Is the Prophet Muhammad a liar؟

Is the Prophet Muhammad a liar

Mohamed Ali Klay Great boxer. How he became when he joined Islam

Mohamed Ali Klay Great boxer. How he became when he joined Islam

L'Islam est la paix , Islam is #peace , Islam es #paz , Islam ist #Frieden

L'Islam est la #paix#

we are with #MORSI

Mohamed Ali Klay Boxer Muslim

Mohamed Ali Klay Boxer Muslim

Sisi and dictatorship

 Sisi and dictatorship

The Way to Perform Voluntary Prayers at Night-I

Allaah The Almighty commended the believers who perform voluntary prayers at night and consider the night a riding mount to Paradise. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend.} [Quran 32:16] The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said:

"Whoever performs voluntary prayers during the night of Ramadan with faith and in hope of a reward from Allaah, his past sins will be forgiven."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

"Whoever performs voluntary prayers on the night of Al-Qadr with faith and in hope of a reward from Allaah, his past sins will be forgiven."[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

 "When the last ten days of Ramadan came, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) used to perform prayers during the whole night, awaken his family, and avoid intercourse with his wives." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

There are many things that one can do to help oneself perform voluntary prayers at night. Shaykh Muhammad Saalih Al-Munajjid, a Saudi scholar, states them as follows:

Offering acts of worship with full sincerity to Allaah The Almighty, as He has commanded us to dedicate all our deeds to Him Alone.

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And they were not commanded except to worship Allaah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.} [Quran 98:5] The more sincere a person is towards Allaah The Almighty, the more he will be guided and helped to obey and draw closer to Him. It was narrated on the authority of Ubayy ibn Ka’b  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Give glad tidings to this Ummah (Muslim nation) of attaining splendor, religion, high rank, victory and establishment on earth. Whoever does the deeds of the Hereafter to gain some worldly benefit, will have no share in the Hereafter.” [Ahmad]

Mutarrif ibn ‘Abdullaah ibn Ash-Shikhkheer  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “The soundness of a deed is related to the soundness of the heart, and the soundness of the heart is related to the soundness of the intention.” Ibn Al-Qayyim  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “The degree to which a person is helped and aided by Allaah depends on the degree of his intention, drive, aim and hopes. Help from Allaah comes to people in proportion to their drive, intention, hopes in Allaah and fear of Him, and failure comes to them in proportion to the same things." Therefore the righteous predecessors were very keen to conceal their acts of worship such as performing voluntary prayers at night.

A man asked Tameem ibn Aws Ad-Daari  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him "How do you pray at night?" He got very angry and said, "By Allaah, one Rak’ah (unit) that I pray in secret in the few hours of the night is more beloved to me than praying the whole night long and then telling people about it." Ayyoob As-Sikhtiyaani used to spend the entire night in prayer, then when dawn approached, he would go back to bed and lie down, and when dawn came, he would raise his voice as if he had just woken up.

The person who wants to perform voluntary prayers at night should realize that Allaah The Almighty is inviting him to this act. When the slave realizes that his Master, Who has no need of people’s worship, is inviting him to do this, he will definitely respond. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who wraps himself [in clothing]. Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little -Half of it - or subtract from it a little. Or add to it, and recite the Quran with measured recitation.} [Quran 73:1-4]

Sa’d ibn Hishaam ibn ‘Aamir said to ‘Aa’ishah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her “‘Tell me how the Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) performed voluntary prayers at night.’ She said, ‘Have you not read: “Yaa ayyuhal-muzzammil{O you who wraps himself [in clothing]}?’ He said, ‘Of course.’ She said, ‘Allaah The Almighty made performing voluntary prayers at night obligatory at the beginning of this Surah, so the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and his Companions performed voluntary prayers at night for a year, and Allaah withheld the end of this Surah for twelve months, until He revealed something at the end of this Surah to make things easier, so performing voluntary prayers at night became voluntary after it had been obligatory.’” [Muslim]

Knowing the virtues of performing voluntary prayers at night: Whoever knows the virtues of this act of worship will be keen to talk to Allaah The Almighty in private and to stand before Him at that time. Among the reports that describe the virtues of this act of worship is the Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah, may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “The best of prayers after the prescribed prayers is a prayer in the depths of the night, and the best of fasting after the month of Ramadan is fasting the month of Allaah, i.e. the month of Muharram.” [Muslim]

 It was narrated on the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “The dearest prayers to Allaah is the prayer of Daawood (David) and the dearest forms of fasting to Allaah is the fasting of Daawood. He used to sleep half the night, then get up and pray a third of the night, then sleep a sixth of the night, and he used to fast every other day.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Amr ibn ‘Abasah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “The closest the Lord is to His slave is in the last part of the night, so if you can be one of those who remember Allaah at that time, then do so.”[At-Tirmithi and An-Nasaa’i] It was narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas’ood  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Our Lord admires two men: a man who leaves his mattress and cover, and slips away from his wife and desire, to go and pray. Allaah Says, ‘O My angels, look at My slave. He has left his mattress and cover and slipped away from his desire and wife to pray out of hope for what is with Me and out of fear of what is with Me.” [Ahmad] [Hasan]

Performing voluntary prayers at night expels heedlessness from the heart, as stated in the Hadeeth narrated by ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr ibn Al-‘Aas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Whoever recites ten verses of the Quran while performing voluntary prayers at night will not be recorded as one of the negligent. Whoever recites a hundred verses while performing voluntary prayers at night will be recorded as one of the devoutly obedient to Allaah, and whoever recites a thousand verses while performing voluntary prayers at night will be recorded as one of those who pile up good deeds.” [Abu Daawood and Ibn Hibbaan] [Hasan]

Yahya ibn Mu’aath said, “The medicine of the heart is five things: reciting the Quran and pondering on its meanings, having an empty stomach, performing voluntary prayers at night, beseeching Allaah in the early dawn, and keeping the company of righteous people."

