hasania
How Is My fasting (Sawm) Accepted in Islam?
Ramadan is the time when Muslims are required to fast. But we might wonder: Is our fasting accepted? Do we really observe the conditions that are essential for fasting? After all, what are these conditions? Can the fast (Sawm) of those who do not perform the prayer (Salat), talk behind other people’s back, drink Alcohol, etc. be accepted? Does it bring all the benefits of fasting on body and soul, in its real sense of the word?
Or even sometimes, some non-Muslims show interest in performing fasting (Sawm). They might want to know what it feels like to fast. To know why Muslims are so enthusiastic about this act, or as they say to put themselves in Muslims' shoes. Indeed they are welcomed to take part in this beautiful ritual. Yet, they should note that Islam has specified some conditions for fasting (Swam) to be accepted.
What Are the Conditions that Make Fasting Meaningful and Pleasurable?
- Converting to Islam
- Having faith in the pillars of Islam
- Being in sound mind and Not being unconscious [i]
- Having the intention (Niyyah) of fasting
- Avoiding whatever renders fasting void
- Also, the one who is traveling, a menstruating woman, and the person who would receive harm by fasting are not required to fast.
Fasting Is a Whole Series of Actions
As stated earlier, fasting is not the mere act of not eating and drinking. Rather it is a multi-dimensional practice. Aside from being a bodily endeavor, fasting is the spiritual effort of Muslims to elevate their souls and reach Allah’s satisfaction. So, not eating and drinking will not necessarily bring about the many spiritual and psychological effects of fasting. It is a process that influences the manner and the soul of the person, with the passage of time.
It is a whole series of actions that are accepted only when one has embraced Islam previously, believes in the Oneness of Allah and performs other practical principles of Islam such as prayer (Salat) as well.
In other words, if there were no spiritual and divine side to this action, it would not be called fasting (Sawm) anymore. As Imam Ali (AS) puts: “It is possible that a person who fasts, does not receive any benefit from his/her fasting other than hunger and thirst” [2]. Why would anyone want to bear hunger and thirst just for the sake of it? There must be something to motivate one going through such a challenging practice.
“The Actions Depend on Intentions” [i]
Intentions are the driving forces for actions, which determine their value and their expected effects. This is true for fasting as well, same as any other obligatory practice in Islam.
Fasting is first and foremost an act of worship and not a mere physical practice. Thus the first prerequisite for this act is to be done with the intention of serving Allah. There may be someone who is only interested in the health effects and physical benefits of fasting. Yet without a divine intention, his/her practice cannot be called fasting in Islam. This does not mean that you need to perform a special ritual before fasting; you should only be aware of your own will to fast and the reason why you fast.
Muslims believe that they fast for Allah [ii]. And what they have for breaking their fast is given by Allah, as a manifestation of His infinite mercy [iii]. With this in mind, Muslims feel inner joy and bliss after a long day of fasting with all its hardships. Since they find a meaning for their efforts. Then, they ask Allah to accept their act of worship [iv], regardless of its physical benefits or any other worldly attitude. At last, they whisper their needs and wishes to Allah, knowing that He is “all-hearing and all-knowing” [3].
I Fast, Therefore I Am
We are born free, and Allah has endowed us with the power of choice. We choose to refrain from eating and drinking consciously. We choose to secure our tongue, eye, and ear from any vices. We choose to surrender to the will of Allah, and we choose to get closer to our divine Creator.
If our power of choice is undermined by any circumstances (e.g., not being mentally sound, being unconscious, not having the intention for fasting), fasting loses its meaning and necessary function. That is to emphasize human being's free will to be better, to go forward and prove his/her value.
fasting
Notes:
[i] i.e., one must be aware of what he/she is doing, or be in control of his/her actions.
[ii] A Hadith from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) [1].
[iii] اللّهُمَّ لَكَ صُمْنَا: “O Allah: For You have we fasted” [3]
[iv] وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْنَا :“and with Your sustenance have we broken our fasting” [3]
[v] فَتَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا : “so, (please) accept form us” [3].
References:
[1] Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari, vol.1, p.18-17.
[2] Nahj al-Balaghah, Wisdom no. 145.
[3] Dua after breaking the fast (Iftar)
Imam Khamenei's advice regarding Ramadan and the quip of a young seminary student
Imam Khamenei attends a ceremony for the recitation of the Qur'an via video conference
As is customary every year, the Qur’an Recitation Ceremony, which is held on the first day of the month of Ramadan, was held with the presences of the Leader of the Revolution. It was broadcasted live on radio and television channels as well as on the official social media accounts of KHAMENEI.IR. Due to the health guidelines issued by the National Committee on Combating Coronavirus against public gatherings, this ceremony was held through a videoconference with the presence of a number of outstanding reciters of the Qur’an in the Imam Khomeini Musallah.
Not being afraid of the US is a result of acting according to the Qur'an
Imam Khamenei stated that the only way to liberate humanity from oppression, discrimination, war, insecurity, and the trampling of values and to establish security, wellbeing and comfort is to act in accordance with the practical commandments of the Holy Qur’an. He said, “One section of the practical commands in the Qur’an deal with organization in life. If organization is based on power, money and lust, people will be deprived of a true life in this world and life in the next world. However, if people organize their lives in this world on the basis of goodness and good deeds, in addition to gaining worldly interests, they will definitely reach the real and true goals of life too.”
Using divine blessings, such as wealth and power, for the sake of building other people’s lives, helping the needy and doing good to other people were some of the other practical commandments in the Qur’an, which the Supreme Leader spoke about.
Imam Khamenei stressed that acting in accordance with another section of the verses of the Qur’an and its practical commandments help us organize social relations. He added, “Some of these commandments include, ‘forbidding others from backbiting in society’ and ‘observing justice – even against opponents and enemies.’”
He described “refusal to accept those matters about which one is not certain” as being one of the commandments in the Qur’an, and stated that one of the common problems of journalism in the world is failure to act in accordance with this command and their efforts to create rumors and false news.
Imam Khamenei stated, “Unfortunately, this problem is sometimes seen in our society as well.”
The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution mentioned some of the other Islamic commandments, such as “not trusting or turning to the oppressors,” “the observance of justice and fairness in life,” and “not betraying a trust.” He emphasized that an important aspect of not betraying a trust includes fulfilling one’s responsibility. He said, “‘Not fearing the enemy and standing up firmly to him’ is one of the important commandments in the Qur’an. The situation of some Islamic countries at the present time and their being humiliated by the oppressive powers is the result of their fear of the enemies of Islam.”
Imam Khamenei pointed to Imam Khomeini’s methodology and the great lessons to be taken from him, including not fearing the aggressive powers. He stressed, “Being intimidated by the US will have bitter results. In recent years, we have witnessed in some of our own administrations that fear of the US created grave problems for them.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stated that “establishing the daily prayers in an attentive manner and for the sake of remembering God” and “repenting and asking God to forgive us, especially in the month of Ramadan” prepare the ground for spiritual upliftment.
At the end of his statements, Imam Khamenei expressed the hope that the Iranian nation, Muslims throughout the world, and in particular Islamic governments and officials would have the blessing of acting in accordance with the commandments of the Qur’an, since it is the cure for all problems.
In this luminous ceremony, a number of masters of the Qur’an, young reciters of the Qur’an, and one of the readers of supplications participated in the ceremony.
Iran has not asked and will never ask US for medical assistance: FM spox
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed that Iran has not asked and will never ask the United States to help Tehran in its fight against the new coronavirus.
During a press conference on Monday that was held online due to the outbreak of coronavirus, Mousavi said, “The U.S. is trying to keep Iran under the difficult situation due to fighting the coronavirus and using this opportunity to maintain more pressure on Iran and force us back to the negotiation table but without doubt we have never asked and will not ask the US to help us in our fight against the outbreak. But America should lift all its illegal and unilateral sanctions on Iran”.
