The Fasting and The Fit : 30 Day Ramadan Meal and Fitness Plan

Asalamu Alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabaraktu

Ramadan healthy eating plan, Please share with friends and family: http://productivemuslim.com/the-fasting-and-the-fit/

The Encouragement to Fast Ramadan Seeking a Reward

The Encouragement to Fast Ramadan Seeking a Reward

Compiled & translated By Abbas Abu Yahya

Published by Miraath Publications

Audio Excerpt: Miraath Publications – BiteSize Ramadhaan 1434 Articles – Day 05

1 – (992) – From Abu Hurairah -Radhi Allaahu anhu- from the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- who said:
من قام ليلة القدر إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه ومن صام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه

‘Whoever prayed during the night of Laylatul – Qadr due to Eemaan and seeking a reward, then he is forgiven his previous sins. Whoever Fasts Ramadan due to Eemaan and seeking a reward, then he is forgiven his previous sins.’

[Collected by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Nisa’ee, Ibn Majah & Albaani declared it to be Saheeh]

Al-Khattabi said: ‘The meaning of the Prophet’s saying: ‘due to Eemaan and seeking a reward’ means having the intention and a strong resolve, which is to fast Ramadan with certainty and desiring a reward for it. Wanting to make oneself better due to Ramadan, without disliking it, nor with feeling it burdensome due to fasting it, nor due to its long drawn out days, but rather taking opportunity of the many days of Ramadan for its great reward.’

Baghawi said: ‘The saying of the Prophet: ‘seeking a reward’ means seeking Allaah’s Face and His reward.’

2- (993) – Abu Hurairah -Radhi Allaahu anhu- said:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يرغب في قيام رمضان من غير أن يأمرهم بعزيمة ثم يقول
من قام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه
The Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- used to encourage praying in the night during Ramadan, without ordering them to do so as an obligation, then he would say:

‘Whoever prayed during the night in Ramadan due to Eemaan and seeking a reward, then he is forgiven his previous sins.’

[Collected by Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nisa’ee & Albaani declared it to be Saheeh.]

Shaykh Albaani mentioned in the footnote:

‘This encouragement of having sins forgiven and those similar to it, are a clarification of the excellence of this type of worship, which is that if a person had sins then they are forgiven for him due to this type of worship. It is known that the means which lead to general forgiveness are many, so when these means are gathered/ combined, what can remain from those sins so that he needs to be forgiven?

So the purpose is a clarification of the excellence of this worship, that Allaah gives this worship this amount of excellence. If there was no sin upon a person, then this excellence is expressed in raising the rank of a person, the like of that which is rightful for the Prophets, who are infallible from committing sin. And Allaah knows best.’

3 – (994) – Abu Hurairah -Radhi Allaahu anhu- from the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- who said:
الصلوات الخمس والجمعة إلى الجمعة ورمضان إلى رمضان مكفرات ما بينهن إذا اجتنبت الكبائر

‘The five daily prayers, from one Juma till the next Juma, from Ramadan to the next Ramadan, are an expiation for what takes place between them, as long as the major sins are kept away from.’

[Collected by Muslim]

4 – (998) – Abu Hurairah -Radhi Allaahu anhu- from the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- who said:
إذا جاء رمضان فتحت أبواب الجنة وغلقت أبواب النار وصفدت الشياطين

‘When Ramadan comes in, the doors of Paradise are opened, the doors of Hell-Fire are closed and the Devils are locked up.’

[Collected by Bukhari & Muslim]

In the narration of Muslim:
فتحت أبواب الرحمة وغلقت أبواب جهنم وسلسلت الشياطين

‘The doors of mercy are opened, the doors of Hell are closed, and the Devils are chained up.’

