The Moon and Eid

There is a debate among the Muslim community on just how to calculate the beginning of the month of Ramadan (or indeed any month, but Ramadan takes on special importance). The traditional methods mentioned in the Qur'an and followed by the Prophet Muhammad, is to look to the sky and visibly sight the slight crescent moon (hilal) that marks the beginning of the month. If one sees the hilal at night, the next day is the first day of Ramadan and thus the first day of fasting. At the end of the month, when the community sights the hilal again, the Festival of Fast-Breaking (EID_UL_FITR) begins.

Over the years, various scholars and communities have answered this question in different ways. The prevailing opinion is that one should commit to a local moon-sighting, i.e. begin and end Ramadan based on the sighting of the moon in your local vicinity. Astronomical calculations can help us predict when the moon should be visible, but Muslims still tend to follow the traditional method of looking at the sky themselves and physically "sighting" the moon. Thus, the exact day of the beginning of Ramadan is not generally known until the night before the fast begins, when the moon is actually sighted and confirmed.

There are many hadith available regarding the moon sighting of Ramadan the messenger of ALLHA PROPHET MOHAMAD (PBUH) said : (HADITH_No 2378 SAHIH MUSLIM) Whenever you sight the new moon (of the month of Ramadan) observe fast, and when you sight it (the new moon of Shawwal) break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then observe fast for thirty days.

In another hadith PROPHET said: (SAHIH MUSLIM HADITH_No 2379) Observe fast on sighting it (the new moon) and break (fast) on sighting it (the new moon), but if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete the number (of thirty).

Islam has taught us when to start the holy month and when to end it and celebrate Eid_ul_Fitr and we can find these teaching through different hadith and Quran.

30 Days of Ramadan

God has gifted the month in which all ‘shieatien’ evils are been captured and mercy of God is appears for every one Muslims called this month the month of Ramadan.

The month of Ramadan has 30 days some time 29 days it depends on the sighting of moon. Muslims all around the world start fasting when they see the Ramadan moon and stop when they see the moon of shawal and prepare them self for EID_UL_FITR.

The month of Ramadan is divided into three parts which has different aspects in Islamic point of view these parts are called ‘ASHRA’ the first ashra is called the ‘ASHRA of REHMAT’ the second one is called ‘ASHRA of MUKHFIRAT’ and the last one is known as ‘ASHRA DOZAKH SY NIJJAT’ all these there Ashars have importance in Islamic point of view and Muslims all around the world pray in each Ashra.

This is mandatory on every Muslims to pray five time a day whether it is Ramadan or any other month but there is some special prayers which are arranged by Muslims in Ramadan and this prayer is called ‘TARAWHI’ in this prayer Muslims all round the world stand in front of ALLHA at the end of ‘ESHA PRAYER’ this prayer consist of ’20 rakats’ in which Muslims read Quran and pray to God to forgive them.

Ulemah give importance to reading of the Quran in Ramadan and stay awake in the nights of Ramadan especially in the last ASHRA of Ramadan, to find out the night which is better than 1000 nights, this night is known as LYLA_TUL_QADAR. Prophet Mohammad has clear words regarding the night that Prophet said ‘ In the month of Ramadan there is a night which is better then 1000 of nights so people find the night and ask forgiveness from God’

Zakat

Zakat is the one of the fundamental pillar of Islam with out which a person can not called him or her self a Muslim. As every Muslim believes that every thing belongs to GOD and the wealth is just been to human as a trust to give it back in the way of GOD. The word Zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth' Zakat is the amount of money that every adult, mentally stable, free, and financially able Muslim, male and female, has to pay to support specific categories of people.

This category of people is defined in surah at-Taubah (9) verse 60: "The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarers; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is knower, Wise." (The Holy Qur'an 9:60).

It is agreed between Muslims in all the centuries the obligatory nature of paying Zakat for gold and silver, and from those the other kinds of currency, Islam has set some standard for paying ZAKAT which is defined by many Islamic scholars and Islamic ulemah with the guidance of hadith and Quran according to hadith and Quran Zakat is obligatory when a certain amount of money, called the nisab is reached or exceeded. Zakat is not obligatory if the amount owned is less than this nisab. The nisab (or minimum amount) of gold and golden currency is 20 mithqal, this is approximately 85 grams of pure gold. One mithqal is approximately 4.25 grams. The nisab of silver and silver currency is 200 dirhams, which is approximately 595 grams of pure silver. The nisab of other kinds of money and currency is to be scaled to that of gold, 85 grams of pure gold. This means that the nisab of money is the price of 85 grams of 999-type (pure) gold, on the day in which Zakat is paid. (Current Gold Prices)

Zakat is due on every adult Muslim after a time span of one lunar year passes with the money in the control of its owner. Then the owner needs to pay 2.5% (or 1/40) of the money as Zakat. (A lunar year is approximately 355 days).

Zakat_al_Fitr After Ramadan

Zakat al-Fitr is a small amount that Muslims are obliged to pay as charity at the end of Ramadan. Zakat al-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqah al-Fitr (voluntary charity).

The word Fitr means the same as Iftaar, breaking a fast and it comes from the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast.

Thus, Islamically, Zakat al-Fitr is the name given to charity which is distributed at the end of the fast of Ramadan.

Zakat al-Fitr is compulsory on those who can afford it, and it is a sin not to give it.Fitr is dependent on the major item of food consumed by a person during the year.

These may be rice, wheat, barley, dates, etc. In weight Fitr should be three Kilograms per person. It is also permissible to pay cash to the value of three Kilograms food grains.

It is obligatory on the head of the family to give Fitr of all persons (including servants of both sexes of any cast or creed) that take food in his house.

The Mercy Of Allah

As we live in the world, there are many returns, that most of us have experienced such as: The return of missing Child or the finding of any thing precious, these are the moments of joy and happiness, but do we know what is the Greatest Return; the greatest return of all is, when a sinful person, who has disobeyed the sayings of Allah and continuous to sin in this world, sincerely decides to do ‘Tauba’ which literally means to return, to his creator the most merciful Allah, there can never be a happier moment in the world comparable to this.

Returns to Allah Ta’ala with sincerity brings the blessings and mercy, from the most powerful personality existing in the world. Due to his mercy, those previously known as the Faasiq(sinner), are now known as the Habibullah(the beloved of Allah). Their crying and sobbing, when begging for forgiveness, is more closer to Allah Ta'ala, than the recitation of tasbeeh of those who are busy glorifying Allah Ta'ala.

This return is more rewarding, when a person asks for forgiveness, in the holy month of Ramadan, the object of the holly month, is to truly return to Allah by abstaining, from all sin, adopting good deeds and transforming your life style as the teachings of Islam The Qur'an-al-Kareem declares: “O you who believe, fasting has been made mandatory upon you, just as it was prescribed upon those before you, so that you may acquire taqwa (piety)” (S2:183). Taqwa in a simple terms is, giving up every sin and performing good deeds and living ones life as the saying of the Prophet. Taqwa cannot be acquired without sincere Tauba, to have Taqwa one should do sincere Touba and promise to not commit further sins.

Ramadan the Month of Victory

All praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. He who revealed in His Glorious Quran, “Oh you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who came before you that you may keep your duty to your Lord (having taqwa),” 2:185.

Ramadan is the month in which ALLHA the almighty tests his creation by ensuring the ritual of fasting is carried out and gives them the opportunity to achieve his pleasure. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) passed through approximately nine Ramadans together after the Hijrah. They were filled with decisive events, that took place in Ramadan and left us a shining example of sacrifice and submission to Allah the Most exalted and High in the cause of making His Word the highest.

In Islamic history, there are many examples in which, momins are directed, to the way of islam and sacrifice their, life in the way of GOD, for instance the INCIDNT OF MASJID AL_DHIRAR, in which Muslims sacrificed their lives and took a stand, for the name of GOD.

In the first year after the Hijrah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Hamzah ibn Abdul Muttalib with thirty Muslim riders, to Saif al Bahr, to investigate three hundred riders from Quraish, who had camped auspiciously in that area. The Muslims were about to engage the disbelievers, but they were separated, by Majdy ibn Umar al-Juhany. The Hypocrites of Al-Madinah, hoping to oppose the unity of the Muslims, built their own masjid (called Masjid al-Dhirar). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered this masjid to be destroyed in Ramadan, after he returned from the ghazwah of Tabuk.

Another example, in which Muslims got victory, in the month of Ramadan, is the battle of BADAR, in which only 313 Muslims win against the army of thousands by the grace of GOD.

And indeed Allah assisted you at Badr when you were weak, so be observant to your duty to Allah, so that you may be of the thankful ones. When you said to the believers 'Does it not suffice you that your Lord should assist you with three thousand angels sent down." Surat Aali Imran 3:123 & 124

The battle of the BADAR was the first and the greatest battle of the world in which ALLHA ALMIGHTY, told his messenger (pbuh) that he will help Muslims with an army of thousands of angels, enabling Muslims to win against the big army.

Women And Islam

Islam is the religion of peace and mercy. In Islam men and women have the same rights, but some where Allha subhanutallh has gifted women with some extra rights. It should be understood that Islam is there, to bring ease to all aspects of our daily life. Allah grants special mercy for women, and requirements of worship are less hard for them than for men.

Women and men are exempt from fasting, during the time of traveling, (beyond fifty miles and a duration of more than one day) and during any illness, which is too severe to continue the fast, and if they are very old /or weak. Women, however, are further exempt from the fasting, if they are pregnant or are breast-feeding, unless fasting does not interrupt feeding schedules, nor creates a serious imbalance in the natural supply and quality of milk so as to disturb the baby. This exemption is again to facilitate women, as Allah intends the mother, should not have to undergo undue hardship.

A nursing mother cannot fast without the permission of the infant’s father, as she may be emotionally moved to observe fast, when doing so she may impair her health, or that of the baby. As the protector of the mother and child, the father is expected to be objective when taking his decision, not overly strict and not overly soft.

Women are also exempt from the fast of Ramadan during their monthly periods, a time when they are also given leave from performing the five times daily prayers. While some Muslims believe this state renders a woman unfit to pray or fast because she is “unclean”, the reality of the matter is that Allah subhana wa ta`ala in His Infinite Mercy has relieved women of their religious responsibilities during this period so that they may relax. During Ramadan and all other times throughout the year, part of the woman’s biological monthly cleansing process is that she not obstruct or collect the flow of unclean matter which issues from her womb, such as with the use of tampons, which is categorically haram (forbidden) and can cause severe toxic reactions in the body. A woman’s duty to fast in Ramadan resumes at the time when prayer becomes binding.

Women and men are each responsible for days of obligatory fasting which were not fulfilled. However, in the case of women who are aged and extremely weak or who suffer from long-term illness, Allah has allowed that their children may fast on their behalf to make up unfulfilled days of obligatory fasting. Under these circumstances the adult children make their intention to fast on behalf of the exempted parent, and each day of fasting must be observed independent from any other fasts.

For each day of obligatory fasting (in Ramadan) missed due to travel or temporary illness, both men and women must fast one day sometime before the next Ramadan. However, a pregnant woman or nursing mother who did not fast the entire month of Ramadan has been given the option to make up one day of fasting for one day missed (which is best), or she may feed two poor individuals for thirty days (sixty meals), or give sadaqah to the equivalent of sixty meals. Again, this option is intended to help women who are unable to make up an entire month of fasting, either due to illness, weakness, or because they are again pregnant or still nursing their baby, but who nevertheless need to make up missed days of fasting, which are a debt we are all held accountable for.

The days of the holy month of Ramadan

Ramadan is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness and whose end is "freedom from the fire."-Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh).

The first ten days of Ramadan is for mercy, we cannot be forgiven from the fire, unless we have the mercy of ALLHA, and to attain this mercy from ALLHA, we need to put some efforts. How can we expect to receive mercy, if we only deprive our bodies of food and drink? Of course not. So the holy month of Ramadan is the month to cleanse ourself, from the dirt of the world and stand in front of ALLHA, to ask the mercy.

Because Ramadan is meant for SPIRITUAL development through fasting. Physiologically, by fasting the body eliminates toxins efficiently and the mind becomes clear for "power thinking". ALLHA is looking for some sincere commitment from us, this is not just during Ramadan,but to be carried through out the year, we need to make a true commitment to GOD for his mercy.

