Excellence Of Tarawih Prayers

Assalamu’alaikum !

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to urge (the people) to perform (optional Tarawih) prayer at night during the month of Ramadhan. He did not order them or make it obligatory on them. He (SAW) said,

“Whosoever performs (optional Tarawih) prayers at night during the month of Ramadhan, with Faith and in the hope of receiving Allah’s reward, will have his past sins forgiven.”

[Muslim]

Commentary: This Hadith highlights the following points:

1. Qiyam (prayer at night) in the month of Ramadhan is a much-stressed act and has great importance from the viewpoint of reward and award.

2. The sins which are pardoned though are minor sins because major sins are not forgiven unless one makes sincere repentance and compensates those whom he has wronged.

3. That Qiyam during the month of Ramadhan was the practice of the Prophet (SAW). He performed this Qiyam in congregation with his companions. [It is not obligatory but is preferred that one prays Qiyam prayer during the month of Ramadhan].

4. Qiyam Ramadhan was later on named Tarawih. Since the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) used to make a lengthy Qiyam in them and they would take rest after performing every four Raka’ah. This is how these came to be named Tarawih (Rest prayer).

5. In Tarawih, that is Qiyam Ramadhan, lengthy Qiyam is a sunnah, but it must be borne in mind that the Qur’an must be recited according to the principles of ‘Ilm-at-Tajwid with clear and distinct voice at a slow pace.

Breaking The Fast

Assalamu’alaikum !

Sahl bin Sa’d (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said,

“People will continue to adhere to good [welfare of the religion] as long as they hasten [in the early moments of the prescribed time, without any delay after the sunset] to break the Sawm (fasting).”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said,

“Allah the Most High says: ‘From amongst My slaves, the quicker the one in breaking the Sawm (fasting), the dearer he is to Me.’”

[At-Tirmidhi]

Abu Ibrahim ‘Abdullah bin Abu Aufa (RA) reported:

We were with the Messenger of Allah (SAW) on a journey and he was observing Sawm. When the sun sets, he (SAW) said to a person, “Dismount and prepare the ground roasted barley drink for us.” Upon this he replied, “O Messenger of Allah (SAW), there is daylight still.” The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Get down and prepare barley drink for us.” So he got down and prepared a barley liquid meal for him. The Prophet (SAW) drank and then said, “When you perceive the night approaching from that side, a person observing Sawm should break the fast.” And he (SAW) pointed towards the east with his hand.

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary: This Hadith stresses that Sawm must be broken soon after sunset and without delay.

Merits Of Sahur

Assalamu’alaikum !

Anas (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said,

“Eat sahur (predawn meal). Surely, there is a blessing in sahur.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary: This hadith tells us that sahur is the sunnah of the Prophet SAW, even if one takes a small quantity of food. This meal is blessed and maintains one’s energy and vitality during sawm. Against this, if a person goes to sleep after taking his dinner to save himself from the inconvenience of getting up before dawn or takes sahur early will be, on one side, disobeying the Messenger of Allah (SAW), while on the other side, he will be feeling hungry and thirsty very early and very much as he himself has increased the period of fasting by not taking the sahur.

Zaid bin Thabit (RA) reported:

We took sahur with the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and then we stood up for (Fajr) salat (prayer). It was asked: “How long was the gap between the two?” He replied:

“The time required for the recitation of fifty ayat (of the Qur’an)”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Commentary: We learn from this Hadith that sahur should be taken towards the end of its timing. This is the sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). One should, however, take care that it is done before dawn.

Safeguarding The Sawm

Assalamu’alaikum !

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) said,

“When any one of you is observing Sawm on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise the voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: ‘I am observing fast.’”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) said,

“If one does not eschew lies and false conduct, Allah has no need that he should abstain from his food and drink.”

[Al-Bukhari]

Matters Relating To Sawm

Assalamu’alaikum !

Abu Sa’id Al-khudri (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said,

“Every slave of Allah who observes Sawm (fasting) for one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will draw his face farther from Hell-fire to the extent of a distance to be covered in seventy years.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) said,

“If any one of you forgetfully eats or drinks (while observing fasting) he should complete his Sawm (fastng), for Allah has fed him and given him to drink.”

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]