Seven tips to prepare for Ramadan

Ramadan, the most auspicious month of the Islamic calendar, is around the corner! During this period, Muslims abstain from food, water, sexual relations and bad deeds for 29-30 days from dawn to sunset.

Muslims around the world also use the month to redevelop or enhance their connection with Allah (SWT). So it is important to prepare adequately for it physically, spiritually, and mentally in order to get the best out of it.

To achieve this, here are ways to prepare for Ramadan.

• Finish all pending fast

If you missed any fasts during the previous Ramadan, this is the best time to complete them.

With Ramadan around the corner, this should be the first thing on your mind.

You probably missed a fast during the last Ramadan because you got ill, pregnant, began menstruating, or starts traveling during Ramadan.

You’re allowed to skip fast during these days but must make up for it on other days as stated in Quran 2 vs 184 – 185.

So now is the perfect time to repay them.

• Set the intention

When it comes to acts of worship, setting a pure intention (niyah) is crucial in Islam.

So as Ramadan is approaching, set the intention to fast during this period only for Allah, for pleasing Him and nothing else.

Making pure intention also requires you to repent sincerely from all deeds that can rob you of the blessings that come with the holy month.

Remember, having pure intention will help keep your heart and mind active. You will also get to receive the best of blessings for your deeds.

• Get your shopping done

This is one of the most important things to do in preparation for Ramadan.

A few days before Ramadan, you should do all your major shopping including groceries and every other thing that will be needed to make the month a seamless one.

This will help promote a healthy and balanced diet during the month.

Taking shopping out of the way before Ramadan will also help you give full focus on the act of worship during the month and get the most out of it.

• Make a Ramadan checklist

Putting your goals into a list is a great way to maximize your productivity during Ramadan.

Create a list of goals and tasks you would like to achieve during Ramadan. Writing these goals/tasks down gives you the motivation to achieve them.

You can also hang the list somewhere you will always get to see it. Subconsciously, you will always have your goals on your mind which will make them easier to achieve.

• Create a du’a (supplications) plan

Offering prayers and reciting dua is an indispensable part of Ramadan.

So to get the most out of the holy month, you need to have a supplication/prayer plan.

You can make plans on how to recite your regular important duas, read certain portions of the Quran, and pray a certain amount of extra prayers.

You can also hang the du’a around the house which will constantly remind you to recite it.

• Visit the doctor

It is important to add this to your preparation list. This will help ensure that it is safe for you to fast.

• Gather information

Learn about Ramadan; its meaning, its importance, and when and how to worship during the period. This will help you get internalise the significance of the month.

You should also get information about your prayer timing, iftar and fajr timing, and also close-by mosque where Taraweeh prayers are taking place.

You can even find out and attend any pre-Ramadan programmes or sermons to learn more about how to prepare for Ramadan.

Ramadan is a special month. It also holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims. May Allah keep us till then.

Allahumma ballighna Ramadan

 “Oh Allah, allow us to reach Ramadan”

Photo credit: MuslimMatters