From Abu Hurairah (narrated) that the Messenger of Allah. Said: When the month of Ramadan has entered, the gates of heaven are opened, and the gates of hell are closed, and Satan is chained (HR. Al-Bukhari).
We give thanks to the presence of Allah SWT because we are reunited with the month of Ramadan. There are many lessons that we can gain in this holy month.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is an obligation established by Allah for His faithful servants. The word of Allah SWT in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 183 mentions the commitment to fast during Ramadan. “O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you-so perhaps you will become mindful ‘of Allah’.” (Q.S. Al-Baqarah: 183).
Regarding the month of Ramadan, MUI Chairman K.H. Cholil Nafis stated that the month of Ramadan is a barometer of a Muslim’s faith. How someone welcomes Ramadan can show the condition of their faith, whether good or fragile. “If we feel happy, it means our faith is good. If we feel sad, while it is still Sya’ban, “If you are satisfied with your food, it means that your faith is weak,” said K.H. Cholil Nafis as quoted by Republika.
He added that it is essential for Muslims to follow the tarhib of Ramadhan and echo it in society. The goal is for the faith of every Muslim to increase and for them to be happy when welcoming Ramadhan.
In the month of Ramadan, people are expected to be busier doing good than doing sinful things. This is why they can enter heaven and its gates. While the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained, this is what makes it easy for someone to stay away from sins at that time.
Ramadhan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and decisive authority. So, whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ‘let them fast’ an equal number of days ‘after Ramadhan.’ 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.” (Q.S. Al-Baqarah: 185).
Al-Imam Ibn Kathir Rohimahulloh explained: (In this noble verse) Allah SWT. Praise the month of fasting, namely the month of Ramadan, rather than other months. Allah praises this because this month is when Allah has chosen the month in which the Qur’an was revealed, rather than other months. Likewise, in this month of Ramadan, Allah has revealed other Divine books (namely the Samamiyyah books) to The Prophet sallallaahu’ alaihi wa sallam.
Apart from that, Ramadan is the month in which the devils are shackled, the gates of hell are closed, and the gates of heaven are opened. The Prophet sallallaahu’ alaihi wa sallam said: “When Ramadan arrives, the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of hell are closed, and the devils are chained.”
Al-Imam Al-Qodhi’ Iyadh Rohimahulloh explained that the above hadith can mean that the opening of the doors of heaven and the closing of the doors of hell and the shackles of the devils is a sign of the entry of the month of Ramadan and the glory of that month.
The virtues of Ramadan
The virtues of the month of Ramadan, as explained in the book Understanding Hisab Muhammadiyah and Guide to Worship for the Month of Ramadan, include firstly, people who fast Ramadan with full awareness of faith and hope in Allah and do it seriously and take care of themselves as they should have their sins forgiven.
From Abu Hurairah (it was narrated that), he said: Rasulullah SAW. has said: Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan with full awareness of faith and hope (in Allah) will have his past sins forgiven (HR. al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Second, whoever fasts during Ramadan will have his reward multiplied infinitely by Allah if it is carried out sincerely and earnestly.
From Abu Hurairah r.a. (it is reported that), he said: Rasulullah SAW. said: Allah Ta’ala said: Every deed of the son of Adam (human) is for himself, and the reward of good is multiplied tenfold to seven hundredfold, except fasting. He is for me, and I am the one who will repay him (with no limitations). The person who fasts gives up food and lust for Me and gives up drink and lust for Me. So, fasting is for Me, and I reward it (HR. AdDarimi).
The meaning of the hadith above is that every act of worship done with full faith and sincerity and by avoiding major sins will have its reward multiplied between ten and seven hundred times. Except for fasting, where if done with full faith and sincerity and preventing major sins, Allah immediately multiplies the reward without limit. This is the primacy of fasting over other acts of charity.
This is because fasting has an element of hard struggle, namely controlling oneself from all temptations and desires, which can lead a person to various actions that are detrimental and contrary to propriety.
Third, fast people get two joys: the worldly pleasure of breaking the fast and the spiritual joy of meeting Allah in the hereafter.
From Abu Hurairah, from The Prophet sallallaahu’ alaihi wa sallam (that) he said: The person who fasts has two joys: joy when breaking the fast and joy when facing his Lord, the Almighty, the Most Glorious (HR. Ahmad).
Fourth, people who fast for just one day in the way of Allah will be kept away from the fire of hell for 70 years. From Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri r.a. (it is narrated that), he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah. said: Whoever fasts one day in the way of Allah, Allah will keep him away from hell for seventy years (HR. Muslim).
Fifth, fast people will be privileged to enter heaven through a unique door in the afterlife. From Sahl r.a., from The Prophet sallallaahu’ alaihi wa sallam. (it is reported that) he said: Indeed, in heaven there is a door called ar-Rayyan, through which fasting people enter heaven on the day of judgment. No one passed the door but them. In the afterlife, a summons will be made: Where are the people who fasted? Then they stood up (and entered heaven), and no one entered through that door. The door was closed when they entered so that no one could enter through it. (Compiled from various sources)
