Why Grant Applications Get Rejected: Six Mistakes You Must Avoid

 

Every year, thousands of brilliant ideas fail to secure funding—not because they lack potential, but because they fail to convince the people reviewing them.

Whether you’re applying for a research grant, startup funding, an NGO project, or a government-backed initiative, one principle remains true:

Successful applicants don’t just think like founders or project owners—they think like reviewers.

Grant reviewers often have dozens, sometimes hundreds, of applications to assess within a limited timeframe. Their job isn’t just to identify the best proposals; it’s also to eliminate those that don’t meet the required standard.

Understanding what reviewers look for can significantly improve your chances of success.

1. A Weak or Poorly Justified Budget

One of the quickest ways to lose credibility is submitting a budget that lacks detail.

Generic line items such as:

• Miscellaneous Expenses – $5,000
• Administrative Costs – $10,000

raise immediate questions.

Funders want confidence that every dollar or naira requested contributes directly to achieving the project’s objectives. Every cost should be clearly linked to a specific activity, deliverable, or milestone.

A strong proposal includes a Budget Narrative that explains:

• Why each expense is necessary.
• How it supports project objectives.
• When the expenditure will occur.
• How the amount was calculated.

Using planning tools like Gantt charts, Notion, ClickUp, or standard grant proposal templates can help align your financial plan with your implementation timeline, making your proposal far more convincing.

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2. Your Project Doesn’t Clearly Align with the Funder’s Mission

Many applicants make the mistake of writing one proposal and submitting it to every available grant opportunity.

That’s rarely effective.

Funders are investing in outcomes that support their strategic priorities, not just good ideas.

Before writing your proposal, study:

• The organization’s mission.
• Previously funded projects.
• Current thematic priorities.
• Geographic focus.
• Target beneficiaries.
• Long-term strategic objectives.

Throughout your proposal, consistently demonstrate how your project advances the goals the funder already cares about.

The closer your proposal aligns with their priorities, the stronger your application becomes.

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3. Incomplete or Poorly Prepared Documentation

Sometimes, excellent projects are rejected simply because applicants fail to follow instructions.

Common mistakes include:

• Missing required documents.
• Ignoring formatting guidelines.
• Exceeding page limits.
• Uploading incorrect files.
• Grammatical and spelling errors.
• Inconsistent information across documents.

Reviewers often interpret these mistakes as signs of poor attention to detail or weak project management.

Before submitting:

• Use a checklist.
• Confirm every required document is attached.
• Proofread multiple times.
• Ask someone else to review your application.

Small administrative errors can have large consequences.

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4. An Unconvincing Team

Funders don’t only invest in ideas.

They invest in people who can successfully execute those ideas.

Reviewers want evidence that your team has:

• Relevant expertise.
• Previous project experience.
• Strong leadership.
• Technical competence.
• Partnerships that strengthen delivery.

If you’re a newer organization, don’t panic.

Strengthen your application by:

• Including experienced advisors.
• Partnering with established organizations.
• Providing strong letters of support.
• Highlighting previous achievements, even if they were smaller projects.

Demonstrating your ability to deliver often matters just as much as the idea itself.

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5. Unclear Objectives, Methodology, or Expected Impact

Many proposals describe an important problem but fail to explain exactly how they intend to solve it.

Strong proposals answer questions such as:

• What problem are you solving?
• Why is it important?
• What activities will you carry out?
• What outcomes do you expect?
• How will success be measured?
• What happens after the funding ends?

Reviewers look for measurable impact.

Instead of saying:

“We will improve digital literacy.”

Say:

“We will train 500 young people in digital skills over 12 months, with at least 80% completing certification and 60% securing internships or employment within six months.”

Specificity builds confidence.

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6. Rushing the Submission

Many applications are lost because applicants submit at the last minute.

Last-minute submissions increase the likelihood of:

• Missing documents.
• Broken links.
• Incorrect budgets.
• Typographical errors.
• Inconsistent data.
• Technical submission failures.

Treat your final review as seriously as writing the proposal itself.

Before clicking Submit, ask yourself:

• Does every section answer the review criteria?
• Are all claims supported by evidence?
• Is the budget consistent with the work plan?
• Have all required documents been attached?
• Has someone else reviewed the application?

A careful final review can be the difference between rejection and funding.

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Final Thoughts

Winning grants isn’t just about having a great idea.

It’s about presenting that idea in a way that gives reviewers confidence that your project is aligned, achievable, financially responsible, and capable of delivering measurable results.

The most successful applicants understand that every section of a proposal is answering one question:

“Why should we trust you with our money?”

If your proposal answers that question clearly—from your objectives and methodology to your budget and team—you dramatically improve your chances of moving from the rejection pile to the shortlist.

Preparation, attention to detail, and strategic alignment don’t guarantee funding, but they consistently separate strong applications from the rest.

COVID-19: NSCIA’s Guidelines on Muslim Corpses

By Femi Abbas

“Beware of a calamity that may afflict not only those who incurred it but also the innocent ones who had no hands in its cause and know that Allah’s retribution can be very severe”. Q. 8:25 

Monologue

Beyond sheer lamentations and horrific fear of the consequential affliction of an invisible but dreadful virus codenamed ‘COVID-19’ that is currently terrifying the entire world with little regard  for technology and arrogance of power, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), held an emergency meeting of its General Purpose Committee (GPC), last Saturday, March 28, 2020. The purpose of the meeting was to answer, according to Islamic tenets, certain fundamental questions arising from the seeming catastrophe engendered by COVID-19, as a way of guiding the Nigerian Muslim Ummah aright at this precarious period.
As a bona fide member of NSCIA’s GPC, yours sincerely participated actively in that meeting and hence, the report here.
The main agenda of the meeting which was held online, through teleconference, was to deliberate mostly on the aftermath of affliction by that virus and the next line of action. Specifically, that GPC meeting raised some curious questions on what could become of the corpses of Muslims who might die as a result of the ongoing ravaging affliction of Coronavirus. Some of the questions raised and answered at that meeting, which were   aimed at serving as guidelines for Nigerian Muslims will be highlighted shortly.

Preamble

Generally, in Islam, one of the major duties of the living Muslims is not just to safeguard the welfares of fellow living Muslims but also to take proper care of the remains of the deceased ones among them in a proper way and at the appropriate time. The obligatory duty of handling the corpses of Muslims has a traditional timeframe and a conventional methodology as divinely ordained. Thus, with the sudden outbreak of a seemingly genocidal disease called Coronavirus which has now turned virtually the entire world into a mega quarantine camp with implacable plague, Nigeria’s apex body of the Muslim Ummah, NSCIA, had to urgently spearhead   the task of facing that inevitable menace as a challenge to be quickly surmounted. And since the GPC of the NSCIA is a conglomerate of Muslim scholars and professionals in various fields of human endeavour, surmounting such a challenge could not have posed much problem to the Ummah.   

Relevant Questions

While the rest of Nigerians and, indeed, the rest of the world, were busy wailing, moaning and running helter-skelter either to escape the scourge of COVID-19 death or to avoid its tragic impact on the living, the NSCIA quickly rose vertically to tackle the backlash of that scourge as a way of preventing a bigger calamity. Some of the questions raised and answered to avert a worse situation in that circumstance are as follows:
How can Muslims in Nigeria avert the affliction of COVID-19 calamity and escape its entailed termination of lives?
What will become of the corpses of Muslims who may fall victims of the foraging calamity called COVID-19?
How will such Muslim corpses be identified as Muslims in the midst of dead bodies?
Right now, who are those charged with the responsibility of handling those corpses according to Islamic norm?
How will Guslul Janazah be performed on the remains of those corpses without infection implications?
How will those corpses be shrouded according to Islamic law?
How will Salatul Janazah be observed on their bodies before burial?
Can such Salatul Janazah be observed congregationally as statutorily required at this period when congregations are forbidden?
How will Muslim corpses be buried in this critical situation without further spread of the viral disease that killed them?
Where, when and how will their burial take place without endangering the lives of their undertakers?
There were many other questions.

Prompt Action

After a comprehensive deliberation on these and other questions relating to safety for the living and their possible economic survival under plague, the meeting resolved, as a matter of urgency, to first act promptly to ensure that Muslim corpses are buried as Muslims and according to Islamic regulation. This warranted an immediate contact with the Presidency through which a request for full involvement of understanding   Muslim Medical Doctors in the process of handling this aspect of COVID-19.
And, the request was granted with automatic alacrity.
Thus, Muslim Medical Doctors with good Islamic understanding were immediately nominated to be part of Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) at both the Federal and State levels. Now, all the 36 States of the federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory are duly represented in the COVID-19 Presidential Committee to take care of Muslims who may become victims of COVID-19 according to Islamic norm.

Guidelines

As a way of implementing the resolutions reached at the mentioned GPC meeting, the following steps were immediately taken:
A public statement was made to further counsel the Muslims in the country on how to abide by the rules and regulations issued by the Federal and State Governments as precautions to avoid falling victim of the dreaded virus.
Samples of the shroud to be used for COVID-19 Muslim corpses (male and female) were designed and presented to the Presidential Committee on that scourge for adoption at the Federal and State levels.
Muslim Doctors who are representing the Muslim Ummah in that Committee should ensure that every Muslim corpse is treated with befitting Muslim funeral.
Since congregations of any kind have become dangerous these days and Muslims cannot come together to observe Salatul Janazah on the deceased, those in the vicinity of the COVID-19 victims should arrange among themselves, possibly by telephone, to observe Salatul Gaib from time to time, inside their houses, for the Muslim corpses as the situation may arise.
The shrouding and burial of Muslim corpses should be arranged and supervised by the Muslim Doctors who represent the Muslim Ummah in the Presidential Committee.
As for survival of indigent living Muslims who are compulsorily restricted to their homes by COVID-19, NSCIA implored all Muslims with wherewithal in their neighborhood to be of great assistance to them in terms of food items, medicament (where necessary) and other required necessities. These steps are expected to serve as guidelines for all Nigerian Muslims who may find themselves in a dilemma or even confusion on what is next in the current circumstance. Now, we are particularly in a period of effective brotherhood in Islam when care for neighbours as a strong act of Ibadah should be most exhibited.


