Can You Rinse Your Mouth during Ramadan?

 

Rinsing mouth and nose during wudu (ablution) is either classified as a Sunnah act of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), according to Imams Abu Hanifah, Malik, and Ash-Shafi`i, or as an obligation, according to Imam Ahmad who considers it to be a part of washing the face.

In both cases, one should not abandon rinsing them when making wudu whether fasting or not.

It is noteworthy that a fasting person should not exaggerate in doing it. Here, we recall the Prophetic Hadith that reads, “When you rinse your nose, overdo it except if you are observing fasting.” (Abu Dawud) 

Accordingly, if one rinses his mouth or nose in wudu while fasting and some water goes down his throat without intending or overdoing it, his fast remains valid.

This is similar to the case when dust from the roadway or a fly enters the throat, which is regarded as a mistake, for which this nation will not be held accountable, even if some scholars differ regarding them.

Also, rinsing the mouth for other aims than wudu will not invalidate one’s fasting as long as none of the water goes down the throat.

Allah Almighty knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanooti

The late member of the North American Fiqh Council

I Felt the Power of That Night – I Found Peace

 

For me, I always felt that connection with God.

Within the trinity, looking back, I think my connection was with the “father”, like you know you want to go to the highest authority.

So with the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit you go to the highest figure, so I always had that connection.

And you know, my favorite part of church always was coming back after the communion and you pray, and you say like “bless my Mummy and my doggy and everything”.  And so I felt I always had that spiritual connection.

When my family left the Catholic church after the scandal with the Catholic priests and the boys, a friend in high school introduced me to Islam.

Visiting a Mosque

Then as I had just entered my freshman year in college in Virginia, I was actually invited by some friends I had met at the MSA (Muslim Student Association), I was a non-Muslim. It was Ramadan and everyone was fasting and they took me at night to the masjid (mosque) for laylatul-qadr (the night of power in the last 10 days of Ramadan).

I had never been in a masjid before, and walking in I could feel the power of that night. I went into the kind of dark room, and everyone was praying and a lot of people were crying, and I didn’t know what was going on.

And I walked in, and some lady pulled my arm and pulled me in-line, and so I was just like mind of … okay … , and then I would hear something again and again, Allahu Akbar, and then I followed and I would do the next thing.

But that night and that feeling definitely stood out to me, and that kind of pushed me to take the next step to further my own education for myself about Islam.

Two Turning Points

I always tell people that there were two types of turning points: there was laylatul-qadr which was like me feeling that spiritual connection, and then there was my education.

Imam Zaid Shakir has a “Back to Basics: Islam 101” set of DVDs. It goes through everything: it talks about the pillars, the articles of faith, and it addresses things that often make non-Muslims shy away from Islam, like what’s the deal with Ossama bin Laden, what’s the deal with the Taliban, … all those issues, and he addresses them, and just the way he talks Ma-Sha-Allah he’s a great speaker.

You can tell he is so at peace with his life and his Creator, so that really educated me on everything. And that was what pushed me to say OK, I am a Muslim, I need to take the next step to say the Shahadah, so I did that at the mosque.

Al-Hamdulel-Allah, I’m not one of those stories where my parents wanted to kick me out. My parents saw that I was happy, while at High School not so happy. So when they saw that I was actually finding something that made me happy, of course they want that for me.

My parents weren’t that happy about the hijab, they did not want me to wear the hijab; they’ve got used to it, Al-Hamdulel-Allah as I did not think that would happen. I just graduated from college and I’m home, they don’t really make any more comments, they now accept it Al-Hamdulel-Allah. And my mother and I are very close and she has actually started buying me hijab.

Ramadan

All the nights in Ramadan, not only laylatul-qadr, after fasting and everyone goes to the masjid and you can feel that power of the night of praying tarawih. That’s the most special part of Ramadan for me, as well as the discipline in the day, as I never realized I was so not disciplined.

You really don’t realize how much you take food and water for granted until every time you go to get some you realize you can’t. So that discipline I feel is very important for everyone.

I would love just to be able to sit down and really talk from my heart about how happy I am.  I know everyone whether they say there is no God, or if they say I don’t care if I die that’s it… And everyone has those questions about what happens when I die. I know there must be something else going on, and for me to find that peace, I would love to give that to them through Islam.

What I found for myself is that we think we have control when things are going good, but when something goes bad that’s when people cry out to God. That moment of realizing that God is the One in control, I think that humbling effect is what can really change people’s lives.

There is One God.

- aboutislam.net

Ramadan: Blessing or Deprivation?

 

Many mothers and fathers want their children to deeply internalize Ramadan, as they do, and forget the age difference.

Concentrating on making Ramadan a warm, positive, and happy experience in the whole house is a priority.•We should not expect young children to feel or practice the worship we started when we were older.

