Day 16: The Month of More

It’s OK to eat and drink, so why are these prohibited in the days of Ramadan? Ramadan demand extra from us? But why?

Ramadan is the month of extra where we push ourselves to do more than usual. We really do way more than usual. More rakaah are banked in supererogatory Salaah in Ramadan. We do more charity, read more pages of the Qur’an and do more good deeds than outside Ramadan, because this is the month of more. More thirst, more hunger, more self-sacrifices, more personal discipline, more generous, more reflection, more sincerity and even we are more patient.  

Allah demands more from us but He gives more rewards too. In fact, His reward for a good deed which is from 10 to 700 outside Ramadan, starts from 700 to far beyond our valuation in this month. His blessings in Ramadan are more and so are His mercies and the abundance of opportunities for salvation from the Fire and for entering the Paradise. It was narrated from Jabir that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “At every breaking of the fast Allah has people whom He frees (from the Fire), and that happens every night.” (Ibn Majah)

This is why Ramadan is special. If you truly know the worth of this month, you will do even more than the ‘more’ you are currently doing. Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi (RA) said, “By Allah, if it was said to the people of the grave, ‘make a wish’; they would wish for one day of Ramadan.” There is indeed value in experiencing another Ramadan. 

"O My servants who believe! Be mindful of your Lord. Those who do good in this world will have a good reward." (Qur’an 39:10)

- Contributed by Shamsideen AbuSuad, UK. 2021

Email: MuslimMessage@gmail.com 

Online: https://ramadanmessage.blogspot.com/

Day 14: Birr - Righteous Conduct

The term ‘birr’ is used severally in the Qu’ran to indicate righteous conduct which is linked to the benefit one gives others. In essence, ‘birr’ is virtue and goodness within a person which impacts other lives positively. The derivatives of the term ‘birr’ includes: ‘burr’ which refers to ‘wheat’ as bringing much benefits over all other grains; a person described as ‘barr’ is regarded as dutiful and kind; the one who often fulfils his promises (to others) is called ‘baarr’. Allah refers to Angels as ‘bararah’ meaning righteous (Qur’an 80:16); and one of the characteristics of those who enter paradise is ‘abrar’ (virtuous, pious) (Qur’an 83:18,22).

Therefore, ‘birr’ describes righteous conducts, moral excellence, pious performance, goodness and perfection expected in a human being. The opposite of ‘birr’ is ‘ithm’ which means defectiveness, poor conduct and blameworthiness.

Allah defines and lists the traits of ‘birr’ thus: “birr (righteousness) is not in turning your faces towards the east or the west. Rather, the righteous are those who believe in God, the Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the prophets; who give charity out of their cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the poor, needy travellers, beggars, and for freeing captives; who establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and keep the pledges they make; and who are patient in times of suffering, adversity, and in (the heat of) battle. It is they who are true (in faith), and it is they who are mindful of God.” (Qur’an 2:177) This verse links the articles of faith and the pillars of Islam together with patience and keeping promises all under the umbrella of ‘birr’.

The totality of our is Deen is about our ‘birr’ (righteous conducts) – viz-a-viz the purity of our soul, the integrity of our hearts and the exploits of our limbs. In this sense, our ‘birr’ is linked to our God Consciousness (our ‘taqwah’). Taqwa is the means and way leading to birr. In Arabic, the root word for Taqwah means “protection”. Therefore, practising taqwa protects from the Fire. Protection is not sought for itself as much as to prevent harm. Consequently, the relationship between birr and taqwa is similar to that between well-being (which is a purpose) and medical care (which is a means to attain it).

