The Last Ten Days of Ramadhan

It’s hard to believe that Ramadan is heading down the final homestretch. The last few days of Ramadan are upon us, as Muslims from all over the world step up their efforts to make the most of every remaining moment. The last ten nights of Ramadan are are the most blessed and we should increase our worship and devotion as they hold the glittering jewel of Lailatul-Qadr, or the Night of Power, which Allah describes it in the Quran as being better than a thousand months. 

Allah’s Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time. (Muslim). 

Aisha r.a reported: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet s.a.w. used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work harder) and used to pray the whole night, & used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari) 

So there is still time for us to redeem ourselves in the last 10 blessed days of Ramadan. We must NOT miss this opportunity otherwise we will regret it forever. We should strive to seek out night of power which is hidden in one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan, particularly in the odd numbered nights. So this is our chance to get closer to Allah & to gain his mercy and forgiveness of ALL of our past and present sins! Therefore we should put everything into the last 10 nights & know that we will get so much more in return. But if we waste these nights then we will regret it FOREVER! 

How can we maximize these blessed nights? 

1. Sitting I’tikaf in the last 10 days 

I`tikaf is the seclusion and staying in the Masjid with the intention of becoming closer to Allah by doing constant remembrance, glorification and worship of Allah. I’tikaf is a great Sunnah. 

Aishah r.a reported that the Prophet s.a.w.: “Used to perform i’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty & Majestic, took him.” (Bukhari & Muslim) 

Women can also sit I’tikaf 

Women can also sit I’tikaf at the Masjid with husbands permission. There is a difference of opinion whether she can sit I’tikaf at home. The Hanafi mazhab states a woman can sit I’tikaf at a designated place in her home. 

2. Reciting Qur’an abundantly 

What better time to recite the Qur’an than in ones of the very nights it was revealed – The Night of Power. Therefore we should increase our recitation even more during the last ten days & nights. The reward for reciting each letter of the Qur’an during Ramadan is 700 hasanah or more. Subhanallah! 

We should try & aim to complete the Qur’an at least once if not more by the end of the last 10 days of Ramadan. Along with recitation we should also read & learn the meanings of the Qur’an. We should contemplate & ponder over the verses & implement what we read & learn into our daily lives. 

3. Nawafil (Voluntary) prayers 

What better way of drawing closer to Allah during the last 10 days of Ramadan than by praying the voluntary prayers: 

Allah says in Hadith Qudsi: "….And My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (voluntary deeds) until I love him," [Bukhari] 

The Most Rewarding Nawafil Prayer of all is Tahajjud. Hadith of Abu Hurayrah r.a that the Prophet s.a.w. said, “If you get up for night prayer, start with two short Rakaats.” [Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud] 

When we make Du'a we should imagine Allah is watching us and so we should call on him, crying to him. If we can’t cry due to the hardness of our hearts then we should at least act & make the face like we are crying. We should ask of Allah sincerely with remorse & intention not to repeat such sins again for forgiveness of our past & present sins. 

Ibn Mas`ud (Allah be pleased with him) was asked, “I cannot pray at night.” He said, ”Your sins have prevented you.” 

4. Making Excessive Dua 

Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an: “When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me.” [2:186] 

Many of us rush our Dua’s & quite often our hearts are not present whilst we are making dua to Allah. That is why we lose out on much of the benefits & blessings of Du'a. Therefore we should not let our minds wonder whilst in Dua & we should concentrate more, making sure our hearts are present whilst asking of Allah. Whilst we are in dua we should imagine Almighty Allah in front of us & so we should humble ourselves in front of him in a state of meekness & humility. 

It may also help if we made a list of what we want to ask Allah during our dua’s. We can then refer to this list as a reminder so that we can cover everything we need to ask him, which may help in making our Dua’s longer & more sincere. This is because we will not always remember everything we want to ask Allah unless we note it down & refer back to it when we need to. 

Aisha (RA) said: I asked the Prophet s.a.w. : "O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?" He said, Say:  ”Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee" (O Allah, You are pardoning & You love to pardon, so pardon me.) (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, & Tirmidhi). 

5. Repentance of past & present sins 

We should cry & beg of Allah to give us his mercy & forgiveness especially in the last 10 blessed nights of Ramadan. If we leave Ramadan without gaining the mercy of Allah then surely we are of the most unfortunate and amongst the biggest losers in this world and the next. 

Stand in prayer to gain forgiveness for all sins 

Abu Hurairah r.a narrated that the Prophet s.a.w. said: “Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul Qadr while nourishing his faith with self-evaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” (Bukhari and Muslim). 

