Welcoming Ramadan

We are welcoming a noble and blessed month. The month of fasting and night prayers. The month of the recitation of the Qur'an. The month in which good deeds are multiplied and evil deeds are expiated. The month of racing towards various acts of obedience and competing with one another in goodness. The month in which Allah has made fasting obligatory and night prayers voluntary. The Prophet ﷺ said regarding it: "When the month of Ramadan enters, the gates of Jannah are opened, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the Shayat‌een are chained." And the Prophet ﷺ said: "When the month of Ramadan enters, the gates of Mercy are opened." In another narration: "The gates of the heavens (are opened)." And this gives glad tidings, and that Allah, the Exalted bestows various blessings upon His 'ibaad (worshipers) and guides them to various acts of obedience that ascend to the heavens while these gates are open.