Dr Abdul hakim murad

Sheikh Samir Al-Nass

Respecting the Prophets (upon them peace)

 

It has come to my attention that foolish people use disrespectful sentences or terms towards Prophets (upon them peace). Disrespecting a prophet, any of them, is disbelief. How can I say that? The respect of the Prophets is built into Islam and most of the final Prophet (upon them all peace).

Muslims believe that the Quran is word of Allah (Almighty and Majestic) is it uncorrupted and unrivalled in any sacred text, all others survive in forms that are corrupted or incomplete. Let us examine where this is built upon. It is very important to note that we do not disrespect Isa/Jesus (upon him peace) because of the errors of some of his followers who made him an idol to be worshipped.

 

Proofs

لِّتُؤْمِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتُعَزِّرُوهُ وَتُوَقِّرُوهُ

"Believe in Allah and His messenger, support him and respect him." Quran: Fath 48:9

We believe in Allah and his Messenger (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) both because negating one of them is disbelief. With this, believe we support him by supporting the religion of Allah as confirmed by Ibn Ajibah (may Allah show him mercy) and we honour him. This word waqar includes honour, respect and reverence.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ لَعَنَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِي ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلآخِرَةِ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ عَذَاباً مُّهِيناً

"Those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messenger have the curse of Allah in the world and for them is [a great many varied] painful punishment."

Clans 33:57

Imam Qurtabi (may Allah show him mercy) said,

وأما أذِيّة رسوله صلى الله عليه وسلم فهي كل ما يؤذيه من الأقوال في غير معنًى واحد، ومن الأفعال أيضاً. أما قولهم: «فساحر. شاعر. كاهن مجنون. وأما فعلهم: فكسر رباعِيته وشج وجهه يوم أُحُد، وبمكة إلقاء السَّلَى على ظهره وهو ساجد» إلى غير ذلك. وقال ابن عباس: نزلت في الذين طعنوا عليه حين اتخذ صفية بنت حُيَيّ. وأطلق إيذاء الله ورسوله وقيّد إيذاء المؤمنين والمؤمنات،.

"As for harming His Messenger this is any speech that harms without a meaning, including actions. Verbally it is [by anyone saying] saying magician, poet, soothsayer and insane. In terms of action it is: harming his tooth, cutting the face on the day of Uhud, in Mekkah by putting entrails on his back whilst he is prostrating [acts of pagan Quraysh] and so forth."

No one can harm Allah (the Exalted) because Allah is not like creation. Harm here means disbelief - whoever disbelieves in Allah and His Messenger. This is why I used the word disbelief and not harm in the translation. In this world, the foolish doubt this but in the afterlife there will be no doubt whatsoever about this. Harm includes slander, disrespect and so forth. Then what is the result of a person's disrespect? They are one of the losers in the afterlife and a painful punishment belongs to them. Note that punishment and painful are in the indefinite form meaning that there are many types of different forms of punishment. This type of punishment is only for disbelievers or hypocrites.

Therefore, these are where the argument for the following is built and we see what they say about disrespecting Prophets. Note that Imam Qurtabi (may Allah show him mercy) spoke about respect with action. All we have now is respect by words but the companions had a much higher level of respect by action. So you will rarely find a hadith with them referring to the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) by his first name because it is not befitting in manners. So most hadith have either have the Prophet, the Messenger, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) in them. This shows us how high their regard was for him. Also they followed his (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) speech and commands to the letter. Something we are in dire need of reviving.

 

The opinions of the scholars

Sheikh Yahya Ibn Abu Bakr Al-Hanafi (may Allah show him mercy) said, "Whoever rejects one prophet or finds fault in something in them or is not happy with the practice of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him); he becomes a disbeliever." (Fourth chapter: In relation to the Prophets, the scholars and the righteous: Bidyah Al-Itiqad)

 

Imam Abu Abdullah Muhammad Al-Sanusi Al-Hasani (may Allah show him mercy) said in Sharh Al-Muqadimmat, "It is decisively affirmed by the consensus of the people of the truth worthiness of the Prophets and Messengers, upon them all peace, that they are free from all  blemishes ['ajub] and sins [itham] and the most superior of them is their master and moreover the master of all of creation is our master, our prophet Muhammad upon him, all his family and companions prayers and peace." (p169)

 

Imam Sawi's (may Allah show him mercy) commentary of Imam Al-Laqqani's Jahawarah Al-Tawhid, "Unlawful actions do not occur from them by consensus." (P.275) other conditions are truthfulness even when joking (Ibid 276) and intelligence.  Elsewhere he says that what is impossible in relation to the correctness of the Messengers is, "Deception, lies, stupidity and concealing [truth]." (Ibid P.279)

 

In Imam Al-Bajuri (may Allah show him mercy) commentary of the same text, "Forgetfulness is not possible in conveying the message before it is announced, in speech or action."  (p.139)

 

Imam Al-Taftazani (may Allah show him mercy) said in his commentary of Aqaid Al-Nasafi by Imam Al-Nasafi, "All of them [prophets and messengers] are informers and conveyers of Allah the Exalted because this is the meaning of Prophethood and messengership [by being] truthful and giving excellent advice to creation lest the nullification of revelation and messengership. By this indication the Prophets are sinless from lies especially concerning matters of the sacred law, conveying the law, guiding their nation. There is consensus in regard to purposely [not committing sins] and from forcedness according to most of them. They are protected from sins in all errors and especially following passions and they are protected from disbelief, before and after revelation consensus. And similarly from committing major sins." (p.140)

 

Rather they can do something that is Khilaf Al-Awlaa which is not a sin but it is not done by people in that area, this is to show its permissibility. (Jawharah Al-Tawhid)

 

Sheikh Muhammad ibn Salih Al-Farfur (may Allah show him mercy) said in Al-Risalah Al-Nafiyyah, "Similarly it is impossible for them [Prophets and Messengers] to have human illnesses that move them to have blemish like repulsive illnesses, and blindness is impossible. It did not occur to our master Ya'qub (upon him peace) and it was not illness. Rather it was a covering over the eyes because of sadness. Similarly what occurred to Ayyub (upon him peace) was not a repulsive illness [to say this] is not correct. Because it was a normal illness and not an illness that caused blemish. Similarly, it impossible for them to be dumb, mute, insane and so forth of those things that it is not befitting them to be ascribed to; that causes people to be repulsed from them. And make them distained in their eyes. Yet it was they who were sent to guide and show them the way. " (p.53-54)

 

Sheikh AbdulKarim Al-Raf'ia (may Allah show him mercy) said in Al-Ma'rifah, "People need prophets in every time and place to rectify those actions that cause felicity for the majority and the individual. If there was no rectification then the people would remain blind in their ignorance. They would be unable to differentiate between guidance, misguidance, harm and benefit." (p.73)

 

Mulla Ali Al-Qari's commentary of Sheikh Ali ibn Siraj Al-Din Al-Uwasi Daw Al-Ma'ali ala Mazumah Bada Al-Amali, "Prophets are protected from sin and the awliyah are preserved." (p.117)

The prophets are protected from disbelief, major and minor sins. The preserved of the awliyah is just from disbelief. The awliya have no protection from sins. 

 

Mulla Ali Al-Qari (may Allah show him mercy) said in Abu Hanifah's (may Allah show him mercy) commentary on Fiqh Al-Akbar, "The Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them) are free of all sins, major and minor, of unbelief, and of all that is repugnant."

