In Ramadan, the Mu’min has certain legislated duties which the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) has clarified in his Sunnah, through his statements and actions since it is the “season of goodness, because the blessings of Allaah upon his slaves during this month are more than the other months.” [Fath al-Barriy(1/31)]. These duties consist of certain things of the legislated matt ers that are preformed during the whole month, of righteous actions and good deeds.
First - Fasting:
- The virtue of fasting in general is tremendous, due to the statment of the Messenger (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) : “Every action of the son of Adam is for him, except for fasting; it is for Me (Allaah). One whom Muhammad’s soul is in His hand, the smell of the breath of the fasting person is more beloved with Allaah than the smell of musk.” (Muslim)
Imaam al-Mazry said (in al-Mu’alim bifawaid Muslim – this book highlights the benefi ts found in saheeh Muslim) (2/41): “Allaah specifies here the fasting by saying “it is for Me” even though all good actions that are sincere are for Allaah Most High, except that in fasting there is no riya’ (showing off ), such as can be found in other than it. This is due to it being an act in which the slave is stopping and keeping himself from doing something. And the situation of the one restraining himself during fasting due to being full and satisfied or not having the means of attaining what he wants, and the one restraining due to seeking to come closer to Allaah is the same. Rather, the intention and what is concealed in the heart is what matters in this situation. As for Salaah, Hajj, and Zakah these are all actions that are bodily/physical and are performed outwardly, so riya’ (showing off ), and seeking recognition for that is possible. So, due to these reasons, fasting was specified out of everything else.”
- On top of this high merit for fasting in general, there is specific merit for the month of Ramadan; due to the statement of Prophet (sal-Allaahu`alayhe wa sallam) : “Who ever fasts Ramadan, believing and counting on his reward with Allaah, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Agreed upon from the hadeeth of Abu-Hurriara). The Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) also said: “Fasting the month of Sabr (patience) and three days from every month is equal to fasting the whole year.” (Nasa’i, Ahmad, al-Thayalisy, al-Bayhaqi, from the hadeeth of Abu-Hurriara with an authentic chain) “Ramadan is also known as the month of patience.” (Al-Tamhid /61/19).
Ibn abd-Albar said: “as-Sawm (fasting) in the Arabic tongue is also understood to be Sabr (patience). Verily the patience will be rewarded without any reckoning.”
Abu-Bakr al-Anbaary said: “Sawm (fasting) is called patience because it is to restrict oneself from eating, drinking, intercourse, and desires.”
Second - al-Qiyaam (standing for at- Taraweeh prayer):
It is a Sunnah to pray at-Taraweeh in Jama’ah (congregation) for the entire duration of the blessed month, due to the saying of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) : “Whoever stands with the Imaam in prayer until he is finished, a whole nights reward of prayer is written for him.” (abu-Dawud, Tirmdi, Nasai, and Ibn-Nasir from Abi-Daar through an authentic chain)
Likewise, concerning the virtue of the Qiyaam, the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said: “Whoever stands for Ramadan believing and anticipating his reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Agreed upon)
The most complete guidance in respect to the number of Rak’ahs to pray in Qiyaam, regardless whether it is in Ramadan or other than it, is what has been authentically narrated from the actions of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) of up to eleven Rak’ahs, because he (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) is the complete leader and role model to be followed.
Third - Sadaqah (charity):
“Verily, the Prophet was most charitable and giving in Ramadan.” (Agreed upon)
This generosity is encompassing of all the types of charity, and good dealings, for verily “al-Jooud (openhandedness) is giving widely and in abundance.” (Lataif al-ma’arif, for Ibn Rajab pg. 173) This encompasses many of the good acts and deeds.
Fourth - Feeding the fasting person:
The Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) encouraged this much. He informed of the great reward for doing so as well. He said: “Who ever feeds a fasting person will have like that person’s reward, except the reward of the fasting person will not decrease in the least.” (Ahamad, and al-Tirmidi, and Ibn-Majjah from way of Zayed ibn-Kalid through an authentic chain.)
Fifth - Reading the Quran:
The month of Ramadan is the month of the Qur’aan. Allaah says: “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).” (al-Baqarah, 185)
And in the practiced sunnah of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) , the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) actualized this reality. Jibreel would review with him the Qur’aan every night of Ramadan. (Bukhaari)
Six - Ummrah:
Bukhaari and Muslim narrated the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said, “Umrah preformed in Ramadan is equal to making a Hajj with me.” Look – may Allaah have Mercy on you- to this merit, how virtuous it is and how great!
Seven - trying to attain the night of al- Qadr:
Allaah says (Surat al-Qadr):
1. Verily! We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the night of al-Qadr (Decree).
2. And what will make you know what the night of al-Qadr (Decree) is?
3. The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
5. Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.
2. And what will make you know what the night of al-Qadr (Decree) is?
3. The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
4. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees,
5. Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.
In the two saheehs that the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) said: “Whoever stands in prayer the night of al-Qadr believing and anticipating his reward, he will be forgiven his previous sins.”
The night of al-Qadr is one of the last ten nights of Ramadan. From A’isha as has been recorded by al- Tirmidi, and Ibn-Majjah through and authentic chain - A’isha, may Allaah be pleased with her, said: “I asked the Messenger of Allaah: ‘O Messenger of Allaah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ He said: ‘Say: O Allaah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.’“ (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).
- This - my brothers and sisters - is a summary of what duties are upon the believer in this blessed month. As for the complete duty that is binding upon the Muslim to uphold in this month of Patience, is to avoid evil, be patient upon harm, guard the stomach, to hold firm to the legislations of al-Islaam, and to tread upon the sunnah of the Prophet.
- This - my brothers and sisters - is a summary of what duties are upon the believer in this blessed month. As for the complete duty that is binding upon the Muslim to uphold in this month of Patience, is to avoid evil, be patient upon harm, guard the stomach, to hold firm to the legislations of al-Islaam, and to tread upon the sunnah of the Prophet.
By: Shaykh Ali ibn Hassan al-Halabi