Transcript Ramadan Workshop - Dar-us-Salaam / Al

Preparing for Ramadaan
Dar us Salaam
Definition & Wisdom
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Linguistic Meaning of Saum “‫”صوم‬
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Islamic Meaning of Saum “‫”صوم‬
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Restrain, withhold, leave, forgo, hold back.
ُ ْ‫“ إِ ِّني َن َذر‬Indeed I have vowed to the
‫ص ْومًا َفلَنْ أ ُ َكلِّ َم ْال َي ْو َم إِ ْنسِ ًيا‬
َ ‫ت لِلرَّ حْ َم ٰـ ِن‬
Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to (any) man.
(19:26)
A form of worshipping Allah where one withholds from food, drink,
intimacy and other nullifiers from fajr to sunset.
Wisdom behind Fasting
Status & History
 Status
 One
of the 5 pillars.
 History
 Fasting
was made obligatory in the second year after the
Hijrah (migration from Makkah to Madinah)
 At first, fasting was a choice, one could either fast or feed
but then fasting was ordained by Allah as obligatory.
 The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam fasted 9
Ramadaans.
Ruling

Ruling
From the Qur’an: ‫“ َف َمنْ َش ِهدَ ِم ْن ُك ُم ال َّشه َْر َف ْل َيصُمْ ُه‬So whoever sights (the new moon
of) the month, let him fast it” (2:185)
 From the Sunnah: The Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said,
"Observe Saum (fast) on sighting the crescent and terminate it on sighting it
(the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy before you, then complete the
number (thirty days) of the month.'‘ (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
 Consensus of the Ummah: it is obligatory to fast, and whoever rejects this,
they have committed an act of kufr.
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When does it become Obligatory?

Sighting of the Ramadaan Hilal (moon). ‫ص ْم ُه‬
ُ ‫“ َف َمنْ َش ِه َد ِم ْن ُك ُم ال َّشه َْر َف ْل َي‬So whoever
sights (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it” (2:185)
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No calculations
Sighting applies to the human eye or other tools (telescope, airplane etc)
Completion of Sha’baan up to 30 days.
Ruling Cont.
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The Period (Time) of the Fast
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ُ ‫ص َيا َم إِلَى اللَّي ِْل َو ُكلُوا َوا ْش َربُوا َح َّت ٰى َي َت َبي ََّن لَ ُك ُم ْال َخي‬
ِّ ‫ُث َّم أَ ِتمُّوا ال‬
ۖ ‫ْط ْاْلَ ْب َيضُ م َِن ْال َخ ْيطِ ْاْلَسْ َو ِد م َِن ْال ََْْ ِر‬
“And
eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct
to you from the black thread (of night). Then complete the fast until
the night (sunset). (2:187)
 Places
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One should fast no matter how long or short the day is.
If one is unable to fast, he may break the fast and make-up on
another day.
 Places
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where the days are extra long:
where there is no real night or day:
Calculate the length of fast by reviewing schedule of closest
nations.
Conditions
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Intention
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Forgo specific things that invalidate the fast
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From Fajr to Maghrib
Specific Person
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Food, drink, intimacy
Specific Time
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Sincerity, done to please Allah and to act upon the Sunnah.
Muslim, mature, same, ability, resident, not indisposed, post child
birth
Specific Pre-conditions:
Fasting in Previous Nations/Peoples

The Peoples of Tawheed, Followers of the Prophets

ِّ ‫ِب َعلَ ْي ُك ُم ال‬
‫ون‬
َ ُ‫ين ِمنْ َق ْبلِ ُك ْم لَ َعلَّ ُك ْم َت َّتق‬
َ ‫ِب َعلَى الَّ ِذ‬
َ ‫ص َيا ُم َك َما ُكت‬
َ ‫ِين آ َم ُنوا ُكت‬
َ ‫“ َيا أَ ُّي َها الَّذ‬O you who have
believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you
may become righteous” (2:183)

Fast of Dawood (alayhi salaam)

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Day of ‘Aashoora (10th of Muharram)
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Musa (alayhi salaam) fasted on this day when Muslims of Bani Isra’eel were delivered.
Ancient Egyptians
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The most beloved fasting to Allah was the fasting of (the Prophet) David, who used to
fast alternate days . (Bukhari)
To purify souls, people would fast on special holidays. Their priests would fast from one
to six weeks annually in addition to the holidays.
Greeks

People would fast to make “Gods” happy. They would fast consecutive days before
wars, leading up to the wars and to the victory.
Fasting in Previous Nations Cont.
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Chinese
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Tibetans
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Would fast several days when troubles came in their lives.
Would fast for 24 hours, non-stop. They would not consume any food nor swallow their
saliva.
Jews
Musa (alayhi salaam) fasted for 40 days.
 They would fast on sad occaisons, such as death/mourning, sickness and danger.
 Some would fast for one week consecutively.

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Christians
Jesus (alayhi salaam) fasted for 40 days.
 Staying away from eating anything animate.
 Fasting on Certain holidays.
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Muslims
Fasts made obligatory in 2 AH.
 Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam fasted for 9 Ramadaans.
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The Virtues of Fasting
Pillar of Islam
This form of Ibaadah is especially for Allah. The Messenger of
Allah sal Allahu
alayhi wa sallam said, "Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: `Every act of the son of Adam
is for him, except As-Siyam (the fasting) which is (exclusively) for Me, and I will reward him
for it.' (Bukhari and Muslim)
Private Ibaadah: it is between the servant and their Lord, there is no
possibility to show off.
Open Reward
Produces a sensitivity to Allah’s Watch, Alert to Allah – Taqwa
Fasting is a shield (Bukhari and Muslim)
Taqwa
Sweeter than musk
Double the Pleasure
Expiation for certain sins and violations
Intercessor on the day of Resurrection
Ar-Rayyan
A deed that leads to Paradise
Eliminates family, financial and neighbor problems
Other Benefits of Fasting
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A chance to battle your desires and discipline yourself.
An opportunity to purify your soul.
A chance to bridle your tongue:
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An opportunity to overcome sins and subjugate temptation:
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Cheating, betrayal, treachery, trickery, scheming, major sins, adultery, riba, bribery, stealing, taking
other’s money unjustly, revenge, spying/eavesdropping, abuse, pornography.
Strengthen our penchant to do good

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Vain talk, Complaining, Character assassination, Dishonor, Curse, Backbiting, Rumor mongering,
Foul language, Lying, False testimony
Salat, seek knowledge, listen, zakaat, charity, help others, organize programs,
teach/da’wah, tahajjud, Qur’an, du’aa, thikr.
A chance to change your life and lifestyle
Strengthen your ability to say NO! toy our runaway desires
A spiritual boot camp: You are forced to let go of the world, to be patient and
learn self-discipline.
Develop a strong will, determination: become a man/woman with a mission.
Develop stellar moral conduct.
Other Benefits Cont
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Develop stellar moral conduct:
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Helps to achieve a sense of inner peace:
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Righteousness, taqwa, excellence, hard work, cooperation, concern/care for others, love,
patience, self-auditing, taubah.
Battle between the self reproaching soul (nafs al-lawwaamah) and the evil doing soul
(nafs al ammarah bis-soo’).
Produces a sense of unity. People of different races, genders, ages, and
status.

One goal, feeling, soul, concern (taqwa)

ُ
ُ
‫ون‬
ِ ُ‫“ َوإِنَّ َه ٰـ ِذ ِه أ َّم ُت ُك ْم أم ًَّة َوا ِح َد ًة َوأَ َنا َر ُّب ُك ْم َفا َّتق‬And indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and
I am your Lord, so fear Me” (23:52)
 Imagine the Unity when we break our fast.
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Generates good health
The Month Ramadaan
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The month in which the Qur’an was sent down
The gates of Paradise are opened
The gates of Hellfire are locked shut
The Leading devils are chained
The Night of Qadr
People are set free from the Hellfire
O Seeker of Good come forward: Reminds of
something?
Night Prayer in Ramadan
Forgiveness for previous sins
Ramadaan Evasion
Intentionally not fasting in Ramadaan

َّ ُ‫ك ُي َبيِّن‬
ۖ ‫َّللا َف ََل َت ْق َربُو َها‬
ِ َّ ‫ك ُح ُدو ُد‬
َ ‫ون ِت ْل‬
َ ُ‫اس لَ َعلَّ ُه ْم َي َّتق‬
َ ِ‫َك َ ٰذل‬
ِ ‫َّللا ُ آ َيا ِت ِه لِل َّن‬
“These are the limits of Allah, so do not approach them. Thus does Allah make clear His
verses (ordinances) to the people that they may become righteous.” (2:187)
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َّ ‫ك ُه ُم‬
ۖ ‫َّللا َف ََل َتعْ َت ُدو َها‬
ِ َّ ‫ك ُح ُدو ُد‬
ِ َّ ‫َو َمنْ َي َت َع َّد ُح ُدو َد‬
َ ‫ون ِت ْل‬
َ ‫الظالِ ُم‬
َ ‫َّللا َفأُولَ ٰـ ِئ‬
“These are the limits of Allah, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the
limits of Allah – it is those who are the wrongdoers.” (2:229)
The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, Once I was sleeping, two men came to me
and took me by my arm and brought me to a rugged mountain. They said: Climb. I said:
I’m unable (to climb). They said: (go ahead) We’ll make it easy for you. So I went up until
I reached the middle of the mountain. There I heard loud screams. I asked: What are
these voices? They said: This is the howling of the people of the Hellfire. Then they lead
me (to another place) where I was with people who were suspended by their heels. They
mouths were torn apart from the corners (of their mouths) dripping with blood. I asked:
Who are these (people)? They said: Those who broke their fasts before the proper timing
of breaking their fast. (An-Nasaa’i, ibn Hibbaan, Al Haakim)
Ramadaan Evasion
Intentionally not fasting in Ramadaan
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This is a major sin.
Punishment in an Islamic state: Imprisonment,
flogging etc.
Many scholars consider this worse than adultery or
drinking.
Some even wonder if the person is still a Muslim.
Sighting of the Hilal & Related Matters

Establishing the beginning of the month of Ramadaan and Shawwaal.
 ‫ه‬
ُ ‫ص ْم‬
ُ ‫“ َف َمنْ َش ِهدَ ِم ْن ُك ُم ال َّشه َْر َف ْل َي‬So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month, let him fast
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it” (2:185) Fasting becomes obligatory when one or both of the following happen:
 Sighting of the Hilal
 Realizing 30 days in Sha’baan or Ramadaan.
When the Hilal for Ramadaan is sighted, Ramadaan begins. When the Hilal for
Shawwaal is sighted, Ramadaan ends.
Proof: The Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Observe Saum (fast)
on sighting the crescent and terminate it on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is
cloudy before you, then complete the number (thirty days) of the month.'‘ (Al-Bukhari
and Muslim)
Beginning of Ramadaan is established by sighting of one mature, sane, able Muslim.
Beginning of Shawwaal is established by sighting of two mature, sane, able Muslims.
Calculations cannot be used.
Do not fast on the last day (i.e., 30th day) of Sha’baan if the hilal waas not seen
on the 30th night.
Global vs. Local Sighting: When the hilal is seen in one place in the world:


Should all Muslims fast? Or
Should Muslims fast according to their own local sighting?
 There is a difference of opinion in regards to global vs local
 The Shar’ee terms: ittihaad-ul-mataali vs ikhtilaaf-ul-mataali
 Majority opinion: Global sighting.
Fasting of Ramadan: Rules & Regulations
The Four Essentials Pillars of the Fast:
 Intention
‫ين‬
they were not commanded except to
َ ‫ين لَ ُه ال ِّد‬
َ ِ‫َّللا م ُْخلِص‬
َ
َ َّ ‫“و َما أُمِرُ وا إِ ََّّل لِ َيعْ ُب ُدوا‬And
worship Allah, (being) sincere to Him in religion.” (98:5)
 “Surely all actions are but driven by intentions and verily, every man shall
have but that which he intended.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

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Abstaining from acts that break the fast
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Intentional eating and drinking, intimacy, self-gratification, things classified
with food, cupping, intentional vomiting, indisposed women, post child
birth.
The Time Period: From the real fajr to the sunset
ُ ‫ص َيا َم إِلَى اللَّي ِْل َو ُكلُوا َوا ْش َربُوا َح َّت ٰى َي َت َبي ََّن لَ ُك ُم ْال َخي‬
ِّ ‫ُث َّم أَ ِتمُّوا ال‬
 ۖ ‫ِن ْال ََْْ ِر‬
َ ‫ْط ْاْلَ ْب َيضُ م َِن ْال َخ ْيطِ ْاْلَسْ َو ِد م‬
“And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you
from the black thread (of night). Then complete the fast until the night
(sunset). (2:187)

The Faster: Muslim, Mature, Sane, Able
Some Disliked Practices while Fasting
The following actions are discouraged not because of their own
demerit but because it leads to one nullifying his/her fast.
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Exaggeration in taking water into nose and mouth during wudu.
Kissing or any intimate contact.
Staring at the opposite gender.
Thinking or daydreaming about intimacy.
Chewing gum or tobacco.
Tasting food unless necessary.
Continuous fasting without food.
Swallowing sputum or saliva.
Smelling incense.
Prerequisites for the Obligation to Fast?
Islam
 Puberty/Encouragement for Youngsters
 Sanity
 Residency
 Good Health
 Void of Preventive Reasons / Women
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Actions that Void the Fast
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Complete intimacy
Intentional eating or drinking or related issues. (i.e., blood
transfusion, IV tube, nutritional supplements etc)
Intentional vomiting
The lady indisposed
Self-gratification by choice
Eating something that is not nourishing (salt)
If one has the intention, while he is fasting, to break the
fast, he in effect voids the fast even if he does not actually
eat anything
Cupping of blood (hijaama)
Blood donation
Post child birth bleeding
Actions that Void the Fast

Kaffarah: free slave or fast two
consecutive monhs or feed 60
people (each 1.24 lbs of food).
Action
Expiation
Complete Intimacy
Make up and kaffarah
Intentional
eating/drinking/related
acts.
Make up
Indisposed women
Make up
Self gratification by
choice
Make up
Cupping of blood
Make up
Post child birth bleeding
Make up
Blood donation
Make up
Who has permission not to fast?

