Nabi Kareem ﷺ had before the commencement of Ramadhan, specially delivered a discourse in which attention is drawn to this month:

قد اظلكم شهر عظيم ، شهر مبارك ، شهر فيه ليلة خير من الف شهر

“A great month has dawned upon you, a most blessed month, a month wherein a night more virtuous than a thousand months lies.”

Furthermore, this is such a month:

اوله رمحة ، واوسطه مغفرة وآخره عتق من النار

“The beginning portion of which is mercy, the middle ten days are days of forgiveness and the last ten days are the days of emancipation from Jahannam.”

Only if the mercy of Allah is present will one fast, perform acts of devotion and perform taraweeh salaah. When for a period of ten days some acts of worship have been carried out then it is as though one has become deserving of the forgiveness of Allah Ta’ala. It is thus stated that the middle ten days are days of forgiveness. And once a person has been forgiven, he has consequently been granted deliverance from Jahannam. It is thus mentioned that the last ten days are the days of emancipation from hell-fire.

Attention has also been drawn to the devotional practices of this month that Allah Ta’ala has declared the fasting as fardh and the taraweeh salaah as Sunnah. And further one should duly endeavour to feed a fasting person and also to recite an abundance of kalimah tayyibah and istighfaar and to beg for Jannah and seek protection from Jahannam.

Nonetheless, before Ramadhan, Nabi Kareem ﷺ used to draw attention to the above-mentioned aspects in his sermon.

What is the objective of all of this? It is to emphasize the importance of this month and to impress the value thereof upon the hearts and minds of the ummah so that by appreciating and understanding its importance, due regard is given for the acquisition of this month.

It is for this reason that Allah Ta’ala has specially kept this month so that a bondsman may strengthen his connection and bond with Allah Ta’ala. In doing so the residue and veil upon his heart, resulting from his occupation in his worldly involvements of trade, manufacturing, farming, employment, etc., for the entire year, can be removed.

Factory owners know that a service is required on machinery after they have been in use for a period of time and they are overhauled. Due to the machines being opened and serviced the factory remains closed for two days and work is suspended. If they are not serviced, then they will not function at optimal levels and the desired output will not be realised. Accordingly, is the anticipated effect of the month of Ramadhan.