Virtues and Excellence of Ramadan

Our Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) delivered a thought provoking sermon on the last day of Sha'baan in which He (S.A.W) said : “Oh Believers ! Be Alert ! An auspicious month is about to dawn upon you, whose greatness and sanctity is not easy to comprehend. There comes to you a magnificent month, a blessed month, a month wherein is a night (Laylat al-Qadr) which is better than a Thousand Months. Almighty Allah (S.W.T) has made it's Fast's compulsory upon you, and the standing in its nights (Tarraweeh) a means of obtaining countless blessings.

Whoever sincerely makes an effort to seek closeness to Allah (S.W.T) in Ramadan, is like a person who has offered seventy obligatory deeds in other months. It is a month of patience, the reward of patience is Paradise. It is a month to show compassion to others. In it sustenance is increased. In this month the doors of Paradise are opened and the doors of Hell are clossed. Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins, if one of you is fasting, he should avoid quarrelling and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him he should say : I am fasting.”

The Beloved Prophet (S.A.W) further said : "I swear on Him in whose Hands is my life ! The breath emanating from the mouth of the observer of fasts is more beloved to Allah than the fragrance of musk. The observer of fasts abstains from eating and drinking, and from all sensual pleasures for My (Allah's) sake. Fasting is for Me and I alone shall give its rewards."

The reward of every good deed is tenfold but the reward for fasting will be given by Allah alone. In short, this month is a treasure house of blessings and mercy. Therefore it is obligatory upon every Muslim to show this month the highest form of respect and at all times uphold its sanctity and dignity. Be firm and punctual in fulfilling one's obligatory duties such as Namaaz, Zakaah and other commandments of Allah Almighty.

Spend maximum time in the recitation of the Holy Quran and recite Durood Shareef abundently. Offer sincere prayers of forgiveness and ask Allah (S.W.T) for the betterment of the whole Muslim Ummah.