Ramadhan ul Mubarak and Night Prayers (Taraweeh)

Allah Ta’ala’s Beloved Prophet Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam has stated that, “Ramadhan is the month of my followers.” One way in which this Hadith has been explained is that ‘Allah Ta’ala has given this month to my followers so that they can worship extensively in this month and obtain the Pleasure of the Lord. They can Fast during the day, perform voluntary prayers in the night, recite the Holy Qur’an, spend their wealth in the path of Allah Ta’ala, help the poor, needy and helpless and become deserving of the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala.’

Due to the fact that is it difficult to do all the things mentioned above all year long, that is why Allah Ta’ala granted one month in which Muslims can focus all their attention towards worshipping Him.

Just as the other worships hold an exalted position, similarly the excellences of Taraweeh prayers have been mentioned extensively in the Ahadith and the fact that Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam performed it continuously is also reported. Read the following carefully and prepare yourselves to perform this exalted worship regularly.

Meaning of Taraweeh

The word ‘Taraweeh’ is the plural of the word ‘Tarweehatun’, which means ‘to rest for a while’. Due to the fact that we are ordered to sit after each four Rak’ats for the same length of time that it takes to pray those four Rak’ats, it is called ‘Taraweeh’.

The Habit of Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam

The performing of Taraweeh is proven from Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam , as is narrated by Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhuma, who reports that, “Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam used to perform 20 Rak’ats Taraweeh in Ramadhan.” (Musannif Ibn Abi Shaiba, Vol 2, Page 394)

Punctuality of the Companions in Praying Taraweeh

Taraweeh used to be performed during the time of Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam but it was not arranged in the manner in which it is arranged nowadays. It was started during the rule of Hazrat ‘Umar bin Khattab Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu and the tradition is still present amongst Muslims. Hazrat ‘Abdur Rehman bin ‘Abd Qari Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu states that, “I went to the Masjid in Ramadhan with Hazrat ‘Umar bin Khattab Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu, and people were performing prayers separately. Hazrat ‘Umar Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu said, ‘By Allah! I think that if I gather all these people together and they perform prayers together behind one Qari, then it will be better.’ Then he gathered everyone behind Hazrat Abi bin Ka’ab Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu and one night saw everyone praying behind Hazrat Abi bin Ka’ab Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu. Upon seeing this Hazrat ‘Umar Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu said, ‘This is a good innovation,’ and people used to pray Taraweeh as soon as it was time.”

Rules of Taraweeh

* Offering Taraweeh salah is a Sunnat-e-Mu’akkadah (emphatic sunnah) for every sane, mature and adult Islamic brother and sister. (Ad-Dur-rul-Mukhtaar, V2, P493) Missing taraweeh is not permissible.

* The Jama’at of taraweeh is a Sunnat Mu’akkadah ‘alal Kifayah. If all the people miss it they all will be considered to have committed an isaa’at (disliked act). If a few people say it with jama’at then those offering alone will not be able to get the reward of Jama’at. (Hidayah, V1, P70)

* The time for the taraweeh salah begins after the farz of Isha and ends at dawn (Subh-e-Sadiq). If it is offered before the farz of Isha then it will not be valid. (Alamgiri, V1, P115)

* Taraweeh can be offered even after the farz and witr of Isha as well. (Ad-Dur-rul-Mukhtaar, V2, P494) This sometimes happens on the 29th (of Sha’ban) in case of delay in acquiring the evidence of the moon’s appearance.

* It is mustahab (preferable) to delay the taraweeh until one third (1/3) part of the night has passed. There is no harm in offering Taraweeh even after the second half of the night. (Ad-Dur-rul-Mukhtaar, V2, P495)

* If missed, there is no qada (repetition) for the taraweeh salah. (Ad-Dur-rul-Mukhtaar, V2, P494)

Rak’ats in Taraweeh

20 Rak’ats Taraweeh have been performed from the time of the Blessed Companions Ridwanullahi ‘Alaihim Ajma’een. It is reported in countless Ahadith that the Companions used to perform 20 Rak’ats of Taraweeh prayers, and we are presenting some Ahadith in relation to this.

