Ramadan al-Mubarak: Invaluable Treasures of Mercy and Forgiveness and Their Keys

Ramadan al-Mubarak: Priceless Treasures of Mercy and Forgiveness and Their Keys
The fasting person is always in search of such valuable treasures that can improve their daily life, and in Ramadan al-Mubarak, this quest increases even more in order to gain maximum spiritual benefit. These treasures are not of gold and silver but are priceless reserves of goodness, mercy, forgiveness, and blessings. Allah Almighty bestows these great blessings upon His fasting servants in the month of Ramadan so that they may receive guidance and strength from them at every turn of life. You know that where there are treasures, special arrangements are also made for their protection. That is why these treasures are also kept locked in strong locks and specific keys are required to open them. The keys to these treasures of goodness, mercy, forgiveness, and blessings are hidden within the fasts. Whoever finds these keys, as if he has gained access to these invaluable treasures, because when the keys are in hand, opening the locks is no difficult task.
Let us seriously consider these treasures and their keys so that we can take full advantage of this blessed month and improve our world and the hereafter.

First Key: Limitless Reward
It is necessary for the fasting person to fully understand the greatness of fasting and its unparalleled reward and try hard to achieve it. It should be kept in mind that the greater the reward of an action, the higher its etiquette and requirements are. This fact is explained by the narration of Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: Allah Almighty says that every action of the son of Adam is for himself, except fasting, because fasting is especially for Me and I will reward it. Fasting is a strong shield for man, so when one of you fasts, he should avoid obscene talk, abuse, and noise. If someone quarrels with him or uses abusive language, he should gently say that I am fasting. By the One in whose hand is the life of Muhammad (PBUH), the smell of the mouth of the fasting person is more pleasing to Allah Almighty than the fragrance of musk. Two joys have been appointed for the fasting person: one at the time of Iftar, when he breaks the fast, and the other when he will appear before his Lord and feel happy because of his fasting (Agreed upon). This narration is in Bukhari in this way, while in Hidayah these words are also found that "he abandons his desires and eating and drinking only for My pleasure."
Regarding the virtue of fasting and its great reward, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever fasts in Ramadan with faith and sincerity, all his past sins are forgiven" (Bukhari and Muslim). Similarly, the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever stands in prayer in the nights of Ramadan with faith and intention, his past sins are forgiven" (Muslim). He further said: "There is a special gate in Paradise called Rayyan, only those who fast will enter through this gate on the Day of Resurrection, no one else will be entitled to pass through it. It will be announced: Where are those who fast? So they will stand up and enter Paradise through this gate, then that gate will be closed and no one else will be able to enter through it" (Bukhari and Muslim). Similarly, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: "When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are imprisoned" (Bukhari and Muslim).
When this greatness and glory of the reward of fasting is ingrained in the heart of the fasting person, a strong desire to obtain this reward awakens within him, which prepares him for more hard work, dedication, and effort. Therefore, he fully adheres to the etiquette of Sharia in all his actions and makes every effort to mold his life according to the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Second Key: Taqwa (Piety)
The basic purpose of fasting is to create piety, so the fasting person should understand how deep and strong the relationship between fasting and piety is. Allah Almighty says: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain piety" (Al-Baqarah: 183). This verse clearly shows that the real spirit of fasting and its true goal is to promote piety within man.
The simplest and most comprehensive meaning of piety is that a person should not go where Allah Almighty has forbidden him to go and should not be negligent of where he has commanded him to stay. In other words, piety is that the fasting person should protect his worship and his morals with full awareness and responsibility, so that no action is committed that would waste his good deeds. When a person takes care of the etiquette of worship and the requirements of Sharia, he remains safe from sins and disobedience. Gradually, this caution and abstinence becomes his habit, as a result of which his life improves and takes a better to best turn. And if there is ever a slip, he immediately makes a sincere repentance and purifies himself from the pollution of sins.
When a person finds the real spirit of fasting and its true reality, he begins to strive with full seriousness and concentration to achieve piety. Fasting is not just about enduring hunger and thirst or temporarily abstaining from the desires of the self, but its purpose is to protect man from the darkness of sin and disobedience and to make him accustomed to self-control and obedience. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) explained this fact in a very eloquent manner: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah Almighty has no need for him to give up his food and drink" (Bukhari).
So if the fasting person is blessed with this key of piety, he becomes entitled to a great spiritual treasure that will fill his book of deeds with light, beauty, and radiance on the Day of Resurrection and will be the cause of his salvation and success.

