بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

The Arrival of Ramadan — In the Light of Hadith

“Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: ‘When Ramadan arrives, the gates of the heavens are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.’” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

The month of fasting is the month in which the Quran was revealed; a month of Allah Ta‘ala’s special mercy and blessings; a month of patience; a month of mutual goodwill; a month of entering Jannah and attaining freedom from Hell. It is a global season of worship for Muslims throughout the world—filled with dhikr (remembrance of Allah), reflection, recitation of the Quran, voluntary prayers, charity, and every form of عبادت (worship). From this spiritual springtime, every Muslim benefits according to his level of iman (faith) and taqwa (God-consciousness), gaining peace for the heart and comfort for the eyes.

Whoever wishes to truly witness this global season of worship should observe it in the blessed nights and days of this sacred month at the honorable House—Baytullah Sharif. During the day, gatherings of remembrance, circles of Quran recitation, sessions of learning rulings and مسائل, and crowds of devoted worshippers performing tawaf can be seen. At night, the spiritually uplifting and faith-nourishing scenes of Qiyam al-Layl stir even the hearts of the most sinful people, awakening within them a longing for worship.

In the last ten days of Ramadan (from the twentieth to the thirtieth), the presence of devoted seekers in the Haram Sharif multiplies its radiance. Imagine the vast courtyards of Al-Masjid al-Haram, its upper levels and rooftops—all filled to capacity, with not a space left to stand. In the calm and silent moments of the late night, before one stands the majestic structure of Baytullah draped in its black silk covering, under the open sky. One reflects upon Allah Rabb al-‘Alamin manifesting His mercy upon the lowest heaven. In this spiritually illuminating atmosphere of divine نور and تجلیات, when the Imam of the Haram recites the Quran, it feels as though the revelation is descending anew. The deeply moving and sorrow-filled voice of the Imam of the Ka‘bah resonates as if it is piercing the heavens and knocking directly at the Divine Throne.

Supplication:
O our Lord! Do not place upon us a burden that we do not have the strength to bear. Forgive our sins, pardon us, and have mercy upon us. You alone are our Master; grant us victory over the disbelievers. O our Lord! Grant us the rewards You promised through Your Messengers, and do not disgrace us on the Day of Judgment. Indeed, You do not break Your promise.

O Allah! Grant us such fear of You that it becomes a barrier between us and sins.

At the occasion of the completion of the Quran, when the Imam of the Haram stands with hands raised in supplication before Allah, the entire Haram becomes immersed in sighs and sobs. The voice of the Imam—filled with humility and خشوع (deep reverence), soaked in tears—echoes intermittently.

O Allah, our Lord! Do not return us disappointed and deprived. In that state of spiritual absorption, supplications are made for oneself and one’s family, for Muslims across the world, for the mujahidin of Islam, and for the leaders of Muslim lands.

This passion for worship and these states of iman are all connected to this very springtime of devotion. By His grace, Allah Kareem has once again granted us the opportunity to benefit from the blessings of this blessed month. May Allah Ta‘ala grant us the ability (tawfiq) to fully benefit from its blessings. Ameen