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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

My husband wanted to sell a piece of land that was his own, but his father insisted that he transfer the land in his (the father’s) name so that he could sell it at a higher price. Then, my husband and his father would split the price. After my father-in-law sold the land, he denied everything and refused to acknowledge my husband’s right. My father-in-law passed away a year ago, and my husband’s brothers divided the inheritance, refusing to acknowledge that this land was a trust held by their father for my husband until it was sold. Are they sinful for knowingly denying that the land belongs to my husband, and what is the ruling on praying against them?
 
 
 
 
 

All perfect praise be to Alalh, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.
Among the rights of the deceased upon their heirs are: preparing them for burial at death, settling their debts, returning people’s rights to them, executing their will, and then dividing their estate. What was mentioned in the question falls under the rights of others, even if they are among the heirs, and the deceased is not absolved of it unless it is returned to its rightful owners. This is because Allah, Almighty, forbids consuming others' wealth/properties unjustly. However, do not give up on seeking a solution by involving righteous and well - respected individuals who may have influence over them, in the hope that Allah guides them to goodness and correctness. As for supplicating against them, the prayer of the oppressed is not rejected, even if the oppressed person is not a Muslim. And Allah knows best.
 
 
 
 
 

I work at a company that provides cash advances of 800 dinars, 1000 dinars, or 1200 dinars, depending on the employee’s years of service. An administrative fee of 40 dinars is deducted from the amount in the first month, and the remaining amount is repaid in installments. What is the ruling on this, knowing that the deducted amount (40 dinars) is fixed?

We fear that the deducted amount may be a means of circumventing interest (Riba). If the deducted amount is equal to or less than the actual administrative expenses, then there is no issue, as some scholars permit the borrower to bear the costs of documenting and managing the loan. However, piety suggests refraining from taking this loan under these conditions, as dealing with private individuals and companies is not the same as dealing with the state, which spends from the public treasury. And Allah Knows Best.

Does offering Udhiyah (Offering a Sacrificial animal at Aid Al-Adha) avails from offering Aqiqa?

Offering an Udhiyah doesn't avail a person from offering Aqiqa because each of which is a different act of worship. And Allah Knows Best.

Is it permissible to say: "O Allah, by the status of the saints and the righteous, and our master Muhammad, peace be upon him, grant us the ability to reach Ramadan"?

What is mentiond by the righteous predecessors that they used to say: "O Allah bless us in Shaba'an and Rajab and give us the ability to reach Ramadan." [Shoa'ab Al-Iman/vol.3/pp.375]. And Allah Knows Best. 

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