Fasting will Intercede for You

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Know that the believer during the month of Ramadhaan is faced with two great personal endeavors;

1)    He fasts during the day

2)   He prays and recites the Quraan during the night

So if the believer makes himself patient upon these endeavors then he will have a great and unlimited reward.  

Ka’b said, “There will be a call on the Day of Judgment so that everyone who ploughed will be rewarded. The Ahl al-Quraan and the people of fasting will be given their reward without measure. They will also be interceded for with Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted.”

As it was narrated in the Musnad on the authority of ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Fasting and Standing in Prayer are two forms of intercession for the slave on the Day of Judgment. Fasting will say on that Day, ‘Oh my Lord! I prevented him from food and drink during the day’ and the Quraan will say, ‘I prevented him from sleeping during the night so except this intercession from us’, so it will be accepted from them both.”

So fasting will be an intercessor on the Day of Judgment as food and drink and the following of his desires were prevented for him. All of these are the same, he makes prohibited upon himself by fasting, food, drink, intercourse and that what comes after it, without falling into any Haraam forms of fulfillment of desire, he doesn’t follow his need for any of these for the sake of fasting. So he prohibits himself from the Haraam types of looking, the Haraam types of listening, all the various forms of income he may gain which are Haraam, he closes it all for himself; all because of fasting. So because of these restrictions that he places on himself due to fasting, fasting will be an intercessor for him on the Day of Judgment.

So when fasting will say on the Day of Judgment, ‘Oh my Lord! I prevented him from food and drink during the day’ it means that the fasting person protected his fast from what is prohibited as well as what is usually permissible for him. As for the one who fasts but doesn’t prevent himself from falling into obeying his desires and what Allaah had prohibited him, then he deserves to be beaten.

Chapter 37: The Virtue of Giving in Charity and Reciting the Quraan in Ramadhaan from Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 125-134) by Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him]

The Month of Mercy, Forgiveness and Ransom from the Fire

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On the authority of Salmaan al-Faarisi, the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said:

“The Month of Ramadhaan is split, the first part is Mercy, the middle is Forgiveness and the final part of this month is ransom from the Hellfire.”

This has been reported by Ibn Khuzaymah in his Saheeh. A similar narration is also narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] which has been reported in Ibn Abee Dunya with the wording, “The month all of it is Mercy, all of it is Forgiveness and all of it is a ransom.”

These Ahadeeth give the same meaning as the authentic Hadeeth, “When Ramadhaan comes the doors of Mercy are opened.”

In a narration reported by at-Tirmidhee and others, “Verily, Allaah frees from the fire every night.”

Having established that this is the month of Mercy, it is important to note that the Mercy of Allaah applies to those who do good and have Taqwa [i.e. to do what He has Ordered and to abstain from what He has Prohibited]. Allaah, the Most High, says:

“Surely, Allah's Mercy is (ever) near unto the good-doers” [A’raaf 7:56]

And, He, the Most High, says:

“I will and My Mercy embraces all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who are the Muttaqun” [A’raaf 7:156]

So Mercy showers those who have Taqwa in the beginning of the month, so that the beginning of the month for them is met with Mercy and the Pleasure of Allaah. This motivates them to do good deeds and to act in the best possible way.

The second phase of the month is a result of the first one, once they have received the Mercy of Allaah and have bettered themselves, in the second part of the month they received the Forgiveness for some of their sins due to their fasting. Their minor sins are forgiven and they are not prevented from the Mercy of Allaah, the Most High:

“…your Lord is full of Forgiveness for mankind inspite of their wrong-doing…” [Ra’d 13:6]

As for the final phase of the month, they are ransomed from the fire. Their sins are forgiven and they are freed from the fire. It occurs in the Hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Allaah Frees His Servants from the fire every night during Ramadhaan at the time of breaking fast, thousands upon thousands are freed, all of them were destined for the fire but when the final night of Ramadhaan comes, Allaah Frees on that day the equivalent of all those who freed on the nights before added together.”

Therefore, the day of al-Fitr is an ‘Eid for all the believers of this Ummah because their necks have been freed from the fire. There are those who commit major sins but due to their good deeds, their fasting and praying, they are freed from the fire and accepted with the pious.

