Islam Blog

Ramadhaan is approaching! Are we excited? Are we prepared? Do we have a plan of action? This post is intended to explain to readers some of the ways in which we can prepare for this month and make the most of it, Insha’Allah .

1. Have the right approach: This is important. Being in the right frame of mind helps you in being organized. You need to know that this month is special and calls for special attention and planning. If you’re going to treat this month like a long vacation or a time for making merry or eating good food, then you obviously need to re-examine your attitude. Be clear in your goals and objectives for this month.

2. Recite this dua: This is the dua to be recited on seeing the crescent. Since most of us are really interested in spotting it before Ramadhaan, learning this dua and reciting it at the appropriate time should be a source of reward. Also, if people in your area do not recite it, then it will be like reviving a sunnah, insha’Allah .

The dua is:

Translation:

‘Allaah is the greatest. O Allaah, let the crescent loom above us in safety, faith, peace, and Islaam, and in agreement with all that You love and pleases You. Our Lord and your Lord is Allaah.’

3. Prepare a schedule for worship: Most people approach Ramadhaan with great fervor. They’re mentally prepared to make the most of this time. However, as time goes by, people tend to become lax. The state of mind at the beginning of the month is no longer there. The best way to counter this is to make a schedule that you can follow for the entire month. For example, if you plan to recite the entire Qur’aan in this month, then break it down in to small parts. And make it a point to finish your portion before the day’s end. This way, you can set a routine for other acts of ibaadah, like nafil prayers, dhikr, memorizing a part of the qur’aan etc.

4. Buy food essentials in advance: Buy all the grocery items that have a long shelf life in advance. If you’re going to buy all your groceries on a daily basis, even though you can afford to buy it all together (and I know people like this), you’ll be losing a lot of precious time that you can utilize for worship or for relaxation to help you worship later in the day.

5. The Grand Finale: Plan something special for the last 10 days of Ramadhaan. If you’re circumstances allow, nothing compares to i’tikaaf. The reward for this is immense and you strengthen your chances of benefiting from Laylatul Qadr. If you can’t spend the last days in i’tikaaf, then at least plan to intensify your ibaadah. It won’t be too much to ask if you can double your worship. If you were reading one Juz, then read two. If you were praying 10 rakahs of nafil prayer throughout the day, make it 20. The basic idea is to worship as much as you can.

6. Enjoy: Finally, when Eid comes, have a great time! Go out with friends and family. Eat at your favorite restaurant. Wear that special dress you bought. This is a small reward for an entire month of sacrifice. Of course the real reward is with Allah , Insha’Allah . However, this obviously doesn’t open the door for Haraam actions. So be careful about that. Don’t make your worship in Ramadhaan seem like a sham. If you had the right approach, then the benefit from this month will carry forward, Insha’Allah . Also, remember the less fortunate amongst us and try to be generous to them. Nothing compares to putting a smile on the face of a small child on Eid.

I ask Allah to make this month a source of benefit for all Muslims.