Ramadan is one of the most important months in the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims around the world. While it is widely known as a month of fasting, Ramadan also includes many meaningful activities and events during Ramadan that focus on self-discipline, kindness, reflection, and community engagement. These activities bring positive inner and outer changes to daily life and help individuals develop empathy, patience, and gratitude.
In this article, we will discuss the types of activities and acts of worship that we can do during Ramadan so that we may attain Almighty One God’s forgiveness, His pardon, and His pleasure.
Spiritual Activities during Ramadan
After freeing yourself from the bad habits, you find space to build good ones. Here are a few activities during Ramadan that help in building good habits.
Empathy for Others:
Being in someone else’s shoes makes you relate to how they feel. Many in this world may abstain from food or water… not by choice, but due to poverty or not being able to find food or water.
Fasting humbles Muslims and puts them in the shoes of others so they can have empathy. Also, to realise what they are going through and help them.
Be merciful to others. Share with them whatever you can, even if it’s just a smile!
Read the Quran
Reading is essential to learning and making ourselves better. And the Qur’an is an essential book to read, especially during Ramadan.
Allah the Almighty has revealed His book to Prophet Muhammad in Ramadan. This indicates that the Qur’an has a special relationship with that time.
Allah Almighty says:
Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the decisive authority.
[Qur’an,2: 185]
Generally, the Qur’an is a book of guidance and healing for those who sincerely seek these meanings in this book.
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Supplication in Ramadan
One of the powerful miracles of Ramadan is answering the supplications. It’s time to come closer to your Creator and to ask Him for your needs in addition to guidance.
You suffer a lot, so no time for hesitation. Here is the true happiness.
When Allah speaks about the rulings of Ramadan in the Qur’an, he gives us this Verse in between to indicate this meaning:
And when My servants ask you, concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided.”
Perform Taraweeh prayers
During Ramadan, Muslims can perform an optional prayer called Taraweeh as part of their night prayers alongside Isha. Taraweeh is a special prayer for Muslims and can only be performed during Ramadan. Performing Taraweeh prayers is an additional opportunity to gain blessings in Ramadan.
Give charity & increase good deeds
As one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan offers an ideal chance to give charity, whether financially or through acts of kindness. Some of the ways you can give charity include:
- Smiling
- Helping someone with a problem (even a small one)
- Offering someone water
- Giving Sadaqah
- Giving Zakat
Provide an iftar to a fasting person
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Whoever gives iftar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without detracting from the reward of the fasting person”.
For as little as money, you can feed a fasting person with GRF’s community iftar project. In doing so, not only are you providing an iftar to a fasting person and being rewarded, but you are also helping people partake in the spirit of Ramadan during their challenging times.
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Avoid unnecessary talk
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Fasting is not just from food and drink, but also from vain speech and obscene words.” (Ibn Majah). One of the best ways to prevent vain speech and obscene words is to avoid unnecessary talking. Instead, a person should focus on uttering positive, beneficial things, such as reciting dhikr or sharing reminders to be better Muslims.
Seek forgiveness in Ramadan
Not only is Ramadan a month of fasting, but it is also an opportunity to seek forgiveness from Allah. As stated in the hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven” (Bukhari, Muslim). This emphasises the golden opportunity to gain forgiveness in Ramadan. Seeking forgiveness is an important part of Islam, and Ramadan is an ideal time to do so.
Prophet Muhamed said:
“Ramadan, a blessed month, has come to you during which God has made it obligatory for you to fast.
In it the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are locked, and the rebellious devils are chained..”(Hadith)
Read:
Social and Educational Events during Ramadan
While Muslims observe fasting during this time, Ramadan also offers many opportunities for social and educational events that welcome non-Muslims and help them understand Islamic values in a friendly and respectful way. The following are examples of social and educational events:
Open Iftar Events
An open iftar is a simple gathering where Muslims invite non-Muslims to share the sunset meal. Guests learn why Muslims fast and experience the sense of community that Ramadan encourages. Sharing food helps people connect naturally and builds mutual respect.
