Ramadan Kareem

The ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan of Hijri 1430, will begin on 23rd August, 2009, this year. This month of fasting and stepped-up worship is a complete pick-me-up every time.
Just look at the perks we get, spiritually speaking.

1. The first ten days of Ramadan are days of Allah's Mercy (Rahmat). The next ten days are the days of Allah's Forgiveness (Magfirat). And the final ten days are for Him granting us Freedom from Hellfire, Brimstone, the works.


2. There's a popular hadith (am not sure if it's Sahih) the gist of which is, “When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are put in chains.”

3. I love Suhur (last meal before the day's fast, pre-dawn) and Iftar (meal at dusk for opening the fast) and Taraawih (special nightly prayers during Ramadan) every day. It's quality family time, it's peaceful, it's important, it's symbolic.

4. I love Laylat al Qadr (the Night of Power) because that's the biggest bonus package any person can ever hope for in this life, if we just manage to get the night right. I mean, "khairun-min alfish-shahr" (better than a thousand nights)?

5. There's more, much more.

What's not to like, I say. Ramadan Mubarak!