A Present for Lovers of Ramadan

By Khosrow Taqadosinia

Translated by Nayyereh Towhidi

The blessed month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, coming after the month of Shaban and before the month of Shawwal. Ramadan is the only month of the 12 months (of the year) mentioned in the Holy Qur’an by name, and Ramadan is the month during which fasting is imperative for Muslims.

Fasting

1- Fasting (Sawm), an obligation for all peoples

A particular feature of fasting is that all human being across the entire history have been obliged to observe fast, while it is not the case for certain acts of worship. In verse 183 of Chapter 2 (Al-Baqarah) we read: “O you who have faith! Prescribed for you is fasting as it was prescribed for those who were before you, so that you may be Godwary.”

2- Fasting brings about forgiveness of the sins

Another very special significant benefit of fasting is the forgiveness of one’s sins by Allah as a result of fasting. Allah’s last and most exalted Messenger – Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has stated: “The one who fasts in the month of Ramadan based on his/her faith and sincerity will have all his/her sins forgiven (by Allah).”

3- The Divine rewards for fasting are unlimited

Fasting is one of the acts of worship the reward for which is boundless. In a Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has stated about fasting: “ Allah – the Almighty says, All deeds of the offsprings of Adam (AS) are related to themselves but Sawm (fasting) which is related to Me and will be rewarded by Myself particularly.”

From these hadiths, it can be concluded that the more an act of worship is performed out of sincere motives, the more it is rewarded by Allah and since (true) fasting is performed while none but Allah knows about it, it is very reward-worthy in the sight of Allah. Moreover, fasting is of particular Divine value since unlike all other acts of worship which somehow fit human natural disposition, (such as the obligatory prayers which are accompanied by bodily movements- a feature of human beings), fasting which includes avoidance of eating and drinking is close to Allah’s attribute of needlessness, and thus has been regarded by Allah as an act of worship particularly related to Himself.

4- A shield against hellfire

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said, “Fasting is a shield against hellfire.” (Al-Kafi, Vol. 4)

From this Hadith, it can be understood that since fasting extinguishes the fire of lusts and anger which is inside human beings in this world and which may lead to fire in the Hereafter life, so, one can protect himself/herself against the fire of hell in the Hereafter through fasting.

5- The sweetness to Allah

Allah’s last and most perfect Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), has stated, “. By the One (Allah) in Whose Hand lies the soul of Muhammad, the odor of the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasant to Allah that the scent of musk.”

6- Two joys

According to another Prophetic narrative, for the fasting believers, there are two joys; one at the time of Iftar (breaking the fast) and the other at the time of meeting his/her God. And in a very enlightening Hadith from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) we are told, “Al-Siyam” (fasting) and the Holy Qur’an are the two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Judgment, the fasting saying, “O God! I prevented him/her from eating and sex, so let me intercede for him/her and the Holy Qur’an saying: I prevented him/her from sleeping all night, so let me intercede for him/her. Then the two will receive Permission to intercede.”

7- The remembrance (dhikr) of Allah

From the viewpoint of Islam, the remembrance of Allah is of the utmost value and significance, and in fact all acts of worship are for elevating human beings towards the sublime position of being mindful of Allah in all conditions. In view of the life-giving effects of the remembrance of Allah, the Holy Qur’an has repeatedly called upon the believers to remember Allah much, so that they will revive their souls and nourish their hearts with the remembrance of their Gracious Creator. In verses 41- 43 of Chapter 33 (Al-Ahzab) of the Holy Qur’an we read: “O you who have faith! Remember Allah with frequent remembrance, and glorify Him morning and evening. It is He Who blesses you, and so do His angels, that He may bring you out from darkness into light and He is most merciful to the faithful.” And likewise in verse 41 of Chapter 3(Ale-e-Imran): “He said. ‘My Lord grant me a sign.’ He said, ‘Your sign is that you will not speak to people for three days except in gestures. And remember Your Lord greatly, and glorify Him morning and evening.’ ”

In Islamic narratives, we are told that for everything there is a limit but for the remembrance of Allah which is unlimited and boundless. The late Islamic Scholar – Kulayni, has in his book Al-Kafi (vol. 2) quoted Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (AS) as saying: “Everything has a limit upon reaching it that thing will end, but for the remembrance of Allah to which there is no limit. As for the prayers made obligatory by Allah, the one who performs them has met their requirement. The same is true of observing the obligatory fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan and also of Hajj the performance of which once is considered as meeting its required limit on the part of the believer. As for the remembrance of Allah, a little is not enough, as inferred from the Qur’anic injunction of remembrance of Allah much (verses41-42 of Chapter 33).

And below we mention certain other benefits of being mindful of Allah:

1- To attract Allah’s favorite attention

Allah will certainly favour and remember those servants of His who remember Him much, and will have particular attention towards them as in verse 152 of Chapter 2 (Al-Baqarah) Allah guides us thus: “Remember Me, and I will remember you, and thank Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me.”

2- Tranquility of the heart

The remembrance of Allah will for sure relieve one’s heart and mind from the otherwise intolerable stresses caused by the various problems of this worldly life. The believer who always relies on Allah will never break down in the face of hardships and will overcome each problem with trust in Allah, while enjoying peace of mind and a tranquil heart. This fact has been pointed out in verse 28 of Chapter 13 (Al-Ra’ad) of the Holy Qur’an thus: “….those who have faith, and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Look! The hearts find rest in Allah’s remembrance!”

3- Release from the temptations of Satan

Another life-saving effect of remembrance of Allah is the believer’s being saved from the temptations of Satan. In Verse 201 of Chapter 7 (A’araf) of the Holy Qur’an we read: “When those who are Godwary are touched by a visitation of Satan, they remember [Allah] and, behold, they perceive.”

4- Leading the believers towards salvation

In Verse 45 of Chapter 8 (Anfal) of the Holy Qur’an, the way towards salvation has been clarified thus: “O you who have faith! When you meet a host [in battle], then stand firm, and remember Allah greatly so that you may be felicitous.”

5- Bringing about humbleness in the heart

In Chapter 8 (Al-Anfal) of the Holy Qur’an, Allah speaks about the faithful (Mu’aminoon) thus: “Truly the faithful are those who upon the remembrance of Allah their hearts become onguard- humble.”

Also, in verses 34 and 35 of Chapter 22 (Hajj) of the Holy Qur’an Allah has commanded His Messenger (PBUH) to give good tidings to those whose hearts become alert and humble upon the remembrance of Allah.

6- A quality of the faithful

In verse 191 of Chapter 3 (Ale-Imran) of the Holy Qur’an, Allah cites His Dhikr (remembrance) as one of the outstanding qualities of Mu’aminan (the believers- the Faithful): “Those who remember Allah standing, sitting ,and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth [and say], ‘Our Lord, You have not created this in vain! Immaculate are You! Save us from the punishment of the Fire.’ ”

7- Bringing about victory

The remembrance of Allah will for sure strengthen the moral of those who struggle for His cause and will thus immensely help them achieve victory. This fact has been clearly mentioned in verse 45 of Chapter 8 (Anfal) of the Holy Qur’an: “O you who have faith! When you meet a host [in battle], then stand firm, and remember Allah greatly so that you may be felicitous.”

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