The second 10 days of Ramadan is FORGIVENESS, we all must now beg to ALLHA for his mercy, because we all have broken so many of his rules and disobeyed him so many times, so this is the time to say ;istakwar; and ask him forgiveness. Ramadan is the month in which ALLHA forgives every one, even those who have committed several crimes, the mercy of ALLHA lays on them too.

The third and the last 10 days of Ramadan, are FREEDOM FROM THE FIRE, these are the last ten days of the holly month and these are the days in which Prophet was asked to find the night which is better than thousand nights, the night of ;LYLA_TU_QADAR; in which ALLHA himself asked his people, that is there anyone, who wants forgiveness and freedom from the fire, just imagine the creator of the world, the creator of human race asked this question from all his people and so all this came about, because of the spiritual and holly month of Ramadan, so don’t let this Ramadan pass, go ask for forgiveness and mercy in the month.

Taraweeh ( Prayer Of Ramadan)

There is no mention of Taraweeh in the Quran. These were initiated at the time of Allah's Messenger or of Hazrat Umar's. This is a question in history. The Shias and the sunnis have disagreement over it. Everyone is aware of these discussions and controversies. On the question whether the number of rak'ahs in Taraweeh is eight or twenty, there is a disagreement within the sunnis itself. And no one is unaware of these debates.

Islam is the name of the life for preserving a human being, within the boundary walls of the Quran. For this purpose, it is necessary that all humans (Muslims) must know, as to what are the boundary walls of the Quran and along with it, they must also get themselves, up for self-control. The month of Ramadan is the specific instrument for inculcating and substantiating each of these two matters: (i) what are the boundary walls of the Quran; and (ii) getting him/herself up for self-control. In the modern terminology, call it Training classes or a Refresher Course. Fasting makes humans get themselves up for leading striven-life through self-control. And its fixing is in this month, wherein the beginning of revelation of the Quran was initiated.

So it brings this stark fact to the fore-front. Special arrangements during this Training Course should be made for gushing forth the entire Quran to the striven-people, the Mujahideen so that they may fully comprehend, as to what the connection of "the sword and the Quran" is with each other; and That is how these two, "the sword and the Quran", became the instrument for safeguarding each other.

It appears that the Islamic system of the First Era was made, in order to bring the Quran, to the mind of the people, all at the same time and this method is now being performed, only to attain the reward of a virtuous act (Sawaab). It is because the way the Quran is recited now, during the Taraweeh, is neither understood by the Quran-conner, who causes others to hear it, as to what he had recited, nor do the disciples in the congregation comprehend as to what they have listened.

And it is obvious, that the way, the words of the Quran are repeated and heard without being understood, therefore, cannot make the exposition of the Quran understandable. And neither can it be known which design of life it carves for us. When the system of caliphate based on the precept of Nabuvva is established, its job will be to oversee, as to where the revamping is essential in our traditional mores and cores of life. It will then be the time, whence-fore the correct concept of "Sin and Sawaab" would come to the fore-view of the masses.

Fasting And Its History

Fasting is as old as the human race, All the major religions in the world, like Judaism, Christianity and Islam, expect their followers to fast in some form or another. It is believed that fasting has always been the same in all the major religions in the world but changes happened as time passed by and by the appearance of new sects in different religions.

The most common motives for fasting are religious ones. In a religious fast there are three primary purposes: self-control over the body and its appetites; focusing the mind on God or prayer; making sacrifice to God for offenses committed. The Western religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have, from their inception, set aside certain times in the year for regular fasting observances.

Although the number of occasions on which fasting is practiced has tended to diminish over the centuries in all religions, most branches of Judaism still observe a Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) fast in the fall. Early Christianity developed a number of fasting periods: food was not eaten on Fridays in commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ.

Later a period of 40 fast days before Easter, called Lent, was set aside to allow Christians to meditate on the suffering of Jesus. In the 20th century the number of fast days has been dramatically reduced by the Roman Catholic church to two: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday the beginning and end of Lent.

The church formerly required abstinence from eating meat on most Fridays and certain other days, but this did not include any restriction on the amount of food eaten. Protestant churches generally leave fasting to individual choice. In Islam abstention from food and drink is required of all able Muslims from dawn until dusk each day of the month of Ramadan.

Concept Of Lail Tul Qadar

In Quran Allha Almighty said that "Their is night in the nights of Ramdan which is better then thousands of nights" and that night is described by the Name Laila Tul Qadar. According to this view "Lail tul Qadar" or "Shab Qadr" belongs to the transcendental world.

It is the most virtuous and the most reverend night of the year. Its complete detail has not even occurred in Hadith. However, according to this view, it is the Hadith through which it has been identified that it falls in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan: 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, the five nights.

The mind of great many religious scholars goes to the 27th night. It unfolds the open expediency of Sharia, that all the five nights and when it becomes a habit: all the ten nights be lived busy in striving for the Divine prayer, the invocation and the revamping of one's self.

Surely there would have been shower of special lightning and sparkling and a few of the pious men (Ahl-i-Dil) would have had the visibility of something through their material eyes.

Ramadan and the Muslims

amadan is a month, in which Muslims, from all over the world observe fasting, as it is one of the pillars of Islam. In Islam fasting in Ramadan is mandatory, but one can also observe fasting in other months, like Rajab and Shabaan as, it is the time in which an individual's deeds are presented, before the holy month of Ramadan to the creator.

Fasting during other months, will also make a persons' body accustomed, to the physical and mental strain of fasting, during the entire month of Ramadan. Ramadan is not all about fasting, this month is very much there to thank God for all his blessings and to ask forgiveness from the creator of the world. As in Ramadan muslims fast, they also perform different types of prayers like Nawafil and tahajood. People start observing such prayers, just before Ramadan, so one can become used to standing, for the long periods of time in Ramadan and in Tarawee prayers.

Reading the, Quran is the best practice which, is mentioned by prophet Mohammad (pbuh), which is available in different kinds of Hadith, of him and even Written in the Quran. Muslims all over the world give importance to reading the Quran and it has great rewards, while reading the Quran in the holy month of Ramadan, which brings a person closer to ALLAH Subhana wa talla.

In the spiritual month of Ramadan is also about giving Sadaqah(charity), which is obligatory on everyone who can afford to, help others bringing the believer Closer to AllAH.

Controlling the tongue is most important, as backbiting is not encouraged in Ramadan or in any other month. (O ye who believe!...And do not speak ill of each other Behind their backs. Would any Of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay ye would abhor it..But fear God: For God is Oft-Returning Most Merciful). Surat Al-Hujurat: Verse 12 . it is important in the month of Ramadan, to have positive feelings for one's relatives, in the holy month asking about them will be appreciated. Fasting teaches us patience, as anger must be controlled and tempers kept in check.

Ramadan and Unity

Islam is a complete region and Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) told us how to live a peace full life in the world. There are two things, on which we as muslims, should emphasis and should get knowledge of; one is peace and other is unity, both of these things are clearly indicated in the teachings of Islam, when talking about Ramadan, we need to understand and study the rules of Ramadan, according to the hadith of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), Abu Hurayrah ( radiyallaahu ’anhu ) related that the Prophet ( sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam ) said: "Fast when they fast, end the fast when they end theirs, and sacrifice the day that thy sacrifice. " [2]

Islamic scholars explained, this hadeeth by its sayings, Its meaning to fast and end the fast along with the Jamaa'ah and the majority of people." This hadeeth is a proof of the Prophet (pbuh) emphasizing on unity, in Ramadan and the celebrating of the EID festive, with all other muslims. This custom is very important in establishing the ’Eid festive, and that every individual, who believes,in the revelence of this day, of ’Eid - based on the sighting of the moon. - It is then obligatory upon every muslim, to be in agreement with his or her fellow muslim and that the ruling of the people - concerning the Prayer, breaking the fast, and sacrificing - is binding upon that individual."

Another Islamic scholar, explained its meaning as It is said: In it is a refutation, of those scholars, whom say that whosoever, knows the positions of the moon sighting, is due to astronomical calculations, it is then permissible, for him to fast and end the fast, even if others do not know. It is also said: 'that the individual witness who sees the moon, but the qaadee (judge) has not accepted his testimony, and then there is no fasting for him, just as there is no fasting for the people." By the hadith and its meaning, which has been explained by different scholars, we can say that Islam is emphasizes on doing ‘MASHWARA’ or sitting together and solving the problem, this is how Ramadan the holy month, shows the unity in order to fast or to celebrate the Eid festive, which are the two most important occasions for Muslims.

Ramadan The Month of Patience

Ramadan, how important this month is in the life of Muslims, we can have an idea by the saying of Prophet on the last day of Shahban "O people there comes over you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night more greater in virtue than a thousand months. It is a month in which Allah has made Fasting compulsory by day. And has made sunnah the Taraweeh by night. Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing any virtuous deed, for such person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a fardh in any other time. And whoever performs a fardh, shall be blessed with the reward of seventy faraa-idh in any other time."

So based on this specific hadith of Prophet (pbuh) on the importance of Ramadan we can say that Ramadan is the month in which people should stay patient and calm, where as the true reward of this patience will be given in the shape of Jannah (paradise). This is the month in which the Rizq of true believers is increased by the grace of Allah, who ever feeds the one that fasts will gain lots of rewards in terms of Allah's happiness.

Regarding this a person asked the Prophet(pbuh) , "O messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can give a fasting person to break his fast." And the messenger(pbuh) Replied to him "Allah grants the same reward to the one who gives a fasting person to break the fast a mere date, or a drink of water, or a sip of milk."

The month of Ramadan is divided in three categories The first of which brings Allah's mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahan-nam."

RAMADAN - Mending habits and developing character

Ramadan is the month of heightened Allah-consciousness, of attaining taqwa (piety), of training ourselves to be the best we can be; a month to initiate improvement of reputation, character and for the cultivation of good habits.

People who try their best to live by the highest values are surely people of integrity and indeed people of moral conscience. What is morality though?

Morality describes the principles that govern our behavior and relates to our behavior at three levels...

Ramadan and the Making of Our Moral Fiber

Ramadan is here, and as we move through this blessed month there are many goals we've planned to reach. Each person is unique and will have individual goals, but here are five aspects of worship that we ought to work on this Ramadan.

QURAN: Ramadan is the best time to reconnect with the Quran. The best advice I have been given is to remember to stay consistent with one's recitation and in pondering over the verses of the Quran. Try to set a minimum amount of Quran that you would like to read everyday. In this way, you will ensure that every day of Ramadan will be filled with Quran. A good way to reach your goal is by setting aside time after each salah to read the specific portion of the Quran that you planned to read for the day. But we do not want to fall into the habit of reading the Quran without understanding the beauty within it. Integrating the meaning and the background will help us understand the reasons why the Quran is a Book of Guidance.

This Ramadan, Do It Right

It usually hits me around the 10th night of Ramadan, when the first third of the month, the days of Mercy, have passed. The month is not nearly over, but I find myself looking back and feeling under-accomplished.

The Ramadan "Plan" that I had written up during Sha'ban was a hefty one, detailing every action, every thought and prayer that I have to perform and think and reflect upon to reach the status of the Ideal Muslimah that I have formulated. And I have 30 days to do it... perfectly. Needless to say, after about 10 days of Ramadan, I have fallen short on my (too stringent) plan and I am feeling disappointment and regret.

Whether or not you make too big plans for Ramadan or the first days of it zoom past before you realize it, many of us experience a sort of mid-Ramadan blues. The mid-Ramadan lull is visually obvious in the waning lines at taraweeh prayers. During the first week of Ramadan, pity the person who leaves their house five minutes later than planned. Not only will they have to park in the nether regions of the lot/field/gravel pit, when they finally reach the place of prayer, they will be banished to the basement/babysitting room when they get inside.

Hastening in breaking the fast:

Hastening in breaking the fast:

It is preferred for the fasting person to hasten in breaking the fast when the sun has set.

Sahl ibn Sa`d reported that the Prophet (S) said: "The people will not cease to be upon good as long as they hasten in breaking the fast." [Bukhari and Muslim].

