Factors That Add To the Prestige and Reverence of Ramadan
For Muslims each and every day is a day where they get to enjoy the gifts bestowed upon them by Allah Almighty and praise and thank Him for all that He has given. Although each and every day of the life of a Muslim is of great importance, however, there are days that supersede the normal days and then there are months that supersede rest of the months in the Islamic calendar because of their significance in Islam. One of such months is the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the 9th Holy month of Islamic lunar calendar. It is the month in which Muslims fast for the whole month starting from dawn till dusk to realize Ramadan’s special objectives. It is one of the most reverenced months among Muslims all over the world and Muslims observe fast with religious zest and devotion in this month. The lines below discuss few major elements that emphasize on the importance of Ramadan and make it more respected, loved and cherished month of the year.
The fact cannot be denied that only the making of fasts mandatory in this month is a reason enough to prove that this month is special and enjoys reverence and higher stature compared to other words, as Allah Almighty says in Quran:
“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that ye may (learn) self-restraint. (Fasting) for a fixed number of days…………” (2:183-184)
Therefore, the mandatory fasting in the month of Ramadan is a reason enough for Muslims to give respect to this month and consider it Holy compared to rest of the months of the calendar, however, there can be other reasons that can help in highlighting the importance of Ramadan, and shed light to the fact that how all these combine to make Ramadan more Holy and magnificent. The lines below discuss the two major elements besides fasting that add to the importance of Ramadan.
Revelation of Quran:
Ramadan is the Holy month in which Allah Almighty bestowed His one of the greatest gifts upon mankind in the form of Holy Quran. The first revelation of Quran was sent on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the month of Ramadan on the 23rd of the month. Allah Almighty says about it in Quran in the following way:
“Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran as a guide to mankind also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between the right and wrong). So everyone of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spent it in fasting, but if anyone is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you He does not want to put you to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.” (2:185)
In this ayah Allah Almighty clearly states that Ramadan is the month in which He sent Quran for the guidance of mankind so that they could find the way of righteousness. For Muslims Quran is of the greatest importance, because if it weren’t for Quran, then Muslims would not have been able to anything which they could call the word of God and which they could never doubt. Therefore, the revelation of Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for the guidance of humanity in general and Muslims in particular is another major reason why Muslims respect and revere the month of Ramadan. As Ramadan is a special month in which the Holy Book was revealed, we must recite and learn to read the Holy Quran with special attention to invoke Allah’s blessings.
The Night of Power:
The second major reason besides fasting and Quran for which Ramadan is reverenced is the Night of Power called ‘Laila tul Qadar’. In Quran, Allah Almighty says:
“The Night of Power is better than a thousand Months.” (97:3)
It is one of the greatest nights of the life of a person and carries countless blessings for a person who prays in this very night. It is the night in which Allah Almighty directly hears the prayers of the people and responds to them. Moreover, it is also the night in which Allah Almighty decides upon the fate of a person, therefore, those who want to make their life prosperous and righteous take benefit from this night and spend the whole night in praying and praising Allah the Magnificent.
Therefore, it is the Night of Power and the revelation of Quran that are the added two reasons that make the month Holy and superior to the other months of Islamic year.
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, the importance and significance cannot be expressed in words. The whole month is full of blessings of Allah Almighty and a Muslim can gain numerous rewards for being virtuous and pious in this month. The above discussion tells the fact that in addition to keeping fast during the month, a Muslim needs to recite Quran as much as possible as it is the very month in which it was revealed, and on the Night of Power a Muslim must indulge in excessive prayer throughout the night so that Allah Almighty could shower His countless blessings upon you all those who you remember in your prayers.
