3a] Ramadan - A Reminder of Unity

3a]
Thus, Abu Daawood relates(1/307) that 'Uthmaan (raa) prayed four
rak'ahs atMinaa, so 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood criticized him saying: "I
prayed two rak'ahs with the Prophet (saws) and two rak'ahs with Abu
Bakr, and two rak'ahs with 'Umar, and two rak'ahs with 'Uthmaanin the
beginning of his rule, then he completed it (i.e. by praying four
rak'ahs). After that the ways became divided withyou all. So I hope
from these four rak'ahs, that two of them would be accepted." Then Ibn
Mas'ood prayed four rak'ahs. So it was said to him: You criticized
'Uthmaan, yet you prayed four? So he said: "Differing is evil."
Its chain of narration is Saheeh (authentic), and something similar to
this isrelated in the Musnad (5/155) of Imaam Ahmad, from Abu Dharr
(raa).
So those who continue splitting-up with regards to the Prayer, and who
refuse to follow the local Imaams in some mosques - especially in the
witr Prayer during Ramadaan - using as proof that this is against
their madhhab (school of thought), then they should reflect upon the
above mentioned hadeeth and athar (narration). Likewise, thosewho
claim knowledge of astronomy and who, due to their opinion, fast and
end their fast alone - preceding or lagging behind the majority of
Muslims, not seeing any problem in doing so - should also reflect upon
the previously quoted proofs. So all of them should consider, and
reflect upon the knowledge that has been mentioned. Perhaps they will
find for themselves a cure for their ignorance and self-delusion, so
that they may then become a unified rank along with their Muslim
brothers - for indeed the Hand of Allaah Subhanahu wa Taa'ala is over
the Jamaa'ah.

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3] Ramadan - A Reminder of Unity

3]
Abu Hurayrah (raa) related that the Prophet sallallahualaihi wa sallam said:
"Fast when they fast, endthe fast when they end theirs, and sacrifice
the day that they sacrifice." [2]
Al-Bayhaqee relates by way of Abu Haneefah, whosaid: 'Alee ibn
al-Aqmar related to me, from Masrooq, who said: I entered upon
'Aaishah on the day of 'Arafah, so she said: "Serve Masrooq with some
gruel, and make it more sweet." Masrooq said: Nothing prevented me
from fasting this day except that I feared that it may be the day of
Sacrifice. So 'Aa'ishah said to me: "The day of Sacrificeis when the
people sacrifice, and the day of ending the fast is when the people
end their fast." This chain of narration is jayyid (good) due to what
has preceded.
Understanding This Hadeeth:
Imaam at-Tirmidhee says after quoting the hadeeth:"One of the people
of knowledge has explained this hadeeth by saying: Its meaning is to
fast and endthe fast along with the Jamaa'ah and the majority of
people."
As-San'aanee said in Sublus-Salaam (2/72): "In this (hadeeth) is a
proof that being in agreement with the people is accepted in
establishing 'Eed, and that the individual person who believes that it
is the day of 'Eed - because of the sighting of the moon - then it is
obligatory upon him to be in agreement with the people, and that the
ruling of the people - concerning the Prayer, breaking the fast, and
sacrificing - is binding upon the individual."
Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) mentioned this meaning
inTahdheebus-Sunan (3/214), and said: "It is said: In it a refutation
of those who say that whosoever knows the positions of the moon due to
astronomical calculations, then it is 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, then there is no fasting forhim, just as there
is no fasting for the people."
Abul-Hasan as-Sindee said in Haashiyah 'alaa Ibn Maajah, after
mentioning the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah which was related by
at-Tirmidhee:"And its apparent meaningis: That there is no room for
individual (opinions) toenter into these affairs, norto act
individually in this. Rather, this affair goes back to the Imaam (the
Leader of the Muslims) andthe Jamaa'ah (united body of Muslims under
the Imaam). It is obligatory upon the individuals to follow the Imaam
and the Jamaa'ah. From this is that is an individual sights the moon,
but the qaadee rejects his witness, then the individual has no right
in these matters, but rather he must follow the Jamaa'ah in this."
And this is the meaning which is evident from the hadeeth, and which
is emphasized by the fact that 'Aa'ishah (raa) used it with Masrooq
when he prevented himself from fasting on the day of 'Arafah, fearing
that it could be the day of Sacrifice. So she explained to him that
there is no weight given to his individual opinion in this, and that
he should follow the Jamaa'ah. So she said to him: "The day of
Sacrifice is when the people sacrifice, and the day of ending the fast
is when the people end theirfast."
Unity is One of the Goals of the Sharee'ah
And this is what is befitting for the easy-natured and tolerant
Sharee'ah (Prescribed Islaamic Law), one of the goals of which is
uniting the people together, unifying their ranks and keeping away
from them all that would split their comprehensive unity - from the
individual opinions. So the Sharee'ah does not give any weight to the
individual opinion in matters concerning 'ibaadah jamaa'iyyah
(collective acts of worship),such as Fasting, 'Eed and Prayer in
congregation - even if the opinion is correct, from one angle. Doyou
not see that the Sahaabah (the Companions) - radiallaahu 'anhum - used
to pray behind each other. So fromthem were those who heldthe view
that touching a woman, or the flowing of blood from the body
invalidates the wudhoo' (ablution), along with those who did not hold
this view. From them werethose who would complete the Prayer
whilsttraveling, whilst others shortened. Yet these, and other such
differences, did not prevent them from collectively praying behinda
single Imaam and deeming it to be acceptable. And this is because they
knew that tafarruq (splitting-up) in the Religion is more evil than
having ikhtilaaf (differences) in some opinions. Indeed, the matter
with one of them reached the extent that hewould not even deem
acceptable any opinion which differed with the great Imaam in the
major gatherings; such as the gathering at Minaa (duringHajj), to the
extent that he would totally abandon acting upon his opinion in that
gathering - fleeing from that which could result from this evil,
because of acting according to his own opinion.

