As the crescent moon signals the dawn of Ramadan, hearts swell with gratitude and hope. This sacred month is not merely a calendar date; it is a divine gift, a time for internal transformation, purification, and closeness to Allah Subḥānahu wa Taʿālā. Ramadan is a season of mercy, an annual invitation to align our lives with the values of the Qur’an and Sunnah. To fully benefit from this blessed opportunity, we must prepare with intention, consistency, and humility.
1. Intention (Niyyah) Before Fasting
إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ
“Actions are but by intentions.”
— [Sahih al-Bukhari 1, Sahih Muslim 1907]
Every fast begins with a pure intention, made in the heart, before Fajr. The intention does not need to be verbalized, though it may be said if it aids sincerity. Let your first act before Suhoor be to consciously renew your niyyah—fasting only for the sake of Allah, seeking His acceptance and reward.
2. The Virtue of Suhoor and Dua Before It
تَسَحَّرُوا فَإِنَّ فِي السُّحُورِ بَرَكَةً
“Take Suhoor, for there is a blessing in Suhoor.”
— [Sahih al-Bukhari 1923, Sahih Muslim 1095]
Suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) is not just nourishment—it is a blessed act of worship. Even a few sips of water suffice to earn its reward. During this time, one should make duas with a humble heart.
Dua for Suhoor
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي نَوَيْتُ أَنْ أَصُومَ غَدًا لَكَ فَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي وَاغْفِرْ لِي وَارْزُقْنِي فِيهِ الرِّزْقَ الْحَلَالَ
Allāhumma innī nawaytu an aṣūma ghadan laka fataqabbalhu minnī waghfir lī warzuqnī fīhi ar-rizq al-ḥalāl
O Allah, I intend to fast tomorrow for Your sake, so accept it from me, forgive me, and grant me lawful sustenance therein.
While this particular dua is not from a sahih hadith, it reflects a meaningful supplication that can accompany your intention. Always make personal duas as well during Suhoor, especially asking for strength, ease, and acceptance.
3. Consistency in Worship (Ibadah)
Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْآنُ
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an.”
— [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185]
Make it a goal to read or listen to Qur’an daily. Reflect on its meaning and allow it to guide your choices. Establish consistent Salah, perform Taraweeh with khushu’ (humility), and schedule time for dhikr and quiet reflection.
4. Charity (Sadaqah) and Zakat
مَن فَطَّرَ صَائِمًا كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِهِ
“Whoever provides food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will have a reward like theirs.”
— [Tirmidhi 807]
This is the season of giving. Whether it is fulfilling your Zakat obligations or giving daily Sadaqah, every act is multiplied during Ramadan. Make it a habit to give even a small amount each day and support causes that uplift the Ummah.
5. Cultivating Taqwa (God-Consciousness)
لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“…so that you may attain Taqwa.”
— [Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:183]
The essence of fasting is not hunger—it is self-restraint. Avoid backbiting, vain talk, anger, and sinful thoughts. Use Ramadan as a training ground for the heart and mind to grow closer to Allah, controlling desires and sharpening spiritual awareness.
6. Iftar and Supplication
ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ، وَثَبَتَ الْأَجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
“The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills.”
— [Abu Dawood 2357]
Break your fast as soon as the adhan for Maghrib is called, starting with dates and water, as per Sunnah. It is a time when duas are accepted, so raise your hands in prayer before you eat.
7. The Power of I’tikaf and Laylat-ul-Qadr
خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
“…better than a thousand months.”
— [Surah Al-Qadr, 97:3]
In the last ten nights of Ramadan, increase your worship. If possible, perform I’tikaf—a spiritual retreat focused entirely on worship, prayer, and Qur’an. Seek Laylat-ul-Qadr, which carries the reward of over 83 years of worship.
8. Seek Forgiveness – Constantly
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ العَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
“O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me.”
— [Tirmidhi 3513]
This dua, especially beloved in the last 10 nights, is a sincere plea for mercy. Recite it often, along with your personal requests. Ramadan is a chance to be cleansed of all past sins, InshaAllah.
9. Strengthening the Ummah Through Community
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized community in every aspect of life. Attend prayers at the masjid, share meals, help neighbors, and check in on the lonely. Ramadan is not just a personal journey—it’s a collective revival of faith.
10. Self-Reflection and Goal Setting
وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا
“And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it. And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness.”
— [Surah Ash-Shams, 91:7–8]
Take time to journal, reflect, and write your goals for after Ramadan. Which habits will you carry forward? What will you improve? Make Ramadan the starting point for long-term transformation.
