What are the recommended acts during Ramadan?

 

A. (Dr. Zakir): Normally, all the acts that are recommended during the normal days are also recommended during the month of Ramadan except those acts which break the fast. But there are specific acts which have been recommended by our Prophet ﷺ‎, especially in the month of Ramadan and some acts are encouraged more during the month of Ramadan, and there are many of them. I’ll try and list as many as I can.

1. Having ‘sahoor’ (sahūr – pre dawn meal), you should not neglect the ‘sahoor’.
2. Having ‘sahoor’ as late as possible, just before the break of dawn.
3. Having an early ‘iftaar’ (breaking the fast), as early as possible just after sunset.
4. Having dates and water when you break the fast.
5. Saying the recommended ‘duas’ (supplications), after you break the fast.
6. When you break the fast, it is preferable you invite other people, especially the poor people.
7. We should do as many good deeds as possible during the month of Ramadan.
8. We should be more generous in the month of Ramadan.
9. If someone tries to provoke us, we should not get angry, we should say “I’m fasting, I’m fasting”.
10. We should use the ‘siwak’ (‘miswak’ – teeth cleaning twig).
11. If possible, we should perform ‘Umrah’ during the month of Ramadan.*
12. We should try and acquire as much knowledge as possible. Recite the Qur’an along with the translation, read the ‘Hadith’ and Islamic books.
13. We have to attend as many Islamic programs as possible, lectures, seminars, to increase our Islamic knowledge.*
14. We should watch Islamic programs or listen to audio podcasts of scholars, so that we increase in our knowledge.
15. We have to be happy throughout the day, we should not look gloomy.
16. We should do ‘husn-e-salook’ (good behaviour) with other people.
17. We should be extra good to our family.
18. We should do ‘tafakkur’ that means ponder and think on it.
19. We should see to it that we try and forgive people’s faults.
20. We should specially be careful that all our compulsory ‘Salah’ (obligatory prayers), we should offer in congregation as much as possible in the Mosque. (*due to the COVID-19 situation, we must pray at home with our family)
21. We should offer as much as ‘sunnah salah’ and ‘nawafil’ (supererogatory prayers).
22. We should supplicate as much as possible to Allah سبحانه و تعالى.
23. We should ask for forgiveness, because this is the month of forgiveness.
24. We should offer ‘Taraweeh’.
25. We should do ‘Qiyam al-Layl (‘tahajud’ or night prayer), especially in the last 10 days of Ramadan.
26. We should do ‘Atikaaf’ (secluding in the mosque) if possible. (*due to COVID-19 situation we should stay at home and not go to the mosque)
27. We should give ‘Zakaat’ if not given yet.
28. We should do our own self improvement as much as possible.
29. Seeking ‘Laylat al-Qadr’ (The Night of Power).
30. ‘Islah’ (reform to improve) of other Muslims and  ‘Da’wah’ to the non-Muslims.