Yes! Ramadan is here, and it is the most awaited month for almost all Muslims! It is commonly known for being the month of fasting and the month of giving. In short, Ramadan is a month if properly accomplished by a Muslim, will help to purify his/her soul and bring him/her closer to Allah (SWT).
The Qur’an also mentions on the eminence of Ramadan:-
“The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Al Quran 2:185)
Ramadan is also significantly known as the month where the Quran was sent down to the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) as a guidance to mankind. But apart from this, there are also several other reasons that made a Muslim fall deeply in love with this month!
Laylatul Qadr
The first verse of Quran was sent down on the night of Laylatyul Qadr (The night of decree). It falls in one of the odd nights on the last ten days of Ramadan. The night of Laylatul Qadr is known to be better than a thousand months; good deeds performed in this one night are better than those performed over thousand months. With that, it is highly encouraged to increase devotion and prayer during this particular nigh
Each year Muslims spend the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observing a community wide fast. The fast of the month of Ramadan considered one of the five pillars of Islam.Muslims who are physically able to required to fast each day of the entire month from sunrise to sunset. The month of Ramadan lasts 29 to 30 days depending on moon sighting and according to narration; Allah Almighty divides the Holy month of Ramadan into three Stages that’s known as Ashra of Ramadan.
Ashra of Ramadan
First Part Reflects Mercy of Allah (Rehmah)
Second Part Reflects Forgiveness of Allah (Maghfirah)
Third Part Reflects Safety from the Hell (Nijat)
The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: It (Ramadan) is the month, whose beginning is mercy, its middle, forgiveness and its end, emancipation from the fire (of hell).
No doubt, the month of Ramadan is full of blessings, mercy and forgiveness. It’s the best opportunity for all the Muslims to collect more blessings of Allah and pray for their forgiveness and to be saved from the Hell fire.
First Ashra of Ramadan-(Days of Mercy)
First ten days of Ramadan are the days of Mercy and blessing and every Muslim must seek the Mercy and Blessings of Almighty Allah. It’s a special verse that usually recites the Muslims in first ten days.
Second Ashra of Ramadan – (Days of Forgiveness)
Second ten days of Ramadan day 11th to, day 20th consists of the second Ashra and its called Ashra or forgiveness. Muslims must seek for the forgiveness of Allah Almighty and regret for all their sins.
Third Ashra Last Ashra of Ramadan (Days Of Seeking Refuge)
Third Ashra (Days of seeking refuge), last ten days of Ramadan, are approval of Freedom from Hell. Third Ashra is more important than other first two Ramadan Ashras as Laylat-ul-Qadar shows up in this Ashra. The blessings of Laylat-ul-Qadar are countless and the thawab of doing Ibaadah on this night is equal to the thawab of thousand other nights.
“We sent it (Quran) down on a blessed Night. Verily,We are ever warning. Therein ( in that Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. Amran (i.e. a command or this Quran or His Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messenger) (As) a Mercy from your Lord.” [Ad-Dukhaan 44: 3-6]
Muslim besides zikar and recitation of Quran do Itikaf and observe special Nawafils, Salatuh Tasbeeh in third Ashra for beseeching sanctuary from hell. Dua for the last Ashra is
Translation: “O Allah! Save me from the Hell – Fire.”
