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Spirituality is what makes humans different from other creatures. Every human being’s existence has a spiritual dimension that never stops growing. Ramadan is the peak of spirituality. In this article, we will explore different ways to increase our spirituality during Ramadan 2025.
How Does Ramadan Increase Our Spirituality?
As we enter the month of Ramadan 2025, a palpable shift in spirituality envelops us, setting it apart from other months. The pivotal reason for this is the act of fasting, a profound spiritual practice for the sake of Allah that changes our souls. But that’s not all. Ramadan is the month of the Quran’s revelation, when our hearts are enlightened by its divine words. It is a month when our supplications to Allah are more fervent, for He has declared in the Quran that He is especially close to us during this time:
وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا لِي وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا بِي لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ ﴿١٨٦﴾
When My servants ask you about Me, [tell them that] I am indeed nearmost. I answer the supplicant’s call when he calls Me. So let them respond to Me, and let them have faith in Me, so that they may fare rightly. (186)
The Prophet has said that reciting one verse of the Quran this month equals reciting the whole of it in other months. For this reason, Muslims are more diligent in reciting the Quran this month. It is highly recommended that the entire Quran be recited at least once during Ramadan. To do this, most people recite one juz of the Quran for each day of this month.
The traditions and customs of Muslims during this month also play a crucial role in making this blessed month spiritual. Muslims break their fasts together by inviting each other to their houses and holding religious gatherings, where the iftar meal is served after the adhan. Then, specific duas are recited after each obligatory prayer, including the dua of “Iftitāḥ,” which means the opening supplication.
How Does Fasting Increase Our Spirituality in Ramadan?
Fasting is the most significant act that sets Ramadan apart from the other months and elevates our spirits to new levels. What’s so special about fasting? When we fast, we are doing something difficult. Not eating, drinking, or engaging in sexual activities for several hours is challenging indeed. However, when we realize that we fast solely for obeying and pleasing Allah, fasting becomes enjoyable and much more easily endured. That’s not all, though. Fasting also changes one’s physical body, which, in turn, affects one’s soul. It’s a spiritual and physical practice that brings countless benefits to the body, soul, and mind. Hence the famous saying, “A healthy mind in a healthy body.”
Our bodies are the vehicles of our souls. We must take good care of them if we want our souls to grow. Therefore, a specific diet based on Islamic narrations must be followed during Ramadan. For instance, we should never break our fasts with cold water. Ideally, one must do so with a cup of warm water and a few dates. The natural sugars in dates restore blood sugar levels and give the body the energy to digest food.
Spirituality in Ramadan for Those Who Don’t Fast
Fasting is only prescribed for religiously mature people who are capable of fasting. If a person has an illness or weakness that makes fasting harmful to their health, they shouldn’t fast. But does that mean they will miss out on all the spiritual benefits of this month? The answer is no. Allah Himself does not want those incapable of fasting to fast. Instead, they must pay an amount of money to the poor as compensation. Those who don’t fast can still feel the aura of Ramadan and its beautiful atmosphere. They can still recite the Quran, make dua, and offer the special prayers of this month. Why should they feel sad for not being able to fast when Allah doesn’t want it from them? Therefore, those who cannot fast for whatever reason should not feel discouraged and disappointed and must engage in other acts of worship.
The Quran Is the Stepping Stone to Spirituality
Ramadan is known among Muslims as the spring of the Quran. During this month, the Quran was revealed to the heart of the Noble Prophet (s) on Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Ordainment. During Ramadan, we must not only recite the Quran as much as we can but also reflect on it and increase our Quranic knowledge. The Quran is the most important source of Islamic knowledge and spirituality for Muslims. We should ponder its verses, read, and memorize as much of it as possible. Our Islamic leaders have greatly praised those who learn to read and recite the Quran with a good voice. Reciting the Quran melodiously is enjoyable for those who listen to such recitations and brings immense rewards for both the reciter and listeners. In Ramadan, many talented Quran reciters are invited to Quranic gatherings to recite the Quran with their good voices.
These heavenly melodies lift our spirits and increase our Godwariness. In some parts of the world, people gather in mosques and shrines of the Ahlul Bait (a) and recite the Quran in unison, one juz a day. By the end of Ramadan, they would have recited the entire Quran. Those attending such gatherings undergo a profound change in spirituality, and righteousness becomes second nature.
Laylatul Qadr: The Peak of Spirituality
The Noble Quran descended to the heart of the Noble Prophet (s) on Laylatul Qadr. The night of Qadr is not just the night of descent but also the night of ascension when all our books of deeds are entrusted to the Imam of the Time (Mahdi). Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months, according to the Quran:
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ ﴿٣﴾
The Night of Ordainment is better than a thousand months. (3)
That means we must not miss this opportunity and perform as many good deeds and acts of worship as possible. Muslims recite the Quran, recite the special duas of this night, and perform its special deeds or a‘māl. One of the things they do is hold the Quran on their heads and swear by Allah (SWT), the Prophet (s), his daughter Fatima (a), and the twelve Imams so that Allah would shape their destiny the following year in the best way possible.
Conclusion
Ramadan 2025 is the perfect time for us to increase our spirituality. It is never too late to reform ourselves, ask Allah (SWT) to forgive us, and start from scratch. No matter how good or bad we are, Ramadan is the time for us to become the best version of ourselves. We tend to underestimate how forgiving Allah is and how much He loves His servants to get closer to Him. Ramadan is the best opportunity to become more spiritual and achieve divine proximity. Ramadan is the month of Allah Himself, the month of the revelation of the Quran, the month of destiny, the month of forgiveness, spiritual and material rewards, the month of physical and spiritual well-being, and the month of spiritual ascension. Let us make the best use of this month.
