24 Lessons In Fasting

FASTING Osaid Al-Houtary

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............................................................................... 6 Fasting of the Predecessors ...................................... 6 ............................................................................... 7 Definition of Fasting.................................................. 7 LESSON 3............................................................................... 8 The Elements of the Fasting ..................................... 8 LESSON 4............................................................................. 10 The Various Kinds of Fasts .................................... 10 LESSON 5............................................................................. 12 The Importance of Fasting in Isl m ...................... 12 LESSON 6............................................................................ 13 When Do Muslims Fast?......................................... 13 LESSON 7............................................................................. 15 Merits of the Month of Ramadan .......................... 15 LESSON 8............................................................................. 17 Ramadan Checklist ................................................. 17 LESSON 9............................................................................. 19 How to Spend Ramadan ......................................... 19 LESSON 10........................................................................... 21 Who Must Fast and Who is Exempt From Fasting? ................................................................................... 21 LESSON 11........................................................................... 23 Things Which Do Not Invalidate the Fast ............ 23 LESSON 12........................................................................... 25 Things Which Invalidate the Fast.......................... 25 LESSON 13.......................................................................... 28 Acts Rendering the Fast Makrooh ......................... 28 LESSON 14........................................................................... 29 When Breaking of the Fast is Obligatory ............. 29 LESSON 15.......................................................................... 30 Why Do Muslims Fast In Ramadan? .................... 30 LESSON 16.......................................................................... 33 What to do in Ramadan Eve .................................. 33 LESSON 17........................................................................... 34

Tar w h Prayer ........................................................ 34 LESSON 18.......................................................................... 36 Etiquette of Breaking the Fast ............................... 36 LESSON: 19 ......................................................................... 38 Night of Power ......................................................... 38 LESSON 20........................................................................... 39 Retreat (I‘tik f)........................................................ 39 LESSON 21.......................................................................... 41 Special Prayers in Ramadan .................................. 41 LESSON 22.......................................................................... 47 Zak t al-Fitr ............................................................ 47 LESSON 23.......................................................................... 49 The Night of Eid ...................................................... 49 LESSON 24.......................................................................... 52 The Prayer of Fast-Breaking Feast ....................... 52 (‘ d al-Fitr) ............................................................. 52

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Fasting of the Predecessors O’ you who believe! Observing As-Sawm [the fasting] is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you... ( Qur’an 2:183) This verse shows that fasting was observed by the nations had come to the scene before Muslim Ummah. No one knows exactly when fasting started but it is clear that fasting is the practice of all the Prophets of Allah and their followers: 1. The Prophet ( ) told us that D w d ( ) used to fast for half of the year. 2. M s ( ) observed fast for 40 days (Exodus 24:18). 3. ‘ s (Jesus) ( ) was said to have fasted for 40 days before he was called to prophethood (Matthew 4: 2) And this is what the Christians termed “the Lent”. That was the Way of Allah in the case of those who passed away of old, and you will not find any change in the Way of Allah. (Qur’an33:62) Thus, fasting should be considered as a propagation of the tradition approved by Allah ( ) for all those who submit to Him.

Definition of Fasting 1. Literally: The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) is derived from the root s ma literally means “to restrain” or “to refrain”, so ‘fasting’ is refraining from normal things, such as eating, drinking, talking. If any one refrain from these thing, he is considered s ’im which means the observer of fast. 2. Religiously: Fasting means to refrain from things that invalidate (break) the fasting from Morning Prayer time (break dawn), with intention to please Allah ( ), till Sunset Prayer time.

LESSON 3

The Elements of the Fasting 1. Having the Intention It is obligatory for the fasting person to confirm his/her intension before Morning Prayer (Sal t al-Fajr) time. The Prophet ( ) said: “He who does not intend during the night to fast, then there is no fast for him” Narrated by An-Nasa’ i. However, most of ‘Ulama’ affirm that one can confirm ones intention once at the beginning of the month of Ramadan, and this will be sufficient to fast all the days of this holy month. The heart is the place of intension and to utter it verbally is not established from the Prophet ( ) or the Companions ( ). Thus one can make in ones heart intension before going to sleep.

2. Refraining from the following a. Food and Drink b. Sexual intercourse c. Masturbation (most scholars say this not allowed even when not fasting). However, Ramadan is much more than just not eating, not drinking, and abstaining from other physical needs, it is also: d. Refraining of the heart and the mind from evil, thoughts. e. Refraining of the tongue from evil words. f. Refraining of other body parts from evil and actions.

As result, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from gossip, backbiting, insulting and swearing. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not do any forbidden things. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast. Therefore, fasting is the total commitment of the person' s body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint. The Prophet ( ) said, “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)” Narrated by Bukh r . 3.127

3. Keeping the whole duration of Sawm Fasting starts everyday in Ramadan from the dim beginning of dawn: Morning Prayer (Sal t al-Fajr) time till sunset: Sunset Prayer (Sal t al-maghrib) time. Muslim must hold tight to this duration, if not his fast will be invalidated.

LESSON 4

The Various Kinds of Fasts The jurisprudents of various schools classify fasts into four categories: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Prescribed fast (far ) Prohibited fast. ( ar m) Supererogatory fast. (sunnah) Disapproved fast. (makr

1. Prescribed Fast The prescribed fasts are: a. Fast of the month of Ramadan. b. Fast of Qad ’: make up for the days of Ramadan on which the fast was invalidated unintentionally. c. Fast of kaff rah, the expiatory and atonement fasts, among them are fasts for involuntary homicide, fasts for atonement of : 1. A broken oath. 2. A vow. 3. Not having observed the prescribed fast of Ramadan.

2. Prohibited Fasts a. First of Shaww l (‘Eid al-Fi r) b. Tenth of Zul ijjah (‘Eid al-A ) c. Eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth of ul ijjah.

On these days fasting is strictly prohibited. So the fast of qada’ cannot be observed on these days.

3. Supererogatory Fasts Fasting is considered recommended on all the days of the year except those on which it has been prohibited. But there are days whose fast has been specifically stressed and they include: a. Three days of each month, preferably the "moonlit" days (al-ayy m al-b ), which are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of each lunar month. b. Day of ‘Arafah (9th of Dhul ij h). c. Several days of the months of Dhu al-Qi‘dah, Dhu al,Rajab. d. Six days of Shaww l. e. Most of Sha‘b n. f. Mondays and Thursdays. g. The day of ‘ sh r ’ a lone or with a day after it, or with a day before it.

4. Disapproved Fasts a. It is disapproved to single out Fridays and Saturdays for fasting. b. Fasting on the day ( yawm ash-shak) the day which is just before the month of Ramadan or the two days just before Ramadan. c. Fasting consecutively all days of the year. d. The three days which follow ‘Eid al-A !"#

LESSON 5

The Importance of Fasting in Isl m

1. One of five principles of Islam.

Allah' s Apostle ( ) said:“ Isl m is based on(the following) five (principles): a. To testify that there is no deity (owing the right to be worshipped) but Allah andthat Muhammad is Allah' s Messenger. b. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly. c. To pay Zak h (i.e. obligatory charity). j. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca) d. To perform e. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.” (Narrated by Bukh r ) Fasting is one of the pillars of the Islamic faith. No proof is required to establish its being obligatory, and whoever denies fasting goes out of the fold of Islam.

2. Obligatory duty (far ) Fasting was enjoined on Muslims in the second year of the ah. O’ you who believe! Observing As-Sawm [the fasting] is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you … (Qur’an 2: 183)

LESSON 6

When Do Muslims Fast? 1. Which month do Muslims observe fasting? Muslims start fasting in the month of Ramadan which is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is the month in which Allah revealed the Holy Qur’ an as guidance for mankind. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast. 2. When does Rama an start? Rama an starts when thirty days of the preceding month, Sha’ b n, are past or with the seeing of the new moon of Rama an. This seeing is established with the testimony of one trustworthy witness or as some ‘Ulama’ say, two. 3. The ever lasting debate… There is a debate among the Muslim community on just how to calculate the beginning of any lunar month, and Rama an takes on special importance. The traditional method used by the Prophet Muhammad ( ), is to look to the sky and visibly sight the slight crescent moon (hil l) that marks the beginning of the month. At the end of the month, when the community sights the hil l again, Ramadan ends and the Festival of Fast-Breaking ($Eid alFi r) begins.

Debates have arisen around the following questions: a. What if people in one area sight the moon, but those in another area don' t? b. Should we follow the moon-sighting in Saudi Arabia, or should we sight it ourselves? c. What if our location is overcast and cloudy and the moon is not visible to us? d. Why do we even bother looking for the moon, when we can astronomically calculate when the new moon is born? Do not bother yourself with these kinds of questions, simply follow the declaration of His Eminence the Mufti (the official interpreter or expounder of Islamic law) of your country for the fact that he is specialist in this topic and he is responsible in front of All h ( ).

LESSON 7

Merits of the Month of Ramadan The Prophet ( ) said: When there comes the month of Ramadan, 1. The gates of mercy are opened. 2. And the gates of Hell are locked. 3. And the devils are chained. Narrated by Muslim Bk 6, Number 2361. 4. All previous sins will be forgiven. The Prophet ( ) said: “… And whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” Narrated by Bukhari 3.125 5. Ramadan comprehends the Night of Power which is better than 1000 months: regarding the rewards of performing good deeds in it. ( Lesson 19) 6. The Holy Qur‘an revealed in Ramadan: Quran which is true guidance for mankind should be recited a lot in Ramadan in order to keep ourselves in the straight path. 7. ‘Umrah with special reward: ‘Umrah preformed in Ramadan equals, in rewards performing, pilgrimage with the prophet( ). 8. Smell of musk: The smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better, in the sight of Allah, than the smell of musk.

