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Negative Aspects Emanating from some Fasting Individuals during the Holy Month of Ramadan
Author : Dr. Mahmoud Muhaidat
Date Added : 22-08-2023

Negative Aspects Emanating from some Fasting Individuals during the Holy Month of Ramadan

 

 

Many negative aspects emanate from some of the fasting individuals during the holy month of Ramadan. These can prevent them from achieving the ultimate goal for which fasting was prescribed in the first place: piety. Allah, the Almighty, says {What means}: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,- "{Al-Baqarah, 183}. Therefore, it is essential to avoid these negative aspects so as not to miss out on attaining piety. Here, dear fasting brothers, are some of these aspects:

 

Firstly, neglecting the mosques in the Maghrib prayer:

 

Many of our mosques lament the fact that their attendees abandon them during the Maghrib prayer, using the excuse of breaking their fast with their families, impatience of the young ones, the presence of guests, and other justifications that do not render the congregational prayer invalid. This leads them to neglect the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him.

 

Secondly, being oblivious to following the Mu'adhin during the Maghrib adhan and becoming preoccupied with Iftar:

 

The fasting person deprives himself or herself of this great virtue. Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "When you hear the call to prayer, repeat what the Mu'adhin says." {Transmitted by Bukhari}. Jabir ibn Abdullah reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "When you hear the call to prayer, say, 'O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and established prayer, grant Mohammad the intercession and favor, and raise him to the honored station You have promised him. It will be a means of mediation for him on the Day of Resurrection." {Transmitted by Bukhari}.

 

Thirdly, delaying the breaking of the fast until the Adhan is finished:

 

This practice stems from excessive caution to ensure the sunset and it falls under the category of religious extremism. Abdullah bin Mas'ud reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Those who are extreme have perished." He repeated it three times. {Transmitted by Muslim}.

 

Fourthly, a decrease in enthusiasm after a few days of Ramadan:

 

Some worshippers exert very little effort. You might find them attending Taraweeh prayers for a day or two, or perhaps a single week at the beginning of Ramadan. However, their zeal dwindles, their determination wanes, and they stop praying Taraweeh for the remainder of the month. Had they focused on performing Taraweeh prayers more towards the end of the month than at the beginning, it would have been closer to the Sunnah, and they might have caught the virtue of Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree). Allah, the Exalted, says {What means}: "The Night of Power is better than a thousand months." {Al-Qadr, 3). The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Search for the Night of Decree in the last ten nights of Ramadan." {Transmitted by Bukhari & Muslim}.

 

Narrated by Aisha, the Mother of the Believers: "The Messenger of Allah used to strive [in worship] during Ramadan more than he strove [in worship] at any other time, and he would exert himself in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan more than he would at any other time."{Transmitted by Muslim}.

 

Fifthly, breaking the fast while engaging in sin:

 

One of the trials we face during Ramadan is the spread of forbidden programs in the media, such as prohibited quizzes and degrading TV series. Adding to this are the mixed-gender Ramadan tents. Many fasting individuals break their fast either while watching these forbidden programs or in these mixed tents; fasting from what Allah has permitted and breaking their fast with what Allah has forbidden.

Moreover, many people mistakenly think that Ramadan is only during the daytime. They somewhat adhere to the ethics of fasting by lowering their gaze, refraining from backbiting and gossip, and increasing their worship during the day by reading the Quran and reciting supplications. However, once the Maghrib call to prayer is heard, they revert to their earlier habits of watching movies, TV series, and inappropriate programs, even the religious channels don't interest them except during the day. They believe that Ramadan is only during the daytime, as if there is no Ramadan at night.

 

This misconception needs to be corrected. Ramadan is a complete month, day and night. It is not restricted to the daytime alone; rather, Ramadan encompasses both day and night. It is essential for a Muslim to engage in obedience and avoid sin during Ramadan and beyond.

 

 

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

I married a man and had two children; however, we got separated four years ago. In addition, my husband`s brother, paternal uncle of my children, has been providing for them ever since. In fact, he is an honest, well-behaved man. Is it permissible that we get married although his brother (My ex-husband) is still alive?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of The Worlds. May His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
It is temporarily prohibited for a woman to marry her stepbrother. Therefore, once she receives Talaq Ba`in (Irrevocable divorce), she is allowed to marry her stepbrother, even if his brother (First husband) is still alive. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

I have been married for five years. My husband has two sons from his first marriage. Nevertheless, I took care of his children, and gave birth to a baby boy who is now three years old. Unfortunately, we keep fighting all the time; sometimes over his two sons and sometimes over his family. If I serve his family members and praise them, he treats me kindly. If I don`t, he turns my life into living hell. What should I do?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.

Spouses should live with each other on a footing of kindness and equity. In your case, constructive dialogue is the best course of action. We advise you to be patient, commit your affair to Allah and ask Him to help you. We also recommend that you seek the help of the people of goodness and make them fix things between you and your husband. If all attempts for reconciliation fail then go to court, but we remind you that a problem, which could be solved with a beautiful word, is no problem at all, so praise family and children and try your best to win their hearts. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

Is it permissible for the guardian, or the father of the child to hit the latter in order to teach him/her good manners?

It is permissible for the guardian to hit his/her child for teaching them good manners once they become ten years old provided that it is done mildly, harmlessly and without intimidation. Actually, such punishment is to be employed gradually i.e. after: asking, warning, and scolding. As for the teacher, he isn`t allowed to hit the student unless the latter`s father approves of it, and it is done according to necessity without intimidation, or harm.

A woman has asked her husband for Khulu`, her gold, deferred portion of the dowry and furniture. Is she entitled to that, knowing that her husband doesn`t want to divorce her?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Khulu`* can`t takes place save before a judge of Sharia and he has the authority to make the suitable decision in this matter. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
* Khulu' is when parties agree to separate by way of consent, usually upon terms such as the wife agreeing to repay her Mahr (dowry) to the husband upon him agreeing to grant Talaq. The iddah period (waiting time after a divorce) of a woman who seeks a khula, is one menstrual cycle or one month if she is post-menopause i.e. ceased menstruating. This is to ensure she is not pregnant. This differs from when a man gives a talaq; the iddah period is three cycles or three months.