Know the Importance of Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth and most precious month in Muslims lunar calendar. It is important for Muslims to fast during this holy month.
In the Quran, God talks about the importance of Ramadan in the following verse:
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness” (Quran, 2:183)
During Ramadan, Muslims wake up early to eat a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and they break their fast with a meal referred to as iftar.
Maulana Muhammad Ali said, “The real purpose of fasting is to attain righteousness. A person who undergoes hunger and thirst, but does not behave righteously, has done nothing. If someone is told the aim and object of doing a certain duty, and he does that duty but does not attain the required aim and object, it is as if he has not done that duty.”
The Maulana used very strongly to urge the members of the Lahore Ahmadiyya community to say the tahajjud prayers during the month of Ramadan, “You have to rise early in any case to begin the fast; rise even earlier, by half an hour or an hour, and say tahajjud prayers.”
One important thing about the Holy month is Quran was revealed in Ramadan.
“Ramadan is the (month) in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and the differentiation (between right and wrong)” (Quran, 2:185)
When the month of Ramadan starts, Muslims believe that the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed as Prophet Muhammad said in one of his hadiths, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” (Bukhari)
There are some other significances of this Holy month such as The Night of Decree (Laylat al- Qadr). The Muslims are encouraged to pray and give more on this holy night. It is also recommended to give Zakat in the month of Ramadan.
Charity and generosity is especially urged during Ramadan. We learn to give, and not to take. It makes us remember the blessings of life which we normally take for granted.
We hope you all have a successful Ramadan and learn from the significance of this Holy month!
