated every month of Ramadhan and the maidens of Paradise will splendidly adorn themselves and be requesting for a suitor to marry.
No servant who keeps the fast at least one day of the month of Ramadhan, can possibly fail to be married to a wife from brides of Paradise.
Who ever provides Iftar –[breaking of Fast] for someone, will be forgiven for their sins and earn freeing from hellfire, also be granted the rewards of actions of the one fasting, without the one fasting losing anything. Even if giving a dried date, you will be rewarded. Providing a satisfying Iftar you will be rewarded by drinking from the hawd –[Basin] of Allah; you will never feel thirsty after drinking it.
In this Month Allah will ask 3 times "Does anyone have a request to make, so I may grant his request? Is there anyone who wishes to repent, so that I may relent towards him and accept his repentance? Is there anyone wishing to seek forgiveness, so I may forgive him?…"
Warning !
Do not say Ramadhan in a sentence, say like the Quran says Shahru Ramadhan 2:185
There are many that fast by the day and get nothing but hunger and thirst and by the night spend it in qiyam layla – [ night vigil ]pray and get nothing but insomnia. Why? Looking with desire, backbite, lying breaks the fast.
There are 4 exception who will not be forgiven in the month of Ramadhan
Addicted to alcohol
Disobedient and disrespectful towards parents
Guilty of disrupting bonds of kinship – relatives and families fighting
Reluctant to abandon a grudge and stubbornly unwilling to accept the restoration of good relations with anyone who has offended him.
by Shaykh ‘Abdul Qadir Jilani.
Friday, 29 August 2008
Ramadhan-Sawm
Question:1. What is Ramadhan?........ .. 2.Why fast ?
1...Ramadhan is derived from the Arabic root word ramida or arramad intense scorching heat and dryness, especially the ground. From the same root there is ramdaa, sunbaked sand, and the famous proverb: "Kal Mustajeer minar Ramadaa binnar" - to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. And in a hadith the Messenger of Allah (saas) said : "The prayer of repenters is due when the young camel can feel the sun's heat early in the morning."
(Muslim)
Thus, the Ramadhan is so called to indicate the heating sensation in the stomach as a result of thirst. Others said it is so called because Ramadhan scorches out the sins burns the ground. Some said it is so called because the hearts and souls are more readily receptive to the admonition and remembrance of Allah during Ramadhan, ad the sand and stones are receptive to the sun's heat. The framers of this beautiful language may have been inspired by Allah (SWT) in naming this month Ramadhan. Otherwise, the relation between the heat and its properties is miraculously similar to that of Ramadhan. While the heat represents the matter that helps shape,
form, and mold virtually every matter, from metal and plastics, to plants and living cells-Ramadhan undoubtedly helps a serious believe remold, reshape, reform, and renew his physical and spiritual disposition and behaviour
2.Fasting, siyamm, has two meanings. Generally, siyaam or sawm, is derived from the root sama, to retrain from normal things, such as eating, drinking, and talking. If an individual refrains from these things, he is considered saaim, the observer of fast. Al-Qur'an uses the word generally when it revealed the conversation between the angel and Mary, the of Jesus, as the angel instructed her "And if you do see any man say, "I have vowed to remain silent for Allah". (Al-Qur'an 19:26)
The phrase "to remain silent," is the interpretation of the Arabic word
"sawm". The reason for this interpretation is that "sawm" cannot mean
fast, i.e. restraint from food, because Mary had just been told to eat from
the palm tree. This general meaning is common in the Arabic language.
In the Shari'ah (Islamic law) the "sawm" means and implies a specific act ,
which is, "to worship Allah, abstaining, with intention to please Him from
fast breakers, such as physical nourishment, food, drink, and sexual
intercourse a lustful discharge of semen from the period between the break
of dawn until sundown."
Every year, more than one billion Muslims around the globe observe the importance of the month of Ramadhan. This time of the year is a time for reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims show their devotion to God by fasting, or abstaining from food.
During Ramadhan most Muslims will tend to wake up just before sunrise to eat a meal or some food and this is known as Sehri or Suhoor. They will then not be able to eat or drink again until sunset when it is traditional to open the fast with a date and then eat and this meal is known as Ithar or Iftari. The Supplication for breaking the fast is: "Thirst has gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is certain, Allah wills.Muslims shouldn’t eat too much food, as Prophet Muhammad *(PBUH) broke his fast with a couple of dates and with water only. This is the correct *Sunnah to follow, it was the way of the Prophet Muhammad, as he practiced Fasting in the Month of Ramadhan.
Ramadhan is the name of the ninth month of the Hijri (Islamic) calendar. According to the Dictionary of Islam, the word Ramadan is derived from the word ramd, "to burn" (Ramadhan is associated with fasting, during which sins are said to be figuratively burned away).
Fasting (Sawm) is one of the core five pillars of Islam. The others are: Shahadah (the testimony of faith), Salat (ritual prayer), Zakat (obligatory religious almsgiving), and the Hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca). During this month Muslims from around the world are required to fast from dawn to dusk. During the fast Muslims may not eat, drink, smoke, or engage in sexual activity. Although fasting is made obligatory to believers of Islam, some groups are excluded: children who are not yet adolescent, the elderly and the chronically ill for whom fasting would be unreasonably strenuous, pregnant women and nursing mothers, the mentally retarded, travelers, and women during periods of menstruation. 1
If the fast is missed they should try to make up the fast at a later date, or make a donation to the poor instead.
Ramadhan transpired during a month that is sacred in Islamic history. Muslims believe that it was during this month that the first revelation of the Quran was sent to Prophet Muhammad from Allah (God). 2 The night on which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet, known as Lailat ul-Qadr (the Night of Power), is one of the last odd numbered nights in Ramadhan. It is the only month of the year mentioned in the Quran. 3 In addition, the Battle of Badr 17th Ramadhan 2 AH was the first battle fought by Muslims after their migration to Medina. The battle ended in victory for the outnumbered 313 Muslims against about 1000 Meccans.
Why Does Ramadan Occur at Different Times of the Year?
The dates of Ramadhan (the ninth month of the year) change every year because the Islamic calendar is based on the revolutions of the moon. Lunar calendars strictly follow the sighting of a new moon to mark the beginning of each month. Since lunar months are shorter than the solar months used elsewhere, Islamic holidays begin on different days each year. The start of Ramadhan comes around 11 days earlier each year according to the western Gregorian calendar, and consequently is not associated with any particular western month. , the fast may be comparatively short if Ramadhan falls during the winter months, or much longer if it occurs during the summer.
During Ramadhan, it is common for Muslims to go to the Masjid (Mosque) and spend several hours praying and studying the Quran. In addition to the five daily prayers, during Ramadhan Muslims recite a special prayer called the Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). The length of this prayer is usually 2-3 times as long as the daily prayers. Some Muslims spend the entire night in prayer.
Many people use the month to become better Muslims by praying more or reciting as much of the Qur'an as possible.Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
Ramadan is the month the Qur’an was revealed with clear guidance and differentiation (between good and bad.) Whoever of you is a witness of this month, should fast. But if anyone is ill, or on a journey shall make up by days later."
How did the fast during Ramadhan become obligatory for Muslims?
The revelations from God to the Prophet Muhammad that would eventually be compiled as the Quran began during Ramadhan in the year 610, but the fast of Ramadhan did not become a religious obligation for Muslims until the year 624. The obligation to fast is explained in the second chapter of the Quran: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous…The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it;…” (Chapter 2, verses 183 and 185).
What is Lailat ul-Qadr?
Lailat ul-Qadr (”Night of Power”) marks the anniversary of the night on which the Prophet Muhammad first began receiving revelations from God, through the angel Gabriel. An entire chapter in the Quran deals with this night: “We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: and what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by God’s permission, on every errand. Peace!…This until the rise of morn.” (Chapter 97) Muslims believe Lailat ul-Qadr is one of the last odd-numbered nights of Ramadhan.
Ramadhan lasts for 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the new moon which can cause confusion as some imams say the moon has been sighted on one day and others say its been sighted on another day! But once the moon has been sighted by a reliable source usually by the imam of your local mosque, Muslims celebrate Eid Ul Fitr. It begins with a special Eid prayer and then Muslims dress up and go out and meet each other, have special meals and exchange gifts. It's traditional for Muslims to say Eid Mubarak to each other which means Happy Eid
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