12 Unique Virtues of Fridays!

 

d also to the times He created.

Not all times of the day, week or year are the same with Allah - He prefers some over others. The Prophet (saw) urged us to expose ourselves to these blessed times where Allah casts His winds of mercy into His creation:

From these blessed times is the blessed day of Friday!

The Arabic word for Friday is Yawm al-Jumu‘ah, which literally means the ‘day of gathering or assembly’.

Prior to Islam, the Arabs used to called this day ’al-‘Arubah’, which has the connotations of it being a nice day. It was Ka‘b ibn Lu’ayy, the seventh grandfather of the Prophet (saw) who changed the name to al-Jumu‘ah, as he used to gather the Quraish, the tribe of the Prophet (saw) on a Friday, after the sun reached its zenith. Ka’b ibn Lu’ayy was firm on the religion of the Prophet Ibrahim (as), having absolute conviction in the coming of the Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Later on, the Quraish used to also ‘gather’ to listen to Qusayy ibn Kilab, known as ‘al-Mujammi’, the gatherer (the fourth grandfather of the Prophet (saw)) in Dar an-Nadwah, which he established opposite the Noble Ka‘bah.

We will now explore twelve unique virtues of Friday that makes it so special!

1) It is the original Blessed Day

The following hadith reveals that the most blessed day of the week has always been Friday:

This is due to previous nations disputing about this issue:

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ’We (Muslims) are the last (to come) but (will be) the foremost on the Day of Resurrection, though the former nations were given the Scriptures before us. Then, this was their day (i.e. Friday) that was prescribed for them, but they differed about it. So Allah gave us the guidance for it (Friday) and all the other people are behind us in this respect: the Jews’ (holy day is) tomorrow and the Christians’ is the day after tomorrow’. [Bukhari and Muslim]

2) A Surah is named after Friday

Allah only mentions two days of the week in the Noble Qur’an, namely Saturday and Friday. Below is the only ayah that specifically mentions Friday by name:

Not only does Allah mention Friday, He also named an entire Surah after it, namely Chapter 62, Surah al-Jumu‘ah. This shows the great importance of this day with our Lord.

3) Allah (swt) swears by Friday

We mentioned above that a Surah is named after Friday. Now we will see below that Allah also swears by Friday in the Noble Qur’an:

With regards to the above ayah, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ’The Promised Day is the Day of Resurrection, and the one witnessed is the Day of ’Arafah, and the witness is Friday. The sun does not rise nor set upon a day that is more virtuous than it. In it, there is an hour in which no believing worshipper makes a supplication to Allah for good, except that Allah answers it for him, and he does not seek Allah’s protection from evil, except that He protects him from it’. [Tirmidhi]

SubhanAllah, not only does Allah swear by Friday, He also singles out a specific time in it (the last hour before sunset) in which He answers all our du’as!

4) It is deeply connected to the Prophet Adam (as)

There are five significant events in the life of our great forefather, the Prophet Adam (as), that took place on Friday:

• ‘Allah created Adam’ [Ibn Majah]
• ‘He was made to enter Paradise’ [Muslim]
• ‘His repentance (Tawbah) was accepted’ [Abu Dawud]
• ‘Allah sent down Adam to earth’ [Ibn Majah]
• ‘Allah caused Adam to die’ [Ibn Majah]

The following hadith reveals that Allah created the Prophet Adam (as) in the last hour before sunset:

As mentioned before, this is the hour in which Allah accepts all supplications.

5) It is the best day of the week

Further to the above ahadith - which make it clear that Friday is a blessed and significant day - the Prophet (saw) actually explicitly said that Friday is the best day of the week:

SubhanAllah, when it is put into such clear terms, there is no doubt that we should be paying extra attention to our good deeds on Friday! Whether this is by reading more Qur’an, praying extra prayers, or giving Sadaqah, it’s important for us to maximise our efforts on the best day of the week.

