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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 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.

What is the ruling on the mother who resorts to practitioners of witchcraft to make her son hate his wife?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

What she is doing is forbidden and amongst the seven destructive sins. Hence, she must make repentance, seek forgiveness from Allah, regret what she has done and adhere to the teachings of Sharia. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best..

Is it permissible for the guardian, or the father of the child to hit the latter in order to teach him/her good manners?

It is permissible for the guardian to hit his/her child for teaching them good manners once they become ten years old provided that it is done mildly, harmlessly and without intimidation. Actually, such punishment is to be employed gradually i.e. after: asking, warning, and scolding. As for the teacher, he isn`t allowed to hit the student unless the latter`s father approves of it, and it is done according to necessity without intimidation, or harm.

I have a question regarding the deferred portion of the dowry (Mahr)*. Is the wife entitled to it only upon divorce or she can claim it even if divorce hasn`t taken place? Moreover, does she have the right to claim this portion after death of husband, even if he didn`t divorce her before that?

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of The Worlds. May His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
In the marriage contract, it is recorded that the deferred portion of the dowry is due upon divorce or death, whatever comes first. If divorce took place first then the woman is entitled to it and if the husband died this amount must be paid from his estate. On the other hand, if the woman died then the husband becomes liable for this portion and it becomes part of the woman`s estate. We advise every husband to give this portion to his wife while alive because it is a right of hers. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
* 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 (payment also has circumstances on when and how to pay). 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. Mahr is typically specified in the marriage contract signed upon marriage.

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