The Role of Prayer in Maximizing the Blessings of Ramadan
The holy month of Ramadan holds great significance in Islam. While it is mostly associated with fasting, there are many other reasons why it is a blessed month. Ramadan allows us to reflect deeply on our faith and relationship with our Lord (SWT).
Fasting specifically teaches us self-restraint as we gain the ability to control our basic human urges. It elevates us from humans with simple needs and wants to individuals who are driven to achieve a better life in the Hereafter. We learn to deny and postpone earthly pleasures, choosing instead to make Allah (SWT) content with us.
The month of Ramadan brings with it numerous blessings. Allah (SWT) and the Holy Prophet (SAW) have commanded us to pray as much as we can during the holy month. There are special prayers that are offered exclusively in the month of Ramadan. Let us examine how prayer can help us acquire maximum blessings throughout the month, but first, it is important to learn why Allah (SWT) chose Ramadan as a holy month.
The Significance of the Month of Ramadan
Ramadan brings with it many blessings because it is the month chosen by Allah (SWT). Fasting throughout the month is obligatory for Muslims. Allah (SWT) says in the holy Quran:
“O believers, fasting is enjoined on you as it was on those before you, so that you might become righteous.” [2:183]
The selection of Ramadan is explained in the Surah al-Baqarah after the verse quoted above, as Allah (SWT) declares the following:
“Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as guidance to man and clear proof of the guidance, and criterion (of falsehood and truth). So when you see the new moon you should fast the whole month; but a person who is ill or travelling (and fails to do so) should fast on other days, as God wishes ease and not hardship for you, so that you complete the (fixed) number (of fasts), and give glory to God for the guidance, and be grateful.” [2:185]
The Holy Book holds immense significance. It is not just a guide for Muslims; it is an immutable miracle bestowed upon the Holy Prophet (SAW). Ramadan is the month in which Allah (SWT) sent the first as well as the final revelation to the Holy Prophet (SAW). This is why we must honor the Holy Quran during Ramadan specifically.
Regarding the month Hazrat Abu Huraira (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated the following tradition:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Hadith 122]
It is also the month in which the Night of Power or Laylat-ul-Qadr occurs. Praying on this night is more rewarding than praying every day for thousands of months. Allah (SWT) designated the special night since the companions of the Holy Prophet (SAW) used to question him how they could gain Allah’s (SWT) favor above those who came before them when the lifespans of current humans are far shorter than those who came before. Allah (SWT) solved the problem through Laylat-ul-Qadr.
Praying to Maximize Blessings in Ramadan
We can pray in various ways to fully benefit from the holy month and gather as many blessings as possible. Some of these are as follows:
Offering the Obligatory Prayers
Salah is obligatory, which means that not offering all five daily prayers earns us the displeasure of Allah (SWT); however, offering them gains Allah (SWT)’s pleasure. Additionally, in Ramadan, the reward for any good deed, including salah, is increased manifold.
So, being regular and punctual in our prayers during Ramadan is a great way to get into the habit of praying salah regularly. To help you with punctuality you can, you can check out prayer timings in your location online. Many free resources are available that provide accurate prayer timings, and you can even download mobile applications to get timely notifications so you never miss a prayer.
Give Charity
Giving charity to the needy is also a form of worship. Allah (SWT) has prescribed obligatory almsgiving in the form of Zakat. Many Muslims give zakat, especially during Ramadan, because, as mentioned above, the reward for any good deed is multiplied during the holy month.
Even if you are not able to give the entire amount of zakat in Ramadan, since there is a precise way to compute the amount, you can always give sadaqah. The beauty of this type of charity is that it can take any form. Feeding someone is sadaqah, and so is teaching someone a skill you possess.
Charity to help others is an act of kindness. By helping others, we earn Allah’s (SWT) pleasure, and the rewards are magnified when charity is given by the individual who is fasting.
Pray Taraweeh
Taraweeh prayers are exclusive to Ramadan. Every night of the sacred month, Muslims offer extra prayers. These prayers are unique as they are offered in the congregation. They consist of 8, 12, or 20 rakahs, with believers praying the total rakahs in sets of two rakahs.
The special aspect of Taraweeh prayers is the recitation of the Holy Quran. The entire Quran is completed throughout the Taraweeh prayers in Ramadan. This is a beautiful way to honor the Quran, the holy Book sent down in the month of Ramadan.
Recitation of the Holy Quran
Since Ramadan is the month in which Allah (SWT) sent down the Holy Quran, it is only fitting that we recite as much of the Holy Book as possible. Many people try to recite the Quran at least once during the month.
Reading the Quran earns us the pleasure of Allah (SWT). Additionally, by reading the Quran with translation, we can comprehend the meaning and become aware of what Allah (SWT) wants from us. Knowledge of the Quran makes us better Muslims and better human beings.
Many people aim to read the complete Quran as many times as possible during Ramadan because, as with any other type of worship, the act is rewarded many times over as compared to other months. Quran recitation has now been made easy with the availability of numerous online resources. You can now find the entire Quran, as well as individual Surah, like Surah Yaseen, for free online. It is easy to get a translation of the Holy Book in any language and the proper recitation in Arabic to guide with pronunciation.
Observing and Praying on Laylat-ul-Qadr
The Night of Power has been designated by Allah (SWT) to gather as many blessings as possible. Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran that praying on this one night is better than praying for thousands of months.
Laylat-ul-Qadr is a time to make up for the lost time we wasted not praying to Allah (SWT). It is a time to sincerely seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) and plead for His mercy. According to the Holy Prophet (SAW), the Night of Power occurs in the last ten odd nights of Ramadan: the 21st,23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th.
You can maximize the blessings of the sacred night by offering voluntary prayers, nawwafil, or reciting the Quran, supplicating to Allah (SWT), and doing dhikr. There are many forms of prayer, and Allah (SWT) accepts any worship that is done with a clear intention and a genuine heart.
Being Nice to Others
In Islam, prayer is not just obeying Allah (SWT) and worshipping Him, it includes any good intention or deed. Helping others, being polite, and treating others with respect and dignity are all ways we can gain the pleasure of Allah (SWT).
Islam does not just teach us to live a morally just life free of sin; it also preaches to us to become individuals who are a source of good. We must take steps to uplift our community and become productive members of society.
It is easy to become complacent due to our privilege and ignore the plight of others. Islam forces us to think of others. Living a selfish and self-centered life is prohibited. Fasting during Ramadan allows us to experience the hardships others go through and maskes us empathetic.
Striving for Maximizing Blessings
Ramadan is a month of countless blessings. It is the sacred month in which Allah (SWT) started the revelation of the Holy Quran. It is the month in which the Holy Prophet (SAW) was given the duties of a messenger of Allah (SWT). The fourth pillar of faith, obligatory fasting, was ordained by Allah (SWT) to be held in the month of Ramadan.
Allah (SWT) set aside one month in which believers can focus all their energy on strengthening their relationship with Allah (SWT). Prayer in the form of fasting, salah, zakat, sadaqah, dikhr, and helping others earn rewards many times over in Ramadan compared to other months.
The purpose of Ramadan is to dedicate ourselves to Allah (SWT). We can surely take one month of the entire year for our faith. Ultimately, all the extra worship is for our own salvation. Allah (SWT) does not need our worship. He has countless angels to glorify Him day and night. We must pray for ourselves and seek Allah’s (SWT) forgiveness because He is the Most Merciful.
