2c] How the Salaf Observed Ramadhan A Message to Every Muslim On the Occasion of this Blessed Month

2c]
and the place. This is the opinion of Ahmad, Ishaq and others among
the distinguished scholars. As we indicated earlier, the actions of
otherscholars also support this view.
b) Weeping During the Recitation of the Qur'an:
It was not reported from the Salaf that they chantedthe Qur'an like
poetry without pondering and understanding (its meanings); rather,
they were moved by the Wordsof Allah, and they in turn changed the
hearts of others with it. In a hadith in AI-Bukhari, Abdullah
IbnMas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said,"The Messenger of Allah
(pbuh) said, 'Recite (the Qur'an) to me.' Then I said, 'How can I
recite to you when it was revealed to you?' The Prophet (pbuh) said,
'I like to hear it from someone else." ' Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud said, "I
recited the Qur'an from Surah Al-Nisa' until I reached the verse that
says, 'How will itbe then, when We bring from every nation a witness
and bring you to witness over all of them"' [Qur'an 4:41]. The Prophet
(pbuh) said, 'That is enough.' I turned to the Prophet (pbuh) and
found his eyes flooding with tears."'
Al-Bayhaqi related from Abu Hurayrah that he said,"When the verse of
the Qur'an that says 'Do you then wonder at this recital (the Qur'an)
and you laughat it and weep not.' [Qur'an53:59-60] was revealed, the
Companions residing in the Suffah, (the courtyard of the Prophet's
mosque) wept until tears began to trickle down their cheeks." When the
Prophet (pbuh) heard theirweeping, he wept with them and his weeping
made us weep. The Messenger of Allah said, "The person who weeps
inhumility to Allah will not enter Hell."
Ibn Umar read surah Al-Mutaffifin until he reached '...the Day when
(all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds...' [Qur'an
83:6]. He wept to such an extent that he fell to the ground and could
not move on to the next verses. Furthermore, Muzahim IbnZafar related,
"Sufyan Al-Thawn lead us in maghrib prayer, and whenhe reached 'You
(Alone) do we worship and You (Alone) do we ask for help' [Qur'an
1:5], he began to weep so that his recitationwas disrupted. So he
started from Alhamdulillahagain."
It has been reported that Ibrahim Al-Ash'ath said,"One night, I heard
Fudhayl Ibn Ayadh recitingthis verse of the Qur'an, repeatedly as he
wept, 'And We shall try you until We test those among you who strive
their utmost and persevere in patience, and We shall test your facts
(whether true or false)' [Qur'an 47:31] But he kept on saying the
words of Allah, 'And We shall test your facts' , then he would say,
'And You will test our facts? If You test our facts, You will disgrace
us and expose oursecrets. Indeed if You do that, You will destroy us
and punish us,' and he would continue crying.
5. Sitting in the Mosque Until Sunrise
"When the Prophet (pbuh) prayed fajr prayer, he sat in his prayer
place until sunrise." [Related by Muslim].
At-Tirmidhi narrated from Anas that the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whoever
prays fajr in the congregation and remains seated, remembering
Allahuntil sunrise, then performs two rak"at; it will be for him as
the reward of complete Hajj and Umrah." [Verified by Al-Albani as
sahih].
This is the reward promised for everyday, so how will it be for Ramadan?
Dear brother, may Allah protect you, have a good sleep at night to
assist youin getting this great reward. Also, emulate righteous people
and trainyour soul to strive for the pleasure of Allah. Have high
aspirations to reach the highest of the grades of Paradise.
6. Observing I'tikaf:
The Prophet (pbuh) used to observe I'tikaf during ten days of Ramadan.
But in the year of his death, hestayed in I'tikaf for twenty days.
[Related by Al- Bukhari). Thus, I'tikaf which means staying in the
mosque continuously for a certain period of time, is an act of worship
that embraces many acts of obedience to Allah, suchas reciting the
Qur'an, praying, remembering Allah, supplicating, etc.
The person who has not experienced it might think that is difficult to
bear, butit is easy for whomever Allah makes it easy. Thus, whoever
arms himself with good intentions and true determination, Allah helps
him undertake the task with ease. I'tikaf is stressed more during the
last ten days of Ramadan in anticipation of laylat al-Qadr. It is a
permissible form of seclusion as the person observing it holds himself
in seclusion out of obedience to Allah and His remembrance. He also
cutshimself off from anything that would distract him from the
observance of I'tikaf His heart is set on alldeeds that draw him
closer to Allah and the only desire he has is to do what pleases
Allah.

