RAMADAN

GUIDE 2022 C

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE ON HOW TO

MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR RAMADAN
BY HUDA PRESS
[email protected]
What this presentation will cover: 19. The Five Rights of the Noble Qur’an
1. The virtues and importance of Ramadan 20. Managing recitation successfully with targets
2. The virtues of fasting 21. Memorisation of the Noble Qur’an
3. Spiritual and health benefits of fasting 22. Creating a Dhikr regimen
4. The rules of fasting – who and how? 23. Remembering Allah Ta'ala throughout the day
5. Virtues of eating Suhur 24. Du’as: when and how to make them effectively
6. Virtues of eating Iftar 25. Reading Du’a collections
7. What to eat and what not to eat 26. The importance of being charitable
8. What breaks and invalids a fast 27. A serious misconception about Zakah
9. Qada and Kaffarah 28. Ideas to become more generous
10. Etiquettes of fasting 29. Ideas on following the Sunnah
11. Tips of fasting 30. Preparing for Ramadan
12. Tarawih 31. How to make a Ramadan timetable in detail
13. Laylatu ‘l-Qadr 32. The night before Eid
14. I’tikaf 33. Sadaqatu ‘l-Fitr
15. Improving your Salah 34. Eid Salah
16. Nawafil Salah 35. Issues on Eid day
17. Tahajjud 36. The unfortunate decline after Ramadan
18. Qada ‘Umri 37. How to maintain the Ramadan spirit after Ramadan
VIRTUES
OF THE MONTH OF
C

RAMADAN
RAMADAN IN THE
NOBLE QUR’AN
C
 ‫َشه ُْر َر َمضَ َان ذ ِاَّلي ُأ ْن ِز َل ِفي ِه الْ ُق ْرأ ُن‬
“The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur’an
was revealed.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:185)

The Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬received the first revelation of Surah ‘Alaq in the
month of Ramadan.
The Noble Qur’an was first written by Allah Ta’ala in the Lawh Mahfuz (the
Preserved Tablet). It was then brought down from there to the lowest heaven in
the Laylatu ‘l-Qadr, the special night found in the month of Ramadan.
This shows that the Noble Qur’an was revealed by Allah Ta’ala in the month of
Ramadan in two ways.
Allah Ta’ala chose this blessed month to reveal His Noble Book, showing how
important this month must be.
RAMADAN IN THE
HADITH
C
HADITH 1
C
 ‫ َو ُف ِِتَ ِ ال ذش َيا ِط ُي‬،‫ َوغُ ِل َق ْت َأبْ َو ُاب النذ ِار‬،‫ا َذا َج َاء َر َمضَ ُان فُ ِت َح ْت َأبْ َو ُاب الْ َجنذ ِة‬
ِ
When Ramadan comes, the doors of heaven are opened up, the doors of hell
are closed, and the Shayatin are chained up. (Muslim)

When the month of Ramadan enters, it becomes easier to enter heaven and more
difficult to enter hell, as Allah Ta’ala makes it easier to perform good deeds and more
difficult to do sins.
One reason is because the Shayatin, who usually encourage us to do sins by putting
thoughts in our hearts, are chained up and can no longer influence us.
This raises a question: Why do some people still sin in Ramadan?
Scholars explain that it could be because not all Shayatin are locked up: only the worst
ones are(as another Hadith explains).
Or it could be that we become so used to sins throughout the year that it becomes a
habit and an addiction, and we find it hard to leave it, even though there aren’t any
Shayatin to instigate us.
HADITH 2
C
 The Hadith of ibn Khuzaima

O’ people, a great month has come to you, ‫َأُّيه َا النذ ُاس قَ ْت َأ َظل ذ ُ ْك َشه ٌْر َع ِظ ٌمي َشه ٌْر ُم َب َار ٌك‬
a blessed month, a month in which there’s a
night better than a thousand months. ‫َشه ٌْر ِفي ِه ل َ ْي َ ٌَل خ ْ ٌَْي ِم ْن َألْ ِ ِ َشهْر‬
Just having the Laylatu ‘l-Qadr in Ramadan is a big enough reason to realise that
the month of Ramadan itself must be virtuous and full of blessings.

Allah has made its fasting compulsory

and its nightly prayer voluntary.
‫ َو ِق َيا َم لَ ْي ِ ِل ََ َُ هو ًا‬،‫اَّلل ِف َيا َم ُه فَ ِريضَ ًة‬
ُ ‫َج َع َل ذ‬
It’s the only month in which Allah Ta’ala makes fasting compulsory, as He knows the
benefit fasting has and how it can allow us to make the most of this blessed month.
The nightly prayer refers to the Tarawih prayer, which is not obligatory, but is
important for everyone to pray.
Whoever performs a good deed in it, it will
be as though he has performed a Fard act
‫ ََك َن‬،‫َم ْن ََ َق ذر َب ِفي ِه ِ َب ْص ََل ِم َن الْ َخ ْ ِْي‬
in another month.
‫ََكَ ْن َأدذى فَ ِريضَ ًة ِفميَا ِس َوا ُه‬
In a Hadith, Allah Ta’ala says that no act is more beloved to Him than when we
perform Fard actions, showing how immense their rewards must be. In Ramadan,
every good deed gets that huge amount of reward.

Whoever performs a Fard act in it, it will be

as though he has performed seventy Fard
‫ ََك َن ََكَ ْن َأ ذدى‬،‫َو َم ْن َأدذى ِفي ِه فَ ِريضَ ًة‬
acts in another month.
‫َس ْب ِع َي فَ ِريضَ ًة ِفمي َا ِس َوا ُه‬
The reward of every Fard action we do gets multiplied by seventy times. This means
the reward of praying one Fajr is the same as praying Fajr for seventy days!
It is a month of patience, and the reward of
patience is heaven.
‫الص ْ ِْب َوا ذلص ْ ُْب ثَ َوابُ ُه الْ َجنذ ُة‬
‫َوه َُو َشه ُْر ذ‬
Ramadan is a month in which we have to show a lot of patience: we get thirsty and
hungry, cranky and tired, but we have to restrain ourselves, do good deeds and
avoid sins. This is what makes people go to heaven so easily because of Ramadan.

It is a month of caring for one another, and

a month in which a believer’s sustenance
‫َو َشه ُْر الْ ُم َو َاسا ِة َو َشهْ ٌر يَ ْزدَا ُد ِفي ِه ِر ْز ُق‬
increases.
‫الْ ُم ْؤ ِم ِن‬
However, alongside improving ourselves, we shouldn’t forget about others, whether
it’s feeding families and friends, keeping close ties, or helping others such as the poor
around the world. We should make a point of helping as many people as we can.
It’s also a month in which Allah Ta’ala gives us more sustenance, so we shouldn’t be
stingy and hold back; rather, we should spend as much as possible.
Whoever gives food to a fasting person to
break their fast in it, it will be a source of
‫َم ْن فَ ذُ َر ِفي ِه َفائِ ًما ََك َن َم ْغ ِِ َر ًة ِ َُّلنُو ِب ِه‬
forgiveness for him for his sins, and a
source of his neck being freed from the
‫َو ِع ْت َق َرقَ َب ِت ِه ِم َن النذ ِار َو ََك َن َ َُل ِمثْ ُل َأ ْج ِر ِه‬
fire, and he will have the same reward (as
the one who fasted) without any reward
‫َش ٌء‬ ْ َ ‫ِم ْن غَ ْ ِْي َأ ْن يَنْتَ ِق َص ِم ْن َأ ْج ِر ِه‬
being reduced at all.
By giving someone the food to break their fast, we get the same reward they had
for keeping the fast. We should make a point of giving money in charity and Masajid
to buy Iftar food so that we don’t miss out on this reward.

Allah gives this reward to anyone who

feeds a fasting person with even a date, a
‫اَّلل َه َذا الث َذو َاب َم ْن فَ ذُ َر َفائِ ًما‬ ُ ‫يُ ْع ُِي ذ‬
sip of water or (even) diluted milk.
‫َشب َ ِة َماء َأ ْو َم ْذقَ ِة لَ َب‬
ْ َ ‫َ ََل ََ ْم َرة َأ ْو‬
Even if it means we give something as simple and cheap as water, we can still get
the full reward. The Hadith even says we can give watered down milk, which may
not taste as well as full undiluted milk, yet Allah Ta’ala will appreciate it from us.
It is a month, whose beginning is mercy, its
middle is forgiveness, and its ending is
،‫ َو َأ ْو َس ُُ ُه َم ْغ ِِ َر ٌة‬،‫َوه َُو َشه ٌْر َأ ذو ُ َُل َر ْ َح ٌة‬
freedom from the fire of hell.
‫َوأ ِخ ُر ُه ِع ْت ٌق ِم َن النذ ِار‬
Scholars explain this part of the Hadith in several ways.
It could be that in the beginning, we all receive the mercy of Allah Ta’ala and find it
easy to leave sins and do good, and by the middle of the month, we have been
forgiven for our previous sins, and by the end, we will have done enough good
deeds to save ourselves from hell regardless of our sins.
Or it could mean that for those who are fully ready for the month before, they will
experience its mercy from day one, and will achieve the most reward. However,
those who haven’t fully changed in the beginning ten days but decide to halfway
through will at least be forgiven for their sins, though they will miss out on the mercy
and complete reward. As for those who don’t make the most of the first two thirds
and have wasted them away, at least they should make the most of the last ten
days to save themselves from the fire of hell.
Whoever makes things easier for his slave,
Allah will forgive him and free him from the
ُ ‫َم ْن َخِذ َ ِ َع ْن َم ْملُو ِك ِه غَ َِ َر ذ‬
،‫اَّلل َ َُل‬
fire of hell.
‫َو َأ ْع َت َق ُه ِم َن النذ ِار‬
This part of the Hadith tells us that whoever has people working under them in this
tough month, especially if their workers are fasting, and therefore thirsty, hungry and
tired, then the owner and boss should try to make things easier for them.
A company boss should make things easier for their employees, and schools and
Madaris should make things easier for their students. Parents should also make things
easier for their children.
In the same way, we should be forgiving towards others and excuse them for
anything they do, as the fast brings out the worst of them due to their hunger!
Try to do four things as much as possible:
two of them which please your Lord, and
‫َوا ْس َت ْك ِ ُِثوا ِفي ِه ِم ْن َأ ْربَع ِ ِخ َصال خ َْصلَ َت ْ ِي‬
the other two you can’t do without. As for
those that please your Lord, they are
‫ َوخ َْصلَ َت ْ ِي ََل ِغ ًن ِب ُ ْك‬،‫ون ِ ِِب َما َربذ ُ ْك‬ َ ُ‫تُ ْرض‬
testifying “La ilaha illa’Llah” and asking for
forgiveness. As for those which you can’t َ ُ‫َع ْْنُ َما فَأَ ذما الْخ َْصلَ َت ِان الل ذ َت ِان تُ ْرض‬
‫ون ِ ِِب َما‬
do without, they are asking for heaven
from Allah and seeking His protection from ُ ‫ فَ َشهَا َد ُة َأ ْن ََل ا َ ََل ا ذَل ذ‬:‫َربذ ُ ْك‬
،‫اَّلل‬
hell. ِ ِ
:‫َوت َ ْس َت ْغ ِِ ُرون َ ُه َو َأ ذما الل ذ َت ِان ََل ِغ ًن ِب ُ ْك َع ْْنُ َما‬
.‫ون ِب ِه ِم َن النذ ِار‬ ‫ذ‬ُ
َ ُ َ ‫اَّلل ال َ ذ‬
‫و‬‫ع‬ َ َ‫و‬ ، َ
‫ة‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ج‬ ْ َ ‫ون ذ‬ َ ُ‫فَت َ ْسأَل‬
We should try to do as much Dhikr and Du’as as possible, especially in the above four ways.
One useful way is by merging all of the above phrases into one phrase that we can
repeatedly say on the go:

‫ُ الْ َجنذة َو َأ ُع ْو ُذ ب ََِ ِم َن النذار‬

َ ُ ََ ‫ََل ا َ ََل ا ذَل ذاَّلل َأ ْس َت ْغ ِِ ُر هللا َالله ذُم ا ِ ْن َأ ْس‬
ِ ِ ِ
Whoever fills a fasting person in this month,
Allah will give him water to drink from my
ُ ‫ َس َقا ُه ذ‬،‫َو َم ْن َأ ْش َب َع ِفي ِه َفائِ ًما‬
‫اَّلل ِم ْن‬
pool (of Kawthar), and he will not feel
thirsty all the way to his entering heaven.
‫َشب َ ًة ََل ي َ ْظ َمأُ َح ذَّت ي َ ْت ُخ َل الْ َجنذ َة‬
ْ َ ‫َح ْو ِِض‬
The Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬ends the Hadith by once again emphasising feeding the
poor, showing its importance in Ramadan.
He tells us that the one who feeds the poor will be given water from the pool of
Kawthar to drink on the Day of Judgement, when everyone will be thirsty and
sweating due to the intense heat. Whoever drinks from this pool will not face the
effects of that day, and we can guarantee ourselves that drink if we feed poor
people this Ramadan.
FASTING
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FASTING IN THE
NOBLE QUR’AN
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 Surah al-Baqarah 2:183-185

O’ those who believe, you have been

instructed to fast just as those who were
‫ََي َأُّيه َا ذ ِاَّل َين أ َمنُوا ُك ِت َب َلَ ْي ُ ُك ا ِلص َيا ُم َ َمَك‬
before you were instructed, so that you ‫ون‬
َ ‫ق‬ُ ‫ذ‬ ‫ت‬َ َ ْ
‫ك‬ ُ ‫ذ‬ ‫ُك ِت َب َ ََل ذ ِاَّل َين ِمن قَ ْب ِل ُ ْك لَ َعل‬
can save yourselves (from sins).

Allah Ta’ala tells us that the previous religions were instructed to fast too, just like we
are instructed. The reason for fasting was always the same: fasting helps to build
discipline.
When we fast, we have to fight ourselves to avoid eating and drinking what we
want. We constantly remind ourselves that Allah Ta’ala is watching us and we are
fasting. In the same way, it’s hoped that after Ramadan, we will develop the same
thinking if there’s ever an opportunity to commit a sin, that Allah Ta’ala is watching,
and this will help us control ourselves and fight the temptations to sin.
(The fasts) are for a few countable days. ۚ ‫َأ ذَي ًما ذم ْعتُ ودَا‬
The next verse begins by telling us that fasting is only for a small number of days
compared to the rest of the days of the year in which we are allowed to eat. It’s not
a big sacrifice for us as the majority of the year we aren’t obliged to fast!
However, some scholars feel that this part of the verse links to the previous verse’s
ending: Allah Ta’ala may also be telling us that we have to save ourselves from sins
only for a few countable days!
Though it sounds absurd to say that we should only be good Muslims for one month,
it does have something behind it. When we save ourselves from committing sins for
thirty days straight, it will become a habit, and we will feel ashamed to break our
streak and disobey Allah Ta’ala. This is why it’s only a matter of being our best for just
thirty days, after which we will automatically become better Muslims in Sha Allah.
Whoever from amongst you is ill or on a
journey, then (they should fast) the (same)
‫فَ َمن ََك َن ِم ُنك ذم ِريضً ا َأ ْو َ َ َٰل َس َِر فَ ِع ذت ٌة‬
number on other days.
‫ِم ْن َأ ذَيم ُأخ ََر‬
The next part explains that those people who can’t fast should fast on other days. It
is Allah Ta’ala‘s mercy on our sick and those who are facing the hardships of travel
that they don’t have to fast in Ramadan if it’s difficult.

Those who are unable to fast are required

to give compensation by feeding the poor.
‫َو َ ََل ذ ِاَّل َين يُ ُِي ُقون َ ُه ِف ْتي َ ٌة َط َعا ُم ِم ْس ِكي‬
As for those who can’t fast at all due to old age or a chronic illness, Allah Ta’ala has
even given an alternative: giving Sadaqah for every day they can’t fast (more
details on Fidya will come later).
Whoever gives more voluntarily, then it’s
better for him.
‫فَ َمن ََ َُ ذو َع خ ْ ًَْيا فَهُ َو خ ْ ٌَْي ذ َُل‬
As for those who can’t fast at all and therefore pay compensation, then the required
amount is only a minimum so that it can accommodate those who are poor and
can’t give much. But someone who feels bad about not being able to fast should
give as much charity as they can, and the reward will be greater.

But fasting is better for you, if you knew ‫ون‬‫م‬َ ‫ل‬‫ع‬

َ ُ ْ َْ َ ُ‫ن‬
ُ ُ
‫ك‬ ‫ن‬‫ا‬ ۖ ْ
‫ك‬ ُ ‫ذ‬ ‫َو َأن ََ ُصو ُموا خ ْ ٌَْي ل‬
(the benefit of it).
ِ
However, Allah Ta’ala reminds us at the end that the benefits of fasting are
immense, and we should never try to miss any fast of Ramadan. It comes in the
Hadiths that if a person deliberately misses a fast of Ramadan, then even fasting his
entire life won’t bring the same reward than he would have received for fasting that
one day!
FASTING IN THE
HADITH
C
HADITH 1
C
Every action of the son of Adam (‘alayhi ‘s-
Salam) is multiplied (in reward), as good
ُْ ‫ الْ َح َس نَ ُة َع‬،ِ ُ ‫ُك َ ََع ِل ا ْب ِن أ َد َم يُضَ ا َع‬
‫ْش‬ ‫ُه‬
deeds are (rewarded from) tenfold up to
seven-hundred fold. Allah Ta’ala says,
ُ ‫َأ ْمث َا ِلهَا ا ََل َس ْبع ِمائ َة ِض ْع ِ قَا َل‬
‫هللا َع ذز‬
ِ
“Except fasts. (Fasting) is for me and I will
give the reward for it. (My servant) leaves
،‫ فَان ذ ُه ِِل َو َأ َن َأ ْج ِزي ِب ِه‬،‫الص ْو َم‬
‫ ا ذَل ذ‬:‫َو َج ذل‬
his desires and his food for my sake.” ِ ِ
(Muslim) " ‫يَتَ ُع َشه َْوََ ُه َو َط َعا َم ُه ِم ْن َأ ْج ِِل‬
From the Noble Qur’an, we can learn that out of His kindness and generosity, Allah Ta’ala
rewards all good deeds by giving at least ten times the reward for it, up to seven hundred
times. However, when it comes to fasting, He hasn’t set a limit, and He will personally give the
reward for it. This reward may be exclusive mercy, a greater heaven or His close friendship.
This is because other good deeds don’t require the level of sacrifice that fasting does. Fasting
is not just a physical act of worship, but psychological too, as it involves going against your
wishes for three quarters of a day at times!
In fact, in another narration, Allah Ta’ala says that He Himself is the reward for fasting, showing
that He will take care of His servant and grant Him his love and happiness!
HADITH 2
C
Whoever fasts the month Ramadan with ‫ ُغ ِِ َر َ َُل‬،‫ اميَانً َوا ْح ِت َس ًاًب‬،‫َم ْن َفا َم َر َمضَ َان‬
faith and in anticipation of reward, all of his ِ ِ َ ِ
previous sins will be forgiven. (Bukhari)
‫َما ََ َق ذت َم م ْن ذنْ ِبه‬
This famous Hadith tells us that after fasting in Ramadan, we’ll leave the month with all of our
previous sins forgiven. However, the unique aspect of this Hadith is that it attaches two
conditions to this virtue.
Both conditions are reasons for why this person should be fasting. They should primarily be
fasting because they believe the Noble Qur’an to be correct in its claim that fasting will help
them become better, and they believe the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬and that whatever he has
brought is for the best. Secondly, they should realise the great reward behind fasting and fast
out of eagerness for this reward.
Both of these conditions show that fasting has to be with a good intention and purpose. This
means that if a person is fasting merely because “it’s that time of the year”, it’s customary, or
because they fear what others would think about them were they to miss the fast, then the
person would not be fasting in its true respect and would miss out on all the benefits of fasting
in Ramadan. Therefore, let us correct our intentions so that we don’t miss out on this reward.
HADITH 3
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The person who fasts will have happiness ‫ َوفَ ْر َح ٌة‬،‫ فَ ْر َح ٌة ِع ْنتَ ِف ُْ ِر ِه‬:‫اِئ فَ ْر َحتَ ِان‬ِِ ‫ِل ذلص‬
twice: Once when he breaks his fast, and
another when he meets his Lord. (Muslim)
‫ِع ْنتَ ِل َقا ِء َ ِرب ِه‬
The happiness felt by a person when they break their fast is inexplicable. Even if they don’t
have the best of food, just water itself will seem like the best thing to have, and he will
appreciate whatever food he has.
This Hadith then says that fasting gives you nothing but happiness eventually in the hereafter
when we meet Allah Ta’ala and see the reward we have for our fasts.
Note that the beginning of the Arabic wording of the Hadith literally translates to “The faster”,
or if you want to go into the Arabic language in depth, “the one who truly fasts”. This shows
that this happiness will only truly be experienced by someone who’s fasting for sincere
reasons, as the previous Hadith showed. Only they will feel that their fast was worth it, and will
feel the joy of fulfilling such a gruelling act of worship when they break their fast.
Therefore the joy mentioned in this Hadith would then mean the joy of having done a great
deed, rather than just the joy of eating food!
OTHER BENEFITS OF
FASTING
C
Besides the spiritual benefits of fasting, there are even health benefits:
1. Our body starts to repair itself
2. We lose unwanted fat
3. It lowers the risk of diabetes
4. It helps reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure, cholesterol
levels, and other harmful triggers.
5. It helps the growth of new neurons in your brain
6. Studies show it prevents diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer.
7. It gives your body a detox and flushes out harmful toxins present in your body.
Lastly, fasting helps us understand what the poor people in the world go through,
and appreciate the food Allah Ta’ala has given us.
However, the main purpose of fasting is what the Noble Qur’an tells us: it helps us
develop Taqwa and a self-discipline that allows us to control ourselves when we
have desires of committing sins.
WHAT IS FASTING?
C
Fasting is an act of worship, and as with all acts of worship, there are certain rules we
have to follow.
What is fasting?
Fasting is intentionally avoiding food, drink and having relations with your spouse from
dawn (when Fajr begins and Suhur time ends) until sunset (when Maghrib begins).
How do I start a fast?
A fast starts as soon as you make the intention of fasting and therefore you avoid doing
anything that breaks the fast. The intention doesn’t need to be said verbally, nor is
there a Du’a to initiate the fast.
For any fast besides Qada fasts (missed fasts that are made up later), you have all the
way until midday (Zawal/Zuhr time) to decide whether or not you wish to fast.
This means that if a person felt ill and decided not to fast at Suhur time, but then didn’t
eat anything until a little before Zuhr, and felt better and decided to fast, then their fast
would count as long as it’s not a Qada fast. If it’s a Qada fast, the intention must be
made before the fast begins at Fajr.
WHO HAS TO FAST?
C
Anyone who meets the following crieteria must fast:
• Balig (mature according to Shari’ah after either having a nocturnal emission or
reaching the average age of puberty of fourteen and a half years in the Gregorian
calendar)
• Sane – anyone suffering from a mental illness that either makes them unaware of
fasting, or unable to understand the idea of fasting (such as those suffering from
Down’s Syndrome) will not have to fast
• Not travelling more than forty-eight miles
• Isn’t suffering from any chronic illnesses which prevents fasting, such as severe
diabetes, or even weakness from old age
• Fasting won’t harm the person or their child (if a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding)
What if someone is excused?
If a person genuinely feels they shouldn’t be fasting for the last two reasons, they should get it
confirmed by a doctor, ideally a Muslim doctor who understands the Islamic importance of
fasting along with looking after your health, rather than just looking at the harms it may have.
Though health is extremely important as our bodies are a trust from Allah Ta’ala, we should only
take concessions if we need to—not just because we may be sinful otherwise, but because we
should feel that we’re missing out on the immense reward and benefits of fasting.
As for travellers, though they are excused from a technical aspect, if they can, they too should
fast if the conditions are not difficult. In the time of the Messenger of Allah ‫ﷺ‬, travelling required
you to cross deserts in the baking heat for weeks with the danger of dehydration. Because travel
has become easier and convenient, we should try to fast if we can.
Lastly, though children who are not Balig are exempt, they too should be encouraged to fast
from a young age if they are willing and it isn’t affecting their health or studies. An environment in
which everyone eats their Suhur and Iftar together, prays Tarawih in the Masjid together (or at
home for girls and their mothers), along with constant reminders of Allah Ta’ala‘s rewards, will
create a lasting memorable impression on children that will make them not only habituated with
Ramadan when older, but fond of it too.
If a person can’t genuinely fast, they will be required to give Fidya, which is giving the amount
given for Sadaqatu ‘l-Fitr for every day they can’t fast.
SUHUR
C
Suhur is a meal eaten a little before the beginning of Fajr time. It’s a way to fuel up
before the fast begins. Not only is it beneficial for your body, but it has its spiritual
benefits too.
In a Hadith, Suhur has been called “Barakah” i.e. a blessing, as it allows you to fast with
less difficulties and also enriches you with the spiritual energy needed to perform good
deeds throughout the fast. This is why we must have it, even if it’s something light.
It has even been mentioned in a Hadith that Christians and Jews fast too, but they
don’t eat Suhur. Therefore, the Suhur meal allows us to distinguish ourselves as Muslims.
It shows Allah Ta’ala that we are needy of the food He gives to us and allows us to
display our humility before Him—we are weak and need to eat before we fast.
If a person misses their Suhur, they should still fast, though it may be difficult.
As mentioned earlier, there are no specific Du’as to be read when beginning a fast.
There are some which are commonly recited, such as:

ُ ‫اللذهُ ذم ا ِ ْن َأ ُف ْو ُم غَتً ا ذ ََّل فَا ْغ ِِ ْر ِ ِْل َما قَ ذت ْم ُت َو َما َأخ ْذر‬ ‫ن ََويْ ُت َف ْو َم غَت‬
ِ
But there’s no Du’a found in the Hadith for beginning a fast.
IFTAR
C
Iftar is the meal eaten to break the fast as soon as the Maghrib Adhan is called. Break your fast
immediately without delay, as there are many Hadiths that emphasise the importance of
breaking your fast immediately:

People will continue experiencing good if

they keep breaking their fast straight
‫ََل يَ َز ُال النذ ُاس ِ َب ْْي َما َ ذَلُوا ال ِِ ُْ َر‬
away. (Bukhari)
Allah Ta’ala says, “The most beloved to me ‫اَّلل َع ذز َو َج ذل ا ذن َأ َح ذب ِع َبا ِدي ا َ ذِل‬ ُ ‫قَا َل ذ‬
of my servants are those who break their ِ ِ
fast the soonest.” (Tirmidhi) ‫َأ ْ ََلُه ُْم ِف ُْ ًرا‬
Islam will remain prevalant as long as
people break their fasts early. The Jews
،‫ََل يَ َز ُال ِال ُين َظا ِه ًرا َما َ ذَ َل النذ ُاس الْ ِِ ُْ َر‬
and Christian are the ones who delay it.
(Abu Dawud) َ ‫ َوالنذ َص َارى يُ َؤ ِخ ُر‬،َ‫ِ َِل ذن الْ ََيُود‬
‫ون‬
The Sunnah is to break it with fresh dates ideally. If they aren’t available, then normal dry dates
are fine too. If neither is available, then water. Dates have been called Barakah for Iftar too. Try
having dates with their pits removed, with cucumber halves added inside. Not only is it a Sunnah
to eat both together (though not necessarily a Sunnah of having Iftar), it actually tastes nice!
In the Hadiths, we find that the Du’as made at the time of breaking a fast are readily are
accepted (Tirmidhi). Before you break your fast, and before the Mu’adhin calls the Adhan for
Maghrib, sit facing the Qiblah and make Du’a for at least five minutes.
Pray for yourself, your family, your education, your career, anything you need help with, pray for
heaven, for salvation from hell, pray for those who are sick and those who have gone, pray for
your teachers, and pray for Allah Ta’ala to accept your fast and Ramadan, and to allow you to
continue your change beyond Ramadan.
Try to make Du’a using the Sunnah Du’as found in the Ahadith, and learn their meanings
beforehand so that you can ask wholeheartedly.
When the Adhan is called, immediately break your fast with the following Du’as:

O’ Allah. I have fasted for your sake and I

break my fast with the food you have
ُ ‫ َو َ ََل ِر ْز ِق ََ َأفْ َُ ْر‬،‫اللذهُ ذم َ ََّل ُ ُْص ُت‬
provided. (Abu Dawud)
My thirst has gone, water has satiated my ‫ َوثَبَ َت ا ْ َِل ْج ُر‬،‫الظ َمأُ َوابْ َتل ذ ِت الْ ُع ُر ُوق‬
‫َذ َه َب ذ‬
veins and my reward is secure if Allah wills
(Abu Dawud)
ُ ‫ا ْن َش َاء‬
‫هللا‬
ِ
Avoid eating too much when breaking your fast just before Salah. You should suffice on
just dates and water (and any other light food such as nuts). You should eat the main
meal of your food after Salah.
In some Masajid (and homes that live nearby Masajid), unfortunately there are people
who eat their main meal, or at least part of it, before Maghrib Salah. Not only do they
end up rushing their food, but they even sometimes delay Salah because of it. Some
Musallis may even miss a Rak’ah!
Also, avoid bringing food into the Masajid that may leave a smell or a mess if eaten in
the Masjid. Ideally, such foods are best left to be eaten at home. We should ideally
come to the Masjid for ‘Asr and stay until Maghrib and only bring dates and water.
Even those who live nearby should do the same. The time between ‘Asr and Maghrib is
a valuable time for worship and for Du’as to be accepted, so we shouldn’t spend it at
home if possible, as it may be easier to get distracted there.
In fact, even mothers and sisters at home should make the most of this time. All food
preparations should ideally be done before ‘Asr so that the time between ‘Asr and
Maghrib can be utilised in reading the Noble Qur’an, remembering Allah Ta’ala and
making Du’a. Though the “fry-ups” may not be freshly fried at the eating time, at least it
will be comfort knowing your family had a fair chance at getting closer to Allah Ta’ala.
WHAT TO EAT AND
WHAT NOT TO EAT
C
What to Eat
Since the Suhur and Iftar meals are supposed to keep you fuelled for the entire day, it’s
important to ensure you eat the right food and drink.
In general, you should choose foods that are rich in the following:
• Protein – Proteins take time to digest and stay longer in your stomach, and prevent
you feeling hungry throughout your day. Proteins are also vital for building and
repairing your body. Proteins include meat, chicken, eggs, cheese, yoghurt, and milk.
Just make sure the meat and chicken is healthily cooked!
• Wholegrain carbohydrates – Carbohydrates are our main energy source, but we
should choose wholegrain carbohydrates such as brown bread, as they not only help
with our digestion, but release energy slower than sugars. These include brown bread,
wholegrain cereals and oats.
• Nuts – Nuts, like the above two, take longer to digest and make you feel full for longer.
They’re also packed with protein and can be added as a topping to many foods.
• Fruits and hydrating vegetables – Fruits have a high water content, along with a
range of vitamins. It’s also Sunnah to have dates for Suhur. You can even opt for a
fruit smoothie! As for vegetables, choose those that have a higher water content,
such as cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.
• Liquids – You’re going to be without water for possibly fifteen hours or more. You’ll
need to drink as much water as you can drink, though you need to be careful which
liquids you choose, as sugary drinks and caffeine are bad for fasts (as explained on
the next two slides). Have water throughout the time between Iftar and Suhur.
What to avoid
There are some foods you should avoid if you want your fast to be easy.
• Avoid sugary foods and drinks, especially fizzy drinks. They release energy
quickly, but then make you feel tired and drained throughout the day. Some
fruit juices also tend to have a lot of added sugar. Fizzy drinks also make you
feel bloated and full, depriving you off that well-needed food and water.
• Avoid fatty foods, as they just get stored up and add unnecessary weight.
Your body first burns off carbohydrates and then fats. If you are eating fatty
food, most likely it is just being stored as more fat!
• Avoids spicy foods. These may trigger off an upset stomach or even cause
acid reflux and heartburn. It will be difficult treating these illnesses without
being able to have medicine throughout the day.
• Avoid salty foods. Additional salt will create an imbalance in the water and
salt concentration in your body, making you feel the need to have more
water and therefore make you even more thirsty!
• Avoid caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic and makes you go to the washroom,
making you lose the water you had drank earlier to store throughout your fast.
As tempting as it may be (especially if you suffer from the withdrawal
symptoms of not having your three cups of tea a day), avoid tea, coffee and
energy drinks with caffeine if you want to avoid feeling dehydrated.
• Avoid overeating! Ramadan is for eating less, and the food is supposed to be
a meal to keep you going for the day, not the week! You don’t need to make
up for the meals you’ve missed out on, nor will your stomach be able to digest
it! That would just contradict everything the fast stands for!
• Overeating can also lead to indigestion, heartburn and an upset bowel. It will
lead to feeling bloated and a constant need to burp and offend your fellow
Musallis during Tarawih!
• You will definitely feel hunger and thirst throughout the day, but it’s just
important to reduce it as much as possible by eating correctly. This is why the
reward is in the hardship.
 WHAT BREAKS AND
INVALIDATES A FAST
C
Fasting is from dawn to sunset. However, if a person eats, drinks or has relations with their spouse at any
time between those two points, their fast may break and become invalid.
The following break the fast:
• Eating, drinking deliberately whilst being aware that you’re fasting. This also includes
• Swallowing toothpaste or mouthwash
• Swallowing blood from the gums if it’s more than the saliva it’s mixed with
• Swallowing leftover food in between your teeth if it’s the size of a small chickpea or bigger
• When medicine from a nasal spray passes down your throat
• Inhaling in medicine such as when using Asthma pump inhalers
• Swallowing water when gargling your mouth
• Inhaling smoke deliberately, such as when smoking or doing shisha
• Having relations with your spouse or being stimulated to ejaculate
• Vomiting a mouthful deliberately
• Deliberately swallowing a mouthful of vomit, even if you don’t take it out deliberately
• Having an endoscopy (being inspected by a camera passed down your foodpipe)
• When a woman begins her menstruation or post-natal bleeding
The following will not break the fast:
• Eating, drinking or having relations with your spouse whilst forgetting that you’re fasting
• However, if you thought your fast broke, and then ate deliberately, your fast will now break
• To have nocturnal emission (a wet dream)
• Swallowing your own saliva or the wetness left in your mouth after rinsing it
• Ear drops
• Eye drops and Surma (Kuhl)
• Swallowing mucus from the throat or nose
• Inhaling smoke or dust unintentionally
• Using nicotine patches or applying external creams, or deodorants, makeup, oil etc.
• Injections, blood transfusions, dialysis and being put on a drip
• Blood test or cupping
• Using the Miswak or swallowing the built-up saliva from using the Miswak (though flavoured Miswaks
will break the fast if the saliva is swallowed)
• Vomiting unintentionally, or less than a mouthful intentionally
• Swallowing vomit unintentionally if it’s a mouhthful
The following will not break the fast either, but are Makruh and should be avoided:
• Chewing anything
• If you chew something that has a taste, like chewing gum, and the taste mixes with
the saliva, then swallowing the saliva will break your fast)
• Tasting food or drink without a need
• Gathering saliva and then swallowing it
• Brushing your teeth using toothpaste or using mouthwash (note that your fast breaks if
you swallow either)
QADA AND
KAFFARAH
C
As mentioned earlier, breaking a fast early, whether accidentally or on purpose, renders your fast
invalid. In a Hadith, the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬said:
Whoever misses a day of fasting in
Ramadan without a concession or an
‫َم ْن َأفْ َُ َر ي َ ْو ًما ِم ْن َر َمضَ َان ِم ْن غَ ْ ِْي ُر ْخ َصة َو ََل‬
illness, he will not be able to make up for
even if he were to fast forever. (Tirmidhi)
‫ ل َ ْم ي َ ْق ِض َع ْن ُه َف ْو ُم الذ ْه ِر ُ ِك ِه َوا ْن َفا َم ُه‬،‫َم َرض‬
ِ
Therefore, we should be wary about those things that break our fasts and try our best to avoid them, as
the reward we’ll lose will be immense.
If our fast does break and become invalid, ideally we should continue to avoid eating and drinking as
though we are fasting. Not only will this let the spirit of Ramadan continue for everyone, and also
encourage others to continue their fast, it may also be that our fast wasn’t in fact broken and we had
wrongly assumed that it was. By not eating, we may preserve our fast and its reward.
However, if someone does do one of the actions mentioned earlier that render the fast invalid, they
will have to make up for it later. This is called a Qada fast. They will have to make up this fast after
Ramadan, though there are five days in the year in which we can’t keep this Qada fast (along with
the days of Ramadan):
1. The two Eid days
2. The three days after Eid al-Adha (known as the Ayyam al-Tashriq)
If a person breaks their fast specifically in the following ways:
• Eats or drinks deliberately whilst being aware that they are fasting without having a valid reason to
do so
• Engages in sexual intercourse whether or not there is ejaculation whilst being aware that they are
fasting
In such cases, a Kaffarah will be necessary too. Kaffarah is a penalty and a punishment for violating
the command of Allah Ta’ala to fast for the entire duration of fasting. It’s a deterrent to discourage
anyone from breaking their fast.
The Kaffarah penalty requires the person who broke their fast to primarily fast for sixty days
consecutively along with the Qada for the original broken fast. The Qada doesn’t need to be with the
consecutive days though. If during the sixty day period, they miss a fast, they must begin the sixty days
again.
If they can’t fast for that long due to weakness or an illness, they can either feed the poor or pay for
their food in one of the following ways:
• Feed sixty poor people two full meals a day
• Feed one poor person two meals a day for sixty days
Nowadays, charity websites already calculate Kaffarah costs, so there may not be a need for
calculating, unless you’re personally organising the feeding in a poor area. Note that you can’t
choose which Kaffarah you want to give. You must primarily fast, and only give charity if you can’t fast.
ETIQUETTES OF
FASTING
C
Fasting is an obligation, and to remove the obligation from your responsibility, all you have to do is
avoid eating, drinking and relations from dawn to sunset. However, this is just the legal aspect. The fast
itself is spiritual and holds many blessings.
In order to gain these blessings, you have to ensure you do the following:
• You must avoid sinning. The whole idea of fasting is to create discipline and abstinence from sins. If
we sin throughout our fasts, though the obligation is lifted and we won’t be accountable for it on the
Day of Judgement, the fast itself will be of no other use. The Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬says:

Whoever doesn’t avoid dishonesty and

acting on falsehood, Allah has no need for
‫ فَلَيْ َس ِ ذ َِّلل‬،‫َم ْن ل َ ْم يَتَ ْع قَ ْو َل هالز ِور َوال َع َم َل ِب ِه‬
him to leave his food and drink. (Bukhari)
َ َ ‫َحا َج ٌة ِِف َأ ْن يَتَ َع َط َعا َم ُه َو‬
‫َشاب َ ُه‬
How many people are there whose fasts
are nothing but thirst, and how many
‫ َو َ َْك‬،ُ‫الظ َمأ‬‫َ َْك ِم ْن َف ِاِئ لَيْ َس َ َُل ِم ْن ِف َيا ِم ِه ا ذَل ذ‬
ِ ‫ِ ِ َ َ ِ ِ ِِ ذ‬
people are there who perform nightly
prayers yet their praying is nothing but
‫م ْن قَاِئ ليْ َس َُل م ْن ق َيامه اَل ال ذسه َُر‬
sleeplessness. (Darami) ِ
We can see from these stern Hadiths how sinning whilst fasting leaves you with no reward—it’s just
staying hungry for nothing. We’re aware of the rewards for fasting and we can’t afford to lose them.
Another thing to avoid is arguing. The Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬teaches us:

When someone fasts on a day, he shouldn’t

be vulgar, nor wrong others. If someone
‫ فَ ََل يَ ْرفُ ْث َو ََل‬،‫ا َذا َأ ْف َب َح َأ َحتُ ُ َْك ي َ ْو ًما َفائِ ًما‬
ِ
insults him or tries to fight him, he should say,
“I’m fasting. I’m fasting.” (Muslim)
‫ ا ِن‬:‫ فَلْ َي ُق ْل‬،ُ‫ فَا ِن ا ْم ُر ٌؤ َشاََ َم ُه َأ ْو قَاََ َل‬،‫َ َْيه َْل‬
ِ ِ
ٌ ِ ‫ ا ِن َف‬،ٌ‫َف ِاِئ‬
‫اِئ‬
Not only is quarrelling usually pointless and violent, it takes away the spirit of fasting. After a dispute,
ِ
both sides normally remain preoccupied with the other party and will find it difficult to focus on Allah
Ta’ala and other important matters.
Lastly, when fasting, because of remnant food and other particles, your mouth will inevitably have an
odour. However, we shouldn’t’ think ill of it, as the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬said:

The smell from the mouth of a person َِ ‫اَّلل ِم ْن ِر ِح ا ِِم ْس‬ ِِ ‫الص‬
ِ ‫اِئ َأ ْط َي ُب ِع ْنتَ ذ‬ ‫ل َ ُخلُ ُوف فَ ِم ذ‬
fasting is more fragrant to Allah than the
scent of Musk. (Bukhari)
TIPS FOR FASTING
C
Fasting can be tough, especially with work and school. This is why it’s important to make it as easy as
possible. You may feel hungry, but avoid complaining if you can help it as it’s Makruh, since it’s like
complaining about Allah Ta’ala’s commands. Think about why you are fasting, the benefit you’ll have
and how Allah Ta’ala is pleased with you.
To make the fast easier, do the following:
• Rest as much as possible. Avoid strenuous activity, as it will burn you out. If you have an exercise
routine, reduce it. If you can, take off your Ramadan from work, or at least for the last ten days.
• Sleep if you feel tired. Since you are eating less, you’ll feel more sleepy and may require an
extra hour or more of sleep a day. Try to fit in the Qaylula (Sunnah afternoon nap) after the Zuhr
Salah if you have the time. However, avoid sleeping between the ‘Asr and Maghrib Salahs, as
that period is an important part of the day for remembering Alllah Ta’ala and making Du’a.
Under no circumstances should you miss any Salah because of sleeping!
• If you feel thirsty, have a shower. It’s the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬to pour water over
himself when he would be thirsty whilst fasting or when feeling hot (Abu Dawud).
• Use the Miswak regularly to avoid mouth odour. Brush when you wake up, during Wudu and
any other time you feel that your mouth odour may have changed. Regularly trim your Miswak
when the flavour wears out.
• Properly eating and maintaining your hydration is key to feeling energetic. Drink plenty of water
between Iftar and Suhur, and ensure you eat the correct foods.
IMPORTANT
ASPECTS OF
C

RAMADAN
TARAWIH
C
Tarawih is a prayer only performed in Ramadan. It’s twenty Rak’ats in total split into ten
sets of two.
Most Masajid try to complete the recitation of the entire Noble Qur’an during Tarawih.
For this reason, it may take a long time—up to one and a half hours!
For those who can’t pray in the Masjid, or if the congregation doesn’t have a Hafiz to
lead them, then in each rak’ah of the twenty raka’ahs, you should read in each rak’ah
after Surah Fatihah one Surah starting from Sural Fil and ending at Surah Nas, which are
ten in total.. This means that you will recite each Surah twice in the twenty Raka’ahs.
Originally, the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬would pray Tarawih alone in the Masjid in a
makeshift room he had made to seclude himself after leading the Fard of ‘Isha Salah.
The Sahaba (Radiya’Llahu ‘anhum) noticed this, and began praying behind him. This
happened on the second day too. This was their Tarawih congregation.
However, on the third day, they couldn’t hear him praying aloud as he had been
praying on the first two days, and tried to find out why. He informed them that he had
decided to pray Tarawih alone from then on, as he feared that whilst he was alive,
there was a chance of Tarawih becoming compulsory upon them to pray if they
carried on doing it with him. He instead instructed them to pray on their own in their
houses.
After his demise, and after the two years of Abu Bakr (Radiya’Llahu ‘anh)’s khilafah that
were filled with difficulties, ‘Umar (Radiya’Llahu ‘anh) decided that there would be no
harm for people to pray Tarawih in congregation anymore, since there would be no
fear of it becoming compulsory anymore as the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬had passed on
and no Wahy (divine inspiration from Allah Ta’ala) had come to an end. In fact, it was
more beneficial, as there was a greater chance people would pray if it were in a
group, especially in the month of Ramadan when the benefits are unmissable.
Therefore, the Tarawih was reverted back to being prayed as a gathering.
Since then, until now, we have prayed twenty raka’ats in congregation in Masajid
during Ramadan. It’s an excellent way to get close to Allah Ta’ala. Throughout the day,
you sacrifice your food to please Him, and at night you sacrifice your sleep for Him.
LAYLATU ‘L-QADR
C
We have sent the Qur’an down in the Night
of Qadr (Power). How will you ever know
‫) َو َما َأد َْر َاك َما ل َ ْي َ َُل‬1( ‫انذ َأ ْن َزلْنَا ُه ِِف ل َ ْي َ َِل الْ َق ْت ِر‬
ِ
what the Night of Qadr (truly) is? The Night
of Power is better than a thousand months.
)3(‫) ل َ ْي َ َُل الْ َق ْت ِر خ ْ ٌَْي ِم ْن َألْ ِ ِ َشهْر‬2( ‫الْ َق ْت ِر‬
(Surah al-Qadr 97:1-3)
The Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬once narrated to the Sahaba (Radiya’Llahu ‘anhum) about
a man from a previous nation who was able to fight for the sake of Allah Ta’ala for a
thousand months. The Sahaba (Radiya’Llahu ‘anhum) were amazed and could only
wish for the same reward.
The Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬then prayed to Allah Ta’ala for such a reward for his Sahaba
(Radiya’Llahu ‘anhum) and he was informed about the Laylatu ‘l-Qadr and its exact
date. In that night, any good deed performed would equal to performing the same
deed for a thousand months. In years, it numbers to over eighty-three years, or if you
assume one month is thirty days, it equals thirty thousand days! In other words, two
Raka’ahs of Salah equal to praying thirty thousand full two Raka’ah Salahs! One pound
given in charity on this night equals to giving thirty thousand pounds!
This is what makes this night unmissable, and we would have known its precise date
had there not been an unfortunate mishap. Whilst on the way to inform the Sahaba
(Radiya’Llahu ‘anhum) about this special night, the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬came across
two Sahaba (Radiya’Llahu ‘anhum) quarrelling. In the process of calming them both,
the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬regrettably forgot which date exactly it was.
What he did tell us is clues that he remembered, such as the night’s being in the last ten
nights of Ramadan, and even more specifically that it may be an odd night. This is the
best estimate we have, and it’s for this reason that many perform I’tikaf to guarantee
themselves that they will be worshipping Allah Ta’ala as much as they can on that
night.
The wisdom behind the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬being made to forget is that this now
enables us to worship Allah Ta’ala more in the last ten nights, as we don’t know which
night is the correct night.
Though many people will claim it’s the twenty-seventh night, there is no definitive proof,
and we shouldn’t focus all our charity and worship on just that one night, as we could
potentially be missing out if it falls on another night!
As for what we can do on this night, we should engage ourselves in as much worship as
possible, even if it means losing our sleep and catching up on it in the day (this is why
it’s worth taking these days off especially). We can sleep again after Fajr Salah as the
night is technically over by then, and the rewards are no longer available.
If we can’t stay up the entire night, the least we can do is a little more than usual. If we
normally don’t pray Tahajjud, we should pray just two Raka’ahs in the night before Fajr.
As for reciting the Noble Qur’an, we could even pray just a quarter Juz more, or a half,
or an entire Juz if we are ambitious.
For other forms worship, we should increase all of our daily Dhikr we do (more on this will
come later in the presentation).
We should also make a point of donating more money on the last ten nights than other
nights. Donating just one pound could equal to thirty thousand pounds!
Lastly, we should read the following Du’a taught to our mother ‘A’isha (Radiya’Llahu
‘anha) by the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬to specifically read on this night:
O’ Allah, You are the forgiving, and you love
forgiving others, so do forgive me. (Tirmidhi)
‫اللذهُ ذم ان َذَ ُع ُِو ُ ُِت هب الْ َع ِْ َو فَا ْع ُ ِ َع ِن‬
ِ
I’TIKAF
C
The Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬would seclude himself in the Masjid Nabawi in the last ten days of Ramadan.
This was because the Laylatu ‘l-Qadr has been reported to be in the last ten nights, and by ensuring
you stay in the Masjid throughout all ten nights, you can guarantee yourself getting the chance to
worship Allah Ta’ala in it.
In the same way, it’s Sunnah for us to do the same in the last ten days. Since Islamically the day starts
from Maghrib Salah, we will have to be inside the Masjid a little before Maghrib (for example from the
‘Asr of the 20th day) to ensure we are there for the duration of ten days. The I’tikaf ends as soon as
Ramadan ends, even if it is just after nine days.
There are some rules regarding I’tikaf for it to be valid:
• The person in I’itikaf needs to fast all ten days.
• They can’t leave the designated area of the Masjid without a valid reason. The only reason the
person can leave is for a need, such as the need to perform Ghusl, Wudu or relieving themselves.
They shouldn’t be going to have showers unnecessarily, for example.
• If the area people generally define as a Masjid and use for prayer is a hall, and its foyer isn’t
regarded as part of the Masjid, it won’t be permissible for the person to leave the hall into the foyer.
• Even when leaving the boundaries of the prayer area for a need, the person should hasten to return
back and avoid talking to others. If they delay, their I’tikaf will become invalid.
• If a person leaves the designated area, their I’tikaf will be invalid and they will be required to keep it
again in a future Ramadan.
Nafl I’tikaf
If a person can’t do I’tikaf for the complete ten days, they should at least try to do it for a few
days throughout Ramadan. In fact, it can be done any time of the year and even when you
come for Salah, you can just make an intention for It’ikaf and you will automatically receive its
reward,
Just as in the Sunnah I’tikaf, a person isn’t allowed to unnecessarily leave the Masjid boundaries,
the same applies for a Nafl I’ikaf. However, the difference is that if a person leaves the Masjid in a
Nafl I’tikaf, their I’tikaf will come to an end, rather than breaking. They will not have to make up
for anything, but will receive the reward for as long as they stayed.
I’tikaf for Women
Women too can perform I’itikaf, but can only do so within their house. They can choose a room,
or a place inside a room, in which they will decide to remain for the last ten days, following the
same rules as men.
Note that since fasting was a condition, she can’t do I’tikaf if she is in her state of menstruation or
post-natal bleeding.
Etiquettes of I’tikaf
Whilst in I’tikaf, the person should use as much time as possible in any form of worship,
whether it is praying Nafl Salah, reciting the Noble Qur’an, doing dhikr, or even learning
and teaching others about Islam in any way.
Makruh acts in I’ltikaf
It’s disliked to do the following in I’tikaf:
• Sitting in silence and being idle
• Causing difficulty to others in any way, such as sleeping or resting in an inappropriate
place or way, praying loudly when others are asleep etc.
• Talking about worldly things, or spending time doing worldly things, such as business,
playing on your phone etc.
To avoid the last two reasons, avoid bringing your phone with you, as it will just distract
you from concentrating on Allah Ta’ala.
 ACTS OF WORSHIP
C

