Our social:

Category: Ramadhan

The Virtue Of The Last Ten Days Of Ramadan And Laylat al-Qadr

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the Trustworthy Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to strive hard (in worship) during the last ten days of Ramadan in a way that he did not strive at any other times. (Muslim, 1175, from Aa’ishah). Among the things he did were secluding himself in I’tikaaf and seeking Laylat al-Qadr during this time. (Al-Bukhaari, 1913; Muslim, 1169). In al-Saheehayn it is reported from the hadeeth of Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that when the last ten days of Ramadan came, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would stay up at night, wake his family and gird his loins. (al-Bukhaari, 1920; Muslim, 1174). Muslim added: he strove hard and girded his loins.

Her phrase “girded his loins” is a metaphor for his preparing himself to worship and strive hard in worship, more than usual. It has the meaning of “rolling up one’s sleeves” to worship (i.e. getting ready to make a great deal of effort).

It was also said that it was a metaphor for keeping away from women and abstaining from sexual relations.

The phrase “stay up at night” means that he would stay awake, spending the night in prayer, etc. It was reported in another hadeeth that Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “I never saw the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) recite the entire Quran in one night, or spend a whole night in prayer until the morning, or fast an entire month, except in Ramadan.” (Sunan al-Nasaa’i, 1641). The words “stay up at night” may mean that he spent most of the night in worship, or that he did not stay up for the entire night, but he did that at the times of Ishaa and Suhoor, and other times, in which case it would mean that he stayed up for most of the night.

The phrase “and wake his family” means that he would wake his wives to pray qiyaam. It is known that he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to wake his wives all year round, but he used to wake them to spend part of the night in qiyaam. In Saheeh al-Bukhaari it is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) woke up one night and said, “Subhan Allah! What tribulations have come down tonight! What treasure has come down tonight! Who will wake up the dwellers of the apartments There may be women who are clothed in this world and naked in the Hereafter”. (al-Bukhaari, 1074). It was also reported (in Saheeh al-Bukhaari) that he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to wake Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) when he wanted to pray Witr. (al-Bukhaari, 952). But when he woke his wives during the last ten nights of Ramadan, this was more persistent than at other times of the year.

The fact that he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did this indicates the importance he attached to worshipping his Lord and making the most of this special time.

The Muslim should follow the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), for he is the best example, and he should strive hard to worship Allah. He should not waste the hours of these days and nights. For we do not know, perhaps this time will never come again, for the spoiler of pleasures, i.e., death, which must come to all men, may come and snatch him and his life will end; then he will feel regret at the time when regret will be of no avail.

Among the unique virtues of these special nights is that Laylat al-Qadr is among them. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

Haa-Meem. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.]

The Manifest Book (this Quran) makes things clear.

Better Than A Thousand Months

God has ordained that we fast during the month of Ramadan, every day from dawn to dusk, during which time we abstain from eating, drinking, and sex. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also recommended us to spend part of the time during the night in voluntary worship. This is done after we have prayed Isha, offering more prayer every night throughout the month. This is known as Taraweeh prayer, which consists of either eight or 20 rak’ahs, or any lesser number.

However, the Prophet used to spend more of the night in voluntary worship during the last 10 days of Ramadan. Ayesha reports: “When the last 10 days (of Ramadan) arrived, the Prophet would be more diligent, staying up the nights and waking up the people in his household.” (Related by Al-Bukhari).

Ayesha tells us that the Prophet did certain special things in the last ten days of Ramadan. These are the best nights of the year to spend in worship. One thing was to wake up his family members to encourage them to allocate time for night worship. He did not make this obligatory, but whereas on other nights he left them to decide whether they wanted to wake up for night worship, he did wake them up in the last third of Ramadan. Needless to say, he only woke up those who were willing and able to offer night worship. Since this is voluntary, he would not compel anyone to do anything unless it is their own choice.

Another thing that he did was to be more diligent. In the Arabic text of the Hadith, Ayesha uses a metaphor, saying that the Prophet would “tighten his robes.” Most scholars suggest that this means that he abstained from having sex with his wives during those 10 nights. There is no prohibition on that, but this was the Prophet’s choice.

