Ramadan is a month-long race towards righteousness.

As Allah SWT says: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” 1

It is a period of mindfulness, doing good and shunning sins. It is also a month of self-reflection, self-purification and self-discipline. Despite these opportunities, fasting tests your ability to remain a self improving, righteous servant. It requires great physical, mental and spiritual effort in order to help you pass successfully, to get your sins forgiven, increase in consciousness of Allah and ultimately, earn His Pleasure and jannah.

But, is there a better time for improving yourself, a better opportunity for dropping bad habits and building on good ones other than Ramadan? What offer comes with so many incentives to guide you through the finish line with great success?

Ramadan is that perfect opportunity. It is your personal race to righteousness and success.

What you need to do is sign and commit to a personal challenge to help you attain success. And the challenge is simple – pick and stick.

Pick at least one self improvement idea. Choose one that will increase your consciousness of Allah SWT; help you grow, achieve excellence and gain rewards; and develop your personality spirituality beyond Ramadan.

Stick to that habit daily for each of the 30 (or 29) days of fasting. You can pick 2 or more but make sure you repeat this activity every single day.

Easy, right? Let’s get down to some Ramadan self improvement ideas.

Ideas to Improve your Personality

Allah’s Messenger SAWSsaid: “The most perfect man in his faith, among the believers, is the one with the best behavior.” 2

Each day…

  1. Spread salaam to those you know and those you don’t; and return the greeting of peace.
  2. Meet your brother/sister with a smiling face.
  3. Keep silent for each time you are about to speak and realise you have nothing good to say.
  4. For each time you gossip, make sincere du’a for the person and give charity – task yourself with a specific amount before starting the challenge.
  5. When you catch yourself complaining or if you’re about to complain, say alhamdulillah; remember and thank Him for His blessings.
  6. Read a page from the Prophet’s seerah and note practicable lessons.
  7. Control your anger. Repeat ‘A’udhu billahi minash shaytan-ir rajim when you find yourself getting angry.
  8. Write 3 things you are thankful for.
  9. Lower your gaze and look away when your gaze accidentally falls on something sinful.
  10. Say jazak Allah khair (may Allah reward you) for something gifted to you or good done to you. Ramadan-Blog_Stick_imsg_inside

Ideas to Improve your Spirituality

“And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it. And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness. He has succeeded who purifies it, And he has failed who instils it [with corruption].” 3

Each day…

  1. Provide food for breaking of fast for a fasting person.
  2. Pray 2 units of tahajjud (night prayers).
  3. Repeat the Istigfar; constantly ask for forgiveness for your sins and errors.
  4. Supplicate to Allah SWT sincerely when breaking your fast.
  5. Spend 30 minutes with the Qur’an dailyrecite, reflect, read the translation/ tafseer and take lessons.
  6. Memorize one verse each day (e.g surah Al-Mulk with 30 verses).
  7. Invite someone to Islam.
  8. Teach the Glorious Qur’an to someone.
  9. Listen to a beautiful recitation of the Qur’an for 30 minutes – one of my favorite is Sheikh Khalil Khusary.
  10. Offer a total of 12 units of optional prayers throughout the day.
  11. Memorise 3 of 99 names of Allah SWT; remember and reflect upon the names and use in your supplications.

Ideas to Improve Relationships

Allah SWT says: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers.”4

And the Prophet SAWS said: “None of you has belief until he desires for His Muslim brother that which he desires for himself.” (Bukhari and Muslim) 5

Each day…

  1. Visit an elderly relative or neighbor.
  2. Visit, call, chat, email or send an SMS to your parents and siblings.
  3. Teach someone a beneficial skill or knowledge you have.
  4. Make sincere du’a for your friends and loved ones.
  5. Baby sit for 30 minutes so a busy mother can take a nap.
  6. Serve iftaar meals at the masjid or community center.
  7. Before going to sleep, empty your heart of all grudges.
  8. Wake your friend, sibling or spouse for tahajjud.
  9. Be kind and compassionate to everyone you meet.

These are ideas to aid you on your personal race for success – in this world and the next.

Now, it’s your responsibility to turn these simple deeds into mountains of rewards.

Finally, remember that Allah SWT only accepts and rewards deeds which are done sincerely for His sake. If done according to the sharia, it becomes a form of worship. You can turn your challenge into a worship fountain that will nourish you with righteousness by affecting your thoughts, feelings and behavior positively.

Excited? 

Ready for the challenge?

Great! Hurry and get on the race to righteousness – to all that is good and rewarding this Ramadan.

Pick and stick to the Ramadan self improvement ideas you need to succeed in your life.

Which of these challenges will be you be taking on? And what other ideas can you think of? Please share below in the comments section 🙂

  1.  Al Baqarah, 2:183
  2.   Sound, Abu Dawood
  3.  Ash Shams, 91: 7-10
  4.  ‘Ali ‘Imran, 3:103
  5.   Bukhari and Muslim

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91 replies on “Ramadan Challenge: 30-Day Self Improvement Ideas”

  • suhaiqbal75@gmail.com'
    Suha
    June 18, 2015 at 1:46 am

    This was an amazing article. Really helpful. Jazak Allah khairoun! 🙂

    • ayesha.mumtaz@hotmail.ca'
      Ayesha
      June 18, 2015 at 5:36 am

      MASHA ALLAH very inspiring.

    • June 18, 2015 at 1:41 pm

      Wa iyyak. I pray it improves your life beyond Ramadan.

    • murtadamujahidgarko@gmail.com'
      mujahid
      June 18, 2015 at 2:07 pm

      Masaallah may Allah reward u abundantly

  • nasreenerum786@gmail.com'
    nasreen
    June 18, 2015 at 3:17 am

    Assalamualiaikum jazakallah khair.very good boosting inshallah i will.

  • abbaskhadija200@gmail.com'
    khadeeja
    June 18, 2015 at 3:46 am

    Insha Allah I will pick recitation and memorization of the 99 names of Allah and Suratul Mulk

    • June 18, 2015 at 1:44 pm

      Baarakallahu feeki. I pray for your success dear sister. I’m working on revising those two as well.

    • safiyasyed50@hotmail.com'
      safiya syed
      June 18, 2015 at 8:49 pm

      same ! +some more 🙂

  • yaroishaq@gmail.com'
    Ishaq
    June 18, 2015 at 3:46 am

    This is insightful. Jazakallahu khair.

  • amaanmirza2@gmail.com'
    amaan
    June 18, 2015 at 4:15 am

    It was a nice article it will help me to improve myself.
    Jazak allah khair

    • June 18, 2015 at 1:47 pm

      In sha Allah it will… Remember to ‘Pick and Stick’.

  • Sabawkhan@hotmail.com'
    Saba
    June 18, 2015 at 4:15 am

    Awesome…Jazak Allah khair for sharing…

  • mumay22@gmail.com'
    ameera
    June 18, 2015 at 4:25 am

    MashaAllah. Great article and really would help me improve my ways not only during ramadan but afterwards. i wil stick and practice d ff in shaa Allah.
    i have alwys tried to memorize d 99 names of Allah and ds article guided me on how to do it in shaa Allah.
    memorize one verse per day,
    12 units of optional prayer.
    in shaa Allah

  • bsulaaemona2020@gmail.com'
    Barakat
    June 18, 2015 at 4:28 am

    jazakumlahu khaeran,,, really helpful though and I pray Alllah will accept it as an actof ibadah. Ameen… My fellow Ummah,, let this reflect on during and after ramadan

  • falguni.ahmed1@gmail.com'
    Falguni
    June 18, 2015 at 4:44 am

    In sha Alllah will definitely try all of themm may Allah guide us and help us and give us jannatul ferdous. Also protect us from jahannam n azab from kabar… Ameen..

  • saifbinazam@gmail.com'
    saiful azam
    June 18, 2015 at 5:07 am

    I’ll write 3 things I am blessed with every day insaAllah….

    • June 18, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      In sha Allah…

      Keep up with that and you will be among the most thankful of people at all times, and you will remember your blessings more than your struggles.

  • imransm44@gmail.com'
    imran
    June 18, 2015 at 5:12 am

    this article is very inspiring one. may Allah protect all the muslims in the holy month of ramadan and accept our fasting

  • ayeshasamia0@gmail.com'
    Ayesha
    June 18, 2015 at 5:17 am

    Assalamoaliaikum sister 🙂 this is such an informative and a beautiful article really motivating :’) Jazak Allah khair May Allah bless you 🙂

    • June 18, 2015 at 1:52 pm

      Wa alaykum salaam wa Rahmatullah Dear sister,

      Wa iyyaki. In sha Allah this will keep you motivated through the fasting month and beyond.

      Wishing you a blessed month.

  • 143asad@gmail.com'
    Dr Asad khan
    June 18, 2015 at 5:47 am

    Very nice n usefull text

  • hawayusifsamba@gmail.com'
    Hawa
    June 18, 2015 at 5:51 am

    Jazak Allah khairan, my so touched by your inspirations, I pray Allah SWT help me and those who have read it act on it. Ameen

  • ahkhan603@gmail.com'
    Khan Abdul Hakeem
    June 18, 2015 at 6:01 am

    masha Allah..May Allah reward you.

  • lisabromley1982@hotmail.co.uk'
    lisa
    June 18, 2015 at 6:07 am

    Assalamu Alaikum. Thank you and Ramadan Mubarak. Some more ideas I’ve got are: to distribute dates and water out to fasting Muslims, to feed the homeless and give them items to ease their hardships, to get even non-Muslims to do a self-improvement even if its without the fast and to spread general charity, in any way that you can; but keeping it free from sin (halal).

    • June 18, 2015 at 1:55 pm

      The reward for good is more good Dear Sister Lisa,

      Stick to your charity ideas and in sha Allah you will be rewarded with greater good.

  • imrankhang101@gmail.com'
    imran khan
    June 18, 2015 at 6:19 am

    May Allah give you strength and power to do good deeds for ever its really nice practice to make your self consistent in doing good deeds

  • jhaizzaemman.aceberos@gmail.com'
    Jhaizza Emman Aceberos
    June 18, 2015 at 6:22 am

    jazak Allah khair. Thank you for this. I choose to Listen to a beautiful recitation of the Qur’an for 30 minutes.

    • June 18, 2015 at 1:57 pm

      Wa iyyak.

      Remember to engage your senses and let your eyes shed tears from listening to the speech of Allah (swt) and the message contained within.

  • sompod_doha@yahoo.com'
    Md.Samsudduha Sampad
    June 18, 2015 at 6:25 am

    Thanks you very much for these wonderful lesson and instruction. Hope it will be a new start of life from this Ramadan ,if we can follow all the instructions which are mentioned above.

  • azeezjummy16@yahoo.com'
    azeez jummy
    June 18, 2015 at 6:51 am

    may allah improve u in knowledge. jazakalahu khairan.

  • ashraf.asif663@gmail.com'
    Md Asif
    June 18, 2015 at 6:57 am

    nice. jazak allah khair…

  • Yaseer.wajahet@gmail.com'
    Yaseer
    June 18, 2015 at 7:03 am

    Quite informative and self help type article. I have selected three things which I will try to follow this Ramadhan, Insha Allah. Jazaka Allah Khair

  • uroojsyed30@gmail.com'
    Urooj
    June 18, 2015 at 7:18 am

    Jazakallah Khair for d article…It wil definitely help everyone to connect to Allah and we will be more conscious of our actions…N do the right thing…May Allah guide us and accept our prayers and forgive our sins…In shaa Allah

  • isahlukman@gmail.com'
    June 18, 2015 at 7:24 am

    Asalamualekum this is such an informative and educative article that also have the sprite of motivation “In Sha Allah” God will give us the ability to do an ibadat that yield us Paradise In sha All Ramadan Kareem to entire Muslim brothers and sisters in the whole world…………………

  • jafaru08@hotmail.com'
    Jafar
    June 18, 2015 at 7:52 am

    Ma Sha Allah…thank you for this piece of information on ramadan. May Allah reward u abundantlying!

  • sakhanum207@gmail.com'
    shamsia khanum
    June 18, 2015 at 8:07 am

    Assalamalikum very good article thank u

  • bj4reals@gmail.com'
    Lawal
    June 18, 2015 at 8:11 am

    Jazakumla khairan for this motivating and inspiring article.

  • jmillz119@gmail.com'
    Haruna YAQub
    June 18, 2015 at 8:35 am

    Awesome article, May Allah help us all to apply and execute most of the challenges above and In sha Allah brings a positively change our lives.

  • ismailhashmi26@gmail.com'
    Aiyna Hashmi
    June 18, 2015 at 8:36 am

    Assalamu alaikum. Jazakallah for such a nice post.. insha allahuta’la I will get thajjud in my routine back. Plz pray for me n my family. May allah give gud thots to all. Aameen..

  • mona_m.abdelaziz@yahoo.co.uk'
    Mona
    June 18, 2015 at 8:40 am

    Really happy to read such a beautiful article like this 🙂 jazak Allah khiran 🙂

    • June 18, 2015 at 1:59 pm

      Wa iyyak.

      Alhamdulillah, its pleasing to hear about your happiness.

      May Allah (swt) keep you happy always.

  • aliaabshir@gmail.com'
    Alia
    June 18, 2015 at 8:54 am

    Amaizing! Mansha allah, jazakallah for your effort. I am so ready!!

  • uznukhair90@gmail.com'
    Muhammad Uznukhair
    June 18, 2015 at 9:34 am

    JazaakumuLLaahu khairan for the reminder.

  • shefeeq.cu@gmail.com'
    shefeek
    June 18, 2015 at 9:40 am

    Asslamu Aliikum. Excellent Article

  • samiiro1994@hotmail.com'
    samira
    June 18, 2015 at 9:51 am

    jazak Allah khair, this article is amazing and insha Allah i will work on this. it’s really helpfull 🙂 🙂

  • […] As Allah  says: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” 1 […]

  • propane7968@yahoo.com'
    idris Rabiu
    June 18, 2015 at 10:09 am

    Masha Allah. Thank God we have all this bonus in our religion. I love Islam

    • June 18, 2015 at 2:05 pm

      Alhamdulillah for Islam. It is indeed a gift with many bonuses.

  • taofeeqtron_arami2011@yahoo.com'
    Oyewusi Olaide Taofeeq
    June 18, 2015 at 10:12 am

    I am spiritually motivated by this article of yours my sister, May Allah rewards you abundantly both in this world and in the next. I love listening to Sheikh Khalil Khusary’s recitation too. To me, he is one of the best Qur’an reciters.
    Lastly, that name EDOTA sound like a Nigerian, from Niger State?

  • khola_zarar@hotmail.com'
    khola
    June 18, 2015 at 10:18 am

    JazakAllah ….. very inspiring tips to include into our daily routine ….. May God accept our deeds and prayers
    ..

  • muneerdange@gmail.com'
    Muneer Muhammad Dange
    June 18, 2015 at 10:39 am

    Masha Allah, Jazakallahu khairan.

    I think none to be left behind, you may in your next write-up itemize those supplications during iftar.

    Thank you.

    • ifrahac@hotmail.com'
      ifrah
      June 18, 2015 at 5:04 pm

      Jazakallah kheyr Dr Bilal this is article is amazing may Allah guide us to the straight path

  • rashmorn@yahoo.com'
    Rashida
    June 18, 2015 at 11:22 am

    In Shaa Allah, I choose to show kindness and compassion to every one I come in contact with. We get free lunch at the office every working day, and I want to give that out to a needy fasting person.

    • June 18, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      Masha Allah. May Allah (swt) accept your effort and keep you consistent. It isn’t easy to show kindness and compassion to others but its part of our beloved Prophet’s character so let’s keep working on it.

  • robietahfatimah@gmail.com'
    Robieta Fatimah Sultan
    June 18, 2015 at 11:41 am

    MashaAllah ..Ramadan proves in our own uniqueness push our self esteem to more more good deeds closer to our forgiver of sins Allah (swt) the Creator.

  • sleekleeiwa@yahoo.com'
    Aliyu Muhammad
    June 18, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    masha Allah,its very inspiring and motivate one in doing good during and after the ramadan period. Alhamdulillah

  • ambayet03@gmail.com'
    ambaye
    June 18, 2015 at 12:54 pm

    We Are lucky to fast on remedan!! Alhamdulialah

  • manalmalik1994@gmail.com'
    manal malik
    June 18, 2015 at 1:39 pm

    Jazak Allah…. very helpful article. will surely pick and stick on these ideas 🙂

  • Rafatsaad51@yahoo.com'
    Rafat Saad
    June 18, 2015 at 2:27 pm

    JazakAllah Khair for sharing this wonderful idea will definitely try them as much as possible.

  • teardrop_2279@yahoo.com'
    Nunu
    June 18, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Assalamu alaykum sister.. I really like your aricle and in Shaa Allah will be sharing this to my friends and family…

  • shizikhan13.sk@gmail.com'
    Sheeza
    June 18, 2015 at 4:12 pm

    JazakAllah khair.. may Allah givs hidayat to ol

  • ahmedfayza16@gmail.com'
    fayza
    June 18, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    It is really a useful information; Jazakumullah

  • sheerinjobs@gmail.com'
    sheerin
    June 18, 2015 at 11:11 pm

    Assalamalaikum sister
    Very useful article, I will try to follow this.
    Jazakallah khair

  • Stylewithrakhsh@gmail.com'
    June 18, 2015 at 11:47 pm

    Mash-Allah amazing Artical ..touch my Heart ,I m going to make my notes n imp points n paste into my refrigerator wall so it will keep remind me each day InshaaAllah 🙂
    Pls must do share some tricks & techniques abt time management , how to keep my secular n religious studies n small business together with my daily tasks as bz Mum of two , struggling. A lot .:(
    JZK n waiting your precious suggestions ::)

  • angibba@mrc.gm'
    Aminata
    June 19, 2015 at 10:20 am

    Jazak Allah khair , i will like to capitalized n this opportunity to ask if dread lucks is good for a muslims woman

  • angibba@mrc.gm'
    Aminata
    June 19, 2015 at 10:20 am

    Jazak Allah khair , i will like to capitalized on this opportunity to ask if dread lucks is good for a muslims woman

  • shahnawaz.chachar@live.com'
    Shahnawaz sardar chachar
    June 20, 2015 at 6:34 am

    jazak Allah khair, i will try my best to bring a change in myself, and grasp the blessings of Ramadan in ture manner..

  • amerlumagbas@gmail.com'
    Amiyr
    June 20, 2015 at 7:27 am

    Alhamdulillah.. A good eye opener.. MashaAllah..

  • shakurajala@yahoo.com.au'
    Shakur
    June 20, 2015 at 2:29 pm

    Masha Allah! Barakallahufeeki wa feena….Inspiring article indeed. Was really looking at the choices that were in sync with me/my plans and alhamdulillah i found them……..On Spirituality, lets add – Memorize and Practice 29/30 new Adkhar that the Prophet Salallahu Alayhi wa salam said everyday.

    My fear is after Ramadan…Its easier to do these things in Ramdan because the Shaytan are in chains. I sincerely pray to Allah to keep us all steadfast and keep on keeping on with all of the actions after Ramadan…This is a sign of true acceptance. May Allah ease our tasks, accept it from us as an act of Ibadah and grant us the Ultimate Reward of Aljanah. Ameen

  • kimshady007@yahoo.com'
    Abdulhakeem Bello
    June 20, 2015 at 3:51 pm

    JazakAllah khairan for sharing. Ramadan Mubarak

  • Ramokhan12@gmail.com'
    Ra. Rameen
    June 20, 2015 at 5:26 pm

    Assa Assalaam-o-alaikum,read ur article it’s very helpful Masha-Allah.

  • yemenfreedom50@gmail.com'
    June 20, 2015 at 11:10 pm

    I committed before but not appearing, anyway, jazaki Allah khair, sister. Please give us you page on Facebook so we can follow your beneficial shares.

  • Sulesaeed96@yahoo.com'
    Saeed
    June 21, 2015 at 3:58 am

    May Allah reward you abundantly and give us all the blessings of this month. Ameen

  • zaneela_naheem@yahoo.com'
    zaneela
    June 21, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    Jazakallahu Khairan for sharing such a lovely article…I have decided to spend more time with Quran recitation,reduce my anger and doing good even to the people who has done wrong to me.

  • afsheenrasheed@yahoo.com'
    Afsheen
    June 24, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
    جزاك الله خيراً كثيراً كثيرة
    رمضان كريم

  • Leila.kayed@gmail.com'
    Leila Kayed
    June 25, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Teach my children Quran. I sit with them for about 30 minutes and recite and correct their pronunciation. They are just as excited as I am, alhamdulillah.

  • hibunkv@outlook.com'
    Hibu
    June 25, 2015 at 11:38 pm

    Assalsmualaikum
    Jazak Allah khairan for this beautiful article on self improvement….

  • sayeedanusrathfarhaan@gmail.com'
    nusrath
    June 28, 2015 at 10:21 am

    Jazakaallah for the article Insha’Allah I’ll try to implement it in my life

  • a_ysha_6@hotmail.com'
    ayesha
    July 2, 2015 at 3:58 am

    simply awesome effort !! Jazzak ALLAH Khairun

  • Aeshamdawood@gmail.com'
    Dawud
    July 5, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    Jazak’Allah khair please don’t forget the single sisters in your prayers

  • July 7, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    […] Do not tire yourself with doing too much; commit to even a new habit daily throughout the month and challenge yourself to keeping it up. Your life will improve […]

  • […] things simple for yourself while fasting. Engage in rewarding and productive acts so that you don’t lose the spiritual essence of your fast. From simple but healthy meals to […]

  • khidr1@hotmail.com'
    Hadar
    July 22, 2015 at 10:56 am

    Really enlightening ideas. Jazakallah!

  • […] and commit to a self improvement challenge in […]

  • aalidu55@gmail.com'
    ABDUL-RAZAK ALIDU
    June 9, 2016 at 5:15 pm

    ABDUL -RAZAK ALIDU

  • andimarlinasyam@gmail.com'
    andi
    December 28, 2018 at 3:50 pm

    really enlightening ideas…. jazaakillahu khoiron.. i’ll try to make bullet journal of these ideas… this year of ramadhan in syaa Allah… thank youuuuu