isu gabung puasa sunat dan qadha'

Isu Gabung Sunat & Qadha

Isu menggabungkan puasa qadha dan syawal sememangnya amat popular, pandangan ringkas saya adalah seperti berikut :-
Tidak elok untuk menggabungkan kedua-duanya bagi mereka yang mampu (dari sudut kesihatan tubuh dan lain-lain) untuk memisahkannya. Ini kerana sepengetahuan saya tiada dalil yang specifik membuktikan Nabi SAW pernah melakukannya atau menganjurkan kepada para sahabat untuk menggabungkannya.
Apabila Nabi, sahabat dan salaf soleh tidak melakukannya maka pastinya ia bukanlah amalan yang terpilih dan terbaik kerana pilihan Nabi SAW dan para sahabat selamanya adalah yang terbaik.
Malah terdapat juga hujjah-hujjah yang menyebabkan pandangan yang mengharuskan penggabungan ‘qadha dan ganti’ itu dipersoalkan, iaitu :-

1. Jika seseorang mengatakan boleh gabung puasa qadha (yang wajib) dengan puasa syawwal (yang sunat) maka sudah tentu selepas ini timbul pula individu yang cuba menggabungkan solat wajib dengan solat sunat, seperti gabungan solat isyak dengan terawih, atau subuh dengan ‘tahiyyatul masjid’ atau dengan solat sunat fajar, atau solat jumaat dengan solat sunat ‘tahiyyatul masjid’. Maka ini pasti menyebabkan masalah lain timbul dalam ibadah wajib termasuk rekaan-rekaan pelik seperti solat fardhu subuh campur istikharah dan lain-lain.


2. Menurut Prof. Dr Syeikh Abd Malik as-Sa’dy (ex-Lajnah Fatwa Iraq) dan Prof Dr Mohd ‘Uqlah el-Ibrahim (Jordan) mereka berpendapat bahawa amalan wajib tidak boleh digabungkan dengan apa-apa amalan wajib atau sunat lain, kerana amalan wajib memerlukan tumpuan khusus yang tidak berbelah bahagi semasa pelaksanaannya dan ia perlu bagi mengangkat tuntutan kewajibannya. Justeru, tindakan menggabungkan ini pasti mengurangkan kesempurnaan hamba dalam menunaikan tuntutan wajib mereka. Wallahu a’lam.


3. Tindakan A’isyah ra yang melewatkan Qadha pula boleh di jadikan hujjah bahawa beliau mengasingkan kedua-dua puasa Qadha dan Syawwal. Maka ini lah yang terpilih sepatutnya. (tidak gabungkan kerana aisyah tidak menggabungkannya) . Aisyah menyebut :

كأن يكون عليّ الصيام من شهر رمضان فما أقضيه حتى يجئ شعبان
Ertinya : Kewajiban ke atasku untuk puasa (Qadha) dari puasa Ramdhan, tidaklah aku menggantinya sehingga datang sya’ban” ( Riwayat Muslim, no 101)

4. Amalan wajib (qadha) memerlukan niat yang ‘jazam’ (tepat dan pasti) maka tindakan mengabungkan ia dengan niat puasa sunat mungkin boleh merosakkannya kepastiannya. Kerana itulah ulama yang mengizinkannya mencadangkan agar diniat puasa qadha sahaja, adapun syawwal itu dipendam sahaja dengan harapan Allah menerimanya.
Bagaimanapun, ulama yang mencadangkan ini jelas menyatakan bahawa tindakan menggabungkannya tetap mengurangkan pahala sunat syawwal ini kerana tidak diniat dan tidak dilakukan sepenuhnya (Hasyiah As-Syarqawi ‘ala al-Tahrir, Syeikh Zakaria Al-Ansary, 1/427; naqal dari Min Ahsanil Kalam Fil Fatawa, Atiyyah Saqr, 2/23)