Ramadan is about perfecting our righteous conducts and conscience in preparation for the ultimate meeting with our Lord. Ramadan is thus filled with ‘birr’ and ‘taqwah’. Therefore, when we interact with one another, we are required to help one another in birr and taqwah. “Each person should help his companion in this with knowledge and with action. An individual cannot independently help himself. Allah, in His supreme wisdom, has decreed that human survival should be through mutual help and support.” (Ibn-ul Qayyim)

- Contributed by Shamsideen AbuSuad, UK. 2021

Email: MuslimMessage@gmail.com 

Online: https://ramadanmessage.blogspot.com/

Day 7: Purified and Righteous

Allah is Our Creator; He knows us and knows how best to prune our soul and curb its’ excesses. Our God has made fasting in the month of Ramadan a means to purify our souls through obeying Him and undertaking recommended acts of iba'dah. This is the path of Spiritual purification and rehabilitation.

This month of fasting is in all ways aimed at making us successful. During this month we are strongly motivated to carry out acts of Iba'dah and several other good deeds, while at the same time we are enjoined to leave off sins -all acts of disobedience. Then we are encouraged to attune ourselves to the Qur'an and acquire a righteous disposition.

In Ramadan, we engage in recitation of the Qur'an, day and night. Indeed, “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).” (Qur'an 2:185) The Qur'an is the greatest source of influence on any sincere human mind. It is relevant for all ages, all civilization, all races, both sexes, all nation and people of all background, upbringing, or status. Every time we read thew Qur’an, it has a new meaning to us.

We are also encouraged to be sincere and righteous in this blessed month. In fact, righteousness is a second nature of those who have been saved from the catastrophe of the end-time confusion when everyone is utterly hopeless, “Surely humanity is in (grave) loss, except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance..” (Qur'an 103:2-3) Righteousness is also the characteristic of those who seek to rise above the lowly level: “Indeed, We created humans in the best form. But We will reduce them to the lowest of the low (in Hell), except those who believe and do good—they will have a never-ending reward.” (Qur'an 95:4-6)

In short, fasting in Ramadan is an act of iba'dah and specially designed to enable us to attain taqwah therein through a process of soul purification vis-à-vis the encouragement to obey Allah and leave off sins, to recite and abide by the Qur'an and to acquire righteousness.

- Contributed by Shamsideen AbuSuad, UK. 2021

Email: MuslimMessage@gmail.com                       Online: https://ramadanmessage.blogspot.com/

Day 6: Hope for His Rewards

The mercy of Allah is abundant in our life. Let us consider the mercy in His rewards. “Surely those who have believed, emigrated, and struggled in the Way of God - they can hope for God’s mercy. And God is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 2:218) “…And God multiplies (the reward even more) to whoever He wills. For God is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.” (Qur’an 2:261)

Our Merciful Lord and the source of All -Mercy rewards every good deed of ours in manifold – from 10 to 700 rewards depending on our sincerity. We don’t just get one rewards for one good deed. We get more. That is His mercy. However, in Ramadan, the reward is even more, it is limitless; Allah’s mercy is extensive. Our Prophet (pbuh) said, “Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving ten times its’ like, up to seven hundred times. Allah, the Most High said: ‘Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.’ For the fasting person, there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk.”

Whenever you feel the thirst from fasting, remember the rewards is Paradise where you shall be thirsty no more because you were thirsty on earth for the sake of Allah. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Indeed there is a gate of Paradise called Ar-Rayyaan. On the day of Resurrection, those who fast will enter through it; no one enters it except for them…, and whoever enters it drinks, and whoever drinks never becomes thirsty.” (Ibn Khuzaimah)

You should know about the rewards of fasting and while you dedicate yourself to Allah, you should also be hopeful of the rewards you will get. As our beloved Messenger of Allah said: 'He who fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; he who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; and he who passes Lailat al- Qadr in prayer with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.' (Bukhari and Muslim) Once your sins are forgiven in Ramadan, you start life afresh, pure and spiritually nearer to Allah than before.

The believers strive day and night for Nearness to God and for His Pleasure. They hope for Allah’s rewards and His mercies. They neither lose hope, nor despair whatever their condition is. Despair of His rewards undermine our faith and trust in Allah. Such hopelessness implies that we do not trust Allah to be able to rectify our situation and protect us. That is no faith. Fasting Ramadan means we have Faith and Hope. Alhamdulillah.

So, let us not limit the extent of Allah’s reward or undermine our hope with doubts. Life may delve you a dirty blow, or give you plenty stupendously, our lives are in Allah’s hands. We must seek Allah regardless of the attractions or distractions. Our success, failure or life’s vicissitude are all ordained by Allah, but the final measure, judgement and rewards are in the Hereafter. Allah is the Owner of that Day, so let’s fast and hope in Allah’s rewards. “Do not falter or grieve, for you will have the upper hand, if you are (true) believers.” (Qur’an 3:139)

- Contributed by Shamsideen AbuSuad, UK. 2021

Email: MuslimMessage@gmail.com

Online: https://ramadanmessage.blogspot.com/

Day 5: Realities Of Ramadan

The first reality of Ramadan is that in its early days, many people would mistakenly eat during the day. If you eat or drink forgetfully or accidentally, your fast is still intact. Stop the food or drink without any additional swallow, clean up and continue your fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If one of you eats and drinks out of forgetfulness, let him complete his fast for it was indeed Allah who gave him the food and drink." (Bukhari) This is how simple and unburdening Islam is. This is how beautiful and delicious it tastes to practice Islam with Knowledge and Wisdom.

Further, some people allege that a fasting Muslim is not allowed a warm or cold bath. Not true, a bath is harmless to your fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pour water over his head while fasting due to the thirst or the heat. (Ahmad) Ibn Umar (RA) soaked a garment in water and put it over himself while fasting. (Bukhari)

When the fasting Muslim feel sick, he is allowed to make up for it another day after Ramadan. Do not force yourself to continue the fast. “But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. God intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of God for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Qur'an 2:185)

Particularly, if you are in charge of cooking, you are allowed to taste food on your tongue if your job or duty requires it as long as it does not go down your throat. Ibn Abbas said: "There is no harm for a person to taste vinegar or anything while he is fasting, as long as it does not enter his throat." (Baihaqi)

Bloodletting does not affect your fasting, particularly if it is from wounds, accidents, cupping, or sample for testing. "The Prophet was cupped while he was fasting." (Bukhari) However, if it would make the fasting person to be dizzy or weak, then it would be deemed as a sickness, and thus discouraged. "Anas bin Malik was asked whether they disliked the cupping for a fasting person. He replied in the negative and said, "Only if it causes weakness." (Bukhari)

Another reality is that we usually would need to cleanse our teeth while fasting. Narrated 'Amir bin Rabi'a, "I saw the Prophet cleaning his teeth with Siwak (chewing stick used to clean the teeth and mouth) while he was fasting so many times as I can't count." Abu Huraira also said, "The Prophet said, 'But for my fear that it would be hard for my followers, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak on every performance of ablution’." The Prophet did not differentiate between a fasting and a non-fasting person regarding the Siwak. 'Aisha said, "The Prophet said, 'It (i.e. Siwak) is a purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah's pleasures.' " Ata' and Qatada said, "There is no harm in swallowing the resultant saliva." (Bukhari, Vol. 3 #154)

If anyone is forced to eat or drink during Ramadan, he should still go ahead with his fast. The Prophet said, "Allah has excused for my ummah (community) mistakes, forgetfulness and what they are forced to do." (Al-Hakim & Daraqutni)

The Kuhl (antimony) is the black sustenance usually applied to the eyelids for beautification and medication. Sometimes it is felt in the throat or seen in the saliva. Imam Ibn Taymiyah (as well as majority of the scholars) opined that it is permissible to apply it during the day of fasting. This ruling also applies to eye drops and eardrops, as well as similar objects.

