What is E’tikaf? information on Ramadan

E’tikaf is a form of worship. It is formed by staying in a Mosque for a certain time. It is Ehtiyat that one should stay with the intention to worship Allah by praying formal or informal prayers (supplications) although prayer is not a condition therein.

The time for this form of worship could be anytime when one is allowed to fast. The best time is the month of Ramadan, especially, the last ten (10) days.

Conditions for E’tikaf:

1. Intention as in the rest of the worship acts. It is necessary that the intention be made at the beginning of E’tikaf so that the rule, requiring the worship act to be completed with intention, be followed thoroughly from the beginning to the end. The decision made at the beginning of the night to start E’tikaf from the beginning of the following day will be open to objection. However, if one decides to start it from the beginning of the night it is not an offense to do so.

One is not allowed to change one’s mind from one E’tikaf to another of the same qualities or different.

2. Belief in Islam.
3. Freedom from mental illness.
4. Fasting; thus the E’tikaf of one who cannot fast for some reason is not valid.
5. Duration; which is three continuous days at least. It could be more but not less than three days.

If it is started from the beginning of a day the two nights in between will be part of the duration. Less than three days is not considered E’tikaf.

That it must take place in one of these Mosques:

(a) The holy Mosque of Makkah
(b) the holy Mosque of the Prophet in Medina
(c) the holy Mosque of Kufa
(d) the holy Mosque of Basrah, and
(e) the Mosque which is assigned for the Friday prayer in any town or city.

It is Ehtiyat, however, to complete it in any of the first four Mosques.The roof and basement of a Mosque is part of the same and it is valid to complete Etikaf in such places of a Mosque.

Permission of the people whose permission are required such as the master for the slave, husband and parents for the wife and children if this will be against the right of the husband or causes trouble to the parents.

6. Completing it in the Mosque where it was started. Thus, going out of the Mosque without an
acceptable reason will invalidate the E’tikaf, regardless, one knows the rule or is ignorant or has
gone out because of forgetfulness, except in the case of an emergency or one being forced or it is because of some need such as using wash room or having Taharat.
One is allowed to come out of the Mosque during E’tikaf to take part in the burial of a deceased or to visit an ailing one; Going out of the Mosque for a time long enough to cause the E’tikaf to become as non-existing will be considered as invalidating the same, even if one has not done it out of one’s own choice.
If one needs to have Ghusl/bath during the E’tikaf and it is possible for him to have it inside the
Mosque, and is not allowed to go out unless the reason for Ghusl requires him not to stay inside the Mosque.
E’tikaf is originally an optional worship act but it may become obligatory because of a vow etc.

Also Read:
Things to avoid during E’tikaf

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Sighting of the Crescent - The testimony of hilal

How does one ascertain the hilal? The testimony of hilal can be achieved by
(a) direct sighting, where you see it yourself, or

(b) indirect sighting, where someone sees it, and you rely on his sighting.

If an individual who is reliable, upright, and trustworthy ('adl) witnesses the hilal, it becomes incumbent upon him to fast. If he informs others about his testimony, according to the major­ity of the scholars, it becomes incumbent upon them to fast. This is the ruling that enjoys support in hadith.

Ibn Umar (raa) reported,
“During the time of the Prophet (saas), the companions went looking for the new crescent. So I told the Prophet (saas) that I saw it. So he fasted and told the compan­ions to fast.” (Abu Dahud / Hakim)

Abu Hurairah (raa) related the Messenger of Allah (saas) said:
“Fast by sighting the (new) hilal, and break your fast by sighting. If there is a cloud, complete the counting of Sha'aban 30 days.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

What Should Be Said at the Sighting of the Crescent

It is recommended that whoever sights the crescent (Hilal) of Ramadan, or any other month for that matter, or being in­formed about new crescent, should say:

“Allahu Akbar, Allahumma ahillahu 'alaina bil yumni wa Iman, Was Salaamata wal Islam, Ribbi wa rabbika illah.” (Tirmidhi)

Meaning: “Allah is Greatest. O Allah, make it the begin­ning, the beginning of prosperity, faith, peace, and total submission to Allah. Your Lord and mine is Allah.”

