Ramadan is not merely a month on the calendar — it is a season of transformation, mercy, and renewal. As its blessed days approach, hearts of believers begin to soften, intentions are purified, and hope awakens. This sacred month offers an unmatched opportunity to reconnect with Allah, refine character, and elevate one’s spiritual life.

It is the month of the Qur’an, the month of fasting, the month of forgiveness. Those who prepare consciously benefit deeply; those who neglect its arrival risk losing a treasure beyond measure. Let us reflect on how to welcome Ramadan with sincerity, discipline, and gratitude.

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Sending Blessings Upon the Prophet ﷺ

Before discussing Ramadan, it is fitting to send peace and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

Allahumma salli wa sallim wa barik ‘ala Sayyidina Muhammad ﷺ.

Expressing love and reverence for the Prophet ﷺ purifies the heart and increases barakah (blessing). It reminds us that Ramadan itself is a gift delivered through his teachings, guidance, and Sunnah.

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The Arrival of a Blessed Month

Ramadan is a month filled with mercy, forgiveness, and salvation from Hellfire. It is not an ordinary time — it is divinely selected.

Allah says:

“O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain righteousness.”
(Qur’an 2:183)

Fasting (sawm) is therefore an ancient act of worship, practiced by earlier nations. While rulings differed, the essence — spiritual purification — remained constant.

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What is Fasting (Sawm)?

In Islamic law, fasting (sawm) means:

• Abstaining from food, drink, and marital relations
• From true dawn (fajr) until sunset (maghrib)
• With the intention (niyyah) of worship

It is not starvation, but obedience. Not hardship for its own sake, but discipline for the soul.

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The Purpose of Fasting: Attaining Taqwa

Allah clarifies the wisdom behind fasting:

“…so that you may attain taqwa (God-consciousness).”
(Qur’an 2:183)

Taqwa is vigilance of the heart — awareness that Allah sees, hears, and knows all. Fasting trains the believer to resist even lawful desires solely because Allah commanded restraint.

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Beyond Hunger: The Inner Fast

True fasting is not limited to physical abstinence. Scholars emphasize that a complete fast includes:

• Guarding the tongue from lies, gossip, and harsh speech
• Protecting the eyes from forbidden sights
• Restraining the ears from harmful listening
• Purifying thoughts and intentions

The Prophet ﷺ warned:

“Whoever does not abandon false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need for him to leave his food and drink.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

Thus, ethical reform is central to fasting.

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A Statement of Sayyidina ‘Ali (RA)

Sayyidina ‘Ali (RA) beautifully summarized:

“Fasting is not merely from food and drink, but from lies, falsehood, and idle talk.”

This highlights that Ramadan is a school of character refinement, not simply ritual compliance.

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Preparing for Ramadan Before It Begins

Wise believers prepare before Ramadan arrives. Practical preparation includes:

Spiritual Preparation

• Renewing repentance (tawbah)
• Increasing daily prayers
• Reviving Qur’an recitation
• Making sincere du‘a (supplication)

Behavioral Preparation

• Controlling anger
• Avoiding arguments
• Purifying speech
• Reconciling relationships

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Fasting with Dignity and Calmness

Sayyidina Jabir (RA) advised:

“When you fast, let your hearing, sight, and tongue fast from sin. Maintain dignity and tranquility. Do not make your fasting day like your non-fasting day.”

Ramadan should produce visible serenity and moral excellence.

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Avoiding Modern Distractions

Ramadan requires conscious disengagement from harmful distractions:

• Excessive social media scrolling
• Entertainment filled with indecency
• Idle gatherings and gossip
• Late-night noise disrupting worshippers

Not every permissible activity is beneficial in Ramadan. Time is precious.

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“A Few Counted Days”

Allah reminds:

“[Fasting is for] a limited number of days.”
(Qur’an 2:184)

Ramadan lasts only 29 or 30 days. The One who sustained us all year asks restraint only during daylight — surely obedience is reasonable and rewarding.

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Fasting and Physical Wellbeing

Some hesitate, citing weakness or workload. Yet the Prophet ﷺ declared:

“Fast, and you will gain health.”

Fasting benefits:

• Digestive regulation
• Detoxification
• Discipline in eating habits
• Improved self-control

Unless genuine medical harm exists, fear alone should not prevent fasting.

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Concessions: Mercy Within the Law

Islam is a religion of balance. Allah grants allowances:

“Whoever is ill or on a journey — then an equal number of other days.”
(Qur’an 2:185)

Eligible for postponement:

• The genuinely ill
• Travelers
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women (if harm feared)

Missed fasts must be made up (qada).

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Ramadan and the Qur’an

Allah says:

“Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed.”
(Qur’an 2:185)

Therefore Ramadan is:

• The month of recitation
• The month of reflection
• The month of living the Qur’an

It is not enough to read — one must understand and implement.

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Learning the Rulings of Fasting

Correct worship requires knowledge. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“If a fasting person forgetfully eats or drinks, let him complete his fast; Allah fed him and gave him drink.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Intentional acts differ from accidental ones. Learning prevents mistakes.

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Acts that Invalidate the Fast

Examples include:

• Intentional eating or drinking
• Smoking
• Deliberate vomiting
• Marital relations

Certain violations require both qada and kaffarah (major expiation).

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Glad Tidings for the Fasting Believer

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“In Paradise is a gate called Ar-Rayyan. Only those who fast will enter through it.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

This honor symbolizes exclusivity, dignity, and divine appreciation.

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Forgiveness Through Fasting

The Prophet ﷺ promised:

“Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

Faith (iman) and sincerity (ihtisab) are the keys.

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When Ramadan Begins…

The Messenger ﷺ said:

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

This is a divine atmosphere of mercy and opportunity.

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A Call Every Night of Ramadan

The Prophet ﷺ narrated:

“A caller announces: O seeker of good, come forward! O seeker of evil, stop! Allah frees people from Hellfire every night.”

Ramadan is daily salvation, nightly forgiveness.

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The Dua Upon Sighting the Moon

The Prophet ﷺ would supplicate:

“O Allah, let this moon rise upon us with blessings, faith, safety, and Islam. My Lord and your Lord is Allah.”

A beautiful Sunnah to revive.

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How to Truly Welcome Ramadan

A meaningful welcome includes:

• Gratitude for reaching it
• Sincere repentance
• Structured worship goals
• Increased charity (sadaqah)
• Consistent Qur’an engagement

Ramadan is not welcomed by decoration, but by transformation.

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A Closing Supplication

O Allah, grant us the ability to benefit from the remaining days before Ramadan. Allow us to reach it in health, faith, and sincerity. Help us fast, pray, recite, and reform. Forgive our sins and unite the Ummah in goodness. Ameen.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Welcoming Ramadan

1. Why is fasting obligatory in Islam?

Fasting is a divine command designed to cultivate taqwa (God-consciousness), self-discipline, gratitude, and spiritual purification.

2. Does fasting mean only avoiding food and drink?

No. True fasting includes avoiding sins of the tongue, eyes, ears, and heart.

3. Can sick individuals skip fasting?

Yes, if fasting would genuinely harm health. Missed fasts must be made up later.

4. What happens if someone eats by mistake while fasting?

The fast remains valid. One should continue fasting.

5. Are travelers required to fast?

They may postpone fasting but can fast if it is not difficult.

6. What invalidates a fast?

Intentional eating, drinking, smoking, or marital relations during fasting hours.

7. What is Ar-Rayyan?

A special gate in Paradise reserved exclusively for those who fast.