In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious the Most Merciful. All Prayers and Blessing of Allah are upon our Prophet (PBUH), his households, his Companions, and all those who follow his Sunnah until the Day of Judgment.

Allah SWT, the Creator of time, has favoured, out of His absolute discretion, some times over others and some months and days over others throughout the Islamic year to be occasions of more active Ibadah (worship). During those occasions, rewards for good deeds are promised to be multiplied and sins be wiped out.

One of the most favoured days in the sight of Allah SWT in the whole year is the First ten days of Zulhijjah.

In Suratul al-Fajre, Allah SWT says:

“والفجر وليال عشر” (الآيتان 1 و 2)

“By the dawn and by the ten nights” (89: 1 and 2)

The Commentators of the Quran have agreed that the ten nights referred to in that Surah are the First ten days of Zulhijjah. The fact that Allah SWT is swearing by those ten days reflects the sacredness, honor, and greatness attached by Allah SWT to those days.

In Suratul al-Hajj Allah SWT says:

“ليشهدوا منافع لهم ويذكروا اسم الله في أيام معلومات على ما رزقهم من بهيمة الأنعام” (الآية: 28)

“That they may achieve some benefits for themselves and mention the name of Allah SWT in the appointed days, for the cattle that Allah SWT has provided for them to sacrifice” (22:28).

The Commentators of the Quran have interpreted those appointed days as the first ten days of Zulhijjah.

The Prophet (PBUH) has confirmed the sacredness of those blessed ten days in a Hadith Sahih narrated by Ibn Abbas, may Allah SWT be pleased with both of them, in Sunan Abu Dawood. He said:

“ما من أيام العمل الصالح فيها أحب إلى الله من هذه الأيام، يعني أيام العشر، قالوا يا رسول الله ولا الجهاد في سبيل الله؟ قال: ولا الجهاد في سبيل الله إلا رجل خرج بنفسه وماله فلم يرجع من ذلك بشئ.”

The Prophet (PBUH) said in that Hadith:

“There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah SWT than these ten days.” The Sahabah then asked the Prophet (PBUH), even more than Jihad for the cause of Allah SWT? He answered: “Even more than Jihad for the cause of Allah SWT, except for a man went out offering himself and his wealth for the cause of Allah SWT and end up sacrificing both of them”.

During those blessed ten days, Muslims combine almost all acts of worship to Allah SWT: prayers, fasting, offering Sadaqah (charity), and performing Hajj, a combination of collective worship that never occurs in any other time throughout the year.

The sacredness and blessing of those ten days are manifested by the fact that millions of Muslims assemble in those days in Makkah from all over the world to perform Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, which is obligatory at least once in the lifetime.

Those ten days include the Day of Arafa (the ninth of Zulhijjah), which is the best day of the whole year. On that day the Muslims who are performing Hajj stand in the valley of Arafat to fulfill the most essential part of Hajj (Standing in Arafat).

The Prophet (PBUH) said in Hadith Sahih narrated by Imam Ahmad and others:

“الحج عرفة”.

Which means the whole essence of Hajj is in the standing in Arafat.

They stand before Allah SWT in total and absolute equality wearing just two peaces of white cloth without any distinction between rich or poor, black or white, high position, or low position. All are just seeking the forgiveness and mercy of their Lord, Allah SWT.

The Prophet (PBUH) said in part of a Hadith narrated by Jaber, may Allah SWT be pleased with him, in Sahih Ibn Hiban:

“وما من يوم أفضل عند الله من يوم عرفه”.

“The Day of Arafah is the most favoured day to Allah SWT”.

On that great day, Allah SWT will save from Hellfire many of His slaves more than any other day.

In another Hadith in Sahih Muslim, narrated by our mother Aishah, the Prophet (PBUH) said:

“ما من يوم أكثر أن يعتق الله فيه عبدا من النار من يوم عرفه، وإنه ليدنوا ثم يباهي بهم الملائكة فيقول ما أراد هؤلاء؟”.

The Prophet (PBUH) said in that Hadith:

“There is no day in which Allah SWT will save more of His servants from Hellfire than the Day of Arafah. On that day Allah SWT will come close to Muslims who are standing in Arafat and be proud of them in front of the angles and say that those Muslims will get what they are seeking (Forgiveness, Mercy, and Pleasure of their Lord)”.

On that day one of the greatest Aiahs of Quran had been revealed in Suratul Ma’dah. This ayah has confirmed the perfection of the religion of Islam as a religion for all Mankind.

“اليوم أكملت لكم دينكم وأتممت عليكم نعمتي ورضيت لكم الإسلام دينا” (المائدة: 3).

“On this day I have perfected your religion and completed my favor upon you and accepted Islam as your religion” (5:3).

For all the virtues of the Day of Arafah, the fasting of that blessed day has been highly recommended for Muslims, but not for those who are performing Hajj. A great reward of forgiveness from Allah SWT is promised for the Muslims who will fast that blessed day. This is a gift that Allah SWT has reserved for the Muslims who would not perform Hajj in a particular year.

The Prophet (PBUH) said in a Hadith narrated by Abu Qatadah in Sahih Muslim:

“صيام يوم عرفة أحتسب على الله أن يكفر السنة التي قبله والسنة التي بعده”.

The Prophet (PBUH) said in that Hadith:

“The fasting of the Day of Arafah is promised to grant forgiveness for the sins of the year before it and the year after it”.

The sacred First ten days of Zulhijjah also include the Day of Nahre (slaughter of Udhiyah “Qurbani”), which occurs on the tenth of that blessed month. It is the first day of Eidul-Adha, which with Eidul-Fitre constitutes the two annual Eids in Islam. However, Eidul-Adah is much greater, as it witnesses more essential rites of Ibadah, in particular by Muslims who perform Hajj.

On that great day Muslims who are performing Hajj conclude the major part of their Hajj rites by doing the first act of throwing the pebbles (Jamarat), slaughtering Udhiyah (Qurbani), shaving or cutting hair, performing Tawaful-Ifadah around Ka’bah. After fulfilling those rites, the restrictions of Ihram for Hajj will come to an end. Then the Muslims have to return back to the valley of Mena to complete the second and the third day of throwing the pebbles.

Muslims who don’t perform Hajj celebrate that day first by performing Eid prayer and then slaughtering their Udhiyah (Qurbani). It is worth mentioning that it is prohibited for Muslims to fast the first day of Eidul-Adha (Day of Nahre) and the following three days, which are called “Days of Tashreeq”. These are days for Muslims to celebrate, visiting each other and reconnecting with their families and friends.

However, Muslims who are performing Hajj are allowed to fast the Days of Tashreeq (11-13 of Zulhijjah) if they don’t have the financial ability to offer Udhiyah and have to rush into leaving to their countries. They need to fast a total of ten days, three days in Makkah and then seven days back in their countries.

Keeping in mind all the above-mentioned virtues of the first ten days of Zulhijjah, Muslims are recommended to seize the opportunity of those sacred days to be more active in Ibadah and perform as much righteous deeds as they can. That could include prayers (more often Jamaa in Masjid), fasting during the first nine days, in particular the Day of Arafah, offering charity, reconnecting with their parents, relatives, Muslim brothers, neighbors, and showing kindness to them.

Moreover, Muslims who feel that they have deviated from Allah’s right path, also need to rush into declaring their repentance to their Lord, Allah SWT, in particular during those blessed days. Sincere repentance means to have the firm determination to stop immediately the sins that are committed and showing regret and sincere intention not to commit such sins again.

We pray to Allah SWT to grant us enough energy that would help us to be more active in our Ibadah and to bestow His Forgiveness, Mercy, Grace, and Blessing upon us, our families, and the whole Muslim Ummah. We also pray to our Creator, Allah SWT, to accept the righteous deeds that we make during those blessed ten days, Ameen!

Sayed Abutaleb

Imam of Masjid Fatima, Woodside , NY

In the name of Allah SWT, the Most Gracious the Most Merciful, let all Peace and Blessings of Allah SWT be upon our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, his family, his Companions and all those who will follow his Sunnah until the Day of Judgment.

There are some issues about fasting that many Muslims are confused about and don’t know whether they would invalidate their fasting or no. Those issues have been explained as follows.

1- Taking a blood sample for a blood test is usually a small amount that would not weaken the Muslim or affect his fasting. However, donating a big amount of blood one day, for someone in case of emergency, could allow the Muslim to break his fast if he would feel weakened and unable to fast. In this case, the Muslim has to make up for that day later on.

2- All kinds of injections used for treatment, not for nutrition, including colon cleansing, would not invalidate the fasting. On the other hand, the injections that are used for feeding, as an alternative to food and drink, would spoil fasting. Generally, such feeding injection is used during sickness which is mostly an excuse for breaking fasting.

The Muslims who will get feeding injection could break the fast and make up later on for the missed day or days. However, if the feeding injection is used in cases of chronic or permanent illnesses, the Muslim would not have to fast, instead, he could offer only Fidyah (ransom) by feeding a needy person for each missed day.

3- Asthma inhaler medications would not invalidate fasting. Those medications are inhaled usually to provide relief from the asthma attacks, which normally make breathing very hard. Therefore, those medications are allowed during fasting because they involve no feeding.

4- Little bleeding, like nose or teeth bleeding, will not spoil fasting. However, bleeding a large amount of blood, as a result of an accident, temporary illnesses or other reasons could be an excuse for the Muslim to break the fast, but will have to make up for the missed day or days later on.

5- The Muslim can use eye drops and ear drops during fasting. They don’t enter into the stomach and accordingly, they would not spoil fasting.

6- The use of nose drops is not permitted during fasting, because they could seep from the nose into the stomach and, as such, would spoil fasting. However, in case of severe nose congestion, the Muslim could use those drops during fasting to clear his nose. In such a case, the Muslim should make sure that the drops would not seep into the stomach.

7- The stomach diagnosis through the process of Endoscopy does not invalidate fasting. This process is done by inserting a tubular flexible instrument, equipped with a camera at its end, into the stomach through the mouth to visualize the interior of that organ and determine whether there’re any disorders or abnormalities that need treatment. Accordingly, this process would not affect the fasting, as it doesn’t involve any feeding.

