Unity When Fasting and On the Day of the ‘Eed [al-Albaanee]

By: Shaykh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen Al-Albaanee (may Allah have Mercy on him)
Source: Silsilatul-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah #224 (1/440-445)

[ In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, may His Salaah and Salaam be upon his final Messenger Muhammad, and upon all his family members and Companions, to proceed… ]

Regarding the hadeeth:

الصوم يوم تصومون والفطر يوم تفطرون

“Fasting begins on the day you all begin to fast, and Al-Fitr (the ‘Eed) is the day when you all have broken your fasts.” [1]

At-Tirmithee, after mentioning this hadeeth, said, “And some of the people of knowledge explained this hadeeth, saying that fasting and breaking the fast are both done along with the Jamaa’ah and the masses of the Muslims.”

And As-San’aanee said, “In it is evidence that proves that agreement of the people is needed for establishing the ‘Eed, and that the one who is alone in his knowledge of the moon sighting must go along with the others, and their decision regarding the prayer, the breaking of the fast, and the day of slaughtering is binding on him.” [2]

And Ibnul-Qayyim, may Allah have Mercy on him, explained this, saying, “And it has been said (by the people of knowledge) that there is a refutation in this for those who say that a person can fast and break his fast based on calculated estimations, without others having knowledge of this. And it has also been said that if a lone witness sights the moon, and the judge does not accept his sighting (for some reason), then he himself does not begin his fast based on it, nor do the people begin their fasts based on it.” [3]

And Abul-Hasan As-Sindee, after mentioning the hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah found in At-Tirmithee’s Sunan, said, “And what is apparent from the hadeeth’s meaning is that these affairs are not Continue reading

Getting Serious in the Last Ten Nights of Ramadan

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

There are two important narrations from our mother, the noble Companion, ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), which every Muslim should keep in mind as the last ten nights of Ramadan approach:

إِذَا دَخَلَ الْعَشْرُ: أَحْيَا اللَّيْلَ، وَأَيْقَظَ أَهْلَهُ، وَجَدَّ وَشَدَّ الْمِئْزَرَ
“When the [last] ten [nights of Ramadan] began, he would stay up all night, wake his family, get [even more] serious, and tighten his lower garment.”

This hadeeth was collected by al-Bukhaaree (2024) and Muslim (1174).

In another authentic narration, she asked about what she should say if she were to reach Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of al-Qadr, and so the Messenger of Allah (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) told her to say: Continue reading

Publication: Ramadhaan Lessons 1443 (Volume 5)

Al-hamdu lillaah, we are very excited to announce that our latest publication, Ramadhaan Lessons from the Noble Quran and Authentic Sunnah, Volume 5, 1443 (2022), is now available for purchase worldwide!

This year, we seek Allah’s Assistance in studying Soorah Ghaafir, reading the complete Tafseer of two great imaams, al-Baghawee and as-Sa’dee (may Allah have Mercy on them), along with a detailed Hadeeth study each day, similar to our previous years’ method, with some additional activities and challenges! 60 engaging lessons for this blessed month of Ramadhaan, a time for striving and exerting effort, not sitting back and waiting for the evening meal!

Publicly available archive of all the FREE high-quality MP3 recordings: https://www.spreaker.com/show/1443-ramadhaan-lessons-vol-5

Take a look at this free PDF sample of the book: PDF

NOW AVAILABLE: FULL PDF VERSION (Use coupon code “BAKKAH25” for 25% off!)

Continue reading

A Special Ramadhaan Message From the Custodian of the Two Sacred Mosques

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the One who said in His Noble Book:

“O you who believe! Prescribed upon you is fasting, as it was prescribed upon the people before you, in order for you to attain piety.” [2:183]

May Allah raise the rank of and grant peace to the best of His creation, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, and likewise all of his family and companions.

Dear brother citizens and brother Muslims in every place:

As-Salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.

With each year that passes, we hope you are well.

Here we are, this blessed night, standing before a month from the most noble and greatest of months with Allah, the Blessed and Lofty. All praise is due to Allah, the One who allowed us to reach the month of Ramadhaan, the month of Mercy, Forgiveness, and being set free from the Fire. We ask Allah that He make us from those who fast and stand in prayer out of faith and hope for reward. Within our souls is a great longing for its joyous arrival, because of what lies in its days and nights of worship offered by Muslims, and because of what is encouraged in this virtuous month of keeping ties, coming together, and excusing each other.

Dear brothers and sisters,

We praise Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, for all that He has bestowed upon this blessed land, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that He has made it the central nest of Islam, with the message of Islam originating from its land. He has given our land the special favor of Continue reading

How Many Rak’ahs Did the Salaf Pray for Taraaweeh?

