Is There Fasting After Ramadan?

Why Stop Your Progress Now?

When the blessed month of Ramadan ends we leave behind us the month emphasizing mercy, forgiveness, and freedom from the hellfire.  But what do we take with us?  We have challenged our nafs and our desires and– insha’ Allah– made progress.  Now is the time to continue that progress, not fall back.  How can we accomplish this?  The progress came from internal commitment, special prayers and fasting, so these are what we must continue.

Tarawih prayer can become Tahajjud prayer (Qiyam Al-Layl).   Allah (swt) said to the Prophet Muhammad (saws): O you wrapped in garments, stand (to pray) all night, except a little – half of it or a little less than that, or a little more.  And recite the Qur’an (aloud) in slow, (pleasant tone and) style.  [Quran, 73: 1-4]

It is reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: Allah, Our Lord, descends (in a manner befitting His Majesty) to the nearest heaven to us of this universe during the last third of the night and says: ‘Is there anyone to call upon Me so that I shall respond to him (fulfill his prayer). Is there anyone to ask of Me that I may grant his request. Is there anyone to seek My forgiveness so that I shall pardon him (and forgive his sins)’. [Bukhari and Muslim]

What is the Meaning and Significance of Eid Takbir?

Salam. There is a prayer chanted before Eid Prayer: Allahu Akbar (three times) la ilaha illa-llah, Allahu Akbar (twice) wa lil-lahil-hamd, Allahu Akbaru Kabeeran, wal hamdu lillahi katheeran… Could you please tell me the English translation of the whole prayer and the significance of this prayer? Many thanks.

Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.

Let us quickly review the background of the chant you mentioned; it is calledTakbir of Eid. Eid means an Islamic public celebration. Such celebrations occur twice a year, each time following the completion of one of the five pillars of Islam.

The first, Eid al-Fitr, marks the completion of fasting the blessed month of Ramadan, which is the fourth pillar of Islam. The second is Eid al-Adha, and marks the completion of Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah), which is the fifth pillar of Islam.

According to the Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) everyone is urged to attend Eid Prayer—men, women, and children. During Eid, Muslims express their gratitude to Allah for enabling them to observe the major acts of worship preceding each Eid. They also visibly show joy and congratulate each other. Therefore, Eid is a day of joy, thanksgiving to Allah, brotherhood, and unity.

Muslims have no public celebrations apart from Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said what means:

“…Every nation has its festival, and this is your festival.” (Al-Bukhari)

Here, he referred to the fact that these two Eids are exclusively for the Muslims.

The Strategy of Shaytan

To achieve his goal, Shaytan first lures mankind into Shirk and Kufr, such as visiting graves and invoking the dead or saints for help, practicing magic, etc. because associating partners with Allah is the greatest sin. 'Like when Shaytan says to man, 'Disbelieve in Allah.' But when (man) disbelieves in Allah, Shaytan says, 'I am free of you, I fear Allah, the Lord of the Alameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists).' [Soorah al-Hashr (59): 16] If Shaytan overcomes the son of Adam with this and succeeds to make him a disbeliever, then he is satisfied and pleased.

If he cannot manage to deceive people into committing Shirk and Kufr, he does not give up. He causes people to follow bidah (innovations) and take them as their religion like celebrating Mawlid, celebrating the night of Isra wal-Miraj, celebrating 15th Shabaan by fasting and praying and as Sufyan ath-Thawri said, 'Bidah is more dearer to the Shaytan than sin, for, one may repent from sin, but not from bidah.' Because when one sins, he knows that he is disobeying Allah and some time, he may turn to Allah and seek forgiveness and be pardoned. But one, who practices Bidah, deems his actions to be a form of worship to Allah and thus never even thinks of repentance. 'Say (O Muhammad), 'Shall We tell you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds? Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds!' [Soorah al-Kahf (18): 104] meaning, 'they performed deeds that do not count, deeds that are not in accordance with the prescribed way that is acceptable to Allah' and 'they thought that there was some basis for their deeds and that they were accepted and loved.' [See, Tafseer Ibn Katheer] 

If Shaytan fails at causing people to following innovations, he will move on to calling them to major sins like abandoning prayers - particularly if the person is well educated or respected, because a lot of people will follow his example. It is mentioned in the Qur'aan, 'Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from As-Salaat (the prayer).' [Soorah al-Maidah (5): 91]

However, if the believer withholds, Shaytan is still not discouraged, he calls them to minor sins. It is recorded in Sunan Tirmidhee (2/230 (no. 1753), 'Shaytan has despaired of ever being worshiped in this land of yours, but he will be obeyed in matters that you think of as insignificant, and he will be content with that.' And Allah's Messenger (sallalalhu alaihi wa-sallam) warned us concerning minor sins by giving an example of how a great fire can be kindled if small wooden sticks are collected in a place. Similarly, minor sins if allowed to accumulate, might destroy a sinner, he (sallalalhu alaihi wa-sallam) said, 'Beware of the insignificant sins like a people who stayed (abode) in a valley, then this one brought a stick, that one brought a stick and others brought sticks too until they cooked their bread (meal). Verily, the person who commits these (minor) sins will be seized by these sins and be destroyed.' [Musnad Ahmad]

“Fear Allah Where ever You Are”

Abû Dharr al-Ghifârî and Mu`âdh b, Jabal relate that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fear Allah wherever you are. Follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will blot it out. And deal with people in a good manner.” [ Sunan al-Tirmidhî ]

The importance of this hadith: 

Ibn Rajab says: “This is powerful advice, bringing together the rights of Allah and the rights of His servants.”

