The Virtue of the Holy month of Ramadan Mubarak

Whose Beginning is MERCY

Whose Middle is FORGIVENESS

Whose End is FREEDOM FROM FIRE

A month in which all devils are chained, the doors of Hell is closed and doors of Heavens are opened. A moth in which Qur’an is revealed and it is distinguished from other Islamic months on the basis of it’s virtues. Let’s have a look on these virtues of RAMADAN.

Allah has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islam:

 as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…”

[al-Baqarah 2:185]

It was also narrated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16) from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing prayer; paying zakaah; fasting Ramadan; and Hajj to the House (the Ka’bah).”

Allah revealed the Qur’an in this month:

As He says in the verse quoted above (interpretation of the meaning):

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…”

[al-Baqarah 2:185]

And Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).”

[al-Qadr 97:1]

So Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam, recite in Ramadan the Holy Quran as much as you can.

Allaah has made fasting in Ramadan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward a means of forgiveness of sins:

It is narrated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhari, 2014; Muslim, 760) from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah according to which the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” And al-Bukhari (2008) and Muslim (174) also narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

The Muslims are collectively agreed that it is Sunnah to pray qiyaam at night in Ramadaan. Al-Nawawi said that what is meant by praying qiyaam in Ramadaan is to pray Taraweeh, i.e., one achieves what is meant by qiyaam by praying Taraaweeh.

In this month, Allah opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils:

 as is stated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 1898; Muslim, 1079), from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah who said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “When Ramadaan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.”

 Fasting in Ramadan is equivalent to fasting ten months:

As narrated by the hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim (1164) narrated from Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari: “Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days of Shawaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” Ahmad (21906) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.”

Allah has made Laylat-al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months:

Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).

And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?

The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months).

Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees,

(All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”

[al-Qadar 97:1-5]

“We sent it (this Qur’an) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]”

[al-Dukhaan 44:3]

Allaah has blessed Ramadan with Laylat-al-Qadr. Explaining the great status of this blessed night, Soorat-al-Qadr was revealed, and there are many ahaadeeth which also speak of that, such as the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.”

It is Sunnah to observe i’tikaaf (retreat for the purpose of worship) in Ramadan:

It is because the Prophet (PBUH) always did that, as it was narrated in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (PBUH) used to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in i’tikaaf until he passed away, then his wives observed i’tikaaf after him.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1922; Muslim, 1172.

It is mustahabb in the sense of being strongly recommended in Ramadan to study the Qur’an together and to read it a great deal:

 You may study the Qur’an together by reciting it to someone else and by having someone else recite it to you. The evidence that this is mustahabb is the fact that Jibreel used to meet the Prophet (PBUH) every night in Ramadaan and study the Qur’aan with him. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6; Muslim, 2308.

Reading Qur’aaan is mustahabb in general, but more so in Ramadan.

It is mustahabb in Ramadan to offer iftaar to those who are fasting:

It is because of the hadeeth of Zayd ibn Khaalid al-Juhani (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Whoever gives iftaar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person’s reward in the slightest.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 807; Ibn Maajah, 1746; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 647. see question no: ( 12598 )

So try to arrange iftaar for fasting Muslims, especially those who are needed and have limited resources.

The Blesses Month is reached to us again Alhamdulilah! Let’s aim to get the most out of it’s virtues and Blessings. May Allah accept all our Fasts, Prayers and Supplications and help us in keeping spirit of Ramadan alive for the whole year Ameen.