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The Family and Ramadan
Author : Dr. Ahmad Al-Harasees
Date Added : 26-04-2021

The Family and Ramadan

 

 

Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-" [Al-Baqara/183]. One of the greatest blessings that Allah bestows on a Muslim is the ability to reach Ramadan, endure fasting and perform Qiyyam (Taraweeh prayer). Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness and freeing from Fire. During this blessed month, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained to help the believers exert maximum effort in offering acts of obedience to Allah. Therefore, a Muslim should strive to make the most of this month and the goodness it brings.

Ramadan is the perfect time for the family to come together for Iftar and Suhur. It is like a training course that teaches a lot of positive morals and etiquettes.

Attaining Taqwa (Piety) is one of the major priorities in this month and it is reflected through celebrating the values of tolerance, mercy and kindness. We hope that this year we will be able to enhance these positive aspects and by doing so turn theory into practice.

A major point in this regard is setting up a schedule for our household members in terms of religious duties, such as dedicating a certain time for reciting Quran, reading a certain book about the righteous predecessors, remembering Allah or offering night prayers to enhance team work. 

A major societal issue during Ramadan is extravagance. It is true that a Muslim has the right to enjoy the blessings of Allah, but some make different types of foods most of which go to the garbage can. Thus, we should preserve the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon us so that He the Almighty gives us more and more.

Moreover, it isn`t permissible to overburden the wife with preparing food and cleaning up since Ramadan is an opportunity for cooperation among family members following the example of the most honorable among all creation, Prophet Mohammad (Peace and blessings be upon him). Our beloved Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) used to keep himself busy helping members of his family, stitched his clothes and mended his sandals.

 

In addition, special care should be given to the children during this blessed month in terms of raising them up well, bringing them up properly and urging them to do all kinds of goodness and getting used to that. Our honored Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) taught that parents should train their children on performing acts of obedience, such as performing prayer, where he (PBUH) said: "Command your children to perform Salat (prayer) when they are seven years old." Moreover, it was reported that the wives of the companions used to teach their children to fast and spend time beneficially. This actually falls under educating them, however, it should be done gently because they aren`t of responsible age to perform religious duties in the first place.

 

Another milestone of this blessed month is to pray Qiyyam (Taraweeh prayer). The Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) used to urge (the people) to perform (optional Taraweeh) prayer at night during the month of Ramadan. He did not order them or make it obligatory on them. He (Peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whosoever performs (optional Taraweeh) prayers at night during the month of Ramadan, with Faith and in the hope of receiving Allah's reward, will have his past sins forgiven." [Agreed upon]. 

This is an opportunity to take one`s children to the mosque and to encourage them to perform this prayer and learn the etiquettes of the mosque.

In conclusion, Ramadan is an excellent opportunity to improve morality, come closer to Allah, enhance ties of kinship, enhance solidarity and mercy, and celebrate tolerance. 

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on participating in the prize draws (raffles) that commercial stores hold for their customers?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
There is no objection to participating in the prize draws (raffles) that commercial stores hold for their customers, provided that the buyer's intention in purchasing is not merely to enter the competition without any need for what is bought — rather, the purchase must be genuinely intended for the item itself, and one must not pay more than the item's fair market price. This is because paying an amount above the market price would effectively be paying a fee to enter the prize draw, which would render it a form of gambling (qimār).
These prizes are, in essence, gifts that businesses offer through a random drawing (qur'ah) to those who purchase from them, as a means of encouraging sales, without the customer bearing any additional monetary cost for participation. So long as the aforementioned conditions are met, there is no objection to benefiting from the prize offered by the store, as it is considered a lawful prize from the viewpoint of Islamic Law.
It is stated in the resolutions of the "Jordanian Iftaa' Board" (Resolution No. 47), in the context of outlining the conditions for permissible prizes: "The price of the ticket [or item purchased] for the sake of the prize must not exceed its original price, so that there is no payment of money in exchange for participation in the draw." And Allah, the Most High, knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on colleagues alternating overtime shifts and receiving wages for absent days?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
An employee is religiously obligated to abide by the instructions and regulations pertaining to overtime hours. Furthermore, it is mandatory to adhere to honesty and avoid deceit, circumvention, and falsehood. Allah Almighty says (what means): "O you who have believed, be conscious of Allah and be with those who are truthful."
(At-Tawbah/119).
 
Therefore, whoever is assigned to work overtime must remain present at the designated workplace, even if no active tasks are required of them during that time.
 
Likewise, the official authorized to approve overtime work must comply with all established conditions and regulatory guidelines. It is impermissible for them to grant overtime hours in violation of system regulations. Should any compensation be disbursed in contravention of these official rules, it is unlawful to accept or consume such wages. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on the prayer of one who said "Subḥāna Rabbiya al-ʿAẓīm" in prostration (*sujūd*) and forgot to correct it?

 

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
Saying “Subḥāna Rabbiya al-ʿAẓīm” in bowing (rukūʿ) and “Subḥāna Rabbiya al-Aʿlā” in prostration (sujūd) is one of the hayʾāt (non-essential sunnahs) of the prayer. Whoever omits it, whether deliberately or by forgetfulness, or replaces it with another remembrance (dhikr), his prayer is valid and he does not perform sujūd al-sahw. Shaykh al-Islām Imam al-Nawawī (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Our school holds that one does not prostrate for omitting the audible or silent recitation, the tasbīḥ, and the rest of the hayʾāt.” [al-Majmūʿ, Vol.4/p.127]
If he performs sujūd al-sahw for something that does not call for it, his prayer is invalidated, because he introduced a prostration of forgetfulness without a cause, and he must repeat the prayer. The exception is one who did so out of forgetfulness or ignorance, whether because he recently entered Islam or because he lives far from scholars; he is excused and his prayer is not invalidated.
It is stated in Mughni al-Muḥtāj (Vol.1/p.417): “It is stated in al-Anwār: If he does something that does not call for sujūd al-sahw, thinking that it does, and then prostrates, his prayer is not invalidated if he is ignorant because he recently entered Islam or because he is far from scholars.”
Since this issue is hidden from the laity, as it is among the subtleties of knowledge, and the laity are excused for ignorance of whatever is of such a nature, and their act of obedience is not invalidated because of it, it may be said that the prayer of one who has not acquired knowledge of the issue is not invalidated. As for after knowing it, the prayer is invalidated.
Whoever realizes while still in the prayer that his prostration was out of place, it is sunnah for him to perform sujūd al-sahw. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the Islamic punishment for the one who neglects prayer?

 

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Neglecting the prayer (Salah) is among the major sins (Al-Kaba’ir). One who neglects it out of laziness is considered a transgresor (Fasiq), while one who neglects it while denying its obligation is a disbeliever (Kafir). And Allah the Exalted knows best.

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