Setting Goals for Ramadan

With the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan right around the corner, several Muslims will begin preparing for their month long fast. Despite the strong desire to eat, many will also be focused on increasing their faith and obedience to Allah. That is why it is very important that Muslims take the time out to come up with goals to fulfill during the month as well as to take along with them on their journey through life. Here we will discuss very important goals that Muslims should try to commit to during the month of Ramadan.

Read the Qur'an. This is one of the most important acts of worship to do during Ramadan. The Qu'ran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, during the month of Ramadan by the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). This is one of the reasons why Muslims should read and recite as much of the book as possible. Each letter of the book counts as one good deed, so imagine if you are able to read the entire book once or twice during the month of Ramadan. I have heard of a Muslim brother reading the entire book everyday during the month of Ramadan. This is ideal, however, if you can not read the book in it's' entirety, you should at least read as much as possible within your means.

Make it a habit to pray Taraweeha prayer inshallah. These are the night prayers. Some Muslims stand up during the entire night participating in these prayers. Many go to the masjid and complete them with several others, and others perform them in the privacy of their own home. These prayers are very important during the month of Ramadan and hold high rewards with Allah. Witr prayer, the night prayer, should also be performed after Taraweeha prayer inshallah. Although these prayers are not mandatory or able cause you to have bad deeds if you do not complete them, they are extremely important during this month. Try to set a goal of praying Taraweeha and Witr prayer every night during the month of Ramadan.

Pray your sunnah prayers. If you pray the 12 extra sunnah prayers along with your 5 daily prayers, Allah will build a palace for you in Jannah. So it is very important that you complete these prayers during this month for extra rewards and blessings. You should pray 2 rakat before Fajr, 4 before Zhur, 2 after Zhur, 2 after Maghrib, and 2 after Isha inshallah.

Set a goal to help feed the homeless. There are so many hungry and less fortunate people in the world today. Muslims fast during this month to remember what it feels like for all of the hungry people in the world who do not have sufficient provision in their daily lives. That is why it is why it is critical that you set a goal to feed at least one or more hungry people during the month of Ramadan.

Pay charity. Don't forget that Zakat is one of the 5 pillars in Islam. Make sure to pay Zakat and pay it on time. Make this a goal.

Cook iftar for the masjid. There are tremendous blessings for providing food to the one who needs to break their fast. Bring food, or set up a time when you can have a turn to cook food for the Muslims. Try to make it a goal to cook at least one night, or sponsor the dinner inshallah.

Set a goal to leave behind worldly things, such as television, non-beneficial computer usage, music, vain talk, bad habits, smoking, and doing things that Allah will not be pleased with. Instead of turning on the television during this month, open the Qur'an. Instead of talking bad about someone, make thikr by saying Allahu Akbar, Alhamdulliah, Supanallah, and La Illaha illalah. Use your time during Ramadan for positive good deeds and actions. Don't waste your month indulging in evil and vain discourses.

Learn something new. Discover a new book, or an old book that has been on the shelf pertaining to Islam. Go back and read something that you haven't read in many years. Sit with people of knowledge and discover more about Islam. When you learn something new, then you can teach it to someone else inshallah.

Start a study group. Make it a goal to get a group of friends or family members together and take turns teaching. You can also join a study group at your local masjid during this month.

Get into shape. Laziness is hard to resist when you have to go 12+ hours without a meal, however, take this time to tone up your body. Don't over do it. If you currently do not have a workout plan, Ramadan maybe the perfect time to design and start one. After you make iftar, you may want to use your new burst of energy to go running, get on a treadmill, or do a few sit ups. Set aside a time to exercise and stay focused, this is a great goal for the month.

Make itikaf. If you can't stay in the masjid for the maximum amount of days, you should consider staying at least one night. You will find that itikaf is an awesome experience and is a great way to relieve your mind of the worldly happenings that are around you. Take this time to read Qu'ran, get in your daily prayers, participate in taraweeha and witr prayers, sit with a group of knowledgeable people and just have time to remember your creator Allah SWT.

Lastly, set your own personal goals alongside these. You may want to fill a void in your life or just make something better. This is the perfect time to do it. Make a list of your own personal goals you want to achieve and stay focused, you're only a month away from success inshallah.

I hope that it article will be of some guidance to you inshallah.