TO DO IN RAMADAN
SALAH
C
Salah is our strongest connection with Allah Ta’ala. It’s a way of reminding our selves that
Allah Ta’ala exists, the favours He has done on us and how we need to make Him our focal
point in life.
The five daily Salahs are already compulsory—in fact, we get seventy times the amount of
reward for praying them in Ramadan. If someone doesn’t have a habit of praying them
already, this month should be the ideal moment they start.
Not only is it easier because of the absence of the Shayatin and the effect of fasting and
going against our desires, but everything becomes collective in Ramadan. We go Fajr
together, as it’s right after Suhur; we pray Tarawih together; and we get to even break fasts
together in the Masjid. We all are trying to improve ourselves, and there is no better time than
to start in Ramadan.
Ideally, we should be praying in the Masjid. The Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬greatly emphasised for
us to pray together in Masajid, and he would become upset when someone nearby didn’t
without valid reasons. We should remind ourselves that the Masjid is the House of Allah Ta’ala,
our Creator, Our Provider, Our Sustainer, and the One who looks after us and fulfils our needs.
We should visit him whenever He asks us to, and five times a day is not much to ask, especially
as all the Salahs are spaced out throughout the day. If we don’t go, we should feel deprived
as He didn’t call us, rather than thinking that we chose not to go.
If we already have a habit of praying all the Salahs, then we should always be finding ways to
upgrade our Salah, just as we upgrade everything else in life, whether it’s our houses, our cars,
our phones and even our clothes.
Here are some ways to improve your Salah in order of priority:
1. Pray each Fard Salah on time
2. Pray each Fard Salah in the Masjid
3. Pray the Sunnah Mu’akkadahs before and after their respective Salahs
• 2 before Fajr
• 4 before Zuhr and 2 after it
• 2 after Maghrib
• 2 after ‘Isha
4. Pray the Sunnah Ghayr Mu’akkadahs before their respective Salahs
• Either 2 or 4 before ‘Asr
• Either 2 or 4 before ‘Isha
5. Pray your Salahs with the first takbir, i.e. being there in the rows when the Imam starts the
Salah, without missing any Rak’ahs
6. Praying in the first Saff (row)
7. Praying other Nawafil Salah
• The Nawafil Salah for Zuhr, Maghrib and ‘Isha
• Tahajjud – more detail on the next slide
• Ishraq – At least two Rak’ahs immediately after sunrise
• Duha – At least two Rak’ahs after mid-morning but before Zuhr time.
• Awwabin – A total of Six Rak’ahs in sets of two Rak’ahs prayed after the Maghrib Fard. You can count the two
Rak’ahs of Maghrib Sunnah as part of the six.
• Salatu ‘l-Hajah – Two Rak’ahs to be prayed when there’s a need you wanted to ask from Allah Ta’ala
• Salatu ‘t-Tawbah – Two Rak’ahs to be prayed when you want to seek forgiveness for a major sin
• Tahiyyatu ‘l-Masjid – Two Rak’ahs to be prayed when you enter a Masjid before sitting down, as a way of greeting
Allah Ta’ala. If you don’t have time for it, you can intend whichever other Salah you’re praying first in the Masjid as
Tahiyyatu ‘l-Masjid as long as you haven’t sat down (though you can’t do this with Maghrib Salah)
• Tahiyyatu ‘l-Wudu – Two Rak’ahs to be prayed after finishing Wudu

8. Praying with as much concentration as you can, focusing on Allah Ta’ala watching you. This
will be challenging and you may need further advice from a qualified Shaykh.
The Importance of Tahajjud Salah
Tahajjud Salah is one of the greatest Salahs you can perform. It’s a Salah for showing your love
and sacrifice for Allah Ta’ala. You give up your sleep and comfort for His sake, meeting Him and
speaking with Him at a time when the majority of the country is asleep. This is the best time of the
day to focus on Allah Ta’ala, especially as your mind will be clearer if you have woken up after a
few hours of sleep and you will have finished with your daily responsibilities.
Scholars explain that it’s extremely difficult to become a Wali (close friend) of Allah Ta’ala if you
don’t pray Tahajjud, as it has always been a common trait between all of the friends of Allah
Ta’ala in the past that they prayed Tahajjud.
Ramadan is the most appropriate month to be praying Tahjjud, as it’s the month of connecting
with Allah Ta’ala and asking for His friendship. It’s even easier as we’re usually awake at that time
having Suhur anyway
Before having your Suhur, take out some time to pray Tahajjud Salah followed by five minutes of
Du’a. In total, it may not be more than ten minutes. Pray the Salah slowly and calmly, making
your Ruku’ and Sujud longer than usual. Try to pray lengthy portions of the Noble Qur’an if you
can. When you finish, sit for the five minutes and make Du’a for everything you want, especially
forgiveness and Allah Ta’ala’s friendship.
It’s important to pray your Tahajjud first along with a Du’a, and then doing your Suhur, as the
Tahajjud will be rushed otherwise. It’s more rewarding to delay your Suhur to the ending time.
Lastly, if you have any Salahs that you’ve missed out in your life, it’s a good idea to make a start to
pray them this month. These are called the Qada Salahs and sometimes called Qada ‘Umri.
Calculating how many of each Salahs you have missed is a daunting task. However, once it is done
and recorded, it’s easier to keep track of it. To calculate the missed Salahs consider the following:
• There are five Salahs in a day (six if you include the Witr of ‘Isha). If there are 365 days in a year, you
will need to pray 365 of each Salah for every year that you have missed.
• You may have prayed Jumu’ahs every week, so since there are 52 weeks in a year, you can subtract
52 Zuhrs for every year.
• In the previous years, you may have prayed your Salahs for a duration. For example, in Ramadan
you may have prayed every Salah, or at least Maghrib and ‘Isha, as many break their fast in the
Masjid and pray Tarawih there in Ramadan. Subtract thirty of each from your total for every year.
• You may have also prayed some additional Salahs in workplaces or schools. Try to calculate these
and subtract them from the total.
The total you’ll have will still be a large number, maybe thousands! However, you shouldn’t feel
despondent. The scholars explain that even if we show to Allah Ta’ala that we’re making an effort by
praying just one of each Salah a day, we will be forgiven for missing them.
Try to pray at least one of each after every Salah. However, avoid praying them in front of others—
especially after Fajr and ‘Asr as these Salahs have no Sunnah prayers afterwards, and it will be obvious
to others that you’re praying Qada. Revealing your sins of missing past Salahs is also a sin!
RECITING THE NOBLE
QUR’AN
C
The Noble Qur’an is Allah Ta’ala’s word and His message to mankind. It’s His instructions for
us on how we need to live our lives in a way that both pleases Him and keeps us safe in
both worlds. It’s His directions on how we can reach heaven easily and avoid the pitfalls of
the Shaytan, this world and our desires.
The Noble Qur’an is vital to connect with Allah Ta’ala outside of the month of Ramadan
already, and in the month of Ramadan, it’s indispensable. Allah Ta’ala Himself talks about
the connection between Ramadan and the Noble Qur’an, showing us the importance of
pairing the two.
The Noble Qur’an has many rights over us. We need to:
• Read it correctly and regularly
• Memorise the necessary parts of it
• Understand its meanings
• Reflect over its meanings and verses
• Act upon its teachings
In the month of Ramadan, we should be trying to do all of the above five things throughout
the entire month.
The First Right of the Noble Qur’an: Recitation
Firstly, we need to recite it as much as possible and as often as possible, and for this, targets are a
must. However, what’s important is not how much we read, but how often and how many hours of our
day go into it. There are people who can read an entire Juz in fifteen minutes, though some only
manage it in an hour. However, we should be ambitious and try to complete at least one entire
recitation within the month.
If we haven’t recited much in the past, we should set ourselves an easier target of reading just one Juz
daily. We should calculate how long it takes for us to recite one Juz, and divide that time throughout
the day. For example, if it takes us an hour to read one Juz, we can read fifteen minutes at four points
throughout the day.
One trick is reaching the Masjid ten minutes early before Salahs and staying behind ten minutes after
Salah too. This should be enough time for a person to read at least 1 hour and 40 minutes of reading a
day. Reading in the Masjid will be easier for most people, especially with the environment of everyone
reading together.
See the table on the next page to figure out how long you need to read daily to achieve the number
of Khatms (complete recitations) of the Noble Qur’an you want to achieve. The key is setting a target
and making a plan of when you’ll be reciting to reach the required daily praying time. If we had a
target last year, we should be trying to improve the target for this year. Note that in the table, the
maximum amount of time displayed is around three hours of daily recitation, though you can always
pray more. If you’re really ambitious, you can aim to complete the entire Noble Qur’an in just one day!
If you can read one Juz in twenty minutes, it takes ten hours of reading time!
 Number of Khatms you want to achieve