Learning About Fasting in Islam
Educational sessions can explain what fasting means in Islam and why it is practised. These events focus on values such as patience, gratitude, and empathy rather than religious rules. They help non-Muslims see fasting as a moral and spiritual practice, not just a physical challenge.
Interfaith Dialogue During Ramadan
Ramadan is a good time for discussions between people of different faiths. These talks highlight how fasting and self-discipline exist in many religions. Interfaith dialogue creates understanding and shows that Islamic teachings share common human values.
Cultural Activities and Ramadan Traditions
Cultural events introduce non-Muslims to Ramadan traditions such as lanterns, calligraphy, and traditional foods. Simple explanations help guests understand the meaning behind these customs. Culture provides an easy and welcoming entry point to learning about Islam.
Question and Answer Sessions
Open question sessions give non-Muslims a chance to ask about Ramadan freely. Clear and honest answers help remove misunderstandings. This approach builds trust and encourages respectful curiosity.
Fun Activities and Things to Do in Ramadan with Friends
There are plenty of fun activities during Ramadan to do with family and friends during Ramadan:
- You can host themed iftars (potlucks, outdoor picnics).
- Engage in spiritual activities (masjid visits, Quran study groups, watching Islamic lectures).
- Get creative with DIY decorations (lanterns, calligraphy).
- Give back through charity projects.
- Sports at night
Also, you can plan for outings in Ramadan. –And it’s especially fun to share Ramadan activities with kids in the family.
- Play with them
- Take them out
- Teach them.
Thus, these activities during Ramadan aren’t only fun for the kids, but also for the adults.
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Physical activity during fasting
Physical activity during fasting isn’t necessarily hard; it depends on how well you eat at Sahour (The meal before fasting).
Fasting heightens your senses and forces the body to burn its stored energy if you simply have the willpower to push through the feeling of tiredness.
In Fact, the very first year when fasting was legislated, one of the most critical battles in Islamic history took place: the Battle of Badr. Muslims ended up winning their very first military encounter, while fasting and being outnumbered!
Forbidden activities during Ramadan (what should you not do)
Ramadan isn’t only about abstaining from eating and drinking during the day. This simply reminds us of many other forbidden activities during Ramadan, generally, as they are especially more grave in Ramadan.
Forbidden activities during Ramadan include:
- abstaining from sins in general
- Backbiting
- lying
- Cheating
- fighting or getting angry
- wasting time
Simply, what should you not do during Ramadan? It is Not Change!
Ramadan is a catalyst for change. It encourages taking the first step towards a more meaningful and positive life. Stop one of the bad routines in your life this month. Control your habits and don’t let your habits control you!
Allah the Almighty says:
And as for those who were in awe of standing before their Lord and restrained themselves from ˹evil˺ desires, (40) Paradise will certainly be ˹their˺ home. (41)”
For more about Ramadan, read:
Conclusion
To conclude, there are many activities to do in Ramadan. Muslims and Non-Muslims can share many of these activities. Ramadan is also an eventful month, and observing its events has many benefits.
- Activities during Ramadan include empathy for others, reading the Quran, supplication in Ramadan, avoiding unnecessary talk, seeking forgiveness, providing iftar to a fasting person and performing Taraweeh prayers.
- There are many Fun Activities during Ramadan, including Sports at night, breakfast gatherings and a book Club for the Quran.
- Ramadan isn’t only about abstaining from eating and drinking during the day. This simply reminds us of many other forbidden activities during Ramadan concluded in abstaining from sins in general.
- With friends during Ramadan, you can host themed iftars, engage in spiritual activities, get creative with DIY decorations, and give back through charity projects.
- Physical activity during fasting isn’t necessarily hard; it depends on how well you eat at Sahour (The meal before fasting).
For more information, here are some beneficial questions and answers about Ramadan to help you know more about Ramadan. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us now. Salvation matters!
