#3 it is s matter of choice.

#4 no weddings

Amral, thanks for responding.

Why no weddings?

seems mixed

http://www.arabnews.com/node/354578

ABHA: Is it permissible to hold marriage ceremonies or wedding parties in pomp and pleasure during the holy month of Ramadan?       

There has been a mixed response from a number of Saudi men and women, especially from religious figures, on the issue. Some argue vehemently in favor of it while others say an emphatic no. Those who support it see something blissful in holding the most auspicious occasion in anyone’s life during the most blessed month of the year. On the other hand, those who oppose it say that there is an increased chance of violating the sanctity of the holy month, as well as an elevated risk of committing sins through the mixing of unrelated men and women at wedding parties and the new couple missing the point of what it means to fast, according to a report carried by Al-Watan Arabic daily. Rajaa Ismail, a Saudi woman, says that there is nothing wrong with holding wedding parties in the nights of the holy month. “I was fortunate to have my wedding party in the fasting month. The spirit of Ramadan has the mesmeric impact in uniting couples with the bonds of love and creating a warm feeling in them. It will also open new vistas of cooperation among couples,” she said. She firmly believes that the nights of Ramadan are virtually nights of blessings. “I see my marriage in Ramadan as something that brought about the blessings and virtues in our married life. I had encountered vehement criticism and objections from some sections of society. Anyhow, my marriage ceremony was held in Ramadan, and I still believe that holding it on a blessed night gave me a happy married life,” she said. Echoing the same view, Maha Al-Saleh says that it is ideal to hold marriage ceremonies in the holy month. “However, it should be held in an Islamic atmosphere. There should not be any gender mixing. Musical parties and revelries must also be avoided. The party should be in full conformity to Islamic traditions and without violating the sanctity of the holy month,” she said. As for Izzat Aseeri, a wedding party in Ramadan is a social event that is unacceptable under any circumstances in the holy month. “It may not be taboo in Ramadan. However, the tradition is to postpone wedding parties from Ramadan to a future date, either during Eid holidays or beyond that,” she said. “It is customary to hold parties and dinners before and after the marriage ceremony. These, no doubt, would spoil the sanctity of the holy month and would detract people from offering prayers.” She added that it was not ideal to have a honeymoon in the fasting month. Rawaan Al-Asaad also holds the same view. She disagrees with the idea of holding wedding parties in Ramadan. “It should be held at least two weeks before Ramadan or after the fasting month. Marriage is an occasion for enjoyment and celebration. The newly married couples will usually be in a mood of merry making, enjoyment and going on honeymoon trips. Some couples may even dare to skip or violate their fasting,” she said. Abeer Al-Sulami claims that the number of people attending wedding parties in Ramadan would be very small. “Most people are unwilling to take part in such parties during the fasting month. Only close friends and relatives of the couples would attend,” she said. Saeed Al-Bashari, a Saudi citizen, also disagrees with holding wedding parties in Ramadan. “Why don’t they wait until the end of the fasting month, which is meant only for worship? It is not permissible to have gender mixing or hold music and dance parties in the holy month,” he said, adding that he politely refused to attend a wedding party of one of his friends during Ramadan. Ahmad Al-Sohli, president of the Holy Qur’an Memorization Society in Taif, said it is better not to hold marriage ceremonies in Ramadan. “Even though it is permissible under Shariah, there is an increased risk of sanctity of the holy month being violated. Sometimes, the newly married couple may not bother to abstain from physical relations during the day in the fasting month. This is a major sin and offenders have to fast for a two-month period without any break as a penalty,” he said. However, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Dabbash, a noted preacher, says that it is permissible to hold marriage ceremonies in Ramadan. “But the best thing is to postpone the wedding parties to a later date. This is the recommendation to avoid forbidden acts happening,” he said, while stressing that Ramadan is a month for fasting, worship and prayers. Yasir Al-Shalabi, counselor of family relations at Al-Mawaddah Social Center for Reform and Family Guidance in Jeddah, says that Ramadan should be used as an occasion to strengthen bonds between couples. “Ramadan is a great occasion for reconciliation between estranged married couples as well as cementing family relations. The fasting month should be a period for couples to further enhance their relations and resolve their differences, if any,” he said.

