The Way of the Prophets:The Way of the Prophets:

Restoring the Balance in RamadanRestoring the Balance in Ramadan

Obligation: Qur’an

"O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know." (2:183-84)

"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days.

Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him" (2: 185).

Obligation: HadithAbu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari, Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it (Bukhari).

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Allah the Majestic and Exalted said: "Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord" (Muslim).

Abu Huraira related that Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness (Darimi)

History

The word Ramadan originates from the Arabic root ramida or ramad, which means “intense scorching heat or dryness”. Some have said “scarcity of rations”

It is Allah’s gift to mankind

Allah wanted to give us a time during which we are totally dedicated to worship. Hence He put the Shaytan in chains

Became obligatory on a Monday during the 2nd year of migration (Hijrah) - Abdullah ibn Abbas RA narrates that the first two things given to the Believers after migration were the Baitullah becoming the Qiblah and fasts of Ramadan

Ibn Hajar writes that the Prophet SAW fasted for 9 Ramadans

He SAW used to make i’tikaaf (seclusion) during this month even before its obligation and it was in this month, he received the first revelation in Hira. ‘Ubaid ibn ‘Umar narrates: Each year the Prophet SAW would go to Mount Hira for a month in search of solitude and it was in that month that He announced His Prophethood and that was the month of Ramadan. He SAW had a relationship with Ramadan, both before His announcement of His Prophethood and after

Why Do We Fast?

Fasting is a means that:

• • allows us to appreciate and give thanks for pleasures

• • makes us give up haram things

• • helps us control our desires

• • enables us to feel compassion and empathy towards the poor

• • humiliates and weakens the Shaytan

• • trains us to remember that Allah is always watching

• • assists us in developing an attitude of asceticism towards this world and its desires

• • gets us used to doing numerous acts of worship

Fiqh of RamadanFiqh of Ramadan

Definition

Types of Fasts

Intention - Specific and Non-Specific

Actions that invalidate the fast - 4 categories

Exemptions

I’tikaaf

Definition

Types of Fasts

Intention - Specific and Non-Specific

Actions that invalidate the fast - 4 categories

Exemptions

I’tikaaf

Fasting/Sawm

To withhold from eating, drinking, and marital relations during daylight hours, with an intention of fasting, performed by one capable and required to do so

7 Types of Fasts

Obligatory / fard

Mandatory / wajib

Sunna

Recommended / mandub

Voluntary / nafl

Prohibitively disliked / makruh tahriman

Mildly disliked / makruh tanzihan

Intention (Specific)

The following require an intention and specification of type:

1) Makeups (qada) from Ramadan2) Makeups from voluntary (nafl) that was invalidated3) Fasts of expiation (kaffara)4) Unspecified vows (nadhr mutlaq)

Kaffarah

What is a Kaffarah? It is an Expiation- Fast for 60 days consecutively

However, if a person is genuinely unable to keep these 60 fasts, for a truly valid reason, then one has the option of choosing from one of the following four:1) Feed sixty poor people to their fill for two meals, or2) Feed one poor person two meals a day, for sixty days; or3) Give sixty poor persons 3 lbs. (approx. 1.6 kg.) of wheat or its value in cash or food grains;4) Give to one poor person not less than 3.5 lbs. of wheat, rice or food grains, etc. or its value in cash for sixty days

Intention (Non-Specific)

The following don’t require a specification; intention is made anytime from previous night until dahwa kubra:

1) Ramadan fasts during the month2) Specified vows (nadhr mu’ayyan)3) Voluntary (nafl) fasts

Actions that Invalidate the Fast (mufsidat)

The actions of one who is fasting are divided into four categories:

1) Those that require a makeup as well as expiation2) Those that require a makeup without expiation3) Those that require nothing (and are not disliked)4) Those that require nothing yet are disliked

Exemptions

People who are exempted from fasting in Ramadan:

1) Ill person eg. Type 1 Diabetes 2) Pregnant/Nursing womanNot required to make up before the next Ramadan

3) Severe thirst4) Traveler

Sports/P.E. /Training are not valid reasons

Fidya: $6 (wheat), $15 (barley), $21 (raisins), $33 (dates)

Inner Dimensions

There are 3 Grades of Fasting:1) Ordinary

2) Special:1) See not2) Speak not3) Hear not4) Do not5) Avoid overeating6) Look to Allah with Fear and Hope

3) Extra-Special:Fasting from the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but Allah

His Love for Ramadan

Supplication at the beginning of Rajab

Begin to fast in Sha’ban

Special arrangements to sight the moon of Sha’ban

Beginning Ramadan

Special du’a

Congratulate Companions

Welcoming Sermon

Describe virtues of fasting

Five Glad Tidings

Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrates that the Prophet SAW said: ‘In relation to Ramadan, my Ummah has been given five things never granted to any previous nation:

1) The smell from a fasting person’s mouth is more beloved to Allah than the fragrance of musk2) The fish in the sea keep seeking forgiveness from Allah for the fasting person until Iftar3) Allah decorates Jannah everyday4) The devils are chained up in this month5) The Ummah is forgiven in the last night”

Suhoor

It is a blessed meal

Make Suhoor with dates

Distinction between the Muslims and Ahl al Kitab

Eat healthy

During the Day

Qur’an, Qur’an & Qur’an: Recite and, if not, listen

Reading is better than translation, tafseer and listening - double reward if it’s difficult for you

And it must be recited, not looked at

Be generous: Give something everyday

It is not enough to just give up food and drink

Do not spend all day sleeping

Iftar

Although He SAW did Iftar immediately after sunset, He made sure the sun had set.

He SAW did Iftar with the poor

He SAW did Iftar before Maghrib

Did Iftar with dates, water, andor milk

Du’a at the time of Iftar

Iftar Party

Waste of time (preparing, driving there, upon arrival there)

Waste of food

Du’as are not made

Late to the Masjid for ‘Isha

Alternatively, sponsor an Iftar

Taraweeh

Sunnah of the Prophet SAW

In its current form since the time of Umar (RA): Ijmaa’ of the ummah that it is 20 Rak’ah

Know that it is specific to Ramadan, so pray it - stop arguing about how many Rak’ahs it is

Don’t make noise in the parking lot - keep the parking lot clean

At least pray ‘Isha & Fajr in the Masjid

i’tikaaf/Last 10 days

Literally means ‘seclusion’

Can be done at any time

Last 10 nights of Ramadan are recommended

Any amount of time

I’tikaaf for women

Increase His effort

Awaken His family

I’tikaf: Seclusion (Talk/eat only when required)

Seek night of Qadr

Zakat

Calculate your Zakat

The fiscal year is the lunar year

Give your Zakat, or at least separate it

Local vs. Abroad

Zakat must be given every year, on jewelry also

Give to poor & needy; not masjid operation/construction funds

The receiver does not need to know

Schedule

Make a schedule!

Prepare during Sha’baan (shopping, etc.)

Take time off from work - Use your vacation time

Pray Fard prayers at the Masjid

Come to Friday Prayers early

Attend every Taraweeh

Carry a Qur’an with you

Shawwal

Fast the 6 of Shawwal

Cannot combine intentions