Ramadhan

Importance of Ramadhan

Once more Ramadhan is coming to us with all its blessings. Blessed are those who could welcome this holy month. Last year there were many with us to welcome and to bid farewell. But now they are under the earth. And can we take a share in the next Ramadhan? Allah knows best.

A Muslim does not doubt in that the best of all months is Ramadhan and the virtues of Ramadhan are out of limitation. But where he fails is in exploiting the moments in Ramadhan as they deserve. May Allah help us in utilizing the blessed moments of the month in all kinds of virtues by which we can escape in the hereafter.

 What is Ramadhan?

Ramadhan is the ninth month of Hijra Calendar. There are many opinions as to the origin of the name Ramadhan. According to some of the linguists, the word Ramadhan means that which is setting ablaze. This literal meaning is very near to the technical sense. Ramadhan is the month which burns the sins of the believers. Ibnu Asakir (in his Tareekh) has reported a Hadeeth from Sayyida Aisha. She asked to the messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam “Why Ramadhan is named so?” He told “In the month of Ramadhan Allah will forgive and burn the sins of the believers”

Some scholars opine that it is Karaaha (undesirable) to use the word Ramadhan without using Shahr (month), that is to say the month of Ramadhan.

According to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani the five letters in the word Ramadhan (Ra-Ma-Dh-A-N) are indication to five ideas

1- Ra (Ridhwanullah) – The Pleasure of Allah

2- Ma (Mahabbatullah) – The love of Allah

3- Dha (Dhamanullah) - The protection of Allah

4- A (Ilfullah) – The nearness of Allah

5- N (Noorullah) The light of Allah

 Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the 'pillars' of the Islamic faith. No proof is required to establish its being obligatory (wajib) and one denying it goes out of the fold of Islam, because it is obvious, like Salat, to the learned and the unlettered, the elderly and the young. It was declared an obligatory duty (fardh ) in the second year of the Hijra upon each and every Mukallaf (one capable of carrying out religious duties, i.e. a sane adult).

In the month of Ramadhan the reward for the virtues will be doubled into ten to seven thousand times. Why was Ramadhan distinguished from other months of a year by this great position?

Because,

Ramadhan is the month of the revelation of The Holy Quraan

Allah says:

 شَہۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدً۬ى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِ‌ۚ فَمَن شَہِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّہۡرَ فَلۡيَصُمۡهُ‌ۖ وَمَن ڪَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ۬ فَعِدَّةٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ‌ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِڪُمُ ٱلۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِڪُمُ ٱلۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُڪۡمِلُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُڪَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَٮٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ (١٨٥)

Ramadhan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. Allah wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify Allah for guiding you, and to express your appreciation. (Al Baqara:185)

From the above evidence we can understand that the prime reason for the greatness of the Ramadhan is the revelation of the Quraan in it. And it is known to everyone that the Time is honoured by the great events that take place. So really the month of Ramadhan is the anniversary of the revelation of The Holy Quraan which is the main guide for the humanity.

The door of Heaven is opened

Imam Ahmad and Imam Nasa’i reported a Hadeeth from Aboo Huraira Radhiyallahu anhu. He told: The messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam would give glad tidings to his companions at the coming of the Month of Ramdhan. He would tell them:

”جاءكم شهر رمضان شهر مبارك كتب الله عليكم صيامه فيه تفتح أبواب الجنة وتغلق فيه أبواب الجحيم وتغل فيه الشياطين وفيه ليلة خير من ألف شهر من حرم خيرها فقد حرم"

The blessed month of Ramadhan came to you. Allah has prescribed to you the fasting of that month in which the doors of heaven will be opened and the doors of Hell will be closed and the Satans will be shackled. And in the month there is a night which is better than a thousand months. If one is prevented its virtue, he is prevented (all virtues).

And in another Hadeeth we can read this:

"لو يعلم الناس ما في رمضان لتمنت أمتي أن يكون رمضان السنة كلها"

“If the people know what is in Ramadhan my Ummah will wish all the year to be Ramadhan”

The special door of Al-Rayyan

Imam Muslim and Imam Bukhari reported: The messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam told:

" إن في الجنة بابا يقال له الريان يدخل منه الصائمون لا يدخل منه غيرهم "

“There is a door in Heaven told Al Rayyan. Only the Saa’imeen (those who take fast) will enter through it. No one else will enter through that door”