Drips are generally allowed except if it is used as a nourishment or supplement. If it is only for treatment (medicinal) a fasting person may take it, the principle is that treatments are allowed for a fasting person except that which nourishes him. But if the fasting person feels hunger or thirst and takes drip to feel better than the fasting purpose is defeated. However, medicinal drips are for the sick, if you are too sick to require drips, you will be in one of the exempted categories already.

It is allowed to start the fast in a state of impurity, which could be sexual, menstrual or from wet dreams etc, in case you are unable to have your ghuslu bath before fasting start. Aisha narrated that, "The Prophet would sometimes be in a state of janaba (sexual impurity) from his wives and fajr salaah would come upon him, then he would bathe and still be fasting." (Bukhari)

 - Contributed by Shamsideen AbuSuad, UK. 2021

Email: MuslimMessage@gmail.com

Online: https://ramadanmessage.blogspot.com/

Day 4: Shielding Days

 

Ramadan is transformative; hence it is obligatory. It's a purposeful tool. Those who accomplish its goal are successful and are specially rewarded by Allah Himself.  

 Fasting is a means of cleansing our body and purifying our soul. The body and soul go through a process of sanitation and discipline. These protects us from harm and from being susceptible to the whips of the Shaytan. It is very good for us, but out of Allah’s mercy, he has restricted this sanitisation to only a month.  “(Fasting is for a) prescribed number of days” (Qur’an 2:184) The fixed days of 29 or 30 days are adequate to help develop positive habits and not to weakening our resolve and endurance.

 Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: "Fasting is a shield. So the fasting person should avoid obscene speech and should not behave foolishly and ignorantly, and if somebody fights with him or insults him, he should tell him twice, ‘I am fasting.’ By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the smell that comes from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the scent of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), ‘He has given up his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me and I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times’.” (Bukhari)

According to the scholar, Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawzi:

Fasting has an amazing effect in

1.     preserving our outer limbs and inner capacities

2.     protecting the soul from being overtaken by destructive components

3.     it has a remarkable effect in emptying out all the harmful things that prevent the soul from being healthy

4.     it guards and protects the health of the person’s heart and body limbs

5.     it returns to the soul what the hands of the desires has taken from it

So fasting is from the greatest ways of improving one’s Taqwaa.

 

- Contributed by AbdulGhaniy Arije. 2021

Email: MuslimMessage@gmail.com

Online: https://ramadanmessage.blogspot.com/

Day 3: The Test of Obedience

 

The instruction manual is often set by manufacturers, for they know best the nature and limits of their products. In the case of our existence, Allah, Our Lord and Creator, sets our practices, goals and limits. He has thus prescribed annual compulsory fast for us and He knows best the value impact of this act of worship on the human body, spirit and soul.

 Acts of worship for which we expect rewards must be ordained from above. Therefore, Muslims adhere strictly to the call to fast in the month of Ramadan, whatever the difficulty of the time. Be it a pandemic, social interaction restrictions, severe weather condition, come rain, come shine, be it cold winter or dry summer, whatever is our personal circumstance, we obey the command of Allah and emulate the practical examples from His Special Envoy, Muhammad (peace be upon him).

 To seek guidance elsewhere or to dismiss the manufacturer’s instruction is ingratitude and a path to failure. Our obedience is our mark of gratitude to the Almighty God who provided us with guidance to help us navigate our world, resolve our disputes, and lead us to the path of peace and harmony. "Humanity had once been one community (of believers before they lost faith). Then God raised prophets as deliverers of good news and as warners; and revealed to them the Scriptures in truth to judge among people regarding their disputes…". (Qur'an 2 Verse 213)

 Whether you see the benefit of the instruction to fast or you do not, your duty is to harken to God’s commands, to believe and be submissive to the best of your ability. His commands may stop us from enjoying our desires or it may require us to do things we find difficult or undesirable. Our duty is to obey and comply.

