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Tips for Seizing the Opportunity of Ramadan in Obedience to Allah
Author : Mufti Hani Al-Abid
Date Added : 11-03-2024

Tips for Seizing the Opportunity of Ramadan in Obedience to Allah

 

The one who examines the verses about fasting in the Quran finds indications and references to the concept of time and its components. This is in order to seize the opportunity to obey Allah and to draw the conscious awareness of Muslims to the importance of seizing the month of Ramadan, its days, nights, and hours.

 

One of these indications is the verse in which Allah says [what means]: "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous - [Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]" (Al-Baqarah: 183-184). This verse highlights the concept of the specified days, drawing attention to their precise calculation. The purpose of this calculation is to seize the opportunity presented by these days, leading to the achievement of happiness in both this world and the hereafter.

 

Moreover, Allah, blessed and exalted, said: "The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it" (Al-Baqarah: 185). Here comes one of the terms of time, which is the month, drawing attention to the blessings of the month of Ramadan. It is a blessed month, witnessing the revelation of the Qur'an, which revived nations with its eloquence and legislation.

In addition to what has been mentioned, Islam has invited us in many instances to make the most of our time because time once passed cannot be regained.

 

The evidence on this is abundant, including:

 

First: Allah the Almighty swears by time. He said: "By the time, Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience." [Surah Al-Asr]. Ibn Kathir explained: "Al-Asr refers to the time during which the movements of human beings occur, whether good or evil." [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Vol. 4/P. 548].

 

Secondly: It was narrated in a hadith that the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said: "Seize five [things] before five [others]: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death." [Reported by Al-Hakim in "Al-Mustadrak"].

 

Thirdly: Islam guides us to consider time as a blessing that should not be wasted. The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said: "Two blessings which many people squander: Good health and free time." [Reported by Al-Bukhari].

 

Fourthly: The time of Ramadan is a precious treasure.It is among the blessed times that the wise seek to capitalize on. The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said: "Verily, your Lord, Blessed and Exalted, has 'Nafahat' (breezes or special graces) during your days of life, so expose yourselves to them that perhaps you may be touched by one of them, after which you will never be miserable." [Reported by Al-Tabarani]. There is no doubt that the times of Ramadan are among these blessed graces, which Muslims should seize in what pleases and satisfies the Lord of the Worlds.

 

In order for Muslims to benefit from their time during Ramadan, I propose the following:

 

Firstly, it is essential to manage time during Ramadan and invest it in beneficial activities. This can be achieved by creating a plan in consultation with family members to organize their schedules during Ramadan. Time management experts say that the benefit of time and its investment does not come solely from believing in it unless there is a clear vision and determination to overcome obstacles. Ali ibn Abi Talib said: "You are nothing but days, so each day that passes takes away a part of you." (Stolen Times of Preachers, Muhammad Ahmed Al-Jawad, p. 23).

 

Secondly, it is important not to oversleep during the day in Ramadan. If necessary, allocate an hour during the day to gather energy. Excessive daytime sleep is incompatible with the spiritual essence of fasting. Scholars say that Allah, the Most High, specifically designated the daytime for fasting because eating during the day is customary, while sleeping at night is customary. Therefore, if one fasts at night, fasting becomes merely a matter of habit rather than an act of reverence for the Shari'ah. (The Beauties of Islam, Mohammad ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Bukhari, p. 21). Those who oversleep during the day risk losing the essence and wisdom of fasting, which includes experiencing hunger, empathizing with the poor, and purifying the soul.

 

Thirdly, it's beneficial to utilize commuting time to work or school, such as when using public transportation, for reading. This can include reading the Noble Quran, especially during Ramadan, the month of the Quran, or reading beneficial educational books. For drivers who cannot read while driving, they can listen to recordings of the Quran or beneficial lectures.

 

Fourthly, give work its due rights and demonstrate that fasting motivates productivity. Remember that Ramadan was the month of Badr, the conquest of Mecca, and the month of achievements. Therefore, sincerity in work and commitment to work hours are essential.

 

Fifthly, strive to complete the recitation of the Noble Quran during Ramadan, engage in night prayers (Tahajjud), and perform the Taraweeh prayer in congregation.

 

Sixthly, Ramadan is a month where the Muslim community demonstrates its finest attributes of mutual support. Therefore, fasting individuals should leave a social impact during this month by maintaining communication with relatives and parents, and reinforcing their bonds with them in this blessed month. Kindness and goodness towards family members are always essential, but during Ramadan, this mutual support among different segments of society should be more visible and deeply felt in hearts.

 

Seventhly, it's important to keenly listen to the lessons of scholars, especially those that deepen one's understanding of religion and clarify one's obligations and duties.

 

In conclusion, it's imperative for a discerning fasting person to devise a plan before the arrival of Ramadan that suits their circumstances. This plan should focus on making the most of Ramadan's time, as one thinker said, realizing that time is life, and Ramadan is one of the best times in a Muslim's life. It's one of the great opportunities that may not recur in a person's life. (Economic Lessons from Ramadan by Dr. Ashraf Mohammad, P.123).

 

And all perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is the prayer of a woman who is led by an Imam via T.V. permissible?

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.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Amongst the conditions for the validity of prayer is that both the Imam and those led by him must be in the same place. Thus, the prayer of the person who is being led by a televised Imam is invalid unless he/she was with him in the same mosque. And Allah Knows Best.

Is it valid to have Suhoor before sleeping, even if it is before midnight?

Suhoor refers to the pre-dawn meal eaten after midnight to help a Muslim endure fasting. The closer it is to Fajr, the better.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "My Ummah will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast and delay Suhoor." [Narrated by Ahmad]
This is because delaying Suhoor makes it more effective in providing strength for worship. However, if there is a risk of Fajr entering while eating, one should refrain from Suhoor out of caution. 
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Leave what makes you doubt for what does not make you doubt." [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi]

Is it permissible to divide one mudd of fidyah between two people?

No, it is not permissible to divide one mudd between two people, because it would not count as a full meal for either of them.

What are the conditions for a valid Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
First: The age of the animal must meet the Sharia requirements. These requirements vary depending on the type of sacrifice:
 
Camels: Must have completed five years and entered their sixth.
 
Cows: Must have completed two years and entered their third.
 
Goats: Must have completed two years and entered their third. As for Sheep, they must have completed one year and entered their second.
 
Some scholars have permitted goats that have completed one year and entered their second.
 
The Hanafi school, along with an opinion in the Maliki school, permits sacrificing sheep that are at least six months old, provided they are healthy and physically substantial. According to the Shafi’i school, it is permissible if the sheep sheds its front teeth (ajdha') before reaching one year [Al-Iqna’, by Al-Shirbini (Vol.2/P.588)].
 
Second: Soundness and freedom from defects. The animal must be free from any defect that causes a decrease in its meat or market value. This is based on the hadith narrated by Al-Bara' bin 'Azib, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
 
"Four [defects] are not permissible in sacrifices: A one-eyed animal whose blindness is evident, a sick animal whose illness is evident, a lame animal whose lameness is evident, and an emaciated animal that has no marrow in its bones." [Reported by Abu Dawood and Al-Tirmidhi, who graded it as authentic].
 
These defects are detailed as follows:
 
Evident Lameness: It is not permissible to sacrifice a lame animal if the lameness is severe enough to prevent it from walking to the pasture or seeking food, as this leads to a decrease in its meat. However, slight lameness that does not hinder its grazing is overlooked.
 
Evident Blindness (One-eyed): It is not permissible to sacrifice a sheep, cow, or camel that has a white film over its eye blocking light, or one that has lost an eye entirely. Weak vision that does not affect its ability to eat does not prevent the sacrifice from being valid.
 
Evident Illness: An animal with a clear sickness that prevents it from eating or moving is not valid. This includes severe mange (Jarab) that spoils the meat.
 
Extreme Emaciation: An animal so thin that there is no marrow left in its bones is invalid. The standard for emaciation that invalidates the sacrifice is that which spoils the quality of the meat to the point that people would find it undesirable even in times of plenty.
 
Additional Considerations:
These are the defects mentioned in the Prophetic tradition, and any defect that causes emaciation or reduces the meat or value is compared to them by analogy. This includes animals that are mentally unstable (diseased), those with mange, or those with a missing ear. In contrast, a slit or pierced ear does not affect the validity of the sacrifice. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

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