As we all know, Ramadan is a period of massive spiritual growth. Anyone who observes the month with sincere faith and in compliance with the sunnah can attest to this. Contrarily, many of us haven’t learned how to hack the season to the fullest.

A lot of people grew up learning how to fast as a chore. This doesn’t only make it boring but diminishes the rewards as well. Back in those days, we can’t deny the times when we sneaked to drink water or eat something behind the watchful eyes of others. This was because we didn’t understand the rudiments of fasting and what’s in it for us.

So imagine knowing fully well what fasting entails, observing it with its conditions, and following the Sunnah. This will only result in maximum rewards for you. The fasting person’s recompense is unimaginable as it’s been exclusively preserved by Allah.

Abu Hurayrah — may Allah be pleased with him — said: The Messenger of Allah — peace be upon him — said: “Every deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied between ten and seven hundred times. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, said: Except fasting. It is for Me and I shall reward for it. He gives up his desires and his food for My sake. — Muslim

This hadith singles out fasting as the only act of worship that Allah claims to be for Him. Also, only He will reward the fasting person in a magnificent way. One may ask: why? This is because the fasting person gives up an innate desire of natural instinct. The majority of people love to eat, drink and enjoy conjugal relationships.

Yet, the one who is fasting gives up these desires in preference for the love of His Lord — Allah. Also, when you’re fasting only Allah knows. It is quite difficult to tell if someone is fasting. Except if you show fatigue in strength or mention to someone your state, fasting is an inward action that is not easily noticeable. This is why Allah singles it out as being for Him and has promised that the reward is with Him Alone.

Having mentioned this, it’s now incumbent to go into the nitty-gritty of this piece. How can you achieve maximum rewards in this blessed month of Ramadan? It is for you to consciously set out with a to-do list and a not to do list. And we shall examine both of them in bits. As for the to-do list, here are at least ten things to engage with:

• Be Intentional: Ramadan is not a feasting season but a fasting one. Make a sincere intention to make the most of this blessed month and gain the maximum amount of reward. Many of us focus more on food than the objective of becoming pious. So you have to be intentional by making this your ‘Best Ramadan Ever’. How can you do this? By setting simple goals and taking steps to achieve them. Purify your heart and focus on the quality of your deeds, not the quantity.
• Be Patient: Without a doubt, Ramadan is the month of patience and this is part of the merits you derive from a blessed month. Interestingly, fasting is one act of worship that combines all three forms of patience simultaneously. Hence, resisting the urge to complain about thirst and hunger while fasting serves as a shield for you.

And always remember the saying of your Lord, The Most-High:

“Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning” — Qur’an 39[Az-Zumar]:10

• Eat Suhoor: I really loved the predawn meal growing up because it was the fuel for the day. Today, I don’t crave it except for the blessings I believe it entails. Eating Sahoor could be difficult but it is highly recommended as it gives you the energy to fast. So, even if it’s a piece of date or a cup of water, get up and take something. Allah’s Apostle peace be upon him mentioned: “Eat suhoor, for in suhoor there is a blessing.” — Agreed Upon
• As-Salat: The period of Ramadan serves as an annual reset for you. Just like jum’ah to jum’ah is a weekly expiation, your five daily prayers are also expiations for your shortcomings. Hence, make it a point of interest to pray appropriately at the right time. Also, follow up with voluntary prayers: Duha, Tarawih, Qiyamul Layl, and the Sunnah al-Rawaatib. As for the men, pray in congregation at the masjid and if the women want to do so as well, they are allowed. Allah says:

Indeed, performing prayers is a duty enjoined on the believers at the appointed times. — Qur’an 4[An-Nisa’]:103

• Qur’an: Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, so it provides you with an opportunity to bond with it. Read and study the Quran daily, and try to complete it at least once during the month if you can. Reflect on its meaning and implement its teachings in your daily life.
• I’tikaaf and the last ten days: It is said that the prophet — peace be upon him — used to fasten his waste belt once the last ten days of Ramadan sets in. He goes in seclusion in the masjid observing acts of worship and seeking nearness to his Lord. This means you brace up for more good deeds and seek the night of majesty on the odd nights. And do not forget, this is the most important supplication to say:

Aisha — may Allah be pleased with her — said, “I asked the Messenger of Allah: ‘O Messenger of Allah! If I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ He said: ‘Say: Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee’” Meaning: “O Allah, You are the Most Forgiving and You love to Forgive, so forgive me”. — Tirmidhi

• Dua’: Ramadan is a period of accepted supplications. Our beloved messenger peace be upon him told us: “There are three people whose du’aa’ is not rejected. a just ruler, the fasting person when he breaks his fast, and the prayer of the oppressed person — Tirmidhi.

