Reaching the month of Ramadan is a tremendous blessing that deserves gratitude. Simply witnessing Ramadan while enjoying good health is a favor from Allah that calls for praise and thankfulness. Attaining this month is a precious opportunity: if a person uses it well through obedience, worship, righteous deeds, and drawing closer to Allah, it becomes a source of immense reward.
The righteous predecessors eagerly awaited Ramadan. For six months before its arrival, they would pray to Allah to allow them to reach it and to accept their deeds during it.
Sheikh and preacher Muhammad Al-Ghadbah explains that the supplication for the arrival of Ramadan is the same supplication said upon sighting the crescent moon at the beginning of every Hijri month. There is no specific or exclusive supplication from the Qur’an, the Sunnah, or the early scholars designated only for Ramadan.
Glad Tidings of Ramadan’s Arrival
Allah has distinguished Ramadan with great virtues: fasting, multiplied rewards, descending mercy, and answered prayers. Being mindful of the greatness of this month encourages a person to exert more effort, time, and wealth in obedience to Allah.
The Prophet ï·º used to give glad tidings to his companions when Ramadan arrived, saying:
"The month of Ramadan has come to you, a month of blessing. Allah sends down mercy in it, removes sins, answers supplications, and boasts of you to His angels. So show Allah your best deeds, for the unfortunate one is he who is deprived of Allah’s mercy."
He also said:
"When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained."
Confirming the Sighting of the Crescent Moon
The beginning of Ramadan is established by the sighting of the crescent moon. According to the majority of scholars, the testimony of one trustworthy witness is sufficient to confirm the start of Ramadan. However, ending the month requires two trustworthy witnesses.
The Prophet ï·º said:
"Fast when you see it (the crescent) and break your fast when you see it. If it is obscured from you, then complete thirty days."
This means that fasting begins with the sighting of the crescent and ends with its sighting. If clouds prevent visibility, the month should be completed as thirty days—whether it is Sha‘ban before Ramadan or Ramadan before Eid.
The Supplication Upon Seeing the Crescent
Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghadbah noted that the authentic Sunnah mentions a general supplication when sighting the crescent for any Hijri month. There is no special prayer exclusive to Ramadan.
The Prophet ï·º would say:
"O Allah, let this moon appear over us with security and faith, safety and Islam. My Lord and your Lord is Allah. A crescent of guidance and goodness."
The sighting may be done with the naked eye or with optical aids.
Supplications for Reaching Ramadan
Ramadan is a month of worship and devotion. The righteous predecessors used to pray months in advance:
"O Allah, deliver me safely to Ramadan, deliver Ramadan safely to me, and accept it from me."
Its meaning is:
Allow me to live until Ramadan in good health and faith.
Enable me to fast and pray during it without obstacles.
Accept my fasting, prayers, and good deeds.
The Ruling on Saying “Let us reach Ramadan without losing or being lost”
Regarding the commonly used phrase, “O Allah, let us reach Ramadan without losing or being lost,” the scholar Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) explained that if the intention is simply to live long enough to fast Ramadan, it is better to use the authentic supplication mentioned earlier.
The phrase “without losing or being lost” is discouraged because it may imply objecting to Allah’s decree, as death is inevitable and part of divine wisdom. Moreover, this wording was not reported from the early generations or authentic traditions.
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