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The First Ten Days of Dhul-Hijjah and the Day of ‘Arafah

Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem

My dear brothers and sisters,

These days, we are living the most loved days in Islam. Narrated by Ibn Majah, the Prophet Muhammad PBUH told us that there are no days in this life that are more beloved to Allah SWT in which He may be worshipped than the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, as well as fasting the day of ‘Arafah. Fasting this day is equal to fasting the entire year in terms of rewards and the night of Al-Qadr in Ramadan. These 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah are the first 10 days of the month in which the fifth pillar of Islam is performed, Hajj.

The Prophet Muhammad PBUH has informed us that there are some days in the year that contain the best opportunities in which one can gain a great amount of good deeds. From these days are the 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. It has been narrated by Al-Tabarani that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH has said that for Allah SWT, there are several days in the year that are great opportunities for the Muslim to gain rewards in, so always try and utilise these days in the case that you may eventually find an opportunity that would lead you to having a life of happiness and rewards throughout the rest of your life.

Allah SWT has sworn by the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah in the Holy Qur’an and when Allah swears by a specific idea or concept, it indicates its status and importance to Him. This has occurred in other places in the Qur’an such as in Surah Al-Fajr where it says وَالْفَجْرِ وَلَيَالٍ عَشْر. Here, the word Al-fajr is self-explanatory and indicates the dawn, however, when the verse continues Walayalin ‘Ashr, this is believed by some scholars to indicate the 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah.

It is also believed by some of the scholars that these 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah are the best days of the year as they not only contain the day of ‘Arafah, but also includes the greater Eid, Eid Al-Adha, as well as the fact that Allah SWT has sworn by these 10 days. This is further reinforced by the hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari where the Prophet PBUH said there are no better days in which you can worship Allah SWT and work in them than the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah. He was then asked, “Not even Jihad?”, to which he replied not even Jihad, except in the case that a man goes to Jihad while risking all his wealth and himself and does not return with anything.

Another hadith, narrated by Abu Dawud, indicates to us that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH also said that a Muslim should be calm and collected when performing our daily tasks generally; however, when it relates to tasks such as worship and tasks related to our Akhirah, then rush in them. This is also shown in the Qur’an where Allah SWT says, [فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ] which means, “So let whoever aspires to this strive diligently.”

It is recommended for us during the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah to fast Mondays and Thursdays and to fast the day of ‘Arafah, the day before the first day of Eid Al-Adha, and to spend as much as we can in Sadaqah as well as many other good deeds. It has been narrated by Ibn Hiban that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH said that there are no other days that are better than the day of ‘Arafah, on which Allah boasts to the people of Heaven all the good deeds that the people of the Earth were performing.

The day of ‘Arafah is known to be the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, a day on which the Muslims performing Hajj would spend the day on the Wadi[as1] of ‘Arafah located in Mecca, performing one of the last rites of Hajj where they stand on ‘Arafah and make du’aa as well as pray shortened Dhuhr and ‘Asr prayers together. After this they would continue to make du’aa endlessly up until the setting of the sun.

The Blessings of A'rafah and the First 10 days

There are numerous ayat in the Qur’an and Ahadith that discuss the benefits of the day of ‘Arafah as well as the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah and the amazing bounties and rewards of those days. These benefits are listed as follows.

1. The 10 days are the best days in the year, as already mentioned.

2. The day of ‘Arafah was the day in which Islam had been completed as a religion, where Allah SWT says in the Quran:

[الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا]

“Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your way.” [Quran 5:3]

3. The day of ‘Arafah is the day of forgiveness and fasting; it removes the sins of two years, where in a hadith narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, it is stated that the Prophet PBUH said that should one fast the day of ‘Arafah, the deeds of the year before and the year to come will all be forgiven.

4. The day of ‘Arafah is the day in which Allah SWT will free us as Muslims from the fire in the hereafter [Al-Nisai]

There are also many good acts that would reward one with many good deeds that can be performed on this day such as:

1. The fasting of ‘Arafah

2. Supplication to Allah SWT being accepted on this day

3. Calling to Allah SWT through use of the takbirat and to remember Him at all times

4. The Eid al-Adha prayer, as well as the act of slaughtering a cow or sheep for the sake of Allah SWT as a sacrifice to Him in the form of a Qurban. Allah SWT says in Surah Al-Kawthar:

[إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ – فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ – إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَر]

“Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muḥammad], al-Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice [to Him alone]. Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off.” [Quran 108:1-3]

Oh Allah, we seek refuge in You from being misguided, a misguider, oppressed, an oppressor, attacked or attacking someone. Amee

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Q&A

Is it permissible to enter the bathroom while wearing jewellery which has Allah’s name or a verse?

