ALLAg swt says in quran: al-Baqarah 2:185
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…”.
The importance of Ramadan can be seen from this hadith which says that one of the pillar of Islam is fasting in ramadan. And pillar of Islam means that the religion Islam is based on five rules, and among these five rules or basics comes the fasting.
(al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16)
Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; establishing prayer; paying zakaah; fasting Ramadaan; and Hajj to the House (the Ka’bah).”
ALLAH swt started reveling Quran in the month of Ramadan and this Holiest book was completed in the same month.
ALLAH swt says in quran: [al-Baqarah 2:185]
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…”
AND
[al-Qadr 97:1]
“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).”
Quran was started reveling in the night which is called laila-tul-qadar, where qadar means decree. This is the night when ALLAH swt makes decision regarding our life and death, and other important matters. But the exact night is not known to us, instead the odd nights of the last ashra of Ramadan are prayed because one of these nights is said to be the laila-tul-qadar.
This night is better than the thousand nights as said by ALLAH swt in Holy Quran Himself:
[al-Qadar 97:1-5]
“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree). And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees, (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”
in a hadith it was indicated that Muhammad s.a.w.w said that whoever worships in this night with full faith, his previous sins will be forgiven, what else could be the best thing in our life other than forgiveness of our sins?
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1910; Muslim, 760.
And Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.”
The greatness and the blessings of the month of Ramadan are countless. One of the blessings is the chaining of the devil, Satan, the biggest enemy of human beings. It is indicated in a hadith.
It is stated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 1898; Muslim, 1079), from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah who said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When Ramadaan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.”
So we have many chances in this month to purify ourselves from our previous sins and to start with spirit to be good Muslims and pious slaves of ALLAH swt. If you fast with full faith and out of love then you should be sure that ALLAh swt will forgive your sins from one Ramadan to the next. This is indicate din a sahih hadith.
It was proven in Saheeh Muslim (233) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The five daily prayers, from one Jumu’ah to the next and from one Ramadaan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as you avoid major sins.”
From the ahadith and the verses of Holy Quran, we have seen that the month of Ramadan brings with it, immense blessings and great chance to be sin free which otherwise is not possible for us. so let us prepare ourselves to welcome Ramadan with the hope that this Ramadan, we will be able to be good muslims and we will be able to continue good deeds throughout the year till the next Ramadan comes.