 Allah is merciful towards us. He has permitted us the enjoyment of most things on earth; but to test our obedience, he instructs us on a very little number of things. Our predecessors Adam and Hawwa (may God be pleased with them) were tested in The Garden to enjoy all but one tree, one in a million. Ramadan is just 1 in twelve (12) months. The five daily Salaah/Prayer-Worships take just approximately an hour in the whole 24 hours. As for Zakaah, its only for those who have savings that reaches a particular limit (nisab) and its only 2.5% (1 in 40 portions) of the savings to give as charity for the poor and needy. Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) is for those who can physically and financially afford the journey, but it is even once in a life time requirement. Life’s all a test; take the test with your utmost sincerity and effort.

“Blessed is the One in Whose Hands rests all authority. And He is Most Capable of everything. (He is the One) Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving” (Qur’an 67:1-2)

 The Prophet (pbuh) said: “The greatest reward comes with the greatest trials. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure, but whoever is discontent with that, earns His wrath.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

- Contributed by Shamsideen AbuSuad, UK. 2021

Email: MuslimMessage@gmail.com

Online: https://ramadanmessage.blogspot.com/

Day 2: Prescription for All Believers

 

Fasting is a prescription for universal, historical, and human ailment. It is prescribed for the believers of today as it was prescribed for the believers of old.

In making fasting obligatory upon us, Allah mentions that this was also the case for the people who preceded us in faith. All humans suffer from the disease of greed and weakness of faith. Fasting strengthens our faiths and curbs our excesses. It worked for them; it will work for us. We are not alone in this trial; the obligation is not peculiar to us alone.

 Allah ties us to the community before us. We are a continuity in the chain of believers. Similar acts of worship were instituted for the earlier communities of the past prophets. This should serve as a motivation for us. People before us fasted, perhaps their fasts were even more stringent.

 The reference to other communities should provide psychological comfort to the Muslims. Whatever is performed by a large multitude would appear common, normal, and bearable. So, we are a part of a bigger picture, from Adam to Jesus (peace be upon them all), all the prophets and their faithful followers fasted, we are proud to be part of the institution.

 Although our fast is not exactly identical with the fast of the previous generations, there are differences in the number of fasting days and the timings of the fasts etc., the impact in attaining the fasting objective is the same – to attain taqwah, often translated as piety or God consciousness or God mindfulness.

 So, fast but bear in mind that you are following an age-old practice of all our fathers in faith. You are undertaking the practice of Adam, Ibrahim, Nuh, Musa, Dawud, Isa, Muhammad, etc peacebe upon them all and upon you too as you follow in their footsteps.

- Contributed by Shamsideen AbuSuad, UK. 2021

Email: MuslimMessage@gmail.com

Online: https://ramadanmessage.blogspot.com/

Day 1: CALL TO ARISE AND SERVE

 

Welcome Ramadan, welcome the month of fasting. This is the month of service, wherein God calls us to embark on a special duty, a special project.

 

Allah calls upon us all, “O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you —so perhaps you will become mindful of God” (Qur’an 2: 183).

Mindfulness of God in the days and night of Ramadan, in our deeds and during our leisure, we are commanded to arise and serve. Sincere devotion ONLY for Him and only Him can quantify our dedication, only Him can truly reward us.

When Allah addresses us as: “O Believer”, it is similar to saying: “O you whom Allah has favoured and enriched with His bounties... O you whom Allah graced with this occasion, this time and this life... O you upon whom Allah has conferred honour, reasoning and kindness.” Will you not harken to Your Lord? Arise and serve with your utmost.

In this month, be the guest of Allah and be one of those near to Him. Each breath you take glorifies him; your sleep is worship, your deeds are accepted and your supplications are answered.

So, ask Allah, your Lord, to give you a sound body and an enlightened heart; so you may be able to fast and recite his book, for only he is unhappy who is devoid of Allah's forgiveness during this great month.

- Contributed by Shamsideen AbuSuad, UK. 2021