Just like Joseph [peace be upon him], Ramadan is a month which sweeps clean our messes in the other months of the year. Did not Joseph kindheartedly acquit his brothers of their mischievous act, telling them (No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the most merciful of the merciful)? (12:92). Just as Jacob's children rushed to their brother Joseph [peace be upon him], we, burdened with our wrong deeds, likewise rush to Ramadan, looking forward to the Prophet's glad tidings: “whoever fasts Ramadan out of sincere faith and expectation of Allah’s rewards, all his previous sins are forgiven” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].