Moreover, the Prophet “stayed up the nights” offering worship. According to most scholars, this means that he spent more time in worship during these 10 nights than on other nights. It does not mean that he would spend the whole night because that would be too exhausting. Moreover, it would mean that we sleep longer during the following day, which reduces the feelings of fasting.

What is special about the last 10 days of Ramadan is that they include the Night of Power. This is the night described in the Qur’an as “better than a thousand months,” which means that spending this night in worship earns a greater reward than worshipping at night for a thousand months. It is a special, blessed night because it witnessed the revelation of the Qur’an from on high to Prophet Muhammad. In other Hadiths, we are told that dedication to worship on that night ensures that our slate is wiped clean and we are free of all sins. They are all forgiven by God. Hence, we should be keen to spend that night in worship.

When is the Night of Power? It has not been mentioned specifically, either in the Qur’an or by the Prophet. However, the Prophet tells us to seek it on the odd nights of the last third of Ramadan. Thus, it could be any night on 21, 23, 25, 27 or 29 of Ramadan. In Islam, the night precedes the day, which means that it is the night that begins after sunset on 20, 22, etc. of Ramadan. If we dedicate several hours of that night to worship, we feel great relief and happiness for the effort making us keen to repeat the experience every year.

– By Adil Salahi

Make Best Use Of Remaining Ramadan Days

Recite the Quran, give in charity, and do good deeds. Ramadan is the month of reciting the Quran, the month of worship and Taraweeh prayer, patience, soul-searching, repentance, and a time to change.

Allah revealed His Book as the guide to the whole of mankind. If a person recites the Quran the way it should be recited, then it is a remedy and a cause for opening the doors of good, well-being, steadfastness, happiness, peace of mind, pride, and victory. The laws should be based on the Quran and the Holy Quran is the remedy for Ummah’s ailments. There is no reformation for mankind or peace of mind and comfort or security or discipline except by following the teachings of the Quran.

The Quran is addressed to all mankind. There are no differences between male and female or rich and poor. The Quran addresses everyone. Allah’s Holy Book transcends the limits of time, place, and differences among people. Its message is universal for all human beings and the jinn. The Holy Quran is the path to the happiness of the Ummah and all mankind. It is the Quran that abolished bondage and educated the Ummah.

The month of hard work, patience, discipline, and recitation of the Quran. Now we are in the last few days of Ramadan and Muslims are to make an added effort by offering prayer, recitation of the Quran, and doing good deeds with the hope that one of these blessed nights will be the Night of Power (Lailat Al-Qadr). People must do soul-searching, contemplation, repent of their deeds, and mend their ways for the better because death comes suddenly. Muslims to be God-fearing and observe Taqwa.

Make the best use of the remaining few days of Ramadan by offering prayer, reciting the Quran, giving in charity generously, and doing other good deeds with the hope that a night during these 10 days may be the Night of Power (Lailat Al-Qadr).

All should be extra prepared to do good deeds before death when it is too late. The Muslims must work harder during the last 10 days of Ramadan because the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not specify when the Night of Power occurs but said it is on the odd nights like the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th, or the last night.

If Lailat Al-Qadr coincides with the night when the Muslim is working hard in prayer, reciting the Quran, and doing other good deeds, then his sins will be forgiven. Muslims should sincerely fear Allah and adhere steadfastly to Islam.

Don’t forget the importance of giving Zakat Al-Fitr as it purifies the fasting because there might be some shortcomings in one’s fasting. It should be given on Eid Day before Eid prayer and it is allowed to give Zakat Al-Fitr one or two days before Eid Al-Fitr day.

How Can I Describe Ramadan To A non-Muslim Audience?

Sometimes, as Muslims, we talk so much to others about what we believe and do, without thinking too carefully about what they are hearing. In other words, what we say is not always the message that other people hear, because we are not prepared to take people as they are.

Often, we talk to them from the point of view of where we would like them to be, rather than where they actually are at the moment.

For example, if someone is only interested in football or fashion, we should begin talking to them first about football and fashion. Explaining to them the finer points of Shariah law is getting a bit ahead of ourselves if they are struggling with the idea of whether or not God exists.

Talking about Ramadan is a wonderful way of talking about Islam, but we must remember that those who are not Muslim will be carrying with them all the baggage that the television and news media have loaded on their shoulders.

