Central Khutbah: “Ramadan – The Month of Change and Blessings” (Gallery)
The Quran is the confirmation of Allah’s previous revelations and serves as their guardian, as mentioned in the verse:
“And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it.” (Al-Ma’idah, 48).
Muhammad (ﷺ) is the one to whom the Quran was revealed; he confirms the prophets sent before him and safeguards their prophetic legacy.
Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed; it is the best of all months and surpasses the others in virtue.
By Allah’s divine will, the excellence of humankind and the significance of time were united with the supremacy and honor of the Book, as an act of distinction for the one who embodied all these virtues—the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
Before the revelation of the Quran, the month of Ramadan had no particular significance. It was like any other month, and some were even regarded as more important. However, when Allah sent the best of mankind, Muhammad (ﷺ), the Quran was brought down to the lowest heaven during the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr), in the month of Ramadan. Then, Angel Jibril came to Muhammad (ﷺ) with the first five verses of the Revelation.
From that moment, Ramadan became a blessed month, even before fasting was prescribed.
The Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions rejoiced at the arrival of Ramadan and eagerly anticipated it. Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“The month of Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month. Allah has made its fasting obligatory upon you. In this month, the gates of Paradise are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed. The devils are chained. Within it is a night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its goodness is truly deprived.”
(Nasa’i, Sunan, 2106; Ahmad, Musnad, 7148. Al-Albani authenticated it in Sahih al-Targhib, 999).
O you who seek goodness, hasten to it!
Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) also reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“When the first night of Ramadan arrives, the devils and rebellious jinn are chained, all the gates of Hell are closed, and none are opened, while all the gates of Paradise are opened, and none are closed. A caller announces: ‘O seeker of good, advance! O seeker of evil, stop!’ And Allah frees souls from the fire of Hell every night.”
(Tirmidhi, Sunan, 682; Ibn Majah, Sunan, 1642. Al-Albani authenticated it in Sahih al-Jami, 759).
Let us rejoice at the arrival of this blessed month, prepare ourselves spiritually, and welcome it in the best way—with sincere repentance and a return to Allah for our past mistakes and shortcomings. Let us take advantage of every moment to do good and perform deeds that are pleasing to Allah.
“Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah’s reward will have his past sins forgiven.”
(Bukhari, Sahih, 2014; Muslim, Sahih, 760).
In addition to fasting, let us devote ourselves to prayer, performing it diligently according to the teachings of Muhammad (ﷺ). Let us also dedicate time to invoking Allah and reciting the Quran.
The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked: “Which fasting person receives the greatest reward?” He replied: “Those who remember Allah the most.”
(Ahmad, Musnad, 15614; Tabarani, Al-Kabir, 16812. Al-Albani classified it as weak in Da’if al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib, 906).
(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on February 28, 2025, at the “Association Islamique et Culturelle Afnane” in Differdange)
