NHIEC - North Hudson Islamic Educational Center

The month of Ramadan is the best season for offering good deeds and gaining reward. It is the duty of every Muslim to prepare him/herself for that blessed month.

The month of Ramadan is highly honored by Allah, His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as well as Muslims throughout generations.

In the Qur’an, Allah mentions Ramadan by name and refers to it in different verses. Allah Almighty says:

(The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that peradventure ye may be thankful.) (Al-Baqarah 2: 185)

So, the month of Ramadan is the month of Qur’an, fasting, Remembrance of Allah, `Itikaf, visiting Muslims, getting your heart ready to receive the light of this month.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say these words when the month of Sha`ban draws to a close: "O Muslims! A noble and generous month has come to you. A month in which a night is better than one thousand months, and this month is the month of charity, patience, and mercy. In this month the gates of Paradise become wide open and the gates of Hell are shut, and the devils are chained…â€‌ (Reported by An-Nasa'i)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) urged us to fast, not only from food and drink, but also to refrain from any bad behavior, whether it is against one’s self, the society or the humanity at large.

Had the Muslims really know the status of Ramadan in Allah's Sight, they would wish if the whole year is Ramadan.