The Jewels of Faith in the Holy Month of Ramadān

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    The Jewels of

    Faith

    In the Holy Month Ramadan

    1st Edition

    1427 2006

    Darulfatwa - Islamic High Council

    Contents

    HowRamadan starts

    Fasting the month ofRamadan

    Who must fast

    Integrals of fasting

    Types of Blasphemy

    Obligations upon the one not fasting

    Recommended Deeds while fasting

    The Night ofQadr

    Zakah of Fitr

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    Recepients ofZakah

    ^Idprayer

    Recommended acts on the day of^Id

    Takbirs of

    ^IdMeaning ofTakbirs

    How the Month ofRamadan Starts

    Praise be toAllah, the Lord of the worlds, and mayAllah raise the rank of our Master

    Muhammad, and protect his nation from what he fears for it. FastingRamadan is among thebest acts of obedience, among the greatest deeds, and one of the most important matters of

    Islam. The scholars of the four schools of thought (Madhahib) agreed that the basis for

    determining the beginning ofRamadan is as follows:

    The crescent is observed with the naked eye after the sunset of the 29th day of Sha^ban. If thecrescent is sighted, then the following day will be the first day of Ramadan. If the crescent

    was not in view, then the next day will be the 30th day of Sha^ban and the following day willbe the beginning of Ramadan.

    Muslims in all countries around the world have implemented this practice in determining the

    beginning and the end ofRamadan and highly knowledgeable scholars have ruled

    accordingly. Moreover, they have stated that reliance should be placed on this rule and no

    attention be given to the sayings of mathematicians and astronomers. Prophet Muhammad

    (peace be upon him) said what means:

    [Begin fastingRamadan upon seeing the crescent and end it upon seeing the crescent of

    the following month. But if the crescent is blocked from view, then fast for 30 days]

    (Narrated byImam Ahmadin his Musnad,Imam Muslim in his Sahih andImam an-NasaiyyandIbn Majah in theirSunan through the route ofAbu Hurayrah)

    Al-Bukhariyy, Muslim, and others narrated through the route of^Abdullah Ibn ^Umar, may

    Allah raise his rank, that the Prophet,sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, said what means:

    [The lunar month is 29 nights, so do not fast until you sight the crescent. But if the

    crescent was blocked from view, then complete the count to 30]

    Imam Ahmad,Imam Muslim, Abu DawudandAn-Nasa'iyy all narrated that the Prophet,

    sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, said what means:

    [We do not rely on writings or calculations to determine the beginning or the end of the

    month. The month is either 29 or 30 days]

    The following are some statements from the fourmadhahib (schools of thought):

    From theShafi^iyy School:

    In his bookAsna Al-Matalib Sharh Rawd Attalib, Shaykh Zakariyya Al-Ansariyy, who died in925 AH, said what means:

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    The calculations of the astronomer have no significance. They do not determine the obligation

    of fasting and it is a sin to rely on them for that purpose. Surat An-Nahl, Verse 16 refers to

    deducing the direction of the Qiblah.

    From theHanafiyy School:

    Ibn ^Abidin, who died in 1252 AH, in his annotations on Ad-dur Al-Mukhtar, a wellknownbook, said what means:

    The statement of the astronomers is not taken into consideration. Moreover, the book Al-

    Mi^rajstates: Their sayings are not taken into consideration by scholarly consensus and it is

    not permissible for the astronomer to fast relying on his own calculation. (Volume 3, p 354,Published by Darul-Kutub Al ^ilmiyyah)

    From theMalikiyy School:

    Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Mayyarah Al- Malikiyy, who died in 1072 AH, in Addur Ath-

    Thaminsaid thatAsh-Shahab Al-Qarafiyy, who died in 684 AH, related that Sanad, who in

    turn died in 541 AH, said what means:

    If an Imam (Muslim ruler) declared the beginning of fasting based upon calculations, then theMuslims must not follow him, because the Salaf agreed by scholarly consensus that

    determining Ramadan by calculations is invalid. (p 327, published by Darul-Fikr)

    In Ash-Sharh al-Kabir Shaykh Ahmad ad- Dardir al-Malikiyy, who died in 1201 AH, fromthe school ofImam Malik, said what means:It is stated that the beginning of Ramadan is not

    confirmed by the saying of an astronomer, neither for himself nor for others. (Volume 1, p462)

    From theHanbaliyy School:

    In his book, Kashshaf Al-Qina^, Al-Buhutiyy al-Hanbaliyy, who died in 1051 AH, who isamong the famousHanbaliyy scholars, said what means:

    If one intended to fast the 30th day of Sha^ban without lawful evidence, then ones fasting is

    invalid. This means if ones fasting was based upon calculations or astronomy rather than onsighting the crescent or completing Sha^ban (if the crescent is blocked from view), then ones

    fasting is invalid, even if calculations or the sayings of astronomers regarding the new moon

    often coincide with the observed beginning of Ramadan, or after a clear night. Later, if heknew that the day he fasted was actually the first day of Ramadan; his fasting was still invalid

    because it was not based on religiously acceptable means to commence with. (Volume 2, p302, published by: DarulFikr)

    Conclusion Clearly, the Scholars of the four schools agree that no consideration should

    be given to the sayings of the astrologers, astronomers and/or mathematicians for

    determining the beginning and end of the month ofRamadan. Moreover, many scholars

    conveyed the scholarly consensus on this ruling. Reliance should be placed upon sighting

    the crescent or completing 30 days ofSha^ban as mentioned by many numbers of

    scholars within these schools.

    We advise every Muslim to abide by the sayings mentioned by thefuqahaof the fourschools. The Muslim nation unanimously agreed on the high rank and integrity of those

    scholars. Let the Muslim learn the rules of fasting by studying under someone who possesses

    both knowledge and trustworthiness and is someone who has acquired the knowledge from

    another trustworthy and knowledgeable person, and so on until the continuous chain reaches

    right back to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

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    Fasting the Month ofRamadan

    Fasting the month ofRamadan is an obligatory and great worship. It is among the best acts of

    obedience. In fasting there is a great reward. The obligation of fastingRamadan on thebelievers is known from the Quran and theHadith. Verse no 183 ofSurat al-Baqarahmeans:

    Oh believers, fasting is an obligation upon you, as it was ordained upon theMuslim

    nations before you, to help you become pious.

    Fasting was an obligation on the nations before the nation of Prophet Muhammad. However,

    fasting the month ofRamadan in particular is a specification for the nation of Prophet

    Muhammadonly. Consequently, for the one who has learned of its obligation, renouncing theobligation of fasting the month ofRamadan is blasphemy because it entails belyingAllah and

    the Prophet.

    Who Must FastRamadan

    Every accountable Muslim is obligated to fast the month ofRamadan. A young child is notobligated to fast. However, it is an obligation on the guardian of the child to order him or her

    to fast once the child reaches 7 (lunar) years of age, with the condition that the childs body

    can withstand fasting without being harmed. For one to be obligated to fast, one must be of

    sound mind. Fasting is not obligatory on the insane person. Fasting is not obligatory on a

    person whose body cannot tolerate fasting, either due to old age or severe illness. The one

    who is travelling a walking distance of two or more days (about 80 miles or 130 kilometres) is

    permitted to break their fast, provided his reason for traveling is not sinful. However, one

    must make up the missed days. Fasting is not obligatory on the menstruating woman, or the

    woman who has postpartum bleeding. In fact, it is unlawful for them to fast. The woman who

    missed days of fasting duringRamadan for these reasons has to make up the missed days. The

    pregnant woman is permitted to break her

    fast if she fears harm may come to her or her baby from fasting. This includes the

    breastfeeding woman as well. She is permitted to break her fast if she fears harm may come to

    her or her baby from fasting. Both must make up every missed day of fasting.

