Ramadan, the ninth month of Islam, is one whose merits are well known by all Muslims. The time when ‘ibadah is at its peak; when Shaytaan is not present to waver our concentration. It is the time to cultivate more virtues than you already possess. It is a blessing from Allah(S.W.T.) which many people do not make the most of. People consider it as just fasting, whereas that is not even the basic motive behind it. The main aim of fasting itself is using it as a means of maintaining firm composure. People usually make large resolutions before Ramadan that they claim to achieve during the month. Well, according to me, that just ends there. It just concludes as a wish spoken to air. That is not the right way as it just wastes the month of opportunity. Instead, each year, one should try to cultivate at least 3 virtues and eradicate 3 vices. But it isn’t as easy as it sounds. It requires determination, preset goals, steadfastness and proper planning. If one organizes himself/herself properly for each Ramadan, he/she can totally transform himself/herself into a completely pious person. If anyone doesn’t know how to start then here are a few things you can do for a start.

1.Tahajjud- Tahajjud is surely one of the most beneficial prayers but people are deferring from making the most of it. Due to inability of waking up in the night on account of laziness or tiredness, many miss out on the abundance of rewards acquirable through tahajjud. In Ramadan, one wakes up anyways for suhoor. Therefore, it is better to wake up earlier and offer tahajjud. Through the course of Ramadan one will get into the habit of offering it daily. Insha’allah.

2.Excessive and useless talks- it is one of the causes which lead to wastage of time and energy and loss of brain’s capacity to learn, memorize and think. It also leads to Geebah(backbiting), which is haraam. As during the fast one tries to conserve energy, ending this can be one of the ways to contain oneself, thereby even halting the makrooh habit.

3.Qur’an with meaning- As Ramadan is the time when ‘ibadah is rewarded several times more than usual, tilawah of the Holy Qur’an is one of the most common forms of worship. Reading the Qur’an with meaning will helpand guide one through dealing with several situations in daily life and, in turn, establish piety within the conscience.

4.Supplications for future- Dua for remaining clean of vices and garnished with all virtues even after Ramadan

Aforementioned are just few of the several practices on can start during Ramadan. When I was little, I did not know how to exploit the benefits of Ramadan but for the past couple of years, I have slowly and steadily transformed myself into better person. For example, I was on the brink of absorbing hypocrisy but I spent my time in Ramadan so as to eliminate the iniquities in me. And to a large extent I have been successful in instilling the good and cleansing the badness within myself. It has given me a sense of satisfaction and high spirituality and a feeling of mental cleanliness. So do not let the chance go. Procrastination will just lead to more procrastination. Therefore don’t wait for a next time, for it may not come.