Easy Rewards in Ramadan

Ramadan is finally here and the excitement in our hearts to please Allah is soaring day by day. We have listened to lectures and read messages about the importance of this holy month and the amount of reward we attain by engaging ourselves in ibadah.

Even after knowing so much, we lag to keep up the zeal throughout Ramadan. With each passing day, our excitement reduces and we tend to sulk and drag ourselves for every Salaah. We fail to keep up the promises we made to ourselves on the first day of Ramadan.

But we are humans with mood swings and not every day turns out to be a planned day. I’m sure many can relate, so, I have decided to list few details to follow this month not only on high days but also on lower days. This way, we won’t waste any day of this holy month and earn at least some reward even on bad days.

Also, there are some people known as Ramadan Muslims. Although I don’t associate anyone with any term because we aren’t here to judge others based on piety but certainly, there are people who only pray or read Qur’an in Ramadan. I personally appreciate such people for their effort to acknowledge Allah during this blessed month. But I’ve seen it’s really difficult for them to stop continuing their normal life and become a practicing Muslim immediately. Obviously, Hidayah (guidance) is from Allah and He guides whom He wills but it takes time. One crescent moon cannot change a person. Hence, I have some baby steps for them as well because somewhere I fall in this category too.

This post is not for pious people who spend their 30 days only worshipping Allah. Honestly, you guys are goals! May Allah grant us all Hidayah to worship Him just the way He loves.

Here is a list of few actions we can do to gain better rewards in Ramadan:

1. Cutting off connection with our phones: Before any of you get a mild attack, let me rephrase the sentence to ‘Reducing connection with our phones.’ Without internet, life today feels worse than the ancient era but the most time-consuming devices are cell phones along internet connection. I understand how difficult it gets to cut off completely from technology but we can always reduce it. Go through settings on your phone and uninstall the app(s) that consumes most of your time. If it’s not important, then uninstall. You may have sweaty palms and itchy fingers but trust me, it’ll yield better fruits. One month is not a long time.

2. Dhikr: The easiest thing we can do by sitting at one place is dhikr of Allah. Be it on your fingers or prayer beads but small movement of our lips can bring us a lot of rewards. The easiest ones are Tasbeeh, Tahmid and Taqbeer. Also istigfaar, durood, Shahadah and kalimahs can be read. They hardly take few minutes and can be uttered anytime during the day and the rewards are in multiples.

3. Dua: Make dua in abundance. Yes, dua is a form of worship and Allah loves those who ask Him. Our Prophet (saws) said, “Verily your Lord is Generous and Shy. If His servant raises his hands to Him (in supplication) He becomes shy to return them empty.” (Source: Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi).

Ask him everything, no matter how small or big it is. Even if it is not answered immediately, He will answer it later or in the Hereafter but your dua won’t be left hanging.

4. Istigfaar: Istigfaar means asking Allah for forgiveness for all the sins committed intentionally or unintentionally. Allah is Ar-Rahman, The Most Compassionate and Al-Ghafoor, The Most Forgiving. He loves to forgive His slaves. Only we know where we stand when it comes to sinning, hence, this is the best opportunity to convince our Lord and beg for forgiveness.

5. Salah: It might be difficult to pray 5 times a day at once or to pray on time but Alhamdulillah I’ve seen mosques packed with people during this month. Those who get a chance to pray in jama’at at mosques are really lucky. Try to never miss it. This way, you will complete all prayers on time and also earn greater rewards for praying in a mosque. People who already have the habit of praying daily should try incorporating Sunnah and nafl (voluntary) Salaah. If not daily, let’s make it alternate days or once in a week but let’s start! Nothing is better than a pure intention, Allah is there to help for the rest.

6. Tahajjud: Praying Tahajjud has been my childhood dream which still remains a dream. It’s like an uphill battle to give up sleep and get up in the middle of night to worship but there’s no harm in trying, is there?

I know it won’t be easy nor do I ask you to get up daily, but maybe praying once a week or in ten days. Set as many alarms as possible and make a niyyah (intention) before sleeping. Allah helps those who help themselves. Believe me, those few moments before Fajr is worth more than anything in this world. It’s the best feeling ever. Like EVER!

7. Recitation of Quran: Allah says in the Holy Quran Surah 2, Ayah 185:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِىٓ أُنْزِلَ فِيْهِ الْقُرْءَانُ
The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an.

This is a month to establish our relationship with Quran. Though we read Quran in taraweeh but try to read it yourself pondering over its meaning. Even if you don’t complete one Quran in 30 days, at least start, in few upcoming months we will begin to love this book for the beauty it contains.

8. Charity: Alhamdulillah, every year our parents calculate the amount of charity prescribed on us and donate in this month. As children, we don’t take charity seriously, so let’s aim to do our bit this year. Try removing 1 Rs, 10 Rs, 50 Rs or anything that you can afford on a daily basis and give it as charity. Since rewards are multiplied in Ramadan, a single penny will obtain us multiplied reward.

9. Start everything with Bismillah: Since the post is about small deeds which transform into expanded rewards, why not do something that doesn’t cost us anything but get in bonus? Performing any task in the name of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala opens up the doors of Mercy and blessings from our Lord as it is pleasing that we, His slaves, remember Him before doing an action. Remember the first ayah revealed on Prophet Mohammad (saws) –

اَقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِى خَلَقَ

Read! In the Name of your Lord who has created (all that exists.)
(Surah Al-‘Alaq, Ayah 1)

This ayah clearly displays the importance of beginning everything in the name of Allah.

10. Incorporating Sunnah: Let us try including as many Sunnahs as we can. Be it the smallest one – like sitting to drink water or drinking water in three sips. Remember, each action has multiple rewards, so why let this opportunity slip away?

11. Memorization of Qur’an: Let us memorize at least a single verse of Quran. No matter how big or small it is, let’s do it. The one who memorized The Quran shall come on The Day of Judgement and (the reward for reciting The Quran) says: ‘O Lord! Decorate him.’ So he is donned with a crown of nobility. Then it says: ‘O Lord! Give him more!’ So he is donned with a suit of nobility. Then it says: ‘O Lord! Be pleased with him.’ So He is pleased with him and says: ‘Recite and rise up, and be increased in reward with every Ayah.’ (Source: Tirmidhi)

12. Planning activities: It’s always better to plan and jot down tasks for a day. It not only helps us to adjust our schedule but also to be prepared for all our activities beforehand.

13. Intention: Last but not the least, let’s make a pure intention in our hearts. Say it to Allah that it is for Him and Him alone. Allah loves His slaves attending to Him. Remember no deed is small in the eyes of Allah. Keep it a secret between you and Allah and not for His creation.

Make dua for the people of Palestine, Gaza, Syria, Burma, Kashmir and all around the world. May Allah protect everyone and bless us all with His mercy. May Allah forgive all our sins and grant us Jannah.

Have a blessed Ramadan everyone. Remember me, my family, my little sister who helps me edit my blog and the entire Ummah.

Those who have something useful to share can comment down below so that it also help others, in Sha Allah.

JazakAllahu Khair. Assalaamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu 🙂