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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

What are the conditions for a valid Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
First: The age of the animal must meet the Sharia requirements. These requirements vary depending on the type of sacrifice:
 
Camels: Must have completed five years and entered their sixth.
 
Cows: Must have completed two years and entered their third.
 
Goats: Must have completed two years and entered their third. As for Sheep, they must have completed one year and entered their second.
 
Some scholars have permitted goats that have completed one year and entered their second.
 
The Hanafi school, along with an opinion in the Maliki school, permits sacrificing sheep that are at least six months old, provided they are healthy and physically substantial. According to the Shafi’i school, it is permissible if the sheep sheds its front teeth (ajdha') before reaching one year [Al-Iqna’, by Al-Shirbini (Vol.2/P.588)].
 
Second: Soundness and freedom from defects. The animal must be free from any defect that causes a decrease in its meat or market value. This is based on the hadith narrated by Al-Bara' bin 'Azib, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
 
"Four [defects] are not permissible in sacrifices: A one-eyed animal whose blindness is evident, a sick animal whose illness is evident, a lame animal whose lameness is evident, and an emaciated animal that has no marrow in its bones." [Reported by Abu Dawood and Al-Tirmidhi, who graded it as authentic].
 
These defects are detailed as follows:
 
Evident Lameness: It is not permissible to sacrifice a lame animal if the lameness is severe enough to prevent it from walking to the pasture or seeking food, as this leads to a decrease in its meat. However, slight lameness that does not hinder its grazing is overlooked.
 
Evident Blindness (One-eyed): It is not permissible to sacrifice a sheep, cow, or camel that has a white film over its eye blocking light, or one that has lost an eye entirely. Weak vision that does not affect its ability to eat does not prevent the sacrifice from being valid.
 
Evident Illness: An animal with a clear sickness that prevents it from eating or moving is not valid. This includes severe mange (Jarab) that spoils the meat.
 
Extreme Emaciation: An animal so thin that there is no marrow left in its bones is invalid. The standard for emaciation that invalidates the sacrifice is that which spoils the quality of the meat to the point that people would find it undesirable even in times of plenty.
 
Additional Considerations:
These are the defects mentioned in the Prophetic tradition, and any defect that causes emaciation or reduces the meat or value is compared to them by analogy. This includes animals that are mentally unstable (diseased), those with mange, or those with a missing ear. In contrast, a slit or pierced ear does not affect the validity of the sacrifice. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on attending relatives` parties held in public halls, or hotels since if we don`t, we will be subjected to their admonition?

If such parties involve mixing between men and women, or forbidden acts such as listening to songs with sinful lyrics, then attending them is forbidden from the view point of Sharia since people`s admonition is nothing compared to Allah`s, The Almighty`s, wrath.

What is the ruling on the follower (*maʾmūm*) reciting Sūrat al-Fātiḥah behind the imam?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
In our school of Islamic thought, the Shāfiʿī school, reciting al-Fātiḥah is obligatory in every rakʿah of the prayer for the imam, the follower (maʾmūm), and the one praying individually (munfarid), because it is one of the pillars (arkān) of the prayer. Whoever does not perform it, his prayer is invalid, whether the prayer is silent (sirriyyah) or audible (jahriyyah), based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “The prayer of the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (Fātiḥat al-Kitāb) is invalid.” Agreed upon.
It is stated in ʿUmdat al-Sālik, one of the books of the Shāfiʿī school: “He recites al-Fātiḥah in every rakʿah, whether he is the imam, the follower, or the individual worshipper.”
The jurists of the other schools hold a different opinion, which was previously explained in Fatwa no. (3169); please refer to it. 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.

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