Question: What are the conditions of fasting?
Answer: The conditions of fasting are divided into three categories:First: The conditions of obligation1- Adulthood: The fast is not obligatory upon a child, even if he is an adolescent, as the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “Three people are absolved of the religious assignments: the one who is asleep until he awakes; the child until he reaches puberty; the insane until he makes a recovery.” [Ahmad and Abu Daawood] However, parents should train their discerning childotobserve fasting if he can bear it; they even should punish him if he does not observe fasting at the age of ten, as is the case with prayer, to habituate him to the obligation of fasting.2- Ability: Fasting is not obligatory upon whoever cannot fast due to illness or old age, as Allaah The Exalted Says (what means):
{And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day].} [Quran 2:184] The person who suffers from a chronic incurable illness and old people who are unable to fast are exempted from fasting, but they must feed a poor person as a ransom for each missed day of the fast. Such people are not obliged to make up for the missed fast days.3- Residence: Fasting is not obligatory upon the traveler, who is allowed to break his fast and then make up for it. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up].} [Quran 2:184]
Second: The conditions of validity1- Intention: The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “Verily, deeds are judged and considered based on the intentions…” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]The intention [to fast] must be made at night, as the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “There is no (valid) fast for the person who did not intend to fast from the night before.” [Abu Daawood and An-Nasaa‟i]2- Reaching the age of discernment: Fasting is invalid for the child before the age of discernment, because he does not understand the rationale and meanings of the acts of worship.3- Times when fasting is invalid: Fasting during the prohibited days like the two ‘Eeds is invalid.
Third: Conditions of both obligation and validityThese are the conditions without which the fast would be neither obligatory nor valid.1- Islam: The acts of the disbeliever and the apostate are void and rejected, as Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {If you should associate [anything] with Allaah, your work would surely become worthless, and you would surely be among the losers} [Quran398:65]2- Sanity: The insane person is not competent to undertake religious obligations as proved by the aforementioned Hadeeth (narration): “Three people are absolved of the religious assignment … the insane until he makes recovery.”3- Purity from menstruation and postpartum bleeding: The menstruating woman and the woman who has postpartum bleeding are not allowed to observe fast. ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, said, “Menstruation used to come upon us in the lifetime of the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, and we were ordered to make up for the [missed] fast [days], but we were [never] ordered to make up for the [missed] prayers.”Question: How should one make up for the days of the fast in Ramadhaan that he has missed due to a reason approved by the Sharee„ah (Islamic legislation)?Answer: Whoever breaks his/her fast in Ramadhaan due to a Sharee„ah-approved excuse such as a curable disease, traveling, menstruation, postpartum bleeding, pregnancy, breastfeeding, then he/she should make up for the missed days of the fast of Ramadhaan after the end of the month and before the arrival of the next Ramadhaan.However, if one does not make up for the missed days of the fast until the next Ramadhaan begins, then he must make up for the missed days of the fast in addition to offering expiation. The expiation is feeding a poor person for each delayed day of the fast.In case of pregnancy and breastfeeding, breaking the fast is allowable under the condition of fear of harm. Hence, if the woman breaks her fast for fear that both she and her baby would suffer harm, or for fear that she alone would suffer harm, then she is required only to make up for the missed days without offering expiation. However, if the woman breaks her fast only for fear that her baby may suffer harm, then she is required to make up for the missed fast days in addition to offering expiation for every missed day.
Question: What are the nullifiers of the fast?
