preparing for ramadaan dar us salaam. definition & wisdom linguistic meaning of saum “ صوم...
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Definition & Wisdom Linguistic Meaning of Saum “صوم”
Restrain, withhold, leave, forgo, hold back. "ن ح&م$ـ ل لر) ت, $ذ$ر& ن 2ي 7ا ص$و&م5اإ ن ي &س إ ن $و&م$ &ي ال 2م$ $ل ,ك أ $ن& ف$ل “Indeed I have
vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to (any) man. (19:26)
Islamic Meaning of Saum “صوم” 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: ,ص,م&ه$ &ي ف$ل ه&ر$ الش) ,م, &ك م ن ه د$ ش$ So whoever sights (the“ ف$م$ن&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.
When does it become Obligatory? Sighting of the Ramadaan Hilal (moon). ,ص,م&ه$ &ي ف$ل ه&ر$ الش) ,م, &ك م ن ه د$ ش$ ف$م$ن&
“So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it” (2:185)
No calculations Sighting applies to the human eye or other tools (telescope, airplane etc)
Completion of Sha’baan up to 30 days.
Ruling Cont. The Period (Time) of the Fast
� ر� ج� ف� ج ا ف� ر� ر ف� ج� ف�� ج� ا ر� ج� ف� ج ا ف� ر� ض� ف� ج� ف�� ج� ا ض� ج� ف� ج ا ض� ض� ف ف� ف�� �ف �ف �ف ى� �� ف ف! ض��ا ف� ج" ف#ا ض$�ا ض% ر& ف# ج� $� ف ا � ف ر'ا ف) ا ف� ص* ا ا � ض�, ر- ف�ا �� ف ض. “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 where the days are extra long: 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 where there is no real night or day:
Calculate the length of fast by reviewing schedule of closest nations.
Conditions Intention
Sincerity, done to please Allah and to act upon the Sunnah.
Forgo specific things that invalidate the fast Food, drink, intimacy
Specific Time From Fajr to Maghrib
Specific Person 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
ف/ � ض0 �� ف ف- ج� ض� $� ف ف1 ف ج� ض� ر$ �ج ف2 ج� ر� ف� � ر3 � ف ا � ف$ ف4 ف5 �ر ض% ا ف, ف% ض) ا ف� ص* ا ض� ض� ج� ف$ ف4 ف5 �ر ض% ا � ض6 ف� آا ف� � ر3 � ف ا ا ف8 �ض� ف�ا ا �ف “O 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) The most beloved fasting to Allah was the fasting of (the Prophet) David,
who used to fast alternate days . (Bukhari)
Day of ‘Aashoora (10th of Muharram) Musa (alayhi salaam) fasted on this day when Muslims of Bani Isra’eel
were delivered.
Ancient Egyptians 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.
Chinese Would fast several days when troubles came in their lives.
Tibetans 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.
Christians Jesus (alayhi salaam) fasted for 40 days. Staying away from eating anything animate. Fasting on Certain holidays.
Muslims Fasts made obligatory in 2 AH. Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam fasted for 9 Ramadaans.
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 A chance to battle your desires and discipline yourself.
An opportunity to purify your soul. A chance to bridle your tongue:
Vain talk, Complaining, Character assassination, Dishonor, Curse, Backbiting, Rumor mongering, Foul language, Lying, False testimony
An opportunity to overcome sins and subjugate temptation: 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 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 Develop stellar moral conduct:
Righteousness, taqwa, excellence, hard work, cooperation, concern/care for others, love, patience, self-auditing, taubah.
Helps to achieve a sense of inner peace: 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)
ر/ � ض0 -� ف ا ف9 ج� ض� ض�� ف: ا ف; ف�ا ف# ة> ف< ر! ا ف# ة? �� ف ض�ا ج� ض� �ض �� ف ض�ا ر@ ر3 Aى Bف ف�/ ر'ا ف# “And 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.
Generates good health
The Month Ramadaan 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 � فBا ض�� ف� ج0 ف- فEا ف9 Fر $� ف ا ض ض<# ض! Gف ج$ ف/ ر- ض�0 �� ف �ف ج� ض8 $� ف ف1 ف Hر ف�6ا ر$ Fر ر- ف�ا آا Fض $� ف ا ض� ص� �ف �ض Gف ر Iى ف3 ف% “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)
� فBا ض<# �ف ج1 ف- فEا ف9 Fر $� ف ا ض ض<# ض! Gف ج$ ف/ ر- ض,� ر ف�Kا ا ض� Bض Gف Lر Aى ف ض�ا# ف9 Fر $� ف ا ف ض<# ض! ف�< ف1 �ف �ف ج� ف� ف# “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 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.
$ص,م&ه, &ي ف$ل ه&ر$ الش) ,م, &ك م ن ه د$ ش$ So whoever sights (the new moon of) the“ ف$م$ن&month, let him fast 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
الد2ين$ $ه, ل م,خ&ل ص ين$ )ه$ الل ,د,وا $ع&ب ل ي إ ال) وا ,م ر, أ And they were not commanded“و$م$اexcept to worship Allah, (being) sincere to Him in religion.” (98:5)
“Surely all actions are but driven by intentions and verily, every man shall have but that which he intended.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Abstaining from acts that break the fast Intentional eating and drinking, intimacy, self-gratification, things
classified with food, cupping, intentional vomiting, indisposed women, post child birth.
The Time Period: From the real fajr to the sunset &ف$ج&ر س&و$د م ن$ال
$ األ& &ط &خ$ي $ض,م ن$ال &ي $ب &ط,األ& &خ$ي ,م,ال $ك ل )ن$ $ي $ب $ت )ى"ي ,واح$ت ,واو$اش&ر$ب ,ل &ل و$ك )ي الل إ ل$ى $ام$ الص2ي ت م�وا$ أ ,م) ث “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.
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
Actions that Void the Fast 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 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
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
___
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
The Etiquettes of Fasting 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
No lying, backbiting, rumor mongering, gossip, cheating, scheming, treachery, betrayal, trickery, do not bear false testimony.
Recommended and Encouraged 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
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
$ق&و$اه,م ت $اه,م& و$آت ه,د5ى اد$ه,م& ز$ $د$و&ا اه&ت )ذ ين$ و$ال “And those who are guided—He increases them in guidance and gives them
their righteousness.” (47:17)
إ يم$ان ه م& م$ع$ 5ا إ يم$ان د$اد,وا $ز& ل ي &م,ؤ&م ن ين$ ال ق,ل,وب ف ي $ة$ ك ين الس) ل$ &ز$ $ن أ )ذ ي ال ه,و$“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.
One can pray: 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 39, 41, 47 Laylatul Qadr and last ten nights
Merits of Laylatul Qadr: 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 I’tikaaf
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