IMPORTANCE OF RAMADHAN
L-R: National President, Federation of Muslim Women's Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Hajiya Maryam Idris Othman, Chairman, Education Committee of FOMWAN, Kaduna State, Hajiya Halima Jibir and FCT President, Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Mrs. Theresa Ajuwa, at a one-day awareness talk on non-interest Islamic Banking, organised by FOMWAN, in Abuja.
Photo: MUDASHIRU ATANDA
Once more Ramadhan is coming to us with all its blessings. Blessed are those who could welcome this holy month. Last year, many were here with us to welcome and to bid farewell to Ramadhan. But now they are under the earth. And can we take a share in the next Ramadhan? Allah knows best.
A Muslim does not doubt in that the best of all months is Ramadhan and the virtues of Ramadhan are out of limitation. But where he fails is in exploiting the moments in Ramadhan as they deserve. May Allah help us in utilizing the blessed moments of the month in all kinds of virtues by which we can escape in the Hereafter.
What is Ramadhan?
Ramadhan is the ninth month of Hijra Calendar. There are many opinions as to the origin of the name Ramadhan. According to some of the linguists, the word Ramadhan means that which is setting ablaze. This literal meaning is very near to the technical sense. Ramadhan is the month, which burns the sins of the believers. Ibnu Asakir (in his Tareekh) has reported a Hadeeth from Sayyida Aisha. She asked the messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam 'Why Ramadhan is named so?' He told 'In the month of Ramadhan Allah will forgive and burn the sins of the believers'
Some scholars opine that it is Karaaha (undesirable) to use the word Ramadhan without using Shahr (month), that is to say the month of Ramadhan.
According to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani the five letters in the word Ramadhan (Ra-Ma-Dh-A-N) are indication to five ideas
1. Ra (Ridhwanullah) - The Pleasure of Allah
2- Ma (Mahabbatullah) - The love of Allah
3- Dha (Dhamanullah) – The protection of Allah
4- A (Ilfullah) - The nearness of Allah
5- N (Noorullah) The light of Allah
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the 'pillars' of the Islamic faith. No proof is required to establish its being obligatory (wajib) and one denying it goes out of the fold of Islam, because it is obvious, like Salat, to the learned and the unlettered, the elderly and the young. It was declared an obligatory duty (fardh) in the second year of the Hijra upon each and every Mukallaf (one capable of carrying out religious duties, i.e. a sane adult).
In the month of Ramadhan the reward for the virtues will be doubled into ten to seven thousand times. Why was Ramadhan distinguished from other months of a year by this great position?
Because, Ramadhan is the month of the revelation of The Holy Quraan
Allah says: Ramadhan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. Allah wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify Allah for guiding you, and to express your appreciation. (Al Baqara:185)
From the above evidence we can understand that the prime reason for the greatness of the Ramadhan is the revelation of the Quraan in it. And it is known to everyone that the Time is honoured by the great events that take place. So really the month of Ramadhan is the anniversary of the revelation of The Holy Quraan, which is the main guide for the humanity.
The door of Heaven is opened
Imam Ahmad and Imam Nasa'i reported a Hadeeth from Aboo Huraira, Radhiyallahu anhu. He told: The messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam would give glad tidings to his companions at the coming of the Month of Ramadhan. He would tell them:
The blessed month of Ramadhan came to you. Allah has prescribed to you the fasting of that month in which the doors of heaven will be opened and the doors of Hell will be closed and the Satans will be shackled. And in the month there is a night, which is better than a thousand months. If one is prevented its virtue, he is prevented (all virtues).
And in another Hadeeth we can read this: 'If the people know what is in Ramadhan my Ummah will wish all the year to be Ramadhan'
The special door of Al-Rayyan
Imam Muslim and Imam Bukhari reported: The messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam said:
'There is a door in Heaven told Al Rayyan. Only the Saa'imeen (those who take fast) will enter through it. No one else will enter through that door'
The multiplication of the reward
In the Month of Ramadhan the reward of the virtues will be multiplied into many times, as it is described by The messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam. He told that the (reward of) the virtue will be multiplied into ten to seventy thousand times.
Lailatul Qadr
Another feature of The Ramadhan is that it is honoured with a night which is more blessed than a thousand months. It is clearly stated in Sura al Qadr:
We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace!…This until the rise of morn!
Salat Taraweeh
There is a special prayer in the Ramadhan known as Salat Taraweeh, which is done after the Isha prayer till the time of Subh. Taraweeh is done in twenty Rak'as with ten Salaams as it was done by the Salaf as Saliheen and is the custom even now in the two Harams (Masjid al Haram and the Haram in Madeenah). There came a lot of Hadeeth in the virtue of this supererogatory Salat. The messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam told:
Who ever stands (praying) in Ramadhan with belief and expecting the reward, his past sins will be forgiven.
New moon of Ramadan
The fasting of Ramadan will be obligatory with the sight of new moon at the last of Sha'aban or with the completion of 30th of Sha'aban. The Messenger of Allah told: You take fast for the sight of it (new moon of Ramadan) and avoid fast for the sight of it (new moon of Shawwal). If it (sky) is clouded you complete the 30th of Sha'aban. (Saheehul Bukhari)
Then the fast will be obligatory on an individual if he personally sees the new moon and with the sight of one whom he trusts. And the fasting will be obligatory on all the people of the area by the confirmation of the sight of new moon near the Judge (Qadhi) by one witness. Likewise is the case with the successive news about the sight of the new moon.
If the sight of the new moon is confirmed in a place the Hukm will be generalized to the near places (not remote places). If one travels from the place of sight to a place where the new moon was not confirmed, then he has to join with them in the last of the month (i.e., he has to take fast though he completed thirty) and should contradict them in the first of the month (i.e., he should not cut fasting, but has to continue his fasting).
If the people did not see the new moon of Shawwal after the completion of 30th of Ramadan they have cut the fast (and celebrate Eid), if they began fasting by any evidence of the Sharee'a (i.e., by the sight of a just man or by the completion of 30th of Sha'aban). But if they began fasting by the word of unjust (but they trusted him) they should not cut fasting.
The basis of the confirmation of the new moon is depended upon the sight, and not on the existence of moon on the horizon. So there is no consideration for the opinion of the astronomer or mathematician. And no one should follow them in this regard. So, everyone is expected to try to get the sight of new moon at the last of the month.
Source: Islamic Research Foundation International (IRFI)