The Best Time of the Year!

Assalam o alaykum!
Ramadan is in the air and I'm so excited AlhamdulIllah! Here are the top five things you can do to make  this Ramadan special and better than the last Ramadan.

1. Make a list of Do's and Don'ts:
List down the habits you want to get rid of (such as anger, backbiting, lying) and list down the habits you want to acquire (such as increasing in Allah's dhikr/remembrance, learning Quranic Arabic etc) In shaa Allah. You can also make a list of 'goals' for every 10 days. You can also ask your close family to assess you and bring out things they would want you to change in yourself. This is the best way of finding faults in oneself. Since the Shayateen (evil ones) are chained in this beautiful month, its easier to change yourself for good In shaa Allah.

2. Fall in love with the Quran

“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). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…”[al-Baqarah 2:185] 

Since Ramadan and Qur’an are closely connected I will say that much of our devotional life should be focused on the Qur’an. We should try to replace watching television, movies, listening to music and oversleeping with reading the Quran In shaa Allah. We should also try to learn a few oft-repeated Arabic words to help us understand Quran better. Make a schedule, devote a specific number of hours to the Quran during the day (preferably between Duhr and Asr prayers) or night. Try to complete atleast one Juz everyday so that we are able to complete the whole Quran in one month In shaa Allah!


3. Help around the house
Help whoever prepares the food for your suhoor or aftaar, i.e. your mother or servants or wife. Wash the dishes for them or cut the vegetables, fruits etc for salads and the like. Also, praise the food when you have it and appreciate the effort of the cook. If you don't like the food, keep silent. Remember that the person cooking for you was fasting when he/she prepared the food, so overlook any mistakes they might have made. 

4. Give Charity

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah said: 'Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.'"

Whenever a person spends in the way of Allah, Allah returns the same amount multiplied by ten! I know this by experience subhanAllah. Donate some money to a hospital or an Islamic organisation as these are the best forms of Sadaqah-e-Jariah. Pay Zakat during this month if possible as the reward of all the deeds done during this month is seventy times more. That's how awesome this month is! 
Another form of charity could be making some extra food for aftaar and sending it to your neighbors  inviting your relatives over to your place or making aftaar arrangements for a poor person or family.

5. Qayyam al Layl
Here comes the best part: TARAVEEH. The reward of Qayyam (standing) in prayer during the nights of Ramadan is enormous SubhanAllah. I go to a masjid where we read the Quran first with translation and then we pray taraveeh, this way we understand what the imam is reciting during the prayer and have better Khushu' (concentration) as a result. I can feel the presence of Angels around us, its the best feeling AlhamdulIllah! We have a tea break too!
Try finding a mosque where the Imam recites slowly and beautifully, you definitely enjoy more if the Imam is good. Click here for an awesome video reminder.

May Allah help us, guide us and strengthen our faith In shaa Allah! I hoped you liked the post. Comment down below for any questions or requests. Till then, salam and lots of love to sisters!

For more: 
Tips for a comfortable Ramadan.
106 Ramadan Tips

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