Masjid Al-Iman Khutbah : 06.08.2010

FASTING IN THE MONTH OF RAMADAN Download MP3

Allah says in the holy Qur`án-O YOU WHO BELIEVE! FASTING IS PRESCRIBED FOR YOU AS IT WAS PRESCRIBED FOR THOSE BEFORE YOU, THAT YOU MAY BECOME THE PIOUS. sura 2-verse 183.

In the above mentioned verse, Allah (swt) has obligated onto the the muslim Umma to fast, and he made fasting one of the great pillars of Islam. This is a favour that Allah has made on the muslims in other to make them get closer to Allah(swt). As said by the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be onto him) in a hadith-THE BEST AMONGST YOU IS HE, WHO LIVES LONG AND PERFECT HIS DEEDS. AND THE WORSE AMONG YOU IS HE WHO LIVE LONG AND SPOIL HIS DEEDS.

Happiness in this world does not depend on just enjoying life. Because to live in this world without obedience in Allah ends up quickly, followed by regret and lost in the hereafter. But living in this world through obedience have an everlasting and endless joy. Because it relates to the hereafter. As Allah said in the Holy Qur´an-WHOEVER WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHETHER MALE OR FEMALE, WHILE HE IS A TRUE BELIEVER VERILY , TO HIM WE WILL GIVE A GOOD LIFE , AND WE SHALL PAY THEM CERTAINLY A REWARD IN PROPORTION TO THE BEST OF WHAT THEY USED TO DO(i.e. PARADISE IN THE HEREAFTER).

So the life of the believer is filled with blessings and happiness in this world, and continues
to the hereafter. In this world, he enjoys through the obedience of Allah, and find tranquility by the remembrance of Allah. and in his grave, a door will be opened for him to paradise while he feels the joy. Finally,he will be raised and sent to paradise to duel forever.as said by Allah in the Qur`an- NO SENSE OF FATIGUE SHALL TOUCH THEM, NOR SHALL THEY BE ASKED TO LEAVE IT- sura 15-verse 48.

As for the nonbelievers, he lives in this world in the state of sadness and sorrow. and when he dies he will be punished in his grave, and he will be raised and sent to the hell fire.
And the most profitable deed Allah has ordained in this month after the five daily prayers, is the fasting of RAMADAN. Ramadan has two principles.:

1. ABSTAINING FROM EATING AND DRINKING, FROM DAWN TO SUNSET.

2. MAKING AN INTENTION. and the intention has to be from the heart without altering the words.

3. It is obligated onto the following to fast: a. A muslim, matured, sound in mind, healthy, and stable ( meaning, not on a journey).b.if she is a woman, then she has to be free from her menstrual period or the period that follows after birth.

4. The old aged,and the sick person whose sickness cannot be cured.( They are permitted to brake fast and feed on every day, a poor. In the Hadith of (Bukhari) By ath`a, who said he heard Ibn. Abbas (r.a)reading the verse from the holy Qur`an-AS FOR THOSE WHO CAN FAST WITH DIFFICULTY, THEY HAVE TO FEED A POOR PERSON.sura-2 verse 184.Then he said, this verse has not been abrogated. It is for the old man and old woman who cannot afford to fast, they can feed on every day, the poor.

5. The pregnant woman and a mother who breast feeds, if they fear that the fasting may hurt them or their children,( they can brake the fast and feed a poor person daily) and they don`t have to fast the days missed. This is the view of Ibn. Umar and Ibn. Abbas. But the rest of the four schools of thoughts( MALIKI, HAMBALI, HANAFI, AND SHAFI-I) have a different opinion.
On the above argument, some of the scholars say,Allah has permitted the Pregnant, breast feeding,the sick,and the one on a journey to brake fast if it`s risky to their lives. Then he commanded the sick person and the one on a journey to fast the days missed after ramadan. But he did not command the pregnant and the breast feeding to fast the days missed. (AND ALLAH DOES NOT FORGET).

In case a person is on a journey and thinks he is capable to fast, then he can fast. A man by the name of Hamza Al-aslamiyu said- O! Messenger of Allah, i find myself strong to fast while on a journey. Am i at fault if i fast? then the prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be onto him) said- It is a privilege Allah has ordained. The one who takes it is good. And the one who wants to fast, then there is nothing on him.

The concensus of scholars and jurists have come to a conclusion that, it is forbidden for the woman in her period and after birth to fast. AISHA(r.a) said, we use to have our menstruation during the era of the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be onto him). Then we will be instructed to fast the days missed, but not to pay the prayer.