What Is Ramadan? Options

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Ramadan is derived from the Arabic root word ramida or ar-ramad denoting intense scorching heat and dryness, especially the ground. From the same root there is ramdaa, sunbaked sand, and the famous proverb: "Kal Mustajeer minar Ramadaa binnar" - to jump out of the frying pan into the fire. And in a hadith the Messenger of Allah (saas) said: "The prayer of repenters is due when the young camel can feel the sun's heat early in the morning." (Muslim)

Thus, the word Ramadan is so called to indicate the heating sensation in the stomach as a result of thirst). Others said it is so called because Ramadan scorches out the sins with good deeds, as the sun burns the ground. Some said it is so called because the hearts and souls are more readily receptive to the admonition and remembrance of Allah during Ramadan, as the sand and stones are receptive to the sun's heat. The framers of this beautiful language may have been inspired by Allah (SWT) in naming this month Ramadan. Otherwise, the relation between the heat and its properties is miraculously similar to that of Ramadan. While the heat represents the matter that helps shape, form, and mold virtually every matter - from metal and plastics, to plants and living cells - Ramadan undoubtedly helps a serious believer remold, reshape, reform, and renew his physical and spiritual disposition and behavior.

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JazakAllah

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SHAB-E-QADR (THE NIGHT OF POWER)

The virtues of Shab-e-Qadr are established from Quran and Sunnah. Adoration and worshipping in this night is venerable from worship in thousand months without Shab-e-Qadrs. Allah Himself said" We have indeed revealed this (message) in this night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is. the Night of Power is better that a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirits by Allah's permission on every errand. Peace! This until dawn. ( Al-Quran, Surah Qadr)
Hazrat Abu-Hurairah (RadiAllahAnho) narrates that Rasullah(SalallahoAlaiheWasalam) said that who fasted with belief and Iman his earlier sins will be forgiven and who offers prayers i.e. Nafl, recitation of Quran, reciting of Darood and begging pardon from Allah the Almighty, he earns rewards of his virtue and his sins and pardoned. (Bukhari)

Hazrat Anas (RadiAllahAnho) narrates that once on the commencement of Ramadan, Rasulallah (SalallahoAlaiheWasalam) said that this month has come among you and one night of this month is as such which is better than thousand months. If anybody is unable to avail its blessings, he is deprived of all virtues. No one is deprived of its blessing unless he himself is unfortunate. (Ibn-e-Maja)

Hazrat Syeda Aisha (RadiAllahAnha) narrates that the Prophet (SalallahoAlaiheWasalam) said: "Find out night of Power among odd nights like 21, 23, 25, 27, 29th of the last ten days of the month of Ramadan" (Bukhari)

This narration is also from her. She says that I asked the prophet (SalallahoAlaiheWasalam) " Ya Rasulallah, If I could know the exact Night of Power, then what shall I do?" The prophet (SalallahoAlaiheWasalam) said, "Read this Dua"

"Allah humma innaka afu un tuhibbul afwa fafoo ani" (Tirmizi)

It is said that when Night of Power arrives then those angels also come down with Hazrat Jibreel (Alaihisalaam) who live on "Sidratul Muntaha" (a stop in the seventh heaven" and they bring four flags with them. One flag is hoisted on Gumbad-e-Khizra (Masjid-e-Nabavi) and the other on Baitul Muqaddas (i.e. Jurusalam), Next one on the roof of Masjid-e-Haraam (Khana-e-Kabaa) and the fourth one on Koh-e-Toor (Toor Mountain). There after they visit the homes of each and every True Muslim men and women and say Salaam to them. The drunkards, interest eaters and those who do not care for there relations and brethren in religion, are kept away from this benidiction.


NAMAZ-E-SHAB-E-QADR
(PRAYER IN THE NIGHT OF POWER)

One who offers four raka'at Namaz in this night and in each raka'at he /she recites Surah Fatiha and Surah Qadr once each and Surah Ikhlas 27 times, his/her all earlier sins are pardoned and he becomes like a child who is born the same day. Allah will also give him a thousand palaces in the paradise.

According to another narration, one who offers four rak'at Namaz on the 27th night of the month of Ramadan and in each raka'at he/she recites after Surah Fatiha, Surah Qadr three times and Surah Ikhlas fifty times and after Salaam again goes in Sajda (Prostration) and recites

"Subhaan Allahe Walhamdolillahe Walahelaha illallaho Wallahoakbar"

and then whatever Dua he/she makes that will be granted and the Almighty will pardon his/her sins and give him/her countless rewards. (Ghunyatul Talibeen)

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Zakat Al Fitr

Zakat al Fitr is an obligatory charity on every Muslim at the end of the month of Ramadan. Ibn `Umar said: "The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, enjoined the payment of one Sa'a of dates or one Sa'a of barley as Zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim, young and old, male and female, free and slave." (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The purpose of Zakat al-Fitr is to purify the one who has fasted from any type of indecent act or speech he might have committed while fasting. It also helps the poor and the needy. Ibn Abbas said: "The Messenger of Allah, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, enjoined Zakat al-Fitr on the one who fasts to shield him from any indecent act or speech and for the purpose of providing food for the needy." (Related by Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah.)

The Amount of Zakat al-Fitr

As the first hadeeth indicated, the amount of Zakat al-Fitr is one Sa'a. Sa'a is a volume measure corresponding approximately to the volume of 5 lb of good wheat. The material of the Zakat can be either dates, barley, wheat, rice, corn or similar items considered as basic foods. Abu Saeed said: "We used to give for Zakat al-Fitr on behalf of every child, aged person, free man or slave during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, one Sa'a of food, or one Sa'a of dried yogurt, or one Sa'a of barley, or one Sa'a of dates, or one Sa'a of raisins." (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

The Time for Zakat al-Fitr

Zakat al-Fitr has to be paid by the end of Ramadhan. There are two times to pay Zakat al-Fitr. Either one or two days before Eid as 'Umar used to do, or the day of Eid before the Eid prayer. Ibn `Umar reported that the Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, ordered them to pay Zakat al-Fitr before they go out to perform the Eid prayer. If Zakat al-Fitr is paid after the Eid prayer, it will only be considered as regular charity. The Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, said: "If one pays Zakat al-Fitr before the Salat, it is considered an accepted Zakat, if he pays it after the Salat, it is considered an ordinary charity." (Related by Abu Dawud.)

Zakat al-Fitr is to be given to the same eight categories or people as in the other types of Zakat. Some scholars say that the poor and the needy are the most deserving ones since the Prophet, sallaallahu `alayhe wa sallam, said that it had "...the purpose of providing food for the needy."