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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

What is the best charity to offer on behalf of the deceased? Is it giving food, reciting Quran, giving money or supplicating? What is the best charity to offer on behalf of dead father and dead husband? What is the best continuous charity to offer on behalf of the deceased?

Praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. The deceased benefits from every righteous deed offered on his/her behalf, be that continuous charity, reciting Quran or a pious son praying for him/her. However, the best righteous deed is performing Haj and Omrah on their behalf especially if he/she hadn`t performed that ritual for it remains a debt on them. The evidence on this is that Ibn 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man came to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and said: "Messenger of Allah, my mother has died (in a state) that she had to observe fasts of a month (of Ramadan). Should I complete (them) on her behalf? Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Would you not pay the debt if your mother had died (without paying it)? He said: Yes. He (the Holy Prophet) said: The debt of Allah deserves more that it should be paid."{Related by Muslim}. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

Someone asked me to pay off his debt on his behalf as a loan, without any compensation. When I went to the creditor, he told me that if I paid the full amount at once, rather than in installments, he would give me a certain discount. Is this permissible? And if he applies the discount, to whom does the deducted amount belong?

If part of the debt is paid and the creditor forgives the remaining amount, the waiver is valid, and the remaining debt is no longer the responsibility of the original debtor. The person who paid the debt on behalf of another has no right to claim any portion of the original debt. And Allah Knows Best.

I have concluded my marriage contract at a Sharia court; however, one day I was talking to my fiancée over the phone and she got on my nerves leading me to utter one divorce. This is knowing that I can`t tell my her father because he is very strict and will not accept that at all. What is the best course of action that I should pursue in this situation?

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.
When divorce takes place before the consummation of marriage it is called Ba`in divorce* (Minor irrevocable divoce), so your wife is considered unlawful to you until you conduct a new marriage contract and pay Mahr* , and you should visit the Iftaa` Department in order to know the correct Fatwa. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

* Minor irrevocable divorce Talaq Al-Ba'in Binona Soghra: It is a divorce where the husband cannot take his ex-wife back unless with her consent, conducting a new marriage contract and paying new bridal wealth Mahr.

* In Islam, a Mahr is the obligation, in the form of money or possessions paid by the groom, to the bride at the time of Islamic marriage. While the Mahr is often money, it can also be anything agreed upon by the bride such as jewelry, home goods, furniture, a dwelling or some land.

Is it permissible for a father to divide his property amongst his children except one under the pretext that he has paid for the latter`s tuition? This is knowing that his other children were given the opportunity to pursue their education but didn`t because they were educationally poor. Moreover, is he allowed to give his other children who have helped him with growing his business?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May Allah`s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
The father should be just between his children as regards gifts, in case they had similar circumstances. However, if any had a special merit, then it is permissible for the father to take that into account to be just. For example, giving his children who have helped in making his fortune and received no reward for that or giving the little ones because they haven`t taken as much as the older ones or giving the sick child who is unable to make a living. The most important thing is achieving justice. Moreover, the father is not interdicted by any of his children, and he is free to do whatever he wants with his money and Allah will call him to account as regards observing justice between his children. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.