IT is a piece of very good news for all Muslims that barely a few days are left between us and the Month of Ramadan. Muslims all over the world feel great joy when they hear the coming of Ramadan. The month of Ramadan is like a much-awaited and special guest for the Muslim community because this month comes with numerous bounties, blessings, gifts and manifold rewards from our Creator. In the upcoming lines, we will shed light on the blessings of this holy month and also illuminate how to benefit more from this blessed month.
The month of Ramadan has countless bounties and blessings for all mankind and especially for Muslims. This is the month in which the Almighty revealed His final message for guidance in the shape of the Quran; in the Qur’an, He says: “The Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “When Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.”
On the last day of Sha’ban, our Prophet (PBUH) addressed his companions, proclaiming: “O people! A great month has come, filled with blessings, where a single night surpasses a thousand months. Fasting is obligatory, and praying in its nights is voluntary. Drawing closer to the Almighty through good deeds earns rewards equivalent to obligatory acts at any other time. Patience is rewarded with Heaven, and charity is abundant. Providing food to break a fast earns forgiveness and salvation from Hell, with equal reward as the fasting person.
The most crucial and essential obligatory act is to fast during the days of Ramadan with patience and sincerity. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from the Almighty, then all his previous sins will be forgiven. There is a gate in Paradise called ‘Ryan’ and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts? They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry, the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.”
Intention and sincerity are the most necessary factors in all our good deeds. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.” To achieve this objective, it would be beneficial to dedicate some time before starting Ramadan and pray with full concentration to the Almighty to assist you in getting sincerity in all your good deeds in this month.
Ramadan is the best opportunity for all Muslims to repent from their sins and return to the right path of the Creator and His Holy Prophet (PBUH). On each and every night of this month, a large number of people are released from Hellfire and enter paradise. Give up all sinful actions and come in the mercy of the Almighty. Avoid backbiting, telling lies, slandering, and defaming other Muslim brothers and sisters. These things are strictly forbidden in Islam all the time but more strictly while fasting. The Qur’an and Ramadan have a strong relationship with each other. Dedicate at least one hour a day and one hour at night to recite the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan. Recite at least one Verse from the Qur’an and make sure to complete it before the end of this month.
A true Muslim should be generous, helping the poor and weak community of the society by spending his wealth all over the year, but Ramadan is the month of generosity. Obligatory Charity is the second most important element of Islam after Faith and Salah. Spending wealth and money with sincerity and pure intention is one of the most splendid acts for a Muslim. Every Muslim who has some wealth should spend as much as he can in the month of Ramadan as Obligatory and Voluntary charity to help the Muslims and gain paradise and the pleasure of the Creator as a reward.
In a nutshell, Ramadan is the best gift for all Muslims with numerous bounties and blessings from the Almighty. Make each and every second of this month most valuable by fasting during the days of Ramadan with sincere intention, performing five times prayers in a mosque, reciting the Holy Quran, and spending your wealth for the sake of the Almighty. May the Almighty accept all our worship in this month and grant us His Pleasure and Paradise as a reward.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
Email: ghulamyaseen15@gmail.com
views expressed are writer’s own.
