Striving in Ibaadat During the Month of Ramadhaan

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) informed the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) regarding the abundant virtues of Ramadhaan prior to the month of Ramadhaan dawning upon them. In this way, he motivated and encouraged them to prepare themselves mentally, physically and spiritually for the month in order that they may be able to acquire the maximum blessings of this month.

Hazrat Salmaan Faarsi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that on the last day of Sha’baan, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) saying, “O people, a great and blessed month is soon to dawn upon you, in which lies a night greater in virtue than a thousand months. It is a month in which Allah Ta‘ala has made fasting compulsory by day and has made taraaweeh salaah sunnah by night. The one who draws near to Allah Ta‘ala by performing any nafl deed, he will receive reward equivalent to the reward of the one who performs a fardh deed at any other time. The one who performs a fardh deed during this month shall be blessed with the reward of the one who performs seventy faraaidh at any other time. This is indeed the month of patience and the reward for true patience is Jannah.” (Saheeh ibnu Khuzaimah #1887)

Making Dua for the Acceptance of One’s Ibaadat

Apart from striving in ibaadat during this blessed month, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had taught us to make dua for the acceptance of our ibaadat. Hazrat Ubaadah bin Saamit (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that when the month of Ramadhaan would arrive, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would teach the Sahaabah the following dua (to secure the blessings of Ramadhaan):

اَللّٰهُمَّ سَلِّمْنِيْ لِرَمَضَانْ وَسَلِّمْ رَمَضَانَ لِيْ وَسَلِّمْهُ لِيْ مُتَقَبَّلًا

O Allah! Safeguard me for Ramadhaan (by keeping me alive and well to benefit from it), and safeguard Ramadhaan for me (by making the conditions conducive for me to benefit from it) and accept it from me. (Kanzul Umaal #24277)

Jannah Being Decorated for Ramadhaan

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Indeed, Jannah is decorated, from the beginning of the year until the end of the year, for the coming of Ramadhaan. On the first day of Ramadhaan, a wind blows from beneath the throne of Allah Ta‘ala, and it causes the leaves of the trees of Jannah to rustle. The damsels of Jannah beseech Allah Ta‘ala saying, ‘O our Rabb! Grant us such husbands, from Your servants, who will be beloved to us and to whom we will be beloved.’” (Majma’uz Zawaa’id #4784)

Being Rewarded on the Last Night of Ramadhaan

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) informed us that on the last night of Ramadhaan, forgiveness is declared for all those who upheld the rights of this month by fasting and carrying out ibaadat. The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “Is this last night Laylatul Qadr?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “No, but a servant is rewarded in full upon completing his work.” (Targheeb #1476)

Being Deprived of the Blessings of Ramadhaan

While it is essential for us to fast, be punctual on our salaah, perform taraweeh, engage in tilaawat (recitation of the Holy Quraan) and strive to acquire the maximum blessings of the month of Ramadhaan, it is incumbent upon us to preserve our good deeds through refraining from committing sins. Committing sins and evil deeds deprives one of the blessings of Ramadhaan and destroys the noor of one’s ibaadat.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “There are many who fast during the day yet receive nothing but hunger, and there are many who stand up during the night in salaah yet receive nothing but sleeplessness.” (i.e. On account of their sinning, they do not receive the reward of the fast and of standing up at night in ibaadat.) (Sunan ibnu Maajah #1690)

The Most Unfortunate Person

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “In the month of Ramadhaan, Allah Ta‘ala turns His special mercies towards you, forgives your sins and accepts your duas and supplications. He looks at your competing with each other in carrying out good deeds (to please Him) and expresses happiness over you before His angels. Hence, show Allah Ta‘ala your works of piety and righteousness, for certainly, the most unfortunate one is he who is deprived of the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala in this blessed month.” (Targheeb #1490)