Yazid bin Rooman reports that during the time of Hazrat ‘Umar bin Khattab Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu, people used to perform 23 Rak’ats (including ‘Isha Witr prayer). In a similar manner, Ibn Nasar reports on the authority of Sa’ib that in Ramadhan, the Companions used to stand for 20 Rak’ats, and during the time of Hazrat ‘Umar Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu people used to lean on their sticks (due to the length of standing).

Another narration from some of the companions of Hazrat ‘Ali Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu states that Hazrat ‘Ali Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu used to lead 20 Rak’ats of Taraweeh prayer and 3 Rak’ats of Witr prayer in Ramadhan.

As well as the above mentioned Ahadith, there are many others which give evidence that Taraweeh prayer consists of 20 Rak’ats.

Excellence of Taraweeh

Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “The person who stands and performs prayer in Ramadhan with faith has his previous sins forgiven.”

‘Allama Noowi Rehmatullahe Ta’ala ‘Alaihi states that ‘standing in Ramadhan’ means Taraweeh prayers and all the Scholars of the Nation are united on the belief that it is better (Mustahab) to perform Taraweeh prayers. In the above mentioned Hadith, Rasool Allah Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam has stated that performing Taraweeh is the means to have sins forgiven, because Taraweeh is a voluntary prayer and Allah Ta’ala has said, “No doubt, good deeds obliterate evil deeds.” We commit many sins unknowingly and Allah Ta’ala’s Beloved Prophet Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam has given us an excellent way to have our sins forgiven. It is our responsibility in this case to arrange Taraweeh prayers in the month of Ramadhan and have our sins forgiven. However, one thing that must be kept in mind is that the sins that are mentioned in the above Hadith refers to small sins being forgiven or it refers to a reduction in the large sins, because large sins are only forgiven by sincere repentance, or by intercession, or by the Supreme Grace of Allah Ta’ala. I supplicate in the Court of Allah Ta’ala that He grants us the guidance to worship abundantly in the month of Ramadhan.

Completing the Qur’an in Taraweeh

It is better to complete the Qur’an at least once in Taraweeh during the month of Ramadhan ul Mubarak. The punctuality and insistence of the Companions of this has been reported in various narrations. Hazrat Hasan has reported that, “The person who is leading the Taraweeh prayers should make it easy on the followers. If he recites slowly, he should complete one Qur’an; if he recites at an intermediate speed, he should complete one and a half Qur’an’s; and if he recites at a fast pace, he should complete two Qur’an’s in Ramadhan.”

The above narration proves that at least one Qur’an should be completed in Taraweeh prayers. In another similar narration, Hazrat Abu ‘Uthman narrates that Hazrat ‘Umar Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu would appoint three people to lead Taraweeh prayers in Ramadhan. The one who used to recite the fastest was ordered to recite 30 verses in each Rak’at; the one who recited at an intermediate speed was ordered to recite 25 verses, and the one who recited slowly was ordered to recite 20 verses in each Rak’at. Therefore, we should also complete at least one Qur’an in Taraweeh prayers and if Allah Ta’ala gives us the guidance, we should complete one and a half or two Qur’an’s. May Allah Ta’ala

guide us all towards this, Aameen.

The Inner Dimensions of Fasting

It should be known that there are three grades of fasting: ordinary, special and extra-special. Ordinary fasting means abstaining from food, drink and sexual satisfaction.

Special Fasting means keeping one’s ears, eyes, tongue, hands and feet — and all other organs — free from sin.

Extra-special Fasting means fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but God, Great and Glorious is He. This kind of Fast is broken by thinking of worldly matters, except for those conducive to religious ends, since these constitute provision for the Hereafter and are not of this lower world.

Those versed in the spiritual life of the heart have even said that a sin is recorded against one who concerns himself all day with arrangements for breaking his Fast. Such anxiety stems from lack of trust in the bounty of God, Great and Glorious is He, and from lack of certain faith in His promised sustenance.

