All u need to know about Ramadan,Fasts,Sehri,Aftari etc

[Naqshbandi]

Virtues and Excellence of Ramadan

The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam delivered a thought provoking sermon on the last day of Sha'baan in which he said : " Oh Believers ! Be alert ! An auspicious month is about to dawn upon you , whose greatness and sanctity is not easy to comprehend. There comes to you a magnificent month, a blessed month, a month wherein is a night (Laylat al-Qadr) which is better than thousand months. Almighty Allah has made it's Fast's compulsory upon you, and the standing in its nights (Tarraweeh) a means of obtaining countless blessing's. Whoever sincerely makes an effort to seek the nearness of Allah in it, is like a person who has offered seventy obligatory deeds in other months. It is a month of patience, and the rerward of patience is Paradise. It is a month to show compassion to others. In it sustenance is increased. In this month the doors of Paradise are opened and the doors of Hell are barred (shut). Fasting is a shield against the fire of Hell. Hence it is important for the one who is fasting to abstain from uttering anything shameful or doing anything based on ignorance. If anyone tries to enter into a quarrel with him or swears him he should twice say " I am fasting. "

The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam further said : "I swear on Him in whose Hands is my life ! The breath emanating from the mouth of the observer of fasts is more beloved to Allah than the fragrance of musk. The observer of fasts abstains from eating and drinking, and from all sensual pleasures for My (Allah's) sake. Fasting is for Me and I alone shall give its rewards. "

The reward of every good deed is tenfold but the reward for fasting will be given by Allah alone. In short, this month is a treasure house of blessings and mercy. Therefore it is obligatory upon every Muslim to show this month the highest form of respect and at all times uphold its sanctity and dignity. Be firm and punctual in discharging one's obligation in respect of Namaaz, Fasting, Hajj, Zakaah and other commandments of Allah Almighty. Spend maximum time in the recitation of the Qur'an al-kareem, in Dhikr-Allah, in reciting Durood Shareef and offering sincere prayers for the betterment of one's Muslim brother's and for forgiveness of one's sins.

[Naqshbandi]

Reality and Facts about Fasting


After Namaaz and Zakaat became obligatory, Fasting in the month of Ramadan became obligatory on the 10th of Sha'baan in the second year of Hijra. In accordance with Shariah (Islamic Law), fasting is abstention from eating, drinking and all forms of sensual pleasures from before true dawn until sunset with the sincere intention of doing it as an act of worship. For a woman it is a pre-requisite to be out of menstruation (Haiz) and bleeding after child birth (Nifaas). A woman will have to fast for the days she missed while in Haiz or Nifaas.


When fasting in the blessed month of Ramadan it is incumbent upon its observer that he should not merely abstain from eating, drinking and sexual relations, but he must not indulge in any sinful activity through speech, action, trade and other daily routine. This is made clear by the Quranic injunction: " So that you may become pious " (2: v183). While in the state of fasting a person must not move his hands or feet towards any evil activity. He should not utter anything vulgar, back-bite, swear etc. nor should he allow his ears to hear such obscenities. His eyes too should not fall on anything which is religiously made unlawful. Instead, we must make every effort to become a practical example of piety. If one fasts strictly by observing the above restrictions and conditions, then only will he be able to inculate in himself piety at the end of Ramadan.

[Naqshbandi]

Sighting of the New Moon

Islam has given great credance for sighting of the new moon which should be proven without any shadow of a doubt, or related by witnesses satisfying religious conditions for it. The testimony of sighting the new moon should be presented to the Muslim Judge (Qadi) or if it is not a Muslim ruled country then to the authoritative Alim (learned person) of the town. If the moon is not sighted on the 29th of Sha'baan then 30 days of Sha'baan should be completed. Likewise, if the new moon is not visible on the 29th of Ramadan, and no religiously reliable news about it is obtained, 30 days of Ramadan should be completed and then Eid al-Fitr should be celebrated. However, it is sinful to fast when in doubt.

[Naqshbandi]

The Beloved Rasool Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa sallam said, "See the moon and commence fasting and see the moon and end fasting (make Eid) and if the skies are overcast, then complete the counting of thirty (days)."


