Fiqh of Fasting

      FIQH OF SAWM[FASTING]

[Note: Fiqh of Siyam (on this page), Fiqh of Zakah and Fiqh of Eid are taken from notes the Fiqh of Ramadan Short Course on “Learn Islam(Short courses)”]

Source:Learn Islam(Short Courses)

FIQH OF SIYAM (Fasts)

 

Introduction 

Praise be to Allah, we praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our own selves and from our evil deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides cannot be misled, and whomsoever He leaves astray cannot be guided. I bear witness that there is no god except Allah alone, with no partner or associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Allah has blessed His slaves with certain seasons of goodness, in which hasanaat (rewards for good deeds) are multiplied, sayi’aat (bad deeds) are forgiven, people’s status is raised, the hearts of the believers turn to their Master, those who purify themselves attain success and those who corrupt themselves fail. Allah has created His slaves to worship Him, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except that they should worship Me (Alone).” [al-Dhaariyaat 51:56]

One of the greatest acts of worship is fasting, which Allah has made obligatory on His slaves, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“… Observing al-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become al-Muttaqoon (the pious).”  [al-Baqarah 2:183]

Allaah encourages His slaves to fast:

“… And that you fast, it is better for you, if only you know.” [al-Baqarah 2:184 – interpretation of the meaning]

He guides them to give thanks to Him for having made fasting obligatory on them:

“… that you should magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” [al-Baqarah 2:185 – interpretation of the meaning]

He has made fasting dear to them, and has made it easy so that people do not find it too hard to give up their habits and what they are used to. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“… for a fixed number of days…” [al-Baqarah 2:184]

He has mercy on them and keeps them away from difficulties and harm, as He says (interpretation of the meaning:

“… but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days…” [al-Baqarah 2:184]

No wonder then, that in this month the hearts of the believers turn to their Most Merciful Lord, fearing their Lord above them, and hoping to attain His reward and the great victory (Paradise).

As the status of this act of worship is so high, it is essential to learn the Ahkaam (rulings) that have to do with the month of fasting so that the Muslim will know what is obligatory, in order to do it, what is haraam, in order to avoid it, and what is permissible, so that he need not subject himself to hardship by depriving himself of it and have tranquility in his Ibadah.

DEFINITION OF SIYAAM (FASING)

 Linguistically: To Abstain from something.

Juridically: It means abstaining from things that break the fast, from dawn until sunset, having first made the intention (niyyah) to fast.

RULING ON FASTING THE MONTH OF RAMADHAN

It is the fourth pillar of Islam. (Obligatory/Mandatory)

The ummah is agreed that fasting the month of Ramadhan is obligatory, the evidence for which is in the Qur’aan and Sunnah. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Observing al-sawn (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become al-muttaqoon (the pious).” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

The Prophet S.A.W. said: “Islam is built on five [pillars]…” among which he mentioned fasting in Ramadan.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, 1/49). Whoever breaks the fast during Ramadaan without a legitimate excuse has committed a serious major sin, The Prophet S.A.W. said, describing a dream that he had seen: “… until I was at the mountain, where I heard loud voices. I asked, ‘What are these voices?’ They said, ‘This is the howling of the people of Hellfire.’ Then I was taken [to another place], and I saw people hanging from their hamstrings, with the corners of their mouths torn and dripping with blood. I said, ‘Who are these?’ They said, ‘The people who broke their fast before it was the proper time to do so,’ i.e., before the time of iftaar.” (Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/420).

Note: –

1. If someone denies the obligation of Fasting the Month of Ramadan, then he is outside of Islam.
2. If some does not fast the Month of Ramadan, knowing its obligation, then he/she is guilty of commiting a Major Sin.

MERITS OF FASTING:-

Allah S.W.T. Proclaims interpretation of the meaning is: –

‘Every deed of the child of Adam is for himself, except for fasting. It is for Me and I shall reward it.’Fasting is a shield, so if it is a day of fasting for any one of you, then he should engage in no obscenity or shouting. If anyone belittles him or fights with him, he should just say ‘I am a person who is fasting’.I swear by Him in whose hand is Muhammad’s soul, the smell of the fasting person’s breath is sweeter to Allah on the Day of Judgment than that of musk. The fasting person has two occasions for joy, one when he breaks his fast because of his breaking it and the other when he meets his Lord because of the reward for his fast.”

[Sahîh al-Bukhârî (7492) and Sahîh Muslim (1151) with the wording being that of Muslim]

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said: –

“…Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”

(Sahih Bukhari  Book# 31 Hadith# 125)

 

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

BENEFITS OF SIYAM

 

Spiritual/Moral Benefits:

1. Above all it is an act of obedience to Allah.
2. Trains believers in TAQWA (Being Mindful of Allah & Fearing Him by doing all that He ordered & avoiding all that He has forbade).
3. Teaches Patience & sincerity.
4. Develops endurance & Self-restraint.
5. Restricts the movement of the Shaitan.

Social Benefits:

1. Strengthens unity & equality between Muslims.
2. Teaches sympathy towards the poor & needy.

Medical Benefits:

1. Rests the Digestive organs & gets rid of accumulated waste.
2. Uses up stored cholesterol (Fats) in the Blood System, which is one of the causes of Heart Disease.
3. Teaches self control from over-eating, smoking etc.

