20 – ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Wāqid related to us; he said: Ḍamrah ibn Rabīʿah narrated to us; Bishr ibn Isḥāq narrated, from Jābir ibn Yazīd, from Abū Jaʿfar, who said:

Whenever the new crescent of Ramadan appeared, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would turn to the people and say:

“O Allah, bring it to us with safety and faith, with peace and submission, with all-embracing well-being, the removal of illnesses, and aid in fasting, prayer, and reciting the Quran. O Allah, deliver us to Ramadan, deliver it to us, and accept it from us until it departs while You have forgiven us, shown us mercy, and pardoned us.”

He would then face the people again and declare: “O people, this is the month of Ramadan: during it the devils are shackled, the gates of Hell are closed, and the gates of the gardens are opened. Every night a caller announces, ‘Is there anyone asking so that he may be given? Is there anyone seeking forgiveness so that I may forgive him?’ O Allah, grant every giver a replacement and hasten ruin for every miser. When the Day of Fitr comes, a caller from the heaven proclaims, ‘Today is the Day of Reward—rise early and hurry to collect your prizes.’”

Abū Jaʿfar remarked: “Prizes unlike those handed out by earthly rulers.”