The word “Ramadan” comes from the Arabic root word for “parched thirst” and “sun-baked ground.” The is expressive of the hunger and thirst felt by those who spend the month fasting. It is in sharp contrast to other holidays that are marked by heavy indulgence in food and drink of all kinds. Muslims also abstain from the use of tobacco and sexual relations when observing Ramadan. Fasting benefits us by improving our devotion, self-control, and compassion for the poor. Allah says:
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ
“Verily, We sent the Quran down during the Night of Decree. What will make you know what is the Night of Decree? 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 is therein until the emergence of dawn.” (Surah Al-Qadar 97:1-5)
The month of Ramadan is a blessed month for many reasons, so we must be sure to take advantage of all of its blessings. It is the month in which the Quran was revealed, in which the devils are chained, sins are forgiven, and good deeds are highly rewarded. Ramadan is the month in which Allah Almighty opens His doors of mercy, forgiveness, and blessings upon Muslims. This month is anxiously awaited by all the Muslims as they perform the duty of fasting in this month. Allah says
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
“The month of Ramadan in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. Whoever reaches the month, let him fast during it. Whoever is ill or on a journey, then fast an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship, and he intends for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that to which he has guided you, that perhaps you will be grateful.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)
Quran is the only source of guidance, a complete manual for our lives that encourages us to do righteous deeds and to protect ourselves from the curse of evil. During the month of Ramadan Muslims kept themselves away from food and drinks from dawn to dusk, successfully prayed five times a day in Mosque. During the month of Ramadan, Satan finds it more difficult to mislead the Muslims. It becomes easier in this month for Muslims to perform good deeds and to ignore evil suggestions and bad thoughts. Allah says:
هُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْلَّيْلَ لِتَسْكُنُواْ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبْصِراً إِنَّ فِى ذٰلِكَ لَـآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَسْمَعُونَ
“He is who has appointed for you the night that ye should rest therein and the day giving sight. Surely, herein are signs for folk that heed.” (Surah Yunus 10:67)
The month of Ramadan is a blessed time of the year for Muslims. It is the month in which Muslims indulge in excessive worship and praise Allah Almighty. Besides keeping fast, the other objective of this month is to gain as many blessings and reward from Allah Almighty as possible. One of the acts of worship is Dua (supplication). One important thing of this Holy month is Quran was revealed in Ramadan.
إِذَا دَخَلَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ، وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ، وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِين
“When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hellfire are closed and the devils are chained.” (Saḥiḥ al-Bukhārī 1800)
In Islam, fasting for a month is an obligatory practice during the holy month of Ramadan, from dawn, until dusk. They are advised to be away from foods or water for the whole day, to stay away from sex, misconduct and also from consuming medicines, nutritional fluids, addictions, etc.
Here are some incredible benefits of fasting in Ramadan
- Ramadan recognize life as a blessing from Him
- Ramadan could be a time to cut down on fats
- Ramadan help promote chastity and humility
- Ramadan provides rigorous discipline in life
- Ramadan practices blood sugar goes down
- Ramadan provides a more healthy lifestyle
- Ramadan provides goodwill toward others
- Ramadan provides community gatherings
- Ramadan develop learning healthy habits
- Ramadan develop feelings of generosity
- Ramadan is a gift from Allah (SWT)
- Ramadan practices good manners
- Ramadan practices good speech
- Ramadan increased devotion
- Ramadan practices good habits
- Ramadan overall decreased Calorie
- Ramadan feel closer to their Creator
- Ramadan improves your blood levels
- Ramadan experiences hunger and thirst
- Ramadan Is by Nature a Time of Sacrifice
- Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims
- Ramadan contribute to the overall wellbeing
- Ramadan strengthen the bonds of brotherhood
- Ramadan contribute to one’s patience, tolerance
- Ramadan promotes fat breakdown and weight loss
- Ramadan is a way to seek salvation and forgiveness
- Ramadan provides tranquillity of the heart and mind
- Ramadan promotes a source of guidance to humanity
- Ramadan has benefits for the body as well as for the mind
- Ramadan comprises the ninth month of the Islamic calendar
Muslims managed to conduct (Akhlaq) during the holy month of Ramadan, spent money in zakat and charity to seek the pleasure of Allah SWT. All we need to do is to sustain these good habits of Ramadan in our lives. Quran was revealed in the night of Laila-tul-Qadar, the blessed and powerful night. It is traditional for Muslims to read the whole Quran in the month of Ramadan. As a Moslem, Reciting Quran is a duty and necessity.