In the wording from Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah:
إذا كان أول ليلة من شهر رمضان صفدت الشياطين ومردة الجن وغلقت أبواب النار فلم يفتح منها باب وفتحت أبواب الجنة فلم يغلق منها باب وينادي مناد يا باغي الخير أقبل ويا باغي الشر أقصر ولله عتقاء من النار وذلك كل ليلة

‘When it is the first night of the month of Ramadan, the Devils are locked up and the evil Jinn, the doors of Hell-Fire are closed, so that no door from it is open. The doors of Paradise are opened, so no door from it is closed. A caller will call out: O seeker of good come forward, and O seeker of evil keep away from sin, and Allaah has slaves freed from the fire, and that is every night of Ramadan.’

[Albaani declared it Hasan]

5 – (1002) – It is narrated from Abu Saeed al-Khudri -Radhi Allaahu anhu- who said: The Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:
إن لله تبارك وتعالى عتقاء في كل يوم وليلة – يعني في رمضان – وإن لكل مسلم في كل يوم وليلة دعوة مستجابة

‘Indeed Allaah -Tabaraka wa Ta’ala- has freed slaves every day and night -meaning in Ramadan- and indeed every Muslim has every day and night a supplication that is answered.’

[Collected by al- Bazzar & Albaani declared it to be Saheeh lighayrihi.]

6 – 1003 – From Amr bin Murra al-Juhani -Radhi Allaahu anhu- who said: ‘A man came to the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- and asked: ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Do you see that if I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that you are the Messenger of Allaah, and I pray the five prayers, and I gave the Zakat, and Fast Ramadan, and prayed during its nights, so who will I be from?’

He -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:
من الصديقين والشهداء
‘From the righteous and the martyrs.’

[Collected by al-Bazzar, Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban & Albaani declared it Saheeh.]

[Taken from: ‘Saheeh Targheeb wa Tarheeb’ by Shaykh Albaani – Vol.1 p.582]

10- Day Ramadan Challenge

It's never late to start and complete reading the Quran before Ramadan starts! Follow this challenge and try your best, it's always better to try then to not at all. You could also use this same schedule during Ramadan and finish the Quran 3 times by the end of the month.

 May Allah make us successful and grant us baraka in Ramadan, ameen 

Sunset View This Evening!

Ma'sha'Allah these are the photos from my balcony after a very crazy rainstorm that lasted about 30 minutes subhanAllah. The beauty to follow a rain storm is just breathtaking, we have been blessed alhamdulilah! I came across this ayah:

He sends down (from time to time) water from the sky in due measure, and We raise to life therewith a land that is dead. Even so will you be raised (from the dead)." Al-Quran 43:11

Attained By Three Things

Happiness is attained by three things: being patient when tested, being thankful when receiving a blessing, and being repentant upon sinning.

A Quote By	Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah

Do As The Righteous Believing Women Did

Q: “Is it best for a woman to perform the night prayer in Ramadhaan (taraaweeh) in her house or at the mosque?”

Shaikh al-Albaani: “Particularly for the night prayer in Ramadhaan,the best thing is what the righteous believing women of the Righteous Predecessors (Salaf as-Saalih) used to do, which is performing it with the congregation of Muslims in the mosques, as opposed to the rest of the months in which case ‘Their houses are better for them’ as the Prophet ﷺ said.”

Q: “So it is recommended (mustahabb) for a woman, as you said, to go out to pray taraaweeh?”

Shaikh al-Albaani: “Didn’t you get the answer to this question already?

Q: “Yes but just to confirm.”

Shaikh al-Albaani: “Yes it is as you said. And it is even more recommended for the 27th night.”

[al-fataawaa al-muhimmah 431 / alalbaany.com]

Love Between Them

 

A man can be from East and his wife from West yet you will find love between them, this is a sign from signs of Allāh. 

Imaam Muqbil Raḥimahullāh [فتاوى النكاح]

Ruling on Observing Sawm (Fasting) on the Day of Doubt (the 30th of Sha‘ban)

Source: http://www.alifta.net

Q: If it is cloudy or overcast, is it obligatory or prescribed to observe Sawm (Fasting) on the Day of Doubt (the 30th of Sha‘ban) as a precaution, in case the month has begun?

