Ramadan: The Blessed Month

There is a much-anticipated time of the year embraced by millions worldwide. It is a month filled with blessings, as Muslims hasten to perform good deeds and reflect upon their spirituality.

It is none other than the month of Ramadan, where Islam's fourth pillar is practiced. During this month, Muslims worldwide fast and engage in various acts of worship and goodness, hoping for reward and forgiveness.

Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new moon, as the Islamic calendar follows the moon's cycles around the earth. The month lasts for 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new moon for the following month is sighted.

Fasting, from dawn till sunset, primarily entails abstaining from food, drink, and marital relations.

The fundamental purpose of Ramadan is to increase obedience to Allah and practice piety, obeying Allah's commands and refraining from what He prohibits.

Every time Ramadan arrives, Muslims are filled with joy and motivation, knowing that fasting and prayer during this sacred month can erase sins and lead to forgiveness.

The Prophet ﷺ has said that on the night before the first day of Ramadan, the gates of Hell are closed and kept closed, while the gates of Paradise are opened and kept open. Then it is said, "You who seek goodness, step forward! You who seek evil, cease!"

Ramadan is therefore an excellent opportunity to pause, reflect, and initiate a change in life.

While most Muslims are expected to fast during Ramadan, there are exceptions. Individuals who, due to physical or medical reasons, cannot fast are not obligated to do so. Islam teaches that Allah does not burden a person beyond their ability.

Those suffering from chronic illnesses, such as cancer or diabetes, do not need to fast. Instead, they can provide food to a needy person for each day they are unable to fast.

A traveler is also not obligated to fast. Those who are on a journey should make up for their missed fasts after Ramadan.

Even those who, due to old age, cannot fast should provide food to a needy person for each day they are unable to fast.

Children and adolescents who have not reached puberty are also not obliged to fast. However, it is recommended to encourage them to fast if it is not burdensome for them.

Part of fasting includes certain etiquettes that are not mandatory but increase the reward for the fasting individual. One example is to eat something before beginning the fast. The Prophet said that this pre-dawn meal, called "Suhur," is blessed.

It is also recommended to break the fast as soon as possible at sunset.

It is also part of good etiquette not to mention one's hunger or thirst to others but to endure and hope for the great reward from Allah.

For those fasting, it is important to maintain good character by avoiding conflicts, indecent speech, lying, and misbehavior.

Good character is something that is always expected of a Muslim, not just during Ramadan. 

During Ramadan, certain actions are elevated, such as supplication. The Prophet has stated that the supplication of the fasting person is not rejected.

Being generous is strongly recommended during Ramadan. It is said that the Prophet was most generous during this holy month.

The Prophet ﷺ has mentioned that whoever provides a fasting person with food will receive the same reward as the fasting person. Therefore, it is common for Muslims to invite each other for meals during Ramadan.

Another important act during Ramadan is reciting the Quran.

The Prophet ﷺ has stated that whoever recites the Quran will receive ten rewards for each letter. This means that reciting the first chapter, al-Fatiha, which takes less than 30 seconds, grants over 1000 rewards.

Just think about the reward that can be accumulated by reading just ten minutes a day, or even more.

It is also recommended to participate in the nightly prayer, known as Tarawih, often performed in congregation at mosques.

This prayer can be performed individually, but it is common for it to be performed collectively. The Prophet has mentioned that whoever prays Tarawih during Ramadan with faith and hope for reward will have their previous sins forgiven.

Another significant event during Ramadan is "Laylat al-Qadr" or the "Night of Decree." It is the night when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in the cave of Hira. It is a night worth more than a thousand months.

This means that worship during the Night of Decree equals worship for 1000 months, which exceeds 83 years! It is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for Muslims worldwide.

The Night of Decree is most likely one of the odd-numbered nights in the last ten of Ramadan. Therefore, many Muslims strive to perform good deeds during these nights.

There is a high chance that it falls on the odd nights. However, it is impossible to determine with certainty which specific night it is.

Therefore, it is important to perform good deeds during all these nights to not miss out on the great reward that can be attained.

Towards the end of Ramadan, it is obligatory for Muslims to give alms, known as Zakat al-Fitr, to the needy. It is an act of generosity and compassion towards the poor. The alms should consist of about three kilograms of grain.

So if you get to experience the upcoming Ramadan, embrace it through fasting, nightly prayers, and good deeds.

Many who participated in last Ramadan will not experience the coming one. Each person's time here is limited. Perhaps it will soon be your turn to return to your Creator.

It has been said that if the inhabitants of the graves were to make a wish, they would undoubtedly wish to experience a single day of Ramadan.