It is a reality that none of us is perfect. We all have some weaknesses and shortcomings and we find ourselves committing sins out of ignorance or out of submission to our desires and whims and thus driving ourselves away from Allah darkening our heart and sealing them from guidance and overloading our books of bad deeds. However, Allah the Almighty promises us that he is the Most Merciful the oft-Forgiving. As part of this infinite Mercy he made available various ways of achieving forgiveness and sin expiation to all of us. Among the most important and beneficial of these ways of forgiveness is fasting in general and in Ramadan in particular. Let us discover this glad tiding from the sweet words of the Messenger of Allah the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said “The time between the five prayers, two consecutive Friday Prayers, and two consecutive Ramadans are expiations for all that has happened during that period, provided that one has avoided the grave (major) sins.” (Muslim). Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven” (Bukhari) . “Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan (and that is called Qiyam) faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven ( Hadith In Bukhari).
If we truly want mercy and forgiveness from Almighty Allah, we have to keep in mind the fact that the pleasures in this world are transient, and we are working for the other world which is permanent. Nothing constrains people from repentance or delaying it more than the long expectations they have in this world, and what bliss they are living in. The irrational materialism has damaged our moral, religious and spiritual values to a great extent. Let us open our hearts to those who have wronged us and forgive them as we ourselves beg the Almighty Allah to forgive us. It is the best time, in fact best month throughout the year, to renew our faith, repent and turn to Almighty Allah.
Forgiveness is one of the most distinguishing features of Ramadan. Almighty Allah says in the holy Qur’an: “Be quick in the forgiveness from your Lord, and pardon (all) men; for Allah loves those who do good” (Holy Qur’an, 3:133-134). So If we truly want mercy and forgiveness from Almighty Allah, we have to keep in mind the fact that the pleasures in this world are transient, and we are working for the other world which is permanent. Nothing constrains people from repentance or delaying it more than the long expectations they have in this world, and what bliss they are living in. The irrational materialism has damaged our moral, religious and spiritual values to a great extent. Let us open our hearts to those who have wronged us and forgive them as we ourselves beg the Almighty Allah to forgive us. It is the best time, in fact best month throughout the year, to renew our faith, repent and turn to Almighty Allah.
