Ramadhaan Focus (Part 3) 1. TODAY'S HADITH Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar(radhiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: " The fast and the Quran, will both intercede on the day of judgement. The fast will say: O Allah ! This servant has refrained from eating and drinking and other desires; so accept my intercession for him. The Quran will submit : He did not sleep in the night ; so accept my intercession for him. Allah will accept both these intercessions." (Tibrani, Ahmad, Hakim)
2. TODAYS FOCUS: Iftaar Iftar means to conclude a fast after sunset by eating or drinking something. It is also a sunnah to make iftar soon after sunset, and it is makrooh to delay Iftar after sunset without a valid excuse. However, if someone is doubtful whether the sun has set or not, he should not make iftar until he is sure about it, because if it is proved at any time that he had made iftar even half a minute earlier than the sunset actually took place on his horizon, his fast will be rendered nullified and void. Similarly, if the weather is cloudy, it is advisable to delay iftar for a few minutes after the time of sunset. No particular meal is prescribed for iftar but it is advisable to make iftar using dates because the Holy Prophet(Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) generally used dates for iftar. It is also sunnah to recite the following du'a (prayer) while making iftar: "O' Allah, for you I have fasted, and in you I have believed and in You I have placed my trust and with Your provision I make my Iftar." and after having and drinking water, it is advisable to say, "Thirst has gone; veins have become wet and the reward (of the fast) has, Allah willing, been established." It is described by Hazrat Sahal bin Sa'ad(radhiyallahu anhu) that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said that: "Those who are prompt in breaking fast, will ever remain on goodness." (Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Maja) Hazrat Abu Huraira(radhiyallahu anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said that: "Allah is very pleased with the man, who is prompt in breaking fast." (Tirmizi) It means that fast should be broken after sunset without waiting for the appearance of stars. Hazrat Abu Huraira(radhiyallahu anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said that: "Whatever is prayed for at the time of breaking fast is granted and never refused." (Tirmizi) Hazrat Salman bin Aamir(radhiyallahu anhu) reported that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said : "Break your fast with dates. There is divine blessing in it. If the date is not available, break your fast with water, as it is pure". (Abu Dawud, Tirmizi) Hazrat Zayd bin Khalid(radhiyallahu anhu) reported Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said that: "He who helps a fasting one to break his fast will get the reward of one who fasts; and one who gives arms to a Mujahid fighter will get the reward of one who himself is a mujahid; and the reward of the fasting one or of the mujahid will not be diminished on that account." (Bayhaqi) Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) in a lengthy hadith, narrates that Rasullullah (sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said: "The fasting person experiences two (occasions of) delights: At the time of Iftaar and at the time when he will meet his Rabb." (Bukhari) 3. Q & A Question: Whilst fasting is it necessary to avoid the inhalation of talcum powder and spray emanating from an aerosol eg a deodorant? What I mean is when applying these things they always do get into your mouth and nose (although not a substantial amount). It's impossible to avoid it unless you cover your face. So, do these things break the fast? Answer: In principle, anything going down the throat while fasting nullifies the fast. If the talcum powder or aerosol does not go down the throat, it will not nullify the fast. (Mufti Ebrahim Desai) 4. HEALTH Diabetes Mellitus and Fasting: A medical perspective Diabetics who wish to fast may be classified into three groups according to their mode of treatment. 1.. Diet alone: No problems will be anticipated during a fast. Fasting will be of benefit to these patients provided that the total caloric intake is restricted. 2.. Diet pus oral medication(hypoglycaemic agents): Generally no problems will be experienced if these patients have their therapy modified. The principle of such modification is based upon the fact that the fasting patient consumes the greater part of his caloric intake at iftar and that the morning dose taken at suhoor needs to be reduced in view of the anticipated fast. Thus a patient on a once daily regimen should take the therapy at iftaar while the patient on a twice daily regimen should take the greater dose at at iftaar. For example, a patient on glibenclamide(eg. Daonil) 10mg for the morning and 5 mg for the evening, should take 10mg at iftaar and 5mg at suhoor. 3.. Insulin dependent: These patients are generally advised not to fast in view of: Poor control if insulin is not taken AND the danger of hypoglycaemia in a fasting patient who takes insulin. Generally diabetics must be reminded to abstain from the high calorie and highly refined foods prepared during this month in order to optimise control. (IMA- Professor M.A.K.Omar) 5. EVENTS IN RAMADHAAN Sayyidina Fathima(radhiyallahu anha) took leave from this world in Ramadhaan, 6 months after the demise of Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam). She was then 29 years old. 6. RAMADHAAN IN MAURITANIA At the beginning of Ramadan, Mauritanians especially the youth hasten to perform regular prayers at their appointed times in Masjids. It is worth stressing here that Mauritanians start celebrating the month of Ramadan as soon as the month of Rajab draws to a close. In Mauritania, the well off show a remarkable sympathy towards those who are less fortunate during Ramadan. The sense of solidarity and backing the poor is widely spread. During the nights of Ramadan, the `Isha and Taraweeh prayers are aired live from the Two Holy Masjids of Makkah and Al-Madinah. After prayer people usually set at ease to listen to religious lessons and heart softeners from the reliable scholars and Imams in addition to reciting the Qur'an and listening to it. After prayer, it is easi er to see people visiting one another and drinking Green Tea, which is a common drink in Mauritania. Source: islamonline 7. TODAYS DUAA O Allah! do not let me abase myself by incurring Your disobedience, and do not strike me with the whip of Your punishment, keep me away from the causes of Your anger, by Your kindness and Your power, O the ultimate wish of those who desire. O Allah! help and assist me to keep fasts and salaah for Your Pleasure, and keep me away from mistakes and sins of the day, grant me that I remember You continously through the day, by Your assistance, O the Guide of those who stray. Prepared by AL-Islaah Publications(www.everymuslim.net) ================================================================================================================ Ramadhaan Focus (Part 4) 1. TODAY'S HADITH Sayyidinah Ayesha(radhiyallahu anha) reports that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said that: " The salaah(prayer) before which miswaak is used is seventy times superior (in the reward it fetches) to the salaah for which miswaak is not used." (Bayhaqi in Al- Sha'b) 2. TODAYS FOCUS Some Important things to recite DAILY in Ramadhaan Hazrat Salmaan(radhiyallahu anhu) reports, in a lengthy hadith that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) has said that: ""This is a month, the first of which brings Allah's mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahannam. Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants (bonds-men) in this month, Allah will forgive him and free him from the fire of Jahannam. And in this month four things you should continue to perform in great number, two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot do. Those which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should in great quantity bear witness that there is no deity to worship except Allah (i.e. recite the Kalimah Tayyibah: Laa llaaha illallaah) and make muc h Istighfaar; beg Allah's forgiveness with Astagirfirul-laah)." And as for those without which you cannot do without, you should beg of Allah, entrance into Jannah and ask refuge in Him from Jahannam. And whoever gave a person who fasted water to drink, Allah shall grant that giver to drink from My fountain, such a drink where after that person shall never again feel thirsty until he enters Jannah." (Ibn Khuzaimah in his Saheeh.) 1.Read "La illaha illallah" abundantly According to a hadith Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "Continue to renew your imaan." The Sahaaba(radhiyallahu anhum) asked: "O Prophet of Allah, how do we renew our Imaan?" He replied: " Recite excessively "La illaha illallah" In another hadith, it is mentioned that a person who reads this precious kalimah 100 times daily, will have a face that will have a lustre(light) of the brightness of the 14th moon on the Day of Qiyaamah. Hence, it would be highly meritorious to increase our recitation of this kalimah especially in this auspicious month of Ramadhaan, atleast 100 times daily. 2.Be constant in seeking Allah's forgiveness According to one Hadith, Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "Repent(as much as possible) to Allah as I repent to Him a hundred times daily.(Hisne Haseen). In another Hadith, Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wasallam) said that." Every man is a sinner, but the best of sinners are those who repent and seek forgiveness." This is a month of forgiveness, so one should take the opportunity of increasing our Istighfaar. "Astaghfirullah"(I seek Allah's forgiveness) could be read atleast 100 times daily. 3.Ask for Jannah & Seek refuge from Jahannam Frequently make duaa for entry in Jannah and seek refuge from Jahannam. It would be beneficial to read the following duaa, as often as possible, daily in Ramadhaan. " Allahumma innie as-alukal jannatal firdousa wa-a'oozu-bika mi-nan-naar." O Allah I seek Jannatul Firdous and I seek refuge from the Fire(of Jahannam) 3. Q & A Question: Is it permissible to take an injection while fasting and does that nullify the fast? Answer: It is permissible to take an injection during fasting. The injection does not nullify the fast. (Ahsanul Fataawa vol.4 pg.432)- (Mufti Ebrahim Desai) 4. HEALTH Are fasting persons allowed to undergo special investigations? a) Blood samples are allowed to be taken for investigation whilst fasting. b) Any investigation requiring invasion via the natural orifices into the Jawf-al-badan ie. abdomen, such as endoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, baruim investigations etc. are not allowed in the fasting state. Can minor procedures be carried out under anaesthetic without breaking the fast? If these procedures, such as drainage of an abscess or setting of a fracture are carried under local anaesthetic, they are permissable. General anaesthesia with loss of consciousness will cause the fast to be broken and qadhaa fast will have to be observed. (Source: Fasting and the patient-IMA) 5. EVENTS IN RAMADHAAN Hadhrat Ayesha(radhiyallahu anha) was 65 years when she departed from this world in the month of Ramadhaan. 6. RAMADHAAN IN PALESTINE Now, every child and youth is fighting the occupiers and defending the honor and the blessed city. No time for joy, no time for play. The great joy will be when the blessed land is back and when the blessed Masjidul Aqsa is restored. The story of the Holy City will never end and its melody nourishes every heart and soul with hope and strength. Now, with a stone at hand a child of the city chants: "Khaibar is back and so near. Muhammad is back and we are here. Hurry brothers with no fear. Victory is really great and dear." (Source: islamonline) 7. TODAYS DUAA O Allah! guide me towards righteous actions, fulfil my needs and hopes, O One who does not need explanations nor questions, O One who knows what is in the chests of the (people of the) world. Bless Muhammad(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and his family. O Allah! on this day, multiply for me its blessings, and ease my path towards its bounties, do not deprive me of the acceptance of its good deeds, O the Guide towards the clear truth. Prepared by Al-Islaah Publications(www.everymuslim.net) ================================================================================================================ Courtesy: AL-ISLAAH PUBLICATIONS (www.everymuslim.net)
