Ramadan Daily Reminders 2023

I’tikfaf-اعتکاف
The Prophet (saw) used to spend the last ten days of Ramadan in the masjid. It is a highly recommended and rewarded act, and many who have performed it can speak to the benefit of performing it. While it may not be feasible for many to perform, if you are able to, consider going to a masjid and performing it. It is a great opportunity to make the most out of Ramadan.

Praying in the Night
Qiyamul-layl is to spend some of the night in worship, which in Ramadan includes the taraweeh prayers. There is immense reward in praying in the night, as the Allah (SWT) said, “And rise at ˹the last˺ part of the night, offering additional prayers, so your Lord may raise you to a praised station (Jannah).” (Quran, 17:79). 

Furthermore, the Prophet emphasized the taraweeh prayer, saying “whoever stands (in night prayer) in the month of Ramadan, then his past sins will be forgiven.” As we approach the last nights of Ramadan, make sure to pray taraweeh!

Akhlaq – Morals
The Prophet (saw) said, “I have been sent to perfect good character.” Unfortunately, we live in times when good character is lacking among many, especially in the hustle and bustle of urban British life. However, good akhlaq is at the centre of our faith. You must make an effort to follow the sunnah of the Prophet in his character – make an effort to smile more, humble yourself, help others when they need it and control your emotions. Focusing on akhlaq will bring immense benefit to your soul, within Ramadan and outside of it.

Conflicting Objectives
Humans all have desires, but it is essential that we control them and pursue them in a halal manner, as Allah allows us to. One is what we see, it is essential we are not looking at what is haram to us. This can be started by lowering your gaze in front of the opposite sex. If you can refrain from food and drink, then surely you can find the strength to lower your gaze when the time requires! Failing to do so could compromise your spiritual wellbeing in Ramadan, which would be a terrible failure.

Learning from the Battle of Badr
The Battle of Badr can teach us many things, but one major focus is to rely on Allah in all circumstances. At Badr, the Muslims faced 1000 soldiers of the Quraysh, despite having only 313 men of their own. They prevailed, largely due to their belief and reliance on Allah. It was their faith that gave them the strength to fight on against overwhelming odds, and we can follow their example to know that whatever challenges we may face, if we rely on Allah, we can find success, Insha’Allah.

Fasting is a Shield
Fasting gives you time to reassess your life choices. The Prophet said, “a person is on the same path as his close friend, so let each one of you look at to whom he befriends.” As you refrain from food, drink and bad habits, you should also be asking yourself if you spend time with people who benefit you. Reassess your environment, your relationships, your general direction in life. If you see khayr in your path, then alhamdulillah. But if not, then take advantage of this month to get rid of any negative influences in your life.

Control your Tongue
The Prophet (saw) said: “A person utters a word thoughtlessly (i.e., without thinking about its being good or not) and, as a result of this, he will fall down into the fire of Hell deeper than the distance between the east and the west.” The tongue is one of the main causes of sin, whether through slander, lying, abuse, foul language or other ills. Make it an absolute priority in Ramadan to change your habits of speaking. Start with knowing that if you have nothing good to say, then remain silent.

Reflect Upon the Quran
The Quran is the central foundation of belief for any Muslim. A Muslim must rely on it, and have it be the guidance for our hearts and actions. Ramadan is the best time to increase your relationship with the Quran, through reading it, one should be able to marvel and its linguistic miracles, its description of scientific realities, its telling of the stories of the Prophets and historical events. Through reflecting on the miracle of the Quran, we can improve our relationship with Allah, strengthen our faith, and be unwavering in our conviction that this religion is the true religion of God.

Monitor your Food and Drink
In Ramadan, Allah shows us that eating twice a day (iftar and suhur) is enough for us to sustain ourselves. This fast should show us to return to what is essential, rather than chasing excess. This is particularly relevant to food – we should not be eating so much for iftar that we find ourselves falling asleep and neglecting the benefits of Ramadan such as taraweeh! If we intend to follow the sunnah of the Prophet (saw), then we should never bloat ourselves, as the Prophet (saw) said about our stomachs, “if he (a son of Adam) must eat, then a third for his food, a third for his drink, and a third for his breath.”

Follow the Sunnah

Allah says “Indeed, you have in the Messenger of Allah, the best example to follow those who seek Allah and the Final Day.” We have from the sunnah the best example of fasting, we should stick closely to it. The Prophet (saw) would:

• hasten in breaking the fast
• break his fast on three dates
• he would delay his suhur to make it as close as possible to fajr
• pray taraweeh at night