8- Using suppositories that are inserted into the rectum for treatment wouldn’t invalidate fasting, as they don’t involve any feeding.

9- Throwing up during fasting is excused for the Muslim, as long as it is not done intentionally.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a Hadith sahih narrated by Attirmizi and others:

من ذرعه القئ وهو صائم فليس عليه قضاء، ومن استقاء فعلية القضاء.

Whoever throws up unintentionally while fasting, his fasting is not affected and would not have to make up for that day, but whoever does it intentionally his fasting is invalidated and has to make up for that day.

10-.Cleaning the teeth by a dentist is not allowed during fasting, because a lot of water is used during that process and certainly some of it would enter into the stomach. Also, extracting one tooth or more will involve a lot of bleeding and pain and accordingly, is not allowed during fasting. In case of emergency, the Muslim could break his fast on the day of the extraction and make up for it later on.

However, the Muslim is allowed to brush his teeth, but care has to be taken to prevent the toothpaste or water from going into the stomach.

11- The Muslim who will pass out or enter into a coma temporarily during fasting, even several times, could continue his fasting in this case. However, if the Muslim, after starting fasting, enters into a coma that continues the whole duration of the day or more, his fasting would be invalidated. After recovery, he has to make up, later on, for the day or days on which the coma continued.

12- If a wet dream happens during fasting, it would not spoil it, and the Muslim could continue the fasting.

13- If the Muslim gets up in the month of Ramadan after Fajre (dawn) Junub (impure and needs to perform Ghusle) fasting would not be affected. However, the Muslim has to make Ghusle as soon as possible to perform the Salah.

Our mother A’shah said in a Hadith narrated in Sahih Muslim:

كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يدركه الفجر في رمضان وهو جنب، من غير حُلُم، ثم يغتسل ويصوم.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used, sometimes, to get up in Ramadan after Fajre, Junub (impure), but not from a wet dream, then perform gusle and continue fasting.

14- The Muslim could eat in the meal of Suhur (dawn meal) until the start of Azan of Fajre prayer. Some calendars set the abstinence of eating for Suhur at about five minutes before the Azan. The Muslim doesn’t have to be tied by such time for stopping eating. That time is just meant to alert the Muslim that the time to finish eating has become close. Therefore, if the Muslim has not finished eating by that time, he could continue his meal, but has to stop eating at the start of the Azan.

On the other hand, it is recommended to eat the meal of Suhur and delay it as much as possible.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a Hadith narrated by Bukhari:

تسحروا فإن في السحور بركة.

Eat the meal of Suhur as there’re blessings in eating that meal.

Getting up to eat that meal would involve many blessings, as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم pointed out. The most prominent blessing of the Suhure meal is that it enables the Muslim to catch that blessed early time and get the Grace and Mercy of Allah SWT. It also provides the Muslim with the energy that would help him in performing Fajre prayer in time.

On the other hand, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to delay the meal of Suhur and make it close to Fajre prayer. Therefore, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم recommended the Muslims to follow that Sunnah that will help them maintain the fasting easily during the day.

15- If the fasting Muslim would forget and eat or drink during the day, the fasting will not be invalidated.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a Hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim:

من نسي وهو صائم فأكل أو شرب فليتم صومه، فإنما أطعمه الله وسقاه.

If the Muslim would forget and eat or drink while fasting, he could continue his fast, Allah SWT has provided that food and drink for him.

16- Tasting the food during cooking, while fasting, just to check it, is allowed if there’s a need to do so. However, the Muslim has to make sure that nothing of the tasted food would be swallowed.

17- During very hot days, if the fasting Muslim would be affected by high hot weather and, as a relief, would pour water over his head or take shower for refreshment, the fasting would not be invalidated. The same would apply if the Muslim rinses his mouth with water several times because of dryness in the mouth on hot weather days. In those cases, the Muslim has to be careful and prevent any water from seeping into the stomach.

18- When the Muslim is fasting and traveling by airplane from one country to another or one place to another, in which the time is different, he can’t break his fasting, while in the airplane, as long as the sun is rising.

The Muslim is tied during fasting by the place in which he is performing his fast, even in the air, as in the case of traveling by airplane. Breaking the fasting, in this case, has to be done after sunset, even if he’ll fast additional or less hours, as long as he is passing by a place where night and day are alternating over 24 hours.

Allah SWT says in Surat Al-Baqarah:

ثم أتموا الصيام إلى الليل (الآية 187)

Stay fasting until the nightfall (2-187).

It is well known that the nightfall starts right after sunset.

19- In some situations, the moon of the month of Ramadan may be seen in the country of the Muslim or another country where he is staying, and he starts fasting. Then he travels later to another country in which the month of Ramadan had started one day before or one day after. In such case, if he would stay in that country until the end of the month of Ramadan, he would be tied by the fasting of the Muslims of that country and has to break his fasting with them, even if he may fast one day more or one day less.

