What makes Ramadan so special?
1. We try to be as close as possible in our characteristics to the Angels! We all know that the angels never sin and they only worship Allah. We do not eat, we do not drink, we stay away from sins and we only worship Allah in everything we do. How beautiful is that!
2. Allah favored some times of the year than others and Ramadan compared to the rest of the months is like the sun compared to other planets. Allah specified Ramadan with many virtues and many advantages. One of them is that the Qura’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan, Allah says what can be translated as: (The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion..) 2:185
3. Also the other Books of Allah like the Torah and the Enjeel were revealed in Ramadan. Wathila ibn al-Asqa’ reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The scriptures of Abraham, upon him be peace, were revealed on the first night of Ramadan. The Torah was revealed after six nights of Ramadan had passed. The Gospel was revealed after thirteen nights of Ramadan had passed. The Quran was revealed after twenty four nights of Ramadan had passed.” Source: Musnad Aḥmad 16536
Grade: Hasan (fair) according to Al-Albani
4. Ramadan is the month of forgiveness and atonement for sins. According to Abu Horayra, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet said: " Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The five prayers, Friday to Friday, and Ramadan to Ramadan will expiate the (minor) sins committed between them as long as major sins are avoided.” Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim " (Muslim).
5. Fasting this month with faith in the promises of Allah, and relying on divine retribution, obtain pardon for past sins. The Prophet said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and hoping divine retribution, will be forgiven his past sins.
6. Whoever Prays the night of Ramadan with faith hoping for reward all their sins will be forgiven " Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah's Apostle saying regarding Ramadan, "Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."
7. Ramadan is the month of freedom from Fire, Allah releases people from hell fire every night in Ramadan, and when Allah releases you from hell fire means it will never touch you. The Prophet, said in a Hadith narrated by Abu Horayra, may Allah be pleased with him: "A herald called, O thou who researches the property, approach, O thou who searches evil, go away, Allah grants freedom from Fire to servants, and this every night" (At-Tirmidhi) .
8. During this month the doors of paradise are opened and those of Hell are closed and the devils are chained. The Prophet peace be upon him said: " The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained." (Imam Bukhari) "
9. Ramadan is the month of patience, because patience is manifested in any other act of devotion as well as in fasting. During this month, the Muslim renounces pleasure and what he likes, why fasting is half of patience and patience is to reward Paradise. Allah, Exalted be He, says (the meaning of the verse): "The steadfast will have their reward in full without reckoning" (Quran 39/10).
10. Ramadan is the month of invocations, Allah, Exalted be He, said immediately after the verses of fasting (meaning of the verse): "And when My servants ask thee concerning Me, then I am near I answer the call of one who asks me when he asks me" (Quran 2 / 186)
11. In Ramadan while you are fasting your dua and invocation is never turned down. The Prophet said: "the vows of three people are heard: the fasting person until he breaks his fast, Imam fair and oppressed" (Ahmad).
12. Ramadan is the month of generosity and kindness, which is why the Prophet was more generous than ever during the month of Ramadan, according to Saheehayn
13. This month contains the Night of Destiny, where the works are completed worth more than a thousand months, the frustrated person being the one who was deprived of the benefits of that night. Allah, Exalted be He, says (the meaning of the verse): "The Night of Power is better than a thousand months" (Qur'an 97 / 3)
Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The month of Ramadan came and the Prophet said: "You have lived until the arrival of this month, it contains a night better than thousand months, whoever was deprived was deprived of all good, and is still private and frustrated" (Ibn Maadjah).
14. The reward of Ramadan is major surprise from Allah and when the most generous promises you can only imagine. "Every action of the son of Adam is given manifold reward, each good deed receiving ten times it’s like, up to seven hundred times. Allah the Most High said, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me and I will give recompense for it, he leaves off his desires and his food for Me.' for the fasting person there are two times of joy; a time when he breaks his fast and a time of joy when he meets his Lord, and the smell coming from the mouth of the fasting person is better with Allah than the smell of musk." [al-Bukhari]
15. Last but not least, fasting is your gate to Paradise in shaa Allah. Abu Umaamah r.a.a. said: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, tell me of an action by which I may enter Paradise'. He said: 'Take to Fasting, there is nothing like it.' " [An-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Hibbaan, Al-Haakim, Sahih]
So my dear sister and brother keep making a lot of dua for Allah to grant you the blessing of witnessing another Ramadan, many of our loved ones were gone just a month or a week or even a day before Ramadan.
Prepare and plan and do not waste a moment. Study the Quran instead of just reading it without understanding. It is ok not to complete the whole Quran, it is not a competition who reads more pages. Have an intention to read with understanding. Ramadan is the month of the Quran so don't waste it on other things.
Be as generous as you can be and take the example of our beloved Prophet peace be upon him. He was the most generous in Ramadan.
Renew your intention every night and remind yourself why you are fasting so you can stay focused. Remember nowadays a month is like a week so Ramadan will come and go so fast. Stay away from distructions (Social media and TV & Musalsalaat). Be smart and use this amazing bonus from the Most Generous to be able to survive the coming 11 months in shaa Allah. You and I don't know if we will witness another Ramadan.
Allahuma Bal’lighna Ramadan.
