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FASTING : THE GREAT ACT OF WORSHIP

By Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al- ‘ Uthaymeen

Translated by ‘Abdullaah Al- Faarisi

(May Allah Preserve and reward them both)

This revised edition, produced with the permission of the author and the translator,
includes some corrections to the original translation, changes to the English, the
addition of the Qur’aanic text, changes to the translations of the meanings of the
Qur’aan and hadeeths, changes in the system of transliteration of Arabic terms, and
the addition of references and some explanatory notes.

In response to our request to publish this revised edition, Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
wrote : “ Wa- alaykum us – salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. As Dr. Saleh As
– Saleh As- Saleh has authenticated the translation of the booklet, I have no objection
for you to print it on the condition that it will not have any copyright if we want to
print it again. Written by Muhammad ibn Saalih Al – Uthaymeen, dated 1/9/1418
hijri. The booklet mentioned is the booklet on fasting.” /s/ Shaykh Muhammad ibn
Saalih Al- ‘Uthaymeen.
‫بسم ال الرحمن الرحيم‬

A
ll praise is due to
Allaah, and may
Peace and
blessings be on
His Messenger
Muhammad.

THE VIRTUES OF RAMADHAAN

Abu Hurayrah ‫ رضنني ال عنننه‬narrated that Allah’s Apostle ‫ صننلي ال عليننه وسننلم‬said, “
When the month of Ramadhaan starts, the gates of Jannah (Paradise) are
opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and satans are chained.”(1) The gates of
Jannah are opened in this month because a great deat of righteous deeds are
performed, and as an encouragement for those who seek Allaah’s reward. The gates of
Hell are closed because few sins are committed by believers. The Satans will be
chained so that they may noy have the chance they have in other months to whisper
into the hearts of the believers and misguide them.

Allaah has prescribed fasting and it obligatory upon all nations. He said :

(183:‫ن قَبِْل ُكمْ َلعَّل ُك ْم َتتّقُونَ( )البقرة‬


ْ ‫ن ِم‬
َ ‫صيَا ُم َكمَا ُكتِبَ عَلَى اّلذِي‬
ّ ‫ن آ َمنُوا ُكتِبَ عََل ْي ُكمُ ال‬
َ ‫(يَا َأ ّيهَا اّلذِي‬

O you who believe ! fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for
those before you, that you may become Al – Muttaqoon (the pious). [Al-Baqarah
(2) : 183]
If fasting were not a great act of worship, and the reward thereof were not so great,
Allah would not have Presceibed it on all nations.

Among the virtues of fasting is that it is a means for atonement of sins. It is narrated
on the authority of Abu Hurayrah ‫ رضي ال عنه‬that the Prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬said :
“ He who observes the fast of the month of Ramadhaan out of sincerity and hope
for the reward from Allaah will have his past sins forgiven.”(2) That is, when
fasting is observed out of belief and without resentment to it as an act of worship or
doubt in its reward, Allaah will forgive the past sins of the one who observes it.

1. Saheeh Al- Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 3, # 123, and Saheeh Muslim (English trans.) #
2361 & 2362. one wording of Muslim is “ the gates of mercy are opened.”

2. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 3, # 125.

Abu Hurayrah ‫ رضي ال عنه‬reported the Prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬as saying : “ Allaah
said: All the deeds of Adam’s children belong to them, except fasting, which
belongs to me and I will reward it. Fasting is a shield (against the Hell and
against the commission of sins). If one of you happens to be fasting he should
avoid sexual relations with his wife, and should avoid quarrelling. Should
someone fight or quarrel with him let him say, ‘ I am fasting.’ By Him in Whose
hand my soul is, the smell of the month of a fasting person is better in the sight
of Allaah than that of the musk.”(3) It is a shield because it safeguards the believer
from vain talk and wrongdoing, and hence protects him from Hell.

Of all the good deeds, Allaah has favored fasting to be greatly rewarded by Him and
distinguished it with prestige when it is observed with the pure intention to please
Him alone.