5. Malah ada pula yang berhujjah bahawa amalan sunat tidak boleh ditunaikan sebelum amalan fardu. Demikian menurut Syeikh Abu Raghib al-Asfahani, Syeikh Ihsan Muhammad ‘Aayish al-’Utaibi dan juga di sebutkan oleh Dr Yusof Al-Qaradawi di dalam kitabnya Fiqh Awalwiyyat. Ini ada asasnya kerana berdasarkan hadith Nabi SAW

من صام رمضان ثم أتبعه ستاً من شوال فكأنما صام الدهر
Ertinya: “Barangsiapa telah berpuasa Ramadan kemudian diikuti dengan 6 hari dari dari Syawwal (puasa) maka ia adalah seperti (pahala) puasa ad-Dahr (setahun)” (Riwayat Al-Bukhari, no 6502).

6. Kita dapat melihat penggunaan ‘fe’il madhi’ iaitu ‘past tense’ bagi puasa Ramadan, mungkin sahaja boleh membawa makna sesiapa yang belum lengkap puasa Ramadannya perlulah melengkapkan dahulu, kemudian barulah mereka layak bagi mendapat peruntukan pahala sunat Syawwal.

7. Hujjah ulama yang mengharuskannya adalah hadith
” Sesungguhnya amalan itu berdasarkan kepada niat, dan bagi seseorang apa yang diniatkan.” (Riwayat Bukhari, no 1, 1/12)

Ia dilihat agak umum, memang benar apa yang diniatkan adalah penting, tetapi niat mempunyai kaedah dan cara-caranya bagi diterima, contohnya seperti niat solat yang di cadangkan di dalam mazhab Syafie dimulakan semasa lafaz takbiratul ihram di sebut, jika tidak niat itu tidak dikira. (Rujuk Al-umm, hlm 78, cet Baytul Afkar; Rawdhah At-Tolibin, An-Nawawi, cet Baytul Afkar, hlm 103).

Justeru, niat juga ada displinnya dan tidak boleh di buat sesuka hati di dalam ibadah.

Kesimpulan
Kesimpulan dalam yang mengutarakan perbincangan yang terbatas ini : Elok sangat tidak digabungkan dan elok sangat didahulukan yang wajib (qadha) daripada sunat (syawwal);
Pandangan yang membolehkan saya anggap sebagai rukhsah “keringanan” bagi mereka yang mempunyai kesukaran kerana uzur dan tidak mampu untuk mengasingkannya. Antara ulama yang membolehkan untuk menggabungkannya adalah beberapa ulama dari mazhab Syafie (Mughni al-Muhtaj, 1/602), Assembly of Muslim Jurists in America (AMJA), Syeikh Atiyyah Saqar, panelis fiqh Islam online.net dan beberapa yang lain.
Sekian
Zaharuddin Abd Rahman
http://www.zaharuddin.net/

Ramadhan Reminder

Ramadhan Reminder

It is enough incentive for the Muslims to hear the following hadith to rush into obedience of Allah,

"Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan purely because of his faith and sincerity all of his/her previous sins will be forgiven."

Forgiveness has two conditions:We have to pay close attention to the saying of the Messenger (SAW),

"Purely because of faith and sincerity".

It is those two conditions that differentiate between a regular habit and an act of worship. Thus, the one who fasts as a matter of habit or without sincerity, his/her fasting will no good. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said,

"Whosoever does not saying and acting upon falsehood, Allah is in no need for him/her to abandon his/her food " (Bukhari).

