Taking pills to prevent period in the last ten days of Ramadaan

If a woman's period is going to come in the last ten days of Ramadaan,
is it permissible for her to use contraceptive pills so that she can
continue to worship during these days of blessing?
Praise be to Allaah.
This question was put to ShaykhMuhammad ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah
have mercy on him)and he said:
We do not think that she should use these pills to help her worship
Allaah, because the period which happens to her is something which
Allaah has decreed for the daughters of Adam.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)entered upon
'Aa'ishah when she was with him during the Farewell Pilgrimage. She
had entered ihraam for 'Umrah, thenher period came before she reached
Makkah. He entered upon her and found her weeping. He asked, "Why are
you weeping?" and she told himthat her period had come. He told her,
"This is something which Allaah has decreed for thedaughters of Adam."
So the period is not something which is under her control. If it comes
during the last ten days of Ramadaan, then let her accept what Allaah
has decreed for her and not use these pills. I have heard from
trustworthy doctorsthat these pills cause harm to the uterus and the
blood, and they may cause deformity in thefoetus if she should
conceive. Hence we think that she should avoid them. If her period
comes and she cannot pray or fast, thisis beyond her control and is
the decree of Allaah.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him)

The hadeeth of Salmaan about the virtues of Ramadaan is da’eef (weak)

A khateeb of a masjid in my area mentioned in a khutbah a Hadeeth
narrated by Salmaan, mayAllah be pleased with him,that the prophet,
peace and blessings be upon him, gave them a khutbahin the last day of
Sha'abaan .. etc. some brothers objected to whatthe khateeb says in
front of the worshippers sayingthat this Hadeeth is fabricated. He
also said that the prophet said: "who feeds a fasting person, Allah
will bless him a drink of my Cistern (Al-Hawd), he will never feel
thirsty after it until heis in paradise" and also said: "who makes it
easy on his salve, Allah will forgive him and frees him of the
hellfire". The brother objected and said:this is lying and the prophet
did not say this. Aperson tells lies about what the prophet said
should expect his place in the hell". Is the Hadeeth mentioned correct
or not?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The hadeeth of Salmaan was narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah in his Saheeh. He
said: Chapter on the virtues of the month of Ramadaan if the report is
saheeh. Then he said: 'Ali ibn Hijr al-Sa'di told us, Yoosuf ibn
Ziyaad told us, Humaam ibn Yahya told us, from 'Ali ibn Zayd ibn
Jad'aan, from Sa'eed ibn al-Musayyab, from Salmaan who said: The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
addressed us on the last day of Sha'baan and said: "O people, there
has cometo you a great month, a blessed month, a month in which there
is a night that is better than a thousand months. Allaah has made
fasting it obligatory and spending its nights in prayer a voluntary
act. Whoever draws close (to Allaah) during it by doing a good deed
will be like one who did an obligatory deed in any other month, and
the one who does an obligatory deed in it will be like one who did
seventy obligatory deeds in any other month. It is the month of
patience, and the reward of patience is Paradise. It is the month of
helping others. It is a month in which the believer's provision is
increased. Whoever gives a fasting person food with which to break his
fast will have his sins forgiven and he will be ransomed from the
Fire, and he will have a reward like his without it detracting from
his reward in the slightest." They said: Not all of us can find
something to give to the fasting person with which to break his fast.
He said: "Allaah will give this reward to the one who gives a fasting
person a date or a drink of water or a sip of milk. It is a month the
beginning of which is mercy, the middle of which is forgiveness and
the end of which is ransom from the Fire. The one who reduces the
burden for his slave will be forgiven by Allaah, andHe will ransom him
from the Fire. So do a lot of four good deeds during it,two with which
you will please your Lord and two which you cannot do without. As for
the two good deeds with which you will please your Lord, they are
bearing witness that there is no god except Allaah, and seekingHis
forgiveness. As for those which you cannot do without, they are:
asking Allaah for Paradise and seeking refuge with Him from Hell.
Whoever feeds a fasting person until he is full, Allaah will give him
to drink from myCistern, a drink after which he will not thirst again
until he enters Paradise."
Its isnaad includes 'Ali ibn Zayd ibn Jad'aan, who is da'eef (weak)
because of his bad memory. Its isnaad also includes Yoosuf ibn Ziyaad
al-Basri,whose hadeeth is munkar.It also includes Humaam ibn Yahya ibn
Dinaar al-'Awadi, concerning whom Ibn Hajar said in al-Taqreeb: He is
trustworthy but he may make mistakes.
Based on this, the hadeeth with this isnaad is not false, but it is
weak. However, many of the virtues of Ramadaan are proven in the
saheeh ahaadeeth.
Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah li'l-Buhoothal-'Ilmiyyah wa'l-Ifta.

She has reached the age of puberty but she is not strong enough to fast

A girl has reached pubertyat the age of eleven and she is weak. Does
she have to fast? If she is unable to fast then what should she do?.
Praise be to Allaah.
If the situation is as described, then she has tofast because
menstruationis one of the signs of puberty for women, if it comes when
she is nine years old or more. If she isable to fast then she mustdo
it at the proper time, and if she is unable to do it or she faces
extreme hardship in doing so, thenshe may not fast but she must make
up the days that she did not fast whenshe is able to do so. End quote.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah li'l-Buhoothal-'Ilmiyyah wa'l-Ifta/

1a] Nothing is Lost

1a]
witnessed by Allah, so Nuhwill receive his reward. Furthermore he was
savedfrom the flood, and went on to have more children, and to leave
his own legacy of offspring and teaching. And here we are, thousands
of years later, knowing his name, repeating his story, learning from
him! His story has become a part ofuniversal human mythology. How then
could he be a failure? He affected the world in a profound way until
the Day of Judgment, and he achieved that only by doing his job.
So I would like to suggest a replacement for the negative mantra,
"Everything falls apart." A truer statement, and one based on faith,
would be, "Nothing is lost."
Karma, the universe and the Law of Conservation of Energy
But what if you don't believe in Allah? Well, first of all I would say
that's a shame, because every timeyou put a bite of food in your mouth
that's a grace and a blessing from Him. Going back to Nuh for a
moment, The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "When the death
of the Messenger of Allah Nuh approached, he admonished his sons:
'Indeed I would give youfar reaching advice, commanding you to do two
things, and warningyou against doing two things as well. I charge you
to believe that there is no God but Allah and that if the seven
heavensand the seven earths were put on one side of a scale and the
words "There is no God but Allah" were put on the other, the latter
would outweigh the former. I warn you against associating partners
with Allah and against pride." (Saheeh al-Bukhari).
But even so, if you are Buddhist or Hindu then you believe in cause
and effect on a cosmic level. You believe that the good you do returns
in one way or another, and any evil you perpetrate also boomerangs
into your own soul. These are the fruits of karma. So again, nothing
is lost.
If you deny God and believe only in science andenergy and matter, then
you know that still, nothing is lost! The universe is a finite system.
Our universe began at a single point in time – whatscientists call the
Big Bang.The cosmos is expanding, flying out in every direction, until
one day in the unimaginable future it will reach the limits of
expansion and begin to contract, slowly at first then faster, drawn
inwardsby gravity until it collapsesinto the nothingness from whence
it came. Within this finite universe, energy can be transformed into
matter, or matter into energy, but nothing new iscreated, and nothing
is lost. There is no universal drain. In science this is known as the
Law of Conservation of Energy:
"Energy in a system may take on various forms (e.g. kinetic,
potential, heat, light). The law of conservation of energy states that
energy may neither be created nor destroyed. Therefore the sum of all
the energies in the system is a constant."
The greatest love
Personally, as someone who has suffered from the tendency of all
things to fall apart – what we mightcall the entropy of love – the
purely scientific perspective is cold comfort. When I'm mourning the
loss of a friend, it's no comfort to know that the universe is a
closed system, and that nothing is lost in the physical, atomic sense.
But it is a great comfort to know that all the love, work and good
I've done means something, both in a spiritual sense, and in a human
sense.
The American writer Washington Irving wrote, "Love is never lost. If
not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purifythe heart."
Every act of mercy, every charity, every moment of love you have given
another human being, ripples out through degrees of separation,
affecting the world in a profound way. Even if a relationship is
broken, even if the person now views you with enmity, it doesn't
invalidate what you did. The love that you gave is seen by Allah. On
the earthly plane, that loveaffects your own heart in good ways, then
it percolates out to those around you and changes the world. It
matters. It was not in vain. Nothing islost.
Since I've been speaking oflove, let me finish with a reminder of the
most important love of all. The famous scholar Ibn Qayyimal-Jawziyya
wrote:
"Truly in the heart there is a void that can not be removed except
with the company of Allah. And in itthere is a sadness that can not be
removed except with the happiness of knowing Allah and being true to
Him. And in it thereis an emptiness that can not be filled except with
love for Him and by turning to Him and alwaysremembering Him And if a
person were given all of the world and what is in it,it would not fill
this emptiness."
The greatest love we can have is our love for Allah, and it is always
requited. Allah's love descends uponus in every moment, in more ways
than we can see or understand. Alhamdulillah.

1] Nothing is Lost

1]
Nothing is lost. The years of your life that you poured like water
into a now-failed marriage, or the immense love and attention you gave
a child or brother or friend who now treats you like an enemy, or the
work you did for a company that closed down, or the sweat you put into
a project that ultimately failed… none of that is lost.
It's particularly hard when a relationship collapses, leaving
bitterness where previously there was passion. It's galling. You feel
confused, betrayed, depressed. Even years lateryou might feel that you
wasted those years, that you poured love from yourinnermost core and
watched it go down a drain.
The viewpoint of faith
I understand the feeling. I've been there. I've been perplexed and
depressed, with the phrase "Everything falls apart" running through my
head, thinking about how all things collapse in the end, and how good
things never seem to last.
But that is the narrow viewpoint of depression. Itis a singularly
negative viewpoint, and therefore itis not the viewpoint of imaan
(faith), because faithis the parent of hope. Faithgives you a window
into the unseen, the world thatIslam calls al-ghayb , and one of the
elements of the unseen world that Allah has informed us of is that
nothing is lost:
"And their Lord responded to them, "Never will I allow to be lost the
work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one
another." (Quran, Surat Aal-Imraan, 3:195)
Allah knows the frustration and pain we feel, so He assures us that
none of our deeds are lost,not only because He sees all, but because
we are "of one another", in other words we human beings are all
connected. We are all a part of each other, and so any love and work
that one of us puts forward affects us all.
And Allah says,
"So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, And whoever
does an atom's weight of evil will see it." (Quran Surat Az-Zalzalah,
99:7-8)
Your love did not evaporate into nothingness. Your sweat and blood
were not poured down a drain. Those years of your life, those anxious
moments and anxiety dreams, were not in vain. Your silent good deeds,
and the most tender moments of your heart, were witnessed by the One
who matters, for Allah sees all. Everything isseen and valued. Every
good deed is blessed, every act of love is rewarded, everything is
returned to you in barakahmany times over. Nothing is lost.
The Prophet Nuh (pbuh)
When the Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) preached to his people,
calling them to tawheed (monotheism) amidst the whirlpool of
polytheism, they stuck their fingers in their ears and mocked him… and
in the end the flood came upon them because of their wickedness,
destroying them all except for a handful of followers… destroying even
Nuh's wife and one of his sons.
When this happened, was Nuh a failure? Were his ages of hard work in
vain? Were his deeds lost? Do you find yourself saying, "Poor Nuh"?
If so, then you have missed the point. Nuh was a Prophet, a hero, and
a survivor. He fulfilled his mission and delivered the message. That
was his job and he did it. It was witnessed by Allah,:->

Fast 7-Step Cure for Depression

Do a complete focused faston Mondays and Thursdays, and do the following:
1) Get up and read from the Quran in Arabic and English – "Inna fee
Khalqis samaawati wal Ard" (Surat Aali Imraan, 3:191-end) and crying.
2) Make a focused wudu' and pray Tahajjud, followed by:
3) a very light Suhoor (brown bread, olives and extra virgin olive oil
+ 2 table spoons full of cannedtuna or one egg) followed by:
4) a day of focused sunnahand Fard prayers.
5) Utilize throughout the day any of the Prophetic du'aas requesting ease like:
"Allahumma laa sahla illaa maa ja'altahu sahlaa, wa anta taj'alus
sa'ba in shi'ta sahlaa."
(O Allah, nothing is easy except what you make easy, and You can make
what is difficult easy if You wish)
As well as the other du'aasfor depression like: Allaahumma rahmataka
arjoo falaa takilnee ilaa nafsee tarfata 'ayn. wa aslih lee sha'nee
kullah. Laa ilaaha illaa Ant. (O Allah, it is Your mercy that I hope
for, so don't leave me in charge of myaffairs even for the blinking of
an eye. And rectify all of my affairs forme. Nothing has the right to
be worshipped except You). – See Hisnul Muslim – the Muslim Fortress –
for more.
6) Then break the fast with3 dates and a glass of water and pray Maghrib;
7) Have a light Iftaar followed by a focused Ishaa prayer.
The depression should begin to lift, if not go altogether from the
very first day of the Fast cure. Itwill work if you do it believing
with all your heart, strongly that this Prophetic formula WORKS and
the degree to which it does work depends on how seriously you take it
and apply it.

4a] Let Go of Grudges, for Your Own Sake

4a]
corrupted by sin, then the glory of Islam is that innocence canbe
yours again, with tawbah. We Muslims don't believe in original sin.
All human beings were created pure, on the fitrah.That is your
birthright.
That's why 'A'isha reportedAllah's Messenger (may peace be upon him)
as having said: "None of you should say: 'My soul has become evil,'
but he should say: 'My soul has become remorseless.'"
In other words, your soul has not turned into an evil thing. It is not
totally lost. It is just at a point when it is not feeling remorse or
sorrow for its actions. But that can be changed! The soul can be
softened through prayer, dua', dikhr(remembrance of Allah), fasting,
reciting Quran, doing good to others, and other acts of worship,
untilyour soul once again feels remorse, and can return toa state of
purity. SubhanAllah!
Allah knew exactly what He was doing when He made you. If you don't
trust your own judgment, then trust Allah's.
Tonight, let go of your grudges and sleep with a clean heart. Tomorrow
theday is new, and life goes on. You have far to go and much to do.
Look ahead, with a sunrise in your eyes.

