The Virtues and Worship of the Holy Month of Ramadan By Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhratchki

The Virtues and Worship of the Holy Month of Ramadan By Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhratchki
Photo: Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhratchki

Daily Bijoy News Special Correspondent:

With the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims express their joy. It is natural and spontaneous to express happiness. Almighty Allah says: "Say, 'In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy - in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.'" (Surah Yunus: 58). No worldly wealth can compare to this grace of Allah; such a comparison would be an unrealistic imagination. When Ramadan arrived, the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would be extremely joyful and would say to his companions: "The blessed month of Ramadan has come to you." He would then describe some of the virtues of this month, saying: "Allah has made fasting obligatory for you in this month. The gates of heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained. In this month, there is a night better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived of all goodness." (Narrated by Nasa'i).

Our duty is to strive to appreciate this grace of Allah, understand the virtues and significance of this month, and engage in worship and all good deeds.

The virtues of this month are as follows:

  1. Fasting (Sawm): This month is connected to one of the important pillars of Islam, which is fasting. Just as Hajj is connected to the month of Dhul-Hijjah, increasing its honor, fasting is connected to Ramadan, elevating its status. Allah says: "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous." (Surah Al-Baqarah: 183). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Islam is built on five pillars, one of which is fasting." Fasting is a means of attaining Paradise, as mentioned in a hadith: "Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, establishes prayer, pays Zakat, and fasts in Ramadan, it is Allah's duty to admit him to Paradise." (Bukhari).

  2. Revelation of the Quran: Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed. Allah says: "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of guidance and criterion." (Surah Al-Baqarah: 185). The Quran was revealed in two stages: first, from the Preserved Tablet (Lawh Mahfuz) to the lowest heaven, and then gradually to the Prophet (peace be upon him) over 23 years. Other divine scriptures, such as the Scrolls of Ibrahim, the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel, were also revealed in this month, as mentioned in a sahih hadith narrated by Tabarani.

  3. Gates of Paradise and Hell: During Ramadan, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained." (Muslim). This weakens the influence of Satan, leading many people to repent, engage in righteous deeds, and avoid sin.

  4. Laylatul Qadr (Night of Decree): Allah says: "The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn." (Surah Al-Qadr: 3-5).

  5. Acceptance of Supplications: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "In Ramadan, the supplication of every Muslim is accepted." (Musnad Ahmad). Another hadith states: "Allah frees many people from Hell every night and day of Ramadan, and the supplications of Muslims are accepted." (Sahih At-Targhib wat-Tarhib).

  6. Forgiveness of Sins: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever fasts in Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim). He also said: "Woe to the person who witnesses Ramadan but is not forgiven." (Tirmidhi).

  7. Freedom from Hellfire: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When the first night of Ramadan arrives, the devils and rebellious jinn are chained, the gates of Hell are closed, and the gates of Paradise are opened. A caller announces every night: 'O seeker of good, proceed! O seeker of evil, stop!' Every night, Allah frees many people from Hell." (Tirmidhi).

  8. Increased Rewards: The rewards for good deeds are multiplied in Ramadan. For example, performing Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to performing Hajj with the Prophet (peace be upon him). Similarly, the rewards for all acts of worship and good deeds are increased manifold.

  9. Month of Patience: Ramadan is the month of patience and self-restraint. Believers practice patience in eating, drinking, marriage, and other behaviors more in this month than in any other time. The patience demonstrated through fasting is unparalleled in any other act of worship. Allah says: "Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account." (Surah Az-Zumar: 10).

May Allah grant us all the ability to act upon these virtues. Ameen.

Author:
Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhratchki, renowned Islamic thinker, writer, and columnist.

Daily Bijoy News / Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhratchki