Respected Brothers and elders in Islam and my Mothers and Sisters listening at home: The great month of Ramadhan is upon our heads; today is the 27 th of Sha baan. InshaAllah on Sunday after Maghrib Salah we will make the effort to sight the Hilal of Ramadhan ul Mubarak. I do hope that you can join us in acting upon this very important but neglected Sunnah. It is very unfortunate that people have replaced this great Sunnah of going out to sight the hilal with staying in the comforts of ones house, glued to TV sets awaiting the news of Hilal at the time of Zuhr or Asar. Hilal news should be awaited for after Maghrib Salah on the conclusion of the 29 th day. The obligatory mode of Ibaadah exclusive to this month is the Ibaadat of Sawm or fasting, as Allah Almighty mentions in the Holy Qur aan: The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur ān was revealed as guidance for mankind, and as clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong. So those of you who witness the month must fast in it. Al-Baqarah 185 Immense rewards have been promised for the fasting person: Nabi Salalahu Alaihi Wasallam has said, "(Allah said); 'every good deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.' Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk." (Bukhari) Hujjat ul Islam Imam Ghazali RA has written that there are three categories of fast: 1) Aam: fast of the masses and the laymen is abstaining from food, drinks, and marital relationship. The details of these fast could be found in the books of fiqh. 2) (khass) fast of the chosen among laymen is abstaining from wrong doing; the details of this being that one saves ones ears, nose, eyes, tongue, hands, feet and other body parts from committing any form of sin. This is the fast of the Saliheen and pious. Caution in Six things are necessary for this fast: 1: Protecting the eyes. The eyes should be protected from everything that will result in one s attention turning away from Allah. Rasool Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam has said: "The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Shaytan... (Al-Haakim.) 2: Protecting the tongue: one keeps oneself away from immodest conversation, lies falsehood, backbiting, slander, arguments and fights this is the fast of the tongue. Nabi Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said: Whoever does not give up false speech and acting accordingly, Allah does not need them to leave their food and drink. 3: The protection of ears: protect yourself from listening to bad language, immoral talk. What is deemed as impermissible to converse is also deemed as impermissible to listen. 4: Protect the other body parts: protect your hands and feet and other parts from committing any form of sin, at the time of Iftaar do not consume anything which is doubtful or forbidden. As common sense tells us; what was the point of fasting with Halal in the morning and now after staying away from all food and drink during the day breaking the fast with Haraam. 5: Avoid excessive eating at Iftaar as Rasool Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said: Man fills no vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to have a few mouthfuls to give him the strength he needs. If he has to fill his stomach, then let him leave one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-
third for air. (Tirmidhi) Too much food or drink is one of the main obstacles that make one lazy and negligent from Ibaadaat. 6: At the time of Iftaar one s condition should be such that there is hope and fear. Hope that due to his fast he has become much close to his creator and Fear whether ones fast has been accepted or not. This Imaan and Ihtisaab should be ones condition for every Ibaadah. 3) Special fast of the chosen people (khass ul Khass: Abstaining from worrying about material life and emptying ones heart from Everything that is not connected to Allah is the fast of the heart and fasting of the special of the special (the elite) of the Muslims. This category of fast is the Fast of the Ambiyaa and the righteous. For our fast to be valid an essential condition will be to eat suhoor before Subh Sadiq or the break of dawn. Even a morsel of food or a sip of water after Subh Sadiq, or before sunset will render the fast invalid. There are many timetables going around within the UK and the locality as a whole. Obviously there is a problem and it is leading to a lot of confusion. People and many Ulama aswell tend to pass the buck on the creators of these timetables that it is their ijtihaad we are following, so the blame lays on their head. The reality is far from it, when Salah is obligatory upon a person the knowledge of the Masaa il of Salah becomes obligatory, times of Salah are part of the Masaa il, similar is the case with Fast, Zakat or Hajj, when these Ibaadaat become obligatory upon one then knowledge of the Masaa il/ rules as regards to these Ibaadaat become obligatory. If this principle is understood, then it should be understood that research as to which times are correct becomes the responsibility of each and every individual on whom these modes of Ibaadaat are obligatory. Ibn Abideen writes in Radd Ul Muhtar: It is Fardh for every person to understand the injunctions that apply to his everyday life to avoid falling into Haraam. Vol 1- Pg42 As regards to Subh Sadiq the Qur aan has stated: and eat and drink until the white thread (light) appears to you distinct from the black thread. Al Baqarah 187. In this verse with the example of darkness of the night, as the black