Best opportunity for forgiveness of past & present sins: 

This is our best opportunity to gain forgiveness of our past ans present sins. Forget the past now, learn from it & take lessons from it. What matters is NOW. So ask of Allah every night especially in the odd numbered nights for mercy & forgiveness. 

6. Seeking out Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) 

"By the manifest Book (the Quran) that makes thing clear. We sent it (this Quraan) down on a Blessed Night (i.e. the Night of Qadr) in the month of Ramadaan.." (The Smoke 44:2-5) 

So valuable is the Night of Qadr (Power) that the Quran devotes a special surah to it: “Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months” [97:3] 

This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. There is NO doubt that if we pray on all of the last ten nights of Ramadan then we will catch this auspicious night & gain the rewards of over 83 YEARS OF WORSHIP! Subhaanallah! Most do not live up to such an age! 

Forgiveness of past & present sins on Laylatul Qadr 

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet s.a.w. said: ”Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Lailatul-Qadr out of faith and expectation (of Allah’s reward), will have ALL of his previous sins forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Edited from: muslimvillage.com 

Kesilapan Kerap Muslim Dalam Bulan Ramadhan

Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. bersabda maksudnya: “Sesiapa berpuasa pada Ramadan dengan penuh keimanan dan keikhlasan, diampunkan dosanya yang telah lalu.” (Hadis riwayat Bukhari, Muslim dan Ahmad).

Alangkah ruginya jika kebanyakan umat Islam mensia-siakan atau tidak memanfaatkan kedatangan Ramadan yang sebentar itu dengan kerja kebajikan. Perkara ini kerana pada bulan inilah Allah memberi banyak keistimewaan iaitu berupa ganjaran pahala berganda bagi setiap amalan baik yang dikerjakan. Ia tidak dikurniakan Allah pada bulan lain. Namun, kemampuan untuk mendapatkan kesempurnaan pahala Ramadhan kerap kali tergugat akibat kekurangan ilmu dan kekurangperihatinan umat Islam kini. 

Antara yang dimaksudkan adalah :- 

1) Makan dan minum dengan bebas setelah batal puasa dengan sengaja (bukan kerana uzur yang diterima Islam). 

Perlu diketahui bahawa sesiapa yang batal puasanya dengan sengaja tanpa uzur seperti mengeluarkan mani secara sengaja, merokok, makan dan minum, ia dilarang untuk makan dan minum lagi atau melakukan apa jua perkara yang membatalkan puasa yang lain sepanjang hari itu. Ia dikira denda yang pertama baginya selain kewajiban menggantikannya kemudiannya. Keadaan ini disebut di dalam sebuah hadith, 

Ertinya : "Sesungguhnya sesiapa yang telah makan (batal puasa) hendaklah ia berpuasa baki waktu harinya itu" (Riwayat al-Bukhari) 

2) Makan sahur di waktu tengah malam kerana malas bangun di akhir malam. 

Jelasnya, individu yang melakukan amalan ini terhalang dari mendapat keberkatan dan kelebihan yang ditawarkan oleh Nabi SAW malah bercanggah dengan sunnah baginda. "Sahur" itu sendiri dari sudut bahasanya adalah waktu terakhir di hujung malam. Para Ulama pula menyebut waktunya adalah 1/6 terakhir malam. Imam Ibn Hajar menegaskan melewatkan sahur adalah lebih mampu mencapai objektif yang diletakkan oleh Nabi SAW. 

3) Bersahur dengan hanya makan & minum sahaja tanpa ibadah lain. 

Ini satu lagi kesilapan umat Islam kini, waktu tersebut pada hakikatnya adalah antara waktu terbaik untuk beristigfar dan menunaikan solat malam. 

Firman Allah ketika memuji orang Mukmin ertinya : "dan ketika waktu-waktu bersahur itu mereka meminta ampun dan beristighfar" (Az-Zariyyat : 18) 

يا رسول الله , أي الدعاء أسمع ؟ : قال : جوف الليل الأخير ودبر الصلوات المكتوبة

Ertinya : "Ditanya kepada Nabi (oleh seorang sahabat) : Wahai Rasulullah :" Waktu bilakah doa paling didengari (oleh Allah s.w.t) ; Jawab Nabi : Pada hujung malam (waktu sahur) dan selepas solat fardhu" (Riwayat At-Tirmidzi) 

4) Tidak menunaikan solat ketika berpuasa. 

