The blessed month of Ramadan, a month full of mercy, is soon approaching for Muslims around the world. During Ramadan, there are countless opportunities to recite, understand, act upon, and spread the teachings and blessings of the Quran to others. Fasting, prayers, recitation of the Quran, voluntary prayers, and other remembrances and supplications help instill piety and the fear of Allah in a person’s heart. Let us all come together to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan and pledge to spend its blessed moments in the best possible manner!

Obligation and Virtue of Fasting

Explaining the obligation of fasting, the Creator of the Universe ﷻ states:

يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ﴾⁽[1]⁾

 “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you…” (Quran, 2:183). This blessed verse explains the obligation of fasting. Fasting is the name of an act in the Islamic Shari’ah where a Muslim, whether male or female, refrains from eating, drinking, and intimate relations from dawn till sunset, with the intention of worship. This blessed verse also proves that fasting is an ancient act of worship, being obligatory in all the previous laws, from the time of our father Adam (peace be upon him), although the times and rules were different, but fasting has always been mandatory for all nations (Quran, 2:183).

The Purpose of Fasting

Fasting became obligatory in the second year of the Prophet’s migration to Medina. Fasting is a significant means of piety and self-restraint because one of the causes of sin is the commanding self (nafs), and fasting weakens the commanding self. Therefore, regarding the wisdom behind the obligation of fasting, Allah Almighty says:

لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُوْنَ﴾^([2])

“So that you may become righteous” (Quran, 2:183). The scholars explain that the higher purpose of fasting, and the fruit of this rigorous discipline, is that you become righteous and pure. The purpose of fasting is not only to abstain from eating, drinking, and intimacy but also to completely avoid all bad manners and evil deeds. You may be thirsty, hungry, with cold water and delicious food nearby, but you refrain, not because you don’t desire them, but because it is the command of your Lord! Now, if you can give up lawful things, which your Lord has made unlawful forever, such as theft, bribery, immorality, etc., can’t you abstain from committing them? Certainly not!

The purpose of this month-long hardship

Is that for the remaining eleven months of the year, you avoid the forbidden while fearing Allah Almighty. Therefore, those who fast but do not refrain from lying, backbiting, indecency, obscenity, and other evils, are not protected from them. Regarding this, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) clearly stated:

«مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ، فَلَيْسَ لِلهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ!»^([3])

“Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of his giving up his food and drink.” (Bukhari) This means that fasting is not just refraining from eating and drinking but also from lies, sins, and vain things.

Preparation of Ramadan

Therefore, we should start preparing for Ramadan now, adhere to prayers, protect our tongues, avoid backbiting, gossip, harsh words, and indecency. Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah narrated:

«إِذَا صُمْتَ فَلْيَصُمْ سَمْعُكَ وبَصَرُكَ وَلِسَانُكَ عَنِ الْكَذِبِ وَالْمحَارِمِ، ودَعْ أذَى الخادمِ، وَلْيَكُنْ عَلَيْكَ وَقَارٌ وَسَكِينَةٌ يَوْمَ صِيَامِكَ، وَلَا تَجْعَلْ يَوْمَ فِطْرِكَ وَصَوْمِكَ سَوَاءً!»^([4])

“When you fast, let your hearing, sight, and tongue also fast from lies and unlawful things, and do not harm your servant. Be dignified and calm on the day of your fasting, and do not make your day of breaking fast the same as your day of fasting!” (Ibn Majah) This means that fasting should not lead you to cause harm or burden to others!

Avoid Wasting time in Ramadan

Not only should we avoid wasting time during the day through mobile phones and other means of frivolity and indecency, but also during the nights of Ramadan, we should abstain from activities that harm others or ourselves for the Hereafter. Sporting events such as cricket and football matches, whether watching or playing, that promote noise and excitement at the expense of someone’s rest or worship, are condemnable. These are the activities that nullify the blessings of fasting, and fasting should have an impact on our lives by showing leniency, forgiveness, and tolerance so that we may be saved from disobedience to Allah and His Messenger!

Honorable scholars! The Creator of the Universe ﷻ says:

اَيَّامًا مَّعْدُوْدٰتٍ﴾^([5])

“A specified number of days” (Quran, 2:184), meaning there are twenty-nine or thirty days (approximately one month only). So do not worry about the Lord who has fed and sustained you for eleven months, if He forbids you from eating and drinking for one month, even during the day, then obey Him, for there is also benefit for you in it.

Fasting and Human Health

Some people use various excuses to avoid fasting during Ramadan, such as “We are not required to fast, our duty is difficult, fasting is very difficult for us, we fall ill if we fast,” and so on. By making such excuses, they deprive themselves of Allah’s mercy. However, it is narrated by Abu Huraira that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

«صُومُوا تَصَحُّوا!»^([6])

“Fast and you will be healthy!” This shows that thinking of not fasting due to health concerns is wrong and a misconception. In this way, a person distances himself from the mercy of the Creator. Therefore, the decision is in our hands whether we embrace misfortune and deprivation or, following the command of the Lord of Majesty and acting on the health advice of the Prophet, we obtain the blessings and mercy of fasting, embracing good fortune, success, prosperity, and health.

Exemption from Fasting for the Sick and Traveler

Someone who is so ill that they cannot fast, Islam provides an exemption, as it is stated in the Divine command:

﴿فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَّرِيْضًا اَوْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ اَيَّامٍ اُخَرَ﴾^([7])

“But if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days” (Quran, 2:184). This means that if a person is so ill that fasting would severely harm them, they are allowed to postpone fasting until they regain their health. However, if fasting does not cause severe harm, then they are not allowed to skip fasting.

Regarding travel, if the journey is within the prescribed Shariah limits, i.e., covering a distance of 92 kilometers or more, and the intention is to stay for less than fifteen days, or if there is any other valid excuse, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, etc., then all these women and individuals are allowed not to fast. They should make up for the missed fasts after Ramadan. However, fasting in Ramadan is still better for them, as Allah Almighty says:

وَاَنْ تَصُوْمُوْا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ﴾^([8])

“And that you fast is better for you if you only knew” (Quran, 2:184). So, it is evident that although travelers are allowed to make up for the missed fasts, it is better for them to fast in Ramadan.

The Arrival of Ramadan

Among us, in our homes, families, and society, there were many individuals who were with us last Ramadan, but today they are no longer among us. They have reached their destination, and surely, one day we all have to depart from this temporary abode towards the Hereafter. Therefore, whoever is blessed with this blessed month is indeed fortunate and successful. It is narrated by Abu Huraira that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

«إِذَا دَخَلَ رَمَضَانُ، فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ، وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ، وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ»^([9])

“When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.”

Ramadan Sharif and the Revelation of the Quran

Allah Almighty has bestowed this blessed month with many virtues and distinctions, making it superior to other months. In this blessed month, the Quran was revealed, as Allah says:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيْۤ اُنْزِلَ فِيْهِ الْقُرْاٰنُ﴾^([10])

“The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran.”

Learning the Issues and Rules Related to Fasting

One way to welcome this blessed month is to learn about the issues and rules related to fasting beforehand. It is narrated by Abu Huraira that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

«إِذَا نَسِيَ فَأَكَلَ وَشَرِبَ، فَلْيُتِمّ صَوْمَهُ؛ فَإِنَّمَا أَطْعَمَهُ اللهُ وَسَقَاهُ»^([11])

“If anyone forgets and eats or drinks, then he should complete his fast, for it is only Allah who has fed him and given him drink.”

The scholars say, “This ruling applies to anything that is not food or drink and accidentally goes down the throat, such as smoke and dust, etc. However, deliberately inhaling smoke, etc., breaks the fast, and expiation and making up for the missed fast are required.” This means that after Ramadan, one must observe one additional fast for the missed fast and also observe sixty consecutive fasts as expiation.

The Status of the Fasting Person

Moreover, There is good news for the fasting person. It is narrated by Sahl bin Sa’d that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

«فِي الْجَنَّةِ ثَمَانِيَةُ أَبْوَابٍ، فِيهَا بَابٌ يُسَمَّى الرَّيَّانَ، لَا يَدْخُلُهُ إِلَّا الصَّائِمُوْنَ»^([12])

“In Paradise, there are eight gates, one of which is called Ar-Rayyan. Only those who fast will enter through it.”

The Reward of Fasting

It is narrated by Abu Huraira that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

«مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَاناً وَاحْتِسَاباً، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ»^([13])

“Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

A blessed month ahead!

By the grace of Allah, we will soon welcome the blessed month of Ramadan. However, This is a month of blessings, mercy descends, rewards for good deeds are multiplied, sins are forgiven, prayers are accepted, the gates of heaven are opened, and the gates of hell are closed. Therefore, I wish you all a blessed month and congratulations to all Muslims, for whom Allah, the Lord of Majesty, has honored, as foretold by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

«أَتَاكُمْ رَمَضَانُ شَهْرٌ مُبَارَكٌ، فَرَضَ اللهُ b عَلَيْكُمْ صِيَامَهُ، تُفْتَحُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ، وَتُغْلَقُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ الْجَحِيمِ، وَتُغَلُّ فِيهِ مَرَدَةُ الشَّيَاطِينِ، لِلهِ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ، مَنْ حُرِمَ خَيْرَهَا فَقَدْ حُرِمَ»^([14])

“Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month. Allah has made fasting in it obligatory upon you. In this month, the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained. In this month, there is a night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its goodness is truly deprived.”