Sahl also reports that the Prophet (S) said: "The Ummah will not cease to be upon my Sunnah as long as they do not await the stars when breaking the fast". [Ibn Hibban; Sahih]

'Amr ibn Maimun adds: "The companions of Muhammad (S), would be the first to break the fast and the last to eat their Suhoor." [al-Baihaqi, Abdur-Razzaq and al-Haithami; Sahih]

He (S) said: "The religion [of Islam] shall continue to prevail as long as people hasten breaking the fast, for the Jews and Christians delay it" [Sahih al-Jami`]

Abud-Dardaa' said: "Three things are from the manners of the Prophets: Hastening in breaking the fast, delaying the Suhoor, and placing the right hand upon the left in prayer". [Tabarani]

Ahmad and Abu Dawood recorded through Anas with a Hasan Isnad that the Messenger of Allah (S) used to break the fast before praying.

He (S) used not to pray Maghrib unless he breaks his fast, even if it be a sip of water. [Sahih al-Jami`]

The fast should be broken with dates or, if that is not available, with some water.

Anas reported: "The Messenger of Allah (S) would break his fast with ripe dates before he would pray. If those were not available, he would eat dried dates. If those were not available, he would drink some water." [Abu Dawud, al-Hakim and at-Tirmithi, / Sahih al-Jami`]

Sulaiman ibn 'Amr reported that the Prophet said: "If one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates. If dates are not available, then with water, for water is purifying." [Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi]

After the prayer, the person may continue to eat, but if the evening meal is ready, one may begin with that. Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah said: "If the food is already presented, eat before the sunset prayer and do not eat your meals in haste." [al-Bukhari and Muslim]

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Supplications while breaking the fast

We have already mentioned in the virtues of Fasting that at the time of breaking the fast supplication is granted. Moreover you are encouraged, Dear Sister, if you want more reward, to feed fasting brothers and sisters for you will get the reward of their fasting besides yours!

Our Generous and Dear Prophet (S) said: "He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will be reduced from the fasting person's reward". [Ahmad, at-Tirmithi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibban; Sahih]

When invited to break the fast, the Prophet (S) used to supplicate for his hosts by saying:

*"Akala ta`amakumul-abraar, wa sallat `alaikumul-mala'ikah, wa aftara `indakumus-sa'imoon" May the righteous eat you food, may the angel seek forgiveness for you and may those who fast break the fast with you. [Ahmad, an-Nasa'i and others; Sahih]

*Allahumma aT`im man aT`amanee, wasqi man saqani O Allah fees the one who fed me, and give drink to the one who gave me drink. [Muslim]

*Allahumma 'ghfir lahum warHamhum wa baarik lahum feema razaqtahum O Allah forgive them, have mercy upon them and place bless what You provided for them. [Muslim]

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Using the Siwak [tooth stick brush]:

It is preferred for the fasting person to use a tooth stick or a brush. There is no difference if he uses it at the beginning or the ending of the day.

Aisha said, "The Prophet said, "It (i.e. Siwak) is a purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah's pleasures." [Bukhari]

'Amir bin Rabi'a said: "I saw the Prophet cleaning his teeth with Siwak while he was fasting so many times as I can't count." And narrated Abu Huraira, "The Prophet said, 'But for my fear that it would be hard for my followers, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak on every performance of ablution."

The same is narrated by Jabir and Zaid bin Khalid from the Prophet who did not differentiate between a fasting and a non-fasting person in this respect (using Siwak). [Bukhari]

Being generous and studying the Qur'an:

Being generous and studying the Qur'an is recommended during all time, but it is especially stressed during the month of Ramadan.

Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn 'Abbas said: "The Prophet was the most generous of people, but he would be his most generous during Ramadan when he would meet with [the angel] Jibreel (Gabriel). He would meet with him every night and recite the Qur'an. When Jibreel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind."

Abu Huraira reported that Jibreel used to repeat the recitation of the Qur'an with the Prophet once a year, but he repeated it twice with him in the year he died.

Ramazan me Salah zaroor kiya karo - Just Do It

Don't make Ramadan an eating contest