Ramadhaan is a month of countless blessings and virtues. The word Ramadhaan is derived from "ramdh' which means "burning of the feet from heat" This is because of the fast, which burns the sins of a Muslim into ashes.

Ramadhaan has been given the name of blessed month because:

1. In this month, the whole Qur'aan was sent down to the first sky from Lawhe Mahfooz. 2. In this month, there is the night of Qadr which is better than 1000 months. 3. In this month, the thawaab of good deed is equal to the fardh of another month. 4. This is the month of patience and the reward of this patience is Jannah. 5. This month teaches the lesson of kindness towards others. 6. In this month, the daily-bread of Muslims is increased. 7. In this month, the first ten days are of mercy, second ten days are of forgiveness and the last ten days are of being freed from Hell. 8. The month of Ramadhaan is a month in which the Mercy and Blessings of Allah Ta'ala descend upon us continuously. This month is so precious that one should fast, recite Qur'aan and keep himself engaged in worship (Ibaadah) day night. One should perform Taraaweeh, Nafl Salaat, make du'aa, etc. In this way, by giving preference to religion over self-desires, a person can acquire the Pleasure and Nearness of Allah. Each day and night of this blessed month can bring the reward of Ibaadah of years.

Ka'b Ibne 'Ujrah radhiyallahu anhu relates that the Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Come near the pulpit," and we came near the pulpit.

When he ascended the first step of the pulpit, he said, "Aameen." When he ascended the second step, he said, "Aameen." When he ascended the third step, he said, "Aameen." When he descended, we said, "O Prophet of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam, we have heard from you today something which we never heard before." He said, "When I ascended the first step, Jibra'eel appeared before me and said, 'Woe to him who found the blessed month of Ramadhaan and let it pass by without gaining forgiveness.' Upon that I said: Aameen. When I ascended the second step, he said, 'Woe to him before whom your name is mentioned and he does not read Durood (Salaat) on you. 'I replied: Aameen. When I ascended the third step he said, 'Woe to him in whose presence his parents or either one of them attains old age, and (through failure to serve them) he is not allowed to enter Paradise.' I said: Aameen."(Bukhaari)

Salmaan radhiyallahu anhu relates that Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, "Ramadhaan is a blessed month. In this month is a night better than a 1000 months. Fasting has been made compulsory and Taraaweeh Sunnah. Whosoever tries drawing nearer to Allah by performing any virtuous deed in this month, for him shall be such reward as if he had performed a 'Fardh' in any other time of the year. And whoever performs a 'Fardh' for him shall be the reward of seventy 'Fardh' in any other time of the year.

This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise; it is the month of sympathy with one's fellowmen; this is the month wherein a true believer's Rizq is increased." Bayhaqi

In this month the doors of Paradise are opened and the doors of hell are closed. And the Shayaateen are chained. Bukhaari, Muslim This is a month, the first part of which brings Allah's Mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last part of which brings emancipation from the fire of Hell. Bayhaqi

During each day and night of this month, Allah sets free a great number of souls from Hell. And for every Muslim during each day and night, at least one prayer is certainly accepted. (Bazzaa)

In this month, the Ummah of Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam are given these things specially. 1. The smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more sweeter in the sight of Allah than the fragrant smell of musk. 2. On their behalf the fish in the sea seek forgiveness until they break their fast. 3. For them, paradise is decorated everyday. 4. For them, the evil minded shaytaan is chained. 5. On the last night of Ramadhaan they are forgiven.

Four things have been instructed in the Hadeeth which one should continue to practice in abundance: 1. Recite the Kalimah Tayyibah. 2. Make Istighfaar. 3. Ask for Jannah. 4. Seek refuge in Allah from Hell. In this month one should fast, perform all Salaat with congregation, engage in recitation of the Qur'aan, perform Taraaweeh, give charity and do whatever is possible to acquire the Pleasure of Allah. One should make sure that he does not do anything contrary to the Command of Allah and the teachings of His beloved Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. FASTING In Ramadhaan, Allah has made fasting compulsory. It is one of the five pillars of Islaam. Just like the flower which outsmarts other flowers in its smell and colour, and like the fruit which surpasses the other fruits in its taste, the Ibaadah of fasting outweighs the other forms of devotions in reward. A person gives up everything

whilst fasting, only to please his Almighty Creator. It is one of the most accepted forms of Ibaadah, because Allah Himself will give the reward for fasting.

