Yasaloonaka an Ramadan
- Author died
- -
- Editions
- al-Maktabah al-‘Ilmīyah wa-Dār al-Ṭayyib lil-Ṭibā‘ah wal-Nashr
Yasaloonaka an Ramadan (They Ask You About Ramadan) is a contemporary legal guidebook on the rulings of fasting and the month of Ramadan by the Palestinian jurist Husam al-Din Afana, published in 1429 AH (2008 CE). Drawing upon the author's work in jurisprudence and religious edicts, the book compiles answers to practical questions that Muslims frequently encounter regarding fasting, seasonal devotions, and contemporary practices.
Background and publication
The work forms part of Afana's broader Yasaloonak ("They Ask You") series, which originated as a weekly fatwa column in the Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds beginning in 1993 and subsequently developed into a multi-volume legal collection and specialized thematic monographs. Afana, a professor at the Faculty of Da'wah and Usul al-Din at Al-Quds University, completed writing the manuscript on Monday, 9 Sha'ban 1429 AH (11 August 2008 CE) in Abu Dis, Jerusalem. The first edition was published in 1429 AH (2008 CE) and distributed by al-Maktabah al-Ilmiyyah and Dar al-Tayyib lil-Tiba'ah wa-al-Nashr in Abu Dis.
Scope and methodology
The book addresses the essential legal rulings and devotional acts associated with Ramadan and fasting, structured around specific questions and contemporary issues. Its main topics include:
- Prophetic guidance in fasting: The Prophet's practice during the preceding month of Sha'ban, throughout Ramadan, during its last ten nights, and on the day of Eid.
- Crescent moon sighting: The legal rules for determining the start of Ramadan through physical sighting and the ruling on relying on astronomical calculations.
- Fasting rules and invalidators: The intention (niyyah), the definition of the fasting day, making up missed fasts (qada'), and mistakes or forgetfulness. Regarding acts that break the fast (mufattirat), Afana explicitly adopts a restrictive approach, arguing against unnecessarily expanding the list of invalidating acts because many items traditionally enumerated by jurists lack sound textual proof.
- Voluntary fasts and nightly prayers: Rulings on supererogatory fasts and Tarawih prayers, where he notes that no fixed number of units (rak'ahs) was set by the Prophet, allowing for flexibility.
- Related rites and seasonal customs: The rules of spiritual retreat (i'tikaf), the alms of fast-breaking (zakat al-fitr), and Eid observances along with common religious innovations and violations associated with the holiday.
- Miscellaneous and modern questions: Fasting by children, television programming broadcast during Ramadan, and assessments of popular hadiths frequently cited during the month.
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