In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate "May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon You"

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become muttaqoon (those who have taqwaa or piety). [ Al-Baqarah 2:183 ] Angel Jibraeel (Gabriel) cursed the one who let the blessed month of Ramadan pass by without gaining forgiveness and our Prophet (peace be upon him) said Aameen. (Hakim and Bayhaqi) *How the Prophet (pbuh) Fasted In Ramadan* ** * * * * * * ** The Prophet (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would not begin fasting Ramadan until there was a verified sighting of the crescent indicating the month or with the testimony of two trustworthy Muslim witnesses or just one witness. But when there was no sighting or testimony or the night of the thirtieth day of Shabaan was cloudy and the crescent could not be sighted, he would complete thirty days for Shabaan and then fast after that. He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would forbid that a Muslim fast a day or two days prior to the start of Ramadan out of precaution, unless those days coincided with days he normally fasted. He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wsalaam) would not break his fast until directly after the disk of the sun had disappeared. And he would order his Companions to hasten in breaking their fast. And he would break his fast before praying (the Maghrib prayer). He would break his fast with fresh dates. If he didnt find them, then with old dates, and if he didnt find them, then with sips of water. When breaking his fast, he would say: "The thirst has gone, the

veins have moistened and the reward is certain, if Allaah wills." [Dhahaba Adh-Dhamau wabtallatil-urooqu wa thabatal-ajr in sha Allaah] When He (SalAllau Alyahi Wsalaam) would travel in Ramadan, he would either fast or beak his fast and his Companions would choose between the two. So they would hold that whoever had energy and fasted then that was good and whoever was weak and broke his fast, then that was good. It was not from his (SalAllahu Alayahi Wsalaam) practice to estimate the point of distance in a journey for which a fasting person could break his fast. When his Companions would set out on a journey, they would break their fast without even having crossed outside of their homes. And they informed that this was His Sunnah. And it was from his (SalAllahu Alayahi Wsalaam) practice, that Fajr would come on Him while He was still in the state of Janaabah (sexual impurity), due to his wives, so He would bathe (make ghusl) after Fajr and then fast. And He would kiss some of his wives while He was fasting in Ramadan, but He was the best amongst mankind at preventing his desires (from overtaking Him). He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would use the Siwaak while fasting. And He would wash his mouth and nose while fasting, but would not let the water go deep in his nose or mouth. He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would pour water on His head during fasting, due to thirst or the heat. He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would eat dates for His pre-dawn meal (suhoor) and He would incite His Companions to take the Suhoor even if it was only a gulp of water. And He would delay the Suhoor until shortly before Fajr. The time between His Suhoor and the Fajr prayer was the extent it takes a man to recite fifty verses from the Book of Allaah. * A Description of the Prophet's Night Prayer in Ramadan:* He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would lead His Companions in the Taraaweeh prayer in congregation, then He stopped doing that for fear that the night prayer would be made obligatory on His ummah. But when He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) died, this fear went away and the prescription for praying it in congregation remained, due to the Prophet's (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) saying: "Verily, when a man prays with the Imaam until he finishes the prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the (whole) night." He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wsalaam) would not go beyond making eleven rak'aat, whether in the month of Ramadan or any other time. Sometimes, he would say the Qunoot after finishing his recitation and before going into the bowing position, saying: "O Allaah guide Me with those you

