Fasting in the month of Ramadan (III)

CERTAIN actions are erroneously considered as capable of rendering fast invalid but which are not, for instance, taking a shower or a swim in the pool on a hot day in Ramadan. Another instance is chewing the mouth-cleansing sticks. It is even recommended a Sunnah (tradition of the Prophet (SAW) for the Muslims to use the chewing stick regularly at the point of ablution for every solat. Fasting has not come to reverse this Sunnah. Applying eye drops, ear drops; body spray, deodorants, cologne, etc, on the body do not cause any harm to fasting as well. To delay ghusl (a ritual bath to purify oneself from impurity occasioned by sexual intercourse, discharge of semen, menstrual and after-birth bleeding) up until when the day breaks into post-fajr time has not prevented the adult Muslim from observing his/her solat and proceed with fasting for the day.

Islam is practised on the premise of the dictates of Allah (SWT) and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). Ramadan fasting has been entrenched around a set of traditions which are authentic Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). These traditions are not in doubt because the Prophet (SAW) himself practised them. He observed nine consecutive years of Ramadan fast until his death. The companions of the Prophet (SAW), known collectively as the Sahabah, witnessed the practice of these traditions.

Taking Sahur meal is a feasible tradition or Sunnah. It signals the commencement of the day’s fast. Muslim and Bukhari narrated an authentic Hadith that the Prophet (SAW) was unambiguous in asserting that inexhaustible blessings and bounties of Allah await a Muslim who takes Sahur meal to start a fast.

Breaking the fast (iftar) is Sunnah. Once the sun sets at Maghrib, a fasting Muslim should not delay breaking of fast. It is recommended to say the following prayers: “O Allah! For You I have fasted and upon Your provision, I have broken my fast” (narrated by Abu Dawud). Imam Ahmed narrated one more authentic Hadith of the Prophet (SAW) that the Prophet (SAW) assured that none of his followers in the Ummah who delays  his Sahur close to Fajr and hastens to iftar by Maghrib shall cease to draw from the immeasurable wealth of Allah’s mercy. Duah, Dhikr which must be in line with the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW), recitation of the Noble Qur’an and Tafsir of the Noble Qur’an and the Hadith of the Prophet (SAW) are the hallmarks of the month of Ramadan. Conscious Muslims should engage themselves in some of these Sunnah more religiously in Ramadan.

Part of the Ramadan fasts related Sunnah is Tarawih, optional salat (prayers) which are offered after the Isha prayers on the nights of Ramadan. These may be performed individually or in congregation. Muslims in the month of Ramadan should also imbibe the Sunnah of performing more nawafil prayers. nawafil prayers are additional rak’at of prayers apart from fard (an obligation essentially to be performed by each individual. It is an individual duty, not by all in congregation). These nawafil prayers are also called nafl. These are optional prayers for which those who voluntarily offer them reap the benefits of Allah’s favours. It is the tradition of the Prophet (SAW) and the Sahabah (the Prophet’s companions) to reinforce their nawafil prayers throughout the fasting period.

Therefore, the Muslims are encouraged to practise these Sunnah in Ramadan. Timing is of the essence. The Prophet (SAW) recommended that these nafl prayers are best rewarded by Allah (SWT) when diligently observed in the middle of the night. Bukhari and Muslim, in an authentic Hadith, quoted the Prophet (SAW) as saying that whoever among the Muslims that performs nafl with tested iman (belief) and steadfastness in his or her heart desires towards Allah (SWT) shall be forgiven of his or her sins.

The Sunnah of giving in the form of zakat (obligatory charity) and sadaqah (a voluntary charitable act towards others, whether through generosity, love, compassion or faith in order to please Allah( SWT), not necessarily in physical or monetary terms) is another common practice in the month of Ramadan. Wealthy Muslims are required to declare their assets and means of living to Islamic experts in Sharia who should calculate what should be deductable from the wealth to serve as the zakat for the outgoing year.

Zakat is a commandment of Allah (SWT) to the rich only. It is obligatory. It is the third of the five pillars of Islam. Zakat is essentially a certain fixed proportion of the wealth and of every kind of property of a Muslim to be paid yearly for the benefit of the poor in the Muslim community. Zakat is the major economic means for establishing social justice and leading the Muslim society to prosperity and security. Eligible Muslims who should declare their zakat find the month of Ramadan the most auspicious period to discharge this religious obligation in order to maximize their rewards as promised by Allah (SWT).

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