the isra and miraj 1435

Dear brothers! I was talking in our bangle khutba one of the significant miracle of prophet sw. which is Mirajun nabi sw./ the ascension of prophet sw. towards heaven. Allah swt. gave many miracles to many of his prophets like muses, Jesus, Josef, sulaiman which Allah swt. stated in the Qur’an and he said the reason letting us know which is to give us lesson and to make us steadfast on the Deen of Allah swt.. 11:120 ‘’And each [story] We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart. And there has come to you, in this, the truth and an instruction and a reminder for the believers.’’

Dear brothers! Around the 12^th year of prophet’s sw. mission after he got lost his uncle and his wife khadijah ra. He was quite sad and overwhelmed by the circumstances. He was taken from al Masjidul haram, mecca to Masjidul Aqsa in Jerusalem and hence to presence of Allah swt to be gifted with five times prayer and to be showed the sign of his creations, the paradise, the hell and the supreme power of Allah swt.

It was physically not only a vision which Allah swt. mentioned in the Qur’an 17:1 “Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing.”

Dear brothers! Today is 24^th of the month of Rajab and some scholar saying the mirajun nabi sw. could be on 27^th of Rajab as prophets didn’t mention because there is nothing related with the date. This is why there is no any specific ebadah like nawafil prayers, fasting which we can do but as normal.

Dear brothers! To briefly how was the great miracle miraj.  Prophet sw. described to his companions he said narrated by anas ra. “On this night i was sleeping near by the ka’bah then an angel came to me with an animal named buraq which was smaller than a mule bigger than a donkey. Then he took my heart and wash it with the water of zamzam and a Gold tray of belief was brought to me and my heart was field with belief and then return it back and then the Journey started from Mecca to Jerusalem and eventually, to the presence of Allah swt.

Dear brothers!  On that night Allah swt. showed his sign of creation, his power and what will happen in the hereafter and this was the main intention of this Journey. There are so many things Allah swt showed his friend. Which we found from the Qur’an and Ahaadeeth of Prophet sw. to briefly, some of them are:
1. When prophet sw. going up riding on buraq at the first sky he saw the Prophet Adam aw. And the souls of paradise in his right side and the souls of hell in his left side and then on the way Allah swt. showed him some other prophets like Prophet Jesus, yahya, yousef, edris, haroon Ibrahim and muses.
2. At the 7^th sky Allah swt. showed the Baitul ma’mur prophet sw. asked to Gabriel what’s the Baitul ma’mur? He replied this is the place where 70 thousand angels are doing tawaf everyday. And then eventually, He reached the sidratul muntaha to meet Allah swt. which is the last station towards Allah swt. and where no angel can pass this.
At that time Allah swt. enjoined him of 50times prayer in a day but then on the way to return prophet musa a. Suggested our prophet sw. to ask Allah swt. to reduction. When he asked again and again until the 5times.Then at the end Allah said okay i reduced it into 5times but, ill give you the rewards of 50times through the 5times. Subhanallah!

3. Allah swt. showed him the paradise and hell.
Dear brothers! In the Ahaadith of prophet sw. we find that Allah swt. showed some scenario of Jahannam. He said “I saw some people are eating rotten meats. I asked to Gabriel about them he replied “they are the people who were engaged with haram things on the earth and they used not to care about it”

Another hadith he said “I saw some other people with a huge belly. They are trying to walk but cant. Then i informed they are the people who used to take interest”
Then he was showed some other people the angels are chopping off meat from their body and forcing them to eat that. Prophet sw. saying I informed that they are the people who used to backbite on the earth”

Dear brothers! The lesson of Miraj is very clear that we have to make our Eman stronger and steadfast on the Deen of Allah swt. we have to care about our 5time prayers on regular basis and we have to be very careful about the Haram and Halal and the big sins like interest, backbiting and zina. Also, We should study the surah of bani Israel where Allah swt. mentioned in details the lesson of mirajun nabi sw.

The virtues of the month of Shaba'n'1435

Dear brothers! This is the 1^st day of the month of Sha’ban. The month of Sha’ban is the eighth Arabic month. Today, I was talking in our bangla khutbah the Virtues of the Month of Sha’ban. When the month of Sha’ban comes prophet sw. used to emphasise its importance. In a Hadith he said “The annual actions/deeds are presents to Allah swt. on the month of Sha’ban”
Dear brothers! This is the month where we can be trained ourselves for the greatest month of Ramadan. The month of Ramadan is the greatest month than any other months. The month of Ramadan where we can have blessings of Allah swt. and likewise forgiveness, salvation from the hellfire and this is the month we have to be ready to get those significant rewards.

Today, we will discuss how the prophet sw. used to get ready for the month of Ramadan and how we can prepare ourselves for the sacret month of Ramadan.

Dear brothers! If we look the Ahaadeeth of Prophet sw. we can see how he tried to be prepared for the month of Ramadan. When the month of Rajab starts prophet sw. used say this Dua O Allah swt make the month of Rajab and sha’ban blessed months and grant us life to make it to Ramadan and when the month Of Sha’ban comes he used to do more Ibaadah than any other months, except the month of Ramadan.