5] Let Go of Grudges, for Your Own Sake

5]
"Pardon them and overlook – Allah loves those who do good." (Qur'an 5:13)
If we hold grudges, our spirits get stuck like trapped birds. We can't
fly the way we're supposed to, because our own resentments bind us and
hold us down. When you hate someone, they don't feel it . Only you do.
It affects only your own heart, until your heart hardens and your
vision narrows, and life loses its joy and zest.
We must forgive each other and forgive ourselves. Let go of
resentments from the past.Do it for your own sake, because letting go
and forgiving is the only way to be happy.
Whatever others have done against you, let it go.Consign it to Allah,
then forgive. Whatever you have done against others, apologize and ask
forgiveness, and ask Allah'sforgiveness as well.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was seated in a gathering
with the Sahabah when he looked towards the entrance and said, "A man
of Paradise is coming." Atthat instance someone who seemed to be very
ordinary entered the masjid where they were seated. One sahabi was
curious as to why the Prophet had said such a thing about this man, so
he followed the man to hishouse. The sahabi told the man that he was a
traveler, and was invited to stay as a guest. For three days the
sahabi saw nothing unusual, so he finally told the man what the
Prophet had said and asked him what was so special. The man thought
for a long time and said, "There might be one thing — before going to
sleep every night I forgive everyone and sleep with a clean heart."
Mr. Evatt
I went to high school in Saudi Arabia, and I had an American teacher
who I really liked. He was my English teacher for two years and his
name was Mr. Evatt. He was from Georgia and had long hair and a heavy
Southern drawl. He lived in a very old neighborhood of Riyadh, and I
always foundit amusing when the bus would pick him up in the morning,
as he was standing beside flocks of goats and smoking a cigarette, and
his shirt already plastered with sweat at 7am. He used to call us
students, "Little wallets", which was his version of " walad ", which
means boy in Arabic. But was a good teacher and I respected him.
Sometime during the second year, I was passing by the teacher's lounge
and the door was open. I heard a few of the teachers talking about
Arabs. I paused outside thedoor to listen, and I heard Mr. Evatt refer
to his students as "sand-ni****s." I was very hurt. I think it also
fueled the beginning of a deep resentment and intolerance in me that
lasted for many years. I returned to the USA for college, and for a
long time, if I ever found out that one of my non-Muslim friends
harbored the least bit of bigotry against Muslims or Arabs, I would
cut that person off forever, and literally never speak another word to
him. I hadno patience for it. I also had an increasing sense that I
did not belong in American society. I had always been proud of being
an American, but from the moment that I overheard Mr. Evatt, I began
to feel that while I loved America, America didnot love me back. I
became restless and unsatisfied with life in America. My most
satisfying times were my trips abroad to Mexico or Costa Rica. Finally
I left the USA and emigrated to Panama.
I was happy in Panama. It was a peaceful, beautiful place. The people
there had no preconceptions about Arabs and Muslims. Ithink I was able
to finally relax, and breathe easily. I only came back to the USA a
few years ago, but I've realized that somewhere along the road, I let
go of the grudges I was holding.I'm more easy going with people now. I
have a martial arts teacher who has some anti-Arab ideas, but I am
patient with him. I have realized that it's notthe bigots' fault that
they are ignorant. They only need to be educated. Just the fact of
knowing me can go a long way toward dispelling stereotypes.
It's so much simpler to extend love to people, andshow them the way,
rather than react with anger. And it's better for my own soul. I feel
calm now, and balanced. Alhamdulillah. If I could see Mr. Evatt now, I
would thank him for being a good teacher. He must have cared about us,
or he would not have made the effort. And maybe I would ask him about
the statement he made. But I wouldn't blame him or getangry. I wish
him well.
Forgive Yourself
This is important. Forgiveness needs to extend in all directions, even
to yourself. Whateveryou've done against yourself, forgive yourself.
Don't hold grudges againstyourself. We humans all make mistakes.
Don't call yourself names. You are not stupid, shameful, or useless.
Just the opposite! You are bright, special and unique, with a special
mission in this life. If you feel that you have been corrupted by
sin,:->

4a] When You Forgive, You Live

4a]
resentment or fear. At times I hold conflicting emotions: I might love
someone, but mistrust them. I think I should take a lesson from my
daughter Salma. I make mistakes with her, but her love flows like a
mountain stream. No one forgives with more grace than a child, and no
one forgives more fully than God.

4] When You Forgive, You Live

4]
Forgiveness is not for the weak. Being able to forgive those who have
wronged you is a mark of spiritual strength and confidence. When you
forgive, you grow, your heart begins to heal, your back straightens
up, your eyes clear so that you can see the road ahead. Anger is a
spiritual sickness; but when you forgive you live.
I know this isn't easy. In anearlier article I mentioned my time in
Fort Worth. There was one particular person there who treated me quite
badly. It's very difficult for me to hold an image of that person in
my mind and say, "I forgive you." It's almost frightening in some
strange way. But in doing it, I feel something in my chest let go, and
I find tears in my eyes, and a smile on my face. SubhanAllah.
It doesn't matter if the other person deserves forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself. If someone has hurt you,
don't worry about receiving an apology or explanation, or making them
understand you. You'll rarely get an explanation that makes sense. In
fact, if you want to move on, the best way to do that is to forgive.
Resentment is a chain that binds you to the other person, but
forgiveness breaks the chain, so that you can release that person
along your anger.
Not to mention, as the poet Oscar Wilde said, "Always forgive your
enemies – nothing annoys them so much."
In ancient Chinese thought, the state of forgiveness is like a wide,
deep valley. That's becauseit opens your mind and allows your thoughts
to flow freely, while anger constricts your mind and makes you blind.
"Hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the
ignorant." (Qur'an, 7: 199)
In other words be constantly forgiving but don't give up your
principles ("command what is right"). If you've forgiven the ignorant
and they persist in their hurtfulways, then move on and leave them
behind. Separate yourself from those who are negative, and seek the
company of people who are supportiveand kind. Hold no rancor. When you
lay your head on the pillow, sleep in peace, and you'll wake with
tranquility.
I admit that I'm working on this. It's easy to say, "I forgive you."
The hard partis getting to a place wheremy heart is clear, where I
have no resentment or fear.:->

Compassion, Taqwa, Allah, Nature, the Heart

"Hatred and bigotry are NOT the permanent conditions of man. Dictators
fall and pass. War, oppression and hunger remain, but the power to
change those terrible things is in our hands. Allah made us khulafaa
over the earth. We have the ability to forgive, to understand, andto
comfort one another. I believe that compassion is the essence of who
we are.Is the best part of us, the quality that makes us worthy of the
mercy of Ar-Rahman. Our love is an elemental force, a vast untapped
potential. We only have to be who Allah created us to be. If we can
aspire to that, and hew to it, it will suffice us and the earth
itself."
- Wael Abdelgawad
***
"Do not become proud of your position. Do not become harsh toward
those weaker than yourself. And always speakof Allah's kindness to
you."- Ibn Isaq, "The Life of Muhammad"
Taqwa
"If we let Taqwa – Allah-consciousness – become our guide then it
leads us to self-awareness and sincerity. A person who cultivates
Taqwa can neverbecome a terrorist, an oppressor, a hypocrite. A person
with true Taqwa must shed compassion as the sun sheds light." - Wael
Abdelgawad
Changing the World
"Sometimes I want to ask God why He allows poverty, famine and
injustice in the world when He could do something about it; but I"m
afraid He might ask me the same question." - Anonymous
Allah
"People will love you for a short time but Allah will love you
forever. People will listen to you sometimes, but Allah will listen to
you all the time. People will forgive you sometimes, but Allah
forgives every time." - Anonymous
***
"You don't need a Plan B ifPlan A is for Allah." – Bilal Int'l
Nature
I gave my Salam to the mountain
And I drank from the mountain stream
And I walked upon its surface
And it all felt like a dream
And this mountain it is a Muslim
And I feel like he's my friend
And as I climbed on to his peak
I wished it would never end
- Hamza Robertson
The Heart
"Your heart is a mirror thatreflects the world. If it's clean, it will
see the world as it really is. If it's dirty and warped, it will see a
warped vision of the world." – Yasmin Mogahed
***
"When you get close to giving up take a step back,pray and come right
back to it. You just never know who you could be inspiring out there.
May Allah keep our faith strongand grant us the ability to turn back
to Him and to begrateful for that ability and many more…ameen ya Rabb.
This goes out to all those who inspire me."

8a] For whom is fasting Ramadaan obligatory?

8a]
As Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) interpreted it, it
refers to the old man and old woman who are not able to fast, so they
should feed one poor person for each day.
The fourth condition:
He should be settled (not travelling). If he is travelling then it is
not obligatory for him to fast, because Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning):
"and whoever is ill or on ajourney, the same number[of days which one
did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days"
[al-Baqarah 2:185]
The scholars are agreed that it is permissible for a traveller not to fast.
It is better for the traveller to do that which is easier. If fasting
is likelyto be harmful then it becomes haraam to fast, because Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allaah is
Most Merciful to you"
[al-Nisa' 4:29]
This indicates that whatever is harmful to a person is forbidden to
him. See also question no. 20165 .
If you ask, what is the degree of harm which makes fasting haraam?
The answer is:
Harm may be physical, or someone advises him thatfasting may harm him.
With regard to physical harm, that means that thesick person feels
that fasting is harming him and causing him pain, andwill delay his
recovery and so on.
With regard to being advised, this means that aknowledgeable and
trustworthy doctor tells him that it will harm him.
The fifth condition:
There should be no impediments. This appliesspecifically to women.
Women who are menstruating or bleeding following childbirth should not
fast, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "Is it not the case that when she gets her period, she does not
pray or fast?"
So she should not fast andher fast is not valid in this case,
according to scholarly consensus. And she has to make up the days
missed, also according to scholarly consensus.
Al-Sharh al-Mumti', 6/330.
And Allaah knows best.

8] For whom is fasting Ramadaan obligatory?

8]
For whom is fasting Ramadaan obligatory?
Praise be to Allaah.
Fasting is obligatory for a person if he fulfils five conditions:
1- He is a Muslim
2- He is accountable (mukallaf)
3- He is able to fast
4- He is settled (not travelling)
5- There are no impediments to fasting
If these five conditions aremet, then it is obligatory for a person to fast.
Kaafirs are excluded from the first condition. The kaafir is not
obliged to fast and his fast is not valid. If he becomes Muslim he is
not obliged to make up fasts from before.
The evidence for that is the verse in which Allaah says
(interpretation of themeaning):
"And nothing prevents their contributions from being accepted from
themexcept that they disbelieved in Allaah and in His Messenger
(Muhammad) and that they came not to As-Salaah (the prayer) except in
a lazy state, and that they offer not contributions but unwillingly"
[al-Tawbah 9:54]
If the contribution is not acceptable even though itbenefits others,
because of their kufr, then other acts of worship may be even more
unacceptable.
He does not have to makeup fasts if he becomes Muslim because Allaah
says (interpretation of themeaning):
"Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief),
their past will be forgiven"
[al-Anfaal 8:38]
And it was proven in mutawaatir reports that the Messenger (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not tell those who became Muslim
to make up the obligatory duties that they had missed.
Will the kaafir be punished in the Hereafter for not fasting if he did
not become Muslim?
The answer is:
Yes, he will be punished for not fasting, and for not doing any other
obligatory duties, becauseif the Muslim who obeyedAllaah and adhered
to His laws will be punished for that, then it is more apt that he
(the kaafir) shouldbe punished. If the kaafir is to be punished for
the blessings of Allaah that heenjoyed, such as food, drink and
clothing, then itis more appropriate that he will be punished for
doing haraam actions andnot doing obligatory duties. This is by way of
analogy.
With regard to the texts, Allaah says that those on the Right (i.e.,
the believers) will say to the disbelievers:
" 'What has caused you toenter Hell?'
They will say: 'We were not of those who used to offer the Salaah (prayers),
Nor used we to feed Al-Miskeen (the poor);
And we used to talk falsehood (all that which Allaah hated) with vain talkers.
And we used to belie the Day of Recompense'"
[al-Muddaththir 74:42]
These four things are what will cause them to enter Hell.
"We were not of those who used to offer the Salaah (prayers)" means
they did not pray; "Nor used we to feed Al-Miskeen (the poor)" means
they did not pay zakaah; "And we used to talk falsehood (all that
which Allaah hated) with vain talkers" means things like mocking the
verses of Allaah; "And we used to belie the Day of Recompense."
The second condition:
He should be accountable (mukallaf). The one who ismukallaf is one who
is hasreached the age of puberty and is of sound mind, because a minor
or one who is insane is not accountable. Puberty is reached when one
of the three signs is noticed – see question no. 20475 .
The one who is of sound mind is the opposite of one is insane, which
is one who has lost his mind, whether he is insane or feeble-minded.
Everyone who has lost hismind, in whatever sense, is not accountable
and he is not obliged to do any ofthe obligatory duties of Islam, be
it prayer, fastingor feeding the poor; he does not have to do anything
at all.
The third condition:
Being able to fast. The one who is unable to fast does not have to
fast, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"and whoever is ill or on ajourney, the same number[of days which one
did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days"
[al-Baqarah 2:185]
But being unable to fast falls into two categories: temporary
inability and permanent inability.
Temporary inability is that which is mentioned in the verse quoted
above, such as one who issick but hopes to recover, and the traveller.
These people are allowed not tofast, then they have to make up what
they missed.
Those who are permanently unable to fast, such as one who is sick and
has no hope of recovery, or those who are elderly and are unableto
fast, are mentioned in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
"And as for those who canfast with difficulty, (e.g. anold man), they
have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskeen (poor person) (for
every day)"
[al-Baqarah 2:184]
As Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) interpreted it, it
refers to the old man and old woman who are not able to fast,:->

1b] The Muslim in Ramadaan

1b]
(i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him
a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by
Allaah's Permission with all Decrees,
(All that night), there is peace (and goodness fromAllaah to His
believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn"
[al-Qadar 97:1-5]
So worship on this night is better than worshipping for a thousand months.
2 - In this month was revealed the best of Books to the best of the
Prophets (peace be upon them). Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed theQur'aan, a guidance for
mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between
right and wrong)"
[al-Baqarah 2:185]
"We sent it (this Qur'aan) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of
Al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan -- the 9th month of the Islamic
calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will
reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our
Oneness of worship].
Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments.
As a Command (or this Qur'aan or the Decree of every matter) from Us.
Verily, We are ever sending (the Messengers)"
[al-Dukhaan 44:3-5]
It was narrated by Ahmadand by al-Tabaraani in al-Mu'jam al-Kabeer
that Waathilah ibn al-Asqa' (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"The Scriptures of Ibraaheem were sent down on the first of the month
of Ramadaan. The Tawraat was sent down on the sixth of Ramadaan.The
Injeel was sent down on the thirteenth of Ramadaan. The Zaboor was
sent down on the eighteenth of Ramadaan, and the Qur'aan was sent down
on the twenty-fourth of Ramadaan.
Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 1575.
2 - In this month the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of
Hell are shut, and the devils are chained up.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him)
that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and
the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are put in chains."
(Agreed upon).
Al-Nasaa'i narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When Ramadaan
comes, the gates of mercy are opened and the gates of Hell are shut,
and the devils are put in chains."
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami', 471.
Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah and Ibn Khuzaymah narrated in one report:
"When the first night of the month of Ramadaan comes, the devils and
rebellious jinn are chainedup and the gates of Hell are closed, and
not one gate of it is opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and not
one gate of it is closed. And a caller cries out: 'O seeker of good,
proceed; O seeker of evil, desist. And Allaah has those whom He
redeems from the Fire, and that happens every night."
Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami', 759.
If it is asked, how come we see many evil actions and sins committed
in Ramadaan, for if the devils are chained up that would not happen?
The answer is that evil actions become less for those who observe the
conditions and etiquette of fasting;
or that the ones who are chained up are some of the devils - namely
the rebellious ones - not all ofthem;
or that what is meant is that evil is reduced in Ramadaan, which is a
proven fact. If evil happens at this time, it is still less than at
other times. Even if all of them (the devils) are chained up, that
does not necessarily mean that no evil or sin will happen, because
there are other causes of that besides the devils, such as evil souls,
bad habits and the devils among mankind. Al-Fath, 4/145
4 - There are many kinds of worship in Ramadaan, some of which are not
done at other times, such as fasting, praying qiyaam, feeding the
poor, i'tikaaf, sadaqah, and reading Qur'aan.
I ask Allaah, the Exalted, the Almighty, to help us all to do that and
to help us to fast and pray qiyaam, and to do acts of worship and to
avoid doing evil. Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds.