    Integrals of fasting

    It is obligatory to make the intention each night to fast the following day ofRamadan. Thismeans to have the intention in one's heart to fast during the night preceding the fasting day

    (i.e. after the sunset and before the dawn of the following day). If the menstrual or postpartum

    bleeding of a woman stopped at night, then she must intend to fast the following day. One

    must abstain between dawn and sunset from inserting any substance into the head or bodycavity through an open inlet excluding ones pure tahirsaliva while still inside the mouth.The open inlets of the body are the mouth, nose, anus, vagina, and others. One must also

    abstain from sexual intercourse and masturbation. One's fasting is invalidated by forcing

    oneself to vomit either by inserting the finger into the mouth or otherwise. Finally, the

    Muslim must abstain at all times from committing apostasy (i.e. committing any types of

    blasphemy), which takes him out ofIslam. Apostasy invalidates fasting, even if one returns to

    Islam immediately afterwards. After returning toIslam, one must abstain from eating andother invalidators of fasting during the whole day. Moreover, one must make up the

    invalidated day(s) of fasting afterRamadan.

    Types of Blasphemy

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    Scholars of the four schools (madhahib) classified apostasy into three categories. These are

    beliefs in the heart, actions committed by certain parts of the body, and sayings with the

    tongue.Ar-Ramliyy, from the school ofImam ash-Shafi^iyy, classified apostasy into thesethree categories and gave examples of each in his book 'Explanation ofMinhaj'as didImam

    an-Nawawiyy in his book'Rawdat at-Talibin'. Qadi IyadandImam Muhammad^illaysh

    from the Malikiyy school gave examples of these three types of apostasy. Likewise didIbn^Abidin andBadrur-Rashidfrom theHanafiyy school andAl-Buhutiyy from theHanbaliyyschool.Ibn as-Subkiyy said in his book'At-Tabaqat':Imam Al-Ash^ariyy, his students and all

    Muslims agree upon considering a blasphemer (kafir) he who says a blasphemous word or

    commits a blasphemous act. He is not a believer in Allah, and he shall remain in Hellfireforever if he dies in that state, even if he knew the truth in his heart. This is a case of

    scholarly consensus (Ijma^), not even two Muslims would disagree on this matter. The

    muhaddith hafidh, faqih and linguist Murtada az-Zabidiyy said: The scholars from the four

    schools (madhahib) exposed the three types of apostasy. Each one of these three categories of

    apostasy is divided into many subdivisions, and the scholars gave many examples of each.

    Apostate BeliefsExamples of the first category of apostasy are:

    To believe that anything other thanAllah exists without a beginning. OnlyAllah exists

    without a beginning and His attributes are eternal and everlasting and do not change.

    Everything else is a creation ofAllah and has a beginning to its existence. Qadi ^Iyad, al-

    Mutawalli, Ibn Hajar al-^Asqalaniyy, and others established the scholarly consensus (Ijma^)

    on the blasphemy of he who believes the world exists without a beginning.

    Renouncing any of the attributes ofAllah commonly known among the Muslims that He is

    attributed with, such as knowing about everything, is blasphemy. Also renouncing thatAllah

    is attributed with Power, Will, Knowledge, Hearing, Sight, or Life is blasphemy. Renouncingany of these attributes ofAllah is blasphemous because the mind alone is sufficient in

    knowing thatAllah must be attributed with these attributes (i.e. these attributes are a conditionfor the status of Godhood and as such, one is not excused by ignorance).Ibn al-Jawziyy said:

    There is scholarly consensus on the blasphemy of he who negates Allah has Power over

    everything.

    He who believes thatAllah resembles any of His creations in His Self, Attributes, or

    Actions has blasphemed. The one who believes thatAllah is a body or light, or believes that

    Allah exists above in the heavens, or that He sits on the ^Arsh (Throne) is a blasphemer. All

    these are attributes of the creation and are non-befitting to be attributed to the Creator. Had

    Allahbeen attributed with such attributes, He would have similar ones to those among His

    creations. Verse no 11 insurat ash-Shura means:

    {Nothing is like Him in any way}

    IfAllah had been a body, He would have been susceptible to the things all bodies are

    susceptible to, such as change, divisibility, needing to occupy a space, and annihilation. All of

    these are indications of shortage or weakness and non-befitting to attribute toAllah.

    Apostate Actions

    The second category of apostasy (i.e. actions committed by different parts of the body)

    includes:

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    c) The menstruating woman or the woman who has her postpartum bleeding.

    d) The one who did not fast for a valid reason, or invalidated his fast by other than having

    sexual intercourse.

    e) The pregnant or the breastfeeding woman who fears harm may come to her only due to her

    fasting. Each one of those must make up all the missed days without paying expiation.

