Allaah has enjoined upon the Muslims fasting the month of Ramadaan, and He has promised a great reward to those who fast. Because the virtue of fasting is so great, Allaah has not specified the reward for it, rather He said – in a hadeeth qudsi – “… except for fasting, for it is for Me, and I shall reward for it.”
The virtues of the month of Ramadaan are many. For example, that which Allaah has promised those who fast, namely the gate of al-Rayyaan. This is the name which was narrated in the hadeeth whose authenticity is agreed upon. Sahl (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “In Paradise there is a gate called al-Rayyaan, through which those who used to fast will enter on the Day of Resurrection, and no one but they will enter it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who fasted?’ They will get up, and none will enter it but them. When they have entered, it will be locked, and no one else will enter.” (al-Bukhaari, 1763; Muslim, 1947).
Among the ahaadeeth which explain the reward for fasting are the following:
It was narrated from Abu Salamah that Abu Hurayrah said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.’” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, al-Eemaan, 37).
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Allaah says: “Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except for fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it.” Fasting is a shield and when one of you is fasting he avoid sexual relations with his wife and quarreling. If somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’ By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allaah than the smell of musk. The fasting person will have two moments of joy: one when he breaks his fast, and the other when he meets his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting.’”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1771)
Secondly:
It is known that Paradise has many gates, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“‘Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), which they shall enter and (also) those who acted righteously from among their fathers, and their wives, and their offspring. And angels shall enter unto them from every gate”
[al-Ra’d 13:23]
“And those who kept their duty to their Lord (Al-Muttaqoon – the pious) will be led to Paradise in groups till when they reach it, and its gates will be opened (before their arrival for their reception) and its keepers will say: Salaamun ‘Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein”
[al-Zumar 39:73]
In the saheeh ahaadeeth it says that there are eight gates:
It was narrated from Sahl ibn Sa’d (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “In Paradise there are eight gates, among which is a gate called al-Rayyaan, which none will enter but those who fast.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3017).
It was narrated from ‘Ubaadah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever bears witness that there is no god but Allaah alone, with no partner or associate, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, and that ‘Eesa is the slave of Allaah and His Messenger, and a word which Allaah bestowed on Maryam and a spirit created by Him (cf. al-Nisa’ 4:171), and that Paradise is true and Hell is true, will have the right to be admitted by Allaah to Paradise through whichever of the eight gates he wishes, because of his good deeds.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3180; Muslim, 41)
One of the bounties that Allaah has bestowed upon this ummah is that He opens all the gates of Paradise during the month of Ramadaan, not just one gate. Whoever says that there is a gate in Paradise called Baab al-Radwaan has to produce evidence for that.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When Ramadaan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 3035; Muslim 1793)
We ask Allaah to make us among those who will enter Paradise. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
SOURCE:
Islam Q&A
Fatwa no. 13934
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Stopping one’s period during Ramadan
Question:
Some women take pills in Ramadaan to stop their periods. They do this so that they will not have to make up any fasts afterwards. Is this permissible and are there any restrictions on their doing this?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
I think that women should not do this and they should remain on the menstrual cycle that Allaah has decreed for them and for all the daughters of Adam. There is wisdom behind it and a reason for which Allaah created it, and this wisdom befits the nature of women. If a woman tries to stop this cycle, it will undoubtedly have a harmful effect on her body, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” This is besides the fact that these pills can do harm to the uterus as the doctors have stated. What I think with regard to this issue is that women should not use these pills. Praise be to Allaah for His decree and wisdom. When a woman’s period comes, she should stop fasting and praying, and when her period is over she should resume fasting and praying; when Ramadaan is over she should make up the fasts that she has missed.
Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
SOURCE:
Islam Q&A
Fatwa no. 7416
Some women take pills in Ramadaan to stop their periods. They do this so that they will not have to make up any fasts afterwards. Is this permissible and are there any restrictions on their doing this?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
I think that women should not do this and they should remain on the menstrual cycle that Allaah has decreed for them and for all the daughters of Adam. There is wisdom behind it and a reason for which Allaah created it, and this wisdom befits the nature of women. If a woman tries to stop this cycle, it will undoubtedly have a harmful effect on her body, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm.” This is besides the fact that these pills can do harm to the uterus as the doctors have stated. What I think with regard to this issue is that women should not use these pills. Praise be to Allaah for His decree and wisdom. When a woman’s period comes, she should stop fasting and praying, and when her period is over she should resume fasting and praying; when Ramadaan is over she should make up the fasts that she has missed.
Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
SOURCE:
Islam Q&A
Fatwa no. 7416
Taking pills to prevent period in the last ten days of Ramadan
Question:
If a woman’s period is going to come in the last ten days of Ramadaan, is it permissible for her to use contraceptive pills so that she can continue to worship during these days of blessing?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
This question was put to Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) and he said:
We do not think that she should use these pills to help her worship Allaah, because the period which happens to her is something which Allaah has decreed for the daughters of Adam.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) entered upon ‘Aa’ishah when she was with him during the Farewell Pilgrimage. She had entered ihraam for ‘Umrah, then her period came before she reached Makkah. He entered upon her and found her weeping. He asked, “Why are you weeping?” and she told him that her period had come. He told her, “This is something which Allaah has decreed for the daughters of Adam.” So the period is not something which is under her control. If it comes during the last ten days of Ramadaan, then let her accept what Allaah has decreed for her and not use these pills. I have heard from trustworthy doctors that these pills cause harm to the uterus and the blood, and they may cause deformity in the foetus if she should conceive. Hence we think that she should avoid them. If her period comes and she cannot pray or fast, this is beyond her control and is the decree of Allaah.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him)
SOURCE:
Islam Q&A
Fatwa no. 13738
If a woman’s period is going to come in the last ten days of Ramadaan, is it permissible for her to use contraceptive pills so that she can continue to worship during these days of blessing?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
This question was put to Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) and he said:
We do not think that she should use these pills to help her worship Allaah, because the period which happens to her is something which Allaah has decreed for the daughters of Adam.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) entered upon ‘Aa’ishah when she was with him during the Farewell Pilgrimage. She had entered ihraam for ‘Umrah, then her period came before she reached Makkah. He entered upon her and found her weeping. He asked, “Why are you weeping?” and she told him that her period had come. He told her, “This is something which Allaah has decreed for the daughters of Adam.” So the period is not something which is under her control. If it comes during the last ten days of Ramadaan, then let her accept what Allaah has decreed for her and not use these pills. I have heard from trustworthy doctors that these pills cause harm to the uterus and the blood, and they may cause deformity in the foetus if she should conceive. Hence we think that she should avoid them. If her period comes and she cannot pray or fast, this is beyond her control and is the decree of Allaah.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him)
SOURCE:
Islam Q&A
Fatwa no. 13738
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