The importance of Ramadan in Islam comes from three great gifts: the obligation of fasting, the revelation of the Qur’an and the night of Laylat al-Qadr. It is a month of mercy, forgiveness and self-training, and this article explains its virtues using the Qur’an and authentic Hadith.
Fasting Is a Pillar of Islam
Allah made fasting in Ramadan obligatory so that believers develop taqwa, or God-consciousness.
“O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.”
Reference: Qur’an 2:183
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven” (Sahih al-Bukhari 38, Sahih Muslim 760).
The Month of the Qur’an
“The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.”
Reference: Qur’an 2:185
This is why Muslims recite and review the Qur’an more often in this month. The importance of Ramadan is tied to its role as the month of guidance.
Laylat al-Qadr
Allah says that the Night of Decree is better than a thousand months (Qur’an 97:1-3). The Prophet ﷺ advised us to look for it in the odd nights of the last ten days (Sahih al-Bukhari 2017), and said: “Whoever stands in prayer on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1901).
Mercy, Self-Control and Charity
He ﷺ also said: “When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1899). Fasting is more than leaving food and drink: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of him giving up his food and drink” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1903). The month is also a time of generosity, and the Prophet ﷺ was most generous in Ramadan (Sahih al-Bukhari 6).
Where Scholars Differ
Scholars differ over some Ramadan practices. On moon sighting, some hold that one sighting binds all Muslims, while others say that regions with different horizons may start separately, and some contemporary scholars allow astronomical calculation to supplement sighting. For Tarawih prayer, the Hanafi, Shafi’i and Hanbali schools pray twenty rak’ahs, the Maliki school traditionally prefers thirty-six, and others pray eleven following the report of ‘A’ishah that the Prophet ﷺ did not exceed eleven (Sahih al-Bukhari 1147). All agree that the prayer is a sunnah and that its quality matters more than its length. See also who is exempt from fasting in Ramadan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Importance of Ramadan
Why is Ramadan important for Muslims?
Because fasting is a pillar of Islam, the Qur’an was revealed in it, and it contains Laylat al-Qadr.
What are the best deeds in Ramadan?
Fasting sincerely, praying at night, reciting the Qur’an, giving charity, and seeking forgiveness.
Does fasting only mean avoiding food?
No. It includes avoiding lies, arguments and sins, as in Sahih al-Bukhari 1903.
Conclusion
The importance of Ramadan is that it renews faith, forgives sins and trains the soul. Enter it with sincerity and leave it with better habits. You may also read about the fast of Ashura.
