6 Spiritual Aspects of Ramadan

Introduction

Alhamdulillah… Infinite thanks and praises are due to the Almighty Allah, for the arrival of the month of Ramadan. I send abundant peace and blessings upon the best man who ever observed the month of Ramadan, our beloved Sayyidinā Muhammad, his household, his companions and all those who follow his guided path till end of time.

It’s Ramadan again and, we’re almost in the middle of the month. (It’s 12^th Ramadan today, 2016.) This is the spiritual aspects of Ramadan, which comes as the third parts of the “What We Need to Know About Ramadan” series. The first part discussed 10 Ramadan Essentials You Need to Know. The second discussed some 6 Practical Aspects of Ramadan. Feel free to share with us your reflections in the comments areas.

Spiritual Aspects of Ramadan

This part discusses six spiritual aspects of spiritual of Ramadan. This includes the general spiritual atmosphere during Ramadan, activities in the mosques, the last 10 days, laylatul Qadr, and carrying out abundant righteousness.

#1: Everything about Ramadan is Spiritual

Yes. Everything about Ramadan is spiritual. Are the (big) devils not chained? Yes, they are. Are the doors of paradise not opened wide? Yes, they are. Are the gates of hell not shut? Yes, they are. All this, is to motivate the Muslim to seek to return to his Lord. Because the path has been smoothened for him.

Furthermore, the spirituality of the Muslim escalates in Ramadan that Ẓuhr prayers is like a mini Friday congregation. The same thing applies to ‘Aṣr. In fact, Fajr prayers is like tarāwīḥ or tahajjud due to the crowd one can observe in the mosques.

Moreover, we give up our desires for Allah. We give up our time for Allah. We give out our money for Allah. We sacrifice our likes for Allah’s. During daytime, we are conformed with numerous restrictions. All these restrictions drop at night time. Yet, we’re enjoined to engage in lots of prayers and supplications. This engages us in more spirituality. And that enhances the spiritual quality in Muslims as individuals.

The spiritual nature of Ramadan is to the extent that, everyone feels safe. The fearful feels safe. The unsecured finds security. The hungry is fed. The lonely and anxious finds strength, company and solace. These feelings are felt, not only by Muslims. It’s felt; even by non-Muslims.

When we feel that way, we also see how others feel by what they do in Ramadan. Among other activities, the mosques are filled up.

#2: The Mosques are Filled Up

If you want to be spiritual, be punctual to the mosques. Longing for the time to go the mosque is an indication of a strong faith. No doubt, when Ramadan arrives, the mosques are filled with more congregants, because the spiritual level in the hearts of the Muslim heightens, in a way that he finds his comfort more, when he’s in the mosque.

This phenomenon is only seen during the month of Ramadan. The question is: Are you one of those who fill the mosques during Ramadan? If your answer is ‘yes,’ then ‘Good job! Keep it up!’ If your answer is ‘no,’ then I have to say: you’re losing a lot. Please don’t allow yourself to be left out. Because if you don’t fill the mosque with your presence, others are already doing. Who’s the loser, then?

We don’t do that alone. We should take our kids along to the mosque when circumstances allow. But, we should also ensure we keep them with us once in the mosque. In other words, if you take them with you, ensure they pray, not play. There’s no harm to take a child with you to the first rows, so long as he will pray and will not disturb other congregants. If we can’t ensure they will behave when they’re in our company, in the first rows (or in the mosque), then, how can we ensure their good conduct when we leave them with other kids at the back or in the corridors of the mosque?

Parents, please don’t leave your kids alone, else, they turn the mosque into a playground, while the Jamā‘ah are in prayers.

#3: Tarawih is Like Jumu'ah Congregations

The next in line among the spiritual aspects of Ramadan is the crowd in Tarāwīḥ. Tarāwīḥ is one of the symbols of the month of Ramadan, but it’s not part of the fasting activity. The Muslim is highly encouraged to seize the opportunity of Ramadan, and offer as much of Tarāwīḥ prayers he can. However, if for a reason or another, one is not able to observe some nights of Tarāwīḥ or even any of it, his Ramadan, I mean his fasting, remains valid, as long as he fulfils the requirements of fasting and does not break any of the conditions pertaining to fasting. You may want to know how to make utmost use of your Tarāwīḥ. Check out this article to find out more.

This is to say, taking our Tarāwīḥ seriously is one of the means we attain more spirituality in the month of Ramadan.

#4: The Last 10 Days and Laylatul Qadr

One of the most spiritual nights of the entire month of Ramadan is Laylatul Qadr. In 6 Virtues We Must Attain in Ramadan, I’ve indicated the importance of preparing for Laylatul Qadr in advance. Due to the importance of the night, the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam would hike his ‘ibādah in the last 10 nights of Ramadan, so to not miss it. In other words, the last 10 days and nights of Ramadan are significant due to laylatul Qadr. And this makes it significant among the spirituals aspects of Ramadan. In a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhārī and Muslim, Sayyidatunā ‘Āishah raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhā said:

“When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, Rasūlullāh ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship.”

