Check Out Our List Of 13 Things To Do In Ramadan

Let’s get ready to return our hearts to Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (ﷺ) this Ramadan!

Set yourself an ambitious target of how much Qur'an you'll be reading, how many people you'll be feeding, and how many nights you'll wake for Tahajjud, the voluntary Night Prayer. In the month of blessings, Allah (SWT) makes it easier for us to do good deeds. And if that's not motivation enough to give our best, He doubles the rewards for every act of worship we perform and every bit of Sadaqah we offer. This is the month when sins are erased. Don't miss your chance to make the most of it. Check out our list of 13 things to do in Ramadan based on the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

1. Adopt Prophetic Eating Habits

During Ramadan, it is important to remember that moderation is the key to a healthy diet and to keep in line with the prophetic tradition. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that the best way to fill our stomachs is to have one-third of food, one-third for drink and one-third for air. Let's strive to keep this in mind as we enjoy the lavish iftar tables of Ramadan.

'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

Ramadan is a great opportunity to re-establish and reset our relationship with food by remembering those who are in need. We are all aware that many Sahabah and prophets could not bring themselves to eat unless they shared their meal with a poor person. Can you help us feed a poor cancer patient this Ramadan?

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

3. Dedicate Time to the Qur’an

This Ramadan, nourish your soul by dedicating your time to the Qur'an. Even if you're a slow Arabic reader, it's still possible to make the most of your mornings by setting aside some time before or after Fajr to read more than usual. If you don't understand Arabic, don't worry. Take advantage of the transliteration and translation tools available and make it easier to access the Qur'an from your phone.

'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 your Zakat

Did you know that Muslims in the past paid their Zakat before Ramadan so that the poor could spend the holy month without worrying? The Arabic word Zakat, which means ‘to cleanse’ or ‘that which purifies,’ is a mandatory act of worship that benefits the giver more than the receiver. To learn more about Zakat and its conditions in Islam, why not download our free Zakat Guide? It has all the answers to your frequently asked questions about Zakat.

'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 lots of Salawat

Reciting Salawat is a wonderful way to remember and connect with the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Not only do we have numerous hadiths about its benefits, but the Holy Qur’an also highlights its importance. Allah and His angels send their blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ), and so we should too! We can recite Salawat throughout the day, while we are engaged with other tasks. By doing this, we can show our love and gratitude for the Messenger (ﷺ) who was sent to us as a mercy to all mankind.

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 Others

Ramadan is a month of generosity and giving, and there are many ways to express this. Giving to charity in the form of Sadaqah will be rewarded in abundance. Additionally, extending an olive branch of reconciliation and forgiving your brother or sister is also a generous act that will surely bring reward.

8. Ask for Forgiveness

During Ramadan, Allah (SWT) gives us an amazing opportunity to seek forgiveness for our sins and increase our blessings by 70-fold. As the most compassionate and forgiving, Allah (SWT) is eager to grant us this chance for redemption so that we can start anew with a clean slate. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advised us to ask for 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. Be Generous

Ramadan is the month of selflessness, when we forgo food, drink, and even sleep to draw nearer to our Lord. But another way to gain the love of Allah (SWT) is through service to His servants. And there is no easier time to give willingly and generously than when your heart has been softened in the month of blessings. So, give what you can in whatever form, whether it’s Sadaqah for the needy, time with your family, or even a smile or a kind word to someone.

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

10. Give Fidyah

If you're unable to fast for a valid reason this year, don't worry, you can still fulfil your Ramadan obligations by giving Fidyah. Fidyah is a payment made to provide two daily meals for another in lieu of the fasts that you miss and cannot make up later. This way, you can still benefit from the blessings of Ramadan, even if you're unable to fast due to a long-term illness or old age.

Did you know we accept Fidyah donations to help provide hospital meals for our poorest patients? Many of them come to us malnourished, leaving them vulnerable to the adverse effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. Every £6 you donate for each fast you miss this month will make a real difference in the lives of those in our care.

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. Consider Observing I'tikaf

Why not 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)? Doing so will allow you to deeply reflect and dedicate your time to worship and remembrance of Allah (SWT).

'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. Do your Night Prayers

The voluntary Night Prayer, also known as Tahajjud, is a great opportunity to reap tremendous blessings, especially during the month of Ramadan. It is generally performed in the last third of the night, although you have the flexibility to pray it anytime between Isha and Fajr. Numerous hadiths speak of the excellence of the Night Prayer, so do consider taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

'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. Don't Forget to Pay your Fitrana

Zakat ul Fitr, also known as Fitrana, is a payment made at the end of Ramadan by every Muslim who can afford to feed another. It specifically aims to feed the needy during Eid, ensuring they can join in the blessings and abundance of the occasion.

The required quantity of Zakat ul Fitr, or Fitrana, was described by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) as one ‘saa’. The monetary equivalent of this today is £6 worth of staple food. The recommended amount of Zakat ul Fitr to be paid by each person is therefore around £6.

This Ramadan, we’re using your Fitrana donations to provide delicious, nutritious meals for our neediest patients. To ensure our meals are ready in time for Eid, please pay your Fitrana early rather than waiting until the last few days of Ramadan.

'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)