Ramadhan is finally here! But while most people are excitedly preparing to begin a month of fasting, those who are unable to fast are left with the question : how can I take part in this blessed month?
There are many reasons why a person can't fast, including sickness, menstruation, and other special needs. But that doesn't mean you can't get involved and reap the rewards of the most holy month of the year. Here are some tips to get the most out of your Ramadhan even if you can't fast!
1. Prepare Food for the Fasting
Even though you aren't fasting yourself, you can still earn the rewards of a fasting person - and all it takes is a glass of water!
As mentioned in this hadith, simply providing a fasting person with something to break their fast, even if it's just a small snack, guarantees you the rewards of a whole day of fasting.
In this blessed month, Allah makes it easier than ever for everyone to gain rewards.
2. Practice Zikrullah
Since the rewards for each ibadah (act of worship) are multiplied tenfold during Ramadhan, Zikr is an easy way for you to get involved and earn as many as you can, especially if you can't pray!
Zikr also has the added benefit of instilling remembrance of Allah, and bringing peace and tranquility to your self. Make it a point to recite Zikr as often as you can throughout the day, and especially in the mornings and evenings.
3. Recite Prayers and Verses you Already Know
Refresh your memory of the Quranic verses and duas that you've already memorised.
'Q mankind! Surely, there has come to you a counsel from your Master, and a cure for all those (diseases) which are (hidden) in the chests. And it is guidance and mercy for those who believe.' (Yunus, 10:57)
From this verse, it's clear that when you have an issue in life that is affecting your heart - turn to the Quran.
4. Selawat as Much as You Can
There are numerous benefits of reciting selawat. It not only builds a deep bond with our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), but also ensures us a wealth of rewards in this life and the hereafter.
Whoever recites selawat will find peace in this life, and have and increased chance of meeting the Prophet (S.A.W.) in a dream. Selawat is also the most superior deed in the hereafter, serving as a shelter for the person who recites it and wiping out their sins just as water wipes out fire.
5. Give Sadaqah as Often as You Can
Sadaqah is a voluntary charitable act towards others, whether through generosity, love, compassion or faith. These acts are not necessarily physical or monetary. Simple good deeds such as a smile, or a helping hand, are seen as acts of sadaqa.
The Prophet (S.A.W.) said : “Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire." In other hadith, he tells us that sadaqah will be our shade on the fields of judgement in the hereafter.
6. Repent and Refrain from Sinning
Fasting isn't just about not eating and drinking. The word 'saum' (fasting) in Arabic means abstinence, refraining from doing something.
This includes all sinful things such as backbiting, speaking ill of others, or even wastefulness. We should repent from our sins regularly, and even more so during the times we can't fast.
Make istighfar a part of your daily routine; it's just as important to repent as it is to perform ibadah.
7. Share Your Knowledge
The Prophet S.A.W. said : "Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a similar reward."
The best way for you to earn rewards during Ramadhan is to spread the knowledge you have, even small things like the tips mentioned above! Every time you share knowledge with someone, and they act on it or pass that knowledge on to others, and then those people pass it on further, you're creating a cycle of good deeds that benefits the whole community.
If you found this article helpful, share it with your friends and family! After all, you'll benefit even more from sharing your knowledge in this blessed month. Let's all do our best to do as much ibadah as we can this Ramadhan!
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