Intentions for Ramadhān

Intentions for Ramadhān

By Habib Umar bin Hafiz, with additional reflections & intentions added by me

1. Fast the entire month and fulfill the right of fasting in a way that is pleasing to Allah.

2. Pray Tarawīḥ every night and cherish the spiritual light it brings.

3. Attain the contentment of Allah and draw near to Him.

4. Seek Allah’s bounty and reward and trust in His generosity.

5. Attain the “Gaze of Allah,” especially on the first night, by purifying the heart and turning to Him with sincerity.

6. Expose ourselves to the nataḥāt (sweet breezes of mercy) of Allah and allow our souls to be revived.

7. Direct our hearts constantly to Allah and detach from distractions.

8. Better our state with Allah and allow Ramadhān to refine our hearts.

9. Make a sincere repentance (tawba nasūh) and engage in abundant istighfār, using this month as a means to cleanse our hearts.

10. Avoid all sins, both outward and inward, including the sins of the tongue, heart, and limbs.

11. Open a door of connection with Allah that will last beyond Ramadhān.

12. Attain closeness to the Prophet ﷺ by following his Sunnah with love and devotion.

13. Observe the best character, remaining poised and gentle, especially when tested.

14. Recite the Qur’ān with reverence, reflection, and exaltation.

15. Attain an opening in the Qur’ān, where its meanings penetrate the heart.

16. Bring the nights to life with worship and seek the blessings of Laylat al-Qadr.

17. Remember Allah often and send abundant salawāt upon Sayyidunā Muhammad ﷺ.

18. Learn comprehensively from the madrasa of Ramadhān, allowing it to transform us.

19. Resemble the angels through fasting, striving to purify our thoughts, speech, and actions.

20. Give charity daily, seeking to uplift the needy and lighten the burdens of others.

21. Provide food for people to break their fast, knowing the immense reward in feeding others.

22. Make sincere du‘ā for the entire Ummah, especially those suffering around the world.

Additional Intentions Inspired by a Heartfelt Approach to Ramadhān

23. Receive Ramadhān as a gift, not a burden, and embrace its peace rather than focusing on doing more.

24. Allow myself to receive from Allah, His love, mercy, and tranquility, rather than exhausting myself with unrealistic expectations.

25. Experience Ramadhān as a month of feeling, not just doing—feeling closeness, peace, and healing.

26. Slow down and be present, savoring the quiet moments with Allah.

27. Let go of guilt and comparison, focusing on my personal journey with Allah, rather than what others are doing.

28. Embrace simplicity in my worship, doing what I can consistently rather than overwhelming myself with more than I can handle.

29. See every moment as an opportunity for dhikr, even in rest, silence, or stillness.

30. Receive Allah’s mercy with an open heart, trusting that I am worthy of His love, no matter where I am in my journey.

31. Trust in the ease of Allah, believing that every act of worship done with sincerity—even if small—is deeply valued by Him.

32. Let Ramadhān be a month of healing, where my wounds, struggles, and fears find comfort in Allah.

33. Welcome the peace of Ramadhān as nourishment for my soul, knowing that I don’t need to ”achieve” anything to benefit from it.

Intentions for Tarawīh

By Habib Umar bin Hafiz

1. To enter the circle of those who stand in prayer during Ramadhān with faith and hope for reward.

2. To seek the blessing of being greeted by the angels in the gathering and on Laylatul Qadr.

3. To make the intention on behalf of the lovers of Ahlus Sunnah specifically, and believers generally.

4. To bring joy to the heart of the Prophet ﷺ and be a source of his delight.

5. To console the humble worshippers and bring joy to the righteous present, both seen and unseen.

6. To ask Allah to instill beloved traits in the hearts of those present.

7. To ward off calamities from the Muslim Ummah.

8. To earn rewards for every step taken towards the place of prayer.

9. To emulate the Prophet ﷺ, revive his Sunnah, and act upon it.

10. To bring happiness to our, parents, and loved ones who observe our deeds.

11. To fill our lives with acts of worship, utilising our time in prayer, prostration, and listening to Qur’ānic recitation.