WHEN TO BEGIN FASTING

The first day of Ramadhan can be confirmed by one of the following:

1. By sighting the moon on the night of the 29th of Sha’ban (the month which precedes Ramadhan) , When the new crescent is sighted, the fast becomes an obligation on the following day from dawn to sunset. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him) said: “Fast when you sight the moon (of Ramadhan) and break your fast when you sight it (meaning the moon for Shawwal, which comes after Ramadhan),” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

2. By completing thirty days of Sha’ban, in which case the following day will be the first day of Ramadhan. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him) said: “If you were not able to see it (the crescent of Ramadhan), then complete the month (of Sha’ban) as thirty days.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

PILLARS OF SIYAM

1. Neeayah (Intention): Making intention in the heart to fast during the preceding night. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him) said: “Whoever does not make intentions to fast before Fair (dawn) (i.e. during the preceding night) will have no fast.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawud, ibn Majah and At-Tirmithi)

Note: Intention for optional Fasts could be made at any time even during the day, if one has not done any act that invalidates Siyam.

2. Abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse.

Fasting starts at dawn (about an hour and twenty minutes before sunrise) and lasts until sunset.

Allah (S.W.T) says interpretation of the meaning is: “…and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Sawm (fast) till the nightfall.” (2:187)

WHO MUST FAST

Fasting is mandatory for all sane, healthy, adult Muslims, male and female. People who are insane, physically ill, minors (under the age of puberty), travelers, menstruating women, women experiencing post childbirth bleeding, breastfeeding women and pregnant women are all not required to fast. For some of these people, fasting is not obligatory at all, while others are required to make up for the missed days of fasting at a later date.

WHO ARE NOT OBLIGED TO FAST

The following groups of people are not required to fast and they do not make up for- the missed days of fasting. Likewise, they are not required to do anything as a compensation or atonement for missing the fast.

• The Person who are Insane: Fasting is not obligatory for the insane because of their inability to understand what they are doing. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him) said: “The pen (that records deeds and sins) is lifted (from writing) for three people: the insane until they regain their sanity, those who are sleeping until they awaken, and the young until they reach puberty.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawud and At-Tirmithi)

• Children: Those who have not reached the age of puberty are not required to fast as evidenced by the Hadith mentioned above. However, it is recommended that their guardians encourage them to fast so that they become accustomed to it at an early age. They may fast as long as they are able and then break the fast if it becomes too difficult for them.

WHO MUST MAKE UP MISSED FASTS 

There are some persons who are allowed to abstain from fasting and make up for it by fasting later. They are as follows:

• The ill Person: A person who is sick, but not terminally ill, is allowed to abstain from fasting and is required to make up for missed days. Allah(S.W.T) said: “… but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days.” (2:184)

• The Traveler: If one travels as far as the distance that requires shortening the prayer, it is allowed for him to abstain from fasting, but he is required to make up for missed days. This is proven in the previous Verse of the Qur’an.

• Pregnant and Breast-feeding Women: Such women are allowed to abstain from fasting if they fear for their health, their infants, fetuses, or both. Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him) said: “Allah has relieved the traveler of the fast and a part of the prayer, and has relieved the pregnant and the breast-feeding woman from the fast.” (Ahmad and As-Sunan Collections) The pregnant and breast-feeding women make up for the missed days of fasting when the circumstances that allowed them to abstain have ended.

WHO ARE NOT OBLIGED TO FAST BUT MUST PAY SOME COMPENSATION 

Elderly men and women, the terminally ill (who have no hope of being cured of their illness) and all those in comparable situations who find it difficult to fast are allowed to abstain from fasting. They do not have to make up for the missed days, but are required to feed a poor person a Mudd of food for each day of fasting that they missed. Allah (S.W.T) says:

“And as for those who can fast (but) with difficulty (e.g. an old person, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day of their missed fast).” (2:184)

ACTS THAT INVALIDATE (BREAK) SIYAM

1. Eating, Drinking, Smoking or anything the same. (Intentionally)
2. Intentionally vomiting.
3. Taking out blood in large amounts
4. Menstruation or Post-Birth Bleeding.
5. Sexual intercourse.

Important Rule: The Fast is still valid if a person was:

1. Ignorant of the Ruling or of the time.

2. Forgetfulness/unintentional.

3. Under compulsion.

Except for Menstruation or Post-Birth bleeding.

COMPENSATION/EXPIATION FOR BREAKING FAST

1. If one breaks his fast without a legitimate excuse, he/she has committed a Major Sin & should Repent (Tawbah); And must make-up the missed day(s) before the next Ramadaan.
2. If one breaks his fast with a legitimate excuse, he must make-up the missed day(s) before the next Ramadan.
3. If one is un-capapble of Fasting due to old age or has an un-curable disease, he/she must feed one needy Muslim (Sa’a) for every missed day during Ramadan.
4. If ones fast is broken because of sexual intercourse:

He/She has committed a sin & should repent (Tawbah)

He/She must make-up the missed day(s) before the next Ramadan.

He/She must make a Kaffarah (Expiation) by either Freeing a Slave (if not possible), Fasting two consecutive months (if un-able), feeding sixty needy people.

Note: There is no Kaffarah on the Wife if she was forced.

5. If one dies before he/she could make-up the missed day(s), an heir relative can fast or feed on his/her behalf.

ETIQUETTE AND SUNNAH OF FASTING

We should make sure that we eat and drink something at suhoor, and that we delay it until just before the adhaan of Fajr. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Have suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing (barakah).” (Reported by al -Bukhaari, Fath, 4/139). “Suhoor is blessed food, and it involves being different from the people of the Book. What a good suhoor for the believer is dates.” (Reported by Abu Dawood, no. 2345; Saheeh al- Targheeb, 1/448).

Not delaying iftaar or Hastening to break the Fast, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The people will be fine so long as they do not delay iftaar.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath, 4/198).

Breaking one’s fast in the manner described in the hadeeth narrated by Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying; if fresh dates were not available, he would eat (dried) dates; if dried dates were not available, he would have a few sips of water.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 3/79 and others. He said it is a ghareeb hasan hadeeth. Classed as saheeh in al-Irwa’, no. 922).

