The gates of virtue during Ramadan

The month of Ramadan is the month of virtue and righteousness. Due to the virtue of its period, the deeds performed during it are also treated differently. People are more eager to be virtuous during this month than any other month of the year. There are many righteous deeds a Muslim can perform during this blessed month, and the following are some suggested deeds:Sincerity: Allah Says (what means): “And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give Zakaah. And that is the correct religion.” [Qur’an 98: 5]Hastening in breaking the fast: Sahl Ibn Sa’d, radhiallah ‘anhu, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The people will continue to be on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]Breaking the fast by eating dates: Sulaymaan Ibn ‘Amr, radhiallah ‘anhu,  reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “If one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates. If dates are not available, then with water, for water is purifying.” [At-Tirmithi]Exerting extra effort in supplications: The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Three supplications are answered without doubt. The supplication of the fasting person, the supplication of the oppressed and the supplication of the traveler.” [Al-Bayhaqi].Eating Suhoor (i.e. the pre-dawn meal): Anas, radhiallah ‘anhu, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam,  said: “Eat Suhoor, as there is blessings in it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]Thanking Allah after eating or drinking: Anas, radhiallah ‘anhu, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Allah is pleased with the slave who thanks Him (i.e., says Al-hamdulillah) when he eats and thanks Him when he drinks.” [Muslim]Guarding ones tongue and remaining silent: Abu Hurairah, radhiallah ‘anhu, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Let he who believes in Allah and the Last Day say something good or remain silent.” [Muslim]. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, also said: “Fasting is not to refrain from eating and drinking, rather one should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise his voice; and if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him, he should say: `I am fasting. I am fasting `” [Ibn Hibbaan]Going early to the mosque and waiting for the next prayer: Abu Hurairah, radhiallah ‘anhu, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Should I not direct you to something by which Allah obliterates the sins and elevates (your) ranks.” They said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah”. He  said: “Performing ablution properly, even in difficulty, frequently going to the mosque, and waiting eagerly for the next prayer after a prayer is over; indeed, that is Ar-Ribaat (i.e. equivalent to its reward), indeed, that is Ar-Ribaat (guarding the front lines of the Muslim army)” [Muslim]. Abu Hurairah, radhiallah ‘anhu, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Everyone among you will be deemed to be occupied in prayer constantly so long as the prayer detains him (from worldly concerns), and nothing prevents him from returning to his family but prayer.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]Spending charity: Abu Hurairah, radhiallah ‘anhu, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “He who gives in charity the value of a date which he legally earned, and Allah accepts only that which is pure, Allah accepts it with His Right Hand and fosters it for him, as one of you fosters his pony, until it (i.e. the spent charity) becomes like a mountain.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]Encouraging others to spend: Allah Says (what means): “And co-operate in righteousness and piety, but do not co-operate in sin and aggression” [Qur’an 5: 2]Arranging for lectures: Abu Hurairah, radhiallah ‘anhu, reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “If anyone calls others to follow right guidance, his reward will be equivalent to those who follow him (in righteousness) without their reward being diminished in any respect, and if anyone invites others to follow error, the sin, will be equivalent to that of the people who follow him (in sinfulness) without their sins being diminished in any respect”[Muslim]Performing the Eid prayer: Abu Sa’eed, radhiallah ‘anhu, reported: “The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used to come out on the Eid day after Ramadan, and the first thing he would do was to perform the Eid prayer” [Al-Bukhari]These were some of the gates towards virtue that one can perform during this blessed month, so be keen to accumulate as much reward as you possibly can, because this could be the last year you witness this month. Take advantage of this chance and put forth what you would like to see on the Day of Account. Allah Says (what means): “The Day every soul will find what it has done of good present [before it] and what it has done of evil, it will wish between itself and that [evil] was a great distance. And Allah warns you of Himself, and Allah is Kind to [His] slaves.” [Qur’an 3: 30]Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/