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The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “(Allah said), ‘Every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.’ Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
The above hadith emphasizes on fasting and its virtues. How beloved a fasting person is to Allah SWT, and how this simple act of worship lifts up his status in the eyes of Allah. Although, we all are well aware that the Holy Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan, yet little do we understand the wisdom behind this blessed month and the Barakah it brings in our lives. Before we enter the month of Barakah and forgiveness, let’s purify our souls so that they may fully absorb the blessings of this sacred month.
As far as the merit of this month is concerned, it has been said that Allah Almighty has chosen this month to reveal Scriptures. Consequently, the Holy Qur’an was revealed in this very month. According to a narration from the blessed Companion Wathilah ibn Asga’ appearing in the Musnad of Ahmad, the Holy Prophet ﷺ said that Abrahamic scriptures were revealed on the first of Ramadan, the Torah on the sixth, the Evangel on the thirteenth and the Qur’an on the twenty fourth of Ramadan. In another narration from the blessed Companion Sayyidna Jabir ؓ ، it appears that Zabur (the Book of Psalms) was revealed on the twelfth of Ramadan and the Evangel on the eighteenth. (Ibn Kathir)
Allah says in the Quran:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا۟ ٱلْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
“The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur’ān was revealed as guidance for mankind, and as clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong. So those of you who witness the month must fast in it. But the one who is sick, or is on a journey (should fast) as much from other days (as he missed). Allah intends (to provide) ease for you and does not intend (to create) hardship for you. All this is so that you may complete the number (of fasts as prescribed) and proclaim the Takbīr of Allah for having guided you, and (so) that you may be grateful.” [Sura Al-Baqarah: 185]
Here are some virtues of Ramadan based on the above verse:
- Revelation of Divine Guidance: From the above verse, it is clear that the Quran was revealed to guide mankind, serving as a clear sign to distinguish truth from falsehood. Its purpose is to remove any darkness from our hearts and illuminate them with light, elevating our status as believers. The Quran transforms our isolation into divine company, where every broken heart heals and mends in submission to its Lord.
- Obligation of Fasting – One of the Pillars of Islam: The verse outlines the obligation of fasting, with the condition that the believer should be able to fulfill this obligation. Certain exceptions are made for individuals such as the sick, travellers, menstruating women until they purify themselves, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and others, who are required to make up missed fasts (qada قضاء) at a later time.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ: شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ، وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ، وَحَجِّ الْبَيْتِ، وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ
“Islam has been built on five [pillars]: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, performing the prayers, paying the Zakah, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.” [Sahih-al-Bukhari: 8, Sahih Muslim: 16]
- Allah intends ease for us and does not intend hardship for us: In the above-mentioned hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) narrates that Allah said, “Every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is for Me…” Despite fasting being an act solely dedicated to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the Owner of Majesty and Honour, the Magnificent Creator of everything, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind, and the Most Loving, the One with complete Dominion desires ease for His servants. However, we often fail to comprehend the true value of His guidance, particularly the guidance bestowed upon us during the blessed month of Ramadan. The Bestower has granted us abundant blessings, perhaps even beyond what we deserve. Yet, we often become arrogant and negligent, abandoning His commandments. Despite this, the Most Merciful has chosen us for His infinite mercy.
- Praise Allah and be grateful: The verse teaches us the importance of praising Allah for the immense blessings (n’imah) He has bestowed upon us. From His boundless love and mercy to His choice of us as believers and granting us imaan (faith), He continuously guides us throughout our journey in this imperfect world. Therefore, we should express gratitude and humble ourselves before Him. We ought to submit completely to His will and follow His commandments with sincerity and devotion.
The other virtues of Ramadan as stated in various narrations:
The Special Night of Al-Qadr in Ramadan is Better Than a Thousand Months
- Meaning of The Night of Qadr: One meaning of the word Qadr is ‘greatness, honour or dignity’. Zuhri and other scholars have assigned this meaning to it. The night is called the Night of Qadr because it is a night of greatness, honour, majesty and dignity. Abu Bakr Warraq has stated that this night is so called because a person becomes a man of honour and dignity on account of repentance, seeking pardon and righteous acts during this night, whilst prior to this he might have lacked honour and dignity on account of unrighteous life he might have led.
- The Value and Importance of Laylatul Qadr in Ramadan and a Special Du’ a for the Night
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ ١ وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ ٢ لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍۢ ٣
“We have sent it (the Qur’ān) down in the Night of Qadr. And what may let you know what the Night of Qadr is? The Night of Qadr is much better than one thousand months.” [Surah Al-Qadr 9:1-3]
The greatest virtue of the Night is mentioned in the Surah itself, that is, the acts of worship performed in this single night is better than worship in one thousand months which amounts to eighty-three years and four months. It is recorded in Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of Sayyidna Abu Hurairah ؓ that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “He who spends the Night of Qadr in the worship of Allah, all his past sins will be forgiven.”
Sayyidah ` A’ishah ؓ once asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ what supplication she should make if she finds the Night. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ advised her to make the following supplication:
اللَّھُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوُّ تُحِبُّ العَفوَ فَاعفُ عَنِّی
“Allah! Verily, You are the Oft-Pardoning, You love to pardon, so do pardon me.” [Qurtubi]
- The gates of heaven are opened
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s messenger ﷺ as saying, “When Ramadan begins the gates of heaven are opened.” A version has, “The gates of paradise are opened, the gates of jahannam are locked, and the devils are chained.” Another has, “The gates of mercy are opened.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
This is a golden opportunity for believers when the gates of heaven, the gates of Allah’s mercy, are opened. We should take advantage of this opportunity, as we may not have another chance if we die. Make sincere repentance, engage in plenty of dhikr (remembrance of Allah), earnestly beg and cry to Allah, ask Him for mercy upon yourself, your parents, your family, and the entire ummah. Pray for His guidance, ask Him to illuminate your heart with Al-Furqan (the Criterion) and to remove the darkness of your sins.
- A month of attaining Taqwa (Piety)
Allah says in the Quran:
يٰٓا أَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُوْنَ
“Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa (piety and mindfulness of Allah)” [Surah-al-Baqarah:183]
By saying لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ (so that you be God-fearing), the text has pointed out to the inherent quality of fasting which contributes significantly to one’s ability to become abstaining from the sins and God-fearing. Fasting grows into man a power which helps him control his desires, which is really the foundation of Taqwa تقویٰ.
- The reward of fasting is Jannah
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, 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.
- A perfect month to adopt good deeds and refrain from bad deeds
As the month of Ramadan teaches us discipline and self-control, let us intend to adopt some of its good deeds and practices as regular habits while refraining from sins and bad habits. These may include abstaining from backbiting, lying, manipulation, smoking, wasting time on inappropriate activities, and controlling anger or negative speech. Strive to embrace a good deed or a Sunnah, such as greeting others with a smile, alleviating someone’s burden, being punctual in salah, engaging in morning and evening Adhkar, regularly reciting the Quran, and implementing its teachings in our lives. Begin by setting intentions and utilize our Ramadan planner to plan everything and hold yourself accountable for your actions.
Ya Allah, continuously shower Your blessings upon us. Ya Haadi, guide us to be better worshippers and believers in this blessed month. Ya Jabbar, heal our broken hearts and ease our pain. Ya Mateen, keep us steadfast on the path of salvation and eternity. Ya Qawiyy, grant us strength, wisdom, and unwavering faith to navigate through life’s trials with patience and gratitude. Ya Rasheed, Illuminate our hearts with Your light and mercy, guiding us always towards righteousness and goodness. Ameen.
Reference:
Maariful Quran by Mufti Taqi Usmani
Islam is perfect, and any mistakes are solely mine. I take responsibility for my mistakes and seek your pardon for any errors I may have made. And Allah Knows Best!
