170.
Tarawih, Tahajjud, Qiyam al-Ramadan, Qiyam al-Layl, and Salat al-Witr are all different names for the same act of worship, which can be performed after Isha prayer and until the time of Suhoor (pre-dawn meal). Performing these prayers in congregation is more virtuous than praying them alone, whether at home or in the mosque during the last part of the night. Regarding the number of rak’ahs for Tarawih, Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrated:"The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) never prayed more than eleven rak'ahs in Ramadan or at any other time."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Salat al-Tarawih, Chapter 1; Sahih Muslim, Kitab Salat al-Musafirin wa Qasriha]
Jabir (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) led us in eight rak’ahs of Tarawih followed by Witr."
[Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Kitab al-Salat]
There is no authentic hadith or narration that proves the practice of twenty rak’ahs of Tarawih. During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه), when he instructed Ubayy ibn Ka'b and Tamim al-Dari (رضي الله عنهما) to lead Tarawih prayers, it was also with eleven rak’ahs, just as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had prayed.
[Muwatta Imam Malik, Kitab al-Salat]
171.
Laylat al-Qadr is a night of immense honor and blessings. It is the night on which the final revelation, the Qur'an, descended from the Preserved Tablet (Lawh al-Mahfuz) to the lowest heaven. Worship during this night is better than a thousand months of worship. Allah says in the Qur'an:"Indeed, We sent it [the Qur’an] down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn."
[Surah al-Qadr: 1-5]
Muslims should strive to draw closer to Allah during this night by engaging in Tasbeeh (praising Allah), Tahleel (proclaiming the Oneness of Allah), remembrance, Qur'an recitation, and offering prayers. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) taught the following supplication for Laylat al-Qadr:
"O Allah, You are the Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me."
[Musnad Ahmad, Musnad of Aisha, Chapter 17]
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) instructed his followers to seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrated that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadan."
[Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Sawm]
In another narration, he specified:
"Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Fadl Laylat al-Qadr]
It is essential not to restrict Laylat al-Qadr to just the 27th night, as it can occur on any odd night in the last ten days. Instead, it should be sought on all odd nights. Moreover, many contemporary practices such as lengthy public prayers, organized sermons, and extravagant lighting have no basis in the actions of the early generations.
172.
I'tikaf is the act of retreating to the mosque with the intention of devoting oneself to worship. It is a Sunnah to perform I'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan. Aisha (رضي الله عنها) reported:"The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to perform I'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah took his soul. His wives continued this practice after him."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-I'tikaf, Chapter 1; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-I'tikaf]
Anyone intending to perform I'tikaf during the last ten days should enter the mosque before sunset on the 20th of Ramadan and stay for the entire duration until the night of Eid. Women may also observe I'tikaf in a mosque with their husband's permission and the necessary conditions for privacy and modesty.
173.
During I'tikaf, one must avoid marital relations, including kissing or any form of intimacy, attending funerals, visiting the sick, or leaving the mosque except for essential needs (like using the bathroom). Aisha (رضي الله عنها) narrated:"The Sunnah for the person in I'tikaf is that he should not visit the sick, attend funerals, touch a woman, or engage in intimate relations. He should not leave the mosque except for essential needs."
[Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Sawm, Chapter on the Person in I'tikaf]
174.
Zakat al-Fitr is an obligatory charity given at the end of Ramadan as a means of purification for the fasting person from any mistakes or indecent speech that may have occurred during the fast. It is also a means of providing for the poor. Zakat al-Fitr is obligatory on every Muslim, male or female, young or old. A hadith mentions:"Fasting in the month of Ramadan remains suspended between the heavens and the earth, and it is not raised up to Allah unless Zakat al-Fitr is paid."
[Al-Targheeb, Kitab al-Sawm]
Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) reported:
"The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) made Zakat al-Fitr obligatory as purification for the fasting person from idle talk and indecent speech, and to feed the poor."
[Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Zakat, Chapter on Zakat al-Fitr]
Zakat al-Fitr must be given before the Eid prayer, as Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) reported:
"The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) commanded the people to give Zakat al-Fitr before the people go out to pray."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Zakat, Chapter 76]
If Zakat al-Fitr is given after the Eid prayer, it is not considered Zakat, but just ordinary charity, as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"Whoever gives it before the prayer, it is accepted as Zakat al-Fitr. Whoever gives it after the prayer, it is just Sadaqah (charity)."
[Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Zakat, Chapter on Zakat al-Fitr]
175.
Zakat al-Fitr is to be given in the form of staple food such as dates, barley, raisins, or wheat. The amount is one Sa' (approximately 2.176 kg) of food. The giving of money instead of food as Zakat al-Fitr is not authentically established in the Sunnah.The above points are the recommended and authentic teachings regarding fasting, Tarawih, Laylat al-Qadr, I'tikaf, and Zakat al-Fitr.
