Table Of Contents
The Ongoing Struggle against Evil in Ramadan
Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) said
What is prescribed for the Muslim in Ramadan and at other times is to strive hard against his ownself that is inclined towards evil, so that it will become at peace and inclined towards good. He must strive against the enemy of Allah, Iblis , so that he will be safe from his evil and his traps.
In this world, the Muslim is engaged in a mighty, ongoing struggle against himself, his whims and desires, and thedevil. He must repent a great deal and pray for forgiveness at all times , but times vary one from another.
Why is Ramadan the Holiest Month in Islam
The month of Ramadan is the best month of the year, for it is a month of forgiveness, mercy and ransom from Hell. If the month is good and the place is good, then good deeds will be multiplied and the sin incurred by bad deeds will be greater.
Are Bad Deeds More Severe in Ramadan?
Committing sins in Ramadan is worse than committing sins at any other time, just as an act of worship in Ramadan brings a greater reward from Allah than an act of worship at any other time. As Ramadan has such a high status, worship at that time is of great virtue and is multiplied greatly, and the sin at that time is worse than sin at any other time .
The Muslim must make the most of this blessed month by doing righteous deeds and giving up evil deeds, so that Allah may bless him with acceptance and help him to remain steadfast in adhering to the truth.
Are Sins Increased or Just More Serious?
But bad deeds always remain the same and are not multiplied in number either in Ramadan or at other times.
As for good deeds, they are multiplied by ten times or more, because Allah says in Surat Al-An`am (interpretation of the meaning): {Whoever brings a good deed (Islamic Monotheism and deeds of obedience to Allah and His Messenger) shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit, and whoever brings an evil deed (polytheism, disbelief, hypocrisy, and deeds of disobedience to Allah and His Messenger) shall have only the recompense of the like thereof, and they will not be wronged.} [Al-An`am 6:160] And there are many similar verses.
Time and Place Affect the Magnitude of Deeds
Similarly, in special places such as the two Holy Sanctuaries (in Makkah and Madinah), good deeds are greatly multiplied in terms of quantity and degree, but bad deeds are not multiplied in terms of quantity, but they may be more serious at a special time and in a special place , as indicated above. (End quote from Majmu` Fataawa Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz, 15/446)