Television images of suicide bombs and terror attacks have a powerful way of clouding the real message we want to present. So, in talking about Ramadan we need to proceed slowly.

If you have ever read a really good novel or been to see a really good film at the cinema, it is difficult to convey how much you enjoyed it to someone who did not read the book or see the film. No matter how much you describe the action and the characters, you need to have experienced them firsthand to fully appreciate how good they are.

Ramadan is a bit like that. Telling someone who has not experienced the joy of Ramadan exactly what it is like is just like telling them about a film they have not seen.

The idea of fasting for a whole month is quite alien to most people in the world. Cutting down on food for a while to lose weight is perhaps the nearest they have ever got to fasting. Doing so for God’s sake will be quite outside their experience.

And yet, as Muslims, we know that Ramadan is about far much more than giving up food and drink during the hours of daylight. We know that with the right intention, we can come closer to Allah during this noble month of Ramadan and we can feel both uplifted and content by the very fasting that seems to others so odd.

The first thing we need to tell others is that we fast for Allah’s sake alone. This, in itself, may come as a very strange idea. Most people, especially those with no religion or belief in God, do things for themselves alone or for the ones they love. Allah tells us in the noble Quran, which Muslims believe is the word of God, that means: {O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) piety.} (Al-Baqarah 2:183)

In other words, Muslims fast to please Allah. Even if there is no other outward benefit or effect, their fast is for Allah’s sake. He has asked it of us and we do it in response to His command. This, alone, is quite a shock to the belief system of many. Muslims are not fasting because of anything they will gain; they are fasting because Allah wants them to do so.

This, though, is maybe one of the greatest secrets of Islam… The word Islam comes from an Arabic root word that means both “submission” and “peace.”

A Muslim is one who submits to Allah. When his or her head touches the ground in prayer there is the realization that Allah the Almighty is in charge of all things in this world, even us. He not only created the heavens and the earth and everything in between, but He also knows every leaf that falls from every tree.

Submitting to Allah is the key. By submitting, we then experience the second word: peace. Muslims find their total peace, fulfillment, and happiness by doing what Allah wants. fasting, then, is done for His sake. Yet we gain so much in return and feel so much better because of it. Maybe this is the key.

Another useful idea when talking to those who are not Muslim about Ramadan is to remind everyone just how wonderful it would be if everyone in the world was given the chance to start over again, to forget the mistakes of the past, and begin a new one.

There are not many people who would turn down such an opportunity. All of us have made mistakes. We also deliberately do things we know to be wrong.

Ramadan is a chance for Muslims to re-examine how they have lived their lives over the past year. They can resolve to lead a better life in the year to come.

It is like a spiritual spring cleaning, where we dust everything down, and throw out everything that is not important and essential in our lives.

Seen in these two ways, then, fasting during Ramadan brings us so many blessings, not least the blessing of seeing how fortunate we really are.

True enough, we fast for Allah’s sake during the hours of daylight, but when the call to Prayer sounds at the end of the day, we are able to eat our fill. There are many in the world, though, whose fast will not end with the call to Prayer. They will starve to death because they have no food.

Our fasting in Ramadan gives us the chance to feel how hungry those who are less fortunate than us would feel. It helps us to give thanks for all the things we take for granted.

We take for granted not only things like food and water, but also the love of our family and friends, the good health we enjoy, and the fact that most us will have somewhere to sleep tonight.

So Ramadan is such a special time for Muslims. It focuses on the idea of sincerity to Allah the Almighty. We fast for His sake and we try by our Prayers and recitation of the Quran to call Him to mind throughout the day. In doing this, we find peace and contentment. Better than any film we have seen or any novel we have read.

Ramadan speaks directly to our hearts of the One who created all things. In talking to non-Muslims about the joys and the meanings of Ramadan, we should try to convey some of this.

