How to get prepared for Ramadan?

The Prophet’s companions used to start preparing for Ramadan six months in advance. Therefore, we must get ready for this Ramadan if we genuinely want to enjoy it to the fullest. As we all know, fasting involves refraining not only from eating but also from lewd behavior and lusty thoughts. Fasting forces us to be thoughtful about what we do, patient, and moral people, which raises our taqwa (God-consciousness). Here are some strategies to make many areas of our lives better so that we can thoroughly enjoy Ramadan, a season when good acts are doubled.

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What purpose does Ramadan serve?

One of the five “pillars of Islam”—the others being the profession of faith, daily prayer, almsgiving, and the pilgrimage to Mecca—Ramadan is a time of fasting and spiritual development. Muslims who are physically capable are obliged to abstain from eating, drinking, and having sexual intercourse every day of the month from sunrise until dusk. Numerous devout Muslims also engage in additional prayers, particularly at night, and try to memorize the entire Quran. Muslims generally believe that the Prophet Muhammad received the Quran for the first time during the last 10 nights of Ramadan.

Discover how to get prepared for Ramadan:-

1. Voluntary fasting

The best time to begin observing additional fasts or make up for missed fasts from the previous Ramadan is during this month—Shabaan.

Usamah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I said, ‘Oh Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting in any other month like you fast in Shabaan.’ He said, ‘That is a month to which people do not pay attention, between Rajab and Ramadan, and it is a month in which deeds are lifted up to the Lord of the Worlds. I like for my deeds to be lifted up when I am fasting.’”

The best way to prepare fasting for a whole month is to start fasting often, to gain control over your actions, stomach, and desires.

Mondays and Thursdays Fasting:

Abu Hurairah reported that the most the Prophet ﷺ would fast be Monday and Thursday. He was asked about that, and he said: “The deeds of people are presented to Allah every Monday and Thursday. Allah forgives every Muslim except for those who are deserting each other.” (Hasan)

Fast on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the Islamic month:

Abu Tharr Al-Ghefari said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘Oh Abu Dharr! If you fast three days of every month, then fast the 13th, 14th and 15th (these are called Al-Ayaam Al-Beedh, the White Days).’” (Sahih)

The Prophet ﷺ said, “(Allah said), ‘Every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is for Me, and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.’ Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk.” (Bukhari)

2. Recite the Qur'an and consider it.

Start today contemplating passages from the Qur’an to grow closer to Allah and comprehend your obligations. You will learn new meanings and benefits in this life and the next by reading the Qur’an repeatedly.

Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) related that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully, smoothly and precisely, will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. As for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have twice that reward.” (Muslim)

3. Adhere to the Sunnah and Offer Additional Prayers

Learn more about the Prophet Muhammad and emulate his behavior to follow him.

“Say, [Oh Muhammad], If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Qur’an 3:31)

4. Repentance and Dua

Even though we all make mistakes, thank God we have the opportunity to change.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “All the children of Adam constantly err, but the best of those who constantly err are those who constantly repent.” (Tirmidhi)

5. Perform charitable deeds

Helping one another is the only way this world can improve. Allah pays us back in the hereafter and the hereafter.

According to the Messenger,

“Allah is in the aid of His servant as long as His aide is in the assistance of others.” (Muslim)

“Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He will multiply it for him and he will have a noble reward?” (Qur’an 57:11)

The Prophet ﷺ also said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)

6. Strengthen Your Personality

Everyone has room to grow in their kindness and develop various facets of their personality.

According to the Prophet, “The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character.” (al-Bukhari)

7. Maintain a Moderate Diet

We must pay attention to what we eat during Ramadan because we have less time to eat. The perfect time to look into how nutrient-dense the foods we eat are right now. after we fast, the food we consume before we begin or after we break our fast must give us the most energy possible so that we can complete our daily chores and increase our worship.

Overeating is also risky.

Ash-Shafi’i said: “I have not filled myself in 16 years because filling oneself makes the body heavy, removes clean understanding, induces sleep and makes one weak for worship.”

We need to mentally, physically, and spiritually prepare ourselves in order to make the most of this holy month. Insha’Allah, if we consistently work to better ourselves, we will be able to progress spiritually with ease come Ramadan.

What does the Ramadan celebration attempt to communicate about the relationship between the soul and the body?

According to the Quran, fasting is advised for believers so that they can be aware of God. It is claimed that by refraining from items that people usually take for granted (such as water), one may be driven to consider the meaning of life and get closer to the One who created and sustains all existence. Therefore, breaking the law effectively undermines the fast. Many Muslims also argue that fasting gives them a sense of destitution, which may encourage empathy.