Observation

The current globally ravaging and genocidal disease called Coronavirus and codenamed COVID-19 is here with us as a matter of physical experience in its true, undeniable reality. Its arrival in the human world as a calamitous guest of the 21st century is neither new nor strange. Every century has its own peculiarity which, if chronicled into history for the coming generations to learn from, may be received with tokens of doubt. But here we are today, experiencing practically and not just witnessing or hearing of a catastrophe which constitutes itself into an overwhelming plague on the universe. We can see, clearly, how parents are dying in droves leaving their children behind as orphans, if not in our immediate vicinities, in other parts of the world. We can see how young and middle age children are frequently hooked like fish thereby leaving their parents behind like childless men and women.
We can see how the giants of December 2019 Christmas have become Lilliputians of Easter in April 2020. And we are witnesses to the swelling figures of widows and widowers even in the so-called advanced countries where all facilities are presumed to be available as a means of preventing this kind of disaster. But now, we suddenly wake up to find ourselves in a world where wealth cannot buy health and foods cannot build immunity even as Kings and Queens as well as Presidents and Prime Ministers are taking turns to address their subjects in languages of pacification but which cannot bring solution to the prevailing problem. Where is an escape route in all these without the WILL of the Almighty Allah?

Comment

The current pandemic disease has globally become like a basketball being tossed around among its alleged inventors who are also its principal players. The real repercussion of that game is nothing but death that waits for no prediction in terms of when or how. Some people may tag it a disease of power tussle. Some others may call it an ailment for the juggernauts. There are also those who may consider it an economic war by other means.  But most people across the world today, tend to see it as a vivid sign of the end of time or an indication of a cataclysmic revolution in the making. Perhaps that is the reason why the authorities of some countries like Russia and Spain where God was never given any recognition of immortal entity are now resorting to the invocation of God’s mercy as a means of overcoming this implacable calamity that defies any technological bravado.

Parable of a Beehive

The similitude of human world is like that of a beehive in which a Queen is the ruler and commander-in-chief. All other bees in the hive have their duties and assignments in forms of separation of power and division of labour. But they all report back to the Queen either for better   coordination or for further instructions. Whenever any of them faces a difficulty, the rescue lies with the Queen. But where it is the Queen that encounters difficulty, the entire occupants of the hive may be in trouble. Today, the Queen of England is in the dragnet of COVID-19 just as the Prime Minister of the once ‘Great Britain’ is caught in the same dragnet. Also, the Chancellor of the strongest economy in Europe (Germany), has been afflicted by the menace of the vicious virus called COVID-19. Scores of others are waiting for their turns. If these juggernauts are now the victims of the dreaded, invisible virus, who will then lead the rescue mission in their nations? And, now, the inlet and outlet gates of virtually all industrial nations in the world are closed willy-nilly, thereby causing an undreamt   plummeting of the price of oil for OPEC countries.
In short, humanity, as a whole, is tacitly passing through a period in history when life has become so meaningless that Mosques and Churches are standing idle with no worshipers to keep them alive even as death is being frighteningly touted on a minute to minute basis. And, even here, in Nigeria, where some idiotic nonentities used to laugh sadistically at Muslims for performing ablution five times a day, the divine reality of life has compelled them also to perform ablution, without spiritual intention, innumerable times. And no miracle can change that. 

Warning

If we had heeded a warning that was passed to us in form of prediction over a millennium ago, perhaps an invisible virus now called COVID-19 would not have come to hold us spellbound as it is currently doing globally. It took an Arab poet to remind us of that cogent warning some centuries ago in an axiomatic stanza that will remain valid for long. The poem goes thus:
“This is the period against which we had been warned in the words of Ubayy Bn Ka‘b and those of Ibn Abdullah Bn Mas‘ud; a period in which the truth becomes totally rejected while falsehood and evil machinations are duly acknowledged and deified; If this period is allowed to linger for long without change, humanity may zoom into a situation where there may be no mourning on the death of a beloved person and no rejoice on the birth of a new baby”.
Now, is this not the predicted period? Where can the world go from here without the grace of Allah?

Origin of Corona Virus

Going through the archives of history is a major way of recalling some pandemics that had rattled human population with mass deaths through the millennia. One of the earliest pandemics that wrapped mankind in an envelope of plague, according to the records of history, was the Justinian Pathogen that occurred in the 6th century AD during the reign of Emperor Justin I of Byzantine Empire. That unprecedented catastrophe reportedly wiped out about 50 million people, a figure   which was said to be about half of human population at that time. It was followed by the Black Death of the 14th century that was said to have killed almost 200 million people across the world. And then came the 1918 Spanish Influenza that   reportedly killed between 50million and 100 million people and changed the world in pattern and in style. History also revealed to us how over 200 million people were killed by Smallpox in the 20th century alone. How many of such tragic incidents can one recall here without frightening the readers?

Characteristics of Killer Viruses

One of the common characteristics of the viruses that often plague mankind from time to time with different names is the symptomatic exhibition of threat to life through such infectious pathogens like sneezing, coughing and sometimes, bleeding. Some of these symptoms are now vivid in the current ravaging surge of coronavirus. We pray the Almighty Allah to save us individually and collectively from calamity of this period. Amin!

Business ideas that will bring you cool cash this Ramadan season..

The holy month of Ramadan is underway in all Muslim countries along with other countries with more or less Muslim population. Muslims all over the globe are following a particular routine in this unique month by abstaining from food for most part of the day and try to attain moral and spiritual growth. This schedule impacts on most of the businesses not only in Muslim countries but also businesses on global scale. Despite being an assumption about the negative effects of Ramadan on businesses, the reality is completely different. The holy month not only increases scope of several types of businesses but entrepreneurs and even ordinary persons can expect to grow their new businesses in Ramadan.

Following are few of the businesses and commercial activities that provide best results during the holy month of Ramadan and one should start thinking about taking advantages of these new business opportunities in Ramadan.

Selling sweets, fried and baked items:

Different countries and cultures have their own favorite foods that they enjoy during Ramadan. But they came in the same category as mentioned above. Different fried and baked items along with various types of sweets are largely consumed in all parts of the Muslim world. The names and ingredients of these items may be different in different areas but they fulfill same purpose during Ramadan. That is to replenish the energy requirements of person after long hours of fasting.

Preparing and selling such types of products will surely result in acquiring large profits during the month of Ramadan. It is because such products are consumed in large amount as compared to routine months. Businesses dealing in other items can start such activity for one month for additional profits. It is difficult for small merchants to prepare these items in large numbers and they can sell already prepared items after purchasing them from vendors on regular basis. It will cost them less and they can get profits by selling them to commoners.

Selling clothes and jewelry:

Ramadan is month of salvation and prayer but it ends with the joyful festival of Eid. In different parts of the world, Muslims start preparations for Eid after half month of Ramadan. The most important items for Eid are new clothes and jewelry.

There is no way that one may lack profits after dealing in clothes and jewelry during Ramadan. There are lots of companies selling such products and their business will boom during Ramadan. These companies and brands can increase their business several folds by taking special measures and announcing promotions on different products.

But the opportunities are not limited to already establish businesses. People can also start new business by selling clothes and jewelry for one month. Due to high scope, there are immense chances of growth of both big and small business in Ramadan.

Ramadan/Eid gift packs:

Ramadan is a month of giving. Muslims usually tend to give more to needy persons during Ramadan. As an entrepreneur, you can make the things easier for them by selling different Ramadan gift packs. These gift packs usually contains various eatables consumed in Ramadan. Only using a little technique and effort can help you maximize your profits in the holy month.

Same is the case with Eid hampers and gift packs. People usually visit their relatives and friends on the occasion of Eid soon after Ramadan. It is accustomed to give different gift items to them. You can utilize this for increase in your business. Just neatly pack few sweets, eatables and simple jewelry for the purpose and it will produce positive effects on your business.

Arranging Iftar and Dinner:

On many occasions, not only individuals but even families prefer to open iftar and having their dinner outside amid tiredness of Ramadan. This activity is especially followed on weekends. This opens new opportunities for businesses related to food and beverage industry. Small and new entrepreneurs can also take full advantage of this situation by setting up their stalls in different populated areas. These stalls can offer cheap and healthy food to make their place in the already stuffed market. There is no reason to doubt about the profits one can gain in just one month long business in any Muslim country or any area with Muslim population.

Selling fruits and beverages:

Like previous several years, Ramadan this year is also coming in summer season (all Muslim countries are in northern hemisphere where summer season is from April to September). It clearly means that the demand of nutritious fruits along with natural and artificial drinks is quite high. This opportunity can be availed not only by professional companies that sell such products all year around but also by ordinary business-minded people.

By providing fresh and healthy fruits and juices at affordable rates, you can expect hefty profits that are only exclusive to the holy month of Ramadan.

