For some, the month of Ramadan is a month of refraining from eating and drinking between dawn and sunset.
For some, it is the month of reading more Qur’an and more prayers and supplications plus the above.
For a few, it is the month of gaining a sustaining and higher level Taqwa plus the above to help with purification of soul (Tazkiyah).
According to the Qur’an, only the latter group are aiming for what is really the aim of fasting in the month of Ramadan (2:183).
Here is a collection of some practical tips that might help us in getting closer to the latter group (a presentation that discusses the relationship between fasting in the month of Ramadan and Taqwa and also covers some of the following practical tips can be downloaded from here: The Long Journey from 'not eating' to 'Fasting'
1. Having a plan:
We are living in a very busy world where we can easily find ourselves engaged all day and quite tired during the night. In this busy life, the month of Ramadan passes very fast and before we know it we will reach the day of Eid. It is very wise to have some plans to determine and decide what special things we want to and we can do during this month and that how best we can accommodate them in our busy life schedule.
2. It does not matter if you cannot fast:
Many people might not be strong enough or healthy enough to fast especially if they are living where the summer daytime is extremely long. There are also those who might need to be in travel during all or part of the month of Ramadan. Sometimes people think that if they do not fast, then the month of Ramadan is not for them and they cannot get any benefit from it. This is wrong. One who has a genuine excuse for not fasting can still benefit from the month of Ramadan. The majority of the points that are given in this article are equally related to those who cannot fast. In fact, having more energy than those who fast, they may even do better in adopting some of these points!
   3. Cleaning any anger and hatred towards others from our heart:
To attempt to increase our Taqwa for the sake of Tazkiya while holding a grudge and anger in our heart against a fellow human being is like trying to fill up a broken bottle with water. We need to do what it takes to erase any anger and hatred towards others from our heart.
(Continued)