Praise be to God, lord of the worlds, and peace be upon the prophet and the messengers and upon his family and his companions and all.
Almighty Allah said in the glorious Quran:
I seek refuge in Allah from accursed Satan.
In the name of Allah the most gracious, the most merciful.
“The month of Ramadan (is the month) in which the Quran has been send down, as guidance for mankind, containing clear signs which lead (to the straight path) and distinguishing (the truth from falsehood).
(Surat Baqarah, verse no:185)
I have chosen my topic virtues of Ramadan, before I start up with my topic, I would like to thank Alimighty Allah the exalted, the creator, the creator of all the things, who created us in the ummah of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH).
Allah almighty has given us 12 months in a year. The virtues and importance of each month is different from other. The virtues of month of Ramadan al Mubarak are more. One of the characteristics of this month is that the blessings of Allah Almighty are revealed in it.
It is mentioned in the hadith that every hour of the month of Ramadan is full of mercy. In this month reward are greatly increased.
Abu Hurayrah ® repoted the Prophet (PBUH) said
“When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of mercy are opened, the gates of hell are locked, and the devils are shut”.
{Sahi al Muslim}
Abu Huraira® reported the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said “whoever fasts the month of Ramadan due to faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. Whoever stand in prayer during the night of decree due to faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven”.
Sahi al Bukhari and Sahi al Muslim}
The purpose of fasting:
*It strengthens and deepens our faith.
*Fasting provides an exacting exercise in self-discipline.
*It makes the faster realize how it feels like to be hungry and thirsty.
*As the Quran points out, fasting has been widely practised at all time of man’s history. Its main aim is spiritual purification.
Fasting(sawm):
Fasting is an act of ibadah. Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam. During Ramadan all adult healthy Muslims are obliged to fast from the dawn to sunset. Fasting means to keep oneself back from eating, drinking and conjugal relations. Fasting is not incumbent upon the sick, the traveller, very old, very young, and a women who is pregnant or have infant children to feed. The sick and the traveller have to make up the days they have missed, when they are able to do so.
Suhur:
Suhur is the pre-dawn meal taken in Ramadan. Suhur has many blessing in it. Anas ® reported that Allah’s messenger (PBUH) have said “take meal a little before dawn, for there is blessing in it”.
{Sahi al Muslim}
The suhur should be taken as near the break of dawn as possible. It is the sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH).
Breaking of fast (Iftar):
The fast should be broken immediately at setting of the sun. It is commendable that the fast should be broken with fresh or dry dates. If these are not available, one may break the fast with water.
Laylatul Qadr :
The Holy Quran speaks of the Laylatul Qadr in two places. In Surat 97, It is mentioned thrice.it is also mentioned in Surat 44 where it is called blessed night.
Laylatul Qadr is blessed, the revelation of the Quran began in it.Worshipping Allah in the night is more valuable than worshipping him a thousand month . The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said, “he who passes the Laylatul Qadr in prayer, out of faith and seeking pleasure of Allah, will have his past sins forgiven”.
Laylatul Qadr is one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Believers should look for it as one of the odd nights during the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) is reported to have said “seek Laylatul Qadr among the odd nights during the last ten nights of Ramadan”.
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Salma Sultana , Islamic teacher , Indian Community School Kuwait Khaitan |