RAMADAN FOR PURIFICATION

RAMADAN

The Best Opportunity For

Physical & Spiritual Purification

(Part 1 of 2)

Start A New (Sinless) Life!

(M. Javed Naseem)

(Photo courtesy: Astrobob/NASA)

It was a pleasure to see that most of the Muslims in the world started Ramadan 1435 on the same date (29^th June, 2014, Sunday). But the ‘people of division’ are always working on their plan/project to create disunity and disruption among the Ummah. Surprisingly, some groups in America/Canada started Ramadan on Saturday, the 28^th June, 2014, without any scientific and moral justification. The Almighty Allah will pay them their compensation according to their actions and the results.

Here’s what Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said about moon-sighting and the confusing situation arising out of it. He recommended to complete 30 days of the month in question to avoid differences and confusion. That goes for Shaaban, Ramadan and Shawwal – as a matter of fact for every month.

29/30-DAYS MONTH:

Narrated Ibn Umar:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We are an illiterate nation; we neither write, nor know accounts. The month is like this and this, i.e. sometimes of 29 days and sometimes of thirty days."

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No. 137)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "None of you should fast a day or two before the month of Ramadan unless he has the habit of fasting (Nawafil) (and if his fasting coincides with that day) then he can fast that day." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.138)

Narrated Abdullah bin Umar:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The month (can be) of 29 nights (i.e. days), and do not fast till you see the moon, and if the sky is overcast, then complete (the month of) Shaaban as of thirty days." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.131)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) or Abul-Qasim said, "Start fasting on seeing the crescent (of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing the crescent (of Shawwal), and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see the moon), complete thirty days of Shaaban."

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.133)

Narrated Ibn Umar:

I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can't see it) then regard the month of Ramadan as of 30 days." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.124)

Narrated Um Salama:

The Prophet (ﷺ) vowed to keep aloof from his wives for a period of one month, and after the completion of 29 days he went either in the morning or in the afternoon to his wives. Someone said to him "You vowed that you would not go to your wives for one month." He replied, "The month is of 29 days." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No. 134)

Narrated Anas:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) vowed to keep aloof from his wives for one month, and he had dislocation of his leg. So, he stayed in a Mashruba for 29 nights and then came down. Some people said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! You vowed to stay aloof for one month," He replied, "The month is of 29 days." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.135)

Don’t get confused! There is no contradiction in the above statements (Ahadith). From every statement it is clear that after 29 days, we should look for the crescent moon, but if the crescent moon is not sighted due to cloudy skies or other natural/weather phenomena, then we must complete 30 days for that month.

At the same time, we should not forget that if the crescent moon is sighted in some other part of the region and there are two credible witnesses to that, then it should be accepted as ‘sighted’ and all groups/townships should start Ramadan unanimously on the same day avoiding disunity.

KAABAH, THE SYMBOL OF UNITY,

Is Full Of Blessings And Guidance:

Holy Kaabah at Makkah is the center of Islam. It’s the focal point of Islam as our Deen started from that beacon of light. It is only logical and reasonable that we should create a system in the Muslim world to coordinate, cooperate and implement the Islamic tenets all together and unanimously. Allah has commanded us in the Quran to ‘hold tightly unto the rope of Allah together and don’t be divided’. Therefore, it is an obligation (‘Fard’ or ‘Farz’) for all Muslims in the world to get united and stay united. Makkah should be the ‘headquarter’ and must be followed by Muslims of other regions.

We should not forget that Allah has emphasized the importance of Makkah in the Quran and has suggested us to benefit from its blessings and guidance. Since we continue to disobey Allah, in response, Allah has also distanced Himself from us. The result is the present suffering, humiliation and punishment (bloodshed). It’s up to the people (and Administration) of Makkah to take responsibility as God-fearing Muslims and lead/guide the Ummah. Makkah was the first ‘House of Worship’ prescribed by Allah and should be treated as the ‘central command’ office for all religious, cultural economic and political activities. It should be respected.

إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِى بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكاً وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
“The first House (of worship) appointed for men

was that at Bakka (Makkah), full of blessing

and of guidance for all kinds of beings.”

(al-Quran 3:96)

Therefore, Makkah should be treated as the main source of guidance and blessing for this planet Earth. Apart from the ‘place of blessing’, there are ‘periods of blessing’ too that should be observed. Allah has bestowed upon us those special occasions to benefit from them to work on our ‘Aakhirah’ or the ‘Hereafter’. The best of these occasions is the holy month of Ramadan. Anybody who gets to live through Ramadan must consider himself very lucky – a person who was awarded an opportunity to benefit from it and amass as many blessings of the Almighty as possible; a person who was given a chance to start a new sinless life; a person who was given an opportunity to get his sins removed; a person who was offered an occasion to repent seeking Allah’s pardon/mercy to eventually enter into the Gardens of Paradise. And if anybody can achieve that feat, it would be the greatest success of his life in this world.

THE REWARD FOR FASTING:

Fasting is much appreciated by Allah and He gives a tremendous reward for it. That reward cannot be measured. He has promised that reward. That’s why He said that “fasting is for Me and I shall give its reward”. This promise is valid for both obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, as well as optional (‘Nafl’) fasting during all other months, and on all other occasions.

Bukhari:

There is a ‘Qudsi Hadith’ that states: “All actions a human being does are his with the exception of fasting which belongs to Me, and I reward it accordingly.”
(Sahih Bukhari).

Muslim:

Abu Huraira (r.a.a.) narrates that the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Every act of man is multiplied. One good act is multiplied between ten to seven hundred times. However Allah says: “Except fasting, because it is for Me and I shall compensate it. He (man/woman) gives up his passions and food for me.”

There are two moments of joy for the fasting person:
1) When he breaks his fast, and

2) When he meets his Sustainer (Lord).
Certainly the breath of a fasting person is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. (Sahih Muslim)

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

Allah, the Majestic and the Exalted, said: Every act of the son of Adam is for him except fasting. It is done for My sake, and I will give a reward for it. By Allah in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. (Muslim, Book 13, Ch. 30, No.1)

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is (exclusively) meant for Me and I (alone) will reward it. Fasting is a shield. When any one of you is fasting on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor raise the voice; or if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: I am a person fasting. By Him, in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah on the Day of judgment than the fragrance of musk. The one who fasts has two (occasions) of joy: One when he breaks the fast, he is glad with the breaking of (the fast); and the other when he meets his Lord, He is glad with his fast. (Muslim, Book 13, Ch. 30, No.3)

Abu Saeed al Khudri (r.a.a.) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

Every servant of Allah who observes fast for a day in the way of Allah, Allah would remove, because of this day, his face farther from the Fire (of Hell) to the extent of seventy years' distance. (Muslim, Book 13, Ch. 31, No.1)

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Ramadan in Your Lifetime:

Take advantage and get

the best of it! You may

not see the next one!

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Allah has mentioned in the Quran the value and importance of Ramadan. It cannot be explained better than that. All we need to do is to follow these verses and take advantage of Allah’s mercy while it multiplies.

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِيۤ أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ

مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ

وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضاً أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ

بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ ٱلْعِدَّةَ

وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

“Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down

the Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs)

for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).

So every one of you, who is present (at his home)

during that month, should spend it in fasting, but if

any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period

(should be made up) by days later. Allah intends

every ease for you, He does not want to put you to

difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed

period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you;

and perchance you will be grateful.”

(al-Quran 2:185)

Blessing in Suhur (‘Sehri’):

There is a blessing in Suhur or ‘Sehri’ (the early breakfast of Ramadan). The ancient believers could not take advantage of it because it was not introduced or recommended to them. In other words it did not exist before. It’s one of the few special gifts Allah bestowed upon the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) to make the Deen easier for Muslims.

The early believing nations including the ‘people of the book’ (Jews & Christians) used to fast for 24 hours – from sunset to sunset, for more than a month. In other words, they would eat at sunset and start fasting until the sunset of next day and then they break their fast. This ‘Iftar’ would serve as ‘Sehri’ for them too as they won’t get up for Suhur (Sehri). Moreover, they used to observe 40 days of fasting, not 30, as we do. This is another facility or ‘ease’ from Allah for the Muslim Ummah.

يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ

“… Allah intends every ease for you, He does

not want to put you to difficulties …”

(al-Quran 2:185)

The limits of Suhur (Sehri) are stretched out till dawn by the Almighty, so that we can enjoy food for a longer period of time.

وَكُلُواْ وَٱشْرَبُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلْخَيْطُ ٱلأَبْيَضُ

مِنَ ٱلْخَيْطِ ٱلأَسْوَدِ مِنَ ٱلْفَجْرِ

"And eat and drink until the white thread of

dawn appears to you distinct from the black

thread (of the night)."

(al-Quran 2:187).

Ahadith:

Anas (r.a.a.) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

Take meal a little before dawn, for there is a blessing in taking meal at that time.

(Muslim, Book 13, Chapter 9, No.1)

Amr bin al-Aas (r.a.a.) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

The difference between our fasting and that of the people of the Book is eating shortly before dawn. (Muslim, Book 13, Ch. 9, No.2)

Narrated Aisha (r.a.a.):

Bilal used to pronounce the Adhan at night, so Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)? said, "Carry on taking your meals (eat and drink) till Ibn Um Maktum pronounces the Adhan, for he does not pronounce it till it is dawn.”

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.142)

Narrated Sahl bin Saad:

I used to take my Suhur meals with my family and then hurry up for presenting myself for the (Fajr) prayer with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ).

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.143)

Narrated Anas:

Zaid bin Thabit said, "We took the Suhur with the Prophet (ﷺ) . Then he stood for the prayer." I asked, "What was the interval between the Suhur and the Adhan?" He replied, "The interval was sufficient to recite fifty verses of the Quran."

(Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, No.144)

THE NIGHT OF POWER

(LAILAT-UL-QADR)

There’s a night during the last week of Ramadan which has immense value, the utmost importance, numerous blessings and which carries unlimited rewards for every act of worship. It is called the ‘Night of Power’ or ‘Lailat-ul-Qadr’.

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ وَمَآ أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ

لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

تَنَزَّلُ ٱلْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

سَلاَمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ ٱلْفَجْرِ

“We have indeed revealed this (Message)

in the Night of Power. And what will explain

to you what the night of power is? The

Night of Power is better than a thousand months.

Therein come down the angels and the Spirit

by Allah's permission, on every errand.

Peace! ...This until the rise of morning!”

(al-Quran 97:1-5)

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven ." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 32, No.231)

Narrated Ibn Umar:

Some men amongst the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) were shown in their dreams that the night of Qadr was in the last seven nights of Ramadan. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "It seems that all your dreams agree that (the Night of Qadr) is in the last seven nights, and whoever wants to search for it (i.e. the Night of Qadr) should search in the last seven (nights of Ramadan). (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 32, No.232)

Narrated Aisha:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 32, No.234)

Narrated Aisha:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to practice ‘Aitikaf’ in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan." (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 32, No.237)

Narrated Ibn Abbas:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan, on the night when nine or seven or five nights remain out of the last ten nights of Ramadan”, (i.e. 21, 23, 25, respectively). (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 32, No.238)

Narrated Ubada bin As-Samit:

The Prophet (ﷺ) came out to inform us about the Night of Qadr but two Muslims were quarreling with each other. So, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I came out to inform you about the Night of Qadr but such-and-such persons were quarreling, so the news about it had been taken away; yet that might be for your own good, so search for it on the 29th, 27th and 25th (of Ramadan). (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 32, No.240)

Narrated Aisha (r.a.a.):

With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 32, No.241)

Ibn Umar (r.a.a.) reported that some persons among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) were shown Lailat- ul-Qadr while sleeping in the last week (of Ramadan). Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: I see that your dreams agree regarding the last week; so he who wants to seek it should seek it in the last week (during the night).

(Muslim, Book 13, Ch. 40, No.1)

Ibn Umar (r.a.a.) reported Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) as saying:

Seek Lailat-ul-Qadr in the last week (of Ramadan). (Muslim, Book 13, Ch.40, No.2)

Salim reported on the authority of his father that a person saw Lailat-ul- Qadr on the 27th (of Ramadan). Thereupon, Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said:

I see that your dreams agree regarding the last ten (nights of Ramadan). So seek it on an odd number (of these ten nights). (Muslim, Book 13, Ch.40, No.3)

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