“If there was an official request for the lifting of US’ sanctions, we have made these requests through official and public channels. We have sent letters to presidents and foreign ministers of other countries, as well the Secretary General of the United Nations to disregard the US unilateral and illegal sanctions,” he added.
“All of Iran’s actions show that the Islamic Republic doesn’t recognize the US’ sanctions and asking for removal of the sanctions,” Mousavi emphasized.
Iranians celebrate Imam Mahdi’s birth anniversary under coronavirus lockdown
Iranians are celebrating the birth anniversary of the Twelfth and last Shi'a Imam, Imam Mahdi (PBUH), at their homes amid a ban on outdoor festivities and the closure of religious centers due to a deadly Coronavirus pandemic.
Every year, millions of Shi'a Muslim pilgrims from Iran and other countries converge at holy shrines and mosques — especially Jamkaran Mosque near the holy city of Qom — to celebrate the event.
They also attend passionate eulogies and distributed votive refreshments.
This year, however, the Iranian people are commemorating the occasion at home as public gatherings are banned amid the Coronavirus outbreak.
People have decorated and lighted up streets across the country to mark the jubilee.
Imam Mahdi — known as Imam of Time — was born on the 15th day of the month of Sha’ban on the lunar calendar around 1,200 years ago.
He commands special respect among Shia Muslims, who believe he will someday reappear on earth as per divine decree, establish peace and rid the world of injustice, discrimination, and other instances of evil.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei is set to deliver an address to the nation later in the day on the occasion of the birthday anniversary, a national holiday in Iran.
On the eve of Imam Mahdi’s birthday, #ThePromisedSaviour went viral on social media promotes the religious prophecy that a savior would resurrect at some point in time and relieve the world of its suffering. Shia Islam views Imam Mahdi as the Savior.
This comes as the entire world has been hit by a myriad of natural and man-made disasters ranging from the coronavirus to terror groups’ campaign of death and destruction.
Coronavirus pandemic: US faces the greatest crisis in its history
By Stephen Lendman
In late February, Trump appointed Mike Pence to head a task force on COVID-19. Pence is an evangelical Christian fascist, and I emphasized the fascist. On last Wednesday, I believe it was, Trump appointed his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to head a second COVID-19 task force.
Well, what we need is one task force headed by anybody who's competent, who has medical expertise. Neither Pence nor Kushner has any knowledge about healthcare or medical issues. They’re the wrong people at the wrong time to be doing the right thing which is not being done by them.
Appointing these people to be involved in a task force on health care, on any topic, especially something that is becoming a national epidemic, it's like appointing a serial killer to be police chief, or an arsonist to be fire chief. And that's what Trump has done.
[It’s a] pretty desperate situation. Kushner believes that the states do not need anything from the federal inventory, protective equipment, face masks or protective gear. He doesn't want to send them any. He said it's for the nation, not for the individual states or cities.
He does not realize that the nation -- the people in Washington -- represent all of the 50 states and all of the people in these states, and whatever is in the federal inventory that's being held back from hospitals and the ability to treat patients around the country it is vital to get this stuff out to as many medical providers as possible so people can be treated.
The key point, which I wrote about, the Pentagon, shortly before Trump was inaugurated, knew something like what's unfolding now was coming -- a coronavirus crisis – probably didn’t explain exactly their theory. There’re different strains of coronavirus.
For weeks, this thing began at the end of December and early January, there were outbreaks that were beginning. There were senators who knew about this in advance, telling their constituents one thing, everything is fine, there's nothing to worry about, we'll take care of everything, and the stocks they own they sold them, so they didn't have to take any losses. They avoided the stock market being hammered in the US. And now they're being investigated, nothing will happen. But this is what goes on.
Trump was in denial for many weeks. Oh, only a few weeks ago he admitted publicly that there is a serious situation. It’s very serious.
As early Sunday morning, they were over 320,000 COVID-19 cases in the US. I think about eight or 9000 people have died. This is serious stuff. And the numbers are growing by twenty, thirty, forty thousand every day. Iran has fifty to sixty thousand cases. Well, the number of cases in the US are increasing by more that number, more than that number every two days. Maybe it's heading toward increasing it by more than that number every single day. I don't know. But it's possible.
The economy is the other issue. We have a dual crisis in the US, and in most other countries, a healthcare crisis because of COVID-19 -- a virus, a very infectious virus. And the other issue was the economy. The economy is crashing. It's crashing in the US. It's crashing in Europe. It's crashing in other places. Unemployment is jumping exponentially in the US.
I haven't kept track of European numbers, but I'm sure the same thing is happening there, and in other countries. I wrote an article. An estimate by one economist said, by the end of April, he thinks the unemployment rate in the US could be 43%. That's his projection. That is a disaster. At the height of the Great Depression in the 1930s, the US unemployment rate was 25%. If it gets to over 40% there's been nothing like that in US history, and probably history anywhere except the nation ravaged by war.
Well, maybe there are no jobs, but in countries at peace, there's been nothing approaching this. What's going on in the US right now and won't end soon, could continue for months, could continue throughout the year, possibly, possibly even into next year.
It is the greatest dual health and economic crisis in US history. Since 1776, there's been nothing remotely like what's going on now. And the set of leadership and Washington capable of handling this, we have incompetence and indifferent people who only care about profit making for themselves and their cronies and their business associates, and they don't give a hoot about ordinary Americans, and it shows by their inaction to care for them.
Wādī l-Salām, Najaf, Iraq
Wādī l-Salām (Arabic: وادي السلام) is an extensive historic cemetery, situated in Najaf, Iraq. According to some hadiths, prophet Hud (a) and prophet Salih (a), are buried there.
Was Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) a Violent Man?
How high is the power of his religion that even 1400 years after his death, some people try to tarnish his personality? The religion of Islam brought and spread by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) is gaining more and more followers and lovers. This vast amount of conversion to Islam has negative consequences for the materialist and capitalist rulers in the world. By following Islam, people learn to stand for their rights and oppose the tyranny of oppressors. The rules of Islam question the rules made by the oppressor rulers in different societies.
Therefore, the increase in the number of people who embrace Islam and the Islamic lifestyle frightens those tyrant rulers, and they make plans to decay the status of Islam in different ways. One of the plans that they have been applying throughout the past decades was to introduce a violent personality of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). In this text, we will study the conduct of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) and the representation of his manners and behaviors in the Quran to review his kind and merciful character better.
Characteristics of a Preacher as Described by Allah Almighty
Sending messengers by Allah Almighty to people implies His deep care for them and His will to guide them toward prosperity. But His messengers were supposed to follow specific rulings in their invitation of people toward Him. Being kind and merciful to people is one of the characteristics that Allah Almighty ordered His messengers to observe.
When Allah was sending Prophet Moses and Aaron (PBUT) to Pharaoh, who claimed to be Allah, He told them that if they want their words to be heard, they should speak to him in a lenient manner: “Both of you go to Pharaoh, for he has indeed rebelled. Speak to him in a soft manner; maybe he will take admonition or fear.’” (20: 43-44)
Prophets were commanded to be patient with their people and never become angry at them. The only prophet mentioned in the Quran who became disappointed of his people and left them was Prophet Yunus (AS), who was punished by Allah for his impatience and disappointment: “And [remember] the Man of the Fish, when he left in a rage, thinking that We would not put him to hardship. Then he cried out in the darkness, ‘There is no god except You! You are immaculate! I have indeed been among the wrongdoers!’” (21: 87)
Therefore, when Allah Almighty’s criterion in choosing His messengers is mercifulness and kindness, how can He keep a violent prophet among His servants?
