Dought & clear - When does Taraaweeh prayer start in Ramadaan – on the first night or the second?.

When should we start topray Taraaweeh prayer, on the night of the
first day of Ramadaan (whenthe moon is sighted or the previous month
is completed) or after 'Isha' prayer on the first day of Ramadaan?.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is prescribed for the Muslim to perform Taraaweeh prayer after
'Isha' on the first night of Ramadaan, which is the night on which the
new moon is sighted or the Muslims complete thirty days of Sha'baan.
Similarly at the end of Ramadaan, Taraaweeh prayer should not be
offered if it is proven that the month has ended, either by sighting
of the new moon of Eid or if the month of thirty days has been
completed.
It is clear that Taraaweeh prayer is not connected to the fast during
the day in Ramadaan, rather it is connected to the onset of the month
at night in the beginning, and the last day of Ramadaan at the end.
We should not say that Taraaweeh prayer is a naafil prayer and it is
permissible to offer it onany night and in congregation, because
taraaweeh prayer is limited to the month of Ramadaan, and those who
offer this prayer are seeking the reward that comes for praying it.
The ruling on offeringthis prayer in congregation is different from
the rulingon offering other prayers in congregation.In Ramadaan it is
permissible to pray taraaweeh in congregation on each night, whilst
announcing it and encouraging others to join, unlike qiyaam at other
times, where praying qiyaam in congregation is not part of the Sunnah
unless it isdone without having theintention beforehand, orit is done
for the purpose of encouraging and teaching others. So it is Sunnah
to do it sometimes without committing to doing it all the time or
persisting in that.
Shaykh Muhammad al-Saalih al-'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
Taraaweeh at times other than Ramadaan is an innovation (bid'ah). For
example, if the people wanted to gatherto pray qiyaam in congregation
in the mosque at times other than Ramadaan, this would be an
innovation.
There is nothing wrong with a person praying incongregation in his
house occasionally at times other than Ramadaan, because this is what
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did. Once he
led Ibn 'Abbaas, and once Ibn Mas'ood and once Hudhayfah ibn
al-Yamaan, in prayer in his house, but he did notadopt that as a
regular Sunnah and he did not do that in the mosque.
Al-Sharh al-Mumti', 4/60, 61
Based on this, whoever offers Taraaweeh prayers before it is proven
that Ramadaan has begun is like one who offers a prayer at the wrong
time. No reward will be written for him, even if he is freeof the sin
of doing that deliberately.
And Allaah knows best.

Dought & clear - Ruling on using medicinal gel through the nose when fasting.

I suffer from an allergy in the nose. I have read the questions having
to do with taking medication in the form of a nasal spray whilst
fasting, and you stated that it does not invalidate the fast. But my
question has to do with another kind of medicine, which is in theform
of a gel that is taken through the nose. Does taking it invalidate the
fast?
Praise be to Allah.
The Prophet's Sunnah indicates that the nose may lead to the
stomach.The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
"Exaggerate in rinsing the nose (when doing wudoo') unless you are
fasting." Narrated by Abu Dawood, 142; at-Tirmidhi, 788. Classed as
saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood.
If the gel that is taken through the nose does not reach the throat or
stomach, rather it is absorbed through the nose, then the fast is
valid.
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
There is nothing wrong with using creams that moisten the lips and
nose, or dampening it with water or with a wet cloth and the like, but
you should take carenot to let any of that moisture reach the throat
or stomach. If anything does reach it without you intending itto, then
you do not haveto do anything, such as ifyou wash inside your mouth
and the water reaches the throat without you intending itto. That does
not break the fast.
End quote from Majmoo'Fataawa Ibn 'Uthaymeen, 19/224
We ask Allah to heals youand all the sick Muslims, and grant you well-being.
And Allah knows best.

