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<p>When we have to undertake a project, we invest a great deal of effort and time into ensuring the project will be successful. Projects are initiated, then planned out, then executed and monitored. And once they are completed, they are evaluated.</p>
<p>If we can do this for projects at work, then surely the ‘project’ of Ramaḍān is far greater. As people seeking the pleasure of Allah and Paradise, Ramaḍān is the ‘<strong>dream project</strong>’ that has landed effortlessly on our desks.</p>
<p>In order to prepare a plan which will help us to successfully complete this project, we have to be clear about its goals. These goals will provide the framework of a successful Ramaḍān. Everything we do in Ramaḍān should lead to the following goals:</p>
<h2>The Goals of Ramadan</h2>
<p><strong>1. Increase and strengthen your īmān</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate our īmān and accelerate our journey to Allah. We should strive to increase our īmān in Allah by increasing in our <strong>maʿrifah</strong> (knowledge) of Him, <strong>love</strong> for Him, fear of Him, hope in Him, trust in Him and sincerity to Him. Our īmān in Allah’s Angels, Prophets, Books, the Last Day and al-Qadr should also increase.</p>
<p><strong>2. Embody servitude (ʿubūdiyyah) and submission</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the training ground to develop ʿubūdiyyah: where we becomes true servants of Allah through our <strong>constant humility</strong> and awe of him, and always expressing our dire need of Him. We can speed up our journey to Allah by <strong>infusing all our physical acts of worship with the quality of ʿūbūdiyyah</strong>. In our everyday lives, we are accustomed to giving in to our desires. If we feel like eating, we eat. If we feel like drinking, we drink. Through Ramaḍān, we should aim to train the nafs (inner self) to <strong>submit</strong> itself to Allah, and to <strong>comply</strong> with His commands.</p>
<p><strong>3. Taste the sweetness of worship</strong></p>
<p>The goal of Ramaḍān should not be to just perform x number of good deeds. Every act of worship in Islam consists of both an outer manifestation (‘action of the limb’) and an <strong>inner reality</strong> (‘action of the heart’), which is its <strong>essence</strong> and core. We should aim to focus on these inner dimensions, through which we will taste the sweetness of worship inshāAllah.</p>
<p><strong>4. Purify your heart</strong></p>
<p>One of the aims of Ramaḍān is to elevate the soul to its intended station: <strong>the tranquil soul</strong>. Ramaḍān is the perfect time to purify the heart from diseases such as envy, hatred, pride, anger, hypocrisy, hard-heartedness. When the heart is purified, it is less susceptible to the whispers of shayṭān, and more able to defend itself from doubts (shubuhāt) and desires (shahawāt).</p>
<p><strong>5. Develop good character</strong></p>
<p>Excellent character is an integral part of our dīn, and there is no better time to cultivate this than in Ramaḍān. Our beloved Prophet ﷺ said, “When one of you enters the morning in the state of fasting, he should <strong>neither use obscene language nor act ignorantly</strong>. If anyone insults him or argues with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting’” (Muslim). Ramaḍān is the perfect time to become the best of Allah’s servants: those who bring the most benefit to others, those who treat their parents, spouses, children, families and wider communities with kindness and excellence.</p>
<p><strong>6. Become attached to the Qur’ān and the night prayer</strong></p>
<p>Whilst the primary purpose of fasting is to gain taqwā, the purpose of Ramaḍān is to connect with the Qur’ān. Ramaḍān <strong>is</strong> the month of the Qur’ān. The Qur’ān is guidance, which is supposed to mould our lives. It is not merely to be beautifully recited. The recitation of the Qur’ān is supposed to increase our īmān and deepen the love and awe of Allah in our hearts. This will only occur if we recite with deliberation and reflection.</p>
<p>Qiyām at night is one of the greatest acts of worship a servant can perform. It brings with it a sweetness which is nearly impossible to experience otherwise. By the time Ramaḍān ends, we should aim for the night prayer to become a habit so that we can make it part of our everyday lives throughout the year.</p>
<p><strong>7. Bring your heart to your ṣalāh, dhikr &amp; duʿā’</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the perfect time to develop and train ourselves to perform ṣalāh, dhikr and duʿā’ with <strong>excellence</strong>. We should set specific goals in relation to how we are going to improve in each one e.g. increase khushūʿ, recite the morning and evening adhkār with deep reflection, duʿā’ for a longer duration, and so on.</p>
<p><strong>8. Develop consistency</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is a bootcamp for cultivating our hearts, souls, morals and ultimately our lives, so that the obedience of Allah becomes our lifestyle. We should worship Allah in Ramaḍān with the mindset that our efforts are not limited to Ramaḍān; rather we want to <strong>transform our lives</strong> through it and make it a consistent part of our lives.</p>
<p><strong>9. Attain Allah’s forgiveness, freedom from Hell-fire &amp; entry into Paradise</strong></p>
<p>There are endless opportunities to be forgiven in Ramaḍān, gain freedom from Hell-fire and be admitted into Paradise. We should be <strong>determined</strong> to not miss out on any of these opportunities.</p>
<p><strong>10. Tame your nafs to stay away from sins and attain taqwā</strong></p>
<p>One of the key goals of Ramaḍān is to tame the nafs and stop sinning. By refusing your nafs what it desires (food, drink, sleep), you develop self-control. This greater level of self-control should help you the next time you are tempted to sin.</p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the time to <strong>elevate the soul from its base desires</strong> (stomach and private parts). Aim for your fasting and Ramaḍān to remove the love of the world from your heart; and let your soul soar high above the ground, away from the body, and upwards towards its Creator and Originator.</p>
<p>A large number of goals can feel overwhelming. However, once you have understood the overall goals, do a self-analysis as to where you currently are and what you would like to focus on. Everyone is on their own unique journey. Perhaps you already perform the 5 daily prayers punctually, but your target is to build up a daily habit of ṣalāh al-ḍuḥā. Or perhaps you don’t struggle with envy, but you do struggle with anger, so you can focus on managing your anger this Ramaḍān.</p>
<h2>Ramadan: The Battle Against the Nafs</h2>
<p>Think of Ramaḍān as a battlefield. The enemy you are trying to defeat is your nafs. It is an enemy which has conquered you many times over in the past. This Ramaḍān, however, you are determined that <strong>by the help of Allah, you are going to conquer it</strong>. You are going to be the winner, and not the loser. This will require planning, effort, tonnes of <strong>duʿā’</strong> and perhaps even a change in strategy.</p>
<p>One such strategy is to manoeuvre around your nafs, and subtly trick it. When you are struggling to keep momentum, say to yourself: <em>just a little while longer. After Ramaḍān, you can go back to enjoying the ḥalāl pleasures. For now, just keep going for a little while longer</em>. Once, Bishr al-Ḥāfī (raḥimahullāh) was walking with one of his companions towards a city. His companion wanted to drink water from a well. Bishr said to him, “We will drink from the next well that appears on the way.” Every time they would approach a well, Bishr would say, “From the next well.” When they finally reached their destination, Bishr said, “This is how we journey through the world.”</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“The (pious predecessors) used to make duʿā’ for six months prior to Ramaḍān, asking Allāh to allow them to witness Ramaḍān.” (Laṭā’if al-Maʿārif)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We ask Allah al-Ḥayy (The Ever-Living), al-Qayyūm (The All-Sustainer) to make this Ramaḍān our best Ramaḍān, and we ask Him to not entrust us to ourselves for even the blink of an eye.</p>