Also, it has been reported from Ali bin Abi Talib (raa) that the Messenger said:

“If you witness the crescent of the new month, say:
‘Al­lahu Akbar (three times) Al-hamdu Lillah. Alladhi Kha­laqani wa Khalaqaka, wa qaddara laka manajil wa ja'alaka ayatna lil 'alameen.’ ” (Naylul Awataar)

Meaning: “Allah is Greatest. (three times) praise be to Allah who created me and you and decreed for you the phases and made you a sign for the universe.”

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Neglecting Ramadan a serious, unpardonable sin

The blessed month of Ramadan comes once in a lunar calendar year for serious spiritual and physical training and rehabilita­tion of the believers. To neglect this Islamic obligation, with all its benefits, is a serious, unpardonable sin. Thus the warning from the Prophet (saas). Abu Hurairah reports the Messenger of Allah said:

“Whoever breaks one day's fast of Ramadan without an authorized permission from Allah, he will never be able to redeem it (with another) day's fast, even if he fasts to eternity.” (Tirmidhi)

The stern warning in this hadith for breaking fast in Ramadan is an indication of how serious the offense is perceived by the Shari'e, the Lawgiver. You may think that if you break a day, you can redeem it after Ramadan. Indeed, the missed day may be redeemed after Ramadan, but the hadith indicates that fast­ing for a lifetime (Siyaam Dahr), or to eternity cannot make up for the spiritual loss due to a reckless and deliberate break of a fasting day. It is abhorrent to neglect an Islamic rite which is your duty, but worse to neglect an obligation that belongs to Allah (SWT), such as the fast of Ramadan.

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Legal Status of Ramadan

The observation of Ramadan is mandated by two Islamic sources, Al-Qur'an and Sunnah, along with Ijmaa, the consen­sus of the scholars. Al-Qur'an states:

“O, you who believe fasting is prescribed to you, as it was prescribed to those before you that you may acquire self-restraint.” (Al-Qur'an 2:183)

The proof in this citing is very obvious, for whenever Allah (SWT) uses the word kutiba, which means, among other things, prescribed or written, it indicates the action that follows it be­comes mandatory upon the believers, men and women. After establishing Sawm, the verse emphasized that this was not the first time the obligation of fasting had been established, for it stated that previous nations received the same mandate. We are not certain about the time, date, and amount.

Many scholars state the introductory clause kamaa implies and refers to the analogy between our fasting today and the fasting of previous people. There are similarities in the time and amount, but what happened to Ramadan is that the high priests, before the time of Prophet Muhammad (saas) added more days than were prescribed for them. It became difficult and they could not do it, so they moved the date to spring until they ne­glected it altogether.

In a hadith it is reported by Daghfal Imam Hanzalah (raa) that the Messenger of Allah (saas) said:

The Christians used to fast one month. So when a man fell ill amongst them, they vowed if Allah cured him, they would increase ten more days to their fasting. He was cured, and the fast became forty days. Then another man ate meat; his mouth pained him. They vowed again if Allah cured him, they would add seven more days. He was cured and the fast increased to forty-seven days.

Then a king fell ill. They vowed again if Allah cured him, they would complete seven to ten days and move their fast to the spring. The king was cured and the fast increased to fifty days.” (Tafseer Al-Qurtabi)

This is how the pillar of religion was neglected. Even some Christian writer complained,

“For nearly a century and a half, fasting has been out of vogue, at least in the churches of the West. The very idea of someone actually fasting today seems strange to most twen­tieth century Christians. They associate it with medieval Christianity.” (Fasting a Neglected Discipline)

Some said the analogy is referring to the manner of fasting ­restraint from food and drink and marital relations. The verse ends with a strong hint to the spiritual benefit of fasting:
“That ye may acquire self-restraint.”

The word used is tataqun. It is originally from waqa, to protect, the same base word used for fear of Allah, taqwa; for when you fear Allah, you protect yourself against His wrath and against things that will destroy yourself.

Taqwa (fear of Allah), is easily achieved with fasting for the simple reason that, when you fast, you become weak for the lack of nourishment, which means your cravings are dimin­ished. With diminished cravings, the sins are greatly lessened, because there is no energy to fuel them, praise be to Allah. When sin is lessened, the barometer for taqwah rises.

Elsewhere Allah (SWT) states:

“Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to humanity and as a clear
18 sign for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So anyone of you who witnesses the month should spend it in fasting...” (Al-Qur'an, 2:185)

This verse contains important rules and reasons for fasting that will be explained later. However, what concerns us here is the statement,

“So anyone of you who witnesses the month should spend it in fasting.”

The above examples have been the proof from in Al-Qur'an. As for the proof from hadith, there are many, amongst them a hadith reported by Bukhari and Muslim in which the Messen­ger (saas) states:

“Islam is built on five (pillars), testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, and testimony that Muhammad is His messenger, establishing Salat, giving Zakaat, observing the fast of Ramadan, and pil­grimage to the House of Allah.” (Bukhari/Muslim)

The hadith established fasting during the month of Ramadan as one of the pillars on which this religion is built. This hadith re­inforces the obligation of fasting as stated in Al-Qur'an. We will see later that there are other Hadiths that explain in detail how to observe the 'Ebadah, the worship of fasting.

Because of this collection of proofs from both Al-Qur'an and the Sunnah, the Muslim scholars agreed in Ijima'a that absti­nence from physical nourishment and sex associated with in­tention to seek Allah's pleasure is mandatory upon every be­liever. Before verse (2:185) was revealed, Muslims were com­manded to fast three days in every month (verse 2:183). This verse (2:185) was revealed on Monday, Sha'aban 2, in the sec­ond year of Hijrah, thus, abrogating the earlier order.

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What are the Kinds of Fasting in Islam

Fasting is divided into two kinds: Fard, the obligatory fast, and Tatau'u, any non-obligatory fast. The obligatory fast is catego­rized as three kinds:

(1) fasting the month of Ramadan

(2) fasting to expiate for religious offenses

(3) fasting to fulfill a vow

Fasting the Month of Ramadan -Roza

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, Al-Hijrah. This calendar is based on the lunar system. There are twelve months in the lunar year. They are:
1. Al-Muharram
2. Safar
3. Rabee'ul Awwal
4. Rabee'ul Athathanee
5. Jumadah Awwal
6. Jumadth Thanee
7. Rajab
8. Sha'aban
9. Ramadan
10. Shawwal
11. Dhul-Qidah
12. Dhul-Hijah

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Conditions for Fasting in the holy month of Ramadan

The obligation of fasting is mandatory on a person who has ful­filled these requirements: He or she must be a Muslim, sane, must have reached puberty, must be healthy, and not in a state of travel; and for women, they must be in a state of purity (clean from menstruation and post childbirth bleeding). If a person fulfills the above prerequisites, fasting becomes valid and mandatory. Inferring from this definition, if one of these conditions is missing, the fast will be invalid. Indeed, it may be better to analyze each category of the definition.

Non-Muslim (Kafir)
Fasting is not obligatory on a non-Muslim because he is not commanded to fast and even if he decides to fast and follows all the regulations, it will not be accepted by Allah (SWT). If he or she wants to fast the Islamic fast, he has to declare the Kalimah first, and only then will the fast be accepted. Simi­larly, the non-Muslim (Kafir) is not obligated to perform any Islamic duties. If he converts to Islam during the month of Ramadan, for instance, in the middle of the month, it becomes incumbent upon him to fast the remaining days. There will be no making up the days he missed before becoming Muslim. Allah (SWT) states:

“Say to the unbelievers, if they desist from unbe­lief, their past would be forgiven of them...” (Al-Qur'an 8:38)

If one converts to Islam during the daytime in Ramadan, say 10:00 a.m. in the morning, he or she should observe the rest of the day in fasting. That is, from 10:00 a.m. until sunset, he should not break his fast.

