Day 13: Ramadan Sermon

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) delivered a very powerful sermon on Ramadan. It is concise and rich and no doubt if you sincerely want to benefit from Ramadan, you would almost memorise this sermon. This sermon emphasised the value, use, opportunities, and the uniqueness of Ramadan. Enjoy the sermon:

Importance of Ramadan: O People! Ramadan…is the blessed month of Allah. A month of blessing, mercy and forgiveness. A month which is the best of months with Allah. Its days, the best of days, its nights, the best of nights, and its hours, the best of hours. It is the month which invites you to be the guests of Allah and invites you to be one of those near to Him. Each breath you take glorifies him; your sleep is worship, your deeds are accepted and your supplications are answered.

Usefulness of Ramadan: So, ask Allah, your Lord; to give you a sound body and an enlightened heart so you may be able to fast and recite his book, for only he is unhappy who is devoid of Allah's forgiveness during this great month. Remember the hunger and thirst of the day of Qiyamah (Judgement) with your hunger and thirst; give alms to the needy and poor, honour your old, show kindness to the young ones, maintain relations with your blood relations; guard your tongues, close your eyes to that which is not permissible for your sight, close your ears to that which is forbidden to hear, show compassion to the orphans of people so compassion may be shown to your orphans.

Free Yourself with Ramadan: Repent to Allah for your sins and raise your hands in dua during these times, for they are the best of times and Allah looks towards his creatures with kindness, replying to them during the hours and granting their needs if he is asked. O People! Indeed your souls are dependant on your deeds, free it with Istighfar (repentance) lighten its loads by long prostrations; and  know that Allah swears by his might: that there is no punishment for the one who prays and prostrates and he shall have no fear of the fire on the day when man stands before the Lord of the worlds. O People! One who gives Iftaar to a fasting person during this month will be like one who has freed someone and his past sins will be forgiven. [Some of the people who were there then asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Not all of us are able to invite those who are fasting?" The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: "Allah gives this reward even if the Iftaar (meal) is a drink of water.”]

Actions for Ramadan: One who has good morals (Akhlaq) during this month will be able to pass the Siraat (the Bridge over the Hell) on the day that feet will slip. One who covers the faults of others will benefit in that Allah will curb His anger on the day of Judgement. As for one who honours an orphan; Allah will honour him on the day of judgement. And for the one who spreads his kindness, Allah will spread His mercy over him on the day of Judgement. As for the one who cuts the ties of relation; Allah will cut His mercy from him...Whosoever performs a recommended prayer (nawafil) in this month Allah will keep the fire of Hell away from him. Whoever performs an obligator prayer (Salaah) Allah will reward him with seventy prayers’ worth in this month. And whosoever prays a lot during this month will have his load lightened on the day of measure.

Ramadan, What A Wonderful Month: He who recites one verse of the noble Quran will be given the rewards of reciting the whole Qur’an during other months. O People! Indeed during this month the doors of heaven are open, therefore ask Allah not to close them for you; the doors of hell are closed, so ask Allah to keep them closed for you. During this month the Shaytan is imprisoned so ask your Lord not to let him have power over you.

And the words of the Rasul (peace be upon him) are true!

- Contributed by Shamsideen AbuSuad, UK.