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by A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, Sri Lanka

Spring is arriving in the garden of spirituality. The doors of heaven are opening and the shower of Allah's blessings has started pouring down. Pious changes are manifest in every believer (mu'min). Everyone young as well as old are spending days and nights in the worship of Allah. The Holy Quran is being recited abundantly. This is all happening because the month of Ramadhan has started.

Just as springtime is one of the physical seasons so is the month of Ramadhan, the spiritual springtime. We are fortunate that we are witnessing this spiritual spring once again in our life.

In the following lines, we shall discuss some things about this blessed month. It carries the blessings and mercy of Allah. We are thankful to Allah for providing us physical forms of divine worship such as prayer, fasting and pilgrimage to improve our moral and spiritual condition. Fasting is the fourth pillar of Islam. The word 'Saum' (means to stop or abstain) is used in Arabic for fasting.

Therefore fasting means that one refrains from eating, drinking and sexual activity during hours of the day. Otherwise in other days of the year all these things are allowed during the day. This month comes once in a year to scatter the blessings and mercy of Allah for the believers. In one way this month holds the status of a collective training period because everywhere, at the same time, arrangements are made for 'Sehri' (food taken before dawn) and 'Ifthari' (food taken at sunset). People embellish their spirituality and are seen gathering Allah's blessings and mercy by worshipping Him.

Welcome the month of Ramadhan

The Holy Prophet said: "Be prepared, the month of Ramadhan is coming to you and remember that this is a blessed month" (Kithab al Saum). The Holy Prophet has declared this month as the 'month of Allah' because one abandons all otherwise "lawful" things in the way of Allah. He has declared this month as the 'Chief of the months'. Worship during this month carries more blessings, therefore, one should fast with sincere intentions and prayers should be offered in greater numbers to win Allah's pleasure.

The doors to heaven opened

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (peace be upon him) has narrated that the Holy Prophet said: "When the month of Ramadhan starts, the doors of heaven are opened, and the doors of hell are bolted and Satan restrained" (Sahih Muslim - Kithab al Saum). In this sayings (Hadith), Holy Prophet has promised an exalted place in heaven for him who keeps the fast because a believer is enjoined to perform deeds that please Allah and stays away from things immoral.

Reward of fasting

We know that every act of goodness is rewarded. They are based on sincerity of intentions. Fasting is the only worship about which Allah has said that He Himself is its reward.

This means that one develops such close relationship with Allah that He Himself becomes his helper. What more precious reward can we aspire?

Hazrat Abu Hurairah has narrated that the Holy Prophet said: "Allah says that each acts of man is for himself except fasting, because fasting is for Me and I am its reward" (Sahih Bukhari - Kithab al Saum).

Essentials during Ramadhan

The Holy Prophet has guided Muslims for each and every thing. He has given detailed instructions when to start the month of Ramadhan and how to spend time during the whole month.

Hazrat Ibne Umar (R.A.) has narrated that 'I heard the Holy Prophet say that you should start fasting when you see the moon for the month of Ramadhan and stop fasting when you see the next new moon.' (Sahih Bukhari - Kithab al Saum)

The Holy Prophet has said: "If someone eats by mistake while fasting, he should continue and complete his fast till the evening because it is Allah who made him to eat or drink".(Sahih Bukhari - Kithab al Saum)

Etiquette of Sehri (Pre-dawn food)

Sehri is a blessed meal. The Holy Prophet has said: "This is truly a blessing one strengthens the habit of getting up early in the morning and worshipping Allah offering humble prayers to Him. The Holy Prophet also said: "Eat Sehri as there are blessings in eating food at this time". (Sahih Bukhari - Kithab al Saum)

Breaking the fast

There are some times during the day when prayers are more liable to be granted. Allah accepts more prayers at the time of breaking of fast. In one of his sayings the Holy Prophet has reported to have said: "No prayer of a mu'min (believer) is rejected when he is breaking the fast". (Sunan Ibne Majah, al Abwab al Dawah)

Prayer

Allah forgives all the sins of a person who sincerely worships Allah during the month of Ramadhan. In this month, Allah's mercy and blessings are at their peak.

The Holy Prophet has said that during Ramadhan Allah says, " Is there anyone who calls on Me so that I can accept his prayer? Is there anyone who asks for anything so that I can fulfil his desire? Is there anyone who asks for forgiveness so that I can forgive?" (Sahih Bukhari, Kithab al Tawheed)

Ramadhan - anniversary of the Holy Quran

The revelation of the Holy Quran to the Holy Prophet started in the blessed month of Ramadhan. In a sense, in this month we as a matter of fact celebrate the birthday of the Holy Quran. To render our dues, we should recite this Holy Book as much as possible during this month. In this month, at night, the Holy Prophet used to recite the Holy Quran in its entirety along with Angel Gabrial (Jibreel).

Final ten days of Ramadhan

Hazrat Ayesha narrates that, during the month of Ramadhan, the Holy Prophet used to be very active in prayers, and he would stay awake during the night for his prayers and used to awake members of his family also for worshipping. (Sahih Bukhari - Kithab al Saum) During this month, worship reaches its peak in the form of I'tikaf (retirement for Allah's worship). The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to retire to the mosque in the last ten days of Ramadhan. He would go to a corner in the Masjid-e-Nabawee (Prophet's Mosque) for his worship in seclusion.

Ramadhan and Lailathul Qadr (Night of Decree)

Hazrat Ayesha asked the Holy Prophet, "O, Messenger of Allah, if I know this night is the Lailathul Qadr then what should I pray?"

He replied you should pray: 'O Allah, You are most forgiving and love those who forgive others. So bestow Your blessings on me and forgive me too.' (Jamiah Tirmidi - Kitab al Dawah)

Lailathul Qadr is the night, about which the Holy Quran has declared that it is better than a thousand other nights. May Allah enable all Muslims to be the recipients of Lailathul Qadr and truly benefit from the month of Ramadhan.

May Allah accept our prayers. Ameen.

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