Indeed Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) used to give his companions glad tidings at the approach of Ramadhan, as is in the hadeeth of Salman (May Allah be please with him) which is authentically attributed to the Prophet (s.a.w).
That he (s.a.w.) addressed the people on the last day of Sha’baan, “Oh people, Indeed approaching you is a tremendous month, a blessed month, Allah has made fasting its days an obligation and standing its nights in prayer optional (stressed sunnah). Whoever performs in Ramadhan the various optional deeds is as one who has performed obligatory deeds outside of Ramadhan and whoever performs an obligation, it is as if he has performed 70 obligatory deeds in other than Ramadhan.”
So, this hadeeth is tremendous in which the Prophet (s.a.w) welcomed the month of Ramadhan, he (s.a.w.) described it as a tremendous month and a blessed month. He (s.a.w.) then explained what Allah has legislated to be done in Ramadhan.
He (s.a.w) said, “Allah has made fasting its days and obligation and standing its nights in prayer optional (stressed Sunnah) – meaning Taraweeh and whatever is easy from the Night prayer (Tahajjud).
“… Whoever performs in Ramadhan the various optional deeds is as one who has performed obligatory deeds outside of Ramadhan and whoever performs an obligation, it is as if he has performed 70 obligatory deeds in other than Ramadhan.”
This hadeeth explains the virtues of month of Ramadhan and clarifies what Allah (subhanahu wa tawala) has placed within it of goodness for the Muslim nation. It is a tremendous hadeeth; Allah has glorified it with His statement:
“The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).” (Al Baqarah 2:185).
The meaning of “revealed in it”, it is said is the mention of the virtues of Ramadhan found in the Quran; it is also said it means the revelation of the Quran began in Ramadhan, then the revelation of the Quran continued after that over a period of time until the Noble Quran was completed by the time of the passing of the Prophet (s.a.w).
It is a month which has much goodness; it is a season from the seasons of the Hereafter (e.g. Success in the Hereafter can be achieved in this month): it is booty for those Allah, the Almighty and the Majestic, grants success.
It has been reported that there were two individuals, ardent open worship, one of them died and the other remained, it was reported that the one who died later would enter Jannah before the first, the companions because amazed by this. The Prophet (s.a.w) said, “Did he (the one who lived longer) not reach Ramadhan and fast it? They replied, Yes! Prophet (s.a.w) said, Did he not reach the Night of Decree and pray it? They replied, Yes! He (s.a.w.) said “ by He in whose Hand is my soul, Indeed the difference between them is like the difference between the sky and the earth.”
This shows us the virtue of this Month and a clarification of what Allah has placed within it of goodness.
All the praises and thanks belong to Allah, may the praise of Allah and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), his family and all of his companions.