Ramadaan is one of the twelve Arabic months. It is a month which is venerated in the Islaamic religion, and it is distinguished from the other months by a number of characteristics and virtues, including the following:

1 – Allaah has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islaam, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): "The month of Ramadhaan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadhaan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…"[al-Baqarah 2:185]

Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "Islaam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; establishing; paying zakaah; fasting Ramadaan; and Hajj to the House (the a'bah)." Bukhari

2 – Allaah revealed the Qur'an in this month, as He says in the verse quoted above (interpretation of the meaning): "Verily, We have sent it (this Qur'an) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree)."[al-Qadr 97:1] 

3 – Allaah has made Laylat al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Verily, We have sent it (this Qur'an) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months). Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah's Permission with all Decrees, (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn" [al-Qadar 97:1-5]

 "We sent it (this Qur'an) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadhaan — the 9th month of the Islaamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]" [al-Dukhaan 44:3]

And Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins." Narrated by al-Bukhaari

4 – In this month, Allaah opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils. Messenger of Allaah sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "When Ramadaan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up." Bukhari

5– Fasting Ramadaan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadaan, so long as one avoids major sins. Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "The five daily prayers, from one Jumu'ah to the next and from one Ramadaan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as you avoid major sins." Muslim

6– 'Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj. The Messenger of Allaah sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam said to a woman among the Ansaar, "What kept you from doing Hajj with us?" She said, "We only had two camels that we used for bringing water." So her husband and son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left the other for them to use for bringing water." He said, "When Ramadaan comes, go for 'Umrah, for 'Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj."  Bukhari

7 – It is Sunnah to observe i'tikaaf (retreat for the purpose of worship) in Ramadaan, because the Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam always did that, as it was narrated in the hadeeth of 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam used to spend the last ten days of Ramadaan in i'tikaaf until he passed away, then his wives observed i'tikaaf after him." Narrated by al-Bukhaari.

8 – It is mustahabb in Ramadaan to offer iftaar to those who are fasting, because of the hadeeth of Zayd ibn Khaalid al-Juhani (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam: "Whoever gives iftaar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person's reward in the slightest." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi.

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