<p>Lorsque nous entreprenons un projet, nous y consacrons beaucoup de temps et d’efforts afin d’en assurer la réussite. Un projet commence par une phase de lancement, puis de planification, avant d’être mis en œuvre et suivi. Une fois achevé, il est enfin évalué.</p>
<p>Si nous sommes capables de faire cela pour des projets professionnels, alors le « projet » de Ramaḍān est à plus forte raison bien plus important. Pour nous qui recherchons l’agrément d’Allah et le Paradis, Ramaḍān est le ‘<strong>projet de rêve</strong>’ qui s’est offert à nous, sans le moindre effort de notre part.</p>
<p>Afin de préparer un plan qui nous aidera à mener ce projet à bien, nous devons être clairs quant à ses objectifs. Ces objectifs constitueront le cadre d’un Ramaḍān réussi. Tout ce que nous faisons durant Ramaḍān doit nous conduire vers les objectifs suivants :</p>
<h2>Les Objectifs de Ramadan</h2>
<p><strong>1. Augmente et renforce ton īmān</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān est l'opportunité parfaite pour raviver notre īmān et accélérer notre cheminement vers Allah. We should strive to increase ourNous devrions nous efforcer de renforcer notre īmān ien Allah by increasing in ouren augmentant notre <strong>maʿrifah</strong> (knowledge) of Him, connaissance) de Lui, notre<strong>loveamour</strong> for Him, fear of Him, hope in Him, trust in Him andpour Lui, notre crainte de Lui, notre espoir en Lui, notre confiance en Lui et notre sincerity to Him. érité envers Lui.Our īmān in Allah’s Angels, Prophets, Books, the Last Day and al-Qadr should also increase.</p>
<p><strong>2. Embody servitude (ʿubūdiyyah) and submission</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the training ground to develop ʿubūdiyyah: where we becomes true servants of Allah through our <strong>constant humility</strong> and awe of him, and always expressing our dire need of Him. We can speed up our journey to Allah by <strong>infusing all our physical acts of worship with the quality of ʿūbūdiyyah</strong>. In our everyday lives, we are accustomed to giving in to our desires. If we feel like eating, we eat. If we feel like drinking, we drink. Through Ramaḍān, we should aim to train the nafs (inner self) to <strong>submit</strong> itself to Allah, and to <strong>comply</strong> with His commands.</p>
<p><strong>3. Taste the sweetness of worship</strong></p>
<p>The goal of Ramaḍān should not be to just perform x number of good deeds. Every act of worship in Islam consists of both an outer manifestation (‘action of the limb’) and an <strong>inner reality</strong> (‘action of the heart’), which is its <strong>essence</strong> and core. We should aim to focus on these inner dimensions, through which we will taste the sweetness of worship inshāAllah.</p>
<p><strong>4. Purify your heart</strong></p>
<p>One of the aims of Ramaḍān is to elevate the soul to its intended station: <strong>the tranquil soul</strong>. Ramaḍān is the perfect time to purify the heart from diseases such as envy, hatred, pride, anger, hypocrisy, hard-heartedness. When the heart is purified, it is less susceptible to the whispers of shayṭān, and more able to defend itself from doubts (shubuhāt) and desires (shahawāt).</p>
<p><strong>5. Develop good character</strong></p>
<p>Excellent character is an integral part of our dīn, and there is no better time to cultivate this than in Ramaḍān. Our beloved Prophet ﷺ said, “When one of you enters the morning in the state of fasting, he should <strong>neither use obscene language nor act ignorantly</strong>. If anyone insults him or argues with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting’” (Muslim). Ramaḍān is the perfect time to become the best of Allah’s servants: those who bring the most benefit to others, those who treat their parents, spouses, children, families and wider communities with kindness and excellence.</p>
<p><strong>6. Become attached to the Qur’ān and the night prayer</strong></p>
<p>Whilst the primary purpose of fasting is to gain taqwā, the purpose of Ramaḍān is to connect with the Qur’ān. Ramaḍān <strong>is</strong> the month of the Qur’ān. The Qur’ān is guidance, which is supposed to mould our lives. It is not merely to be beautifully recited. The recitation of the Qur’ān is supposed to increase our īmān and deepen the love and awe of Allah in our hearts. This will only occur if we recite with deliberation and reflection.</p>
