THE "Ramadan Promise" is a simple device for simple-minded Muslims. Muslims who have absolute belief in each and every word of the Holy Quran and who are serious about raising their position (Muqaam) from that of a simple Muslim to the higher position of a 'Mumin'. A Mumin is a slave who is assured of his success by Allah in both the worlds. The "Ramadan Promise" is NOT a Sunnah or a religious binding but a skill to REMOVE one bad habit by REPLACING it with a good one thus helping oneself to organize his/her life to be nearer to his creator.
How to go about it?
Under the system, one is required to abstain consciously from committing habitual sins. Furthermore, he needs to replace the bad habit by at least ONE command from the holy Quran and/or a Sunnah (the Prophet's sayings). The practice should continue with full alert for 40 days including the 29/30 days of Ramadan. The number 40 has a great significance in almost all religions and faiths so is the month of Ramadan to Muslims. When one successfully practices the Ramadan Promise at least for the 40 continuous days with full awareness and consciousness then by the grace of Allah this noble practice becomes part of one's habit and remains with the person for the rest of his/her life. After about 5-10 years one will find him/herself a new individual worthy of receiving special favour from his/her Lord. One can witness the fruits of his/her "Ramadan Promise" in this life as well as in the life hereafter.
Mechanism and examples
Quitting one of the bad habits and replacing it with a good deed within a year (Ramadan to Ramadan) could be a personal triumph to any one. Undesirable habits like backbiting (Geebat), cheating, smoking, drinking, gambling, lying, stealing, taking bribes, breaking promises, wasting (own and others') time, being selfish and lazy, having an uncontrollable temper, making fun of others, to hurt some one's feelings, coming late to and going early from work, doing injustice to himself and others etc. A few more serious bad habits may be added to this list, which may be very personal and known to individuals only. It is
highly unlikely that a single person will posses all these bad habits.
One should evaluate and take an account of his/her own bad habits (if possible in the month of Shawal, the month before Ramadan). One should make a list of easily avoidable bad habits in him/her and easily achievable good practices of the prophet's Sunnah. Most importantly one requires to be spiritually ready to start his/her Ramadan Promise, starting with simple ones.
Open promise: It is important that the Ramadan Promise is to be known to very close ones. i.e. wife or other family members, colleagues and close friends. In case one breaks his/her promise even unconsciously, others who witness the promise i.e. partners, siblings, children or friends can help the person to remind about the Ramadan Promise that he/she made. It helps the person get back on track. Children or youngsters also should be encouraged to make their own Ramadan Promises and the promise to be known to their parents. A good and simple example to start with is to avoid or minimize 'vain talk' or backbiting (Geebat). This may be replaced for example, by pointing out some goodness in that person. Another example, showing pride (show off) may be replaced with offering 'Salam' saluta-tion/greetings first to others irrespective of their social status. But most rewarding Ramadan Promise is to have a vow to memorise a few verses (minimum 3 ayats) from any part of the holy Quran, understand its real meanings, and practice it in one's own daily life. Also recite those verses in their daily prayers.
Private/personal promises: This second type of Ramadan Promise is not difficult to keep. It is a promise to oneself and only witness is Allah as he may not be able to let his weakness known to others. The bad habit may be replaced with one or more good deeds. An example of this kind of Promise is to avoid one of his/her secret bad habits and replace it with regular 'Tahajud Prayers' or secretly helping the needy etc. Again most rewarding good action remains to memorise a few verses (minimum 3 ayats) from the holy Quran, to understand its real messages and mend one's daily life accordingly. The verses are also to be used in one's daily prayers so that one understands what he/she is saying to the Lord in the Salat (5 daily prayers).