For many Muslims around the world, the holy month of Ramadan came as a sort of a surprise. The summer is not over yet and just a few days before Ramadan started, families and groups of friends were still on their summer vacations. To a large extent, most people barely had time to prepare for this holy month whether spiritually or physically, much less adapting themselves to the daylight savings time - clocks were reset three days before Ramadan. According to Islamic teachings, each day in Ramadan is precious and every moment of the day and night is not to be wasted because every good deed is rewarded more than in regular days. To spend Ramadan as a devout Muslim, this recommended daily schedule breaks the day into 10 parts, each containing the type of activity that best utilizes the time to achieve the month's spiritual and religious goals. 1. The day begins before the call to the dawn prayer when it is a favorable time to make extra night prayers. After praying, eat a light snack and drink water and/or juice before the call to prayer sounds and the fast begins. Eating before the early morning prayers is a tradition from Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) that is highly recommended as it helps sustain you throughout the day's fast. 2. Pray the dawn prayers. 3. After the prayer until sunrise, it's recommended you spend the time in quiet reflection, while saying morning zekr (remembrance) or reading the Quran. If you stay up until the sunrise then wait 20 minutes and pray two "rakaas. According to the Prophet's teachings this prayer is worth going to umrah, the lesser pilgrimage. 4. During working hours or school hours, it is important to focus on the tasks assigned to you at work, believing that working hard is considered a form of worship. At the same time during these hours you should always pray the due prayers (dhour and 'asr) on time. 5. It is recommended to take a nap after work, if there is time before 'asr prayer. This would help you remain active and energetic for the rest of the day and night. 6. From Asr prayer to sunset, read a productive book with the family, read the Quran and/or say evening zekr. 7. After breaking your fast with a date and milk or water, pray the maghreb prayer. After that enjoy the meal and feel the excitement of another day in Ramadan passing. 8. At night, specifically after the night prayer ('ashaa), pray the taraweeh, extra night prayers specific to Ramadan. It is tradition to perform these prayers in the mosque; however, it is fine to pray it in the quiet of your own home. 9. After the taraweeh payers, spend some time reading the Quran, visiting family or taking part in any charity or community service activity. 10. When you go to bed, sleep with the intention of garnering the strength required to lead another spiritually productive day in Ramadan.
