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Lesson 3 – Acts Recommended and Discouraged During Fasting

Just like we discussed the permitted acts in the earlier sessions, today we will look at the best things to do in Ramadan and things not to do in Ramadan. We often see people asking what the best things to do in Ramadan are? Every Muslim wants to cash from Ramadan as much as possible so that he gains Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. Today’s episode will answer your questions about the best things to do in Ramadan and also the things that are discouraged in Islam to do during fasting.

The Best Things to Do in Ramadan

Discouraged Acts

The discouraged acts that are not recommended as things to do during Ramadan fasting are:

  • Eating or drinking during fasting. Allah says in the Quran: “Eat and drink until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread; then complete your fast till the night appears.” (Al Quran 2:187) Any act that makes you swallow something is also prohibited. For example, taking too much water into the throat during wudhu so it may gulp in. Taking medicines is also prohibited.
  • Kidney dialysis or something that takes the blood out, purifies it, supplements it, and returns it is also prohibited.
  • Sexual intercourse, masturbation, and any other activity that causes the discharging of something from the body. Of course, some categories like pregnancy, post-natal bleeding, menstruation, etc., are excluded. We are only talking about deliberate actions. Allah says for the fasting person: “He has left his food, drink, and sexual desires for my sake.”
  • Deliberate vomiting also invalidates the fast.
  • Letting out blood, cupping, or something similar is also prohibited.

These are the discouraging things to do during Ramadan. A man who wants to win Allah’s mercy should never decide to take up these acts as things to do in Ramadan.

Recommended Acts

The recommended acts are the best things to do in Ramadan. They include:

  • Fasting every day of Ramadan. Prophet (PBUH) says: “Whoever believes in Allah and his Messenger, establishes regular prayer, and fasts the month of Ramadan, then it is incumbent upon Allah to enter him into Paradise.”
  • Give Zakat if it is due on you. It is one of the 5 pillars of Islam.
  • Abstain from all the haram things.
  • Eat Suhoor even if you aren’t fasting, as it is full of blessings.
  • Increase your Dhikr.
  • Perform all the Faraa’idh. Even focus on Nawafil and perform them along with the Sunnah.
  • Seek forgiveness from Allah. Prophet (PBUH) said: “May a man upon whom Ramadan enters and then passes, before he is forgiven, be humiliated.” (Jami At Tirmidhi Vol.6 Hadith 3545)
  • Make dua before Iftaar.
  • Search for Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.
  • Use the Siwaak.
  • Avoid the prohibited and makrooh activities.
  • Avoid the common mistakes during Ramadan, Iftaar, and Suhoor.
  • Delay the Suhoor until the start of Fajr Adhaan.
  • Take Iftaar immediately after sunset.
  • Eat dates and drink water when you break the fast.
  • Recite recommended dua after you do the Iftaar. “The thirst is gone, the veins are quenched, and the reward is assured- if Allah wills.” (Sunan Abu Dawood Vol.3 Hadith 2357)
  • Reading as much Quran as possible is one of the best things to do in Ramadan.

There are many more acts recommended as the best things to do in Ramadan. We will discuss all of them in our episode with Dr. Zakir Naik. So stay tuned!

All the acts discussed above are mentioned clearly in the Quran or Hadith. The recommended acts are the best things to do in Ramadan.