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Ramadan is a School of Ethics
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 15-01-2024

Ramadan is a School of Ethics

 

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, as explained by Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, who said: "Islam is built on five pillars: bearing witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and that Mohammad is His messenger, establishing the prayer, giving alms (Zakat), performing the pilgrimage to the House (Kaaba), and fasting during the month of Ramadan.'" (Transmitted by Bukhari & Muslim).

 

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is obligatory for every adult, sane, and capable Muslim, as stated by Allah, the Most High: "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous – " {Al-Baqarah, 183}.

 

Undoubtedly, the performance of this great pillar has wisdom and benefits for the worshiper. One of the most important benefits is that the Muslim learns self-discipline in his actions and behaviors. During the daylight hours of Ramadan, he refrains from what is halal and permissible throughout the days of the other months, including food, drinks, and other lawful enjoyments. However, during Ramadan, he abstains from them in obedience to the command of Allah, despite having the ability to indulge in eating and drinking. This self-restraint is an embodiment of the concept of taqwa (piety), where one fears Allah both in private and in public.

 

Likewise, a person learns to distance themselves from prohibitions by restraining from permissible acts during the daylight hours, in obedience to Allah's command. This experience teaches one to avoid forbidden actions throughout the entire year, as the One who commands and prohibits is Allah.

Similarly, a person learns how to elevate themselves above succumbing to their desires, as they gain control over their consumption of food and drink. This enables the servant to rise above being a slave to their desires and instead become a servant of Allah alone, glorified and exalted. In this context, one can also break free from some of their bad habits, such as smoking or excessive eating and drinking.

 

In addition, fasting assists the one who remembers Allah and the one who recites the Quran in achieving more humility and contemplation. Through fasting, the servant is reminded of Allah's blessings, particularly food and drink. Moreover, it serves as a reminder for the servant to express gratitude for these blessings. Fasting also emphasizes the importance of time, as it involves adhering to specific timings for abstaining and breaking the fast.

It should be noted that fasting is not limited to abstaining from food, drink, and sexual desires since true fasting involves refraining from all prohibitions and forbidden actions. Otherwise, what is the use for abstaining from food and drink while consuming people's wealth unjustly through cheating, deception, or hoarding? What is the use for refraining from eating and drinking but not refraining from gossiping and accusing others of unchaste behavior? Fasting is a comprehensive form of moral education that should not be fragmented. Otherwise, a person will not grasp the true essence of fasting. This is evident in the saying of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him): "Whoever does not give up false speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink." (Transmitted by al-Bukhari).

 

In conclusion, fasting is a school of ethics that teaches individuals discipline, order, and organization. It instills the understanding that life is not merely about food and drink; there are greater aspects to it. Fasting encourages acts of kindness towards those in need, maintaining family ties, reading the Quran, praying during the day and night, gathering with loved ones and neighbors in mosques and community centers, practicing generosity and charity. It allows individuals to taste the sweetness of faith and comprehend the significance of connecting with Allah the Almighty.