Fasting is so meritorious for a believer that he will have two occasions of joy. The
first is at the time of breaking his fast, when he enjoys the bounties of Allaah because
he has been favored with Allaah’s mercy to observe the fast while many others have
been deprived of this great blessing. He will rejoice in the second occasion when he
meets his Lord and enjoys the abundant reward for having observed fasting (4). In
addition to this, fasting intercedes with Allaah on behalf of the believer on the Day of
Judgment.(5)

WHEN DOES FASTING BEGIN AND END ?

Fasting begins upon sighing the new moon. Allaah said:

(185 ‫ من الية‬:‫ص ْمهُ()البقرة‬


ُ َ‫ش ْهرَ َفلْي‬
ّ ‫شهِدَ مِ ْنكُمُ ال‬
َ ْ‫( َفمَن‬

So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of
Ramadhaan), he must fast that month. [Al- Baqarah (2) : 185]

3. Saheeh Al – Bukhaari (Arabic/ English), vol.3, # 118 and #128, and Saheeh Muslim
(English trans) # 2567.

4. Saheeh Al Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 3, # 128, and Saheeh Muslim (English trans). #
2567.

5. The Porphet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬said, “ Fasting and the Qur’aan intercede for the servant
on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say : O my Lord ! I prevented him from food
and desires, so accept my intercession for him ; and the Qur’aan will say : I prevented
him from sleep at night, so accept my intercession for him. So their intercession will be
accepted.” Reported by Ahmad, Al Haakim, Abu Nu’aym and others from ‘ Abdullaah ibn ‘
Amr. Its chain of narrators is hasan. [Fasting in Ramadaan by Shaykhs saleem Al- Hilaalee
and ‘ Alee Hasan ‘ Alee ‘ Abdul – Hameed, p. 5]

However, it is not incumbent on everyone to sight the new moon. Rather, if a


trustworthy Muslim testifies that he has sighted it, then everyone must observe
fasting. Abu Hurayrah ‫ رضي ال عنه‬narrated : “ A Bedouin came to the Prophet ‫صلي ال‬
‫ عليننه وسننلم‬and reported, ‘ O Prophet, I have seen the new moon of Ramadhaan.’
Thereupon the prophe ‫ صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬asked the man, ‘Do you bear witness that “
Laa ilaaha illaaah”. ( i.e. there is no god worthy of being worshipped beside Allah) ?
’ ‘ I do,’ said the bedouin. The Prophet ‫ صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬further asked him whether he
testifies that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. The Bedouin affirmed that, too.
Thereupon, the Prophet ‫ صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬asked Bilaal ‫ رضني ال عننه‬to announce to the
people to begin their fast the next day.”(6)

Ibn ‘Umar ‫ رضني ال عننه‬also confirmed the practice of sighting the new moon in his
report : “ The People were seeking the new moon. Having sighted it myself, reported
it to the prophet. ‫ صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬He began his fast and ordered the people to begin
theirs, too.”(7)

He who sights the new moon of Ramadhaan must inform those in authority in the
Muslim government or community. Once the Muslim government announces the
beginning of Ramadhaan upon the sighting the new moon it becomes binding on the
rest of Muslims to begin their fast.(8)

It should be borne in mind, however, that astronomical calculations must be ruled out
from the sharee’ah and must not be relied on for sighting the moon, as the Prophet
‫ صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬has ruled that Muslims must begin their fast upon seeing the new
moon, not upon calculating the month astronomically. It is only when it becomes hard
to see the new moon due to weather conditions when Muslims may complete the
month of Sha’baan, which precedes Ramadhaan, as

6. Sunan Abee Daawud (English trans), # 2333 and # 2334. It is weak according to Al-Albanni.

7. Sunan Abee Daawud (English trans), # 2335. Its chain of narration is saheeh.

8. “Some scholars take into account the divisions amongst the Muslim countries related to the
beginning and end of fasting. They advise that in the absence of one Khilaafah governing all Muslims,
It is incumbent upon Muslims to follow their repective coutries as to when to fast and when to break
the fast. This minimizes the divisions occurring within the same country where people fast according
to different rulings.” (See Shaykh Al – ‘Uthaymeen’s Ash-Sharh Al- Mummti” ‘alaa zaadil- Mustaqni,”
vol.6, p. 322 and Shaykh Al – Albaani’s Itmaa’tul- Minnah fee at- Ta’leeq ‘alaa fiqhis-sunnah, p. 398).
According to Shaykhul- Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah, “ The criteria upon which fasting becomes bound upon
Muslims is that the informantion regarding the moon sighting reaches them in a reasonable amount of
time to be able to act upon it.”

