niedziela, 2 grudnia 2012
poniedziałek, 7 listopada 2011
Tawakkul.
Taken From : Jami' Al-'Uloom wa Al-Hikam :
A Commentary on 50 Major Hadith
- by Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali
- by Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali
Hadith No. 49
From Umar ibn Al-Khattab from the Prophet (sas) who said:
"If only you relied on Allah a true reliance, He would provide sustenance for you just as He does the birds: They fly out in the morning empty and return in the afternoon with full stomachs."[ Ahmad, An-Nasaa’I, Ibn Majah, Al-Hakim and At-Tirmidhi who said: "Hassan sahih"]
1. Reliance on Allah is one of the most important causes of getting sustenance in this life. Allah said: {And whoever fears Allah, He will provide him a way out and will provide for him from an unforeseen direction. And whoever relies on Allah, He is sufficient for him.}
2. Reliance on Allah does NOT mean not working and striving for sustenance in this life. Al-Bahaiqiy (one of the major collectors of hadith) said:
"There is no support in this hadith for resigning from working to earn. On the contrary, it in fact supports working and seeking earnings. This is because the bird when it flies out in the morning does so in pursuit of its sustenance. And so the meaning – and Allah knows best – is: if they were to rely on Allah while setting out and while returning and when acting/interacting and believed during all of that that all good id in the hands of Allah and comes only from Him, they would never set out except in a state of health and success like the birds who set out hungry and return full. If, however, they rely on their own strengths and abilities and then engage in deception, lying and insincerity, this is opposite to reliance on Allah."3. Tawakkul (reliance) on Allah is: The true reliance of the heart on Allah in the pursuit of acquiring that which benefits and avoiding that which harms in this life and the hereafter and the leaving these issues up to Allah along with the true belief that no one gives, witholds, harms or benefits except Allah Most High.4. Allah orders us to rely on Him AND to strive for our objectives. {And prepare against them all that you are capable of in forms of strength and ranks of horses…} and {…and, when the [Friday] prayer is finished, go forth in the land and seek from the bounties of Allah and mention/remember Allah much that perhaps you may be successful.}5. One of the salaf said: "Whoever criticizes action and work for the sake of earning has criticized the sunnah and whoever criticizes reliance on Allah has criticized belief. Reliance on Allah was the STATE of the Prophet (sas) while working and earning was his sunnah. So whoever aspires to his state, let him not neglect his sunnah (sas)."6. In this area, there are three kinds of actions.
a) The acts of obedience which Allah has commanded us. We must rely on Allah in the performance of these actions. That is why when the Mu’adhin mentions the commands to come to prayer, we respond with "Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa billahi" – there is not motion nor any power except with Allah. Whatever Allah wills is and whatever He does not will is not. Whoever is negligent in these actions is deserving of punishment in this life and/or the hereafter. One of the salaf said: "Strive as the striving of one who can only save himself by his efforts and rely on Allah as one who will never find anything but that which was written for him."
b) The basic needs which Allah has tied to our survival and well-being. These include eating when we are hungry and needs for clothing to protect us from the elements and shelter, etc. These are also obligatory on the Muslim to pursue the means to them. Whoever neglects them to the point of causing harm to himself or to those who depend on him though he was able to do otherwise is sinful in this negligence and deserving of punishment. The Prophet (sas) used to connect his fasting from one day to the next, but forbid the companions from doing that saying: "I am not in the same position as one of you, I am provided food and drink." This means – and Allah knows best – that what Allah sent to Muhammad (sas) freed him from much of his needs for basic human necessities.c) That which Allah has connected to our benefit in many cases, but no always.
i) That which Allah frequently frees some of his servants from the need for it such as medicines. The scholars differed about one who becomes sick: Is it better to take medicine or leave it and rely on Allah? Some took the opinion that reliance on Allah was better and used the hadith: "Seventy thousand from my nation will enter paradise without any account-taking… those who do not believe in omens, do not seek incantations for cure or use cauterization and who rely on their Lord." Other countered by the fact that the Prophet (sas) used cures and his state is best. The hadith, then is referring to incantations which are makrooh (disliked) because of the fear of falling into shirk since it was mentioned along with cauterization which is makrooh.
ii) That in which the pattern is rarely broken such as sustenance being provided to those who do not strive to seek it. This is not allowed except to those who have knowledge of such provision such as Maryam in the hose if Zakariya.
7. Ibn Abbas said: Some
people from Yemen used to come to Hajj without bringing provisions and
said: We are the reliers (on Allah). Then when they get to Makka, they
ask the people for help. Allah then revealed about them: {…and take
provisions and the best of provisions is piety.}
8. The important thing is to
trust in the guarantee of sustenance from Allah, to struggle and strive
with the causes of that and to be in acceptance of the share appointed
by Allah. One Imam Ahmad’s companions said: "Don’t become so concerned
with the guaranteed that you come to accuse the Guarantor and becoming
unaccepting of His apportionment."
9. The
fruit of tawakkul is the acceptance of Allah’s decree. Whoever leaves
his affairs to Allah and then is accepting of what he is given has truly
relied on Allah. Al-Hassan and others among the salaf defined tawakkul
as ridhaa (acceptance).
sobota, 3 września 2011
The formulae of Allaah's Remembrance prescribed after Salah.
Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’ah li Samaahat
al-Shaykh ‘Abd al- ‘Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, Vol. 11, pp. 188-190 - alifta.net
From ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Bin ‘Abdullah Ibn Baz to those who receive this among Muslims. May Allah guide all Muslims and increase their knowledge and faith, amen!
As-salamu ‘alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!) It gives me pleasure to remind my Muslim brothers that -
It is of the Sunnah for a Muslim to say after each obligatory Salah, whether one is the Imam (the one who leads the congregational Salah), Ma'mum (a person being led by an Imam in Prayer) or Mufarid (a person who performs prayer alone) to say, three times
"Astagfir Allah"(I ask Allah forgiveness)
and then say,
"Allahumma Anta Al-Salam Wa Minka Al-Salam, Tabarakta Wa Ta’alayta Ya-dhal-Jalali Wal-Ikram"(O Allah, You are Al-Salam [the One Who is free from all defects and deficiencies] and from You is all peace, blessed are You, Possessor of majesty and honor!)
If one is Imam, one should turn facing the people. The Imam, those praying behind him, or a person offering Salah individually should say,
"La Ilaha Illa Allah, Wahdahu La Sharika Lah, Lahul-Mulku Wa-Lahul-Hamdu, Wa-Huwa ‘Ala Kulli Shai’in Qadir, La Hawla Wa-La Quwwata Illa Billah, La Ilaha Illa Allah Wa-La Na’budu Illa Iyyahu, Lahun-Ni’matu Wa-Lahul-Fadl, Wa-Lahu Ath-Thanaa'u Al-Hasan, La Ilaha Illa Allah Mukhlisina, Lahud-Dina Wa-Law Karihal-Kafirun. Allahumma La Mani’a Lima A’tait Wa-La Mu’ty Lima Man’t, Wa-La Yanfa’u Dhal-Gaddu Minkal-Gadd.(None has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without any partner. To Allah belong all sovereignty and praise. He is Omnipotent over all things. There is no might nor power except with Allah. None has the right to be worshipped except Him. We worship none but Him. To Allah all favor, grace, and praise are due. None has the right to be worshipped except Allah and we are sincere in faith and devotion to Him although disbelievers detest it. Oh Allah! Oh Allah! None can prevent what You willed to give and none can grant what You have willed to prevent, and no wealth or majesty can benefit anyone, as from You is all wealth and majesty).
After offering Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer and Fajr (Dawn) Prayer one should say along with what is mentioned previously,
"La Ilah Illa Allah Wahdahu La Sharika Lahu Lahu Al-Mulk Wa Lahu Al-Hamd Yuhyi Wa Yumit Wa Huwa ‘Ala Kulli Shay'in Qadir"(There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah Alone, He have no associate. His is the Dominion to Him is due all praise; He gives life and causes death and He has power over all things)
After that, one is to say each of the following supplications thirty three times;
(a) "Subhana Allah" (Glory is to Allah),(b) Al-Hamdu Lillah (praise is due to Allah) and(c) "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Great),
and then complete the hundred by saying,
"La Ilah Illa Allah, Wahdahu La Sharika Lah, Lahu Al-Mulk Wa Lahu Al-Hamd, Yuhyi Wa Yumit, Wa Huwa ‘Ala Kull Shay'in Qadir".
It is recommended for the Imam, Ma'mum, and Munfarid to recite these supplications audibly after each obligatory Salah in a low voice without disturbing others. It is authentically reported in the two Sahih on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that raising one's voice in supplication after concluding the obligatory Salah was during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said, "I used to know when they finished the Salah by this (supplications as they were said aloud) if I heard them."
However, it is not permissible to say these supplications collectively. Each worshipper should recite them individually without observing the voice of others, because reciting supplications collectively is Bid’ah and has no basis in the divine Shari’ah (law) of Allah.
It is recommended for Imam, Ma'mum, and Munfarid to recite
Ayat-ul-Kursy (the Qur’anic Verse of Allah’s Chair, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255)
inaudibly. After that,
Surah-Al-Iklas (the Qur'an, Surah 112),Surah-Al-Falaq (the Qur'an, Surah 113), andSurah-Al-Nas (the Qur'an, Surah 114)
inaudbly after each obligatory Salah and repeat them three times after the Maghrib (Sunset) and Fajr (Dawn) Salahs.
This is preferable, for the authenticity of what we have mentioned above. May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, His companions, and those who follow him rightfully till the Day of Judgment.
poniedziałek, 22 sierpnia 2011
Salaf
Salaf - literally means "those (from history) who precede, have gone before".
As-Salaf as-Saalih - The people of the past, namely the first three generations of pious muslims during and after the revelation of the Qur'an, i.e.the Sahabah (companions) of the Prophet, saaws , the Taabi'een (followers) and the Taabi Taabi'een (followers of the followers).
Islam teaches that As-Salaf as-Saalih are superior in their understanding of the Revelation of Al-Qu'ran. Generally speaking, the people present during any event (such as the revelation of the Quran) will understand it better than those who read about it later.
The Prophet, saaws, said: "I am leaving you two things and you will never go astray as long as you cling to them -- they are the Book of Allah and my Sunnah." [Reported by Al- Haakim - Sahih].
"The best of people is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them (i.e. the first three generations of Muslims)." [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim- Mutawaatir. Muslim, Narrated 'Aisha - Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it Hasan in Saheeh Al Jaami' no.3288].
"The best of people are my generation, then the second, then the third, then there will come a people, having no good in them." [[related by Ibn Mas'ood] [Tabaraanee in Al-Kabeer] Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it to be Hasan. See Silsilatul Ahaadeeth ad-Da'eefah no.3569, and Saheeh Al Jaami' no. 3293.]
"My Ummah will not unite upon error." [Reported by at-Tirmidhee and Haakim - Sahih]
The best of people are my generation, then those who follow after them, then those who follow after them, then there will come after them a people who will be fat, and they will love obesity, bearing witness before being asked to."[related by the Umars, sons of Husayn(r)] [Tirmidthee, authenticated by Imaam Al Haakim] Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it to be Saheeh. See Silsilatul Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah no. 699, and Saheeh Al Jaami' no. 3294.
Salafi - means "of the salaf". The "i" (sounds like "ee") on the end of the word means "of the", "of" and/or "are". Using correct arabic grammar, the word "salafi" can only be used in association with words that are of that which is truly from the far past. In order to be a salaf, you had to exist generations prior to the current one. Referring to oneself as a salafi* is permissible in Islam so long as the intention is for identification with the salafi minhaj and this identification does not replace your identification as being MUSLIM, as this is what Allah swt has commanded us in The Qur'an to call ourselves. While it is important, as many scholars have said, to distinguish ourselves from the innovators, we first do this in our actions (i.e. do not sit with the people of innovation, engage the sunnah in our daily lives, etc.), and to do so in speech, we can best do so by clearly stating that we are followers of the pious predecessors ("Ana a-taaba as-salaf as-saalih").
Those Muslims whose intentions are to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet saaws and the salaf, know better than to divide themselves into a sect (a dissenting or schismatic religious body; especially one regarded as extreme or heretical) that parts from following clear proof in Quran and Sunnah.
"And this Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects all of which except one will go to Hell and they (i.e. the Saved Sect) are those who are upon what I and My Companions are upon (i.e. those who follow My Way and the Way of my Companions.)" [Reported by at-Tirmidhee - Hasan]
"Verily those before you from among the People of the Book split into seventy-two sects and verily this religion . . . ", and in another narration, " . . . this Ummah will split into seventy-three sects: seventy-two will be in the Fire and one in Paradise and that is the Jamaa'ah." [Reported by Abu Daawood - Sahih]
When questioned by his Companions about those who will be saved from the Fire, the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) replied: "They are those who are upon what I and my companions are upon." [Reported by at-Tirmidhee from Amr ibn al-Aas - classified as Hasan.]
A muslim may announce his intentions to adhere to the Dawat-us-Salafiyyah, which is identical to saying the dawah of Islam with mere emphasis on rejecting innovation in implementing and understanding the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad saaws and accepting the guidance of the Salaf-as-Saalih (as instructed by Muhammad saaws to do so). Because not one ounce of arrogance will make it into the gates of Paradise, no muslim would want to be so bold as to declare himself as a member of Firqatun-Naajiyyah (the saved group of Muslims), for only Allah swt knows who that truly is, but instead would speak of his intentions to be of the saved group, by his intentions to adhere to the dawat-us-salafiyyah.
Sheikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said: "It is self-delusion to say 'I am saved' and not pessimistic, for example being too secure saying 'I have the attributes of the salaf, I am saved', We still have to humble ourselves and not to say that we have the attributes of the Salaf. So I say to these people, not everybody who opposes me a thing from this path will become one of those who will perish, for verily the disputer may be a mujtahid who was wrong, and Allaah will forgive him his mistakes. Or maybe the proof did not reach him, enough to satisfy his needs (i.e. to understand it). Or maybe he has enough good deeds in which Allaah will wipe away his bad deeds."
"O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allâh and His Messenger (SAW), and fear Allâh. Verily! Allâh is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." [Surah al-Hujuraat 49:1].
"And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur'ân), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allâh's Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islâmic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allâh makes His Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided." [Surah Al-Imrân 3:103].
As-Salaf as-Saalih - The people of the past, namely the first three generations of pious muslims during and after the revelation of the Qur'an, i.e.the Sahabah (companions) of the Prophet, saaws , the Taabi'een (followers) and the Taabi Taabi'een (followers of the followers).
Islam teaches that As-Salaf as-Saalih are superior in their understanding of the Revelation of Al-Qu'ran. Generally speaking, the people present during any event (such as the revelation of the Quran) will understand it better than those who read about it later.
The Prophet, saaws, said: "I am leaving you two things and you will never go astray as long as you cling to them -- they are the Book of Allah and my Sunnah." [Reported by Al- Haakim - Sahih].
"The best of people is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them (i.e. the first three generations of Muslims)." [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim- Mutawaatir. Muslim, Narrated 'Aisha - Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it Hasan in Saheeh Al Jaami' no.3288].
"The best of people are my generation, then the second, then the third, then there will come a people, having no good in them." [[related by Ibn Mas'ood] [Tabaraanee in Al-Kabeer] Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it to be Hasan. See Silsilatul Ahaadeeth ad-Da'eefah no.3569, and Saheeh Al Jaami' no. 3293.]
"My Ummah will not unite upon error." [Reported by at-Tirmidhee and Haakim - Sahih]
The best of people are my generation, then those who follow after them, then those who follow after them, then there will come after them a people who will be fat, and they will love obesity, bearing witness before being asked to."[related by the Umars, sons of Husayn(r)] [Tirmidthee, authenticated by Imaam Al Haakim] Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it to be Saheeh. See Silsilatul Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah no. 699, and Saheeh Al Jaami' no. 3294.
Salafi - means "of the salaf". The "i" (sounds like "ee") on the end of the word means "of the", "of" and/or "are". Using correct arabic grammar, the word "salafi" can only be used in association with words that are of that which is truly from the far past. In order to be a salaf, you had to exist generations prior to the current one. Referring to oneself as a salafi* is permissible in Islam so long as the intention is for identification with the salafi minhaj and this identification does not replace your identification as being MUSLIM, as this is what Allah swt has commanded us in The Qur'an to call ourselves. While it is important, as many scholars have said, to distinguish ourselves from the innovators, we first do this in our actions (i.e. do not sit with the people of innovation, engage the sunnah in our daily lives, etc.), and to do so in speech, we can best do so by clearly stating that we are followers of the pious predecessors ("Ana a-taaba as-salaf as-saalih").
Those Muslims whose intentions are to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet saaws and the salaf, know better than to divide themselves into a sect (a dissenting or schismatic religious body; especially one regarded as extreme or heretical) that parts from following clear proof in Quran and Sunnah.
"And this Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects all of which except one will go to Hell and they (i.e. the Saved Sect) are those who are upon what I and My Companions are upon (i.e. those who follow My Way and the Way of my Companions.)" [Reported by at-Tirmidhee - Hasan]
"Verily those before you from among the People of the Book split into seventy-two sects and verily this religion . . . ", and in another narration, " . . . this Ummah will split into seventy-three sects: seventy-two will be in the Fire and one in Paradise and that is the Jamaa'ah." [Reported by Abu Daawood - Sahih]
When questioned by his Companions about those who will be saved from the Fire, the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) replied: "They are those who are upon what I and my companions are upon." [Reported by at-Tirmidhee from Amr ibn al-Aas - classified as Hasan.]
A muslim may announce his intentions to adhere to the Dawat-us-Salafiyyah, which is identical to saying the dawah of Islam with mere emphasis on rejecting innovation in implementing and understanding the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad saaws and accepting the guidance of the Salaf-as-Saalih (as instructed by Muhammad saaws to do so). Because not one ounce of arrogance will make it into the gates of Paradise, no muslim would want to be so bold as to declare himself as a member of Firqatun-Naajiyyah (the saved group of Muslims), for only Allah swt knows who that truly is, but instead would speak of his intentions to be of the saved group, by his intentions to adhere to the dawat-us-salafiyyah.
Sheikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said: "It is self-delusion to say 'I am saved' and not pessimistic, for example being too secure saying 'I have the attributes of the salaf, I am saved', We still have to humble ourselves and not to say that we have the attributes of the Salaf. So I say to these people, not everybody who opposes me a thing from this path will become one of those who will perish, for verily the disputer may be a mujtahid who was wrong, and Allaah will forgive him his mistakes. Or maybe the proof did not reach him, enough to satisfy his needs (i.e. to understand it). Or maybe he has enough good deeds in which Allaah will wipe away his bad deeds."
"O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allâh and His Messenger (SAW), and fear Allâh. Verily! Allâh is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." [Surah al-Hujuraat 49:1].
"And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur'ân), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allâh's Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islâmic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allâh makes His Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided." [Surah Al-Imrân 3:103].
7 Practical Tips for praying Qiyaam al-Layl
What is Qiyaam al-Layl?
Qiyaam' means 'standing' and 'Qiyaam al-Layl' means 'standing in night.' In the Islamic terminology, both terms refer to, 'the voluntary night prayer, whose time extends from after Isha prayer until dawn.' Other common names for Qiyaam al-Layl are, Salaat ul-Layl (the night prayer), Tahajjud (from hajada meaning remained awake at night), Witr (odd-numbered this term is also used to refer to the last one or three Raka'ah of Qiyaam) and Taraweeh (resting).
A widespread misconception is that Tahajjud is a different night prayer than Qiyaam or Taraweeh. It is important to clarify this misunderstanding and to make clear that there is only one nafl night prayer known by different names. Even though the term Taraweeh is more commonly used to describe the night prayer in Ramadan, it is not different from Tahajjud. Thus, the practice of praying Taraweeh in the earlier part of the night and Tahajjud in the later part should be stopped.
The Excellence of Qiyaam al-Layl
Numerous Ahaadeeth and Qur'aanic verses mention the excellence of Qiyaam al-Layl and the merit of those who perform it regularly. Umm al-Mumineen, Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most constant, even if they were little.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim] and she said in another narration: “Do not ever stop praying Qiyaam. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) never ceased praying it. When he was sick or weak, he prayed sitting.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslims] He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “You should pray Qiyaam al-Layl, for it is the habit of the righteous people who came before you, and it will bring you closer to your Lord, expiate for bad deeds, prevent sin, and expel disease from the body.” [At-Tirmidhee and Musnad Ahmad]
Narrated Mu'adh Ibn Jabal (radhi allahu anhu): 'The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said to him: “May I show you the gates of goodness?' (they are), “(a) Fasting is screen from Hell, (b) As-Sadaqah extinguishes the sins, as water extinguishes fire, (c) Standing in Salaat (prayer) by a slave of Allah during the last third part of a night.” Then the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) recited the verse: “Their (believer's) sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope; and they spend out of what We have bestowed on them.”' [Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhee]
Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The best of prayer after those prescribed (i.e. obligatory prayer) is that in the depth of night.” [Saheeh Muslims]
Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “May Allah have mercy on a man who wakes up at night, prays, and wakes his wife to pray; and if she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face. And may Allah have mercy on a woman who wakes up at night, prays, and wakes her husband to pray; and if he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face.” [(Hasan) Abu Dawood ]
Abdullah Ibn Bashr (radhi allahu anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying:“Whoever prays Qiyaam reciting ten verses, he will not be recorded among the negligent. Whoever prays Qiyaam reciting one hundred verses, he will be recorded among the devout. And whoever prays Qiyaam reciting one thousand verses, he will be recorded among those with a multitude of good deeds.” [(Hasan) Abu Dawood]
7 Practical Tips for praying Qiyaam al-Layl
1: Ikhlas (Sincerity) - the key to Allah's Help and Blessings
Help of Allah is needed to accomplish and achieve success in all our affairs. And Allah only helps those who are sincere in their hearts. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “If you are truthful with Allah, then Allah will deliver to you what you wish for.” [An-Nasa'ee, al-Hakim and Saheeh al-Jamee] Therefore, one should have a sincere intention to pray Qiyaam al-Layl; seek the Pleasure of Allah Alone and avoid the desire of praise or fame. Allah says: “And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone…” [(98): 5]
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The degree to which a person is helped and aided by Allah depends on the degree of his intention, drive, aim and hopes. Help from Allah comes to people in proportion to their drive, intention, hopes and fears, and failure comes to them in like manner.”
2: Knowing the Virtues of Qiyaam al-Layl
Knowing the virtues and rewards of performing worship produces willingness and desire to perform the worship. We have previously mentioned numerous virtues of regularly praying Qiyaam al-Layl, here we mention the excellence of praying Qiyaam al-Layl particularly in the great month of Ramadan. Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported: “Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) encouraged the people, without making it an absolute command, to perform Qiyaam during Ramadan. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to say: “Whoever stands (in Qiyaam) in Ramadan out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Saheeh Muslim]
3: Taking a nap in the daytime
Taking a nap before or after Dhur Salaat will dismiss the stress and thus enable one to get up in the night and stand in front of his Lord. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Take a nap, for the Shayateen (pl. of Shaytan) do not take naps.” [Reported by at-Tabaranee. Al-Saheehah (2647)]
4: Sleeping according to the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger
(a) Sleep early: Sleeping early is a healthy habit and it was the practice of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) to sleep directly after performing the Isha prayer. Abu Barzah al-Aslami (radhi allahu anhu) said that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to prefer to delay Isha, and he did not like to sleep before it or talk after it.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
(b) Sleep in a state of taharah (purity): Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Purify these bodies and Allah will purify you, for there is no slave who goes to sleep in a state of purity but an Angel spends the night with him, and every time he turns over, [the Angel] says, 'O Allah! Forgive Your slave, for he went to bed in a state of purity.'” [Reported by at-Tabaranee. See Saheeh al-Jamee (3831)]
(c) Choose a suitable bed: Excessive luxurious or soft bed provokes laziness and makes one sleep more and become negligent. Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha) narrates that the pillow of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) on which he slept at night was made of leather stuffed with palm fibers.” [Abu Dawood and Musnad Ahmad. Saheeh al-Jamee (4714)]
Once Umar Ibn al-Khattab (radhi allahu anhu) entered upon the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) when he was lying on a mat of palm fibers that had left marks on his side. Umar (radhi allahu anhu) said: “O Messenger of Allah, why do you not get something more comfortable than this?” He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “What do I have to do with this world? My relationship with this world is like that of a traveler on a hot summer's day, who seeks shade under a tree for an hour, then moves on.” [Musnad Ahmad and al-Hakim. Saheeh al-Jamee (5545)]
(d) Cleaning the bed and lying on the right side
Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported: “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “When any one of you goes to bed, let him clear his bed by hitting it with his garment, for he does not know what may have come onto it. Then let him lie down on his right side…” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]
(e) Reciting the Adhkaar (supplications) mentioned in the Sunnah before sleeping
There are a number of Adhkaar prescribed in the Sunnah before going to bed, amongst them are reciting the last verses of Soorah al-Baqarah, reciting Soorah al-Falaq and Soorah al-Nas and Soorah Ikhlas blow in the palms and wipe as much of the body possible, starting from the head, face and then the front of the body doing it three times. [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]
Ali Ibn Abi Talib (radhi allahu anhu) reported that when the Prophet's daughter, Fatima (radhi allahu anha) came to him and asked him for a servant, he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said to her and Ali: “Shall I not teach you something that will be better for you than a servant? When you go to bed, say 'SubhanAllah' thirty-three times, 'Al-hamdulillah' thirty-three times, and 'Allahu Akbar' thirty-four times. This is better for you than a servant.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]
5: Avoid too much food and drink
Too much food or drink is one of the main obstacles that make one lazy and negligent of Qiyaam al-Layl. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Man fills no vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to have a few mouthfuls to give him the strength he needs. If he has to fill his stomach, then let him leave one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.” [Reported by at-Tirmidhee and Ibn Majah. Saheeh al-Jamee (5674)]
Abu Juhayfah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said to a man who burped in his presence: “Stop your burping, for the people who eat the most in this life will be the most hungry on the Day of Resurrection.” [Reported by al-Hakim. Saheeh al-Jamee (1190)]
6: Striving against oneself:
Striving against oneself to get up and pray and suppressing one's desires bring about Allah's help and His Pleasure for the slave. Allah says in the Qur'aan: “Strive in Allah's Cause as you ought to strive…” [Soorah al-Hajj (25): 78] “And as for those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will surely guide them to Our Paths. And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinoon (good-doers).” [ (29): 69]
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The Mujahid (one who strives in way of Allah) is the one who strives against his own self for the sake of Allah.” [Reported by al-Tirmidhee. See al-Saheehah (549)]
He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) also said: “When a man from my Ummah gets up to pray at night, striving against his own self to get up and purify himself, there are knots on him. When he washes his hands in wudhu, one knot is undone. When he washes his face, another knot is undone. When he wipes his head another knot is undone. When he washes his feet, another knot is undone. Then Allah says to those who are veiled (in the Unseen):'Look at this slave of Mine, he is striving against his own self and asking of Me. Whatever My slave asks of Me shall be his.” [Musnad Ahmad. See Saheeh al-Targheeb (627)]
7: Rebuking one's self for not praying Qiyaam al-Layl
Qiyaam al-Layl is a great blessing from Allah, the Exalted, and He has placed in it numerous spiritual benefits and rewards for the believer. Therefore, one should rebuke one's self, if he misses this great opportunity of achieving rewards and Pleasure of Allah. Allah says in the Qur'aan: “O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” [(59): 18]
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) said: “If the slave is responsible and accountable for everything, even his hearing, sight and innermost thoughts, as Allah says, “…Verily, hearing, sight, and the heart of each of you will be questioned by Allah.” [Soorah al-Isra (17): 36], then he should check on himself before he is brought to account.”
