As'Salâm Alaikum Wa'Rahmatullâhi Wa'Barakâtuh Ramadaan: A Reminder of Unity By: The Shaykh - the Scholar of Hadeeth - Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee (Rahimahullâh) Source: "Silsilatul-Ahaadeethus-Saheehah (1/442-445), the hadeeth authentication has been abridged and edited. Taken From: http://www.troid.org/ "PIVOTAL QUOTE": So the Sharee'ah dos not give any weight to the individual opinion in matters concerning 'ibaadah jamaa'iyyah (collective acts of worship); such as Fasting, - 'Eed, and Prayer in congregation - even if the opinion is correct, from one angle.) Aboo Hurayrah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) related that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Fast when they fast, end the fast when they end theirs, and sacrifice the day that thy sacrifice." [Saheeh: Related by at-Tirmidthee (2/37). Shaykh al-Albaanee authenticated it in as-Saheehah (no.224).]
Al-Bayhaqee relates by way of Aboo Haneefah, who said: 'Alee Ibnul-Aqmar related to me, from Masrooq, who said: I entered upon 'Aa'ishah on the day of 'Arafah, so she said: "Serve Masrooq with some gruel, and make it more sweeter." Masrooq said: Nothing prevented me from fasting this day except that I feared that it may be the day of Sacrifice. So 'Aaishah said to me: "The day of Sacrifice is when the people sacrifice, and the day of ending the fast is when the people end their fast." This chain of narration is jayyid (good), due to what has preceded. UNDERSTANDING THE HADEETH Imaam at-Tirmidthee says after quoting the hadeeth: "One of the People of Knowledge has explained this hadeeth by saying: Its meaning is to fast and end the fast along with the Jamaa'ah and the majority of people." As-San'aanee said in Sublus-Salaam (2/72): "In this (hadeeth) is a proof that being in agreement with the people is accepted in establishing the 'Eed, and that the individual person who believes that it is the day of 'Eed - because of sighting the moon - then it is obligatory upon him to be in agreement with the people, and that the ruling of the people - concerning the Prayer, breaking the fast, and sacrificing - is binding upon that individual." Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) mentioned this meaning in Tahdheebus-Sunan (3/214), and said: "It is said: In it is a refutation of those who say that whosoever knows the positions of the moon you due to astronomical calculations, then it is permissible for him to fast and end the fast, even if others do not know. It is also said: 'that the individual witness who sees the moon, but the qaadee (judge) has not accepted his testimony, then there is no fasting for him, just as there is no fasting for the people." Abul-Hasan as-Sindee said in Haashiyah 'alaa Ibn Maajah, after mentioning the hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah which was related by at-Tirmidthee: "And its apparent meaning is: That there is no room for individual (opinions) to enter into these affairs, nor to act individually in this. Rather, this affair goes back to the Imaam (the Leader of the Muslims) and the Jamaa'ah (united body of Muslims under the Imaam). It is obligatory upon the individuals to follow the Imaam and the Jamaa'ah. From this is that if an individual sights the moon, but the qaadee rejects his witness, then the individual has no right in these matters, but rather he must follow the Jamaa'ah in this." And this is the meaning which is evident from the hadeeth, and which is emphasized by the fact that 'Aa'ishah (radiyallaahu 'anhaa) used it with Masrooq when he prevented himself from fasting on the day of 'Arafah, fearing that it could be the day of Sacrifice. So she explained to him that there is no weight given to his individual opinion in this, and that he should follow the Jamaa'ah. So she said to him: "The day of Sacrifice is when the people sacrifice, and the day of ending the fast is when the people end their fast." And this is what is befitting for the easy-natured and tolerant Sharee'ah (Prescribed Islaamic law), one of the goals of which is uniting the people together, unifying their ranks and keeping away from them all that would split their comprehensive unity - from the individual opinions. So the Sharee'ah dos not give any weight to the individual opinion in matters concerning 'ibaadah jamaa'iyyah (collective acts of worship); such as Fasting, - 'Eed, and Prayer in congregation - even if the opinion is correct, from one angle. Do you not see that the Sahaabah (the Companions) (radiyallaahu 'anhum) used to pray behind each other. So from them were those who held the view that touching a woman, or the flowing of blood from the body invalidates the wudhoo' (ablution), along with those who did not hold this view. From them were those who would complete the Prayer whilst travelling, whilst others shortened. Yet these, and other such differences, did not prevent them from collectively praying behind a single Imaam and deeming it to be acceptable. And this is because they knew that tafarruq (splitting-up) in the Religion is more evil than having ikhtilaaf (differences) in some opinions. Indeed, the matter with one of them reached the extent that he would not even deem acceptable any opinion which differed with the great Imaam in the major gatherings; such as the gathering at Minaa (during Hajj), to the extent that he would totally abandon acting upon