After iftaar, reciting the words reported in the hadeeth narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with them both), according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), when he broke his fast, would say:

“Dhahaba al-zama’, wa’btallat al-‘urooq, wa thabat al-ajru in sha Allaah” 

The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills.

(Reported by Abu Dawood, 2/765; its isnaad was classed as hasan by al-Daaraqutni, 2/185).

If you are reading this below ‘dua’.. (Allaahumma laka sumtu ….). then the scholars suggests to read any one of the above dua’s.

 

The du`aa’ “Allaahumma laka sumtu wa `ala rizqika aftartu (O Allaah, for You have I fasted and by Your provision I have broken my fast)” was narrated by Abu Dawood, 2358. It is a mursal hadeeth so it is da`eef (weak) . Al-Albaani classed it as da`eef in ben dawwad (510)

Not allowing oneself to be provoked, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If someone fights him or insults him, he should say, ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’”  (Reported by al-Bukhaari and others. Al-Fath, no. 1894) One reason for this is to remind himself, and another reason is to remind his adversary. But anyone who looks at the conduct of many of those who fast will see something quite different. It is essential to exercise selfcontrol and be calm, but we see the opposite among crazy drivers who speed up when they

hear the adhaan for Maghrib.

Being generous by sharing knowledge, giving money, using one’s position of authority or physical strength to help others, and having a good attitude. Al-Bukhaari and Muslim reported that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was the most generous of people [in doing good], and he was most generous of all in Ramadaan when Jibreel met with him, and he used to meet him every night in Ramadaan and teach him the Qur’aan. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was more generous in doing good than a blowing wind.”  (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, no. 6). How can people exchange generosity for stinginess and action for laziness, to the extent that they do not do their work properly and do not treat one another properly, and they use fasting as an excuse for all this.

Combining fasting with feeding the poor is one of the means of reaching Paradise, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “In Paradise there are rooms whose outside can be seen from the inside and the inside can be seen from the outside. Allaah has prepared them for those who feed the poor, who are gentle in speech, who fast regularly and who pray at night when people are asleep.”  (Reported by Ahmad 5/343; Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 2137. Al-Albaani said in his footnote, its isnaad is hasan because of other corroborating reports). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person.”  (Reported by al -Tirmidhi, 3/171; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/451). Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “What is meant is that he should feed him until he is satisfied.” (Al-Ikhtiyaaraat al-Fiqhiyyah, p. 109).

A number of the pious predecessors (may Allaah have mercy on them) preferred the poor over themselves when feeding them at the time of iftaar. Among these were ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar, Maalik ibn Deenaar, Ahmad ibn Hanbal and others. ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar would not break his fast unless there were orphans and poor people with him.

ACTS FORBIDDEN/DISLIKED DURING THE FAST

 

Exaggerating while rinsing the mouth and cleaning the nose is disliked during performing the Wudhu’ (ablutions for prayer). This action might allow some water to enter the person’s stomach and thus spoil his fast.

 

Acts that lead to sexual arousal Kissing and embracing the wife with sexual desire (i.e. fondling, etc.) or acts that lead to sexual arousal are disliked.

 

Not keeping away from sin The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When any of you is fasting, let him not commit sin…”  (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, no. 1904). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does not stop speaking falsehood and acting in accordance with it, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.”  (Al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, no. 1903). The person who is fasting should avoid all kinds of haraam actions, such as backbiting, obscenity and lies, otherwise his reward may all be lost. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It may be that a fasting person gets nothing from his fast except hunger.” (Reported by Ibn Maajah, 1/539; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/453).

Among the things that can destroy one’s hasanaat (good deeds) and bring sayi’aat (bad deeds) is allowing oneself to be distracted by quiz-shows, soap operas, movies and sports matches, idle gatherings, hanging about in the streets with evil people and time-wasters, driving around for no purpose, and crowding the streets and sidewalks, so that the months of tahajjud, dhikr and worship, for many people, becomes the month of sleeping in the day so as to avoid feeling hungry, thus missing their prayers and the opportunity to pray them in congregation, then spending their nights in entertainment and indulging their desires. Some people even greet the month with feelings of annoyance, thinking only of the pleasures they will miss out on. In Ramadaan, some people travel to kaafir lands to enjoy a holiday! Even the mosques are not free from such evils as the appearance of women wearing makeup and perfume, and even the Sacred House of Allaah is not free of these ills. Some people make the month a season for begging, even though they are not in need. Some of them entertain themselves with dangerous fireworks and the like, and some of them waste their time in the markets, wandering around the shops, or sewing and following fashions. Some of them put new products and new styles in their stores during the last ten days of the month, to keep people away from earning rewards and hasanaat.

Eating too much, The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The son of Adam fills no worse vessel than his stomach.”  (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2380; he said, this is a hasan saheeh hadeeth). The wise person wants to eat to live, not live to eat. The best type of food is that which is there to be used, not that which is there to be served. But people indulge in making all kinds of food (during Ramadaan) and treating food preparation as a virtual art form, so that housewives and servants spend all their time on making food, and this keeps them away from worship, and people spend far more on food during Ramadaan than they do ordinarily. Thus the month becomes the month of indigestion, fatness and gastric illness, where people eat like gluttons and drink like thirsty camels, and when they get up to pray Taraaweeh, they do so reluctantly, and some of them leave after the first two rak’ahs.

Stopping Suhoor at Imsaak  Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe Imsaak.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: This is a kind of bidah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allaah allows us to eat until dawn: “and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)” [al-Baqarah 2]

And the Prophet (pbuh) said: “….eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes.” 

