*Ramadan Day 29*
*What have you
learnt?*
Alhamdulilah!
Alhamdulilah!! Alhamdulilah!!!
We
thank Almighty Allah to spare our lives to witness this miraculous month
(Ramadan). Brothers and sisters in Islam.
*I just want to remind myself and yours about on the following as
Ramadan is closing up:*
1)
20
Common Mistakes People Make in Ramadan
2)
8
Basic Errors Muslims Make when Paying Zakat Al-Fitr
3)
How to Lead your Family and Friends in Eid Prayer at Home
4)
The
Day of Reckoning
1.0 Eight [8] Basic
Errors Muslims Make when Paying Zakat Al-Fitr - Muhammad Ash-Shareef’s blog
I
feel compelled to put this together because I’ve seen the following errors
being committed even since I was a young boy. In sha Allah, you can help me
spread the word by sharing this article with your community, friends and
family.
What
is Zakat ul-Fitr? Think “Iftar”, Zakat ul-Fitr is the charity that we pay at
the end of Ramadan. Here is the foundational hadith that establishes the
obligation of Zakat ul-Fitr:
“Ibn
`Umar reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him), made Zakat al-Fitr
compulsory on every slave, freeman, male, female, young and old among the
Muslims; one Saa` (a measurement: four double handfuls) of dried dates or one
Saa` of barely.” (Sahih Bukhari – Arabic/English, vol. 2, p. 339, no. 579)
But
unfortunately, our community makes some basic errors in the payment of Zakat
ul-Fitr that must be clarified.
Error One: Paying at
Eid Salah
Some
people go to Eid prayers and drop money into the donation box thinking that
they have paid their Zakat ul-Fitr. No, Zakat ul-Fitr, which is food, must be
in the hands of the needy family BEFORE Eid prayer. If someone goes to Eid
prayer and pays then it is GUARANTEED that the money will NOT arrive on time.
And thus the person paying is sinful for having missed the payment of Zakat
ul-Fitr. May Allah forgive us.
Error Two: Snail
mailing the money overseas Basic principle as before
The
Zakat ul-Fitr, food, MUST be in the hands of the needy BEFORE Eid prayer. One
cannot mail the money overseas and have it arrive in the hands of the needy
after Eid prayer is over. However, if one is able to get the Zakah ul-Fitr to
the needy overseas BEFORE Eid prayer is conducted in their locality, then in
sha Allah it’s alright.
Error Three: Not
paying
Yes,
as simple as this error is, it is HARAM to skip the payment of Zakat ul-Fitr.
EVERYONE must pay Zakat ul-Fitr, every member of the household. So if you have
8 people in your house, Zakat ul-Fitr must be paid x 8, even if the youngest
member is just a few days old.
Error Four:
Confusing Zakat ul-Fitr with Zakat ul-Maal
We
are talking about Zakat ul-Fitr here (think “Iftar”, i.e. Ramadan). Zakat
Al-Maal (Maal literally means wealth), is the Zakah due on ones money – and
that could be due any time during the year depending on when it was due.
Error Five: Giving
money instead of food
Although
some scholars have allowed giving money instead of food, the spirit of Zakat
ul-Fitr is to give food to the needy of the community, NOT money. (One can give
money to the local masjid in charge and they can give food with that money inshallah).
The Companion of the Prophet, Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree, radi Allahu ‘anhu , said:
“In
the Prophet’s time, we used to give it (Zakatal-Fitr) as a sa` of food, dried
dates, barley, raisins or dried cheese”. (Bukhari – Arabic/English vol. 2, p.
340, no. 582)
Error Six: Giving
one’s Zakah ul-Fitr to a charitable building project
Some
people mistakenly give their Zakat ul-Fitr to a charitable building project:
like the building of a Masjid, or Islamic school. There is a difference of
opinion on this issue, but suffice it to say that the spirit of Zakah ul-Fitr
is that the needy should have plentiful food on Eid. All eight types of
recipients of Zakat mentioned in the Quran are HUMANS, not “building projects”.
Error Seven: Giving
Zakat ul-Fitr to non-Muslims
Charity
is given to both Non-Muslims and Muslims. However, Zakat ul-Fitr charity is
something exclusive to the MUSLIM poor and needy. Hence, one could not give
Zakah ul-Fitr to any needy person on the street. “Regular” charity can be given
to them, but not Zakat ul-Fitr.
Error Eight:
Delaying distribution
Sometimes
Masjids might collect Zakah ul-Fitr money and then put it in a bank. It doesn’t
reach the needy for months and months. The correct method is to give Zakah
ul-Fitr immediately when it is due.
Sources: Muslims
Charity mistakes errors zakat zakat ul-Fitr
Sources https://aboutislam.net/tag/mistakes/
Sources: https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/living-islam/8-basic-errors-muslims-make-paying-zakat-al-fitr/
2.0 Twenty [20]
Common Mistakes People Make in Ramadan
1.
Focusing on Food
To
focus to the extent that people begin to worry about eating more than actually
fasting. This also goes along with spending heaps of money on iftars even
though a person does not need to eat that much food.
2.
Making Sahoor much before Fajr
Eating
sahoor a few hours after Tarawih or Isha prayer is wrong. It should be taken
closer to the time of Fajr.
3.
Forgetting Intention of Fasting
There
are people who don’t make niyyah (intention) for fast, as they think this is
something which is in heart and doesn’t need to be verbal. They also think the
intention needs to be made once at the beginning of Ramadan and not every
single day, which is wrong.
4.
First Day Fasting
If
you find out late that Ramadan has started, you should stop eating and fast for
that day, making that day up after Ramadan/Eid ends.
5.
Tarawih Prayer
About
Tarawih, some think that it is not prayed on the first night of Ramadan,
believing it should be started after the first day of fasting. They forget that
the Islamic calendar runs on the moon, Maghrib is the start of the new day.
6.
Eating or Drinking by Mistake
Many
people believe if you eat or drink by mistake this breaks your fast. This is
false. If you happen to eat or drink by mistake then you continue fasting and
do not need to make up for the day.
7.
Using Miswak or Toothbrush
Many
people think you cannot use a miswak or toothbrush during Ramadan. This is
false, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) would use miswak during Ramadan.
Also you can use toothpaste; the reasoning by the scholars is that the miswak
has flavor, thus toothpaste is okay to use [if you are not eating it].
8.
Intimacy
Many
believe sleeping with spouse during the whole month of Ramadan is forbidden.
This is false, you cannot do this only during the times when you are fasting.
Between Maghrib and Fajr it is permissible to do.
9.
After Menses
Many
women believe that if their period has just ended and they did not make ghusl,
they cannot fast that day (considering their period ended at night, and they
went to bed without ghusl, waking up without having a chance to make it). This
is incorrect, if a women has not made ghusl she can still fast.
10.
After Intercourse
Many
men believe that if he has had intercourse with his wife and did not make ghusl
(similar to the above) then he cannot fast the next morning. This is also
incorrect, for he can fast even if he has not made ghusl.
11.
Prayer Times
Some
people pray Dhur and Asr prayers together during Ramadan. This is incorrect and
should be avoided.
12.
When to Start Eating
Some
people believe you cannot eat until the caller to prayer is done calling the
Maghrib Adhan. This is incorrect, as soon as he starts a person can break their
fast.
13.
Making Dua
Many
people don’t take advantage of making dua before they break their fast. This is
one of the three times when Allah accepts a person dua.
14.
Last Days of Ramadan
Many
people make the mistake of spending the later part of Ramadan preparing for
Eid, neglecting Ramadan. This is incorrect and these people lose the concept of
what Ramadan is about.
15.
Manners
Some
people think Ramadan is just about refraining from eating and that it is
nothing to do with one’s behavior. In fact we are supposed to control our
tempers and badmouthing more during Ramadan.
16.
Wasting Time
People
often waste their time. They tend to sleep the whole day and doing nothing.
Ramadan however provides us opportunity to take advantage of this blessed month
by doing more worship.
17.
Fasting While Traveling
Some
people travel much during in this month thinking they will have to break their
fast while traveling. This is in fact optional. If someone wants to break fast
while traveling one can (with making it up later), otherwise one can continue
fasting.
18.
Swallowing Saliva
Some
say you cannot swallow your spit during Ramadan. This too is false. However you
cannot swallow mucus that has entered your mouth.
19.
Using scents
Some
say you cannot use scented oils or perfumes during Ramadan. This too is false.
20.
During Ablution
Putting
water inside nose and mouth during wudu would breakfast is another wrong
perception.
Source:
Ummah.com & fasting Ramadan mistakes
3.0 How to Lead your Family and Friends in Eid Prayer at Home – A Step by Step Guide
1. Intention to Pray: In your Heart: ‘I am performing two raka’ah Eidul Fitr prayer
2. First Raka‘ah: Open the prayer with the Takbiratul Ihram (the first takbir i.e. Allahu Akbar) and then follow up with 7 more Takbirs. Afterward, Al-Fatihah will be recited followed by another Surah (Preferably Surat al-A’laa).
3. Second Raka’ah: After you stand up, while saying the first Takbir you will then repeat the Takbir 5 more times and begin reading Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by another Surah (preferably Al-Ghaashiya).
4. Sermon: [It is preferred to have a short break and divide the talk into two sermons.]
After the prayer, the Imam can address the people with a sermon (khutbah) that will:1- Mention the name of Allah
2- Send Salaawat / Durood upon the Messenger Muhammad [Sala Allahu Alaihi wasSalaam]
3- Recite a verse from the Quran at minimum
4- Command people to Fear Allah (Have Taqwa Allah etc)
5- Make dua for all
Basis of sharia compliance: These are mentioned and based on the Hadith of Anas Bn Malik in Sahih al-Bukhari and Maliki School of law decisions, in MUKHTASAR, as explained by Al-Kharshi and Al-Munah al-Jalil.
4.0 The Day of
Reckoning by Dr. Musharraf Hussain
A
time of reckoning is the time when something must be apologised for or avenged,
so is the pandemic Divine revenge? As we come to the end of the spiritual
exercise of fasting and the month of patience and sympathy, we reflect on the
necessity to change.
Reports
of the nature of society before the pandemic were disheartening: “inequality
had reached historic records worldwide, Australia had been burning for months
on end, autocrats were suffocating democracy in Hungary and Venezuela and waves
of protests had slipped across the six continents from Beirut to Paris, from
Hong Kong to Moscow” (Historian Rutger
Bregman, Time magazine May 2020).
There
are also reports of:
•
Eight million Syrians refugees
•
Severe famine in war-torn Yemen
•
One million Rohingya refugees in squalid camps
•
Millions of Kashmiri’s under brutal curfew in India
•
The plight of the Palestinians in Gaza the list goes on.
David
Attenborough (Naturalist and Broadcaster) presents a further horrific scenario
about the climate crisis and gave a stark warning that threatens human
existence on the planet. He said “this is an urgent problem that must be
solved, what’s more, we know how to do it – that’s the paradoxical thing, we
are refusing to take steps that we know must be taken – simply half the
emissions of gases heating the planet.”
A
crisis is usually a turning point for individuals and societies, a wake-up
call, time to make the unthinkable thinkable. Will this pandemic make us think
and make us change our ways?
