Each year, as we approach the graceful month of Ramaḍān, we are considered as the Special Guests of God; because this month described by the holy Prophet as the Banquet of Allāh. The holy Prophet, once, delivered a speech to the community saying,
«...وَ هُوَ شَهْرٌ دُعِيــتُمْ فِيهِ إِلـى ضِيَافَةِ اللٌّهِ»
“…It is a month in which you have been called to the banquet of Allah…” (Al-Iqbāl, vol. 1, p. 26)
On the last Friday before the month of Ramaḍān, Prophet Muhammad said:
“O people, indeed ahead of you is the blessed month of Allah. A month of blessing, mercy, and forgiveness. A month that is the best month with Allah. Its days, the best of days, its nights, the best of nights, and its hours the best of hours. It is the month which you are invited to be the guests of Allah and you are invited to be one of those near to Him. Each breath you take glorifies Him; your sleep is worship, your deeds are accepted and your supplications are answered. So, ask Allah, your Lord, to give you a sound body and an enlightened heart so you may be able to fast and recite His book, for only he is unhappy who is devoid of Allah’s forgiveness during this great month. Remember the hunger and thirst of the Day of Judgment with your hunger and thirst. Give alms to the needy and the poor, honor your old, show kindness to the young ones, maintain relations with your blood relations, guard your tongues, close your eyes to that which is not permissible for your sight, close your ears to that which is forbidden to hear, show compassion to the orphans of people so compassion may be shown to your orphans. Repent to Allah for your sins and raise your hands in supplication during these times, for they are the best of times and Allah looks towards His creatures with kindness, replying to them during the hours and granting their needs if he is asked…”[1]
This month is the best occasion to, beside Fasting, reciting the holy Quran, giving alms to the poor and needy people, giving food to the fasters to break their Fast, and leaving sins and observing the recommended rites of this month. One is also recommended to wake up at nights for saying the recommended midnight prayers and to be busy with seeking forgiveness from the Almighty Allah and to recite لا إله إلا الله (lā ilāha illallāh) (there is no deity but Allah) very much. Also, it is recommendable that one recites Surah al-Qadr before breaking his fast and to firstly says his Evening and Night Prayers.
There are numerous rites during the days and nights of this month in which divided into two main parts (general and specific rites) that one can find in Mafātīh al-Jinān and other books of supplication.
[1] See: Al-Iqbāl, by Sayyid b. Ṭāwūs, vol. 1, p. 26
