The holy month of Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness and prayer. Every believer should give special importance to the worship of this month. Refrain from all kinds of actions that undermine the glory of fasting. Always seek the help of Allah. Try your best to make fasting fully meaningful.
Below are some practices that make fasting complete and meaningful:
Eating Suhoor: Eating Suhoor is also an important act during the holy month of Ramadan. Allah Almighty has bestowed endless blessings upon it. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, 'Eat Suhoor, for therein is a blessing.' (Bukhari, Hadith: 1923)
Besides, fasting during the day becomes easier by eating Suhoor. That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Take suhoor as a support for the fast of the day and rest during the day for the prayer of the night.' (Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1693)
It is best to eat Sahri as late as possible so that hunger and thirst are less felt. However, one should stop eating and drinking shortly before Subh Sadiq so as not to fall into suspicion.
Breaking the fast after sunset: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "People will continue to be on good deeds as long as they break their fast." (Bukhari, Hadith: 1957)
Purify themselves by taking a bath before dawn: If a bath becomes obligatory on someone during the night of Ramadan, they should take a bath before dawn to purify themselves so that they can perform their worship properly.
Reciting the Quran more: Gabriel (peace be upon him) used to recite the Quran with the Prophet (peace be upon him) every night. It is narrated in a Hadith that Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was the most generous. He used to be even more generous in Ramadan when Gabriel (peace be upon him) would visit him. And Gabriel (peace be upon him) would visit him every night during Ramadan and they would recite the Quran to each other. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was more generous than the winds of mercy. (Bukhari, Hadith: 6)
Therefore, we should also be attentive in studying and practicing the Quran.
Staying awake at night in prayer: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever stays awake at night in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari, Hadith: 37)
Refraining from lying, backbiting, slander and false testimony: Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever does not give up lying and acting upon it, Allah has no need of his giving up this food and drink.” (Bukhari, Hadith: 1903)
Not getting angry: Fasting teaches people self-control. Therefore, one should control anger while fasting. If someone behaves unpleasantly, one should be patient. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Fasting is a shield. So do not commit obscenity or act foolishly. If someone wants to quarrel with him or abuse him, he should say twice, ‘I am fasting.’” (Bukhari, Hadith: 1894)
To attain piety: Because the main purpose of fasting is to attain piety. Allah says, "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain piety." (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 183)
Keeping the lessons of Ramadan throughout the year: The true purpose of fasting is not just to practice restraint for a specific period of time, but to acquire the qualities of piety and self-control, which can be applied throughout the year.
Refraining from all kinds of evil desires: Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "When you fast, your ears, eyes, and tongue should all fast from falsehood and sin." (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 4/8)
Eating Halal Food: It is always important to abstain from Haram, but it is even more important during Ramadan. It is pointless to break your fast with food that was earned from Haram.
Giving charity: The Prophet (peace be upon him) was always generous, but he would show more generosity during Ramadan. (Bukhari, Hadith: 6)
Make supplication during Iftar: Because Allah Almighty does not reject the supplication of a fasting person.
May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to make our fasting more vibrant and meaningful through the above-mentioned practices. Amen.