However, the Muslim should fast at least 29 days, because the month in the Islamic calendar has to be 29 or 30 days. Seeing the moon of the month of Shawwal in a county after 28 days from the start of the month of Ramadan would mean that the Muslims of that country had started the month of Ramadan wrongfully one day later. Accordingly, those Muslims have to make up for that day later on, but not on the Eid day (first day of Shawwal) because that day is prohibited for fasting.

20- The Muslim could be living in a country where the duration of the day and night will be more than 24 hours, as the case in Scandinavian countries. In such case the Muslim has to estimate the length of the day according to the nearest place to him, where the duration of day and night is normal, to determine the length of his fasting time.

We pray to Allah SWT to bestow upon us the knowledge that would benefit us and others. Ameen!

Written by Sayed Abutaleb

Imam of Masjid Fatima, Woodside, NY

(s.abutaleb47@gmail.com)

(بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ)

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious the most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah SWT. Let Allah’s Peace and Blessing be upon His Messenger along with his family, his Companions, and those who will follow his Sunnah until the Day of Judgment.

Some Muslims may go through some hardships or difficulties that would make the fasting a real challenge for them. Therefore, Allah SWT has given such Muslims the facility that allows them not to fast during the blessed month of Ramadan.

Allah SWT says in Surat Al-Baqarah:

يريد الله بكم اليسر ولا يريد بكم العسر (الآية 185)

Allah SWT intends for you ease not hardship (2-185).

In Surat Alhajj, Allah SWT also says:

وما جعل عليكم في الدين من حرج (الآية  78)

Allah SWT has not meant for you any hardship in the matter of religion (17-78)

Those excuses that could allow Muslims not to fast during the blessed month of Ramadan are as follows.

1- Old age

Muslims with old age don’t have to fast the month of Ramadan if they feel unable to do so.

Allah SWT says in Surat Al-Baqarah:

لا يكلف الله نفسا إلا وسعها (الآية 286)

Allah SWT does not task any soul beyond its capacity (2-286).

Instead of fasting, Muslims with old age could offer a Fidayah (ransom). They can feed a needy person for each day they would not fast.

Allah SWT says in Surat Al-Baqarah:

وعلى الذين يطيقونه فدية طعام مسكين (الآية 184)

Those who find difficulty in fasting could offer instead a Fidyah by feeding a needy person (2- 184)

To offer the Fidyah, they have the option of giving dry food like rice, in the amount of one kilogram and a half (about three and a half pounds), or providing one meal for each needy person, to make up for each missed day. This can be offered at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of the month of Ramadan.

2- Chronic or permanent illness

Muslims could be inflicted with a chronic or permanent illness, disease, or any kind of impairment, with no hope for recovery. In this case, those Muslims are excused from fasting the month of Ramadan.

In such a case, a Fidayah has to be offered, as in the case of the Muslims with old age.

3- Temporary sickness

Muslims who feel unable to fast due to sickness for a period of time, short or long, they could be excused from fasting the month of Ramadan during that period. However, after recovery, those Muslims have to make up for the missed days, either separately or consecutively, after Ramadan.

Allah SWT says in Surat Alabaqrah:

أياما معدودات، فمن كان منكم مريضا أو على سفر فعدة من أيام أخر (الآية 184)

You have to fast a fixed number of days. But whoever among you would be sick or on a journey, the missed days (from fasting) have to be fasted on other days (2-184).

Those days have to be fasted before the following Ramadan if the Muslim has already recovered by that time. Failing to do so some scholars said that a Fidyah has to be offered, over and above the fasting the missed days.

In the case of temporary illnesses, there could be three cases.

The first case, when fasting would not cause any kind of hardship or harm. In this case, the Muslim has to fast, because sickness could not be an excuse.

The second case, if fasting would cause some kind of hardship or harm to the sick Muslim. In this case, it would be makrooh (disliked) for the Muslim to fast. However, the Muslim has to make up for the missed days after Ramadan.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a Hadith Sahih narrated by Imam Ahmad:

إن الله يحب أن تؤخذ رخصه كما يكره أن تؤتي معصيته.

Allah SWT would like that His facilities to be used and benefited from, the same as He dislikes being disobeyed.

The third case, if fasting would hurt the Muslim during sickness or delay recovery. Fasting, in this case, would not be permitted.

Allah SWT said in Surat Al-Baqarah:

ولا تلقوا بأيديكم إلى التهلكة (الآية 195)

Don’t lead yourselves into destruction (2-195).

In Surat Annisa Allah SWT says:

ولا تقتلوا أنفسكم إن الله كان بكم رحيما (الآية 29)

Don’t kill yourselves, indeed Allah SWT is so Merciful towards you. (4-29)

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a Hadith Sahih narrated by Imam Ahmad and others:

لا ضرر ولا ضرار.

No causing of harm and no reciprocation of harm.

4- The traveler

In general, it is allowed for the Muslim, when traveling, not to fast during the month of Ramadan. The distance of traveling should be at least 48 miles (86 kilometers), for this facility to be granted.

In the case of traveling, the general rule is that, for Muslim travelers to benefit from the facility of non-fasting, his stay during travel should be less than four days. If the Muslim reaches his destination and stay there for more than four days, he is not permitted to break his fasting.

However, when Muslims are traveling, there would be three cases.

