The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to give glad tidings to his Companions upon the arrival of Ramadhaan, and informed them that in this month the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “When the first night of Ramadhaan comes, the doors of Paradise will be opened and the doors of Hell will be closed, and the devils will be chained, and it will be said, ‘O you who desires virtue! Come forth and O you who desires evil! Stay behind’, and Allaah has people whom He frees from Hell every night (in that month).” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim].
Many narrations commend the virtue of fasting in Ramadhaan, praying during its nights, and fasting in general. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said:
• “You have been approached by a blessed month, during which Allaah shades you with His mercy, forgives your sins, responds to your supplications and looks at your competition in virtuous deeds and boasts in front of the angels (about them), so show Allaah from yourselves that which is good, because the miserable one is he who is deprived from the mercy of Allaah (in this month).”
• “Whoever fasts (the month of) Ramadhaan out of faith, anticipating the reward of Allaah, then all his sins prior to that will be forgiven; and whoever prays the Ramadhaan (night prayer) out of faith, anticipating the reward of Allaah, then all his sins prior to that will be forgiven.” [Muslim and Bukhaari].
• “The fasting person has two times when he will rejoice, one at the time he breaks his fast, and one when he meets his Lord. I swear by the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allaah than the smell of musk.”
Special attention should be paid to the five daily prayers, because they are the greatest obligation after the two testimonies of faith (Shahaadatayn). Men should perform these obligatory prayers with the congregation, as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {“And be steadfast in prayer; practice regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).”} [Quran, 2: 43].
• {“Guard strictly the (five obligatory) prayers especially the middle prayer (i.e. the best prayer - ‘Asr). And stand before Allaah with obedience.”} [Quran, 2: 238]
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The pledge between us (i.e., the believers) and them (i.e., the disbelievers) is (expressed by the performance of) prayer, whosoever abandons it has disbelieved.” [Ahmad].
The next obligation is paying the obligatory charity (Zakaah). Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allaah, and worship none but Him Alone, and perform prayer and give Zakaah, and that is the right religion” (Al-Bayyinah: 5) and also, “So establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity (Zakaah); and obey the Messenger; that you may receive mercy.”} [Quran, 24: 56]
After this comes the obligation of fasting the month of Ramadhaan, which is one of the five pillars mentioned in the Prophetic narration: “Islam was established on five pillars: the two testimonies (of faith), the establishment of prayer, fasting, obligatory charity and pilgrimage.” [Al-Bukhaari, Muslim].
By: www.islamweb.net/eramadan