10 great goals to set for this Ramadan | SoundVision.com

10 great goals to set for this Ramadan

1. Eat, drink and be moderate

Almost all of us do it - once Iftar time hits, we just keep plowing food and drink into our mouths till it's hard to move afterwards. And those of us who do it know this is totally contrary to the spirit of Ramadan, through which we're supposed to learn self-control not self-indulgence. Let's try to stick to the Prophetic rule on eating: fill our stomachs with one-third food, one-third water and one-third breathing space, even in Ramadan.

2. Give a dollar a day in charity...or five or ten

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was always generous but even more so in Ramadan. Let's open our hearts and dig a little deeper in our wallets this year. Even less than a dollar a day adds up. Whatever you can give, it's the intention that counts.

3. Memorize 4 new Surahs

Memorizing the Quran often seems like a daunting task. But the key is doing it in small bites. Since there are four weeks in Ramadan, try to memorize one new Surah a week. Start off with a short, easy one. Once you've started, you'll build momentum and may even want to memorize a longer one the following week.

4. Go to Tarawih prayers

Post-Iftar, the first urge is to sleep after an exhausting day. But try your best to head out to the mosque for Tarawih prayers. Praying alone is wonderful, but doing it in congregation is fantastic. The community spirit is part of Ramadan's blessings. Don't miss it this year. If going every day is not possible, try going at least one week.

5. Attend the Tarawih prayer in which the recitation of the Quran will be finished

Call the local mosque and find out which day the Imam will be finishing the recitation of the Quran in prayer. Attend to not only hear part of the Quran's recitation in prayer, but also participate in the heart-rending Duas that follow it.

6. Stop swearing and/or backbiting – with a special box

It's hard not to shoot our mouths off when someone's upset us. Whether we utter those four-letter words or backbite about someone to our family and friends, we know this isn't the God-approved way of letting off steam. In Ramadan, when we want to build our spirituality, we've got to wage Jihad against our bad habits.

Try this: get a box and every time you catch yourself swearing or backbiting put some money in it. It could be a buck or less. The point is to choose an amount that makes it feel like punishment.

At the end of the month send the money to a charity or buy a gift for the person whom you've backbitten the most against.

7. Call/email your relatives

You'd think that given the easy access to email, competitive long-distance calling rates, phone cards, etc. these days, we'd keep in touch with family and friends more often. But the opposite seems to be the case, as we get caught up in life's "busyness."

Strengthening ties with family members and keeping in touch with friends is part of our way of life and an act Allah is very pleased with. This Ramadan, call family and friends or at least email them a Ramadan card and ask them how their fasting is going.

8. Go on a technology diet

Even if you work in the IT industry, you can do this. Avoid checking personal email and surfing the web during your fast. After Iftar, instead of plopping yourself in front of the screen, go to Tarawih. The same goes for the television. The point is to try to give our full attention to spiritual elevation this month.

9. Read 5 minutes of Quran a day...just five, not more, not less

Even if you feel you've got absolutely no time, set a timer or the alarm on your cell phone and find a relatively quiet place. You can read the first page of the Quran you open or follow a sequence. The choice is yours. The point is simply to connect with God through His revelation in the month of the Quran.

10. Forgive everyone who has hurt you

Still got a festering wound from the fight with your friend last year? Still upset about something your spouse said during a heated argument? Or are you still bitter about the way your parents sometimes treated you as a kid? Let go of the anger and pain this Ramadan and forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiving someone is not only good for the body, but it's also great for the soul. And in Ramadan, ten days of which are devoted to Allah's forgiveness, shouldn't we lesser beings forgive too?

If you find it very difficult to forgive everyone, forgive at least three people.

Photo Atribution - Vishal Dutta - http://www.flickr.com/photos/39809462@N05/3866607349/

Comments

also giving a smile or planting a tree is counted as sadaqah e jariah

Location

pakistan

A very strong and to the point article and a reminder of what we must be doing and not doing. The Prophet Sallaa Allaahu 'alaihi wa salaam was accurate in everything he did as well as pious, just, ind, generous, loving, forgiving,etc. We must emulate him in all his actions and correct ourselves and each other thereby correcting our Ummah

Location

jazakallah!!!! this is incredible as well as a good remindres to all muslem ummah. may Allah (SWA)accept out ibadat through out the holy month ameen

Location

Abuja Nigeria

Superb, i'm thankful to the author who has explained these things in a language which is much familiar with today's youth and culture..... Thann Q....

Location

hyderabad

good suggetions. but al quaan is read more and more as you like .and also read al quraan with meanigs in your launguage is best of the best things .even on page daily or more.and . keep this habits in daily routins .and thanks for well informations remembering us .thanks a lot.S V .COM. JAZAK ALLAH .JAZAK ALLAH .

Location

JEDDAH.K.S.A

Please boost me sending information about islamic topics

Location

Guntakal

Allahu Akbar, may almighty Allah continue to give you the strenght , health,peace and joy in spreading the words to the al-ummah. MA`ASSALAM.

Location

okene,nigeria.w.africa

jazakum allahu khayran ,every time you remind us to improve our behaviour as a muslim and try our best to follow the steps of our beloved prophet. Just one clarification for sister Afsah, If I may, our brother didn't say you backbite and give charity to make you feel good. He said , we have to do our best to stop backbiting in ramadan and be more generous like our beloved prophet waallahu allam.

Location

cleveland

I love this article but i think if we put a dollar for the charity after we backbite or shout, first it will make us fell like this charity is something bad as it is associated with bad.but yes i really like the idea that you buy a gift out of that money for the person you have backbited.. so you will stop backbitting bocz you know you will have to buy them a GIFT.jus my idea

Location

hongkong

Alhamdullilah for a great reminder and a easy and fundamental plan to put into action. Jazakullah Kaarun

Location

panama

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