RAJAB: THE MONTH OF BID’AH AND INNOVATIONS

Rajab (رجب‎) is the seventh month of the Islamic Calender. The lexical definition of Rajaba is “to respect”, of which Rajab is a derivative.

This month is regarded as one of the four sacred months in Islam in which battles are prohibited. The pre-Islamic Arabs also considered warfare blasphemous during the four months.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

“Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred, (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar)…”

Surah At-Tawbah 9:36

These months are calculated according to the movements of the moon, not the movements of the sun, as the kuffaar do.

The Sacred Months are mentioned by implication in the Qur’an, but their names are not given. Their names are mentioned in the Sunnah:

Narrated by Abu Bakrah (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) gave his Farewell Sermon and said:

“Time has completed its cycle and is as it was on the Day when Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred, three consecutive months – Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram – and the Rajab of Mudar which comes between Jumaada and Sha’baan.”

Bukharee 1741, in Kitaab Al-Hajj, Al-Khutbah Ayaam Mina & Muslim 1679, in Kitaab Al-Qisaamah, Baab Tahreem al-Dimaa’

RAJAB IS A SACRED MONTH

The Sacred months have a special status, which applies also to Rajab because it is one of these sacred months.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

“O you who believe! Violate not the sanctity of the Symbols of Allah, nor of the Sacred Month…”

Surah Al-Mā’idah 5:2

So we should pay attention to the sanctity of these four months, because Allah has singled them out for a special status and has forbidden us to commit sins out of respect for their sanctity, for sins committed at this time are even worse, because of the sanctity of the time which Allah has made sacred.

FIGHTING DURING THE SACRED MONTHS

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

They ask you about the sacred month – about fighting therein. Say, “Fighting therein is great [sin]…”

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:217

The above does not apply to fighting in self-defence. If the enemy attacks the Muslim lands, it is obligatory for the inhabitants to defend themselves, whether that happens during a sacred month or not.

FASTING IN RAJAB

There is no authentic report from Qur’an or The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) or from the Sahaabah to indicate that there is any particular virtue in fasting during Rajab.

Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) used to forbid fasting in Rajab because it involved resemblance to the Jāhiliyyah.

Narrated by Kharashah Ibn Al-Harr that,

“I saw Umar smacking the hands of those who fasted in Rajab until they reached out for food, and he was saying, this is a month which was venerated in the Jāhiliyyah.”

Al-Irwaa’ 957 & Al-Albany said: it is Saheeh

Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah (Rahimullah) said:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) did not fast for three consecutive months (i.e., Rajab, Sha’baan and Ramadan) as some people do, and he never fasted Rajab at all, nor did he encourage people to fast this month.

 Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani (Rahimullah) said:

“No Saheeh hadith that may be used as evidence has been narrated concerning the virtues of the month of Rajab or fasting this month or fasting in any specific part of it, or observing Qiyaam al-Layl specifically during this month.”

Tabayyun al-‘Ajab bimaa wurida fi Fadl Rajab

UMRAH IN RAJAB

There is no report to prove that the Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) performed Umrah in Rajab.

Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) said:

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) never performed Umrah in Rajab.”

Bukharee 1776 & Muslim 1255

 Ali Ibn Ibrahim al-‘Attar (d. 724 AH) said:

One of the things that I have heard about the people of Makkah is that they do ‘Umrah frequently during Rajab. This is something for which I know of no basis, all I know is that it was reported in the hadith that The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj.”

But if a person goes for ‘Umrah during Rajab without believing that this has any particular virtue and because it is just a coincidence that it is easier for him to go at this time, then there is nothing wrong with that.

BID’AH AND INNOVATIONS IN THE MONTH OF RAJAB

Innovation in religion is one of the serious matters which go against the Book of Allah and the Sunnah. The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) did not die until after the religion had been perfected.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

“…This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion…”

Surah Al-Mā’idah 5:3

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours which is not a part of it, will have it rejected.”

Bukharee & Muslim

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Whoever does an action which is not a part of this matter of ours will have it rejected.”

Saheeh Muslim

Some people have innovated a number of practices in Rajab, including the following:

·         Salaat Umm Dawud halfway through Rajab.

·         The du’a’s which are recited specifically during Rajab are all fabrications and innovations.

·         Visiting graves specifically in Rajab is bid’ah, because graves are to be visited at any time of the year.

·         Salaat Al-Raghaa’ib:            This prayer became widespread after the first and best centuries, especially in the fourth century AH. Some liars fabricated this prayer, which is done on the first night of Rajab.

Ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimullah) said:

Salaat al-Raghaa’ib is bid’ah according to the consensus of the scholars of religion, such as Malik, al-Shaafa’i, Abu Haneefah, al-Thawri, al-‘Oozaa’i, al-Layth and others. The hadith that is narrated concerning it is a lie according to the consensus of the scholars who have knowledge of hadith.

It was reported that major events happened in the month of Rajab, but NONE OF THESE REPORTS ARE TRUE.

It was reported that The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) was born on the first night of Rajab, and that he received his Mission on the twenty-seventh, or twenty-fifth of this month. NONE OF THIS IS CORRECT.

Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah (Rahimullah) said:

“Every hadith which mentions fasting in Rajab and praying during some of its nights is false and fabricated.”

Al-Manaar Al-Muneef, Page 96 

It was reported with an isnaad that IS NOT SAHEEH from al-Qaasim Ibn Muhammad that the Prophet’s Night Journey (al-Israa’) took place on the twenty-seventh of Rajab. THIS WAS DENIED BY IBRAAHEEM AL-HARBI AND OTHERS.The fact that there is no proof that the Israa’ and Mi’raaj happened on this date. Even if it were proven, that is no excuse for holding celebrations on this date, because nothing of the kind has been reported from The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) or from his companions (Radia Allahu ‘Anhuma) or from any of the Salaf (early generations) of this Ummah. If it were a good thing, they would surely have done it before us. 

Sayyid Saabiq (Rahimullah) said:

Fasting in Rajab is no better than fasting in any other month, except that it is one of the sacred months. There is no report in the Saheeh Sunnah to suggest that there is anything special about fasting in this month. Whatever has been narrated concerning that is not fit to be quoted as evidence.

Fiqh al-Sunnah 1/282 

One of the innovations that take place during this month is the recitation of the story of the Mi’raaj, and celebrations to commemorate it on the twenty-seventh of Rajab, or singling out this night to perform extra acts of worship such as Qiyaam al-Layl or fasting during the day, or rejoicing and celebrating, mixing of men and women, singing and music, all of which are not permitted in Islam.

Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (Rahimullah) was asked about fasting on the twenty-seventh of Rajab and spending that night in prayer.

He (Rahimullah) replied: 

“Fasting on the twenty-seventh of Rajab and spending that night in prayer is a bid’ah (innovation), and every bid’ah is a going astray.”

Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen 20/440

BE MINDFUL OF YOUR STOMACH

Excessive eating and drinking is one of the greatest sins that lead to doom and it causes many diseases and sicknesses, both spiritual and physical.