1a] The Muslim in Ramadaan

1a]
remembering Allaah (dhikr), paying attention to the rights of
neighbours, relatives and the Muslims, spreading the greeting of
salaam, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, urging one
another to follow the truth and bepatient and steadfast in doing so,
being patient in avoiding evil actions and in doing good deeds, and
accepting the decree of Allaah with patience.
Then we should take stock of ourselves and oursins and our following
whims and desires. We should stop ourselves from persisting in that,
whether the sin is great or small, whether it is a sin of the eye, by
looking at that which Allaah has forbidden; or by listening to music;
or by walking tothings of which Allaah does not approve; or by using
one's hands to srike in a manner with which Allaah is not pleased; or
by consuming things that Allaah has forbidden such as riba (usury) and
bribes, or any other means of consuming people's wealth unlawfully.
We should never forget that Allaah stretches forthHis hand during the
day to accept the repentance of those who sinned at night, and He
stretches forth His hand at night to accept the repentance of those
who sinned during the day. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
"And march forth in the way (which leads to) forgiveness from your
Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared
for Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).
Those who spend (in Allaah's Cause) in prosperity and in adversity,
who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allaah loves
Al-Muhsinoon (the good-doers).
And those who, when they have committed Faahishah (illegal sexual
intercourse) or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allaah and ask
forgiveness for their sins; -- and none can forgive sins but Allaah --
and do not persist in what (wrong) they have done, while they know.
For such, the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with
rivers flowing underneath(Paradise), wherein they shall abide forever.
How excellent is this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds
accordingto Allaah's Orders)"
[Aal 'Imraan 3:133-136]
"Say: "O 'Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves
(by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of
Allaah, verily,Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful"
[al-Zumar 39:53]
"And whoever does evil orwrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allaah's
forgiveness, he will find Allaah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful"
[al-Nisa' 4:110]
By taking stock, repentingand seeking forgiveness, this is how we
should welcome Ramadaan. "Thesmart man is the one whotakes stock of
himself andstrives to do that which will benefit him after death, and
the helpless one is the one who follows his own whims and desires and
engages in wishful thinking, (assuming that Allaah willforgive him
regardless of what he does and that he does not need to strive to good
deeds)."
The month of Ramadaan is the month of great gains and profits. The
smart trader is the one who makes the most of special occasions to
increase his profits. So make the most of this month by doing lots of
acts of worship, praying a great deal, reading Qur'aan, forgiving
people, being kind to others and giving charity to the poor.
In the month of Ramadaan the gates of Paradise are opened and the
gates of Hell are shut. The devils are put in chains and a caller
cries out each night, O seeker of good, proceed, O seekerof evil,
desist.
So, O slaves of Allaah, be among the people of good, following the
path of your righteous forebears who were guided by the Sunnah of your
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), so that we may
end Ramadaan with our sins forgiven and our righteous deeds accepted.
We should note that the month of Ramadaan is the best of months.
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
Another of example of that - i.e., of the differentiation between the
things that Allaah has created - is the fact that the month of
Ramadaan is superior to all other months, and the last ten nights are
superior to the other nights."
Zaad al-Ma'aad, 1/56
This month is superior to others in four things:
1 - In it there is the best night of the year, which isLaylat al-Qadr.
Allaah says(interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, We have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in theNight of Al-Qadr (Decree).
And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?
The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e.
worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a
thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by
Allaah's Permission with all Decrees,:->

1] The Muslim in Ramadaan

1]
What should we say to the Muslims on the occasion of the beginning of Ramadaan?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah says (interpretationof the meaning):
"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed theQur'aan, a guidance for
mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between
right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescenton the first
night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must
observe Sawm (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey,
the same number[of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be
made up] from other days. Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not
want to make things difficult for you. (He wantsthat you) must
complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah
[i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for
having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him."
[al-Baqarah 2:185]
This blessed month is a great opportunity for goodness, barakah
(blessing), worship and obedience towards Allaah.
It is a great month, a noble season, a month in which hasanaat
(rewards for good deeds) are multiplied and in which committing
sayi'aat (bad deeds) is more serious than at other times. The gates of
Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the sinners'
repentance to Allaah is accepted. It is a month whose beginning is
mercy, its middle is forgiveness and its end is redemption from the
Fire.
So give thanks to Him for the season of goodness and blessing that He
has bestowed upon you, and for the means of bounty and various kinds
of greatblessings for which He hassingled you out. Make themost of
this blessed time by filling it with acts of worship and forsaking
haraam things, so that you may attain a good lifein this world and
happiness after death.
For the sincere believer, every month is an occasion for worship and
his whole life is spent in obeying Allaah, but in the month of
Ramadaan he has even more motives todo good and his heart is even more
focused on worship, and he turns even more to his Lord. By His grace,
our generous Lord bestows His bounty upon the fasting believersand
multiplies the rewardfor them on this blessed occasion, so He gives
abundantly and rewards generously for righteous deeds. Time passes
quickly
Days pass so quickly, as if they were mere moments. We welcomed
Ramadaan, then we bade it farewell, and only a short period of time
passed and we are welcoming Ramadaan again. So we should hasten to do
good deeds in this month and strive to fill it with that which Allaah
is pleased with andwith that which will help us on the Day when we
meet Him.
How can we prepare for Ramadaan?
We can prepare for Ramadaan by taking stockof ourselves and
recognizing our shortcomings in living up to the Shahaadatayn, or our
shortcoming in fulfilling our duties, or ourshortcomings in not
keeping away from the desires and doubts that we may have fallen into…
We should set ourselves straight so that in Ramadaan we will have a
higher degree of faith. Forfaith increases and decreases. It increases
through obedience to Allaah and it decreases through disobedience
andsin. The first act of obedience that a person should achieve is
that of being a true slave of Allaah and believing that there is none
that is rightfully worshipped except Allaah, so he directs all kinds
of worship to Allaah and does not associate anyoneelse in worship with
Him. Each of us should realize that whatever has befallen him could
not have missed him, and whatever missed him could not have befallen
him, and that everything happens by the will and decree of Allaah.
We should avoid everything that could undermine our commitment to the
Shahaadatayn. This meanskeeping away from bid'ah(innovations) and
things that have been introduced into the religion. We should also
follow the principle of al-walaa' wa'l-bara' (loyalty and friendship
vs. disavowal and enmity), bytaking the believers as our friends and
by regarding the kaafirs and hypocrites as enemies, and we should
rejoice when the Muslims gain a victory over their enemies. We should
follow the example of theProphet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) and his companions and adhere to the Sunnah of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the way ofthe
Rightly-Guided Khulafa' who came after him. We should love the Sunnah
and love those who adhere to it and defend it, in whatever country
they are and whatever colour or nationality they are.
After that we should take stock of ourselves and recognize our
shortcomings in doing acts of worship such as praying in congregation,
remembering Allaah (dhikr),:->

2b/ Good deeds appear in the form of a man in the grave

2b/
Narrated by Ahmad in al-Musnad(394) and Ibn Maajah in al-Sunan (3781);
classed as hasan by al-Busayri in al-Zawaa'id and by al-Albaani in
al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (2829).
Al-Suyooti said in his commentary on the hadeeth (2/1242):
"In the form of a pale man". Al-Suyooti said: This is the one whose
colour has changed. It is as if he comes in this form so asto resemble
his companion in this world, or to draw attention to the fact that
just as his colour changed in this world because of staying up at
night to read Qur'aan, the Qur'aan will appear in a similar form
because of its striving on the Day of Resurrection until its
companionattains the ultimate goal in the Hereafter. End quote.
I have not found anything in the saheeh Sunnah to suggest that a man's
righteous deeds will appear in the form of a manin the grave except in
these twohadeeths.
As for the hadeeth which you quoted, it is not narrated in any of the
reliable books of Sunnah, and we have not found it with any isnaad,
saheeh (sound) or da'eef (weak). Rather it is something that appears
in somechat rooms or on some sites with no proof. Perhaps some
ignorant person wrote it himselfthen attributed it to the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), to encourage the people
to respect the Qur'aan and pay attention to it, but thesepeople do not
know that telling lies about the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) is one of the worst of sins that doom a person to
the Fire of Hell, and the good intention does not remove the burden of
sin for those who tell lies and fabricate ahaadeeth as if the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said them. The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)said: "Telling lies about
me is notlike telling lies about anyone else. Whoever tells a lie
about me deliberately, let him take his place in Hell." Narrated by
al-Bukhaari (1291) and Muslim (4)
And Allaah knows best.

