Ramadan

The Meaning of the Word Ramadan

Published

July 22, 2012

Imām ar-Raghib said:

رمضان هو الرمض أي شدة وقع الشمس، والرمضاء شدة حر الشمس، و رمضت الغنم: رعت في الرمضاء فقرحت أكبادها. و سمي رمضان لأنه يرمض الذنوب أي يحرقها.

Ramaḍān is taken from the word ramad which means that which is intensely or vehemently heated by the sun. And the word ramdhaa means the intense heat of the sun. [The Arabs used to say about] the sheep that they were ‘burned (ramidat) while they were grazing under the scorching heat of the sun to the extent that their livers became damaged (by the intense heat of the sun). Ramaḍān was named such because it burns the sins of the believers. [1]

Imām al-Zamarkhshari wrote:

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

لما نقلوا أسماء الشهور عن اللغة القديمة سموها بالأزمنة التي وقعت فيها فوافق هذا الشهر أيام رمض الحر فسمي رمضان

‘’When they changed the names of the months from the ancient language, they named them according to the seasons in which they fell, and this month fell in the days of intense heat and that is why it was named Ramaḍān’’. [2]

Imām Qurtubi narrates:

إنما سمي رمضان لأنه يرمض الذنوب أي يحرقها با لأعمال الصالحة

‘’It (this month) was named Ramaḍān because it burns the sins of people with righteous deeds’’. [3]

How does Allāh burn our sins?

The Prophet is reported to have said: “…Whoever draws nearer (to Allāh) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time…” [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

Therefore one of the main ways in which Allāh eradicates and deletes our sins and wrong doings is by multiplying our deeds in the month of Ramaḍān and erases our sins because the hasanat (good deeds) eliminates the sayyi’aat (bad deeds).

May Allāh destroy by the light of His raḥmah all our past sins, and may He make all of us among His servants who receive the glad tidings of forgiveness.

Please keep me in your sincere du‘ā’s and forgive any mistakes I may have committed.

[1] Mufradat al-Qur’an by Imām ar-Raghib p 203

[2] Al-Kashaf 1/171, Zad al Maseer 1/187, Majma’ al-Bayan 1/275, Qurtubi 2/171

[3] Tafseer al-Qurtubi 2/271, Fatul Bayan 1/293

0 Shares

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

Related Topics:burning of sins forgiveness in Ramadan meaning of ramadan ramadan Ramadan name Ramadan2012

Up Next

The Ramadan Tafseer Series | Surah Maryam, Day 4, Ayahs 7-11 | Abdul Nasir Jangda

Don't Miss

The Ramadan Tafseer Series | Surah Maryam, Day 3 – Ayahs 5-6 | Abdul Nasir Jangda

Sh. Abdullah Hasan

Sh. A. Hasan is an experienced scholar, independent counsellor & psychologist, and community leader with over 20 years dedicated to Islamic studies, mental health, and community service. His academic journey began with an Imam Diploma, BA, and Ijaza Aliyah in Islamic Studies, where he specialised in Theology and Islamic Law. He pursued further studies in Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), Muslim family law (Ahwal al-Shaksiyat), Aqidah (Islamic theology), Usul al-Fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence), Tafsir (Qur’anic exegesis), Usul al-Hadith (Hadith methodology), Ifta (Islamic legal verdicts), and comparative fiqh and other disciplines all taught entirely in Arabic from an European Islamic Seminary. He also holds a diploma in Arabic from Zarqa Private University in Jordan, where he also studied at the college of fiqh and Usul (Kulliat fiqh wa usuluhu) and received tutelage under renowned scholars from across the Middle East. In addition, he expanded his expertise into psychology and counselling. He studied certifications and diplomas in Person-Centred Psychotherapy, Marriage and Youth Counselling, Egan Model, and SFBT Psychotherapy. Over the past 15 years, he has supported clients facing a wide range of Islamic psychological challenges, including trauma, PTSD, suicide ideation, sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, grief, self-esteem issues, and marital discord, to name some. His approach integrates Islamic principles with modern authentic and evidenced based psychological practices, aiming to provide holistic care. Having studied MSc in Applied Psychology from the London Metropolitan University, he is currently completing a doctorate in the same field. He is a founding trustee of The British Board of Scholars & Imams (BBSI) and a member of The Global Imams & Scholars Council (GISC). He has also founded and led initiatives such as Imams Against Domestic Abuse (IADA), the British Imams, Scholars Contributions and Achievements (BISCA) Awards, and the British Institutes, Mosques, and Associations (BIMA) Awards. Sh. A. Hasan’s passion for mental health is reflected membership of The Association of Islamic Mental-Health Specialists (AIMS). He teaches Islamic Psychology & Counselling Psychologist at Spring Foundation and provides chaplaincy counselling at various mosques in London, UK, offering support that integrates Islamic teachings with evidence-based psychological interventions.

13 Comments

birkah.wordpress.com

July 23, 2012 at 9:35 PM

Can you please comment on the authenticity of this:

The Prophet
is reported to have said: “…Whoever draws nearer (to Allāh) by
performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall
receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other
time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall
receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time… ”
[Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

JKhair.

Reply
- Shaheed
  
  July 29, 2012 at 9:11 PM
  
  Check comments section
  
  Reply
- Ibrahim Panambur
  
  June 5, 2016 at 12:58 PM
  
  Ya Allah forgive any mistake I may have committed
  
  Reply
Shaheed

July 29, 2012 at 9:09 PM

We can leave out the guess work about the “authenticity”of and obscure hadith if we just use the Quran as our only source of guidance.

Reply
fasting

July 31, 2012 at 11:35 AM

this article is a nice one and it help me a lot.
islamquranhadith.com

Reply
Pingback: Hacking the language | iamfiluz
Pingback: How to Really Get Ready For The Month of Ramadan - MuslimMatters.org
Somnath

June 27, 2015 at 4:14 PM

Is Ramadan has a link with Ram incarnation of Almighty. I believe all religion is one and are interlinked

Reply
Cis

September 22, 2015 at 7:15 AM

Ramadan is the month of mercy. and ,Successor of the Prophet Muhammad in Ramadan was killed.his name is amam Ali.

Reply
Pingback: As the Mother of All Months is Coming…. « YasSarNal QuR'aN
Pingback: Ramadan er i gang |
ibrahim mustapha

May 26, 2017 at 10:41 AM

Allah help the muslim umma

Reply
Ladeed Shaji

April 10, 2019 at 2:02 PM

Assalam aalikum I’ve a doubt regarding the word Ramadan.
The word ” Ramadan” comes from ramad (means intense heat) so does it necessarily mean that every time Ramadan will be in scorching sun if it’s so there were many instances Ramadan also came in winter season!?

Reply