Ia adalah satu kesilapan yang maha besar. Memang benar, solat bukanlah syarat sah puasa. Tetapi ia adalah rukun Islam yang menjadi tonggak kepada keislaman sesorang. Justeru, ‘ponteng' solat dengan sengaja akan menyebabkan pahala puasa seseorang itu menjadi ‘kurus kering' pastinya. 

5) Tidak mengutamakan solat Subuh berjemaah sebagaimana Terawih. 

Ini jelas suatu kelompongan yang ada dalam masyarakat tatkala berpuasa. Ramai yang lupa dan tidak mengetahui kelebihan besar semua solat fardhu berbanding solat sunat, terutamanya solat subuh berjemaah yang disebutkan oleh Nabi SAW bagi orang yang mendirikannya secara berjemaah, maka beroleh pahala menghidupkan seluruh malam. 

6) Menunaikan solat terawih di masjid dengan niat inginkan meriah. 

Malanglah mereka kerana setiap amalan di kira dengan niat, jika niat utama seseorang itu (samada lelaki atau wanita) hadir ke masjid adalah untuk meriah dan bukannya atas dasar keimanan dan mengharap ganjaran redha Allah sebagaimana yang ditetapkan oleh Nabi SAW di dalam hadith riwayat al-Bukhari. Maka, "Sesungguhnya sesuatu amalan itu dikira dengan niat". (Riwayat al-Bukhari) 

7) Bermalasan dan tidak produktif dalam kerja-kerja di siang hari dengan alasan berpuasa. 

Sedangkan, kerja yang kita lakukan di pejabat dengan niat ibadat pastinya menambahkan lagi pahala. Justeru, umat Islam sewajarnya memperaktifkan produktiviti mereka dan bukan mengurangkannya di Ramadhan ini. 

8) Memperbanyakkan tidur di siang hari dengan alasan ia adalah ibadat. 

Sedangkan Imam As-Sayuti menegaskan bahawa hadith yang menyebut berkenaan tidur orang berpuasa itu ibadat adalah amat lemah. (al-Jami' as-Soghir; Faidhul Qadir, Al-Munawi, 6/291) 

9) Menganggap waktu imsak sebagai ‘lampu merah' bagi sahur. 

Ini adalah kerana waktu imsak sebenarnya tidak lain hanyalah ‘lampu amaran oren' yang dicadangkan oleh beberapa ulama demi mengingatkan bahawa waktu sahur sudah hampir tamat. Ia bukanlah waktu tamat untuk makan sahur, tetapi waktu amaran sahaja. Lalu, janganlah ada yang memberi alasan lewat bangun dan sudah masuk imsak lalu tidak dapat berpuasa pada hari itu. Waktu yang disepakti ulama merupakan waktu penamat sahur adalah sejurus masuk fajar sadiq (subuh). (As-Siyam, Dr Md ‘Uqlah, hlm 278) 

10) Wanita berterawih beramai-ramai di masjid tanpa menjaga aurat. 

Ini nyata apabila ramai antara wanita walaupun siap bertelekung ke masjid, malangnya kaki dan aurat mereka kerap terdedah dan didedahkan ketika berjalan dan naik tangga masjid di hadapan jemaah lelaki. Tatkala itu, fadhilat mereka solat di rumah adalah lebih tinggi dari mendatangkan fitnah buat lelaki ketika di masjid. 

11) Memasuki Ramadhan dalam keadaan harta masih dipenuhi dengan harta haram, samada terlibat dengan pinjaman rumah, kad kredit, insuran, pelaburan dan kereta secara riba. 

Ini sudah tentu akan memberi kesan yang amat nyata kepada kualiti ibadah di bulan Ramadhan, kerana status orang terlibat dengan riba adalah sama dengan berperang dengan Allah dan RasulNya, tanpa azam dan usaha untuk mengubahnya dengan segera di bulan 'tanpa Syaitan' ini, bakal menyaksikan potensi besar untuk gagal terus untuk kembali ke pangkal jalan di bulan lain. 

