Reward of Fasting (Hadith Qudsi Prophet Muhammad ﷺ)

Intermittent fasting has become a modern trend to keep oneself in shape and healthy - an act purely on a medical basis and physical fitness. But fasting purely to please Allah has altogether a different dimension. Fasting for Allah means abstaining from every Halal thing during the duration of the fasting period, not for personal fitness and health reasons, but only to please Allah. 

Saum / fasting assumes an important place in the five-founding pillar of Islam:

• Profession of Faith (shahada). The belief that "There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God" is central to Islam
• Prayer (salat). Muslims pray facing Mecca five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and after dark
• Zakat (Obligatory Charity)
• Sawm صَوْم (Fasting) 
• Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Sawm is directly stated in the Quran saying: “Eat and drink until the whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the blackness of the night at dawn, then complete the fast till night…”. The fast occurs from dawn to sunset each day during which time believers are expected to prohibit themselves from any food, drink, sexual intercourse, or smoking. However, after sunset and before dawn, individuals can participate in any of the actions previously stated as they desire.

Since one abstains from Halal things purely to please Allah, Allah has Himself promised that the reward of fasting will be awarded by Him, mainly for this reason that a believer abstains from otherwise Halal things, though still accessible to him, for Allah. Therefore, when we fast, we must make sure that we do it to please Allah and not as a show off to appear pious in the eyes of others. 

This importance of fasting and its reward by Allah has been mentioned as * Hadith Qudsi in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī  (Book 30 Fasting (Al-Adab) كتاب الصوم / Chapter 9: Should one say, "I am observing Saum (fast)" on being abused? باب هَلْ يَقُولُ إِنِّي صَائِمٌ إِذَا شُتِمَِ) as Hadith 1904 (Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi متفق عليه - (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

* Hadith Qudsi is a narration from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which is supposed to be from Allah (SWT) in its meanings and from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) in its wordings. Hadith Qudsi is not like Qur'an because the whole Qur'an is absolutely authentic and every letter in Qur'an is from Allah the Glorious in the meaning and the words, while Hadith Qudsi is a narration which must be authentic and if it is proves authentic, then the meanings is from Allah but the wordings is from Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Narrated Abu Huraira:

حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُوسَى، أَخْبَرَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَطَاءٌ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ الزَّيَّاتِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ قَالَ اللَّهُ كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ إِلاَّ الصِّيَامَ، فَإِنَّهُ لِي، وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ‏.‏ وَالصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ، وَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ، فَلاَ يَرْفُثْ وَلاَ يَصْخَبْ، فَإِنْ سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ، أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ إِنِّي امْرُؤٌ صَائِمٌ‏.‏ وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ، لِلصَّائِمِ فَرْحَتَانِ يَفْرَحُهُمَا إِذَا أَفْطَرَ فَرِحَ، وَإِذَا لَقِيَ رَبَّهُ فَرِحَ بِصَوْمِهِ ‏"‏‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, 'All the deeds of Adam's sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.' Fasting is a shield or protection from fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relations with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, 'I am fasting.' By Him in Whose Hands my soul is' The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting."

Let us fast to please Allah alone for we will be rewarded exclusively by Allah on the Day of Resurrection.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.  

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Importance of Month of Muharram and Fasting on Day of Ashura

The new Islamic year 1442 has since commenced with the dawn of the 1st of Muharram " ٱلْمُحَرَّم ". This month is considered sacred for many reasons, specially the fasting of the 10th of Muharram.

The 10th of Muharram, known as Ashura, has special significance in the Jewish religion for Ashura marks the day that Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him)  and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh by God creating a path in the Sea, and is the Islamic equivalent to Yom Kippur. In Islam, Ashura follows the traditions of Judaism as Jewish people with a day day of fasting - commemorating the parting of the Red Sea for Moses and his followers to escape Pharaoh. In fact when Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (ﷺ) migrated to Medina from Makkah, and saw Jews fasting on 10th of Muharram for it was dedicated to the one of the earliest prophets of Allah, he also asked his companions to follow the suit to carry on the tradition of Jews, considered brothers following the same Divine religion as do the Muslims. However it must be understood that unlike obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, the fast of Ashura was made non-compulsory.

The month of Muharram, specially the Day of Ashura is of special significance to Shia Muslims in particular and rest of the Muslims in general for it was the day when Imam Hussain Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the third Imam of the Shia community, was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD.

In order to understand the importance of the month of Muharram and fasting on the day of Ashura, please watch an enlightening video below on the subject by Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, an Islamic televangelist and Islamic preacher. He is the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation. He is also the founder of the Peace TV:

For more Q &A about understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam: Frequently Asked Q & A.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

May Allah show us the right path so that we do not go astray due to what man has interpreted verses of religious scriptures to suit their own religions and faith. Aameen.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Step by Step Guide to Fasting in Ramadan

Alhamdolillah, the month of Ramadan has finally come for those newly reverted brothers and sisters who will be experiencing their first Ramadan of their lives. It is indeed  great blessing of Allah that you will be fasting for the first time in your lives as Muslims. May Allah accept your fasts / saum (Arabic of fasting) and all your supplications you make this month and hereafter. Aameen.

Remember, fasting is mandatory for male and female who are health, is sane and pubescent.

Although, by now you would acquainted yourselves with the procedure to fast, let us here give you a step by step guide of how to go about fasting during this most sacred month of Islamic calendar. 

Allah has commanded us to fast during the month of Ramadan in verse 183 of Surah ii Al Baqarah:

يٰٓـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا كُتِبَ عَلَيۡکُمُ الصِّيَامُ کَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِيۡنَ مِنۡ قَبۡلِکُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُوۡنَۙ‏ 

“Believers! Fasting is enjoined upon you, as it was enjoined upon those before you, that you become God-fearing.” [2:183]

Fasting is obligatory for all healthy adult male and female:

اَيَّامًا مَّعۡدُوۡدٰتٍؕ فَمَنۡ كَانَ مِنۡكُمۡ مَّرِيۡضًا اَوۡ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنۡ اَيَّامٍ اُخَرَ​ؕ وَعَلَى الَّذِيۡنَ يُطِيۡقُوۡنَهٗ فِدۡيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسۡكِيۡنٍؕ فَمَنۡ تَطَوَّعَ خَيۡرًا فَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ لَّهٗ ؕ وَاَنۡ تَصُوۡمُوۡا خَيۡرٌ لَّـکُمۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ‏ 

"Fasting is for a fixed number of days, and if one of you be sick, or if one of you be on a journey, you will fast the same number of other days later on. For those who are capable of fasting (but still do not fast) there is a redemption: feeding a needy man for each day missed. Whoever voluntarily does more good than is required, will find it better for him;and that you should fast is better for you, if you only know." (2:184) 

However there are special instructions for the women:

Those under Menstruation & Post-Natal bleeding: If the period begins before sunset, the woman’s fast is invalidated and she has to make up that day later when she is clean. During the rest of her period she cannot fast. If she becomes pure before Fajr then she should fast, even if she does not bathe until after the time of Fajr starts. All the missed days have to be made up after Ramadan. 

Both nursing and pregnant women are required to fast in Ramadan. You should not fast if you fear harm for yourself or your child, or if it is too physically difficult.All the missed days have to be made up after Ramadan . On the other hand, if fasting does not result in hardship or harm, then a pregnant or nursing mother must fast.

So when the moon for first of Ramadan is sighted after the month of Rajab, the believers are ordained to fast from the coming morning. So  intend in your heart the night before that you will fast the next day based on what the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: There is no fast for the person who did not intend to fast from the night before.” (An-Nasa’i).

Taraweeh Prayers: One of the four hallmarks of Ramadan besides fasting, the Night better than a thousand night and Aitikaf is Taraweeh Prayers which are often offered after the obligatory cycles of the Isha prayer. Please read more about Taraweeh Prayers in one our earlier posts: Taraweeh Prayers - Salāt al-Tarāwīḥ

Sehr / Suhoor - The Pre-Dawn Meal specific to Ramadan: after performing your prayers, one may go to sleep but get up much more than the time for the Fajr / Pre Dawn prayer for one of the recommended ritual of Sehr / Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal specific to Ramadan. Since one has to remain without food and water, therefore one must take a adequate meal before the time for Fajr prayer commences. If you have exact time of Fajr prayer available, even then it is recommended to stop eating a few minutes before that time to be the safe side. However, if you sleep over the Fajr time and could not get up for this pre-dawn meal, and wake up after sunrise, you must fast for the remainder of the day, and the fast is still valid.

 وَكُلُوۡا وَاشۡرَبُوۡا حَتّٰى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَـكُمُ الۡخَـيۡطُ الۡاَبۡيَضُ مِنَ الۡخَـيۡطِ الۡاَسۡوَدِ مِنَ الۡفَجۡرِ​ؕ

"and eat and drink at night until you can discern the white streak of dawn against the blackness of the night" (2:187)

In this connection, too, there was a misapprehension at first. Some thought that eating and drinking were absolutely prohibited after the performance of the 'Isha' (Night) Prayer. Others thought that one could eat and drink so long as one had not fallen asleep, but that if one had it was not permissible to eat on reawakening. These were people's own fancies and often caused great inconvenience. This verse seeks to remove all such misconceptions. It clearly lays down the duration of the fast: from dawn until sunset. Between sunset and dawn it is permissible to eat, to drink, and to indulge in the legitimate gratification of sexual desires.

At the same time the Prophet introduced the pre-fasting repast, recommending a good meal just before dawn.

In fixing the time of obligatory rites, Islam has been mindful that these timings should be so clear and simple that people, at all stages of development, should be able to follow them. This is why Islam bases its timing on conspicuous natural phenomena and not on the clock.

Some people object that this principle of timing is untenable in areas close to the poles, where night and day each last for about six months. This objection is based on a very superficial knowledge of geography. In point of fact neither day nor night lasts for six months in those areas - not in the sense in which people living near the Equator conceive of night and day. The signs of morning and evening appear at the poles with unfailing regularity and it is on this basis that people time their sleeping and waking, their professional work, their play and recreation. Even in the days before watches were common, the people of countries like Finland, Norway and Greenland used to fix the hours of the day and night by means of various signs that appeared on the horizon. Just as those signs helped them to determine their schedules in other matters, so they should enable them to time their various Prayers, the pre-fast meal and the breaking of the fast.

Some people have adopted an attitude of extreme caution with regard to the time of both the end and start of fasting. The Law has not fixed these schedules with rigid precision. If a person wakes up just at the crack of dawn it is proper for him to eat and drink hastily. According to a Tradition the Prophet said: 'If anyone of you hears the call for [the morning] Prayer while he is eating he should not stop immediately, but should finish eating to the extent of his bare need.' (Abu Da'ud. Siyam', 14 - Ed.) 

After one has stopped eating, he must make the intention of keeping the fast by saying
:

 وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ

(Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan)

I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan

The Prophet of Allah has recommended the eating of pre-dawn meal as he is quoted as saying: "Take suhoor as there is a blessing in it." He is also quoted as saying that eat even it be  simple date and a glass of water.

Thereafter, after commencement of the Fajr prayer time, your fast begins and will continue to be in place till the sunset next evening that is up to the Maghrab prayer.

Now the test commences from the pre-dawn prayer (Fajr) till the Maghrab prayer for those who are fasting. Here is a list of things that you are not allowed to do during the time under fasting:

• No drinking or eating during the day. This also includes taking any oral medicines.
• Smoking, prohibited at all times, also invalidates the fast.
• If one by mistake eats and drinks, he should immediately repent, but continue to fast. The fast will be valid. The Prophet of Mercy, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:If he forgets, and eats and drinks, then let him complete his fast, for Allah has fed him and given him to drink.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
• One has to abstain from marital relations with one's spouse during the fast time, whether one ejaculates or not, for it invalidates the fast However There are no restrictions at night.
• By extension, masturbation also invalidates fasting.
• Self-induced vomiting ruins the fast as the Prophet said:Whoever vomits unintentionally does not have to make up the fast later, but whoever vomits on purpose does have to make up the fast.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

Breaking the Fast: Finally the time comes for breaking the fast. Fourth, the time for Maghrib or evening sunset prayer begins when the sun sets. That’s also when you ‘break’ your fast and can resume eating and drinking. This meal is called ‘iftar’.  

'Complete your fasting until night sets in' means that the time of fasting ends with nightfall, i.e. sunset marks the breaking of the fast. The precise time of the end of the pre-dawn repast is when a lean strip of aurora appears at the eastern end of the horizon and begins to grow. The time to break one's fast starts when the darkness of night seems to have begun to appear over the eastern horizon.

One need not wait for the light of day to disappear fully before breaking the fast. The Prophet, for instance, used to ask Bilal to bring him something to drink as soon as the sun had set. Bilal expressed his astonishment, pointing out that the light of day could still be observed. To this the Prophet replied that the time of fasting came to an end when the darkness of night began to rise from the east.

Before breaking the fast one must say:

 اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ وَعَليْكَ تَوَكّلتُ وَ عَلى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ

(Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa alayka tawakkaltu wa ala rizq-ika-aftartu)

O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You and I put my trust in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance

The Prophet would first break his fast, even if only with a sip of water, and then pray the dusk or Maghrib prayer. You are totally free to have your dinner at this time or later,however, you should not miss the Maghrib prayer because you are busy eating!

And from here on, the cycle repeats till the month of Ramadan comes to en end with the siting of the moon of Shawal, the first of which shall be celebrated as Eid ul Fitr.

There are yet two other hallmarks of Ramadan left: The Night better than Thousand Nights and the Aitikaf, that fall during the last ten days of the Ramadan. We shall write about Aitikaf when the last ten days of month of Ramadan near, while you may click on the link to know more about the Night better than Thousand Nights, a unique night that falls once in a year during this sacred month..

May Allah help us to understand the simple and most practical religion of all - Islam and allow us to take advantage of the month of Ramadan and concessions given to us in fasting when traveling or being sick. Aameen.

To know more about fasting and importance of month of Ramadan, please consult our reference page: Ramadan - A month of fasting and Blessings. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

May Allah show us the right path so that we do not go astray due to what man has interpreted verses of religious scriptures to suit their own religions and faith. Aameen.

Photo | Reference: Surah ii Al Baqarah

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Ramadan 1441 AH / 2020 - Fasting In Different Times

Alhamdolillah, Ramadan 1441 AH / 2020 is here and most of the Muslims will start to fast from Friday tomorrow while more will commence fasting on Saturday due to sighting of moon. It is the sacred month in which the Holy Qur'an was revealed and it is the month in which fasting has been prescribed for the Muslims.

For many reverts, this may be their first Ramadan and I wish them to be lucky to be experiencing their exposure to a month full of blessings and bounties.

However, this year, we are observing this sacred month in a very different time when almost the entire world is plagued by the deadly Corona Virus, which has taken a heavy toll of human lives and so far over 100,000 thousand have perished while over two million are still under the grip of this virus. Due to this virus, many rituals specific to this holy month will not be there and those newly reverted Muslims will not have a chance to see their first Ramadan being observed with full religious zeal and fervour,like:

The regular prayers and specially the Taraweh prayers may not be held in the masques for the fear of contraction of virus and holding of prayers as during this month, mosques are generally jam packed as every Muslim wants to collect as many blessings of Allah. Unfortunately, the Masjid al Haram, the Khan e Ka'bah in Makkah will be empty which is otherwise jam packed during the month of Ramadan as Muslims from all over the world come here to observe fasts right in the Home of Allah. May Allah take away this pandemic from us and let us be flock the mosques once again. Aameen.

The joint Iftar on streets of Muslim countries will be missing. Even in Makkah and Medina where the locals take it as an honour to have fast of others opened by bring from home lavish food and drinks for those fasting. 

Likewise the joint arrangements at the time of Sehr / Sahoor, the time to eat to keep the fast in the pre morning will be missed out too. 

But times would change, In Sha Allah, and we hope to see the next Ramadan without coonavirus and hope to revive our age old traditions specific to Ramadan.

Coming back to the month of Ramadan and observing of the fasts. Herein under are the references from the Holy Qur'an and excerpts from Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding the observance of fasts:

The three consecutive verses of Surah al Baqarah, Chapter 2, verses 183-185 command believers to fast as it had been decreed upon people people:

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous (Al Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah: 183)

[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew. (Al Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah 2:184)

The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. (Al Qur'an Surah Al Baqarah 2:185)

The Prophet of Allah has been quoted as saying while addressing his companions on the last day of Sha`ban:

"Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

Citing the importance of the month of Ramadan, `Abdullah ibn `Amr quoted the Messenger of Allah (saw), saying: 

"The fast and the Qur'an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: 'O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.' The Qur'an will say: 'I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.' And their intercession will be accepted." [Imam Ahmad]

Sahl ibn Sa'd reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw): 

"There is a gate to Paradise that is called Ar Rayyan. On the Day of Resurrection it will say: 'Where are those who fasted?' When the last [one] has passed through the gate, it will be locked." [Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim].

Having emphasized the importance of fasting, let us see what rewards and bounties have been reserved for those who fast to please Allah:

Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving then times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.' for the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk." [Imam Bukhari]

Please watch the video below by Nouman Ali Khan Quran scholar, Islamic modernist, exegete and educationist, on the subject:

From all of us at Islam: My Ultimate Decision, a very happy Ramadan to all Muslims of the world and readers of our blog. May Allah forgive our sins this Ramadan, protect Muslims all over the world,  liberate occupied Muslim lands of Palestine and Kashmir, and bless us the countless bounties of fasting. Aameen

To know more about fasting and importance of month of Ramadan, please consult our reference page: Ramadan - A month of fasting and Blessings. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | References: | 1 | 

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Does Taking an Injection while Fasting in Ramadan Invalidates the Saum / Fast?

It is not Ramadan for it has been over just a couple of months from hence. However, at another forum, the question of taking an injection during fasting caught my attention, and I thought to find out more about the issue to clear an misconceptions related to the subject.

Most traditional religious scholars out rightly reject the concept and forbid taking of injections during the fasting hours of the Ramadan. And label it "Makrooh" or in other words "Not Desired." Therefore I thought of searching for the right answer based on technicalities involved in taking injections.

I consulted a number of sites for a definite answer and was enlightened to find the technical answer which may clear many a misconceptions on the subject. Injections are of two type: (1) injections that are taken for medical reasons (that is taking medicine), and (2) injections for nourishment in case one feels weakness and is required to boost one's energy level, specially those recovering from illness or in old age. 

So the general ruling on the subject is that:

• It is permissible for a fasting person to take medicine by injection, whether intramuscular or intravenous, during the day in Ramadan for medical reasons like taking a routine injection of insulin by the diabetics or an injection of insulin or an injection taken to relieve severe tooth or head ache. 
• But it is NOT permissible for the fasting person to be given an injection for nourishment purposes during the day in Ramadan, because that comes under the ruling on eating and drinking. 
• Since nourishment injections can be delayed for these do not directly lead to medical reasons and be taken after breaking the fast. 

In view of the above, it is permissible to administer medicine by needle into a muscle or vein or buttock to a fasting person during the day, for it will break the fast, for it is not food or drink, and it is not like eating or drinking. 

Please listen to an answer on the subject by Dr Zakir A Naik, who beside being a prominent religious scholar of the present times, is also a doctor of medicine by profession:

May Allah allow us the wisdom to interpret issues with wisdom and knowledge and may forgive us in case of wrong advice or misinterpretation. Aameen.

Author's Note: The data above has been collected from the references as given below. If any one differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Ramadan: Do we know enough?

The month of Ramadan is just about the corner - in fact a days away. But do we really know enough about this month of which Allah makes a mention ONLY Once in the Holy Qur'an?For most of the Muslims, the first thought that comes to their minds is fasting. But did Allah talk of fasting while mentioning the month of Ramadan in the Holy Qur'an?

Read this post and you may start viewing Ramadan from a different perspective !!

Well you may be amazed to know that when Allah makes a mention of month of Ramadan, He attributes having revealed the Qur'an in this month. Isn't it something incredible and amazing that Allah Himself is talking of His best reveled Book for which He chose the month of Ramadan. Which means that is the month that we should try to establish a very closer relationship with Allah and start knowing Him better than before by reading the Holy Qur'an for it is the only key to getting closer to Allah.

In Surah Al Baqarah, Verse 185 of the Quran Allah says:

شَهۡرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِىۡٓ اُنۡزِلَ فِيۡهِ الۡقُرۡاٰنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَ بَيِّنٰتٍ مِّنَ الۡهُدٰى وَالۡفُرۡقَانِۚ فَمَنۡ شَهِدَ مِنۡكُمُ الشَّهۡرَ فَلۡيَـصُمۡهُ ؕ وَمَنۡ کَانَ مَرِيۡضًا اَوۡ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنۡ اَيَّامٍ اُخَرَؕ يُرِيۡدُ اللّٰهُ بِکُمُ الۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيۡدُ بِکُمُ الۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُکۡمِلُوا الۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُکَبِّرُوا اللّٰهَ عَلٰى مَا هَدٰٮكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّکُمۡ تَشۡكُرُوۡنَ‏ 

Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down : this Book is a perfect guidance for mankind and consists of clear teachings which show the right way and are a criterion of Truth and falsehood. Therefore from now on whoever witnesses it, it is obligatory on hire to fast the whole month, but if one be ill or on a journey, he should make up for the same number by fasting on other days. Allah desires to show leniency to you and does not desire to show any hardship. "therefore this method is being shown to you so that you may complete the number of Fast days and glorify Allah for the Guidance He has shown to you and be grateful to Him.

( Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down : this Book is a perfect guidance for mankind and consists of clear teachings which show the right way and are a criterion of Truth and falsehood. Therefore from now on whoever witnesses it, it is obligatory on hire to fast the whole month, but if one be ill or on a journey, he should make up for the same number by fasting on other days.) 

It has been left to the option of the individual to observe or not to observe fasts during a journey. Some of the Companions of the Holy Prophet observed fasts and some did not when they were on a journey with him and neither raised any objection against the other. The Holy Prophet himself sometimes observed fasts on a journey and sometimes did not. Once he saw people gathered round a man who had fallen to the ground and asked what was the matter with him. He was told that he had become too weak to stand on account of observing fasts; he remarked that it was no virtue to observe fasts in such a condition.

During war time, he used to issue orders for postponing the fasts. Hadrat 'Umar has related that they did not observe fasts twice during the month of Ramadan when they went to war under the command of the Holy Prophet: on the occasion of the battle of Badr and at the conquest of Makkah. Ibn 'Umar says that on the eve of the conquest of Makkah, the Holy Prophet declared, "As we are going to tight our enemy you should postpone your fasts so that you may conserve your strength to tight." 'there is no clear injunction from the Holy Prophet for the prescription of a minimum standard of distance for postponing the fasts. His Companions also differed in practice with regard to the standard. But it is obvious that the fast may be postponed for that distance which is commonly understood to be a journey and in which one begins to feel being on a journey.

There is a difference of opinion as to whether the people of a city, which is attacked by an enemy, can postpone the fast for the sake of Jihad, inspite of being the residents. Some scholars do not allow this. But Imam Ibn Taimiyyah has maintained with strong arguments that postponement of the fast under such circumstances is permissible.  

(Allah desires to show leniency to you and does not desire to show any hardship. "therefore this method is being shown to you so that you may complete the number of Fast days and glorify Allah for the Guidance He has shown to you and be grateful to Him.)

Allah is so bountiful that He does not want to deprive His servants of the blessings of fasting. Therefore He has not confined it to the month of Ramadan but has opened another way for its completion for those who fail to complete it during this month for genuin reasons. They should make up the deficiency by observing fast on other days in order to show their gratitude for the revelation of the Qur'an during the month of Ramadan.

It is clear from this verse that fasting in Ramadan has been prescribed not only as a form of worship and a training for piety, but also to show gratitude for the great blessing of the Revelation of the Qur'an during the month of Ramadan. And the best way to show gratitude for a favour is to fulfil the object for which it was bestowed and to prepare oneself for its completion as best as one can. The object for which Allah has bestowed the Qur'an upon us is to reveal His Will so that we may fulfil it ourselves and persuade others to do the same. Fasting provides the best training for the fulfilment of this object and is both a devotion and a sign of gratitude for the favour shown in the form of the Qur'an.

Tafsir Ibn-Kathir: The Virtue of Ramadan and the Revelation of the Qur'an in it - Allah praised the month of Ramadan out of the other months by choosing it to send down the Glorious Qur'an, just as He did for all of the Divine Books He revealed to the Prophets. 

Imam Ahmad reported Wathilah bin Al-Asqa` that Allah's Messenger said: (The Suhuf (Pages) of Ibrahim were revealed during the first night of Ramadan. The Torah was revealed during the sixth night of Ramadan. The Injil was revealed during the thirteenth night of Ramadan. Allah revealed the Qur'an on the twenty-fourth night of Ramadan.)

The Obligation of Fasting Ramadan - Allah said:

(فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan, i.e., is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasting) that month.)

