15 July 2012
Ramadhan Study Circle
(by Naila)
Early Muslims
In times gone by, early Muslims used to pray for 6 months before Ramadan to have the blessing of seeing another Ramadan and for 6 months after they would give thanks that they had seen another Ramadan. This shows how greatly they valued the sacred month of Ramadan.
Ramadan Opportunities
To see the value of need only look in 2 sources
Value of Ramadan
The Quran – Sura Baqara v. 183 “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed upon you as it was obligated upon those before you so that you may attain Taqwa”
The Hadith – Al Bukhari, from the Hadith of Jibreel: “O Mohammad, tell us about Islam. So he said: Islam is to testify that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allah, and that Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah and that you establish the prayer, give the Zakat, Fast the month of Ramadan and that you perform Hajj if you are able to.
Sighting of the moon
Ramadan starts with the sighting of the moon!
RULES
1. If one reputable person sights the moon the all muslims should fast. This is from the hadith in which Umar (ra) saw it and the Prophet (saw) ordered everyone to fast the next day (Abu Dawud). This view is currently supported by the World Fiqh Council.
2. (Some People say that) Two people are required to end it.
The reason for this is that only one person is required to hasten to good and two people are required to say that this blessed month has definitely ended. Above all it is important to start with certainty and end with certainty. (Others say one person is sufficient.)
3. If there is no sighting due to cloud cover etc then one should count until the 30th of Shabaan and then start fasting.
Intention
We should first start with intention.
Rules
1. Intention is important for any act of ibadah (be it prayers, fast, zakaat, hajj etc). This does not have to be said aloud. Even if it just in your heart that is fine.
2. Timing – For obligatory fast – should be done anytime before fajar even if it is the night before (Abu Dawuud)
- For optional fast – if there is no food in the house can do niyaat even in the middle of the day (Muslim)
3. The Hanafi, Shafi and Ahmed Madhabs say that a new intention has to be made every day
4. Fast is broken by intention.
Actions that do not break the fast
Swallowing saliva or phlegm
Non-intentional vomiting
Shower or brushing teeth (as long as do not swallow)
Tasting food as long as do not swallow it (Ibn Abbas)
Food or blood between the teeth
Recommendations for fasting person
Eat suhoor (sehri) before Fajar – “Even if have gulp of water, Allah sends his mercy and the angels ask forgiveness for those who tae sahoor” (Ahmed)
Break fast before doing Magreeb prayer and do not delay in breaking the fast (Al Bukhari and Muslim)
Read more Quran (arabic better than tafsir) and seek as much forgiveness as possible in prayers
Give a lot in charity
Avoid lying, backbiting ans swearing. Say, “I am fasting”
The prophet (saw) used to say this dua when breaking his fast: “The thirst has been quenched and the veins wetted and the reward is established inshallah” (Abu Dawud)
Taraweh
Strongest opinion is for 8 Rakaat
Prophet (saw) used to read 5 juz in 1 rakaat. Stopped doing it as did not want it to become obligatory. Taraweh revived by Umar ra such that everyone prayed behind the imam.
Recommended to recite all the Quran from beginning to end. Jibrael as would go over the whole of the Quran with the Prophet (saw) every Ramadan. In his last Ramadan it was done twice.
Laylahtul - Qadr
“Verily we have revealed the Quran in the Night of Power. And what will inform you about the Night of Power? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. The Angel and the Ruh descend in it by permission of their Lord and all decrees (all night) there is peace until Dawn” (Sura Al Qadr v 1-5)
If do 1 roza with iman have sins of all last yr forgiven
If do ramadan with iman have all past since forgiven
If pray on Lailatul Qadr have all sins of life forgiven (Al Bukhari and Muslim)
The prophet (saw) was about to reveal a lot about Lailatal Qadr but found 2 men arguing about it and the information was taken back up. From Al-Bukhari and Muslim know that it is in the odd nights of the last 10 nights of Ramadan. The wisdom of not knowing is that we look for this night in the last ten nights and may as a consequence do more ibadah.
Itikaf
The Prophet (saw) did this in the last 10 days of Ramadan until he passed away (Al Bukhari and Muslim). It should be done wherever one prays the most. For men at the mosque and for women at home. Some actions which are not permitted are: visiting the sick, looking after family matters, business. Some actions which are permitted are: all acts of worship, to teach about islam, move around the mosque, answer phone, go out for food, shower etc.