References
‘The Night Prayers’ by Muhammad Nasir ud-Deen al-Albanee (rahimahullah)
As-Sunnah Islamic Newsletter Issue 15
Source/: http://abdurrahman.org/ramadhan/7practicaltips.html
Qiyaam' means 'standing' and 'Qiyaam al-Layl' means 'standing in night.' In the Islamic terminology, both terms refer to, 'the voluntary night prayer, whose time extends from after Isha prayer until dawn.' Other common names for Qiyaam al-Layl are, Salaat ul-Layl (the night prayer), Tahajjud (from hajada meaning remained awake at night), Witr (odd-numbered this term is also used to refer to the last one or three Raka'ah of Qiyaam) and Taraweeh (resting).
A widespread misconception is that Tahajjud is a different night prayer than Qiyaam or Taraweeh. It is important to clarify this misunderstanding and to make clear that there is only one nafl night prayer known by different names. Even though the term Taraweeh is more commonly used to describe the night prayer in Ramadan, it is not different from Tahajjud. Thus, the practice of praying Taraweeh in the earlier part of the night and Tahajjud in the later part should be stopped.
The Excellence of Qiyaam al-Layl
Numerous Ahaadeeth and Qur'aanic verses mention the excellence of Qiyaam al-Layl and the merit of those who perform it regularly. Umm al-Mumineen, Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most constant, even if they were little.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim] and she said in another narration: “Do not ever stop praying Qiyaam. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) never ceased praying it. When he was sick or weak, he prayed sitting.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslims] He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “You should pray Qiyaam al-Layl, for it is the habit of the righteous people who came before you, and it will bring you closer to your Lord, expiate for bad deeds, prevent sin, and expel disease from the body.” [At-Tirmidhee and Musnad Ahmad]
Narrated Mu'adh Ibn Jabal (radhi allahu anhu): 'The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said to him: “May I show you the gates of goodness?' (they are), “(a) Fasting is screen from Hell, (b) As-Sadaqah extinguishes the sins, as water extinguishes fire, (c) Standing in Salaat (prayer) by a slave of Allah during the last third part of a night.” Then the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) recited the verse: “Their (believer's) sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope; and they spend out of what We have bestowed on them.”' [Abu Dawood and at-Tirmidhee]
Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The best of prayer after those prescribed (i.e. obligatory prayer) is that in the depth of night.” [Saheeh Muslims]
Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “May Allah have mercy on a man who wakes up at night, prays, and wakes his wife to pray; and if she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face. And may Allah have mercy on a woman who wakes up at night, prays, and wakes her husband to pray; and if he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face.” [(Hasan) Abu Dawood ]
Abdullah Ibn Bashr (radhi allahu anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying:“Whoever prays Qiyaam reciting ten verses, he will not be recorded among the negligent. Whoever prays Qiyaam reciting one hundred verses, he will be recorded among the devout. And whoever prays Qiyaam reciting one thousand verses, he will be recorded among those with a multitude of good deeds.” [(Hasan) Abu Dawood]
7 Practical Tips for praying Qiyaam al-Layl
1: Ikhlas (Sincerity) - the key to Allah's Help and Blessings
Help of Allah is needed to accomplish and achieve success in all our affairs. And Allah only helps those who are sincere in their hearts. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “If you are truthful with Allah, then Allah will deliver to you what you wish for.” [An-Nasa'ee, al-Hakim and Saheeh al-Jamee] Therefore, one should have a sincere intention to pray Qiyaam al-Layl; seek the Pleasure of Allah Alone and avoid the desire of praise or fame. Allah says: “And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone…” [(98): 5]
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said: “The degree to which a person is helped and aided by Allah depends on the degree of his intention, drive, aim and hopes. Help from Allah comes to people in proportion to their drive, intention, hopes and fears, and failure comes to them in like manner.”
2: Knowing the Virtues of Qiyaam al-Layl
Knowing the virtues and rewards of performing worship produces willingness and desire to perform the worship. We have previously mentioned numerous virtues of regularly praying Qiyaam al-Layl, here we mention the excellence of praying Qiyaam al-Layl particularly in the great month of Ramadan. Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported: “Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) encouraged the people, without making it an absolute command, to perform Qiyaam during Ramadan. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to say: “Whoever stands (in Qiyaam) in Ramadan out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Saheeh Muslim]
3: Taking a nap in the daytime
Taking a nap before or after Dhur Salaat will dismiss the stress and thus enable one to get up in the night and stand in front of his Lord. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Take a nap, for the Shayateen (pl. of Shaytan) do not take naps.” [Reported by at-Tabaranee. Al-Saheehah (2647)]
4: Sleeping according to the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger
(a) Sleep early: Sleeping early is a healthy habit and it was the practice of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) to sleep directly after performing the Isha prayer. Abu Barzah al-Aslami (radhi allahu anhu) said that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to prefer to delay Isha, and he did not like to sleep before it or talk after it.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee]
(b) Sleep in a state of taharah (purity): Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) reported that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Purify these bodies and Allah will purify you, for there is no slave who goes to sleep in a state of purity but an Angel spends the night with him, and every time he turns over, [the Angel] says, 'O Allah! Forgive Your slave, for he went to bed in a state of purity.'” [Reported by at-Tabaranee. See Saheeh al-Jamee (3831)]
(c) Choose a suitable bed: Excessive luxurious or soft bed provokes laziness and makes one sleep more and become negligent. Aa'ishah (radhi allahu anha) narrates that the pillow of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) on which he slept at night was made of leather stuffed with palm fibers.” [Abu Dawood and Musnad Ahmad. Saheeh al-Jamee (4714)]
Once Umar Ibn al-Khattab (radhi allahu anhu) entered upon the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) when he was lying on a mat of palm fibers that had left marks on his side. Umar (radhi allahu anhu) said: “O Messenger of Allah, why do you not get something more comfortable than this?” He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “What do I have to do with this world? My relationship with this world is like that of a traveler on a hot summer's day, who seeks shade under a tree for an hour, then moves on.” [Musnad Ahmad and al-Hakim. Saheeh al-Jamee (5545)]
(d) Cleaning the bed and lying on the right side
Abu Hurayrah (radhi allahu anhu) reported: “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “When any one of you goes to bed, let him clear his bed by hitting it with his garment, for he does not know what may have come onto it. Then let him lie down on his right side…” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]
(e) Reciting the Adhkaar (supplications) mentioned in the Sunnah before sleeping
There are a number of Adhkaar prescribed in the Sunnah before going to bed, amongst them are reciting the last verses of Soorah al-Baqarah, reciting Soorah al-Falaq and Soorah al-Nas and Soorah Ikhlas blow in the palms and wipe as much of the body possible, starting from the head, face and then the front of the body doing it three times. [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]
Ali Ibn Abi Talib (radhi allahu anhu) reported that when the Prophet's daughter, Fatima (radhi allahu anha) came to him and asked him for a servant, he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said to her and Ali: “Shall I not teach you something that will be better for you than a servant? When you go to bed, say 'SubhanAllah' thirty-three times, 'Al-hamdulillah' thirty-three times, and 'Allahu Akbar' thirty-four times. This is better for you than a servant.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]
5: Avoid too much food and drink
Too much food or drink is one of the main obstacles that make one lazy and negligent of Qiyaam al-Layl. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Man fills no vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to have a few mouthfuls to give him the strength he needs. If he has to fill his stomach, then let him leave one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.” [Reported by at-Tirmidhee and Ibn Majah. Saheeh al-Jamee (5674)]
Abu Juhayfah (radhi allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said to a man who burped in his presence: “Stop your burping, for the people who eat the most in this life will be the most hungry on the Day of Resurrection.” [Reported by al-Hakim. Saheeh al-Jamee (1190)]
6: Striving against oneself:
Striving against oneself to get up and pray and suppressing one's desires bring about Allah's help and His Pleasure for the slave. Allah says in the Qur'aan: “Strive in Allah's Cause as you ought to strive…” [Soorah al-Hajj (25): 78] “And as for those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will surely guide them to Our Paths. And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinoon (good-doers).” [ (29): 69]
The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The Mujahid (one who strives in way of Allah) is the one who strives against his own self for the sake of Allah.” [Reported by al-Tirmidhee. See al-Saheehah (549)]
He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) also said: “When a man from my Ummah gets up to pray at night, striving against his own self to get up and purify himself, there are knots on him. When he washes his hands in wudhu, one knot is undone. When he washes his face, another knot is undone. When he wipes his head another knot is undone. When he washes his feet, another knot is undone. Then Allah says to those who are veiled (in the Unseen):'Look at this slave of Mine, he is striving against his own self and asking of Me. Whatever My slave asks of Me shall be his.” [Musnad Ahmad. See Saheeh al-Targheeb (627)]
7: Rebuking one's self for not praying Qiyaam al-Layl
Qiyaam al-Layl is a great blessing from Allah, the Exalted, and He has placed in it numerous spiritual benefits and rewards for the believer. Therefore, one should rebuke one's self, if he misses this great opportunity of achieving rewards and Pleasure of Allah. Allah says in the Qur'aan: “O you who believe! Fear Allah and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what you do.” [(59): 18]
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) said: “If the slave is responsible and accountable for everything, even his hearing, sight and innermost thoughts, as Allah says, “…Verily, hearing, sight, and the heart of each of you will be questioned by Allah.” [Soorah al-Isra (17): 36], then he should check on himself before he is brought to account.”