Nabi Muhammad menceritakan :- 

ذَكَرَ الرَّجُلَ يُطِيلُ السَّفَرَ أَشْعَثَ أَغْبَرَ يَمُدُّ يَدَيْهِ إلى السَّمَاءِ يا رَبِّ يا رَبِّ وَمَطْعَمُهُ حَرَامٌ وَمَشْرَبُهُ حَرَامٌ وَمَلْبَسُهُ حَرَامٌ وَغُذِيَ بِالْحَرَامِ فَأَنَّى يُسْتَجَابُ لِذَلِكَ

Ertinya :  "menyebut tentang seorang pemuda yang bermusafir dalam perjalanan yang jauh, hal rambutnya kusut masai, mukanya berdebu di mana dia mengangkat tangan ke langit : Wahai Tuhanku...wahai Tuhanku... sedangkan makanannya haram, minumannya haram dan pakaiannya haram..Dan dia dibesarkan dengan memakan makanan haram maka bagaimana Kami mahu mengabulkan doanya." (Riwayat Muslim) 

Justeru, bagaimana Allah mahu memakbulkan doa orang yang berpuasa sedangkan keretanya haram, rumahnya haram, kad kreditnya haram, insurannya haram, simpanan banknya haram, pendapatannya haram?. Benar, kita perlu bersangka baik dengan Allah, tetapi sangka baik tanpa meloloskan diri dari riba yang haram adalah penipuan kata Imam Hasan Al-Basri. 

12) Tidak memperbanyakkan doa tatkala berpuasa dan berbuka. 

Ini satu lagi jenis kerugian yang kerap dilakukan oleh umat Islam. Nabi SAW telah menyebut, yang bererti: 

"Tiga golongan yang tidak ditolak doa mereka, pemimpin yang adil, individu berpuasa sehingga berbuka dan doa orang yang di zalimi" (Riwayat At-Tirmizi) 

  

Selain itu, doa menjadi bertambah maqbul tatkala ingin berbuka berdasarkan hadith. 

  

Ertinya : "Sesungguhnya bagi orang berpuasa itu ketika berbuka (atau hampir berbuka) doa yang tidak akan ditolak" (Riwayat Ibn Majah) 

SELAMAT MENYAMBUT RAMADHAN! JOM RANCANG RAMADHAN KITA... 

Artikel asal oleh: Dr Zaharuddin Abd Rahman (www.zaharuddin.net) 

A Productive Ramadan When You Can’t Fast

For a Muslimah who is unable to fast due to that time of the month, the “fasting holiday” can lead to laziness. But don’t let this precious time go to waste! There are other ways you can enjoy a productive Ramadan, even when you can’t fast, to continually increase your rewards during this Holy Month, In sha Allah.

When you can’t fast, it can feel like a challenge to get up off the couch and do something productive during Ramadan. I know. I used to be no different. Only after realising how much time I wasted just lying around when I could be spending my time for the sake of Allah (glorified and exalted be He), did I finally decide to better my habits. Here, I will share some tips that helped me become more productive, no excuses!

Lock-in On Your Motivation!

1. The first ingredient you need to actually change and become more productive is constant motivation: Persist regularly and continually motivate yourself. 
2. Remind yourself that you have made it a goal to change for the better during this Holy Month. Be determined, and strive to achieve that goal. 
3. Make a To-Do list before going to bed, so that when you wake up you are reminded that today is the day to be proactive. 
4. Also, being excused from fasting is not a good enough reason to sleep in — make it a habit to wake up for suhoor anyway. Why waste the blessing of waking up during the glorified early morning hours? 

Productivity in Chores and Housework 

1.        Follow a Schedule

I’ve found it ultimately beneficial to put together a daily schedule and follow it through. For example, when waking up, make sure that the first thing you do is to make your bed. Performing a simple act such as making your bed can bring about many benefits: it reminds you of a brand new day that Allah (glorified and exalted be He) has blessed you with; it can remind you of cleanliness and can even make your room look cleaner. 

2.        Continue Your Day with Other Productive Tasks

Exercise, get cleaned up, unload the dishwasher from last night, eat a healthy and nutritious meal during suhoor (it’s always great to eat this sunnah meal, especially with your family and loved ones), clean up, etc. 

3.        Follow A Healthy Sleep Routine

At the end of the day, before bed, load the dishwasher, clean the kitchen, brush your teeth, and get ready for bed, etc. Be sure to maintain a feasible schedule throughout your day. Write your agenda down; use a planner if that is helpful. Remember not to think of these undertakings as measly chores. Instead, maintain positive thinking and remind yourself that you have set a goal to become more productive this Ramadan. In sha Allah, every effort you put forth for the sake of pleasing Allah (glorified and exalted be He) will be generously rewarded. 

Productivity in Physical Health

It is necessary and preferred for us male and female Muslims to take good care of our God-given physical health and our bodies. It can be much harder for women who are menstruating to feel motivated to get up and do a quick workout. This lack of enthusiasm is no excuse to let our physical health slide. Even if an individual has never had an exercise regimen before, it is never too late to start. 

1.        Start by Trying out Different Workout Techniques

Are you more of a pilates or aerobics person? Do you prefer treadmills and elliptical machines? Or are you into cardio and lifting weights? 

2.        Find Your Interests and What Suits You, Then Stick to It

No one expects you to be a professional during your first attempt. It will take some getting used to. Try going to the gym (or working out right at home) for maybe two or three times in the first week. Do your total regimen for only a few minutes (or longer if you feel you are able). Then increase your total workout time by 5-10 minutes every day.For every following week, try going for more than just 2-3 days. Try and do your workouts around a similar time frame — this can be in the early morning hours or in the evening hours between Maghrib and Isha (after iftar and before the taraweeh prayers). Do whatever fits your schedule best. Performing your workout routines around a similar time frame makes it easier for it to become a habit. And once it becomes habitual, stick to it. 

3.        Give Yourself Incentives

In order to continue feeling motivated, give yourself some incentives. Remind yourself of how good it feels to be physically proactive and in shape, and how wholesome it feels to take care of your physical health! Read up about the dangers of obesity. Keep in mind that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) also discouraged laziness and encouraged physical productivity.Psychologists have proven over and over again that regular exercise and physical health can do wonders for a person’s mental health. Those who partake in consistent physical activity tend to be happier, less depressed, and less anxious. Just ask any psychologist, and they will concur! 

Productivity in Ibadah

Even if us Muslimahs cannot pray the five daily salah or engage in ritual fasting due to reasons of impurity, there are multiple acts that can still be performed during the Holy Month of Ramadan for the sake of pleasing Allah (glorified and exalted be He). Since being exempted from praying and fasting gives us a bit of extra time and energy, we can spend that blessed time and energy performing other essential acts of worship: 

1.        Tasbeeh (And Lots of It)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) had said to his daughter Fatimah (may Allāh be pleased with her) when she complained that her hands were blistering from doing housework, “When the two of you lay down to sleep, say thirty-three, thirty-three, thirty-four, or At-Tahmid, At-Tasbih, and At-Takbir.” [Sahih]

When getting ready for bed, before going to sleep, count on your fingers and say Subhan Allah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times, and Allahu Akbar 34 times. In sha Allah, this can help you be more productive in your work as it did for Fatimah (may Allāh be pleased with her).Try to do this every night before bed, and focus your mind on Allah (glorified and exalted be He) and his many blessings. Clearing your mind before bed can initiate pleasant thoughts and a good night’s sleep. Praising and remembering Allah (glorified and exalted be He) with concentration only adds to the benefits and rewards.

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said, "Whoever says, ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,’ one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

So, in the morning or in the evening, make it a habit to say Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi 100 times. Whether you are driving somewhere, doing household chores, or if you just need five more minutes in the morning before getting out of bed, be sure to glorify and praise Allah (glorified and exalted be He). Do this with a clear and focused mind. This will help in truly acknowledging the oneness of Allah and His numerous blessings. Additionally, it can count as productive time well spent. 

2.        Make Dua

Just because we can’t pray or fast, does not mean we cannot make dua either. Dua is the tool of a believer, a tool that he or she can use to ask Allah (glorified and exalted be He) for anything. Since being excused from prayer gives us extra time, lets use this sacred time to make dua to Allah (glorified and exalted be He).Continually making dua helps to instill hope in a believer. Dua reminds us that there is a Supreme Being, much higher than us, who is always available to listen and to help us. Just knowing this, how can we not be making dua all the time? Also, since the last third of the night is one of the best times to make dua, we have further incentive to wake up during these blessed early hours.

As Abu Hurairah narrated, “Our Lord who is blessed and exalted descends every night to the lowest heaven when the last one-third of the night remains, and says: Who supplicated Me so that I may answer him ? Who asks of Me so that I may give to him ? Who asks My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?” [Sunan Abi Dawud] 

3.        Listen to and/or Read the Qur’an or Islamic lectures:

Lastly, a Muslimah can spend her precious time during this Ramadan increasing her knowledge of Islam. Technology is grand; we have valid and interesting Islamic lectures right at our fingertips.From YouTube and HalalTube, to audio and video Podcasts and online articles — there are numerous Islamic resources we can increase our knowledge with, In sha Allah. Isn’t this be better than being bored and lazy or watching pointless videos on the internet? The best part is, one can listen to these lectures at any time – while driving, while lying down, while doing chores, and any other time that is convenient for you. 