The first case is when the traveling would cause an unbearable severe hardship. In this case, fasting would not be permitted for the Muslim (the same as in case of severe sickness mentioned above).

During the conquest of Makkah in the month of Ramadan, some of the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had complained that fasting was causing some hardship for them. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم asked for a cup of water and drank it before them as an indication that they are permitted to break their fasting.

Later on, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was told that some Companions were still fasting. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then said:

أولئك العصاة، أولئك العصاة.

These are the disobedients, these are the disobedients!

The second case is when traveling would cause a slight hardship. In this case, fasting is Makrooh (disliked) and it is recommended for the Muslim not to fast.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was once traveling, he then saw a man surrounded by people trying to give him a shelter from the heat of the sun. When he inquired about the reason he was told that the man was fasting. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a Hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari:

ليس من البر الصوم في السفر.

It is not a righteous act to fast during traveling.

In another Hadith Sahih narrated by Annasa’i the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم added:

وعليكم برخصة الله التي رخًّص لكم فاقبلوها.

Seize the facility that Allah SWT has granted you and accept it.

The third case, when traveling would not cause any kind of hardship. In this case, the Muslim has the option of fasting or non-fasting.

One of the Companions asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about fasting during traveling. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered by saying in Hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari:

إن شئت فصم وإن شئت فافطر.

You have the option of fasting or non-fasting.

In another Hadith narrated by Muslim, the same Companion said to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم “I have the ability to fast in travel, do I commit any sin by doing so? The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered:

هي رخصة من الله فمن أخذ بها فحسن، ومن أحب أن يصوم فلا جناح عليه.

It is a facility offered by Allah SWT, whoever will accept it, this would be good for him and whoever would like to fast, there will be no blame on him.

However, the majority of the scholars consider that, if traveling is not causing any difficulty or harm, it is preferable for the Muslim to fast. The scholars Ibnotheimeen explained the reasons as follows:

1- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was seen fasting in a hot day during traveling.

2- This will enable the Muslim to fulfill the duty of fasting once and for all.

3- It would be easier to fast while people are fasting around the Muslim.

4- Attaining the virtue of fasting in the blessed month of Ramadan.

The Muslims who will be in permanent travel, like drivers of trucks moving non-stop from one place to another, could benefit themselves from the facility granted by Allah SWT and not fast during the month of Ramadan. However, later on, when they are not traveling, they have to fast and make up for the missed days before the coming of the following Ramadan, either separately or in a consecutive way.

5- Women in menstruation and childbirth bleeding

Women are permitted not to fast during the days of monthly period or childbirth bleeding. It is not permitted for them to fast such days and if they do, it would not be accepted.

However, they have to fast the missed days later on, either separately or in a consecutive way, before the start of the following Ramadan.

Our mother Aishah said in a Hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari:

كنا نحيض على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فنؤمر بقضاء الصوم ولا نؤمر بقضاء الصلاة.

During the time of the Messenger of Allah, we used to be in menstruation and were ordered to make up for non-fasting but not for non-praying.

The Hadith means that the same applies to the childbirth bleeding.

6- Pregnant and nursing women

The Muslim women who are pregnant or breast-feeding a child are permitted not to fast if fasting will cause hardship, harm them, or harm the child. However, they have to make up for the missed days.

In the case of the nursing woman, if she would fear for herself or her child, Imam Malek said that she has to offer Fidyah in addition to fasting the missed days. He explained that in such case the nursing mother could fast by hiring another nursing woman to feed the child.

We pray to Allah SWT to bestow upon us the right knowledge that would benefit us and others, Ameen.

Written by Sayed Abutaleb, Imam of Masjid Fatima

(s.abutaleb47@gmail.com)

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله وعلى آله وصحبه وعلى كل من اتبع سنته واهتدى بهديه إلى يوم الدين.

No doubt that the Covid19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has caused a great deal of fear, sadness, and distress in different parts of the world. So far about 2.5 million people have been infected and more than 180,000 people have lost their lives.

As a result of the lockdowns enforced in the majority of the cities in the world, mostly all businesses have been shut down and many people have lost their livelihoods and stay now with no source of income. Even for the first time in our memory, we have seen the Masajids closed.

It is evidently a plight that has afflicted the whole world and so far its consequences are being felt day after day.

However, what we, Muslims, should do in such a calamity?

First of all, as believers in Allah SWT, we shouldn’t show any kind of discontent towards that plight or towards what may have happened to us as a result of it. The fact of the matter is that this plight has been decreed by Allah SWT and, as believers, we are certain that nothing happens in this world except by the will of Allah SWT. This will make it quite enough for us to accept that test and strive hard to pass it successfully. All what Allah SWT would decide for us is made out of wisdom and justice.

Moreover, in fact, real believers emerge as winners in all situations.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has said in a hadith narrated in Sahih Muslim:

عجبا لأمر المؤمن إن أمره كله له خير، وليس ذلك لأحد إلا المؤمن، إن أصابته سراء شكر فكان خيرا له، وإن أصابته ضراء صبر فكان خيرا له.

