Ramazan is that Holy month in which Muslims of the whole world fast. It is the month in which the Mercy and countless Blessings of Allah descend upon us. Fasting is prescribed for all muslims regardless of their financial, social or any other status. This, therefore, acts as an equalizer producing common feelings in people there by creating brotherhood and unity in the society. Muslims all over the world fast the month of Ramadan at the same time making it a truly universal experience. As a matter off act, it also connects one to previous generations as fasting is not a new practice but one that has been observed since the first creation.
Allah says in the Qur’an: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil.)
Hazrat Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (SAW) has said, “Ramazan, a blessed month, has come to you during which Allah has made it obligatory for you to fast.”
The Prophet (SAW) used to wait anxiously for the month of Ramazan and had such great regard for it that he would pray to Allah in the month of Shabaan to see the Muslims safely into Ramazan.
Month of patience
In Ramazan, we go through a good training of patience and experience high ethics. We accustom our stomachs to patience by not eating anything though we are hungry or feeling thrist. On the other hand, if we happen to get angry, or if our souls force us to backbite or to tell lies and bad words, we instantly refrain and remember that we are fasting and thus show patience against such evils.
In another Hadith Prophet says, “Fasting is the half of patience.” And he thus highlights the importance of patience in fasting.
Reward for feeding a fasting person
The Prophet (SAW) said,”Who-ever feeds a fasting person will have a reward like that o fthe fasting person, without any reduction in his reward.”
Feeding a fasting person is one of the great deeds that is preferred to be performed in this blessed month. The intention of the person who gives something for the fasting person to break the fast should be seeking the reward and being hospitable to a muslim brother by offering him food and soemthing to drink, especially if he is poor.
Revelation of Quran
In this month the Holy Quran was sent down from the Heaven to guide the muslims. In Quran it is stated:
“Ramazan is the month in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind, and a clear proof for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it is fasting.”
Doors of Heaven are opened
The people who constantly observed fasting (especially during Ramadan) will be granted entry through one door of heaven which is Baab Ar-Rayyaan Hazrat Abu Hurairah reported that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “When there comes the month of Ramazan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained.”
A shield from Hell
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is a shield from Hell. People avoid is a shield from Hell. People avoid induling in sins while fasting.
The Prophet (SAW) said, “Fasting is a shield.” Quraan talks about the reward of fasting and there are verses which infer that those who obey Allah will be saved from Hell, and fasting is a form of obeying Allah.
Happiness for the fasting person
The fasting person has two occasions for joy: when he breaks his fast and when he meets Allah. As for a person’s happiness at the time of breaking his fast, he is happy when he eats and drinks after a full day of self-restraint, patience, and obedience seeking Allah’s reward. He is happy that Allah has blessed him with the completion of fasting that day as a means of worship since fasting is one of the best deeds a person can do. As for a person’s happiness at the time he meets his Lords, he is happy with his fast when he finds its reward, saved in full for him, with Allah at a time when the person needs it most.
The night of Power
The Night of Power of Laylatul Qadr is the chieftain of the nights. It should be looked for during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan, and it is most likely to be the night of the twenty-seventh. It is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount o fgood. Allah Almighty has not informed us of the exact date of the Night of Power because His purpose is to make sure that his servants do not take it for granted that they have performed good deeds on that particular nigh. Were it not for this element of uncertainty, they could make the claim: “We have performed good deeeds on a night that is better than a thousand months, so Allah has granted us forgiveness, and in His sight we are now entitled to spiritual degrees and Gardens of Paradise.” They might therefore abandon all further effort to do good works, and simply rest on their laurels. Having thus fallen prey to unduly optimistic expectation, they would then be doomed to perdition “Whoever stood in prayer on the night of Al-Qadr, in faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, he will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
And on the Night of Power Allah Almighty will forgive everyone except four:
- anyone addicted to intoxicating liquor
- anyone who is disobedient and disrespectful toward his parents,
- anyone guilty of disrupting a bond of kinship, and
- anyone who is virulently rancorous, i.e. someone spitefully reluctant to abandon a grudge, and stubbornly unwilling to accept the restoration of good relations with anyone who has offended him.
In conclusion, the blessings of this great month of fasting are too many to be counted. Besides the countless spiritual rewards to be gained, there are great physical and mental rewards also. The month of Ramazan teaches man patience, self-assurance and self-control. It is an effective lesson in willpower. Fasting also provides man with a transparent soul, a clear mind and a light body.
This article is written by Zeenat Nadeem.
