Maximizing the Blessings of Ramadan: Insights into Taqwa
Ramadan is a time of incredible opportunity for Muslims to draw closer to Allah and gain ever-heightened levels of taqwa, says Imam Zaid Shakir.
Allah says in Sura al Baqara [2:183]:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
Taqwa is not just God-consciousness. It manifests in a willingness to obey Allah Most High and implement His orders. Taqwa translates into obedience. We pray that everyone increases in obedience.
As a scholar has said: “If a person can avoid those things which are lawful during the days of Ramadan only for the sake of Allah, how much easier will it be for him or her to avoid what is unlawful for an entire month or year.”
Forgiveness Is of the Fruits of Ramadan
Forgiveness is another great fruit of Ramadan. We pray that everyone is on the path of forgiveness. As the Prophet Allah bless him and give him peace, has said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan with sincere faith anticipating a reward, all their prior sins will be forgiven.”
He also said, Allah bless him and give him peace, “Whoever stands for prayer during the nights of Ramadan with sincere faith anticipating a reward, their prior sins will be forgiven.” Most scholars say their lesser sins also. But whatever the case, this is a great burden that has been lifted.
Remembrance Is Heightened and Lasting in Benefit
He also said, Allah bless him and give him peace, “Whoever remembers Allah abundantly in Ramadan will be forgiven.” Not only that, but they will also have a tremendous store of goods due to their remembrance.
One of the early Muslims mentioned that to say “Subhana Allah” one time during Ramadan is like saying it a thousand times in any other month.
Laylat al Qadr Is a Night to Remember.
During Ramadan, you should seek out the Night of Power (Laylat al Qadr). For this reason, our Prophet Allah blessed him and gave him peace, and other great Muslims spent the last ten days in vigilance from the twentieth night onward.
Ramadan is a blessed time. Try to do so if you can read the Quran once every day or night. The reward for each letter is immense. If you have the opportunity, take a vacation and spend time for and with Allah, for your Here and the Hereafter.
Those who believe are more intense in their love for Allah. Grab this opportunity to spend time near your beloved and intensify your love, insha Allah.
Imam Zaid Shakir is a board chairman, co-founder, and senior faculty member at Zaytuna College. He studied in Damascus, Syria, and in 2009, he co-founded Zaytuna College, where he now teaches Islamic law and history.
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