thread, and the light of the morning as the white thread, the correct time has been explained for beginning the fast, and ending of eating or drinking. Regarding Subh Sadiq Rasool SAW has said in one narration that Fajr is of two categories, one is where it becomes Haraam on a person to eat, and the time for Salat ul Fajr commences. The other is when Salat ul Fajr is not permissible, eating is permissible. Ibn Khuzaimah. One is known as Subh Kazib, the other is known as Subh Sadiq. The Mufasiroon commenting on Subh Kazib have stated that it is a light in the form of the tail of the wolf that will be seen vertically rising upto the skies. The darkness will remain after this; hence the night as yet has not ended, the time for suhoor has not ended, nor has the time for Fajar commenced. Subh Sadiq is that light that appears on the eastern horizon before sunrise and it spreads out far and wide like how birds would spread out, after this light, darkness slowly disappears, and light increases until the whole of the horizon becomes light.. What needs to be understood is that in order to observe and witness these Subh s, experience is important, some people tend to claim, and I have heard it myself, that when I came out for Fajr I observed the Subh Sadiq. This claim is in reality not valid as one will understand later. Experience is necessary for the observance of Subh Sadiq, Hakim ul Ummat Hadhrat Thanwi RA writes in Al Saa aat lil Taa aat to identify Subh Sadiq without experience, and to identify mithlain without hisab is not possible Bawadir al nawadir Pg 429. Then this observance needs to take place where there is no artificial light whatsoever. In
built up residential areas like ours this is not possible, as it full of light, some experts have even gone on to say that the sharp light of the moon will also make it difficult to observe the Subh Sadiq. Hadhrat Mufti Rashid Ahmad Saheb Ludhyaanwi RA writes in one of his Fatwa, that the Mushahadah done where there was this artificial light is not acceptable. Even pollution is a major factor in the correct observation. This is also the view of the Astronomers. When does Subh Sadiq really occur? I just want to touch upon this issue briefly. There are many claims of observations, the research of expert Ulama in this field are very clear and open. Looking into this research with a great responsibility on my head, as an Imam of a locality and community I have a responsibility to guide, to guide on what is correct and truth, I came to the opinion that timetable we have adopted in this Masjid is without any doubt the most correct and cautious timetable around. In matters of Faraaidh caution is of great importance Rasool SAW has said leave that which is doubtful for that which has no doubt. I also came to very clear conclusion that the claimed Mushahadah timetable going around has so many contradictions and inconsistencies that it would be against caution, if not not permissible to follow it. If anyone wishes to see the research then I will very happily guide them towards it. What I will further say is that regarding the timetable we have access to extensive research that has been carried out by Senior Ulama and experts in this field, this research has not been done just UK wide but throughout many countries of the World, hence the reason that 99% of the Indian subcontinent, majority of the Arab world, many organisations throughout America, Canada and Europe follow a timetable based on this research. This research concludes that the time of Isha based on Shafaq e Abyadh and Fajar begins when the sun is 18 Degrees below the horizon. Just for the sake of confidence on this research let me just mention a few quotes of the Ulama and experts as regards to this; Abu Rayhan Al Berooni (died 440) AHwrite that when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon that is the time of Subh Sadiq. Kitab Al Qanoon Al Mas oodi. Saheb Rooh ul Ma aani Allama Alloosi RA write in the commentary of Was Subhe Izza Tanaffas in Surah Al Takweer, that Subh is the light on the eastern horizon, according to famous view is 18 Degrees. Even the likes of Allamah Shaami RA, a scholar on whom the Mufti s have based their Fataawaa on for years has advocated 18 degrees to 19 Degrees as the time of Subh Sadiq. See Radd ul Mukhtaar, Vol 2, Pg 93. Further; This view of 18 degrees has been endorsed by the Akaabir of Ulama e Deoband of the past, the likes of Sheikh ul Hind, Hadhrat Maulana Mufti Mahmud ul Hasan Saheb, Hadhrat Maulana Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri Saheb and Mufti Aazam e Hind, Hadhrat Maulana Mufti Aziz ur Rahman, Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi RA, Mufti Shafi, Mufti Wali Hassan Tonqi, Mufti Raza Ul Haq, Moulana Yusuf Binnori, and Moulana Zafar Ahmad Usmani, and present day Ulama/Akaabir like Hadhrat Mufti Taqi Saheb. And another point of importance on this is that Mushahadah has been done to verify the 18 Degrees in Pakistan, Canada, Arab World and here in the UK by the Ulama in Glasgow and Batley. Recently the Ulama of Preston have undertaken this task and they also conclude, that they observed the Subh Sadiq at 18 Degrees. So to conclude one should not spoil ones fast just for the sake of a few hours, rather act upon the cautious approach endorsed by our Senior Akaabir and Ulama and the majority of the Astronomers, and on which years of observations have taken place. May Allah SWT guide us on the Siraat e Mustaqeem. If one does not have confidence in the facts I have given, there is no force, and there should be no arguments. Because what we are doing is an Ibaadah for the sake of Allah almighty and it is ultimately him we have to
