Ramadhaan Focus (PART 2) 1. TODAY'S HADITH Hazrat Abu Huraira(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said that: " The wage for every man's deeds is increased (at least ) ten times; but for fasting; Allah's declaration is: "Fasting is an exception to this rule. Fasting is only for Me and I will apportion its reward. It is for Me that my creature gives up food and desires." (Bukhari, Muslim)
2. TODAYS FOCUS SUHOOR(Sehri) 'Suhoor' is the meal one takes in the last hours of the night before the commencement of a fast. It is a Sunnah to have 'Suhoor'. If someone has no appetite at that time, it is advisable for him to have something light. Even by having a few sips of water the sunnah of suhoor can be fulfilled. Although the 'Suhoor' can be had any time after midnight, but it is more advisable to have it in the last hour of the night immediately before the break of dawn. The 'Suhoor' can be continued up to the break of dawn. But in order to be on the safe side, it is advisable to refrain from eating or drinking a few minutes earlier than the break of dawn. Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri(radhiyallahu anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said that: " Eating at Sehri is a blessing. If nothing else is available, drink some water. Allah and his angels send blessings to those who eat Sehri." (Ahmad) It is described by Hazrat Abu Huraira(radhiyallahu anhu) that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said that: "The best food for Sehri is date." (Abu Dawud) . In Tibrani, this statement is from Hazrat Saed bin Yazid(radhiyallahu anhu) in which there is also a prayer for divine blessing. Hazrat Abdullah bin Harith(radhiyallahu anhu) said that once he went to Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) when he was eating Sehri. When I met him, he said : "Allah has given His blessings, to Sehri, so you should never miss it". (Nasai) Hazrat Amr bin al Aas(radhiyallahu anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said : "The difference between our fasting and that of the people of the scriptures is that of Sehri." (Muslim) Hazrat Anas bin Malik(radhiyallahu anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said : "Do eat Sehri, in which there is blessing". (Bukhari, Muslim) Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) called Hazrat Arbaz bin Sarya(radhiyallahu anhu) to join him in eating Sehri(suhoor) with the words : "Arbaz, come to the auspicious food". (Abu Dawud) Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas(radhiyallahu anhu) says that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, "Have some sleep at noon, to facilitate waking up in the night and eat something at Sehri(suhoor), to gain strength for fasting". (Ibn Maaja) 3. Q & A Question: I am an Asthma patient. Is it permissible for me to use the inhaler during fasting? The inhaler contains salbutamol (liquid medication). If it is not permissible, what should I do when I get an asthma attack during fasting? Answer: Since the inhaler contains a medication (salbutamol), the use of it in the state of fasting will invalidate the fast. We advise you take medication at the time of Sehri to avoid an asthma attack. However, should you get the attack during fasting, if there is no adequate alternative which does not break the fast, you may use the inhaler and make-up for that fast later (make Qadhaa).(Mufti Ebrahim Desai) 4. HEALTH Asthma and Fasting: A medical perspective Asthma is not a contra-indication to fasting. Long acting preparations eg. Euphyllin retard, Volmax, Serevent should be used. An acute attack may necessitate termination of the fast.(Source: IMA) 5. EVENTS IN RAMADHAAN Amongst the wives of Rasulullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam), Sayyidina Khadija(radhiyallahu anha) departed from this world in the month of Ramadhaan. 6. RAMADHAAN IN GERMANY Together with believers in Muslim countries throughout the world, Muslims living in Germany have entered the month of Ramadan. Ramadan in Germany takes place in a totally different atmosphere than in countries with a Muslim majority. Public and social life continues with the same speed and the running of the day does not know any interruptions, like for the Iftar. A difference also lies in the length of the day in Germany, which is a challenge in the summer, but is quite short in the winter period. This year the sun rises roughly at 8 am and sets at 4 pm. Only those of the estimated 3.5 Million Muslims living in Germany, who live in one of the Islamic quarters of Berlin or the Ruhr area with a high percentage of Muslims living there might be reminded of the empty streets of Cairo or Istanbul during Iftar. Ali Ozkan, a Muslim from Berlin, was quoted by the Islamic Newspaper saying that it was a sign of this blessed month that the social life of Muslims becomes more noticeable than during the rest of the year. That food is offered everywhere and people eating and drinking can be seen during the day also changes the atmosphere but is not a major obstacle. Non-practicing Muslims prefer Ramadan in Western countries arguing that as Muslims there live in a minority the decision whether or not to fast becomes personal without any social pressure from others. Shift-working Muslims have to use their pauses to break the fasting. Arrangements probably can be made especially as large companies who employ large numbers of Muslims handle these issues with pragmatism. But they preferred to spend the Iftar at home with their families and friends in a nicer atmosphere. Those who are settled abroad without their families gather in their national communities to celebrate. Open-minded Germans participate in these gatherings and seek to understand the beliefs of Muslims. Some also join the fasting for a couple of days to get to know the feeling of it. In fact, Hasan Ozdogan, the head of the Islamic council in Germany said in a message that many communities would also invite their non-Muslim neighbors for the Iftar. Source: islamonline 7. TODAYS DUAA O Allah! strengthen me in carrying out Your commands, let me taste the sweetness of Your rememberance, grant me, through Your Graciousness, that I give thanks to You. Protect me, with Your protection and cover, O the most discerning of those who see. O Allah! take me closer towards Your pleasure, keep me away from Your anger and punishment, grant me the opportunity to recite Your verses (of the Qur'an), by Your Mercy, O the most Merciful who show Mercy. Prepared by AL-Islaah Publications (www.everymuslim.net)
