Some Common Mistakes in Ramadhan

1 : Taking Ramadaan as a ritual

For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil....we forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire. Sure we stay away from food and drink but that's about all.

Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Jibreel said to me, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven, and I said, Ameen.

Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said, Ameen.

Then he said, May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you, and I said, Ameen.’”

(Tirmidhi, Ahmad, others. Saheeh by al-Albaani)

2 : Too much stress on food and drink

For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Quraan and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. So much so that they turn the month of fasting into the month of feasting. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also a kind of waste & extravagance.

".....and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance) " [al-Araaf :31]

3 : Spending all day cooking

Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Quraan. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!

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 Month of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan is a great month. It is the month in which Allah revealed the Quran as a guidance for the whole of mankind. It is the month in which Allah gave the Muslims victory in their first and greatest battle at Badr. It is the month which has Laylat al-Qadr, a night which is better than a thousand months.

In Ramadan the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are shut, and the shayaateen (devils) are tied up and the reward for good deeds, acts of charity and acts of worship are multiplied in this month.

Definition of Fasting

Fasting means abstaining from several things, from just before the starting of dawn (i.e. just before the start of Fajr) until sunset, with the intention of fasting.

A Muslim fasting must abstain from the following

Food and Drink

Sexual intercourse

masturbation (most scholars say this not allowed even when not fasting)

deliberately causing one's self to vomit

If these four things listed above are done deliberately a persons fast will be broken.

Du'as for Fasting in Ramadan, Du'as for Fasting in Ramzan

When beginning the fast- Suhur

وَبِصَوْمِ غَدٍ نَّوَيْتَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ

Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri ramadan

I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan

[abu Dawud]

When breaking the fast- Iftar

اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ [وَعَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ] وَعَلَى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ

Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu [wa 'alayka tawakkaltu] wa 'ala rizq-ika aftarthu

O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I put my trust in You] and I break my fast with Your sustenance

["wa 'alayka tawakkaltu" is quoted in some books of knowledge - but not all, hence it is in brackets]

[abu Dawud]

ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَ ابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ، وَ ثَبَتَ الأجْرُ إنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ

dhahabadh-dhama'u wab-tallatil 'urūūqi, wa thabatal arju inshaAllah

The thrist is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allah [Ta'ala] Wills

[abu Dawud 2:306]

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسأَلُكَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ الَّتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ أَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي

Allaahumma inni as’aluka birahmatika al-lati wasi'at kulli shay’in an taghfira li

O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelopes all things, that You forgive me.

[a du'a that Abdullah ibn Amar (radiAllahu anhu) used to say when breaking his fast - as reported by Ibn abi Mulaykah (radiAllahu anhu)]

When someone offers you food when you are fasting and you decline

When you are invited to eat, then reply to the invitation. if you are fasting, then invoke Allah's blessings (on your host), and if you are not fasting then eat

[Muslim; 2:1054]

Upon reaching month of Rajab and Sha'ban

When the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) sighted the moon of Rajab (two months before Ramadan) he used to pray to Allah in the following words:

اَللّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِى رَجَبَ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَان

Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha'ban wa ballighna Ramadan

O Allah! Make the months of Rajab and Sha'ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings)

[Narrated by at-Tabarani and Ahmad]

When you are fasting, and someone is rude to you

اِنَّيْ صَائِمٌ ، اِنِّيْ صَائمٌ

Inni sa'iimu, inni sa'iimu

I am fasting, I am fasting

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Fath al-Bari of Al-Asqalani; 4:1-3, Muslim; 2:806]

Upon Sighting of the new Moon

اللَّهُ اَكْبَرُ ، اَللَّهُمَّ اَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالآَمْنِ وَلاِيمَانِ ، وَالسَّلَامَةِ وَالاِسْلَامِ ، وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ رَبَّنَا وَتَرْضَى ، رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ

Allahu Akbar. Allahumma ahillahu 'alayna bil-amni wal-imaani, was-salaamati, wal-Islami, wat-tawfeeqi lima tuhibbu Rabbana wa tardha. Rabbuna wa RabbukAllahu

Allah is the Greatest. O Allah bring us the new moon with security and faith, with peace and in Islam, and in harmony with what our Lord Loves and what pleases Him. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah

[at-Tirmidhi 5:504, ad-Darimi 1:336]

Upon seeing the first dates of the season

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي ثَمَرِنَا ، وَ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي مَدِينَتِنَا وَ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي صَاعِنَا ، وَبَارِكْ لَنَا فِي مُدِّنَا

Allahumma barik lana fi thamarina, wa barik lana fi madinatina, wa barik lana fi saa'ina, wa barik lana fi muddina

O Allah! Bless us in our dates, and bless us in our town, bless us in our saa' and in our Mudd'

(saa' and Mudd' are dry measures used for agricultural produce by the Arabs in the Prophet's time)

[at-Tirmidhi 5:504, ad-Darimi 1:336]

Recited at intervals of taraweeh prayers

سُبْحَانَ ذِى الْمُلْكِ وَ الْمَلَكُوْتِ سُبْحَانَ ذِى الْعِذَّْْةِ وَ الْعظْمَةِ وَ، الْهَيْبَةِ وَ الْقُدُرَةِ ، وَالْكِبْرِيَآءِ وَ الْجَبْرُتِ، سُبْحَانَ الْمَلِكِ الْحَىِّ الَّذِىْ لايُنَامُ وَ لا يَمُوُتُ، سُبُّوحٌ ، قُدُّوْسٌ، رَبُّ الْمَلَئِكَةِ وَ الرُّوُحِ لَآ اِلهَ اِلَّا اللَّهُ نَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ ، نَسْئَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَّ وَ نَعُوُذُ بِكَ مِنَ النّارِ

Subhana dhil Mulki wal Malakuti, Subhana dhil izzati wal aDhmati wal haybati wal Qudrati, wal kibriyaa'i wal jabaroot Subhanal Malikil hayyil ladhi, la yunaamu wa la yamūtu, Subbuhun, Quddusun, Rabbul malaa'ikati war-rooh

La ilaha illal lahu, nustugfirullahi

nas 'alukul jannati, wa na udhubika min an-naar

Glorified is the Owner of the Kingdom of the earth and the heavens; Glorified is the Possessor of Honour and Magnificence and Awe, and Power and Greatness and Omnipotence

Glorified is the Sovereign, the Living, Who does neither sleep nor die

O all Glorious, All Holy one, Our lord and the Lord of the Angels, And the soul.

There is no God but You, Forgive us, Grant us Paradise, and save us from (hell) fire.

Upon breaking the fast in someone's home

أفْطَرَ عِنْدَكُمُ الصَّائِمُونَ، وَ أَكَلَ طَعَامَكُمُ الأبْرَارُ، وَ صَلَّتْ عَلَيْكُم ُ الْمَلائِكَةُ

Aftara 'indakumus saa'imuna, wa akala ta'aamakumul-abraaru, wasallat 'alaikumul mala'ikat

May those who are fasting break their fast in your home, and may the dutiful and pious eat your food and may the angels send prayers upon you.

[abu Dawud 3:367, ibn Majah 1:556, an Nasa'i]

On Lailatul Qadr - the Night of Power

Aishah (radhiya Allahu Ta'ala anha), that she said: "O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?" He said 'Say

اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' "

O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.

Du'as for Fasting in Ramadan, Du'as for Fasting in Ramzan

Dua recited by Muslims the fast begins: Suhoor

Wa bisawmi ghadinn nawaiytu min shahri Ramadan.

I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan.

[abu Dawud]

Dua recited by Muslims when they break the fast: Iftar

Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu [wa 'alayka tawakkaltu] wa 'ala rizq-ika aftarthu

O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I put my trust in You] and I break my fast with Your sustenance ["wa 'alayka tawakkaltu" is quoted in some books of knowledge - but not all, hence it is in brackets] [abu Dawud]

dhahabadh-dhama'u wab-tallatil 'uruuqi, wa thabatal arju inshaAllah

The thrist is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allah [Ta'ala] Wills

[abu Dawud 2:306]

Allaahumma inni as’aluka birahmatika al-lati wasi'at kulli shay’in an taghfira li

O Allah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelopes all things, that You forgive me.

