Wednesday, August 19, 2009

What Everyone Should Know About Ramadhaan

What Everyone Should Know About Ramadhaan
  • Fasting in Ramadhaan is one of the pillars of Islam
  • It is obligatory for every sane, healthy, mature, resident Muslim to fast the entire month.
  • To deny the obligation of fasting in Ramadhaan is an act of kufr.
  • Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwah. (2:183)
Preparing for Ramadhan
  • The Salaf spent 6 months before Ramadhaan begging Allah to keep them alive for Ramadan - follow their example
  • Learn the rules and regulations of fasting in Ramadhaan
  • Begin the month with a clean slate: Make tawba (sincere repentence) for the sins we commit on a daily basis
  • Make du'aa that Allah help you fast properly and correctly, and receive the maximum benefit from it
  • Begin the month with a firm intention to follow the example of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) by fasting not only with the stomach and the private parts, but with the tongue, the hand, etc.
  • Set feasible goals to accomplish every day of Ramadhaan (give $5 in sadaqah, read a certain number of pages of Qur'an before/ after every salaah or after waking up/before bed, improve your character), and start "warm-up" goals NOW so that it becomes easier for you to continue on a larger scale when Ramadhaan begins.
  • Remember that every night, Allah Descends from His Throne (in a manner that befits His Majesty), extends His Hand, and asks who will turn to Him in repentance. Take advantage of this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Forget about arguing exactly how Allah descends/ what His Hand looks like, and focus on the message instead.)
In Debt (owing fasts from the previous Ramadhaan)
  • If someone missed fasts from the previous Ramadhaan for a valid reason (sickness, traveling, pregnancy - in some cases, menstruation, post-natal bleeding, etc.) then there is no sin on them. They have right until the two days before this Ramadhaan to make up for what they missed.
  • Those who missed fasts from a previous Ramadhaan with NO valid reason are sinning and must make up their fasts ASAP. Some scholars say that they must also pay kaffaarah (expiation) for every day that they missed, but our opinion is that it's not necessary.
  • If someone still hasn't made up their fasts (ones missed without a valid reason) from the previous Ramadhaan, and another Ramadhaan begins, they have sinned, must make tawbah, and have to make them up immediately after 'Eid.
What Not To Do (When Not To Fast in Sha'ban)
  • The Day of Doubt - the day before Ramadhaan, the 30th of Sha'baan (exception for those who have regular fasting habits, e.g. every second day or every Monday and Thursday).
  • Fasting specifically on the 15th of Sha'baan, believing that it has special qualities. This is false, and the 'evidence' used for it is actually referring to Laylatul-Qadr. Anyone who fasts or performs extra 'ebaadah on this day believing the bid'ah, are in error. (However, fasting the 13th, 14th, and 15th of Sha'baan, and indeed of every Islamic month, is permissible and encouraged.)
  • Fasting in Sha'baan is permissible in order to fulfill a vow, make up previously missed fasts, continue habit, prepare for Ramadhaan
  • Difference of opinion on whether there's a cut-off date for voluntary fasts: Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee said halfway through the month is the cut-off date based on a Hadith whose authenticity is debatable; majority say that there is no cut-off date except the Day of Doubt.
Moon-sighting: Local vs. Global
  • Both are acceptable, but majority of the scholars go with global sighting as best for today's situation (in North & South America/ Europe)
  • The conditions must be fulfilled for the moonsighting to be accepted and the beginning/end of the month confirmed
  • The Muslims of every community (especially the men) MUST make an effort to look for the moon
  • Look for the moon locally but also take into consideration news from other countries
  • The Muslim world has a good (if not perfect) system for moon-sighting; rumours that Saudi goes by calculations/ decides on a date ahead of time are FALSE.
  • Revive a Sunnah: Organize moon-sighting groups for every month of the Islamic calendar, not just for Ramadhaan and Dhul-Hijjah; make an effort to know what day, month, and year it is of the Islamic calendar!
More on Moon-Sighting
  • We do NOT accept astronomical calculations! (Hadith)
  • Allah chose even the number of days in the month, and the months of the Islamic calendar.
  • Every Islamic month has only 29 or 30 days, and we should look for the moon on the night of the 29th
  • If the moon is not sighted (even due to cloudy skies), then complete the 30 days of Sha'baan and begin Ramadhaan the day after that.
  • Instruments such as binoculars and telescopes are permissible to aid in sighting the moon, but going out in a plane is a bit on the extreme side.
  • Astronomical calculations can be used to help sight the moon (i.e. determine where would be a good place to look for it, at what time it'd be best to see it), but CANNOT be depended upon for actually determination of moon-sighting.
  • The crescent moon looking bigger than usual is one of the signs of Qiyaamah.
Three Groups of People:
  1. Those who fast in Ramadhaan only because everyone else does, and they'll get in trouble with their family if they don't; they don't really care about getting the maximum benefit out of Ramadhaan. These people gain nothing except hunger, thirst, and unsatisfied desires.
  2. Those who hate Ramadhaan, will not fast/ will only pretend to fast. They will be punished for their hatred of this blessed and beloved month.
  3. Those who love Ramadhaan, can't wait for it, prepare for it the way one prepares for the arrival of a loved one; spend their days fasting in a way that Allah is pleased with them, spends their nights in tahajjud and other 'ebaadah. They were good people before Ramadhaan, and are even better during Ramadhaan. Their reward with Allah is abundant and is so great only Allah knows how much ajr they receive.
Miscellaneous
  • If someone tries to pick a fight with you, say "Ana saa'im." ("I am fasting.") This is a reminder to yourself, and a warning to the other person.
  • Make every pang of hunger a reminder to yourself to be thankful to Allah, to turn to Him in reptentance, to beg of His Mercy for yourself and your fellow brothers and sisters in Islam
  • Imam ath-Thahabi: The alcoholic and fornicator who believe in the obligation of fasting are better than those who reject siyaam.
Merits and Virtues of Ramadhaan
  • The gates of Hell are shut, the devils are chained, and the gates of Heaven are open wide
  • Baab ar-Rayyaan is a gate of Jannah reserved specially for those who fast
  • Fasting is a form of expiation for minor sins.
  • Hadith Qudsi: Fasting is for Me, and I give the reward for it. (A man) gives up his sexual desires, his food and his drink for My Sake. Fasting is like a shield, and he who fasts has two joys: joy when he breaks his fast, and joy when he meets his Lord. The change in the breath of the mouth of he who fasts is better in Allah's estimation than the smell of musk.
  • Metaphor for ajr of siyaam: Investing $1 and receiving $100 in return.
Do You Know This? I Didn't!

· (Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, or on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need - but whoso doeth good of his own accord, it is better for him: and that ye fast is better for you if ye did but know.

· The month of Ramadhaan is that in which the Qur'aan was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction. And whoever of you is present, then let him fast the month, and whoever is sick or on a journey (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desires ease for you, and He does desire for you difficulty, and (He desires) that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks. (Surah al-Baqarah, verses 184- 185)

Siyaam was ordained in three phases:
  1. Fasting was not made obligatory, though it was prescribed; and those who wished were allowed to take the option of feeding a poor person instead. (See vs. 184, and Tafseer Ibn Kathir for more details)
  2. Fasting was made obligatory, and very strict: after eating iftaar, if someone fell asleep, they were not allowed to eat anything until the iftaar of the next day. (Imam ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, from his book Zaad al-Ma'aad)
  3. Finally, the command came to fast in the way that we all fast today: from sunrise until sunset, and with permission to eat anything we want between Maghrib and Fajr regardless of whether we sleep between those times or not

Monday, August 17, 2009

ramadhan Pictures, Images and Photos
Advice to Muslims in Ramadhan
From the book "Khulaasatul Kalaam" by Shaykh Jaarullah.
Brother Muslim, Sister Muslima:
1. Fast Ramadhan with belief and truly seeking the reward of Allah the Most High so that He may forgive you your past sins.

