Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Second Lesson on the Respect of Ramadan – Part 2

By Mufti Abdul Malik Misbahi, New Age Islam (Translated into English by Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam) 25 March 2023 Ramadan is a highly blessed and holy month. Those who pay respect to this month and get its blessings are extremely fortunate. In reference to the reverence of the month of Ramadan, the beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) said: It is blessed that Ramadan has already begun. It is a must for you to fast [during this month] as has been commanded by Allah Almighty. The gates of hell are closed and the gates of heaven are opened during this month. The disobedient devils are locked up. One night of Allah known as "Shab-e-Qadr" occurs in this month and is more revered than a thousand months. The person who is deprived of its goodness is the one who actually lacks it. (Sunan Nasa'i, vol. 4, p. 921) The fact that the doors of mercy are opened and the devils are chained upon the start of Ramadan is unquestionably a symbol of respect for the holy month. (Sahih Muslim and Sahih Bukhari) The drops of kindness and mercy begin to fall like rain as soon as Ramadan begins. The spring wind of mercy, blessings, and goodness starts to fill the hearts and minds of the sincere slaves of Allah. Fire Worshipers In The Fold Of Mercy The reverence of Ramadan enriches believers, but at the same time, if a non-Muslim also respects this holy month, he will still receive its blessing, as demonstrated by the following incident: A Majusi (magi/fire worshipper) lived in Bukhara. He once went shopping with his son in the Muslim bazaar during the holy month of Ramadan. His son started to eat in public. When the Magi noticed this, he smacked his son and reprimanded him, saying: Are you not ashamed to eat in the Muslim market during the month of Ramadan? Your action has hurt the hearts of Muslims and violated the majesty of Ramadan. So never repeat such an action in the future. Hearing all this, the obedient son seriously questioned his father. "Father! In the month of Ramadan, you eat and drink as well." In response, his father said, "Yes, I do eat, but I do so in private inside my home. I do not desecrate this holy month by eating and drinking in public." A while later, the man passed away. Someone who saw him in his dream wondering about him while he was strolling through heaven pondered how in heaven a Magi could be. He said, "I was really a Zoroastrian [fire-worshipper], but when the hour of my death neared, Allah blessed me." As I had honoured Ramadan, Allah blessed me by elevating me with the riches of faith, taking me to Paradise at the same time, and showering me with His innumerable blessings. (Nuzhatul Majaalis, vol. 1. p. 712) From this instance, it is understood that if a Zoroastrian could receive a blessing by honouring the month of Ramadan, then why can't a Muslim do the same if he respects and honours this month with all of his heart and soul? Why Sin When Satan Is In Prison? Now the question arises: Why do individuals commit sins during Ramadan if Satan is imprisoned according to the Hadith described above? The Islamic scholars [Ulama] respond to this by stating that Iblis and his progeny are actually imprisoned. Now, whoever commits sins in this month does so out of his own corrupt soul (Nafs-e-Ammara), not as a result of the devil's trickery. The Holy Hadith is thus perfectly appropriate. A man should fear the burden of his sins so that he is safeguarded at all times. (Miraa'tul Manajeeh, Vol.3, p. 331) Respecting Ramadan involves abstaining from sin during it. In honour of Ramadan, one should refrain from lying, backbiting, and using foul language. Simply stopping eating and drinking cannot be called perfect respect for Ramadan. Respecting Ramadan is the real key to fulfilling Ramadan's purpose. We pray for the ability to respect and observe the Ramadan fasts from Allah, the Almighty. ------- Mufti Abdul Malik Misbahi is the author of multiple books. He has also lectured and held positions such as Mufti, Shaykhul Hadith, president, founder, and director at a number of institutions, including Dar Uloom Ghousia in Hubli, Karnataka, and Darul Uoom Solemaniya Rahmaniya in Bikaner Darul Uloom Reza-e-Mustafa, Bihar, Madrasa Shah Khalid, Vanwa Libo Muslim League, Fiji (near Australia), Madina Educational Society, Rajasthan. He currently holds the positions of Mufti in the Sunni Darul Ifta in the Madina Masjid, General Secretary of the Raza Foundation, Director of the Darain Academy, Founder of the Afkar-e- Raza Institution, and Chief Editor of the Do-Maahi Raza-e-Madina (Urdu, Hindi) in Azadnagar, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. ------ Part 1: Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Welcome to Ramadan and First Lesson on the Virtues of Ramadan URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/lessons-ramadan-respect-part-2---/d/129395 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism