Mufti Sanaullah Qasmi According to a tradition, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would start preparing for Ramadan as soon as Rajab al-Murajab's moon rises, and would pray, "O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Sha'ban and bring us to Ramadan (Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha'ban wa balighna Ramadan)". Along with this, his daily routine would increase from Rajab, and in Sha'ban, he would fast extensively, to the extent that Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) would say that it seemed as if his fasts would be combined with those of Ramadan. In this context, he would also say that Sha'ban is my month, meaning that Allah did not make fasting obligatory in this month, but he liked the act that was obligatory in Ramadan.
On the 15th night of Sha'ban, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would pay special attention to worship. On this night, before the arrival of Ramadan, Allah announces such rewards and blessings that a person feels a wave of joy and feels that Ramadan is approaching. The descent of Allah's mercy begins as soon as the sun sets. A caller continues to call out, "Is there anyone seeking forgiveness that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking sustenance that I may open the doors of sustenance for him?" Before the general announcement of forgiveness in Ramadan, the forgiveness of sinners is granted on the 15th night of Sha'ban, to the extent that it is called Laylat al-Bara'ah (the night of forgiveness).
Some commentators believe that Allah decided to reveal the Holy Quran on this night, which was implemented on the night of Laylat al-Qadr. Just as the arrival of spring is indicated by its signs before it arrives, and the whiteness of dawn indicates the arrival of daylight, similarly, Allah begins to bestow some of the blessings of this blessed month from Sha'ban. Therefore, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would remain engaged in preparations for Ramadan, and would explain the greatness and importance of Ramadan to his Companions.
When the last days of Sha'ban would arrive, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would deliver a sermon on the occasion of welcoming Ramadan, and would encourage people to do good deeds. The summary of his sermon, as narrated by Hazrat Salman Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him) in the books of Hadith, is that a glorious month is approaching, which is Ramadan. In this month, whoever performs a good deed will be rewarded like an obligatory act, and whoever performs an obligatory act will be rewarded seventy times more. Whoever feeds a fasting person will be saved from hell and will receive a reward equal to that of the fasting person, without any reduction in the fasting person's reward.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would say that the first part of Ramadan is mercy, the second part is forgiveness, and the third part is freedom from hell. Allah makes special arrangements in this month so that Satan cannot mislead people and incite them to evil. Therefore, the devils are chained, the doors of hell are closed, and the doors of paradise are opened for the entire month. A caller from Allah calls out, "Those who seek good, come forward, and those who are inclined towards evil, stop." Despite such arrangements, if a Muslim does not benefit from this month and does not strive to attain paradise, it is the height of misfortune and wretchedness.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had prayed for the curse of Allah upon those who find Ramadan but do not attain forgiveness. One of the prayers of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is, "The fast is for me, and I will reward it (As-Sawm li wa ana ajzi bih)". Another narration is, "I am the reward for it (Ana ujzi bih)". Allah is the reward for those who fast, and whoever finds Allah, all their worldly and otherworldly affairs are settled.
This is also a month of consolation; therefore, wherever one is and whatever work one is engaged in, one should keep in mind the needs of the poor and the necessities of the needy, and make arrangements for them according to one's means. This is also one of the purposes of fasting. We have been given the facilities of food and drink by Allah, and we do not experience the hardship of hunger and thirst throughout the year. However, when we fast, we should feel the hardship that the oppressed people in society experience, whose stoves burn with great difficulty, and who often spend the night in hunger.
The elders have emphasized that one should not eat so much in iftar and suhoor that the reduction in carnal desires due to fasting is negated. In this month, the teachers of madrasas, scholars, institutions, organizations, and madrasas strive to arrange financial support. They should be respected, and it should be felt that they are doing a favor to the wealthy by ensuring that their zakat reaches the right place on time. Therefore, one should not spoil one's actions by repeatedly and hastily approaching them.
Scholars themselves should also perform this task with dignity for the sake of Allah's pleasure. It is not good to humble oneself in front of the wealthy, and many wealthy people make a long line of collectors, scold them, and insult them. One should maintain distance from such people. If running a madrasa is for the sake of Allah's pleasure and to fulfill educational needs, Allah will arrange for it. We have seen that many wealthy people who used to give large amounts have stopped giving, but Allah has arranged for other donors, and the madrasas are still running with the same grandeur.
The donors have changed, but the work is being done for Allah's sake. Therefore, one's dignity should not be compromised at any stage. Hakim al-Ummat Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (may Allah have mercy on him) has said that Allah will not ask anyone why they did not have 500 students in their madrasa or why they did not establish a madrasa up to the level of Daura-e-Hadith. However, Allah will definitely ask why they did not make the five students they had useful. Therefore, those who run madrasas for Allah's sake and to fulfill educational needs receive Allah's support.
I have seen the madrasa in Thana Bhawan, where there is no receipt for donations, but the donors give with confidence, and the registration is done immediately, and the work continues. We pray to Allah to grant us all a generous share of the blessings of Ramadan with full faith and to make it a means of salvation from hell. Amen.