Time taken to
1 2 3 4 5 7 10
read one Juz

20 minutes 20 mins 40 mins 1 hour 1h 20m 1h 40m 2 hours 3h 20m

25 minutes 25 mins 50 mins 1h 15m 1h 40m 2h 5m 2h 55m -

30 minutes 30 mins 1 hour 1h 30m 2 hours 2h 30m - -

35 minutes 35 min 1h 10m 1h 45m 2h 20m - - -

40 minutes 40 min 1h 20m 2 hours 2h 40m - - -

45 minutes 45 mins 1h 30m 2h 15m - - - -

1 hour 1 hour 2 hours 3 hours - - - -

Along with reciting the Noble Qur’an frequently, it can’t be stressed enough how
important it is to recite it correctly. Reciting it correctly requires you to pray it with the
following:
• The correct pronunciation of each letter (Makharij)
• With Tajwid rules
• Praying in a clear manner in which every is said properly without rushing
• Preferably in a melody
In fact, it’s more rewarding to read a smaller amount properly than rushing through a
larger amount. Therefore, choose the time it takes you to read one Juz in the previous
table based on how long it would take if you were to read it clearly.
If you haven’t yet learnt Tajwid, or your Makharij are not up to scratch, you should take
this month to learn from qualified teachers. Ask your local Imam and Masjid leaders to
organise lessons, as there will most definitely be others in the same position. It’s the
Masjid officials’ duty to ensure there is some sort of service available, even if it means
it’s a paid service.
Along with reading the Khatm amount daily, we should also add the following Surahs
into our reading schedule:
• Surah Yasin – 22nd Juz – to be prayed in the morning
• Surah Mulk – 29th Juz – to be prayed at any time in the night
• Surah Waqi’ah – 27th Juz – to be prayed at any time in the night
• Surah Alif Lam Mim Sajdah – 21st Juz – to be prayed at any time in the night
• Surah Kahf – 15th Juz – to be prayed at any time from the Maghrib of Thursday to
before the Maghrib of Friday.
• Surah Dukhan – 25th Juz – to be prayed at any time from the Maghrib of Thursday
some time in the night before the Fajr of Friday.
As mentioned earlier, all of this will require a timetable if you want to effectively
manage your time!
The Second Right of the Noble Qur’an – Memorisation
It’s compulsory on every Muslim to memorise enough of the Noble Qur’an that allows them to pray
their Salah correctly. However, we should always be trying to store more of Allah Ta’ala’s words in our
hearts and not be content with just the last few Surahs.
Here is a list of the different parts of the Noble Qur’an we should aim to memorise in order of priority:
1. A small portion of the 30th Juz (Surah Fil – Surah Nas)
2. A large portion of the 30th Juz (Surah Duha – Surah Nas)
3. Surah Yasin
4. Surah Mulk
5. Surah Waqi’ah
6. Surah Alif Lam Mim Sajdah
7. The entire 30th Juz
8. Beginning Hifz from the 1st Juz
We should set aside at least half an hour a day for memorisation and going over what we have
already memorised. Ideally, consult a scholar for a more detailed plan and help on memorisation. If
we are already a Hafiz of the Noble Qur’an, we should try to recite at least three Juz daily for revision
(Dor).
The Third Right of the Noble Qur’an – Understanding its Meanings
Reciting the Noble Qur’an is indeed a noble task, but a Muslim shouldn’t become stagnant and
believe that recitation is sufficient for them. Every Muslim should yearn to understand the Noble Qur’an
and the words of Allah Ta’ala. Though knowing the Arabic of the Noble Qur’an would have been
ideal, it may not be practical for all Muslims to take time out to learn it unfortunately.
However, they should still try to sit in gatherings in which the meanings of the Noble Qur’an are taught,
whether it’s a small course being offered online or in person, or there’s a gathering in your local Masjid,
or there’s a book on the meanings written by a reliable scholar, or even Youtube lectures of a qualified
speaker. Before choosing the book or listening to online lectures, consult your local Imam for any
recommendations. However, the best and most beneficial method is sitting in a gathering yourself and
hearing it live from the scholar, just as it was meant to be and has been learnt since the time of the
Messenger of Allah ‫ﷺ‬.
The Fourth Right of the Noble Qur’an – Reflecting over its Meanings
The Noble Qur’an has clear straightforward messages, but those who ponder over them will realise
their depths and take their intended effects. By sitting in gatherings like above, you’ll get a chance to
ponder over the meanings already with a qualified scholar, but reminding yourself of the verses when
alone may be helpful otherwise, especially the verses that ask you to observe things, such as the
intricacies of the creation of Allah Ta’ala, how Allah Ta’ala has absolute power and control, the traits
of our human nature, amongst other things. The more we contemplate over the Noble Qur’an, the
more we will understand Allah Ta’ala and what He expects from us. We just have to be careful not to
try and take out meanings ourselves unless we have studied it with qualified scholars first.
The Fifth Right of the Noble Qur’an – Acting Upon It
After learning the meanings and teachings of the Noble Qur’an, it should become easier to know
what it expects from us. Now is the real test: whenever we remember something we have learnt,
whether from previous knowledge, or from a new lesson, we must try to bring it into our lives.
For example, if we learn about the importance of spending in charity, we should spend at least a little
bit that moment. If we learn the importance of avoiding thinking ill of others, we should try to stop at
that very moment. If we learn about human character flaws, such as pride, greed etc. we should
check within ourselves whether we are suffering from these flaws and try to eradicate them. Only by
this introspection and self-examination will we be able to fully act on the Noble Qur’an.
This was really the main purpose of the Noble Qur’an: to change us into better human beings.
 DHIKR AND GENERAL
REMEMBRANCE OF ALLAH
C

TA’ALA
We learnt earlier that every moment of the month of Ramadan is priceless and it’s even possible that
one second is more valuable than all of the seconds out of Ramadan.
For this reason, we have to always engage ourselves in some sort of beneficial activity for the sake of
Allah Ta’ala, whether it’s physical worship, such as Salah or verbal worship, such as recitation.
One great way to make the most of Ramadan is remembering Allah Ta’ala through the Dhikr we have
been taught in the Noble Qur’an and the Hadith.
Dhikr literally means “remembering Allah Ta’ala” and it can be through many ways, whether it’s
making Du’a, praying certain phrases of Dhikr or even thinking and talking about Him. The key is to
bring Him to the front of your mind as much as possible. Not only will this be rewarding, but it will
distract yourself from thoughts of committing sins. It will create a bond between you and Allah Ta’ala.
There are many ways to remember Allah throughout your day:
• You can recite the phrase we learnt earlier:
There is no God besides Allah. I seek Allah’s ‫هللا اللهُ ذم ا ِ ْن‬ ُ ‫ََل ا َ ََل ا ذَل ذ‬
َ ‫اَّلل َأ ْس َت ْغ ِِ ُر‬
forgiveness. O’ Allah, I ask you for Jannah ِ ِ ِ
and I ask for your protection from the Fire.
‫ُ الْ َجنذ َة َو َأ ُع ْو ُذ ب ََِ ِم َن النذار‬َ ُ ََ ‫َأ ْس‬
• We can also pray the First Kalimah frequently

There is no God besides Allah. ُ ‫ََل ا َ ََل ا ذَل ذ‬

‫اَّلل‬
ِ ِ
• We can also pray the Third Kalimah frequently

Pure is Allah, and all praise belongs to Him. ‫هللا َوالْ َح ْمتُ ِ َِّلل َو ََل اا ََل ا ذَل‬
ِ ‫ُس ْب َح َان‬
There is no God besides Allah. Allah is the ِ
greatest. There is no power and no strength ‫هللا َأ ْك َ ُْب َو ََل َح ْو َل َو ََل قُ ذو َة ا ذَل‬
ُ ‫هللا َو‬ ُ
but with Allah, the High, the Great. ِ
‫ًِب ِهلل الْ َع ِ ِِل الْ َع ِظ ْمي‬
• We can do Istigfar and ask for forgiveness using the simple phrase “Astagfiru’Llah”, or the more
comprehensive phrase:
I seek the forgiveness of Allah, my Lord, for
every sin and I turn in repentance to Him.
‫ُك َذنْب َو َأَُ ْو ُب ال َ ْي ِه‬
ِ ُ ‫هللا َر ِ ّْب ِم ْن‬
َ ‫َأ ْس َت ْغ ِِ ُر‬
ِ
For the last three phrases (the First Kalimah, the Third Kalimah and Istigfar) we should set for ourselves
daily targets, whether it’s reciting each one ten, twenty, fifty or preferably one hundred times daily.
A target of one hundred would be ideal to begin with. Though the Third Kalimah may take longer, the
other two will not take more than five minutes each. However, the effect and reward of reciting these
will be huge.
Scholars also recommend to us to remember the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬throughout this month by
praying Salawat upon Him. There are countless benefits of reciting Salawat upon Him, with one
important one being that Allah Ta’ala will be pleased with us. We also owe it to the Messenger of Allah
‫ ﷺ‬for being the means of guiding us. In fact, more or less everything in this presentation we have learnt
so far has been from his teachings! This is why we should thank him by sending Salawat upon him daily.
There are many phrases you can choose, such as the simple:
May Allah send blessings and peace upon him ‫هللا َلَ ْي ِه َو َس ذّل‬
ُ ‫َف ذَل‬
Another short one is the one below. It’s more rewarding to use this phrase as it was one of the phrases
instructed to us by the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬to use :

May Allah send blessings upon the unlettered prophet ‫هللا َ ََل النذ ِ ِب ْ ُاِل ِم ِي‬
ُ ‫َو َف ذَل‬
However, we can derive from the Hadiths that the best phrase for Salawat we can recite, is the
Salawat Ibrahim, the one we recite in Salah after Tashahhud. Though it’s lengthy, we should recite it
once in a while at least.
We should aim to recite Salawat three hundred times a day. It would take less than five minutes in total
if we use the above short phrases!
One highly effective way to constantly remember Allah Ta’ala—and in a way that would be relevant
to our lives too—is praying the Sunnah Du’as we have been taught by His Messenger ‫ﷺ‬. There is more
or less a Du’a for every occasion. We may have learnt many of them from before in Madrasah, but
there are many books available with Du’as for their different occasions. Consult your local Imam or
scholar for recommendations on which books you could use.
However, the following Du’as will be the ones we use most frequently throughout our days, and we
should make a point of reciting them with their meanings in mind. We can even print them out and
stick them at their relevant points to remind us!

“Inna li’Llah…” at
Waking up Saying In Sha Allah Entering the Masjid Replying to Adhan
bad moments
Entering the Entering the
Going to sleep Leaving the Masjid After Adhan
washroom market / shopping
Leaving the Ma Sha Allah at
Before eating Getting dressed After sneezing
washroom good things
Al-Hamduli’Llah at
After eating Leaving home Breaking fast Travelling
achievements
Saying Jazaka’Llah Subhana’Llah Starting things When ascending /
Entering home
Khayran when surprised with Bismi’Llah descending
DU’A
C
Allah Ta’ala talks about fasting and Ramadan in Surah al-Baqarah. In the middle of this discussion,
Allah Ta’ala mentions a very interesting verse:
If my servant asks you (O’ Muhammmad)
about Me, then I (say) I am indeed near. I
ٌ ‫َوا َذا َسأَ َ ََّل ِع َبا ِدي َع ِن فَا ِن قَ ِر‬
‫يب‬
answer those who call whenever they call me.
ِ ِ
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:186) ‫يب َد ْع َو َة الذ اعِ ا َذا َد َ ِان‬
ُ ‫ُأ ِج‬
ِ
The scholars explain that the significance of adding this verse in the middle of the discussion of
Ramadan is to signify how Ramadan is the month of calling Allah Ta’ala and making Du’a to Him as
much as possible. It’s the best time to ask for what we want.
From the verse, we learn that Allah Ta’ala does hear us whenever we call Him and He does indeed
respond. Though we don’t see the response, He definitely does answer and grant us something,
though it may not be what we asked for, but what’s best for us. He knows what would benefit us more:
whether we get what we asked for, or whether He gives us something else which is better for us.
Therefore, our job is to keep asking throughout Ramadan for any needs we have, without expecting
that we will get exactly what we ask for, but with the hope that we will surely get the best for asking.
When making Du’a, there are specific times we should choose to ask and etiquettes we should follow.
As for the times that are best to ask:
• After the Fard Salahs
• After acts of worship
• At Suhur time
• After praying Tahajjud especially
• Just before breaking your fast
• Whenever you feel the difficulty of fasting
• Whenever you experience a difficulty or need something
• Between the Adhan and Iqamah of every Salah
• In the Sajdah of Sunnah and Nafl Salahs (though the Du’as should be said using the Sunnah Du’as or
verses of the Noble Qur’an)
As for the etiquettes of making Du’as:
• Be in the state of Wudu
• Do an act of worship first, such as Nafl Salah, recitation of the Noble Qur’an, sending Salawat upon
the Messenger of Allah ‫ﷺ‬, doing Dhikr of any kind, giving some money into charity etc.
• Sit in the Tashahhud position ideally and facing the Qiblah
• Raise your hands so that the palms are facing towards you and slightly upwards. Keep your hands in
line with your chest and with a slight gap between your hands with your fingers in a natural position
• Begin by praising Allah Ta’ala first with whichever phrases you know, even if it’s Surah al-Fatihah!
• Follow this with Salawat upon His Messenger ‫ ﷺ‬using whichever phrases you prefer
• Ask for forgiveness using verses of the Noble Qur’an or other phrases from the Hadiths
• And now ask for your needs. As mentioned earlier, ask for yourself, your family, your education, your
career, anything you need help with, pray for heaven, for salvation from hell, pray for those who are
sick and those who have gone, pray for your teachers, and pray for Allah Ta’ala to accept your fast
and Ramadan, and to allow you to continue your change beyond Ramadan.
• When you finish, send Salawat upon the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬again and end with the following:

‫ُس ْب َح َان َرب ََِ َر ِب الْ ِع ذز ِة َ ذَعا ي َ ِص ُِ ْون َو َس ََل ٌم َ ََل الْ ُم ْر َس ِلي َوالْ َح ْمتُ ِ ذ َِّلل َر ِب الْ َعال َ ِمي َوأ ِخ ُر َد ْع َوانَ َأ ِن‬
ِ ِ ‫الْ َح ْمتُ ِ َِّلل َر ِب الْ َعال َ ِم ْي ِب َر ْ َح ِت ََ ََي َأ ْر َح َم ذالر‬
‫اج ْي أ ِم ْي‬
• And then pass your hands over your face.
• Du’as are also more readily accepted if you shed some tears, even if you have to pretend to cry.
Allah Ta’ala is Merciful and even shows mercy to someone who pretends to cry.
Another effective way to making Du’a is reading collections of Sunnah Du’as that have been
gathered for daily reading. By reading these collections, you’ll not only be asking for essential things
that Nabi ‫ ﷺ‬regularly asked for, but you won’t have to memorise or remember anything for specific
times—all you have to do is open the book and read!
There are many famous collections, from which two popular ones are:
• Al-Hizbu ‘l-A’zam – A lengthy collection of Sunnah Du’as divided into seven sections to be recited
over seven days
• Munajat Maqbul – An abridgement of the above collection of Du’as, still divided into seven sections
for reading over seven days
You’ll also find smaller collections of Du’as that can be read every morning and evening. These are
mainly for asking for protection and ease throughout your day. For recommendations, ask your local
Imam or scholar.
CHARITY
C
Ramadan is a month of earning rewards, and one quick yet highly effective way to earn reward
is by giving money into charitable avenues.
We have to always remind ourselves that our money is not truly our own. Allah Ta’ala has given it
to us to see how we spend iy. We’re fortunate that He hasn’t prohibited us from spending it on
ourselves, our comfort and our wishes. However, we should feel it’s our duty to give back at least
a small amount.
Firstly Zakah is a form of charity. Zakah is giving 2.5% of your total “Zakatable” wealth after a year
has passed after having owned the minimum amount of wealth required for someone to have to
pay Zakah.
For example, if the amount of wealth you need to have to be liable to pay Zakah is £300, and
you have just gathered a total of £300 on the 1st of Ramadan (it has to be calculated using
Islamic dates and not the Gregorian calendar dates), then after a whole year, on the 1st of
Ramadan next year, you will have to give 2.5% of your total income at that moment.
However, if someone gathered the required total of £300 on another date of the year, such as
the 1st of Muharram, must give Zakah ideally on 1st of Muharram next year. They shouldn’t be
waiting for the Ramadan of that next year to discharge their Zakah. By delaying it to Ramadan,
the calculations may become incorrect and they may be paying less than what they were
supposed to.
This is why it’s wrong for people to just “choose” the month of Ramadan for calculating their
Zakah date, but they’re supposed to find out the exact Islamic date, or at least approximate,
when they began holding the minimum amount of wealth for Zakah to be necessary.
Another scenario we see is that a person correctly knows their Zakah date but it’s out of
Ramadan, and they calculate their Zakah value correctly too, however, they delay giving the
actual Zakah money until Ramadan starts, as they feel they will receive more reward. Though this
is technically valid, it too is a problem.
Though their eagerness to gain reward is praiseworthy, Zakah money should be given
immediately so that the poor recipients can benefit from the money sooner. Leaving it late is
tantamount to forcing people to starve for a few more months just so that you can gain more
reward! Therefore, Zakah should ideally be given as soon as its due date arrives.
As for giving other forms of charity in the month of Ramadan, we have many Hadiths that point
to its importance, along with the Hadiths mentioned before:
The Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬was the most
charitable of people, and he was most
‫هللا َلَ ْي ِه َو َس ذ َّل َأ ْج َو َد‬
ُ ‫هللا َف ذَل‬ ِ ‫ول‬ ُ ‫ََك َن َر ُس‬
generous in Ramadan (Ahmad)
‫ون ِِف َر َمضَ َان‬ ُ ‫ َو ََك َن َأ ْج َو َد َما يَ ُك‬،‫النذ ِاس ًِبلْ َخ ْ ِْي‬
Whoever gives Iftar food to a person who
fasts, or prepares a warrior for battle, he will
‫ه‬ِ ‫ر‬
ِ ‫ج‬ ْ َ
‫أ‬ ‫ل‬ُ ْ ‫ث‬‫م‬ِ ‫ل‬ُ َ َ ‫ف‬ ‫َي‬
ً ‫از‬
ِ َ ‫غ‬ ‫ز‬
َ ‫ذ‬
‫ج‬ َ ‫و‬
ْ َ
‫أ‬ ،‫ا‬ ‫م‬
ً ِ ‫َم ْن فَ ذُ َر َفائ‬
have the same reward as them. (Bayhaqi(

Not only are rewards multiplied in the month of Ramadan, but there are more opportunities to
give to the poor too, as more people will be fasting and require food for Iftar.
Here are some ideas you can consider:
• Donate a large amount for Iftar food for people around the world using charities and online
payment. Specifically choose the Iftar option so that the money is used solely for that and so
that you get the reward of their fasts too!
• Donate an amount to Masajid if they buy Iftar for the Musallis to break their fasts with.
• Donate a fixed amount daily using websites that have systems allowing you to automatically
donate an amount a day, such as £1, £5 etc.
• Personally donate every night into a charity, so that you can get the reward of spending in
Laylatu ‘l-Qadr, even if it’s £1.
• Give money locally too, to local Zakah projects, your local Masajid, especially those that need
funds for refurbishments and paying debts.
• Give money to local Madaris and Islamic institutes. Try to see if there’s something specific they
need or would benefit from and donate it, such as a broken window, carpets, books etc.
• Give money for orphans, widows, teachers, students, water pumps and wells, medical care,
and disaster-stricken places etc. Be diverse rather than just selecting “most needy”!
• Donate to build Masajid abroad—not only are there less Masajid in some parts of the world, but
they may be cheaper to build too! However, always remember local ones are important too
and local ones will always cost more, as they will need to match local buildings.
• Be careful of giving money into money boxes—find out how often they are emptied and used,
so that your money doesn’t just lie around for the whole Ramadan but is used up! It may be a
good idea to donate online to avoid this.
• Send money with reliable people abroad where you know there’s a genuine need. Be careful
of door-to-door charity collectors! They’re not all genuine!
• Buy gifts for family, friends, neighbours and co-workers. Send food to their houses too. If you
have Non-Muslim neighbours, make a point of sending with the food a card that informs them
of the purpose of Ramadan and how Islam emphasises good relations with neighbours, or any
other relevant morals.
• Set yourself a large target of how much you want to give in the whole month, and make sure
it’s spent. Set it aside from the first day so that you don’t have second thoughts afterwards.
• Encourage your children to donate too by giving them an amount and either asking them to
put it into a jar daily, or letting them choose where they want to give it.
SUNNAH ACTS
C
Allah Ta’ala sent His Messenger ‫ ﷺ‬to show us how best to live our lives. It’s a given fact then that
the best way to please Allah Ta’ala would be to live a life as close to the Sunnah as possible.
In Ramadan and beyond, we should try to adopt the Sunnah life in as many ways as we can.
Here are a few ideas:
• Praying the Sunnah Mu’akkadah and Ghayr Mu’akkadah Salahs
• Reading the Sunnah Du’as at their prescribed time
• Wearing clothes that resemble the Sunnah, such as the hat (topi), the thobe (jubbah, kafni
etc.), the ‘Imamah, khuffayn etc.
• For me, the growing of the beard, and for women, wearing appropriate clothing that covers
• Doing good and clean things with the right hand, and things that require cleaning with the left
• Giving and taking things with the right hand
• Entering the home, Masjid, washroom and even vehicles with the correct foot first and leaving
with the correct foot first.
• Using the Miswak
• Being kind, gentle and forgiving to others
• Helping others out, whether it’s chores around the house, or helping a person in difficulty
PREPARING FOR
RAMADAN
C
Since there’s a lot that needs to be done this Ramadan, you’ll need to ensure you’re as free as
possible.
Firstly, recite the Sunnah Du’a in the two months before Ramadan, Rajab and Sha’ban. The Du’a
below will allow you to ask Allah Ta’ala to help you prepare to make the most out of Ramadan:

O’ Allah, give us blessings in Rajab and

Sha’ban, and allow us to reach Ramadan.
‫اللذهُ ذم ًَب ِركْ لَنَا ِِف َر َجب َو َش ْع َب َان َوب َ ِل ْغنَا َر َمضَ َان‬
(Musnad Bazzar)

As for any preparation that needs to be made for the Ramadan itself, such as any frozen Iftar
foods, it should be done before the month starts. It’s unfair on mothers and sisters for them to be
expected to cook as much as in Ramadan. Though its rewarding, they may be (and should be)
aspirant of spending more time in worship too, which won’t be possible if they have to spend
hours cooking.
Rather, food can even be ordered from outside. In the past, scholars would give the females of
their house more time to engage themselves in worship and have the food ordered instead, just
so that their families don’t miss out on the irreplaceable moments of worship.
Lastly, we need to give up any hobbies that are either futile, distracting or harmful for our
spirituality. If we’re in the habit of watching movies, listening to music, keeping up with TV shows,
then these must be left immediately and long before the month begins.
However, if we have other pastimes, such as playing video games, binging on YouTube videos,
or even reading novels, we have to stop these too, even if it’s just for a month. All of the above
may not have spiritual benefit, nor may they give us any reward in the hereafter.
Similarly, we may be engrossed in social media, receiving notifications from groups and
subscriptions that we can do without in the month of Ramadan. We can pause and mute these
for at least one month, and resume after Ramadan if we must, just so that there are no
distractions this month.
Plus, in order to make time for the timetable we have in mind, we won’t have enough space
unless we leave these habits, even if it’s for just a month. If we can give ourselves a busy
schedule, we won’t feel idle and therefore tempted to do any of the above. It’s all about
planning and being prepared.
By leaving these habits before Ramadan begins, we can start Ramadan in a higher gear rather
than crawling in on first gear.
MAKING A
TIMETABLE
C
After reading all of the previous slides, it will become clear that there is definitely a lot we can do and
need to do. It won’t be possible for us to do all of this effectively unless we have a routine. To create a
routine, we need to make a timetable for everyday.
Ideally, as mentioned early, it would be best to have the entire month off. However, not all workplaces
will allow this, and state schools would never permit it. Therefore, we must build our timetables around
our day to day activities and pray for the complete reward.
When making a timetable, you’d need to be realistic. Don’t give yourself too much to do. At the same
time, we should be ambitious and give ourselves enough to challenge ourselves and keep us busy.
Think of the following when building your timetable:
• When would you sleep, and how many hours would you need?
• Will you be sleeping before Suhur after Tarawih, or will you be sleeping after Fajr only?
• Will you nap at any moment? If so, how long would you need?
• What will be your usual hours of work or education? When exactly would you leave home and
return?
• Can you pray any of the required things in your breaks at work and school? Or on the way there and
back?
• What times are the Salahs in your local Masjid and how long would it take from the moment you
leave the house to the time you return? Consider that it may take five minutes to get ready.
• Will you be praying anything in the Masjid? If so, any additional Salahs, recitation or Dhikr?
• Which additional acts of worship are you going to do throughout your day? How much of each are
you going to do and when would be the best time? How long will each take?
• Is your timetable going to change on the weekends? (ideally it should be the same each day so that
it’s easier to follow and get into a routine)
• Is it going to change in the last ten days at all?
• Are you planning on doing I’itikaf?
• When will you be having your Iftar and Suhur?
• When will you need to do chores? Do you need to do cooking, cleaning etc.?
• Make some time to sit down with your family if it’s a usual part of your family life.
• When would you have your baths and showers?
• If you have any homework, or office work, when will you do it?
Show your timetable to a scholar and they may be able to guide you further on how to improve it.
EID DAY
C
THE NIGHT BEFORE EID
C
The night before Eid has been called the Laylatu ‘l-Ja’izah, which means the night of the reward.
It’s a night in which we show gratitude to Allah Ta’ala for making it easier for us to fast, pray and
be better Muslims overall. To show this gratitude, we continue the worship we had been doing
until now to maintain the good routine we have built up in Ramadan.
Sadly, the night is taken in a different light nowadays. It’s treated as a night to signal a holiday
from Ramadan, a night in which restrictions are lifted and we no longer have to remember Allah
Ta’ala.
In this night, a large proportion of Muslim families spend the night in either celebrating,
decorating the house, or preparing food for Eid day. Rarely will you see people realising the
importance of this night and spending it in worship like they would do in the preceding nights.
We should continue to show our devotion to Allah Ta’ala in this night too, and show that
Ramadan has passed but our loyalty towards Him hasn’t.
IMPORTANT ASPECTS
OF EID
C
Sadaqtu ‘l-Fitr
Before Eid Salah, it’s compulsory upon families in which the parents have enough wealth to give
Zakah to give Sadaqatu ‘l-Fitr. The parent has to give it for each child too, and can give it on
behalf of their spouse too.
The money is used to give to the poor so that they too can enjoy the festivities of Eid.
Unfortunately, if we give the money on Eid day, it will be impossible for them to receive it. This is
why we should give it much in advance before Eid so that those responsible for collecting and
distributing it can have it given to the poor in time for their Eid day.
The amount of money to be given per person varies every year depending on the prices of the
items the calculation is based on. This is why it’s important to make sure you check each year
what the amount “per head” is.
However, the best method for calculating is using local market values, which some websites
calculate for you. Speak to your local Imam or scholar for more information on how it’s
calculated for your area.
You’ll also notice that there are several possible amounts, though people tend to choose the
lowest value (around £2 to £3 per person) in comparison to potentially £15 per person. We
shouldn’t let the generosity of Ramadan leave so early and we should opt for the highest or at
least the moderate amount per person.
Eid Salah
The Eid prayer is usually held in a specially designated area for Eid Salah every year, or in a large Masjid if the
area is not available. Though the Salah should be ideally prayed early morning after the sun has risen, some
Masjids may delay it for the convenience of their Musallis.
Before going for the Eid Salah for Eidu ‘l-Fitr (the one after Ramadan), it’s Sunnah to eat something light
before you go, such as dates, to symbolise that today is not a day of fasting. For Eidu ‘l-Adha, you should go
without having anything to eat in the morning so that the first thing you eat is Qurbani/Udhiyyah meat ideally,
though it may be difficult to make it the first thing you eat nowadays!
Wear your best clothes, even if they aren’t new, and ensure you’ve had a Ghusl in the morning. Apply
perfume too, and groom yourself as you would on Jumu’ah.
Also, when going and coming back from the Salah, choose a different route for both journeys, as is the
Sunnah. Whilst walking there and back, repeat the Takbir of Tashriq saying:

‫هللا َأ ْك َْب َا ُهلل َأ ْك َْب َو ِ ذ َِّلل الْ َح ْمت‬ ُ ‫َا ُهلل َأ ْك َْب َا ُهلل َأ ْك َْب ََل ا َ ََل ا ذَل‬
ُ ‫هللا َو‬
As for the Salah, it consist of two parts:
ِ ِ
• Two Raka’ahs of Wajib Salah in which we say Allahu Akbar whilst raising our hands an additional six times
compared to the usual Salah we pray
• The Imam then delivers two Khutbahs as he does for Jumu’ah, sitting between the two with a short gap.
As for the six additional Takbirs:
As for the first three, as Salah begins and everyone has prayed their Thana, the Imam will say the
Takbir three times, and everyone will raise their hands as usual for each one. After the third is said,
everyone will fold their hands again and the Imam will begin reciting Surah Fatihah.
As for the other three, in the second Rak’ah, just before the Imam is about to go into Ruku’, he
will say the Takbir three extra times again, and for each one, everyone will raise their hands as
usual. After all three are said, the Imam will say a fourth, but this will be the usual Takbir to go into
Ruku’.
Thereafter the Salah will continue as usual, and the Imam will say Salam at the end to finish the
Salah.
After this, the Imam will stand on top of the Mimbar (pulpit) as he does in Jumu’ah Salah and say
two Khutbahs. Once he finishes, the Eid Salah is over and everyone makes their way home. It’s
important to sit for the Khutbah as it is part of the entire Salah, just as it’s important to sit for the
Khutbah for the Jumu’ah Salah.
One important aspect of Eid Salah is to avoid meeting others to hug and say “Eid Mubarak” in
the Masjid if possible. Although it’s a time to express happiness, it has become more of a custom
to do so, and many people actually feel offended if you don’t meet them in the Masjid! Plus, it’s
against the etiquettes of the Masjid to raise voices, and usually the greetings result in further
conversations.
As for the rest of the day of Eid, Muslims celebrate in various ways: some meet up with their
families, or gather at the grandparents’ house. Some have barbecues, whereas others hire halls.
Whichever is the custom, it is indeed a time to celebrate how Allah Ta’ala has given us the ability
to worship Him in the month of Ramadan.
However, amongst this thankfulness towards Allah Ta’ala we have to avoid doing anything that
disappoints Him. We have to avoid mixed gatherings, wherein cousin brothers and sisters may
intermingle, eat with one another and sit down together. Though families get together for Eid, it
would be a shame for us to immediately violate the laws of Allah Ta’ala so soon after spending a
month in pleasing Him.
Also, we should avoid going to Eid exhibitions in which there are mixed gatherings or music. They
have become common in some cultures, but Islam prohibits both. We need to also remind
ourselves that Eid is for thanking Allah Ta’ala and showing our happiness for the good deeds we
have done. It’s not a time to begin sinning again as the month of Ramadan is over.
AFTER RAMADAN
C
Once the day passes, you’ll notice the difference immediately sadly.
The aura of Ramadan won’t be there. You’ll feel the emptiness, and even Masjids will seem
emptier from the first day, from the Zuhr Salah of Eid day itself. The numbers coming for Fajr Salah
especially will dwindle since there is no fasting obligatory and therefore there’s no apparent
need to stay awake at Suhur and Fajr.
Brothers who were trying to grow beards may start trimming or shaving again. Sisters who were
covering themselves in their headscarves may remove them again. Many bad habits may return.
All of this could be due to the return of the Shayatin that were locked up, or it could be a sign
that our Ramadan wasn’t accepted by Allah Ta’ala for some reason.
Maybe we didn’t sincerely try our best, or we weren’t trying to please Allah Ta’ala and treated
fasting and other forms of worship as a burden. When Allah Ta’ala likes an action, He inspires us
to carry it on again. Or it could be that Allah Ta’ala was happy with our actions, but we were too
inclined on disobeying Him, and sacrificed the wonderful relation we had with Him for temporary
and selfish happiness. Whichever reason it is, it’s a sad ending to a beautiful month.
Islam promotes steadfastness and a constant fight against our desires and the Shayatin. In order
to encourage this, we had the month of Ramadan to help us get an edge over both. However,
after Ramadan it will be our duty to keep up our strength and find ways to continue the
momentum we had built up.
One way is by continuing as much of the Ramadan routine as possible. We should still fast whenever we can,
pray as much of the Noble Qur’an as possible, and stick to the Dhikr regimen we had made for ourselves.
In fact, the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬even recommended for us to fast any six days in the month of Shawwal to
keep this up:
The one who fasts the month of Ramadan, and ‫َم ْن َفا َم َر َمضَ َان ُ ذُث َأَْ َب َع ُه ِس تًّا ِم ْن‬
then follows it up with six fasts from Shawwal, it will
be as though he fasts the entire time. (Muslim) ‫ ََك َن َك ِص َيا ِم الذ ْه ِر‬،‫َش ذوال‬
Scholars explain that this reward is because thirty fasts of Ramadan, plus the additional six of Shawwal equals
to thirty six, and since Allah Ta’ala rewards all actions by tenfold at a minimum, we get the reward for 360
days of fasts, which is an entire year in the lunar Islamic calendar! So it’s as though we are fasting everyday.
We can also fast on Mondays and Thursdays, as is the Sunnah, and on the 13th, 14th and 15th of every month.
Lastly, we should continue meeting scholars and sitting in their gatherings, as their words will continue to
inspire us to become better. They will remind us of the spirit and courage we felt in Ramadan, and will help up
manage ourselves for the remaining year if we fall down until the next Ramadan comes.
Let us change this Ramadan for good, and not just for the month of Ramadan. If we were worshipping the
month of Ramadan, then it makes sense for us to stop our worship once Ramadan ends. But if we were
worshipping Allah Ta’ala, then He doesn’t go away after Ramadan—He’s there for the rest of the year too.
May Allah Ta’ala give us the ability to make this Ramadan the one that we change and improve ourselves for
good. Ameen.