The blessings of Ramadhan

 

Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) says that he heard the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) say:  In preparation for Ramadhan, paradise is adorned and decorated from one year to another.  When Ramadhan comes, a breeze blows from below the ‘Arsh.  Because of this wind, the leaves rub against each other and the bolts of the doors move and create such a sweet sound that those who hear it have never heard a more beautiful sound than that.

 

The damsels of paradise adorn themselves and stand in the balconies of paradise.  They call out: Is there anyone who proposes marriage that Almighty Allah may marry him?  They ask Ridhwan, the gate-keeper of paradise:  What night is this?  He answers:  O pious beautiful damsels, this is the first night of Ramadhan.  In this month, the gates of paradise are opened for those who fast from among the Ummah of Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Almighty Allah says:  O Ridhwan!  Open the doors of paradise.  O Malik (gate-keeper of hell)!  Close the doors of hell.  The doors of hell are closed on those who fast from the Ummah of Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  O Jibreel (May peace be upon him)!  Go down to earth and chain and shackle the devils and cast them in the oceans so that they don’t embroil the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in troubles.  Their fasts are dear to me.

 

Almighty Allah gives a call thrice in each night of Ramadhan:

 

Is there any one who asks for that I may grant him (what he/she asks for)?

 

Is there any one desirous or repentance that I may accept repentance?

 

Is there any one desirous of being pardoned that I may pardon him (or her)?

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  At the time of Iftaar, Almighty Allah frees millions of people from hell although all of them deserved it.  When the night and day of Friday come, for each moment Almighty Allah frees millions of people who deserved hell.  When the last day of Ramadhan comes, Almighty Allah frees as many as He had freed in the whole month.

 

When Shab Qadr comes, on the command of Allah, Jibreel descends on the earth with a group of angels.  He has a green flag that he stands on the Ka’aba.  Jibreel (May peace be upon him) has 600 wings that he opens in Shab Qadr.  Thus, when he does so, they extend even beyond the horizons.  Hadhrat Jibreel (May peace be upon him) orders the angels to enter this Ummah.  Thus, they greet every person with Salaam whom they find offering Salaat or busy in the remembrance of Almighty Allah.  The angels shake hands with those persons and say “Aameen” on their supplications.  Until dawn comes.  Then Jibreel (May peace be upon him) orders:  O friends of Allah!  Let us go.  The angels ask Jibreel:  O Jibreel (May peace be upon him)!  What has Almighty Allah done with the needs of the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)? Jibreel (May peace be upon him) says:  Almighty Allah looks at them with mercy and forgives and pardons them.  However, 4 kinds of people are exceptions.  They are:  Habitual wine-drinker; one who disobeys parents, one who breaks off relations with relatives and the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  A Mashahin.  The Companions asked:  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  Who is a Mashahin?  He said:  One who breaks off relations with a Muslim brother.

 

The night of ‘Eid Ul Fitr has been named as Lailatul Jaaizah (the night of reward).  The morning of ‘Eid, Almighty Allah orders the angels to spread out in the earth.  They descend on the earth and stand on the corners of lanes and alleys and call out in a voice which can be heard by all, except humans and genies: O Ummah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  Come towards your Benevolent Lord.  He will grant you absolute dignity and will forgive huge sins.  When they reach the ‘Eidgah, Almighty Allah asks the angels:  When the laborers finish their job, what should be their remuneration?  The angels answer:  O Lord!  They should be given full wages.  Almighty Allah says:  O angels!  I make you witness that I have made My pleasure and forgiveness to be the reward of their fasting and their Salaat in Ramadhan.  Then Almighty Allah says:  O My slaves!  Ask of me!  By My honor and majesty!  Whatever you ask today of your needs of the hereafter, I will grant it and whatever you ask of your needs of this world, I will grant those as well.  By My honor and majesty!  As long as you fear Me and are conscious of Me, I will hide your sins.  By My honor!  I will not debase you among those who will be punished.  Return to your houses in such a state that your sins have been forgiven.  You have pleased Me and I have made you happy.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  The angels are glad on this and give glad tidings of this honor that Allah Most High grants to this Ummah on the ending of Ramadhan.

 

[Excerpted from Ghunya Lit Talibi Tariqil Haqq]