Do you know how close Ramadan is to the hearts of Muslims and how much importance it has?
THE IMPORTANCE OF RAMADAN:
According to the Islamic calendar, Ramadan comes in the 9th month. It starts after Shaban (the 8th month) ends and when the moon of the 9th month is seen. This is considered the holiest month for Muslims, in which Muslims fast during the day and do their worship at night. This month is usually 29 or 30 days, which depends on seeing the moon of Shawwal. Goodness has been kept for Muslims in this month, which shows its importance.
DIVISION:
This month for Muslims has been divided into 3 parts:
- ASHRA-E-REHMAT: In this, Allah opens the doors of His mercy for Muslims and increases the reward of good deeds by 70 times. In this, they get 70 times more reward for doing one good deed.
- ASHRA-E-MAGHFIRAT: This Ashra is for asking for forgiveness from sins and getting salvation. In this, Muslims bow their heads in regret for their past sins and seek forgiveness with a sincere heart from their Lord.
- ASHRA-E-NIJAT (Freedom from Hell): This Ashra is considered the most important Ashra for Muslims. In this, Muslims are given freedom from Hell. It means those who committed any sin in their past for which the fire of Hell was made mandatory for them; if those people ask for forgiveness from their Lord with true regret and humbleness, their Lord frees them because of this Ashra.
This Ashra is very important because it has 5 nights which are also called “Taak Raat,” including the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th of Ramadan. In these odd nights, one night, which is the night of LAILATUL QADAR, has been kept a secret. The wisdom in keeping it a secret is so that a person spends the whole Ashra in worship instead of just one night.
LAILATUL QADAR:
Among these 5 nights, there is one night which is the night of Lailatul Qadar. In the light of Hadith, this one night is better than 1000 months of worship. On this night, Allah Almighty sends His special blessings.
“Whoever prays on the night of Lailatul Qadar with faith and hoping for reward, all his past sins are forgiven.” (Sahih Bukhari: 1901)
PURPOSE OF FASTING:
Fasting has been made mandatory for Muslims. Not eating or drinking anything all day and staying with a fast teaches a person patience and Taqwa. By staying hungry, a person learns to have patience. Let me tell you an important thing: fasting for the whole month for Muslims is like giving Zakat for their body. Leaving a fast without any special reason is not forgiven. Islam has allowed skipping fasts on some specific reasons.
REVELATION OF THE QURAN:
The revelation of the Quran started on Lailatul Qadr, which is one of the odd nights of the last Ashra of Ramadan. The first revelation also happened in the last Ashra of Ramadan. The first verse was revealed in the cave of Hira near Makkah when Muhammad ﷺ was 40 years old. First of all, the starting 5 verses of Surah Al-Alaq (“Iqra bi ismi rabbikal lazi khalaq”) were revealed. IQRA means “Read.” The revelation of the Quran-e-Pak started in 610 CE and was completed in about 23 years.
ZAKAT, SADQA, AND FITRA:
Do you know about Zakat, Sadqa, and Fitra? These three things are included in the rules and special worship of Ramadan.
ZAKAT: Zakat has been made mandatory for every believing Muslim man and woman. According to Islamic rules, if you have 7.5 tola gold or 52.5 tola silver (or equal cash/business goods) for a full year, then 2.5% Zakat is mandatory for you.
SADQA: Sadqa is a voluntary worship, but there are two basic forms of giving Sadqa:
SADQA-E-WAJIBA (Mandatory): Which has been made compulsory.
Zakat-al-Fitr (FITRANA): It is mandatory for every stable Muslim at the end of Ramadan and before Eid comes.
FIDYA: If a person cannot fast due to old age or any illness, he has to feed 1 poor person two meals for each fast, or he has to pay the amount of 2kg wheat. If he cannot afford to feed, then he should fast for 40 days for each fast when he becomes healthy.
KAFFARA: Paying the amount fixed for breaking an oath or any religious mistake as a fine is Kaffara.
NAZRANA (VOW): If someone made a vow for a task to be completed, it becomes mandatory.
SADQA-E-NAFILA (Optional Charity): This is the Sadqa which is not mandatory and a person does it for the pleasure of his Lord.
SADQA-E-JARIYA: Which means your good deed that always benefits someone. For example, you planted a tree and that tree gives shade to everyone.
SADQA-E-LILLAH (Deeds done for Allah): Like helping a needy person, feeding someone, removing a stone from the path, or helping with money without any personal interest.
THE PURPOSE OF ZAKAT:
Zakat purifies the soul of a person.
SPIRITUAL DEED: By giving Zakat, a person is made to realize that the wealth should reach the real rightful owner so the wealth becomes pure. In the Quran, Allah says: “Take Zakat from their wealth to make them pure and clean.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:103). According to Hadith, wealth never decreases by giving Zakat.
SOCIAL DEED: Reaching out to widows, orphans, the poor, and relatives (who are needy) is a social deed through which every rightful person can celebrate happiness. Zakat is only accepted from money earned through Halal ways.
WHO CAN RECEIVE ZAKAT?
In Surah At-Tawbah (Verse 60), 8 types of people are mentioned:
The Poor and Needy
Those in debt
Travelers
Relatives (who are needy)
Zakat collectors
New Muslims
Freeing slaves or prisoners
In the way of Allah
EID-UL-FITR: THE DAY OF REWARD
After all the worship, Zakat, and Sadqa of Ramadan, Eid is a gift for Muslims from their Lord. In which they celebrate, hug each other, and share their happiness.
