Receiving Glad Tidings of the Month of Ramadhaan

The Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to give the glad tidings of the advent of Ramadhaan to his Companions. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to tell his Companions the good news of the onset of Ramadhaan, saying:

 “There has come to you Ramadhaan, a blessed month. Allah has made it obligatory on you to fast (this month). During it, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the devils are chained up. In it there is a night that is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is deprived indeed.” [Reported by Ahmad and An-Nasaa’i]

Mu’alla ibn Al-Fadhl, may Allah have mercy upon him, said that the righteous predecessors used to call upon Allah The Almighty for six months [to lengthen their lives] until they reached Ramadhaan, then they would call on Him the other six months to accept it [their acts of worship] from them. Yahya ibn Abu Katheer, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, “The supplication of the righteous predecessors used to be,” “O Allah, keep me safe until Ramadhaan, and make Ramadhaan faultless for me, and secure it for me as an accepted (month of virtue).”

The righteous predecessors used to receive Ramadhaan by increasing the recitation of the Quran following the example of the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, who used to review the Quran with Jibreel, may Allah exalt his mention, during this month.

They used to find indescribable sweetness in their hearts during this blessed month, which strengthens one's faith and longing for meeting The Merciful.

Today, many people prepare for Ramadhaan by buying special varieties of food and drinks, indulging in immorality, watching TV serials, and participating in other social evils. On the contrary, we must prepare for this exceptional month by repenting sincerely to Allah The Almighty and determining to take account of ourselves, and fight evil whims and desires.

How beautiful it would be to fast during the month of Ramadhaan as if this were the last chance for you to fast! The believer should realize that when he dies he will either rejoice at a good deed he has done or be filled with remorse over a good deed he has postponed.

Indeed, the Muslim is required to obey Allah The Almighty at all times, but he should multiply his efforts in the seasons of virtue such as the month of Ramadhaan. There is no doubt that fasting as many days as possible during the month of Sha’baan is the best way to prepare for the advent of Ramadhaan.

It is common knowledge that the actual preparation for Ramadhaan starts with making a purified and good intention – and there is no time like the present. Thus, if we reach the month of Ramadhaan by the bounty of Allah The Almighty, we will convert our intentions into good deeds and acts of worship. However, if we die before the advent of the month, then our intentions would be better than our deeds, for the Muslim will be in a good state as long as he does good deeds and intends to do more good deeds.

We supplicate to Allah The Almighty to guide us and to lengthen our lives until we reach this blessed month. We also ask Him to help us fast and perform the night prayer during it in the best manner possible.