Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion…..} [Quran 2: 185]

The Prophet said: "No slave (of Allah The Most High) fasts one day for the sake of (gaining the Pleasure of) Allah, except that Allah The Exalted Distances his face from Hellfire because of it (the distance of travelling) seventy years." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The monotony of life makes it unbearably boring. Such repetitiveness of doing the same things every day and night generates boredom. Mundane daily routine drives many people to feel despair and a deep sense of boredom with their lives.

However, Islam gives life a different taste (of enjoyment). It helps relieve the dullness and boredoms of everyday life so that one lives a better life. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life...} [Quran 16:97]

The five daily obligatory prayers can be seen as the means of overcoming the monotony of the day, Friday Prayer is the means of overcoming the monotony of the week, the Night of al-Qadr is the means of overcoming the monotony of the nights and the month of Ramadan is the means of overcoming the monotony of the year. On each of these occasions one has the chance to renew his life and deduce new lessons that get him back on the straight path.

Ramadan is the main occasion among these occasions and a major spiritual season in which Allah The Exalted Helps His Slaves (to show obedience and devotion to Him) by chaining the devils and generously granting rewards for obedient slaves.

Ramadan is a great blessing and a divine gift for mankind. It is a time for attaining spiritual self-renewal and a golden chance for one to renew his life and breathe hope into it.

Means that help to renew one's life in Ramadan:

1 - Sahar time (i.e. last third of the night) is a blessed time that many people often waste in most times of the year. In the month of Ramadan, Muslims are offered the chance to honor this blessed time as due, as people wake up before the Fajr prayer in order to have Suhoor (i.e. the predawn meal). However, many people may spend this precious time consuming food and forgetting the words of the Prophet as he said: "When it is the last third of the night, Allah The Almighty, Descends in the last third of every night to the heaven of the world and Says, 'Is there anyone who asks Me for something that I may Give (it to) him? Is there anyone who asks My forgiveness that I may Forgive him?' until the break of dawn."

Indeed, we are in dire need of this blessed time to renew our lives and ask Allah The Exalted for what rectifies our religion and our lives in this world and in the Hereafter.

2 – Performing the Fajr prayer in the mosque: most people neglect this obligation at other times of the year. Ramadan give them the opportunity to renew their commitment to performing the Fajr prayer in the mosque. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Quran of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed….} [Quran 17:78]

The Prophet said: "Convey glad tidings, to those who walk to the mosques in the dark, of perfect light on the Day of Resurrection when people will be in panic but they will not."

3 – Du‘aa' (i.e. supplication) and much of it, is vital, especially in this blessed month since the supplication of a fasting person is answered. The Prophet said: "Three people will not have their supplications rejected: a fasting person until he breaks his fast, a just ruler and an oppressed." [At-Tirmithi] Another version of the narration reads, "… a fasting person when he breaks his fast …" [At-Tirmithi]

Muslim scholars mentioned that the verse on supplication in the Noble Quran was mentioned in between the verses of fasting in the month of Ramadan. They said that this is in order to highlight that supplication while fasting will not be rejected and how many needs and hopes we are in need of from our Lord!

4 – Recitation of the Quran, pondering over its meanings and reflecting upon its verses because this month is the month of the Quran. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion…} [Quran 2:185] It is recommended for Muslims to recite the entire Quran at least once in the month of Ramadan, taking into account the importance of reflection (upon its teachings) and contemplation (of its verses).

5 – Performing congregational prayers in the mosque: The Prophet said: "He who goes to the mosque in the morning or evening, Allah Will Prepare an honorable residence for him in Paradise for every morning or evening he goes." [Muslim]

There are countless ways and means with which one can attain spiritual renewal in Ramadan such as performing extra voluntary acts of worship, night prayers, giving charity, maintaining ties of kinship, fostering bonds of brotherhood and being thoughtful of fellow Muslims. All these acts add a unique meaning to life other than the dull meanings to which we are used to. The most important means by which one can renew his life can be found in the very first verse of the Quran that was revealed in the month of Ramadan. This is the divine directive “Iqra’,” which translates as, “Read.” Reading is the primary means for promoting Islamic culture and raising awareness among Muslims.

Muslims should allocate at least an hour (a day) to read during the month of Ramadan. Let us begin by reading the Seerah (i.e. autobiography) of the Messenger of Allah as it is the receptacle that received Islam.

All these means of spiritual renewal represent the mere beginning and not the end. Many people think that such religious duties and good deeds should be carried out merely in Ramadan and abandoned afterwards! This is the very reason why many Muslims fail to maintain the same level of righteousness, in terms of carrying religious duties and good deeds, after the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan can be likened to a spark that should trigger the urge to progress, continuity and elevation (in the path of spiritual renewal) in each and every one of us and not a mere season like the other seasons that are forgotten once they end.

Indeed, Allah The Exalted Is the Source of strength.