his opinion in that gathering - fleeing from that which could result from this evil, because of acting according to his own opinion. Thus, Aboo Daawood relates (1/307) that 'Uthmaan (radiyallaahu 'anhu) prayed four rak'ahs at Minaa, so 'Abdullaah Ibn Mas'ood criticised him saying: "I prayed two rak'ahs with the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), and two rak'ahs with Aboo Bakr, and two rak'ahs with 'Umar, and two rak'ahs with 'Uthmaan in the beginning of his rule, then he completed it (i.e. by praying four rak'ahs). After that the ways became divided with you all. So I hope from these four rak'ahs, that two of them would be accepted." Then Ibn Mas'ood prayed four rak'ahs. So it was said to him: You criticised 'Uthmaan, yet you prayed four? So he said: "Differing is evil." So those who continue splitting-up with regards to the Prayer, and who refuse to follow the local Imaams in some mosques - especially in the Witr Prayer during Ramadhaan - using as proof that this is against their madhhab (school of thought), then they should reflect upon the above mentioned hadeeth and athar (narration). Likewise, those who claim knowledge of astronomy and who, due to their opinion, fast and end their fast alone - preceding or lagging behind the majority of Muslims, not seeing any problem in doing so - should also reflect upon the previously quoted proofs. So all of them should consider, and reflect upon the knowledge that has been mentioned. Perhaps they will find for themselves a cure for their ignorance and self-delusion, so that they may then become a unified rank along with their Muslim brothers - for indeed the Hand of Allaah is over the Jamaa'ah. Wa' Jazâkum Allâhu Khairan Wa Billâhi-t-Tawfîq Akhûkum Fillâh, Abû Anas Tameem Ibn Jørn Helmer Jørgensen, Ad-Danimârkî [Bakkah] DALnet / Undernet Imâm Mâlik (Rahimahullâh) Said, "The Sunnah Is Like The Ark Of Noah. Whoever Embarks Upon It Reaches Salvation And Whoever Refuses Is Drowned -----Original Message----- From: "rifdhi"@gemunu.lankabell.com [mailto:"rifdhi"@gemunu.lankabell.com] Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 11:00 AM To: islamcity@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [IslamCity] RE: WHEN DO WE START FASTING Time difference between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka is only 3 hours and not a whole night as stated in the original message. What are we to do under the circumstance. ----- Original Message ----- From: <M. Malhar> To: <islamcity@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2005 2:43 PM Subject: [IslamCity] RE: WHEN DO WE START FASTING > As per this Fatwa does it mean that we in Sri Lanka must not fast as per > Saudi sighting, since we're in the east of Saudi Arabia? > > Ash Shaykh al 'Allaamah Saaleh al-Luhaydaan says > "Thus the countries of the Far East are not bound to fast according to our > (Saudi) sighting. Rather, those bound to follow our sighting are the ones > who are west of this country." > > Also I hope this is a general fatwa. The major scholars like Shaykh > Albaanee, Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen, Shaykh Bin Baaz has difference of opinion in > this regard about the unification of moon sighting. > > For our case we need to write the actual situation here in Sri Lanka to the > Kibarul Ulama to solve the problem, since it's a complicated fiqh issue. > Since we do not have the proper knowledge to argue about this subject. > Otherwise we would end up start celebrating Eid for two or three Days within > a family. Also it's not practical to celebrate Eid at home while others are > keep on fasting. > > Also Sheik Muhammad Naasirud-Deen Al-Albaanee clearly explains about this > subject in "Unity When Fasting and on the Day of the 'Eed " with the > supporting hadith that, > > "Fasting begins on the day you all begin to fast, and Al-Fitr (the 'Eed) is > the day when you all have broken your fasts." [Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmithee > #697] > > www.bakkah.net > > > Addition to this Sheik Al-Albaani in "Thamaamul Minnah" page 398 after > explaining the international sighting, in conclusion says something like > this, > > "And to gather the Islaamic countries on that (the issue of starting and > ending the fast); So as I (certainly) see it, the people of every country > should fast with their country (i.e., altogether), and not be divided on its > own so that some would fast with it (i.e., the rest of the country), and > some other than with it (i.e., the people, collectively), by advancing their > fast or delaying it, for in that > are major disagreements in one (group) or people, like what happened in some > of the Arab countries, since a few years (ago). And it is Allaah's help > alone that can be sought." > > Therefore I hope as per above advice we must go with the majority, whether > it's local or International sighting. > > May Allah Guide us to the truth and Unit our Brothers! > > > > > > ---------- > > From: Irshad Muhammed[SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2005 11:15 AM > > Subject: WHEN DO WE START FASTING > > Importance: High > > > > > > WHEN DO WE START FASTING (Opinion #1)? > > > > > > Ash Shaykh al 'Allaamah Saaleh al-Luhaydaan > > President of the Higher Judiciary Council of Saudi Arabia and Member of > > the Council of Senior Scholars of Saudi Arabia > > > > Recorded on Date : 21st of Sha'baan, 