have guided, and forgive Me with those you have forgiven, and support Me with those you have supported, and bless Me in what you have given Me, and protect Me from the evil you have ordained. For You ordain all and nothing ordains over You. Truly, those you have befriended will not be humiliated, nor will those You have taken as enemies be honored. Blessed and raised High be our Lord. There is no security away from You except with You." In the second half of Ramadan, the Companions would say the Qunoot after rising from the bowing position, and they would add to it by cursing the disbelievers. So their Imaam would say: "O Allaah curse the disbelievers those who hinder people from Your path and who deny Your Messengers and who do not believe in Your promise. And divide their ranks. And put fear into their hearts, and send your punishment and torment on them, O Lord of Truth." Then he would send Salaat upon the Prophet (SalAllahu Alayahi Wsalaam) and he would supplicate what he was able to of good for the Muslims. Then he would ask forgiveness for the Muslims. Then when he had finished all of this, he would say: "O Allaah, You alone we worship, and to You we pray and prostrate. To You alone do we hasten and rush. And we hope for Your mercy, our Lord. We fear Your punishment, verily, your punishment on those whom You have taken as enemies is severe and ever-increasing." And he would say in the last part of his Witr (either before the Salaam or after it): "O Allaah, verily, I seek refuge in Your Contentment from Your Discontentment and in Your Forgiveness from Your Punishment. And I seek refuge in You from You. The Praises for You cannot be accounted for, and You are just as how You have praised Yourself." After finishing the Witr, the Prophet (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would say: "Subhaan Al-Maalikil-Qudoos" three times, prolonging his voice and raising it when reaching the third time. He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would pray two rak'at after the Witr and he would command his ummah to do that. And He would recite in them Surah Al-Zilzaal and Surah Al-Kaafiroon. When the last ten days of Ramadan would come, He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would tighten His garment, stay up at night (worshipping) and wake up His family (to pray at night). And He would exert Himself in these last ten days the way He didn't exert himself in any other days. He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would supplicate a lot, especially in the Night of Al-Qadr, saying: "O Allaah, You are indeed All-Pardoning, and You love to pardon (sins), so forgive Me." [Allaahumma Innaka 'Afoowun, tuhibbul-'afwa fa-'Aafu 'Annee] *A Description of the Prophet's 'Itikaaf during Ramadan:*

He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wsalaam) would perform 'Itikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadan and He would only do so while fasting and in the three Masjids only (i.e. Masjid Al-Haraam in Makkah, Masjid An-Nabawee in Madeenah and Masjid Al-Aqsaa in Jerusalem) When He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would want to make 'Itikaaf, He would pray the Fajr prayer (in the masjid) and then begin His 'Itikaaf. He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would set up a small tent in the back of the masjid in which He would perform the 'Itikaaf and He would place His bed and mattress there. He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would permit some of His wives to visit Him while in the state of 'Itikaaf, and He would depart from them in the door of the masjid. He would not be intimate with them at this time, whether by kissing them or other than that. And He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) permitted a woman to make 'Itikaaf with her husband or by herself. While in the state of 'Itikaaf, He would not go out from the masjid unless He had some humanly need. * The Prophet's guidance in giving out the Zakaat-ul-Fitr:* Allaah's Messenger (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) obligated the Muslim and those he provides for, young and old, male and female, free and slave to give a saa' (around 2 kilogram) of dates or a saa' of barley or a saa' of dry cheese, or a saa' of raisins or half a saa' of wheat, or a saa' of the food of the people's land. He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would give it out in food and not cash. It was from His (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) practice to give the Zakaat-ul-Fitr a day or two prior to the 'Eed prayer. It was from His (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) practice to specifically give the Zakaat-ul-Fitr to the needy people (masaakeen). And He (SalAllahu Aalyahi Wasalaam) would not divide it separately for the eight categories of people mentioned in Surah At-Tawbah (60). He (SalAllahu Alayahi Wasalaam) would appoint one of His Companions to collect and guard the Zakaat-ul-Fitr. *Footnotes*: [1] For the evidences on these issues and for what will follow on the Rulings of Fasting, refer to the following books: "Fasting in Ramadan" of Alee Al-Halabee and Saleem Al-Hilaalee, "The Night Prayer" of Shaikh Al-Albaanee and "Zaad Al-Maaad" of the great scholar Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah.

