IslamiCity Shares The Three Stages of Ramadan
Article Reference: IslamiCity
Ramadan is a month of fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity, and sacrifice observed by Muslims worldwide. The word “Ramadan” comes from the Arabic word for “Parched Thirst” and “Sun-Baked Ground,” reflecting the hunger and thirst felt by those who spend the month fasting and get the benefits from fasting. Ramadan is considered one of the five pillars of Islam and is observed by Muslims every year.
The month of Ramadan lasts 29 to 30 days, depending on moon sighting. According to narration, Allah Almighty divides the Holy month of Ramadan into three stages: the first part reflects the Mercy of Allah (Rehmah), the second part reflects the Forgiveness of Allah (Maghfirah), and the third part reflects Safety from Hell (Nijat).
The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that Ramadan is the month with its beginnings in mercy, middle, forgiveness, and end, emancipation from the fire (of hell). It is the best opportunity for all Muslims to collect more blessings from Allah pray for their forgiveness and to be saved from the torment on the day of judgment.
Stages of Ramadan
The first ten days of Ramadan are the days of Mercy and blessing, and every Muslim must seek the Mercy and Blessings of Almighty Allah. The Dua for the first Ashra is:
وَقُل رَّبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ.
The second ten days of Ramadan day 11th to day 20th consists of the Ashra of forgiveness, where Muslims must seek the forgiveness of Allah Almighty and regret for all their mistakes. The Dua for the second Ashra is:
أسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ رَبي مِنْ كُلِ ذَنبٍ وَأتُوبُ إلَيهِ.
The third Ashra of Ramadan is known as Safety from Hell (Nijat), and every Muslim must pray to be safe from Hellfire. The Last Ashra is very important and superior, as it falls on the 21st of Ramadan and ends on the 29th or 30th of Ramadan, according to the moon.
The Quran states that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent it down on a blessed Night, and therein (in that Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. In this Ashra, the Night of Power (Lailatul Qadar) also falls, and many Muslims also practice Aitkaf (seclusion for prayers) in this Ashra and try to maximize their prayers.
The Hadith mentioned above is based on a saying of Salman RA and was narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah in his Hadith collection. He said that the month of Ramadan is a month of patience, with the reward of patience being Paradise. Fasting is obligatory; those who give a fasting person food will have their sins forgiven and be ransomed from the Fire.
The chain of narration includes ‘Ali ibn Zayd ibn Jad’an, Yoosuf ibn Ziyad al-Basri, and Humam ibn Yahya ibn Dinar al-‘Awadi, who are trustworthy but may make mistakes. However, many of the virtues of Ramadhan noted in this Hadith are noted in other authentic narrations.
Find the full article here.
Keep up with Muslim American Society for more insightful topics.
Make sure to not miss our recent In the Shade of Ramadan Series