[a du'a that Abdullah ibn Amar (radiAllahu anhu) used to say when breaking his fast - as reported by Ibn abi Mulaykah (radiAllahu anhu)]

Dua recited by Muslims when they break the fast at someone’s home:

Aftara 'indakumus saa'imuna, wa akala ta'aamakumul-abraaru, wasallat 'alaikumul mala'ikat

May those who are fasting break their fast in your home, and may the dutiful and pious eat your food and may the angels send prayers upon you.

[abu Dawud 3:367, ibn Majah 1:556, an Nasa'i]

When does Ramadan begin and end can only be decided once the crescent moon is sighted. Muslims turn towards the Qiblah, raising hands towards the sky and recite the Dua given below:

My Lord and your Lord is Allah, the Lord of the worlds. O Allah for us let this month be a period of peace, faith safety and total submission to Thy will; make us walk apace swiftly to that which Thou likes and approves. O Allah pour out much blessings on us in this month, make available for us its generous good and assistance, and keep us safe from the harm, evil, misfortune and mischief that may try to trap us in this month.

Allahu Akbar. Allahumma ahillahu 'alayna bil-amni wal-imaani, was-salaamati, wal-Islami, wat-tawfeeqi lima tuhibbu Rabbana wa tardha. Rabbuna wa RabbukAllahu

Allah is the Greatest. O Allah bring us the new moon with security and faith, with peace and in Islam, and in harmony with what our Lord Loves and what pleases Him. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah

[at-Tirmidhi 5:504, ad-Darimi 1:336]

During Ramadan days Muslims apart from reciting the five daily prayers they also recite special Prayer called Taraweeh Prayer also called as the night prayer given below:

Subhana dhil Mulki wal Malakuti, Subhana dhil izzati wal aDhmati wal haybati wal Qudrati, wal kibriyaa'i wal jabaroot Subhanal Malikil hayyil ladhi, la yunaamu wa la yamutu, Subbuhun, Quddusun, Rabbul malaa'ikati war-rooh

La ilaha illal lahu, nustugfirullahi

nas 'alukul jannati, wa na udhubika min an-naar

"Surely we have revealed the Qur'an on the Night of Al-Qadr;

The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months;

The Angels and the Spirit (Jibrael) Descend in it

by their Lords' permission, with every decree.

Peace it is, until the break of Dawn."

Dua recited by Muslims on the Lailatul Qadr, The night of power:

Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni' "

Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.

[at Tirmidhi]

Hence Ramadan is the month of true Devotion of selves to Allah for Muslims. They spend most of the time in reciting Ramadan Dua’s and visiting mosque during the entire month of Ramadan….

Ramadan is the month of soul purification

The Month of Ramadan is also the month souls are purified. The social scientists studying ethics believe that acquiring ideal sublime and ethical conscience passes through three stages:


1. Getting rid of bad habits and attitudes;
2. Acquiring new good traits and habits;
3. Strengthening and crystallizing these traits.


To Allah we shall return at two bows length or nearer. O man, strive hard towards your Lord until you meet Him.


In this respect I believe that the month of Rajab, as it was related, is the month of asking forgiveness for one's guilt's and sins, and it is also the month of the Prince of the Faithful (A.S), while in the month of Shaaban Muslims try to acquire the manners of the greatest Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and then they will strengthen them and crystallize them in the month of Ramadan. Thus the month of Ramadan is the month of generosity, and feeding all who are needed.


It has been related that if one's sins were not forgiven in the month of Ramadan, they will not be forgiven until the following month of Ramadan or until he performs Hajj pilgrimage.