He used to do fast repeatedly, he used to increase the numbers of nawafil prayers specially, the tahajjud prayers. In a hadith the wife of prophet sw. aysha ra. Saying “I never saw the messenger of Allah swt. did fast for a complete month except, Ramadan, I never saw him did more fast in any month than he did in the month of Sha’ban” (bukhari and muslim)
There is another hadith making it clear how the prophet sw used to aware of the month of Sha’ban. Narrated by Usama ibn zyd ra. He said I asked him O messenger of Allah swt. I didn’t see you fasting in any month as you do in the month of Sha’ban. He replied people neglect this month which is between the month of Rajab and Ramadan But,this is the month where the peoples  actions/deeds are presents to Allah swt. So, I like my deeds to be presented while I’m Fasting” (Abu dawood/nasaee)

Dear brothers! This is how and that is why the prophet used to do more Ibadah in the month of Sha’ban than any other months except, the Ramadan.

Now the Question is how can we get ready for the month of Ramadan and what type of Ibadah should we do?
There are some ways which we can follow:

1. The first thing what we have to do is, we should be very caring about our basic/ fard Ibadah like the 5time prayers if still we are not aware of. The 5time prayers it’s something you can’t make any excuse to do it. You can’t ignore it neither doing 3/2times. We have to do 5times. Because, If you do nawafill Ibaadah entire of your life still it can’t be compared with a single fard prayer. Also, as a preparation for the Ramadan first thing what we should do is avoiding all kind of Haram involvements.

2. Try to do more fasting in this month. for example: fully first half of sha’ban or Mondays, Thursdays or 13^th, 14^th, 15^th of this month. But, Not only just day before the Ramadn. Specially, If any one has any Due fasting like someone missed some sawm in the last year because of illness or safar he should do that first.

3. Try to do sincere repentance/ tawbah for the past.  Our faith sometimes weakens and we become overwhelmed by our desires. The shaytaan makes sin attractive to us, so we fall into things that Allah ‘azza wajal has forbidden. Now the question is not whether or not you will sin, because mistakes are in fact part of our nature. So, we should repentance every day. Prophet sw used to do tawobah 100 times in a day.

The repentance is one of the most beloved acts of worship to Allah swt.  Allah says: … Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves." [Quran, 2:222]

What we should know when we are doing tawba

1. We have to Regret for our all the past sins. 2. Quitting all kind of haram involvements. Because, Allah swt. doesn’t accept any Ibadah while someone is involve in Haram.  3. We have to promise and determined not to do any bad things anymore.  4. If the sin is related with others right then first we have to give them back their rights.
What Alla swt saying about the result of repentance 66:8 “O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow..”

The gate of forgiveness is still open for us we don’t need to be down whatever mistakes we have done, we just need to wake up and repent.

4. To get ready for the month of Ramadan we should do more voluntary prayer (17:79) like tahajjud at least 2 Rakah before Fazar and gradually, increase the numbers of rakah. Also, we should recite the holy Qur’an at least one ju’z or one chapter with meaning.8:2 “when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely”

Dear brothers! The greatest month of Ramadan is Very closed to us, just one month away from us. We should take it seriously and be prepared physically, mentally, and also, we should make our family prepared for the month of Ramadan.

The night of barat/ shob-e-barat '1435

Dear brothers! This is the month of Sha’ban. This month is the month to get ready for the greatest month of Ramadan mentally and physically. The month of Ramadan is the greatest month than any other months. The month of Ramadan comes to strengthen our relationship with Allah swt. The month of Ramadan where we can be blessed and forgiven and freed from the hellfire and this is the month the month of Sha’ban we have to get ready for those significant rewards.

Since last week we are talking the Virtues of Sha’ban. Today, we were talking how to build a strong relationship with Allah swt. and the 15^th night of Sha’ban which is more familiar as shab-e-barat.

Dear brothers! The Time and the society where we are passing, it’s quite difficult to save ourselves from the Satan and stay steadfast on the Deen of Allah swt. The Satan attacks us in every second from every corner of our life to make us away from the Deen. There is only way to remain safe from the plotting of Satan against our eeman is to build a strong relationship with Allah swt. What he saying 3:31”Proclaim, o Mohammad sw. “O mankind! If you love Allah, follow me – Allah will love you and forgive you your sins”; and Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.” He saying follow my prophet if you want to have love of mine, ill love you.

1. Serving the fundamental worships exactly the way prophet sw. showed us to do and avoiding Haram. 2. Increasing the optional worships.3. Studying the Qur’an and Sunnah.

4. Doing Zikir/the remembrance of Allah swt:
This is very simple we remember our loved ones in every second and that’s the sign someone truly loves someone. The Zikir/remembrance of Allah is the sign of our love to him.  2:152 “So remember Me; I will remember you” . Zikir is the food of our heart. The zikir is the medicine of our heart. Without zikir the hearts are like a death hearts.  Prophet sw saying Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari ra. reported: "The similitude of one who remembers his Rubb and one who does not remember Him, is like that of the living and the dead. Bukhari, Muslim.

So, a true believer 3:191 He remember Allah while standing or sitting or lying and think the creation of the sky and the earth, only then he can turn back to Allah swt. and will say "Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; and then he will ask protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
This is the month where we can start to rebuild a strong relationship to Allah swt.
Dear brothers! We were talking in our bangle khutbah about the nisfe sha’ban/the lailatul barah. Briefly, I would like to say few words about it. In according to the Arabic calendar on 15^th of the month of Sha’ban I mean the coming Thursday night is the lailatun nisf which is more familiar as known as shob-e barat in the Indian sub continents. The word Shob is a farsi means night and the word barat means salvation. The night of Salvation.

As we know in our community there are a lot’s of opinions on this night. Some are saying it’s quite similar to lailatul Qadar and some are saying there is nothing in this night.

Now, what should we know or what should we believe?

This is very simple when we are confused about anything we have to go to the Quran and ahaadeth of prophet sw. this is the character of a true Muslim. 24:51   “The only statement of the [true] believers when they are called to Allah and His Messenger to judge between them is that they say, "We hear and we obey." And those are the successful.”

Quranic dalil: In the Quran there is no any single verse which is saying clearly anything about this night. Some those who are saying the night of barat something very special night as like the night of Qadar. Their dalil is: 44:2, 3 “By the clear Book, Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind].”
They try to say in this verse the blessed night means the night of Barat which is completely wrong as Allah swt. mentioned the revealing the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan. 2:182 “The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an”

Hadith: In the hadith of prophet sw. we find there are at least 11 hadith and 8 of them are dayeef and rest are fabricated. I will just mention famous two of them one is from Ali ibn abu talib he said “Prophet sw said when the nisfe shaban comes do Qiam in the night and keep fasting on the day because, in this night Allah swt comes to the sky of the Earth and keep say o you who wants forgiveness I’ll forgive you, o you who seeking riziq/sustenance, I’ll give you and he continues until the sunrise” (ibne majah,1388) Now, the muhaddiseen saying about this hadith 1. Imam bukhari saying this is a dayeef and his ustaz Imam ahmad saying this is a made up/fabricated hadith.

Among all of these hadith one of the hadith which is narrated by 8 sahabi in difference sanad and muhaddiseen proved it as a Hasan hadith means not dayeef. Narrated by abu musa al ash ari prophet sw. said “in the night of 15^th sha’ban Allah swt. looks down on his creation and he forgives all his creation except those who are Mushriq and has enmity, hatred in their mind”( ibn majah, 1390)

Now what we have to say that, the night of nisfe Sh’abn is blessed night according the numbers of Hadith and as we should know the dayeef hadiths can be practiced on following conditions:

1. It can’t be against the hadeeth of Sahih hadith or Qura’n.
2. It can’t be practiced with any Ahkaam/ sharia rules.
3. Imam hajar askalani said weak hadith can be used to encourage to do good deeds.
Dear brothers! This is the month one of the blessed month. We will do Ibdah in the night of shaban without any exaggerations. Let’s not make it only on this night but increase our Ibadah in the full month of Sha’ban as a preparation for the greatest month of Ramadan. The greatest month of Ramadan is Very closed to us, just one month away from us. We should take it seriously and be prepared physically, mentally, and also, we should make our family prepared for the month of Ramadan.

 

 

The zakah (2nd week of Ramadan'1435)

Dear brothers! We were talking about one of the most important pillars of Islam the zakah . Giving zakah it is a criterion to become a Muslim. What Allah swt. saying about the zakah “But if they Repent, perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat, then they are your brethren in religion.(9:11).

Allah swt. making it very clear that not to take someone as a Muslim friend/ brothers those who don’t give Zakah. Giving zakah its a requirement to be a Muslim.

Why should we give zakah?

1. It is one of the fundamental worships and ordered by Allah swt: It is very similar to prayers only difference is the prayer it’s a physical worship and giving zakah it is your worship of wealth. To emphasise on giving zakah after the prayer Allah swt mention the zakah more than 35 times in Quran.

2. The wisdom of giving zakah/ the purpose of zakah is to make your wealth clean/ pure by the sight of Allah swt.
What Allah swt. saying “Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allah for them. Verily! Your invocations are a source of security for them, and Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.”(9:103). So giving zakah it is not for needy but to make your wealth pure and free from filthy.

What types of wealth are zakatable?
There are four types which are following:

1. Gold 85grams /silver 595 grams/ currency £235.42 when it’s over equivalent of silver. 2.5%

2.  Business commodities. 2.5%

3. Agricultural produces. 10% or 5%

4. Animals there are difference rules on each animal.

Here some important notes/masa’la:
1.The money/gold/silver zakat are payable when you own over a year.
2. Fix a date according to the lunar calendar not the Gregorian calendar. i e: 10^th of Ramadan and calculate on that day every year. The Ramadn is the best time to give zakah.
3. If someone wow to you then the rule is if that person has the money and able to give them back if you ask but you are not asking then you have to give zakah.  But if he is not able to give them back now even if you ask then there is no zakah on that money until you get them back.
4. There is no zakah on diamonds, pearls or precious stones/ jewellery/ personal cars/ houses or something for personal use. It doesn’t matter how expensive they are.
Where you can give zakah:
there are eight type of people what Allah swt. stated in the Qur’an at 9:60 1.the Fuqara' (poor) 2. Al-Masakin (the poor) 3.those employed to collect (the funds) 4.to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); 5. to free the captives 6.those in debt 7. Allah's Cause (i.e. for Mujahidun - those fighting in the holy wars) 8.and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything)
In here uk among the eight five are not related to us but three types.

Recommended place to give zakah:
1. Give one person every one year so, one who can be established and he will be free from poor.

2. Give an Organisation who you can trust on means they really, serve for the needy.

Remember the main purpose of zakah is making society financially solvent and free from shortage. So, give someone who can be solvent. If, you give many but none are become solvent it’s allowed but the main purpose of Zakah wouldn’t be fulfil.

So, you can’t give zakah to your own kids, wife, parents and an organisation/ an institution If, they do not serve needy/poor /to build Masjid and Funeral program.
Punishments of Zakah: “On the Day when that (Al-Kanz: money, gold and silver, etc., the Zakat of which has not been paid) will be heated in the Fire of Hell and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, (and it will be said unto them):-"This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what you used to hoard." (9:35)

Rewards of zakah: what Allah swt mentioning “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases.”(2:261)

Dear brothers! zakah its a obligatory worship Upon us and the rights of needy. Those who we missed the zakah last years we should give it immediately with this year and the month of Ramadan is the best time to give zakah.

the Ramadan and its purpose (includ. some rulings& sunnahs.1st week1435)

Dear brothers: Today the sixth day of the month of blessing. We were counting the days to get the Ramadan. Now the days are going fast and it will go away from us soon if we don’t take care of it, if we couldn’t make ourselves to be forgiven, if we don’t have all the blessing of this month surely we will be loser because we are not sure we will be here next Year and wallahi, on the day of judgement people will regret for this great chances.
The month of Ramadan came with numerous blessings, forgiveness and many more lessons. one of the great purpose of coming the month of Ramadan is to trained us for the rest of the eleven months. What training Ramadan gives us which are following:

1. The month of Ramadan comes to train us to be regular forgiveness seekers.

2. To train us a runner towards good deeds/to make us stay with good deeds. (5time + tahajjud prayers, reciting Qur’an, helping needy)

3. To train us to stay away from all kind of sins like zina, backbiting, lying and stay away from Harams etc.  

Also, Ramadan gives the training of patience, training of taqwa, Training of kindness.

Now the Question is are we getting these training? Are we trying hard to get these training?
Still If we don’t try to get these training. Please, From today let’s try hard to get these training and let’s not waste a second, minute, an hour. If we can’t get these training we will lose and will be regretting on the Day of judgement.   

Now some rulings of Fasting: THINGS WHICH DO NOT Break THE FAST

1) Unintentional vomiting.

2) The cupping of blood.

3) Wet Dreams or If a man gets up in the morning in a state of ritual uncleanness it does not affect his fast.
Prophet sw. said these three type of things don’t break the fast the hadith narrated by abu said al khudri compiled by tirmiji, baihaqi,,abu dawood.

4) Unintentional eating or drinking: The Prophet said. “Whoever will eat or drinks unintentionally he shouldn’t break his fast indeed what he ate its came from Allah azza wajalla” (bukhari muslim tirmiji)

 

5) Using drops in the eye or ear, fast doesn’t break but the rule of inhaler is different. There are different opinions, some scholar saying one can’t use it and some other saying it can be used because, the spray doesn’t go to the stomach.

6) A man who eats drinks or sleeps with his wife thinking that it is still before dawn, the same applies if he thinks that it is after sunset, there are two opinions in this respect:

(a) The fast is valid, for Allah said:

"You are not to blame for what you do by mistake, but you are for premeditated acts".

Zayd Ibn Wahb" is reported to have said: "People broke the fast during the time of "Umar Ibn al-Khattab", I have seen water vessels, brought from the house of "Hafsa", from which the people drank. Immediately, the sun appeared from behind a cloud. The people wanted to fast another day in restitution, but Umar intervened. "Why?" he asked, "By Allah, we did not mean any wrong".

(b) The other school of thought makes restitution imperative.

The sunnah of Ramadan:
1. Eating sehri: Narrated by Amor ibnul as ra. Compiled by Muslim “Prophet sw. said the difference in between our Saom and ihle kitab is eating sehri”  In another hadith narrated by anas he said prophet sw.said “Eat sehri; indeed the sehri has barakah” (bukhari and Muslim)

 

2. Breaking Iftar on Time: Prophet sw. said “people will continue adhere to good as long as they hasten to break saom” (narrated by sahl ibn sa’d compiled by bukhari and Muslim.)
Note: we shouldn’t waste the foods and we should share to the poor /needy/musafir.

 

3. Parying Tarawih/ Tahajjud: The prophet sw said narrated by abdur rahman bin aof “Allah swt made fasting compulsory upon you and I made it sunnah to stand for the prayer in the night, so whoever will fast and pray with full belief and desire to have forgiveness he will be as innocent as the day he was born” (Musnad ahmad and nasayee)

Dear brothers! The Month of Ramadan came with numerous blessings. This is the time to have these blessings and to be forgiven. If we don’t take care of it we might not get another Ramadan. We should take it seriously and try hard to get full barakah of this month.

9 Things You Should Know Before Intermittent Fasting

These days, everyone is all about intermittent fasting. The talk centralizes around the physiological and psychological benefits of skipping meals, like not having to carry around twelve Tupperware containers filled with six meals to last an eight hour shift. And how it increases insulin sensitivity, which, when combined with matterful training, creates an ideal environment for partitioning. (Read: more muscle gained, less fat gained.)

Yes, fasting — of all sorts of durations — is something I’m just about two years of experimentation into. And while I’ve seen incredible physical gains, there are some “things” fasting does that few people talk about. Some of these “things” are good. Others, bad.

You live and learn, as they say. But I just wish someone would have told me the following 9 things before embracing an intermittent fasting lifestyle.

1. Your conception of a big meal will be shattered.

People think intermittent fasting means you can eat anything in infinite quantities.

Not so much.

Overall caloric intake stays the same, but since there’s usually a reduced meal frequency, the size of meals increase to accommodate  Most former fasters are those that used to eat six, eight small meals daily. When they turn to intermittent fasting, it’s more like two, three meals daily.

For those that eat a lot of food, these two – three meals must be hearty.

