We are at the very start of the blessed month of Ramadan—a time of spiritual renewal and healing for the heart, mind, and body.
Ramadan is not only about abstaining from food and drink or increasing acts of prayer; it is also a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect, and reassess our lives.
It invites us to identify harmful habits we need to abandon, positive habits we should develop, and areas where we need self-correction. While some practices during Ramadan should be avoided, others should be cultivated and sustained long after the month ends.
1. Treating Ramadan as a routine rather than worship
For many people, Ramadan has gradually lost its spiritual depth and become a mere tradition. They fast simply because others are fasting, moving through the day mechanically, without reflection or devotion. The essence of Ramadan—purifying the heart, turning sincerely to Allah, seeking forgiveness, and asking for protection from the Fire—is often neglected. Although food and drink are avoided, the deeper purpose of fasting is forgotten.
2. Excessive focus on food and drink
For some, Ramadan revolves almost entirely around meals. They spend the whole day planning, shopping for, preparing, and thinking about food, instead of focusing on prayer, Qur’an recitation, and remembrance of Allah. The month of fasting then becomes a month of feasting, with lavish iftar tables filled with excessive varieties. This defeats the goal of fasting, which is meant to reduce greed and strengthen self-control, not increase desire or waste.
3. Spending the entire day cooking
Some women, whether by choice or obligation, spend the whole day and night cooking. By the time evening arrives, they are exhausted and unable to perform even basic prayers, let alone Taraweeh, Tahajjud, or Qur’an recitation. Ramadan is a month of mercy and forgiveness; it should not be consumed entirely by the kitchen. Reducing time spent cooking allows more time to nourish one’s faith.
4. Overeating at suhoor and iftar
Many people overeat at suhoor in the hope of avoiding hunger, while others overindulge at iftar to compensate for the day’s fast. This behavior contradicts the Sunnah, which emphasizes moderation. Excessive eating leads to laziness, distracts from worship, and causes spiritual heedlessness rather than strength and focus.
5. Sleeping away the fast
Some individuals spend most of the fasting hours asleep. This behavior undermines the purpose of Ramadan, which is meant to develop patience, discipline, and self-control. Avoiding hunger and effort through excessive sleep reflects negligence rather than devotion.
6. Wasting valuable time
Ramadan is a precious and limited period that passes quickly. Ideally, every moment should be used wisely in worship and remembrance. Unfortunately, some people waste their days on video games, television, movies, or music—activities that distract from the spirit of the month and contradict the very purpose of fasting.
7. Fasting while continuing sinful behavior
Many people fast but continue to lie, gossip, argue, curse, cheat, steal, or engage in unlawful activities. Fasting is not only about abstaining from food and drink; its true aim is to develop piety and consciousness of Allah. Without abandoning sinful conduct, the essence of fasting is lost.
8. Neglecting suhoor
Some people skip the pre-dawn meal, even though suhoor carries great blessing and distinguishes Islamic fasting. Ignoring it means missing out on both physical benefit and spiritual reward.
9. Missing the opportunity for accepted supplication
The time of breaking the fast is a moment when supplications are especially accepted. Yet many people miss this opportunity because they are too busy preparing food, chatting, or serving meals. This precious time should be spent turning to Allah, seeking forgiveness, and asking for one’s needs.
10. Fasting without praying
Prayer is fundamental to faith. A person who abandons prayer while fasting risks having their fast rejected, as prayer is the foundation of worship and belief.
11. Worshipping only on the 27th night
Some people exert themselves in worship only on the 27th night of Ramadan, assuming it is the Night of Decree, while neglecting the other odd nights. However, the special night is to be sought throughout all the odd nights of the last ten days, not limited to one evening alone.