Ramaḍān is an opportunity for change: for the ones who desire to increase their īmān and improve their behaviour. [A chance for] the ones weighed down by the stresses of this dunyā, who have allowed it to busy them for prolonged periods, distancing them from their Lord and Master. The ones who [the stresses of the dunyā] have taken away from their implementation of [what they know from] the sunnah of the Messenger [may the peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him].

Thus, they live in this dunyā purposeless, far away from obedience to Allāh the Exalted, the Most High. This month is an opportunity for them to wholeheartedly face [acts of obedience] with steadfastness and consistency, a chance for them to turn in repentance and to change their ways, to improve their mindless, careless state. Their change should be enacted through [congregational] ṣalāh, if they were not from among the ones who used to come early [this is an opportunity] to start being early, for this is the season of change. If you were from among the ones tested with missing some of the ṣalawāt due to sleep, then [this is an opportunity] to be proactive regarding this matter. If you were from among the ones afflicted with laziness regarding the recitation of the Qurʾān, then this is the season to change that.

Change with your close family, your relatives, your friends. Pay close care and attention to making the most of performing the obligatory acts of worship before the recommended acts. Beware of prioritising the recommended acts of worship over the obligatory, for this is the state of a great many from among the Muslims in this month. Some people will stay awake all night until just before fajr, and then enter an undisturbed sleep until just before maghrib. [For such a person] what is left for them from their fast? While still others will pray fajr, and then sleep causing them to miss many of the [obligatory] prayers. If your prayer during the night becomes a reason for your missing some of [the obligatory] prayers due to sleep, then know that such a habit is impermissible for you. Do not stand in the night [in prayer] if you know that this will inevitably lead to you missing the obligatory prayers. For the ones who busy themselves with that which is obligatory causing them to miss out on the recommended acts of worship are indeed forgiven. As for the ones who busy themselves with the recommended acts of worship over the obligatory ones, they have indeed been deceived.

Source: Kayfa Nastaqbil Ramaḍān: 13
Translated by: Riyāḍ al-Kanadī