Making a Change In the Blessed Month of Ramadan

Making a Change In the Blessed Month of Ramadan

22 February 2026

Ramadan is the month when the Glorious Qur'an was revealed to the final messenger and prophet, Muhammad (peace be upon him). [To be exact, the first verses of the Qur'an was revealed to the noble prophet during Laylatul-Qadr (the Night of Power)].

Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard (to distinguish between right and wrong)" [Qur'an 2:185]

"Indeed, (it is) We (Who) sent this (Quran) down on the Night of Qadr" [Qur'an 97:1]

The noble prophet Muhammad is not only a prophet sent by God (Allah - Exalted be His Name) to the Pagan Arabs of Mecca and Madinah, nor was he only sent to the Muslims. Instead, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent as the final messenger to the entire mankind from his time to when the world ends. The prophet taught his companions about who God is, ethics, how to be virtuous to one another, and how to engage in everyday lives especially on attaining self-righteousness in the sight of God. God (Allah) has created mankind for the sole primary purpose of worshipping Him.

I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me [Qur'an 51:56]

Therefore, the ultimate purpose of mankind in this world is to worship God in the manner which He has laid down for us. This is important because worshipping God in other way shape or form will not be accepted. There are rulings in everything, and one must adhere to the rulings in order for his or her acts of worship to be accepted. This is basic logic and our everyday lives mirrors this logic and concept. For example, in order for us to pass a driving test, we must adhere to the street signs and stop when the traffic light is red. If we do not, we will fail the test. The same principles applies when it comes to worshipping God (Allah). God has set down the criteria, and the noble prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has taught mankind how to fulfil this criteria.

The month of Ramadan should be taken advantage of in order to return to this criteria, or to become more invested in it.

Many Muslims around the world "turn back" (Tawbah) on their lives and returned to the house of God (the Mosque) during the month of Ramadan. This is one of the greatest signs of God's Mercy upon mankind. Among some of these Muslims are those who had been heedless of God (by not praying or are negligent of their prayers). Yet, Ramadan is the month that excites them the most. They know in their hearts that they have been negligence of their duties and responsibilities towards God, and are willing to go the extra miles to fix their "broken" relationship with the One who created everything and had given them health and wealth. God is always so Merciful towards mankind.

There are many ways how we could change our lives in the month of Ramadan - and to take advantage of this month to create a consistent and sustainable change to our mindset, daily activities, the affairs we have been engaging in all year around (if the affair is negative such as dealing with usury, cheating people, or earning an income that is unlawful or even if the affair is positive such as we frequently give charity, helping others - then we can strive to do more or maintain a consistent effort throughout the upcoming years).

The first thing we should acknowledge is that as mankind, we are here in this world for a purpose. And the primary purpose is to worship God (Allah) in a way that he had ordained. This falls within the area of "Change of Mindset" which is the most important factor to get right first as everything else follows suite. The second change is the "Change of the Heart" and this means that we should accept the fact that we are here to worship God and this should be at the top priorities in our everyday lives. Our daily activities must revolve around worshipping God. This is the most difficult part to change especially when we have a comfortable routine already laid down. However, whenever we found ourselves in a difficult situation (for example, our heart is heavy and that we do not want to change our comfortable daily routine), we should remember the first change: that is our change in mindset.

It is at this moment also we will start questioning ourselves as per what is the point in us doing all these change to our daily lives? Some of these change will affect the people around us (such as our spouses will start to distance themselves from us) and may impact us in a severe level such as our sustenance might be affected (to think of the worst scenario). And this is a test from God (Allah) to see if we are really serious in building a relationship with Him.

The analogy is like building a relationship with someone. It requires trust. Both parties must feel comfortable with each other before deciding they are fit for marriage or business partners. But building a relationship with God is more one-sided (so to speak) this is because before we even acknowledges God, He has already given us everything we need to survive. Therefore, the whole relationship must be built on how we show gratitude towards God. And this is easy. All we need to do is to worship Him. Therefore, if our mindset is align with this principles, everything else will follow suite.

Sure, there will be difficulties, but God says with every difficulties, there will be relief. Note, the wording of the Quranic verse below. "With" difficulties, there will be relief. The word "with" here is very important and fundamental. We may question why the wording is not "after every difficulties, there will be relief." This is because God will put us in difficulties to test us. Just like how a teacher would put the student through rigorous test before the final examination. This is to ensure that the student knows their level and will make the necessary decision (such as stop playing around and start studying).

There is also a final examination waiting after our death. And that is the three questions in the grave. And the only way for us to be able to answer the three questions correctly is by having lived a righteous lives according to the conditions and principles set by God (Allah). Yes, living a righteous lives includes giving charity, helping others, saving the planet, and not commit atrocities such as murdering people or taking their properties, usurping their lands, and more. However, this is not all. All these are basic requirements that are expected of everyone and it should not have been a condition in a sense that it is a necessary thing everyone on the face of this earth can engage in. Even a serial killer will engage in saving the planet, caring for the poor, and more. Therefore, it is not a criteria to measure those who are righteous and non-righteous.

The criteria for measuring those who are righteous and non-righteous are their belief in God (Allah) and their acknowledgement of Him by worshipping Him in a way and manner that had been ordained. The principle is very simple. A king who rules a land sets out the law of the land. Every country today has common laws that is applicable in another country as well as their own unique set of laws. In the United States of America, there are even unique state laws. God (Allah), is the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth and He sets His laws. There are laws which are common for everybody (and we have mentioned this above such as do not steal, do not commit murder, do not make or get yourself pregnant outside of wedlock, do not usurp other people's properties, etc.,), and there are also laws which one must adhere to in order to pass the final examination.

This unique law to distinguish the righteous from the non-righteous is the acknowledgment that there is only One Unique God and that He (the "He" here does not mean a male gender - it is just a convenient way to reference God) does not have any partner or children. There is nothing like God - not in what you imagine nor what is in this world (including the solar system). And acts of worship towards God must be done in accordance to what has been taught by the final messenger (the noble prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him) this is because the One who created everything is the King of everything. Therefore, whatever the King decree, we have to follow obediently. And this is what makes truly us righteous. The King has given us free will. Our hands and feet are not tied up, and we are not bound to a chair like a kidnapped slave. We have free will to obey God or turn away from Him - in spite of everything He has given us to feed our needs. Therefore, righteous are the ones who humble themselves and obediently obey God.

Therefore to conclude, the most important change - in my opinion - that we can make in order to have a sustainable change - and a change extend beyond the month of Ramadan - is the change of mindset and heart. The change of mindset is the most important because our minds are the source of our rationality. And our heart is the source of our emotions. Our heart is not the "thing" that can recognize God. But our minds will be able to. Therefore, our thinking and headspace must be clear in order for our heart to easily adopt the change. As human beings, we are a very emotional creature. But we cannot let our emotions gets the better of us. This is because if we allow that to happen, we will prevent ourselves from achieving success. If we follow our heart, by nature, we will become lazy and content with what we have. Contentment can be good, and it can also be bad. For example, if we are comfortable in our everyday lives such as not worshipping God, then this is bad contentment. And we will never change our lives or create the space for worshipping God on a day to day basis. And even if we are able to, we will not be engrossed in it. We will only do it 10-20%.

What we want to do is to achieve 100% success rate. Therefore, a change of mindset is the most important matter, and an area we should strive towards.

Allah alone grant success.