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Fatwaa - Eating out of forgetfulness in Ramadan does not matter

What is the ruling on one who eats or drinks out of forgetfulness
during Ramadan?
Praise be to Allaah.
That does not matter and his fast is valid, because Allaah says at the
end of Soorat al-Baqarah (interpretation of the meaning):
"Our Lord! Punish us not ifwe forget or fall into error"
[al-Baqarah 2:286]
It was narrated in a saheeh report from the Messenger of Allaah (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that Allaah said, "I have done
that." And it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased
with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "Whoever forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks, let him
complete his fast, for the One Who fed him and gave him to drink was
Allaah." (Agreedupon).
The same applies if he hasintercourse because of forgetfulness; his
fast is still valid according to the more correct of the two scholarly
opinions, because of this aayah and this hadeeth, and becausethe
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Whoeverbreaks his fast in Ramadaan out of forgetfulness, he does
nothave to make that day up and he does not have to offer any
expiation (kafaarah)." (Narrated andclassed as saheeh by al-Haakim).
This wording includes intercourse and other things that break the
fast, if the fasting person does them because of forgetfulness. This
is from the mercy, bounty and kindness of Allaah, for which we praise
and thank Him.
Majmoo' Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, vol. 4, p. 193.

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2b] Ramadan 2012, The 13th Day

2b]
There are Signs inthat for people who reflect.In the earth thereare
diverse regions side by side and gardens of grapes and cultivated
fields, and palm-trees sharing one root and others with individual
roots, all watered with the same water. And Wemake some things better
to eat than others. There are Signs in that for people who use their
intellect. (Surat a-Ra'd, 2-4)
It is He Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then
established Himself firmly on the Throne. Heknows what goes into the
earth and what comes out of it, what comes down from heaven and what
goes up into it. He is with youwherever you are – Allahsees what you
do. (Surat al-Hadid, 4)
An Increase In The Number Of Earthquakes
Doomsday will not come until earthquakes multiply, strife appears, and
murders increase. (Portents of Doomsday, p.109)
Our Prophet (saas) stated in the above hadith that "a rise in the
number of earthquakes" will be a sign that the End Times is nigh.
Indeed, the twentieth century went down in history as one in which
many thousands of people lost their lives in earthquakes. The
devastating earthquake inKobe (Japan), and those that followed one
after the other in Turkey, Taiwan, Greece, and Mexico, are important
signs.
There will be earthquakes in my community. Ten thousand, twenty
thousand, thirty thousandpeople will die. Allah will make this a
counsel for the taqwa, a mercy on believers and a suffering for
unbelievers. (Ibn 'Asakır, Geleceğin Tarihi 1(History of the Future
1), Orhan Baytan, Mevsim Publishings, p. 81)
The days when you can find no homes to shelter you or animals to carry
you have come close. Earthquakes will demolishyour houses. (Barzanji,
Al-Isha`ah, p. 146)
If you see the caliphate has descended to the HolyLand, (al-ard
al-muqaddasa) know thatearthquakes, afflictions, and great events are
nigh.On that day, Doomsday is closer to humanity than this hand is to
my head. (Sunan Abu Dawud)
When the generations that follow my community insult those who went
before (with various pretexts and excuses), expect red winds,
earthquakes and changes of appearance (metamorphosis or stonesraining
from the sky). (Tirmidhi Hadiths, Fitan 39, p. 2211)
In the End Times, when amusements and dancers appear and alcohol is
said to be permitted, there willbe collapse; it will rain stones; and
people will change their appearance. (Sahl Ibn Sa`d, Ahmad Diya'
al-Din al-Kamushkhanawi,Rumuz al-Ahadith, 2:302/8)
Doomsday will not take place until knowledge vanishes, earthquakes
multiply, time is shortened, strife appears, and murders flourish.
(Sahih Bukhari, Ibn Majah)

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