Ramadan Reimagined - The Purpose of Ramadan

Understand why we fast the Month of Patience; Blessings and Virtues of Ramadan

Sat Jan 31 2026

Tazkiyah is the essential process of spiritual purification aimed at curing diseases of the heart. Ramadan serves as a vital rehearsal for this transformation, using fasting and the Quran to build self-restraint, sincerity, and devotion to Allah.

Table of Contents

  • اللَّهُمَّ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ، رَبَّ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَمَلِيكَهُ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي، وَشَرِّ الشَّيْطَانِ وَشِرْكِهِ

  • أَمْسَيْنَا وَأَمْسَى الْمُلْكُ لِلَّهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ،
    رَبِّ نَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ مَا فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ، وَخَيْرَ مَا بَعْدَهَا، وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا فِي هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ، وَشَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهَا،
    رَبِّ نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْكَسَلِ، وَسُوءِ الْكِبَرِ، رَبِّ نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ فِي النَّارِ، وَعَذَابٍ فِي الْقَبْرِ.

Tazkiyah: Means to the Grand Objective

Musa commanded to purify the Pharaoh

  • ﴿هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ مُوسَىٰ ۝ إِذْ نَادَاهُ رَبُّهُ بِالْوَادِ الْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًى ۝ اذْهَبْ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُ طَغَىٰ ۝ فَقُلْ هَلْ لَكَ إِلَىٰ أَنْ تَزَكَّىٰ؟ ۝ وَأَهْدِيَكَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَتَخْشَىٰ؟ ۝
    فَأَرَاهُ الْآيَةَ الْكُبْرَىٰ ۝ فَكَذَّبَ وَعَصَىٰ ۝ ثُمَّ أَدْبَرَ يَسْعَىٰ ۝ فَحَشَرَ فَنَادَىٰ ۝ فَقَالَ أَنَا رَبُّكُمُ الْأَعْلَىٰ ۝ فَأَخَذَهُ اللَّهُ نَكَالَ الْآخِرَةِ وَالْأُولَىٰ ۝ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِمَنْ يَخْشَىٰ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ النـّازِعات ٧٩:١٥)

79:15 Has there reached you the story of Moses? - 16 When his Lord called to him in the sacred valley of Tuwa, 17 "Go to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed. 18 And say to him, 'Would you ˹be willing to˺ purify yourself? 19 And let me guide you to your Lord so you would fear ˹Him˺?'" 20 And he showed him the greatest sign, 21 But Pharaoh denied and disobeyed. 22 Then he turned his back, striving. 23 And he gathered ˹his people˺ and called out 24 And said, "I am your most exalted lord." 25 So Allah seized him in exemplary punishment for the last and the first ˹transgression˺. 26 Indeed in that is a warning for whoever would fear ˹Allah˺.

Dua of our father Ibrahim

  • ﴿رَبَّنَا وَابْعَثْ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ البَقَرَة ٢:١٢٩)

2:129 Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise."

The Disease: Heedlessness from Accountability

Human being have a tendency to fall back on the path of least resistance and fall into lowly desires.

The lower-self inclines one toward evil

  • ﴿… إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّي ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّي غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ يُوسُف ١٢:٥٣)

12:53 … Indeed, the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon which my Lord has mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Forgiving and Merciful."

Diseases of the heart

  • Ingratitude: Constant dissatisfaction with one’s circumstances or provisions.
  • Envy: Resenting the blessings or success of others.
  • Greed: Excessive desire for wealth, power, or possessions.
  • Malice: Desire to cause harm upon others.
  • Arrogance / Pride: Feeling superior to others and rejecting truth.
  • Bigotry: Intolerance toward differing opinions, beliefs, or groups.
  • Selfishness / Stinginess: Neglecting the needs of others for personal gain.
  • Self-praise / Attention-seeking: Craving admiration and validation.

Behavioral excesses

  • Impatience: Inability to endure difficulties or wait for good outcomes.
  • Complaint: Constant throwing of blame upon others.
  • Attachment to Worldly Life: Losing focus on eternal values and prioritizing worldly possessions and transient pleasures.
  • Gossip / Backbiting: Speaking ill of others in their absence.
  • Lying / Cheating: Deceiving others to protect self-interest or achieve goals.
  • Wrath / Anger: Uncontrolled rage leading to harmful actions or speech.
  • Indecency: Acting in ways that violate moral or social standards.
  • Shamelessness: Absence of modesty or regard for boundaries.
  • Lust: Excessive or inappropriate pursuit of sensual pleasures.
  • Discrimination: Marginalizing people based on race, religion, gender, or other characteristics.
  • Cruelty: Inflicting harm or suffering on others without justification.
  • Adultery: Having illegal sexual relations that corrodes multiple relationships.
  • Vile Character: General moral corruption and lack of integrity.

Sealing of the spiritual faculties

  • ﴿أَفَرَأَيْتَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُ هَوَاهُ، وَأَضَلَّهُ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ، وَخَتَمَ عَلَىٰ سَمْعِهِ وَقَلْبِهِ، وَجَعَلَ عَلَىٰ بَصَرِهِ غِشَاوَةً،
    فَمَنْ يَهْدِيهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ اللَّهِ ۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ الجاثِية ٤٥:٢٣)

45:23 Have you seen he who has taken as his god his ˹own˺ desire? and Allah has sent him astray knowingly and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?

Fate of the one who doesn't purify

79:37 So as for he who transgressed 38 And preferred the life of the world, 39 Then indeed, Hellfire will be ˹his˺ refuge. 40 But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from ˹unlawful˺ inclination, 41 Then indeed, Paradise will be ˹his˺ refuge.

Lowest of the Low

  • ﴿لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنْسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ ۝ ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَاهُ أَسْفَلَ سَافِلِينَ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ التـِّين ٩٥:٤)

95:4 We have certainly created man in the best of stature; 5 Then We return him to the lowest of the low

If ruin comes from the nafs, success lies in purifying it

  • The nafs naturally inclines toward ease and desire, leading to spiritual negligence without self-accountability
  • Inner diseases of the heart give rise to destructive behaviors and moral decay
  • Persistent indulgence in sin leads to spiritual blindness and sealed hearts
  • Neglecting purification results in preferring dunya over akhirah and ultimate loss

The Cure: Practice of Tazkiyah

Ruin follows the nafs while success follows its purification.

