Dear friends, Allah has blessed us with another Ramazan. From the beginning of this month, we all feel a positive change in ourselves. We work hard to make the most of these sacred days, feel a natural urge to perform good deeds and refrain from forbidden acts.

We know that this is a month of Allah’s mercy and blessings because we receive manifold rewards for our good deeds. In His benevolence, the Almighty rewards our non-obligatory prayers (nafl and sunnah) equal to the obligatory ones (farz). The obligatory deeds are rewarded multiple times, more than in the other 11 months.

During Ramazan, our relationship with our Creator improves through our daily acts of worship. To further achieve this goal, it is very important to know exactly which deeds Allah wants us to do and which He wants us to stay away from.

Today, I would like to discuss with you all, as per my imperfect knowledge, some important qualities of a true Muslim which the Quran teaches us and which we should practise not only in Ramazan, but in all the months of the year.

Let me try to share some messages of the Quran and how we can apply them to our routine to make the most of these precious days of fasting.

Obedience to Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The foremost teaching of the Quran is the requirement for a Muslim to believe firmly in Allah and to be obedient to what is commanded by Him and practised by His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). A true believer is required to submit himself totally to the Will of Allah without any argument or doubt.

Obedience to Allah is practised while fasting. There are numerous chances every day when we could help ourselves to a quick snack or drink a glass of water when no one is watching us. But in obedience to Allah, we do not even think about doing so. This month is our chance to ponder how we defy the Quran’s teachings all year round and find excuses to disobey our Creator.

If we can stay hungry and thirsty for long hours to fulfil Allah’s orders, why can’t we follow what is ordained in other aspects of life too during the rest of the year? The requirement of true belief is to obey without questioning and at all times.

Punctuality is a requirement for a true Muslim

We all know that praying five times daily at the ordained time is obligatory for every adult Muslim. The five prayers are divided into five different times of the day and night. Would you even think of performing all five prayers together at night or at any part of the day when you have free time? Definitely not!

In Islam, punctuality is emphasised, particularly through the obligation of performing prayers at prescribed times.

In Ramazan, we realise the importance of being punctual, especially when we are having sehri. Even if our meal is halfway through, we immediately stop eating when we hear the Fajr azaan. Similarly, when the Maghrib azaan is called, we thankfully open our fast and praise Allah for the blessings on our table.

If you are feeling tired or sleepy, will you tell your mother that you will eat when you wake up and ask her not to disturb you at the designated iftar time? In the same way, if someone says that he will begin his fast at noon and end it at midnight because these hours suit him better, you will surely doubt his sanity.

Patience is an important teaching of the Quran

Many verses of the Quran highlight the importance of being patient in difficult situations and promise that Allah is with those who remain patient in adversity. Fasting teaches us to control ourselves and practice patience.

Controlling our temper and not getting into a quarrel, even when someone provokes us, are actions that please Allah, as they are considered acts of self-restraint, a quality Allah promises to reward without limit.

Islam’s emphasis on compassion and charity

Ramazan is a month of sharing and caring. Most of us give our zakat (the fourth pillar of Islam) in this month. We feel natural compassion for those who are less blessed than us, and in addition to the decreed amount which is obligatory, we also give charity in the form of eatables, clothes and cash. The Quran promises multiple rewards for those who share their wealth with the needy, especially if this help is given secretly. Relatives, orphans, poor neighbours and travellers are declared the most deserving of our alms.

Those who do not have much to give away should rest assured, as they are given the glad tidings that even sharing a date with a person who is fasting brings immense reward from Allah and is also a source of Divine love. The Quran tells us that the quality of good deeds is more important than their quantity, and rewards are related to our intentions.

In many verses of the Quran, charity is likened to giving a loan to Allah, which He promises to return manifold.

The Quran stresses moderation in spending

The financial position of everyone is not the same. Although some of us are richer than others, Allah likes us to spend our wealth wisely and moderately. Neither should we be miserly and cling to our worldly blessings, nor should we be extravagant and spend unnecessarily just to show off. This does not mean that if we are blessed by Allah, we should not spend on ourselves, our clothes, homes and other worldly needs, but we should do so in a modest manner.

In a verse of Surah Al-Anbiya, those who overspend are called the brothers of the devil. We see people celebrating the first fast of their children extravagantly, with iftar parties held at high-end restaurants, and money that could serve many hungry mouths is wasted on food that is either left on plates or thrown away. I am not against celebrating a child’s first fast, but keeping it simple and modest will not only make the child happy, it will also help him or her learn the true essence of this beautiful ritual. The amount one would spend on a luxurious feast for people who can easily afford it themselves can instead be better spent on feeding those who cannot afford even a simple meal. Such charity is more rewarding.

However, hoarding money is strongly discouraged by Allah. Woe is promised to those who count their money again and again out of love for it, and keep it hidden instead of spending it on the deserving and needy.

Ramazan is a reminder to be kind to parents

In many verses of the Quran, after ordering us to obey Allah and His Prophet (PBUH), we are told to be kind to our parents and serve them humbly, especially when they become old and weak. During the month of Ramazan, you should remind yourself of this command daily.

You may want to have scrumptious delicacies for your iftar, but please remember that your mother is also fasting and she is not a robot. On some days, you can request your favourite dish, but do not make it a daily habit. Try your best to help your mum by doing chores that lessen her workload. A few acts of kindness and consideration will make her feel happy and relieved.

Take turns with your siblings to lay and clear the table, look after a younger sibling while she rests, and do your own chores — make your bed, iron your clothes and keep your room tidy. In the same manner, you can serve your father when he comes back from work by offering him water and being attentive to his needs.

You must always remember that piety is not just praying five times a day and fasting in the month of Ramazan. It is also based on believing firmly in Allah, the Day of Resurrection, all the prophets and the Divine books. Piety also requires us to spend money in the manner Allah has ordained, to be kind to our parents and to serve them humbly and without complaint. Righteousness also means refraining from calling names, backbiting and telling lies. By following these guidelines, you will emerge from Ramazan as a more pious person and a better Muslim.

Wishing a happy and fruitful Ramazan to all my young friends.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 21st, 2026