How should we observe Laylat al-Qadr and when is it?

Question: How should we observe Laylat al-Qadr? Is it by praying, or by reading Qur’aan and the Prophet’s Seerah, listening to lectures and lessons and by celebrating it in the mosque?. Praise be to Allaah. Firstly: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to strive hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadaan as he never did at any other time, praying, reading Qur’aan and making du’aa’. Al-Bukhaari...

Read More

AS-SAHOOR (The Pre-dawn meal of Ramadhaan)

The Wisdom of Sahoor Allah (T) made fasting obligatory upon us as He (T) had made it obligatory on the people ot the Book before us. He (T) said , (which means): {O you who believe Fasting is prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you so that perhaps you may attain Taqwaa.} [Al-Baqarah 2 : 183] In the first period of Islam, the duration and regulations of fasting were in accordance with what was legislated by Allah upon...

Read More

Rulings for Al-Iftaar (Breaking the fast after sunset)

When a person lawfully break his fast Allah(T) said: "Then complete the fasting until the night"[Baqarah 2:187] The Messenger of Allah (S) explained this to mean the coming of the night and the going away of the day and when the disk of the sun disappears. Hastening the breaking of the fast People of Eemaan! It is important to hasten breaking the fast as soon as the sun sets because this was the practice of the Messenger of Allah (T) and...

Read More

The Importance of Intention (Niyyah) for Fasting Ramadan

Praise be to Allaah. “The intention (niyyah) means resolving to fast. It is essential to have the intention the night before, night by night, in Ramadaan.” (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, vol. 10, p. 246) “Some scholars were of the view that in the case of a repeated act of worship, it is sufficient to form the intention once the first time one does, unless the sequence of repetition is interrupted, in which case a new intention must...

Read More

Ramadan Fasting is Not Acceptable if One Does not Pray

QUESTION: I fast Ramadaan but I do not pray. Is my fasting valid?. ANSWER Praise be to Allaah. The Ramadaan fast, and indeed any righteous deed, is not accepted if you do not pray. That is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer.” Narrated by Muslim, 82. See also question no. 5208. No righteous deed is accepted...

Read More

How the Prophet Fasted In Ramadan

The Prophet (saws) would not begin fasting Ramadaan until there was a verified sighting of the crescent indicating the month or with the testimony of two trustworthy Muslim witnesses or just one witness. But when there was no sighting or testimony or the night of the thirtieth day of Sha’baan was cloudy and the crescent could not be sighted, he would complete thirty days for Sha’baan and then fast after that. He (saws) would forbid that a...

Read More

Common Errors Made During Ramadaan

Source: Al-Jumuah Magazine, Vol 8, Issue 9 1. Excessive spending: Ramadhan should be a time to avoid being wasteful, and learning to be prepared in facing harder times by distinguishing the needs from the luxuries. Unfortunately, many people go beyond their limits to spend during Ramadhan. Whether in the varieties of food that they savor each night, or by the other types of spending. 2. Staying awake during the night and sleeping during the...

Read More

Reading the Qur’an in Ramadan

Compiled by Shadman Saquib Excerpted, with slight modifications, from: Ahaadeeth As-Siyaam: Ahkaam wa Adaab (pg.63-65) (trans. Ahl ul-Qur'an was-Sunnah Association, NY) Abu Umaamah (radiallaahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Recite the Qur'an for indeed it will come on the Day of Judgement as an intercessor for its Ashaab (those who read, memorize and implement it)." [1] This hadeeth indicates the virtues...

Read More

Those for Whom the Fast During Ramadaan Is Not Obligatory

Question: What are the reasons for which one may be excused from fasting in Ramadaan? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. One of the ways in which Allaah has made things easy for His slaves is that He has only enjoined fasting upon those who are able to do it, and He has excused those who are unable to fast for a legitimate shar’i reason. The legitimate reasons for which one may be excused from fasting are as follows: 1 – Sickness Sickness means...

Read More

Important Lessons to be learnt from Ramadaan

Allah - the Most High - said: "The month of Ramadhan in which the Qur'an was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance of the Criterion between right and wrong. So whosoever of you sights the crescent for the month of Ramadhan, he must fast that month." [Surah al-Baqarah 2:185]. Allah's Messenger sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "lslam is built upon five: Testifying that none has the right to be worshipped except...

Read More

Spreading the Good News of Ramadaan

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allaah (saws) said: "Ramadaan has come to you - a blessed month. Allaah has made it obligatory on you to fast in it. During this month, the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the evil devils are chained. To Allaah belongs a night in it, which is better than a thousand months. Whosoever is prevented from its good, then he has been deprived." [1] The hadeeth is a glad...

Read More

What is the virtue of Taraaweeh prayers?

Praise be to Allaah. Firstly: Taraaweeh prayer is Sunnah mustahabbah (i.e., recommended) according to scholarly consensus, and comes under the heading of qiyaam al-layl (night prayers). It is supported by the evidence of the Qur’aan and Sunnah which encourages qiyaam al-layl and describes its virtues. Secondly: Praying qiyaam in Ramadaan is one of the greatest acts of worship by means of which a person can draw closer to his Lord in...

Read More