The Official Ramadan Thread. Ramadan 1430 A.H/August 2009

['Abd-al Latif]

The month of Ramadan is next month.

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe fasts that month… [al-Baqarah 2:185]

The Prophet (saaws) used to tell his Companions the good news of the onset of Ramadan, and urge them to make the most of it.

Abu Hurayrah (saaws) said: “The Messenger of Allah (saaws) said,

There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month. Allah has made it obligatory on you to fast (this month). During it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are locked, and the devils are chained up. In it there is a night that is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is deprived indeed. [Reported by al-Nisaa'i, 4/129; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/490]

['Abd-al Latif]

Toward an Outstanding Ramadan

By Muhammad al-Shareef. "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed upon those before you in order that you may attain taqwaa [in general, it means 'God consciousness,' 'God awareness,' 'fear of God,' and so on]." [Soorah al-Baqarah (2):183]

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['Abd-al Latif]

Reaping the benefits of Ramadan

Dr. Ali Al-Timimi

Adopted from a lecture

In the month of Ramadaan it is very important that we spent a few moments to understand some of the wisdoms and lessons that we can learn from this month of fasting.

Unfortunately, many Muslims come in to this month and they are as a companion of the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Let it not be that the day that you fast and the day that you break fast be equal." Meaning, one's behaviour, attitude and outlook are the same whether one fasts or not, i.e. fasting has no effect upon that person. This is why we need to reflect on some of these lessons.

LESSON 1: Gaining Taqwaa

Allaah legislated fasting for gaining taqwaa, "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain taqwaa." (meaning of SoraatulBaqarah (2):183) Taqwaa in this case means to make a shield between oneself and Allaah’s anger and Hellfire. So we should ask ourselves, when we break our fasts, ‘Has this fasting day made us fear Allaah more? Has it resulted that we want to protect ourselves from the hellfire or not?

LESSON 2: Drawing closer to Allaah

This is achieved by reciting and reflecting on Al-Qur’aan during night and day, attending the taraaweeh prayers, remembering Allaah, sitting in circles of knowledge and, for those who can, making `umrah. Also for those who can, making I`tikaaf (seclusion) in the last ten nights of Ramadaan, so as to leave all worldly pursuits and seclude oneself in a masjid just thinking of Allaah, so as to bring oneself closer to Allaah (SWT). When one sins, one feels distant from Allaah. That is why one might find it heard to read the Qur’aan and come to the masjid. However, the obedient worshipper feels closer to Allaah and wants to worship Allaah more, because he is not shy from his sins.

LESSON 3: Acquiring patience and strong will

Allaah has mentioned patience more than seventy times in the Qur’aan and has commanded patience in more than sixteen ways in His Book. So when one fasts, and gives up one’s food and drink, and one’s marital sexual relations for those hours, one learns restraint and patience. This Ummah needs man and women that are strong willed, who can stand upon the Sunnah and the Book of Allah and not waver in front of the enemies of Allaah. We do not need emotional people, who just raise slogans and shout, but when the time comes to stand upon something firm, they cannot do so, they waver.

LESSON 4: Striving for Ihsaan (righteousness and sincerity) and staying away from riyaa’ (showing off)

Ihsaan means to worship Allaah as if one seeks Him, and even though one does not see Him, He sees all. Hasan al-Basree said, "By Allaah, in the last twenty years, I have not said a word or taken something with my hand or refrained to take something with my hand or stepped forth or stepped back, except that I have thought before I have done any action, ‘Does Allaah love this action? Is Allaah pleased with this action?' So when one is fasting, one should gain this quality of watching oneself and also staying away from riyaa’ (showing off). That is why Allah said in a hadeeth qudsee, "Fasting is for Me and I reward it." (al-Bukhaaree) Allaah singles out fasting from all other types of worship saying, "Fasting is for Me", because no one knows whether you are fasting or not, except Allaah. For example, when one is praying or giving charity or making tawaaaf, one can be seen by the people, so one might do the action seeking the praise of the people. Sufyaan ath-Thawree used to spend the nights and the days crying and the people used to ask him, "Why do you cry, is it due to the fear of Allaah? He said, ‘No.’ They said, "Is it due to the fear of the Hellfire?" He said, ‘No. It is not the fear of Hellfire that makes me cry, what makes me cry is that I have been worshipping Allaah all these years and doing scholarly teaching, and I am not certain that my intentions are purely for Allaah.’"

LESSON 5: Refinement of manners, especially those related totruthfulness and discharging trusts.

The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allaah (SWT) has no need that he should heave his food and drink." (al-Bukhaaree) What we learn from this, is that we must pay attention to the purification of our manners. The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "was sent to perfect good manners." (Maalik) So we must check ourselves, are we following the behaviour of the Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him)? For example: Do we give salaam to those we don’t know and those we do know? Do we follow the manners of Islaam, by telling the truth and only telling the truth? Are we sincere? Are we merciful to the creation?

LESSON 6: Recognizing that one can change for the better

The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those *****pent." (Ibn Maajah) Allaah provides many opportunities to repent to Him and seek His forgiveness. If one was disobedient they can become obedient.

LESSON 7: Being more charitable

Ibn `Abaas said, "The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) was the most charitable amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadaan when Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadaan till the end of the month…" (al-Bukhaaree) The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, without nothing being reduced from the fasting person’s reward." (at-Tirmidhee)

LESSON 8: Sensing the unity of the Muslims

The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "…Those of you who will live after me will see many differences. Then you must cling to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khaleefahs. Hold fast to it and stick to it." (Aboo Daawood) In this month we sense that there is a possibility for unity, because we all fast together, we break fast together, we all worship Allah together, and we pray Salaatul-`Eid together. Therefore we sense that the unity of Muslims is possible. It is possible for Muslims to be a single body, but this will only be achieved when obedience is only to Allaah and His Messenger.

LESSON 9: Learning discipline

The Prophet (ma Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) made us adhere to discipline and strictness, strictness that does not lead to fanaticism or going outside the bounds that Allaah has laid down. One cannot knowingly break the fast before the sunset, as this will not be accepted by Allaah. Muslims should learn to be very strict in their lives, because they are people of an important message, which they mold their lives around.

LESSON 10: Teaching the young to worship Allaah

It was the practice of the people of Madeenah, that during the fast of `Aashooraa (which is now a recommended fast of one day) to get their children to fast with them. When the children would cry of hunger and thirst, their parents would distract their attention by giving them some sort of toy to play with. The children would break their fast with their parents. (as mentioned in al-Bukhaaree).

So the young should be brought to the masjid and they should pray with their parents, so that they are able to get into the habit of becoming worshippers of Allaah. If one does not encourage children to fast when they are young, they will find it very difficult to fast for thirty days at the age of puberty. This is why the Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "Command your children to pray at the age of seven and beat them at the age of ten (if they do not pray." (Haakim)

LESSON 11: Caring for one’s health

Fasting has many medical benefits and it teaches Muslims to take care of their health and too build strong bodies. The Prophet (may Allaah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, "A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone." (Muslim)

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=142

[Tony]

I have just learned from a scholar on Peace tv that there is Sunnah to fast a further 6 days (non work days) after Ramadan, it is apparently equivelant to fasting a whole year. Can someone please post any hadith related to this. Many thanks in advance, peace

['Abd-al Latif]

Concerns of the Islamic Scholar During Month of Ramadan

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=515

Shaykh `Aa'id Abdullah al-Qarnee
Thirty Lessons for those who Fast
© 1999 Message of Islam

Allah Almighty declares in the Quran: 'Verily, [O you who believe in Me,] this community of yours is one single community, since I am the Sustainer of you all: worship, then Me [alone]' (21:92).

He further explains: 'All believers are but brethren' (49:10).

As for the Prophet sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam, he clarified the nature of the relationship between Muslims in this famous hadith: 'The example of the Muslims in their love and mercy for each other is like the body. If one part is afflicted, all the other parts rally to its aid with fever and sleeplessness.'

Today Muslims pass this month of Ramadan in transgression and crises.

Capitalism is rife with greed. It directs its hostility against the Islamic world with intellectual onslaughts. The foremost means toward this is through women, wine and other enticements, distractions, luxuries and unlawful amusements.

Secularism calls for the separation between the religion and worldly affairs. It seeks to oust Islam from life's stage on the pretext that religion distinguishes between people. In effect, secularism is an atheist ideology that disregards all religions and, therefore, excludes Islam in its entirety from playing any role in human life.

Freemasonry, the Jewish creation, has come to destroy religions including Islam. On the surface it appears to be calling for the unity of all people. It has its own means, taboos, emblems and cliques. It operates in secret, has world-wide influence and springs from Zionist origins.

Hence today the Islamic nation suffers from intense wounds:

Palestine has been stolen from it, Al Aqsa mosque remains a hostage while old men, women and children are slaughtered morning and evening. Yet, Palestine will never be returned to the Muslim lands except by an Islam with the rage of Umar ibn al Khattab, the boldness of Salah al Din and the sincerity of Ibn Taymiya.

The Muslim woman is fought against because of her covering, modesty, purity and religion.

Our young men are seduced by destructive means, satanic enticements and sensual delights.

Evangelism is penetrating the Islamic world from all four directions.

Divisions and schisms are widespread among Muslims except those whom Allah has shielded.

In the circumstances, what is required is that the Muslim should live for these great issues with his sentiments, wealth and prayers. He should strive to increase awareness among his Muslim brothers of these dangers. The Muslim should work relentlessly to bring about unity within the ranks of his own community. More importantly, the Islamic nation must avoid disputes and internal wrangling that only cause failure; particularly when the news of these calamities that afflict the Islamic world are exposed and become the issues of the day. As a result, no Muslim should despise himself because in every Muslim there is good.

Indeed, every Muslim is expected to struggle if he or she is able and to stop making excuses. They must strive with their persons and their wealth. If not, with their wealth and the support of others who spend of their wealth to advance the cause of Islam. They should, at the end of each prayer, in the early hours of the morning, and other times when prayers are answered, implore Allah to establish and grant victory to the Muslims. We must, moreover, all call upon Allah to increase us in piety and God-consciousness because the disasters and calamities that have befallen us are all on account of our sins and shortcomings. 'And do you, now that a calamity has befallen you after you had inflicted twice as much [on your foes], ask yourselves,

"How has this come about?" Say: "It has come from your own selves"' (3:165).

['Abd-al Latif]

I have just learned from a scholar on Peace tv that there is Sunnah to fast a further 6 days (non work days) after Ramadan, it is apparently equivelant to fasting a whole year. Can someone please post any hadith related to this. Many thanks in advance, peace

From islamqa.com:

The virtue of fasting six days of Shawwaal

Q.What is the ruling on fasting six days of Shawwaal? Is it waajib (obligatory)?

A.Praise be to Allaah.

Fasting six days of Shawwaal after the obligatory fast of Ramadaan is Sunnah Mustahabbah, not waajib. It is recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwaal, and in this there is great virtue and an immense reward. Whoever fasts these six days will have recorded for him a reward as if he had fasted a whole year, as was reported in a saheeh hadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Abu Ayyoob (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan and follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.” (Narrated by Muslim, Abu Dawood, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nisaa’i and Ibn Maajah).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) explained this when he said: “Whoever fasts for six days after (Eid) al-Fitr has completed the year: (whoever does a good deed (hasanah) will have ten hasanah like it).” According to another report: “Allaah has made for each hasanah ten like it, so a month is like fasting ten months, and fasting six days completes the year.” (al-Nisaa’i and Ibn Maajah. See also Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 1/421). It was also narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah with the wording: “Fasting for the month of Ramadaan brings the reward of ten like it, and fasting for six days brings the reward of two months, and that is the fasting of the whole year.”

The Hanbali and Shaafa’i fuqaha’ explained that fasting six days of Shawwaal after fasting Ramadaan makes it as if one has fasted for an entire year of obligatory fasts, because the multiplication of the reward applies even to naafil fasts, because each hasanah brings the reward of ten like it.

Another of the important benefits of fasting six days of Shawwaal is that is makes up for any shortfall in a person's obligatory Ramadaan fasts, because no one is free of shortcomings or sins that have a negative effect on his fasting. On the Day of Resurrection, some of his naafil deeds will be taken to make up the shortcomings in his obligatory deeds, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The first thing for which people will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be their salaah (prayer). Our Lord, may He be glorified and exalted, will say to His angels – although He knows best – ‘Look at the salaah of My slave, whether it is complete or incomplete.’ If it is perfect, it will be recorded as perfect, and if something is lacking, He will say, ‘Look and see whether My slave did any voluntary (naafil) prayers.’ If he did some voluntary prayers, [Allaah] will say, Complete the obligatory actions of My slave from his voluntary actions.’ Then all his actions will be dealt with in a similar manner.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood).

