Abdul Muqit Chowdhury :The blessed days of ‘Maghfirat’ expands from the 11th to the 20th Ramzan. This is the best time for Rozadars to beg pardon of Allah Rabbul Aalameen. It is hoped, they will be forgiven of their sins if they pray to Allah sincerely.The Holy Quran reveals : “For Muslim men and women, –/For believing men and women/For devout men and women,/ For true men and women,/For men and women who are/Patient and constant, for men/ And women who humble themselves,/For men and women who give/In charity, for men and women/Who fast (and deny themselves),/For men and women who/Guard their chastity, and/for men and women who/Engage much in God’s praise, –/For them has God prepared/Forgiveness and great reward.” (Sura Ahzab 33:35, The Holy Quran : Translation and Commentary by A. Yusuf Ali) He comments : “A number of Muslim virtues are specified here, but the chief stress is laid on the fact that these virtues are as necessary to women as to men. Both sexes have spiritual as well as human rights and duties in an equal degree, and the future ‘reward’ of the Hereafter, viz, Spiritual Bliss, is provided for the one as for the other.”Many verses of the Holy Quran reveal about the forgiveness of Allah. Supplication in Ramzan is very important. Through supplication we express our need to Allah and seek mercy, forgiveness and salvation.The Holy Quran says, “When My servants/Ask thee concerning Me,/I am indeed/Close (to them): I listen/To the prayer of every/ Supplicant when he calleth on Me: /Let them also, with a will,/Listen to My call,/And believe in Me :/That they walk/In the right way.” (Sura Baqara 2: 186) This verse directs us for seeking forgiveness of Allah through supplication. During Ramzan, we should seek forgiveness of our sins, thank Allah for His bounties and invoke His help. Supplication purifies our souls, inspires us to do good deeds, guards against errors and is of special merit and virtue in this month. Hazrat Abdullah Ibne Masud (Ra) narrated from the Messenger of Allah : “In every night of Ramzan a proclaimer on behalf of Allah goes on proclaiming, O searcher of welfare, come forward, and O searcher of evils, go back, and after this the angel says, is there anyone seeking of Maghfirat (forgiveness) who will be forgiven’? Is there any repentant, whose repentance will be accepted ? Is there any seeker, whose things of seeking will be given’ ? This proclaiming continues through every night.” (Al Hadith) So, the month of Ramzan is a great opportunity of the believers to seek Allah’s infinite blessings and forgiveness.