Allah and His Angels send Mercy upon those who eat Sehri. Allah has made Sehri full of mercy and blessings. People of other religions also fast, but they do not eat Sehri, therefore, to differ from them, it is advisable to have at least a sip of water with the intention of Sehri.

Many virtues have been narrated for those who feed others when breaking fast. A person who feeds another who fasted in order to break the fast (at sunset), for him there shall be forgiveness and emancipation from the fire of Hell. Allah grants the same reward to him who gives a fasting person a mere date or a drink of water to break his fast.

In Ramadhaan, Allah has made w0 Rak'at Taraaweeh Sunnah. It is also Sunnah to complete the full Qur'aan in Taraaweeh. Taraaweeh is Sunnah for women too.

This is a night of great blessings. It is better than a thousand months. The people of the past had very long lives compared to the much shorter lives of this Ummah. If this Ummah then wished to compete with them in doing of the good deeds, it would mean that because of the shorter lives it would be impossible for this Ummah to either emulate or surpass them. For this reason, Allah in His Infinite Mercy granted this Ummah, this night of great blessing. This night has great virtues i.e.

1. The Qur'aan was revealed in this night.

2. The reward of worship in this night is better than the reward of 1,000 months.

3. On this night, Jibraeel descends to the earth with a group of angels, reciting salaam and praying for the blessings for those they see in Worship and Praises Allah.

4. This is a night of peace. The blessings and mercy descends right until the break of day. The author of Mazahir-e-Haqq states the following significance and virtues of this auspicious night:

* On this night, the angles were created.

* On this night, the matter from which Adam alayhis salaam was created had been collected.

* On this night, Jannah and Jahannan were created.

* On this night, 'Eesaa alayhis salaam was raised up bodily into the heavens.

* On this night, the repentance of Banoo Israa'eel was accepted.

* It is stated in a Hadeeth: "Whosoever stands in Ibaadah on this night with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." Bukhaari, Muslim

There is a difference of opinion amongst the Ulamaa about this night. According to the vast majority of them, the Laylatul Qadr falls on the odd dates of the last ten days of the month of Ramadhaan - i.e. 21,23, 25, 27, 29. However, one should strive to search for this great night in all nights of the month of Ramadhaan, particularly in the last ten nights.

It was the general practice of Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam to perform I'tikaaf in the last ten days of Ramadhaan. The women should also try to perform I'tikaaf in their homes. It is stated in a Hadeeth:

Whoever performs I'tikaaf in the final ten days of Ramadhaan, for him is the reward of Hajj and Umrah. Moulana Muhammad Uthmaan Ghani

I write these few important words to Muslims generally and especially to my associates, be they menfolk or womenfolk.

The Mubarak fasting month of Ramadaan comes but once a year, and this is a month bestowed with a lot of Barakat. One of its special qualities is that if this time is spent in righteous devotion then the Barakat of this month will remain for the full year, and if this time is unfortunately wasted negligently then no Barakat will remain until the next

Ramadaan. Because of this it is urgent that all my Muslim brothers and associates should make a programme for the month of Ramadaan in which, according to inclination and opportunity, they set aside a special time for devotion in this month.