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Ever-Merciful…

A Great Third-Century Imaam of the Sunnah Gathered the Narrations of the Salaf Regarding How Many Rak’ahs They Prayed or Preferred for the Taraaweeh Prayers of Ramadhaan

The highly celebrated imaam, Shaykh al-Islaam Aboo ‘Abdillaah Muhammad ibn Nasr al-Marwazee [d.294] was one of the greatest of the third-century authorities on the Sunnah. One of the most highly-qualified and knowledgeable imaams of his era, he was recognized by the scholars for his specific expertise in issues that the early Salaf differed over. Great early historians, like Ibn Hibbaan, Aboo Is-haaq ash-Sheeraazee, and al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee referenced him as one of the leading authorities in detailed Fiqh issues which the Companions and their students (the Taabi’oon) differed over. [1]

The author of al-Muhallaa, Ibn Hazm, remarked that no one since the time of the Companions themselves had been more complete in their knowledge and understanding of the narrations than Muhammad ibn Nasr. [2]

Ath-Thahabee commented, “It is said that he was THE most knowledgeable of all scholars in entirety about matters of differing.” And he said, “He was from the most knowledgeable of the people in his era about the matters which the Companions and their students differed over. Rarely have people like him ever been seen.” [3]

It was this great early imaam who compiled an amazing book on the topic of the night prayers of Ramadhaan. Scholars who spoke on the topic throughout history have recognized this work as Continue reading

The “28-Day Ramadan” Mistake and the High Judiciary Council of Saudi Arabia

In the Name of Allaah…

A clear response by Moosaa Richardson to the blog, twitter, and facebook claims that the Saudi Government has done something to corrupt the Muslims’ month of Ramadan this year, 1434 (2013).

30 minutes of solid foundations to aid our brothers and sisters in understanding this pillar of our Religion according to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace), including:

  • Islam is a perfect religion, one of ease that can be practiced by any human being, educated or uneducated.
  • Part of that perfect religion is fasting begun by a moon sighting according to the Book of Allah.
  • Starting a month is only done by a moon sighting or counting out 30 days according to the Sunnah.
  • The disobedience of those who fast on the 30th of Sha’baan without a moon sighting (thinking to play it safe because of cloud coverage), and their INVALID fasting.
  • The logical possibility of 28 days of fasting and how it has been dealt with throughout history.
  • Making up a day of fasting (qadhaa’) does not indicate that anything wrong was done.
  • The audacity of those who would accuse people who closely follow the orders of Allah and His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) of causing corruption and ruining people’s fasting, etc.
  • Ending the month of Ramadan spreading rumors and doubts is an indication of a failed month of worship (may Allah excuse us!)

Please spread it to help refute the many false rumors being circulated, may Allah reward you!

MP3: https://www.bakkah.net/en/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/saudi-court-moon-sighting-conspiracy-error-1434.mp3

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen on Attending Classes While in I’tikaaf (Seclusion in the Masjid)

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

Some people may feel it is inappropriate to attend a class about Islaam while performing i’tikaaf (seclusion in the masjid), which is commonly done in the last ten nights of Ramadhaan.

Our shaykh, the great scholar, Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have Mercy on him) posed and answered the following question:

*ﻭﻫﻞ ﻳﻨﺎﻓﻲ ﺭﻭﺡ ﺍﻻ‌ﻋﺘﻜﺎﻑ ﺃﻥ ﻳﺸﺘﻐﻞ ﺍﻟﻤﻌﺘﻜﻒ ﻓﻲ ﻃﻠﺐ ﺍﻟﻌﻠﻢ؟*

 Does it go against the spirit of i’tikaaf to occupy oneself with seeking knowledge?