Sheikh Abdel-Nasser Saleh

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh


All praise and gratitude are due to Allah SWT. May the blessings and peace of Allah SWT be upon His Messenger PBUH.
It is not permissible to enter the bathroom while wearing jewellery that has Allah SWT’s name or Qur’anic verses on it, as it is not befitting for Allah’s name or words to be found in any unclean place. In one hadith recorded in Sunnan Abu-Dawood, it is reported that the Prophet PBUH would remove his ring bearing Allah’s name when he entered the bathroom.
There are exceptions to this ruling. For example, if you are in a public place and you fear such jewellery will be lost, it should be removed and placed in a pocket or under clothes. However, it should not be exposed.


And Allah knows best.

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Q&A

What is the best way to learn about the Deen and study Islam as a university student?

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Sheikh Abdel-Nasser Saleh

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh
All praise and gratitude are due to Allah SWT. May the blessings and peace of Allah SWT be upon His Messenger PBUH.
There are two types of people who learn Islam:
1. Someone who is learning for himself, in order to know how to worship Allah SWT in the correct manner, and not for the purpose of teaching others.2. Someone who is learning to be an accredited student, or one who is also learning in order to also teach others.
For the first, the best way to learn is to stick to a reputable and reliable Imam or teacher (such as in a halaqa group) and to learn from them. The person seeking knowledge can also refer to Islamic books on topics such as prayer, with the condition that they refer to a person of knowledge where they have doubts or cannot understand the information they read. Allah SWT specifically says in the Qur’an: “Ask the followers of the Remembrance if ye know not!” [Qur’an 16:43]. In any event, this person is not considered a student of knowledge.
As for the second type of learner, the most reliable route to be considered a student of knowledge is to be enrolled in a professional Islamic Studies or Shari’ah course at any reliable Islamic university or institution, such as Al-Azhar University or the Islamic University of Madinah. This could even be an online course considering current COVID-19 travel restrictions, as this would still provide the student with a certificate or ijaza, allowing them to teach Islam. These universities specialise in the Islamic sciences, such as tafsir, Qur’an, hadith, usool-ul-fiqh, aqeedah, da’wah, and so on. Whoever learns Islam this way would be able to understand the different views of the scholars (especially if they have studied usool-ul-fiqh) and how they use Islamic evidence, giving the student the ability to determine which view is preferable.
And Allah knows best.

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Q&A

Does taking asthma inhalers or puffers break the fast?

Sheikh Abdel-Nasser Saleh

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh
All praise and gratitude are due to Allah SWT. May the blessings and peace of Allah SWT be upon His Messenger PBUH.
Asthma inhalers (such as Ventolin) work by releasing an aerosol into the mouth and throat, which is then inhaled to the lungs. The medication, in gas form, works by releasing the muscles situated around the airways in order to increase flow of air to the lungs. As such, the medication does not resemble food or drink, or other medications which travel to and are consumed by the stomach.
There is a difference of opinion among the scholars as to whether asthma inhalers break the fast. According to the Hanafi school of thought, asthma inhalers break the fast because it does not matter whether the inhaled substance travels to the lungs or the stomach—so long as a substance intentionally enters the body through an orifice and reaches a cavity, it invalidates the fast.
However, the other schools of thought (which form the majority) apply specific exemptions to the general rule. For example, they cite that inhalers are not food nor drink, nor do they travel to the stomach. If any of the medication does travel to the stomach, it is negligible and comparable to any residue water in one’s mouth and throat which makes it to the stomach after rinsing. This is the opinion I follow.
However, one must note that this ruling refers only to inhalers, and not vaporisers or other medicines which do not transmit medicine in purely gaseous form. Vaporisers do break the fast as they contain small amounts of liquid which reach the stomach. If it is the case that someone must use a vaporiser or similar medical equipment, they should use it (which would break the fast) and either make qadaa’ for that day if they can make it up, or if they must constantly have access to the medication, they must pay the fidya as one would if they were sick and cannot fast at all.
Finally, it is important in this matter to consult professional medical advice (from a Muslim doctor) as to both the type of asthma medication used, in order to know whether it breaks the fast or not, and to know whether there are any health risks from abstaining from using asthma medication. It is from the mercy of our religion that it has made discharging the obligations of fasting easy upon the sick or who chronic conditions such as asthma.
And Allah knows best.

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Research Articles

Month of Ramadan 1442H and Sighting the Moon

All praise and thanks are to Allah SWT, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet Muhammad SAW, his family, companions and followers.

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

Very soon, we Muslims will be receiving a dear guest who visits us once a year. This guest always comes with goodness, both for this life and the hereafter.

This guest is the month of Ramadan. The Prophet PBUH mentioned: “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Jannah are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

This month brings joy and happiness to all the Muslims around the world and we become excited in meeting this holy month.

On behalf of the team at Baseerah, we would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere congratulations to all brothers and sisters in Australia, and the wider Muslim Ummah, for another opportunity to re-live this holy month, asking Allah SWT to let us reap the fruits and gain the benefits from it as blessings in this life and Hassanat in the hereafter. Ameen.

In light of this occasion, I would like to take this opportunity to explain and emphasise a very important issue concerning all Muslims and capture their attention.

This issue is:

The Beginning and End of Ramadan

This very important matter is already explained in the Hadith of the Prophet PBUH where he said: “Start fasting on seeing the crescent (of Ramadan), and give up fasting on seeing the crescent (of Shawwal), and if the sky is overcast (and you cannot see it), complete thirty days of Sha’ban.” [Al-Bukhari]

Regarding this issue, I would like to share with you the scholars’ opinions about this matter, as mentioned in the book of Fiqh-us-Sunnah, authored by Sheikh Syed Sabiq.

Under the title, Different Locations, the book quotes: “According to the majority of scholars, it does not matter if the new moon has been sighted in a different location. In other words, after the new moon is seen anywhere in the world, it becomes obligatory for all Muslims to begin fasting, as the Prophet said: ‘Fast due to its sighting and break the fast due to its sighting’.”

This Hadith is a general address directed to the whole Muslim world – that is: “if any one of you sees the moon in any place, then that will be a sighting for all people of the world.”

However, according to the correct opinion among the Hanafi and the chosen opinion among the Shaf’’i, every ‘country’ (or territory) is to take into consideration its own sighting and not necessarily follow the sighting of others. This is based on the well-known story of the Sahabi Kuraib, who relates:

“While I was in ash-Sham, the new moon of Ramadan appeared on Thursday night. I returned to Madinah at the end of the month. There, Ibn ‘Abbas asked me: ‘When did you people see the new moon?’

I said: ‘We saw it on Thursday night.’ He said: ‘Did you see it yourself?’

I said: ‘Yes, the people saw it, and they and Mu’awiyah fasted.’ He said: ‘But we saw it on Friday night. We will not stop fasting until we complete thirty days or until we see the new moon.’

I said: ‘Isn’t Mu’awiyah’s sighting and fasting sufficient for you?’ He said: ‘No… This is the order of the Messenger of Allah.’” [Ahmad and Imam Muslim]

Scholars act in accordance with this Hadith. Every land has its sighting. It is stated: “The [opinion] closest [to the truth] is that each land follows its sighting, as well as the areas that are connected to it.”

[Adapted from: Fiqh-us-Sunnah by Sheikh Syed Sabiq]

The Beginning and End of Ramadan in Australia

Regarding this issue, Muslims in Australia are of three groups:

1. The first group base it purely on the calculation of the birth of the new moon. This group follows the lunar calendar, regardless of the sighting of the moon. So, for them, the beginning and the end of Ramadan, as well as each Islamic month, can be known beforehand for maybe the next 10 years, or even longer, because they only follow the calculations.

The disadvantage of this method is the reliance on the calculation only, while possibly disregarding the moon sighting. It also focuses on the moon birth rather than the actual sighting.

2. The second group base it on actual sighting of the moon with their naked eye, regardless of the calculation method. So, for them, the month never starts or ends until the moon is sighted with the naked eye, regardless of any other methods.

The disadvantage of this is they may not be able to sight the moon at the exact and correct time. In addition, particularly for Australia, the location and weather conditions do not always allow for clear moon sighting. As a result, this method may cause errors at the beginning and the end of the month.

3. Amongst other international scholarly organisations, the Board of Imams Victoria follow the third opinion: the method of Imkaniyyatur-Ro’ayah, the “possibilities of moon sighting”.

In this method, the Board of Imams try to combine the above two methods. They use calculations to know the time of the new moon birth, then they look at the sunset and the moonset, and then they calculate the time difference between the sunset and the moonset.

So, on the 29th day of the month of Sha’ban, if the moonset is going to be after the sunset by enough time to allow the moon sighting (that is at least 10 minutes), they decide that this day is the last day of Sha’ban and the following day is the beginning of Ramadan. They do the same with each Islamic month. An example is shown in the following:

The above table shows that the beginning of Ramadan this year is most likely expected to be on the 13th of April 2021, InshaAllah.

The advantages of the method adopted by the Board of Imams are as follows:

· It follows the sunnah of the Prophet PBUH by considering the moon sighting through the “possibility of moon sighting” (Imkaniyyatur-Ro’ayah).

· Its use of the calculation method is based on advanced astronomical knowledge and technology.

· It is a practical method which allows the Muslims in Australia to plan their business beforehand. Thousands of Muslims, who are working in non-Muslim companies and institutes, need to know the exact days of Muslim events beforehand in order to plan their leave of absence, inform their workplace and be able to celebrate these events with their families and friends without negatively affecting their affairs. This practical approach cannot be found easily in the second method, explained above.