    The second category:

    a) The pregnant or the breastfeeding woman, who fears harm may come to her baby due to

    fasting, must make up every missed day of fasting in addition to paying expiation. This

    expiation is a pair of average-sized hands cupped together filled with the most common staple

    food of the area for each day missed.

    b) The one who did not make up the missed days until the followingRamadan.

    The third category:

    a) The person whose body cannot tolerate fasting due to an old age is not obligated to fast.However one pays expiation to a poorMuslim for every day of fasting missed.

    b) The sick person who cannot fast due to an illness he or she is not hopeful to be cured of

    does not have to make up the missed days of fasting. Instead, one pays expiation to a poor

    Muslim for every day of fasting missed. The expiation is a pair of average-sized hands cupped

    together (mudd) filled with the most common staple food of the town. In Australia, the mostcommon staple food is wheat.

    The fourth category:

    The man who performs sexual intercourse during the day of fasting while knowing it is

    unlawful to do so and remembering that he is fasting, invalidates his fast. He has to make upthe missed days and fulfill the expiation which is in the following order:

    1. To free a Muslim slave,

    2. If unable, then to fast two consecutive lunar months, in addition to making up the day

    which was invalidated by his sexual intercourse;

    3. If unable, then to feed 60 poorMuslims the quantity of a pair of average-sized hands

    cupped together (i.e. one mudd) of the most common staple food of the area.

    Recommended Deeds while Fasting

    It is recommended (sunnah) to break ones fast as soon as one is sure that the maghrib(sunset) has begun. It is good to say the following statement upon breaking ones fast what

    means :

    [O Allah, I fasted seeking Your reward and with Your sustenance I broke my fast]

    It is also good to delay thesahurmeal until a time close to the dawn, but to stop eating before

    the dawn. Refraining from backbiting, cursing a Muslim, other sins, and the like is more

    emphasized while fasting. In committing some sins, the reward of ones fasting might be

    lessened or lost. If someone curses another, let the one cursed abstain from responding with a

    similar curse. Instead, let him say, "I am fasting. I am fasting." Paying the optional charity tothe poor, reciting the Quran, staying in the mosque with the intention ofi^tikaf, especially

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    during the last ten days ofRamadan, praying the Tarawihprayer, and inviting others to breaktheir fast on food which you provide are all rewardable acts.

    The Night of Qadr

    The Night ofQadris a very great night in the blessed month ofRamadan. It is The Night of

    Greatness and is considered the best night of year. During this night,Allahbrought down agreat Book - the Qur'an. Each year, when the Night ofQadroccurs, great angels and great

    mercies come down to earth. This night is not a night specific to the nation ofProphetMuhammad(peace be upon him) which occurred after the revelation to Prophet Muhammad,

    sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam. It is known that the Night ofQadroccurred duringRamadan in

    the eras of the previous prophets. However, what is specific for the nation of Prophet

    Muhammadis thatAllah guided them to know that the month ofRamadan would be their

    fasting month.

    In Surat al-Qadr, The first Verse Means

    {The whole Qur'an was brought down in its entirety during the Night ofQadr}

    The Qur'an was copied from the Guarded Tablet andJibrilbrought it down as a complete

    book toBaytul-^Izzah in the first sky. This occurred on the Night ofQadrin the month of

    Ramadan in the year thatJibrilfirst brought the revelation to the Prophet. Then, on the next

    day,Jibrilcame with the first five verses ofSuratul-^Alaq. This was the beginning of the

    prophethood of Prophet Muhammad(peace and blessings be upon him).

    Ibn Hibban narrated from Wathilah Ibn al-Asqa^that he said: The Prophet said what means:

    The Torah was revealed on the 6th night ofRamadan, theInjil on the 13th night, theZaburon the 18th night, and the Qur'an on the 24th night ofRamadan. From this hadithit is known that it is not a condition that the Night ofQadroccurs on the 27th or the 29th ofthe month ofRamadan, although from otherhadiths we know that this is most likely the case.

