|
 In
the Name of Allah, Most
Gracious, Most Merciful
Ramadhaan Focus(PART1) 1. TODAY'S HADITH Hadhrat Abu Hurairah(radhiyallahu anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "If a man fasts but does not give up telling lies and doing wrong, Allah has no need that he should merely give up food and water." (Bukhari) 2. TODAYS FOCUS: WELCOMING RAMADHAAN & VIRTUES OF RAMADHAAN By Husain Aal Ash-Sheikh Brothers and sisters in Islaam! A great month has come to you carrying with it great blessings. It is a month in which good deeds are multiplied. Witnessing this month is a great blessing for which we should be grateful to Allaah. It is an opportunity to do good deeds so that one can achieve Paradise and safety from Hell. Allaah says, “O you who believe! Observing fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may be pious.” (Al Baqarah: 183). The Messenger of Allah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘Fasting and reciting Qur’aan intercede for the slave on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: O Allah, I prevented him from eating and satiating his lawful lust, so let me intercede on his behalf; and the Qur’aan will say: I prevented him from sleeping during the night, so let me intercede for him.’ (Ahmad & Tabaraani) Fellow Muslims! Ramadaan is a month of forgiveness and mercy. The Messenger of Allah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘When Ramadaan comes, the doors of Paradise will be opened and the doors of Hell will be closed, and the devils will be chained.’ (Bukhari & Muslim). Therefore let the month of Ramadaan be an opportunity for self-examination in order to amend what is damaged. Let this month be a good starting point towards a bright future and a turning point toward better conditions, sayings and deeds. Brothers and sisters in faith! There are lessons in the changing of the times as there are reminders in the pages of history. Whenever a month of Ramadaan passes by us, the memories of the great Battle of Badr and its victory is rekindled in us. Yes, Ramadaan reminds us of the victories of Muslims like those battles of Yarmook and Al-Qaadisiyyah. We should then bear in mind that those distinguished Muslims who fought in those battles and won did not attain glory and victory nor achieve happiness and power except through their strict adherence to Islaam in all spheres of their lives. They dedicated all their acts of worship to Allaah alone and earned as a result glory and exaltation for this religion. Let the present Muslim nation – who live in different kinds of affliction be aware that there is no way out of the present predicaments except by making a sincere return to Allaah and make a real adherence to the path of His Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam). Those are the basics for reform, glory, success and victory for the last of this (Muslim) nation can never be in order except by what put the earlier Muslim nation in order. Brothers and sisters in faith! The month of Ramadaan is a month of generosity and kindness. Ibn Abbaas(radhiyallahu anhu) said, ‘The Messenger of Allaah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) was the most generous person and he used to be even more generous in the month of Ramadaan when Jibreel(alaiyhis salaam) would meet him. And he used to meet him every night in Ramadaan until the end of the month while the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) would recite the Qur’aan for him and when Jibreel(alaiyhis salaam) met him he was more generous than a rain-bearing wind.’ Dear Fellow Muslims, there are various ways of being generous. Let everyone, then, be generous in whatever way he can. Whoever is generous to the slaves of Allaah with favours and gifts, Allaah will also be generous to him. Among the most prominent types of generosity is to feed the hungry and attend to the needs of others. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allaah said, ‘Whoever provides food for a fasting Muslim to break his fast, he will have the same reward as that of the fasting Muslim without reducing anything of his own reward.’ (At Tirmizi) Allaah says, “And they give (others) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be successful.” (Al-Hashr: 9). Dear Muslims! There are in the world today poor Muslim people who have been exiled from their lands. They presently have a difficult life. They are killed, expelled and have their homes demolished. Do remember them and spend whatever you can to feed ,clothe and obtain medication for them. Allah says, “And whatever you spend of anything (in Allaah’s cause), He will replace it. "And He is the Best of providers.” (Saba’: 39). Remember your oppressed brothers all over the world and pray for them. The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, ‘There are three persons whose prayer will not be rejected …’ and he mentioned among them ‘…a fasting Muslim when he breaks his fast.’ Brothers and sisters in faith! Among the signs of the mutual love and co-operation that Muslims enjoy is the support of the many charitable organisations. These organisations therefore need your continuous support and assistance especially in this month of generosity and kindness. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah said, ‘Charity reduces nothing from one’s wealth.’ He also said, ‘Protect yourselves against Hell even if it be with a date.’ Fellow Muslims! Let your fasting be a shield with which you protect yourselves against sins in all times. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah said, ‘Fasting is a shield. Let no one of you – during his fasting day – behave in an obscene manner, or become angry. If anybody abuses or fights with him, let him say: I am fasting.’ (Bukhari & Muslim). The purpose of fasting is to control the soul and refine it and to protect the limbs. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah said, ‘Whoever does not refrain from falsehood in sayings and deeds and acts of ignorance, Allah has no need of his abstention from food and drink.’ (Bukhari). Dear Muslims! Recitation of the Qur’aan increases one in inward and outward beauty and in estimation and honour in this world and the next. It is the profitable commerce that does not fall in all times. Az Zuhree said, ‘When Ramadaan comes it is time for reciting the Qur’aan and feeding people…Some of the righteous predecessors used to finish reciting the whole Qur’aan in just a few days.’ Among the purposes of reciting the Qur’aan is to reflect over its verses and understand its meanings and the end result of all that is to put those meanings into practice, for there is no glory nor power, strength, peace of mind or safety from punishment except by adhering to the teachings of the Qur’aan and Sunnah. Allah says, “Verily, this Qur’aan guides to that which is most just and right.” (Al-Israa’: 9). Brothers and sisters in faith! The month of Ramadaan is a great period for the attainment of blessings. Of its blessings is the fact that it is a month of supplication, night prayers and moving close to Allaah. Endeavour then, dear brothers, to observe Salaatul Taraaweeh in congregation as a token of emulating the Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam and whoever observes it with the Imaam till he finishes it will be written down for him that he has performed the night prayer. 3. Q & A Question: A man participated in the taraweeh but did not fast without any legal excuse. Will his taraweeh salaah be valid? Answer: His taraweeh salaah is valid and he will deserve recompense but he is a great sinner and defaulter for not fasting. (Mufti Abdur Rahim) 4. EVENTS IN RAMADHAAN Amongst the daughters of Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam), Sayyidina Ruqayyah(radhiyallahu anha) passed away in Ramadhaan at the young age of 23, when Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) was engaged in the battle of Badr. 5. RAMADHAAN IN CAIRO In Cairo, There is “Hajjah Fatimah". By every dawn and every sunset, the Egyptian citizens hear the boom of an old canon, declaring the time for breaking the fast (Iftar) and the time for stopping eating (Imsaak). The canon known as "Hajjah Fatimah" is an inheritance from the old day of Muhammad Ali Pasha or, according to some traditions, goes back to the days of an Ottoman governor called Khosh Qadam. Though the canon itself has been changed and replaced with a new one, the name remained unchanged. Now the canon is placed on the plateau of Moqattam near to the Citadel. Four men are there to take care of the canon and use it to alarm people that it is time for Iftar or Imsaak. (Source: islamonline) Hypertension and Fasting: A medical Perspective Hypertension(high Blood pressure) is not a contra-indication to fasting. These patients should be reminded: to take their therapy regularly and to mantain a low-salt diet. Patients on thrice daily medications should be switched to twice daily preparations. Short acting preperations like Nifedepine(eg. Adalat) should therefore not be used in the fasting patent. Most other anti-hypertensives such as beta-blockers, duiretics, methyl-dopa(eg. Aldomet), second generation or long acting calcuim channel blockers(eg. Norvasc, Adalat XL) have a long duration of action and therefore are suitable drugs for the fasting patient. (Source: Fasting and the Patient: IMA) 7. TODAYS DUAA O Allah! make my fasts, the fasts of those who fast (sincerely), and my standing up in salaah,of those who stand up in salaah (obediently), awaken me in it, from the sleep of the heedless, and forgive me my sins , O Allah! the Sustainer of the worlds, O the One who forgives the sinners.Forgive me. O Allah! Make me and my children of those who mantain salaah and accept my duaa(supplication). O Allah! , forgive me, my parents and all the believers on the Day of Reckoning.
