The blessed month of Ramadan is one of the greatest and most virtuous months of the year, during which the doors of divine mercy and forgiveness are opened to the servants of Allah. This month holds a high status in Islam, and numerous virtues have been attributed to it. Below, we highlight some of the most important virtues of this month:
1. The Month of Quran Revelation
One of the greatest virtues of Ramadan is the revelation of the Holy Quran during this blessed month. The Quran, being a book of guidance and mercy, makes this month special and filled with blessings. The Almighty Allah says: «شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِی أُنزِلَ فِیهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَیِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ» Translation: “The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed—a guidance for mankind, with clear proofs of guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).” [Al-Baqarah: 185]
2. The Revelation of Other Divine Scriptures
The virtue of Ramadan is not limited to the revelation of the Quran; rather, other divine scriptures were also revealed in this blessed month. Allama Muhammad Umar Sarbazi (MABH) stated: “The virtue of Ramadan is not solely due to the revelation of the Quran; other divine scriptures were also revealed to the prophets in this month.”
A narration from the Prophet (PBUH), recorded in Musnad Ahmad and Al-Mu’jam Al-Tabarani, states: “The scriptures of Ibrahim were revealed on the first night of Ramadan, the Torah on the sixth, the Gospel on the thirteenth, the Psalms on the eighteenth, and the Holy Quran on the twenty-fourth.” [Tafsir Tabyeen Al-Furqan: 4/89]
3. The Opening of the Gates of Mercy and the Closing of the Gates of Hell
With the arrival of Ramadan, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained. This unique feature signifies the greatness and mercy of this month. The Messenger of Allah (SWT) says: «إِذَا جَاءَ رَمَضَانُ، فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ، وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ النَّارِ، وَصُفِّدَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ» Translation: “When the month of Ramadan arrives, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” [Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2, p. 758]
Therefore, this month is a golden opportunity for repentance and returning to Allah.
4. Laylat al-Qadr – A Night Better Than a Thousand Months
One of the greatest virtues of Ramadan is the presence of Laylat al-Qadr, a night in which worship is superior to that of a thousand months. The Almighty Allah says: «لَیْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَیْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ» Translation: “The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand months.” [Surah Al-Qadr: 3]
This night is an unparalleled opportunity to attain divine forgiveness and mercy. Fortunate indeed is those who fully benefit from these precious moments.
5. Fasting – A Shield Against the Fire of Hell
Fasting in Ramadan is not only a practice of self-restraint but also a shield that protects a person from the fire of Hell. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: «الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ» Translation: “Fasting is a shield.” [Sunan an-Nisa’i, no. 2229] This hadith shows the high position of fasting in protecting one’s faith and avoiding divine punishment.
6. Acceptance of Prayers and Answering Needs
The month of Ramadan is a time when prayers are answered, and Allah (SWT) has promised to accept the prayers of His servants in this month. The Prophet (PBUH) said: «إِنَّ لِلصَّائِمِ عِنْدَ فِطْرِهِ دَعْوَةً لَا تُرَدُّ» Translation: “Indeed, for the fasting person, there is a supplication that is not rejected at the time of breaking the fast.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 1, p. 557]
This hadith illustrates that Allah answers the supplications of the fasting person at the time of breaking the fast.
7. Increased Reward for Good Deeds
One of the special features of this month is that the reward for good deeds is multiplied many times over. Allah rewards fasting without reckoning. The Prophet (PBUH) said: «كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ، إِلَّا الصِّيَامَ، فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ» Translation: “All the deeds of the son of Adam are for himself, except fasting; for it is for Me, and I alone will reward it.” [Musnad Ahmad, vol. 13, p. 126]
This hadith highlights the greatness of fasting and the immense reward it offers from the Lord.
8. A Great Reward for Feeding Those Who Fast
One of the virtuous deeds in the month of Ramadan is providing iftar for those who are fasting, which carries immense reward. The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said: «مَنْ فَطَّرَ صَائِمًا كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِهِ، غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ شَيْئًا» Translation: “Whoever provides iftar for a fasting person will have a reward equal to his, without anything being diminished from the reward of the fasting person.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhi, vol. 3, p. 162]
Even with a single date, one can partake in this immense reward.
9. The Month of Patience and Piety
The month of Ramadan is a school for nurturing the soul, patience, and piety. Fasting leads a person toward self-restraint and closeness to Allah. The Noble Qur’an states: «يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ» Translation: “O you who have believed! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain piety.” [Al-Baqarah: 183]
Fasting purifies the soul and cleanses the heart from sins.
10. Entering Paradise Without Reckoning Through the Gate of Rayyan
Fasting individuals will receive a special reward on the Day of Judgment, as they will enter Paradise through a unique gate called Rayyan. The Prophet (PBUH) said: «إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ بَابًا يُقَالُ لَهُ: الرَّيَّانُ، يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ الصَّائِمُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، لَا يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ» Translation: “Indeed, in Paradise, there is a gate called Rayyan. On the Day of Judgment, those who fast will enter through it, and no one else will enter through it.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, vol. 2, 671]
