The Phrase 'Ramadhan Kareem' is NOT correct!

Shaykh Uthaymin (rahimahullaah) 

 

Question: When the fasting person falls into a sin and he is prohibited from that sin he will say, Ramadan Kareem. So what is the ruling concerning this phrase and what is the ruling concerning this behavior?

Answer: The ruling concerning this is, this phrase ‘Ramadhan Kareem’ is NOT correct, and the only phrase that should be said is ‘Ramadhan Mubarak’ or what resembles that. Because Ramadhan is not the one that gives such that it can be called generous (Kareem), rather it is only Allaah the Exalted that put virtue in it and made it a virtuous month and made the time period for performing (the fasting) a pillar from Islaam.

And it is as though the one who said this thinks that due to the nobility of this month it is permissible to commit sins. And this is in opposition to what the people of knowledge have said (for they have said) that the sins are multiplied if they are done during virtuous times or noble places so this is the opposite of what this person has assumed.

And they have said that it is incumbent upon the person to have Taqwa of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic during every time and in every place especially during virtuous times and in noble places.

And Allaah the Mighty and Majestic says:

يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

“Oh you who believe fasting has been prescribed for you like it was prescribed for those before you that you may obtain Taqwa.”

So the wisdom behind the obligation of fasting is to gain Taqwa of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic by doing what He has ordered and avoiding what He has prohibited. And it has been established that the Prophet peace and blessing be upon him said:

Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then Allah Mighty and Majestic has no need that he should leave his food and drink.

Therefore fasting is worship for Allaah and cultivation for the soul and a safeguard for it from the prohibitions of Allaah. And it is not like this one without knowledge has said that due to the nobility of this month and its blessing, sinning is allowed in it.

The Phrase ‘Ramadan Kareem’ has NO basis

Shaykh Fawzan (Hafidhahullaah)

Question: The statement “Ramadan Kareem”, is not Allaah Al Kareem?

Answer: This has NO basis. Their statement Ramadan Kareem, this has no basis. As for “Ramadan Shareef”, “Ramadan Mubaarik”, “Ramadan Atheem”, these descriptions appear in various narrations. Atheem, Mubaarik, Shareef, there is no problem (with these terms). As for Kareem, then I do not know of any origin for this.