This Ayah requires the healthy persons who witness the beginning of the month, while residing in their land, to fast the month. This Ayah abrogated the Ayah that allows a choice of fasting or paying the Fidyah. 

When Allah ordered fasting, He again mentioned the permission for the ill person and the traveler to break the fast and to fast other days instead as compensation. Allah said:

(وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ...and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number ﴿of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasting) must be made up ( from other days.)

This Ayah indicates that ill persons who are unable to fast or fear harm by fasting, and the traveler, are all allowed to break the fast. 

When one does not fast in this case, he is obliged to fast other days instead. Allah said:

(يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you.)

This Ayah indicates that Allah allowed such persons, out of His mercy and to make matters easy for them, to break the fast when they are ill or traveling, while the fast is still obligatory on the healthy persons who are not traveling.

FASTING (rules) - Question comes: "What are some rulings concerning fasting? For instance, while traveling or on a journey or while under extreme conditions?"

The authentic Sunnah states that Allah's Messenger traveled during the month of Ramadan for the battle for Makkah. The Prophet marched until he reached the area of Kadid and then broke his fast and ordered those who were with him to do likewise. This was recorded in the Two Sahihs. Breaking the fast mentioned in this Hadith was not required, for the Companions used to go out with Allah's Messenger during the month of Ramadan, then, some of them would fast while some of them would not fast and neither category would criticize the others. If the command mentioned in the Hadith required breaking the fast, the Prophet would have criticized those who fasted. Allah's Messenger himself sometimes fasted while traveling. For instance, it is reported in the Two Sahihs that Abu Ad-Darda' said, "We once went with Allah's Messenger during Ramadan while the heat was intense. One of us would place his hand on his head because of the intense heat. Only Allah's Messenger and `Abdullah bin Rawahah were fasting at that time.''

We should state that observing the permission to break the fast while traveling is better, as Allah's Messenger said about fasting while traveling: (Those who did not fast have done good, and there is no harm for those who fasted.)

In another Hadith, the Prophet said: (Hold to Allah's permission that He has granted you.)

Some scholars say that the two actions are the same, as `A'ishah narrated that Hamzah bin `Amr Al-Aslami said, "O Messenger of Allah! I fast a lot, should I fast while traveling'' The Prophet said: (Fast if you wish or do not fast if you wish.)

This Hadith is in the Two Sahihs. It was reported that if the fast becomes difficult (while traveling), then breaking the fast is better. Jabir said that Allah's Messenger saw a man who was being shaded (by other people while traveling). The Prophet asked about him and he was told that man was fasting. The Prophet said: (It is not a part of Birr (piety) to fast while traveling.) This was recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

As for those who ignore the Sunnah and believe in their hearts that breaking the fast while traveling is disliked, they are required to break the fast and are not allowed to fast.

As for making up for missed fasting days, it is not required to be consecutive. One may do so consecutively or not consecutively. There are ample proofs to this fact. We should mention that fasting consecutive days is only required exclusively during Ramadan. After the month of Ramadan, what is required then is to merely make up for missed days. 

This is why Allah said: ( فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ . ..the same number (should be made up) from other days.)

Ramadan - Ease and not Hardship

Allah then said: (Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you.)

Imam Ahmad recorded Anas bin Malik saying that Allah's Messenger said: (Treat the people with ease and don't be hard on them; give them glad tidings and don't fill them with aversion.)

This Hadith was also collected in the Two Sahihs. It is reported in the Sahihayn that Allah's Messenger said to Mu`adh and Abu Musa when he sent them to Yemen: (Treat the people with ease and don't be hard on them; give them glad tidings and don't fill them with aversion; and love each other, and don't differ.)

The Sunan and the Musnad compilers recorded that Allah's Messenger said: (I was sent with the easy Hanifiyyah (Islamic Monotheism).)

Allah's statement: (يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ الْعِدَّةَ Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days)) means: You were allowed to break the fast while ill, while traveling, and so forth, because Allah wanted to make matters easy for you. He only commanded you to make up for missed days so that you complete the days of one month.

Remembering Allah upon performing the Acts of Worship 

Allah's statement: (وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ ...and that you must magnify Allah ﴿i.e., to say Takbir (Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great)﴾ for having guided you) means: So that you remember Allah upon finishing the act of worship. 

This is similar to Allah's statement:

(So when you have accomplished your Manasik, (rituals) remember Allah as you remember your forefathers or with far more remembrance.) (2:200) and:

(...Then when the (Jumu`ah) Salah (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the bounty of Allah (by working), and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.) (62:10) and:

(...and glorify the praises of your Lord, before the rising of the sun and before (its) setting. And during a part of the night, glorify His praises, and after the prayers.) (50:39, 40)

This is why the Sunnah encouraged Tasbih (saying Subhan Allah, i.e., all praise is due to Allah), Tahmid (saying Al-Hamdu Lillah, i.e., all the thanks are due to Allah) and Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar, i.e., Allah is the Most Great) after the compulsory prayers. Ibn `Abbas said, "We used to know that Allah's Messenger has finished the prayer by the Takbir.'' 

