The 365 · Sunnah · Day 359 · Special Days
Fasting Ramadan: The Year's Annual Summit
The hadith
«بني الإسلام على خمس: شهادة أن لا إله إلّا اللّه، وإقام الصّلاة، وإيتاء الزّكاة، وصوم رمضان، وحجّ البيت».
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Islam is built on five: testifying lā ilāha illā Allāh, establishing prayer, paying zakāh, fasting Ramadan, and pilgrimage to the House.' (Bukhari 8, Muslim 16)
Svenska: Profeten ﷺ sade: 'Islam byggs på fem: vittnesbördet, bönen, zakāh, fastan Ramadan, och pilgrimsfärden.' (Bukhari 8)
Bukhari 8; Muslim 16
The story
The Sahaba prepared for Ramadan six months ahead by praying to reach it; then six months after by praying that it was accepted. The annual rhythm was structural.
Why it's here
Ramadan is the fourth pillar; it is the annual reset of the believer's spiritual life. The Sunnah of fasting is obligatory in Ramadan, and around it many Sunnahs cluster: tarāwīḥ, iʿtikāf, Laylat al-Qadr, abundant Qur'an, abundant ṣadaqah.
Try it today
Approach every Ramadan as if it were your last (it might be). Set goals: complete the Qur'an at least once; pray tarāwīḥ nightly; do iʿtikāf if able; double your ṣadaqah. The month rewards effort.
In your day
Ramadan calendars now help structure the month. Use them. Plan the work-life around the month's worship. Tell your employer in advance. The month deserves first place.
A reflection to carry
Among the Sunnahs of the Special Days cluster, Ramadan is the most important and the most multi-faceted. Prepare for it; live it; mourn its departure.
Read the longer reflection
Ramadan is the year's spiritual climax. Every Sunnah we have studied in 365 days finds its sharpest expression in Ramadan. May Allah grant us many Ramadans, accepted and full, until He invites us to the Ramadan-rewarded Paradise.
Sources: Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim. The Qur'an and its translation are verified; the scholarship is retold faithfully in our own words and credited to its sources, never reproduced verbatim.
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