Category Archives: Education

August 14, 2010   Ahl us-Sunnah, Education, Fasting, Islam FAQ, Practice, Ramadan   No comments

Ramadan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.     Question: Is a verbal intention (niyyah) required for every fast of Ramadan? Or is one intention enough for the entire month? What if I miss suhoor and was not able to make the intention? Can I still fast?

Answer: An intention is required for every fast of Ramadan just like an intention is required for every obligatory prayer. The intention (niyyah) is from the conditions (shuroot) of obligatory actions such as prayer or fasting. However the intention need not be verbal. It can be in the heart. Waking up for the pre-dawn meal (suhoor) in itself satisfies the manifestation of this intention. If one forgets to make an intention before sleeping the night before, and is not able to wake up for suhoor, then one can make the intention as soon as one wakes up. The general rule is that the intention the next morning should be made before nisf-nahar / zawal (midday / meridian). (However legitimate exceptions exist. For example: A person who has returned very tired from night duty, forgot to make the intention before sleeping and slept through suhoor and woke up after nisf-nahar. He/she can still make the niyyah to fast when he/she wakes up. This is an exception due to the special nature of this situation.)

2.      Question: It is very important for the fasting person to know the medical importance of fasting, besides the spiritual one. Due to lack of preparation for this period, people tend to eat less / more and during inappropriate times. This can be harmful and it does not fulfill the purpose of fasting. What were the eating habits of our Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) during the Holy month of Ramadan both for Suhoor and Iftar? Could you please suggest a diet program for modern day cuisines that includes the type of food to be consumed in Suhoor, Iftar, dinner and after-Taraweeh snack, according to the food mentioned in Quran and the Sunnah of Our Beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace be upon him and his family).  [Question submitted by Brother Abdul Sacoor, Germany]

Answer: Fasting has actually been proven by medical science to be good for health if implemented in the correct manner. It burns off bad fats and cholesterols. The water that one drinks after breaking the fast purifies the liver rapidly. Fasting contributes towards weight loss, helps heal stomach disorders, sharpens one’s bodily responses and signals. The body physique is made more balanced. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) had the perfect body and walked with balanced steps. It is recommended to eat suhoor even if it is one morsel. However, suhoor should not be considered as a way to “stock up” food reserves. It is not recommended to overeat during suhoor. One of the main goals of Ramadan is to teach dependence on Allah (tawakkul) and one should have this attitude in one’s sustenance as well. Most modern day cuisines with their fried and fatty foods are unhealthy. The general rule in Islam is to avoid anything that is harmful to the body and food is no exception. Foods consumed during Ramadan (and the rest of the year) should be light, non-flatulent and healthy. One of the benefits of Ramadan is to train us to become habituated to healthy foods. The healthiest foods of course belonged to the blessed diet of our Beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). This included dates, water, barley, milk and honey in their purest forms. It is recommended to drink milk from animals that have been reared in a natural environment and fed natural, chemical-free foods. And it is best to consume local honey. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) also consumed bread and halaal meat, but in a balanced way.

3.     Question: We are told that smoking breaks the fast. What about second hand smoke (smoke from others smoking), or smoke from some other source such as a fire? Does this break the fast too?

Answer: Second hand smoke does not break ones fast if one inhales it unintentionally. For example, a fasting person at an airport who has to clean out the smoking area will invariably inhale some second hand smoke. However he/she is not accountable for it, unless they linger in the area purposely enjoying it. Smoke from fires does not break one’s fast. Similarly, anything that lingers in the air where someone works and they inhale that (such as a flour mill, etc.) will likewise not break the fast.

4.     Question: Does water entering through the ear break the fast (for example while taking a shower)?

Answer: If water enters the ear unintentionally during bathing or swimming, then it does not break the fast. (Please note that scientifically the eardrum seals off the inner ear and does not allow the passing of anything but air from the outside. However some people have damaged eardrums which could potentially allow some droplets to enter.)

5.     Question: If the fast breaks due to any reason beyond one’s control, can the person eat immediately or must we wait until Iftar time?

Answer: If the fast breaks for any reason, it is obligatory (wajib) to desist from eating and drinking the rest of the day until Iftar time.

6.     Question: We are often told to break our fast at the first “Allahu Akbar” of the Adhan or our fast will become disliked (makrooh). Is this really true and which category of makrooh is it – tahreemi or tanzeehi? After breaking the fast, should we then continue eating during the Adhan and its following dua? Please advise of the best method of doing this so we don’t make our fast makrooh as well as we are not disrespectful of the Adhan. What is the real Sunnah method of breaking the fast?

Answer: It was the Sunnah of our Beloved Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) to place a date in his blessed mouth at the first “Allahu Akbar” of the Adhan. The same would apply to any Muslim country where the Adhan is heard openly because the Adhan signifies the setting of the sun which brings in the time for Maghrib. The mu`adhdhin first breaks his fast and then calls the Adhan. However, in countries where the Adhan cannot be heard, it is better to wait a few minutes from the printed prayer timings to be absolutely sure that the sun has set by looking at the Eastern horizon for the grey-blue-pink strip which is usually visible as soon as the sun sets. The grey strip signifies the night coming in and the pink strip signifies the day going out and blue is the natural color of the sky during the day. In other words, it is better to wait a few minutes to be absolutely sure the sun has set. The fast becomes makrooh tanzeehi if one delays breaking it without any legitimate reason after having certainty that the sun has set. Having broken the fast one can continue eating in a respectful way paying full attention to the Adhan and responding to its words and then making the dua after Adhan as is prescribed in the Sunnah. It was the Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) to break his fast with the Sahaba (Companions, may Allah be well pleased with them). One should not be slow in the consumption of the Iftaar lest the Maghrib prayer is delayed. The dinner can precede Maghrib prayer if it does not become a cause of holding up the prayer.

7.     Question: If we have invited guests over for Iftar and that delays our going for Taraweeh, is that permissible? What is more important: performing the ‘Isha/ Taraweeh prayers in congregation at the mosque, or tending to our guests at the house? Is there a difference in ruling here for men and women?

Answer: For men it is very highly recommended to go to the mosque to perform ‘Isha in congregation followed by the Taraweeh prayers. As for women, if it is their habit to do so, then they too should make every attempt to go to the mosque as well (maintaining all the etiquettes of the required Islamic modesty). Listening to the Holy Quran being recited during the Taraweeh prayers is a great act of worship. The guests should be encouraged to go as well. Ramadan is a very special month and its every moment is precious and must be spent in the worship of Allah, The Most Exalted, and the service of His needy creation.

Answers provided by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ahmed Qadri, Founding Director of IECRC USA and Canada.

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July 1, 2010   Course, Culture, Education, IECRC Chapters, Intercultural Communication, Sacramento, Schools, Uncategorized   1 Comment

Being a Shepherd of Your Family in Modern Times

In the Name of Allah the Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

Countless blessing and greetings upon the Best of Creation, His Blessed Prophet (sallallahu alyhe wasallam).
Allah Subhana wa  Ta’aala has commanded us in the Holy Qur’an that we should save our children from a fire whose fuel is human beings and stones (man-made idols).
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O ye who believe! save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do (precisely) what they are commanded. [Quran 66:6]
 