Idris Tawfiq

Recitation Of The Holy Qur’an in Holy Month Of Ramadan

The revelation of the Holy Qur’an onto the blessed heart of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) began in this very month of Ramadan, and who can know this relationship better than Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). The relationship between the month of Ramadan and the Holy Qur’an can also be seen in a Hadith that is narrated by Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) in which Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede on behalf of a person. The fast will say “O Almighty Lord! I stopped him from eating and fulfilling his desires during the day, accept my intercession on his behalf.” The Qur’an will say, “I prevented him from sleeping at night, accept my intercession on his behalf.” Therefore we should make it a habit to recite the Holy Qur’an so that we may thrive on the blessings and excellences thereof.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh) narrates that, “If a person desires that he loves Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), he should recite the Holy Qur’an.” Many of us claim to love Allah Ta’ala and His Beloved Rasool (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) but our claims are short-lived without any action. Therefore, if you claim to love Allah Ta’ala and want to be truthful in that claim, then make it your habit to recite the Holy Qur’an and firmly act on its orders.

The Holy Qur’an is such a book that looking at, reciting, learning, and contemplating its meanings are all forms of worship. Our minds cannot comprehend the reward that Allah Ta’ala grants for reciting the Holy Qur’an. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “One who recites the Qur’an and then thinks that someone else received more reward than him, such a person has definitely taken lightly, something that has been made very exalted by Allah Ta’ala.” When a heart is drowned in fulfilling its desires and committing various kinds of sins, becomes neglectful of the remembrance of Almighty Allah, and forgets its reason for being alive, the result is that little by little, it becomes rusted, and this rust is the cause of dissension in the whole body.

Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Undoubtedly, hearts get rusted just as iron gets rusty when water falls on it.” The Blessed Companions asked, “Ya Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), how is the heart cleaned?” Our Beloved Aaqa (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “Remembering death often and reciting the Holy Qur’an.” [Mishkaat Shareef ]

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to always respect the month of Ramadan, and to always seek His pleasure and the pleasure of His Beloved, our Aaqa Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam, Ameen.

Safeguard Yourself From Sin

When looking at the meaning of fasting, most of us think it only entails the apparent conditions of not eating or drinking and not having sexual relations from sunrise to sunset. However, there are certain hidden etiquettes of fasting as well which must be respected and obeyed. The hidden etiquettes are that all parts of the body must be prevented from committing acts that are against the laws of Shariah. Only then can we truly benefit from the blessings of fasting and only then will we be successful in receiving the reward of becoming pious, as Allah Ta’ala says “O Believers! Fasting has been made obligatory upon you as were made obligatory upon those before you, so
that you may become pious. [Surah 2, Verse 183]” Therefore, let us study the fast of the parts of the body and try to act upon them.

It is essential to safeguard the tongue from sinning by lying, backbiting, using vulgar language, etc. Lying is a grave sin that destroys the reward for fasting. We should always refrain from lying but it is especially critical to stay away from lying in the month of Ramadan because if we lie whilst we are fasting, then we have defeated the purpose of
fasting. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “If a person does not refrain from lying, then Allah Ta’ala does not need for him to give up his food and drink.” [Bukhari Shareef ]

Backbiting is a sin that many of us commit daily, often without realizing it. During the time of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), two ladies were fasting but became so thirsty that they feared for their lives. Finally, they asked Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) for permission to break the fast. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) sent a bowl to them and told them to vomit everything that they had eaten into the bowl. They did as they were told and their vomit contained running blood and clots of blood also. The people were astonished at seeing this and Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “These two women ate Sehri with those things that Allah Ta’ala has made lawful, but then broke their fast with something that has been made unlawful by Allah Ta’ala; in other words, they remained busy in backbiting.” Remember, backbiting is such an evil sin that Allah Ta’ala has compared it to ‘eating the meat of your dead brother.’ Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Qur’an, “…and do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would abominate it… [Surah 49, Verse 12]” Therefore, we must always, and especially in the month of Ramadan, attempt to refrain from backbiting or speaking ill of others.

It is essential to safeguard the ears from hearing evil things at all times, but special attention should be paid to ensure this whilst fasting. It is said that there is fasting for every part of the body, and fasting of the ears is that they should be protected from hearing evil and useless things as hearing such things has a great effect on the heart, which turns thoughts towards sinning. A fasting person needs to refrain from listening to backbiting, lies, jokes, film stories, film songs, and crude talk. Listen to the recitation of the Holy Qur’an and Naaths and Insha Allah, the heart will be illuminated and the spiritual benefits of fasting will be obtained.

It is essential for us to safeguard our eyes, especially whilst we are fasting. We have to safeguard our eyes from looking at na-mahram women, TV, dancing, songs, movies, and nude or obscene pictures. Looking at such things turns the mind towards committing sins and that destroys the spirit of fasting. Therefore, we must save our eyes from such things and should rather look at and recite the Holy Qur’an and Insha Allah, we will obtain untold benefits.

The aim and object of fasting is to instill in our hearts the enthusiasm to refrain from all kinds of sins. All sins that are committed by humans are first thought about in the heart before they are carried out. Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “There is a piece of meat in the body of humans, if that remains safe then the whole body is safe, and if that becomes corrupted then the whole body is corrupted; that piece of meat is the heart.” Therefore, we need to safeguard our hearts from false and evil thoughts.

And lastly, one of the major sins that many of us neglect to safeguard ourselves from, is not reading our five times Salah. Salah is compulsory and one would never be able to truly benefit from the blessings of fasting by neglecting the Salah. In fact, one would be committing a grave sin by disobeying the command of Allah Ta’ala in such a sanctified month, which can only lead to the Anger of Allah Ta’ala.

After saving every part of one’s body from sinning, out of fear of Allah Ta’ala and for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, a person has full faith that I obeyed the orders of the Almighty Allah completely and Allah Ta’ala will definitely accept the supplication that I make at this time, just as Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “The supplications of three types of people are never rejected; a fasting person at the time of Iftar, a just ruler, and an oppressed person.” [Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]

5 Things About Mesaharaty

The moment Ramadan starts, Muslim countries celebrate the month with all its aspects: the spiritual rituals that conflate fasting, praying, and participation in charitable activities; and the social side that includes iftar and Suhoor feasts. Also one of these Ramadan fixtures is the mesaharaty.

1 The mesaharaty is one of the traditional characters related to the month of Ramadan. Since people fast – stop eating and drinking – in Ramadan from dawn to night, the mesaharaty used to pass by houses before dawn in order to wake people up by striking on a small drum and singing some songs in order to remind them to eat before dawn.

2 The name of that supper is Suhoor, and that is why he is called mesaharaty, i.e. the one who reminds people of Suhoor. Nowadays after the presence of clocks and different kinds of reminders and alarms, the Mesaharty has disappeared from our lives, however, he remains one of the main symbols of Ramadan besides the fanoos.

3 This tradition started in Baghdad in the eighth century and then spread to most Islamic countries. Stories suggest that this job started on an informal basis, with people waking up their family members and neighbors for Suhoor.

4 Throughout the years, this task turned into a profession, albeit one that can only be practiced for one month each year. There is no fixed salary for the person, but he receives donations from the people at the end of Ramadan.

5 The mesaharaty may be extinct in the urban areas, but they are still found in some parts of Cairo and in the villages in the countryside.

What Is Lawful And What Revokes Fasting

Fasting earns Allah’s pleasure. Allah said: Every deed by the son of Adam is for him, except the fasting, it is for Me and I will give its reward.

Every deed of a believer is rewarded from 10 to 700 times but there is no deed which may equal fasting. It is, therefore, necessary to know the rules for the preservation of our fast to earn Allah’s great pleasure.

The Mother of the Believers Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to be in ritual impurity by the dawn, and then he used to take a bath. The ritual impurity does not invalidate the fasting, provided one takes a bath in the morning.

It is also reported by Ayesha, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to kiss her and embrace her while fasting out of pure love without any passion.

Hanafis and Shafiis said:

· One who gets excited and passionate should keep away from kissing.

· To take an injection by way of treatment is allowed, no harm is done to his fasting. (As-Shafii)

· No harm is done if one swallows saliva. While using Siwak one can swallow saliva.

· It may be noted the use of Siwak stops thirst as it makes the glands produce saliva which controls thirst.

· If a woman gets impure from menses or puerperium by the morning, she can continue her fasting. She should take a bath and offer prayers.

· If water gets into the belly of a fasting person unintentionally then no harm is caused to his fast.

· To use Kohl and eye drops are allowed, even if one feels its taste in the throat because it does not reach the belly (As-Shafii).

· Rinsing of the mouth and sniffing is allowed but it should not be exaggerated as water may go into the belly thus invalidating the fast.

· Ibn Abbas said: There is no harm in tasting the foodstuff you want to buy. Do not swallow but spit it out.

· Ibn Taymiyya said: There is no harm in smelling the good smells for a fasting person.

· Engaging in sexual intercourse will revoke the fast and one should compensate for his invalidated fasting and expiate.

· Expiation is to liberate a slave or fast for 60 days continuously or feed 60 persons. Or he can choose any of the three methods of expiation.

· Anyone who intentionally breaks his fast shall have to compensate for the fast and expiate as mentioned above.

· If anyone drinks or eats forgetting that he was fasting, no harm is done to his fast, and he should complete his fast.

· If a fasting person vomits, no harm is done to his fast, but if he vomits intentionally, he should complete his fast but he will have to compensate for that fast.

· If anyone commits masturbation or deliberately ejects his semen he has to expiate.

· If one eats or drinks or copulates believing that the dawn has not begun as yet and the contrary of that appears to him then he has to compensate for his fast and no expiation is due on him.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for the Believing person on the Day of Judgment.

Fast will say: “O Lord! I prevented him from the food and desire during the day, so accept my intercession for him.” The Qur’an will say: “I prevented him from sleep during the night, so accept my intercession for him.” Allah will accept both the intercessions.

We are required to protect our fast to get Allah’s rewards that are so precious on the Day when nothing will help except our good deeds and fasting observed only to earn Allah’s pleasure.

(Source the Fiqh As-Sunnah, which covers Hanafi and Shafii schools of thought).

Ramadan: A Month Of Enormous Blessings

We Are Now So Fortunate That Allah Ta’ala Has Blessed Us With This Great Month Of Ramadan. We Wish To Share With You Some Beautiful Advise As Passed On To Us By The Greatest Teacher The Noble And Final Messenger Of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him). This Message Was Delivered On The Last Day Of Sha’baan.

Salman (Radhiallaho Anhu) reports On the last day of Shabaan, Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) addressed us and said: Oh people there comes over you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night more greater in virtue than a thousand months.

It is a month in which Allah has made fasting compulsory by day and has made sunnah the Taraweeh by night. Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing any virtuous deed, for such person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a Fard in any other time and whoever performs a Fard, shall be blessed with the reward of seventy faraaidh in any other time.

This is indeed the month of patience and the reward for true patience is Jannah (paradise). It is the month of sympathy with one’s fellowmen. It is the month wherein a true believer’s rizq is increased.

Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break the fast (at sunset), for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins and emancipation from the fire of Jahannam (hell) and for such feeder shall be the same reward as the one who fasted (who he fed) without that person’s reward being decreased in the least.

Thereupon we said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can give a fasting person to break his fast’ Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) replied Allah grants the same reward to the one who gives a fasting person to break the fast a mere date or a drink of water or a sip of milk.

This is a month, the first of which brings Allah’s mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness, and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahannam.

Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants (bondsmen) this month; Allah will forgive him and free him from the fire of Jahannam.

And in this month four things you should continue to perform in great number, two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot do. Those which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should in great quantity bear witness that there is no deity to worship except Allah (i.e. recite the Kalimah Tayibbah Laa Ilaaha illallah) and make much Istighfaar (beg Allah’s forgiveness with Astaghfirullah) and as for those without which you cannot do, you should beg of Allah entrance into paradise and ask refuge in Him from Jahannam.

And whoever gives a person water to drink, Allah shall grant that giver to drink from my fountain, such a drink whereafter that person shall never again feel thirsty until he enters Jannah.

(HADITH-BAIHAQI)

Important Notes Regarding Sadaqatul-Fitr

I. Hadrat ibn ‘Umar said, “The Prophet made incumbent on every male or female, free man or slave, young or old, the payment of one Sa’ of dates or barley as Sadaqat-ul-Fitr. The Messenger of Allah commanded that this sadaqah be paid before one goes to perform the Eid prayer.” [Sahih Bukhari – Book on Zakah, Volume 1, Page 204]

II. Hadrat Hasan said: Hadrat Ibn Abbas preached to the people towards the end of Ramadan, standing on the pulpit (in the mosque) of al-Basrah. He said: “Bring forth the sadaqah relating to your fast.” The people, as it were, could not understand. “Which of the people of Medina are present here? Stand for your brethren, and teach them, for they do not know” said Hadrat ibn ‘Abbas. He further added: “The Messenger of Allah prescribed this sadaqah as one sa’ of dried dates or barley, or half a sa’ of wheat payable by every freeman or slave, male or female, young or old.” When Hadrat Ali came (to Basrah), he found that the price had come down. He said: “Allah has given prosperity to you, so give one sa’ of everything (as sadaqah).” [Sunan Abi Dawood – Book on Zakah, Volume 1, page 229]