Great reward

Undoubtedly bringing the month of Ramadan is a great blessing from Allah. Therefore, it is incumbent upon all of us to derive the benefits from it, which are a source of goodness for us in this world and the Hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

«قَالَ اللهُ: كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ إِلّا الصِّيَامَ؛ فَإِنَّهُ لِي، وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ، وَالصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ، وَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ صَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ، فَلاَ يَرْفُثْ وَلاَ يَصْخَبْ، فَإِنْ سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ: إِنِّي امْرُؤٌ صَائِمٌ، وَالَّذِي نَفْسُ مُحَمَّدٍ بِيَدِهِ! لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ، لِلصَّائِمِ فَرحَتَانِ يَفْرَحُهُمَا: (1) إِذَا أَفْطَرَ فَرِحَ، (2) وَإِذَا لَقِيَ رَبَّهُ فَرِحَ بِصَوْمِهِ»^([15]).

“Allah said: Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is for Me, and I shall reward for it. Fasting is a shield. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid obscene language and foolishness. If someone reviles him or fights with him, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’ By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the breath of the one who is fasting is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. The one who is fasting has two joys: a joy when he breaks his fast and a joy when he meets his Lord.

May Allah make this Ramadan a source of blessings, forgiveness, and spiritual growth for all of us. Ameen.

Freedom from Hell

However, We are all eagerly awaiting this great season of worship and blessings, so that we may strive to excel in goodness and attain great rewards. Who among us is hopeful of entering the paradise of their Lord? Who strives to be among those freed from hell? The Prophet of the two worlds, peace be upon him, said:

«إِذَا كَانَ أَوَّلُ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ، صُفِّدَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ وَمَرَدَةُ الْجِنِّ، وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ النَّيرانِ، فَلَمْ يُفْتَحْ مِنْهَا بَابٌ، وَفُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ فَلَمْ يُغْلَقْ مِنْهَا بَابٌ، وَيُنَادِي مُنَادٍ: يَا بَاغِيَ الْخَيْرِ أَقْبِلْ! وَيَا بَاغِيَ الشَّرِّ أَقْصِرْ! وَلِلهِ عُتَقَاءُ مِن النَّارِ، وَذَلكَ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ»^([16])

“When the first night of Ramadan comes, the devils and rebellious jinn are put in chains, the gates of Hell are closed, not a single gate of it is opened, the gates of Paradise are opened, not a single gate of it is closed, and a caller calls out: ‘O seeker of good, proceed! O seeker of evil, desist!’ And Allah has those whom He frees from the Fire, and that happens every night of Ramadan.”

Dua for sighting the moon

When we witness this blessed month and see its moon, at that time we should recite the following dua, which our beloved Prophet, the mercy to the worlds, used to recite:

«اللَّهُمَّ أَهْلِلْهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْيُمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ، وَالسَّلاَمَةِ وَالإِسْلاَمِ، رَبِّي وَرَبُّكَ اللهُ!»^([17])

“Allahumma ahillahu ‘alayna bil-yumni wal-iman, was-salamati wal-Islam, Rabbi wa Rabbuk Allah.” Meaning: “O Allah, let this moon appear on us with security and faith, with safety and Islam. My Lord and your Lord is Allah!”

Therefore, we must welcome Ramadan in the best way possible, engage in worship and righteous deeds, please Allah and His Messenger, and turn to good deeds even before the arrival of this blessed month.

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([1]) پ2، البقرة: 183.

([2]) پ2، البقرة: 183.

([3]) “صحيح البخاري” كتاب الصّوم، ر: ١٩٠٣، صـ٣٠٦.

([4]) “شعب الإيمان” باب في الصوم، ر: 3649،  3/1344.

([5]) پ2، البقرة: 184.

([6]) “المعجم الأوسط” باب الميم، بقية اسمه ميم، ر: ٨٣١٢، ٦/١٤٧.

([7]) پ2، البقرة: 184.

([8]) پ2، البقرة: 184.

([9]) “صحيح البخاري” باب صفة إبليس وجنوده، ر: ٣٢٧٧، صـ٥٤٦.

([10]) پ٢، البقرة: ١٨٥.

([11]) “صحيح البخاري” كتاب الصّوم، ر: ١٩٣٣، صـ٣١٠.

([12]) “صحيح البخاري” باب صفة أبواب الجنّة، ر: ٣٢٥٧، صـ٥٤٣.

([13]) “صحيح البخاري” كتاب الصّوم، ر: ١٩٠١، صـ٣٠٦.

([14]) “سنن النَّسائي” كتاب الصيام، ر: 2١0٢، الجزء 4، صـ١٣١، ١٣٢.

([15]) “صحيح البخاري” كتاب الصّوم، ر: 1٩٠٤، صـ٣٠٦.

([16]) “سنن الترمذي” باب ما جاء في فضل شهر رمضان، ر: 682، صـ١٧٤.

([17]) “سنن الترمذي” باب ما يقول عند رؤية الهلال، ر: 3451، صـ٧٨٨.