Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is the holiest month for Muslims across the world. For Muslims, it is a time of fasting, praying, reflecting on their lives, and increasing their devotion to Allah. In Ramadan, the gates of heaven are open and the gates of hell are closed, and it’s time to seek Allah’s blessing. When something is this sacred and precious, there must be some set etiquette and manners to help people fully embrace its spirit. There are particular dos and don’ts known as Ramadan Manners that provide Muslims with a guideline of what to do and what not to do in Ramadan. Ramadan is the best time to strengthen your relationship with Allah, and these manners make sure you don’t waste your time and make the most of this month. Here are some dos and don’ts during the holy month.
Dos in Ramadan
Recite the Holy Quran
Just refraining from eating and drinking is not enough during Ramadan. When the reward of every deed is multiplied by 70, when you recite a word from the Quran, you get a reward of 10 good deeds, and in Ramadan, the reward is 70 times more. The revelation of the Quran to our beloved Prophet in Ramadan makes it a perfect time to recite the Quran and learn its teachings. Spend your day reciting the Quran and understanding what it teaches us.
Offer prayers regularly
While fasting, the one thing you should take care of is to make sure that your prayers are regular as well. You can’t be fasting and missing your prayers because that will be just starving, as Allah doesn’t need us to starve while not understanding the essence of fasting. Make sure that you offer your prayers regularly, do dhikr after every prayer, and seek Allah’s forgiveness and blessings.
Practice self-discipline and self-control
Ramadan brings the perfect opportunity for Muslims to master self-discipline and self-control. Refraining from all the worldly desires just to seek Allah’s forgiveness and spiritual growth requires a lot of self-control and self-discipline. It is the perfect chance to increase your willpower and strengthen your character.
Be tolerant
One must be more forgiving, tolerant, and compassionate in Ramadan. When you are fasting, it is your responsibility to avoid indulging in any arguments or fights just for the sake of protecting your fast. There is no use of spending the whole day without food and water if you end up engaging in negative behaviors and hurting others.
Don’ts in Ramadan
Ramadan manners require you to avoid certain things in order to protect your fast. There are certain dos and don’ts that can affect your fasting experience. Some of them are listed below:
Don’t gossip
Gossip is considered a sin in Islam, and gossiping about your Muslim brothers and sisters can be particularly harmful in Ramadan. Ramadan is a time to purify our thoughts and actions, refraining from anything that can result in any negative effect on our fast.
Don’t listen to music or songs
Don’t listen to music or songs while fasting, as it goes against the essence of fasting. Fasting is to refrain from worldly desires and purify your soul. Listening to the music can hinder your spiritual journey and distract you from the real essence of Ramadan.
Don’t Retain Grudges
Ramadan is the month of blessings and forgiveness. It’s the time of the year when Muslims leave everything to please Allah. If you are putting so much effort into pleasing your Lord, you can’t ask for his forgiveness while holding grudges against your brothers and sisters.
Don’t waste your time
Fasting is not about starving yourself and being in bed all day, skipping the prayers. Ramadan is just for a month, and you should make sure that you are not wasting your time doing anything that is distracting you from the purpose of fasting. Don’t waste your time, and make the most of these precious moments by spending them in the remembrance of Allah.
Don’t judge others
In Ramadan, when everyone is trying to be a good Muslim and doing the best they can to please Allah, judging others can discourage them. Be motivating and appreciate people’s efforts to be closer to Allah, and make sure you are focusing on your spiritual journey rather than judging your brothers and sisters.
These are some dos and don’ts in Ramadan that Muslims need to follow, making sure they are following Ramadan manners and being a good Muslim. Making sure to follow these helps Muslims gain Allah’s blessings and forgiveness, availing them of the opportunity for spiritual growth during this holy month.
