By Fariha Asif

It is said that Ramadan is like a rare beautiful flower that blossoms once a year and just as you begin to smell its fragrance, it disappears for another year. So we must make the most out of it now while we still have the chance. Allah swt says in the Quran:

“Oh,who you believe, fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may learn piety and righteousness.”

(Chapter 2, Verse 183)

 

The primary goal of Ramadan is to become a better Muslim. One way to do this is to engage in as much Ibadah as possible. Following are the acts of worship we must try to practice to seek Allahs pleasure this Ramadan.

Obligatory prayers

Let us not just perform the mere rituals of qayam, rukuu and sajoods but try to incorporate khusho and khuzu in our prayers by remembering it could be our last prayer and we are talking to our Allah who loves us the most. Set aside atleast 20-30 minutes for your prayers, including wudhu, prayer and dua afterwards, for your five obligatory prayers.

Tahajjud and pre-Fajr sunnah rakahs 

As mothers we wake up way earlier for sahoor so its easy for us to pray Tahajjud in Ramadan. As soon as you wake up, eat a few dates as they will nourish you until sahoor and then say your prayers, Tahajjud as well as the pre-Fajr sunnah rakahs.

Tahajjud is a sunnah of  the Prophet (pbuh),which Muslims are preferred to perform all the time.

Tahajjud may be performed in the early part of the night, the middle part of the night, or the latter part of the night, but after the obligatory Isha. The number of rakahs can be from two to eight .

Allah says to His Messenger (pbuh):

And during a part of the night, pray Tahajjud beyond what is incumbent on you; maybe your Lord will raise you to a position of great glory.

Al-Israa’ 17:79

The two rakahs of sunnah prayer before Fajr are highly rewarding and our beloved Prophet (pbuh) prayed them all his life. Hazrat A’isha (RA) relates that the Prophet (pbuh) said:

The two [sunna] cycles (rak`ats) of the morning prayer are better than the world and what it contains.

-Muslim

Taraweeh prayers

Try to go the mosque together as a family for Isha and Taraweeh prayers , it will increase the bond between the family and kids will see how much you are dedicated to earn Allahs pleasure and rewards. Aim to pray at least eight Taraweeh  and dont leave it just because you cant do all 20.

Read through some tips for taking kids to the mosque with you here.

Supplications and Duas

Make dua for yourself and your family as well as all the Ummah, for best of deen and dunya as duas of people who are fasting are immediately heard by Allah.

Quran recitation

The Quran was revealed in Ramadan so its very rewarding to recite as much Quran as possible in Ramadan.  There are 10 rewards for reciting each letter of the Quran in months other than Ramadan and in Ramadan all good deeds are multiplied by 70, reciting each letter will get you 700 rewards (Subhan Allah).

Itikaf /Qiyamul lail

In the last ten days of Ramadan plan for itikaf if possible. Itikaf s literal meaning is  to stay in a particular place for a certain time for bringing yourself closer to Allah. According to some scholars it can be done for any number of days from 1-10 or for just few hours to seek Allahs pleasure.

Zakah and charity

Its recommended that one should pay Zakah in the month of Ramadan. Besides giving Zakah, sadaqa is a noble act of worship that eliminates the diseases of heart and greediness and it should be given secretly. Make a charity or sadaqa box and put it on the prominent counter of your house. Set aside some change each day to put in it and encourage your children to do the same. In this way kids will learn to be generous and know the importance of sadaqa. It is an act much loved by Allah swt, He says:

The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of grain of corn, it grows seven ears and each ear has hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases.

Chapter 2, Verse 261

About the Author:

Mother to three wonderful energetic boys,  Fariha Asif is a doctor by profession. She is also a dedicated student of Deen. She loves reading, writing, making new friends and strengthening ties with old friends.

How are you preparing for reaping the many benefits of Ibadah during this holiest of months? Share with us on our forums.