Similar to the day of al-Nahr, this is also an ‘Eid for the Muslims because the day before this ‘Eid is the day of ‘Arafah and on the day of ‘Arafah, Allaah Frees more people from the fire than any other day throughout the year.

So whoever is freed from the fire during these days before ‘Eid then the ‘Eid is truly a joyous occasion for him but those who have lost out on this opportunity to be freed, then ‘Eid is just a normal day for him.

Once we know that Forgiveness and ransom from the fire is given to those who fast and stand the nights in prayer during Ramadhaan, then Allaah, the Most High, as ordered us to finish our rituals by doing Takbeer of Him in thanks:

“He wants that you must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [(i.e. to say Takbeer or Allaahu-Akbar) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” [Baqarah 2:185]

The ability in giving thanks to Allaah is a favour that Allaah Blesses upon His Slaves, He Guides them and Give them the ability to fast and give them the enthusiasm that is needed in doing good deeds to that they may attain is Mercy, Forgiveness and ransom from the fire. Because of this, the slave should remember Him, give thanks to Him, fear Him as he ought to be feared.

Ibn Mas’ood [May Allaah be Pleased with him] explained that fearing Allaah as he ought to be feared means to obey Him and not disobey Him. To remember Him and not to forget Him, to give thanks to Him and not to be ungrateful to Him.

Taken from Chapter 42: Saying Farewell to Ramadhaan in Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 160-169) by Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him]

The Salaf Sought for their Deeds to be accepted by Having Taqwaa

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It is from the practice of the Salaf as-Saalih to strive to make their deeds as perfect as possible, upon completion, they would seek for it to be accepted from them and they were always in a state of fear that their deeds would be rejected. These are the ones referred to:

“Verily! Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord;” [Mu’minoon 23:57]

It is also narrated from ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that he said, “Seek to make your deeds accepted, have you not heard the statement of Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted, ‘Verily, Allah accepts only from those who are Al-Muttaqun’ [Maaidah 5: 27].”

Fudaalah bin ‘Ubayd said, “If I knew that Allaah has accepted from me even a minute atom’s weight of good deeds, this is more beloved to me than the whole world and all it contains. As he says; ‘Verily, Allah accepts only from those who are Al-Muttaqun’ [Maaidah 5: 27]”

Ibn Deenaar said, “To fear that your deed will not be accepted is more difficult than doing the act itself.”

‘Ataa said, “One should be cautious that his deeds are not for Allaah.”

‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Abee Ruwaad said, “You strive to do good deeds but upon completion, you should be worried on whether it will be accepted or not.”

Others from the Salaf used to supplicate to Allaah for six months that Allaah gives them life so that they will be alive for the forthcoming Ramadhaan. Once Ramadhaan was completed and over, they would then supplicate to Allaah for the rest of the year that Allaah accept their deeds.

‘Umar bin ‘Abdul-‘Azeez once went out on the day of ‘Eid al-Fitr and said in his Khutbah, “Oh People! You have fasted for thirty days and you have stood for thirty nights. You have now left your homes this morning hoping that Allaah accepts it all from you.”

Some of the Salaf would also show sadness on the day of ‘Eid al-Fitr and they would explain their sadness was due to them being afraid. They would say, “I am slave and I have been ordered by my Master to do certain deeds and I am not sure if I have done them so that they may be accepted by Him.”

Wahb saw some people laughing on the day of ‘Eid al-Fitr and he said, “If these people have had their deeds accepted then this is not the behavior of those who are thankful and if they don’t know if their deeds have been accepted then this is not the behavior of those who fear that their deeds are not accepted.”

Hasan al-Basree used to say, “Verily, Allaah has made the month of Ramadhaan an arena or stadium for his creation, in which they can compete with one another to do good deeds and seek His Pleasure.”

These are the generations that came before us and they have succeeded and those who came after them have become spoilt and have become involved in idleness, laughing and playing. So the day will come that the successful will receive their rewards and those who are losers will be falsified.