A: It is not permissible to perform Sawm on the Day of Doubt (so called because there is doubt concerning it – is it the last day of Sha’ban or the first day of Ramadan), even if the sky is cloudy, because the Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Fast when you see it (the new moon of Ramadan) and stop fasting when you see it (the new moon of Shawwal); but if the clouds obstruct your sighting of the new moon, complete the month of Sha‘ban thirty days.” He (peace be upon him) also said, “Do not precede Ramadan by fasting one or two days before it begins, unless for a person who observes a habitual pattern of Sawm, then let them fast it.” 

As for what is narrated about Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), that he used to observe Sawm on the 30th of Sha‘ban if it was cloudy, this was his Ijtihad (juristic effort to infer expert legal rulings), but the correct opinion is contrary to this; it is obligatory not to observe Sawm (on that day). Ibn ‘Umar practiced Ijtihad in this case, but his Ijtihad opposed the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet), may Allah forgive him! The correct opinion is that the Muslims must not observe Sawm on the 30th of Sha‘ban, if the new moon of Ramadan is not sighted. If it is cloudy, it is obligatory not to observe Sawm. It is not permissible to start observing Sawm until the sighting of the new moon is confirmed or Sha‘ban is completed with thirty days. This is what is obligatory on Muslims, and it is not permissible to oppose the Nas (Islamic text from the Qur’an or the Sunnah) according to the words of one person, whether he is Ibn ‘Umar or anyone else, because the Nas (Islamic text from the Qur’an or the Sunnah) takes precedence over all opinions, as Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says:Surah Al-Hashr, 59: 7 And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad peace be upon him) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). He (may He be Glorified and Exalted) also says:Surah Al-Nur, 24: 63 And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad peace be upon him) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah — legal ways— orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them. 

————————–

‘Ammaar ibn Yaasir said: “Whoever fasts on the day concerning which there is doubt has disobeyed Abu’l-Qaasim (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).” This was narrated by al-Tirmidhi and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 553.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said in his commentary on the hadeeth “Do not anticipate Ramadaan by fasting one or two days before it begins…”:

The scholars (may Allaah have mercy on them) differed concerning this prohibition and whether it meant that this is haraam or makrooh. The correct view is that it means it is haraam, especially on the day of doubt.

Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen, 3/394.

The scholars of the Standing Committee said concerning the day of doubt,

“The Sunnah indicates that it is haraam to fast this day.” (Fataawa al-Lajnah, 10/117)

Personal 172

Where has the time gone? It's been about 2 years since I last wrote a "Personal" post. I hope I can keep it up from now on in'sha'Allah! Honestly so much has changed in the past 2 years of my life that alhamdulilah it's been a growing experience and I love that through my blog I can reflect on the years that have past. In about 2 weeks time from today it will be the first day of Ramadan 2016, Allahumma ballighana Ramadan Ameen <3 I'm excited for this month to start, Ramadan is such an amazing time of year. There's this feeling in the air and a beautiful positive vibe about this holy month that has me longing for it. You will probably notice the next couple of posts will be about Ramadan and different aspects of it. I hope you enjoy it and please spread the word.

Also I'd just like to say that if you've frequently been on my blog, or have been reading it for years or maybe this is your first time. I ask Allah to bless us and allow us to gain beneficial knowledge, ameen!

Fruits of Ramadaan – From ad-Dawal ila-Allah Magazine

From ad-Dawal ila-Allah Magazine

Allah – the Most High – has favored us with countless blessings, the greatest of them being Islam itself. Within the religion of Islaam there are many favors; one is the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. However, many of us overlook this bounty and are thus left with an incomplete depiction of Ramadan, often viewing it as a month to get oneself into shape!! Or rigidly describing it as a training program teaching self-restraint. Most importantly Ramadan is an act of Ebadah (worship), the fulfillment of Allah’s commandments and one of the great mercies of Allah to His believers for both this world and the next. lbn al-Qayyim [1] wrote in his famous book ‘Zaadul-Ma’aad 2/8587 :’From the Mercy of the Mighty and Most Merciful is that He prescribed for them fasting which will cut off the excesses of eating and drinking and empties the hearts of its desires which divert it on its journey to Allah -the Most High. He prescribed it in due proportion as will be appropriate and will benefit the servant with regard to this world and to the Hereafter; and it will not harm him, nor damage what is beneficial for him.”

