Ramadan

The blessed month of Ramadan comes with numerous sunnahs that can help maximize rewards and spiritual growth. Below is a list of the sunnahs of Ramadan, categorized for easy understanding.

• Eating Suhoor: The Prophet ﷺ said,
  “Take Suhoor, for indeed in Suhoor there is blessing (barakah).” (Sahih Bukhari 1923, Sahih Muslim 1095)
• Delaying Suhoor: It is recommended to have Suhoor closer to Fajr time.
• Eating Dates for Suhoor: If available, it is sunnah to eat dates.

• Hastening to break the fast: The Prophet ﷺ said,
  “The people will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break their fast.” (Sahih Bukhari 1957, Sahih Muslim 1098)
• Breaking the fast with dates and water: The Prophet ﷺ used to break his fast with fresh dates, or dry dates, or water if dates were not available (Abu Dawood 2356).
• Saying the Du’a after breaking the fast:
  ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَابْتَلَّتِ العُرُوقُ وَثَبَتَ الأجْرُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ
  Dhahaba al-zama’u wabtallati al-‘urooq wa thabata al-ajru in sha’ Allah.
  Translation: The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened, and the reward is assured, if Allah wills. (Abu Dawood 2357)
• Feeding others Iftar: The Prophet ﷺ said,
  “Whoever provides food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will have a reward like theirs, without reducing their reward in the slightest.” (Tirmidhi 807)

• Praying Taraweeh in congregation: The Prophet ﷺ encouraged Taraweeh and prayed it with his companions on some nights (Sahih Bukhari 2012, Sahih Muslim 759).
• Completing the Quran in Taraweeh: It is the sunnah of the Khulafa Rashideen to complete the entire Quran in Taraweeh during Ramadan.

• Increasing the recitation of the Quran:
  The Prophet ﷺ would revise the Quran with Jibreel every Ramadan (Sahih Bukhari 4998).
• Reflecting on the Quran’s meanings and acting upon its teachings.

• Making excessive du’a: The Prophet ﷺ said,
  “The supplication of the fasting person is not rejected.” (Ibn Majah 1752)
• Best times for du’a:
  • Before Iftar
  • During Suhoor
  • In the last third of the night
  • During Laylatul Qadr

• Giving Sadaqah (charity): The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous in Ramadan (Sahih Bukhari 6).
• Paying Zakat al-Fitr before Eid Salah to purify the fast and help the poor.

• Worshipping more in the last ten nights:
  The Prophet ﷺ would exert himself more in the last ten nights than at any other time (Sahih Muslim 1175).
• Praying and making du’a on Laylatul Qadr:
  The Prophet ﷺ taught Aisha (RA) to say this du’a:
  اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
  Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa‘fu ‘anni
  Translation: O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me. (Tirmidhi 3513)

• Avoiding foul speech: The Prophet ﷺ said,
  “If one of you is fasting, let him not speak evil or act ignorantly. If someone insults him, let him say: ‘I am fasting.’” (Sahih Bukhari 1904, Sahih Muslim 1151)
• Avoiding backbiting, lying, and fighting, as these reduce the reward of fasting.

• Sunnah to do I’tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan.
• The Prophet ﷺ would stay in the masjid, focusing on worship and disconnecting from worldly distractions (Sahih Bukhari 2025).

• Thanking Allah for the gift of Ramadan and the opportunity to worship.
• Being mindful of the struggles of the poor, increasing empathy and gratitude.

• The Prophet ﷺ recommended not overeating at Suhoor, keeping it light and moderate (Sahih Muslim 1096).
• It is sunnah to drink water and eat dates at Suhoor (Abu Dawood 2345).

• Ramadan is not just about fasting from food but also from bad speech and actions.
• The Prophet ﷺ said:
  “Whoever does not give up false speech and evil deeds, Allah is not in need of him giving up his food and drink.” (Sahih Bukhari 1903)
• Avoiding anger, arguments, and gossiping is highly emphasized.

• Smiling is a sunnah: The Prophet ﷺ said:
  “Smiling in the face of your brother is charity.” (Tirmidhi 1956)
• Being kind, cheerful, and patient increases the spiritual beauty of Ramadan.

• The Prophet ﷺ used Miswak multiple times daily, including while fasting (Sahih Bukhari 1933).
• It is sunnah to brush your teeth often, especially before Suhoor and after Iftar.

• Saying “Astaghfirullah” (seeking forgiveness) frequently.
• Increasing Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ.
• Reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas (Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad) 3 times daily, as it is equal to reciting the Quran completely (Tirmidhi 2890).

• Sharing Iftar with others, especially family, neighbors, and the needy.
• Making peace with relatives if there is any dispute.
• Teaching children about the virtues of Ramadan.

• It is sunnah to pray all five prayers in the masjid, especially Fajr and Isha.
• Attending Islamic lectures and Quranic lessons during Ramadan.
• Sitting after Fajr prayer until sunrise, making Dhikr and reciting Quran, which is equal to the reward of one Hajj & Umrah (Tirmidhi 586).

• Not overeating at Iftar: The Prophet ﷺ said:
  “The son of Adam fills no vessel worse than his stomach.” (Ibn Majah 3349)
• Eating with gratitude and reflection on those who don’t have food.

• The Prophet ﷺ encouraged walking to prayer, as every step earns rewards (Sahih Muslim 666).
• Praying in congregation for Taraweeh is a great sunnah and erases sins (Sahih Muslim 759).

• Being generous is sunnah:
  “The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan.” (Sahih Bukhari 6)
• Helping neighbors, co-workers, and friends in their needs.
• Encouraging others to do good deeds.

• The last third of the night is the best time to seek forgiveness.
• Allah says:
  “And those who seek forgiveness before dawn (Sahar).” (Quran 51:18)
• Saying 100 times:
  أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
  Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilayh (I seek forgiveness from Allah and I repent to Him).

• Du’a is accepted especially before Iftar, at Suhoor, and in the last 10 nights.
• Asking for personal needs, forgiveness, and Jannah.

• The Prophet ﷺ would exert himself more in the last ten nights (Sahih Bukhari 2024).
• Searching for Laylatul Qadr with more Qiyam, Dhikr, and Du’a.

• Reading Islamic books and Seerah of the Prophet ﷺ.
• Learning new Sunnahs and Du’as.
• Avoiding useless activities, social media distractions, and excessive entertainment.

• Making the intention (niyyah) for every fast the night before.
• Fasting with the mindset of seeking Allah’s pleasure, not just hunger control.

• The Prophet ﷺ used to take a short nap before Dhuhr (Sahih Bukhari 6392).
• Re-energizes for worship, especially Taraweeh and Qiyam-ul-Layl.

• Thanking Allah for allowing another Ramadan.
• Making du’a to be among those who witness next Ramadan (Musnad Ahmad 2238).

📖 Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA):
The Prophet ﷺ ascended the pulpit and said, “Ameen, Ameen, Ameen.”
It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, why did you say Ameen three times?”

He ﷺ replied:

“Jibreel came to me and said:

• May Allah ruin the one who finds Ramadan but is not forgiven (because of his negligence in seeking Allah’s mercy).
• May Allah ruin the one in whose presence your name is mentioned, but he does not send salawat (blessings) upon you.
• May Allah ruin the one who finds his parents in old age (one or both), but does not enter Jannah by serving them.”

The Prophet ﷺ then said, “Ameen” to each of Jibreel’s supplications.

📚 (Sahih Muslim 2551, Ahmad 7444, Ibn Hibban 907, Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 646)