These are just few of the several businesses that grow steadily during the whole month of Ramadan. If you are thinking about a related business or any other business, then you can make use of such opportunities in Ramadan to do an experiment and get knowledge about business techniques and ethics. Source

TAFSEER Ibn Katheer Audio Book

The Qur'an is the revelation of Allah's Own Words for the guidance of His creatures. Since the Qur'an is the primary source of Islamic teachings, the correct understanding for the Qur'an is necessary for every Muslim. The Tafsir of Ibn Kathir is the most renowned and accepted explanation of the Qur'an in the entire world. In it one finds the best presentation of Ahadith, history, and scholarly commentary. 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rKnWLiF-S4eQ6k4bmhmQjthThAamnG2b

WOMEN ISSUES IN THE MONTH OF RAMADAN PART 2

As a follow up to the part 1, Women Issues in the month of Ramadan. Let us today examine the followings matters that have to do with women issues in Ramadan.

NULLIFIERS OF FASTING.

THINGS THAT ARE NOT PERMITTTED FOR A WOMAN IN HER FASTING.

ISSUES THAT DO NOT HAVE EFFECTS ON YOUR FASTING AS A WOMAN.

NULLIFIERS OF FASTING:

1. Sex: day time in the Ramadan. the fasting is nullified.
2. Discharges of sperms through excessive kisses or contacts with your husband/wife (though you can hug and kiss lightly) No
problem with kisses and hugging only be sure you do not arouse your feelings.
3. Eating and drinking
4. Nutrient injections to keep you strong (DRIPS)
5. Deliberate vomiting. But uncontrollable vomiting does not nullify fasting
7. Menstruations or the discharges of blood during or before delivering or before giving birth.

THINGS THAT ARE NOT PERMITTED FOR A WOMAN WHEN FASTING ESPECIAL IN THE MONTH OF RAMADAN. (مكروهات الصيام)

Undesirable issues in fasting do not actually nullify your fasting, but it is recommended, that you do not burden yourself with fasting when you are in one of those situations. And they are:

1.When sick: The sick is not permitted to fast. Especial if the sickness weakens your body.

2.When on journey. Its recommended that, you do not fast when on journey.

3.During pregnancy: Pregnant women are supposed to abstain from fasting. Islam has exempted them temporary from fasting, due to what they go through.

4.Toothpaste: Though it does not nullify your fasting, but cautions must be observed here because of its pungent taste.
5.Constant gathering of saliva in the mouth and swallowing it. (Not a good behavior)

6.Too much water in the mouth during ablution for gargling or inhaling and exhaling.

7.Anti-Menses pills: Do not use pills that prevents you from your usual menses because of fasting or any other IBADAT. It does not nullify your fasting, but not recommended.

ISSUES THAT DO NOT HAVE EFFECTS ON YOUR FASTING:

1.The use of lips sticks or creams to prevent lips dryness

2.taking blood samples for medical reasons.

3.Women, who bleed abnormally beyond their period days, must fast even if they continue to bleed outside their normal menstrual days.

4.The use of performs and other body fragrance has nor any effects on your fasting.

5.Chewing sticks for a short period especial during ablutions do not have any effects on your fasting.

6.KOHL (KWALLI) for eyelids and other make up kids for women do not have any bearing on your fasting. Any exterior body substance for beautification does not have effect on your fasting.

7.Injections for medical reasons do not have effect on your fasting.

8.Light kisses between you and your husband without the exchange of saliva. And without exciting each other has no bearing on your fast. RASULULLAH used to kiss his wives s when fasting and when going out for prayers sometimes.

9.Asthmatic patient can use their mouth or throat spray while fasting. No problem with that.

10.A woman can taste the food she prepares lightly and without swallowing it to see if the ingredients she puts are ok. No problem with that even when fasting.

11.You can delay Janaba bathing after legal sex or after menstruations until sun rises no problem with that. Your fasting is valid. (JANABA does not have effects on fasting

12.Eye drops and Ear drops do not nullify fasting. Only nose drops have effects, cautions must be
observed here.

13. Bleeding of a pregnant woman does not have effects on her fasting. If its not a labour sign

14.Day dreams having sex does not have effects on your fasting.

15.If you forget and eat or drink something, and you suddenly remember that you are fasting, stop it immediately and continue with your fasting. No problem with that.

16. Food items or money from your boy friend during the Ramadan, though do not have effects on your fasting, but avoiding it is the best.(because of the illegal relationship between you and the man). ALLAH does not accept illegal things.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR SENSELESS HUSBAND WANTS TO HAVE SEX WITH YOU DAY TIME IN THE RAMDAN,

Under no circumstances shall you allow your husband to have sex with you, day time in the Month of RAMADAN. If he forces and have sex with you against your will. Your fasting is valid. But he must offer some (KAFFARAT الكفارة) or Expiatory as a punishment for violating the sacredness of the holy month.

And the EXPIATORIES or kaffarat for having sex day time in the RAMADAN are:

1.Freeing of a slave. (Of course now there are no slaves so this option cannot be met)
2.If you can’t get a slave to free, then you must fast 2 months continuously without breaking unless with an acceptable tangible reason.
3. And if you can’t fast 2 months continuously, then you feed 60 needy or poor people.

SOME IMORTANT INFORMATIONS ABOUT THE RAMADAN:

1.The old must not fast. The old age people are exempted from fasting. They only need to feed a poor person daily.

2.If a non-Muslim lady becomes a Muslimah day time in the Ramadan, she has to abstain from eating in the public for that day, but she doesn't have to pay that day or any missing days.

3.It is well recommended that a woman should not fast when travelling especial if there is any possibilities of fatigues in the journey. Fasting while on journey is not a recommended habit. Its better you don’t fast.

4. If a young girl sees her menses for the first time day time in the Ramadan, she must abstain from food, though she will not pay for that day and the previous days, But fasting has become obligations on her from that day.

With this we come to an end to an for the Ramadan lectures. Next will be "Tafseer" of some verses and chapters.

May ALLAH swt make our fasting and Ibadah perfect. And may ALLAH swt reward our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and all women who always work tirelessly to prepare food for us in every month of Ramadan. Aameen.

Every woman who can read the Holy Quran must try to read it many times in this blessed month.

RAMADAN FOR ONLY WOMEN: WOMEN ISSUES IN THE MONTH OF RAMADAN. (PART 1)

WHEN A WOMAN MUST START TO FAST IN ISLAM?
IN WHAT SITUATIONS IS SHE EXEMPTED FROM FASTING?
MENSTRUATIONS AND PREGNANCY IN RAMADAN. WHAT A WOMAN MUST DO?

As a follow up to my series of messages on fasting in Ramadan and its related issues. I am in this and in the coming series going to talk about women issues in the month of Ramadan. The laws, provisions and prohibitions on women in Ramadan.

Please, take your time and read them carefully. Women issues and are very difficult when in Islam and its ritual. We only try our best to explain some of them to you.

Women and men are equal in Islam and are equally rewarded in any IBADAT. The Holy Quran says:

“فَٱسۡتَجَابَ لَهُمۡ رَبُّهُمۡ أَنِّى لَآ أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَـٰمِلٍ۬ مِّنكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوۡ أُنثَىٰ‌ۖ بَعۡضُكُم مِّنۢ بَعۡضٍ۬”

And their LORD answered their SUPPLICATIONS, never shall I render useless the deeds of you, male or female your one member from one another (3:195)

Fasting or to fast is one of the 5 pillars or principles of Islam. Islam in its obligations and rewards does not differentiate between man and woman in all the IBADATS except where it relieves some demands on women due to some natural physical changes that occur to them sometimes. Aside that, a female and a male are both equal in the face Islam.

THE Holy Quran again: “وَٱلصَّـٰٓٮِٕمِينَ وَٱلصَّـٰٓٮِٕمَـٰتِ”
And the fasting men and fasting women (33:35)

These are only to tell you that men and women are equal in all the “Ibadats” in Islam.

Now to the main topic about women issues and conditions in the month of Ramadan.

1. WHAT IS FASTING IN ISLAM? AND WHO MUST FAST?

Fasting is defined as, the abstinence of food, drinks, sex and vulgar speeches from the sun rise to the sun set with “NIYAT” or intentions, every night in the month of RAMADAN. Fasting in the Ramadan, is an obligation on every Muslim or Muslimat who attained the age of adulthood (puberty), sane (MENTALLY FIT), resident (not a Traveler) and capable. (Free from sickness or menses).

2. HOW DO WE DETERMINE IF A GIRL HAS REACHED ADULTHOOOD (PUBERTY) IN ISLAM?

Islam is a RELIGION of rules and regulations. You cannot just do things as you want to. Some rules and conditions must be met first.

A woman is considered an adult with one of the following occurs in her.

1. Attaining the age of 15years.
2. The appearance or the growing of rough and coarse hair around the vagina.
3. Whenever a known sperms (semen) is found in her (by dreams or other means)
4. And when she starts to get her menses or she becomes
Pregnant.

If any of these conditions are found in a girl she is considered an adult. Fasting in the month of RAMADAN and other IBADATS become compulsory on her. It is therefore incumbent on her parents to see that she behaves like any adult observing 5 times daily prayers, fasting and other “IBAADAT”. And whenever, a girl becomes an adult in the afternoon during the month of the RAMADAN, then she must start fasting in the remaining days of the month, but does not have to pay the past days before she became an adult in that month.

3. MENSTRUATION IN THE RAMADAN.

Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said.

( "أليس إذا حاضت المرأة لم تصل ولم تصم ؟")

“Isn't it, when a (Woman) is in her menses she does not pray nor fast?”