<p>Qiyām at night is one of the greatest acts of worship a servant can perform. It brings with it a sweetness which is nearly impossible to experience otherwise. By the time Ramaḍān ends, we should aim for the night prayer to become a habit so that we can make it part of our everyday lives throughout the year.</p>
<p><strong>7. Bring your heart to your ṣalāh, dhikr &amp; duʿā’</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the perfect time to develop and train ourselves to perform ṣalāh, dhikr and duʿā’ with <strong>excellence</strong>. We should set specific goals in relation to how we are going to improve in each one e.g. increase khushūʿ, recite the morning and evening adhkār with deep reflection, duʿā’ for a longer duration, and so on.</p>
<p><strong>8. Develop consistency</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is a bootcamp for cultivating our hearts, souls, morals and ultimately our lives, so that the obedience of Allah becomes our lifestyle. We should worship Allah in Ramaḍān with the mindset that our efforts are not limited to Ramaḍān; rather we want to <strong>transform our lives</strong> through it and make it a consistent part of our lives.</p>
<p><strong>9. Attain Allah’s forgiveness, freedom from Hell-fire &amp; entry into Paradise</strong></p>
<p>There are endless opportunities to be forgiven in Ramaḍān, gain freedom from Hell-fire and be admitted into Paradise. We should be <strong>determined</strong> to not miss out on any of these opportunities.</p>
<p><strong>10. Tame your nafs to stay away from sins and attain taqwā</strong></p>
<p>One of the key goals of Ramaḍān is to tame the nafs and stop sinning. By refusing your nafs what it desires (food, drink, sleep), you develop self-control. This greater level of self-control should help you the next time you are tempted to sin.</p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the time to <strong>elevate the soul from its base desires</strong> (stomach and private parts). Aim for your fasting and Ramaḍān to remove the love of the world from your heart; and let your soul soar high above the ground, away from the body, and upwards towards its Creator and Originator.</p>
<p>A large number of goals can feel overwhelming. However, once you have understood the overall goals, do a self-analysis as to where you currently are and what you would like to focus on. Everyone is on their own unique journey. Perhaps you already perform the 5 daily prayers punctually, but your target is to build up a daily habit of ṣalāh al-ḍuḥā. Or perhaps you don’t struggle with envy, but you do struggle with anger, so you can focus on managing your anger this Ramaḍān.</p>
<h2>Ramadan: The Battle Against the Nafs</h2>
<p>Think of Ramaḍān as a battlefield. The enemy you are trying to defeat is your nafs. It is an enemy which has conquered you many times over in the past. This Ramaḍān, however, you are determined that <strong>by the help of Allah, you are going to conquer it</strong>. You are going to be the winner, and not the loser. This will require planning, effort, tonnes of <strong>duʿā’</strong> and perhaps even a change in strategy.</p>
<p>One such strategy is to manoeuvre around your nafs, and subtly trick it. When you are struggling to keep momentum, say to yourself: <em>just a little while longer. After Ramaḍān, you can go back to enjoying the ḥalāl pleasures. For now, just keep going for a little while longer</em>. Once, Bishr al-Ḥāfī (raḥimahullāh) was walking with one of his companions towards a city. His companion wanted to drink water from a well. Bishr said to him, “We will drink from the next well that appears on the way.” Every time they would approach a well, Bishr would say, “From the next well.” When they finally reached their destination, Bishr said, “This is how we journey through the world.”</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“The (pious predecessors) used to make duʿā’ for six months prior to Ramaḍān, asking Allāh to allow them to witness Ramaḍān.” (Laṭā’if al-Maʿārif)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We ask Allah al-Ḥayy (The Ever-Living), al-Qayyūm (The All-Sustainer) to make this Ramaḍān our best Ramaḍān, and we ask Him to not entrust us to ourselves for even the blink of an eye.</p>

Allāh dit : « Lorsque tu lis le Qour’āne, cherche la protection d’Allāh contre Chayṭān le maudit. » (16 :98)

<p>When we have to undertake a project, we invest a great deal of effort and time into ensuring the project will be successful. Projects are initiated, then planned out, then executed and monitored. And once they are completed, they are evaluated.</p>
<p>If we can do this for projects at work, then surely the ‘project’ of Ramaḍān is far greater. As people seeking the pleasure of Allah and Paradise, Ramaḍān is the ‘<strong>dream project</strong>’ that has landed effortlessly on our desks.</p>
<p>In order to prepare a plan which will help us to successfully complete this project, we have to be clear about its goals. These goals will provide the framework of a successful Ramaḍān. Everything we do in Ramaḍān should lead to the following goals:</p>
<h2>The Goals of Ramadan</h2>
<p><strong>1. Increase and strengthen your īmān</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate our īmān and accelerate our journey to Allah. We should strive to increase our īmān in Allah by increasing in our <strong>maʿrifah</strong> (knowledge) of Him, <strong>love</strong> for Him, fear of Him, hope in Him, trust in Him and sincerity to Him. Our īmān in Allah’s Angels, Prophets, Books, the Last Day and al-Qadr should also increase.</p>
<p><strong>2. Embody servitude (ʿubūdiyyah) and submission</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the training ground to develop ʿubūdiyyah: where we becomes true servants of Allah through our <strong>constant humility</strong> and awe of him, and always expressing our dire need of Him. We can speed up our journey to Allah by <strong>infusing all our physical acts of worship with the quality of ʿūbūdiyyah</strong>. In our everyday lives, we are accustomed to giving in to our desires. If we feel like eating, we eat. If we feel like drinking, we drink. Through Ramaḍān, we should aim to train the nafs (inner self) to <strong>submit</strong> itself to Allah, and to <strong>comply</strong> with His commands.</p>
<p><strong>3. Taste the sweetness of worship</strong></p>
<p>The goal of Ramaḍān should not be to just perform x number of good deeds. Every act of worship in Islam consists of both an outer manifestation (‘action of the limb’) and an <strong>inner reality</strong> (‘action of the heart’), which is its <strong>essence</strong> and core. We should aim to focus on these inner dimensions, through which we will taste the sweetness of worship inshāAllah.</p>
<p><strong>4. Purify your heart</strong></p>
<p>One of the aims of Ramaḍān is to elevate the soul to its intended station: <strong>the tranquil soul</strong>. Ramaḍān is the perfect time to purify the heart from diseases such as envy, hatred, pride, anger, hypocrisy, hard-heartedness. When the heart is purified, it is less susceptible to the whispers of shayṭān, and more able to defend itself from doubts (shubuhāt) and desires (shahawāt).</p>
<p><strong>5. Develop good character</strong></p>
<p>Excellent character is an integral part of our dīn, and there is no better time to cultivate this than in Ramaḍān. Our beloved Prophet ﷺ said, “When one of you enters the morning in the state of fasting, he should <strong>neither use obscene language nor act ignorantly</strong>. If anyone insults him or argues with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting’” (Muslim). Ramaḍān is the perfect time to become the best of Allah’s servants: those who bring the most benefit to others, those who treat their parents, spouses, children, families and wider communities with kindness and excellence.</p>
<p><strong>6. Become attached to the Qur’ān and the night prayer</strong></p>
<p>Whilst the primary purpose of fasting is to gain taqwā, the purpose of Ramaḍān is to connect with the Qur’ān. Ramaḍān <strong>is</strong> the month of the Qur’ān. The Qur’ān is guidance, which is supposed to mould our lives. It is not merely to be beautifully recited. The recitation of the Qur’ān is supposed to increase our īmān and deepen the love and awe of Allah in our hearts. This will only occur if we recite with deliberation and reflection.</p>
<p>Qiyām at night is one of the greatest acts of worship a servant can perform. It brings with it a sweetness which is nearly impossible to experience otherwise. By the time Ramaḍān ends, we should aim for the night prayer to become a habit so that we can make it part of our everyday lives throughout the year.</p>
<p><strong>7. Bring your heart to your ṣalāh, dhikr &amp; duʿā’</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the perfect time to develop and train ourselves to perform ṣalāh, dhikr and duʿā’ with <strong>excellence</strong>. We should set specific goals in relation to how we are going to improve in each one e.g. increase khushūʿ, recite the morning and evening adhkār with deep reflection, duʿā’ for a longer duration, and so on.</p>
<p><strong>8. Develop consistency</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is a bootcamp for cultivating our hearts, souls, morals and ultimately our lives, so that the obedience of Allah becomes our lifestyle. We should worship Allah in Ramaḍān with the mindset that our efforts are not limited to Ramaḍān; rather we want to <strong>transform our lives</strong> through it and make it a consistent part of our lives.</p>
<p><strong>9. Attain Allah’s forgiveness, freedom from Hell-fire &amp; entry into Paradise</strong></p>
<p>There are endless opportunities to be forgiven in Ramaḍān, gain freedom from Hell-fire and be admitted into Paradise. We should be <strong>determined</strong> to not miss out on any of these opportunities.</p>
<p><strong>10. Tame your nafs to stay away from sins and attain taqwā</strong></p>
<p>One of the key goals of Ramaḍān is to tame the nafs and stop sinning. By refusing your nafs what it desires (food, drink, sleep), you develop self-control. This greater level of self-control should help you the next time you are tempted to sin.</p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the time to <strong>elevate the soul from its base desires</strong> (stomach and private parts). Aim for your fasting and Ramaḍān to remove the love of the world from your heart; and let your soul soar high above the ground, away from the body, and upwards towards its Creator and Originator.</p>
<p>A large number of goals can feel overwhelming. However, once you have understood the overall goals, do a self-analysis as to where you currently are and what you would like to focus on. Everyone is on their own unique journey. Perhaps you already perform the 5 daily prayers punctually, but your target is to build up a daily habit of ṣalāh al-ḍuḥā. Or perhaps you don’t struggle with envy, but you do struggle with anger, so you can focus on managing your anger this Ramaḍān.</p>
<h2>Ramadan: The Battle Against the Nafs</h2>
<p>Think of Ramaḍān as a battlefield. The enemy you are trying to defeat is your nafs. It is an enemy which has conquered you many times over in the past. This Ramaḍān, however, you are determined that <strong>by the help of Allah, you are going to conquer it</strong>. You are going to be the winner, and not the loser. This will require planning, effort, tonnes of <strong>duʿā’</strong> and perhaps even a change in strategy.</p>
<p>One such strategy is to manoeuvre around your nafs, and subtly trick it. When you are struggling to keep momentum, say to yourself: <em>just a little while longer. After Ramaḍān, you can go back to enjoying the ḥalāl pleasures. For now, just keep going for a little while longer</em>. Once, Bishr al-Ḥāfī (raḥimahullāh) was walking with one of his companions towards a city. His companion wanted to drink water from a well. Bishr said to him, “We will drink from the next well that appears on the way.” Every time they would approach a well, Bishr would say, “From the next well.” When they finally reached their destination, Bishr said, “This is how we journey through the world.”</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“The (pious predecessors) used to make duʿā’ for six months prior to Ramaḍān, asking Allāh to allow them to witness Ramaḍān.” (Laṭā’if al-Maʿārif)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We ask Allah al-Ḥayy (The Ever-Living), al-Qayyūm (The All-Sustainer) to make this Ramaḍān our best Ramaḍān, and we ask Him to not entrust us to ourselves for even the blink of an eye.</p>

<p>Lorsque nous entreprenons un projet, nous y consacrons beaucoup de temps et d’efforts afin d’en assurer la réussite. Un projet commence par une phase de lancement, puis de planification, avant d’être mis en œuvre et suivi. Une fois achevé, il est enfin évalué.</p>
<p>Si nous sommes capables de faire cela pour des projets professionnels, alors le « projet » de Ramaḍān est à plus forte raison bien plus important. Pour nous qui recherchons l’agrément d’Allah et le Paradis, Ramaḍān est le ‘<strong>projet de rêve</strong>’ qui s’est offert à nous, sans le moindre effort de notre part.</p>
<p>Afin de préparer un plan qui nous aidera à mener ce projet à bien, nous devons être clairs quant à ses objectifs. Ces objectifs constitueront le cadre d’un Ramaḍān réussi. Tout ce que nous faisons durant Ramaḍān doit nous conduire vers les objectifs suivants :</p>
<h2>Les Objectifs de Ramadan</h2>
<p><strong>1. Augmente et renforce ton īmān</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān est l'opportunité parfaite pour raviver notre īmān et accélérer notre cheminement vers Allah. We should strive to increase our īmān in Allah by increasing in our <strong>maʿrifah</strong> (knowledge) of Him, <strong>love</strong> for Him, fear of Him, hope in Him, trust in Him and sincerity to Him. Our īmān in Allah’s Angels, Prophets, Books, the Last Day and al-Qadr should also increase.</p>
<p><strong>2. Embody servitude (ʿubūdiyyah) and submission</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the training ground to develop ʿubūdiyyah: where we becomes true servants of Allah through our <strong>constant humility</strong> and awe of him, and always expressing our dire need of Him. We can speed up our journey to Allah by <strong>infusing all our physical acts of worship with the quality of ʿūbūdiyyah</strong>. In our everyday lives, we are accustomed to giving in to our desires. If we feel like eating, we eat. If we feel like drinking, we drink. Through Ramaḍān, we should aim to train the nafs (inner self) to <strong>submit</strong> itself to Allah, and to <strong>comply</strong> with His commands.</p>
<p><strong>3. Taste the sweetness of worship</strong></p>
<p>The goal of Ramaḍān should not be to just perform x number of good deeds. Every act of worship in Islam consists of both an outer manifestation (‘action of the limb’) and an <strong>inner reality</strong> (‘action of the heart’), which is its <strong>essence</strong> and core. We should aim to focus on these inner dimensions, through which we will taste the sweetness of worship inshāAllah.</p>
<p><strong>4. Purify your heart</strong></p>
<p>One of the aims of Ramaḍān is to elevate the soul to its intended station: <strong>the tranquil soul</strong>. Ramaḍān is the perfect time to purify the heart from diseases such as envy, hatred, pride, anger, hypocrisy, hard-heartedness. When the heart is purified, it is less susceptible to the whispers of shayṭān, and more able to defend itself from doubts (shubuhāt) and desires (shahawāt).</p>
<p><strong>5. Develop good character</strong></p>
<p>Excellent character is an integral part of our dīn, and there is no better time to cultivate this than in Ramaḍān. Our beloved Prophet ﷺ said, “When one of you enters the morning in the state of fasting, he should <strong>neither use obscene language nor act ignorantly</strong>. If anyone insults him or argues with him, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting’” (Muslim). Ramaḍān is the perfect time to become the best of Allah’s servants: those who bring the most benefit to others, those who treat their parents, spouses, children, families and wider communities with kindness and excellence.</p>
<p><strong>6. Become attached to the Qur’ān and the night prayer</strong></p>
<p>Whilst the primary purpose of fasting is to gain taqwā, the purpose of Ramaḍān is to connect with the Qur’ān. Ramaḍān <strong>is</strong> the month of the Qur’ān. The Qur’ān is guidance, which is supposed to mould our lives. It is not merely to be beautifully recited. The recitation of the Qur’ān is supposed to increase our īmān and deepen the love and awe of Allah in our hearts. This will only occur if we recite with deliberation and reflection.</p>
<p>Qiyām at night is one of the greatest acts of worship a servant can perform. It brings with it a sweetness which is nearly impossible to experience otherwise. By the time Ramaḍān ends, we should aim for the night prayer to become a habit so that we can make it part of our everyday lives throughout the year.</p>
<p><strong>7. Bring your heart to your ṣalāh, dhikr &amp; duʿā’</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the perfect time to develop and train ourselves to perform ṣalāh, dhikr and duʿā’ with <strong>excellence</strong>. We should set specific goals in relation to how we are going to improve in each one e.g. increase khushūʿ, recite the morning and evening adhkār with deep reflection, duʿā’ for a longer duration, and so on.</p>
<p><strong>8. Develop consistency</strong></p>
<p>Ramaḍān is a bootcamp for cultivating our hearts, souls, morals and ultimately our lives, so that the obedience of Allah becomes our lifestyle. We should worship Allah in Ramaḍān with the mindset that our efforts are not limited to Ramaḍān; rather we want to <strong>transform our lives</strong> through it and make it a consistent part of our lives.</p>
<p><strong>9. Attain Allah’s forgiveness, freedom from Hell-fire &amp; entry into Paradise</strong></p>
<p>There are endless opportunities to be forgiven in Ramaḍān, gain freedom from Hell-fire and be admitted into Paradise. We should be <strong>determined</strong> to not miss out on any of these opportunities.</p>
<p><strong>10. Tame your nafs to stay away from sins and attain taqwā</strong></p>
<p>One of the key goals of Ramaḍān is to tame the nafs and stop sinning. By refusing your nafs what it desires (food, drink, sleep), you develop self-control. This greater level of self-control should help you the next time you are tempted to sin.</p>
<p>Ramaḍān is the time to <strong>elevate the soul from its base desires</strong> (stomach and private parts). Aim for your fasting and Ramaḍān to remove the love of the world from your heart; and let your soul soar high above the ground, away from the body, and upwards towards its Creator and Originator.</p>
<p>A large number of goals can feel overwhelming. However, once you have understood the overall goals, do a self-analysis as to where you currently are and what you would like to focus on. Everyone is on their own unique journey. Perhaps you already perform the 5 daily prayers punctually, but your target is to build up a daily habit of ṣalāh al-ḍuḥā. Or perhaps you don’t struggle with envy, but you do struggle with anger, so you can focus on managing your anger this Ramaḍān.</p>
<h2>Ramadan: The Battle Against the Nafs</h2>
<p>Think of Ramaḍān as a battlefield. The enemy you are trying to defeat is your nafs. It is an enemy which has conquered you many times over in the past. This Ramaḍān, however, you are determined that <strong>by the help of Allah, you are going to conquer it</strong>. You are going to be the winner, and not the loser. This will require planning, effort, tonnes of <strong>duʿā’</strong> and perhaps even a change in strategy.</p>
<p>One such strategy is to manoeuvre around your nafs, and subtly trick it. When you are struggling to keep momentum, say to yourself: <em>just a little while longer. After Ramaḍān, you can go back to enjoying the ḥalāl pleasures. For now, just keep going for a little while longer</em>. Once, Bishr al-Ḥāfī (raḥimahullāh) was walking with one of his companions towards a city. His companion wanted to drink water from a well. Bishr said to him, “We will drink from the next well that appears on the way.” Every time they would approach a well, Bishr would say, “From the next well.” When they finally reached their destination, Bishr said, “This is how we journey through the world.”</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“The (pious predecessors) used to make duʿā’ for six months prior to Ramaḍān, asking Allāh to allow them to witness Ramaḍān.” (Laṭā’if al-Maʿārif)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We ask Allah al-Ḥayy (The Ever-Living), al-Qayyūm (The All-Sustainer) to make this Ramaḍān our best Ramaḍān, and we ask Him to not entrust us to ourselves for even the blink of an eye.</p>

Set Your Goals for Ramadan

Définis tes objectifs pour Ramadan

1. What Is Duʿa?

1. Qu'est ce que le Douʿā ?

<h5>&nbsp;</h5>

<p>It has been said that whilst the primary purpose of fasting is to gain taqwā, <strong>the purpose of Ramaḍān is to connect with the Qur&rsquo;ān</strong>.</p>

<p>Ramaḍān is the month of the Qur&rsquo;ān. We know from the authentic Sunnah that every Ramaḍān (the best month of the year), the best of mankind, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would revise the Qur&rsquo;ān, the best of words, with the best of angels, Jibrīl (&lsquo;alayhis salām).</p>

<p>Here are 10 practical ways you can connect to the Qur&rsquo;ān in this blessed month:</p>

<h2>1. Recite as much Qurān as you can.</h2>

<p>Try to complete at least one khatmah/khatam of the Qur&rsquo;ān. However, if you managed to complete one last year, aim to increase your khatmah by one and complete two this year. This may seem ambitious, but make du&lsquo;ā&rsquo; to Allah (subḥānahū wa ta&lsquo;ālā) to help you accomplish this as <strong>du&lsquo;ā&rsquo; makes the impossible possible</strong>.</p>

<h2>2. Read the tafsīr of a chosen sūrah.</h2>

<p>Pick a sūrah or a collection of sūrahs, and then <strong>read or listen to the tafsīr (explanation) of these sūrahs</strong>. Focus on them in this month. English translations of tafsīr works, some of which are available online include:, Ma&lsquo;āriful-Qur&rsquo;ān, In the Shade of the Qur&lsquo;ān, Tafsīr al-Sa&lsquo;dī, Tafsīr al-Jalālayn, and Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr</p>

<h2>3. Ponder and reflect on the Qur&rsquo;ān (tadabbur)</h2>

<p>Recitation of the Qur&rsquo;ān is not enough. Allah (subḥānahū wa ta&lsquo;ālā) tells us: &ldquo;This is a blessed Book which We revealed to you, that they may <strong>reflect upon its verses</strong>, and those with understanding may take heed.&rdquo; (38:29)</p>

<p>Reflecting upon the Qur&rsquo;ān entails thinking over the meaning and the purpose behind an āyah: <strong>what is Allah (subḥānahū wa ta&lsquo;ālā) asking me to do here?</strong> Deep thinking and reflection allow us to develop a deeper connection with the Qur&rsquo;ān and will catalyse us to act upon the Qur&rsquo;ān inshā&rsquo;Allah.</p>

<p><strong>Suggestion:</strong> Qur&rsquo;ān Journaling (i.e. jotting down thoughts and reflections) may be a useful means for staying consistent with tadabbur.</p>

