The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), said:
“The month of Ramadan has come to you. It is a blessed month (a month of barakah). In this month, Allah turns His attention toward you and showers His special mercy upon you. He forgives sins and accepts supplications (duas). In this month, Allah observes your competition in performing good deeds and boasts about you to the angels. Therefore, show goodness to Allah from your side. The truly unfortunate person is the one who remains deprived of Allah’s mercy even in this month.”
An optional (nafl) act of worship performed in a month other than Ramadan yields rewards equivalent to an obligatory (fard) act of worship in Ramadan. Similarly, an obligatory (fard) act of worship performed in other months yields rewards equivalent to seventy obligatory acts of worship in Ramadan.
By organizing our time effectively and avoiding waste during Ramadan, we can make the most of this month. The following acts of worship should be performed continuously without interruption:
- Tahajjud Prayer (Night Prayer)
This involves praying a minimum of two units (rak’ahs) up to twelve units (rak’ahs).
Allah has highlighted the excellence of the Tahajjud prayer in the Quran:
Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend out of what We have bestowed on them. No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.
— Surah As-Sajdah: 16, 17
What immense blessings await those who pray Tahajjud for a short while during the Suhoor (pre-dawn) time! The time of Suhoor is a period when supplications are accepted. Praying and supplicating at this hour is the gateway to goodness in both worlds.
Allah testifies that praying Tahajjud is a characteristic of the righteous. Imam Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) stated:
“There is no voluntary act of worship (nafl ibadah) better than staying awake at night to pray Tahajjud.”
Performing Tahajjud regularizes physical and spiritual closeness to the Creator. Furthermore, Allah grants a divine light (noor) to those who consistently pray Tahajjud, which illuminates their faces and hearts. This light instills a distaste for sins and a longing for good deeds. Shaqeeq al-Balkhi (may Allah have mercy on him) advised: “Let those who desire light in the deep darkness of the grave perform the Tahajjud prayer.”
Ameerul Mu’mineen Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) counseled:
“In Paradise, there are golden horses equipped with saddles and reins made of rubies (yaqoot), which will be given to a specific group of residents of Paradise. These horses do not excrete waste and possess wings. Their speed is as far as the eye can see. The high-ranking residents of Paradise will ride them and fly wherever they wish.
Upon seeing this, other residents of Paradise in lower ranks will ask, ‘O Allah! By virtue of what did these righteous servants of Yours attain such a high status?’ Allah will reply, ‘They used to stay awake worshipping at night while you were asleep. They spent generously in My path while you practiced miserliness.'”
— Al-Targheeb
- Ishraq Prayer
This is performed by praying four units (rak’ahs) in sets of two (with two salams), twenty minutes after sunrise.
Performing the Ishraq prayer grants the reward of an accepted voluntary Hajj and Umrah. Furthermore, one’s needs for that entire day will be fulfilled.
- Duha Prayer (Chasht)
At mid-day, between approximately 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM, one should pray at least four units (rak’ahs).
Shaqeeq al-Balkhi (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: “An abundance of sustenance (provision) is attained through consistently performing the Duha prayer.”
- Awwabeen Prayer
This consists of praying six units (rak’ahs) in sets of two, after the Maghrib prayer (specifically after the Sunnah prayers of Maghrib).
- Salatul Tasbih
This involves praying four units (rak’ahs), reciting the Third Kalimah 300 times throughout the prayer (to be done at least once a week).
- Quran Tilawat (Recitation of the Quran)
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Fasting and the Quran will intercede for a servant. Fasting will say, ‘O Lord! I prevented this person from eating and drinking during the day, so accept my intercession for him.’ The Quran will say, ‘O Lord! I prevented him from sleeping at night, so accept my intercession for him.’ Thus, the intercession of both will be accepted.”
— Ahmad
The Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) used to meet the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) every year during the month of Ramadan until the month ended. During these meetings, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would recite the Quran to him.
One should recite the Quran abundantly during this month. The Quran is the word of Allah, revealed for the guidance and well-being of mankind. Therefore, it should be recited with complete focus and devotion of the heart.
- Dhikr (Remembrance of God)
One should engage in the abundant remembrance of Allah at all times. This distances a person from Satan and brings them closer to the Most Merciful (Ar-Rahman).
- The Third Kalimah:
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ إلا بالله العلي العظيم
(Subhanallahi walhamdulillahi wala ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar wala hawla wala quwwata illa billahil aliyyil azheem.) “Glory be to Allah, All Praise be to Allah, there is no god but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, and there is no power nor might except with Allah, the Most High, the Supreme.”
- Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness):
اسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَاتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
(Astaghfirullahal lazhi la ilaha illa huwal hayyul qayyumu wa atubu ilayh.)
“I seek the forgiveness of Allah, there is no god but He, the Living, the Eternal, and I turn to Him in repentance.”
Keep beseeching the Almighty for forgiveness! Sins may occur daily, both morning and evening, sometimes without a person even realizing it. One should not mistakenly assume that seeking forgiveness is required only when a major sin is committed. Because lapses occur due to negligence in every moment of human life, mankind is always in need of seeking forgiveness.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to seek forgiveness from Allah seventy times, and sometimes a hundred times a day.
— Sahih al-Bukhari
- Salawat (Sending Blessings on the Prophet):
صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ (Sallallahu ala Muhammad Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) “May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever desires for their good deeds to be weighed heavily on a grand scale should send abundant blessings upon me.” Furthermore, reciting Salawat abundantly alleviates the distress of a person caught in hardships.
One should strive to recite each of the above supplications at least a hundred times in the morning and evening. Allama Suyuti (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: “A fast that is filled with abundant recitation of the Holy Quran and Dhikr becomes a source of attaining divine light (noor).”
- Dua (Supplication)
This month is an exceptionally optimal time for supplications to be accepted. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stated that for every Muslim, a supplication is accepted during every night and day of Ramadan. Particularly during the times of Suhoor and Iftar, instead of focusing solely on food, one should engage intensely in making Dua.
Hazrat Ibn Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
“Every night of the month of Ramadan, an angel calls out to mankind, ‘O seekers of good, come forward! O seekers of evil, halt and open your eyes!’ Then, the angel says, ‘Is there anyone seeking forgiveness so that they may be forgiven? Is there anyone supplicating so that their supplication may be accepted?'”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“The one who asks of Allah in the month of Ramadan is never disappointed. Those who earnestly beseech Allah the Almighty in Ramadan are never denied. Therefore, supplicate with humility and a pure heart.”
- Taraweeh Prayer
Every night, twenty units (rak’ahs) of Taraweeh prayer should be performed in congregation (jama’at).
- Guarding the Tongue
Protecting the tongue from sinful speech is also an act of worship. If one performs the aforementioned acts of worship with great effort but fails to guard their tongue, it will ruin and diminish those rewards. Remaining silent is also a meritorious deed. Completely avoiding lies, backbiting, slandering, and vain talk multiplies the rewards of fasting.
Let us adorn the month of Ramadan with righteous deeds!
