Sighting the Crescent
They said: The scholars have differed greatly regarding the sighting of the crescent, dividing the Muslims in determining the beginning of the month of…
Ramadan and Fasting
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Reminder: Iftar unfollowed by suḥūr
Behold, the beloved has resolved upon departure; and between me and him there remains but a breath that falters and a moment that slips away. I almost stretch forth my hand to detain him, yet…
Reminder: Iftar unfollowed by suḥūr
Behold, the beloved has resolved upon departure; and between me and him there remains but a breath that falters and a moment that slips…
Reminder: Ramadan takes pride in the fasting and nightly devotions of the Muslims
Layla takes pride in her love for Qays al-‘Āmirī, that love which wandered through the deserts of Najd, yet was only made purer by…
The Moment of Farewell
Today is the twenty-sixth day of the blessed month of Ramadan. The heart is immersed in a strange state. It feels as though only…
The First Ramadan in Oxford
Ramadan in Oxford brings with it a peculiar atmosphere. This city breathes within an ancient scholarly air: the old university buildings that seem to…
The Arrival of God’s Guest
*A Community in Waiting* The people of faith stand upon the heights of their homes and mosques. Even if their feet cannot reach the…
Living Ramadan well
Students often ask how Ramadan may be inhabited so as to produce lasting transformation rather than a fleeting intensification of religious sentiment. This question…
Unity before method: moonsighting and collective responsibility
The determination of the beginning and end of Ramadan represents one of the most prominent expressions of collective religious life in Islam. These moments…
Qiyām al-Layl and Tarāwīḥ
The Question A friend of Professor Muhammad Arshad has raised the following questions: • What is the difference between Qiyām al-Layl and the Tarāwīḥ…
Practices on the days of Dhi l-Hijjah
It is recommended that one give special attention to the day of `Id al-Fitr and the ten days of Dhi l-Hijjah by remembering Allah…
The pandemic and Ramadan
Only a week remains to prepare, before we welcome the month of Ramadan. With the covid-19 pandemic ongoing, so is the lockdown, and it…
Tarawīḥ Prayer is not Obligatory
By this link: Some people before us have condemned in very severe terms those who don’t perform the Tarawīḥ prayer. I replied: This condemnation…
Questions & Answers on Ramadan and Fasting
View all Q&A →Fasting on Friday and Saturday alone
My student Subaida, a well-known activist in Kerala, asked me the following: Salam Sheikh, I’ve heard that we cannot fast on Friday or Saturday alone. It should be combined with Thursday if it’s Friday, or with Sunday if it’s Saturday.…
A question about the Iftar party
Dr Imran Akram from USA asked following question: Assalamoalaykum and Ramadan Mubarak Shaykh, I hope you are doing well. I wanted to want to hear your thoughts on iftars in the masjid? Our Masjid spends close to $5000 every day…
In the name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful
In the name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful