Articles

Farewell to Ramadan
Author : An Article by his Grace Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat
Date Added : 14-08-2025

The month of Ramadan prepares to depart as it arrived—a noble guest who came and now leaves. Such is the way of this world: months come and go, and life continues in its eternal cycle.

As we stand at the threshold of Ramadan’s departure, let us pause and ask ourselves: What did we offer Ramadan? What did we accomplish during its days? Did we truly fast as we should? Did we stand in prayer with sincerity? Did the divine wisdom of fasting—"that you may attain Taqwa (God-consciousness)" [Al-Baqarah/183]—manifest in our lives? Did our acts of devotion increase, or did Ramadan pass us by while we were heedless and distracted?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned: "Wretched is the man in whose presence Ramadan arrives and departs before he is forgiven." [Tirmidhi/Ahmad]. So, are we among those whose disgrace is sealed, or are we among the fortunate who earned Allah’s mercy? Or are we among those deluded by false hopes, squandering Ramadan in idle play?

O you who are consumed by worldly pursuits,

Deceived by the illusion of endless time,

Death comes suddenly, without warning,

And the grave is the chest of deeds.

Beloved servants of Allah, Ramadan was a divine gift—a month where rewards were multiplied, a golden opportunity to rectify our past shortcomings. But were we truly deserving of Allah’s generosity? Did we rise to the occasion?

Blessed are those who repented in Ramadan, blessed are those who worshipped sincerely, and joyous are those who turned to Allah wholeheartedly. But ruin awaits those who failed to seize this month’s blessings—for they may never see it again. If one did not repent in Ramadan, when will they repent? If one did not return to Allah in Ramadan, when will they return? If one did not strive in worship during these sacred nights, when will they attain success?

Beloved servants of Allah, what comes after Ramadan? Will we revert to our old ways—neglecting prayers, withholding charity, abandoning the Quran? Many rush to worship in Ramadan—praying, giving charity, reciting the Quran—only to abandon it all once the month ends. But Allah desires for us to remain as we were in Ramadan—steadfast in obedience, nurtured by Taqwa. Ramadan was not just a passing season of worship; it was training for the soul.

So how do we bid farewell to Ramadan? Not with tears and lamentation, but with continued obedience, just as we welcomed it. We bid it farewell with gratitude to Allah for allowing us to witness it. We bid it farewell with a firm resolve to carry its lessons forward—to keep the spirit of fasting alive in our hearts. Did you not see how the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions increased their worship in Ramadan’s final days? When the last ten nights arrived, he would wake his family, tighten his waistcloth (i.e., exert himself in worship), and spend the nights in devotion.

As we say goodbye to Ramadan, we pray: O Allah, accept our fasting, our prayers, and our righteous deeds. We prepare for the first joy promised to the fasting believer—the joy of Eid, and the greater joy of meeting our Lord. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The fasting person has two joys: joy when breaking his fast, and joy when he meets his Lord." [Moslim].

Eid is a blessing, but remember—our celebrations begin with worship: Eid prayers follow the fasting of Ramadan, just as Eid Al-Adha follows the pilgrimage. True Eid is not about new clothes, but about increased obedience.

Yet beware—for on Eid night, the devils are released from their chains. Let us guard ourselves and our families against sinful gatherings, forbidden mixing, and idle amusement. We must not end our righteous deeds with disobedience, lest we become like the woman who undoes her spinning after it is strong.

Farewell, O Ramadan—month of fasting,

Farewell, O month of the Quran,

Farewell, O month of forgiveness and mercy,

Farewell, O month of light and blessings,

Farewell, O marketplace of the successful.

O Allah, accept our fasting, our prayers, and our good deeds. Grant us the blessing of witnessing Ramadan again, and seal our lives with righteousness.

Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on one who feels drops of urine falling during ablution?

If he is certain that urine is exiting from him during ablution, then his ablution is invalidated. He must remove the impurity from his clothes and body and repeat the ablution.
However, if what he feels regarding urine exiting is merely doubt or illusion, then ablution is not invalidated by doubt and illusion. He should not pay attention to it, and it is not permissible for him to follow the doubt and whispers that corrupt his religion. And Allah the almighty knows best.

Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to recite the Quran from the computer without actually touching the Quran?

It is not permissible for a woman in her menstrual period, or in postpartum to recite the Quran, even by heart, or without actually touching the Quran itself. Recitation itself is what is prohibited on her regardless of how it is done. However, it is permissible for her to surf through the Quran by her eyes, or to recall it in her head without uttering the words. There is no harm for her to look at the Quranic verses on the computer without touching it, or to utter the words as this is called looking not reciting or reading.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on wudu (ablution) when there is an adhesive substance on the hand that is difficult to remove?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
The general principle is: if what is applied to the limbs of wudu' (ablution) does not form a barrier substance preventing water from reaching the skin, then the wudu' is valid despite its presence. However, if these substances prevent water from reaching the skin, the wudu' is not valid with their presence, and they must be removed so that water reaches the hair or skin without any barrier.
Shaykh al-Islam, the Imam an-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, says: "If there is wax, dough, henna, or similar substances on some of his limbs [of wudu'], and this prevents water from reaching any part of the limb, then his purification (tahara) is not valid — regardless of whether the amount is much or little. But if there remains on the hand or elsewhere only the trace and color of the henna, without its substance [i.e., the physical residue itself], or the trace of a liquid oil such that the water touches the skin of the limb and flows over it, though it does not remain [as a barrier] — then his purification is valid." [Al-Majmu' , Vol.1/P.529]. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the wisdom behind legislating the Udhiyah?

The Muslim must know that through the Uḍḥiyah, he complies with the command of Allah, the Exalted, and performs a worship that brings him closer to Allah and distances him from the Fire.
 
The Uḍḥiyah holds profound wisdoms and noble meanings, including:
 
1-Reviving the Sunnah of Abraham, peace be upon him: He complied with Allah's command when He ordered him to slaughter his son Ishmael. Abraham, peace be upon him, succeeded in the test, and when he was about to slaughter his son, Allah sent down a ram to ransom Ishmael and commanded him to slaughter it instead. Allah, the Exalted, says {what means]: "And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, 'O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think.' He said, 'O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.' And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, 'O Abraham, You have fulfilled the vision.' Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice." [Al-Ṣāffāt/102-107]. Thus, the sacrificial offering became an enduring Sunnah until the Day of Judgment, and Muslims offer their wealth as sacrifices, drawing closer to Allah, the Exalted, reviving this great Sunnah.
 
2-Providing abundance for people on Eid day and the Days of Tashrīq: Among the wisdoms of the Uḍḥiyah is that the Muslim provides generously for his family, neighbors, relatives, and the poor during these days. The Muslim is encouraged to eat from his sacrifice, give charity from it to the poor, and gift from it to his wealthy neighbors. Thus, goodness spreads throughout the entire community. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The Days of Tashrīq are days of eating and drinking." (Narrated by Muslim). Allah, the Exalted, says {what means}: "And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good." [Al-Ḥajj/36]. This good includes the good of both this world and the Hereafter.