Twenty Names of Ramadan

TEHRAN (IQNA) – The blessed month of Ramadan is referred to by the Infallibles (AS) with different names, each pointing to one of the many dimensions of the holy month.

According to Hadiths, Ramadan is one of the names of God, the Almighty.

The book “Kanz al-Maram fi Amal Shahr al-Siyam” points out to 20 names and phrases that the Infallibles (AS) have used to refers to the holy month.

1- Ramadan

Ramadan in Arabic derives from ar-Ramadh, which means scorching heat that burns and melts desert sands. In Ramadan, the light of divine mercy illuminates the hearts of believers like the sun illuminates the earth. Also, believers’ hearts are warmed by the remembrance of God.

Another meaning of ar-Ramadh is raining in autumn on a dry land. In Ramadan, the rain of divine mercy quenches the hearts of believers and purifies them from sins.

2- Another name for Ramadan is Midhmar, which means training a race horse for 40 days to prepare it for the race. This period is called Midhmar.

In Ramadan, believers fast for a month to get ready for a race in serving God. Imam Hussein (AS) said God has blessed people with the holy month of Ramadan so that they use this opportunity to overtake one another in moving toward paradise.

3- Another name for Ramadan is Shahrullah (the month of God). The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said in his Al-Shaabaniyah Sermon: “Oh people! Month of Allah has come toward you bringing divine blessing, mercy and forgiveness.”

Here are five other names mentioned for Ramadan by Imam Sajjad (AS):

4- Shahr al-Siyam: month of fasting

5- Shahr al-Islam: month of Islam

6- Shahr al-Tahur: month of purity

7- Shahr al-Tamhis: month of getting clean and purified

8- Shahr al-Qiaym: month of waking up and praying to God at night

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) used the following six names for Ramadan:

9- Shahr al-Barakah: month of Barakah (blessing)

10- Shahr al-Inabah: month of returning to God

11- Shahr at-Tawbah: month of repentance

12- Shahr al-Maghfirah: month of forgiveness

13 and 14- Shahr al-Atq min an-Naar and Fawz bi al-Jannah: month of freedom from the fire of hell and month of accomplishing paradise

The following two names appear in the supplication of the fourth night of Ramadan narrated from the Holy Prophet (PBUH):    

15- Shahr ath-Thawab: month of reward

16- Shahr ar-Raja: month of hope

The following two names were mentioned in Al-Shaabaniyah Sermon:

17- Shahr as-Sabr: month of patience and fortitude

18- Shahr al-Muwasat: month of helping and empathy with one’s brothers in faith

And the Holy Prophet (PBUH) also referred to Ramadan with these two names:

19-Shahr ar-Rahmah: month of mercy  

20- Sayyid ash-Shuhur: chief of months