Success is through tazkiyah when we are given discernment

  • … ﴿وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا ۝ فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا ۝ قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا ۝ وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ دَسَّاهَا ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ الشــَّمْس ٩١:٧)

91:7 And ˹by˺ the soul and He who proportioned it 8 And inspired it ˹with discernment of˺ its wickedness and its righteousness, 9 He has succeeded who purifies it, 10 And he has failed who instills it ˹with corruption˺.

Purification is the Prophetic mission; Tazkiyah is prioritized from the dua of Ibrahim

  • ﴿هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِنْ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ الجُّمُعة ٦٢:٢)

62:2 It is He who has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom - although they were before in clear error

Ibn Umm Maktum comes for tazkiyah

  • ﴿عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ ۝ أَنْ جَاءَهُ الْأَعْمَىٰ ۝ وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّهُ يَزَّكَّىٰ ۝ أَوْ يَذَّكَّرُ فَتَنْفَعَهُ الذِّكْرَىٰ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ عَبَس ٨٠:١)

80:1 The Prophet frowned and turned away 2 Because there came to him the blind man, ˹interrupting˺. 3 But what would make you perceive, ˹O Muhammad˺, that perhaps he might be purified 4 Or be reminded and the remembrance would benefit him?

Tazkiyah from What Exactly?

The Relationship Framework

  • ﴿(١) وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ، (٢) وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ ۝ فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَىٰ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ النـّازِعات ٧٩:٤٠)

79:40 But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from ˹unlawful˺ inclination, 41 Then indeed, Paradise will be ˹his˺ refuge.

Allah has made all his laws around improving two relationships: (1) with Him, the Creator, and (2) with His Creation.

  1. The relationship with the Creator is best when the human being purifies himself from idolizing his own desires or false gods, focuses on the Hereafter instead of the dunya, and utilizes the dunya to earn His pleasure. This is the Action #1 of Ibadah.

  2. The relationship with the Creation is best when the human being purifies himself from his lowly animalistic and evil impulses (anger, jealousy, hatred, impatience, me, myself, and I, etc.), and brings his best self to deal with the Creation of Lord (people, animas, environment), and contributes positively to build and sustain a harm-free society. This is action #2 of Ibadah.

Hadith: A wise person controls his desires and strives for the Hereafter (Hasan)

  • «الْكَيِّسُ مَنْ دَانَ نَفْسَهُ وَعَمِلَ لِمَا بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ
    وَالْعَاجِزُ مَنْ أَتْبَعَ نَفْسَهُ هَوَاهَا وَتَمَنَّى عَلَى اللَّهِ» (الترمذي ٢٤٥٩ حسن)

from the Prophet ﷺ who said, "The wise person is the one who subdues his ˹lower desires˺ and strives toward what is after death. And the weak-˹minded˺ person (a fool) is the one who follows his desires yet holds hope in ˹a reward˺ Allah."

Objectives of Pillars of Islam

Reinforce the relationship framework

  • Salah

    • Reestablishes the relationship with Allah
    • Inspires good behavior with the Creation as we recite the Reminder in it

  • Zakah

    • Improves relationship with Allah by forgoing a piece of your dunya
    • Helps contribute to building up and helping the Creation

  • ⁠Hajj

    • Prepares us for the Journey to Allah by forgoing the dunya in true submission to Allah.

  • ⁠Fasting Ramadan

    • An annual rehearsal of improving both relationships, with the Creator and the Creation by cleansing the lower-self, both physically, ritually and spiritually.

Islam is not primarily about from or information, but about inner moral, spiritual, and outer ethical transformation.

Outcomes of the Tazkiyah

  • Muttaqi: Resisting heedlessness and inner evil. Become deeply aware of Allah and be accountable.
  • Shakir: Overcoming entitlement and complaint to live in gratitude through ease and hardship.
  • Sabir: Subduing panic, resentment, and haste to endure hardship with patience and purpose.
  • Dhakir: Fighting distraction and forgetfulness to remain constant in the remembrance of Allah and the Hereafter.
  • Mutasaddiq: Defeating selfishness and miserliness to actively serve the needs of the community.
  • Mukhlis: Struggling against ego and the love of praise to act purely for Allah ﷻ.
  • Rahim: Suppressing harshness and the urge for retaliation to embody mercy toward creation.
  • Adil: Resisting bias and self-interest to uphold justice even against oneself.

Nine qualities of believers

  • ﴿(١) التَّائِبُونَ، (٢) الْعَابِدُونَ، (٣) الْحَامِدُونَ، (٤) السَّائِحُونَ، (٥) الرَّاكِعُونَ، (٦) السَّاجِدُونَ، (٧) الْآمِرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ، (٨) وَالنَّاهُونَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ، (٩) وَالْحَافِظُونَ لِحُدُودِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ التوبَة ٩:١١٢)

9:112 ˹Such believers are˺ (1) the repentant, the worshippers, (2) the praisers ˹of Allah˺, (3) those who fast, (4) those who bow, and (5) prostrate ˹in prayer˺, (6) those who enjoin what is right, and (7) forbid what is wrong, and (8) those who observe the limits ˹set by˺ Allah. And give good tidings to the believers.

Ten Such Virtues in the Quran

  • ﴿إِنَّ (١) الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ، (٢) وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ، (٣) وَالْقَانِتِينَ وَالْقَانِتَاتِ، (٤) وَالصَّادِقِينَ وَالصَّادِقَاتِ، (٥) وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَالصَّابِرَاتِ، (٦) وَالْخَاشِعِينَ وَالْخَاشِعَاتِ، (٧) وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقَاتِ، (٨) وَالصَّائِمِينَ وَالصَّائِمَاتِ، (٩) وَالْحَافِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَالْحَافِظَاتِ، (١٠) وَالذَّاكِرِينَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا وَالذَّاكِرَاتِ: أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ الأحزَاب ٣٣:٣٥)

33:35 Indeed, (1) the men ˹in submission to Allah˺ and the women ˹in submission to Allah˺, (2) the believing men and believing women, (3) the obedient men and obedient women, (4) the truthful men and truthful women, (5) the patient men and patient women, (6) the humble men and humble women, (7) the charitable men and charitable women, (8) the fasting men and fasting women, (9) the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and (10) the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so: for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.

Curing the Spiritual Diseases

Ramadan gives us a model of how we need to live our lives

  • Success lies in purifying the soul, which is the core mission of the Prophets
  • Tazkiyah requires controlling desires and prioritizing the Hereafter over dunya
  • The two dimensions of ibadah on refining one’s relationship with Allah and with people
  • The pillars of Islam function as tools for inner moral and spiritual transformation
  • Purification produces enduring virtues such as taqwa, sincerity, patience, mercy, justice, and gratitude

The Training Ground: Ramadan

Objectives of Fasting and Ramadan

The annual clinic for the soul: fasting along with the Quran.

Ramadan trains to you protect yourself from your nafs and from the displeasure of Allah

  • ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ
    لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ البَقَرَة ٢:١٨٣)

2:183 O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you so that you may become God-conscious

1 Builds Self-Restraint

Hadith: Fasting is a fortified fortress

  • «الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ وَحِصْنٌ حَصِينٌ مِنَ النَّارِ» (أحمد ٩٢٢٥ صحيح)

Fasting is a shield and a well-fortified fortress ˹protecting˺ from the Hellfire.

Hadith: Reward for fasting is up to Allah for the servant restrains himself from his bodily desires

  • «الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ: فَلاَ يَرْفُثْ، وَلاَ يَجْهَلْ؛ وَإِنِ امْرُؤٌ قَاتَلَهُ أَوْ شَاتَمَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ: إِنِّي صَائِمٌ مَرَّتَيْنِ۔» (البخاري ١٨٩٤ متفق عليه)

Fasting is a shield: One must avoid sexual relations and not behave irrationally, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should say ˹to yourself˺, "I am fasting," twice.

2 Builds Sincerity

Hadith: Forgoing halal desires for the sake of Allah has immense rewards

  • «وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ:
    يَتْرُكُ طَعَامَهُ، وَشَرَابَهُ، وَشَهْوَتَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِي؛ الصِّيَامُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ وَالْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا.» (البخاري ١٨٩٤ متفق عليه)

By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times.

3 Builds Patience

Hadith: Fast the Month of Patience

  • «صُمْ شَهْرَ الصَّبْرِ … صُمْ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ» (أبو داود ٢٤٢٨ ضعيف)

Fast the month of patience (i.e. Ramadan), and … fast ˹up to˺ three days. ˹every month˺.

Hadith: Fasting is half of Patience

Fasting is half of patience

4 Cultivates Gratitude for Guidance

  • ﴿… يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ، وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ، وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ البَقَرَة ٢:١٨٥)

2:185 The month of Ramadan … Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and ˹wants˺ for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that ˹to˺ which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.

5 Strengthens the Din

Strengthens Iman

  1. Reinforces submission to Allah’s will
  2. Encourages resetting sincerity and purity of intention
  3. Cultivates awareness that Allah is always watching
  4. Reorients life around attaining Allah's pleasure: Mercy, Jannah
  5. Re-focuses goals on the Hereafter

Strengthens Islam

  1. Increases remembrance of Allah
  2. Deepens the connection with the Quran
  3. Strengthens prayer and consistency
  4. Gives a taste of the sweetness of night prayer
  5. Expands good deeds and discipline
  6. Encourages voluntary worship

Strengthens Ihsan / Tazkiyah

  1. Nourishes the soul over bodily desire
  2. Builds patience and gratitude
  3. Trains control over desires and impulses
  4. Exposes and disciplines the lower self
  5. Reduces attachment and excess
  6. Gives a taste of sweetness of solitude
  7. Decreases sinful behavior
  8. Refines character and conduct

The Secret Behind the Training

Hadith: Forgoing halal desires for the sake of Allah

  • «وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ:
    يَتْرُكُ طَعَامَهُ، وَشَرَابَهُ، وَشَهْوَتَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِي» (البخاري ١٨٩٤ متفق عليه)

By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times.

Medicine for the soul

  • فَالصَّوْمُ يُضَيِّقُ مَجَارِيَ ˺الشيطان˹ وَيَسُدُّ عَلَيْهِ طُرُقَهُ، وَالشِّبَعُ يَطْرُقُهَا وَيُوَسِّعُهَا، وَمَنْ أَكَلَ كَثِيرًا شَرِبَ كَثِيرًا، فَنَامَ كَثِيرًا، فَخَسِرَ كَثِيرًا، وَفِي الْحَدِيثِ الْمَشْهُورِ «مَا مَلَأَ آدَمِيٌّ وِعَاءً شَرًّا مِنْ بَطْنِهِ» (مدارج السالين لابن القيّم)

Fasting constricts the pathways of ˹Shaytan˺ and blocks his routes, whereas feeding desires opens and expands them. Whoever eats excessively will drink excessively, he then sleep excessively, and consequently suffer great loss. And in the well-known hadith: "The son of Adam does not fill a vessel worse than his stomach."
– Ibn al-Qayyim, Madarij al-Salikin

All limbs get spiritual nourishment

  • أَنَّ الصَّوْمَ يُسَكِّنُ النَّفْسَ الأَمَّارَةَ بِالسُّوءِ، وَيَكْسِرُ سَوْرَتَهَا فِي الْفُضُولِ الْمُتَعَلِّقَةِ بِجَمِيعِ الْجَوَارِحِ: مِنَ الْعَيْنِ، وَاللِّسَانِ، وَالْأُذُنِ، وَالْفَرْجِ؛ وَلِذَلِكَ قِيلَ: إِذَا جَاعَتِ النَّفْسُ شَبِعَتْ جَمِيعُ الأَعْضَاءِ، وَإِذَا شَبِعَتْ جَاعَتْ كُلُّهَا (فتح القدير لكمال الهمام)

Fasting restrains the self that commands evil and breaks its intensity in indulging excesses connected to all the limbs, such as the eyes, the tongue, the ears, and the private parts. For this reason it was said: when the nafs becomes hungry, all the limbs are satisfied; and when it becomes satiated, all of them become hungry.
– Kamal b. al-Humam, Fath al-Qadir

Ramadan is a rehearsal. The rest of the year is the performance.

  • Builds sincerity through secret sacrifice and forgoing halal desires for Allah
  • Trains self-restraint and taqwa by weakening the nafs and protecting from sin
  • Develops patience and emotional discipline through hunger and restraint
  • Cultivates gratitude for guidance, mercy, and ease from Allah
  • Strengthens iman, worship, character, and focus on the Hereafter

The Gifts: Blessings of Fasting and Ramadan

Discipline plants; Allah causes blessings to bloom.

1 Ease of Trials

Allah is with those who fasting

  • ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ البَقَرَة ٢:١٥٣)

2:153 O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.

