Preparing for Ramadan

“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous–” (2:183)

Ramadan, the month of mercy and blessing, forgiveness, piety, patience, supplications, remembrance, compassion, charity, and Quran is upon us again, alhumdulillah. The fact that we have been allowed to experience it again is a blessing like no other, because Ramadan is a guest, and we do not know if we'll live to see the next one. Therefore, not only should we consider it a physical experience, but a spiritual one as well. 

Abu Huraira reported: There were two men from the tribe of Quda’ah who embraced Islam with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. One of them was martyred and the other lived for another year. Talha said, “I had a dream of Paradise and I saw the one who lived longer enter Paradise before the martyr. I was amazed by that and when I woke up, I mentioned it to the Prophet.” The Prophet said:

Did he not fast the month of Ramadan after him and he performed six thousand or so bowings in prayer throughout the year?

Musnad Aḥmad 8399

Of all the months of the year, Ramadan has the transformative power to change our life in this world and the next. These thirty days are there to reorient our focus and make us aware of our purpose of creation. All that surrounds us only reminds us of how transient life in this world is, and how time is fleeing without pause, hence we cannot lose sight of where we are heading. 

To maximize the blessings of this month, we need to start preparing early. Dividing these preparations in domestic and spiritual, consider the following tips:

Domestic

• Have cash ready for regular donations. Enroll in your local masjid's online donation portal if you cannot physically drop off charity

“You shall never attain righteousness unless you spend from what you love. Whatsoever you spend, Allah is fully aware of it.” (3:92)

• Go through your cupboards to take out clothes you have not worn or do not intend on wearing again

1. make sure to find those you yourself would wear

Narrated Anas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself."

Sahih al-Bukhari 13

2. donate clothing and items related to the season; blankets, scarves, socks if it's winter time

• Meal planning and grocery shopping. The goal of Ramadan is not to feast, so inculcate habits of simple eating in order dedicate more time to worship. Being mindful of how and what we spend our time on should be a regular habit, more so in this month.

“By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.” (103:1-3)

1. order grocery or go buy groceries before, so that trips to the store can be avoided in Ramadan. Even for Eid, plan ahead as to save time for worship

2. only for these thirty days, stray away from elaborate dishes and try quick-cook recipes, which may call for meal prep beforehand

Spiritual

• Set goals: target number of juz you wish to recite, sunnah and/or good habits you wish to start

Narrated Muhammad bin Ka'b Al-Qurazi:

"I heard 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud saying: 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "[Whoever recites a letter] from Allah's Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter."

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2910

• Recitation tips: read a little of the Quran after each salah. When you are able to, listen to a Qari recite with tajweed, and strive to mimic. 

• the seerah books inform us of countless sunnah practices, try to incorporate new ones in your routine, eg. entering the restroom with left foot, exiting with the right.

• Make list: du'a list, verses to memorize, supplications to memorize

• strive to memorize and recite different surahs in salah

• Start with the thirteenth juz, where the surahs are shorter, eg. surah al-a’la, ad-duha, ash-sharh 

“And We have certainly made the Qur’ān easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?” (54:17)

• add supplications to recite after tashahhud: countless resources can be found online for this.

An-Nu'man bin Bashir (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Du'a (supplication) is worship."

Riyad as-Salihin 1465

• create a routine for morning and evening dhikr

“...And glorify the praises of your Lord before sunrise and before sunset.” (50:39)

• Start early! Consistency is the key to creating habits, therefore start practicing what you wish to continue and maximize in Ramadan

Narrated `Aisha: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little."

Sahih al-Bukhari 6464

The correct intentions coupled with consistent effort are the keys of success, take hold of them to have a productive Ramadan, in’sha Allah.