Nate Green recently released a pretty cool experiment he did with his Precision Nutrition team and Martin Rooney. Check out the website: Bigger Smaller Bigger. On the first day of the “bigger” phase, Nate complained about having to eat four pieces of toast and porridge for breakfast.

Four pieces of toast?

After two years of intermittent fasting, eating four pieces of toast feels like eating one Ritz cracker.

Here’s what I ate for dinner the other night: chicken, meatloaf, rice, potatoes, vegetables. Yes, that’s a “big” meal. But if you’re a faster that’s relatively lean and looking to add muscle, you’re going to be cramming some food into your mouth.

2. Coffee will become meal, food group, and savior.

“Wait, what do you mean you don’t drink coffee? All big time intermittent fasting dudes drink it. It’s like a rite of passage.”

That’s what I told John Romaniello after he told me he didn’t really drink coffee.

Years ago, I downed coffee before doing fasted morning aerobic work. Every sip forced a gag reflex. Today, I can’t live without the stuff. Addiction is an understatement. And it feels oh so good.

A comical, yet fairly accurate, look at intermittent fasting is such: skip breakfast, drink coffee instead, have your first meal at lunch. In addition to coffee having some physiological effects on mobilizing fat in a fasted state, it also fights hunger — something most people used to eating a big breakfast need.

Over time, it becomes less of a drink and more of a meal. And then you suddenly become one of those idiots standing in line at Starbucks salivating over the stuff, even though a few months prior you couldn’t understand why anyone with a semblance of sanity would buy Starbucks.

3. Spiritual entities won’t steal your soul if you break the feeding and fasting window by a few minutes.

4. You may get a weird motivation to push your fasting limits.

5. You will hate people that complain about hunger.

I used to be one of them: people that whine and cry without breakfast.

“I’m so hungry, blah blah blah.”

Well, those people get annoying. Not because they need breakfast or anything, but because they can’t live without hunger for more than five minutes without erupting into emotional depression.

Shows you how lucky some of us are, living most of our lives fed plentifully.

I’m glad I’m not one of those whiners anymore. There’s something serene about being OK with a little rumble in the stomach.

6. It can mentally mess you up.

Right now, I eat two meals per day. I want to eat three, but I can’t. I blame it on the Warrior Diet.

Created by Ori Hofmekler, the Warrior Diet, in its simplest use, is eating one gigantic meal at night. I tried this for two weeks. That’s all. Just two weeks. My life has never been the same. Everyday becomes Thanksgiving. You want more and more and more, and you find yourself eating even though you’re stuffed to the gizzards.You get used to being either absolutely full or absolutely empty.

After stopping this one meal scheme, smaller meals don’t sustain you — they just make you hungrier. The only thing you think about is when the next meal is.

(This makes “cheat meals” especially dangerous, as you often find yourself overeating to the point of vomiting. It isn’t fun.)

Over time, I’ve broken free from this. But my current diet (you can find the old one here: The Diet to End All Diets), is still a manipulation of the Warrior Diet. Most of my calories are condensed into one bigger meal late in the day.

Surprisingly, despite the cited turmoil, I love eating this way. I learned how to cope with smaller meals (and even eat one or two of them per day, depending on the day) and not over stuff myself. It’s working out nicely with my lifestyle and physique, so perhaps the glass is half full?

7. The fasting period is an ejaculation of creativity.

After you get over the whiny, “Wahh I’m hungry, I can’t function,” phase, morning fasting is awesome. You’re alert. You’re energetic. You’re ready to get shit done. Since I depend on my brain to function at a pretty high level, this is awesome.

Part of me wonders whether or not this is just a crackpot theory though. I think this benefit gets boosted because the opposite — being stuffed — is like a coma for creativity and energy. And when you’re fasting and eating bigger meals, you’re going to be stuffed often. This leaves the fasting window the most productive feeling.

Regardless, I enjoy it. And it works for me and my schedule.

Combine the fast with coffee for creativity on steroids. +10 EXP.

8. Breakfast won’t be the same.

My beginnings with intermittent fasting weren’t glamorous. With a broken foot, I couldn’t stand upright for more than a few minutes without blood pooling to my foot and painfully expanding it inside of its cast. How was I supposed to cook? Answer: I wasn’t. So, I didn’t.

Prior to this, I loved breakfast. When I was an intern, driving down to sports facilities at 5:30AM, I woke up at 4:30AM just to make myself a gigantic breakfast.

But the timing of breakfast no longer appeals to me. (The food does though. I always eat breakfast for dinner.) From fasting and getting accustomed to eating bigger meals, breakfast becomes a bigger meal. And since bigger meals curtail energy and creativity, you feel like garbage from the beginning of the day onward.

Who wants that?

9. You might go Super Saiyan.

Goku ate big meals. Just sayin’…

+++++

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Ramadan and its rulings

When a person is called to testify in anything, his reliability is always an issue. Therefore, reliability of the muslims who report a sighting is important, as it would not be accepted from a person who is known to be a liar or easily misguided.         

The first sighting from a trustworthy muslim is acceptable. Muslims are assumed to be trustworthy unless evidence is established against them.

Then, the muslims with this knowledge are to give niyyah (intentions) to Allah, swt, to begin fasting the next full day and do so. If a muslim is not given knowledge from any source he deems reliable and is not able to sight it himself, then he should count thirty days from the previous month and start Ramadan at that time.

We should not wait for local sightings, but instead should accept any reliable muslim source that has announced the sighting of the new moon, anywhere in the world and begin fasting the next full day.