References
‘The Night Prayers’ by Muhammad Nasir ud-Deen al-Albanee (rahimahullah)
As-Sunnah Islamic Newsletter Issue 15
Source/: http://abdurrahman.org/ramadhan/7practicaltips.html
niedziela, 10 lipca 2011
Is it correct to say : ‘I am a Sunni and I am not a Salafi.’ ?
By
Shaykh Salih as-Suhaymee
Translated by
Abbas Abu Yahya
The question: When this person begins Ruqiyah (reciting Qur’aan upon a
person as a form of treatment) he says: ‘I am a Sunni and I am not a Salafi.’
The Shaykh Answered:
‘As for the saying: ‘I am a Sunni and I am not a Salafi.’ Then this statement is
contradictory!
The Sunni O you Miskeen (impoverished person) is the Salafi, and the Salafi is
the Sunni. Whoever distinguishes between the two then he has distinguished
between two things which resemble each other; so the Salaf are the Ahl-ulSunnah and the Salafeeyoon are the followers of the Sunnah, and whoever
absolves himself from that then he is not a Sunni nor a Salafi!
Just because some of the people claim Salafeeyah and they do not actually
exemplify it, then this does not allow you to free yourself from Salafeeyah,
2rather it is obligatory upon you to honour yourself by ascribing yourself to
the Salaf and to the Manhaj of the Salaf, since indeed ascription to that is
obligatory.
Ahl-ul-Sunnah, the Salaf, the followers of the Salaf, the Firqat an-Najjeeyah, the
Taifat-ul-Mansoorah, the Jamaa’ah, the Salafi and the Sunni, all of these mean
one title: and they are the Jamaa’ah, and they are similar to those whom were
upon what the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- and his Companions were upon.
So be a serious Salafi – be a serious Salafi, just like the Salaf used to say – a
Salafi ascribing to the Manhaj of the Salaf in sayings, actions and belief.
And I believe that whoever brags with this type of talk (‘I am a Sunni and I am
not a Salafi.’) is very far from the Manhaj of the Sunni which is the Manhaj of
the Salaf.
May Allaah give everyone the capability to obtain beneficial knowledge and
righteous actions. May Allaah send prayers, peace and blessings upon our
Prophet Muhammad, his Family and all his Companions.’
[Taken from the Shaykh’s lesson from the ‘Explanation of ‘an-Nasihah al-Waladeeyah liAbee al-Waleed alBajee Rahimullaah-’ end of tape one.]
Shaykh Salih as-Suhaymee
Translated by
Abbas Abu Yahya
The question: When this person begins Ruqiyah (reciting Qur’aan upon a
person as a form of treatment) he says: ‘I am a Sunni and I am not a Salafi.’
The Shaykh Answered:
‘As for the saying: ‘I am a Sunni and I am not a Salafi.’ Then this statement is
contradictory!
The Sunni O you Miskeen (impoverished person) is the Salafi, and the Salafi is
the Sunni. Whoever distinguishes between the two then he has distinguished
between two things which resemble each other; so the Salaf are the Ahl-ulSunnah and the Salafeeyoon are the followers of the Sunnah, and whoever
absolves himself from that then he is not a Sunni nor a Salafi!
Just because some of the people claim Salafeeyah and they do not actually
exemplify it, then this does not allow you to free yourself from Salafeeyah,
2rather it is obligatory upon you to honour yourself by ascribing yourself to
the Salaf and to the Manhaj of the Salaf, since indeed ascription to that is
obligatory.
Ahl-ul-Sunnah, the Salaf, the followers of the Salaf, the Firqat an-Najjeeyah, the
Taifat-ul-Mansoorah, the Jamaa’ah, the Salafi and the Sunni, all of these mean
one title: and they are the Jamaa’ah, and they are similar to those whom were
upon what the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- and his Companions were upon.
So be a serious Salafi – be a serious Salafi, just like the Salaf used to say – a
Salafi ascribing to the Manhaj of the Salaf in sayings, actions and belief.
And I believe that whoever brags with this type of talk (‘I am a Sunni and I am
not a Salafi.’) is very far from the Manhaj of the Sunni which is the Manhaj of
the Salaf.
May Allaah give everyone the capability to obtain beneficial knowledge and
righteous actions. May Allaah send prayers, peace and blessings upon our
Prophet Muhammad, his Family and all his Companions.’
[Taken from the Shaykh’s lesson from the ‘Explanation of ‘an-Nasihah al-Waladeeyah liAbee al-Waleed alBajee Rahimullaah-’ end of tape one.]
środa, 6 lipca 2011
Sunnahs Neglected In Ramadaan.
Question: "Could the Shaikh give us some words of benefit for the blessed month of Ramadaan, on this fine occasion"
Shaikh al-Albaanee, may Allaah have mercy upon him said, "Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, says in the Noble Quraan:
O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become people having Taqwaa. Soorah al-Baqarah (2):183
So in this aayah, as will not be hidden to all those who are present, Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, informs the Ummah of Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, through this aayah, that He has made Fasting obligatory upon them just as He had made its like obligatory upon the nations before us. This is a matter that is well-known to all of the Muslims who read this aayah, and clearly understand its meaning. But what I wish to speak about is something else, a matter which very few of the general people notice-‹and this is the saying of Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, at the end of this aayah:
So that you may become people having Taqwaa.
So Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, when He commands His believing servants, or obligates them with some Legislation, (then He) usually just mentions the command, without explaining the wisdom for it. This is because the general wisdom behind Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic¹s, placing duties upon His servants is that He should test them by it, so that it should become apparent (as to) those who will obey Him and those who will disobey Him, the Exalted and Most High.
However in this aayah, He mentioned something that is not found frequently in the Noble Quraan, which is that He mentioned the reason for the order to Fast, by His Saying:
So that you may become people of Taqwaa.
So the wisdom behind the Believers to fast is not just that they should prevent themselves from enjoyable and permissible and good things, even though this is an obligation upon the fasting person - but this is not the only thing that is required and intended by this Fasting. So Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, concluded His command to fast by His Saying:
So that you may become people of Taqwaa.
Meaning: that the wisdom behind the prescription of Fasting is that the Muslim should increase in obedience to Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, in the month of Fasting, and become more obedient than he was before it.
Then the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, clearly stated and completely clarified this point of divine wisdom, by his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, as is reported in the Saheeh of al-Bukhaaree (no. 1903), that he sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said, "Whoever does not abandon falsehood in speech and action, then Allaah has no need that he should leave his food and drink." Meaning: that Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, did not intend and desire, by the obligation of Fasting - which is to withhold for a stated time, well known to you all - that they should only withhold from eating and drinking. Rather they should also withhold from that which Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, has forbidden with regard to sins and acts of disobedience to Him; and from that is falsehood in speech and action.
So the Messanger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, is emphasizing the aayah:
So that you may become people of Taqwaa.
i.e. that you should, as an act of worship to draw you closer to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, in addition to withholding from food and drink, also withhold from forbidden actions such as backbiting, carrying tales to cause harm to people, false witness, lying and so on, with regard to those forbidden manners that we are all aware of.
Therefore it is obligatory that all the Muslims should be aware that actions which disrupt the Fast are not just the physical acts, which are generally known, which are eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. The Fast is not just that you withhold from this. Therefore some of the scholars differentiate, and divide those things which disrupt the Fast into two categories, and this is what I intend by this talk of mine at this time that is blessed, if Allaah wills.
This is especially important since those who deliver Khutbahs and admonish the people during Ramadaan, when they speak about those things which disrupt the Fast, then they only speak about the material things, those things that we have just mentioned‹eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. But what they should do, as sincere advisers and people who give reminder to the Muslims in general, is to concentrate a great deal upon the second category of things which disrupt the Fast. This is because the people have become used to thinking that Fasting is just to refrain from the first category, to withhold from the material things. But there is another category of things which disrupt the Fast, which we are able to call the non-material things which disrupt the Fast.
So you have just heard his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, "Whoever does not abandon falsehood in speech and action, then Allaah has no need that he should leave his food and drink."
Therefore every fasting person should examine himself and see: is he just withholding from the material things, or is he also withholding from those non-material things? Meaning: has he made his manners and behaviour good when the blessed month of Ramadaan comes? If that is the case, then he has fulfilled the Saying of Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, at the end of the aayah:
So that you may become people of Taqwaa.
But as for he one who restricts himself in his fasting to just withholding from food and drink, but who continues and persists upon the evil manners which he was upon previously, before Ramadaan, then this is not the Fasting that is desired and required from the wisdom behind the legislation of this noble month, which our Lord, the Mighty and Majestic indicates in His Saying:
So that you may become people of Taqwaa.
