Ramadan holds different meaning for different people. For some, it is a feast in the evening hours and diet control in the morning hours. For others, it might be an excellent season for family reunions. In the Asian countries, some people tend to focus more on food and lavish iftaar parties in this month while others spend the night playing cricket and are asleep throughout the day.

This happens when people culturally follow the rules and regulations of Ramadan without knowing the immense blessings and virtues this month carries. When we explore and cruise through the authentic texts from the Quran and the Sunnah, we get to know what Ramadan is really about. This can help us get motivated, preventing us from spending the month in a mechanical way. Rather, we will cherish every minute of this blessed month and taste the sweetness of faith.

If you want to have a different Ramadan this time, way better than your previous ones, and feel an immense spiritual rush, this article is for you.

What exactly is this month of Ramadan and how is it significant? Let’s begin –

Ramadan is the month of Allah’sSWT mercy and blessings, a month to keep the obligatory fasting and a training session for Muslims to increase their taqwa levels.

How is it a Mercy?
“There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which AllahSWT has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.”  1

How does this month help us in spiritually getting closer to AllahSWT?
In one word: Fasting.
AllahSWT has made the purpose of fasting crystal clear in His Book:

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” 2

And when we fast with this aim in mind, we come out feeling spiritually rejuvenated, and this feeling is wonderful! Fasting is an absolutely unique spiritual experience. It is an act of worship that testifies to our submission to AllahSWT; we can’t go on without water or food normally, but for AllahSWT – we can, a thousand times over!Ramadan-Blog_imsg_inside

Fasting helps us develop a strong personality and character. Not giving in to the temptation of having a sip of cold water when no one is around really says volumes about a person’s self control. It instills other great qualities in us such as patience, will-power and determination, which we need in our lives. Fasting helps us in achieving just that. It also instills humility in us by giving us a feeling of deprivation which the affluent ones normally never face. We learn that life isn’t always perfect and this leads us to developing another important characteristic: generosity. We learn to give because we learn exactly how it feels to have nothing.

What are some things I can focus on to feel the sweetness of this month and reap its exclusive rewards?

Okay, this is the most interesting part of the article, so remember every tip given here and make sure you implement as much as you can.

  1. Fast each day with this beautiful hadith in mind:

Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” 3

  1. Pray every night with this hadith echoing every now and then in your head:

Narrated from Abu Hurayrah MALE radi-allahu-anhu that the Prophet SAWS said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” 4

And,

“Whoever prays qiyaam with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.” 5

  1. Break your fast and offer iftaar to others

“Whoever gives iftaar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person’s reward in the slightest.” 6

  1. Make dua and pour your heart out

The combination of Ramadan plus the last third of the night makes it a super awesome time for acceptance of our duas.

That’s the time when AllahSWT descends to bestow His bounty upon His slaves, to meet their needs and to relieve their distress. At this time of the night, He says, “Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?” 7

  1. Make dua when breaking your fast and try not to waste those priceless moments admiring your food. You can save that for later.
    “At every breaking of the fast, AllahSWT has people whom He redeems.” 8

The night which can change our lives also comes in Ramadan, which makes it all more special!

“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 (i.e. worshiping Allah in that night is better than worshiping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allah’sSWT Permission with all Decrees, (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”  9

And –

“Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” 10

This is the night when prayers are answered and we don’t want to miss it!

Exclusive virtues for those who get these opportunities:

  1. The Prophet SAWS said, “When Ramadan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj.” According to a report narrated by Muslim, “… is equivalent to doing Hajj with me.” 11
  1. It was narrated in the hadeeth that the Prophet SAWSused to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in i’tikaaf until he passed away, then his wives observed i’tikaaf after him.” 12
  1. Narrated from Abu Ayyoob al-AnsaariMALE radi-allahu-anhu: “Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” 13

This is the month which gives maximum rewards to the believers in terms of their efforts. It’s as if their wages have been increased. When a Muslim sells himself to the Highest Bidder (the Allah Almighty) in this month, the chances of going to Paradise are intensified. So go for it! Who knows if we can enjoy and reap the fruits of next Ramadan.

From the hadeeth of Abu HurayrahMALE radi-allahu-anhu who said that the Messenger of Allah SAWSsaid: “When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.” 14

So make sure you make the most of this blessed month insha’Allah.

