Ramadan; Golden Opportunity to Get Rid of Sins Forever

Khateeb and Imam of Ahl-us-Sunna in Zahedan, Shaikh Abdul Hameed talked about the virtues of Ramadan and what to do more in this great valuable month in his latest Friday sermon in the grand Makki mosque of Zahedan, Iran.
He began his speech by recitation of the holy verse: «يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ» [بقره:183]
“O you who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as they were enjoined upon those before you, so that you may be God-fearing,” and said that Ramadan is the month of Allah’s mercy, divine feast, revealing of the Qur’an, forgiveness and blessings.
Shaikh urged that some deeds must be conducted as soon as possible in Ramadan such as paying Zakaat. When Muslims pay Zakaat, in fact, they express that they love Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) more than their beloved money and all wealth. They pay Zakaat just due to the divine order of Allah Almighty and allocate due amount for the deserving persons and places. Presence of poor and needy people in human societies is an examination for rich people; if Zakaat is obligatory upon a person, s/he must fulfill this important duty and pay it to the recipients of Zakat.
Ratiocinating from some Qur’anic verses; the rector of Darululoom Zahedan made it clear that by paying Zakat the amount of wealth increases in fact. It is a satanic whisper to think that payer of Zakat decreases his wealth; we must rely on the promises of Allah Almighty who says: «الشَّيْطَانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الْفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُم بِالْفَحْشَاء وَاللّهُ يَعِدُكُم مَّغْفِرَةً مِّنْهُ وَفَضْلًا وَاللّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ»
“Satan frightens you with poverty, and bids you to commit indecency, and Allah promises you forgiveness from Him, and grace as well. And Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” Yes! Satan calls towards ‘Fahsha’ which means miserliness in this verse. But Allah assures of forgiveness which is a blessing for those who pay Zakat. No doubt, Allah’s promise is true.
Explaining the importance of Zakat in Islam, Shaikh Abdul Hameed added more, ‘Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. It has been mentioned, along with daily Prayers (Salaat/Namaz), over seventy times in the Quran. When some tribes denied to pay Zakat in the era of first caliph, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) fought with them. Just as Salaat is the most important act of worship which has to be performed bodily, so is Zakat the main act of worship which has to be performed monetarily. Muslim sisters are requested to be careful; they have to ensure the payment of their jewelry (gold & silver) if they are liable for Zakat. Apart of Zakat’s payment, we should help needy people by giving charity and Sadaqat.’
He continued saying that whoever evades Zakat has been sternly warned in the Qur’an and Hadith of the consequences. His/her wealth would become a serpent around the neck on the Resurrection Day.
Advising the audience, the eminent Sunni scholar further said that everyone should offer Nafl prayers more and more in Ramadan. We should not miss Taraweeh prayers at nights. There are three deeds that present remission and forgiveness of our Lord: first, observing fast (Sawm) in Ramadan; second deed is, Qiam-ul-Lail and offering prayers at nights. The third one is worshiping Allah at the night of Qadr (the Night of Destiny).
Quoting Imam Ghazali (Rahimahullah), Shaikh further said that there are three kinds of Saaimin (observers of fast); 1. Those who only observe fast but they do not desist from sins and useless activities; they are common people, 2. This is the group of Khawass (special believers) who abstain from sins and useless things as well. 3. These observers protect their hearts from whispers of sins besides fasting and not committing sins. We must try to be at least from the second group of Saaimin.
Khateeb of Sunnis emphasized saying that Ramadan is the month of holy Qur’an. Recite this great book as much as possible. ‘Taqwa’ (piety and purification) is the fruit of fasting; if we observe fast with its all conditions.