i think the root of this is developing spirituality which is the meaning of Ramadan. and i pray we will all be successful this Ramadan. My question refers to everyday life on a day to basis. there is so little that is spiritual or natural in life these days. so how do you suggest we get more spiritual and more in touch with reality and our real selves amid all the hustle and bustle and problems and advertisements and propaganda and society pressure.... get what i mean?
Answer
Prof. Shahul Hameed says:
Dear questioner,
Assalamu alaikum.
You are perfectly right: There is so little of the spiritual and the natural in life these days. And I would add that, precisely that is the chief point of Ramadan. For one month, you are going to deliberately seek the spiritual and the natural in life.
First of all you allow your body to feel the pinch of hunger and thirst, two natural and basic urges of the body. And you feel the natural craving for the satisfaction of these too. And at the same time, you do not succumb to your temptations. Because you energize your spiritual forces to take things in control.
In order to keep away from the materialistic aspects of life as far as possible, you spend the maximum possible time in prayers and the recitation of the Qur’an. Moreover, you do not go in for the usual kind of enjoyments or pleasures. I think it is advisable that we remove the TV to the attic till Ramadan is over. And spend more time in the company of those who bow down and prostrate before God, or in the company of your Lord in the privacy of your Mind and Soul.
Actions of this kind will cater for your spiritual development. And thus you can make Ramadan a real spiritual experience.
And Allah knows best.
Name
SHAUN
- United States
Profession
Question
INSHA-ALLAH I WILL FAST THE RAMADAN. I WILL BEG ALLAH FOR FORGIVNESS OF ALL MY SINS. I OWE CREDIT CARD DEBT. I WILL NOT USE THEM ANYMORE. WILL ALLAH FORGIVE ME?AS LONG AS I DON'T USE THEM AGAIN. AND JUST PAY THEM OFF?
Answer
Marwa Elnaggar says:
Dear Shaun,
As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmat Allahi wa barakatoh,
Congratulations on taking this step to rid yourself of debt and to ask Allah for forgiveness. Allah says in the Qur'an what means:
*{Lo! Allah forgiveth not that a partner should be ascribed unto Him. He forgiveth (all) save that to whom He will. Whoso ascribeth partners to Allah, he hath indeed invented a tremendous sin}* (An-Nisaa' 4:48)
This means that ALL your sins will be forgiven, and that all you have to do is ask Allah for His forgiveness with sincerity and conviction, and with the belief that He will answer your prayers.
Regarding your query about credit cards, we suggest you submit any questions to our Ask the Scholar service.
Thank you, and may Allah bless you and your family this Ramadan.
Name
Linda
- United States
Profession
Question
How do I make the transition from someone who is used to three meals a day at set times to someone who is suddenly supposed to not eat OR DRINK (yikes!) at all during the day? Please help with practical tips.
Answer
AElfwine Mischler says:
As-Salamu `alaykum, Linda.
Actually, you are blessed to be celebrating your first Ramadan at this time of year when the weather is neither extremely hot nor extremely cold. It is a lot easier to fast when you’re not “dying” of thirst or wanting something hot to warm you up.
To make the transition easier, do the following:
1. Ask Allah to make it easy for you. I have found that every time I remember to ask Him, the fasting really is easier.
2. Remember that you are doing this for Allah.
3. You still have a few days to practice, but you should not fast the day immediately before Ramadan (this year that would be Thursday—and Friday if Ramadan begins on Saturday). That gives you Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to practice.
4. Have a substantial sahur (meal before dawn), and include in it protein and whole grain foods that will stick with you.
5. Don’t eat a lot of sugary stuff (such as pre-sweetened cereal) for sahur. It will shoot your blood sugar level way up and later it will crash.
6. If you are used to having tea or coffee in the morning, I strongly recommend that you have a cup at sahur. Otherwise, you will have a headache all day from the lack of caffeine.
7. Whenever you’re tempted to eat, try to change what you’re doing to get your mind off of it. Sometimes you will feel hunger pangs, but the worst pains will pass after a few minutes. Just keep in mind “this will pass.”
8. Try not to do things too strenuously so that you don’t get thirsty. When you do, just take a few minutes to sit and rest. Things will get better after a while.
9. If you are sleepy during the day at work and are tempted to have caffeine, go wash your face with cold water to wake you up.
10. Once you’re home, if you have time, take a nap before Maghrib (sunset) so that you have a bit more energy later.
11. I actually find that fasting is easier on work days than on the weekends. At home and with less to do, I’m more tempted to eat. So my advice would be to keep yourself busy, whether with household stuff or praying and reading.
12. Try to find some Muslim friends to share iftar (meal to break the fast) with. It’s easier when you get moral support from friends.
Hope this helps. Have a happy and blessed Ramadan!
Name
zainab
- Malaysia
Profession
Question
As'salamu 'Alaikum. My question is regarding pregnant women during the holy month of Ramadan. If a person is too ill to fast, what are her options if she cannot fulfill her obligation?
For the pregnant and nursing woman, if she cannot fast then she has to feed a needy person for every day she has missed.
For the sick person, he or she is one of two types:
1. If the illness is temporary and can be easily cured then when he or she recovers, they have to make up for the missed days.
2. If the person cannot fast because the illness is incurable or fatal or it is a permanent illness as in the case with diabetes, then the sick person should make a fidyah by feeding a needy person for every day he or she missed.
Is refraining from food, drink and sex ALL what Ramadan is about? There seems to be a lack of spirituality within this framework.
Answer
Tarek Ghanem says:
In the name of Allah, most merciful most compassionate,
Dear Isabelle,
Thank you for your trust in our website and may Allah guide us to answer your question—to the best of our ability.
What your question deals with, in essence, is the inner dimension of fasting. Although the exoteric limits dealing with fasting are the sheer abstaining from eating, drinking and what married people do, all such limits are the juristic rulings—minimalist, dry, impersonal and technical as they are, in relation to the issue at hand. We will have to take a little detour, aiming at going beyond those sheer rulings, to the end trajectory of the inner secrets of fasting.
In essence, unlike any other form of ritualistic worship, fasting is an abstaining one (meaning that it is abstaining, not doing—against other positivist forms which involve doing a form of worship). As the sun of Islamic intellectualism and spirituality, Abu Hamid al Ghazali, in his masterwork and opus magnum, The Revival of Religious Sciences, bases his argument in the section on “Secrets of Fasting” on a hadith that pleads that fasting is half of the patience (required by a believer), and then the cannon of hadiths which state that patience is all the iman, or faith. I highly recommend that you read that part in the book.
To further understand the essence this is what we need to understand. It is stated in the realm of Islamic spiritual and traditional insights of psychological self-development and discipline—through a collection of Qur’an and hadith—that one’s greatest enemy and struggle is against one’s ego. And as the biggest sources nourishment of that ego are mainly the desire of eating (and drinking) and the sexual desire.
As fasting—in its external form—is, mainly, based on “breaking” the sphere of influence of these two desires, the perfection of one’s soul is achieved. No wonder that in a hadith we are told that Allah says that all of human beings works are his (the human's) and he/she is rewarded for them, except for fasting, it is His, and He (Himself) rewards for it!
Fasting is the best way to perfect one’s soul. As it is known that to stop doing a bad deed is much more important than carrying out a good deed, the question is back home; the essence and the significance of fasting is the change it colors the soul with; a change that is translated into “actual” perfection in one’s state of being. The change in the one’s spiritual state is the heart of the matter.
That is why the hadiths that speak of people who just fast, without staying away from slander, gossip, glancing at what is prohibited, say that all they achieved is mere hunger. Fasting is the strongest spiritual tool, in Ramadan or otherwise, in perfecting one’s soul, and essentially, in fighting the bad habits and character traits. Still, Ramadan, with all the pure and spiritual mists it keeps in the air, with all the rewards of the Prophetic deeds in that month—those of dhikr, tarawih, reciting Qur’an, and the "standing up", or qiyam prayer at night, amongst many, many other—all are the further anchorage needed to perfect one's state towards Allah.
Thank you
Name
Anonymous
-
Profession
Question
Assalamu Alaikum,
During Ramadan, i will be doing my exams which will determine if i can go to university. And as you know, it is hard to stay focused while fasting. My exams will take about 10 days (not after the other, but spread from 27 october till 10 November). Is it possible for me to not fast during my exam days then make up for them after ramadan? in addition, if that is not allowed in islam, is it allowed to not fast for 1 day because i will have 2 exams on the same day from 8:30 am till 3:30 pm, but i will have break between them? I will make up for it after ramadan inshallah?
Wa Jazakum Allah Khair
Answer
AElfwine Mischler says:
As-Salamu `alaykum.