On the other hand, there are glad tidings for those who fast out of sincerity. The Messenger (saws) said,

"There are two occasions for the fasting person where he/she will be happy. He/she will be happy when breaking the fast and will be happy, when he/she meets his/her lord." (Bukhari)

Fast for Seeing It and Break Fast for Seeing:

The moon can be sighted by all people and consequently the beginning and end of the months can be known by all. And the Messenger of Allah (SAW) taught us how to know when the month begins and when it ends. He also taught us what to do in case we don't see the moon. Bukhari narrates that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said,

"Do not fast until you see the moon, and do not break fast until you see it". In another narration, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, "if you see it (moon) fast and if you see it break fast (and the moon). But, if it can't be seen, then calculate for it"

In another narration, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said,

"The month is twenty nine nights. Thus, do not fast until you see it. But, if it is not visible, then complete the month thirty days".In addition, Ad-Dar Qutni and Abu Daul narrated (sahih hadith)

that Ibn Umar said that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, People were trying to sight the moon, and I told the Messenger of Allah (SAW) that I saw it. So he started fasting and ordered the people to start fasting. This hadith tells us that one person sighting the moon is sufficient to start fasting the month of Ramadan.Universal or local sighting?There is a disagreement among Muslims over whether the sighting of the moon in one region obligates Muslims in other regions to fast or not. The Hanafi, Maliki, and Hanbali schools of thought see that if the moon is sighted in a region, then all Muslims in all regions must fast. The Shafi school of thought, on the other hand, sees that sighting of the moon in one region is sufficient only for that region and not for others. The correct opinion is that one sighting is sufficient for all Muslims to fast and break fast.

This is regardless to where the sighting of the moon occurred. This is due to the honourable hadith.

"Fast for seeing it, and break for seeing it"

The phrase "for seeing it" is general for any sighting in any region. And Allah is the most knowing.At What Time of the Day We Fast and Break Fast question:Contrary to the timing of the month, the acts of worshiping in a day are dependent on the sun. Therefore, we abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse from fajr till sunset.The Intention is A Requirement for Fasting.The intention is, indeed, differentiates an act of worship from an act of habit or an accident. For example, the person who abstains from eating, drinking, and sexual intercourse from Fajr till sunset for health reasons rather than for worshipping Allah the supreme is not considered to be fasting not Islamicaly and consequently will not be rewarded by Allah (SWT). Therefore, the person who wants to fast must have the pure intention for doing that action only to please Allah (SWT).

Contrary, to the common misunderstanding, the intention need not be said by the tongue, for the intention is act of the heart. Moreover, the intention must be settled in the heart before Fajr. Al-Tirmidhi and An-Nas'ai narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said,

"Who does not intend to fast from night time, he/she has no fast (not accepted)" So the heart must be set on fasting the next day. Waking up for suhur is also sufficient to be considered as an intention.There is Blessing in suhur:Surely, Suhur is sunnah. The Messenger (SAW) said, " have Suhur, for in surah there is blessing. " (Muslim)It is also preferred to delay Suhur for the saying of the Messenger (SAW), "my Ummah will be in good condition as long as they delay Suhur and rush in breaking fast" (Ahmed).

In addition, Suhur is what differentiates our fast from that of the people of the book. The Prophet (SAW) said, "The difference between our fast and that of the people of the book is the meal of Suhur." (Muslim). The Best Things To Keep Us Busy In Ramadan:Once the fasting Muslim has just left his/her food and drink for the sake of Allah (SWT) prohibited. So he/she would not curse, use foul language, harm people, talk nonsense, etc. Thus, the best the fasting person should keep him/herself busy with is the remembrance of Allah, attend sessions of knowledge, read Quran, and spend in the path of Allah, etc.If Someone Eats Or Drinks,

Forgetfully:

It is natural for the human being to make mistakes and even sin, for human beings are created weak imperfect. Allah (SWT) says, "And man was created weak." Consequently, the fasting Muslim can make a mistake by forgetfully eating or drinking. In this case he/she is not sinning. This is so because of the saying of Messenger of Allah (SWT),

"Allah has forgiven mistakes, forgetfulness, and what is due to compulsion from my Ummah."

Therefore, the fast for that person is still valid. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) says,

"If he forgets and eats and drinks, then he should complete his fast. It was Allah who fed him and gave him the drink." (Bukhari).

