Preparation for the upcoming sacred month; Ramadan.

As we are all preparing for the month of Ramadhan, i would like to give a short admonition on preparation for Ramadhan and also the virtues of Ramadan

The main objective of fasting is to restrain the soul from its desires and prevent it from those things which are beloved to it

The fast is the bridle of those who fear Allah and the shield for those waging war against desires

Fasting is a secret between servant and His Lord, no one else is aware of it

Fasting guards and protect the health of the person's heart and bodily limbs

The prophet (saw) was reported to have said

Fasting is a shield)

And he commanded those who had intense desires for marriage but were not able to marry, to observe Fasting, making it a shield against those desires for marriage.

When the prophet (saw) died, he had fasted 9 Ramadan months in totals according to narrations.

Originally, fasting was obligated as an option left to the people to choose whether they wanted to fast or feed needy people for everyday.

Then the aforementioned option was transfered into the final obligatory fasting.

And the matter of feeding people was left only for the old men and women who did not have the ability to fast.

In suratul baqaroh, Allah mentioned about the importance of the month of Ramadhan.

Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 185:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty, and (He desires) that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks.)
(English - Shakir)

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (saw) said

When Ramadan comes, the doors of paradise are firmly opened and the doors of the fire are firmly closed and the shayateen are chained.
(al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The real purpose of Ramadhaan is to come out a better person at the end of the month.
amadhaan cleans away the sins that may have accumulated over the year.

Muslim would become a new born believer at the end of the month.

There are several ways
of achieving forgiveness, through fasting, praying at night, reading the Qur’an, feeding the poor,
and so on)

The prophet (saw) said

Whoever fasts in Ramadan with Eeman and seeking reward from Allah, his pasts sins will be forgiven)
(al-Bukhari and Muslim)

In another narration, he said
Whoever prays during Ramadan with Eeman and seeking reward from Allah, his past sins will be forgiven

(al-Bukhari and Muslim)