The Merits of the Month of Ramadhan
The Sheikh begins by praising Allah…
My dear brothers, we have come to a “noble” month, and a “grand” season. Allah makes
great in it the reward. He opens the doors of good for whosoever turns to them. It is the
month of goodness and blessings, the month of bestowment and flourish. Ramadhan is the
month in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear Signs for
guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). It is the month that is known for mercy,
forgiveness, and safety from the Fire. The first of it is mercy, the middle of it is forgiveness,
and the last of it is safety from the Fire. News of this month’s greatness and preference is
widespread, and the evidences of this are well-known. As is stated in the Saheehayn
(Bukhari and Muslim), “On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RA), that the Prophet (SAWS)
said, ‘When Ramadhan comes, the gates of Heaven are opened, and the gates of Hell are
closed, and the Devils are chained.’” And indeed the gates of Heaven are opened in this
month, for the increase in good actions and good desires from mankind. And the gates of
Hell are closed for the decrease in disobedience from the People of Faith. And the Devils are
chained so that they are not able to do what they would normally do otherwise.
Imam Ahmad narrates on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said:
“My nation was given five specific things during the month of Ramadhan which no nation
before us was given. The breath of a fasting person is sweeter to Allah then the smell of
misk, the Angels ask for the forgiveness of the fasting one until they eat, Allah beautifies
Heaven every day and says, “My righteous servants are about to be spared suffering and
harm, then they will be sent to you”, the Devils are chained so that they are not able to do
what they would normally do otherwise, and they are forgiven in the last night.” They said,
“O Messenger of Allah, are you referring to Laylatul-Qadr?”, He replied, “No, but indeed the
reward follows the good deed, once the deed is performed.”
My brothers, these are five particular things Allah has chosen specifically for you from
amongst the other Nations.
The First one, that the breath of a fasting person is more beloved to Allah than the smell of
musk. This is a smell which is disliked among the people but to Allah it is better then the
scent of misk because it is a result of worship and obedience of Allah. Whenever there is a
sign or result of obedience and worship, it is beloved to The Exalted One, and then He
rewards them with what is superior, and more preferred. Do you not see the martyr who is
killed in the way of Allah with the intention of the Word of Allah to be dominant? They will
come on the Day of Judgment with blood that is red, but its smell will be the smell of misk.
And also during Hajj Allah (SWT) says to his Angels, “Look at my slaves who have come to
me disheveled and dusty” (Narrated by Ahmad and Ibn Habban in his Saheeh). This
disheveled appearance is beloved to Allah in this situation because it is a sign of obedience
to Him as it represents the observance of ihram and leaving of the luxuries.
The Second, the Angels ask for their forgiveness until they break their fast. Angels are noble
slaves to Allah, “They do not disobey Allah in what they are commanded, and they do what
they are ordered.” And they are most deserving for their du’ah to be answered for the
fasting people, as soon as they are given permission to do so. When Allah gives them
permission to do so, it is a proof of the greatness of the fasting person’s fast. And when the
forgiveness is sought, it brings forgiveness as well as a protection from sins in this life and in
the next. All of the sons of Adam are sinners who are in need of forgiveness from Allah
(SWT).
The Third, Allah beautifies Heaven every day and says, “My righteous servants are about to
be spared suffering and harm, then they will be sent to you.” The suffering refers to the
suffering and hardships of this life. The servants hasten to do good which gives them
happiness in this life as well as the next and will bring them to Dar Assalaam.
The Fourth, the Devils are locked with chains so they may not accomplish misguiding the
believers from the Truth and keeping them from that which is good. This is from Allah’s help
for the believer, that their enemies: the ones whom call their people to be companions of
the Fire, are jailed. As a result of this, you will see the believer doing more actions that are
good, and staying away from doing evil in this month more than in any other month.
The Fifth, Allah forgives for the Nation of Muhammad (SAW) in the last night of this month.
If they do what is required of them in this blessed month, from fasting and praying, then
Allah will reward them when they complete the deed. For indeed the good deed is rewarded
at the completion of the deed.
There are 3 ways that Allah (SWT) rewards his slaves in this month.
- The first way is that Allah (SWT) makes these actions obligatory on us. Actions that will
raise us in status and be a cause for our forgiveness. Had it not been prescribed for us, then
we would not worship Allah with these actions, because actions are not performed except
they are revealed to his Messenger. Allah speaks about those whom create acts of worship
from other than what Allah has revealed and made it shirk. Allah (SWT) says, “Have they
partners, who have established for them some religion without the permission of Allah…”
- The second way is that Allah gave them the Tawfeeq (ability) to do the righteous acts that
many others have neglected. Had it not been for Allah’s help then they would not have done
these acts, so to Allah (SWT) is all praise and graciousness. “They make it a favor unto you
that they have surrendered. Say: Deem not your Surrender a favor unto me; nay, but Allah
has favored you by leading you to the Faith, if you are truthful.”
- The third way is that the reward is multiplied by ten to 700 times to many more times. So
the graciousness is from Allah (SWT) with the good deeds and the rewards for them, and all
praise is due to Allah Lord of all the worlds.
My brothers, seeking the rewards of Ramadan is a big blessing on whoever tries to seek
them by doing what they are required and by coming closer to their Lord. And by staying
away from disobedience and heedlessness and forgetting about Him, and move to His
remembrance. And from distancing yourself from Allah (SWT) to making yourself closer to
Him.
The Sheikh recites lines of poetry about coming closer to Allah during Ramadhan…
O Allah awaken us from this heedlessness, and give us the ability to increase in Taqwah, and
give us the ability to make use of our time during this special time, and forgive us and our
parents and all the Muslims, with your mercy. And send your peace and blessings on the
Prophet Muhammad (SAW).