What have you lost if you have lost the benefits of Ramadhaan? What else is that can stop you from being deprived? How many people have had their deeds accepted and their sins forgiven? And how mant are there that have not gained anything except wretchedness and misery? So people stood and have not got anything from this except a sleepless night and some people fasted and got nothing except thirst and hunger.

The month of Ramadhaan is filled and is a means for us to the Forgiveness and Mercy from Allaah. In it we fast and in it we stand during the night. In it we feed the poor and in it we share our wealth by remembering others. In it we remember Allaah, as it appears in the Hadeeth, “The Dhikr of Allaah in Ramadhaan is a cause of forgiveness for you.” In it, we seek forgiveness in Allaah and we seek His Mercy. We supplicate to Him, whilst we fast and at the time of breaking our fast. Because of this, Ibn ‘Umar [May Allaah be Pleased with him] used to feed the poor and say, “Oh Allaah! Oh the One Who is Vast in Mercy! Forgive me!”

Also in the Hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] in talking about the virtues of Ramadhaan, it states that Allaah Forgives everyone except for the one who is too proud.

So it was asked, “Oh Abaa Hurayrah! How is the one who is too proud?” He replied, “The one who is too proud to ask Allaah to Forgive him.”

Also in this month, the Angels ask for forgiveness for those who fast until evening.

So there are many various ways one can gain the Forgiveness and the Mercy of Allaah during this month. Therefore, the one who isn’t forgiven during this month is the one who is prevented and deprived.

On the authority of Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] was on his Mimbar and he said, “Ameen, Ameen, Ameen.” It was asked, “Oh Messenger of Allaah! Why did you say Ameen, Ameen, Ameen.” He [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] replied, “Jibreel came down and supplicated thrice and said, ‘Whoever reaches Ramadhaan and is not forgiven, may he enter the fire. Whoever has old parents and doesn’t enter Jannah by looking after them, may he enter the fire and whoever hears my name being mentioned and doesn’t sent Salaat upon me, may he enter the fire.’ So I replied each time by saying Ameen.”

This was narrated by Imaam Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee and Ibn Hibbaan. Ibn Hibbaan’s narration has the wording, “May he be disgraced.”

The Hadeeth have been classified as being Good or Hasan by at-Tirmidhee.

It is also narrated that Qataadah said, “Whoever is not forgiven within Ramadhaan then he will not be forgiven outside of it.”

In another narration, it says, “If one doesn’t become pious within Ramadhaan then when will he become pious? If he is not cured this month from ignorance, negligence and all forms of sickness, then when will he seek a cure? Everyone’s wealth are grown on trees and the season comes for us to pick the fruits off the trees as they ripen, if you don’t pick them, then they will fall and be wasted. If one harvests his crops and doesn’t pull them out of the ground when the time for harvest comes, he will be overcome with regret and severe loss.”

Taken from Chapter 42: Saying Farewell to Ramadhaan in Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 160-169) by Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him]

Virtues and Benefits in Being Charitable in Ramadhaan

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Chapter 37: The Virtue of Giving in Charity and Reciting the Quraan in Ramadhaan

Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him] says in his book Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 125-134)

It is narrated in Bukhaaree and Muslim on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that he said, “The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] used to be the most kindest and generous of people, and he was especially kind and generous in Ramadhaan when Jibreel would meet with him at night and they would study the Quraan together. And the kindness and generosity of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] was like the wind when it was sent with good.”

Imaam Ahmad has a similar narration which adds the wording, “He would never ask for anything except it was given to him…”

In another narration reported by at-Tirmidhee on the authority of Sa’d bin Abee Waqaas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Verily Allaah is Generous and He Loves generosity, He is Kind and He Loves Kindness.”

In a well-known narration of Fudaylbin ‘Ayyaad [May Allaah have Mercy on him] who said, “Verily Allaah, the Most High, says every night, ‘I am Generous and from Me comes Generosity. I am Kind and from me comes Kindness.’ For by Allaah, the Glorified, He is the Most Generous from those who have generosity and His Generosity multiplies is even more increased in the month of Ramadhaan. In this month He Comes Down as He says;

“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor)…” [al-Baqarah 2:186]

Based on this, we know that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] was the most generous person from the children of Aadam, without doubt, just like he is the best from the children of Aadam and he is the most knowledge from children of Aadam, he was the bravest and was the most perfect in all praiseworthy characteristics. His [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] generosity was combined with his level of knowledge and wealth, making him [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] humbled in front of Allaah, the Most High, spreading His Religion and benefitting His Slaves in the best and most various ways he could.

