Towards a rewarding Ramadan fast
Gratitude is due to Allah (SWT) who has made it possible for us, in spite of the several socio-economic odds confronting many of us, to find the Ramadan season spiritually enriching and elevating. Allah’s infinite mercy has gradually brought us, today, to the count of 8 in this year’s Ramadan. Based on the glad […]
Gratitude is due to Allah (SWT) who has made it possible for us, in spite of the several socio-economic odds confronting many of us, to find the Ramadan season spiritually enriching and elevating. Allah’s infinite mercy has gradually brought us, today, to the count of 8 in this year’s Ramadan.
Based on the glad tidings contained in the hadith of the Prophet (SAW) narrated by Imam Bukhari on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that, “when the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of the heaven are opened while the gates of Hell remain closed and the devils are chained”; it is on us as Muslim to take good advantage of this opportunity by making god use of our time during this holy season. In order to make this blessed month rewarding, our acts of worship must conform to laid down principles in the Qur’an and hadith of the Prophet (SAW).
In the case of the early morning meal called Sahur, for instance, it was the practice of the prophet (SAW) to take at least water. He never fasted without taking something for Sahur at dawn, before daybreak (fajr). It would thus be un-prophetic, for whatever reason, to abandon Sahur. While some Muslims forgo Sahur in order not to “disturb” their sound sleep. Others forsake it because they feel they are strong enough to withstand the exhaustions that may be occasioned during the day when they are required to abstain from eating and drinking.
Although the fast of a Muslim remains valid even without taking Sahur, it would contradict the Sunnah of the prophet (SAW) to vacate it. Imam Muslim relates from Amr bn al-As (RA) who reports that the Prophet (SAW) said, “The difference between our fast and that of the People of Book is the eating of Sahur”. All the six compilers of hadith relate from Anas (RA) that the prophet (SAW) said, “Take Sahur for there’s blessing in it”.
Similarly, it is Sunnah to delay Sahur until the last part of the night. The wisdom in this timing is to forestall fasting Muslims from missing their early morning (Subhi) prayer if they were to take Sahur at midnight or hours before fajr because they could fall back to deep sleep and consequently wakeup late for the Subhi prayer. Imam Bukhari relates that when Zaid bn Thabit was asked about the length of time between the prophet’s time for Sahur and Subhi prayer, Zaid replied, ‘it’s equivalent to the time it would take to recite fifty verses of the Qur’an’, at a moderate speed of recitation.
If a Muslim ignorantly eats or drinks at dawn without knowing that it was already fajr when eating and drinking should have stopped, scholars opine that his fast for the day yet remains valid as long as the eating or the drinking was not deliberate. Imam Bukhari relates that Asma’u, daughter of Abubakar (RA) said, “We ate Sahur during the time of the prophet (SAW) on a cloudy day and the sun suddenly appeared. The Prophet (SAW) however never asked us to pay back the fast for that particular day.
Breaking of the fast (called iftar in Islamic literature) at sunset marks the end of a day’s fast. It is the tradition of the Prophet (SAW) to hasten to break the fast. Abu Hurayrah (RA) reports that the Prophet (SAW) said, “Allah the most High said, “The closest to me from among my servants is the quickest to break his fast”. Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi both relate on the authority of Anas (RA) who reports that the Prophet (SAW) used to break the fast before observing the sunset (Maghrib) prayer with fresh dates or would sip some quantity of water when date was not available (or affordable).
Scholars have explained that water instead of fruit is mentioned as an alternative to dates because of the former’s natural state of purity. Muslims are therefore encouraged to adhere to the Sunnah of hastening to iftar with dates, a piece atleast. This is what distinguishes between the fast observed by Muslims and that of the Jews. When breaking the fast, Muslims are exhorted to emulate the Prophet (SAW) by reciting supplications such as “Allahumma Laka Sumtu Wa ala Rizkika Aftartu” meaning “O Allah! For you I fasted and (it is) with what you have provided (me) that I break the fast”. Ibn Majah relates on the authority of Abdullahi bn Amr bn al-AS (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said, “The supplication of a believer at the time of breaking the fast is never turned down”. Besides the supplication cited above, one is allowed and therefore encouraged to ask Allah (SWT) of his needs at the time for iftar.
Since Ramadan is a month of forgiveness and mercy, it would be rewarding to remind ourselves of the hadith on Salatu t-Tasbih. Abu Dawud relates on the authority of Ikrimah who heard from ibn Abbas (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said to Abbas bn Abdul-Mutallib “O Abbas! O My Uncle! Shall I not give you a gift? Shall I not show you something by means of which Allah will forgive your sins, the first and last (of them), the past and recent, the unintended and the deliberate, the small and the big, the secret and the open?” Rasulu-llah then taught him Salatu t-Tasbih. He further advised him that it should be offered daily or once a year or at least once in one’s lifetime. Let us find time in this holy month to observe this prayer even if it were once.
Salatu t-Tasbih consists of two nafilat raka’ats observed twice at a time; implying that it comprises of four Nafilat raka’ats in all. The supplication “Subhana-llahi Wal Hamdu lillah Wa La ilaha illa-llah Wa-llahu Akbar’ is recited 75 times in each raka’at in the following order as explained in the book, Fiqhu s-Sunnah. The supplication shall be recited 15 times after reciting Fatiha and a Surah which should be before going for ruku’u; 10 times during ruku’u; 10 times after rising from ruku’u; 10 times during first sujud; 10 times when seated after rising from first sujud;10 times during the second sujud; and 10 times when seated after rising from the second sujud (i.e during sujudul-istirahah).This is how each of the four raka’ats shall be observed with a taslim after each raka’at. Let’s remember our president, Muhammad Buhari, in our prayers. May Allah (SWT) accept our fast and forgive our sins, amin.