Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and Muslims consider it to be the month of blessings. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are urged to do good deeds and abstain from prohibited behaviour. Muslims throughout the world fast from dawn to dusk for the sake of Allah SWT’s pleasure. These people refrain from all forms of food, drink, and smoking, as well as from indulging in any forbidden activities. Allah says:

إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْ‌ضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ‌ لَآيَاتٍ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ

“Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are indeed Signs for men of understanding.” (Surah Al-e-Imran – 3:190)

Ramadan is the holiest month of the year in Islamic culture. For Muslims, it’s a time for spiritual reflection and growth, to help those in need, and to spend time with loved ones. It is ordained in Quran to maintain Taqwa in Ramadan to feel the deprived and starved state of the poor to comply with an act of righteousness, fear of Allah and total submission towards him. Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِن طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِلَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ

“O you who believe, eat from the wholesome things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah if it is Him that you worship.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:172)

Ramadan is the most precious month in the Islamic calendar(Hijri) and it is obligatory for Muslims to fast in the month of Ramadan. It is a time of increased worship, spiritual cleansing, good deeds and acts of charity. In light of Allah’s love and mercy towards us, the reward for every good deed in Ramadan is multiplied by 70. During Ramadan, Muslims aim to grow spiritually and become closer to Allah and their loved ones.

Significance and Importance of Ramadan in Islam:

1. Ramadan is one of the most important months to Muslims
2. Make the prayer and recite the Quran as much as we can
3. Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
4. Muslims donate to charity, spend time with loved ones
5. Fasting is a noble act that is much beloved by Allah
6. Ramadan recognizes life as a blessing from Him
7. Laylatul Qadr is one of the most sacred nights
8. Ramadan contributes to the overall wellbeing
9. Muslims avoid lying, gossiping and fighting
10. Allah shows great mercy to His creation
11. Ramadan could be a time to cut down on fats
12. Allah offers relief for those who give sadaqah
13. Muslims devote to their faith, get closer to Allah
14. Ramadan is the best time to destroy all bad habits
15. Ramadan promotes fat breakdown and weight loss
16. Ramadan is a way to seek salvation and forgiveness
17. Ramadan is also a time for unity and spiritual reflection
18. Allah is the saviour and saves all humans from the devil
19. I’tikaf is an opportunity to reconnect with Allah in solitude
20. Fasting in Ramadan is equivalent to fasting for ten months

‏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)

Fasting is usually done by all Muslims except those who are sick, pregnant, lactating, menstruating, elderly or travelling. If you miss fasting days you can make up for them throughout the year. The fasting is done between sunrise and sunset. During this time, practising Muslims are not allowed to drink water. Muslims usually wake up before dawn and eat a light meal known as suhoor. 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)

Laylat al-Qadr is in Islamic belief the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad(PBUH). It is one of the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. A night in Ramadan is observed which is better than almost thousands of nights and it is the price jewel of Ramadan. Muslims believe that on this night the blessings and mercy of Allah are abundant, sins are forgiven, supplications are accepted, and the annual decree is revealed to the angels who also descend to earth.

Quranic Verses on the Month of Ramadan and Fasting, Allah Almighty says:

• “Allah loves the patient.” (Quran 3:146)
• “If you give thanks, I will give you more.” (Quran 14:7)
• “Allah is with those who restrain themselves.” (Quran 16: 128)
• “…But too fast is best for you if you only knew.” (Quran, 2:184)
• “The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” (Quran, 97:3)
• “…the Quran was sent down as a guidance for the people.” (Quran 2:185)
• “Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree.” (Quran, 97:1)
• “The most honoured by Allah amongst you are those best in taqwaa.” (Quran 49:13)
• “We sent it down on a Blessed Night: We have ever been sending warnings.” (Quran 44:3)

Ramadan is not just about testing your willpower and abstaining from food. At a deeper level, Ramadan is about transcending to become the best versions of ourselves to please Allah. To abstain from all things negative, be it in wicked thoughts, words, or actions. During this month our relationship with our creator evolves. And like any relationship, if we give it our time, attention and focus we can strengthen and reinforce this bond.

Here are some of the positive impacts fasting can have on your health and well-being:

• Fasting gives the digestive system a positive U-turn
• Fasting aim to lose some weight for many people  
• Fasting boosts your mood and mental clarity
• Fasting can lead to low blood glucose levels
• Fasting burns away any harmful toxins
• Fasting is great for spiritually cleansing
• Fasting results in reduced blood cholesterol
• Fasting reduces the risk of suffering from heart disease
• Fasting uses your fat reserves  and cleans harmful toxins

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)

Fasting teaches restraint; the ability to control worldly desires and spend time in prayer and meditation. In this month, Allah opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils. It is good to recite the Quran, even if you do not understand it, but the ultimate purpose of its revelation was for us to imbibe its teachings and incorporate them into our lives. Allah says:

كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِاللَّـهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَاتًا فَأَحْيَاكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

“How can ye reject the faith in Allah? seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life; then will He cause you to die, and will again bring you to life, and again to Him will ye return.” (Al-Baqara – 2:28)

Allah has made fasting Ramadan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of rewarding a means of forgiving sins. Ramadan is a gift from Allah (SWT); an opportunity for Muslims to capitalize on and earn His blessings and a way to seek salvation and forgiveness. We should all make the most of it. Let’s all make this Ramadan the best Ramadan yet. May this month be the greatest you’ve ever spent.