Studying how the righteous predecessors and righteous people practiced performing voluntary prayers at night and adhered to it:

The righteous predecessors used to enjoy performing voluntary prayers at night and rejoice greatly in doing it. ‘Abdullaah ibn Wahb said, “Every type of pleasure is enjoyed only once, except for acts of worship, which are enjoyed three times: when you do it, when you remember it, and when you are given the reward for it." Muhammad ibn Al-Munkadir  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “There is nothing left of the joys of this life except three: performing voluntary prayers at night, meeting one’s brothers in faith, and praying in congregation."

Thaabit Al-Bunaani  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “There is nothing I enjoy more than performing voluntary prayers at night." Yazeed Al-Raqaashi  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “A lot of voluntary prayers at night bring delight to the worshippers, and a lot of thirst (i.e., fasting) brings joy when they meet Allaah." Makhlad ibn Husayn said, “Whenever I woke up at night, I saw Ibraaheem ibn Ad-ham remembering Allaah and praying, and this made me depressed (for not being so himself), so I consoled myself with this verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {That is the bounty of Allaah, which He gives to whom He wills, and Allaah is The Possessor of great bounty.} [Quran 62:4]"

The Way to Perform Voluntary Prayers at Night-II

Abu ‘Aasim An-Nabeel said, “Abu Haneefah  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him used to be called Al-Watad (pole or peg) because he prayed so much." Al-Qaasim ibn Ma’een said, “Abu Haneefah  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him spent an entire night performing voluntary prayers reciting this verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {But the Hour is their appointment [for due punishment], and the Hour is more disastrous and more bitter.}[Quran 54:46] repeating it and weeping and beseeching Allaah The Almighty until morning came."

Ibraaheem ibn Shammaas said, “I used to see Ahmad ibn Hanbal  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him staying up at night to pray when he was a young man." Abu Bakr Al-Marwathi said, “I was with Imaam Ahmad  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him for nearly four months in the army, and he never stopped performing voluntary prayers at night or reciting the Quran during the day, and I never knew when he completed the Quran, because he kept that a secret."

Imaam Al-Bukhaari  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him used to wake up and perform voluntary prayers at night until the early dawn, and he would recite between a half and a third of the Quran, and complete it at the early dawn every three nights. The prominent scholar Ibn ‘Abdul-Haadi said, describing the performance of voluntary prayers at night of Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him “At night he would keep away from people, and spend that time only with his Lord, beseeching Him continually and reciting the Quran, repeating different kinds of acts of worship by day and night. When he began to pray, his body would start to tremble, leaning to the left and right."

Ibn Rajab said concerning his Shaykh Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim, “He was a man of worship, prayers at night -- and lengthy prayers. I have never seen his equal in worship and knowledge of the Quran, Hadeeth and principles of faith." Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar said, describing his Shaykh Al-Haafith Al-‘Iraaqi, “I stayed with him, and I never saw him forsake performing voluntary prayers at night, it was like a habit for him."

Sleeping on one’s right side:

 The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) taught his Ummah (Muslim nation) to sleep on their right sides, as was narrated in the Hadeeth (narration) of Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “When any one of you goes to bed, let him clear his bed by hitting it with his garment, for he does not know what may have come onto it. Then let him lie down on his right side, then let him say, ‘Bismika Rabbi wadha’tu janbi wa bika arfa’uhu. In amsakta nafsi farhamha wa in arsaltaha fahfath-ha bima tahfathu bihi ‘ibaadaka as-saaliheen (In Your Name, my Lord, I lay myself down and I get up again. If You take my soul, then hhave mercy on it, and if You send it back to me, then protect it with that with which You protect Your righteous slaves).” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It was narrated on the authority of Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “When you want to go to bed, make ablution as for prayer, then lie down on your right side.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] Hafsah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her said, “When the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) went to bed, he would put his right hand under his right cheek.” [At-Tabaraani]

Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “There is a reason for his lying on his right side, which is that the heart is located on the left, so if a person lays on his left side, he will sleep too deeply, because the heart’s position will be too comfortable, but if he sleeps on his right side, he will not be too settled, so he will not sleep deeply."

Sleeping in a state of purity:

 We have already quoted the Hadeeth of Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “When you go to bed, make ablution as if for prayer.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] It was narrated on the authority of Mu’aath ibn Jabal  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “There is no Muslim who goes to sleep remembering Allaah and in a state of purity except that when he turns over and asks Allaah for good in this world and the next it will be given to him.” [Abu Daawood and Ahmad]

It was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Purify these bodies of yours and Allaah will purify you, for there is no slave who goes to sleep in a state of purity but an angel spends the night with him, and every time he turns over, [the angel] says, ‘O Allaah, forgive Your slave, for he went to bed in a state of purity.’” [At-Tabaraani] [Al-Mundhiri: Good chain of narrators]

Going to sleep early:

Sleeping straight after ‘Ishaa’ is the advice of the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), and it is a good and healthy habit as well. One of the Hadeeths that describe its virtues was narrated on the authority of Abu Barzah Al-Aslami  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that "The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) used to prefer to delay ‘Ishaa’, and he did not like to sleep before it or talk after it." [Al-Bukhaari]

Al-Haafith Ibn Hajar narrated that Al-Qaadhi ‘Iyaadh said, concerning the phrase “He did not like to sleep before it”, “Because this could lead to one praying it too late, or delaying it until after the preferred time, and talking after it could lead one to sleeping before Fajr and missing it, or missing performing voluntary prayers at night."

Ibn Raafi’ said, “‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him used to wave his stick at the people when darkness fell, and would say, ‘Get up and go, may Allaah help you to perform voluntary prayers at night!'"

