Stances with a Fasting Muslim

Since 2012-11-29

This virtuous month has embraced you to bring you closer to Allah, and to realize the grace of Allah over you, that He has blessed you by being one of those who witnessed this noble month. And keep in mind that there are some who have been forbidden this

All the praise is due to Allah, Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). And prayers and peace of Allah be upon the most honorable from the Prophets and Messengers of Allah, our Prophet Muhammad.

 
My dear fasting Muslim brother… I greet you with the Eternal greeting of Islam: Assalâmu ‘Alaykum wa Rahmatu Allah wa Barakâtuh (Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah be upon you).
 
I ask Allah Glorified and Exalted that you are in perfect health and well-being, and that He may bless us and you in the month of Ramadan and that He make us among those who fast its days and spend its nights praying and invoking Allah properly. May Allah accept it from us; He is the Almighty and the Capable of doing so.
 
My fasting brother, I would like to discuss with you some stances in this holy month:
 
 
The first stance
 
My fasting brother: first of all I would like to congratulate you on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan, the month of the Qur’an, the month of fasting and the month of spending the nights praying and invoking Allah. You must feel this great blessing and rejoice at the coming of this noble guest.
 
This virtuous month has embraced you to bring you closer to Allah, and to realize the grace of Allah over you, that He has blessed you by being one of those who witnessed this noble month. And keep in mind that there are some who have been forbidden this month because of their disbelief, Allah forbid; and that you were specialized by your virtue over them. Some of your brothers have died before witnessing this month; so praise Allah for His grace and generosity and hasten and be quick. The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: “When the month of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the Hell Fire are closed, and the devils are chained.” [Agreed upon]
 
«إذا دخل رمضان فتحت أبواب الجنة وغلقت أبواب جهنم وسلسلت الشياطين» متفق عليه
 
 
The second stance
 
My fasting brother: may Allah guide you to all righteous deeds. I recommend you to seize the opportunity of this blessed month, a bliss which is manifested in the forgiveness of sins and the expiation of sins, and to draw closer to Allah by reciting the Qur’an during the hours of the night and day, this is the month of the Qur’an, so beware not to be miser on yourself with the reward. Allah Almighty has said: {The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allâh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allâh [i.e. to say Takbîr (Allâhu Akbar; Allâh is the Most Great] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:185]
 
{شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضاً أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلاَ يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُواْ الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ اللّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ} البقرة:185
 
 

 

Transliteration: Shahru ramadana allathee onzila feehi alquranu hudan lilnnasi wabayyinatin mina alhuda waalfurqani faman shahida minkumu alshshahra falyasumhu waman kana mareedan aw AAala safarin faAAiddatun min ayyamin okhara yureedu Allahu bikumu alyusra walayureedu bikumu alAAusra walitukmiloo alAAiddata walitukabbiroo Allaha AAalama hadakum walaAAallakum tashkuroona

 

 
‘Umar ibn Abdel-Azîz has said: “the day and the night are working you up, so work in them (good deeds).”
 
 
The third stance
 
My fasting brother: by Allah, this is a chance that you give up sins, and to reconsider your status in this station of faith so that you take provision of virtuous and righteous deeds, and to take account over the past days; If you are falling short, repent to your Lord, the door is still open in front of you, and that if you are one of those whom Allah has blessed with goodness and guidance, take provision of piety and do not stop at any limit.
 
My fasting brother: it is a great opportunity when you committed yourself to the ordinances of Allah and refrained from dealing with what Allah has forbidden you to do in compliance with and obedience to your Lord the Almighty.
 
Then, you can stop committing these sins that you used to do by the strong will-power and determination. Do not weaken or hesitate to draw closer to Allah in this holy month. Make this holy month the beginning and the starting point for a new life. So, supplicate to Allah Almighty to bless you with repentance and to set your heart on the straight path.
 
O you whose guilt in Rajab has no extent
That you disobeyed your Lord in the month of Sha’bân
 
You have been embraced by the month of fasting
Do not turn it into a month of disobedience
 
Recite the Qur’an and remember Allah diligently
It is a month of praise and the Qur’an
 
How many did you know who fasted?
Of people and neighbors and brothers
 
Death has reaped them but left you
Alive, how close you are to them.
 
Al-Hassan Al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, has said: “O son of Adam, you are but days; when a day passes, a part of you has passed.”
 
 
The fourth stance
 
My fasting brother: we hear from some of the brothers this expression: Ramadan Kareem, (Ramadan is noble, generous, supreme, forgiving…) that is true, but that their identification is not in its right meaning: he may commit a mistake and says Ramadan Kareem, or disobey Allah and says Ramadan Kareem, he may listen to songs and watch forbidden scenes on the grounds that “Ramadan Kareem.” This saying is not thus correct. “Ramadan Kareem” is true by performing acts of obedience such as reciting the Qur’an and observing the Tarâwîh prayers (the nightly prayers during the month of Ramadan) and fasting, and not in performing acts of disobedience. Contemplate on that may Allah bless you. Allah Almighty has said: {O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious).} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:183]
 
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ} البقرة:183
 
 

 

Transliteration: Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo kutiba AAalaykumu alssiyamu kama kutiba AAala allatheena min qablikum laAAallakum tattaqoona

 

 
Abu Sa’îd Al-Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: “Indeed, any slave of Allah who fasts for one day for Allah’s Pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the Hell fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari, Muslim and At-Tirmidhi]
 
«ما من عبد يصوم يوما في سبيل الله، إلا باعد الله بذلك اليوم وجهه عن النار، سبعين خريفا» رواه البخاري ومسلم والترمذي
 
 
The fifth stance
 
Some women, may Allah guide them, when the month of Ramadan approaches them, they exert efforts and tire themselves in making and presenting different types of foods and drinks so that the precious time in this holy month of Ramadan is lost. They spend long hours during the day of Ramadan in the kitchen and they go to the markets at night; and Ramadan passes and ends like this and Allah is our helper.
 
My fasting sister: beware of being unjust to yourself in this holy month.
 
 
The sixth stance
 
My fasting brother: good manners is a high degree by which the Muslim reaches a close status near the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, but unfortunately there are some people whose manners worsen in Ramadan specially that they do not want to be spoken to or speak with anyone and do not bear any mistakes whether at home or in the street. Allah Almighty has said: {And the (faithful) slaves of the Most Gracious (Allâh) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness.} [Surat Al-Furqân 25:63]
 
{وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْناً وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَاماً} الفرقان:63
 
 

 

Transliteration: WaAAibadu alrrahmani allatheena yamshoona AAala alardi hawnan waithakhatabahumu aljahiloona qaloo salaman

 

 
The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: “the believer will achieve with his good manners the status of the fasting person who spends the night praying and remembering Allah.” [Reported by Abu Dawûd and authenticated by Al-Albani]
 
«إن المؤمن ليدرك بحسن خلقه درجة الصائم القائم» رواه أبو داود وصححه الألباني
 
Al-Hassan Al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, has said: “he who has bad manners tortures himself”.
 
 
The seventh stance
 
My fasting brother: This holy month is a great opportunity for the believers to take provision of the most virtuous righteous deeds. The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: “Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven.” [Agreed upon]
 
«من قام رمضان إيماناً واحتساباً غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه» متفق عليه
 
From the night prayers in Ramadan is the prayers of At-Tarâwîh (the prayers just after ‘Ishâ’ prayer), it is a confirmed Sunnah from the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, so you should observe performing it behind the Imam till he leaves the Masjid. The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said: “if the man prays with the Imam till he leaves, a night in prayers and remembering Allah will be written for him.” [Reported by Abu Dawûd and An-Nasâ’i, authenticated by Al-Albani]
 
«إن الرجل إذا صلى مع الإمام حتى ينصرف حسب له قيام ليلة» رواه أبو داود والنسائي وصححه الألباني
 
Some people, may Allah guide them, neglect Tarâwîh prayers; and perhaps they pray two rak’ahs and then leave; it is as if they are miser upon themselves of attaining this reward and virtue. Oh blessed brother, you must exploit this great month, the days are limited, so hasten before death doth its part.
 