If two muslims disagree over whether a source is reliable or not, they should not argue over this because their minhaj is correct but their knowledge differs. They may discuss the reliability of the source, but cease when they realize they will not wind up seeing eye to eye. (See the article on Differing for more details on the proper manner of handling disagreements between muslims.) If, however, the two muslims disagree on the proper minhaj (methodology), which is to accept the first reliable sighting, then they must come with their proofs and disengage when there is not sincere seeking of truth but potential bickering/arguing instead.

Forbiddence of Fasting on the Day of Doubt

by Shaikh Saleem al-Hilaalee and Shaikh 'Alee Hasan 'Alee 'Abdul-Hameed

A Muslim should not precede Ramadan by fasting a day or two before it, thinking that it might be Ramadan, unless that occurs on a day which he is accustomed to fasting.

From Aboo Hurairah, r.a., who said: He (saaws) said: "Do not pre-empt Ramadan by fasting a day or two before it, except for a man fasting his usual fast - then let him fast it." [Muslim]

So be aware, O brother in Islam, that whoever fasts the day about which there is doubt has disobeyed Allah's Messenger . Silah ibn Zufar reports from 'Ammar: "Whoever fasts the day about which there is doubt has disobeyed Abul-Qaasim (r.a.)." [Reported in mu'allaq form by al-Bukhaaree (4/119), connected by Abu Daawood (no. 3334), at-Tirmidhee (no. 686), an-Nasaa'ee (no. 2188) and Ibn Maajah (no. 3334). Its isnaad contains Abu Ishaaq as-Sabee'ee who is mudallis who has performed 'an'anah. His memory also deteriorated at the end of his life, however it has other chains and supports which are quoted by Ibn Hajr in Taghleequt Ta'leeq (3/141-142) which makes the hadeeth hasan]

Sighting the Moon

Appearance of the new moon is confirmed by the witness of two reliable Muslims, as he (saaws) said: "Fast when it is seen, and cease fasting when it is seen and perform the rites of Hajj based upon that and if it is hidden by clouds then complete thirty (days), and if two witnesses testify then fast and cease fasting." [Reported by an-Nasaa'ee (4/132), Ahmad (4/321), and ad-Daaraqutnee. Its chain of narration is hasan. This wording is an-Nasaa'ee's, Ahmad adds: two Muslim witnesses, and ad-Daaraqutnee has: reliable.]

It will not pass unnoticed that just because two witnesses are accepted in one case does not mean that a single witness cannot be accepted rather the witness of a single person that has seen the new moon is acceptable, for it is established that Ibn 'Umar, r.a., said: "The people looked out for the new moon, so I informed the Prophet that I had seen it, so he fasted and ordered the people to fast." [Reported by Aboo Daawood (no. 2342), ad-Daarimee (2/4), Ibn Hibbaan (no. 871), al-Haakim (1/423) and al-Baihaqee (4/212). Its chain of narration is saheeh as al-Haffidh Ibn Hajr says in at-Talkheesul-Habeer (2/187).]

The Number of Tarawih Rakat

According to Sheikh al-Albani:

1. The Prophet (sallallahu aleihi wa sallam) did not pray more than eleven rak'at for qiyam (thirteen if we count the two short introductory rak'at).
2. 'Umar (r.a.) commanded Ubayy Bin Ka'b (r.a.) and Tamim ad-Dari (r.a.) to lead the people in tarawih with eleven rak'at, in accordance with the authentic Sunnah.
3. All reports that the people at the time of 'Umar (r.a.), or any of the noble sahabah, prayed twenty rak'at are unauthentic and contradict the truly established reports. Similarly, all claims that the sahabah (r.a.) have made an ijma' (consensus) to pray twenty rak'at are baseless.
4. Even if a weak report were considered authentic by some people, one should still follow the well established authentic report, because it agrees with the number established in the Sunnah. One may not desert the Sunnah for anybody's understanding or practice.
5. With our certitude that the Prophet's (saaws) consistent practice is the best, it becomes obvious that one should adhere to the number established in the Sunnah, and refrain from adding to it. This has been the position of many 'ulama.
6. And even if we concede to the often misquoted and misunderstood statement that, "There are good innovations," we must adhere to the consensus among the scholars that following Sunnah is better that any innovation. 'Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (r.a.) said: "Doing little according to the Sunnah is better than doing much in way of bid'ah." [Authentic report recorded by ad-Darimi, al-Bayhaqi, and al-Hakim. The latter verified it to be authentic - to which ath-Thahabi agreed.]

Laylat al-Qadr

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #1962, Narrated AbuHurayrah  [Ahmad and Nasa'i transmitted it.]

Allah's Messenger said, "Ramadan, a blessed month, has come to you during which Allah has made it obligatory for you to fast. In it the gates of Heaven are opened, the gates of al-Jahim are locked, and the rebellious devils are chained. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months. He who is deprived of its good has indeed suffered deprivation."

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #2092, Narrated AbuBakrah  [Tirmidhi transmitted it.]

AbuBakrah heard Allah's Messenger say, "Seek it (meaning Laylat al-Qadr), on the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, or on the last night."

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #2096, Narrated Anas ibn Malik  [Bayhaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-Iman.]

Allah's Messenger said that when Laylat al-Qadr comes, Gabriel descends with a company of angels who invoke blessings on ever who is standing or sitting and remembering Allah, who is Great and Glorious. Then when their festival day comes, i.e. the day when they break their fast, Allah speaks proudly of them to His angels saying, "My angels, what is the reward of a hired servant who has fully accomplished his work?" They reply, "Our Lord, his reward is that he should be paid his wage in full." He says, "My angels, My male and female servants have fulfilled what I have made obligatory for them, and then have come out raising their voices in supplication. By My might, glory, honour, high dignity and exalted station, I shall certainly answer them." Then He says, "Return, for I have forgiven you and changed your evil deeds into good deeds." He said that they then returned having received forgiveness.