Ramadhaan Focus(PART 2)
1. TODAY'S HADITH
Hazrat Abu Huraira(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said that: " The
wage for every man's deeds is increased(atleast ) ten times;
but for fasting; Allah's declaration is: "Fasting is an
exception to this rule. Fasting is only for Me and I will
apportion its reward. It is for Me that my creature gives up
food and desires." (Bukhari, Muslim)
2. TODAYS FOCUS
SUHOOR(Sehri)
'Suhoor' is the meal one takes
in the last hours of the night before the commencement of a
fast. It is a Sunnah to have 'Suhoor'. If someone has no
appetite at that time, it is advisable for him to have
something light. Even by having a few sips of water the sunnah
of suhoor can be fulfilled. Although the 'Suhoor' can be had
any time after midnight, but it is more advisable to have it
in the last hour of the night immediately before the break of
dawn.
The 'Suhoor' can be continued up to
the break of dawn. But in order to be on the safe side, it is
advisable to refrain from eating or drinking a few minutes
earlier than the break of dawn.
Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri(radhiyallahu
anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam)
said that: " Eating at Sehri is a blessing. If nothing else
is available, drink some water. Allah and his angels send
blessings to those who eat Sehri." (Ahmad)
It is described by Hazrat Abu
Huraira(radhiyallahu anhu) that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam) said that: "The best food for Sehri is date."
(Abu Dawud) . In Tibrani, this statement is from Hazrat Saed
bin Yazid(radhiyallahu anhu) in which there is also a prayer
for divine blessing.
Hazrat Abdullah bin
Harith(radhiyallahu anhu) said that once he went to
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) when he was eating
Sehri. When I met him, he said : "Allah has given His
blessings, to Sehri, so you should never miss it". (Nasai)
Hazrat Amr bin al Aas(radhiyallahu
anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam)
has said : "The difference between our fasting and that of
the people of the scriptures is that of Sehri." (Muslim)
Hazrat Anas bin Malik(radhiyallahu
anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam)
has said : "Do eat Sehri, in which there is blessing".
(Bukhari, Muslim)
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam) called Hazrat Arbaz bin Sarya(radhiyallahu anhu) to
join him in eating Sehri(suhoor) with the words : "Arbaz,
come to the auspicious food". (Abu Dawud)
Hazrat Abdullah bin
Abbas(radhiyallahu anhu) says that Rasullullah(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) said, "Have some sleep at noon, to
facilitate waking up in the night and eat something at
Sehri(suhoor), to gain strength for fasting". (Ibn Maaja)
3. Q & A
Question: I am an Athma patient.
Is it permissible for me to use the
inhaler during fasting? The inhaler contains salbutamol
(liquid medication). If it is not permissible, what should I
do when I get an asthma attack during fasting?
Answer: Since the inhaler contains a
medication (salbutamol), the use of it in the state of fasting
will invalidate the fast. We advise you take medication at the
time of Sehri to avoid an asthma attack. However, should you
get the attack during fasting, if there is no adequate
alternative which does not break the fast, you may use the
inhaler and make-up for that fast later (make Qadhaa).(Mufti
Ebrahim Desai)
4. HEALTH
Asthma and Fasting: A medical
perspective
Asthma is not a contra-indication to fasting. Long acting
preparations eg. Euphyllin retard, Volmax, Serevent should
be used. An acute attack may necessitate termination of the
fast.(Source: IMA)
5. EVENTS IN RAMADHAAN
Amongst the wives of Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam),
Sayyidina Khadija(radhiyallahu anha) departed from this world
in the month of Ramadhaan.
6. RAMADHAAN IN GERMANY
Together with believers in Muslim countries throughout the
world, Muslims living in Germany have entered the month of
Ramadan. Ramadan in Germany takes place in a totally different
atmosphere than in countries with a Muslim majority. Public
and social life continues with the same speed and the running
of the day does not know any interruptions, like for the Iftar.
A difference also lies in the length of the day in Germany,
which is a challenge in the summer, but is quite short in the
winter period. This year the sun rises roughly at 8 am and
sets at 4 pm.