As for the person who's overcome by his /her desires and thus breaks fast deliberately, he/she has committed a great sin. If he breaks fast by sexual intercourse, then he must make it up as explained in the following hadith by Bukhari:

Abu Huraira said, "While sitting with the messenger of Allah (SAW), 'O Messenger of Allah I destroyed myself and destroyed my family also." He said, "What is the matter?" He said," I had sex with my wife in Ramadan." The Messenger of Allah (SAW) asked, "Do you have a neck (slave) to free. He said, "No". He said, " Can you fast two months consecutively?" He said, "No". He said. Can you feed sixty poor people?" He said, "No". After a while a branch of dates was brought to the Messenger (saw). He (the Messenger) said, "Where is the questioner?" He said, "Here I am." He said, "Take this and give it as charity." He said, "To someone poorer than me, O messenger of Allah? By Allah there is no family poorer than my family." The prophet (saw) laughed till his molar teeth could be seen and said, "Feed it to your family". This is with regard to sexual intercourse, but with regard to anything less than intercourse, it is permissible. Bukhari narrated that Aisha (raa) said, the prophet of Allah (saw) used to kiss and touch while fasting," It is also permissible to have sexual intercourse at night time and delay Ghusul (Shar'ii faith) till after Fajr. "Aisha (RAA) said that the prophet (SAW) used to take Ghusal form janabah after Fajr in Ramadan and fast." (Bukhari).

In addition, it is allowed for the fasting person to rinse the mouth (if some water mistakenly enters the mouth it is still valid), take a bath, wear perfume, use Kohl, and use Miswak.

Permission To Break Fast In Travelling and Sickness:

Allah (SWT) permitted us to break fast in travelling and in sickness on the condition that we make it up later on.

"And for those who are sick or travelling, then (the prescribed period should be made up) other days." This is by the mercy of Allah (SWT). If the traveller finds himself/herself able to fast and prefers to do so, it is allowed. Bukhari narrated that Hamza bin Amru said to the prophet (SAW), "Should I fast while travelling?" (He used to fast often). He said, "if you wish, fast, and if you wish break fast." In the case of jihad, however, the Messenger (SAW) used to obligate his companions to break fast when they were about to meet the enemy. The Messenger (SAW) said, "You are meeting your enemy tomorrow, and breaking fast will make you stronger, so break your fast."

Does Any Travel or Sickness Constitute Breaking the Fast?It is only the sickness where the fasting will delay its recovery or worsen it, that permits the person to break the fast. But, the one that is not affected by the fast is not a legitimate excuse. Also it is the allowed kind of travel that breaking fast is allowed in not the haram one.Fasting In Modern Transportation:Some might think it is better not to break fast nowadays when travelling is easier. For those we recite the Ayah, "And your lord is not forgetful." The Islamic laws are for all times and all places and they are put by the most knowledgeable about the past, present and future. Therefore, we cannot make rules our minds and desires while we have a clear and true guidance from Allah.The Menstruation and the Post-Childbirth Bleeding:Women in either of these conditions are obligated to break fast until they become pure again. The Messenger (SWT) said,

"Is it not that she does not fast nor pray during her menstruation period?"(Bukhari). They should make up for the missed days of fasting after Ramadan.The Pregnant and the Breast Feeding Women:If a woman is pregnant or breast feeds and she thinks she or her baby will suffer if she fasts, or she merely feels hardship in fasting, then she can break fast, but must make up the missed days. The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said, "Allah takes away half of the salah from the traveller, the breast-feeding women and the pregnant women ". (Abu Dawud).

The Elderly and the Incurable sick:

Both cases are in the category of the sick, except the elderly and the incurable do not have to make up the days that they have missed, for they are unable to do so, nonetheless, they have to feed one poor person as Bukhari narrated about the action of Anas.

The fasting of Children and Teaching Them Manners:

It is a fact only those who are above the age of puberty and sane are addressed by Shari'ah. It is important, however, for the parents to take care of their children from an early age, rise them to be able to live Islamically, to love the rules of Islam, and to be consistent in performing them. The Messenger (SWT) said, "Order your children to pray when they are seven years of age, beat them for it when they are ten years of age, and separate the in their beds".(Abu Dawud). The Messenger of Allah (SWT) and his companions used to do that.

And Prophet Mohammed (SWT) saw the children eating improperly, with him, he told the boy, "Boy! Say in the name of Allah (Bismillah), eat with your right hand, and eat from that which is in front of you". The effect of this lesson on this lesson on this little child lasted all his life. Bukhari narrated that the child said, "I have been eating as he ordered me since". Also Bukhari narrates that Ar-rabiia, the daughter of muawath (Raa) said, "We used to make our children fast and make their toys out of wool. If any of them cried because of hunger, we would give them toy till the time to breakfast". O, Muslims your children are trust that you will be questioned for. Teach them Islam, let them know that Allah and his Messenger, teach them to pray and fast and get them used to doing it properly. Teach them Quran, to read it and understand it. Make sure that they are in a relationship with Allah. That is not only good for them, but it is better and good for you in this life and hereafter.

"O Believers, protect yourselves and your families from the hell fire which has humans and stones as its fuel".Salatul-Tarawih:Abu Huraira said, "I heard the messenger of Allah (SAW) say, "The one who does qiam in Ramadan with faith and sincerity, all his/her sins will be forgiven".

Food Habits Tips during Ramadhan

This article provides useful advice on how to avoid some common problems encountered in Ramadhan. If followed, it would enable one to fast comfortably and enjoy fully the spiritual benefits of Ramadhan.

Come Ramadhan, our diet is radically altered. Our meals get condensed in mornings and evenings, with no intake in-between for an extended period of time. For some of us, the intake of oily foods skyrockets. These changes in diet aren't well received by everyone. Dr. Farouk Haffejee of the Islamic Medical Association of South Africa(Durban) has created a list of recommendations for dealing withRamadhan in a healthy fashion. They deal with common problemsencountered in Ramadhan.Dr. Haffejee suggests that in the month of Ramadhan, "our diet shouldnot differ very much from our normal diet and should be as simple aspossible." He says that our diet should maintain our normal weight,although he does mention that if one is over-weight, Ramadhan is agood time to shed some pounds. He also recommends foods that last longer. "In view of the long hours of fasting, we should consume slowdigesting foods including fibre containing-foods rather thanfast-digesting foods. Slow digesting foods last up to 8 hours, whilefast-digesting foods last for only 3 to 4 hours," writes Dr. Haffejee.Slow-digesting foods are foods that contain grains and seeds such asbarley, wheat, oats, semolina, beans, lentils, wholemeal flour, andunpolished rice. These are called complex carbohydrates.Fast-burning foods are foods that contain ingredients such as sugarand white flour. They are called refined carbohydrates. According to Dr. Haffejee, whole wheat, grains, seeds, vegetables(like green beans, peas, and spinach), fruit with skin, dried fruit(such as dried apricots, figs, prunes, and almonds) are all examplesof fibre-containing foods. Dr. Haffejee says that meals in Ramadhan should be well-balanced, and they should contain foods from each food group, such as fruits,vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy products. He discourages fried foods that some of us are addicted to. "Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They causeindigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems," Dr. Haffejee points out.

Below are Dr. Haffejee's recommendations for a Ramadhan diet:

AVOID: Fried and fatty foods. Foods containing too much sugar. Over-eating especially at suhoor. Too much tea at suhoor: Tea makes you pass more urine taking with itvaluable mineral salts that your body would need during the day. Smoking cigarettes: If you cannot give up smoking, cut down graduallystarting a few weeks before Ramadhan. Smoking is unhealthy and one should stop completely.

EAT: Complex carbohydrates at suhoor so that the food lasts longer makingyou less hungry. Dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassiumand magnesium. Almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat. Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium and carbohydrates.

DRINK: As much water or fruit juices as possible between iftar and bedtime so that your body may adjust fluid levels in time. Below, Dr. Haffejee has listed common health issues faced in Ramadhan, their causes, and their remedies:

CONSTIPATION

Constipation can cause piles (haemorrhoids), fissures (painful cracksin anal canal) and indigestion with a bloated feeling. Causes: Too much refined foods, too little water and not enough fibrein the diet. Remedy: Avoid excessive refined foods, increase water intake, use bran in baking and brown flour when making flatbread.

INDIGESTION AND WIND

Causes: Over-eating. Too many fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, andfoods that produce wind e.g. eggs, cabbage, lentils. Carbonated drinks like Cola also produce gas. Remedy: Do not over-eat, drink fruit juices or better still, drinkwater. Avoid fried foods, add ajmor to wind-producing foods.

lethargy(low blood pressure)

('low blood pressure') Excessive sweating, weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness,especially on getting up from sitting position, pale appearance andfeeling faint are symptoms associated with "low blood pressure". Thistends to occur towards the afternoon. Causes: Too little fluid intake, decreased salt intake. Remedy: Keep cool, increase fluid and salt intake. Caution: Low blood pressure should be confirmed by taking a bloodpressure reading when symptoms are present. Persons with high blood pressure may need their medication adjusted during Ramadhan. They should consult their doctor.

HEADACHE

Causes: Caffeine and tobacco-withdrawal, doing too much in one day, lack of sleep, and hunger. Usually occur as the day goes by andworsens at the end of the day. When associated with "low bloodpressure", the headache can be quite severe and can also cause nausea before Iftar. Remedy: Cut down caffeine and tobacco slowly starting a week or twobefore Ramadhan. Herbal and caffeine-free teas may be substituted.Reorganise your schedule during the Ramadan to have adequate sleep.

LOW BLOOD SUGAR

Weakness, dizziness, tiredness, poor concentration, perspiring easily,feeling shaky (tremor), unable to perform physical activities,headache, palpitations are symptoms of low blood sugar. Causes (in non-diabetics): Having too much sugar i.e. refinedcarbohydrates especially at suhoor. The body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose to drop. Remedy: Eat something at suhoor and limit sugar-containing foods and drinks. Caution: Diabetics may need to adjust their medication in Ramadhan.Consult your doctor.

MUSCLE CRAMPS

Causes: Inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium foods. Remedy: Eat foods rich in the above minerals e.g. vegetables, fruit,dairy products, meat and dates. Caution: Those on high blood pressure medication and with kidney stone problems should consult their doctor.

PEPTIC ULCERS, HEART BURN, GASTRITIS AND HIATUS HERNIA

Increased acid levels in the empty stomach in Ramadhan aggravate the above conditions. It presents a burning feeling in the stomach areaunder the ribs and can extend up to the throat. Spicy foods, coffee,and Cola drinks worsen these conditions. Medications are available to control acid levels in the stomach.People with proven peptic ulcers and hiatus hernia should consulttheir doctor well before Ramadhan.

KIDNEY STONES

Kidney stones may occur in people who have less liquids to drink.Therefore, it is essential to drink extra liquids to prevent stoneformation.

JOINT PAINS

Causes: During Ramadhan, when extra Salah are performed, the pressure on the knee joints increases. In the elderly and those with arthritis, this may result in pain, stiffness, swelling and discomfort. Remedy: Lose weight so that the knees do not have to carry any extraload. Exercise the lower limbs before Ramadhan so that they can beprepared for the additional strain. Being physically fit allowsgreater fulfillment, thus enabling one to be able to perform Salah withease.

by Dr. Mushfiq Khanupdated: Oct. 18, 2004

The Great Virtue of Ramadhan

The great virtue of Ramadhan

The following khutbah was given at the Prophet's Mosque on the 5th of Ramadhan 1421H.

