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Ramadan is a School of Ethics
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 15-01-2024

Ramadan is a School of Ethics

 

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, as explained by Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, who said: "Islam is built on five pillars: bearing witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah, and that Mohammad is His messenger, establishing the prayer, giving alms (Zakat), performing the pilgrimage to the House (Kaaba), and fasting during the month of Ramadan.'" (Transmitted by Bukhari & Muslim).

 

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is obligatory for every adult, sane, and capable Muslim, as stated by Allah, the Most High: "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous – " {Al-Baqarah, 183}.

 

Undoubtedly, the performance of this great pillar has wisdom and benefits for the worshiper. One of the most important benefits is that the Muslim learns self-discipline in his actions and behaviors. During the daylight hours of Ramadan, he refrains from what is halal and permissible throughout the days of the other months, including food, drinks, and other lawful enjoyments. However, during Ramadan, he abstains from them in obedience to the command of Allah, despite having the ability to indulge in eating and drinking. This self-restraint is an embodiment of the concept of taqwa (piety), where one fears Allah both in private and in public.

 

Likewise, a person learns to distance themselves from prohibitions by restraining from permissible acts during the daylight hours, in obedience to Allah's command. This experience teaches one to avoid forbidden actions throughout the entire year, as the One who commands and prohibits is Allah.

Similarly, a person learns how to elevate themselves above succumbing to their desires, as they gain control over their consumption of food and drink. This enables the servant to rise above being a slave to their desires and instead become a servant of Allah alone, glorified and exalted. In this context, one can also break free from some of their bad habits, such as smoking or excessive eating and drinking.

 

In addition, fasting assists the one who remembers Allah and the one who recites the Quran in achieving more humility and contemplation. Through fasting, the servant is reminded of Allah's blessings, particularly food and drink. Moreover, it serves as a reminder for the servant to express gratitude for these blessings. Fasting also emphasizes the importance of time, as it involves adhering to specific timings for abstaining and breaking the fast.

It should be noted that fasting is not limited to abstaining from food, drink, and sexual desires since true fasting involves refraining from all prohibitions and forbidden actions. Otherwise, what is the use for abstaining from food and drink while consuming people's wealth unjustly through cheating, deception, or hoarding? What is the use for refraining from eating and drinking but not refraining from gossiping and accusing others of unchaste behavior? Fasting is a comprehensive form of moral education that should not be fragmented. Otherwise, a person will not grasp the true essence of fasting. This is evident in the saying of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him): "Whoever does not give up false speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink." (Transmitted by al-Bukhari).

 

In conclusion, fasting is a school of ethics that teaches individuals discipline, order, and organization. It instills the understanding that life is not merely about food and drink; there are greater aspects to it. Fasting encourages acts of kindness towards those in need, maintaining family ties, reading the Quran, praying during the day and night, gathering with loved ones and neighbors in mosques and community centers, practicing generosity and charity. It allows individuals to taste the sweetness of faith and comprehend the significance of connecting with Allah the Almighty.

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Summarized Fatawaa

A man led the people in prayer as imam, and at the end of the prayer he performed a prostration of forgetfulness (*sujūd al-sahw*) because he had omitted a short *sūrah* after al-Fātiḥah. What is the ruling on his prayer and that of those praying behind him?

 

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
According to the Shāfiʿī school, it is sunnah to recite a sūrah after al-Fātiḥah in the prayer. One who omits it has a valid prayer, and no prostration of forgetfulness (sujūd al-sahw) is prescribed for omitting it. If someone performs sujūd al-sahw for its omission while knowing the ruling and remembering it, his prayer is invalidated. But one who is ignorant of the ruling, or who did so out of forgetfulness, his prayer is not invalidated, because this is among the matters that are obscure to people, and ignorance of it is not restricted to those who recently entered Islam.
Shaykh al-Islām al-Shams al-Ramlī said in Nihāyat al-Muḥtāj ilā Sharḥ al-Minhāj (Vol.2/p.70): “The remaining sunnahs are not compensated for by prostration, such as the remembrances (adhkār) of bowing and prostration, that is, the opening supplication (duʿāʾ al-iftitāḥ) and the sūrah, in accordance with the base rule, because they are not of the same nature as what has been reported [as compensable]. If one prostrates for any of them deliberately, his prayer is invalidated, unless he is excused due to ignorance. As for the objection raised that the ignorant person does not know that sujūd al-sahw is prescribed, and whoever knows it knows its place, this is refuted by denying such a necessary connection, for the ignorant person may hear only that sujūd al-sahw is prescribed before the salām, and so assume that it applies to every sunnah and is not restricted to its prescribed place.”
This is among the matters that are obscure, in which the mukallaf is excused for ignorance, as stated by al-Shabrāmallisī in his Ḥāshiyah ʿalā Nihāyat al-Muḥtāj (Vol.2/p.70).
However, if the imam prostrates, and the follower (maʾmūm) presumes that his imam’s prostration is for a reason for which one does not prostrate, it is not permissible to follow him in it, so long as the follower knows the ruling.
Accordingly, the prayer of one who did not recite a sūrah after al-Fātiḥah is valid, and sujūd al-sahw is not prescribed for it. Whoever prostrates out of ignorance or forgetfulness, his prayer is valid, because this is among the issues hidden from the general public. But whoever prostrates while knowing the ruling and remembering it, his prayer is invalidated. And Allah Almighty knows best.

When is it Sunnah to slaughter the 'aqīqah?

All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
It is Sunnah for the 'aqīqah to be slaughtered on the seventh day from the birth of the newborn. According to the sounder position, the day of birth itself is counted as the first of the seven days. Thus, for example, if the child is born on a Saturday, the 'aqīqah is to be slaughtered on the following Friday. If the child is born at night, the count begins from the day that follows. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is it permissible for a woman to wear underwear while performing Umrah?

Yes, it is permissible for a woman to wear underwear while performing Umrah. This is because she should keep her regular clothes that cover all her body while being in a state of Ihram (ritual consecration) for Hajj, or Umrah. However, she should uncover her face and hands, but it is permissible for her to let her head-covering garment drape from her head down over her face when non-Mahram (i.e., marriageable) men pass by her. And Allah Knows Best.

What is the correct point at which to raise the hands when standing up for the third rak‘ah (after the middle tashahhud)?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Raising the hands while saying the takbīr [when rising for the third rak‘ah] is a recommended sunnah, and omitting it does not affect the validity of the prayer. The proper time for this is after rising from the middle tashahhud, once one has fully stood up.
It is stated in I‘ānat aṭ-Ṭālibīn (Vol.1/P.158): "His statement, 'and rising from the first tashahhud' — meaning, this manner [of raising the hands] is also a sunnah when he rises from the first tashahhud, that is, when he stands upright from it.
Consider [the question]: when precisely does the raising of the hands begin? Is it at the very start of rising from the first tashahhud, or after he has reached the minimum position of rukū‘ [i.e., once fully upright]? The apparent, [correct] view is the latter — even though the outward wording [of the text] might suggest the former — because at the very start of his rising, he is still relying on both hands [to push himself up, and therefore cannot yet raise them]."
It is stated in ‘Umdat as-Sālik (p. 53): "If his prayer extends beyond two rak‘ahs, he sits after them in the iftirāsh position, recites the tashahhud, and sends blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ alone, without [mentioning] his family [at this point]. He then stands while saying the takbīr, supporting himself with his hands; and once he has stood upright, he raises them level with his shoulders." And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

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