The Holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic Calendar. It begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon. For the special status of this holy month in the sight of Allah, it is the only month mentioned by name in the Glorious Qur’an when Allah says: “The month of Ramadan is one in which the Quran was sent down as guidance to mankind” (Qur’an 2:185)
The month of Ramadan is considered the month of Allah, the best month which is full of blessing, mercy and forgiveness of Allah. Whoever respects the sanctity of this holy month will be forgiven and receive the superabundant blessing, mercy and forgiveness of Allah therein. The Prophet (PBUHH) in the sermon of Sha’baniyah said: “O People! “Indeed ahead of you is the blessed month of Allah. A month of blessing, mercy and forgiveness. A month which with Allah is the best of months.”
Interestingly, the days, nights and hours of the holy month of Ramadan are the best days, nights and hours. In other words, the days, nights and hours of the month of Ramadan are superior to all other days, nights and hours of the year in terms of the unique spiritual benefits therein. The numbers of people who are been forgiven or endowed with blessings and mercy are incomparable to all other days, nights and hours of the year. In view of this, it is only the wretched ones who are deprived of Allah’s forgiveness in this month. Thus, it is necessary to take maximum advantage of this rare opportunity. The Prophet (PBUHH) said: “In the sight of Allah, this month is the best month, its days are the best days, its nights are the best nights and its hours are the best hours.”
Furthermore, there is a single night (Laylat al-Qadr) in the holy month of Ramadan, which is superior to one thousand months. That is to say, whoever witnesses the night of Majesty which is normally at the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan and use it in the worship of Allah, would earn countless bounty and rewards which is more than eighty-three years of worship. The Qur’an says: “The Night of Ordainment is better than a thousand months.” (Qur’an 97: 3)
For the numerous spiritual and non-spiritual benefits attributed to fasting, the month of Ramadan is the only month in which fasting is made obligatory on matured and sane believers from dawn to sunset when Allah says in the Qur’an chapter 2 verse 183: “O you who have faith! Prescribed for you is fasting as it was prescribed for those who were before you, so that you may be Godwary.”
It is pertinent to mention that though fasting was institutionalized in Islamic law during the second year of Hijra, but the practice of fasting is not an innovation in Islam; rather it was an act of worship prescribed to the previous generation (cf: Qur’an 2: 183). Fasting is important during the holy month of Ramadan as it allows the believers to gain proximity to their Creator, Allah and to learn patience and compassion. It is indeed about nourishing the souls, rather than only focusing on the physical body.
During the holy month, the fast observers gain proximity to Allah and they are considered the special guests of Allah. The breath of fast observers in this month –based on Prophetic hadith- is a glorification of Allah; their sleep is worship, their good deeds are favourably accepted and their supplication answered. The Prophet (PBUHH) said, “It is the month in which you are invited to the banquet of Allah and to be one of those near to Him. Your breaths in it (the month of Ramaḍan) are glorification (of God) and your sleep in it is worship, your deeds are accepted and your supplications are answered.”
Meanwhile, it is pertinent to mention that fasting in Islam is not just abstinence from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse; rather, but it is also abstinence from every other fast invalidator. Therefore, a fast observer must control his tongue, ears, eyes and every part of his body from what is forbidden. The Prophet (PBUHH) said: “…Guard your tongues, close your eyes from that which is not permissible for your sight, and close your ears to that which is forbidden to hear”. Therefore, one who is unable to control the parts of his body from what is forbidden is not observing the fast. We should endeavour to have control over body parts at least from dawn to sunset each day (of either 29 or 30 days).
Meanwhile, the sick, pregnant women, nursing and menstruating women, elderly and travellers are among those exempted from the fast. However, they are expected to repay or give reparation (Fidya) for the missed fast. The Qur’an says: “So let those of you who witness it fast [in] it, and as for someone who is sick or on a journey, let it be a [similar] number of other days. Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire hardship for you, and so that you may complete the number and magnify Allah for guiding you, and that you may give thanks.” (Qur’an 2: 185)
The holy month of Ramadan is the month in which the Glorious Qur’an was revealed to the noble Prophet Muhammad on the Night of Majesty when Allah says in Qur’an chapter 97, verse 1: “Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Ordainment.” It is highly recommended to recite the glorious Qur’an as much as possible during its days and nights and to reflect on its meaning. This is because the rewards for the recitation of a verse in this month are equivalent to the rewards recitation of the whole Qur’an. The Prophet (PBUHH) said: “He who recites one verse of the holy Quran will be given the rewards of reciting the whole Qur’an during other months.”
Therefore, we must inculcate the habit of Qur’anic recitation on both its days and nights. In addition, we should endeavour to complete the Qur’an this month even if it is just once. More importantly, it is necessary to reflect on the meanings of its verses and apply them in our day-to-day lives.
The month of Ramadan is the month of generosity and kindness. In the same way, we love the Creator to be generous and merciful with us, we must also be kind and generous to others. The Prophet (PBUHH) said: “Give alms to the needy and poor, honour your old, show kindness to the young ones, maintain relations with your blood relations; … Show compassion to the orphans of people so compassion may be shown to your orphans.”
Another unique feature of the month of Ramadan is that the gates of Paradise are opened while those of the Hellfire are kept closed. The satans are also held on chains throughout the month. That is to say that the chance of attaining Paradise and being protected from Hellfire and Allah’s wrath is more in this blessed month than in the other months. The Prophet (PBUHH) said: “Oh people! The gates of heaven are open this month. Therefore, ask your Lord not to close them. And the gates of the fire are closed. Therefore, ask your Lord not to open them. And satans are in chains. Therefore, ask your Lord not to dominate them over you”
We beseech Allah to include us among those who shall witness the holy month of Ramadan and earn the superabundant blessings therein.