15 Authentic Hadiths About Ramadan (With Full Texts & Context)
1. Fasting Forgives All Past Sins
مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
Man ṣāma Ramaḍāna īmānan wa-iḥtisāban, ghufira lahu mā taqaddama min dhanbih
“Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
🔗 Sahih al-Bukhari 38
Context: This hadith was reported by Abu Huraira and highlights the immense opportunity for spiritual cleansing in Ramadan. The condition is sincere belief and seeking Allah’s reward—not mere routine.
2. Gates of Paradise Open in Ramadan
إِذَا جَاءَ رَمَضَانُ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ، وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ، وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ
Idhā jā’a Ramaḍān futtiḥat abwābu al-jannah, waghulliqat abwābu jahannam, wa-sulsilat ash-shayāṭīn
“When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.”
🔗 Sahih al-Bukhari 1899
Context: Narrated by Abu Huraira, this hadith metaphorically shows the ease of doing good deeds in Ramadan. With fewer obstacles, believers are encouraged to seize the moment.
3. Fasting Is a Shield
الصِّيَامُ جُنَّةٌ، فَإِذَا كَانَ صَوْمُ يَوْمِ أَحَدِكُمْ، فَلَا يَرْفُثْ، وَلَا يَصْخَبْ، فَإِنْ سَابَّهُ أَحَدٌ، أَوْ قَاتَلَهُ، فَلْيَقُلْ: إِنِّي امْرُؤٌ صَائِمٌ
Aṣ-ṣiyāmu junnah, fa-idhā kāna ṣawmu yawmi aḥadikum, fa-lā yarfuth wa-lā yaṣkhab, fa-in sābbahu aḥadun aw qātalah, fal-yaqul innī imru’un ṣā’im
“Fasting is a shield. So when one of you is fasting, he should not behave foolishly or impudently. If someone fights or insults him, he should say: I am fasting.”
🔗 Sahih al-Bukhari 1894
Context: The hadith compares fasting to a shield that protects the believer from sinful behavior and Hellfire. It also teaches patience and restraint in response to provocation.
4. The Reward of Fasting Is From Allah Himself
كُلُّ عَمَلِ ابْنِ آدَمَ لَهُ إِلَّا الصِّيَامَ، فَإِنَّهُ لِي وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ
Kullu ʿamali ibni Ādam lahu illā aṣ-ṣiyām, fa-innahu lī wa-anā ajzī bih
“Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting; it is for Me, and I will reward for it.”
🔗 Sahih al-Bukhari 1904
Context: Unlike other deeds that may carry worldly recognition, fasting is done privately and sincerely, making its reward uniquely assigned by Allah. The narration continues with descriptions of immense reward.
5. Fasting Person Has Two Joys
لِلصَّائِمِ فَرْحَتَانِ: فَرْحَةٌ عِندَ فِطْرِهِ، وَفَرْحَةٌ عِندَ لِقَاءِ رَبِّهِ
Lil-ṣā’im farḥatān: farḥatun ʿinda fiṭrih, wa-farḥatun ʿinda liqā’i rabbih
“The fasting person will have two moments of joy: one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other when he meets his Lord.”
🔗 Sahih al-Bukhari 1904
Context: This part of the same hadith shows the emotional and spiritual elevation that fasting brings. Joy at iftar and immense reward in the hereafter are both emphasized.
6. The Smell of the Fasting Person Is Beloved to Allah
لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِندَ اللَّهِ مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ
Lakhulūfu fami aṣ-ṣā’im aṭyabu ʿinda Allāhi min rīḥ al-misk
“The smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more pleasant to Allah than the fragrance of musk.”
🔗 Sahih al-Bukhari 1904
Context: Although disliked by humans, Allah values every part of sincere worship. This metaphor highlights divine acceptance beyond material standards.
7. Paradise Has a Gate for Fasting People
إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ بَابًا يُقَالُ لَهُ الرَّيَّانُ، يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ الصَّائِمُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، لَا يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ
Inna fī al-jannati bāban yuqālu lahu ar-Rayyān, yadkhulu minhu aṣ-ṣā’imūna yawma al-qiyāmah, lā yadkhulu minhu aḥadun ghayruhum
“Indeed, in Paradise there is a gate called Ar-Rayyan. On the Day of Resurrection, only those who fast will enter through it. No one else will enter through it.”
🔗 Sahih al-Bukhari 1896
Context: This hadith emphasizes the honor reserved exclusively for those who fast, signifying their status among the righteous in the afterlife.
8. Laylat al-Qadr Is Better Than a Thousand Months
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
Laylatul-Qadri khayrun min alfi shahr
“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.”
🔗 Qur’an 97:3
Context: This verse from the Qur’an refers to the greatest night of the year, found in the last 10 nights of Ramadan. Worship in this night outweighs 83 years of worship.
9. Suhoor Contains Blessing
تَسَحَّرُوا، فَإِنَّ فِي السُّحُورِ بَرَكَةً
Tasaḥḥarū, fa-inna fī as-suḥūr barakah
“Partake in Suhoor, for indeed there is blessing in it.”
