Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims, filled with spiritual growth, reflection, and charity. It’s a time for fasting, prayer, and doing good deeds. Whether you’re observing Ramadan for the first time or are a seasoned practitioner, it’s important to focus on activities that bring you closer to Allah and help make the most of this blessed month. In this article, we will explore the best things to do in Ramadan, incorporating 30 good deeds for Ramadan and a helpful Ramadan good deeds chart.
One of the most fundamental aspects of Ramadan is fasting (Sawm). Fasting from dawn till dusk is not just a physical act but a spiritual one. It’s essential to fast with the intention of seeking closeness to Allah and not simply as a ritual.
Tip: Every day, remind yourself of the spiritual significance of fasting and make du’a (supplication) before beginning the fast.
During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to increase their acts of worship, especially the five daily prayers. These prayers help strengthen your relationship with Allah and are a great opportunity for reflection and gratitude.
Tip: Perform additional voluntary prayers (Nafl) and try to pray Taraweeh at night, if possible.
Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed. It is highly recommended to engage in regular recitation of the Quran. Many Muslims aim to complete the Quran during the month of Ramadan.
Tip: Set a goal to read or listen to a certain number of pages or chapters each day.
Ramadan is the perfect time to give as the rewards for acts of charity are multiplied during this blessed month. Whether it’s through monetary donations, food, or offering your time, every act of kindness counts. Many Muslims also take part in activities such as arranging Iftar meals for the less fortunate, providing essential supplies, or donating towards building mosques and supporting Islamic education.
Tip: You can donate money, food, or volunteer your time to those in need. For a simple and impactful way to contribute, you can support organizations that are dedicated to helping the community. One such organization is Al Qulub Trust, which offers numerous opportunities to contribute to charitable causes during Ramadan and beyond.
During Ramadan, your du’a is more likely to be accepted. Ask Allah for forgiveness, guidance, and blessings for you and your loved ones.
Tip: Establish a daily routine of du’a, especially in the last third of the night.
Ramadan provides a unique opportunity for Muslims to seek forgiveness from Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised regularly making Istighfar (seeking forgiveness).
Tip: Make Istighfar throughout the day, especially before Fajr prayer.
There are many good deeds to do during Ramadan that will increase your reward. A great way to track your progress is through a Ramadan good deeds chart. Some of these deeds include:
Ramadan is an excellent time to work on cultivating patience (Sabr). This is particularly important when fasting and dealing with everyday life challenges.
Tip: Try to maintain a calm and patient demeanor, especially when faced with difficulties.
Use Ramadan as an opportunity to enhance your understanding of Islam. Attend Islamic lectures, read Islamic books, or take online courses. Sharing knowledge also contributes to the community.
Tip: Set aside time for daily Islamic study, whether it’s a book or online lecture.
Spend quality time with family, and make it a point to break your fast together. Strengthening family ties is a good deed that has long-lasting benefits.
Tip: Share your Iftar meal with family and talk about the importance of Ramadan.
Practice Gratitude
Ramadan is a reminder of the blessings Allah has bestowed upon us. Practice gratitude for everything you have, big or small.
Tip: Write down three things you are grateful for each day in Ramadan.
To make the most of Ramadan, you can use a Ramadan good deeds chart to keep track of your daily actions and make sure you’re staying on course. Here’s a simple example of a good deeds chart you can follow:
Day | Good Deeds Completed | Reflection | Additional Actions |
---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Helped a neighbour | Felt happy to assist | Read 10 pages of the Quran |
Day 2 | Donated to charity | Blessed to give | Prayed extra Nafl prayer |
Day 3 | Smiled at everyone I met | Spread positivity | Shared Iftar with family |
Day 4 | Assisted in mosque cleaning | Grateful for the opportunity | Gave Sadaqah to a local cause |
Day 5 | Gave a ride to someone in need | Felt thankful to be able to help | Listened to an Islamic lecture |
Day 6 | Made du’a for others | Remembered loved ones in need | Increased my nightly prayers (Taraweeh) |
Day 7 | Refrained from gossip | Peaceful with myself | Sent a message of encouragement to a friend |
Day 8 | Supported a local charity | Honoured the cause | Read one chapter of the Quran |
Day 9 | Visited a sick family member | Appreciated health more | Donated clothes to charity |
Day 10 | Prayed for forgiveness | Felt humbled and grateful | Helped clean the home or kitchen |
Day 11 | Provided food for an Iftar | Grateful to serve the community | Prayed extra Sunnah prayers |
Day 12 | Helped a student with studies | Happy to share knowledge | Read a hadith and reflected on it |
Day 13 | Gave a thoughtful gift to someone | Felt blessed to share blessings | Contributed to an educational cause |
Day 14 | Offered emotional support | Felt connected with others | Donated to an emergency relief fund |
Day 15 | Practiced extra patience | Felt peaceful and calm | Increased dhikr (remembrance of Allah) |
Day 16 | Volunteered time for a good cause | Fulfilled my spiritual duty | Read 10 pages of the Quran |
Day 17 | Encouraged someone to fast | Proud to support others’ efforts | Helped with Iftar preparations |
Day 18 | Forgave someone who wronged me | Felt relieved and spiritually light | Offered a gift to a neighbour |
Day 19 | Shared Islamic knowledge | Felt content to spread wisdom | Donated money to a humanitarian project |
Day 20 | Provided iftar to a large group | Grateful to host and share meals | Prayed extra Taraweeh prayers |
Day 21 | Assisted in distributing charity | Humbling experience to give | Prayed for the well-being of the ummah |
Day 22 | Taught a child something new | Happy to nurture young minds | Helped an elderly relative |
Day 23 | Donated to a local food bank | Blessed to contribute | Gave Sadaqah to a street beggar |
Day 24 | Shared words of encouragement | Spread positivity | Reached out to a friend in need |
Day 25 | Prayed for the forgiveness of others | Felt peace and calm | Sent a heartfelt thank-you to a mentor |
Day 26 | Gave zakat al-fitr | Felt the importance of purification | Supported a local Ramadan programme |
Day 27 | Prayed the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr) | Blessed to witness this night | Made sincere du’a for personal goals |
Day 28 | Provided a loan to someone in need | Felt good to help alleviate hardship | Invited family for Iftar |
Day 29 | Helped raise funds for a cause | Inspired by the generosity | Prayed for the success of my Ramadan efforts |
Day 30 | Thanked Allah for the blessed month | Grateful for the growth experienced | Reflected on personal improvements during Ramadan |
This chart will help you monitor your actions, stay focused on doing good deeds, and ensure you’re consistently working towards a spiritually rewarding Ramadan. The Good Deeds Completed section reminds you of your positive actions, while the Reflection and Additional Actions columns encourage mindfulness and continuous improvement.
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, fasting, and devotion to Allah. While many actions are highly recommended during this blessed month, there are certain acts that are discouraged or completely prohibited during fasting. Understanding what is not allowed can help you preserve the sanctity of your fast and ensure that your worship is accepted by Allah. In this section, we will discuss the discouraged acts during Ramadan and explain why they should be avoided.
The most obvious discouraged act during Ramadan fasting is eating or drinking while the fast is in effect. Allah commands in the Quran:
“Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast till the night appears.” (Al Quran 2:187)
Any act that leads to ingestion or drinking during daylight hours, such as swallowing water while performing wudu (ablution), is considered a violation of the fast. Deliberate consumption of food or drink breaks the fast, and as such, this should be strictly avoided.
Tip: Ensure that your pre-dawn meal (Suhoor) is fulfilling and nutritious, so you are not tempted to eat or drink before Iftar.
During fasting hours, taking medicines or nutritional supplements that are ingested through the mouth is discouraged as it breaks the fast. If you need to take medication for a health condition, it is advisable to take it during non-fasting hours, either after Iftar or before Suhoor.
Tip: If you are on regular medication, consult with your doctor before Ramadan to adjust your medication schedule to align with your fasting times.
Deliberately inducing vomiting while fasting invalidates the fast. While it may be permissible to vomit unintentionally, forcing oneself to vomit on purpose is prohibited as it intentionally breaks the fast.
Tip: If you feel nauseous, try to control your emotions and avoid making yourself vomit. If it happens accidentally, your fast remains valid.
While some people may believe that donating blood or getting cupping therapy (hijama) during fasting is permissible, it is actually discouraged as it may invalidate the fast. The act of drawing blood, in any form, is viewed as similar to eating and drinking since it involves a form of physical nourishment or change.
Tip: If you need to undergo medical treatment that involves blood extraction or cupping, schedule it after Iftar or before Suhoor, outside of fasting hours.
Another discouraged act is deliberately breaking the fast without a valid excuse, such as eating, drinking, or engaging in any prohibited act without an illness, travel, or any other legitimate excuse allowed in Islamic law. Some people may also choose to deliberately break their fast out of habit or impatience, which is discouraged and may result in the loss of the spiritual benefits of fasting.
Tip: If you feel the temptation to break your fast, remember that fasting is a test of your patience and commitment to Allah. Avoid indulging in activities that lead to breaking the fast without a valid reason.
Ramadan is a month that offers many opportunities for growth, both spiritually and personally. By engaging in these best things to do in Ramadan, such as increasing your prayers, giving charity, and doing good deeds, you can make the most of this blessed month. Remember, Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink but is a time to purify the heart, mind, and soul.
By making a commitment to perform 30 good deeds for Ramadan and using tools like a Ramadan good deeds chart, you can increase your reward and come closer to Allah. May this Ramadan bring peace, blessings, and forgiveness to all.
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