1.When one awakes for Sehri, and by eating prepares for the following day, similarly should it be considered necessary to prepare

spiritually for the same period, by making at least 8 rakats or the full 12 rakats of Tahajjud, and if there is time, by sincerely reciting Tasbeeh (Subhanallah), Tahleel (La ilaha illallah), Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah),Takbeer (Allahu Akbar), and Istighfaar (Astaghfirullah). In the same way these 5 praises should not be forgotten after each of the 5 Fard Salaats.This should in earnestness, be the daily schedule. In the second ten days

devotion should be increased, and in the last ten days of Ramadaan-ul-Mubarak, in search of Laylatul Qadr, devotions should be further intensified. For obtaining this Sawaab, if possible, the whole night or most of the night should be spent in Tilaawat recital of Quraan)and repeating of Kalima Tayyeba, Kalima Tamjid, Kalima Tawheed,Istighfaar, Towba and performing Salaat etc. During this time there is no objection in taking food and drink or discussing religious matters to assist in staying awake, but it should be borne in mind that by staying awake, the Fajr Salaat should not be jeopardised. For these

devotions, sacrifices have to be made; for instance to stay awake one should eat less. To eat one has the remaining eleven months. Hadhrat Anas RA.relates: "Once with the approach of Ramadaan Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said. 'On you has come such a month in which

there is a night which is superior to one thousand months. That unfortunate person who has missed this night has deprived himself of all good and only that person is excluded from the bounty of this night who is in fact very unfortunate"'. In many Ahadeeth, mention has been made about the auspiciousness of this night.

2.During this month of Barakat Kalima Tayyeba, Durood and Istighfaar should frequently be read even whilst sitting, walking etc. This month is important for the Tilaawat of Quraan, for it was revealed in this month. It is our duty to read Durood on Rasulullah Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) and this should be read and repeated as many times as practicable.

3.Fasting during this month is just as obligatory as the five Fard Salaats. No Muslim should be lax with his Sawm and should be more mindful of his five Fard Salaats than at other times. More attention must be given to Tahaarat (Paaki), Jama'at and modesty in this month. To neglect the Sawm and make Salaat is as sinful as to observe fast and be careless with ones Fard Salaat.

4.In this Mubarak month it is more important to stay away from evil than to do good deeds. As much as possible one should endeavour to save the eyes, ears, tongue, heart and all parts of the body from the slightest sin. One should especially refrain from slander and harmful talk.Kindness, good manners and the remembrances of Allah are the ornaments of this month of Barakat, and these should not be destroyed by vulgarity and bad manners.

5. This is the month in which sympathy should be shown to the needy and poor. Therefore one should give as much as can be afforded in Sadaqa, Khayrat, Iftari, Sehri etc., and preparation should be made for the Hereafter. It is stated in the Hadeeth that anyone who provides a fasting person with Iftari, it will assist him in having his sinsforgiven, save him from the fire, and he will receive as much reward Sawaab) as the person who has fasted. When giving charity. It must be clearly borne in mind that ones Niyyat should be free of attaining fame and publicity, for this will nullify the reward. 'A good way of making charity is to send some money at the end of every ten days with the niyyat of Sawab to the homes of the poor and needy (those who do not go out to beg). In this way one could sympathise with them.

6.Especially on the night of Eid, staying awake, being aware of its importance, and knowing that it is the end of the Mubarak month, one should ask for whatever one wants and seek forgiveness for ones sins. Similarly on Eid day make Miswaak, change into clean clothes and use Itr.

All this should be done with the Niyyat of observing Sunnat and not in imitation of other unbelieving people. If unfortunately on this Islamic occasion one takes part in cinema shows and places of evil,

then it so much resembles the ways of the unbelievers that it is difficult to call it an Islamic festival. Therefore people who regularly do these undesirable things during the year should refrain from these acts, so that non-Muslims can see the difference between the Eid of Muslims and the festivals of non-Muslims. The happiness of Muslims on this day should be because of the completion of the important Ibaadat of Roza. Contrary to this on Eid day

Muslims are indulging in all sorts of unlawful activities.

How wonderful ill it be if Muslims could show other nations what a true

Islamic Eid should be.

Note:- With regard to Ramadaan, Sheikh-ul-Hadeeth Maulana Muhammad

Zakariya Saheb of Mazahirul Uloom, Saharanpur, India has written a book entitled 'Faza'le Ramadaan' (Virtues of Ramadaan) in which he has selected Ahadeeth with translation and commentary. It is important to obtain and read or listen to it as opportunity allows, so that it includes a yearning for devotion during this Mubarak monthbless them to obtain as much of its Barakat as possible and guide them according to the Sunnat and His wishes.