2. Beware of breaking your fast during the days of Ramadhan without a valid Islamic excuse, for it is from the greatest of sins.

3. Pray Salat ut-Taraweeh and the night prayer during the nights of Ramadhan - especially on Layatul-Qadr - based on belief and truly seeking the reward of Allah, so that Allah may forgive you your past sins.

4. Make sure that your food, your drink and your clothing are from halal means, in order that your actions be accepted, and your supplications answered. Beware of refraining from the halal while fasting and breaking your fast with the haram.

5. Give food to some fasting people to gain a reward similar to theirs.

6. Perform your five prayers on time in congregation to gain the reward and Allah's protection.

7. Give a lot of charity for the best charity is that of Ramadhan.

8. Beware of spending your time without performing righteous deeds, for you will be responsible and reckoned for it and will be rewarded for all you do during your time.

9. Perform `umrah in Ramadhan for `Umrah in Ramadhan is equal to Hajj.

10. Seek help for fasting during the day by eating the sahoor meal in the last part of the night before the appearance of Fajr.

11. Hasten breaking your fast after the sun has truly set in order to gain the love of Allah.

12. Perform ghusl before fajr if you need to purify yourself from the state of major impurity so that you are able to do acts of worship in a state of purity and cleanliness.

13. Cease the opportunity of being in Ramadhan and spend it with the good that has been revealed in it - by reciting the noble Qur'an and pondering and reflection of its meanings so that it be a proof for you with your Lord and an intercessor for you on the Day of Reckoning.

14. Preserve your tongue from lying, cursing, backbiting and slander for it decreases the reward of fasting.

15. Do not let fasting cause you cross your boundaries by getting upset due to the slightest of reasons. Rather, fating should be a cause of peacefulness and tranquility of your soul.

16. Upon completion of fasting, be in a state of taqwa of Allah the Most High, being aware of Allah watching you in secret and in public, in thankfulness for His favors, and steadfastness upon
obedience of Allah by doing all what He has ordered and shunning all that He has prohibited.

17. Increase in remembrance of Allah, seeking of forgiveness, asking for Paradise and protection against the Fire, especially when fasting, while breaking the fast and during suhoor, for these actions are among greatest causes of attaining Allah's forgiveness.

18. Increase in supplication for yourself, your parents, your children and Muslims, for Allah has ordered making of supplications and has guaranteed acceptance.

19. Repent to Allah with a sincere repentance in all times by leaving sins, regretting those that you have done before and firmly deciding not to return to them in the future, for Allah accepts repentance of those who repent.

20. Fast six days of Shawwal, for whoever fasts Ramadhan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasts all the time.

21. Fast on the Day of `Arafah, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, to attain success by being forgiven your sins of the last year and the coming year.

22. Fast on the day of `Aashuraa', the 10th of Muharram, along with the 9th, to attain success by being forgiven your sins of the past year.

23. Continue being in a state of iman and taqwa and perform righteous actions after the month of Ramadhan, until you die. "And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (i.e. death)". [Qur'an 15:99]

24. Ensure that you attain the positive effects of your acts of worship such as prayer, fasting, zakat and hajj, sincere repentance and leaving of customs that are in variance with the Sharee`ah.

25. Invoke a lot of salawat and salam upon the Messenger of Allah, may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him, his Companions and all those who follow them until the Day of Judgment.
O Allah make us and all Muslims of those who fast and stand in prayer during the month of Ramadhan based on belief and truly seeking Your reward so that we are forgiven our past and future sins.
O Allah make us of those who fasted the month, attained full reward, witnessed Layatul-Qadr and attained success by permission of the Lord, Blessed and Most High.
O Allah, verily you are Forgiver, like to forgive, so forgive us.
O Lord, accept from us, verily you are the All-Hearing, all-Seeing, O Living, O Independent, O Owner of all majesty and honor.
And may Allah's blessings and peace be upon Muhammad, his family and his Companions.

Missile Art ( AMAZING )