Day 6: Ramadan Described

“It is He who sent down Tranquillity into the hearts

of the Believers that they may add Faith to their Faith;

for to Allah belong the Forces of the heavens and the earth;

and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom…” (Qur'an 48 verse 4)

How did the Prophet present Ramadan to his companions? The following is just one of the ways he described Ramadan to those early Muslims and which made them extremely dedicated to Ramadan. They would prepare their family and friends for Ramadan. They would make all plans and resolves, which would see them through it without missing anything from it. They make their commitment to it TOTAL. The description of the Rasul (peace be upon him) is also presented to us today, what does it stir in us?

"Oh Believers the month of Ramadan is close to you, when it enters it is the best month in the eyes of Allah, it is the month of Allah, it is the month Allah favours.

"Its days are the best days its night is the best of all nights each day is the best day in this month and one night is better than a thousand months.

"It is the month of Iradah (claiming back your free will and killing your habits) it is the month of Jihad (struggling for the sake of Allah to make Islam dominant in the individual and in the community).

"It is the month of Barakah (reward), it is the month of Ibadah (worship) it is the month of Qur’an, it is the month of Fatah (conquering), it is the month of Sawm (fasting).

"A month in which Allah has invited you as a guest to visit him and you are the honour of Allah and this is the best month.

"Your sleeping in this month is Ibadah and your breathing in this month is Tasbeeh (act of worship) so is the breathing of the birds, animals, trees and mountains.

"Your deeds (good) are accepted and your dua (supplication) is also accepted. Ask Allah with full awareness and certainty and conviction.

"When you are thirsty and hungry remember the thirst and hunger on the day of judgement and donate to the needy people and be kind to your youngest, treat them nicely and benefit from the elders and learn from them and respect them.

"Do not do what Allah forbids and do not say (or hear) what Allah forbids, help the orphans treat them good, hold up your hands and do good acts and do Da'wah (invite people to Islam)."

[Sunan Nisai, Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim (on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Umar), and Mu'jamal Kabir Tabarani].

ALLAHU AKBAR! ALLAHU AKBAR!! ALLAHU AKBAR!!! Who can afford to miss this month? Indeed, whoever meets Ramadan and it comes and goes and s/he did not get Paradise from Ramadan, s/he is a sure loser.

The Rasul noted, “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 quarrelling,

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.” (Bukhari)