Friday, August 15, 2008

Ramadan Is Coming

I have some students who need to learn about fasting Ramadan.

May Allah increase our iman and accept our ibadah in this Ramadan. Ameen.
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Fasting Ramadan in Islam





  • Fasting Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.
  • Fasting in Islam means to stay away from eating, drinking and sexual activity from early dawn when Shubuh/Fajr begins to sunset with a Niyyah (intention) of fasting.
  • Fasting in the month of Ramadan is Fard (obligatory) upon every Muslim, male and female who is sane and mature.
  • Fasting is a worship which is only between humans and Allah since no-one else knows for sure if this person is actually fasting. Allah has promised great reward for those who fast. Allah says in hadith qudsi that "Fasting is for Me and I only will reward it".
  • Fasting Is Good For Our Body and Soul.
    • Fasting is good for our body. It means we clean our body by fasting not to eat and drink. Fasting make Muslim become healthy, clean, and energetic.
      We should remember that in Al Qur'an, Allah said: "...Eat and drink but do not be excessive." (Al Qur'an 7:31)
    • Fasting is good for our soul. It means we clean our soul by:

      • increasing our ibadaah.
      • reading Al Qur'an.
      • giving charity.
      • doing all the good deeds.
      • remembering Allah all the time.

      In fasting, we should try to refrain from all kinds of sins - protecting ours ears, eyes, tongue and all other organs from indulging in unlawful activities.


    The most important is that your heart and mind must be with you in fasting.
  • Ramadan is also the month in which Al Qur'an was revealed as a guide to mankind, and a clear guidance and judgement (so that mankind will distinguish right from wrong).



Fasting Ramadan In Qur'an



  • "O you who believe fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you can learn Taqwa." (Al Quran 2:183)


Fasting Ramadan In Hadith




  • The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:“In Paradise there is a gate called al-Rayyaan, through which those who used to fast will enter on the Day of Resurrection, and no one but they will enter it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who fasted?’ They will get up, and none will enter it but them. When they have entered, it will be locked, and no one else will enter.” (al-Bukhaari, 1763; Muslim, 1947).


  • Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: “When there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained.
    (Sahih Muslim Book 006, Number 2361)


  • It was narrated from Abu Salamah that Abu Hurayrah said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.’" (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, al-Eemaan, 37).


  • It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Allaah says: “Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except for fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it.” Fasting is a shield and when one of you is fasting he avoid sexual relations with his wife and quarreling. If somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’ By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allaah than the smell of musk. The fasting person will have two moments of joy: one when he breaks his fast, and the other when he meets his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting.’”
    (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1771)



  • In the saheeh ahaadeeth it says that there are eight gates:
    It was narrated from Sahl ibn Sa’d (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “In Paradise there are eight gates, among which is a gate called al-Rayyaan, which none will enter but those who fast.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3017).


  • Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) 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.
    (Sahih Muslim Book 006, Number 2564)


  • Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet 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."
    (Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 125)


  • Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)"
    (Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 127)


  • Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel visited him, and Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur'an to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare).
    (Sahih Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 126)










All Gates In Paradise Are Open In Ramadan.



It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When Ramadan begins,the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3035; Muslim 1793)





People Exempted From Fasting In Ramadan

  • Sick people when their health is likely to be badly affected by fasting. They should make up the loss, a day for a day, when they recover after Ramadhan.
  • A Musafir (one who is undertaking a journey of more than 48 miles and does not intend staying more than 14 days at his destination).
  • If it is feared that hunger or thirst will lead to death, it is permitted to break one's fast.
  • Kids who are not puberity, but they can exercise fasting if they want to.
    Most of the kids who are 7 years old can do fasting.


Things That Can Break One's Fast



  • Eating and drinking.
  • To have sexual intercourse.
  • Women who miss the fast due to monthly periods will do Qadha only for the missed fast after Ramadan


Conclusion

The important lessons from fasting Ramadan are:
  • Gaining more iman, taqwa, obedience to Allah.
  • Seeking more closeness to Allah.
  • Patience.
  • Doing more good deeds and good manners.
  • Getting unity among Muslim by helping each other.

If you perform Salat Fard, Sunnah and Nafl and Taraweeh prayers throughout life, you will get protection and a positive effect in terms of health and longevity.
And the most important thing that we should have the spirit of Ramadan all year long, from this Ramadan until the next Ramadan. We should continue to do all what we have done in Ramadan to be close to Allah, such as giving charity, salah five times a day, going to masjid, etc.


May Allah make us among those who will enter Paradise. Ameen.

Ramadan Mubarak to all of you.

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Some of activities for kids and all of us are:



  • Fasting.
  • Going to masjid for salah Maghrib, salah Isha, salah Taraweh, and salah Witr at night.
  • Reading Al Qur'an if they are not salah Taraweh.
  • Going to masjid for salah Shubuh, just for boys.
  • Giving sadaqah or charity for yatim (orphan) or who need help.
  • writing about Ramadan.
  • Memorizing and learning Al Qur'an.
  • Feeding the poor and hungry or giving ifthar to others.
  • reading Al Qur'an and trying to finish (khatam) Al Qur'an during Ramadan.
  • Observing I'tikaaf within the Masjid during the last ten days of Ramadan.
  • Searching for Lail atul Qadr in the Last ten days of Ramadan (specifically on the odd nights).
  • Memorizing dua for beginning and breaking fasting from here.
  • Not backbiting or ghibah.
  • Not be lazy.
  • Doing all others good deeds.
  • Working on some homeworks.
  • Making some activities from the links below. Our favorite is making the "ketupat" from the ribbon. You can fill this ketupat with the gift, candies, or money for Eid present. The kids really enjoy with this activities and give present to others in the Eid.

Other resources activities for kids in the Ramadan are:







Useful lectures about Ramadan are as following:






Other useful links:







Note: Don't forget to fast to make up the loss from last year before Ramadan is coming.
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