Importance of Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered one of the most important months in Islam. It is a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community for Muslims worldwide.

Here are some reasons why Ramadan is considered important in Islam:

• Fasting: Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and fasting is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are capable to fast. Fasting is a way of purifying the body and the soul, and it helps Muslims develop self-control, patience, and empathy for those who are less fortunate.
• Increased spirituality: During Ramadan, Muslims spend more time in prayer, reflection, and reading the Quran. It is a time to increase one's devotion to Allah and to seek forgiveness for past sins.
• Community: Ramadan is a time when Muslims come together to break their fast and share meals with family, friends, and neighbors. It is a time of increased socialization and generosity, with many Muslims donating to charities and helping those in need.
• Night of Power: The Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr) is considered the holiest night of the year in Islam, and it occurs during the last ten days of Ramadan. Muslims believe that on this night, the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, and it is a night of great spiritual significance.

Allah has stated the importance of Ramadan in the following Quranic verse:

“The month of Ramaḍān is that in which was revealed the Qur’ān, guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the crescent of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allāh intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful [2: 185]”.

Gates of Paradise Opened and the Gates of Hell Locked and the Devils are Chained Up

One of the blessings of this month is that, enemies, iblis and his allies among the devils are locked up.

Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) has stated that:

“When the month of Ramadan comes; the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are imprisoned” [Bukhari].

Maybe, it is because of this reason that we feel more tranquility and peace in this month than any of the other month.

According to some scholars, it is said that the devils are locked up to keep them away from harming the believers and agitating them. This is a type of mercy from Allah so that the believers should focus on worshipping their creator.

Ramadan erases sins

One more benefit of Ramadan is that it acts as expiation for our minor sins. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

“The five (daily) prayers and from one Friday prayer to the (next) Friday prayer, and from Ramadan to Ramadan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals) provided one shuns the major sins” [Muslim].

Reward of ‘Umrah in Ramadan is multiplied

The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said,

“Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj” (Ibn Majah). However, performing Umrah in Ramadan won’t exempt you from the obligation to perform hajj when it becomes obligatory upon you. A Muslim should perform Umrah during Ramadan to achieve the rewards equivalent to Hajj, this will be considered as nafl (voluntary) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Laylah Al-Qadr (The Night of Power)

It is said that, this night is better than a 1000 nights (83+ years).

Allah Says in the Qur’an [meaning of which is],

“And what can make you know what the night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a thousand months” (Qur’an 97:2-3).

As a result, if you catch it and worship Allah during this night you will receive rewards equivalent to that of 1000 nights of worship.

Moreover, this night is placed in the last ten nights of Ramadan, and nobody knows the exact night among these, because Allah has kept this hidden from us.

The Prophet (P.B.U.H) used to say,

“Look for the Night of Qadr (power) in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan” [Bukhari].

Being Extra Generous in Charity

It is said that, “Allah’s Messenger (P.B.U.H) was the most generous of people in charity, but he was generous to the utmost in the month of Ramadan” [Muslim].

The reward of good deeds in Ramadan is given twice of the other months. Therefore, we should give charity in this month as we will be rewarded more.

Furthermore, if we want to achieve forgiveness, giving charity in the month of Ramadan is the best way to do it. As the Prophet said:

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) also said:

“O People! One who gives Iftaar to a fasting person during this month [Ramadan] will be like one who has freed someone and his past sins will be forgiven [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 807; Ibn Maajah, 1746. Classed as saheeh by Ibn Hibaan, 8/216 and by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami, 6415].”

Apart from this Allah is merciful to those who are merciful to others as the Prophet (P.B.U.H) is reported to have said, “Allah is merciful only to those of His slaves who are merciful [to others]” (Bukhari).

Revising the Qur’an

We should revise the Holy Quran in this month as it is reported that the,

“Angel Gabriel used to meet the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) every night during Ramadan to revise the Qur’an with him” [Bukhari].

It’s better to understand the Quran rather than just parroting away without much thought. Reciting Quran with meaning and understanding is far better than just reading the Holy Quran, Hence, if you read less of the Quran yet with understanding this is more important rather than reading loads of it without understanding. The reason behind this is to understand the Quran and follow its teachings which we should practice in our lives. However, when we do without understanding the meanings and just read the Arabic then we would never be able to understand what Allah wants to say His people.

Ramadan is an important time for Muslims to focus on their faith, spirituality, and community. It is a time for self-reflection, self-discipline, and increased devotion to Allah. Therefore, we as Muslims should be very much conscious regarding how we are spending the month of Ramadan.