*True Muslimah Fasts During the Day and Prays at Night in Ramadan...*

Excerpt from the Book " The Ideal Musllimah"- By Dr. Muhammad Ali al-Hashimi

The true Muslim woman fasts the month of Ramadan, and her soul is filled with faith that:

"Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven."54

She has the attitude of one who truly fasts, whose faculties keep away from all kinds of sins that may invalidate the fast or diminish its reward. If she finds herself exposed to the trials of hostility or argument, she follows the Prophet's advice to men and women who fast:

"When any of you is fasting, he should not utter foul words or raise his voice in anger. If then anyone provokes or fights him, he should say, `I am observing a fast."55

"Whoever does not give up false speech and evil actions, Allah (SWT) has no need of his giving up his food and drink."56

During Ramadan, the true Muslim woman feels that she is immersed in the atmosphere of a month unlike any other, when good deeds should be multiplied and the gates of goodness should be

opened wide. She knows that her fasting during this month should be only for Allah (SWT), and that He will give the reward for it, for the reward of Allah (SWT), the Bountiful and Munificent, is

greater and vaster than anyone could even imagine:

"The reward for every good deed of the sons of Adam will be multiplied anywhere between ten and seven hundred times. Allah (SWT) said: `Except for fasting, because it is for Me and

I Myself will give recompense for it. He gives up his food and his passion for Me.' For the one who fasts, there are two times of rejoicing, one when he breaks the fast, and one when he

meets his Lord. Verily the smell that comes from the mouth of one who is fasting is more pleasing to Allah (SWT) than the scent of musk."57

Therefore the wise Muslim woman must strike a balance, during this all-too-short blessed month, between her domestic duties and the opportunity this month brings to draw closer to Allah (SWT) through worship and good deeds. She should not let her household chores distract her from performing the obligatory prayers at the appointed times, or from reading Qur'an or praying nafil

prayers. Nor should she let traditional late-night family gatherings keep her from praying qiyam allayl and tahujjud, and making du`a'. She knows the great reward and abundant forgiveness that Allah (SWT) has prepared for those who stay up to pray during the night in Ramadan:

"Whoever spends the night in prayer during Ramadan out of faith and hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven."58

The Prophet (PBUH) used to strive to do more good deeds during Ramadan than at other times, especially during the last ten days of it:

`A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to strive during Ramadan, and especially the last ten days of it, more than he used to at other times."59

`A'ishah (May Allah be pleased with her) also said: "When the last ten days of Ramadan began, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would sty up for the whole night, wake his family up, strive extra hard, and abstain from marital relations."60

The Prophet (PBUH) used to command the Muslims to seek laylat al-qadr, and encouraged them to spend that night in prayer:

"Seek laylat al-qadr during the last ten days of Ramadan."61

"Whoever spends the night of laylat al-qadr in prayer and worship out of faith and hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven."62

This blessed month is a time that is purely for worship. The serious-minded Muslim woman has no time to spend on chatting and idle pursuits throughout the night.She should not be among those

who while away the night until dawn approaches, whereupon she offers her family something to eat and they fall into a deep sleep, and may even miss the fajr prayer!

The true Muslim woman and her family should live an Islamic life during Ramadan, striving to organize themselves in such a way that when they all come back from tarawih prayers, they do not

stay up for too long, because in a few short hours' time, they will get up to pray qiyam al-layl and then eat suhur, for the  


Prophet (PBUH) commanded us to eat suhur, as there is much benefit in it:"Eat suhur, for in suhur there is blessing."63

The true Muslim woman helps all the members of her family to get up for suhur, in obedience to the command of the Prophet (PBUH) and in the hope of obtaining the blessings of suhur, such as

the reminder to pray qiyam al-layl, and encouragement to go out to the mosque to pray fajr in congregation, awell as the physical benefits of strengthening the body for the day's fast. This is

what the Prophet (PBUH) used to do and trained his Companions to do likewise:

Zayd ibn Thabit (RAA) said:"We ate suhur with the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), then we got up to pray." Someone asked,

"How much time was there between the two?" He said: "Fifty ayat [i.e. the time it would take to recite fifty ayat]."64

There is no doubt that Allah (SWT) will increase the reward of the Muslim woman who is the means of bringing these blessings to her family during Ramadan: 


( As to those who believe and work righteousness, verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who do a [single] righteous deed.) (Qur'an 18:30)

And Allah knows best