Self Examination in Ramadan

Here are seven valuable tips that can help you to avoid common mistakes made during the blessed month

1. Taking Ramadan as a mere ritual

By simply observing the outward rulings of fasting and practices of Ramadan without paying attention to their meaning and purpose will turn it into a mere ritual. An outward show of piety, we can lose the spirit and the essence of fasting altogether. What is that essence of Ramadan? The blessed prophet taught us that Ramadan is; a time of patience, sympathy with fellow humans, seeking nearness of Allah Almighty, praying day and night, reciting the glorious Qur’an and listening to it. This is why he described Ramadan as an intercessor for us on the Day of Judgment and the means of atonement for our sins. One way of making fasting a ritual is to regard it as dieting – fasting is for pleasing our benevolent lord and following in the footsteps of the blessed prophet. By fasting properly we should automatically lose weight, however, DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet since Fasting is an act of worship, this way you will deprive yourself of its spiritual benefits.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Gabriel prayed, 'May Allah ruin that person to who Ramadan comes and his sins are not forgiven,' and I said: 'Amen'. Then he said: 'May Allah ruin that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said: 'Amen'. Then he said: 'May Allah ruin that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you,' and I said, 'Amen.'' [Reported by At-Tirmidhi].

2. Craving for delicious food

Fasting is a great spiritual exercise that helps us on our journey to the Lord, however giving up food sometimes makes us think more about it. This is evident at Iftar time; dinner table becomes a sumptuous banquet. Someone will have spent hours shopping, cooking and laying out the table, instead of concentrating on Salah, Qur’an and other acts of worship we are missing the very purpose of fasting, to control our desires and delights. Yet Islam teaches moderation; "Eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly Allah does not like people who waste." [Surat Al A`raf :31].

3. Over Sleeping and being forgetful of Allah

In Ramadan sleeping pattern changes because we have to get up very early for Suhur, breakfast and go to bed very late because of the Tarawih prayer. Consequently some people spend more time sleeping. The month of Ramadan is too precious to be wasted like this. The Qur’an reminds us about the precious nature of Ramadan by saying; “these are limited few days.” Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over, every moment of it should be spent in the worship of Allah. This is a month when Muslims should give up watching TV, playing games and listening to music. The blessed Prophet said: “If people knew the value of Ramadan they would want the whole year to be Ramadan”.

4. Importance of Suhur (breakfast)

Due to late night Tarawih prayer some people miss Suhur. The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised against this practice he said: “Eat Suhur for in Suhur there is blessing.” [Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim].

5. Not making time for Dua

Dua or prayer is a believer’s powerful tool against the attacks of Satan and ego. It is an expression of his humility towards his creator, and a submission of dependency on Almighty Lord. The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.” [Reported by Al Bayhaqi]. This is the time to pray. Sisters in particular need to be careful by organizing themselves at this time so they can also pray rather than be busy serving or cooking.

6. Fasting but disobeying other duties of Shariah (e.g. not praying)

The Qur’an describes the purpose of fasting; “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become God fearing” [Surat Al Baqarah: 183]. Fasting trains us to obey the teachings of Islam, it motivates us, spurs us and gives the energy to follow the Shariah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allah has no need of him giving up his food and drink.” [Reported by Al Bukhari]. So praying, giving Zakat and doing good is part of Ramadan, anyone who neglects these is depriving himself from great benefits of Ramadan.

7. Good social practices

Here are three wonderful activities in Ramadan that no one can afford to miss;

Iftar parties, inviting others for breaking fast is Sunnah, however, be careful not to make it too lavish. Giving sumptuous banquets in this month goes against the spirit of simplicity and frugality.

I`tikaf is spiritual retreat, when the fasting person stays in the Masjid or for women to stay in their room. `A'ishah said: “The messenger used to retreat during the last ten days of Ramadan, he did this regularly and after him I do it."

The night of power the 27^th of Ramadan is better than thousand months of worship the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Seek Lailatul-Qadr, night of power among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.” [Reported by Al Bukhari]. Spending this night in worship, seeking forgiveness and Divine nearness marks the climax of Ramadan.