The reaction of the real believer in different situations is really impressive and this characteristic is exclusive to him. The believer when blessed by a good fortune he’ll show his gratitude to Allah SWT and this will be good for him. Even when he’s inflected by misfortune he’ll show patience and this will be good for him too.

The real believers should look at all the decrees of Allah SWT by the end-results of those decrees, not by their outward appearance. Many decrees by Allah SWT may look, in the eyes of people at the beginning, as evil but at the end, they turn out to be a blessing from Allah SWT.

Allah SWT. says in the Quran:

وعسى أن تكرهوا شيئا وهو خير لكم وعسى أن تحبوا شيئا وهو شر لكم، والله يعلم وأنتم لا تعلمون.

You may dislike a thing and then it turns out to be good for you and you may like a thing and then it turns out to be bad for you. Allah SWT knows and you know not. (Al-Baqarah: 2-216)

When we look around us now, we’ll find most people in this world are completely headless about their Creator Allah SWT and about the purpose of their creation, which is to worship Him. They are totally obsessed with the worldly gains around them. They are unaware that there is a day in front of them on which they’ll be fully accountable, before their Creator, for all what they do in this worldly life.

Moreover, as a result of the vast advances in ٍٍScience and Technology, most people think that they’ve become in full control of that world, totally overlooking the fact that this whole world is owned by Allah SWT, the Creator of the whole universe, not only this little tiny earth on which they live. This earth, compared to the whole universe, is nothing but a little piece of sand in a huge vast desert.

Allah SWT says in the Quran:

حتى إذا أخذت الأرض زخرفها وازينت وظن أهلها أنهم قادرون عليها أتاها أمرنا ليلا أو نهارا فجعلناها حصيدا كأن لم تغن بالأمس، كذلك نفصل الآيات لقوم يتفكرون.

When the earth will look in its full ornaments and people will think that they are in full control of it, then the commandment of Allah SWT will come to pass for it by night or by day and He SWT will make it as a harvested land as if it never has flourished before, thus Allah SWT explains His signs for people who give thought. (Yunus: 10-24)

At this moment, when we look around us, for example, in the city of New York, where we live, everything around us is closed. The people of the city used to boast that it is a city that never sleeps. However, it looks now as “never flourished before”, which confirms the description mentioned in the previous Aiah.

Therefore, we can safely say that the plight of Covid19 is just a wake-up call from Allah SWT, the Creator of this world, to the people on this earth, just to awaken them to the fact that they are completely helpless before Allah SWT, and they should return back to their Creator and fulfill their duty towards Him.

We’ve seen some signs that some people have been awakened by this calamity and become certain that they are in dire need to Allah SWT, their Creator. People in some cities have been, by some videos, shown in streets stretching their hands to heaven, declaring their total helplessness and seeking the succor and help from above.

In a health crisis like this the real believers should, after taking the necessary precautions, put their total trust in their Creator Allah SWT, who is the only source of mercy and recovery. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad:

واعلم أن ما أخطأك لم يكن ليصيبك وما أصابك لم يكن ليخطئك، واعلم أن النصر مع الصبر، وأن الفرج مع الكرب، وأن مع العسر يسرا.

Be certain that what has missed you wouldn’t have happened to you and what has happened to you wouldn’t have missed you. Be certain also that the succor or help from Allah SWT comes after showing patience and there’ll be a relief in times of distress and ease in a time of hardship.

How beautiful are those words that give the believers full comfort and encourage them to submit their total will to that of Allah SWT, their Creator, and be rest assured that with distress or calamity there’ll be relief and easiness from Allah SWT.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a hadith narrated by Bukhari:

ما أنزل الله من داء إلا أنزل الله الشفاء

Allah SWT has never created an illness except after creating a remedy for it.

In another Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad and Tabarani, the Prophet(صلى الله عليه وسلم:) said

ما أنزل الله عز وجل من داء إلا أنزل له دواء علمه من علمه أو جهله من جهله.

Allah SWT, the totally glorified, has never created an illness except after creating a remedy for it, which some will know and others will not.

The conclusion from those two hadiths is that the believers if inflicted with the Coronavirus, should put their total trust in Allah SWT and know that InshaAllah they’ll get rid of that illness by the help of their Creator.

It’s well known that the recovery from Coronavirus is totally dependent upon the strength of the immune system because, so far, there’s no treatment for that plague. The modern science, according to some studies conducted by non-Muslims, has proved that the more faith the people will have in their heart the much stronger will be their immunity. Therefore, the immunity of the believers is really solid and with the help of Allah SWT, they’ll be able to overcome that disease.

Even in the worst scenario, if the believer will lose his life as a result of that disease he’ll have InshaAllah the reward of the Shahid.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim:

الطاعون شهادة لكل مسلم.

If a Muslim will die as a result of Ta’oon (epidemic) he’ll have the reward of Shahid.

On the other hand, Covid19 pandemic has proved the truthfulness of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم who has recommended, more than fourteen hundred years ago, to apply the quarantine when an epidemic would afflict a place.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a hadith narrated by Bukhari:

إذا سمعتم بالطاعون بأرض فلا تدخلوها وإن وقع بأرض وأنتم فيها فلا تخرجوا منها.

