• Avoiding evil company and wasting time during Ramadan

One should be especially careful in avoiding turning the nights of Ramadan into nights of entertainment and gatherings of sin, amusement, dancing, watching movies, listening to music and festivals during which excessive food is served, a little portion of which is eaten and the rest thrown away; this is a grave matter.

Be serious about achieving this goal, because many people are not serious which is why they fail to make the most of this month. Ponder over the great virtue of those who control their tongues and also ponder over the many stories in the Quran and the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) about the people that got thrown into Hell because of their mouths. Controlling the tongue is one of the most difficult things to do, so we need to approach it on a daily basis. Engage in Thikr (remembrance and mention) of Allah The Almighty, say good things (e.g. enjoin good) and understand what “controlling the tongue” really means. Remember that your tongue is a window into your brain, so when we talk about things that are on our minds, our tongues expose our thoughts

The Imaams should shorten the length of the prayer, lest lazy people and those who complain stop attending the night prayer and lose the rewards and benefits of this nightly congregation. They should also consider and make allowances in the case of people who are obliged to carry on with their work, such as businessmen who have to attend to their businesses, doctors who have to return to their workplaces, police personnel and security officers etc.

However, this does not mean that worship should cease after Taraaweeh (i.e., the night prayer) because there will remain reciting the Quran, sleeping early in order to wake up for the dawn prayer and eating Suhoor. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.} [Quran 51: 18] Allah The Almighty did not say 'they would sing and dance' as some people do during this great period of the night about which the Prophet said: “Allah descends every night in the last third of the night (in a way that befits His Majesty) and says: "Is there anyone who is asking of Me so that I may grant him? Is there any person who is repenting so that I may forgive him?"” This takes place while some people who are engaged in their amusement, dancing and music are busy and heedless of worship.

• Performing ‘Umrah (minor pilgrimage)

Performing ‘Umrah during Ramadan is equal in reward to performing Hajj, as the Prophet has informed us. This is a great reward and a wonderful opportunity. There are many ways to earn rewards but you have to take the initiative.

This reward for ‘Umrah is earned if performed during any of the days of the month, and there is no extra virtue in performing it during the last ten days. Many people wish they could perform this ‘Umrah but are unable to, so the ones who can do so should not miss the chance.

Those brothers and sisters who will go to Makkah during Ramadan are advised to do the following:

First: Utilize your time in attaining the largest amount of reward possible, and avoid busying yourselves in trivial matters, such as looking for restaurants to eat in or shopping around in the different market places and malls.

Second: Stay for as long as possible inside the Haram and reside in it because that grants you a huge reward. Circumambulate the Ka’bah and wait inside the mosque from one prayer to the next because by doing so, you will be deemed to be praying.

Third: Do not waste time talking with friends and watching others, and concentrate on your own worship.

Fourth: Do not sleep too much because this is a short period of time which you should utilise in worship.

Fifth: Always arrive early, before the prayer starts, because there is a great reward for being present when the Imaam utters the initial ‘Allahu Akbar.’