Answer: The nullifiers of the fast are:
1- Intentional eating and drinking: This only applies to the one who does so consciously, because if a person eats or drinks forgetfully or by mistake or is forced to do so, his fasting remains intact. This ruling applies whether the substance he eats or drinks during the time of fast is a nourishing material or not. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night].} [Quran 2:187]As for the unintentional eating or drinking, the Prophet, sallallaahu„alayhi wa sallam, said: “Allaah has excused for my Ummah (nation) what is done by mistake, out of forgetfulness and by coercion.” [Ibn Maajah, At-Tabaraani and Al-Haakim]2- Intentional vomiting: Abu Hurayrah may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever is overcome by vomiting is not to make up the day. Whoever vomits intentionally must make up the day." [Ahmad, Abu Daawood, At-Tirmithi and others]3- Sexual intercourse: Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allaah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allaah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset} [Quran 2:187]This verse proves that having sexual intercourse with one’s wife during the daytime of Ramadhaan is prohibited. The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, also commanded the man who had sexual intercourse with his wife during the daytime in Ramadhaan to offer expiation.4- Masturbation: This means ejaculation through intentional stimulation of the genital organs by hand or in any way such as foreplay with one’s wife. The scholars unanimously agree that masturbation nullifies the fast if it leads to ejaculation.5- Menstruation and postpartum bleeding: It is unanimously agreed that they nullify the fast.6- Intending to break the fast while fasting: Merely making a decisive intention - even if it lacks implementation - nullifies the fast, as the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “Actions are judged and considered according to the intentions…” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Question: Would the fast become nullified if anything enters the body?Answer: The rule that determines the materials that nullify the fast if they enter the body is that they should be classified as food or drink. The same ruling also applies to any nourishing material that reaches the stomach or nourishes the body. However, in principle, the fast is valid until any of its nullifiers occur. For example, suppositories do not nullify the fast, because they are not drink, food or nourishing material.Likewise, insulin injections do not nullify the fast, because they are not intended for nourishment and the same is said about eye drops. With regard to injections that provide nourishment, they nullify the fast. Similarly, if one swallows or drinks anything that is not considered food or drink, his fast will be nullified because he does something similar to eating or drinking.Allaah knows best.
Question: Does bleeding nullify the fast?
Answer: Bleeding or bloodletting does not invalidate the fast. Ibn „Abbaas and „Ikrimah, may Allaah be pleased with them, said, “The fast is only nullified by what enters [the body] rather than what is extracted from it.”„Umm „Alqamah, may Allaah have mercy upon her, said, “We and nephews of „Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, used to perform cupping in her house while we were fasting and she never forbade us.”This is the opinion of the majority of the scholars; however, we would like to point out that it is better for the fasting person, who can delay blood extraction needed for blood donation or cupping and he fears that this may weaken him, to delay this till he breaks his fast (i.e. at night).Az-Zuhri, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said, “Ibn „Umar, may Allaah be pleased with them both, used to perform cupping while fasting during the month of Ramadhaan and other times, but he stopped doing that because of weakness.” [This tradition was narrated as Mawsool by Abdurrazaaq on the authority of Ma‘mar from Az- Zuhri, from Saalim from his father. This was mentioned by Al-Haafith in Al-Fat-h.]Allaah knows best.
Question: What are the acts of Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) that one is recommended to do during the month of Ramadhaan?
Answer: The acts of Sunnah that one is recommended to do during the month of Ramadhaan include the following:
• Delaying the Suhoor (pre-dawn) meal (as long as one does not fear emergence of the dawn) and breaking the fast immediately after sunset. the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “Break the fast early (i.e. immediately at sunset) and delay the Suhoor.” [At- Tabaraani]
• If anyone insults the fasting person, he should say to him, “I am fasting.” The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “And if anyone slanders him or quarrels with him, he should say:" I am fasting, I am fasting.” [Muslim]
• Breaking the fast with ripe dates or dry dates if he does not find the ripe dates; otherwise, one should break his fast with water. Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu
„alayhi wa sallam, “[…] used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying; if fresh dates were not available, he would eat (dried) dates;
if dried dates were not available, he would have a few sips of water.”
• Saying the following supplication when breaking the fast: “Allaahumma Laka Sumtu wa „ala rizqiqa Aftartu, Thahaba Ath- Thama‟u wab tallat Al-„Urooqu wa thabata Al-Ajru In Shaa‟ Allaah”
“O Allaah, for You I have fasted and with Your provision I make my Iftaar (breakfast), Thirst has gone; veins have become wet and the reward (of the fast) has, Allaah-Willing, been established.” [Abu Daawood, Ad-Daaraqutni and others]
• The Taraaweeh (voluntary night prayer in Ramadhaan) is also a great act of Sunnah. The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever performs voluntary prayers at night during the month of Ramadhaan out of faith and with the hope of reward, all his
previous sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Question: What is your advice to the youth during the month of Ramadhaan?
Answer: The best advice that we may give you, our young brothers, is to fear Allaah The Almighty, as this is the advice given to the earlier and succeeding generations. Allaah The Exalted Says (what means):
{And We have instructed those who were given the Scripture before you and yourselves to fear Allaah.} [Quran 4:131]
Moreover, piety and fear of Allaah The Almighty is the hoped fruit of the fast, as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous} [Quran 2:183]
Piety and fear of Allaah The Almighty also necessitate doing good deeds and keeping away from the forbiddances. So, the youth should be keen on performing as many acts of worship as possible during these blessed days.
They should be keen on all that draws them close to Allaah The Almighty including prayer, fast, night prayer, reading the Quran, giving charity and helping the needy.
They should also keep away from the acts and speech that cause the Anger of Allaah The Almighty, especially backbiting, talebearing, watching the prohibited pictures of women, films, and TV serials that include prohibited intermixing between men and women and illegal exposure of women’s adornment.
Generally, the fasting person should be aware that the fast is not limited to abstinence from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse; rather, the true fast means abstinence from the prohibitions, as the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “If one does not eschew false speech and false conduct, Allaah has no need that he should abstain from his food and his drink.” [Al-Bukhaari]
Jaabir ibn „Abdullaah, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, “Whenever you fast, your ears, eyes, tongue should fast too. Avoid harming your neighbors and maintain staidness and dignity while you are fasting. Do not make the day of fasting and not fasting alike.”
Allaah knows best.
Question: What is the Taraaweeh prayer and what is its merit?
Answer: Taraaweeh prayer is the known voluntary prayer following
‘Ishaa‟ (night) prayer during the month of Ramadhaan. The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, was the first one to perform it in congregation in the Masjid, but he did not continue performing it in this way for fear of it being made obligatory upon his Ummah (nation).
The righteous predecessors held different views regarding the number of its Rak„ahs (units), but the preponderant opinion is that it is eleven or thirteen Rak„ahs. ‘Aa‟ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, was asked about the prayer of the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, during the month of Ramadhaan, and she answered, “The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, did not observe more than eleven Rak`ah (of night voluntary prayer), be it in Ramadhaan or any other month.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with them both, said, “The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, used to perform thirteen Rak„ahs (meaning at night).” [Al-Bukhaari]
The word Taraaweeh was extracted from the word Tarweehah (ie.e rest), because people used to lengthen the prayer very much, and then get some rest (Tarweehah) every four Rak„ahs.
The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, urged us to perform night prayer during the month of Ramadhaan saying: “Whosoever performs voluntary prayers at night during the month of Ramadhaan out of faith and with the hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
He, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, also said: “Whoever prays [the night prayer] with the Imaam until he finishes, it will be counted as if he prayed the whole night.” [At-Tirmithi]
Hence, the Muslim should pay special attention to performing the
Taraaweeh prayer. Allaah knows best.
Question: Is performing „Itikaaf (seclusion in the mosque with the intention of worship) and eating in the mosque for any number of days lawful or not?
Answer: Performing ‘Itikaaf at the mosque is an act of worship, and one can perform „Itikaaf whenever he wants and for the period of time he wants. The least period to be considered as a valid „Itikaaf is the period that is conventionally considered to be a period of „Itikaaf according to the custom of the people.
The best ‘Itikaaf is the one undertaken during the last ten days [and nights] of Ramadhaan. The Muslim should make use of the period of
„Itikaaf in reading the Quran, making Thikr (remembrance of Allaah
The Almighty) and performing more voluntary prayers. That is because „Itikaaf means staying in the mosque for the purpose of worshipping Allaah The Almighty.
There is no harm if one eats inside the mosque whether in I„tikaaf or otherwise, because the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, used to send food to the people of As-Suffah, the poorest Companions, who used to live in the mosque, as they were too poor to own a house.
Allaah knows best.
