Allah Subhanahu wa Taala is merciful,magnianmous and forgiving to the whacking extent. He cannot tolerate that anyone should lose hope in His mercy. In conformity to a Hadith e Qudsi when Allah Jallu Shanuhu would decide to fling retribution and punishment to the denizens of earth, He would firstly punish those who have lost hope in His mercy. Which parent can ever say to his child that no matter what injustice you do to me, I always guarantee you that the door of my favour is open to you.' It is only the depth and enormity of Allah Kareem that He guarantees His favour and support even to those who have committed countless sins.
The scholar and the commoner would be equally impressed after going through the above Hadith that Allah Taala is looking for opportunities to allow His slaves to somehow gain His favour, no matter how great sinners they may be. Perhaps the most sublime and majestic display of divine tolerance, love and Mercy is the annual appearance of the month of Ramadaan. A month so beset with avenues of gaining the mercy of Allah Taala that quite rightly our beloved Nabi Karim (Salallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) whose very personality was a living mercy ("We have not sent you but as a mercy to the World.") saw fit to curse that individual who finds even this month and still fails to gain forgiveness.
The aim and object of the above humble submissions is to, by way of reminder, highlight how maximum benefit can be derived from the most majestic of bounties which are confronting us in the blessed moments of Ramadan. According to another Hadith the first ten days of Ramadan is Ashra e Rahma, the second Ashra e Maghfira and the third ten days Ashra of Deliverance from the Hellfire. It shows that Allah Kareem is in constant pursuit of opportunities to ensure mercy and forgiveness. Hence He has adopted the procedure and process of issuing reminders. In the series of reminders Ashra e Maghfira is the second REMINDER. He seems to be reminding us that even now the bounties and blessings of Ramadan are waiting for us if we have not fully exploitd and utilized the first ten days, i.e.' Ashra e Rahama'. The Quran says, "There is for you in the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) a most perfect example."

Therefore, what better manner of understanding the essence of Ramadaan than by looking at how the greatest of Allah's creation, our beloved Master (Sallallaahu alayhi Wasallam) himself reacted to this month. What he did on an individual level and on a collective level what he engendered among his noble companions (Radhiallaahu Anhum). In short, we will attempt to depict what the coming of Ramadaan should create within us both on an individual and collective level.
Such was the manner in which Nabi e Rahma (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) would anticipate this month that two months in advance of Ramadan, the companions report that the noble Master (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) would beseech Allah Taala in the following manner, "O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Shaabaan and allow us to remain alive until the month of Ramadhan." Hadrat Aaisha (Radhiallaahu Anha) reports that when Ramadan arrived, the colour of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam)'s face used to change. He used to increase Salaat, become even more humble in his Duas and have even more fear for Allah. He hardly ever lay down in bed until Ramadaan came to an end.
At individual level to some extent we find the many aspring in the correct direction. The level of Nafl Salaat, Tilaawat of Quran, etc. is generally greatly increased in Ramadan. Whereas our Masjids abound with the Noor and effulgence which in essence is the spirit of Ramadan. However this practice would not yield much positive results if we remain unsuccessful to inculcate the spirit of Ramadan in our lives at collective level and the traits of righteousness remain intertwined round our personalites even after the expiry of the 'Month of Blessings.'

Khalid Ayaz Khan
Mission Al-noor (H.Qtrs.)
Lahore Pakistan.