Shaykh Ṣāliḥ ibn Fawzān al-Fawzān:

(The Salaf) would exert themselves in worship in this month as it has preceded, and they would decrease in their actions related to worldly affairs.

They would make some time for sitting in the masājid and they would say: “….let us protect our fast and not backbite anyone.” They would accompany the Qurʾān and they would safeguard their time from being lost without any benefit.

They were not careless or disregardful like many are today, rather they would safeguard their time. During the night they would pray and during the day would fast, recite the Qurʾān, remember Allah ﷻ and perform good deeds.