Reality and obligations in Ramadan

During this Ramadan do not let the sweetness of our deeds vanish into the night,leaving only emptiness. Remember that Ramadan is a bounty that Allah blessed His servants with,to strenghthen their faith and increase their piety(Taqwa). Allah said : "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious"- (Al-Baqarah)

Goals of fasting:

1. Achieving Taqwa (piety)
2. Strengthening willpower and acquiring patience
3. Fasting is pure worship
4. Relieving Muslims from life's distractions
5. Discovering Allah's blessings
6. Acquiring strength and endurance
7. Qiyamul-layl
8. Offering iftar (meals) for those who fasted
9. Reading and completing the Quran
10. 'Iktikaf
11. Supplication
12. Repentance
13. Applying oneself in all good deeds in the last ten days of Ramadan
14. Abstaining from vain talk

Common errors made during Ramadhan:

1. Excessive spending
2. Staying awake during the night and sleeping during the day
3. Spending more time in socializing
4. Insisting on performing a certain number of Rakaas during the Tarawikh prayer
5. Socializing 'Iktikaf

Remedies  to overcome this problem :

1. The Muslims should realize that his priorities dictate that he does what benefits him in the Hereafter and should not put worldly interests first.
2. Apply himself to deepen his sense of following the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAAS) , in every aspect of his life.
3. Seeking more knowledge about the fiqh(rules) of fasting and its etiquette.

We ask Allah to accept our fast and our good deeds.

source: Al-Jumuah Magazine, Vol 8, Issue 9.

(these statements had been discussed with my lecturer during our English class)