HOLY RAMADHAN: THE MONTH OF ALLAH (SWT)

The month of Holy Ramadhan is known as Shahrullah meaning "the month of Allah". It is indeed the month of Barakah (Blessings), Rahmah (Mercy) and Maghfirah (Forgiveness). It is reported that at the advent of this great month, the Holy Prophet (saww) delivered a sermon to his followers in which he said:

"O people! Verily the month of Allah has come to you with Blessings, Mercy and Forgiveness. It is a month which is considered by Allah as the best of all months, its days are best of all days, its nights are best of all nights, and its hours are best of all hours.

It is a month in which you have been invited to become guests of Allah and you have been made in it, the favourites of Allah. Your breathing in this month is counted as Tasbeeh (glorifying Allah), your sleep is considered as 'Ibadah (worship), your good actions in it are Maqbool (accepted) and your invocations therein are Mustajaab (sanctioned)".

It is a lengthy sermon, detail version of which can be found in Almanac and many other Islamic books concerning this holy month. However, at the end of this sermon, Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (as) asked, "O prophet of Allah! What is the best deed (one can perform) in this month?" The Holy Prophet (saww) replied: "O Abul-Hassan! The best deed in this month is to become cautious of (not falling into) haram acts".

The Holy Prophet (saww) also said: "If the servant (of Allah) knew what is in (the month of) Ramadhan, he would have surely wished it to (last for) a year". (Bihar al-Anwaar)

POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT THIS MONTH:

Call the name of this month with respect: We should avoid calling this month by its name as though it is like any other month. Many of us usually say "Ramadhan is here" or "Ramadhan is coming". The Holy Prophet (saww) has asked us to accord highest degree of respect even to the name of this holy month because it is also one of the names of Allah (SWT). 

The Holy Prophet (saww) said, "Do not say: Ramadhan, for verily Ramadhan is one of the names of Allah. Instead say: The month of Ramadhan". (Kanzul-'Ummaal)

Shaytan, the greatest enemy of mankind is imprisoned in this holy month: The Shayateen are taken as captives so that they do not interfere with the good deeds of the true believers and do not mislead them into haram acts. Therefore, whatever evil we commit in this holy month, we ourselves shall be blamed for the same.

It is the tendency of man to blame others for his wrong-doings. Although Shaytan does misguide man, but  man has already been forewarned about him and has been blessed with Aql (reasoning power) to take heed of the warning and be careful of him. On the day of Judgement, when man will be questioned about his misdeeds, he will immediately blame Shaytan for it. But Shaytan will say: "I never forced him into anything. I simply invited him and he responded".

"The like of Shaytan is that he tells man: Disbelieve. And when he disbelieves, he says: I am absolved from you, verily I fear the Lord of the worlds". (59:16)

However, in the holy month of Ramadhan, Shaytan is actually imprisoned so that he does not invite others to misdeeds. The Holy Prophet (saww) has said that, "Allah (SWT) has appointed for every accursed Shaytan seven Angels so that they are not free till this month of yours passes by". (Bihar al-Anwaar)

He (saww) also said: "Allah (SWT) tells Jibrael: Descend towards the earth and imprison the Shayateen so that they do not corrupt the fasts of My servants". (Bihar al-Anwaar)

In this month, sins are forgiven: We should therefore seek forgiveness for all our sins and ammend ourselves. The doors of Heaven are opened on the first night of this holy month and are not shut till its last night. Thousands of Angels ascend and descend between the heavens and the earth every day and night of the month. The Holy Prophet (saww) has said: "This month is called Ramadhan because it burns down the sins".(Kanzul-'Ummaal). He (saww) also said: "He is a wretched who is denied forgiveness from Allah (SWT) in this month". (Bihar al-Anwaar)

It is said that one, who is not forgiven in this holy month, shall not be forgiven in any other months unless he presents himself on the plain of 'Arafah (in Hajj) to seek forgiveness.

The Holy Quran was revealed in this month:

"The month of Ramadhan is that in which Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of guidance and the distinction.." (2:185)

According to the Tafseer of S V Mir Ahmad Ali, the complete Quran was revealed on the Holy Prophet (saww) on the night of Qadr i.e. power.

"Verily We have revealed it in the night of power (Laylatul-Qadr)". (97:1)

Thereafter, he (saww) was intimated to deliver it gradually to the people as and when Allah (SWT) deemed suitable during a period of 23 years.

One should therefore, give a lot of importance to the recitation of the Holy Quran in the holy month of Ramadhan and at the same time understand and apply its teachings in his practical life.

The Holy Prophet (saww) has said: "Impose upon yourself with recitation of the Quran for verily in its recitation, there is atonement of sins, and cover from the hell-fire and peace from the punishment of Allah (SWT)".  (Bihar al-Anwaar)

Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (as) has said: "There is no good in that reading which is not followed with reflection and there is no good in that worship in which there is no understanding". (Bihar al-Anwaar).  He (as) also said, "Attach yourselves to (the teachings of) Quran and take it as your Guide". (Kanzul-'Ummaal)

We wish all our readers the month of Ramadhan Mubarak. May Allah (SWT) bless us all with good health particularly during this holy month so that we derive maximum benefits from our fasts and other acts of worship -ilaahi aamin.

Please remember us in your prayers.

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Mulla Mujaheedali Sheriff

mulla@almahdi.org.uk