Furthermore, the night carries abundant blessings. But these blessings are awarded only to those who prepare for them. The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said in a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhārī and Muslim from the narration of Sayyidunā Abā Hurayrah raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu:

“Whosoever performs (coincides) Qiyām during the Laylatul Qadr, out of faith and in the hope of reward [from Allah], his previous sins will be forgiven.”

In short, Laylatul Qadr (Laylah al-Qadr) is one of the highly spiritual nights a Muslim, who is keen about his Ramadan can’t afford to miss. That makes the 10 days and nights of Ramadan the most spiritual part of Ramadan.

It’s worth indicating here, that the last 10 nights is not always 10 nights. It could be 9. This is depending on whether the month end at 30 days or 29 days. Therefore, our observation of Laylatul Qadr should begin after fasting 20 days of Ramadan, not after fasting 19 days.

#5: We’re Encouraged to Be More Righteous in Ramadan

To attain more spirituality in Ramadan, we should extend our righteousness by emulating the Prophet’s noble characters during the month of Ramadan. When Ramadan arrived, he would read the Qur’an more than he used to do. He would also live it in his actions.

Unarguably, the Muslim is expected to be righteous wherever he is and in whatever situation he finds himself. However, as a result of our human nature which is embedded in us, there come some times when we really need a boost in motivation, in order to be righteous.

The month of Ramadan is just one of those good occasions to be righteous, I mean to be more righteous. It’s also the month, in which we seek to be more generous. This, indeed, was demonstrated by our role model, Habībī Rasūlullāh. He used to be generous in his normal times. But when Ramadan arrived, he would become more generous than the free wind. In a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhārī and Muslim, Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu said:

The Prophet, ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was the most generous of the people and he was even more generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibrīl visited him. Jibrīl, ‘alayhi al-salām, would meet with him every night of Ramadan until the end of the month and the Prophet would recite the Qur’an to Jibrīl. When Jibrīl met him, he would be more generous than a free-blowing wind bringing rain

In the 8 Secret for a More Rewarding Ramadan, you’ll read that, righteousness goes beyond just giving material possessions. In fact, sometimes, in our inability to give materially, we can be more generous with some simple gestures of kindness. This may be a simple but a sincere smile. It may also be picking up something harmful off the road. It could also be being considerate in the queue. Many are the examples of generosity, which I believe you know more than I do, whether with material possessions or without.

By extending our righteousness, we’re strengthening and widening our spiritual aspects of Ramadan.

#6: Du‘ā Should Be Intensified in Ramadan

In order to attain more spirituality in Ramadan, we’re enjoined to make lots of du‘ā during the fasting month of Ramadan. This is although du‘ā is encouraged in all our situations. The month of Ramadan is one of the special seasons, or periods of the year, for the Muslim to seize to intensify his du’ā.

When du’ā is mentioned, the first thought that, perhaps, comes to mind is fulfilment of material needs. There’s nothing wrong with that; to make du‘ā just to ask for material possession. In fact, that’s one’s of the reasons why we should invoke Allah. But du‘ā is also practised to strengthen the bond that exists between Allah the Almighty, and man the slave.

The Muslim can ask from Allah as many worldly possessions he desires, but he should remember to ask similarly for his eternal affairs. In other words, we shouldn’t deal with Allah the way we deal with the emergency department of the hospital. We only call for help when we are in urgent need. Instead, we should deal with Allah in our times of ease and happiness like we do in our times of difficulties. With that, our life becomes full of happiness and contentment despite challenges here and there, from time to time.

Ramadan is a season of spirituality. You devote your fast for Allah. Do tie this devotion (fasting) with abundant du’ā, and see how you’re going to come out, at the end of Ramadan.

You can invoke Allah using the language of your convenience and comfort. If you can’t invoke Him in your own words, then the best du’ās you can use to invoke Him are those found in the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam. This is because those du‘ās were either said by some chosen Prophets or by somes chosen servants (awaliyā’) of Allah. Either way, there’re some 7 Du‘ās You Should Know by All Means. Check them out for some inspirations.

Conclusion

Those were some spiritual aspects of Ramadan, which I believe you should know. If you already know them (and that is my assumption), please forward this article to whom may find it beneficial.

Our next article from the “What we need to know about Ramadan” series will be a discussion on the virtues of Ramadan, inshā Allah. To receive it delivered right to your inbox, click here to sign up for updates from GSalam.Net.

Allah knows best.
Allahu Hafiz 🙂