He [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] fulfilled the needs of people and he bore with their difficulties, and none of these praiseworthy characteristics were new to him, he had these even before Prophethood.

For this reason, his wife Khadeejah [May Allaah be Pleased with her] said to him as soon as revelation began, “By Allaah! Allaah will never disgrace you. You seal the ties of kinship, you honour your guest, you feed the poor, you donate to the destitute and you support the truth.” After the advent of Prophethood, we saw his praiseworthy characteristics grow even further.

In al-Bukhaaree and Muslim on the authority of Anas bin Maalik [May Allaah be Pleased with him] who said, “The Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] was the best of people, the bravest of people and he was the most generous of people.”

Anas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] also said, “If a man gives up all his desires and cravings from the Dunyaa, then he will enter the evening with Islaam being even more beloved to him than the whole Dunyaa and what it contains.”

It is also narrated that Safwaan bin Ummayyah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said, “The Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] used to give me things and at that time I used to hate him immensely and continued to give me things until he became the most beloved of people to me.”

Ibn Shihaab [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “He [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] gave a hundred sheep on the day of Hunayn, then he continued to give until it reached hundreds and hundreds.”

These are a few examples of the generosity of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him], all of it was for the sake of Allaah. He would seek His Pleasure and he would give his wealth away freely to the poor or those who are in need or for the sake of Allaah or in ways which could strengthen in Islaam. 

This is the month in which Allaah and His Messenger were even more generous and from this there are many benefits.

This month is blessed and is better than other months in terms of gaining reward, so for example at-Tirmidhee reported Anas bin Maalik [May Allaah be Pleased with him] saying, “The best time to give Sadaqah is in Ramadhaan.”

Also, giving in Sadaqah and being generous in this month means we help and assist those who are fasting by day and standing by night, those who remember Allaah and in helping in all the acts of obedience that people indulge in during this month. By helping and assisting in this, it is a good chance for us to gain from this reward as well.

Also from the benefits of being generous in this month is that Ramadhaan is the month of Mercy and Forgiveness from Allaah. In this month He Frees people from the fire, especially on the Night of Power and Allaah, the Most High, is the Most Merciful upon His Slaves as the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Verily, Allaah is Most Merciful upon his Slave in having Mercy.” So being generous in this month especially is a means for Allaah, the Most High, being Generous to us, Giving to us from His Bounties and Blessings, as we have acted in the same way towards others.

Also from the benefits of being generous in this month is that fasting and charity are causes of expiation of sins. They dispel sins like fire removes dirt from metal. So if we are fasting and generous and added to this we stand during the night, then this will help us to be diverted from punishment.

Also from the benefits of being generous during this month is that the charity one give compensates for any shortcoming he/she may have during his fasting and it eradicates any sin that he may have gained during his fasting. None of those who fast have fasted perfectly, therefore some of the scholars disliked for a man to say statements like ‘I have fasted the whole of Ramadhaan’ or ‘I stood for the whole of Ramadhaan’ so giving in charity makes up for the shortcomings in our acts of worship during this month. Furthermore, it is Waajib for us to give in Zakaat al-Fitr at the end of the month for this very reason.

From the benefits of being generous in Ramadhaan is that the fasting person gives up food and drink for the sake of increasing his level of Taqwaa and this is even more enhanced when he gives up following his desires for the sake of Allaah. So by giving his away food to others who are fasting, despite the food being important to him, it increases his level of love for those whom he prefers over himself. This is also a way for one to give thanks to Allaah for the favours He has given, from the foods and drinks that He has Provided them with, so then he gives it away for His Sake, seeking his reward and appreciating the favour that He has Given him.

Some of the Salaf were asked, ‘Why is fasting prescribed?’ and they would respond to this by saying, ‘So that the rich person may taste the feeling of feeding the poor and that they don’t become forgotten.’  And this is true as it is from some of the wisdom's of fasting this month. As we have previously stated, if one isn’t effected by his fasting then he has not truly rectified himself, so from the acts of the Salaf is that they would feed poor people during the time of Iftaar. 

