RAMADHAAN AND ITS VIRTUES

Ramadaan is one of the twelve Arabic months. It is a month which is venerated in the Islamic religion, and it is distinguished from the other months by a number of characteristics and virtues, including the following:

 

 

1 – Allaah has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islam, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

 

{ شَهۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِیۤ أُنزِلَ فِیهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدࣰى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَیِّنَـٰتࣲ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهۡرَ فَلۡیَصُمۡهُۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِیضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرࣲ فَعِدَّةࣱ مِّنۡ أَیَّامٍ أُخَرَۗ یُرِیدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡیُسۡرَ وَلَا یُرِیدُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُكۡمِلُوا۟ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ }

[Surah Al-Baqarah: 185]

 

The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.

[Al-Baqarah 2:185]

 

وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: " بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ: شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ وَالْحَجِّ وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ

 

Ibn ‘Umar reported God's messenger as saying, “Islam is based on five things:

the testimony that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the observance of the prayer, the payment of zakat, the Pilgrimage, and the fast during Ramadan.”

 

(Bukhari and Muslim.)

 

 

2 – Allaah revealed the Qur’aan in this month, as He says in the verse quoted above (interpretation of the meaning):

 

{ شَهۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِیۤ أُنزِلَ فِیهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدࣰى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَیِّنَـٰتࣲ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِۚ

 

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…”

 

[Al-Baqarah 2:185]

 

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

 

{ بِّسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِیمِ إِنَّاۤ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ فِی لَیۡلَةِ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ }

 

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).”

 

[Al-Qadr 97:1]

 

 

3 – Allaah has made Laylat al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

 

 بِّسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِیمِ إِنَّاۤ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ فِی لَیۡلَةِ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ (1) وَمَاۤ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا لَیۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ (2) لَیۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ خَیۡرࣱ مِّنۡ أَلۡفِ شَهۡرࣲ (3) تَنَزَّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰۤىِٕكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِیهَا بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمۡرࣲ (4) سَلَـٰمٌ هِیَ حَتَّىٰ مَطۡلَعِ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ (5)

 

[Surah Al-Qadr: 1-5]

 

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).

 

And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?

 

The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

 

Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees,
(All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”

 

[Al-Qadar 97:1-5]

 

{ إِنَّاۤ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ فِی لَیۡلَةࣲ مُّبَـٰرَكَةٍۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِینَ }

 

[Surah Ad-Dukhân: 3]

 

“We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan — the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]”

 

[Al-Dukhaan 44:3]

 

Allaah has blessed Ramadaan with Laylat al-Qadr. Explaining the great status of this blessed night, Soorat al-Qadr was revealed, and there are many ahaadeeth which also speak of that.

 

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ أَتَاكُمْ رَمَضَانُ شَهْرٌ مُبَارَكٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيْكُمْ صِيَامَهُ تُفْتَحُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَتُغْلَقُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ الْجَحِيمِ وَتُغَلُّ فِيهِ مَرَدَةُ الشَّيَاطِينِ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ مَنْ حُرِمَ خَيْرَهَا فَقَدْ حُرِمَ

 

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said:

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There has come to you Ramadaan, a blessed month which Allaah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.”

 

Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 999.

 

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏من قام ليلة القدر إيمانا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه‏"‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

 

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whosoever performs Qiyam during Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), with Faith and being hopeful of Allah's reward, will have his former sins forgiven."

 

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

 

 

4 – Allaah has made fasting Ramadaan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward a means of forgiveness of sins, as was proven in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhari and Muslim )

 

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ من صام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا، غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه ‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)

 

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who observes fasting during the month of Ramadan with Faith while seeking its reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven."

 

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

وعنه، رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، يرغب في قيام رمضان من غير أن يأمرهم فيه بعزيمة، فيقول‏:‏ ‏ "‏من قام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه‏"‏ ‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏

 

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to urge (the people) to perform (optional Tarawih) prayer at night during the month of Ramadan. He did not order them or make it obligatory on them. He (ﷺ) said, "Whosoever performs (optional Tarawih) prayers at night during the month of Ramadan, with Faith and in the hope of receiving Allah's reward, will have his past sins forgiven."

 

[Muslim].

 

The Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is Sunnah to pray qiyaam at night in Ramadaan. Al-Nawawi said that what is meant by praying qiyaam in Ramadaan is to pray Taraweeh, i.e., one achieves what is meant by qiyaam by praying Taraaweeh.

 

 

5 – In this month, Allaah opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils.

 

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم: «إِذا دخل شهر رَمَضَانُ فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ» . وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ: «فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ» . وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ: «فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الرَّحْمَةِ»
مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيه

 

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, "When Ramadan begins the gates of heaven are opened." A version has, "The gates of paradise are opened, the gates of jahannam are locked, and the devils are chained." Another has, "The gates of mercy are opened."

 

(Bukhari and Muslim)

 

 

6 – Every night Allaah has people whom He redeems from the Fire.

