How Our Predecessors Spent Ramadhaan

We should look to the example of the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, his Companions, and the earliest generation of Muslims if we want to get the maximum benefit from this blessed month. He said: “The best of my Ummah would be those of the generation nearest to mine. Then those nearest to them, then those nearest to them.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaari (2652) and Saheeh Muslim (2533)]

We will look at some of the thing Pious Predecessors used to pay extra attention to during the month of Ramadhaan:

Reading the Qur’aan

Allaah says: “The month of Ramadhaan is that in which the Qur’aan was revealed.” [Soorah al-Baqarah 2:185]

For this reason, we find that the Pious Predecessors used to increase their recitation of the Qur’aan in Ramadhaan. Ibraheem al-Nakha‘i tells us: “Al-Aswad b. Yazeed used to complete reading the entire Qurân every two nights in Ramadhaan. He would sleep between Maghrib and Ishaa’. Outside of Ramadhaan, he would complete reading the Qur’aan every six nights.”

‘Abd al-Malik b. Abi Sulaymaan tells us that Sa‘eed b. Jubayr would also complete a reading of the Qur’aan every two nights in Ramadhaan.

It is also mentioned that al-Waleed used to normally complete the Qur’aan every three nights, but in the month of Ramadhaan, he would read it in its entirety seventeen times.

Salaam b. Abi Mutee‘ informs us that Qataadah used to normally take seven days to read the Qur’aan, but in Ramadhaan he would take three days to do so. Indeed, during the last ten nights of Ramadhaan, he would read the entire Qur’aan every night.

Al-Qaasim b. ‘Ali describes his father – Ibn ‘Asaakir, the famed author of The History of Damascus – as follows: “He used to always observe his prayers in congregation and was constant in the recitation of the Qur’aan. He would always complete a reading of the entire Qur’aan by Friday. However, in Ramadhaan, he would do so every day and retreat to the eastern minaret of the Masjid.”

Al-Dhahabi writes the following about Aboo Barakaat Hibah Allaah b. Mahfuz: “He learned Islamic Law and read the Qur’aan. He was known for his charity and his good deeds. In the month of Ramadhaan, he would read the Qur’aan thirty times.”

Standing for Prayer in the Middle of the Night

Al-Saa’ib b. Yazeed relates: “‘Umar b. al-Khattaab ordered Ubayy b. Ka‘b and Tameem al-Daari to lead the people in prayer in Ramadhaan. They would each read hundreds of verses at a go, until we had to support ourselves with canes due to the length of time we had to stand. We would only finish praying close to the time of Fajr.” [Musannaf ‘Abd al-Razzaaq (7730) and Sunan al-Bayhaqi (4392)]

‘Abd Allaah, the son of Aboo Bakr, relates that he heard his father say: “By the time we finished our prayers in Ramadhaan, the servants would have to rush to prepare food in fear of Fajr coming in.” [al-Muwatta’ (254)]

‘Abd al-Rahmaab b. Hurmuz tells us: “The reciters (leading the prayers) would complete the reading of Soorah al-Baqarah in eight units of prayer. When the reciters took twelve units of prayer to complete it, the people regarded it as if the reciters were making things easy for them.” [Musannaf ‘Abd al-Razzaaq (7734) and Sunan al-Bayhaqi (4401)]

Naafi‘ relates that Ibn ‘Umar used to pray in his house during the month of Ramadhaan. When the people departed from the mosque, he would go off to the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s Mosque, taking a flask of water with him. He would not leave the mosque again until after the Morning Prayer. [Sunan al-Bayhaqi (4384)]

‘Imraan b. Hudayr tells us that Aboo Mijlaz would lead the prayers in Ramadhaan for the people in his neighborhood. He would recite the Qur’aan in full in prayer in the course of seven days. [Musannaf Ibn Abî Shaybah (7677)]

Giving Generously in Charity

Ibn ‘Abbaas says: “Allaah’s Messenger sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was the most generous of all people in doing good, and he was at his most generous during the month of Ramadhaan. Gabriel used to meet with him every year throughout the month of Ramadhaan, so the Prophet could recite the Qur’aan to him. Whenever Gabriel met with him, he became more generous than a beneficial breeze.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaari (1902) and Saheeh Muslim (2308)]

Al-Muhallab makes the following observation about this hadeeth [Ibn Battaal, Commentary on Saheeh al-Bukhaari (4/22-23)]:

This shows the blessings of good works and that engaging in some good deeds opens the door to the performance of others. The practice of doing some good deeds assists one in further good works. We can see here that the blessings of fasting and of meeting Gabriel increased the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s in generosity and charity, so much so that he became more generous that a beneficial breeze.

Al-Zayn b. al-Munir explains the comparison with a “beneficial breeze” as follows [al-‘Asqalaani, Fath al-Baari (4/139)]:

His charity and good treatment for those who are poor and needy - as well as for those who are well-off and possess sufficient means - is as general as the relief brought by a beneficial breeze.

Al-Shaafi‘ee said: “It is liked for a person to increase his charity in the month of Ramadhaan. This is following the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam’s example. It is also in consideration of the people’s needs and their welfare, since so many of them are distracted from earning their livelihood due to their preoccupation with fasting and prayer.”

Ibn ‘Umar used to never break his fast except in the company of the poor. Whenever someone came to him while he was eating and begged him for something, Ibn ‘Umar would take from his food what he deemed to be his rightful share and then he would stand up and leave the rest of the food for that person. He would then take what was in his hand and give it to his family, so that when he woke up the next morning to resume his fast, he would not have eaten anything the night before. [Lataa’if al-Ma‘aarif (314)]

Yoonus b. Yazeed tells us that during the month of Ramadhaan, Ibn Shihaab would engage in nothing besides reciting the Qur’aan and providing food for the poor.

Hammaad b. Abi Sulaymaan would take it upon himself to provide food five hundred people to break their fast with during the month of Ramadhaan. Then, on the day of ‘îd, he would give each of those people one hundred pieces of silver.

Safeguarding the Tongue

Aboo Hurayrah relates that the Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever does not abandon false speech and acting falsely, then Allaah has no need of his abandoning food and drink.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaari (1903)]

Al-Muhallab makes the following observation about this hadeeth [Ibn Battaal, Commentary on Saheeh al-Bukhaari (4/23)]:

This shows that fasting entails refraining from obscene and false speech just like it entails refraining from food and drink. A person who engages in false or obscene speech detracts from the value of his fast, He exposes himself to his Lord’s displeasure and to the possibility of his fast not being accepted.

The Prophet sall Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “If one of you starts off the day fasting, he should avoid obscene speech and ignorant behavior. If someone abuses him or starts to fight with him, he should reply by saying: ‘I am fasting. I am fasting’.” [Saheeh Muslim (1151)]

Al-Mazari observes about this hadeeth:

It is possible that the person is recommended to say “I am fasting. I am fasting” merely to remind himself, so that he refrains from getting involved in the exchange of insults.

‘Umar b. al-Khattaab said: “One does not merely fast from food and drink, but also from lying, from falsehood, from vain talk, and from swearing.” [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah (8882)]

‘Ali b. Abi Taalib said: “Fasting is not to leave off food and drink, but rather to leave off lying, falsehood, and vain talk.” [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah (8884)]

Talq b. Qays tells us that Aboo Dharr said: “When you fast, then be on your guard as mush as possible.” As for Talq, when he fasted, he only emerged from his home in order to go to the masjid for prayers. [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah (8878)]

Jaabir b. ‘Abd Allaah said: “When you fast, your hearing, your vision, and your tongue should also fast – by avoiding lies and sins. You should not abuse your servant. You should maintain your composure and dignity on the day that you fast. Do not make your fasting day the same as your normal day.” [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah (8880)]

‘Ataa’ tells us that Aboo Hurayrah said: “When you fast, do not act in an ignorant manner and do not insult people. If someone acts ignorantly towards you, say: ‘I am fasting’.” [Musannaf ‘Abd al-Razzaaq (7456)]

Mujaahid said: “If you avoid two things, then your fast will be alright. You must avoid backbiting and lying.”

Aboo al-‘Aaliyah said: “A fasting person is engaged in worship as long as he does not backbite someone.”

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