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) as Described in the Quran
Like any other prophets, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) had the characteristics of a chosen prophet. He was kind and merciful by the Mercy of his Lord as mentioned in the Quran: “It is by Allah’s mercy that you are gentle to them; had you been harsh and hardhearted, they would have surely scattered from around you...” (3: 159)
But the kindness and mercy of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) throughout his call toward Allah (SWT) come to a point where Allah Almighty tells him to be easier oh himself: “You are liable to imperil your life [out of distress] that they will not have faith.” (26: 3)
When Allah Almighty sees the unfriendly behavior of people toward Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP), He starts to point out and count Prophet’s kindly manners to people: “There has certainly come to you an apostle from among yourselves. Grievous to him is your distress; he has a deep concern for you and is most kind and merciful to the faithful.” (9:128)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was not only merciful to the people in Arabia, but he was sent to be a caring for all human beings in all times: “We did not send you but as a mercy to all the nations.” (21: 107)
All presentations of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) in the Quran are about his great kindness and his caring personality. Allah describes his manner and behavior as being the perfect example for humankind: “and indeed, you possess a great character.” (68: 4)
Was Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) Kind to His Enemies?
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) was so kind to people that even if they harmed him, he did not reply to them violently. It is narrated from Ibn Mas’oud, who said: I saw people hit the prophet and made his face full of blood, but while he was rubbing the blood off his face, he prayed, “O Lord! Please forgive my people as they are ignorant.” [1] In the early years of his prophethood, people kept harming the Prophet (PBUH&HP), but instead of cursing them, the Prophet (PBUH&HP) kept praying for their guidance.
The Prophet (PBUH&HP) never violated the heads of Quraish for their aggravation and torture and kept asking Allah Almighty to forgive them, until Allah Almighty by His knowledge of their persistence in remaining infidels sent him the following verse: “It is the same for them whether you plead for forgiveness for them, or do not plead for forgiveness for them: Allah will never forgive them. Indeed Allah does not guide the transgressing lot.” (63: 6)
Allah Almighty then described the characteristics of Muslims in a way that at the same time that they should not oppress anyone, they shouldn’t undergo any oppression, and defined the real Muslim society with the following manners:
“Muhammad, the Apostle of Allah, and those who are with him are hard against the faithless and merciful amongst themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in worship], seeking Allah’s grace, and [His] pleasure...” (48: 20)
Like any other human being, despite his great and kind personality, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) had to react in different manners with different people. Therefore, if he had any serious encounter with people, it was not because of his violent attitude, but because of the correct reaction that any sane and smart man should have in facing different people.
References:
[1] Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 9, P. 20.
Imam Khamenei's thanks to the country’s medical and nursing community for fighting the Coronavirus
In meeting with the president of the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution expressed his appreciation and stated, “My heartfelt thanks for the efforts of doctors and nurses in the fight against Coronavirus.”
In a meeting with the president of the Academy of Medical Sciences this morning (Thursday), the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution sincerely thanked the Ministry of Health, the doctors, nurses and medical staff in the country for their struggles in fighting the Coronavirus, and said, “These extremely valuable efforts raise the status of the medical and nursing community in the society and bring divine favor.”
The text of Imam Khamenei's statements is as follows:
In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses and medical staff for confronting and combating the recent disease, which has come into the country. I would also like to thank the Ministry of Health and the colleagues of the Minister of Health for their efforts and hard work. I arranged today's event only to express this gratitude in the presence of Dr. Marandi, the honorable president of the Academy of Medical Sciences. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the respectable brothers and sisters, physicians, nurses and medical staff. May Allah bestow success and prosperity on all of you. Your work is very valuable. It enhances the value of the medical and nursing community in the society, and more importantly, it attracts divine favor. Almighty God will surely reward you. We are hopeful that this great and heavy work will not take very long, and that this inauspicious virus will soon be overcome by God’s grace. God willing, you will all be successful.
May Allah’s peace and mercy be upon you.”
