Check Out Our List Of 13 Things To Do In Ramadan

How can we reconnect our hearts to Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (ﷺ) during Ramadan?

In this blessed month, Allah (SWT) makes it easier to perform good deeds. It's an ideal time to set ambitious goals for reading the Qur'an, feeding those in need, and waking for Tahajjud, the voluntary Night Prayer. Here are 13 ways to make the most of Ramadan based on the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

1. Limit Food Portions

Moderation is the key to a healthy diet. While it is tempting to overindulge after a complete day of fasting, the Prophet (ﷺ) said that the best way to fill our stomachs is to have one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.

'O Nafi’! Don’t let this man enter my house, for I heard the Prophet saying: “A believer eats in one intestine [is satisfied with a little food], and a kafir [unbeliever] eats in seven intestines.”' (Bukhari)

2. Feed the Poor

We know that many Sahabah and prophets could not bring themselves to eat unless they shared their food with someone less fortunate. Follow their example and share Iftar with cancer patients in need for the next ten days or the entire month.

'Ibn ‘Umar never used to take his meal unless a poor man was called to eat with him [...]' (Bukhari)

3. Read the Qur’an

Our daily routines undergo significant changes during Ramadan, yet it is still possible to set ambitious targets for reading the Qur’an with a little planning. For example, slow Arabic readers can maximise their morning by setting aside extra time before or after Fajr to read more than usual. Non-Arabic readers can use transliteration and translation tools to access the Qur'an on their phones.

'The fast and the Qur'an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: “O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.” The Qur'an will say: “I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.” And their intercession will be accepted.' (Ahmad)

4. Pay Zakat

In the past, Muslims paid Zakat before Ramadan, ensuring the poor could spend the month without financial worry. The Zakat you pay with us during Ramadan extends this relief, providing 75% of our patients with free treatment throughout the year.

'Invite the people to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I am Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers in every day and night (in twenty-four hours), and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the Zakat from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor.' (Bukhari)

5. Recite Salawat

There are numerous hadiths about the benefits of reciting Salawat, and the Holy Qur’an also highlights its importance. The supplication can be made throughout the day, while engaging with other tasks.

Verily, God and His angels bless the Prophet: [hence,] “O you who have attained to faith, bless him and give yourselves up [to his guidance] in utter self-surrender!” (The Holy Qur’an 33:56)

6. Give Charity and Forgive Enemies

Ramadan is the month of giving, and there are many ways to express this. One way is through Sadaqah, which can be a kind word or smile, or a monetary gift to someone in need. We can also extend an olive branch to those who have wronged us. The rewards for doing both are immense during the month of blessings.

8. Seek Forgiveness

Allah (SWT) is compassionate and forgiving. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advised us to seek His forgiveness on the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr). On this special night, he encouraged us to pray in the following way:

'Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni.'

'O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me.’ (Bukhari)

9. Adopt a Spirit of Generosity

A great way to earn the love of Allah (SWT) is through service to His servants, and there’s no better time for this than when our hearts are softened during Ramadan. Generosity in all forms is encouraged, whether offering money to those in need, dedicating time to family and friends, or contributing more to our work or studies.

'The Messenger of Allah, (ﷺ) was the most generous of people and he was even more generous in Ramadan.' (Bukhari)

10. Pay Fidyah

Fidyah is compensation paid by those who have a legitimate reason for not fasting during Ramadan and who cannot make up the missed fasts later. We accept Fidyah for feeding cancer patients on our wards. Many of them arrive malnourished, leaving them vulnerable to the adverse effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.

Fast a certain number of days. So, whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. (The Holy Qur’an 2:184)

11. Observe I'tikaf in the Last 10 Days

Should circumstances allow, take a break from the world and observe I'tikaf (seclusion in the masjid) in the last ten days of Ramadan like our beloved Prophet (ﷺ).

'Aisha (RA) reported that when the last ten nights began Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) kept awake at night [for prayer and devotion], wakened his family, and prepared himself to observe prayer [with more vigour].' (Muslim)

12. Wake for the Night Prayer

Numerous hadiths speak of the excellence of the Night Prayer, or Tahajjud, during Ramadan. It is typically performed in the last third of the night, though there is flexibility to pray anytime between Isha and Fajr.

'Whoever stands in the night prayer during Ramadan out of faith and seeking his reward, then all of his previous sins will be forgiven.' (Bukhari)

13. Pay your Fitrana

At the end of Ramadan, every Muslim makes a special payment called Zakat ul Fitr, commonly known as Fitrana. It is used to make food provisions available to those in need during Eid, ensuring nobody is excluded from the blessings of the occasion. We accept Fitrana for feeding cancer patients in need at Shaukat Khanum Hospitals. The recommended minimum amount is around £6 per person this year.

'Allah's Apostle made it incumbent on all the slave or free Muslims, male or female, to pay one Sa' of dates or barley as Zakat ul-Fitr.' (Bukhari)