 
The eighth stance
 
My fasting brother: from the characteristics of the month of Ramadan is that the night of Al-Qadr (decree) takes place in it. Allah Almighty has said about it: {Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’ân) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree). (1) And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? (2) The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allâh in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months). (3) Therein descend the angels and the Rûh [Jibrîl (Gabrîl)] by Allâh’s Permission with all Decrees, (4) (All that night), there is Peace (and Goodness from Allâh to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.} [Surat Al-Qadr 97:1-5]
 
{إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ (1) وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ (2) لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ (3) تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ (4) سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ} القدر:1-5
 
Transliteration: Inna anzalnahu fee laylati alqadri (1) Wama adraka malaylatu alqadri (2) Laylatu alqadri khayrun min alfi shahrin (3) Tanazzalu almalaikatu waalrroohu feehabiithni rabbihim min kulli amrin (4) Salamun hiya hattamatlaAAi alfajri 
 
So, may Allah bless you, make sure to take advantage of this virtuous night; amongst its virtues are:
 
1 - It is the night when the Book of Allah (the Qur’an) has been revealed.
 
2 - It is better than a thousand months.
 
3 - It is so blessed that the angels and the Rûh descend in it. This night is peace from punishment and torture if the servant of Allah abides by his Lord’s commands.
 
The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, used to seek it on the last ten days of the month, the last odd nights of Ramadan. So make sure to seek this night and beware of procrastination, it doomed those people before you.
 
 
The ninth stance
 
My fasting brother: some brothers are keen to perform ‘Umrah (the minor pilgrimage) in Ramadan, which is undoubtedly, a great virtue as has been stated by the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him: “performing ‘Umrah in Ramadan is equal (in reward) to performing Hajj with me.” [Agreed upon]
 
«فإن عمرة في رمضان تقضي حجة معي» متفق عليه
 
However, I would like to point out some observations about some of the brothers who perform ‘Umrah, namely:
 
1 - Some of the brothers perform ‘Umrah in Ramadan, leaving their children and family without observation or care, and this is certainly not true. The advisable is not to take priority over what is obligatory.
 
2 - Some brothers may take his wife and children to the Holy Masjid in Makka and that’s good. But you find him spending most of his time in the Holy Masjid but his children linger in the markets, or play in the apartments, and he sees them only at the time of breaking the fast or the time for Suhûr; he does not know anything about them the rest of the time. In order not to be in the same situation you have to take precautions and heed all aspects, so that you do not take care of one aspect and set aside another one that may be more important.
 
 
The tenth stance
 
My fasting brother: Actions are but how people will end them. I mean to increase work in the last ten days of Ramadan. The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, as reported by Muslim: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to act hard in the last ten days more than he does in any other days”,
«كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يجتهد في العشر الأواخر، ما لا يجتهد في غيره» رواه مسلم
 
And he used to awaken his family and to exert himself and to tighten his loincloth (meaning to exert hard efforts in worship).
 
So strive brother, may Allah bless you, in increasing your work; and do not be one of those who strive in the beginning of the month of Ramadan and then slowly slacken, so that when the end of the month in which the reward is multiplied, they begin to be lazy to read the Qur’an or perform the prayers and the Tarâwîh prayers.
 
My fasting brother: take as your example the one whom Allah has ordered you to follow. Allah Almighty has said: {Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day, and remembers Allâh much}. [Surat Al-Ahzâb 33:21].
 
{لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيراً} الأحزاب:21

 

Transliteration: Laqad kana lakum fee rasooli Allahi oswatun hasanatun liman kana yarjoo Allaha waalyawma alakhira wathakara Allaha katheeran

 

And finally we ask Allah Glorified and Exalted to accept our fasting and our night prayers, and that He forgive our sins and relieve our worries. He is the Almighty and the Capable of doing so. And prayers and peace of Allah be upon our Prophet, Muhammad, and all his family and companions.

 

 
Nawaf bin 'Ubaid Ar-Ra'oajy