RAMADHAN BOOKLET

The virtues of fasting in general and of Ramadan in particular

There are many virtues of Ramadan and fasting expressed in the Qur'an and in the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet sallaAllahualaihiwasallam. If only one of these virtues was told to us it would have been enough motivation to perfect our fasting seeking that reward and the pleasure of Allah, but it is again from the mercy of Allah that He taught us many virtues of fasting so that we get encouraged even more. I will focus mainly on the virtues of forgiveness, salvation from Hell fire and reward of Paradise, but before that I shall mention few other virtues that are not less important than the latter.

Allah says [meaning]: "O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for people before you so that you will (learn how to) attain Taqwa" [al-Baqarah, 2:183]

Indeed the person who has attained Taqwa has attained excellence in the worship of her Lord. In many Ayat of the Qur'an Allah says that the reward of the people of Taqwa is Paradise. This topic of Taqwa shall be the subject of one of the coming issues of Al-Mu'minah. We will just mention here two ayat in regard of the success of the people of Taqwa and their reward with Paradise.

What is ramadhan ?
Ramadan (Arabic: Raman, IPA: [rm dn];[variations] Persian: Ramazn; Urdu: Ramzn; Turkish: Ramazan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar;[1] Muslims worldwide observe this as a month of fasting.[2][3] This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.[4] The month lasts 2930 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in hadiths.[5][6] The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramida or ar-

ramad, which means scorching heat or dryness.[7] Fasting isfardh (obligatory) for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, travelling, pregnant, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding.[8]