And Allah loves As-Sabirun (the patient).
[Al Imran (3): 146]

Allaah has made patience like a horse that never gets tired, an army that can never be defeated and a strong fortress that can never be breached.       [Islamqa.com]

Imam Sufyaan ath-Thawri advised:

“Be patient at all times and in all places, for patience leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. Do not become angry and furious, for those two emotions lead to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Hellfire.”

 Biography of Imam Sufyaan ath-Thawri by Salaahud-Deen ibn Ali ibn Abdul-Maujood

Ibn al-Qayyim wrote on patience:

“Patience is the foundation of the believer’s faith which has no other foundation. The one who has no patience has no faith, and if he has any, then it is only a little faith and it is very weak, and such a person worships Allaah as it were upon the edge (i.e. in doubt): if good befalls him, he is content therewith; but if a trial befalls him he turns back on his face (i.e. reverts to disbelief after embracing Islam). He loses both this world and the Hereafter (cf. al-Hajj 22:11). All he gets from them is a losing deal.

The best life is attained by the blessed through patience, and they rise to the highest degrees through their gratitude. So they fly on the wings of patience and gratitude to gardens of delight (i.e., Paradise). That is the bounty of Allaah that He bestows upon whomsoever He will, and Allaah is the Owner of Great Bounty”.

‘Uddat al-Saabireen by Ibn al-Qayyim, p. 3-5.

وَلَا تَبَرَّجۡنَ تَبَرُّجَ ٱلۡجَـٰهِلِيَّةِ ٱلۡأُولَىٰۖ

“…And do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance…”
[Azhab (33):33]

“And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.”
Surah Al Baqarah (2): 186

This verse is among the same set that commands us with fasting; as we read the words of Our Lord and comply with what is asked from us, we should also ask Him what we need and want from Him. We should feel close to Allah in this month more so than any other month. As Allah speaks to us through his words in His book, we should speak to Allah in our supplications.

Whenever people questioned the Prophet about a matter and Allah addressed it in the Qur’an he would start by saying, ‘Qul’ (Say) Yet, when Allah was asked about Himself as in this ayah, he did not say, ‘Qul’. This shows us that we do not need to go through anyone to reach Allah and ask of Him, emphasising the greatness and importance of His Oneness. This also shows us how close Allah is to us. Allah also expresses His nearness to us by attaching the slave to Himself, ‘And when My slave asks you.’ This also shows the great heights a human being can reach by being a slave of Allah. Other verses refer to the slave as though they are distant and many, whilst here the slaves are being addressed as being near and as one individual.

So we know how close Allah is to us and that He promised to respond to His slave. Now imagine that this slave is fasting and the Prophet has told us that the supplication of the fasting Muslim will not be rejected! (at-Tirmidhi) . The bounties and opportunities of Ramadan are many and unlimited yet the number of days we have to take advantage of it are few and limited.

Source: Islam21c | Ramadhan Pointers

لَقَدۡ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ وَإِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكَ لَٮِٕنۡ أَشۡرَكۡتَ لَيَحۡبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ

In Tafsir Ibn Kathir is is written regarding:

“till when they reach it, and its gates will be opened and its keepers will say: “Salam `Alaykum (peace be upon you)! You have done well, so enter here to abide therein forever.”

This is a conditional sentence that is not complete. What it implies is that when they come to the gates of Paradise the gates will be opened for them as a sign of honor, and the angelic gatekeepers will meet them with glad tidings, greetings of peace and praise. Unlike the gatekeepers of Hell who will meet the disbelievers with rebuke and reprimand, the believers will be filled with happiness and joy, each according to his degree of luxury and delights. What happens after this is not mentioned; it is left for the imagination to think of its dearest wishes and be filled with hope. It is known from the Sahih Hadiths that Paradise has eight gates.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“The Messenger of Allah  (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said:

«مَنْ أَنْفَقَ زَوْجَيْنِ مِنْ مَالِهِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ تَعَالَى دُعِيَ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ، وَلِلْجَنَّةِ أَبْوَابٌ، فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّلَاةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الصَّلَاةِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصَّدَقَةِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الصَّدَقَةِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجِهَادِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الْجِهَادِ، وَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الصِّيَامِ دُعِيَ مِنْ بَابِ الرَّيَّان»

Whoever spends a pair of something from his wealth for the sake of Allah, will be called from the gates of Paradise. Paradise has (several) gates. Whoever is among the people of prayer, will be called from the gate of Prayer; whoever is among the people of charity, will be called from the gate of Charity; whoever is among the people of Jihad, will be called from the gate of Jihad; whoever is among the people of fasting, will be called from the Gate of Ar-Rayyan.’

Abu Bakr asked, `O Messenger of Allah, it does not matter from which gate one is called, but will anyone be called from all of them?’  He (صلى الله عليه و سلم) replied,

«نَعَمْ، وَأَرْجُو أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنْهُم»

Yes, and I hope that you will be one of them.”

Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny

[Surah arRahman (55)]

Abu `Isa At-Tirmidhi recorded that Jabir said, “The Messenger of Allah went to his Companions and recited Surat Ar-Rahman from beginning to end for them, but they did not say anything. The Prophet said;

«لَقَدْ قَرَأْتُهَا عَلَى الْجِنِّ لَيْلَةَ الْجِنِّ فَكَانُوا أَحْسَنَ مَرْدُودًا مِنْكُمْ، كُنْتُ كُلَّمَا أَتَيْتُ عَلَى قَوْلِهِ:

[فَبِأَىِّ ءَالاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ ]

قَالُوا: لَا بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ نِعَمِكَ رَبَّنَا نُكَذِّبُ فَلَكَ الْحَمْد»

“I recited it to the Jinns, on the night of the Jinns and their response was better than yours! Whenever I recited Allah’s statement: (Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both deny)  They said, “None of Your favors do we deny, our Lord! All praise is due to you.”