When you hear that Ta’oon has occurred in an area don’t enter into that area and when it occurs in an area while you’re there don’t go out of it.

That is exactly what has been applied in different parts of the world to prevent the spread of Covid19. The cities, where it has happened, have been closed and people inflicted with the virus have been quarantined and isolated.

Day after day, Allah S. has been proving to the non-Muslims that Islam is the right religion for people of the world.

Allah SWT says in Quran:

سنريهم آياتنا في الآفاق وفي أنفسهم حتى يتبين لهم أنه الحق.

We’ll let them witness our sings in all places around them and in their own selves so that it’ll become manifest for them that Islam is the right religion for them. (Fussilat: 41-53).

Moreover, Alhamdullilah, the believers, in the face of that plague, have their own defensive tools that’ll help them in that crisis.

First, after taking the proper precautions, they put their total trust in Allah SWT. This InshaAllah will bring His succor and help.

Secondly, making supplication and Dua to Allah SWT and He SWT has assured the believers of His response.

Thirdly, reciting Muawizat (the protecting suras), suras of al-Ikhals, al-Falaq, and Annas three times every day by night before going to bed, then wipe the whole body with hands. This will InshaAllah ensure total protection for the believers, as promised by our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم .

We, as believers, put our total trust in Allah SWT and raise our hands to Him seeking His succor and help in that crisis and asking Him to give full and speedy recovery to our brothers who have been afflicted by that disease. We humbly ask our Lord to relieve us from that crisis soon InsahAllah.

وآخر دعوانا أن الحمد لله رب العالمين.

Written by Sayed Abutaleb (Imam Masjid Fatima)

The blessed month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. No doubt that the month of Ramadan is the most blessed month of the whole year. It is the only month mentioned by name by Allah SWT in the Quran.

Allah SWT has favored that blessed month with great virtues and blessings detailed as follows.

1- Revelation of the Quran

Allah SWT has chosen the month of Ramadan to be the month that had witnessed the revelation of the Quran, the last perfected Divine Book decreed to all Mankind.

Allah SWT says in the Quran:

شهر رمضان الذي أُنزل فيه القرآن هدى للناس وبيِّنات من الهدى والفرقان (البقرة- 185)

The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran has been revealed as guidance for people, with clear proofs of guidance and criterion (between right and wrong) (Albaqrah: 2-186).

Quran had been revealed as a whole during the month of Ramadan, on Lailatul Qadre, from the Preserved Tablet (Allouh Almahfuz) to the nearest heaven to the earth. It was revealed gradually afterward by the angle Jibreal to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم over twenty-three years, thirteen years in Makkah, and ten years in Madinah.

The reason for revealing Quran step by step to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was to provide, in some cases, the necessary guidelines to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and his Companions (Sahabah) concerning some events.

Allah SWT said in the Quran:

وقال الذين كفروا لولا نُزِّل عليه القرآن جملة واحدة، كذلك لنثبت به فؤادك ورتلناه ترتيلا (الفرقان: 32).

Those who disbelieve say why the Quran has not been revealed to him (the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ) all at once? The reason is that We purposed to strengthen your heart thereby, so We have revealed it in stages.

2- Revelation of other Divine Books

The blessed month of Ramadan had witnessed not only the revelation of the Quran but also the other Divine Books sent to the messengers who came before our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in hadith narrated by Tabarani and Bayhaqi:

أُنزلت صحف إبراهيم في أول ليلة من شهر رمضان، وأنزلت التوراة لست مضين من رمضان، وأنزل الإنجيل لثلاث عشرة مضت من رمضان، وأنزل الزبور لثماني عشرة خلت من رمضان، وأنزل القرآن لأربع وعشرين خلت من رمضان.

The scriptures of Ibrahim (Ibraham) were revealed on the first night of Ramadan, the Torah was revealed on the sixth day of Ramadan, Ingil (Gospel) was revealed on the thirteenth of Ramadan, Zabour (psalm) was revealed on the eighteenth of Ramadan and Quran was revealed on the twenty-fourth of Ramadan.

3- Fasting

Based on the great honor and virtue ascribed by Allah SWT to the month of Ramadan, it has been decreed by Allah SWT to be the month of obligatory fasting in Islam. Fasting of the month of Ramadan is the Fourth pillar of Islam.

Allah SWT says in the Quran:

فمن شهد منكم الشهر فليصمه (البقرة: 186)

Whoever will witness the month of Ramadan he has to fast it (Albaqrah: 2-186).

When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was asked about the definition of Islam by the angle Jibreel in the famous hadith that is called Hadith Jibreel, he answered:

أن تشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله، وتقيم الصلاة، وتؤتي الزكاة، وتصوم رمضان، وتحج البيت إن استطعت إليه سبيلا.

Bearing witness that there is no God but Allah SWT and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah SWT, the establishment of prayers, paying Zakah, fasting the month of Ramadan, and performing Hajj if the necessary means are available.

4- Lailatul Qadre

In the month of Ramadan, Allah SWT has appointed the night of Lailatul Qadre, the most blessed night in the whole year. Allah SWT has decreed that the worship of Lailatul Qadre is better than the worship of one thousand months (eighty-three years and three months).