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, #125, Narrated Abu Huraira

The Prophet said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."

Last Ten Nights of Ramadan

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #2102, Narrated Anas ibn Malik; Ubayy ibn Ka'b

The Prophet was accustomed to engage in private devotion in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan; but one year he omitted it and he engaged in it for twenty nights the next year.

[Tirmidhi transmitted it, and AbuDawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it from Ubayy ibn Ka'b.]

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #2107, Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar  [Ibn Majah transmitted it.]

When the Prophet observed a period of private devotion in the mosque, his bedding was placed for him, or a couch was put down for him, behind the column of repentance.

What Does Not Invalidate the Fast

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, #154, Narrated Abu Huraira

The Prophet  said, "If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk, has been given to him by Allah." Narrated 'Amir bin Rabi'a, "I saw the Prophet cleaning his teeth with Siwak while he was fasting so many times as I can't count." And narrated Abu Huraira, "The Prophet said, 'But for my fear that it would be hard for my followers, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak on every performance of ablution." The same is narrated by Jabir and Zaid bin Khalid from the Prophet who did not differentiate between a fasting and a nonfasting person in this respect (using Siwak). Aisha said, "The Prophet said, "It (i.e. Siwak) is a purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah's pleasures." Ata' and Qatada said, "There is no harm in swallowing the resultant saliva."

 

 

Recommended to Eat before Fajr

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol.3, Book 31, #143, Narrated Sahl bin Sad

I used to take my Suhur meals with my family and then hurry up for presenting myself for the (Fajr) prayer with Allah's Apostle.

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol.3, Book 31, #146, Narrated Anas bin Malik

The Prophet said, "Take Suhur as there is a blessing in it."

Fiqh-us-Sunnah 3.130a

The sunnah would be fulfilled by eating a small or large quantity of food, or even just by drinking a sip of water. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah said: "The pre-dawn meal is blessed, so do not neglect it even if you only take a sip of water. Verily, Allah and the angels pray for those who have pre-dawn meals." This is related by Ahmad.

When Ramadan Begins

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #1962, Narrated AbuHurayrah [Tirmidhi transmitted it.]

Allah's Messenger said, "Calculate on the basis of the new moon of Sha'ban when Ramadan begins."

Breaking the Fast

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #1989, Narrated AbuHurayrah [Tirmidhi transmitted it.]

Allah's Messenger said, that Allah Most High said, "Those of my servants who are quickest in breaking their fast are dearest to me."

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Number 178, Narrated Sahl bin Sad

Allah's Apostle said, "The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast."

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Number 182, Narrated Anas

The Prophet said, "Do not practice Al-Wisal (fasting continuously without breaking one's fast in the evening or eating before the following dawn)." The people said to the Prophet, "But you practice Al-Wisal?" The Prophet replied, "I am not like any of you, for I am given food and drink (by Allah) during the night."

Success or Failure

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #1989, Narrated AbuHurayrah [Darimi transmitted it.]

Allah's Messenger said, "Many a one who fasts obtains nothing from his fasting but thirst, and many a one who prays during the night obtains nothing from his night prayers but wakefulness."

During Ramadan, Paradise Opens its Doors, Hell Closes its and Satan's are Chained

Hadith - Ahmad and an-Nasa'i

`Arfajah said "We were with `Utbah ibn Farqad while he was discussing Ramadan. A companion of the Prophet entered upon the scene. When `Utbah saw him, he became shy and stopped talking. The man [the companion] spoke about Ramadan, saying "I heard the Messenger of Allah say during Ramadan: "The gates of Hell are closed, the gates of Paradise are opened, and the devils are in chains. An angel calls out : 'O you who intend to do good deeds, have glad tidings. O you who intend to do evil, refrain, until Ramadan is completed.

Travel

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Number 164, Narrated 'Aisha

(the wife of the Prophet) Hamza bin 'Amr Al-Aslami asked the Prophet, "Should I fast while traveling?" The Prophet replied, "You may fast if you wish, and you may not fast if you wish."

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Number 167, Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah

Allah's Apostle was on a journey and saw a crowd of people, and a man was being shaded (by them). He asked, "What is the matter?" They said, "He (the man) is fasting." The Prophet said, "It is not righteousness that you fast on a journey."

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Number 168, Narrated Anas bin Malik

We used to travel with the Prophet and neither did the fasting persons criticize those who were not fasting, nor did those who were not fasting criticize the fasting ones.

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #2028, Narrated AbdurRahman ibn Awf [Ibn Majah transmitted it.]

Allah's Messenger said, "One who fasts in Ramadan while travelling is like one who breaks his fast when not travelling."

Menses

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Number 172, Narrated Abu Said

The Prophet said, "Isn't it true that a woman does not pray and does not fast on menstruating? And that is the defect (a loss) in her religion."

Fabricated Hadith Regarding Ramadan

1.