Another matter that has to do with sleep is choosing a suitable bed; not one that is excessively luxurious or soft, because that makes a person sleep too much and become negligent, and causes laziness and carelessness. ‘Aa’ishah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her said, “The pillow of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) on which he slept at night was made of leather stuffed with palm fibers.” [Abu Daawood and Ahmad]

Ibn ‘Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him entered upon the Messenger of Allaah,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), when he was lying on a mat of palm fibers that had left marks on his side. ‘Umar  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said, “‘O Messenger of Allaah, why do you not get something more comfortable than this?’ He said: ‘I have nothing to do with this world. My relationship with this world is like that of a traveler on a hot summer day, who seeks shade under a tree for an hour, then moves on.’”[Ahmad and Al-Haakim]

‘Ali ibn Bakkaar  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him had a slave-girl who would spread out his bed for him, and he would touch it with his hand and say, “By Allaah, you are good, and by Allaah you are cool, but by Allaah, I will not rest on you tonight.” Then he would get up and perform voluntary prayers at night until dawn. One should not sleep too much or too deeply. Ibraaheem ibn Ad-ham said, “If you are sleeping at night, and wandering by day, and always committing sins, how can you earn the pleasure of the One Who is managing your affairs?"

The Way to Perform Voluntary Prayers at Night-III

Adhering to the habit of reciting the Athkaar (remembrance) prescribed by the Sharee’ah (Islamic legislation) before going to sleep:

These Athkaar are like a fortress which protects a person from the devil, by the permission of Allaah The Almighty, and helps him to get up to perform voluntary prayers at night. Among these Athkaar is the one mentioned in the Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said:

“When any one of you goes to bed, let him clear his bed by hitting it with his garment, for he does not know what may have come onto it. Then let him lie down on his right side, then let him say, ‘Bismika Rabbi wadha’tu janbi wa bika arfa’uhu. In amsakta nafsi farhamha wa in arsaltaha fahfath-ha bima tahfathu bihi ‘ibaadaka as-saaliheen. (In Your Name, my Lord, I lay myself down and I get up again. If You take my soul, then have mercy on it, and if You send it back to me, then protect it with that with which You protect Your righteous slaves).” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

‘Aa’ishah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her narrated that "When the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) went to bed each night, he would put his palms together, blow in them, and recite Qul huwa Allaahu ahad, Qul a’oothu bi Rabbi’l-Falaq and Qul a’oothu bi Rabbi’l-Naas (Surat Al-Ikhlaas, Al-Falaq and An-Naas), then he would wipe as much of his body as he could with his hands, starting with his head and face, and the front of his body; doing this three times." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It was narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas’ood  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said:“If anyone recites the last two verses of Surat Al-Baqarah, this will protect him.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Anas ibn Maalik  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that when the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), went to bed, he would say: “Al-hamdu Lillaah illathi at’amana wa saqaana, wa kafaana fa kam mimman laa kaafiya lahu wa laa mu’weeya lahu (Praise be to Allaah Who has fed us and given us drink, and Who has given us enough, for how many are those who have no one to suffice them or give them refuge).” [Muslim]

According to the Hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him in which he tells the story of how he captured the devil, who said to him: “When you go to bed, recite Aayat-ul-Kursi, {‘Allaah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence.’} [Quran 2:255] until the end of it, because it will bring the protection of Allaah The Almighty for you, and no devil will approach you until morning comes.” Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him mentioned this to the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), and he said: “He spoke the truth even though he is a liar.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said to his daughter Faatimah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her when she came to him and asked him for a servant, he said to her and ‘Ali  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him: “Shall I not teach you something that will be better for you than a servant? When you go to bed, say ‘Subhaan Allaah’ thirty-three times, ‘al-hamdu Lillaah’ thirty-three times, and ‘Allaahu akbar’ thirty-four times. This is better for you than a servant.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

It was narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Recite Surat Al-Kaafiroon when you go to sleep, for it is a renunciation of shirk.”[Al-Bayhaqi] It was narrated on the authority of Hafsah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her that when the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) went to bed, he would put his right hand under his right cheek and say: “Rabbi qini ‘athaabaka yawma tab’athu ‘ibaadak (My Lord, save me from Your punishment on the Day when You resurrect Your slaves).” [Abu Daawood]

It was narrated on the authority of Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said:

“When you go to bed, make ablution as if for prayer, then lie down on your right side, then say, ‘Allaahummah aslamtu nafsi ilayk, wa wajjahtu wajhi ilayk, wa fawwadhtu amri ilayk, wa alja’tu thahri ilayk, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk, la malja’a wa la manja minka illa ilayk. Aamantu bi kitaabik allathi anzalt, wa bi nabiyyik allathi arsalt (O Allaah, I submit myself to You, I turn my face to You, I delegate my affairs to You and I rely totally on You, out of fear of and hope in You. There is no refuge or sanctuary from You except in You. I believe in Your Book which You have revealed and in Your Prophet whom You have sent).’ Then if you die, you will die on the Fitrah (innate sound belief), so make these the last words you speak.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Similarly, the Muslim should have the habit of reciting the Athkaar prescribed by Sharee’ah when waking up, such as that narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet ,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “When any one of you wakes up, he should say, ‘Al-hamdu Lillaah allathi radda ‘alayya roohi, wa ‘aafaani fi jasadi wa athina li bi thikrihi (Praise be to Allaah Who has restored my soul, given health to my body, and allowed me to remember Him).” [At-Tirmithi and An-Nasaa’i]

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Ubaadah ibn As-Saamit  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said:

“Whoever turns over at night and says ‘Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu la shareeka lah, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer. Al-hamdulillahi, subhaan Allaah wa la illaaha ill-Allaah wa Allaahu akbar wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa Billaah (There is no deity worthy of worship but Allaah Alone, with no partner or associate. His is the dominion and the praise, and He is over all things Competent. Praise be to Allaah, glory be to Allaah. There is no god except Allaah, Allaah is Most Great and there is no strength and no power except with Allaah),’ then says, ‘Allaahumma ighfir li (O Allaah, forgive me),’ or some other supplications, he will be answered, and if he makes ablution and then prays, his prayer will be accepted.”[Al-Bukhaari]

Imaam Ibn Battaal said,

“Allaah The Almighty has promised through His Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) that whoever wakes up from his sleep pronouncing words of Tawheed, submitting to His Sovereignty, recognizing His Blessings by praising Him, exalting Him above that which does not befit Him by glorifying Him (saying ‘Subhaan Allaah’), submitting to Him by magnifying Him (saying ‘Allaahu Akbar’) and admitting one’s utter dependence upon His Help, then if he makes supplication, it will be answered, and if he prays, his prayer will be accepted. Everyone who hears this Hadeeth should apply it and make the most of it, and make his intention sincerely for his Lord Allaah The Almighty."

Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said that when the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), woke up, he would say: "Al-hamdu Lillaahillathi ahyaana ba’da ma amaatana wa ilayhi an-nushoor (Praise be to Allaah Who has brought us back to life after having caused us to die, and unto Him is the resurrection).’” [Muslim]

Ibn ‘Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that when the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) woke up he would wipe the trace of sleep from his face with his hand, then look at the sky and recite the final ten verses of Surat Aal ‘Imraan, starting: {Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding…} [Quran 3:190] [Muslim]

Imaam An-Nawawi  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “This indicates that it is recommended to wipe away the traces of sleep from one’s face, and to recite these verses when getting up from sleep."

Being keen to take a nap during the day, whether before or after noon: It was narrated on the authority of Anas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Take a nap, for the Devils do not take naps.” [At-Tabaraani]

Is-haaq ibn ‘Abdullaah said, “Taking a nap is one of the deeds of good people. It revitalizes the heart and helps one to perform voluntary prayers at night." Al-Hasan Al-Basri  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him passed by a group of people in the marketplace in the middle of the day, and heard the racket they were making. He said, “Do these people take a nap?” It was said to him, “No.” He said, “I think their nights must be bad."

Avoiding eating or drinking too much:

Eating and drinking too much are two of the main obstacles that prevent people from performing voluntary prayers at night. It was narrated on the authority of Al-Miqdaam ibn Ma’di Karib  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Man fills no vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Aadam (Adam) to have a few mouthfuls to give him the strength he needs. If he has to fill his stomach, then let him leave one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.” [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah]

It was narrated on the authority of Abu Juhayfah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said to a man who burped in his presence: “Stop your burping, for the people who eat the most in this life will be the hungriest on the Day of Judgment.” [Al-Haakim]

Sufyaan Ath-Thawri  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “You should eat little, so that you will be able to perform voluntary prayers at night." Ma’qil ibn Habeeb saw some people eating a lot, and said, “I do not think that our companions (referring to those people) want to perform voluntary prayers at night." Wahb ibn Munabbih said, “There is no human dearer to his devil than the one who eats and sleeps a lot."

The Way to Perform Voluntary Prayers at Night-IV

Striving against oneself to perform voluntary prayers at night: This is one of the best means of helping oneself to perform voluntary prayers at night, because human nature is inclined towards wrongdoing, so the one who follows his own inclinations will be led to doom and destruction. Allaah The Almighty has commanded us to strive against our own selves. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

{And strive for Allaah with the striving due to Him.}[Quran 22:78]

{And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allaah is with the doers of good.} [Quran 29:69] 

{They arise from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration.} [Quran 32:16]

It was narrated on the authority of Fadhaalah ibn ‘Ubayd  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “The (true) Mujaahid is the one who strives against his own self for the sake of Allaah.” [At-Tirmithi and Ibn Hibbaan] It was narrated on the authority of ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “When a man from my Ummah gets up to pray at night, striving against his own self to get up and purify himself, there are knots on him. When he washes his hands in ablution, one knot is undone. When he washes his face, another knot is undone. When he wipes his head another knot is undone. When he washes his feet, another knot is undone. Then Allaah Says to those who are behind the Veil, ‘Look at this slave of Mine, he is striving against his own self and asking Me. Whatever My slave asks of Me shall be his.’” [Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan]

Muhammad ibn Al-Munkadir said, “I struggled against my own self for forty years until it became right.” Thaabit Al-Bunaani said, “I struggled for twenty years to make myself perform voluntary prayers at night, after which I enjoyed it (performing voluntary prayers at night) for another twenty years.” ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez said, “The best of deeds are those which we force ourselves to do.” ‘Abdullaah ibn Al-Mubaarak said, “The souls of righteous people in the past used to push them to do good deeds, but our souls do not do what we want them to do except by force, so we have to force them.” Qataadah said, “O son of Aadam, if you do not want to do any good except when you have the energy for it, then your nature is more inclined towards boredom and laziness. The true believer is the one who pushes himself."

Avoiding sins and misdeeds: If the Muslim wants to be one of those who earn the honor of speaking to Allaah The Almighty in private in the depths of the night, let him beware of sin, for the one who is contaminated with the stain of sin will not be helped to perform voluntary prayers at night. A man said to Ibraaheem ibn Ad-ham, “I cannot perform voluntary prayers at night, so tell me the cure for this.” He said, “Do not commit sins during the day, and He will help you to stand before Him at night, for your standing before Him at night is one of the greatest honors, and the sinner does not deserve that honor."

A man said to Al-Hasan Al-Basri, “O Abu Sa’eed, I sleep in good health, and I love to perform voluntary prayers at night, and I prepare water with which to purify myself, so why can I not get up?” Al-Hasan said, “Your sins are restricting you.” He also said, “The slave who commits a sin will be denied the opportunity to perform voluntary prayers at night and to fast during the day." Al-Fudhayl ibn ‘Iyaadh said, “If you cannot perform voluntary prayers at night, or fast during the day, know that you are indeed deprived and restricted, chained by your sins."

Taking oneself to account and rebuking one's self for not performing voluntary prayers at night: Checking oneself is one of the signs of the righteous and truthful. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, fear Allaah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow - and fear Allaah. Indeed, Allaah Is Acquainted with what you do.} [Quran 59:18]

Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “If the slave is responsible and accountable for everything, even his hearing, sight and innermost thoughts, as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.}[Quran 17:36], then he should call himself to account before he is brought to account."

Performing voluntary prayers at night is an act of worship that connects the heart to Allaah The Almighty and enables it to overcome the temptations of life and to strive against one’s own self, at a time when voices are stilled, eyes are closed in sleep, and sleepers are tossing and turning in their beds. Therefore performing voluntary prayers at night is one of the measures of sincere determination and one of the qualities of those who have great ambitions. Allaah The Almighty has praised them and distinguished them from others in the Quran. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.} [Quran 39:9]

Performing voluntary prayers at night is a confirmed Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) which the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), urged us to do when he said: “You should perform voluntary prayers at night, for it is the practice of the righteous people who came before you, and it will bring you closer to your Lord, expiate for bad deeds, prevent sins, and expel disease from the body.” [At-Tirmithi and Ahmad] The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “The best of prayers after the prescribed prayers is performing voluntary prayers at night.”

The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), always had the habit of performing voluntary prayers at night, and he never gave it up, whether he was traveling or staying at home. Even though he, among all the sons of Aadam, would be the one to have all his past and future sins forgiven, he performed voluntary prayers at night until his feet became swollen, and when he was asked about that, he said: “Should I not be a grateful slave?” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

This is how the noble righteous predecessors were  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them. Abu Ad-Dardaa’  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said, “Pray two Rak’ahs in the darkness of the night for the darkness of the grave.” Ahmad ibn Harb said, “I am astonished at people who know that the delights of Paradise lie above them and the horrors of Hell lie beneath them. How can they sleep in between them?" When ‘Umar ibn Tharr saw that night had come, he used to say, “The night has come, and the night has dignity, and Allaah is Most Deserving of reverence."

For this reason, Al-Fudhayl ibn ‘Iyaadh said, “I met some people who feel ashamed before Allaah to sleep for too long in the depths of the night. Such a person may be resting on his side, and when he moves, he says to himself, ‘This is not your right. Get up and take your share of the Hereafter.’" Al-Hasan said, “We do not know of any deed more difficult than the struggle to stay up at night or to spend money.” It was said to him, “Why do the people performing voluntary prayers at night have the most beautiful faces?” He said, “Because they spend time alone with The Most Merciful, so He adorns them with some of His light."

The women of the righteous predecessors also used to strive to perform voluntary prayers at night with energy and determination. Where are the women of our own age when it comes to such great deeds?

‘Urwah ibn Az-Zubayr said, “I came to ‘Aa’ishah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her one day to greet her, and I found her praying and reciting the verse in which Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {So Allaah conferred favor upon us and protected us from the punishment of the scorching Fire.} [Quran 52:27] repeating it and weeping. I waited for her, but I got bored of waiting, so I went to the market for some things I needed, then I came back to ‘Aa’ishah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her and she was still praying and reciting the same verse and weeping."

It was narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Jibreel said to me, ‘Take Hafsah back (in marriage) to you, for she fasts a lot and prays a lot at night.’”[Al-Haakim] Mu’aathah Al-‘Adawiyyah, one of the righteous female Taabi‘oon, (followers of the Companions) spent her wedding night, along with her husband Silah ibn Ashyam, praying until Fajr. When her husband and son were killed in the land of Jihaad, she used to spend the whole night in prayer, worshipping and beseeching Allaah, and she would sleep during the day. If she felt sleepy whilst she was praying at night, she would tell herself, “O soul, there is plenty of sleep ahead of you."

When Habeebah Al-‘Adawiyyah prayed ‘Ishaa’, she would stand on the roof of her house, wearing her dress and Khimaar, then she would say, “O my God, the stars have come out, people have gone to sleep, and kings have closed their doors, but Your door is open. Every lover is alone with his lover, but here I am standing before You.” Then she would start to pray and talk to her Lord until the early dawn. When the early dawn came, she would say, “O Allaah, this night is ending, the day is coming, and I wish I knew whether You have accepted this night (of worship) from me, so that I could congratulate myself, or if it has been rejected, so that I might console myself."

‘Amrah, the wife of Habeeb Al-‘Ajami, performed voluntary prayers one night whilst her husband was asleep. When the early dawn came, and her husband was still asleep, she woke him up and said to him, “Get up, my master, for the night has gone, the day has come and ahead of you lies a long road with little provision, and a small group of righteous people who have gone before us, and we are still here."

We ask Allaah The Almighty to help us to remember Him, to thank Him and to worship Him properly.

Zakaatul-Fitr and other acts of worship

Zakaatul-Fitr is one of the things that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) mandated upon all Muslims. Ibn ‘Umar  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said: “The Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) made Zakaatul-Fitr, one Saa’ (almost 3kg) of dates or one Saa’ of barley, obligatory on the Muslims, slave and free, male and female, young and old. He ordered that it should be given before people go out to the ‘Eid Prayer” [Al-Bukhaari]

Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him: “During the lifetime of the Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) we used to pay one Saa' of dried dates or of barley, or of cheese, or of raisins.” [Al-Bukhaari]

Ibn ‘Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him explained the wisdom behind paying Zakaatul-Fitr when he said: “The Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) made Zakaatul-Fitr obligatory as a means of purifying the fasting person from idle talk and foul language, and to feed the poor. Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is an accepted Zakaah, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is just a kind of charity” [Abu Daawood]

Other acts of worship during Ramadan: 

During Ramadan, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) would continue performing the same acts of worship he used to perform before its arrival, and would actually increase, like in the case of the optional night prayers. The following are more acts of worship he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) used to perform:

The recitation of Qur’aan and spending in charity: The evidence for this is the narration of Ibn ‘Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him in which he stated: “The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to reach the peak in generosity in the month of Ramadan when Jibreel met him. Jibreel used to meet him every night of Ramadan to teach him the Qur'aan, and when he met him, he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) would be more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (i.e. in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds)” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim]. This narration proves that he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) used to reach the highest level of generosity during Ramadan. He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) did not only offer charity in the form of money, but rather he offered his time, knowledge, conveyed all that would benefit the people and guided them to the correct path, strove to help people fulfill their needs and sacrificed himself for the sake of spreading the religion of Allaah and making it supreme.