The fear of Allah 

The Arabic word for the “fear of Allah” is taqwâ . It comes from the root word meaning “to protect from something, to prevent”. Indeed, a person exhibits the fear of Allah by seeking to prevent Allah's punishment by carrying out what Allah has commanded of him and abstaining from what Allah has prohibited him.

Allah had called upon all people in every era to fear Him. Allah says: “And We had enjoined upon those who were given the Scripture before – as well as yourselves – to fear Allah.” [ Sûrah al-Nisâ' : 131]

It is Allah's right over His servants that they fear Him as He ought to be feared. Allah says: “O you who believe! Fear Allah as He ought to be feared and do not die except as believers.” [ Sûrah Âl `Imrân : 102]

Ibn Mas`ûd explained what it means to fear Allah as He ought to be feared by saying: “It means that He is to be obeyed not disobeyed, remembered not forgotten, and shown gratitude not ingratitude.”

The fear of Allah is the path to forgiveness, salvation, and the attainment of Allah's mercy. Allah says:

“Indeed, Allah is with those who fear Him and those who do good.” [ Sûrah al-Nahl : 128]

“And My mercy encompasses all things, and I shall decree it for those who fear Me.” [ Sûrah al-A`râf : 156]

“He is worthy of being feared and worthy of granting forgiveness.” [ Sûrah al-Muddaththir : 56]

“And whoever fears Allah – He will pardon him his sins and grant him a great reward.” [ Sûrah al-Talâq : 5]

“Indeed, those who fear Allah will be among gardens and rivers, in a seat of truth near an All-Powerful Sovereign.” [ Sûrah al-Qamar : 54-55] 

The Last Ten Nights of Ramadan

Author: Sheikh Salman al-Oadah

The Last Ten Nights of Ramadan - Don't Miss Them! The last ten nights of Ramadan are very special. The first of these nights occurs on the eve of the 21st day of Ramadan. In other words, it is the night that commences after the completion of the 20th day of fasting. Sometimes there are only nine nights, whenever the month of Ramadan lasts for only 29 days. Nevertheless, they are still traditionally referred to as "the last ten nights". The last ten nights of Ramadan are very special. These are the nights that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would spend in constant worship. Among these nights is Laylah al-Qadr – a night more blessed than a thousand months. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to single these nights out for worship and the performance of good deeds. He would exert himself in worship during these ten nights more than any other nights of the year. 'Aishah (radya Allahu ‘anha) tells us: "During the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would tighten his waist belt and spend the night in worship. He would also wake up his family." [Sahih al-Bukhari (1920)] «كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا دخل العشر شد مئزره ، وأحيا ليله ، وأيقظ أهله» رواه البخاري 'Aishah (radya Allahu ‘anha) also says: "I had never known Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) to read the entire Qur'an in a single night, or to spend the whole night in prayer up until the morning, or to spend a whole month in fasting – except in Ramadan." [Sunan al-Nasâ'î (1641)]

What is Iman, Islam and Ehsan?

Narrated on the authority of 'Umar, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said:

"While we were one day sitting with the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, there appeared before us a man dressed in extremely white clothes and with very black hair. No traces of journeying were visible on him, and none of us knew him. He sat down close by the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, rested his knee against his thighs, and said, O Muhammad! Inform me about Islam." Said the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, "Islam is that you should testify that there is no deity except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, that you should perform salah(ritual prayer), pay the zakah, fast during Ramadan, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah), if you can find a way to it (or find the means for making the journey to it)." Said he (the man), "You have spoken truly." We were astonished at his thus questioning him and telling him that he was right, but he went on to say, "Inform me about iman (faith)." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, "It is that you believe in Allah and His angels and His Books and His Messengers and in the Last Day, and in fate (qadar), both in its good and in its evil aspects." He said, "You have spoken truly." Then he (the man) said, "Inform me about Ihsan." He (the Messenger of Allah) answered, " It is that you should serve Allah as though you could see Him, for though you cannot see Him yet He sees you." He said, "Inform me about the Hour." He (the Messenger of Allah) said, "About that the one questioned knows no more than the questioner." So he said, "Well, inform me about the signs thereof (i.e. of its coming)." Said he, "They are that the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress, that you will see the barefooted ones, the naked, the destitute, the herdsmen of the sheep (competing with each other) in raising lofty buildings." Thereupon the man went off. I waited a while, and then he (the Messenger of Allah) said, "O 'Umar, do you know who that questioner was?" I replied, "Allah and His Messenger know better." He said, "That was Jibril. He came to teach you your religion." [Muslim]