Ramadan Tit Bit

This is a special act which involves giving out on charity, some food items at the end of Ramadhan. It commences three days to the end of Ramadhan to the first day of Shawwal which is Idl-fitr day before going for the Id- prayer, because a tradition credited to Abdullah Bn Abbas (May Allah be […]

This is a special act which involves giving out on charity, some food items at the end of Ramadhan. It commences three days to the end of Ramadhan to the first day of Shawwal which is Idl-fitr day before going for the Id- prayer, because a tradition credited to Abdullah Bn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with both of them) holds that the Prophet (PBUH) established this special charity for us so that it will purify the person who observed the fast from all evil talks and all other evils. It is also a source of relief and satisfaction to the needy. Any one that gives it out before going for the Id-prayer attracts his full reward while one that gives it out after returning from the Id-prayer attracts only the reward of the normal charity. (Transmitted by Abu-Daud).
This special charity is to be given by the leader of a household for all those living under him like his wife/wives, children and his employees.
Recommended fast beside Ramadhan
i) There are six fasts that are strongly recommended to be observed in the month of Shawwal by the Prophet (PBUH) For he said “any one who observed the month of Ramadan and followed them with six in Shawwal will be given the reward of one who observed the fast for a whole year.
ii) The fasts of Monday and Thursday for the Prophet (PBUH) used to fast every Monday and when ask why, he said it is because they are days on which the deeds of the servants of Allah are carried to him.
iii) Observing three days fast every month, which are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month. This is also another rewarding act because it attracts for the doer the reward of one year fasting.
iv) Fasting for nine days in the month of Zul-Hajja and one on the Arafat day for those who are not performing hajj on that day.
v) The Tasu’a and Ashura fasts which are fasts observed on the ninth and tenth days of the first month of the Islamic calendar respectively
Prohibited fasts
i) Fasting on a doubtful day, which is normally the thirtieth day of Sha’aban is indeed prohibited because there is no certainty as to whether that day is in Sha’aban or Ramadhan.
ii) Fasting on either of the two Id days is also prohibited. The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said: “Anyone that fasts on an id day has indeed disobeyed the father of Kasim” (Prophet Muhammad, PBUH, because he had a son Kasim after whom he was named).
iii) Fasting is also prohibited in the first, second and third days after Id-days.
iv) Setting aside Friday and fasting in it always is also prohibited.
v) The observance of supererogatory fast by women without the prior notice of their husbands is also prohibited.

Extracts from the  book Ramadaniyyat translation by ASP Ahmad Adam Kutubi, Zone 7 Police Imam, Wuse Abuja