6) It is a day of Eid

Friday is viewed by Muslims as an Eid festival each week:

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ’Indeed this (day of Friday) is a day of Eid (festival), which Allah has made for the Muslims. So whoever comes to the Friday (prayer), let him take a bath, and if he has perfume then let him put some on. And upon you (I urge to use) is the tooth stick (siwak/miswak)’. [Ibn Majah]

The fact that Friday is like an Eid for us could explain why the Prophet (saw) advised us not to single out Fridays for fasting. Instead, if you want to fast on a Friday - for whatever reason - it is best to fast on Thursday or Saturday as well:

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ’None of you should fast on Friday, but only that he fasts before it or he fasts after it’. [Muslim]

7) Allah perfected the religion on a Friday

As we have mentioned, the significant event of our father Adam’s (as) creation took place on a Friday. However, there are many more momentous events which Friday was divinely selected for - including the perfection of Islam for this Ummah.

On the authority of Tariq ibn Shihab (ra) who said, ’A man from the Jews came to ’Umar [ra] and said, “O Commander of the Believers, if this following verse had been revealed upon us - ‘This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favours upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion’ [The Noble Qur’an, 5:3] - (then) we would have taken that day as an Eid day’“.

’Umar [ra] said, “I know definitely on what day this ayah was revealed; it was revealed on the Day of ’Arafah, on a Friday“’. [Bukhari]

Islam was thus completed on a day which was ‘a double Eid’. It was Friday, which is an Eid for Muslims. And it was also the Day of ’Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah), which is an Eid for those who are on Hajj:

8) Friday contains the Hour of Acceptance

As mentioned before, there is an incredibly special hour that occurs every Friday in which supplications are accepted:

On the authority of Abu Hurairah (ra) who said, ’Abu al-Qasim (the kunyah of the Prophet) (saw) said, “Indeed, there is surely a time on Friday at which no Muslim would stand, pray and beg Allah for what is good except that He would give it to him”. And he indicated with his hand that (this time) is short and narrow’. [Bukhari and Muslim]

The scholars present two dominant opinions about when this blessed time is based on the following two ahadith:

1. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ’It is between when the Imam sits down to when the prayer ends’. [Muslim]
2. On the authority of Jabir ibn ’Abdullah (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ’Friday is twelve hours in which there is no Muslim slave who asks Allah for anything except that He will give it to him, so seek it in the last hour after ’Asr’. [Nasa’i]

The strongest opinion is that supplications are accepted in the last hour after ’Asr, i.e. the hour before sunset. This is because this is when Allah created the Prophet Adam (as). And Allah knows best.

As we keep reading these ahadith, it becomes clearer that Friday is truly a time of celebration for humankind. After all, it is the day on which we were created, the day on which Islam was perfected - and it contains the Hour of Acceptance. Every single week, when Friday arrives, we have the chance to live through this hour and ask Allah for anything we want - truly a cause for celebration and happiness!

As if this wasn’t enough cause for celebration, Friday continues to be significant for us even after we pass away, as we shall see.

9) Protection from the trial of the grave

Another profound virtue of Fridays is that, if a Muslim passes away on a Friday, they will be protected from the trial of the grave:

10) The Day of Judgement takes place on it

The Prophet (saw) said, ‘The Last Hour will not take place except on Friday’. [Muslim]

We are told in another hadith that Allah’s creation fears Fridays because of this: ‘There is no angel who is drawn close (to Allah), no heaven, no earth, no winds, no mountains, and no sea that does not fear Friday’. [Ibn Majah]

Sadly, this is not the case for jinn and men. ‘On Friday, every beast is on the lookout from dawn to sunrise in fear of the Last Hour, but not jinn and men’. [Abu Dawud]

The following hadith provides further details about Friday’s connection with the Day of Judgement:

On the authority of Aws ibn Aws (ra) who said, ’The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “Among the most excellent of your days is Friday. On it Adam [as] was created, on it he died, on it the last trumpet will be blown and on it the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings upon me on it, for your blessings will be presented to me”’.

He (the narrator) said, ‘The people said, “O Messenger of Allah, how can our blessings be presented to you while your body has decayed?” He said, “Indeed Allah, Mighty and Exalted be He, has prohibited the earth from (consuming) the bodies of Prophets”’. [Abu Dawud]

Thus, the Prophet (saw) directly advises his Ummah to increase sending blessings (Salawat) upon him on Fridays. This connects with his statement:

Interestingly, one of the names of the Day of Judgment in the Noble Qur’an is ‘Yawm al-Jam’’, the Day of Gathering [The Noble Qur’an, 42:7 and 64:9].

The word Jam’  itself is from the same Arabic root word for Jumu’ah, thus proving the link between Friday and Day of Judgement. Scholars deduce that Fridays - and especially the Friday prayers themselves - are a reminder and dress rehearsal for the Day of Judgment itself.

11) We will see Allah on a Friday

The greatest event and the greatest reward of Friday is undoubtedly to see Allah - as we will on the Day of Judgement:

The people of Paradise will also experience this ultimate reward of seeing Allah. Scholars say that the following two ayahs, which speak of ‘even more’ (ziyadah and mazid), are alluding to seeing Allah:

’Those who do good will have the finest reward and even more (ziyadah). Neither gloom nor disgrace will cover their faces. It is they who will be the residents of Paradise. They will be there forever’. [The Noble Qur’an, 10:26]

’There they will have whatever they desire, and with Us is even more (mazid)’. [The Noble Qur’an, 50:35]

This incredible reward is experienced by the people of Paradise on a Friday, where again they will ‘gather’ and due to this experience they will increase in ‘beauty and loveliness’:

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ’Indeed, in Paradise there is a market to which they would come every Friday. The north wind will blow and would scatter fragrance on their faces and on their clothes and would add to their beauty and loveliness, and then they would go back to their families after having an added lustre to their beauty and loveliness, and their family would say to them, “By Allah, you have been increased in beauty and loveliness after leaving us”, and they would say, ”By Allah, you have also increased in beauty and loveliness after us“’. [Muslim]

We sincerely pray with all our hearts that Allah (swt) showers His favour and mercy upon us all and grants us entry into His eternal Garden of Bliss where we are truly blessed to see Him every Friday. Ameen!

12) Friday is the master of all days

After reading all of the above ahadith, it will be completely unsurprising to you that the Prophet (saw) outright called Friday the master of all days. The rank of Fridays is so vast that it outweighs the virtues of other days and this even includes the days of Eid:

It is therefore undoubtedly important for us to reflect on the virtues of this day and maximise our efforts on Friday.

Conclusion

The famous Yemeni companion, Abu Hurairah (ra), mentioned that the Prophet (saw) was once asked, ‘For what reason was the day called Jumu‘ah?’ He said, ‘Because on that day, the clay was shaped from which your father, Adam [as] was made, and on that day will be the trumpet blast (on the Day of Judgement), the Resurrection and the great seizure (of the disbelievers). And in its last three hours, there is an hour when whoever supplicates Allah in it, it will be responded to’. [Ahmad]

The above hadith beautifully summarises some of the incredibly unique virtues of the blessed day of Friday. Let us expose ourselves to the winds of mercy (Nafahat) of our Lord today!

We can start by giving some Sadaqah for Allah’s sake. Why not sponsor an orphan, give to our Water Fund, or set up a regular Sadaqah to those most in need?

We pray Allah accepts our efforts from us on this blessed Friday, ameen!

We hope this article was helpful to you! Do share it with friends and family, as the Prophet (saw) said, ‘Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like one who did it’. [Muslim]

Hadith on Shortening the Prayers (At-Taqseer)

 Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:

"I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) delaying the Maghrib prayer till he offered it along with the `Isha' prayer whenever he was in a hurry during the journey." Salim narrated, "Ibn `Umar used to do the same whenever he was in a hurry during the journey." And Salim added, "Ibn `Umar used to pray the Maghrib and `Isha' prayers together in Al-Muzdalifa." Salim said, "Ibn `Umar delayed the Maghrib prayer because at that time he heard the news of the death of his wife Safiya bint Abi `Ubaid. I said to him, 'The prayer (is due).' He said, 'Go on.' Again I said, 'The prayer (is due).' He said, 'Go on,' till we covered two or three miles. Then he got down, prayed and said, 'I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) praying in this way, whenever he was in a hurry during the journey.' `Abdullah (bin `Umar) added, "Whenever the Prophet was in a hurry, he used to delay the Maghrib prayer and then offer three rak`at (of the Maghrib) and perform Taslim, and after waiting for a short while, Iqama used to be pronounced for the `Isha' prayer when he would offer two rak`at and perform Taslim. He would never offer any optional prayer till the middle of the night (when he used to pray the Tahajjud)."

Patience in Islam- The Reward of Patience in Quran and Sunnah

What is Patience?

Patience is to hold one’s soul from being impatient and displeased, holding the tongue from complaining and the body parts from harming himself or others. The patience is mentioned at many places in Quran and Sunnah of the beloved Prophet (SAW), which shows the virtues and greatness of Patience. In the Arabic language, (Sabr) Patience means to confine or contain.