Answer: The conditions of fasting are divided into three categories:First: The conditions of obligation1- Adulthood: The fast is not obligatory upon a child, even if he is an adolescent, as the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “Three people are absolved of the religious assignments: the one who is asleep until he awakes; the child until he reaches puberty; the insane until he makes a recovery.” [Ahmad and Abu Daawood] However, parents should train their discerning childotobserve fasting if he can bear it; they even should punish him if he does not observe fasting at the age of ten, as is the case with prayer, to habituate him to the obligation of fasting.2- Ability: Fasting is not obligatory upon whoever cannot fast due to illness or old age, as Allaah The Exalted Says (what means):
{And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day].} [Quran 2:184] The person who suffers from a chronic incurable illness and old people who are unable to fast are exempted from fasting, but they must feed a poor person as a ransom for each missed day of the fast. Such people are not obliged to make up for the missed fast days.3- Residence: Fasting is not obligatory upon the traveler, who is allowed to break his fast and then make up for it. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up].} [Quran 2:184]
Second: The conditions of validity1- Intention: The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “Verily, deeds are judged and considered based on the intentions…” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]The intention [to fast] must be made at night, as the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “There is no (valid) fast for the person who did not intend to fast from the night before.” [Abu Daawood and An-Nasaa‟i]2- Reaching the age of discernment: Fasting is invalid for the child before the age of discernment, because he does not understand the rationale and meanings of the acts of worship.3- Times when fasting is invalid: Fasting during the prohibited days like the two ‘Eeds is invalid.
Third: Conditions of both obligation and validityThese are the conditions without which the fast would be neither obligatory nor valid.1- Islam: The acts of the disbeliever and the apostate are void and rejected, as Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {If you should associate [anything] with Allaah, your work would surely become worthless, and you would surely be among the losers} [Quran398:65]2- Sanity: The insane person is not competent to undertake religious obligations as proved by the aforementioned Hadeeth (narration): “Three people are absolved of the religious assignment … the insane until he makes recovery.”3- Purity from menstruation and postpartum bleeding: The menstruating woman and the woman who has postpartum bleeding are not allowed to observe fast. ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, said, “Menstruation used to come upon us in the lifetime of the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, and we were ordered to make up for the [missed] fast [days], but we were [never] ordered to make up for the [missed] prayers.”Question: How should one make up for the days of the fast in Ramadhaan that he has missed due to a reason approved by the Sharee„ah (Islamic legislation)?Answer: Whoever breaks his/her fast in Ramadhaan due to a Sharee„ah-approved excuse such as a curable disease, traveling, menstruation, postpartum bleeding, pregnancy, breastfeeding, then he/she should make up for the missed days of the fast of Ramadhaan after the end of the month and before the arrival of the next Ramadhaan.However, if one does not make up for the missed days of the fast until the next Ramadhaan begins, then he must make up for the missed days of the fast in addition to offering expiation. The expiation is feeding a poor person for each delayed day of the fast.In case of pregnancy and breastfeeding, breaking the fast is allowable under the condition of fear of harm. Hence, if the woman breaks her fast for fear that both she and her baby would suffer harm, or for fear that she alone would suffer harm, then she is required only to make up for the missed days without offering expiation. However, if the woman breaks her fast only for fear that her baby may suffer harm, then she is required to make up for the missed fast days in addition to offering expiation for every missed day.
Question: What are the nullifiers of the fast?
