(May Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allah be on all of you)
RAMADAN is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar, which consist of 29 - 30 days. Ramadan brings the message of blessings for all.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Apostle May Peace be upon Him said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained." (Bukhari, Vol 3, Book 31, Number 123; Muslim, Book 006, Number 2361).
It has great importance in the lives of all Muslims because fasting in Ramadan is obligatory for all MUSLIMS and this is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Narrated by By Abdullah bin 'Umar bin al-Khattab(May Allah be pleased with him): I heard the Messenger of Allah (May Peace be upon Him), said: "Islam has been built upon five things, on testifying that there is no god save Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger; on performing salah; on giving the zakah; on Hajj to the House; and on fasting during Ramadan." (Muslim Hadith 113, Bukhari).
Fasting
has been obligatory in all religions before Islam and Allah told us is Qur'an about the Fasts of Ramadan being OBLIGATORY and its purpose in
Surah Baqrah Verse 183.
(siggy by ..Manal..)
It is blessing to take a meal little before Dawn (before Fajer time) so none should avoid taking it.
Narrated
by Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (May
Peace be upon Him), said, "Take Suhur (meal a little before dawn) as
there is a blessing in it." (Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 146;
Muslim Book 006, Number 2412)
[There is NO authentic Invocation / Supplication / Dua found in any hadith for fasting as its the intention and no need to say any thing.]
The sick or traveling people can complete the counting of fasting days after Ramadan or if they are old or sick enough that they can never fast they are allowed to stop fasting but they are suppose to feed some poor for 2 times a day for compensation of each fast.
[Fasting for] a limited number
of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] -
then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are
able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding
a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better
for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.The month of
Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the
people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights
[the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a
journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you
ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to
complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has
guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. (Surah Al-Baqrah 184-185)
In Ramadan the reward of every good deed is multiplied by 10. Allah doesn't want
us to be hungry or thirsty all the day but wants us to become righteous as mentioned above in Surah Baqrah verse 183. Being thirsty and hungry makes us (Muslims) realize the pain of suffering people from hunger and thirst so we may not ignore them and help them as much as we can. When we (Muslims) fast, we try to stop
ourselves from the wrong deeds, from back biting, from fighting, from abusing,
from all kind of evil deeds because without doing so the fast is not
acceptable. Basically its a training for the rest of year to control ourselves from the wrong deeds and disobedience.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet May Peace be upon Him said "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)" (Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 127).
Narrated by Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Apostle (May Peace be upon Him) said, "Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting." The Prophet added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times." (Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 118).
Though eating or drinking is prohibited during fast timings. i.e. from Fajer to Maghrib (Dawn to Sunset) but if someone eats or drinks by mistake, should complete his / her fast because eating unintentionally doesn't break fast.Narrated by Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (May Peace be upon Him) said, "If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk, has been given to him by Allah." (Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Part of Hadith Number 154)
One should not delay in breaking fast, it should be immediately done after sunset (at Maghrib time).
Narrated
by Sahl bin Sad (May Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Apostle (May
Peace be upon Him) said, "The people will remain on the right path as
long as they hasten the breaking of the fast." (Bukhari Volume 3, Book
31, Number 178).
Supplication / Invocation / Dua for breaking fast.
Praying at Night in Ramadaan (Taraweeh) with sincere faith will be cause of forgiveness of sins, insha'Allah (if Allah wants).
Narrated
by Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him): I heard Allah's Apostle
(May Peace be upon Him) saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at
night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a
reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."
(Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 226).
Doing Charity any time is a good work but in Ramadan It should be preferably practiced especially when you are promised to get 10 times more reward for each good deed.
Narrated
by Ibn 'Abbas(May Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (May Peace
be upon Him) was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be
more so in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel (angel) visited him, and
Gabriel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the
month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur'an to Gabriel, and when
Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which
causes rain and welfare). (Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 126).
Itikaf (staying in Mosque / Masjid for a certain period) is also practiced by Prophet Mohammad Peace by upon him in Ramadan so one who can practice it easily should practice it.
Narrated
by 'Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her): Allah's Apostle (May Peace
be upon Him) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan
and used to say, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of
the month of Ramadan ," (Bukhari Volume 3, Book 32, Number 237).
The people fasting during Ramadan will be entered from a separate gate in Heaven as a special honor.
There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who
observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except
them will enter through it.
( Bukhari: Volume 3, Book 31, Number 120)
Ramadan Mubarak to All of you. You are requested to remember me in prayers. May Allah accept all of our prayers and guide us through right path and bless us in both worlds aammeen.
(siggy by zee10 )
PS. A special thanks to IF Admin as this is the first forum where I am writing.
PSS:
A very Special thanks to all my readers who read my informational and
occasional post regularly. Also very special thanks to ..Manal.. for making siggy on my request and editing as per my requirements. It took long time to collect the info on this
topic still if some imp info is left I apologize in advance. The purpose of the post is to share the knowledge about Ramadan.
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