Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan
Since 2012-11-23
Among the great acts of worship in which we notice the signs of facilitating things and eliminating hardships for this nation is the act of fasting; especially, fasting Ramadan. The following are some of these signs:...
All praise is due to Allah; and prayers and peace of Allah be upon whom there is no prophet after him, our prophet Muhammad, along with all his family and companions.
Surly, the Islamic Shari’ah is based on facilitating things and eliminating hardships; He Almighty said: {Allâh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:185]
{يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ} البقرة: 185
Transliteration: Yurīdu Al-Lahu Bikumu Al-Yusra Wa Lā Yurīdu Bikumu Al-`Usra
And He Almighty said: {and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship} [Surat Al-Hajj 22:78]
{وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ} الحجّ: 78
Transliteration: Wa Mā Ja`ala `Alaykum Fī Ad-Dīni Min Ĥarajin
And He Almighty said: {Allâh wishes to lighten (the burden) for you; and man was created weak (cannot be patient to leave sexual intercourse with woman).} [Surat An-Nisâ` 4: 28]
{يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُخَفِّفَ عَنْكُمْ وَخُلِقَ الإِنْسَانُ ضَعِيفًا} النِّساء: 28
Transliteration: Yurīdu Al-Lahu 'An Yukhaffifa `Ankum Wa Khuliqa Al-'Insānu Đa`īfāan
And the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Religion is ease, and no one would take it the hard way except he will be defeated by it, so set your targets and perfect it and then (wait for the) glad tidings.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari 39]
«إنَّ الدِّين يسر، ولن يشاد الدِّين أحد إلا غلبه، فسددوا وقاربوا، وأبشروا» رواه البخاري
Among the great acts of worship in which we notice the signs of facilitating things and eliminating hardships for this nation is the act of fasting; especially, fasting Ramadan. The following are some of these signs:
Fixed number of days:
First: Ramadan is just one month in the year, and it was possible for Allah, the exalted the Glorious, (if He wished) to enjoin fasting all the year, although this is hard to be observed. That is why He Almighty says: {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) [Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days,} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:183-184]
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ (183) أَيَّامًا مَعْدُودَاتٍ} البقرة: 183-184
Transliteration: Yā 'Ayyuhā Al-Ladhīna 'Āmanū Kutiba `Alaykumu Aş-Şiyāmu Kamā Kutiba `Ala; Al-Ladhīna Min Qablikum La`allakum Tattaqūna. 'Ayyāmāan Ma`dūdātin
Al-Kia Al-Harasi said: “It meant making it easy for them as incitement for observing it.” (Ahkam Al-Qur`an)
The author of At-Tahrir wa At-Tanwir said: “Ramadan is described as a fixed number of days, to make it easy for those who are obliged to fast it;” this is among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan.
The permissibility of eating and drinking at night:
Second: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is the permissibility of eating and drinking from sunset till sunrise; He Almighty said: {and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Saum (fast) till the nightfall.} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:187]
{وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ مِنَ الْفَجْرِ ثُمَّ أَتِمُّوا الصِّيَامَ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ} البقرة: 187
Transliteration: Wa Kulū Wa Ashrabū Ĥatta Yatabayyana Lakumu Al-Khayţu Al-'Abyađu Mina Al-Khayţi Al-'Aswadi Mina Al-Fajri Thumma 'Atimmū Aş-Şiyāma 'Ila Al-Layli
And among the signs of facilitating things and eliminating hardships is what is mentioned by the scholars of Tafsîr (Qur`an interpretation) that it was permissible for the fasting person to have food, drink and copulation after the time of breaking fast as long as he did not sleep or pray the late ‘Ishâ`. But once he does one of them, such things become unlawful for him. Then Allah Almighty abrogated that by this great verse.
