Virtues of Ramadaan II

Virtues of the month of rewards are known to most Muslims. The biggest of all is that Allah has said that fasting is for Him and He will reward it. He said, as reported in a Hadith Qudsee:

“…except for fasting which is only for My sake, and I will reward him for it.” [Al-Bukhaari, al-Fat’h, no. 1904; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/407.]

Amongst the many virtues of Ramadan, following are some of them:

Forgiveness of sins (sins that potentially are blocking Allah’s blessings in our lives)

Gates of heaven are opened (showing Allah’s bountiful blessings)

Gates of hell are closed (showing Allah’s mercy)

Devils are chained up (making it easier for Muslims to get closer to Allah)

It has a blessed night which is better than 1000 months (83 years and 4 months)

Quran recitation provides an opportunity of great rewards in this life and the hereafter (besides training one to recite Quran regularly during the rest of the year.)

The following are the Quran verses, prophetic sayings, and scholarly wisdom on the virtues of the month of Ramadan.

“When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are put in chains.” [Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fat’h, no. 3277.]

“Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and with the hope of (Allah’s) reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath, no. 37.] 

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…” [Surah al-Baqarah, 2:185] 

1. “Verily, We have sent it (this Quran) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).

2. And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?

3. The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

4. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees,

5. (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”. [Surah al-Qadar 97:1-5] 

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 999.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1910; Muslim, 760.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “At every breaking of the fast, Allah has people whom He redeems.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 987.

We also know that the prophet (s.a.w.) was more generous in Ramadan than other months.

“The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was the most generous of people [in doing good], and he was most generous of all in Ramadan when Jibreel met with him; he used to meet him every night in Ramadan and teach him the Quran. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was more generous in doing good than a blowing wind.” [Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fat’h, no. 6.]

“In Paradise there are rooms whose outside can be seen from the inside and the inside can be seen from the outside. Allah has prepared them for those who feed the poor, those who are gentle in speech, those who fast regularly, and those who pray at night when people are asleep.” [Reported by Ahmad 5/343; Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 2137. Al-Albaani said in his footnote, its isnaad is hasan because of other corroborating reports.]

“Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, he will have the reward equal to his (the fasting person), without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person.” [Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 3/171; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/451.]