<h2>4. Listen to the Qur&rsquo;ān</h2>

<p>Although there is more reward in reciting the Qur&rsquo;ān, <strong>listen to it when you are not able to recite it</strong>. The benefits of listening to the Qur&rsquo;ān are (though not limited to): improving your tajwīd, aiding your memorisation and providing you with the chance to absorb the beauty of the Qur&rsquo;ān.</p>

<p><strong>Suggestion:</strong> download your favourite clips to avoid the inescapable YouTube adverts or alternatively, use an ad-free Qur&rsquo;ān app.</p>

<h2>5. Choose a story from the Qur&rsquo;ān and share it with your families and friends</h2>

<p>The Qur&rsquo;ān is full of stories which are filled with deep wisdom. Choose a story from the Qur&rsquo;ān which inspires you and share this story with your families, friends and children. From the talking ant, to the golden cow; from the baby which spoke, to the snake which turned into a stick; <strong>make the Qur&rsquo;ān a part of your families&rsquo; lives</strong>.</p>

<h2>6. Select 30 du&lsquo;ās from the Qur&rsquo;ān and focus on one each day</h2>

<p>Select one Qur&lsquo;ānic du&lsquo;ā&rsquo; for each day of the month and repeat this du&lsquo;ā&rsquo; throughout the entire day. Choose as many moments as possible from <strong>the special times in which du&lsquo;ā&rsquo; is accepted</strong> to make this du&lsquo;ā&rsquo;.</p>

<p><strong>Suggestion:</strong> reflect on the background of each du&lsquo;ā&rsquo; and learn the translation of the du&lsquo;ā&rsquo;.</p>

<h2>7. Memorise as much as you can</h2>

<p>Fix an amount to memorise every day. Even if you do two lines a day, with consistency you will have memorised 60 lines by the end of the month inshā&rsquo;Allāh.</p>

<p>Just imagine that you are in the hereafter and you are being told: &ldquo;<strong>Read, ascend, and recite slowly and distinctly as you used to recite in the world</strong>&hellip;&rdquo; (Abū Dāwūd) and depending on how much you&rsquo;ve memorised, that is where you will have to stop. <strong>The more you&rsquo;ve memorised, the higher you will be able to go</strong>. Aim high this Ramaḍān!</p>

<h2>8. Interact with what you recite</h2>

<p>In your night prayers, interact with the āyāt you are reciting like the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did. When you come across an <strong>ayah of mercy, stop and supplicate to Allah</strong>. When you come across an <strong>āyah of punishment, stop and ask for Allah&rsquo;s protection</strong>.</p>

<h2>9. Vary what you read in Ṣalāh</h2>

<p>Rather than sticking to what you always read, try to vary between the different sūrahs you have memorized. This will help you to perform <strong>Ṣalāh with more khushū&rsquo;</strong> (humility and concentration) and you will start to feel the sweetness of Ṣalāh.</p>

<h2>10. Implement the Qur&rsquo;ān in your life</h2>

<p>Allah (subḥānahū wa ta&lsquo;ālā) has described specific qualities that we should embody as believers: these are the People of the Qur&rsquo;ān. To help you become such people of the Qur&rsquo;ān, who are the chosen people of Allah, <a href="https://lifewithallah.com/articles/quran/quranic-qualities/" title="here">here</a> is a selected list of Qur&rsquo;ānic qualities.</p>

<p>a) Select one of the qualities from the list and make it your focus for this month.</p>

<p>b) Reflect on the related āyāt.</p>

<p>c) Work on developing the quality consistently throughout Ramaḍān, so that it becomes a part of you and lives on in you beyond Ramaḍān.</p>

<p><strong>Suggestion:</strong> write down this quality on a piece of paper and stick it on your fridge or somewhere where you are likely to see it every day to remind yourself.</p>

<p>May Allāh make us from the People of the Qur&rsquo;ān.</p>

<h5>&nbsp;</h5>

<p>Il a été dit que, tandis que l’objectif principal du jeûne est d’acquérir la taqwā, <strong>le mois de Ramaḍān a pour finalité la connexion au Qour&rsquo;ān</strong>(coran).</p>

<p>Ramaḍān est le mois du Qour&rsquo;ān. Nous savons, d’après la Sounnah authentique, qu’à chaque Ramaḍān — le meilleur mois de l'année — le meilleur des hommes, le Messager d’Allah ﷺ, révisait le Qour&rsquo;ān, la meilleure des paroles, avec le meilleur des anges, Jibrīl (&lsquo;alayhis salām).</p>

<p>Voici dix moyens pratiques de se connecter au Qour&rsquo;ān durant ce mois béni :</p>

<h2>1. Récite le Qour'ān autant que possible</h2>

<p>Essaie d’achever au moins une khatmah (lecture complète) du Qour&rsquo;ān. Toutefois, si tu es parvenu(e) à en compléter une l’année dernière, fixe-toi pour objectif d’augmenter ta récitation cette année et essaie d'en compléter deux. Cela peut sembler ambitieux, mais invoque Allah (soubḥānahoū wa ta&lsquo;ālā) afin qu’Il t’aide à y parvenir, car <strong>le dou&lsquo;ā&rsquo; rend possible ce qui paraît impossible.</strong>.</p>

<h2>2. Lis le tafsīr d’une sourate choisie</h2>

<p>Choisis une sourate ou un ensemble de sourates, puis <strong>lis ou écoute le tafsīr (l’exégèse) de ces sourates</strong>. Consacre-leur une attention particulière durant ce mois.
Parmi les traductions françaises d’ouvrages de tafsīr — dont certains sont disponibles en ligne — on trouve notamment : Tafsīr al-Sa&lsquo;dī, Tafsīr al-Jalālayn et Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr.</p>