A light but consistent daily dose of Qur’an accompanied by linking its meaning and application to daily life is what I would suggest.

Yes, this is a very important statement, but before I reply to it, let me just go back in memory with you to your childhood, and mine, if you allow me. Let us go back to a positive memory or experience we went through as children. Why did we feel happy? What was going on? How ready were we to follow our parents’ instructions following such happy experiences?

What I am trying to tell you, sister, is that we ourselves took some time to internalize the real value of the Qur’an and Ramadan. The older you are, in sha’ Allah, the more you are ready and, hopefully, willing to explore the inner meanings of Ramadan.

Many mothers and fathers want their children to deeply internalize Ramadan, as they do, and forget the age difference. I think that concentrating on making Ramadan a warm, positive, and happy experience in the whole house is a priority.

We should not expect young children to feel or practice the worship we started when we were older. This does not mean that we should minimize our expectations of our children in this holy month; it just means that we have to prioritize our objectives.

The main objective is the general air of the house, which will pave the way to all other objectives. As for Qur’an in the month of Qur’an, it would be a good idea to choose verses that tell the stories children love most and to reflect on them together.

For example, the story of Prophet Ibrahim or of Prophet Yusuf (peace and blessings be upon them); try to link these stories to the children’s own daily lives in a manner they will find enjoyable and understandable.

We need to raise children who have a voluntary conscious link to the holy Qur’an stemming from love and choice. A light but consistent daily dose of Qur’an accompanied by linking its meaning and application to daily life is what I would suggest.

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Check out this video:

May Allah link our hearts and the hearts of our children to the holy Qur’an and grant us, and them, its memorization, understanding, and application.

Ameen.

- aboutislam.net

What Is the Importance of Qiyam-ul-Layl?

 

The expression “Qiyam Al-Layl” is derived from the Quran for what is also known as Tahajjud prayer.

Tahajjud is preferably offered after midnight, but before fajr.

During the month of Ramadan, stay awake, standing in long prayers, striving to get closer to Allah. The occasion of such long prayers is known as Qiyam Al-Layl.

Virtues of Qiyam Al-Layl:

The Quran says what means:

{And as for the night, keep awake a part of it as an additional prayer for you: soon will your Lord raise you to a station of praise and glory!} (Al-Israa’ 17:79)

This was a command directly addressed to the Prophet (peace be upon him), but it is also meant for his followers to adopt these special prayers, as additional prayers of devotion to Allah.

In the Quran, Allah speaks of such devotees who pray at night:

{They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.} (As-Sajdah 32:16)

This verse and those like it make obvious reference to Qiyam Al-Layl.

In addition, the Prophet said:

Keep up Qiyam Al-Layl. It was the way of the virtuous who came before you, it draws you nearer to your Lord, atones for your sins, forbids you from evil and protects the body from sickness. (At-Tirmidhi)

Aishah, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) reported that he used to keep standing so long in night prayers that the skin of his feet would crack.

When asked, why he did this while all his past and future sins were forgiven, he said:

Should I not be a grateful slave of Allah? (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:

The best of prayers, after the prescribed prayers, is prayer in the depths of the night, and the best of fasting after the month of Ramadan is fasting the month of Allah, Muharram. (Muslim)

According to Amr ibn Absah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:

The time when the closest the Lord is to His slave is in the later part of the night, so if you can be one of those who remember Allah at that time, then do so. (At-Tirmidhi)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) preferred to go to sleep early, after isha prayer. The reason was to avoid sleeping too long, for fear of missing fajr prayer or Qiyam Al-Layl.

Also, Umar ibn al-Khatab used to urge people to sleep early, so that they would not miss Qiyam Al-Layl.

Connecting our Hearts With Allah

Qiyam Al-Layl is an act of worship that connects the heart to Allah and enables it to overcome the temptations of life and to strive against one’s own self, at the time when voices are stilled, eyes are closed in sleep, and sleepers are tossing and turning in their beds.

Therefore, Qiyam Al-Layl is one of the measures of sincere determination and one of the qualities of those who have great ambitions.

Allah has praised them and distinguished them from others in the Quran:

{Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing [in prayer] during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord [like one who disbelieves]? Say: ‘Are those who know equal to those who know not?’ It is only men of understanding who will remember.} (Az-Zumar 39:9)

Qiyam Al-Layl is a sunnah mu’akkadah (confirmed habit of the Prophet, recommended to be followed), which he (peace be upon him) urged us to do when he said:

You should pray Qiyam Al-Layl, for it is the habit of the righteous people who came before you, and it will bring you closer to your Lord, will expiate for bad deeds, prevent sin and expel disease from the body. (At-Tirmidhi and Ahmad)He (peace be upon him) always had the habit of praying Qiyam Al-Layl, and never gave it up, whether he was traveling or staying at home.

