Blessings of the month of Ramadan
The Qur'an on fasting
"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.
"The prescribed fasting is for a fixed number of days, but whoso among you is sick or is on a journey shall fast the same number of other days; and of those who are able to fast only with great difficulty is an expiation - the feeding of a poor man. And whoso performs a good work with willing obedience, it is better for him. And fasting is good for you, if you only knew.
"The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur'an was sent down as a guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and discrimination. Therefore, whosoever of you is present at home in this month, let him fast therein. But whoso is sick or is on a journey, shall fast the same number of other days. Allah desires to give you facility and He desires not hardship for you, and that you me complete the number, and that you may exalt Allah for His having guided you and that you may be grateful.
"And when My servants ask thee about Me, say: I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me. So they should hearken to Me and believe in Me, that they may follow the right way.
"It is made lawful for you to go in unto your wives on the night of the fast. They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them. Allah knows that you have been acting unjustly to yourselves, wherefore He has turned to you with mercy and afforded you relief. So you may now go in unto them and seek what Allah has ordained for you; and eat and drink until the white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn. Then complete the fast till nightfall and do not go in unto them while you remain in the Mosques for devotion. These are the limits fixed by Allah, so approach them not. Thus Allah make His commandments clear to men that they become secure against all evil."
[2: 183-187]
Blessings of the month of Ramadan
Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam. The word "Sawm " (meaning to stop or abstain) is used in Arabic for fasting. A fast then means that one refrains from eating, drinking and other physical things (all those things that are otherwise allowed) from dawn to sunset. This month comes every year to spread the blessings and mercy of Allah. We are thankful to Allah for providing physical forms of divine worship such as prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage to improve our moral and spiritual condition.
Welcoming the Month of Ramadan: The Holy Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) has said: "The month of Ramadan comes to you. This is a blessed month" (Kitab-ul-Saum). The Holy Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) has declared this month as the "month of Allah" because one abandons all otherwise "lawful" things in the way of Allah. He has also declared this month as the "Chief of the months." Worship during this month gains more blessings so one should fast with sincere intentions and worship should be performed to win Allah's pleasure.
Ramadan - Anniversary of the Holy Qur'an: Ramadan is that blessed month in which the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam). In this regard this month celebrates the birthday of the Qur'an. To render our dues we should recite the Holy Qur'an as much as possible. During this month, at night, the Holy Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) used to recite the Qur'an in its entirety with the Angel Jibraeel.
Opening the doors to heaven: Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Holy Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "When the month of Ramadan starts, the doors of heaven are opened, the doors of the hell are closed, and Satan is put into chains" [Sahih Muslim, Kitab-ulSaum].
In this saying the Holy Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) has promised a high place in heaven for one who observess the fast because a believer is enjoined to perform such deeds that please Allah and stay away from bad things.
Ramadan's Special relationship with Tahajjud Prayers: Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "A person who gets up at night for Prayer and fulfills all requirements of his faith with an intention of receiving blessing during the Month of Ramadan, is forgiven all his past sins."
Charity during Ramadan: Ibn Abbas related that the Holy Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was the most generous of men and he was at his most bountiful during Ramadhan when Gabriel visited him every night and recited the Quran to him. During this period the bounty of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, waxed faster than the rain-bearing breeze
[Sahih al Bukhari and Muslim].
Prayers: Allah forgives all previous sins of a person who sincerely worships Allah during the month of Ramadan. During this month Allah's mercy and blessings are at their peak. The Holy Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said that during Ramadan: "Allah says: 'Is there anyone who calls on me so that I can accept his prayers? Is there anyone who asks for anything so that I can fulfill his desires? Is there anyone who asks for forgiveness so that I can forgive"
[Sahih al-Bukhafi - Kitab-ul-Tauheed].
Last Ten days of Ramadan: A'isha (radiAllahu ahna) narrates that, during the month of Ramadan, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) used to develop a new vigor, staying awake alI night and also waking members of his family for worship"
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Saum].
During the month of Ramadan worship reaches its peak in the form of I'tikaaf (retirement for Allah's worship). The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) used to retire to the Mosque in the last ten days of the Ramadan. He would go to a corner in the Masjid an-Nabi (Prophet's Mosque) to worship Allah in seclusion.
Ramadan and Lailatul Qadr (Night of Decree): A'isha (radiAllahu anha) said: "O Allah's Prophet, if I know which night is the Lailatul Qadr then what should I pray? He replied: 'you should pray: 'O Allah, you are very forgiving and love those who forgive others. So bestow your blessings on me and forgive me"'
[Jamiah at-Tirmidhi, Kitab-Al-Dawat].
Lailatul Qadr is such a night that the Holy Quran has declared it to be better than a thousand months.
May Allah enable us to be the recipients of Lailatul Qadr that we truly benefit from the coming month of Ramadan. May Allah accept our prayers.
Ameen.
Requirements of Ramadan
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) has given guidance to the Muslims for each and every thing. He has given detailed instructions on when to start the month of Ramadhan and how to spend time during this month.
Beginning and Ending of Ramadan: Ibn Umar (radiAllahu anhu)narrated that: "I heard the Holy Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) saying that you should start fasting when you see the moon for the month of Ramadan and stop fasting when you see the new moon"
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab-ulSaum].
Forgetfulness while fasting: The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "if some mistakenly eats while fasting he should complete his fast till the evening because surely Allah made him eat and drink"
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Saum].
Importance of eating breakfast: Anas (radiAllahu anhu) relates that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Take breakfast before the fast begins; there is blessing in breakfast" {sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Zaid ibn Thabit (radiAllahu anhu) narrates: We ate breakfast during Ramadan with the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam), who said: "The difference between our observance of the fast and that of the People of the Book is eating of breakfast"
[Muslim].
Etiquettes of Sahoor (food taken at dawn): Sahoor is a blessed meal. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "This is truly a blessing. One strengthens in oneself the habit of getting up early in the morning and to worship Allah and one can offer humble prayers to Him." The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: "Eat Sahoor as there are blessings in eating Sahoor"
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Saum].
At time of Iftar (opening the Fast): There are some times during the day that are more helpful and assist in prayers being answered, Allah accepts more prayers when the fast is opened. In one saying the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) has reported to have said: "No prayer is rejected at the time of the opening of the fast that is offered by someone who has been fasting"
[Sunan Ibn Maja, Al-Abwab Al-Dawat].
Rewards of Fasting
Every act of goodness is rewarded. Rewards are given based on the sincerity of the intention. Fasting is the only worship about which Allah has said that He Himself is the reward for it. This means that one develops such a close relationship with Allah that Allah Himself becomes the helper. Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "Allah, the Lord of Honor and glory says: All other deeds of man are for himself, but his fasting is purely for Me and I shall reward him for it. The fast is a shield. When any of you is fasting he should abstain from loose talk and noisy exchanges. Should anyone revile him or seek to pick a quarrel with him, he should respond with: I am observing a fast. By Him in Whose hands is the life of Muhammad, the breath of one who is fasting is purer in the sight of Allah than the fragrance of musk. One who fasts experiences two joys: he is joyful when he breaks his fast, and he is joyful by virtue of his fast when he meets his Lord"
[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Sa'ad ibn Sahl (radiAllahu anhu) relates that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "There is a gate of Paradise called Rayyan through which only those will enter on the Day of Judgment who are regular in observing the fast and no one else. A call will go forth: Where are those who observed the fast regularly? And they will step forth and no one beside them will enter through that gate. After they shall have entered, the gate will be closed and no one else will enter thereby"
[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Abu Sa'id Khudri (radiAllahu anhu) relates that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "When a servant of Allah observes the fast for a day for the sake of Allah, He thereby repels the Fire from him a distance of seventy years of journeying"
[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) relates that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "He who observes the fast during Ramadhan out of sincerity of faith and in hope of earning merit will have his past sins forgiven him"
[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu) relates that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: "When Ramadan arrives the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of hell are locked up and satans are put in chains"
[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim].
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