Ramadan does not arrive when life is peaceful.
It comes while the phone keeps beeping with email notifications, deadlines remain fixed, and responsibilities continue as normal.
For many working Muslims, this creates an inner tension. We want to fast properly, pray with presence, and feel close to Allah, yet the structure of the day feels rigid and demanding.
The fear is often the same every year:
Will my work take away another Ramadan from me?
But here is the truth: Ramadan was legislated at a time when believers still worked, traded, travelled, and even walked barefoot to the battlefields.
It was never meant to remove us from life, but to reform how we live within it. This article is written for Muslims working a nine-to-five job who want a Ramadan that is sincere, productive, Iman-raising, and filled with rewards that will, in shaa Allah, await them on the Day of Resurrection.
So let's dive straight into the actionable tips:
Start Ramadan Before Ramadan (Rajab and Sha'ban Matter)
The shock many people feel in Ramadan often comes from one thing - the heart arrives unprepared.
Rajab and Sha'ban are meant to soften the transition. Use what remains of them to:
- Increase voluntary fasting (the three white days, etc)
- Increase charity
- Re-establish Sunnah or voluntary prayers (Duha, Tahajjud, etc)
- Build consistency in Dhikr
- Return to seeking knowledge
Ramadan multiplies what already exists. Those who arrive in motion benefit most, while those starting from zero struggle to find their footing.
Use the Power of Multiple Intentions
One of the greatest tools Islam gives busy Muslims is Niyyah.
A working Muslim already spends money on groceries, household needs, transport, and bills. Ramadan doesn’t remove these responsibilities, but a simple intention can transform them.
Before Ramadan begins, make a clear intention. Every time you:
- Buy groceries for Suhoor and Iftar
- Purchase dates and water
- Hand over the month's expenses to your spouse
Renew the intention that:
- Your family will break their fasts with what you earned
- They will have the strength to pray and worship Allah
- You are fulfilling an obligation Allah loves - providing for your family
And expect the reward for all of this from Allah. Beg Him for it.
This means:
- Your work hours are not wasted
- Your spending is not neutral
- Your salary becomes part of your Ramadan worship
The Prophet ﷺ made it clear that spending on one’s family for the sake of Allah is rewarded:
إِذَا أَنْفَقَ الرَّجُلُ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ يَحْتَسِبُهَا فَهُوَ لَهُ صَدَقَةٌ
If a man spends something on his family, seeking reward from Allah for it, it will be recorded for him as charity. [Sahih al-Bukhari 55]
Instead of thinking:
“My boss is taking my Ramadan away”
You begin to think:
“Alhamdulillah, Allah made my work carry my Ramadan.”
This removes guilt and replaces it with purpose.
Important: Whenever you make a intention - whether single or multiplied/stacked - ensure your heart is totally present and aware.
Set Goals That Match Your Reality
This point is critical.
A Muslim working long hours should not measure their Ramadan by the routine of someone with flexible mornings and free evenings. That comparison only breeds frustration.
Instead, be honest with yourself. Be realistic. Be consistent.
Ramadan rewards sincerity and continuity, not ambition without follow-through.
For example:
- Reading one or two Juz daily is better than aiming for five and giving up halfway.
- Praying two Raka'ah of Tahajjud during Suhoor time is better than praying half the night if you're not already in the habit of it.
More than competition, Ramadan should be about sustainability, sincerity, and finishing the month with your heart intact.
Clear All Household Burdens Before Ramadan Begins
This is a big one people ignore. Before Ramadan:
- Buy all groceries in advance
- Sort household errands
- Prepare the basics early
- Be done with your Eid preparations by Sha'ban
- Reduce daily decision fatigue
Every small task you remove from Ramadan gives you mental space for worship.
Ramadan is not the time to constantly think:
“What do we need to buy today?”
Preparation is part of worship.
Use the Months Before Ramadan to Buy Time Inside Ramadan
Most people prepare spiritually. Very few prepare logistically. If you work a 9–5, the real advantage is before Ramadan, not during it.