Women Too

Among the pious ladies of the old times too, we read of many who were very keen to pray Qiyam Al-Layl. Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

Jibreel said to me, ‘Go back to Hafsah, for she fasts a lot and prays a lot at night (Qiyam Al-Layl).’ (Al-Hakim)

Muadhah al-Adawiyah, one of the righteous women physicians spent her wedding night, along with her husband, Silah ibn Ashyam, praying until dawn.

Then, when her husband and son were killed, she would spend the whole night in prayer, worshiping and beseeching Allah. Then, she would sleep during the day. If she felt sleepy whilst she was praying at night, she would tell herself: “O soul, there is plenty of sleep ahead of you.”

The above sayings and anecdotes of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his early followers clearly illustrate the importance of Qiyam Al-Layl.

It tells us about the boundless blessings Allah would bestow on us, if we care to spend the few hours of the night in prayerful worship of our All-Merciful Lord.

May Allah bless us to be His sincere devotees, to merit His rewards here and hereafter!

- aboutislam.net

About Professor Shahul Hameed

Professor Shahul Hameed is an Islamic consultant. He also held the position of the President of the Kerala Islamic Mission, Calicut, India. He is the author of three books on Islam published in the Malayalam language. His books are on comparative religion, the status of women, and science and human values.

What Duaa to Make on Laylat Al-Qadr?

 

The best duaa to make on Laylat Al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught Lady Aishah.

It was narrated that Aishah (may Allah Almighty be pleased with her) said, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylat Al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allaahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibb al-`afwa fa`affu `anni (O Allah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).’” (At-Tirmidhi)

Laylat Al-Qadr: The Most Special Night of Ramadan

As we approach the last 10 nights of Ramadan, we search the sky for the most blessed night of them all: Laylat Al-Qadr.

What is so special about this night? This was the night in which the Quran revelation started (over a time span of 23 years) to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Allah says what means:

{Verily! We have sent it [the Quran] down on the Night of Decree (Laylat Al-Qadr). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the ruh [Gabriel] by Allah’s Permission with all decrees. Peace […] until the break of dawn.} (Quran 97:1-5)

What Duaa to Make on Laylat Al-Qadr?

The best duaa to make on Laylat Al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught Lady Aishah.

It was narrated that Aishah (may Allah Almighty be pleased with her) said, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylat Al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allaahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibb al-`afwa fa`affu `anni (O Allah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).’” (At-Tirmidhi)

Feel free to make other duaa as well. You can prepare a list of things that have been lingering on your mind. Open up your heart to Almighty and ease your chest of that load.

Abundant Rewards

Allah says what means:

{The Night of Decree (Laylat Al-Qadr) is better than a thousand months.} (Quran 97:3)

Worshipping Allah on Laylat al-Qadr is better than 1000 months! This means that all the hard work you will do on this night of qiyam, reading the Quran, duaa, charity, etc. would be worthy of more than “83 years” of worship! O Allah your blessings are endless.

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat Al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Don’t miss out on getting your sins erased and the abundant rewards that await you from this blessed night.

Seek it on The Odd Nights?

Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Seek Lailat Al-Qadr (Night of Decree) in the odd nights out of the last ten nights of Ramadan.” (Al-Bukhari).

Laylat Al-Qadr is most likely to be sought in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan: the night of the twenty-first, the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh, and the twenty-ninth.

Specifically, the night of the 27th. An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

The hadith of Ubayy ibn Ka‘b says that he used to swear that it was the night of the twenty-seventh, but this is one of several opinions concerning it.

May Allah bestow upon us the honor to be amongst those who witness Laylat Al-Qadr. Ameen.

And Allah knows best.

I hope this helps.

- aboutislam.net

About Suzana Nabil Saad, MA

Suzana Nabil Saad is a Community Manager and a Live Chat Agent at aboutislam.net. She previously worked as an editor for Ask About Islam and has written more than 30 articles. She has many years of experience in outreach and holds an Ijazah in Quran recitation.She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the Faculty of Languages, Ain Shams University, Egypt. She obtained her Master’s Degree of Arts in English Literature from Gothenburg University, Sweden.She currently resides in Cairo, Egypt with her husband and three kids. She loves reading, hiking and traveling.

Which Night is Laylatul Qadr?

 

What can make you know what the Night of Alqadr is (Quran 97:2)

We don’t know which night Laylatul Qadr is. Some people are looking for it all the time. Maybe it was this night, maybe it was that night.

I admit I’ve done this thing in the past as well. But I’ve changed my mind on this recently. And the reason why is I believed we should be looking for Laylatul Qadr in all these final 10 nights. Like we’re told to do.

Allah is Al-Hakeem (the Most Wise). There is wisdom in Allah’s keeping to himself exactly which night Laylatul Qadr is. Why? Because as human beings we are too lazy.

If you know that you can go to a certain shop, a certain market and you are going to be able to buy exactly what you want from that market. Are you going to go to other markets, to look around and make the effort? Or are you just going to go to the market where you want that particular thing?

I know your answer. You’re gonna just go to the market where you want that particular thing because you can’t be bothered to go around lots of different places. Because it’s a pain. Allah has made it ambiguous, unclear which night Laylatul Qadr is so that me and you will keep making that effort on every single one of those last 10 nights.

- aboutislam,net

About Ustadha Ameena Blake

From Sheffield, UK; Ustadha Ameena Blake embraced Islam in 1992. Her academic qualifications include undergraduate in English Studies, Post Graduate in teaching, MSc in Leadership and Management and MA in Islamic Studies.Ameena has been active since 1994 having studied under various shuyukh and academics including Dr Jamal Badawi, Sh Abdul Aziz Atiq (Yemen), Sh Faisal Manjoo, Dr Atullah Siddiqui and others. Roles have included Vice President of MAB, Assistant Secretary General of the MCB and Head teacher of a girl’s Islamic school. She is founding director of the EHUK women’s refuge project and is a lecturer at Markfield Institute of Higher Education. She also sits on Mosque boards and is an Islamic advisor on Halal Guide.Ustadha Ameena lectures about Islam nationally and internationally and has appeared at conferences, fundraisers and events across the globe.Her topics include tazkiyah, women in the Quran, dawah and Seerah and others. She delivers regular live interactive lectures on Facebook and has appeared on channels including Channel 4, Sky TV, The Islam channel, BBC radio, Iqraa TV and others.

5 Steps to Catch Blessings of Laylat Al-Qadr

 

What exactly are we supposed to be doing about Laylat Al-Qadr? The Qur’an describes Laylat Al-Qadr, aka the Night of Power as:

“…better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.”

(Al-Qadr 97:3-5)

Any acts of worship – prayer, charity, reading the Qur’an, etc. – we do on this special night are better than if we had done them every night for a thousand months.

The thing to really aim for is to have all your sins removed:

Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylat Al-Qadr while nourishing his faith with self-evaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” -the Messenger as narrated by Abu Huraira (Bukhari and Muslim).

Laylat Al-Qadr is a great night of opportunity for every Muslim. Here’s how to reap some of the barakah (blessings) of the night.

1 – Find the Exact Night

First thing to do is try to best calculate the night Laylat Al-Qadr falls on, especially if you won’t be able to participate in all ten nights of increased worship.

The Night of Power falls on an odd-dated night on the Islamic calendar, as in Ramadan 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th.

Plan to make your supplications and other chosen acts of worship especially on those nights.

Young Muslim woman praying in mosque with Quran.

2- Getting the Most Effect

If you can take time away from your regular schedule and dedicate yourself to these ten nights – do it!

I`tikaf – the practice of retreating to the mosque for focused worship – can be practiced for as little as one hour and ideally up to all ten days at the end of Ramadan.

Spend as many nights as you can in i`tikaf, and for as many hours as you can.

3 – How to Practice I`tikaf

1- Be disciplined. Don’t dawdle; focus your energy and time on completing as many acts of worship as possible from Taraweeh until you have your pre-dawn meal.

2- After Taraweeh, recite the Quran, connecting to and pondering over its meaning, make your personal supplications as well as the du‘aa’ of Laylat Al-Qadr, and have a sincere dialogue with Allah. Open yourself to Him honestly and fully.

3– Take short breaks to hydrate yourself.

4– Pray the nafl salah – optional or extra prayers.

5– Be sure to pray tahajjud before it is time for you to eat.

6– Give charity. You can use an app or one of the many crowdfunding sources that are seeking charity during this blessed time.

7– Be kind and on your best behavior all around.

*There is a special dua to be said during the final ten days of Ramadan, with the hopes it will be said and answered on Laylat Al-Qadr.

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said:

“I asked the Messenger of Allah: ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ He said: ‘Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.'”(Ahmad, Ibn Majah, & Tirmidhi).

In Arabic transliteration, you can say:

Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee”

If you are feeling overwhelmed about how to prepare for the Night of Power, at the very least:

4 – Make Your Ultimate Du‘aa’ List

What are the things you most want in life? Short-term and long-term Reach big and far, why not? That’s what prayers are about.

During the last ten nights of Ramadan, especially the odd-dated days, pray sincerely for everything on your list, then do your part and take any steps you can to reach your goals.

5 -Let’s do it again!

Insha’Allah, you will feel some of the elation of participating in the final ten days, hopefully on Laylat Al-Qadr too.

Give your future self a gift and be even better prepared to reap the benefits of the final ten days of next Ramadan. Plan big and follow through on your end of the prayers you have made this Ramadan.

- aboutislam.net