Alhamdulillah, Praise is for Allah who has made the month of Ramadhaan one of the greatest months in the year. He (Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala) showed us favour by allowing us to fast its days and pray during its nights. Its days are honoured with fasting, while its nights are brightened with prayer.

I praise Allah and thank Him for the favours that He has shown us. I bear witness that there is no god or deity worth of worship except Allah alone. He (Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala) is the one who is fully Complete and Perfect in all respects. I bear witness that Muhammed (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) is Allah’s slave and Final Messenger. He is the greatest of those who prayed and fasted. He (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was the most pious and obedient. I ask Allah to send His Salah on Him (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and his companions.

Amma Ba'du: O Mankind! The greatness, beauty, honours and prestige of the month of Ramadhaan is directly correlated with the actions of devotion that are sanctioned and obligated in it. Obedience to Allah is encapsulated in the total submission to Allah. Spiritual devotions restrict the self from following its whims and evil desires. The soul takes over the physical presence. It initiates actions of piety that allow it to accept Allah’s blessing more readily.

Ibad Allah! The new moon signaled to the all Muslims, in the east and west, the beginning of a month (Ramadhaan) that is to bring forth a positive change in the character, habits and deeds of all who observe it. After eleven months, once again the Muslims ask where did the time go? The month of Ramadhaan returned very quickly, and with it the fond memories of devotion and 'Ibada. Time marches on, unfazed and unrelenting in its consumption of day and night. A person, forty years old, may wake up one day and ask himself where have all the days and nights that he has lived gone.

Allah says: "He (Allah) will say: 'What number of years did you stay on earth?’ They will say,'We stayed a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep account." Al-Mu’minun 23.112-113

A person will grow out of infancy into maturity and adulthood and look back on his life and not remember any of his deeds, unaware that Allah records all his actions. "This our Record speaks about you with truth. Verily, We were recording what you used to do (angels record your deeds)." Al-Jathiyah 45:29

O Muslims! I wish to address an unfavourable habit that has seized the hearts of many Muslims, passivity during the month of Ramadhaan. Many people take this month as a vacation from their normal activities and duties. The contrary is witnessed throughout Islamic history.

Ramadhaan has always been the month of struggle and striving in Allah’s way. Ramadhaan’s history is full of honour and valour. There are examples of valour in certainty and Iman, abandoning lusts and desires. All the shades of valour can be witnessed during the month of Ramadhaan, in both the past and present.

Ramadhaan the Month of Charitable Endeavors and Generosity: Imam Bukhari RA and Imam Muslim RA report to us that Ibn 'Abbass (ra) said: "An-Nabii (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was the most generous person. He (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was most generous during the month of Ramadhaan; during the time that Jibreel (the angel Gabriel) would descend and study with him (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) the Quran. Jibreel would descend, to study the Quran every night (with an-Nabii) during the month of Ramadhaan. Rasool ul Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) would be most generous at the times that Jibreel would meet him."

Rasool ul Allah was the most generous of people. His generosity was not limited only to monetary pursuits; he was also generous with his time, efforts in worshipping Allah, delivering the Risalah (Message of Tawheed), and above all his knowledge. He would quench both physical and spiritual thirst.

We therefore realize that this blessed month should be a source of inspiration to the Muslim Ummah encouraging them to be generous in charitable endeavors. We see that fasting and charity were connected together in Islamic traditions. Fasting and charity were linked together and shown to be direct routes to al-Jannah (Paradise). Rasool ul Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

"Surely in al-Jannah there will be rooms. The inside of the room will be apparent to those outside the room. Equally that which is outside the room will be apparent to those inside the room." The companions asked: "Who will be given this O Messenger of Allah?" He (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "It is for the one who speaks gentle and good words, gives out food (whether for charity or other than charity), is the habit of fasting, and for the one who prayers during the night while others are a sleep." Reported by al-Tirmithi, Ahmed and Al-Hakim who declared it Sahih.

Therefore I call out to those whom Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala) has blessed with wealth and ease! Thank Him (Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala) for His bounteous favour to you by giving to the under privileged, needy and those in poverty. Surely Allah has said: "And remember when your Lord proclaimed: 'If you give thanks, I will give you more (of the My Blessings), but if you are thankless, My Punishment is indeed severe." Ibrahim 14:7

Fear Allah! Do not forget the needy and ill equipped. Do not bar yourself from greatness by biting on your hand in unscrupulousness and stinginess. It is immoral for a Muslim to enjoy himself while he sees those around him in dire need of many necessities. Surely those who are in prosperity and ease have been given a great duty and responsibility. If they donot feel the pain and suffering of the less fortunate, they must realize that they have not been given Mercy from Allah. "Surely Allah’s Mercy is (ever) near unto the good-doers." Al-A'raf 7:56

Rasool ul Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "The givers of mercy shall be given Mercy from the Mercy Giver (Allah the Beneficent). Be merciful to those with you on the earth, and He the one who is Above the Heavens shall give you Mercy." Reported by Abu Dawoud and At-Tirmithi, who declared it Saheeh.

Yet, shamefully there are wealthy Muslims who are insensitive to the needs of the improvished and the hungry. They are unfeeling and void of sympathy as if their hearts are made of stone. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala), the Giver of wealth and ease, is capable of taking back the graces and bounties that He has bestowed on us.

Allah says: "Say (O Muhammed): 'O Allah! Possessor of the kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom You will, and You take the kingdom from whom You will. You endue with honor whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is the good. Verily, You are Able to do all things." Al-'Imran 3:26

Therefore, fear Allah and maintain and uphold your duties to Him. Work righteousness and thank Him for His unlimited Graces. Spread joy amongst the needy. Make a difference and earn Allah’s forgiveness. Know that which may seems as an insignificant and small charity; can be made into a vast unending source of goodness for you, in this worldly life and in the Akhira (Hereafter). Surely, Allah does what He Wills and judges Justly.

Ramadhaan is the Month of Night Prayers (Salah tul Laiyl): Rasool ul Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "The one who stands (for night prayers) during the (whole) month of Ramadhaan with Iman and Ihtisab (counting on Allah to Reward Him), his previous evil deeds shall be forgiven." (Bukhari & Muslim)

Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala) says: "O you wrapped in garments (Prophet Muhammed)! Stand (to pray) all night, except a little. Half of it, – or a little less than that, or a little more; and recite the Quran (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone) style. Verily, We shall send down to you a weighty Word (obligations, legal laws…). Verily, the rising by night (for Tahajjud or Night prayers) is very hard and most potent and good for governing (the soul), and most suitable for (understanding) the Word of Allah." Al-Muzzamil 73:1-6

'Umar bin Al-Khattab (ra) having understood the importance of night prayers, especially in Ramadhaan, ordered 'Ubai bin Ka'b (ra) and Tammim ad-Dari (ra) to lead the people in prayer during the month of Ramadhaan. They would recite more than two hundred verses in each prostration. They would lead the people in prayer until Salah tul Fajr was upon them. It is important to point out that if the Imam of the congregation realizes that the congregation is not fit for such rigorous endeavors, he should make it easier for them. Ahmed bin Hanbal (ra) said: "The people today are weak, read five, six or seven (verses per prostration)."

O Muslims! The month of Ramadhaan has arrived with its blessings and grace. Let it be a turning point in our lives. Let this month be a new beginning in our relationship with Allah. Let us begin making strides in our worship and day to day activities. Ramadhaan helps us develop patience and perseverance. In it we learn to control our carnal desires. Food and drink are all around us, we realize that at any moment we can eat and drink, unnoticed by others, yet, we know that Allah is a watcher over us with full knowledge of our open and hidden actions and wishes. For this reason the reward of Siyam (fasting) is unlimited. Rasool ulAllah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:

"Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala) said: 'Any good deed that the offspring of Adam (mankind) perform will be an expiation (of sin). Siyam is for Me (solely) and it will be rewarded by Me (Allah) solely.’" Reported by al-Bukhari

Therefore let us fear Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala) and please Him in this blessed month of Ramadhaan. O Allah! We ask You to make this month, a month of goodness and closeness to You. O Allah! We ask You to bless our time and guide us to the Straight Path of Islam. I leave you with these words and I seek Forgiveness for you and I and the rest of the Muslim Ummah from every sin. Surely Allah is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.