Farewell to month of Rahama

By now, we are supposed to reflect on our achievements in this holy month of Ramadan in terms of our Ibadat (worshipping Allah). The month had only four or five days to go, and we shouldn’t allow Ramadan to pass-by without doing the Ibadat that could earn us the forgiveness of the Almighty Allah. The Prophet […]

By now, we are supposed to reflect on our achievements in this holy month of Ramadan in terms of our Ibadat (worshipping Allah). The month had only four or five days to go, and we shouldn’t allow Ramadan to pass-by without doing the Ibadat that could earn us the forgiveness of the Almighty Allah.
 The Prophet (pbuh) in a hadith reported by Bukhari said whoever witnesses the month of Ramadan and did not do anything (Ibadat) that would earn him Allah’s forgiveness that person has recorded a great loss.
 Ramadan Talk is therefore urging all Muslims faithful to effectively utilise the remaining four or five days with Ibadat whether they may be recorded among those that would be freed from hell fire.
 We should intensify efforts by engaging on supererogatory worships apart from the compulsory ones. This is in order not to be among those who would allow Ramadan to pass-by without earning Allah’s forgiveness.
 It is on the foregoing that Ramadan Talk this week focuses on the wisdom behind Ramadan fasting. We shall also discuss the observances of Eid-ul-fitr and Zakatul-fitr, as this week’s talk would be the last before Sallah.
Wisdom behind Ramadan fasting
 Much of the wisdom and many benefits attaching to fasting as an act of worship have to do with piety (taqwa), as mentioned by Allah in chapter 2, verse 183 of the Holy Qur’an.
 This means that it would be easier for anyone to avoid sin and become pious who observes Islamic monotheism (halaal) out of the desire to earn Allah’s pleasure or fear of His punishment.
Fasting induces piety in worshipers because:
•       It trains individuals to avoid desires that lead to sin. Fasting helps a person to overcome his own nature and weans him from sinful habits. The problem of disorganisation and lack of punctuality, which afflict many people, could be solved by fasting since one would usually be punctual in starting and breaking the fast.
•       It keeps man’s faculties from feeling hunger or lust. If the stomach is full the tongue, eyes, hands and libido could become excited and feel hungry. Fasting therefore defeats the devil (shaytan). It controls the desires and protects one’s faculties by giving them rest.
•       Fasting demonstrates the unity of Muslims since the Ummah (community) fasts and breaks the fast at the same time. Muslims all over the world fast in the same month and manner.
•       People flock to the mosque in the month of Ramadan. Those that do not visit the mosque regularly otherwise would be found to come with open hearts. The month of Ramadan therefore provides the opportunity to call everyone to Allah – to preach, teach appropriate lessons, and speak beneficial words while cooperating in righteousness and good deeds.
•       Fasting equalizes the poor and the rich. When a wealthy person feels the pangs of hunger, he experiences what the poor frequently endure. He may therefore develop greater compassion for the poor and give them alms to ward off hunger.
 Those who worked hard from the beginning of this blessed month to please Allah should redouble their efforts, while those relaxing are advised to wake up and take the opportunity of the remaining days to earn Allah’s blessings.
 Wisdoms behind two Muslims’ Eids
 As we celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, we ought to put it in mind that Sallah day is not merely a day of celebration alone, but it is also a day on which mankind should seek Allah’s blessings and offer supplications to Him.
 Anas bn Malik (companion of the Prophet, pbuh) reported that Allah’s messenger (pbuh) came to Madina while the people were engaged in an annual two-day game and the Prophet (pbuh) told the people of Madina that Allah has substituted something better for them, namely, the day of sacrifice (Eid-ul-Adha) and the day of breaking the fast (Eid-ul-Fitr).
 Accordingly, acts and celebrations of all kinds are allowed on Sallah day, provided they are in accordance with the Shari’a. Those that could lead to sin or contradict Allah’s law or His Prophet’s (pbuh) teachings are however not allowed.
 The Sallah after Ramadan
Upon the sighting of a new moon on the 29th day of the month of Ramadan or after the 30th day of Ramadan fasting, the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration is held on the following day.