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the monetary value for the expiation of an oath (Kaffarat al-Yamin)?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
The expiation for an oath (Kaffarat al-Yamin) consists of feeding ten (10) needy persons. This is estimated at 600 grams of rice per person. It is also permissible to pay its value in cash, which is estimated at one dinar (per person). And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling on using the *subḥah* (prayer beads) to count during *tasbīḥ* and *dhikr*?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is recommended to use the ordinary or electronic subḥah (prayer beads or counter) to count tasbīḥ, dhikr, and istighfār, because it helps one to remember Allah. Many reports have been transmitted from the Companions and the Followers (tābiʿūn) showing that they continued to use strings of date pits as an aid to dhikr and tasbīḥ.
It is one of the lawful means of worship. Indeed, what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), namely that he counted tasbīḥ on his right hand, shows that it is permissible to count tasbīḥ with whatever helps a Muslim keep track of the number. There is therefore no basis for calling it an innovation (bidʿah), and we know of no jurist who said so.
Al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Suyūṭī (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote a dedicated treatise on the subject titled al-Minḥah fī al-Subḥah, printed within al-Ḥāwī li’l-Fatāwī (vol. 4–6).
Shaykh al-Islām Imam Ibn Ḥajar al-Haytamī (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: Does the subḥah have a basis in the Sunnah? He replied: “Yes, and al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Suyūṭī wrote on this. Among the evidence is what is authentically reported from Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both): ‘I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) counting tasbīḥ on his hand.’ Ibn Abī Shaybah, Abū Dāwūd, and al-Tirmidhī also narrated: ‘Hold fast to tasbīḥ, tahlīl, and taqdīs, and do not be heedless, lest you forget the affirmation of Allah’s oneness (tawḥīd). Count them on the fingertips, for they will be questioned and made to speak.’ Counting tasbīḥ with pebbles, date pits, and a knotted string has also been reported from a group of the Companions and those after them. Some scholars held that counting on the fingertips is better than the subḥah, based on the ḥadīth of Ibn ʿUmar. Others distinguished, saying: if the one reciting is safe from miscounting, counting on the fingertips is better; otherwise the subḥah is better.” [al-Fatāwā al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kubrā, Vol.1/p.152]. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on a latecomer who joins the imam during the standing position of the first rakʿah but was unable to complete the recitation of al-Fātiḥah?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
If a latecomer (masbuq) joins the prayer while the imam is standing, he should begin reciting Sūrat al-Fātiḥah immediately, without pausing to recite the opening supplication (duʿāʾ al-istiftāḥ) or the seeking of refuge (taʿawwudh). If the imam bows before he completes al-Fātiḥah, he follows the imam into the bow and leaves whatever remains of al-Fātiḥah — the imam bears it on his behalf.
It is stated in ʿUmdat al-Sālik (p. 47): "If a latecomer finds the imam standing and is confident that he has enough time to recite the taʿawwudh and al-Fātiḥah in full, he may do so. If he is uncertain, he should neither recite the opening supplication nor the taʿawwudh, but rather begin directly with al-Fātiḥah. If the imam bows before he completes it, he follows him into the bow — provided he had not already begun the opening supplication or the taʿawwudh. If he had begun either of them, he continues reciting al-Fātiḥah for as long as he spent on them." And Allah the Almighty knows best.

In the Sharia-compliant viewing  at a prospective bride (*al-naẓrah al-sharʿiyyah*), is it permissible for the man to see the woman without a veil (*ḥijāb*)?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is sunnah for the suitor to see the woman he is seeking to marry within the limits the Sharīʿah permits, namely looking at the face and the hands (palms and backs), based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Look at her, for it is more likely to bring about harmony between you.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhī.
The suitor may also ask one of the women to look at the woman he is seeking to marry. In that case, she is permitted to see of her what she is normally permitted to see, which is not limited to the face and hands, and she then describes these matters to the suitor. It is narrated on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Umm Sulaym to look at a girl, and said: “Smell her breath, and look at her heels.” Narrated by Aḥmad in his Musnad.
It is stated in Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj (Vol.7/p.192): “For one who cannot easily look, or does not wish to look himself, it is sunnah to send someone who is permitted to look at her, to observe her and describe her to him, even regarding what he himself is not permitted to look at. He thereby gains through the sending what he would not gain through looking. Because of the added need for this, it is excepted from the prohibition of a woman describing another woman to a man.”
The permissibility of looking is conditional upon his resolve to marry her once he is able to, his predominant assumption that his proposal will be accepted, and his assumption that the woman is free of marriage and of a waiting period (ʿiddah). Otherwise, looking is forbidden.
Accordingly, it is not permissible for the suitor to look at anything other than the face and hands. He may ask one of his maḥram women, such as his mother or sister, to see the woman unveiled, and the Sharia-compliant viewing (of a prospective bride) must take place in the presence of one of the woman’s maḥrams. And Allah Almighty knows best.

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