Our Dialogue

Q. It is said that performing the Umrah in Ramadan is tantamount to offering the pilgrimage. Is this true?


A. The (Pbuh) is quoted to have said that “Performing the Umrah in Ramadan is equal to a pilgrimage.” In another version of this Hadith the two words, “with me”, are added at the end, which means that it is equal to offering the pilgrimage in the company of the (Pbuh). There is no doubt about the authenticity of this Hadith; it is authentic. What this Hadith indicates is the high reward one is certain to have if one offers the Umrah in Ramadan. This is not surprising because every good deed is increased in reward when done in Ramadan, because Ramadan is a season for good actions. So the reward of Umrah undertaken in this month is increased to a reward for pilgrimage. This is a great gesture of kindness and generosity by Allah. The Hadith does not mean, and it must not be understood to mean, that performing the Umrah in Ramadan discharges the duty of offering the pilgrimage, or that it gives a choice between doing the pilgrimage in its season and doing the Umrah in Ramadan. That is not right. It is only a question of increased reward. The obligation of doing the Haj remains in force until one has fulfilled this great duty at the appropriate time and in the manner indicated by the Prophet (Pbuh).

Q. If a woman begins her period late in the afternoon of a day of fasting, should she continue fasting that day or break her fast immediately?


A. It is because of the weakness caused by the loss of blood during menstruation that a woman is not required to fast when she has her period. She is also exempt from prayers. Both exemptions start immediately when she begins her period. She need not continue fasting for one minute longer. Infact, the discharge of menses renders her fasting invalid and she is required to compensate for that later.

Q. It is said that Satan is locked up during the month of Ramadan. If this is the case, then why do we see sins committed in this month? To whom should such crimes be ascribed?



A. I would like to state that there is no contradiction between the Prophetic Hadith which states that devils are chained during the month of Ramadan and the reality that some fasting Muslims do commit crimes during the blessed month. The commentators of the aforementioned Hadith of Abu Hurairah state that ‘the devils that are put in chains during Ramadan’ are those who can’t approach those who sincerely fast for Allah’s sake and who commit themselves to the high morals of fasting such as lowering the gaze and refraining from doing any harm to others. Ibn Khuzaymah also states that ‘putting the devils in chains’ means that their activity during the blessed month is only reduced, and that is why some Muslims sin during the month of Ramadan.


Another possible interpretation of the Hadith states that sins that are committed through Satanic whispers are halted, as the devils are chained and they no longer tempt people to sin during Ramadan. As to the sins that are committed by some Muslims during the blessed month, some commentators state that they are due to the evil souls that tempt some to sin and transgress Allah’s limits. It has become clear that the Hadith does not contradict the common reality if we tend to understand it with deep profundity.