Merits of Ramadhan

Merits of Ramadhan

To describe the objective merits of the month of Ramadhan, which justify its higher rank over other months, it is more suitable to refer to the words of the Almighty Allah, and His Last Prophet.

The Holy Quran says:
O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may ward off (evil);
And (for) him who is sick among you, or on journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it there is a ransom: the feeding of a man in need.
But whose does good of his own accord, it is better for him; and that your fast is better for you if you did but know ...
The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Quran, guidance for mankind, and clear proof of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong); and whosoever of you is present, let him fast the (whole) month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and (He desires) that you should complete the period, and that you should glorify Allah for haveing guided you, and that you may be thankful. (AL BAQARAH : 183 to 185)

So hold intercourse with them and seek that which Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the white thread (on horizon) becomes distinct to you from the black thread of the dawn. Then strictly observe the fast till nightfall and touch them not, but be at your devotions in the mosques. (AL BAQARAH : 187)

And men who fast and women who fast ... Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward. (AL AH'ZAAB : 35)

The Holy Quran was revealed to the Holy Prophet (S.A.) in the month of Ramadhan. Fasting throughout the month has been made obligatory. Fasting is one of the "Waajib" (obligatory) rules of conduct laid down by Islam. For all matters concerning "Sawm" (fasting) please see "Chiragh-i-Hidayat" published by our Trust.
Shaykh Suddooq (R.A.) quotes Imam Ali bin Moosa Ar Ridhaa (A.S.) that he received from his Holy ancestors, on the authority of Imam Ali ibna Abi Talib (A.S.), the text of the speech the Holy Prophet used to deliver at the advent of the blessed month of Ramadhan.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.) said:
O men and women! Draws near unto you the blessed month, overflowing with advantages, merciful, ready to put up your sins of omission and commission to Allah for obtaining His forgiveness. Its days, nights and hours, in the estimation of Allah, are most select, refined and important than the days, nights and hours of other months. It surpasses all months in merits and favours.
In this month you are the guests of Allah, enjoying His hospitality, you are from among His favourites, your breathing is "praise to Allah", your sleep is His worship, your prayers receive His approval, your invocations are sanctioned. So, sincerely, free from evil and sinful thoughts and actions, with clear conscience, pray and request that He may give you heart and confidence to observe fast and recite the Holy Quran and dua'as throughout this month.
He who does not receive mercy and forgiveness in this month is really an ill-fated unfortunate, condemned to everlasting unhappiness and deprivation.
Thirst and hunger you undergo, feel and live throuth, here and nown, bring to your memory the severity and sharpness of the drought and starvation that will be the order of the day on the Day of Judgement.
Give alms to the poor and the destitute.
Treat your parents and elders with respect.

Be kind and loving to your children and juniors.
Take care of and look after your kith and kin.
Keep from giving tongue to that which should not (even) be whispered.
Shut your eyes to that which is indecent to have an eye for.
Turn a deaf ear to that which is too slanderous to be all ears.
Be compassionate, gentle and benign unto orphans so that after you, your children, if need be, receive the same treatment form others.
Turn repentant to Allah and seek His nearness.
After every prayer recite dua'as to invoke His mercy and forgiveness because the most suitable time to get fulfilment of desire is when you have prayed a salaat, the Almighty gives answer to His servants who call Him in these moments.
O People! In truth and fact your bodies and souls are held in pledge, strike a bargain to set them free by asking forgiveness of Allah. Your backs are burdened with a hard to endure load of sins, prostrate yourself in adoration of Allah, a great deal, to make the drag less heavy, because the Lord of the worlds has given His word, in the name of His might and honour, not to take to task those who pray and prostrate in this month, the flames of the fire will not frighten them.
O People! Whose provides a meal to a faithful, at the time of breaking the fast, earns the recompense of setting an enslaved human being free.
O People! In this month, whose makes better his or her morals will corss the "Bridge of Siraat" with ease and finesse, where people, at every step, would stumble and fall; whose gives leisure and respite to his or her employees will receive equivalent leniency on the Day of Reckoning; whose takes care of and looks after the orphans and relatives will be treated mercifully on the Day of Judgement; whose prays optional salaats will get the immunity from Helfire, and praying of obligatory salaats, in prime time, multiply the good in leaps and bounds; whose recite even one verse of the Holy Quran, obtains the reward of a full recital of the whole Book in the other months.

O People! In this month, beyond a shadow of doubt, the doors of the everlasting bliss and happiness are thrown open, so beseech Allah not ever to shut them off to your face; and the traps of the eternal curse are unhinged, so make a request to Allah to remove them from your path for ever; the devils are held in chains, so pray to Allah not to set them free for leading you astray.
The month of Ramadhan is very dear to Allah. It is the most august of all months, pure, generous and merciful.
Do not let its nights go waste in slumber, its days in careless omission or loss of remembrance of Allah.