Shaykh ‘AbdulAziz Bin Baz رحمه الله
Translated by Ustādh Dr. ‘Abdulilah Lahmami
It has been authentically reported that the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to give glad tiding to the companions with the coming of the month of Ramadan. He used tell them that it is a month whereby the doors of mercy and paradise are opened. Likewise, the doors of the hell-fire closed and devils chained. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “On the first night of Ramadan, the doors of paradise are opened and no doors from it are closed. The doors of hell-fire are closed and no door from it opened and the devils are chained. A callers calls ‘O one seeking good come forward (to do good), O one seeking evil withhold’. There are those that are freed by Allaah from the hell-fire every night.”[1]
Also he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “The month of Ramadan has come upon you, the month of blessing, which Allaah blesses you immensely with, so mercy descends and sins omitted and He answers supplications…”[1]
He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also said, “Whoever fasts Ramadan with true faith and seeking reward from Allaah then his previous sins forgiven (minor unless tawbah is made for the major sins).”[2]
“Whoever stands in prayer in Ramadan with true faith and seeking reward from Allaah then his previous sins forgiven (minor unless tawbah is made for the major sins).”[3]
“Whoever stands and observes the night of power with true faith and seeking reward from Allaah then his previous sins forgiven (minor unless tawbah is made for the major sins)”[4]
Allaah says, “All of the actions of the children of Adam are for him and a reward for good deeds (that he does) is multiplied ten-fold to 700 times except for fasting for it is for Me and I reward it, he leaves his desires, food and drink for My sake. The fasting person has two times where he is happy, happiness when he breaks his fast and happiness when meeting his Lord (for the reward). The smell of the fasting
person’s breath is better in the sight of Allaah than the smell of musk.”[5]
The ahadeeth regarding the virtues of fasting in the month of Ramadan and standing in prayer during it are many. So it is a must for the believer to take this opportunity which is from Allaah in reaching this month of Ramadan rushing to be obedient and keeping away from evil deeds.
It is obligatory upon the Muslim to protect his fast and his standing in the (night) prayer from falling into that which Allaah forbade in terms of statements and actions. This is because what is intended by the fast is the obedience to Allaah and respecting and honouring His sanctuary, striving with oneself upon opposing its desires in obeying its Protector, to get the soul used to patience from what Allaah forbade and not to just leave off food, drink and rest of the things that spoil one’s fast. It is authentically reported that, “fasting is a shield.”[6]
[1] [Taken from Mawsuu’a Shaykh ‘AbdulAziz Bin Baz Vol.1 p.478,479 ]
[2] [Saheeh Sunan At-Tirmidhi no.549]
[3] [Ahmed and Saheeh Sunan Nisaa’i no.1992 and Saheeh Targheeb wa Tarheeb no. 985]
[4] [Saheeh al-Bukhaari no.1901 and Muslim no.760]
[5] [Sunan Abi Dawood no.1371]
[6] [Saheeh al-Bukhaari no.1901]
[7] [Saheeh Muslim no.1151]
[8] [Saheeh Muslim]