Saed News: Before entering the month of Ramadan, the month of forgiveness and seeking repentance, it is better to prepare ourselves to receive God's forgiveness by forgiving others who have wronged or shown unkindness towards us.
Saed News: According to the religious and spirituality service of Saed News, quoting from the Hajj Information Center, there is no doubt in the hearts of mystics and seekers who have been waiting all year for these days. The long nights of worship and hands raised toward the moon are the subjects of smiles for the angels who have been waiting for the arrival of this month to host God's guests.
All creatures open and close their lips more than any other days of the year in praise and glorification of God. The dust that has settled on the Qurans throughout the year and the bond formed with them are now being shaken off, as they prepare for the night of awakening. The hands of prayer are raised so high that they can feel the divine warmth of God.
Imam Ali (AS) said that the Prophet (PBUH) addressed us just before the blessed month of Ramadan, saying: "O people! A month approaches you, a month of blessings, mercy, and forgiveness; a month which, in the sight of God, is the best of months. Its days are the best of days, its nights are the best of nights, and its hours are the best of hours. In this month, you are invited to God's banquet, and God has made you among the honored ones." The blessings of this month are so vast that the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) said: "Your breaths in this month are glorifications of God, your sleep is worship, your actions are accepted and pleasing to God, and all your prayers are answered."
Prophet's Recommendations about Fasting and Ramadan
The Prophet (PBUH) says to ask God with pure hearts and intentions to help you succeed in fasting and reading the Qur'an. In a part of this sermon, he says: "A wretched person is one who passes through the month of Ramadan and does not receive God's forgiveness." Additionally, the Prophet (PBUH) says: "Send a lot of blessings upon me, for on the Day of Judgment, the one who sends blessings will have his deeds weighed heavily." In Ramadan, reading one verse of the Qur'an is as if you have completed a full recitation.
What are the Best Deeds in Ramadan?
Another point in Ramadan is that Imam Ali (AS), when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was delivering this sermon, stood up and asked: "What are the best deeds in Ramadan?" The Prophet replied: "Avoiding sin."
The Qur'an also identifies the result of fasting and Ramadan as godliness in verse 183 of Surah Al-Baqarah: "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous."
Preparing for the Arrival of Ramadan
Entering special times has its own etiquettes, such as the etiquettes for the days of I'tikaf or Eid al-Ghadeer. In particular, the month of Ramadan, due to its significance in both life and the afterlife, requires knowledge and observance of the proper etiquettes for entering this month. Following these etiquettes will help one maximize the benefits of this blessed month, while neglecting them may diminish one's rewards or even undo the efforts made during the month of God's mercy.
Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness
Abu Salt, also known as Abdul Salam bin Saleh Harawi, reports that on the last Friday of Sha'ban, he visited Imam Ali bin Musa al-Ridha (AS), who said: "Abu Salt, the majority of Sha'ban has passed, and this is the last Friday of it. Make up for your shortcomings in the remaining days of this month. Do what will help you take advantage of the upcoming month, avoid what will hinder you, pray a lot, read the Qur'an, and repent for your sins so that you welcome the month of God with a pure heart and no debts remaining on your shoulders."
Forgiving Others
Before entering the month of Ramadan, the month of forgiveness and repentance, it is better to prepare to receive God's forgiveness by forgiving others who have wronged or been unkind to us. If we cannot forgive others, how can we expect God to forgive us? Therefore, one of the actions to be taken before the blessed month of Ramadan is to forgive others and cleanse the heart of all hatred and enmity.
The Prayer of Imam Ali (AS) When Seeing the Crescent Moon
Imam Sadiq (AS) narrated from his ancestors that when Imam Ali (AS) was in Kufa, he would go outside the city to look for the crescent moon of Ramadan, and people would go with him. Upon seeing the crescent, he would say: "O God, make this crescent for us a sign of security, faith, health, Islam, and blessings for the obedience of Your commands, and grant us the sufficiency of sleep, O Merciful One!"
He also narrated: "When you see the crescent moon, do not move and say: 'O God, I ask You for the goodness of this month, its opening, light, blossoming, blessings, purity, and sustenance. I seek the goodness in it and the goodness that comes after it, and I seek refuge with You from the evil in it and the evil that comes after it.'"
"O God, bring this month to us with security, faith, health, Islam, blessings, and success in what You love and are pleased with."