All praise is due to Allah, Who has made the succession of day and night a lesson for those who reflect. I thank him for his bountiful blessings and I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. I equally testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his household and companions who are the people of righteousness and piety.
Dear brothers, fear Allah as He should be feared. Whoever fears Him earns his protection and he who follows his desires is doomed. It should be known that physical and spiritual felicity can only be attained by subjecting one's heart and body to the worship of Allah, and that it is through worshipping Allah with complete sincerity that this mundane world becomes of no importance.
Dear brothers, it is a manifestation of Allah's mercy towards His slaves that He ordained fasting for them in order to purify them from excessive tastes and to cleanse their hearts from lustful things. These days, Muslims all over the world are receiving the month of Ramadhan; leader of all months; the month of forgiveness, merits and gifts; the month that gladdens the hearts of righteous people. No wonder that a pious man said on his death bed, giving a reason for his weeping, “I am only weeping for the fact that people will continue to be fasting and performing prayers after my death while I will no longer be in a position to do likewise.”
Ramadhan is the month that contains the leader of all nights; a night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever spends the night in prayer with faith and hoping for Allah's reward will have all his past sins forgiven. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “When the month of Ramadhan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]
Dear brothers, whoever wants eternal prosperity should endeavour to worship Allah and do good deeds sincerely. For good deeds done without a sincere intention are of no use. Also, it is a glory for a believer to wake up in the night and perform prayers, for the best prayer after the obligatory ones are the prayers performed in the night. In fact, righteous people compete with one other to make use of its darkness for doing acts of ibadah that bring them closer to Allah, and they loved this world only because of its nights. Abu Sulayman Ad-Daranee said, “By Allah! If not because of waking up in the night and performing prayers, I would not have loved this world; for, the night is precious because of its darkness and performing the prayers during the night is one of the characteristics of righteous people.” Al-Hasan Al-Basree said, “Nobody abandons night prayers except that it is regarded as a punishment for a sin he has committed.”
You should also endeavour to supplicate to Allah during the nights of this noble month because supplication is the link between man and his Lord; it is an effortlessly clear profit and easy booty; it prevents calamities and brings forth Allah's treasures and bounties. By supplicating to Allah during the night, He answers by granting the request asked for. His Hands never get tired of giving.

Dear Muslims,

the Qur'an is Allah's message to His servants and a light for mankind. There is no way to Allah's pleasure except through it. It is revealed in the best of all months. The best way you can spend your time during this month is to recite the Qur'an as frequently as possible. Read it, reflect on its meaning and work by its injunctions. This is because the Qur'an contains admonitions and lessons that increase one's humility and humbleness.
As regards charity, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the most generous of all people and his generosity manifested itself most during the month of Ramadhan. Whenever he gave, he gave in plenty, as if he had no fear of poverty. He would never be asked of anything except that he gave it, unless he did not have it.
Charity, dear brothers, has its positive effects on the giver. It brings blessings to his wealth and children, prevents calamities and brings forth bliss. Ramadhan is a month of charity. Spend out of your wealth on the poor and needy and be aware that avarice and stinginess does not keep wealth eternal, just as charity does not decrease it. Ibn al-Qayyim said, “Nothing brings Allah's blessings and prevents His punishment than obeying Him, moving closer to Him through acts of ibadah and being kind to His creatures.”
Therefore, spend in charity, for charity elevates one's rank in front of Allah; and know that man is going to be under the shade of his charity on the Day of Resurrection.
Dear brothers, make good preparation for this honourable month because it is a transient visitor. Receive it with a sincere repentance and spend your time during the month is acts of obedience to your Lord.
Further, try to perform umrah during Ramadhan for an umrah performed during Ramadhan is equivalent in reward to a hajj performed with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Also, provide food for fasting Muslims, for whoever does that gets a reward equivalent to their reward without causing any reduction in the reward of the fasting Muslims.
Itikaf (seclusion in a mosque for the purpose of worshipping Allah alone) is also a Sunnah that should be kept during the last ten days of Ramadhan. Ibn Shihab said, “It is a strange thing that Muslims should abandon itikaf while the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never skipped it right from the time he entered Madina until his death.”
Use this noble month to join the cord of kinship (by keeping good relations with your kith and kin). Also repent sincerely to Allah as long as the door of repentance is still open. Be cautious of an undesirable end because leaving this world is painful.

