The last phase of Ramadan
At this tail end of the Ramadan fast, we need to ask ourselves some questions including how we have taken good advantage of the opportunity provided by Ramadan to get closer to Allah (SWT). How far, we should ask ourselves, has our recitation of the holy Qur’an taken us? How constant have we been seeking […]
At this tail end of the Ramadan fast, we need to ask ourselves some questions including how we have taken good advantage of the opportunity provided by Ramadan to get closer to Allah (SWT). How far, we should ask ourselves, has our recitation of the holy Qur’an taken us? How constant have we been seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy from our sins? How spiritually purified have our minds and character become since the beginning of this Ramadan?
One exceptional virtue of Ramadan lies in the night called Lailat ul-Qadr, the “Night of Power”; a night equivalent to a thousand months that are without such a night. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 97:3 “The Night of Power is better than a thousand months”. Given this precious status, it is most desirable that Muslims re-organize themselves, re-direct and focus their attention on the search for this particular night which according to the Prophet (SAW) is concealed within one of the odd-number days in the last ten days of Ramadan.
Scholars are divided in their opinions as to the exact day on which Lailat ul-Qadr falls. While some scholars believe it falls on the 21st, 23rd or 25th day of Ramadan, majority opine that Lailat ul-Qadr is on the 27th day of Ramadan. In any case, we are encouraged by the sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) to engage in acts of devotion on the nights of the odd-number days of the last ten days of Ramadan. Muslims are encouraged to diversify their devotion on these nights. This may include recitation of the holy Qur’an, glorifying Allah (SWT) with appropriate words of remembrance (dhikr), giving gratitude to Him (SWT), and observing nafilat prayers or similar acts of worship. Imam Ahmad, Ibn Majah and Attirmidhi all relate on the authority of Aisha (RA) that she asked the Prophet (SAW) about what to say or rehearse on the Night of Power. The Prophet (SAW) replied that she should keep reciting the following supplication, “Allahumma innaka ‘afwun, tuhibb ul-afwa fa’afu anni” meaning “O Allah! You are indeed Most-Pardoning; You cherish pardon; so pardon me”.
Another important spiritual activity in the last ten days of Ramadan is the religious sojourn called seclusion (i’tikaf) which is traditionally observed in a mosque where Jum’ah congregational prayer holds every Friday so that the worshipper observing the i’tikaf would not be required to leave the premises of the mosque in which he is secluding in order to observe Jum’ah prayer in another mosque. While we cheer Muslims to observe i’tikaf, where possible along with their wives and children, the rules and regulations governing it must strictly be adhered to.
One of the basic rules of i’tikaf is that conjugal relationships must be avoided as long as the seclusion lasts. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 2:87, “Permitted to you on the night of the fasts is the approach to your wives…But do not associate with your wives while ye are in retreat in the mosques. Those are limits set by Allah: Approach not nigh thereto. Thus doth Allah make clear His signs to men: that they may learn self-restraint”
Another major act of worship that signifies the end of Ramadan is the Zakat ul-fitr. It is a Sunnah that is considered compulsory on every Muslim, big and small, male and female, free-born as well as slave. The cost of paying the Zakat ul-fitr is to be borne by the person responsible for individual’s sustenance and upkeep. A man would give the Zakat ul-fitr of his wife/wives, child/children, and every other person under his care including domestic servants and maids. The Zakat ul-fitr is to be paid from the staple food item in one’s community. It could be maize, millet, rice, wheat or similar grains or cereals. It could also be beans or groundnut where such is the staple food.
The quantity to be given out per head as Zakat ul-fitr is four measures of grains using the prophetic measure (mudun-Nabiyy). The two palms of an adult when filled with grains are assumed to be equivalent to a full measure of mudun-nabiyy. Four full measures of mudun-nabiyy equal a measure of the Prophet’s cubic measure (Saa’un-Nabiyy). The Zakat ul-fitr could be paid two days or a day before the Eidl-fitr day. Anas bn Malik (RA) reports that the Prophet (SAW) said “the Ramadan fast of believing servants of Allah (SWT) would hang between the heaven and the earth until they have paid Zakat ul-fitr…” If for genuine reasons a Muslim could not give out the Zakat ul-fitr before observing the Eid prayers; it shall be paid at any time it is available. Zakat ul-fitr has no waiver or substitute. It is obligatory on all Muslims, rich and poor. Zakat ul-fitr is a clear manifestation of the spiritual and humanitarian spirit of responsive interactions between the individual and the society. It is an expression of the general philosophy of Islam, which adopts a moderate or middle but positive and effective course between the individual and society; between capitalism and socialism; and between materialism and spirituality.
When news gets to us that the moon of Islamic lunar month of Shawwal has been sighted, it is required that we eat or drink in the morning of the Eidl-fitr day before setting out for the two raka’at prayers at the Eid praying ground, usually in the outskirt of the town. It is forbidden for a believer to fast on the day of Eidl-fitr either as a continuation of the Ramadan fast which should have terminated with the sighting of the moon or as a voluntary fast (tatawwu’i). Refusing to eat or drink before going for the Eid prayers does not make one more pious than others. Let us not seek to extend the Ramadan beyond and against Allah’s will. May Allah (SWT) forgive us our sins and accept all our acts of devotion, amin.