#RAMZAN MUBARAK

 Goals to Set for This Ramadan

In the month of Ramadan, the reward is multiplied many times. You can take advantage of this opportunity to worship more. Here are some goals you can set during the month of Ramadan to strengthen your faith and become a better Muslim.

1. Recite 1 Ayah per Day

Abdullah Ibn Masud narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever reads one letter from the Book of Allah will earn one reward thereby. One reward is equal to ten rewards the like of it. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Meem is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Meem is a letter.” [Tirmidhi]

Take some time after each prayer to read a few ayahs of the Quran. It can be just 1 ayah or a whole surah at a time. You will get rewarded for every letter that you read from the Quran. 

2. Read 5 Minutes of Quran a Day

For this one, the point is simply to connect with Allah SWT through His revelation in the month of the Quran. Set an alarm on your cell phone for a reminder to read the Quran. You can take the time to read the Quran by using the Muslim Pro app during your spare time from anywhere.

3. Memorize New Surahs

Try to memorize one new Surah a week. You can start off with a short and easy one. Set aside 10 minutes of your day on this task. Listen to the Surah you were memorising by your favourite Qari and repeat the verse unlimited times. You can also utilise the Quran feature in the Muslim Pro app to achieve this mission.

4. Do More Charity

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 

“Charity never decreases wealth. Rather, it increases it, it increases it, it increases it.”

Charity is one of the best and most honored deeds. The holy month also reminds us to be generous and give charity, that is why the Prophet urged it on many occasions in his Sunnah. The reward of charity in Ramadan is doubled and the reward of righteous deeds in general may be doubled in Ramadan by Allah SWT.

5. Forgive Everyone Who Has Hurt You

Forgiveness is one of the most distinguishing features of Ramadan. Let go of the anger and pain. Let us use this Ramadan to open our hearts to those who have wronged us and forgive them as we beg Allah to forgive us. Forgiving someone is not only good for the body, but it is also great for the soul. 

6. Stop Backbiting 

“O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is accepting of repentance and Merciful.” (Al-Hujurat 49:12)

In Ramadan, when we want to build our spirituality, we have to wage Jihad against our bad habits. Engaging in backbiting pushes one away from Allah’s (SWT) mercy and blessings. If you cannot come up with good things to say about the person in question, again, stay silent rather than adding something negative to the conversation.

7. Eating Like a Prophet

Miqdam bin Madikarib said:

“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one third of food, one third for drink and one third for air.’” [Sunan Ibn Majah 3349 & Tirmidhi]

Let’s try to be more mindful and aware of what you eat. Practice good eating habits like a Prophet because with the spirit of Ramadan we are supposed to learn self-control, not self-indulgence. 

8. Perform Taraweeh Prayers

The Prophet ﷺ explicitly informed about the virtues of standing in prayer, particularly in Ramadan, when he said: 

“Whosoever stands in the nights of Ramadan, with faith and in hope of receiving Allah’s reward, his past sins will be forgiven.” [Bukhari]

Taraweeh prayers are not obligatory, but it is sunnah and highly encouraged for us to perform it. You can pray taraweeh at home or in congregation at the mosque if it is already allowed. If going every day is not possible, try going at least once a week.