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Ramadan

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Shawwaal

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Dhul-Qi'dah

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Dhul-Hijjah

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DEFINITION        The word “Ramadan” is derived from "ramadha" which literally means "intense heat".  There are a number of possible reasons for such a name including

1. When the Islamic months were enforced the month of fasting coincided with the summer months of intense heat
   
   
2. The second reason which has been mentioned is that due to fasting the temperature within the stomach increases, again the element of heat is a factor behind the actual naming of this month
   
   
3. It has also been said that "RAMADHAA" is one of the names of Allah (SWT).  If that is the case then the month has acquired the name due to the fact that Allah (SWT) burns away accumulated sins and eliminates then from the list of unlawful deeds.  Once again the burning sins cannonades "HEAT".  However, it should be acknowledged that this reasoning is not wholly reliable

The month of Ramadan is a season of divine blessings, a month of purification and it is meant for annual renovation of inner-spiritual qualities. It is a golden opportunity for every Muslim to strengthen their imam, purify the heart and soul and remove the effects of sins. During this blessed month fasting is obligatory on all able-bodied Muslims and it is a time to maximize the acts of worship, minimize all mundane activities and refrain from all forms of sin. It is also recommended that one performs Umrah once on any one day of the month as this is a sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW).

Allah said in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Baqarah

"Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong)."( Al-Baqarah 2:185)

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (SAW) said

“If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it.” [Bukhari]

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (SAW) said that Allah (SWT) the Majestic and Exalted said

“Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Sawm (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord.” [Muslim]

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (SAW) said

“Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness” [Darimi]

The month of Ramadan contains the most blessed month of the year, since it contains Laylatul-Qadr, the night when Allah (SWT) chose to reveal the Holy Qur’an.

“We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the angels and the Ruh (Jibrail) by Allah’s permission with all Decrees. There is peace until appearance of dawn” (Al- Qadr 97:1-3)

Worship performed in this night brings more reward than the worship performed in one thousand months. Allah also says about this powerful night in Surah Dukhan

“Ha. Mim. By the book that makes things clear. We sent it down on a blessed night (the Night of Al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan. For We (ever) wish to warn (against evil). In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom, by command, from Our Presence. For We (ever) send (revelations), as a mercy from Thy Lord for He hears and knows (all things).” (Surah Dukhan 44:1-6)

Salmaan (RA) reported that on the last day of Sha'baan the Messenger of Allah (SAW) addressed them and said

"Oh people, there comes before you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night greater in virtue than one thousand months; (LAYLATUL-QADR).  It is a month in which each day should be observed by fasting, this has been made obligatory by the Almighty Allah."

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (SAW) said

“Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays during the nights in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who passes Lailat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

Aisha (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said "I asked the Messenger Of A11ah (SAW) if he knew which night was the Night of Power and what prayer I should say during that night? He said to me say "O Allah! You are forgiving and you love forgiveness, so you too forgive me.

Based on the saying of the Prophet (SAW), this incredible night falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan,

"Search for the Night of Al-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

And it falls in one of the odd nights more likely than on the even nights, based on the Prophet's (SAW) saying

"Search for the Night of Al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan." [Al-Bukhari]

And it is closer to the last seven nights, based on the hadith of Ibn 'Umar (RA) that

“Some men from the Companions of Allah's Messenger (SAW) saw the Night of Al-Qadr in a dream during the last seven nights (of Ramadan). So the Prophet (SAW) said: 'I see that all of your dreams agree that it (the Night of Al-Qadr) is in the last seven nights. So whoever wants to search for it, then let him search for it in the last seven nights.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

And it is also based on the hadith in Muslim from Ibn 'Umar (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said

"Look for it in the last ten nights. But if one of you becomes weak or is unable, then do not let the remaining (last) seven nights overcome him."

Amongst the odd nights in the last seven nights, it is closest to the twenty-seventh night due to the hadith of Ubay Bin Ka'ab (RA) who said

“By Allah, I know which night it is. It is on the night that Allah's Messenger (SAW) commanded us to perform the Night Prayer. It is on the twenty-seventh night.” [Muslim]

The night of Al-Qadr is not specified to one fixed night throughout all the years. Rather, it constantly changes. So one year it could occur on the 27^th night for example and on another year it could occur on the 25^th night, according to Allah's Will and Wisdom. What directs us to this is the Prophet's (SAW) saying

"Look for it (i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) when there remain nine nights, when there remains seven nights, or when there remains five nights (i.e. 21^st, 23^rd and 25^th respectively without mention of the 27^th)."