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The word “responsibility” in the Merriam-Webster English dictionary is defined as “the quality or state of being responsible: as a : moral, legal, or mental accountability.”
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There a several ahadith of the Beloved Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that explain responsibility.  The most well-known of them are:
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Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “All of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for his flock. A man is the shepherd of the people of his house and he is responsible. A woman is the shepherd of the house of her husband and she is responsible. Each of you is a shepherd and each is responsible for his flock.” and
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Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “All of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for his flock. A man is the shepherd of the people of his house and he is responsible. A woman is the shepherd of the house of her husband and she is responsible. Each of you is a shepherd and each is responsible for his flock.”
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In Arabic, the word used for the one responsible is mas-oulun. The root of this word is S-A-L and derived from it are words such as sa-ala (to ask or he asked), su-ila (to be asked or to be questioned) and su-aalun (a question).  Thus mas-oulun in reality is the one who will be questioned about that which, or the ones who, he was responsible over.  The ahadith delineates who is responsible for what and the questioning about these responsibilities will be on the Day of Judgement.
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A shepherd is someone who is watchful over his herd.  He rests with one eye open mindful of the fact that lurking in the bush are wild predators who are too ever-diligent.  He tends to his flock when they are hurt or ill, and separates the sick animals from the herd for the better of the others until they are well again.  He cares for their diet and cleanliness to prevent malnutrition and infection.  Why should parenting be any different?
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Thus as parents, we have a set of responsibilities in the household.  The father must provide food, clothing, shelter, and a sound education to his children. With respect to education, he is mas-oulun of (will be questioned ) specifically about whether or not he had taught his children the Quran and taught the them what is right and what is wrong.  He is to marry a pious woman who has good moral values so that she can practically raise the child with good character.  If the mother and father don’t have the knowledge of the Quran and how to pray and so forth, they should hire someone to do it.  Nevertheless, they are not free from this responsibility. Thus, you (parents) and no one else are responsible for your children’s upbringing and education.
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Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala is the Giver of Knowledge, but the nature of learning involves a process, one mostly requiring sacrifice of time, effort, and wisdom.  Learning does not happen if you do not make an effort and provide a means and environment for your children to flourish. You must encourage them to seek knowledge, to gain it, to apply it, then to pass it on to the next generation. After all, is it or not in your interest to save your spiritual nasl (lineage) and not just your family lineage? Is it or not in your interest that after you leave this world that they pray for you? Is it or not your interest that they have the emotional and spiritual tools to navigate through the difficult trails and tribulations of life so that they do not become a liability on you and society in your old age?  A sound Islamic education has countless benefits. Those mentioned here are but a few.
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When I ask parents why is it they do not send their children for classes or why are they not showing up for class, the answer usually is “They don’t want to come during such and such time” or “They have too much homework” or some other reason.  Muslim parents, today’s children and teenagers have countless pressures, excessive homework, school, friends and peers and to add to these, they have way too many distractions with the coming of the electronic age. Its easy for parents to feel that their children are already burdened and overwhelmed, so why add more “education” on their plate? My answer to that question is another question. “How many children would actually say “I want to learn Islam. I am interested in learning more, I want to seek and gain knowledge,” if we don’t encourage them towards this end?” If parents were to leave their children’s education in the hands of their children, do you think they will incline towards it without question? Thus, parents, its you who must encourage them towards this end whether they like it or not.   You must engage with then by asking them what they know about their religion and when they are at it, what they have learned. You must also attend the Islamic classes they take so that you too can understand its importance, and by having them revise and by asking and assessing their progress.  Who said parenting was easy let alone raising wise, and moral children?
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Then when they have started on that path, you must encourage them to stay with the program and not to become the Islamic school dropout. Our elders used to say that when you start something, finish it.  Traditional scholars tell a story that describes this value well.  Two young men set out to find water.  One digs two feet and doesn’t find water, moves on to another spot in the field and after finding  nothing after two feet again moves on until he digs hundreds of holes without ever striking water. The second youth digs and doesn’t stop digging until he strikes water at 25 feet. Who worked harder? Who worked smarter? Who reached his goal?  We must support them to work hard but also to work smart.Â
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This parable tells a great deal about the youth, who, mind you, are our future. It reflects the impatience expressed when it comes to Islamic learning.  This generation especially has changed so much in such a short period of time in contrast to their parents and grandparents, who 10-30 years ago were in their shoes, yet are galaxies apart. An age where electronic media is everything and where learning of the religion is also becoming limited to Television, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Hadith by way of texting, if you are lucky to have them incline towards the Deen.  The remote and flashing images on screens, fast-moving games that are constantly changing,  has changed something deep inside our children forever. They want learning to be fun and to be short and sweet otherwise it is “boring”. And if it doesn’t meet that standard, they may always change the channel on the teacher or abandon their Islamic studies.  We can only hope that the reality is not so grim, but what if it is? The statistics surely reflect that.
USA Today recently reported that the Millenium Generation is not interested in “organized” religion. That if this trend is not turned, churches will close in the same way that GM car factories and showrooms have all around the country.  Do you think that Muslims will not be affected by this trend? If we are living in the US, our children are bound to take on similar attributes as those who live here no matter how much you try to prevent it.  We are not any different.  The Prophet (sallallahu alyhe wasallam) once said:
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Man qaama bi qaumin arba’eena yawman fa huwa minhum
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He who stays with a nation for forty days, he is one of them.
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Think about your teenager 5-10 years from today, when they will have their own children.  If now is not the time for them to get an Islamic education, when is?  When they are parents do you think they will have the time to get an Islamic education in that stage of your life? Are you able to? Then is it fair to them to think that they will find the time?Â
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The In-and-Out syndrome or the two-feet syndrome is a sign of our times because committment is hard to find but it’s also laziness both on the parents’ and children’s behalf.  And laziness is disliked in this religion of yours as one is encouraged to flee it or to seek refuge from it:
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The following dua has been related from the Messenger (upon whom be peace) for protection against laziness among other problems:

Allahumma inni aaudhu bika minal-ajzi wal-kasli wal-jubni wal-harami wal-bukhli, wa a’udhbika min adhabil qabri, wa a’udhubika fitnatil mahya walmamat.

O Allah, I seek refuge in You from weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, anxiety and sorrow, and I seek refuge in You from the torments of grave, and I seek refuge in You from the trials and tribulations of life and death.

Now here is an exercise that I advise every parent to do. Without your children noticing, listen to the conversations of your children.  Listen to the language they use among themselves, how do they talk to each other or write on the Internet.  Join Facebook and MySpace and have them become your friend. Then observe what they are saying to each other.  Catch up on the slang they use to communicate with each other.  If you are not giving them exposure to positive social interaction with other Muslim role models and providing enrichment outlets for them, you will probably be shocked. Don’t lose an opportunity when it comes knocking on your door.Â
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Parents, while it is important to give them an education that gets them through this economy, for Muslims, it’s even more important that they gain an education, apply it, then teach it to their offspring and those around them so that they are among the Muflihun (those who prospered, the successful ones) and not  those who become fuel for the fire on that Difficult Day of Reckoning.  And the standard of success with respect to Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala and His Prophet (sallallahu alayhe wasallam) is not only this World.
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There are Islamic centers all around the US and the world for this purpose. We are in the electronic age.  Classes are available remotely and via the Internet.  Seek them out.  You will find them. Now do you have an excuse?
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The Islamic Educational & Cultural Research Center provides some opportunities for your children to gain an Islamic education.  Here is what is currently available:
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Call us, we’re here for you.  We are spending our late nights to keep these Centers alive. Don’t you think it’s time for you to do your part?
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Contact us at this email or info@iecrcna.org, or visit our Web Site at www.iecrcna.org.
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Sharaaz Khan
 
Sharaaz Khan is Managing Director of the Islamic Education and Cultural Research Center (IECRC) and the IECRC Academy for Youth and Children, Sacramento where he teaches Islamic subjects to children and youth and provides Islamic counseling, mediation, and healing to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. He is a Curriculum Developer, Instructional Designer & Learning Operations professional.
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April 20, 2010   Course, Education, Events, Fiqh, IECRC Chapters, Sacramento, Schools, Women   2 Comments

Summer Intensive, Quran Hifz, & Other Programs at IECRC

Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahamatullahi Wa Barakaatuhu Dear IECRC Readers, Parents, and Students,

The IECRC Academy is a private school established in 2008 that provides quality, authentic, and traditional  religious education (in a contemporary context) for children, youth, and adults. Our programs are design to supplement students’ current education with an Islamic education and aims at creating conscientious human beings and model Muslim citizens. Classes are primarily on-site (in Sacramento and soon at other locations), while a few classes are available through remote learning. Our medium of instruction is English and emphasis is on Arabic for religious studies.

A full-time Hafiz ul-Qur’an program is also part of the services provided at the Academy.

Below is a list of the programs available at the Center:

  • Qur’an Qirat (recitation) Program
  • Qur’an Hifz (memorization) Program –Registration open for Full-time and Summer programs
  • Summer Intensive Islamic Studies Program (various subjects)
  • Weekend Youth Studies (Free classes)
  • Remote classes with top-notch scholars

Please visiting the link to the IECRC Academy web site for program, registration, timing, and other details.

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