‘When Ramadan begins, the gates of paradise are opened’
(Vol. 3, Book 31, Hadith 122)
Finally, the month we’ve all been waiting for.
Ramadan.
How lucky are we to be met with this holy month? To be given another chance to do better.
I’ve mentioned in my previous post about ‘How To Be A Better Muslim This Ramadan’ the most important things we can do during Ramadan to be the best version of ourselves. These include praying, fasting, reading Quran, giving charity, and increasing our knowledge.
While Ramadan isn’t only limited to these things, there are so many other good deeds one can do to continue to be the best person they can, for the sake of Allah (SWT).
At the end of the day, we’re only here on this earth for one purpose. And that is to please Allah (SWT) and do what we can within our capabilities for His blessing upon us.
We should use the opportunities given to us to do the absolute best we can, and hope to continue to strive and correct ourselves even after Ramadan is complete.
Everything we do during Ramadan, shouldn’t ONLY be done during Ramadan. Yes, it is helpful to start making it a habit during this holy month, however many resources state that it takes 40 days to change or build a habit.
Ramadan is anywhere between 29/30 days depending on moon sighting, therefore starting 10 days prior to Ramadan or continuing 10 days after will help with maintaining good habits, increasing good deeds and becoming ‘better’ overall.
Increasing good deeds is not a benefit to Allah (SWT), but a benefit for us to have Allah (SWT) mercy upon us. To have His blessing.
I’ve listed a number of ways you can increase your good deeds this Ramadan, with the benefit of becoming a better person, getting closer to Allah (SWT), and being on the righteous path to Jannah, Insha’Allah.
1. Breaking Fast on Time
This one sounds so basic. But it has value. According to Sahih Al Bukhari, Book 35, Hadith 2417,
Even if that means breaking your fast with water and a date, then praying the Maghreb prayer, you may then proceed to have your dinner.
Some people like to eat before prayer, however with the short time gap between Maghreb and Isha prayer, it is wisest to break fast first and then pray.
If such a small act like this will bring you good deeds, why not do it. Acts that you think are small, are indeed big for Allah (SWT).
2. Visit the Sick
This one I guess is a common one. Visiting the sick has always been known as a courteous thing to do. Some however, may not know that this simple gesture truly brings you good deeds from Allah (SWT).
Whether it is an elderly person, a young child, a family member, or a friend or their family member. No matter who they are to you, it is a simple act that you will get rewarded for.
3. Donate Food
Let me just say, Ramadan may be the busiest month where food donations are constant. Or at least I believe.
Reason being is people tend to make too much food. This is because when someone cooks while hungry, they tend to over make a meal, being afraid there isn’t enough to feed everyone. So they’re left with a lot of food.
Either you would eat the left overs the next day, give some out to relatives, someone you know that is in need or donate to the mosque.
Any form of donation is a charity. And we already know that charity is one of the 5 pillars of Islam.
So whichever form you can afford this charity, will bring you good deeds, Insha'Allah.
4. Donations
Asides from mentioning donating food separately, there are many ways donations can be made during Ramadan.
This can be through donating money to the less advantaged, clothes you don’t need anymore, furniture, toys, anything you own that could benefit somebody else.
You would think people ‘don’t need’ your ‘old’ things, however it’s like the saying goes, “one man’s trash, is another man's treasure”.
You may not need these items, but somebody else may be praying for it.
Don’t underestimate the power or charity and donations.
5. Don’t use foul language
Being a Muslim, we believe that Allah (SWT) is our creator, and Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is our messenger.
Therefore, we follow a certain ‘guide’ in life that abides by our religion.
Part of the ‘guide’ tells us to have good manners.
According to Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language" (Riyad as-Salihin 625).
This is applied to Muslims generally. Imagine how heavy this weighs during the month of Ramadan. Stay away from foul language, and if one wants to argue or fight, you should refrain and say “I am fasting, I am fasting”.
6. No Backbiting/Gossiping
This falls under the same category as having good manners, and with good manners we make Allah (SWT) happy with our doings.
Hudhaifah (RAA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “A backbiter will not enter Paradise" (Book 16, Hadith 69).
We are taught to be good people from such a young age. It is embedded in who we are as people.
However, by being good people and trying our best to remain good, patient and strong, we don’t realise how happy we are making Allah (SWT).
And by making Allah (SWT) happy from us, we earn good deeds. We are rewarded for being kind and pleasant people.
Also, how hard is it really to be a good person?
7. Spending Time Efficiently
I am mentioning this because for some reason, shows become a popularity to watch during Ramadan. I guess this is because people want to ‘kill’ time while fasting, so they don’t feel their hunger.
What they aren’t realising is they’re spending their time inefficiently, and rather than getting rewarded for reading Quran, making duaa or praying, instead they sit and lounge around with absolutely no purpose.
Ramadan isn’t just about not eating or drinking throughout the day. There is so much more to it, and if people were to realise how blessed they are to be experiencing it, they would be doing as much as they can to please Allah (SWT).
Therefore, try to read Quran. So many people try and read the entire Quran throughout Ramadan by reading 5 pages after every prayer. This method equates to 25 pages a day, until the end of Ramadan. By then you should have finished reading the Quran.
Pray more. Fard is obviously a given, however try and pray your Sunnah prayers. Wake up for Tahajjud. Pray Taraweeh prayers after Isha prayer at home.
Urwah bin Az-Zubair narrated that Aishah told him that: the Messenger of Allah used to encourage the people to pray Qiyam in Ramadan, without insisting on that. He said:
Furthermore, instead of watching shows, watch Islamic lectures online.
We have access to so many resources, the learning and knowledge we can gain is substantial. Learning more about our prophets, Islamic behaviour, the women in Islam, and the list goes on.
Use your time wisely, and choose to do things that will benefit you in the long run.
8. Remember Allah (SWT)
Always.
I leave the best till last.
Why would I mention to remember Allah (SWT), even though that’s the crux of everything we do in life?
Because when one is CONSTANTLY remembering Allah (SWT), they’re more conscious of the decision they’re making on a day to day basis.
I’ll give you an example.
You’re getting dressed. You come to throw on some pants and a top. The top may be shorter than you anticipated, but the little voice in your head says “just don’t reach for things that are high up”, or “don’t bend over and your bottom won’t show”.
Now, if you made this decision remembering Allah (SWT), you would ask yourself, “Is this making Allah (SWT) happy?”.
Allah (SWT) tells us to be modest and conceal our beauty.
As females, we attract. And depending on that attraction, brings the right or wrong attention.
What kind of attention do you seek?
Do you want Allah (SWT) to give you His blessing and be pleased with you?
Therefore, remembering Allah (SWT) always will forever make our decisions easier to make. The answers are all there, it’s just a matter of being conscious of those decisions, and making the right one.
Islam is such a beautiful religion, and a very righteous one. If one would take the time to learn more about it and implement those understandings, will ultimately live a much easier and happy life.
Nothing in this world is worth it. After witnessing what we have in this day and age, you start to think that truly nothing is worth our time or energy.
If it doesn’t abide by our religious standards, drop it.
If it doesn’t make Allah (SWT) happy, why bother?
It’s so easy to be swept away in this cruel world, with all the access we’re exposed to.
But if you remain strong, steadfast on your deen and resilient to this world, nothing can break you.
Having Allah (SWT) by your side, and truly believing that, I can guarantee you life would go by smoothly.
Of course, this is information for myself first before anyone. We are not perfect individuals, but we can try.
Allah (SWT) loves those who repent. And by always remembering Him and asking for His forgiveness, is the least we can do with the intention of making a change.
This is a short list of things that can be done this Ramadan to earn good deeds, however the list is endless. Do your own research. Read books. Ask scholars, or a local sheikh you trust.
Our religion is very simple, but it takes discipline to remain steadfast on it.
May Allah (SWT) be pleased with us all. May our fasting and prayers be accepted and may we be guided on the right path, leading us closer to Allah (SWT).
Ameen.
If you feel motivated and would love to learn more, be sure to check out my article on
'How To Host a whimsical ramadan iftar at home'.
You can find me on instagram posting a lot more glamorous content
@lama.dweik