9. Jannah is decorated: In everyday of Ramadan, Allah decorates the Jannah (Paradise) and addresses it saying, “It is not too far that my righteous servants shall throw away the burdens (of the worldly life) and shall proceed towards you.” 10. Amnesty: In the last night of this month, the fasting person is granted amnesty.

LESSON 8

Ramadan Checklist The following are some of the necessary items for a believer’ s trip in Ramadan towards Allah. 1. An attitude of anticipation and enthusiasm: Muslim is happy when the Ramadan arrives and sad when it departs. 2. Well planned schedule: Ramadan requires more time than usual for worship. Believers must make sure their daily schedules allow maximum benefit of this special month. 3. A Qur’an with an understood translation: A believer makes sure he has a copy of the Holy Qur’ an which is easy to read and easy to be understood. If time permits, he should also read the commentary of the Qur’ an. 4. A donation to a worthwhile Charity: Ramadan is the best time to donate in the way of Allah. Feeding and giving to the needy is an act of great reward. The Prophet ( ) said: "Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 3/171; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/451).

5. A determination to avoid sins: Fasting is not just refraining from food, drink and sexual intercourse as we have heard many times. It is also refraining from evil thoughts, words, and actions, it is refraining from all sins. 6. A Desire to help others: In his sermon at the approach of the holy month of Ramadan, the Holy Prophet ( ) said: “ Whoever lightens the work of his workers in this month, Allah will make easy his accounting on the Day of Judgment.”

LESSON 9

How to Spend Ramadan Praying with jam ‘ah To perform every prayer in congregation (with jam ’ ah) in a mosque. Performing at-Tar w Praying Tar w ( early Night Prayer) in congregation. It consists of eight rak’ t, which is performed immediately after the Evening Prayer. ( Lesson 17). Performing at-Tahajjud and Rising up a little earlier than the exact time of praying at-Tahajjud Prayer ( late Night Prayer). There is no prescribed number of the Tahajjud prayer. Performing the voluntary (nafl) prayers of: a. Ishr q which are two rak’ t after the sunrise. which are four rak’ t, it may be performed at b. anytime after Ishr q before noon. c. Aww b n which are six rak’ t after Sunset Prayer. The recitation of the Holy Qur’an. One should recite as much of it as he can. No specific limit is prescribed, but it is preferred to recite one chapter ( juz’ ) at least every day. %& '() (* &+ %) ) , - ( ". &+ / * & %) ) 0) . *( . %) ) " .) 1 *( '.& & ) (' (1# 2(& 3 (& .&( &. & ( ( .4 ( &1tasb h may be recited. Similarly, the Dhikr may

also be performed during other states, when walking or in bed. Prayers and supplications (du‘ ’) No particular prayer is prescribed. One can pray for everything he needs both in this world and in the Hereafter. adaqah (charity): It is not obligatory like Zak h, it is optional, one pay 5 daqah in Ramadan according to his best ability. It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abb s said: “ The Messenger of Allah ( ) was the most generous of people, and he was at his most generous during Rama an when Jibr l met him. He would meet him each night and revise the Qur’ an with him. The Messenger of Allah ( ) was more generous than the blowing wind. ” Narrated by al-Bukh r , 6; Muslim, 2308.

LESSON 10

Who Must Fast and Who is Exempt From Fasting? Allah has made fasting the month of Ramadan obligatory upon every: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Muslim. Adult. Sane. Settled (i.e., not travelling) Muslim who is able to fast and has nothing such as ay (menstruation) or nif s (post-natal bleeding) to prevent him or her from doing so.

The following are exempt from fasting: 1. The insane. 2. Children who are not adolescent yet. Fasting is not required of children until they reach the age of puberty. The signs of puberty are: a. the growth of pubic hair. b. the occurrence of wet dreams. c. the menstrual period ,in the case of a female,. If a person turns the age of fifteen and none of these signs have appeared, then they are considered to have reached the age of puberty.

4. The elderly and chronically ill for whom fasting is unreasonably strenuous; Such persons are required to feed at least one poor person every day in Ramadan for which he or she has missed fasting. 5. Pregnant women and nursing may postpone the fasting at a later time. 6. The ill and the travellers can also defer their fasting. 7. Women during the period of menstruation or of postchildbirth confinement. Fasting during these periods is forbidden and should be made up later, a day for a day.

LESSON 11

Things Which Do Not Invalidate the Fast Thing which do not break the fast are: 1. If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks, he s Apostle ( ) said: “ If should complete his fast. All h' anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he should complete his fast, for it is only Allah Who has fed him and given him drink.” Narrated by Muslim. 2. Unintentional vomiting. 3. Swallowing things which are not possible to avoid, such as one' s saliva, street dust, smoke, etc. 4. Brushing the teeth using a misw k or a brush and ears with cotton swabs. 5. Injection or intra-venous which is solely medical and not nutritional. 6. Having wet dreams: This happens involuntarily during sleep. 7. Kissing and hugging is allowed but if such close contact causes ejaculation then this will break the fast. Swallowing saliva of some one else invalidates the fast as well. 8. Using eye-drops or kohl (mascara).

9. Wearing perfume or feeling it, using lipstick or chopstick. 10. Taking a shower. 11. Entrance of smoke or dust into the throat unintentionally. 12. Bleeding from the teeth unless blood slips in to the throat. 13. Delaying the ghusl of jan bah (showering after sexual intercourse) up to the sunrise. 14. Applying colour to the hair. 15. Use of Puffers: Puffers used for asthma do not break the fast according to a number of scholars. This is because it is considered as compressed gas that goes to the lungs, and does in no way nourish or quench the thirst.

LESSON 12

Things Which Invalidate the Fast The things which invalidate fast are of two kinds: A. The first one requires qa ’ (only making up missed days), B. The other requires qa

’ and kaff rah (expiation) at the

same time. A. Things that require make up (Qada) only are: 1. Eating or drinking intentionally: This includes nonnourishing items taken by mouth. For example, while making wudu, if a drop of water slips into the throat unintentionally 2. Vomiting: Deliberately causing oneself to throw up. 3. The beginning of menstruation or post-childbirth bleeding even in the last moment before sunset. 4. Seminal emission: Ejaculation while touching, kissing or caressing a women for reasons other than sexual intercourse. 5. The intention to discontinue the prescribed fast: Intending to break the fast before sunset even if one changes his mind, since intention is one of the pre-requisites of the validity of fasting. 6. Mistaken assumption: Eating, drinking or having intercourse after dawn on the mistaken assumption that it is

not dawn yet. Similarly, engaging in these acts before Maghrib on the mistaken assumption that it is already sunset. 7. Injection: Injection invalidates the prescribed fast and requires the fast to be made up. B. Things that require making up the fast (Qada) and also expiation (Kaffarah) are: a. Eating something. b. Drinking something. c. Having sexual intercourse.

These three acts are liable to kaffarah when they are committed deliberately after one has started a fast. Kaffarh may be given in the following three ways respectively: a.

Freeing a slave.

b. Fasting for two months constantly without a break. c. Giving food to sixty persons. Since slavery has come to an end in our days, only the latter two ways can be adopted today. But the person who has strength enough to fast for two month constantly has been bound to fast. He cannot adopt the third way, i.e. giving food to sixty persons. If he is too weak to fast for such a large number of days, he can give kaffarah be giving food to sixty persons.

The above mentioned things do not invalidate the fast unless the fasting person meets the following three conditions: 1. He must be aware of the ruling of what he has done. 2. He must remember (i.e. forgetfulness does not invalidate the fast) 3. He must do it intentionally.

LESSON 13

Acts Rendering the Fast Makrooh The following acts do not invalidate the fast, but render it makrooh (disapproved) which means they lessen the reward of the fast. Therefore it is not advisable to indulge in any of the following acts when one is in the state of fast: 1. Chewing or tasting something with the tongue without eating it. 2. Using toothpaste. However, cleaning teeth with a miswak or a brush without paste is allowed. 3. Remaining in the state of Janabah (major impurity) for the whole day. 4. Giving blood. 5. Quarrelling and abusing the others. 6. Gossip, backbiting and lying. The latter three acts are absolutely forbidden even when one is not observing fast, but they become all more forbidden when one is on state of fasting.

LESSON 14

When Breaking of the Fast is Obligatory 1. Where a person is attacked by a severe disease and a competent doctor opines that, if he continues with his fast, it will bring a serious danger to his life. 2. A person feels such an extreme hunger or thirst that further abstinence from eating or drinking may endanger his life. 3. In any situation where refraining from eating or drinking may cause a real danger to one’ s life. In theses cases kaffarah is not liable, but qada’ is, whenever the danger is removed.

LESSON 15

Why Do Muslims Fast In Ramadan? 1. To obey Allah' s injunction Fasting has been enjoined on us. Muslims do whatever Allah and His Messenger have told them to do. Allah says: “ O’ you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you” (Qur‘an 2:183) 2. Fasting for Taqwa Taqwa in the heart and the soul of a fasting Muslim. The purpose of fasting is not to just get hungry and thirsty. And to become pious, Muslim must abstain from immoral behavior and attitude, and from any thing which is haram (forbidden). The Prophet ( ) is reported to have said: “ If one does not abandon falsehood in words and deeds, Allah has no need for his abandoning of his food and drink.” Narrated by AlBukhari. 3. Special Rewards The reward for fasting is immense .The Prophet ( ) said: "He who fasts Ramadan, due to Iman and hoping for reward (from Allah) then his past sins are forgiven." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] "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… " bukhari 4. A shield against the Fire The Prophet ( ) said: "Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the Fire." Narrated by Ahmad. 6. Supplications will be granted The Prophet ( ) said "There are in the month of Ramadan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and will be granted." Narrated by Ahmad. 7. Controlling Desires Fasting is a special worship designed to develop in Muslim the ability to exercise self-restraint and patience. Its aim is to give Muslim the power to control his unruly desires and tendencies that make him prone to greed, revenge, anger, provocation and fear; which make him commit various sins. 8. Experience of other' s feelings Fasting also provides the rare opportunity to feel real hunger. Like many other people, and this will make us ready to help them. 9. To practice the tradition of the pious people. Qur' an mentions that Musa( ) fasted for 40 days, and the Prophet( ) told us that Dawud ( ) used to fast on every

