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The Path to Ramadan: Reflections on Shaaban’s Blessings

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The Path to Ramadan: Reflections on Shaaban’s Blessings

 

As we enter the often-unnoticed month of Shaaban, let us remember its special significance. Our beloved Messenger ﷺ said, “Shaban is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting” (Sunan an-Nasa’i).

As Shaaban leads us to Ramadan, it’s critical to remember those in need who lack food and water to break their fast. The Prophet used to fast in Shaaban more than in any other month to prepare his heart and mind for Ramadan. As Aisha, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ, mentioned, “I never saw the Messenger of Allah fast for a complete month except for Ramadan, and I never saw him do more fasting in any one month than he did in Shaaban” (Bukhari).

Ramadan serves three fundamental purposes, as outlined in Surah Al-Baqarah. These purposes become the guiding principles of Ramadan:

  1. Taqwa (God-consciousness): “Oh you who believe, fasting was prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on those before you so that you may be God-conscious.” Quran [2:183]
  2. Shukr (Thankfulness): “Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.” Quran [2:185]
  3. Rushd (Right Guidance): “I answer the prayer of every suppliant when he calls Me; therefore, they should respond to Me and put their trust in Me, so that they may be rightly guided” Quran [2:186].

These themes—Taqwa, Shukr, and Rushd—are essential for us to understand and develop familiarity with during Ramadan. Fasting allows us to pause and reassess our lives, aligning our souls with the reality that Allah is the only truth (Al-Haq). This awareness helps us to be conscious of Allah and His presence in our lives.

Ramadan is a time to awaken and become conscious of who we are. It is an opportunity to shift our focus from worldly matters to the ultimate truth. The Quran, revealed during this month, serves as a source of guidance and healing, giving us an identity rooted in the book of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ exemplified this as the walking Quran.

During Ramadan, the heavens are open, and mercy and forgiveness are abundant. As our beloved Prophet ﷺ said, “The gates of paradise are opened, the gates of Jahannam are locked, and the devils are chained.” (Bukhari and Muslim). When we realize who Allah is and become aware of Him, we naturally become thankful. As Ibn Qayyum said, “If you know Him, you will love Him, and if you love Him, you will worship Him without a doubt”. We should devote ourselves to His worship and consider when we last had a sincere conversation with Allah about our situations. Allah responds to those who call upon Him, encouraging us to believe in Him and achieve God-consciousness.

The night of the 15th of Shaaban, a time of forgiveness, is near, when Allah looks upon His creation and grants forgiveness. The prophet ﷺ said, “When it is the 15th night of Sha’ban, Allah SWT turns to His creation. He forgives the believers and grants respite to the disbelievers, but He leaves the people of malice as they are until they abandon their malice” (Al-Tabarani). To receive Allah’s forgiveness, we must purify our hearts from hatred and anger towards our family and community.

Let us embrace the sacred month of Ramadan with humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of purpose, striving to embody Taqwa, Shukr, and Rushd. May Allah make us among the God-conscious, the grateful, and the rightly guided.

 

By Imam Basheer Abdeen

Jan 31, 2025

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