Fiqhi Issues Prior to Ramadan

[Noor]

Fiqhi Issues Prior to Ramadan

taken from islamonline.net

Question:
If a person intentionally misses a fast of Ramadan he cannot make it up. But if he starts it and then breaks it intentionally for example by eating or drinking, should he make it up or not? Is there a difference of opinion? Or is the only time he has to make up for it and offer Kaffarah when he breaks it through sexual intercourse? Please clarify.

2. If a person 'does' have to make up a fast that is broken intentionally then is it 'fard' to make it up or only as hope that he will be forgiven?

3. What kind of things can a person do to cover up his past mistakes and sins apart from charity, nafl prayers and dhikr? May Allah reward you.

Answer by Ahmad Kutty

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.



All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

If you break or fail to observe a single day of Ramadan fasting, you ought to make up for it; there is no difference of opinion among scholars about it, unless you belong to those who are exempt from fasting: terminally ill or in advanced old age.

The hadith which states that if a person deliberately breaks a single day of fast, he cannot make up for it by fasting an entire life-time is intended to show the importance of Ramadan fasting; its real meaning is: one cannot hope to gain the same spiritual rewards even while making up for it; it does not take away the obligation to make up for the fasts deliberately broken by any means.

There is a difference of opinion among scholars whether one who has deliberately broken a day of Ramadan through activities other than sexual intercourse should offer kaffarah besides making up for the broken fast. According to Hanafi and Maliki schools, he/she must offer kaffarah besides making up for the missed fast. But according to both Shafi`i and Hanbali schools, kaffarah is only obligatory in case of breaking a fast through sexual intercourse.

In order to expiate for one's past sins, there are a number of things recommended:
1. Virtuous acts of any kind including charities; charities are especially mentioned in the sources, as well as acts of compassion;
2. Voluntary fasts;
3. Consistency in dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and istighfar (asking Allah for forgiveness).

May Allah cleanse us all of our sins-ameen.



Allah Almighty knows best.

[Noor]

Question:
Dear Sheikh, the month of Ramadan marked the greatest change in the history of the humanity. It witnessed the revelation of the first verses of the Qur'an and the advent of Islam. I believe that the Muslim Ummah should be inspired by this fact and try to change and rectify its affairs. Could you address a piece of advice to the Ummah about the urgency of this issue and the relationship between Ramadan and change?
Answer by Ahmad Kutty

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.



All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

You have raised an extremely important issue. May Allah increase your zeal to improve the condition of the Ummah.

Ramadan like all other important institutions in Islam are appointed by Allah to help us to qualify ourselves for the onerous responsibility of serving as vicegerents of Allah on earth. We can only benefit from these institutions when we fulfill them by being fully aware of their true purposes and wisdom.

Let me list a few benefits and lessons of this great institution:
1. Fasting will only help us if we consider it as a great spiritual discipline intended to deepen our spiritual nature;
2. Fasting is meant to help us restrain our physical cravings and learn self-mastery;
3. There is no benefit in fasting, unless one controls one's evil thoughts, words and actions and exercises total control over them all;
4. True fasting makes us aware of God's favours for while fasting we are deprived of them, and thus making us aware of their true value;
5. It ought to condition us to empathize with the poor and the less fortunate;
6. Ramadan must also help us improve our life by breaking bad habits and learning new ones;
7. In short, by developing taqwa or mindfulness of Allah through fasting, we are better prepared to open a new chapter in our lives.
Let us, therefore, individually and collectively prepare ourselves to come out of the blessed month with a renewed faith, better morals and higher spiritual energy-ameen.



Allah Almighty knows best.

[Noor]

Question:
Respected scholar, time is running quickly and the blessed month of Ramadan is approaching. I really want this Ramadan to be a unique one and not to miss any minute of it. Is there any tips or advice to attain this goal?

Answer by Ahmad Kutty

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.



All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

May Allah increase your desire to learn and practice your cherished faith. Here are a few tips to observe:

1. Let your fasting be a true spiritual experience as you not only abstain from foods, drinks and sexual activity, but also from all sinful thoughts, words, and actions;
2. Keep the role model of Allah's Messenger as he taught us to focus wholeheartedly on virtuous actions in the month of Ramadan by being more charitable and Allah-conscious;
3. Use your waking hours as much as possible to renew your relationship with the Qur'an by reading and reflecting on it as much as possible;
4. Join the Muslim community in your area in iftar and share food with the poor and needy as much as you can;
5. Learn to be consistent in dhikr;
6. Be determined to break whatever bad habits you had acquired in the past and replace them with some good ones; for instance, if you had been in the habit of watching television replace it with reading some good Islamic books; if, God-forbid, you have been smoking, use the excellent opportunity of Ramadan to break this habit cold turkey; with the help of Allah, whatever bad habits you have, you can break them all in the month of Ramadan.
7. Finally, pray for all the believers.
May Allah grant us all the true blessings of Ramadan-ameen.



Allah Almighty knows best.

[Noor]

Question:
Respected scholar, Ramadan is approaching and from one year to another we hear about differences among Muslims regarding the beginning and end of Ramadan. Could you please shed light on this issue and how to evade differences in this great event. May Allah bless your efforts.

Answer by Ahmad Kutty

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.



All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

While trying our best to bring about the desired unity, as an individual it is your duty to begin fasting or celebration of `eid with the congregation you are part of. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Fast with the people; break your fast with the people and celebrate your festival of sacrifice with the people!"

[Noor]

Question:
As-Salamu `alaykum, Ramadan is coming again and despite its tremendous blessings we will be caught up in confusion as to when to begin. Can't you scholars come together and issue a joint statement on when fasting should commence? Thank you!

Answer by Ahmad Kutty

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.


In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.



All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

You have raised an important point; it is an urgent need of the hour for the scholars and leaders to be take a united decision in regards to the beginning and end of Ramadan.

Having said this, I must also rush to add: We must never allow ourselves to be carried away by the controversy over this issue from benefiting from the spiritual benefits of Ramadan; by focusing too much on the ritualistic aspects, we seem to neglect the real spirit of fasting: developing the mindfulness of Allah and gaining mastery over our carnal passions.