And Allaah knows best.

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/7859

[Tony]

^^ Thanks brother, A very fast reply indeed. It appears from your answer that I should get my Namaz checked by someone who can help also, many many thanks and peace and blessings of Allah be upon you, Ameen

[brotherubaid]

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam) said:

“Ramadan has come to you - a blessed month. Allaah has made obligatory upon
you its fasting. In it, the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are
closed and the evil devils are chained. To Allaah belongs a night in it, which is
better than a thousand months. Whosoever is prevented from its good, then he
has been deprived.” (Ahmed & an-Nasaa’ee)

The hadeeth is a glad tiding to the righteous servants of Allaah, of the coming of
the blessed month of Ramadan. The Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
informed his companions of its coming and it was not just a simple relaying of
news. Rather, his intent was to give them the glad tidings of a magnificent time
of the year, so that the righteous people who are quick to do deeds can give it its
due estimate. This is because the Prophet (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
explained in it (the hadeeth) what Allaah has prepared for His servants from the
ways towards gaining forgiveness and His contentment - and there are many
ways. So whosoever has forgiveness escaped from him during the month of
Ramadan, then he has been deprived with the utmost deprivation.

From the great favours and bounties that Allaah has bestowed upon His servants
is that He has prepared for them meritous occasions so that they may be of profit
for those who obey Him and a race for those who rush to compete (for good
deeds). These meritous occasions are times for fulfilling hopes by exerting in
obedience and uplifting flaws and deficiencies by self-rectification and repentance.

There is not a single occasion from these virtuous times, except that Allaah has
assigned in it works of obedience, by which one may draw close to Him. And
Allaah possesses the most beautiful things as gifts, which He bestows upon
whomsoever He wills by His Grace and Mercy.

So the one who achieves true happiness is he who takes advantage of these
virtuous months, days and hours and draws closer to His Guardian in them, by
doing what is prescribed in them from the acts of obedience.

Thus perhaps he will be showered with one of the many blessings of those
occasions and be helped by it, with an assistance that saves him from the Fire
and what it contains, such as its blazing heat. (These are the words of Ibn Rajab
in Lataa’if-ul-Ma’aarif)

Being able to reach Ramadan is a magnificent bounty in itself, bestowed upon the
one who reaches it and rises to its occasion, by standing in prayer during its night
and fasting during its day. In it, he returns to his Protector - from disobeying
Him to obeying Him, from neglecting Him to remembering Him, from remaining
distant from Him to turning towards Him in submissive repentance.

Some of the Salaf used to say:

“Indeed Allaah, the Most High, has made the month of Ramadan as a competition



for His creatures, in which they may race with one another to His pleasure, by
obeying Him. Thus, one group comes first and so they prosper and another
group comes last and so they fail.” (Lataa’if-ul-Ma’aarif of Ibn Rajab)

Also, the individual does not know if this is perhaps the last Ramadan he will ever
see in his life, if he completes it. How many men, women and children have
fasted with us the past year, and yet now they lie buried in the depths of the
earth, depending on their good deeds. And they expected to fast many more
Ramadan’s. Likewise, we too shall all follow their path.

Therefore, it is upon the Muslim to rejoice at this magnificent occasion for
obedience. And he should not renounce it, but instead busy himself with what
will benefit him and what will cause its effect to remain. For what else is it,
except numbered days, which are fasted in succession and which finish rapidly.

May Allaah make us, as well as you, from among those who are foremost in
attaining good deeds.


Spreading The Good News Of Ramadaan
Shaykh Abdullaah al-Fawzaan
Source: Ahaadeeth as-Siyaam: Ahkaam wa Adaab, Pgs. 13-15
Translator: Isma’eel Alarcon
www.calltoislam.com

[brotherubaid]

Ramadan: The Month of Love
Abu 'Abdir-Rahman Navaid Aziz

Al hamdulillaahi rabbil ‘aalameen was salaatu was salaamu ‘ala ashrifil anbiyaai
wa al mursaleen nabeeyina Mohammad wa ‘ala aalihi wa sahbihee ajma’een.