Third Key: Building Character and Conduct
Consider seriously why fasts have been prescribed only for "a few days," that is, for a whole month? This period has been kept neither less nor more than that, there are deep wisdoms hidden behind it. From this reflection, the fasting person becomes clear about the real purpose of fasting, that is, the reality of piety. At the same time, it also becomes clear that worship has a very strong relationship with human will, because the actions and worships that a person becomes accustomed to, choosing or abandoning them depends on his firm will. The fasting person abandons his basic needs from dawn to dusk and makes significant changes in his daily habits. Changing a habit is not an easy task, but it requires continuous practice, patience, and time. Great importance has been given to human will in Islamic Sharia, because a person who does not have a strong will is unable to fulfill his responsibilities. Hazrat Ali (RA) explained the reality of human responsibility in this way: "Allah Almighty has not forced anyone to be obligated, nor has He sent the prophets without purpose, but He has commanded with choice and forbidden with warning and intimidation."
When a person abandons his bad habits and adopts good and desirable habits, brings his incorrect behavior to the right path, and improves his character, he actually obtains the key to a great treasure. We observe every year that with the arrival of Ramadan, people become ready to bring positive changes within themselves. If a Muslim takes full advantage of this training process of fasting, strengthens his will, and tries to put it on a better path, a tremendous and comprehensive revolution can take place in his life.

Fourth Key: Fasting and Ease
Although the fasting person has been promised countless rewards, a prominent and bright feature of Islamic Sharia is that special importance has been given to ease and convenience in it. Allah Almighty says: "If any of you is ill or on a journey, then (he should fast) the same number of days later, and for those who are able to fast (but do not), there is a ransom, that is, feeding a needy person" (Al-Baqarah: 184). This verse shows that Islam provides ease to man by keeping in view his weaknesses and compulsions.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) also presented the principle of ease in practical form for the Ummah. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "If one of you eats or drinks by mistake, he should complete his fast, because Allah has fed and given him drink" (Agreed upon). Hazrat Aisha (RA) narrates that sometimes the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would be in a state of Janabah (major impurity) at dawn and would fast after taking a bath (Bukhari and Muslim). Similarly, it is stated in the Holy Quran: "It has been made lawful for you to go to your wives during the nights of fasting. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them. Allah knows that you were betraying yourselves, so He has accepted your repentance and pardoned you" (Al-Baqarah: 187).
These easements encourage man to remain steadfast on obedience and obedience and also inform him of the wisdom and mercy of Islamic legislation. Fasts are not actually punishment but an effective means of training human will, practicing self-control, and making one accustomed to obedience. The requirement of this training is also that man should adopt an attitude of gentleness and ease in dealing with others, because fasts teach us that ease, mercy, and forgiveness are the original Islamic temperament.

Fifth Key: The Holy Quran
Ramadan al-Mubarak is the month of the revelation of the Holy Quran. Allah Almighty says: "The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for all mankind, and containing clear teachings showing the right way and distinguishing between right and wrong. So whoever finds this month, it is obligatory on him to fast in it" (Al-Baqarah: 185). This verse makes it clear that the Quran is the source of guidance for the entire humanity and Allah Almighty has chosen a blessed month like Ramadan for the revelation of this great blessing.
For the one who desires true progress and success, the Quran is the greatest support and guide. If the fasting person strengthens his relationship with the Quran, he can reach the heights of glory in both this world and the hereafter. Hazrat Umar (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Allah Almighty elevates some nations through this book and humiliates others because of ignoring this book" (Muslim).
Therefore, the Quran should be recited abundantly in Ramadan, its meanings should be pondered upon, and efforts should be made to understand its instructions. Every letter gets a good deed and the reward of every good deed is increased tenfold, as it is mentioned in the Hadith that Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter, and Meem is a letter. Hazrat Usman bin Affan (RA) narrates that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: "The best among you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it to others" (Bukhari). In fact, this great book is a source of progress and prosperity in both this world and the hereafter. Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr bin Al-Aas (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "On the Day of Resurrection, it will be said to the one who knows the Quran: Recite and ascend, and recite slowly as you used to recite in the world, your last destination will be where your last verse ends" (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood).
This deep relationship between Ramadan and the Quran prompts the fasting person to take full advantage of this book of guidance, to read it, understand it, learn it, teach it, and act upon its teachings, so that he may be blessed with true progress, spiritual elevation, and eternal success.

Sixth Key: Proximity to Allah
In the Holy Quran, between the mention of the obligation of fasting and the easements given in it, there is a great verse that some people consider separate from the topic of fasting, although in reality this verse, by coming in the context of fasting, guides towards a very deep and important reality, but to reach this reality, contemplation and reflection are necessary. That verse is:
"And O Prophet (PBUH)! When My servants ask you about Me, then tell them that I am very close to them. When the caller calls Me, I listen to his prayer and accept it. Therefore, they should obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be guided" (Al-Baqarah: 186).
The person who adheres to the commandments of fasting and obtains light from the instructions of the Quran becomes worthy of proximity to Allah and enters the circle of Allah Almighty's love. In Ramadan al-Mubarak, the abundance of Nafl (voluntary) prayers brings man closer to Allah. It is stated in the famous Hadith Qudsi: "My servant continues to draw closer to Me through Nafl prayers until I love him."
When this key comes into the hands of the fasting person, he gets a deep awareness of the need and importance of prayer, because prayer is worship in itself. When a servant prays abundantly, his relationship with his Lord becomes strong, and thus he naturally becomes inclined towards obedience to Allah, accepts His commandments with joy, and acts upon them. Prayer is actually coming into the refuge of Allah, remembering Him, and expressing one's humility before Him. And when a servant remembers his Lord, the Lord also remembers His servant, as it is stated: "So remember Me, I will remember you, and be grateful to Me, and do not be ungrateful."
The fasting person becomes entitled to proximity to Allah by performing all good deeds along with performing obligatory and Nafl prayers, then Allah Almighty bestows him with the wealth of His proximity and listens to and accepts his prayers. Through these keys, the fasting person obtains such spiritual treasures that are more precious than pearls and diamonds. The doors of these treasures open in Ramadan al-Mubarak and remain open even after Ramadan for those who keep the spirit of this month alive. Thus, the fasting person can gather countless benefits for his worldly life and also accumulate a great treasure for the eternal success of the hereafter. As if, by virtue of these keys, he can progress at every stage of life and can fully benefit from these treasures. Now let's see what these treasures are after all?

Treasures of Abstinence
When the fasting person keeps in mind the obedience to Allah, avoids disobedience, fully adheres to the etiquette of fasting, and strengthens his will, as well as protects himself from the slavery of bad habits, he achieves the original purpose of the obligation of fasting, that is, piety. Through continuous practice and training, he develops a strong ability to avoid and stay away from bad deeds. Thus, he becomes the owner of invaluable treasures of abstinence and caution. By virtue of this ability, he keeps his behavior safe from all kinds of evils and this fact becomes clear to him that when man uses his will to abide by the limits and avoids every abomination and evil, he is blessed with the great treasure of piety. This increases his trust in Allah, creates self-confidence, and then Satan cannot overcome him, nor can he mislead him with his whispers. Thus, the fasting person gets that invaluable wealth of piety and abstinence that protects man from evils, carnal desires, and sins.

Treasures of Progress
The reward of fasting and standing in prayer at night is certain and countless. The fasting person remains hopeful of its fruits in this world as well, and in the hereafter, it is certain for him to receive reward in the form of great reward. This shows that the keys of reward have a deep relationship with recitation of the Quran, prayer, Qiyam al-Layl (night prayer), Itikaf (seclusion in the mosque for worship), and other good deeds. Through these keys, the fasting person obtains a great spiritual treasure, which can be called the treasure of progress. Because when man is blessed with the wealth of piety by the grace of Allah, he becomes familiar with the sweetness of faith, Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) become the most beloved to him. And this love requires that man should adhere to all obligatory and Nafl prayers and strive hard in obedience and obedience.
This treasure is full of good deeds: abundant recitation of the Quran, generosity with an open heart during Ramadan in following the Sunnah of the Messenger (PBUH), arranging Iftar for those who fast, maintaining family ties, taking care of orphans and the needy, and increasing all kinds of Nafl worship in Ramadan—these are all the best ways to gain the love of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH). Through these deeds, the fasting person reaches the high stages of progress and ultimately becomes worthy of the pleasure of Allah Almighty.

Treasures of the Love of Allah
The person who is blessed with the wealth of piety and abstinence and gets opportunities for progress in obedience to Allah, he is actually worthy of the special favors of Allah Almighty. The greatest and most magnificent favor of Allah on a servant is His love, and this love is the highest reward and the greatest success for the servant. It is stated in the Hadith Qudsi: "When I love My servant, I become his ear with which he hears, his eye with which he sees, his hand with which he grasps, and his foot with which he walks. If he asks Me, I will surely give him, and if he seeks refuge with Me, I will surely give him refuge."
The fasting person desires that he should be blessed with the full reward of the deep relationship that he has established with the Holy Quran throughout the month of Ramadan. He stays awake in search of Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power) so that he may obtain the light and blessings of this blessed night. He wants the reward of Itikaf, worship, and continuous struggle of the last ten days and hopes that his hard work will not be in vain.
The greatest wish of the fasting person is that Allah Almighty should grant him salvation from Hell and accept his fasts, worships, and prayers. However, it should be kept in mind that this hope of Allah's grace is not just a wish, but is associated with action, hard work, and sincere struggle. All these treasures that are given to the fasting person are special gifts of the Lord, which become a source of strength and a treasure of salvation for him throughout his life. He also relies on these treasures for the acceptance of prayer, but all these hopes are fruitful only when sincerity of action is present with them. That is why it is stated: "Therefore, they should obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be guided."
O Allah! Grant us the keys to these great treasures. When we spend the month of Ramadan, enrich us with Your grace and generosity, and continue to bless us with Your boundless blessings even after that. O Allah! Grant us the ability to fully observe the sanctity and honor of Ramadan, may its keys and treasures fall into our hands, and through these keys, may we open the doors of guidance, proximity, and success. O Allah! Accept our prayers. Amen!


Written by: Muhammad Fida al-Mustafa Qadri 
Contact Number: 9037099731
PG Research Scholar: Darul Huda Islamic University