Similarly, several scholars have stated that reciting Takbir the during `Id-ul-Fitr was specified by the Ayah that states: ((He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah ﴿i.e., to say Takbir (Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great)﴾ for having guided you...) 

Allah's statement: (وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ...so that you may be grateful to Him.) means: If you adhere to what Allah commanded you, obeying Him by performing the obligations, abandoning the prohibitions and abiding by the set limits, then perhaps you will be among the grateful.

Yusuf Ali  Explanation: The regulations are again and again coupled with an insistence on two things: (a) the facilities and concessions given, and (b) the spiritual significance of the fast, without which it is like an empty shell without a kernel. If we relise this, we shall look upon Ramadhan, not as a burden, but as a blessing, and shall be duly grateful for the lead given to us in this matter.

Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs:

(The month of Ramadan is) the month in (which was revealed the Qur'an) whereupon Gabriel brought down the entire Qur'an to the first heaven, dictated it to the scribes among the angels (al-safarah) and then took it down to Muhammad (pbuh) day after day, sometimes revealing to him just one, two or three verses and sometimes an entire surah, (a guidance for mankind) the Qur'an elucidates error to people, (and clear proofs of the guidance) in the matter of Religion, (and the Criterion (of right and wrong)) the lawful and the unlawful, the legal rulings, legal punishments and the steering away from doubtful matters. (And whoever of you is present) in settled areas and not travelling, (let him fast the month. And whoever of you is sick) during the month of Ramadan (or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of days) at another time. (Allah desireth for your ease) He desires for you the dispensation of breaking the fast while on a journey; it is also said that this means: Allah wants you to break the fast when travelling; (He desireth not hardship for you) He does not desire for you the hardship of fasting while travelling; (and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period) that you should fast when you are back in your settlement the same number of days of fast you broke during your travel, (and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you) as He guided you to His religion and legal dispensation, (and that peradventure ye may be thankful) so that you be thankful for His giving you this dispensation.

Tafsir Al-Qushairi:

The month of RamaḌān in which the QurÌān was revealed a guidance for the people and as clear proofs of the guidance and the criterion; So let those of you who are present [at his home] at the month fast it and if any of you be sick or if he be on a journey then a number of other days. RamaḌān burns yurmiḌu the sins dhunūb of some people and burns the outward characteristics rusūm of other people. What a difference between those whose sins are burned by His mercy and those whose outward characteristics are burned by His reality! 

The month of RamaḌān is the month of the opening of the [divine] speech khiṬāb the month of the revelation of the Book kitāb the month of obtaining the reward thawāb the month of drawing near and [gaining God's] approval ījāb the month of the lightening of burdens takhfīf al-kulfa the month of achieving intimacy taḥqīq al-zulfa the month of descending mercy nuzūl al-raḥma the month of granting blessing wufūr al-niʿma the month of salvation najāt and the month of intimate conversation munājāt. God desires ease for you and desires not hardship for you Part of His desiring ease for you is knowing that He desires ease for you. Among the signs that He desires ease for His servant is that He has brought about the search for ease for if [God] had not desired ease for [His servant] He would not have placed a desire for it in him. The one who spoke for them said: If You had not wanted me to obtain that for which I hope and seek from Your generosity You would not have taught me to seek. [God] made hope [for ease] appropriate and confirmed the longing [for it]. He enjoined this inasmuch as He said “and He desires not hardship for you.” This was to negate the possibilities of other ways of thinking leaving the true sense clearly spelled out. and that you fulfill the number According to the language of scholars lisān al-ʿilm [it is] that you fulfill the number [of days] of the fast. According to the language of allusion lisān al-ishāra [it is] “that in the happiness of the present moment ṣafāÌ al-ḥāl you should be aware of the fulfillment of the end wafāÌ al-maÌāl.” and magnify God for having guided you and that you might be thankful [Thankful] in the final breath and that you might leave the numbered [days] of your life in the security salāma of your faith. [God's] granting of success tawfīq in completing the fast of the month is immensely important but it is even greater to have your life sealed with felicity.

So when the month of Ramadan comes, we should think of and in fact start getting ready to knowing Allah better for it is that scared month in which Allah revealed His Divine scripture in the form of the Holy Qur'an to the last of the prophets, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Remember Qur'an is the key to the guidance, and guidance for the entire humanity, not only Muslims. So whoever seeks guidance from the Holy Qur'an shall be blessed, In Sha Allah (Allah willing).

So this Ramadan, let us recite the Holy Qur'an as if we are doing it for the first time in our lives. Let us read and understand it better than before  for it is better understanding of what is contained in the Qur'an that Allah wants us to know so that we start to know Him better than before.

And when we start knowing Allah better, the many secrets of life will start to unfold on to us - and then we would know that fasting is something that Allah desires us to observe "in this month" for it is one of the tools knowing Allah better than anything else. The self deprivation of many bounties and blessings of Allah only to please Allah should be our aim and not to show to the world that we are fasting. In fact there should come no change in our daily routine which should exhibit to others that we are fasting, for we observe fast or saum as it is called in Arabic to please Allah and no one else.

