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 Ramadhan: The Holy Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) has said: "The month of
Ramadhan comes to you. This is a blessed month" (Kitab-ul-Saum).
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
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.
Ramadhan
- Anniversary of the Holy Quran: Ramadhan is that blessed
month in which the Holy Quran was first revealed to the Holy
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). In this
regard this month celebrates the birthday of the Holy Quran.
To render our dues we should recite the Holy Quran as much as
possible. During this month, at night, the Holy Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) use to recite the Holy
Quran in its entirety with the Angel Gabriel (Jibraeel).
Opening
the doors to heaven: Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be
pleased with him) has narrated that the Holy Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "When the month
of Ramadhan 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
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 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.
Ramadhan's
Special relationship with Tahajjud Prayers: Hazrat Abu
Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the
Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, 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 Ramadhan, is forgiven all his past sins."
Charity
during Ramadhan: Ibn Abbas relates that the Holy Prophet,
peace be upon him, 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 (Bokhari and Muslim).
Prayers:
Allah forgives all previous sins of a person who sincerely
worships Allah during the month of Ramadhan. During this month
Allah's mercy and blessings are at their peak. The Holy
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said
that during Ramadhan: "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 Bukhafi - Kitab-ul-Tauheed).
Last
Ten days of Ramadhan: Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased
with her) narrates that, during the month of Ramadhan, the
Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used
to develop a new vigor, staying awake alI night and also
waking members of his family for worship" (Sahih
Bukhail, Kitab-ul-Saum). During the month of Ramadhan
worship reaches its peak in the form of I'tikaaf
(retirement for Allah's worship). The Holy Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) used to retire to the Mosque
in the last ten days of the Ramadhan. He would go to a corner
in the Masjid-e-Nabwee (Prophet's Mosque) to worship
Allah in seclusion.
Ramadhan
and Lailatul Qadr (Night of Decree): Hazrat Ayesha (may
Allah be pleased with her) 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 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 Ramadhan. May Allah accept our prayers.
Ameen.
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