To this third degree belong the Prophets, the true awliya and the intimates of God. It does not lend itself to detailed examination in words, as its true nature is better revealed in action. It consists in utmost dedication to God, Great and Glorious is He, to the neglect of everything other than God, Exalted is He. It is bound up with the significance of His words: ‘Say: “Allah (sent it down)”: then leave them to play in their vain discussions.’ [al-An'am, 6:91]

Inward Requirements

As for Special Fasting, this is the kind practiced by the righteous. It means keeping all one’s organs free from sin and six things are required for its accomplishment.

See Not What Displeases God

A chaste regard, restrained from viewing anything that is blameworthy or reprehensible, or that distracts the heart and diverts it from the remembrance of God, Great and Glorious is He. Said the Prophet, on him be peace: ‘The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Satan, on him be God’s curse. Whoever forsakes it for fear of God will receive from Him, Great and Glorious is He, a faith the sweetness of which he will find within his heart.

Jabir relates from Anas that God’s Messenger, on him be peace, said: ‘Five things break a man’s Fast: lying, backbiting, gossiping, perjury and a lustful gaze.’

Speak Not…

Guarding one’s tongue from idle chatter, lying, gossiping, obscenity, rudeness, arguing and controversy; making it observe silence and occupying it with remembrance of God, Great and Glorious is He, and with recitation of Quran. This is the fasting of the tongue. Said Sufyan: ‘Backbiting annuls the Fast.’ Layth quotes Mujahid as saying: ‘Two habits annul Fasting: backbiting and telling lies.’

The Prophet, on him be peace, said: ‘Fasting is a shield; so when one of you is Fasting he should not use foul or foolish talk. If someone attacks him or insults him, let him say: “I am Fasting, I am Fasting!”‘

According to Tradition: ‘Two women were Fasting during the time of God’s Messenger, on him be peace. They were so fatigued towards the end of the day, from hunger and thirst, that they were on the verge of collapsing. They therefore sent a message to God’s Messenger, on him be peace, requesting permission to break their Fast. In response, the Prophet, on him be peace, sent them a bowl and said: “Tell them to vomit into it what they have eaten.” One of them vomited and half filled the bowl with fresh blood and tender meat, while the other brought up the same so that they filled it between them. The onlookers were astonished. Then the Prophet, on him be peace, said: “These two women have been Fasting from what God made lawful to them, and have broken their Fast on what God, Exalted is He, made unlawful to them. They sat together and indulged in backbiting, and here is the flesh of the people they maligned!”‘

Hear Not…

Closing one’s ears to everything reprehensible; for everything unlawful to utter is likewise unlawful to listen to. That is why God, Great and Glorious is He, equated the eavesdropper with the profiteer, in His words, Exalted is He: ‘Listeners to falsehood, consumers of illicit gain.’ [al- Ma'idah, 5:42]

God, Great and Glorious is He, also said: ‘Why do their rabbis and priests not forbid them to utter sin and consume unlawful profit?’ [al-Ma'idah, 5:63]

Silence in the face of backbiting is therefore unlawful. God, Exalted is He, said: ‘You are then just like them.’ [al-Nisa, 4:140] That is why the Prophet, on him be peace, said: ‘The backbiter and his listener are copartners in sin.’

Do Not…

Keeping all other limbs and organs away from sin: the hands and feet from reprehensible deeds, and the stomach from questionable food at the time for breaking Fast. It is meaningless to Fast — to abstain from lawful food – only to break one’s Fast on what is unlawful. A man who Fast like this may be compared to one who builds a castle but demolishes a city. Lawful food injurious in quantity not in quality, so Fasting is to reduce the former. A person might well give up excessive use of medicine, from fear of ill effects, but he would be a fool to switch to taking poison. The unlawful is a poison deadly to religion, while the lawful is a medicine, beneficial in small doses but harmful in excess. The object of Fasting is to induce moderation. Said the Prophet, on him be peace: ‘How many of those who Fast get nothing from it but hunger and thirst!’ This has been taken to mean those who break their Fast on unlawful food. Some say it refers to those who abstain from lawful food, but break their Fast on human flesh through backbiting, which is unlawful. Others consider it an allusion to those who do not guard their organs from sin.

