The blessings of Holy Month of Ramadan Essay

The blessings of Holy Month of Ramadan

Allah Almighty has always shown his kindness, love and mercy toward his creations but there are some exceptional months, days and times which has more importance. Ramadan is also one of those special months in which Allah showers his innumerable blessings. It is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and is also the month when the Holy Quran was sent down from heaven to guide the Muslims. It is stated in the Quran that:

 ‘Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur’an as a guide to mankind, also Clear Signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong.”

The blessings of Ramadan are not restricted to fasting only, because the performance of all sorts of good deeds and worship during this month is also a source of great Divine favor. The revelation of the Holy Quran started during this month and it is hence the duty of every Muslim to read and try to learn and understand the meaning of the Holy Quran and by that gain an awareness and insight into the Divine secrets hold as sacred therein. It brings illumination to the mind, peace and imparts purity to the soul. This month of Ramadan is very special for Muslims across the world especially in this era where we are regularly struggling with the idea of keeping in mind the Remembrance of Allah due to complexities of modern day life.

Ramadan in the light of Hadith:

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said:

‘When there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained.’

In Ramadan the Ummah of Holy Prophet (PBUH) is invited to receive the privileges from Allah Almighty. Every breath taken has the reward of good deeds and Tasbeeh are rewarded in great amount. A person who does not receive the mercy and kindness of Allah is most unlucky.The Holy Prophet (SAW) said:

‘O People! The month of Allah (SWT) has come with His mercies and blessings. This is the month that is the best of all months in the eyes of Allah (SWT). Its days are the best of days, its nights are the best of nights, its hours are the best of hours’.

Allah’s Apostle stated:

“Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, ‘I am fasting.”

The Prophet added:

“By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk.”

 Allah says about the person who is fasting:

“He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten time.”

The blessed month of Ramadan provides a unique convenient time and opportunity for Tahajjud prayer, particularly when the time of commencing the fast is favorable. Allah Almighty provides great reward for all our good acts of worship during this Holy month therefore, we should do special efforts to pray and keep it up for the rest of the year to raise our level of spirituality.

Importance of Ramadan - English Essay

Importance of Ramadan - English Essay

Ramadan Mubarak is the ninth month on the Islamic calendar. Ramadan has immense importance in Quran and Hadith and Ramadan is that month which has been mentioned repeatedly in the Quran.

    Allah says in the Quran that Ramadan is the month when Quran was sent. (Surah Baqra:185)
    In this month, one night (Lailatul Qadr) is such that it is better and more auspicious than 1000 nights. (AL Qadr:3)

Hazrat Salman RA says that the Holy Prophet (May peace be upon Him)said on the last date of Shaa’ban, that on you a month is coming , that is a big and holy month; in that month is one night that is better than a thousand months. Allah has made fasting compulsory for this month and made the prayer of night a reward.

Whoever does a good deed in this month to gain the allegiance of Allah’s and his closeness, has earns the reward of a compulsory act in any other month; and whichever person does a compulsory act in this month gains the reward similar to that of seventy compulsory acts in any other month. This month is for people to gain as much reward as they can and the livelihood and blessings of Allah is increased manifolds in this holy month for every believer.

When the first night of Ramadan comes, all the gates of heaven are opened, and throughout the whole month not even a single door closes. Shaitan, the devil, is chained in this month. Allah asks to give out the following order, “O those who wish to do good, step forward; O those who wish to do bad, step backwards.” Then He says, “Is there anyone asking for forgiveness so that he may be forgiven; is there anyone asking a question, so that his question may be answered; and is there anyone asking to be pardoned so that he may be pardoned.”

All holy books were sent to earth in this month; Hazrat Ibrahim RA got his holy guidelines from 1st to 3rd Ramadan, Hazrat Dawood RA got Zaboor from 12th to 18th Ramadan, Hazrat Moosa RA got Taurat on the 6th of Ramadan, Hazrat Isa RA got Injeel from 12th to 13th Ramadan. Quran was sent in the sacred nights of the last Ashra of the holy month of Ramadan; one night from amongst these was given the title of Shab-e-Qadr.

The fact that fasting is compulsory is found through the Quran and that is the key to abstinence. Abstinence is the one thing that stops people from going towards the wrong and encourages them to go towards the right. The real aim of fasting is to make human wishes surrender in front of Allah’s orders. When a person who is fasting abstains from all eating, drinking, and other wishes, then he stays away from other wrong doings also. Instead, most of his time is then spent doing worship of Allah or good deeds. Apart from abstinence, fasting also treats personality issues like self obsession and ego.

The month of Ramadan is collectively auspicious for all Muslims. Fasting in this holy month is not only good for physical reasons for humans, but also gives the message of patience for all living things in this universe. Amongst one of the spiritual effects of Ramadan is the fact that during the first few fasts, hunger and thirst are felt, but slowly the body gets used to it. Since we have fat deposits inside our body, the necessities of the body are fulfilled.

In this basic life where spiritual and physical benefits of fasting are present, there are also benefits of it in the hereafter like pardoning of sins and blessings. Hadith of Holy Prophet (May peace be upon Him) narrates that, “Heaven has eight doors, amongst which one is called Bab-ul-Riyan from which only those who kept fasts will enter.” Another Hadith says, “Whoever keeps one fast for the happiness of Allah; Allah will keep him so far away from the fire of hell that no person would be able to reach there in seventy years.”

Virtues of the Fasting:

• The bad smell coming out of a fasting person’s mouth is better than any other good smell, to Allah.
•     Even the fish of the water pray for those fasting.
•     Heaven is made closer to them every day.
•     The standing, sitting, working and even sleeping of a person fasting is considered worship.
•     One big benefit of fasting is the visiting of Allah; which will be given on the Day of Judgment
•     All the sins of a person fasting are forgiven and ranks are increased.
•     On the last night of Ramadan, pardoning is done for those fasting. A Sahaba asked, is this night the night of forgiveness? Reply was, No, but the tradition is that a labour is paid after his work is completed. (Ibn-e-Haban)

Essay On Importance of Ramadan

Essay On Importance of Ramadan

1) The importance of Ramadan for the Muslims, particularly times of adversity.

2) The importance of reading Quran and pondering over its meanings.

3) The phenomena of desertion of  Quran.

4) Factors that prevent a person from pondering over the meanings of  Quran.

5) Virtues of Qiyaam (night prayer) during Ramadan.

6) Etiquettes of Du’a and its great importance in Islam.

7) Things that prevent Du’a from being answered.

8) Ramadan is the month of perseverance.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, his household and companions.

Fellow Muslims! I implore myself and you all to fear Allah; this honors the soul and brings it close to its Lord. No God-fearing person will ever fail and anyone who disregards the importance of piety will never be successful.

Dear Muslims! Whoever observes the condition of people in light of the current trials, tribulations and calamities that are occurring all over the world will see that the Muslims are in dire need of a generous guest that brings with it relief and progress. They are in need of this grand guest with whom they hope to be strengthened after a series of indescribable calamities and weakening incidents; hence their need for this great month of tranquility and spiritual development. It is the month of self-examination, conscience reawakening and freedom from selfishness and lustful desires. Allah says that which translates as: "O you who have believed! Decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you, that you may become righteous." (Al-Baqarah/ 183)

The month of Ramadan is the month of Quran

Fellow Muslims! The month of Ramadan is the month of Quran; a Book whose light will never fade and which is a path that never leads one astray. The Glorious Quran is to man as the soul is to the body; it is a light for guidance. Whoever does not read Quran or doesnt put its injunctions into practice is dead, despite the fact that they may speak and move. Whoever does not put it into practice, has gone far astray even if they are apparently successful in all areas of life.

Allah says that which translates as: "Is one who is dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge there from?" (Al-An’aam/ 122)


A human being without the guidance of Quran is like any living being without air or water; all their endeavors will end up in bankruptcy. Allah says that which translates as: "Say: 'It is for those who believe, a guidance and a cure'. And those who do not believe – in their ears is deafness, and it (i.e. Quran) is upon them blindness. Those are being called from a distant place." (Fussilat/ 44)


Fellow Muslims! There is no doubt that the relationship of many Muslims with Quran is one of abandonments of either its recitation or implementation of its injunctions. It is no exaggeration to say that the diseases of past nations have affected the Muslims, while they are unaware of this. Allah says that which translates as: “And there are among them unlettered people who do not know not the Scripture except (indulging in) wishful thinking, but they are only assuming.” (Al Baqarah/ 78)

The scholars of Tafsir say about this verse: 'It means: they know nothing about the Book except for its recitation, for it never passed their lungs and throats. This is because of the fact that there was a spiritual absence in their recitation and; therefore, they were unable to ponder over its meanings'.
Among the causes of the absence of reflection on the meanings of Quran is the failure to explore and understand the laws of Allah in relation to human-beings and natural phenomena. Also, to blame is the sanctification of erroneous concepts and wrong interpretations of life that have become widespread among people and which are caused by unrestrained love for this world and the hatred of death. Ziyaad Ibn Labeed Al-Ansari ( may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) mentioned something and then said: "….and that is when there will be no more knowledge. We said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! How will knowledge disappear while we have Quran with us and we teach it to our children and while they will also teach it to theirs?’ The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) retorted: I thought you were one of the most knowledgeable of the people of Madinah! Are there not Jews and Christians who have their scriptures with them and yet they take no benefit from what is inside them?’" (At-Tirmidhi and others).


One is stricken with grief and shock when they see the stance that many Muslims have adopted with regard to the Book of their Lord. They have been covered by darkness and wander aimlessly; the foreign systems and ideologies that they have embraced have done nothing for them. How can it be that we have the light and yet follow the paths of other nations?