------------Reference: How the Prophet Fasted In Ramadan Compiled by Muhammad Zorkane Source:Al-Muntaqaa Issue Nine [1]

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: "Allah's Apostle was the most generous of all the people, and he used to reach the peak in generosity in the month of ramadan when Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night of ramadan to teach him the Qur'an. Allah's Apostle was the most generous person, even more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds)." (Bukhari, 5) Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu

Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It has been mentioned, along with daily Prayers (Salaat / Namaz), over seventy times in the Quran. Allahs word commanding ".....and establish regular Salaat and GIVE regular Zakat....." are referred to in many parts of the Quran. From this we can conclude that after Salaat, Zakat is the most important act in Islam. Just as Salaat is the most important act of worship which has to be performed bodily, so is Zakat the main act of worship which has to be performed monetarily. Those who fulfill this duty have been promised abundant reward in this world and hereafter. Whoever evades Zakat has been sternly warned in the Quran and Hadith of the consequences. Linguistically, ZAKAT has two meanings: purification and growth. Technically, it means to purify ones possession of wealth by distributing a prescribed amount to the poor, the indigent, the slaves or captives, and the wayfarer.

There are many major benefits of giving Zakat: * It reminds Muslims of the fact that whatever wealth they may possess is due to the blessings of Allah and as such it is to be spent according to the His commands. * Zakat functions as a social security for all. Those who have enough money today pay for what they have. If they need money tomorrow they will get what is necessary to help them live decently. * Zakat payer pays his dues to Allah as an act of worship, a token of submission and an acknowledgment of gratitude. The receiver of Zakat receives it as a grant from Allah out of His bounty, a favor for which he is thankful to Allah. * Economically, Zakat is the best check against hoarding. Those who do not invest their wealth but prefer to save or hoard it would see their wealth dwindling year after year at the rate of the payable Zakat. This helps increase production and stimulates supply because it is a redistribution of income that enhances the demand by putting more real purchasing power in the hands of poor. Zakat is obligatory upon a person if : * He or she is an adult, sane, free and Muslim. * He/she must possess wealth in excess of specified minimum (Nisaab) excluding his or her personal needs (clothing, household furniture, utensils, cars etc. are termed article of personal needs). * It should be possessed for a complete lunar year. * It should be of productive nature from which one can derive profit or benefit such as merchandise for business, gold, silver, livestock etc. The amount of wealth which makes one liable for Zakat is called Nisaab. Gold 87.48 Gram 7.50Tolas 1350Grains 2.8125Troy Oz. Silver 612.36Gram 52.50Tolas 9450Grains and 19.6875 Troy Oz. Nisaab of cash, stock or bonds, other cash assets is the equivalent amount of Gold or Silver. Nisaab is calculated by adding up the cash value of all the assets such as gold, silver, currency etc. and if it is equal TO or in excess of the minimum Nisaab as specified in the above table, the Zakat is due at the rate of 2.5%. The payment of Zakat is compulsory on the excess wealth or effects which is equal to or exceeds the value of Nisaab, and which is possessed for a full Islamic year. If such wealth decreases during the course of the year and increases again to the value of Nisaab before the end of the year, the Zakat then must be calculated on the full amount that is possessed at the end of the year. TYPES OF WEALTH ON WHICH ZAKAT IS IMPOSED: 1. Gold and silver, in any form. 2. Cash, bank notes, stocks, bonds etc.

3. Merchandise for business, equal to the value of Nisaab. 4. Live stock. 5. On income derived from rental business. DISTRIBUTION OF ZAKAT: 1. Zakat should be given as soon as possible after it becomes due. 2. All of the Zakat can be given to one person or to several persons. 3. A poor man cannot be paid for his work from Zakat nor can Zakat be given in payment of services, except to the people appointed by the Islamic government to collect Zakat. 4. Zakat will only be valid if the recipient is made the owner of that amount. If, for example, a few needy persons are fed a meal from Zakat money, then Zakat will not be fulfilled as they were not made owners of the food. 5. Zakat cannot be given for the construction of Masjid, Madrasah, Hospital, a well, a bridge or any other public amenity. 6. Zakat can be paid in kind from the same merchandise on which it is due, or alternatively, it could be paid in cash. TYPES OF WEALTH ON WHICH ZAKAT IS NOT IMPOSED: 1. On any metals other than gold or silver. 2. Fixtures and fittings of a shop, car, trucks or any delivery vehicle etc., which is used in running business. 3. Diamonds, pearls, other precious or semi precious stones which are for personal use. 4. There is no Zakat on personal residence, household furniture, pots and pan, personal clothing, whether they are in use or not. 5. There is no Zakat on a person whose liabilities exceed or equal his assets. (Home Mortgage in this country is not to be counted as personal liability for the Zakat purpose). RECIPIENTS OF ZAKAT: The recipients of Zakat, according to Quran are as follows: "Alms are for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer (the funds); for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to truth); for those in bondage and in debt; and for the wayfarer: (Thus is it) ordained by Allah, and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom." (Quran 9:60) 1. FUQARA: people who are poor and who possess more than their basic needs but do not possess wealth equal to Nisaab. 2. MASAKEEN: people who are destitute and extremely needy to the extent they are forced to beg for their daily food rations. 3. AL-AMILEEN: people appointed by an Islamic Government to collect Zakat. 4. MU-ALLAFATUL-QULUB: persons who have recently accepted Islam and are in need of basic necessities who would benefit from encouragement by Muslims which would help strengthen their faith. 5. AR-RIQAAB: slaves who are permitted to work for remuneration and have an agreement from their masters to purchase their freedom on payment of fixed

amounts. 6. AL-GHAARIMEEN: persons who have a debt and do not possess any other wealth or goods with which they could repay that which they owe. It is conditional that this debt was not created for any un-Islamic purpose. 7. FI-SABILILLAH: persons who have to carry out an obligatory deed which has become obligatory on them and subsequently (due to loss of wealth) are unable to complete that obligation. 8. IBN-US-SABEEL: persons who are travelers and during the course of their journey do not possess basic necessities, though they are well to do at home. They could be given Zakat in order to fulfill travel needs to return home. PERSONS WHO CANNOT BE GIVEN ZAKAT: 1. Zakat cannot be given to the descendants of Muhammad (P.B.U.H); 2. Zakat cannot be given to parents and grandparents. In the same manner one's children and grandchildren cannot be given Zakat. A husband and wife cannot give Zakat to each other. VIRTUES OF ZAKAT: Allah says in the Quran: "The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn. It grows seven ears and each ear has hundred grains. Allah increases manifold to whom He pleases." (Quran 2:261) It is stated in the Hadith that by giving Zakat the following benefits are derived: 1. Gain the pleasure of Allah. 2. Increase in wealth and protection from losses. 3. Allahs forgiveness and blessings. 4. Protection from the wrath of Allah and from a bad death. 5. A shelter on the Day of Judgment; 6. Security from seventy misfortunes. THE PUNISHMENT FOR NOT GIVING ZAKAT: Allah says in the Quran: "And there are those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, announce to them a most grievous penalty (when) on the Day of Judgment heat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of Hell. Then with it they will be branded on their forehead and their flanks and backs. (It will be said to them) This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves, taste then the treasure that you have been hoarding." (Al-Quran 9:34-35) http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6499663-concept-of-zakat-in... ________________________________ Must Watch : 9:38 Zakah Tutorial: Understanding & Calculating Zakah Part 1 (of 2) 10:14

Zakah Tutorial: Understanding & Calculating Zakah Part 2 (of 2)

________________________________ Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to post on Internet sites and to publish in full text and subject title in not-for-profit publications.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveIslam_LiveIslam/ *Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim* {In the name of Allah most Gracious Most Merciful} Allah says, in Quran This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islm as your religion. (Al-Maeda-3) Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu ________________________________ Taken from Elder Sister Forum... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Seekers-Of-Islam/message/104 ________________________________ One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God, and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. The word Zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'. Our possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth. Zakat is the amount of money that every adult, mentally stable, free, and financially able Muslim, male and female, has to pay to support specific categories people. This category of people is defined in surah at-Taubah (9) verse 60: " The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarers; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is knower, Wise." (The Holy Qur'an 9:60). The obligatory nature of Zakat is firmly established in the Qur'an, the Sunnah (or hadith), and the consensus of the companions and the Muslim

