2] About the hadeeth, “There is no i‘tikaaf except in the three mosques”

2]
Imam al-Albaani said in hisessay Qiyaam Ramadan, in the section on i‘tikaaf: “Then I came across a clearsaheeh hadeeth which singles out these mosques:‘There is no i‘tikaaf except in the three mosques.”’ And he pointed out that it is a hadeeth of Hudhayfah narrated by al-Tahhaawi, al-Bayhaqi and al-Isma‘eeli, and hence in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah. What is the ruling on this hadeeth? What could we learn from it concerning i‘tikaaf? i.e., do we understand that it is prohibited to observe i‘tikaaf anywhere but in the three mosques or do we learn from this hadeeth that perfect i‘tikaaf cannot be done except in the three mosques? In either case, what is the proof?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
The Qur’aan and Sunnah, and scholarly consensus, indicate that it is mustahabb to observe i‘tikaaf in the mosques.
Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“and We commanded Ibrâhim (Abraham) and Ismâ'il (Ishmael) that they should purify My House (the Ka'bah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (I'tikâf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer)”
[al-Baqarah 2:125].
“And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in I'tikâf (i.e. confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques”
[al-Baqarah 2:187].
More than one of the scholars narrated that there was consensus on that. See: al-Ijmaa‘ by Ibn al-Mundhir, 47; al-Mughni, 3/122
Although the scholars differed concerning the description of the mosque in which it is prescribed to observe i‘tikaaf, there is hardly any difference of opinion among the fuqaha’ that it is permissible to observe i‘tikaaf in the mosque in which Jumu‘ah prayer and prayers in congregation are offered. There was no report of any difference of opinion concerning that except from some of the Taabi‘een.
We have discussed this issue previously on our website in the answers to questions no. 49006 and 48985 .
Secondly:
With regard to the hadeeth mentioned in the question, “There is no i‘tikaaf except in the three mosques,” it is a hadeeth from the great Sahaabi Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman which was narrated from him via Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah from Jaami‘ ibn Abi Raashid from Abu Waa’il: Hudhayfah said to ‘Abdullah, meaning ibn Mas‘ood (may Allah be pleased with him): Are youobserving i‘tikaaf betweenyour house and the house of Abu Moosa when you know that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no i‘tikaaf except in al-Masjid al-Haraam or in the three mosques”? ‘Abdullah said: Perhaps you have forgotten and they remembered, or you madea mistake and they got it right.
But the companions of Sufyaan ibn ‘Uyaynah differed concerning it.
Some of them narrated it as being the words of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). They were:
Muhammad ibn al-Faraj, recorded by al-Ismaa‘eeli in Mu‘jam Shuyookhihi, 2/112; Mahmoud ibn Adam al-Marwazi, recorded by al-Bayhaqi in al-Sunan, 4/316; Hishaam ibn ‘Ammaar, recorded by al-Tahhaawi in Bayaan Mushkil al-Athaar, 7/40; Sa‘eed ibn Mansoor, as recorded in al-Tahqeeq fi Ahaadeeth al-Khilaaf by Ibn al-Jawzi, 2/127.
Some of them narrated it as being the words of Hudhayfah, as if the isnaadends with him (and not with the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)). They were:
‘Abd al-Razzaaq in al-Musannaf, 4/348; Sa‘eedibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan and Muhammad ibn Abi ‘Umar, reported by al-Faakihi in Akhbaar Makkah, 2/149
The more correct view – and Allah knows best – is the mawqoof report whichgoes back to Hudhayfah, i.e., he said these words onthe basis of his own opinion and ijtihaad, and he did not hear it from theProphet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). That is for the following reasons:
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This text is narrated as the words of Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him)by another chain of narrators. It was narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf (2/337) and also by ‘Abd al-Razzaaq (4/347) via Sufyaan al-Thawri from Waasil al-Ahdab from Ibraahem al-Nakha‘i who said: Hudhayfah came to ‘Abdullah and said: Is it notamazing that your people are observing i‘tikaaf between your house and the house of al-Ash‘ari? – Meaning in the mosque. ‘Abdullah said: Perhaps they got it right and you got it wrong! Hudhayfah said: Do you not know that there is no i‘tikaaf except in three mosques: al-Masjid al-Haraam [in Makkah], al-Masjid al-Aqsa [in Jerusalem] and Masjid Rasool-Allah (blessings andpeace of Allah be upon him) [in Madinah]? There isno difference between observing i‘tikaaf in it or inthis market of yours..
The report of Ibraaheem al-Nakha‘i from ‘Abd-Allah ibn Mas‘ood is acceptable to the scholars. See: Jaami‘ al-Tahseel, 141; Sharh al-‘Ilal, {1/294}

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1a] What After Ramadhan?