Enjoy a Productive Ramadan!

Remember, any action that we perform, if done solely for the sake of pleasing Allah (glorified and exalted be He), can be deemed worthy of our time. Even when we are not praying or fasting, just look at the countless other acts of ibadah that we are able to do this Ramadan.

It is indeed our duty as believers to spend our blessed time for the sake of Allah (glorified and exalted be He). And every good deed or action that we perform during Ramadan is multiplied up to 70 times. All it requires is some motivation, dedication, and persistence.

So why not make some positive changes in our life during this Holy Month that we have been blessed with?

Improve yourself and your day by performing some extra acts of productivity for the sake of Allah (glorified and exalted be He). Whatever extra act(s) of worship you decide to do, remember that it will help you immensely if you follow a schedule. Make it routine, turn it into a habit, and stick with it even beyond Ramadan!

Lastly, don’t try to feel like you have to do everything at once. This can overwhelm you and make it harder for you to stick to a consistent routine. Take joy in the blessing that even small deeds performed consistently hold great rewards, for it is said that, “The most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even though it were little.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Author: Afia T

Ramadan Countdown: Are You Ready For Ramadhan?

With only a few weeks and days left for the start of Ramadan, it is very important for all Muslims, new Muslims and born Muslims, to get ready for this important event.

Ramadan is not only about abstaining from food, drink and intimate relations from dawn till sunset, but a blessed month of worship, obedience and total submission to God.

For such an important moral and spiritual journey, we need to prepare to nurture our heart, soul, and mind.

What is Fasting?

Fasting is called sawm in the Qur’an. The word sawm literally means "to abstain". In Surah Maryam, Allah tells that Mary the mother of Jesus said, “I have vowed a fast (sawm) for the sake of the Merciful, so today I shall not speak to anyone.” (Maryam 19:26) The meaning is “I have vowed to abstain from speaking to anyone today.” According to Shari ‘ah, the word sawm means to abstain from all those things that are forbidden during fasting from the break of dawn to the sunset, and to do this with the intention of fasting.

Purpose of Fasting

The Qur’an says what means, "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who were before you, in order that you may learn taqwa (piety)" (Al-Baqarah 2:183).  

Taqwa is a very important spiritual and ethical term of the Qur’an. It is the sum total of all Islamic spirituality and ethics. It is a quality in a believer’s life that keeps him/her aware of Allah all the time. A person who has taqwa loves to do good and to avoid evil for the sake of Allah. Taqwa is piety, righteousness and consciousness of Allah. Taqwa requires patience and perseverance. Fasting teaches patience, and with patience one can rise to the high position of taqwa.  

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that fasting is a shield. It protects a person from sin and lustful desires. When the disciples of Jesus asked him how to cast the evil spirits away, he is reported to have said, “But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21).

According to Imam Al-Ghazali (d. 1111 C.E.), fasting produces a semblance of divine quality of samadiyyah (freedom from want) in a human being. Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim (d. 1350 C.E.), viewed fasting as a means of releasing the human spirit from the clutches of desire, thus allowing moderation to prevail in the carnal self. Imam Shah Waliullah Dahlawi (d. 1762 C.E.) viewed fasting as a means of weakening the bestial and reinforcing the angelic elements in human beings. Maulana Mawdudi (d. 1979 C.E.) emphasized that fasting for a full month every year trains a person individually, and the Muslim community as a whole, in piety and self restraint.

Fasting Is Obligatory

In the second year of Hijrah, Muslims were commanded to fast in the month of Ramadan every year. The Qur’an says what means, "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who were before you, in order that you may learn taqwa (piety)" (Al-Baqarah 2:183) and "The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Qur’an, wherein is guidance for mankind and the clear signs of guidance and distinction. Thus whosoever among you witness the month must fast..." (Al-Baqarah 2:184).

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) explained this further in a number of his statements reported in the books of Hadith. It is reported by Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah said, “Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing Prayer, paying the zakah, making the pilgrimage to the Sacred House (Hajj), and fasting the month of Ramadan.”

The Muslim Ummah is unanimous that fasting in the month of Ramadan is obligatory upon every person who is capable (mukallaf).

God says:

"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and (He desires) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful." (Al-Baqarah 2:185)

In order to reach our destination, this folder provides a collection of useful resources to warm up and get ready to reap the benefits of the best month of the year.

May it be a blessed month for all.

-Ameen-

Source:  http://www.onislam.net/english/