Islam and Teamwork (Team Work): Islam and Leadership, Islam and Consultation

Almighty Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur'an: "Andhold fast all
together by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you) and be not
divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitudeAllah's favor on
you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in loveso that by
His grace ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of
fire and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make his signs clearto
you: that ye may be guided." Noble Qur'an (3:103)
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: Faithful believers are to each other as
the bricks of a wall, supporting and reinforcing each other. So
saying, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) clasped his hands by interlocking
his fingers. [Sahih al-Bukhari]
In Islam, Allah (SWT) givesus the gift of brotherhood and sisterhood
and encourages us to do things in a group setting or Team Work.
Examples where Islam encourages team spirit are Juma prayers and Hajj
Pilgrimage. In fact, if we fail to work effectively as a member of
team, we fail to understand the true meaning of "Ummah(collectively
united Community)" in Islam.
Teamwork is defined in Webster's New World Dictionary as "a joint
action by a group of people, in which each person subordinates his or
her individual interests and opinions to the unity and efficiency of
the group." This does not mean that the individual is no longer
important; however, it does mean that effective and efficient teamwork
goes beyond individual accomplishments. The most effective teamwork is
produced when all the individuals involved harmonize their
contributions and work towards a common goal.
Lessons from Geese provide a perfect example of the importance of
teamwork and how it can have a profound and powerful effect on our
life. When we use these five principles in our personallife it will
help us to foster and encourage a level of passion and energy in
ourselves, as well as those who are our friends, associates or team
members.
It is essential to remember that teamwork happens whenit is
continually nurtured and encouraged.
Once a wise man said - Two people can accomplish more than twice as
much as one; they get a better return for their labor. As the old
saying goes, two heads are better than one.
Scientists have found that Geese flying in V formation can travel
around 71% further in a session than Geese flying solo (alone).
Working together on the task of flying is beneficial in a number of
ways:
Lesson 1 - The Importance of Achieving Common Goals
Aerodynamic Formation -The V formation of Geese is a way that
maximizes the energy expended by those flying as part of it. The bird
at the front of the flock breaks the air for those flying behind it
and creates a slipstream for them to be dragged along in. The birds
behind also help those in front as the upward motion of their wing
alsocreate an upward draft that propels them forward. This push/pull
relationship ensures all birds in the formation benefit from the work
of others.
Outcome: When we have a sense of "Ummah (collectively united
Community)" and focus, we create trust and can help each other to
achieve our common goals.

Islam and Consultation: Mutual Consultation(Islamic Leadership, Islamand Teamwork)

A Lion who held all the beasts of the surrounding in subjection, and
was always in the habit of making raids upon them to snap and kill any
of them as he required for his daily food. It lasted very long until
the beasts took counsel together and all agreed to deliver him one of
their company each day. They thought that it would satisfy the Lion's
hunger, and as a result, he would cease to harm them by his continual
attacks.
The Lion was at first unwilling to trust them and seemed not to
believe such words, thus he went on by remarkingthat he would prefer
to rely on his effort. But, by being serious on their decision, the
beasts succeeded in persuading Lion that he would do well to trust
them and accept the free offerings.
Having carried the suggestion, the beasts continued for sometime to
perform their engagement sending each day a certain friend of theirs
to the Lion to devour.
Once it happened to be the turn of a Hare to be delivered up as a
victim to the Lion; but before long he requested the others to let him
practice device. The friends mocked him, asking how such a silly beast
as he could pretend to outwit the Lion. The Hare assured them that the
wisdom only belonged toAllah (SWT), and that was He who might choose
weak things to confound the strong. In the end they consented to let
himtry his luck.
The Hare took slowly his way to the Lion, and found him roaring in
anger. In excuse for his being late Hare invented that he along with
another Hare had set out together to appear before the Lion, but a
strange strong Lion had seized the next Hare and carried him off into
his resting place in a ditch. On hearing the pitiful remarks of the
Hare the Lion was exceeding wroth, and commanded the Hare to show him
thefoe who had trespassed on his area. Pretending to be afraid of the
second Lion, the Hare goton the present Lion to ride to the destiny
upon his back, and directed him to a well. On looking down the well,
the Lion saw in the water the reflection of himself and of the Hare on
his back. Quite in rage, he thoughtthat it was the strong enemy of his
with the stolen Hare; he plunged down into the well to attack him.
From that moment, not only the Hare, but all his beast friends were
released by their wise consolation - which is based on Surah Shura, of
the Noble Qur'an: "And those who respond to their Lord and keep up
prayer, and their rule is to take counsel among themselves, and who
spend out of what We have given them." Noble Qur'an (42:38)
Since the principle of mutual consultation ("Shura") is mandatory,
itis a Muslim's fundamentalright, as well as responsibility, to
participate in as many aspects of the community's life as possible.