*ﺍﻟﺠﻮﺍﺏ: ﻻ‌ ﺷﻚ ﺃﻥ ﻃﻠﺐ ﺍﻟﻌﻠﻢ ﻣﻦ ﻃﺎﻋﺔ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ، ﻟﻜﻦ ﺍﻻ‌ﻋﺘﻜﺎﻑ ﻳﻜﻮﻥ ﻟﻠﻄﺎﻋﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﺨﺎﺻﺔ، ﻛﺎﻟﺼﻼ‌ﺓ، ﻭﺍﻟﺬﻛﺮ، ﻭﻗﺮﺍﺀﺓ ﺍﻟﻘﺮﺁﻥ، ﻭﻣﺎ ﺃﺷﺒﻪ ﺫﻟﻚ، ﻭﻻ‌ ﺑﺄﺱ ﺃﻥ ﻳَﺤﻀﺮ ﺍﻟﻤﻌﺘﻜﻒ ﺩﺭﺳﺎً ﺃﻭ ﺩﺭﺳﻴﻦ ﻓﻲ ﻳﻮﻡ ﺃﻭ ﻟﻴﻠﺔ؛ ﻷ‌ﻥ ﻫﺬﺍ ﻻ‌ ﻳﺆﺛﺮ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻻ‌ﻋﺘﻜﺎﻑ، ﻟﻜﻦ ﻣﺠﺎﻟﺲ ﺍﻟﻌﻠﻢ ﺇﻥ ﺩﺍﻣﺖ، ﻭﺻﺎﺭ ﻳﻄﺎﻟﻊ ﺩﺭﻭﺳﻪ، ﻭﻳﺤﻀﺮ ﺍﻟﺠﻠﺴﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﻜﺜﻴﺮﺓ ﺍﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﺸﻐﻠﻪ ﻋﻦ ﺍﻟﻌﺒﺎﺩﺓ ﺍﻟﺨﺎﺻﺔ، ﻓﻬﺬﺍ ﻻ‌ ﺷﻚ ﺃﻥ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻋﺘﻜﺎﻓﻪ ﻧﻘﺼﺎً، ﻭﻻ‌ ﺃﻗﻮﻝ ﺇﻥ ﻫﺬﺍ ﻳﻨﺎﻓﻲ ﺍﻻ‌ﻋﺘﻜﺎﻑ.* 

The answer: No doubt that seeking knowledge is an act of obedience to Allaah. However, i’tikaaf has more to do with specific acts of obdedience, such as prayer, remembrance, recitation of Quran, etc. There is no problem if the one performing i’tikaaf attends a lesson or two during the day or night, as this does not affect the (validity of) i’tikaaf.

However Continue reading

Do not Disregard the Moonsighting to Rely on Calendars for the Beginning and End of Ramadhaan

In the Name of Allaah, the Ever Merciful, the Most Merciful…

All Muslims concerned with following the Quran and Sunnah properly should be advised that it is not permissible to plan the first day of Ramadhaan based solely on calendars and the scientific predictions behind them.

This is because Allaah has legislated fasting to begin with the sighting of the crescent of Ramadhaan or the completion of 30 days of Sha’baan when the crescent is not visible.  His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said, quite clearly:

لا تصوموا حتى تروا الهلال ولا تفطروا حتى تروه

“Do not begin fasting until you sight the moon, and do not break your fast (for ‘Eed) until you have sighted it.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

Since Monday will be the 29th of Sha’baan, Ramadhaan 1434 will begin on either Tuesday (July 9, 2013) or Wednesday (July 10, 2013), depending on whether or not the moon is sighted.

Please be advised that any people claiming at this time that Ramadhaan will begin on a pre-specified day are people who are inviting you to leave the clear practice of fasting according to the Book and the Sunnah.

Please take the time to read the following official verdict of the Permanent Committee of Scholars on the topic if you are not entirely clear on the Islaamic rulings related to this matter:

http://www.alifta.net/Fatawa/FatawaChapters.aspx?languagename=en&View=Page&PageID=30&PageNo=1&BookID=10

May Allaah bless the Muslims and unite them upon the Book of their Lord, the Sunnah of His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), and the way of the Companions and early Muslims who practiced it purely.

NOTE: Do not allow the legitimate scholarly differing over the issue of “local” vs. “global” moonsighting to be grounds for anyone to introduce any concept they choose – like rejecting the entire concept of moonsighting altogether!

And Allaah knows best.

Written by: Moosaa Richardson

Zakaat al-Fitr Measurements: One Saa’ = Three Litres, One Mudd = .75L

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Ever-Merciful…

The Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) ordered that a fasting person give out Zakaat al-Fitr at the end of Ramadhan – one saa’ of staple food on behalf of yourself and each person you are responsible for. [1]

What is a Saa’?

A Prophetic saa’ ( صاع ) is not a weight measurement.  It was and still is a measurement of volume, similar to the size of a large salad bowl.  It is made up of four mudds, and a mudd ( مد ) is a smaller container, close to the size of a small salad bowl.

To be precise, a Prophetic mudd in modern volume measurements is .75L (or 750mL), which means Continue reading

Important Advice About the Number of Rak’ahs of Night Prayers

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

After mentioning the Sunnah of praying 11 and 13 rak’ahs at night, and that it is best, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have Mercy upon him) then said:

However, if the people of the masjid prefer that he (the imaam) shortens the length of the recitation and the length of the bowings and prostrations, and increases the number of rak’ahs, saying, “This is easier on us,” then there is no harm if he accommodates them, due to the generality of the statement of the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace):

“Make things easy and do not make things difficult.” [1]

And also due to the generality of his statement (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace):

“When one of you leads, then let him shorten (the length of the prayer).” [2]

So long as we do not fall into anything prohibited, then bringing ease to those under our authority is better and takes precedence. The imaam is the one responsible for the masjid, having been put in authority over the praying people, thus he is called the “imaam.” The imaam is the one who has authority over them in affairs related to the prayer, for example he orders them to establish their rows and straighten them. So if the imaam is requested to be easy on them by increasing the number (of rak’ahs) while shortening the bowings, prostrations, and recitations, then there is no harm in that.

With this we must say that it is not befitting for us that we be excessive or neglectful, as some of the people commit ghuluw (excessiveness) when they stick to the Sunnah of the number (of rak’ahs), saying, “It is not permissible to increase upon the number that comes in the Sunnah,” and they speak in the sternest way against someone who increases upon that (by praying more than 11 or 13 rak’ahs), saying that he is sinful and disobedient. And there is no doubt that this is a mistake. How could he be sinful or disobedient when the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) was asked about the night prayer, and he said:

“(It is) two (rak’ahs) by two (rak’ahs).” [3]

And he did not limit it to any set number. And it is well known that a person who asks about the night prayer does not know the number (of its rak’ahs), since the one who does not know how to pray the night prayer would more rightfully not know the number (of its rak’ahs). Furthermore, he (the questioner) was not from the servants of the Messenger (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace), so we can not say that he knew about the affairs within his house.

So since the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) told him about the manner that the night prayer is to be prayed, and he did not limit it to any set number, then it is known that there is leeway in the affair, and that a man may even pray 100 rak’ahs and then perform Witr with one rak’ah.

As for his statement (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace):

“Pray as you have seen me praying.” [4]

Then this hadeeth is not unrestricted, even with those people (who say that 11 or 13 is the limit). They themselves do not say that it is obligatory on the people to perform Witr by praying five rak’ahs sometimes, seven rak’ahs other times, and sometimes nine. So if we understood this hadeeth in a general, unrestricted way, then we would have to say that it is obligatory to perform Witr by praying exactly five rak’ahs sometimes, seven other times, and sometimes nine. Rather, the meaning is, “Pray in the manner as you have seen me praying.” As for the number of rak’ahs, then no (this is not understood from the hadeeth), except that which is limited by a text.

Anyway, it is binding that a man not be harsh on the people in an affair that has some leeway. We have even seen some of the brothers who are harsh about this declaring imaams to be innovators, those who increase upon 11 (rak’ahs), and leaving the masjid, thus losing the reward that the Messenger (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) spoke of:

“Whoever stands (in prayer) with the imaam until he leaves, then it will be written for him that he stood a (complete) night (in prayer).” [5]

And perhaps they may sit out after having prayed ten rak’ahs, thus causing a gap in the row by sitting there. And perhaps they may even speak (while sitting out) sometimes, thus disturbing those who are praying. All of these (scenarios) are wrong. We have no doubt that they intend good, and that they were mujtahids (seeking to arrive at what is correct), however not every mujtahid is correct.

Another group of people take the opposite stance. They speak very harshly and sternly against those who restrict themselves to 11 rak’ahs, saying, “You have gone against ijmaa’ (scholarly consensus), and verily Allaah has said:

“And whoever contradicts the Messenger after the guidance has been made clear to him, and he follows a way other than the way of the believers, then We will turn him to that which he has turned himself to, and cause him to enter Jahannam, what an evil abode!” [6]

“All of those before you did not know anything other than 23 rak’ahs!” And they speak very harshly against them. This is also wrong…” [7]

…So then what if someone says, “You have established 11 rak’ahs (as the Sunnah), so then what do you say if we pray behind an imaam who prays 23 or more, should we remain seated and not pray with him when he stands for the sixth tasleem (after 10 rak’ahs), or is it better to finish with him?”

The answer: It is best to complete (the prayer) with him; the evidence for that is from two angles:

The first one is the statement of the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) about the night prayers of Ramadhaan:

“Verily whoever stands (in prayer) with the imaam until he leaves, then it will be written for him that he stood a (complete) night (in prayer).” [5]

So whoever remained seated and waited for the imaam to reach the Witr Prayer, then he has not prayed with the imaam until he has left, since he has left off a portion of his prayer.

