Ramadan

Laylat- ul-Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. If a believing person is zealous to obey his Lord and increase the good deeds in his record, he should strive to encounter this night and to pass it in worship and obedience. If this is facilitated for him, all of his previous sins will be forgiven.

The Sunnah of itikaf is that one makes its intention and begins the itikaf on the evening of the 20th of Ramadan from sunset time and continue until the sighting of the moon for Idul Fitr. During Itikaf, men should stay in the masjid day and night and should not leave it except for the use of toilet or shower. They are allowed to eat also inside the masjid, but if it is not convenient, they may go outside and come back as soon as they finish.
During itikaf, one should spend most of one’s time in prayer, reading the Quran, zikr and reflection. Engaging in business and other worldly conversation and activities is not allowed during Itikaf. However, attending a janazah or visiting a sick person or leaving for any emergency is permissible.

Praying Qiyaam
It is recommended to make a long Qiyaam prayer during the nights on which Laylat- ul-Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many Ahadith.

Abu Tharr (RA) relates:
“We fasted with Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) in Ramadan. He did not lead us (in qiyaam) at all until there were seven nights of Ramadan left. Then he stood with us that night in prayer until one third of the night had passed. He did not pray with us on the sixth. On the fifth night, he prayed with us until half of the night had passed. So we said, ‘Allah’s Messenger! Wouldn’t you pray with us the whole night?’ He replied:
‘Whoever stands in prayer with the imam until he (the imaam) concludes the prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.’

Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrated that the Prophet said:
“Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylat- ul-Qadr and it is facilitated for him out of faith and expectation of Allah’s reward, will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) the addition “and it is facilitated for him” is recorded by Ahmad from the report of `Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.

Making Supplications
It is also recommended to make extensive supplication on this night. Hazrath Aishah (RA) reported that she asked Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) “O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylat- ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?” And he instructed her to say:
“Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fafu annee - O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me.”

Prophet (Pbuh) used to observe itikaf during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan and he continued this practice till his death
Itikaf- spending the last ten days of Ramadan in the Masjid is a beautiful tradition of the Prophet (Pbuh). It is like a spiritual retreat. It is reported by Hazrath Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (Pbuh) used to observe itikaf during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan and he continued this practice till his death. After him his wives carried on this practice of observing itikaf regularly. (Reported in Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
It is recommended that every Muslim make at least one itikaf in his/ her life. There must be at least few people in every community who should do it in every masjid every year to keep this tradition alive. Men should do itikaf in the masjid so that they can pray in the congregation and also offer the Friday prayers. Women can also do itikaf, but theirs must be at home for reasons of modesty and for their own convenience. There is a great blessing in itikaf and people who do it, bring blessings upon themselves, upon their families and upon the Muslim Ummah at large.

* Zakat -ul -Fitr is a type of Sadaqah which must be paid by every Muslim, male and female at the end of the Month of Fasting (Ramadan).
* The purpose of Zakat-ul- Fitr is to purify one who fasts, from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy.
* Zakat ul Fitr is incumbent on every Muslim who possesses one Sa’ of dates or barley which is not needed as a basic food for himself or his family for the duration of one day and night. (One Sa’ equals approximately three kilograms).
* The required amount of Zakat ul Fitr is one Sa’ of wheat, rice or corn or similar items considered as basic foods.
* Abu Hanifah made it permissible to set aside, as a Zakat ul Fitr, an equivalent value and also said that if the payer pays in wheat, one half of a Sa’ would be sufficient.
* Most scholars believe that it is permissible to pay Zakat ul Fitr a day or two before Eid. According to Abu Hanifah, it is permissible to pay it even before Ramadan. Ash-Shafi holds that it is permissible to do so at the beginning of Ramadan. Malik and Ahmad maintain that it is permissible to pay it only one or two days in advance.

The first day of the month of Shawwal is Eid ul-Fitr- marking a day of celebration and thanks for Allah, our Creator and Cherisher. Ramadan ends here.
Here is what the Prophet (Pbuh) used to do on the day of Eid .
* To rise early in the morning
* Take a bath.
* Clean the teeth.
* Wear the best clothes that he had.
* Wear perfume.
* To eat something sweet like dates before leaving home.
* Go to the Eid prayer location very early. (The Prophet
use to offer Eid prayer in the central location, that is not to offer it in a mosque of a locality without any legitimate excuse).
The Prophet used to go to the Eid Prayer location by one route and returned through another route.
He used to walk upto the place of Eid prayer.
He used to recite on the way to the Eid prayer location the following words:
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallahu Wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa lillahil Hamd.” (Allah is the greatest, He is the greatest. There is no god except Allah. He is the greatest. All praises and thanks are for Him) The Prophet used to give Sadqa-e-Fitr (Zakatul Fitr) before the Eid day.

* Eid-ul-Fitr Diary
* Rise early in the morning.
* Brush the teeth.
* Take bath for Eid prayer after the Fajr
Prayer.
* Put on the best available dress.
* Use perfume.
* Give away Eid Charity (Zakat-ul-Fitr)
before departure for the Eid prayers.
* Eat something sweet before going for the
Eid Prayer.
* Walk to the Eid ground by one way and
return by the other, however, there is no
harm if one drives back home.
* Pronounce the following Takbir on the
way in a low voice.
Allah-hu Akbar, Allah-hu Akbar,
(Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest)
La-Ilaha ill-Allah (There is no God but Allah),
Wa-Allah-u Akbar, Allah-u Akbar
Wa-lillahil-hamd ( all praise is for Allah).

* If a person misses the Eid prayer, he cannot offer it individually, for the ‘Eid prayer is conditioned upon congregation. Similarly, if the prayer of a person who joined in the congregation is invalidated due to some reason, he cannot offer it later as a missed prayer, nor is it incumbent upon him to do so the prayer can get together and offer it if they so desire.
* There is neither Azan nor Iqamah for the Eid Prayers.
* The Ahle-Hadith scholars maintain the view that women and children have been enjoined to attend the Eid prayer, because the Eid, like the Friday Prayer, is a special feature of Islam, and the holy Prophet (Pbuh) himself has exhorted the women to go to the Eid ground.
* Hadrat Umm’atiyyah has narrated; “The holy Prophet (Pbuh) commanded us that we should take unmarried young girls and grown-up women, even those menstruating, along with us to the Eid ground. The menstruating women, however, are not to attend the prayer, but should sit aside and keep on pronouncing the Takbir, and join only in the supplications.
* The recitation in the Eid prayer is to be audible.

* The Eid Sermon is Sunnah in nature, but listening to it is wajib (obligatory) for the audience.
* The sermon should be delivered after the prayer, Hadrat Abu Sa’id says; “The holy Prophet (Pbuh) would first of all offer the Eid Prayer; then he would stand up facing the people who kept on sitting in their rows and he would instruct them on religion. Then if he had to send out an army or had to give a special command to the people, he would do so. After this he would return home”. (Bukhari, Muslim)

Eid prayer consists of two units of prayer (Rakas) with six Takbeers (the raising of the hands while saying Allahu Akbar [God is the Greatest]) in congregation, followed by the Khutba (sermon) of Eid.
Follow the Imam by raising both hands up to the ears, say Allahu Akbar, this is the first Takbeer to enter in the Salat.
Then fold your hands in the front and recite the ‘Sanaa’, (“subhaanakallahumma..). till the end and then say Allahu Akbar thrice, following your imam, each time raising both hands up to the ears and dropping them. After each takbeer there is going to be a slight pause in which Subhanallah may be recited thrice.
After the third Takbeer, the hands should be folded in front and listen to the imam reciting Aoozubillah, Bismillah, Surah Fateha and some other Surah and Then perform Ruku(bowing) as Imam says Allahu Akbar and Then go to Sajdah(prostration) as usual following your Imam’s Takbeer. In the second Raka, the Imam will first recite Surah Fateha and some other Surah. Then he will say three Takbeers after it. In all of these three Takbeer,s hands will not to be folded, but dropped after each Takbeer. And then go into the Ruku just after the fourth takbeer. Listening to the Khutbah after the Eid Salaat is Waajib (obligatory).

Shawwal is the tenth month in the lunar calendar. The first of Shawwal is Eid-ul- Fitr. After the festivity of Eid it is recommended to observe six days of fast. This fast may be observed continuously with no break, or it may be observed one day at a time. If you observe it continuously, you may start on the fourth day and end on the ninth day of Shawwal, or you may select days at random, provided you complete six days before the end of Shawwal. For instance, you may observe the third, fifth, seventh, ninth, 14th and 15th days. Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (raa) related the Messenger of Allah, (Pbuh), saying:
“Whoever observes the Ramadan fast and follows it with six days of fast in Shawwal, it is as if he has fasted Dahr (the whole year).” (Bukhari) It has been mentioned that Dahr means the whole year. Possibly it may also mean forever, or for life.

Guess, Who’s Joining Us For Iftar!

Ramadan fasting has attracted many non-Muslims who fast with their Muslim friends, for the patience, peace and discipline it brings into life.

* Vijay, Creative Director with Lintas, occasionally keeps fast, so that he can give his colleagues, company for Iftar.
* Renu, a housewife, fasts the entire of Ramadan, even after being divorced by her Muslim husband.
* Geeta, an interior designer keeps couple of Ramadan fasts every year.
Ramadan has always fascinated non-Muslims in India. Many are simply fascinated by the discipline, that Ramadan brings in the life of their Muslim friends and colleagues. Others join Muslims in fasting out of curiosity, and what starts as an experiment becomes a routine.

