Ramadan: A Journey of Spiritual Liberation and Divine Mercy
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, which Allah has enjoined you to fast. In it the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and every devil is chained up. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived” (Sunan an-Nasa’i).
Ramadan is a manifestation of divine beauty and love upon Allah’s servants. As we approach this sacred month, we should feel a profound sense of awe and inspiration at Allah’s generosity. Ramadan is not merely a time for fasting, praying, and reading the Quran; it is an opportunity to deepen our spiritual connection with Allah, embracing the profound love and beauty that this month offers.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “(Allah says) Fasting is for Me and I shall reward for it. The fasting person rejoices twice: when he breaks his fast and the day when he meets his Lord. And the smell that comes from the mouth of the fasting person is better before Allah than the fragrance of musk.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i). This hadith reminds us that Allah cares about even the smallest details of our lives—such as our breath. He acknowledges that leaving our desires is not easy and that our breath while fasting may be unpleasant to others, yet it signifies our sacrifice and dedication to Him.
Allah tells us that Ramadan is the month when He sent down the guidance He chose for us, showing us how to live. Although many paths and choices exist in life, Allah assures us that His way is in our best interest. The Quran offers beautiful guidance, demonstrating how to practice self-discipline and rise above self-indulgence. We see this modeled by the Prophet ﷺ, who remained loving and compassionate no matter how challenging his circumstances.
Through Ramadan, Allah empowers us to overcome our lower nafs (the part of ourselves inclined toward wrongdoing) each day. This is the ultimate liberation because our worst enemy is often our own base desires. Allah’s mercy and love shine through acts of worship, which help us transcend our limitations and discover our true potential. We may doubt our ability to become better people—perhaps recalling that past Ramadans didn’t match our expectations—but Allah reassures us that He desires ease for us, not hardship.
If we fast during Ramadan with belief and submission, trusting in Allah and embracing His love, He promises to forgive all our sins. As our beloved Prophet ﷺ said, “He who fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; he who prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven; and he who passes Laylat al-Qadr [Night of Decree] in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven” (Bukhari and Muslim).
Every night in Ramadan, Allah saves people from the Hellfire and grants immeasurable rewards for their worship. The Prophet ﷺ said, “At every breaking of the fast, Allah has people whom He frees (from the Fire), and that happens every night” (Sunan Ibn Majah). As we anticipate this blessed month, let us do so with humility, hope, and the best opinion of Allah. Leave past shortcomings behind—do not let them sour your experience. Never doubt Allah’s mercy or His desire to lighten your burdens.
By Imam Basheer Abdeen