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Name
Bismillah Jahan
- India
Profession
Permutation Procurement
Question
Is a man allowed to mate with his wife or wives during Ramadan?
if yes, then when?
Answer
Salam Bismillah Jahan,
Thank you for your question.
During fasting time no physical intimacy between the husband and wife is permitted. However, such a relationship is not prohibited during the rest of the time in Ramadan.
Hope you understand.
Name
Ziauddin
-
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaikum Sheikh,
Is there anything obligatory on the part of Muslims by way of welcoming Ramadan?
Answer
Salam Ziauddin,
Thank you for your question.
There is nothing obligatory – in the sense of “fardh” – for Muslims to do in order to welcome Ramadan, like organizing a ceremony. But Muslims should know the importance of Ramadan as a blessed month during which the noble Qur'an was sent down. And for this reason Allah the Almighty has commanded Muslims to fast in honor of the Qur'an:
"The month of Ramadan is that in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, with clear signs for guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful." (Al-Baqarah2:185)
Thus, Almighty Allah has promised immense rewards to us during this month of numberless blessings. So, no Muslim worth his salt would allow this month to pass by as an ordinary month. For this reason, Muslims would be eagerly awaiting this month for spending the days in fasting and the nights in prayer, with the expectation of Allah's bounty in this world and the next.
So, Muslims would be preparing their homes, their surroundings as well as their minds in the manner of welcoming an honorable guest.
And Allah knows best.
Name
Mark Jodi
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
God created man to live in this world, and man has to eat and drink to live. But for one month he is asked not to eat or drink. I don't understand why?
Answer
Salam Mark,
Thank you for your question.
It is true that God created man to live in this world; and He has decreed that man needs to eat and drink to live. Therefore, it is for the very same reason that we, humans, have to obey Almighty Allah in everything He commands. That is because nobody knows our strong points AND weaknesses as our Creator does. He knows what is best for our spiritual growth too, not only for our physical growth. In fact, man is not merely body, but also soul.
As God is the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists, including humans, God has very legitimate powers to command us things for our good. Thus He has taken upon Himself the duty of sending His Guidance to humankind (i.e. those among His creatures who are gifted with reason and free will). This Guidance is for the benefit of all mankind. Indeed, it is part of the Guidance of God that He wants to reward those who are pious and God-conscious with endless blessings in the world to come. Furthermore, God, Who is All-Just, All-Wise, puts mankind to a test – rather many tests at many levels – to see who among us are grateful and who are not. It is to guide us toward good and steer us away from evil that He sent us His Guidance through His chosen Prophets.
The foregoing underscores the fact that it is part of the test of Almighty Allah that we should use His Guidance as to how to manage our affairs in this world, especially in view of our good fortune as well as misfortune. We need to know how valuable Allah's blessings to us are; for which purpose He has commanded us to abstain from food and drink in Ramadan. This is to make us experience the pangs of hunger and thirst; in other words, to make us have a taste of the sufferings of the poor and the starving. Such experience of hunger, thirst and deprivation encourages us to be sympathetic and charitable to them. In addition, when we break our fast after abstaining from food and drink for a day, we better know the taste and value of the food we normally take for granted, thereby we become grateful to the All-Merciful Creator.
Also, we see that all the deprivations and hardships we face in this life are amply compensated for in the world to come. This proves the infinite Mercy of God.
And Allah knows best.
Name
Samah
-
Profession
Question
How did our Salaf prepare for Ramadan-other than what we already do!!!
Answer
Salam Samah,
Thank you for your question.
As-Salaf As-Salih (Arabic for: righteous predecessors) used to pray, "O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Sha`ban and grace us to witness Ramadan!"
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "The best of generations are my generation, then those which follow them, then those which follow them." (Reported by Muslim)
Thus, the Salaf were indeed the best amongst those who implemented the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). We, therefore, can learn a lot from them and have to follow their rightly-guided example in all matters, and Ramadan is no exception.
`Abdullah ibn `Umar was a person who would prefer to eat his iftaar meal
with the poor. Whenever he broke his fast at home, he never ate his
fill, so that if a needy person visited him, `Abdullah could give him his
iftaar meal. Thus, he would end up virtually "fasting" for the rest of his day! He used to give away sweets in charity saying: I am heedful of Allah's saying, "You shall not attain piety until you spend out of that which is beloved to you" (Aal `Imran 3:92) and Allah knows that I love sweets.
The foregoing makes it clear how we fall far short of their glorious examples.
Also from the above example, it is clear how dedicated and sincere they were in following the commandments of Almighty Allah and the example of His Prophet in matters related to the blessed month of Ramadan.
And Allah knows best.
Name
zeinah
-
Profession
Question
How can we prepare our hearts for the coming month - I feel that this is veryyyy difficult. Sometimes you try to get in the mood but the distraction is every where. So, what to do???
Answer
Salam Zeinah,
Thank you for your question.
One way to prepare our hearts for welcoming Ramadan is to tell ourselves that a very honorable and important guest is about to visit us; and that he is bringing us a number of very valuable gifts.
This will hopefully create in our hearts the excitement of eager waiting for the guest, as well as hope and expectation. That is because Ramadan does not come to us empty-handed; rather, it brings us invaluable gifts such as the pardon of all the sins of the previous year, and the promise of Jannah. What else do we need for our success here and hereafter?
As long as we are immersed in the fleeting pleasures and evanescent material glitter surrounding us, we may not be happy about the prospect of a month of hunger, thirst and self-restraint. The distractions are too tempting.
So, what we need is a change of mood, which can be brought about only through a thorough spiritual overhaul. We have to necessarily prepare ourselves for a change in our lifestyle; a change in the whole rhythm of our daily life.
For instance, from now on, we need to be particularly careful to wake up earlier (i.e. those of us who have no habit of doing this) and pray the Tahajjud,/i> – at least two rak`ahs before fajar. We also need to recite the noble Qur'an much more than we normally do.
Having said this, we should also apportion a part of our day to day spending for sadaqa. (This is in addition to the payment of the obligatory zakah, which is a different matter). We are going to feel the pangs of hunger and thirst during Ramadan, and that will certainly remind us of those unfortunates who are deprived of the proper means of livelihood, as well as those who have fallen by the wayside owing to poverty, disease and disasters.
We can be in the right frame of mind for such charity and self regulation, IF we think for a moment about the immense blessings Allah the Almighty has given us. Imagine that we were deprived of all the wonderful blessings we enjoy now; only then will be able to fully grasp the importance of being grateful to the All-Praiseworthy Allah.
Remember: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "He who feeds a fasting person will gain the same reward as he will, without decreasing from the fasting person's rewards." (Ahmad)
In this regard too, some Qur'anic verses read:
"Those who spend their wealth by night and day, in secret and in public, shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve" (Al-Baqarah 2:274)
"By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give freely from that which you love. And whatever you give, Allah knows it well." (Aal `Imran 3:92).
Remember that of the total number of refugees in the world, about 60% are Muslims in today’s world! And what Muslim can eat his fill forgetting those unfortunate souls? Indeed, it is a real test of our iman. So, let us gird up our loins in preparation to welcome this most honorable guest –Ramadan- ignoring all the distractions and trivialities that surround us.
May Allah the Almighty bless us, guide us, help us, and reward us in this world and the next!
And Allah knows best.
Name
muslimah
-
Profession
Question
As salamu alaykum dear Shiekh and Ramadan Mubarak for you and all the muslims.
My question is: why don't we feel the sweetness of the Qur'an as the salaf did - how did they taste the sweetness of iman - what does its taste feel like - do we have a hope to be like them even a little bit. You know, dear sheikh, that we r living in a very difficult period-JAK
Answer
Salam Muslimah,
Thank you for your question.
Indeed, it is a really serious matter that we are not moved by the ever-glorious Qur'an as much as our great predecessors were.
The pressures as well as temptations are too much; and we, as weak beings, feel we are unable to overcome them. What is the way out then? Allah shows the way to how to train ourselves in conquering our passions: We need to fast with a determination to fully realize the real purpose of fasting, which is to attain taqwa.
We need to sacrifice the transitory and momentary glitter of this world in return for such immense contentment and sweetness that was attained by Allah's blessed servants, the prophets, the martyrs, the Salaf and all righteous believers.
May Allah the Almighty bless us and help us to rise to that level during the fast of this blessed Ramadan!
Name
Lorraine
- Ireland
Profession
Translator
Question
Assalamu alaikum.
I cannot fast during Ramadan due to medical reasons. Do you have any other suggestions on how I could make it a meaningful month?
Answer
Salam Lorraine,
Thank you for your question.
Muslims who cannot fast for medical reasons should give fidya, a compensation for each missed day of fasting. If, however, an old or sick person recovers after Ramadan, it is recommended that they make up for those days by fasting, and the fidya they paid will be deemed as a sadaqah on their behalf.
In the Qur'an, Almighty Allah says:
" . . . And as for those who can fast with difficulty, they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know." (Al-Baqarah 2:184)
So, in this case, you are best advised to offer fidyah, and later on, whenever you are able to make up for the missed fasts, you should do so.
Now, you can make the month of Ramadan meaningful by spending the time on reciting the Qur'an, understanding the meanings and the contexts in which the verses were revealed and on teaching the ayahs you studied to others, if possible.
Also, in addition to paying zakah, and sadaqa, you can show interest in doing some kind of relief work for the poor, the needy or the sick, as far as you can.
Hope the foregoing is helpful. May Allah the Almighty help you, guide you and reward you abundantly in this world and the next!
Name
ZUHAYR
- Mauritius
Profession
P.TIME SALESMAN
Question
Assalaimoilakum. Will our fast be annulled if we forget that we are fasting and ate something. Thanks
Answer
Salam Zuhayr,
Thank you for your question.
While fasting, if we forgetfully eat or drink something, our fast will not be annulled; so we can complete our fast in the normal way.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Whoever forgets he is fasting, and eats or drinks is to complete his fast, as it is Allah who fed him and gave him something to drink." (Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others)
The Prophet has also said, "Allah has excused for my Ummah mistakes, forgetfulness and what they are forced to do." (Tahawee, al-Hakim and Daraqutni; Sahih)
And Allah knows best.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
Answer
Finally, we would like to thank our guest for speaking to Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