The seasons of blessings are only for a few days that soon end. Therefore, do not be negligent during this great month. Endeavour to do many acts of worship, obligatory and supererogatory (optional). Follow the etiquettes of fasting and the sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

May Allah SWT allow us to be of those who listen to the Words and follow the best thereof, those are whom Allah has guided and those who understand. May Allah SWT give us the strength to fast Ramadan’s days, pray its nights and complete the full recitation of the Holy Qur’an (khatm). Ameen.

Wassalamu Alaykum warahmatu Allah.

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Q&A

What is the meaning of Baseerah?

Sheikh Abdel-Nasser Saleh

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

All praise and gratitude are due to Allah SWT. May the blessings and peace of Allah SWT be upon His Messenger PBUH.

Baseerah is a word that carries many connotations and meanings; to arrive at any precise understanding of its literal and associated meanings, it is necessary to dive deep into Arabic dictionaries.

The word Baseerah finds its plural form in Basaa’ir and carries the following meanings:

1. insight, expertise, or a particular lesson

2. a true prediction or prophesy

3. incontrovertible proof and its evidence

4. intellect and divinely granted acumen

5. far-sightedness to that which is elusive or hidden

6. an overseeing and holding to account, such that the Baseer (he or she who exercises Baseerah) is overwatching, observing, and keeping matters in check.

The term Baseerah and its derivatives are also found in the Holy Qur’an on multiple occasions (the translated term for Baseerah is emboldened):

1. In noun form:

a. Surah Yusuf, verse 108: “Say, O Prophet, This is my way. I invite to Allah with insight—I and those who follow me. Glory be to Allah, and I am not one of the polytheists.”

b. Surat Al-Qiyamah, verses 14-15: “In fact, people will testify against their own souls, despite the excuses they come up with.”

2. In verb form, in past and present tenses:

a. Surat Al-An’aam, verse 104: “Indeed, there have come to you insights from your Lord. So whoever chooses to see, it is for their own good. But whoever chooses to be blind, it is to their own loss. And I am not a keeper over you.”

b. Surat Yunus, verse 43: “And some of them look at you, but can you guide the blind even though they cannot see?”

c. Surat Al-Saafaat, verse 174: “You will see ‘what will happen to’ them, and they too will see!”

d. Surat Al-Kahf: “Say, O Prophet, ‘Allah knows best how long they stayed. With Him alone is the knowledge of the unseen of the heavens and the earth. How perfectly he hears and sees! They have no guardian besides Him, and He shares His command with none.’”

3. In plural, Basaa’ir:

a. Surat Al-An’aam, above

b. Surat Al-Israa’: “Moses replied, ‘You know well that none has sent these (signs) down except the Lord of the heavens and the earth as insights. And I really think that you, O Pharaoh, are doomed.”

Combining the dictionary findings and the Qur’anic verses conveys a collective meaning of Baseerah as being knowledge and insight, a proficient mind, sharp acumen, deep understanding of hidden matters based on far-sightedness, precise proofs, and compelling evidence which dispels doubt and clarifies reality, all within a sphere of broad oversight and continuous accountability.

In light of this, we understand Allah SWT’s address to His Messenger PBUH and his Ummah, found in the ayah of Surat Yusuf: “Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “This is my way. I invite to Allah with Baseerah—I and those who follow me. Glory be to Allah, and I am not one of the polytheists.”[1]

The Prophet PBUH’s mission was, in essence, established on Baseerah and tightly embedded to his Prophetic way. For this reason, we have chosen to name our organisation and initiative ‘Baseerah’, paying tribute and holding tightly to the perfect Qur’anic way and following the guided footsteps of our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH.

In summary, Baseerah relates to spiritual understanding, for it is a tool of the mind, heart and soul to reach into hidden meanings and understandings. If we use our eyesight as a tool to interact with the visible world around us, then Baseerah is the tool of understanding the spiritual, intangible world. Just as lacking sight deprives one of seeing the tangible world, lacking Baseerah deprives one of contemplating the intangible world—a reality far graver and more serious. Allah SWT says in the Qur’an: “Have they not travelled throughout the land so their hearts may reason, and their ears may listen? Indeed, it is not the eyes that are blind, but it is the hearts in the chests that grow blind.”

Oh Allah, we seek refuge in You from being deprived of vision as it engulfs the world around us in darkness, and we seek refuge in You from being deprived of Baseerah as it darkens our spiritual state and strips the heart of its feeling and the soul of its luminescence and beauty. Ameen.

________________________________________________________________ [1] You will note that in this translation of the ayah, the term Baseerah is used instead of the word ‘insight’, as in the first translation we refer to. Having explored the true meaning of Baseerah, we now know it encompasses much more than simply ‘insight’.