The Muslims Internet Directory

1. Introduction to the book…………………………………. 5

2. The Rulings of Fasting…..………………………………. 7

3. What is allowable for the one fasting…...……………….. 13

4. The Night Prayer in Ramadaan is a cause for attaining

the forgiveness of ones sins…………………………….... 16

5. The virtue of the last ten days of Ramadaan and what is

recommended to do in them……..………………………. 16

6. The Night of Al-Qadr……………………………………. 17

7. Sadaqat-ul-Fitr…...………………………………………. 17

8. The 'Eed Prayer…………………………………………... 18

9. Important Notes…...……………………………………... 19

10. Some authentic ahaadeeth on the virtues of fasting in

Ramadaan and other months…..………………………… 20

11. Some well known ahaadeeth about fasting Ramadaan and

other months, which are not authentic………..………….. 23

12. An important fatwa regarding the beginning and end of

Ramadaan………...……………………………………… 24

13. An overview of Ahlul-Qur'aan wa Sunnah Association…. 30

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6

Verily, all praise is due to Allaah, we praise Him, we ask for His help

and we seek His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Allaah from the

evils within ourselves and the evils of our actions. Whomsoever Allaah

guides, there is no one that can lead him astray. And whomsoever is led

astray, there is no one that can guide him. I bear witness that there is no

deity worthy of worship except Allaah – He is alone and with no partner.

And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His messenger.

As to what proceeds: Fasting is one of the aspects of worship that is done

entirely for Allaah, in which a Muslim responds to the rulings of his Lord

– the One, the Only – by abstaining from food, drink and sexual

intercourse with his wife during the day of his fast, believing that this

abstaining is obedience to Allaah. So he renews his covenant with

Allaah through this fast, confirming that the only reason for his existence

in this life is to actualize complete servitude to the One who created him

and all that exists – the One who says in His Book:

This is the absolute servitude with its complete and comprehensive

understanding, which is displayed in the servant’s responding to the Way

of his Lord and the Laws of his Creator in every small and big matter

from the affairs of his life, whether in knowledge (belief) or action

(sayings and doings). Allaah says:

7

[Surah Al-An’aam: 162-163]

This servitude – with the previously mentioned understanding – is seen

at times in the prostration of the person praying, and at times it is seen in

the hunger and thirst of the one fasting. It is seen at times in the

supplication of a distressed person when he turns away from calling the

people, towards calling Allaah. At other times, it is seen when the

pilgrim, making Hajj, throws pebbles in one of the stations of (Hajj) and

in a woman’s covering of her body and adornment. And sometimes it is

seen in the consummation of the marriage between a young Muslim male

and female, so that it could be a means for lowering their gazes and

protecting their private parts. And at times it is seen in the Islamic

punishment that is established by the ruler on a person that has

committed adultery or theft. It is seen when someone removes an

obstacle from the road or when a man who has money, which he is

obligated to pay Zakaat on, gives his due Zakaat. It is seen at times

when the wife obeys her husband and behaves well with him, and at

times in the obedience and good treatment of a child to his parents. And

sometimes it is seen in showing compassion and affection to an orphan,

and at times it is seen in giving water to a thirsty dog, etc.

Indeed these things show the greatness of this Religion, which many,

many people are ignorant about:

8

Yusuf: 40]

With this understanding and from this description of greatness, I will

extend my humble words on fasting and its rulings, hoping that Allaah

accepts it and that the Muslims answer to it (by acting on it) as well as

benefit from it. And I ask Allaah that he rectify the conditions of the

Muslims by it and that He return them to the truth. Indeed Allaah has

power over that and is able to do it. I put my trust in Him and to Him I

repent.

that is sane and has reached the age of puberty. Allaah says:

Ramadaan of every year. Allaah says:

9

Fasting in the month of Ramadaan is one of the pillars of Islaam. The

[Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

So whoever breaks his fast intentionally in the month of Ramadaan

without a valid Islamic excuse, he has destroyed one of the pillars of

Islaam and stepped into the realm of great danger.

sunset. So when the sun sets, all of these things become permissible for

him. Allaah says:

And Allaah says in the same ayah:

tongue).

10

behind fasting. Allaah says:

So fasting prevents a person from committing what Allaah hates, thus

protecting him from Allaah's punishment. If the person that is fasting is

able to prevent himself from what is generally permissible for him – such

as food, drink and sexual relations with his wife – he will be more able

and likely to prevent himself from those things generally forbidden for

hates or is not pleased with. It is to do what Allaah has commanded and to abstain

from what Allaah has forbidden. So fasting builds Taqwaa since by fasting one

abstains from the forbidden things and thus protects himself from sins and from

gaining Allaah's anger – and this is Taqwaa.

protection.

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and bad behavior. Therefore, the one who does not understand this

matter will not achieve anything from his fasting, except hunger and

thirst.

Ramadaan. They must make up the days that they missed (by fasting

other days) at a later time, even if the days are not fasted consecutively.

Allaah says:

entertainment tools and musical instruments, such as the television and videos,

which are used to watch what Allaah hates such as dancing, nudity, intermingling

(between the sexes) and wickedness. And beware O Muslim of being deceived by

something called religious films and network series (broadcasted over the TV and

radio), for they are from the footsteps of the Devil, like poison in honey.

that is from ignorance.

permitted for school and college students to break their fast during examination

times, and also for those people who have hard-labor occupations is not correct.

12

a needy person for every day that is missed. This is due to their falling

under the saying of Allaah:

(of this ayah) found in authentic narrations of some of the Companions.

As a matter of fact, this happened to one of the Companions, for Anas

Ibn Maalik reported that he was weak one year and could not fast. So

he made a bowl of porridge and called thirty needy people and fed them."

[Reported by Ad-Daraqutnee with an authentic chain of narration]

for her children, she may break her fast and instead feed a needy person

for each day missed. This is based on her falling under the generality of

the ruling found in the previous ayah. And according to the most correct

of fasting (i.e. by fasting other days).

bleeding woman to observe the fast until they stop bleeding. So when

with it, nor is it expected that he will be cured in the confines of the means that

Allaah has enabled.

any of the other Companions opposed them in that. For a further discussion on this,

Hasan ‘Alee Abdul Hameed Al-Halabee.

13

they stop bleeding, they must make up for the days of fasting they

missed. And they do not have to make up for the prayers they missed

make up for a missed day or to expiate. Rather, he must just complete

Bukhaaree and Muslim]

because he is forced to is the same ruling as that of the one who breaks

his fast out of forgetfulness. This is based on the generality of the

of its paths of narration]

without any valid excuse that allows him to do that has committed a sin

and has nullified his fast. It is obligatory on him to repent from that great

sin and to make up that missed day of fasting.

Ramadaan, while they are both fasting, both of their fasts are broken.

And it is obligatory for both of them or (perhaps) one of them to repent.

And they must both make up that broken day of fasting and he must do

the condition of menses, then taking a sip of water before sunset – has no basis to it.

Rather it is in opposition to the Sunnah.

clear to him that the sun has risen, and that it is Fajr. Or like the one who hears the

Aadhaan over the radio and thus breaks his fast, but finds out that it is an Adhaan

from another country that has a different timing.

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possible to find a slave, then he must fast two consecutive months. If he

is not able to do that, then he must feed sixty needy people, as is stated in

the story of the man who had sexual intercourse with his wife during the

day in Ramadaan. [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree].

And in some narrations of the hadeeth, other than that of Al-Bukhaaree's,

there is a command to make up for the missed day of fasting.

[Authenticated by Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr in Fath-ul-Baaree]

fasting, on the condition that nothing enters (his throat). This is since it

is not truthful to say that a person who tastes food is in fact eating or

drinking.

(1) Taking a bath and pouring cold water over oneself, as well as

gargling to cool and moisten the mouth and tongue.

beginning of Islaam.

who is fasting is not exempted from this because the Siwaak is

highly recommended at all times without exception – in Ramadaan

and out of Ramadaan, before the sunrise and after it.

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(from the previous night) until after Fajr starts: It is authentically

reported that the time for Fajr would come in while the Prophet was

and Muslim]

(5) Kissing, embracing and fondling the wife, without having sexual

intercourse. This is unless the man fears for himself that he will fall

into the act of intercourse, for then he must avoid this. 'Aa'isha

and Muslim]

(6) Applicable medicines (such as creams or injections) that do not go to

(7) Using kohl (a black substance applied to the eyelids) and eye-drops

(8) Swallowing one’s saliva or its likes, which normally flow from the

authentic chain of narration]

fast. And delaying it until just before Fajr is more rewarding and more

blood, for even though it does not go to the stomach, it still serves as food and drink.

So fasting is not valid with it.

able to repel from inhaling, since Allaah will not hold a person accountable for

something that he has no control over.

16

with the Prophet, then he stood up for the prayer." I (Anas) said:

said: "The length of time it takes to recite fifty ayaat." [Reported by Al-

Bukhaaree]

these hadeeths are reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

Tirmidhee with a sound chain of narration]

studying the Qur’aan, and in sitting with the people of righteousness and

knowledge, as well as increasing in giving away charity for good causes

[Reported Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

upon, from their delaying of breaking the fast until the appearance of some stars. So

there is a testimony in this hadeeth that these people are not upon good. Therefore

my Muslim brother: Hold on to the Sunnah and do not be deceived by them!

17

Bukhaaree and Muslim]

recommended to do in it:

Muslim]

Bukhaaree and Muslim]

Bukhaaree and Muslim]

that 'Umar did it.

day, immediately after Salaat-ul-Fajr. This is because Al-Bukhaaree reported a

the morning of the thirtieth day. And he (Al-Bukhaaree) named this chapter: "The

18

One of the most important reasons why the last ten nights are so

honorable is because the night of Al-Qadr falls in it.

3] And He says:

Ad-Dukhaan: 3]

Qadr was the twenty-seventh night of Ramadaan and Allaah knows

best.

hands cupped together of an average-sized man. It is better for you to measure the

is to be done by scooping four handfuls with both hands and then weighing it. It is

19

The Sunnah is that it should be given in food, as was done during the

time of the Prophet . Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudree said: "During the time of

Then he (Abu Saeed) said: "Our food used to be: barley, raisins, dried

185]

approximately around two kilograms from the allotted portion give or take a little.

But giving a little more out of precaution is better.

committee that is in charge of distributing the Zakaat, a day or two before the Day of

'Eed.

hold that it is not permissible to give it in the form of its monetary worth in cash, but

rather it must be given in food as is stated in the Sunnah. This is the opinion that is

in conformity with the evidences, so adhere to it! And beware of views and

opinions, even if people beautify them. This does not mean that we cannot give

charity in cash to the poor, for we can – except for Sadaqat-ul-Fitr, for this is a

matter of worship. And there is wisdom in Allaah's commands, which our limited

minds cannot comprehend.

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which the people disperse. And it is from the Sunnah to return home

(also) fast six days in (the month of) Shawaal. The Prophet said:

Muslim] It is not a condition that the days be fasted consecutively.

There is nothing authentically reported concerning fasting on the first

day of (the month of) Rajab or the twenty-seventh day of Rajab.

There is nothing authentically reported concerning fasting in the middle

of Sha’baan.

months are weak, except for the month of Muharram, for there is an

authentic hadeeth about it. Look for it in the last section of this book.

fast in Ramadaan, but do not pray. Their example is like that of a people

who build a palace but destroy its surroundings.

'Eed Prayer, even the menstruating women. However, they (the menstruating

of) good and the invitation of the Muslims.

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Ramadaan, but then leave off praying after the month comes to an end.

So it is as if the Lord of Ramadaan is not the Lord of Shawaal or any of

the other months. May Allaah be far removed from false gods and

partners.

other times:

reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

Bukhaaree and Muslim]

The Prophet was asked about fasting on the Day of 'Arafah, so he said:

22

by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

and Muslim]

The Prophet did not observe fasting in any month more than in the

month of Sha’baan. [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

[Reported by At-Tirmidhee with an authentic chain]

are the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth day in every month. They are called

"white days" because their nights are lighted by the moon at the time of its

completed stage (i.e. when there is a full moon). From this, we can realize the

mistake of the general people in their applying the term "white" to the six

recommended days of fasting in Shawaal.

23

When the Prophet came to Madeenah, he found the Jews fasting on

Allaah rescued Moses and his people (from their enemy), and in which

Pharaoh and his people were drowned. So Moses fasted on this day out

that day and he ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day also).

[Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]

Muslim]

hand (a common hidden practice). This is since if it were allowed, the Prophet

would have advised the young men who are not able to get married to do it. And it

is not permissible to put off clarifying a matter at the time when a clarification is

needed, as is well known. What further confirms its prohibition is the generality of

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fasting in Ramadaan and other times: This is in order to warn against

Weak]

[Weak]

[Very Weak]

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of the month of Ramadaan

In order to complete the benefits of this treatise and considering what we

are being tested by in Egypt and other lands, such as the occurrence of

division at the start and end of fasting every year, we will present this

following section. So you can find that in one family, the members are

divided amongst themselves between those who are fasting and those

who are not, each of them claiming that they are following a specific

Fiqh opinion. But yet they forget or they are caused to forget that Ahlus-

Sunnah wal-Jamaah are the strictest of people in unifying the ranks. So

this differing in Fiqh amongst them should never result in their dividing

in this manner. Rather, they must follow the large body of Muslims,

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amongst whom they live – whether they are fasting or not fasting – even

if the majority of the people oppose them in the understanding of a Fiqh

issue. This is one of the principles of Ahlus-Sunnah, which is neglected

by many people who attribute themselves to knowledge, not to mention

the regular common people. This is because Ahlus-Sunnah wal-

Jamaa’ah consider differing to be a great evil.

