Soretire Mughni, Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya International Ghana
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and one of the holiest times for Muslims worldwide. It is a period marked by fasting, prayer, reflection and community, offering immense spiritual and physical benefits.
Ramadan extends beyond abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset; it is a unique opportunity to strengthen one’s faith, seek forgiveness and draw closer to Allah. Its unique qualities distinguish it from all other months.
The blessings of Ramadan
One of the primary aspects of Ramadan is fasting (sawm), which is obligatory for all adult Muslims, except those who are sick, traveling, pregnant, breastfeeding, or have other valid reasons. Allah explicitly commands fasting in the Quran:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ
“O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.184)
Fasting is not merely an act of worship but a path to achieving taqwa (God-consciousness). It instils self-discipline, patience and gratitude in the hearts of believers.
Among all Islamic months, Ramadan alone is named explicitly in the Quran:
شَهۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدٗى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهۡرَ فَلۡيَصُمۡهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٖ فَعِدَّةٞ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُكۡمِلُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ
“The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was sent down as a guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and discrimination. Therefore, whosoever of you is present [at home] in this month, let him fast therein. But whoso is sick or is on a journey, [shall fast] the same number of other days. Allah desires [to give] you facility and He desires not hardship for you, and that you may complete the number, and that you may exalt Allah for His having guided you and that you may be grateful.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.186)
This verse emphasises the unique connection between Ramadan and the Quran, highlighting the importance of reciting, understanding and instilling its teachings during this sacred month.
Ramadan is a time of abundant mercy and blessings, a period when Allah is especially near to His servants and answers their prayers. After the verse 186 of Surah al-Baqarah which speaks of Ramadan and the Quran as mentioned above, Allah states:
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعۡوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلۡيَسۡتَجِيبُواْ لِي وَلۡيُؤۡمِنُواْ بِي لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡشُدُونَ
“And when My servants ask thee about Me, say: ‘I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me. So they should hearken to Me and believe in Me, that they may follow the right way.’” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.187)
This verse reassures believers that their worship and prayers during Ramadan bring them closer to Allah. It is a month in which we can really improve our relationship with Allah and ask for his closeness.
Extra acts of worship
During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to increase their worship through many ways, some of which include:
- Tahajjud and nawafil prayers
- Performing tarawih prayers: Special nightly congregational prayers held at mosques especially for those who find it difficult to wake up for Tahajjud prayers
- Reciting the Quran. Many Muslims strive to complete the entire Quran at least once during Ramadan, as was the practice of the Holy Prophetsa
- Making du‘a (supplication) and asking Allah for mercy, forgiveness and guidance
- Giving charity and other acts of service to Allah’s creation
The gates of heaven and hell
A unique feature of Ramadan is that the gates of paradise are opened, and those of hellfire are closed. Prophet Muhammadsa said:
“When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of Heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1899)
This hadith highlights Ramadan’s extraordinary opportunity for seeking forgiveness and earning rewards free from evil distractions.
I‘tikaf: Seclusion for worship
In the last ten days of Ramadan, some Muslims perform i‘tikaf, a spiritual retreat in the mosque devoted exclusively to worship, prayer and reflection. This was a sunnah of the Holy Prophetsa.
Hazrat Abu Hurairahra reported:
“The Prophet used to perform Itikaf every year in the month of Ramadan for ten days, and when it was the year of his death, he stayed in Itikaf for twenty days. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 260)
I‘tikaf helps believers detach from worldly distractions and focus solely on their relationship with Allah.
Lailatul-Qadr: The night of power
Among the greatest blessings of Ramadan is Lailatul-Qadr, a night better than a thousand months as the Holy Quran declares:
لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” (Surah al-Qadr, Ch.97: V.4)
Prayers and good deeds performed on this night hold the reward of more than 83 years of worship (a thousand months). Although its exact date is unknown, Lailatul-Qadr is typically sought in the last ten nights, especially the odd-numbered ones.
Ramadan truly stands apart, filled with spiritual opportunities, divine mercy, and personal growth. By embracing and understanding its unique qualities, believers can fully benefit from its immense rewards.