The%20Way%20of%20the%20Prophets:

1
The Way of the Prophets

• Restoring the Balance in Ramadan

2
Obligation Quran

• "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you
  as it was prescribed for those before you, that
  you may become Al-Muttaqun (the
  pious).(Fasting) for a fixed number of days,
  but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the
  same number (should be made up) from other days.
  And as for those who can fast with difficulty,
  (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice
  either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for
  every day). But whoever does good of his own
  accord, it is better for him. And that you fast,
  it is better for you if only you know."
  (2183-84)"The month of Ramadan in which was
  revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and
  clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion
  (between right and wrong). So whoever of you
  sights (the crescent on the first night of) the
  month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and
  whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number
  (of days which one did not fast must be made up)
  from other days.Allah intends for you ease, and
  He does not want to make things difficult for
  you. (He wants that you) must complete the same
  number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah
  for having guided you so that you may be grateful
  to Him" (2 185).

3
Obligation Hadith

• Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (peace and
  blessings be upon him) said Whoever fasts during
  Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from
  Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever
  prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and
  seeking his reward from Allah will have his past
  sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr
  in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from
  Allah will have his past sins forgiven (Bukhari,
  Muslim).Abu Huraira related that Prophet (peace
  and blessings be upon him) said If anyone omits
  his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a
  concession or without being ill, then if he were
  to fast for the rest of his life he could not
  make up for it (Bukhari).Abu Huraira related
  that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
  him) said Allah the Majestic and Exalted said
  "Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times
  reward, except Siyam (fasting), for it is for Me
  and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two
  occasions of joy for one who fasts one when he
  breaks the fast and the other when he will meet
  his Lord" (Muslim).Abu Huraira related that
  Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said
  Many people who fast get nothing from their fast
  except hunger and thirst, and many people who
  pray at night get nothing from it except
  wakefulness (Darimi)

4
History

• The word Ramadan originates from the Arabic root
  ramida or ramad, which means intense scorching
  heat or dryness. Some have said scarcity of
  rations
• It is Allahs gift to mankind
• Allah wanted to give us a time during which we
  are totally dedicated to worship. Hence He put
  the Shaytan in chains
• Became obligatory on a Monday during the 2nd year
  of migration (Hijrah) - Abdullah ibn Abbas RA
  narrates that the first two things given to the
  Believers after migration were the Baitullah
  becoming the Qiblah and fasts of Ramadan
• Ibn Hajar writes that the Prophet SAW fasted for
  9 Ramadans
• He SAW used to make itikaaf (seclusion) during
  this month even before its obligation and it was
  in this month, he received the first revelation
  in Hira. Ubaid ibn Umar narrates Each year the
  Prophet SAW would go to Mount Hira for a month in
  search of solitude and it was in that month that
  He announced His Prophethood and that was the
  month of Ramadan. He SAW had a relationship with
  Ramadan, both before His announcement of His
  Prophethood and after

5
Why Do We Fast?

• Fasting is a means that
• allows us to appreciate and give thanks for
  pleasures
• makes us give up haram things
• helps us control our desires
• enables us to feel compassion and empathy
  towards the poor
• humiliates and weakens the Shaytan
• trains us to remember that Allah is always
  watching
• assists us in developing an attitude of
  asceticism towards this world and its desires
• gets us used to doing numerous acts of worship

6
Fiqh of Ramadan

• Definition
• Types of Fasts
• Intention - Specific and Non-Specific
• Actions that invalidate the fast - 4 categories
• Exemptions
• Itikaaf

7
Fasting/Sawm

• To withhold from eating, drinking, and marital
  relations during daylight hours, with an
  intention of fasting, performed by one capable
  and required to do so

8
7 Types of Fasts

• Obligatory / fard
• Mandatory / wajib
• Sunna
• Recommended / mandub
• Voluntary / nafl
• Prohibitively disliked / makruh tahriman
• Mildly disliked / makruh tanzihan

9
Intention (Specific)

• The following require an intention and
  specification of type1) Makeups (qada) from
  Ramadan2) Makeups from voluntary (nafl) that was
  invalidated3) Fasts of expiation (kaffara)4)
  Unspecified vows (nadhr mutlaq)

10
Kaffarah

• What is a Kaffarah? It is an Expiation- Fast for
  60 days consecutivelyHowever, if a person is
  genuinely unable to keep these 60 fasts, for a
  truly valid reason, then one has the option of
  choosing from one of the following four1) Feed
  sixty poor people to their fill for two meals,
  or2) Feed one poor person two meals a day, for
  sixty days or3) Give sixty poor persons 3 lbs.
  (approx. 1.6 kg.) of wheat or its value in cash
  or food grains4) Give to one poor person not
  less than 3.5 lbs. of wheat, rice or food grains,
  etc. or its value in cash for sixty days

