When the holy month of Ramadan is approaching, many Muslims around the world get excited and pray to witness this month. A good Muslim should not only be optimistic about witnessing Ramadan, rather prepare him/herself properly in order to receive the mercy of Allah (swt) and also earn massive rewards the month brings.
We at Muslimhowto.com have listed things a Muslim need to do on how to have an amazing Ramadan.
Fast For The Sake Allah
To have an amazing Ramadan, profound intention comes first. You have to know the reason why you are going to be fasting. Are you fasting for the sake of people or Allah (swt)? If you can be able to specify these reasons, then one can predict how your Ramadan will be.
A Muslim should fast for the sake of Allah alone; it is Allah Who would accept your fasting, not your parent, friends or anyone.
Are You Medically Capable
Most Muslim neglect to know if they are medically fit to fast in the month Ramadan, which can contribute positively or negatively to their health. It is advisable to visit a medical doctor to run a test for you to check whether you are capable to fast or not.
There are certain illnesses that are not advisable for someone who has been diagnosed with to fast, such as, ulcer, diabetes, as well as a pregnant and nursing mother.
If you are diagnosed with any of the above illness, we advise you to stay away from fasting. But you can continue some other time when you are finally qualified to fast.
“…and whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; Allah desire ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty…” [Quran: Al-Baqara 2: 185]
Frequent Quran Reading
Allah revealed the Quran in the holy month of Ramadan, which is why it is important for a Muslim to increase in the habit of frequently reading the Qur’an.
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month…” [Quran: Al-Baqara 2: 185]
Seek For Allah Forgiveness
Nobody is perfect. We all made mistakes and commits sins at one point in our life. That is why it is obligatory to seek forgiveness from Allah and seize the month of Ramadan to be more engaging in repentance to Allah and those whom we might have wrong.
If you have taken something that does not belong to you, return it. If you have offended someone, go to them and ask for their forgiveness. Be in haste to amend your ways and stop any habits that Allah prohibits us.
Say: “O Ibadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Quran 39:53]
Give Charity
Zakat (or charity) is the third pillar of Islam which involves providing for the needy. There are countless of Muslim who are poor and starving, use this Ramadan to be of help and provide for them, so, they too, can obtain from the virtues of fasting. No amount is small to give for charity.
Below are a few ways of providing charity to receive Allah’s mercy:
Provision of a meal at sahur and iftar (breaking fast).
Provision of equipment for tafsir (lecture).
Distribute free Quran
Organize or host Islamic Lectures
Help clean the mosque
Pray Tahajjud During The Last Ten Days Of Ramadan
Tahajjud is a night prayer in Islam which is voluntary. But for someone who seeking Allah’s mercy and bounty should perform it, most especially in the last ten days of Ramadan. One among these last ten nights was the first verses of the Quran were revealed (known as Laytul Qadr – the night of degree) to Prophet Muhammad (SAW), and anyone who witness this night, all their sins will be forgiven, and their duas (supplications) will be accepted.
Below are verses from the Quran as well as authentic Hadiths about the importance of waking for tahajjud during the last ten days of Ramadan:
The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. [Quran 97:3-5]
Abu Hurairah narrated that: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever stands (in the voluntary night of) Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. And whoever spends the night of Lailat Al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Sunan an-Nasa’I 5027]
Narrated by Aisha: 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. [Sahih al-Bukhari 2024]
Limit Excess Eating, And Stop Food Wasting
Due to few hours of hungriness people pass through few hours of fasting, so, when it is time for breaking the fast many Muslim consumed an excess of food, which may lead to weight gaining and often obesity.
Do not eat beyond the point of fullness, immediately you know you are full, stop eating. In case the food remains, keep it for other time or give it out to those who need it. Ramadan should not be the time of food wasting but should be a time of food sharing.
“And eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not Al-Musrifun (those who waste by extravagance)”
The Prophet (SAW) said:”I warn you in relation to eating too much because surely this act poisons the heart by making it hard (no emotional feelings), and makes your body parts lazy and lethargic in relation to obedience of Allah, and it deafens the ears from hearing advice and good counsel. I warn you in relation to looking around with inquisitiveness because surely this act excites your desires and gives birth to negligence.”
