https://www.khutbah.info/the-virtue-of-ramadan/ The month of Ramadan will dawn upon us soon, bringing with it goodness, generosity and blessings. The Prophet ﷺ described it as a blessed month, saying: Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month. [Ahmad 7148, Grade: Hasan] Blessing (barakah) is growth and increase. Thus, rewards increase in Ramadan. The reward for the many righteous deeds performed by those fasting and praying at night in Ramadan are multiplied. It is incumbent upon the believer to learn about the virtues of this blessed month so that they are motivated to work hard and strive in it with determination and strength, and to abandon laziness and procrastination.
إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ ,نَحْمَدُهُ ,وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ , وَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا ,مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ , وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ , وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evils of our selves. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. Whoever He misguides, none can guide. And I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.
يَا أَيُّهَا الّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ – آل عمران:102
Al Imran 102 : O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.
Oh people:
The month of Ramadan will dawn upon us soon, bringing with it goodness, generosity and blessings. The Prophet ﷺ described it as a blessed month, saying:
قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَمَضَانُ شَهْرٌ مُبَارَكٌ
Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month. [Ahmad 7148, Grade: Hasan]
Blessing (barakah) is growth and increase. Thus, rewards increase in Ramadan. The reward for the many righteous deeds performed by those fasting and praying at night in Ramadan are multiplied.
It is incumbent upon the believer to learn about the virtues of this blessed month so that they are motivated to work hard and strive in it with determination and strength, and to abandon laziness and procrastination.
Among the virtues of Ramadan is that fasting it is a pillar of Islam, which in itself suffices as an honor and virtue.
Allah Almighty said:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
Al-Baqarah (2) 183: O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous
And Allah Almighty said:
فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ
Al-Baqarah (2)185: So whoever sights [the crescent of] the month, let him fast it.
This is a command from Allah Almighty to fast Ramadan.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ وَالْحَجِّ وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ
Islam is built upon five (pillars) testifying that there is no deity except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger, establishing prayer, giving zakat, performing pilgrimage, and fasting during Ramadan. [Bukhari 8, Muslim 16c ]
Among the virtues of Ramadan is that fasting in it erases sins, as the Prophet ﷺsaid:
الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ وَالْجُمُعَةُ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ وَرَمَضَانُ إِلَى رَمَضَانَ مُكَفِّرَاتُ مَا بَيْنَهُنَّ إِذَا اجْتُنِبَتِ الْكَبَائِرُ
The five daily prayers, from one Friday to the next, and from Ramadan to Ramadan, expiate the sins committed between them, as long as major sins are avoided. [Muslim 233c]
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ وَعَرَفَ حُدُودَهُ وَتَحَفَّظَ مِمَّا كَانَ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَتَحَفَّظَ فِيهِ كَفَّرَ مَا قَبْلَهُ
Whoever fasts during Ramadan, understanding its limits and refraining from that which he is required to avoid, has his previous sins forgiven. [Ahmad 11524, Hasan (Arnaout)]
Among the virtues of Ramadan is that many people are saved from the Hellfire, as mentioned in the Hadith:
يَا بَاغِيَ الْخَيْرِ أَقْبِلْ وَيَا بَاغِيَ الشَّرِّ أَقْصِرْ، وَلِلَّهِ عُتَقَاءُ مِنَ النَّارِ، وَذَلِكَ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ
O seeker of goodness, come forward; and O seeker of evil, restrain yourself. For Allah has people whom He frees from the Fire, and that happens every night. [Tirmithi (682), Grade: Hasan (Arnaout)]
In addition, the Quran was revealed in Ramadan. Allah Almighty said:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ
Al-Baqarah (2)185: The month of Ramaḍān [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’ān.
And Allah Almighty said:
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ
Surah Al-Qadr (97) 1 : Indeed, We sent it [the Qur’ān] down during the Night of Decree.
Among the virtues of Ramadan is the ordained congregational night prayer in the masjids, which is known as Tarawih prayer. This practice is specific to Ramadan and is not observed at any other time.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ قَامَ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ كُتِبَ لَهُ قِيَامُ لَيْلَةٍ
Whoever stands with the Imam until he finishes, it is recorded for him as if he had prayed the entire night. [Tirmithi 806, Grade: Sahih (Albani)]
Moreover, night prayer during Ramadan is a means of forgiveness of sins, as the Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
Whoever stands [in prayer] during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. [Al-Bukhari 1901 and Muslim 760a)
Whoever increases their prayer beyond that of the Imam—whether praying alone or with another group—has gained additional goodness.
Among the virtues of Ramadan is that fasting it along with six days of Shawwal is equal to fasting the entire year. This is because Allah multiplies rewards, whereby one good deed is rewarded tenfold.
Thus, the fasting of Ramadan is like fasting ten months, and fasting the six days of Shawwal is like fasting two months, making it like a fasting a full year. The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ
Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six [days] from Shawwal, it is as if he has fasted for a year. [Muslim 1164a]
أَقُولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
I say what you have heard and I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and you from every sin. So seek forgives from Him, Verily He is Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
Second Khutbah
الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ, وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ , وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَاْ إِلَهَ إِلَّاْ اَللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَاْشَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَاً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ
All praise is to Allah, and peace and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, and I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.
Oh Muslims:
Be conscious of Allah, the Exalted, and obey Him. Take heed from the passing of days, for human life is nothing but days, months, and years, and once they pass, a person’s life comes to an end.
يُقَلِّبُ اللَّهُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِأُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ
An-Nur (24) 44: Allāh alternates the night and the day. Indeed in that is a lesson for those who have vision.
All these great virtues and abundant rewards in Ramadan are granted to those conscious of Allah’s rights. So such people guard their tongues, ears, and eyes from the forbidden, avoid idle talk, devote their hearts and bodies to pleasing Allah Almighty.
Such people occupy themselves with acts of obedience throughout the day and night. If they become tired, they rest only to regain energy for another act of worship. However, people differ in how much they benefit from Ramadan—some strive wholeheartedly, while others make minimal efforts.
Indeed, the believer faces trials and temptations, especially in Ramadan. If a person surrenders to them, they will steal Ramadan from them, robbing their good deeds and burdening them with sins. But if they avoid them and protect themselves, their family, and their children, their consciouses will be clear, their hearts will be at peace, and their time will be blessed, and they will experience the pleasure of fasting, the pleasure prayer, pleasure of reciting Quran, and the pleasure of supplication and remembrance of Allah.
So, make a covenant with Your Lord to strive for excellence in Ramadan! Fulfill your covenant with the Most Merciful, for the celebrating Eid is for those who safeguarded their fasting, were devoted in their prayers, and diligent in reciting the Quran.
O Allah, allow us to reach Ramadan and aid us in performing good deeds in it. O Allah, help us to fast properly, pray diligently, and recite Your Book with devotion.
هَذَا وَصَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى نَبِيِّكُم كَمَا أَمَرَكُمْ بِذلِكَ رَبُّكُمْ , فَقَالَ
I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon your Prophet as your Lord commanded:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Al Ahzaab (33) 56: Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace.
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنا فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنا فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنا فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لنا فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنا شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا عَاذَ بِهِ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ كُلَّ قَضَاءٍ قَضَيْتَهُ لَنا خَيْرًا
O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good
عِبَادَ اللّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
Servants of Allah. Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.
اُذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ واشْكُرُوهُ يَزِدْكُمْ واسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لكُمْ واتّقُوهُ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِكُمْ مَخْرَجًا وَأَقِمِ الصّلَاة
Remember Allah, the Great – He will remember you. Thank Him for His favors – He will increase you therein. And seek forgiveness from Him – He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him – He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer.
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