11 Blessings of Ramadan
As-salamu alaykum, dear brothers and sisters in Islam. Ramadan is a blessed month, and I want to share with you 11 benefits of fasting during this sacred time. **1) Fasting helps us achieve Taqwa**: The Qur'an tells us, 'O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous' (Al-Baqarah, 2:183). By changing our attitude and having a good mental state while fasting, we can achieve Taqwa. **2) Double reward for feeding a fasting person**: The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said, 'Whoever feeds a fasting person will have a reward like that of the fasting person, without any reduction in his reward' (Al Tirmidhee). **3) Reading Qur'an in Ramadan helps attain Taqwa**: Reading the Qur'an in this month assists in attaining Taqwa, as it is one of the main objectives of the revelation of the Qur'an. **4) Forgiveness of sins**: The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said, 'Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven' (al-Bukharee, 2014; Muslim, 760). **5) Developing steadfastness and patience**: Fasting helps in developing a strong will power and patience in obeying Allah. **6) Seeking Laylatul Qadr**: The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said, 'There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month... during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed' (An-Nasa'ee, 2106; Ahmad, 8769). **7) Fasting precludes ar-riya and assists in ikhlaas**: Allah said, 'Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it' (Al-Bukharee, 1761, and Muslim, 1946). **8) Ramadan trains us to have good character**: The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said, 'Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it and ignorant behaviour, Allah has no need of his giving up his food and drink' (Sahih Al-Bukharee, 1903). **9) A sense of unity among Muslims**: All Muslims participate in this act of worship, fasting and breaking the fast at the same time. **10) Learning discipline in food and drink**: One of the benefits of fasting is good health, which allows us to worship Allah better. **11) Two moments of joy**: The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasalaam) said, 'The fasting person will have two moments of joy: one when he breaks his fast, and the other when he meets his Lord' (al-Bukharee, 1771). Jazakum Allahu khayran for reading, and may Allah grant us a blessed Ramadan.