Ibn ‘Umar [May Allaah be Pleased with him] wouldn’t break his fast unless he has the poor sitting with him and if he didn’t find poor people to eat with, he would prevent his family from eating dinner for that night.

There are other benefits for being generous, Imaam ash-Shafi’ee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] would say, ‘The fasting person seeks to improve himself whilst fasting the month of Ramadhaan, following the practice of the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon him]. He would seek to attend to the needs of the Muslims and seek to better their situation, helping them to perform and facilitate their fasting and praying.’ Qaadi Aboo Ya’laa [May Allaah have Mercy on him] and others said something similar to this.

Chapter 36: The fasting Person is Happy When He Meets His Lord

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Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him] says in his book Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 120-125)

When the fasting person meets his Lord, he will be in a state of happiness because he will find the reward for his fasting, a reward that is preserved with his Lord at a time when he needs his good deeds to be accounted for most. Allaah, the Most High, says:

“…and whatever good you send before you for yourselves, (i.e. Nawafil non-obligatory acts of worship: prayers, charity, fasting, Hajj and 'Umrah, etc.), you will certainly find it with Allah, better and greater in reward...”

[al-Muzammil 73: 20]

And he, the Most High, says:

“On the Day when every person will be confronted with all the good he has done, and all the evil he has done, he will wish that there were a great distance between him and his evil…”

[Aal-Imraan 3:30]

And he, the Most High, says:

“So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it”

[az-Zalzalah 99:7]

Ibn ‘Uyaynah said, “The reward for fasting will not be shorthanded or decreased in any way, rather Allaah has preserved it with him for the person who fasts until he enters Jannah.”

It is also narrated in Musnad Ahmad that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “There is no deed except that there will be a day where he will be rewarded for it.”

Those who fast are of two levels; those who leave food and drink seeking the reward and Jannah of Allaah, so they act in accordance to what is needed for them to obtain this.

Allaah, the Most High, says:

“Verily! As for those who believe and do righteous deeds, certainly! We shall not suffer to be lost the reward of anyone who does his (righteous) deeds in the most perfect manner”

[al-Kahf 18:30]

Added to this, your deeds will not be lost or spoiled, rather fasting brings about a lucrative profit for the one fasts, as the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “If you leave something for the sake of Allaah, then Allaah will replace it with something better.” [Narrated by Ahmad in his Musnad] So the one fasts will have his fasting compensated by the reward of being able to eat and drink as much he pleases and as much as time as he wants to spend with women in Jannah.

Allaah, the Most High, says:

“Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past!”

[al-Haaqah 69:24]

Mujaahid and others stated that this Aayah was revealed about those who fast. Ya’qoob bin Yoosuf al-Hanafee said, “It has reached us that Allaah, the Most High, will Say to His Friends on the Day of Judgment, ‘Oh My Friends! I Looked at you often in the life of the Dunyaa and I Saw your lips become dry of thirst, your eyes sinking and I Saw your stomachs become dry. So today is your time of bliss, take your glasses and…

“Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past!”

[al-Haaqah 69:24]”

Hasan al-Basree said, “It will be said to the Friend of Allaah by the Hoor al-‘Ayn, whilst they are laying with them near the rivers of honey, ‘I saw you from far away on a day when you were thirsty and because of this it was said to the Angels, ‘Look at My Slave, he left his wife, he desires, himself, his food and his drink all because of Me, Seeking what is with Me. Bear witness that I have Forgiven him this day’ and then you were made married to me.’”

It has been narrated in the two Saheehs, “Verily, in Jannah there are doors called ar-Rayyaan and this is allocated for those who fast, they will enter through them on the Day of Judgment. None other than them will enter it.”

In another narration it states, “…after they have entered, the doors will be locked behind them.”

In another narration, “Whoever enters through those doors will be given drink, upon drinking they will never be thirsty again.”

In a Hadeeth narrated by Tabraanee and others, on the authority of ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin Samarah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said about one of his dreams, “I saw a man from my Ummah, his tongue was out due to his extreme thirst and every time he came close to the Hawd (a pool in Jannah) he was denied to drink from it, and this Hawd is exclusive for those who fasted in Ramadhaan.”

It was also narrated that Anas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said, “Allaah has a banquet table which no eye has seen, no ear has heard or any mind kind imagine and none will sit on it except those who fasted.”

Some of the Salaf used to say, “Those who fasted will be eating from this table whilst others are being accounted for. They will say, ‘Oh Lord! We are being accounted whilst they are sitting to eat?’ It will be said to them, ‘They fasted whilst you are and they stood during the night whilst you slept.’”

It was also narrated that some of the Salaf said that they saw Bashr bin al-Haarith in their dreams and he was sitting in front of a banquet table and he was eating and it was said to him, “Eat! Others have eaten. Drink! Others have drank.”

Sleeping Throughout the Day in Ramadhaan

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Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-‘Uthaymeen [May Allaah have Mercy on him] was asked:

Question: What is the ruling on sleeping throughout the day whilst fasting? If one only wakes up to pray his obligatory prayers and then he sleeps against, will he be rewarded for his fasting?

Answer: This question has two separate situations:

First: A person sleeps all day and he doesn’t get up, then there is no doubt that he is cheating himself and he is disobeying Allaah as he has left praying on its proper time. If he is liable to pray his prayers in congregation then this is addition to the sin he has committed, it is Haraam and it reduces the reward of his sin. So this person needs to repent to Allaah and make sure he wakes up to pray on its proper time.

Second: A person sleeps throughout the day but he wakes up to pray his obligatory prayers on its proper times, he prays in congregation, so this person has no sin upon him. Despite this, the person is missing on a great deal of good as it is incumbent on the fasting person to busy himself with good deeds, pray extra prayers, make Dhikr, make Dua’a, recite Quraan, there’s a range of righteous deeds he can do whilst he is fasting.

So if a person account himself and doesn’t remove laziness from him and the sense of comfort, then doing righteous deeds will become even more difficult for him, especially whilst he is fasting.

So my advice for this person is for this person to program himself whilst he is fasting to sleep for an allotted time, to encourage himself to acts of worship, and Allaah has made our lives easier for us these days, Praise be to Allaah, so the fasting person doesn’t experience much difficulty whilst fasting as he has air conditioners and the likes to make our fast easier.

[Fiqh al-‘Ibaadah Pg. 214 (Question 159)]

Feeding the Fasting Person

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8. And they give food, inspite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to Miskin (poor), the orphan, and the captive,

9. (Saying): "We feed you seeking Allah's Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you.

10. "Verily, We fear from our Lord a Day, hard and distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislikeness to it)."

11. So Allah saved them from the evil of that Day, and gave them Nadratan (a light of beauty) and joy.

12. And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken garments, because they were patient.

[Al-Insaan 76:8-12]

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “You will not enter Jannah until you believe and you will not believe until you love one another…”

[Muslim (54)]

The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] also said, “Give the fasting person food so that he may break his fast, share your food with the pious, if you do this the Angels will be with you.”

On the authority of Zayd bin Khaalid al-Juhanee that The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “The one who gives food to the fasting person so that he may break his fast will have a reward like the reward of the person who fasted, without there decreasing in his reward in the slightest.”

[Narrated by at-Tirmidhi (807) Ibn Maajah (1746) Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan (8/216) and classified Saheeh by al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (6415)]

Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said, “What is meant by feeding is to satisfy the persons urge to eat or drink.” [Ikhteeyaraat Pg.194]

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee [May Allaah have Mercy on him] brings various narrations which show the enthusiasm of the Salaf in feeding the fasting person:

Some of the Salaf used to see it from the best of actions one can do in Ramadhaan. Some would invite people to their house in tens, hoping that every invitation would lead to them gainging the reward of free ten slaves from the children of Ismaa’eel.

The Salaf would be plentiful in feeding others in Ramadhaan. From them was Abdullah bin ‘Umar [May Allaah be Pleased with him and his father] wouldn’t break his fast unless he had with him orphans and the poor and needy to eat with. Likewise there was Dawood al-Taa’ee, Maalik bin Deenar, Ahmad bin Hanbal and others.

