A Month to Repent, Receive Allah’s Kindness and Be Forgiven
Ramadan in February feels especially poignant to me. In 1993, I was a student at Al-Azhar University in Cairo. I still remember being gently woken in the early hours by nasheed artists singing over the masjid loudspeakers, their voices carrying through the cool dawn air. Soon after, the soul-stirring recitation of the Quran by a master Egyptian Qari would fill the silence. The days and nights saturated with devotion, tender, luminous, unforgettable. It reminds me of a simple truth: When something is taken away, we begin to long for it more. Ramadan gives so much back: What are the gifts? What blessings does this sacred month carry for those who enter it with open hearts?
A Month of Immense Reward and Divine Nearness
It was narrated by Salman al Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) delivered a sermon on the last day of Sha’ban: He said, “People, a blessed month is about to dawn on you, it has a night more blessed than a thousand months. The fasting during this month is compulsory, and whilst the Tarweeh is recommended. Whoever tries to draw near to Allah through good deeds shall be rewarded as if he had performed an obligatory duty at any other time of the year. And whoever performs an obligatory duty will have a reward of 70 times.
This is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise. It is the month of kindness to people. It is a month wherein a true believer’s livelihood is increased. Whoever feeds a fasting person to break the fast will have forgiveness and freedom from sins; he will be saved from the fire of Hell and receive the reward equal to the fasting person. But that person’s reward will not be diminished.
Some companions said, “Not all of us can afford to feed a fasting person.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: Allah gives him the same reward as he gives the fasting person, even if it is a single date or a sip of milk or water. And whosoever gives a fasting Muslim water to drink at iftar, Allah will grant him a drink during the Day of Judgement from the fountain of Muhammad after which he shall never again feel thirsty until he enters Paradise.
This is a month where the first part brings Allah’s kindness, the middle His forgiveness, and the last part is freedom from the fire of Hell. Whosoever lessens the burdens of his servants in this month, Allah will forgive him and free him from Hell. And there are four things you should endeavour to perform in great number, two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot make do. The first two qualities are to bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and to ask for forgiveness. And as for the two you cannot do without: ask Allah for Paradise and seek refuge from the Hellfire” (Ibn al-Khuzaymah).
The Seven Gifts of Ramadan
This sermon succinctly outlines the brilliance of the sacred month by highlighting seven benefits, seven doors are opened to blessings:
- One of its nights, the Night of Power, is more valuable than a thousand months.
- Fasting during the day is compulsory, whilst praying Taraweeh at night and listening to the Quran is sunnah.
- It is a month to learn patience, in which the believer learns to accept the hardships of hunger and thirst.
- Fasting helps develop compassion towards the needy and the desire to feed others.
- The sacred month is divided into three parts: Divine kindness, Forgiveness and Salvation. Allah’s kindness wraps up everything, then His forgiveness purifies, which leads to salvation from Hellfire.
- The Messenger (peace be upon him) advises employers to treat workers kindly by lightening their workload and letting them spend time in worship during this month.
- Finally, he (peace be upon him) tells us to do four things: Recite the kalimah, seek forgiveness, ask for Paradise, and seek refuge from Hell.
Introducing The Majestic Quran
Since Ramadan is the month of the Quran, I strongly recommend that you embark on a journey through the Quran this Ramadan. My translation, The Majestic Quran, will be your friendly companion. The Majestic Quran is a plain English translation that unlocks the meaning and message of the Quran for you. It offers a new pathway of understanding, one deeply rooted in the classical Islamic tradition, while expressed in language that speaks clearly to the modern mind and heart.
I have organised each Surah into thematic sections that reveal its coherence and central message, helping readers follow the unfolding guidance with clarity. By combining recitation, understanding, and reflection, The Majestic Quran serves as a bridge between timeless revelation and the contemporary reader, inviting deeper engagement, transformation, and a more conscious journey of faith.