2a/ Good deeds appear in the form of a man in the grave

2a/
How sound is this hadeeth?
"When a person dies, whilst his relatives are busy with his funeral
rites, a very handsome man stands at the head of the deceased and when
the body is shrouded, that man comes in between the shroud and chest
of the deceased, and after the burial, the people go back to their
homes and the two angels Munkar and Nakeer come to the grave and they
try to separate this handsome man from the deceased so that they will
be able to question the deceased about his faith. But the good-looking
man says: 'He is my friend, he is my friend, and Iwill never leave him
without intervening under any circumstances. If you are appointed to
question him, then do as you are commanded, but as for me, I can never
leave him until I admit him to Paradise.' Then the handsome man turns
to the deceased and says to him: 'I am the Qur'aan that you used to
recite in a loud voice sometimes and in a low voice sometimes. Do not
worry. After the questioning of Munkar and Nakeer, there will be no
sorrow after this day.' When the questioning ends, the handsomeman and
the angels prepare a bed of silk filled with musk for the deceased in
Paradise.".
Praise be to Allaah.
What is narrated in the saheeh Sunnah about one's good deeds taking a
physical form and appearing in the form of a handsome man in the
grave, including the deed of reciting the Holy Qur'aan, is as follows:
1-
It was narrated from al-Bara' ibn'Aazib (may Allaah be pleased with
him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said:
"When the believing slave is about to depart this world and enter the
Hereafter, there come down to him from heaven angels with white faces
like the sun, and they sit around him as far as the eye can see. They
bring with them shrouds from Paradise and perfumes from Paradise…"
until he said, describing the state of the believer in the grave:
"Then a voice calls out from heaven, 'My slave has spoken the truth,
so prepare for him a bed from Paradise and clothe him from Paradise,
and open forhim a gate to Paradise.' Then there comes to him some of
its fragrance, and his grave is made wide, as far as he can see. Then
there comes to him a man with a handsome face and handsome clothes,
and a good fragrance, who says, 'Receive the glad tidings that will
bring you joy this day.' He says, 'Who are you? Your face is a face
which brings glad tidings.' He says, 'I am your righteous deeds.' He
says, 'O Lord, hasten the Hour so that I may return to my family and
my wealth.'"
Narrated by Ahmad (4/362); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Ahkaam
al-Janaa'iz (156).
2-
It was narrated that Buraydah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I
heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say:
"The Qur'aan will meet its companion on the Day of Resurrection when
his grave is opened for him, in the form of apale man. It will say to
him, 'Do you recognize me?' He will say: 'I do not recognize you.' It
will say: 'I am your companion the Qur'aan, who kept you thirsty on
hot days and kept you awake at night. Every merchant benefits from his
business and today you will benefit from your good deeds.' He will be
given dominion in his right hand and eternity in his left, andthere
will be placed on his head a crown of dignity, and his parents will be
clothed with priceless garments the like of which have never been seen
in this world. They will say: 'Why have we been clothed with this?' It
will be said: 'Because your son used to recite Qur'aan.'Then it will
be said to him: 'Recite and ascend in the degrees of Paradise,' and he
will continue to ascend so long as herecites, either at a fast pace or
a slow pace ."
Narrated by Ahmad in al-Musnad(394) and Ibn Maajah in al-Sunan (3781);
classed as hasan by al-Busayri in al-Zawaa'id and by al-Albaani in
al-Silsilah al-Saheehah (2829).
Al-Suyooti said in his commentary on the hadeeth (2/1242):
"In the form of a pale man". Al-Suyooti said: This is the one whose
colour has changed. It is as if he comes in this form so asto resemble
his companion in this world, or to draw attention to the fact that
just as his colour changed in this world because of staying up at
night to read Qur'aan, the Qur'aan will appear in a similar form
because of its striving on the Day of Resurrection until its
companionattains the ultimate goal in the Hereafter. End quote.
I have not found anything in the saheeh Sunnah to suggest that a man's
righteous deeds will appear in the form of a manin the grave except in
these twohadeeths.

What is the language in which people will be addressed in al-Barzakh?

Many languages are spoken world wide. what will be the language to ask
questions by angles in grave that, everybody can reply?.
Praise be to Allaah.
We have found three opinions concerning this issue.
1 – That they will be questioned in Syriac.
This was the view of al-Balqeeni,as was narrated from him by
hisstudent al-Suyooti in his essay Sharh al-Sudoor fi Ahwaal al-Mawta
wa'l-Quboor – but he did not give any reliable evidence for that.
2 – That they will be questioned in Arabic.
This was stated by al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him).
Evidence of that may be seen in the apparent meaning of the ahaadeeth,
because they describe what will happen in al-Barzakh in Arabic, and
there is no reason why this should not be true, and Allaah will
inspire everyone who is tested in the grave so that he will understand
this language and answer in it.
Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
With regard to the questioning by the two angels, the apparent meaning
of the saheeh hadeeth is that it will be in Arabic, because it says
that they will say to him: "What do you know about this man?" etc.
However itmay also be understood as meaning that each person will be
addressed in his own language. End quote.
Al-Imtaa' bi'l-Arba'een al-Mutabaayinatu'l-Samaa' (p. 122).
3 – That he will be questioned ina language that he understands.
This was mentioned by Ibn Hajar as a possibility, as stated above.
This was also stated in fatwas by the Standing Committee, and by
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (mayAllaah have mercy on them).
It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah (3/450): When a person dies
and is buried, two angels come to him and ask him about his Lord, his
Prophet and his religion in a language that heunderstands. End quote.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
One of the scholars said: He will be questioned in Syriac.
Subhaan-Allaah! Syriac is the language of the Christians. It seems –
and Allaah knows best –that this idea was taken from the Christians,
so that they couldboast and say, Our language is the language of
questioning in the grave for everyone who dies.
What appears to be the case is that he will be questioned in whatever
language he understands. If he is an Arab then he will be questioned
in Arabic and if he is a non-Arab then he will be questioned in hisown
language. End quote.
Sharh al-'Aqeedah al-Safaareeniyyah (p. 435), Dar al-Watan.
In our opinion it is better to refrain from commenting on that because
there is no saheeh text on this issue, and concerning oneself with
these details is something which will not benefit the questioner in
either religious or worldly terms.It is sufficient for him to believe
that he will be questioned in his grave, and to ask Allaah to help him
to obey Him and to inspire him with the right answers, and to make him
steadfast when he is questioned.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him)was asked
the following question:
How will the people be addressed on the Day of Resurrection? Will
Allaah addressthem in Arabic? Is it true that thelanguage of the
people of Hell will be Farsi and that the language of the people of
Paradise will be Arabic?
He (may Allaah have mercy on him) replied:
It is not known which language the people will speak on that Day or in
which language they will hear the words of the Lord, may He be
glorified and exalted,because Allaah has not told us anything about
that, and neitherhas His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him). It is not true that Farsi is the language of the people of
Hell or that Arabic is the language of the people of Paradise. We do
not know of any dispute concerning that among the Sahaabah (may Allaah
be pleased with them); rather they all refrained from discussing that,
because discussing such matters is unnecessary talk. But there was a
dispute concerning that among later scholars.
Some people said that they will speak in Arabic, and others said:
Except the people of Hell, who will answer in Farsi, which will be
their language in Hell. Others said: They will be speak in Syriac,
because it is the language of Adam, and from it all other languages
stemmed. Others said: Except the people of Paradise, who will speak
Arabic.
None of the proponents of these arguments have any evidence, whether
based on reason or textual evidence. Rather they are claims that are
devoid of any evidence. Allaah knows best and is Most Wise. End quote.
Majmoo' al-Fataawa (4/300).
And Allaah knows best.

Spending time watching movies and soap operas and playing games in Ramadaan

Some fasting people spend most of the day in Ramadaan watching movies
and soap operas on videos and TVs, and playing cards. What is the
ruling on that?
Praise be to Allaah.
Muslims, whether they are fasting or not, should fear Allaah with
regard to what they are doing and not doing at all times. They must
avoid that which Allaah has forbidden, namely watching obscene movies
which show things that Allaah has forbidden such as naked and
semi-naked pictures, or reprehensible programs, or things which appear
on TV that go against the laws of Allaah, such as images, singing,
musical instruments and misleading ideas. Every Muslim, whether he is
fasting or not, must avoid playing with cards and other kinds of
games, because that involves witnessing evil and doing wrong, and
because it alsocauses hardness and disease in the heart, makes a
person take the laws of Allaah lightly and makes him find it too
difficult to do the things that Allaah has enjoined, such as praying
in congregation and other obligations, and makes him fall into doing
many haraam things. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing)
to mislead (men) from the path of Allaah without knowledge, and takes
it (the pathof Allaah, or the Verses of the Qur'aan) by way of
mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the
Hell-fire).
And when Our Verses (of the Qur'aan) are recited to such a one, he
turns away in pride, as if he heard them not — as if there were
deafness in his ear. So announce to him a painful torment"[Luqmaan
31:6-7]
And He says in Soorat al-Furqaan,describing the slaves of the Most
Merciful (interpretation of the meaning):
"And those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by
some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity"[al-Furqaan
25:72]
Falsehood (al-zoor) includes all kinds of evil, and the phrase "do not
bear witness" means that they do not attend where these things are
happening.
The Prophet (peace and blessingsof Allaah be upon him) said: "There
will be among my ummahpeople who will permit adultery, silk, alcohol
and musical instruments." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari in his Saheeh in a
mu'allaq majzoom report). What is meant by adultery is illegal sexual
relations, and musical instruments include singing. Allaah has
forbidden to the Muslims all means that lead to haraam things, and
undoubtedly watching bad movies and the evils that are shown on TV are
among the means that lead to haraam things or lead one to take such
matters lightly without denouncing them. And Allaah is the One Whose
help we seek.

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4b] Suggested program for the Muslim during Ramadaan

4b]
Note:
This program is just a suggestion. It is a flexible schedule that each
personcan adapt to his own circumstances.
This program pays attention to the Sunnahs that are proven from the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It does not mean
that everything mentioned here is an obligatory duty, rather it
includes many things thatare Sunnah and mustahabb.
The most beloved of actions to Allaah are thosewhich are continuous
even if they are little. At the beginning of the month a person may be
keen to do acts of worship, then he may slow down. Beware of that, and
strive to persist in all the actions that you do in this blessed
month.
The Muslim should strive to organize his time in this blessed month so
that he will not miss out on a great opportunity to do more good and
righteous deeds. For example, a person should try to buy all the
things that the family needs before the month begins, and he should
buy day-to-day needs at timeswhen the stores are not crowded, and
visits to friends and family should be organized in such a way that
they do not distract from acts of worship.
Make doing lots of acts of worship and drawing closer to Allaah your
priority in this blessed month.
Resolve at the beginning of the month to go to the mosque early at the
timesof prayer, and to complete the Book of Allaah, and to regularly
pray qiyaam al-layl in thisgreat month, and to spend (in charity) what
you can of your wealth.
Make the most of the opportunity that the month of Ramadaan brings to
strengthen your connection to the Book of Allaah, by utilizing the
following means:
Read the verses correctly.The way to do that is to have your reading
corrected by someone who knows how to read well. If you cannot do
that, then by listening to tapes of expert readers.
Revise what Allaah has enabled you to memorize,and memorize some more.
Read the tafseer (commentary) on the verses, either by looking up the
verses you do not understand in reliable books of tafseer such as
Tafseer al-Baghawi and Tafseer Ibn Katheer and Tafseer al-Sa'di, or by
making a program to reada book of tafseer. Start first with the
thirtieth Juz'(section) of the Qur'aan, then mover on to the
twenty-ninth juz', and so on.
Strive to apply the commands that you read in the Book of Allaah.
We ask Allaah to perfect for us the blessing of Ramadaan, and to help
usfast and pray qiyaam throughout the whole month, and to accept
(these acts of worship) from us, and to forgive us for our
shortcomings./

4a] Suggested program for the Muslim during Ramadaan

4a]
with his wife and children.
One of the best things that he can do at this timeis to take part in
offering iftaar to those who are fasting, whether by bringing food to
them or helping to distribute it to them and organizing that.This
brings a great joy which no one knows except those who have
experienced it.
After iftaar, he goes and prays in congregation in the mosque, and
after theprayer he prays two rak'ahs (the regular Sunnah of Maghrib).
Then he goes back home and eats whatever is available– without eating
too much. Then he looks for a suitable way for himself and his family
to spend this time, whether reading a book of stories, or a book on
practical rulings, or a quiz, or permissible conversation, or any
other useful idea that is of interest to the members of the family and
will distracts them from the haraam things that appear in the media
which regard this as their prime time, so you find the media
transmitting their most attractive programs at that time, that may
contain immoraland obscene material. Strive to turn away from that,
and fear Allaah with regard to your "flock" (i.e.,your family)
concerning whom you will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection, so
be prepared to answer the questions.
Then get ready for 'Isha' prayer, go to the mosque and keep busy
reading Qur'aan or listening to thelesson being given in the mosque.
Then after that perform 'Isha' prayer, then pray two rak'ahs (the
regular Sunnah of 'Isha'), then pray taraaweeh behind the imam with
humility and focus, pondering the meanings of what is recited. Do not
finish until the imam finishes. The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoeverstands (and prays) with the imam
until he finishes, it will be recorded as if he spent the night in
prayer." Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1370, and others. Classed as saheeh
by al-Albaani inSalaat al-Taraaweeh, p. 15.
Then after Taraaweeh youcan make a program for yourself that is suited
to your circumstances and personal commitments. But you should pay
attention to the following:
Keeping away from all haraam things and whatever may lead to them.
Paying attention to ensuring that your family avoid falling into any
haraam thing or whatevermay lead to that, in a wise manner, such as
preparing a program just for them, or taking them out for leisure
trips to permissible places, or keeping them away from bad friends, or
looking forgood friends for them.
Keeping busy with things that take priority.
Then you should try to sleep early, whilst paying attention to the
etiquette of sleep as prescribed in sharee'ah, both actions and words.
If you read some Qur'aan or some beneficial books before going to
sleep, that is something good, especially if you have not yet
completed your daily portion of Qur'aan – so donot go to sleep until
you have completed it.
Then wake up before suhoor, allowing enough time to recite du'aa',
because this time – the last third of the night – is the time when
Allaah descends, and Allaah has praised those who seek His forgiveness
at this time, and has promised those who call upon Him at this time
that He will answer them, and that Hewill accept the repentanceof
those who repent to Him at this time. So do not neglect this great
opportunity.
Friday:
Friday is the best day of the week, so you should have a special
program of worship on this day, in which you pay attention to the
following:
Coming early to Jumu'ah prayer.
Staying in the mosque after 'Asr prayer, and keeping busy with reading
Qur'aan and making du'aa' until the last hour of this day, for that is
a time when du'aa's are answered.
Make this day an opportunity for completing some of your deeds that
you did not finish during the week, such as completing your weekly
portion of Qur'aan, or finishing reading a book or listening to a tape
and other good deeds.
The last ten days of Ramadaan:
The last ten days of Ramadaan include Laylat al-Qadr which is better
than a thousand months. Hence it is prescribed for aperson to observe
i'tikaaf ("retreat" for the purpose of worship) in the mosqueduring
these ten days, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) used to do, seeking Laylat al-Qadr. Whoever can observe i'tikaaf
at this time, this is a great blessing from Allaah.
Whoever cannot observe i'tikaaf for the entire period should do as
much as he is able to.
If he is not able to do i'tikaaf at all, then he should try to spend
the nights in worship. Prayingqiyaam, reading Qur'aan, remembering
Allaah and making du'aa'. He should prepare for that by resting during
the day so that he will be able to stay up at night.
Note:
This program is just a suggestion.:->

4] Suggested program for the Muslim during Ramadaan

4]
Firstly, let me congratulate you on the beginning of the blessed month
of Ramadaan; I hope that Allaah will accept fasting and prayersfrom us
and from you.
I hope that I can make themost of this opportunity to do as much
worship and earn as much reward as possible. I hope that you could
give me a program that is suitable for me and my family so that we can
make the most of this month in goodness and obedience.
Praise be to Allaah.
May Allaah accept all our righteous words and deeds, and help us to be
sincere in secret and in public.
There follows a suggestedprogram for the Muslim during this blessed month:
The Muslim's day in Ramadaan:
The Muslim starts his day with suhoor before Fajr prayer. It is better
to delay suhoor until the latest possible time of thenight.
Then after that the Muslim gets ready for Fajr prayer before the
adhaan.So he does wudoo' at home and goes out to themosque before the
adhaan.
When he enters the mosque, he prays two rak'ahs (tahiyyat al-masjid–
greeting the mosque). Then he sits and keeps busy making du'aa', or
reading Qur'aan, or reciting dhikr, until the muezzin gives the call
to prayer. He repeats what the muezzin says, and says the du'aa'
narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
to be said afterthe adhaan ends. Then after that he prays two rak'ahs
(the regular Sunnah of Fajr), then he occupies himself with du'aa' and
reading Qur'aan until the iqaamahfor prayer is given. He is ina state
of prayer so long as he is waiting for the prayer.
After offering the prayer in congregation, he recitesthe dhikrs that
are prescribed following the salaam at the end of the prayer. After
that if he wants to sit in the mosque until the sun has risen,
reciting dhikr and reading Qur'aan, that is preferable, and that is
what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to
do after Fajr prayer.
Then about one-quarter of an hour after the sun has risen, if he wants
he can pray Duha prayer (a minimum of two rak'ahs), and that is good.
Or if he wants he can delay it untilthe preferred time, which is when
the day has grown hotter and the sun is higher in the sky – that is
better.
Then if he wants he may sleep to prepare himself for going to work,
and he can intend by sleeping to strengthen himself for worship and
earning a living, so that he will be rewarded for it in sha Allah. He
should also follow the etiquette of sleep that is prescribed in
sharee'ah, both actions and words.
Then he goes to work, and when the time for Zuhr prayer comes, he goes
to the mosque early,before the adhaan or immediately after it, and he
should get ready to pray beforehand. So he prays four rak'ahs with two
tasleems (the regular Sunnah before Zuhr), thenhe keeps busy reading
Qur'aan until the iqaamahfor prayer is given, and heprays with the
congregation, then he prays two rak'ahs (the regular Sunnah after
Zuhr).
Then after the prayer he goes and finishes whatever of his work is
left, until it is time to leave work. If there is a long time to go
after finishing his work until the time for 'Asr prayer, then he can
rest. But if there is not enough time and he fears that if he sleeps
he will miss 'Asr prayer, then he should keep busy doing something
suitable until the time for 'Asr comes, such as going to the market to
buy some things that his family needs and the like, or going straight
to the mosque when he has finished his work, and staying in the mosque
until he has prayed 'Asr.
Then after 'As, it depends on his circumstances. If hecan stay in the
mosque and keep busy reading Qur'aan, this is a great opportunity. But
if he feels tired, then he shouldrest at this time so that hewill be
ready to pray taraaweeh at night.
Before the adhaan for Maghrib, he should get ready to break his fast,
and he should do something at this time that will benefit him, whether
reading Qur'aan, making du'aa', or having auseful conversation with
his wife and children.

Fasting is not unique tothis ummah

Is the month of Ramadaan unique to this ummah or was it for the
previous nations too?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Allaah says (interpretationof the meaning):
"O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for
you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become
Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)"
[al-Baqarah 2:183].
This verse indicates that fasting is an ancient act ofworship that was
enjoined upon those who came before us just as it isenjoined upon us.
But were they asked to fast inRamadaan or at other times? I do not
know of any statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) concerning that. End quote.
Majmoo' Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz/

Are people who live in extremely hot regions obliged to fast even though it is difficult for them?

In the Sahara region, the month of Ramadan may come in the summer and
it is difficult for them to fast and it may be impossible for them.
This will continue for a number of years. How should these people
fast?.
Praise be to Allaah.
When the month of Ramadan begins, every Muslim who is accountable, not
travelling and in good health is obliged to fast. Allah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"So whoever of you sights(the crescent on the first night of) the
month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm
(fasts) thatmonth, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number
[of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from
other days"
[al-Baqarah 2:185].
So fasting is obligatory even at times when it is hot, because fasting
Ramadan is one of the pillars of Islam. If a personfasts and then
suffers intense thirst in which there is the fear that he may die, he
may break the fast by drinking enough to keep him alive,then he should
refrain from eating and drinking, and make up that day at another
time. And Allah knows best.
And Allah is the source of strength. May Allah send blessings and
peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and Companions. End
quote.
Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas
Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn 'Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, Shaykh 'Abd-Allaah ibn
Ghadyaan, Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan, Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez Aal
al-Shaykh, Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah – vol. 2, 9/145.

Is it sufficient to drink water for sahoor?

Can we call it sahoor if onelimits oneself to drinking water only?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It seems that it can be called sahoor, if one cannot find food,
because of the hadeeth: "When oneof you breaks the fast, let him break
it with fresh dates, and if he cannot findany then with dry dates, and
if he cannot, then witha few sips of water." If a person does not have
any food available, or he has food but he does not wantto eat it so he
drinks water, then I hope that this will count as followingthe Sunnah.
End quote.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him).
Fataawa Noor 'ala al-Darb

Who is the fasting person for whom the Muslim will be rewardedfor giving him food to break his fast with?

Is the fasting person who the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah
be upon him) encouraged us to give him food to break his fast with the
poor person who is fasting, or one who is a stranger in the land, or
the one whom we invite to break the fast with us at home, such as a
guest who is part of the family or a relative? Can we attain the
reward by offering food for breaking the fast to fasting people to
whom we give a private invitation during Ramadan?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is proven that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon
him) said: "Whoever givesfood to a fasting person with which to break
his fast will have a reward like his without detractingfrom the reward
of the fasting person in the slightest."
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 807
What is meant by the fasting person here is any Muslim who is fasting,
especially those who are deserving of charity, such as the poor,
needy, and wayfarers. This is similar to the words of the Prophet
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): "Whoever equips a fighter
for the sake of Allah has gone out on campaign (i.e., will have the
reward of going out on campaign)."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2843.
And Allah is the source of strength. May Allah send blessings and
peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and Companions. End
quote .
Standing Committee fir Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah (vol. 2), 9/33

And Allah knows best.

1a] The guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) regarding i’tikaaf

1a]
This was stated by al-Shawkaani in Nayl al-Awtaar.
Some of his wives used tovisit him when he was in i'tikaaf. When she
stood up to leave, he would take her home – that was at night.
It was narrated from Safiyyah the wife of the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) that she came to the Messenger of
Allaah(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and visited him when
he was in i'tikaaf in the mosque, during the last ten days ofRamadaan.
She spoke with him for a while, thenshe stood up to leave. TheProphet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stood up with her to take
her home. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2035; Muslim, 2175.
In conclusion, his i'tikaaf was moderate and not harsh. He spent all
his time remembering Allaah and turning to Him in worship, seeking
Laylat al-Qadr.