Amma Ba'ad:

To many of you reading this the title may seem absurd, and may have even
caught you off-guard, as love generally is not associated with the month of
worship and blessing. Yet, if we were to contemplate the actions that we partake
during this blessed month we would see that the vast majority of them revolve
around love, we are often people that just fail to reflect.

The first thing that is needed to actually conceptualise where I am coming from
would be to understand what love really is, or at the very least how it is being
defined in this treatise. We all know that love has many manifestations, degrees,
and types [1]. The way a child loves his or her parents is not the same as the
way a woman may love her husband, and likewise, the way a person may love
chocolate, per se, is not the same way a person would love his or her Lord (or at
least we hope not).

However in all of these types of love there is a common and key theme, that of
sacrifice and fulfilment. The more we love something, the more we are willing to
sacrifice for it, and the more we will strive to fulfil the every command and wish
of our beloved. This should not be misunderstood as sacrifice and fulfilment
being the only components of love, but rather they are from amongst the
essential components that make up love, along with longing and cherishing. And
this is why we should see that love, along with hope and fear, is a pillar of our
worship [2].

Our worship will not be complete or acceptable until it encompasses the right
amounts of love, hope, and fear. After having comprehended this, we can see
how shirk [3] can be performed even in love [4 & 5], yet most of mankind knows
not.

If we were to take just a moment to reflect what Islaam means linguistically (let
alone conventionally), we would see that submission (the true linguistic definition
of Islaam, and not peace contrary to common belief), entails a common theme
with love and that being sacrifice. When we truly submit to Allaah we are willing
to sacrifice anything and everything for Him. This can be seen in one of the most
fundamental mottos of a Muslim:

“Say: Indeed my prayer, and my sacrifice, and my living, and my dying
are for none other than Allaah, Lord of all that exists.” [6]

So when one goes about sacrificing and fulfilling the wants of other than Allaah,
just as much or, more than what he does for Allaah then such an individual has
fallen into shirk. And if one fails to meet the necessary sacrifices and falls short
in fulfilling the required obligations then such an individual has fallen into
disbelief. It is in light of these words that we understand the verse:

“From mankind are those people who have taken andaadan (deities)
other than Allaah, they love them as they love Allaah, and those who
have Eemaan (i.e. are Muslims) are stronger in their love for Allaah.” [7]


We are now beginning to get a clearer picture of how love is associated with this
blessed month. It is a woman's love for her child and husband that will make her
wake up in the late hours of the night to prepare a nice meal for suhoor (the pre-
dawn meal). It is a man's love for his community that will drive him to take time
off of work to ensure his fellow Muslims have sufficient food for iftaar (the meal at
sunset). And it is our love for Allaah, as Muslims, which drives us to sacrifice the
two pinnacles of desire [8], food and marital relations, for no other reason than
the pleasure of our very Creator.

Our love for Allaah (glorified and praised is He) does not stop here but, rather,
merely just begins. One of the key pillars of loving Allaah lies in following the
Prophet Muhammad (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) [9], and an exemplary role
model he is, as can be seen by Allaah's statement:

“Say (O Mohammad to the people): ‘If you really love Allaah, then follow
me. And He (Allaah) in return will love you, and will forgive you for you
sins, and indeed Allaah is oft-forgiving and most merciful.’ Say: ‘Obey
Allaah and the Messenger’, and if they turn away, then verily Allaah does
not love the disbelievers.” [10]

So what are some of the traditions that we have been left with to follow?

Waking up to have suhoor, even if it is something little:

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Eat suhoor for in
suhoor there is blessing.” [11]

Not delaying the iftaar:

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The people will
remain upon goodness as long as they hasten in breaking their fasts.” [12]

Supplicating throughout the day and night, especially during iftaar time:

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Three prayers are
not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the
prayer of a traveller.” [13]

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed there is for
the fasting person, when he breaks his fast, a supplication which is not rejected.”
[14]

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to say upon
breaking his fast: “Dhahaba al-‘dhamaa’ wa abtallat al-‘urooq wa thabata al-ajr in
sha Allaah.” [15] (The thirst is gone, the veins have been moistened and the
reward is assured, if Allaah wills).

'Aa’ishah (May Allaah be pleased with her) reported that Allaah's messenger (sall-
Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) instructed her to say:

“Allaahumma innaka ‘affoowun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’foo ‘annee.” [16] (O Allaah
indeed you are one that pardons, and you love to pardon, so pardon me).

Spending the nights in prayer, as well as encouraging the family to do so:



The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever stands in
prayer with the Imaam until its conclusion, will be like the one who prayed the
whole night.” [17]

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever
establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping
to attain Allaah's rewards, all his past sins will be forgiven.” [18]

'Aa’ishah (May Allaah be pleased with her) narrated that the messenger of Allaah
(sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to spend the whole night in prayer, and used
to awake his family to do so as well. [19]

Being generous and feeding the people iftaar:

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever gives
iftaar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without detracting from the
reward of the person fasting.” [20]

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has been described as:
“Being the most generous of people, and he was at his most generous during
Ramadan.” [21]

Staying away from all immoral acts, especially those of the tongue:

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Fasting is not
abstaining from eating and drinking alone, but it is also abstaining from vain
speech and foul language. If one of you is being cursed or annoyed, he should
say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting’.” [22]

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah does not
need the fast of the one who does not abandon falsehood in speech or in action.”
[23]

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Perhaps a fasting
person will get nothing from his fast except hunger, and perhaps the one who
stands to pray at night will get nothing from his prayer except tiredness.” [24]

Performing ‘Umrah (the minor pilgrimage):

The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Perform ‘Umrah
when Ramadan comes, for ‘Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj (in reward).” [25]

Like all things in life, this treatise has come to an end. But prior to concluding it
is only befitting that we be reminded of a plague that lies in the hearts and minds
of many Muslims today. And that is one of affirming words but not affirming their
respective meanings [26]. How often do we hear Muslims cry and shout of their
love of Allaah, yet it is a love that has no meaning as their actions show likewise.
This is something that Allaah (glorified and praised is He) warns us of Himself
when He says:

“O you who believe, why do you say that which you do not do? Most
hateful to Allaah is that you should say that which you do not do.” [27]

As Muslims we are to be people whose actions speak louder than their words. If
we truly love Allaah then we need to show it with our actions. As everyone
claims love but very few go about proving it.


Lastly, it is not hidden from anyone that indeed Ramadan is a month of blessings.
In it everything is blessed from, our food to our actions. It is in this very month
that we should plant the seeds for goodness that we hope will last us throughout
the year. It was the Prophet (Sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) who said:

“The best of deeds are the most consistent of them.” [28]

So we should always be looking for self-improvement, and enrichment, and not
just in Ramadan. At the end of the day we have enough “Ramadan Muslims”,
now we are in need of Muslims who live in Ramadan all year long.

Wallaahu ta'aalaa 'aalam.

With all the best wishes of a blessed, beneficial, benevolent, and fruitful
Ramadan,

Your Brother
By Abu 'Abdir-Rahman Navaid Aziz
Al-Madeenah an-Nabaweeyyah
The 1st of Ramadan, 1426

Footnotes:

[1] Refer to the respective chapters in Ibn Hazm's Al-Akhlaaq was-Siyar and
Tawq al-Hamaamah
[2] Refer to the respective chapters in Ibn al-Qayyim's Madaarij us-Saalikeen
[3] Directing an action, statement, or emotion, that should be specific to Allaah to
other than Allaah
[4] Refer to the respective chapters in Suleymaan ‘Abdullah's Tayseer ul-'Azeez
il-Hameed
[5] One need go no further than Browning's famous poem: “How do I love thee,
let me count the ways.”
[6] 6:162
[7] 2:165
[8] Refer to the respective chapters in Abu Haamid al-Ghazzaali's Ihyaa ‘Uloom
id-Deen
[9] The phrase “sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam” is commonly mistranslated as:
“May Allaah's peace and blessings be upon him”, where as the terms Salaah and
salaam are more encompassing in meaning than can possibly be translated, thus
it is preferred to leave it in its original Arabic. Refer to Ibn al-Qayyim's Jalaa ul-
Afhaam for further details
[10] 3:31-32
[11] Narrated by Bukhaaree & Muslim
[12] Narrated by Bukhaaree & Muslim
[13] Narrated by al-Bayhaqi (3/345) and classified as Saheeh in Silsilat ul-
Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (#1797)
[14] Narrated by Ibn Maajah & al-Haakim
[15] Narrated by Aboo Daawood, al-Bayhaqi and classified as hasan in Irwaa ul-
Ghaleel (4/39)
[16] Narrated by Ahmed, Tirmidhee & Ibn Maajah
[17] Narrated by Tirmidhee (who graded it as Saheeh), Aboo Daawood, Nasaa’ee
& Ibn Maajah
[18] Narrated by Bukhaaree
[19] Narrated by Bukhaaree & Muslim
[20] Narrated by Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah & Ibn Hibbaan
[21] Narrated by Bukhaaree & Muslim
[22] Narrated with this wording by Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Hibbaan, and al-Haakim.
The key portion of the hadeeth can also be found in Bukhaaree & Muslim
[23] Narrated by Bukhaaree
[24] Narrated by Nasaa’ee, Ibn Maajah & al-Haakim
[25] Narrated by Bukhaaree.
[26] Refer to Ahmed al-Qaadhi's Madhabu Ahli-Tafweedh
[27] 61:2-3
[28] Narrated by Tirmidhee

[Na7lah]

Ramadan is just around the corner, so Are You Ready?





Some things to get you ready:






That which is measured improves.
A 30-Day Tarbiyah Journal designed by Muhammad Alshareef.

Download it Here

Ramadaan Checklist


How To Make This Your Best Ramadan Ever




Sheikh Waleed Basyouni
We all want to make sure we put our best effort out for Ramadan and this lecture tells you how to accomplish the goal.

2:183 O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint.




2:184 (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will, it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.





Download the Lectures:


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9

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CountdowN

25 More Days
(inshallah)

Feel Free to share any video's, pictures, articles, poems, lectures, and anything else that has anything to do with Ramadan!

[Na7lah]

Recharge your batteries!

[M.B]

mashallah alhamdulliah the countdown has begun inshallah we will be able to get to ramadhan.

[Na7lah]

CountdowN

24 More Days
(inshallah)

الصيام عبادة وليس عادة

“Fasting is an act of worship and not a custom."

[Nájlá]

Jazakiallah khayr sis. Good stuff.

But is it 24 days left? I thought it was 23 days left? :X
Time to edit my TMZ thread now... :S

[Sizzlerjimer]

asalam u alikum wa rehamatulahi wa berkathu

my brothers and sisters ramadan is coming to us again insALLAH and those who will live to see it would be the luckiest people.Rememember PROPHET SAW said Ramadan is ALLAHS SWT month and Shabaan is my month.

Fast in shabaan as well please mondays and thursdays and 13,14,15 of shabaan or fast if you can the frist 20days.It might be hard as days are long but the reward is more insALLAH.

May ALLAH give us all the strength to fast in shabaan and ramadan. AMEEN

Jazak ALLAH

[Grofica]

I have a question about this...(please i know this is not exact wording) I remember reading the Koran that during the time of Ramazan a person should NOT sleep all day and wake up in the evening to "skip over" the fast. that would be like the person's days and nights are backwards and it doesnt count...

My question is... I would really like to participate in Ramazan from the bottom of my heart but right now i work night shift... So for me... (if i understand correctly) I would fast during my "normal hours" or in this case at night... and after sunrise i could eat and drink respectivley... I am only confused because my shift is at night...

One there was a girl (i wont mention names) i worked with and she worked nights at the time and mentioned in passing that she had to "observe" ramazan all day and that she was so hungry but it seemed to me since she slept all day that she wasnt really changing her routine... nothing about her ramazan was different because she didnt normally eat during the day...

Can someone please clarify this for me?

[Na7lah]

CountdowN

23 More Days
(inshallah)

The prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wassalam) said, 'None of you shall miss it (Sehri/Suhur) even if it is a sip of water since Allaah bless those who have the dawn meal' (Ahmad)

[north_malaysian]

Yayyyyy!!!!

No countdown signature like last year?

[Na7lah]

CountdowN

22 More Days
(inshallah)

Akhi north_malaysian you can be the first with that sig

[ducki]

im so excited! its going to be a bit of a challenge this year

[Ali_008]

I'm just hoping that my eemaan gets the nitro boost, its desperately looking for.