A Special Gift Of The Year (Infinite Mercy)

Assalamu'alaikum dear! 😚

Alhamdulillah, mashallah tabarakallah. Once again, Allah gives us another chance to be in this glorious month. 

The month of the greatest spiritual investments that all Muslims waiting for. 

This year, Awal Ramadan begins on the 3rd of April 2022 M/1443 H. Now, I write this on the 16th of Ramadhan and it is supposed to be my welcoming of Ramadan. However, we just planned it but Allah gives us the best and great time for it happens. 

As usual, life is rotating within time. So do the 'Iman'~ Then finally, here we are! Ramadan!

"What so special about it?" 

"Why are you guys so excited about it?" 

One of my non-Muslim friends had asked me during the final semester. And with a joyful feeling I'd answered:

"Well, because it's a gift. A special gift from Allah. So, of course, I feel excited and happy about having that special gift. Don't you happy if you get a gift from God?" 

She with her bright smile said "Yes of course! It must be like He gives us what we need right?" Then we laughed together with the happy feeling of something that we couldn't explain. Flashback the moment... Oh, Allah, I miss her... :') 

~ So yeah, Ramadan is the month of forgiveness, the month of countless blessings, the month of lights, the month in which Laylatul Qadr resides, a month for us to get back on the track of the right path and so much more! Ramadan is a special gift from Allah. A gift that we do need. We really need it. Subhanallah 💖

Here are the few things I've had taken note to share about the 8th beautiful blessings of this Special Gift from this holy month:

1. The Act of Fasting

The act of fasting is a blessing on its own as it is one of the pillars of Islam. It is an obligation for Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan. 

"O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)

Fasting, in the case of Islam, is self-restraint. Where Muslims shun the basic pleasures of life such as food, water, cravings, and sexual relations and devote themselves purely to worshipping Allah S.W.t. It is not only beneficial for your physical well-being; it benefits your mental and spiritual health too. 

2. Multiplication of Rewards

What makes Ramadan so special compared to other months is that during this month, the rewards are multiplied! It is because Ramadan is all about patience and sincere commitment, and you will be rewarded for every form of worship, kindness, and good deed during this month. Allah's mercy and generosity are showered upon us without limit.  

Rasulullah ﷺ said that Allah said: "If My servant intends to do a bad deed, then (O Angels) do not write it unless he does it. If he does it, then write it as it is. But if he refrains from doing it for My sake, then write is as a good deed. If he intends to do a good deed, but does not do it, then write a good deed. And if he does it, then write it for him as 10 good deeds up to 700 times." [Sahih Al-Bukhari 7501]

The month of Ramadan is also known for the blessings that exist in the unity of the community. There is a greater commitment to give charity to the needy and less fortunate. This charitable sense of stewardship gathers people in hundreds and even thousands to raise money for benevolent causes such as poverty and the plight of orphans around the world. What is most rewarding and truly awesome is that the fasting person grows outside their immediate network and becomes part of global unity.

3. Forgiveness of Sins

During Ramadan, the gates of forgiveness are wide open. Most Muslims would make use of this holy month to pray for forgiveness for the sins, intentional or unintentional, they've committed in the past year. 

Rasulullah ﷺ said: "Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." [Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira, Sahih Al-Bukhari]

This month is also an opportunity for all Muslims to rebuild or renew ties with friends and family. Others may wish to turn over a new leaf and get rid of their bad habit and clean up the toxicity in their heart. 

4. Door of Ar-Rayyan

Ar-Rayyan is one of the doors in Heaven that is specifically "reserved" for Muslims who fast during the month of Ramadan. Those who are committed sincerely to fasting during the holy month will enter through this door on The Day of Judgement.

Rasulullah ﷺ said: "For those who fast, there is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyan, through which no one but they will enter. When the last of them has entered it, it will be closed. Whoever enters through it will drink. and whoever drinks will never thirst again." [Narrated by Sahi Bin Sad, Sunan An-Nasa'i]

This is one great blessing as it affects a Muslim in the afterlife, bringing him or her a step closer to Paradise. Allah S.W.T. will reward those who are hardworking and steadfast in prayer and their duties as Muslims in the afterlife.

5. Pre-dawn Meal (Sahoor)

Sahoor is the pre-dawn meal Muslims eat before the day's fast begins. While it's not obligatory, many of us always felt lazy or too tired to wake up. I'm sure there are a few who have done it at least once before, with your parents pulling you out of bed every time (haha literally me). Sahoor it's a Sunnah. Did you know every pre-dawn meal during Ramadan has a blessing in disguise?

"Have Sahoor, for there is a blessing in Sahoor." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

From a religious standpoint, it is beneficial for Muslims to witness the start of their fast at sunrise, at the same time, perform their  Subuh prayers.

From a medical standpoint, Sahoor provides Muslims with the energy to last a day, to prevent dehydration and weakness in the body. A Muslim should always be energetic and active during his fast and not laze around the whole day. 

6. Breaking of Fast (Iftar)

Fasting Muslims would break their fast after sunset (during the call for Maghrib prayers). The breaking of their fast for the day, of Iftar, is truly a blessing for every Muslim as he or she completes a day of worship to Allah S.W.T. 

"There are two pleasures for the time when he will meet his Lord, then he will be pleased because of his fasting." [Narrated by Abu Huraira, Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Muslims are advised not to delay their Iftar and do it as soon as the call for Maghrib prayer sounds. 

In Hadiths and the Quran, dates are mentioned numerous times, showing their significance in the religion. It is advisable for all Muslims to break their fast with dates and milk or water, just like Rasulullah ﷺ when he broke his fasts. This is also to prevent indigestion as you have been abstaining from food and drink for almost the entire day.

Rasulullah ﷺ mentioned: "When one of you breaks his fast, then let him do so with dried dates. And whoever does not find dates, then water, for it is purifying." [Narrated by Salman bin Ad-Dabbi, Jami' at-Tirmidhi]

7. Recitation of the Quran

The revelation of the Quran was made during the month of Ramadan, so it is only fitting that Muslims celebrate this by reciting verses from the Holy Book. Fasting during the month of Ramadan would not be complete without spending some time with the Quran.

"It was in the month of Ramadan that the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear message giving guidance and distinguishing between right and wrong." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)

The rewards reaped from reciting the Quran on any ordinary day are already beneficial but if it is recited during Ramadan, the rewards are 1000 times better! It is also mentioned in the Quran of the beauty and power of the Holy Book, with the ability to aid a Muslim in his life, especially so during the month of Ramadan.

"And we send down of the Qur'an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss." (Surah Al-Isra 17:82)

8. Laylatul Qadr (The Night of Power)

The Night of Power or Decree (Laylatul Qadr) falls on one of the last ten nights of every month of Ramadan. The exact time and date have been a mystery to all Muslims but rewards for your good deeds and prayers on this specific night will multiply enormously as said in the Quran, 

"We have revealed it (Quran) in the night of power. And what will explain to you what the night of power is? The night of power is better than a thousand months" (Surah Al-Qadr 97:1-4)

Muslims are advised to spend their final ten nights in the month of Ramadan (sometimes overnight) performing various acts of worship including additional sunnah prayers, spending their nights at the mosque, and reading the Quran.

~~~~

Ramadan is indeed the most desired month! 

In summary, Ramadan is a Special Period Gift that, if properly observed by a Muslim, will aid in the purification of his or her soul as well as bring him or her closer to Allah S.W.T. The strength, togetherness, forgiveness, and simplicity of this month bring peace and make me eternally grateful that I have been guided on the path of being a Muslim. It also makes me realize that Islam is very careful to encourage Muslims to be moderate in all things, to strive to find the correct balance in life. 

May Allah S.W.T. accept our fasting and deeds during this holy month of Ramadan by His guidance and grace. May He showers us with His infinite mercy, and blessings, and help us utilize the month to the best of our capability. Aameen...

Alhamdulillah... Ramadan Mubarak to all my Muslim friends!

Spread L. O. V. E. ❤️

Ms. ناوا

Aku Seorang Penulis Bebas

References:
Siasat.com
abuaminaelias.com (Daily Hadith Online)