alternate day. ' Issa (Jesus) ( )was also reported to have fasted for 40 days (this is what the Christians termed "the Lent", usually observed before Easter festival. It can be seen that Allah( )intends to draw Muslims'attention to the practice and tradition of those pious predecessors who attained piety through fasting. O’ who believe, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you; perchance you will guard yourselves 10. Entering Paradise The prophet ( ) said:“ In Paradise there is a gate which is called Rayyan through which only the observers of fast would enter on the Day on Resurrection. None else would enter along with them. It would be proclaimed: Where are the observers of fast that they should be admitted into it? −and when the last of them would enter, it would be closed and no one would enter it.” Narrated by Muslim Bk 6, Number 2570

LESSON 16

What to do in Ramadan Eve Tarawih Prayer A believer should perform Tarawih Prayer in congregation in Ramadan eve (see lesson 12).

Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) Muslim should make sure that he eats and drinks something at suh r, and that he delay it, If possible, until just before al-Fajr Prayer time. The Prophet ( ) said “ The distinction between our fasting and the fasting of the people of the book is the taking of the pre -dawn meal (Suhoor)” (Muslim). The Prophet ( ) also said: “ Have suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing (barakah).” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, Fath, 4/139)

The Intention a. Its ruling: It is obligatory for the fasting person to confirm his/her intension before Morning Prayer time. The Prophet ( ) said :"He who does not intend during the night to fast, then there is no fast for him" (An-Nasa' i b. The place of intension: is the heart and to utter it verbally is not established from the Prophet ( ). c. Its time: One should make in one' s heart intension after suhoor or before going to sleep.

LESSON 17

Tar w h Prayer Its Definition:

T r w h Prayer is the Night Prayer (Sal t Qiy m al-Layl) performed in congregation during the month of Ramadan. It can be performed alone at home.

Its ruling

This prayer is Sunnah mu’ akkaddah (repeatedly emphasized). The Prophet ( ) performed Tar w for several days, but he left performing it in congregation for the fear it should be prescribed on Muslims .

Its reward:

Messenger of Allah ( ) said: “ Whoever prays at night in Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” Bukhari, 37; Muslim, 759

Its time

Between Evening Prayer time and Morning Prayer time, it is preferred to be before Witr Prayer. Tar w will be repeated every night till the end of Ramadan

Number of rak’at

Eight or eleven rak’ at. ‘ ’ ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said:“ He (s.a.w) would not exceed eleven rak’ at in or out of Ramadan” Agreed upon. No harm in exceeding the number of rak‘at.

Way of performing:

Two by two which means making tasleem (Words of Peace) after every two rak‘at.

LESSON 18

Etiquette of Breaking the Fast The Prophetic etiquette of breaking fast are the following: 1 One should hasten to break the fast. As soon as the Call of Sunset Prayer is (Athan Salat al-Maghrib) said one should start to break the fast immediately. The Prophet ( ) said: “ My nation will remain in goodness as long as they break the fast as soon as it is due.” [Muslim] 2. Saying “ Bismillah” and Stating the breaking fast du‘a’ : (Allahumma laka sumtu wa `alaa rizqika aftartu) “ O Allah! For You have I fasted and upon Your sustenance have I broken my fast.” [Abu Dawud] / 012 '( )* !

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(Dhahab az zamaa’ u wab tallatil urooqu wa thabat al-ajru Insha-Allah) “ The thirst has vanished, the veins have been wetted and the reward is established - Insha-Allah.” [Abu Dawud] 3. Ask Allah ( ) anything you want because the invocation (du‘a’ ) upon breaking fast is answered. 4. Break the fast by eating three rutabs (moist dates), or tamr (dry dates), or even drinking water. The Prophet ( ) said: “ Break your fast with a date, or with water because it is pure.” [Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi]

5. Using the right hand while eating. 6. It is offensive and unhealthy to stuff the stomach with food after fasting and full stomach will not help you o pray T r w h. The Prophet (s) said: “ Enough for a human being to have luqaymat (from 3 to 9 mouthfuls) that prop up his spine and, if he must have more [in his stomach], then one third of food, one third of water, and one third of air.” 7. Eating foods (such as garlic and onions)that cause bad breath, belching and gas is out of respect for the mosques and those who attend them. 8. Praying Sunset Prayer at mosque, if it is near, or in congregation at home.

LESSON: 19

Night of Power "Indeed We have revealed it (Qur' an) in the night of Power. And what will explain to you what the night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit by Allah' s permission, on every errand: (they say) Peace" (continuously) till the rise of Morning!" (Quran 97:1-5) 1. Specialty of the Night of Power Qur' an, was revealed in Ramadan in Night of Power (Lailat-ut Qadr) 2. The bless of this night The deed in this night is better than the rewards of deeds of 1,000 months (about 83.3 years). 3. Its time the night is in the last ten days of Ramadan and usually in one of the odd days (i.e. 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29th). 4. What to do at this night A Muslim is expected to: a. Perform nawafil: voluntary prayers. b. Do Qur’ an recitation c. Say supplications (du’ as) d. Attending lectures on religious topics. e. Do i‘tikaf: Muslims are expected to be in seclusion (i‘tikaf) during the last 10 days of Ramadan because no one knows precisely which of the odd days is the night of Power, and the best place to be in seclusion is in the mosque.

LESSON 20

Retreat (I‘tik f) a. Literally :to engage and to devote something either good or bad. b. Religiously: to engage in a retreat in the mosque and stay there with the intention of pleasing All h.

2.

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3. I‘tikaf has no time limit, either short or long periods of time are acceptable.

The observer of I‘tikaf must be: a. Muslim b. Adult c. Pure from jan bah (major defilment, menstruation, and post-childbirth bleeding).

a. Intention b. Staying in the mosque.

! 1. Supererogatory worship 2. Prayer.

3. Recitation of Qur’ an. 4. Dhikr and tasb : glorifying and praising All h ( ),seeking forgiveness from Him ( ) and takb r, invoking All h' s blessing on the Prophet ( ). 5. Studying religious topics 6. Attending lectures on religious topics held at the mosque.

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a. He may go out to bid farewell to his family. b. Leavening the mosque to take care of his essential things: eating, drinking, going to the toilet, purifying one' s self from janabah, and cleaning his clothes. c. To eat drink and sleep and to sleep in the mosque.

# a. Leaving the mosque without any good reason. b. Menstruation ( ay ) and postchild bleeding (nif s) c. Ejaculation.

LESSON 21

Special Prayers in Ramadan

1. When beginning the fast- Suhur: '1= <

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(Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri Ramadan) I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan [abu Dawud]

2. When breaking the fast- Iftar: D A 4B C @ ><

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(Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu [wa ' alayka tawakkaltu] wa ' ala rizq-ika aftarthu) 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 ["wa ' alayka tawakkaltu" is quoted in some books of knowledge - but not all, hence it is in brackets] [abu Dawud] F 012 '( )*

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(dhahabadh-dhama' u wab-tallatil ' ur qi, wa thabatal arju insha Allah) The thrist is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allah [Ta' ala] Wills [abu Dawud 2:306] J LMB' 6 0J2 K! A

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Allaahumma inni as’ aluka birahmatika al-lati wasi' at kulli shay’ in an taghfira li O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelopes all things, that You forgive me. [a du' a that Abdullah ibn Amar (radiAllahu anhu) used to say when breaking his fast - as reported by Ibn abi Mulaykah (radiAllahu anhu)]

3. When someone offers you food when you are fasting and you decline: When you are invited to eat, then reply to the invitation. if you are fasting, then invoke Allah' s blessings (on your host), and if you are not fasting then eat [Muslim; 2:1054]

4. Upon reaching month of Rajab and Sha'ban: When the Prophet ( ) sighted the moon of Rajab (two months before Ramadan) he used to pray to Allah in the following words:

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(Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha' ban wa ballighna Ramadan) O Allah! Make the months of Rajab and Sha' ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings) [Narrated by at-Tabarani and Ahmad]

5. When you are fasting, and someone is rude to you: O P1 J? 5 EO P1 J5( G (Inni sa' iimu, inni sa' iimu) I am fasting, I am fasting [Sahih al-Bukhari, Fath al-Bari of Al-Asqalani; 4:1-3, Muslim; 2:806]

6. Upon Sighting of the new Moon 1> T $ U! B1 VC4 E91IR W<1X E'1QR ;<S11>C F% F

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(Allahu Akbar. Allahumma ahillahu ' alayna bil-amni walimaani, was-salaamati, wal-Islami, wat-tawfeeqi lima tuhibbu Rabbana wa tardha. Rabbuna wa RabbukAllahu)

Allah is the Greatest. O Allah bring us the new moon with security and faith, with peace and in Islam, and in harmony with what our Lord Loves and what pleases Him. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah [at-Tirmidhi 5:504, ad-Darimi 1:336]

7. Upon seeing the first dates of the season: 15Z 7<J 1>N 1 E1> 1 J 1>N 1 1>>37<J 1>N 1 E15 ,J 1>N 1

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(Allahumma barik lana fi thamarina, wa barik lana fi madinatina, wa barik lana fi saa' ina, wa barik lana fi muddina) O Allah! Bless us in our dates, and bless us in our town, bless us in our saa'and in our Mudd' (saa'and Mudd'are dry measures used for agricultural produce by the Arabs in the Prophet' s time) [at-Tirmidhi 5:504, ad-Darimi 1:336]

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Subhana dhil Mulki wal Malakuti, Subhana dhil izzati wal aDhmati wal haybati wal Qudrati, wal kibriyaa' i wal jabaroot Subhanal Malikil hayyil ladhi, la yunaamu wa la yam tu, Subbuhun, Quddusun, Rabbul malaa' ikati war-rooh La ilaha illal lahu, nustugfirullahi

nas ' alukul jannati, wa na udhubika min an-naar Glorified is the Owner of the Kingdom of the earth and the heavens; Glorified is the Possessor of Honour and Magnificence and Awe, and Power and Greatness and Omnipotence Glorified is the Sovereign, the Living, Who does neither sleep nor die O all Glorious, All Holy one, Our lord and the Lord of the Angels, And the soul. There is no God but You, Forgive us, Grant us Paradise, and save us from (hell) fire.

9. Upon breaking the fast in someone's home ! ! ] C\\

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(Aftara ' indakumus saa' imuna, wa akala ta' aamakumulabraaru, wasallat ' alaikumul mala' ikat) May those who are fasting break their fast in your home, and may the dutiful and pious eat your food and may the angels send prayers upon you. [abu Dawud 3:367, ibn Majah 1:556, an Nasa' i]

10. On Lailatul Qadr - the Night of Power Aishah (radhiya Allahu Ta' ala anha), that she said: "O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night LailatulQadr was, then what should I say in it?" He said ' Say

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(Allahumma innaka ' affuwwun tuhibbul ' afwa fa' fu ' anni' ) O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me. [at Tirmidhi]

LESSON 22

Zak t al-Fitr 1. Meaning: Zakaah al-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqah alFitr. The word Fitr means breaking a fast and it comes from the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast. Thus, Islamically, Zakaah al-Fitr means fast-breaking or fastending alms which is paid at the end of Ramadan. 2. Ruling: Sadaqah al-Fitr is a duty which is obligatiry on every Muslim, whether male or female, minor or adult as long as he/she has the means to do so. The proof that this form of charity is compulsory can be found in the Sunnah whereby Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet ( ) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims; one Saa`of dried dates or one Saa`of barely. [collected by Bukhari - Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579] The head of the household may pay the required amount for the other members. Abu Sa' eed al-Khudree said, "On behalf of our young and old, free men and slaves, we used to take out during Allah' s Messenger' s ( ) lifetime one Saa` of grain, cheese or raisins". [collected by Muslim - English transl. vol. 2, p. 469, no. 2155] 3.Purpose: The main purpose of Zakaah al-Fitr is to provide those who fasted with the means of making up for their errors during the month of fasting. Zakaah al-Fitr also provides the poor with a means with which they can celebrate the festival of breaking the fast (`Eed al-Fitr) along with the rest of the Muslims.

Ibn Abbaas reported, "The Prophet (sallallaahu ' alaihi wa sallam) made Zakaah al-Fitr compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk (committed during Ramadaan) and so that the poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before Salaah will have it accepted as Zakaah, while he who gives it after the Salaah has given Sadaqah." [collected by Abu Dawood - Eng. transl. vol. 2, p. 421, no. 1605 - rated Saheeh by Shaikh Naser Al-Albanee] 4. Time: This form of charity becomes obligatory from sunset on the last day of fasting and remains obligatory until the beginning of Salaah al-' Eed'(i.e. shortly after sunrise on the following day). However, it can be paid prior to the above mentioned period, as many of Companions of the Prophet( ) used to pay Sadaqah al-Fitr a couple days before the `Eed. If one misses the time period without a good reason, he has sinned and can not make it up 5. Rate: The amount of Zakaah is the same for everyone regardless of their different income brackets. The minimum amount is one S `(two kilos and forty grams of good wheat ) of food, grain or dried fruit for each member of the family. s time, we Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree ( ) said, "In the Prophet' used to give it (Zakaah al-Fitr) as a Saa`of food, dried dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese". [collected by al-Bukhaaree Arabic/English vol. 2, p. 340, no. 582]

LESSON 23

The Night of Eid It had been the practice of the Prophet Muhammad ( ), that he would not sleep in the night preceding the day of Eid alFitr, the end of Ramadan. This night has been named in a tradition as the ' Night of Reward' ; Almighty bestows His rewards on those who have spent the month of Ramadan abiding by the dictates of Islamic law, and all their prayers and invocation in this night are accepted. Therefore, it is desirable to perform voluntary prayers in this night. the Prophet ( ) said: ' Whoever stands up - in worship - in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die.' To benefit from this opportunity, one should perform as much worship in this night as one can, and should pray for all one' s needs and desires. On the last night of Ramadan, my The Prophet ( ) said: ' nation is forgiven' . He was asked if that meant on LaylatulQadr and he said, ' No' . (This merit is for the last night, the merits of Laylatul-Qadr are quite apart.) ' The truth is that full wages are paid to the worker when the work is over and the work is completed in the last night. Hence, they are forgiven.' 9. Takb$rat-ul-‘Eid: Allahu-akbar-u' llahu-akbar-u' llaahu-akbar ... laa-ilaha ill' Allah Allahu-akbar-u' llahu-akbar-u wa-lillah' il-hamd Allahu-akbar-u' llahu-akbar-u' llaahu-akbar ... laa-ilaha ill' Allah

Allahu-akbar-u' llahu-akbar-u wa-lillah' il-hamd Allahu akbar-u-kabira ... wal-hamdu-lillahi kathira wa-subhan' Allahi wa-be-hamdi-hi bukra-tan wa-asila laa-ilaha-ill' alla-hu wahdah ... sadaqa wa-adah ... wa-nasara abdah wa-a-azza junda-hu wa-hazam' al-ahzaab wahdah laa-ilaha ill' Allah ... wa-la na-a-budu illaa iyyah mukh-le-scina lah' uddina walaw karih' al-kaafiroon Allah-umma-salli-ala sayyedinaa muhammad ... wa-ala aali sayyedinaa muhammad wa-ala as' habi sayyedinaa muhammad ... wa-ala an' sari sayyedinaa muhammad wa-ala azwaji sayyedinaa muhammad wa-ala-zurriyati-sayyedina muhammad-in wa-sallim tasliman kathira Translation Of Takbeer-Ul-Eid: Allah is Great, Allah is Great, Allah is Great, There is no Deity but Allah Allah is Great, Allah is Great, and praise is due to Him. Allah is Great, Allah is Great, Allah is Great, There is no Deity but Allah Allah is Great, Allah is Great, and praise is due to Him. Allah is the Greatest, and an abundance of praise is due to Him, and glory and praise be to him morning and evening. There is no Deity but Allah, Alone, He was True to His promise, and He granted victory to His Worshipper, and He supported His troops, and He conquered the allied parties of the enemies all by Himself. There is no Deity but Allah, and we worship no one but Him, and we will sincerely follow the religion for Him, even against the wishes of the disbelievers. May Allah pray upon Sayyidina (our master) Mohammad, and upon his Family, and upon his Companions, and upon his

Supporters, and upon his Wives, and upon his Descendants, and grant an abundance of peace on him.

LESSON 24

The Prayer of Fast-Breaking Feast (‘ d al-Fitr) 1. The Eid prayer is wajib (obligatory) on every male Muslim. 2. The Eid prayer can be performed any time between the Ishraq (sun rise) and Zawal(when the sun reaches its zenith). 3. It is preferable that the ' Eid prayer is performed at an open field and not in a mosque. However, if, it is difficult for any reason to perform it in an open field, it can also be performed in a big mosque. 4. It is not advisable to hold the Eid Prayer in every mosque, rather it is preferable that the people from several small mosques get together to either perform it in an open field or, in its absence, in a big mosque which can accommodate a large number of people. 5. No voluntary prayer can be performed before the ' Eid prayer, neither in one' s home, nor at the place of'Eid prayer. Similarly, voluntary prayer cannot be performed after the Eid prayer at the same place. However, it can be performed after one comes back to his home. 6. The Eid prayer has neither Adhan (Call to Prayer) nor Iqamah (Second Call). On the day of Eid al-Fitr Muslim is supposed to do the following Sunan (traditions of the Prophet ( )): 1. To adorn oneself as permitted by Shari' ah. 2. To bathe perform the total ablution (ightis ". 3. To clean the teeth with Miswaak. 4. To wear the best and the cleanest cloths. 5. To put in sweet smelling perfumes.

6. To wake up early in the morning. 7. To eat a few dates in odd numbers. 8. To betake to the Eid prayers gathering with tranquility and dignified bearing very early. 9. To give Zakat al-Fitr before going to Eid prayers gathering. 10. To perfom Eid prayer in congregation. 11. To go to Eid prayer from a way and to come back from another way. 12. To go walking instead of riding. 13. To recite slowly on the way to the Eid prayer and on the way back: “ Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil Hamd." Whilst at the Eid gathering Muslim should do the following: 1. Be quiet while the Imam is explaining how to perfom Eid Prayer. 2. Straighten lines in prayer. 3. Keeping silence during the sermon (khutbah). 4. Greet those whom you know and those you don' t, after the Eid Prayer 5. Contribute to the arrangement of the Eid prayers.

GLOSSARY 1 Eid Al-Fitr

2 Fidya

3 Iftar

4 Imsak

5 I'tikaf

6 Kaffarah 7 LailatulQadr

8

Ramadan

Three day festival marking the end of Ramadan. It takes place on the 1st of Shawal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Compensation for missing or wrongly practicing necessary acts of worship Fidya usually takes the form of donating money, foodstuffs, or sacrificing an animal. Contrast with Kaffara (making amends). Breaking of the fast immediately after sunset. Iftar takes place at Maghrib as soon as the Call to Prayer (Adhan) is called. ! Start of the fasting time. Imsak begins when the first light of dawn becomes visible, and ends at Fajr when the Adhan is called. " #$ I' tikaf refers to the religious practice of spending the a period of time in a mosque so as to devote oneself exclusively to worship. % & Kaffarah means atonement, expiation. ' ( ' The Night of Power,'concealed in one of the odd nights in the last ten days of Ramadan; the night on which the Qur' an was first revealed. )*! The ninth month of the Islamic (luner) calendar.