1a]
-- If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year. “Theyused to sleep but little of the night.” [Adh-Dhaariyaat, 17]
-- If the charity in Ramadan and zakat ul-fitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other open doors to charity, voluntary actions and jihad.
-- Reading of the Qur'an and contemplating it is notonly for Ramadan, rather itis for all times.
Righteous actions are for all times and all places, so strive, O my brother and sister, and beware of laziness. And remember that it is not allowed for usto leave the obligatory actions or delay them, such as the five daily prayers on time, in congregation etc.
And do not fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to what is forbidden.
Be steadfast and upright upon the Deen of Allah at all times, for you do not know when you'll meet the Angel of Death. Beware of him taking you while you are in a state of sin. “O Allah, Who turns the hearts, keep our hearts steadfast upon Your Deen.”
I ask Allah to accept from us and you our fasting, ourprayers and other righteous actions, that our condition after Ramadan be a better one, that the state of our Ummah improves, that we are granted honour and that we truly turn to our Lord…Ameen/ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

1] What After Ramadhan?

1]
AlHamdulillahi wa kafaa, was-Salatu was-salamu `alaa `ibaadihi-lladheena Stafaa
We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Qur'an, taqwa, patience, jihad, mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hellfire…
Have we fulfilled the requirements of taqwa and graduated from the Ramadan school with the diploma of the God-fearing? Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them,or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations? Havewe performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire?
Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Muslim, who asks and answers with truthfulness.
What Have We Gained From Ramadan?
Ramadan is a school of iman and a 'stop to recharge one's spiritual batteries' - to acquire one'sprovision for the rest of the year. For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?
The noble month is a true school of transformation inwhich we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah 'azza wa jall. “Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” [Ar-Ra`d, 11]
If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against your soul, then praise and thank Allah, andask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.
Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it... Have you seen one who sewed a shirt or thawb, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What wouldpeople say about such a person?! Or have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned, dirham by dirham. What would people say about such a person?!
This is the condition of onewho returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favored with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze ofsins and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan!
My dear ones,
falling short in one's commitment to Islam afterRamadan is manifested in many ways, including:
*. Men leaving the five prayers in congregation, after they filled mosques for Taraweeh prayers, thus going to the masjid for recommended prayers and leaving obligatory ones.
*. Return to musical entertainment, forbiddenfilms, women displaying their adornment beyond that which ordinarily appears thereof, free mixing etc.
This is not thankfulness forblessings and favors, nor isit the sign of acceptance ofone's actions, rather this is opposition to favors and absence of thankfulness.
These are from signs of one's deeds not being accepted – and Allah's refuge is sought – for one who truly fasts rejoices on the occasion of `eid, praises his Lord for helpinghim complete the fast, andremains fearful that Allah may not accept his fasting,just as the Salaf would continue asking for acceptance of their actions in Ramadan for six monthsafter it.
From signs that one's deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his or her obedience to Allah `azza wa jall. “And remember when your Lordproclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]…” [Ibrahim, 7] Increase you in good, faith and righteous actions. So if the servant is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and distanced from sinfulness. Thankfulness is leaving sins, as the early Muslims said.
“And worship your Lord until there comes you to the certainty [i.e. death].” [al-Hijr, 99]
The Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience of Allah,firm upon His Sharee`ah, steadfast upon His Deen, so that he or she is not of those who worship Allah only during one month or only in one place. Rather, the believer knows that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of other months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places, so he is steadfast upon the Sharee`ah of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him. Allah ta`ala said, “So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah].” [Hud, 112] And, “So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness.” [Fussilat, 6] And the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said, “Say 'I believe in Allah', then be steadfast.” [Muslim]
-- If the fasting in Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary fasting, such as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mondays and Thursdays, the three days in the middle of the month, the days of `Aashoora and `Arafat, and others./ - - - :-> Transtors: 1.http://free-translation.imtranslator.net/lowres.asp 2.http://translate.google.com/m?twu=1&hl=en&vi=m&sl=auto&tl=en

It is not permissible for you not to fast because of work

I come from a family of moderate means and I amworking during the
vacation doing work that is very difficult, to help my family with
their expenses. This job of minecoincides with the fast of Ramadan and
I cannot both work and fast. Is it permissible for me to fast at a
time other than Ramadan so that I can continue with my work? Please
advise me, may Allah reward you.
Praise be to Allaah.
What is required of the believer when Ramadan comes is to fast
Ramadan.If he is doing difficult work, he should reduce it so that he
can fast. He cando that by working in the time that suits him at the
beginning of the day, then refraining from the work that is too
difficult for him, so that he can complete his fast. Allah, may He be
glorified and exalted, has made the fastan obligation and one of the
five pillars of Islam.
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: "Islam is
built on five (pillars): testimony that there is nogod but Allah and
that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing prayer; paying
zakaah; fasting Ramadan; and pilgrimage to the House for the one who
is able to do that."
What is required of every Muslim man and woman is to fast this month,
and to beware of everything that may form an obstacleto that. Work
does not end and there are many times for it. It is possible for the
believer to do his work at night or at the beginning of the day so
that it will not be too difficult for him to work inthe middle of the
day.
The point here is that you have to look for means that will help you
to combine the two matters:fasting and working, in a way that will not
harm you. This is what you have to do. As for not fasting, that is not
permissible for you. End quote.
Shaykh 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allah have mercy on him)
Fataawa Noor 'ala al-Darb,