The Virtues of Ramadaan 

a) The Hellfire is locked and the gates of Paradise are openedProphet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “When Ramadaan comes the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the Fire are locked and the devils are chained…” [2]

All praise is for Allah Who out of His infinite Mercy locks the gates of Hell, chains and shackles the devils and opens up the gates of Paradise in this month for His servants, making it easier for them to devote this special time to His worship. It makes it harder for the evil jinn to corrupt the people as they usually do, because Insha’Allah the Muslims will be occupied with fasting, engaged in reading the Qur’aan, busy with extra prayers and in doing other righteous actions which help clean and purify their hearts.

b) Sins are Forgiven.The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) explained to his Ummah that Ramadaan has such a high station that even if a Muslim’s sins were as much as the foam upon the sea, they would be forgiven through fasting in this month.

He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “He who fasts in Ramadaan due to eemaan and hoping for reward from Allah then his previous sins are forgiven.” [3]

Furthermore, in this month people are freed from the Hellfire every day and night, due to Allah’s extreme Mercy. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) told us in this regard that:

“There are in the month of Ramadaan in every day and night, those whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and it will be granted.” [4]

This supplication, which is never rejected occurs at the time of breaking the fast. (See Sunan ibn Maajah, 1/557)

c) Lailatul-QadrAnother virtue of this blessed month is that in it falls the night that is better than a thousand months, in which descends the angels and the Rooh, u [5] and in which if one is standing in prayer out of faith and seeking reward, then his previous sins are forgiven. This is the Night of Decree – Lailatul-Qadr [6].

The Virtues of Fasting:Fasting itself is an action which has many virtues and rewards, Allah – the one free from all imperfections – revealed in His Book “..and fast, it is better for you if you did but know.” [Soorah al- Baqarah (2) : 184]

To try and help us understand just how valuable it is, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) informed us that it is a shield against the Hellfire, a protection against desires, a cause to enter Paradise and a gate from the gates of Paradise has been particularized for it, as well as other merits.

A) A shield.He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: ‘Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the fire.” [7]

Fasting weakens and cuts off desires and since it is desires which lead to the fire, it can be seen how fasting acts as a protection against them, as a barrier, a shield, between the fasting person and the fire. It safeguards one from indulging in foul speech, quarrels and fights. It also develops the habit of self-control and restraint.

It is for this reason that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam), ordered the men who are unable to marry, to practice the act of fasting. Fasting will cut off the sensual desire by diminishing the vigor of the body, calming and constraining it.

“ 0 youths, whosoever amongst you is able to marry then let him do so, since it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts, and he who is unable, then let him fast because it is a shield for him.” [8]

b) A Cause for Entering Paradise.Since fasting distances one from the fire, it brings one closer to Paradise. The Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) was asked by his Companion Abo Umaamah (radhi allahu anhu): “0 Messenger of Allah tell me an action by which I may enter Paradise.” He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Take to fasting, there is nothing like it.” [9]

c) An Immense RewardEvery action of the son of Adam is given manifold rewards, each good deed receiving ten times its like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High has said: “Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will recompense it, he leaves of his desires and his food for Me. For the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time of joy when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, the smell coming from the mouth of a fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of Musk..” [10]

The main virtue of fasting, as with any action, is that it is done purely for the sake of Allah. The difference with fasting is that it is an act completely hidden from others so it is done merely for the pleasure of Allah (unlike for example: Prayer, Hajj etc.) and so Allah rewards His servant for it specially.

d) An IntercessionAnother great virtue of fasting is that it will act as an intercessor with Allah on the Day of Judgement – a day when we will be in need of intercession.

