Don’t let this month be full of regrets...

Just as we welcome Ramadan now, in 30 days’ time or so, if Allah gives us life, we will be looking back and feel a sense of regret… as we do year after year.  Regret that we did not do enough.  It’s the same every year.  So, what can we do to minimise the regret?  I say minimise because believe me, no matter what we do, there will always be regret of not doing enough.  Below are some personal tips on maximising our rewards during this blessed month:


1. Understanding why we fast.  Yes, many of us do not even know WHY we fast.  Some of us are under the misconception that we only fast so that we can feel how poor people feel when they go hungry.  Whereas Allah (swt) says:

“O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon”

Fasting is a way for us to attain taqwa, God-consciousness.  In other words, doing what Allah likes and staying away from that which he has forbidden.

See the difference in fasting compared to other acts of worship is that when you’re fasting, only you and Allah truly know whether you’re fasting or not.  In front of people, you could say you’re fasting but when no one’s watching, you could easily reach for the fridge and fill your belly to your liking.

When fasting, you are also abstaining from something which would normally be halal for you: food & drink. You are only doing this because Allah has commanded you to.  Out of your love for Allah and His deen.  So thank Allah for this blessing.

2. Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, so increase in your recitation of the book of Allah.  Allah (swt) says:

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…” [2:185]

3. Repent.  All of us have messed up in life at one point or another.  They say that: “Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future”. It’s never too late to turn to Allah in sincere repentance.

4. Pray.  And I’m not talking about Taraweeh prayers.  There will be some of us going in to Ramadan who either pray part-time, are lazy with our prayers, or, do not pray at all.  If we are one of those then let us make a firm intention to establish salaah on time.  One of the common mistakes that a person in such situation tends to make is to prioritise taraweeh salaah thinking it is fardh and neglecting the normal 5 daily prayers.  Do not be of those.  If you feel praying taraweeh is going to hinder you from praying the normal salaahs then decrease in the number of rakaahs you pray taraweeh for but ensure you pray your fardh salaahs.

5. Give in charity.  Although the primary purpose of Ramadan is not to make us feel how the poor feel, this is one of the blessings of this month.  During these long days, as we are about to open our fast, we should remember that there are those in this world who will not have the delicious food that we have in front of us… there will be some who may not even have clean water to open their fast with.  There will be some who won’t be fasting a mere 8, 10, 15, or 18 hours a day, their fast may last 24, 36, 48 or even more hours.  Don’t just think about these people. Do something about it by donating to the many worthy causes.

6. Seek Laylatul Qadr and do much good in it.  This is the best night of the year.  Allah (swt) says:

“The Night of Al‑Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).” Surah Qadr.

7. Make i’tikaaf if you can.  it was narrated in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to spend the last ten days of Ramadaan in i’tikaaf until he passed away, then his wives observed i’tikaaf after him.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1922; Muslim, 1172.

8. Make dua. Make lots of dua.  The Prophet (pbuh) told us:

‘Three supplications will not be rejected, the supplication of the parent for his child, the supplication of the one who is fasting, and the supplication of the traveller.’

9. Make Umrah if you have the means to do so.  The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to a woman among the Ansaar, “What kept you from doing Hajj with us?” She said, “We only had two camels that we used for bringing water.” So her husband and son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left the other for them to use for bringing water.” He said, “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj.” According to a report narrated by Muslim, “… is equivalent to doing Hajj with me.”  

10. Commit yourself to changing.  Let this Ramadan be the springboard you use to change your life.  Take a firm resolve to change your bad habits.  Ask Allah to help you in this and have patience in doing so.

Make the most of this blessed month.  There are many who were with us last Ramadan but are not here this Ramadan.  Who knows whether we ourselves will see another Ramadan.

May Allah make this the best Ramadan of our lives yet! Ameen.

A couple of Notable causes I support:

Charity Right - Feeding some of the most needy people on this planet.
National Zakat Foundation - Helping the needy in UK