Tips to Be Active in Ramadan

Introduction: Balancing Worship and Work in Ramadan

Peace be upon you, and the mercy of God. Blessed Ramadan to you all, may God help us and you to worship Him well and accept our deeds and yours.

Many brothers ask me: How can we balance worship, study, or work in Ramadan? In more than one previous Ramadan season, I thought about mentioning some tips that I found beneficial for me, but I hesitated because temperaments and circumstances differ. Nevertheless, I will answer this recurring question with what I see as beneficial, and I ask God Almighty to benefit you with these tips.

First: Organizing Sleep and Time (The Ramadan Daily Routine)

I advise myself and you:

1. Avoid staying up late after Taraweeh: Sleep early as much as you can.
2. Suhoor and Activity: When you have Suhoor, drink coffee or alternatives like "Nescafé," then pray Fajr and do not sleep after the prayer. Stay awake; this is a blessed time, accomplish your tasks in it. You may feel sleepy at first if you are not used to it, but you will get used to it later, God willing.
3. Nap: During the day, after you have completed your morning tasks and returned from work or university, you can sleep and rest your body.
4. Tahajjud: If you are going to perform Tahajjud, it is also good and blessed. On some days, you may need to accomplish specific things after Taraweeh, but the rule is: Do not disrupt your life's routine by staying up all night and sleeping after Fajr.

Personally, by God's grace, I sometimes accomplish more in Ramadan and am more focused and awake than on ordinary days.

Second: The Effect of Obedience and Purity of Heart

Purity of heart by avoiding sins makes the time you spend studying or completing tasks a quality time. Of course, we must avoid sins outside of Ramadan as well, but the spiritual atmosphere helps more in Ramadan.

Third: Breaking the Stereotype of Laziness

We must break the stereotype that laziness is justified in Ramadan because we do not eat or drink. Remember, brothers, that there are people who fast for continuous days—not just hours—and do not collapse or die. Indeed, most of our eating is for enjoyment, and we can live healthily and perform our work with half or a third of the usual amount of food.

I personally tried seven years ago to eat in twenty days what I usually eat in about four days only, and my energy was good and my mind was alert, God willing. I do not say that what applies to me necessarily applies to others with the same numbers, but the fact is that most of our eating can be dispensed with, and indeed, continuous fullness is harmful, as Imam Shafi'i said (or in the poetry attributed to him):

Three are the destroyers of mankind .. and the callers to true sickness Continuity of drinking, continuity of intercourse .. and putting food on food

Stopping the thought of food (sweets, nuts, drinks) in Ramadan is one of the reasons for concentration if you occupy yourself with what is beneficial.

Ramadan: The Month of Great Victories and Achievements

If you still doubt that Ramadan is a month of activity and work, come with me to review (13) of the most important victories that took place in this blessed month, and see afterwards how some people turn it into a month of laziness or leisure.

Note: I have verified the dates of these events and excluded those with significant discrepancies, so I ask you to rely on this information.

Some may ask: Were the soldiers fasting? The answer: Not necessarily, for they have the concession to break their fast while traveling and fighting, and the Prophet peace be upon him ordered his companions to break their fast in "Badr" when the enemy approached. However, the point is the scale of "preparation, training, and travel"; these were great deeds that continued in Ramadan.

List of Ramadan Victories:

1. The Battle of Badr: In Ramadan of the second year of the Hijrah, it is the "Battle of Furqan."
2. The Conquest of Mecca: In Ramadan of the eighth year of the Hijrah.
3. The Battle of Buwayb: One of the earliest battles of Iraq (the conquest of Persia).
4. The Battle of Nubia: Ramadan of the 31st year of the Hijrah, in which the Muslims, led by Abdullah ibn Abi Sarh, won.
5. The Battle of Wadi Lakka: The beginning of the conquest of Andalusia, which took place in Ramadan of the 92nd year of the Hijrah under the leadership of Tariq ibn Ziyad, preceded by the reconnaissance raids of "Tariq ibn Malik" in Ramadan of the 91st year of the Hijrah.
6. The Conquest of Amoria: One of the strongest cities of the Byzantine Empire, conquered in Ramadan of the 223rd year of the Hijrah under the leadership of Caliph Mutasim (the one who cried out, "O Mutasimah").
7. The Conquest of Syracuse: In Ramadan of the 264th year of the Hijrah, the largest city on the island of Sicily, conquered by Ja'far ibn Muhammad after a siege that lasted nine months.
8. The Battle of Harim: Took place in Ramadan of the 559th year of the Hijrah.
9. The Battle of Ain Jalut: In Ramadan of the 658th year of the Hijrah, in which the Muslims, led by Sultan Qutuz, defeated the Tatars.
10. The Conquest of Armenia: In Ramadan of the 673rd year of the Hijrah under the leadership of Al-Zahir Baybars.
11. The Battle of Shaqhab: In Ramadan of the 702nd year of the Hijrah, in which the Muslims, led by Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, defeated the Tatars near Damascus, and Sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah played a significant role in it.
12. The Conquest of Cyprus: In Ramadan of the 829th year of the Hijrah under the leadership of the Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Barsbay.
13. The Conquest of Belgrade: The capital of Serbia, conquered by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the year 927 of the Hijrah.

As for the Ramadan War of the year 1393 AH (1973 AD), the Egyptian and Syrian armies had a round on the Zionist army at first, but it was not established as the armies of the Muslims before it throughout the ages, and it was what it was.

Conclusion

Thus, Ramadan is a month of victories and the victory of the religion and the defense against the deniers, not a month of laziness, entertainment, or debauchery. So strive and exert yourselves in all aspects, and do not forget your weak brothers from your supplications and support.

We ask God Almighty to employ us in His obedience and make us among His supporters, and peace be upon you and the mercy of God.