Vijay acquired the fasting habit while in Dubai working for Lintas. “ I was amazed by the discipline, fasting imposed. It was so exiting, to join my colleague for Iftar. Even today in Mumbai, I avoid taking any food or water if I am working with my Muslim colleagues or when I am with my Muslim friends,” he says.

Renu married Hussain four years ago and started keeping the Ramadan fast. Last year she separated from Hussain and came back to her parents. Priyanka, Renu’s mother said that inspite of having a bad marriage with a Muslim, Renu is still a practising Muslim and is very particular about fasting. “ In fact, occasionally I also fast to give her company”, she said.

Geeta, started keeping fast last year while designing the interiors of a Muslim family bungalow in Mumbai. “Every member of the family including the children kept the fast. Though I was carrying my lunch box, but out of respect I avoided eating or even drinking water. One day I asked them the details of Ramadan and it made sense. Hence even this year I decided to keep fast for the spiritual experience”, she said.

Meenaxi, an art director keeps atleast 7-8 fasts every Ramadan, since seven to eight years. From childhood, Ramadan and fasting has attracted and fascinated Meenaxi. “I always adore those Muslims who zealously kept their fast. I convinced my parents to allow me to fast occasionally during Ramadan,” she said.

In a plural society like India, culture plays a crucial role in understanding each other and maintaining the social harmony. ‘CULTURE’ is a difficult word. In one range of meanings, ‘Culture’ refers to the cultivation of superior intellectual abilities and spiritual refinements, as reflected, for example, in institutions of higher learning and the arts. Novelists, painters, professors, theologians, scientists, filmmakers and specialists of various kinds are crucial for this sense of ‘Culture’. But ‘Culture’ also means ‘a whole way of life’ as it is sedimented historically and lived in concrete material practice by a people, whether organised in units of nationality or not.

Dr Sabrish Mehta keeps fast every Monday during Ramadan. He has many Muslim patients who refuse to take injection when fasting inspite of being in great pain. Taking inspiration from them, Dr Mehta initially gave up lunch because that is his favourite meal and going without it is more meaningful. He thinks the discipline and prayer are helping him grow spiritually. “Gradually, I started keeping fast and it helped me both physically and spiritually”, he said.
Fashion designer, Amit Arora said that he has fasted numerous times in the past “for reasons of spirituality, health and weight loss”. Fasting is an amazing experience and for someone who is not diabetic, anorexic or otherwise unsuited to the practice, can feel a tremendous sense of connection with God,” he said.

It’s not the length of time for a fast that matters, Amit believes, but its purpose. He said, he fasts “when God puts it on my mind. Fasting can also mean giving up indulgences other than food. Fasting can be a way to fight consumerism’s control”.
While many might appropriately be concerned about fat, calories, weight and appearance, Meena Shah is driven chiefly to develop attitudes of contentment, gratitude, trust and patience. She was so excited to try fasting for the first time last year and believes that her life changed for the better after she started keeping fast periodically.

Rajeev Verma, a third year student of BSc (IT) keeps fast every alternate day except Sundays. “Most of my classmates are Muslims. Daily in college we share our lunch and have it in a group. In Ramadan, my Muslim classmates do not take lunch. Hence I also skipped lunch. Gradually after learning about the importance of fasting I also started keeping fast. Now I am pampered by my Muslim friends who invite me for Iftar”, he said.

Three years back, Sharda, a housewife who has Muslim neighbours explained that Eid is the celebration time for Muslims and reward from Allah for keeping fast. “I keep the last two Roza’s of Ramadan so that I can join the Eid celebration of my Muslim neighbours”, she said.
Ramadan is a perfect month for building a rapport with the various communities. Fasting demands the immaculate character, which is so essential for the revival of Muslim fortunes in the country. Thus, Muslims must maintain the tremendous goodwill Ramadan generates for them.

Haleem is the most sought after dish among Muslims and non-Muslims during Ramadan.

Hyderabad, apart from being famous world over for Biryani and Charminar, has now gained recognition for Haleem. Come Ramadan and every hotel and restaurant hangs Haleem banners and sets up Haleem bhattis in front of their hotels. Every restaurant has it’s distinct taste and those who love this dish make it a point to taste it from every Haleem joint during Ramadan.
Haleem is basically made of broken wheat and meat. Some restaurants offer do-goshta haleem which means mutton double the quantity of wheat, while some offer se-goshta or chau-goshta haleem meaning the ratio of mutton and wheat is 3:1 or 4:1.