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. 🙂

  1.  Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 999.
  2.  Al Baqarah,2,183
  3. al-Bukhaari (2008)
  4.  Muslim 174
  5.   Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Salaat al-Taraaweeh, p. 15
  6.  Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 807; Ibn Maajah, 1746; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 647
  7.   Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1145
  8.  Al-Mundhiri said: there is nothing wrong with its isnaad; and it was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 987
  9.   al-Qadar 97:1-5
  10.   Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1910; Muslim, 760
  11.   Muslim 1020
  12.   Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1922; Muslim, 1172
  13.   Saheeh Muslim 1164
  14.   al-Saheehayn al-Bukhaari, 1898; Muslim, 1079

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68 replies on “Virtues and Blessings of Ramadan”

  • houdaucc@aol.com'
    Houda
    June 16, 2015 at 4:18 am

    Beautiful Article ! Thank you for sharing this. May Allah Bless you. Ramadan Kareem !

  • Sadafpirz78@gmail.com'
    sadaf Pirzada
    June 16, 2015 at 4:30 am

    asaloalikum brother,
    MashaAllah , very well written and expressed

  • sana263@rediffmail.com'
    sana
    June 16, 2015 at 4:34 am

    Blessed month of ramzan is heading..its all about taqwa and controlling your nafs
    Forbidding the bad things..and multiplying your rewards.
    May Allah swt. Bless all the muslim ummah. Aameen.

  • msanaliu@gmail.com'
    muhammad Aliyu
    June 16, 2015 at 4:40 am

    Alhamdulillah for this great article, is very educative and helpful torward achieving a successful fast in Ramadan. May Allah continue to blessed the writer and everybody who are associated to the contribution and distribution of this great article, Ameen.

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 16, 2015 at 7:39 am

      وعليكم السلام ورحمة. آمين

  • aarefmoh16@gmail.com'
    Arafar
    June 16, 2015 at 4:46 am

    is it permitted making ziker with jeme’a between Tarawhi? if it’s not why?

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:11 pm

      Walikyum Aslam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu brother. Please post your question to assimalhakeem.net or islamqa.com

  • mwahab@hotmail.com'
    June 16, 2015 at 5:12 am

    Aa Salamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

    Jazak Allahu Khair!

    May Almighty Allah have mercy and guide us all to righteousness until our last breath, ameen!

  • sahrafarah@hotmail.com'
    sahra
    June 16, 2015 at 5:38 am

    JazakaAllah khair for this post. It’s motivating and informing maashaAllah. I particularly like the hadiths and ayaats you offered, very good.

  • kedirseid99@yahoo.com'
    Kedir
    June 16, 2015 at 5:54 am

    It’s very helpful. May Allah reward you Brother. Remedan is such a blessing from Allah, we need to be effective managing ourselves to profited everything which has to offer.

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:24 pm

      Ameen brother. May Allah forgive us all.

  • Mk@sky.com'
    Sister
    June 16, 2015 at 6:17 am

    thank you for such wonderful reminder truly it was informative …jazakalllah khair ..

  • sumayyaiqbal@hotmail.com'
    Sister
    June 16, 2015 at 7:01 am

    Ma Sha ALLAH… very good article ! Now I can better plan to strive for ALLAH’s mercy during the blessed month! May ALLAH accept sll our good deeds snd forgive our countless sins Ameen

  • Adhummudavanas@gmail.com'
    Adhum bib umar
    June 16, 2015 at 7:35 am

    Really helpful post….may allah help us all to reach ramadan and to grab all the blessings of it….insha allah…
    Jazakallahu khairan….

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:30 pm

      Ameen

  • zabubeker@hotmail.com'
    Zeynaba
    June 16, 2015 at 7:54 am

    AsSalamu Aleikum w’Rahmatullah w’Barakatuh, jazakAllah Khair. I have benefitted from the article Alhamdulillah. May Allah azewejel grant all the ummah acceptance from their fasting, good deeds and duaa’ ameen. Ramadaan Kariim.

  • afaf.noman@yahoo.com'
    afafnoman
    June 16, 2015 at 8:34 am

    JazakAllaah khairun for the lovely article.. it freshens one s emaan

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:20 pm

      May Allah accept our efforts Ameen.

  • farah.k614@gmail.com'
    Farah
    June 16, 2015 at 8:37 am

    Thanks for reminding the virtues of blessed ramadan kareem. Verily , a reminder benefits the believer. May Allah reward you .

  • ahmed11_50@hotmail.com'
    Ahmed
    June 16, 2015 at 8:58 am

    May Allah (s.w) make us among those whom there sins are forgiven and may the Rahma and the great Rewards of this month come to all the Muslims in this universe. Amiin…
    Brothers and sisters of Islam lets always do our good deeds for the sake of Allah (s.w) surely there is no better way to pass on than knowing that you always pleased Allah (s.w) “RAMADAN KHARIM”

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 16, 2015 at 8:17 pm

      و عليكم السلام. أمين

  • honeyluv862001@yahoo.com'
    oyin
    June 16, 2015 at 10:03 am

    Tanx 4 d post,may Allah make it easy 4 us all

  • khayrounascar@yahoo.com'
    khayroun
    June 16, 2015 at 10:45 am

    Mashaallah…such a beautiful article and strong words of wisdom..Thank u so much for this wonderful article and may Allah reward u abundantly…Ramadhan Kareem..

  • marvi_sonu123@yahoo.com'
    Marci Shah
    June 16, 2015 at 11:00 am

    Ma Shaa Allah very simple and beautiful article which can be a source of change in lives if acted upon. . . . . . . . Jazak ALLAH Khairan Kaseeran Dr Bilal. . . . . . . . . . Stay blessed forever. . . . .

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:26 pm

      JazakAllahu khayrian brother

  • ayesha_jamil_ch@yahoo.com'
    Ayesha
    June 16, 2015 at 11:01 am

    Jazak Allah. It is very much motivational. May Allah Almighty bless us all to become beter Muslims. Ameen

  • mingkieabdurahman@yahoo.com'
    mingkieabdurahman
    June 16, 2015 at 11:13 am

    Alhamdulillah… JazakaAllah khair… a very fruitful information for us muslimah… especially like us Muslim Filipinos. Allahu Akbar….

  • Mralihajj2010aaa@gmail.com'
    Brother Ali
    June 16, 2015 at 11:24 am

    May Allah accept our fasting, forgive, inspire us, and grant us taqwa and a love for sacrifice for the deen, inshaAllah.

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:22 pm

      Inshallah brother. Ameen for your prayers. May Allah accept.

  • Yasminmoukarim@gmail.com'
    Yasmin
    June 16, 2015 at 11:35 am

    Ma sha Allah.

    Jazakallah khair for this article, may Allah increase you in knowledge. Ameen.

    This has answered most of my questions, Alhamdullah. Words can’t express my gratitude.

    May Allah reward you & grant you jannah for this. Ameen.

  • senghoredemba@yahoo.com'
    Demba
    June 16, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    What a great article… May Allah forgive us our sins, makes us conscious in remembering Him and above all makes us witness this coming Ramadan in good health. AMEEN.

  • sara.moallin@gmail.com'
    sara
    June 16, 2015 at 12:49 pm

    A beautiful article that reminds us about Ramada an and it’s blessing. Jzk for sharing, may Allah reward you

  • […] J. Hashem na podstawie artykułu: „Zalety i blogoslawienstwa Ramadanu”, Autor: Fareed Ahmad oraz wywiadu: „Jak Neuman Ali Khan spędza czas podczas […]

  • emailforjoanna@yahoo.com'
    June 16, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    Jazakum Allah Khayran for such a beautiful way of putting it. I literally sat down to type something similar, trying to explain what Ramadan is for our readers in Polish, when all of a sudden this post showed up on my Facebook feed… Amazing! Allah just made it so easy for me. Ramadan Mubarak. May He Al-Rahman send His Mercy to all Muslims around the globe and allow us for most perfect worship during Ramadan and after, ameen.
    https://islambeztajemnic.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/czym-jest-ramadan-dla-muzulmanow/

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:21 pm

      Alhumdolilah you got a similar article. JazakAllahu khayrian brother for sharing on your blog. May Allah accept.

  • oamr5989@yahoo.com'
    oumarou
    June 16, 2015 at 2:52 pm

    Very interesting article! may allah forgive US.

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:27 pm

      Ameen

  • […] Source: Islamic Online University […]

  • […] new found knowledge into practice. The same could be said about Ramadan. When you learn more about the blessed month and the benefits it carries, it’ll be much easier for you to utilize it in the best possible […]

  • Seva2000@outlook.com'
    Parveen
    June 16, 2015 at 3:17 pm

    Need to soak up on these words. … Subhanallah…revived….May Allah(swt) accept our intentions, Salah, ibadah and Dua’s -Ameen…..Jazakallahukhairan

  • morshoff@yhoo.com'
    Morshidah
    June 16, 2015 at 3:37 pm

    I think we all more or less know these facts , only we never expressed it . It’s so comprehensively n clearly presented..I hope all who read will benefit frm this . Ameen

  • yusriahalkaff@gmail.com'
    yusriah
    June 16, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    Very good article. Thanks and looking forward for another interesting articles.

