Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Immortal Occasions

The Grand Night

Blessed Ramadhan, as we have explained, is the month of action, reform, creativity and generosity, and besides it contains a very special occasion, the immortal night calledLaylat -ul-Qadr . Roughly translated as the Night of Grandeur, it is the night on which the Holy Qur'an was sent down:

لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ. تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ .سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

".. the Grand Night ishelter than a thousand months. The Angels and the Spirit descend therein by the permission of their Lord for (decreeing) every affair. Peace! it is till the breaking of the dawn."(Holy Quran (97:3-5)

The Holy Book further says:

إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ. فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ. أَمْرًا مِنْ عِنْدِنَا ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ

Surely We revealed it on a blessed night.Indeed We are ever warning. Therein every wise affair is made distinct. A command from Us,surely We are the senders. Holy Qur'an (44 : 3 - 5)

When asked about Allah's saying

We revealed it on a blessed night,

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s. ) replied:

Yes, it isLaylat -ul-Qadr , it comes every year, in the month of Ramadhan, during its last ten nights. The Qur'an was not sent down but on the Grand Night as Allah says: In it every wise affair is made clear. That is, He decrees that night everything to happen during the year. Questioner further on what is meant by

«Laylat -ul-Qadr is better than a thousand months»

He said, good deeds such as prayer charity, and etc. done that night are better than similar deeds during a thousand months without the Grand Night.

Hence, every believer has been enjoined to keep awake the whole Night ofQadr in prayer and seeking from the Almighty, pardon for sins and bounties he/she desires for.

A commentator says that the term ' thousand ' must be taken in an indefinitesense , i.e. a timeless time, and interprets it to mean that one moment of enlightenment under Allah's light is better than thousands of months or the year of animal life, and such a moment converts the night of darkness into a period of spiritual glory.

Concerning forgiveness and granting of divine bounties on this night there is a justification attached. After fasting for forty days the Lord granted Prophet Moses (a) the Law (Exodus 24:18) and after a similar fasting period Prophet Jesus (a) was commissioned with his office (Mathew 4:2). Thus, there is justification in the Almighty's special grant of forgiveness and bestowing offavours to obedient Muslims, who fast as per His command for the whole month consecutively.

Like the Qur'an, other Heavenly Books were also sent down in this blessed month to the respective Prophets. Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a) says:

The Torah was sent down on the 6th of Ramadhan, theEvangelon the 12th, the Book of Psalms on the 18th, and the Furqan (the Qur'an) on the Grand Night.1

There are various narrations regarding the particular Night. The Qur'an did not mention any specific night, so as to encourage prayer and worship throughout the month. Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a) questioned about the Night ofQadr said:

Seek it in 19th, 21st and 23rd nights.

Hence, Muslims are advised to spend the above nights, especially the 23rd in prayer and good deeds. Some of the recommended acts on the Grand Night are as follows:

1. Ghusl - taking bath.

2. Keeping awake the whole night praying and supplicating to Allah.

3. Charity and helping the poor and the needy.

4. Reciting the Holy Qur'an, especially the suras Rum,Ankabout andDukhan .

In short, the Night ofQadr is the Grandest Night of the year. In the light of hadith, it is said that this night, Allah, the Exalted decrees providence and every other affair of mankind to happen throughout the year. So, we must pray in sincerity and try to extract the maximum benefit from this Night of Grace and Grandeur. Ameen.

Other Important EventsOf Ramadhan

The month of fasting is not without its days of joy and sorrow. It has some important historical events which even today continue to wield their influence on the daily life of Muslims.

The year preceding his migration to Medina, the Prophet suffered two serious blows during Ramadhan, losing within a few days those two stalwarts of early Islam, his loving wife Khadija (s.a ) and doting uncle Abu Talib (a). The year is known in the annals of history as the Year of Grief.

Umm-ul-Momineen Khadija (s.a ) needs no introduction to Muslims. She married Muhammad (s) years before the start of his divine mission and at once believed in him when he was appointed to the Prophet Hood by the Almighty. Thereafter, she sacrificed her fabulous wealth for the propagation of Islam, and stood by her noble husband in all difficulties. They made an excellent husband and wife pair for 27 odd years and as long as she was alive, he never took another wife.

By Khadija the Prophet had several children including son Qasim through whom his Kunya (agnomen) Abul Qasim is derived. But none of the children survived except daughter Fatima (s.a ), through whose two sons Imam Hassan (a) and Imam Hussain (a) Prophet Muhammad's noble lineage (Seyyids ) has spread out around the world.

The Prophet was nearly 53 years of age when he lost Khadija and though he married several women later in life, these were mere matrimonial alliances in view of the social or political necessities. The following narration found in all authentic sources proves that he always used to cherish the memory of that loyal woman who was the mother of his illustrious Ahl-ul-Bait.

Once when one of his wives, Ayesha, questioned aboutKhadhija s.a , the Prophet (s) replied:

Allah did not give me a better one than her. She was the mother of my children and the light of the house. She believed in me when others denied me. She supported me with her wealth when people deprived me. I had my children through her, but l was deprived of having them from others (wives).2

The second blow he suffered in that Year of Grief was the sad demise of his uncle and guardian Abu Talib. After losing his grandfather Abdul-Mutlib , at the tender age of eight, The Prophet was raised up by his dear uncle Abu Talib and his wife Fatima bintAsad as their own child. A close bond existed between uncle and nephew and as long as Abu Talib towering presence loomed large in Mecca, the infidels could never think of doing bodily harm to the Prophet (s).

The passing away of Abu Talib was a deep shock, and emboldened MeccanJahiliym who seeing a great obstacle removed from their way, ganged up for an attempt against the Prophet 's life. The events of the Hijra are outside the scope of our book, and it suffices here to quote the nephew's saying on the uncle's demise:

“The Quraysh could not raise a hand against me until Abu Taliba.s died.»

But the greatest tragedy in fasting Ramadhan is the martyrdom oflmam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a), the Prophet's loyal cousin, husband of his dear daughter Fatima, and his valiant standard bearer who single-handedly won many a crucial battle. Imam Ali's (a) peerless personality ranks second only to Prophet Muhammad (s), and books galore on his wise sayings, heroic deeds, praises and other excellent qualities.

On the 19th of Ramadhan, in the year 40 A.H., while leading the Morning Prayer at Masjid Kufa (Iraq), Amir-al­ Momineen Ali (a) was struck on the head by the assassin's sword in the very act of prostration. The blow byAbdur ­ Rahman ibnMuljim theKharije (heretic) cut a deep wound and for three days the Commander of the Faithful passed in pain.

Finally on the 21st of Ramadhan the Imam attained martyrdom, an event which plunged the Ummah into chaos and enabled the Omayyad tyrants to seize power and distort Islam.

Let us now review the days of joy in this blessed month. On 15th Ramadhan, in the second year of the Hijra, the Prophet became a grandfather, when son Hassan (a) was born to his daughter Fatima and Imam Ali (a). It was a very happy occasion for the Ahl-ul-Bait and none was happier than Prophet Muhammad (s).

The Qur'an and hadith bear witness to his pristine purity enjoining Muslims to love and tread the radiant path of the Prophet's illustrious progeny. Being forced to abdicate the caliphate a few months after his father Imam Ali'smartrydom , Imam Hassan (a) spent the rest of his life in Medina propagating and expounding Islam and the Holy Qur'an.

The same year on 2nd Ramadhan the history of faith and righteousness took a new turn when a few hundred Muslims defeated a vastly superior force of Meccan pagans at a place called Badr. It was the first armed encounter the new found Islamic State had to face and by the Grace of the Almighty, it came out with flyingcolours .

Six years later in the year 8 A.H. Allah bestowed another great victory for the Prophet in blessed Ramadhan, when Mecca the hitherto bastion of infidelity fell without a fight. Abu Sufyan and his pagan hordes laid down their arms, and Prophet Muhammad (s) entered his birthplace granting amnesty to his deadly adversaries on condition they accept Islam.

He then purged that pinnacle of monotheism, the Holy Kaaba, of the filth of idols with Imam Ali (a) personally dismantling the deities atop the holy house. Bilal the Abyssinian then called the faithful to prayer.

"There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah”

Hence, dear Muslims we must strive to keep fresh the memory of these great events which shaped our history and laid firm the foundations of the Almighty's last revelation to mankind, Islam.

Byorganising speeches and lectures, as is normally seen in Ramadhan, we not only enlighten our young ones of the significance of this blessed month and its immortal events but also acquaint others of Islam's lofty teachings.Likewise it is incumbent upon us to stop those violating the sanctity of this month in public places by eating, drinking or mocking at religious tenets.

Notes

1.Wasail ash Shia, Al-Hurr Al-Amili

2. ReferMusnad ahmed binhanbal part6 .p 117, Sahihbukhari part 2 p. 177 and also part 4 p.36, 195 , Ibn emaja,abwab an nikah part 1 p.315,Ibne kasir ontarikh ekamil vol 3 p.128 and various other sources

It means the continuation of progeny, because later in life He had a son called Ibrahim through his Egyptian wife Mary the Copt, who died in infancy.

