RAMADAN
BISMILLAH HIRRAHMAN NIRRAHIM
Asslamoalaikum,as we all know that the month of Ramadan is fast approaching , we must be thankful to the almighty for giving us another opportunity of seeking Blessings(Rehmat),Forgiveness(Maghfirat) and Nijaat(Safety from the hell fire) . On this account i would like to share with all of you references regarding month of Ramadana/Sawm mentioned in the holy Quran and the related Hadith with understanding of the same gathered from some sources so that it will benefit all of us . Beyond doubt only Allah knows the best and I don't have either the capability of explaining nor have the effectiveness. May the almighty impart effectiveness to this article.
FIRST REFERENCE
SURAH AL-BAQARAH, VERSE NO.183
SURAH AL-BAQARAH, VERSE NO.183
First Reference to the activity of Self Restraint is mentioned in SURAH AL-BAQRAH,SURAH NO.2 and VERSE NO.183. Allah SWT in this verse interacting with the beleivers through the words" YA AYYOHAL LAZEENA AAMANU" .Allah SWT said that the Activity of Self Restrain/ Righteousness has been made a compulsion for you and this message has been given with the word "SAWM" which literally means to stop or to restrain. Allah SWT also said that this activity is not a new one the similar custom was also bestowed on the people came before you , words "Min Qablekum" means people came before you hence this is not a new activity. Now Allah SWT said that this has been made a compulsion so that you acquire TAQWA(Self Restrain) and this has been clearly explained by Words "LALLAKUM TATTAQQUN" means that the month of SAWM is to be observed for acquiring Self Restrain. So this first reference to the month of Ramadan clearly explained the purpose for which the Holy Month was given to us. And this purpose is to acquire "TAQWA" which means consciousness of Allah SWT and full devotion towards the almighty by obeying the commandments and restraining from the prohibited activities mentioned in the HOLY QURAN ("ZALIKAL KITABU LARAIBAFI") which means the book beyond doubt. This can only be fulfilled when our heart started observing SAWM which ultimately leads to our actions. Following are some etiquette of Ramadan , Jazakallah Khair , May Allah SWT bless all of those who helped in spread message of peace through all available mediums.
SECOND REFERENCE
SURAH AL-BAQARAH, VERSE NO.184
SURAH AL-BAQARAH, VERSE NO.184
It is given in SURAH NO.2 (SURAH AL-BAQARAH) VERSE NO.184.
It started with the words "AYYAMAM MAADOODAAT" which means these are the few days . Now in this there is a difference of opinions among the scholars as some scholars said that this reference of few days is for the full month of observing SAWM i.e. RAMZAN on the other hand some scholars are of the opinion that this reference is basically used for those 3 days fast which huzoor SAW(PBUH) used to observe after migration to Madinah and one he(PBUH) used to observe for 10th Moharram(Ashurah).But if we refer AYAT No. 203 of SURAH BAQARAH where again the word "AYYAMAM MAADOODAATIN" is used for those few days of ZIL HAJJ(9th to 13th) when a HAJI stays at MINA.Also upto Ayat no. 184 a clear ruling regarding observing fasts for a full month has not revealed. It only revealed with AYAT NO. 185. By this it is somewhat clear that "AYYAMAM MAADOODAT" in AYAT NO 184 is used for those 4 days fast which Huzoor SAW (PBUH) used to observe(Allah knows the best).
1."FAMAN KANA MINKUM MAREEZAN", these words means those who are sick/ill due to some ailment who may face unbearable pain or there are chances that ailment/sickness will increase due to observing fast .
2."AU ALA SAFRIN", this means that a person who is out of the city traveling for some unavoidable reasons is also exempted but this travel doesn't include just simple movement but movement up to an acceptable distance which on the basis of sayings of the prophet(PBUH),Sahaba and Jurists derived to be 48 Miles(Allah Knows the Best), If a person intended to stay at one place during his travel than it doesn't comes under the purview of "ALA SAFRIN" and the rules of exemption will not come into force , the acceptable derived duration for this on the basis of sayings of Prophet(PBUH), Sahaba and Jurists is 15 days. But if a perosn intends to travel to different places by making stay for smaller duration than he will be considered with in the meaning of "Ala Safrin" and hence he will be exempted(Allah Knows the best).