 

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ إِذَا كَانَ أَوَّلُ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ صُفِّدَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ وَمَرَدَةُ الْجِنِّ وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ النَّارِ فَلَمْ يُفْتَحْ مِنْهَا بَابٌ. وَفُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ فَلَمْ يُغْلَقْ مِنْهَا بَابٌ وَيُنَادِي مُنَادٍ يَا بَاغِيَ الْخَيْرِ أَقْبِلْ وَيَا بَاغِيَ الشَّرِّ أَقْصِرْ وَلِلَّهِ عُتَقَاءُ مِنَ النَّارِ وَذَلِكَ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ ‏"

 

Abu Hurairah narrated that :

the Messenger of Allah said: "On the first night of the month of Ramadan, the Shayatin are shackled, the jinns are restrained, the gates of the Fires are shut such that no gate among them would be opened. The gates of Paradise are opened such that no gate among them would be closed, and a caller calls: 'O seeker of the good; come near!' and 'O seeker of evil; stop! For there are those whom Allah frees from the Fire.' And that is every night."

 

Imam Ahmad (5/256) narrated from the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “At every breaking of the fast, Allaah has people whom He redeems.”

 

Al-Mundhiri said: there is nothing wrong with its isnaad; and it was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 987.

 

Al-Bazzaar (Kashf 962) narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

 

“Allaah has people whom He redeems every day and night – i.e., in Ramadaan – and every Muslim every day and night has a prayer that is answered.”

 

 

7 – Fasting Ramadaan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadaan, so long as one avoids major sins.

 

وعن أبي هريرة عن النبي، صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏الصلوات الخمس والجمعة إلى الجمعة، ورمضان إلى رمضان، مكفرات ما بينهن إذا اجتنبت الكبائر‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

 

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The five daily (prescribed) Salat, and Friday (prayer) to the next Friday (prayer), and the fasting of Ramadan to the next Ramadan, is expiation of the sins committed in between them, so long as major sins are avoided."

[Muslim]

 

 

8 – Fasting in Ramadaan is equivalent to fasting ten months .

 

عن أبي أيوب رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏من صام رمضان ثم أتبعه بست من شوال كان كصيام الدهر‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.

 

Abu Ayyub (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who observes As-Saum (the fasts) in the month of Ramadan, and also observes As-Saum for six days in the month of Shawwal, it is as if he has observed As-Saum for the whole year."

 

[Muslim]

 

 

9 – Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer .

 

قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا صَلَّى مَعَ الإِمَامِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ حُسِبَ لَهُ قِيَامُ لَيْلَةٍ

 

Narrated by Abu Dawood (1370) and others from the hadeeth of Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Whoever prays qiyaam with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.”

 

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Salaat al-Taraaweeh, p. 15

 

 

10 – ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj.

 

وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما، أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏عمرة في رمضان تعدل عمرة أو حجة معي‏"‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

 

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "(The performance of) 'Umrah during Ramadan is equal to Hajj (pilgrimage)." Or said, "Equal to the performance of Hajj with me."

 

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

 

 

11 – It is Sunnah to observe i’tikaaf (retreat for the purpose of worship) in Ramadaan .

 

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يعتكف العشر الأواخر من رمضان، حتى توفاه الله، تعالى ثم اعتكف أزواجه من بعده‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

 

'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to engage himself in I'tikaf (seclusion for prayers) in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan till he passed away; thereafter, his wives followed this practice after him.

 

[Al- Bukhari and Muslim

 

 

12 – It is mustahabb in the sense of being strongly recommended in Ramadaan to study the Qur’aan together and to read it a great deal. You may study the Qur’aan together by reciting it to someone else and by having someone else recite it to you.

 

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَجْوَدَ النَّاسِ، وَكَانَ أَجْوَدُ مَا يَكُونُ فِي رَمَضَانَ حِينَ يَلْقَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ، وَكَانَ يَلْقَاهُ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ فَيُدَارِسُهُ الْقُرْآنَ، فَلَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَجْوَدُ بِالْخَيْرِ مِنَ الرِّيحِ الْمُرْسَلَةِ‏

 

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to reach the peak in generosity in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night of Ramadan to teach him the Qur'an. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was the most generous person, even more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds).

 

The evidence that this is mustahabb is the fact that Jibreel used to meet the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) every night in Ramadaan and study the Qur’aan with him.

 

Narrated by al-Bukhaari .

 

Reading Qur’aaan is mustahabb in general, but more so in Ramadaan.

 

 

13 – It is mustahabb in Ramadaan to offer iftaar to those who are fasting .

 

عن زيد بن خالد الجهني، رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏من فطر صائمًا، كان له مثل أجره غير أنه لا ينقص من أجر الصائم شيء‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه الترمذي وقال‏:‏ حديث حسن صحيح‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

 

Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who provides a fasting person something with which to break his fast, will earn the same reward as the one who was observing the fast, without diminishing in any way the reward of the latter."

[At-Tirmidhi].

 

Jazakallahu Khair for reading