To know more about fasting and importance of month of Ramadan, please consult our reference page: Ramadan - A month of fasting and Blessings. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

You may like to listen to eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan on "Why Fast":

Photo | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

A Night Better Than a Thousand Months

The month of Ramadan is the blessed gift of Allah to the Muslims for those who fast and pray and give charity during this month are one of the most blessed. Any worship or prayers in this month have far greater reward than the same effort during the remaining eleven months of the year.

However still more, there is a night in the odd days of the last ten days of month of Ramadan, which the Allah Almighty says it is "The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months." (Al Qur'an 30: 97-3). Thus anyone who finds himself in the month of Ramadan and is lucky to find this night of utmost blessings, honour and destiny will find oneself among the most blessed of the subjects.

This blessed night in the 30th chapter of Quran is called "Laylat Al Qadr" - that is the night of Honour (Qadr) or the night of Destiny, Power, Decree,  or Measure. Thus it is the night when angels descend to the earth and convey the prayers of worshipers which are are answered by the Allah and all their sins are quashed and them included in the blessed of the blessed.

This blessed night or the night of decree is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an (30: 97 1-5) as under:

Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree.

And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?

The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.

The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter.

Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had stressed the importance of this night in many of his advice to his companions and said: "Anyone who finds this night in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan is sure to have been blessed and forgiven of his sins provided he prays as hard as he could to ask forgiveness of his sins."

As per various sources, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would not only himself remain awake the entire odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan but would also urge his family to do so lest they miss the chances of being forgiven of their sins.

So each Muslim must endeavour to pray as much as one can and ask for forgiveness of one's sins during the odd nights of last ten days of the Ramadan. May be he is lucky to be praying when The Night of Decree or the Laylat Al Qadr falls. It may be mentioned that the exact day of the night is not mentioned in the Holy Qur'an. Thus the worshipers should not let go of this life time opportunity by praying constantly in the odd days. Who knows one may not live to find this night the next year or not !!

An Imam of Haram Makkah gives some very practical advice  Ideas for the last ten days of Ramadan   (1). Give one Riyal in charity every night of last ten days of Ramadan, so if it falls on lailatul qadar it's as if you gave charity everyday for 84 years.  (2). Pray two ra'kaat every night, so if it falls on lailatul qadar it's as if u prayed everyday for 84 years.  (3). Read Surah ikhlaas three times a night, so if it falls on lailatul qadar it's as if u read the whole Quran everyday for 84 years.  He then says spread this as you may find it on your account of good deeds  Allah make us of the victorious. In sha Allah Ameen. 

To know more about fasting and importance of month of Ramadan, please consult our reference page: Ramadan - A month of fasting and Blessings. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Now you may listen to heart warming commentary of the surah by learned scholar Nouman Ali Khan:

Photo
If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook
Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Ramadan Mubarak

May the 17th 2018 marks the beginning of the First of Ramadan, 1439 of the Islamic calendar and the beginning of the 30 days long month of fasting for the Muslims all over the world. We extend our heartiest congratulations to all Muslims who by virtue of fasting during this holy month will not only perform an obligatory and important of five pillars of Islam, but will be blessed with countless bounties from the Allah Almighty as a reward for abstaining from food and drinks and marital relations from dawn to dusk.

While fasting is obligatory on able bodied and healthy Muslims, be men or women, Allah does not intend to overburden those who do not have the power to fast or are in travel:

“But if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up from other days” {Qur'an, Surat al-Baqarah 2: Verse 184} 

“And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person for every day” {Qur'an, Surat al-Baqarah 2: Verse 184}

And yet: Lo! Muslim men and women (who submit to Allah), and men who believe and women who believe, and men who obey and women who obey, and men who speak the truth and women who speak the truth, and men who persevere (in righteousness) and women who persevere, and men who are humble and women who are humble, and men who give alms and women who give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their modesty and women who guard (their modesty), and men who remember Allah much and women who remember - Allah hath prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward. (Qur'an, Surah Al Ahzab 33:35)

During this blessed month, one must find time and devote it to learning Islam better and strengthening one''s faith. Some of the activities devout Muslims recommend are as under:

• Remembering of Allah during daily chores like driving, walking, cooking or working.
• Recite or listen to Qur’an recitation and read explanation. 
• Listen to lectures of renowned scholars by attending specially arranged sittings during the month of Ramadan.
• Pray taraweeh, speciall Ramdan prayers in the masjids after the night prayers
• Try to be nice, pleasing, kind and generous during this month. However, this does not mean after this month is over, one should become disrespectful and discourteous. In fact this month teaches us restraint from evil and urge us to inculcate into our souls for the remaining part of our lives.
• Make arrangements for opening of fast of the poor by arranging rations and cooked food for th needy.
• Offer special prayers and dua for the parents, friends, and relatives who are no more for their forgiveness.
• Those who can write, must write about beauty and truth of Islam so that even Non Muslims read the best of Islam and draw healthy inferences.

May Allah’s immaculate grace and exceptional wisdom conquer lives of all Muslims as we celebrate this holy month of Ramadan. Have a blessed and peaceful Ramadan!

To know more about fasting and importance of month of Ramadan, please consult our reference page: Ramadan - A month of fasting and Blessings. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo
If you like The Enlightened Path, follow us on Facebook

Read More