No, it is not OK for you to skip fasting on a day when you have an exam. Here is the fatwa on that:
But how about some practical advice? Maybe this Ramadan you won’t be able to spend as much time on spiritual endeavors as you have in the past, but do take sometime each day for extra prayers and reading Qur’an.
Remember that you are fasting for Allah and if you ask Him to make it easy for you, He will.
Have a good sahur (pre-dawn meal) with protein and whole grains. Drink plenty of water. Don’t eat very sweet things at sahur. Your problem in staying focused may have more to do with your sleep-study schedule than with your blood sugar levels. So try to get into a habit of resting late in the day before sunset and studying early in the day and for a bit after Tarawih Prayers, when you are most likely to be fresh. Don’t stay up all night. Get enough sleep and eat well but not to excess, and remember to ask Allah to help you through it all. A lot of difficulties can be overcome just by having the right attitude.
Good luck on your exams!
Name
Marwa
-
Profession
student
Question
Asslaamu Alaikum. Thank you for considering our views especially on the issue of Ramadan. I have noticed that recently I've been experiencing mood swings, I think it's because of excess stress especially in meeting my dissertion deadline. I have dedicated and invested little time in my spirituality and now it seems that I don't even know where to start consolidating my faith. I have not been involved in majorly haraam activities Alhamdullilah, but rather I think it is an incremental thing that has happened over the months of neglecting my spirituality. I do my salaat regularly but I still feel hollow inside. Now that Ramadan is almost here I really want to feel the sincere strength that comes with fasting. Can you orientate me in this quest? Where and how do we start Ramadan preparation, as many other Muslims out there are wondering too?
Answer
AElfwine Mischler says:
Wa `alaykum as-salam.
I know just where you’re coming from because I, too, feel like I need a vacation from daily stress before I can really begin Ramadan.
First of all, regarding your mood swings, sister, be sure you are getting plenty of calcium in your diet. Insufficient calcium can cause mood swings, especially with your menstrual cycle.
You’ve got a few days left before Ramadan, or do this on the first day of Ramadan. I would suggest that you just take one day off from whatever you are doing—work or school—to just relax. Forget all your worldly problems for one day and spend as much of that time with Allah as you can. Go for a long walk in a park or along the coast—somewhere where you can enjoy nature and just enjoy Allah’s creation and thank Him for it.
Whenever I’m stressed out with work, I need to take some time out and spend more time with Allah. I recite Ayat Al-Kursi (Al-Baqarah 2:255), which means:
*{Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).}*
And then I ask Allah—the One Who doesn’t need any sleep—to give me just a little bit of His energy so that I can get through another day or finish the project I’m working on, or whatever it is that I need help with.
We have to remember that Allah is always there for us, but we need to remember to turn to Him. We don’t always do that, which is why we end up feeling so empty.
So take the time out to turn your thoughts to Allah for a day, and I think that that will help you to focus your attention on what Ramadan is all about. Set your priorities—with Allah first—and spend your time on only those things that are really important. Don’t get nervous about your work, but ask Allah for help and strength. MAKE this a good Ramadan by putting some effort into renewing your relationship with Allah.
Good luck in your dissertation!
Name
Abdullah
-
Profession
Student
Question
As this is my first Ramadan insha'Allah, I am a bit overwhelmed. What should I concentrate on? Do I have to do all those extra taraweeh prayers? I have barely got down the five daily prayers so far, so all those extra prayers seem a bit difficult. What should I do?
Answer
Dalia Salaheldin says:
Dear Brother Abdullah, welcome to your new self and to your new life of iman (faithful believing in Islam).
I appreciate it very much that you are taking the changes taking place in your new life gradually. I simply agree that you should move towards your new life-style step by step. It is also important to realize that the major change that should take place in your life after Islam should be related to your heart, not only should it be related to your acts. When the heart changes, simply the acts changes. And, here comes the role of Ramadan.
When God Almighty mentioned fasting in the Qur’an, He mentioned it in the following context:
*{O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may achieve taqwa (a sophisticated degree of piety)}* (Al-Baqarah 2:183)
Thus, a major goal of fasting the month of Ramadan is to realize and achieve a pious heart. Fasting produces piety. That is to say true and sincere fasting, within which one watches his/her glimpses and whims, and deeds of the heart, not only physical desires and acts. Abstaining lawful food, drink and sex is not the target of fasting. They are but the means by which one realize patience. And, patience is an act of the heart, not of the body. It is a fundamental chord of a pious heart.
So, answering your question about what to concentrate on, I have explained that it should be your heart. And I have briefly explained how fasting should affect hearts, not bodies. Now moving to the focus of your question about Tarawih Prayers (long night prayers), I answer you: No… and yes!
No, you do not at all have to pray all those long prayers. They are not obligatory and you should focus more on your five daily prayers till you excel them. You must be having enough of new life style stuff and new adjustments in your daily life. But—still—I would like to say: Yes! I think you should pray as much as you can from the Tarawih Prayers and also the tahajjud prayers (late night prayers). When I say “should” here, I don’t mean that it is a must, I just mean that I highly recommend it. That if you agree to do with my advice and make your heart your goal in Ramadan.
Well, qiyam (long standing-up night prayers) does have the effect of magic on one's heart. I can supply you with tens of hadiths about the value of qiyam, its reward and the effect it has on ones heart. Yet, I know you would never perceive its beauty till you try it. Qiyam is another tool, along with fasting, that helps one realize a pious and patient heart.
Staying up in prayer all night or part of the night, even a very small part of the night, while others are enjoying every lawful desire —including sleeping—, gives ones self the feeling of a private strong knot between ones heart and His Creator. This is to Whom we stand in qiyam prayers a moment after a moment and hopefully an hour after an hour. Reciting the Qur’an during the prayers, or listening to the imam’s recitation washes one’s heart from all its agonies and black spots it had achieved though out the previous eleven months. Again, standing up on a aching foot, seeking the pleasure of the Beloved Worshipped, teaches one patience and the ability to sacrifice joyfully for the sake of Allah.
What qiyam would teach you would never be summed here. I can only draw your attention that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has stated that whoever stayed in qiyam through out the whole of Ramadan, out of belief and only seeking the pleasure of Allah, is to be rewarded by having all his/her previous sins forgiven. This reward must have been offered in accordance to the value of qiyam, which —according to the Prophetic hadith hinted upon here—is clearly of great value.
Thus, my advice is not to burden yourself with what you can’t handle. Stick first to the obligatory fasting and five daily prayers, focusing on their impacts on your heart. Then try to assist by using qiyam as much as you can, without blaming your self if you can’t.
What are some suggestions for those people who are bombarded with responsibilities (school, homework, housework, work) who want to benefit from the wonderful month of Ramadan? Unfortunately, in the USA we can't "shut down" the other sectors of our lives just to focus on our spirituality during the month. Jazakullah.
Answer
Tarek Ghanem says:
In the name of Allah, most merciful, most compassionate
Dear Muslima,
If one is to read between the lines of your question, then there is evident heartfelt sincerity and concern about spiritually and about benefiting from the majestic month of Ramadan. May Allah abundantly reward you for that.
To put things in perspective, some cardinal principles of Islam should be revisited. And the light of that, the answer should be clear. Iman, or faith, varies and has different states and levels. A Muslim’s ultimate goal is to reach a perpetual state of observing the presence of the divine in his/her world, which is ihsan; whereby, things are carried out beautifully in a state of continual observance; not as sheer implementation of “dos” and “don’ts”.
The story of one’s life is to reach that state, against all that is the opposing tides of worldly concerns, desires, obligations, and all sorts of hardship. It is for this struggle that the reward is given. The presence of the struggle is indispensable, no one escapes it. Worldly concerns will always pull us back. The question, hence, is how to deal with it, or, in other words, is how to give reign to iman while being successful in achieving a state of equilibrium.
As the essence of fasting the majestic month is to perfect one’s soul and self-development and discipline, still, spiritual things are not meant to be all that more difficult. No doubt the reality that the Muslims live in non-Muslim lands is great and a continual swimming against conflicting tides on all levels. To not enjoy the change in the surrounding environment in receiving the majestic month, Tarawih Prayer, everyone joining in the same ritualistic act, and above all, the mist of the auspiciousness of the whole month, is definitely by far and away a tougher weight for Muslims living in non-Muslim lands.
Still, there is great news. Know that there exists the compassionate principle of rewarding and assistance from Allah—Majestic in His praise—as being proportionate to one’s struggle; otherwise, it would be unjust of the Just, to praise equally people who carry out the same deeds without due respect to their situational realm. There are numerous Qur'anic and Prophetic evidence for that.
More importantly, and based on the esoteric dimension of fasting being a spiritual one, still, the spiritual world that the Muslims live in changes completely—irrespective of where they live; whether in Muslim lands or otherwise. The entire spiritual realm of the believer changes; as numerous hadiths state during this holy month; all that in relation to reward, the opening of the doors of Paradise, closing the doors of Hell-fire, the release of considerable numbers of sinners—by Allah’s mercy—into Paradise.
All these changes affects one's "imanic" state, even during carrying out an essentially worldly act. Now, in practically dealing with Ramadan, the following words of advice are to be highlighted.
First, the significance of dhikr, invocation in trying to peretually remember Allah, is an essential tip. It is the spiritual nourishment on which the soul survives the darkness of worldly existence through experiencing the primal light of the world. So, keep a sibhah, or prayer beads, on you all the time and—-unless you put a daily wird, or task—-keep doing all forms of dhikr; those of praising and thanking Allah, Shahadah, or praising the Prophet.
Second, simply and primarily, make du`aa', or supplication, for all the concerns you have over this holy month; Allah’s help for you to live until it arrives, for carrying out with great perfectionist spirit all forms of worship during that month (like Qur'an and standing-up prayer, etc..), for giving you physical strength to carry all that, and, also, to help you with your non-Muslim surroundings. In terms of that, the sky is the limit with du`aa'! Do not forget us, sister!
Third, set a daily goal that is simple, attainable, and realistic (for example, a surah of the Qur’an, saying “Al-hamdu lillah” 100 times, or "all thanks be to Allah", or ask Allah to send His blessings on the Prophet 10 times-—like in the second part of tashahhud, 2 extra prayers at night, etc.). It is better to keep a small deed forever than to start a big deed and never keep it.
Fourth, do not burden yourself with both spiritual and worldly burdens.
Fifth, try to give as much charity as possible.
Sixth, make sure to reflect all the spiritual anchorage you get from Ramadan into a perpetual change in your state of being towards Allah.
I believe these are enough. May Allah help both of us carry them out in the perfect mode that pleases Him.
Allah-—Majestic in His praise-—knows best.
Name
Muslim
- United States
Profession
Question
Asalamalikum Islamonline team,
My question is similar to the Brother from UAE; I will be taking a very important exam during Ramadan and I was wondering what sort of duas should I say or can I say which will help me extract the best out of myself (if not more than that)?
This exam will determine my future, to a large extent. So, any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
PS Your site is wonderful and is truly a guidance for all!
Answer
Marwa Elnaggar says:
Dear Brother,
Although your question is off-topic, I thought it was important. First of all, thank you very much for your kind words about IslamOnline.net. Please remember us in your prayers.
Regarding your question, remember that the most beautiful thing about Islam is that your relationship with Allah is not guided by any set formula. Yes, you do have to pray your five daily Prayers in a certain way and perform Hajj in a certain way, but the real essence of your relationship with Allah is free from any ritual.
When you need to ask Allah for help - in this case for help in your exams - all you have to do is ask in whatever language or way you want. You don't have to ask in formal language, you just say whatever comes and express yourself and Allah knows exactly what you mean.
Sometimes the most profound du`aa's are the most spontaneous and directly from the heart, which is the place in which your love for Allah grows.
Keep your bond with Allah strong and ask of him what you will, and be assured that He will answer your prayers.
May Allah bless you and grant you a happy Ramadan.
Please keep in touch, brother.
Salam.
Name
jafer AP
- India
Profession
doctor
Question
people with superflous knowledge malign Islam as a wordly religion without a spiritual content. But to one who knows the real meaning of Ramadan their arguements are too naive.Ramadan is living spiritual in an otherwise meaningless world.
Answer
AElfwine Mischler says:
As-Salamu `alaykum.
You’re right there, brother, Ramadan is a time to renew our relationship with Allah and concentrate on our spirituality. But our renewal should not end with Ramadan. We should try to gain some spiritual “energy” and carry it with us throughout the year.
So when we get in the habit of reading Qur’an every day in Ramadan, we should not drop the habit when `Eid Al-Fitr comes. And when we have gotten into the habit of praying the five prayers daily and extra prayers, we should not stop doing that when Ramadan ends. And if we sisters have put on hijab for the first time in Ramadan, we should not take it off after 30 days.
I hope all of you out there, new and “old” Muslims, will take advantage of Ramadan and have a happy, grace-filled month.
