Important Issues Dealing
with the Month of Ramadhaan
The muslims must
know that all the blessings for this noble month would never be achieved unless
we understand its ruling from Allaah Azzawajall and the Messenger (S) and
implement its ruling as it was practised by the Messenger (S) and the Righteous
Salaf (Pious Predecessors). So in our explanation of the rulings we will try to
restrict ourselves as much as possible to the two sources of Islaam, that is the
Qur'aan and the Sunnah based upon the understanding of the first three
generations of muslims and those who follow them. And may Allaah help us in
doing justice to His Deen.
Counting the Days of the
month of Sha'baan
It is imperative on the
general body of muslims to take special care in counting the days of the month
of Sha'baan in preparation for the month of Ramadhaan. This was the practise of
the Messenger (S). This is of great importance because the Islamic Month
consists of twenty-nine or thirty days. The month starts with the sighting of
the crescent which indicates its beginning. If however it is so cloudy that the
crescent cannot be seen, then the thirtieth day of Sha'baan is completed and the
new month (Ramadhaan) begins from the following day.
Allaah has set up the moon for mankind as a means of
keeping record of months and years. Based on this, therefore, the Islamic month
does not exceed thirty days. This is also established in the Sunnah of the
Messenger (S).
Abu Hurairah narrates that the Messenger (S) said:
"Fast whenever it (the new crescent) is sighted and break the fast when it
is seen. If it is hidden from you (due to cloudiness) then complete thirty days
for Sha'baan" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Abdullaah bin Umar said that the Messenger of Allaah (S)
said: "Do not fast until you see the crescent, and do not end (the month
of) fasting until you see it. If it is covered from you (by clouds) then
determine it (by counting thirty days)" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Adee ibn Haatim said that the Messenger (S) said:
"When Ramadhaan comes along then fast for thirty days except if you see the
hilaal (crescent) before it" [At-Tahaawee, Ahmad and Tabaraanee]
Whoever fasts on the day of
doubt has disobeyed Abul-Qaasim (Muhammad)
For
this reason it is not recommended for the Muslim to fast optional fasting on the
last two days of Sha'baan as a measure of precaution except if these coincide
with days which he regularly fasts.
Abu Hurairah said that the Messenger of Allaah (S) said:
"Do not precede Ramadhaan by fasting a day or two days before it, except
for a man whose regular fasting coincides with these days, then he can
fast" [Agreed upon]
And know well, our brother and sister in Islaam, that
fasting on the day of doubt is disobedience to the Messenger (S). Ammaar ibn
Yassaar said that the Messenger (S) said: " Whoever fasts on the day of
doubt (the 30th day of Sha'baan) has indeed disobeyed Abul-Qaasim (S)"
Abul-Qaasim is Muhammad (S). [Nasaa'ee, Tirmidhee and Abu Daawood]
Witnesses needed to
Establish the Month
The beginning and the end
of the month is established if one just muslim testifies that he saw it. The
sighting of the moon is established if two just muslims witness it. The
Messenger of Allaah (S) said: "Fast when it is seen, and break the fast
when it is seen. However if it is cloudy then complete thirty days. If two
witnesses (see it) then fast and break the fast" [Nasaa'ee and Daarimee]
However, although the hadeeth above establishes that
there is a need for two just witnesses, this does not mean that the witness of
one person would not be accepted. The following hadeeth makes this clear. Ibn
Umar said: "The people saw the moon,so I informed the Prophet (S) that I
saw it. He (S) started to fast and commanded the people to fast also". [Abu
Daawood and Daarimee]
Niyyah - the
Intention
It is Waajib (compulsory) to
establish the niyyah before the Fajr prayer for the compulsory fast (i.e. the
fast of Ramadhaan).
The Messenger (S) said: "Whoever does not determine
that he will fast before Fajr will have no fast (that is, it would not be
accepted)" [Nasaa'ee, Tirmidhee and Abu Daawood]
He (S) also said: "Whoever does not carry the
intention at night for fasting, will have no fast" [Nasaa'ee, Bayhaqee and
Ibn Hazm]
Notes:-
1. The place of the intention is the heart and
pronouncing it with the tongue is a Bid'ah (innovation), even though many
consider it to be good.
2. Establishing of the intention
in the heart before the time of Fajr is compulsory for the obligatory fasting
only. However, for voluntary fasts the intention can be established at any time.
Sometimes the Messenger (S) would come to Aa'isha other than in the month of
Ramadhaan and would ask her: "Do you have any food? If not then I am
fasting" [Muslim]
The Rulings of Ramadaan