Patience in Islam

Patience has great status in the sight of Allah Almighty and in Islam. Patience is of best from deeds and has the great reward with no limit. Allah Almighty said in Holy Quran: “Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without Hisaab (without limit, calculation, and estimation).”(Quran, 39:10). There is great reward only for those among us who are patient with the Decree of their Lord. In this world, we face many difficulties or trials and sufferings but we have to be patient because Allah Almighty loves those who did Patience (Sabr) in a difficult time.

As Islam is a complete code of life and it guides and teach us in every sphere of life. So it teaches us we have to do patience in our difficult situation in this way we have the strong belief on Almighty Allah that He will never leave us alone. In Quran, Allah said: “And be Patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are patient.”

Allah said to those who are facing difficulties or trials that He is with them by guiding and supporting them and granting them a clear victory. Allah said: “Surely, Allah is with those who are As‑Saabiroon (the patient)” (Quran, 8:46). From this verse of Holy Quran, we can say that no matter what’s the situation we are facing we should be faithful and patient as Allah is with us He will never leave us alone.

The Reward of Patience

A person who loves Almighty Allah finds it much easier to be patient and to persevere. This is because he sees everything as coming from Allah, and if it comes from Allah, there must be a reason for it. A person who loves wants the Beloved to see him in the best of states, and so he proves the best of patience. Patience is a virtue, which enables the individual to proceed towards worthy goals.

So many times in our lives something happens to us and we feel that this is the worst thing that can happen to us. But then after the trial, when relief and ease come, we realize that the difficult times had happened for good to come.  So, it is important that believers have to be patient and know that Allah (SWT) is sufficient for us and is the best arranger of all our affairs. He will guide us to that which is good for us in this life and Hereafter too.

If we don’t get the reward of Patience in this world then it will surely be saved by Almighty Allah for the Hereafter that will never end. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Whoever persists in being patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience.” (Al-Bukhari)

Benefits of Patience

Patience is the great virtue and significance of patience that we will recover with great rewards and benefits. Some of these rewards and benefits are immediate and others are longer-term. Among the many benefits of patience in Quran and Sunnah are the following:

Patience in Holy Quran

There are more than ninety verses in the Holy Quran about the virtues and benefits of patience. Some of are given below:

• From those People who have patience are the rightful people to lead so we can say leadership comes with patience as Allah said in Quran: “And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.” (Quran, 32:24)
• With patience you will get all good things as Almighty Allah says in Quran: “But if you endure patiently, verily, it is better for As-Sabirin.”(Quran, 16:126)
• If you are patient in all your sufferings then the patient ones will receive plenty of rewards for their good deeds. Allah says in Holy Quran: “Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without reckoning.” (Quran, 39:10)
• Allah is with those who are patient. He says in Holy Quran: “And be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are As-Sabirin.” (Quran,8:46 )
• Patience is something that is recommended by Almighty Allah which means it requires determination. Allah said in Holy Quran: “And verily, whosoever shows patience and forgives that would truly be from the things recommended by Allah.”  (Quran, 42:43)
• Those who will remain patient will enter into Paradise. Allah said in Quran: “Those will be rewarded with the highest place (in Paradise) because of their patience. Therein they shall be met with greetings and the word of peace and respect.” (Quran, 25:75)

Patience in Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

There are so many examples related to Patience in the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that we should consider and practiced in our daily lives while facing some trials or difficulties. Some of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) related to patience are given below:

• The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that the Patience is illumination. “As-Sabr (the patience) is illumination.” (Muslim 223).
• The one who’s beloved ones or relatives die and endures patiently, Allah will also admit him to Paradise as a recompense of his patience. He (SAW) said: “Allah says, ‘I have nothing to give but Paradise as a reward to my salve, a true believer of Islamic Monotheism, who, if I cause his dear friend (or relative) to die, remains patient (and hopes for Allah’s Reward).’” (Al- Bukhari )
• The reward of being patient while the true believer is afflicted with any kind of calamities and trials. Holy Prophet (SAW) said: “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that.” (Al-Bukhari)
• Holy Prophet (SAW) said: “The believer who mixes with people and bears their annoyance with patience will have a greater reward than the believer who does not mix with people and does not put up with their annoyance.” (Ibn Majah)
• Be mindful of Allah and be patient as Prophet (PBUH) said: “Verily, patience is at the first strike” (Sahih Bukhari)

There is great judgment behind the trials and tests we go through in our difficult time. All the calamities we face and the troubles which come on our way are character builders which make us stronger than before. May Allah gives us the strength to face difficulties with Patience! Ameen.

