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In welcoming Ramadan
Author : His Grace Shiekh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh
Date Added : 26-07-2023

In welcoming Ramadan

 

 

The month of Ramadan has returned, and the wheel of time has completed its usual cycle. The hearts of Muslims rejoiced at its return, illuminated by the lights of worship and obedience. They remembered the Prophet's joy in welcoming this noble guest, as he used to say: "O Allah, let this month come upon us with safety, faith, peace, and Islam. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah." [At-Tabarani].

 

Ramadan arrives as a noble guest, bringing with it its lights and blessings. It is incumbent upon Muslims to recognize its value and honor its arrival. Allah has designated a caller who announces at the beginning of its first night: "O seeker of goodness, come forward. O seeker of evil, retreat." Therefore, a pleasant encounter between the Muslim and Ramadan takes place, becoming an opportunity for repentance, returning to the straight path, resuming righteous deeds, and seeking forgiveness for past sins and the mischievous whispers of the devils. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His slave than one of you who finds his lost camel in the desert." [Agreed upon].

 

Taking advantage of this blessed time and seizing the opportunity of this noble month, a person can rectify their situation, make up for losses, and rid themselves of past sins. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Indeed, Allah extends His Hand during the night so that the one who sinned during the day can repent, and extends His Hand during the day so that the one who sinned during the night can repent, until the sun rises from its place of setting." [Moslim]. The fasting person can elevate their status and attain emancipation from their sins, becoming one of the successful ones.

 

Ramadan is a rare opportunity bestowed upon humanity by Allah, offering a chance for a fresh start in their faith, a new way of life. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "The Gates of Paradise are opened, the Gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained." During this month, there is the Night of Decree, better than a thousand months, in which angels descend to the Earth by the permission of their Lord...

 

The joy of fasting lies in meeting one's Lord, as the Prophet (PBUH) said: "There are two joys for the fasting person: one joy when they break their fast, and another joy when they meet their Lord due to their fasting." [Agreed upon].

 

Therefore, whoever misses goodness during this month has indeed missed a great benefit and abundant blessings. The Prophet (PBUH) said: Gabriel (PBUH) told me: "Woe to the one who witnessed Ramadan and was not forgiven. Say, 'Amen." [At-Tirmithi].

 

Hence, one should seize this opportunity, filling their heart with love, mercy, faith, and seeking proximity to Allah through repentance, forgiveness, and acts of kindness. Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "Woe to those whose hearts are hardened against celebrating the praises of God! they are manifestly wandering (in error)!" [Az-Zumar/22].

 

Praise be to Allah, the good in our society is great. Many people resume their virtuous lives during Ramadan, renew their repentance to Almighty Allah, abandon sins and resolve not to return to them. They train themselves in this blessed month to do-good deeds and practice acts of obedience. It gives them an opportunity for correction, self-evaluation, and hope to attain the greatest reward, which is Paradise. Allah, The Exalted, Says (What means): "That is the great attainment." [At-Tawbah/72]. It is the ultimate victory, as it leads to eternal happiness in the Hereafter. Allah, The Exalted, also Says (What means): "Its mixture is of musk. And for this, let the competitors compete." [Al-Mutaffifin/26].

 

Al-Tabari said: "Al-Tanafus (competition) is derived from something precious that people eagerly desire, seek, and their souls long for. The meaning is: Let them hasten in seeking this bliss, and let their souls be eager for it.

 

Undoubtedly, whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, and uses this month to practice acts of obedience and offer assistance, while reading the Quran and controlling their tongue, is capable of being productive and restraining their desires and pleasures. The fasting person sets forth towards goodness and virtue. This challenge faces the Islamic nation in every time and place. Allah, The Most Exalted Says (What means): "By the soul and He who proportioned it, and inspired it with discernment of its wickedness and its righteousness." [Ash-Shams/7-8], meaning, purifying the soul through obedience to Allah. That is why Allah, the Exalted, has designated great rewards for sincere fasting. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, all his past sins will be forgiven." [Al-Bukhari].

 

The obedient person fasting for the sake of Allah the Almighty senses the constant surveillance of Allah in all aspects of their life and holds themselves accountable for their actions. By doing so, they have embarked on the initial stages of self-reformation and the treatment of their soul and desires.

 

Fasting has an important ethical and educational role in changing a person's behavior, leading to a true and genuine transformation. The physical changes associated with meal and drink timings require us to reflect on their implications and understand the purpose and objectives behind them. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of his giving up his food and drink." [Al-Bukhari].

 

Just as the fasting person should feel and embody this positive change, they should also make others aware of it. He (PBUH) said: "If one of you is fasting, let him neither indulge in obscene language nor raise his voice in anger. If someone curses him or fights with him, he should respond by saying: 'I am fasting, I am fasting." [An-Nasa'i].

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

I am a wholesale gold trader. My clients are retail gold shop owners. I sell them gold jewelry and ornaments on credit, and they repay me in weekly installments over a period of two months or more. The payments are made in cash for the labor charges and for the gold they owe me. In return, they may give me either cash or used gold.
 

It is not permissible to sell gold or silver on an installment basis or with a deferred payment; rather, immediate exchange is required. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, dates for dates, and salt for salt, like for like, hand to hand. Whoever gives more or asks for more has engaged in usury; the giver and receiver are the same in this regard." (Muslim). Additionally, the weight of the gold must be equal when exchanging new for used; otherwise, it involves usury. The solution is to buy the used gold with cash, then sell the new gold for cash as well. However, payment must be made at the time of the transaction in both cases. Alternatively, one could take the used gold with the intention of refining it, reshape it into a new form, or repair it, then take a fee for the workmanship or repair. And Allah Knows Best

Is it permissible to divide the Aqeeqah amongst one`s brothers and family?

Giving a portion of the Aqeeqah, even a small one, to the poor and needy is obligatory, and if one`s brothers and family are among the needy then, they are more entitled to it, and this way it is a charity and an observation of kinship ties. However, if they aren`t needy then, it is permissible to give them from the Aqeeqah after giving the poor and needy their share.

I work in a government institution that gives an additional three dinars per hour I work. The manager combines students into a single session because attendance is low, and the material taught to all groups is the same. I am paid for two hours, although I actually taught only one session, noting that my transportation costs one and a half dinars. What is the ruling?

The only amount you are permitted to take/have is for one hour work. And Allah Knows Best.

During Ramadan, a man had sexual intercourse with his wife. What is the expiation for that? And is he permitted to pay the expiation?

If a man has intercourse with his wife during the daytime in Ramadan, he must make up for that day and offer expiation. The expiation is fasting for two consecutive months. If he is unable to do so, he must feed sixty needy people. And Allah Knows Best.
 
 
 
 
 

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