Pista House in Shalibanda in the Old City is the leading name in the preparation of Haleem in Ramadan. It’s proprietor Mohd. Abdul Majid says that “ not just Muslims, but even non-Muslims wait anxiously for 11 months to relish this tasty dish in Ramadan.” Pista House has introduced veg- Haleem this year for the vegetarian non-Muslims and also offers Chicken Haleem for the chicken buffs. Like the previous year, Pista house has also arranged door delivery of haleem with the help of the postal department. Mohd. Majid says, “Ramadan is an auspicious month to submit oneself to Allah and seek his blessings and forgiveness, while haleem is one of the many bounties bestowed on us by Him.” Haleem is the most sought after dish among non-Muslims during Ramadan.

Mahender, an engineering student says, “ I can’t miss an iftar party for any thing because I love Haleem and no iftar party is complete with out this delicious dish.” While his friend Siddharth says, “ I can never say no to haleem, any day, any time.” Some restaurants like Badam Shahi Haleem had started offering haleem since the month of Shaban itself for those who were leaving for umrah so that they can relish their favourite dish before leaving.

The blessed month of Ramadan which purified the believers spiritually as well as physically is soon getting over. The wonderful days with more divine acts are leaving from us for this year. Older to younger people, utilised the opportunity and there is blissful atmosphere everywhere, especially in the Muslim countries.

But why is it that the spirit the believers had in the month of Ramadan fades away slowly. It is the prime duty of every Muslim to go through the wonderful life of the holy Prophet (Pbuh), his family and beloved companions and to strive to improve their spiritual, economic, social and political well-being and to make this world a better world for all man-kind.

When we are looking into our mind and heart, there is whole universe, emotions, desires, urges and instincts. The heart is the one, which is pumping motivations, desires and urges and makes man do what he wants to do. Hence, one should surrender completely to Allah and his Messenger, the holy Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). This pure love is a blessing given to us by the Almighty which cannot be measured by quality, or mathematical formula of equations. It is a powerful force and it captives us, grips us and makes us to live in an orderly manner.

Faith (Iman) is important which must penetrate deep in our heart and generate love for Allah and the Prophet (Pbuh) more than anything else and this will help us be peaceful, anywhere. Our acts of worship should be only for Him to be carried out with love and complete devotion, only then faith will remain strong at heart.

The sacred month would have definitely increased one’s power of concentration, mental, physical, spiritual strength and this should continue in the coming months also. The great Imam Jamaliya Seyed Khaleel Awn Mowlana El Hasaniyul Hashimiy has said, “Ire, jealousy and self-pride are man’s enemies that destroy him. Entire mankind is a single race. Differences caused by castes must vanish. Those who practice such differences as obligatory or for the sake of oppression must be eradicated. God does not differentiate among people by caste nor does He mete out punishment on its account. He sees only man’s heart. Man must possess unity, freedom and brotherhood. His heart must be pure . If all Muslims lead their lives as per the way the holy Prophet (Pbuh) has shown, we will be successful and leaders always in the world. “

The writer can be reached at jmiqbal @ emirates . net . ae

The Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience to Allah at all times even after Ramadan ends.

We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Quran, taqwa, patience, jihad, mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hell-fire.
Have we fulfilled the requirements of taqwa? Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations? Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire? Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Muslim, who asks and answers with truthfulness.

What Have We Gained From Ramadan?
Ramadan is a school of iman and a ‘stop to recharge one’s spiritual batteries’ - to acquire one’s provision for the rest of the year...

For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?
The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah. If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against your soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.

Imagine the condition of one who returns to sins and evil after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favoured with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze of sins and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan!

Falling short in one’s commitment to Islam after Ramadan is manifested in many ways, including:

Men leaving the five prayers in congregation, after they filled mosques for Taraweeh prayers, thus going to the masjid for recommended prayers and leaving obligatory ones.

Return to entertainment and forbidden films. This is not thankfulness for blessings and favours, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one’s actions, rather this is opposition to favours and absence of thankfulness. The Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience of Allah.

If the fasting in Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary fasting, such as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mondays and Thursdays, the three days in the middle of the month, the days of ‘Aashoora and ‘Arafat.

If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year.

If the charity in Ramadan and Zakat ul-fitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other open doors to charity.

Reading of the Qur’an and contemplating it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times.

Righteous actions are for all times and all places. And remember that it is not allowed for us to leave the obligatory actions or delay them, such as the five daily prayers on time, in congregation etc.

And do not fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to what is forbidden.

So be steadfast and upright upon the commands of Allah at all times, for you do not know when you’ll meet the Angel of Death. Beware of him taking you while you are in a state of sin.

(Adapted from “Wa maadha ba`da Ramadaan”, by Dar Al-Watan)