Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim
Assalam alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatu
Alhamdhulillah for Allah grant us this chance to be and experience another Ramadhan but apart from all the Ibaadah we know we are to strive in. What should we not do? In Sha Allah Allah will grant us His Mercy and May He accept our fast.
MISTAKE #1: FASTING AND NOT PRAYING
Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer. [Muslim] The fasting of one who does not pray will not be accepted. This is because not praying constitutes kufr. In fact, it is likely that none of his good deeds will be accepted unless Allah decides to have mercy. This post will not go into any further details about "not praying", as enough has been written elsewhere about its consequences. Recommend that you take a look at the post 'SALAH'.
MISTAKE #2: TAKING RAMADHAN AS A RITUAL
For many of us Ramadhan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibadaah. We fast from morning to night just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that it’s a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil. We forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire. We stay away from food and drinks but that's not the significant point.
MISTAKE #3: SKIPPING SUHUR
And He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Eat suhur for in suhur there is blessing." [Bukhari and Muslim] The Prophet (prace and endings of Allah be upon him) said: "The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) is eating suhur." [Muslim 13/56, Abu Dawud 14/31; Nasai 22/77] Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhur. However, this is a kind of cowardice and love of ease. What is the big deal if you missed a few morsels of food? So it's anybody's guess if you miss Suhur then you can still keep the fast. Obedience to Allah overcomes everything. If one misses Suhur but gets up before dawn, make an intent and continue your fast. With regard to saying dua everyday, there is no dua that the Muslim should say when starting to fast each day. Rather he should simply have the intention (in his heart) that he is going to fast. The intention (niyyah) is an action of the heart. The Muslim should resolve in his heart that he is going to fast tomorrow. It is not prescribed for him to utter it out loud and say, “I intend to fast” and other phrases that have been innovated by some people.
MISTAKE #4: EMPHASIS ON FOOD AND DRINKS
Allah says in Quran 7:31 says ".....and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance)". For some people, the entire month of Ramadan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Qur'an and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. So much so that they turn the month of 'fasting' into the month of 'feasting'. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also waste & extravagance. Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking almost ALL day and evenings so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Isha, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Qur'an. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove as much as possible and focus on reinforcing your Imaan! Remind your husbands the real intent of Ramadhan. In Sha Allah you will be rewarded for this.
MISTAKE #5: SPENDING MOST OF THE TIME COOKING
Some people stuff themselves at Suhur until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day. And some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to 'make up for the food missed.' However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything. The two hadiths below is to be followed throughout the year, and not just in Ramadhan.
MISTAKE #6: EATING TOO MUCH IS FORBIDDEN
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air." [Ibn Majah, 4/29/3349] Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless. It was said to Imam Ahmad (May Allah have mercy on him): “Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full?” He said, “I do not think so.”
MISTAKE #7: EXTRAVAGANT IFTAR PARTIES
Although, inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged. However some people go to extremes with lavish 'Iftaar parties' with all sorts of disobedience to Allah, from flirting, mixing of the gender and hijab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salah, and Taraweeh to even music.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air." [Ibn Majah, 4/29/3349] Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless. It was said to Imam Ahmad (May Allah have mercy on him): “Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full?” He said, “I do not think so.”
MISTAKE #7: EXTRAVAGANT IFTAR PARTIES
Although, inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged. However some people go to extremes with lavish 'Iftaar parties' with all sorts of disobedience to Allah, from flirting, mixing of the gender and hijab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salah, and Taraweeh to even music.
MISTAKE #8: SLEEPING ALL DAY
A good deed in Ramadan is multiplied 70 times. An act of worship done in Ramadhan brings a greater reward from Allah than one done at any other time. Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) 'sleeping away their fast'. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people also are missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot 'bear' to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but, negligence on his part.
MISTSKE #9: NOT FASTING BECAUSE OF WORK
Fasting is Fardh, for all sane Muslims. Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shari'ah to fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do that during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allah is much more important. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allah will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do.
MISTAKE #10: WASTING TIME, A LOT OF IT
The month of Ramadhan is a precious, precious time. Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over, we should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching irrelevant programmes on TV, movies or even listening to music. A Muslim does not have any time to waste. The Quran is clear is stating that when we are brought to life once again (in Qiyamah), we will feel as if we stayed in this world only for an evening or a morning. [Al-Quran 79:46]
MISTAKE #11: NOT GIVING UP BAD HABITS
Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allah. It must be noted that in Ramadhan or otherwise, all these acts are forbidden. If you particularly do it in Ramadhan, it nullifies your fast. Yes! For instance if you backbite while fasting in Ramadhan, it nullifies your fast. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allah has no need of him giving up his food and drink." [Sahih Bukhari 1903, 6057] One should also protect himself from the "zina of eyes" . Zina means adultery/fornication. So Zina of eyes would mean looking at those things that are forbidden; in this case would be looking at non-mahram women in a way that will arouse one's interests. Hence, the Quran commands men to lower their gaze to preserve their chastity. By the way, this commandment is not just for Ramadhan but men and women should practice this throughout the year.
