Sunday,Aug 23 2009, 09:36:30 AMRECITATION OF AL-QUR’AN DURING RAMADAN

RECITATION OF AL-QUR’AN DURING RAMADAN

Allah (SWT) says in Al-Qur’an, “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down Al-Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgement (Between right and wrong)”. (Al-Qur’an 2:185)

The entire month of Ramadan is in essence a celebration of Al-Qur’an’s revelation, which is described as a “Guide and Mercy for those who do good.” (Al-Qur’an 31:3).

Ramadan celebrates God’s Mercy by which He sent a guiding light in Al-Qur’an that leads human life towards the path of good and virtue and protects the human soul from evil and vice. Al-Qur’an is life, spirit, salvation, happiness, reward and recompense. It is a divine teaching, a constitution and eternal wisdom.

Prophet (pbuh) said, “Read Al-Qur’an for surely it will be an intercessor for you on the Day of Judgement”. (Sahih Muslim Book 4 No 1757)

In his final year, the Prophet (pbuh) recited the Al-Qur’an twice in Ramadan. Muslims should try to read the entire Al-Qur’an at least once during Ramadan. Many others read or recite Al-Qur’an during Taraweeh Prayers (Ramadan

nightly prayers), which are held only during Ramadan, or in private late night Prayers called Tahajjud.

However the common practice these days is that Taraweeh prayers are rushed in order to complete Al-Qur’an. This goes against the teaching of Islam as Allah (SWT) says in Al-Qur’an: “and recite Al-Qur’an in slow, measured rhythmic tones.” (73:4). Commenting on this Ibn Kathir says this means “recite it slowly, for that will help in understanding Al-Qur’an and contemplating it. This is how the Prophet (pbuh) used to recite”. Although it is desirable to complete Al-Qur’an in Ramadan to follow the sunnah, it should be read with understanding and contemplation in order to draw closer to Allah (SWT) by increasing our guidance insh’Allah.

The Prophet (pbuh) said "Fast three days a month." 'Abdullah said, "I m able to fast more than that." They kept on arguing on this matter till the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Fast on alternate days, and recite the whole Qur'an once a month." 'Abdullah said, "I can recite more (in a month)," and the argument went on till the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Recite the Qur'an once each three days." (i.e. you must not recite the whole Qur'an in less than three days). (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, No. 199)

Therefore we are encouraged to read Al-Qur’an often but should not try to complete it in less than seven days as we should be learning from it and implementing Allah (SWT)’s commands and laws into our lives. Therefore we should not just read it without meaning. Muslims who cannot read Arabic well, should spend some time each day listening to a tape or CD of Al-Qur’an being recited. Muslims consider Ramadan to be a good time to get into the habit of reading at least some of Al-Qur’an or its translation every day, and if they haven’t read either of them cover to cover, Ramadan is the time to do it.

TARAWEEH PRAYER

The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Whoever observes night prayer in Ramadan as an expression of his faith and to seek reward from Allah, his previous sins will be blotted out”. (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 32, Number 226)

 

Because of the great reward for feeding a fasting person, in many places ‘Iftaar’(the breaking of the fast at sunset) is served in mosques, with the food donated or brought by individuals to share. This contact between the various levels of society helps to create a real bond of brotherhood in the Muslim community.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “When a man dies all of his deeds come to an end, except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge which is benefited from, or pious offspring who pray for them.” (Sahih Muslim, Book 013, Number 4005)

The Prophet (pbuh) enjoined Zakaah on those who fast to purify them from any indecent act or deeds. It is a sort of purification of the soul on the individual level, a cure against miserliness, and a social safety net. The rich are obliged to come in contact with the poor and the poor with the even less fortunate. Zakaah provides for the poor and spares them the humiliation of asking for charity.

HOW THE BLESSED MONTH RAMADAN STARTS

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Do not fast till you see the new moon, and do not break fast till you see it, but if the weather is cloudy calculate about it.” (Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2363 )

It is very important to start the best month in the Islamic year correctly. It is very clear in Al-Qur’an and Sunnah that we should look for the moon and if it is sighted then the month has started. It is also clear that we should look for the moon in our own country of residence as stated in the hadith below:

Umm Fadl said, “I saw the new moon (of Ramadan) on Friday”. Abdullah b. 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) asked me (about the new moon of Ramadan) and said “When did you see it?” I said “We saw it on the night of Friday”. He said “Did you see it yourself?” I said “Yes” and the people also saw it and they observed fast and Mu'awiya also observed fast, whereupon he said “But we saw it on Saturday night. So we would continue to observe fast till we complete thirty (fasts) or we see it (the new moon of Shawwal)”. I said “Is the sighting of the moon by Mu'awiya not valid for you?” He said “No, this is how The Prophet (pbuh) has commanded us”. (Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2391)

Muslims should during this month make an extra effort to perform Taraweeh Prayer (Ramadan nightly prayer), preferably in congregation. Taraweeh has a special merit over other nights. Taraweeh is part of physical and spiritual

training, for its observation soon after Iftaar insures timely and proper digestion of food. There are also spiritual rewards awaiting the observers of this prayer. It must be mentioned here that Taraweeh prayers, although very beneficial to

read, are not compulsory as stated by the Prophet (pbuh) himself.