 

Imam Al-Maydani (may Allah show him mercy) in his commentary of Aquida Tahawiyyah said, "Messengers," They are sent to creation to guide them, complete their worldly and afterlife. They are supported miracles that indicate to their truthfulness." (p.105)

 

Sheikh Abd Al-Ghani al-Nabulsi (may Allah show him mercy) said in the Meaning of repentance, "The exception to this consensus are those who apostated because of one of the Prophets (upon him peace). Meaning, he was Muslim then apostated because of cursing one of the prophets.... He who swears at one of the Prophets (upon them peace) becomes one of those whose repentance is not accepted in the outward aspect of the law. Because he swore at that prophet." (p.20) "He swore at one of the Prophets (upon them peace) and cut off this subtle connection from his heart with the presence of the Prophets (upon them peace). It is not possible to join it after he has left the innateness' of Islam. That is why the repentance is not considered according to the outward of the sacred law." (p.20)  

 

Ahmed ibn Hanbal (may Allah show him mercy) said in report from [his son] Abdullah, "Whoever curses the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) is killed and because he cursed, he has apostatised from Islam; and a Muslim does not curse the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him)." (Masail Imam Ahmed 3/1292)

 

Ahmed ibn Abdul Karim Al-Sayaj (may Allah show him mercy) said in Al-Wahabiyyin La Yawaqir Al-Nabi, "[Showing] the greatest respect and reverence to the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings be upon him) is an intrinsic part of faith. He who does not revere him (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) in deference to his rank has apostatised." (p.9)

 

So, this is a great amount of scholars and not just a few that some can ignore. Ignore these names at your eternal peril!

 

Speech of fools

The main reason for writing this was to explain to some people that disrespecting any prophet is a crime and an act of disbelief.  The results of disbelief are long lasting. I saw a person who has this erroneous belief that disrespecting a prophet is not disbelief. [When we have proven it by the Quran and speech of the scholars.] This person's skin continues to blacken for a unknown reason. His hands and face are getting darker. It is clear to me that his faith has gone.

Such a person should correct his faith, repeat his shahada and renew his marriage. I was sorry to witness an old 'speaker' get asked a question and his speech diverted from answering the question and he was close to disrespect. For it be disrespect it must be clearly disrespect without any interpretation. In Urdu, there are two tones that people use a respectful or disrespectful. In English and Arabic there are respectful, disrespectful and a standard tone - which is neither.

We need to know which one is being used and this is the job of the judge/qadi and not the self appointed hillbilly who makes mockery of the law. His ignorance makes a bad situation worse.

I have written a previous piece on how to deal with slander

 

Disbelief

Dr Abdul hakim murad

Dr Abdul hakim murad

Ramadan

7. Khubatur Ramadhaan

اَلْحَمْدُلِلهِ الْمُلْكِ الْقَدِيْرِ الْوَاحِدِ الْفَاطِرِ الْعَزيْزِ الشَّاهِدِ وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلاَمُ عَلٰى خَيْرِ خَلْقِهِ  اَمَّا بَعْد فَأَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَانِ الرَّحِيْمِ

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1) Surah Baqarah V. 183

O believers, fasting is an obligation for you as it was an obligation upon those before you so that you become righteous –

Fasting was prescribed to the people of the book/Ahl Al-Kitab namely the Jews and Christians; and now the Muslims were commanded to fast. Other religions also have fasting as part of their tradition such as Buddhism. Fasting brings a state of awareness in the servant that is normally present. So this aware brings piety and righteous, this is one of the many benefits that fasting brings.

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. 184

[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew

Ramadan is thirty or twenty nine days and this depends on the sighting of the moon. This passage gives dispensation for those who are travelling not to fast and make it up at a later date. As well as those people who are ill or unable to fast because of health issues that mean they cannot fast. Pay fidyah or substitute which is to feed the poor two meals for sixty days, and if they pray for more then it is better. Feeding the poor is one of the best actions one can do if they have the money.

1) خطبنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في آخر يوم من شعبان فقال : أيها الناس قد أظلكم شهر عظيم مبارك ، شهر فيه ليلة خير من ألف شهر ، جعل الله صيامه فريضة ، وقيام ليله تطوعاً ، من تقرب فيه بخصلة من الخير كان كمن أدى فريضة فيما سواه ومن أدى فيه فريضة كان كمن أدّى سبعين فريضة فيما سواه ، وهو شهر أوله رحمة وأوسطه مغفرة ، وآخره عتق من النار

Hadeeth

1) Narrated Salman al-Farisi (ra)

Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said in a sermon which he delivered to them on the last day of Sha'ban, "O people, a great month, a blessed month, a month containing a night which is better than a thousand months has approached you people. Allah has appointed the observance of fasting during it as an obligatory duty, and the passing of its night in prayer as a voluntary practice. If someone draws near to Allah during it with some good act he will be like one who fulfils an obligatory duty in another month, and he who fulfils an obligatory duty in it will be like one who fulfils seventy obligatory duties in another month.”

It is the month of endurance and the reward of endurance is Paradise. It is the month of sharing with others, and a month in which the believer's provision is increased. If someone gives one who has been fasting something with which to break his fast it will provide forgiveness of his sins and save him from Hell, and he will have a reward equal to his without his reward being diminished in any respect." We remarked to Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that not all of us have the means to give one who had been fasting something with which to break his fast. He replied, "Allah gives this reward to him who gives one who has been fasting some milk mixed with water, or a date, or a drink of water with which to break his fast. Anyone who gives a full meal to one who has been fasting will be given a drink from my tank (Hawd) by Allah and will not thirst till he enters Paradise. It is a month whose beginning is mercy, whose middle is forgiveness, and whose end is freedom from Hell. If anyone makes things easy for his slave during it, Allah will forgive him and free him from Hell." (Tirmidhi)

2)‏"‏ مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَفِي حَدِيثِ قُتَيْبَةَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ مَنْ قَامَ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ‏"

2) Whoever fasts during Ramadan" and according to the Hadith of Qutaibah, the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, "Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in prayer (Qiyam) out of faith and in the hope of reward, he will be forgiven his previous sins, and whoever spends the night of power in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, he will be forgiven his previous sins."

This hadith explains the importance of tarawaih prayer which is an emphasised sunnah, prayed in the nights of Ramadan. As well as explaining the importance of the night of power/Lailat Al-Qadr which is a night that is better than a thousand months. This is typically in the last odd ten days of Ramadan, 21,23,25,27,29. The twenty seventh night is normally earmarked as the night mentioned. Hadiths that mention that sins will be forgiven are minor sins not major sins.

3) قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي سَهْلٌ، أَنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ، بَابًا يُقَالُ لَهُ الرَّيَّانُ يُقَالُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَيْنَ الصَّائِمُونَ هَلْ لَكُمْ إِلَى الرَّيَّانِ مَنْ دَخَلَهُ لَمْ يَظْمَأْ أَبَدًا فَإِذَا دَخَلُوا أُغْلِقَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَلَمْ يَدْخُلْ فِيهِ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ

3) In Paradise there is a gate called Ar-Rayyan, it will be said on the Day of Resurrection: "Where are those who used to fast? Come and enter through Ar-Rayyan!" whoever enters through it will never thirst again. Then when they have entered it will be closed behind them, and no one but they will enter through it.

Paradise has eight gates and depending on peoples actions the specific door will call them. So if someone gives a lot of charity then the door of charity will be open to him. If someone has fasted frequently then the door of paradise for the fasters Ar-Rayyan will call them.

4)"‏إذا دخل العشر الأواخر من رمضان، أحيا الليلة، وأيقظ أهله، وجد وشد المئزر

4) When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah ( ) would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship.

In the last ten days the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) worship would increase. This is an important reminder for us to increase our worship because many peoples aspiration wanes towards the end of the month. Paying Zakah in this month is better than other months as well as paying extra charity. There are many things you can do like reading the Quran, helping people, giving extra charity, reading salawat, praying for the Muslims, helping parents and so forth. 

2 Part  Khutbatur Ramadhaan .8

اَحْمَدُ اللهِ حَمْدَالذَاكِرِيْنَ الشَّاكِرِيْنَ الصَّابِرِيْنَ الظَّافِرِيْنَ وَاَشْكَرُهُ شُكْرًا كَثِيْرًا عَلٰى نِعْمَةِالْاِسْلَامِ وَالْاِيْمَانِ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنْ لَا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ وَ وَاحِبُ الْاِيْمَنُ بِهِ عَلٰى الْأَوَّلِيْنّ وَالْاَخِرِيْنَوَبَارِكْ وَ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلٰى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلٰى اٰلِهِ وَ صَحْبِهِ وَالتَّابِعِيْنَ اِلٰى يَوْمِ الْحِسَابِ

اَمَّا بَعْدُ فَأَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَانِ الرَّحِيْمِ

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1) Surah Baqarah V. 185

The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.