Practical moves:
- Take extra shifts
- Do overtime
- Finish major projects early
- Reduce pending deadlines
Make your employer happy. Then speak to him before Ramadan begins:
- Request flexible hours
- Ask for lighter workload for this special month
- Plan paid leave in advance
Especially: Save your paid leaves for the last 10 nights!!!
Do not waste your annual leave on vacations; save it for the most important nights of the year. Remember, the focus is to build the Akhirah.
Carry a Pocket Mushaf
Waiting for “long Qur’an sessions” doesn’t work for working Muslims. One can carry a small Mushaf to work and place short specific times during the day that will add up to a lot, like before or after every prayer, between the Adhan and the Iqamah, specially right after Fajr, which is a blessed time.
For example, if someone were to read only four pages after every prayer, they would easily complete the Qur’an in Ramadan.
Some other examples:
- During lunch
- Before meetings
- While waiting
- During short breaks
- Within the prayer
This removes pressure and builds a constant connection with the Book of Allah.
If that’s not possible:
- Use a Quran app
- Set gentle reminders
- Tie Quran reading to rest, not effort
Small, frequent Quran beats large, inconsistent sessions, recharges our energy, and this deed puts Barakah in our time.
Bonus tip: If you build this habit during Ramadan, try your best to maintain it for the rest of your life. After all, isn’t it wonderful to grow in consistent good deeds with every passing Ramadan?
Turn the Commute into Worship
Commutes often consume hours each week, especially in places like the UAE. Instead of wasting all that precious time in what has no benefit, one can listen to lectures, do dhikr, read the Qur'an or listen and reflect upon it during those hours.
Even if one uses public transport, noise-cancelling earphones can be a great investment for one's Hereafter if you make the right intention.
These few minutes each day add up to dozens of hours over a year. How many people have used time at traffic lights to listen to scholars’ fatawa and, through that, learned many Islamic rulings? Learn and benefit.
The Barakah of Suhoor
Suhoor anchors the fast physically and spiritually.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
تَسَحَّرُوا فَإِنَّ فِي السَّحُورِ بَرَكَةً
Take suhoor, for indeed there is blessing in suhoor. [Sahih al Bukhari 1923]
From Allah’s mercy, suhoor is not only nutrition for us, but something that will get us rewarded for following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
Watch How You Break Your Fast!
From the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ is to hasten in breaking the fast as soon as sunset enters.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
لَا يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْفِطْرَ
“The people will remain upon goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast.” [Sahih al Bukhari 1957]
Breaking the fast early is not only a reward, but a mercy. It restores strength, softens the heart, and prevents unnecessary hardship.
Another important tip: Keep your Iftar light, and you’ll stay light and active. Fill your plate, and you’ll feel its weight during Taraweeh.
Keeping a few dates and water at hand is enough. If at all you need more, maybe pick up a fruit or a light, healthy food item.
- Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه said:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُفْطِرُ عَلَى رُطَبَاتٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ رُطَبَاتٌ فَعَلَى تَمَرَاتٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ حَسَا حَسَوَاتٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to break his fast before praying with some fresh dates; but if there were no fresh dates, he had a few dry dates, and if there were no dry dates, he took some mouthfuls of water. [Sunan Abi Dawud 2356]
Taking a few dates to work allows the fasting person to break the fast on time, even if they must return to duties immediately. A more fulfilling meal may come later.
Ramadan does not require delay or difficulty. It teaches obedience with ease.
Pray Taraweeh with the Imam
Taraweeh with the Imam until he finishes carries a great reward.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّهُ مَنْ قَامَ مَعَ الإِمَامِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ كُتِبَ لَهُ قِيَامُ لَيْلَةٍ
“Whoever stands (in prayer) with the Imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him as if he prayed the entire night.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhi 806]
This hadith shows Allah’s mercy. A person may not have the strength or time to pray long hours alone, yet by remaining with the Imam until the end, they are granted the reward of a full night of worship.