Ramadan Is The Best Period For The After Trade

Man was sent to this world to cultivate and trade for the hereafter. The month of Ramadan is the most appropriate time period for this trade because the reward for actions in the month of Ramadan is a thousand fold. Each word of the Quran has ten rewards when it is read and will yield ten fruits in Paradise.[Tirmizdhi, Fadailu’l-Quran, 16; Majmau’z-Zawaid, 7/163.] In Ramadan, each word bears not ten fruits but a thousand, and verses like Ayat al-Kursi thousands for each word, and on Fridays in Ramadan, it is even more.[Daylami, Musnadu’l-Firdaws, 3/130.] And on the Night of Power, each word is counted as thirty thousand rewards.[see al-Qadr, 97/3.]

Indeed, the Quran, each of whose words yields thirty thousand eternal fruits, is like a luminous Tree of Tuba that gains for believers in Ramadan millions of those eternal fruits. So, come and look at this sacred, eternal profitable trade, then consider it and understand the infinite loss of those who do not appreciate the value reading the Quran.

The month of Ramadan is an extremely profitable display and market for the trade of the hereafter. It is an extremely fertile piece of land for the crops of the hereafter. For the growth and flourishing of actions, it is like April showers in the spring. This meritorious period of time is like a brilliant holy festival for the parade of the believers’ worship to the other creatures in the universe and their Creator.  

Therefore, man was ordered to fast so as not to heedlessly indulge the animal needs of the soul like eating and drinking and not to indulge the appetites lustfully and in trivialities. Thus, it becomes possible for man to be freed from bestial needs and assume the angelic state.

The month of Ramadan comprises and gains a permanent and eternal life in this fleeting world and brief transient life.  Certainly, when it is spent truly, a single Ramadan can produce fruits equal to that of a lifetime of eighty years of worshipping since it contains the Night of Power.

For example, a monarch may declare certain days to be festivals during his reign, and on those days, he favors his subjects. Similarly, the All-Glorious Monarch of eighteen thousand worlds, who is the Sovereign of Pre-Eternity and Post-Eternity, revealed in Ramadan the illustrious decree of the Quran, which looks to the eighteen thousand worlds. It is a requirement of wisdom, then, that Ramadan should be like a special Divine festival, a dominical display, and a spiritual gathering.

Since Ramadan is a divine festival, man was commanded to fast so that he would be disengaged, to a degree, from base and animal activities.  The most excellent fasting is to make the human senses and organs, like the eyes, ears, heart, and thoughts, fast together with the stomach. That is, to withdraw them from all unlawful things and from trivia, and to urge each of them to their particular worship.

For example, to ban the tongue from lying, backbiting, and obscene language and to make it fast and to busy it with activities like reciting the Quran, praying, glorifying Allah’s Names, asking for Allah’s blessings on the Prophet, and seeking forgiveness for sins make the tongue perform a perfect fast. And for example, to prevent the eyes from looking at members of the opposite sex outside the stipulated degrees of kinship, and the ears from hearing harmful things, and to use the eyes to take lessons and the ears to listen to the truth and to the Quran, is to make other organs fast too.

Hadith on Ramadan: The Prophet says Ameen climbing the Minbar

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, ascended the pulpit and he said, “Amin, amin, amin.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, you ascended the pulpit and said amin, amin, amin.” The Prophet said, “Verily, Gabriel came to me and he said: Whoever reaches the month of Ramadan and he is not forgiven, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say amin. I said amin. Whoever sees his parents in their old age, one or both of them, and he does not honor them and he dies, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say amin. I said amin. Whoever has your name mentioned in his presence and he does not send blessings upon you and he dies, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say amin. I said amin.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 915

Virtues of Ramadan

Introduction

Alhamdulillah… Infinite thanks and praises are due to the Almighty Allah, for the arrival of the month of Ramadan. I send abundant peace and blessings upon the best man who ever observed the month of Ramadan, Sayyidinā Muhammad, his household, his companions and all those who follow his guided path till end of time.

Virtues of Ramadan

Ramadan is bestowed with dozens of virtues. The more of them we know, as Muslims, the better it is. This article lists some 10 of them. These 10 virtues of Ramadan stand as the basics the Muslim can’t afford not to be informed about.

#1: Fasting the Month of Ramadan is the 4^th Pillar of Islam

The most significant among the virtues of Ramadan is that, fasting the month serves as the fourth pillar of the five pillars of Islam. This is as indicated in the  10 Ramadan Essentials You Need to Know. Additionally, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said in a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhārī and Muslim from the narration of Abdillāh ibn ‘Umar raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhumā:

“Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; establishing prayer; paying zakāh; fasting Ramadan; and Ḥajj to the House (the Ka‘bah).”

It’s worth indicating, that regardless; whether one really fasts or not, he has to establish a firm belief, that fasting the month of Ramadan is an obligation upon every matured Muslim. Moreover, Ramadan carries the weight of testifying for the oneness of Allah. It also carries the weight of performing the daily obligatory prayers, as well as paying zakāh and going for ḥajj. Failure to observe Ramadan, therefore, could lead one astray from the path of Islam.

#2: The Qur’an Was First Descended to the First Heaven in Ramadan

Among the virtues of Ramadan is the descent of the Qur’an in this month. This had happened in the night of the decree; Laylatul Qadr, when the whole Qur’an was sent down from al-Lawḥ al-Maḥūẓ (the Preserved Tablet) to the first heaven (Bayt al-‘izzah). It was then sent down in stages over the period of 23 years upon the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam. In Sūrah al-Baqarah, 2:185, Allah says what can be translated into English as:

“The month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was revealed was sent down, as a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…”

Also in Sūrah al-Qadr, 97:1, He says:

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).”

The beginning of the period in which the Qur’an was descended upon the Prophet in 23 years also started in Ramadan. See events that occurred in Ramadan in our next article, inshā Allah.

#3: Laylat al-Qadr Repeats Once Every Year; in Ramadan

The fact that the Qur’an was sent down from the Lawḥ al-Maḥfūẓ to the first heaven in Ramadan is a blessing on its own for us. The nature of Laylatul Qadr being in Ramadan itself is another blessing for us. Sending down the Qur’an has taken place. Done. But Laylatul Qadr repeats every other Ramadan. This makes the month of Ramadan more virtuous, and the blessings upon us more abundant. Alhamdulillah!

In Sūrah al-Qadr, 97:1-5, Allah says in description of Laylatul-Qadr:

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree). And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rūḥ [Jibrīl] by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees. (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allh to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.”

This means, if you coincide with the night of decree, the blessings you attain is better than (not equal to) the blessings you attain from the deeds of 83 years and 4 months. In other words, worshipping Allah in this night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months.

#4: Observing Ramadan Sincerely Eradicates Your Past Sins

One of the most important virtues of Ramadan is that fasting sincerely for Allah eradicates our sins. This is what is understood from the ḥadīth of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as reported by Imām al-Bukhārī and Muslim from the narration of Sayyidinā Abī Hurayrah raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu:

“Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward (from Allah), his previous sins will be forgiven.”

Remember, the only condition attached to this, is to do it out of faith (sincerity) and in the hope of its reward only from Allah.

#5: Observing Qiyām in Ramadan Also Eradicates Your Past Sins

Qiyām or Qiyamullayl is any supererogatory night prayers offered between Ishā’ and Fajr prayers. This includes Tarāwīḥ, Tahajjud and Witr. In a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhārī and Muslim from the narration of Sayyidinā Abī Hurayrah raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu also, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward (from Allah), his previous sins will be forgiven.”

Tarāwīḥ is the Sunnah prayers, which we offer immediately after Ishā’ in the month of Ramadan. Tahajjud is any Sunnah prayer you offer after you wake up from sleep. Witr is the commonly Sunnah prayer which three raka‘ahs are offered to seal our night prayers. This means, Tarāwīḥ is performed in Ramadan. Tahajjud can be performed everyday throughout the year. Whether it’s Tarāwīḥ or Tahajjud, we should perform Witr to conclude it.

