If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. The old adage seems to fit in perfectly when it comes to Ramadan. Have you noticed how every year time flies during the blessed month? By the time we settle into its timings, eating and worship patterns, the month has already passed. It’s frightening how, despite knowing how many good deeds we can potentially earn during Ramadan, we end up missing them. What is more frightening is that the Shaytan who we keep cursing throughout the year, is not around this month. So, we have no one to blame but ourselves if we lose this chance of drawing closer to our Creator. The key here is to PLAN for a productive Ramadan. If we master this planning, we will have plenty of room to strike our work-worship balance as attain the real purpose of Ramadan.
Our dear Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “He who observes fasting during the month of Ramadan with faith while seeking its reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven.”
Reported by Abu Hurairah (may Allāh be pleased with him)
[Bukhari].
This blessed month can’t be left to become a blur in our memories. Hence, we’ve put together a plan/ schedule which helps you attain a productive Ramadan.
Planning a productive Ramadan
You see, to make the most of Ramadan, we can’t go about haphazardly doing whatever we remember. Instead, we should allocate time for every task. This will help us strike a balance between everything and reap the benefits of ALL forms of worship. For example, the time of Taraweeh cannot be allocated to visit the sick (even though both are forms of worship). Similarly, you can’t sit and watch a religious program right after fajr because that is the exclusive time for morning Adhkar and Quran.
According to our productive Ramadan day planner, you must begin by dividing your day into 6 parts (or more).
The morning
You get up at Suhor, pray Tahajjud and fajr, followed by morning adhkar and recitation of the Quran and istighfar.
Work
Ramadan is no excuse to NOT work.
Doing your work efficiently and fulfilling the haqq of your employer is also going to reward you in the hereafter. But try to make some worship wherever you get free bouts of time. Concentrate on dhikr while you commute, while your co-workers have their lunch, etc.
Asr to maghrib
Take a power nap, spend some time with your family, recite Qur’an, watch an educational program and prepare Iftar.
Iftar
The time of breaking a fast is a time of acceptance of Duas. So make plenty of Dua and have a light Iftar.
Isha and taraweeh
Spend this time in the Masjid and dedicate it solely with the One for whom you are fasting – Allah.
Night:
After your Taraweeh, get some quality rest. If you skip this one, you won’t be able to spend the next day productively.