How to Receive the Month of Ramadan: Related Questions – Shaykh Dr Muhammad Fayez Awad

This is the third and final in a series of articles based on the seminar Reviving the Hearts – How to Receive the Month of Ramadan, looking at the inner and outer dimensions of Ramadan, helping us deepen our understanding and connection with this month of mercy, worship, and renewal.

Staying Steadfast During Ramadan While Living Away from Places of Learning

By the grace of Allah (Most High), we are blessed with our circumstances, as He does not burden a soul with more than it can bear. The obligation of fasting is a form of worship that can be fulfilled by every individual, regardless of location. Even if one is not part of a larger community or in a city filled with places of learning, one can still observe fasting in the best possible manner, following the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace).

The Blessing of Remembrance

Another immense blessing from Allah is the remembrance of Him (dhikr), which is accessible to all, regardless of location or situation. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) stated that among those who will be granted shade on the Day of Judgment is the person who remembers Allah so much that their eyes well up with tears. This highlights the importance of personal connection with Allah, which can be nurtured anywhere.

Recitation and Listening to the Quran

The recitation of the Quran holds great reward, even if done alone. Similarly, listening to the Quran brings the same reward as reciting it. This opens the door to spiritual growth and connection with Allah without requiring a specific place or congregation.

Worship Beyond Specific Locations

The doors of goodness are numerous, and Allah has not restricted worship to specific locations. One’s own home can serve as a place of learning and devotion. Utilizing available resources such as online lectures, Islamic books, and virtual communities can be highly beneficial. One should not feel limited by the absence of physical institutions but rather take advantage of all means available to seek knowledge and spiritual elevation.

Fasting for Young Children

There is often a question regarding when children should start fasting. Scholars compare fasting to prayer, as the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) instructed that children should be taught to pray at the age of seven. Similarly, introducing fasting to children at an early age, even before it becomes obligatory, helps them become accustomed to it. Gradual exposure ensures that they do not find fasting burdensome when it becomes obligatory upon reaching puberty.

Parents can begin by encouraging children to fast for a few hours in the morning and gradually extend the duration over time. By the end of Ramadan, children may be able to complete a full day of fasting. This gradual introduction helps cultivate discipline and enthusiasm for fasting as they grow older.

Ramadan for Women and Mothers

Many women, particularly mothers, often ask how they can make the most of Ramadan while managing household responsibilities, children, and work. Islam recognizes their efforts, and the work they do within their homes, including preparing meals and creating a conducive environment for fasting, is considered an act of worship. Supporting others in their worship is itself rewarded as an act of worship.

Transforming Daily Acts into Worship

Worship is not confined to traditional practices like prayer and fasting. Any action done sincerely for Allah’s sake is transformed into an act of worship. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Indeed, all actions are in accordance with their intentions.” This means that household duties, caregiving, and professional work can all become means of earning rewards if done with the right intention.

Women and Mosque Attendance During Menstruation

The default ruling in Islamic law is that a woman experiencing her monthly cycle should not enter a mosque. The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) is reported to have said: “I do not permit the mosque for a woman in her menses or a person in a state of major ritual impurity.” This hadith establishes a clear guideline that menstruating women are not to enter consecrated mosques. However, modern settings may provide alternative arrangements for women who wish to remain engaged with Islamic activities.

In cases where a prayer space is not officially a mosque, such as a rented hall or an organizational prayer room, it is permissible for women to attend and listen to the recitation of the Quran. However, they should refrain from participating in the congregational prayer itself.

For women unable to attend physical gatherings, advancements in technology have provided access to high-quality recitations through digital platforms. Listening to the Quran at home through online streams or recorded recitations allows women to stay spiritually connected while observing the guidelines of Islamic rulings.

Listening vs. Hearing the Quran

A key distinction in Islamic tradition is between passive hearing and active listening to the Quran. Allah commands in the Quran: “So when the Quran is recited, listen to it and remain silent so that you may receive mercy.” [Quran, 7:204]. This emphasizes the act of attentive listening as a form of worship. While incidental hearing of the Quran may bring blessings, active listening with focus and reflection is what leads to spiritual rewards.

Women who are unable to enter the mosque due to their cycle can still engage in the reward of Quranic recitation by attentively listening to online recitations, whether at home or in a separate designated space within a mosque that is not considered consecrated ground.

Reading the Quran in Arabic vs. Translation

Another common concern is whether women should focus on reading the Quran in Arabic, even if they do not understand the language, or if they should prioritize reading translations to grasp its meaning.

Islamic scholars affirm that the act of tilawa (recitation) is an act of worship that carries specific rewards when performed in Arabic. Allah states in the Quran: “Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran that you might understand.” [Quran, 12:2]. Thus, reciting the Quran in Arabic remains an important practice.

However, reading translations serves a different purpose: it falls under the act of seeking knowledge and understanding. Ideally, a balance should be struck, where the majority of one’s time in Ramadan is spent reciting the Quran in Arabic while also allocating time for reading its translation to deepen one’s comprehension.

Ramadan is a time of immense spiritual growth and devotion, irrespective of location or personal circumstances. Whether at home, at work, or in a community setting, every individual can strengthen their connection with Allah through fasting, prayer, dhikr, Quran recitation, and good intentions. Women managing household responsibilities and children are equally engaged in acts of worship, and their contributions are greatly valued. May Allah grant us steadfastness and allow us to make the most of this blessed month.