For Muslims across the world, whether they are normally practicing the rest of the year or not, Ramadan is the highlight of their year. Despite the physical hardships one has to endure, the month is also marked by a closeness of family, friends, and the Muslim community at large which is rarely felt at other times of the year. However, with Ramadan at our doorstep, we need to take a few minutes to remind ourselves of the importance, virtues, and rulings of Ramadan in order to make the most of this blessed month. As Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, instructs the Prophet sallahu ‘alayhi wa salaam in the Qur’an:
“Remind them! You are only a one who reminds.” 88.21

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is a command from Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, on all able-bodied Muslims. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days.” 2.185

Responding to this command from our Lord is something that will benefit us in this life and in the Hereafter. First, we are promised that if we fast in the month of Ramadan with sincerity, our past sins will be forgiven. We’re also promised that the one who fasts one day for the sake of Allah, Allah will draw that person’s face far from the Hellfire! Our beloved Prophet, sallahu ‘alayhi wa salaam, said: “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” [Bukhari, Muslim] SubhanAllah. For all of us that have sinned in the past year or who have gotten off track, Ramadan is a time every year that we have the opportunity to get back on the right track. What better time is there than right now, this Ramadan, to set our hearts and our minds back to Allah?

Once we have made the intention and the decision to make the most of this opportunity we have been given, we also have to remind ourselves of the things we must stay away from in order for our fast to be accepted. For our deeds to be accepted, they can not be done the way we think they should be done or the way we want to do them. For our deeds to be accepted, they must be done Allah’s way and the way we were taught by our Prophet. That is why it is imperative to remind ourselves about those things which invalidate the fast.

The major things that invalidate the fast and must be avoided are:

  1. Intentionally eating or drinking, or anything of the same nature, like receiving blood or nutrients via injection or taking medicine.
  2. Sexual intercourse or orgasm.
  3. Vomiting intentionally.
    Menstruation and nifaas.
  4. Cupping or donating blood.

If someone does one of these things intentionally, knowing that it is one of the things which invalidates his or her fast, they will have to offer a kafaarah after Ramadan and fast for sixty days continuously. May Allah ta’ala protect us and keep us on the straight path. Ameen.

There are many things we can do this month to refocus ourselves spiritually. This is the best time of the year to start new habits. Here are just a few ways that we can make the most out of this Ramadan, according to the Sunnah of our Prophet, sallahu ‘alayhi wa salaam.

8 Ways to Make the Most out of Ramadan

  1. Make a sincere intention to fast only for the sake of Allah.
    “The reward of deeds depends on upon the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to what he has intended.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
  2. Wake up for suhoor.
    “Eat suhoor. Surely, there is a blessing in suhoor.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
  3. Pray on time with a renewed focus.
    “The similitude of the five prayers is like a river running at the door of one of you in which he takes a bath five times a day.” [Muslim}
  4. Read the Qur’an daily.
    Recite the Noble Qur'an, because it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Judgement." [Muslim]
  5. Guard your tongue.
    “If one does not eschew lies and false conduct, Allah has no need that he should abstain from his food and his drink.” [Bukhari]
  6. Ask for forgiveness for sins you’ve committed.
    “Turn, you people, in repentance to Allah and beg pardon of Him. I turn to Him in repentance a hundred times a day.” [Muslim]
  7. Break your fast with dates and water.
    “When one of you breaks his fast, let him break it on dates; if he does not have any, break his fast with water for it is pure.” [Abu Dawud]
  8. Observe Taraaweh prayers.
    “He who observes optional prayer throughout Ramadan, out of sincerity of Faith and in hope of earning reward will have his past sins pardoned.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

Each of us has been given the opportunity in this month to start fresh or to take our worship to the next level. May Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, accept our good deeds, forgive our sins, and make this Ramadan a means for us entering Jannah. Ameen.