Book Description:
The Sunnah and Elements of Flexibility in Determining the Times of Fajr
and Imsak is a research paper prepared by Sheikh Ahmad Kutty.
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The
Sunnah and Elements of Flexibility in Determining the Times of Fajr and
Imsak (beginning of fasting) is a research paper prepared by Sheikh
Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic
Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The following essay is an attempt to clarify the issue of fajr al-sadiq
(the true dawn) and the cut-off point for suhur (the pre-dawn meal), in
light of the Qur’an, the authentic traditions, and the sound practices
of the companions, their successors, and the venerable imams and
scholars.
The Spirit of Ease in Shari’ah Let me state from the outset that
Shari’ah is all about ease and the removal of hardship for people in
order to facilitate things for them.
Shari’ah, as it has been articulated by eminent jurists, has the sole
objective of catering to the welfare of people in both worlds.
Consequently, practicality, balance, ease, and removal of hardship are
all valid principles that have always been used as the criteria
for providing rulings for people, according to changing times and
circumstances.
The Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah have reiterated this principle
throughout. Allah says, “Allah intends to bring for you ease; and He
does not wish to make things hard upon you.” (Qur’an: 2:185) and “He did
not appoint for you any hardship in this religion: the way of your
ancestor Ibrahim” (Qur’an: 22:78). Additionally, the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) is known to have said: “I have been sent to teach
the simple, natural way (of Ibrahim).” (Cf. Ibn Hajar, Kashf As- Sitr,
#37); “This religion is easy and simple to follow; whoever makes it hard
will only be defeating himself.” (Reported by An-Nasa’i); “Make things
easy for people; do not make things hard for them. Give them glad
tidings, and don’t turn them away from religion (by making it hard on
them)” (Reported by Al-Bukhari). A’ishah, the beloved wife of
the Prophet (peace be upon him), tells us about the Prophet, when left
to choose between two viable options, he would always choose the easier
of the two, as long as it was not sinful; for if it had been sinful, he
would be the farthest from it. (Reported by Al-Bukhari, Muslim and
others).
This spirit of ease, comfort, and removal of hardship, was the basis
for how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions
practiced and applied Islamic principles.
While stressing ease and comfort, the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) also warned against rigidity and hair-splitting in religion.
In this regard, he is reported to have said: “Woe to those who are
rigid.” (Reported by Muslim); “Abstain from what I had forbidden, and
fulfill the duties I had enjoined as best as you can (shunning rigidity)
for the nations before you perished because of their (excessive
rigidity and) hair-splitting interpretations of religion.” (Reported by
Muslim)
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