Make a practical and doable time table for daily activities.

The point to remember is that in Ramadan acts of primary form of worships (i.e. salah, dhikr, tilawat, etc.) are to be increased.

These lead to an increasing direct relationship with Allah SWT (i.e. ta’luq ma’Allah).

Practice focusing on the actions of the Heart.

Do not do any action without a proper intention.

Abstain from all the blame worthy morals. No anger, arrogance, belittling caustic remarks, etc.

It is strange to abstain from otherwise halal (lawful food) and commit an act which is always haram (forbidden).

Try to do most of the praise worthy moral actions. Having patience, humilty, gratitude, sincerity, etc.

Keep a tight grip. Do not slip here.

To get motivated and organized, read the discourses of Hakeem ul Ummat ra regarding Ramadan (Mawaiz-e-Ashrafiya volume : Barakat e Ramadan) and listen to the talks of Sayyidi wa sandi db on how to prepare for the holy month.

Review the essential fiqh (rulings) relating to fasting, taraweeh and other Ramadan related issues from “Behishti Zewar” (Heavenly Ornaments) of Hakeeul Ummat Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi ra.

Make special effort to follow as many as possible Sunnah in daily activities.
Learn these and memorize the adiya e masnoon (dua) for particular occasions before hand.

The book “Alaikum bi sunnati” by Mawlana Abdul Hakim Sukkharwi ra is a good, practical and handy resource for this.

Reschedule non essential appointments till after or before Ramadan.

Finish with all Ramadan and Eid shopping prior to the sighting of the crescent.

Free as much time as possible from work and other commintments for pure worship (ibadah).

Firm determination to abstain from all sins.
Especially those committed by the eyes, ears and tongue.

Ask Allah SWT to give tawfeeq to benefit from the blessings of Ramadan daily, from now onwards.

Hazrat Mawlana Fazalur Rehman Ganjmuradabadi ra said:

The perfect religious state is said to be achieved when the ta’aat (good deeds) become a (effortless) habit.

Khumkhan-e-batin /Malfoozat e Hakeemul Ummat ra page 193

Sayyidi wa sanadi Hazrat Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib (Allah SWT preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Ameen) was sitting in Masjidil Haraam facing the holy Kab’a. An individual requested for some advice (naseeha).

Hazrat db said:

“Recognize the importance of time. It is an invaluable wealth. Spend it very wisely and precisely in virtuous actions.”

Allah SWT give us the taufiq to do so. Ameen, bijah-e-Sayyidul mursaleen.

Explaining the ayah:
واسجد واقترب ة96:19
meaning: Allah SWT says;’ prostrate yourself and come nearer (to Me).’

Sidi wa sanadi Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Taqi Usmani sahib (Allah SWT preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Ameen) said:

“This is one of the most enchanting verses of holy Quran. The recitation of this makes it obligatory for the reader and the audience to perform a sijdah (act of prostration). Remember to perform it later.

Allah SWT is informing us that when we perform the act of prostration we draw nearer to Him. And who does not want to be nearer to Him? All his life a Muslim is struggling to achieve this.

But we are in need of getting nearer to Allah SWT at each and every moment of our life.

Recognize this order to prostrate is in general and not restricted to namaz (salah) only. However, the sijdah (act of prostration) for each and every other moments of our life is different. The sijdah of salah is by kneeling down and keeping your forehead on ground worshipping Allah SWT. Similarly, answering affirmatively to the call of Shariah at a particular moment is the sijdah (act of prostration) of that moment. That is performing the act fulfilling all the commands of Allah SWT and Sunnah of our master Prophet Salallaho alehey wasalam showing our complete submission.

If we do this, then a merchant sitting in his shop trading as per the rules of Shariah, a worker performing his duties conscientiously as per Shariah, and a student acquiring knowledge as per rules of Shariah are all in a state of sijdah, getting closer and closer to Allah SWT.

Allahu Akbar!

In short, a person steadfast on Shariah in his life is constantly performing sijdah (the act of prostration) and drawing nearer to Allah SWT.

May Allah SWT make us among them! Ameen.

Sidi wa sanadi Hazrat Moulana Mohammad Taqi Usmani sahib (Allah SWT preserve him & allow us to benefit from him abundantly. Ameen) has repeatedly told us that:

Deen has 5 major sections. They are:
Aqaid (beliefs)
Ibadaat (worship)
Ma’amlaat (mutual dealings)
Ma’ashrat (social etiquettes)
Ikhlaq (morals)

We have to follow the teachings of Shariah regarding them all simultaneously.

It is grossly erroneous to pick things that are easy and of our liking, while disregarding and discarding the others. This is especially so for the individuals involved in their islah.

“Deen is not the name of following one’s desire and wishes”.

Look around! A young individual when he turns to deen he wants to become an alim (religious scholar). In his zeal and ‘seemingly religious calling’ he disregards his parents’ genuine wishes and permission to do so. This is NOT deen. This is fulfilling one’s desire. It is nafs and shaytan’s deception.

Being a good devout practicing Muslim does not call one to be a certified full-fledged scholar.

How can one gain pleasure of Allah SWT by disobeying parents?

The example of Hazrat Owais Qarni radhiAllahu anhu is there for us. Only to take care of his mother he abandoned the most prestigious honor a Muslim can imagine. That is, being a Sahabi (companion) of our master Prophet salallaho alehey wasalam. But as it was for a genuine reason, see how Allah SWT compensated for it. Our master Prophet salallaho alehey wasalam instructed Hazrat Umar Farooq radhiAllahu anhu and other companions to request for dua from Hazrat Owais Qarni radhiAllahu anhu when they meet him. Allahu akbar!

Similarly, people get involved in zikr, muraqabat and ashgals of Tasawwuf and consider them to be deen and ignore the rest of the sections of Shariah. Others get engrossed in tabligh and become so avid lovers of seh-roza/chillah and ghast that their job (a source of halal income), family and other relationships and commitments are all neglected.

Again. Deen is not the name of following one’s desires. It is the name of following the commandments of Shariah at each and every moment of one’s life.

The beauty of our pious elders and their true successors is to maintain a fine balance in all these sections of deen. Making Shariah their guide in all the matters of daily life. Not their emotional, personal desires or wishes.

wa ma taufiqi ila billah!