Hadhrat Salmaan (r.a.) reports that on the last day of Sha'baan, Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) addressed the Sahabah saying, "0 people! A great and blessed month is dawning upon you. It is a month that includes a day that is better than a thousand months. Allaah has made fasting compulsory in this month and standing in (Taraaweeh) salaah an act of tremendous merit. Whoever carries out an act of virtue (Nafl) during this month will receive the reward of carrying out a Fardh during any other month and whoever carries out a Fardh act during this month will receive the reward of carrying out seventy Fardh acts during any other month.
It is a month of patience and the reward for patience is Jannah. It is also a month of sympathy and a month when the sustenance of a Mu'min is increased. Whoever provides something for a fasting person to terminate his fast shall receive the reward of the fasting person without his reward being diminished in the least."
"0 Rasulullaah!" the Sahabah submitted, "Not all of us can afford something to give a fasting person to terminate his fast." Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) consoled them saying, "Allaah shall grant this reward to any person who gives a fasting person even a single date or a sip of water or milk to drink.
It is a month that has mercy at the beginning, forgiveness in the middle and emancipation from Jahannam at the end. For the person who makes work light for his slaves during this month, Allaah will forgive him and free him from Jahannam. In this month, you should endeavour to do four things in abundance. Two of these will please your Rabb while you cannot do without the other two. The two that will please your Rabb are to recite the Shahaadah 'Laa Ilaaha Illallaah' and to seek Allaah's forgiveness. As for the two without which you cannot do, it is to beg Allaah for Jannah and to seek protection from Jahannam. Whoever gives the fasting person something to drink to end the fast, Allaah shall give him such a drink from my pond after which he shall never be thirsty ever again." (1)
The Lecture Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) Gave Stating that the sins of Muslims are forgiven on the First Night of Ramadhaan
Hadhrat Anas (r.a.) reports that when Ramadhaan drew close, Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) addressed them briefly at the time of Maghrib. Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) said, "Ramadhaan is arriving, so welcome it. Take note that on the first night of Ramadhaan there is not a soul from the people of the Qibla who is not forgiven..(2)
The Lecture Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) Gave Stating that the Shayaateen are Chained and that Du'aas are Accepted During Ramadhaan
Hadhrat Ali (r.a.) reports that on the first night of Ramadhaan, Rasulullaah stood up to address the Sahabah. After duly praising Allaah, he said, "Allaah has seen to your enemy from the jinn and promised to accept your du'aas. Allaah says: {Supplicate (make du'aa) to Me and I shall respond.'} {Surah Mu'min, verse 60}
Allaah has appointed seven angels to (guard) every rebellious Shaytaan and Shaytaan is therefore unable to escape until the end of Ramadhaan. Take note also that the doors of the heavens are wide open from the first night of Ramadhaan until the end and all du'aas in this month are accepted."
Hadhrat Ali (r.a.) says further, "When the first of the last ten nights of Ramadhaan arrived, Rasulullaah (s.a.w.) would tighten his loincloth, leave his wives, sit in I'tikaaf and spend all night in Ibaadah." When someone asked Hadhrat Ali (r.a.) what he meant by tightening the loincloth, he explained that RasululIaah (s.a.w.) would separate from his wives during that period. (3)
(I) Ibn Khuzaymah. as quoted in Targheeb wat Tarheeb (VoU Pg.218). Bayhaqi and Ibn Hibbaan have reported a similar narration, as has Ibn Najjaar, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal (Vol.4 Pg.323).
(2) Ibn Najjaar, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal(Vol.4 Pg.325).
(3) lsfahaani, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal (Vol4 Pg.323).
(From 'Hayatus Sahabah' by Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Khandhlawi)
