Ramadan Basics

Ramadan

The following has been presented to explain, according to Allah's Book of instructions, Al Quran and instructions for our Noble Prophet, Muhammad SAW.

Information pertaining to this wonderful and blessed month that hopefully would clarify some of the misconceptions.

Why do you fast:

Quran: 2:183 O YOU who have attained to faith! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God:

When do you fast:

Quran2:185 It was the month of Ramadan in which the Qur'an was [first] bestowed from on high as a guidance unto man and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false. Hence, whoever of you is alive during this month shall fast throughout it.

Conclusion: You are to fast from the beginning of the month (birth of the moon) of Ramadan to the beginning of the month of Shawaal (birth of the moon).

Who may not fast:

Quran2:184 ....but he that is ill, or on a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days. God wills that you shall have ease, and does not will you to suffer hardship; but [He desires] that you complete the number [of days required], and that you praise God for His having guided you aright, and that you give thanks to Him.

Sunrise and Sunset

For computational purposes, sunrise or sunset is defined to occur when the geometric zenith distance of center of the Sun is 90.8333
degrees. That is, the center of the Sun is geometrically 50 arcminutes below a horizontal plane. For an observer at sea level with a level, unobstructed
horizon, under average atmospheric conditions, the upper limb of the Sun will then appear to be tangent to the horizon. In simple terms, when the top of the sun is at the same level as the horizon in your area, it is sunrise and sunset respectively.

Breaking of Fast:

Volume 3, Book 31, Number 175:

Narrated Umar bin Al-Khattab: Allah's Apostle said, "When night falls from this side and the day vanishes from this side and the sun sets, then the fasting person should break his fast."

Volume 3, Book 31, Number 178:

Narrated Sahl bin Sad: Allah's Apostle said, "The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast."

Conclusion: You are to hasten to break you fast, that is at sunset.

Tarawih Salaat

Volume 3, Book 32, Number 227:

Narrated Abu Huraira: " Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said, "Allah's Apostle died and the people continued observing Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation, and it remained as it was during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and in the early days of 'Umar's Caliphate." 'Abdur Rahman bin 'Abdul Qari said, "I went out in the company of 'Umar bin Al-Khattab one night in Ramadan to the mosque and found the people praying in different groups. A man praying alone or a man praying with a little group behind him. So, 'Umar said, 'In my opinion I would better collect these people under the leadership of one Qari (Reciter) and let them pray in congregation!. So, he made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubai bin Ka'b. Then on another night I went again in his company and the people were praying behind their reciter. On that, 'Umar remarked, 'What an excellent Bid'a (i.e. innovation in religion) this is; but the prayer which they do not perform, but sleep at its time is better than the one they are offering.' He meant the prayer in the last part of the night. (In those days) people used to pray in the early part of the night."

Volume 3, Book 32, Number 229:

Narrated 'Urwa: That he was informed by 'Aisha, "Allah's Apostle went out in the middle of the night and prayed in the mosque and some men prayed behind him. In the morning, the people spoke about it and then a large number of them gathered and prayed behind him (on the second night). In the next morning the people again talked about it and on the third night the mosque was full with a large number of people. Allah's Apostle came out and the people prayed behind him. On the fourth night the Mosque was overwhelmed with people and could not accommodate them, but the Prophet came out (only) for the morning prayer. When the morning prayer was finished he recited Tashah-hud and (addressing the people) said, "Amma ba'du, your presence was not hidden from me but I was afraid lest the night prayer (Qiyam) should be enjoined on you and you might not be able to carry it on." So, Allah's Apostle died and the situation remained like that (i.e. people prayed individually). "

Volume 3, Book 32, Number 230:

Narrated Abu Salama bin 'Abdur Rahman: that he asked 'Aisha "How was the prayer of Allah's Apostle in Ramadan?" She replied, "Hedid not pray more than eleven Rakat in Ramadan or in any other month. He used to pray four Rakat ---- let alone their beauty and length----and then he would pray four ----let alone their beauty and length ----and then he would pray three Rakat (Witr)." She added, "I asked, 'O Allah's Apostle! Do you sleep before praying the Witr?' He replied, 'O 'Aisha! My eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep."

As you can see most instructions and guidance are quite straightforward and simple, if we follow Alla's guidance and our exemplar.

May we be able to heed the above and may we have love and harmony among men.

Ramadan - Why we fast

Sura 2 - Al-Baqara (MADINA) : Verse 183
O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may observe taqwa.

This is the verse that tells us why we fast.

We don't fast to lose weight, to become healthier, to cure diseases, to cleanse the system. At least not according to Almighty Allah in his message. Some may experience these results, but the reason for fasting is so that you may observe تَتَّقُونَ , tataqun.

Tataqun is observing your duties and obligations to Allah SWT, being aware of the Divine ordinances and observing them.

What are these duties:

In the words of our noble Prophet Muhammad SAW in his Ramadan message:

"Give alms to the poor and needy. Pay respect to your elders, have sympathy for your youngsters and be kind towards your relatives and kinsmen. Guard your tongue against unworthy words, and your eyes from scenes that are not worth seeing (forbidden) and your ears from sounds that should not be heard. Be kind to orphans so that if your children may become orphans they will also be treated with kindness. Do repent to Allah for your the wrongs yo have committed and supplicate with raised hands at the times of prayer as these are the best times".

Fasting is the only act that one does only for that sake of Allah SWT. It is the only form of worship that is witnessed only by Allah SWT.

As a result of the Taqwa observed during this month, there is a miraculous transformation taking place in the world. No other event in the world, including, World Cup Soccer, comes close to achieving this grip and transformation for so long, on so many lives, over 1.2 billion, There is no other event or observance that involves so many people in so many parts of the world. There is no other faith or circumstance that causes such change, sacrifice, awareness of Almighty God, devotion, social harmony, exodus to places of worship, sharing, abstinence and display of true brotherhood.