Insane (Majnun)
The insane or retarded person is not obligated to keep his fast because he is deprived of sanity, a key component on which religious duties depend. In a hadith related by Ali Bin Abi Talib (raa), the Messenger of Allah (saas) said:
“The Pen that records the deeds has been lifted from three people; the insane person, until he recovers; the sleeping person, until he wakes up; and the minor, until he dreams (i.e., has wet dreams.)” (Ahmed)

This hadith indicates the fast of the insane person, for instance, is not valid because he cannot comprehend the worship, and he cannot meaningfully declare intention (niyyah), without which the acts are invalid. If he has mental relapses whereby he is healthy, and then on occasion is sick, the fast is mandatory upon him during the days and times he is healthy but not when he is unhealthy.

If he intends to fast in the morning, and he falls ill during this time, his fast is good as if he fainted as a result of illness, be­cause he knows that he may experience an attack at certain times. If he gets well during the daytime in Ramadan, he should observe the fast the rest of the day because he is obli­gated to fast. However, he does not have to make up the day because his case is like that of unbeliever who becomes Mus­lim time or a minor he reached puberty during the day.
Minor (Sabiyy)

Similarly, the minor person is not obligated to observe fast (Sawm), because of the previous hadith related by Ali bin Abi Talib,

“... And the minor until he dreams.”

However, it is imperative that the parents or the guardians of the juveniles or adolescents encourage and urge them to fast so they will get used to it. It will be vital training for them in their worship, because they will not have any chance for training as soon as they reach puberty.
In a hadith reported by Rubayyiah Bint Mau'awwidh (raa), the Prophet (saas) sent a messenger to the village of Ansar on the morning of Ashura to inform them:

“Whoever wakes in fasting should continue his fasting, whoever wakes up without fasting should complete his day in fasting. So we used to fast, let our young children fast, and go to the Masjid with them. When one of the children cried for food, we would make toys from wool and give them to the children until it was time to break the fast.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

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The Merits of Fasting

Islam is built on five pillars. Each represents a unique utility, an institution, if you will, through which the believer builds his relationship with the Creator and the creation. Of all the pillars of Islam, none is more special than siyaam, fasting. While there may be an appearance of Riya, eye service, or show, in all other pillars - Salaat, Zakaat, Hajj, and even the Kalimah - there is no such possibility in fasting. The only One who knows that you are really abstaining is Allah, the Almighty. It is easy to pre­tend to be fasting; while in hiding, you may eat or drink. Thus, fasting is considered a special worship, as Hadith reports from the Messenger of Allah (saas) have detailed.

It has been reported by the way of Abu Hurairah (raa) that the Prophet (saas) reported that Allah (SWT) said in a Hadith Al-Qudsi:

"All services of the son of Adam are for him except fast­ing. It is for Me, and I will reward him for it."

Fasting is a shield. On the day you fast, do not use obscenity, nor yell at others, nor act ignorantly towards them. How­ever, if anyone abuses you verbally or attempts to draw you to fight with him, say 'I am fasting' two times.

The Prophet (saas) then states: I swore by the One (Allah) in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the breath of the faster is sweeter to Allah on the Day of Judgment than the scent of musk. The faster experiences enjoy­ment twice: he is pleased when he breaks his fast, and he is pleased when he meets his Maker” (Muslim)

Among the points this incisive hadith revealed is that fasting is Allah's. Certainly, there is only one reason why a believer will put himself or herself through this trying physical exercise that -to seek the pleasure of Allah (SWT). The fast is the single most important device to test the Iman, faith, of the believer and the depth of his sincerity and commitment to the concept of Tauheed, the Oneness of Allah.

The hadith also states that fasting is a shield, an armor protect­ing the believer from sinful acts (ma'asi). Do you not know that nourishment is the first culprit in the propagation of sins? For when you eat, the blood flow increases considerably, and the energy level increases, making it easier for Satan to use your own energy level to tempt you to commit sins.