The Sunnah of Allah the ease accompanies difficulty

94:5 For indeed, with hardship ˹will be˺ ease. 6 Indeed, with hardship ˹will be˺ ease.

Path to ease is made easy

92:7 We will ease him toward ease.

Hadith: Allah helps one practice tazikyah al-nafs by reducing exterior evil influences

  • «وَتُغَلُّ فِيهِ مَرَدَةُ الشَّيَاطِينِ» (النسائي ٢١٠٦ بعضه صحيح)

the rebellious devils are chained up

Hardship never stands alone. Ease is divinely attached to it, stronger than it, and guaranteed to prevail

  • Patience grows through controlled hunger
  • Gratitude increases even for small blessings
  • The heart finds comfort in the Quran
  • Nearness to Allah brings true tranquility
  • Physiological and psychological fear of abstinence decreases
  • Sweetness of iman surpasses physical pleasure

2 Magnification of Reward

Hadith: Reward for fasting is far greater than other good deeds

  • الحديث القدسي: «كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ يُضَاعَفُ، الْحَسَنَةُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا إِلَى سَبْعِمِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ،
    قَالَ اللَّهُ ﷻ: إِلاَّ الصَّوْمَ: فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ: يَدَعُ شَهْوَتَهُ، وَطَعَامَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِي» (مسلم ١١٥١e صحيح)

Every (good) deed of the son of Adam would be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward.
Allah has said: With the exception of fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for one abandons his passion and food for My sake.

Hadith: Reward of fasting will not be nullified with sins

  • الحديث القدسي: «لِكُلِّ عَمَلٍ كَفَّارَةٌ: وَالصَّوْمُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ
    وَلَخَلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ» (البخاري ٧٥٣٨ صحيح)

Every deed can be nullified; and the fast is for Me, so I will give the reward for it; and the smell which comes out of the mouth of a fasting person, is better in Allah's Sight than the smell of musk.

Hadith: Laylat al-Qadr is better than a lifetime

  • ﴿إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ ۝ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ ۝ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ القـَدر ٩٧:١)

97:1 Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree. 2 And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? 3 The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.

Unlimited reward for the patient

39:10 … Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account."

Hadith: Barakah of Ramadan

  • «قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «أَتَاكُمْ رَمَضَانُ شَهْرٌ مُبَارَكٌ: فَرَضَ اللَّهُ ﷻ عَلَيْكُمْ صِيَامَهُ، تُفْتَحُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ، وَتُغْلَقُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ الْجَحِيمِ، وَتُغَلُّ فِيهِ مَرَدَةُ الشَّيَاطِينِ، لِلَّهِ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ، مَنْ حُرِمَ خَيْرَهَا فَقَدْ حُرِمَ».» (النسائي ٢١٠٦ بعضه صحيح)

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Ramadan has come to you, a blessed month. Allah ﷻ has made fasting in it obligatory upon you. In it the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained. In it Allah has a night that is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness has truly been deprived.”

Hadith: Two best moments

  • «فَرْحَتَانِ يَفْرَحُهُمَا: إِذَا أَفْطَرَ فَرِحَ وَإِذَا لَقِيَ رَبَّهُ فَرِحَ بِصَوْمِهِ» (البخاري ١٩٠٤ متفق عليه)

There are two moments of joy: joy when one breaks the fast, and when one meets their Lord will they will be joyful due to their fasting.

3 Forgiveness

Hadith: Angels make dua

  • «إِنَّ الصَّائِمَ تُصَلِّي عَلَيْهِ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ» (الترمذي ٧٨٥ حسن)

The angels send Salat upon the fasting person

Hadith: All sins forgiven for the one who sincerely fasts Ramadan

  • «مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ» (البخاري ٣٨ صحيح)

Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.

Hadith: Forginess between two Ramadans

  • ««الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ، وَالْجُمُعَةُ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ، وَرَمَضَانُ إِلَى رَمَضَانَ، مُكَفِّرَاتٌ مَا بَيْنَهُنَّ إِذَا اجْتَنَبَ الْكَبَائِرَ» (مسلم ٢٣٣c صحيح)

that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to say: “The five ˹daily˺ prayers, and from one Friday ˹prayer˺ to the next, and from one Ramadan to the next are expiations for what is between them, so long as major sins are avoided.”

Hadith: One who fasts a single day is distanced from Hellfires at a distance of seventy years

  • «مَنْ صَامَ يَوْمًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بَعَّدَ اللَّهُ وَجْهَهُ عَنِ النَّارِ سَبْعِينَ خَرِيفًا» (البخاري ٢٨٤٠ متفق عليه)

Anyone who fasts for one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will distance him away from Hellfire for ˹a distance˺ seventy kharifs.

Hadith: There is a chance for salvation in every night of Ramdan

  • «إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عُتَقَاءَ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ» (أحمد ٧٤٥٠ إسناده صحيح)

Allah has those who are freed ˹from the Hellfire˺ in every day and night ˹of Ramaḍān˺.

4 Acceptance of Dua

Hadith: Good deeds and dua are accepted (Partially Authentic)

  • «تُفْتَحُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ، وَتُغْلَقُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ الْجَحِيمِ» (النسائي ٢١٠٦ بعضه صحيح)

In it the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of Hell are closed

Hadith: A dua is answered every day of Ramadan

  • «لِكُلِّ عَبْدٍ مِنْهُمْ دَعْوَةٌ مُسْتَجَابَةٌ» (أحمد ٧٤٥٠ إسناده صحيح)

Every servant among them has a dua that will be answered.

Hadith: Dua of a fasting person is not rejected

  • «ثَلاَثَةٌ لاَ تُرَدُّ دَعْوَتُهُمُ: الصَّائِمُ حَتَّى يُفْطِرَ، وَالإِمَامُ الْعَادِلُ، وَدَعْوَةُ الْمَظْلُومِ» (الترمذي ٣٥٩٨ حسن)

There are three whose dua is not rejected: The fasting person when he breaks his fast, the just leader, and the dua of the oppressed person

5 Special Favors on Judgement Day

Hadith: Fasting and Quran will intercede on Judgement Day (Weak)

  • «الصِّيَامُ وَالْقُرْآنُ يَشْفَعَانِ لِلْعَبْدِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ:
    يَقُولُ الصِّيَامُ: أَيْ رَبِّ مَنَعْتُهُ الطَّعَامَ وَالشَّهَوَاتِ بِالنَّهَارِ فَشَفِّعْنِي فِيهِ،
    وَيَقُولُ الْقُرْآنُ: مَنَعْتُهُ النَّوْمَ بِاللَّيْلِ فَشَفِّعْنِي فِيهِ» قَالَ: «فَيُشَفَّعَانِ» (أحمد ٦٦٢٦ إسناده ضعيف)

Fasting and the Quran will intercede for the servant on the Day of Resurrection: Fasting will say, 'O Lord, I prevented him from food and desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.' The Quran will say. 'O Lord, I prevented him from sleeping during the night, so let me intercede for him.'" He said, "˹Thus˺ they will both intercede for him.”

Hadith: al-Rayyan: The entrance gate of Jannah exclusively for those who fast

  • «إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ بَابًا يُقَالُ لَهُ الرَّيَّانُ: يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ الصَّائِمُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ؛ لاَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ؛
    يُقَالُ: أَيْنَ الصَّائِمُونَ؟ فَيَقُومُونَ؛ لاَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ.
    فَإِذَا دَخَلُوا أُغْلِقَ فَلَمْ يَدْخُلْ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ» (البخاري ١٨٩٦ متفق عليه)

There is a gate in Paradise called al-Rayyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it.
It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it."

Summary of Blessings of Ramadan

Hadith: There is nothing list fasting

  • «عَلَيْكَ بِالصَّوْمِ فَإِنَّهُ لاَ مِثْلَ / عِدْلَ لَهُ» (النسائي ٢٢٢٠ صحيح)

You should fast, for there is nothing like it.

Summary of Blessings of Ramadan

  • Fasting brings divine ease in hardship by strengthening patience, restraining desires, and increasing spiritual tranquility
  • Its reward is uniquely magnified by Allah, surpassing other deeds and bringing lasting joy in this life and the next
  • Ramadan is a season of forgiveness, where sins are erased and believers are distanced from Hellfire
  • The fasting person is granted duas and
  • Entrance through al-Rayyan, a special honor on the Day of Judgment to those who fast in Ramadan

The Training: Virtuous Deeds to Perform During Ramadan

Let blessings fuel a plan: deeds that embody tazkiyah.

We Have Reduced It to Rituals

  • Pandemic of the "Ramadan Muslim"
  • Staying hungry and thirsty
  • Doing the khatm of the Quran without understanding
  • Mardi Gras every night: Food, food, and more food
  • Giving charity only in Ramadan
  • Made tarawih –a beautiful, personal, devotional, and optional act– as compulsory

Hadith: Many attain no benefit in Ramadan

  • «رُبَّ صَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ صِيَامِهِ إِلاَّ الْجُوعُ،
    وَرُبَّ قَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ قِيَامِهِ إِلاَّ السَّهَرُ» (ابن ماجة ١٦٩٠ حسن)

˹There are people who˺ fast and get nothing from their fast except hunger, and there are those who pray and get nothing from their prayer but a sleepless night.

Levels of Fasting (Ghazali)

  1. Ritual: Fasting of the Commoner (صوم العموم)

    • Fasting from the stomach
    • Fasting from the private parts
    • Fulfilling the legal requirement

  2. Watchfulness: Fasting of the Special (سوم الخصوص)

    • Having moderation in consuming food
    • Guarding the gaze from the haram
    • Guarding the tongue for lying and reviling others
    • Guarding the hearing from useless speech
    • Restraining the limbs from sinning
    • Questing sincerity and intention

  3. Ihsan: Fasting of the Elite (صوم خصوص الخصوص)

    • Abstinence of the heart from worldly thoughts
    • Complete devotion to Allah

1 Strengthen Relationship with the Creator

1 Transform Through the Quran

Ramadan is the Month of Quran

  • ﴿شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ … وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ البَقَرَة ٢:١٨٥)

2:185 The month of Ramadan ˹is that˺ in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights ˹the new moon of˺ the month, let him fast it; Allah intends for you … to glorify Allah for that ˹to˺ which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.

Hadith: Jibril reviewed the Quran with the Prophet in Ramadan

  • «كَانَ [جبريل] يَلْقَاهُ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ فَيُدَارِسُهُ الْقُرْآنَ» (البخاري ٦ متفق عليه)

˹Jibril˺ used to meet him every night of Ramaḍān and teach him the Quran.

Quran has the cure for our spiritual ailments

  • ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُمْ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ يُونس ١٠:٥٧)

10:57 O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.

2 Make Abundant Tawbah and Istighfar

  • ﴿وَأَنِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُمَتِّعْكُمْ مَتَاعًا حَسَنًا إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى وَيُؤْتِ كُلَّ ذِي فَضْلٍ فَضْلَهُ ۖ وَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ كَبِيرٍ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ هُود ١١:٣)

11:3 And ˹saying˺, "Seek forgiveness of your Lord and repent to Him, ˹and˺ He will let you enjoy a good provision for a specified term and give every doer of favor his favor. But if you turn away, then indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a great Day.

3 Make Extra Duas

Dua encouraged right after the ayah of Ramadan

  • ﴿وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ البَقَرَة ٢:١٨٦)

2:186 And when My servants ask you, ˹O Muhammad˺, concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me ˹by obedience˺ and believe in Me that they may be ˹rightly˺ guided.

Do not forget about the akhirah in your duas

  • ﴿رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ البَقَرَة ٢:٢٠١)

2:201 But among them is he who says, "Our Lord, give us in this world ˹that which is˺ good and in the Hereafter ˹that which is˺ good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."

4 Do Extra Dhikr Morning and Evening

Command to abundant dhikr morning and evening

  • ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا ۝ وَسَبِّحُوهُ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ الأحزَاب ٣٣:٤١)

33:41 O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance, 42 and glorify Him morning and evening.

Hadith: A daily formula of abundant dhikr

  • «مَنْ قَالَ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ، حُطَّتْ خَطَايَاهُ، وَإِنْ كَانَتْ مِثْلَ زَبَدِ الْبَحْرِ» (مسلم ٢٦٩١ صحيح)

Whoever says “subhan Allah wa bi hamdih” one hundred times in a day, his sins will be erased even if like the foam of the sea.

5 Show Extra Devotion

Hadith: Reviving the last ten nights

  • «كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ إِذَا دَخَلَ العَشْرُ الأَوَاخِرُ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ: أَحْيَا اللَّيْلَ، وَأَيْقَظَ أَهْلَهُ، وَشَدَّ مِئْزَرَهُ» (البخاري ٢٠٢٤ متفق عليه)

When the last ten nights began, he ﷺ would revive the night, awaken his family, and tighten his waist wrapper.

Hadith: Seeking Laylat al-Qadr

  • «تَحَرَّوْا لَيْلَةَ القَدْرِ فِي الوِتْرِ مِنَ العَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ» (البخاري ٢٠١٧ صحيح)

Seek the Night of Decree in the odd nights of the last ten of Ramadan.

6 Do Qiyam Every Night

Hadith: The best prayer after the fard is the night prayer

  • «أَفْضَلُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ» (مسلم ١١٦٣a صحيح)

The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God's month. al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night.

Hadith: Standing in night prayer Ramadan

  • «مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ» (البخاري ٢٠٠٨ متفق عليه)

Whoever stands in Ramadan with faith and seeking reward will have his past sins forgiven.

Hadith: Completing with the Imam

  • «مَنْ قَامَ مَعَ الإِمَامِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ، كُتِبَ لَهُ قِيَامُ لَيْلَةٍ» (الترمذي ٨٠٦ حسن)

Whoever prays with the Imam until he finishes will have the reward of a whole night’s prayer.

7 Hold Itikaf

Hadith: Sunnah of itikaf in the last ten

  • «كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَعْتَكِفُ العَشْرَ الأَوَاخِرَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ» (البخاري ٢٠٢٦ متفق عليه)

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to observe itikaf during the last ten of Ramadan.

  • «اعْتَكَفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ العَشْرَ الأَوَاخِرَ حَتَّى تُوُفِّيَ، ثُمَّ اعْتَكَفَ أَزْوَاجُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ» (مسلم ١١٧٢ صحيح)

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ continued to observe itikaf in the last ten until he passed away, then his wives observed it after him.

8 Perform Umrah

Hadith: Umrah in Ramadan equals Hajj

  • «عُمْرَةٌ فِي رَمَضَانَ تَعْدِلُ حَجَّةً» (البخاري ١٧٨٢ متفق عليه)

An Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to a Hajj.

9 Incorporate Daily Sunnahs of Ramadan

Hadith: Suhur is blessed

  • «تَسَحَّرُوا فَإِنَّ فِي السُّحُورِ بَرَكَةً» (البخاري ١٩٢٣ متفق عليه)

Take Suhur, for indeed there is blessing in Suhur.

Hadith: Hasten the iftar

  • «لاَ يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الفِطْرَ» (البخاري ١٩٥٧ متفق عليه)

People will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.

Hadith: What to break the fast with

  • «كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يُفْطِرُ عَلَى رُطَبَاتٍ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ رُطَبَاتٌ فَتَمَرَاتٌ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ تَمَرَاتٌ حَسَا حَسَوَاتٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ» (أبو داود ٢٣٥٦ حسن)

He ﷺ would break his fast with fresh dates; if not, then dried dates; if not, with sips of water.

Hadith: Dua at iftar

  • «ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ العُرُوقُ، وَثَبَتَ الأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ» (أبو داود ٢٣٥٧ حسن)

The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills.

10 Incorporate More Daily Sunnahs

  • ﴿لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ الأحزَاب ٣٣:٢١)

33:21 There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and ˹who˺ remembers Allah often.

2 Strengthen Relationship with His Creation

1 Improve Self-Control

Hadith: Control your outbursts

  • «الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ: فَلاَ يَرْفُثْ، وَلاَ يَجْهَلْ؛ وَإِنِ امْرُؤٌ قَاتَلَهُ أَوْ شَاتَمَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ: إِنِّي صَائِمٌ مَرَّتَيْنِ۔» (البخاري ١٨٩٤ متفق عليه)

Fasting is a shield: So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should ˹remind himself˺, "I am fasting." twice.

  • Do not raise your voice when upset.
  • Do not respond immediately when emotional.
  • Do not show anger through facial expressions.
  • Do not speak while overwhelmed or irritated.
  • Do not use hand gestures to mock or threaten.
  • Do not roll your eyes or show contempt.
  • Do not sigh loudly in frustration at others.
  • Do not walk away in disrespect or arrogance.
  • Do not interrupt in anger.
  • Do not send negative messages while emotionally charged.
  • Do not give people the silent treatment as a form of punishment.
  • Do not use sarcasm to release frustration.
  • Do not slam doors or throw objects.

2 Guard the Tongue

Speak nicely with people

  • ﴿وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَاقَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ، وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا، وَذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ، وَقُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا، وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ، وَآتُوا الزَّكَا،ةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِنْكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ مُعْرِضُونَ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ البَقَرَة ٢:٨٣)

2:83 And ˹recall˺ when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, ˹enjoining upon them˺, "Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good ˹words˺ and establish prayer and give zakah." Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.

**Hadith: Safeguarding oneself from deceit and evil

  • «مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ، فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ» (البخاري ١٩٠٣ صحيح)

Whoever does not give up false speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink

  • Do not express anger through harsh words.
  • Do not ridicule, mock, or belittle people.
  • Do not backbite or speak about others in their absence.
  • Do not insult, curse, or use foul language.
  • Do not spread rumors or unverified information.
  • Do not argue unnecessarily or seek to win debates.
  • Do not expose people’s faults or private matters.
  • Do not complain constantly about others.
  • Do not speak arrogantly or boastfully.
  • Do not use sarcasm that hurts others.
  • Do not speak in ways that create division.
  • Do not interrupt or dismiss people disrespectfully.
  • Do not shame others.
  • Do not lie, exaggerate, or distort the truth.

3 Do Not Commit Sins in General

Hadith: A watchful person acknowledges the enormity of his

  • «إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَرَى ذُنُوبَهُ: كَأَنَّهُ قَاعِدٌ تَحْتَ جَبَلٍ يَخَافُ أَنْ يَقَعَ عَلَيْهِ
    وَإِنَّ الْفَاجِرَ يَرَى ذُنُوبَهُ: كَذُبَابٍ مَرَّ عَلَى أَنْفِهِ» (البخاري ٦٣٠٨ متفق عليه)

A believer sees his sins as if he were sitting under a mountain afraid that it may fall upon him;
Whereas the depraved one considers his sins as flies passing over his nose. And said: like this.