Look at the example of ‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood . This man prayed

him: "Why did you not pray alone" meaning "why did you not shorten

your prayer in accordance with the Sunnah?" So he said to them:

"Differing is evil."

And look at Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah who gave a fatwa (religious

ruling) that whoever sees the crescent with his own eyes must follow the

– whether fasting or not – in order to unify the ranks and prevent

introduced, meaning it is proclaimed and announced out loud. And the

is sighted, yet not made known, the month has not begun. And there is

no distinguishing in this matter between the status of the one who is put

in charge of sighting the moon – whether he is correct or erroneous,

whether he tried hard or was lazy. So the responsibility is on him and if

he errs (in the sighting), then the error is on him only.

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202-206]

Since many people who go against this issue depend on the sighting of

Saudi Arabia most of the time, I will present to them the following fatwa

in order that they may know that the very own scholars of Saudi Arabia

have ruled in opposition to what they adhere to. Before you is the text:

Scientific Research and Rulings [Number 1657 in the year 8/29/1397]

of Ramadaan with the Muslim students in the United States and Canada

which results in the division of the Muslims into three groups:

1. One group fasts when the new moon is sighted in the country in which

they live.

2. Another group fasts when fasting starts in the kingdom of Saudi

Arabia.

3. And a third group begins fasting when they hear news from the

Muslim Student’s Union in the United States and Canada, which watches

for the new moon in different parts of America, and as soon as the new

moon is sighted in one city, they spread the news to different Islamic

centers so that the Muslims in America can start fasting on the same day

despite the great distances between the different cities.

Which group is the best to follow and to begin fasting when the sighting

and news is made?

Firstly: Variations in the rising points of the moon (i.e. it appears at

different times in different places) is something that is well known,

whether from observation or by intellect. None of the scholars differ in

this regard. However, differing amongst the Muslim scholars occurs

over whether this variation in rising points should be considered or not.

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Secondly: The issue of whether these variations in rising points should

be taken into consideration or not is from the speculative issues in which

there is room for Ijtihaad. Differing in this regard is permissible for

those who are competent in science and religion. This is from the

differing that is permissible; in which the one who has the correct

opinion will have two rewards – one reward for his Ijtihaad, and one for

being correct – while the one whose opinion is wrong will have one

reward – just for his Ijtihaad.

The scholars have differed on this issue resulting in two opinions. So

from them are those scholars who held that the variation in the rising

points of the moon was of significance, and other scholars who held that

it was not significant. Both groups use evidence from the Qur’aan and

Sunnah to support their opinions. And perhaps they both use the same

text as evidence, such as their both sharing in the use of the following

ayah as evidence:

The reason both groups use this (same) evidence is due to their

difference in their understanding of the text, as well as the approach each

group takes in their using it as a proof.

In view of the considerations that the (fatwa) body has regarded and

measured, and taking into consideration that differing in this issue does

not have effects from which we fear bad consequences – since fourteen

centuries have passed since the advent of Islaam, in which there was not

known that the entire Muslim ummah united upon one moon sighting,

the members of this committee of senior scholars hold that:

29

One should leave things the way they are and not cause provocation and

irritation to this issue. And we hold that each Muslim state has the right

to choose what it sees fit – through the guidance of its scholars – from

the two opinions, which have been mentioned for this issue, since each of

them has its proofs and evidences.

Thirdly: The committee has looked at the issue of confirming the new

moon through calculations, and what the Qur’aan and Sunnah say about

this, and they have studied the opinions of the scholars on this matter. So

to confirm new moons in religious issues. This is based on the Prophet’s

The Permanent Committee on Scientific Research and Rulings holds

that: the Muslim Student’s Union (or any other group representing the

Muslim community) in countries where the government is not Islamic

should take the place of the Islamic government with regard to the matter

of confirming the new moon for the people living in those non-Islamic

countries.

On the basis of what was stated in the second point, which was decided

upon by the Committee, this union has the right to choose which of the

two opinions they want to take – either to consider the variations in the

times of moonrise or to not consider that. Then they should inform all

the Muslims in their country what opinion they take, and they (the

Muslims) must follow what opinion they hold and what they announce to

the public, so as to unite the Muslims in their fasting and to put an end to

disputes and confusion. Everyone who lives in those lands should try to

sight the moon in the areas in which they reside. So if one or more

trustworthy people sight the moon, they should fast according to that and

tell the union to spread the news. This is for the beginning of Ramadaan.

As for the end of the month, there must be a confirmation from two

reliable witnesses for the sighting of the new moon for Shawaal, or thirty

30

days of Ramadaan must be completed. This is based on the Prophet’s

saying:

May Allaah send His peace and blessings on our Prophet, Muhammad,

his family and his Companions.

The Permanent Committee of Scientific Research and Rulings

‘Abdullaah Ibn Qa’ood – Member

‘Abdullaah Ibn Ghudyaan – Member

‘Abd-ur-Razzaaq’Afeefee – Assistant Head of the Committee

‘Abd-ul-‘Azeez Ibn ‘Abdillaah Ibn Baaz –Head of the Committee

This is the last of what Allaah enabled us to compile on the subject of

"Fasting and Its Rulings" and all praise is for Allaah, Lord of the worlds.

31

Ahlul-Qur'aan Wa Sunnah Association was established in the year 1998 in

the city of New York, USA and became officially registered in 1999. Our

first location was set up in the basement of an old building, which was used

as a masjid that held up to fifty people. Later, we moved the masjid to a

larger space consisting of two floors and which could a little more than a

hundred people. We are still situated in this location today.

We purchased a land the size of 3600 square feet on February 26, 1999 with

the intention of building a large Islamic center that would hold a masjid,

school and bookstore. We needed to take loans in order to ensure the land's

payment on time and thus we are currently in the process of raising money

to pay back these loans and start building the center.

The brothers who established and currently run Ahlul-Qur'aan wa Sunnah

Association adhere to the way of the Righteous Predecessors in Islam (i.e.

As-Salaf As-Saalih) with regard to Creed, Methodology, Understanding and

Manners. The AQSA board consists of the following committees:

1. The Majlis Ash-Shooraa (Governing Body) consists of four members who

are from the People of Knowledge that follow the Methodology of the Salaf

and who have received recommendation from the senior scholars. They

include: Shaikh Usaamah Al-Qoosee, Shaikh Dr. Muhammad Musa Nasr,

Shaikh 'Alee Al-Halabee and Shaikh Saleem Al-Hilaalee. The Majlis Ash-

Shooraa is responsible for:

necessity

2. The Executive Committee consists of several members within the

organization. Their duties include:

32

order to fulfill the Association's objectives

To spread the authentic knowledge based upon evidences from the Qur'aan

and Sunnah and the understanding of the Predecessors of this Ummah.

To connect the Muslims to the well-versed scholars as well as warn them

against the scholars of evil and the people of innovations and desires

To train and prepare callers to Allaah as well as provide them with what is

necessary for them to carry and spread the Call to truth

To invite and call non-Muslims to the correct Islam

By the Grace and Mercy of Allaah, Ahlul-Qur'aan Wa Sunnah Association

has accomplished several important goals in its short history. Below is a list

of some of our achievements:

Usaamah Al-Qoosee who stayed for a week in the beginning of February

2000 and Shaikh Muhammad Musa Nasr who stayed with us for a week at

the end of February 2000.

span of June 1999 to July 2000. Each conference was a great success, in

which we received an average of 500 attendees. We invited a wide range of

speakers from the overseas people of knowledge, such as Saleem Al-

Hilaalee, Muhammad Musa Nasr, Usaamah Al-Qoosee and 'Alee Al-

Halabee to local western speakers, such as Dawood Adib, Abu Usaamah

Adh-Dhahabee and Yahya Ibrahim. On July 2000, we held our first Islamic

Seminar (Ibn Taimiyyah Seminar), which lasted two weeks and which had

about 60 students. The subjects included were 'Creed, Qur'aan, Fiqh and

Hadeeth. We plan to have our next seminar, which will be called Imam Ibn

Al-Qayyim Seminar in July 2001.

material on Islam

33

as well as updates and changes to our site. We also send our newsletter Al-

Muntaqaa over the e-mail. As of December 2000, our subscriber list has

reached the number of 1150 members, all praise be to Allaah.

flyers and newsletters. We have printed two books so far including this

current one. The last one was printed late last year in 1999, and it was

four pages. We deliver it to the homes of all of our members who have

registered their addresses to us whether at one of our programs, through our

web site or through correspondence. Our mailing address database currently

holds over 1200 Muslim homes. Al-Muntaqaa is also produced in Arabic

bimonthly and distributed in the NY area.

have already taken great steps towards this with the start of our first

Islamic Seminar held in July 2000.

income for our association.

We urge every Muslim who is concerned about spreading the Da'wah of

Tawheed and the Methodology of the pious predecessors to assist us in

accomplishing our goals and objectives through your donations to this

mail them to: P.O. Box 300077, JFK Station, Jamaica, NY 11430.

34

Ramadaan 2000