Answers

1. Yes

2. Once you have savings in excess of $1000 then you have to give zakaat. The recip[ient of Zakaat is someone with no savings or someone who is heavily indebted.

3.Because they are hungry after a long day of fasting. However it is better to keep it simple.

4. Yes.

The month of Ramadan is intended for fasting, not feasting. Although you can get married anytime, I can't see anyone choosing the holy month for feasting activities.

The issue I have with some masjids is the Iftar feasting. There is so much food that people actually put on weight. One night, the masjid had no Iftar because of the intense heat, and hardly anyone showed up to pray. Makes me think that people come for the food, not the prayers.

I don't know how anyone can eat a lot of food after breaking Fast.  After day 10 my stomach has shrunk so much that i eat a half of dinner i usually do.  I just don't like being too full and uncomfortable to go pray Taraweeh.

Miraver.....I know a couple who did a simple Nikkah during Ramadaan.  was just them and the Imaam in a room (2nd marriage both of them and that's all they wanted). It was done right after the Magrib Prayer.

Gilbakka thinks he qualifies as a recipient for Zakaat. He is too proud to apply though. If word gets around that a socialist is accepting Zakaat there will be a scandal.

Nah, Chief is generous. He looking for non-capitalists to convert

Honeymoon after Isha?

1. yes

2. To qualify to give zakaat you must have what is called the Nisab meaning that if your savings, after deducting your debts, is equal to or exceeds the the equivalent of 87.5 gram of gold ( just under 3 ounces) and you have had that money for one year then you must give zakaat. 2 1/2 % (Two and a Half Percent of the entire savings is given as Zakaat.

You have t also calculate the value of your jewellery that you do not wear often as part of your nisab.

You cannot give zakaat to your parents, children or grandparents/children or spouses.

ALSO YOU CANNOT BENEFIT FROM YOUR OWN ZAKAAT

you can give zakaat to your brother, sisters and other relatives, in fact it is recommended to start with them.

The topic of zakaat is huge and it depends if you have business, livestock etc the calculation for those are different.

Anyone who fall below the nisab is entitled to receive zakaat.

There are eight groups of people who can collect zakaat as mentioned in the Quraan 

"The alms are only for the Fuqara' (the poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (the zakaat); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise." [Al-Quran 9:60]

3. because they chooses to, and the sad thing is that a large amount of the food is thrown into the garbage not only at homes but at the masjids when many people go to bed hungry.

4. weddings are allowed. There is no evidences from the Quraan or the Sunnah that it is not allowed in Ramadan or any other month if fact one can get marry any day of the year. The Nikkah can be done in Ramadan and the Walimah ( Wedding Feast any time after)

No one want to accept an invitation for a Nikha this month, already too much food for Iftar.

As posted by Da Cheifsta

"2. Once you have savings in excess of $1000 then you have to give zakaat. The recip[ient of Zakaat is someone with no savings or someone who is heavily indebted."

Can one receive Zakaat should one break ones 3rd hash pipe and sametime slowly runnin out of loose coin??

seems mixed

http://www.arabnews.com/node/354578

Amral, thanks for the link and article. Yes, mixed feelings.

Thanks for your response, Chief. Can a young person heavily indebted qualify for zakaat? 

Can a non-muslim receive zakaat? 

If it's better to keep iftar simple, why all the huge dinners?

TI, thanks for your responses and welcome back! The heat kept the faithful away, not the lack of food. Have you taken up your iftar feasting issue with your masjid? Be the change you want to see! 

Based on what I've been seeing and hearing, some people do eat a lot of food. Last year I went to the masjid one evening and if you should those women packing it away 

Sweet and simple wedding!

Gilbakka, let's see if Chief sends some your way.

As posted by Pointblank: because they chooses to, and the sad thing is that a large amount of the food is thrown into the garbage not only at homes but at the masjids when many people go to bed hungry. 

4. weddings are allowed. There is no evidences from the Quraan or the Sunnah that it is not allowed in Ramadan or any other month if fact one can get marry any day of the year. The Nikkah can be done in Ramadan and the Walimah ( Wedding Feast any time after)

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Pointblank, thanks for the detailed response. Why don't people take the food home from the masjids? Why not place leftovers in the fridge?

Regarding zakaat, I asked Chief if non-muslims can receive it. What's your feedback?

