Reasons why Ramadan is a blessed month
A Gift from Allah
Ramadan is a gift from Allah (swt), a month during which Muslims from all over the world fast from sunrise to sunset. They refrain from every activity that is not pleasurable to Allah to become closer to him.
Why Ramadan is so Special?
Muslims eagerly wait for this month to arrive so they may receive the blessings and mercy of Allah on them. Ramadan is an important month for the Muslim Ummah and with the careful observance of fasts and prayers; Muslims can earn forgiveness and receive blessings for many years.
What Allah says in Quran?
As Allah says in the Quran: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” [2:183].
It is important for us to understand the significance of this holy month and why this month holds immense importance in Islam. How to have strong intentions or niyah, how to gain the pleasure of Allah through good deeds and worship? How to attain the highest level of spirituality is all important aspect Muslims need to understand.
Blessings in the month of Ramadan
Here are some of the reasons why Ramadan is the month of benefits and blessings:
- Fasting is blessing; following is the explanation of why?
Voluntary deprivation for spiritual conditioning is fasting and we voluntarily fast by depriving ourselves from food, drinks and bad habits just to gain the pleasure of Allah (swt).
Prophet (PBUH) said that Allah (swt) says about the fasting person,
“He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So, I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied 10 times” [Bukhari].
Those who fast with sincerity, Allah has kept immense rewards for them. Allah does not get our sacrifices get unnoticed. Abdullah ibn ‘Amr related that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
“Fasting and the Quran will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say: ‘O Lord, I kept him from his food and desires during the day; let me intercede for him’ ” (Ahmad).
Fasting is the most important form of worship in this holy month and it does not have only spiritual benefits but it boosts our wellbeing. It cleanses the body from harmful toxins and improves the digestive system.
- Forgiveness Expiates Sins
In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Sa‘eed Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, he said that he heard the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) saying:
“Whoever fasts Ramadan and knows its limits and avoids whatever he should avoid in it, it (Ramadan) will be an expiation of what is before it.”(Ahmad) (Ibn Hibbaan: Saheeh).
The main virtue of fasting is that it is our key to forgiveness for sins. Allah doesn’t want to see us restricting ourselves from food and water. But it is His way of bringing us closer to him and forgiving us for our ill deeds.
- Forgiveness on previous sins
Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. And whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven” [Muslim].
Most of us spent many of our days and night during Ramadan on reflection and we often come to realize our shortcomings and misconducts. Whether these are out of ill intentions or obliviousness, we cause more harm to ourselves spiritually. This holy month from Allah gives us the great opportunity to ask for forgiveness for all our previous misdeeds and sins.
This month has great potential for continuous forgiveness as said by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH):
“The five daily prayers, from one Jumu‘ah to the next and from one Ramadan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as major sins are avoided” [Muslim].
The door for forgives are open for us these days and we can constantly strive for renewing our faith and making ourselves better in every way.
- Greater Rewards from Duas and Prayers
This month is the month where we make most duas and spend our nights in voluntary prayers. The special focus is on last ten days, where Muslims spend their days and nights reciting longer portions of Quran, praying tahajjud and reciting short duas for themselves, their loved ones and society.
Abu Saeed al-Khudri related that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Verily, Allah has people He redeems in every day and night of Ramadan. Every servant among them has a supplication that will be answered” [Ahmad].
These blessed days give us a chance to become better Muslims, asks for forgiveness, increase our good deeds and gain the pleasure of Allah. This is a really special time for us where we can gain the rewards for praying 1,000 months by praying on Laylatul qadr and make efforts to improve our prayers.
Our sincere efforts in the path of Allah (swt) will bring a lot of blessing in various forms that we as human beings cannot even fathom.
