RAMADHAAN, A MONTH OF BLESSINGS

Sister Shariffa Carlo

Ramadhaan is a time that carries with it so many blessings. I know when it arrives, it is hard for the first few days, until we get into the swing of it, but few of us are happy to see it end. The release of the Shayateen (Satan) and the closing of the gates of Mercy are events none of us look forward to. So, now that Ramadhaan is coming soon, let us try to prepare ourselves to experience every one of the blessings, to enjoy them as much as we can. I leave you with the following Aayaat (Verses) and Ahaadeeth (Traditions) about Ramadhaan and Sawm (Fasting):

THE HOLY QURAAN
The month of Ramadhaan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful. (2:185)

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint, (2:183)

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a Fidyah (Compen-sation), the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of is own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew. (2:184)

It is made lawful to you to go into your wives on the night of the fast; they are an apparel for you and you are an apparel for them; Allah knew that you acted unfaithfully to yourselves, so He has turned to you (mercifully) and removed from you (this burden); so now be in contact with them and seek what Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the blackness of the night at dawn, then complete the fast till night, and have not contact with them while you keep to the Masjids; these are the limits of Allah, so do not go near them. Thus does Allah make clear His communications for men that they may guard (against evil). (2:187)

For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves), for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah’s praise,- for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward. (33:35)

SAHEEH BUKHARI 
Narrated Hadhrat Abdullah Ibne ‘Abbas:
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to reach the peak in generosity in the month of Ramadhaan when Jibraeel met him. Jibreel used to meet him every night of Ramadhaan to teach him the Quraan. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) was the most generous person, even more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds). (Volume 1, Book 1, Number 5)

Narrated Abdullah Ibne ‘Umar:
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said:

Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): 
1.   To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah’s Apostle. 
2.   To offer Salaah (the compulsory congregational prayers) dutifully and perfectly.
3.   To pay Zakaah (i.e. obligatory charity). 
4.   To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Makkah al Mukarramah). 
5.   To observe Sawm (Fast) during the month of Ramadan. (Volume 1, Book 2, Number 7)

Narrated Hadhrat Abu Hurairah:
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said:

“Whoever establishes Salaah (Prayers) during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Volume 1, Book 2, Number 36)

Narrated Hadhrat Abu Hurairah:
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said:

“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 fasting person), ‘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 times.” (Volume 3, Book 31, Number 118)

Narrated Hadhrat Abu Hurairah:
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) 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.” (Volume 3, Book 31, Number 123)

Narrated Hadhrat Abu Hurairah:
The Prophet (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said:

“Whoever established Salaah (Prayers) on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadhaan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Volume 3, Book 31, Number 125)

Narrated Hadhrat Abdullah Ibne ‘Abbas:
The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadhaan when Jibraeel visited him, and Jibraeel used to meet him on every night of Ramadhaan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Quraan to Jibraeel, and when Jibraeel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare). (Volume 3, Book 31, Number 126)

Narrated Hadhrat Abu Hurairah:
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said:

“Allah said, ‘All the deeds of Adam’s sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.’ Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’ By Him in Whose Hands my soul is! The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting.” (Volume 3, Book 31, Number 128)

Narrated Hadhrat Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet said, “Take Suhoor as there is a blessing in it.” (Volume 3, Book 31, Number 146)

Narrated Hadhrat ‘Aaishaah (the wife of the Prophet SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam):

Hadhrat Hamzah bin ‘Amr Al-Aslami asked the Prophet, “Should I fast while traveling?”

The Prophet replied, “You may fast if you wish, and you may not fast if you wish.” (Volume 3, Book 31, Number 164)

Narrated Hadhrat Sahl bin Sad:
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said:

“The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.” (Volume 3, Book 31, Number 178)

SAHEEH MUSLIM
Narrated Hadhrat Abu Hurairah:

Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) forbade to observe fast on these two days. Eed-ul-AdhHaa and Eed-ul-Fitr. (Book 6, Number 2534)

Narrated Hadhrat Abu Ayyub al-Ansari:
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said:

He who observed the fast of Ramadhaan and then followed it with six (Fasts) of Shawwal, it would be as if he fasted perpetually. (Book 6, Number 2614)

Narrated Hdhrat Aaishah:
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time. (Book 6, Number 2644)

Narrated Hadhrat Amr ibn al-’Aas:
Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said:

The difference between our fasting and that of the people of the Book is eating shortly before dawn. (Book 6, Number 2413).