Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“O you who believe! Fasting has been
enjoined upon you as they were enjoined upon those before you, so that you may
be God-fearing (attain Taqwa)”
(Al-Baqara 2:184).
Divine commandments, including fasting during Ramadan, aim to instil piety (taqwa) in the hearts of believers. They help purify the soul, develop patience, seek forgiveness for sins, and obtain divine rewards. Fasting during Ramadan, in particular, is a way to draw closer to Allah, strengthen one’s faith, and engage in deep spiritual reflection. It also instils values such as discipline, empathy towards the less fortunate, and gratitude for the blessings received.
Our perfect role model, the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh), showed us how to make the most of this sacred month. He guided us on
the right path by giving numerous pieces of advice and insights into the unseen
(Ghayb). He (pbuh) said: “The first night of Ramadan, an angel calls:
‘O you who want to commit evil, stop!’” (Tirmidhi).
This is how Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) informed that the
angels announce the arrival of the month of Ramadan. When addressing his
companions (Sahaba), our beloved Prophet (pbuh) informed them of the
arrival of Ramadan, and it was a moment of great joy and celebration for them.
He (pbuh) emphasized that Ramadan is a month blessed by Allah and that fasting
during this month is obligatory for Muslims, except for some people, such as
the sick and travellers. As for pregnant or breastfeeding women, the Holy Quran
does not specifically mention them regarding fasting during Ramadan. However,
the verses that address exemptions for people who find it difficult to fast can
be interpreted to include these categories of people since health and
well-being are priorities in Islam.
Allah says:
“... However, should any one of you be
sick or on a journey, then (he should fast) a number of other days (equal to
the missed ones). For those who can only fast with extreme difficulty,
compensation can be made by feeding a needy person. But whoever volunteers to
give more, it is better for them. And to fast is better for you, if only you
knew.” (Al-Baqara 2:185)
Thus, Allah’s and His prophet’s announcement regarding
fasting during Ramadan aimed to prepare believers spiritually and mentally for
this month of deprivation and intense devotion.
The Messenger of Allah also expressed his joy by
saying to his companions: “Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month. Allah
has made its fasting obligatory upon you” (Nasai).
For some Muslims, the arrival of Ramadan brings
reluctance because it involves depriving oneself of food and many pleasures.
However, for the true believer, Ramadan is synonymous with divine favour
because this month is synonymous with:
1. Victory: Ramadan symbolizes the victory of
Islam and Muslims, as it was during this month that the first great battle of
Badr took place, where Muslims triumphed over the Kuffar (infidels) of
Mecca. During this month, Allah chains our worst enemy, Shaytan (Satan/ the
Devil), so that each person can be victorious over him.
2. Purification: Ramadan is a month during
which we purify our soul (nafs) and increase our piety (taqwa) to
improve our relationship with our Creator. During this month, we seek Allah’s
satisfaction, mercy, forgiveness, and blessings. Through fasting, we achieve
piety, and through piety, we attain Allah’s pleasure.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “When
Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed,
and the devils are chained” (Bukhari, Muslim).
We must keep in mind that the image of chained devils
is primarily spiritual and symbolic. This means that it is essential for
believers to strive to stay away from vile and satanic actions.
Here is how it can manifest during the sacred month of
Ramadan:
1)
By
spending more time in prayer (Salat) and reading the Holy Quran to
strengthen faith, as well as working for the propagation of Allah’s religion.
2)
By
observing the fast with a pure intention and avoiding committing sins during
fasting hours.
3)
By
being kind and generous to others, whether through acts of charity or helping
those in need.
4)
By
avoiding environments or situations that could lead to reprehensible actions.
5)
By
practicing patience and self-control, managing one’s emotions and behaviours,
especially anger and desires/ passions.
By engaging in these practices, sincere believers
seeking divine mercy can not only benefit from the spiritual blessings of
Ramadan but also cultivate positive habits that will last beyond this sacred
month.
It is reported that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
said: “Fasting is a shield; as long as one of you is fasting, let him not
say anything obscene nor act ignorantly. If someone attacks or insults him, let
him say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’” (Bukhari).
(This month is also synonymous with):
3. Patience: Ramadan teaches us patience
towards ourselves to better face the difficulties of life. Our beloved prophet
(pbuh) said: “The month of patience and three days of fasting each month are
equivalent to continuous fasting” (Nasai).
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also said: “Fasting
is half of patience” (Ibn Majah).
4. Forgiveness: It is undoubtedly a favour from
Allah if we can observe the fast of Ramadan every year. This offers us a new
opportunity to ask for forgiveness and be freed from the burden of accumulated
sins. Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Whoever observes the fast of Ramadan
with faith and hope for the reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven”
(Bukhari).
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also said: “Whoever
observes the fast of Ramadan with faith and expecting its reward (from Allah),
his past sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari).
5. Promotion: Ramadan multiplies the rewards of
our pious actions. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Every (good) deed
of the children of Adam will be multiplied: the good deed will be worth ten
times (in reward) and may be multiplied up to seven hundred times. Allah says:
‘Except for fasting, for it is Mine, and it is I who give the reward for it.
The man leaves his desires and his food for Me’” (Muslim).
Ramadan also offers us Laila-tul-Qadr, a night
better than a thousand months. Our Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Indeed, this
month has come to you, and there is a night in it that is better than a
thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its goodness is as though he has been
deprived of all goodness” (Ibn Majah).
6. Liberation: During Ramadan, Allah frees
people from the fire of Hell every day and night. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
said: “During the month of Ramadan, Allah frees people from the fire every
day and night” (Ahmad).
In another version, he (pbuh) also said: “When the
first night of Ramadan comes, the devils and rebellious jinns are chained, the
gates of Hell are closed, and none of them are opened; the gates of Paradise
are opened, and none of them are closed, and a caller calls out: ‘O you who
want to do good, come forward, and O you who want to do evil, stop!’ And Allah
frees people from the fire, and this happens every night” (Tirmidhi).
7. Multiplication of invocations (Duahs):
Ramadan is an opportunity to make invocations (Duahs), as Allah accepts
the requests of those who fast. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Every
Muslim has the right to an invocation answered without delay.” (Ibn Majah)
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Three
invocations are not rejected: the invocation of the fasting person when he
breaks his fast, the invocation of the just ruler, and the invocation of the
oppressed” (Tirmidhi).
Therefore, let us keep in mind that our main goal is to
please Allah and have Him as our reward. We must take advantage of the days and
nights of this blessed month by performing acts of worship (Ibaadat) for Allah
and staying away from anything that can bring us closer to hell.
As Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“Allah does not burden any soul with
more than it can bear. For him is what he has earned (of good rewards – as a
result of his good deeds), and on him what he has incurred (of punishment – as
a result of his evils).” (Al-Baqara
2:287)
And in the same verse, we are taught this sublime invocation [and I conclude my sermon today with this same prayer]:
“Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget
or make a mistake. Our Lord! Do not place a burden on us like the one you placed
on those before us. Our Lord! Do not burden us with what we cannot bear. Pardon
us, forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our Lord. So grant us victory
over the disbelieving people.”
Ameen, Summa Ameen, Ya Rabbal Aalameen.
[---Friday Sermon of 07 March 2025~ 06 Ramadan 1446 AH delivered by Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius].