Ramadhaan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar. This is the month which follows the month of Sha’baan.
Regarding the Month of Ramadhaan:
The month of Ramadhaan is a special and virtuous month and it is more unique than the other months.
The Month in which the Holy Quran was revealed:
“The month of Ramadhaan is the one in which the Holy Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind, and as clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong. So those of you who witness the month must fast in it. But the one who is sick, or is on a journey (should fast) as much from other days (as he missed). Allah intends (to provide) ease for you and does not intend (to create) hardship for you. All this is so that you may complete the number (of fasts as prescribed) and proclaim the Takbir of Allah for having guided you, and (so) that you may be grateful.” [Al-Quran – Surah 2 Verse 185]
The month of Lailatul Qadr:
Hazrat Aa’isha (RadhiAllahu Anha) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhaan.”]Sahih al-Bukhari 2017]
The month in which the gates of Paradise are opened:
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RadhiAllahu Anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “When the month of Ramadhaan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the (Hell) Fire are closed, and the devils are chained.”]Sahih al-Bukhari 3277]
The month in which Almighty Allah frees people from the Fire
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RadhiAllahu Anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “On the first night of the month of Ramadhaan, the Shayatin are shackled, the Jinns are restrained, the gates of the Fires are shut such that no gate among them would be opened. The gates of Paradise are opened such that no gate among them would be closed, and a caller calls: ‘O seeker of the good; come near!’ and ‘O seeker of evil; stop! For there are those whom Allah frees from the Fire.’ And that is every night.” [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 682]
Significant Events in the Month of Ramadhaan:
- The occurrence of Badr – 2nd Hijri Year (Source: Al-Bidayah Wan-Nihaya, Vol -03)
- Zakathul Fitr was made obligatory – 2nd Hijri Year (Source: Asnal Mathalib, Vol-04)
- Birth of Hazrat Hassan Ibn Ali (RadhiyAllahu Anhuma) – 3rd Hijri Year (Source: Aththabakathul Kubra, Vol-01)
- The Hijra (migration) of Hazrat Abbas Ibn Abdul Muttalib (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) from Makkah to Madinah – 8th of Hijri Year (Source: Al-Bidayah Wan-Nihaya, Vol -04)
- The occurrence of ‘Fatah Makkah’ (victory of Makkah) – 8th Hijri Year (Source: Tareekhul Tabari, Vol -03)
- The declaration of the first Azaan by Hazrat Bilal Ibn Rabah (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) at the Ka’bah – 8th Hijri Year (Source: Al-Bidayah Wan-Nihaya, Vol -04)
About Acts of Worship:
There are special acts of worship exclusive for the month of Ramadhaan.
Fasting in the month of Ramadhaan:
Fasting during the month of Ramadhaan is one of the five principles of Islam.
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (RadhiyAllahu Anhuma) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad (ﷺ) is Allah’s Messenger. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity). To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Makkah). To observe fast during the month of Ramadhaan. [Sahih al-Bukhari 8]
Reciting and listening to the Quran
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) narrated that Jibreel (Alaihissalam) used to meet Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) him every night in Ramadhaan to study the Holy Qur’an carefully together. (Sahih al-Bukhari 06)
Night Worship (Taraweeh, Tahajjud, Witr):
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven. (Sahih al-Bukhari 37)
Charity in Ramadhaan
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) narrated Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to reach the peak in generosity in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night of Ramadhaan to teach him the Qur’an. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was the most generous person, even more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds). (Sahih al-Bukhari 06)
Dua of one who observes Fast
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “There are three whose supplication is not rejected: The fasting person when he breaks his fast, the just leader, and the supplication of the oppressed person; Allah raises it up above the clouds and opens the gates of heaven to it. And the Lord says: ‘By My might, I shall surely aid you, even if it should be after a while.’” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3598)
Umra during the month of Ramadhaan
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) narrated: When the Prophet (ﷺ) returned after performing his Hajj, he asked Ummu Sinan Al-Ansari, “What did forbid you to perform Hajj?” She replied, “Father of so-and-so (i.e. her husband) had two camels and he performed Hajj on one of them, and the second is used for the irrigation of our land.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to her), “Perform `Umra in the month of Ramadan, (as it is equivalent to Hajj or Hajj with me (in reward). (Sahih al-Bukhari 1863)
Providing food for a fasting person to break his fast
Hazrat Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani narrated that The Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever provides the food for a fasting person to break his fast with, then for him is the same reward as his (the fasting person’s), without anything being diminished from the reward of the fasting person.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 807)
Performing Prayers in (Jama’th) congregation
It is Mustahab to perform Witr prayers after Taraweeh prayers in congregation (Al Majmu’, Vol – 05)
Reciting Qunoot in Witr Prayers during the last half of the Month of Ramadhaan
It is Sunnah to recite Qunoot in the last Rakat of the Witr Prayers during the last half of the Month of Ramadhaan (Al Majmu’, Vol – 04)
Staying in I’thikaf during the last 10 days
Hazrat Aa’isha (RadhiAllahu Anha) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said (the wife of the Prophet) The Prophet (ﷺ) used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice I`tikaf after him. (Sahih al-Bukhari 2026)
Engaging in acts of worship on the night of ‘Laylathul Qadr’
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RadhiAllahu Anhu) narrated that Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1901)
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