Abdul Muhsin ibn Muhammad al-Qasim

blessing of Ramadhan

Blessings of Ramadan

All praise is to Allah, Whom we thank and seek for His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of ourselves and the burden of our evil deeds. Whomsoever He guides, will never be misled, and whomsoever He misguides, will never find enlightenment. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Mohammad is His slave and Messenger.
Allah said, what translated means, "O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam" [3:102], also, "Mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations) of the wombs (kinship)! Surely, Allah is Ever an All- Watcher over you." [4:1] and, "O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the Truth." [33:70].

The best of speech is the Book of Allah, and the best of guidance is the guidance sent with Mohammad - peace be upon him. The worst of matters are Bid'ahs (innovations in the religion), every Bid'ah is a Dhalalah [misguidance], and every Dhalalah is in the Hellfire.

Dear Muslim Sisters!
We are hosting soon inshaa'a Allah a unique, a generous and a honorable guest. A guest that visits us once a year and brings with it all sorts of goodness and happiness. A guest that brings with it the wide Mercy and Forgiveness of Allah. A guest that brings with it a smell of Paradise. A guest that makes the believer closer to Allah and His Paradise and away from Shaytan and Hell Fire. It is Ramadhan, the month of the Qur'an, the month of Mercy, the month of Forgiveness, the month of prayer at night and Suhoor, the month of solidarity and mutual help, the month of all blessings. We are advised in our merciful religion of Islam to be kind and generous towards the guest, so what if the guest is the best of guests over the year? we should exert ourselves in generosity which is in this case good behavior and intense worship.
It is from the immense mercy of Allah upon us that He made us Muslims and believers and that He extended our lives till we reached this Ramadan. It is reported from some of the Salaf (Muslims of the first three centuries of Islam that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, praised in the well known famous hadith) that they used to pray to Allah during the six months before Ramadan to extend their lives so that they can fast Ramadan, and in the 6 months after Ramadan they would ask Allah to accept their fasting of Ramadan.

Therefore, we have to be thankful to Allah that He allowed us to witness this Ramadan, so let us please Him during this month.

Why do we fast ?

It is from the nature of humans to ask and to wonder why they do things. Muslims do things to please Allah, and they can please Allah only by obeying Him and practicing His religion.
Allah says in the meaning of : "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for people before you so that you will (learn how to) attain Taqwa" (Qur'an, al-Baqarah, 2:183)
Ibn 'Umar reports that Allah's Messenger said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):
To testify that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Messenger.
To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly.
To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity) .
To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)
To observe fast during the month of Ramadan. [Bukhari]

Abu Huraira narrates that one day while Allah's Messenger was sitting with the people, a man came to him walking and said, "O Allah's Messenger. What is Belief?" The Prophet said, "Belief is to believe in Allah, His Angels, His Books, His Apostles, and the meeting with Him, and to believe in the Resurrection." The man asked, "O Allah's Apostle What is Islam?" The Prophet replied, "Islam is to worship Allah and not worship anything besides Him, to offer prayers perfectly, to pay the (compulsory) charity i.e. Zakat and to fast the month of Ramadan." [The narration of Muslim has Hajj as well]. The man again asked, "O Allah's Apostle What is Ihsan (i.e.. perfection or Benevolence)? The Prophet said, "Ihsan is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not achieve this state of devotion, then (take it for granted that) Allah sees you." .... Then the man left. The Prophet said, "Call him back to me." They went to call him back but could not see him. The Prophet said, "That was Jibreel (Gabriel) who came to teach the people their religion." [Bukhari]. (Note that there are other narrations of this hadith, I took here one from Bukhari)

Since Islam means submission to Allah, we have no other choice but to submit ourselves to Allah and obey His commandments. It is from the mercy of Allah towards us that while He prescribed on us fasting He also showed us the greatness of fasting in this world and in the hereafter to make it beloved to us.