Some Virtues of the Ramadhan

Some Virtues of the Ramadhan

Abdullah Ibn Salih Al-Fawzan

All the Praise is to Allah, the Lord of al-‘alameen.   Peace and Blessing be upon His Messenger.

A hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah RA substantiate the virtues of fasting and the great position it possesses in the sight of Allah.

Allah’s Messenger SAW said: “Every [righteous] deed of the Son of Adam will be rewarded ten to seven hundred times its worth. Allah, Mighty and Sublime, said: ‘Except for the fast, for indeed it is for Me, and I will reward it. He leaves off his desires and his food for My sake. There are two times of joy for the one fasting. The time of joy when he breaks his fast and the time of joy when he meets His lord. And the scent coming from the mouth of the one fasting is more pleasant in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk.'” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

There are four of its virtues mentioned in this hadith.

1. Reward in full without any reckoning.

Those who fast correctly will receive their reward in full without any reckoning; for every good deed is rewarded ten to seven hundred times it’s like in worth, except for the fast. Indeed, its reward is not limited to this number, but rather Allah will reward it with manifold its likes in worth. This is because the fast is from (the forms of) patience and Allah has stated:

“Verily, the patient ones will be given their reward in full without any reckoning.” [Surah Az-Zumar, 39:15]

2. Allah attached the fast to himself in conjunctive form, above all other types of deeds.

This conjunction is enough to show its noble status. Allah knows best, it is due its state of encompassing the entirety of the day. One find that the individual fasting has neglected his desires, while his soul constantly yearns after them. Along with its length of the duration is not found in anything else besides the fast, especially in the days of summer due to their length and severity in heat. The individual’s abandonment of the things he desires is an act of worship, which will be rewarded. The fast is something a secret kept between the servant and his Lord. No one knows of it except Allah, the most High. It is an inward action, which cannot be seen by the creation, thus riya’ (showing off) cannot enter into it.

3. When the one who fasts meets his Lord, he will be delighted by his fast.

When the one who fasts meets his Lord, he will be delighted by his fast due to what he will see in it from its abundance, good standing and his reward by having his fast accepted, which Allah granted him in the first place.

As for his joy at the time when he breaks the fast, then it is due to the completion of the act of worship and its being free from evil and those things that have been forbidden in it. This is from the praiseworthy types of joy since it is a joy that emanates from the obedience to Allah and the completion of the fast, due to which great reward has been promised. This is as Allah says: “Say: By the grace and mercy of Allah, and by that, then rejoice.” [Surah Yunus, 10: 85]

4. The breath coming from the mouth of the one fasting is more pleasant in the sight of Allah than the scent of musk.

This beautiful smell will be for the Day of Judgment for that is the day when the rewards for deeds will be manifested. This is based on one narration of the hadith: “…more pleasant in the sight of Allah on the Day of Judgment…” [Muslim]

“And the scent coming from the mouth of the one fasting when he breaths out from the food (he ate previously) is more pleasant in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk” [Ibn Hibban and Ahmad]

This scent, although disliked by the people who smell it in this world will, however, be more pleasant in smell in the sight of Allah than the scent of musk. This is because it is something that originates from the obedience to Allah.

“The sign that will mark the believer on the Day of Judgment is the brightness (of their faces) due to their ablution (wudu’) in this world, causing a distinction between them and the rest of the nations. And their mark on the Day of Judgment due to their fasting will be pleasant smelling breath, more pleasant in the sight of Allah than the scent of musk. This is in order that they may be known amidst that group for that deed. We ask Allah to grant us blessing on that day.” [Ibn Hibban]

Ar-Rayyan

And from the merits of Ramadhan is that Allah has distinguished those who fast with a specific door from the doors of Paradise. No one more righteous than them will enter through it.

Sahal Ibn Sa’ad RA narrated that the Prophet SAWS said: “Verily, there is a door in Paradise, which is known as Ar-Rayyan. On the Day of Judgment, the ones who fasted will enter in through it; no one other than them will enter in through it. And when they have entered, it will close, so no one will enter through it (after them).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

“And whosoever enters will be given to drink. And whosoever drinks will never feel thirsty again.” [Sahih of Ibn Khuzaimah no. 1903]

The Qualification of the Virtues.

However, these merits will not be attained except by the one who fasts with sincerity by abstaining from food, drink, intercourse, abstaining from hearing the unlawful, looking towards the prohibited and earning from unlawful means. Thus his body limbs must fast and abstain from sinful acts. His tongue must fast and abstain from lying, foul speech and false swearing. This is the obligatory for the fast, the result of which will be great reward.

Abu Hurayrah RA said that the Messenger SAW of Allah SWT said: “Whoever does not avoid false speech and acting on it, Allah SWT does not have any need for him to leave his food and drink”. [Al-Bukhari]

The Messenger of Allah SAW also said: “Perhaps, that entire one who fasts will get from his fast is hunger and thirst. And perhaps that entire one who stands at night in prayer will get from his standing is sleeplessness.” [Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, Ibn Majah, Darami].

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[Excerpted with minor modification from Hadith As-Siyam: Ahkam Wa Adab. Via Allahuakbar]

 

 

 

 

The Virtues of Ramadhan

Ramadhan 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. The Fourth Pillar Of Islam.

Allah has made fasting the month of Ramadhan the fourth pillar of Islam, as He says:

“The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadhan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…” [Al-Baqarah, 2:185]

It was narrated in Al-Sahihain from the hadith of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet SAW said:

“Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing prayer; paying zakah; fasting Ramadhan; and Hajj to the House (the Ka’abah).” [Al-Bukhari, 8; Muslim, 16]

2. Qur’an Was Revealed Ramadan.

Allah revealed the Qur’an in the month of Ramadhan, as He says in the verse quoted above:

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…” [Al-Baqarah, 2:185]

And Allah says:  “Verily, we have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the Night of Al-Qadar (Decree).” [Al-Qadar, 97:1]  

3. Allah Has Blessed Ramadhan With Lailatul-Qadar.

Allah has bestowed Lailatul-Qadar in Ramadan, which is better than a thousand months, as Allah says:

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

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

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

Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibril (Gabriel)] by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees,

(All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”

[Al-Qadar, 97:1-5]

“We sent it (this Qur’an) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al-Qadar) in the month of Ramadhan — 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-Dukhan, 44:3]

Explaining the great status of this blessed night of Lailatul-Qadar, Surah Al-Qadar was revealed, and there are many hadith which also speak about it, such as the hadith of Abu Hurairah RA who said: The Messenger of Allah SAW said: “There has come to you Ramadhan, a blessed month which Allah 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-Nasa’ie, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classified as sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Targhib, 999.]

And Abu Hurairah RA said: The Messenger of Allah SAW said: “Whoever spends Lailatul-Qadar in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 1910; Muslim, 760].

4. Means of Seeking Forgiveness

Allah has made fasting Ramadhan 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-Sahihain (Al-Bukhari, 2014; Muslim, 760) from the hadith of Abu Hurairah according to which the Prophet SAW said: “Whoever fasts Ramadhan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” And al-Bukhari (2008) and Muslim (174) also narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet SAW said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadhan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

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

5. Allah Opens The Gates Of Paradise And Closes The Gates Of Hell

In this month, Allah opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils, as is stated in Al-Sahihain (Al-Bukhari, 1898; Muslim, 1079), from the hadith of Abu Hurairah who said that the Messenger of Allah SAW said: “When Ramadhan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.”

5.1 Every night Allah has people whom He redeems from the Fire. Imam Ahmad (5/256) narrated from the hadith of Abu Umaamah that the Prophet SAW said: “At every breaking of the fast, Allah has people whom He redeems.” Al-Mundhiri said: there is nothing wrong with its isnad; and it was classed as sahih by al-Albani in Sahih al-Targhib, 987.

Al-Bazaar (Kashf 962) narrated that Abu Sa’id said: The Messenger of Allah SAW said: “Allah has people whom He redeems every day and night – i.e., in Ramadhan – and every Muslim every day and night has a prayer that is answered.” 

7. The Expiation Of Sins

Fasting Ramadhan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadhan, so long as one avoids major sins. It was proven in Sahih Muslim (233) that the Prophet SAW said: “The five daily prayers, from one Jumu’ah to the next and from one Ramadhan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as you avoid major sins.”

8. The Fasting In Ramadan Is Equivalent To Fasting Ten Months.

Fasting in Ramadhan is equivalent to fasting ten months, as is indicated by the hadeeth in Sahih Muslim (1164) narrated from Abu Ayyub al-Ansari: “Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days of Syawwal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” Ahmad (21906) narrated that the Prophet SAW said: “Whoever fasts Ramadhan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitri will complete the year.”

9. The Qiyam in Ramadhan with the Imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.

Whoever prays qiyam in Ramadhan [tarawih] with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer, because of the report narrated by Abu Dawud (1370) and others from the hadith of Abu Dharr RA reported that the Messenger of Allah SAW said: “Whoever prays qiyam with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.” [Classified as sahih by Al-Albani in Salat al-Tarawih, p. 15]

10. ‘Umrah In Ramadan Is Equivalent To Hajj.

Ibn ‘Abbas said: The Messenger of Allah SAW said to a woman among the Ansar, “What kept you from doing Hajj with us?” She said, “We only had two camels that we used for bringing water.” So her husband and son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left the other for them to use for bringing water.” He said, “When Ramadan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in Ramadhan is equivalent to Hajj.” According to a report narrated by Muslim, “… is equivalent to doing Hajj with me.” [Al-Bukhari (1782) and Muslim (1256)]  

11. Sunnah To Observe I’tikaf

It is Sunnah to observe I’tikaf (retreat for the purpose of worship) in Ramadan, because the Prophet SAW did that, as it was narrated in the hadith of ‘Aishah RA that the Prophet SAW used to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in I’tikaf until he passed away, then his wives observed I’tikaf after him.” [Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1922; Muslim, 1172].

12. Mustahabb to Study and Recite Great Deal of The Qur’an.

It is mustahabb in the sense of being strongly recommended in Ramadan to study the Qur’an together and to recite it a great deal. You may study the Qur’an together by reciting it to someone else and by having someone else recite it to you. The evidence that this is mustahabb is the fact that Jibril used to meet the Prophet SAW every night in Ramadhan and study the Qur’an with him. [Narrated by al-Bukhari, 6; Muslim, 2308].

Reading Qur’an is mustahabb in general, but more so in Ramadhan.

13. Mustahabb In Ramadhan To Offer Iftar and Charity.

It is mustahabb in Ramadhan to offer iftar to those who are fasting, because of the hadith of Zaid Ibn Khalid Al-Juhani (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah SAW said: “Whoever gives iftar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person’s reward in the slightest.” [Narrated by al-Tirmidzi, 807; Ibn Majah, 1746; classified as sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih Al-Tirmidzi, 647]

And Allah knows best.

[Excerpted from Islam Q&A]