 The Arabs of old said:

 THE STOMACH IS THE HOME OF DISEASE AND RESTRAINT IS THE BASIS OF THE REMEDY

 It is haram for a Muslim to eat so much that it harms him, because that is a kind of extravagance and extravagance is haram.

 Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

 “AND EAT AND DRINK BUT WASTE NOT BY EXTRAVAGANCE, CERTAINLY HE (ALLAAH) LIKES NOT AL‑MUSRIFOON (THOSE WHO WASTE BY EXTRAVAGANCE)”

Surah Al-A’raaf 7:31

Fataawa Al-Lajnah Al-Daa’imah 22/329

 Warnings have been narrated from the Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) about eating one’s fill too often, and that this is a cause of suffering from hunger on the Day of Resurrection.

 Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

 A man burped in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) and he (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

 “KEEP YOUR BURPS AWAY FROM US, FOR THE ONE WHO EATS HIS FILL THE MOST IN THIS WORLD WILL BE HUNGRY FOR THE LONGEST TIME ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION.”

Tirmidhi 2015. Classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in Saheeh Al-Tirmidhi 

 Imam Nawawi said:

 IT IS MAKROOH TO EAT MORE HALAAL FOOD THAN IS ENOUGH TO SATISFY ONE

Narrated by Ibn Abi’l-Dunya & Al-Awsat that,

 ABU JUHAYFAH DID NOT EAT HIS FILL UNTIL HE DEPARTED THIS WORLD; IF HE ATE BREAKFAST HE WOULD NOT EAT DINNER AND IF HE ATE DINNER HE WOULD NOT EAT BREAKFAST.

Al-Bayhaqi & Al-Tabaraani in Al-Kabeer

 Narrated by Ibn Abi’l-Dunya that,

 Abu Juhayfah said:

 I HAVE NOT FILLED MY STOMACH FOR THIRTY YEARS.

Tuhfat Al-Ahwadhi

 The way to stop eating too much is to stop gradually. If a person is used to eating a lot and he goes in one fell swoop to eating little, he will become weak and his appetite will increase. So he should reduce it gradually, by eating less and less of his usual food, until he reaches a moderate intake of food. 

 The Sunnah encourages moderation in eating, and strongly criticizes wasteful spending.

 The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

 “THE SON OF ADAM DOES NOT FILL ANY VESSEL WORSE THAN HIS STOMACH. IT IS SUFFICIENT FOR THE SON OF ADAM TO EAT A FEW MOUTHFULS, TO KEEP HIM GOING. IF HE MUST DO THAT (FILL HIS STOMACH), THEN LET HIM FILL ONE THIRD WITH FOOD, ONE THIRD WITH DRINK AND ONE THIRD WITH AIR.”

Tirmidhi 2380. Classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in Al-Silsilah Al-Saheehah 2265

 IT IS SUFFICIENT FOR THE SON OF ADAM TO EAT ONLY THAT WHICH WILL KEEP HIM ALIVE, AND NO MORE THAN THAT. IF HE INSISTS ON HAVING MORE, THEN HE SHOULD EAT ONLY THAT WHICH WILL FILL ONE-THIRD OF HIS STOMACH, AND ANOTHER THIRD FOR DRINK, AND LEAVE ONE-THIRD FOR AIR. HE SHOULD NOT CONSUME MORE THAN THAT AMOUNT.

Tuhfat Al-Ahwadhi

 Ahmad Ibn Hanbal said:

 “IT IS PERMISSIBLE TO EAT A GREAT DEAL SO LONG AS IT DOES NOT HARM ONE.”

 Ibn Taymiyyah said:

 “IT IS MAKROOH TO EAT THAT WHICH LEADS TO INDIGESTION & DOING THIS IS HARAM”

 Narrated by that Naafi’ Ibn Abi Nu’aym that,

 IBN ‘UMAR (RADIA ALLAHU ‘ANHU) USED NOT TO EAT UNTIL A POOR MAN WAS BROUGHT TO EAT WITH HIM. I BROUGHT A MAN IN TO EAT WITH HIM AND HE ATE A GREAT DEAL.

He (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) said:

O Naafi’, do not let this man enter upon me, for I heard the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) say:

“THE KAAFIR EATS IN SEVEN STOMACHS.”

 Bukhaari 5393 & Muslim 2060 

Imam Nawawi said:

The scholars said: What the hadith means is to be content with little in this world and encouraging asceticism and contentment, in addition to the fact that eating little is a good characteristic, and eating a great deal is the opposite. As for the words of Ibn ‘Umar concerning the poor man who ate a great deal in his presence,

 “DO NOT LET HIM ENTER UPON ME,”

 He only said that because he was behaving like a kaafir, and if a person is behaves like a kaafir it is makrooh to mix with him unnecessarily; moreover, the amount that this man ate could had fed a number of people.

Commenting on above hadith 14/25

The scholars have mentioned the benefits of moderation in food and not being wasteful spending as follows:

• ·   Purity of heart, mental alertness and deep insight. Satiety generates stupidity and blinds the heart. Hence the proverb says

“THE ONE WHOSE STOMACH IS HUNGRY WILL BECOME ABLE TO THINK DEEPLY AND HIS INTELLIGENCE WILL HONE.”

•  ·         Humility and the loss of pride, joy and insolence, which are the foundation of tyranny and neglect of Allah. 

•  ·         One does not forget the wrath and punishment of Allah, or the people who are afflicted by calamity. For the one who has his fill forgets the one who is hungry and he forgets hunger.

•  ·         One of the greatest benefits is that it puts an end to all sinful desires, and brings control over the self that is inclined towards evil, because the source of all sins is desires and energy, and the fuel for energy and desires is food.

 Dhu’l-Noon said:

 I NEVER ATE MY FILL BUT I SINNED OR THOUGHT OF SINNING

•  ·         For the one who eats a lot will drink a lot, and the one who drinks a lot will sleep a lot. Sleeping a lot wastes one’s time and causes one to miss out on tahajjud; it makes one slow and hardens the heart. Time is the most precious gift and it is the person’s capital, but sleep is death and sleeping too much shortens one’s life.

•        Physical health and warding off disease, which is caused by eating too much and mixing foods in the stomach. The doctors say that gluttony is the cause of disease and restraint leads to a cure. 

 Summarized from Ihya’ ‘Uloom Al-Deen 3/103-104 

Haatim Al-Taa’iy said:

IF YOU GIVE YOUR STOMACH AND YOUR PRIVATE PART WHAT THEY ASK FOR, YOU WILL END UP REGRETTING IT.

Fath Al-Baari 9/669

THE PROPHET’S GUIDANCE REGARDING DIET:

The Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to know what he was eating. He used to eat what was good for him. He used to eat enough to keep him going, but no so much as to make him fat.

Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“THE BELIEVER EATS IN ONE STOMACH WHILST THE KAAFIR EATS IN SEVEN.”

Bukhaari 5081 & Muslim 2060

He taught his ummah something to protect them from diseases caused by eating and drinking.

THE VIRTUE OF FASTING SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAL

Fasting six days of Shawwal after the obligatory fast of Ramadan is Sunnah Mustahabb, not wajib. It is recommended for the Muslim to fast six days of Shawwal, and in this there is great virtue and an immense reward.

Narrated by Abu Ayyub (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER FASTS RAMADAN AND FOLLOWS IT WITH SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAL, IT WILL BE AS IF HE FASTED FOR A LIFETIME.”

Muslim, Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa’i & Ibn Majah

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“ALLAH HAS MADE FOR EACH HASANAH TEN LIKE IT, SO A MONTH IS LIKE FASTING TEN MONTHS, AND FASTING SIX DAYS COMPLETES THE YEAR.”

Al-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah & Saheeh Al-Targheeb Wa’l-Tarheeb 1/421

 Ahmad Ibn Hanbal & Al-Shafi‘i said:

“Fasting six days of Shawwal after fasting Ramadan makes it as if one has fasted for an entire year of obligatory fasts, because the multiplication of the reward applies even to Nawafil fasts, because each hasanah brings the reward of ten like it.”

Another of the important benefits of fasting six days of Shawwal is that is makes up for any shortfall in a person’s obligatory Ramadan fasts, because no one is free of shortcomings or sins that have a negative effect on his fasting.

On the Day of Resurrection, some of his Nawafil deeds will be taken to make up the shortcomings in his obligatory deeds.

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“THE FIRST THING FOR WHICH PEOPLE WILL BE BROUGHT TO ACCOUNT ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION WILL BE THEIR SALAH (PRAYER). OUR LORD, MAY HE BE GLORIFIED AND EXALTED, WILL SAY TO HIS ANGELS – ALTHOUGH HE KNOWS BEST – ‘LOOK AT THE SALAH OF MY SLAVE, WHETHER IT IS COMPLETE OR INCOMPLETE.’ IF IT IS PERFECT, IT WILL BE RECORDED AS PERFECT, AND IF SOMETHING IS LACKING, HE WILL SAY, ‘LOOK AND SEE WHETHER MY SLAVE DID ANY VOLUNTARY (NAWAFIL) PRAYERS.’ IF HE DID SOME VOLUNTARY PRAYERS, [ALLAH] WILL SAY, COMPLETE THE OBLIGATORY ACTIONS OF MY SLAVE FROM HIS VOLUNTARY ACTIONS.’ THEN ALL HIS ACTIONS WILL BE DEALT WITH IN A SIMILAR MANNER.”

Abu Dawud

•  DO THE SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAAL HAVE TO BE FASTED CONSECUTIVELY?

It is not a necessary condition that they should be fasted consecutively. If you fast them separately or consecutively, it is ok. The sooner you do them, the better.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

“…SO STRIVE AS IN A RACE IN GOOD DEEDS…”

Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:48

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

“AND MARCH FORTH IN THE WAY (WHICH LEADS TO) FORGIVENESS FROM YOUR LORD,”

Surah Ale-Imran 3:133

You may hasten to fast these six days or you may delay it until the middle or end of the month.

Imam Nawawi (Rahimullah) said:

It is mustahabb to fast six days consecutively at the beginning of Shawwal, but if one separates them or delays them until after Shawwal, this is permissible, because he will still be following the general guidelines of the hadeeth.

Al-Majmoo Sharh Al-Muhadhdhab

•  SHOULD A WOMAN START WITH MAKING UP MISSED FASTS FROM RAMADAAN OR WITH THE SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAAL?

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER FASTS RAMADAN THEN FOLLOWS IT WITH SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAL, IT WILL BE AS IF HE FASTED FOR A LIFETIME”

Saheeh Muslim 1984

If woman wants to earn the reward mentioned in the hadeeth of the Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), then she should complete her Ramadan fasts first, then follow it with six days of Shawwal and she will gain the reward mentioned in it.

LAYLAT AL-QADR

Laylat Al-Qadr (also known as Shab-e-Qadr), variously rendered in English as the Night of Destiny, Night of Power, Night of Value, the Night of Decree or Night of Measures.

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

“WHEN THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN CAME, THE PROPHET (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) WOULD STAY UP AT NIGHT AND WOULD WAKE HIS FAMILY UP, AND WOULD ABSTAIN FROM MARITAL RELATIONS.

Bukharee & Muslim

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to strive hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadan as he never did at any other time, praying, reading Qur’an and making Du’a.

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

THE PROPHET (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) USED TO STRIVE HARD IN WORSHIP DURING THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN AS HE NEVER DID AT ANY OTHER TIME.

Ahmad & Muslim

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) has blessed Ramadan with Laylat Al-Qadr. The great status of this blessed night has been mentioned in Surah Al-Qadr. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

“INDEED, WE SENT THE QUR’AN DOWN DURING THE NIGHT OF AL-QADR (DECREE). AND WHAT WILL MAKE YOU KNOW WHAT THE NIGHT OF AL-QADR IS? THE NIGHT OF AL-QADR IS BETTER THAN A THOUSAND MONTHS (I.E. WORSHIPPING ALLÂH IN THAT NIGHT IS BETTER THAN WORSHIPPING HIM A THOUSAND MONTHS, I.E. 83 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS). THE ANGELS AND THE SPIRIT DESCEND THEREIN BY PERMISSION OF THEIR LORD FOR EVERY MATTER, PEACE! UNTIL THE APPEARANCE OF DAWN.

Surah Al-Qadr 97:1-5

      HADEETH SPEAK OF LAYLAT AL-QADR

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

 “THERE HAS COME TO YOU RAMADAN, A BLESSED MONTH WHICH ALLAH HAS ENJOINED YOU TO FAST, DURING WHICH THE GATES OF HEAVEN ARE OPENED AND THE GATES OF HELL ARE CLOSED, AND THE REBELLIOUS DEVILS ARE CHAINED UP. IN IT THERE IS A NIGHT WHICH IS BETTER THAN A THOUSAND MONTHS, AND WHOEVER IS DEPRIVED OF ITS GOODNESS IS INDEED DEPRIVED.”

Al-Nasa’i 2106, Ahmad 8769. Classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in Saheeh Al-Targheeb 999 

The Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) enjoined staying up and praying on Laylat Al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward.

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (Radia Allah ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER SPENDS LAYLAT AL-QADR IN PRAYER OUT OF FAITH AND IN THE HOPE OF REWARD, WILL BE FORGIVEN HIS PREVIOUS SINS.”

 Bukharee 1910 & Muslim 760 

OUT OF FAITH: Means believing in its virtue and in the reward for that.

IN THE HOPE OF REWARD: Means by seeking the pleasure of Allah.

This hadeeth indicates that it is prescribed to observe Laylat Al-Qadr by spending the night in prayer.

BEST DU’A FOR LAYLAT-AL-QADR

One of the best Du’a that may be recited on Laylat Al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) taught to Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha).

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

“I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylat Al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said, ‘Say:

“ALLAHUMMA INNAKA ‘AFUWWUN TUHIBBAL ‘AFWA FA’AFFU ‘ANNI”

(O Allah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).”

Tirmidhi, classed as Saheeh

      WHEN IS LAYLAT AL-QADR

With regard to specifying which night of Ramadan is Laylat Al-Qadr, this needs specific evidence, but the odd-numbered nights during the last ten nights are more likely than others.

The scholars differed as to the definition of Laylat Al-Qadr, and there are many opinions, more than forty as it says in Fath al-Baari.

The most likely to be correct is the view that it is one of the odd-numbered nights among the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“SEEK LAYLAT AL-QADR AMONG THE ODD NUMBERED NIGHTS OF THE LAST TEN NIGHTS OF RAMADAN.”

Bukharee 2017 & Muslim 1169 

Al-Bukharee included this hadeeth in a chapter entitled:

“SEEKING LAYLAT AL-QADR AMONG THE ODD NUMBERED NIGHTS OF THE LAST TEN NIGHTS (OF RAMADAN)”

The reason why it is hidden is to encourage the Muslim to strive hard in worship and Du’a and Dhikr during all the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani (Rahimullah) said: 

The words of Emam Al-Bukharee (Rahimullah) – “Seeking Laylat al-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights (of Ramadan)” – indicate that it is most likely that Laylat Al-Qadr cannot be in any month other than Ramadan, and is in the last ten nights thereof, and is one of the odd-numbered nights, but not on any particular night. This is what is indicated by a number of the reports that have been narrated concerning it.

Fath al-Baari 4/260

Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani (Rahimullah) said: 

The scholars said: The reason why Laylat Al-Qadr has been concealed is so that people will strive to seek it, because if its timing was known, they would limit their efforts to that night only, as we have explained previously about the time on Friday (when Du’a are answered).

Fath al-Baari 4/266 

Based on this, it is not possible for anyone to be certain that a particular night is Laylat Al-Qadr, especially since we know that the Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) wanted to tell his Ummah when it was, then he told them that Allah had taken away that knowledge.

Narrated by Ubayda Ibn As-Samit (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) came out with the news of Laylat Al-Qadr, but two men among the Muslims started arguing.

He (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“I CAME OUT TO TELL YOU ABOUT LAYLAT AL-QADR, BUT SO AND SO AND SO AND SO STARTED ARGUING, SO (THAT KNOWLEDGE) WAS TAKEN AWAY. PERHAPS THAT WILL BE BETTER FOR YOU. SO SEEK IT ON THE TWENTY SEVENTH AND THE TWENTY NINTH AND THE TWENTY FIFTH.”

Saheeh Bukharee 49 

The Muslim should strive his hardest to do acts of obedience and worship throughout Ramadan, and more so in the last ten days. This is the teaching of the Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam).

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

“WHEN THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN BEGAN, THE PROPHET (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) WOULD TIGHTEN HIS WAIST-WRAPPER, SPEND HIS NIGHTS IN PRAYER, AND WAKE HIS FAMILY.”

Bukharee 1920 & Muslim 1174

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) used to strive hard in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan as he did not do at other times, praying and reading Qur’an.

We must strive hard in the last ten days according to one’s ability. If a person breaks up his night between prayer, resting, sleeping, and reading Qur’an, then he has done well. After Taraweeh prayer immediately after ‘Isha’, then going back to the mosque in the last part of the night to pray Qiyaam, is something that is prescribed.

I’TIKAAF

I’tikaaf in Arabic means staying, and the word may be applied to a long period of time or a short one; there is no report in Sharī’ah that defines it as being a specific length of time.

I’TIKAAF IS NAAFIL WORSHIP:

I’tikaaf is prescribed in Islam and it is an act of worship that draws one closer to Allah. I’tikaaf is Nawafil acts of worship.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:       

“INDEED IN THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (MUHAMMAD) YOU HAVE A GOOD EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW FOR HIM WHO HOPES FOR (THE MEETING WITH) ALLAH AND THE LAST DAY, AND REMEMBERS ALLAH MUCH”

Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21

THIS VERSE REPRESENTS A MAJOR PRINCIPLE: THAT WE SHOULD FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) IN WORD AND DEED IN ALL SITUATIONS.

Ibn Katheer 3/756

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says in a Hadeeth Al-Qudsi,

“MY SERVANT DRAWS NOT NEAR TO ME WITH ANYTHING MORE LOVED BY ME THAN THE RELIGIOUS DUTIES I HAVE ENJOINED UPON HIM, AND MY SERVANT CONTINUES TO DRAW NEAR TO ME WITH SUPEREROGATORY WORKS SO THAT I SHALL LOVE HIM. WHEN I LOVE HIM I AM HIS HEARING WITH WHICH HE HEARS, HIS SEEING WITH WHICH HE SEES, HIS HAND WITH WHICH HE STRIKES AND HIS FOOT WITH WHICH HE WALKS. WERE HE TO ASK [SOMETHING] OF ME, I WOULD SURELY GIVE IT TO HIM, AND WERE HE TO ASK ME FOR REFUGE, I WOULD SURELY GRANT HIM IT.”

Saheeh Bukharee 6502  

LENGTH OF TIME FOR I’TIKAAF: 

THE MAJORITY OF SCHOLARS ARE OF THE VIEW THAT THE MINIMUM LENGTH OF TIME FOR I’TIKAAF IS A MOMENT. THIS IS THE VIEW OF ABU HANEEFAH AND AHMAD.

Al-Durr Al-Mukhtaar 1/445, Al-Majmoo’ 6:489 & Al-Insaaf 7:566

 Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) said:

“O MESSENGER OF ALLAH, DURING THE JAAHILIYYAH I VOWED TO OBSERVE I’TIKAAF FOR ONE NIGHT IN AL-MASJID AL-HARAAM.”

He (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“FULFILL YOUR VOW.”

Saheeh Bukharee 6697 

 Narrated by Ubayy Ibn Ka’b (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) USED TO OBSERVE I’TIKAAF DURING THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN, BUT HE TRAVELLED ONE YEAR AND DID NOT OBSERVE I’TIKAAF, SO THE FOLLOWING YEAR HE OBSERVED I’TIKAAF FOR TWENTY DAYS.

Fath Al-Baari, Al-Nasa’i & Abu Dawud. Classed as Saheeh by Ibn Hibban and others

TIME OF I’TIKAAF:

Yahya Ibn Sharaf Al-Nawawi said:

THE BEST I’TIKAAF IS THAT WHICH IS ACCOMPANIED BY FASTING, AND THE BEST OF THAT IS IN RAMADAN, AND THE BEST OF THAT IS THE LAST TEN DAYS.

Al-Majmoo’ 6:501 

Al-Albany said:

I’TIKAAF IS SUNNAH IN RAMADAN AND AT OTHER TIMES OF THE YEAR.

Qiyaam Ramadan

 I’TIKAAF SHOULD BE START AFTER FAJR PRAYER:

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

“WHEN THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) WANTED TO OBSERVE I’TIKAAF, HE WOULD PRAY FAJR THEN ENTER HIS PLACE OF I’TIKAAF.”

Bukharee 2041 & Muslim 1173

NOTHING WRONG TO GO OUT FOR NEEDS WHILE ON I’TIKAAF:

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

“THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) WOULD NOT ENTER HIS HOUSE FOR ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR A NEED WHEN HE WAS OBSERVING I’TIKAAF.”

Saheeh Bukharee 2029 & Muslim 297

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

“THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) USED TO LEAN HIS HEAD TOWARDS ME WHEN HE WAS OBSERVING I’TIKAAF IN THE MOSQUE, AND I WOULD COMB HIS HAIR, WHEN I WAS MENSTRUATING.”

Bukharee 2028 & Muslim 297

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

“THE SUNNAH IS FOR THE PERSON IN I’TIKAAF NOT TO VISIT THE SICK OR ATTEND FUNERALS, OR TO BE INTIMATE WITH HIS WIFE. BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH HIS GOING OUT FOR ESSENTIAL NEEDS.”

Abu Dawud 2473. Classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in Saheeh Abi Dawud

Narrated by Safiyyah (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) the wife of The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) that,

“SHE CAME TO THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) AND VISITED HIM WHEN HE WAS IN I’TIKAAF IN THE MOSQUE, DURING THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN. SHE SPOKE WITH HIM FOR A WHILE, AND THEN SHE STOOD UP TO LEAVE. THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) STOOD UP WITH HER TO TAKE HER HOME.”

Bukharee 2035 & Muslim 2175

WOMEN ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE I’TIKAAF:

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

“THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) USED TO SPEND THE LAST TEN NIGHTS OF RAMADAN IN I’TIKAAF UNTIL HE PASSED AWAY, THEN HIS WIVES OBSERVED I’TIKAAF AFTER HE DIED.”

Bukharee 2026 & Muslim 1172

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:       

“AND DO NOT HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH THEM (YOUR WIVES) WHILE YOU ARE IN I‘TIKAAF (I.E. CONFINING ONESELF IN A MOSQUE FOR PRAYERS AND INVOCATIONS LEAVING THE WORLDLY ACTIVITIES) IN THE MOSQUES”

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:187 

I’TIKAAF CAN BE DONE IN MOSQUE IN WHICH CONGREGATION PRAYER HELD:

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

“THERE SHOULD BE NO I’TIKAAF EXCEPT IN A MOSQUE IN WHICH PRAYERS IN CONGREGATION ARE HELD (MASJID JAMAA’AH).”

Al-Bayhaqi. Classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in his essay Qiyaam Ramadan  

 Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:       

“AND WE COMMANDED IBRAHIM (ABRAHAM) AND ISMAA’EEL (ISHMAEL) THAT THEY SHOULD PURIFY MY HOUSE (THE KA‘BAH AT MAKKAH) FOR THOSE WHO ARE CIRCUMAMBULATING IT, OR STAYING (I’TIKAAF), OR BOWING OR PROSTRATING THEMSELVES (THERE, IN PRAYER)”

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:125 

REWARD:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said: 

“THE REWARD OF ALLAH IS PRECIOUS; THE REWARD OF ALLAH IS PARADISE.”

Tirmidhi, Classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany 2450

 BASIC GOAL FOR I’TIKAAF:

That the basic goal of the I’tikaaf of the Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) was to seek Laylat al-Qadr and to prepare to spend that night in worship. That is because of the great virtue of that night.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:       

“THE NIGHT OF AL‑QADR (DECREE) IS BETTER THAN A THOUSAND MONTHS (I.E. WORSHIPPING ALLAH IN THAT NIGHT IS BETTER THAN WORSHIPPING HIM A THOUSAND MONTHS, I.E. 83 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS)”

Surah Al-Qadr 97:3

THE VIRTUES OF RAMADAN

WHAT IS RAMADAN?

Ramadan is one of the twelve Arabic months. It is a month which is venerated in the Islamic religion, and it is distinguished from the other months by a number of characteristics and virtues, including the following:

Allah has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islam.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

“THE MONTH OF RAMADAN IN WHICH WAS REVEALED THE QUR’AN, GUIDANCE FOR MANKIND AND CLEAR PROOFS FOR THE GUIDANCE AND THE CRITERION (BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG). SO WHOEVER OF YOU SIGHTS (THE CRESCENT ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF) THE MONTH (OF RAMADAN I.E. IS PRESENT AT HIS HOME), HE MUST OBSERVE SAWM (FASTS) THAT MONTH…”

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185

Narrated by Ibn Umar (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

 “ISLAM IS BUILT ON FIVE (PILLARS): THE TESTIMONY THAT THERE IS NO GOD EXCEPT ALLAAH AND THAT MUHAMMAD IS THE MESSENGER OF ALLAAH; ESTABLISHING PRAYER; PAYING ZAKAAH; FASTING RAMADAAN; AND HAJJ TO THE HOUSE (THE KA’BAH).”

Bukharee 8 & Muslim 16

     Allah revealed the Qur’an in this month.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

“THE MONTH OF RAMADAN IN WHICH WAS REVEALED THE QUR’AN, A GUIDANCE FOR MANKIND AND CLEAR PROOFS FOR THE GUIDANCE AND THE CRITERION (BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG)…”

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

“VERILY! WE HAVE SENT IT (THIS QUR’ÂN) DOWN IN THE NIGHT OF AL-QADR (DECREE).

Surah Al-Qadr 97:1

      Allah has made Laylat Al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months.

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

“VERILY! WE HAVE SENT IT (THIS QUR’ÂN) DOWN IN THE NIGHT OF AL-QADR (DECREE) AND WHAT WILL MAKE YOU KNOW WHAT THE NIGHT OF AL-QADR (DECREE) IS? THE NIGHT OF AL-QADR (DECREE) IS   BETTER THAN A THOUSAND MONTHS (I.E. WORSHIPPING ALLÂH IN THAT NIGHT IS BETTER THAN WORSHIPPING HIM A THOUSAND MONTHS, I.E. 83 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS). THEREIN DESCEND THE ANGELS AND THE RÛH [JIBRAEL (GABRIEL)] BY ALLÂH’S PERMISSION WITH ALL DECREES, PEACE! (ALL THAT NIGHT, THERE IS PEACE AND GOODNESS FROM ALLÂH TO HIS BELIEVING SLAVES) UNTIL THE APPEARANCE OF DAWN.”

Surah Al-Qadr 97:1-5

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

“WE SENT IT (THIS QUR’ÂN) DOWN ON A BLESSED NIGHT [(I.E. NIGHT OF QADR, SÛRAH NO: 97) IN THE MONTH OF RAMADÂN, THE 9TH MONTH OF THE ISLÂMIC CALENDAR]. VERILY, WE ARE EVER WARNING [MANKIND THAT OUR TORMENT WILL REACH THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE IN OUR ONENESS OF LORDSHIP AND IN OUR ONENESS OF WORSHIP].”

Surah Ad-Dukhan 44:3

Allah has blessed Ramadan with Laylat Al-Qadr. Explaining the great status of this blessed night, Surah Al-Qadr was revealed, and there are many hadeeth which also speak of that.

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

 “THERE HAS COME TO YOU RAMADAN, A BLESSED MONTH WHICH ALLAH HAS ENJOINED YOU TO FAST, DURING WHICH THE GATES OF HEAVEN ARE OPENED AND THE GATES OF HELL ARE CLOSED, AND THE REBELLIOUS DEVILS ARE CHAINED UP. IN IT THERE IS A NIGHT WHICH IS BETTER THAN A THOUSAND MONTHS, AND WHOEVER IS DEPRIVED OF ITS GOODNESS IS INDEED DEPRIVED.”

Al-Nasa’i 2106, Ahmad 8769. Classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in Saheeh Al-Targheeb 999

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

 “WHOEVER SPENDS LAYLAT AL-QADR IN PRAYER OUT OF FAITH AND IN THE HOPE OF REWARD, WILL BE FORGIVEN HIS PREVIOUS SINS.”

Bukharee 1910 & Muslim 760

      Allah has made fasting Ramadan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward a means of forgiveness of sins.

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

 “WHOEVER FASTS RAMADAN OUT OF FAITH AND IN THE HOPE OF REWARD, HIS PREVIOUS SINS WILL BE FORGIVEN.”

Bukharee 2014 & Muslim 760

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER SPENDS THE NIGHTS OF RAMADAN IN PRAYER OUT OF FAITH AND IN THE HOPE OF REWARD, HIS PREVIOUS SINS WILL BE FORGIVEN.”

Bukharee 2008 & Muslim 174

The Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is Sunnah to pray Qiyaam at night in Ramadan.

Yahya Ibn Sharaf Al-Nawawi said that,

“What is meant by praying Qiyaam in Ramadan is to pray Taraweeh, i.e., one achieves what is meant by Qiyaam by praying Taraweeh.

      In this month, Allah opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils.

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHEN RAMADAN COMES, THE GATES OF PARADISE ARE OPENED AND THE GATES OF HELL ARE CLOSED, AND THE DEVILS ARE CHAINED UP.”

Bukharee 1898 & Muslim 1079

      Every night Allah has people whom He redeems from the Fire.

Narrated by Abu Umāmah Al Bahili (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

 The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“AT EVERY BREAKING OF THE FAST, ALLAH HAS PEOPLE WHOM HE REDEEMS.”

Imam Ahmad 5/256. Al-Mundhiri said: there is nothing wrong with its isnaad; and it was classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in Saheeh Al-Targheeb, 987

Narrated by Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudri (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“ALLAH HAS PEOPLE WHOM HE REDEEMS EVERY DAY AND NIGHT – I.E., IN RAMADAN – AND EVERY MUSLIM EVERY DAY AND NIGHT HAS A PRAYER THAT IS ANSWERED.”

Al-Bazzaar (Kashf 962)

      Fasting Ramadan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadan, so long as one avoids major sins.

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“THE FIVE DAILY PRAYERS, FROM ONE JUMU’AH TO THE NEXT AND FROM ONE RAMADAN TO THE NEXT ARE EXPIATION FOR (SINS COMMITTED) IN BETWEEN, SO LONG AS YOU AVOID MAJOR SINS.”

Saheeh Muslim 233

      Fasting in Ramadan is equivalent to fasting ten months.

Narrated by Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

“WHOEVER FASTS RAMADAN THEN FOLLOWS IT WITH SIX DAYS OF SHAWWAAL, IT WILL BE LIKE FASTING FOR A LIFETIME.”

Saheeh Muslim 1164

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER FASTS RAMADAN, A MONTH IS LIKE TEN MONTHS, AND FASTING SIX DAYS AFTER AL-FITR WILL COMPLETE THE YEAR.”

Ahmad 21906

      Whoever prays Qiyaam in Ramadan with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.

Narrated by Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER PRAYS QIYAAM WITH THE IMAM UNTIL HE FINISHES, IT WILL BE RECORDED FOR HIM THAT HE SPENT THE WHOLE NIGHT IN PRAYER.”

Abu Dawud 1370. Classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in Salaat Al-Taraweeh, P 15 

Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj.

Narrated by Abd Allah Ibn Abbas (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said to a woman among the Ansaar,

“WHAT KEPT YOU FROM DOING HAJJ WITH US?”

She said, “We only had two camels that we used for bringing water.” So her husband and son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left the other for them to use for bringing water.”

He (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

“WHEN RAMADAN COMES, GO FOR ‘UMRAH, FOR ‘UMRAH IN RAMADAN IS EQUIVALENT TO HAJJ.”

Bukharee 1782 & Muslim 1256

 According to a report,

“… IS EQUIVALENT TO DOING HAJJ WITH ME.”

Saheeh Muslim

      It is Sunnah to observe I’tikaaf (retreat for the purpose of worship) in Ramadan, because the Prophet (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) always did that.

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

THE PROPHET (SALLA-ALLAHU’ ALAYHI WA SALLAM) USED TO SPEND THE LAST TEN DAYS OF RAMADAN IN I’TIKAAF UNTIL HE PASSED AWAY, THEN HIS WIVES OBSERVED I’TIKAAF AFTER HIM.”

Bukharee 1922 & Muslim 1172

      It is mustahab in the sense of being strongly recommended in Ramadan to study the Qur’an together and to read it a great deal. You may study the Qur’an together by reciting it to someone else and by having someone else recite it to you. The evidence that this is mustahab is the fact that,

“JIBREEL USED TO MEET THE PROPHET (SALLA-ALLAHU’ ALAYHI WA SALLAM) EVERY NIGHT IN RAMADAN AND STUDY THE QUR’AN WITH HIM.”

Bukharee 6 & Muslim 2308

Reading Qur’an is mustahab in general, but more so in Ramadan.

It is mustahab in Ramadan to offer Iftaar to those who are fasting.

Narrated by Zayd Ibn Khalid Al-Juhani (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER GIVES IFTAAR TO ONE WHO IS FASTING WILL HAVE A REWARD LIKE HIS, WITHOUT THAT DETRACTING FROM THE FASTING PERSON’S REWARD IN THE SLIGHTEST.”

Tirmidhi 807, Ibn Majah 1746. Classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi 647

SALAT-UL-FAJR

Narrated that Jundub Ibn ‘Abd-Allah (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) said:

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER PRAYS SALAT-UL-FAJR IS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF ALLAH, SO DO NOT FALL SHORT WITH REGARD TO THE RIGHTS OF ALLAH, FOR ANYONE WHO DOES THAT, ALLAAH WILL SEIZE HIM AND WILL THROW HIM ON HIS FACE INTO THE FIRE OF HELL.”

Saheeh Muslim 657

There are two scholarly views on the meaning of the hadeeth:

Al-Manaawi (Rahimullah) said:

The hadeeth indicates that it is forbidden to harm any Muslim who prays Fajr, for the one who prays Fajr is under the care and protection of Allah, and it is not permissible for anyone to harm the one whom Allah has protected. If anyone harms him, he has transgressed and violated the protection of Allah, so he deserves the punishment of Allah for having transgressed His protection and for harming the one who is under His protection.

Fayd Al-Qadeer 6/164

Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (Rahimullah) said:

This indicates that it is obligatory to respect the Muslims who affirm their Islam by praying Fajr, because no one offers Fajr prayer but a believer. And it is not permissible for anyone to transgress against them.

Sharh Riyadh al-Saaliheen 1/591

How can you feel comfortable about not praying Fajr in congregation and depriving yourself of the protection of Allah?

Narrated by Abu Bakrah (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER PRAYS FAJR WITH THE CONGREGATION WILL BE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF ALLAH, AND WHOEVER VIOLATES THIS PROTECTION OF ALLAH, ALLAH WILL THROW HIM INTO THE FIRE ON HIS FACE.”

Al-Haythami (Rahimullah) said in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id that, this was narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer 2/92 in a hadith. It was also classed as saheeh by al-Albany in Saheeh al-Targheeb 461 

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) said:

“…AND THOSE WHO PRAY AND BEG ALLÂH’S PARDON IN THE LAST HOURS OF THE NIGHT”

Surah Ale-Imran 3:17

Commentary:

Zayd Ibn Aslam said:

They are the ones who attend Fajr in congregation.

Tafseer At-Tabari 3/270

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) said:

“THEIR SIDES FORSAKE THEIR BEDS, TO INVOKE THEIR LORD IN FEAR AND HOPE…”

Surah As-Sajdah 32:16

How can you feel comfortable about not praying Fajr in congregation and depriving yourself of the reward of spending half the night in prayer?

Narrated by Uthman (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER PRAYS ‘ISHA’ IN CONGREGATION, IT IS AS IF HE SPENT HALF THE NIGHT IN PRAYER, AND WHOEVER PRAYS FAJR IN CONGREGATION, IT IS AS IF HE SPENT THE WHOLE NIGHT IN PRAYER.”

Saheeh Muslim 656

According another narration that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER PRAYS ‘ISHA’ IN CONGREGATION, IT IS AS IF HE SPENT HALF THE NIGHT IN PRAYER, AND WHOEVER PRAYS ‘ISHA’ AND FAJR IN CONGREGATION, IT IS AS IF HE SPENT THE (WHOLE) NIGHT IN PRAYER.”

Abu Dawud 555 & Tirmidhi 221

How can you feel comfortable about not praying Fajr in congregation when the Prophet (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) has told us that feeling that it is too burdensome to pray Fajr in congregation is the sign of the hypocrites?

Narrated by Abu Huraira (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“THE MOST BURDENSOME OF PRAYERS FOR THE HYPOCRITES ARE ‘ISHA’ AND FAJR. IF ONLY THEY KNEW WHAT (REWARD) THERE IS IN THEM, THEY WOULD COME TO THEM EVEN IF THEY HAD TO CRAWL. I WAS THINKING OF ORDERING THAT THE CALL TO PRAYER BE GIVEN, THEN I WOULD TELL A MAN TO LEAD THE PEOPLE IN PRAYER, THEN I WOULD SET OUT WITH SOME MEN CARRYING BUNDLES OF WOOD AND GO TO PEOPLE WHO DO NOT ATTEND THE PRAYER, AND BURN THEIR HOUSES DOWN WITH THEM INSIDE.”

Bukharee 657 & Muslim 651

Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) said:

“To attend Fajr prayer in congregation is dearer to me than spending the night in prayer.”

Al-Istidhkaar 2/147

How can you feel comfortable about not praying Fajr in congregation and depriving yourself of complete light on the Day of Resurrection?

Narrated by Buraydah (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“GIVE GLAD TIDINGS TO THOSE WHO WALK TO THE MOSQUES IN THE DARK, OF PERFECT LIGHT ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION.”

Abu Dawud 561, Al-Tirmidhi 223 & Ibn Majah 781. Classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in Saheeh al-Targheeb

How can you feel comfortable about not praying Fajr in congregation and depriving yourself of meeting the angels and their testifying for you before your Lord?

Narrated by Abu Huraira (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“ANGELS COME TO YOU IN SUCCESSION, NIGHT AND DAY, AND THEY MEET AT FAJR PRAYER AND ‘ASR PRAYER, THEN THOSE WHO STAYED AMONG YOU OVERNIGHT ASCEND AND [ALLAH] ASKS THEM – ALTHOUGH HE KNOWS BETTER ABOUT THEM – ‘HOW DID YOU LEAVE MY SLAVES?’ AND THEY SAY, ‘WE LEFT THEM WHEN THEY WERE PRAYING AND WE CAME TO THEM WHEN THEY WERE PRAYING.’”

Bukharee 555 & Muslim 632 

Abd-Allah Ibn Umar (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) said:

“WHEN WE NOTICED THAT A MAN WAS NOT PRESENT AT FAJR AND ‘ISHA’ PRAYER, WE WOULD THINK BADLY OF HIM.”

Al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak 764, and elsewhere; he classed it as saheeh according to the conditions of the two shaykhs (al-Bukharee and Muslim), and al-Dhahabi and al-Albany agreed with him

Narrated by Abu Huraira (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“IF ONE OF YOU CATCHES UP WITH A RAKAH OF ASR PRAYER BEFORE THE SUN SETS, LET HIM COMPLETE HIS PRAYER, AND IF HE CATCHES UP WITH A RAK’AH OF SUBH (FAJR) PRAYER BEFORE THE SUN RISES, LET HIM COMPLETE HIS PRAYER.”

Bukharee 556 & Muslim 608

Narrated by Ibn Abbas (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“THERE ARE TWO DAWNS, THE DAWN WHEN FOOD BECOMES HARAAM AND PRAYER BECOMES PERMISSIBLE, AND THE DAWN WHEN PRAYER (I.E., FAJR PRAYER) IS HARAM AND FOOD IS PERMITTED.”

Al-Hakim & Al-Bayhaqi. Classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in Saheeh al-Jaami’ 4279

VIRTUES OF 2 RAKAHS SUNNAH PRAYER OF FAJR

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

“THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) DID NOT ADHERE MORE FIRMLY TO ANY NAWAFIL / SUNNAH PRAYER THAN THE TWO RAKAHS OF FAJR.”

Bukharee 1163 & Muslim 724 

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“THE TWO RAKAHS OF FAJR ARE BETTER THAN THIS WORLD AND EVERYTHING IN IT.”

Muslim 725 

It is Sunnah to recite in these two rakahs, AL-KAFIRUN and AL-IKHLAS

Narrated by Abu Huraira (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) RECITED IN THE TWO RAKAHS OF FAJR: “AL-KAFIRUN” AND “AL-IKHLAS.”

Saheeh Muslim 726

The one who misses the Sunnah prayer before Fajr may offer it after Fajr prayer.

The evidence for that is the report narrated by from Qays Ibn Amr (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) who said:

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) CAME OUT WHEN THE IQAMAH FOR PRAYER HAD BEEN GIVEN, AND I PRAYED FAJR WITH HIM, THEN THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM)  FINISHED AND FOUND ME PRAYING.

He (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

“TAKE IT EASY, O QAYS! TWO PRAYERS TOGETHER?”