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2b] How the Salaf Observed Ramadhan A Message to Every Muslim On the Occasion of this Blessed Month

2b]
The Messenger of Allah (')buh) said, "When a believer feeds a hungry
believer, Allah will feed him from the fruits of Paradise. And when he
quenches the thirst of a believer, Allah will make him drink from the
pure sealed wine of Paradise." [Related by Al-Tirmidhi with a good
chain of narration].
Some of our pious predecessors said, "For me to invite ten of my
friends and feed them with a mealthat they like is better for me then
freeing ten of the descendants of (Prophet) Isma'il." Many among the
Salaf used to leave their food for breaking the fast for others. They
included Abdullah Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him),Dawud
Al-Ta'i, Malik Ibn Dinar and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. Ibn Umar did not break
his fast except with the orphans and the needy. Sometimes, if he
learned that his family hadturned back the orphans and the needy, he
would not break the fast that night. Also among the Salaf were those
who fed their brother Muslims while they still continued to fast. They
also served them and attended to their well-being. Among them were
AI-Hassan Al-Basri and Abdullah Ibn Al-Mubarak.
Abu Al-Sawar Al-'Adwi said, "Some men from Banu Adiy tribe used to
pray in the mosque. None of them ever broke the fast alone with his
food. If he found someone to share with, he ate with him, if not, he
would take it to the mosque, so that others ate with him and he ate
with others. Feeding other people is an act of worship which triggers
many other acts ofworship. Ties of love and brotherliness are
strengthened between you and the person you feed and that may lead you
to Paradise." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "You will not enter Paradise
until you believe and you will not believe until you love one
another." This deed will keep you close to righteous people and Allah
will reward you as the food you provide helpsthem with their acts of
obedience (to Allah).
b) Providing Food to Break the Fast:
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "Whoever feeds a fasting person
will have a reward equal to that of the fasting person, without any
reduction in his reward." [Related by Ahmad and Al-Nasai. Also
verified by Al-Albani as sahih]. In a hadith narratedby Salman
Al-Farisi, the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whoever feeds a fasting person,
will be recompensed with forgiveness of sins and salvation from Hell.
He willreceive the same reward as the fasting person without causing
him any reduction (in his reward)." (The Companions) said, 'Messenger
of Allah, not all of us can find something to feed a fasting person.'
The Prophet (pbuh) said, 'Allah will give this reward to he who feeds
a fasting person with a sip of milk or a piece of dates, or a sipof
water. And Allah will make him who quenches the thirst of a fasting
person to drink from my cistern a drink that he will never feel
thirsty until he enters Paradise (where there is no thirst)."
4. Intensifying the Recitation of the Qur'an:
I will remind you dear brother of two actions of the pious Salaf of this Ummah:
a) Undertaking Much Recitation of the Qur 'an:
The month of Ramadan is the month of the Qur'an. The Muslim must
thereforerecite the Qur'an a great deal. The Salaf used to pay
particular attention to the Book of Allah, and angel Jibril (Gabriel)
used to study the Qur'an with the Prophet (pbuh) during Ramadan.
Uthman Ibn Affan used to complete reciting the Qur'an once each day.
Some of the Salaf also completed the Qur an in their qiyam prayer
every three nights. Others completed it every seven days, while some
others completed it every ten nights. They used to recite the Qur'an
during prayers and at other times.During Ramadan, Al-Shafi'i used to
complete reciting the Qur'an sixty times, excluding prayer times.
AI-Aswad used to complete reciting the Qur'an every two nights. Qatada
regularly completed the Qur'an within seven nights, while during
Ramadan, he completed it every three nights, but in the last ten days
of Ramadan, he completed it every night. When Ramadan came, Al-Zuhri
left studying the hadith and study circles with scholars and he
concentrated on reciting the Qur'an from the book (i.e. not from
memory).
Also, when Ramadan came, Sufyan Al-Thawri left all other acts of
worship and concentrated on the Qur'an.
Ibn Rajab said that it was reported from the Prophet(pbuh) that the
Qur'an may not be completed in less than three days by those who
recite it constantly. As for the blessed times such as Ramadan,
especially during the nights of expecting Laylat al-Qadr orwhen in
holy places such as Makkah for those not inhabiting it, it is
recommended that the recitation of the Qur'an be increased in order to
benefit from the blessings of the time and

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2a] How the Salaf Observed Ramadhan A Message to Every Muslim On the Occasion of this Blessed Month

2a]
his family to pray; then he would say to them"prayer.. prayer," and
would recite this verse of the Qur'an, "Enjoin prayer on your people,
and be constant therein. We ask you not to provide sustenance: We
provide it for you. But the fruit of theHereafter is for
righteousness" [Qur'an 20:132].
Ibn Umar used to recite,
"Is one who worships devoutly during the hours of the night,
prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the
Hereafter, and who places his hope in theMercy of his Lord like one
who does not?" [Qur'an 39:9].
He said that was referring to Uthman Ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased
with him).Ibn Abi Hatim said Ibn Umar said that it was due to the
length of the prayerof the commander of the faithful, Uthman, at night
and his recitation to the extent that he may have recited the entire
Qur an inone rak'ah.
Alqamah Ibn Qays narrated, "I slept with Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (may
Allah be pleased with him)one night. He woke up in the early part of
the night and began to pray. He recited with a recitation similar to
that of the neighborhood imam with a medium regular pace. Those around
him could hear him and he continueduntil what remained of thenight's
darkness was equalto the time between the adhan (call) for maghrib
prayer and the end of the maghrib prayer time, i.e. a short time
before daybreak. He then performed witr prayer."
Furthermore, Al-Sa'ib Ibn Zayd narrated in a hadith that the reciter
would recite (the Qur'an) with hundreds of verses such that we
supported ourselves with staves due to the lengthiness of the prayer
and did not leave until the time of fajr (dawnprayer).
Caution: Brother Muslim, you have to complete the tarawih prayer with
the imam in order to be reckoned as one of those who stood (the night)
in prayer. The Prophet (pbuh)said, "Whoever stays with his imam until
he completes the prayer, will have the night written for him as one
who performed qiyam al-layl, i.e. one who stood the night in prayer."
[Related by compilers of sunan books].
3. Charity (Sadaqah):
The Prophet (pbuh) was the most generous of people, and he was most
generous during Ramadan.He was more generous with good deeds than the
blowing wind. The Messenger of Allah also said, "The best charity is
one given during Ramadan." [Related by Al-Tirmidhi from Anas].
Zayd Ibn Aslam narrated from his father as saying,"I heard Umar Ibn
Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) say, 'TheMessenger of Allah
(pbuh) commanded us to donate to charity, so I gave some of my wealth.
Then I said, 'Today I will compete withAbu Bakr if I can ever do so.'
Then I donated half of my wealth. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) asked
me, 'What did you leave for your family?' He said, 'I said the same as
what I gave out.' But Abu Bakr brought all of his wealth and the
Messenger of Allah(pbuh) asked him, 'What did you leave for your
family?' He replied, 'I left them with Allah and His Messenger,' I
said, 'I will never compete with you for anything again.
Talha Ibn Yahya Ibn Talha narrated, "My grandmother Sa'da bint Awf
AI-Mariyah who was the wife of Talha Ibn Ubaydullah related to me,
'Talha came to me one daydisconcerted. So I asked him, 'Why is it that
I see you with a gloomy face? What is the matter with you? Is there
anything that I can help you with?" He said, "No, you are a faithful
Muslim wife." I said, "Then what is the matter?" He said, "The wealth
that I have has increased and that disturbsme." I said, "Don't worry,
distribute it." She said, 'He divided it until not even a single
diniam was left." Talha Ibn Yahya said: "I asked the custodian of
Talha's property how much the amount was." Hesaid, 'Four hundred
thousand."'
Therefore dear brothers and sisters, charity during Ramadan has
special significance, so hasten to give it out according to your
means. Charity takes many forms.
a) Feeding the Needy:
Allah the Almighty says,
"And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and
the captive, (saying), 'We feed you for the sake of Allah Alone. No
rewards do we desire from you, nor thanks. We only fear a Dayof
frowning and stress from the side of our Lord.' But Allah will deliver
them from the evil of that day, and will spread over them brightness
and a (blissful) joy. And because they were patient and constant,He
will reward them with a garden (and garments of) silk." [Qur'an
76:8-12].
The Salaf used to ensure feeding others and they placed it before many
acts of worship, and it is equally rewarded whetheryou feed a hungry
person or a good Muslim brother of yours. Hence, poverty is not a
condition for feedinga person.

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2] How the Salaf Observed Ramadhan A Message to Every Muslim On the Occasion of this Blessed Month

2]
Brother and sister Muslims,may the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah
be upon you.
I send you this message filled with love and greetings. I send it to
you from a heart that loves you for the sake of Allah and I ask Him to
bring us together in the abode of His Benedictions and Mercy.
On the occasion of the blessed month of Ramadan, I extend to you this
advise as a humble gift which I hope you will accept with an open mind
and that in turn, you advise me. May Allah protect you and take care
of you.
How do we receive the blessed month of Ramadan? Allah the Almighty says,
"You who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was
prescribed for those before you that you may attain piety" [Qur'an
2:183].
My esteemed brothers andsisters:
Allah has distinguished Ramadan from other months with many merits and
virtues which include:
*. The bad breath from the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter to
Allah than the fragrance of musk.
*. The angels ask forgiveness for those fasting until they break their fast.
*. Allah beautifies His Paradise each day and says, "My righteous
servants are about to be spared suffering and harm, then they will be
sent to you."
*. The devils are chained during the month.
*. The doors of Paradise areopened while those of Hell are locked.
*. The night, Laylat al-Qadr,which is better than a thousand months
occurs in this month. Whoever is deprived of the good of this night
has indeed been deprived of goodness altogether.
*. Those fasting receive forgiveness on the last night of Ramadan.
*. Allah saves people from Hellfire during each nightof Ramadan.
My esteemed brother and sister:
How then do we receive the month containing these merits and virtues?
Is it by occupying ourselves with playfulness and spending our nights
with non-beneficial things? Or do we feel burdened and panic at its
arrival? We seek refuge with Allah from such attitudes. The righteous
servants of Allah welcome it with repentance and true determination to
reapits benefits and fully utilizeits precious time. They ask Allah to
help them perform their acts of worship in the best manner. I
therefore present to you my dear brothers and sisters, the righteous
deeds that are stressed during Ramadan.
1. Fasting (Sawm):
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
said, "Every good deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied. He will
receive ten-fold to seven-hundred-fold reward for a good deed. Allah
the Glorious and Majestic has said 'but fasting is exceptional, for it
is done for Me and I will give reward for it, since one abandons his
passion and food for My sake. There aretwo occasions of joy for one
who fasts, joy when he breaks it and joy when he meets his Lord; and
the breath (of an observer of fast) is sweeter to Allah than the
fragrance of musk." [Related by AI-Bukhari and Muslim].
Undoubtedly, this great reward will not be for those who only abstain
from food and drink, but as the Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whoever does not
abandon obscene speech and evil action, Allah does not need his
refraining from eating and drinking." [Related by Al-Bukharij. The
Prophet (pbuh) also said, "Fasting is a shield. When anyone of you is
fasting on a day, he shouldneither indulge in obscene language, nor
raise his voice; rather if anyone reviles him or quarrels with him, he
should say, 'I am fasting."' [Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Therefore when you fast, servant of Allah, let your hearing, sight,
tongue and all your limbs fast, so that your fasting and non-fasting
days are not the same.
2. Praying Qiyam Al-Layl:
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh.) said, "He who observes the fast of the
month of Ramadan with sincere faith and hope for the reward of Allah
will have his past sins forgiven." [Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Also, Allah says,
"And the servants of Allah most gracious are those who walk on the
earth with humility, and when the ignorant address them,they say
(Peace); Those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord
prostrating and standing" [Qur'an 63-64].
Thus, waking up in the night to pray qiyam al-layli.e. performing
prayer in the middle of the night, was a regular act of the Prophet
(pbuh) and his Companions. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said,
"Do not abandon qiyam al-layl, for the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) never
left it. If he was not well or he felt heavy, he prayed sitting."
Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, used to pray at night what he wished, until it
was in the middle of the night, when he would wake up his family to
pray;

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