Ramadan with the Prophet ﷺ: Lessons from His Life

The streets of Medina were quiet at the brink of dawn, with only a few lamps flickering in the homes of those waking up for suhoor. In one of these simple homes, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was awake, preparing to begin another day of fasting in Ramadan. But for him, Ramadan was never just about abstaining from food—it was a time of worship, generosity, and devotion to Allah. Let’s tag along for a day with him and see what a typical day of the Prophet ﷺ looks like in Ramadan.

Starting Off With Suhoor

The Prophet ﷺ never skipped suhoor. He encouraged his companions to eat this pre-dawn meal, saying:

تَسَحَّرُوا فَإِنَّ فِي السَّحُورِ بَرَكَةً

Meaning: “Eat suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1923]

His meal was simple—some dates and water [1]. He would eat Suhur just before Fajr, with enough time left to recite about fifty verses of the Quran. [2]

Fajr Prayer and Teaching

As soon as the Adhan (call to prayer) for Fajr was heard, the Prophet ﷺ would offer 2 Rakats before heading to the masjid to lead the Fajr prayer [3]. After prayer, he would sit in his place and make Dhikr (remembrance) of Allah till sunrise [4].

His companions would gather around him, eager to hear from him. He ﷺ would ask them questions, and dreams they saw at night, teaching them valuable lessons, and sharing a fountain of wisdom with them.

Midday Rest and Afternoon

As the sun rose higher, the heat of Medina made fasting more difficult. The Prophet ﷺ would sometimes take a short nap at midday to regain energy [5].

When the time for Asr prayer arrived, he ﷺ would go to the Masjid and lead the people in prayer.

Iftar and Maghrib

The Prophet ﷺ wouldn’t delay Iftar and immediately broke his fast as soon as the sun set. He encouraged others to break their fast quickly rather than delaying it, saying:

لاَ يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْفِطْرَ

Meaning: “People will continue to be upon virtue so long as they hasten in breaking the fast.” [Sahih al-Bukhari : 1957]

How was the Prophet’s ﷺ Iftar? Anas bin Malik (R.) described:

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُفْطِرُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَى رُطَبَاتٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ رُطَبَاتٌ فَتُمَيْرَاتٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ تُمَيْرَاتٌ حَسَا حَسَوَاتٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ

Meaning: “The Messenger of Allah would break the fast with fresh dates before performing Salat. If there were no fresh dates then (he would break the fast) with dried dates, and if there were no dried dates then he would take a few sips of water.” [Jami Tirmidhi : 696]

After finishing his simple Iftar, he would lead the people in Maghrib prayer.

Qiyam ul Layl: Night Prayer of Prophet ﷺ

Prophet ﷺ would regularly pray Qiyam ul Layl; more so in Ramadan. He once prayed Taraweeh for three nights in the congregation and then stopped, fearing it might become obligatory on his Ummah [6]. Later Umar (R.) started the practice of praying Taraweeh in congregation. [7]

His prayers were long and full of devotion. His Ruku and Sujud were a sight to behold. Aisha (R.) narrated:

“He used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Qur’an) before he would lift his head.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 1123]

His recitations were long, heartfelt, and unlike anything ordinary. Imagine the most devoted and loving servant standing before his Creator, bowing and prostrating in the silence of the night. The Prophet ﷺ was completely immersed in worship, and the Lord, Most Merciful and Loving, listened. Can there be anything more beautiful?

When Aisha (R.) was asked how was the prayer of the Prophet in Ramadan, she said this:

Meaning: “He did not pray more than eleven Rak`at in Ramadan or in any other month. He used to pray four rak`at — and do not ask me about their beauty and length — and then he would pray four — and do not ask me about their beauty and length — and then he would pray three Rak`at (witr).” [Sahih al-Bukhari 1147]

She was so moved by the beautiful nature of his prayers that she couldn’t describe it in words.

Al Mughira (R.) narrated:

“The Prophet (ﷺ) used to stand (in the prayer) or pray till both his feet or legs swelled. He was asked why (he offered such an unbearable prayer) and he said, “Should I not be a thankful slave?” [Sahih al-Bukhari 1130]

May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

Last 10 Days: I’tikaf and Lailatul Qadr

A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that when the last ten nights began Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) kept awake at night (for prayer and devotion), wakened his family, and prepared himself to observe prayer (with more vigour) [8].

