These are the list of program for the Muslims during this blessed month:
Muslim’s day in Ramadaan:
We start day with sahoor before Fajr prayer. It is better to delay sahoor until the latest possible time of the night.
Then after that, we get ready for Fajr prayer before the adhaan. So we do wudu at home and go out to the mosque before the adhaan.
When we enter the mosque, we pray two rak’ahs (tahiyyat al-masjid – greeting the mosque). Then sit and keeps busy making dua, or reading Qur’an, or reciting dhikr, until the muezzin gives the call to prayer. we repeat what the muadhin says, and say the dua narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to be said after the adhaan ends. Then after that, we pray two rak’ahs (the regular Sunnah of Fajr), then we occupy ourselves with du’a and reading of the Qur’an until the iqaamah for prayer is given. we will be in a state of prayer so long as we are waiting for the prayer.
After offering the prayer in congregation, we recite the dhikrs that are prescribed following the salaam at the end of the prayer. After that, if we want to sit in the mosque until the sun has risen, reciting dhikr and reading Qur’an, that is preferable, and that is what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to do after Fajr prayer.
Then about one-quarter of an hour after the sun has risen if we want we can pray Duha prayer (a minimum of two rak’ahs), and that is good. Or if we want we can delay it until the preferred time, which is when the day has grown hotter and the sun is higher in the sky – that is better.
Then if we want we can sleep to prepare ourselves for going to work, and we can intend by sleeping to strengthen ourselves for worship and earning a living, so that we will be rewarded for it in sha Allah. we should also follow the etiquette of sleep that is prescribed in shari’ah, both actions and words.
Then we go to work, and when the time for Zuhr prayer comes, we go to the mosque early, before the adhaan or immediately after it, and we should get ready to pray beforehand. So we pray four Rakat with two tasleem (the regular Sunnah before Dhuhr), then we keep busy reading Qur’an until the iqaamah for prayer is given, and we pray with the congregation, then we pray two Rakat (the regular Sunnah after Zuhr).
Then after the prayer, we go and finish whatever is left of our work until it is time to leave work. If there is a long time to go after finishing work until the time for ‘Asr prayer, then we can rest. But if there is not enough time and we fear that if we sleep we will miss ‘Asr prayer, then we should keep busy doing something suitable until the time for ‘Asr comes, such as going to the market to buy some things that our family need and the like, or going straight to the mosque when we have finished from work, and staying in the mosque until we have prayed ‘Asr.
Then after ‘Asr, it depends on our circumstances. If we can stay in the mosque and keep busy reading Qur’an, this is a great opportunity. But if we feel tired, then we should rest at this time so that we will be ready to pray Taraweeh at night.
Before the adhan for Maghrib, we should get ready to break our fast, and we should do something at this time that will benefit us, whether reading Qur’an, making dua, or having a useful conversation with our wife and children.
One of the best things that we can do at this time is to take part in offering iftaar to those who are fasting, whether by bringing food to them or helping to distribute it to them and organizing that. This brings great joy that no one knows except those who have experienced it.
After iftaar, we go and pray in congregation in the mosque, and after the prayer, we pray two Rakat (the regular Sunnah of Maghrib). Then we go back home and eat whatever is available – without eating too much. Then we look for a suitable way for us and our family to spend this time, whether reading a book of stories, or a book on practical rulings, or a quiz, or permissible conversation, or any other useful idea that is of interest to the members of the family and will distract them from the haraam things that appear in the media which regard this as their prime time, so we find the media transmitting their most attractive programs at that time, that may contain immoral and obscene material. we should Strive to turn away from that and fear Allaah with regard to our family concerning whom we will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection, so we should be prepared to answer the questions.
Then get ready for ‘Isha’ prayer, go to the mosque and keep busy reading Qur’aan or listening to the lesson being given in the mosque.
Then after that perform ‘Isha’ prayer, then pray two rak’ahs (the regular Sunnah of ‘Isha’), then pray taraaweeh behind the imam with humility and focus, pondering the meanings of what is recited. Do not finish until the imam finishes. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever stands (and prays) with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded as if he spent the night in prayer.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1370, and others. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Salaat al-Taraaweeh,
Then after Taraaweeh we can make a program for ourselves that is suited to our circumstances and personal commitments. But you should pay attention to the following:
- Keeping away from all haraam and whatever may lead to them.
Paying attention to ensuring that our family avoid falling into any haraam thing or whatever may lead to that, in a wise manner, such as preparing a program just for them, or taking them out for leisure trips to permissible places, or keeping them away from bad friends, or looking for good friends for them.
Keeping busy with things that take priority.
Then you should try to sleep early, whilst paying attention to the etiquette of sleep as prescribed in shari’ah, both actions and words. If you read some Qur’an or some beneficial books before going to sleep, that is something good, especially if you have not yet completed your daily portion of Qur’an – so do not go to sleep until you have completed it.
Then wake up before suhoor, allowing enough time to recite dua, because this time – the last third of the night – is the time when Allaah descends, and Allaah has praised those who seek His forgiveness at this time and has promised those who call upon Him at this time that He will answer them, and that He will accept the repentance of those who repent to Him at this time. So do not neglect this great opportunity.
Friday:
Coming early to Jumu’ah prayer.
Staying in the mosque after ‘Asr prayer, and keeping busy with reading Qur’an and making du’a until the last hour of this day, for that is a time when du’a are answered.
Make this day an opportunity for completing some of your deeds that you did not finish during the week, such as completing your weekly portion of the Qur’an, or finishing reading a book, or listening to a tape and other good deeds.
The last ten days of Ramadaan:
The last ten days of Ramadaan include Laylat al-Qadr which is better than a thousand months. Hence it is prescribed for a person to observe i’tikaaf (“retreat” for the purpose of worship) in the mosque during these ten days, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to do, seeking Laylat al-Qadr. Whoever can observe i’tikaaf at this time, this is a great blessing from Allaah.
Whoever cannot observe i’tikaaf for the entire period should do as much as he is able to.
If he is not able to do i’tikaaf at all, then he should try to spend the nights in worship. Praying qiyaam, reading Qur’an, remembering Allaah, and making du’a. He should prepare for that by resting during the day so that he will be able to stay up at night.
This program is just a suggestion. It is a flexible schedule that each person can adapt to his own circumstances.
This program pays attention to the Sunnahs that are proven from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). It does not mean that everything mentioned here is an obligatory duty, rather it includes many things that are Sunnah and mustahabb.
The most beloved of actions to Allaah are those which are continuous even if they are little. At the beginning of the month, a person may be keen to do acts of worship, then he may slow down. Beware of that, and strive to persist in all the actions that you do in this blessed month.
The Muslim should strive to organize his time in this blessed month so that he will not miss out on a great opportunity to do more good and righteous deeds. For example, a person should try to buy all the things that the family needs before the month begins, and he should buy day-to-day needs at times when the stores are not crowded, and visits to friends and family should be organized in such a way that they do not distract from acts of worship.
Make doing lots of acts of worship and drawing closer to Allaah your priority in this blessed month.
Resolve at the beginning of the month to go to the mosque early at the times of prayer, and to complete the Book of Allaah, and to regularly pray qiyaam al-layl in this great month, and to spend (in charity) what you can of your wealth.
Make the most of the opportunity that the month of Ramadaan brings to strengthen your connection to the Book of Allaah, by utilizing the following means:
Read the verses correctly. The way to do that is to have your reading corrected by someone who knows how to read well. If you cannot do that, then by listening to tapes of expert readers.
Revise what Allaah has enabled you to memorize, and memorize some more.
Read the Tafseer (commentary) on the verses, either by looking up the verses you do not understand in reliable books of Tafseer such as Tafseer al-Baghawi and Tafseer Ibn Katheer and Tafseer al-Sa’di or by making a program to read a book of Tafseer. Start first with the thirtieth Juz’ (section) of the Qur’an, then move on to the twenty-ninth juz’, and so on.
Strive to apply the commands that you read in the Book of Allaah.
We ask Allaah to perfect for us the blessing of Ramadaan, and to help us fast and pray qiyaam throughout the whole month, and to accept (these acts of worship) from us, and to forgive us for our shortcomings.