Top 10 Sunnahs to Perform During Ramadan
Simple ways to maximize your blessings this month, courtesy of our beloved Prophet ﷺ
Ramadan has graced us with its presence; a time for reflection, togetherness and improvement of the self. In a month where mercy and blessings are abundant and ours for the taking, it’s important to do all that we can to increase our chances of earning the pleasure of Allah SWT, and what better way than following in the stead of the Prophet ﷺ? Here are some simple Sunnahs to practice this month to boost your rewards.
Eat Suhoor
Your schedule has been flipped on its head and you're juggling your everyday activities with fasting and longer hours. We get it. But the reward in eating suhoor is epic, and definitely worth waking up for. This time and meal have many benefits; it’s perfect for making dua, praying Tahajjud, additional ibaadah and generally just preparing yourself for the day ahead. The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Take suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing.’ (An Nasa’i). Rewards for eating? It doesn’t get any easier!
Break your fast on time
Don’t delay breaking your fast! It doesn’t do you any favors and there isn’t any extra reward in prolonging your struggle. Make your dua at the time of iftar, and break your fast with water and/or an odd number of dates just as our Prophet ﷺ did.
Give charity
Look for ways to give back to those in need whether in your own community or beyond. There are plenty of ways to donate, both in-person and online. Here are a few organizations to check out to ensure your charity goes further:
Feed people
The Prophet ﷺ said:
‘Whoever provides the food for a fasting person to break his fast with, then for him is the same reward as his (the fasting person’s), without anything being diminished from the reward of the fasting person.’ (At-Tirmidhi)
This Sunnah teaches us selflessness, generosity and empathy. It is in serving others that we learn to live far beyond just ourselves. You can prepare the food yourself, buy it or donate through an organization - it’s completely up to you!
Sit down to eat / drink
As tempting as it may be to attack your plate when you hear Maghrib adhan, make sure you’re sitting down to eat and drink. It helps you practice mindfulness and you’ll be conscious of what you’re eating as well as how much, meaning you won’t be overwhelmingly full and taraweeh won't be as intimidating.
Read the Quran
Ramadan is the month of the Quran, so take this opportunity to really invest in the relationship you have with it. The Book of Allah SWT has a transformative power and it’s vital to give it the proper time to unlock this and feel the benefits.
If your goal is to complete the Quran this month, why not take part in Tarteel’s Recite a Quran, Give a Quran Challenge? It’s free to get involved and all you have to do is read more than 70% of the Quran on Tarteel, using the app to track your progress and we’ll donate a Quran on your behalf. Remember, for each letter of the Quran recited you get 10x the reward and during Ramadan, that number is multiplied by 70 - we’ll let you do the math of how much reward is up for grabs in total!
Engage in the remembrance of Allah
Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest (13:28), and doing plenty of dhikr and tasbeeh during Ramadan is a perfect way to ensure you’re in a constant state of worship while keeping yourself occupied during those long hours. Check out the Life With Allah website for some inspiration, or download their Dhikr and Du’a app for free so you can read it on the go.
Practice patience
Ramadan is about more than just refraining from food and drink; we are encouraged to strive for betterment and by extension, that means refraining from speech and behavior that is uncharacteristic of a Muslim. Use this month to practice discipline and it will gradually filter into other aspects of your life beyond Ramadan inshaAllah.
‘Fasting is a protection for you, so when you are fasting, do not behave obscenely or foolishly, and if anyone argues with you or abuses you, say, ‘I am fasting. I am fasting.’ (Muwatta Malik)
Pray the night prayer
Dua made after this prayer is like the arrow that doesn’t miss its target; waking up in the final third of the night (while you’re already up for suhoor) is the perfect time to stand in prayer and pour your heart out to Allah SWT.
Smile
The simplest of them all, and a perfect one to round off with! We should be grateful that Allah SWT allows us to reach Ramadan each year. Spend it being happy and spreading good among your loved ones and your community - even a simple smile goes a long way. ‘Your smiling in the face of your brother is an act of charity…’ (At-Tirmidhi).
‘Whoever revives my Sunnah then he has loved me. And whoever loved me, he shall be with me in Paradise.’ (At-Tirmidhi)
Wishing you a beautiful Ramadan from the Tarteel Team!
