It has been a rewarding 29-day spiritual activity, a period of recompense, a period of closeness to Allah, a period of illumination by the Glorious Quran, a period of re-direction of destinies and possibilities, charity, divine blessings. It is indeed a memorable period.

It has become a practice among Muslims to offer their Zakat in the month of Ramadan. This is generally done to increase one’s blessings.

Zakatul-Fitr is not simply the calculation of your dues on your assets. Its scope and implication transcend what we must do in the case of the fourth pillar of Islam.

In about three days from now we will bid the Ramadan month farewell. How have you spent the last 26 days? Has it been fruitful, spiritually exciting and physically rewarding or have you wasted the time unknowingly? Ramadan, as usual, has flown by. Despite planning beforehand, many of us may have gotten caught up in a normal routine after accustoming ourselves to the change in schedule the blessed month brings. This may have affected our initial plans to increase our worship and to seek Allah’s Forgiveness and Mercy with greater favour.

The fasts of Ramadan have been prescribed for all Muslims for the development of the soul and for enabling it to subdue the carnal appetites. This much exertion and sacrifice of sensual desires have been made obligatory for every Muslim that he neither ate nor drank anything nor sought sexual satisfaction during the whole of the blessed month, in compliance with the command of Allah (SWT) and with the intention of paying divine honours to Him.

WE have read from different scholars that Ramadan is divided into three parts of 10 days. The most important part of Ramadan is said to be the last 10 days. The revelation of the Qur’an, the night of majesty, the blessings among others had been perfected in it.

The significance of the Night of Majesty or Laylatul-Qadr cannot be overemphasised. Inspite of our knowledge about the glorious night and its importance, preparation towards it has not shown enough awareness and consciousness about its gains. It is one marvellous gift the Creator, Allah (SWT) has given to the Muslim Ummah to redeem and renew themselves every year of all iniquities, attract abundant blessings and of course change their destinies.

We are currently in the midst of Ramadan’s days of Forgiveness. The first 10 days of this blessed month have passed, which are noted for Mercy. Now it is time for us to not only seek God’s forgiveness through sincere prayers and a commitment to change for the better. It is also an excellent opportunity to forgive others. And there is plenty we can forgive others for.

Fasting has a positive impact on the individual. Fasting is ibadat that teaches self-control. A fasting person is able to control the food instinct, perhaps the most powerful human instinct. The sense of self-control gained is extendable to other situations of temptation to evil or when facing difficulties. Thus fasting is described as protection, al saum junnat.

There are innumerable benefits of fasting. One of the most prominent is imbibing the character of self restraint. Self restraint is really a difficult thing but with fasting in accordance with the dictates of Allah, it becomes easier and one therefore is able to forsake sin and develops the qualities of piety and abstinence. Fasting saves a person from sin because it develops self-restraint and drives away the passions that lead to sin.

Fasting for a couple of days might be all it takes to understand the suffering of those who go without food and their own way of life. Understanding the plight of the poor is one part of what Ramadan seeks to achieve. We are therefore reminded severally both in the Qur’an and hadiths that giving food to fasting Muslim is a great deed in the month.

In this month, it is very rewarding to observe tahjjud and end it before your sahur. One could get up in the early morning before the breaking of the dawn for prayers and in preparation for the fast.

In this month, it is very rewarding to observe tahjjud and end it before your sahur. One could get up in the early morning before the breaking of the dawn for prayers and in preparation for the fast.

This aspect of giving that we discussed yesterday is important in getting the full reward of the month. Since it is the month of mercy where Allah has promised His mercy on us, we are duty bound to also show mercy to our fellow human being.

This month is introduced as a month of sympathy, love and affection. The Prophet (SAW) has said. Whoever reduces the burden and work of those who are under him. Allah will forgive him and save him from Hell fire.