MISTAKE #10: WASTING TIME, A LOT OF IT
The month of Ramadhan is a precious, precious time. Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over, we should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching irrelevant programmes on TV, movies or even listening to music. A Muslim does not have any time to waste. The Quran is clear is stating that when we are brought to life once again (in Qiyamah), we will feel as if we stayed in this world only for an evening or a morning. [Al-Quran 79:46]
MISTAKE #11: NOT GIVING UP BAD HABITS
Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allah. It must be noted that in Ramadhan or otherwise, all these acts are forbidden. If you particularly do it in Ramadhan, it nullifies your fast. Yes! For instance if you backbite while fasting in Ramadhan, it nullifies your fast. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allah has no need of him giving up his food and drink." [Sahih Bukhari 1903, 6057] One should also protect himself from the "zina of eyes" . Zina means adultery/fornication. So Zina of eyes would mean looking at those things that are forbidden; in this case would be looking at non-mahram women in a way that will arouse one's interests. Hence, the Quran commands men to lower their gaze to preserve their chastity. By the way, this commandment is not just for Ramadhan but men and women should practice this throughout the year.
MISTAKE #12: SMOKING
Smoking is forbidden in Islam whether during Ramadhan or outside of it, as it is one of evil things. And this includes ALL kinds of 'smoking material'. Example: cigars, cigarettes, pipes, Sheesha, hookah etc. It is harmful, not only to the one smoking, but also to the ones around him. It is also a means of wasting ones wealth. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "There should be no harming or reciprocating harm." [Ibn Majah 2340] This is especially true during fasting and it invalidates the fast. [Fatwa-Ibn 'Uthaymeen]
MISTAKE #13: STOPING SUHUR AT IMSAAK
Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe 'Imsaak'. Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "This is a kind of bid'ah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allah Subhanahu wa'taala allows us to eat until dawn.” This 'imsaak' which some of the people do is an addition to what Allah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed." [Muslim 2670]
MISTAKE #14: DELAYING TO BREAK THE FAST
Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be 'on the safe side'. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to break the fast, which means breaking fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "This is what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to do." [Sahih Muslim] Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul on Allah and break your fast exactly on time.
MISTAKE #15: DELAYING MAGHRIB
Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss Maghrib. That is obviously not right. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.
MISTAKE #16: MISSING THE GOLD TICKET
The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveller." [Al-Bayhaqi, 3/345] Instead of sitting down and making Dua at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it, is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Duas.
MISTAKE #17: FASTING OR DIETING?
Do not make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (especially sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone. Always remember that 'niyaat' (intention) plays the most important part of a Muslim. A believer will be rewarded or punished based on his intention. So if dieting is the intention then you will not get any reward from Allah. Having the right intention is a boon.
MUSTAKE #18: PRAYING ONLY ON THE 27TH
Some people pray ONLY on the 27th night to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights in the last 10 days of Ramadhan. Who told you it's the 27th? One of the most virtuous night is 29th, the night before Eid (if the new moon is sighted on the night of 29th). Many are out in the markets or streets to shop. Since Lailat ul-Qadr is likely to be on the night before Eid, it is mustahab to be engaged in prayer and other acts of worship. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadhan (means 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th)." [Bukhari 1913; Muslim 1169]
MISTAKE #19: WASTING THE LAST PART OF RAMADHAN
Some people waste the entire last ten days of Ramadhan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting ibaadah and Lailatul Qadr. Although, The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramadhan in worship. [Musnad Ahmad, Sahih Muslim] In fact you should wind-up all the worldly affairs in Shaaban, so that they can focus on Quran and Ibadah in the month of Ramadhan. The last ashra is the most crucial part of the holy month. Be on the guard !! Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allah would tighten his waist-wrapper (i.e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family." [Bukhari 1920 and Muslim 1174]
MISTAKE #19: WASTING THE LAST PART OF RAMADHAN
Some people waste the entire last ten days of Ramadhan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting ibaadah and Lailatul Qadr. Although, The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramadhan in worship. [Musnad Ahmad, Sahih Muslim] In fact you should wind-up all the worldly affairs in Shaaban, so that they can focus on Quran and Ibadah in the month of Ramadhan. The last ashra is the most crucial part of the holy month. Be on the guard !! Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allah would tighten his waist-wrapper (i.e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family." [Bukhari 1920 and Muslim 1174]
May Allah give us hidayat to spend time in Ramadhan the way our Prophet and Sahabas spent time. May Allah guide us to the straight path and give us the best in this world and in the Hereafter.
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