How to Celebrate Ramadan Spiritually?

Muslims across the world celebrate the month of Ramadan with great zeal and spirit as it is the best month to seek nearness and forgiveness of Allah, The Exalted. The Holy Ramadan comes every year to help Muslims refresh their faith and engage themselves in deep prayers and supplications so that they can attain Allah’s blessings. This article will walk you through some beneficial ways to learn how to celebrate Ramadan spiritually.

Allah, The Magnificent, wants His creation to pray and bow heads in front of Him religiously. He has made Salah (prayers) obligatory on every adult Muslim man and woman. Similarly, fasting has been made obligatory, and it is one of the essential pillars of Islam. Muslims all around the globe anxiously wait for this month and keep fasts from dawn to dusk. They celebrate the month of Ramadan as the most spiritually powerful and fruitful month in which believers can earn immense bounties from Almighty Allah.

What does the Quran say about the month of Ramadan?

The Holy Qur’an says: « The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an – a guide for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; whoever is ill or on a journey — then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful. » (2:185)

If we try to understand the logic behind fasting and it is an obligation for Muslims, we would learn that fasting during Ramadan comes with numerous health and spiritual benefits. As Muslims fast all day long from Suhoor to Iftar, the meal after sunset. And they keep themselves busy in night prayers; they freshen up their faith and fill their spirits with piety and truthfulness. It is the month for self-reflection, sacrifice, dedication, and generosity when Muslims sit back and self-assess where they are standing spiritually and religiously.

As much as the Holy month of Ramadan has its blessings and significance, we must ensure to respect its sanctity and keep its spirit alive. We should realize that it is not a month of feast or a commercial event; instead, it is the most sacred time of the year when Allah sends out His endless bounties and favors to humanity.

5 Quranic Verses on Fasting

• « The month of Ramadan (is the month) in which the Qur’an has been sent down as guidance for mankind containing clear signs which lead (to the straight road) and distinguishing (the truth from falsehood).. » (2:185)
• The most honored by Allah amongst you are those best in taqwaa. » (49:13)

• We sent it (this Qur’an) down on a blessed Night. Verily, We are ever warning (humanity of Our Torment). Therein (that Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment—Amran (i.e., a command or this Qur’an or His Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messenger). (As) a Mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. » (Al-Dukhaan 44:3-6)
• « Allah has made Laylat al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months, as Allaah says… The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees, there is peace until the appearance of dawn. » — Al-Qadar 97:1-5
• Oh, you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness » (Quran, 2:183)

What does the Holy Prophet (PBUH) advise about Ramdan?

The beloved Messenger of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him), has advised Muslims on several occasions to respect the spirit of fasting and spend Ramadan doing as much as prayers and Quran recitation. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:

« (Allah says about the fasting person), ‘He has left his food, drink, and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it, multiplied by the reward of good deeds. » [Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31]

Our Last Prophet (PBUH) is a source of inspiration for all Muslims globally; his teachings are universal regardless of country, caste, or creed. Hence, he advised his followers on one occasion, « Let it not be that the day that you fast and the day that you break fast be equal. » This Hadith implies that the month of Ramadan should be a time for Muslims to cleanse themselves spiritually, change their habits and bring a positive change in their faith.

The Holy Qur’an says: « O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed upon you as it has been prescribed upon those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa or piety. » [2:183]

The act of staying empty-stomach all day long and spending nights in prayers helps us assess our piety levels. It also makes us understand how devotedly we must become God-fearing and faithful. Allah has prescribed this month as a 30-day training program for Muslims to bring a constructive change in our life. Muslims worldwide spend their days fasting and engage in daily Taraweeh at night. They also tend to attend special sessions on Islamic teachings and spiritual talks.

The Holy month of Ramadan also offers us food for thought. It is the most beautiful feeling when we leave aside all worldly desires and solely connect with our Lord to seek His forgiveness and blessings.

Attaining Allah’s Assitance through Fasting in Ramadan

Islam is a beautiful and peaceful religion that has blessed Muslims with many valuable gifts, including Salah (prayer) and Saum (fasting). Bowing down in front of The Almighty daily is a special kind of communication that the creation and The Creator have. Offering prayer is not only about reciting Quranic verses and doing certain movements. It is a combination of intention (niyyah), faith, and actions. Similarly, fasting is also not only about going on hunger and avoiding meals all day. These two worships are obligatory with a divine purpose.

Fasting and praying to help us attain Allah’s assistance in all matters of life, be it social, political, religious, or economic. The Holy Quran discusses this subject, which strengthens seeking His assistance through Salah and Saum. These Quranic verses are as follows:

« And take recourse in patience and prayer, and it is indeed hard except for the humble. Who are certain that they will encounter their Lord, and that they will return to Him. » (2:45-46)

Every human comes across particular situations where he needs someone’s support. Life often makes us go through tough times when our powers and struggles become less effective to overcome them. Thus, the Quran discussed above comes to our rescue, and Allah advises His creation to seek Allah’s nearness and connect with Him through prayer and fasting. Patience, in this verse, refers to keeping fast, as confirmed from various narrations.

Patience means fasting; whenever a calamity or disaster occurs for somebody, he should fast since God says: « And take recourse in patience and prayer » and patience is fasting. [Ayyashi, Al-Tafsir]

Attaining Laylat-ul-Qadr

One of the best offerings of the Holy month of Ramadan is the Night of Power, Laylat-al-Qadr. It is one of the most potent and significant nights in the Islamic calendar. The Glorious Qur’an was descended to the beloved Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), narrations during the last ten nights of Ramadan.

The Night of Qadr has another significance as well, narrations reveal that The Almighty Allah expresses immense mercy to His servants on this night and their fate is decided. Hence, Laylat-al-Qadr is also popularly known as, The Night of Decree.

Allah Subhanahu Wa tala says, « The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. » (Qur’an, 97:3)

This verse assures us that when a Muslim performs good deeds on Laylat-al-Qadr, it serves as the most high-performing deed as much as 1,000 months. The Night of Power refers to one of the odd nights in the final ten days of Ramadan, that is, the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th. However, a Hadith from the Holy Prophet (PBUH), as narrated from Bukhari and Muslim, says, « Seek it in the last 10 days, on the odd nights. »

I’tikaf during Ramadan

Itikaf is an act of spending the last ten days of Ramadan away from worldly affairs. Muslims prefer to seclude themselves during I’tikaf and avoid worldly talks instead they try to focus on fulfilling their prayers. This special act of performing I’tikaf is a reflection period for Muslims when they make efforts to seek nearness to Allah, perform religious duties and improve their prayers.

According to Sunnah, Muslims can perform I’tikaf for ten days at least, or it could be a single day or night as well. By offering I’tikaf, Allah has blessed Muslims with another golden opportunity to strengthen our relationship with Him. We can perform our prayers in the best manner during solitude when there is only Allah and His servant.

Muslims can perform I’tikaf preferably in local mosques, but if not possible they can make a separate place in their home for a secluded prayer.

Taking out Sadaqah during the last 10 nights

Sadaqah itself has immense benefits not only during Ramadan but throughout all months. It is an act of giving out any amount in the way of Allah to achieve His pleasure and blessings. Allah has encouraged Muslims to give out charity and Sadaqah as much as possible during the Holy month of Ramadan.

Our society is full of individuals who can not afford daily meals or basic necessities of life. As Muslims, it is our moral duty to find such people and help them through Sadaqah. In Ramadan, taking out Sadaqah has immense rewards and it keeps multiplying.

The act of Sadaqah and charity remind us that we have to take care of fellow Muslims with our wealth and resources. This spirit of supporting a fellow Muslim or any human being holds great importance in Allah’s court.

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire” [Tirmidhi]

He also narrated that Allah blesses those who give Sadaqah with relief on the Final Day of Judgment.

“The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be their charity.” [Tirmidhi]

Final Word

The question of how to celebrate Ramadan spiritually demands us to take a quick self-assessment test and relearn the fundamental principles associated with this Holy month. It helps teach Muslims to be disciplined, focused, and more devoted towards the teachings of Islam and Sunnah.

One can not leave the obligatory fasts without a genuine reason; similarly, we can not have breakfast before sunset. All these principles teach us to be better Muslims and productive members of an Islamic society.