Hadrat Ibn Umar Radi Allahu anhu reported, I heard the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa sallam 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 crescent (month) of Ramadan (as of 30 days, in other words complete 30 days)". [Bukhari]


Hadrat Abdullah bin Umar Radi Allahu anhu reported that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa sallam said, "The month (can be) 29 nights (i.e. days), and do not fast till you see the moon, and if the sky is overcast, then complete Sha'ban as thirty days." [Bukhari]


Hadrat Abu Hurayrah Radi Allahu anhu reported tha the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa sallam 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 it), complete thirty days of Sha'ban." [Bukhari]


Hadrat Huzayfah Radi Allahu anhu reported that the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa sallam said, “Do not fast (for Ramadan) before the coming of the month until you sight the moon or complete the number (of thirty days); then fast until you sight the moon or complete the number (of thirty days). [Abu Dawood]

[Naqshbandi]

The Three Categories of Fast

Imam Ghazzali Rehmatullahi alaih has divided fasting into three categories : 1.) In the first group is the fast of those who merely abstain from food, drink and sensual activities from before true dawn (Fajar al-Sadiq) until after sunset, as is the case with the common people.

2.) In the second group is the fast of special people who protect their ears, eyes, tongue, hands, feet and other limbs from sin. This can be achieved by the following six things :

2.1 The person should protect his eyes from seeing all that is contemptible and undesirable as well as from anything that would distract him from the rememberance of Allah. The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said :

" An evil gaze is a poisonous arrow from the poisonous arrow's of the devil. Thus he who abstains from an evil gaze due to the fear of Allah Almighty, will be granted Faith (Iman) by Allah Almighty, whose sweetness will be felt in every part of the heart. "

2.2 The tongue should be protected from uttering worthless abusive talk, lies, back-biting, etc. During the time of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam two women were observing fast. At the latter part of the day they were much troubled by hunger and thirst which threatened their lives. A message was sent to the Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam to seek permission for them to break their fast. The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam sent a cup and asked them to spew out whatever they had eaten into it. When the first woman spewed, it contained half blood and half flesh. The second woman too spewed the same. On seeing the astonishment of the people, the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said that although these two women fasted, they merely abstained from things which are made lawful by Allah Almighty but perpetrated that which was forbidden by Allah. They sat together and were back-biting about people. Back-biting about a person is like eating his flesh.

2.3 Ears should be protected from hearing every sound which is forbidden to hear. If back-biting takes place in any gathering one should walk out of it. It is reported in a Hadith that the one who back-bites and the one who listens to it are both sinners. One should save oneself from hearing this type of evil and listen to that which is good according to Shariah.
2.4 At the time of Iftaar do not over eat which would make a person indolent.
2.5 After Iftaar let your heart remain between fear and hope. We are not certain whether our fast has been accepted although we should not despair of the Mercy of Allah Almighty.

2.6 Refrain from walking to any place or gathering in which anything un-Islamic is said or done; e.g. cinema, dance hall, gambling places, etc.

3.) In the third category is the fast of those very special and selected persons who, in addition to, abstaining from the above keep their hearts aloof from all wordly thought's. They spend every moment of it in total meditation of Allah Almighty and do not think of anything besides Him. They spend every moment of the day and the night in the remembrance and contemplation of Allah Almighty. This type of fast is observed by the Prophet's of Allah, the Faithful servants of Allah and those who have obtained nearness to Him.

[Naqshbandi]

Niyyat : Intention for fasting The time for the intention (Niyyat) for fasting begins anytime after sunset until midday. Intention is obligatory and it is Sunnat to recite it verbally each day. Even if the intention is made before midday the fast will be valid. Recite Durood Shareef before and after making the intention.


Niyyat

" I have made the intention of obligatory fast for this day of Ramadan for the sole pleasure of Allah Almighty."

Wa-be Sawme Ghadin Nu-Wei Tu Min Shah re-Ramadan.

" I have intended the fast of the month of Ramadan for tomorrow."

[Naqshbandi]

Religious reasons for not obtaining the Fast


It is permissible for a person to avoid fasting if he is so ill that by fasting it will endanger his life, worsen his illness or there is a fear of becoming physically disabled. Such a person should keep the missed fast's after regaining his health. A person who becomes extremely weak due to old age and who has no strength to fast at that time, and who has no hope of gaining enough strength to fast in the future is required to give Fidya (atonement) for each fast, i.e. feed one person daily. However if such a person does gain strength to fast, his Fidya given would be regarded as voluntary, as it would be obligatory upon him to observe fasts for all the days he has missed.
Pregnant women or suckling mothers who run the risk of endangering their lives and the lives of their babies are also exempted by Shariah from fasting, but the Qaza of missed fasts would be obligatory upon them.

[Naqshbandi]

Laws pertaining to Sehri


To partake the Sehri meal is Sunnat. Our Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: " Do take your Sehri meal, because this meal has many blessings in it. Sehri should be taken even if it be one mouthful or a draught of water. " It is recommended to delay the Sehri, but not that late that one begins to doubt its time. If one is hard pressed for time one can have one's Sehri in an unclean state e.g. Janabat (after having sexual relation with one's wife) Ihtilaam (experiencing a wet dream). However, one should not delay the Janabat Ghusal unnecessarily.

[Naqshbandi]

Factors which render the Fast defective (Makrooh)

1. To taste or chew anything without a valid reason.
2. Telling lies, back-biting, tale-bearing, using obscene language, cursing someone, to cause harm or injury to anyone unjustly, to use worthless or abusive language, to scream, to quarrel or get into a fight.
3. To engage oneself in any irreligious work.
4. To accumulate saliva in the mouth which is then swallowed.
5. To gargle or rinse the nose excessively, etc.

[Naqshbandi]

To break the Fast is a sin

After beginning the fast and fasting for a portion of the day, if one breaks it without any religious reason, it is a severe sin. However while in a state of fasting if a person becomes so ill that continued fasting would endanger his life, or there is a possibilty of worsening his illness, or he becomes intensely thirsty through which there is a fear of death, then breaking the fast is not only permissable but obligatory, but such a person must re-observe the fast he/she has missed.

[Naqshbandi]

Factors which do not nullify the Fast

1. To eat or drink unintentionally, in a state of forgetfulness.
2. To swallow a particle of dust, a fly, or a mosquito.
3. Falling of water into the ear at the time of taking a bath.
4. To vomit involuntarily, even a mouthful.
5. To insert medicine into the eyes.
6. To experience seminal discharge while sleeping during the day.
7. To swallow a particle from the crevices of the teeth which is smaller in quantity than a gram (chana).

While in a state of fasting if one applies antimony (soormah) to the eyes, massages oil on the head or body, makes use of the miswak, smells perfume etc. it will neither nullify the fast nor render it defective.

[Naqshbandi]

Factors which nullify the Fast

The following acts will nullify the fast :

1. When water enters the gullet while gargling.
2. When water enters the grey matter of the brain at the time of inserting it in the nose.
3. When a person vomit's intentionally a mouthful of food, blood, bile, etc.
4. Swallowing from a mouthful of involuntary vomit in quantity of a gram or more.
5. Swallowing food from the crevices of the teeth in quantity of a gram.
6. Inserting medicine in the nose.
7. Inserting medicine or oil in the ears.
8. To take an enema.
9. To indulge in sensual activities forgetfully at the time of dawn.
10. Seminal discharge due to passionate fondling and kissing.
11. To smoke cigarette, cigar, hookkah, etc.
12. Chewing betel-leaf, even though its discharge is spat out and does not reach the throat.


If all the above factors take place in a conscious state of fasting, the fast will be nullified and its re-observance will be compulsory.

13. Blood from the teeth enters the throat. If the saliva content is greater than the blood, the fast will not be nullified, but if the blood content is greater, the fast will be nullified.
14. Swallowing coloured saliva as a result of placing coloured string in the mouth.
15. Taking snuff in the mouth, etc.



Religious issue's :
If one inserts drops of oil in the ear, or inserts medicine for a wound on the membrane of the brain which reaches the brain, or to take in medicine through the nose or through a clyster, or swallow a stone, pebble, cotton, paper, grass, etc. which is distasteful to people, or to remain in the month of Ramadan as if in a state of Fasting without having recited its niyyat, or eating after having recited the niyyat of fasting in the morning or before zenith time (zawwal), or reciting the niyyat of fasting but not for the fast of Ramadan, or if drops of rain or hail, or swallowed many drops of tears or sweat only Qaza of the fast is necessary not the Kaffarah- (expiation).


Fast does not break by taking an injection. However, if the medicine being taken by injection gives strength to the body via the brain and stomach then such an injection would break the fast. If food or medicine is fed intravenously to the brain or the stomach, the fast will break.


If the person does not stop eating or does not abstain from sensual activities after remembering that he is fasting or continues eating and drinking after the time of Sehri in the month of Ramadan, his fast will be nullified. He will have to re-observe the fast and give Kaffarah. Similarly those who are in the habit of smoking cigarettes, etc. and do this while they are fasting, their fasts will be nullified for which Qaza (repitition of fasts) and Kaffarah (expiation) will be incumbent upon them.

[Naqshbandi]

Iftaar

To make haste in breaking the fast is Sunnat and a means of obtaining blessing from Allah Almighty. One should break ones fast when one thinks the sun has set. However, one must not be too hasty on an overcast day. Iftaar should be made before performing Maghrib Salah. Iftaar should be made with dates and if this is not available, with water. After Iftaar one should not waste unnecessary time eating and delay the Maghrib Salah. Men should not miss the Jama'at (congregation) because of eating.

[Naqshbandi]

Dua for ending the Fast :


At the time of Iftaar read the following dua :

Allah Humma inni Laka Soom-Tu wah Bikka aa-Mantu wa-Ilayka Tawak' Kalto,
Wah Ala Rizke-Ka Af-Tar-tu Fahtaqab al-Minnee


"Oh Allah I have fasted for You, believed in You, relied on You, and with your sustenance i break it. Therefore forgive me my past and future sins."

[Naqshbandi]

Laws pertaining to Taraweeh Prayer


To offer twenty Rakaats of Taraweeh Prayer on each night of Ramadan is Sunnat al-Mu'akkidah on every healthy male and female. Our Beloved Nabi Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam said :


" The one who offers Taraweeh Prayer at night during Ramadan with complete faith and devotion only for the recompense of the Hereafter will have all his previous sins forgotten by Allah " (Bukhari Shareef).


Abdur Rahman bin Ouf RadiAllahu'anhu reports that Rasoolullah Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam said:
"Verily Allah has made the fast of Ramadan compulsory upon you, and I have made its Salah (at night) Sunnat for you. Therefore, whosoever fasts and performs Taraweeh in this month with faith and hope for reward, emerges from his sins like the day he was born." (Nasaai 239/1)

This Hadith proves that Taraweeh is the Sunnat of Rasoolullah Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam. In addition to this verbal injunction of The Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam we also have his practice on the Taraweeh Salah, which further emphasises the Sunnat nature of Taraweeh.



Women should offer this prayer at home, while for men to offer it in the Mosque in congregation is Sunnat-e-Kefaya. Intention should be made for the Sunnat of Taraweeh. The time for Taraweeh Prayer starts after Isha Salah and lasts till the break of dawn. It should be offered after the Fard and Sunnat of Isha, but before the Witr Salah. After every four Rakaats it is Mustahab (desirable) to sit for a duration to recite this Tasbeeh three times :


" All Glory and Perfection belong to Allah and free is He (from all defects), the Sovereign of the Seen and the Unseen Kingdom. All Glory and Perfection is due to Allah and free is the Lord's Might, Greatness, Reverence, Power, Majesty and Omnipotence from all defects. All Glory and Perfection belong to Him and Free is He the Sovereign who does not sleep neither die from all defects. He is verily the all Gracious and the most Holy, the all perfect, the Lord of the Spirit and Angels. "


" Subhaana Dhil-Mulke w'al-Ma'lakoot, Subhaana Dhil-izate w'al-Azamate w'al-Haybate w'al-Qudrate w'al-Kibriyaa-ai w'al-Jaba'root, Subhaa'nal ma-li-kil Hayyil'Ladhi La'Yanaa-mu Wa'la yamootu Subbu Hun Quddu-sun Rab'onaa wa-Rabbul ma-'Laa'-i-kati War'ruh, Alla-Humma A'Jirnaa Mi'Nan'naar, Yaa Mujeero Ya Mujeero Ya Mujeer.


If one is unable to recite the above then he should glorify Allah Almighty, recite Durood Shareef and offer a du'a.


Miscellaneous Issues


1. If Taraweeh Prayer is offered in congregation at home one will receive the reward of Jama'at, but will be deprived of the reward of the Mosque.
2. It is permissable to offer Taraweeh Parayer in another Mosque other than the Mosque in one's own area if the entire Qur'an Shareef is not recited in your own Mosque, provided the Imam there recites the Qur'an correctly and sweetly and is of correct Sunni beliefs.
3. If the Imam of your area is not of the beliefs of the Ahl as-Sunnat w'al Jama'at, it is imperative that you should perform Taraweeh in another Mosque.
4. It is commendable to perform your entire Taraweeh behind one Imam.
5. If a person has not offered his Isha Salah in congregation, then it is Makrooh (undesirable) for him to offer his Witr Salah in congregation, although if he does so his Witr will be accepted.