4 Show Extra Mercy

Hadith: Show mercy to receive Mercy

  • «الرَّاحِمُونَ يَرْحَمُهُمُ الرَّحْمَنُ ارْحَمُوا مَنْ فِي الأَرْضِ يَرْحَمْكُمْ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاءِ» (الترمذي ١٩٢٤ حسن)

The merciful are shown mercy by al-Rahman. Be merciful on the earth, and you will be shown mercy from Who is above the heavens.

  • Overlook minor faults and shortcomings.

  • Show patience with people’s mistakes.

  • Forgive those who wrong you.

  • Respond to harm with calmness and dignity.

  • Speak gently, even when correcting others.

  • Avoid harsh judgment of people’s intentions.

  • Make excuses for others when possible.

  • Made dua for those who hurt you.

  • Treat the weak, elderly, and vulnerable with respect.

  • Help others without expecting recognition.

  • Give sincere advice privately, not publicly.

  • Be warm, easygoing, and friendly with others.

  • Be generous and charitable in disagreements.

  • Share good words and encouragement generously.

  • Express gratitude and thank people.

  • Join hearts and reconcile between people.

  • Smile sincerely when you see and speak to people.

5 Further Strengthen Family Ties

  • ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالْأَرْحَامَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ النِّسَاء ٤:١)

4:1 O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.

Hadith: Provisions increase for those who tie bonds of kinship

  • «مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُبْسَطَ لَهُ فِي رِزْقِهِ، وَيُنْسَأَ لَهُ فِي أَثَرِهِ، فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ» (مسلم ٢٥٥٧ صحيح)

Whoever would like his provision expanded and his life extended, let him maintain the ties of kinship.

  • Speak kindly to parents at all times.

  • Serve parents willingly without complaints.

  • Visit and check on parents regularly.

  • Make dua for parents daily.

  • Show patience with elderly family members.

  • Fulfill the rights of one’s spouse faithfully.

  • Express appreciation to one's spouse.

  • Avoid harsh words with one’s spouse.

  • Spend quality time with children.

  • Teach children good character by example.

  • Listen attentively to family concerns.

  • Resolve conflicts privately and respectfully.

  • Maintain ties with relatives consistently.

  • Visit and support extended family.

  • Avoid cutting off family over disputes.

5 Feed More of the Needy

Feeding the needy is a gateway to Jannah

  • ﴿يُوفُونَ بِالنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوْمًا كَانَ شَرُّهُ مُسْتَطِيرًا ۝ وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا ۝ إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنْكُمْ جَزَاءً وَلَا شُكُورًا ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ الإنسان ٧٦:٧)

76:7 They ˹are those who˺ fulfill ˹their˺ vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread. 8 And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, 9 ˹Saying˺, "We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.

Hadith: Help break the fast of others

  • «مَنْ فَطَّرَ صَائِمًا كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِهِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لاَ يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ شَيْئًا» (الترمذي ٨٠٧ صحيح)

Whoever provides the food for a fasting person to break his fast with, then for him is the same reward as his, without anything being diminished from the reward of the fasting person.

Hadith: Earn forgiveness by helping break the fast of others

  • «إِنَّ الصَّائِمَ تُصَلِّي عَلَيْهِ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ، إِذَا أُكِلَ عِنْدَهُ حَتَّى يَفْرُغُوا / يَشْبَعُوا» (الترمذي ٧٨٥ حسن)

Indeed the angels make dua upon the fasting person when (others) eat in his presence, until they finish / have eaten their fill.

Ibn Umar and others fed the needy

Ibn Umar and other salaf, would only break their fast in the company of the poor and the orphaned. If a beggar came while he was eating, he would often give them his portion of the food and remain fasting until the next day without eating anything else.

6 Be Extra Charitable

Hadith: The Prophet's ﷺ increased generosity in Ramadan

  • «كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَجْوَدَ النَّاسِ وَكَانَ أَجْوَدُ مَا يَكُونُ فِي رَمَضَانَ … فَلَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَجْوَدُ بِالْخَيْرِ مِنَ الرِّيحِ الْمُرْسَلَةِ» (البخاري ٦ متفق عليه)

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the most generous of people, and he ˹especially˺ was most generous in ˹the month of˺ Ramadan… The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the absolutely most generous, even more than the wind sent forth ˹carrying bounties˺.

Hadith: Best charity is charity in Ramadan (Weak)

  • «قِيلَ فَأَىُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ ﷺ: صَدَقَةٌ فِي رَمَضَانَ» (الترمذي ٦٦٣ ضعيف)

It was asked: Which charity is best? He ﷺ said: Charity in Ramadan.

  • Donate regularly, even in small amounts.

  • Support orphans and widows.

  • Contribute to masjid and community projects.

  • Clean the streets outside the home and the community.

  • Help refugees and displaced families.

  • Pay zakah and sadaqah on time.

  • Provide clothing and basic necessities.

  • Cover medical or emergency expenses for others.

  • Support debt relief for those in hardship.

  • Volunteer time for community service.

  • Offer transportation to those in need.

  • Share food with neighbors.

  • Give secretly without seeking recognition.

  • Even a smile is charity

7 Protect Animals and the Environment

  • There should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm.

  • Removing harm from the streets is charity.

  • Allah curses the one who soils pathways.

  • You can waste water even from a flowing river.

  • Giving water to a thirsty dog earns forgiveness from Allah.

  • Birds that animals that eat from what you plant is charity for you.

Every act that preserves life, prevents harm, and sustains creation is an act of worship.

A Pathway to Jannah from a Transformed Believer

Hadith of Salam

  • «يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ: أَفْشُوا السَّلَامَ، وَأَطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ، وَصِلُوا الْأَرْحَامَ، وَصَلُّوا وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ، تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ بِسَلَامٍ» (الدارمي ٢٦٧٤ إسناده صحيح)

O people, spread peace, feed the hungry, maintain family ties, and pray while the people are asleep. You shall enter Paradise in peace.

Summary of Virtuous Deeds

  • Move beyond empty rituals by fasting with awareness, sincerity, and moral discipline
  • Deepen connection to the Quran, dua, and repentance as sources of spiritual healing
  • Strengthen self-control, character, mercy, and relationships with family and society
  • Increase generosity, service, and care for the needy alongside personal worship
  • Intensify devotion through dhikr, night prayer, and following the Prophetic Sunna

The Final Exam: Shaban

Practice leads to permanence; Shaban tests what remains.

Will our last Ramadan help us pass the final exam in Shaban?