The ease of Islam
 Difference
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between divine law and man-made law
Not shortsighted
From the Creator
Practical: not unrealistic
 Remove
discomfort:
 Ease:
 Comfortable,
gentle:
 Fear of making our deen hard for us
Who has permission not to fast?
Legitimate Excuses
1) Unintentional
eating/drinking
___
2)Travel – type:
distance; fast?; length
of stay?
Make up
3) Disabled – old age;
incurable illness; medical
excuse. Feed one person
for each fast ( 1.4 lbs of
food), one at a time or all
at once.
Fidyah
4) Sick – 3 states
Make up
5) Indisposed, fasting
prohibited
Make up
6) Post child birth –
fasting prohibited
Make up
7) Pregnant – fast if OK; if
fasting is harmful for baby
then make up and feed one
person for each day
Make up
8) Mother feeding
baby-same as above
Make up
9) Senile – no fasting
___
10) Medical injections
11) Compulsion – a)
rescue/fire, drowning,
accident, etc
b) Overcome by hunger,
thirst / dizzy, faint
c) Forced to break fast
Make up
12) Wet dream or
unintentional discharge
___
The Etiquettes of Fasting
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Eating a pre-dawn meal
Minimum meal Timing
Doubt concerning the time of fajr
Hastening in breaking the fast.
Supplications at the time of breaking the fast
Guarding against acts that are incompatible with
fasting
Using Siwaak or toothbrush
Being generous
Reciting and studying the Qur'an.
Exerting even more efforts during the last ten days
The Etiquettes of Fasting

Mandatory
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No lying, backbiting, rumor mongering, gossip, cheating, scheming,
treachery, betrayal, trickery, do not bear false testimony.
Recommended and Encouraged
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Delay suhoor, hasten iftar
Break fast with dates then water
Make duaa at breaking of fast
No vain talking, cursing
Restrain your gaze
Increase your duaa, thikr, salaat, sadaqah
Read more Qur’an daily
Reflecting on Allah’s Blessing that he/she was about to fast (gratitude)
Safeguarding one’s tongue, eyes, ears, stomach, privates, hand, feet, from sin
Provide food/drink for others to break their fast
Use miswak, or frequently clean teeth
Work harder in the last 10 days
Permissible Acts During the Fast
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Pouring water over one's self and submersing one's self in water
Applying kohl or eye-drops or anything else to the eyes.
Kissing for one who has the ability to control himself
Any type of injection
Cupping to drain blood
Rinsing the mouth and nose
Those things which one could not protect one's self from (saliva,
dust…)
May eat, drink, and perform sexual intercourse until fajr
May remain in a state janabah even after the start of Fajr time
Increasing some Specific forms of Ibaadah
Objective: To enrich our emaan
‫ِين اهْ َتدَ ْوا َزادَ ُه ْم ُه ًدى َوآ َتا ُه ْم َت ْق َواهُم‬
َ ‫َوالَّذ‬
“And those who are guided—He increases them in guidance and gives them their
righteousness.” (47:17)
‫ِين لِ َي ْزدَ ا ُدوا إِي َما ًنا َم َع إِي َمان ِِه ْم‬
ِ ‫ه َُو الَّذِي أَ ْن َز َل ال َّسكِي َن َة فِي قُلُو‬
َ ‫ب ْالم ُْؤ ِمن‬
“It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in
faith along with their (present) faith.” (48:4)

Pray Taraweeh prayers: at least 8 or 10 then witr.

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One can pray: 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 39, 41, 47
Laylatul Qadr and last ten nights

Merits of Laylatul Qadr:
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Qur’an revealed on night of Qadr
Better than 1000 months of worship
Descent of angels
Night of Peace
A complete surah dedicated to it
Night of prayer, duaa, Qur’an and thikr
Increasing some Specific forms of Ibaadah
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I’tikaaf
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During the last ten nights
Devote yourself to more ibaadah –i.e., Qur’an, salaat, reflection, duaa, thikr
No intimacy
Cannot leave masjid unless necessary
No tasks outside masjid (i.e., janaazah, job etc)
Cannot leave tent and linens in the masjid
Extra sadaqah in Ramadaan
Read more Qur’an
Zakaatul Fitr
 What is the ruling on one who eats, drinks,
or has intercourse, thinking that the sun has
set or that fajr has not occurred?
 What about forgetfulness?
 What about Making Up Missed Days of
Ramadan?