"If the servants knew how great Ramadaan was, then they would wish that Ramadaan lasted all year. Indeed Paradise is decorated for Ramadaan from the start of the year till the next year..." and it is a long hadeeth. Reported by lbn Khuzaimah (No. 1886), lbn al-Jawzee in Kitaabul-Mawdoo'aat (2/I 88-I 89) and Aboo Ya'laa in his Musnad as occurs in aIMataaIibuI-'Aah~ah (46/a-b manuscript) by way of Jareer ibn Ayyoob al Bajalee: from ash-Sha'bee: from Naafi' ibn Burdah: from Aboo Mas'ood alGhifaaree. This hadeeth is fabricated (mawdoo'), the cause being Jareer ibn Ayyoob. Ibn Hajr quotes his biography in Lisaanul-Meezaan (2/I 01) and says: "Famous for his weakness." Then he quotes the saying of Aboo Nu'aim about him: "He used to fabricate ahadeeth," From al-Bukhaaree: "Munkar in narrating hadeeth," and from an-Nasaa'ee: "Abandoned!" Ibn al-Jawzee declared it to be fabricated, and Ibn Khuzaimah said after relating it: "If the narration is authentic, since there is some doubt in the heart about Jareer lbn Ayyoob al-Bajalee."

2.

"0 people a very great month has come upon you, a month containing a night better than a thousand months. Allaah has made it an obligation to fast in it, and standing in prayer in its night is a supererogatory action. Whoever seeks nearness to Him with a good deed in it will be like one performing an obligatory action in other months... It is a month the beginning of which is a mercy, the middle Forgiveness, and its end is a granting of freedom from the Fire..."

It is also a long hadeeth; this is the most well-known parts of it. This hadeeth is also reported by lbn Khuzaimah (No.1887), al-Mahaamulee in his Amaalee (No.293), and al-Asbahaanee in at-Targheeb (Q/178, B-manuscript) by way of 'Alee ibn Zayd ibn Jud'aan: from Sa'eed ibn al-Musaayib: from Salmaan. This isnad (chain) is da'eef (weak) due to the weakness of'Alee ibn Zayd. Ibn Sad says about him, "He is somewhat weak, he is not used as a proof" Ahmad ibn Hanbal said: "He is not strong." Ibn Ma'een said: "He is weak." Ibn Abee Khaithumah said: "Weak in everything." Ibn Khuzaimah said: "I do not accept him as a proof due to his weak memory." - as occurs in at-Tahdheeb (7/322-323). Ibn Khuzaimah said after quoting his narration: "If the narration is authentic." Ibn Hajr says in al-Atraaf "It is narrated by 'Alee ibn Zayd ibnjud'aan alone and he is weak" as As-Suyootee quotes from him injam'ul-Jawaami' (No.24,714). Ibn Abee Haatim reports from his father in 'Ilalul-Hadeeth (1/249) that he said: "The hadeeth is munkar (denounced)!"

3.

"Fast and you will be healthy." It is part of a hadeeth reported by lbn 'Adiyy in al-Koamil (7/2521) by way of Nahshal ibn Sa'eed: from ad-Dahhaak: from lbn 'Abbaas. At-Tabaraanee reports it in al-Awsat (I /Q, 69 A-manuscript of Majma' ul-Bahrain) and Aboo Nu'aim in at-Tibbun-Nabawee as occurs in Takhreejul-lhyaa' (7/40 I) by way of Muhammad ibn Sulaimaan ibn Abee Daawood: from Zuhair ibn Muhammad: Suhail lbn Abee Saalih: from Aboo Hurairah. Its isnad (chain) is weak. Aboo Bakr al-Athrum said: "I heard Ahmad say - and he mentioned the narration of the people of Shaam from Zuhair ibn Muhammad, he said: 'They report ahoadeeth from him that are munkar."' Aboo Haatim said: "There is some weakness in his memory, his ahaadeeth narrated in lraaq are better than his hadeeth narrated in Shoam due to his weak memory." AI-'lj lee said: "These ahadeeth which the people of Shaam narrate from him do not please me," as occurs in Tahdheebul-Kamaal (9/4 I 7). Muhammad lbn Sulaimaan is from Shaam and has a biography in Taareekh Dimishq (I 5 Q,386 - manuscript) - so his narrations from Zuhair, as the scholars have stated, are munkar and this hadeeth is one of them!

4.

"He who abandons fasting during a day of Ramadaan without a valid excuse, or illness - then even if he were to fast forever it would not make up for it." This hadeeth is quoted in disconnected form by al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh (Fathul-Baaree, 4/160) without an isnad. It is connected by lbn Khuzaimah in his Saheeh (No.1987), at-Tirmidhee (No.723) Aboo Daawood (No.2397), lbn Maajah (No. 1672), an-Nasaa'ee in al-Kubraa as occurs in TuhfatulAshraaf (10/373), al-Baihaqee (4/228) and lbn Hajr in Taghleequt-Ta'leeq (3/I 70) byway of Abul-Mutawwas: from his father: from Aboo Hurairah. Ibn Hajr says in Fathul-Baaree (4/I 6 I): "They disagree greatly in their narration from Habeeb ibn Abee Thaabit, it has three weaknesses: (i) contradiction of its narrators, (ii) the condition ofAbul-Mutawwas is unknown, (iii) doubt about whether his father met Aboo Hurairah or not" lbn Khuzaimah says after reporting it: "If the narration is authentic, since I do not know Abul-Mutawwas or his father."

 

These are four ahaadeeth which have been declared weak and unreliable by the scholars, yet we still hear them and see them every day in the blessed month of Ramadaan. It is apparent that some of these ahadeeth contain parts whose meaning is correct and established in the Sunnah. It is important, however, to know that they are weak, and put them in their proper perspective.