scholars. Allah states in Surah at-Taubah verses 34-35: "34:O ye who believe! there are indeed many among the priests and anchorites, who in Falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah. announce unto them a most grievous penalty35:On the Day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs, their flanks, and their backs.- "This is the (treasure) which you buried for yourselves: taste you, then, the (treasures) you buried!" (The Holy Qur'an 9:34-35). The prophet (pbuh) said: "Any owner of gold and silver who does not deliver from them their right, on the Day of Quiyamah (Day of Judgment), (the gold and silver) will be shaped as foils of fire. Then it will be heated in the fire of Hell; (and) then with it he will be ironed on his side, his forehead, and his back" (narrated by Muslim). It is agreed between Muslims in all the centuries the obligatory nature of paying Zakat for gold and silver, and from those the other kinds of currency. Zakat is obligatory when a certain amount of money, called the nisab is reached or exceeded. Zakat is not obligatory if the amount owned is less than this nisab. The nisab (or minimum amount) of gold and golden currency is 20 mithqal,this is approximately 85 grams of pure gold. One mithqal is approximately 4.25 grams.The nisab of silver and silver currency is 200 dirhams, which is approximately 595 grams of pure silver.The nisab of other kinds of money and currency is to be scaled to that of gold, 85 grams of pure gold. This means that the nisab of money is the price of 85 grams of 999-type (pure) gold, on the day in which Zakat is paid. When is Zakat Due ? 1. Passage of One Lunar Year: Zakat is obligatory after a time span of one lunar year passes with the money in the control of it's owner. Then the owner needs to pay 2.5% (or 1/40) of the money as Zakat. (A lunar year is approximately 355 days). 2. Deduction of Debts: The owner should deduct any amount of money he or she borrowed from others; then check if the rest reaches the necessary nisab, then pays Zakat for it. If the owner had enough money to satisfy the nisab at the beginning of the year, then the money increased (in profits, salaries, inheritance, grants...etc.), the owner needs to add the increase to the nisab amount owned at the beginning of the year; then pay Zakat, 2.5%, of the total at the end of the lunar year. (there are small differences in the fiqh schools here) Each Muslim calculates his or her own Zakat individually. For most purposes this involves the payment each year of two and a half percent of one's capital.

A pious person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqa, and does so preferably in secret. Although this word can be translated as 'voluntary charity' it has a wider meaning. The Prophet said 'even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity.' The Prophet said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'
>________________________________

>As for reminding .......... > >What is Zakat? >Zakat is an obligatory duty and one of the five pillars of Islam. It is
mandatory when two conditions are simultaneously satisfied which are-- Nisab and the Due Date. > >What is Nisab and its current value? >In Sharia(Islamic Jurisprudence) nisab is the amount which savings or capital or product must exceed in order for the Muslimowner to be obliged to give zakat. Several hadithhave formulas for calculating nisab. One of the most well known states that No Zakat is due on wealth until one year passes.In general, nisab is considered an amount equal to the essential needs of a person or family for one year. In many modern societies, nisab is often interpreted to equate a governmentally determined poverty threshold.

> >When is Zakat due date? >Zakat is due after one Lunar (Hijri) year starting from either the first day
you acquired the amount of Nisab or the day you paid Zakat last year. The month of Ramadhan is considered to be the best time to pay Zakat. >________________________________ Source ----http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/Zakat/
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Common Mistakes Made During Ramadan

1. Taking Ramadan as a ritual For many of us Ramadan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night just because everyone around us is fasting, too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil. We forget to beseech Allah SWT to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Hell-Fire. Surely, we stay away from food and drink but thats about it. Although the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: Jibraeel said to me, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadan comes and his sins are not forgiven, and I said, Ameen. Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said, Ameen. Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you, and I said, Ameen. [Tirmidhi, Ahmad and others. It is classified as Saheeh by al-Albaani] 2. Too much stress on food and drink and spending all day cooking For some of us, the entire month of Ramadan revolves around food. We spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking only about food, instead of concentrating on Salah, Quraan and other acts of worship. We think so much about FOOD that we turn the month of fasting into the month of feasting. Come Iftaar time, our 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. Besides, it leads to wastage of food and extravagance. and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance) [Quran, al-Araaf :31] Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read the Quran. 3. Eating too much Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor 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 Prophet (s.a.w.) 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. [Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. Classified as saheeh by al-Albaani] Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless.. 4. Sleeping all day and Wasting time Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) sleeping away their fast. These people 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. The month of Ramadan is a very precious time, so much so that Allaah SWT calls this month Ayyamum Madoodaat (A fixed number of days). 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 TV, movies or even listening to music to occupy their mind so that they wont feel the hunger pangs. 5. Fasting but not giving up evil 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 activities, buying lottery tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, 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 Allaah, to increase our Taqwa.

