Virtues of Ramadaan

Ibn Abbas R.A. says that he heard our Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam say, Verily Jannah becomes perfumed with the sweetest fragrance in Ramadhaan. From the beginning of the year till the end, it is being brightly decorated for the coming of this blessed month. And when the first night of Ramadhaan appears, a wind blows from beneath the Arsh (Throne). It is called Mutheerah, and causes the leaves of the trees of Jannah to rustle and door handles to sound, whereby setting forth such a melodious sound as had never been heard before. The dark eyed damsels of Jannah then step forth till they appear in the centre of the balconies of Jannah, exclaiming: Is there anyone making duaa’ to Allah for us that Allah may join us in marriage to him?” Then these damsels call out: “O Ridhwaan, keeper of Jannah, what night is this?” He replies: “Labbaik, this is indeed the first night of Ramadhaan, when the doors of Jannah are opened to those who observe the fast from among the ummah of Muhammad Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam further said, Allah says, “O Ridhwaan open the doors of Jannah, and O Maalik, (keeper of Jahannam) close the doors of Jahannam for those who fast from among the ummah of Ahmad Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, “O Jibraeel proceed down to the earth and bind the rebellious shaytaans, put them in chains and cast them in the oceans so that they make no mischief, thereby spoiling the fast of the ummah of My beloved Muhammad Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

Allah commands a caller from the heavens to call out three times on every one of the nights of Ramadhaan, “Is there anyone begging of Me that I may grant him his desire? Is there anyone repenting to me that I may turn in mercy to him? Is there anyone begging for forgiveness that I may forgive him? Who is there who shall give a loan to the One whose wealth does not diminish, and the One who duly fulfills without unjust deductions”.

Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said further, “Every day at the time of iftaar Allah sets free a thousand thousand (one million) souls from the fire of Jahannam, all of whom had already earned entrance into Jahannum. On the last night He sets free as many as had been set free throughout the month. On the night of Laylatul Qadr Allah commands Jibraeel A.S. to descend to the earth with the group of Malaa’ikah (angels). They descend carrying a green flag which is then planted on top of the Kabah Sharif. Jibraeel A.S. himself has one night. He spreads out his wings so that their width extends from East to West. Jibraeel A.S. then sends out the Malaa’ikah on this night in all directions to recite salaam upon each and everybody they find in prayer or sitting, performing ‘salaah and celebrating the praise of Allah. They shake hands with them and say Aameen to all their duaa’s until dawn breaks. At dawnbreak Jibraeel A.S. calls out; Depart O Malaa’ikah of Allah, depart”.

The Malaa’ikah then inquire; “O Jibraeel but what did Allah do regarding the needs of the faithful ones from among the ummah of Ahmad Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam put before Him? Jibraeel A.S. replies: “Allah looked at them with mercy and pardoned them all except four kinds of people”.

There upon we the sahaabah inquired: “Who are they, O Rasulullah?” Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied, “They are the ones addicted to wine drinking, those disobedient to their parents, those who cut themselves from their near relatives and the “Mushaahin. We inquired, “O Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. who is a Mushaahin?” He said: Those who harbor ill-feelings in their hearts against their fellow brethren and break off relations with them”.

“And then the night of ‘Eid ul Fitr comes along, the night that is called Laylatul Jaa’izah, (The night of prize giving). On the morning of ‘Eid Allah sends down the Malaa’ikah to all the lands of the earth where they take their positions at access points of roads, calling out with a voice that is heard by all except man and jinn.

“O Ummah of Muhammad g, come forth from your houses towards a Lord that is noble and gracious, who grants much and pardons the major sins”. When they proceed towards their places for their Eid salaah, Allah c says to the Malaa’ikah: “What indeed is the reward of that employee who had rendered his services?” The Malaa’ikah reply, “O Lord and master, it is only right that he should receive his reward in full for his services”. Allah then says, “I call you to witness, O My Malaa’ikah, that for their having fasted during the month of Ramadhaan, and for their having stood before Me in prayer by night, I have granted to them as reward My pleasure and have granted them forgiveness. O My servants ask now of Me, for I swear, beg of Me this day in this assembly of yours for the needs of the Hereafter, I shall look at you favourably. By My honour I swear, as long as you shall obey My commands, I shall cover your faults, by My Honour and My Greatness do I swear that I shall never disgrace you among the evil-doing ones and disbelievers. Depart now from here, you are forgiven. You have pleased Me and I am pleased with you.

The Malaa’ikah on seeing this great reward bestowed by Allah upon the ummah of Muhammad g on the day of Eidul Fitr become greatly pleased and happy”.  [Targheeb.]

                             “O Allah, make us also of those fortunate ones, Aameen”.

Reference: 

  • Targheeb