Avoid Overeating

Not to over-indulge in lawful food at the time of breaking Fast, to the point of stuffing one’s belly. There is no receptacle more odious to God, Great and Glorious is He, than a belly stuffed full with lawful food. Of what use is the Fast as a means of conquering God’s enemy and abating appetite, if at the time of breaking it one not only makes up for all one has missed during the daytime, but perhaps also indulges in a variety of extra foods? It has even become the custom to stock up for Ramadan with all kinds of foodstuffs, so that more is consumed during that time than in the course of several other months put together. It is well known that the object of Fasting is to experience hunger and to check desire, in order to reinforce the soul in piety. If the stomach is starved from early morning till evening, so that its appetite is aroused and its craving intensified, and it is then offered delicacies and allowed to eat its fill, its taste for pleasure is increased and its force exaggerated; passions are activated which would have lain dormant under normal conditions.

The spirit and secret nature of Fasting is to weaken the forces which are Satan’s means of leading us back to evil. It is therefore essential to cut down one’s intake to what one would consume on a normal night, when not Fasting. No benefit is derived from the Fast if one consumes as much as one would usually take during the day and night combined. Moreover, one of the properties consists in taking little sleep during the daytime, so that one feels the hunger and thirst and becomes conscious of the weakening of one’s powers, with the consequent purification of the heart.

One should let a certain degree of weakness carry over into the night, making it easier to perform the (tahajjud) and to recite the praises (awrad). It may then be that Satan will not hover around one’s heart, and that one will behold the Kingdom of Heaven. The Night of Destiny represents the night on which something of this Kingdom is revealed. This is what is meant by the words of God, Exalted is He:’We surely revealed it on the Night of Power.’ [al-Qadr, 97:1]

Anyone who puts a bag of food between his heart and his breast becomes blind to this revelation. Nor is keeping the stomach empty sufficient to remove the veil, unless one also empties the mind of everything but God, Great and Glorious is He. That is the entire matter, and the starting point of it all is cutting down on food.

Look To God With Fear And Hope

After the Fast has been broken, the heart should swing like a pendulum between fear and hope. For one does not know if one’s Fast will be accepted, so that one will find favor with God, or whether it will be rejected, leaving one among those He abhors. This is how one should be at the end of any act of worship one performs.

It is related of al-Hasan ibn Abil Hasan al-Basri that he once passed by a group of people who were laughing merrily. He said: ‘God, Great and Glorious is He, has made the month of Ramadan a racecourse, on which His creatures compete in His worship. Some have come in first and won, while others have lagged behind and lost. It is absolutely amazing to find anybody laughing and playing about on the day when success attends the victors, and failure the wasters. By God, if the veil were lifted off, the doer of good would surely be preoccupied with his good works and the evildoer with his evil deeds.’ In too full of joy to indulge in idle sport, while for one who has suffered rejection laughter will be precluded by remorse.

Of al-Ahnaf ibn Qays it is reported that he was once told: ‘You are an aged elder; Fasting would enfeeble you.’ But he replied: ‘By this I am making ready for a long journey, Obedience to God, Glorified is He, is easier to endure than His punishment.’

Such are the inwardly significant meanings of Fasting.

15 Ways to Make the Most of Ramadan

“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan, recognises its boundaries and safeguards that which he should safeguard will have his previous sins expiated.” (Ibn Hibban)

Allah Most High says, “O you who believe, fasting has been ordained upon you as it was ordained upon those before you so that you become god-fearing” (Qur’an 2:183). We ascertain from this verse that the wisdom behind the fast is attainment of taqwa, which essentially means to refrain from anything that will tarnish one’s relationship with Allah in any way or form.

Unfortunately, Ramadan has become a ritual for many of us, empty of true spirit and essence, and we end up leaving the month of Ramadan the same way we entered it. Hence, it is necessary that we work towards making this Ramadan different to previous Ramadans and achieve the quality of taqwa, making us better Muslims and adherents to the Shari'a. Below are fifteen ways we can employ to gain maximum benefit from Ramadan. Some of them may seem obvious and simple, but more than often, the very basics are our biggest weaknesses. 

1. Remove the distractions

If we look at the lives of the pious predecessors and see how they spent Ramadan, we will realise that they used to leave all preoccupations to solely focus themselves on worshipping Allah and exerting themselves in this holy month, to the extent that they would even stop the noble act of imparting Islamic knowledge.

Hence, it is evident how important it is for us to cut out the television, radio, internet, lengthy conversations over the phone, newspapers and magazines, even though their content may be of a lawful nature. All these things, amongst others, only serve to distract us from our goal in Ramadan and burn away precious time that can never be recovered. Talking beyond necessity and needless so******ing with friends and colleagues should be avoided too. This is going to be the first step towards making the most of Ramadan and will definitely help the other pieces of the jigsaw come into place.

2. Educate yourself about Ramadan

Learn the legal rulings of Ramadan and the fast (i.e. the obligations of fasting, that which invalidates the fast or renders it makruh (reprehensible) etc.), to ensure that one does not do anything contrary to the teachings of the Shari'a, a situation that can easily be avoided by educating oneself properly beforehand. Likewise, read books detailing the virtues of Ramadan and performing various good deeds therein. Insha-Allah, this will help one understand and appreciate the message of Ramadan and encourage one to work acts of righteousness throughout the month.

3. Kicking out the bad old habits

With the dawn of Ramadan, the atmosphere almost instantly becomes vibrant with the colour of iman (faith) and good deeds, and a Muslim finds himself surrounded by things to aid his journey towards Allah the Almighty. This is the perfect time to kick out those bad habits, which have probably hindered a person’s spiritual progress during the previous eleven months.

Ramadan brings one’s defects to the surface and forces a person to admit to weaknesses hitherto unnoticed. Every man is his own best judge; use this opportunity to say goodbye to everything that undermines your Muslim character, such as foul language, backbiting, listening to music, smoking, looking at that which Allah has forbidden, and other detrimental sins. Be honest to yourself and face up to these habits with courage and determination, all the time seeking assistance from Allah against falling into the snares of Satan and the enticement of the lower desires after the month of Ramadan has passed.

The core lesson of Ramadan is purity and control of one’s desires, and this is what we have to aim for in this holy month. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Whoever does not abandon false utterances and practicing upon them [while fasting], Allah cares not that the person abandons his food and drink” (Bukhari). In another narration, he (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “If someone swears at you or behaves in an ignorant manner with you, say, ‘I am fasting, I am fasting’” (Ibn Khuzaima, Ibn Hibban).

4. Salah

It is much easier for a person to excel in worship during Ramadan, so make full use of this spirit and ensure you perform salah in the masjid with the imam’s takbir and likewise, perform all the sunan and nawafil prayers with each salah. Thirty days of constancy upon this will, insha-Allah, enable one to maintain this even after the passing of the month.

Women while performing their salah at home should be mindful of salah times and should ensure they perform their salah at the correct time, and not let anything preoccupy them from this obligation. It has been noticed that some women become engrossed in preparing food for iftar and id celebrations, losing track of time and thus delaying salah; this should be rectified. Furthermore, if there has previously been a deficiency in performing salah, resolve now to amend this.

5. Recitation of the Qur’an

Ramadan has a unique relationship with the Qur’an, which no other time of the year can parallel. Allah says in the Qur’an, “The month of Ramadan is that wherein the Qur’an was revealed” (Qur’an 2:185). Every year, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) would revise the Qur’an with Jibril (alayhis salaam) during the month of Ramadan. In light of this, every Muslim should make an effort to increase the recitation of the Qur’an during the holy month and make at least one complete recitation in Ramadan. At the same time, we should make use of this time to seriously contemplate our relationship with the Qur’an and reflect over how much we recite the Qur’an out of Ramadan. Are we in a habit of reciting daily or is it a case of the Qur’an gathering dust from one Ramadan to the next? What effort have we made to ensure our pronunciation of the Qur’an is correct? How zealous are we to understand the meanings of the Qur’an, and learn what the Qur’an commands and prohibits?

6. Charity

Fasting throughout the day naturally makes a person feel compassion and mercy towards the poor and destitute, and encourages one to spend generously on the less fortunate. We also learn that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was extremely generous in the month of Ramadan (Bukhari, Muslim). In another narration, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that the best charity is in the month of Ramadan (Tirmidhi). Thus, spend in the path of Allah throughout the month of Ramadan and seek to spend in different avenues of good (zakah, sadaqa, sponsoring an orphan, building a masjid, general charity, providing iftar etc.), expecting reward only from Allah.

7. Earn the reward of more than one fast

Yes, one can earn the reward of more than one fast and it is really quite simple. Zayd bin Khalid Juhani (radhiallahu anhu) narrates that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Whoever feeds a fasting person will receive the same reward as him without the reward of the fasting person being decreased at all” (Tirmidhi). Furthermore, this reward is not only for providing a full meal; the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Whoever feeds a fasting person therein (i.e. Ramadan), it will be a means of forgiveness for his sins, freedom from the Hellfire and he will receive the same reward without his (i.e. the fasting person’s) reward being decreased at all.” The Companions (radhiallahu anhum) said, “Not all of us have the means to feed a fasting person.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Allah grants this reward to one who gives the fasting person a date, a drink of water or a sip of milk” (Ibn Khuzaima). Thus, endeavour to provide whatever you can to those who are fasting, be it a single date, and Allah, out of His infinite and limitless treasures, will grant you their reward too.

8. Supplications at the time of iftar

As the fast approaches its end, it also reaches its pinnacle and Allah’s special mercy is directed towards His servants who lift their hands in supplication unto Him, humbling themselves and expressing their utter indigence towards their Creator and Master. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that there are three people whose supplication is not rejected; one of them is the fasting person when he breaks his fast (Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and others).

Many people do not appreciate these invaluable moments and waste them in futile talk, gossip and other useless pursuits. The servant who takes the saying of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) into consideration will ensure that he turns to Allah in supplication before the time of iftar and will not let such an opportune moment go in vain.

9. Tarawih and Qiyam al-Layl

The tarawih prayers need no introduction to any Muslim, and we all see how the masjids are brimming with people as the Qur’an is melodiously recited; alhamdulillah. However, more than often, our perception of the tarawih prayers is tainted and instead of viewing it as a great act of worship, we consider it a burden. It is not uncommon to hear complaints at the conclusion of the tarawih prayers over how extremely tiring and lengthy the prayers were, and within a week or so into Ramadan, people have already started comparing which masjid has the quickest tarawih prayers.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Whoever stands (in the night prayer) during Ramadan with faith and expecting reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven” (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi). It is this “expecting reward” we must keep in mind, so that our tarawih prayers are a means of forgiveness from Allah, as mentioned by the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

And it does not end with the tarawih prayers. Wake up a little early before the pre-dawn meal and perform at least two rak'ats of prayer (qiyam al-layl or tahajjud), placing your needs before Allah Most High and seeking forgiveness from Him.

10. Pre-dawn meal (suhur)

Partaking of the pre-dawn meal is not only a means of providing much-needed strength and energy throughout the the day, but it is also a source of immense reward and blessings. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Partake of the pre-dawn meal, because there is blessing in the pre-dawn meal” (Bukhari, Muslim). In another narration, he (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Verily, Allah and His angels confer blessings on those who partake of the pre-dawn meal.” Laziness should not be shown in this regard by eating before going to sleep at night without making the intention of waking up for the pre-dawn meal. Worse still is to do so and sleep through fajr prayers. Furthermore, just as it is a sunna to eat dates for iftar, it is also a sunna to eat dates in the pre-dawn meal. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “How excellent are dates as the pre-dawn meal of the believer” (Abu Dawud, Ibn Hibban).

11. Miswak

The miswak (or siwak) is a strongly emphasised sunna of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), even more so during the month of Ramadan. Amir bin Rabi'a (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) says, “I saw the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) on countless occasions using the siwak whilst he was fasting” (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud). However, this is one of the sunnas often neglected in Ramadan. One should revive this forgotten sunna and likewise, use this perfect season to learn the other beloved sunnas of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and follow his complete example.

12. I'tikaf 

Whosoever has the opportunity to engage in this great act of worship during the last ten days of Ramadan should do so, for the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) performed i'tikaf of the last ten days of Ramadan until his demise (Bukhari, Muslim). In a narration reported by Ibn Majah, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that the person performing i'tikaf receives the reward of the actions he cannot perform due to being secluded in the masjid (such as performing janaza prayers and visiting the ill). It is also a way of ensuring one attains Laylatul Qadr, a night better than a thousand months, which the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) ordered to be sought in the odd nights of the last ten days. Those who cannot perform i'tikaf should at least endeavour to spend as much time as possible in the masjid, or even attend to the needs of and serve those who perform this act of worship.

13. Serving others

Although we must exert ourselves fully in the month of Ramadan, this does not mean that we retire from our responsibilities towards others, especially our parents, families and those in need. In fact, fulfilling these rights in this month will be a means of greater reward from Allah, as it is said, “Through serving others you will find Allah.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “On the Day of Judgment, Allah will say, ‘O son of Adam! I was ill but you did not visit me.’ He [i.e. the servant] will say, ‘How could I have visited you when you are the Lord of the Worlds?’ He will reply, ‘Did you not know that such-and-such servant of mine was ill, but you did not visit him? Did you not know that had you visited him, you would have found me with him?’” (Muslim)

14. Supplications and Dhikr 

The doors of mercy are opened in the month of Ramadan, the doors of Hellfire are closed and the devils are chained (Muslim), and Allah accepts supplications in this month (Tabrani). Thus, supplicate unto Allah Most High with humility and conviction of acceptance, because supplication is a powerful weapon in the hands of the believer. Ask Him for His pleasure and entry into Paradise, security from His wrath and Hellfire, for every good in this life and the Hereafter, and for Him to keep you firm and steadfast on the teachings of Islam. Moreover, do not forget to keep a share in your supplications for your Muslim brothers and sisters across the globe and the deceased of the umma of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

Along with supplications, keep yourself occupied with the remembrance of Allah Most High, in particular la ilaha illallah, istighfar (seeking forgiveness) and other forms of dhikr mentioned in the hadiths. In this manner, every second of Ramadan will be appreciated by Allah and become a means of proximity with Him.

15. The spirit of Ramadan in the home

Just as it is a duty upon a Muslim to work upon correcting his or her own relationship with Allah, it is important to ensure that the fruits of Ramadan blossom within the home too. One cannot become so absorbed in one’s own worship without paying attention to what happens within the four walls of one’s home. Thus, parents have an extra responsibility of encouraging their children to recite the Qur’an and worship Allah in this blessed month, and of training them to fast from a young age. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “Verily, each of you is a shepherd, and each of you will be questioned [on the Day of Judgment] regarding his sheep” (Bukhari, Muslim).

May Allah enable us all to earn His pleasure and forgiveness, reap the benefits of Ramadan and make that change in our lives we so need. Amin.

© All rights reserved. Compiled under the instruction of Hadhrat Maulana Bahauddin Sayed (hafizahullah) by Javed Iqbal