Haroon Mosque Khutbah
Brothers and Sisters,
Fasting in the beginning of Islamic era, the acts of eating, drinking and going in to the wives were forbidden in the night of Ramadan after Isha Prayer or sleeping. This made hardship for the followers of Rasulullah (Sal) including Umar (Rd.). He complained to Rasulullah (Sal) regarding this and Allah (Sub) has revealed :
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:187. It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Saum (the fasts). They are Libas [i.e. body cover, or screen, or Sakan, (i.e. you enjoy the pleasure of living with her - as in Verse 7:189) Tafsir At-Tabari], for you and you are the same for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you (accepted your repentance) and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allah has ordained for you (offspring), and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Saum (fast) till the nightfall. And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in I'tikaf (i.e. confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques. These are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not. Thus does Allah make clear His Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, revelations, verses, laws, legal and illegal things, Allah's set limits, orders, etc.) to mankind that they may become Al-Muttaqun
Now these acts are permitted throughout the night before day-dawn. This relieves the tension as well as fear of the believers. Since they betrayed themselves by going in to their wives during the night, it was a sinful deed. They feared Allah’s anger would fall on them. Allah forgave them by His Mercy and gave permission for the future.
Kaffarah is a penalty of atonement when the fasting is deliberately broken, without a valid reason through eating, drinking, smoking and sex. The penalty is: 1. to set a slave free (or) 2. to fast for sixty consecutive days (or)3. to feed sixty poor people one average meal. It is better to try not to break our fast without proper reasons.
Muslims anyhow are permitted to break the fast of Ramadan when there is a danger to their health. Fidaya or compensation meal will be given to the poor in case one is on traveling or ill and can not fast on that day. And one’s fast must be made up later of the year.
It is now permissible to use inhalers (used for Asthma) while fasting since it is not related to food or nutrition. But if the condition is not improved after the use, then one should break his fast and meet the doctor immediately.
There are things that do not break the fast: 1. If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks, he should complete his fast. It is only Allah (Sub) who has fed him and given him drink (reported by Muslim). 2. Bathing. 3. Use of make up or facial cream. 4. Injections which is solely medical and not nutritional. 5. Brushing the teeth.
Muslim should be mindful about the time to break fast. People who live in upper floors of Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, with a height of 828 meters have to break their fast 2 minutes time difference in Dubai. This is because at almost one Km high, they can still see the sun after it has set on the ground. A similar problem nearly a thousand years ago, when asked if guards atop the Lighthouse of Alexandria should break their fast with the rest of the city. The answer was that they could only break their fast when they see the sun has gone down by themselves.
During the time of Taraweeh Prayer, there might be some who relax while the Imam is reciting Al-Quran and only join the prayer when the Imam is about to Rukua or bow. This act is forbidden.
Surah An-Nisa 4.142. Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for As-Salat (the prayer), they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little.
Hope we are energetically ready for these special night prayers of Taraweeh. Narrated Abu Hurairah (Rd) Prophet Muhammad (Sal) said: “The most excellent prayer after that which is obligatory is the (late voluntary) night prayer.” (reported by Muslim)
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Haroon Mosque Khutbah
Brothers and Sisters, Friday August 5th. 2011It is a manifestation of Allah’s mercy on His slaves that He ordained fasting for us in order to purify ourselves from excessive tastes and to cleanse our hearts from lustful things. These days, Muslims all over the world are receiving the month of Ramadan; the month of forgiveness, merits and gifts; the month that gladdens the hearts of righteous people.
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183 O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun.
Fasting is prescribed for the people since the time of Adam (a.s). Nabi Davud (a.s) fasted one day and broke his fast the other day, he fasted alternated days. Nabi Isa (a.s) fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. During the time of Rasulullah (Sal), Muslim fasts only 29 to 30 days. There is no fasting during the night. Islam provides the most convenience way to fast.
“When the month of Ramadan enters, gates of Paradise are opened, gates of Hell are closed and devils are chained.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Fasting in this circumstance helps Muslim creates good habit. It is self-restraint. Fasting reduce the power of self or lust.
Narrated Abu Huraira (Rd.): Allah’s Messenger (Sal) said, “If one does not abandon falsehood and action in accordance with it and foolishness, Allah has no need that he should abandon his food and drink.” (reported by Al-Bukhari and Abu Daud)
Allah (Sub) Wish that Muslim practice mental restraint along with physical restraint. But to control ourselves from backbiting, bad habits, and falsehood is more important than refrain from drinking and eating. When both mental and physical restraint is achieved, we can become the pious.
Rasulullah (Sal) emphasized that Sahur (taking a meal) should be taken just before dawn and never delay in breaking one’s fast, as a delayed breaking of fast is the practice of Jews and Christians.
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185 The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu-Akbar; Allah is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.
Since Torah and Injeel was sent down in Ramadan and also Al-Quran. Then Al-Quran was slowly revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Sal) according to the related situations. Every Ramadan, Gibreel revised the revealed Al-Quran with the Prophet Muhammad (Sal). And we find this special occasion of Tarawiah Prayer only in Ramadan. As if it is a symbol of revision of Al-Quran in the Month of Ramadan. In fact we recite and revise Al-Quran in every month.
In Ramadan, Rasulullah (Sal) spend in charity more than any month. Charity raises one rank in front of Allah and he/she will be under the shade of charity during the day of Resurrection.
