Shaykh (Mufti) Taqi Usmani (HA) on Ramadhan

[ColonelHardstone]

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmattullahi Wa Barakatuh,

 

Shaykh (Mufti) Taqi Usmani (HA) has recently started tweeting, below is the translation of his tweets and messages on Ramadhan.

 

www.wifaqululama.co.uk/home/426-welcoming-a-preparation-f...

 

 

Wifaqul Ulama can be followed on Twitter on https://twitter.com/WifaqulUlama/status/609819030019526656

[ummtaalib]

Posting articles below....  

 

 

Correct way to Welcome Ramadhan

 

Shaykh (Mufti) Taqi Usmani (HA)

Mufti, Darul-uloom Karachi (Tweet, 10th of June 2015)

 

 

It is unfortunate that we have mixed and traditions with acts of worship. Certain acts have become vogue (fashion) which weaken the soul of the acts of the worship. In the Islamic world certain formalities and programs are conducted to mark the coming of Ramadhan. Speeches, Nasheeds, meals etc are arranged in these gatherings in many parts of the Islamic world. 

 

I first witnessed these “Ramadhan Welcome” gatherings in Egypt and a massive program was held in Egypt under this pretext. 

 

It is praiseworthy in its spirit to prepare to welcome this month. Shaykh (Maulana) Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA) has stated in his Book of Khutbahs that this month should be welcomed with desire, yearning and passion. It is commendable but it should be watched that this welcoming in itself doesn’t become a custom. My (esteemed) father used to say that Laylatul Qad’r was ordained for the servant to devote himself to the worship of his Master but when it became ritualised fireworks etc were added to it (as customs). Gatherings are held in it, elaborate meals are prepared, Qawwali (singing) is arranged and Shaytaan makes the entire night go by in these rituals instead of (acts of) worship. When Shaytaan wants to destroy worship, he engages the masses in these rituals.

 

These ritualistic customs are now creeping into “Welcome Ramadhan” gatherings. It is my apprehension that this will take the form of Bid’aa (innovation) in the future. 

 

The real welcoming of Ramadhan is for a believer to mentally prepare himself to submit to Allah (SWT). For a believer to ponder upon the (blessed) opportunities which this month provides. To think about our purpose and to realign our goals and objectives to it. Mentally, we should be preparing to make changes during this month to submit to Allah (SWT).

 

 Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) used to observe the moon for Rajab and pray:

 

Oh Allah! Grant us Barakah (Blessing) during (the months of) Rajab and Sha’ban, and allow us to reach Ramadhan.

 

He (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) was eager before the start of the month. He (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) was desirous to avail this blessed month. He (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) yearned to reach this month.

 

Similarly, it is important and critical for Muslims to cast an eye on the importance of this month and start preparing.

 

[ummtaalib]

Preparation for Ramadhan before Ramadhan

 

Shaykh (Mufti) Taqi Usmani (HA)

 
Mufti, Darul-uloom Karachi (Tweet, 11th of June 2015)

 

No Muslim is unaware of the sanctity of this (blessed) month. Allah (SWT) has made this month a means and opportunity to have the sins forgiven and to have their ranks elevated for the entire Ummah. Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) used to observe the moon for Rajab and pray:

Oh Allah! Grant us Barakah (Blessing) during (the months of) Rajab and Sha’ban, and allow us to reach Ramadhan.

 

This prayer is to beseech an increase in our age so that we may reach Ramadhan. The blessed month is about to be approached and the blessings of Allah (SWT) are about to rain down upon us. In order for us to partake from these blessings we need to make preparations. We need to be conscious and aware of each and every month, to value it and to realise its importance. Heedlessness, carelessness and procrastination does nothing but defer today to tomorrow and tomorrow to day after. It is of critical importance that we prepare for Ramadhan before it arrives.

 

This is a month of fasting and its nights have Taraweeh designated as Sunnah Moa’kiddah by Shariah. In reality, this entire month is designated to give all Muslims a new lease of life. For 11 months we remain preoccupied with our affairs of these months and Ghaflah (heedlessness) may creep into our spiritual state weakening our connection with Allah (SWT). This (blessed) month was granted for those who have gone a little distant from Allah (SWT) to come closer and to have an increase in their connection with Allah (SWT).

 

Ramadhan: A Training Course

 

This month is also of vital importance because it is like a training course which is mandated upon every Muslim. It is a month to train and spiritually rejuvenate. It is a month to attract the Blessings of Allah (SWT) towards us. It is a month to strengthen our bond with Allah (SWT). It is a month to form habits to stay away from sins.

Primary purpose of Fasting 

 

Fasting is a major act of worship but its purpose is to inculcate habits to subdue base desires of the Nafs. 

 

[2:183] O you who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as they were enjoined upon those before you, so that you may be God-fearing.

 

The primary purpose for the obligation of fasting is to inculcate and develop Taqwa. What is Taqwa? It is to crush and oppose the (emerging) desire to do wrong, the urge to commit wrong and the inclination towards sin while being conscious of the Grandeur, Majesty & Splendour of Allah (SWT). (For example, the heart is developing the desire to cast one’s gaze towards something which is impermissible but the person while being (conscious) of the fact that he is a Servant of Allah (SWT), he will now become aware that each and every action of his is being watched by Allah (SWT), that he will have to answer for each and every action (tomorrow) so this awareness makes him turn away from casting his gaze in a sinful manner). Similarly, the heart may be developing a desire to commit backbiting or to lie but the person strongly resists, desists and turns away from these sins while being fully conscious of the Grandeur, Majesty & Splendour of Allah (SWT). 

 

Fasting is meant to develop Taqwa (through self-restraint). A believer when he makes intention for fasting refrains from eating or drinking until sunset no matter how enticing the smell of delicious food is to him. He refrains from lawful conjugational relationship with his wife. No Muslim will give in to these desires because he is fasting. In hot weather while going through thirst a Muslim will refrain from drinking cold water even though there is nobody to catch or see him only due to the Fear of Allah (SWT).

 

This powerful force which is preventing him from indulging in these actions is indeed Fear and recognition of the Grandeur of Allah (SWT).  It has been explained that fasting has been made compulsory for you to inculcate and develop Taqwa in you so that in your (normal routine) you develop the ability to resist sins and (base) desires. 

 

But in order to take advantage of this training course we must be prepare for it before it arrives.