In another hadith, the Prophet states:

“Satan runs in the circulatory system of the son of Adam in the same way blood circulates in our system; so tighten his passages with hunger.” (Bukhari/Muslim)

Now you see why fasting becomes a shield. Fasting enables the believer to guard against his archenemy. It also helps him against human evil by putting the patience and perseverance gained from fasting into use with forbearance and forgiveness of the attacker -that is, of course, when the safety of ones life is not involved. Otherwise, in this case, Al-Qur'an allows the believer to repel evil without transgression.

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Fasting (Siyaam)

Fasting, or Siyaam or Roza , has two meanings. Generally, siyaam or sawm, is derived from the root sama, to restrain from normal things, such as eating, drinking, and talking. If an individual refrains from these things, he is considered saaim, the observer of fast. Al-Qur'an uses the word generally when it revealed the conversation between the angel and Mary, the mother of Jesus, as the angel instructed her:

“...And if you do see any man, say, ‘I have vowed to remain silent for Allah.’ ” (Al-Qur'an 19:26)

The phrase “to remain silent” is the interpretation of the Arabic word, “sawm.” The reason for this interpretation is that “sawm” cannot mean fast, i.e. restraint from food, because Mary had just been told to eat from the palm tree. This general meaning is common in the Arabic language.

In the Shari'ah, Islamic law, the word “sawm” means and im­plies a specific act, that, is, “to worship Allah, abstaining, with intention to please Him from fast breakers, such as physical nourishment, food, drink, and sexual intercourse or a lustful discharge of semen from the period between the break of dawn until sundown.

As this definition implies, the Islamic fasting is total abstinence from any food particles passing through the mouth or nose, as well as drinks of any kind -water, milk, juices, etc. -along with abstinence from sexual association during the day that commences from the break of dawn till sunset.

Although the definition indicates restraining the stomach and private parts, the tongue, eyes, ears and other limbs are equally obligated to be restrained if the faster wants to gain the total rewards of fasting. This is why the Messenger of Allah (saas) has been reported as saying in a hadith by Abu Hurairah:

“He who does not desist from obscene language and act­ing obscenely (during the period of fasting), Allah has no need that he did not eat or drink.” (Bukhari Muslim)

In another hadith by Abu Hurairah (raa), the Prophet (saas) said:
“Fasting is not only to restrain from food and drink, fasting is to refrain from obscene (acts). If someone ver­bally abuses you or acts ignorantly towards you, say (to them) ‘I am fasting; I am fasting.’” (Ibn Khuzaimah)

Indeed, these two reports imply fasting will not be complete until one observes three elements:
1. Restraining the stomach and the private parts from the breakers of the fast - food and drink,

2. Restraining the jawarih, the other body parts, which may render the fast worthless despite the main factors of hunger and thirst; so the tongue, for instance, must avoid backbiting, slan­der, and lies; the eyes should avoid looking into things consid­ered by the Lawgiver as unlawful; the ears must stop from lis­tening to conversations, words, songs, and lyrics that spoil the spirit of fasting; and,

3. Restraining of the heart and mind from indulging themselves in other things besides dhikir Allah (remembrance of Allah.

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Symptoms of Swine Flu

Symptoms of Swine Flu

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people.

Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

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Swine Flu : Contamination & Cleaning

Contamination & Cleaning

How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)?
Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface.

What kills influenza virus?
Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (167-212°F [75-100°C]). In addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time. For example, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used to clean hands. The gels should be rubbed into hands until they are dry.

What if soap and water are not available and alcohol-based products are not allowed in my facility?
Though the scientific evidence is not as extensive as that on hand washing and alcohol-based sanitizers, other hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may be useful for killing flu germs on hands.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How should waste disposal be handled to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste.

What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of influenza virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

How should linens, eating utensils and dishes of persons infected with influenza virus be handled?
Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating themselves. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry.

Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

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