12. To foster love among believers, hoping for Allah’s love, the love of His Messenger ﷺ, and the righteous.

13. To intend all virtuous aims known to Allah.

Intentions for Fasting

1. To fast with sincerity and devotion solely for Allah’s sake.

2. To attain taqwā (God-consciousness), as fasting is a means of purification.

3. To fulfill the command of Allah and follow the Sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ.

4. To train my heart, body, and soul to surrender to Allah’s will.

5. To develop patience, self-restraint, and gratitude.

6. To shield myself from sins, as fasting is a means of protection.

7. To soften my heart and increase in humility before Allah.

8. To be included among those whose fasting is accepted and who are granted Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.

9. To attain the immense rewards promised to those who fast, including the joy of breaking the fast and entering Jannah through Bāb al-Rayyan.

10. To use hunger as a means to empathise with those who suffer and struggle daily.

11. To discipline my desires and detach from worldly distractions.

12. To open my heart for sincere du‘ā, as the du‘ā of a fasting person is accepted.

13. To expose myself to the mercy of Allah, especially when breaking my fast.

14. To be among those whose sins are forgiven, as the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadhān with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven.”

15. To fast with the intention of being purified from my past mistakes and seeking nearness to Allah.

Intentions for Qur’ān Recitation

1. To draw closer to Allah through His words.

2. To honor the month of Ramadhān, the month in which the Qur’ān was revealed.

3. To increase in guidance, light, and wisdom.

4. To nourish my heart and soul with the speech of Allah.

5. To fulfill the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, who would increase in recitation during Ramadhān.

6. To act upon the teachings of the Qur’ān and implement them in my daily life.

7. To increase in khushū‘ (humility and presence) in my prayers.

8. To expose myself to the mercy and tranquility that descends upon the reciters of the Qur’ān.

9. To earn the intercession of the Qur’ān on the Day of Judgment.

10. To be among Ahlul Qur’ān—the people of the Qur’ān—who are honoured by Allah.

11. To purify my heart through the words of Allah.

12. To bring blessings into my home and life through its recitation.

13. To reflect on its meanings and strengthen my connection with Allah.

14. For spiritual, mental, emotional, psychological and physical healing.

Intentions for Sadaqah (Charity)

1. To purify my wealth and heart through giving.

2. To follow the example of the Prophet ﷺ, who was the most generous in Ramadhān.

3. To seek Allah’s pleasure and nearness.

4. To ease the burdens of those in need and bring them joy.

5. To earn the reward of being shaded under Allah’s throne on the Day of Judgment.

6. To be counted among those who give for the sake of Allah, without expecting anything in return.

7. To expiate my sins, as the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Charity extinguishes sins like water extinguishes fire.”

8. To remove hardships and ease difficulties for others, so that Allah will ease my own difficulties.

9. To increase in gratitude for the blessings I have been given.

10. To invest in my akhirah by storing rewards for when I will need them most.

11. To give sincerely, even in small amounts, knowing that no act of kindness is wasted.

12. To support the causes that bring benefit to the Ummah and spread goodness.

13. To be among those whom Allah increases in wealth and provision due to their generosity.

14. To protect myself from calamities and trials, as sadaqah repels harm.

15. To attain the reward of giving in secret, which is beloved to Allah.

We intend what the Prophet ﷺ intended, as well as what the righteous predecessors intended.

These intentions are a reminder that Ramadhān is not just about doing, but about being—being sincere, being present, and being open to the transformation Allah has destined for us. When we make our acts of worship intentional, they become more than just rituals; they become sources of closeness to Allah, purification of the heart, and immense reward.

May Allah accept our intentions, guide our hearts, and allow us to live a Ramadhān that changes us for the better—forever.