The burner of our sins in the holiest month in Islam

AS most of Muslims know that Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and the month of fasting to celebrate the first revelation of the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and apart from being an unique spiritual time for Muslims, it also symbolizes dedication, reflection and discipline, which allow us to shield ourselves from sin through fasting.

The month (Ramadan) was named so because it is a month that burns up all our sins, so when we hear the word ‘Ramadan’, ( that is automatically related to the word in Arabic “armada, yurmidu” means ‘to burn up’).

It means, we should also associate that word with forgiveness from our Lord, just like the blazing sun evaporates melts water to evaporte from the surface of the ground, this spiritual heat purifies and molds us to be better human beings.

Ramadan which is known as the holiest month in Islam, bonds the entire Muslim ummah (community) in oneness of motive and action, uniting it in a wonderfully communal spirit of worship, piety and good deeds.

The pangs of hunger and thirst that arise as a result of complete abstention from eating, drinking, quarreling and engaging in other sins and vices from dawn to dusk during Ramadan, lead to a Muslim’s heightened consciousness of God, which cannot be achieved in any other month of the year.

No doubt, this high level of consciousness of how God is watching us, also known as “taqwa”, leads to the adoption of a more “pristine” routine and lifestyle for Muslims for the entire thirty days and nights of Ramadan, making even the most heedless of us buck up and ‘get cracking’ on some heavy doses of worship and spirituality.

This month whose, the first part of 10 days brings Allah’s mercy, in the middle it ushers in Allah’s forgiveness and the last part brings emancipation from hellfirethe mercy that is sought during the month by Muslims can be divided into 3 important areas; Receiving mercy from God, Being merciful towards others and Having mercy towards one’s self.

As we are in the middle of the first 10 days of Ramadan which are the days of Allah’s mercy, we should continue to make the best of these great days.

These dovetail into: Giving charity; A lot of people wait for the reward of the last ten days, but it is better not to delay charity even if that means giving less than you intend at the beginning so you can also catch the reward of the last days.

Allah loves those who help the ones in need and in giving charity you help your brother and yourself. There is more reward in giving charity secretly and there is still plenty of reward in giving it openly, ‘If you disclose your Sadaqah, it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you’ Keeping good relations with your family: During the first ten days, take the time to visit or call family members who you don’t often speak to, and make sure you seek forgiveness from anyone you’ve had a falling out with.

It is important for you to take the first step towards building bridges, as being close with your relatives will bring you closer to Allah, and; Encourage family to pray at night; Many of us are exhausted by fasting during Ramadan, and it can be difficult to motivate ourselves to wake up at night to pray and worship. However, encouraging our family to worship at night is an important part of seeking Allah’s mercy – and it can help us get motivated too!

The Messenger of Allah Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, ′May Allah have mercy on a man who gets up at night and prays, then he wakes up his wife and she prays, and if she refuses, he sprinkles water in her face.

And may Allah have mercy on a woman who gets up at night and prays, then she wakes her husband and prays, and if he refuses, she sprinkles water in his face’. (Sunan AnNasa’i) To show mercy to others, while seeking Allah’s mercy, it is important to remember that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ‘Whoever does not show mercy to the people, Allah will not show mercy to him’ (Tirmidhi).

This means that showing mercy to others is an essential part of seeking Allah’s mercy. Without it, you may miss out on the blessings of the first 10 days. Mercy can mean talking kindly to others, offering people your seat on the bus even when you’re fasting and, of course, giving Sadaqah to those in need out of the mercy of your heart.

Showing mercy and love to children is particularly important, as it is from the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw). In the first 10 days, why not donate a Ramadan Food Parcel to feed refugee children or those living in poverty, or begin your orphan sponsorship to support orphans who need your help.