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Ramadan isn`t Like any Other Month
Author : Dr. Mufti Sa`eid Farhan
Date Added : 10-10-2024

Ramadan isn't like any Other Month

 

Dr. Mufti Sa'eid Farhan 

 

Allah, the Exalted, created the months and distinguished some over others, assigning virtues to each. Among these, Ramadan stands as the master of the months, and in it, He mandated one of the pillars of Islam. His wisdom necessitated that this act of worship holds a high status with Allah as it does among His servants. This great act of worship has distinguished itself from other acts with many characteristics, and I summarize some of these distinctions in the following aspects:

First: Allah, The Exalted, has elevated the status of fasting by attributing it to Himself. As narrated by Al-Bukhari and others, Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said in what he narrates from his Lord, The Exalted: "All actions of the son of Adam are for him, except for fasting; it is for Me, and I will reward for it." This distinction is unique to fasting, with due reverence to other acts of worship. Thus, the fasting person possesses a noble spirit, high aspiration, and strong determination in their fasting, as they know that this fast is for Allah. They endure all hardships and discomfort to complete their fast in a manner that pleases the Exalted.

Second: Regarding reward: Allah has established a unique reward and accountability for fasting that differs from other acts of worship. Just as Allah has distinguished fasting and attributed it to Himself, He has also granted it a tremendous reward. He says in the Qudsi hadith: "And I will reward for it." The reward corresponds to the one who gives it, which is Allah, The Exalted. Fasting is half of patience, as it has been narrated from him (peace be upon him) in the hadith reported by Ibn Majah and others. Allah Says (What means): "Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account" [Az-Zumar/10]. Thus, the fasting person will receive their reward without account, and as Imam Al-Ghazali mentioned in [Ihya Ulum Ad-Din] regarding fasting: "Its reward has exceeded the limits of estimation and account." Moreover, Allah has granted the fasting person a gate among the gates of Paradise, which is the Gate of Al-Rayyan.

Third: Fasting is an act of worship that only Allah knows about; it is far removed from showing off and hypocrisy. Just as Allah's wisdom decreed that fasting is for Him, it also required that the fasting person is solely with Allah, engaged in a worship that no one else sees. Allah has honored fasting by keeping it free from any impurities such as showing off, hypocrisy, or fame, making it an act of worship hidden from people, unseen, and unrecognized.

Fourth: Regarding the rulings of Sharia: Fasting differs from other acts of worship in certain rulings. The intention for fasting must precede the act, meaning that the intention should come before the act of worship, even if only by a short time. In contrast, for other acts of worship, the intention must accompany the action, and it is invalid if the intention precedes the action.

Fifth: Despite the high status of fasting and its great reward, it is an act of worship based on abstaining rather than action. This grants fasting an additional advantage, which is the ability to combine fasting with another act of worship. The fasting person prays, reads the Quran, and thus fulfills multiple acts of worship simultaneously. All of this is a benefit for the fasting person, increasing their reward and status. All praise is due to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds.

 

 

هذا المقال يعبر عن رأي كاتبه، ولا يعبر بالضرورة عن رأي دائرة الإفتاء العام

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Summarized Fatawaa

 Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to uncover her hair in the presence of a Christian woman?

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
According to the reliable opinion of the Shafie School of Thought, this isn`t permissible. However, some scholars stated that it is permissible for a woman to uncover what she usually uncovers while doing housework, but this differs from one place to another where some women uncover their hair while some don`t. However, this is provided that a woman doesn`t uncover her hair in the presence of non-Mahram men (Men permissible for a woman to marry). And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

For passing time, my friends and I have called a famous diviner. She told me that somebody had cast a spill on me not to get married for the rest of my life. I didn`t believe her, but I can`t forget her words. How can I protect myself from such thing?

Praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds.

Dealing with diviners is forbidden and what you are suffering from is due to your having consulted that diviner. Have trust in Allah and ask Him for forgiveness, but rest assured that whatever Allah has decreed will take place. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

Is it permissible for a woman to visit the doctor while in her `Iddah (waiting period)?

It is permissible for her to do that during day time, but it is impermissible for her to go out at night except for a sound reason. 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.