Get The Best Out Of Ramadan

The foregoing are a few things one can do during the month of Ramadan. It is high time for us to think about how we are going to meet this blessed month. Is it as in the same fashion we encounter other months, in which we disobey Allah (SWT) and pay no heed to His commandments? Or will it be with honour that we greet this month, because of its advantages and virtues? Or will it be with the intention of deserving to be admitted to Paradise and to be saved from Hell- Fire?

1. Read Quran

The blessed month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’aan was revealed. Thus, this blessed month of Ramadan is even more special because Allah (SWT) distinguished it by revealing the Qur’an during it. Aside from recitation of the Qur’an, learning the translation of the meaning, pondering over its Verses are also recommended and encouraged acts.

We should be realistic and not go in extremes. Moderation and consistency is also very important. Try to make a plan for your self. Perhaps you should read a page of the Qur’an, followed by its translation, and then followed by its Tafsir. This way, the verses will have a greater impact on you. The Qur’an is sent as a guide, and its imperative we read it with understanding.

2. Make Dua'a

One should make as much Dua'a for himself, family and the Muslim Ummah as much as he can during Ramadan.

Umm Darda' reported: My husband reported that he heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: “He who supplicates for his brother behind his back (in his absence), the Angel commissioned (for carrying supplication to his Lord) says: Amen, and it is for you also." 

3. Family Ties

Ramadan is a time where a person who may have problems or disagreements between his family members should clear them. There is great reward for one who upholds kinship.

Narrated Jubair bin Mut'im (may Allaah be pleased with him): That he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, "The person who severs the bond of kinship will not enter Paradise." [Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 13]

4. Praying Qiyam / Taraweeh (the Night Prayer)

Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allaah be pleased with him): I heard Allaah's Apostle (peace be upon him) saying regarding Ramadan:

[Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 32, Number 226; Saheeh Muslim, Book 4, Number 1662]

Please note: There’s a trend (especially with the youth), of not praying the whole day, except Taraweeh. This is very odd and it would be like someone working over time, but not working during the normal time! How can you have any benefit from voluntary actions, if you are not doing the obligatory?

5. Making Da’wah

Ramadan is a perfect time for Muslims to make Da’wah to those that are not practicing, as well as non-Muslims. One can do this by being a kind person and showing the right example of the good Muslim, or even reminding his fellow Muslims what the obligations are of Islam.

6. Nawafil / Voluntary Prayers

At-tatawwu', or nawafil or supererogatory prayers, have been legislated to make up for any deficiencies left in the performance of fardh Salah (obligatory prayers). In Salah, there are virtues that are not found in any other form of worship. 

7. Duha Prayer

The Duha Prayer is a voluntary Salah prayer between the time after Fajr (i.e. Dawn) and the time before the Dhuhr prayer (i.e. forenoon). Ishraq, Salat – ul Awwabin (prayer of the penitent) and Duha are different Names for the same prayer. The minimum Rak’ahs for Duha prayer are two and the maximum are twelve. The preferable amount among them is four, which is supported and approved by the ahadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It may also be remembered that this Salah was a tradition of the previous Messengers and they used to perform it during their times. Hence this prayer is Sunnah and Mustahab (desirable). [Commentary Bulugh – Al – Maram (Englsih), published by Darussalam, Hadith: 310]

Anas (may Allaah pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that, “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits and remembers Allaah (makes dhikr) until the sun rises, then prays two rak’ahs, will have a reward like that for Hajj and ‘Umrah, complete, complete, complete.”

8. Make Dhikr Of Allah
Allah, the Most High, says in the Qur'an, "O you who believes! Remember Allah with much remembrance!" [Surah al-Ahzab 33:41]

And He said: “And remember your Lord by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear without loudness in words in the mornings, and in the afternoons and be not of those who are neglectful.”[Surah Al- Ar'af 7:205]

9. Fasting

Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allaah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."[Saheeh Bukhari]

Narrated Abu Said (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, "Indeed, anyone who fasts for one day for Allah's Pleasure, Allah will keep his face away from the (Hell) fire for (a distance covered by a journey of) seventy years."[Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim]

10. Itikaaf

Narrated 'Aisha (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him.[Saheeh Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim][20]

11. Not Missing the Witr Salah

“Witr” literally means odd number. Witr has two different meanings in the Sunnah: The last one or three Rak’ahs of the night prayer, or it means all of the night prayers (because in essence they are odd – numbered). This discussion refers to the former meaning. We learn from the following hadith that Witr is not obligatory but desirable. But it would not be correct to show any slackness in performing it because every Muslim should do his best to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

12. Giving Charity

Allah, the Most High, says in His Noble Book: “O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Wrongdoers.”[Surat Al=Baqarah 2:254] 

13. Providing For One to Open The Fast

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person.”[Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Musnad Ahmad]

14. Be Consistent and Moderate

It’s very easy to have a sudden burst of energy and do a lot in one day and then not do anything during the rest of the month (due to tiredness). It’s Sunnah to be moderate and consistent. Don’t over burden yourself, and don’t look at what others are doing. You should do what you can to your ability (and properly) and be constant with those deeds.

Narrated 'Aisha: Allaah's Apostle said, "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allaah's is the most regular and constant even though it were little."

Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet was asked, "What deeds are loved most by Allaah?" He said, "The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few." He added, 'Don't take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability."

Oh Allah allow us to make the most of Ramadan. Oh Allah, let us meet you with a clean heart, with all our sins erased. Oh Allah grant us mercy, and make us from those that you have freed from hell fire. Oh Allah allow us to be from those that you enter in heaven. [Saheeh Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 473]