Ramadhan close-up [article]

Salaam readers

I've been meaning to write a post on Ramadhan in general for some time now but more specifically regarding the Night of Power, or Laylat al Qadr. So at long last it is here. I hope you find it as informative and inspiring as I did, also please excuse me if it is some what sparse. I've copied and referenced what I have found personally useful.Refs for both posts. Jzk.

Officers of Malaysia's Islamic authority use a telescope to perform "rukyah", the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan, in Teluk Kemang, south of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 20, 2009. Muslims scan the sky at dusk in the beginning of the lunar calendar's ninth month in search of the new moon to proclaim the start of Ramadan, Islam's holiest month during which observant believers fast from dawn to dusk. (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad)

The word “Ramadan” is derived from "ramadha" which literally means "intense heat". There are a number of possible reasons for such a name including

1. When the Islamic months were enforced the month of fasting coincided with the summer months of intense heat
   
   
2. The second reason which has been mentioned is that due to fasting the temperature within the stomach increases, again the element of heat is a factor behind the actual naming of this month
   
   
3. It has also been said that "RAMADHAA" is one of the names of Allah (SWT). If that is the case then the month has acquired the name due to the fact that Allah (SWT) burns away accumulated sins and eliminates then from the list of unlawful deeds. Once again the burning sins cannonades "HEAT". However, it should be acknowledged that this reasoning is not wholly reliable

The month of Ramadan is a season of divine blessings, a month of purification and it is meant for annual renovation of inner-spiritual qualities. It is a golden opportunity for every Muslim to strengthen their imam, purify the heart and soul and remove the effects of sins. During this blessed month fasting is obligatory on all able-bodied Muslims and it is a time to maximize the acts of worship, minimize all mundane activities and refrain from all forms of sin. It is also recommended that one performs Umrah once on any one day of the month as this is a sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW).

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1. Hasan (RA), the grandson Holy Prophet (SAW) was born on the15^th of Ramadan, three years after Hijri
2. The Holy Qur'an was revealed on the 27^th night of Ramadan from the "Lauhe Mahfooz" (the 7^th heaven) to the 1^st heaven
3. The first battle in Islamic History, the Battle of Badr, took place on the 12^th of Ramadan in the year 2 AH
4. Victory of Makkah took place on the 18^th of Ramadan in the year 8 AH
5. Sawdah (RA) married the Holy Prophet (SAW) in year 10 AH
6. Zainab Bint Khuzaima's (RA) married the Holy Prophet (SAW) in the year 3 AH

On some of the benefits of Ramdhan

• Allah said in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Baqarah

"Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong)."( Al-Baqarah 2:185)

• Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (SAW) said

“If anyone omits his fast even for one day in Ramadan without a concession or without being ill, then if he were to fast for the rest of his life he could not make up for it.” [Bukhari]

• Abu Huraira related that the Prophet (SAW) said that Allah (SWT) the Majestic and Exalted said

“Every deed of man will receive ten to 700 times reward, except Sawm (fasting), for it is for Me and I shall reward it (as I like). There are two occasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he breaks the fast and the other when he will meet his Lord.” [Muslim]

• The last third of Ramadan is the time for the release from Hell-fire, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the Hadith reported by Salman Al-Farisi:

"O people, a great and a blessed month is approaching you. In this month there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Allah has made fasting during its daytime obligatory and prayers at night commendable during this month. Whosoever will do a voluntary good deed during this month, it is as if he performed an obligatory good deed at another time and whosoever will perform an obligatory good deed, it is as if he performed seventy obligatory good deeds at another time. This is the month of patience and the reward of patience is Paradise. This is the month of kindness and charity. In this month the believer’s provision is enlarged. Anyone who will give food to a fasting person in this month, it will bring forgiveness for his sins, will save him from the hellfire and he shall have his reward without the person who is fed losing any of his reward….The first third of the month of Ramadan is the time for Rahmah (Mercy), the second third is for forgiveness, the third is for the release from Hellfire…"