By Murtadha Gusau
The month of Ramadan is a Muslim’s recurring opportunity for spiritual enhancement and soul redemption. It is also an annual exercise in self-control and self-restraint, but above all, it is a physical manifestation of our total submission and obedience to Allah Almighty. Because of this submission and obeying of His order, the Muslim fasts, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual intercourse during the days of Ramadan.
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
All praise is for Allah, Lord of all creation, who guided us to Islam. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true and sincere followers.
Dear brothers and sisters! Know that, wallahi, there is no better time to start making positive changes in our lives than this blessed month of Ramadan.
The month of Ramadan is a Muslim’s recurring opportunity for spiritual enhancement and soul redemption. It is also an annual exercise in self-control and self-restraint, but above all, it is a physical manifestation of our total submission and obedience to Allah Almighty.
Because of this submission and obeying of His order, the Muslim fasts, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual intercourse during the days of Ramadan.This is the physical aspect of fasting. By nightfall, the spiritual aspects take over, because while eating, drinking, and sexual relationship between spouses are permitted during nighttime, the Muslim then engages in prayers that take him/her deep into the night. It is a well-balanced program that lifts the spirit, strengthens the resolve, and asserts Tawhid(Islamic Monotheism) as no other act of worship can.
Dear brothers and sisters! The conduct of our Prophet (Peace be upon him) and his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, in Ramadan differs a lot than the way Muslims do today. They dedicated their days and nights for worship. Their lives revolved completely around the book of Allah, the Qur’an. Reciting it in and out of prayers. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to review the whole Qur’an with Jibril (Angel Gabriel) once every Ramadan. Imam Bukhari, may Allah have mercy upon him, narrated that:
“Jibril used to repeat the recitation of the Qur’an with the Prophet (Peace be upon him) once a year (in Ramadan) but he repeated it with him twice in the year he died.” The Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to stay in ‘I’tikaf (seclusion in the Mosque) for ten days every year (during Ramadan) but in the year of his death, he stayed in I’tikaf for twenty days.”
The Month of Ramadan is the month of mercy, repentance and charity. The mere revelation of the Qur’an and the commission of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to the Prophethood are among the greatest manifestations of Allah’s mercy. Allah, The Most Exalted