Ramadhan: Month of Holy Quran

Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Holy Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. Holy Quran (Al-Baqara, 2:185)

As a result of associating this month of Ramadan to the Holy Quran, Allah (SWT) wants us to read His Book in this month. It is not merely reciting its words but trying to understand them and learn the wisdom lying in their concepts. Do they not then meditate on the Quran? And if it were from any other than Allah, they would have found in it many a discrepancy. (Surah An-Nisa, 4:82), so that it will guide us in all our affairs, whether in worship on in social and business dealings. We should learn, guided by Holy Quran, the difference between Right and falsehood, Good and evil, justice and wronging, deviation and following the straight path.

Thus, Allah (SWT) wanted this month of Ramadan to be a month of calling, through asking the people to study Holy Quran, and the scholars to educate the people on Holy Quran, since it is worthless to read Holy Quran if one is not going to appreciate and comprehend it.

And we have seen how Imam Zainul Abideen (as) has described this month of Ramadan as the month of Allah (SWT), The Most Exalted, wants man in to change himself in this month. He should study himself to learn his weak points and strong ones, and then train himself on the good, the right and justice, as opposed to evil, falsehood and wronging. Allah (SWT), The Most Exalted, wants man to stand before Him in a sound mind that embraces truth, a sound heart that beats with mercy and love and a sound body that obeys Allah's commands in what to take and leave.

It is, according to Imam Zainul Abideen (as), the month of purification from all the evil ideas Satan might suggest to man, like making his relations with others based on harming them and deviated from the straight path. Man should purify himself from the inside; the outside cleanness of the body is not what purification actually implies. The real purifications are that of the mind, heart, tongue, goals and relations, so as to stand before Allah (SWT) - when nothing does one any good except his good deeds - with a heart void of disbelief and hatred.

Imam Zainul Abideen (as) stresses too that the month of Ramadan is the month of Islam. In the month of Ramadan, all Muslims should uphold the responsibility of Islam by leaving all what Allah (SWT) has ordained, revealed or conveyed to His Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) so that it will be a month in which man lives a spiritual and humanistic life. O you who believe! Answer (the call of) Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life; and know that Allah intervenes between man and his heart, and that to Him you shall be gathered.

This month of Ramadan is also the month of peace, in which the Muslim should prove that Islam is the religion of peace. Allah (SWT) has made the greeting which the Muslim says to others to be: "peace on you". And the tradition has related that a greeting has 70 rewards, 69 of them are for the one who says it first. Allah (SWT) wants our greeting to others to be one of peace. They should train on this greeting in this world to move to Paradise, having been accustomed to it, because peace is the salutation of the people of Paradise. The angels also will greet the believers in Paradise with the word of peace, the gardens of perpetual abode which they will enter along with those who do good from among their parents and their spouses and their offspring; and the angels will enter in upon them from every gate: Peace unto you for that ye persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final home!

10 Steps to Maximising the Last Ten Days of Ramadan (RAMZAN)

The last ten days of Ramadan are very precious indeed: 

Allah's Messenger used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time." (Muslim). 

Hazrat Aishah (Ra) reported that during the last ten days of Ramadan; the Messenger of Allah would wake his wives up during the night and then remain apart from them (that is, being busy in acts of worship). (Bukhari)

Hazrat Aisha (Ra) reported that with the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (Saw) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari) 

So we need to tighten all of our belts especially in these last ten days and do as much as we can to thank Allah and worship him and ask him for forgiveness.

Here are some ways that we can all make the best of these precious last ten days of this most blessed month:

1. Make a timetable for oneself for the last ten days

One should make a timetable for oneself so that one can make the best of these last 10 precious days.

One can include the times that one will read the Qur’an and how much one will read like one juz (Chapter) or half a juz etc as well as certain Nafil prayers one will do throughout the day and night and any worship that one will do etc.
One should strive to make time the to worship on at least the last odd nights of the last ten days as these are the nights where it is said that it is most likely to be Laylat ul Qadr (The night of power).

Making a structured timetable may help one to better organise oneself especially in these precious days 10 days.

THE QURAN ON FASTING

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious).

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.” (2:183-84)