    Since the Night ofQadrmay occur on any of the nights ofRamadan, the Muslims should put

    forth effort to pray each night ofRamadan, seeking the promised reward for the one whoprays (the optional prayers) during that night. Making the extra effort in worshippingAllahespecially during the last ten days ofRamadan is recommended, because in most of the cases,the Night ofQadroccurs during one of those nights.

    The second verse literally means:

    How would you know what the Night ofQadris?

    This means that beforeAllah informed you, you did not know what the merit of that Nightwas. ThisAyah truly is a question which emphasizes the high status of this night and

    encourages the person to seek its goodness.

    The third verse is the answer to the previous

    question. It means:The reward one receives forpraying during this night is greater than

    the reward received for praying one thousand months (which do not have the Night of

    Qadrin them).

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    The fourth verse means:

    The angels (in great numbers), includingJibril, descend from the sky to the earth during

    that night, andAllah gives them the knowledge of what is going to happen during the

    coming year.

    It was narrated fromAbu-Hurayrah that the number of angels who would descend to earthduring that night may be more than the number of pebbles on earth.Jibril, referred to as "ar-

    Ruh" in this verse, will be among them.Al-Hakim narrated from the Prophet that during the

    Night ofQadr Jibrilcomes down to earth with a group of angels, and they make supplication(du^a') for every slave standing up or sitting down mentioningAllah. In another narration it is

    mentioned that these angels descend to earth at sunset and remain until the appearance of

    dawn. During the Night ofQadr, Allah, tabaraka wa ta^ala, gives the angels the knowledge

    of what is going to happen during the coming year in what pertains to the sustenance (rizq),

    the changes in the situation of the slaves, and the like. This is the meaning ofmin kulli amr(of all the matters) in the verse.Allah informs the angels about the details of the matters

    which will happen in the next year including what they are ordered to do that year. The angels

    copy matters from the Guarded Tablet which will happen during the coming year includingthe births, deaths, sustenance, calamities, enjoyments, and the like.

    The fifth verse means:

    The night is full of safety, goodness, and blessings (for the obedient believer) until the

    appearance of dawn.

    Among the signs that show a person that he or she witnessed the Night ofQadrare:

    1) To see a great, clear light during the night other than the light of the sun, the moon, or

    electricity.

    2) To see the trees prostrating.

    3) To hear the voices of the angels.

    4) To see the angels in their original form with two, three, four or more wings, or to see them

    in the shape of a human being (i.e. the shape of a man without genitalia).

    Note: Angels never appear in the shape of a female as explicitly stated in the Qur'an.

    The way the sun rises the next morning is also an indication that the previous night was the

    Night ofQadr. When the sun is rising, its light and heat is not intense. It is a very good sign

    for the person who sees the Night ofQadrand makes supplication (du^a') during it. A great

    gift is hoped for this person, and by the Will ofAllah, the supplication would be answered.At-Tirmidhiyy narrated from ^A'ishah that she said: Oh Prophet of Allah, if I encounter theNight of Qadr, then what should I say? (What supplication should I make during it?)

    The Prophet answered what means:

    [Say, OhAllah, You are the One who forgives a great amount and You love

    forgiveness, so forgive me.]

    MayAllahbless us with seeing the signs of this great Night and making supplication during

    it.

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    There is wisdomin hiding from the slaves exactly which night is the Night ofQadr. This isso they put forth effort during all the nights ofRamadan hoping they would acquire the

    reward of praying during the Night ofQadr. One would get the aforementioned multiplicationof the reward promised in the verses of the Qur'an, by praying during that night, whether one

    prays many optional rak^ahs or a feweven two rak^ahs. Reciting for a long time during the

    prayer is better than reciting for a short time. If one has the choice between praying a fewnumber ofrak^ahs with a longer recitation in each and praying many rak^ahsbut reciting for

    a short time during each rak^ah, then the first is better.

    It is not a condition that one actually witnesses the signs of the Night ofQadrto get the

    promised reward of praying during that night.Al-Bukhariyy and Muslim narrated from the

    Prophet,sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, that the one who prays during the Night ofQadr(outof believing inAllah and seeking His reward) thenAllah forgives their previous sins. Some

    scholars said that the one who prays the Dawn Prayer (Subh) and the Evening Prayer (^Isha')in congregation each day ofRamadan would get the reward of the Night ofQadreven if he

    does not see the signs of that night. What a great reward!

    Al-Bukhariyy and Muslim also narrated from ^A'ishah that the Prophet,sallallahu ^alayhi wa

    sallam, urged the Muslims to take very special care to pray during the last ten nights of

    Ramadan, because most often the Night ofQadris one of those nights. Likewise, they both

    narrated from ^A'ishah that she said: When the last ten nights of Ramadan started, the

    Prophet used to put a forth-great endeavor in worshipping during these nights. He used topray the whole night and also wake his wives to pray.

    They also related from ^A'ishah that the Prophet used to makeI^tikaf(stay in the mosque

    during the last ten nights ofRamadan) each year until he died. Praying during all the nights of

    Ramadan has a great reward. Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam urged us to dothat.Imam Muslim narrated from the Prophet thatAllah forgives the previous sins of the one

    who prays all the nights ofRamadan out of believing inAllah and for His sake. OAllah, Youare the One who forgives a great amount and You love forgiveness so forgive us.

    Zakah ofFitr

    TheZakah ofFitris due on every Muslim who is alive for part ofRamadan and part of

    Shawwal(the month afterRamadan). The dueZakah for each is asa^ (four times the quantityof a pair of average-sized hands cupped together), filled with the most common staple food of

    one's area.It is an obligation upon the Muslim to pay the dueZakah for oneself and one's

    Muslim dependants if on the day of the Feast ofFitr(^Id-ul-Fitr) and the night after it one has

    enough to meet their debts, clothing, lodging, and sustenance, and the sustenance of thosewhom one must support.

    The man must pay theZakah ofFitrfor his wife, non-pubescent children, slaves, and poor

    Muslimparents. He may not pay for his pubescent children or solvent parents without theirpermission. It is permissible to pay theFitr Zakah any time duringRamadan, even on the first

    night. However, it is recommended to pay it during the day of the Feast before the ^IdPrayer,

    because this mends the hearts of the poor people before the Prayer. It is prohibited to delay

    paying theFitr Zakah until after the sunset of the day of the Feast without an excuse.

    Recipients ofZakah

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    Zakah must be paid to the Muslims among the eight categories of people deserving ofZakah,who are residents in the town where the money is available. The eight categories deserving of

    Zakah are:

    1. Those who are poor who earn less than half their basic needs (al-Fuqara').

    2. Those who are poor who earn half or more but less than all their basicneeds (al-Masakin).

    3. TheZakah workers who are assigned by the caliph (al-^Amilun ^Alayha).

    4. The new converts toIslam whose hearts are to be reconciled (al-Mu'allafatu Qulubuhum).

    5. The slaves who are short in satisfying their contract for purchasing their freedom from their

    owners (ar-Riqab).

    6. Those who are unable to pay their debts (al-Gharimun).

    7. The volunteer fighters (fi Sabilillah).

    8. The travellers who are unable financially to reach their destination (Ibn-us-Sabil).

    It is neither permissible nor valid to payZakah to other than those eight types of people

    specifically mentioned. That is why it is not valid to payZakah for every charitable project

    such as helping build a mosque or the like.

    ^IdPrayer

    ^Idprayer can be performed in congregation, or individually any time between sunrise and

    noon. The best time of the ^Idprayer is after the sun has reached the height of a spear

    (approximately 20 minutes from sunrise). However if one missed it one should make it

    up.The ^Idprayer is not preceded by the adhan (the call to announce the prayer time) or

    iqamah (the call to start prayer). The one who performs the ^Idprayer must satisfy theconditions and avoid the invalidators of prayer. The ^Idprayer consists of twoRak^ahs. It is

    initiated with the opening takbir, with the intention to perform ^IdPrayer with theImam,followed by the opening supplication, and seven takbirs. In between each takbirof the seven

    takbirs one recites subhanallah, walhamdulillah, wla ilaha illallah, wallahu akbar. Then

    one recites al-Isti^adhah (seeking refuge withAllah from theshaytanby saying A^outhu

    billahi minash- Shaytanir-Rajeem, Suratul-Fatihah and Surat QaforSuratul al-'A^la

    alternatively.In the second rak^ah one says five takbirsbefore reciting theFatihah followed by Suratul-QamarorSuratul-Ghashiyah. If one started with theFatihah leaving out any or the entire

    takbirs, ones prayer is still valid, however one would miss out on the reward of the takbirs.

    Hence one should continue with one's prayer order. After the prayer, it is recommended that

    theImam delivers two speeches (same as in Friday) starting with nine takbirs in the first halfof the khutbah and seven in the second. TheImam should teach the people the rules of

    breaking the fast, visiting one's relatives, and other significant matters pertaining to Id.

    Recommended acts on the day of^Id

    It issunnah on the day of^Idto do the following: Take a bath before going to the prayer.

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    Wear perfume.

    Clip one's fingernails.

    Wear the best of one's clothes.

    Take different routes to and from the place of prayer.

    Leave early to the mosque excluding theImam.

    Have a light snack such as dates or the like before going to the prayer.

    Walk to the prayer place.

    Say takbirs of^Id. This is highly recommended after the sunset of the last day ofRamadanand remains until theImam says the opening takbirof the ^Idprayer. This includes saying

    takbirin one's home, the market places, mosques, and the streets.

    Congratulating one another on the day of^Idis rewardable, as bothIbn HajarandAl-

    Bayhaqiyy stated. It issunnah to spend the night preceding the day of^Idin acts of worship

    such as praying or the like. Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him) used to pray ^Idprayerconsistently as it issunnah mu'akkadah . The first ^Idprayer that the Prophet performed was

    in the second year after theHijrah (migration).

    Takbirs of^Id

    1.Allahu akbarullahu akbarullahu akbar,

    2.La ilaha illallah. Allahu akbar

    3.Allahu akbar wa lillahi-hamd. (3 Times)

    4.Allahu akbaru kabira

    5. Wal-hamdu lillahi kathira,

    6. Wa subhanallahi Wa bihamdihi bukratawwaasila.

    7.La ilaha illallahu wahdah,

    8. Sadaqa wa^dah, wa nasara ^abdah,

    9. Wa 'a^azza jundahu, Wa hazam-al-ahzaba wahdah

    10.La ilaha illallah,

    11. Wa la na^budu illa Iyyah.

    12. Mukhlisina lahud-Dina

    13. Wa law karihal-kafirun

    14.Allahumma salli ^ala (sayyidina) Muhammad,

    15. Wa^ala ali (sayyidina) Muhammad,

    16. Wa^ala as-habi (sayyidina) Muhammad,

    17. Wa^ala ansari (sayyidina) Muhammad,

    18. Wa^ala azwaji (sayyidina) Muhammad,

    19. Wa^ala dhurriyyati (sayyidina) Muhammadiw-Wa sallim tasliman kathira.

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    20.Rabbigh-fir li wali-walidayya rabbir-hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira.

    Meaning of the ^IdTakbirs

    1.Allah is Great

    2. No one is God exceptAllah

    .

    3.Allah is Great and Praise is due toAllah.

    4.Allah is Great.

    5. Many praise is due toAllah.

    6. Praise toAllah in the morning and in theevening.

    7. No one is God exceptAllah

    8. He fulfilled His promise and gave victory to His slave.

    9. He strengthened His soldiers and He alone defeated theAhzab.10. No one is God exceptAllah.

    11. We do not worship anyone but Him.

    12. Our worship is dedicated only to Him.

    13. Even if the non-believers hate it.

    14. We askAllah to raise the status of (our master) Muhammad,

    15. And theAl(Muslim wives and relatives) of our (master) Muhammad,

    16. And thesahabah (Companions) of (our master) Muhammad.17. And theAnsar(The people ofMadinah who supported the Prophet) of (our master)

    Muhammad,

    18. And the wives of (our master) Muhammad,

    19. And the descendents of (our master) Muhammad, and save the (Muslim) Nation of

    (our master) Muhammad.

    20. OhAllah forgive me and my parents, and have mercy on them for the great efforts they

    exerted in raising me.