Ramadan: A blessing for believers

While the beginning of Ramadan and its midpoint respectively signifies mercy (rahmah) and forgiveness (maghfirah), the last part of it is full of spiritual elevation for believers. The entire period of Ramadan is thus a blessing for believers, especially in the contemporary world in which sin has almost taken the place of virtue in all spheres of human life. The six authentic compilers of hadith all relate on the authority of Abu Hurayrah who reports that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Fasting is a protection for you.  Therefore, when you fast, do not behave obscenely or foolishly. And if anyone argues with you or abuses you; just say, ‘I am fasting, I am fasting’.”
Prophetic traditions encourage believers to pre-occupy themselves with diverse acts of worship during Ramadan. These include constant recitation of the holy Qur’an, observing supererogatory (nafilat) prayers called Tarawih, attending Tafsir sessions and feeding the indigent.  Ramadan is the month in which the holy Qur’an and other divine scriptures were revealed. The book of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was revealed on the first day of Ramadan. Attaurah (Torah or Old Testament) was revealed on the sixth day; the Injil on the 13th day; the Zabur (Psalm) on the 18th day, and the holy Qur’an which is popularly believed to have been revealed on the 27th day of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the month of mercy and forgiveness. In this sacred month, Allah (SWT) forgives every seeker of forgiveness; grants mercy to every solicitor of mercy; pardons every repentant believer; and He (SWT) gives bountifully to everyone who asks. Abu Hurayrah (RA) reports from the Prophet (SAW) that the gates to hell are closed throughout the period of Ramadan while the gates to paradise are left open during the same period. Ibn Abbas (RA) reports that the Prophet (SAW) said: “My ummah (community) would wish Ramadan could last for a whole year if they knew the virtues in it.”
Ramadan is a period when believers persevere in worship; with the Garden of Bliss (Al-Jannah) as the ultimate reward. The mind, the body and the soul of a believer during Ramadan each passes through various levels of perseverance in total service and submission to the will of Allah (SWT). It is in recognition of the worth of fasting (Sawm) as a unique and revered act of worship (ibadah) that Allah (SWT) says every good deed is for man (to profit from) except fasting, which is exclusively for Him (SWT) and He alone rewards it.  Allah (SWT) forgives a believer of all his sins committed between the last and the current Ramadan as long as the Ramadan fast is observed faithfully and in accordance with laid down rules and regulations. Abu Hurayrah further reports that the Prophet (SAW) said: “When Ramadan comes, the gates of the Garden (of Bliss) are opened, and the gates to Hell Fire are closed; keeping the devils (shayatin) chained.”
On every night of the month of Ramadan, Allah (SWT) commands: “Where are those who asked for my forgiveness? I’ve forgiven them; where are those who have repented? I’ve pardoned them; and for those who have demands, I’ve granted their requests”. Allah (SWT) in Qur’an 2:186 affirms that: “When my servants ask thee concerning me, I am indeed close (to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on me…” Let us therefore use this holy period to pray for the success of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in its resolve to tackle insurgency, corruption, poverty and unemployment.
Scholars are encouraged to, during their commentaries of the Qur’an (tafsir), observe restraint and exhibit maturity in their utterances. The approach adopted in recent times by some scholars in their preaching contradicts the Islamic principles of calling people to the way of Allah (SWT). The holy Qur’an commands us to call to Allah’s way with wisdom and beautiful words of guidance. Even when Prophets Musa (AS) and Harun (AS) had the divine mandate of calling the then Pharaoh, Ramzes II, who rebelled against the Creator of the universe; Allah (SWT) instructed them to speak to Pharaoh softly and with courtesy. A situation in which a preacher uses three-quarter of his time to abuse, defame and affront those who perhaps have gone astray from the path of guidance, is not a demonstration of scholarship.
No matter the deviation of a people from the path of guidance, that is not enough to warrant the use of foul language during preaching. We call on those engaged in preaching to be polite in addressing their audiences. Let us use decent approaches that would attract and not send away people from our preaching, especially in this blessed month of Ramadan. We can, if Allah wills, change the mindset of people not by abusing them but more by appealing to their conscience with wisdom and courtesy; yet, in a very firm manner. In this way, we could make Ramadan tafsir sessions more attractive.
May Allah (SWT) guide us to fast in the best of manners prescribed by the Qur’an and Sunnah; putting us among those with whom He (SWT) is pleased, amin. Ramadan Kareem!