Praise is due to ALLAH alone, the month of Ramadaan is upon us now in 1435. We are now about one week in. There is much blessing available and much to be done, but we would like to focus on the easiest and crucial of the beneficial things to help the Muslims in this day and age escape distractions from the holy month. The first of course is to fulfil the obligation due to ALLAH, which is to fast this month so as complete the pillars of Islam without one of which a person is not in fact a Muslim. It was narrated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16) from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) said, “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except ALLAH and that Muhammad is the Messenger of ALLAH; establishing prayer; paying zakaah; fasting Ramadaan; and Hajj to the House (the Ka’bah).” If someone does not pray, let him or her return to it now and forever; the same goes for the fasting. The Muslims are urged to spend time learning the Qur’an and forming a relationship with it. Personally, I have taken it upon myself to postpone studying the Qur’an in recitation, but learning its meaning in my native English language so that I can know what my Lord has ordered me to know in my life.

ALLAH has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islam, as He says "" what means “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…” [al-Baqarah 2:185]. Take heed to the fact that ALLAH revealed his book during this month, and intended for it to be guidance; this makes it compulsory to read and understand the Qur'an. It is narrated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16) from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) said, “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except ALLAH and that Muhammad is the Messenger of ALLAH; establishing prayer; paying zakaah; fasting Ramadaan; and Hajj to the House (the Ka’bah).” 

ALLAH says what means “Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).” [al-Qadr 97:1] ALLAH has made Laylat al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months, as ALLAH says what means “Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) 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. worshipping ALLAH in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months). Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by ALLAH’s Permission with all Decrees, (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from ALLAH to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn” [al-Qadar 97] 

Abu Hurayrah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) said that The Messenger of ALLAH (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) said, “There has come to you Ramadaan, a blessed month which ALLAH 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.” 

Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 999. 

And Abu Hurayrah (may ALLAH be pleased with him) said, The Messenger of ALLAH (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) said, “Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1910; Muslim, 760. 

Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” And al-Bukhaari (2008) and Muslim (174) also narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) said, “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadaan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” 

The Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is Sunnah to pray qiyaam at night in Ramadaan. Al-Nawawi said that what is meant by praying qiyaam in Ramadaan is to pray Taraweeh, i.e., one achieves what is meant by qiyaam by praying Taraaweeh. 

Every night ALLAH has people whom He redeems from the Fire. Imam Ahmad (5/256) narrated from the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) said, “At every breaking of the fast, ALLAH has people whom He redeems.” Al-Mundhiri said, there is nothing wrong with its isnaad; and it was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 987. 

In Saheeh Muslim (233) the Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) said, “The five daily prayers, from one Jumu’ah to the next and from one Ramadaan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as you avoid major sins.” 

Also in Saheeh Muslim (1164) is what has been narrated from Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” Ahmad (21906) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.” 

There are many supergatory things that can be done in this month to fortify Imaan and good character, but most especially is to study the Qur’aan and to read it much. You may study the Qur’aan together by reciting it to someone else and by having someone else recite it to you. The evidence that this is mustahabb is the fact that Jibreel used to meet the Prophet (peace and blessings of ALLAH be upon him) every night in Ramadaan and study the Qur’aan with him. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6; Muslim, 2308.