Al-Hafidh Ibn Hajr said in Fath-ul-Bari "the most strongest opinion is that it is on an odd night in the last ten nights and that it constantly changes."

Allah (SWT) has hidden the knowledge of its occurrence from His servants out of mercy for them so that they can increase their actions in the search for it during these honorable nights, by praying, making dhikr, reciting the Qur’an and supplicating an so they grow and increase in the nearness to Allah (SWT) and His reward. Allah (SWT) also kept it hidden from them as a test for them to distinguish who amongst them struggles and makes an effort to find it and who is lazy and negligent. This is since whoever constantly strives for something, he will exert himself in his search for it and trouble himself in finding it and achieving it.

The signs of the Night of Al-Qadr include
1. The sun rises early in the morning without rays.
2. Rain may fall either during the night or during the day of that night.
3. During night the sky will be lightly foggy.
4. The sky will be slightly lighted without reflections and without rays.

Allah (SWT) discloses the time of the occurrence of the Night of Al-Qadr to some of His servants through signs and signals, which one is able to see, Just as the Prophet (SAW) saw its sign that he would be prostrating in mud on its following morning. So it rained on that night and he prayed the (following) morning (Fajr) prayer in mud [Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-'Uthaimin in his book Majaalis].

The Night of Power is a very important occasion in Islam. Everyone is asked to live it and to enjoy it. This Night is a night of Mercy, a night of Blessing, a night of Peace and a night of Guidance. It is a night of Unification between the finite world of ours and the Infinite Universe of the Unseen. Anyone who is interested in attaining the Mercy of Allah will strive very hard to look for the Night of Power. Anyone who is interested in receiving the blessings of Allah on the Blessed Night will work very hard to enjoy the Night of Power. Anyone who is interested in attaining peace of mind, peace of body and peace in society, he has to look for this Night and to live it.

Another unique form of worship for this month is that of Itikaaf in which a person gives up all his activities, abandons his attachment, association and routines and in so doing separate oneself from the normal routine of worldly activities and sit in exclusion devoting his heart and soul to Allah (SWT).

Observing itikaaf in Ramadan is established in the hadith of Abu Hurairah (RA) as reported by Al-Bukhari and Ibn Khuzaimah in their Saheeh collections

“Allah's Messenger (SAW) would make 'Itikaaf for ten days in every Ramadan. But when it was the year in which he died, he made 'Itikaaf for twenty days.”

The practice of congregating in the mosques on the 17^th of the month of Ramadan at night to recite Surah Yaaseen and celebrating the night on the 27^th of the month in anticipation of Laylatul-Qadr, is an innovation which has no religious significance associated with it.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1. Hasan (RA), the grandson Holy Prophet (SAW) was born on the15^th of Ramadan, three years after Hijri
2. The Holy Qur'an was revealed on the 27^th night of Ramadan from the "Lauhe Mahfooz" (the 7^th heaven) to  the 1^st heaven
3. The first battle in Islamic History, the Battle of Badr, took place on the 12^th of Ramadan in the year 2 AH
4. Victory of Makkah took place on the 18^th of Ramadan in the year 8 AH
5. Sawdah (RA) married the Holy Prophet (SAW) in year 10 AH
6. Zainab Bint Khuzaima's (RA) married the Holy Prophet (SAW) in the year 3 AH

DEATHS

1. Ruqayyah (RA), the Holy Prophet’s (SAW) daughter, passed away at the age of 23 in the year 2 AH when the Prophet (SAW) was at "Battle of Badr"
2. The wife of the Holy prophet (SAW) Khadijah (RA), departed from this world on the 11^th of Ramadan in the year 10 AH
3. Fatimah (RA) took leave from the world on Tuesday the 3^rd of Ramadan in the year 11 AH at the age of 29 (6 months after the death of the Holy Prophet (SAW)
4. The Holy Prophet’s (SAW) uncle, Abbas (RA), passed away on Friday the 12^th of Ramadan in the year 32 AH at the age of 88
5. Hadrat Ali (RA), the Prophet’s (SAW) son-in-law departed from this world on Friday the 27^th of Ramadan, age 57 in the year 40 AH
6. Saffiyah (RA) took leave from this world in the year 50 AH, at the age of  60
7. Aa'ishah (RA) was 65 years old when she departed from this world, in the year 58 AH

DEFINITION        The word “Shawwal” means uplift or breakage possible due to the fact that in pre-Islamic times the Arabs believed any marriage taking place in Shawwal would always turn out to be unsuccessful.

Shawwaal is the first of the three months of Hajj, and is also known as Ashhur al-Hajj (month of Hajj). Although the major acts of Hajj are performed in the first ten days of Zul-Hijjah, the period from the 1^st of Shawwaal up to the 10^th of Zul-Hijjah is held to be the time of the Hajj since it is permissible to perform some of the acts of the pilgrimage during it including tawaaf-ul-qudum followed by Sa’i, and Umrah, which if performed, can be affiliated to Hajj making it Hajj of Tamattu.

The first day of Shawwaal is marked by the festival of Eid-Ul-Fitr, a day when all sins are forgiven as a reward for fasting and prayers in the month of Ramadan. It is mandatory for the all Muslims, if they are able, to pay sadaaqa-ul-fitr to the poor so they too may enjoy the day with others and it is sunaah to pay this prior to offering the 2 rakets of Eid prayers. The salat is obligatory on every male Muslim and can be preformed any time between ishraq and zawal.

Nafi` reported on the authority of Ibn `Umar that the Prophet (SAW) would order that zakat al-fitr be distributed among the poor and would say,

“Spare them (i.e., the poor) begging on this day (the day of Eid).” [Ahmad]

Al-Bukhari reported that Ibn ‘Umar said,

"The Prophet (SAW) made zakat al-fitr obligatory" and Ibn `Umar said in the end of this hadith, "People used to give zakat al-fitr (even) a day or two before the `Eid.”

This indicates that there was unanimity on the permissibility of paying zakat al-fitr one or two days before the day of Eid. Besides, paying it one or two days earlier than its due time does not contradict its aim, i.e., satisfying the need of the poor on the day of Eid, since this zakah or part thereof remains with the poor until the day of Eid.

THE SIX FASTS OF SHAWWAAL

It is sunnah to fast for six days in Shawwaal, as narrated in the following hadith by Abu Ayyub Ansaru (RA) that the Holy Prophet (SAW) has said,

 

“If one throughout his life keeps the fasts of Ramadan and keeps six consecutive fasts in Shawwaal it will be as though he has kept a whole life time of fasts, and if one fast for six consecutive days in Shawwaal it will be as though he has fasted all year round.” [Muslim]

This can be explained in the following manner, the one who brings a single pious deed will be rewarded for ten, the fasts of Ramadan are, therefore, equal to fasting for ten months while the six fasts of Shawwaal are equal to fasting a further two months, giving a total of twelve months or one year.

The practice of offering a sacrifice on the 15^th day of this month is an innovation which has no religious significance associated with it.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1. Aa'ishah (RA) was born in Shawwaal, 4 years after Prophethood and 9 years before Hijri
2. Aa'ishah (RA) married the Holy Prophet (SAW) in Shawwaal, 10 years after Prophethood and 3 years before Hijri
3. The fight between Banu Qaynaqaa took place between the battle of Badr and Uhud, in Shawwaal, 2 AH
4. The battle of Uhud also took place in Shawwaal, 3 AH
5. Hussain (RA), the Holy Prophet's (SAW) grandson (son of Fatima (RA)) was born in the month of Shawwaal, 4 AH
6. The Holy Prophet (SAW) married Umme Salamah (RA) in Shawwaal, 4AH
7. Aa'ishah (RA) mother passed away in year 5 AH
8. The Holy Prophet's (SAW) uncle Abu Talib, departed from this world in the middle of Shawwaal in the year 5 AH

9.        Imam Bukhari (RA) was born on a Friday of Shawwaal in the year 194 AH

DEFINITION        Dhul-Qi’dah is taken from the word "qa'ada" which means to sit. During its time, people used to stop their business activities and sit and prepare for the Pilgrimage.

As well as being the first of the four sanctified months, Dhul-Qa’dah is also one of the months of Hajj (see Shawwal). Despite the significance of this month, no specific acts of worship are prescribed for it.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1.        The Battle of 'Khandaq (trench) or Ahzab' took place in the year 5 AH

2.        The Truce of Hudaubiyah in the year 6 AH

3.        'Bay'at-e-Rizwaan' (The oath of allegiance named Rizwaan) in the year 6 AH

4.        The Holy Prophet (SAW) and his Companions returned to Makkah for Umrah in the year 7 AH

DEFINITION        The word Dhul-Hijjah means the month of pilgrimage and this is the last of the sacred months in which fighting was forbidden.

  The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are the most virtuous days in this month, with Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam being performed in this sacred month. Abu Haraira (RA) reported from the Holy Prophet (SAW) 

 “Amongst all days there are none better to engage in sole worship of Allah than in the ten days of Zul-Hijjah, To observe a fast on any of these days is equivalent to fasting throughout the year, to actively engage in prayer and worship throughout any of these nights holds such rewarding values leveling with the "night of power (Laylatul-Qadr).” [Tirmidh]

It has been stated in the Holy Qur'an,

“By the dawn; By the ten nights (ie. the first ten days of the month of dhul-Hijjah), and by the even and the odd (of all the creations of Allah) and by night when it departs.  There is indeed in them (the above oaths) sufficient proofs for men of understanding (and that they should avoid all kinds of sins and disbelief).” (Al-Fajr 89:1-5)

The 9^th of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of Arafat, when pilgrims stand on the mountain asking for sincere forgiveness for their sins, as an indication of how man will be gathered on the day of reckoning. Fasting on this day, by Muslims who are not performing the pilgrimage, brings with it great virtues, Muslim narrated that Fasting on the day of Arafat expiates the [minor] sins of two years: a past one and a coming one. And fasting on the day of Aashura expiates the sins of the past year.

Abu Qataadah (RA) reported in a part narration from the Holy Prophet (SAW) concerning the fast observed on this day,

“I have full confidence in Allah for the one who observes a fast on the day of Arafat that his previous year's sins and the proceeding year's sins are forgiven.” [Muslim]

Abu Dawud narrated that one of the wives of the Prophet (SAW) said Allah’s Messenger (SAW) used to fast the (first) nine days of Dhul-Hijjah, the day of Aashura, and three days of each month.

Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 10^th of the month of Dhu-Hijjah and continues till the 13^th day. This celebration is observed to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) when he was asked to sacrifice his own son Prophet Ishma’iI (AS). Ibrahim showed his readiness and Allah (SWT) was very pleased with him, and a lamb was sacrificed in place of his son on Allah’s (SWT) command. The Holy Qur’an gives the following account of Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) act of sacrifice,

“(Ibrahim prayed:) My Lord, grant me a doer of good deeds. So We gave him the good news of a forbearing son. But when he became of age to work with him, he said: O my son, I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you; so consider what is your view. He said: O my father, do as you are commanded; if Allah pleases you will find me patient. So when they had both submitted and he had thrown him down upon his forehead, and We called out to him saying, O Abraham, you have indeed fulfilled the vision. Thus do We reward the doers of good. Surely this is a manifest trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” (As-Saffat 37:100–107)

Muslims offer Eid salat (2 rakats) in congregation, this is obligatory on every male Muslim and can be preformed any time between ishraq and zawal. Animals are then sacrificed to seek the pleasure of Allah and demonstrate complete submission and proof of complete obedience to Allah. The meat is shared amongst poor, relatives, neighbors and friends.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1. The Prophet (SAW) performed the farewell Hajj and gave the historic sermon known as the "Farewell Sermon"
2. Egypt was conquered by the army sent by Umar (RA)
3. Uthmaan (RA) was appointed the third Caliph
4. "Bay'ate-Aqabah"
5. Fatimah (RA) married the fourth Caliph Ali (RA)

DEATHS

1. Umar (RA) met martyrdom on the 27th of Dhul-Hijjah in the year 26 AH
2. Uthmaan (RA) was martyred on the 18th of Dhul-Hijjah in the year 35 AH

Dates of important Islamic events

References
http://www.inter-islam.org/Miscellaneous/months.htm http://www.islamicfinder.org/Hcal/special_days.php http://www.islamicity.com/Science/islamic_calendar.shtml http://www.moonsighting.com/holy.html