Al-Bukhari Reported that Al-Bara said: “It was the custom among the companions of Muhammad (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) that if any of them was fasting and the food was presented (for breaking his fast), but he slept before eating, he would not eat that night and the following day till sunset. Qais ibn Sirma-Al-Ansari was fasting and came to his wife at the time of Iftar (breaking one's fast) and asked her whether she had anything to eat. She replied, "No, but I would go and bring some for you." He used to do hard work during the day, so he was overwhelmed by sleep and slept. When his wife came and saw him, she said, "woe for you." When it was midday on the following day, he fainted and the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) was informed about the whole matter and the following verses were revealed: {It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Saum (the fasts).} So, they were overjoyed by it. And then Allah also revealed: {and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:187].” [Reported by Al-Bukhari 1915]
«كان أصحاب محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا كان الرجل صائما، فحضر الإفطار، فنام قبل أن يفطر، لم يأكل ليلته ولا يومه حتى يمسي، وإن قيس بن صرمة الأنصاري كان صائما، فلما حضر الإفطار أتى امرأته فقال لها: أعندك طعام؟ قالت: لا، ولكن أنطلق فأطلب لك، وكان يومه يعمل، فغلبته عيناه، فجاءته امرأته، فلما رأته قالت: خيبة لك، فلما انتصف النهار غشي عليه، فذكر ذلك للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فنزلت هذه الآية: {أُحِلَّ لَكُمْ لَيْلَةَ الصِّيَامِ الرَّفَثُ إِلَى نِسَائِكُمْ}. ففرحوا بها فرحا شديدا، ونزلت: {وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ الْخَيْطُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الْخَيْطِ الأَسْوَدِ}» رواه البخاري 1915
Making it easy for the husband and wife:
Third: Among the signs of facilitating things in Ramadan is making the sexual relationship, between the husband and wife, permissible from sunset till sunrise. Al-Bukhari Reported that Al-Bara said: “When fasting Ramadan was firstly enjoined, the companions used not to have sexual relationship with their wives in the month of Ramadan, and some men used to deceive themselves. So, Allah Almighty revealed {It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Saum (the fasts). They are Libâs [i.e. body cover, or screen, or Sakan, (i.e. you enjoy the pleasure of living with them - as in Verse 7:189) Tafsir At-Tabarî ], for you and you are the same for them. Allâh knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you (accepted your repentance) and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allâh has ordained for you (offspring)} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:187].” [Reported by Al-Bukhari 4508]
«لما نزل صوم رمضان، كانوا لا يقربون النساء رمضان كله، وكان رجال يخونون أنفسهم، فأنزل الله: {عَلِمَ اللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ كُنْتُمْ تَخْتَانُونَ أَنْفُسَكُمْ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَعَفَا عَنْكُمْ}» رواه البخاري
Making it easy for the sick and the traveler:
Fourth: Among the signs of facilitating things in Ramadan is the permissibility of Fitr (i.e. not observing fast) in the cases of sickness or travel. Allah Almighty said: {but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:184]
{فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ} البقرة: 184
Transliteration: Faman Kāna Minkum Marīđāan 'Aw `Ala Safarin Fa`iddatun Min 'Ayyāmin 'Ukhara
As-Sa’di said: “And when He mentioned that He enjoined fasting, He told that they are fixed number of days; indicating that they are easy few days. Then, He made it easier by saying: {but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days}; He allowed people to break the fast, because of the difficulty that accompanies them in such cases.” (Tafsir As-Sa’di)
And His saying: {the same number (should be made up) from other days} is another way for making it easy; He neither nominated these days nor enjoined their being consequent. The other days could be consecutive or separated. Furthermore, He indicated the permissibility of delaying fasting these other days. ‘A`ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) used to fast the missed days of Ramadan in Sha’bân, because of her being busy with the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him).
Also, among the ways of making it easy is the permissibility of fasting short cold days as compensation to the missed days, although they were long hot days; as As-Sa’di mentioned in his Tafsir.
Then Allah Almighty said: {Allâh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you} [Surat Al-Baqarah 2:185]
{يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ} البقرة: 185
Transliteration: Yurīdu Al-Lahu Bikumu Al-Yusra Wa Lā Yurīdu Bikumu Al-`Usra
And this is in every ruling enjoined by Allah.
The obligation of breaking fast for the woman who is in the period of menstruation or postpartum:
Fifth: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is preventing the woman who is in the period of menstruation or postpartum from fasting; her fasting is prohibited and is not accepted.
And if the woman who is in the period of menstruation or postpartum got purified in the day of Ramadan, her fast for this day will not be counted; because of having the day started while having something prevents observing fast.
However; if the woman who is in the period of menstruation or postpartum got purified in the night (even at a moment very close to Fajr), she is obliged to fast; because of the end of the reason that prevents fasting. Then, the woman has to fast later days (are similar in the number) as compensation for the days that she did not fast.
Making Fitr permissible for the pregnant and breast-feeding mother:
Sixth: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is allowing the pregnant and breast-feeding mother not to observe fast. The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah has put off half the prayer and fasting, and He gave permission for the pregnant and breast-feeding mother.” [Reported by An-Nasaei 2276, and authenticated by Al-Albani]
«إنَّ الله وضع عن المسافر نصف الصَّلاة والصَّوم، ورخص للحبلى والمرضع» رواه النِّسائي 2276، وحسَّنه الألباني
Therefore; if the woman is pregnant or breast-feeding and she fears harming herself or her child, because of fasting; she is allowed to break the fast and re-fast the missed days later; after having such fear gone.
The child is not obliged to observe fasting:
Seventh: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is not obliging the child to observe fasting; he is not obliged to observe fasting, till he achieves adulthood. However; he should be ordered to fast, if he can afford it; as a kind of making him accustomed with the acts of obedience.
Making things easy for the disabled and the old person:
Eighth: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is pardoning the disabled and the old person. If the disability is chronic, then the person should not observe fasting till he can do it; rather, he should feed a poor person instead of every day he does not fast. As for the old person; if he lost discretion, he is not obliged to fast or feed, because he is no longer obliged to observe the acts of worship.
Hastening the breaking of the fast and delaying the Suhur meal:
Ninth: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is hastening the breaking the fast and delaying the Suhûr meal. The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
«لا يزال النَّاس بخيرٍ ما عجَّلوا الفطر» متفقٌ عليه
Anas ibn Malik narrated that Zaid ibn Thabit said: “We took the Suhûr meal with the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him). Then he stood for the prayer.” I asked, "What was the interval between the Suhûr and the Adhan?" He replied, "The interval was sufficient to recite fifty verses of the Qur`an” [Reported by Al-Bukhari 1921, and Muslim]
«تسحَّرنا مع النّبيّ -صلّى الله عليه وسلّم-، ثمَّ قام إلى الصلاة، قلت: كم كان بين الأذان والسُّحور؟ قال: قدر خمسين آية» رواه البخاري 1921، ومسلم
Surly; this is for making it easy for the person who observes fasting. Furthermore; it is consistent with the aims of the Shariah that care for making things easy and removing the hardships.
Forbidding Al-Wisal:
Tenth: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is Forbidding Al-Wisal (continuous fasting), as pity for people. It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) forbade Al-Wisal. A man among the Muslims said (to him), "O Messenger of Allah, but you fast Al-Wisal!" He replied, "Who among you is like me? When I sleep (at night), my Lord feeds me and quenches me.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari 1965]
«نهى رسول الله -صلّى الله عليه وسلّم- عن الوصال في الصَّوم، فقال له رجٌل من المسلمين: إنَّك تواصل يا رسول الله، قال: وأيّكم مثلي، إنِّي أبيت يطعمني ربِّي ويسقين» رواه البخاري 1965
And in another narration: “Abstain from Al-Wisal. They (his Companions) said: O Messenger of Allah, but you observe Al-Wisal. Upon this he said: You are not like me in this matter, for I spend my night (in a state) that my Lord feeds me and provides me drink. Devote yourselves to the deeds (the burden of which) you can bear.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim 1103]
«إيَّاكم والوصال، قالوا: فإنَّك تواصل، يا رسول الله! قال: إنَّكم لستم في ذلك مثلي. إنِّي أبيت يطعمني ربِّي ويسقيني فاكلفوا من الأعمال ما تطيقون» متفقٌ عليه واللفظ لمسلم 1103
Not punishing who forgets:
Eleventh: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is the validity of the fasting of the person who ate or drank because of forgetting. It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “If anyone forgot that he is fasting and ate or drank, he should complete his fast; for it is only Allah Who has fed him and given him drink.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim 1155]
