By: Qari Zafarullah

During the month of Ramazan-ul-Mubarik, the faithful will observe fast to purge themselves of sins, show themselves up before Allah during nights, seek Allah's blessings, repent on their misdeeds, and recite the Holy Quran frequently. They will generously help their close relatives, orphans, Mujahideen who have left their houses to struggle in the way of Allah, and the destitute. But, there will be some ill-fated people who will remain deprived of Allah's blessings during this productive month.

 Here we narrate that how can we benefit from the advantages of Ramazan? What deeds we shall have to do and what acts we shall have to avoid so that we may acquire Sawab and qualify for success in the world hereafter.

  Abu Huraira t quotes the Holy Prophet r said at the advent of Ramazan all the doors of the sky are opened. According to another quotation the doors of paradise are opened and the doors of hell are shut down and the Satan and his accomplices are imprisoned. According to yet another Hadith, doors of kindness are opened. (Agreed upon).

Abu Huraira t quotes the Holy Prophet r said that during Ramazan the good deeds of the man are grown up 10-fold to 700-fold. But Allah says as fast is for Me and only I will reward (the fast observer) for it. Because the fast observer sacrifices his wishes and meals for Me. The fast observer will be happy on two occasions - firstly when he will break his fast and the secondly when he will meet Allah. The smell emitted from the mouth of the fast observer is more precious for Allah than aroma. Moreover, fast is like a shield (for a fast observer), so if someone from amongst you is observing fast, he must neither indulge in vulgar conversation nor in altercation. And if anyone abuses or disputes with him, he should tell him that he is observing fast. (Agreed upon).

Brothers! Suhail bin Saad states the Holy Prophetr, while congratulating this type of fast observer, said: There are eight doors of paradise. One of them is named as Riyan. And no one except a fast observer could pass through it. (Agreed upon).

  Observing fast to welcome Ramazan

  Abu Huraira t states the Holy Prophet r said don't observe fast one or two days before Ramazan to welcome the month. However, if anyone used to observe fast on that day, he may. (Agreed upon)

Abu Huraira t says the Holy Prophet r said if anyone observes fast during Ramazan with the intention of a complete faith and accountability (Sawab), his previous sins are forgiven. And if anyone shows himself up before Allah during the Valuable Night, his previous sins are also forgiven. (Agreed upon)

Observing fast for a day or two at the end of Shaaban to welcome Ramazan is prohibited. (Bukhari)

NOTE: Observing fast to greet Ramazan is prohibited. However,

if someone is used to observe fast on Monday or Thursday and that day has fallen a day or two before Ramazan, then he may observe fast.

 Seeing the Moon

  Abu Huraira t states the Holy Prophet r said observe and break fast after seeing moon. And if due to clouds the moon is invisible, then complete 30 days of Shaaban. (Agreed upon.)

In another Hadith quoted by Abu Huraira t, the Holy Prophet r said observe and break fast after seeing moon. But if there are clouds then complete the counting of 30 days. (Bukhari)

The Holy Prophet said that who observed fast when he was doubtful (about its obligation) then he disobeyed Abul Qasim r. (Bukhari 229/2)

  Taking meal at Sahr

  وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ الْخَيْطُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنْ الْخَيْطِ الْأَسْوَدِ مِنْ الْفَجْرِ

And eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), (Al Baqara)

Anast states that the Holy Prophetr said take meal at Sahr because there is great potential in it. (Agreed upon)

 Amr ibn Al-Aas t says the Holy Prophet r said taking meal at Sahr is the only difference between our fast and the fast of those having the book. (Muslim)

  Delay in taking meal at Sahr

   Suhail bin Saadt says I used to take meal at Sahr at my home and then hurry up to offer Fajr prayer in the company of the Holy Prophetr -(Bukhari)

 Aaishat says Bilalt recited azaan (when) there was still night. So the Holy Prophet r directed us to continue taking meals until Abdullah bin Umm-I-Maktoom t recites azaan. And he did not recite azaan until it was morning.-(Bukhari)

No such words like (( وبصوم غد نويت من شهر رمضان have been mentioned in any Saheeh Hadith to be uttered to show one's intention for observing fast. Intention is the name of will and not of uttering some words.

  Hurry in Iftar

   Suhailt says the Holy Prophetr said the people would remain on the right path as far as they would continue to hasten in breaking (Iftar) their fast.  (Agreed upon)

  Allah loves those people who hasten in Iftar. (Trimzi)

   Umart qoutes that the Holy Prophet r said when darkness starts to prevail, the daylight dies down and the sun sets, then fast observer must break his fast. -(Bukhari)

  Abu Hurairat says the Holy Prophet r said Deen will dominate as far as people continue to break their fast at the earliest, because Jews and Christians delay in breaking their fast. -(Abu Daud, Ibne Maja)

   Suleman bin Aamirt says the Holy Prophet r said when anyone of you wanted to break his fast then break it with date because there is an advantage of it. And if he did not find a date, then he should break it with water because it purges (the people). -(Ahmad, Trimdi, Abu Daud, Ibne Maja)

  The Masnoon (narrated by the Prophet) Dua for breaking a fast is

ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

"Thirst has been quenched, veins have become wet and reward is due. Insha Allah."

The night of Value must be found during the last 10 nights of Ramazan. This Dua should be frequently recited during the  Lailatul Qadr(Night of Value):

(Tirmdi)

  Gathering on completion of recitation of the Holy Quran and collective recitation of specific words must be avoided during odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramazan. Because these mode (of worship) could not be proved from the Holy Prophetr. Instead these nights must be decorated with showing up before Allah at night with a complete concentration, and going into Rakoo and Sajood and recitation of the Holy Book. Publicity (of worship) is a destructive thing which must be avoided. Otherwise an ordinary step may damage the advantage of the whole Ramazan.

  Various Points

  Eating or taking water by mistake does not damage the fast. -(Bukhari and Muslim)

Vomiting does not spoil the fast. -(Tirmdi, Abu Daud)

If one has to take bath for spending night with one's spouse but the time is short, then one may take bath after taking one's meal at Sahr. -(Tirmdi)

There is no harm in brushing teeth and putting surma in eyes while observing fast.(Tirmdi)

Elderly people or a patient who does not apparently expect his recovery should give meal to a poor person instead of every single fast.

The women must not observe fast during menstruation and during bleeding after labor. Later, they must observe fast and complete their counting (of fasts).

Pregnant women and wet nurses may also leave observing fast for the time being. They must cover this deficiency (in number of fasts) later.

  Some points about Aetikaf

  To seek forgiveness from Allah and to present his problems and requirements before Him, a man, while following in the footsteps of the Holy Prophet r, should be seated quietly.

The Holy Prophet r used to sit in Aetikaf during the last 10 days of Ramazan -(Bukhari and Muslim)

   Aaisha t says when the Holy Prophet r intended to sit in Aetikaf, he used to offer his Fajr prayers and then go into his Aetikaf cell. -(Abu Daud)

  Qiam-i-Ramazan

  We call Qiam-i-Ramazan as Taraveeh. People usually ask about the number of taraveeh proved from the Holy Prophetr. Scholars of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah say these are 11, including Vitr. While those brothers who act upon the opinion of their clerics and scholars think that this number is 20.

Let us probe it.

 Abu Salma t asked Aaisha about the Qiam-e-Ramazan of the Holy Prophetr. Aaisha t said whether it was Ramazan or not the Holy Prophet r did not use to offer more than 11 Rakaat. - (Bukhari)

 Jabar t qoutes that the Holy Prophet led us to offer eight Rakaat Taraveeh and Vitr during Ramazan-ul-Mubarik. -(Qiam-ul-Lail, page 90)

 Abi bin Kaab t came to the Holy Prophet and said: O the Holy Prophet, last night I performed a deed which I could not understand. He r asked what that deed was. I said the womenfolk assembled in the house and said to me that they had not learnt the Holy Quran by heart so I should lead them offer their Taraveeh. Thus, I led them in eight Taraveeh and then made them offer Vitr. Her heard it and remained quiet. - (Majmauz Zavaed, page 2; Qiam-ul-Lail, page 90)

The Holy Prophet's silence was an indication of his consent.

