02/17/2026
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*How a Muslim Organises His Time in Ramaḍān* by Sheikh Al-‘Uthaymeen
After praising Allāh, seeking His help, asking His forgiveness, bearing witness that there is no diety worthy of worship except Allāh alone, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the Sheikh begins:
Dear brothers, Allāh is able to support this Ummah as He supported its early generations. But when people neglect Allāh’s command, Allāh neglects them.
Life passes quickly; last Ramaḍān feels like yesterday. We must seize the opportunity of our existence in this world to work for the hereafter. Whoever works for the hereafter gains both this world and the next. Whoever works only for this world loses both.
Allāh says: "Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do."
The disbelievers lose both worlds. Their efforts are misguided, and their deeds are worthless.
Since life is short and death is certain, we must seize opportunities, especially in blessed seasons like Ramaḍān, which Allāh made as markets for trade in good deeds. Some who were with us last year are now in their graves, unable to add good deeds or remove bad ones. This will happen to us too. We may not reach next Ramaḍān, so we must seize this one.
How to Seize the Opportunity:
▪️Nighttime Worship:
1· Breaking fast: Begin the night by breaking your fast. Intend to obey Allāh and follow the Prophet. Most people eat without this intention; we must remind ourselves to have it.
2· Answer the adhān: Respond to the mu'adhin while breaking your fast.
3· Walk to the masjid: Each step raises your rank and removes sins. Enter with supplication.
3· Pray with the Imam: This fulfills the obligation and follows the Prophet’s command. Prayer is a garden of worship: takbeer, recitation, tasbeeh, supplication, bowing, prostrating. Prostration is the peak of humility; you place your forehead on the ground, and the Prophet said to strive in supplication during it.
4· After prayer: Go home and eat dinner. Intend to obey Allāh, preserve your body as a trust, enjoy Allāh’s blessings (He loves to see His blessings on His servant), and gain strength for further obedience. The successful person turns habits into worship; the heedless turn worship into habits.
5· Return to the masjid for Isha and Taraweeh: Taraweeh is Qiyam Ramaḍān. The Prophet said whoever prays Ramaḍān with faith and hope for reward will have his past sins forgiven. Whoever prays with the Imam until he finishes is recorded as having prayed the entire night.
6· Suhoor (pre-dawn meal): Eat it. The Prophet said: "Take suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing." It distinguishes our fast from that of the People of the Book. Intend to follow the Prophet, gain strength for fasting, oppose the People of the Book, and enjoy Allāh’s blessings. Suhoor is an act of worship.
▪️ Daytime Worship:
1· Fasting: From dawn to sunset, you are observing one of the pillars of Islam, even if sleeping or working. Do not think it is merely hunger and thirst. It is 12+ hours of worship.
2· Reciting Quran: Each letter brings ten rewards. "Alif Laam Meem" is not one letter; Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter, Meem is a letter — thirty rewards. The Qur'ān is the speech of Allāh, the Most Beloved. The believer delights in it. The more faith, the greater the impact. Allāh increases the believers in guidance and faith through it.
3· Organised recitation: It is not innovation to set a daily portion of Qur'ān (e.g., one juz per day). The Prophet said the most beloved deed to Allāh is the most consistent, even if small.
Conclusion:
I advise myself and you to fear Allāh and seize this opportunity as much as possible, with Allāh’s help. We must accompany our actions with seeking Allāh’s help — that itself is worship.
I ask Allāh to help me and you remember Him, thank Him, worship Him well, and keep us firm on the truth until we meet Him.
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