Sunnah deeds in the month of Ramadan are the best way to increase rewards during this holy month. Apart from performing obligatory acts of worship such as fasting and praying the five daily prayers, there are many simple practices that can be done to obtain blessings. Unfortunately, many still think that worship must be something big and difficult, even though there are many small practices that bring great rewards. From reading the Qur’an to feeding those who break their fast, every good deed in the month of Ramadan can be a source of continuous reward.
Sunnah Deeds in the Month of Ramadan
Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed, so reading and understanding its meaning is one of the highly recommended Sunnah deeds of the month of Ramadan. Allah Almighty says:
“The month of Ramadan is (the month) in which the Qur’an was revealed as a guide for mankind and explanations of that guidance and a differentiator (between what is right and what is wrong). Therefore, whoever among you is present (in his place of residence or not a traveler) in that month, let him fast. Who is sick or traveling (then does not fast), then (must make up) as many days (that he missed) on other days. Allah wants ease for you and does not want hardship. Let you suffice the number and glorify Allah for His guidance given to you so that you may be grateful.
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 185)
“Reading the Qur’an is a practice of the Sunnah of the month of Ramadan which has multiple rewards. The Messenger of Allah said, “Whoever reads one letter from the Book of Allah, one good deed is recorded for him, and one good deed is multiplied tenfold.”
(HR. Tirmidhi No. 2910).
We don’t need to immediately target completing one book at a time if we are not used to it. Reading one page every day is enough to get great rewards. The most important thing is to understand its meaning and put it into practice in everyday life.
Read also: Khatam Al-Quran in Ramadan, What are the Benefits?
Feeding the Fasting Person
One of the simple but rewarding Sunnah practices of the month of Ramadan is to feed people who break their fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever feeds a fasting person to break their fast, will receive a reward like that of the fasting person, without detracting from that person’s reward in the slightest.”
(Narrated by Tirmidhi No. 807, Ibn Majah No. 1746).
We can do this good deed in an easy way, such as giving takjil to neighbors, donating food to mosques, donating to the Dompet Dhuafa iftar program, or even just buying mineral water for those who break their fast on the road. This small kindness can bring rewards that keep flowing.
Increase your Salat Sunah
In the month of Ramadan, sunnah prayers have extraordinary virtues. Tarawih prayer is an act of worship that is synonymous with Ramadan, but don’t forget other sunnah prayers such as Tahajud and Dhuha. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever establishes Ramadan with full faith and hopes for reward, will be forgiven for their past sins.”
(HR Bukhari No. 37, Muslim No. 759).
If it is difficult to pray Tahajud every night, just do it a few times a week. Allah does not look at how much worship is done, but how sincere, devout, and consistent a servant is in carrying it out.
Increase Zikir and Prayer
Ramadan is the best time to pray and remember Allah. Every act of worship performed in the month of Ramadan is rewarded many times over. Allah Almighty says:
“Remember Me, and I will remember you.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 152)
Zikir does not have to be done in large quantities. Saying subhanallah, alhamdulillah, and allahu akbar on various occasions can be a small habit that brings great rewards. As the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has said:
“Two phrases that are light on the tongue, but heavy in the scales and loved by Allah, are: Subhanallah wa bihamdih, Subhanallahil ‘Azim.”
(Narrated by Bukhari No. 6682, Muslim No. 2694).
In addition, increasing prayers, especially at mustajab times such as before breaking the fast and the last third of the night, is also highly recommended.
Read also: Al Jabbar Prayer, What is the impact of this practice on our lives?
Guard Your Words and Avoid Futile Actions
Fasting is not just about resisting hunger and thirst, but also about guarding oneself from unhelpful words and deeds. As in the hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever does not give up false speech and bad deeds, Allah does not need him to give up his food and drink.”
(HR. Bukhari No. 1903)
The month of Ramadan should be a time to train oneself to be more patient and control emotions. Avoiding gheebah (gossip), lying, or speaking harshly is part of maintaining the sanctity of the fast.
Almsgiving with sincerity
The month of Ramadan is also known as the month of generosity. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the most generous person, and his generosity increased during the month of Ramadan. The hadith of Ibn Abbas (RA) states:
“The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the most generous person, and he was even more generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril met him.”
(Narrated by Bukhari No. 6)
Charity does not have to be a large amount. Giving a little money to the poor, helping others with energy or knowledge, even just smiling and saying kind words are also considered charity that is rewarded.
Celebrating the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan
The last nights of Ramadan have their own special qualities, especially because of the night of Lailatul Qadar which is better than a thousand months. Allah says in the Qur’an Surat Al-Qadr verse 3: “That night of glory is better than a thousand months.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) enlivened the last 10 nights of Ramadan with more intense worship. Aisha ra said:
“The Prophet entered the last ten nights, he enlivened those nights with worship, woke up his family, and tightened his belt.”
(HR Bukhari No. 2024, Muslim No. 1174).
Liveling up the night of Lailatul Qadar does not have to be with strenuous worship. It is enough to pray at night, read the Qur’an or pray sincerely to get blessings from this glorious night.
Perform Sunnah Practices with Alms
Sunnah practices in the month of Ramadan do not always have to be strenuous or difficult. There are many simple practices that can be done every day, but have rewards that keep flowing. Reading the Qur’an, feeding people who break their fast, saying more prayers, guarding one’s tongue, and giving alms are examples of light worship that can bring blessings.
In the month of Ramadan, Allah opens the doors of mercy and forgiveness as wide as possible. Therefore, let us take advantage of every opportunity by doing good deeds. May we all be given the ease to carry out these sunnah practices and receive continuous rewards. Aamiin. (RQA)