III. Hadrat ‘Abdullah ibn Tha’laba or Tha’laba ibn ‘Abdullah (narrator cannot recall exactly what the name was) ibn Abu Saghir, who narrates from his father that the Messenger of Allah said, “One sa’ of wheat is enough from every two; young or old; freeman or slave; male or female. Those of you who are rich will be purified by Allah, and those of you who are poor will have more than they gave returned by Him to them.” [Sunan Abi Dawood – Book on Zakah, Volume 1, Page 228]

IV. Hadrat ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah prescribed Sadqatul Fitr, so that the fasts (kept throughout the month of Ramadan) may be purified from any falsehood, wrongdoing or evil talk, and (at the same time) it shall assist to feed the poor and the needy. [Sunan Abi Dawood – Book on Zakah, Volume 1, Page 227]

V. Hadrat ‘Amr ibn Shu’aib reports from his father, who reports from his grandfather that the Holy Prophet sent a person that he calls out loud in the streets of Makkah al-Mukarramah that Sadaqat ul Fitr is Wajib (necessary) upon every Muslim male or female; freeman or a slave; young or old. [Sunan Tirmidhi – Book on Zakah, Volume 1, Page 146]

Important Notes:
1. Sadaqa-e-Fitr is Wajib upon such a person who owns assets, which equal the value of the Nisab. Such individuals should give Sadaqa-e-Fitr on their behalf and on behalf of their children if they do not own assets equal to the value of Nisab. Yes, however, if the children do own assets which are equal to or more than the Nisab limit, then the Sadaqa-e-Fitr shall be given from their own wealth. [al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Bahar-e-Shari’at]

2. The owner of Nisab in the ruling as regards Sadaqa-e-Fitr is such a person who has 7 ½ Tola gold (93 grammes 312 milligrammes,) or 52 ½ Tola silver (653 grammes 184 milligrammes), or equivalent value in money or any other form of asset. Or, one owns a business or non-business stock equivalent to that value, and these goods are added to the basic necessities of living (Hajat-e-Asliyyah).

3. For the Sadaqa-e-Fitr to become Wajib it is not necessary that one has fasted. Therefore, if anyone did not fast due to any excuse valid in the eyes of the Islamic Law; such as one is a Musafir (travelling to a destination which is at a distance of approximately 57 ½ miles or 92 kilometres), or is ill such that his illness shall become worse if he fasts, or because of weakness caused by old age, or – Allah forbid! – one did not keep the fasts due to any non-valid reason, then the Sadaqa-e-Fitr is still Wajib upon the person. [Radd al-Muhtar – Vol. 2 Page 76 and Bahar-e-Shari’at]

4. If the father is so poor (that he cannot give his own Sadaqa-e-Fitr let alone on behalf of his children,) or has passed away, then it is Wajib on the grandfather to give Sadaqa-e-Fitr on behalf of his grandchildren. [al-Durr al-Mukhtar]

5. If one wants to give anything besides wheat, barley, dates or raisins; for example, rice, millet or any other linseed, then the price of 1 sa’ of wheat or ½ sa’ of barley should be taken into consideration.

6. In terms of weight, one Sa’ is four pounds, six and a half ounces (4lb 6.5 oz) and half a Sa’ is two pounds, three and a quarter ounces (2lb 3.25 oz).

7. It is Mustahab (an act of great reward) to give the Sadaqa-e-Fitr on the morning of Eid day (after the beginning time for Fajr), before going to the Eidgah to perform the Eid prayer. [Fatawa-e-‘Alamgiri – Vol. 1, Page 180]

8. It is permissible to give Sadaqa-e-Fitr prior to the month of Ramadan or in Ramadan before the day of Eid. [Fatawa-e-‘Alamgiri – Vol. 1 Page 179 and al-Durr al-Mukhtar]

Extracted From Anwaar al-Hadith, Pages 146 to 148
by Hadrat Allama Mufti Jalal al-Din Qadiri al-Amjadi