Ramadan is a month of worship and devotion, but there are certain things that should be avoided to ensure that fasting is accepted and fully rewarded. Here is a list of things that should not be done during Ramadan, along with evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah.
1. Deliberately Breaking the Fast Without a Valid Excuse
Breaking the fast without a valid excuse is a major sin that requires repentance, making up for the fast, and in some cases, an expiation.
📖 Evidence: Allah says:
“And eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread [of night]. Then complete the fast until sunset.” (Al-Baqarah 2:187)
🔹 The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever breaks his fast on one day of Ramadan without an excuse or illness, even if he were to fast for a lifetime, it would not make up for it.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
2. Delaying Iftar Without a Valid Reason
It is recommended to break the fast as soon as the sun sets.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “People will continue to be in good condition as long as they hasten to break their fast.” (Agreed upon)
3. Skipping or Delaying Suhoor
Suhoor is a blessed meal that helps one maintain energy for the day.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Eat Suhoor, for in Suhoor there is blessing.” (Agreed upon)
4. Overeating at Iftar and Suhoor
Overeating leads to laziness in worship.
📖 Evidence: Allah says:
“Eat and drink, but do not be excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.” (Al-A’raf 7:31)
5. Lying, Backbiting, and Gossiping
Fasting is not just about refraining from food and drink, but also about guarding the tongue.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need for him to give up his food and drink.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
6. Engaging in Arguments and Insults
A fasting person should remain patient and avoid disputes.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “If one of you is fasting, he should avoid obscene speech and foolish behavior. If someone insults him or tries to fight him, he should say: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.’” (Agreed upon)
7. Watching Inappropriate Content or Listening to Music
Guarding one’s eyes and ears is essential during Ramadan.
📖 Evidence: Allah says:
“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts.” (An-Nur 24:30)
8. Sleeping Excessively and Neglecting Worship
Ramadan is a time for devotion, not for excessive sleep.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “There are two blessings which many people waste: health and free time.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
9. Neglecting Taraweeh Prayers
Taraweeh is a highly recommended Sunnah.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever prays during the nights of Ramadan out of faith and in hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Agreed upon)
10. Wasting Time on Entertainment
Time in Ramadan should be spent in beneficial activities.
📖 Evidence: Allah says:
“And they who turn away from ill speech.” (Al-Mu’minun 23:3)
11. Complaining About Hunger and Thirst
Fasting requires patience and perseverance.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Fasting is not just about abstaining from food and drink, but also from idle talk and inappropriate behavior.” (Narrated by Al-Hakim and authenticated by Al-Albani)
12. Being Stingy and Neglecting Charity
Ramadan is the best time for generosity.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best charity is that given in Ramadan.” (Narrated by At-Tirmidhi)
13. Cutting Ties with Relatives and Holding Grudges
Maintaining family ties is crucial.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “The one who severs ties of kinship will not enter Paradise.” (Narrated by Muslim)
14. Forgetting to Make Dua at Iftar
Dua at the time of breaking the fast is accepted.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “The fasting person has a supplication that is not rejected at the time of breaking the fast.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani)
15. Neglecting Quran Recitation
Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an.
📖 Evidence: Allah says:
“The month of Ramadan [is that] in which the Qur’an was revealed.” (Al-Baqarah 2:185)
16. Not Maximizing the Last Ten Nights
The last ten nights contain Laylatul Qadr, which is better than a thousand months.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “When the last ten nights of Ramadan began, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would stay up at night, wake his family, exert himself in worship, and tighten his belt (i.e., strive harder).” (Agreed upon)
17. Neglecting Zakat Al-Fitr
Zakat Al-Fitr is obligatory for every Muslim before Eid.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ enjoined Zakat Al-Fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscenities, and as food for the poor.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood and authenticated by Al-Albani)
18. Skipping Suhoor Due to Laziness
Suhoor is a Sunnah that brings blessings.
📖 Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said: “Eat Suhoor, for in Suhoor there is blessing.” (Agreed upon)
19. Focusing More on Eid Preparations Than Worship
The end of Ramadan should be marked by increased devotion, not distraction.
📖 Evidence: Allah says: “And that to your Lord is the final return.” (An-Najm 53:42)
✅ Conclusion:
Ramadan is a month of mercy and forgiveness. Let us use this opportunity to draw closer to Allah with righteous deeds and avoid everything that diminishes the reward of fasting or invalidates it.
📌 Which of these do you find the hardest to avoid in Ramadan? Share your thoughts so we can help each other improve!
