Ramadan is the best time of year, it's truly one of the most beautiful gifts Allah (Swt) has given us. Allah (Swt) says in the Quran, "Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, so that you may learn piety and righteousness” (2:183). When Ramadan enters, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire are closed and the devils are chained (Hadith Muslim). The rewards in Ramadan are plentiful and most of all, if we fast out of sincere faith and in the hopes of receiving reward, all our past sins will be forgiven (Hadith Muslim). Read on to learn about the practices you and your family could implement this Ramadan to make the most of this blessed month!

Have Clear Intentions

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

Talk to Allah

“Indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.”

Attend the Night Prayer

“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.''

Continue Fasting in Shawwal

“Whosoever fasts in Ramadan and then follows it with fasting six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasts forever.”

Individual

1. Set Clear Goals-

Actions are a lot easier to do when we have a goal in mind. Meditate with yourself and decide on spiritually developing yet practical goals for Quran recitation, salah and good deeds.

2. Make the Quran a Priority-

This month is the perfect time to focus on Allah’s word. This can mean recitation, memorisation, understanding and connecting spiritually with its lessons and author.

3. Focus on the Journey-

We want to carry our spiritual high through the rest of the year and that’s only possible if we fall in love with Allah’s deen. Every good act and good intention is a step towards that!

4. Take Time After Suhoor-

Our Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “Whoever performs Fajr and remains seated, the angels supplicate for him. And their supplication is: ‘O Allah, forgive him, O Allah, have mercy on him.’”

5. Make dhikr whenever possible-

We should remember Allah more acutely. Learn some new dhikr before the month starts and recite them during your menial tasks such as cooking, falling asleep and travelling.

Family

1. Implement Family Goals-

We can section the month into three and each ten days has its own rewards- days of Mercy, then Forgiveness, and lastly Seeking Refuge. By focussing on how we intend to behave we can maximise the rewards from each.

2. Pray Jama’at Together-

Salah in congregation is twenty-seven times more rewarding than individual salah! There’s no better way to strengthen family bonds than through salah so make it routine to pray at least one salah a day in Jama’at.

3. Unite at the Start and End-

Begin by setting intentions and reflect at the end together. Seeing our progress will help carry our spiritual high to the next month. This will benefit your character, family and spiritual growth.

4. Be Charitable-

Get together and make an iftar meal to give to your neighbour, or collect dry foods to take to the food bank, or pack some sweets to hand out to the children in your area.

5. Plan your Duas-

The Prophet (saw) said: “Three types of people’s duas are not rejected: at the time of iftar the person who has fasted, a just ruler’s dua, the dua of the oppressed.” Come together after iftar and unite in asking for guidance, barakah and Jannah!

The Soul Journal Team.