The Sixth Point

One of the many wisdoms behind fasting during the blessed month of RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed., with respect to the revelation of the Qur’an and RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed. being the foremost season of that revelation, is as follows:

Since the Qur’an was revealed in the month of RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed., one should enter into a sacred state during this blessed month in order to recall the time of its revelation and receive that heavenly address in the most fitting manner. This can be achieved by distancing one’s nafsThe aspect of the soul associated with lower desires and negative traits. from base desires, abstaining from frivolous distractions, and, through refraining from eating and drinking, assuming a state resembling that of the angels.

In such a condition, one recites and listens to the Qur’an as though this Divine revelation had only just descended, hearing it as if it were being proclaimed by the Noble Messenger (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him), by the angel JibrīlOne of the four great angels, entrusted with conveying Allah’s revelation to the prophets. (as), or even by the Mutakallim-i AzalīAllah, the Pre-Eternal Speaker whose speech is unlike that of any created being. Himself. To do so is, in a sense, to act as an interpreter of the Qur’an, to enable others to listen to it, and thereby to manifest, to some degree, the wisdom behind its revelation.

Indeed, throughout the blessed month of RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed., the entire Islamic world resembles one vast mosque in every corner of which millions of huffāzThose who have memorized the entire Qur’an. recite the Qur’an, causing the inhabitants of the earth to hear that heavenly address. Every RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed. vividly and beautifully manifests the meaning of the verse:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذٖٓى اُنْزِلَ فٖيهِ الْقُرْاٰنُhe month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was sent down. — The Quran 2:185

thereby proclaiming anew that RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed. is truly the month of the Qur’an. Within this magnificent congregation, some believers listen to the huffāzThose who have memorized the entire Qur’an. with deep reverence and devotion, while others quietly recite the Qur’an themselves.

Indeed, in such a sacred mosque, it is exceedingly reprehensible and offensive to turn away from this radiant state and indulge the desires of the nafsThe aspect of the soul associated with lower desires and negative traits. through eating and drinking, thereby making oneself the object of the congregation’s inward disapproval. Likewise, those who oppose or disregard the people who fast during the blessed month of RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed. become, to that extent, the object of the spiritual disapproval and censure of the entire Islamic world.

The Seventh Point

One of the many wisdoms behind fasting during the blessed month of RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed., with respect to the profit of man, who has come to this world to cultivate and trade for the Hereafter, is the following:

During the blessed month of RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed., the reward for good deeds is multiplied a thousandfold. According to a hadithA report of the sayings, actions, or approvals of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh)., every letter of the Qur’an earns ten rewards and bears ten fruits of Paradise. In RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed., however, each letter yields not merely ten but a thousand rewards. Certain verses, such as Āyat al-Kursī"The Verse of the Throne” (Qur’an 2:255), proclaiming Allah’s supreme authority and eternal dominion., bring thousands of rewards for every letter, and on the Fridays of RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and in which the Qur’an was first revealed. that number increases even further. On Laylat al-QadrThe Night of Decree. It is the night on which the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It is regarded as one of the most blessed nights of the Islamic year and, according to Islamic tradition, occurs during the last ten nights of Ramadan, especially on one of the odd-numbered nights., each letter is rewarded with thirty thousand merits.