9 Tips For Ramadan Prep

With the blessed month of Ramadan just round the corner, it’s vital that we prepare for it in ways which will bring sustained and fruitful blessings in our lives.

The Sahaba (may Allāh be pleased with them) used to prepare for the auspicious month 6 months in advance, so let us take a leaf out of that and go into the biggest Islamic event of the year with a stronger Emaan, a cleaner heart and a determined mind in’sha’Allah.

Here are just some of the ways we do just that and be people who will implement –

1) Cut the bad habits

Many of us stop listening to music, smoking, watching certain shows and other impermissible items, but just for Ramadan. Isn’t that hypocritical of us?

Let’s start by stopping these bad actions which take us away from the remembrance and obedience of our Rab from now.

Remember, when we are engulfed in wrongful deeds, then doing the good deeds become that much more difficult, a heavy burden and there’s little sweetness in them.

2) Sincere repentance

As we cut off the bad habits, by the will of Allāh, it’s natural to ask Allāh to forgive us and make sincere promises to Him that you will not go back to them.

This leads to a cleaner heart.

Start making Tawbah from now, don’t say let Ramadan come and then I will change, what if it doesn’t come for you?

3) Dua

After cutting down on the bad habits and making sincere repentance, it’s time to envelope yourself with the believer’s most powerful weapon – Dua.

We know how one Dua can change everything, yet not many of us utilize it on a regular basis. Never feel you have asked Allāh enough.

You might get tired, but He never gets tired or bored from hearing from His slaves.

Learn some Duas by heart, with their meaning and with the intention you are going to recite them in abundance in Ramadan, by the will of Allāh.

4) Qur’ān

Before any big event starts, athletes train hard to practice and nourish their skills.

Similarly, with the month of Al-Qur’an coming upon us, shouldn’t we also (re)connect with the book of Allāh?

Learn some new Surahs by heart. Understand them. Ponder over them. Imagine the new Surah you learned is the one the Imam recites in the Salah during Ramadan.

5) Salah

We all know Taraweeh is not compulsory, but the 5-a-day is indeed Fardh. One of the key things we are failing as an Ummah is truly establishing a connection with Allāh when we are in the Salah.

How many of us know what we are saying? How do you expect to reap the benefits of the Salah, when we don’t even know what we are asking Allāh of.

Also, more importantly, are you certain you are praying like how the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed? Click here to find a step by step guide to pray like the Prophet (peace be upon him) with authentic evidence.

Understand your Salah. Take your time with your Salah. All to establish Khushoo (sweetness) in your Salah.

A massive change will occur and you can verily reap the fruits in Taraweeh too.

6) Knowledge

Islam is not merely a ritualistic religion where we follow and perform acts just because we are told to so. There’s more to it.

Thus, it’s important we learn our Deen.

Why? So that understand the wisdom behind the fasts, the charity we give and even the Salah. And the fact that seeking knowledge sincerely for pleasing Allah opens the door to paradise for us.

7) Charity

Let’s make sure we start supporting organizations who will be helping the poor and the needy for the upcoming Ramadan.

There are many already in motion for places like Syria and others alike.

Do your homework about how trustworthy they are and with the intention of building up to Ramadan, make those precious donations.

You may well get the reward of doing the act inside Ramadan by the ultimate mercy of Allah.

8) Time

Don’t delay any good deed Allāh puts in front of you. Hasten to it and hope Allāh puts Baraqah in your time especially during the month of Baraqah.

Don’t worry so much about what should be cooked during the month, rather worry more about how to maintain a balanced timetable for the month in which worship of various types can be carried out by the will of Allāh.

Remember spending time with your family is also a form of worship.

9) Fasting

Most of us when we think of fasting, we think of Ramadan. However, there’s more to this highly rewarding act than just that one month.

Why not observe some of the Sunan fasts. These include the three white days – 13th, 14th and 15th of any Islamic month. Furthermore, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays was a practice of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) too.

In fact, he (peace be upon him) has been reported to fast in the month of Shaban more than any other month except Ramadan.

So try to fast some Sunan days, even just one day and it’s a way of preparing for the full month of fasts.

With a topic like preparing for Ramadan, we can never say or do enough. These 9 tips are the roots, but there are lots of branches and leaves that haven’t been mentioned.

Let’s make the strong intention to go into this Ramadan better prepared than our previous Ramadans. Don’t wait till the end of Ramadan and say if only there was more time to change. Remember this powerful message –