Moulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) writes:
The month of Ramadhaan marks the commencement of the revelation of the Quraan. It is the month of mercy, blessings and effulgence. Ramadhaan is indeed the prime period for ‘ibaadat and righteous actions and the all-embracing event of spirituality.
Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) mentioned: “During the month of Ramadhaan, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would always be ahead in good deeds, much faster than a strong blowing wind.”
Hadhrat ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) said: “When the last ten days of Ramadhaan would commence, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would remain the entire night awake and he would awaken his household as well. He would exert himself in carrying out ‘ibaadat.”
The month of Ramadhaan is the time for the fulfilment of the aspirations and hopes of the true lovers of Allah Ta‘ala, for which they would count the number of days to the approach of this month. We are not speaking about the state of the former pious predecessors. I have heard regarding some of the pious predecessors of the recent past that they would anticipate the approach of the next Ramadhaan from the moment the crescent of ‘Eid was sighted.
With the mere commencement of Ramadhaan, a whole new delight and enthusiasm would be created. It would seem as if their actions express their sentiments in the following manner:
هذا الذي كانت الأيام تنتظر
فليوف لله أقوام بما نذروا
This is the great treasure for which time was anticipating
Now has come the time for people to fulfil their pledges and vows with Allah Ta‘ala
With the coming of Ramadhaan, the entire environment changes in the khanqahs and deeni maraakiz (centres). Apart from those who continuously reside in the khanqahs, the mureeds and associates flock to these khanqahs like pieces of metal attracted to a magnet or butterflies plunging into a burning fire. These khanqahs abound in zikr, tilaawat of the Quraan Majeed and ‘ibaadat, etc., to such an extent as if there is no other occupation besides this and as if another Ramadhaan will not come. Each person attempts to surpass the next. Each day is not only considered to be a day of Ramadhaan but the last day of one’s life.
Whoever enters this environment for even a little while becomes oblivious of this world. Spiritless souls get energised and filled with determination. Dormant and dead hearts find a new life. It is a current running through each other’s hearts creating a new life within dead souls. After witnessing such a spiritual and angelic environment any person’s heart would declare that this world will never be destroyed and existence on earth will never cease, as long as such occasions for seeking Allah Ta‘ala continue to be established, crowds of seekers throng to the effulgence of spirituality and deen and such large crowds of people assemble to attain the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala and prepare their abode of the Hereafter with no ulterior motive.
(Sawaanih Hazrat Shaikhul Hadeeth Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya