For this Ramadan, we should strive therefore to make a few deliberate and focused changes to collect more blessings and rewards. Rather than merely going with the flow of the family and the community members around us, we can plan to take charge of our time.

By substituting self centered and social activities for Ramadan specific activities such as Quran recitations, extra prayers, dhikr, helping the needy, etc. we can gain considerable nearness to Allah this time. Perhaps, that can help in washing away those sins that we accumulate courtesy of our temptations and unbridled desires.

Yes, it is a month of forgiveness. If you ponder on how we accumulate sins, the way sins impact our lives, you will realise that cleansing from them can make our life in this world and in the hereafter better. Sins are those roadblocks that we personally put on our own paths to worldly happiness and in the hereafter.

We engage in those sins by the hour – daily, weekly and yearly. Yet, do we repent for those sins? Do we commit ourselves never to not commit those sins again? Unfortunately, in many cases, we are not even aware of committing those sins over and over again. Ramadan provides us the opportunity to ask for a heartfelt forgiveness from those sins.

The Prophet (may Allah send His blessing and peace upon him) said, “Every son of Adam sins and the best of the sinners are those who repent.” (Ibn Maajah). Allah is oft-forgiving. In this Ramadan, let’s strive not to be amongst those unfortunate ones who barely spend any time reflecting on their sins and transgressions.