تَبَـٰرَكَ ٱسۡمُ رَبِّكَ ذِى ٱلۡجَلَـٰلِ وَٱلۡإِكۡرَامِ
Blessed is the Name of your Lord (Allah), the Owner of Majesty and Honour

[Surah arRahman (55):78]

Part from the days where you used to do as you wish
and restrain your soul when the decree of Allah is ordained.
And don’t despair over the events of the past
for none of the events of the dunya were ever meant to remain.
And be a man who is firm upon his affairs
and whos character is that of pardoning and nobility,
and there is no sadness or happiness that is continuous
just as there is no comfort or pain.

If you are a person who is satisfied with what he has
then you and the owner of all possessions are equal
and upon he who’s open valley death descends upon
then there is no earth or sky to protect you from it
and the earth of Allah is vast but
when the ordainment of Allah descends even the open valley congests.

- Imam Ash-Shafiee

[al-Zumar (39):53]

Abu’l Atahiyya wrote to Harun ar-Rashid:

“Do not feel secure from death at any time:

Even if you seek protection

in your advisor’s and your guards,

know that the arrows of death

are always pointing in our direction,

whatever armour and shields we may have.

Do you hope for forgiveness

when you have not trodden its paths?

A ship does not sail on dry land.”

 Rawdhat al–’Uqala p.284

Save the chosen slaves of Allah (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism)
For them there will be a known provision (in Paradise). Fruits; and they shall be honoured. In the Gardens of delight (Paradise). Facing one another on thrones. Round them will be passed a cup of pure wine. White, delicious to the drinkers. Neither will they have a Ghoul (any kind of hurt, abdominal pain, headache, a sin) from that, nor will they suffer intoxication thereform. And beside them will be Qairat-at-Tarf (chaste females (wives), restraining their glances) with wide and beautiful eyes. (Delicate and pure) as if they were (hidden) eggs (well) preserved. Then they will turn to one another, mutually questioning. A speaker of them will say, (The speaker) said: “Will you look down?” So he looked down and saw him in the midst of the Fire. He said: “By Allah! You have nearly ruined me. “Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those brought forth (to Hell).”

[Surah as-Saaffat (37): 40-57]

But those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and worked righteousness – We tax not any person beyond his scope – such are the dwellwer of Paradise. They will abide therein. And We shall remove from their breats any (mutual) hatred or sense of injury (which they had, it at all, in the life of this world); rivers flowing under them, and they will say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has guided us to this, and never could we have found guidance were it not that Allah had guided us! Indeed, the Messengers of our Lord did come with the truth.” And it will be cried out to them: “This is the Paradise which you have inherited for what you used to do”

[Surah Al Araf (7): 42 - 43]

Ibn al-Jawzi  wrote concerning this great month of Ramadan:

“The month of Ramadan to the other months is like Yusuf to his brothers. So, just like Yusuf was the most beloved son to Ya’qub, Ramadan is likewise the most beloved month to Allah.

A nice point for the nation of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) to ponder over is that if Yusuf had the mercy and compassion to say {“There is no reproach for you today…”} [Yusuf (12): 92], Ramadan is likewise the month of mercy, blessing, goodness, salvation from the Fire, and Forgiveness from the King that exceeds that of all the other months and what can be gained from their days and nights.

Another nice point to think about is that Yusuf’s brothers came to rely on him to fix their mistakes after all those they had made. So, he met them with kindness and helped them out, and he fed them while they were hungry and allowed them to return, and he told his servants: “Carry their belongings with you so that they don’t lose them.” So, one person filled the gaps of eleven others, and the month of Ramadan is likewise one month that fills the gaps of our actions over the other eleven months. Imagine the gaps and shortcoming and deficiency we have in obeying Allah!

We hope that in Ramadan, we are able to make up for our shortcomings in the other months, to rectify our mistakes, and to cap it off with happiness and firmness on the Rope of the Forgiving King.

Another point is that Ya’qub had eleven sons who were living with him and whose actions he would see at all times, and his eyesight did not return because of any of their clothing. Instead, it returned due to Yusuf’s shirt. His eyesight came back strong, and he himself became strong after he was weak, and seeing after he was blind. Likewise, if the sinner smells the scents of Ramadan, sits with those who remind him of Allah, recites the Qur’an, befriends on the condition of Islam and faith, and avoids backbiting and vain talk, he will (by Allah’s Will) become forgiven after he was a sinner, he will become close after he was far, he will be able to see with his heart after it was blind, his presence will be met with happiness after it was met with repulsion, he will be met with mercy after he was met with disdain, he will be provided for without limit or effort on his part, he will be guided for his entire life, he will have his soul dragged out with ease and smoothness when he dies, he will be blessed with Forgiveness when he meets Allah, and he will be granted the best levels in the Gardens of Paradise.

So, by Allah, take advantage of this greatness during these few days and you will soon see abundant blessing, high levels of reward, and a very long period of rest and relaxation by the Will of Allah.

By Allah, this is the true relaxation…”

['Bustan al-Wa'idhin wa Riyad as-Sami'in'; p. 213-214]

I ask Allah to grant us life long enough to witness this Ramadan, may He swt grant us the tawfeeq to make preparations so that we may gain the most benefit from this month! ameen

Translated by Tarek Mehanna, may Allah swt hasten his release, check out his blog here