Later on, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would spend the last 10 days of Ramadan in I’tikaf. Abu Hurairah (R.) narrated:

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَعْتَكِفُ كُلَّ رَمَضَانَ عَشَرَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَلَمَّا كَانَ الْعَامُ الَّذِي قُبِضَ فِيهِ اعْتَكَفَ عِشْرِينَ يَوْمًا

Meaning: “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to observe I’tikaf during ten days of Ramadan every year. But when the year in which he died, he observed I’tikaf for twenty days.” [Sunan Abi Dawud 2466]

I’tikaf means to devote oneself in the worship of Allah in a particular place in the Masjid. The Prophet’s main purpose for I’tikaf in Ramadan was to achieve the rewards of the night of Qadr.

Think about it: A single night that holds more reward than a thousand months. And there, in the stillness of the night in solitude stood the Prophet ﷺ —praying, reciting the glorious Quran, whispering heartfelt supplications, completely immersed in worship. With sincerity and deep humility, he sought only Allah’s pleasure.

May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Messenger.

Generosity of the Messenger ﷺ in Ramadan

The Prophet (ﷺ) was already the most generous man. But his generosity increased even more during Ramadan. Ibn Abbas (R.) narrated:

كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَجْوَدَ النَّاسِ، وَأَجْوَدُ مَا يَكُونُ فِي رَمَضَانَ، حِينَ يَلْقَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ، وَكَانَ جِبْرِيلُ ـ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ـ يَلْقَاهُ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ، فَيُدَارِسُهُ الْقُرْآنَ فَلَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَجْوَدُ بِالْخَيْرِ مِنَ الرِّيحِ الْمُرْسَلَةِ

Meaning: “The Prophet (ﷺ) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to become more generous in Ramadan when Jibril (AS) met him. Jibril (AS) used to meet him every night during Ramadan to revise the Qur’an with him. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) then used to be more generous than the fast wind.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 3554]

Jihad of Messenger ﷺ in Ramadan

Prophet ﷺ led the battle of Badr and conquest of Makkah during Ramadan. He ordered the Sahaba to break their fast before meeting the enemy in battle. Abu Sa’id Khudri (R.) narrated:

“We travelled with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) towards Mecca and we had been observing fast. We halted at a place. There the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: You are nearing your enemy and breaking of fast would give you greater strength, and that was a concession (given to us). But some of us continued to observe the fast and some of us broke it. We then got down at another place and he (the Holy Prophet) said: You are going to encounter the enemy in the morning and breaking of the fast would give you strength, so break the fast. As it was a point of stress, so we broke the fast. But subsequently we saw ourselves observing the fast with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on a journey.” [Sahih Muslim: 1120]

Prophet’s ﷺ Quran Recitation in Ramadan

The Prophet (ﷺ) spent his nights in Ramadan in prayers reciting the Quran. In addition to that he would revise the Quran with Jibril (AS) during Ramadan. Prophet ﷺ said:

إِنَّ جِبْرِيلَ كَانَ يُعَارِضُنِي الْقُرْآنَ كُلَّ سَنَةٍ مَرَّةً، وَإِنَّهُ عَارَضَنِي الْعَامَ مَرَّتَيْنِ

Meaning: “Every year Jibril (AS) used to revise the Qur’an with me once only, but this year he has done so twice.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 3623]

There is no doubt that he used to recite parts of the Quran throughout the day. Only shows his deep affection for Quran recitation during Ramadan.

FAQs

Q. How many Ramadans did the Prophet ﷺ fast in his lifetime?

Ans. Fasting in Ramadan was enjoined in 2nd Hijri. Thus the Prophet ﷺ spent 9 Ramadans fasting during his lifetime.

Q. How many Rakats did the Prophet ﷺ pray at night during Ramadan?

Ans. A Hadith of Ayesh (R.) clearly states that the Prophet ﷺ used to pray during and outside of Ramadan 11 Rakats. But there is a difference of opinion among the scholars about the number of Rakats of Taraweeh. The most prominent one is 20 Rakats in Jam’ah established by Umar (R.) during his Khilafah.

Number of Rakats of Taraweeh can vary depending on the Madhab you follow. Please refer to a renowned scholar of your region regarding the matter.

Conclusion

The way Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spent his Ramadan teaches us many lessons. His days were filled with fasting, prayer, generosity, and worship. His nights were devoted to Qiyam ul Layl, Quran recitation, and in pursuit of Lailatul Qadr in I’tikaf.

This Ramadan, let’s take inspiration from his life. Let’s pray more, give more, and seek Allah’s mercy—just like he did. Will you follow his footsteps this Ramadan?