The Ramadan season is the period for total cleansing and self-discipline amongst others for devout Muslims.
As a guide for some prayers, The Nation has compiled a list of necessary prayers before, during and after each fast.
1. The Prayer for Breaking the Fast:
“Allahuma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu wa ‘ala rizq-ika aftarthu.” Meaning: Oh Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I put my trust in You] and I break my fast with your sustenance.”
2. Prayer for Forgiveness:
Ramadan is a time when Muslims are told through the Qur’an and in hadiths that God will absolve them of their sins if they engage in sincere worship and repentance. The following prayer is a good one to recite during Ramadan to ask for Allah’s forgiveness: “Allahumma inni as’aluka birahmatika al-lati wasi’at kulli shay’in an taghfira li.” Meaning: Oh Allah, I ask You by Your mercy which envelopes all things, that You forgive me.
This is a prayer that Abdullah ibn Amar, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, used to recite as he was breaking his fast, as reported by Ibn abi Mulaykah.
3. Taraweeh Prayers:
There are infinite prayers that Muslims recite during Ramadan–some from the Qur’an and hadiths and others that companions of the Prophets and Islamic scholars recited. But a special type of prayer exclusive to the month of Ramadan is the Taraweeh prayers, which are especially said at night after breaking fast with physical movements akin to those Muslims do during their five daily prayers.
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In Taraweeh prayers, a hafiz, or one who has memorised the Qur’an, usually recites some portions of the Qur’an each night while followers stand behind and pray along. Over the course of Ramadan, the Qur’an is mostly recited in its entirety. As reading the Qur’an (and finishing it, if you can), is highly recommended during Ramadan, attending taraweeh prayers is a great way to absorb the virtues of the Qur’an in a congregational setting.
Zikr is recited over and over in the remembrance of God, is often thought to be part of the Islamic tradition, when in fact it is an integral part of all Muslims’ lives and especially important during Ramadan.
A great way to connect with God while doing all the mundane chores of daily life (driving, waiting in line, preparing the evening meal), is to recite over and over these short phrases:
Subhan’allah, is an expression used by Muslims to express strong feelings of joy or relief and recall how everything Muslims have is thanks to Allah.
Alhamdulillah, or “Praise be to God!” (It is a Qur’anic exclamation with a similar meaning as hallelujah.)
Astaghfirullah, which means “I seek forgiveness from God.”
Allahu Akbar, or “God is the Greatest.”