Guard Fajr and Isha in Congregation
In addition to the Taraweeh prayers, give special care to the obligatory prayers, particularly Isha and Fajr in congregation. These two prayers hold an immense station with Allah, especially during Ramadan.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ صَلَّى الْعِشَاءَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَامَ نِصْفَ اللَّيْلِ وَمَنْ صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَكَأَنَّمَا صَلَّى اللَّيْلَ كُلَّهُ
He who observed the Isha prayer in congregation, it was as if he prayed up to midnight, and he who prayed the morning prayer in congregation, it was as if he prayed the whole night. [Sahih Muslim 656]
This hadith highlights the immense reward attached to obligatory acts. Allah multiplies reward not only through long hours of worship, but through faithfulness to what He has made compulsory.
Ramadan is not defined by exhaustion, but by steadiness. Protecting Fajr and Isha in congregation anchors the day and the night around obedience, discipline, and presence of heart. For the working Muslim, these prayers become pillars that hold the entire day together.
What is obligatory and preserved with care is always heavier on the scale than what is voluntary and irregular. Guarding these two prayers is among the clearest ways to honour Ramadan with balance and sincerity.
Turn Your Salary Into Ramadan Worship
If you work, you earn. If you earn, you can give.
Before Ramadan begins:
- Set aside a clear charity budget
- Decide where it will go
- Make giving easy and automatic
Aim to feed fasting people, even if it is modest and consistent. If possible, make it daily. Even sponsoring one full iftar a day carries immense reward.
The Prophet ﷺ taught that whoever feeds a fasting person shares in their reward. This transforms your salary into worship and turns your work hours into ongoing sadaqah throughout Ramadan.
Tip: Keep this good deed as hidden or private as possible, and all the other ones too.
Maximise Your Sleep
Neglecting sleep harms both worship and work.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
فَإِنَّ لِجَسَدِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَإِنَّ لِعَيْنِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا
Your body has a right over you, your eyes have a right over you… [Sahih al Bukhari 5199]
Ramadan is not meant to destroy the body. Adjusting sleep routines and reducing distractions allows worship to remain sincere and consistent, rather than forced.
Important tip: Never sleep without the Tasbeeh of Fatimah رضي الله عنها
Before sleeping, every night:
- 33 × SubhanAllah
- 33 × Alhamdulillah
- 34 × Allahu Akbar
This is not just “extra dhikr”. This is fuel.
- Ali bin Abi Talib said:
أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ ـ عَلَيْهَا السَّلاَمُ ـ أَتَتِ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَسْأَلُهُ خَادِمًا فَقَالَ " أَلاَ أُخْبِرُكِ مَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكِ مِنْهُ، تُسَبِّحِينَ اللَّهَ عِنْدَ مَنَامِكِ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ، وَتَحْمَدِينَ اللَّهَ ثَلاَثًا وَثَلاَثِينَ، وَتُكَبِّرِينَ اللَّهَ أَرْبَعًا وَثَلاَثِينَ
Fatimah came to the Prophet ﷺ asking for a servant. He said, "May I inform you of something better than that? When you go to bed, recite "Subhan Allah' thirty three times, 'Al hamduli l-lah' thirty three times, and 'Allahu Akbar' thirty four times. [Sahih al-Bukhari 5362]
The hadith alone is enough to show the power of this Dhikr. Many people also share the same experience, even with fewer hours of sleep, they recite this Dhikr and wake up feeling energised.
Because Dhikr strengthens the heart, mind, and body.
You may even need less sleep and wake up more refreshed, clearer, and lighter.
Finally: Consistency Over Exhaustion
Many working Muslims begin Ramadan with intensity, only to burn out halfway through the month.
- Aishah رضي الله عنها reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
سَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا، وَاعْلَمُوا أَنْ لَنْ يُدْخِلَ أَحَدَكُمْ عَمَلُهُ الْجَنَّةَ، وَأَنَّ أَحَبَّ الأَعْمَالِ أَدْوَمُهَا إِلَى اللَّهِ، وَإِنْ قَلَّ
Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant, even if it were little. [Sahih al Bukhari 6464]
Small, consistent acts done daily are more beloved to Allah than large acts done briefly. A steady rhythm of Quran, dhikr, and prayer builds a heart that lasts beyond Ramadan.