إِذَا كَانَ أَوَّلُ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ صُفِّدَتْ الشَّيَاطِينُ وَمَرَدَةُ الْجِنِّ وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ النَّارِ فَلَمْ يُفْتَحْ مِنْهَا بَابٌ وَفُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ فَلَمْ يُغْلَقْ مِنْهَا بَابٌ وَيُنَادِي مُنَادٍ يَا بَاغِيَ الْخَيْرِ أَقْبِلْ وَيَا بَاغِيَ الشَّرِّ أَقْصِرْ وَلِلَّهِ عُتَقَاءُ مِنْ النَّارِ وَذَلكَ كُلُّ لَيْلَةٍ
“On the first night of the month of Ramadan, the devils are chained, the jinn are restrained, and the gates of Hellfire are closed and none of its gates is opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and none of its gates is closed. A caller announces: O seeker of good, come near! O seeker of evil, stop short! Allah will save them from the Hellfire and that is during every night of Ramadan.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 682)
The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proof for the guidance. The holy month of Ramadan provides us with the opportunity to eliminate unhealthy eating patterns and gives our overburdened digestive systems a much-needed break. The Islamic faith, such as generosity, inspired most of these traditions, just like sharing food and inviting guests over for iftar.
الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ وَالْجُمُعَةُ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ وَرَمَضَانُ إِلَى رَمَضَانَ مُكَفِّرَاتٌ مَا بَيْنَهُنَّ مَا اجْتُنِبَتْ الْكَبَائِرُ
“The five prayers, Friday to Friday, and Ramadan to Ramadan will be the expiation for the sins between them, so long as major sins are avoided.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 233)
The month is given great importance by Muslims and Muslims in each part of the world welcome and observe this month with all the reverence, prestige and dedication it deserves. During this sacred month, the rituals of fasting, night prayer and reading the Holy Quran on a daily basis can have a life-changing effect on our health and satisfaction. Fasting during Ramadan should improve our health, only if we are following the correct diet. It is a very rewarding activity in Ramadan to offer Iftar to those who are fasting.
مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan due to faith and seeking reward, then all of his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 760)
Ramadan is the “fasting month” in the Islamic calendar. It is technically the ninth month in the calendar, although the exact date moves from one year to the next. Ramadan is a blessed month when people concentrate on their commitments to God and their faiths. During Ramadan, people fast only during daytime hours. As soon as the sun goes down, they’re allowed to eat and drink again. Besides the spiritual rewards, Ramadan also has some health benefits.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
- “..And it is better for you that ye fast if ye only knew.” (Quran 2:184)
- “The most honoured by Allah amongst you are those best in taqwaa.” (Quran 49:13)
- “Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree.” (Quran, 97:1)
- “This is the Book (the Quran), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqoon the pious.” (Al-Baqarah 2:2)
- “The month of Ramadan (is the month) in which the Qur’an has been sent down as guidance for mankind containing clear signs which lead (to the straight road) and distinguishing (the truth from falsehood)..” (Q 2:185)
- “We sent it down on a Blessed Night: We have ever been sending warnings.” (Quran 44:3)
- “And We send down of the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism and act on it), and it increases the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) nothing but loss.” (Al-Isra’ 17:82)
- Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain taqwaa.” (Quran 2:183)
- “It is a book that We have sent down to you blessed, so that they may contemplate its verses and so that people of understanding may take heed.” (Quran 38:29)
- “And the Messenger has said, “O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Qur’an as [a thing] abandoned.” (Quran, 25:30)
- “Those who believe [in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism], and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13: 28)
- “If the mankind and the jinn were together to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.” (Al-Israa’ 17:88)
- “Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect.”(Al-Hashr 59:21)
- “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 (Jibreel) by Allah’s permission, on every errand: (they say) “Peace” (continuously) till the rise of Morning!” (Quran 97:1-5)
- “We sent it (this Qur’an) down on a blessed Night. Verily, We are ever warning (mankind of Our Torment). Therein (that Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. Amran (i.e. a command or this Qur’an or His Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messenger). (As) a Mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” (Ad-Dukhaan 44: 3-6)
In the blessed month of Ramadan, we can actually increase our chances of having our Duas accepted by following below mentioned ways of making Dua. Allah Almighty out of His mercy and benevolence has specified specific times in the day when He accepts Dua. Moslems who read the Quran will find the Islamic treasure and they will more act on another science of Allah in the universe. Allah says:
وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلاَةَ طَرَفَى ٱلنَّهَارِ وَزُلَفاً مِّنَ ٱلْلَّيْلِ إِنَّ ٱلْحَسَنَاتِ يُذْهِبْنَ ٱلسَّـيِّئَاتِ ذٰلِكَ ذِكْرَىٰ لِلذَّاكِرِينَ
“Establish salaah at the two ends/edges of the day, and in (the period of) nearness to the night. Surely, good deeds annul ill deeds. This is a reminder for the mindful.” (Qur’an 11:114)
Seek guidance from this book as much as we can because the Quran is the word of Allah and if neglect it. we will be answerable for our deeds at the Day of Judgment. Make the Quran part of our life, including the teaching of the Quran in our lives in a way that it transforms us from the ordinary person to the person Allah wants us to be and the only key is to act upon the commandments of Allah.
مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
“Whoever stands in the night prayer during Ramadan due to faith and seeking reward, then all of his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim 759)
The month of Ramadan offers us this unique opportunity to refresh our understanding regarding the teachings bestowed upon us in this book of the Quran and to maintain the discipline we observe in this month of Ramadan throughout the year. The duty of reciting the Quran is not stopping at one time. We are commanded by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala to read it every day and every time. In Ramadan, all of the good deeds will be multiplied by the reward, including many pearls of wisdom that can be taken when we did fasting.
الْتَمِسُوهَا فِي الْعَشْرِ الْأَوَاخِرِ يَعْنِي لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فَإِنْ ضَعُفَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَوْ عَجَزَ فَلَا يُغْلَبَنَّ عَلَى السَّبْعِ الْبَوَاقِي
“Look for the Night of Decree in the last ten nights of Ramadan, but if one of you is weak or frustrated then do not be overcome during the remaining seven nights.” (Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim 1165)
Ramadan is the month in which we can gain maximum blessings and mercy from Allah Almighty and also seek forgiveness for whatever sins we have committed. Therefore, Duas need to be ensured during the month as it is the means that can help us to achieve the desired objectives. May Allah bless us in Ramadan and allow us to increase in our Dua within this virtuous month. Ramadan allows worshippers to concentrate their minds on devotion to their faith through prayers, expressing gratitude, seeking forgiveness and helping the needy.
مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
“Whoever stands in prayer during the Night of Decree out of faith and seeking reward, then Allah will forgive all of his previous sins.” (Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim 760)
Lucky are those who are able to grab the Lailatul Qadar (Night of Power), a night which could only be found in the last ten days of Ramadan from the 20th until the 30th of Ramadan. Lailatul Qadar is better and superior to one thousand months of worship. We all should avail ourselves of this opportunity and maximize our prayers in the last nights of Ramadan. There is a night near the end of Ramadan in which good deeds are worth thousands of months of worship.
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَجْتَهِدُ فِي الْعَشْرِ الْأَوَاخِرِ مَا لَا يَجْتَهِدُ فِي غَيْرِهِ
“The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, would exert himself in worship during the last ten nights more than at any other time.” (Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim 1175)
Ramadan makes Muslims appreciate food, thank Allah for what they have and makes them closer to each other and the people around them. It is the month that renews and recharged our faith. Now that it has completed its objective and gives us a graceful uplifting of Eman, it is now upon us is to remain constant upon what it has given us or not. Ramadan is a very different month and Allah makes it special for Moslem.
النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَانَ يَعْتَكِفُ الْعَشْرَ الْأَوَاخِرَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ حَتَّى تَوَفَّاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ثُمَّ اعْتَكَفَ أَزْوَاجُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ
“The Prophet, peace, and blessings are upon him, would retreat in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan, until Allah Almighty caused him to pass away. His wives continued to perform the retreat after him.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1172)
Ramadan offers a kind of transcendental experience for many Muslims blessed month of Ramadan is about to leave but its blessings will remain throughout the year if we make it best by offering maximum worship of Allah Almighty. The last ten days of this Holy Month of Ramadan have been left which we have to utilize by maximizing our prayers. May Allah Almighty accept our good deeds, worships, fasts and Quran recitation which we had done in the holy month of fasting! Ameen.
