Deeds with Multiple Rewards In Ramadan

Ramadan Kareem, brothers and sisters. Today's post is about the good deeds done during Ramadan that Allah rewards us for in multiples. These are deeds that already have huge rewards from Allah but due to the special nature of the month of Ramadan, these deeds become extremely beneficial to us.

1. Dhikr

• Abu Huraira (Ra) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: ”Whoever says one hundred times in a day: “La ilaha illal-lah wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahu-l-mulk wa lahu-l-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in qadir,”(None has the right to be worshiped but Allah, the Alone Who has no partners, to Him belongs Dominion and to Him belong all the Praises, and He has power over all things). He will get the same reward as given for manumitting ten slaves; and one hundred good deeds will be written in his accounts, and one hundred sins will be deducted from his accounts, and it (his saying) will be a shield for him from Satan on that day till night, and nobody will be able to do a better deed except the one who does more than he.” [Bukhari, Book #75, Hadith #412]

• Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said: "Glorify Allah a hundred times by just saying “Subhanallah” and a Good deeds will be written for you, or a thousand sins will be wiped away.” [Muslim 4:2073]

Common dhikr such as Subhaan Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar and Subhanallah wa bi hamdih etc already have immense rewards attached to them, but imagine the benefits during ramadan when such are multiplied.

2. Rewards for Both Fardh and Voluntary Prayers

• Pray 12 Rakahs of Sunnah prayers daily. Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan (RA) narrated she heard the Prophet Muhammed (SAW) saying: “A house will be built in Paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve units of Prayers other than the obligatory ones in day and night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” [Muslim]

These prayers include Solat Duhaa, the prayers before and after Dhuhr, before Asr' and Magbrib, Tahajuud, Tahiyayatul Wuduh etc. Like every other act in Islam, they all have massive blessings and rewards to them if we make an habit of observing them all.

The Prophet (SAW) tell us 

Whoever prayed twelve rakahs (before midday), then Allah will, as a reward, prepare a palace of gold for him in Paradise. [Mishkat, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]

“Whoever sticks to the habit of offering four rakahs before Noon Prayer and four rakahs after it, Allah will shield him against the Hell-Fire.” [Abu Dawud & At-Tirmidhi]

"May Allaah have Mercy on the one who offers four (Rakahs) before 'Asr prayer." [Abu Dawud]

“If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two rakahs before sitting.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

Obligatory prayers should not be delayed (without a valid reason) and there should be an increase in saying our voluntary prayers especially during this blessed month for every voluntary prayer is rewarded like that of an Fardh prayer.

3. Charity in Ramadan

Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said:

“The best charity is that given in Ramadan.” (At-Tirmithi).

“Allah The Almighty Says, ‘O son of Adam, spend and I will spend on you.” [Muslim]

“Whoever provides food for breaking of the fast for a fasting person receives the reward of the fasting person, without the reward of the fasting person being reduced in any way.” [Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah]

4. Reading The Qur'an

During Ramadan the reward for reciting each letter of the Qur'an is increased significantly and this reward doubles for those who struggle in their recitation of the Qur'an.

Aa’ishah (Ra) relates that the Prophet (SAW) said: Verily the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward.” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim]

Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas & Anas Ibn Malik (Ra) reported that the Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said:  ‘Whoever recites Surah Zilzilah (Q99) would get the reward of reciting half the Qur’an. Whoever recites Surah al Kaafirun (Q109) would get a reward as if reading a quarter of the Qur’an. Whoever recited Surah al Ikhlas (Q112) would get a reward as if reading one third of the Qur’an’. [At-Tirmidhi 2818/A]

5. Laylatul Qadr

No talk of Ramadan is complete without reference to this Night which the Qur'an tells us is better than a thousand months. A night where sins are forgiven.

"Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months.” [Quran 97:3]

Prophet (SAW) said: “Whosoever worships on Laylatul-Qadr, with faith and with a sincere intention, all of his previous sins are forgiven.” [al-Bukhârî and Muslim]

Aisha (RA) said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW): ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ He said: Say: “Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee" - O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.’ [Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi].

The way Islam is setup, we get rewards for everything we do. Smiling, greeting, simply keeping neat and clean, maintaining the sunnah in the face hardship and temptation etc.There is reward in just gazing upon the night sky, eating, yawning and my favorite SLEEPING. All we need to do is make our intention of it being a sunnah act, then we are rewarded for it by Allah.

So lets us all make the most of this month and get closer to our Lord by taking advantage of these simple, yet deeply rewarding acts of worship which all have their rewards in multiple folds.

May Almighty Allah (SWT) make it easy for us. And also let us spare a moment in recognition of the struggles of our fellow Muslim brothers and Sister the world over. Remember them in your duas.