If You Want Something to Work, Then Make a Plan!
If you want to know how to prepare for Ramadan, then you need to start with a clear plan and sincere intentions. Ramadan is a special month full of opportunities to worship Allah, increase good deeds, and strengthen our relationship with the Qur’an. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185):
(شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ) “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion. So whoever of you sights the month, he must observe fasting that month.”
The Companions and the righteous predecessors used to pray to Allah for six months before Ramadan, asking Him to let them reach the next Ramadan. They then spent the following six months asking Allah to accept their deeds during Ramadan.
Here are some points that I ask Allah to make beneficial for both you and me.
Sincere Intention
If you want to know how to prepare for Ramadan , then you have to start with pure and sincere intentions. Setting intentions and defining your plans for this month would help you make the best use of the 30 days. We need to set our hearts on worshipping Allah, increasing good deeds, abandoning bad deeds, and sparing no effort to invest every moment in pleasing Allah.
Sincere Repentance
Start Ramadan with the mindset that this month is your last chance or your only path to Jannah. How would you react? Make this month a fresh start for the year, and decide to leave what displeases Allah and choose what brings you closer to Him. Repentance is obligatory at all times and for all sins. The burden of sins will make your path to Allah heavier. It will also darken your heart and mind. Your sins will prevent you from enjoying the seasons of good deeds. Start with some practical steps, such as making Istighfar and Duas, closing all doors that lead to sinful deeds, and so on.
The Question: Why Ramadan?
If you want to know the answer, then you have to read and listen more. Reading more and listening to lectures that explain the significance of Ramadan will motivate you. When you understand that these days are a “fixed number of days” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:184), you will try to remove any obstacles that hinder your progress during Ramadan. These days pass so quickly, and only those who are best prepared will truly benefit. Not to mention how important it is to study the rulings of fasting, learn what invalidates your Siyam (fasting), and understand how to avoid anything that nullifies it.
Goals for Ramadan
Your goals require a plan. It is simple: decide how many Khatmahs (completions of reading the whole Qur’an) you want to achieve and create a timetable to help you do so. Which Masjids will you visit to perform the night prayers? Some may prefer to follow one Imam rather than another during prayers. All these choices should be made before Ramadan begins, rather than waiting until the first few days to decide how you will spend the month.
Are you ready to abandon gossip, stop watching TV programmes except for beneficial ones, and devote yourself to worshipping Allah? You need to answer these questions and take action before Ramadan arrives and passes by quickly.
We pray that Allah preserves us until Ramadan, preserves Ramadan for us, and accepts our deeds during it. O Most Merciful of those who show mercy!
To read more ideas about how to get ready for Ramadan, please go here.