This month is honored that the Quran was reveled in it. Thus this is the month that Quran is recited the most. People who read the Quran must read it correctly using the Arabic pronunciation and not the urdu. So please correct your recitation from major errors. Read the quran and reflect on the meanings. This passage also states the importance sighting the moon and not relying on calculations. Again dispensation is given for those who are ill or travelling to make up the fasts. This also follows the principle of making up fasts or any fard action, from this verse. As well as making the religion easy and not difficult. Women who are on their menses make up the time later. Ramadan is a great opportunity for us to attain great acts of worship and reward in a short space of time.

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2) Surah Baqarah – ayah 196

And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah . But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs 'umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty.

This passage explains the sacrifice to be done for those who can afford it in the ‘Eid of Al-Addah.

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3) Surah Baqarah V. 203

And remember Allah during [specific] numbered days. Then whoever hastens [his departure] in two days - there is no sin upon him; and whoever delays [until the third] - there is no sin upon him - for him who fears Allah . And fear Allah and know that unto Him you will be gathered.

These days are the three days after hajj known as Ayam Al-Tashriq.

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4) Surah Qadr V. 1

Indeed, We sent it down during the Night of Decree.

What was it that was sent down? The great Quran was sent in this noble month and the events of the first revelation began. The Quran was revealed in twenty three years piecemeal so the companions could practice it.

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5) Surah Mujadila V.5

And he who does not find [a slave] - then a fast for two months consecutively before they touch one another; and he who is unable - then the feeding of sixty poor persons. That is for you to believe [completely] in Allah and His Messenger; and those are the limits [set by] Allah . And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.

This passage explains the person who cannot fast pays for food for two meals for the poor. This first part is explaining of Al-Zihaar.

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6) Surah Maida V.89

Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.

This passage explains that one those who make definite oaths have to make expiation.

1) إِذَا كَانَ أَوَّلُ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ صُفِّدَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ وَمَرَدَةُ الْجِنِّ وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ النَّارِ فَلَمْ يُفْتَحْ مِنْهَا بَابٌ. وَفُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ فَلَمْ يُغْلَقْ مِنْهَا بَابٌ وَيُنَادِي مُنَادٍ يَا بَاغِيَ الْخَيْرِ أَقْبِلْ وَيَا بَاغِيَ الشَّرِّ أَقْصِرْ وَلِلَّهِ عُتَقَاءُ مِنَ النَّارِ وَذَلِكَ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ

1) The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said: "On the first night of the month of Ramadan, the Shayatin are shackled, the jinns are restrained, the gates of the Fires are shut such that no gate among them would be opened. The gates of Paradise are opened such that no gate among them would be closed, and a caller calls: 'O seeker of the good; come near!' and 'O seeker of evil; stop! For there are those whom Allah frees from the Fire.' And that is every night." (Hasan)

When the month begins the satans are chained up. This gives every believer no excuse in doing good actions. He may blame satan for his laziness before but he has no excuse now. This is our great opportunity to do good and if we are unable to do that then refraining from evil action itself is a great action.

2) قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ وَقَامَهُ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَمَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ‏”

2) the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and stands (in the night prayer) for it out of faith and seeking a reward (from Allah), he will be forgiven what preceded of his sins. Whoever stands (in the night prayer) on the Night of Al-Qadr out of faith and seeking a reward (from Allah), he will be forgiven what preceded of his sins.”

We have explained this previously.

3) قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ وَجَدَ تَمْرًا فَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَيْهِ وَمَنْ لاَ فَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَى مَاءٍ فَإِنَّ الْمَاءَ طَهُورٌ ‏"

3) The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said: "Whoever has dried dates, then let him break the fast with that, and whoever does not, then let him break the fast with water, for indeed water is purifying."

Dates and water are the two things one should break his fast with. Then if they are not available then any type of halal food. Then one should pray then eat a meal afterwards. The dates prepare the stomach for the oncoming onslaught of food coming!

"‏ كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلاَ يَهِيدَنَّكُمُ السَّاطِعُ الْمُصْعِدُ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا حَتَّى يَعْتَرِضَ لَكُمُ الأَحْمَرُ ‏"(4

4) he (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,"Eat and drink, and do not be disturbed by the rising glow, eat and drink until the redness appears to you on the horizon."

This hadith explains that one can partake in the predawn meal until the time of fajr enters.

"‏ مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ بِأَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ ‏" (5

5) he (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, "Whoever does not leave false speech, and acting according to it, then Allah is not in any need of him leaving his food and his drink."

Fasting is not just about refraining from food and so on, its about being in a state of refraining from sin. You do that by staying away from sin and repenting if they occur. This is the month that you can achieve your potential of worship.

6)عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ أَوْصَانِي خَلِيلِي صلى الله عليه وسلم بِثَلاَثٍ صِيَامِ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ، وَرَكْعَتَىِ الضُّحَى، وَأَنْ أُوتِرَ قَبْلَ أَنْ أَنَامَ

6) My beloved friend (the Prophet) advised me to observe three things: (1) to fast three days a month; (2) to pray two rak`at of Duha prayer (forenoon prayer); and (3) to pray witr before sleeping.

(7

‏ أَفْضَلُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الصَّلاَةِ الْمَكْتُوبَةِ الصَّلاَةُ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ وَأَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ صِيَامُ شَهْرِ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمِ

7) He (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, Prayer offered in the middle of the night and the most excellent fast after (fasting) in the month of Ramadan is the fast in God's month al-Muharram.

(8

‏ أَفْضَلُ الصَّوْمِ صَوْمُ أَخِي دَاوُدَ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا وَلاَ يَفِرُّ إِذَا لاَقَى

8) The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said: "The most virtuous fast is the fast of my brother Dawud. He would fast a day, and not fast (the next) day. He would not flee at the time of engagement (with the enemy)."

The fast of Dawud (upon him peace) is very difficult for most people. Though one should not fast day after day, this will have a negative affect on his health. The blessed Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) could fast perpetually but this does not apply to us. Because he (peace and blessings upon him) was given food and drink by Allah (the Exalted) without having the means of eating. This is one of things that makes his being different to ours.

مَنْ صَامَ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ فَقَدْ صَامَ الدَّهْرَ كُلَّهُ  (9

9) He (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Whoever fasts for three days of each month, he has fasted for a whole lifetime.”

This is the sunnah desired fast of three days of the mouth when the moon is at its strongest. Know that one good action of the Muslim is worth ten of those communities before us. So three days a month equals to a whole year. Though this can be achieved by fasting Ramadan and six days in shawwal, afterwards.

لَا صَامَ مَنْ صَامَ اَلْأَبَدَ (10

10) He (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, May he, who perpetually fasts (without a break) has no fast.

This, as we have stated before, is for he who fasts all time. It is a warning not to fast perpetually as it will harm someone’s health.

(11

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ شَقِيقٍ، قَالَ قُلْتُ لِعَائِشَةَ - رضى الله عنها - أَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَصُومُ شَهْرًا كُلَّهُ قَالَتْ مَا عَلِمْتُهُ صَامَ شَهْرًا كُلَّهُ إِلاَّ رَمَضَانَ وَلاَ أَفْطَرَهُ كُلَّهُ حَتَّى يَصُومَ مِنْهُ حَتَّى مَضَى لِسَبِيلِهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم

11) I said to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her): Did the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observe fast during a month? She said, I do not know of any month in which he fasted throughout except Ramadan and (the month) in which he did not fast at all till he ran the course of his life. May peace be upon him.

The blessed Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) would not fast all the time out of compassion for his nation that they do not do the same. It would be easy for the awliyah but hard for anyone else.