Answer: The nullifiers of the fast are:
1- Intentional eating and drinking: This only applies to the one who does so consciously, because if a person eats or drinks forgetfully or by mistake or is forced to do so, his fasting remains intact. This ruling applies whether the substance he eats or drinks during the time of fast is a nourishing material or not. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night].} [Quran 2:187]As for the unintentional eating or drinking, the Prophet, sallallaahu„alayhi wa sallam, said: “Allaah has excused for my Ummah (nation) what is done by mistake, out of forgetfulness and by coercion.” [Ibn Maajah, At-Tabaraani and Al-Haakim]2- Intentional vomiting: Abu Hurayrah may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever is overcome by vomiting is not to make up the day. Whoever vomits intentionally must make up the day." [Ahmad, Abu Daawood, At-Tirmithi and others]3- Sexual intercourse: Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {It has been made permissible for you the night preceding fasting to go to your wives [for sexual relations]. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allaah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He accepted your repentance and forgave you. So now, have relations with them and seek that which Allaah has decreed for you. And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until the sunset} [Quran 2:187]This verse proves that having sexual intercourse with one’s wife during the daytime of Ramadhaan is prohibited. The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, also commanded the man who had sexual intercourse with his wife during the daytime in Ramadhaan to offer expiation.4- Masturbation: This means ejaculation through intentional stimulation of the genital organs by hand or in any way such as foreplay with one’s wife. The scholars unanimously agree that masturbation nullifies the fast if it leads to ejaculation.5- Menstruation and postpartum bleeding: It is unanimously agreed that they nullify the fast.6- Intending to break the fast while fasting: Merely making a decisive intention - even if it lacks implementation - nullifies the fast, as the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “Actions are judged and considered according to the intentions…” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Question: Would the fast become nullified if anything enters the body?Answer: The rule that determines the materials that nullify the fast if they enter the body is that they should be classified as food or drink. The same ruling also applies to any nourishing material that reaches the stomach or nourishes the body. However, in principle, the fast is valid until any of its nullifiers occur. For example, suppositories do not nullify the fast, because they are not drink, food or nourishing material.Likewise, insulin injections do not nullify the fast, because they are not intended for nourishment and the same is said about eye drops. With regard to injections that provide nourishment, they nullify the fast. Similarly, if one swallows or drinks anything that is not considered food or drink, his fast will be nullified because he does something similar to eating or drinking.Allaah knows best.
Question: Does bleeding nullify the fast?
Answer: Bleeding or bloodletting does not invalidate the fast. Ibn „Abbaas and „Ikrimah, may Allaah be pleased with them, said, “The fast is only nullified by what enters [the body] rather than what is extracted from it.”„Umm „Alqamah, may Allaah have mercy upon her, said, “We and nephews of „Aa'ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, used to perform cupping in her house while we were fasting and she never forbade us.”This is the opinion of the majority of the scholars; however, we would like to point out that it is better for the fasting person, who can delay blood extraction needed for blood donation or cupping and he fears that this may weaken him, to delay this till he breaks his fast (i.e. at night).Az-Zuhri, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said, “Ibn „Umar, may Allaah be pleased with them both, used to perform cupping while fasting during the month of Ramadhaan and other times, but he stopped doing that because of weakness.” [This tradition was narrated as Mawsool by Abdurrazaaq on the authority of Ma‘mar from Az- Zuhri, from Saalim from his father. This was mentioned by Al-Haafith in Al-Fat-h.]Allaah knows best.
Question: What are the acts of Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) that one is recommended to do during the month of Ramadhaan?
Answer: The acts of Sunnah that one is recommended to do during the month of Ramadhaan include the following:
• Delaying the Suhoor (pre-dawn) meal (as long as one does not fear emergence of the dawn) and breaking the fast immediately after sunset. the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “Break the fast early (i.e. immediately at sunset) and delay the Suhoor.” [At- Tabaraani]
• If anyone insults the fasting person, he should say to him, “I am fasting.” The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “And if anyone slanders him or quarrels with him, he should say:" I am fasting, I am fasting.” [Muslim]
• Breaking the fast with ripe dates or dry dates if he does not find the ripe dates; otherwise, one should break his fast with water. Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu
„alayhi wa sallam, “[…] used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying; if fresh dates were not available, he would eat (dried) dates;
if dried dates were not available, he would have a few sips of water.”
• Saying the following supplication when breaking the fast: “Allaahumma Laka Sumtu wa „ala rizqiqa Aftartu, Thahaba Ath- Thama‟u wab tallat Al-„Urooqu wa thabata Al-Ajru In Shaa‟ Allaah”
“O Allaah, for You I have fasted and with Your provision I make my Iftaar (breakfast), Thirst has gone; veins have become wet and the reward (of the fast) has, Allaah-Willing, been established.” [Abu Daawood, Ad-Daaraqutni and others]
• The Taraaweeh (voluntary night prayer in Ramadhaan) is also a great act of Sunnah. The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever performs voluntary prayers at night during the month of Ramadhaan out of faith and with the hope of reward, all his
previous sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Question: What is your advice to the youth during the month of Ramadhaan?
