Speaking in matters that do not concern one.

Excessive speech.

Speaking about sinful matters.

Disputation and contestation.

Argumentation.Excessively embellished speech.

Lewd, insulting, or crude speech.

Invoking the Curse of God on someone.

Singing indecent songs, or relating immoral poetry.

Excessive joking.

Sarcasm and ridicule.

Revealing secrets.

False promises.

Lying and false oaths.

Backbiting and slander.

Instigating tense relations between people.

Being two-faced.

Praising someone who is either undeserving, or unable to remain humble when praised.

Speaking about involved subjects and ideas one lacks the necessary knowledge or eloquence to adequately convey.

Ordinary folk speaking in subjects that are the domain of specialists.

May God spare us from these ruinations both during and after Ramadan. The Prophet, Peace and Blessing of Almighty God be upon Him, said: "Whoever fails to leave off ruinous speech, and acting on it [during Ramadan], God does not need him to leave off eating and drinking." Al-Bukahri We encourage everyone to avoid all arguments, disputes, and unnecessary worldly entanglements during this blessed month. This is a time for deep devotion and dedication to Allah. We encourage everyone to work to restore any severed relations or kinship ties they may be experiencing. This is a time when the gentle breezes of Divine Facilitation are blowing. Any good we endeavor during this blessed month will come to bear its proper fruits, Insha Allah. We encourage everyone to eat simply during this month. One should try to make a vow to give up unnecessary, and generally unhealthy fare during this blessed month. Pizza, ice cream, fast food, pastries, and soda should all go. We should make our solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters in other lands real, and not something confined to speeches and pamphlets. If one is in the habit of watching television, or listening to commercial music, one should also try to give these things up for Ramadan. They are things that divert us from the remembrance of God in any case. During this special month when every letter we recite from the Majestic Qur'an is tremendously rewarded, we should busy ourselves with recitation, and drop frivolous pastimes. Married couples should encourage each other to engage in spiritual pursuits during this month, i.e. reciting the Qur'an, attending Tarawih, etc. Those in the habit of hosting extravagant dinners in Ramadan should try to avoid doing so, especially if they involve burdening cooks with long hours in the kitchen at a time when everyone should be increasing acts of worship. Usually, the womenfolk are disadvantageously affected in this regard. While it is certainly virtuous to provide the wherewithal for the believers to break their fast, dates, water, and simple, easily prepared dishes suffice. Everyone should endeavor to pray the Tarawih Prayers. This is practice that should not be left without an excuse. The Prophet , mentioned, "Whosoever stands for prayer during the nights of Ramadan will have his/her prior sins expiated." Al-Bukhari and Muslim The prayer is the symbol of our devotional life. Ramadan is a great time to rediscover the power of the prayer, and to renew our commitment to our Lord through the prayer. These are some of the things we wanted to convey to you. Hopefully, they will prove of benefit. Please take this message in the spirit with which we have conveyed it, as sincere advice. Again, we wish you a very successful Ramadan and would like to thank all of you for past, present, and future support.

 Your Brother in Islam,

 Imam Zaid Shakir

Imam Zaid Shakir is amongst the most respected and influential Muslim scholars in the West. Born in Berkeley, California, the second of seven children he accepted Islam in 1977 while serving in the United States Air Force.