Articles

Farewell to Ramadan
Author : An Article by his Grace Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat
Date Added : 14-08-2025

The month of Ramadan prepares to depart as it arrived—a noble guest who came and now leaves. Such is the way of this world: months come and go, and life continues in its eternal cycle.

As we stand at the threshold of Ramadan’s departure, let us pause and ask ourselves: What did we offer Ramadan? What did we accomplish during its days? Did we truly fast as we should? Did we stand in prayer with sincerity? Did the divine wisdom of fasting—"that you may attain Taqwa (God-consciousness)" [Al-Baqarah/183]—manifest in our lives? Did our acts of devotion increase, or did Ramadan pass us by while we were heedless and distracted?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned: "Wretched is the man in whose presence Ramadan arrives and departs before he is forgiven." [Tirmidhi/Ahmad]. So, are we among those whose disgrace is sealed, or are we among the fortunate who earned Allah’s mercy? Or are we among those deluded by false hopes, squandering Ramadan in idle play?

O you who are consumed by worldly pursuits,

Deceived by the illusion of endless time,

Death comes suddenly, without warning,

And the grave is the chest of deeds.

Beloved servants of Allah, Ramadan was a divine gift—a month where rewards were multiplied, a golden opportunity to rectify our past shortcomings. But were we truly deserving of Allah’s generosity? Did we rise to the occasion?

Blessed are those who repented in Ramadan, blessed are those who worshipped sincerely, and joyous are those who turned to Allah wholeheartedly. But ruin awaits those who failed to seize this month’s blessings—for they may never see it again. If one did not repent in Ramadan, when will they repent? If one did not return to Allah in Ramadan, when will they return? If one did not strive in worship during these sacred nights, when will they attain success?

Beloved servants of Allah, what comes after Ramadan? Will we revert to our old ways—neglecting prayers, withholding charity, abandoning the Quran? Many rush to worship in Ramadan—praying, giving charity, reciting the Quran—only to abandon it all once the month ends. But Allah desires for us to remain as we were in Ramadan—steadfast in obedience, nurtured by Taqwa. Ramadan was not just a passing season of worship; it was training for the soul.

So how do we bid farewell to Ramadan? Not with tears and lamentation, but with continued obedience, just as we welcomed it. We bid it farewell with gratitude to Allah for allowing us to witness it. We bid it farewell with a firm resolve to carry its lessons forward—to keep the spirit of fasting alive in our hearts. Did you not see how the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions increased their worship in Ramadan’s final days? When the last ten nights arrived, he would wake his family, tighten his waistcloth (i.e., exert himself in worship), and spend the nights in devotion.

As we say goodbye to Ramadan, we pray: O Allah, accept our fasting, our prayers, and our righteous deeds. We prepare for the first joy promised to the fasting believer—the joy of Eid, and the greater joy of meeting our Lord. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The fasting person has two joys: joy when breaking his fast, and joy when he meets his Lord." [Moslim].

Eid is a blessing, but remember—our celebrations begin with worship: Eid prayers follow the fasting of Ramadan, just as Eid Al-Adha follows the pilgrimage. True Eid is not about new clothes, but about increased obedience.

Yet beware—for on Eid night, the devils are released from their chains. Let us guard ourselves and our families against sinful gatherings, forbidden mixing, and idle amusement. We must not end our righteous deeds with disobedience, lest we become like the woman who undoes her spinning after it is strong.

Farewell, O Ramadan—month of fasting,

Farewell, O month of the Quran,

Farewell, O month of forgiveness and mercy,

Farewell, O month of light and blessings,

Farewell, O marketplace of the successful.

O Allah, accept our fasting, our prayers, and our good deeds. Grant us the blessing of witnessing Ramadan again, and seal our lives with righteousness.

Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

A man insulted the Divine Essence; is it obligatory for him to perform Ghusl?

 
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Insulting or blaspheming the Divine Essence (Dhat al-Ilahiyyah) constitutes apostasy (Riddah). The perpetrator of this grave sin must immediately repeat the two testimonies of faith (Shahadah) and sincerely repent to Allah the Exalted. It is recommended (Sunnah) for them to perform a ritual bath (Ghusl), though it is not a mandatory condition [for the validity of their return to Islam]. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

What is the ruling if someone wipes his head then shaves it - must he repeat it?

If a person performing ablution shaves his head after wiping it during ablution, he is not required to re-wipe his head or repeat the ablution. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on offering a sheep as a sacrifice (Udhiyah) if its fat-tail is sound, except that when it was young, the tip of its fat-tail was cut so that it would grow larger? And what is the ruling in case of doubt regarding the amount that was cut?

 
In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Cutting a minor, insignificant portion from the tip of an animal's fat-tail (al-alyah) to encourage it to grow larger is not considered a defect, and it does not prevent the animal from being valid for sacrifice (Udhiyah).
 
It is stated in Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (Vol.9/P.352): "There is some scholarly deliberation regarding the common practice of cutting the tip of the fat-tail so that it grows larger. It could potentially be likened to a partial cut of the ear—supported by the jurists' general rule: 'even if it is a small amount.' On the other hand, if it is an exceptionally minor cut, it might have no effect on validity. This is explicitly clarified by the juristic exception to the general rule, which states that cutting a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm. This latter view is more well-founded.
 
Furthermore, I found that some scholars investigated this matter and concluded: 'It should not affect validity if a custom-sanctioned portion of its fat-tail is removed during its youth to make it grow larger and look better, just as castrating a male animal causes no harm.' However, applying this unconditionally contradicts the established texts of the jurists, as understood from what I have laid out; thus, the restriction I specified is what must be relied upon."
 
Similarly, it is mentioned in Nihayat al-Muhtaj (8/135): "If a small piece is cut from the fat-tail to help it grow larger, the most well-founded view is that the sacrifice remains valid, as was given in a formal legal verdict (Fatwa) by my father [Shihab al-Din al-Ramli], may Allah be pleased with him. This is proven by the jurists' maxim: 'The loss of a tiny piece from a large limb causes no harm.'"
 
In cases where there is doubt as to whether the portion cut was large or small, the animal is still deemed valid for sacrifice. It is noted in Hashiyat al-Shubramallisi ‘ala Nihayat al-Muhtaj (Vol.8/P.135):
 
"This matter requires careful consideration, but the closer and more correct view is that it is valid. This is because soundness is the default state for the animal from which the piece was cut, and it aligns with what usually occurs—namely, that the part removed to help the fat-tail grow larger is naturally very small." And Allah the 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.