A menstrual woman must not fast, nor pray at all. But she will pay the missed days in the RAMADAN but not the missing prayers. A menstrual woman and the one bleeding after childbirth are the same; the same rules apply to them. Whenever a menstrual woman finds that, she is no more bleeding there are 2 situations for her

1. If her cycle ends in the morning or day time, she cannot fast that day.

2. If she finds that she is clean or no more bleeding just before FAJRI prayers, she must quickly bath and start fasting from that day. Failure to do so will mean she is deliberately dodging fasting on that day. Which is HARAM on her. She can fast even she is not yet bath. Provided she is no more bleeding. The bathing can be done later.

5. VAGINAL ABNORMAL BLEEDING: what it is and what a woman should do in the RAMADAN?

In the Islamic studies we have something we called “DAMMUL ISTIHADA or دم الاستحا ضة” abnormal situation that occurs in some women, when vagina continue to discharge blood even when she is off menstrual period. When this happens to a woman in her usual menstruations circles, she should count her normal days which ranges between (3,5,or 7days) depending on the person, any additional day than her normal periods are considered abnormal that’s what we called ,
“DAMMUL ISTIHADA” or دم الاستحا ضة”)

Continue abnormal bleeding does not prevent a woman from fasting. She should bath in that condition and start praying and fasting. That is not a menstruations blood and must not prevent her from any “IBADAT” even to circumambulate or go around the KA’ABAH.

6. PREGNANCY AND THE MENSTRUATION PAINS AND SIGNS.

Whenever a pregnant woman sees blood coming from her vagina and she is fasting, she should continue with her fasting because that’s not a menstruation. But when a woman start to get her labor pangs or pains during pregnancy, or menstruations pains and there is no blood coming out from her till sun sets on that day, then her fasting is perfect and she must not repay that day.

A pregnant woman and a nursing mother, whenever they are not comfortable either because of their baby or themselves, they can stop fasting and pay those days later. No “KAFFARAT or ransom on them. But other scholars say that, a pregnant woman and a nursing money can stop fast and will not even pay for the days they missed. And they based their “Fatwa” on Hadith of RASULULLAH that says:

(قال نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:« إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى وَضَعَ عَنْ الْمُسَافِرِ الصَّوْمَ وَشَطْرَ الصَّلَاةِ، وَعَنْ الْحَامِلِ أَوْ الْمُرْضِعِ الصَّوْمَ» [أخرجه أهل السنن إلا أبا داود]، فإذا وضع الله ذلك فليس لأحد أن يلزمهما به قضاءً إلا بدليل.

ALLAH swt, has relieved fasting on the traveler and has permitted him to pray half of any SALAT on the road until he reaches his destination. The last part of the Hadith says:

وَعَنْ الْحَامِلِ أَوْ الْمُرْضِعِ الصَّوْمَ»
And ALLAH has relieved fasting on the pregnant and nursing mother.

That’s why some knowledgeable men from the Companions of RASULULLAH like (Ibn Umar and Ibn Abbass ) said, the pregnant and nursing mother can break their fasting and do not have to pay the missing days, because RASULULLAH said that. But she must feed the poor for each day she misses.

قال ابن عمر رضي الله عنه:"الحامل والمرضع تفطر ولا تقضي" [الدارقطني]، وقال:"تطعم مكان كل يوم مسكيناً[البيهقي]، وبذالك أفتى ابن عباس [أخرجه البيهقي]، ودين الله يسر.

What most scholars say is, the pregnant and nursing mother will pay the missing days and not “Kaffarat” on them.

Are You A Traveler? Learn How And When To Shorten Solat!

* Shortening Salat when travelling is sunnatu mu-akkadah (Emphasised Sunnah), even if no difficulty is encountered. 4:101, al-Nasaa’i, 1420; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’I, al-Nasaa’i, 2275; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 8/127, I’laam al-Musafireen bi Ba’d Aadab wa Ahkaam al-Safar wa ma yakhuss al-Mallaheen al-Jawwiyyeen by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen, p. 13

* Shortening Salat mean observing four rak’ats Salat (like Zuhr, ‘Asr and ‘Isha) as two rak’ats. Sahih fiqhi sunnah, Jami’u liahkami fiqhi sunnah.

* Some scholars set a distance for a travel before Salat can be shortened to be four ‘Burud’ (16 farsakh/48 miles/83km) while the most evidenced is to shorten Salat whenever it is referred to as travel in language and practice and it requires preparation of provision for travel. Q4:101-102: Al-Tirmidhi, hadith 2960, Al-Tirmidhi, hadith 453, al-Mughni (2/65), Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (8/99)

* According to some jurists, if you know that you are going to stay in a place for more than four days, you will not do ‘qasr’ but if you are going to stay there for less than four days or you don’t know when you will finish the task, then you will continue with the ‘qasr’ while some concluded that in as much you are living like a traveller (not like inhabitant), shortening of Salat continues. The reason for the differences is that there is no definitive evidence that would dispel confusion, hence, the views of the scholars differed. Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar said in his commentary on the hadeeth of al-‘Ala’ ibn al-Hadrami, according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Three days for the muhaajir after returning from Mina.” al-Bukhari, 3933 and Muslim, 1352, Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 4/545, al-Majmoo’, 3/171; Bidaayat al-Mujtahid, 1/168. What this hadith refers to is that staying Makkah was forbidden to one who had migrated therefrom before the Conquest, but it was permitted to those who went there for Hajj or ‘Umrah to stay after completing the rituals (of Hajj or ‘Umrah) for three days and no more. It was understood from this that if a person stays for three days, the rulings on travelers still apply to him. Fath al-Baari, 7/267.

