By Imam Imran Rufai
Ramadan is an Arabic word used by Allah in the Quran. The holy book 9 vs 36, says “Surely, the number of months according to Allah is twelve (as written) in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the Earth, of which there are Four Sacred Months. That is the right faith. So, do not wrong yourself therein. And fight the Mushriks all together, as they fight you all together, and be sure that Allah is with the God-fearing”.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a month so unique because of the virtues embedded in it. Each Ramadan day comes with its peculiar blessings and bounties from Allah.
Ramadan has five letters:
1. ر: Means the mercy of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.
2. م: Means the love of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.
3. ض: Means guaranty of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.
4. ا: Means protection of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, and
5. ن: Means Noor of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.
Five acts of worship are performed abundantly in Ramadan include (1) fast (2) Taraweeh (3) Recitation of the Holy Quran (4) I’tikaf (5) acts of Worship in Shab-e-Qadr. If a person performs these acts of worship sincerely, he will deserve these five gifts. (Tafseer-e-Na’eemi, pp. 204-209).
Read Also: Day 1: Significance of Ramadan
Importance/ Virtues of Ramadan
1 – Month of the Quran
The Holy Quran was revealed in this holy month. Allah said in Quran 2 vs 185, ” the month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur’ān was revealed as guidance for mankind with clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong. So those of you who witness the month must fast in it. But the one who is sick, or is on a journey (should fast) as much from other days (as he missed). Allah intends (to provide) ease for you and does not intend (to create) hardship for you. All this is so that you may complete the number (of fasts as prescribed) and proclaim the Takbīr of Allah for having guided you, and (so) that you may be grateful”.
Hence, all Muslims are expected to read the Quran profusely this month, possibly finish it. A number of Surat per day will be great.
2 – Month of patience
Patience is a virtue of Ramadan. It takes a whole lot of patience to go hungry for an entire month. Being a commandment from Allah, it takes patience too to complete the task. Allah says, “the days are numbered”. One has to be patient in searching for the moon to know the exact commencement of the spiritual exercise. Also, patience is required to eat at an unusual time. Even when you see things you don’t like, it takes patience to resist. Other scenarios also require patience.
3 – Locks doors to hellfire
In this month, the doors to hell are closed while that of paradise is opened wide. The Prophet SAW was reported to have said ” when the Ramadan comes, eight doors of Jana are opened and the eight doors of hell locked”. Ramadan comes with a new atmosphere because the breeze of Jana is exposed to the world. Everywhere is calm. Meanwhile, the heat from hell is blocked. However, your soul can be the only stumbling block. Hence this month allow us to act well.
4 – Night of Majesty
An entire chapter of the Quran reviewed this night. Allah says, “Verily we have revealed it (Quran) in the night of majesty. This night is better than a thousand months”. In this night, the permitted angels will descend into the world. They come with every affair planned for the year. About 365 days will be rewritten in a night. And Allah says it will be peace till the break of the dawn.
5 – Answered prayers
In this month, some prayers would be answered. Prophet SAW said, ” for every Muslim that will make a request, it will be answered in the month of Ramadan”. No wonder at the time of breaking the fast, we have been asked to say “the nerves are relaxed. The time to break is near, we ask Allah to give us the reward of what we have done today”. Also, you are expected to say, ” oh our lord, we break our fast today in your name, we ask for the reward of what we have done”.
Watch full lecture below:
https://www.kaftan.tv/session/content/6076da43642e012e19a54cca
