Ramadan is the month of the Quran — the final testament from Allah to all of humanity. Allah revealed in Surah Al-Baqarah that Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down as a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of guidance and the criterion between right and wrong. Angel Jibreel would come to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) every Ramadan to review the Quran with him, and in the Prophet’s final Ramadan, they reviewed it together twice.
Fasting: A Shield From the Hellfire
The Prophet (peace be upon him) described fasting as a shield — the same kind of protection a warrior uses in battle. Fasting weakens the devilish desires and tendencies within us, which is why the Prophet prescribed it for young people who cannot yet marry, telling them it would reduce their sexual drive and help them maintain self-control. The pious predecessors actually loved both summer and winter for worship: summer because the long, hot days made fasting more rewarding, and winter because the long nights allowed more time for tahajjud prayer.
“Fasting is a shield by which a servant protects himself from the Fire.” — Musnad Ahmad
The Unique Rewards of Fasting
- A fragrance sweeter than musk — The Prophet (peace be upon him) swore that the odor from a fasting person’s mouth is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk
- A reward only Allah knows — Allah Himself declared that fasting is exclusively for Him, and its reward is beyond human comprehension
- Two moments of joy — The fasting person rejoices at iftar and again when meeting Allah on the Day of Judgment
- A path to Paradise — When a companion asked the Prophet for an action that leads to Jannah, he replied: “Take to fasting, for there is nothing like it”
“Take to fasting, for there is nothing like it.” — Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
Reading the Quran With Contemplation
The Quran transformed the companions of the Prophet from nomadic, warlike tribes into the greatest bearers of guidance the world has ever seen. Omar (may Allah be pleased with him), who once buried his daughter alive, was so changed by the Quran that even Shaytan would flee from his path. We are called not to read the Quran in a “parrot fashion” — racing to complete it as many times as possible — but to read with contemplation, understanding, and the intention to implement its teachings in our daily lives. Even reading a single letter earns ten good deeds, so enjoy the book of Allah at your own pace and let it transform your life as it transformed theirs.