In summary, these three categories of travelers will observe Salat qasr: A traveler that is proceeding without staying on the journey route; a traveler that does not intend to stay but expects accomplishment of a need; and a traveler that travels to a city but does not have the intention of such stay that will make him not to be on journey (like NYSC orientation camp). However, a traveler that travels to a city other than his own city but intends to stay there, such stay that will make him not to be on journey, will not observe Salat qasr. Sahih fiqhi sunnah, Jami’u liahkami fiqhi sunnah.

* Travellers need to attend Jumu’ah and Eid Salat. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 11/140-142

* It is permissible for a traveller to join two Salats (Zuhur and Asr, Magrib and Ishah), wiping over socks for three days and shortening prayers, and not fasting during Ramadan. And it makes no difference whether he travels by land or by sea. Q4:101, al-Bukhari, 1090; Muslim, 685, al-Bukhari, 1081; Muslim, 693Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (8/109, Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (8/155), Majmoo Fataawa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawwi’iah li’l-Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (12/297). Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 4/514, Muslim, 705, Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 22/293.

* It is permissible for traveler to join two prayers whilst thinking it most likely that he will reach his city before the end of the time for the second one. Liqaa’aat al-Baab il-Maftooh (1/203).

* If the traveler is in a city or town other than his own, he has to attend prayers in congregation in the mosque if he hears the call to prayer. Q4:102, al-Bukhari, 618; Muslim, 651, al-Bukhari, 626; Muslim, 651, al-Tirmidhi, 217; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 15/252, Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 15/422, Al-Awsat, 4/135, Al-Salaah wa Hukm Taarikiha, p. 137, 138, Q2:43, Q3:43 Q9:119, al-Salaah wa Hukm Taarikiha, 139-141, Al-Awsat, 4/134, Subul al-Salaam, 2/18, 19, Abu Dawood (552) and Ibn Maajah (792), Al-Majmoo’, 4/164, Al-Awsat, 4/134, Al-Mughni, 2/3, Muslim, 654, Al-Salaah wa Hukm Taarikiha, p. 146, 147, Al-Salaah wa Hukm Taarikiha, p/ 153

* If a traveler prays with an imam he should pray four rak’ats, whether he catches up with the prayer from the beginning or he misses part of it. Q4:102. Al-Bukhari 636, Muslim 602, Muslim 688, Ahmad 1865.

* If the traveler catches up with the imam in less than a rak’ah, he should pray the prayer in shortened form. For example: the traveler catches up with the imam in the final tashahhud of the Zuhr prayer. In that case he should pray Zuhr as two rak’ahs. This is how he should pray if he did not catch up with one rak’ah or more. Saheeh Muslim (688), Saheeh Muslim (694).

* A traveler that prays ‘Isha behind a resident who is praying Tarawih, after observing two rak’ats with Imam he/she should say the salaam with the imam, because then he has followed the Sunnah by shortening his prayer, and he has not gone differ from the imam, because the imam prayed two rak’ahs. Liqa’ al-Baab il-Maftooh (30/117).

* Nafilah before or after Zuhur, Asr, Mogrib and ‘Ishai may not need to be offered by travellers but it is sunnah to offer others like witr, sunnah of fajr, qiyamu layl, Q33:21, Q51:17, Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood, 1269, al-Bukhari, 1000, al-Bukhaari, 1098, al-Bukhari, 400, al-Bukhari, 357. Al-Bukhari, 1673, Muslim, 1218, Zaad al-Ma’aad, 1/473, Zaad al-Ma’aad, 1/315, Muslim, 681, Kitaab Salaat al-Musaafireen wa qasriha (The prayer of travelers and shortening the prayer) (no. 724), Zaad al-Ma’aad, 1/316.

* Praying Tarawih is mustahabb for the traveller as for the non-traveler. Zaad al-Ma’aad (1/311), Al-Bukhari (945) Saheeh (1112) Q33:21, Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (7/206)

* If you are living in a city working from Monday to Friday and travel back home by weekends, you will not do ‘qasr’ while in the cities (home and working place) except if you are on the road in between, then, you can shorten salat. Liqaa’aat al-Baab al-Maftooh (1/294), Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 8/148.

* A woman should not travel except with a mahram, even if it is a short trip. Al-Bukhaari (1729) and Muslim (2391), Fath al-Baari (4/76), Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (17/339, Tuhfat al-Muhtaaj (2/370) and al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (27/270).