The Month of Mercy, Forgiveness and Ransom from the Fire

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On the authority of Salmaan al-Faarisi, the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said:

“The Month of Ramadhaan is split, the first part is Mercy, the middle is Forgiveness and the final part of this month is ransom from the Hellfire.”

This has been reported by Ibn Khuzaymah in his Saheeh. A similar narration is also narrated on the authority of Aboo Hurayrah [May Allaah be Pleased with him] which has been reported in Ibn Abee Dunya with the wording, “The month all of it is Mercy, all of it is Forgiveness and all of it is a ransom.”

These Ahadeeth give the same meaning as the authentic Hadeeth, “When Ramadhaan comes the doors of Mercy are opened.”

In a narration reported by at-Tirmidhee and others, “Verily, Allaah frees from the fire every night.”

Having established that this is the month of Mercy, it is important to note that the Mercy of Allaah applies to those who do good and have Taqwa [i.e. to do what He has Ordered and to abstain from what He has Prohibited]. Allaah, the Most High, says:

“Surely, Allah's Mercy is (ever) near unto the good-doers” [A’raaf 7:56]

And, He, the Most High, says:

“I will and My Mercy embraces all things. That (Mercy) I shall ordain for those who are the Muttaqun” [A’raaf 7:156]

So Mercy showers those who have Taqwa in the beginning of the month, so that the beginning of the month for them is met with Mercy and the Pleasure of Allaah. This motivates them to do good deeds and to act in the best possible way.

The second phase of the month is a result of the first one, once they have received the Mercy of Allaah and have bettered themselves, in the second part of the month they received the Forgiveness for some of their sins due to their fasting. Their minor sins are forgiven and they are not prevented from the Mercy of Allaah, the Most High:

“…your Lord is full of Forgiveness for mankind inspite of their wrong-doing…” [Ra’d 13:6]

As for the final phase of the month, they are ransomed from the fire. Their sins are forgiven and they are freed from the fire. It occurs in the Hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “Allaah Frees His Servants from the fire every night during Ramadhaan at the time of breaking fast, thousands upon thousands are freed, all of them were destined for the fire but when the final night of Ramadhaan comes, Allaah Frees on that day the equivalent of all those who freed on the nights before added together.”

Therefore, the day of al-Fitr is an ‘Eid for all the believers of this Ummah because their necks have been freed from the fire. There are those who commit major sins but due to their good deeds, their fasting and praying, they are freed from the fire and accepted with the pious.

Similar to the day of al-Nahr, this is also an ‘Eid for the Muslims because the day before this ‘Eid is the day of ‘Arafah and on the day of ‘Arafah, Allaah Frees more people from the fire than any other day throughout the year.

So whoever is freed from the fire during these days before ‘Eid then the ‘Eid is truly a joyous occasion for him but those who have lost out on this opportunity to be freed, then ‘Eid is just a normal day for him.

Once we know that Forgiveness and ransom from the fire is given to those who fast and stand the nights in prayer during Ramadhaan, then Allaah, the Most High, as ordered us to finish our rituals by doing Takbeer of Him in thanks:

“He wants that you must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [(i.e. to say Takbeer or Allaahu-Akbar) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” [Baqarah 2:185]

The ability in giving thanks to Allaah is a favour that Allaah Blesses upon His Slaves, He Guides them and Give them the ability to fast and give them the enthusiasm that is needed in doing good deeds to that they may attain is Mercy, Forgiveness and ransom from the fire. Because of this, the slave should remember Him, give thanks to Him, fear Him as he ought to be feared.

Ibn Mas’ood [May Allaah be Pleased with him] explained that fearing Allaah as he ought to be feared means to obey Him and not disobey Him. To remember Him and not to forget Him, to give thanks to Him and not to be ungrateful to Him.

Taken from Chapter 42: Saying Farewell to Ramadhaan in Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif (Pg. 160-169) by Haafidh Ibn Rajab al-Hanbalee (d.795) [May Allaah have Mercy on him]