"Ramadan is a month of immense spiritual renewal, discipline, and divine mercy," said Limbuk to Cangik after reciting the end surah al-Fath ,
مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ ۗوَالَّذِيْنَ مَعَهٗٓ اَشِدَّاۤءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاۤءُ بَيْنَهُمْ تَرٰىهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَّبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَرِضْوَانًا ۖ سِيْمَاهُمْ فِيْ وُجُوْهِهِمْ مِّنْ اَثَرِ السُّجُوْدِ ۗذٰلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِى التَّوْرٰىةِ ۖوَمَثَلُهُمْ فِى الْاِنْجِيْلِۚ كَزَرْعٍ اَخْرَجَ شَطْـَٔهٗ فَاٰزَرَهٗ فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوٰى عَلٰى سُوْقِهٖ يُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيْظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ ۗوَعَدَ اللّٰهُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ مِنْهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةً وَّاَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا ࣖ
'Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allāh and [His] pleasure. Their sign is in their faces from the effect of prostration [i.e., prayer]. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers - so that He [i.e., Allāh] may enrage by them1 the disbelievers. Allāh has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward." [QS. Al-Fath (48):29]
Surah al-Fath is associated with divine victory and success, a great reminder that Ramadan is a time to conquer one's desires and achieve spiritual success. Al-Fath (Arabic: الفتح, al-fatḥ; meaning: "The Victory") is the 48th chapter (surah) of the Qur'an with 29 verses (ayat). The surah was revealed in Medina in the sixth year of the Hijrah, on the occasion of the Treaty of Hudaybiya between the Muslim city-state of Madinah and Makkan polytheists. Some people recite it to seek ease and blessings at the start of Ramadan.
"Ramadan isn't just about fasting from food and drink; it's an opportunity to reset your soul, purify your heart, and reconnect with Allah. Every moment of hunger and thirst is a reminder of your reliance on Him, deepening your faith and gratitude. Ramadan is a month of Transformation.
Ramadan is also the Month of the Quran. This is the month when the Quran descended, so let it descend into our hearts as well. Make it a habit to engage deeply with its words, reflect on its meanings, and apply them to your life.
Allah says,
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيْٓ اُنْزِلَ فِيْهِ الْقُرْاٰنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنٰتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدٰى وَالْفُرْقَانِۚ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۗوَمَنْ كَانَ مَرِيْضًا اَوْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ اَيَّامٍ اُخَرَ ۗيُرِيْدُ اللّٰهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيْدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ ۖوَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللّٰهَ عَلٰى مَا هَدٰىكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ
'The month of Ramaḍān [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’ān, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the crescent of] the month,1 let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allāh intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.' (QS Al-Baqarah (2):185)
Doors of Mercy are wide open in Ramadan. Abu Huraira, radhiyallahu 'anhu) reported the Prophet's ﷺ saying, 'When Ramadan begins, the gates of heaven are opened.' A version has, 'The gates of paradise are opened, the gates of jahannam are locked, and the devils are chained." Another has, 'The gates of mercy are opened.' (Muttafaq alaih)
Ramadan is an Invitation to sincere du’a. Your heart’s whispers are heard loud and clear by Allah in this blessed month. He, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, says:
'وَاِذَا سَاَلَكَ عِبَادِيْ عَنِّيْ فَاِنِّيْ قَرِيْبٌ ۗ اُجِيْبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ اِذَا دَعَانِۙ فَلْيَسْتَجِيْبُوْا لِيْ وَلْيُؤْمِنُوْا بِيْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُوْنَ
'And when My servants ask you, [O Muḥammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided.' [QS Al-Baqarah (2):186]
So don't hold back—ask for everything, from dunya to akhirah, and trust in His mercy.
Taqwa is the ultimate goal of Ramadan, Allah mentions in the Quran,
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُوْنَۙ
'O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may attain taqwa.' (QS. Al-Baqarah 2:183)
How to cultivate Taqwa in Ramadan? Deepen your relationship with the Quran. The Quran is the manual of Taqwa. Read it daily, reflect on its meanings, and let it guide your heart. Try memorizing even a small portion or revisiting ayat about Taqwa. Perfect your Salah and increase in Nawafil. Make your salah more mindful—feel the presence of Allah in every sujood. Pray Taraweeh with devotion, and don’t miss Tahajjud—the time when du’as are most accepted.
Guard your tongue & heart. Taqwa isn't just about avoiding food and drink; it’s about purifying your thoughts, words, and actions. Speak good or remain silent, avoid arguments, and remove envy or grudges from your heart.
Make Istighfar & Du’a your daily habit. The Prophet ﷺ sought forgiveness more than 70 times a day—how much more should we?
Make a daily du’a list and ask for Taqwa specifically:
اللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الۡعَجۡزِ وَالۡكَسَلِ، وَالۡجُبۡنِ وَالۡبُخۡلِ، وَالۡهَرَمِ وَعَذَابِ الۡقَبۡرِ. اللّٰهُمَّ آتِ نَفۡسِي تَقۡوَاهَا، وَزَكِّهَا أَنۡتَ خَيۡرُ مَنۡ زَكَّاهَا، أَنۡتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوۡلَاهَا. اللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنۡ عِلۡمٍ لَا يَنۡفَعُ، وَمِنۡ قَلۡبٍ لَا يَخۡشَعُ، وَمِنۡ نَفۡسٍ لَا تَشۡبَعُ، وَمِنۡ دَعۡوَةٍ لَا يُسۡتَجَابُ لَهَا
'O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from incapacity, from sloth, from cowardice, from miserliness, decrepitude and from torment of the grave. O Allah, grant to my soul the sense of righteousness and purify it, for Thou art the Best Purifier thereof. Thou art the Protecting Friend thereof, and Guardian thereof. O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from the knowledge which does not benefit, from the heart that does not entertain the fear (of Allah), from the soul that does not feel contented and the supplication that is not responded.' [Sahih Muslim]
Practice Ihsan (Excellence) in everything. Taqwa is being conscious of Allah even when no one is watching. Fasting is not just with your body, but with your eyes, ears, and heart—avoiding anything that distances you from Him.
Give generously and seek Laylatul Qadr. The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous in Ramadan. Give charity daily, even if small. Seek Laylatul Qadr with devotion—it could be the night your life changes forever.
Taqwa is a lifelong journey, and Ramadan is your boost to reach it. Keep making du’a, stay sincere, and trust that Allah will guide your heart. May He bless you with a Ramadan full of barakah, mercy, and transformation!
Fasting is also meant to increase our gratitude, as mentioned before in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185). When we abstain from food and drink, we realize how much we take them for granted. Hunger reminds us of those who lack basic needs daily, increasing our sense of appreciation.
Fasting helps us appreciate the gift of Iman and Islam. Not everyone has the blessing of knowing Allah, and fasting makes us more conscious of His mercy. By fasting, we feel weak without food—this reminds us that our health is a gift from Allah. We learn to be grateful for every breath, every sip of water, and every meal we enjoy.
Gratitude isn’t just feeling thankful but also expressing it through worship. We show gratitude by praying, reading the Quran, and increasing in good deeds.
The Prophet ﷺ was the most grateful servant of Allah, and he ﷺ would fast regularly, even outside Ramadan. Narrated by Aisha (رضي الله عنها) that the Prophet ﷺ used to stand (in prayer) at night until his feet would swell. She (رضي الله عنها) said to him ﷺ, ‘O Messenger of Allah, why do you do this when Allah has forgiven your past and future sins?’ He ﷺ replied,
أَفَلاَ أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَكُونَ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا
‘Should I not be a grateful servant?' [Sahih Bukhari & Muslim]
This shows that true gratitude is expressed through actions, not just words.
So, to show more gratitude this Ramadan, be mindful of Allah’s blessings while breaking your fast; give charity to those who struggle to find food; thank Allah for the guidance of Islam and strive to practice it more; and increase your du’a, dhikr, and salah as a form of shukr.
Ramadan is not just about fasting from food and drink—it’s a divine invitation to rediscover yourself, realign your heart, and reconnect with Allah.
Ramadan is a mirror. Ramadan strips away distractions—social gatherings, indulgences, even our daily routines—so we can see ourselves. Who am I without my habits? How much of my life is truly centered around Allah? Do I control my desires, or do they control me? This is the month to pause, reflect, and recalibrate.
The Ramadan mindset is more than just fasting. Think of Ramadan as a spiritual training camp—it’s not just about abstaining from food but also from negativity, bad habits, and distractions. This is your chance to build discipline and carry those positive changes beyond Ramadan.
May this Ramadan be the one that transforms you, elevates you, and brings you closer to Allah than ever before. Ameen, ameen ya Rabbul Alameen," Limbuk concluded.