Now the words "FA IDDATUM MIN AYYAMIN UKHR" means that those exempted from observing fasts mentioned in above point no. 1 and 2 must observe the fasts which is VAJIB afer getting healthy or completion of travel.This is VAJIB only if an unhealthy person or a traveler gets that much lifetime after getting healthy or completing his journey ,
Another point discussed in this AYAT is "WA ALLAZEENA YUTIQUNAHU" which explains that for those who are not falling in the category of sick persons or travelers but due to some other reasons not able to observe fasts,they may give FIDAYA or SADAQA i.e. feeding poors and needies as a replacement but at the same time by saying "WA ANTASUMU KHAIRULLAKUM" Allah SWT said that better for you is to observe SAWM. FIDAYA for one FAST/ROZA is equivalent to about price of 2.30 Kgs of wheat in modern times.
In this AYAT Allah SWT clearly revealed that the month in which the QURAN is revealed is the month of RAMZAN and this QURAN is the guidance for those who wanted to travel on righteous path. Who wanted to differentiate between Right and Wrong. So whoever gets this month will surely observe path of SAWM. Again Allah SWT repeated the thing already explained in AYAT NO 184 regarding exemption given to Sick and Travelers. Allah said that Allah doesn't wants to put believers in difficulty but to give ease as is given to exempted set of people who can cover up for left out FASTS after getting healthy or completing journey. So it is duty of believers to praise the almighty who has shown righteous path to them. Allah SWT has clearly indicated that those who got this month of RAMZAN must observe fasting with this the earlier relaxation of giving FIDAYA in place of fast has been withdrawn. Also by the words "SHAHEDA MINKUMUSHHAHRA" which means present in the month actually means those who got this month in his/her proper senses i.e. this doesn't include the ones who are Mentally Challenged, Non Adults, Menstruating Women, Non Believers , must observe fast.
THIRD REFERENCE
SURAH AL-BAQARAH, VERSE NO.185
In this AYAT Allah SWT clearly revealed that the month in which the QURAN is revealed is the month of RAMZAN and this QURAN is the guidance for those who wanted to travel on righteous path. Who wanted to differentiate between Right and Wrong. So whoever gets this month will surely observe path of SAWM. Again Allah SWT repeated the thing already explained in AYAT NO 184 regarding exemption given to Sick and Travelers. Allah said that Allah doesn't wants to put believers in difficulty but to give ease as is given to exempted set of people who can cover up for left out FASTS after getting healthy or completing journey. So it is duty of believers to praise the almighty who has shown righteous path to them. Allah SWT has clearly indicated that those who got this month of RAMZAN must observe fasting with this the earlier relaxation of giving FIDAYA in place of fast has been withdrawn. Also by the words "SHAHEDA MINKUMUSHHAHRA" which means present in the month actually means those who got this month in his/her proper senses i.e. this doesn't include the ones who are Mentally Challenged, Non Adults, Menstruating Women, Non Believers , must observe fast.
FOURTH REFERENCE
SURAH AL-BAQARAH, VERSE NO.187
This ayat starts with words "UHILLA LAKUM" which means that (This is made righteous for you/HALAL) , it clearly indicated that something which was not HALAL/not practiced earlier is made HALAL . Here this refers to the act of indulging in sexual relations with wife and eating and drinking. Before this it is only up to the limit a believer falls asleep that he was allowed to meet and getting involved in close relations/Sexual relations with his wife and also only allowed to eat and drink up to the moment he gets sleep.But with this revelation this barrier has been lifted and now believers are allowed to eat, drink and be in intimate relationship with their wives till morning(start of fasting). Although the previous ruling of not eating and being in intimate relationship with wives is not evident from QURAN but it was a practice followed by SAHABA(RA) on the basis of instructions given by HUZOOR(PBUH). But QURAN has clarified this through this AYAT. One more important ruling given in this ayat is related to ETIKAAF(Which literally means staying). When a believer choose to stay in the mosque for the purpose of IBADAT than he will be restricted to observe intimacy with his wife.
Allah SWT said " TILKA HUDOODULLAHE FALA TAQRABOOHA" which means these are the limits set by Almighty Allah so don't go even near to them.Hence with revelation of this verse Allah SWT has clearly sets the limits for which a believer has to restrain himself from acts of Eating,Sexual Relations,Bad Habits.This is from Dawn to Sunset.
1.Allah's apostle said that Fasting is a shield, hence a person who is fasting should avoid being disrespectful and behaving foolishly.A believer must also avoid having sexual relationships during fasting(HAZRAT ABU HURAIRAH).