“The
misfortune you face is due to your own fault. However, Allah forgives much. You
can’t disable Allah’s plan on Earth; you have no protector and helper beside
Him. Among His signs are the ships sailing on open seas, appearing like
mountains. He could stop the wind blowing if He wished, so they would
standstill on the surface of the sea. In that are signs for the patient and
thankful person. Or else He could wreck their ship, because of what they have
done, but Allah forgives a lot. Those who argue about Our message, let them
know there’s no escape for them” (Holy Quran Al-Shoora: 29-34).
In the midst of the
pandemic
There
are green shoots, we have all seen a shift from a selfish, individualistic and
egotistical society, towards people being altruistic and cooperative. People
are thankful to NHS workers, every Thursday as they stand outside their homes
to show their appreciation, other groups are feeding the needy, the elderly and
the vulnerable. Neighbours are talking to each other. Women sewing masks and
gowns for the doctors, the nurses and the cleaners risking their lives on the
frontline.
As
a socio-religious commentator, I am optimistic because of my belief in Divine
predestination (Al-Qadar). This powerful belief gives me relief from fear of
the uncertain future and the worrisome losses of the past. This is optimism,
the idea that good will prevail over evil. The Almighty says: “Any disaster on
Earth or to yourselves is written down before it happens; this is feasible for
Allah. Its purpose to ensure you don’t become hopeless because of your loss,
nor boast about your gain. Allah doesn’t like the boasters or those who are
miserly and encourage miserliness” (Holy Quran Al-Hadid: 22-23). The Quran
teaches us to be hopeful, expect to come out unscathed from this dreadful
plague and wish confidently to be a winner.
The complex and
marvellous world
The
world is not here by chance nor is it a random phenomenon, neither is it
unpredictable nor cruel. That’s a dismal, pessimistic and unscientific view of
the world. In contrast, the Quran presents an organised universe, working in
unison and precision like the cogs of a Swiss watch, governed by Divine laws,
unchangeable laws of the Creator. Furthermore, the Lord is Caring and Kind to
his creatures despite human sin and disobedience. He has established a just
system, an intricate self-maintaining and a robust balanced eco-system.
Unfortunately, humans are polluting, contaminating and ruining it.
“If corruption has
appeared on land and sea it’s because what people have done with their hands,
it is to make them taste something of the fruits of what they have done, so
they may turn back from their wicked ways. Say, “Travel about the land and
observe what became of those before you.” Most of them associated partners with
Allah” (Holy Quran Al-Rum: 41-42).
When
I go out for my shopping, I still meet some Muslims who extend their hands to
shake hands, maybe it’s just habit, but embarrassingly I have to remind them
that we should respect social distancing and therefore no handshakes. Fear in
such a difficult crisis is natural and definitely not a sign of an absence of
faith or weak faith either.
On
one occasion a person began to argue in a fatalistic manner and said ‘don’t you
believe in God?’ He appeared to believe that he had some special spiritual
force field around him, which will shield him from catching Covid-19. I truly
believe in putting trust and reliance on Allah but this is not how you do it.
Our beloved master Muhammed (peace be upon him) once saw a Bedouin about to
leave his camel untied, he asked him “why are you doing this?” The bedouin
replied, “I have put my trust in Allah.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) told
him “first tie the camel and then put your trust in Allah.” Faith abhors
reckless flouting of Allah’s laws, the believer respects authorities and the
laws they impose. The believer shows confidence in his Lord by being kind and
charitable.
To the future
The
Coronavirus viewed under an electron microscope has spikes that look like a
crown. The crown is a symbol of power and control. The immense power this tiny,
invisible virus has over humans is overwhelming, it’s forced seven billion of
us into a lockdown. It reminds us of our vulnerability and breakability,
telling us ‘you’re just mortal!’ The coronavirus mutation might be an accident
of nature but it reveals that humans have broken their relationship both with the
creation and with their Creator. We must ask how you will use this time to
change yourself. How will you help your family to change?
And Allaah knows best.
May Allah Almighty accept our fast and blessed us
May Almighty Allah reward us abundantly and accept our Ibadaah.
Ameen
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