Salam, Dr. Saidy!
Once again may Allah bless this contribution of yours!
Akere D. Achu, MCSE



>From: Madiba Saidy <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: THE TENETS OF ISLAM (20)
>Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 00:36:12 -0800
>
>      In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
>
>RAMADAN FASTING (2)
>
>All praise is due to Allah, the Lord and the Cherisher of the Universe.
>May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the holy prophet, Muhammad
>(PBUH), his household, companions and the followers of the right guidance
>till the Day of Judgment. Allah, the Exalted, says in the Qur'an:
>
>"Be ye foremost (in seeking) forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden (of
>Bliss) the width whereof is as the width of heaven and earth prepared for
>those who believe in Allah and His apostles: that is the Grace of Allah
>which He bestows on whom He pleases: and Allah is the Lord of Grace
>abounding." Q57:21.
>
>"O ye who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance: in the hope that
>your Lord will remove from you your ills and admit you to Gardens beneath
>which Rivers flow the Day that Allah will not permit to be humiliated the
>Prophet and those who believe with him.  Their Light will run forward
>before them and by their right hands while they say "Our Lord! Perfect our
>Light for us and grant us Forgiveness; for Thou has power over all
>things." Q66:8
>
>Abu Huraira narrated that Allah's Apostle (PBUH) said, "Whoever observes
>fast during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to
>attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari
>Hadith 1.37)
>
>Some good deeds that are recommended and those actions to be avoided
>during Ramadan include the following:
>
>1. Supplications while breaking the fast
>Ibn Majah related from 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'Aas that the Prophet,
>upon whom be peace, said: "A fasting person, upon breaking his fast, has a
>supplication that will not be rejected. When 'Abdullah broke his fast he
>would say: "O Allah, I ask of You, by Your mercy that encompasses
>everything, to forgive me."
>It is confirmed that the Prophet would say, before breaking his fast: "O
>Allah, for You I have fasted and with Your provisions do I break my fast.
>
>Tirmidhi (hadith 2248) recorded, that the Prophet said: "Three people
>will not have their supplications rejected: a fasting person until he
>breaks his fast, a just ruler, and an oppressed person."
>
>2. Being generous and studying the Qur'an
>Being generous and studying the Qur'an is recommended during any time, but
>it is especially stressed during the month of Ramadan. Al-Bukhari recorded
>that Ibn 'Abbas said: "The Prophet was the most generous of people, but he
>would be his most generous during Ramadan when he would meet with [the
>angel] Gabriel. He would meet with him every night and recite the Qur'an.
>When Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind."
>
>The Qur'an is revealed in the month of Ramadan. It is recommended that
>Muslims should read the whole Qur'an, at least one time, during Ramadan.
>It is not enough to read only the Arabic text, we should try to read the
>translation of the Qur'an in a language we understand very well. The
>essence is to get familiar with its teachings and follow them.
>Zaid bin Khalid Juhaini narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
>"Whoever provides food to a person fasting, to break the fast, his reward
>will be equivalent to the reward of the person who is fasting without any
>decrease in the reward for goodness of the person who is fasting." (Al
>-Tirmidhi).
>
>Those that cannot fast due to old age or permanent sickness are expected
>to feed the fasting Muslims as a ransom if they can afford it. "As for
>those who can fast with difficulty, they have (a choice either to fast or)
>feed a poor person. But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better
>for him. And that you fast is better for if only you know." Q2:184.
>
>3. Performance of Taraawih and Tahajjud.
>Tarawih and Tahajjud are supererogatory salat observed after Ishai prayers
>and in during the late night respectively.
>
>Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from 'Aishah that during the last ten days of
>Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah would wake his wives up during the night
>and then remain apart from them (that is, being busy in acts of worship).
>A version in Muslim states: "He would strive [to do acts of worship]
>during the last ten days of Ramadan more than he would at any other time."
>
>4. Avoidance of immoral acts and lies
>Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Whoever does not give
>up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad
>words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food
>and drink." (Bukhari 8.83)
>
>Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah's Apostle (PBUH) said, "Fasting is a
>shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should
>avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and
>impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell
>him twice, 'I am fasting." (Bukhari 3.118).
>
>5. Performance of Umra
>Ata narrated that he heard Ibn 'Abbas saying, "Allah's Apostle asked an
>Ansari woman  'What prevented you from performing Hajj with us?' She
>replied, 'We have a camel and the father of so-and-so and his son (i.e.
>her husband and her son) rode it and left one camel for us to use for
>irrigation.' He said (to her), 'Perform 'Umra when Ramadan comes, for
>'Umra in Ramadan is equal to Hajj (in reward),'  or said something
>similar." (Bukhari 3.10)
>
>6. I'tikaf and seeking the night of Qadr.
>I'tikaf means to confine oneself in a mosque for prayers and praise of
>Allah, leaving worldly things and be devoted in religious duties during
>the last ten days of Ramadan to seek the night of majesty about which
>Allah, the Exalted, says:
>
>"We have indeed revealed this (Qur'an) in the night of Power (Qadr): And
>what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power
>is better than a thousand Months. Therein come down the angels and the
>Spirit (angel Gabriel) by Allah's permission on every Decree: Peace!...
>This until the rise of Morn!" Suratul -Qadr, 97:1-5
>
>Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Whoever established
>prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward
>from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts
>in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from
>Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari 3.125).
>
>As to the supplication during the night of qadr, Aisha asked Allah's
>Messenger (peace be upon him) to tell her what prayers to say on Laylat
>al-Qadr (night of power)  if she knew which night it was, and he told her
>to say, "O Allah, Thou art forgiving and loves forgiveness, so forgive
>me." (Tirmidhi 2091. Also by Ahmad and Ibn Majah)
>
>Those of us who cannot do I'tikaf for one reason or the order can seek the
>night of qadr in our various homes by engaging is supererogatory prayers
>and supplications during the last ten nights of Ramadan. It is unfortunate
>that some Muslim organizations have turned the night of Power into a night
>of social gathering and collection of money and donation instead of a
>night of religious devotion.
>
>7. Zakat al-fitr  (Ramadan charity)
>Zakat ul-fitr is a type of charity which must be paid by every Muslim,
>young and old, male and female, free and slave, at the end of the month of
>fasting (Ramadan).
>
>Ibn 'Umar narrated that: "Allah's Apostle enjoined the payment of one Sa'
>of dates or one Sa' of barley as Zakat-ul-Fitr on every Muslim slave or
>free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before
>the people went out to offer the 'Id prayer. (One Sa' = 3 Kilograms
>approx.)  (Bukhari 2.579).
>
>In another hadith reported by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, and ad-Daraqutni from
>Ibn 'Abbas. The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, enjoined zakat
>ul-fitr on the one who fasts to shield one's self from any indecent act or
>speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. It is accepted
>as zakah for the person pays it before the 'id salat, and it is sadaqah
>for the one who pays it after the salat.
>
>Every free Muslim must pay zakat ul-fitr for himself, his wife, children,
>and servants whether they, his dependants, participated in Ramadan fasting
>or not. Some scholars agree that zakat ul fitr could be done with money,
>the equivalent cost of 3kg. of grain (rice, beans, corn, barley, etc )
>that is consumed locally.  The reason they gave is that one of the reasons
>for this zakat is to make the poor happy on the day of festival and that
>providing them with money to buy what they like will equally serve the
>purpose. Other scholars maintained that grain should be used since this
>was used during the time of the prophet (PBUH) and that the poor can sell
>the grain if he/she needs money.
>
>8. The Forbidden Days to Fast, the days of 'id (Islamic festivals)
>All scholars agree that such a fast is prohibited. It does not matter if
>the fast is obligatory or voluntary. 'Umar testifies: "The Messenger of
>Allah has forbidden fasting on these two days. Concerning the 'id of
>breaking the fast, it is for you to break your fast [of Ramadan]. On the
>'id of sacrifice, you should eat from what you sacrifice." This is related
>by Ahmad, an-Nasa'i, atTirmidhi, Abu Dawud, and Ibn Majah.
>
>It is not permissible to fast during the three days following the 'Id
>al-Adha. Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be
>peace, sent 'Abdullah ibn Hudhaqah to announce at Mina: "You are not to
>fast these days. They are days of eating and drinking and remembering
>Allah." This is related by Ahmad.
>
>It is unfortunate that some Muslims fall into an error of fasting on
>Ramadan festival day.  In some countries, people are divided on the day to
>start and end Ramadan fasting, some will decide when to start and end
>fasting regardless of the time the moon is seen. This set of people is
>following their personal desires and not Islamic teachings. Every Muslim
>is expected to begin Ramadan fasting whenever he/she hears that the moon
>has been seen regardless of the place and the person provided a Muslim
>that saw the moon. Some Muslims have allowed rivalry and self-pride in
>their life. The prophet (PBUH) said that fast should begin and end when
>the moon is seen but if the moon could not be seen due to cloud, then fast
>should begin and end after 30 days of the month. And that people who
>started Ramadan fasting  late because they did not hear about the moon
>MUST not fast on the 'id al-fitr day (Ramadan festival). They should make
>up the lost days of fasting latter. We should be careful of the warning of
>Allah, the Exalted.
>"It is not fitting for a Believer man or woman when a matter has been
>decided by Allah and His Apostle to have any option about their decision:
>if anyone disobeys Allah and His Apostle he is indeed on a clearly wrong
>Path." Q33:36
>"then let those beware who oppose the Apostle's order (sunnah) lest some
>trial befall them or a grievous Penalty be inflicted on them." Q24:63.
>
>One of the reasons Allah prescribed fasting is for us to learn
>self-restraint so that we can be pious. We should have this in mind as we
>prepare for Ramadan. If we could do away with some of our bad habits for
>29 or 30 days, we should able to completely do away with them in our life.
>This is the teaching we should understand and imbibe.
>
>May Allah accept our acts of worship, have mercy on us, count us among
>those that will witness the coming Ramadan and help the oppressed and poor
>people of the world.
>
>Peace be on you.
>
>Surajudeen.
>KFUPM, Dhahran, KSA.
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
>Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------------