Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt Question: There are a number of Ramaḍān timetables that are circulating. There are multiple beginning times for Fajr (dawn). This confuses me. According to which timing do I end my suḥūr (pre-dawn) meals? Which timetable do I follow? Answer: In the Name of Allāh, Most Kind, Most Merciful Thank you/…
Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt Question: I am still nursing my 16.5 month old and find it difficult to fast during Ramaḍān. Do I have to pay fidya (redemption donation) even though I intend on making up my missed fasts later? Answer: In the Name of Allāh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Kind Jazāk Allāh…
Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt Question: Which ten nights are referred to in chapter 89 of the Qurʿān? Are they the last ten nights of Ramaḍān? Answer: In the Name of Allāh, Most Merciful, Most Gracious Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question. There are four scholarly views regarding the meaning of “layāl ʿashr…
Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt Question: What are the rulings regarding women and tarāwīḥ prayers? Answer: In the Name of Allāh, Most Merciful, Most Gracious Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question. Tarawīḥ is considered an emphasised prophetic practice (sunnah muakkadah) ritual prayer during the month of Ramaḍān for both men and women. Women…
By Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt Food and Drink Food and drink is a means of survival. It becomes pleasure when eating out. It’s intake is reduced when on a diet. Food and drink are part of our lives. Some live to eat while others eat to live. Overall, humans have a constant connection with food and…
Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt Question: I have seen people performing two rakaʾahs nafl (optional units of ritual prayer) after ṣalāt al-witr. I always thought witr should be the last prayer. Is there any evidence for this practice? Should witr be the last prayer of the night? Answer: In the Name of Allāh, the Most…
By Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt (a piece written for the Canadian Council of Muslim Theologians’ Ramaḍān Journal) Did you know ‘Othmān bin Affān (may Allāh be pleased with him) completed the recitation of the entire Qurʿān every day in Ramaḍān? Ḥammād bin Abī Sulaymān (may Allāh’s mercy be upon him) would feed ifṭār meals to 500…
Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt Question: How is it to fast on the 15th of Shaʾbān? I’ve heard it is a sunnah (prophetic practice), is that true? Answer: Fasting on the 15ht of Shaʾbān is praiseworthy and recommended (mustaḥab). To single out the fasting on the 15th of Shaʾbān and to deem it as a…
Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt Question: Does sleeping during a fast invalidate the fast (sawm)? Answer: In the Name of Allāh, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate Jazak Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question. Sleeping while fasting does not islamicaly invalidate the ritual fast, as this does not entail any substance entering the internal mind or…
Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt Question: Could you explain the principles of those things that invalidate the ritual fasts (sawm)? Answer: In the Name of Allāh, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for your question. In general, the things that invalidate the fast are, deliberately eating, drinking and engaging in sexual intercourse.…