The month of Ramadhan is one of the
greatest blessings of Allah (SWT) upon the ummah of his beloved
Prophet (SAW). Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar
and is also when the Holy Qur'an was sent down from heaven to guide
the Muslims. In the Qur'an it is stated 'Ramadan is the month in
which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind, also Clear
Signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong." (Suratul
Baqara, 2:185). This is especially an important month for Muslims
across the world; in era when we are constantly struggling with
the idea of up keeping the Remembrance of Allah due to complications
of modern day life.
The Holy Prophet (SAW) said 'O People!
The month of Allah (SWT) has come with His mercies and blessings.
This is the month that is the best of all months in the eyes of
Allah (SWT). Its days are the best of days, its nights are the best
of nights, its hours are the best of hours'.
Abu Hurairah (RA), reported that
Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said 'When there comes
the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates
of Hell are locked and the devils are chained'. (Al-Bukhari). In
Ramadhan the Ummah of Holy Prophet (SAW) is invited to receive the
honours from Allah, the Merciful. Every breath taken has the reward
of Tasbeeh and good deeds are rewarded in abundance. A person who
does not receive the mercy and benevolence of Allah (SWT) is most
unfortunate.
Such are the blessing of this month
that Allah (SWT) declared:
· Anybody who does not annoy
others in this month will be safe from His anger on the day of Judgement;
· Anybody who treats well his relatives in this month will
receive the mercy of Allah on the day of Judgement.
· Whoever offers sunnah prayers in this month, will be saved
from Hell.
· Whoever, in this month, offers one wajib prayer, the angels
will write the rewards of seventy such prayers that were offered
by him in other months.
· Whoever recites salawat often, Allah will keep the scales
of his good deeds heavy
· Whoever recites in this month, only one ayat of the Holy
Qur'an, he will be rewarded in a manner as if he had recited the
entire Qur'an in other months.
· The Holy Prophet (SAW) said 'Whoever is prevented from
food that he likes, because of his fast, Allah will feed him from
the food of Heaven and from its drink.
The Night of Power (Laylat ul Qadr)
A further blessing is on the evening
of the 27th day of the month, when Muslims celebrate the Night of
Power (Lailat-ut Qadr) or the Night of Blessing (Lailat-ul Mubarak).
It is believed that on this night the Holy Prophet (SAW) first received
the revelation of the Holy Qu'ran. According to the Qu'ran, this
is the night when Allah determines the course of the world for the
following year.
'The Prophet (SAW) said 'he who passes
Lailat al- Qadr in prayer with faith and seeks his reward from Allah
will have his past sins forgiven.' (Bukhari and Muslim). The deed
in this night is better than the rewards of deeds of 1,000 months
(about 83.3 years).
The night of Power is also mentioned
in the Qur'an where it is declared "Indeed We have revealed
it (Qur'an) in the night of Power. And what will explain to you
what the night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a
thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit by Allah's
permission, on every errand: (they say) Peace" (continuously)
till the rise of Morning!" (97:1-5)
In conclusion, the blessing of this
great month of fasting are too many to be counted. Besides the countless
spiritual rewards to be gained, there are great physical and mental
rewards also. The month of Ramadan teaches man the principle of
sincere love. It equips man with a creative sense of hope. It indoctrinates
man in patience, self-assurance and self-control. It is an effective
lesson in willpower. Fasting also provides man with a transparent
soul, a clear mind and a light body. It shows man a new way of wise
savings and sound budgeting. It originates in man the real spirit
of social belonging, unity and brotherhood, of equality before Allah
(SWT) as well as before the law. Ramadhan strengthens Taqwa, which
is the belief in Allah. So may Allah (SWT) give you the strength
to gain the wealth of blessings from this holy month of Ramadhan.
Amin.
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