The Most Effective Times to Pray in the Month of Ramadan, Opportunities for Unanswered Prayers

Dream - The month of Ramadan should be filled with various acts of worship and righteous deeds. This is because there are many rewards from Allah SWT given to those who perform them. So it would be a waste to let that opportunity pass. Especially since Ramadan only occurs once a year.

One of the worship that you can do, dear Dream friends, is to pray. Although Allah SWT has commanded us to pray at any time, there is a special privilege in this month of Ramadan. Especially if you pray at the most effective times. Insha Allah, those prayers will be heard by Allah SWT and He will grant them.

So, at what times should you pray in the month of Ramadan? Here are some of the most effective times to pray in the month of Ramadan as compiled by Dream from various sources.

The Recommendation to Pray a Lot in the Month of Ramadan

Ramadan is the most appropriate time to pray to Allah SWT. In fact, praying in the month of Ramadan has its own privileges compared to other months. This is explained in the following hadith:

"Indeed, Allah frees some people from the Hellfire every day in the month of Ramadan, and every Muslim, when he prays, his prayer will definitely be answered." (HR. Al Bazaar. Al Haitsami in Majma' Az Zawaid 10: 14)

In addition, it is also stated by Ibn Kathir that Ramadan is the time when prayers are answered. However, prayers that are easier to be accepted by Allah SWT are the prayers of those who have true faith. The same is stated by Ibn Taymiyyah as follows:

"The acceptance of prayers is due to the truth of the belief, the perfection of obedience, because at the end of the verse it is mentioned, 'and let them believe in Me, so that they are always in the truth'." (Majmu' Al Fatawa, 14: 33 - 34)

The Most Effective Times to Pray in the Month of Ramadan

Here are some of the most effective times to pray in the month of Ramadan:

Sahur Time

The first effective time is during sahur or the last third of the night. This is explained in a hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim:

"Our Lord, blessed and exalted, descends to the lower heaven when the last third of the night remains. Then Allah says, 'Whoever supplicates to Me, I will answer him. Whoever asks of Me, I will give him. Whoever seeks forgiveness from Me, I will forgive him.'" (HR. Bukhari and Muslim).

Fasting Time

Furthermore, dear Dream friends, you can pray during the fasting time. Fasting is observed from dawn until sunset. While fasting, if you pray, then insha Allah, it will be accepted by Allah SWT. This is explained in a hadith narrated by Ahmad:

"Three people whose prayers are never rejected: a fasting person until he breaks his fast, a just leader, and the prayer of an oppressed person." (HR. Ahmad).

Then it is also explained by Imam Nawawi that it is recommended for a fasting person to pray a lot. The prayers that are offered are about goodness in this world and the hereafter, both for oneself and for loved ones.

Iftar Time

The next effective time is during iftar. Ibn Kathir explained it in relation to verse 186 in Surah Al-Baqarah regarding prayer, which is the recommendation to pray a lot when the month is complete. Even Muslims are commanded to pray a lot during iftar.

Lailatul Qadar Night Time

In the month of Ramadan, there is a very special time, which is the night of Lailatul Qadar. In this moment, every Muslim strives to obtain blessings from Allah SWT through recommended deeds, one of which is praying. In fact, there is a special prayer that you can recite on that night as mentioned in the following hadith:

"I asked the Prophet, 'If there is a day that I know is Lailatul Qadar, what prayer should I recite?' The Prophet answered, 'Pray: Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu'anni (O Allah, You are the Most Forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).'" (HR. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah).

That's the explanation regarding the recommendation to pray a lot in the month of Ramadan and some of the most effective times to offer prayers. Insha Allah, the prayers that you offer, dear Dream friends, will be accepted by Allah SWT.