The Salaf would also feed their brothers, so as they sat down to eat, they wouldn’t eat themselves, rather they would cater and be a waiter for those eating, this was the act of the likes of Hasan al-Basree and Ibn Mubaarak.

Once a questioner came to Imaam Ahmad [May Allaah have Mercy on him] and he gave him two loaves of bread to break his fast with, so Imaam Ahmad tore them up and gave it to those who were fasting so that they could break their fast. End quote.

http://ramadhan.af.org.sa/node/859

Giving in Sadaqah in Ramadhaan

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The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “The best of Sadaqah is the Sadaqah given in Ramadhaan.” [Narrated by a-Tirmidhee on the authority of Anas (May Allaah be Pleased with him)]

Shaykh Saaleh al-Fawzaan [May Allaah Preserve him] said:

Sadaqah given in Ramadhaan is better than giving Sadaqah at any other time of the year, this is because the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] called the month of Ramadhaan the month of solace as he said, “If one gives away food to the fasting person so that he may break his fast will have his sins forgiven, his neck will be freed from the fire and for him there will be a reward like the fasting person he fed without it decreasing the fasting persons reward in the slightest.”

This is clear evidence to prove that giving Sadaqah in the month of Ramadhaan is better than any other month, especially because it is the month of fasting and people are in need as they are hungry, thirsty and have very little resources. So if a person comes and does good during this month, then he is assisting in these fasting people in obeying Allaah, the Glorified and the Exalted.

So the person who gives in this month will have his good deeds multiplied, due to the fact that this month is blessed and good deeds during this month, due to its nobility, rewards are multiplied. Just like good deeds can be multiplied in relation to a particular place you may be in, then the same applies to time. For example, praying in Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and Masjid an-Nabawee in Madeenah an-Nabawiyyah, the reward for praying is multiplied, this is because of the virtue of the place you are praying in. Likewise, virtue of time is also true, so by doing good deeds during this time, this month of Ramadhaan, then you will find your good deeds multiplied and there is no other month greater than the month of Ramadhaan. Allaah has made this month a season of goodness, acts of obedience and a time when people’s statuses are raised.

http://ramadhan.af.org.sa/node/855

Night Prayer in Ramadaan

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“And those who spend the night before their Lord, prostrate and standing. And those who say: ‘Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily! Its torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment.’” [Furqaan 25:64-65]

Standing in the night prayer is from the characteristics of the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] as A’aisha [May Allaah be Pleased with her] said, “Do not leave the night prayer! For verily, the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] never left it, even when he was sick he would pray sitting.” [Agreed Upon]

It is also narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] who said that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Whoever stands in Ramadhaan with Faith and Hope, his previous and forthcoming sins will be forgiven.” [Agreed Upon]

“And enjoin As-Salat (the prayer) on your family, and be patient in offering them [i.e. the Salat (prayers)]. We ask not of you a provision (i.e. to give Us something: money, etc.); We provide for you. And the good end (i.e. Paradise) is for the Muttaqun (pious - see V.2:2).” [Taaha 20:132]

And Ibn ‘Umar [May Allaah be Pleased with him] used to recite the Aaayah: 

“Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allah's Signs and Verses).” [Zumar 39:9]

Shaykh Abdul-Azeez aal ash-Shaykh, current Grand Muftee of Saudi Arabia [May Allaah Preserve him] said:

It has been narrated on the authority of Jaabir bin Abdullah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Verily, during the night there is a time that if a Muslim coincides with it by asking Allaah of the goodness of the Dunya and the Aakhira, it will be given to him by Allaah. And this happens every night.”

Look at this great opportunity, my Muslim brother, by standing in front of your Lord. The result of standing the night in prayer is that if you ask, you will be given and made steadfast upon the truth and true guidance, therefore, you will end your life upon a great deal of goodness.

Oh Muslim! Standing the night in prayer brings about many benefits, as the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “You should stand the night in prayer, it was from the habit of the pious people that came before you, it expiates your sins, it brings you close to your Lord, it takes away defects from your body and it prevents you from sinning.”