In Ramadan, one can choose to perform only tarāwīḥ. He may also choose to perform only tahajjud. Either way, he should offer his witr. However, combining both; Tarāwīḥ and Tahajjud is better than doing only one. If you are combining both, then you’re encouraged to do the Witr at the end of the one you perform last.

#6: The Gates of Paradise are Opened Wide, and Those of Hell are Closed

Among the virtues of Ramadan is that, it’s only in Ramadan the gates of Heaven are opened widely, and those of Hell are tightly closed. This is what the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam told us in the ḥadīth of Imām al-Bukhārī and Muslim from the narration of Sayyidinā Abī Hurayrah raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu:

“When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.”

With the doors of Heaven opened widely, and with those of Hell tightly closed, we’re given the easiest accesses to Jannah. Should we miss the opportunity? No way!

#7: The Devils are Chained Up in Ramadan

More virtues of Ramadan: the devils are chained up. As the ḥadīth mentioned above implies, the devils are chained up, the moment it’s declared that Ramadan has arrived. Certainly, the devils are chained up. But those that are chained up are the big shots. The small creeps remain in operation.

Furthermore, yes, the devils of jinkind are chained up, but none of the devils of humankind is. So if one happens to be fasting, yet he finds himself in pornography or even zina, he should blame not the devil but himself. If you still mingle with friends who pass around pornographic materials during Ramadan, blame not the jinkind devils, not even your friends, but yourself.

I would like to claim that, even the small devils who remain in operation do so in response to commands from their masters among the devils of mankind. Otherwise, why would a Muslim practise black magic, siḥr or ‘whatever you may call it’ in Ramadan? We know that, black magic takes effect only when the jinn involved responds and takes action.

#8: Fasting the Month of Ramadan Eradicates Minor Sins Accumulated Since the Previous Ramadan

On the selected virtues of Ramadan, minor sins committed between any two Ramadans are forgiven. According to a ḥadīth reported by Imām Muslim the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

“The five daily prayers, from one Jumu‘ah to the next and from one Ramadan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as major sins are avoided.”

Once again, the sins that are forgiven are the minor ones. Major sins are exempted from this honour.

#9: Fasting the Month of Ramadan +6 Days is Equivalent to Fasting the Whole Year, or Even a Lifetime

Of the virtues of Ramadan, one is awarded with the rewards of fasting the whole year or even a lifetime fasting. This is if he fasts 6 days in the month of Shawwāl after fasting the month of Ramadan. This is what is understood from the narration of Abī Ayyūb al-Anṣārī raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu as reported by Imām Muslims that the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days of Shawwāl, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.”

Also, Imām Aḥmad narrates that the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.”

#10: ‘Umrah Performed in Ramadan is Equivalent to Hajj

One of th greatest virtues of Ramadan is that, an ‘Umrah performed in Ramadan carries the reward of performing Ḥajj in the company of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam. According to Imām al-Bukhārī and Muslim in a ḥadīth they authenticated from the narration of Sayyidinā Abdillāh ibn ‘Abbās raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhumā. He said: The Messenger of Allah ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

“‘Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj with me.”

If the reward for performing ‘Umrah in Ramadan was to be equivalent to performing Ḥajj, that would have been satisfying enough. What, then, when the reward promised, is equivalent to the reward of performing Ḥajj with the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam?

Conclusion

Upon reflecting upon the virtues of Ramadan presented in this article, one realizes that Allah has been Merciful to us, by granting us so many easy accesses to Paradise. Its, therefore, obvious, that indeed, it’s he, the loser, who will miss these endless opportunities. In a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Tirmidhī from the narration of Sayyidinā Abī Hurayrah, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

“May the man before whom I am mentioned – and he does not send Ṣalāh upon me – be humiliated. And may a man upon whom Ramadan enters and then passes, before he is forgiven, be humiliated. And may a man whose parents reached old age in his presence, and they were not a cause for his entrance to Paradise, be humiliated.”

This article discussed some 10 virtues of Ramadan, selected from the dozens of virtues of Ramadan. I believe, it’s important for the Muslim to be informed of all of them. But the 10 virtues of Ramadan listed here, are significant that, one will not be blamed, or won’t be guilty of not knowing the rest.

The last part of this series, What We Need to Know About Ramadan, will be a presentation of some historical events that occurred in the month of Ramadan, inshā Allah. To receive updates from Islamic Community kindly subscribe to our Newsletter .

Allah knows best