The Blessed of month of Ramadan is round the corner. It is in this month that the greatest miracle on the face of Earth was revealed i.e. Holy Quran. As the month is fast approaching I would like to share some of the Etiquettes of this month and will also try to enlighten us with its blessings. I found sharing it necessary even though we are all aware of its blessings and importance because Allah says in Holy Quran “And continue to remind, for surely the reminder profits the believers.” (51:55)
We see Muslims all over the world are excited and are preparing to welcome the month cherished by us.
The importance of this month as stated by Holy Quran is due the beginning of revelation in this month, Which is a Guidance for the mankind.
“The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to mankind and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; (2:185)
It has to be noted here that Quran clearly says it is for mankind. So in this holy month we should all strive to bring our non Muslim friends towards Quran by our words and actions. It is the month in which Allah has made it obligatory on the believing men and women to fast for the complete month from dawn to dusk.
“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so perchance you may attain Taqwa.”(2:183)
We must be careful with our fasts so that we attain the reward prescribed for it and most important the real goal of fasting as said in this verse is that we attain Taqwa or Allah’s piety or pleasure.
“Abu Hurairah also reported that the Prophet (S) said: “Allah does not need the fast of one who does not abandon false speech or acting according to his false speech”[Bukhari and others]]
Noting the above verse and Hadith, We must be careful of our fasts which means we should not only abstain ourselves from eating and drinking but also from going to places that are forbidden like movie theaters,having complete control on our tongues by not using words against others, stoping ourselves from lying even if it is for fun, and having control on our tones while speaking to elders and younger members of the family etc. And all these should only and only be done to attain Allah’s pleasure. So that our past sins are forgiven and Allah may include our names among the righteous ones. We all know that Allah’s messenger peace be upon him have given the glad tidings to the one who is sincere in his fast, as we go through the following Narations.
“Verily Allah has made the rewards for the Children of Adam from ten times to 700 times except for fasting. Fasting is for Me and I will reward it.”
Except for fasting. [it means:] “don’t ask Me how much I am giving. Fasting is for Me and you don’t know how much reward I will give you (Bukhari)
“He who fasts during the day of Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven. And he who prays during the night of Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his sins forgiven”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
At the same time he has shown his wrath and anger to those who just abstain themselves from food and water without taking care of their fasts as stated in this Hadith
Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, ascended the pulpit and he said, “Ameen, ameen, ameen.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, you ascended the pulpit and said ameen, ameen, ameen.” The Prophet said, “Verily, Gabriel came to me and he said: Whoever reaches the month of Ramadan and he is not forgiven, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say ameen. I said ameen.” (part of the Long Hadith)
(Source sahih ibn hibban)
Another narration similar to this is “Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (S) said: “Perhaps a fasting person will get nothing from his fast save hunger, and perhaps the one who stands to pray at night will get nothing from his standing except sleeplessness.”
[an-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and al-Hakim / Sahih al-Jami`].
So lets gear and prepare ourselves for the month in which one night is equivalent to thousand months
“The grand night is better than a thousand months.” (97:3)
and try to maximize our practical life according to Sunnah and grab all the bounties which Allah showers during the month. To gear up the most important thing is we must plan and set goals for it and the most important goal is we must take oath to ourselves that with Allah’s help this Ramadan will be better than all the past Ramadan and we remain steadfast in Our good deeds even after the blessed month.And remember the entire Muslim Ummah in our prayers.