Ramadan does not only mean abstaining from
eating and drinking, but it is also a complete transformation that touches
faith, society, health and spirituality. Whoever practises it with sincerity
gets inner discipline, succeeds in drawing closer to Allah, develops a solid brotherhood
with the Ummah – his Muslim brothers and sisters – and attains a sure means to
purify his body and his soul. The Holy Qur’an and Sunnah have shown us several
categories of benefits of Ramadan, and I will cite some of them before you:
(1) Taqwa (Fear of Allah)
Allah says in the Qur’an: “O you who have believed, fasting (Roza) has been prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa.” (Al-Baqara 2: 184)
Taqwa is
not only righteousness but also means having a fear filled with love and
respect for Allah. Those who walk upon the straight path recognise that Taqwa
is an important factor in the life of a believer. If a Muslim is truly Muslim,
then he must have Taqwa within himself. And to maintain this Taqwa,
fasting teaches self-control, discipline, respect for revelation that Allah has
sent down (whether the Qur’an and other revelations sent from Allah to support
the truth of the Qur’an, and also the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh)), and it is a preparation for the Hereafter (Aakhirah).
(2) Protection
Fasting protects against immorality, scandals
and prohibitions. It trains a Muslim to become nobler in society, because it
develops in that believer patience and restraint.
A Hadith of our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh), reported by Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra), says: “Fasting (Roza) is a
shield (a protection). Whoever fasts must avoid indecent speech and ignorant
behaviour.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
(3) Revelation of the Qur’an
Allah says: “We
revealed the Qur’an during Laylatul-Qadr.” (Al-Qadr 97: 2)
The Qur’an – especially its very first verses –
was revealed during Ramadan as guidance for humanity. The Qur’an distinguishes
between good and evil, it represents purification and the culmination of
revelations that came before, it is a source of joy, a healing and a mercy for
a believer who truly has Taqwa and who seeks to understand it and
implement it in his daily life.
(4) The gates of Paradise are opened and the
gates of Hell are closed
There is a Hadith which says: “When Ramadan
begins, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and the
devils are chained.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
This means that Allah is giving believers the
opportunity to reform their conduct and not fall into sin during this blessed
month. Unfortunately, there are people who do not follow this warning of Allah
correctly, and even in the sacred month of Ramadan they do not take care to
stay away from sin, and thus they let their Nafs and Satan overcome the
commandments of Allah. Therefore, these are not true believers who follow the
truth that comes from Allah, because they prefer the world over Allah.
Thus, this Hadith is good news only for true
believers, those who wage a determined struggle against their Nafs and
against Satan, and succeed in restraining Satan, restraining their desires and
staying away from sin only for the pleasure of Allah. In return, Allah gives
them the guidance needed so that they do not fall back into those sins, and He
forgives them for what has passed before and forgives them in such a way that
they become like a new soul without sin. Allah gives them a second chance to
move forward and fill their books of deeds with good actions and good
intentions.
(5) Fasting increases faith and hope
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Whoever fasts
Ramadan with faith and hope in reward (from Allah), his past sins will be
forgiven.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
(6) The Gate Ar-Rayyan for those who fast
In another Hadith, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“In Paradise there is a gate called Ar-Rayyan, which is reserved for those
who fast Ramadan.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
(7) Two joys
There are two joys for a fasting person: one
joy when he breaks his fast, and another joy when he meets Allah, that is, in
his prayer – after he has broken his fast.
(8) The breath of a fasting person
There is a Hadith which says: “The smell
that comes from the mouth of the fasting person is more precious to Allah than
the fragrance of musk.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
(9) Rewards multiplied beyond 700 times
Each action’s reward is ordinarily multiplied
by 10 to 700 times, but Allah has said in a Hadith Qudsi, reported by Hazrat
Abu Huraira (ra), that for fasting alone He will give its reward beyond 10 to
700 times, because fasting is for Him and He Himself will give the reward for
it. (Bukhari, Muslim)
(10) Feeding others
Ramadan is an opportunity to increase good
deeds and attract the pleasure of Allah. In a Hadith, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh)
said: “Whoever gives a fasting person a meal to break his fast will have the
same reward without the reward of that fasting person being diminished.”
(Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
(11) The benefits of Suhur (Sehri) and Iftaar
Suhur – the
morning meal for fasting – is full of blessings (this is mentioned in a Hadith
compiled in Bukhari and Muslim), and Iftaar – the meal or snacks to
break the fast – should be hastened, because a fasting person is eager to meet
his Lord in prayer (in this case, Salat-ul-Maghrib).
(12) Night prayers (Salat/Namaz)
In a Hadith, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) affirmed: “Whoever
prays at night during Ramadan with faith and hope in Allah’s reward, his past
sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
These night prayers can be done alone or in
congregation. Whether Tahajjud or Tarawih (and Tarawih was established in
congregation during the time of Hazrat Umar (ra) to unite believers in the
mosques and avoid each group forming a group in the mosque to pray), both
Tahajjud and Tarawih are filled with blessings. They are additional prayers
that increase blessings upon a believer and are recommended for all who wish to
reap more blessings from Allah.
(13) Intercession for forgiveness
Fasting will intercede for the one who
practises it sincerely.
(14) Itikaf (spiritual retreat) and
Laylatul-Qadr
Hazrat Aisha (ra) reported: “The Prophet
used to perform Itikaf during the last ten nights of Ramadan, and his wives
continued this practice after him (after his death).” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Allah says in the Qur’an: “Laylatul-Qadr is better than a thousand months.” (Al-Qadr 97: 4)
In a Hadith, Hazrat Aisha (ra) reported that
she asked the Prophet (pbuh) what supplication she should make if she attained
Laylatul-Qadr, and he (pbuh) replied: “Say: Allahumma
innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa‘fu ‘anni – O Allah, You are the
Eraser of Sins, You love to erase sins, so erase my sins.”
Insha-Allah, I
will speak in more detail about this in a separate Sermon.
Fasting also encourages a believer to become
more generous, to restore balance in his physical, moral and spiritual health.
He learns to be generous towards the needy, he gives his Zakaat as required and
even more, and he gives other Sadaqa for the pleasure of Allah, to help his
neighbour and to help the Muslim Community – and we here in Jamaat Ul Sahih Al
Islam – to help the Jamaat of Allah prosper, a Jamaat that Allah Himself has established
and which represents true Islam, so that the true teachings of Islam are
reflected in each of you, in your life, your heart, your soul.
Therefore, keep this well in mind that fasting
purifies the soul, cleanses the body, strengthens faith and draws us closer to
Allah. Ramadan is also a social school: it pushes us to be more generous, and
it encourages sharing, brotherhood and solidarity. When a Muslim fasts, he
feels hunger and thirst, and he understands the suffering of the needy; and
this makes his heart more sensitive and compassionate towards others.
Ramadan changes the rhythm of life: it breaks
monotony, it gives new light, new hope in our daily life, it transforms society
in general through brotherhood and hospitality. It also improves health,
regenerates our body and spirit. Every moment of Ramadan is filled with
blessings: from Sehri to Iftaar, from the prayers of Tahajjud,
Tarawih and other obligatory and voluntary prayers to Laylatul-Qadr, and even
after, every moment is an opportunity for a believer to gain Allah’s
forgiveness and His reward.
Verily, Ramadan is a spiritual and social
treasure. Whoever practises it with sincerity acquires an inner and outer
transformation, becomes a better servant of Allah and a better member of
society. That is why the benefits of Ramadan cannot really be counted, because
they go beyond the list I have placed before you and penetrate deeply into the
life and faith of true believers and Muslims.
May Allah accept your fasting, forgive you for your
faults and past sins, and make you become better believers, better servants for
Him, and may you receive His mercy in abundance. Insha-Allah, Ameen. Ramadan Mubarak!
---Friday Sermon of 20 February 2026~ 02 Ramadan 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.