🔗 Sahih al-Bukhari 1923
Context: Suhoor is not only a means to sustain the fast but also a blessed act encouraged by the Prophet ﷺ as part of the Sunnah.
10. Dua at Iftar Is Accepted
ثَلَاثَةٌ لَا تُرَدُّ دَعْوَتُهُمْ: الصَّائِمُ حِينَ يُفْطِرُ، وَالإِمَامُ الْعَادِلُ، وَدَعْوَةُ الْمَظْلُومِ
Thalāthatun lā turaddu daʿwatuhum: aṣ-ṣā’imu ḥīna yuftiṛ, wal-imāmu al-ʿādil, wa-daʿwatu al-maẓlūm
“Three supplications are never rejected: the supplication of a fasting person at the time of breaking fast, the just ruler, and the supplication of the oppressed.”
🔗 Tirmidhi 3598
Context: This hadith encourages Muslims to take advantage of iftar by making sincere du’a, as it is one of the key times that Allah promises to respond. It also emphasizes justice and the rights of the oppressed.
15 Authentic Hadiths About Ramadan (Continued)
11. Umrah in Ramadan Is Equal to Hajj
فَإِنَّ عُمْرَةً فِي رَمَضَانَ تَقْضِي حَجَّةً مَعِي
Fa-inna ʿumrah fī Ramaḍān taqḍī ḥajjah maʿī
“Verily, Umrah in Ramadan is equivalent to Hajj with me.”
🔗 Sahih al-Bukhari 1863
Context: This hadith was reported by Ibn Abbas. The Prophet ﷺ said this to a woman who missed Hajj due to her health. Performing Umrah during Ramadan brings a reward comparable to Hajj alongside the Prophet ﷺ—though it does not fulfill the obligation of Hajj.
12. Night Prayers in Ramadan Bring Forgiveness
مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
Man qāma Ramaḍāna īmānan wa-iḥtisāban, ghufira lahu mā taqaddama min dhanbih
“Whoever stands (in prayer) during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven.”
🔗 Sahih al-Bukhari 37
Context: This refers to standing in Taraweeh and Qiyam prayers. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized both fasting and prayer during Ramadan as means for attaining full forgiveness.
13. Feeding a Fasting Person Brings Equal Reward
مَنْ فَطَّرَ صَائِمًا كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِهِ، غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ شَيْءٌ
Man faṭṭara ṣā’iman kāna lahu mithlu ajrih, ghayra annahu lā yanquṣu min ajri aṣ-ṣā’im shay’
“Whoever gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive a reward like theirs, without it decreasing their reward in the slightest.”
🔗 Tirmidhi 807
Context: This hadith shows how communal support in Ramadan—through charity or feeding others—carries spiritual weight and shared reward.
14. Sleep and Breath of the Fasting Person Are Worship
نَوْمُ الصَّائِمِ عِبَادَةٌ، وَصَمْتُهُ تَسْبِيحٌ، وَعَمَلُهُ مُضَاعَفٌ، وَدُعَاؤُهُ مُسْتَجَابٌ، وَذَنْبُهُ مَغْفُورٌ
Nawmu aṣ-ṣā’imi ʿibādah, wa-ṣamtuhu tasbīḥ, wa-ʿamaluhu muḍāʿaf, wa-duʿā’uhu mustajāb, wa-dhanbuhu maghfūr
“The sleep of the fasting person is worship, his silence is glorification, his deeds are multiplied, his supplication is answered, and his sins are forgiven.”
🔗 Bayhaqi, Shu’ab al-Iman 3545
Context: Although this hadith is recorded in lesser-known compilations, its meaning aligns with the spirit of Ramadan. It encourages believers to value even their simplest efforts during the fast.
15. Ramadan Is a Month of Patience and Generosity
شَهْرُ الصَّبْرِ، وَالصَّبْرُ ثَوَابُهُ الْجَنَّةُ، وَشَهْرُ الْمُوَاسَاةِ
Shahru aṣ-ṣabr, wa-aṣ-ṣabru thawābuhu al-jannah, wa-shahru al-muwāsāh
“It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise. It is the month of compassion.”
🔗 Ibn Khuzaymah 1887
Context: The Prophet ﷺ described Ramadan as a time to build self-restraint and show compassion toward others. Practicing sabr (patience) and generosity are core objectives of fasting.
A Month of Mercy, a Lifetime of Change
As we navigate the luminous days and serene nights of Ramadan, let us not lose sight of the ultimate goal: Allah’s pleasure and nearness. Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food—it’s about becoming better Muslims, better neighbors, and better servants of the Most Merciful.
“May Allah s.w.t. accept our fasting, forgive our sins, elevate our ranks, and allow us to witness many Ramadans to come.”
Ameen.
Related: Dua for Ramadan Fasting