The second angle of proof is the generality of the statement of the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace):

“Verily the imaam has only been appointed to be followed.” [8]

This includes every action the imaam does, so long as it is not a forbidden one, and praying more than 11 (rak’ahs) is not forbidden, so then we follow the imaam. However, if the increase is forbidden, like if the imaam prays five rak’ahs for Thuhr Prayer, then we do not follow him.

Furthermore, we must know that the unity of the Ummah is something sought after with the highest priority from the Islaamic Sharee’ah, since Allaah has said:

“And this is your Ummah, a single Ummah.” [9]

And differing between members of the Ummah is something to be rejected, as Allaah the Most High has said:

“And do not be like those who split up and differed after the clear proofs came to them.” [10]

And Allaah the Most High has said:

“Allaah has legislated as part of the Religion that which he enjoined upon Nooh, that which We sent down to you, and what he enjoined upon Ibraaheem, Moosaa, and ‘Eesaa: That you establish the Religion and do not be divided over it.” [11]

And He, the Most High, has said:

“Verily those who split up their Religion and became sects, then you have absolutely nothing to do with them. Rather your affair is solely with Allaah, and He will inform them of what they used to do.” [12]

And the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) used to say when lining the people up for prayer:

“Do not differ, or your hearts will differ.” [13]

And when ‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) prayed the prayers that have four rak’ahs during Hajj in Minaa, he did not shorten them after the eight years of his khilaafah had passed. The people detested this, saying, “The Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) shortened (his prayer), and so did Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar, as you did in the beginning of your khilaafah.” However, he (may Allaah be pleased with him) changed his position, and those Companions that spoke against this action of his still prayed four rak’ahs behind him, while detesting it. This was while this increase was inseparable from the prayer, and it was an evil thing to them, however they still followed the imaam, preferring unity.

So what do you think about when the increase is separate, not directly connected to the prayer, when a person does it intentionally it does not nullify the prayer? And he (the one who does not pray more than 11 or 13 rak’ahs with the imaam) says, “We are people who stick to the Sunnah and follow the narrations from the Companions,” with this contradiction of his in this issue.

So I say: Surely any person that says he follows the Sunnah and the guidance of the Salaf, it is not for him to abandon the imaam when he prays 23 (rak’ahs) and say, “I will follow the Sunnah and pray 11 rak’ahs,” since you have been ordered to follow your imaam, and you have been prohibited from contradicting (him). Furthermore, you have not been prohibited from praying more than 11 rak’ahs.

So then it is binding upon the students of knowledge specifically, and upon all people in general, to be vigilant in preserving unity whenever it is possible, since the only hope for the people of disobedience and the criminals is that the people of goodness differ. This is because they have no weapon more effective than differing, and verily Moosaa said to the magicians:

“Woe to you, do not invent lies against Allaah, lest he wipe you out with a (single) punishment, for those who lie will suffer loss. Then they differed over their affair between themselves.” [14]

Once they differed, they failed and lost their strength.

So this differing that we find with some of our brothers who are (overly) stern in following the Sunnah in this issue and others, I view it as a contradiction to the Sunnah and to the goals of the Sharee’ah, like the unifying of the positions and the unity of the people, since this, and to Allaah is the praise, is not something that is haraam nor is it a munkar, rather it is something that is based upon ijtihaad. So as for us bringing about division and causing the hearts to have animosity, hatred, and mockery for the one who opposes our position, while it is permissible and not in opposition to the Sunnah, then it is obligatory on every man to protect and guard over the unity of the ranks whenever possible. [15]

Translated by: Moosaa Richardson (1423/09/04)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Al-Bukhaaree (69) and Muslim (4503)

[2] Al-Bukhaaree (703) and Muslim (1046)

[3] Al-Bukhaaree (473) and Muslim (1746)

[4] Al-Bukhaaree (631)

[5] Sunan An-Nasaa’ee (1605) and Sunan At-Tirmithee (806); Al-Albaanee called it saheeh.

[6] the meaning of Soorah An-Nisaa’ (4):115

[7] As-Sharh Al-Mumti’, 4/52-54

[8] Al-Bukhaaree (732) and Muslim (920)

[9] the meaning of Soorah Al-Ambiyaa (21):92

[10] the meaning of Soorah Aali ‘Imraan (3):105

[11] the meaning of Soorah Ash-Shooraa (42):13

[12] the meaning of Soorah Al-An’aam (6):159

[13] Muslim (971)

[14] the meaning of Soorah Taa-Haa (20):61-62

[15] Ash-Sharh Al-Mumti’, 4/61-63