answer to. Remember: An Imam will answer for the congregation he leads: a committee member or trustee will answer for the people they lead: A father will answer for his household as Rasool Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam has said each and every one of you is a shepherd and you will questions regarding your flock. If one has intentionally misguided, then they WILL be held responsible in the courts of Allah Almighty. Similar caution should be taken on the issue of sighting the Hilal, it is unfortunate that regarding astronomy or use of technology some people have used very strong words not befitting an Aalim never mind a Muslim. The Khutba of the Imam of Haram Sheikh Al Shuraim was very particular in mentioning the legitimacy of the use of modern technology; let me quote him: Sighting [the crescent] by the human eye is the Shar i method, but this should not be considered as contradictory to the use of telescopes or helpful calculation to determine the sighting with more precision so that the differences could be united and the gap will be brought close. The bottom line is we do not want to commence Ramadhan in the month of Sha baan nor do we want to celebrate Eid in the Month of Ramadhan. In matters of Faraaidh CAUTION is of great importance. Impossible sightings should not be entertained. Moving on; without any doubt the month of Ramadhan is a blessed month a month of Rahmah and mercy, and as Muslims we need to ensure that this month remains the month of mercy within our lives and within the environment we live in. Every year throughout the month of Ramadhan we continue to receive complaints from our neighbours that during Taraweeh time or after Taraweeh we are very much disturbed by the noise. Parents must take that responsibility to ensure the children come to Masjid and remain in the Masjid to perform the complete 20 Rakats of Taraweeh prayer. They do not loiter around causing grief to people and neighbours. It is a great pity that the local police see this month as a month in which they have to increase patrols during our Esha/Taraweeh Prayer time. A Muslim must not behave this way. A Muslim must portray a message of peace from his whole self, his manners, attitude, behaviour should be excellent. He should be an example for others. Just listen to the beautiful advice of the greatest of Mankind (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) "The best of you is he from whom good is anticipated and safety from his evil is assured; the worst of you is he from whom nothing good is expected and one is not safe from his evil." (Tirmidhi) In one Hadith it states: A Muslim is he from whose hands and tongue other Muslims are safe. Muslim In another Hadith Rasool Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam has said "The best of people are those that bring most benefit to the rest of mankind." (Daraqutni) And listen to the very beneficial advice of Hadhrat Jabir ibn `Abdullah Al-Ansary RA; He said, "When you observe Sawm, let your ears, eyes and tongue abstain from lying and other unlawful acts. Do not harm your neighbours. Be characterized by humility and calmness. Let there be a difference between the days of observing Sawm and the days when you are not observing Sawm. Mussanaf Ibn Abi Shaibah On this matter of being good to people around you, we need to be mindful of people living around us, majority are non Muslim; our laws cannot be enforced upon others. Even Islamic laws mentioned in the Holy Qur aan can only be enforced by the Qazi or judged employed by the Muslim government. Not any tom, dick or Harry can cut the hand of a thief; it has to be done by the Qadhi appointed by the Islamic Government. Those people who are going round placing stickers on dustbins and lampposts inflaming the Non Muslims need to be careful. Our elders who came into this country, and who were instrumental in the building of Masajid and Madaris at a time when there were very few Muslims residing in this country with very few resources, did not go about highlighting what good work they did. They did what they had to do; kept a low profile; one can clearly observe what they achieved. Today some people are going round unnecessarily placing these stickers around bins of all the places and inciting hatred against the majority peace loving Muslims of UK. And unfortunately They want to describe majority Muslims as Kaafirs and Mushriks.
Personally I am of the opinion that they are the founders of EDL, who tempted by their stickers want to come to a peaceful, diverse Walthamstow. Our way of life here in the UK should be based on the Makki example. Implement the best of character in your lives let those manners and good character be a source of Da wah for the people around you. And takfeer? let this Hadith be a warning: Rasool Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said "He who says to his brother 'O Disbeliever', then it returns upon one of them." Bukhari Anyhow in this month keep away from unnecessary arguments fights and quarrels always have this Hadith in mind: Rasool Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said: Sawm is a shield (from the fire and from committing sins). When one of you is observing Sawm, he should avoid intimate relations (with his wife) and quarrelling, and if someone insults him, he should say, 'I am observing Sawm. Bukhari. May Allah give us the Towfeeq of Amal. Wa Maa Alynaa Illal Balagh.