 Commenting on Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, Umma Atiya (a female companion of the prophet, pbuh) enjoined young women, children, adult males and females, as well as menstruating women to participate in the goodness and supplications of Muslims by attending the Eid prayer; but the menstruating women are to refrain from the prayers.
 This means that no child or adult is exempted from the Eid prayer, which would normally be performed at an Eid praying ground on the outskirt of every town. This is the day of celebration when Muslims should come out en masse to show their number.
 The Eid prayer
 Eid prayer is two raka’at. The prayer is performed without Adhan and Iqama (the call to prayer and its beginning). Having formulated the intention (niyya), one utters Takbir – Allahu Akbar (Allah is great) seven times in the first raka’a and five times in the second raka’a. The recitation of the Qur’an (Fatiha and Surah) follows the Takbir.
Bukhari reported in a hadith that the Prophet (pbuh) did not go out on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, unlike the day of Eid-ul-Adha, until he had had some food or dates. Therefore, it is recommended that Muslims should eat before going to the Eid-ul-fitr prayer ground.
The Prophet (pbuh) used to perform the ritual bath before going to the Eid prayer ground. He used to recite Allahu Akbaru-Allahu Akbar; La’ilaha’illallah. Allahu Akbaru-Allahu Akbar; walillahil hamdu. (Allah is great, Allah is great. There is no deity worthy of worship except him. Allah is great, Allah is great, All praises are due to Allah) on his way from his house up to the Eid prayer ground and back. The above recitation is to be continued upon arrival at the Eid prayer ground until the prayer begins. After the prayer, the recitation is to be continued until one return to his home.
 The Imam will offer the Khutba (sermon) after the Eid prayer. He will stand facing the people, who should remain seated in their rows, as he preaches to them and exhort them. Listening to the sermon is as much Sunnah for all in attendance as the prayer. Bukhari and Muslim reported this as the practice of the Prophet (pbuh).
 The Prophet (pbuh) used to offer two raka’at on his return home from the Eid prayer. Bukhari reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) would return home on an Eid day by a different route from the one he had taken when going out. The faithful are enjoined to follow the example of the Prophet (pbuh), that they may testify to the worship of Allah and make the splendor of Islam more prominent.
 The above rulings on Eid-ul-fitr are by no means exhaustive.
 Zakat-ul-fitr or Sadaqat-ul-Fitr (Fast breaking charity)
This is an obligatory charity to be extended by all well-to-do Muslims before the prayer of Eid-ul-fitr. It is valid when given before the Eid prayer, or two or three days before the Sallah day.
 The essence is to enable the poor Muslims to participate in the celebration, who may otherwise have nothing to put on the table on a day that all Muslims should be celebrating. The Prophet (pbuh) enjoined Muslims to give out Zakat-ul-fitr to the poor, so that they are freed from going round begging on the day of Eid-ul-fitr.
 Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) prescribed the Zakat-ul-fitr payable by a slave, freeman, a male and a female, the young and the old among the Muslims upon coming to an end of Ramadan fasting, before going to Eid prayers, as one Sa’i (about 2.5 kilogramme) of dried dates or barley for all the family members irrespective of age. The Prophet (pbuh) commanded that this should be given out before the Eid prayer.
 Therefore, if there are ten members in a family for instance, it means ten Sa’i should be given. Zakat-ul-fitr is given out from the common food of a given community. We should fear Allah to give out Zakat-ul-fitr from what we can afford. The person that can afford rice, for example, should not give out maize.
 Ibn Abbas (companion of the Prophet, pbuh) reported that Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) prescribed Zakat-ul-Fitr to purify the fasting person from empty and obscene talk and feed the poor. If anyone gives it before the Eid prayer, it will be accepted as Zakat. If given after the prayer, it is counted as sadaqa (alms). This hadith is considered sound by Al-Hakim.
 This implies that Sadaqat-ul-fitr (fast breaking charity) given after Eid prayer does not absolve one from the obligation of Zakat-ul-fitr, nor does one get the reward associated with it. However, the act shall not go in vain, as one will get the reward of an ordinary act of charity.
This edition ends our Ramadan Talk for this year. If Allah spares our lives, we will come your way next year, inshaAllah. May Allah accept this column, and all our good deeds, as part of Ibadat. And may He reward us with his Jannatul Firdausi.