1426 :: 25th September 2005 > > > > http://www.madeenah.com/index.php?option==com_content&task==view&id=6&Item > > id==2 > > > > Question: It is well known to your eminence the presence of Muslim > > minorities in some disbelieving countries and the disputing that occurs > > between some of them as it relates to the beginning of the fast of > > Ramadaan. So what is the best way to make them unified and eliminate any > > splitting and differing amongst them? May Allaah reward you with good. > > > > Answer: My advice to those minorities in the other countries is that they > > call the Kingdom [of Saudi Arabia]. And they do [in fact] call: they call > > the Higher Judiciary Council in the Kingdom from France, Britain and > > America. They ask about the sighting of the crescent and are informed > > about it. So they should strive to do that. > > > > Also, from the things that are well established and undoubtedly known is > > that if the crescent is sighted in an eastern country, the possibility of > > sighting it in a land west of that country is even more likely... Hence, > > if it is seen in the Kingdom, the likelihood of seeing it in America is > > greater. However, they may not spot it, or they may not be skilled at > > sighting it, or they may be busy with other things. So they should call > > the Kingdom. If it is announced that the fast has started in the Kingdom > > and it's broadcasted through the media - visual and audio - then whoever > > hears it should follow it. > > > > The problem is when it's sighted in the Kingdom and it hasn't been sighted > > in the Far East, since [the difference in time zone] between us and the > > Far East is almost a whole night. So if we [in KSA] have sighted it at the > > time of sunset, it will be the end of the night or the time of Fajr in the > > Far East. Thus the countries of the Far East are not bound to fast > > according to our sighting. Rather, those bound to follow our sighting are > > the ones who are west of this country. > > > > Tape: Istiqbaal Shahr Ramadaan (Welcoming the Month of Ramadaan), Side B > > 21st of Sha'baan, 1426 > > > > Translated by: Tahir Wyatt. > > > > > > > > ?: ?? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ???????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ???? > > ?? ????? ?? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ?????. ??? ?? ???? ?????? ?????? ?????? > > ???????? ?? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ???? ????. > > > > ?: ?????? ?????? ???????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????????. ??? ??????? > > ?????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?? ????? ????????? ???????? ?????? > > ?? ???? ?????? ???????? ????. ?????? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ???. > > > > ?? ?? ?? ??????? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ?? ??? ???? ??? ????? > > ????? ?? ??? ??? ??? ????? ???? ????... ??? ??? ?? ??????? ?????? ????? ?? > > ?????? ???? ??? ?????, ??? ?? ?? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ?????? > > ?????. ???? ???????? ????????. ?? ??? ???? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ????? > > ???? - ?????? ???????? - ??? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?????????. > > > > ?????? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ?? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ???? ????? > > ?????? ????? ???? ?????. ???? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? > > ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?????. ??? ????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? > > ????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ??????. > > > > ????? ????? ???? ???????? - ???? ???? ????? > > > > ??????? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ??? > > ?????? ???????. > > > > ??????? ??????: ??????? ??? ????? ???????, 21/8/1425?? > > > > Last Updated ( Monday, 03 October 2005 ) > > > > > > > > > > > > > This e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information. > If you are not the intended recipient or have received this e-mail in error, > please notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail. Any > unauthorised copying, disclosure or distribution of the material in this > e-mail is strictly forbidden. > > > > > > > > > *************************************************************************** > {Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} > (Holy Quran-16:125) > > {And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33) > > The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] > > The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." > [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah] > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved otherwise. > > If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest". > Yahoo! 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[al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved otherwise. If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest". Yahoo! Groups Links This e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information. 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Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125) {And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33) The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." 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