RulesOf Fasting

WaysTo Identify First And Last Day Of Ramadhan

Since Ramadhan is a lunar month, it is necessary to ascertain the new moon in order to facilitate fasting. The Sharia has accordingly prescribed one of the following ways to identify the first and last days of Ramadhan:

1. One sees the new moon himself.

2. A group of trustworthy people report seeing the new moon.

3. Two just men report seeing the new moon and their descriptions do not disagree.

4. Thirty days have passed since the beginning of Shaban.

5. The leading mujtahid1 states that it is the first of Ramadhan.

6. The same procedure also applies to the last day of Ramadhan and Eid-ul-Fitr .

Note: an astronomical report on the new moon is not a binding verification of the first day of Ramadhan.

DayOf Doubt

1. If one is not certain whether it is the last day of Sha' ban (the preceding month) or the first day of Ramadhan, that person is not obliged to fast that day. However, if one chooses to do an optional or defaulted fast that day, and later on discovers it was the first of Ramadhan, it will be regarded as a normal Ramadhan fast.

2. If one intends to breakfast on the day of doubt, but has had none of the fast-breakers, then before noon the day was proved to be ofRamadhan , one must intend to fast that day as a fast of Ramadhan In this way the day's fasting will be deemed correct.

3. But if one has had a fast-breaker, and before noon the day was proved to be of Ramadhan, it is obligatory to abstain the rest of the day, and make default for it later.Similarly if it was known in the afternoon, that the day was proved to be of Ramadhan, one must abstain the rest of the day, and make default later, even if one has had none of the fast-breakers.

4. If one is not certain whether it last the last day of Ramadhan or the first day of Shawwal (Eid-ul-Fitr ), it is obligatory to fast that day, but if later the day was proved to be of Shawwal must break the fast.

The EssentialsOf Fasting

Fasting during Ramadhan is compulsory upon every adult2 person of same mind, provided that the following conditions are met:

• He or she is not travelling

• He or she is not suffering from illness.

• He or she is not in a state of unconsciousness.

• A woman should not be in her monthly or puerperal period.

However, the first and foremost condition for fasting is Belief, and it is not acceptable from those who do not believe in Islam. Next follows intention,i.e. a fasting person must intend to fast solely for seeking Allah's Grace, and not merely a fainting from food, drinks and other acts without prior intention.

Likewise, as we have explained above, good health is necessary for fasting. Those who are sick are exempted, and nor should one fast when sure of adverse effects on health, or fears possibility of adverse effects.

Clarification

a) If one fears the fear of any prudent person that fasting will make him/her sick, worsen malady or bring harm then he/she should not fast, but make up for the defaulted fasts later, on regaining health.

b) Mere feeling of weakness or for that matter psychological fear is not an excuse to forego fasting or to break the fast. But if the physical weakness is very severe and unbearable and is taxing the power of resistance, then it is allowed to break the fast.

c) If fasting has no adverse effects tor a sick person, then it is obligatory for him/her to fast.

d) If one fasts, believing there will be no adverse effects, but it turns out later that fasting did harm his/her condition, such a fast is not regarded as correct.

e) If one fasts knowing that it will be harmful, or possibly harmful, his/her fasting is null.

Intention

Earlier we had briefly mentioned the significance of intention (Niyya ). Here, we wish to deal in detail with this important subject.

A tradition from Prophet Muhammad (s) says:

«Deeds depend on intentions. »

Hence, Intention is compulsory for every devotional act. A devotional act without a true, purely God-oriented intention is void. Fasting is thus one such act which requires the intention of gaining proximity to Allah. Yet, such an intention need not necessarily be present in the mind of the fasting person at each and every single moment of fasting, but the person concerned should be aware of the state. The intention to fast will remain effective and even if one forgets or sleeps, the fast will be valid.

However, the intention to fast requires certain basic rules:

1. Intention depends on two options. One can intend on the first eve of Ramadhanto fast for the whole month or can make the intention daily for that particular day but before dawn breaks.

2. The intention should be to fast fromfajr (a little before dawn breaks) till Maghrib (a little after sunset).

3. Thus fasting will cover the entire period of the day, beginning at dawn till the redness of the dusk disappears in the east. During thistime one should abstain from eating, drinking and all other acts which break fasting.

The end of the day comes a little after sunset. Sunset is not determined by the mere disappearance of the sun's orb, but the disappearance of the redness of the dusk in the east.

Actions Which MakeThe Fast Invalid

1. Eating or drinking anything in any quantity.

2. Sexual intercourse.

3. Any sexual activity that leads to ejaculation.

4. Attributing a lie to Allah, the Holy Prophet or the Imams (peace be upon them).

5. Allowing heavy dust or thick smoke (including tobacco) to reach one's throat.

6. Submerging one's entire head in water.

7. Remaining in need of obligatory bathing for janabah,3 haydh (menstruation) or nifas4 up to the time of the morning adhan.

8. Taking a liquid enema.

9. Intentional vomiting.

Clarifications

1. If a person commits intentionally and willingly an act which breaks the fast, that day's fast will be considered invalid, but the fast is valid if the action committed was unintentional or involuntary.

2. If one breaks fast after merely being threatened, that fast is considered invalid and must be compensated later.

3. A fasting person can swallow the saliva gathered in the mouth but nasal discharge and frothy sputum must be spitted out.

4. To rinse mouth during ablutions is allowed and while doing if the water slips unintentionally down into the throat it will not break the fast.

5. Taking of injection in the muscles or veins is permitted as also using of medicinal drops in ears or eyes is allowed.

6. Brushing of teeth is permitted, provided the froth or saliva does not enter the throat.

ExemptionsFrom Fast

Islam is called a natural religion. In other words, its laws unlike other creeds have logic and reason behind them and divine providence has fashioned them according to the nature of man and woman. It has no hard and fast rules for all age groups ignoring the state, or circumstances of the individual concerned. In such a case, its very claim to be natural and universal would have been open to doubt.

How merciful and benign is the Creator,Who as a sign of His unbounded bounty exempted from fasting persons passing through particular circumstances, and in a certain state of health or age group.

Following are those whom Islam has quite logically exempted from fasting and furthermore has released them from expiation for defaults:

1. Minors for pre-puberty years.

2. Insane for the period insanity lasts.

3. Unconscious - for the period of unconsciousness.

4.Non·Muslims -for the years before conversion to Islam.

Defaulted Fasts

There are different statuses of defaulted fasts:

1. An aged person who cannot fast is exempted from fasting and also from expiation. If, after Ramadhan it becomes possible for that aged person to fast, he/she should make up the defaulted Ramadhan fasts.

2. An aged person for whom fasting is hard is exempted but must pay 3/4 kilogram (l Mud) of food to the poor for every day of defaulted fast.

3. One who has a condition which causes insatiable thirst and who cannot tolerate going without water or for whom fasting is hard is exempted.

a) In the latter case, one must pay 3/4 kilogram of food to the poor for every day of defaulted fast.

b) If after Ramadhan, it becomes possible for both cases to fast, one should make up defaulted fasts.

4. A woman who is pregnant and whose delivery time is near or a woman who is breast-feeding her child. If fasting will harm herself or her baby, she should not fast.

a) She must give 3/4 kilogram of food as expiation to the poor and, make up for the defaulted fasts.

b) In case the harm was for her only and not for the child, then she should make up for the defaulted fasts without giving expiation.

5. Apostate (murtad) -A Muslim who turns away from Islam, should compensate for fasts defaulted during the period of apostasy.

6. Women in their monthly period or innifas (post-partum bleeding) should make up for defaulted fasts.

7. Atraveller who missed certain days fast because of Journey has to make up for missed fasts.

8. A sick person after recovery must fast the number of days missed during Ramadhan.

a- A sick person provided the sickness continues for one full year until next Ramadhan is exempted. However, in such case one must pay 3/4 kilogram of wheat or any other staple food to the needy as expiation for the days missed.

b- If one has not kept the fast for reasons other than sickness (example: being on a journey), and the same reason continues until nextRamadhan , that person must make up for the defaulted fasts, and it is also advisable to give 3/4 kilo­ gram of food to the poor for every day of defaulted fast.

Clarifications

Defaulted fasts should be made up before the next Ramadhan. In case defaulted fasts are delayed after next Ramadhan, then one has time to fast afterwards whenever one can but that person should in addition distribute 3/4 kilogram of wheat or any staple food to the needy for each day of defaulted fasts as expiation.

Atonement

If a person for whom Ramadhan fasting is compulsory, breaks the fast intentionally and willingly, must do an act of atonement in addition to making up the defaulted fast.

Sharia prescribes three methods of atonement, and any one method will atone for one day of defaulted fasting:

1. Freeing a slave.

2. Fasting for 60 days. The first 31 days of fast must be consecutive. If in the first 31 days, a reason arises for breaking fast such as the menstrual period, or a journey which can on no account be delayed, one need not start the 31 days of fasting over and again. Rather, that person can complete the remaining days when the cause is removed.

3. Feeding 60 poor Muslims (for one full meal). If one cannot afford to feed 60 poor Muslims, should then feed as many as possible. In case of not being able to feed anyone, then that person should sincerely plead Allah for forgiveness (sayastaghfirullah ) for the deed done. It is a necessary precaution to perform any of the three methods of atonement whenever one is able to do.

4. If one invalidates the fast with a forbidden act (haram) such as drinking wine, adultery etc. must observe all the three above-mentioned atonements and if unable to afford all must observe the least taxing, and if that is also not possible must sincerely seek forgiveness from Allah.

Traveller’s Fast

1. Atraveller who has to shorten prayers5 for a journey must not fast, but this does not apply to a person whose duty is to travel and who observes normal prayers, such as a professionaltraveller (e.g. sailor, pilot, driver, roving sales­ man. etc.), who must fast.

2. A fasting person, who begins a journey in the afternoon, must continue the fast. If the journey was before noon, and on reaching a point where neither one's hometown houses are visible nor the sound of adhan is heard, thetraveller must break the fast. But if the fast was broken before reaching that particular point, atonement should be paid.

3. If atraveller returns to hometown or reaches a place before noon, intending to stay ten days, and has not done anything which would invalidate the fast, must fast that day. In case thetraveller did something that would invalidate the fast, that day's fast is not obligatory.However if atraveller arrives home or to a place afternoon, where a ten day stay is intended, that particular day's fast is not obligatory.

Recommended Fasts

Besides the obligatory fasting of Ramadhan, there are recommended fasts in ordinary days of the year, for those seeking to avail of Allah's unbounded bounty. Some of these are as follows:

1. Three daysof .every lunar month, especially the first, them, middle and the last.

2. Every Thursday and Friday.

3. Fasting during the months of Rajab and Sha'ban.

Forbidden Fasts

But fasting on the following days is forbidden in Islam:

1. Fasting on Eid-ul-Fitr .

2. Fasting on the Eid of Sacrifice (Al-Adhha ) .

3. Fasting on the 30th of Sha'ban with intention of Ramadhan.

4. Fasting during the Hajj (pilgrimage) in Mina (11, 12, 13th ofDhulhijjah ).

5. Fast of silence.

Note: the woman should not perform recommended fasting without her husband's permission, and if he objects to her fasting, it is forbidden for her to do so.

Notes

1. A mujtahid is a person who is an expert in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), he is also called faqih

2. In Islam, a boy or girl is considered adult reaching puberty, and thus have to perform all obligatory acts.

3. The state resulting from sexual intercourse with or without ejaculation, or seminal discharge while awake or asleep

4. Bleeding that occurs after childbirth.

5. To and from distance of about 45kilometers shortens fourrakat prayer for two and breaks the fast.

Zakat-Ul-Fitr

Zakat-ul-Fitr , paid on Eid, following the end of Ramadhan is obligatory for any person who is mature, sane, conscious and financially able, at sunset on the last day of Ramadhan to pay for himself and his dependents. The rate is three kilograms of wheat, barley, raisin, rice or similar produce per person. It is also permitted to give the cash value of such items.

The proper amount of the said Zakat must be paid or set aside before one offers the Eid prayer on Zakat-ul-Fitr .

If one does not offer the Eid prayer, the Zakat-u/-Fitr must be paid before noon of that day.

Zakat-ul-Fitr should be used in one of the following ways:

1. Given to a poor person whose income or cash in hand is not enough to meet his own and his family's expenses for an entire year.

2. Given to a needy person who is completely helpless and indigent.

3. Given to those whose job is the collection of Zakat and its distribution and should be paid to those who deserve receiving it.

4. Given to those whose hearts can be influenced to incline to Muslims or Islam, such as non-Muslims who would be attracted to Islam or would help Muslims in a time of war if they are given proceeds from Zakat.

5. To free slaves.

6. To repay the debt of one who cannot do so himself.

7. To be used in the way of Allah for works of public benefit such as building mosques, schools or bridges.

8. To aid atraveller who is in need of help during journey and needs to return home.

The time for taking out Zakat-ul-Fitr , is the eve of Eid, and pays the same from the night of Eid till noon on the Eid day.