Preparing for Ramadan
‘O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness’ (Qur’an 2:183)
Ramadan is approaching. Let us prepare for this holy month and pray we are able to benefit from its blessings once again.
It is time to turn aside from worldly distractions to prevent the blessed month from merely passing us by. Here are a few tips that may help you prepare your mind, body and soul for the holy month and reap maximum benefit, Insha’Allah.
- Before Ramadan begins make up any missed fasts from the previous year and adopt the sunnah of fasting on Mondays and Thursdays in Sha’ban. This will help accustom your body to bear the physical demands of fasting, improve your spiritual state and help make a smooth transition into the holy month.
- Take care of any worldly matters that may distract you during the holy month, whether they be personal, domestic, social or work related. Make arrangements with work and organise your diary to ensure you have time to focus on prayer and good actions. This may involve adjusting your working or lunch hours and taking time off work to practice the beautiful sunnah of spiritual retreat (i‘tikaf), especially during the last ten days.
- Improve your relationship with the Qur’an by reading it more regularly, improving your tajweed and getting a good translation or tafsir. Make your intention to complete its entire recitation and reflect upon what you have learned. It is sunnah to ask Allah for mercy at the verses mentioning mercy, and to seek refuge in Him at verses mentioning punishment, so make your reading an interactive one.
- Make a personal du‘a list so you don’t forget to pray for anything or anyone throughout the holy month. Include everything big and small, for others as well as yourself, for this world and the Hereafter. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ‘The supplications of three people are not refused: the one fasting when breaking the fast, the just ruler, and the oppressed’ (Tirmidhi). Please remember those less fortunate than yourselves in your prayers.
- Go on a ‘technology diet,’ meaning less TV, internet and entertainment including unnecessary phone calls. This will help maximise your time for the Qur’an, prayers, dhikr, and charity to make the most of this tremendous opportunity to draw closer to Allah. Start this now to help you deal with the lifestyle change when Ramadan begins.
- Evaluate your day before going to bed. Be honest with yourself about your actions - assess which good deeds can be repeated, which bad ones can be avoided and set yourself goals for Ramadan. Be especially careful to abstain from slander, lying and foul language, which are always unlawful, but even worse when fasting. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Whoever does not give up lying speech, acting upon those lies, and evil actions, Allah has no need for his leaving food and drink. Allah will not accept his fasting’ (Bukhari).
- Plan to host iftar for family and friends because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘He who breaks another’s fast earns the same reward as the one who fasted without diminishing the latter’s reward in the slightest’ (Tirmidhi). Remember, these should not be extravagant or wasteful and the sunnah is fulfilled even with just water.
- Familiarise yourself with the rules and etiquette of fasting. Raise community awareness about Ramadan among Muslims and non-Muslims including children, and share its values of spirituality, generosity, and kindness with others. Plan charity work in your local community such as feeding the homeless or picking up litter. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘He does not truly believe who eats his fill while his neighbour remains hungry by his side’ (Bayhaqi).
- Help yourself and others empathise with those who regularly go without food and water by learning about the plight of those less fortunate. Remember them in your prayers and take practical steps to help them in any way you can. Donate to good causes, advocate on their behalf and make lifestyle changes that could have a global impact. See your ethical eating guide here.
- Calculate your zakat for the year using our online Zakat Calculator here and endeavour to pay it during Ramadan in order to reap even greater rewards. Also use the opportunity to benefit from multiple rewards and give sadaqah (voluntary charity) or set up a regular donation to help Islamic Relief’s humanitarian work around the world.
