Prophet Muhammad addressed his companions when the month of Ramadan began, emphasizing the sanctity and virtues of Ramadan as follows:
"O people! A great and blessed month has come upon you, in which there is a night better than a thousand months.''
''Allah has made fasting in this month obligatory and performing night prayers voluntary.''
''Whoever performs a mandatory act in this month will receive the reward of seventy mandatory acts in other months. It is a month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise. It is a month of mutual assistance, in which the sustenance of a believer is increased.''
''Whoever provides iftar (the meal to break the fast) to a fasting person in this month will have his sins forgiven and be saved from Hell.''
''Additionally, he will receive a reward equal to the fasting person's reward, without the fasting person's reward being diminished. It is a month whose beginning is mercy, middle is forgiveness, and end is freedom from Hellfire."
