Here comes the season of fasting, the glorious month of Ramadan, the month in which the gates of Jahannam, hellfire, are shut and that of Al-Jannah, paradise, are opened, the month in which the Quran, Huddan linnaas wa bayyinnah, was revealed to mankind as a guide and the distinguisher or criterion, of right from wrong.
Muslims are therefore expected to take as much as possible of the benefits of Ramadan, a season of release of bounteous blessing, of vast rewards and sincere reconnection, of total rehabilitation and renewal, of true regeneration, of sincere repentance and return to Allah, a month of rebirth, restoration and revitalization, recharging and regaining in full measure.
It’s a month of strong resolution and revolution, a month of rededication to Allah but also of relaxation and retreat to Allah from all worldly concerns and a month of reckoning our deeds, income and expenditure so we could pay our zakat or Sadaqat in due or right measure.
In this month, Allah specifically prescribed fasting for believers so that we might learn or attain piety or righteousness. Not only did He prescribe to believers that whoever witnesses Ramadan must fast, for the specified number of days 29 or 30 and in His rahma, he also allows exemption for some categories for unavoidable conditions that can threaten one’s life or lead to health complications.
He also gave windows of restitution if one is unable to fast or misses some fast. He allowed that fasting is not a 24-hour deal, just from Fajr, dawn to dusk, Maghrib and allows every lawful thing including mating from dusk till fajr. All these, Allah says he wants ease for us and not difficulties.
Ramadan is never a burden but blessing whose rewards, tawaab, are immeasurable. Ramadan, the Season of bounteous rewards comes with many rites and ibaadats, devotion in nawaafil of religious obligations.
That’s when our tilawaatul quran, reading in measured and regular pace and we are afforded the grace and choice of Tafsiirul quran, the exegesis, explanation of the book of Allah on a daily basis whether in our major masjids or on air with vibrant scholars offering deep insights on various aspects of life.
With Ramadan, we take seriously to taraweeh prayers popularly called Aashamu in Southwestern Nigeria, a superogatory prayer with witr, all totalling 13 rakats. Though not obligatory but it is very meritorious a practice that Muslims must cultivate as daily tahajjud because Allah encourages rising in the night, Qiyaamu-layl to offer nawaafil, commonly called Tahajjud as the night is the time that impression is most keen, prayers easily accepted.
Abdulwarees Solanke,
Lagos
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