As mentioned above Lailatul Qadre has been made sacred by Allah SWT as the night on which Quran has been revealed as a whole from the Preserved Tablet to the nearest heaven to the earth.

Allah SWT says in the Quran:

إنا أنزلناه في ليلة القدر، وما أدراك ما ليلة القدر، ليلة القدر خير من ألف شهر (القدر:1-3)

We have revealed it (Quran) on Lailatul Qadre and how would you know what Lailatul Qadre is, Lailatul Qadre is better than a thousand months. (Alqadre: 1-3)

During that blessed night, each year, Allah SWT ordains all the events that will happen in the following year and all the people’s affairs for that year.

Allah SWT says in the Quran:

إنا أنزلناه في ليلة مباركة، إنا كنا منذرين، فيها يفرق كل أمر حكيم (الدخان: 3و4)

We have revealed it (Quran) on a blessed night (Lailatul Qadre), so as to warn (Mankind). During that night all matters of ordainment are decreed.

The blessed night of Lailatul Qadre is a night of mercy and forgiveness.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in a hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim:

من قام ليلة القدر إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه.

Whoever will observe the worship of Allah SWT during Lailatul Qadre, believing in Allah SWT and hoping for His reward will have his previous sins forgiven.

5- The last ten nights of Ramadan

Allah SWT has ascribed great value to the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. They are the best ten nights in the whole year and no wonder as Lailatul Qadre is hidden in those blessed nights.

Muslims are highly recommended to exert their utmost endeavors in performing worship during the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan as a confirmed Sunnah by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم .

In hadith narrated in Sahih Muslim our mother Aishah said:

كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يجتهد في العشر الأواخر من رمضان ما لا يجتهد في غيرها.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to perform more acts of worship in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan than any other time during the year.

In another hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim, she said:

كان إذا دخل العشر أحيا الليل وأيقظ أهله وشد مئزره.

When the last ten nights of Ramadan start the Prophetصلى الله عليه وسلم used to stand in prayer all night, awaken his wives and get ready for performing the acts of worship.

One of the reasons for the virtue ascribed to those ten nights is the fact that Lailatul Qadre is pursued during them.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in hadith narrated by Bukhari:

تحروا ليلة القدر في الوتر من العشر الأواخر.

Try to spot Lailatul Qadre during the nights of the odd days in the last ten nights (of the month of Ramadan).

As a sign of seriousness in worshiping Allah SWT, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to make I’tkaf during those last ten nights. Hence, Muslims are recommended to follow suit and make I’tkaf during those nights. This InshaAllah will allow them the opportunity to get the blessing of successfully spotting Lailatul Qadre.

6- Omrah in Ramadan equals Hajj

One of the other virtues of the blessed month of Ramadan is that Allah SWT has made performing Omrah during that respected month will equal performing Hajj. Accordingly, we see thousands of Muslims travel to Makkah during that blessed month to perform Omrah.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has advised a Muslim woman to perform Omrah in the month of Ramadan saying to her as narrated by Bukhari and Muslim:

فإذا كان رمضان اعتمري فيه، فإن عمرة فيه تعدل حجة.

When the month of Ramadan comes make Omrah in that month as Omrah in it equals Hajj.

The scholars has explained the phrase “equals Hajj” by saying that Omrah during the month of Ramadan will equal Hajj just in reward. However, the Muslim will still have to perform Hajj if he or she has the necessary means, as a fulfillment of the duty to perform that pillar of Islam.

7- Opening the gates of Jannah and closing the gates of Hellfire

 Allah SWT, by His Grace and Mercy, will let the gates of Jannah opened and the gates of Hellfire closed at the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan. As an added favor Allah SWT also will have the devils chained during that month.

This kind of Goodness of Allah SWT is metaphorical to opening the gates of Mercy and Forgiveness for Muslims and shutting down the gates of sins and errors in front of them during the blessed month of Ramadan.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim:

إذا جاء رمضان فُتحت أبواب الجنة وغُلقت أبواب النار وصفدت الشياطين.

At the start of the month of Ramadan, the gates of Jannah will be opened and the gates of Hellfire will be closed and the devils will be chained.

8- Deliverance from Hellfire and responding to supplications

The virtuous month of Ramadan is the time for deliverance from Hellfire and answering the supplications of Muslims.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم confirmed that virtue in a hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad. He said:

إن لله عتقاء في كل يوم وليلة، لكل عبد منهم دعوة مستجابة.

On each day and night (of the month of Ramadan) Allah SWT will deliver some Muslims from Hellfire and each one of them will have a specific supplication to which Allah SWT will respond.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said in another hadith narrated by Bayhaqi:

للصائم عند فطره دعوة لا ترد.

Each Muslim will have when breaking his fasting, a specific supplication to which Allah SWT will respond.

For all these virtues and blessings from our Creator, Allah SWT, Muslims should spare no efforts or endeavors to make the blessed month of Ramadan a month of serious and sincere worship. This InsahAllah will help them to get closer to Allah SWT and successfully gain His Mercy, Forgiveness, and Grace.

Written by Sayed Abutaleb, Imam of Masjid Fatima