So therefore we advise and remind our brother Muslims that they should remind this other category of things, those that are non-material, which disrupt the Fast, and it is something which the admonishers and those who seek to direct the people to the correct way rarely speak about, not to mention the general people, who are not aware of this category of things which disrupt the fast, i.e., the non-material things.
This is what I wanted to remind our brothers who are present in this fine gathering about, if Allaah wills, so that it may be cause of their increasing in acts of worship seeking to draw closer to Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, in this blessed month, the month of Fasting, which is such that we hope that Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, will guide and grant us all the success of fulfilling the due right of this blessed month, which is that we withhold from both the material and the non-material things which disrupt the Fast.
Then in addition to this word, I hope that you will pay attention to some affairs which have been neglected by the majority of the general Muslims, indeed and also by those having knowledge.
There is a hadeeth which is very often neglected because of another hadeeth, because the majority of people are unable to reconcile in practice and application between them. So this hadeeth is his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, "My Ummah will continue to be upon good for as long as they hasten to break the fast and delay the pre-dawn meal."
So here two matters were mentioned, and they are neglected by most of the people, and they are: hastening to break the fast, and delaying the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor).
As for neglect of the first matter, which is hastening to break the Fast, then in the view of some people it contradicts another hadeeth, which is his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, "My Ummah will continue to be upon good for as long as they hasten to pray the Maghrib Prayer."
So here we have two commands, to hasten with two matters. So it appears to some people that we cannot hasten to perform both of them together.
But reconciling between the command to hasten with breaking the Fast and the command to hasten to pray the Maghrib Prayer is a very easy matter. So it is something which our Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, made clear to us by his action and practice. So he, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, used to break the Fast with three dates. He would eat three dates. Then he would pray the Maghrib Prayer, then he would eat again if he found that he needed to eat the evening meal.
But today we fall into two offences:
(i) Firstly we delay the Adhaan from its legislated time. Then after this delay comes another delay, which is that we sit down for a meal - except for a few people who are eager and pray the Maghrib Prayer in the mosque. But the majority of the people wait until they hear the Adhaan, and then they sit down to eat as if they are having a dinner, or their evening meal, and not just breaking their fast.
So the Adhaan these days - in most of the lands of Islaam, is, unfortunately, I have to say, and not just in Jordan, and I have known this from investigation, in most of the lands of Islaam - the Adhaan for Maghrib is given after the time it becomes due. And the reason for this is that we have abandoned adhering to and applying the Islamic rulings, and instead we have come to depend upon astronomical calculations. We depend upon the timetable.
But these time-tables are based upon astronomical calculations which count the land as being a single flat plane. So they give a time for this flat plane, whereas the reality is that the land, particularly in this land of ours varies, varying between the depression of valleys and the elevation of mountains. So it is not correct that a single time be given which covers the shore, the planes and the mountains. No, each part of the land has its own time. So therefore whoever is able in his place of residence, in his city or his village, to see the sun set with his own eye, then whatever time it sets at, then that is the hastening that we have been commanded with in his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, which we just mentioned, "My Ummah will continue to be upon good as long as they hasten to break the fast." So the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, was careful to implement this Sunnah by teaching it, and by putting it into practice.
As for his teaching, then he, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said, in the hadeeth reported by al-Bukharee in his Saheeh (no. 1954), "If the night appears from this side," and he pointed towards the east ,"and the day has departed from here," and he pointed towards the west , "and the sun has set‹then the fasting persons fast is broken"
What does, 'the fasting persons fast is broken' mean? It means he has entered under the ruling that he should break his fast. So then comes the previous ruling where the Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, encouraged hastening to break the Fast, and the Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, used to implement this, even when he was riding on a journey.
So it is reported in the Saheeh of al-Bukharee (no.1955) that the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, ordered one of his Companions to prepare the Iftaar for him. So he replied, O Messenger of Allaah it is still daytime before us.¹ Meaning: the light of the sun, so even though it had set, yet its light was still clear in the west. So the Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, did not respond to what he had said, rather he re-emphasised the command to him to prepare the Iftaar. So the narrator of the hadeeth who said, We could see daylight in front of us,¹ meaning: the light of day, the light of the sun, When we broke our fast,¹ said, "If one of us had climbed onto his camel he would have seen the sun." The sun had set from here, and the Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, ordered one of the Companions to prepare the Iftaar . Why? To hasten upon good "My Ummah will continue upon good for as long as they hasten to break the Fast."
So what is important is that we notice that the Iftaar which is legislated to be hastened must be done with a few dates. Then we must hasten to perform the Prayer. Then after this the people can sit and eat as they need.
This is the first matter which I wanted to remind of, and it is how to reconcile the two matters which the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, commanded we should hasten to perform. The first being the command to hasten the breaking of the Fast, and the second being the command to hasten to perform the Maghrib Prayer. So the Iftaar should be done with some dates, as occurs in the Sunnah, and if dates are not available, then with some gulps of water. Then the Prayer should pray in congregation in the mosque.
Then the other matter which I want to remind of is what occurs in the previous hadeeth, "And they delay the pre-dawn meal" Meaning: what is required here is the opposite to the case of the Iftaar. So he, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, commanded us to hasten to perform the Iftaar. But as for the Suhoor, then it should be delayed. But what happens today is totally contrary to this, since many people eat their Suhoor before the appearance of Fajr by perhaps an hour. This is not befitting. This is contrary to the Sunnah shown by the saying of the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, and by his practice. So the Companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, used to leave the Suhoor so late, that one of them would almost hear the Adhaan and he would still be eating. He delayed the Suhoor.
Indeed there is an authentic hadeeth reported from the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, which shows the ease afforded by Islaam, which is to be counted as one of the principles of Islaam, which the Muslims are proud of, especially with regard to the matter of Fasting, since Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, concluded the aayahs concerning Fasting with His Saying:
Allaah desires ease for you, and He does not desire to make things difficult for you.
So from this ease is his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, "If one of you hears the call to Prayer and the vessel is in the hand of one of you, then let him not put it down until he fulfils his need from it."
" If one of you hears the call to Prayer and the vessel" the vessel containing food, whether it be milk, some drink, water, anything which a person may take as Suhoor, and he hears the Adhaan, then he should not say, Now the food is forbidden by the Adhaan being heard for the person who has had enough of it. It is not allowed for him to then have any more, whether it be a drink, or some fruit, when he has had his fill of whatever he was eating.¹
But as for the one who hears the Adhaan and he has not yet taken what he needs from the food and the drink, then the Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, made that lawful for him. So he clearly said, in the clear and eloquent Arabic language, "If one of you hears the call to Prayer, and the vessel is in his hand, then let him not put it down until he fulfils his need from it."
And what is meant here by the call is the second call, the second Adhaan. It is not the first Adhaan, which they wrongly call the Adhaan for withholding (al-Imsaak). We must know that there is no basis for calling the first Adhaan the Adhaan for withholding (imsaak).
The second Adhaan is when we are to withhold, and this is clearly stated in the Quraan, since Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, says:
And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes clear to you from the black thread of the night.
So eating becomes forbidden at the start of the time of the Fajr Prayer. There is no separation between these two things. There is no withholding from food and drink for a quarter of an hour, or less than that, or more than that, before the start of the time for the Fajr Prayer. Not at all.
Because the Prayer becomes due when the true dawn appears, and food becomes forbidden for the fasting person when the true dawn appears. So there is no separation between these two matters at all.
So therefore there occurs in the hadeeth agreed upon by al-Bukharee and Muslim, from the hadeeth of ¹Abdullaah ibn ¹Umar ibn al-Khattaab, radiyallaahu ¹anhumaa, that the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said, "Let not the Adhaan of Bilaal deceive you Š" meaning, the first Adhaan, "Š because he gives the Adhaan in order to awaken the person who is sleeping, and so that the person who wishes to eat the pre-dawn meal can do so. So eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktoon gives the Adhaan."
Ibn Umm Maktoon, and his name was ¹Amr, he was a blind man, and he was the one about whom the Saying of Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, came down:
He frowned and turned away, that the blind man came to him
to the end of the Aayahs.
So he used to give the second Adhaan, the Adhaan which means that eating becomes prohibited, and that it is now time for the Fajr Prayer.
How had he used to give the adhaan when he was blind? This is a question which naturally occurs to some people. So ¹mr ibn Umm Maktoom used to climb upon the roof of the mosque, and he could not see the dawn, but he would wait until someone passing by saw the dawn. So when someone saw that the dawn had appeared and spread across the horizon, then they would say to him, It is morning. It is morning. Then he would give the Adhaan.
So you will notice here that the Adhaan of 'Amr ibn Umm Maktoom was after the Fajr had appeared, and had been seen by the people whilst they were walking in the streets. So the when it was said to him, "It is morning. It is morning," he would give the Adhaan.
So therefore there is latitude in the affair, since the muadhdhin would be delayed in giving the Adhaan until he heard the people telling him, "It is morning, it is morning." And then Allaah¹s Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said, "If one of you hears the call to Prayer and the vessel is in his hand, then let him not put it down until he has fulfilled his need from it."
So Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, spoke truly when He said at the end of those Aayahs relating to Fasting:
Allaah desires to make things easy for you, and He does not desire to make things difficult for you.
and
And that you should complete the number of days, and that you should glorify Allaah by mentioningtakbeer for His having guided you, and that you should be thankful.