The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) lived for sixty-three years; we are used to believing that old age and the vicissitudes of life cause hair to turn grey. What then will you think of a man who attributed grey hair to some verses of the glorious Quran that he used to recite? Abu Bakr ( may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) about what caused some of his beard to become grey, he (p.b.u.h.) replied: ‘It was caused by Soorah Hood, Soorah Al-Waaqi’ah, Soorah An-Naba’ and Soorah At-Takweer.” (At-Tirmidhi)


Brothers in faith! The blessed month of Ramadan should be regarded as a wonderful opportunity for every Muslim to save himself from destruction and to purify their soul in preparation for Quranic guidance that is inherent in night prayer. Allah says that which translates as: “Indeed, the hours of the night (i.e. the rising for Tahajjud prayer) are more effective for concurrence (of heart and tongue) and more suitable for words (i.e. for recitation of Quran and for hearing and understanding it).” (Al-Muzzammil/ 6).


Brothers in faith! The blessed month of Ramadan is a great opportunity for the Muslims to wake up for night prayers, seek refuge with Allah and turn to Him for their needs, for none has the power to answer their call except Allah alone. The Lord descends to the nearest heaven, in a way that befits his majesty, in the last third of the night and asks: "Is there anyone who seeks My forgiveness so that I can forgive him?" Do any of us ever reflect upon and appreciate this great period which is one of those in which supplications are answered? Tell me, what are the people doing in this last part of the night? Many a miserable soul missed this blessed period! Many people are in deep slumber at this time. It is saddening that some of those who are negligent of this great period are however, ready to go anywhere where they can lodge their complaints and seek solutions to their problems - from their fellow human beings, forgetting that it is only Allah who is capable of removing sorrow and distress. He says that which translates as: "What is (the matter) with you that you do not attribute to Allah (due) grandeur while He has created you in stages?" (Nooh/ 13-14)


Imam Tirmidhi reported that the Prophet of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said: "There are three persons whose supplications are never rejected: The just leader, the fasting person when he breaks his fast and the oppressed when he supplicates and whose supplication is raised above the clouds and the gates of heaven are opened for it and Allah will say, 'By My Glory! I shall assist you even if it is after a while.'"
Brothers in faith! There are; however, some people who raise their hands in prayer and are impatient for a rapid answer; they may even feel despair if their supplications are not speedily answered. The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) said: "Allah will answer the supplication of any one of you as long as he is not hasty and says: ‘I called my Lord and He did not answer.’"


The delay may also be caused by sins such as the failure to uphold the rights of kinship, or perhaps it may be due to the fact that the prayer emanated only from the tongue and was not rooted in the heart. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.): "Allah does not accept the supplications from an inattentive heart." The heart is not free from turning to the desires of this life and we all know that one who always looks back does not reach his goal in time.


Therefore, I implore you O Muslims, to make plentiful supplications to Allah, for supplication is the essence of worship. Let nobody slight their requirements however great or small they may be. Allah says that which translates as: "And your Lord says: ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell (rendered) contemptible.'" (Ghaafir/ 60)


Here is an example for those in sorrow and distress: The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) entered the mosque one day and saw an Ansari (a resident of Madinah) man there by the name of Abu Umaamah. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) asked him: " O Abu Umaamah, why are you sitting in the mosque at a time that is not a prayer time?" He replied: 'I was forced to do so by sorrow and debt.' The Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) then asked: 'Shall I teach you a supplication by which Allah will remove your sorrow and pay for you your debts?' He answered: 'O yes, Messenger of Allah!' The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) then said: 'Say every morning and evening: Allahumma innee a’oodhu bikka minal-hammi wal hazan, wa a’oodhu bika minal-‘ajzi wal-kasal wa a’oodhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhul wa a’oodhu bika min ghalabatid-dayn wa qahrir-rijaal.’ (Meaning: O Allah, I seek refuge with You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being over powered by men.) Abu Umaamah said: 'I did that and Allah removed my distress and paid for me my debt.'" (Abu Dawood)


Fellow Muslims! The month of Ramadan is a month of generosity and spending in ways that are virtuous. Let every Muslim take part in the generosity of this month and not hesitate to wipe the tears off the faces of orphans, widows and the destitute. Let everyone keep away from stinginess and covetousness for these are two of the bad qualities from which the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h.) sought refuge with his Lord from. The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) was the most generous of mankind and his generosity multiplied during the month of Ramadan. He would never say ‘no’ when he was asked of anything.
Further, the benefits of charity are not restricted to the beneficiary; the donor also has a share. An example of this is when a generous person gives in charity, their heart becomes gladdened and they become pleased with that. Therefore, this person will be encouraged to give more and gain extra rewards. As for the miser, whenever he thinks of giving in charity his heart feels constrained; he feels as if he is giving away a chunk of his life!, this in turn leads to his whole life feeling constrained. However, nothing destroys the tricks and insinuations of Satan more than giving sincerely in charity.
Allah says that which translates as: "Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is All-Encompassing and Knowing." (Al-Baqarah/ 268)