By Sabur Abdul-Basit •

Ramadan comes each year as a returning loved one whom we greet with open arms and open hearts as we realize that Ramadan brings out the best in the believers. This blessed month brings untold joy to the lives of Muslims throughout the world, allowing us to pause in our daily lives to help us gain benefit from its presence. It helps millions of Muslims who are mindful, to reflect on our existence and restructure our priorities in life as well as our pursuits, at least for one month.
It is reported by Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet Muhammad (May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) used to say from the beginning of Rajab (the seventh month of the Islamic calendar) in his prayers: “O Allah bless us in Rajab, bless us in Sha’ban (the eighth month of the Islamic calendar) and bless us in Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic calendar).” (Ahmad).
When he used to see Ramadan’s crescent, he used to pray: “O Allah, make this crescent to shine on us with safety, faith, security, Islam and good fortune to do what is beloved and pleasing to our Lord. Our and your Lord is Allah.” (At-Tirmidhi).
We should send glad tidings as we greet this month. The Prophet (May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said giving the good news of the month to his companions: “The month of Ramadan has come to you. It is a blessed month. Allah has made obligatory on you to fast during this month. The gates of heaven are opened in this month and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained. In this month there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Whosoever is deprived of its blessings is indeed deprived.” (An-Nasa’i). 
It is imperative that we learn and practice the laws and etiquettes of fasting. The fast of Ramadan entails much more than merely giving up food and drink. It is a cleansing of the heart so that our actions can be pure, driven by the intention of being pleasing to Allah, knowing that He sees and knows all of our actions. The Prophet Muhammad (May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said: “Whosoever does not give up bad words and bad deeds, Allah has no need in that he leaves his food and his drink.” (Al-Bukhari).
The further we are from sin, the closer we get to Allah the Exalted in Might. The Prophet (May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) reminded us in his famous Hadith that “Fasting acts as a shield from sins, so use it as a shield. The fasting person should not curse anyone, yell and badmouth anyone. If someone curses him or fights with him, he should move away by saying, “I am fasting. I can’t be part of bad deeds.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
We should try to strengthen our relationship with the Qur’aan by trying to read it completely and attending the Taraaweeh and late night prayers as often as we can.
These are just a few suggestions of many concerning Ramadan. Let us try to be the best hosts and hostesses that we can be for this blessed month and maximize our benefit. This precious friend visits only once a year so let us be from those who taste the fruits that it leaves behind for the coming year In Shaa Allah and let us not be from those who are deprived of its blessings.

• Sabur Abdul-Basit is a freelance author from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.