O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious) [Quran, al-Baqarah :183] The Prophet (s.a.w) said: Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink. [Bukhaari] 6. Skipping Suhoor (sehri) and Stopping Suhoor at Imsaak The Prophet (s.a.w) said: Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing. [Bukhaari, Muslim]. And he (s.a.w) said: The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor. [Muslim] Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe Imsaak. Allah allows us to eat until dawn: and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night) [Quran, al-Baqarah :187] And the Prophet (s.a.w) said: .eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes. This imsaak which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (s.a.w) said: Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed. [Muslim] 7. Not fasting if they missed Suhoor Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhoor. However, this is an act kind of cowardice and love of ease. Missing a few morsels in the morning will, inshaAllah, not lead to death. Remember, obedience to Allaah overcomes everything. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. It is not prescribed by the Shariah for us to say out loud. Also, there is no specific duaa to be recited at the time of starting the fast in the Sunnah. 8. Delaying opening 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 open the fast, which means opening fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set (and not before). Aaishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (s.a.w.) used to do. [Muslim] The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to open the fast. [Bukhaari, Muslim] Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul (trust) on Allaah SWT and break your fast exactly on time. 9. Eating continuously until the time for Maghrib is up Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss the Maghrib prayer. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, then he would hasten to the prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish. 10. Missing the golden chance of having your Duaa accepted The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast. The Prophet (s.a.w) said: Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler. [al-Bayhaqi, classified as saheeh by al-Albaani] Instead of sitting down and making Duaa 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 itIs food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Duaas. 11. Fasting but not praying

The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer. [Muslim] In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled. Whoever does not pray Asr, his good deeds will be annulled. [Bukhaari] 12. Fasting and not wearing Hijaab Not wearing the Hijaab is a major sin as it is obligatory for Muslim women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab). So fasting and not wearing hijaab certainly takes away, enormously, from the rewards of fasting. 13. Not fasting because of exams or work Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do it during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than good grades. Besides, if you will fulfill your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make your studies and other activities easy for you and help you in everything you do. Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him. [Quran, Surah at-Talaaq :2-3] 14. Mixing fasting and 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. Otherwise, mixing it with the intention of dieting may become a form of (minor) Shirk. 15. Praying ONLY on the night of the 27th Ramadan Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) said: Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan. [Bukhaari, Muslim] 16. Wasting the last part of Ramadan preparing for Eid Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. Even though, the Prophet (s.a.w) used to strive the most during the last ten days of Ramadan in worship [Ahmad, Muslim] and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadan to the utmost. Aaishah (RA) said: When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (s.a.w) would tighten his waistwrapper (i..e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family. [Bukhaari and Muslim] 17. Iftaar parties Although inviting each other for breaking fast is good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish Iftaar parties with all sorts of disobedience to Allah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing. Its not too late to rectify ones mistake and do good for the sake of Allah. Inform My servants that I am the Forgiver, Most Merciful. [Quran, al-Hijr:49]

Anas (Radhiallaho anha) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) used to break his Saum (fasting) before performing Maghrib prayer with three fresh date-fruits; if there were no fresh date-fruits, he will eat three dry dates; and if there were no dry date-fruits; he would take three draughts of water. [At-Tirmidhi]

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)" Volume 3, Book 31, Number 127: (Sahih Bukhari Ahadith)

Huraira: I heard Allah's Apostle saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari, 1888)

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