Ramadan is a month of supplication as much as of fasting. Right among the verses about fasting, in Surah Al-Baqarah, chapter two, verse one hundred and eighty-six, Allah says, in an English translation of the meaning: “And when My servants ask you, O Muhammad, concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” It is a direct encouragement to make supplication while fasting.

This lesson keeps to what is authentically established. The Arabic of each supplication is on this page; this narration gives its meaning.

First, breaking the fast. There is no authentic fixed supplication to say before breaking it. Instead, the minutes before the fast is broken are themselves a time when supplication is answered, so use them for your own personal prayers. After breaking the fast, the reliably established words mean: “The thirst is gone, the veins are moist, and the reward is confirmed, if Allah wills.” That is in Sunan Abi Dawud, graded good by al-Albani. Another wording that is often circulated comes through weak chains, so it is safest to rely on this one, and on your own personal supplication.

Second, the Night of Decree, Laylat al-Qadr. Surah Al-Qadr describes it as the night in which the Qur'an was sent down, and says: “The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” Aishah asked the Prophet, peace be upon him, what she should say if she knew it was that night, and he taught her a supplication whose meaning is: “O Allah, You are Pardoning and Generous, You love to pardon, so pardon me.” That is in Sunan at-Tirmidhi.

The Night of Decree is hidden among the odd nights of the last ten, and in some years it may fall on an even night. So say this supplication every night of the last ten, not only on the twenty-seventh.

And through the month, keep your regular morning and evening remembrances going. For the Arabic of each supplication, learn from a teacher or a verified recording.