I said,

“O Messenger of Allah, I did not pray the two rakahs before Fajr.”

He (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

“NO, THEN”

Tirmidhi 422 & Abu Dawud 1267

According to the version

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) remained silent.

Abu Dawud. This hadeeth was classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in Saheeh Al-Tirmidhi

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“WHOEVER PRAYS FAJR IN JAMA’AH, THEN SITS AND REMEMBERS ALLAH UNTIL THE SUN COMES UP, THEN PRAYS TWO RAKAHS, WILL HAVE A REWARD LIKE THAT OF HAJJ AND ‘UMRAH, COMPLETE, COMPLETE, COMPLETE.”

Tirmidhi, Al-Jumu’ah 535. Classed as hasan by Al-Albany in Saheeh Sunan al-Tirmidhi 480

If you are praying Fajr prayer before the sun rises, then the Sunnah in your case is to pray the regular Sunnah of Fajr which is two rakahs. If you miss Fajr and do not wake up until after the sun has risen, then you should pray Sunnah and then Fard (obligatory prayer).

Narrated by Abu Qutaadah (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

“WE TRAVELLED WITH THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) BY NIGHT AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE SAID: “WHY DON’T YOU LET US STOP AT THE END OF THE NIGHT SO THAT WE MAY REST, O MESSENGER OF ALLAH?”

He (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“I AM AFRAID THAT YOU WILL SLEEP AND MISS THE PRAYER.”

Bilal said:

“I will wake you up.”

So they lay down and Bilal leaned his back against his mount, but his eyes grew heavy and he slept.

Then the Prophet (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) woke up when the sun had risen. And he (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“O BILAL, WHAT ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID?”

 He said:

“I have never slept like that before.”

He (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“ALLAH TOOK YOUR SOULS WHEN HE WILLED AND RETURNED THEM TO YOU WHEN HE WILLED. O BILAL, GET UP AND CALL THE PEOPLE TO PRAYER.”

And he did wudoo’ when the sun had risen high and turned white, then he stood and prayed.”

Bukharee 570 & Muslim 681  

If you always delay Fajr prayer until after the sun has risen, this is a serious problem. In this case, before you ask about the Sunnah prayer you have to pause and ask yourself what you will say when you stand before Allah on the Day of Resurrection, and He calls you to account for neglecting Fajr prayer.

Narrated by Abu Mahdhoorah (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

“I said:

‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me the Sunnah of adhaan.”

He (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) wiped the front of my head and said:

“SAY ALLAH AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR, ALLAH AKBAR, ALLAHU AKBAR

(Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great)

And if it is Fajr prayer, then say:

‘AL-SALAATU KHAYRUN MIN AL-NAWM, AL-SALAATU KHAYRUN MIN AL-NAWM’

(Prayer is better than sleep, prayer is better than sleep)

Abu Dawud 501 & Al-Nasa’i 633. Classed as Saheeh by Al-Albany in Saheeh Abi Dawud

Narrated by Abu Bakr bin Abi Musa that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

‘WHOEVER PRAYS THE TWO COOL PRAYERS (‘ASR AND FAJR) WILL GO TO PARADISE.’ “

Saheeh Bukharee Book 10, Hadith 548

 Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

“MESSENGER OF ALLAH (SALLA-ALLAHU ‘ALAYHI WA SALLAM) OF  USED TO OFFER THE FAJR PRAYER WHEN IT WAS STILL DARK AND THE BELIEVING WOMEN USED TO RETURN (AFTER FINISHING THEIR PRAYER) AND NOBODY COULD RECOGNIZE THEM OWING TO DARKNESS, OR THEY COULD NOT RECOGNIZE ONE ANOTHER.”

Saheeh Bukharee Book # 12, Hadith # 831

Narrated by Ibn Umar (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

“ONE OF THE WIVES OF UMAR (BIN AL-KHATTAB) USED TO OFFER THE FAJR AND THE ‘ISHA’ PRAYER IN CONGREGATION IN THE MOSQUE. SHE WAS ASKED WHY SHE HAD COME OUT FOR THE PRAYER AS SHE KNEW THAT UMAR DISLIKED IT, AND HE HAS GREAT GHAIRA (SELF-RESPECT). SHE REPLIED, “WHAT PREVENTS HIM FROM STOPPING ME FROM THIS ACT?” THE OTHER REPLIED, “THE STATEMENT OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU’ ALAYHI WA SALLAM): ‘DO NOT STOP ALLAH’S WOMEN-SLAVE FROM GOING TO ALLAH S MOSQUES’ PREVENTS HIM.”

Saheeh Bukharee Book # 13, Hadeeth # 23

Narrated by ‘Umar (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

“The Prophet forbade praying after the Fajr prayer till the sun rises and after the ‘Asr prayer till the sun sets.”

Saheeh Bukharee, Book # 10, Hadith # 555

Narrated by Abu Salama bin Abdur Rahman that,

Abu Huraira (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) said,

“I heard The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

‘THE REWARD OF A PRAYER IN CONGREGATION IS TWENTY FIVE TIMES GREATER THAN THAT OF A PRAYER OFFERED BY A PERSON ALONE. THE ANGELS OF THE NIGHT AND THE ANGELS OF THE DAY GATHER AT THE TIME OF FAJR PRAYER.’

Abu Huraira (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) then added,

“Recite the Holy Book if you wish”

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta ‘ala) says:

 “…VERILY, THE RECITATION OF THE QUR’ÂN IN THE EARLY DAWN IS EVER WITNESSED (ATTENDED BY THE ANGELS IN CHARGE OF MANKIND OF THE DAY AND THE NIGHT)”

Surah Al-Isra’ 17:78

 Narrated by Abdullah bin ‘Umar that,

“The reward of the congregational prayer is twenty seven times greater (than that of the prayer offered by a person alone)”

Saheeh Bukharee Book # 11, Hadith # 621

Abu and then he (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) added,

Huraira (Radia Allahu ‘Anhu) that,

The Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allahu’ Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“MARTYRS ARE THOSE WHO DIE BECAUSE OF DROWNING, PLAGUE, AN ABDOMINAL DISEASE, OR OF BEING BURIED ALIVE BY A FALLING BUILDING.”

“IF THE PEOPLE KNEW THE REWARD FOR THE ZUHR PRAYER IN ITS EARLY TIME, THEY WOULD RACE FOR IT. IF THEY KNEW THE REWARD FOR THE ‘ISHA’ AND THE FAJR PRAYERS IN CONGREGATION, THEY WOULD JOIN THEM EVEN IF THEY HAD TO CRAWL. IF THEY KNEW THE REWARD FOR THE FIRST ROW, THEY WOULD DRAW LOTS FOR IT.”

Saheeh Bukharee Book # 11, Hadith # 688

Narrated by Ayesha (Radia Allahu ‘Anha) that,

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SALLA-ALLAHU’ ALAYHI WA SALLAM) NEVER MISSED FOUR RAKAT BEFORE THE ZUHR PRAYER AND TWO RAKAT BEFORE THE FAJR PRAYER.”

Saheeh Bukharee Book # 21, Hadith # 276