This imsaak which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed.” (Muslim)

Saying the intention to fast out loud or saying a specific dua to start fasting The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. It is not prescribed by the Shariah for us to say out loud, “I intend to fast”, “I will fast tomorrow” or other phrases that have been innovated by some people. Also, there is no specific dua to be recited at the time of starting the fast in the correct Sunnah. Whatever dua you may see on some papers or Ramadaan calendars, etc. is not Authencally proven.

Fasting but not praying  The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: “Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer.” (Muslim)

In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled.

“Whoever does not pray Asr, his good deeds will be annulled.” (Bukhaari)

Not fasting because of exams or work Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do that during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than good grades. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do.

“Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him.” (Surah at-Talaaq 2-3)

Fighting over the number of Rakaah of Taraweeh There is no specific number of rakahs for Taraweeh prayer, rather it is permissible to do a little or a lot. Both 8 and 20 are okay. Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: “No one should be denounced for praying eleven or twenty-three (rakaah), because the matter is broader in scope than that, praise be to Allaah.” 

RULINGS ON FASTING FOR WOMEN

A woman who has reached the age of puberty, but is too shy to tell anyone, so she does not fast, has to repent and make up the days she has missed, as well as feeding a poor person for each day, as an act of expiation for delaying her fast, if the following Ramadaan comes and she has not yet made up those days. Her case is like that of a woman who fasts the days of her period out of shyness, and does not make them up later.

If a woman does not know exactly how many days she has missed, she should fast until she is fairly certain that she has made up the days she had missed and not made up from previous Ramadaans, and offer the expiation for delaying for each day. She can do this at the same time as fasting or separately, depending on what she is able to do

A woman should not fast – except during Ramadaan – if her husband is present without his permission, but if he is travelling then it does not matter.

When a menstruating woman sees the white substance – which is discharged by the uterus when the period is finished – by which a woman knows that she has now become taahir (pure), she should have the intention to fast from the night before and should fast. If she does not have a time when she knows she is taahir, she should insert a piece of cotton or something similar, and if it comes out clean, she should fast, and if she starts to bleed again, she should stop fasting, whether the blood is a flow or just spotting, because it breaks the fast as long as it comes at the time of the period. (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/154).

If the cessation of bleeding continues until Maghrib, and she has fasted with the intention from the night before, then her fast is valid. If a woman feels the movement of menstrual blood inside her, but is does not come out until after the sun has set, her fast is valid and she does not have to make the day up later.

If a woman’s period or post-natal bleeding ceases during the night, and she makes the intention to fast, but dawn comes before she is able to do ghusl, according to all the scholars her fast is valid. ( al-Fath, 4/148)

If a woman knows that her period will come tomorrow, she should still continue her intention and keep fasting; she should not break her fast until she actually sees the blood.

It is better for a menstruating woman to remain natural and accept what Allaah has decreed for her by not taking any medication to prevent her from bleeding. She should be content with what Allaah accepts from her of breaking her fast during her period and making those days up later. This is how the Mothers of the Believers and the women of the salaf were. (Fataawa al-Lajnah al -Daa’imah, 10/151).

 Moreover, there is medical evidence to prove that many of the things used to prevent bleeding are in fact harmful, and many women have suffered from irregular periods as a result of taking them. However, if a woman does that and takes something to stop the bleeding, then fasts, this is OK.

Istihaadah (non-menstrual vaginal bleeding) does not have any effect on the validity of the fast.

If a pregnant woman miscarries and the foetus is formed or has a discernible outline of any part of the body, such as a head or hand, then her blood is nifaas; if, however, she passes something that looks like a blood clot (‘alaq) or a chewed piece of meat that has no discernible human features, her bleeding is istihaadah and she has to fast, if she is able, otherwise she can break her fast and make it up later on.(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/224).

 Once she becomes clean after having an operation to clean the womb (D&C), she should fast. The scholars stated that the embryo is considered to start taking shape after 80 days of pregnancy.

If a woman becomes clean from nifaas before forty days, she should fast and do ghusl so that she can pray. (al-Mughni ma’a al-Sharh al-Kabeer, 1/360).

If the bleeding resumes within forty days after the birth, she should stop fasting, because this is still nifaas. If the bleeding continues after the fortieth day, she should make the intention to fast and do ghusl (according to the majority of scholars), and any bleeding beyond the fortieth day is considered to be istihaadah (non-menstrual bleeding) – unless it coincides with the usual time of her period, in which case it is hayd (menstrual blood).

If a breastfeeding woman fasts during the day and sees a spot of blood during the night, although she was clean during the day, her fast is still valid. (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/150)

According to the most correct opinion, a woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding is regarded as being like one who is ill, so she is permitted not to fast, and she only has to make up the days that she missed, whether she fears for herself or for her child. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has lifted the obligation of fasting and part of the prayer from the traveller, and He has lifted the obligation of fasting from the pregnant and breastfeeding woman.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 3/85; he said (it is a) hasan hadeeth).

If a pregnant woman fasts and experiences some bleeding, her fast is still valid; this does not affect her fast at all.(Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/225).

In the case of a woman who is obliged to fast, if her husband has intercourse with her during the day in Ramadaan with her consent, then the ruling that applies to him also applies to her. If, however, he forces her to do that, she should do her best to resist him, and she does not have to offer expiation. Ibn ‘Aqeel (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “In the case of a man who has intercourse with his wife during the day in Ramadaan whilst she is sleeping, she does not have to offer expiation.” But to be on the safe side, she should make up that fast later on. (Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) was of the opinion that this did not invalidate her fast at all).

A woman who knows that her husband cannot control himself should keep away from him and not adorn herself during the day in Ramadaan.

Women have to make up the fasts that they miss during Ramadaan, even without their husbands’ knowledge. It is not a condition for an obligatory fast for a woman to have the permission of her husband. If a woman starts to observe an obligatory fast, she is not allowed to break it except for a legitimate reason. Her husband is not permitted to order her to break her fast when she is making up a day that she has missed; he is not allowed to have intercourse with her when she is making up a missed fast, and she is not allowed to obey him in that regard. (Fataawa al -Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 10/353).