«من نسي وهو صائمٌ، فأكل أو شرب، فليتم صومه، فإنَّما أطعمه الله وسقاه» متفقٌ عليه واللفظ لمسلم 1155
One night equals one thousand months:
Twelfth: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is having the night of Al-Qadr (Laylatul Qadr) among its nights; actually, it is great honorable night. Allah Almighty said about it: {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)} [Surat Al-Qadr 97:3]
{لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ} القدر: 3
Transliteration: Laylatu Al-Qadri Khayrun Min 'Alfi Shahrin
Therefore; whoever revives this night with worship, prayer, remembrance and recitation to the Qur`an, he will gain the reward of reviving one thousand months. Actually, this is bounty from Allah; He gives it to whomever He likes. The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “He who observed prayer on the night of Al-Qadr with faith and seeking reward (from Allah), all his previous sins would be forgiven.” [Agreed upon]
«من قام ليلة القدر إيمانًا واحتسابًا غُفر له ما تقدَّم من ذنبه» متفقٌ عليه
Making Tarawih (supererogatory prayers associated with ‘Ishâ` in Ramadan) prayer easy:
Thirteenth: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is making Tarawih prayer easy by not specifying limits to it. The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “He who observed prayer at night during Ramadan, because of faith and seeking his reward from Allah, his previous sins would be forgiven” (Agreed upon).
«من قام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا، غُفر له ما تقدَّم من ذنبه» متفقٌ عليه
Such forgiveness is granted to everyone observing prayer at night during Ramadan; whether he prays much or little, because the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “He who observed prayer with the Imam until he left, he would have the reward of praying a (complete) night recorded to him.” [Reported by At-Tirmidhi 806 and An-Nasâ`i 1604, and authenticated by Al-Albani]
«من قام مع الإمام حتَّى ينصرف كُتب له قيام ليلة» أخرجه التِّرمذي 806 والنِّسائي 1604 وصحَّحه الألباني
Hence; the point is the submissiveness, heart presence and seeking nearness with Allah Almighty during the prayer. However; if the prayer was long along with these characteristics, it would be better; because the Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The best of prayer is the length of Qunut (long prayer with humility to Allah).” [Reported by Muslim 756]
«أفضل الصَّلاة طول القنوت» رواه مسلم 756
Making it easy for whoever gets up in the state of Janaba or after wet-dream:
Fourteenth: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is considering the fasting valid, if the person got up in the morning in the state of Janaba (wet dream). It is narrated on the authority of ‘A`ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that at times the Messenger of Allah (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) used to get up in the morning in the state of Janaba after having sexual relations with his wives. He would then take a bath and fast.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari 1925 and Muslim]
«أنَّ رسول الله -صلّى الله عليه وسلّم- كان يدركه الفجر، وهو جُنب من أهله، ثمَّ يغتسل ويصوم» متفقٌ عليه واللفظ للبخاري 1925
Also, fasting is not nullified by wet-dream; the person should take a bath and complete his fasting.
Making it easy for whoever is overwhelmed by vomit:
Fifteenth: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is considering as valid the fasting of the person who vomits because of being powerless in face of it. The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever is overwhelmed by vomit should not re-fast his day; however, whoever vomits deliberately should re-fast his day.” [Reported by At-Tirmidhi 720 and declared authentic by Al-Albani]
«من ذرعه القيء فليس عليه قضاء، ومن استقاء عمدًا فليقض» رواه التِّرمذي 720 وصحَّحه الألباني
Making it easy for the fighters in the case of Allah:
Sixteenth: Among the signs of making things easy in Ramadan is the permissibility of breaking the fast when fighting the enemies, if he needed it. The Prophet (prayers and peace of Allah be upon him) said to his companions before the beginning of fighting: “You are going to encounter the enemy in the morning and breaking of the fast would give you strength, so break the fast.” [Reported by Muslim 1120]
«إنَّكم مصبحوا عدوكم والفطر أقوى لكم، فأفطروا» رواه مسلم 1120
Complied by: Khaled Abu Salih
Al-Watan House
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