2.Allah's apostle said that "all the deeds of a person is for himself/herself but fasting is for Allah SWT and hence ALLAH SWT will reward him as he has left eating , drinking and desires for ALLAH'S sake, and the reward for good deeds will be multiplied by 10 times (HAZRAT ABU HURAIRAH).
3.Allah's apostle said that the smell coming out of the month of a fasting person is better than the smell of musk (HAZRAT ABU HURAIRAH).
4.Allah's apostle said when the month of Ramadan begins the gates of Heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devil is chained (HAZRAT ABU HURAIRAH).
5.Allah's apostle said that whoever observe SAWM/FAST during month of Ramadan and whoever prays on the night of qadr out of sincere faith all his previous sins will be forgiven (HAZRAT ABU HURAIRAH).
6.Allah's apostle said that whoever has not give up forged speech and evil actions , Allah will not be in need of his leaving food and drink.Such fast will not be accepted(HAZRAT ABU HURAIRAH).
7.Allah's apostle said that the lag between the SUHUR meals and FAJR prayer will be that much in which 50 verses of QURAN can be recited(HAZRAT ANAS).
8.Allah's apostle said whoever performs any of the good deeds shall receive the same reward as obligatory deeds and whoever performs obligatory deeds will get a reward 70 times higher(IBN KHUZAYMAH).
9.Allah's apostle said take suhur meal as there is blessing in it (ANAS BIN MALIK).
1.RAMZAAN/RAMADAN:RAMADAN originated from the word "RAMAD" which means intensly heated by sun. With reference to RAMADAN this means burning of sins.It can be seen in the HADITH no.5 above, that if a person observes SAWM during RAMADAN with sincere faith all of his previous sins will be burnt(forgiven). Also this is the only Islamic month name given by Quran(SURAH AL-BAQARAH, VERSE NO. 185).
2.SUHOOR:SUHUR literally means "OF THE DAWN" i.e. meal of the dawn. It can be seen from the HADITH NO.9 above that Allah's Messenger(PBUH) has given importance to this meal.
REFERENCES FROM HADITH(SAYINGS OF PROPHET(SAW)) NARRATED BY SAHABAS (COMPANIONS).
2.Allah's apostle said that "all the deeds of a person is for himself/herself but fasting is for Allah SWT and hence ALLAH SWT will reward him as he has left eating , drinking and desires for ALLAH'S sake, and the reward for good deeds will be multiplied by 10 times (HAZRAT ABU HURAIRAH).
3.Allah's apostle said that the smell coming out of the month of a fasting person is better than the smell of musk (HAZRAT ABU HURAIRAH).
4.Allah's apostle said when the month of Ramadan begins the gates of Heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devil is chained (HAZRAT ABU HURAIRAH).
5.Allah's apostle said that whoever observe SAWM/FAST during month of Ramadan and whoever prays on the night of qadr out of sincere faith all his previous sins will be forgiven (HAZRAT ABU HURAIRAH).
6.Allah's apostle said that whoever has not give up forged speech and evil actions , Allah will not be in need of his leaving food and drink.Such fast will not be accepted(HAZRAT ABU HURAIRAH).
7.Allah's apostle said that the lag between the SUHUR meals and FAJR prayer will be that much in which 50 verses of QURAN can be recited(HAZRAT ANAS).
8.Allah's apostle said whoever performs any of the good deeds shall receive the same reward as obligatory deeds and whoever performs obligatory deeds will get a reward 70 times higher(IBN KHUZAYMAH).
9.Allah's apostle said take suhur meal as there is blessing in it (ANAS BIN MALIK).
DISCUSSIONS
1.RAMZAAN/RAMADAN:RAMADAN originated from the word "RAMAD" which means intensly heated by sun. With reference to RAMADAN this means burning of sins.It can be seen in the HADITH no.5 above, that if a person observes SAWM during RAMADAN with sincere faith all of his previous sins will be burnt(forgiven). Also this is the only Islamic month name given by Quran(SURAH AL-BAQARAH, VERSE NO. 185).
2.SUHOOR:SUHUR literally means "OF THE DAWN" i.e. meal of the dawn. It can be seen from the HADITH NO.9 above that Allah's Messenger(PBUH) has given importance to this meal.
Subhanallah
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Mashaallah
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