  • Maddy641@gmail.com'
    Esma
    June 16, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    What a wonderful and well explained article. It has given me inspiration!! Thank you for sharing. Elhamdulila

  • Ikramkhan1152@gmail.com'
    Ikram Khan
    June 16, 2015 at 6:50 pm

    MashaAllah Great Information.. Every Muslim Should Know This Points..
    Be Blessed

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:18 pm

      Indeed.

  • mahjabeenmastura@yahoo.com'
    Mastura mahjabeen
    June 16, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    Beautiful article ma sha Allah. Keep up the good work sir and may Allah bless you for all your work in sha Allah

  • riyaz_196364@yahoo.com'
    riyaz ahmed
    June 16, 2015 at 8:30 pm

    thank you very much for sharing such a knowledge .May allah bless you for this .Ameen

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:17 pm

      JazakAllahu khayrian brother. May Allah make us amongst those who spread this knowledge and benefit from it. Ameen

  • kwesibriamah@gmail.com'
    Ibrahim Abdullah
    June 16, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    This is a very good insight prior to the month of Ramadan. May Allah give all of us the faith and strength needed to constantly worship Him in this beautiful month.

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:16 pm

      Ameen brother. May Allah bless us all

  • Mif94islam@gmail.com'
    Mifsarul islam
    June 16, 2015 at 11:20 pm

    Very enlightining and inspiring. Alhmdulilah may allah guid us all.

  • kellygunaydin@gmail.com'
    Kelly
    June 17, 2015 at 1:14 am

    Thank you very much. We all need reminders about the blessings of this Holy month. May Allah accept our fasting and good deeds, inshallah.

  • heathermariewyman@gmail.com'
    June 17, 2015 at 8:16 am

    i pray that all muslimine seek the rgivenessof Allah because its him ho will save us all. and he alwas blessesus with so much and sometimes hes the only friend in the worldyou have to turn to when nooneelsewill listen, this article mde me think.

    and i love Ramadan, i love helping people and everything i di is for the sake of Allah may Allah guide us all.

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:15 pm

      May Allah accept your prayers and guide us all. May He forgive us all in this blessed month

  • sleymabdul@yahoo.com'
    Abdul
    June 17, 2015 at 8:37 am

    maashaallah,so helpfull,absolutely rightful,i copird some tips for daawah to others

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:14 pm

      Sure brother Alhumdolilah

  • usmanakata@yahoo.com'
    June 17, 2015 at 11:30 am

    JAZAKUMULLAHU KHAIRAN

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:13 pm

      You too brother.

  • abdullahqaim.aq@gmail.com'
    Muhammad abdullah qaim
    June 17, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    Really informative……keep going with the same spirit.May Allah bless you people

    • Fareed Ahmad
      June 18, 2015 at 12:12 pm

      Walikyum Aslam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu . JAZAKALLAHU KHAYR alot dear brother. May Allah accept our efforts. Ameen

  • ppindle4pondle@yahoo.com'
    ashia
    June 19, 2015 at 7:51 pm

    Alhamdhulilah… i was searching for the virtues of Ramadan… and here is the perfect one with hadit included… jazak Allah khairan ….

  • nehanees@yahoo.com'
    Anees Fathima
    June 23, 2015 at 5:06 pm

    Asslamualaikum rahmatullahiwabarakatuhu, jazakallahu khair, very informative and useful article, thank u sir for uploading such a beautiful article, May ALLAH (swt) give us strength to fast n do ibadath through out, n forgive our sins n answer our duas . and give me a beautiful child. Aameen. Please remember in dua……

  • […] Narrated from Abu Hurayrah  that the Prophet  said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” 4 […]

  • […] fact, the great news is that you can share the excitement, the planning just as everyone else and reap the benefits of this month […]

  • […] this year, Allah  has blessed His servants with the splendid month of Ramadan. The month of seeking forgiveness and hastening towards Paradise is back. The month of […]

  • holluhormohayat@gmail.com'
    Moshood
    June 1, 2016 at 11:09 am

    salam alaikum waramatulahi wabarakatu, jazakallah khairan for the greatful and useful informative article, may Almighty Allah increase your knowledge and wisdom… Ameeen
    may Almighty Allah induced this and let it make impact in our life and accept it as form of Ibadah… ameeen.

  • […] new found knowledge into practice. The same could be said about Ramadan. When you learn more about the blessed month and the benefits it carries, it’ll be much easier for you to utilize it in the best possible […]