Only those of the estimated 3.5 Million
Muslims living in Germany, who live in one of the Islamic
quarters of Berlin or the Ruhr area with a high percentage of
Muslims living there might be reminded of the empty streets of
Cairo or Istanbul during Iftar. Ali Ozkan, a Muslim from
Berlin, was quoted by the Islamic Newspaper saying that it was
a sign of this blessed month that the social life of Muslims
becomes more noticeable than during the rest of the year. That
food is offered everywhere and people eating and drinking can
be seen during the day also changes the atmosphere but is not
a major obstacle. Non-practicing Muslims prefer Ramadan in
Western countries arguing that as Muslims there live in a
minority the decision whether or not to fast becomes personal
without any social pressure from others.
Shift-working Muslims have to use their pauses
to break the fasting. Arrangements probably can be made
especially as large companies who employ large numbers of
Muslims handle these issues with pragmatism. But they
preferred to spend the Iftar at home with their families and
friends in a nicer atmosphere.
Those who are settled
abroad without their families gather in their national
communities to celebrate. Open-minded Germans participate in
these gatherings and seek to understand the beliefs of
Muslims. Some also join the fasting for a couple of days to
get to know the feeling of it. In fact, Hasan Ozdogan, the
head of the Islamic council in Germany said in a message that
many communities would also invite their non-Muslim neighbors
for the Iftar.
Source: islamonline
7. TODAYS DUAA
O Allah! strengthen me in carrying out Your commands, let me
taste the sweetness of Your rememberance, grant me, through
Your Graciousness, that I give thanks to You. Protect me, with
Your protection and cover, O the most discerning of those who
see.
O Allah! take me closer towards Your pleasure, keep me away
from Your anger and punishment, grant me the opportunity to
recite Your verses (of the Qur'an), by Your Mercy, O the most
Merciful who show Mercy.
Ramadhaan Focus(PART 3)
1. TODAY'S HADITH
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: " The fast
and the Quran, will both intercede on the day of judgement.
The fast will say: O Allah ! This servant has refrained from
eating and drinking and other desires; so accept my
intercession for him. The Quran will submit : He did not sleep
in the night ; so accept my intercession for him. Allah will
accept both these intercessions." (Tibrani, Ahmad, Hakim)
2. TODAYS FOCUS :
Iftaar
Iftar means to conclude a fast
after sunset by eating or drinking something. It is also a
sunnah to make iftar soon after sunset, and it is makrooh to
delay Iftar after sunset without a valid excuse. However, if
someone is doubtful whether the sun has set or not, he should
not make iftar until he is sure about it, because if it is
proved at any time that he had made iftar even half a minute
earlier than the sunset actually took place on his horizon,
his fast will be rendered nullified and void. Similarly, if
the weather is cloudy, it is advisable to delay iftar for a
few minutes after the time of sunset. No particular meal is
prescribed for iftar but it is advisable to make iftar using
dates because the Holy Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam)
generally used dates for iftar.
It is also sunnah to recite the
following du'a (prayer) while making iftar: "O' Allah, for
you I have fasted, and in you I have believed and in You I
have placed my trust and with Your provision I make my Iftar."
and after having and drinking water, it is advisable to say, "Thirst
has gone; veins have become wet and the reward (of the fast)
has, Allah willing, been established."
It is described by
Hazrat Sahal bin Sa'ad(radhiyallahu anhu) that
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said that: "Those
who are prompt in breaking fast, will ever remain on
goodness." (Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Maja)
Hazrat Abu
Huraira(radhiyallahu anhu) reported that
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said that: "Allah
is very pleased with the man, who is prompt in breaking fast."
(Tirmizi)
It means that fast
should be broken after sunset without waiting for the
appearance of stars.
Hazrat Abu
Huraira(radhiyallahu anhu) reported that
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said that: "Whatever
is prayed for at the time of breaking fast is granted and
never refused." (Tirmizi)
Hazrat Salman bin
Aamir(radhiyallahu anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) has said : "Break your fast with dates.
There is divine blessing in it. If the date is not available,
break your fast with water, as it is pure". (Abu Dawud,
Tirmizi)
Hazrat Zayd bin
Khalid(radhiyallahu anhu) reported Rasullullah(sallallahu
alaiyhi wassallam) has said that: "He who helps a fasting
one to break his fast will get the reward of one who fasts;
and one who gives arms to a Mujahid fighter will get the
reward of one who himself is a mujahid; and the reward of the
fasting one or of the mujahid will not be diminished on that
account." (Bayhaqi)
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah
(radhiyallahu anhu) in a lengthy hadith, narrates that
Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: "The
fasting person experiences two (occasions of) delights: At the
time of Iftaar and at the time when he will meet his Rabb."