11
Intention (Non-Specific)

• The following dont require a specification
  intention is made anytime from previous night
  until dahwa kubra1) Ramadan fasts during the
  month2) Specified vows (nadhr muayyan)3)
  Voluntary (nafl) fasts

12
Actions that Invalidate the Fast (mufsidat)

• The actions of one who is fasting are divided
  into four categories1) Those that require a
  makeup as well as expiation2) Those that require
  a makeup without expiation3) Those that require
  nothing (and are not disliked)4) Those that
  require nothing yet are disliked

13
Exemptions

• People who are exempted from fasting in
  Ramadan1) Ill person eg. Type 1 Diabetes 2)
  Pregnant/Nursing womanNot required to make up
  before the next Ramadan3) Severe thirst4)
  Traveler
• Sports/P.E. /Training are not valid reasons
• Fidya 6 (wheat), 15 (barley), 21 (raisins),
  33 (dates)

14
Inner Dimensions

• There are 3 Grades of Fasting1) Ordinary2)
  Special1) See not2) Speak not3) Hear not4)
  Do not5) Avoid overeating6) Look to Allah with
  Fear and Hope
• 3) Extra-SpecialFasting from the heart from
  unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total
  disregard of everything but Allah

15
His Love for Ramadan

• Supplication at the beginning of Rajab
• Begin to fast in Shaban
• Special arrangements to sight the moon of Shaban

16
Beginning Ramadan

• Special dua
• Congratulate Companions
• Welcoming Sermon
• Describe virtues of fasting

17
Five Glad Tidings

• Abu Hurayrah (RA) narrates that the Prophet SAW
  said In relation to Ramadan, my Ummah has been
  given five things never granted to any previous
  nation1) The smell from a fasting persons
  mouth is more beloved to Allah than the fragrance
  of musk2) The fish in the sea keep seeking
  forgiveness from Allah for the fasting person
  until Iftar3) Allah decorates Jannah everyday4)
  The devils are chained up in this month5) The
  Ummah is forgiven in the last night

18
Suhoor

• It is a blessed meal
• Make Suhoor with dates
• Distinction between the Muslims and Ahl al Kitab
• Eat healthy

19
During the Day

• Quran, Quran Quran Recite and, if not,
  listen
• Reading is better than translation, tafseer and
  listening - double reward if its difficult for
  you
• And it must be recited, not looked at
• Be generous Give something everyday
• It is not enough to just give up food and drink
• Do not spend all day sleeping

20
Iftar

• Although He SAW did Iftar immediately after
  sunset, He made sure the sun had set.
• He SAW did Iftar with the poor
• He SAW did Iftar before Maghrib
• Did Iftar with dates, water, andor milk
• Dua at the time of Iftar

21
Iftar Party

• Waste of time (preparing, driving there, upon
  arrival there)
• Waste of food
• Duas are not made
• Late to the Masjid for Isha
• Alternatively, sponsor an Iftar

22
Taraweeh

• Sunnah of the Prophet SAW
• In its current form since the time of Umar (RA)
  Ijmaa of the ummah that it is 20 Rakah
• Know that it is specific to Ramadan, so pray it -
  stop arguing about how many Rakahs it is
• Dont make noise in the parking lot - keep the
  parking lot clean
• At least pray Isha Fajr in the Masjid

23
itikaaf/Last 10 days

• Literally means seclusion
• Can be done at any time
• Last 10 nights of Ramadan are recommended
• Any amount of time
• Itikaaf for women
• Increase His effort
• Awaken His family
• Itikaf Seclusion (Talk/eat only when required)
• Seek night of Qadr

24
Zakat

• Calculate your Zakat
• The fiscal year is the lunar year
• Give your Zakat, or at least separate it
• Local vs. Abroad
• Zakat must be given every year, on jewelry also
• Give to poor needy not masjid
  operation/construction funds
• The receiver does not need to know

25
Schedule

• Make a schedule!
• Prepare during Shabaan (shopping, etc.)
• Take time off from work - Use your vacation time
• Pray Fard prayers at the Masjid
• Come to Friday Prayers early
• Attend every Taraweeh
• Carry a Quran with you

26
Shawwal

• Fast the 6 of Shawwal
• Cannot combine intentions

27
(No Transcript)