13 Things To Do In Ramadan

Allah (SWT) makes it easier to perform good deeds in Ramadan. Here are 13 ways our supporters can make the most of this month based on the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah.

1. Practice Moderation in Eating

Moderation is the key to a healthy diet. While it is tempting to overindulge after a day of fasting, the Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged balance in eating, advising that a person should fill their stomach with one-third food, one-third drink and one-third 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. Provide Meals to Those in Need

The Sahabah are often remembered for sharing food with the less fortunate. We can follow this example by providing Iftar for those in need for a few days or throughout the month.

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

3. Engage with the Qur'an Daily

Our routines change during Ramadan, but with a little planning, it is still possible to make space for reading the Qur’an. Those who read Arabic more slowly may find the early morning quieter, while non-Arabic readers can make use of transliteration and translation tools 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. Donate Your Zakat

In the past, Zakat was often paid before Ramadan so that those in need could spend the month without worry. The Zakat you donate with us during Ramadan helps extend this support throughout the year through our work with Shaukat Khanum.

'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. Send Salawat Upon the Prophet (ﷺ)

There are numerous hadiths about the benefits of reciting Salawat, and the Holy Qur’an also highlights its importance. Supplications 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. Extend Charity and Forgiveness

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. These acts reflect the spirit of Ramadan and help us grow in humility.

8. Seek Allah’s (SWT) Forgiveness with Sincerity

Laylatul Qadr, also known as the Night of Power or the Night of Decree, occurs on one of the odd nights in the final ten days of Ramadan. The Prophet (ﷺ) advised seeking forgiveness during this time with the following prayer:

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

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

9. Cultivate a Generous Spirit

Generosity during Ramadan can take many forms, from giving Sadaqah, to spending time with family, or approaching work and study with greater care and intention.

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

10. Donate Fidyah if Unable to Fast

Fidyah is compensation paid by those who have a legitimate reason for not fasting during the month. Where missed fasts cannot be made up later, it is given by providing two meals for someone in need for each day unobserved.

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 During the Last 10 Nights

If practical, follow the example of the Prophet (ﷺ) in the last ten days and perform I’tikaf (seclusion at the masjid).

'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. Awaken for Tahajjud Prayers

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. Donate Fitrana Before Eid

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. 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)