Rewards and sacrifices that make the month of Ramadan special

Muslims break th fast at Ummu Kulthum Mosque in Mombasa, on March 3, 2025. [Omondi Onyango, Standard] Ramadan is a sacred month, a time to seek the mercy of Allah, attain forgiveness, and be saved from the torments of Hellfire. It is said that during this blessed month, the gates of Heaven are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the Shaitan (devils) are all chained. The Messenger of Allah emphasised the significance of this period, stating: "Do good all the time, and seek to be recipients of the 'outpouring' of Allah's mercy. Indeed, Allah showers down these 'outpourings' of His mercy to whomsoever He wills from His slaves." Regarding the virtues of Ramadan, the Prophet further said: "Allah has a night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its goods is truly deprived." Additionally, it is narrated that an announcer calls out each night: "O seeker of good, come forward! O seeker of evil, stop!" Furthermore, every night, Allah frees souls from Hellfire, says Sheikh Rishad Rajab, Imam of Masjid Jibran in Mombasa and Principal of Sheikh Khalifa Secondary School. One hadith describes Ramadan as a month of celebration. Commenting on this, the scholar Ibn Rajab stated that the true celebration of Ramadhan begins at its very start. "If Allah causes you to die during this holy month, you will have already achieved the reward of one who has celebrated Eid," he remarked. Another hadith refers to Ramadhan as the month of patience, stating that fasting for three days each month is equivalent to fasting for an entire lifetime. This highlights the patience required to observe fasting and the immense reward it brings. The Prophet also taught that patience is the key to entering Jannah, describing it as a form of victory. The hadith referring to three days of fasting relates to the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month, commonly known as the 'white days' due to the full moon's radiance. Observing voluntary fasts on these days, along with fasting during Ramadhan, results in rewards multiplied by at least tenfold, ensuring the equivalent of fasting for an entire year. "Repeated every year, this accumulates into a lifetime of fasting recorded as good deeds, which will tip the scales in one's favour on the Day of Judgement," says Sheikh Rishad. The concept of patience is also highly emphasised in the Qur'an, as stated in Surah Al-Baqarah: "And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive." Many Quranic interpreters explain that 'patience' in this verse refers to fasting. One of the most well-known hadiths on fasting states: "Whoever fasts during Ramadhan out of sincere faith and seeking Allah's reward will have all their past sins forgiven." A similar hadith affirms that those who stand in prayer late at night during Ramadan, particularly during the highly recommended Taraweh and Tahajjud prayers, will also have their past sins forgiven. This hadith highlights how even a single act during Ramadhan can lead to the absolution of sins, making it a profoundly rewarding experience. Lailatul Qadr, the Night of Power, alone is sufficient to wipe away all sins. However, it is a privilege granted to those who strive to seek its blessings through devotion and sincere effort. Therefore, Ramadan offers countless opportunities to attain Allah's ultimate forgiveness and blessings. If one opportunity is missed, another remains available to secure the mercy of this sacred month. Islam teaches that only three actions can expiate major sins: reverting to Islam, performing the pilgrimage to Makkah, and migrating for the sake of Allah. However, the Prophet also taught that sincere repentance-known as 'tawbat an-nasuha'-can lead to the forgiveness of major sins. This form of repentance requires deep remorse, a firm resolution never to repeat the sin, and a sincere plea for Allah's forgiveness. The scholar Ibn Qayyim stated that Ramadan provides the perfect opportunity for sincere repentance, as there is no other time in the year when a believer is closer to Allah than during this month.

Rewards and sacrifices that make the month of Ramadan special

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Rewards and sacrifices that make the month of Ramadan special

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