Last Ten Nights of Ramadan

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

The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam was accustomed to engage in private devotion in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan; but one year he sallallahu alaihi wasallam 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 sallallahu alaihi wasallam 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.

The Number of Tarawih Rakat

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According to Sheikh al-Albani:

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).

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.]

Applying perfume while fasting

Is it permissible to wash the body with water and soap during the day of Ramadan? Does having a wet dream invalidate Sawm (Fast)? Also, does applying perfume invalidate Sawm?

Firstly: It is permissible for the fasting person to wash their body during the day of Ramadan with water and soap. Secondly: If someone has a wet dream during the day of Ramadan while fasting, this does not invalidate their Sawm; but they should perform Ghusl (ritual bath following major ritual impurity) if Maniy (sperm/vaginal secretions) is ejaculated. Thirdly: Sawm is not invalidated by applying any kind of perfume during the day of Ramadan while fasting, but one should not inhale incense or powdered perfumes such as musk.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!

Adapted from Alifta

Ramadan and Other Religions

Ramadan is most common in most of the religions but it is given in different names. In Hinduism the culture strictly ask to fast for the forgiveness of sins, so does Christianity and so does Sikhism. All these and many more religion do ask to fast as for fasting does a biological benefit to a person. By fasting one can have good diaphragm breathing and would also have a glowing face which is noticeably there in the holy month of Ramadan.

There having been conflicting and contradictory issues that have been raised by terminologies and the makers of it too but then again it resolves it all by having a peaceful environment and knowing that it is all about prasing The Holy One in this entire month.

Many of the religions do even contribute towards Ramadan by adding up their positive views to it and by knowing the worth of this major religious event. There is an enormous space given by most of the religions to Ramadan by helping them in fasting and being productive by having a good feed back to them so that it may remain as a mark of cordial relation among them.

Ramadan comes from the religion of peace which then is a peaceful religion itself so never has a conscience to harm someone or provoke someone to an illegitimate act around the globe which in itself is a great honor for the rest of the religions because it promotes peace and tranquility to the entire world to assure humanity is an important essence of Islam which is promoted through Ramadan.

Having an overview of all the religions Ramadan is the key to success because through fasting perseverance comes which is required the most for today’s world. All the religions believe in fasting (RAMADAN) which is then again a common ground for all of them and help promotes this cause which brings man more closer to God and makes him more pious.