MAJLIS Ramadhaan Fasting Edition

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MAJLIS Ramadhaan Fasting Edition

THE PHYSICAL DIMENSION OF FASTING

“O People of Imaan! Siyaam (Fasting) has been ordained for you just it was ordained for those before you so that you attain Taqwa.” (Qur’aan)

Siyaam existed as a compulsory injunction for all Ummats prior to the Ummat of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). 

As for Muslims prior to the Fasts of Ramadhaan being decreed Fardh, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the Sahaabah would fast on the Day of Aashura (10th Muharram) and the Ayyam-e-Beedh (13th, 14th and 15th) of the Islamic months. 

Literally Saum means abstention – to stay away – to desist. The Shar’i meaning is abstention from food, drink and sexual relations from Subh Saadiq to sunset with the niyyat of fasting. 

Among the different views pertaining to the name Ramadhaan, the popular view is that it is the month which burns away sins. 

It is also said that Ramadhaan is one of the Names of Allah Ta’ala, hence the term should not be used without being prefixed with month, i.e. the Month of Ramadhaan. 

Siyaam like all acts of Ibaadat consists of Rooh (Soul) and Jism (Physical body). It has two dimensions – Spiritual and Physical.

SAUM IN ABNORMAL TIME ZONES

In abnormal time zones where the sun either does not rise or set for months, the times of the nearest normal region should be taken for beginning and ending the Saum.

FASTING AND HADHRAT AADAM

After Hadhrat Nabi Aadam (Alayhis salaam) had mistakenly ate from the forbidden tree in Jannat, he sincerely repented.

However, his Taubah was not accepted for 30 days because the athr (effect) of the haraam fruit was still in his bodily system. The athr was eliminated only after 30 days.

When he was totally purified even physically of the  evil effects of the forbidden fruit, his Taubah was accepted. Thus, 30 days fasting became the practice and speciality of the Ummat of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

MAJLIS Ramadhaan Fasting Edition

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RAJAB: READY FOR THE WARM-UP?

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Rajab: Ready for the warm-up?
Allāh Taʿālā has declared Rajab, the 7th month of the Islāmic calendar from the “Ashurul Ḥurum” (sacred months). In these months, Allāh Ta’ālā has prohibited fighting and bloodshed, and sin is more strongly prohibited, the punishment being greater. Similarly, the Ajr (reward) for good deeds is increased or multiplied.
Rajab is the beginning of a ‘high spiritual season’ that culminates in the Mubārak month of Ramaḍān. It is an important part of our Dīn to know the names of the Islāmic months and be conscious of the Islāmic date.
The Duʿā of Nabī-Karīm ﷺ that he would recite from the onset of Rajab in preparation for the coming of Ramaḍān:
‎اَللّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيْ رَجَبَ وَشَعْبَانَ وَبَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانَ
‘O Allāh, grant us Barakah during (the months of) Rajab and Sha’bān, and allow us to reach Ramaḍān’ [Shu’abul-Īmān Ḥadīth: 3534]
According to Imām Shāfī حمة الله عليه, the first night of Rajab is a night of acceptance of Duʿā, therefore as soon as the confirmation of the sighting of the Rajab moon is received, take advantage of this great opportunity!
The pious elders used to observe nafl fasts in Rajab and Shabaan in anticipation of Ramadan. Just as a person intending to run a marathon ‘warms up’ for many weeks and months before the actual race, we too should warm up by fasting and engaging more fervently in ʿIbādah before we enter the ‘race’ or ‘marathon’ of Ramadan!
These A’māl are the spiritual winds that gives rise to the spiritual clouds causing the spiritual rain to fall on the dead and dry ground of our hearts, which will then flourish in the month of Ramaḍān! If we want the Barakaat and Anwaraat of these months, start preparing from Rajab, and carry on working hard until we complete the month of Ramaḍān, with the taufeeq of Allah Ta’ala.
“The months of Rajab and Shaʿbān are a time for spiritual ‘alignment’ towards our purpose of life – the pleasure of Allāh Ta’ālā and to prepare for the Ākhirah, and a time to intensify in ʿIbādah and A’māl, ‘warming up’ for Ramaḍān!”
Mufti Zubair Bayat حفظه الله تعالى

Planting Seeds Of A’maal

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Planting seeds of A’maal

Rajab – A Month To Plant Seeds Of A’maal
Sha’baan – A Month To Water The Seeds
Ramadhaan – A Month To ‘Eat’ Of The Fruits
When the Hilaal of Rajab would be sighted, Nabi (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to
recite a Du’a, the translation of which is as follows:
“O Allah! Grant us Barakah (blessings) in Rajab and Sha’baan, and let us reach
(the month of) Ramadhaan.”

IFTAAR IN A SYNAGOGUE

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IFTAAR IN A SYNAGOGUE
A Brother writes:

Sympathising with the Muslim community of Cape Town in the aftermath of the New Zealand killings, Rabbi Greg Alexander of the Progressive Jewish Congregation at Cape Town had this to say;

” I want to invite any Muslim in Cape Town or beyond to join our Synagogue for our Ifthar Shabbat on Friday 31st May 2019, during the Holy month of Ramadaan.

For the past three years it has become an annual tradition to invite our Muslim neighbours to come and break your fast with us at our Shul. We will make a space available in the centre of our sanctuary for you to pray Maghrib and we will provide Halaal food for you to break your fast with our community as we welcome our Sabbath together.”

(End of the Brother’s letter)

COMMENT
It is not permissible to have Iftaar in a synagogue. Muslims should have their Iftaar at the Musjid as is the usual practice all over the world.

Iftaar is an Ibaadat, and an occasion when duas are readily accepted. This Ibaadat should not be in a synagogue. The Musjid is an abode where Malaaikah are present, and they say, “AAMEEN”, to our duas.

The community which has been invited, should write to the Rabbi thanking him for his kindness and compassion. It should be briefly mentioned that whilst the invitation is appreciated, for religious reasons, the community has to decline.

12 Rajab 1440 -19 March 2019