Farewell to Month of God
At the beginning of this supplication, the blessings of God are enumerated and the features of Ramadan are described. Ramadan is likened there to a friend and companion whose departure causes one to miss him and feel sad.
“(Oh God, It is Thou who hast opened for Thy servants a door to Thy pardon, which Thou hast named 'repentance'….It is Thou who hast raised the price against Thyself to the advantage of Thy servants, desiring their profit in their trade with Thee…O God, Thou hast appointed among the choicest of those duties and the most special of those obligations the month of Ramadan, which Thou hast singled out from other months,… This month stood among us in a standing place of praise, accompanied us with the companionship of one approved,…”
These are parts of prayers Imam Sajjad (AS) would recite at the end of the holy month of Ramadan and it can be read in Sahifeh Sajjadiyeh.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said about Ramadan in the Shaabaniyah Sermon that the month brings blessing and mercy and forgiveness and that whoever is friends with this month will receive the blessing and mercy and forgiveness.
The messenger of God added, “No trader anywhere in the world has made as much profit as we made in this month.”
Mankind is a traveler in this world who has an eternal trip before him. The provision for the eternal trip must be made in the few days he has in this world.
In Ramadan, the gates of heaven are opened to the faithful and they can make the most of this opportunity and make great profits.
In his farewell to Ramadan, Imam Sajjad (AS) also says, “Peace be upon thee, object of seeking before thy time, object of sorrow before thy passing!... Peace be upon thee - How much evil was turned away from us through thee! How much good flowed upon us because of thee!... Peace be upon thee, helper who aided against Satan…”
Bidding farewell to Ramadan is for one who has been accustomed to it not one who has not been friends with the month.
Imam Sajjad (AS) then says, “How happy those who observed the respect due to thee! And place us with You among the repenters, those upon whom You have made Your love obligatory and from whom You have accepted the return to obeying You! O Most Just of the just!”
At the end of this supplication we read: “…redress our being afflicted by our month, bless us in this day of our festival and our fast-breaking,…”