 Umar t when he was the caliph, directed Abi bin ibne Kaab t and  Tameem Daree t to lead people in offering 11 Rakaat of Taraveeh. - (Mauta Malik)

Imam Malik t said I like 11 Rakaat because it had been proved from the Holy Prophet r and Umart. He further said that he did not know where from the people learnt about 20 Taraveeh.

Hanfi research scholars have also acknowledged that it was proved in the Sahaiheen from Aaishat that the Holy Prophet r had offered 11 Rakaat Taraveeh including Vitr. -(Behr-ur-Raaiq, pages 72, 73)

Brothers, We perform all these tasks throughout the month to please Allah so that He may forgive our sins. Why has Allah ordered us to remain hungry and thirsty in this month and keep ourselves aloof from the things/actions that are legitimate for us during the rest of the days of a year? Why do we Qiam at night? Why do we spend our wealth in the way of Allah? Why do we admit our weakness before Allah at Fajr and spread our hands before Him seeking His blessings? Only because we want to be afraid of Allah. We should be patient, understanding problems and difficulties of others and taking care of them. So that we become obedient to Allah and His Messenger r. Allah has said in the Holy Quran

يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

"O people who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)" (Al Baqara:183)

  Ramazan-ul-Mubarik is the month of getting profit. So the faithful work hard in this month, offer alms to the needy, do long Qiam at nights and remain hungry and thirsty during the whole day, only to please Allah.

  Ramazan and Jihad

  There is a special link between Ramazan and Jihad. Some think that human body weakens and its performance depreciates due to fast. But the fact is vice versa. Looking at the life of the Holy Prophet r we find that the faith strengthens during Ramazan due to observing fast, Qiam, and other good deeds. The Holy Prophet r and his companions participated in many battles during Ramazan. These included the successful wars of Badr and conquering of Makkah. The war of Badr has been named in the Holy Quran as the Day of Difference and the conquering of Makkah as the Definite Victory. Likewise, whenever the Muslims opted for Jihad Allah always helped them. The creation of Pakistan and defeat of Russian forces in Afghanistan also happened during Ramazan. To further understand the relation between Ramazan and Jihad we quote two verses from the Holy Quran:

 كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ الصِّيَامُ

about declaring fasting as compulsory. The same words have been used in the other verse for declaring Jihad as obligatory. The verse is

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ الْقِتَالُ وَهُوَ كُرْهٌ لَكُمْ وَعَسى أَنْ تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ وَعَسَى أَنْ تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

"Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.(Al Baqara:216 )"

  There are many other verses in which murdering of Kafirs (infidels) and laying one's life for the purpose have been ordered. This order is not temporary, rather it is for ever.

  Till the time there is turmoil on the earth, Jihad will continue. There are hundreds of verses in Quran which command for Jihad. Under these commands, the Holy Prophet r fought 86 battles during the last 10 years of his life in Madina. Today scholars (Ulema), while narrating this Hadith that scholars are heirs of prophets, imagine themselves as the heirs of the Holy Prophetr. But how much is their share in the inherited Jihad? It will be answered by the history. The scholars should come forward and become the first contingent of the Jihad movement. They should, during Ramazan, give special attention to the verse of the Quran which command for Jihad. It has been declared as trade, life, and a source of elevating one's status in the world hereafter. It is a short cut to paradise. These verses may be found in sura Al Baqara, Aal-i-Imran, Nisa, Maida, Infal, Tauba, Ahzab, Muhammad, Fateh, Haj, Hujrat, Hashr, Saf, and in Munafiqoon.

Special prayers should be offered during Ramazan to make a special link with Allah, and for the success of the Mujahideen fighting against the infidel, besides looking after the families of these Mujahideen and sending alms and Zakat to them.