Don't hold your breath! You might turn purple:-) 

As an outsider looking at ramadan it looks like a massive scam to me invented by some marketing guy. How can it be about fasting, when most people put on weight during ramadan? Some shops even do their largest amount of trade in food stuff during this period. That don't look like fasting to me.

Try not eating and drinking for 16 hours at 102 degrees F.

Fast and furious bai!

Hungry man is an angry man. 

nothing wrong with frolicking at night. 

I don't eat and mostly don't drink between 7PM and 7AM every day, no matter if it is summer or winter. Does that mean that I am fasting?

No, sleeping.

D2 hiking so you have to b patient.

In my opinion The Masajid should just provide dates and water/tea/coffee to break the fast and we should go home and have dinner.

The amount of food being leftover every night shoul someone take home every night they would have to buy a special freezer to store the food.

I suggested for many years for the masjid to make arrangements with the shelters but the problem is when the people take out to take home only rice is left. All the curry gone.

you cannot give zakaat to Non muslim except in a case where they are inclined to accept Islam Allah says in Al Quraan "and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam)"

That is commonly known as a bribe, which every Guyanese should be familiar with.

PB, I commend you for your suggestion to the masjid to take leftover food to the shelter. You and I know that one of the goals of Ramadan is to get an understanding of the needs of the less fortunate who go hungry. If some of the fortunate faithful take away the curry and leave plain rice behind, are they really thinking of those in need? Or, is it simply greed? Maybe there ought to be more kutbahs on this topic, not as a chastisement, but to appeal to the hearts of those who think of their own bellies and their wallets. 

Regarding zakaat, you cited scripture and I appreciate this. What about the plight of humanity? Why only reach out to those who have an inclination to accept Islam? Can this ruling change?

Thanks again for taking the time to respond, PB.

Mir,

Zakaat is compulsory on every muslim and the recipient has to be Muslim as well. Giving charity to non muslims is allowed and that is called Khairaat.

As to the left over for Iftar I do not call that waste. Lots of folks do take honme the left overs and use it for suhoor in the morning.

Chief, thanks for your response. Khairaat is new to me. Do you have the time to give more details? 

Okay, leftover from iftar is taken home for suhoor (the morning meal), for those who can afford the $$. I'm with PB for sending food to shelters for those in need. 

Miraver, to briefly clarify, the Zakaat is not charity, it is a tax imposed on Muslims at 2.5% of their wealth.  This tax is used to benefit poor Muslims.

Miraver....with regards to donating the left-over cooked foods to shelters......in Canada this is not acceptable due to the many health regulations which rightly govern these shelters.

they would have no way of knowing/verifying under what conditions these foods were prepared/cooked/stored.

they do not even accept cooked foods from reputable caterers/banquets halls.

it is their responsibility to ensure that all foods served to those who visit the shelters are safe.....hence they can only vouch for the foods they cook themselves. 

The concept of Zakaat is getting clearer to me! Thanks for the clarification, TI.

Mir,

I do not know where Pointy sees any significant amount of food that warrants a soup kitchen.

I think we need to be specific, are you speaking about private Iftars at homes or Iftars at Masjids?

I am very much  involved in the process of feeding at my Masjid and I can tell you we know exactly how much food to prepare on a daily average, of course weekends are more. If bad weather comes around t hats the only time food is left over.

VB, responses to this thread are getting clearer and clearer by the moment! Thanks for sharing the Canadian practices on the shelters.

Chief, I truly value your time and contribution on this thread. Pointy is speaking from his perspective/experience and so are you. We have been specific; the subject of leftover iftar food is about the masjid and not home dinners. I bet that your labor of love at the masjid does not go unnoticed. I pray that you are greatly rewarded for your dedication to the umah during this month.

I've been searching my files for an article on Zakaat by Hamid and can't find it. If anyone has it, can you please post?

I will send a link to his blog later. I have to run off to a meeting with the architect. Hope Chiefy and PB donating to the new building

TI, I will look out for your posting of the link. I assume the new bldg you're talking about is a masjid. You seem to be a big shot- running off to meeting with an architect. PB and Chief, take note

I think if you post the info where to send donations, GNIers might contribute. Hope Mr. T. is reading

Chief, I went Abidin masjid three weeks ago for the BBQ and thought I'd see you there:-)