The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi
wa sallam), during the time of Ramadan, stood up on a Minbar, called the
Companions, gave them a Khutbah, and said, Oh people, know that a month is upon
you. Know that you witnessing a month that Allah subhanahu wa taala has made
sacred, that Allah subhanahu wa taala made obligatory to fast during its days
and He has requested that you stand during its nights (its not obligatory, but
it is rather good to do so).
This month, as said by the Prophet, is one that all of the doors of Hell are
shut and chained, and all of the gates of Ramadan are opened, meaning that every
opportunity to do good is opened up, you are safe from the fire of Hell, and go
to Jannah. This is a month that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa sallam) has
said that all of the evil Shayaateen are locked up, and they are not allowed to
go around, whispering evil thoughts and this is a month that every single night,
Allah suhanahu wa taala saves people who were destined to go to Hell, and this
month has a day that is better that is better than a thousands months. This
month is Ramadan.
The Preferred Month
Allah has preferred certain months over others, and Ramadan is the most
preferred month in the sight of Allah.Realize that this month has been made very
easy as the Shayaateen and gates of Hell are locked, and also realize that 100
percent of the evil deeds that you do in this month is solely from your soul.
Therefore, Ramadan is a reflection of your soul.
The Three Ameens
One day, when the Prophet was giving the Friday Khutbah, he was climbing up the
pulpit, which had three steps.
When he climbed the first step, he said Ameen.
Then he climbed up the second and said Ameen.
Then he climbed up the third and said Ameen.
So the companions were confused and said, Oh Messenger of Allah, we have never
heard you say Ameen every time you climb a step. What is the reason for this?
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa sallam) said, When I was climbing the pulpit,
Jibreel came to me and told me, Oh Muhammad, anyone in your nation who manages
to be alive when Ramadan comes and does not manage to get his sins forgiven, let
him perish in the HellFire Say Ameen! So Muhammad said Ameen.
Then when he climbed the second step, Jibreel said, Anyone who manages to catch
Laylatul Qadr and does not managed to get his sins forgiven, may he perish in
the HellFire Say Ameen! So the Prophet said Ameen and when the Prophet climbed
the third step, Jibreel said to him, Oh Muhammad, anyone of your Ummah who
manages to catch one of them or both, when they are elderly and they need his
help and is not able to service them properly and get his sins forgiven, may he
perish say Ameen! So the Prophet said Ameen.
So three duas are made three golden opportunities that even the worst of men can
get all of their sins erased by turning to Allah. Two of those opportunities are
related to Ramadan the entire month and Laylatul Qadr. Therefore, if you cannot
be righteous in this month, then there is no hope for you because there are no
excuses.
Three ways to forgive all bad deeds:
So what do you have to do? The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa sallam) mentioned
three things and anyone of them will unconditionally forgive all of ones bad
deeds:
1. Whoever fasts the entire month of Ramadan, believing in Allah and hoping for
Allahs reward.
2. Standing up at night in Ramadan (ex. Taraweeh)
3. The night of Laylatul Qadr.
Ar-Rayyan
One more blessing of Ramadan is that it is the month when you perfect your
fasting in it, and you can enter through a special door set aside for those who
fast. The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa sallam) said, In Jannah, there is a
special door called Ar-Rayyan and Ar-Rayyan means that which will give you a lot
of water, because the way to get to that is to deprive yourself of water (by
fasting).
Ramadan has been put for you to achieve righteousness and piety this is the
ultimate goal; Allah does not benefit when you tire yourself out. Rather, you
are the one that benefit.
May Allah make us among those whose sins are forgiven in this month, whose
fasting is accepted, whose reading of the Quran is accepted, and whose Qiyyam is
accepted, and may He make us among those who enter Jannah through the gate of
Rayyan.