Allah says:

“And when My slaves ask you concerning Me, then tell them, I am indeed near. I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.” — Qur’an 2[Al-Baqarah]:186

• Repentance: This is the season of repentance and earning the forgiveness of your Lord. Also, do not forget to forgive others who have wronged you. One time, Jibril came and advised the prophet — peace be upon him: “may the wrath of Allah be upon someone who witnessed Ramadan but didn’t earn the forgiveness of Allah”. Allah’s Apostle responded, Amin! This simply means that the one who doesn’t earn the forgiveness of Allah in Ramadan is indeed a sure loser. Therefore, hasten to repent.

“Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” — Sahih Al-Bukhari

• Charity: Ramadan is a season of giving. Hence, give generously to those in need. Make donations to charitable organizations, and engage in acts of kindness and good deeds. You can calculate your zakat and start giving it out in the blessed month. And one of the best deeds you can do as well is to feed the fasting person with a meal to break the fast. When the Prophet — peace be upon him — got to Madinah, one of his first words were:

“O, people! Spread (the greeting of) Salam, feed others, uphold the ties of kinship, and pray during the night when people are sleeping, and you will enter Paradise with Salam.” — Ibn Majah

• Accountability and Reflection: Ramadan is the time you hold yourself accountable. Umar ibn Khattab used to say: ‘hold yourself accountable before you’re called into account’. Make sure you’re checking yourself on a daily basis. Ask yourself: How am I fairing with my goals? What have I accomplished well and what can I improve upon? What are my wins and struggles? Take time to reflect on your spiritual journey so far and identify the areas for improvement. This will go a long way to aid you in maximizing your rewards.

The list of things to do during Ramadan can not be exhausted. And bear in mind, the benefits outweighs the rigorousness. Many of us already have our routine activities so these were just a few. Remember, you can also modify it to suit what works for you best.

And as for the not-to-do list, it reminds me of the famous companion Hudhayfah ibn Yaman — may Allah be pleased with him. He mentioned that he used to ask the Prophet — peace be upon him — about evil things, for fear that he doesn’t fall into doing them. So let’s take heed of the following:

• Use of the tongue: It’s highly encouraged that you guard your tongue judiciously during the month of Ramadan. This is an opportunity for you to purify your speech and avoid any form of negative talk — slander, lies, backbiting — about others.

The Prophet — peace be upon him — said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and working with it, Allah has no need in his abstinence from food and drink.” — Bukhari

• Eat less, sleep less: Ramadan isn’t a festival of food, so eat less and fix your mindset. Don’t make it a habit to sleep all night long or spend a chunk of your days dozing off. Taking power naps during the day is good to re-energize and get some rest when tired.
• Screen time: Do not spend too much time on social media during this period. In fact, this is the ideal time to unplug. Also, minimize the duration of time you exhaust binge-watching the TV.
• Not a competition: You need to realize that Ramadan is not a competition. So, understand yourself and stay in your lane. Don’t allow anyone to guilt trip you. Do your best and remember it’s the sincerity of action that really matters most.
• Extravagance: Sometimes, there’s too much to eat and drink. Cut it within limits and do not be wasteful. Remember part of the lessons of Ramadan is feeling the pains of the poor and needy. Therefore, avoid wasting food, money, water, and other valuable resources.

Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful. — Qur’an 17[Al-’Isra]:27

• Eschew Anger: And sometimes, you will still find people who want to test your patience. Then, follow this recommendation of the Prophet:

“When one of you wakes up in the morning for fasting, then he should not use obscene language or behave foolishly. If anyone abuses him or fights with him, he should say twice: Indeed, I am fasting.” — Muslim

• Killing time: You are highly encouraged to use the month of Ramadan as an opportunity to engage in productive and beneficial activities as mentioned above. Time is a trust from Allah, a Muslim doesn’t kill time or let it pass away in futility.
• Sinfulness: If you witness Ramadan and you still carry on with your evil ways, then blame no one but yourself. Try as much as you can to avoid any activity that is considered sinful or unlawful and any form of harm to others. This way, you will be maximizing your rewards in the blessed month.

These are just a few thoughts to help enhance our Ramadan and make the best out of it. If you have any more suggestions, kindly drop them in the response section. We ask Allah to spare our lives to witness the blessed month and grant us the ability to do acceptable deeds. Amin!