Answer: The best advice that we may give you, our young brothers, is to fear Allaah The Almighty, as this is the advice given to the earlier and succeeding generations. Allaah The Exalted Says (what means):
{And We have instructed those who were given the Scripture before you and yourselves to fear Allaah.} [Quran 4:131]
Moreover, piety and fear of Allaah The Almighty is the hoped fruit of the fast, as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous} [Quran 2:183]
Piety and fear of Allaah The Almighty also necessitate doing good deeds and keeping away from the forbiddances. So, the youth should be keen on performing as many acts of worship as possible during these blessed days.
They should be keen on all that draws them close to Allaah The Almighty including prayer, fast, night prayer, reading the Quran, giving charity and helping the needy.
They should also keep away from the acts and speech that cause the Anger of Allaah The Almighty, especially backbiting, talebearing, watching the prohibited pictures of women, films, and TV serials that include prohibited intermixing between men and women and illegal exposure of women’s adornment.
Generally, the fasting person should be aware that the fast is not limited to abstinence from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse; rather, the true fast means abstinence from the prohibitions, as the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, said: “If one does not eschew false speech and false conduct, Allaah has no need that he should abstain from his food and his drink.” [Al-Bukhaari]
Jaabir ibn „Abdullaah, may Allaah be pleased with him, said, “Whenever you fast, your ears, eyes, tongue should fast too. Avoid harming your neighbors and maintain staidness and dignity while you are fasting. Do not make the day of fasting and not fasting alike.”
Allaah knows best.
Question: What is the Taraaweeh prayer and what is its merit?
Answer: Taraaweeh prayer is the known voluntary prayer following
‘Ishaa‟ (night) prayer during the month of Ramadhaan. The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, was the first one to perform it in congregation in the Masjid, but he did not continue performing it in this way for fear of it being made obligatory upon his Ummah (nation).
The righteous predecessors held different views regarding the number of its Rak„ahs (units), but the preponderant opinion is that it is eleven or thirteen Rak„ahs. ‘Aa‟ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, was asked about the prayer of the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, during the month of Ramadhaan, and she answered, “The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, did not observe more than eleven Rak`ah (of night voluntary prayer), be it in Ramadhaan or any other month.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with them both, said, “The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, used to perform thirteen Rak„ahs (meaning at night).” [Al-Bukhaari]
The word Taraaweeh was extracted from the word Tarweehah (ie.e rest), because people used to lengthen the prayer very much, and then get some rest (Tarweehah) every four Rak„ahs.
The Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, urged us to perform night prayer during the month of Ramadhaan saying: “Whosoever performs voluntary prayers at night during the month of Ramadhaan out of faith and with the hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
He, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, also said: “Whoever prays [the night prayer] with the Imaam until he finishes, it will be counted as if he prayed the whole night.” [At-Tirmithi]
Hence, the Muslim should pay special attention to performing the
Taraaweeh prayer. Allaah knows best.
Question: Is performing „Itikaaf (seclusion in the mosque with the intention of worship) and eating in the mosque for any number of days lawful or not?
Answer: Performing ‘Itikaaf at the mosque is an act of worship, and one can perform „Itikaaf whenever he wants and for the period of time he wants. The least period to be considered as a valid „Itikaaf is the period that is conventionally considered to be a period of „Itikaaf according to the custom of the people.
The best ‘Itikaaf is the one undertaken during the last ten days [and nights] of Ramadhaan. The Muslim should make use of the period of
„Itikaaf in reading the Quran, making Thikr (remembrance of Allaah
The Almighty) and performing more voluntary prayers. That is because „Itikaaf means staying in the mosque for the purpose of worshipping Allaah The Almighty.
There is no harm if one eats inside the mosque whether in I„tikaaf or otherwise, because the Prophet, sallallaahu „alayhi wa sallam, used to send food to the people of As-Suffah, the poorest Companions, who used to live in the mosque, as they were too poor to own a house.
Allaah knows best.
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