Ramadan is the most precious month in the Islamic calendar (Hijri) and it is obligatory for Muslims to fast in this month. Here are some interesting facts that show the importance of Ramadan in Islam. Holy Quran was first revealed in the month of Ramadan.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is the second of the Furu’ al-din or ancillaries of the religion of the religion of Islam.
Fasting helps the believer attain Taqwa or God-wariness (performing actions that please Allah the Almighty and abstaining from those actions that displease Him).
Ramadan is known to be the month of the Holy Quran. It is highly recommended to recite and study the Holy Quran and to share it with others during the month of Ramadan.
Offering supplications and prayers throughout the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr) in this month, which as emphasized by the Holy Quran is better than a thousand months.
In this Holy month, the gates of Paradise are opened, gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained up.
It is a very rewarding act in Ramadan to offer Iftaar (sunset meal to break one’s fast) to those who are fasting.
There is an authentic Hadith quoted from the Prophet of Islam (pbuh) that if one fasts in the month of Ramadan sincerely and out of complete faith and in the hope of reward, he will be forgiven all his previous sins, provided major sins are not committed.
The Month of Ramadan in the Holy Quran
The month of Ramadan is one in which the Quran was sent down as guidance to mankind, with manifest proofs of guidance and the Criterion. So let those of you who witness it fast (in) it, and as for someone who is sick or on a journey, let it be a (similar) number of other days. Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire hardship for you, and so that you may complete the number and magnify Allah for guiding you, and that you may give thanks. (The Holy Quran Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 185)
Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Ordainment. And what will show you what is the Night of Ordainment? The Night of Ordainment is better than a thousand months. In it, the angels and the Spirit descend, by the leave of their Lord, with every command. It is peaceful until the rising of the dawn. (The Holy Quran Surah Al-Qadr, Verses 1-5)
The Month of Ramadan in Hadiths
In hadiths, this month is referred to in different ways, such as in the following;
“Ramadan” is one of the names of God.
If people know the value of this month, they wish the whole year was Ramadan.
It is the month of forgiveness, and if one’s sins are not forgiven during this month, there is not much hope for forgiveness for them in the rest of the year.
The month of God.
The month of divine mercy and forgiveness.
The month of burning sins.
The month during which the gates of the Heavens are open.
The month of double rewards.
The spring of the Quran.
The month during which the gates of hell are closed.
The month during which the gates of Paradise are open.
The month in which devils are chained.
It is the month in which the great sound will be heard as a sign of the appearance of Imam al-Mahdi (a) according to some hadiths. Some hadiths reported the solar eclipse to happen on the 13th or 14th of this month and a lunar eclipse on the 25th of the same month unexpectedly. (citation needed)
It is the month in which the glorious Quran, the New Testament, the Torah, the Ten Commandments, and the Psalms have been sent down.
“The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, he will be forgiven his previous sins.”.
Allah’s Holy Messenger (pbuh) was heard saying regarding Ramadan, “Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.”
Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) used to stay awake and pray during the nights of Ramadan and used to say, “Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan.”
The Messenger of Allah enjoined the Zakah of Fitrah for everyone, young and old, free and slave, male and female.
It has been in the narrations that whoever fasts the last three days of the month of Sha’ban ending with the first day of Ramadan, he/she will be rewarded the blessings of two months of fasting.
