Author: Abu Sadiq Ashiq Ali Athari (Hafizahullah)
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, companions, and those who follow his guidance. To proceed:
This brief reminder highlights the virtues of fasting and standing in prayer during Ramadan, as well as excelling in righteous deeds during this blessed month. It also discusses some rulings that many people may be unaware of.
It is authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to give glad tidings to his companions about the arrival of Ramadan. He would inform them that this month is one in which the doors of mercy and Paradise are opened, the doors of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained. The Prophet (peace be upon him) would say:
"When the first night of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, and none of its gates are closed, and the gates of Hell are shut, and none of its gates are opened. The devils are chained, and a caller calls out, 'O seeker of good, proceed, and O seeker of evil, desist.' And Allah frees many people from the Fire, and this happens every night."
(Sahih: Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 549; Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1331; Sahih al-Jami’, Hadith 759)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:
"Whoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven. And whoever stands in prayer during the nights of Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven. And whoever stands in prayer on the night of Laylatul Qadr with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven."
(Sahih: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2014; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 759)
In another narration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"All the actions of the son of Adam are multiplied: the reward of a good deed is ten times to seven hundred times. Allah says, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me, and I will reward it. He leaves his desires, food, and drink for My sake. The fasting person will have two moments of joy: one at the time of breaking his fast and another when he meets his Lord. The smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasant to Allah than the scent of musk."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1894; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1151)
There are numerous hadiths regarding the virtues of fasting and standing in Ramadan. Therefore, a believer should consider the immense favor Allah has bestowed by granting them the opportunity to witness Ramadan and should seize this occasion by excelling in acts of obedience and avoiding all forms of disobedience. It is especially important to be diligent in performing the obligatory duties, particularly the five daily prayers, which are the foundation of Islam and the greatest obligation after the testimony of faith.
"And establish prayer, give zakat, and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience]."
(Al-Baqarah, 2:43)
And Allah also says:
"Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient."
(Al-Baqarah, 2:238)
In another place, Allah says:
"Certainly will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive."
(Al-Mu’minun, 23:1-2)
And:
"And they who carefully maintain their prayers – they will be the inheritors who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally."
(Al-Mu’minun, 23:9-11)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"The covenant that distinguishes between us and them (disbelievers) is the prayer; whoever abandons it has committed disbelief."
(Sahih: Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2113; Sahih al-Jami’, Hadith 4143)
"And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and give zakat. And that is the correct religion."
(Al-Bayyinah, 98:5)
Both the Qur'an and the Sunnah indicate that whoever does not pay zakat will face punishment on the Day of Judgment.
"Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, paying zakat, fasting in Ramadan, and performing Hajj to the House (Ka'bah)."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 8; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 16)
A Muslim must protect their fast from all that Allah has forbidden in terms of speech and actions. The purpose of fasting is for the servant to become obedient to Allah, to honor His prohibitions, and to train the soul in self-discipline by refraining from desires and sins.
The purpose of fasting is not merely to abstain from food, drink, and other things that break the fast. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Fasting is a shield, so when one of you is fasting, let him not engage in foul speech or loud behavior. If someone insults him or fights with him, let him say, 'I am fasting.'"
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1904; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1151)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:
"Whoever does not abandon false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need for him to leave his food and drink."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6057)
From these and other similar texts, it is clear that a fasting person must avoid all that Allah has prohibited and fulfill all that He has commanded, which will lead to forgiveness, freedom from Hellfire, and the acceptance of their fasting and standing in prayer.
May Allah make us among those who benefit from Ramadan, excel in good deeds, and achieve His mercy and forgiveness. Ameen.
All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, companions, and those who follow his guidance. To proceed:
This brief reminder highlights the virtues of fasting and standing in prayer during Ramadan, as well as excelling in righteous deeds during this blessed month. It also discusses some rulings that many people may be unaware of.
It is authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to give glad tidings to his companions about the arrival of Ramadan. He would inform them that this month is one in which the doors of mercy and Paradise are opened, the doors of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained. The Prophet (peace be upon him) would say:
"When the first night of Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, and none of its gates are closed, and the gates of Hell are shut, and none of its gates are opened. The devils are chained, and a caller calls out, 'O seeker of good, proceed, and O seeker of evil, desist.' And Allah frees many people from the Fire, and this happens every night."
(Sahih: Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 549; Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1331; Sahih al-Jami’, Hadith 759)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:
"Whoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven. And whoever stands in prayer during the nights of Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven. And whoever stands in prayer on the night of Laylatul Qadr with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven."
(Sahih: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 2014; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 759)
In another narration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"All the actions of the son of Adam are multiplied: the reward of a good deed is ten times to seven hundred times. Allah says, 'Except for fasting, for it is for Me, and I will reward it. He leaves his desires, food, and drink for My sake. The fasting person will have two moments of joy: one at the time of breaking his fast and another when he meets his Lord. The smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasant to Allah than the scent of musk."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1894; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1151)
There are numerous hadiths regarding the virtues of fasting and standing in Ramadan. Therefore, a believer should consider the immense favor Allah has bestowed by granting them the opportunity to witness Ramadan and should seize this occasion by excelling in acts of obedience and avoiding all forms of disobedience. It is especially important to be diligent in performing the obligatory duties, particularly the five daily prayers, which are the foundation of Islam and the greatest obligation after the testimony of faith.
The Importance of Preserving Prayers
Every Muslim man and woman must safeguard their prayers and perform them with humility, tranquility, and focus. It is obligatory for men to offer their prayers in congregation in the mosques, as Allah commands:"And establish prayer, give zakat, and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience]."
(Al-Baqarah, 2:43)
And Allah also says:
"Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient."
(Al-Baqarah, 2:238)
In another place, Allah says:
"Certainly will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive."
(Al-Mu’minun, 23:1-2)
And:
"And they who carefully maintain their prayers – they will be the inheritors who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally."
(Al-Mu’minun, 23:9-11)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"The covenant that distinguishes between us and them (disbelievers) is the prayer; whoever abandons it has committed disbelief."
(Sahih: Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2113; Sahih al-Jami’, Hadith 4143)
The Obligation of Zakat
After the prayer, the next important obligation is the payment of zakat, as Allah says:"And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and give zakat. And that is the correct religion."
(Al-Bayyinah, 98:5)
Both the Qur'an and the Sunnah indicate that whoever does not pay zakat will face punishment on the Day of Judgment.
Fasting in Ramadan
Following prayer and zakat, the next fundamental obligation is fasting during Ramadan, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:"Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing prayer, paying zakat, fasting in Ramadan, and performing Hajj to the House (Ka'bah)."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 8; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 16)
A Muslim must protect their fast from all that Allah has forbidden in terms of speech and actions. The purpose of fasting is for the servant to become obedient to Allah, to honor His prohibitions, and to train the soul in self-discipline by refraining from desires and sins.
The purpose of fasting is not merely to abstain from food, drink, and other things that break the fast. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Fasting is a shield, so when one of you is fasting, let him not engage in foul speech or loud behavior. If someone insults him or fights with him, let him say, 'I am fasting.'"
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1904; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1151)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:
"Whoever does not abandon false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need for him to leave his food and drink."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6057)
From these and other similar texts, it is clear that a fasting person must avoid all that Allah has prohibited and fulfill all that He has commanded, which will lead to forgiveness, freedom from Hellfire, and the acceptance of their fasting and standing in prayer.
May Allah make us among those who benefit from Ramadan, excel in good deeds, and achieve His mercy and forgiveness. Ameen.