<h2>3. Médite et réfléchis sur le Qour&rsquo;ān (tadabbour)</h2>

<p> La récitation seule ne suffit pas. Allah (soubḥānahoū wa ta&lsquo;ālā) nous dit : &ldquo;un Livre béni que Nous avons fait descendre vers toi,<strong>afin qu’ils méditent sur ses versets</strong>, et que les doués d’intelligence réfléchissent ! &rdquo; (38:29)</p>

<p>Réfléchir sur le Qour&rsquo;ān implique de penser au sens et à l’objectif de chaque āyah : <strong>Que me demande Allah (soubḥānahoū wa ta&lsquo;ālā) ici ?</strong> Une réflexion profonde permet de développer une connexion plus intime avec le Qour&rsquo;ān et nous encourage à agir selon ses enseignements, inchā&rsquo;Allāh.</p>

<p><strong>Suggestion:</strong> tenir un journal du Qour&rsquo;ān (noter ses pensées et réflexions) peut être un moyen efficace pour rester constant dans le tadabbour.</p>

<h2>4. Écoute le Qour&rsquo;ān</h2>

<p>Bien que la récitation du Qour&rsquo;ān rapporte davantage de récompense, , <strong>écoute-le lorsque tu ne peux pas le réciter.</strong>. Parmi les bénéfices de l’écoute du Qour&rsquo;ān : améliorer ton tajwīd, faciliter la mémorisation et te permettre d’absorber la beauté du Qour&rsquo;ān.</p>

<p><strong>Suggestion:</strong> télécharge tes passages favoris afin d’éviter les publicités inévitables sur YouTube ou, alternativement, utilise une application de Qour&rsquo;ān sans publicité.</p>

<h2>5. Choisis une histoire du Qour&rsquo;ān et partage-la avec ta famille et tes amis</h2>

<p>Le Qour&rsquo;ān regorge d’histoires pleines de sagesse profonde. Choisis une histoire du Qour&rsquo;ān qui t’inspire et partage-la avec ta famille, tes amis et tes enfants. Parmi elles : la fourmi qui parlait, le veau d’or, le bébé qui parlait, ou le serpent transformé en bâton. <strong>Fais du Qour&rsquo;ān une part vivante de la vie de ta famille</strong>.</p>

<h2>6. Choisis 30 invocations (dou&lsquo;ā&rsquo;) du Qour&rsquo;ān et concentre-toi sur une chaque jour</h2>

<p>Sélectionne une invocation coranique pour chaque jour du mois et répète la tout au long de la journée. Choisis autant de moments que possible <strong>parmi les moments spéciaux où les dou&lsquo;ā&rsquo; sont exaucés</strong> pour réciter cette invocation.</p>

<p><strong>Suggestion:</strong> réfléchis au contexte de chaque dou&lsquo;ā&rsquo et apprends sa signification.</p>

<h2>7. Mémorise autant que possible</h2>

<p>Fixe-toi une quantité à mémoriser chaque jour. Même si ce n’est que deux lignes par jour, avec de la régularité, tu auras mémorisé 60 lignes à la fin du mois, inchā&rsquo;Allāh.</p>

<p>Imagine-toi dans l’au-delà, et qu’on te dise :
&ldquo;<strong>Lis, monte, et récite lentement et distinctement comme tu récitais dans le monde</strong>&hellip;&rdquo; (Aboū Dāwoūd)
Le nombre de versets que tu auras mémorisé déterminera où tu devras t’arrêter. Plus tu auras mémorisé, plus tu pourras monter haut</strong>. Vise haut ce Ramaḍān !</p>

<h2>8. Interagis avec ce que tu récites</h2>

<p>Lors de tes prières nocturnes, interagis avec les āyāt que tu récites, comme le faisait le Messager d’Allah ﷺ. Lorsque tu rencontres <strong>un verset (āyah) de miséricorde, arrête-toi et implore la Miséricorde d'Allah</strong>. Lorsque tu rencontres <strong>un verset qui évoque le châtiment, arrête-toi et demande la protection d’Allah</strong>.</p>

<h2>9. Varie ce que tu récites dans la Ṣalāh</h2>

<p>Plutôt que de réciter toujours les mêmes sourates, essaie de varier entre les différentes sourates que tu as mémorisées. <strong>Cela t’aidera à accomplir la Ṣalāh avec plus de khoushoū’ </strong>(humilité et concentration) et tu commenceras à ressentir la douceur de la Ṣalāh.</p>
<h2>10. Mets le Qour’ān en pratique dans ta vie</h2>

<p>Allah (soubḥānahū wa ta‘ālā) a décrit des qualités spécifiques que nous devrions incarner en tant que croyants : tels sont les "Gens du Qour’ān". Pour t’aider à compter parmi eux, choisis l’une des qualités mentionnées dans <a href="https://lifewithallah.com/articles/quran/quranic-qualities/" title="here">cette liste</a> des qualités coraniques.</p>

<p>a) Sélectionne une de ces qualités et fais-en ton objectif pour ce mois-ci.</p>

<p>b) Médite sur les āyāt qui s’y rapportent.</p>

<p>c) Travaille à développer cette qualité de manière constante tout au long du Ramaḍān, afin qu’elle devienne une part de toi et continue à vivre en toi après le Ramaḍān.</p>

<p><strong>Suggestion:</strong> écris cette qualité sur un papier et colle-le sur ton réfrigérateur ou dans un endroit où tu le verras chaque jour comme un rappel.</p>

<p>Qu’Allah nous compte parmi les Gens du Qur&rsquo;ān.</p>