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Welcoming Ramadan
Author : Dr. Ibrahim Ejjo
Date Added : 23-07-2025

Welcoming Ramadan

 

Allah has ordained fasting in Ramadan for Muslims, making it one of the pillars of Islam and recording its obligation in numerous verses of the Qur’an—ensuring its ruling remains eternal, just like this divine Book. Allah says {what means}: "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain piety." [Al-Baqarah /183]. And He, the Almighty, says {what means}: "The month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind, with clear proofs of guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever sights the month, let him fast it." [Al-Baqarah /185].

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) counted fasting Ramadan as a pillar of Islam, a foundation of the religion, and one of the greatest acts of worship drawing one closer to the Lord of the Worlds. He (peace be upon him) said: "Islam is built upon five (pillars): testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, establishing prayer, paying zakah, performing Hajj, and fasting Ramadan." [Bukhari & Muslim].

Allah has gathered immense goodness in this month. Among its virtues is that "Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." [Bukhari & Muslim].

Thus, the sincere believer and the devout Muslim welcomes Ramadan with high determination and overwhelming joy. Ramadan holds a special place in the hearts of the righteous—it is the greatest month in goodness, the most beneficial, and the most exalted in status. It is the month of obedience and worship, the month of blessings and divine mercy—the month in which Allah revealed the Qur’an as guidance and a clear criterion for mankind.

A believer welcomes it with sincere and pure repentance, through which Allah erases sins, elevates ranks, and replaces misdeeds with good deeds: "O you who believe, turn to Allah in sincere repentance." [At-Tahrim /8]

A believer welcomes Ramadan by being steadfast in performing prayers on time and maintaining congregational prayers, for "The prayer to prayer is an expiation for what is between them." And whoever is consistent in prayer, it will be a light, salvation, and proof for them on the Day of Judgment.

A Muslim welcomes Ramadan with the resolve to fast—an act that purifies souls from sins, trains them in patience (which is half of faith), and prepares them for hardships and trials.

A believer welcomes Ramadan with the determination to recite the Qur’an, reflect upon its verses, and understand its rulings—for it is the Qur’an that reforms beliefs, rectifies morals, purifies souls, and enlightens minds. Allah says [what means]: "There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book." [Al-Ma’idah /15].

A Muslim welcomes Ramadan with the commitment to regularly perform Taraweeh and night prayers (Qiyam al-Layl), for it is the practice of the righteous and the path of the God-fearing. Allah says {what means}: "They used to sleep but little at night, and at dawn they would seek forgiveness." [Adh-Dhariyat /17-18]. Moreover, He says {what means}: "Their sides forsake their beds to call upon their Lord in fear and hope." [As-Sajdah /16]

The scholars of Tafsir (The exegesis or interpretation of the Quran) explain that this refers to night prayer—when the worshipper leaves their bed and family, abandoning sleep and comfort, turning to Allah in fear and hope, faith and devotion. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever stands (in prayer) during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." [Bukhari & Muslim].

Thus, every Muslim should prepare themselves to welcome this noble guest and great month.

We ask Allah to grant us the ability to fast and stand in prayer during it and to make us among those He frees from the Fire. All praise is to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on smoking?

All Perfect Praise is due to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds

Smoking is forbidden (Haram) since it is harmful to one`s health as confirmed by trustful physicians, and Islam has forbidden taking anything that causes harm. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "There should be neither harm nor reciprocated harm." [Ibn Majah and Ahmad]. And Allah Knows Best.

1- A young man whose father and grandfather are dead. Unfortuntly, he passedaway leaving a mother, two sisters and a brother. Do his paternal uncles inherit him? 2- A man died leaving daughters, a wife, brothers, a mother or no mother. It is well known that the daughters inherit two thirds and the wife one eighth. To whom does the rest of the estate go and what is the evidence on that from the texts of Sharia?

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.
1- The full brother or the paternal half-sibling disinherits the paternal uncles. The paternal half-sibling takes one sixth and because they are from the Asabah (Male relatives on the father`s side) of the deceased they take the rest of the estate. The proof of this is that Ibn ‘Abbas (May Allah Be Pleased with them) reported God’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying: "Give the shares to those who are entitled to them, and what remains over goes to the nearest male heir." [Agreed upon]. In this case, nothing is left to them.
2- The brothers take the rest of the deceased`s estate and the full brother disinherits the paternal half-sibling, and the proof of this is the aforementioned narration. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.

I am a woman, and my natural menstrual cycle lasts six days. In the evening, I perform the testimony (Tashahhud) for myself, and then I engage in sexual intercourse with my husband. After intercourse, I experience bleeding, either immediately or the next day. Is my intercourse with my husband during this time forbidden?
 

It seems that your menstrual cycle lasts seven days, not six. Therefore, you should wait until the bleeding stops, then perform ghusl and pray. And Allah Knows Best.

What should I do in order to wake up for Fajr (dawn) prayer?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds                                                                                                                                                                What should I do in order to wake up for Fajr (dawn) prayer? Answer: Some of the acts that aid in offering Fajr prayer are: 1- Going to bed early. 2-  Willingness to wake up. 3- Reciting Al-Korsi verse from Chapter Al-Baqarah. 4- Taking refuge in Allah from the cursed devil, and making ablution immediatley after being awake, but it is preferable to ask someone to help in this regard to perform the Fajr prayer. And Allah Knows Best.