How best to end the Ramadan
The Talk, which is the last for this year, would this week, inshaAllah, discuss the observances of the i’itikaf, rulings on Zakaatul Fitr and Eid-ul-Fitr. We shall also highlight the things that break the fast. It could be recalled that Malam Ahmad Bello Dogarawa of the Ahmadu Bello University’s Accounting Department had contributed a piece […]
The Talk, which is the last for this year, would this week, inshaAllah, discuss the observances of the i’itikaf, rulings on Zakaatul Fitr and Eid-ul-Fitr. We shall also highlight the things that break the fast.
It could be recalled that Malam Ahmad Bello Dogarawa of the Ahmadu Bello University’s Accounting Department had contributed a piece on i’itikaf, Zakaatul Fitr and Eid-ul-Fitr to Ramadan Talk last year. We would rerun that contribution because of its relevance to our discussion this week.
I’ITIKAAF (Seclusion in the mosque)
I’itikaaf is the seclusion and staying in the mosque with the intention of becoming closer to Allah. It is a meritorious act of worship that could be done in any month of the year. It is however most recommended in the month of Ramadaan and in particular in the last ten days (Bukhari and Muslim).
The objective of i’itikaaf is for the heart to become fully preoccupied with Allah, concentrated upon Him alone, and cut-off from being preoccupied with the creation. This is the greater goal of i’itikaaf.’
I’itikaaf is only done in the mosque. There is a difference of opinion among the Jurists concerning what mosques are acceptable for i’itikaaf. Some say that it is acceptable in any mosque. Some opine that it is valid in any mosque in which the five daily prayers are held and which has a congregation (Friday congregation). Another group of scholars hold that i’itikaaf can only be done in one of the three sacred mosques: the sacred mosque in Makkah; the Prophet’s mosque in Madeenah; and the al-Aqsa mosque. The correct opinion, Allah knows best, is that it is preferred to observe i’itikaf in one of the three sacred mosques, but it is permissible in any mosque in which Friday congregation is observed.
It is most ideal for one, who is observing the i’itikaaf, to perform many supererogatory acts of worship, that is to occupy himself with voluntary prayers, reciting the Qur’aan, glorifying and praising Allah, extolling His oneness and greatness, asking His forgiveness, sending salutations on the Prophet (pbuh) and any other act that brings one closer to Allah.
It is permissible for one who is observing i’itikaaf to leave his place of i’itikaaf to bid a farewell to his wife or any other person who visited him as the Prophet (pbuh) did to his wife, Safiyyah (RA), (Bukhari and Muslim). The i’iitikaf person may also go out for some needs like answering the call of nature, getting food for himself, performing the Janaba ritual bath etcetera.
If the i’iitikaf person is involved in one of the following acts, his i’itikaaf is nullified:
– Leaving the mosque without any acceptable reason, even if it is for a short time.
– When the person converts to another religion other than Islam, as this would nullify all acts of worship.
– Losing one’s reasoning due to insanity or drunkenness.
– Onset of menstruation or post child-birth bleeding
– And sexual intercourse.
ZAKAATUL FITR
Zakaatul Fitr is a type of sadaqah (charity), which must be paid by every Muslim, young and old, male and female, free person and slave, at the end of the month of Ramadaan. Its purpose is to purify the fasting person from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy.
It is accepted as zakaat for the person who pays it before the Eid prayer, and it is considered an ordinary sadaqah for the one who pays it after Eid prayer.
The required amount of zakaatul fitr is one sa’i (equal to approximately 3 kilograms) of wheat, barley, raisons, dry cottage cheese, rice, corn or similar items considered as basic food. It is permissible to pay zakaatul fitr a day or two before Eid day (Bukhari).
It is not permissible for one to pay, as a zakaatul fitr, an equivalent value in cash.
It is recommended that the zakaatul fitr of every society be gathered in one place for onward distribution to the deserving people.
THE EID PRAYER
“Eid” is an Arabic word referring to something habitual that is repeated. The Muslims are distinguished by the festivals of the two Eids; Eid-ul-Fitr and Adhaa.
It is not permissible for Muslims to imitate the non-Muslims and idolatrous while celebrating the Eids.
Eid prayer is compulsory on every Muslim male and female. This is because the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has ordered the Muslims (men and women) to observe it (Bukhari and Muslim).
Eid prayer should be offered when the sun is obvious above the horizon. That is from the time when the observance of nafl (supererogatory) prayer is allowed after Fajr prayer.
It should be observed outdoor in an open ground specifically provided for that purpose, i.e. in a desert or park field. If it is wet or not possible to find a suitable outdoor place it can be prayed in a mosque or a large hall.
There is no Iqaamah or Adhaan for Eid prayer. There is no Nafl prayer before or after the Eid prayer. Ibn Abbas and Jabir (RA) reported (Bukhari and Muslim).
The Eid prayer is two rak’ats. The two rak’ats are offered in the same manner of the usual prayer except that there are seven takbeers in the first rak’ah before the Qur’aanic recitation. During the second rak’ah, five takbeers are made and they are made after rising from the second prostration of the first raka’ah, while standing (Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah).
After the prayer, Muslims are enjoined to remain seated to listen to the khutbah (sermon).
It is preferred for one to take a ritual bath before going to Eid ground and dress in his best clothes. It is also preferred for a person to go to the Eid ground by one route and then to return home through another route.
Chanting of at-Takbeer is recommended from the time one leaves his house until the prayer is observed. The chanting of at-Takbeers in the case of Eid al-Adha begins in the morning of Arafat day and terminates after Asr of the last day of Minna (three days after Eid day). The chanting of the Takbeers goes thus: “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, La ilaha illallah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd”. In another transmission: “Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, La ilaha illallah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, wa lillahil hamd”.
Ramadan Talk wants to once again thank Malam Ahmad Bello Dogarawa for this contribution. We would now offer a brief on what breaks the fast to round up this year’s Talk.
What breaks the fast?
• Sexual intercourse, eating, drinking, taking medicine and pills by the mouth, injection of nourishment substances, etc breaks the fast.
• Suppositories, eyes-drops, ear drops, brushing the teeth, having a tooth extracted, and treating wound do not break the fast.
• Puffer for treating asthma does not break the fast because it is just compressed gas and goes directly to the lungs. It is not food. Moreover it is needed at all times, including the Ramadan period.
• Having a blood sample taken does not break the fast.
• Tablets that are placed under the tongue to treat angina and similar conditions do not break the fast, provided one avoids swallowing anything that reaches the throat.
• Passerines, douches, scopes, fingers, etc inserted into the anus or vagina on medical grounds does not break the fast.
• Insertion of a scope or intra-uterine devices (IUD or “coil”) and the like into the uterus do not break the fast, neither do other medical treatments that do not proved food and are not taken through the mouth.
• Offences like lying, backbiting, and unlawful games/shows etcetera reduce the rewards of a fasting person but do not break the fast. Though Bn Hazmin (a renowned Islamic scholar) in his book Muhalla, is of the opinion that lying or backbiting break the fast. He supports his argument with the hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) that says Allah has no need in a person’s hunger and thirst (fast) who did not refrain from backbiting or lying. Allah knows best.
We shall meet next year, inshaAllah.
TALK BACK
We appreciate all your questions, comments and contributions. Because of lack of space, we shall not be able to answer any question. However, we want to advise our readers to contact their imams or send their questions to any of the following email addresses. Please accept my sincere regards; we shall meet next year, inshaAllah.
For observations, corrections, suggestions and contribution, please contact 0803-8608418, [email protected] or [email protected]