Assalamu Aa'laikum
Muhtaraam brothers/sisters

Al-hamdulillah, most Muslims who fast Ramadhan focus on the benefits and rewards of it. But in doing so, we often make mistakes that instead of adding to our experience actually detract from it. Here we are figuring a small chart of our regular mistakes:

1:Too much stress on food and drink:

Some spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Quraan and other acts of worship

2 :Spending all day cooking:

Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Quraan. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!

3:Fasting but not giving up evil:

Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, buying lotto tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allah.



4: Fasting and not wearing Hijaab properly:

Not wearing the Hijaab is a major sin as it is obligatory for Muslim women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab for hijaab related verses). So fasting and not wearing hijaab certainly takes away enormously from the rewards of fasting, even if does not invalidate it.



5:Not fasting because of exams or work:

Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do that during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allah is much more important than 'good grades'. Besides, if you will fulfill your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allah will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do.

'Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him.' (Surah at-Talaaq 2-3)



6:Iftaar parties:

Although inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish 'Iftaar parties' with all sorts of disobedience to Allah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah and Taraweeh. Some even resort to music and dancing.

Please correct me if mistakes found in writing.
Insha'Allah the following serves as a reminder to myself first and to all Muslims. May Allah help us to spend our time wisely this Ramadhan and help us to avoid these mistakes.
Aameen!