"'Ibn al-Jawzi, once wrote, '"The month of Ramadan to the other months is like Yusuf to his brothers. So, just like Yusuf was the most beloved son to Ya'qub, Ramadan is likewise the most beloved month to Allah,' the Shaykh opened a conversation,' said Rembulan after saying Basmala and Salaam. "'Then, how about the Quran and Ramadan?' he continued, 'Shaykh Dr. Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni, wrote, 'The Quran loves Ramadan and Ramadan loves the Quran. They are two beloved friends. Allah Almighty says,شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيْٓ اُنْزِلَ فِيْهِ الْقُرْاٰنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنٰتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدٰى وَالْفُرْقَانِۚ'Ramaḍan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard to distinguish between right and wrong ....' [QS. Al-Baqarah (2):185]The entire Quran was sent down from the ‘Preserved Tablet’ to the heavens of the earth in the month of Ramadan. It was, therefore, an honour for this month that the Quran should be revealed in it. For this reason, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to study the Quran with the angel Gabriel during Ramadan. He (ﷺ) used to listen and reflect upon its meanings, recite it, live with its calls, allow his heart to roam in its fields and release all his love in its treasures.The person who reads while fasting, combines Ramadan with the Glorious Quran. He, therefore, lives this month with the Noble Book about which, Allah says,كِتٰبٌ اَنْزَلْنٰهُ اِلَيْكَ مُبٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوْٓا اٰيٰتِهٖ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ اُولُوا الْاَلْبَابِ'This is a blessed Book which We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful.' [QS. Sad (36):29]اَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُوْنَ الْقُرْاٰنَ اَمْ عَلٰى قُلُوْبٍ اَقْفَالُهَا'Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Or are there locks upon their hearts?' [QS. Muhammad (47):24]اَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُوْنَ الْقُرْاٰنَ ۗ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللّٰهِ لَوَجَدُوْا فِيْهِ اخْتِلَافًا كَثِيْرًا'Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Had it been from anyone other than Allah, they would have certainly found in it many inconsistencies.' [QS. An-Nisa (4):82]In Ramadan, the Noble Quran has its own special taste and flavour. It offers exceptional inspiration and distinct rationales. Still besides, the Quran bestows fresh vitality. Ramadan brings back memories of the Quran’s revelation, its days of collective study, and the periods of attention devoted to it by our predecessors. The Prophet (ﷺ) once advised, ‘Read the Quran, for surely it will be an intercessor for you on the Day of Judgement.’ He (ﷺ) also said, ‘The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.’ And, ‘Read the two flowers, Surah al Baqarah and Ali Imran. They will come as two clouds or as a barrier of crowded birds that would shade their readers on the Day of Judgement.The Prophet (ﷺ) also said, 'The one who reads the Quran, and is expert in doing so, will be with the noble and virtuous angels. And the one who reads the Quran and stutters with it, he will have two rewards.’When Ramadan came, our forefathers, used to disengage themselves and set out on a spiritual journey with the Glorious Quran. It was said that when Ramadan came, Imam Malik never preoccupied himself except with the Quran. He used to suspend teaching and issuing legal rulings during this time, pointing out that this was the month of the Quran. And so the homes of our forebears had a special buzz as that of bees. Their homes radiated light and filled hearts with happiness. They used to recite the Quran in the most melodious voices, stopping at its wonders and crying because of its admonitions, becoming happy with its tidings, enjoining its commands and forbidding its prohibitions.It was confirmed that Ibn Mas’ud once read the first part of Surah an-Nisa for our Prophet (ﷺ), until he reached the verse,فَكَيْفَ اِذَا جِئْنَا مِنْ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍۢ بِشَهِيْدٍ وَّجِئْنَا بِكَ عَلٰى هٰٓؤُلَاۤءِ شَهِيْدًاۗ'So how will it be when We bring a witness from every faith-community and bring you ˹O Prophet˺ as a witness against yours?' [QS. An-Nisa (4):41]Then the Prophet (ﷺ) stopped him saying, ‘That is enough for now.’ Ibn Mas’ud said when he looked at the Prophet (ﷺ), his eyes were flowing with tears. Clearly, it was the admirer hearing the words of his beloved and crying.Still, according to another account, the Prophet (ﷺ) once listened to Abi Musa reciting the Quran while the latter was unaware that he was being listened to. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said to him, ‘Did you not see me listening to your skilful recitation ? You were given a flute from the flutes of David.’Abu Musa replied, ‘If I knew, O Messenger of Allah that you were listening to me, I would have embellished it considerably.’ Meaning that he would have beautified his voice more than ever, thereby making the Quran more effective, impressive and elegant.In this context, it was reported that when Umar ibn al Khattab sat with the companions, he used to say, ‘O Abu Musa! Remind us of our Rabb.’ The latter would surge forward and recite with his beautiful voice leaving them all crying.Verily, the listening to his words has caused me to cry, for how would it be, if my eyes were to see Him manifest. He recited the remembrance of his Master and yearned to meet Him. And the longing of the hearts of those who know Him, are renewed.When the whims of later generations, turned them away from listening to the words of Allah, learning became distorted, dispositions were turned upside down and understandings became afflicted.When the Quran was substituted by other sources of guidance, corruption became common, calamities multiplied, understandings were thrown into disarray and fortitude disappeared. Surely the purpose of the Quran is to guide people to the straight path. It is a light and remedy for the illnesses of the heart. It is knowledge, culture and evidence. The Quran is life, spirit, salvation, happiness, reward and recompense. It is a divine teaching, a constitution and eternal wisdom.Will we not then live with the Quran in Ramadan and outside of Ramadan ? Will we not recognize the greatness of the Quran and fill our hearts with its happiness, and radiance ? Will we not do this?'Then, the Shaykh recited two verses,تِلْكَ اٰيٰتُ اللّٰهِ نَتْلُوْهَا عَلَيْكَ بِالْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَا اللّٰهُ يُرِيْدُ ظُلْمًا لِّلْعٰلَمِيْنَوَلِلّٰهِ مَا فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِى الْاَرْضِ ۗوَاِلَى اللّٰهِ تُرْجَعُ الْاُمُوْرُ'These are Allah’s revelations We recite to you ˹O Prophet˺ in truth. And Allah desires no injustice to ˹His˺ creation.To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And to Allah ˹all˺ matters will be returned 'for judgment'.' [QS. Ali 'Imran (3):108-109]Before she leaves, the Moon added, "In a journal, which contains the question, 'Does fasting have any social benefits?' Sheikh Mohammad Ibn Saalih Al-'Uthaymeen, wrote his answer, 'Yes, it does. Among these is that people feel that they are one single nation, eating at the same time and fasting at the same time. The wealthy become more aware of Allah's blessings and are thus more sympathetic to the poor. Fasting weakens the devil's evil effect on people. It produces fear of Allah, which, in its turn, strengthens the [social] bonds between members of the Muslim community.'Eid Mubarak guys! May, on this Joyous Eid al-Fitr, Allah bless us all with Happines, and Grace our home with Warmth and Peace! Amin. Barakallahu feekum!
And Allah knows best."Citations & References:
- Aa'id Abdullah Al-Qarni, Thirty Lessons for Those Who Fast, translated by Dr. Daud A. Abdullah, Darussalam.
- Ramadan Al-Jumuah Magazine