He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Fasting and the Qur’aan intercede for a servant on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say: “0 my Lord I prevented him from food and desires so accept my intercession for him” and the Qur’aan will say: “I prevented him from sleep at night, so accept my intercession for him” So their intercessions will be accepted.” [11]

e) An Expiation for Various SinsAllah – the Most High – has also made fasting an expiation for certain sins. This means if someone commits one of these sins then he can atone for it by fasting a fixed number of days. Fasting is an expiation for:

(i) Shaving the head while in a state of ihraam [i.e. while one is performing the rites of Hajj or Umrah.] due to some illness][Soorah al-Baqarah (2) :196]

(ii) One who is unable to carry out the obligatory sacrifice during Hajj – [Soorah al-Baqarah (2) : 196]

(iii) Accidentally killing one of the people with whom you have a treaty – [Soorah an-Nisaa (4) : 92]

(iv) Hunting game while in a state of ihraam – [Soorah al-Maaidah (5) :95]

(v) Violating an oath – [Soorah al-Maaidah (5) :893]

(vi) Dhihaar [This is the saying of husband to his wife: “You are to me like the back of my mother (i.e. awful to me) ] – [Soorah al-Mujaadilah (58) : 3 – 4]

f) Ar-Rayaan is for the Fasting PeopleFinally, Allah – the One free from all imperfections – has particularized a gate from the gates of Paradise for those who fast. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Indeed, there is a gate of Paradise called ar-Rayaan. On the Day of Resurrection those who fast will enter through it; no one enters it except for them, end when they have entered, it is closed so that no one (else) enters it.” [12]

“The status of fasting and its place in lslaam should now be clear to us, by Allah’s permission, and also the great rewards awaiting the one who fasts seeking the pleasure of Allah. The rewards can, however increase or decrease depending upon how close it is upon the way of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). Therefore we must know the characteristics of his (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) fast, together with its obligatory duties, its manners and the relevant supplications and then put that into practice.”

“ May Allah – the Most High grant us the ability to do that which allow us to capture the fruits of this month and make us amongst those who enter His Paradise through the gate of Ar-Rayaan.”

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FOOTNOTES

[1] Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (691-75). He was born in Damascus. He is one of great scholars of Islam: a muhaddith and a faqeh and the foremost student of Shaikhul Islam Ibn Taimeeyah. Among his famous books are Zaadul-Ma’aad and Ilaam ul-Muwaqqi’een and his length of poem on the tenets of faith, al-Qasida an-Nooniyyah.

[2] Bukhari Eng, v.3, # 123) & Muslim eng, v..2, # .2361 from Abo Hurairah, radhiAllahu anhu.

[3] Narrated by Aboo Hurairah and collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (Eng. Trans. Vol.3, no.125) & Saheeh Muslim (Eng. Trans. Vol.1, no.1664). The hadeeth applies to one who affirms the obligation of fasting in Ramadaan and hopes for the reward of doing it, being pleased with it, not feeling aversion to it, nor thinking that standing in its night is a hardship.

[4] Saheeh – Narrated by Jaabir and collected in Musnad Ahmad and al-Bazzar.

[5] See Soorah al-Qadr (97): 4.

[6] See the article titled ‘The Night of Qadr’ for more details on this special night.

[7]Saheeh – Jaabir in Ahamd 3/241,296.

[8] Narrated by Ibn Masood & collected in Saheeh al-Bukhari (Eng. Trans. Vol.3, no.129)

[9] Saheeh – an-Nisaaee (4/165), al-Haakim (1/421) and others. Authentic by Shaikh al-Albanee in Saheeh al-Jamee. (no.4044).

[10] Reported by Muslim from Aboo Hurairah (Eng. Trans. Vol.2, no. 2567).

[11] Hasan- Ahmad (6626), al-Haakim (1/554) & Aboo Nu’aam (8/161) from Abdullah Ibn Amr.

[12] Bukhari eng. v.3,#.120, Muslim eng. V.2, # 2569 from Sahl ibn Sa’ad radhi’Alaahu anhu.

Source of article: https://abdurrahman.org/2014/01/29/fruitsoframadhan/