Assalamu’alaykum dear brothers and sisters, I hope you’re well!
The blessed month that every Muslim awaits has finally approached us – It is the month to reset, restart, and rebuild your relationship with Allah. No matter where the status of your Imaan might have been in recent months; with Ramadan, every Muslim, righteous or sinner has greater chances and hopes of turning their slate of bad deeds into mountains of good deeds.
Imam Qurtubi states, ‘’It (this month) was named Ramaḍān because it burns the sins of people with righteous deeds’’.
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, whosoever is alive during the blessed month has been blessed with the greatest and golden opportunity to mend the relationship with Allah (SWT) and gain abundant rewards. It is the month wherein the Glorious and final book was revealed – Al-Qur’an.
Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an, “Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Surah Al- Baqarah 185)
This month holds great significance in Islam and for every Muslim, it is a chance to gain the purification of heart and soul through fasting and return back to Allah with sincere repentance.
The month of Ramadan comes with an immense treasure of blessings – it’s the month of forgiveness, a month where Allah frees people every night from hellfire.
Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “When the first night of Ramadan comes, the satans and mischievous jinns are chained up, and the gates of the Fire are closed, and none of its gates are opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and none of its gates are closed. And a caller cries out: ‘O seeker of good, proceed, O seeker of evil, stop.’ And Allah has necks (people) whom He frees (from the Fire), and that happens every day.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
Another narration states, “At every breaking of the fast Allah has people whom He frees (from the Fire), and that happens every night.” – Sunan Ibn Majah
It’s also the best month to work on getting rid of bad habits and work on developing God-consciousness and the best mannerisms as the ultimate purpose of this month is to gain Taqwa (piety).
Allah says in the Qur’an, O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed upon you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa (piety). (Al-Qur’an 2:183)
The reward for performing good deeds in this month is multiplied tenfold up to many times more than that. So, let’s seize this opportunity and make the most out of it.
Verily the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: The five (daily) prayers and from one Friday prayer to the (next) Friday prayer, and from Ramadhan to Ramadhan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals) provided one shuns the major sins.” Sahih al-Bukhari
So brothers and sisters, let’s make a strong intention to remain sincere by fulfilling all acts of worship and achieving the main purpose of fasting. May we strive to remain steadfast even after Ramadan. May we strive to remain steadfast even after Ramadan. Ameen.
Light of Islam 