Salam Ramadhan Beautiful reminder from Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan

Allah (swt) mentions RAMADHAN only ONCE in the Qur'an.

For Muslims all over the world we always think about fasting when we think of Ramadhan.

However note that Allah did not introduce Ramadhan with fasting.
So what did Allah say?

Al Baqarah Aaya 185:

Ramadan is the (month) in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judgment (so that mankind will distinguish from right and wrong).."

Allah INTRODUCED Ramadhan with the QUR'AN instead.

• The month of Ramadhan is in fact when the Qur'an was sent down. 
• Hence the FIRST thing we have to think about when it comes to Ramadhan is the QUR'AN.
• Muslims know that Ramadhan is a time to get closer to Allah,  time to make a lot of doa,  to give up on sins,  to make istighfar. We have to do a little extra,  go to the masjid,  when before we do not go.

But what is actually the KEY to getting closer to Allah?

• It is the QUR'AN 
• To fulfil the purpose of Ramadhan, this month has to be about the Qur'an for all of us. 
• Treat it like we never had a relationship with the Qur'an before,  like we are starting all over again.

WHY OVER AGAIN?

Answer is back in Aaya 185 of Al Baqarah :

Al Baqarah is a Madani surah,  which means it came down when Rasululah SAW and the Muslims have made the Hijrah to Madinah. They have been Muslims for a long time and by then they already know Quran is guidance for humanity.  But when Allah introduces Ramadhan in Al Baqarah 185, Allah also re introduce the Qur'an - saying the Qur'an is guidance for people - which the Muslims and companions already know at that time.

The Lesson from this:
When Allah RE INTRODUCE us to the Qur'an in that aaya,  it's almost like Allah SWT wants us to to start all over again.

• Start reading and studying the Qur'an. 
• Start reflecting and thinking about the Qur'an in this month of Ramadhan like we have never read it before.
• Like it's the first time!

This is BEAUTIFUL. Why?

If we did fulfill the rites of Ramadhan,  what Allah expects of us,  Rasulullah has said that all our previous sins will be forgiven. We get a new start. This new start will come from us making a new start in our life in Ramadhan,  and a new start with the Qur'an.

May Allah keeps us strong and steadfast in studying the Qur'an this Ramadhan and beyond. May Allah gives us clarity of mind and heart to understand it.  May Allah grant us wisdom to apply the knowledge from it and to teach it to others. 

Aameen.