Ibn Al-Muneer  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said: “Ibn ‘Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him resembled the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) with the uncontrollable wind, because this type of wind is the one that Allaah sends with rain and it spreads the rain on all the lands, fertile and non fertile and benefits it all. Likewise, the benefit of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) overwhelmed all people” 

Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him reported: “The Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) used to review the Qur’aan with Jibreel once every year during the month of Ramadan, but on the year he died, he reviewed it twice. He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) used to perform I’tikaaf every year in the month of Ramadan for ten days, and when it was the year of his death, he stayed in I’tikaaf for twenty days”. [Al-Bukhaari]

Jihaad: The Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) went out during the month of Ramadan to fight Jihaad on more than one occasion when the need arose, like in the case of the battle of Badr and the Conquest of Makkah. 

When reflecting on the practice of the Messenger of Allaah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) in worshipping one notices the following: 

·        His continual performance of virtuous deeds.

·        Increasing his worship during the month of Ramadan over the rest of the months of the year.

·        The feelings of mercy he harbored towards his nation, as he was always keen to guide and instruct them to that which benefits them the most.

·        His practical implementation of the commands of Allaah.

·        Not neglecting his duties due to fasting, were he used to pray all night and wake his family to pray. Moreover, he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) fought two major battles during this month as we mentioned.

We ask Allaah to enable us all to follow into his footsteps and exert our utmost during this blessed month.

Zakaatul-Fitr and the 'Eed

Zakaatul-Fitr is an obligatory charity on every Muslim at the end of the month of Ramadan. Ibn 'Umar  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said: "The Prophet, sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam, enjoined the payment of one Sa'a (a volume measure corresponding approximately to the volume of 5 lb) of dates or one Sa'a of barley as Zakaat al-Fitr on every Muslim, young and old, male and female, free and slave." [Al-Bukhaari 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 'Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said: "The Messanger of Allah, sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam, enjoined Zakaat 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." [Abu Daawood and Ibn Maajah]

The Amount of Zakaatul-Fitr

As the first hadeeth indicated, the amount of Zakaatul-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 Zakaat can be either dates, barley, wheat, rice, corn or similar items considered as basic foods. Abu Sa'eed, may Allaah be pleasdd with him, said: "We used to give for Zakaatul-Fitr on behalf of every child, aged person, free man or slave during the lifetime of the Messanger of Allaah, sallaallahu alayhi 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." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

The Time for Zakaatul-Fitr

Zakaatul-Fitr has to be paid by the end of Ramadan. There are two times to pay Zakaatul-Fitr. Either one or two days before 'Eed as 'Umar  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him used to do, or the day of 'Eed before the 'Eed prayer. Ibn 'Umar  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him reported that the Prophet, sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam, ordered them to pay Zakaatul-Fitr before they go out to perform the 'Eed prayer. If Zakaatul-Fitr is paid after the 'Eed prayer, it will only be considered as regular charity. The Prophet, sallaallahu alayhi 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." [Abu Daawood]

Zakaatul-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 alayhi wa sallam, said that it had "...the purpose of providing food for the needy."

'Eed al-Fitr

Playing, recreation, and eating on the day of 'Eed:

These are permissible as log as they stay within the acceptable bounds of Islam. Anas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said: When the Prophet, sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam, came to Al-Madeenah, they had two days for amusement. The Prophet, sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam, has exchanged these days for two better days: the day of breaking the fast and the day of sacrifice. [An-Nasaa'i and Ibn Hibbaan]

Taking women and children to the prayer area:

The Prophet sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam, used to take his wives and daughters to the two 'Eeds. Umm Atiyah, may Allaah be pleasd with her, said: "We were ordered to go out with the single and menstruating women to the two 'Eeds in order to witness the good and the supplications of the Muslims. The menstruating women though would stay away from the prayer area." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Going to the prayer area:

The Prophet, sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam, used to go to the prayer area on foot. Jaaber narrated: "On the days of 'Eed, the Prophet, sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam, would go to the prayer area by one route and come back by another route." [Al-Bukhaari]

Eating before going to the prayer area:

Since 'Eed al-Fitr is the day on which Muslims break their Ramadan fast, it is preferable to eat before going to the 'Eed prayer. It is a Sunnah of the Prophet, sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam, to eat an odd number of dates before going to pray Salaat al-'Eed. Anas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him reported: "The Prophet, sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam, would not go out on the day of 'Eed al-Fitr without eating an odd number of dates." [Al-Bukhaari]

Preparation for 'Eed prayer:

It is preferred to make Ghusl (take a bath), wear one's best clothes and, for men, to put perfume before going to Salaat al-'Eed. Ibn Al-Qayyim  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said: "The Prophet, sallaallahu alayhi wa sallam, used to wear his best clothes for the 'Eed prayers and he had clothes that he reserved for the two 'Eeds and Jumu'ah."

Making Takbeer:

Takbeer starts from the night of 'Eed's eve until the Imaam comes out to start the prayer. Allaah Says (which means): "Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah (i.e., say Takbeer) for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful." [Quran; 2: 185]  The form of takbeer is related by 'Umar and Ibn Mas'ood: "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La illaha illallaah. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar wa lillaahil-hamd."

Congratulating each other:

It has been narrated that when the Prophet's companions  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  them met each other on the 'Eed day, they would say to each other: "May Allah accept from us and from you." [Ahmad]

Sadaqat Al-Fitr

Sadaqat Al-Fitr (or Zakaat Al-Fitr) is prescribed by the Sharee‘ah based on the general indication of the texts of the Quran and the Sunnah, as well as by scholarly consensus. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself. And mentions the Name of his Lord and prays.} [Quran 87:14-15]

The Commander of the Believers, ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-Azeez  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him would command the Muslims to give Sadaqat Al-Fitr and recite the abovementioned verse. As for the Sunnah, Ibn ‘Umar  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said, "The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) ordained Zakaat Al-Fitr to be given as one Saa‘ (handful) of dates or barley for every slave and free Muslim, male or female, young or old. He ordered it to be given out before the Muslims go to the ‘Eed Prayer." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

The scholars have unanimously agreed on the obligation of Zakaat Al-Fitr, which has two stipulations:

1-        Its amount (one Saa’) should be over and above one’s own need and the need of his dependants for the day and night of ‘Eed.