In the case of voluntary fasts, a woman is not permitted to start a non-obligatory fast when her husband is present without his permission, because of the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him), according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No woman should fast when her husband is present except with his permission.”(Reported by al-Bukhaari, 4793).

NOTE: A Sister while on Menses can/should spend the day doing Dhikr, Tawbah, Dua’a, listen to Lectures & read Islamic Books to gain knowledge InshaAllah.

Misconceptions & FAQs about Ramadan & Fasts

Q. Is intention necessary for fasting?

A. Yes, every act of worship needs an intention in the heart but one shouldn’t say it out loudly. And it is not necessary for him/her to wake up at Suhoor to make the Niyyah rather can have it the night before or at the start of Ramadan. Check out the link for details

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/26863

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/22909

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/37643

Q. Is it allowed to make Niyyah after Fajr and before Zohar as commonly believed?

A. No, it has to be made the night before or at the start of Ramadan but making it after Fajr is not valid. Please check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/26863

Q. Dua to start Fast?

A. There is no Sahih Hadeeth of any Dua recited by the Prophet S.A.W. to resume Fasting. Check out the links for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/37643

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/65955/sahoor

Q. List of things that invalidates fast?

A. Already covered in previous classes but for more details please check out the link.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/38023

Q. The most important and most wide spread misconception or difference in opinion is about Taraweeh. 8 or 20???

A. 8 is “Sunnah” but 20 is “not Biddah” it is also “Sahih” InshaAllah. Please check out the links for better understandings…

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/9036/start%20of%20ramadan

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/82152/rak’ahs%20taraweeh

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/9036

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/38021

Q. Can we hold & read from the Mus-haf (Quran) in Taraweeh prayer?

A. Although it is allowed but it is not from Sunnah. The Scholars have allowed it as exceptions.

Please follow the links for more details and references.

Imam is allowed to read from the Mus’haf…http://islamqa.info/en/ref/69670/taraweeh%20obligatory

Reasons it is recommended not to do it…http://www.islamqa.info/en/ref/52876Other opinions by Shiekhs Ibn Baaz, Uthaymeen & Albani…

http://aloloomenglish.net/vb/showthread.php?437-Rulings-Regarding-Holding-the-Mushaf-during-the-Taraweeh-Prayer

Q. Should we send blessings to the Prophet S.A.W. loudly after every two or four rakahs of Tarawih?

A. NO, it was never done by the Sahabas or their Followers. Please follow the links for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/121270

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/50718

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/108506

Q. Can a person start the Fast whilst in the state of Janaabah?

A. YES, But either way one has to take a Bath to offer Fajr Prayer.

Narrated Aaishah and Umm Salamah (may Allaah be pleased with them both): “At times Allaahs Apostle (peace be upon him) used to get up in the morning in the state of Janaabah after having sexual relations with his wives. He would then take a bath and fast.”

 (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 148; Saheeh Muslim, Book 006, Number 2452)

Q. Can a Husband force a Wife to break her fast?

A. BIG NO, If its for no reason then he is an evildoer and needs to repent to Allah. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/49615/not%20fasting%20because%20husband

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/1350/not%20fasting%20because%20husband

Q. Intercourse in Ramadan?

A. Yes allowed in the Night and HARAM during the day time (while fasting). Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/23339/intercourse%20in%20ramadan

Q. What is the ruling if the adhaan is given for Fajr when a man is having intercourse with his wife? Can we continue till the end of Adhan?

A. If dawn has come and he is having intercourse with his wife, then he has to stop having intercourse at once. Check out the links for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/124290/intercourse%20in%20ramadan

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/37679

Q. Can we get married in Ramadan?

A. Yes, just make sure you can control yourself during day time when fasting. Check out the following links for details: –

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/65736/start%20of%20ramadan

Q. Kissing, hugging, embracing ones wife invalidates Fast?

A. NO, unless there is ejaculation because of those actions. One needs to be sure that he will be able to control his desires so depending on case to case it might be better to stay away or not. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/14315/kissing%20in%20fast

Q. Sighting of the Moon a fard? When do we start & end Ramadan? Do we follow the people around us or wait till we see the moon?

A. Not a fard, When we see the moon or after completing 30 days of Shaban. Yes we stay with the brothers around us. Check out the following links for details:

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/68828/sha’baan

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/106491/difference%20in%20start%20of%20ramadan

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/12660

Q. Does Medical treatment (Eye drops, ear drops, nasal spray, injections, etc etc) while fasting breaks the fast?

A. NO, following are the list of things that are  permissible and doesnot effect ones fast InshaAllah…

• Eye drops, ear drops, ear syringing, nose drops and nasal sprays – so long as one avoids swallowing any material that may reach the throat.
• Tablets or lozenges that are placed beneath the tongue for the treatment of angina pectoris etc., so long as one avoids swallowing any material that reaches the throat.
• Vaginal pessaries, douching, use of a speculum, or internal digital examination.
• Introduction of a scope or coil (IUD), etc., into the uterus.
• Introduction of a scope or catheter into the urethra (male of female), or injection of dyes for diagnostic imaging, or of medication, or cleaning of the bladder.
• Drilling of teeth (prior to filling), extraction or polishing of teeth, using a miswaak or toothbrush, so long as one avoids swallowing any material that reaches the throat.
• Rising, gargling or applying topical treatment in the mouth, so long as one avoids swallowing any material that reaches the throat.
• Injections, whether subcutaneous, intra-muscular or intra-venous – with the exception of those used for purposes of nutrition.
• Oxygen.
• Anaesthetics, so long as they do not supply nutrition to the patient.
• Medicines absorbed through the skin, such as creams, lotions and patches used to administer medication through the skin.
• Introduction of a catheter into the veins in order to examine or treat the vessels of the heart or other organs.
• Laparoscopy for the purpose of diagnosis or surgical treatment of the abdominal organs.
• Biopsies of the liver and other organs, so long as this is not accompanied by the administration of nutrients.
• Gastroscopy, so long as this is not accompanied by the administration of nutrients.
• Introduction of medicine or instruments into the brain or spinal cord.
• Involuntary vomiting (as opposed to self-induced vomiting).