Therefore, standing the night in prayer has benefits; it means you are following the path of the pious, it means your sins will be removed from you, it means you will become close to Allaah, it removes diseases and harm from your body and it makes us from those who are obedient, as praying in the night helps us stay away from sins.

Some of the Salaf would be astonished by the beauty on the faces of people and when they were asked on the reasons for the face of the person shining, they would reply by saying, “Standing during the night makes your face beautiful in the day.”

Meaning, standing the night in prayer has great benefits and effects, its helps program one to be good deeds, bring about light and Taqwaa.

It was said to Ibn Mas’ood [May Allaah be Pleased with him], “I am not able stand during the night.” To which he replied, “Your sins have made it heavy for you, if you are truthful and really want to stand, then Allaah will help you. Have you not heard the statement of Allaah, ;

‘And if they had intended to march out, certainly, they would have made some preparation for it, but Allah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them), "Sit you among those who sit (at home)."’ !?”

So standing the night in prayer is from the greatest of favours that Allaah can bestow upon you. The person who stands during this time becomes accustomed to its taste, he rejoices and it reaffirms his heard and opens it to the truth. The person who stands in prayer, recites the Quraan and ponders on it. He Glorifies Allaah, He Praises Allaah and He resorts to Him in all his affairs. So what favour of Allaah is greater than this? We will truly never comprehend the greatness of this favour and its effects on us, as some of the Salaf used to say, “Verily, the people of the night, during their night prayers, are in a state of bliss, just like when people who enjoy being entertained feel when they are being entertained.”

[Taken from the Khutbah; ‘The Night Prayer’]

Shaykh Saaleh al-Fawzaan [May Allaah Preserve him] said;

There is no doubt that leaving praying during the night is a great loss, it’s a loss for the pages and scrolls of the Muslim. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “The best prayer is the night prayer after the obligatory ones.”

Standing at night in prayer has great virtues, so it is incumbent that we are not negligent in it, or be lazy in relation to it, because you the Muslim has a need for it. So the Muslim must

Turn back to it and program himself to pray during the night, so that when the night comes he finds himself busy. This is because the soul follows whatever it is trained to do.  If one leaves praying the night prayer and becomes lazy, it will only increase him in laziness. However, if he programs himself to pray then it will eventually become easy for him, with the help of Allaah, the Exalted and Glorified.

http://ramadhan.af.org.sa/node/858

Being Excessive whilst Eating

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Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-‘Uthaymeen [May Allaah have Mercy on him] was asked:

Question: If one eats too much for Iftaar does it reduce the reward for his fasting?

Answer: No, it doesn’t reduce the reward for his fasting. If one commits a sin after his fasting is over then this has no effect on the reward for the act of worship which he has completed, this is included in the Aayah:

“…and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not Al-Musrifun (those who waste by extravagance).” [A’raaf  7:31]

Being extravagant in of itself is a sin. Being economic is half of our live, if one has surplus wealth then instead of wasting it he should use it in giving in charity, this would be much better.

[Fiqh al-‘Ibaadah Pg. 213 (Question 157)]

Death in Ramadhaan

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Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh al-‘Uthaymeen [May Allaah have Mercy on him] was asked:

Question: The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “When Ramadhaan comes, the doors of Jannah opened and the doors of Jahannam are locked.” [Narrated by Muslim (1079)] Does this means that those who die in Ramadhaan will automatically be admitted into Jannah?

Answer: This is not how it is, rather the meaning of the saying that the doors of Jannah will be made open is to encourage us to increase in good deeds so that we may be of those who enter through them.

The fact that the doors of the Hellfire are locked is sufficient for the people of Eemaan to be warded off from disobeying Allaah, until he is safe from entering from these doors.

So the meaning is not how the questioner thinks, that those who die in Ramadhaan will enter into Jannah automatically without account, rather those who will enter Jannah without account are those the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said,“Those who do not seek to have Ruqya done upon them, those who do not believe in bad omens, those who have full reliance in their Lord.”[Narrated by Bukhaaree (5795) and Muslim (218)]

These are those who made it upon themselves to do good and righteous deeds.

[Fiqh al-‘Ibaadah Pg. 210 (Question 153)]