This is in fact an annual miracle. And Al Hamdulillah, we are part of it and contribute to making it a reality.

We should therefore take advantage of the power and nature of this month to try and correct the misconceptions of Islam and Muslims. Let our voices and actions shout out to the world the Peace, Love, Harmony and Brotherhood of Humanity that is Islam.Let our friends, neighbors, co-workers and everyone else know who we are and what are our principles. If we do this in the right way, we would have succeeded in a great Dawa.

May we have a successful Ramadan 1432 (2010) and may we have the desire and ability to fulfill our duties and obligations in this powerful and gracious month, In Shah Allah.

Let us rejoice in the knowledge that the fast that we have fasted for Allah SWT will be accepted, as are all good done for the sake of Allah SWT..

Islam, Muslims and the Mosque/Community Center at Ground Zero

Islam, Muslims and the Mosque/Community Center at Ground Zero

The conversion of a historic building, in the vicinity of Ground Zero, to a Mosque/Community Center, will inevitably evoke tremendous emotional reactions. Many will be opposed to to construction of such a facility symbolizing the faith of those responsible for the horrific and inhuman actions of 911. The faith in question is Islam and responsible villains, Muslims.To the misinformed,those who chose to live in ignorance and those who are unfortunate in not having the relevant knowledge, the objection to such a center will appear to be reasonable and just. This is very unfortunate because of the misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. We Muslims, individuals and to a greater extent, Muslim organizations, will have to bear the responsibility for these misconceptions. We have not been vocally effective enough in condemning the actions and speech of those purporting to be acting in accordance with the principles of Islam or acting as Muslims. We have to stop the "buts" and offering excuses for behavior and speech that are in direct contradiction to the principles of Islam. Right is right and wrong is wrong and we have to stand for justice at all cost, even if it against ourselves, family, country, custom or tradition.

Our biggest challenge now is to dissociate Islam from all the ills and dastardly acts being perpetuated by those claiming to act as Muslims. We have to convince the world that not because one has a name or nationality that indicates that he is Muslim, signifies that he is acting as a Muslim or in accordance with the principles of Islam. The same for those claiming to be Jews, Christians, Hindus, etc.

We have to uphold the principles of Islam as stated in Al Quran such as:

CH4. V135 O ye who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to Almighty God, even against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor: for Almighty God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts of your hearts, lest ye swerve, and if ye distort justice or decline to do justice, verily Almighty God is well acquainted with all that ye do.

CH49. V13 O mankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know and understand each other, not that you may despise each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Almighty God is he who is the most righteous of you. Moreover, Almighty God has full knowledge and is well acquainted with all things.

We have to work very hard to undo what has been propagated by the enemies of Islam and Muslims. There are those who preach their twisted ideologies under the guise of Islam and entrap the minds of the uninformed, gullible and weak minded. Hence our task of educating and increasing the awareness of the true teachings and principles of Islam.

It is our duty to inform non-Muslims and a great majority of Muslims of the basic teachings of Islam. Here are some facts about Islam and Muslims that all should be made aware of:

39:41 " Lo! We have revealed unto mankind a Book (Scriptures) of truth." from this we learn that this message was sent to mankind and as such mankind (Muslims and non-Muslims alike) has the permission and right to inquire into it and investigate its contents and teachings.

3:5 ........"This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favor unto you, and have chosen for you AL- ISLAM as your religion (way of life)." Here Almighty God has given the the name of the religion "The Way of Peace and of obedience to Him".

Hence Muslims have to aware of this and non-Muslims have to be made aware of this very important fact. Therefore anything, actions or speech that do not lead to or result in Peace and obedience to Almighty God cannot fall under the banner or name of Islam. From this statement anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim can determine with certainty and know when actions or speech can be considered "Islamic".

We have to find a way to get the support of the press and media in distinguishing those actions that are "Islamic" and those actions perpetuated by those with hidden and evil agendas. This has to be done in the same manner as used in differentiating Christianity and Judaism from wrong action carried out by "Jews" and "Christians".

Those who think that all Muslims condone acts of terrorism and other inhuman acts are as guilty as those peoples of different countries, traditions and customs who believe that the peoples of the west, and America in particular, want to harm,destroy and prevent them from practicing their faiths. In other words, ignorance, wherever it exists, will lead to hate, destruction and disharmony. One people's ignorance is as dangerous as another's.

Some other quotations from The Quran to make things clearer:

CH5. V69. Those who believe in the Qur'an, those who follow the Jewish scriptures, and the Sabians and the Christians, - anyone who believes in Almighty God (Allah) and the Last Day, and work righteousness, - on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

CH3. V3. It is He Who sent down to thee, step by step, in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law of Moses and the Gospel of Jesus before this Quran, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the criterion of judgment between right and wrong.

CH2.V136. Say ye: "We believe in Almighty God (Allah), and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to all prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one or the other. We bow to Almighty God in faith."

Not only in peace but also in war Islam prohibits terrorism, kidnapping, and hijacking, when carried against civilians. Whoever commits such violations is considered a murderer in Islam, and is to be punished accordingly by the state. During wars, Islam prohibits Muslim soldiers from harming civilians, women, children, elderly, and the religious men like priests and rabbis. It also prohibits cutting down trees and destroying civilian constructions.

I hope and pray that the above will be a form of enlightenment to the readers and will help to bring about a understanding and appreciation of what is "Islam" and who are Muslims. Remember that the greeting of Muslims to all is "Assalamu Alaikum", meaning "May the Peace and Blessings of Almighty God be with you".

Kamruz Hosein.

kamruzh@gmail.com

The Islamic Theosophical Society.