Ramadan is not just another month—it is an annual divine opportunity, a season of immense blessings where destinies change, sins are erased, and the doors of Jannah stand wide open. It is a time when the whispers of Shaytaan are silenced, making it easier than ever to turn back to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ in sincere repentance.
But the question is—will you take full advantage of it? Will you truly immerse yourself in the mercy that Allah has placed in this sacred time?
This is a month where the rewards of good deeds are multiplied beyond measure and where Allah’s mercy envelops His servants like never before. Understanding and preparing for this unparalleled month is crucial to ensuring that we leave it transformed, closer to Allah, and with our sins forgiven.
Let’s delve into the unique virtues that make Ramadan the greatest month of the year.
The Unique Virtues of Ramadan
1. The Qur'an Was Revealed in Ramadan
Of all the virtues that make Ramadan special, nothing surpasses the fact that it is the month in which Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ sent down His final revelation, the Qur'an, as a guidance for humanity. This divine book, which leads to salvation, was revealed in this month:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ
"The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)
This connection between Ramadan and the Qur’an means that our engagement with the Book of Allah should be at its peak during this month. It is the time to recite, reflect, and internalize its teachings like never before.
2. The Smell of the Fasting Person is Beloved to Allah
Fasting is not just a physical act; it is an act of spiritual devotion. Even the physical changes that come with fasting, such as the scent of one’s breath, are honored in the sight of Allah:
- The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ
"The smell that comes from the mouth of a fasting person is more beloved to Allah than the scent of musk." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1894)
This is a powerful reminder that fasting is more than just abstaining from food and drink—it is an act of obedience that elevates the believer in the sight of Allah.
3. Angels Seek Forgiveness for the Fasting Person
Imagine the most righteous and pure of Allah’s creation—the angels—making du'a on your behalf every single day of Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ taught us that as long as a person is fasting, the angels continuously ask Allah to forgive them until they break their fast. (Musnad Ahmad: 7917)
What greater honor could there be? This is a time when our names are being mentioned in the heavens, and our repentance is being sought by those who are sinless.
4. The Gates of Jannah Are Opened & the Shayateen Are Chained
One of the most well-known virtues of Ramadan is that the obstacles to righteousness are removed. The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِذَا دَخَلَ رَمَضَانُ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ، وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ، وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ
"When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3277)
This means that resisting sin becomes easier. The temptations that usually pull us away from Allah are weakened, making it the perfect time to reform ourselves and build new habits of worship.
5. Laylatul Qadar: The Night That is Better Than a Thousand Months
In Ramadan lies the single most powerful night of the entire year—a night whose rewards exceed those of a lifetime:
لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
"The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months." (Surah Al-Qadr 97:3)
To miss out on Laylatul Qadr is to miss out on more than 83 years of worship. It is a night of immense mercy and reward, where sincere du'as are accepted and destinies are written.
6. Allah Frees People from the Hellfire Every Night
Imagine standing before Allah on the Day of Judgment, and it is declared that you were among those freed from Hellfire in Ramadan.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عِنْدَ كُلِّ فِطْرٍ عُتَقَاءَ
"At every breaking of the fast Allaah has people whom He frees from the Hellfire , and that happens every night." (Musnad Ahmad: 22202 )
Every single night is an opportunity to seek forgiveness and secure salvation. This should push us to seek Allah’s mercy with sincerity and urgency.
How to Maximize the Blessings of Ramadan
With all these virtues, how can we ensure that we make the most of this sacred month? Here are practical steps to maximize Ramadan:
1. Fast Beyond Just Food & Drink
Fasting is more than abstaining from eating and drinking—it is about controlling one’s desires, words, and actions.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ
"Whoever does not give up false speech and evil deeds while fasting, Allah has no need for him to give up his food and drink." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1903)
2. Stand in Night Prayer (Qiyam Al-Layl)
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِه
"Whoever stands in prayer during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 37)
Taraweeh / Qiyam-ul-Layl are powerful means of seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.
3. Give Charity & Feed the Needy
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ فَطَّرَ صَائِمًا كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِهِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ شَيْئًا
"Whoever provides food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will have the same reward without decreasing the reward of the fasting person." (Jami' at-Tirmidhi: 807)
This hadith highlights the immense reward of feeding a fasting person at the time of iftar. The Prophet ﷺ assures that the one who provides food for a fasting person will receive an equal reward for their fast, without diminishing the fasting person’s own reward. This showcases the generosity of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ and the multiplied blessings in Ramadan.
4. Seek Laylatul Qadr
- The Prophet ﷺ instructed:
تَحَرَّوْا لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فِي الْوِتْرِ مِنَ الْعَشْرِ الْأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ
"Seek Laylatul Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan." (Sahih al-Bukhari: 2017)
Make extra effort in worship during the last ten nights, especially on the odd-numbered nights so you can achieve then greatest and most virtuous night of the entire year.
5. Recite the Qur'an Excessively
Ramadan is Shahrul Qur’an—the month of the Qur’an. The righteous predecessors would complete the Qur’an multiple times in this month, with reports of some imams finishing it every day, and a few even completing it twice daily, as is famously reported about Imam Ash-Shafi’i.
6. Engage in Dhikr & Du'a
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّ لِلصَّائِمِ عِنْدَ فِطْرِهِ لَدَعْوَةً مَا تُرَدُّ
"The supplication of the fasting person at the time of breaking fast is not rejected." (Sunan Ibn Majah: 1753)
Take advantage of this golden opportunity to ask for everything your heart desires for the good of this life and the next.
7. Perform I’tikaf in the Masjid
The Prophet ﷺ practiced I’tikaf every Ramadan, dedicating the last ten nights solely to worship, secluding himself in the masjid and cutting off from worldly affairs to focus entirely on his connection with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
Conclusion: Make This Ramadan Your Best Yet
Ramadan is an opportunity that comes only once a year, and none of us are guaranteed to see the next one. The rewards, forgiveness, and mercy available in these blessed days are beyond imagination.
Approach this Ramadan with sincerity, determination, and devotion. Set clear goals for fasting, prayer, charity, and Qur’an recitation. Seek Laylatul Qadr with full energy, and most importantly, sincerely turn back to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
May Allah allow us to witness and fully benefit from Ramadan. Ameen.
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