( Jaami lilikhtiaaraat Al- Fiqhiyah li-Shaykhul – Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah by Dr. Ahmad Mawaafi [
Dammam, Saudi Arabia: Daar Ibn Jawzi, 1413/1993], pp. 438-444.) And Allah knows best.

Thirty days.(9) The lunar month is either 29 or 30 days. It has neither fewer nor more
days.(10)

WHO SHOULD FAST AND WHO SHOULD NOT ?

Fasting is obligatory on the mature sane and healthy Muslim. Those who are
immature (i.e. young children) are encouraged to fast. Exempted are those who suffer
terminal illness, or are too old to fast. Allah does not overburden His slaves.

Permission to abstain from fasting is granted to the travelers who do not travel for the
purpose of breaking their fast. Even though it is permissible to break fast durning
travel, it is praiseworthy to fast while traveling if no hardship imposed. In any case,
travelers should make up the days they missed fasting in Ramadhaan once
Ramadhaan is over and they are back home.

As for those whose sickness does not allow them to fast, they fall into three
categories:

1. If it is neither hard nor harmful for them, they must observe fasting.

2. If it is hard, but not harmful for them, they are permitted to break their fast.
3. If it is harmful for them, then they must abstain from fasting. It is stated in the
Qur’aan:

‫ض ِم ْنكُ مْ وَل تَ ْقتُلُوا‬


ٍ ‫ن َترَا‬
ْ‫ع‬َ ً‫ن ِتجَارَة‬
َ ‫ن َتكُو‬
ْ ‫ن آ َمنُوا ل َت ْأكُلُوا َأمْوَاَلكُ مْ َب ْي َنكُ ْم بِا ْلبَاطِلِ ِإلّ َأ‬
َ ‫(يَا َأ ّيهَا اّلذِي‬
(29:‫ن ِب ُك ْم رَحِيماً( )النساء‬ َ ‫لّ كَا‬َ ‫نا‬ ّ ِ‫سكُمْ إ‬ َ ‫َأنْ ُف‬

9. Saheeh Al-Bakhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 3, # 130,133, and Saheeh Muslim (English trans.), #
2363-2381. It should also be noted that it is not permissible to fast a day or two before Ramadhaan
thinking that it might be Ramakhaan. Abu Hurayrah ‫ رضني ال عننه‬reported that the prophet ‫صنلي ال‬
‫ عليه وسلم‬said, “ None of you should pre-empt Ramadhaan by fasting a day or two before it, except
for a man fasting his usual fast, then let him fast that day.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English),
vol. 3, # 138)

10. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/ English), vol. 3, # 132, 134-135, and 137, and Saheeh Muslim
(English trans) # 2384-2390.

11. Saheeh Al- Bukhaari (Arabic/English, vol. 3. # 181.

12. The Prophet # was asked about fasting on a journey and he said , “ Fast if you wish and break it
if you wish “ . Saleh Al – Bukhaari (Arabic / English ) Vol . 3 # 164 and Saheeh Muslim ( English
Tans. ) # 2487 ] Ibn Abbas ‫ رضي ال عنه‬said , “ Do not condemn one who obsees fast’ or one who does
not observe it (in a journey ), for the messenger of Allah # observed it (in a journey), for the messenger
of Allah # Observed fast in a journey or he did not observe it (too). [ Saheeh Muslinm (English Trans.)
# 2471 ]
(195 ‫ من الية‬:‫( وَل ُتلْقُوا ِبَأ ْيدِي ُكمْ ِإلَى ال ّت ْهُلكَةِ()البقرة‬

Do not kill yourselves. [An-Nisaa’ (4) : 29] – Baqarah (2) : 195]

The prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬was reported to have said, “ There is (to be) no harm or
reciprocating harm.”(13)

The days that are missed in Ramadhaan must be made up once Ramadhaan is over.

During the monthly period or period of post-natal bleeding, women are to abstain
from fasting,(14) but must make up the days they missed after the fasting month is
over. The Pregnant or breastfeeding woman whose health or the health of the suckling
baby might be affected by fasting should break her fast and make up the missed days
after Ramadhaan.

It is also recommended for those who engage in combat in the way of Allah to break
their fast. The Prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬told his companions in one of the battles, “ You
are going to meet your enemy in the morning, abstaining from fasting is better for
your strength, so break your fast.” (15)

THE WISDOM BEHIND FASTING

Fasting is a great act of worship the Muslim performs by turning away from his own
desires in order to please his Lord, hoping for His reward. Common sense dictates
that one would not give up desired things except for the sake of more desirable ones,
in this case the pleasure of Allah, which is the most sought after desire.

It is also a means if achieving piety and righteousness. The Prophet ‫صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬
said, “ He who does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah needs not
his refraining from eating or drinking.”(16) In other words, Allah does not accept
his fast.

13. Ahmad, ibn Maajah; Saheeh [ Saheeh Al- Jaami. As sagheer, # 7517]
14. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol, 3. # 172. for more information on this subject,
refer to The Natural Blood of Women by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen, translated by Dr. Saleh As-
Saleh [Buraidah, Saudi Arabia ; Dar Al-Bukhari, 1994]

15. Saheeh Muslim (English trans), # 2486

16. Saheeh Muslim (English trans), # 2486. In a fatwah (religious ruling), the Shaykh further
explained that the fasting of a person who engages in forbidden speech is not invalidated, but
its reward is diminished. The gravity of his sin may be such that it outstrips any reward for
his fasting. [Fataawa As – Siyaam (Riyadh: Maktabt Al- Furqaan, n.d.)]

The heart, through fasting, is inclined to maintain its tenderness since the desires
are not sought, but rather shunned, and thus the heart tends to be more receptive
to the words of Allah.

The rich person will, through fasting, be more appreciative of Allaah’s graces and
bounties. He also will suffer the deprivation the poor and needy experience under
normal circumstances. Thus he will be motivated to help them. Fasting helps
depress pride or egoism and maintains humbleness. Moreover, fasting has health
advantages by means of decreasing the intake of food and relaxing the digestive
system. Great is the wisdom of Allah, and great are His Graces !

OBLIGATORY CONDITIONS OF FASTING

Performing the other acts of worship and duties is most important, and salaah is of
particular importance, as without it no other act of worship is accepted by
Allah.(17) Praying in congregation is a great aspect in our religion. Everyone
should attend.(18) Its reward is twenty seven times greater than that which is
performed individually.(19) At one time the prophet ‫ صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬was about to
burn the houses on those who did not attend the congregational prayers.(20)

Refraining from bad behavior such as lying, cheating music, smoking, backbiting
and slandering others to create animosity among backbiting and slandering others
to create animosity among them. The Prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬said, “ No slanderer
shall enter paradise.”(21) The prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬said, “ There will exist in
my

17. This is based upon the ruling of one group of scholars that whoever abandons the salaah is a
kaafir, and thus, none of his deeds are accepted. The basis for this ruling is several hadeeths in
which the prophet ‫ صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬indicated that abandoning the prayer is disbelief, such as, “
Between a man and shirk and kufr is only the abandonment of the salaah.” [ Muslim and
Ahmad; Saheeh Al Jaami As sagheer, # 2848] Another group of scholars divides those who do not
pray into categories, judging them according to their intention. An excellent discussion of the two
opinions can be found in the book on the issue of Takfeer by Shaikh Ahmad Fareed [ Suffolk, U. K : Jam’iat
Ihyaa’ Minhaaj Al-Sunnah, 1997]

18. Saheeh Al –Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol.3, # 127. This statement is directed to men. As for
the woman, the best place for her to pray is in her home. The prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬said, “ Do
not prevent your women (from going to) the masjids, but their houses are better for them.”
[Ahmad, Abu Daawud, Al- Haakim saheeh. Saheeh al- Jaami As-Sagheer, # 7458]

19. Saheeh Al- Bukhaari (Arabic/ English), vol, 1. # 618, and Saheeh Muslim (English trans), #
1365

20. This was because of the gravity of their sin. Saheeh Al –Bukhaari (Arabic/
English), vol. 1, # 617. and Saheeh Muslim (English trans), # 1369.

21. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English, vol, 8, # 82, and Saheeh Muslim (English trans), # 189 Also refer to
The Bad Consequences of the Tongue by Shaykh Ahamad Zamzami ( Suffolk, U.K: Jam’iat Ihyaa’ Minhaaj
al-Sunnah, 1995) and Gossip and its Adverse Effect on the Muslim Community by Husayn Al- Awayishah [
Bvirut: Ibn Hazm Publishing House, 1997]

ummah those who will deem unlawful things lawful (such as) fornication, silk
for men, intoxicating beverages and musical instruments.”(22)

PRAISEWORTHY ETIQUETTE OF FASTING

* Taking the meal of suhoor. The prophet ‫ صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬said: “ Take (the meal
of) suhoor because there is blessing in it.”(23) He also said: “ The difference
between our fasting and that of the people of the book is taking the meal of
suhoor.”(24) Even taking a cup of water in lieu of a meal for suhoor has blessing
in it, too.

• Breaking the fast as soon as the sun sets.(25)


• Making du’aa upon breaking fast.(26)
• Reciting as much Qur’aan as possible during the monthe of Ramadhaan.

PRACTICES WHICH BREAK THE FAST

1. Sexual intercourse in the daytime. The willful violation of the fast by this
practice requires the fast of sixty consecutive days in order to make up for the
day in which the intercourse took place.(27)
2. Whllful ejaculation by means of kissing or caressing, etc. Wet dreams and
unintentional ejaculation do not break the fast.
3. Eating, drinking, smoking or taking any food substitutes, such as receiving
blood, glucose, or I. V. substances while observing the fast.
4. Willful, not unintentional, vomiting.
5. Menstrual bleeding.(28)

Days in which the above practices 2 through 5 took place are to be made up a day for
a day once Ramadhaan is over.

22. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/ English), vol. 7, # 494 (B).

23. Saheeh Al- Bukhaari (Arabic/ English), vol, 3, # 146 , and saheeh Muslim (English
trans.), #2412. The blessing in it is form obeying the prophet’s orders and following his
example, as well as the physical blessing, which is nutrition for the body in order to have the
strength to fast. [See Fataawa As- Siyaam, P 40]

24. Saheeh Muslim (English trans.) # 2413.

25. Saheeh al-Bukhaari (Arabic/ English), vol . 3,#178. and Saheeh Muslim (English trans),
#1491.

26. Sunan Abee Daawud (English trans). #2350. Also reported by Al- Bayhaqi, Al-Haakim
and others, and Daraqutni declared its isnaad (Chain of narrators) to be hasan (acceptable).

27. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol, 3, #157, and Saheeh Muslim (English trans), #
2457.

28. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 3, #172. This is regardiless of what time of
day menses begins. This rule also applies to post-natal bleeding.

On the other hand, the application of kuhl (surmah), eye, ear or nose drops do not
break the fast; they are neither food nor a substitute thereof. Wearing perfumes, using
the siwaak or toothbrush without toothpaste do not break fast since it has been
reported that the Prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬used to do so.(29)

QIYAAM OR TARAAWEEH PRAYER

Allah has made five daily prayers obligatory on the Muslims, which He, due to His
Grace, made the reward thereof fifty-fold.(30) He also encourages the believers to
perform supererogatory of naft prayers. Among these is the night prayer which falls
between midnight and dawn. Allah praised those who engage themselves in prayer at
night:

)16 ‫ من الية‬:‫طمَعا)(السجدة‬
َ ‫خوْفا َو‬
َ ْ‫)تَ َتجَافَى جُنُو ُبهُمْ عَنِ ا ْلمَضَاجِ ِع يَدْعُونَ رَ ّب ُهم‬

Their sides forsake their beds to invoke their Lord in fear and hope …. [As-
Sajdah (32):16]

The prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬said : “ The best prayer next to obligatory is the night
prayer.”(31) In another tradition he said : “O people ! Spread the (Islamic)
greeting (i.e. by saying ‘ assalaamu alaykum”), give the food (to those who need
it), connect your relatives (by visitation) and pray at night while the others are
asleep, and you shall enter Jannah peacefully.”(32) Of the night prayer is Witr, the
minimum of which is one rak’ah and maximum of which is eleven rak’ahs.(33)

Performing night prayer in Ramadhaan is far more superior to the performing in any
other month by virtue of its recommendation by the prophet,‫ صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬who
said, “Whoever prayed at night in it (i. e. Ramadhaan) out of sincere faith and
hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”(34)

29. The prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬said “ The stwaak is a means of cleansing the month and
pleasing the Lord.” [ Saheeh al-Jaami, As-Sagheer # 3695]

30. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 1, # 345.

31. Saheeh Muslim (English trans), # 2611-2612; See Saheeh Al- Jaami As-Sagheer #1116.

32. Reported by Ahmed, At-Tirmithi, Ibn Maajah and Al- Haakim, saheeh [Saheeh Al-jaami,
#7865].

33. Saheeh Muslim (English trans), # 1641.

34. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 3, # 226, and Saheeh Muslim (English trans),
# 1662.

Taraaweeh prayer is considered the night prayer in Ramadhaan, and, therefore, one
should take good care the observe it, To pray taraaweeh in jamaa’ah (congregation) is
a sunnah initiated by our beloved prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬and revived by the second
Rightly-Guided Khaleefah, Umar 35) ‫ )رضي ال عنه‬Though there has been a difference
if opinion among the scholars in the past as to how many rak’ahs taraaweeh should
be, all of them unanimously agreed that the best is to apply the sunnah of performing
it with eleven rakahs only. The prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬did not pray more than eleven
rak’ahs in Ramadhaan or any other month. ‘ Aa’ishah, the wife of the prophet ‫صلي ال‬
‫ عليننه وسننلم‬said, “ The prophet never prayed more than eleven rak’ahs at night in
Ramadhaan or in any other month.(36)

The full reward of taraaweeh is obtained only when it is performed in jamaa’ah. The
person who performs it in jamaa’ah will be considered, according to authentic
tradition, as if he spent the rest of that night praying.”(37)

THE VIRTUES OF RECITING THE QUR’AAN.

There are two types of Qur’aan recitation :

1. Practical recitation, which means reading with belief in and application of the
orders of Allah and refraining from the unlawful things.

2. Word recitation.

There are many hadeeths in which emphasis is laid on the great reward for those who
recite the Qur’aan. The prophet ‫ صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬said, “ The best of you is he who
learns the Qur’aan and teaches it.”(38) He also said : “ The one who excels in
reciting the Qur’aan will be in the company of the honored angels.”(39) And, “
The example of the believer who reads the Qur’aan is like that of the utrujah (a
citrus fruit) which has a beautiful fragrance and a beautiful taste. While the
example of the believer who does not read the Qur’aan is like that of the date
fruit : It has sweet taste, but has no fragrance.”(40) He also said : “ He who
recites

35. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol, 3.# 227-229. See also Saheeh Muslim (English
trans), # 1667.

36. Saheeh Al-Bukhari (Arabic/English), vol. 2, # 248 & vol. 3, #330, and Saheeh Muslim
(English trans), # 1607.

37. This is part of a lengthy hadeeth recorded by At-Tirmithi.

38. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 6, # 545 & 579.

39. Saheeh Muslim (English trans), # 1745.

40. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 6, # 538, and Saheeh Muslim (English trans),
# 1743.

