This excerpt is taken from Kitab al-Sawm, compiled by Sheikh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri, may Allah preserve him.
Question:
If the devils are chained during the month of Ramadan, then how does a person commit sins?
Answer:
❀ Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi, may Allah have mercy on him
Reference: (597 AH)
, says:إن المعاصي تقع بميل الطبع إلى الشهوات المحرمة وليس للشيطان إلا التزيين والتحريض
“Sins occur because the nature has already inclined towards unlawful desires; the devil only beautifies the sin and incites it.”
Reference: (Kashf al-Mushkil: 3/409)
Question:
Is the virtue of fasting in hot weather greater?
Answer:
Certainly, the fasting in which there is more hardship, the reward also increases.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, says:
ثلاث من الإيمان أن يحتلم الرجل في الليلة الباردة فيقوم فيغتسل لا يراه إلا الله والصوم في اليوم الحار وصلاة الرجل في الأرض الفلاة لا يراه إلا الله
“Three acts are among the perfection of faith: ➊ A person becomes junub during a cold night, then he gets up and performs ghusl, and only Allah is watching him. ➋ Fasting on a very hot day, ➌ Praying in the wilderness where only Allah is watching him.”
Reference: (Shu'ab al-Iman by Al-Bayhaqi: 51, and its chain is authentic)
Question:
Is it recommended to give zakat during the month of Ramadan?
Answer:
Islam has not designated any specific month for Zakat. Zakat becomes obligatory when a year has passed on the wealth, regardless of the month. However, if someone arranges to pay Zakat in the month of Ramadan, it is recommended because the reward for deeds increases in Ramadan, so the reward for paying Zakat in Ramadan is greater than in other months. Therefore, if someone pays Zakat in Ramadan, it is correct and even better to do so.
❀ Sayyiduna Uthman bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) gave a sermon from the pulpit and said:
هذا شهر زكاتكم
"This (Ramadan) is your month of Zakat."
Reference: (Muwatta Imam Malik: 1/253, Musnad al-Shafi'i, p. 97, Sunan al-Kubra al-Bayhaqi: 7607, and its chain is authentic)
❀ Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
إسناده صحيح وهو موقوف
"Its chain is authentic and it is a Mawkuf narration."
Reference: (Al-Matalib al-Aliyah: 5/504)
❀ Allama Ibn al-Athir (may Allah have mercy on him)
Reference: (606 AH)
says:يستحب أن يختار لها شهر من الأشهر الحرم أو شهر رمضان
"It is recommended to choose one of the sacred months or specifically the month of Ramadan for paying Zakat."
Reference: (Al-Shafi'i: 3/112)
Question:
A person says, "There is no benefit in fasting during Ramadan; how could Allah keep His servants hungry? I consider fasting nothing but hunger and thirst." What is the ruling on the one who says these words?
Answer:
Certainly, this is a statement of disbelief, a denial of a fundamental pillar of Islam, which is unanimously considered disbelief and apostasy. However, such a person should be given a final warning and asked to repent; if he repents, it is correct, otherwise he becomes an apostate and his punishment is death, the enforcement of which is the religious and legal duty of the Islamic government.
