The relatives and friends say that Imam used to cancel his official meetings to concentrate on spiritual activities of observing fast and reciting the holy Quran during the days and nights of this holy month.
Some sources say Imam used to recite ten chapters of holy Quran daily in Ramadan during his stay in holy city of Najaf. He also continued his association with the holy book and devoted most of his time to the holy book while acting as supreme leader of the Islamic revolution and the Muslim world.
The great Imam used to recite verses whenever he found a leisure time between meals or any other parts of the day.
It is evident and clear from holy verses of Quran that observing fast is of great significance because it is a prologue to piety and piousness. The observing fast has been an obligation for all divine religions including Islam.
The holy Quran has pointed out to this philosophy and significance of fasting as under:
"O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun—pious" (Surah Baqarah, verse: 183).
It is worth mentioning that, the holy book of Quran which shows right path of guidance to all mankind was revealed in this sacred month.
"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu-Akbar; Allah is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him." [Surah Baqarah, verse: 185].
It is important for everybody to become pious in order to seek real guidance from the holy divine scripture.
"This is the Book (the Qur'an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much]" (Baqarah, verse: 2).
In addition to that, there is great connection between observing fast and the holy month of Ramadan. Each person and object gets new spirit and energy during the spring season. On the same pattern, maintaining close connection and association with Quran transforms and purifies the hearts from spiritual perspectives. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) narrated in this regard as following:
"You must undertake serious efforts to understand the divine book because it is the best of the words, a great guidance from God Almighty and a spring for the hearts."
We may sum up that Quran and Ramadan are deeply associated with each other. The holy prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) said in one of his sermons that the reward for reciting a single verse during the holy month of Ramadan amounts to reading the whole holy book in other parts of the year.