How do I make the most of Ramadan?
The classical scholars treated Ramadan as an annual training cycle. Their daily rhythm — qiyām, Qur'an, charity, restraint of the tongue — scales to any believer willing to try it.
10 passages from 4 books in the library
The classical scholars treated Ramadan as a season of intensified worship, generosity, and self-restraint. Al-Ghazali, in his Iḥyāʾ, notes the Prophet's example of being "most generous during Ramadan, withholding nothing," and that "prayer to prayer is expiation, Ramadan to Ramadan is expiation" — except for grave sins like associating partners with Allah. He counts Ramadan among the noble times for supplication, alongside the day of ʿArafah, and teaches that the month's best portion is its last ten nights. Even the name carries reverence: he relates that some said say "the month of Ramadan."
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 4 books by Ibn Kathir and Imam al-Ghazali — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"Imam Ahmad reported from Wathila Ibn al-Asqa that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, The scrolls of Ibrahim were revealed on the first night of Ramadan. The Torah was revealed six nights into Ramadan. The Gospel was revealed 13 nights before Ramadan, and the Quran was revealed on the 24th night of Ramadan."
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"Ibn Ishaq, citing evidence for this, referred to Allah's statement in Surah al-Baqarah. The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people. It is said to refer to the 10th of Ramadan. Al-Waqidi narrated from Abu Jafar al-Baqir that the beginning of the revelation to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was on a Monday, 17 nights before Ramadan, and it was also said on the 24th of it."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, would fast frequently in Sha'ban, almost as if it were Ramadan. It is narrated that the best fast after Ramadan is in the month of Allah, Muharram, as it marks the beginning of the year, and starting it with goodness is desirable. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Fasting one day from a sacred month is better than fasting thirty days from another month, and fasting one day of Ramadan is better than fasting thirty days from a sacred month.""
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"and Saturday—Allah will write for him the reward of nine hundred years of worship for each day." It is also said: "When the middle of Sha'ban comes, do not fast until Ramadan. Therefore, it is recommended to refrain from fasting a few days before Ramadan. However, if one intends to connect Sha'ban with Ramadan, it is permissible, as the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, did so once and separated them on numerous occasions."
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"As long as one is doubtful on the night of doubt, verbalizing the intention doesn’t benefit him because the heart is the place for intention, and it is inconceivable to decisively intend with doubt. For example, if one said in the middle of Ramadan, "I will fast tomorrow if it is Ramadan," it does not harm him as this is a repetition of words, and the heart is decisive that it is Ramadan."
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"refrain from fasting until Ramadan comes," and it was authenticated by al-Tirmidhi. The hadith that he sometimes connected Sha'ban with Ramadan is recorded by the four from the narration of Umm Salamah, who stated he did not fast a complete month from the year except Sha'ban, which he connected to Ramadan. Abu Dawood and al-Nasa'i also recorded a similar account from Aisha."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"Ramadan holds the merit of Laylat al-Qadr and is the month in which the Quran was revealed. Mujahid used to say, "Do not call it Ramadan, for it is one of the names of Allah, but say 'the month of Ramadan.'" Dhu al-Hijjah is also a month of great virtue, as it is sacred and includes the greater pilgrimage and the known days, which are the first ten days, and the specified days, which are the days of Tashreeq."
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"Therefore, seize the opportunity and designate a specific month for giving, striving for the best times to increase prosperity and multiply zakat, such as the month of Muharram or during Ramadan. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was most generous during Ramadan, withholding nothing. Ramadan holds the merit of Laylat al-Qadr and is the month in which the Quran was revealed."
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
· Provenance →
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"The authentic report from Ibn Hazm is that it was eight days past, as narrated by al-Humaydi, and this is more established. Another opinion is that he was born in Ramadan, as reported by Ibn Abd al-Bahr, which is a very strange claim. Its basis is that he, peace be upon him, was revealed to in Ramadan, and that was at the beginning of his fortieth year, thus his birth would be in Ramadan."
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"The people were amazed by his wonders, and his message spread among them. Explanation of the Revelation of the Four Books and Their Timings The Torah was revealed to Moses over six nights in Ramadan. The Zabur was revealed to David on the twelfth night of Ramadan, 482 years after the Torah. The Injil was revealed to Jesus on the eighteenth night of Ramadan, 1050 years after the Zabur."
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