The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. Ramadhan is one of the greatest blessings of Allah (SWT) upon the Ummah of his beloved Prophet (saw). In the Quran it is stated 'Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur'an as a guide to mankind, also Clear Signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong." (Suratul Baqara, 2:185).

This is especially an important month for muslims across the world; in an era in which we are constantly struggling with the idea of up keeping the Remembrance of Allah, due to complications of modern day life.

The Holy Prophet said 'O People! The month of Allah (SWT) has come with His mercies and blessings. This is the month that is the best of all months. Its days are the best of days, its nights are the best of nights, its hours are the best of hours'.

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said 'When there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained'. (Al-Bukhari).

In Ramadan the Ummah of the Holy Prophet is invited to receive the honours from Allah, the Merciful. Every breath taken has the reward of Tasbeeh and good deeds are rewarded in abundance. A person who does not receive the mercy and benevolence Of Allah (SWT) is most unfortunate.

Such are the blessing of this month, that Allah (SWT) declared:

• Anybody who does not annoy others in this month will be safe from His anger on the day of Judgement;
• Anybody who treats well his relatives in this month will receive the mercy of Allah on the day of Judgement.
• Whoever offers sunnah prayers in this month, will be saved from Hell.
• Whoever, in this month, offers one wajib prayer, the angels will write the rewards of seventy such prayers that were offered by him in other months.
• Whoever recites salawat often, Allah will keep the scales of his good deeds heavy
• Whoever recites in this month, only one ayat of the Holy Qur'an, he will be rewarded in a manner as if he had recited the entire Qur'an in other months.
• The Holy Prophet said 'Whoever is prevented from food that he likes, because of his fast, Allah will feed him from the food of Heaven and from its drink.

The Night of Power

A further blessing is on the evening of the 27th day of the month, when Muslims celebrate the The Night of Power (Lailat-ut Qadr) or the Night of Blessing (Lailat-ul Mubarak). It is believed that on this night the Holy Prophet first received the revelation of the Holy Qu'ran. According to the Qu'ran, this is the night when Allah determines the course of the world for the following year.

The Prophet said 'he who passes Lailat al- Qadr in prayer with faith and seeks his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.' (Bukhari and Muslim). The deed in this night is better than the rewards of deeds of 1,000 months (about 83.3 years).

The night of Power is also mentioned in the Qur'an where it is declared "Indeed We have revealed it (Qur'an) in the night of Power. And what will explain to you what the night of Power is? The night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: (they say) Peace" (continuously) till the rise of Morning!"(97:1-5)

In conclusion, the blessing of this great month of fasting are too many to be counted. Besides the countless spiritual rewards to be gained, there are great physical and mental rewards also.

The month of Ramadan teaches mankind the principle of sincere love. It equips mankind with a creative sense of hope. It indoctrinates mankind in patience, self-assurance and self-control. It is an effective lesson in willpower. Fasting also provides mankind with a transparent soul, a clear mind and a light body.

It shows mankind a new way of wise savings and sound budgeting. It originates in mankind the real spirit of social belonging, unity and brotherhood, of equality before Allah (SWT) as well as before the law. Ramadhan strengthens Taqwa, which is the belief in Allah.

So may Allah (SWT) give you the strength to gain the wealth of blessings from this holy month of Ramadhan. Amin.