(Bukhari)
3. Q & A
Question: Whilst fasting is it
necessary to avoid the inhalation of talcum powder and spray
emanating from an aerosol eg a deodorant? What I mean is when
applying these things they always do get into your mouth and
nose (although not a substantial amount). It’s impossible to
avoid it unless you cover your face. So, do these things break
the fast?
Answer: In principle, anything going
down the throat while fasting nullifies the fast. If the
talcum powder or aerosol does not go down the throat, it will
not nullify the fast. (Mufti
Ebrahim Desai)
4. HEALTH
Diabetes Mellitus and Fasting: A medical perspective
Diabetics who wish to fast may be classified into three groups
according to their mode of treatment.
- Diet alone: No problems will be
anticipated during a fast. Fasting will be of benefit to these
patients provided that the total caloric intake is restricted.
- Diet pus oral medication(hypoglycaemic agents):
Generally no problems will be experienced if these patients
have their therapy modified. The principle of such
modification is based upon the fact that the fasting patient
consumes the greater part of his caloric intake at iftar and
that the morning dose taken at suhoor needs to be reduced in
view of the anticipated fast. Thus a patient on a once daily
regimen should take the therapy at iftaar while the patient on
a twice daily regimen should take the greater dose at at
iftaar. For example, a patient on glibenclamide(eg. Daonil)
10mg for the morning and 5 mg for the evening, should take
10mg at iftaar and 5mg at suhoor.
- Insulin dependent: These patients
are generally advised not to fast in view of: Poor control if
insulin is not taken AND the danger of hypoglycaemia in a
fasting patient who takes insulin.
Generally diabetics must be reminded to abstain from the high
calorie and highly refined foods prepared during this month in
order to optimise control. (IMA-
Professor M.A.K.Omar)
5. EVENTS IN RAMADHAAN
Sayyidina Fathima(radhiyallahu anha) took leave from this
world in Ramadhaan, 6 months after the demise of
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam). She was then 29
years old.
6. RAMADHAAN IN MAURITANIA
At the beginning of Ramadan, Mauritanians
especially the youth hasten to perform regular prayers at
their appointed times in Masjids. It is worth stressing here
that Mauritanians start celebrating the month of Ramadan as
soon as the month of Rajab draws to a close. In Mauritania,
the well off show a remarkable sympathy towards those who are
less fortunate during Ramadan. The sense of solidarity and
backing the poor is widely spread. During the nights of
Ramadan, the `Isha and Taraweeh prayers are aired live from
the Two Holy Masjids of Makkah and Al-Madinah. After prayer
people usually set at ease to listen to religious lessons and
heart softeners from the reliable scholars and Imams in
addition to reciting the Qur’an and listening to it. After
prayer, it is easier to see people visiting one another and
drinking Green Tea, which is a common drink in Mauritania.
Source: islamonline
7. TODAYS DUAA
O Allah! do not let me abase myself by incurring Your
disobedience, and do not strike me with the whip of Your
punishment, keep me away from the causes of Your anger, by
Your kindness and Your power, O the ultimate wish of those who
desire.
O Allah! help and assist me to keep fasts and salaah for Your
Pleasure, and keep me away from mistakes and sins of the day,
grant me that I remember You continously through the day, by
Your assistance, O the Guide of those who stray.
Ramadhaan Focus(PART 4)
1. TODAY'S HADITH
Hazrat Sahal bin Sa'ad(radhiyallahu anhu) reported that
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "There
are eight doors to Jannah, and the name of one of them is
Rayyan(satiating thirst) by which only those who observed
fasts, will enter." (Bukhari)
2. TODAYS FOCUS
: THE TARAWEEH PRAYER
Taraweeh is the pause observed after every four Rak'ahs of
the Night prayer during Ramadaan. The Taraweeh prayer
consists of twenty rak'ahs and has the status of Sunnah
both for men and women.
It is a Sunnah Mu'akkadah' 'alal-kifayah
to perform Tarawih in jama'ah. It means that it is a
Sunnah mu’akkaddah for the people of every mosque to
arrange for the jama'at of the Tarawih. If a person after
being sure that the jama'ah of Tarawih is being held in
his mosque, performs the Tarawih in his home without
jama'ah, the sunnah of the Tarawih is discharged, but he
will be deprived of the great thawab (reward) of praying
with jama'ah. So, one should perform the Tarawih in the
mosque as far as possible. It is also a Sunnah to complete
the recitation of the whole Quran in Tarawih in Ramadhan.
It is thus advisable to request a hafiz (one who has
memorized the Holy Quran by heart) to lead the prayer of
Tarawih. However, paying any fee to the hafiz for this
purpose is not allowed. If no such hafiz is available, the
Tarawih should be led by any Imam, and he can recite in it
whatever Surahs of the Holy Qur'an he remembers.
Rasullullah(Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) observed this prayer
and after him his Companions also kept up the practice. It
is independent of the fast and should be offered even by the
person who does not observe the fast due to some reason,
unless otherwise exempte
TIMES OF THE TARAWEEH PRAYER
The Taraweeh prayer has to start from the evening the
Ramadaan moon is sighted and has to be discontinued in
the evening the Eid moon is sighted.It starts after the
Isha prayer and lasts till the break of dawn. If a
person offers his Taraweeh prayer before the Isha prayer
it will not be valid, or if he offers it after the lsha
prayer, but then has to repeat his lsha prayer due to
some reason, he will have to repeat his Taraweeh prayer
as well. (Durr al Mukhtar).
COLLECTIVE OFFERING OF THE TARAWEEH PRAYER
Scholars have regarded collective offering of the
Taraweeh prayer as a compulsory Sunnat having the
Kifaaya status.
RAK'AHS OF TARAWEEH
According to the consensus of the companions, the
taraweeh prayer consists of 20 rak'ahs which are to be
offered two at a time with one salutation, and after
every four ra'ahs a short pause for rest may be observed
for the convenience of the people.
(Fasting made easy- Mufti
AH Elias)
TWENTY RAKAATS TARAWEEH?
Until approximately two centuries ago there were no two
answers to this question. Every person until this time
unanimously agreed that it is TWENTY Rakaats. Around the
twelfth century a group calling itself the Ahle Hadith
emerged and began propagating the fallacy that Taraweeh
is only eight Rakaats. Recently, a small group in our
country, in order to cast aside the following one of the
four Madhabs, have begun blindly following the so called
Ahle Hadith. Hence not only do they deprive themselves
from the rewards of the entire twenty Rakaats, they also
mislead other simpleminded people who are unaware of the
facts and deprive them as well. At the same time those
of weak Imaan who find the twenty Rakaats difficult due
to their laziness and lack of realisation of the
tremendous rewards of Taraweeh, have found a scapegoat
in the baseless propaganda of the Ahle Hadith and its
followers. The reality, however, is that twenty Rakaats
of Taraweeh is Sunnatul Mua'kkadah (a greatly stressed
Sunnah, deliberate omission of which is a sin).
ALL UNANIMOUS
In the time of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ?layhi Wasallam)
the Taraweeh Salaat was performed individually and in
small groups. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ?layhi Wasallam)
stressed its performance but did not perform it with the
congregation since he feared that it may then become
Fardh (compulsory) upon the Ummah. In one narration, it
is nevertheless mentioned that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ?layhi
Wasallam) performed twenty Rakaats of Taraweeh and the
Witr in Ramadhaan. (Musannad ibn Abi Shaiba and Bayhaqi).
This practice of performing the Taraweeh individually
and in small groups continued in the time of Sayyidina
Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu ?nhu) and the initial years of
the Khilafa of Sayyidina ?mar (Radhiallaahu ?nhu).
Thereafter Hadhrat ?mar (Radhiallaahu ?nhu) appointed
Ubayy ibn Ka?b (Radhiallaahu ?nhu) as the Imaam and
gathered everybody in one Jama'ah behind him for the
full twenty Rakaats of Taraweeh. At that time there were
numerous Sahaabah (Radhiallaahu ?nhum) present. All of
them agreed on this decision of Hadhrat ?mar (Radhiallaahu
?nhu). If this decision was contrary to Deen, the
Sahaabah (Radhiallaahu ?nhu) would have never been
tolerated it. Their consensus on this manner is itself a
Shaée proof of twenty Rakaats being Sunnah. A number of
narrations mention the performance of twenty Rakaats by
the Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu ?nhum). Therefore, we find
that the four great Imaams of the four Maddhabs, despite
a number of minor differences among them on the
interpretation and application of various aspects, are
unanimous that Taraweeh is twenty Rakaats. This is
authentically recorded in their books.
HARAMAYN
The aspect of Taraweeh is really as clear as daylight.
Therefore, one will find that in the Haramayn of
Makkatul Mukarramah and Madinah Munawwarah up to this
day, from the very time of Umar (Radhiallaahu ?nhu),
twenty Rakaats is performed in Jamaa. The Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu
?nhu), the Taabiéen (those who came after the Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu
?nhum), the Imaams of Fiqh (jurisprudence) and the
entire Ummah, with the exception of the so called Ahle
Hadith of recent times, has been unanimous on twenty
Rakaats.
YOUR DECISION
Finally, in one Hadith RasulLullah (Sallallaahu ?layhi
Wasallam) is reported to have said, 'After me there will
be much differences. Hence hold on to my Sunnah and the
Sunnah of my rightly guided Khulafaa'. (Mishk?t). Twenty
Rakaats of Taraweeh with Jamaa was the Sunnah of the
rightly guided Khulafaa. In this latter day difference,
who will you follow? The Sunnah of the Khulafaa of
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ?layhi Wasallam) or the way of
those who contradict them??? You make the decision.
(Mufti Ebrahim Desai)
3. Q & A
Question: A 12 year old boy is a
hafiz, but he is not physically mature,Can this minor lead
the taraweeh salaah or not? Answer:
The ruling is that a minor cannot lead the congregation.
(Mufti Abdur Rahim)
Question: Should a minor point out
the imaam's mistake in the taraweeh salaah, does it
invalidate the salaah? Answer:
When the minor boy is participating in salaah and then he
prompts, the salaah is proper and will not be invalidated.
(Mufti Abdur Rahim)
Question: Do women have to perform
taraweeh? Answer: It is
sunnah-e-Mu'akkadah upon both males and females. It is
sinful to to leave out performing taraweeh.
Question: I have missed my Fard
Esha salaah in the Masjid. Taraweeh has commenced, What do
I do? Answer: Perform the Fard
salaah first. Only thereafter, you should join the
Taraweeh salaah. The missed taraweeh rak'ahs must be
performed after the Witr salaah.
4. HEALTH
Angina and Fasting: A medical perspective
This is not a contra-indication to fasting provided it
is stable. Long acting beta blockers, calcuim channel
blockers and nitrates should be used eg. Sectral,
Tenormin, Norvasc, Ismo.
5. EVENTS IN RAMADHAAN
The first battle in Islamic History(ie. the Battle of Badr)
take place on the 12 th of Ramadan 2nd year after Hijrah.
6. RAMADHAAN IN CHINA
With the approach of Ramadan, Local Imams
in China begin informing people about the teachings of the
Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah especially those teachings
related to fasting and its morals. During Ramadan, it is
remarkable to see Chinese Muslims sticking to the tenets
of Islam and its rituals.Chinese Muslims are accustomed to
pray Taraweeh 20 Rakaats (prayer units). Muslims gather
together and say after every two Rakaats: “O! You who
changes hearts and eyesight, O! You who creates day and
night, strengthen our Faith along the path of truth.” In
China, Many religious activities such as reciting the
Qur’an before Taraweeh and celebrating Laylatul Qadr (the
night of Qadr) are held during Ramadan. In addition, tea,
candy and dates are known to be among the distinguishing
features that are shared in this blessed month.
Source: islamonline
7. TODAYS DUAA
O Allah ! let me have mercy on the orphans, and feed [the
hungry], and spread peace, and keep company with the
nobleminded, O the shelter of the hopeful.
O Allah! grant me a share from Your mercy which is wide,
guide me towards Your shining proofs, lead me to Your all
encompassing pleasure, by Your love, O the hope of the
desirous. |
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