1. Set your compass, focus on the destination
Intention is the pillar of worship and the essence and foundation of action. Just as we need to always renew our intentions in our day to day lives, we must be intentional about our goals and the steps we take toward them using iman as our compass and staying focused on the final destination.
2. Keep your good deeds simple and have hope that Allah will multiply your rewards
Allah tells us that any atom’s weight of good has a positive effect on our Hereafter. Keep them simple and consistent … Do what you can do – celebrate every win and trust the Promise of Allah.
“There are no days in which good deeds are more beloved to Allah than in these ten days.” The companions asked him, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah?” He replied, “Not even Jihad for the sake of Allah—except for a man who goes out with himself and wealth, and returns with neither” (sahih). (1)
3. Keep your prayers or increase your prayers and make sincere duaa – just pray!
First thing we will be asked about, first thing we need to evaluate – whether you pray five times a day or struggle to keep up with daily prayers. Evaluate where you’re at and come up with a goal to increase your prayer.
“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Baqarah 2:153)
4. Remember Allah with dhikr
Keep your heart and mind engaged with His Remembrance between your prayers .. Remember Allah like He’s your best friend; like Prophet Ibrahim (AS)
Allah Himself ordered us to increase our remembrance of Him in these days: {And to Remember the name of Allah through the Days appointed.} (al-Haj, 28) This act of worship requires no effort, and can be done any time and any place. All that is required is presence of mind and heart. The Prophet (saw) said, “There are no days greater in the sight of Allah, nor days in which deeds are
more beloved to Allah than in these ten days. So fill them with the praises of ‘la ilah illa Allah’, ‘Allah Akbar’, and ‘alhamdu lilah” (sahih). Dear brother and sister, engage in these blessed remembrances frequently, just as your beloved Prophet asked. (1)
5. Engage with the Words of Allah
How about every night!? Even a few lines! Read and reflect on these most precious days, connect with the Book of Allah however feels most accessible to you right now. You’re more likely to connect consistently and “live” the Quran when you connect in a way that works for you (i.e. listening, reciting, tafseer, etc).
Read it with devotion, ponder its meanings, and involve your heart. Listen to this stirring description by Allah: {Allah has revealed the greatest of messages—a Book, consistent within
itself, oft-repeated: sending a shiver through the skins of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts do soften to the remembrance of Allah.} (al Zumar, 23) (1)
6. Reflect upon your habits and refrain from your vices
Evaluate the habits that do not serve you on your journey to the Hereafter. Think of ways you can “fast” from those vices during these 10 days.
Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist? (Maidah 5:91)
7. Be charitable – spend of whatever wealth Allah has bestowed upon you for the sake of Allah (swt)
Charity is a key way to live your faith. Charity is a way to have your sins forgiven and to make a new commitment to new habits. Remember charity and giving of your wealth does not always mean money! It can be your time, skills, energy, network, influence, acting with compassion and ihsan, being able-bodied and healthy etc.
Our brothers and sisters who made it to Hajj this year have spent selflessly from their wealth and energy to fulfill their obligation to Allah. Do not hold back your own wealth. Live and give generously for the sake of Allah. Remember, {You shall not attain righteousness until you give from that which you love!} (Aal ‘Imran, 92). (1)
“The exponential benefits of charity: it is the best investment, it shields from hellfire, it is a shade on the Day of Judgement, it cures sickness, it wards off trials and difficulty, it brings ease, it brings more sustenance our way, and it extinguishes God’s anger.” (3, pg 292-295)
8. Spend quality time with family
Take time to bond with your family and strengthen family ties. It’s a simple yet profoundly effective form of ibadaah. Safeguarding the relationship with relatives is so encouraged that relatives have been mentioned 23 times in the Holy Quran along with some valuable rulings relating to them.
“And Worship God and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk.” (4:36) In this verse, parents and relatives are mentioned right after God mentions himself. Islam views that keeping relations with family members prolongs one’s life and increases one’s sustenance. The Holy Prophet said: “He who wishes that his sustenance be increased for him and his death day be delayed, then he should pay attention to his kinsfolk.”
9. Fast on the Day of Arafat
Forgiveness for previous year and forthcoming year? Subhan’Allah! The Prophet (sws) said, “Fasting the day of Arafah erases the sins of two years: the previous year and the coming one.” The Prophet (saw) said, “There is no day in which Allah liberates more servants from the hellfire than the Day of Arafah” (sahih). (1)
10. Invest in your forever – your Akhira and legacy
On the authority of Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, ‘When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: Sadaqah Jariyah (a continuous charity), or knowledge from which benefit is gained, or a righteous child who prays for him’. (Muslim)