2-        It should be given upon (and not before) the arrival of its due time, which is sunset of the last day of Ramadan.

Zakaat Al-Fitr is an individual obligation upon every Muslim who can afford it. It was ordained, along with fasting, in the second year after Hijrah (prophetic emigration). The recipients of Sadaqat Al-Fitr are the same recipients of general Zakaah, based on what Allaah The Almighty Says (which means): {Zakaah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy…} [Quran 9:60]

The amount to be given of Sadaqat Al-Fitr is a single Saa‘ for each Muslim, but it can be less than one Saa‘ if the Muslim does not find any more than that. Sadaqat Al-Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim individually, and the Muslim is not obligated to give it on behalf of others according to the preponderant opinion of scholars. However, one can give it on behalf of those under his care with their consent. An exception to this ruling is the slave, for whom Sadaqat Al-Fitr is, of course, an obligation, but in his case it is alright for his master to pay on his behalf. The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: "There is no charity to be paid on the slave (i.e. for owning him) except Sadaqat Al-Fitr." [Muslim]

It is recommended that the Muslim gives Sadaqat Al-Fitr on behalf of the fetus if it becomes four months old as ‘Uthmaan  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him did so, and he was one of the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs regarding whom we are ordered to follow their practices.

It is permissible to give Zakaat Al-Fitr early but only by a maximum of two days before ‘Eed as this was authentically reported from Ibn ‘Umar  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him: In a Hadeeth, it was said, "Ibn ‘Umar gave Sadaqat Al-Fitr for those who would accept it, and they used to receive it one or two days before ‘Eed Al-Fitr." [Al-Bukhaari] However, it is preferable to give it before the ‘Eed Prayer due to the Hadeeth which was narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him where it was mentioned that the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), ordered Sadaqat Al-Fitr to be distributed before Muslims go out for the ‘Eed Prayer. It is not permissible to delay it until after the ‘Eed Prayer, and if it is, it would not be valid. The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ), said: "Whoever introduces something to our affairs (i.e. religion) which does not belong to it, it will be rejected."

Therefore, the time for giving Zakaat Al-Fitr can be one of three:

1-    Permissible: which is two days before ‘Eed Al-Fitr

2-    Recommended: which is the morning of the day of ‘Eed before the Prayer

3-    Prohibited: which is after the ‘Eed Prayer, when it would not be valid

It is permissible for the Muslim to authorize someone to give it on his behalf. Also, there is no sin on him who delays giving it for a valid reason and therefore gives it late. Sadaqat Al-Fitr can be given out of the common staple-food of the country, and according to the majority of scholars it is not permissible to give the monetary value of the Sadaqat Al-Fitr. The Muslim may give one person many Saa‘s or one Saa‘ for many people.

Finally, it is preferable for the Muslim to give it personally so that he would be sure of delivering it to its due recipients on time.

The concern of deed’s acceptance

Needless to say, we owe our ability to perform righteous deeds to the Favor of Allaah, The Most Exalted. Had Allaah left us alone to depend on ourselves, we would have been inevitably doomed, because Satan is always attacking us hoping to misguide us. Allaah Says (what means):

“(Satan) said (to Allaah Almighty), do You see this one (Aadam) whom You honored above me, If You delay me until the day of Resurrection, I will surely destroy his descendants, except for a few.” [Quran 17: 62]

“(Satan) said, because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them, on your straight path. Then I will come to them from before them, and from behind them, and on their right and on their left and You will not find most of them grateful.” [Quran 7: 16-17] 

But Allaah protected His sincere slaves, as He Says (what means): “Indeed, My slaves- no authority will you have over them…” [Quran 15: 42]

Allaah is The One Who facilitated the means to do good and helped us utilize them. He Says (what means): “As for he who gives (in charity) and fears Allaah, and believes in the best (reward), We will ease him toward Virtue. But as for he who withholds and considers himself free of need, and denies the best (reward), We will ease him toward Misery.” [Quran 92: 5-10]

If one utilizes all means of good, seeking the help from Allaah, trusting Him and knowing that there is no refuge except in Him, only then can he hope for good to result.

We must beware of committing things which might result in wasting our deeds, like showing off, arrogance and pride. We have to always remember that if it was not for the help of Allaah, we would never have acted nor been guided to the Straight Path. Allaah Says (what means): “And if it was not for the favor of Allaah upon you and His mercy, you would have followed Satan except for a few.” [Quran 4: 83].

The more a believer is sincere in deeds, the better and more righteous they are. A believer is never arrogant, and he fears that something might occur to put his deed to waste and make it useless. Allaah Says (what means):“O you who have believed, obey Allaah and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds.” [Quran 47: 33]He, The Most Exalted, also Says (what means):“And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong [by] taking your oaths as [means of] deceit between you because one community is more plentiful [in number or wealth] than another community. Allaah only tries you thereby. And He will surely make clear to you on the Day of Resurrection that over which you used to differ.”[Quran 16: 92]

A believer’s concern is to protect his deeds just as our Salaf (righteous predecessors)  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them used to be, they were more concerned whether their deeds were accepted or not than the deed itself. Some of them said: “Be more concerned about the deed’s acceptance than performing the deed itself’.

Allaah Says (what means):“Indeed, they who are apprehensive from fear of their Lord. And they who believe in the signs of their Lord. And they who do not associate anything with their Lord. And they who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because they will be returning to their Lord.” [Quran 23: 57-60].

They (the Salaf)  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them performed the righteous deeds and feared that it might not be accepted from them, which reflects strength in their faith and their knowledge regarding their Lord. They feared they would fall into hypocrisy. One of them said: “Only a believer would fear hypocrisy on himself, and only a hypocrite feels secured”.

As we are approaching the end of Ramadan, we have to be so be grateful that Allaah, The Most Exalted, made us live long enough to reach it, enabled us to fast it, pray the night prayers and recite the Quran during it. We also need to be grateful that we went through Ramadan with good health, peace and security. We have to ask our Lord that we end Ramadan in a good situation, and that He accept our deeds, because this is the objective and this is what we hope for.

The_Message# - فلم الرسالة ١٩٧٧ - قصة سيدنا محمد - بالترجمة العربية - نس...

Rulings of Zakaatul-Fitr -II

When is the Payment Due

Imaams Ash-Shaafi'ee and Ahmad  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them state that the Zakaatul-Fitr payment becomes obligatory after sunset on 'Eed's eve, or the last day of fasting, because this is the end of Ramadan. Abu Haneefah  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him (and also Ash-Shaafi'ee in an earlier opinion of his) held that the sum of Zakaatul-Fitr becomes obligatory at the dawn of 'Eed day because it is reported that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) commanded his Companions  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  them to pay Zakaatul-Fitr before going out to perform the prayer of 'Eed [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]. (Therefore, if one has a newborn before the dawn of 'Eed, or one dies after the sunset of the final day of fasting, his or her Zakaatul-Fitr must be paid, according to Abu Haneefah  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him).

Also, according to Abu Haneefah  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him it is possible to pay Zakaatul-Fitr in Ramadan in advance of Zakaatul-Fitr, or even just prior to the commencement of Ramadan. Ash-Shaafi'ee  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him however, holds that Zakaatul-Fitr can be given on the first day of fasting Ramadan. Imaams Maalik and Ahmad  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them state that its payment becomes obligatory after the sunset of the last day of Ramadan, but can be paid one or two days earlier.

Where Should Zakaatul-Fitr Be Paid?

In general, the best place for the collection and distribution of one's Zakaah and charity—and this includes Zakaatul-Fitr—is one's locality or community, be it in one's city, state, or country. This is strongly implied in the statement of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) in sending the famed Companion Mu'aath Ibn Jabal  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him to teach the people of Yemen. He said to him, "Inform them that Allaah has made the paying of Zakaah obligatory on them. Take it from their rich and give it to their poor."

There are provisions for transferring Zakaah resources to other communities among Muslims; however, special guidelines for doing so have been established by Muslim scholars in accordance with Islamic legislation, to which the institutions responsible for the collection and distribution of Zakaah among Muslims are to adhere.

Zakaatul-Fitr A Favorable Sign for Our Community

The reemergence of Muslim concern for the paying and collection of all Zakaah resources and charities—especially Zakaatul-Fitr —is an auspicious sign, indeed, for the Muslim community. Zakaah has increasingly taken a central place in contemporary Muslim discourse, as its dynamic (almost miraculous) possibilities are again being realized by Muslims. At least seven conferences on this topic have taken place in Kuwait (and others in Pakistan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt) in recent decades. Their focuses have been diverse. A good summary of their scholarly recommendations concerning Zakaatul-Fitr, however, is represented in the Sixth International Conference on Contemporary Zakaah Issues held in Kuwait in 1997. They are summed up herein to augment this look at one of the most blessed and pleasing expressions of our worship, to which Allaah alone has guided us. And all goodness and truth is from Him alone.

Summary of the Recommendations of the Sixth International Conference on Contemporary Zakaah Issues(Kuwait, 1997)

1. Zakaatul-Fitr is obligatory upon every Muslim who has the food or provision to sustain himself, and those whom he is obligated to support, on the eve and the day of 'Eed, provided that this exceeds his basic needs.

2. A man is obliged to pay Zakaatul-Fitr for his wife and minor children who have no money of their own. In the case of one who has independent children, one is not obliged for their payment.

3. What is obligatory is the giving of a Saa' (four handfuls) of dates, barley, raisins, or other such grain, equal to approximately 2.25 kilograms of wheat. Originally, the giving of Zakaatul-Fitr was limited to the kinds of food that had been stated in the relevant statement of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). However, jurists have established (through proper methods) that it may be given out of other commonly consumed foods, such as rice, meat, milk and so forth, but should be valued in accordance with the items specified by the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). Moreover, it is permissible to give Zakaatul-Fitr in currency by paying the equivalent value of what is obligated. Those Muslim Institutions entrusted with its collection and distribution are required to assess the value of the originally specified items in their areas, and to disseminate that information in their communities, accordingly.

4. Zakaatul-Fitr must be given before the prayer of 'Eed. It is forbidden to delay it until after the 'Eed day. If one, for any reason, is prevented from giving it at that particular time, one must pay it after that time passes. If there is a need, Zakaatul-Fitr may be given at any time from the beginning of the month of Ramadan that is, its first day—until the end of the specified time [of 'Eed day].

5. It is permissible for one to delegate another to give Zakaatul-Fitr on one's behalf.

6. It is permissible for the institutions that collect Zakaatul-Fitr to exchange it from goods to currency, and vice versa, based on the general interest of the community.

7. It is permissible, in special cases, to transfer Zakaatul-Fitr collections from the people or locality in which it was collected to nearby communities in more need. And it is equally permissible to spend Zakaatul-Fitr in another community, if the giving community has no one in need of it.

8. One must have a clear intention before giving one's Zakaatul-Fitr. If one delegates, or gives permission, to another to give Zakaatul-Fitr on his behalf, it is considered an explicit intention.

9. If the community decides, after due process of consultation among its leadership and scholars, to delay the spending of what it has collected from Zakaatul-Fitr payments until after the day of 'Eed, then this may be done, provided that it serves a clear benefit for the community.

10. The Zakaatul-Fitr payment should be dedicated to the poor and the needy. In some cases, however, it can be given to eligible recipients of Zakaat of wealth; namely those stated by Allaah in the following verse (which means): "for the poor and the needy, and for those who work [to administer it], and for those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and for freeing captives (or slaves), and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allaah, and for the wayfarer…" [Quran 9:60]