II – The Muslim doctor should advise his patient to postpone the above-described treatments and procedures until after he has broken his fast, if it is safe to do so and will not cause any harm (even if these procedures will not have any effect on his fast).

Taken from… http://islamqa.info/en/ref/2299

Q. Does a puffer for Asthma break the fast?

A. No, please check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/124204

Q. Ate out of forgetfulness? 

A. Does not effect the fast InshaAllah. Check out the link for details.

Al-Bukhaari (6669) and Muslim (1155) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever forgets he is fasting and eats or drinks, let him complete his fast for it is Allaah Who has fed him and given him to drink.”

Q. Is it allowed to taste food while fasting?

A. Tasting is allowed if needed if we make sure we do not swallow it. Please check out the link for more details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/49658/taste%20food%20fast

Q. What if one mistakenly swallows the food while tasting it? Is the Fast valid?

There is nothing wrong with a fasting person tasting the food if he needs to, if he does that by testing it with the tip of his tongue, then he spits it out without swallowing anything, whether the one who is fasting is a man or a woman.

But if the fasting person forgets and swallows it by mistake, there is no sin on him, and he should complete his fast. This is because of the general meaning of the evidence which indicates that according to sharee’ah, the person who forgets is excused. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks something, let him complete his fast, for it is Allaah Who has fed him and given him to drink.” (Agreed upon. Al-Bukhaari, 1399; Muslim 1155).

Q. Bee sting or scorpion sting invalidates the fast?

A. NO, Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/67168/invalidates%20fast

Q. If we bleed out of accident, injury, sickness does that invalidates the Fast?

A. NO, unless that is the result of ones own actions. Check out the link for details

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/37918/invalidates%20fast

Q. If the gums of a person bleeds, does it invalidate the Fast?

A. If one’s gums bleed while brushing his or her teeth, it would not break the fast as long as one does not do this intentionally or swallows any blood by on purpose. If one causes his or her gums to bleed and/or swallows the blood, then fasting is broken.

Sheikh Muhammad Al-`Uthaymeen (may Allah bless his soul) states in one of his fatwas:

The blood that is caused by extracting teeth or nose bleeding does not break the fast on condition that one is cautious as much as he or she can of swallowing the blood. This is based on the fact that unintentional bleeding is not among the things that invalidate the fast. So, whoever bleeds by accident or unintentionally does not need to make up for that day of fasting.

Q. When a person wakes up in the morning and he is fasting, and there are bits of food left from his sahoor in his mouth, what is the ruling if he swallows them?

A. It wont effect the fast unless the chunks are big and the person could have spit it out but chose to swallow it instead, than his/her fast is invalid. Check out the link for details

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/78438

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/79190/invalidates%20fast

Q. Does a wet dream during the day time invalidates the Fast?

A. NO, Check out the link for details

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/38623/invalidates%20fast

Q. Can you talk to your Girl Friend/Boy Friend while fasting?

A. BIG NO that is a No even while you not fasting.

Q. Can we talk to our non-mahram cousins at Iftar or during fasing?

A. BIG NO that is a No even while you not fasting.

Q. Eating till end of Adhan permissible?

A. Depends on the country, if the Muadhin gives the Adhan before the the Dawn breaks (the white streak appearing in the sky) we can continue eating till we are sure the Dawn break and if the Muadhin gives the Adhan on Dawn Break then we should even spit what is in our mouths. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/66202/ate%20during%20fast

Q. Ruling on soccer/cricket leagues during Ramdan?

A. Not sinful unless they are fulfilling the obligations such as Fast, Fard Salah on time & not skipping Taraweeh. But not beneficial at all and not what a Mo’min is expected to be doing in Ramadan. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/50112/ramadan

Q. Is it better for a Pregnant woman to fast or not to fast?

A. Depends on her condition and she needs to decide. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/3434/ramadan

Q. Shaking hands with non mahrams in Ramadan? Does it invalidate the fast?

A. Shaking hands is NOT permissible, the validity of the fast depends on if he ejaculated as a result of the action. Check out the following links for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/38153/shaking%20hands

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/21183/shaking%20hands

Q. Swallowing Saliva or Mucus invalidates fast?

A. NO, but swallowing Mucus is an act that is not allowed while fasting or not but it doesn’t invalidates the fast. check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/12597/swallowed

Q. Swallowing the Saliva after Siwaak breaks the fast?

A. NO, But if there are big chunks that should be spit out the saliva can be swallowed. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/37745/swallowed

Q. Does cutting hair or nails or shaving public hair invalidates the fast?

A. NO, They have nothing to do with the Fast. check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/14030/cutting%20hair%20while%20fasting

Q. Does taking a bath break the fast, whether you take it before or after noon?

A. NO, It is permissible, it has nothing to do with the fast. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/38907/bath

Q. Does using Kuhl & similar things that enters the eye invalidates the Fast?

A. NO, This was the conclusion preferred by Sheikh – ul – Islam ibn Taymiyyah. Imam Bukhaari says in his Saheeh: “…Anas, al – Hasan and Ibraaheem did not see any harm in use of Kuhl for the fasting person.” (

Fathul – Baaree, 4/153; See Mukhtasar Saheehil – Bukhaari, Number 451 of our Sheikh al – Albaani and Taghleequt – Ta’leeq, 3/152 -153; as quoted in ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’ p. 49)

Q. Does Shaving the beard invalidates the Fast?

A. NO, but It is haraam for men to shave their beards at all times whether during Ramadaan or otherwise, because of the saheeh ahaadeeth which clearly enjoin allowing the beard to grow. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/50784/shaving%20in%20ramadan

Q. Does not wearing Hijab Invalidates the fast?

A. If a woman does not wear hijab, then she is disobeying her Lord thereby, but her fast is still valid, because sins, including not wearing hijab, do not invalidate the fast, but they detract from its reward, and may cause it to be lost altogether. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/107624/hijab%20fast

Q. Does Tabarruj break the fast? 

A. Tabarruj means impermissible exposure of women’s adornment and beauty before non-Mahram (marriageable) men. It surely detracts from the Reward of Fasting but doesnot brek it. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/50063

Q. Does watching TV, Movies, Soap operas/Serials, playing cards invalidates the Fast?

A. NO but it’s a SIN and These sins detract from the reward of fasting, and may erase it altogether. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/124203/movie%20in%20fast

Q. Vomit invalidates the fast?

A. NO, But deliberately vomiting does. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/38579/VOMIT%20FAST

Q. Does the swallowing of Vomit unintentionally invalidate the fast?

A. NO, but intentionally doing so does. Check out the link for reference.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/12659/VOMIT%20FAST

Q. Brushing your teeth invalidates the Fast or is Makroo’?

A. NONE, However it would be better to use toothpaste at the night and Siwaak at Day time as Siwaak is Sunnah and also Allah loves the smell coming form a Fasting person more thn the smell of Musk. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/1312/brushing%20teeth

Q. Sleeping out of tiredness while fasting and delaying Salah, Allowed?

A. BIG NO. Prayers should be offered on time. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/66900/leaving%20prayer%20in%20fast

Q. If anyone dies in Ramadan will he go to Jannah without being Questioned?

A. NO, Please check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/112089/died%20in%20ramadan

Q. Does smoking invalidates Fast?

A. YES, No doubt about it.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/106450/smoking%20fast

Q. Is it true that the veil is lifted between Allaah and His slaves at the time of breaking the fast?.

A. NO, The hadeeth mentioned is not in any of the reliable books, so it is not permissible to attribute it to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or to believe what it says. Check out the link for details.

http://islamqa.info/en/ref/124410/moosa%20fast

Meritorious Acts During Ramadhan

The Night Prayer or Tarawih Prayers

Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him) has encouraged offering prayer at night regularly. This prayer is known as the ‘night prayer’ (Qiyamul-Layl) or (Tahajjud). During Ramadhan this prayer is also call Tarawih. It is allowed to offer the Tarawih, at any time starting from the conclusion of’ Isha (Night) prayer until the commencement of the Fajr (Dawn) prayer. The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) always prayed eleven Rak’ahs (units of prayer) for the optional night prayer, whether it was during Ramadhan or any other time of the year but it is allowed to pray more than 11 Rakahs InshaAllah.

Narrated Ibn Umar: Once a person asked Allah’s Apostle about the night prayer. Allah’s Apostle replied, “The night prayer is offered as two Rakat followed by two Rakat and so on and if anyone is afraid of the approaching dawn (Fajr prayer) he should pray one Raka and this will be a Witr for all the Rakat which he has prayed before.” (Bukhari Volume 2, Book 16, Number 105)

Two groups have gone to extremes with regard to this matter. The first group denounced everyone who prays more than eleven rak’ahs and said that doing so was bid’ah. The second group denounced those who do only eleven rak’ahs and said that they are going against scholarly consensus (ijmaa’).

Let us listen to what Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

Here we say that we should not go to extremes or be negligent. Some people go to extremes in adhering to the number mentioned in the Sunnah, and say that it is not permissible to do more than the number mentioned in the Sunnah, and they aggressively denounce those who do more than that, saying that they are sinners.

This is undoubtedly wrong. How can they be sinners, when the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), upon being asked about night prayers, said that they are to be done two by two, and he did not specify any particular number? Of course  the one who asked him about the night prayer did not know the number, because if he did not know how to do it, it is even more likely that he did not know the number. And he was not one of those who served the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) so that we might say that he knew what happened inside his house. Since the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told him how to do it but did not say how many times, it may be understood that the matter is broad in scope, and that a person may pray one hundred rak’ahs then pray Witr with one rak’ah.

Tarawih, is a voluntary prayer by which a true believer intends to seek the pleasure of Allah and draw near to Him. The Prophet said (Peace be upon Him):

“Whoever performed the night prayer in Ramadhan with sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari)

Al-Tirmidhi (806) narrated that Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam – i.e., Taraweeh – with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded as if he spent the whole night in prayer.”  

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

Giving Charity And Donations

One of the good deeds of this blessed month of Ramadhan is charity and benevolence, which is more virtuous than during the other months. The goal of giving charity and donations is to attain the pleasure of Allah(S.W.T).

“And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.” (Quran 2:272)

Narrated by Ibn Abbas, “The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur’an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare). (Bukhari)

Increasing One’s Recitation of The Qur’an

The blessed month of Ramadhan is the month of the Qur’an, in which reciting the Qur’an according to one’s ability is strongly recommended. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon Him) recited the Qur’an with the utmost concentration and deep contemplation of its meanings. For Ramadhan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed. Allah (S.W.T) says interpretation of the meaning is: –

“The month of Ramadhan, in which the Qur’an was revealed; a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).” (2:185)

Ramadan was the month in which the Qur’an was first revealed so it is the month of the Qur’an. We should devote much of this blessed month reciting the Qur’an.

Az-Zuhri Radi Allahu anhu used to say upon the coming of Ramadan, “It is only about reciting the Qur’an and feeding the poor.”

Abdur-Raziq Radi Allahu anhu said, “When Ramadan came, Sufyan Ath-Thawri would give up all acts of (voluntary) worship and devote himself to the recitation of the Qur’an.”

But for many of us the Qur’an has gathered a lot of dust since the last time we picked it up.

As Ramadan is fast approaching we must blow off the dust and start to build a close relationship with the Qur’an for it will intercede with us on the day of judgement:

“Recite the Holy Qur’an as much as we can for It will come as an intercessor for its reciter’ on the Day of Judgement” (Muslim)

The Recitor will be in the company of Angels:

‘Aa’ishah Radi Allahu anha related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “Indeed the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. As for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have twice that reward.”  (Bukhaari & Muslim)

There are Ten Rewards for Every Letter Recited from the Quran in normal times but in Ramadan these rewards are multiplied:

“Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allaah, he will have a reward, and this reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that ‘Alif, Laam, Meem’ (a combination of letters frequently mentioned in the Holy Quran) is a letter, rather I am saying that ‘Alif’ is a letter, ‘Laam’ is a letter and ‘Meem’ is a letter.” (At-Tirmithi)

Narrated by Ibn Abbas, “The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur’an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare). (Bukhari)

So what better time for us to get into the habit of reciting the Qur’an than to begin to do so right now. We should recite the Qur’an with its meanings and try to understand and implement it into our daily lives.

We should set ourselves realistic targets for how much we should begin to recite each day for e.g. we will recite some pages a day, half a juz (chapter), or 1 juz etc. We should recite however much we can manage and then build up gradually and aim to finish reciting the whole Qur’an at least once in the Month of Ramadhan

Everyone must endeavor to the best of his ability to fear Allah ~ with a conscious heart. In order to generate such a fearful mind, the best method is to recite the Noble Qur’an with due concentration, understanding, and contemplation of its meanings. Moreover, while reciting the Qur’an, he should reflect upon the supreme Omnipotence and absolute Majesty of Allah (S.W.T).

“Fear Allâh and Allâh teaches you”. (2:282)

“And they fall down on their faces weeping and it increases their humility.” (17:109)

“The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Qur’an) are recited unto them, they increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone).” [Al-Anfaal (8):2]

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “The fire will not touch a man who weeps out of the fear of Allâh until the milk returns to the breasts. ………….”. (at-Tirmidhî (hasan sahîh), an-Nasâ’i and al Hâkim (sahîh))

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Allah will give shade, to seven, on the Day when there will be no shade but His. (These seven persons are) a just ruler, a youth who has been brought up in the worship of Allah (i.e. worships Allah sincerely from childhood), a man whose heart is attached to the mosques (i.e. to pray the compulsory prayers in the mosque in congregation), two persons who love each other only for Allah’s sake and they meet and part in Allah’s cause only, a man who refuses the call of a charming woman of noble birth for illicit intercourse with her and says: I am afraid of Allah, a man who gives charitable gifts so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e. nobody knows how much he has given in charity), and a person who remembers Allah in seclusion and his eyes are then flooded with tears.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Vol. No. 1, Hadeeth No. 629]

This Month should be used to get ourselves in that mould so that we can InshaAllah be Mindful of Allah through out the year and all our Lives.

Seclusion in the Mosque (I`tikaf)

One of the special deeds of Ramadhan is I`tikaf. Performing I`tikaf means to confine oneself in seclusion in a mosque for the purpose of worshipping Allah alone, leaving every worldly and personal affair. The mind of the person who observes I`tikaf concentrates exclusively on the goal of pleasing Allah (S.W.T). He is engaged in various types of worship, repentance, and beseeching Allah’s forgiveness. He offers as many voluntarily prayers as he can, saying words of remembrance and invocations, etc. to Allah (S.W.T). In this sense, practicing I`tikaf is a combination of many acts of worship.

Narrated Abdullah bin Umar: Allah’s Apostle used to practise Itikaf in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. (Bukhari)

Narrated ‘Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) The Prophet used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him. (Bukhari)

So Itikaf is also allowed for Sisters unlike what is believed now a days.

Searching for the Night of Decree

The Night of Decree (Laylatul-Qadr) is more virtuous and meritorious than one thousand months. It is the night of Ramadhan in which the Qur’an was brought from the highest heavens down to mankind. Allah ~ says in the Noble Qur’an interpretation of the meaning is: –

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the Night of Decree (Al-Qadr). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” (97:1-3)

This night occurs every year during one of the five odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan. The exact time of its occurrence is unknown. The only thing that is clear concerning its time is that it occurs during the last ten nights of Ramadhan. Many scholars hold the view that it fluctuates from year to year between the odd nights of the last ten nights. This means that one year it may occur during the 21st night (for example) and the next year it may fall on the 27th night. One of the possible reasons behind its concealment is that a true believer should endeavor in worshipping Allah during those odd numbered nights so as to attain all the rich reward and virtue of that tremendous time.

Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon Him) has described its superiority and said: “Whoever prays during the Night of Decree, with firm belief and expecting a reward for it, his previous sins are forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

In other words, whenever you endeavor in worshipping in the odd nights of the last ten nights, then you will definitely attain the virtues of the Night of Decree.

Performing `Umrah During Ramadhan

Performing ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage to Makkah) in Ramadhan is especially virtuous because it is equal in reward to Hajj (the major pilgrimage to Makkah).

The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) said:“Umrah in Ramadhan is equal (in reward) to Hajj -or he said “equal to (performing) Hajj with me.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).