It is from the immense mercy of Allah that if a person does a good deed with sincere intentions having pure faith, then He multiplies the reward of good deeds ample number of times, while bad deeds are recorded as it is. As narrated by Abu Huraira (RA),

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Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “If any one of you improve (follows strictly) his Islamic religion then his good deeds will be rewarded ten times to seven hundred times for each good deed and a bad deed will be recorded as it is.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Ramadan is a sacred and virtuous month in which the rewards of our good deeds may be multiplied as many times as Allah pleases and our prayers are answered as well. Prophet (saw) and the Sahaba gave a backseat to all other duties and engaged themselves in lots of Ibadah during Ramadan.

Al-Bazzaar (Kashf 962) narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: Prophet (pbuh) said: “Allaah has people whom He redeems (from Hell fire) every day and night – i.e., in Ramadaan – and every Muslim every day and night has a prayer that is answered.”

Salah is the best form of worship, a spiritual connection with Allah (swt) and we must strive hard in this month to pray as much as possible. When we know the virtue of something, it becomes easier to be done and we make an extra effort to do it. Through this article, let us learn the virtues of Fard, Sunnah and Nafl prayers to become more adherent in performing them.

Related Post: Tips to Gear Up For Ramadan

1. Perform Salah on time, with Khush’oo and in Jama’ah

There is no escape from the Fard Salah. Not performing the Fard Salah takes one out of the fold of Islam. In Surah Ma’oon Ch 107, Allah reprimands those who pray Salah with laziness and delay its performance from the stated fixed times.  

Do not make Salah a form of exercise by praying without understanding what you are reciting. Try to attain khush’oo in your salah by learning the meanings of the azkar recited in Salah. It is then that you will find Salah to be a beautiful form of communication and worship of Allah (swt).

Men should try to offer every Salah in the mosque to attain an honorable place in Paradise.

As Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever goes to the mosque in the morning and evening, Allaah will prepare for him an honourable place in Paradise every time he goes and comes.” [Al-Bukhaari, 631; Muslim, 669]  

2. Perform the 12 Sunnah Prayers

Who does not wish to build his own house in this world? Far better is to build a house in the Hereafter by praying the 12 sunan: 4 Rak’aat before and 2 after the Zuhr Prayer, 2 after the Maghrib, 2 after the Ishaa Prayer and 2 before the Fajr Prayer. 

Prophet (pbuh) said: “A house will be built in paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve Rak’ah of optional salah other than the obligatory salah in day and night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” [Muslim]

3. Perform Taraweeh Prayers

Men & women should try to pray Taraweeh in the mosque due to the great virtue it carries.

“Whoever prays Qiyaam with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.” (Abu Dawud)

If some women are unable to go to the mosque, they should gather women and kids in their house and try to pray Taraweeh in Jama’ah to encourage each other. If none is possible, pray Taraweeh individually to have your sins forgiven.

Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadaan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

4. Perform Salatul Ishraq / Salat-ud- Duha

Spare some time to pray Salatul Ishraq (which can be prayed from the time of sunrise) or Salatul Duha (which can be prayed from sunrise up until the sun is above the head). The number of Rakahs can range from 2 to 8 to any number one may wish to offer.

Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until the sun rises, then prays two rak‘ahs, will have a reward like that of Hajj and ‘Umrah, complete, complete, complete.” [At-Tirmidhi]

Abu Huraira (RA) said : “My Khalil (friend) (the Prophet pbuh) advised me to observe three things and I shall not leave them till I die: 1. “To observe Saum (fasting) three days every (lunar) month; 2.” To offer the Duha prayer; 3. To offer Witr prayer before sleeping.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

5. Perform Tahiyatul Wudhu

It was the act of performing Nafl salah every time he made Wudhu that caused the footsteps of Bilal (ra) to be heard in Paradise.

Prophet (pbuh) said to Bilal (RA) “Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise.” Bilal said : “I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make  ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer.” (Al-bukhari and Muslim)

6. Perform Tahiyatul Masjid

Try to reach the mosque 5 min before Salah and perform Tahiyatul masjid every time you enter it as encouraged by our dear Prophet (pbuh).

Prophet (pbuh) said : “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two raka’ats before sitting.” [ Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Another deed that is very virtuous during the month of Ramadan is to perform Umrah.

7. Perform Umrah in Ramadan

If one is able to perform Umrah in Ramadan, one must do so for it is equivalent to performing Hajj with our dear Prophet (pbuh).

Prophet (pbuh) said, “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to doing Hajj with me.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

Each one of you may not be able to perform all of them. But give your best to perform as many Sunnah and Nafl prayers as you can to strengthen your connection with Allah this Ramadan, In Sha Allah.

Related Post: How to Improve the Quality of Your Salah

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