The Sacred Journey of Mercy, Forgiveness, and Salvation
The word Ramadan carries powerful imagery within it. Derived from the Arabic root ramd, it signifies intense heat, parched thirst, and sun-baked ground. Linguistically, it evokes dryness and burning, conditions that mirror the physical hunger and thirst experienced during fasting. Spiritually, however, Ramadan signifies something far deeper: the burning away of sins, the purification of the soul, and the renewal of faith. It is, by its very nature, a month of sacrifice that leads to inner abundance.
Each year, Muslims across the world welcome the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar with reverence and anticipation. Ramadan is not merely a ritual of abstaining from food and drink; it is one of the five pillars of Islam and a collective act of devotion that binds communities together. From dawn (suhoor) to sunset (iftar), Muslims who are physically able refrain from eating, drinking, and other physical needs, redirecting their focus toward self-discipline, empathy, and spiritual growth. Lasting twenty-nine or thirty days depending on the moon sighting, Ramadan offers daily opportunities to draw closer to Allah.
A Month of Purpose and Transformation
Ramadan slows the outer rhythm of life while deepening inner reflection. Hunger teaches patience. Thirst cultivates humility. Fatigue reminds believers of human limitation and divine dependence. In this state of vulnerability, hearts soften, egos quieten, and gratitude grows.
Fasting is not meant to punish the body; it is meant to train the soul, sharpening mindfulness in actions, words, and intentions, and strengthening compassion for those who experience hunger and deprivation not by choice, but by circumstance.
Central to Ramadan’s spiritual structure is the concept of the Ashra, the division of the month into three ten-day phases, each carrying a distinct spiritual emphasis. Together, these phases form a coherent inner journey, guiding the believer from mercy, through forgiveness, toward salvation.
The First Ashra: Mercy – Foundation of Faith
The journey begins with mercy, for no spiritual transformation can occur without it. Human beings are inherently imperfect, prone to error, forgetfulness, and weakness. The first ten days of Ramadan are known as the Ashra of Rahmah (Mercy), reminding believers that Allah’s relationship with humanity is rooted not in harsh judgment, but in compassion.
Mercy creates hope, the belief that change is possible and that divine care precedes human effort. Spiritually, mercy softens the heart; socially, it nurtures empathy. When believers internalize mercy, they become kinder parents, more patient neighbours, and more ethical members of society. In a world increasingly marked by anger and polarization, this emphasis recentres Islam as a faith of balance, dignity, and compassion.
Mercy creates hope, the belief that change is possible and that divine care precedes human effort. Spiritually, mercy softens the heart; socially, it nurtures empathy. When believers internalize mercy, they become kinder parents, more patient neighbours, and more ethical members of society. In a world increasingly marked by anger and polarization, this emphasis recentres Islam as a faith of balance, dignity, and compassion.
The Second Ashra: Forgiveness – Moral Accountability
Forgiveness (Maghfirah) forms the bridge between mercy and salvation. While mercy reassures, forgiveness demands accountability. From the 11th to the 20th day of Ramadan, believers are called inward, to acknowledge mistakes rather than justify them, and to confront shortcomings with honesty and humility.
Seeking forgiveness (istighfar) during this Ashra is not a ritual of words alone; it is sincere repentance rooted in remorse and the intention to reform. Forgiveness in Islam is transformative. It breaks cycles of guilt, resentment, and repeated wrongdoing, freeing the soul from emotional burden and realigning the believer with moral clarity.
This phase teaches that growth requires responsibility. It is a time to reflect on neglected duties, toward Allah and toward fellow human beings and to move forward with renewed purpose. On a broader level, a society that values forgiveness over vengeance becomes more resilient. Ramadan thus cultivates not only personal repentance, but also reconciliation within families, communities, and even nations.
The Third Ashra: Salvation (Nijat) – Freedom and Surrender
The final Ashra represents the culmination of Ramadan’s spiritual ascent. Nijat, salvation or safety from Hellfire, is not only about the hereafter; it is about freedom in the present. Freedom from ego, greed, arrogance, fear, and spiritual complacency.
Beginning on the 21st night, the last ten days are the most intense and spiritually charged phase of Ramadan. Believers increase their worship, lengthen their prayers, and detach further from worldly distractions.
Many observe I‘tikaf, a spiritual retreat in which one withdraws from daily life to devote time exclusively to worship, reflection, and remembrance of Allah, symbolizing a complete turning toward the Divine.
This Ashra is further illuminated by the presence of Lailatul Qadr, the Night of Power, described in the Qur’an as better than a thousand months. Believed to fall on one of the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days, it is a night when divine decrees are written and prayers are especially accepted. Its presence reinforces the profound truth that destiny itself can be reshaped through sincere devotion, humility, and effort.
Salvation, therefore, is not an abstract promise alone; it is an inner state, marked by peace, clarity of purpose, and trust in divine justice.
A Prophetic Journey
The spiritual progression of Ramadan is beautifully captured in the saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: It is the month whose beginning is mercy, its middle forgiveness, and its end emancipation from the fire.”
This teaching frames Ramadan as a journey, receiving mercy, earning forgiveness, and attaining spiritual freedom.
Beyond Fasting: Living the Spirit of Ramadan
While fasting is the most visible aspect of Ramadan, its essence lies in character refinement. A fast that does not restrain anger, dishonesty, or cruelty remains incomplete. True fasting extends to the eyes, ears, and tongue, cultivating ethical awareness and emotional discipline.
Ramadan also strengthens communal bonds. Shared iftars, nightly Taraweeh prayers, and increased charity foster unity and social responsibility. Obligatory zakat and voluntary sadaqah rise during this month, reinforcing care for the marginalized and the vulnerable.
A Month That Leaves a Mark
As Ramadan draws to a close, it leaves behind more than memories of fasting, it offers a blueprint for mindful living. The challenge for believers is to carry forward the habits cultivated during the month: patience, generosity, restraint, and gratitude. At its core, Ramadan presents a unified moral philosophy through its three stages:
