Okaz/Saudi Gazette and SPA JEDDAH/MAKKAH/MADINA – Sheikh Saleh Aal Talib, Imam and Khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, said the holy month of Ramadan is a bounty for the faithfuls from Almighty Allah. The month, he said, offers a Muslim an opportunity to win plenty of rewards from the Supreme Being. “During this month, a person either succeeds or fails in winning the rewards. Ramadan will pass rapidly. Those who have won Allah's recompense will be in bliss in this world and on the Day of Judgment while those who have failed will cry with regret for wasting their valuable time,” he said. In his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque, Aal Talib called on Muslims during the holy month to minimize their concern for all worldly matters, be kind to their relatives, glorify Allah a lot, be conscious of Allah and fear Him because Ramadan links the hearts with Allah and the fasting Muslim tastes the sweetness of belief (Iman) and whoever knows the sweetness of Iman does not have hatred, evil or aggression. When Taqwa (being conscious of Allah and fearing Him) settles in in the hearts, it wipes out deception, so a person keeps away from whatever is forbidden (haram) and stops lying. He also observes Istighfar. Aal Talib said a fast with all its inherent characteristics leads a Muslim to Taqwa and he strives to do as many good deeds as he can before the holy month is over. Regrettably, he said, for many people Ramadan is just stopping eating and drinking and no more. He called on such people to make an introspection and make the best use of this blessed month to win Allah's rewards. In Madina, Sheikh Hussein Aal Al-Sheikh, Imam and Khateeb of the Prophet's Mosque, called on Muslims to make the best use of Ramadan so as to win abode in paradise and save themselves from the Hellfire. He called on Muslims during this holy month to hasten to do good deeds and give alms generously following the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Aal Al-Sheikh said they should benefit from Ramadan to purify their hearts so as to reach the level of real Taqwa in all stages of life. Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Aal Al-Sheikh, Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, urged fasting Muslims to follow the traditions (Sunnah) of the Prophet (pbuh) seeking Allah's reward. He said there are many traditions (Sunan) including taking pre-dawn meal (Suhoor) regularly in Ramadan, not delaying taking Iftar and making sure that one supplicates to Allah when breaking one's fast. In his Friday sermon at Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Grand Mosque in downtown Riyadh, the Grand Mufti said, “Those who intentionally delay breaking their fast are committing a mistake and going astray.” He quoted the Prophet (pbuh) as saying, “My Ummah will continue to be good as long as they hasten to break the fast and delay the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor).” Drawing blood by cupping (Al-Hijamah), the Grand Mufti said, nullifies the fast, but bleeding from an injury or nose bleeding do not affect the fast because it was not done intentionally. As to donating blood to save the life of another Muslim, this is considered as Al-Hijamah. In this case, a Muslim must compensate by fasting another day. He said if blood is withdrawn to conduct analyses or a person suffering from heart disease uses a sublingual tablet (under the tongue), there is no harm. As to menses during fasting even if a short while before sunset or blood coming out a few minutes after sunset does not affect or nullify a woman's fast, he said. __