So therefore from the Fiqh that is to be criticised, and which runs contrary to this Sunnah, is that a person says, "If someone hears the Adhaan and has some food in his mouth, then he must spit it out." So this is over strictness, and (ghuluww) exceeding the limits in the Religion, and the Lord of all of the creation admonished us, and reminded us, in His Book and in the Sunnah of His Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, that we should not exceed the due limits in our Religion. So He said, in the Noble Quraan:
O people of the Book! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not say anything about Allaah except the truth.
And our Messenger sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said to us, or he, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said, "Beware of (ghuluww) exceeding the limits in the Religion. Because those who came before you were destroyed by their exceeding the limits in their Religion."
So when Allaah¹s Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, has made it clear to us that there is in the matter of a persons taking suhoor, latitude and a margin of ease, to the extent that he said, "If one of you hears the call to Prayer whilst the vessel is in his hand, then let him not put it down until he has completed his need from it."
So it is opposition to Allaah and to the Messenger that a person says that one who hears the adhaan whilst he has food in his mouth must spit it out upon the ground. This is not from the Sunnah. Rather this is contrary to the Sunnah, and is contrary to the clear command of the Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam,.
And I have been asked many times, so I will not leave the need for such a question, but rather I will precede you in it, by stating that this hadeeth is to be found in some of the most famous books of the Sunnah. From them being the Sunan of Aboo Daawood, and it is the third book from the well-known six books. The first of which is Saheehul-Bukhaaree, the second being Saheeh Muslim, and the third being the Sunan of Aboo Daawood.
This hadeeth is to be found in it, and it is likewise reported by Aboo Abdullaah al-Haakim in his Mustadrak, and it is likewise reported by the Imaam, the Imaam of the Sunnah Ahmad ibn Hanbal, rahimahullaah, in his tremendous book known as the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad.
So the hadeth is not a strange hadeeth, rather it is a well-known hadeeth, and was reported by the Imaams of the sunnah in the early times, and with an authentic chain of narration.
So here I say, to conclude this talk, since perhaps some of you have questions, which we will answer if Allaah wills, so I conclude it with his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying "Allaah loves that His allowances be acted upon just as He loves that His prescribed duties be carried out," and in one narration, "Just as He hates that disobedience to Him be committed."
So there are two narrations, "Allaah loves that His allowances be acted upon just as He loves that His prescribed duties be carried out", and the second narration is, " as He hates that disobedience to Him be committed."
So therefore the Muslim should not practice false piety, and (as a result) refrain from obeying the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, in that which he encouraged us upon and clarified to us.
And what has been said is sufficient, and all praise is for Allaah, the Lord of all of the creation."
Shaikh al-Albaanee, may Allaah have mercy upon him said, "Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, says in the Noble Quraan:
O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become people having Taqwaa. Soorah al-Baqarah (2):183
So in this aayah, as will not be hidden to all those who are present, Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, informs the Ummah of Muhammad, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, through this aayah, that He has made Fasting obligatory upon them just as He had made its like obligatory upon the nations before us. This is a matter that is well-known to all of the Muslims who read this aayah, and clearly understand its meaning. But what I wish to speak about is something else, a matter which very few of the general people notice-‹and this is the saying of Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, at the end of this aayah:
So that you may become people having Taqwaa.
So Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, when He commands His believing servants, or obligates them with some Legislation, (then He) usually just mentions the command, without explaining the wisdom for it. This is because the general wisdom behind Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic¹s, placing duties upon His servants is that He should test them by it, so that it should become apparent (as to) those who will obey Him and those who will disobey Him, the Exalted and Most High.
However in this aayah, He mentioned something that is not found frequently in the Noble Quraan, which is that He mentioned the reason for the order to Fast, by His Saying:
So that you may become people of Taqwaa.
So the wisdom behind the Believers to fast is not just that they should prevent themselves from enjoyable and permissible and good things, even though this is an obligation upon the fasting person - but this is not the only thing that is required and intended by this Fasting. So Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, concluded His command to fast by His Saying:
So that you may become people of Taqwaa.
Meaning: that the wisdom behind the prescription of Fasting is that the Muslim should increase in obedience to Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, in the month of Fasting, and become more obedient than he was before it.
Then the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, clearly stated and completely clarified this point of divine wisdom, by his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, as is reported in the Saheeh of al-Bukhaaree (no. 1903), that he sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said, "Whoever does not abandon falsehood in speech and action, then Allaah has no need that he should leave his food and drink." Meaning: that Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, did not intend and desire, by the obligation of Fasting - which is to withhold for a stated time, well known to you all - that they should only withhold from eating and drinking. Rather they should also withhold from that which Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, has forbidden with regard to sins and acts of disobedience to Him; and from that is falsehood in speech and action.
So the Messanger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, is emphasizing the aayah:
So that you may become people of Taqwaa.
i.e. that you should, as an act of worship to draw you closer to Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, in addition to withholding from food and drink, also withhold from forbidden actions such as backbiting, carrying tales to cause harm to people, false witness, lying and so on, with regard to those forbidden manners that we are all aware of.
Therefore it is obligatory that all the Muslims should be aware that actions which disrupt the Fast are not just the physical acts, which are generally known, which are eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. The Fast is not just that you withhold from this. Therefore some of the scholars differentiate, and divide those things which disrupt the Fast into two categories, and this is what I intend by this talk of mine at this time that is blessed, if Allaah wills.
This is especially important since those who deliver Khutbahs and admonish the people during Ramadaan, when they speak about those things which disrupt the Fast, then they only speak about the material things, those things that we have just mentioned‹eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. But what they should do, as sincere advisers and people who give reminder to the Muslims in general, is to concentrate a great deal upon the second category of things which disrupt the Fast. This is because the people have become used to thinking that Fasting is just to refrain from the first category, to withhold from the material things. But there is another category of things which disrupt the Fast, which we are able to call the non-material things which disrupt the Fast.
So you have just heard his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, "Whoever does not abandon falsehood in speech and action, then Allaah has no need that he should leave his food and drink."
Therefore every fasting person should examine himself and see: is he just withholding from the material things, or is he also withholding from those non-material things? Meaning: has he made his manners and behaviour good when the blessed month of Ramadaan comes? If that is the case, then he has fulfilled the Saying of Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, at the end of the aayah:
So that you may become people of Taqwaa.
But as for he one who restricts himself in his fasting to just withholding from food and drink, but who continues and persists upon the evil manners which he was upon previously, before Ramadaan, then this is not the Fasting that is desired and required from the wisdom behind the legislation of this noble month, which our Lord, the Mighty and Majestic indicates in His Saying:
So that you may become people of Taqwaa.
So therefore we advise and remind our brother Muslims that they should remind this other category of things, those that are non-material, which disrupt the Fast, and it is something which the admonishers and those who seek to direct the people to the correct way rarely speak about, not to mention the general people, who are not aware of this category of things which disrupt the fast, i.e., the non-material things.
This is what I wanted to remind our brothers who are present in this fine gathering about, if Allaah wills, so that it may be cause of their increasing in acts of worship seeking to draw closer to Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, in this blessed month, the month of Fasting, which is such that we hope that Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, will guide and grant us all the success of fulfilling the due right of this blessed month, which is that we withhold from both the material and the non-material things which disrupt the Fast.
Then in addition to this word, I hope that you will pay attention to some affairs which have been neglected by the majority of the general Muslims, indeed and also by those having knowledge.
There is a hadeeth which is very often neglected because of another hadeeth, because the majority of people are unable to reconcile in practice and application between them. So this hadeeth is his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, "My Ummah will continue to be upon good for as long as they hasten to break the fast and delay the pre-dawn meal."
So here two matters were mentioned, and they are neglected by most of the people, and they are: hastening to break the fast, and delaying the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor).
As for neglect of the first matter, which is hastening to break the Fast, then in the view of some people it contradicts another hadeeth, which is his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, "My Ummah will continue to be upon good for as long as they hasten to pray the Maghrib Prayer."
So here we have two commands, to hasten with two matters. So it appears to some people that we cannot hasten to perform both of them together.
But reconciling between the command to hasten with breaking the Fast and the command to hasten to pray the Maghrib Prayer is a very easy matter. So it is something which our Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, made clear to us by his action and practice. So he, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, used to break the Fast with three dates. He would eat three dates. Then he would pray the Maghrib Prayer, then he would eat again if he found that he needed to eat the evening meal.
But today we fall into two offences:
(i) Firstly we delay the Adhaan from its legislated time. Then after this delay comes another delay, which is that we sit down for a meal - except for a few people who are eager and pray the Maghrib Prayer in the mosque. But the majority of the people wait until they hear the Adhaan, and then they sit down to eat as if they are having a dinner, or their evening meal, and not just breaking their fast.
So the Adhaan these days - in most of the lands of Islaam, is, unfortunately, I have to say, and not just in Jordan, and I have known this from investigation, in most of the lands of Islaam - the Adhaan for Maghrib is given after the time it becomes due. And the reason for this is that we have abandoned adhering to and applying the Islamic rulings, and instead we have come to depend upon astronomical calculations. We depend upon the timetable.
But these time-tables are based upon astronomical calculations which count the land as being a single flat plane. So they give a time for this flat plane, whereas the reality is that the land, particularly in this land of ours varies, varying between the depression of valleys and the elevation of mountains. So it is not correct that a single time be given which covers the shore, the planes and the mountains. No, each part of the land has its own time. So therefore whoever is able in his place of residence, in his city or his village, to see the sun set with his own eye, then whatever time it sets at, then that is the hastening that we have been commanded with in his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, which we just mentioned, "My Ummah will continue to be upon good as long as they hasten to break the fast." So the Prophet sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, was careful to implement this Sunnah by teaching it, and by putting it into practice.
As for his teaching, then he, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said, in the hadeeth reported by al-Bukharee in his Saheeh (no. 1954), "If the night appears from this side," and he pointed towards the east ,"and the day has departed from here," and he pointed towards the west , "and the sun has set‹then the fasting persons fast is broken"
What does, 'the fasting persons fast is broken' mean? It means he has entered under the ruling that he should break his fast. So then comes the previous ruling where the Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, encouraged hastening to break the Fast, and the Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, used to implement this, even when he was riding on a journey.
So it is reported in the Saheeh of al-Bukharee (no.1955) that the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, ordered one of his Companions to prepare the Iftaar for him. So he replied, O Messenger of Allaah it is still daytime before us.¹ Meaning: the light of the sun, so even though it had set, yet its light was still clear in the west. So the Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, did not respond to what he had said, rather he re-emphasised the command to him to prepare the Iftaar. So the narrator of the hadeeth who said, We could see daylight in front of us,¹ meaning: the light of day, the light of the sun, When we broke our fast,¹ said, "If one of us had climbed onto his camel he would have seen the sun." The sun had set from here, and the Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, ordered one of the Companions to prepare the Iftaar . Why? To hasten upon good "My Ummah will continue upon good for as long as they hasten to break the Fast."
So what is important is that we notice that the Iftaar which is legislated to be hastened must be done with a few dates. Then we must hasten to perform the Prayer. Then after this the people can sit and eat as they need.
This is the first matter which I wanted to remind of, and it is how to reconcile the two matters which the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, commanded we should hasten to perform. The first being the command to hasten the breaking of the Fast, and the second being the command to hasten to perform the Maghrib Prayer. So the Iftaar should be done with some dates, as occurs in the Sunnah, and if dates are not available, then with some gulps of water. Then the Prayer should pray in congregation in the mosque.
Then the other matter which I want to remind of is what occurs in the previous hadeeth, "And they delay the pre-dawn meal" Meaning: what is required here is the opposite to the case of the Iftaar. So he, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, commanded us to hasten to perform the Iftaar. But as for the Suhoor, then it should be delayed. But what happens today is totally contrary to this, since many people eat their Suhoor before the appearance of Fajr by perhaps an hour. This is not befitting. This is contrary to the Sunnah shown by the saying of the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, and by his practice. So the Companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, used to leave the Suhoor so late, that one of them would almost hear the Adhaan and he would still be eating. He delayed the Suhoor.
Indeed there is an authentic hadeeth reported from the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, which shows the ease afforded by Islaam, which is to be counted as one of the principles of Islaam, which the Muslims are proud of, especially with regard to the matter of Fasting, since Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, concluded the aayahs concerning Fasting with His Saying:
Allaah desires ease for you, and He does not desire to make things difficult for you.
So from this ease is his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying, "If one of you hears the call to Prayer and the vessel is in the hand of one of you, then let him not put it down until he fulfils his need from it."
" If one of you hears the call to Prayer and the vessel" the vessel containing food, whether it be milk, some drink, water, anything which a person may take as Suhoor, and he hears the Adhaan, then he should not say, Now the food is forbidden by the Adhaan being heard for the person who has had enough of it. It is not allowed for him to then have any more, whether it be a drink, or some fruit, when he has had his fill of whatever he was eating.¹
But as for the one who hears the Adhaan and he has not yet taken what he needs from the food and the drink, then the Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, made that lawful for him. So he clearly said, in the clear and eloquent Arabic language, "If one of you hears the call to Prayer, and the vessel is in his hand, then let him not put it down until he fulfils his need from it."
And what is meant here by the call is the second call, the second Adhaan. It is not the first Adhaan, which they wrongly call the Adhaan for withholding (al-Imsaak). We must know that there is no basis for calling the first Adhaan the Adhaan for withholding (imsaak).
The second Adhaan is when we are to withhold, and this is clearly stated in the Quraan, since Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, says:
And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes clear to you from the black thread of the night.
So eating becomes forbidden at the start of the time of the Fajr Prayer. There is no separation between these two things. There is no withholding from food and drink for a quarter of an hour, or less than that, or more than that, before the start of the time for the Fajr Prayer. Not at all.
Because the Prayer becomes due when the true dawn appears, and food becomes forbidden for the fasting person when the true dawn appears. So there is no separation between these two matters at all.
So therefore there occurs in the hadeeth agreed upon by al-Bukharee and Muslim, from the hadeeth of ¹Abdullaah ibn ¹Umar ibn al-Khattaab, radiyallaahu ¹anhumaa, that the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said, "Let not the Adhaan of Bilaal deceive you Š" meaning, the first Adhaan, "Š because he gives the Adhaan in order to awaken the person who is sleeping, and so that the person who wishes to eat the pre-dawn meal can do so. So eat and drink until Ibn Umm Maktoon gives the Adhaan."
Ibn Umm Maktoon, and his name was ¹Amr, he was a blind man, and he was the one about whom the Saying of Allaah, the Exalted and Most High, came down:
He frowned and turned away, that the blind man came to him
to the end of the Aayahs.
So he used to give the second Adhaan, the Adhaan which means that eating becomes prohibited, and that it is now time for the Fajr Prayer.
How had he used to give the adhaan when he was blind? This is a question which naturally occurs to some people. So ¹mr ibn Umm Maktoom used to climb upon the roof of the mosque, and he could not see the dawn, but he would wait until someone passing by saw the dawn. So when someone saw that the dawn had appeared and spread across the horizon, then they would say to him, It is morning. It is morning. Then he would give the Adhaan.
So you will notice here that the Adhaan of 'Amr ibn Umm Maktoom was after the Fajr had appeared, and had been seen by the people whilst they were walking in the streets. So the when it was said to him, "It is morning. It is morning," he would give the Adhaan.
So therefore there is latitude in the affair, since the muadhdhin would be delayed in giving the Adhaan until he heard the people telling him, "It is morning, it is morning." And then Allaah¹s Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said, "If one of you hears the call to Prayer and the vessel is in his hand, then let him not put it down until he has fulfilled his need from it."
So Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, spoke truly when He said at the end of those Aayahs relating to Fasting:
Allaah desires to make things easy for you, and He does not desire to make things difficult for you.
and
And that you should complete the number of days, and that you should glorify Allaah by mentioningtakbeer for His having guided you, and that you should be thankful.
So therefore from the Fiqh that is to be criticised, and which runs contrary to this Sunnah, is that a person says, "If someone hears the Adhaan and has some food in his mouth, then he must spit it out." So this is over strictness, and (ghuluww) exceeding the limits in the Religion, and the Lord of all of the creation admonished us, and reminded us, in His Book and in the Sunnah of His Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, that we should not exceed the due limits in our Religion. So He said, in the Noble Quraan:
O people of the Book! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and do not say anything about Allaah except the truth.
And our Messenger sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said to us, or he, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said, "Beware of (ghuluww) exceeding the limits in the Religion. Because those who came before you were destroyed by their exceeding the limits in their Religion."
So when Allaah¹s Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, has made it clear to us that there is in the matter of a persons taking suhoor, latitude and a margin of ease, to the extent that he said, "If one of you hears the call to Prayer whilst the vessel is in his hand, then let him not put it down until he has completed his need from it."
So it is opposition to Allaah and to the Messenger that a person says that one who hears the adhaan whilst he has food in his mouth must spit it out upon the ground. This is not from the Sunnah. Rather this is contrary to the Sunnah, and is contrary to the clear command of the Messenger, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam,.
And I have been asked many times, so I will not leave the need for such a question, but rather I will precede you in it, by stating that this hadeeth is to be found in some of the most famous books of the Sunnah. From them being the Sunan of Aboo Daawood, and it is the third book from the well-known six books. The first of which is Saheehul-Bukhaaree, the second being Saheeh Muslim, and the third being the Sunan of Aboo Daawood.
This hadeeth is to be found in it, and it is likewise reported by Aboo Abdullaah al-Haakim in his Mustadrak, and it is likewise reported by the Imaam, the Imaam of the Sunnah Ahmad ibn Hanbal, rahimahullaah, in his tremendous book known as the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad.
So the hadeth is not a strange hadeeth, rather it is a well-known hadeeth, and was reported by the Imaams of the sunnah in the early times, and with an authentic chain of narration.
So here I say, to conclude this talk, since perhaps some of you have questions, which we will answer if Allaah wills, so I conclude it with his, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, saying "Allaah loves that His allowances be acted upon just as He loves that His prescribed duties be carried out," and in one narration, "Just as He hates that disobedience to Him be committed."
So there are two narrations, "Allaah loves that His allowances be acted upon just as He loves that His prescribed duties be carried out", and the second narration is, " as He hates that disobedience to Him be committed."
So therefore the Muslim should not practice false piety, and (as a result) refrain from obeying the Prophet, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, in that which he encouraged us upon and clarified to us.
And what has been said is sufficient, and all praise is for Allaah, the Lord of all of the creation."
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