One letter of the Book of Allaah, will be rewarded for it, and the reward will be
multiplied in folds.”(41)

There are certain soorahs of the Qur’aan that have more reward for their recitation.
The prophet ‫ صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬verified that Satan does not enter the house wherein
Soorat Al-Baqarah(42) is recited. When one recites Ayaatul-Kursi(43) at the night, as
the prophet ‫ صنلي ال علينه وسنلم‬informed us, he shall be protected by Allah, and Satan
shall not come near him till he wakes up in the morning.(44) The same results may be
achieded by the recitation of the last two verses of Soorat Al-Baqarah,(45) as well as
the last three soorahs of the Qur’aan.(46)

Our pious predecessors used to busy themselves extensively in reciting the Qur’aan
during the month of Ramadhaan. It was customary for them not to go beyond ten
verses before they learned the rulings and the knowledge those ten verses contained.

ETIQUETTES OF READING THE QUR’AAN

The Qur’aan which we recete contains the actual words of Allah revealed to
Muhammad ‫صلي ال عليه وسلم‬. Therfore, we should observe the following when recition
it :

1. Seek refuge in Allah before reading it (viz.‫أعوذ بال من الشيطان الرجيم‬

“ A’oothu billaahi minash –shaytaanir-rajeem)”

2, Have the intention that the recitation thereof is purely to seek the pleasure of Allah
alone.

3. Recite with an alert heart that you may comprehend its contents, imagining while
reciting it that Allah is speaking to you though the Qur’aan.

4. Make sure you are clean before touching the Qur’aan. Do not read it when you are
in the state of impurity.(47)

5. Do not read the Qur’aan in lavatories or similar places.

6. Read it slowly with pleasant sound and rhythm.

7. Prostrate wherever a verse requires prostration.


41. At- Tirmithi and Al-Haakim, saheeh [Saheeh Al-Jaami As-Sagheer, 6469]

42. Saheeh Muslim (English trans) # 1707.

43. The 255th ayah of Soorat Al-Baqaraj (2).

44. Saheeh Al-Bakhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 6, #530.

45. The first edtion of this booklet said “ the last ten ayahs,” but Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
confirmed that this was an error. The prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬said, “Whoever recited the last
two verses of soorat Al-Baqarah at night, that will be sufficient for him.” [ Saheeh Al-
Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol. 6, # 530.]

46. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/English), vol, 6, #536-A.

47. i. e. if you need to make gust.

THE VIRTUES OF THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADHAAN AND


LAYLAY AL-QADR

It has been reported that the Prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬used to put extra effort in his
devotion in the last ten days of Ramadhaan.(48) He used to awaken his family in the
night that they may not lose the benefit of those bledded nights.(49) It is also reported
that he used to make ‘ ittikaaf by spending the last ten days in the masjid.(50)

Laylat al Qadr means the night of honor and decree. It is sometimes erroneously into
the night of power. The Prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬recommended to be sought in the last
ten days of Ramadhaan. This night is valued to be better than a thousand months
spent in devotion to Allah. One of the privileges of this night is that the Qur’aan was
revealed in it. In it too, the angels descend to earth with blessings, goodness and
mercy (51). It is a peaceful night in which many are saved from the Hell. Forgiveness
of past sins is granted to those who spend it busying themselves in prayer and the
remembrance of Allah. (52) The prophet ‫ صلي ال عليه وسلم‬said, “Seek it in the odd
nights of the last third of Ramadan.(53)
48. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari ( Arabic / English ), vol. 3 # 241 and Saheeh Muslim ( English Trans).# 2643-2644.

49. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari ( Arabic / English ), col.3, #241 and Saheeh Muslim ( English Trans) # 2643.

50. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari ( Arabic / English ), col.3, #241 and Saheeh Muslim ( English Trans)# 2636

51. Soorat Al-Qadar (97).

52. Saheeh Al-Bukhaari (Arabic/ English ), vol 1 # 34 & vol.3 # 231 and Saheeh Muslim (English trans.) #
1665.

53. Saheeh Al Bukhaari ( Arabic/ English ), Vol.3 # 234; See also vol.3, # 233-240.

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