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1. When the month of Rajab commences, recite the following dua:
اَللّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيْ رَجَبٍ وَّشَعْبَان وَبَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَان
O Allah! Bless us in the months of Rajab and Sha’baan and take us forth to the month of Ramadhaan. [1]
In the Ahaadith, great rewards have been promised for the one who fasts. The fasting person has a very high status in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala.
The Smell Emanating from the Mouth of the Fasting Person is Beloved to Allah Ta‘ala
Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The smell which emanates from the mouth of a fasting person is more beloved in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala than the fragrance of musk.” [1]
Fasting is a Shield against Sins
Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said that Allah Ta‘ala says, “Fasting is for My sake and I will give the reward for it. He (the fasting person) leaves out his desires (i.e. eating and drinking and having relations) for My sake. Fasting is a shield (from sins). For the fasting person, there are two times of happiness; one is at the time of iftaar, and the other is at the time he meets his Rabb. The smell which emanates from the mouth of a fasting person is more beloved in the sight of Allah Ta‘ala than the fragrance of musk.” [2]
Fasting is a great pillar of Islam. The person who does not fast in the month of Ramadhaan without a valid excuse commits a major sin.
Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The one who misses a single fast in the month of Ramadhaan without a concession (from the side of Shari’ah) or illness, he will not be able to compensate for (the blessing of) that one day even if he fasts for the rest of his life.” [1]
The fast of Ramadhaan was made fardh (obligatory) upon the Ummah in the 2nd year after hijrah. [1] Allah Ta‘ala says in the Quraan Majeed:
يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُوْنَ
“Fasting has been ordained upon you as it was ordained upon those before you so that you may attain taqwa.” [2]
In the Home of Hazrat Abu Ayyoob Ansaari (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
Written by user2When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to stay in the home of Hazrat Abu Ayyoob Ansaari (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), then Hazrat Abu Ayyoob (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) insisted that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) reside on the upper floor of the home while he and his family would reside on the lower floor.
However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) felt that since he would be receiving visitors all the time, if Hazrat Abu Ayyoob (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and his family resided on the lower floor, then they would be inconvenienced by the constant arrival of visitors. It was for this reason that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not agree to reside on the upper floor, but rather preferred staying on the lower floor.
7. Ensure that you do not give less than the amount that is obligatory upon you. If you give more, it will be better. [1]
8. Zakaat is payable upon the expiry of one lunar year from the time one becomes the owner of nisaab (the minimum amount of wealth upon which zakaat is compulsory). Hence, one should calculate the zakaat upon one’s zakaat date. [2]
9. From the zakaat date, Shari’ah gives one a complete year to discharge the zakaat. Hence, one should ensure that he discharges his zakaat before the next year’s zakaat date. If any zakaat is outstanding, until the next year’s zakaat date arrives, one will be sinful for delaying in discharging the zakaat. [3]
Tubba’, the King of Yemen, Passing Madinah Munawwarah
Written by user2It is mentioned that when Tubba’, the King of Yemen, had passed by the land of Madinah Munawwarah (long before the blessed era of Rasulullah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam]), he was accompanied by four hundred Ulama of the Tauraah. On seeing the land of Madinah Munawwarah, all the Ulama addressed the king and presented the following request to him saying, “Please permit us to settle down in this land.”
When the king enquired the reason for them wishing to settle in this land, they replied, “We find it written in the scriptures of the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) that towards the end of time, a Nabi will be born. His name will be Muhammed, and this region will be his Daar-ul-Hijrah (the place to which he will migrate and settle).”
4. One should not give zakaat to those who are not eligible to receive zakaat. If one gives zakaat to people, knowing that they are not eligible to receive zakaat, the obligation of zakaat will not be fulfilled. [1] However, if one gave zakaat to a person, considering him to be eligible for zakaat, but later came to know that he was not eligible, his zakaat will be fulfilled. [2]
5. When discharging zakaat, ensure that tamleek takes place (i.e. the recipient is made the owner of the wealth). If tamleek is not found, the zakaat will not be discharged. [3] For example, if one invites a poor person for a meal and allows him to partake of the food, the zakaat will not be discharged as he was not made the owner of the food. [4]
1. Shari’ah has made zakaat compulsory upon the person who possesses the amount of nisaab. The amount of nisaab will be calculated from all zakaatable wealth. One will not include the basic necessities of life in his zakaat calculation. The basic necessities of life are the house, car, furniture, items in use, etc. [1]
2. It is not permissible for one to give zakaat to his ascendants (e.g. parents, grandparents, etc) and descendants (e.g. children, grandchildren, etc). [2]
3. Zakaat has to be given to a recipient of zakaat. A recipient of zakaat is a poor Muslim who does not possess the nisaab of zakaat. [3] Hence, zakaat cannot be given to a musjid or madrasah, or to pay for the burial of a deceased, etc., as these are not recipients of zakaat. [4]
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) entered Madinah Munawwarah on the occasion of the hijrah, mounted on his camel, then every resident of Madinah Munawwarah desired to host and entertain Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in his home.
However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to the people, “This camel is commanded from the side of Allah Ta‘ala to go where Allah Ta‘ala wants. Wherever she sits down with the decree of Allah, that is where I will stay.”
Accordingly, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) left the reins absolutely loose. He would not even nudge the animal with his blessed hand in any direction.