This month is all about self-discipline, self-control and sacrifice
Published: 04:04 PM,Apr 02,2022 | EDITED : 09:04 PM,Apr 02,2022
The first day of the holy month of Ramadhan began on Sunday. “The first day of Ramadhan would be Sunday, April 3 as the moon was not sighted on Friday’’, Abdullah al Ghafri of the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs (MERA), said.
According to Islamic scholar Sahih al Bukhari, when the month of Ramadhan starts, the gates of paradise are opened, the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained.
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “And may a man upon whom Ramadhan enters and the passes, before he is forgiven, be humiliated.”
Shaikh Mufti Menk, Abdullah al Ghafri, Hatim Abdussalam and Qari Mohammed Yousuf answered some of the queries and are below:
What’s Ramadhan?
‘Ramadhan’ is derived from the Arabic base word “ramida” which means “scorching heat” and fasting was made obligatory on all adult Muslims in the Second Year of Hijri (from the year of Migration from Mecca to Madina of Muslims). Ramadhan is the most pious month in the history of Islam. On the first night of Ramadhan, a caller calls out: “O seeker of good, come forward and “O seeker of evil, stop.”
Values of Ramadhan
Muslims believe that Ramadhan teaches them how to practise self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging acts of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat). Muslims also believe fasting helps instill compassion for the poor and hungary.
Segments of Ramadhan
The thirty days and nights of the month of Ramadhan are divided into three, according to Qari Mohammed Yousuf. “Among the three segments of the holy month, the first 10 days are for ‘Mercy of Allah’ (Rahmah); the next 10 days imply ‘Forgiveness of Allah’ (Maghfirah); and the last 10 days are for ‘Safety from the Hellfire’ (Nijat).”
What’s fasting in Islam?
Fasting implies abstaining not just from eating and drinking, smoking and refraining from sex from dawn to sunset, but cleansing one’s mind from anger, revenge, jealousy and sinful behaviour such as lying, cursing, false speech and the like.
Is fasting compulsory?
Fasting is mandatory for all adult believers of sound mind and physical health. “However, there are some exemptions to this rule”, says Hatim Abdulsalam, a religious scholar. “Those travelling, aged, pregnant, diabetic, chronically ill, menstruating or breastfeeding are exempted from fasting. However, any child endeavouring to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life is allowed to do so with their parents’ permission.”
Structure
The food eaten before sunrise is known as Suhoor, and the one eaten after sunset is known as Iftar. During these times, believers spend generously to make food available for the whole community, especially the poor ones. The rewards of all good deeds are increased during the month of Ramadhan, whether it is praying salat or giving charity.
How human unity is enforced through fasting
Islam always emphasises ‘giving and caring’ and doing Zakat, a mode of giving and helping others during the month.
People gather for ‘Iftar and Suhoor’ that reinstate camaraderie among people from different backgrounds but united with one purpose: To fast and gain Allah Almighty’s blessings.
The powerful night
There’s a very auspicious night in the holy month, which is also known as the most powerful night. Laylat-ul-Qadr or Night of Power is in one of the last 10 nights in the month of Ramadhan and is full of blessings and is one of the most coveted nights of the Islamic Year. It takes place in the last ten days of Ramadhan and was the night in which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). It is also believed to be the night in which Allah shows great mercy to His creation and the night in which one’s fate is decreed.
@kabeeryousef
According to Islamic scholar Sahih al Bukhari, when the month of Ramadhan starts, the gates of paradise are opened, the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained.
The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “And may a man upon whom Ramadhan enters and the passes, before he is forgiven, be humiliated.”
Shaikh Mufti Menk, Abdullah al Ghafri, Hatim Abdussalam and Qari Mohammed Yousuf answered some of the queries and are below:
What’s Ramadhan?
‘Ramadhan’ is derived from the Arabic base word “ramida” which means “scorching heat” and fasting was made obligatory on all adult Muslims in the Second Year of Hijri (from the year of Migration from Mecca to Madina of Muslims). Ramadhan is the most pious month in the history of Islam. On the first night of Ramadhan, a caller calls out: “O seeker of good, come forward and “O seeker of evil, stop.”
Values of Ramadhan
Muslims believe that Ramadhan teaches them how to practise self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging acts of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat). Muslims also believe fasting helps instill compassion for the poor and hungary.
Segments of Ramadhan
The thirty days and nights of the month of Ramadhan are divided into three, according to Qari Mohammed Yousuf. “Among the three segments of the holy month, the first 10 days are for ‘Mercy of Allah’ (Rahmah); the next 10 days imply ‘Forgiveness of Allah’ (Maghfirah); and the last 10 days are for ‘Safety from the Hellfire’ (Nijat).”
What’s fasting in Islam?
Fasting implies abstaining not just from eating and drinking, smoking and refraining from sex from dawn to sunset, but cleansing one’s mind from anger, revenge, jealousy and sinful behaviour such as lying, cursing, false speech and the like.
Is fasting compulsory?
Fasting is mandatory for all adult believers of sound mind and physical health. “However, there are some exemptions to this rule”, says Hatim Abdulsalam, a religious scholar. “Those travelling, aged, pregnant, diabetic, chronically ill, menstruating or breastfeeding are exempted from fasting. However, any child endeavouring to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life is allowed to do so with their parents’ permission.”
Structure
The food eaten before sunrise is known as Suhoor, and the one eaten after sunset is known as Iftar. During these times, believers spend generously to make food available for the whole community, especially the poor ones. The rewards of all good deeds are increased during the month of Ramadhan, whether it is praying salat or giving charity.
How human unity is enforced through fasting
Islam always emphasises ‘giving and caring’ and doing Zakat, a mode of giving and helping others during the month.
People gather for ‘Iftar and Suhoor’ that reinstate camaraderie among people from different backgrounds but united with one purpose: To fast and gain Allah Almighty’s blessings.
The powerful night
There’s a very auspicious night in the holy month, which is also known as the most powerful night. Laylat-ul-Qadr or Night of Power is in one of the last 10 nights in the month of Ramadhan and is full of blessings and is one of the most coveted nights of the Islamic Year. It takes place in the last ten days of Ramadhan and was the night in which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). It is also believed to be the night in which Allah shows great mercy to His creation and the night in which one’s fate is decreed.
@kabeeryousef