If break itikaaf then no qada is due though it is reported in Bukhari and Muslim thatwhen the Prophet (saw) broke his itkaaf he made it up in Shawal.
Zakat-ul-fitr
This allow the poor to have food. It should be paid on behalf of all family members. Can be given any time before Eid Salaat.
Eid Prayer
On Eid Day:-
Eat 3 dates after Fajar (or any odd number)
Shower and wear best clothes and use perfume/itar
Leave house one way and come back another
Praise Allah (swt) greatly
Make sure zakat ul fitr has been given before do Eid Prayers
Eid Greetings to others
Give a lot of charity
Benefit of fasting
Medical – reduces blood pressure and cholesterol
Spiritual – “Fasting is a shield from the fire” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Taqwa - “Indeed there is a gate of Paradise called Ar-Rayaan and only those who fast will enter it” (Al Bukhari and Muslim)
Empathy for the poor
Reduce influence of the Shaitan upon us
Even by taking a gulp of water at Sahoor, Allah showers his mercy upon us
Every night one prayer of one fasting person is answered
It is an opportunity for learning more and making your deen stronger for the forthcoming year
Gates of Paradise are open and the gates of hell are locked and devils are chained (Al Bukhari and Muslim). Therefore able to see ourselves for how we really are without Shaitan’s whisperings and rectify our own character.
Allah frees many from the fire every night (At Tirmidhi)
Pray on the night of Laylatal Qadr with iman and all life’s sins are forgiven. (Al Bukhari and Muslim)
Final Thoughts ?
During Ramadan millions of Muslims around the world sacrifice their time and energy to seek the pleasure of Allah (swt). The mosques are full of people coming to read the Tarawhi namaaz. However, the next month the same mosques are nearly empty at prayer times. It is important to remember the spirit of Ramadan and try to maintain our good deeds and seeking the pleasure of Allah (swt) for the rest of the year!
QUIZ RESULT: Well done to the boys for winning the quiz by one point, even though they seemed to covet the second prize!!!!!!
Ramadhan Study Circle
(by Naila)
Early Muslims
In times gone by, early Muslims used to pray for 6 months before Ramadan to have the blessing of seeing another Ramadan and for 6 months after they would give thanks that they had seen another Ramadan. This shows how greatly they valued the sacred month of Ramadan.
Ramadan Opportunities
To see the value of need only look in 2 sources
Value of Ramadan
The Quran – Sura Baqara v. 183 “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed upon you as it was obligated upon those before you so that you may attain Taqwa”
The Hadith – Al Bukhari, from the Hadith of Jibreel: “O Mohammad, tell us about Islam. So he said: Islam is to testify that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allah, and that Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah and that you establish the prayer, give the Zakat, Fast the month of Ramadan and that you perform Hajj if you are able to.
Sighting of the moon
Ramadan starts with the sighting of the moon!
RULES
1. If one reputable person sights the moon the all muslims should fast. This is from the hadith in which Umar (ra) saw it and the Prophet (saw) ordered everyone to fast the next day (Abu Dawud). This view is currently supported by the World Fiqh Council.
2. (Some People say that) Two people are required to end it.
The reason for this is that only one person is required to hasten to good and two people are required to say that this blessed month has definitely ended. Above all it is important to start with certainty and end with certainty. (Others say one person is sufficient.)
3. If there is no sighting due to cloud cover etc then one should count until the 30th of Shabaan and then start fasting.
Intention
We should first start with intention.
Rules
1. Intention is important for any act of ibadah (be it prayers, fast, zakaat, hajj etc). This does not have to be said aloud. Even if it just in your heart that is fine.
2. Timing – For obligatory fast – should be done anytime before fajar even if it is the night before (Abu Dawuud)
- For optional fast – if there is no food in the house can do niyaat even in the middle of the day (Muslim)
3. The Hanafi, Shafi and Ahmed Madhabs say that a new intention has to be made every day
4. Fast is broken by intention.
Actions that do not break the fast
Swallowing saliva or phlegm
Non-intentional vomiting
Shower or brushing teeth (as long as do not swallow)
Tasting food as long as do not swallow it (Ibn Abbas)
Food or blood between the teeth
Recommendations for fasting person
Eat suhoor (sehri) before Fajar – “Even if have gulp of water, Allah sends his mercy and the angels ask forgiveness for those who tae sahoor” (Ahmed)
Break fast before doing Magreeb prayer and do not delay in breaking the fast (Al Bukhari and Muslim)
Read more Quran (arabic better than tafsir) and seek as much forgiveness as possible in prayers
Give a lot in charity
Avoid lying, backbiting ans swearing. Say, “I am fasting”
The prophet (saw) used to say this dua when breaking his fast: “The thirst has been quenched and the veins wetted and the reward is established inshallah” (Abu Dawud)
Taraweh
Strongest opinion is for 8 Rakaat
Prophet (saw) used to read 5 juz in 1 rakaat. Stopped doing it as did not want it to become obligatory. Taraweh revived by Umar ra such that everyone prayed behind the imam.
Recommended to recite all the Quran from beginning to end. Jibrael as would go over the whole of the Quran with the Prophet (saw) every Ramadan. In his last Ramadan it was done twice.
Laylahtul - Qadr
“Verily we have revealed the Quran in the Night of Power. And what will inform you about the Night of Power? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. The Angel and the Ruh descend in it by permission of their Lord and all decrees (all night) there is peace until Dawn” (Sura Al Qadr v 1-5)
If do 1 roza with iman have sins of all last yr forgiven
If do ramadan with iman have all past since forgiven
If pray on Lailatul Qadr have all sins of life forgiven (Al Bukhari and Muslim)
The prophet (saw) was about to reveal a lot about Lailatal Qadr but found 2 men arguing about it and the information was taken back up. From Al-Bukhari and Muslim know that it is in the odd nights of the last 10 nights of Ramadan. The wisdom of not knowing is that we look for this night in the last ten nights and may as a consequence do more ibadah.
Itikaf
The Prophet (saw) did this in the last 10 days of Ramadan until he passed away (Al Bukhari and Muslim). It should be done wherever one prays the most. For men at the mosque and for women at home. Some actions which are not permitted are: visiting the sick, looking after family matters, business. Some actions which are permitted are: all acts of worship, to teach about islam, move around the mosque, answer phone, go out for food, shower etc.
If break itikaaf then no qada is due though it is reported in Bukhari and Muslim thatwhen the Prophet (saw) broke his itkaaf he made it up in Shawal.
Zakat-ul-fitr
This allow the poor to have food. It should be paid on behalf of all family members. Can be given any time before Eid Salaat.
Eid Prayer
On Eid Day:-
Eat 3 dates after Fajar (or any odd number)
Shower and wear best clothes and use perfume/itar
Leave house one way and come back another
Praise Allah (swt) greatly
Make sure zakat ul fitr has been given before do Eid Prayers
Eid Greetings to others
Give a lot of charity
Benefit of fasting
Medical – reduces blood pressure and cholesterol
Spiritual – “Fasting is a shield from the fire” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Taqwa - “Indeed there is a gate of Paradise called Ar-Rayaan and only those who fast will enter it” (Al Bukhari and Muslim)
Empathy for the poor
Reduce influence of the Shaitan upon us
Even by taking a gulp of water at Sahoor, Allah showers his mercy upon us
Every night one prayer of one fasting person is answered
It is an opportunity for learning more and making your deen stronger for the forthcoming year
Gates of Paradise are open and the gates of hell are locked and devils are chained (Al Bukhari and Muslim). Therefore able to see ourselves for how we really are without Shaitan’s whisperings and rectify our own character.
Allah frees many from the fire every night (At Tirmidhi)
Pray on the night of Laylatal Qadr with iman and all life’s sins are forgiven. (Al Bukhari and Muslim)
Final Thoughts ?
During Ramadan millions of Muslims around the world sacrifice their time and energy to seek the pleasure of Allah (swt). The mosques are full of people coming to read the Tarawhi namaaz. However, the next month the same mosques are nearly empty at prayer times. It is important to remember the spirit of Ramadan and try to maintain our good deeds and seeking the pleasure of Allah (swt) for the rest of the year!
QUIZ RESULT: Well done to the boys for winning the quiz by one point, even though they seemed to covet the second prize!!!!!!
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