1 Fasting During Shaban

Hadith: Shaban was the month most fasted by the Prophet ﷺ outside of Ramadan

  • «لَمْ يَكُنِ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَصُومُ شَهْرًا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَصُومُ شَعْبَانَ كُلَّهُ
    وَكَانَ يَقُولُ: (خُذُوا مِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَمَلُّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا)» (البخاري ١٩٧٠ متفق عليه)

The Prophet ﷺ never fasted in any month more than in the month of Shaban.
He used to say, "Do those deeds which you can do easily, as Allah will not get tired (of giving rewards) till you get bored and tired (of performing religious deeds).

Hadith: Prohibition to fast during the second half of Shaban

  • «إِذَا بَقِيَ نِصْفٌ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَلاَ تَصُومُوا» (الترمذي ٧٣٨ صحيح)

When one half of ˹the month of˺ Shaban remains then do not ˹continue to˺ fast.

Hadith: Prohibition to fast a day or two before Ramadan

  • «لاَ يَتَقَدَّمَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ رَمَضَانَ بِصَوْمِ يَوْمٍ أَوْ يَوْمَيْنِ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ رَجُلٌ كَانَ يَصُومُ صَوْمَهُ فَلْيَصُمْ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ» (البخاري ١٩١٤ متفق عليه)

None of you should fast ˹a voluntary fast˺ a day or two before the month of Ramadan unless he has the habit of fasting ˹such days voluntarily˺ then he may fast that day.

2 Tazkiyah Audit: Keeping the Heart Clean

Hadith: Annual deeds are elevated during Ramadan

  • «قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَمْ أَرَكَ تَصُومُ شَهْرًا مِنَ الشُّهُورِ مَا تَصُومُ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ
    قَالَ: ذَلِكَ شَهْرٌ يَغْفُلُ النَّاسُ عَنْهُ بَيْنَ رَجَبٍ وَرَمَضَانَ
    وَهُوَ شَهْرٌ تُرْفَعُ فِيهِ الأَعْمَالُ إِلَى رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يُرْفَعَ عَمَلِي وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ» (النسائي ٢٣٥٧ حسن)

I asked: O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting any month as much as Shaban.
He said: That is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting.

Hadith: Keeping the heart unloaded during Shaban

  • «يَطَّلِعُ اللهُ ﷻ إِلَى خَلْقِهِ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَيَغْفِرُ لِعِبَادِهِ إِلَّا لِاثْنَيْنِ مُشَاحِنٍ وَقَاتِلِ نَفْسٍ۔»» (أحمد ٦٦٤٢ صحيح)

Allah ˹audits˺ his creation during the night of the middle of ˹the month of ˺ Shaban then He forgives all His servants, except for the one filled with hate or a murderer.

Shaban is a month of preparation
Rajab is sowing, Shaban is watering, Ramadan is harvesting

  • شَهْرُ رَجَبٍ شَهْرُ (الزَّرْعِ)، وَشَهْرُ شَعْبَانَ شَهْرُ (سَقْيِ الزَّرْعِ)، وَشَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ (حَصَادِ الزَّرْعِ) (أبو بكر البلخي)

Rajab is the month of planting, Sha‘ban is the month of watering, and Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crops.
– Abu Bakr al-Balkhi

  • مَثَلُ شَهْرِ رَجَبٍ (كَالرِّيحِ)، وَمَثَلُ شَعْبَانَ مِثْلُ (الْغَيْمِ)، وَمَثَلُ رَمَضَانَ مِثْلُ (الْمَطَرِ) (أبو بكر البلخي)

He also said: The likeness of Rajab is like the wind, the likeness of Shaban is like the clouds, and the likeness of Ramadan is like the rain.
– Abu Bakr al-Balkhi

Conclusion

Hadith: Makhmum al-Qalb: The best of people are the ones who protect themselves from sin and injustice, and don't hold rancor and envy in their hearts

  • «قَالَ: قِيلَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَىُّ النَّاسِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ: «كُلُّ مَخْمُومِ الْقَلْبِ صَدُوقِ اللِّسَانِ۔» قَالُوا: صَدُوقُ اللِّسَانِ نَعْرِفُهُ فَمَا مَخْمُومُ الْقَلْبِ؟ قَالَ: «هُوَ التَّقِيُّ النَّقِيُّ: لاَ إِثْمَ فِيهِ وَلاَ بَغْىَ وَلاَ غِلَّ وَلاَ حَسَدَ»» (ابن ماجة ٤٢١٦ صحيح)

It was said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: Which of the people is best? He said, “Everyone who has a makhmūm (tented) heart with a truthful tongue.” They said: Truthful tongue we know of, ˹however˺ what is makhmūm heart?’ He said: "It is one that is God-conscious and an untainted one: one that has no sin, injustice, rancor, or envy in it.”

Dua of Ibrahim for a sound heart

  • ﴿وَلَا تُخْزِنِي يَوْمَ يُبْعَثُونَ ۝ يَوْمَ لَا يَنْفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ ۝ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ ۝﴾ (سُورَةُ الشُّعَرَاء ٢٦:٨٧)

26:87 And do not disgrace me on the Day they are ˹all˺ resurrected - 88 The Day when there will not benefit ˹anyone˺ wealth or children 89 But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.

Dua

  • اللَّهُمَّ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانَ، وَأَهْلِلْهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْيُمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ، وَالسَّلاَمَةِ وَالإِسْلاَمِ، رَبِّي وَرَبُّكُم اللَّهُ.
  • اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنَّا فِيهِ عَلَى الصِّيَامِ وَالْقِيَامِ، وَتِلَاوَةِ الْقُرْآنِ، وَذِكْرِكَ، وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ.
  • اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا فِيهِ مِنَ التَّائِبِينَ، وَاجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ، وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ تُحِبُّهُمُ وَيُحِبُّونَكَ.
  • اللَّهُمَّ آتِ أَنْفُسِنَا تَقْوَاهَا، وَزَكِّهَا أَنْتَ خَيْرُ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا، أَنْتَ وَلِيُّهَا وَمَوْلاَهَا.
  • رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا، وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ.
  • رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِنْ نَسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ
    رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَا إِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا ۚ
    رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهِ ۖ
    وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا ۚ أَنْتَ مَوْلَانَا فَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَرَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.
  • اللَّهمَّ آتِنا فِي الدُّنيا حَسنةً، وفي الآخرةِ حَسنةً، وقِنا عذابَ النَّارِ.

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