A: I advise all Muslims to fear Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He), to welcome this great month with sincere repentance from all sins, and to understand more about their Din (religion). One must learn the rulings on fasting and Night Prayer as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stated: ”If Allah wants to do good to a person, He grants him understanding of Islam.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also says: ”When the month of Ramadan arrives, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of the (Hell) Fire are closed, and the devils are chained.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also says: ” On the first night of the month of Ramadan, the gates of Hell are closed, the gates of Paradise are opened and the devils and rebellious jinn are chained up. And a caller cries out: ‘O seeker of good, proceed; O seeker of evil, desist. And Allah redeems people from the Fire, and that occurs every night.” [ Jami` at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also said to the Companions: ”Ramadan came to you as a month of blessings in which Allah showers His Mercy upon you, obliterates sins from your records, and responds to supplications – so show good deeds to Allah as the deprived person is the one who is deprived of Allah’s Mercy.” [ Al-Mundhiry, Al-Targhib wa Al-Tarhib, Chapter on encouragement to fast Ramadan, no. 1490, and he said: Narrated by Al-Tabarany.]
The meaning of ”So show good deeds to Allah” is to hasten to do good deeds, obey Allah, and refrain from misdeeds.
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stated: ”Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven; and whoever observes the Night Prayer during Ramadan out of faith and seeking his reward from Allah, his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever stands in the Prayer on the Laylat-ul-Qadr (the Night of Decree) out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also says: Allah (the Exalted) states: “Every act of the son of Adam is for him; every good deed is multiplied from ten to seven hundred times except for fasting, for it is exclusively for Me and it is I will give reward for it. A fasting person leaves their desire, food, and drink for My sake. Hence, a fasting person has two joyful occasions: One when they break their fast, and another when they meet their Lord. Indeed, the odor of the mouth of the fasting person is better, in the Sight of Allah, than the smell of musk.’‘[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also says: ”On a day that anyone of you is fasting, he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor raise his voice. If anyone abuses him or tries to fight with him, he should say: “I am fasting.” [Al-Bukhari]
Also, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stated: ”Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and acting accordingly, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink.” (Related by Al-Bukhari in his Sahih)
So I advise all Muslims to fear Allah and protect their fasting from all misdeeds. They should do their best to do good deeds and compete in giving more alms. Recite the Qur’an as much as possible, pronounce more Tasbih (saying: “Subhan Allah [Glory be to Allah]”), Tahlil (saying: “La ilaha illa Allah [There is no god except Allah]”), Tahmid (saying: “Al-hamdu lillah [All praise is due to Allah]”), Takbir (saying: “Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]”), and Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah), as this is the month of the Qur’an:
”The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’ân” [2:182]
It is prescribed for believers to do their best in reciting the Qur’an throughout the day and night. By articulating every letter of the Qur’an, a good deed is added to one’s record and a good deed is multiplied ten times as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stated. They should also keep away from doing all misdeeds or sins, advise one another to the right, enjoin good, and forbid evil.
This is a great month in which deeds are multiplied and sins become weightier. Hence, believers should do their best to fulfill what Allah has made obligatory,keep away from what Allah forbids, and pay more attention in Ramadan. They should also do their best to do good deeds such as giving charity, visiting the sick, attending funerals, strengthening the ties of kinship, reciting the Qur’an as much as possible, reciting more Tasbih, Tahlil, Tahmid, Takbir, Istighfar, supplications, and other good deeds expecting Allah’s Reward and fearing His Punishment. May Allah guide Muslims to what pleases Him and make us and all Muslims fast it and offer Night Prayer believing in Allah and expecting His Reward. May Allah make us and all Muslims comprehend the Din, keep fast to it, and to be away from the causes of His Wrath and Punishment. I also ask Allah (Glorified be He) to guide all Muslim leaders and rulers, improve their status, and guide them to judge by the Islamic law in all matters of worship, work and all affairs. May Allah guide them to this,
as Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
”And so judge (you O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) among them by what Allâh has revealed.” [5:49]
Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says:
”Do they then seek the judgement of (the days of) Ignorance? And who is better in judgement than Allâh for a people who have firm Faith.” [5:50]
Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says:
But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission. [4:56]
Allah also stated, ”O you who believe! Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allâh and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), if you believe in Allâh and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” [4:59]
Allah (Glorified be He) also says: Say: “Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger”[24″54]
Allah (Glorified be He) also says: ”And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).” [59:7]
All Muslims, Muslim leaders, scholars, and Muslims in general must fear Allah, submit to the Islamic law and judge by it as it is the law that leads to reform, guidance, and a good end. It also leads to the pleasure of Allah. It is the way to the truth of what Allah commands and by which one will keep away from injustice.
May Allah guide and grant everyone success, and rectify their intentions and deeds. Peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.
Fatwas of Ibn Baz
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Pearls of a Muslim 