The Qur'an says:
"Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an,
as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and
judgment (Between right and wrong)." (2:185)
Imam Ali (A.S.) asked the Prophet, "What is
the best thing to do in Ramadan?" The Prophet answered: "The
best thing is to avoid committing sins." (Yun al-Akhbar
ar-Ridha, vol.1). It is also stated that eating and drinking
alone do not cause refraining from fasting. It should be
known that refraining from everything that causes man to
part from God is also counted.
The Benefits to
us in this Holy Month
In Islam, the spiritual, social, economic, political,
physical and psychological benefits of fast are
interrelated. Some general benefits of fasting during the
Month of Ramadhan include:
- Spiritual Benefits
(i.e. in our nafs):
- Believers learn to
curb their false desires
- Fast fosters a strong
will
- Fasting teaches
patience and self-discipline
- One learns to rely
only on Allah (swt)
- Fasting encourages the
recognition of the bounties we have
- The believers
strengthen their ties with Allah (swt)
· Social
Benefits: (i.e. in our community):
- Fasting promotes the
spirit of unity among Muslims
- One feels compassion
towards the poor and the needy
- Physical Benefits:
- Fasting regulates and
systemizes our bodies
- It trains the body to
control unhealthy cravings
- It grants its organs a
break from a year of working continuously
How Can we Take Advantage of this Blessed Month?
- Muslim youths should
take advantage of the open doors of heaven in this month.
There is no better chance for forgiveness than in the
Month of Mercy. Unfortunate is he who is not forgiven in
the Holy Month. As spirits are high, youths should use
this month to examine the purpose of life and their
priorities. This is the month of goal setting and
resolution.
- The month of Ramadan is
the spring of the Qur'an. The Holy
Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "He who reads a verse of the Qur'an
in Ramadan is equal to having read all of the Holy Qur'an
in other months." (Bihar alAnwar, vol.16).
Some Important Ahadeeth Regarding Taking Advantage of the
Month of Ramadhan:
v Jabir! Whoever during
the month of Ramadhan, fasts in its days, stands up for
prayers in parts of the night, controls his desires and
emotions, puts a rein on his tongue, keeps his eyes down,
and does not injure the feelings of others, will become as
free of sins as the day he was born.
~Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a)
v There are two
pleasures for a fasting person; one when he breaks his
fast, and one when he meets his Lord.
~Imam Ja`far as-Sadiq (a)
v If people understood what good there was in the month
of Ramadhan, they would have liked that it last for a year.
~Holy Prophet (s)
v Whoever is not forgiven in the month of Ramadhan, then
in which month will he be forgiven?
~Holy Prophet (s)
A segment from
Imam Sajjad (as)’s du’a welcoming the month of Ramadhan:
O Lord! Erase
our sins with the disappearance of this month's crescent,
and free us from our penalties with the completion of its
days, so that the month may pass from us while You have
cleansed us of our guilt, and freed us from our sins. O
Lord! Fill this month with our worship of you alone, and
adorn its moments with our service to You, and help us in
the daytime to observe the fast, and at night to pray and
beseech You, help us to humble ourselves before you and
lower ourselves in Your presence.