In the words of Allah’s Messenger, Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) through the narration of Abu Hurairah, He said: ‘The month of Ramadan has come, a blessed month in which Allah Almighty has obligated you to fast. In it the gates of the heavens are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, the devils are chained, and in it is a night that is better than a thousand months. Thus, whoever is deprived of its good is truly deprived.
Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah, PBUH, said: ‘Islam is built upon five pillars: to worship Allah and to disbelieve in what is worshiped besides him, to establish prayer, to give charity, to perform Hajj pilgrimage to the house, and to fast the month of Ramadan’.
Abu Huraira also reported that ‘A bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah, PBUH, and he said, “O Messenger of Allah, show me a deed by which I may enter Paradise.” The Prophet (PBUH) said “Worship Allah and never associate anything with Him, establish the prescribed prayers, give the obligatory charity, and fast of the month of Ramadan”. The man said, “By Him in whose hand is my soul, I will never add anything to it, nor will I lessen anything from it.” When the man turned his back, the Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘Whoever is pleased to see a man from the people of Paradise, let him look at this one’. Bukhārī 1397.
Numerous Hadiths underline the significance and virtues of the month of Ramadan. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, for instance, the scriptures of Abraham, upon him be peace, were revealed on the first night of Ramadan. The Torah was revealed after six nights of Ramadan had passed, the Gospel was revealed after 13 nights of Ramadan had passed, and the Quran was revealed after 24 nights of Ramadan had passed.
Ramadan has both spiritual and physical benefits proven by scientific research. Among the spiritual benefits of Ramadan are
- Spiritual growth, Strengthening of faith and ability to bring one closer to Allah as the Quran says “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those who came before you, so that you may attain Taqwa or Mindfulness of Allah.” [2:183]
- Immense rewards from Allah. Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Every action a son of Adam does shall be multiplied—a good action by ten times its value, up to 700 times. Allah says: With the exception of fasting, which belongs to Me, and I reward it accordingly…”Bukhari
- Expatiation of sins The Prophet (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 stays away from the major sins.” Muslim: 233
- A special opportunity for those who fast with sincerity to enter into paradise through a special door called Al-Rayyan The Prophet (PBUH) said: “In Paradise there is a gate called Al-Rayyan, through which those who used to fast will enter on the Day of Resurrection, and no one but they will enter it.” Bukhari, 1763.
- Redemption from the Hellfire. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said ‘A worshipper does not fast a day for the sake of Allah except that that day (of fasting) distances the Fire from his face by seventy autumns’. [Timithy]
- The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said “Umrah pilgrimage during Ramadan is equal to Hajj”.
- Ramadan provides Means of the purification of the soul. It is well established among scholars of knowledge and piety that Forgiveness of sins has a very positive result in purifying the soul. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said “Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” Bukhari and Muslim.
- Another significant practice during the final 10 days of Ramadan is the observance of “Laylat al-Qadr” or the Night of Power which is more virtuous than a thousand months. It is a night of immense blessings and forgiveness. Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed and revered night in the Muslim calendar. It marks the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed. Any good deed performed on the night of Laylatul Qadr is said to carry more reward than the good deeds of a thousand months combined. The Quran emphasizes the significance of Laylatul Qadr in the following verses. “The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” (97:3). Muslims engage in intense worship during these nights, seeking Allah’s mercy, blessings, guidance and protection from the Hellfire.
- The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: It (Ramadan) is the month, whose beginning is mercy, its middle, forgiveness and its end, emancipation from the fire (of hell).
- Everyday in Ramadan is a special day. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said “Verily, Allah has people He redeems in every day and night of Ramadan, and every servant among them has a supplication that will be answered”. Musnad Aḥmad 7450.
Physical and health benefits: The Muslim Aid, a charity organisation in the United Kingdom, have indicated that “Studies have shown that fasting can reduce stress, prevent chronic diseases, improve mood, and enhance mental alertness. Fasting allows the digestive system to rest, helps flush out toxins from the body, and promotes better overall health”.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Messenger of Allah, PBUH, said ‘When one of you wakes up in the morning for fasting, then he should not use obscene language or behave foolishly. If anyone abuses him or fights with him, he should say twice: Indeed, I am fasting’. Muslim 1151.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: Verily, fasting is not only from eating and drinking. Rather, fasting is from vanity and obscenity. Ibn Ḥibbān 3479.
Ibn Abbas said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was the most generous of people and he was even more generous in Ramadan when Gabriel would meet him. He would meet him every night of Ramadan to study the Quran. Thus, the Prophet would be more generous than a nourishing wind. Bukhārī 1902.
[O Prophet!] Show forgiveness, enjoin equity, and avoid the ignorant. Quran 7:199.
Eminent Member and Chairman, Finance and Fundraising Committee, GARPC, National Peace Council of Ghana.
Executive Secretary, Tijjaniya Muslims of Ghana.
BY ALHAJI KHUZAIMA MOHAMMED OSMAN
Source:
ghanaiantimes.com.gh
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