A Month of Endurance

blessings of Allah be to him) delivered a sermon on the last day of Sha’aban in which he said, “O people! You are on the threshold of a month of great solemnity and blessings. It is a month during which one night is better than a thousand months. God has prescribed fasting in this month and made Taraweeh prayers optional, but it is pleasing to God. Whosoever does one good act in this month will have the merit of having done an obligatory act in other months and who does a prescribed act in this month it will be equal to seventy prescribed acts in other months. This is the month of endurance and the reward of endurance is paradise and this is the month of sympathy with and care of the poor and needy men of the community.”

(Mishkat)

The Holy Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) calls Ramadhan a Month of Endurance. In this month people undergo a training in self-discipline as a preparation for the rest of the eleven months, and develop a zest for obedience to God. A believer is to fight against Satanic temptations and forces of evil. Hence it is necessary for him to nourish self-restraint and endurance.

Ramadhan is also a Month of Sympathy. Resourceful Muslims should let their poor brethren participate in the God-given blessing, and make arrangements for their Iftar and Suhoor. The word Muwasat includes soothing words as well as monetary help.