Muhammad Rashid Tabassum
Ramadan is 9th month of Islamic Calendar. It is the best month in the year. It is the month of fasting which is the 4th pillar of Islam. Muslims observe fast during the whole month of Ramadan. It begins with the first night of Lunar Calendar. Ramadan is as like guest which comes once in a year. We should respect this guest. The companion of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) prayed to Allah 6 months before Ramadan, to extend their life that they can meet and get the blessings of Ramadan. They also prayed 6 months after Ramadan to accept their fasting. Allah prescribes daily fasting for all able, adult Muslims. Allah says in Quran: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may attain Taqwa”. [Quran 2:183], Allah says in another place of Quran: “So whoever of you sights the month (Ramadan), he must observe Saum (fasts).†[Quran 2:185] In this month the gates of paradise are opened, gates of Hell are closed and devils are chained. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “When it is the first night of the month of Ramadan the evil devils are chained. The gates of fire are locked – not a single gate is opened, and the gates of Paradise are opened – not a single gate is locked, and a caller calls out: O seeker of good, come forward, and O seeker of evil withhold, and there are many whom Allah frees from the Fire – and that is every nightâ€. (Tirmidhee, Ibn Majah and Ibn Khuzaymah) As well as, Ramadan is the month of Quran. In this month, the Holy Quran is revealed for guide of people and healing for Muslims. Allah says in Surah Baqarah: “The month of Ramadan in which Quran was revealed, guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)â€. There is a special night in this month which is called Lailatul Qadr. This night is better than 1000 month nights. Writing more, there is great importance of Ramadan in Muslim’s life. It is spring season of virtues for Muslims. It is also the month of atonement from evil. Allah’s Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Whoever observes (fasts) during the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping to attain Allah’s Rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.†(Sahi Bukhari). Fasting is not the name of abstain food, drink or take hungry. It is the name to adopt good deeds, increase of virtues and leave evil and bad habits. As Holy Prophet (SAW) said that he who does not abstain from obscene language and acting obscenely (during the period of Ramadan), Allah has not need that he did not eat or drink. (Bukhari Muslim). In another Hadith, Holy Prophet (SAW) said: “Fasting is not only to restrain from food and drink. Fasting is to refrain from obscene (acts). If someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly towards you, say (to them) ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’ †(Ibn Khuzaymah) Furthermore, every virtue has reward in Islam. For example, the reward of prayer is that sins will fall like the leaves fall from the branches of a tree. The reward of Hajj is that Allah forgives all past sins. But in case of fasting, is different matter. Muslim bears hunger for the sake of Allah. He can eat or drink something in such place where anyone cannot see him. But he does not do so because there is one thing in his mind that Allah is looking him. Holy Prophet (SAW) reported that Allah said: “All services of son of Adam for him except fasting. It is for me, and I will reward him for it.â€(Sahi Muslim). Concluding more, Ramadan is the month of magnificence and felicity. It is training course of one month. It is the month of patience and reward of patience is Paradise. We should take great care of Ramadan. We should recite the entire Quran, offer special prayers like Taraweeh (night prayer). We should take repentance in Allah’s palace with this aim that we will gain blessings of Ramadan and will spend our timing in worship of Allah, perform good deeds and collect maximum virtues. May Allah help us to fulfill the demands of Ramadan (Aameen).