'A'isha reported that Prophet (pbuh) prayed one night in the mosque and people also prayed along with him. He then prayed on the following night and there were many persons. Then on the third or fourth night (many

people) gathered there, but the Prophet (pbuh) did not come out to them (for leading the Tarawih prayer). When it was morning he said: “I saw what you were doing, but I desisted to come to you (and lead the prayer) for I feared that this prayer might become obligatory for you”. (He the narrator) said: It was the month of Ramadan. (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 46)

CHARITY IN RAMADAN

It is reported that “The Prophet (pbuh) was naturally the most generous of people and he used to be more generous than ever in the month of Ramadan”. (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 126)

Allah (SWT) has given you, so Muslims should try to give generously in Ramadan, both Sadaqah (optional charity) and Zakaah (obligatory charity).

Every time a servant of Allah (SWT) gives something in charity Allah (SWT) eases his physical, spiritual and mental conditions. He expands for him His sustenance. Sadaqah does not only have to be money. It can also be a good deed—such as helping another person—done for the sake of Allah (SWT) and without expecting any reward from the person. Even a smile is considered charity in Islam. Most Muslims pay their Zakaah during Ramadan because the reward is so much greater in that month. Wealth is like water, if its flow is obstructed it becomes brackish, and if it flows, it becomes sweet and fresh.

The Prophet (pbuh) said “This is the month of charity in which believer’s sustenance is increased. Whosoever feeds a fasting person or gives a fasting person a single date or a sip of water, to break the fast, for him there shall be forgiveness of his sins and he will be saved from the fire of hell, and for him shall be the same reward as for him (whom he fed)”. (Tirmidhi Hadith 1965)

 

ETTIQUETTES OF RAMADAN

The Prophet (pbuh) said “He who does not determine to fast before dawn does not fast”. (Abu Dawud, Book 13, Number 2448)

We should try our best to get up for Sehri.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Eat a little before dawn (Sehri) as there is blessings in taking meal at that time.”

(Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2412)

Many people are deprived of this great blessing because of their own laziness. Even if there is no food, then one date should be eaten or a drink of water taken. The period before dawn is considered blessed because it is in the last third of the night, the time of divine descent and forgiveness. It is another special time when du’as are accepted.

Some time should be left after taking the suhoor and before the Fajr adhan / prayer:

"We took the suhur with the Prophet (pbuh) . Then he stood for the prayer." I asked, "What was the interval between the suhur and the Adhan?" He replied, "The interval was sufficient to recite fifty verses of the Quran." (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 144)

It is also narrated that even when the Fajr adhan was made, it was not necessarily the time to stop eating because the true dawn arises when thestreaks of the whiteness of dawn are horizontal. However these days this is difficult to ascertain in some countries and in these circumstances we should keep enough time to eat to be confident that we are not eating when dawn appears.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “The adhan of Bilal may not mislead you with regard to your food at the commencement of the fast, nor the vertical (streaks) of whiteness in the horizon (for it is an indication of false

dawn). You should stop eating (food) till (the whiteness) spreads like it. Hammad narrated it and with the gesture of his band he explained, the horizontal position (of the streaks of light).” (Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2409)

We should hasten to break our fasts.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “The people will remain on right path as long as they hasten breaking of the fast (Iftaar). (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 178 & Muslim, Book 006, Number 2417)

To eat dates to break one’s fast is a Sunnah.

The Prophet (pbuh) said “When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates, but if he cannot get any, then (he should break his fast) with water, for water is purifying”. (Abu Dawud, Book 13, Number 2348)

It is also very important that we do not delay the Maghrib salah unnecessarily and pray soon after breaking the fast.

Abu 'Atiyya reported “I and Misruq went to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and Masruq said to her “There are two persons among the Companions of Muhammad (pbuh) none of whom abandons the good, but one of them hastens to observe sunset prayer and break the fast, and the other delays in observing the sunset prayer and in breaking the fast”, whereupon she said “Who hastens to observe sunset prayer and break the fast?” He said “It is 'Abdullah”. Upon this she said “This is how The Prophet (pbuh) used to do. (Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2419)

It is a Sunnah to use Miswaak.

“The Prophet (pbuh) chewed Miswaak while fasting". (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 154)

It is recommended to take care of the mouth, teeth and gums all the time, and more so during fasting. This can be achieved by the use of Miswaak, a special stick or root (from Arak tree) that is used to cleanse the teeth and strengthen the gums.

The breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah (SWT) than the fragrance of musk”. (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 118 & Sahih Muslim, Book 006, Number 2564)