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COMMON MISTAKES IN RAMAZAAN


The month of Ramazaan is the month of attentiveness in acts of worship and obedience and drawing closer to Allah Almighty with what pleases Him. That is why the believer should be in his best state therein and show Allah, the Exalted, all that is good, as much as he can. That is why out of mutual advising and cooperation in goodness, this article mentions some mistakes and innovations that take place in Ramazaan, hoping that the fasting people would avoid them in order for their deeds to be free there from in Ramazaan. These are varied: Some of them are related to beliefs and acts of worship while others are related to words and behavior. They are different in their rulings: some of them are forbidden whereas others are disliked. In his journey in life, and especially during Ramazaan, the Muslim should exert efforts to be safe from all these, whether few or many. These include:  [1]

 

Table of Contents

 

Taking Ramazaan as a ritual

For many of us Ramazaan 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 make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire. Sure we stay away from food and drink but that's about all. Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: 'He is doomed who sees the month of Ramazaan come and go, "Jibreel said to me, 'May he be destroyed, who sees the month of Ramazaan come and go and he has not been forgiven', and I said, 'Ameen'. Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah, 1888; al-Tirmidhi, 3545; Ahmad, 7444; Ibn Hibbaan, 908. And Saheeh al-Jaami’, 3501.

 

Focusing or Emphasis on food

To the extent that people begin to worry about eating more then actually fasting. This also goes along with spending tons of money on Iftars even though a person does not need to eat that much food.

 

For some people, the entire month of Ramazaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Qur'aan 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. ".....and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance)" [Surah al-A'raaf :31]

 

Making Suhr way before Fajr

Some people eat Suhr a few hours after Tarawih or Isha Salah, this is wrong. It should be eaten closer to the time of Fajr.

 

Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe Imsak. Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: This is a kind of bidah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. 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)" [al-Baqarah 2:187]

 

Forgetting Niyyah

People don't make Niyyah [intentions] to fast for Ramazaan. This is something in the heart and does not need to be verbal. Also it only needs to be done once, at the beginning of Ramazaan and not every single day.

 

It was narrated from Hafsah that the Prophet said: "Whoever does not have the intention of fasting from the night before, then there is no fast for him." Sahih an-Nasa'i 2333 and classed as Sahih by sheikh Albani in urwa al ghaleel  914

 

Eating or drinking forgetfully

Many people believe if you eat or drink on accident this breaks your fast. This is false, if you do this on accident then you continue fasting and do not need to make up the day.

 

Narrated Abu Huraira(R): The Prophet () said, "If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk, has been given to him by Allah." Sahih al-Bukhari 1933

 

Vomiting during Fast

Many people have the misconception that vomiting will break the fast but Unintentional Vomiting will not break the fast as mentioned in the hadees. Narrated by Abu Hurairah(R): If a person observing fast vomits, that does not break his fast, for while he vomits he expels something and does not swallow anything. SAHIH BUKHARI Vol #3, Book of Fasting, Chapter #32 and Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Vol.3:89

 

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 others 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 (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) 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." Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2380Too 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: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.

 

Wasting time

The month of Ramazaan 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 Allaah 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. Trying to obey Allaah by DISOBEYING Allaah!

 

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, buying lotto 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. "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)" [Surah al-Baqarah 2:183]

 

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) 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." Sahih al-Bukhari 6057

 

Skipping Suhoor

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing." Sahih Al Bukhari 1923 (Vol 3:146) And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor." Abu Dawood 2345

 

Delaying in breaking 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. Aa'ishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to do. (Muslim) The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to break the fast." Sahih al Bukhari Vol 3:178

 

Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul on Allaah and break your fast exactly on time.

 

Missing the golden chance of having your Dua accepted

The prayer (dua) of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted.

 

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) 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, Vol 3:345,Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2032; as-Saheehah, 1797

 

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.

 

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 (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer." Sahih Muslim 82and Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2621

 

In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled. "Offer the `Asr prayer early as the Prophet said, "Whoever leaves the `Asr prayer, all his (good) deeds will be annulled." Sahih al-Bukhari 553

 

Not fasting because of exams or work

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 Allaah is much more important than 'good grades'. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make it 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." (Surah at-Talaaq 2-3)

 

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 (esp. 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.

 

Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab(R): I heard Allah's Messenger () saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. Sahih al-Bukhari 1

 

Praying ONLY on the night of the 27th

Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramazaan." Sahih Al-Bukhari 2020

 

Wasting the last part of Ramazaan preparing for Eid

Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramazaan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. although, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramazaan in worship (Ahmad, Muslim) and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramazaan so that you can utilize the time in Ramazaan to the max. 

 

Aa'ishah (RA) said: "When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam)) 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." Sahih Muslim 1174

 

Iftaar parties

Although inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish 'Iftaar parties' with all sorts of disobedience to Allaah, 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.

 

Sleeping all day

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.

 

Parents not letting their children to fast

Many parents do not let their children fast during Ramazaan [young children]. This is something counterproductive to a child. By allowing him to fast he will grow up to know he must do this act.

 

Al-Rubayyi’ bint Mu’awwidh said:  On the morning of ‘Ashoora’ the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sent word to the villages of the Ansaar saying, “Whoever started out not fasting, let him not eat for the rest of the day, and whoever started the day fasting, let him fast.” She said: We used to fast and make our children fast, [and take them to the mosques] and make toys for them out of wool, then if one of them cried for food we would give him that toy until iftaar.  Sahih al-Bukhari, 1859 and Muslim, 1136

 

Quick information

  • Applying Surma (Kohl) while fasting, It was narrated that ‘Aishah said: “The Messenger of Allah () applied kohl to his eyes while he was fasting.” SUNAN IBN MAJAH Vol #2, Hadith #1678
     
  • Many people believe they cannot use Hennah or oil on head while fasting. This is incorrect, they are allowed to use it during Ramazaan.
     
  • Some people believe when you are cooking you cannot taste the food to see if it has the right spices/flavors. This is false, and allowed in Islam as long as the person cooking is not eating the food. Rather they can taste it to see if it needs salt, or more spices.
     
  • Many people think you cannot use a Miswak during Ramazaan. This is false, for the Prophet [saw] used to use a miswak during Ramazaan.
    Narrated 'Amir bin Rabi`a, "I saw the Prophet cleaning his teeth with Siwak while he was fasting so many times as I can't count."SAHIH BUKHARI Vol #3, Book of Fasting, Chapter #27)
     
  • Some people make the Maghrib Adhan late. They do this so people will start eating late, just incase Maghrib has not come in yet. This too is wrong and we should not do this.
     
  • Many many people believe you cannot have intercourse with your spouse during the whole month of Ramazaan. This is false, you cannot do this only during the times when you are fasting. Between Maghrib and Fajr it is permissible to do.
    It was narrated that Nafi’ said: “I asked Umm Salamah about a man who gets up in the morning when he is in a state of sexual impurity and wants to fast. She said: “The Messenger of Allah (صلىاللهعليهوسلم) used to get up in the morning in a state of sexual impurity after having intercourse, not from a wet dream, then he would take a bath and complete his fast.’” SUNAN IBN MAJAH Vol #2, Hadith #1704
     
  • Many women believe that if their period has just ended and they did not make Ghusl, they cannot fast that day [considering their period ended at night, and they went to bed without Ghusl, waking up without having a chance to make it]. This is incorrect, if a women has not made Ghusl she can still fast.
     
  • Many men believe that if he has had intercourse with his wife and did not make Ghusl [similar to the above] then he cannot fast the next morning. This is also incorrect, for he can fast even if he has not made Ghusl.

    Narrated `Aisha and Um Salama (May Allah have mercy upon them): At times Allah's Messenger () used to get up in the morning in the state of Janaba after having sexual relations with his wives. He would then take a bath and fast. Marwan said to Abdur Rahman, "I swear by Allah that you tell Abu Hurairah that [the Prophet used to be Junub (in state of Janaba) till the dawn, would then take a bath and observe Saum (fast)]."

    (SAHIH BUKHARI Vol #3, Hadith #1925-1926) (SAHIH BUKHARI Vol #3, Hadith #1930-1932) (SAHIH MUSLIM Vol #3, Hadith #2589-2594) (SUNAN TIRMIDHI Vol #2, Hadith #779)
  • Some people believe you cannot eat until the Muadhthin is done calling the Maghrib Adthan. This is incorrect, as soon as he starts a person can break their fast.

    Prophet Muhammadsaid: “People will continue to be all right as long as they hasten in the breaking of the fast”. Sahih al Bukhari Vol 3:178, Sahih Al Muslim 2417 Hastening means to break the fast immediately after sunset without any further delay. [2]

 

See more

Fasting; Ramazaan Scholars View; Fasting an obligatory worship; Fasting virtues and its wisdom; Muslim Festivals; RAMAZAAN BASICS for REVERTS; The Last Ten Nights of Ramdhan;

 

References

[1] http://library.islamweb.net/emainpage/articles/205015/common-mistakes-in-Ramazaan

[2] http://www.islamicbulletin.org/newsletters/issue_24/mistakes.aspx

[3] http://www.download.farhathashmi.com/dn/Portals/0/Latest-Events/Ramazaan/article2.htm

 

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